cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) analysis of U.S.-China commodity trade dynamics

Abstract This study examines the U.S.-China trade dynamics focusing on the leading commodity imports and exports in both manufacturing (SITC 5–8) and crude materials (SITC2) sectors at SITC 3-digit level. The effect of real income of China and the U.S., bilateral real exchange rates and its volatility, U.S. investment, the “third country” exchange risk effect, and the role of financial deepening and human capital investment are evaluated using 2000–2016 quarterly data. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model results for the U.S. inpayments and outpayments indicate that real exchange rates play the most significant role, affecting most commodities in both the short-and long-run, with the expected signs. While the relationship of most U.S. commodity exports and imports with the real income of both China and the U.S. have the expected long-run positive effect, the average responsiveness of the U.S. imports to U.S. real income is larger than that of the U.S. exports’ response to Chinese real income. This, combined with the relatively larger exchange rate elasticity value for the U.S. exports, suggests a greater U.S.-China trade deficit following the real appreciation of the yuan, which is consistent with the actual post-2005 trade experience. Both the real exchange rate volatility measures and the U.S. foreign direct investment in China are found to have a limited significant relationship with both U.S. commodity imports and exports. Although financial deepening and education affect trade in both directions, the positive influence of human capital is consistent and evident across most affected commodity cases.
Scalaridelphys Nom. Nov. A New Replacement Name for Scalaria Cohen et al., 2020 (Marsupialiformes, Aquiladelphidae)

Cohen et al. (2020) recently described a new genus of Cretaceous mammal from North America belonging to Aquiladelphidae. However, the proposed genus name, Scalaria is preoccupied by a taxon of mari...
Speeding up machine hearing

Computational models that capture the nonlinear processing of the inner ear have been prohibitively slow to use for most machine-hearing systems. A convolutional neural network model replicates hallmark features of cochlear signal processing, potentially enabling real-time applications.
Socioeconomic factors and outcomes from exercise-related sudden cardiac arrest in high school student-athletes in the USA

Objective Minority student-athletes have a lower survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) than non-minority student-athletes. This study examined the relationship between high school indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) and survival in student-athletes with exercise-related SCA. Methods High school student-athletes in the USA with exercise-related SCA on school campuses were prospectively identified from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2018 by the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research. High school indicators of SES included the following: median household and family income, proportion of students on free/reduced lunch and percent minority students. Resuscitation details included witnessed arrest, presence of an athletic trainer, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of an on-site automated external defibrillator (AED). The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Differences in survival were analysed using risk ratios (RR) and univariate general log-binomial regression models. Results Of 111 cases identified (mean age 15.8 years, 88% male, 49% white non-Hispanic), 75 (68%) survived. Minority student-athletes had a lower survival rate compared with white non-Hispanic student-athletes (51.1% vs 75.9%; RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.92). A non-significant monotonic increase in survival was observed with increasing median household or family income and with decreasing percent minority students or proportion on free/reduced lunch. The survival rate was 83% if an athletic trainer was on-site at the time of SCA and 85% if an on-site AED was used. Conclusions Minority student-athletes with exercise-related SCA on high school campuses have lower survival rates than white non-Hispanic athletes, but this difference is not fully explained by SES markers of the school.
Application of Overhauser C1 Continuous Boundary Elements to “Hypersingular” BIE for 3-D Acoustic Wave Problems

The C1 continuous representations of boundary geometry and variables in the BIE/BEM not only provide more accurate results, but are also demanded by some BIE formulations, such as the “hypersingular” BIE formulations of certain problems [1, 2]. There are several types of C1 or even C2, boundary elements in the literature. Liggett and Salmon [3] introduced cubic spline interpolation in the discretization of BIE formulation. In this interpolation, nodal values of the function and second derivative of the function are used. The nodal values of the second derivative are obtained in terms of the nodal values of the function by solving a separate set of equations. Thus, this method has a global character in the sense that the function inside one element is actually determined by all the nodal values of the function on the entire curve. Watson [4] introduced Hermitian cubic elements in BEM for 2-D problems. The problem with the Hermitian elements is that the tangential derivatives of the function and even cross-derivatives (for 3-D problems) need to be introduced at the nodes. These derivatives are usually not the boundary variables in the conventional BIE formulation and are troublesome to deal with. B-splines have been used in BEM for some time and a more recent work is given by Cabral et al [5]. The important character of the B-splines is that the spline curves do not pass through the specified nodes (for geometry) or the nodal values (for function). The geometry (or function) within an element is defined by four control points (or coefficients) multiplied by blending functions.
Financing Affordable Housing in Georgia: The Possibility of a Dedicated Revenue Source

From the 1930s to the 1990s, the federal government played the primary role in providing financing for affordable housing through support for long-term mortgages, mortgage insurance programs, and public-housing facilities. Beginning in the 1990s, this role shifted to state governments. In order to meet this new responsibility, states must find dedicated, reliable sources of income to fund safe, decent, and affordable housing for its residents. This article offers some potential sources for a dedicated source of revenue, including the real estate transfer tax and the recording tax on security deeds, to fund state housing programs.
Phylogenetic network inferences through efficient haplotyping

The genotype phasing problem is to determine the haplotypes of diploid individuals from their genotypes where linkage relationships are not known. Based on the model of perfect phylogeny, the genotype phasing problem can be solved in linear time. However, recombinations may occur and the perfect phylogeny model thus cannot interpret genotype data with recombinations. This paper develops a graph theoretical approach that can reduce the problem to finding a subgraph pattern contained in a given graph. Based on ordered graph tree decomposition, this problem can be solved efficiently with a parameterized algorithm. Our tests on biological genotype data showed that this algorithm is extremely efficient and its interpretation accuracy is better than or comparable with that of other approaches.
Demonstration of transoral surgery in cadaveric specimens with the medrobotics flex system.

Objectives/Hypothesis Using human cadavers, we investigated the feasibility of using a new robotic platform, the Medrobotics Flex System, for laryngeal access and flexible tool delivery to facilitate the performance of pharyngolaryngeal procedures without laryngeal suspension. Our initial trials specifically assess the utility of this experimental robotic system for epiglottectomy and base of tongue resection. Study Design Feasibility; Level of evidence: NA. Methods Using standard mouth retractors, the Flex™robot was driven via the physician controller to the supraglottic region. Non-crossing, flexible endoscopic tools were inserted through the robot's external tool channels to retract, cauterize, and remove tissue in each procedure type. Mock surgical procedures were performed on the laryngopharyngeal complex including epiglottectomy, base of tongue resection, and vocal cord excision. Time-to-tissue exposure was noted for each procedure. Each epiglottectomy was timed to determine operation duration. Results Epiglottectomy, base of tongue resection, and vocal cord excision were successfully performed without suspension laryngoscopy. Individual surgeons improved the procedure time significantly (P = 0.03) between first and second attempts. Epiglottectomies were performed in an average time of 42 minutes (N = 5, σ = 28 minutes). Conclusions The Medrobotics Flex System demonstrates great potential as a surgical tool in head and neck oncology. Compared to other surgical robots, the Flex System offers facilitated access, vision, and triangulation of flexible tools for procedures in the endolarynx. Level of Evidence N/A
Guidelines for Assessing Parental Preference in Child-Custody Disputes

Abstract This article reviews the value of guidelines in child custody evaluations and proposes a set of 20 guidelines to be utilized by evaluators and the courts. Each guideline is discussed with relevant criteria identified.
An Investigation of the Effect of Air-Oxidation on Coal Liquefaction

Experiments are performed to investigate the effects of oxidation upon coal liquefaction in a combined pre-oxidation-liquefaction process. It is found that the air-oxidation of coal preceding liquefaction is generally detrimental to liquefaction yields for both cases with or without presence of hydrogen gas in the dissolution step, and could be highly harmful to the processes which rely solely upon hydrogen donor solvents such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene. The analyses of oxidized and unoxidized coals show a significant decrease in hydrogen but increase in oxygen contents of the coal with oxidation. These factors together with the possible formation of oxygen-coal bonds and the increase in —OH and/or —COOH groups in the oxidized coal are thought to account for the decreasing conversion of oxidized coal when it is subjected to liquefaction.
GLUTAMINE SYNTHETASE. II. THE INTRACELLULAR LOCALIZATION IN THE RAT LIVER.

Abstract The intracellular distribution of glutamine synthetase ( l -glutamate: ammonia ligase (ADP), EC 6.3.1.2) in normal and regenerating rat livers has been studied. The distribution of the enzyme activity in liver in these two situations is similar. The highest enzyme activity occurred in the microsome fraction, which comprised about one half of the activity in liver. Although most of the enzyme activity was identified with the particulate fractions, most of the free glutamine in liver was found in the soluble fraction. In the microsome fraction, the enzyme was associated with the vesicles, and the ribonucleoprotein particles contained no significant activity. NaCl in concentrations less than that of physiological saline caused solubilization of the enzyme from the vesicles. The evidence indicates that the enzyme was attached to the outer surface of the vesicular membrane in the microsome fraction, and that it was probably attached also to the surface of the nuclear and mitochondrial membranes.
Transforming Supervision: Using Video Elicitation to Support Preservice Teacher-Directed Reflective Conversations

Recent legislation at both state and federal levels has resulted in increased scrutiny and accountability in K-12 public education and, consequently, increased concern by the educational community for how to better prepare and retain effective teachers and administrators in America's public schools, particularly in the most underserved settings. This study focuses on the issue of how teacher education programs may effectively prepare preservice, or novice, teachers for this new climate of increased accountability by looking at the ways in which reflective practice approaches and educational technology, in particular video-elicited reflective debriefings, may enhance teacher preparation programs. Specifically, this study examines how the use of video-elicited reflection impacts the pedagogical and reflective communication of the novice teacher, as well as the effectiveness of the supervisor when working with the novice teacher, compared to traditional observation-based debriefing approaches. The results indicate that video-elicited reflective debriefings not only encourage more reflective commentary on the part of the novice teacher in both depth and breadth, but that commentary related to state standards for evaluating teaching performance is also broadened and deepened with the use of video elicitation compared to that which occurs in traditional observation-based debriefings. Moreover, the results indicate that supervisor-novice teacher interactions are positively impacted when video elicitation is utilized in addition to traditional observation-based approaches
Experiments on Animated Visual Forms

A series of experiments that investigate and demonstrate the visual logic of three-dimensional representation in animated form through the use of computers is presented.
Multiscale modeling in semiconductor processing

Process modeling in semiconductor device fabrication has become an accepted practice in the industry and commercial codes are available to model diffusion, ion implantation, dopant segregation and a variety of other processes. There is a certain level of empiricism associated with each of these models. This leads to the need where the empirical part of the model has to be constantly re-evaluated as processing goes through new generations. On the other hand, if completely self consistent, first-principles based models can be developed, it would be applicable through several generations of device technologies. In this paper, we attempt such an approach for one process: trench etching, gate definition and associated etching processes.
Dispersion managed soliton transmission experiments

Summary form only given. We have been investigating the communication performance of dispersion managed solitons using a recirculating loop that contains one period of our dispersion map. By going to a wider bandwidth filter we propagated temporally shorter pulses that combined with our map parameters produced dispersion managed soliton propagation. The narrower filter produced longer pulses that were more like traditional solitons that had decreased communication performance.
Oxidative stress-mediated inhibition of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation by silver nanoparticles

Given the increasing use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NP) by the food and food packaging industries, this study investigated potential consequences of Ag NP ingestion in intestinal epithelial C2BBe1 cells. Treatment of proliferating cells ( 100,000 cells/cm(2)) treated with 10 μg/cm(2) (40-50 μg/mL) Ag NP, indicating that these cells are less sensitive to Ag NP.
Phase 2 trial of irinotecan and thalidomide in adults with recurrent anaplastic glioma

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic options for patients with anaplastic gliomas (AGs) are limited despite better insights into glioma biology. The authors previously reported improved outcome in patients with recurrent glioblastoma treated with thalidomide and irinotecan compared with historical controls. Here, results of the AG arm of the study are reported, using this drug combination. METHODS: Adults with recurrent AG previously treated with radiation therapy, with Karnofsky performance score ≥70, adequate organ function and not on enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants were enrolled. Treatment was in 6-week cycles with irinotecan at 125 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks followed by 2 weeks off, and thalidomide at 100 mg daily increased to 400 mg/day as tolerated. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival rate at 6 months (PFS-6), and the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and response rate (RR). RESULTS: In 39 eligible patients, PFS-6 for the intent-to-treat population was 36% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 21%, 53%), median PFS was 13 weeks (95% CI = 6%, 28%) and RR was 10%(95% CI = 3%, 24%). Radiological findings included 2 complete and 2 partial responses and 17 stable disease. Median OS from study registration was 62 weeks, (95% CI = 51, 144). Treatment-related toxicities (grade 3 or higher) included neutropenia, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue; 6 patients experienced venous thromboembolism. Four deaths were attributable to treatment-related toxicities: 1 from pulmonary embolism, 2 from colitis, and 1 from urosepsis. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of thalidomide and irinotecan did not achieve sufficient efficacy to warrant further investigation against AG, although a subset of patients experienced prolonged PFS/OS. A trial of the more potent thalidomide analogue, lenalidomide, in combination with irinotecan against AG is currently ongoing. Cancer 2012;3599–3606. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
High-gain Brillouin amplification: an analytical approach

We derive a closed-form approximate analytical formula for the gain of a Brillouin fiber amplifier operating in the depleted pump regime. We take into account the material loss of the medium, which is a strong effect in optical fibers. We validate obtained results numerically and experimentally. The presented analysis can be used to accurately predict the performance of high-gain Brillouin fiber amplifiers.
Spacek's Contributions to Accounting Thought Revisited

Abstract While he was managing partner and chair of Arthur Andersen in the l950s and 1960s, Leonard Spacek was an outspoken critic of public accounting, complaining about its failure to establish a coherent set of objectives for financial statements, its illogical principles and methods, and its principle-setting process. He was the conscience of the public accounting community during this time period, a critic from within. As far as Spacek was concerned, ‘fairness’ was the central objective of financial reporting, though he never specifically defined the term. In light of the recent high-profile corporate and accounting scandals, including Enron and World.com, both of which were audited by Arthur Andersen, it is useful to analyse Spacek's ideas on the public role of accounting from his speeches and writings with emphasis on the theme of fairness. Given the firm's long-term commitment to quality audits, it was ironic that Andersen fell victim to these scandals.
Evaluation of the particle beam interface for packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry with pure and modified CO2

Abstract The particle beam interface was evaluated for microbore packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography-mass spectrometry coupling. The experiments were conducted with mobile phase of pure CO 2 and methanol-modified CO 2 under flow injection and chromatographic conditions. The effects of various operational parameters were characterized. The electron impact limits of detection (LODs) of the system for single ion monitoring and scan modes were determined to be 5 and 40 ng for caffeine, respectively. These LODs are 2.5 to 25 times better than previous reported estimates. Sensitivity was found to be highly dependent on the modifier percentage with 4% methanol-modified C0 2 Yielding optimal results. Separations of phenylurea pesticides and steroids are shown as demonstrations of system utility. Background subtracted electron impact spectra were artifact-free and comparable with on-line library spectra.
Development of Hydrogen Loading System and Characterization of Tritiated Metallic Films for Betavoltaic Batteries

Betavoltaic cells can provide extended power up to 10 or more years in extreme temperature environments, −55°C to 150°C. However there is limited study on the loading of tritium which is beta source for these cells. The present study examines the loading of the tritium using surrogate hydrogen gas in various films through experiments and simulations. A detailed review of the betavoltaic cell characteristics is first discussed and key challenges in this technology are identified. For the experimental work, a testing facility is designed for loading hydrogen in metallic films such as titanium, palladium and scandium which are good for storage of hydrogen or tritium. The facility is unique as it enables precise measurement of hydrogen loading in the films using pressure difference. Preliminary tests of loading on scandium films were carried out and some results are presented. In order to optimize the film thickness simulations were carried out using MC-SET code for beta flux emission. The results of the simulations for titanium and palladium film are presented.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Non-linear Granger causality and its frequency decomposition in decoding human upper limb movement intentions

Non-linear Granger Causality (GC) can detect directional influence of signals between multiple locations through a non-linear predictive approach using Radial Basis Functions (RBF). However, the directional relations in frequency domain are often lost. In this paper, we investigate how the nonlinear causal relationship at different frequency bands can be extracted by the proper linearisation process. The difference between the non-linearly and linearly fitted signals was used to determine if the frequency components can be approximated. This strategy was implemented and evaluated on a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) application to decode the intended directions of an imagined arm reaching movement (left, right and forward) using 128 surface electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes. The causal influence of the active recording sites was found to be unique with respect to the direction of the intended movement. Particularly, the left and right reaching directions were found to be highly separable in the theta rhythm (3–8 Hz).
Characterization of potential thermal degradation products from the reactions of aqueous ethylene glycol and propylene glycol solutions with copper metal

Abstract Aqueous solutions of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are common heat transfer fluids for solar collector systems. Thermal oxidative degradation produces organic acids which, in turn, generate copper salts through reaction with copper containment systems. Copper (II) salts of the organic acids which may be generated as the result of the degradation of the ethylene glycol and propylene glycol were prepared by reacting aqueous solutions of the acids with copper (II) carbonate. Infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction peak spacings and intensities are presented for the salts. These spectra may be useful in analyzing the servive performance of heat transfer fluids used in solar collector systems.
Is there a place for obesity in DSM-V?

Objective: To revisit the merits and problems inherent in considering obesity, or some aspect of obesity, as a mental or behavioral disorder. Method: The author suggests shifting the focus from the state of obesity to the process of nonhomeostatic overeating that results in obesity. Studies are reviewed that pertain to various models of nonnormative overeating including eating disorder models that stress the form of overeating, substance use disorder models focusing on its consequences, and affect regulation or stress response models focusing on its function. Results: Studies focusing on abnormal eating patterns, including binge eating and night eating suggest that such patterns may be related to the development of obesity. While the literature pertaining to substance use and other models of nonhomeostatic overeating is beginning to mount, current evidence is mostly preliminary and indirect. Conclusion: An attempt to devise diagnostic criteria based on the above models raises multiple difficulties, since the phenomena central to each model are dimensional, common, and variably associated with distress or dysfunction. A detailed understanding of the neurobiological relationships among eating behavior, reward systems, and affect regulation systems will enable a more meaningful consideration of these models and will facilitate specific treatment for disorders of overeating. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2007
Fluorine oxidation of rare earth dopant ions in CaF2 single crystals

A small-scale fluorine oxidation system was developed to convert divalent europium dopant ions to the trivalent state in calcium fluoride single crystals. This oxidation procedure requires low concentrations of fluorine, thus minimizing F2 attack of system construction materials. The uncontrolled growth environment of rare earth doped fluorite crystals can cause the reduction of trivalent europium ions (and certain other trivalent REs) to the undesired divalent state. Trivalent europium is an important dopant in the fluorites because of the defects induced by its aliovalent nature and because of its strong visible fluorescence. A minimum temperature of 1250°C was required to effect the fluorine oxidation of europium in CaF2. The CaF2 single crystals studied had a total dopant concentration (divalent plus trivalent) of about 0.1 mol%. The amount of europium in the divalent state ranged from 0.003 to 0.1 mol%. Percent conversion to trivalent europium ranged from 100% for crystals initially containing 0.003 mol% Eu2+ to 70% for crystal containing all of their dopant ions in the divalent state (0.1 mol% Eu2+). A diffusion constant of 1 x 10-10m2/s was determined for the diffusion of cations in the double-doped CaF2 single crystals. Diffusion was significantly slower in CaF2 crystals containing only divalent dopant ions.
Real-Time Dynamics of Ca2+, Caspase-3/7, and Morphological Changes in Retinal Ganglion Cell Apoptosis under Elevated Pressure

Quantitative information on the dynamics of multiple molecular processes in individual live cells under controlled stress is central to the understanding of the cell behavior of interest and the establishment of reliable models. Here, the dynamics of the apoptosis regulator intracellular Ca(2+), apoptosis effector caspase-3/7, and morphological changes, as well as temporal correlation between them at the single cell level, are examined in retinal gangling cell line (differentiated RGC-5 cells) undergoing apoptosis at elevated hydrostatic pressure using a custom-designed imaging platform that allows long-term real-time simultaneous imaging of morphological and molecular-level physiological changes in large numbers of live cells (beyond the field-of-view of typical microscopy) under controlled hydrostatic pressure. This examination revealed intracellular Ca(2+) elevation with transient single or multiple peaks of less than 0.5 hour duration appearing at the early stages (typically less than 5 hours after the onset of 100 mmHg pressure) followed by gradual caspase-3/7 activation at late stages (typically later than 5 hours). The data reveal a strong temporal correlation between the Ca(2+) peak occurrence and morphological changes of neurite retraction and cell body shrinkage. This suggests that Ca(2+) elevation, through its impact on ion channel activity and water efflux, is likely responsible for the onset of apoptotic morphological changes. Moreover, the data show a significant cell-to-cell variation in the onset of caspase-3/7 activation, an inevitable consequence of the stochastic nature of the underlying biochemical reactions not captured by conventional assays based on population-averaged cellular responses. This real-time imaging study provides, for the first time, statistically significant data on simultaneous multiple molecular level changes to enable refinements and testing of models of the dynamics of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Further, the platform developed and the approach has direct significance to the study of a variety of signaling pathway phenomena.
A computer program for administering and scoring confidence tests

In confidence-test procedures, subjects are asked to respond to all the options of multiple-choice items with weights. They may assign the entire weight to a single option or they may distribute their confidence. With Shuford's truncated logarithmic scoring function (Shuford, Albert, & Massengill, 1966), incentives are provided for honest reporting of confidence, and guessing is discouraged. By utilizing adjustments based on least squares fitting of the subject response (r) to the performance-based likelihood vector (jj), a score of realism can be computed. The realism score indicates whether or not the subject was appropriately certain or cautious (Brown & Shuford, 1973). Adjustment of the knowledge score for inappropriate realism improves reliability and validity (Rippey & Voytovich, 1983). In addition, feedback from the realism score can lead to improvements in realism or suggest deficits in basic forecasting skills and knowledge (Yates, 1982). The logarithmic function has identified occasional bizarre behavior of respondents, suggestive of a pathology of reasoning (Rippey & Voytovich, 1985). The logarithmic method of scoring is used rather widely in England in a course in risk analysis offered by the Open University (1980). Because of its amenability to the scoring of traditional multiple-choice test items, the logarithmic function has been applied to studies of cognitive achievement. Other scoring functions have also been used in other studies, especially in connection with forecasting (Blattenberger & Lad, 1985; Yates, 1982). The Brier score, for example, has been widely studied because of its partitionability using components of variance methods. Confidence testing initially suffered from problems of administration and scoring (Ebel, 1968). Many of the problems were solved by the use of mainframe computer scoring (Rippey & Donato, 1978). A PLATO version of confidence testing was developed by the Rand Corporation (Landa, 1976), expanded by Rippey and Smith (1979), and improved by Anderson (1982). However, access to the system is much more immediate with microcomputers; the microcomputer program described here is a complete system for preparing tests and scoring keys, and for administering and scoring the tests, either individually or in batch mode. The individual testing procedures are most appropriate for educational use,
Bound hydroxyproline excretion following gelatin loading in prolidase deficiency.

Abstract The excretion of peptide-bound hydorxyproline before and after gelatin loading was evaluated in two children with prolidase deficiency, two adult heterozygotes, and normal controls. On a low hydroxyproline diet, the patients with prolidase deficiency excreted 6.9 and 2.4 times more bound hydroxyproline than normal children. The bound hydroxyproline excretion for the heterozygotes was comparable to the adult controls. Children ingested 20 g of gelatin and adults 29 g. In the 24 hr following gelatin loading, the homozygotes excreted 14.4 and 17.3 times more of the ingested load of hydroxyproline than did normal children. This constituted 39% and 47% of the hydroxyproline ingested. Of the hydroxyproline excreted in 24 hr, 58%, and 61.4% was excreted in the first 6 hr. Over the 24 hr period, the normal children excreted 2.7% of the hydroxyproline ingested (97.8% in the first 6 hr). The heterozygotes excreted only slightly more than the adult controls. The normal adults excreted 6.0% of the ingested hydroxyproline (82.2% in the first 6 hr). In prolidase deficiency, large amounts of peptide-bound hydroxyproline can cross the intestinal wall unhydrolyzed. Prolidase appears to have an important role in normal hydrolysis of peptide-bound hydroxyproline.
Discoidin Domain Receptor (DDR) 1 and 2: Collagen-activated Tyrosine Kinase Receptors in the Cornea

Discoidin domain receptor (DDR) 1 and 2 have recently been found to serve as receptors for several collagen types. These receptors have been found to modulate cell proliferation and metalloprotease expression in response to collagen stimulation. The purpose of this study was to examine expression of DDR1 and DDR2 in the cornea and to determine the effect of several collagen types on proliferation and response to pro-apoptotic cytokines by corneal fibroblasts. DDR1 and DDR2 mRNAs were detected by RT-PCR. Proteins were detected by immunocytochemistry and immunoprecipitation with Western blotting. Cell proliferation in response to acetic acid-solubilized collagen type I, II, IV, IX or X was determined by cell counting. The effect of these collagen types on Fas-stimulating antibody-induced cell death was determined by trypan blue assay. DDR1 and DDR2 mRNAs were detected in each major human cell type of the cornea. Both were also detected in ex vivo human corneal epithelium. DDR1 and DDR2 proteins were detected in all three major cell types in culture and in human corneal tissue. Collagen types I, II, IV, IX and X stimulated proliferation, but had no effect on Fas-mediated apoptosis, of corneal fibroblasts. DDR1 and DDR2 tyrosine kinase receptors are expressed in the cornea. Collagen-stimulated mitosis of corneal fibroblasts in culture is likely mediated by the DDR receptors. Collagen had no effect on Fas-mediated apoptosis of corneal fibroblasts.
Impact of generic alendronate cost on the cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis screening and treatment.

Introduction Since alendronate became available in generic form in the Unites States in 2008, its price has been decreasing. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of alendronate cost on the cost-effectiveness of osteoporosis screening and treatment in postmenopausal women.
α1‐Adrenergic effects and liver regeneration

The effects of several treatments involving alpha-adrenergic mechanisms upon the early stages of rat liver regeneration were examined. Catecholamine concentrations in rat plasma were measured at various times after hepatectomy and were found to be elevated relative to those in plasma from sham-operated rats. Surgical hepatic denervation or injection of an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist (prazosin) reduced incorporation of [3H]thymidine into liver DNA during the first 24 hr after partial hepatectomy. Chronic guanethidine injections (3 to 6 weeks) reduced liver catecholamine levels, but did not affect its ability to regenerate. The inhibition of regenerative DNA synthesis by prazosin was preceded by an alteration in the binding of epidermal growth factor to regenerating liver, which was apparently the result of an increased number of epidermal growth factor receptors. Thus, alpha 1-adrenergic blockade, which affects both epidermal growth factor receptor binding and subsequent DNA synthesis in hepatocyte primary cultures, can also modulate these processes during liver regeneration in vivo.
Modeling gas separation from a bent deepwater oil and gas jet/plume

Abstract Socolofsky et al. [Socolofsky, S.A., Leos-Urbel, A. and Adams, E.E., 1999. Draft final report: exploratory experiments with droplet plumes in a cross-flow. In Final Report: Experimental Study of Multi-Phase Plumes with a Lication to Deep Ocean Oil Spills. U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Contract No. 1435-01-98-CT-30964.] and Hugi [Hugi, C., 1993. Modelluntersuchungen von Blasenstrahlen fur die Seebeluftung. PhD thesis, Inst. f. Hydromechanik u. Wasserwirtschaft, ETH, Zurich.] observed that gas could separate from the main jet/plume of an oil and gas mix under certain ambient cross-flow conditions. There are locations in deepwater where cross currents are significant (e.g., Gulf of Mexico). Out of the few models available for oil and gas behavior simulation under deepwater conditions, Johansen's [Spill Sci. Technol. Bull. 6 (2000) 103] is the only one that can take into effect the separation of gases from the main jet/plume. A strong ambient current causes a jet/plume to bend. Because gas rises faster than oil, it can separate from the bent plume. This gas separation can lower the neutral buoyancy level (NBL) of plume. Consequently, the overall trajectory of the oil droplets underwater and slicks at the water surface may vary significantly because the location of transition of the jet/plume mixing to the far-field turbulent mixing has drastically changed. In this paper, the turbulent, multi-phase (oil and gas) jet/plume in a cross-flow is modeled by using the integral Lagrangian control volume (CV) method. A comparison of the model results with the experimental data shows good agreement. A scenario for a deepwater blowout simulation shows that taking gas separation into account is very important in a bent plume.
Absolute Coronary Artery Calcium Scores are superior to MESA percentile rank in predicting obstructive coronary artery disease

Background Coronary artery calcium scoring (CAC) is an excellent non-invasive method to evaluate coronary atherosclerotic burden. To better predict the risk of future events in an individual, their absolute CAC score is compared to an age- and gender-matched cohort in order to assign a percentile rank. However, it is unknown whether absolute CAC or percentile rank is better in predicting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). We hypothesized that absolute CAC is superior to percentile rank in predicting obstructive CAD. Methods 210 consecutive patients referred to our institution for CAC and coronary artery computed tomography angiography (CTA) were included. CAC scores were expressed as Agatston score; percentile rank as published by the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Coronary artery stenoses were graded semi-quantitatively. Receiver operating characteristics curves (ROC) were used to assess the performance of CAC to predict obstructive CAD. Results In the overall group, the area under the curve (AUC) was significantly greater for absolute CAC compared to MESA percentile rank in predicting obstructive CAD (0.80 vs. 0.72, P = 0.006). Subgroup analysis revealed similar findings: AUC for absolute CAC was greater than for MESA percentile rank in males (0.82 vs. 0.71, P = 0.008), females (0.78 vs. 0.72, P = 0.085), symptomatic patients (0.78 vs. 0.72, P = 0.067) and in asymptomatic subjects (0.89 vs. 0.74, P = 0.05). Conclusion Absolute CAC is superior to MESA percentile rank in predicting obstructive CAD. This finding was seen in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients as well as in males and females.
Towards data-centric input signal design using sparse polynomial optimization

Data-centric approaches such as Model-on-Demand (MoD) generate a local linear model online from a database of regressors at a given operating point. This paper explores the use of sparse polynomial optimization methods to solve previously developed input signal design formulations for data-centric system identification methods. These formulations aim to develop sufficient support in the regressor space by addressing the optimal distribution of regressors. The resulting problems are posed as general polynomial optimization problems and the paper analyzes conditions on the objective and constraints which allows for tractable representation using sparse polynomials. It is shown that the input constraint set is sparse while the regressor distances are dense; towards that a reformulation is proposed to incorporate only selective regressor distance pairs to induce sparsity. A numerical example highlights the benefit of the proposed method.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a skin hospital.

Summary.— The incidence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in lesions and faces of patients with diseases of the skin has been investigated for a period of 10 months. Of 308 patients, 18%, were found to carry Ps. aeruginosa on admission. Forty-five patients had lesions infected with Ps. aeruginosa, 26 of these being faecal carriers, but only 7 carried the same strain in both sites. The possible significance of environmental contamination is discussed.
Gestational Valproate Alters BOLD Activation in Response to Complex Social and Primary Sensory Stimuli

Valproic acid (VPA) has been used clinically as an anticonvulsant medication during pregnancy; however, it poses a neurodevelopmental risk due to its high teratogenicity. We hypothesized that midgestational (GD) exposure to VPA will lead to lasting deficits in social behavior and the processing of social stimuli. To test this, animals were given a single IP injection of 600 mg/kg of VPA on GD 12.5. Starting on postnatal day 2 (PND2), animals were examined for physical and behavior abnormalities. Functional MRI studies were carried out after PND60. VPA and control animals were given vehicle or a central infusion of a V1a antagonist 90 minutes before imaging. During imaging sessions, rats were presented with a juvenile test male followed by a primary visual stimulus (2 Hz pulsed light) to examine the effects of prenatal VPA on neural processing. VPA rats showed greater increases in BOLD signal response to the social stimulus compared to controls in the temporal cortex, thalamus, midbrain and the hypothalamus. Blocking the V1a receptor reduced the BOLD response in VPA animals only. Neural responses to the visual stimulus, however, were lower in VPA animals. Blockade with the V1a antagonist did not revert this latter effect. Our data suggest that prenatal VPA affects the processing of social stimuli and perhaps social memory, partly through a mechanism that may involve vasopressin V1a neurotransmission.
Prostate-specific antigen bounce after prostate seed implantation for localized prostate cancer: descriptions and implications.

Abstract Purpose To calculate the actuarial risk of developing a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) bounce after prostate brachytherapy alone, using three definitions of bounce mentioned in the literature, and to explore the relationship between disease and treatment variables and the risk of developing a bounce. The impact of PSA bounce on PSA failure was also explored. Methods and materials A total of 373 patients with T1–T2 prostate cancer underwent radioactive seed implant using 125 I ( n = 337) or 103 Pd ( n = 36) without hormonal therapy or external beam RT. All patients had a minimum of 1 year (median 4, maximum 11) of follow-up and at least three follow-up PSA values. PSA bounce was defined by a rise of one or two PSA values with a subsequent fall. Three definitions of bounce were used: definition 1, rise ≥0.1 ng/mL; definition 2, rise ≥0.4 ng/mL; and definition 3, rise >35% of previous value. Results The actuarial likelihood of experiencing a PSA bounce at 5 years was 31% for definition 1, 17% for definition 2, and 20% for definition 3. The median time to develop a bounce was 19.5 months for definitions 1 and 2 and 20.5 months for definition 3. Gleason score, initial PSA level, and clinical stage did not predict for bounce using any definition. Using definition 1, younger patients (≤65 years) had a bounce rate at 5 years of 38% vs. 24% for older patients ( p = 0.009). 125 I patients receiving an implant dose of ≤160 Gy had a bounce rate (definition 1) at 5 years of 24% vs. 38% for those receiving a dose delivered to 90% of the gland on the 1 month postimplant dose–volume histogram (D 90 ) >160 Gy ( p = 0.04). Using definition 2, prostate volume significantly affected the incidence of bounce. Patients with larger glands (>35 cm 3 ) were more likely to experience a bounce (23% at 5 years) than those with smaller glands (≤35 cm 3 ) who had a bounce rate of 11% at 5 years ( p = 0.01). In a multivariate analysis of factors predicting for PSA failure, PSA bounce was not found to be significant. Conclusion PSA bounce is a common phenomenon after prostate brachytherapy and occurs at a rate of 17–31%, depending on the definition used. It is more common in younger patients, those receiving higher implant doses, and those with larger glands. PSA bounce does not predict for future PSA failure.
Biochemical studies of taste sensation. III. Preparation of a suspension of bovine taste bud cells and their labeling with a fluorescent probe.

A method to prepare suspensions of taste bud cells is described. Bovine circumvallate papillae, which contain most of the taste buds in this animal, are incubated in collagenase-containing medium and the epidermal sidewall tissue is then dissected from the inner gelatinous dermis. The sidewall tissue, which contains the taste buds, is gently homogenized by manual operation of an all-glass homogenizer with a loose-fitting pestle. The suspended material is separated on a discontinuous Ficoll gradient (2%, 8%, 10%, 12% w/w). The material banding at the 8–2% interface is greatly enriched in spindle-shaped cells that are morphologically similar to taste bud cells as they appear in situ. These cells are not seen when the procedure is done with tissues devoid of taste buds, namely the upper surface of the circumvallate papilla or epithelium from the intermolar eminence. Fluorescence analysis indicates that the hydrophobic probe, 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), binds to relatively nonpolar sites in the suspension. It is postulated that the probe is adsorbing onto the surface membrane of the cell. These preparations may be useful in studying specificity and transduction in taste sensation.
Chemical ionization mass spectrometry. i‐Butane reactant gas modified by ethanolamine or ethylenediamine

1,2-Diaminoethane and 2-aminoethanol-1 were added to the isobutane plasma of a chemical ionization mass spectrometer. The resulting reactant gas mixture did not react with additives containing a single oxygen functional group. Addition reactions were observed with some additives containing multiple oxygen functions. Additives containing nitrogen functions were protonated by the reactant mixture. The relative proportion of protonation to addition depended on the ability of the additive to chelate the reactant ion and on the basicity of the additive. This use of 1,2-diaminoethane and 2-aminoethanol-1 provides a convenient method of varying the reactivity of the plasma in a chemical ionization source.
Coordinated Voltage Conversion and Low-Power Micro-Actuator Switching

Due to very low power throughput and behavior as primarily capacitive loads, voltage conversion for micro-scale piezoelectric and electrostatic actuators can be very inefficient, while analog drive circuit supply currents may also exceed actuator power consumption. When limited instead to switching commands at discrete time instants to control micro-actuator motion, it may be advantageous to coordinate operating periods of any voltage conversion circuitry with actuators. A sample scenario of a traditional boost converter driving a thin-film piezoelectric micro-robotic appendage along a trajectory is considered through simulation studies. Some ranges of target motion accuracy are achieved using less energy, up to a 25% reduction at 30 V, for a 4 V battery, when coordinating voltage converter operation, even when conversion efficiency is very low.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Network structure and methanol transport dynamics in poly(methyl methacrylate)

The effect of the polymer network structure on methanol transport dynamics in glassy polymers was investigated in both dry and plasticized disks of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) through gravimetric integral sorption studies. PMMA was synthesized by a controlled free radical polymerization mechanism, crosslinked in bulk with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and swollen in methanol under a variety of conditions. In the Case II transport regime, control over the transport rate was shown to depend on the glassy-state properties of the polymer, and the Case II front velocity was found to be proportional to the square root of the crosslinking density. Similarities were observed in the penetrant transport behavior of both dry and plasticized samples at high degrees of crosslinking, and the activation energy of methanol transport at low degrees of crosslinking was found to be similar for both Fickian and Case II mechanisms. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012