cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excimer-laser-induced absorption in fused silica

Excimer laser radiation changes the physical and optical properties of fused silica. These changes include compaction of the glass and induced absorption, both of which have an impact on the expected lifetime of silica lenses used in optical microlithography. We report on our ongoing study of excimer laser induced changes in fused silica. We use a fully automated experimental setup designed for marathon exposure of the sample at low fluence. In each setup, using either an ArF or a KrF laser, up to five samples are exposed simultaneously and their induced absorption is measured in situ. The spatial and temporal profiles of the laser beam can also be measured in the same setup. We present and discuss results from marathon test of fused silica at fluences close to the conditions expected in optical microlithography systems.
Adaptive feedback control using coprime factorization

An algorithm is presented which uses adaptive Q-parameterized compensators for control of stable or unstable systems. Internal stability is maintained by forming the compensator out of plant-stabilizing coprime factors, and an on-line gradient descent method adapts the free parameter to minimize the mean squared error between the desired and actual output. The adaptation algorithm is derived for a compensator in the form of a finite impulse response (FIR) filter and a lattice infinite impulse response (IIR) filter. Simulations predict good performance for both tonal and broadband disturbances, and a duct noise control experiment results in a 37 dB tonal reduction.
Parent-perceived Attitudes of Professionals: Implications for Service Providers

ABSTRACT While parents' reactions to a diagnosis of disability in their child have been well documented, less is known of parents' reactions to the professionals who provide the diagnostic and support services used by parents. This study identified four major parameters within which the attitudes of professionals are perceived by parents of children/teenagers diagnosed as intellectually disabled. Comments of the 131 mothers and fathers interviewed helped to shed light on what they have expected of service providers, and suggest adjustments that may need to be made by professionals to the attitudes they convey in interaction with parents.
Chromosomal status of uni-pronuclear human zygotes following in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Uni-pronuclear embryos (n = 42) were analysed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) with two to four chromosome pair-specific probes. Half of these embryos resulted from conventional insemination and half from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The majority of uni-pronuclear embryos from conventional insemination were normally diploid (61.9%) whereas only 9.5% of uni-pronuclear ICSI embryos (P < 0.001) were diploid. In addition, a significantly higher number of uni-pronuclear embryos from conventional insemination had a Y chromosome (10/21, 47.6%) when compared with ICSI embryos (2/21, 9.5%) (P = 0.015). It is concluded that the majority of uni-pronuclear embryos following regular in-vitro fertilization are fertilized, whereas those from ICSI are parthenogenetically activated. The latter embryos should not be considered for embryo replacement.
Mechanisms of anticarcinogenic properties of curcumin: the effect of curcumin on glutathione linked detoxification enzymes in rat liver

Curcumin, an antioxidant isolated from turmeric (curcuma longa), has been shown to attenuate chemical carcinogenesis in rodents. Previous studies have shown that curcumin causes an increase in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in rodent liver which may contribute to its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Since the effects of curcumin on specific GST isozymes and other glutathione (GSH)-linked enzymes are incompletely defined, we have examined in the present studies the effect of curcumin on hepatic non-protein sulfhydryls and GSH-linked enzymes in male Sprague-Dawley rats. When rats were fed curcumin at doses from 1 to 500 mg kg-1 body weight daily for 14 days, the induction of hepatic GST activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was found to be biphasic, with maximal induction of about 1.5 fold at the 25 to 50 mg kg-1 body weight dosage. At higher doses, a decrease was observed in the activity and in the rats treated with 500 mg kg-1 curcumin this activity was below the levels observed in controls. In contrast, GST activity towards 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) increased in a saturable, dose dependent manner. Western-blot analyses of liver cytosols revealed that curcumin caused a dose dependent induction of rGST 8-8, an isozyme which is known to display the highest activity towards 4-HNE, a highly toxic product of lipid peroxidation. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity towards cumene hydroperoxide in liver homogenate was also found to be increased in a saturable manner with respect to curcumin dose. Our results suggest that induction of enzymes involved in the detoxification of the electrophilic products of lipid peroxidation may contribute to the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of curcumin.
Intravenous optison® (FS069) enhances pulmonary vein flow velocity signals: A multicenter study

Background: Pulmonary vein spectral Doppler signals to characterize ventricular diastolic and systolic function, though often difficult to obtain, can be enhanced using contrast agents. Hypothesis: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of the intravenous contrast agent Optison® for enhancement of Doppler signals in patients with poor signals on two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations. Methods: Enhancement of pulmonary venous flow was evaluated in 191 patients at 0.2, 0.5, 3.0, and 5.0 ml per injection. Results: Greatest contrast enhancement for right and left pulmonary veins was observed at the highest doses. At 0.5 ml, conversion from inadequate to adequate was observed in right and left pulmonary veins in 48.0 and 79.3% of patients, respectively, while any degree of improvement was 54.4 and 65.8%, respectively. The adverse event rate (6.5%) was similar to a first-generation agent. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that Optison is a safe and effective contrast agent for improving visualization of pulmonary Doppler signals, especially the left pulmonary vein.
Thallium interaction with the gastric (K, H)-ATPase.

The gastric (K,H)-ATPase has been shown to catalyze an electroneutral H+ for K+ exchange. Tl+ is able to substitute for K+ as an activating cation in the hydrolytic reaction with an apparent dissociation constant of 90 μm as compared to about 870 μm for K+. The ability of Tl+ to participate in transport is shown by the development of pH gradients in the presence of Tl+ following addition of ATP to gastric vesicles and by the ATP-dependent efflux of Tl+ from gastric vesicles. Inhibition of hydrolysis is observed at pH 7.4 with external Tl+ concentrations above 3.0mm. This inhibition of hydrolysis is correlated with inhibition of pH-gradient formation. The inhibition of transport activity is partially relieved by a decrease in medium pH. This inhibitory effect is attributed to Tl+ binding at an external, low affinity cation site. In contrast to rubidium chloride, at high Tl+ concentrations, following the initial Tl+ efflux, there is reuptake of the cation. This rapid uptake is attributed to lipid-dependent Tl+ entry pathways. The vesicles exhibit a high permeability to thallium nitrate demonstrating a half-time (t 1/2) for uptake of about 1.0 min in contrast to 46 min for rubidium chloride. In both gastric vesicles or liposomes, external Tl+ concentrations in excess of 1 to 4mm are able to dissipate intravesicular proton gradients by an electrically coupled H+ for Tl+ exchange. Thus, although Tl+ is able to activate the gastric ATPase by mimicking K+, the permeability of this cation in lipid bilayers tends to uncouple H+ transport at concentrations high enough to generate detectable proton gradients.
Immunology of syphilis

Abstract It is an accepted and well-documented fact that man and rabbits inoculated with T. pallidum eventually develop resistance to the organism. 1–4 Following infection, multiple antibodies appear in the blood of both species, and much evidence has recently been produced to document the presence of cell-mediated responses as well. The exact role played by each in protecting the host against the invading organism and in contributing to the clinical manifestation has not yet been worked out satisfactorily, although investigations currently underway in many places promise much for the future. 5–7 In the description and analysis of the recent work on the immunology of syphilis, it is useful to separate the humoral and cellular components of the immune response, but it must always be kept in mind that they act in concert in the natural course of the disease.
Photochemical Formation of Hydrogen Peroxide in White Lotion U.S.P

White lotion U.S.P. produces hydrogen peroxide when it is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation or with natural sunlight. The amount of hydrogen peroxide formed during irradiation is sufficient to oxidize the sulfide ion to sulfate. When cholesterol is added and the product irradiated, the β -hydroxyl group on the cholesterol molecule is oxidized.
Microstructures of Electrochromic MoO3 Thin Films Colored by Injection of Different Cations

Raman microscopy was used to investigate microstructural properties of amorphous MoO3 thin films that had been subjected to a photochromic (PC) or electrochromic (EC) process. The Raman spectra cha...
A comparison of techniques to assess cervicovaginal irritation and evaluation of the variability between two observers.

Abstract Background Colposcopy is used to evaluate effects of new vaginal products on cervicovaginal epithelium as part of the US Food and Drug Administration-mandated product approval process, yet few aspects of its use have been investigated. Objectives To determine the effect of the colposcopic examination itself on the number and type of findings seen, to compare colposcopy with the AviScope hand-held device and the naked eye and to compare the findings reported by two examiners during a single visit. Study design Fourteen healthy women volunteered for five paired examinations in random order: (1) naked eye inspection plus colposcopy done twice by a single examiner; (2) naked eye inspection plus AviScope examination, then naked eye inspection plus colposcopy by a single examiner; (3) Examination 2 repeated with the order of device reversed; (4) naked eye inspection plus colposcopy done by two examiners; (5) Examination 4 repeated with the order of examiner reversed. The colposcopic examinations were done per published standards but were limited to the areas visible without manipulation of the speculum. Results Length of colposcopic examination averaged 7 min. The number of colposcopic findings found when the examination was done twice by the same clinician was not statistically different (p = 0.12), suggesting that the examination itself did not induce findings. More findings were seen using magnification than naked eye. A similar number of findings were seen by AviScope compared to the colposcope (p = 0.99), but clinically significant findings were “undercalled” or “overcalled” by the AviScope. A weighted kappa score of the “worst” colposcopic finding was 0.32 (SE 0.10, p = 0.00), indicating moderate agreement between examiners. Conclusions The colposcopic examination is not burdensome nor does it induce findings. If naked eye observation were used alone in practice, these data suggest that half the colposcopically detected findings would be missed. Using the naked eye observation for screening would minimally reduce the number of magnified observations carried out. For detecting epithelial changes, the colposcope seems to be the most sensitive technique, followed by the AviScope.
The postcritical behavior of compressed plates that creep

The deformations of a simply supported rectangular plate are calculated when a uniaxial inplane compressive load is applied to it by means of a rigid platen of a testing machine. This kind of loading enforces a uniform in-plane displacement of the loaded edge and has the consequence that the distribution of the load along the edge becomes increasingly nonuniform as the buckling of the plate becomes more pronounced. The equilibrium, constitutive and compatibility equations are written for a material that deforms elastically and in consequence of steady-state creep but the numerical solution is given for a material that can deform only because of creep. The solution shows that the critical time of the simpler theory in which the load is distributed uniformly does not exist in the case treated here. Nevertheless the critical time is a good indicator of danger because the deformations of the plate increase much more rapidly after the critical time than before.
Parental Health Literacy, Knowledge and Beliefs Regarding Upper Respiratory Infections (URI) in an Urban Latino Immigrant Population

Parents who are recent immigrants and/or non-native English speakers are at increased risk for poor health literacy. For example, misconceptions regarding treatment for upper respiratory infections (URIs), including nonjudicious use of antibiotics, have been described among Latinos. We sought to assess the influence of health literacy on knowledge and beliefs surrounding URI care and to explore the correlation between two health literacy measures among Latino parents in northern Manhattan. A descriptive survey design was used, and a total of 154 Latino parents were enrolled from four early head start programs between September 2009 and December 2009. Health literacy was measured using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA) and Newest Vital Sign (NVS); parental knowledge and beliefs regarding antibiotic treatment for URIs were also assessed. Analyses were conducted in 2010 with multivariable logistic regression performed to examine predictors of health literacy. Inadequate health literacy was observed in 83.8 % of respondents using NVS and 35.7 % with the S-TOFHLA. College education was significantly associated with adequate health literacy using either the NVS or S-TOFHLA; however, other results varied between measures. Using NVS, there was a greater likelihood of adequate health literacy with US birth status (AOR 13.8; 95 % CI, 1.99–95.1), >5 years US residency (AOR 7.6; 95 % CI, 1.3–43.1) and higher antibiotic knowledge scores (AOR 1.7; 95 % CI, 1.2–2.4). Using S-TOFHLA, the odds of adequate health literacy increased with access to a regular care provider (AOR 2.6; 95 % CI, 1.2–5.6). Scores consistent with adequate health literacy on the NVS, but not the S-TOFHLA, were associated with correct beliefs regarding antibiotic use for URIs in comparison to scores of participants with inadequate health literacy. Since health literacy levels were low in this population and the risk of viral URI was high during the first few years of life, targeted education to improve health literacy, knowledge, and beliefs about URI and related antibiotic treatment is needed.
Role of adenosine thallium-201 tomography for defining long-term risk in patients after acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives. This study prospectively evaluated whether early assessment with adenosine thallium-201 tomography could better refine risk stratification on the basis of absolute extent of myocardial ischemia in postinfarction patients in clinically stable condition. Background. Postinfarction patients are at increased risk for subsequent cardiac events. However, identifying high risk patients among those with residual myocardial ischemia is suboptimal. Methods. All 146 patients enrolled underwent assessment of left ventricular function and had adenosine tomography performed early (mean [±SD]5 ± 3 days) after infarction. Excluded from analysis were 51 patients with revascularization after scintigraphy and 3 lost to follow-up. Statistical risk models were therefore generated from the remaining 92 patients. Results. Cardiac events occurred in 30 (33%) of 92 patients over 15.7 ± 4.9 months. Univariate predictors of all events were quantified perfusion defect size (p Conclusions. Risk analysis of individual patients early after infarction is feasible on the basis of the quantified extent of scintigraphic ischemia and severity of left ventricular dysfunction.
Effect of Deletion of the Prostaglandin EP2 Receptor on the Anabolic Response to Prostaglandin E2 and a Selective EP2 Receptor Agonist

Studies using prostaglandin E receptor (EP) agonists indicate that prostaglandin (PG) E(2) can have anabolic effects through both EP4 and EP2 receptors. We previously found that the anabolic response to a selective EP4 receptor agonist (EP4A, Ono Pharmaceutical) was substantially greater than to a selective EP2 receptor agonist (EP2A) in cultured murine calvarial osteoblastic cells. To further define the role of the EP2 receptor in PG-mediated effects on bone cells, we examined the effects of EP2A and PGE(2) on both calvarial primary osteoblasts (POB) and marrow stromal cells (MSC) cultured from mice with deletion of one (Het) or both (KO) alleles of the EP2 receptor compared to their wild-type (WT) littermates. Deletion of EP2 receptor was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The 1 month-old mice used to provide cells in these studies did not show any significant differences in their femurs by static histomorphometry. EP2A was found to enhance osteoblastic differentiation as measured by alkaline phosphatase mRNA expression and activity as well as osteocalcin mRNA expression and mineralization in the WT cell cultures from both marrow and calvariae. The effects were somewhat diminished in cultures from Het mice and abrogated in cultures from KO mice. PGE(2) effects were greater than those of EP2A, particularly in POB cultures and were only moderately diminished in Het and KO cell cultures. We conclude that activation of the EP2 receptor is able to enhance differentiation of osteoblasts, that EP2A is a true selective agonist for this receptor and that PGE(2) has an additional anabolic effect likely mediated by the EP4 receptor.
Resilience and syndemic risk factors among African-American female sex workers

Research on street-based female sex workers documents a multitude of problems faced by these women, such as substance use, HIV risk, mental health problems, victimization, and homelessness. The presence of problems such as these is understood as a syndemic, or co-occurrence of two or more risk factors that act synergistically to create an excess burden of disease. However, the syndemic framework has not previously incorporated the examination of resilience to understand what protective factors enable female sex workers to cope with syndemic risk. Using 562 baseline interviews from street-based African-American female sex workers enrolled in a randomized intervention trial, this study is the first to investigate expressions of resilience among this vulnerable population. Specifically, these analyses examine high levels of resilience, as measured by personal mastery, in order to understand the contributions of syndemic risk factors and protective factors on the expression of resilience. In bivariate logistic regression models, women with high resilience reported significantly higher odds of high school education, greater access to transportation, and more social support, in addition to lower odds of foster care history, homelessness, substance dependence, severe mental distress, victimization, and HIV risk. In the multivariate model, higher odds of high school education and increased social support, in addition to lower odds of mental distress and HIV risk remained associated with high resilience. The findings suggest specific targets for intervention to assist female sex workers in coping with syndemic risk factors and achieving better health outcomes. These include the prioritizing of education and training opportunities and the enhancement of social support.
The biological affects: a typology.

This typology of biological affects is based on developmental-interactionist theory of motivation, emotion, and cognition. Affects--subjectively experienced feelings and desires--involve interoceptive perceptual systems based on primordial molecules that characterize neurochemicals. Biological affects involve primary motivational-emotional systems (primes) associated with hierarchically organized neurochemical systems in the brain, including subcortical (reptilian) and paleocortical (limbic) brain structures. Affects fulfill individualistic (selfish) functions (arousal, approach-avoidance, agonistic) and prosocial (cooperative) functions. Selfish and cooperative functions are associated respectively with the right and left hemispheres. Biological affects constitute the physiological bases for higher level affects: social affects (e.g., pride, guilt, shame, pity, jealousy), cognitive affects (e.g., curiosity, surprise), and moral affects.
Caching as a strategy for surviving periods of resource scarcity; a comparative study of two species of Neotoma

Summary 1 Energy management has been studied in migrators and hibernators but little is know about energy management in cachers. 2 We investigated the energy management behaviour of two species of cachers, Neotoma floridana and Neotoma micropus. We also investigated differences in energy management of these two species that experience different environmental conditions during the period of food scarcity. 3 Results show that both species decrease body mass from autumn to winter and increase mass from winter to spring. Both species decrease body fat from autumn to winter but only N. floridana increases body fat from winter to spring. Plasma protein follows the same pattern as body mass in N. floridana. Plasma lipids decrease from autumn to winter but do not increase from winter to spring. 4 Results indicate that cachers, unlike hibernators or migrators, are able to use the food cache to increase body mass and body fat when new resources are not being produced in the environment. 5 Results suggest that environmental conditions alter resource management and the species that experiences more severe conditions stores more energy as fat.
Properties of a block bootstrap under long-range dependence

The block bootstrap has been largely developed for weakly dependent time processes and, in this context, much research has focused on the large-sample properties of block bootstrap inference about sample means. This work validates the block bootstrap for distribution estimation with stationary, linear processes exhibiting strong dependence. For estimating the sample mean’s variance under long-memory, explicit expressions are also provided for the bias and variance of moving and non-overlapping block bootstrap estimators. These differ critically from the weak dependence setting and optimal blocks decrease in size as the strong dependence increases. The findings in distribution and variance estimation are then illustrated using simulation.
MOLECULAR ORIENTATION: SPECTRAL DEPENDENCE OF DICHROISM OF CHLOROPLASTS IN VIVO.

Abstract 1. 1. The spectral dependence of dichroism of chloroplasts in vivo was measured in order to determine if chloroplast bifluorescence is due to an oriented absorbing pigment system. 2. 2. Dichroic ratios of 2.5–4.0 were obtained in the spectral region of 705 mμ where dichroism is maximum. 3. 3. The direction or sense of the dichroism in chloroplasts indicates that the absorbing oscillator lies in or near the plane of the chloroplast lamellae. This is an accord with out previous observations of bifluorescence. 4. 4. No dichroism of chloroplasts in vivo could be detected in the ultraviolet spectral region from 250 to 400 mμ nor in the visual region from 400 mμ to 570 mμ. 5. 5. A consideration of the pigment orientation in terms of energy transfer and in terms of macromolecular complexes is offered in a discussion involving the comparison of chromophore orientation in analogous paracrystalline systems both in vivo and in vitro.
Effect of age on in vivo oxidative capacity in two locomotory muscles of the leg

To determine the effects of age and sex on in vivo mitochondrial function of distinct locomotory muscles, the tibialis anterior (TA) and medial gastrocnemius (MG), of young (Y; 24 ± 3 years) and older (O; 69 ± 4) men (M) and women (W) of similar overall physical activity (PA) was compared. In vivo mitochondrial function was measured using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and PA and physical function were measured in all subjects. Overall PA was similar among the groups, although O (n = 17) had fewer daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (p = 0.001), and slowed physical function (p < 0.05 for all variables), compared with Y (n = 17). In TA, oxidative capacity (V max; mM s−1) was higher in O than Y (p < 0.001; Y = 0.90 ± 0.12; O = 1.12 ± 0.18). There was no effect of age in MG (p = 0.5; Y = 0.91 ± 0.17; O = 0.96 ± 0.24), but women had higher oxidative capacity than men (p = 0.007; M = 0.84 ± 0.18; W = 1.03 ± 0.18). In vivo mitochondrial function was preserved in healthy O men and women, despite lower intensity PA and physical function in this group. The extent to which compensatory changes in gait may be responsible for this preservation warrants further investigation. Furthermore, women had higher oxidative capacity in the MG, but not the TA.
Who Should Abate Carbon Emissions? A Note

Economists commonly believe that failure to equalize the marginal cost of carbon abatement across countries implies a loss of global efficiency. Chichilnisky and Heal [(1994), Economic Letters 44, 444] first challenged this consensus a decade ago, demonstrating that, in general, efficiency does not require equalizing marginal abatement costs. This note revisits that important debate. It provides the missing intuition behind Chichilnisky and Heal’s surprising result, explains what critical assumption gives rise to their result, and clarifies the role a social welfare function plays in their model. The implications of Chichilnisky and Heal’s result are increasingly important, given international debate over the preferential role given to developing countries in the Kyoto Protocol and the role those countries will play in future climate negotiations.
On the simultaneous tridiagonalization of two symmetric matrices

We discuss congruence transformations aimed at simultaneously reducing a pair of symmetric matrices to tridiagonal–tridiagonal form under the very mild assumption that the matrix pencil is regular. We outline the general principles and propose a unified framework for the problem. This allows us to gain new insights, leading to an economical approach that only uses Gauss transformations and orthogonal Householder transformations. Numerical experiments show that the approach is numerically robust and competitive.
A metamaterial solid-state terahertz phase modulator

Using a single layer of electrically controlled metamaterial, researchers have achieved active control of the phase of terahertz waves and demonstrated high-speed broadband modulation.
Succession Planning: The Forgotten Art:

The Director's Forum series is edited by Michael Sanborn and Robert Weber and is designed to guide pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health systems. Anothe...
Profilin: At the crossroads of signal transduction and the actin cytoskeleton

Despite its small size, profilin is an amazingly diverse and sophisticated protein whose precise role in cells continues to elude the understanding of researchers 15 years after its discovery. Its ubiquity, abundance and necessity for life in more evolved organisms certainly speaks for its extreme importance in cell function. So far, three ligands for profilin have been well-characterized in vitro: actin monomers, membrane polyphosphoinositides and poly-L-proline. In the years following its discovery, profilin's role in vivo progressed from that of a simple actin-binding protein which inhibits actin polymerization, to one which, as an important regulator of the cytoskeleton, can even promote actin polymerization under the appropriate circumstances. In addition, interactions with components of the phosphatidylinositol cycle and the RAS pathway in yeast implicate profilin as an important link through which the actin cytoskeleton is able to communicate with major signaling pathways.
The presence and location of small cardioactive‐like peptides in larvae of Crassostrea virginica

We examined the presence and location of small cardioactive peptide (SCP)-like neuropeptides in both the central and peripheral nervous systems of D-hinge, newly eyed, and pediveliger larvae of Crassostrea virginica. Results indicate that SCP-like substances are present early in development (D-hinge larvae), and that presence in the central and peripheral nervous systems increases as the larva develops toward metamorphic competence (pediveliger larvae). In addition, in newly eyed and pediveliger larvae, SCP-like labeling is found in a varying number of neurons within all central ganglia, with the possible exception of the accessory ganglia. Varicose labeling of axons is also documented within the ganglia, commissures, and connectives, as well as in peripheral nerves. Peripheral tissues innervated by axons exhibiting SCP-like immunoreactivity include the velum, foot, esophagus, mantle, and various musculatures. As indicated by the location of SCP-like labeling in various organs and tissues, it is likely that these neuropeptides modulate muscle contraction or ciliary beating in molluscan larvae such as those of C. virginica.
Effect of feeding regimen, breed and sex condition on carcass composition and feed efficiency.

Abstract Eighty bulls and eighty steers representing four breed types (7/8 Angus. 7/8 Simmental, 7/8 Simmental × 7/8 Angus and 7/8 Simmental × 7/8 Hereford) were randomly assigned to two diets by sex class and breed type. Exotic breeds produced heavier, leaner, more muscular carcasses, with lower USDA quality grades and darker colored, coarser textured lean. Angus 9–10–11th rib composition showed that Angus tended to have less lean, more bone and the most fat when compared to the Simmental and Simmental crosses. Feeding the deferred diet resulted in carcasses with ( P P
Fibrogenic cell reversion underlies fibrosis regression in liver

Significant progress in identifying cellular sources of ECM in experimental and human liver injury has led to a clearer understanding of fibrogenic cell dynamics during progressive fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells, the resident perisinusoidal cell type that stores vitamin A, are the major source of ECM during diseases that injure hepatocytes (e.g., CCl4 in rodents and viral hepatitis in humans) through their activation into contractile myofibroblasts (1), and a similar transition to myofibroblasts from portal fibroblasts drives the fibrogenic response when biliary cells rather than hepatocytes are injured (2). The liver, with its unique regenerative capacity, has a remarkable ability to resorb scar when either hepatocellular or biliary injury is halted (3, 4). Reduced numbers of fibrogenic cells during fibrosis regression have been ascribed primarily to clearance of myofibroblasts through apoptosis (5), but the question has lingered of whether stellate cells can also revert to a quiescent state and persist as the liver’s normal architecture is restored. In the report by Kisseleva et al. (6) in PNAS, reversion is definitively established in two models of experimental liver injury using complementary genetic lineage tracing methods (Fig. 1).
Polymer degradation under ionizing radiation: The role of ozone

Gamma-radiation degradation of poly(butadiene-co-styene) [SBR rubber] and poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) [Buna-n rubber] in the presence of air has been investigated. Using a recently-developed modulus profiling techniques, it is shown that the degradation of these materials is very heterogenous through the sample thickness. There is a broad, paraboloidally-shaped modulus profile through the sample interior, together with a dramatic change in modulus in the surface regions. Mechanistic investigations lead to the conclusion that the radiation-inducted degradatoin of these materials results from two different process: (1) the standard free radical-mediated radiation chemistry, which gives rise to oxidation involving O2 dissolved in the polymer and which leads to heterogenous oxidation due to oxygen diffusion effects; and (2) ozone chemistry in the surface regions of the samples, which results from attack by O3 generated by the action of the ionizing radiation on the air atmosphere surrounding the samples. It appears that the intense role which this ozone mechanism can play in radiation-induced oxidative degradation of polymers has not been widely appreciated. This study provides evidence that the simultaneous action of ozone and ionizing radiation can in fact be strongly synergistic in their effect on organic materials
Mechanical Properties of Multidirectional Fiber Composites

An investigation was conducted to systematically evaluate the structure- property relationships in both 3-D and the corresponding 2-D composites. Macroscopic failure modes and microfailure mechanisms in these composites were studied as a function of various material parameters. In particular, the influence of the stitched Z-direction fibers on the mechanical behavior of an otherwise 2-D composite was investigated. The 3-D composites have been found to possess a greater damage resistance than the conven tional 2-D composite materials. The Z-direction (or third-direction) fibers effectively reduce the extent of delamination by increasing the interlaminar surface energy. The total energy absorbed by a composite during impact loading, three-point, and four-point bend ing test is therefore raised without creating an excessive amount of delamination. The third directional fibers are found to have a profound effect on the failure mechanisms.
Targeting cancer stem cells with ALDH1A1-based immunotherapy

ALDHbright cells in human tumor cells lines, xenografts and lesions have been shown to have characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSC). We have shown that these cells are recognized by ALDH1A1-specific CD8+ T cells in vitro and in vivo. The results support the potential of ALDH1A1-based immunotherapy to target CSC.
Silent ulcer with hemorrhage: a case report.

Abstract A case of acute silent ulcer disease discovered after a routine dental clinical laboratory screening is reported.
Nocardiosis: Updates and Clinical Overview

Nocardia, a gram-positive bacillus with the microscopic appearance of branching hyphae, can produce considerable disease in the appropriate host. The taxonomy of Nocardia continues to evolve; more than 50 species have been described. Early recognition and effective therapy are imperative to achieve successful outcomes. Although nocardiosis typically occurs in patients with cell-mediated immunosuppressive conditions, infection may occasionally develop in immunocompetent patients as well. This review addresses the microbiology of Nocardia, risk factors for infection, clinical presentations, and management strategies.
Regulatory Contributors to Children's Kindergarten Achievement

The present study sought to examine whether preschool children’s emotion regulation, problem behaviors, and kindergarten behavioral self-regulation in the classroom were predictors of kindergarten achievement scores. The children (N = 122, 47% male and 63% European American) who were participating in an ongoing longitudinal study, were seen at both a preschool and kindergarten assessment. The present study examined the relation between parent report, teacher report, and laboratory measures of regulation and children’s achievement test scores. Children’s emotion regulation and behavioral self-regulation in the classroom were related to all measures of achievement. The relation between preschool emotion regulation and kindergarten achievement was mediated by behavioral self-regulation in the kindergarten classroom. In addition, all measures of regulation were correlated, suggesting that some children who have difficulty regulating their behavior in one setting (such as home) may also have difficulty with regulation in other settings (such as school).
TIME STUDIES ON FREE AMINO ACID LEVELS OF VENOUS PLASMA DURING THE NEONATAL PERIOD

Summary A simplified method of ion-exchange chromatography of essential amino acids on small amounts of human plasma is described. The precision of the instrument and the reproducibility was to be compared with those achieved with automatic amino acid analyzers. The method has been applied in a survey of venous plasma free amino acid levels and urinary concentrations during the neonatal period. A considerable general decrease of the free amino acid levels was seen already during the first postnatal day. This was most marked in the branch-chained amino acids, where levels that were low for infants were seen already after the first hours of starvation. The well known high urinary excretion of amino acid nitrogen was found to be due to a high excretion of a limited number of amino acids.
Subscapularis tendon disruption after bankart reconstruction for anterior instability

After undergoing a Bankart repair with a subscapularis tendon and capsular incisingtechnique, four patients were identified who had failure of their subscapularis tendon repair. All had a traumatic event or injury to their shoulder between 1 day and 4 months after operation. The patients presented with findings including recurrent instability, weakness in internal rotation, an abnormal liftoff test, and increased external rotation of the affected extremity. Surgical exploration demonstrated failure of the Bankart repair in two cases in addition to failure of the subscapularis tendon repair in all four. In one patient magnetic resonance imaging was diagnostic of subscapularis tendon disruption. After reoperation was performed, stability was achieved in three of four patients, return of normal internal rotation strength in two, and a normal liftoff test in two. Prompt reexploration and repair of the subscapularis tendon-capsule complex is recommended.
Micromachined ultrasonic motor based on parametric polycrystalline silicon plate excitation

This paper reports on novel ultrasonic actuation of a surface micromachined motor using substrate vibrations. The rotor thickness and diameter are 2.5 and 1000 μm, respectively, and is actuated by a piezoelectric lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) plate with segmented electrodes. The motor operates with sub-three volt peak-to-peak excitation in atmospheric pressure. This low voltage operation is enabled by the use of parametric excitation of rotating plate vibrations. The rotation direction of the motor can be controlled by selectively exciting different electrodes on the PZT plate. The piezoelectric plate is adhesively mounted to silicon die after the surface micromachine fabrication making the method suitable for actuating micromachines from any surface micromachine process.
Distribution of intergovernmental depository collections among libraries in the United States

BIS CE EC ECA FAO GATT IAEA IBRD ICAO IDA IFC IL0 IMCO IMF IPU ITU OAS UN UNESCO UNRISD WHO WMO Bank for International Settlements Council of Europe European Communities Economic Commission for Africa (U.N.) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade International Atomic Energy Agency International Bank for Reconstruction and Development International Civil Aviation Organization International Development Association International Finance Corporation International Labour Organization Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organization International Monetary Fund International Postal Union International Telecommunications Union Organization of American States United Nations United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization United Nations Research Institute for Social Development World Health Organization World Meterological Organization
Postmenopausal estrogen therapy and cardiovascular disease.

Abstract Background. The effect of postmenopausal estrogen therapy on the risk of cardiovascular disease remains controversial. Our 1985 report in the Journal, based on four years of follow-up, suggested that estrogen therapy reduced the risk of coronary heart disease, but a report published simultaneously from the Framingham Study suggested that the risk was increased. In addition, studies of the effect of estrogens on stroke have yielded conflicting results. Methods. We followed 48,470 postmenopausal women, 30 to 63 years old, who were participants in the Nurses' Health Study and who did not have a history of cancer or cardiovascular disease at base line. During up to 10 years of follow-up (337,854 person-years), we documented 224 strokes, 405 cases of major coronary disease (nonfatal myocardial infarctions or deaths from coronary causes), and 1263 deaths from all causes. Results. After adjustment for age and other risk factors, the overall relative risk of major coronary disease in women currently taki...
Improving results with assisted reproductive technologies: individualized patient-tailored strategies for ovulation induction

Infertility treatment should be made as efficacious as possible while being simple for patients. Although the treatment paradigm may be, at times, complex, patients deserve pure products that simplify protocol implementation while providing reliable outcomes. The more the treatment experience is simplified and improved, the more patients will benefit from the technology.
CC4-04: An Application of Doubly Robust Estimation

Background/Aims Observational data often has treatment exposure confounded with baseline covariates. Doubly robust estimation utilizes both a regression model and an additional model for the exposure, often the propensity score, to estimate the causal effect of an exposure on an outcome.
Modeling the Kinetics and Mechanisms of Petroleum and Natural Gas Generation: A First Principles Approach

The last twenty years have seen great advances in the understanding of petroleum and natural gas resulting from the application of new technologies, in particular high-resolution analytical and spectroscopic methods. These advances, coupled with traditional use of natural observation and experimental simulations, have enabled the development of mathematical models which can predict the kinetics of petroleum and natural gas generation and migration in basin models (Tissot and Welte 1984; Allara and Shaw 1980; Savage and Klein 1987; Barth and Nielsen 1993; Freund 1992; Broadbelt et al. 1995; Larter 1984; Horsefield et al. 1989; Domine 1987, 1989; Behar and Vandenbroucke 1988; Ungerer 1990; Burnham and Braun 1990; Lewan 1993, 1997; Leythaeuser et al. 1984; Pepper 1992; Sandvik and Mercer 1990; Sandvik et al. 1991; Stainforth and Reinders 1990; Tang and Stauffer 1994; Tang and Behar 1995; Curry 1995; Behar et al. 1995, 1997; Welte et al. 1997). Based on the results from natural observations, experimental simulations, and mathematical modeling, researchers have established the most important parameters governing the quantity and composition of petroleum and natural gas are temperature, type of organic matter (kerogen), and time (or heating rate) (Tissot and Welte 1984; Horsefield et al. 1989; Ungerer 1990; Burnham and Braun 1990; Lewan 1993, 1997; Behar et al. 1995, 1997; Tang and Behar 1995; Welte et al. 1997). Therefore, there is an increasing need to understand the detailed chemical nature of organic matter (kerogen) as well as the kinetics and mechanisms associated with petroleum and natural gas generation. Kerogen is a tremendously complex macromolecule which is still insufficiently characterized to develop fundamental, predictive models of thermal cracking …
Modeling of injected pultrusion processes: A numerical approach

Injected pultrusion (IP) is an attractive process for high volume, high performance, and low cost manufacture of continuous fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites. In this work we focus our attention on development of a computer simulation model for the IP process. First, the governing equations for conservation of mass, momentum, and energy are developed using a local volume averaging approach. In turn, a computer simulation model of the IP process is developed using finite element/control volume (FE/CV) and finite difference techniques. Specifically, the equation of continuity and conservation of momentum are solved in 2-D using a Galerkin FE/CV technique. The energy and chemical species balance equations are solved in 3-D, where streamline upwind Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) or streamline upwind (SU) FE/CV are used to discretize the equations in two dimensions while finite differences have been used in the third dimension. The chemical species balance equation is solved in the Lagrangian frame of reference using finite differences. Different numerical formulations (Galerkin, Lagrangian, SU, and SUPG) are used to solve a number of benchmark problems to determine the best numerical formulation. It is shown that for coarse discretization, Streamline Upwind methods perform consistently better than the other methods. However, for refined meshes, the Lagrangian method produces the best solution for a given CPU time. Also, using the simulation model, the effect of fiber pull speed, reinforcement anistropy, and taper of the die on the quality of the product is studied. It is shown that the simulation model can be effectively used to design the die geometry as well as to optimize the operating conditions for a given product.
Repair actions for self-diagnostic machines

The author develops a model to estimate the average number of repair actions (RA) for a system that is divided into two parts: the functional circuits that execute the operations required by the objectives of the system, and a part that performs error detection and diagnostic functions. The breakdown of a functional circuit (FC) generates a repair action but the failure of a maintenance circuit (MC) is only observable through FC failures. On the other hand, MC breakdowns may cause an incorrect diagnosis or fault isolation, and several repair actions may therefore be required to restore the operation of the system. The failures of the circuits come from either defective chips that have not been detected during manufacturing and testing or time-dependent breakdowns of the circuits that occur after the installation of the system. The author shows that similar formulas can be used in both estimations. The expected number of defective (failed) functional chips is inflated by the probability that there might be defective (failed) maintenance circuits in the system. >
The point collocation-based method of finite spheres (PCMFS) for real time surgery simulation

Simulation based medical training requires real time interactivity. While real time graphical display requires an update rate of 30Hz, real time force feedback requires a much higher update rate of 1kHz. The demand for extreme computational efficiency delimits the complexity of the computational models that can be used for simulation. In this paper we develop two specializations of a meshfree technique, the point collocation-based method of finite spheres (PCMFS), for real time simulation of soft tissues during minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Simulations using realistic three-dimensional geometries are presented and are compared with solutions using more traditional finite element methods in terms of speed and accuracy. The integration of the proposed schemes into a practical surgical simulation system is also discussed.
Second-order intensity statistics of a coherent signal in the presence of a random background

The statistics of a harmonic signal (coherent component) mixed with a random background (incoherent component) of a specified spectra profile (power spectrum) is still a problem of interest. The purpose of the present paper is to study the second-order intensity statistics of such a signal/background situation using the generalized Karhunen-Loeve expansion developed for use in photon counting and laser speckle.