cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of cross slopes and varying surface characteristics on the mobility of manual wheelchair users

Surface characteristics of a cross slope can impact the ease with which a manual wheelchair (MWC) user propels across a surface. The purpose of this research was two-fold. Phase I of this research surveyed MWC users to identify cross slope scenarios that they reported to be more difficult to traverse compared to other common driving obstacles. Our survey results showed that, overall, cross slopes were harder to propel across than narrow and manual doors, and cross-slopes in inclement weather conditions were equal or more difficult than gravel and rough-surfaces. Cross slopes with severe angles and those with compound angles (slope with cross-slope) were the most difficult to traverse. Phase II focused on identifying the responses (e.g., avoid, explore alternative, experience a sense of insecurity, no effect) people had when viewing pictures of various cross-slopes scenarios (e.g., narrow space, compound angles, extreme weather) that wheelchair users encounter. These results showed that people reported that they would avoid or feel insecure on some cross-sloped surfaces, like the weather, that are not within our control, others, like compound angle and curb-cuts on slopes, that can be addressed in the construction of pathways or sidewalks.
Relation of hemoglobin A1 and blood glucose to cardiac function in diabetes mellitus

To examine the relation of short- and long-term changes in glucose metabolism to cardiac function, radionuclide cineangiography and echocardiography were performed in 10 young insulin-dependent diabetic patients without clinical evidence of heart disease. Cardiac assessments were performed before and after both acute variations in blood glucose, and induction of chronic "tight glucose control" involving normalization of hemoglobin A1 concentrations. In diabetic patients, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) at normal blood glucose concentration was indistinguishable from values in 11 normal subjects. However, during hyperglycemia (about 300 mg/dl), the average EF at rest was 61%, significantly higher than that during normoglycemia (56%, p less than 0.001). No significant change in LV diastolic dimension was noted in association with shifts between high and normal blood glucose concentrations. Normalization of hemoglobin A1 was achieved within 6 to 25 weeks. This alteration had no significant effect on LVEF, mitral valve E-F slope, or the response of systolic function to blood glucose levels. In addition, no correlation was found between LVEF and hemoglobin A1 concentrations in 4 of 5 evaluation periods. Thus, in young insulin-dependent diabetic patients without overt heart disease, variation in blood glucose concentration is associated with small but significant variation in EF at rest; normalization of hemoglobin A1 has no significant effect on LVEF or the response of systolic function to blood glucose levels.
Altruism and Self Interest in Medical Decision Making

We seem to prefer that medicine and medical care be provided through altruistic motives. Even the pharmaceutical industry justifies its behavior in terms of altruistic purposes. But economists have known since Adam Smith that self-interested behavior can create large and growing social benefits. This is true for medical care as well as for other goods. First, I consider specifically the case of pharmaceutical promotion, both to physicians and to consumers. I argue that such promotion is highly beneficial to patients and leads to health improvements. I consider some criticisms of promotion, and show that they are misguided. I then provide some evolutionary explanations for our erroneous beliefs about medical care.
Quantum-electron waveguides: bends, constrictions, and cavities

ABSTRACT We examine transport through several quantum electron waveguide geometries. Reflection and mode-mixingin transmission through bends in quantum waveguides are calculated and the impact on interconnections betweendevices discussed. We calculate the current-voltage relationship for a constriction in a quantum waveguide for appliedvoltages beyond linear-response regime. Strong resonance effects in waveguide cavities are found to persist even whencavity geometry is non-abrupt. We demonstrate the existence of current vortices in resonant cavities. 1. Introduction There is ample experimental evidence that a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) , created at a heterojunction interface can be further confined electrostatically by depositing a metal gate pattern above the interface [1,2]. The electrons are apparently ballistic and coherent over regions as large as a micron or more. By lithographicallypatterning the metal gate, electrons can be confined to travel in narrow quantum channels which act much like
Ion polarization behavior in alumina under pulsed gate bias stress

Alkali metal ion incorporation in alumina significantly increases alumina capacitance by ion polarization. With high capacitance, ion-incorporated aluminas become promising high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric materials in field-effect transistors (FETs) to enable reduced operating voltage, using oxide or organic semiconductors. Alumina capacitance can be manipulated by incorporation of alkali metal ions, including potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), and lithium (Li+), having different bond strengths with oxygen. To investigate the electrical stability of zinc tin oxide-based transistors using ion incorporated alumina as gate dielectrics, pulsed biases at different duty cycles (20%, 10%, and 2% representing 5 ms, 10 ms, and 50 ms periods, respectively) were applied to the gate electrode, sweeping the gate voltage over series of these cycles. We observed a particular bias stress-induced decrease of saturation field-effect mobility accompanied by threshold voltage shifts (ΔVth) in potassium and sodiu...
Spin-zero-exchange model of weak interactions

A renormalizable model in which weak interactions are mediated by spin-0 exchange rather than by spin-1 exchange is studied. The lowest-order diagrams for ..mu.. and ..beta.. decay are box diagrams. Neutrino cross sections off leptons and hadrons are calculated for the effective charged and neutral currents of the model. Weak corrections to e/sup +/e/sup -/ ..-->.. ..mu../sup +/..mu../sup -/ and higher-order contributions to ..mu.. decay are also calculated. Neutral-current effects are predicted to be small for neutrinos on lepton targets and large for e/sup +/e/sup -/ ..-->.. ..mu../sup +/..mu../sup -/; their strength is fixed by ..nu..--hadron scattering. In particular, there is a sizeable suppression of ..nu../sub ..mu../e scattering and a large enhancement of the asymmetry in e/sup +/e/sup -/ ..-->.. ..mu../sup +/..mu../sup -/. The only troublesome prediction is a parameter-free value of 1 for the ratio sigma (..nu../sub ..mu../ + N ..-->.. ..nu../sub ..mu../ + X) / sigma (anti ..nu../sub ..mu../ + N ..-->.. anti ..nu../sub ..mu../ + X). On the whole, however, the model provides a sensible, renormalizable alternative to the gauge theories. (AIP)
Radioactive suture in the treatment of head and neck cancer

/sup 125/I seeds in Vicryl suture have been used as a radioactive suture in 24 cases of advanced malignancy of the head and neck. Twelve cases had metastatic carcinoma attached to the internal or common carotid artery. The goal was to excise surgically as much tumor as possible, then implant any residual tumor with this radioactive suture which remains as a permanent implant (half-life of 60 days). This preliminary study shows that use of /sup 125/I impregnated Vicryl suture in this manner appears to produce improved long-term palliation and may increase local cure rates.
NUANCE at MiniBooNE

The MiniBooNE experiment uses the NUANCE Monte Carlo to simulate neutrino interactions observed in the MiniBooNE detector. Presented here is a description of the tests and modifications to NUANCE that have been done by members of the MiniBooNE collaboration.
DIETARY NICKEL AND FOLIC ACID INTERACT TO AFFECT FOLATE AND METHIONINE METABOLISM IN THE RAT

A previous experiment using rats indicated that dietary nickel (Ni), folic acid, and their interaction affected variables associated with one-carbon metabolism. That study used diets that produced only mild folate deficiency. Thus, an experiment was performed to determine the effect of a severe folate deficiency on nickel deprivation in rats. A 2×2 factorially arranged experiment used groups of six weanling Sprague-Dawley rats. Dietary variables were nickel, as NiCl2·6H2O, 0 or 1 μg/g and folic acid, 0 or 4 mg/kg. All diets contained 10 g succinylsulfathiazole/kg to suppress microbial folate synthesis. The basal diet contained <20 ng Ni/g. After 50 d, an interaction between nickel and folate affected the urinary excretion of formiminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) and the liver concentration of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Because of this, it is proposed that the physiological function of nickel is related to the common metabolism shared by SAM and FIGLU. Possibly the physiological function of nickel could be related to the tissue concentration of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) or tetrahydrofolate (THF).
Discordance between Psychometric Testing and Questionnaire-Based Definitions of Executive Function Deficits in Individuals with ADHD.

Objective: One suspected source of negative outcomes associated with ADHD has been deficits in executive functions. Although both psychometrically defined and self-reported executive function deficits (EFDs) have been shown to be associated with poor academic and occupational outcomes, whether these two approaches define the same individuals remains unknown. Method: Participants were 194 adults with ADHD from a case-control study of ADHD. Empirically based cutoffs were ascertained for an EFD diagnosis on both psychometric tests and scores on the Current Behavior Scale. Results: Results showed a modest overlap between the psychometric and self-reported definitions of EFDs. Whereas neuropsychological testing largely identified individuals with lower IQ and achievement testing, the behavioral questionnaire largely identified individuals with higher levels of ADHD symptoms, psychiatric comorbidity, and interpersonal deficits. Conclusion: Results indicate that behavioral questionnaires cannot be used interchan...
Chimeric TALE recombinases with programmable DNA sequence specificity

Site-specific recombinases are powerful tools for genome engineering. Hyperactivated variants of the resolvase/invertase family of serine recombinases function without accessory factors, and thus can be re-targeted to sequences of interest by replacing native DNA-binding domains (DBDs) with engineered zinc-finger proteins (ZFPs). However, imperfect modularity with particular domains, lack of high-affinity binding to all DNA triplets, and difficulty in construction has hindered the widespread adoption of ZFPs in unspecialized laboratories. The discovery of a novel type of DBD in transcription activator-like effector (TALE) proteins from Xanthomonas provides an alternative to ZFPs. Here we describe chimeric TALE recombinases (TALERs): engineered fusions between a hyperactivated catalytic domain from the DNA invertase Gin and an optimized TALE architecture. We use a library of incrementally truncated TALE variants to identify TALER fusions that modify DNA with efficiency and specificity comparable to zinc-finger recombinases in bacterial cells. We also show that TALERs recombine DNA in mammalian cells. The TALER architecture described herein provides a platform for insertion of customized TALE domains, thus significantly expanding the targeting capacity of engineered recombinases and their potential applications in biotechnology and medicine.
Hyperdontia: report of case

Radiographic examination of a dental clinic patient revealed the presence of 32 erupted teeth and 8 unerupted supernumerary teeth, or a total of 40 teeth. There was no evidence of systemic disease.
Unlabeled Milk from Cows Treated with Biosynthetic Growth Hormones: A Case of Regulatory Abdication:

Levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are substantially elevated and more bioactive in the milk of cows hyperstimulated with the biosynthetic bovine growth hormones rBGH, and are further increased by pasteurization. IGF-1 is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, as evidenced by marked growth-promoting effects even in short-term tests in mature rats, and absorption is likely to be still higher in infants. Converging lines of evidence incriminate IGF-1 in rBGH milk as a potential risk factor for both breast and gastrointestinal cancers.
Ring-disk electrode studies of the formation, growth and transformation of iodine films formed during the anodic oxidation of iodide on platinum

Abstract The kinetics and mechanism of the formation, growth and dissolution of iodine films on platinum during the electrooxidation of iodide have been investigated using rotating-disk and ring-disk techniques. The dissolution-precipitation mechanism of film formation and a linear growth law for film growth has been confirmed. The iodine film on platinum is believed to be made up of an ionically insulating barrier layer covered by a porous overlayer. The oxidation behavior of iodide and ferrous species shows that the iodine film is predominantly an iodide-ion conductor. Also, a film transformation, responsible for the transient features observed during iodide oxidation has been confirmed. This transformation changes the mechanism of iodide transport through the film from a partly “pore”-type to a Grotthus-type mechanism. The ring current maximum, which occurs at the same instant as the disk current minimum, reveals the mechanism of dissolution of iodine film during the transient period as involving complexation with iodide. Evidence for the mass-transport-controlled component of the potentiostatic transient response has been obtained from the sinusoidal hydrodynamic modulation response.
Surgical residents' knowledge of documentation and coding for professional services: an opportunity for a focused educational offering.

Abstract Introduction A working knowledge of documentation and coding for physician services (DCPS) is increasingly important for a successful practice. There is no standardized, widely available educational offering available to surgical residents in DCPS. The purpose of this study was to survey surgical residents and attendings for their knowledge of documentation and coding and their opinions about its importance in their training and practice. Methods A convenience sample of 60 surgical residents and 46 attendings from 5 surgical residency training programs were administered a written survey on DCPS. Results The majority of residents were male (60%), in university-based programs (82%), and planned to work in a surgical specialty (55%) A larger proportion of attendings were male (80%) and in general surgery practice (62%), and a smaller proportion was university based (61%). Similar proportions of residents and attendings, 82% and 89%, respectively, stated they had not received adequate training in DCPS. The vast majority of residents (85%) felt they were novices at coding and billing, whereas 61% of attendings stated that they were somewhat knowledgeable. As a group, residents answered 54% of 25 knowledge questions correctly, and attendings answered 77% correctly. Ninety-two percent of residents believed that expertise in DCPS would make a difference in their practice, whereas 80% of attendings stated that this knowledge was currently important to their practice. Similar proportions of residents and attendings, 85% and 87%, respectively, thought that it should be an important part of residency training. Conclusions Residents in this survey are aware of the importance of DCPS but feel inadequately prepared for this area of practice. The residents’ knowledge of basic concepts in DCPS is marginal. Attendings surveyed had similar opinions and somewhat better knowledge of the subject. A widely available, standardized educational offering on DCPS is needed and should be provided as part of the practice-based core competencies of surgical residency training.
NASA Low-Speed Centrifugal Compressor for Three-Dimensional Viscous Code Assessment and Fundamental Flow Physics Research

A low-speed centrifugal compressor facility recently built by the NASA Lewis Research Center is described. The purpose of this facility is to obtain detailed flow field measurements for computational fluid dynamic code assessment and flow physics modeling in support of Army and NASA efforts to advance small gas turbine engine technology. The facility is heavily instrumented with prssure and temperature probes, in both the stationary and rotating frames of reference, and has provisions for flow visualiation and laser velocimetry. The facility will accomodate rotational speeds to 2400 rpm and is rated at pressures to 1.25 atm
Copper utilization in cultured skin fibroblasts of the mottled mouse, an animal model for Menkes' kinky hair syndrome.

An animal model for Menkes' kinky hair syndrome is provided by mice mutant at the X-linked mottled locus. Two mechanisms have been invoked to explain disease manifestations in mottled and in kinky hair syndrome: (i) relative tissue copper deficiencies and corresponding reductions in cuproenzyme activities; or (ii) defective intracellular copper utilization, with impaired intracellular translocation to cuproenzymes or to copper-dependent processes. We addressed the second possibility through measurements of soluble superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) in cytosol extracts of confluent mottled (blotchy) cultured skin fibroblasts. At comparable intracellular copper concentrations over a broad range, SOD-1 specific activities in the mutant cells were not distinguishable from those in controls, or, in some instances, were actually higher. These data suggest that the excess copper anomalously sequestered in a cell expressing the mutation remains available for binding to a cytosolic cuproenzyme. When taken together with data in other systems, the results are consistent with the thesis that the basic lesion in blotchy may primarily affect copper transport or delivery to specific copper transport systems.
The Performance of a Fiber-Optic Link Using Unbiased Balanced Photodiodes for Antenna Array Calibration

A quadrature-biased dual-output Mach-Zehnder modulator is used to drive unbiased balanced photodiodes for use in antenna array applications. The RF gain is measured as a function of frequency and photocurrent. Balanced photodiode two-tone measurements at 6 GHz are compared with those of a single photodiode to show 26-dB suppression of the second-order distortion. This results in a second-order limited spur-free dynamic-range improvement of 12 dB. The phase error introduced in unbiased photodiodes is compared to that of the biased case to demonstrate that it would have minimal effect on the performance of the antenna array system.
Self-evaluative and emotion processes linked with brooding rumination among adolescents.

Rumination has been linked with a number of deleterious outcomes, though relatively little is known about self-evaluative and emotion processes by which it develops. The current investigation uses a prospective, longitudinal design and self-report measures to examine the role of contingent self-worth, perfectionism, negative emotion beliefs, and suppression of negative emotion in predicting the development of brooding and reflective forms of rumination among 168 adolescents (98 girls, 79.6% European-American) undergoing the transition to high school (Mage = 13.58). Results of structural equation modeling indicate that self-evaluative vulnerability (i.e., self-worth contingencies, perfectionism) and negative emotion beliefs, but not the suppression of negative emotion, predict brooding (but not reflective) rumination. The current study demonstrates how brooding is intertwined with views of self and core assumptions about emotion.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: A practical clinical approach to diagnosis

In utero exposure to alcohol can have numerous adverse effects on a developing fetus. These effects represent a spectrum of structural anomalies and neurocognitive and behavioral disabilities that have recently been termed fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Children at the most severe end of this spectrum and displaying the complete phenotype of characteristic facial anomalies, growth retardation and developmental abnormalities of the central nervous system are defined as having fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). While FAS is the most readily clinically recognized form of FASD, other categories within the continuum of adverse effects due to prenatal alcohol exposure are becoming better defined. These include partial fetal alcohol syndrome (PFAS), alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD) and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND). As more is learned regarding the exact manifestations of alcohol on brain development, these classifications may be expanded and/or refined. Because FASD represents a major public health concern, early recognition of at-risk children is important for initiating interventional strategies. Thus, the purpose of this report is to educate practicing physicians about the recognizable phenotypes of FASD in order to accurately identify these children and implement the most appropriate management plans.
Interpretation of selective adsorption in atom-surface scattering

Abstract The elastic theory for resonant atom-surface scattering is shown to explain simply the occurrence of both minima and maxima at resonance and the strength and shape of the absorption lines, on the assumption that the repulsive part of the potential is of the form V(z−ζ), where ζ is the surface corrugation and V can be regarded as a hard wall at the locus of turning points. Explicit formulae are obtained in the semiclassical limit. For a simple sinusoidal corrugatrion with rectangular symmetry, the signature of an isolated resonance is determined unambiguously by the parity of ¦m¦+¦m' − m¦−¦m'¦+¦n¦+¦n' −n¦ \ s|n'¦, where (m,n) is the resonant vector and (m',n') the scattering vector, in reciprocal lattice units. The predicted signatures of isolated resonances agree with experiments and more elaborate calculations for the systems He/LiF and He/Graphite. Calculated splittings in the surface band structure also show reasonably good agreement. An alternative formulation of resonant scattering, as suggested by Wolfe and Weare, can be based in an appropriate sorting of successive orders of distorted wave perturbation theory. For small corrugations there is good correspondence between the two approaches.
Iron supplementation dose for perinatal iron deficiency differentially alters the neurochemistry of the frontal cortex and hippocampus in adult rats.

Iron supplementation dose for perinatal iron deficiency differentially alters the neurochemistry of the frontal cortex and hippocampus in adult rats
Severe combined immunodeficiency: new advances in diagnosis and treatment

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a condition characterized by lack of cellular and humoral immunity. Uniformly fatal before 1968, SCID was first cured by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Despite improvements in BMT, particularly for cases in which there is no matched related donor, difficulties in SCID treatment persist. Because of incomplete reconstitution and transplant-related complications, gene therapy has been pioneered in SCID with success, but also adverse events in the form of leukemic proliferations related to retroviral insertional mutagenesis. Infectious complications are a major limitation to effective treatment. Early diagnosis of SCID in the pre-symptomatic period could be achieved by population-based newborn screening.
Phase-Sensitive Motility Imaging of Tumor Response to Drugs in Digital Holography

We present the first time-course measurements of cytoskeletal anticancer drug action on osteogenic tumor spheroids through motility imaging based on the amplitude and phase information retrieved from digital holography.
Intelligent image database indexing and query system

This research investigates the use of image content analysis techniques as a tool of understanding image content, organizing image databases and choosing appropriate low level features as well as semantic meanings for image indexing and retrieval. An intelligent image indexing and query system consisting of semantic classification, composite indexing and interactive query is proposed. In this system, a large collection of images with great varieties is analyzed by the content and categorized into different classes according to distinct characteristics. The semantics of feature descriptors and the relationship between feature descriptors and image contents are then explored. Finally, a composite indexing and interactive retrieval procedure using best low-level features and high-level understanding is developed to achieve a robust image query performance.
Fracture mechanics of laminated glass subjected to blast loading

Abstract A failure criterion based on energy balance approach is introduced for the laminated glass panel subjected to blast loading. Based on this failure criterion, a damage factor is developed to assess the failure of the laminated glass panel. If the damage factor is less than one, the plate is safe otherwise unsafe. Trigonometric function is employed to express the transverse deflection and the Airy’s stress function in von Karman’s large deflection equations of a thin plate. The nonlinear ordinary differential equation of motion obtained using the Galerkin method is solved using Runge–Kutta method. The predicted results indicate that the breakages of the laminated glass may be caused by the negative phase of the blast load if the positive phase blast load is not violent enough to cause failure. Also, the size of glass shards the laminated glass plies breaks in to is predicted using the surface energy based failure model.
The Vibrational Spectrum of Water Vapor

Recently R. Mecke (1) has published a rather complete analysis of seventeen of the vibration rotation bands of water vapor, together with an assignment of the vibrational quantum numbers. This work provides accurate values for the centers of most of the bands, though a few in the visible region of the spectrum seem for several reasons somewhat doubtful. With such complete information available, it seemed desirable to carry out a theoretical investigation of a nonlinear, symmetric triatomic molecule, similar to the treatment used by Adel and Dennison (2) on CO2, and to apply the results to H2O.
Microwave properties of high-purity tetrathiofulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethan (TTF-TCNQ)

An experimental study of the microwave properties of pure crystals of the organic salt tetrathiofulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethan (TTF-TCNQ) is presented. Included are electron spin resonance and a complete study of the dielectric function, ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{1}\ensuremath{-}i{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{2}$, from room temperature to 4.2 K as measured along the principal conducting $b$ axis and the transverse $a$ axis using the highest-purity material synthesized thus far. The spin-resonance line is asymmetric characteristic of a metal with skin depth less than the sample thickness when the rf magnetic field is perpendicular to the $b$ axis, and symmetric (Lorentzian) when the rf magnetic field is parallel to the $b$ axis. These results are understood in terms of the Dyson-Bloembergen theory of resonance line shape as applied to the pseudo-one-dimensional metal. The dielectric measurements ($E\ensuremath{\parallel}b$) are consistent with the skin-depth limiting behavior, and in the purest samples show negligible loss over a relatively wide temperature range ($50lTl100$ K) indicative of very high conductivity. Minimal attempts to reduce sample purity (no gradient sublimation and subsequent reaction in air) led to serious degradation of sample quality as evidenced by the appearance of significant loss throughout the entire metallic regime. The low-temperature dielectric constants appropriate to the $b$ axis (${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{1}^{b}$) and $a$ axis (${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{1}^{a}$) are found to be ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{1}^{b}=(3.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{3}$ and ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{1}^{a}=6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2$. The value for ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{1}^{b}$ is consistent with the known plasma frequency and energy gap. Studies of the temperature dependence of ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{1}^{b}$ are used to obtain direct information on the energy gap in the low-temperature phase. The transport properties associated with the transverse ($a$ axis) direction indicate an electrical anisotropy of ${10}^{3}$ at room temperature increasing to about ${10}^{4}$ near 60 K, thus confirming the picture of TTF-TCNQ as a highly anisotropic pseudo-one-dimensional metal. The $a$-axis transport is shown to be diffusive and severely limited as a result of the weak interchain coupling and the phonon thermal disorder. Evidence of excess low-temperature microwave conductivity in the purest samples at low temperatures is presented and discussed in terms of current models of the ground state.
Prediction and analysis of near-road concentrations using a reduced-form emission/dispersion model

Near-road exposures of traffic-related air pollutants have been receiving increased attention due to evidence linking emissions from high-traffic roadways to adverse health outcomes. To date, most epidemiological and risk analyses have utilized simple but crude exposure indicators, most typically proximity measures, such as the distance between freeways and residences, to represent air quality impacts from traffic. This paper derives and analyzes a simplified microscale simulation model designed to predict short- (hourly) to long-term (annual average) pollutant concentrations near roads. Sensitivity analyses and case studies are used to highlight issues in predicting near-road exposures. Process-based simulation models using a computationally efficient reduced-form response surface structure and a minimum number of inputs integrate the major determinants of air pollution exposures: traffic volume and vehicle emissions, meteorology, and receptor location. We identify the most influential variables and then derive a set of multiplicative submodels that match predictions from "parent" models MOBILE6.2 and CALINE4. The assembled model is applied to two case studies in the Detroit, Michigan area. The first predicts carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations at a monitoring site near a freeway. The second predicts CO and PM2.5 concentrations in a dense receptor grid over a 1 km2 area around the intersection of two major roads. We analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of pollutant concentration predictions. Predicted CO concentrations showed reasonable agreement with annual average and 24-hour measurements, e.g., 59% of the 24-hr predictions were within a factor of two of observations in the warmer months when CO emissions are more consistent. The highest concentrations of both CO and PM2.5 were predicted to occur near intersections and downwind of major roads during periods of unfavorable meteorology (e.g., low wind speeds) and high emissions (e.g., weekday rush hour). The spatial and temporal variation among predicted concentrations was significant, and resulted in unusual distributional and correlation characteristics, including strong negative correlation for receptors on opposite sides of a road and the highest short-term concentrations on the "upwind" side of the road. The case study findings can likely be generalized to many other locations, and they have important implications for epidemiological and other studies. The reduced-form model is intended for exposure assessment, risk assessment, epidemiological, geographical information systems, and other applications.
Computational Studies of the Catalytic Mechanism of the Staphylococcus Aureus Sortase a Enzyme

When surface proteins are attached to the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria, they play important roles in multiple pathogens such as pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, and so on. Class A sortase (SrtA) enzymes play a key role in the insertion of surface proteins into the cell wall. StrA recognizes an LPXTG sorting signal motif in a target protein and catalyzes a transpeptidation reaction that joins it to a Lipid II molecules that will be embedded into the cell wall. Bacteria strains that lack SrtA are incapable of placing surface proteins, suggesting that SrtA may be a novel drug target for therapeutics against Gram-positive bacteria. However, the precise mechanism of transpeptidation is not well understood because of the unstable catalytic intermediates. Here we report on a series of molecular dynamics simulations using a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach to investigate the catalytic mechanism of SrtA.
Strain Differences in Susceptibility to In Vivo Erectile Dysfunction Following 6 weeks of Induced Hyperglycemia in the Mouse

ABSTRACT Introduction With the large-scale availability of transgenic and knockout mouse models, the use of mice may greatly facilitate the examination of the mechanisms underlying diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED). Although in vitro studies of the mouse cavernosum show impairment of vasoreactivity, to date, no studies have demonstrated the in vivo impairment of erectile function in diabetic mice. Aim To establish whether mouse models of type I diabetes exhibit in vivo ED. Methods Hyperglycemia was induced by injection with streptozotocin (STZ, 125 mg/kg × 2 days) in two mouse strains, C57BLKS (BKS) and BALB/c. Six weeks after injection, the cavernosum was removed from some mice for the in vitro assessment of the endothelium and nerve-mediated dilatory responses of the cavernosal strips. The in vivo assessment of intracorporal pressure normalized to mean arterial pressure, in response to the electrical stimulation of the cavernosal nerve, was performed in the remaining mice. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measure of this study was the in vivo assessment of erectile function following diabetic induction in mice. Results Despite similar levels of sustained hyperglycemia following STZ injection, the phenotype of diabetic ED was observed only in BKS and not BALB/c mice. The cavernosum from diabetic BKS mice showed decreased endothelium-dependent dilation in response to acetylcholine (ACh), as well as impaired parasympathetic nerve-mediated relaxation. There was no change in ACh or nerve-mediated relaxation in the cavernousum from diabetic vs. control BALB/c mice. Further, in vivo physiologic assessment of erectile activity revealed a significant decrease in erectile function in diabetic BKS but not in BALB/c mice. Conclusion Together these data first established in vivo ED in a mouse model of type I diabetes (BKS mouse) and importantly demonstrated that certain inbred strains may be protected from hyperglycemia-induced erectile impairment. Further study of the strain-dependent effects may offer important clues into the mechanisms of ED as it relates to type I diabetes. Chitaley K, and Luttrell I. Strain differences in susceptibility to in vivo erectile dysfunction following 6 weeks of induced hyperglycemia in the mouse.
The Fallacy of the Misplaced Self: Gender Relations and the Construction of Multiple Selves among Sri Lankan Muslims

In this paper I explore the relation of culture and self through an analysis of folk narratives produced by Sri Lankan Muslim villagers, which, in turn, are used to analyze two case studies. I argue that there is no integrated, single self, but only a self symbol that gives the illusion of a unified, coherent self. I depict the self as consisting of a constellation of selves, called subselves, which superficially resemble roles. They differ from roles in that they are deeper, more fundamental extensions of the self and they are not "directed" or "managed" by some underlying stratum of self-consciousness. Further, each subself is constituted of a unique combination of cul-
Brutality and Benevolence: Human Ethology, Culture, and the Birth of Mexico

Preface Introduction Spanish Culture Aztec Culture Coalitions: An Ethological Account of a Coup The Structures of Material Life: Clothing, Shelter, and Community in Sixteenth Century Mexico Food: Dominance and Benevolence in Colonial New Spain The Pursuit of Justice The Hospital: The Right to Distribute Favor Gender and the Creation of Mexico A Question of Methodology Bibliographical Essay Index
EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION OF DOGS WITH Sarcocyatis FROM WAPITI1

Ten domestic dogs became infected with Sarcocystis when fed single portions of heart, esophagus and diaphragm from a two-year-old female wapiti (Cervus canadensis). The prepatent period was 14 days in all exposed dogs; the patent period ranged from 8 to 20 days. Neither the 10 control dogs, nor two dogs fed sporocysts collected from the infected dogs passed sporocysts within the study period. Sporocysts averaged 16.5 by 11.1 μm in size.
MOLECULAR WEIGHT DETERMINATION IN AQUEOUS AND NONAQUEOUS SOLVENTS. I. INSTRUMENTATION.

The apparatus previously used by Goyan and Johnson to study colligative properties has been improved. Provisions have been made for introducing and removing the sample without disturbing the closed system, and techniques have been developed for using aqueous and nonaqueous solvents interchangeably with the same equipment. The results presented show improvement in rapidity of operation and reliability. Circuitry is basically the same but has been somewhat improved.
Estriol modifies the absorption of estrone and estradiol in castrated rhesus monkeys: A new therapeutic approach for the use of natural estrogens in the menopause?

Abstract In order to study the effects of estriol (E 3 ) on estradiol (E 2 ) and estrone (E 1 ) absorption in the rhesus monkey the following study was performed. Chronically ovariectomized animals were divided in four groups of five each according to the treatment protocol (1)e 1 : 0.7 mg (2) E 1 : 0.7 mg + E 3 : 0.135 mg (3) E 2 : 0.3 mg, (4) E 2 : 0.3 mg + E 3 : 0.135mg (5) E 1 : 0.7 mg + E 2 : 0.3 mg and (6) E 1 : 0.7 mg + E 2 : 0.3 mg + E 3 : 0.135 mg. Monkeys received daily drug administration (DA) for 10 consecutive days. Serum E 1 , E 2 and E 3 were determined by RIA on a daily basis. In addition, during the first day of treatment blood samples were obtained at hourly intervals. Results were analyzed by comparing the areas under the curve (Integral tests). The data shows that during treatment serum concentrations of e 1 and E 2 in groups 1, 3 and 5 were significantly higher than in groups 2, 4 and 6 (2–4-fold greater). Serum levels of E 1 and E 2 rose 5-fold from baseline in animals from group 1 within 1 h, while they increased only 2-fold in those from group 2 at 3–6 h after DA. Similarly, serum levels of e 1 and E 2 increased 30- and 10-fold respectively 1 h after DA in group 3, while they rose 12- and 5-fold respectively 4 h after DA in animals of group 4. Estriol levels were similar in animals from group 2 and 4 throughout the study (250 ± 80 pg/ml). It may be concluded therefore that the oral administration of estriol diminishes the absorption of both e 1 and E 2 and alters their bioavailability, perhaps modulating their biological activity.
Reflections on `Impact of Sales Promotions on When, What, and How Much to Buy'

The author reflects on the research process, the review process, and the past and future research related to his 1988 article, which won the 1993 O'Dell award.
Rank-k Modification Methods for Recursive Least Squares Problems

In least squares problems, it is often desired to solve the same problem repeatedly but with several rows of the data either added, deleted, or both. Methods for quickly solving a problem after adding or deleting one row of data at a time are known. In this paper we introduce fundamental rank-k updating and downdating methods and show how extensions of rank-1 downdating methods based on LINPACK, Corrected Semi-Normal Equations (CSNE), and Gram-Schmidt factorizations, as well as new rank-k downdating methods, can all be derived from these fundamental results. We then analyze the cost of each new algorithm and make comparisons to k applications of the corresponding rank-1 algorithms. We provide experimental results comparing the numerical accuracy of the various algorithms, paying particular attention to the downdating methods, due to their potential numerical difficulties for illconditioned problems. We then discuss the computation involved for each downdating method, measured in terms of operation counts and BLAS calls. Finally, we provide serial execution timing results for these algorithms, noting preferable points for improvement and optimization. From our experiments we conclude that the Gram-Schmidt methods perform the best in terms of numerical accuracy, but may be too costly for serial execution for large problems.
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Phase II Trial of lapatinib in men with biochemically relapsed, androgen dependent prostate cancer.

Purpose Activation of the epidermal growth factor pathway is important in prostate cancer development and the transcription of androgen receptor regulated genes. This study evaluated the potential activity of lapatinib in men with biochemically-relapsed androgen-dependent (stage D0) prostate cancer.
Confidence intervals with fixed proportional accuracy

The problem of setting a confidence interval with fixed proportional accuracy for the mean of a normal distribution is considered. A sequential procedure is proposed; and asymptotic expansions for its average coverage probabilities and its expected sample size are obtained. The procedure is shown to have asymptotically minimal expected sample size, subject to a constraint on the error probabilities.
Effects of Coal Interaction with Supercritical CO2: Physical Structure

It is known that polar solvents swell coal, break hydrogen-bonds in the macromolecular structure, and enhance coal liquefaction efficiencies. The effects of drying, interaction with supercritical CO2 and degassing on the physical structure of coal have been studied using gas sorption technique and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Both drying and interaction with supercritical CO2 drastically change the micropore and mesopore surface area, absolute volume, and volume distribution in both bituminous coal and lignite. Degassing removes debris in the pore space which allows for better analysis of the changes in the morphology that were induced by drying and exposure to supercritical CO2. SEM reveals that interaction of bituminous coal with supercritical CO2 results in an abundance of carbon structures similar to the maceral collinite.
Sampling from Samples: A Comparison of Strategies in Longitudinal Research.

In this study, estimates of population values obtained using three sampling techniques (simple random sampling, stratified random sampling, and cluster sampling) and three size samples for each technique (10%, 25% and 50%) were compared with known "popu lation" values. The objective of the study was to determine if second stage sampling was justifiable, and if so, which sampling strategy and what size sample yielded adequate estimates of the known "population" values. The data were the responses to a questionnaire administered to 1481 teachers as part of a long term societal experi ment dealing with the effects of standardized testing upon a society. The results supported the feasibility of sampling from samples and showed that a 25% simple random sample provided quite good esti mates of the "population" values.
Role of the intracellular domains of LRP5 and LRP6 in activating the wnt canonical pathway

LDL-receptor related proteins 5 and 6 (LRP5/6) are co-receptors of Frizzled receptors that mediate Wnt-induced activation of the transcription factor family TCF/LEF-1. Even though LRP5 and LRP6 are highly homologous, LRP6, but not LRP5, is expressed primarily in the nervous system and deletion of the LRP6 gene results in significant brain abnormalities, while deletion of LRP5 results in primarily decreased bone density. Additionally, the exact function of LRP5 and LRP6 have not been clearly defined, although it is clear that they both play key roles in the Wnt canonical pathway. In this study the role of the intracellular domains of LRP5/6 in mediating Wnt signaling was examined. In the absence of exogenous Wnt 3a, full-length (FL) LRP6, but not LRP5, increased TCF/LEF-1 transcriptional activity, however both significantly potentiated Wnt 3a-induced TCF/LEF-1 activation. In contrast to the findings with the FL constructs, the intracellular domains (membrane-anchored and cytosolic) of both LRP5 and LRP6 significantly increased TCF/LEF-1 activation in the absence of Wnt 3a, and potentiated the Wnt 3a-induced decrease in β-catenin phosphorylation, increase in free β-catenin levels and the increase in TCF/LEF-1 activity. These findings demonstrate that: (1) LRP5 and LRP6 differentially modulate TCF/LEF-1 activation in the absence of Wnt 3a and (2) the intracellular C-terminal domains of LRP5/6 potentiate Wnt 3a-induced TCF/LEF-1 activation whether or not they are membrane-anchored. These findings provide significant new insights into the roles of LRP5/6 in modulating canonical Wnt signaling. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Flexural fatigue behaviour of unidirectional fibreglass composites

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the flexural fatigue performance characteristics and fatigue life limitations of fibreglass-reinforced polymers. It was found that the bending fatigue failure mode of unidirectional fibreglass composites changes from shear failure to flexural failure passing a combined failure region as the L/h (support span length to specimen thickness ratio) value increases. While the fibreglass failure determines the fatigue resistance in the flexural failure mode, the matrix shear cracking was found to be the life-limiting mechanism in the shear failure mode. The measurement of changes in stiffness and hysteresis loop energy during the fatigue cycling, and the investigation of microstructural changes were employed for determining the fatigue failure mechanisms. The fatigue endurance of fibreglass composites was found to be significantly affected by cyclic frequency and test control mode.
Examining phonemic awareness and concepts of print patterns of kindergarten students

Abstract Necessary prerequisites for and at the same time powerful predictors of children's success in beginning reading are the development of phonemic awareness and concepts of print. Students who are learning to read need to be taught how to consciously attend to phonemes and to develop an understanding regarding concepts about print. This study was two‐fold. First, we examined demographic characteristics that included gender, socioeconomics, preschool experience, and race to determine how these factors related to phonemic awareness and concepts of print development for kindergarten students. It was concluded that low SES children and Latino children were at greater risk of not developing phonemic awareness and concepts of print in kindergarten. Further data were collected and analyzed to examine low SES and Latino children's knowledge of phonemic awareness and concepts of print development. The study found that, along with maturation, a diagnostic approach that guides phonemic awareness instruction an...
Cigarette smoke suppresses Th1 cytokine production and increases RSV expression in a neonatal model.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects ∼90% of young children by the age of 2 yr, with peak rates occurring during 2–6 mo of age. Exposure to side-stream cigarette smoke (SS) may increase the in...