cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of Incident Geographic Atrophy in the Complications of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Prevention Trial

Objective To characterize the size, location, conformation, and features of incident geographic atrophy (GA) as detected by annual stereoscopic color photographs and fluorescein angiograms (FAs). Design Retrospective cohort study within a larger clinical trial. Participants Patients with bilateral large drusen in whom GA developed during the course of the Complications of Age-related Macular Degeneration Prevention Trial (CAPT). Methods Annual stereoscopic color photographs and FAs were reviewed from 114 CAPT patients in whom GA developed in the untreated eye during 5 to 6 years of follow-up. Geographic atrophy was defined according to the Revised GA Criteria for identifying early GA. 23 Color-optimized fundus photographs were viewed concurrently with the FAs during grading. Main Outcome Measures Size and distance from the fovea of individual GA lesions, number of areas of atrophy, and change in visual acuity (VA) when GA first developed in an eye. Results At presentation, the median total GA area was 0.26 mm 2 (0.1 disc area). Geographic atrophy presented as a single lesion in 89 (78%) eyes. The median distance from the fovea was 395 μm. Twenty percent of incident GA lesions were subfoveal and an additional 18% were within 250 μm of the foveal center. Development of GA was associated with a mean decrease of 7 letters from the baseline VA level compared with 1 letter among matched early age-related macular degeneration eyes without GA. Geographic atrophy that formed in areas previously occupied by drusenoid pigment epithelial detachments on average were larger (0.53 vs. 0.20 mm 2 ; P = 0.0001), were more central (50 vs. 500 μm from the center of the fovea; P P = 0.0003) than GA with other drusen types as precursors. Conclusions Incident GA most often appears on color fundus photographs and FAs as a small, singular, parafoveal lesion, although a large minority of lesions are subfoveal or multifocal at initial detection. The characteristics of incident GA vary with precursor drusen types. These data can facilitate design of future clinical trials of therapies for GA. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the parotid gland: a rare pediatric case.

Background. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, or malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the head and neck is an uncommon malignancy that is exceedingly rare in the pediatric population. Although MFH was once considered the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults, recently authors have questioned its existence as a distinct pathologic entity. Methods. In light of this debate, we present a case of MFH with giant cells involving the parotid gland, and we review its pathology. Results. We describe a 6-year-old male with parotid gland MFH. Diagnosis was fraught with difficulty, typical of this disease. He was treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy with a good initial response. Conclusion. The classification of MFH has been recently debated. Nevertheless, our case is the second report of pediatric MFH involving the parotid gland. Surgical resection is the preferred treatment, but combined chemoradiation may be necessary in the head and neck region. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
Application of ISA S84.01 to SIS in the chemical and petrochemical industries

The kellogg Brown & Root Company (KBR) has created a Safety Guide for Safity Instrumented Systems (SIS). This gulde defines what must be addressed in designing a safety system, and incolporates the application of ISA S84.01. It provides a way to perform a quantitative analysis for verification of the SIL values. The life cycle process is presented. The documentation is defined and some forms are provided. This presentation reviews each step in design of the SIS starting with management commitment. The actions that must be undertaken to apply ISA S84.01 are discussed. The components of the Safety Gulde, specific forms, safety reviews, and SIL calculations are identified.
Developmental biology: Fringe benefits to carbohydrates

The Notch signalling pathway is involved in establishing spatial boundaries in tissues during development. The ability of Notch to respond to its signalling partners is modified by a protein called Fringe, and we now know why: Fringe acts as a glycosyltransferase, adding carbohydrate chains to Notch.
An enzymatic and immunological comparison of two proteases from a transformable Bacillus subtilis with the "subtilisins".

Abstract Two extracellular endopeptidases isolated from a transformable strain of Bacillus subtilis have been compared with the extensively studied subtilisins Carlsberg and Novo (or Nagarse). The rales of hydrolysis of dimethylated casein, dimethylated protamine, hide powder, and two amino acid esters have been measured for each of these enzymes. One of the new enzymes shows hydrolysis kinetics very similar to those observed for subtilisins Novo and Nagarse, while the other enzyme has esterolytic rates up to 200 times greater than those observed for the subtilisins. Characterization of the digestion products produced by the action of each of the enzymes on casein revealed that the enzyme most similar to the Novo or Nagarse enzyme in kinetic properties was also similar in the specificity of peptide linkages cleaved, while the enzyme with high esterolytic activity yielded a high level of free amino acids in the casein hydrolyzates. The first enzyme has immunological cross-reacting properties similar, but not identical, to those of subtilisins Novo or Nagarse. The second enzyme was not observed to cross-react immunologically with any of the others. On the basis of the kinetic and immunological data, it is concluded that, although one of the new proteases is similar to the Nagarse or Novo enzyme, both of these new enzymes should be considered molecular entities distinct from the subtilisins.
Liquid chromatography of organic compounds on ion-exchange resins

Abstract The use of ion-exchange resins for the chromatography of non-ionized organic compounds is reviewed, with special reference to work in the author's laboratory. Current work on ligand-exchange chromatography of drugs, alkaloids and amino sugars is reported, and an approach called “matrix-affinity chromatography” is described.
Reflections on regression towards the mean

In a recent article in this journal, Maraun, Gabriel, and Martin (2011) critically discuss the received views of the phenomenon of regression towards the mean, proposing changes in the way it should be viewed. Using in part Galton’s original data for the relation between parental height and child height, the present paper suggests that some undiscussed aspects of regression towards the mean are relevant. The usual methodological warnings given in the received view are not, in fact, entirely inappropriate.
The use of own-child checks to determine remarriage status.

The 1900 Federal Census of the United States did not ask currently-married women whether they had been married previously. This note uses the direct report on remarriage in the 1910 census to evaluate the performance of the “own-child checks” that several researchers have used with the 1900 census to substitute for direct information on remarriage. Accurate information on remarriage status is important for fertility and mortality estimation methods that rely on marital duration. The checks detect fewer than two-thirds of wives who report they are remarried. The use of these checks, however, does not introduce large amounts of error in an analysis of either fertility or mortality. The checks work better for white women than for black women. nt]mis|For comments we thank Paul David, Samuel Preston, Warren Sanderson, James Trussell, and seminar participants at the Office of Population Research, Princeton University. Two anonymous referees made detailed suggestions that substantially improved the paper. Address all correspondence to T.W. Guinnane.
Error analysis for general multtvariate kernel estimators

Kernel estimators for d dimensional data are usually parametrized by either a single smoothing parameter, or d smoothing parameters corresponding to each of the coordinate directions. A generalization of each of these parameterizations is to use a d× d matrix which allows smoothing in arbitrary directions. We demonstrate that, at this level of generality, the usual error approximations and their numerical minimization can be done quite simply using matrix algebra. The minimization formulas have the practical importance that they can be applied to data-driven selection of the smoothing parameters using a ”plug-in approach. Particular attention is paid to the special case of kernel estimation of multivariate normal mixture densities where it is shown that the numerical evaluation and minimization of both asymptotic and exact mean integrated squared error can be set up in a matrix algebraic formulation which requires no numerical integration. This provides a flexible family of multivariate smoothing problems...
Cocaine produces locomotor stimulation in SS but not LS mice: relationship to dopaminergic function.

Cocaine produces several behavioral effects, most notably locomotor stimulation. While low doses of cocaine have been shown to decrease locomotor activity, moderate to high doses in the range of 5–50 mg/kg usually produce a marked increase in locomotor activity in rodents. This study examined the effects of a range of cocaine doses, 1–75 mg/kg, on locomotor activity in LS/Ibg (LS) and SS/Ibg (SS) mice. At the lowest doses, activity was depressed in both lines, but to a greater extent in LS mice. As the dose of cocaine was increased, activity returned to baseline, and at the highest doses, increases in locomotor activity were found, but only in SS mice. In LS mice, cocaine was ineffective in increasing locomotor activity at any of the doses tested. Since striatal dopaminergic neurons influence locomotor activity, we also assessed ligand affinity and receptor density of dopamine transporters and dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors in striatal tissue obtained from these two selected lines. No differences in these receptor binding parameters were found. However, because of their anomalous locomotor response to cocaine, LS mice may prove to be a valuable tool in increasing our understanding of those sites which mediate specific effects of cocaine.
Revising the Competitiveness Index Using Factor Analysis

The Competitiveness Index is a 20-item true-false measure designed to assess the desire to win in interpersonal situations. To develop a more psychometrically sound form of the scale, 213 undergraduates were administered the original form and a modified version containing a 5-point Likert-type scale. An initial principal component analysis using a varimax rotation of the modified version yielded a four-factor solution accounting for 54.5% of the explained variance. Based on a subsequent reliability analysis. six items were dropped from the modified scale. A second analysis produced a two-factor solution accounting for 54.1% of the explained variance. Both factors (Enjoyment of Competition and Contentiousness) formed reliable subscales. The 14-item Revised Competitiveness Index had high internal consistency and was positively correlated with the original Competitiveness Index, the competitiveness subscales of the Work and Family Orientation Questionnaire, the Sports Orientation Questionnaire, and the Nach Naff measure of Need for Achievement.
A new approach to stable isotope-based paleoaltimetry: implications for paleoaltimetry and paleohypsometry of the High Himalaya since the Late Miocene

The change in oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation is modeled using equilibrium fractionation during Rayleigh distillation linked to the thermodynamics of atmospheric ascent and water vapor condensation. The primary controllers of the vertical variation in isotopic composition with elevation are the low elevation temperature and relative humidity as these control the vertical distribution of condensation. An empirical fit of precipitation versus model condensation based on Alpine stations is derived. This fit is represented in the model as the weighted mean composition of condensation within a 1000 m thick air parcel 1500 ˛ 500 m above the ground surface and is used for all other regions. Comparison of model versus observed modern precipitation reveals a close fit, particularly of more highly elevated sites. Comparison of modern waters in the Himalayas and southern Tibet with model predictions, particularly as revealed by comparison of observed and predicted hypsometry provides additional support to the validity of the model. Finally, application of this model to estimates of paleo-waters in the Himalayas and southern Tibet reveals that this region had already achieved its present hypsometry by the Late Miocene, about 10 Ma ago. fl 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Characteristics of the nucleotide phosphohydrolases of hamster embryo cells.

Abstract The characteristics and distribution of nucleotide phosphohydrolases of hamster embryo cells were examined. The hydrolysis of ATP and ADP by monolayers of hamster embryo cells was stimulated by Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ ions. In contrast, the hydrolysis of AMP was not increased by these ions. These observations suggest that the enzyme hydrolyzing AMP (ecto-AMPase) is different from the enzymes hydrolyzing ATP and ADP. About 70–90% of the total activity of the nucleotide phosphohydrolases of hamster embryo cells was localized on the surface of the cell membrane. These ecto-enzymes hydrolyzed a variety of nucleotides at rates comparable to those observed for the hydrolysis of AMP, ADP, and ATP. These findings indicated that the ecto-enzymes of hamster embryo cells have a low substrate specificity. The activities of the ecto-enzymes of tumor cells induced in the hamster by Rous sarcoma virus were greatly diminished or abolished in comparison to those of normal hamster embryo cells. This suggests that the ecto-nucleotide phosphohydrolases of hamster embryo cells may be suitable biochemical markers of transformation.
Demonstration by 2H ENDOR spectroscopy that myo-inositol binds via an alkoxide bridge to the mixed-valent diiron center of myo-inositol oxygenase.

myo-Inositol oxygenase (MIOX) is a non-heme diiron oxygenase that cleaves cyclohexane-(1,2,3,5/4,6-hexa)-ol (myo-inositol, MI) to d-glucuronate. Here, we use 2H ENDOR spectroscopy to demonstrate that MI binds to the diiron(II/III) cofactor of MIOX via an alkoxide bridge, most likely involving O1. Analysis shows that MI adopts a symmetrical geometry in which the O−C−2H plane of the bridge is approximately orthogonal to the Fe−O−Fe plane.
Stimulation of anandamide biosynthesis in N-18TG2 neuroblastoma cells by δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

A concentration-related stimulation of anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide) synthesis by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was observed in N-18TG2 neuroblastoma cells. Anandamide was detected and measured using an approach in which [3H]arachidonic acid and [14C]ethanolamine were incorporated into the phospholipids of subconfluent monolayers of cells, and the radiolabeled products were analyzed by TLC following agonist exposure. Both precursors showed similar concentration-response relationships and time dependencies consistent with the production of a product containing both the ethanolamine and arachidonyl moieties. The radiolabeled product also migrated together with authentic anandamide on two-dimensional TLC, confirming its identity as arachidonylethanolamide. Approximately two-thirds of the observed synthesis could be inhibited by 1 microM wortmannin, an agent previously reported to inhibit THC-stimulated arachidonic acid release. These findings are in agreement with reports showing that THC can mobilize phospholipid bound arachidonic acid, leading to the production of other eicosanoids.
Nitrogen doping of polycrystalline 3C–SiC films grown by single-source chemical vapor deposition

Abstract The chemical, structural, and electrical properties of n-doped cubic silicon carbide films grown from the precursors 1,3-disilabutane and NH3 are investigated. Controlled nitrogen doping of 3C–SiC is demonstrated at 850 °C by the addition of NH3 to the reactor feed gas. This is shown to modify the growth rate, the chemical nature, and the crystalline quality of the deposited films. However, we show that an optimal conductivity is achieved without significant changes to the growth rate and crystalline quality of the 3C–SiC thin films.
Help! I'm selecting children's books

Publishing houses, like the “mill” in the old folk tale “Why the Sea is Salty”, churn out books unceasingly day after day. There are over 2,000 children's books published each year and these books are of varying quality.
Evidence of localized resource depletion following a natural colonization event by a large marine predator

Summary For central place foragers, forming colonies can lead to extensive competition for prey around breeding areas and a zone of local prey depletion. As populations grow, this area of reduced prey can expand impacting foraging success and forcing animals to alter foraging behaviour. Here, we examine a population of marine predators, the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), which colonized a recently formed volcanic island, and assess changes in foraging behaviour associated with increasing population density. Specifically, we measured pup production and adult foraging behaviour over a 15-year period, during which the population increased 4-fold. Using measures of at-sea movements and dive behaviour, we found clear evidence that as the population expanded, animals were required to allot increasing effort to obtain resources. These changes in behaviour included longer duration foraging trips, farther distances travelled, a larger foraging range surrounding the island and deeper maximum dives. Our results suggest that as the northern fur seal population increased, local prey resources were depleted as a result of increased intraspecific competition. In addition, the recent slowing of population growth indicates that this population may be approaching carrying capacity just 31 years after a natural colonization event. Our study offers insight into the dynamics of population growth and impacts of increasing population density on a large marine predator. Such data could be vital for understanding future population fluctuations that occur in response to the dynamic environment, as natural and anthropogenic factors continue to modify marine habitats.
The molecular basis of restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) disrupts sleep in a substantial proportion of the population and is associated with higher cross-sectional rates of affective illness and cardiovascular disease. While dopamine and iron availability in the brain modulate emergence of symptoms, and dopamine agonists and iron alleviate the sensory symptoms and motor signs of RLS, the biology of the disorder is incompletely understood. Genetic factors, as opposed to environmental ones, account for most of the disease variance. The at-risk allelic variants exist in non-coding regions of at least six genes rendering it a complex genetic disease. Nonetheless, these provide the first hypothesis independent clues that advance a better understanding of RLS pathophysiology.
Roles of IGF-I and the estrogen, androgen and IGF-I receptors in estradiol-17β- and trenbolone acetate-stimulated proliferation of cultured bovine satellite cells

Although numerous studies have shown that both androgenic and estrogenic steroids increase rate and efficiency of muscle growth in steers, there is little consensus as to their mechanism of action. A combined estradiol 17beta (E2)/trenbolone acetate (TBA) implant causes a significant increase in muscle IGF-I mRNA and both E2 and TBA stimulate a significant increase in IGF-I mRNA level in bovine satellite cell (BSC) cultures in media containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Consequently, increased IGF-I expression may play a role in anabolic-steroid-enhanced muscle growth. However, even though treatment of cultured BSC with E2 or TBA in media containing 1% IGFBP-3-free swine serum (SS) results in increased proliferation there is no effect on IGF-I mRNA expression, suggesting that increased IGF-I expression may not be responsible for anabolic-steroid-enhanced BSC proliferation. To further examine the role of estrogen, androgen and IGF-I receptors and their respective ligands in E2- and TBA-stimulated BSC proliferation, we assessed the effects of specific inhibitors on E2- or TBA-stimulated proliferation of BSC. Both ICI 182 780 (an estrogen receptor blocker) and flutamide (an inhibitor of androgen receptor) suppressed (p<0.05) E2- and TBA-stimulated BSC proliferation, respectively. JB1 (a competitive inhibitor of IGF-I binding to type I IGF receptor) reduced (p<0.05) both E2- and TBA-stimulated proliferation in BSC cultures. Both the Raf-1/MAPK kinase (MEK)1/2/ERK1/2, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathways play significant roles in the actions of IGF-I on proliferation and differentiation of myogenic cells. PD98059, an inhibitor of the MAPK pathway, and wortmannin, an inhibitor of the PI3K pathway, both suppressed (p<0.05) E2- and TBA-stimulated proliferation of cultured BSC. Our data suggest that IGF-I plays a role in E2- and TBA-stimulated proliferation of cultured BSC even in the absence of increased IGF-I expression.
Chronic psychosocial stressors are detrimental to ovarian reserve: a study of infertile women.

Objective. In a cross sectional study of 89 infertile women, we explore a relationship between aspects of psycho-social stress and ovarian reserve parameters.Methods. Questionnaires assessed general health and mood (profile of mood state) were administered. Serum (cycle days 1–3) was collected for biomarkers of ovarian reserve (follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Mullerian Inhibitory Substance, Inhibin B) and stress (Cortisol). Multivariable regression analyses evaluated associations between parameters of interest (dysphoric mood, morning serum cortisol levels reflecting current stress; personal history of abuse, family and/or personal history of substance abuse reflecting chronic stress), with ovarian reserve biomarkers and with the likelihood of being diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).Results. Women with DOR were almost four times more likely to acknowledge personal history of recreational substance use (0.023) and family history of early menopause (p = 0.018). Adjusted analyses demonstrat...
Host-induced influences on the syntheses of defective vaccinia particles.

Abstract Virion subpopulations of the WR strain of vaccinia virus which plaque well on mouse L cells but not at all on rabbit kidney cells (L+RK−) were isolated by clonal selection techniques. Initial passage of these cloned subpopulations in nonpermissive rabbit kidney cells at an input multiplicity of 100 virions per cell resulted in a low yield of virus which could be detected with the aid of the electron microscope but which lacked rabbit kidney plaquing capability. Further passage of these particles in rabbit kidney cells resulted in the production of defective particles along with standard virions which were fully infectious for both mouse L and rabbit kidney cells (L+RK+). Passage of these standard L+RK+ virion populations and their associated defective particle subpopulations back into mouse L cells did not rever L+RK+ variants to L+RK− but did eliminate defective particle synthesis. Defective particles produced in rabbit kidney cells sedimented faster in sucrose and had a lower buoyant density than standard virions. However, no difference between defective and standard virion sizes were observed in the electron microscope. In contrast, cores produced from virion populations rich in defective particles sedimented at the same rate and had the same buoyant density as cores produced from standard virion populations. Defective particle synthesis was a host-induced phenomenon associated with rabbit kidney but not mouse L cells.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Information Extraction in Real-World Storage Management

As storage deployments within enterprises continue to grow, there is an increasing need to simplify and automate. Existing tools for automation rely on extracting information in the form of device models and workload patterns from raw performance data collected from devices. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of applying such information extraction techniques on real-world data collected over a period of months from the data centers of two commercial enterprises. Real-world monitor data has several challenges that typically do not exist in controlled lab environments. Our analysis for creating models is using popular algorithms such as M5, CART, ARIMA and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The relative error rate in predicting device response time from real-world data is 40-45% - a similar experiment using data from a controlled lab environment has a relative error of 25%. Bootstrapping models for the two commercial datasets ran for 245 mins and 477 mins respectively, which illustrates the need for mechanisms that effectively deal with large enterprise scales. We describe one such technique that clusters devices with similar hardware configurations. With a cluster size of five devices, we were able to reduce the model creation time to 94 mins and 138 mins respectively. Finally, an interesting trade-off arises in model accuracy and computation time required to refine the model.
The distribution and morphology of corticogeniculate axons in ferrets

This study examined the distribution of axons in the lateral geniculate (LGN) and adjacent nuclei following injections of wheat germ agglutinin bound to horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP), [3H]proline and Biocytin into area 17 in ferrets. Terminal label was found in the LGN, perigeniculate (PGN), medial interlaminar (MIN) and lateral posterior (LP) nuclei. LGN label was more concentrated in the interlaminar zones. Analysis of axonal morphology showed that different axon types project to LGN, MIN and LP. These findings suggest that feedback pathways from area 17 are complex and composed of several classes of axons.
Investigations of modal instabilities in fiber amplifiers through detailed numerical simulations

We present detailed numerical simulations of modal instabilities in high-power Yb-doped fiber amplifiers using a time-dependent temperature solver coupled to the optical fields and population inversion equations. The temperature is computed by solving the heat equation in polar coordinates using a 2D second-order alternating direction implicit method. We show that the higher-order modal content rises dramatically in the vicinity of the threshold and we recover the three power-dependent regions that are characteristic of the transfer of energy. We also investigate the dependence of the threshold on the seed power and the modal content ratio of the seed. The latter has a minimal effect on the threshold while it is shown that for the fiber configuration investigated, the modal instability threshold scales linearly over a wide range with the seed power. In addition, two different gain-tailored core designs are investigated and are shown to have higher thresholds than that of a uniformly doped core. Finally, we show that this full time-dependent model which does not assume a frequency offset between the modes a priori, predicts a reduced threshold when the seed is modulated at the KHz level. This is in agreement with the steady-periodic approach to this phenomenon.
Influence of previous temperature on stomatal response to osmotica

Die Spaltoffnungsweiten in der Epidermis von Blattscheiben ausNicotiana tabacum werden durch osmotisch wirksame Substanzen unterschiedlich beeinflusst, wenn die Pflanzen vorgangig bei verschiedenen Temperaturen aufwachsen. Bei 28°C sind die Spaltoffnungen der Blattstucke in osmotisch wirksamen Losungen weniger geoffnet als in reinem Wasser, wahrend sich bei einer Temperatur von 18°C die Spaltoffnungsweiten entgegengesetzt verhalten.
1004 A COMPARISON OF THE SEPHADEX COLUMN TEST WITH THE SALICYLATE SATURATION INDEX AS A MEASURE OF ALBUMIN BINDING CAPACITY FOR BILIRUBIN

A commercial Sephadex Column test (SC) (KernluteR) has been advocated to estimate the binding capacity of albumin for bilirubin in neonates. In an effort to compare the results of this test with those of the Salicylate Saturation Index (SSI), which is the only test for which long-term follow-up studies have been performed, 39 sera from newborns with hyperbilirubinemia were evaluated. These sera were obtained from infants categorized as sick preterm (n=20), post exchange transfusion (n=9), healthy formula fed (n=2), and healthy breast fed (n=8). Testing included SC, SSI, total and conjugated bilirubin, albumin and/or total protein. 16/39 sera had positive SC results. However, only 1 of these 16 had a SSI result above 8.0 (a level considered dangerous as determined by previous long-term follow-up studies). Therefore, it appears that there are a significant number of false positives obtained using SC. All 16 with a positive SC had a conjugated bilirubin level ≥1.4mg% and 13/16 had a conjugated bilirubin ≥1.4 but ≤2.Omg%. 11 of these 16 were from the sick preterm group. We conclude that 1) the SC test is not reliable if conjugated bilirubin is ≥1.4mg% (rather than >2.0mg% as previously reported) and 2) because of the large number of sick infants with conjugated bilirubin levels ≥1.4mg%, the number of false positive values renders the test of limited value in clinical practice.
Radiation produced by relativistic electrons moving over a diffraction grating

The characteristics of the emission spectrum produced by a single electron traversing a diffraction grating are explored. Emphasis is on the limit where the electron energy is relativistic.
Effectiveness of section length optimization for constrained viscoelastic layer damping treatments

It is well known that constrained viscoelastic layer damping treatments provide an effective means of passive control for structural vibration. These treatments dissipate vibrational energy by inducing shear strain in a thin layer of viscoelastic material. Our interest is in adding passive damping to a structure as an augmentation to active control. For such applications it is desirable to achieve high damping performance in a given frequency range with a minimum of added weight. Constrained layer damping treatments most commonly employ spatially continuous constraining layers over the entire viscoelastic layer. Plunkett and Lee have shown that the effectiveness of the damping treatment can be significantly increased by sectioning the constraining layer into segments of optimal length for the target frequency range. The authors have observed that few have recognized the degree of improvement achievable through this method. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the effectiveness of the method, through examples. It is demonstrated that, for a particular laboratory structure, the damping of the modes of interest can easily be increased by a factor of 10 or more by properly sectioning the constraining layer. The structure considered is a simple aluminum flat bar which is the arm of a single link flexible robot experiment. The damping material is 3M ISD-11O, and the constraining layer is 10 mu steel shim. Data is presented to compare experimental results with theoretical and finite element predictions. Plunkett and Lee's theory is used for theoretical analysis. The finite element model was developed based on MSC/NASTRAN code.
The effect of the acquisition of technological innovations on organizational performance: A resource-based view

Abstract This study examined the relationship between the acquisition of technological innovations and organizational performance using the framework of firm resource-based theory, as proposed by Barney [Barney, J., 1991. Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. J. Manage. 17, 99–120]. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant and positive relationship between the acquisition of technological innovations and organizational performance. It was further hypothesized that this relationship would be moderated by the extent to which the technological innovations were simultaneously valuable, imperfectly imitable, and rare. A sample of 189 Florida hospitals was used in the study. A positive and significant relationship was found between the acquisition of medical technological innovations and hospital financial performance, and the relationship was found to be strongest when the hospital's medical technologies were simultaneously valuable, imperfectly imitable, and rare.
The Impact of Provider Knowledge and Attitudes Toward National Asthma Guidelines on Self-Reported Implementation of Guidelines

This study determines the impact of provider knowledge and attitude on implementation of guidelines: spirometry, peak flows, patient assessments, action plans, severity assessment, and anti-inflammatories. A self-administered survey conducted in academic family practice sites in Buffalo, NY assessed knowledge, self-reported use, and perceived usefulness. Knowledge was associated with regular use of peak flows (p = 0.048) and anti-inflammatories (p = 0.01). Positive attitude was associated with regular use of spirometry (p = 0.03), peak flows (p < or = 0.001), patient assessments (p = 0.02), action plans (p = 0.046), anti-inflammatories (p < or = 0.001), and severity assessment (p < or = 0.001). Perceived usefulness is critical to implementing asthma guidelines. Interventions to improve provider adherence must address attitude.
A COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE VULNERABILITY: AGRICULTURE AND RANCHING ON BOTH SIDES OF THE US-MEXICO BORDER

Abstract Social science research on climate vulnerability tends to be limited to case studies in either industrial countries or in less-developed nations. The empirical study presented here takes a comparative approach across this divide by examining rural livelihoods on both sides of the United States–Mexico border. Looking beyond single agricultural systems, crossing borders and listening to rural producers in this semi-arid environment offers a more complete picture of how differences in access to resources, state involvement, class and ethnicity result in drastically different vulnerabilities within a similar biophysical context. We distinguish between coping and buffering in examining adaptation strategies and place an emphasis on the historical context of vulnerability as a dynamic social process with socioeconomic and environmental consequences.
Mixture of linear mixed models using multivariate t distribution

Linear mixed models are widely used when multiple correlated measurements are made on each unit of interest. In many applications, the units may form several distinct clusters, and such heterogeneity can be more appropriately modelled by a finite mixture linear mixed model. The classical estimation approach, in which both the random effects and the error parts are assumed to follow normal distribution, is sensitive to outliers, and failure to accommodate outliers may greatly jeopardize the model estimation and inference. We propose a new mixture linear mixed model using multivariate t distribution. For each mixture component, we assume the response and the random effects jointly follow a multivariate t distribution, to conveniently robustify the estimation procedure. An efficient expectation conditional maximization algorithm is developed for conducting maximum likelihood estimation. The degrees of freedom parameters of the t distributions are chosen data adaptively, for achieving flexible trade-off betwe...
The use of a simple heat transfer model for separated flows in tubes

Utilisation du modele simple de renouvellement de surface ou de penetration pour evaluer le transfert de chaleur pour des ecoulements separes dans des tubes. Comparaison avec les donnees experimentales obtenues dans deux experiences differentes
The good, the bad and the flexible: plant interactions with pollinators and herbivores over space and time are moderated by plant compensatory responses.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Plants are sessile organisms that face selection by both herbivores and pollinators. Herbivores and pollinators may select on the same traits and/or mediate each others' effects. Erysimum capitatum (Brassicaceae) is a widespread and variable plant species with generalized pollination that is attacked by a number of herbivores. The following questions were addressed. (a) Are pollinators and herbivores attracted by similar plant traits? (b) Does herbivory affect pollinator preferences? (c) Do pollinators and/or herbivores affect fitness and select on plant traits? (d) Do plant compensatory responses affect the outcome of interactions among plants, pollinators and herbivores? (e) Do interactions among E. capitatum and its pollinators and herbivores differ among sites and years? METHODS In 2005 and 2006, observational and experimental studies were combined in four populations at different elevations to examine selection by pollinators and herbivores on floral traits of E. capitatum. KEY RESULTS Pollinator and herbivore assemblages varied spatially and temporally, as did their effects on plant fitness and selection. Both pollinators and herbivores preferred plants with more flowers, and herbivory sometimes reduced pollinator visitation. Pollinators did not select on plant traits in any year or population and E. capitatum was not pollen limited; however, supplemental pollen resulted in altered plant resource allocation. Herbivores reduced fitness and selected for plant traits in some populations, and these effects were mediated by plant compensatory responses. CONCLUSIONS Individuals of Erysimum capitatum are visited by diverse groups of pollinators and herbivores that shift in abundance and importance in time and space. Compensatory reproductive mechanisms mediate interactions with both pollinators and herbivores and may allow E. capitatum to succeed in this complex selective environment.
The comparability of verbal and nonverbal semantic differential scales in a joint semantic space

As an alternative to the verbal Semantic Differential (SD) measure of affective meaning systems, a nonverbal instrument-the Graphic Differential (GD)-has been developed for subject populations who have difficulty in verbal ratings. However, the factor structures of the pictographic scales have never been examined in a joint-verbal and nonverbal-semantic space as to whether their structures are equivalent to the affective systems defined by the verbal markers. The present study assessed this issue by reanalyzing the French (1977) data. The results indicated that when verbal SD and nonverbal GD scales were factor-analyzed separately, the three-dimensional structures of Evaluation (E), Potency (P), and Activity (A) were recaptured in both domains. However, when they were analyzed simultaneously in a joint semantic space, only the E and A dimensions were congruent. The GD P scales carried the meanings of denotative Heaviness, rather than the affective Potency. For future investigation, suggestion was made to systematically study both the affective and denotative semantic features within the contexts of nonverbal communciations.
Situated Boundary Spanning: An Empirical Investigation of Requirements Engineering Practices in Product Family Development

Requirements Engineering (RE) faces considerable challenges that are often related to boundaries between various stakeholders involved in the software development process. These challenges may be addressed by boundary spanning practices. We examine how boundary spanning can be adapted to address RE challenges in Product Family Development (PFD), a context that involves complex RE. We study two different development approaches, namely, conventional and agile PFD, because these present considerably different challenges. Our findings from a multisite case study present boundary spanning as a solution to improve the quality of RE processes and highlight interesting differences in how boundary spanner roles and boundary objects are adapted in conventional and agile PFD.
The Kinase Mirk/dyrk1B: A Possible Therapeutic Target in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas are strongly resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation, underscoring the need for new therapeutic targets, particularly ones which target the numerous out of cycle cancer cells. Analysis of resected tumors for nuclear Ki67 antigen has shown that about 70% of pancreatic cancer cells are out of cycle, some post-mitotic. Other out of cycle cells are in a quiescent, reversible G0 state, resistant to drugs which target dividing cells, with some able to repopulate a tumor. The serine/threonine kinase Mirk/dyrk1B is a downstream effector of oncogenic K-ras, the most common mutation in this cancer. Mirk expression is elevated in quiescent pancreatic cancer cells and mediates their prolonged survival through increasing expression of a cohort of antioxidant genes. Mirk is expressed in about 90% of pancreatic cancers and is amplified in a subset. Mirk appears not to be an essential gene for normal cells from embryonic knockout studies in mice and RNA interference studies on cultured cells, but is upregulated in pancreatic tumor cells. These unusual characteristics suggest that Mirk may be a selective target for therapeutic intervention.
A clinical study of an exanthem due to ECHO virus type 9.

Summary Thirteen cases of a summer rubelliform exanthem are presented in considerable detail plus virologic evidence of causation by ECHO virus type 9. Fever, malaise, and gastrointestinal symptoms antedated or coincided with the onset of a rash which lasted from 2 to 3 days and involved, primarily, the face, arms, and torso. Pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, and cervical lymphadenopathy were occasional accompanying physical findings. The total leukocyte count and differential were usually within normal limits. An incubation period of approximately one week was apparent from case observations within several families.
Isotope Effect in Self-Diffusion in Zinc

The isotope effect has been measured for self-diffusion in single crystals of zinc parallel and perpendicular to the $c$ axis at seven temperatures in the range 289-418\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. A vacancy mechanism is found, with $\ensuremath{\Delta}K=0.93$, independent of temperature within the experimental error. Dislocations are found to lower the strength of the isotope effect. Agreement with the data of Batra is fair.
Gravity receptor aging in the CBA/CAJ strain: A comparison to auditory aging

The CBA/CaJ mouse strain is commonly used as a control as it has no known genetic mutations affecting the inner ear, maintains hearing sensitivity throughout life, and serves as a background for creating new genetic strains. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the effects of age and gender on gravity receptor function and compare functional changes between auditory and vestibular modalities. Vestibular-evoked potentials (VsEPs), auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), and distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured in 131 mice. VsEP thresholds deteriorated an average of 0.39 dB re: 1.0 g/ms per month and at the oldest ages (18–23 months old) showed an average loss of 49% of VsEP dynamic range. No significant gender differences were found for VsEPs. ABR thresholds increased by an average of 1.35, 1.38, and 1.15 dB pe SPL per month for ABR stimulus frequencies of 8, 16, and 32 kHz, respectively, demonstrating an average decrease in auditory dynamic range of 25–35% at advanced ages. Both modalities declined with age. Age-related decreases in gravity receptor sensitivity should be considered when using the CBA/CaJ strain for vestibular studies.
Iron‐stress response of inoculated and non‐inoculated roots of an iron inefficient soybean cultivar in a split‐root system

Abstract The objective of this study was to establish whether the iron‐stress responses observed in T203 soybean (Fe‐inefficient) with active nodules are products of the nodules or of the entire root system. A split‐root system was used in which half the roots of each plant were inoculated and actively fixing nitrogen and the other half were not. Soybean cultivar T203 is normally Fe‐inefficient and does not exhibit the Fe‐stress responses, however an iron‐stress response did occur during active N2 fixation in earlier studies. This implies that the active nodules influenced the plant's ability to respond to Fe‐deficiency stress. In this study, the Fe‐stress response (H+ and reductant release) observed in T203 soybean was limited to the inoculated side of the split‐root system. The severe Fe chlorosis which developed in these plants was overcome in a manner similar to Fe‐efficient cultivars undergoing normal Fe‐stress response and the T203 plants completely regreened. Exudation of H+ ions was similar in bot...
Estimation of binding affinities for celecoxib analogues with COX-2 via Monte Carlo-extended linear response.

Abstract Monte Carlo (MC)-extended linear response (ELR) calculations have been used for prediction of binding affinities of celecoxib analogues with the COX-2 enzyme. Three physically motivated descriptors from the MC simulations were used in a regression equation to fit 45 experimental activities with r2=0.71 and q2=0.68. The ELR approach provides a promising screen for optimization of enzyme inhibitors.
Women's strategies in polygynous marriage

Both behavioral ecological and social anthropological analyses of polygynous marriage tend to emphasize the importance of competition among men in acquisition of mates, whereas the strategic options to women both prior to and after the establishment of a marriage have been neglected. Focusing on African marriage systems that are in some senses analogous to resource-defense polygyny, I first review the evidence of reproductive costs of polygyny to women. Then I discuss why the conflict of interests between men and women over mate number is often likely to be settled in favor of men. Using East African ethnographic data I examine the strategic responses of women and their families to polygynous marriage, focusing on four topics: mate choice (Kipsigis), attitudes toward incoming wives (Kipsigis), labor allocation and cooperation (comparative data, Kipsigis), and use of parental wealth (Datoga). The results of these quantitative analyses suggest that through a combination of judicious marriage choice and strategic responses within marriage, polygyny need not be costly to women in resource-defense polygynous systems. The conclusion is that a hierarchy of questions need to be addressed in the analysis of any polygynous marriage system.
Cues, consequences and therapeutic talk; effects of social context and coping statements on pain

Abstract The present study examined the effects of two types of coping statements on tolerance of experimentally-induced pain when the S s either thought the experimenter knew or did not know their statements. When S s thought no one knew their statements, no therapeutic effects were shown. When S s knew the experimenter knew the statements, the S s tolerated the pain longer and showed specific effects depending on the specific type of coping statement used. The implications of this study for distinguishing informational, self-instructional and social-motivation effects in therapy are discussed.