cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dentinal sensitivity: a natural mineral dietary supplement study

: The purpose of the investigation was to determine the effect of drinking a natural mineral dietary supplement (NMDS) on gingival health and dentinal hypersensitivity. The NMDS product was from a geothermal source and contained 3.6 mg l−1 of fluoride and other minerals. Sample selection included subjects with gingival inflammation and sensitivity as well as screening for exclusion factors. A double-blind randomized parallel approach was used. The investigation was a quasi-experimental pre/post-test design. The experimental group ingested and swished twice a day with the NMDS (1 l) and the control group followed the same regimen with a placebo containing de-ionized water (DIW). Clinical measurements of gingival inflammation and dentinal sensitivity were taken at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Gingival inflammation was measured using the Gingival Index. Dentinal hypersensitivity was measured using a tactile stimulus and an evaporative stimulus. After each stimulus was applied, the subjects rated the amount of discomfort on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. Each set of data was analysed using anova and a post hoc probing technique to determine within- and between-group differences (P = 0.05). The experimental and control groups (n = 70) experienced a statistically significant decrease in tactile and evaporative sensitivity scores over time; however, the between-group differences were not significant. The gingival inflammation data were not statistically significant with regard to the within- and between-group differences. Therefore the NMDS and DIW were equally effective in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity and neither product effectively reduced gingival inflammation.
Small-sample Confidence Intervals for Impulse Response Functions

Bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals explicitly account for the bias and skewness of the small-sample distribution of the impulse response estimator, while retaining asymptotic validity in stationary autoregressions. Monte Carlo simulations for a wide range of bivariate models show that in small samples bias-corrected bootstrap intervals tend to be more accurate than delta method intervals, standard bootstrap intervals, and Monte Carlo integration intervals. This conclusion holds for VAR models estimated in levels, as deviations from a linear time trend, and in first differences. It also holds for random walk processes and cointegrated processes estimated in levels. An empirical example shows that bias-corrected bootstrap intervals may imply economic interpretations of the data that are substantively different from standard methods.
Statistical analysis of irregular wave-guide influences on regional seismic discriminants in China

Short-period regional phases play an important role in identifying low- magnitude seismic events in the context of monitoring the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Amplitude ratios of regional phases comprised mainly of P-wave energy (Pn, Pg) to those comprised mainly of S-wave energy (Sn, Lg) effectively discriminate between explosions and earthquakes in many regions, particularly at frequencies higher than 3 Hz. At lower frequencies, discrimination is usually poor due to large scatter that causes overlapping of event populations. Scatter in regional discriminant measures such as Pg/Lg ratios is caused by both source and propagation effects, and reducing the scatter imparted by the latter is essential to improving the discriminant performance when events do not share identical paths. Regional phases experience distance-dependent amplitude variations due to effects such as critical angle ampli- fication, geometric spreading, and attenuation. Discriminant measures are usually corrected for empirically determined distance trends for a given region, but large scatter persists after such corrections. This study seeks to develop more sophisticated empirical corrections for path properties in order to further reduce the scatter in regional discriminant measures caused by propagation effects. Broadband seismic waveforms recorded at station WMQ, in western China, demonstrate that regional Pg/Lg ratios show significant distance dependence for frequencies less than 6 Hz. However, variations in crustal structure cause additional path-specific amplitude fluc- tuations that are not accounted for by regionally averaged distance corrections. Blockage of Lg phases on paths traversing the margins of the Tibetan Plateau is one such effect. Regression analysis demonstrates that Pg/Lg ratios measured at WMQ display significant correlations with path-specific properties such as mean elevation, topographic roughness, basement depth, and crustal thickness. Multiple regressions using optimal combinations of parameters yield corrections that reduce variance in Pg/Lg measurements for frequencies less than 3 Hz by a factor of 2 or more relative to standard distance corrections. This should systematically enhance the performance of the Pg/Lg discriminant at low frequencies. The method presented here can be used for all regions and all short-period regional discriminants. It is likely that the extraor- dinary crustal heterogeneity in western China represents an extreme case of path- dependent effects.
Generational Perspectives in Clinical Legal Education

Clinical legal education is at a crossroads. With studies like the Macrate Report, Carnegie Foundation Report “Educating Lawyers,” and Best Practices for Legal Education there is greater focus on experiential learning. Consequently, clinics are at an inflection point regarding their future. Three distinct generations will determine the path forward: Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. Each generation brings a different set of preferences, biases, perspectives and strengths to the table. Given the changes in legal academia, what will the future hold for clinical legal education? The following are four essays by clinicians from the three generations. They each relay their paths to clinical teaching and explore how their paths inform their perspectives on the future of clinical legal education. In the introduction, Baby Boomer Clinicians, who were products of the social and political movements in the 1960s and 1970s, explore the era of turmoil that created modern clinical legal education and share their perspectives of later generations. Next, clinicians from Generation X muse about the consequences of Baby Boomers’ efforts and how being raised during the end of the Cold War and economic recessions and booms impacts their sense of giving back to the community in relation to the traditional clinical social mission. The last essay, by a Millennial professor, explores her motivations for entering clinical teaching, stereotypes about her generation and teaching a generation that is close in age. These three generations will chart the future path of clinical legal education. It is our hope that these essays begin a dialogue that will foster an integrated approach that reflects the different experiences and perspectives of all involved.
Reduction of AIDS risk among 41 heroin addicted female street prostitutes: effects of free methadone maintenance.

Interviews were previously conducted with 72 heroin-addicted female street prostitutes who spread HIV by sharing injection paraphernalia and engagin in unprotected sex with multiple male customers. Most were willing to enroll in free methadone maintenance if made available. Forty-one female addict-prostitutes subsequently entered free methadone maintenance. Twenty-five remained in treatment after one year. Their peronal income from prostitution and other crime was reduced 58%; income from legal sources increased 86%. Total urinalyses positive for non-prescribed drugs decreased from 80% on admissino to 51%. This pilot study validates the attraction of free methadone maintenance and concomitant reduction of illegal drug use and prostitution, two predictors of HIV infection. However, close supervision and effective counseling and rehabilitative services provided by better trained staff are required for successful outcomes among addict-prostitutes in methadone maintenance.
Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

This chapter discusses eigenvalues and eigenvectors. A nonzero vector x is an eigenvector or characteristic vector of a square matrix A if there exists a scalar λ, such that, Ax = λ x . Then, λ is an eigenvalue or characteristic value of A . The eigenvectors and eigenvalues are only defined for square matrices. In general, it is very difficult to find the eigenvalues of a matrix. The characteristic equation must be obtained, and for matrices of high order, this is a lengthy task. Then, the characteristic equation must be solved for its roots. If the equation is of high order, then this can be impossibility in practice. To each distinct eigenvalue of a matrix A , there will correspond at least one eigenvector that can be found by solving the appropriate set of homogeneous equations. If λ is an eigenvalue of A , then λ is an eigenvalue of A T . The product of the eigenvalues of a matrix equals the determinant of the matrix. The dominant eigenvalue of a matrix is the one having largest absolute value. The dominant eigenvalue of a matrix is real and is strictly greater in absolute value than all other eigenvalues.
Benchmarking the quality of schizophrenia pharmacotherapy: A comparison of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the private sector

Background Comparing quality of care between large health care systems is important for health systems management. This study used measures of the quality of pharmacotherapy for patients with schizophrenia and compared these measures across a sample of patients from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the private sector. Methods A random sample of all patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in the VA during fiscal year (FY) 2000 was identified using administrative data. In the private sector, a sample of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2000 was identified using MEDSTAT's MarketScan database. For both groups, use of antipsychotic medications was studied and measures of the quality of pharmacotherapy were constructed, including whether patients were prescribed any antipsychotic medication, one of the newer atypical antipsychotics, and whether dosing adhered to established treatment recommendations. These measures were compared across the two groups using logistic regression models, controlling for age, gender, and comorbid diagnoses. Results Most patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (82% in the VA and 73% in the private sector) received an antipsychotic medication, usually one of the newer atypical drugs. Patients in the VA were more likely to be dosed above treatment recommendations, and less likely to be dosed below treatment recommendations. Overall, differences in proportion schizophrenia patients dosed according to recommendations were not statistically different across the two systems (60% in the VA, 58% in the private sector). Conclusions Differences between the two systems were mixed, with the VA outperforming the private sector with respect to some measures and doing worse on others. Implications for health care provision Although the VA and the private sector were comparable with respect to the quality measures used in this study, there is room for improvement in both systems. Treatment recommendations are based on the best available clinical evidence of effectiveness and safety. Quality of care might be improved with better adherence to these recommendations. Implications for health policies Relatively low rates of adherence to treatment recommendations may be due to lack of awareness of these recommendations among prescribing physicians, or a belief that the recommendations are inadequate. To the extent that low rates of adherence to treatment recommendations are caused by a lack of awareness among physicians, policies should be developed to disseminate this information and encourage the appropriate use of these medications. Implications for further research Further research is needed to understand physician prescribing decisions for these medications. To the extent that physicians feel treatment recommendations for these drugs are inadequate, further research is needed to refine the recommendations.
Reduced-order model for inertial locomotion of a slender swimmer.

The inertial locomotion of an elongated model swimmer in a Newtonian fluid is quantified, wherein self-propulsion is achieved via steady tangential surface treadmilling. The swimmer has a length $2l$ and a circular cross section of longitudinal profile $aR(z)$, where $a$ is the characteristic width of the cross section, $R(z)$ is a dimensionless shape function, and $z$ is a dimensionless coordinate, normalized by $l$, along the centerline of the body. It is assumed that the swimmer is slender, $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=a/l\ensuremath{\ll}1$. Hence, we utilize slender-body theory to analyze the Navier-Stokes equations that describe the flow around the swimmer. Therefrom, we compute an asymptotic approximation to the swimming speed, $U$, as $U/{u}_{s}=1\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\beta}[V(\mathrm{Re})\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}{\ensuremath{\int}}_{\ensuremath{-}1}^{1}zlnR(z)\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}dz]/ln(1/\ensuremath{\epsilon})+O[1/{ln}^{2}(1/\ensuremath{\epsilon})]$, where ${u}_{s}$ is the characteristic speed of the surface treadmilling, $\mathrm{Re}$ is the Reynolds number based on the body length, and $\ensuremath{\beta}$ is a dimensionless parameter that differentiates between ``pusher'' (propelled from the rear, $\ensuremath{\beta}l0$) and ``puller'' (propelled from the front, $\ensuremath{\beta}g0$) -type swimmers. The function $V(\mathrm{Re})$ increases monotonically with increasing $\mathrm{Re}$; hence, fluid inertia causes an increase (decrease) in the swimming speed of a pusher (puller). Next, we demonstrate that the power expenditure of the swimmer increases monotonically with increasing $\mathrm{Re}$. Further, the power expenditures of a puller and pusher with the same value of $|\ensuremath{\beta}|$ are equal. Therefore, pushers are superior in inertial locomotion as compared to pullers, in that they achieve a faster swimming speed for the same power expended. Finally, it is demonstrated that the flow structure predicted from our reduced-order model is consistent with that from direct numerical simulation of swimmers at intermediate $\mathrm{Re}$.
The Endogenous Stability of Free Banking: Crisis as an Exogenous Phenomenon

This article studies the main aspects of free banking to put forward the argument that such a system is endogenously stable and that financial crisis is an exogenous phenomenon. In support of this conclusion, it analyzes the cases of bank runs, concerted expansion and how free banking would affect business cycles according to different schools of thought. The article concludes that money can efficiently be a market phenomenon outside the state.
Optimum Designs for Fitting Biased Multiresponse Surfaces

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the optimum designs for fitting biased multi-response surfaces. A common formulation of a biased estimation problem, especially in fractional factorial settings, is to ask for estimates of Lθ where L = [ L 1 | L 2 ] and L 1 is r × s. The chapter presents a scheme where nonlinear models can be fitted by the usual method of linearizing after a first stage of experimentation yields sufficiently accurate estimates. Variable costs of observations can be included and then reduced to a constant cost model to eliminate covariance variation. However, the problem of curve fitting is not really solved by these considerations.
Harvard, 1952–1955

Having survived and thrived at Caltech, then earning an MA in economics at KU, Harvard was easy. I had trail-blazing teachers of the day—Leontief, Haberler, Orcutt, Hanson, Samuelson who taught down-river to MIT. At Harvard, I placed among the top 2–3 graduate students. My entry scores at Harvard were good enough, but not outstanding, proving what I had long believed and witnessed, that smart students rest too easily on their mental endowments and learn to work only hard enough to excel—stronger on pretense than on curiosity. This is not prescriptive of an intellectual life of adventure and wonder. I write about the local news; it was hilarious, especially the politics, but also the local heroes, from cops to the FBI most wanted. The Boston area is a fun place to live, for a short time anyway.
Carbonate: Key to Transferrin Chemistry

Transferrin, the serum iron transport protein, has three important functions. First, to sequester iron; second, to transport it in a form that is nontoxic and unavailable to the nonspecific complexing agents of serum; and third, to release iron to specific receptor sites on cell membranes. The chemistry of transferrin is a reflection of these physiological functions. Current topics in transferrin research are presented in the proceedings of the recent European Biology Organization Workshop on Iron Proteins (1).
On Security Games with Additive Utility

Abstract In this work, we investigate a security game between an attacker and a defender. We formulate a zero-sum game in which the payoff matrix has a special structure which results from the additive property of the utility function. The combinatorial nature of security games leads to a large cost matrix. We present structural properties of the optimal attacker strategy. Based on the structural properties, we propose a polynomial-time algorithm to compute the value of the large-scale zero-sum game.
Employee Financial Wellness Programs: Promising New Benefit for Frontline Workers?

Interest among employers is growing in employee financial wellness programs (EFWPs), a new type of benefit to address financial stress among employees. EFWP benefits include financial counseling, s...
New Guinea Erythrura parrotfinches: one species or two?

Two species of Erythrura parrotfinches, differing mainly in bill size, are described from the New Guinea highlands: Blue-faced Parrotfinch E. trichroa and Papuan Parrotfinch E. papuana. Morphological measurements from museum specimens support two non-overlapping groups, but mitochondrial DNA sequence data show negligible differences between the two species. These observations suggest that E. trichroa and E. papuana may form a single species in the highlands of New Guinea that exhibits a resource-based bill size polymorphism.
Mode-hop-free tuning over 135 GHz of external cavity diode lasers without antireflection coating

We report an external cavity diode laser (ECDL), using a diode whose front facet is not anti-reflection (AR) coated that has a mode-hop-free (MHF) tuning range greater than 135 GHz. We achieved this using a short external cavity and by simultaneously tuning the internal and external modes of the laser. We find that the precise location of the pivot point of the grating in our laser is less critical than commonly believed. The general applicability of the method, combined with the compact portable mechanical and electronic design, makes it well suited for both research and industrial applications.
Heine’s Divan: West-Eastern Voyages after Goethe

Heinrich Heine has long been recognized as an early admirer of Goethe’s Divan. In Die romantische Schule, he issues an enthusiastic endorsement that helped popularize Goethe’s late poetry in the Fr...
Regional prefrontal cortical atrophy predicts specific cognitive-behavioral symptoms in ALS-FTD.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Frontotemporal Dementia (ALS-FTD) may present typical behavioral variant FTD symptoms. This study aims to determine whether profile and severity of cognitive-behavioral symptoms in ALS/ALS-FTD are predicted by regional cortical atrophy. The hypothesis is that executive dysfunction can be predicted by dorsolateral prefrontal cortical (dlPFC) atrophy, apathy by dorsomedial PFC (dmPFC) and anterior cingulate cortical (ACC) atrophy, disinhibition by orbitofrontal cortical (OFC) atrophy. 3.0 Tesla MRI scans were acquired from 22 people with ALS or ALS-FTD. Quantitative cortical thickness analysis was performed with FreeSurfer. A priori-defined regions of interest (ROI) were used to measure cortical thickness in each participant and calculate magnitude of atrophy in comparison to 115 healthy controls. Spearman correlations were used to evaluate associations between frontal ROI cortical thickness and cognitive-behavioral symptoms, measured by Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. ALS-FTD participants exhibited variable degrees of apathy (NPI-Q/apathy: 1.6 ± 1.2), disinhibition (NPI-Q/disinhibition: 1.2 ± 1.2), executive dysfunction (CDR/judgment-problem solving: 1.7 ± 0.8). Within the ALS-FTD group, executive dysfunction correlated with dlPFC atrophy (ρ:-0.65;p < 0.05); similar trends were seen for apathy with ACC (ρ:-0.53;p < 0.10) and dmPFC (ρ:-0.47;p < 0.10) atrophy, for disinhibition with OFC atrophy (ρ:-0.51;p < 0.10). Compared to people with ALS, those with ALS-FTD showed more diffuse atrophy involving precentral gyrus, prefrontal, temporal regions. Profile and severity of cognitive-behavioral symptoms in ALS-FTD are predicted by regional prefrontal atrophy. These findings are consistent with established brain-behavior models and support the role of quantitative MRI in diagnosis, management, counseling, monitoring and prognostication for a neurodegenerative disorder with diverse phenotypes.
Techniques of Use: Confronting Value Systems of Productivity, Progress, and Usefulness in Computing and Design

This paper turns to one of HCI's central value systems, i.e. its commitments to usefulness and the ideal that technology enables social progress, productivity, and excellence. Specifically, we examine how the seemingly “positive” ideal to make technology “useful” – i.e. to build systems and devices that advance social and technological progress – masks various forms of violence and injustice such as colonial othering, racist exclusions, and exploitation. Drawing from ethnographic research, we show how design and computing methods from design thinking to agile theory and entrepreneurial approaches in tech production and higher education are the latest techniques in the cultivation of useful bodies on behalf of the state, the corporation, the university, and the economy. Aligning with feminist, critical race and critical computing commitments, this paper offers a genealogical approach to show how injustice and violence endure, despite and because of a narrative of progress and positive change.
Pseudospectra of isospectrally reduced matrices

SUMMARY An isospectral matrix reduction is a procedure that reduces the size of a matrix while maintaining its eigenvalues up to a known set. As to not violate the fundamental theorem of algebra, the reduced matrices have rational functions as entries. Because isospectral reductions can preserve the spectrum of a matrix, they are fundamentally different from say the restriction of a matrix to an invariant subspace. We show that the notion of pseudospectrum can be extended to a wide class of matrices with rational function entries and that the pseudospectrum of such matrices shrinks with isospectral reductions. Hence, the eigenvalues of a reduced matrix are more robust to entry-wise perturbations than the eigenvalues of the original matrix. Moreover, the isospectral reductions considered here are more general than those considered elsewhere. We also introduce the notion of an inverse pseudospectrum (or pseudoresonances), which indicates how stable the poles of a rational function valued matrix are to entry-wise perturbations. Illustrations of these concepts are given for mass-spring networks. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Knock Limitations of Methane-Air Mixtures in a Turbocharged Dual-Fuel Engine

Knock limitations are investigated using natural gas, with diesel pilot ignition, as a fuel for the 3406 DI-TA Caterpillar diesel engine. Thermodynamic properties at TDC are generated by computer and compared with experimental results. Exhaust emissions are analyzed. A comparison is made of dual-fuel operation relative to diesel. Observations are made to determine the onset of knock. The onset of knock is characterized as a function of engine speed, load, inlet manifold temperature, and air-fuel ratio (A/F). The conditions at the inset of knock are determined using cylinder pressure data. The most efficient operating range is determined with knock avoidance as a prime parameter.
Impact of Screening for Hepatic Hemangiomas in Patients with Multiple Cutaneous Infantile Hemangiomas

Objectives Hepatic hemangiomas are often found in association with multiple cutaneous infantile hemangiomas. Screening abdominal ultrasonography has been recommended for patients with five or more cutaneous lesions. We sought to determine whether hemangiomas found through screening had improved clinical outcomes. Methods Patients entered into our hepatic hemangioma registry between 1995 and 2012 were reviewed. Results Seventy-two patients with multiple cutaneous and hepatic hemangiomas were identified; 43 (60%) were detected through screening. The median age at diagnosis was 41 days for screened patients and 53 days for those not screened. Screening detected 40 (93%) multifocal and 3 (7%) diffuse hemangiomas, compared to 18 (62%) and 11 (38%), respectively, in the nonscreened group. Patients identified by screening had lower incidences of congestive heart failure and hypothyroidism and were less likely to receive treatment for their hemangiomas. The mortality rate in the children not screened was 28% (n = 8). None of the patients found by screening died (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis of treated patients demonstrated that screening was a significant predictor of reduced mortality (p = 0.04). Conclusion Hepatic hemangiomas found through screening ultrasonography are less likely to develop serious clinical sequelae. Although the reasons for this may include detection of hemangiomas that are less likely to progress to symptomatic disease, it appears that it also allows for earlier intervention for more concerning (e.g. diffuse) subtypes. Screening may allow for closer surveillance and earlier treatment before life-threatening progression in a subset of infants with liver hemangiomas, preventing complications and reducing mortality.
Discipline and Disorder in the Whiteness of Mock Spanish

Following Hill's investigation of the “permeability of language” that includes the heteroglossic mixing of Spanish phrases into English, I examine here the “permeability of race,” focusing on racial shifts in and out of whiteness. I begin by arguing that the construction of racial difference hinges on the perception of one's ability to display a disciplined body, and I illustrate how language becomes a critical site for the racial disciplining of bodies. Next, I show how nonwhites can be “racially improved” and assimilate into whiteness through performances of standard English and control over their Spanish. Conversely, I demonstrate how white people who engage in intentional or unavoidable contact with latinos and Spanish speaking risk a loss of whiteness. Finally, I make the claim that white English speakers who embrace Mock Spanish actually “lose whiteness” as they “flirt” with the disorder of nonwhiteness. Here the temporary loss of whiteness that accompanies the display of a lack of linguistic refinement and control is readily exchanged for the positive associations of jovial and relaxed amiability. I thus argue that Mock Spanish helps us better understand the role of language in the moment-by-moment racial shifts speakers make in and out of whiteness. [Mock Spanish, race, whiteness, discipline, the body]
Gastrin regulates the human histidine decarboxylase promoter through an AP-1-dependent mechanism

The histidine decarboxylase (HDC) gene is regulated transcriptionally by gastrin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) through a protein kinase C (PKC)-related pathway. To determine the role of AP-1 (fos/jun) in the regulation of the HDC promoter, gastric cancer (AGS-B) cells stably expressing the cholecystokinin-B/ gastrin receptor and the 1.8-kb human (h) HDC-luciferase (luc) construct were cotransfected with constructs expressing c-fos and c-jun. Overexpression of c-fos and c-jun activated the HDC promoter in a dose-dependent fashion in 1.8-kb hHDC-luc/AGS-B cells as well as in transfected F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, which lack endogenous AP-1 activity. PMA was unable to activate the HDC promoter in F9 cells, which were not transfected with c-fos and c-jun. Gastrin stimulation increased c-fos and c-jun mRNA abundance and AP-1-dependent transcriptional activity, as assessed by a reporter construct in which the CAT reporter gene is under the control of a 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response element multimer. Gastrin-stimulated HDC promoter activity was blocked by transfection of c-fos antisense and dominant negative c-jun expression constructs. Finally, overexpression of c-fos and c-jun activated the hHDC promoter through a downstream cis-acting element (gastrin response element), which does not bind AP-1. In conclusion, activation of AP-1 is essential for gastrin-stimulated HDC transcription, but the mechanism appears to be indirect.
Nutrient effects on intestinal drug absorption.

Abstract The effect of oral co-administration of nutrients on intestinal drug absorption is a function of drug dissolution, gastrointestinal (GI) residence time and intestinal membrane transport. Nutrient effects on GI residence time may influence the availability of the drug for absorption when dissolution is rate controlling; alternatively, nutrient effects on membrane transport pathways may dictate variability in drug absorption when these pathways are rate limiting. This report describes nutrient effects on the absorption variability of the anticonvulsant-antiarrhythmic drug, phenytoin (PHT). Numerous reports, detailing clinical failure to maintain drug plasma levels within the narrow therapeutic index of PHT, haue implicated phenytoin-nutrient interactions as (possibly) causative. Absorption variability due to limited time for drug dissolution during GI transit was studied by measuring PHT plasma concentrations with time following oral dosage in dogs. Variability in intestinal uptake from PHT solutions as a function of nutrient inclusion was studied by measuring steady-state membrane permeabilities from intestinal perfusions and initial-rate uptakes by intestinal rings in rats.
The Descriptor Differential Scale: applying psychophysical principles to clinical pain assessment.

Abstract The Descriptor Differential Scale (DDS) applies psychophysical principles to clinical pain assessment. It contains 12 descriptor items for each pain dimension assessed. For each item, subjects indicate if their pain either is equal in magnitude to that implied by the anchoring descriptor, or how much greater or lesser on a 10-point graphic scale. The method permits collection of multiple responses, reducing scaling error, and assesses both pain magnitude and scaling consistency. Ninety-one patients completed the sensory intensity and unpleasantness forms of the DDS at both 1 and 2 h after surgical extraction of a lower third molar. Results show that the DDS satisfies standard psychometric criteria for reliability, objectivity and item homogeneity. The coefficients found satisfy standard psychometric criteria and improve after elimination of inconsistent profiles.
SU‐GG‐J‐90: Quantification of the Thorax‐To‐Abdomen Breathing Ratio for Breathing Motion Modeling

Purpose: To develop a methodology to quantitatively measure the thorax‐to‐abdomen breathing ratio for breathing motion modeling and breathing motion studies. Method and Materials: The breathing ratio was quantified by measuring the rate of body volume increase throughout the thorax and abdomen as a function of tidal volume. 15 16‐slice 4DCT patient imagedata sets from the neck through the pelvis were acquired during quiet respiration using a protocol that acquired 25 cine scans at each couch position. Tidal volume was used as the breathing‐cycle surrogate, measured using a spirometer and abdominal pneumatic bellows. The volume within the skin contour at each CT slice was compared against the tidal volume, exhibiting a nearly linear relationship. A linear regression analysis was used to determine η(i), defined as the amount of expansion at each slice i per unit tidal volume. The sum Ση(i) throughout all slices was predicted to be the ratio of room air density to internal air density; 1.11. The boundary between the thorax and abdomen was determined by examining the patient anatomy and setting the boundary at the Xiphoid process. The thorax and abdomen regions were individually analyzed to determine the thorax‐to‐abdomen breathing ratios. Results: The average Ση(i) for all data sets was found to be 1.23±0.20, close to the expected value of 1.11. The thorax‐to‐abdomen breathing ratios were 0.22±0.19. The average Ση(i) was 0.20±0.13 in the thorax and 1.04±0.26 in the abdomen. The boundary between the thorax and abdomen was localized using a 50th tidal volume percentile reconstructedCTimage.Conclusion: A method to quantify the relationship between abdomen and thoracic breathing was developed and validated. This work supported in part by NIHR01CA116712 and NIHR01CA96679.
Meat versus within-bone nutrients: Another look at the meaning of body part representation in archaeological sites

Abstract Differences between body part representation of small and large domestic stock at Ngamuriak, a Pastoral Neolithic site in Kenya, are generally similar to those described for small and large wild animals at many other sites from different time periods. In order to explore the underlying reasons for the existence of these patterns at Ngamuriak, multiple regression was used to consider the value of meat, marrow, bone grease, and bone density for predicting body part representation. Caprine body part patterns could be predicted quite accurately by marrow and bone grease. Cattle body part patterns could not be predicted very well, and patterns were not so consistent. Within-bone nutrients and density were the most useful variables for predicting body part representation. These results, along with patterns of long bone breakage, suggest that the difference between caprines and cattle resulted from differences in bone processing. Since processing for within-bone nutrients at Ngamuriak created patterns of skeletal part representation that are similar to those attributed at other sites to meat transport, our results suggest that the role of within-bone nutrients should be examined before transport based on meat value is assumed.
Nitrous acid mutagenesis of duplex DNA as a three-component system.

Abstract Purified native Hemophilus influenzae DNA is relatively insusceptible to nitrous acid (NA) mutagenesis in vitro, but is readily mutated following denaturation. NA mutagenicity for duplex DNA is significantly increased in the presence of various alcohols, glycols, phenols or primary amines. Phenolextracted DNA contains dissociable contaminants of low molecular weight that enhance NA mutagenesis. Enhancement of NA mutagenesis by phenol and by spermine is due to the formation of unstable molecular species. We propose that reactive organic nitroso compounds are formed which then serve as delivery vehicles to promote mutagenicity of native DNA, perhaps via transnitrosation reactions. Similar reactions probably occur in vivo to promote NA-induced base substitution (but not frameshift) mutations in Salmonella typhimurium and in Escherichia coli . The possible significance of these observations to carcinogenesis is discussed.
Adsorption and dehydrogenation of decaborane on the Pt(111) surface

The adsorption and decomposition of decaborane (B 10 H 14 ) on the Pt(111) surface was studied with reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The molecule has a nido structure with 10 terminal B-H bonds and 4 bridging B-H-B bonds. Comparison of the experimental RAIR spectra with spectra calculated using density functional theory indicates that the molecule adsorbs at 85 K without dissociation and with an orientation in which the dipole moment is parallel to the surface. The TPD experiments show that the dissociation leads to H 2 desorption up to ~420 K but that no boron-containing species desorb. Dissociation occurs in stages via stable surface intermediates, as indicated by changes observed with RAIRS in the terminal B-H stretch region at ~2600 cm -1 Boron, which is produced as a result of complete dissociation, is lost from the surface as indicated by XPS, most likely through dissolution into the bulk of the platinum crystal.
A screen for regulators of survival of motor neuron protein levels

The motor neuron disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) results from mutations that lead to low levels of the ubiquitously expressed protein survival of motor neuron (SMN). An ever-increasing collection of data suggests that therapeutics that elevate SMN may be effective in treating SMA. We executed an image-based screen of annotated chemical libraries and discovered several classes of compounds that were able to increase cellular SMN. Among the most important was the RTK-PI3K-AKT-GSK-3 signaling cascade. Chemical inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) and short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) directed against this target elevated SMN levels primarily by stabilizing the protein. It was particularly notable that GSK-3 chemical inhibitors were also effective in motor neurons, not only in elevating SMN levels, but also in blocking the death that was produced when SMN was acutely reduced by an SMN-specific shRNA. Thus, we have established a screen capable of detecting drug-like compounds that correct the main phenotypic change underlying SMA.
Hierarchical modelling of tropical convective systems using explicit and parametrized approaches

Cloud systems observed during 1–7 September of GATE are examined in a hierarchical approach, namely: a two-dimensional cloud-resolving simulation using a 2 km grid length; two- and three-dimensional simulations using the Kain-Fritsch convective parametrization and 10, 15 and 25 km grid lengths; and coarse-grid simulations without any convective parametrization. All simulations are forced by the same objectively analysed time-varying large-scale advection of temperature and moisture. The domain-mean winds are relaxed to the observed wind profiles. Both the cloud-resolving modelling and the lower-resolution modelling with parametrized convection realize the three observed cloud system categories (squall line, non-squall cluster and scattered convection) and transitions among them. In particular, the well-organized fast-moving squall-type cloud system observed on 4 September is realized in a three-dimensional experiment with parametrized convection. In contrast, the lower-resolution modelling without any convective parametrization fails to produce the squall-type convective system during the weakly forced period but successfully represents the non-squall cluster during strong forcing. This lack of success is mostly attributed to convective triggering and the absence of resolved downdraught-enhanced surface fluxes. These issues are not as critical during strong large-scale forcing. The observed evolutions of temperature, water vapour mixing ratio, precipitation and surface moisture flux are realized in all simulations. A common deficiency is the overprediction of upper-level relative humidity. The simulation with parametrized convection features a comparatively large low-level water vapour mixing ratio, a surface and upper-level cold temperature bias and a mid-tropospheric warm bias. This is mainly attributed to deficiencies in how the Kain-Fritsch scheme represents convective mass flux, detrainment and entrainment by cumulus congestus.
User satisfaction versus retrieval effectiveness in interactive retrieval

The current study investigates how retrieval effectiveness measured by recall and precision is related to user satisfaction in interactive retrieval. User satisfaction, the multi-dimensional measure, is decomposed into 11 semantic differentials that are related to tasks, results, and search processes respectively. A user-centered experiment was conducted with 24 participants and six simulated search tasks. Results demonstrated that instance precision is significantly correlated to relevant and useful search results and restful search processes. Instance recall is significantly correlated to clear, simple, and familiar tasks, relevant and useful search results, and relaxing, easy, and restful search processes. Through principal component factor analysis, two major factors underling the 11 semantic differentials are identified to correlate closely to retrieval effectiveness.
A comparison of the effects of computer assisted instruction with printed instruction on student learning in a hospitality management course.

Computer-assisted instruction has been found to be a viable instructional tool forprofessional education in the nursing and business fields. Is CAl an instructional technique that can enhance Hospitality Management education? Utilizing the food purchasing curriculum, the study sought to determine if differences in student learning outcomes are present between CAl and printed instruction.
Aboveground Net Primary Production and Leaf-Area Index in Early Postfire Vegetation in Yellowstone National Park

Aboveground net primary production (ANPP) and leaf-area index (LAI) of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. ex Wats.) saplings and aboveground productivity of herbaceous vegetation components were determined 9 years after the 1988 fires in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Measurements were made in four sites representing a wide range of early postfire vegetation present in YNP, including high-density lodgepole pine, low-density lodgepole pine, and two nonforest stands. LAI of the pine saplings and total ANPP (trees plus herbs) generally increased with increasing sapling density, from 0.002 m2 m−2 and 0.25 Mg ha−1 year−1 in the infertile nonforest stand (100 pine saplings ha−1) to 1.8 m2 m−2 and 4.01 Mg ha−1 year−1 in the high-density pine stand (62,800 saplings ha−1). Aboveground herbaceous productivity was not strongly correlated with sapling density, but appeared to be influenced by soil fertility. In the high-density pine stand, tree ANPP and LAI were within the lower range of values reported for similar mature coniferous forests. This finding suggests that at least some ecosystem processes (related to ANPP and LAI) may have nearly recovered after only 9 years of postfire succession, in at least some of the young forests developing after the 1988 Yellowstone fires.
Conservation and divergence of ASK1 and ASK2 gene functions during male meiosis in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Selective proteolysis of regulatory proteins mediated by the ubiquitin pathway is an important mechanism for controlling many biological events. The SCF (Skp1-Cullin-F-box protein) class of E3 ubiquitin ligases controls the ubiquitination of a wide variety of substrates, thereby mediating their degradation by the 26S proteasome. The Arabidopsis genome contains 21 genes encoding Skp1-like proteins that are named as ASKs (Arabidopsis Skp1-like). So far, only the ASK1 gene has been characterized genetically, and is known to be required for male meiosis, flower development, and auxin response. The ASK2 gene is most similar to ASK1 in terms of both the amino acid sequence and expression pattern. To compare ASK2 with ASK1 functionally in male meiosis, different transgenic lines over-expressing ASK1 and ASK2 were tested for their ability to complement the male meiosis defect of the ask1-1 mutant. The genomic ASK1 rescued the ask1-1 mutant defects. The 35S::ASK1 transgene restored male fertility to the ask1-1 mutant, although the percentages of normal pollen grains and tetrads were reduced. 35S::ASK2 lines in the ask1-1 background exhibited partial fertility with even fewer normal pollen grains and tetrads than those of the 35S::ASK1 lines. Detailed analysis of chromosome behavior during male meiosis demonstrated that 35S::ASK1 and 35S::ASK2 lines had different fractions of pollen mother cells undergoing normal meiosis. Our results suggest that ASK2 partially substitutes for ASK1 if expressed at higher than normal levels.
Cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents

Most children who are normal weight for height and otherwise healthy have risk factor levels associated with the absence of heart disease (ie, they do not smoke, do not have diabetes, are physically active, have low-density lipoprotein levels < 110 mg/dL, and have blood pressure < 120/80 mm Hg). However, by adolescence, the earliest lesions in the atherosclerotic process, fatty streaks and raised lesions, are present in the coronary arteries and the abdominal aorta. The severity of early atherogenesis is related to the coexistence of the major cardiovascular risk factors. Most commonly, the associated risk disturbances are mild: borderline hypertension, mild dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, overweight, physical inactivity, and initiation of tobacco use. Rarely, more severe risk factors are present: familial hypercholesterolemia (a genetic disorder of lipid metabolism), diabetes mellitus, secondary hypertension of long standing, or risk factors associated with chronic conditions such as end-stage renal disease. Thus, cardiovascular risk management in this age group has two components: primordial prevention (the prevention of the development of cardiovascular risk in the first place) and primary prevention (more aggressive treatment of identified risk factors in high-risk individuals either through behavioral or pharmacologic means). Trials beginning in adolescence of the primary prevention of atherosclerosis-related diseases have not been undertaken; thus, the decision to initiate pharmacologic management in high-risk adolescents requires careful thought.
Reconstruction of linear nonstationary discrete systems from their response to impulse inputs

We describe classes of linear nonstationary discrete systems that have equal responses to impulse inputs. In each class, we single out the unique simplest representative characterized by the nilpotency property.