cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Occurrence of nervous-tissue tumors in cattle, horses, cats and dogs.

From 11 North American veterinary university hospitals and clinics, 248 animals were a confirmed diagnosis of nervous-tissue tumor were identified; 7 tumors were found in cattle, 28 in horses, 14 in cats, 199 in dogs, and none in other species. Tumors were divided for analysis into three categories-glial, meningeal, and peripheral nerve. In cattle and horses, all tumors involved peripheral nerves, the risk of which, in horses, reached a plateau at 4-6 years of age and remained constant thereafter. In cats, the tumors were equally distributed among the three tumor categories whereas, in dogs, twice as many glial tumors as meningeal and peripheral nerve tumors were found. The risk for glial tumors in dogs reached a peak at 10-14 years of age, for meningeal at 7-9 years, and for peripheral nerve at 2-3 and 7-9 years. Three canine breeds-English bulldog, boxer, and Boston terrier-had an excessive rish of glial tumors. Except for an excess of skin tumors in dogs with peripheral nerve tumors, there was no unusual occurrence with second primary neoplasms for any species. There was no detectable predisposition by sex for any of the categories of nervous-tissue tumors among any of the four species. The role of genetic abnormalities associated with nervous-tissue tumors and other etiologic factors (e.g., chronic hypoxia) may be clarified by further studies involving canine breeds of "bulldog" ancestry.
Infusion of presynthesized iridium nanocrystals into mesoporous silica for high catalyst activity

Traditionally, finely dispersed metal catalysts have been formed by reduction of precursors within mesoporous supports. A new concept for designing catalysts with enhanced activities and selectivities is to infuse presynthesized nanocrystals with well-defined morphologies into ordered mesoporous materials. The decoupling of nanocrystal synthesis and infusion provides exquisite control of the nanocrystal size, morphology, and dispersibility within the pores. A dispersion of iridium nanocrystals was infused into mesoporous silica by expanding the solvent toluene with supercritical CO2. To achieve high nanocrystal loadings, up to 1.3 wt %, we tuned the solvent quality to strengthen the interactions of the nanocrystals with the pore walls, but without precipitating the nanocrystals in the bulk solvent. Z-contrast STEM indicates conclusively that the iridium nanocrystals were located within the pores and not on the external silica surface. High catalytic activity was observed for 1-decene hydrogenation, which ...
Ion Interferometers and Massive Photons

We will report on an ion interferometer which is under construction. One application of this device is the test of Coulomb’s law and the search for a possible photon rest mass.
Extended model description of 19F and 20Ne

Abstract A model for light s-d shell nuclei which is capable of accounting for all low-lying even and odd parity states is extended to 19 F and 20 Ne. The calculated spectra are in good agreement with experiment. The calculations of transition strengths for E3-electromagnetic transitions and unique first-forbidden beta decays in these nuclei are discussed.
ERYTHROBLASTOSIS AND FETAL GROWTH RETARDATION (IUGR)

Top of pageAbstract Little has been published about circulating nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. We saw marked erythroblastosis (increased NRBC) in several infants with severe IUGR who were also VLBW. Hence, we evaluated the NRBC of all VLBW infants admitted to our intensive care nursery in 1983-86. There were 361 Infants with birthweight <1500 g admitted in the first 24 hours after birth, but 31 died before studies were obtained. Of the remainder 278 were appropriate (AGA) and 52 small for gestational age (SGA). NRBC were significantly* increased in SGA infants compared to AGA infants. In AGA infants, marked increase in NRBC was associated with extreme prematurity and bacterial infection. Findings in SGA infants are consistent with recent observations demonstrating erythroblastosis in blood from fetuses with IUGR (using “cordocentesis”), in whom the severity of hypoxla was correlated with the increase in NRBC. Abnormally increased NRBC at birth in VLBW infants with IUGR may indicate chronic intra-uterine hypoxemia and predict infants at risk of neonatal complications (e.g. NEC).
The settling of a sphere along the axis of a long square duct at low Reynolds' number

A theoretical treatment is presented for the determination of the drag upon a sphere settling along the axis of a long square duct under the condition that the creeping motion equations are applicable. In order to obtain the second reflection velocity field, it was necessary to develop a new general solution in cartesian coordinates to the creeping motion equation, applicable within the domain of a long square duct. Using the second reflection velocity field solution an Faxen's law, a third reflection (first correction to the Stokes' value) drag correction is obtained. The results show that the drag correction for a square container is quite close to (but smaller than) the drag correction produced by a cylinder whose diameter is the same as the duct width.
Characteristics of rat pancreatic regenerating protein

Abstract Background: The pancreatic regenerating (reg) gene is an acinar cell product involved in islet formation and maintenence. Human reg protein is mitogenic to pancreatic beta and ductular cells, and its amino acid sequence predicts it to be a calcium-dependent lectin. Methods: We studied the biologic activity and cellular localization of rat reg I isolated from the acinar cell line AR42J and the lectin properties of reg from AR42J and pancreatic juice. Bioactivity was assayed by mitogenesis on the ductular cell line ARIP. Cellular localization was determined by differential centrifugation. Lectin properties were assessed by affinity chromatography. Results: Reg protein from crude AR42J cellular lysate and purified reg protein from AR42J induced thymidine incorporation to ARIP. Conditioned medium from AR42J and co-culture of AR42J with morphologically distinguishable ARIP, however, failed to induce mitogenesis. Reg protein was localized within the vesicle fraction of the cell and was not membrane bound. Affinity chromotography revealed that reg protein did not bind to mannose or galactose in the presence or absence of calcium. In pancreatic juice a previously undescribed mannose-binding protein was discovered at 25,000 to 30,000 daltons. Conclusions: We conclude that reg produced in the acinar cell line AR42J is biologically active but not efficiently secreted, even though it localized within the cellular vesicles. Despite predictions based on its amino acid sequence, it does not appear to be a calcium-dependent lectin. (Surgery 1998;124:855-63.)
Surface-Initiated Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (SI-ROMP): Synthesis and Electropolymerization of Terthiophene-Functionalized Olefin Peripheral Dendrons

We report on the synthesis and electrodeposition of peripheral olefin dendrons with electropolymerizable focal point terthiophene units. These films were utilized for surface initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (SI-ROMP) of norbornene to form grafted polynorbornene brushes. The dendrons were first electrodeposited on an electrode surface, forming a highly dense and uniform polythiophene-type film, and their electrochemical behavior was investigated. Subsequently, after activation with a transition metal metathesis catalyst, polynorbornene brushes were grown from the electrodeposited films which were found to be highly dependent on the density of exposed olefin functional groups and dendron generation. The change in film morphology was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to prove polynorbornene brush film growth and composition on top of the electropolymerized layer. Brush growth kinetics experiments were also carried out to understand the...
Managing by Negotiations

The article presents a review of the book “Managing by Negotiations,” by Earl Brooks and George S. Odiorne.
Determinants of performance failure in the nursing home industry

This study investigates the determinants of performance failure in U.S. nursing homes. The sample consisted of 91,168 surveys from 10,901 facilities included in the Online Survey Certification and Reporting system from 1996 to 2005. Failed performance was defined as termination from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Determinants of performance failure were identified as core structural change (ownership change), peripheral change (related diversification), prior financial and quality of care performance, size and environmental shock (Medicaid case mix reimbursement and prospective payment system introduction). Additional control variables that could contribute to the likelihood of performance failure were included in a cross-sectional time series generalized estimating equation logistic regression model. Our results support the contention, derived from structural inertia theory, that where in an organization's structure change occurs determines whether it is adaptive or disruptive. In addition, while poor prior financial and quality performance and the introduction of case mix reimbursement increases the risk of failure, larger size is protective, decreasing the likelihood of performance failure.
Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic resolution of d- and d-Dns-amino acids by mixed chelate complexation.

Abstract Separation of optical isomers of Dns derivatives of amino acids by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography has been accomplished by adding a complex of an optically active amino acid to Cu(II) to the mobile phase. Cu(II) complexes of l -proline, l -arginine and l -histidine in the mobile phase yielded different degrees of separation. The concentrations of acetonitrile and the Cu(II) ligand as well as the pH all affect the separations. A chromatographic model is proposed that is based on the formation of ternary complexes by the d -Dns-amino acids and the chiral additive associated with the stationary phase. The separation selectivity appears to be based on different steric interactions between the alkyl side chains of the amino acids and the chiral additive.
Pilot Census of marine life in the Gulf of Maine: contributions of technology

Abstract Recent advances in physical oceanography, sampling and observation tools, and data management methods are sufficient to enable a wide range of organisms in the Gulf of Maine to be quantified and related both to other organisms and to the physical habitat. A pilot Census of marine life in the Gulf of Maine would advance the goals of ecosystem understanding and management in a timely manner. A prerequisite is knowledge of the distribution and abundance of the organisms that inhabit, both permanently and transiently, the Gulf of Maine and adjacent waters, namely those of Georges Bank, Browns Bank, and Slope Sea, including the New England seamounts. Both systematic and synoptic investigations of a spectrum of marine life are needed to supplement current data holdings, which, if extensive with respect to fish and certain marine mammals, are sparse with respect to the larger biogeography of the system. Technology offers the means of collecting and organizing such data. Efficiency in collection argues for dividing the spectrum of marine life into a number of functional groups, whose constituent organisms can be observed or sampled by the same or similar techniques. Five groups are identified: offshore subtidal benthos, intertidal and nearshore subtidal benthos, plankton, fish and squid, and large marine animals and seabirds. Associated tools of observation and sampling are listed and illustrated for two categories: high-frequency scientific echo sounders and underwater video microscopes. Parameters of the physical habitat are listed, and the power of the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System to define the physical oceanography is noted. Issues of data management, systems, and uses are described. Some benefits of a pilot census are noted. For the scientific community, these include making available biogeographic data that can support the formulation of data-based hypotheses. Testing these in the Gulf of Maine and adjacent waters may enable new knowledge of the particular ecosystem to be extended to distant ecosystems.
A large-area integrated display solution for the expeditionary fighting vehicle

The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) is typical of a new generation of Military vehicle. These new vehicles utilise information technology to provide substantial force multiplier and enhanced survival gains for the Marines. Larger, high performance displays with an integral computing capability are an essential element of these new systems. This paper reports on the development of an 18.1" display for the EFV. We describe the functionality, construction and performance of a "smart display" that utilises COTS components adapted to a severe ground-mobile environment, from concept to prototype test and delivery. We also indicate design enhancements that will take this system into volume production with maximized performance and minimised obsolescence risk for a system that is likely to evolve over a long operational lifespan.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The effects of trichloroacetic acid, a widespread product of chlorine disinfection, on the dragonfly nymph respiration

Abstract This study assessed the effects of trichloroacetic acid (TCAA), a newly recognized non‐volatile product of chlorine disinfection, on the oxygen uptake of dragonfly nymphs. This study utilized a range of TCAA from 1 ‐ 1000 ppb for a 96 hour period using a flow‐through exposure system. The results indicated a dose‐dependent increase in oxygen utilization which achieve statistical significance from control values at 100 and 1000 ppb. While previously published efforts have emphasized possible public health effects of TCAA as a result of consumption of chlorinated drinking water, the present findings indicate that TCAA is capable of causing environmental physiological alterations in an aquatic model organism in a model flow‐through system at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Palacios and Kitten: New high performance operating systems for scalable virtualized and native supercomputing

Palacios is a new open-source VMM under development at Northwestern University and the University of New Mexico that enables applications executing in a virtualized environment to achieve scalable high performance on large machines. Palacios functions as a modularized extension to Kitten, a high performance operating system being developed at Sandia National Laboratories to support large-scale supercomputing applications. Together, Palacios and Kitten provide a thin layer over the hardware to support full-featured virtualized environments alongside Kitten's lightweight native environment. Palacios supports existing, unmodified applications and operating systems by using the hardware virtualization technologies in recent AMD and Intel processors. Additionally, Palacios leverages Kitten's simple memory management scheme to enable low-overhead pass-through of native devices to a virtualized environment. We describe the design, implementation, and integration of Palacios and Kitten. Our benchmarks show that Palacios provides near native (within 5%), scalable performance for virtualized environments running important parallel applications. This new architecture provides an incremental path for applications to use supercomputers, running specialized lightweight host operating systems, that is not significantly performance-compromised.
How students find, evaluate and utilize peer-collected annotated multimedia data in science inquiry with zydeco

Scientific inquiry can be more authentic and meaningful to students when using personal and peer-collected data. The challenges of organizing and evaluating a potentially large amount of data can be overcome through the use of annotations (title, tags, and audio notes). We created Zydeco, a multi-component system that students use to collect annotated multimedia data from a museum (using a smartphone app), and then create a scientific explanation with their personal and peers' data (using a tablet app). We ran a classroom study with 54 students (ages 11-13) investigating how students searched for, evaluated, and used annotated data to construct a scientific explanation. We found that tags supported data interpretation, while title searching and panning through the unfiltered data set supported finding and using data.
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION OF 14 C‐SULFAMETHAZINE RESIDUES IN SWINE

14 C-Sulfamethazine was administered to Yorkshire-Hampshire pigs and the amount of radioactivity present in liver, kidney, shoulder, rear leg, loin, fat and blood was determined in pigs sacrificed 0.125, 2, 5, 10, and 15 days after withdrawal of the drug. Rapid depletion of the drug was observed from all tissues. Liver was the site of the largest concentration of radioactivity, containing an average of 30.2 and 10.1 ppb sulfamethazine (assuming all radioactivity due to parent drug) after 10 and 15 days withdrawal, respectively. Thin-layer chromatography of liver, shoulder and kidney tissues revealed that the major portion of the radioactivity was due to metabolites.
Resistance of Flat-Plate Buildings against Progressive Collapse. I: Modeling of Slab-Column Connections

AbstractA macromodel for slab-column connections is created for use in the system-level progressive collapse analyses of reinforced concrete flat-plate structures. The proposed model jointly uses shell and connector elements to simulate the complex behavior of slabs. Shell elements are used to simulate the flexural response of slab and the load redistribution over floor slabs. The connector elements, which permit simulating separation of slab from column on a punching failure, are defined with nonlinear responses for primary bending moment and torsion. A deformation-based punching failure criterion is defined for connector elements to simulate the punching failure at a slab-column connection and failure propagation. Parameters defining concrete tension stiffening behavior under static loading, including the peak tensile stress and the tensile strain when stress degrades to zero, are calibrated from two experiments. To ensure applicability, the proposed model is validated by 24 large-scale tests conducted ...
School Adjustment in Rural and Urban Communities: Do Students from “Timbuktu” Differ from Their “City Slicker” Peers?

The primary purpose of our study was to explore the effects of rurality on school adjustment and other school-related variables. Using data from 167,738 7th–12th graders located in a national sample of 185 predominantly white communities, multilevel models were estimated for perceived school performance and school liking using a variety of individual-level (e.g., gender, ethnicity, and peer school performance) and community/school-level variables (e.g., school size, rurality, and percentage free/reduced lunch) as predictor variables. Rurality was not significantly related to school adjustment, but rather, the characteristics of individuals living within those communities were. Results also indicated that participation in school and non-school activities, a strength of rural schools, can play a positive role in school adjustment. Given the significant relationships of income and parental education to all of the school-related variables, a key long-term strategy may lie in improving the economic climate of rural areas.
Pathological Assessment Following Pre-operative Systemic Therapy

There are several specialized pathological evaluation algorithms available to sub-classify response to chemotherapy ranging from simple to complex that provide prognostic survival information. Currently, pathological complete response (pCR) is used as a surrogate marker of overall survival and overall disease-free survival, but pCR does not uniformly predict excellent overall survival. We would like to move away from a binary system of evaluating pathological response to a drug regimen of pCR versus non-pCR so that we identify subtle but potentially significant differences between drug regimens. Following treatment, hormone receptor status and HER2/neu status can change, and repeat hormone receptor studies should be performed on residual disease because changes will impact patient treatment and survival. The traditional prognostic factors of tumor grade and hormone receptor status pre-treatment also contribute to overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with and without a pCR.
Apoptosis: Lack of oxygen aids cell survival

In worms, neurons respond to low levels of environmental oxygen in a way that protects distant tissues from stress-induced cell death. The molecules that mediate this cell-cell signalling may be targets for cancer treatment. Living cells have evolved a sophisticated response mechanism to help them survive conditions of low oxygen, mainly under the control of a transcription complex known as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Cancer cells also use HIF to adapt to the tumour environment; high HIFα levels are common in solid tumours, and for reasons that are not clear, correlate with a poor prognosis. A possible reason has been found in a study of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, which shows that HIFα inhibits the p53-mediated apoptosis (or cellular 'suicide') that normally prevents germ cells in which the DNA is damaged from becoming cancerous. Surprisingly, HIF acts in only two neurons and activates a tyrosinase that inhibits cell death in many other cells of C. elegans. This pathway also operates in tumour cells, as knockdown of the TYR-2 homologue TRP2 in melanoma cells increases apoptosis. But while protecting germ cells from self-destruction may be a lifesaver in worms rummaging in the soil, the pathway becomes a potential killer when turned on in a tumour.
Structural analysis of the human neuroblastoma DNA replication complex: insights into faulty proliferation.

Background: Whether faulty DNA synthesis contributes to neuroblastoma (NB) pathogenesis has received little attention. We have shown that NB DNA replication is orchestrated by a multiprotein DNA replication complex (DNA synthesome) which mediates error-prone DNA synthesis. We sought to define proteomic alterations of the NB DNA synthesome, which lead to lowered replication fidelity. Methods: DNA synthesomes from NB and neural stem (NS) cell culture were purified. Proteomic differences of the DNA synthesome between NB and NS cells were determined using 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunodetection. Results: DNA synthesome proteins from NB and NS cells were compared. Only replication protein A (RPA) showed distinct changes. RPA from NS cells resolved as a single spot (isoelectric point [pI] 5.75), whereas RPA in NB showed a main spot (pI 5.75) along with 3 additional isoforms. RPA binds to single-stranded DNA and participates in protein-protein interactions. Conclusions: NB DNA synthesome showed 3 distinct isoforms of RPA when compared with NS cells. These findings are significant in that it is possible to link changes in the fidelity of DNA replication with a specific protein alteration of the NB DNA synthetic apparatus. The novel RPA forms may be a new signature of NB malignancy.
Nitroxide-stimulated H2O2 decomposition by peroxidases and pseudoperoxidases.

Nitroxide free radicals interact with Hb/metHb, Mb/metMb and with peroxidases/phenols to induce a catalase-like conversion of H2O2 to O2 (catalatic activity), without being substantially consumed in the process. The mechanism of this reaction is postulated to involve a one-electron oxidation of the nitroxide to the immonium oxene, which then reacts further to release oxygen and the nitroxide. An involvement of the immonium oxene in the reaction mechanism is consistent with ferryl heme reduction by nitroxides and a detection of the reduced nitroxide when the reaction mixture is supplemented with the two-electron reductant sodium borohydride. The nitroxide-induced catalatic activity is completely inhibited when the reaction mixture is supplemented with glutathione. Nitroxides suppress free radical formation by hydroperoxide-activated heme proteins, as inferred from their inhibition of the spin-trapping of glutathionyl radicals. H2O2 decomposition and a suppression of reactive free radical formation by heme ...
Analysis of blood for boron.

(1959). Analysis of Blood for Boron. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal: Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 131-133.
Psychophysics: reply: Putting plaids in perspective.

When we look at Anderson's Fig. 1a , or at just about anything else, we see surfaces and boundaries, contours and intersections, edges and angles. These complex, interpreted image features might well be the stimulus elements that stereo mechanisms analyse to recover depth1,2,3,4. But are they?
LEARNING ABOUT WOMEN. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN INDIA: A CASE STUDY

On a recent semester-long stay in India, students from Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) learned about a variety of social and economic development issues, with an emphasis on the role and statu...
Maximum and minimum contact angles induced by pulmonary surfactants.

Maximum and minimum contact angles have been determined by comparing the Wilhelmy method and the du Nouy method using a Langmuir trough. Under physiological conditions, including 100 per cent relative humidity at 37°C and compression to 75 per cent and 85 per cent of the initial surface area, application of a surfactant film increased both maximum and minimum contact angles in all cases. Maximum (advancing) contact angles, measured by raising the fluid level, gave mean values of up to 41·6° for DPPE and 34·5° for DPL, whereas minimum (receding) contact angles, measured by lowering the fluid level, gave mean values of up to 39·0° and 27·1° for DPPE and DPL, respectively. These results indicate that pulmonary surfactants have the capability of decreasing the hydrophilic nature of tracheal epithelium.
Control of hydride orientation in zircaloy

Abstract Experiments were conducted to find the cause of adverse hydride orientation in the Zircaloy cladding of failed UO2 fuel tubes irradiated at the Savannah River Plant. It was shown that oriented hydride platelets were produced in Zircaloy by the application of stress during hydride precipitation and by deformation prior to hydride precipitation.
In vitro activity of minocycline against respiratory pathogens from patients with cystic fibrosis.

Our objective was to determine the in vitro activity of minocycline against isolates of Burkholderia cepacia (BC), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SM), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) cultured from the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Cultures of BC, SM, and PA were isolated in a hospital bacteriology laboratory from the sputum or oropharyngeal cultures obtained from patients attending a Cystic Fibrosis Center, and were prospectively tested for in vitro sensitivity to minocycline by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion. From January 1994 to July 1995, 116 cultures from 61 patients had at least one of the three pathogens; 9/61 (15%) patients had an isolate of BC, and 7/9 (78%) had an initial isolate sensitive to minocycline, of which 3 were sensitive only to minocycline; 2 cultures were resistant to all antibiotics. Four of 7 patients with BC were treated with minocycline; 3 patients developed resistant isolates 3-13 months after therapy. Five of 61 patients (8%) had an isolate of SM: 4/5 (80%) of these isolates were sensitive to minocycline, of which 1 was sensitive only to minocycline. Fifty-five of 61 patients (90%) had at least one PA isolate, with 112 morphotypes recovered from 90 cultures: 40/112 morphotypes (36%) were sensitive to minocycline, 65 (58%) were resistant, and 7 (6%) were intermediate in sensitivity. We conclude that the marked in vitro activity of minocycline against BC and SM isolated from patients with CF suggests that minocycline may have an adjunct role in the antimicrobial therapy of multidrug resistant, respiratory pathogens in CF.
MYELOPATHY SECONDARY TO AORTOCAVAL FISTULA IN A CAT

A 15-month-old neutered male cat was presented for progressive paraparesis of 3 months' duration and suspected cardiomegaly. Neuroanatomical localization was a T3-L3 myelopathy. On abdominal ultrasound, an anomalous vessel with turbulent blood flow was identified arising from the caudal vena cava. Myelography showed a bilateral ventrolateral extradural spinal cord compression from T12 to L4. Nonselective angiography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography clearly indicated a vascular complex and vena caval aneurysm with an engorged internal vertebral venous plexus. Surgical occlusion of the anomalous vessels was unsuccessful.
Geometric morphology of cellular solids

We demonstrate how to derive morphological information from micrographs, i.e., grey-level images, of polymeric foams. The segmentation of the images is performed by applying a pulse-coupled neural network. This processing generates blobs of the foams walls/struts and voids, respectively. The contours of the blobs and their corresponding points form the input to a constrained Delaunay tessellation, which provides an unstructured grid of the material under consideration. The subsequently applied Chordal Axis Transform captures the intrinsic shape characteristics, and facilitates the identification and localization of key morphological features. While stochastic features of the polymeric foams struts/walls such as areas, aspect ratios, etc., already can be computed at this stage, the foams voids require further geometric processing. The voids are separated into single foam cells. This shape manipulation leads to a refinement of the initial blob contours, which then requires the repeated application of the constrained Delaunay tessellation and Chordal Axis Transform, respectively. Using minimum enclosing rectangles for each foam cell, finally the stochastic features of the foam voids are computed.
Estrogen and Androgen Regulation of Protein Synthesis by the Immature Rabbit Epididymis

Abstract To obtain evidence of a physiological role for androgens and estrogens in the regulation of the epididymis of sexually immature rabbits, the effects of these hormones on [35S] methionine incorporation into epididymal proteins in vitro were examined. Two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that short term incubation with estradiol changed the patterns of radiolabeled proteins detected in tissue homogenates of epididymal segments from castrated rabbits compared to those in segments from castrated rabbits that were not exposed to exogenous estradiol. Most of the changes seen in corpus tissue affected proteins with a wide range of pI values and relatively high mol wt (>40K). The effects on caput and cauda tissue proteins were seen over a wide pH and mol wt range. Castration abolished many of the regional differences in protein synthesis; these were restored by incubation with estradiol. Testosterone had little effect on the synthesis of tissue proteins, except for stimulation of t...
Optimizing Pavement Preservation: An Urgent Demand for Every Highway Agency

Preventive maintenance is a tool that has the potential to both improve quality and reduce expenditures for a pavement network. Preventive maintenance is based on the concept that periodic, inexpensive treatments, such as seals, are more economical than infrequent, high-cost procedures, such as reconstruction. The paper presents a step-by-step procedure for selecting the appropriate preventive maintenance treatment for asphalt pavement and evaluating the optimal timing for that treatment under different pavement, traffic, and climatic conditions. The information presented in this paper is a useful tool for highway engineers and superintendents at various governmental levels throughout the world to develop a preventive maintenance program that would maximize the cost-effectiveness of maintenance treatments. Typical examples of pavement distresses are presented showing appropriate treatments that can be used. A model is presented to provide the basis for the analysis of the cost-effectiveness of a pavement ...
New kamenev-type oscillation criteria for second-order differential equations on a measure chain

We establish new Kamenev-type criteria for oscillation of the second-order linear differential equation, (p(t)x^@D(t))^@D + q(t)x(@s(t)) = 0, on a measure chain. Our results are extensions of those for differential equations and provide new oscillation criteria for difference equations. Several examples are given to show the significance of the results.
Behavioral thermoregulation in the rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris

Abstract Rock bass thermoregulating in an electronic shuttlebox exhibited a modal final preferendum of 30°C (range 26–34°C, midpoint 30°C, median 29°C, mean 29.4°C). This species did not exhibit any significant difference between day and night, either in preferred temperature or in locomotor activity.
Open shops with jobs overlap––revisited

In this communication we consider a two machine open shop in which a job requires processing on both machines. However, in contrast to the classical open shop, the two operations of any given job may overlap in time. The objective function under consideration is the minimization of the total completion time. This model has been considered before by Wagneur and Sriskandarajah [Eur. J. Oper. Res. 71 (1993) 366] and they presented a proof showing that minimizing the total completion time in a two machine open shop with jobs overlap is strongly NP-hard. Their proof is based on a reduction of the numerical matching with target sums (NMTS) problem; however, their proof is unfortunately not correct. In this communication we provide a counterexample that shows that their reduction does not hold. Our counterexample implies that the complexity status of the two machine open shop with job overlap remains open.
NONPROFIT EMPLOYEES’ MACHIAVELLIAN PROPENSITIES

Nonprofit organizations are held to high ethical standards due to their charitable missions serving the common good. Incidents of fiscal mismanagement within the nonprofit sector make it relevant to assay the ethical principles of employees. This study examines the level of Machiavellian propensities of US nonprofit employees. Results indicate Machiavellian propensities do exist in certain nonprofit employees and these employees agree with questionable behavior. Policy makers and oversight agencies may find these results useful in developing corporate governance and accountability measures for nonprofit organizations. Furthermore, board of director members may use these results to monitor employee actions and address management training.
Mechanism of N10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase derived from complexes with intermediates and inhibitors.

N(10) -formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase (FTHFS) is a folate enzyme that catalyzes the formylation of tetrahydrofolate (THF) in an ATP dependent manner. Structures of FTHFS from the thermophilic homoacetogen, Moorella thermoacetica, complexed with (1) a catalytic intermediate-formylphosphate (XPO) and product-ADP; (2) with an inhibitory substrate analog-folate; (3) with XPO and an inhibitory THF analog, ZD9331, were used to analyze the enzyme mechanism. Nucleophilic attack of the formate ion on the gamma phosphate of ATP leads to the formation of XPO and the first product ADP. A channel that leads to the putative formate binding pocket allows for the binding of ATP and formate in random order. Formate binding is due to interactions with the gamma-phosphate moiety of ATP and additionally to two hydrogen bonds from the backbone nitrogen of Ala276 and the side chain of Arg97. Upon ADP dissociation, XPO reorients and moves to the position previously occupied by the beta-phosphate of ATP. Conformational changes that occur due to the XPO presence apparently allow for the recruitment of the third substrate, THF, with its pterin moiety positioned between Phe384 and Trp412. This position overlaps with that of the bound nucleoside, which is consistent with a catalytic mechanism hypothesis that FTHFS works via a sequential ping-pong mechanism. More specifically, a random bi uni uni bi ping-pong ter ter mechanism is proposed. Additionally, the native structure originally reported at a 2.5 A resolution was redetermined at a 2.2 A resolution.
17.2: Ab initio models of dispenser B-type, scandate, and alloy cathode surfaces

The work function (Φ) and operating stability of dispenser, scandate, and alloy cathodes are investigated with ab initio quantum mechanical modeling. Low Φ, thermodynamically stable, and steady state surface configurations are identified, while the ability of alloy surfaces to improve emission is presented.
Association of Obesity With DNA Mismatch Repair Status and Clinical Outcome in Patients With Stage II or III Colon Carcinoma Participating in NCCTG and NSABP Adjuvant Chemotherapy Trials

Purpose Although the importance of obesity in colon cancer risk and outcome is recognized, the association of body mass index (BMI) with DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status is unknown. Patients and Methods BMI (kg/m2) was determined in patients with TNM stage II or III colon carcinomas (n = 2,693) who participated in randomized trials of adjuvant chemotherapy. The association of BMI with MMR status and survival was analyzed by logistic regression and Cox models, respectively. Results Overall, 427 (16%) tumors showed deficient MMR (dMMR), and 630 patients (23%) were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Obesity was significantly associated with younger age (P = .021), distal tumor site (P = .012), and a lower rate of dMMR tumors (10% v 17%; P < .001) compared with normal weight. Obesity remained associated with lower rates of dMMR (odds ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.79; P < .001) after adjusting for tumor site, stage, sex, and age. Among obese patients, rates of dMMR were lower in men compared with women (8% v 13%; P = .0...
Dynamic Mapping of CN Rotation Following Photoexcitation of ICN

In a spin: the dynamics of photoexcited ICN(-) (Ar)(0-5) are presented. Photodetachment produces quasi-thermal electron emission that leaves ICN with up to 2.85 eV of internal energy. Photodissociation at 2.5 eV leads to one-atom caging and highly solvated anion products. Calculations indicate efficient energy transfer into CN rotation upon excitation to the (2)Π(1/2) excited state. CN rotation is vital to explain the unique dynamics observed.
Multilayer slab/fiber filter designs for DWDM

We describe a geometry employing multilayer dielectric stacks (MDS), showing that extremely narrowband components may be realized with as few as three dielectric layers. The geometry of the basic device structure, with parameter definitions, is shown. A notch filter of one tenth nanometer FWHM for DWDM can be achieved by the multilayer overlay structure that has been proposed. The parameters (i.e. index, thickness, and the number of layer) associated with the DMS play a considerable role in the optical performance of the filter.
Modeling of Multisensory Convergence with a Network of Spiking Neurons: A Reverse Engineering Approach

Multisensory processing in the brain underlies a wide variety of perceptual phenomena, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms of how multisensory neurons are formed. This lack of knowledge is due to the difficulty for biological experiments to manipulate and test the parameters of multisensory convergence, the first and definitive step in the multisensory process. Therefore, by using a computational model of multisensory convergence, this study seeks to provide insight into the mechanisms of multisensory convergence. To reverse-engineer multisensory convergence, we used a biologically realistic neuron model and a biology-inspired plasticity rule, but did not make any a priori assumptions about multisensory properties of neurons in the network. The network consisted of two separate projection areas that converged upon neurons in a third area, and stimulation involved activation of one of the projection areas (or the other) or their combination. Experiments consisted of two parts: network training and multisensory simulation. Analyses were performed, first, to find multisensory properties in the simulated networks; second, to reveal properties of the network using graph theoretical approach; and third, to generate hypothesis related to the multisensory convergence. The results showed that the generation of multisensory neurons related to the topological properties of the network, in particular, the strengths of connections after training, was found to play an important role in forming and thus distinguishing multisensory neuron types.
Modifier genetics: cystic fibrosis.

▪ Abstract Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal autosomal recessive disorder in the Caucasian population, affecting about 30,000 individuals in the United States. The gene responsible for CF, the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), was identified 15 years ago. Substantial variation in the many aspects of the CF phenotype among individuals with the same CFTR genotype demonstrates that factors independent of CFTR exert considerable influence on outcome in CF. To date, the majority of published studies investigating the cause of disease variability in CF report associations between candidate genes and some aspect of the CF phenotype. However, a definitive modifier gene for CF remains to be identified. Despite the challenges posed by searches for modifier effects, studies of affected twins and siblings indicate that genetic factors play a substantial role in intestinal manifestations. Identifying the factors contributing to variation in pulmonary disease, the primary cause of mortality, r...
A result on exponential tracking error convergence and persistent excitation

Conditions are investigated for exponential convergence of the tracking error in feedforward adaptive systems having insufficient excitation. Particular attention is paid to the adaptive gradient algorithm with periodic excitation in the overparameterized case. A main result is that for a bounded periodic regressor, the tracking error converges exponentially without regard to parameter convergence or to the degree of overparameterization. These results weaken the persistent excitation (PE) conditions and parameter convergence conditions generally considered necessary to ensure exponential tracking convergence in this class of systems.
Hybrid crossbar architecture for a memristor based cache

This paper describes a new memristor crossbar architecture that is proposed for use in a high density cache design. This design has less than 10% of the write energy consumption than a simple memristor crossbar. Also, it has up to 3 times the bit density of an STT-MRAM system and up to 11 times the bit density of an SRAM architecture. The proposed architecture is analyzed using a detailed SPICE analysis that accounts for the resistance of the wires in the memristor structure. Additionally, the memristor model used in this work has been matched to specific device characterization data to provide accurate results in terms of energy, area, and timing. The proposed memory system was analyzed by modeling two different devices that vary in resistance range and switching time. This system does not require that the memristor devices have inherent diode effects which limit alternate current paths. Therefore this system is capable of utilizing a much broader class of devices.An architectural analysis has also been completed that shows how the memory system may perform as a cache memory. A hybrid cache structure was used to alleviate the long write latencies of memristor devices. This approach consisted of the tag array being made of SRAM cells while the data array was made of the memristor circuit proposed. This hybrid scheme allows multiple reads and writes to concurrently access different sub-arrays within a cache. The performance of these novel memristor based caches was compared to SRAM and STT-MRAM based caches through detailed simulations. The results show that the memristor caches are denser and allow better performance along with lower system power when compared to the STT-MRAM and SRAM caches.
Attenuative Dispersion of P Waves in and near the New Madrid Seismic Zone

A procedure for measuring the attenuative dispersion of body-wave phases has been developed and applied to PANDA recordings of direct P waves in the New Madrid seismic zone. We have determined relative group delays of spectral components of those waves for 152 paths and related that observed dispersion to seismic-wave attenuation using an expression we have derived for a continuous relaxation model. The group delays are sensitive to \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(Q_{\mathrm{m}}^{-1}\) \end{document}, the value of Q –1(ω) over the flat portion of the attenuation spectrum, and 1/τ2, the frequency of the half-amplitude point at the high-frequency end of the spectrum. Q m increases with epicentral distance from about 45 to 145 between 10 and 60 km, suggesting an increase of crustal P -wave Q with depth. In addition, Q m values for paths that are entirely, or mostly, confined to the active portion of the New Madrid seismic zone are lower than for paths that traverse a significant portion of crust outside the active region. The reduced Q in the source zone of New Madrid earthquakes can be explained by fluids in permeable rock, a mechanism previously proposed by Al-Shukri and Mitchell (1988) to explain reduced velocities there. A comparison of P -wave Q values reported in this study of attenuative dispersion with those previously deduced from the decay of spectral amplitudes shows that mean values obtained by the two methods are about the same, but that Q values from attenuative-dispersion measurements exhibit less scatter.
Use of Radiologic Imaging to Enhance Physical Diagnosis Instruction in the Preclinical Curriculum

Rationale and Objectives To expose students in the premedical years to imaging and its indications, to enhance their understanding of pathologic processes by allowing direct visualization, and to teach physical diagnosis through an integrated, multispecialty approach. Materials and Methods A total of 166 second-year medical students participated in a novel imaging session that accompanied the physical diagnosis course they were concurrently enrolled in. Students were provided a didactic orientation to imaging and taught how to use Picture Archiving and Communications System software. The students then participated in interactive imaging sessions in which they were able to scroll through entire imaging cases of real, anonymized patients with accompanying clinical scenarios and physical examination findings. Results Of 89 students responding to an online curricular feedback questionnaire, 41% believed that the imaging correlated with the other information taught in the course and 46% found it was helpful to their learning. The majority of students (64%) believed that the sessions helped challenge them to think about physical diagnosis in a different way. Conclusion Physical diagnosis on the wards requires a multispecialty approach and the early introduction of this technique through the integrated mode of teaching we present will benefit students in their clinical years and future careers.