cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intraneuronal aluminum potentiates iron-induced oxidative stress in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

Aluminum can facilitate Fe-mediated oxidative injury, which may contribute to Al neurotoxicity. It has been reported that Al potentiates Fe-induced oxidative stress in cultured granule cells, suggesting a mechanism for Al facilitation of Fe-mediated oxidative injury. However, the relationship of intracellular Al concentration to Fe-induced oxidative stress has not been reported. In the present study, neuronal oxidative stress and survival were investigated. Embryo rat hippocampal neuron cultures were treated with Al2(SO4)3 and/or FeSO4. An ionophore, A23187, was utilized to facilitate cellular Al uptake. Intraneuronal Al concentration was ascertained by laser microprobe mass spectrometry (LMMS). Neuronal oxidative stress was measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy, using 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) as a probe. The study showed that neuronal Al uptake was facilitated by the ionophore and that an increase of intraneuronal Al concentration potentiated Fe-induced oxidative stress and neuronal death. The results indicate that Al potentiation of Fe-induced oxidative stress might contribute to Al facilitation of oxidative injury, and thus to Al neurotoxicity.
Check it! A randomized pilot of a positive psychology intervention to improve adherence in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

PurposeThe purpose of the current study was to pilot-test a positive psychology intervention to improve adherence to diabetes management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.MethodsA total of 39 ado...
Are the non-classical auditory pathways involved in autism and PDD?

Abstract Objective: To test the hypothesis that some of the abnormal sensory perceptions that characterize autism may be explained by an abnormal activation of non-classical (extra-lemniscal) sensory pathways. Methods: Twenty-one individuals, 18–45 years of age who were diagnosed with autism participated in the study. Sounds (clicks presented at a rate of 40 per second and 65 dB above the normal threshold) were applied through earphones. Electrical stimulation (100 μS rectangular impulses at a rate of 4 per second) was applied through electrodes placed on the skin over the median nerve at the wrist. The participants were asked to match the loudness of the sound with and without the electrical stimulation applied to the median nerve. Results: Electrical stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist in individuals with autism could change the perception of loudness of sounds presented to one ear through an earphone showing a statistically significant abnormal sensory cross-modal interaction. Discussion: We i...
Insulin Secretion and Clearance after Subacute Estradiol Administration in Postmenopausal Women

Context: Data from large clinical trials of postmenopausal women suggest that the incidence of diabetes is reduced in women randomized to estrogen-based hormone therapy when compared with placebo. Whether this is due to an effect of estrogen on insulin or glucose metabolism remains unclear. Objective: Our objective was to test the hypothesis that estradiol (E2) increases insulin secretion and clearance. Design: Serum insulin and C-peptide (CPEP) responses to hyperglycemia (250 mg/dl) plus iv l-arginine were measured on 2 separate days, with (EST) and without [control (CON)] subacute (24 h) transdermal E2 administration. Study Participants: There were 11 postmenopausal women (mean ± sd; 55 ± 4 yr) included in this study. Main Outcomes: Insulin secretion and clearance were estimated from the CPEP area under the curve and the molar ratio of CPEP to insulin area under the curve, respectively. Mean glucose disposal rate (GDR) was estimated from the rate of glucose infusion during the final 30 min of the hyperglycemic clamp. Results: There were no differences in insulin secretion or clearance between the EST and CON days. Fasting glucose was lower on the EST compared with the CON (93 ± 6 vs. 98 ± 8 mg/dl), but mean GDR was not different. However, when one outlier was excluded from analysis, GDR was increased after EST compared with CON. Furthermore, a strong inverse association was observed between years since menopause and E2-mediated changes in GDR (r = −0.794; P = 0.004). Conclusions: Contrary to our hypothesis, 24-h transdermal E2 administration did not alter insulin secretion or clearance in postmenopausal women. However, a longer time since menopause was associated with a reduced effect of E2 to increase glucose uptake.
Fluorescently tagged laminin subunits facilitate analyses of the properties, assembly and processing of laminins in live and fixed lung epithelial cells and keratinocytes

Recent analyses of collagen, elastin and fibronectin matrix assembly, organization and remodeling have been facilitated by the use of tagged proteins that can be visualized without the need for antibody labeling. Here, we report the generation of C-terminal tagged, full-length and "processed" (alpha3DeltaLG4-5) human alpha3 as well as C-terminal tagged, full-length human beta3 laminin subunits in adenoviral vectors. Human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) and human bronchial epithelial (BEP2D) cells, which assemble laminin-332-rich matrices, as well as primary rat lung alveolar type II (ATII) cells, which elaborate a fibrous network rich in laminin-311, were infected with adenovirus encoding the tagged human laminin subunits. In HEKs and BEP2D cells, tagged, full-length alpha3, alpha3DeltaLG4-5 and beta3 laminin subunits incorporate into arrays of matrix organized into patterns that are comparable to those observed when such cells are stained using laminin-332 subunit antibody probes. Moreover, HEKs and BEP2Ds move over these tagged, laminin-332-rich matrix arrays. We have also used the tagged beta3 laminin subunit-containing matrices to demonstrate that assembled laminin-332 arrays influence laminin matrix secretion and/or assembly. In the case of rat ATII cells, although tagged alpha3 laminin subunits are not detected in the matrix of rat ATII cells infected with virus encoding full-length human alpha3 laminin protein, processed human alpha3 laminin subunits are incorporated into an extracellular fibrous array. We discuss how these novel laminin reagents can be used to study the organization, processing and assembly of laminin matrices and how they provide new insights into the potential functional importance of laminin fragments.
High-beamforming power-code-multiplexed optical scanner for three-dimensional displays

Three dimensional (3-D) displays play an important role in the field of entertainment. Today, research is being conducted to produce 3-D displays to meet the complex needs of high-functionality full motion 3D displays at reasonable cost, but without glasses, complicated viewing arrangements or restricted fields of view. Other applications for 3-D displays include but are not limited to CAD/Design simulation, advanced data representation, displaying complex 3-D information for automotive design, medical imaging, advanced navigation displays, scientific visualization, and advertising. The key element in all these applications is an optical beam scanner that can display 3-D images for large viewing angles. Our proposed Code Multiplexed Optical Scanner (C-MOS) can fulfill all these requirements with its high beamforming power capabilities. Our proposed experiment demonstrates three dimensional (3-D) beam scanning with large angles (e.g., > 160°), large centimeter size aperture, and scanning speed of <300 μsec. The robust construction and simple operation of the C-MOS makes it very useful and attractive for deployment in the field of entertainment, defense and medical imaging. Here we report the application of the C-MOS for three dimensional (3-D) displays.
Vegetative reproduction as a stabilizing feature of the population dynamics of Yucca glauca

The life history of Yucca glauca in the Great Plains was the subject of a four year field study. Data were incorporated in a stage transition model (based on rosette size) to explain how populations are maintained in spite of large regional and temporal variation in sexual reproductive success. Rosette size was found to be a good predictor of flowering effort, but a poor predictor of fruit set. Large rosettes that failed to set fruit, however, exhibited an increased capacity for vegetative reproduction. Asexual reproduction contributes to population stability by reducing the variance in annual recruitment, and perhaps by damping oscillations caused by departures from a stable stage distribution.
The effects of bilateral septal lesions on two-way active avoidance in the guinea pig

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) suffering bilateral septal destruction and sham operates were trained over a 2-day period in a two-way shuttle-box avoidance problem. Septal Ss reached the learning criterion more quickly, showed lower latencies, and displayed more intertriai activity than sham operates.
The (liquid + vapor) critical-temperature curve for {xD2O + (1-x)H2O

(Liquid + vapor) critical temperatures T c were measured for { x D 2 O + (1- x )H 2 O} with a precision of ± 0.1 K over the entire mixture composition range. Observed T c s were linear with x within the precision of the measurements. A value of T c for HDO was calculated from the results using the isotope-exchange reaction constant reported previously. The resulting critical curve represents the observed T c s within experimental uncertainty.
The Acadian thermal history of western Maine

Following the Middle Devonian Acadian deformation an extensive belt of high grade metamorphism was formed in New England. In south-western Maine, at the northern end of this belt, there occurs a transition along the strike from regional low-pressure/high-temperature metamorphism to contact metamorphism in low-grade rocks. Petrological studies indicate that this transition occurs along a surface plunging to the north-east at about 3.5°, with respect to the Middle-to-Late Devonian erosion surface. In addition, detailed petrological mapping has defined a history of temporally separate, localized metamorphic events associated with plutonism and occurring at increasingly deeper levels to the south-west. Geochronological studies constrain ambient temperatures in the transition zone at the time of metamorphism to be less than 300° C in the north-east and between 350° C and 500° C in the south-west. They also establish a pattern of diachronous cooling due to differential uplift and erosion, with cooling occurring later and most rapidly to the south-west. Geophysical evidence suggests that along with this spatial variation in metamorphic style the shapes of the plutons in Maine undergo a transition from laterally extensive sheet-like bodies in the high grade terrane to more equant-shaped bodies in the low-grade terrane. Using the results of these petrological, geochronological and geophysical studies, as well as those of stratigraphical and structural studies we construct a thermal model for the transition zone. The model suggests that the Acadian metamorphism in south-western Maine is a result of deep-level contact metamorphism near laterally extensive granitic sills dipping to the north-east with respect to the present erosion surface. The plutons themselves are interpreted to be a result of lower crustal melting in response to crustal thickening in the presence of normal or slightly augmented mantle heat flux.
Spectral characteristics of human and indoor clutter for through the wall sensing

This paper investigates the exploitation of the spectral properties of human targets and indoor clutter for sensing through the wall (STTW) applications. The paper focuses on analysis and comparison between human targets and that of common indoor clutter for STTW by comparing modeling results with that of measured data. The characterization of spectral properties for targets and clutter are accomplished through two approaches. The first approach utilizes finite difference time domain (FDTD) techniques to examine the radar cross section (RCS) of humans and indoor clutter objects by using different types of computer models. FDTD allows for the spectral characteristics to be acquired over a wide range of frequencies, polarizations, and aspect angles. The second approach makes use of calibrated RCS calculations using network analyzer measurements to characterize human RCS. We compare and contrast the RCS responses for analysis and use in STTW.
Art for Art's Sake? An Examination of Motives for Arts Performance Attendance

Given finite amounts of time for leisure activities and a consuming public that continues to feel time pressured, what drives attendance at arts performances? This study builds on existing arts research and its use of demographic characteristics by considering the psychological motives of theater patrons. Six potential motives of performing arts attendees are identified, and their relationship with demographic characteristics and behavioral outcomes are assessed. Data were obtained from a midwestern U.S. performing arts center; the sample was drawn from spectators at three different performances. Analysis of variance and t-test results indicate significant relationships between certain motivations and patronage variables such as years of attendance, number of performances attended, and time frame for planning to attend future events. Similarly, significant differences in motivation were found by gender, age, income, and education level, suggesting that attendance could be enhanced by tailoring motive spec...
The World Bank and the politics of productivity: the debate on economic growth, poverty, and living standards in the 1950s*

According to most reconstructions of development debates, poverty and social issues were not part of the development agenda until the late 1960s. In contrast, this article shows that development practitioners and institutions were already addressing poverty and social issues in the late 1940s and early 1950s. However, economic multilateral organizations soon marginalized those inclusive views and focused exclusively on economic growth. This article discusses those early policy options and why they were marginalized. It argues that this happened for ideological reasons, specifically because of the ideological anti-New Deal post-war backlash and the adhesion of Western countries and multilateral organizations to what Charles Maier defined as the politics of productivity. This ideological backlash explains the rise and early demise of Keynesian ideas in international organizations, and, conversely, their stronger influence in developing countries, where the direct influence of the US and Bretton Woods organizations was somewhat mitigated.
Disruption-Tolerant Spatial Dissemination

Spatial dissemination is a specific form of information dissemination that enables mobile users to send information to other mobile users who are or will appear at a specific location (a user-defined region). Such geo-messaging services are on the rise; they typically are built upon centralized solutions and require users to have reliable access to a stable backend infrastructure for storing and communicating content. In this paper, we develop a distributed solution to spatial dissemination, that can work without the need for such an infrastructure. Our solution utilizes the concepts from disruption-tolerant networking to build a flexible/best-effort service that leverages the intermittent ad-hoc connectivity between users. We propose Sticker, a spatial dissemination protocol that aims to maximize delivery reliability without incurring significant storage/transmission overheads. Sticker employs the store-carry-and- forward model, and strives to optimize dissemination performance by addressing three sub-problems - replication, forwarding and purging. Our experiments show that, Sticker achieves delivery ratios that are close to the maximum possible values; as compared to existing techniques, it either cuts down storage/transmission overheads by over 50%, or greatly enhances both delivery reliability and storage efficiency.
Organic versus inorganic trace metal complexes in sulfidic marine waters—some speculative calculations based on available stability constants

Abstract A theoretical model has been developed in order to test the hypothesis that simple organic acids are the chief agents of trace metal solubility in H 2 S-rich marine waters. The model utilizes stability constant given by Sillen and Martell (1964, 1971) and assumes that the free cation activity of each metal is controlled by simple solubility products. Typical values of pH, pS and Eh are employed in the calculations. The results indicate that free amino acids and hydrocarboxylic acids probably are not effective but that bisulfide and polysulfide complexes may be the chief agents of trace metal solubility. To the extent that it is present, the effect of dissolved organic matter on trace metal solubility probably resides in highly polymerized substances (e.g. humic acids).
History and Memory: The Tyranny and Prejudice of Experience

This commentary serves as a brief response to Bernard Bell’s account of the formation of the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies—titled “Passing on the Radical Legacy of Black Studies at the University of Massachusetts”—featured in this same volume. This rejoinder raises critical questions about the fallibility of memory and memoirs by exploring the chasms between self-recollection and history; autobiography and historical investigation; and retrospect and nostalgia. The commentary also offers a rough outline of the important contextual elements shaping the creation of the Du Bois Department and its remarkable early growth in the 1970s, describing it as a notably different intellectual and bureaucratic environment from that which gave birth to the doctoral program in the 1990s.
Factor Fraction required for the Synthesis of Bacteriophage Qβ-RNA

A factor fraction essential for the in vitro synthesis of RNA bacteriophage Qβ-RNA has been isolated from both infected and uninfected E. coli. This indicates that the contribution of the last bacterium to the replication of Qβ-RNA is more extensive than was earlier thought.
Cataracts induced by the polypeptide antibiotic polymyxin B sulfate

Abstract The membranes of the lens fibers contain reactive acidic groups as a part of glycoproteins, phospholipids, protein-SH, polyphosphate nucleic acids and acid mucopolysaccharides. Polycations such as polymyxin B sulfate, neomycin sulfate, cetylpyridinium chloride, cetyltrimetylammonium bromide and polylysine affect the membranes of the lens fibers and produce unilateral cataracts after intravitreal injection. Fifteen minutes after intraocular of polymyxin B sulfate administration, breaks in the membranes of lens fibers and vacuoles between the fibers are found by light and electron microscopy. Increased lens hydration results from in vitro lens incubations in Tyrodes medium containing 0·1–0·5 mg/ml polymyxin B sulfate.
Effect of Lactose Monolaurate on Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Bacteria

ABSTRACT The antimicrobial activities of sucrose monolaurate and a novel ester, lactose monolaurate (LML), were tested. Gram-positive bacteria were more susceptible than Gram-negative bacteria to both esters. The minimal bactericidal concentrations of LML were 5 to 9.5 mM for Listeria monocytogenes isolates and 0.2 to 2 mM for Mycobacterium isolates.
TiO2 nanotube arrays grown in ionic liquids: high-efficiency in photocatalysis and pore-widening

Debris-free, long, well-separated TiO2 nanotube arrays were obtained using an ionic liquid (IL) as electrolyte. The high conductivity of IL resulted in fast pore widening and few contaminants from electrolyte decomposition leading to high photocatalytic efficiency in water splitting.
Endothelial cells actively concentrate insulin during its transendothelial transport.

We examined insulin's uptake and transendothelial transport (TET) by cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) in order to: a) ascertain whether insulin accumulates within the cells to concentrations greater than in the media; b) compare the TET of insulin to that of inulin (using the latter as a tracer for passive transport or leak); and c) determine whether insulin's TET depended on insulin action. Using 125I-insulin at physiologic concentrations, we found that BAECs accumulate insulin >5-fold above media concentrations and that the TET of insulin, but not inulin, is saturable and requires intact PI-3-kinase and MEK-kinase signaling. We conclude that the insulin receptor and downstream signaling from the receptor regulate endothelial insulin transport. Based on comparison of the kinetics of BAEC insulin uptake with insulin TET, we suggest that insulin uptake is rate limiting for insulin TET.
On the computation of the tertiary structure of globular proteins. III. Inter-residue distances and computed structures

Abstract An analysis of geometrical models for computing the tertiary structure of globular proteins from the primary structure is presented. The roles of initial configuration, input information on inter-residue distances and the errors in this information are delineated. It is shown that for local information like that on secondary structure, the calculated structure is very sensitive to errors and to the initial configuration. Thus, such information is far from adequate for predicting the tertiary structure. On the other hand, global information on all the inter-residue distances is quite insensitive to errors. A semi-empirical method is presented to estimate these distances and the calculated structures are given for two proteins—pancreatic trypsin inhibitor and parvalbumin. These structures have good resemblances to those determined by X-ray diffraction. A strategy for further refinement of the method is indicated.
Increased serum dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity during neurogenic hypertension in quadriplegia

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the increased serum dopamines-β-hydroxylase (DBH) activity during neurogenic hypertension in quadriplegia. A group of eight quadriplegic patients were self-compared before and after expansion of the urinary bladder by means of water intake. All patients were during the chronic phase, 6 months or longer after the onset of the injury, and had suffered a complete physiologic transverse lesion at the level of the fifth and seventh cervical dermatomes. Autonomic response in quadriplegia is manifested by headache, piloerection, a red flush and profuse diaphoresis above the level of transection. In contrast to the vasodilatation cephalad to the lesion, there is a marked vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels, and pallor of the skin below the level of transection. The hypertension, brought about spontaneously, or by means of water intake, is caused by increased elaboration of catecholamines. The concentration of homovanillic acid, the major metabolite of dopamine, was enhanced significantly concomitant with that of other catecholamine metabolites, and with enhanced activity of serum DBH.
Potentiation of vascular myotropic responses by metanephrine and other noncatecholamines.

Contractile responses of vascular smooth muscle strips (rabbit aorta) to angiotensin, vasopressin and serotonin are potentiated by amounts of metanephrine, ephedrine or tyramine that produce no contractions by themselves. Epinephrine and norepinephrine contractions of aortic strips are not potentiated. Phentolamine and bretylium prevent this potentiating effect of meta-nephrine and ephedrine; the effect of tyramine is blocked by bretylium but only partially by high doses of phentolamine. Contractions of strips pretreated with reserpine are not potentiated except when repleted with norepinephrine. It is suggested as a working hypothesis that low doses of metanephrine release storage norepinephrine which acts on the contractile machinery to potentiate its response to other stimulating agents.
Ultralong single-wall carbon nanotubes

Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes in 1991 by Iijima1, there has been great interest in creating long, continuous nanotubes for applications where their properties coupled with extended lengths will enable new technology developments2. For example, ultralong nanotubes can be spun into fibres that are more than an order of magnitude stronger than any current structural material, allowing revolutionary advances in lightweight, high-strength applications3. Long metallic nanotubes will enable new types of micro-electromechanical systems such as micro-electric motors, and can also act as a nanoconducting cable for wiring micro-electronic devices4. Here we report the synthesis of 4-cm-long individual single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) at a high growth rate of 11 μm s−1 by catalytic chemical vapour deposition. Our results suggest the possibility of growing SWNTs continuously without any apparent length limitation.
Laboratory friction experiments and natural earthquakes: An argument for long-term tests

Abstract An example is given to illustrate that two empirical laws fit laboratory friction data equally well and yet they predict entirely different results when extrapolated to slow natural deformation. Confining-pressure reduction experiments are performed on a cylindrical specimen of dry Tennessee sandstone with halite gouge (1-mm thick) along a 35°-precut. The specimen is left under differential stress at a confining pressure, P c , of 70 MPa and at room temperature, and P c is then lowered at various rates. This reduction in P c removes the differential stress supported by the specimen by a sequence of abrupt slip events. The greater the normal stress, σ n , on the precut, and/or the longer the time in stationary contact, t c , the greater is the resulting shear-stress drop, Δτ, irrespective of the complex ways of P c reduction. A power law, Δτ = Ct c β σ n γ , holds remarkably well for the entire range of the normal stress, where C , β and γ are constants depending at least on material and displacement. However, this law virtually explodes i.e., it predicts unreasonably high stress drops for contact time greater than several months. A logarithmic law, Δτ = pσ n q log ( rt c +1), with constants, p , q and r , holds equally well. But this law almost saturates i.e., the predicted Δτ becomes almost independent of t c , in the seismologically-interesting time span (1 to 1,000 years). It is emphasized that most friction laws are established empirically and that the physical basis for their long-term extrapolation still is poorly understood. In view of the present uncertainties in developing a theory of friction based on deformation mechanisms, long-term experiments, lasting even up to a few years, would be necessary to test the validity of important friction laws.
Esophago-airway fistula in AIDS

Fistula formation between the esophagus and airway in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is extremely unusual. We report 2 cases, the first in a patient who did not undergo definitive surgical management and died shortly after diagnosis. The second patient was managed successfully for 5 months by insertion of a Celestin endoesophageal prosthesis. This procedure can be performed with low morbidity and mortality, and may become the treatment of choice for this complex problem.
Effect of zone size on the convergence of exact solutions for diffusion in single phase systems with planar, cylindrical or spherical geometry

Exact solutions for diffusion in single phase binary alloy systems with constant diffusion coefficient and zero-flux boundary condition have been evaluated to establish the optimum zone size of applicability. Planar, cylindrical and spherical interface geometry, and finite, singly infinite, and doubly infinite systems are treated Two solutions are presented for each geometry, one well suited to short diffusion times, and one to long times. The effect of zone-size on the convergence of these solutions is discussed. A generalized form of the diffusion solution for doubly infinite systems is proposed.
A novel method for the separation and identification of bile acids and phospholipids of bile on thin-layer chromatograms

Cholesterol gallstone disease, so common in the western world, ‘has consider&le medical and economic importance. Under normal physiological conditions, cholesterol is held in solution in the bile. If the solubility of cholesterol in bile is changed, cholesterol crystals will precipitate and lead to the formation of gallstones. The solubility of cholesterol in bile depends on three major lipid components of bile: conjugated bile salts, phospholipids and cholesterol’. Knowledge of bile lipid composition is important in our understanding of the mechanism of gallstone formation. Paper chromatography2 and silicic acid column chromatography3 have been used for the analysis of the composition of bile lipids. However, the latter technique has been found less satisfactory for routine bile analysis or to experiment on small animals because of the limited quantity of the bile samples. Although thin-layer chromatographic separation of bile lipids4 can be performed using three successive solvent systems, it takes as long as 8 h and does not delineate the free bile acids one from the other. Since bile contains a variety of compounds, different plates and different solvent systems must be used for the separation of each class of compounds. Various solvent systems have been proposed to achieve the separation of bile acids and their conjugates5*6 on thin-layer chromatograms. Our method successfully accompiishes the separation of severai ciasses of biie iipids on a singie piate which makes a direct comparison possible between different bile lipid components such as cholesterol, free and conjugated bile acids, lecithin and lysolecithin. The solvent system and the spray reagent used in our technique, not previously described, are satisfactory for a routine check of bile lipid composition and may be used for the skparation of individual bile acids, both free and conjugated, in biological fluids on the same plate.
Statistics-based classification of microbially influenced corrosion in freshwater systems

Abstract This paper describes work aimed at developing a statistics-based approach to classify water sites of an unknown biocorrosive class. Field surveys were performed at over 40 sites throughout Wisconsin for 2 years to investigate microbially influenced corrosion. More than 20 water-related variables were measured. Aerobic bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria were isolated and their numbers in the water sample were counted. Steel coupons were installed and the corrosion rates were estimated using a gravimetric method. A visual examination rating system was adopted to evaluate the microbial corrosion rate and results showed that the visual examination rating was in agreement with the measured corrosion rate. Based on the stepwise regression analysis and discriminant analysis results, a set of classification rules was developed. By using these practical rules, the biocorrosive tendency of freshwater sites could be predicted. Furthermore, some valuable implications obtained from field surveys were summarized and explored.
Proving nondeterministically specified safety properties using progress measures

Abstract Using the notion of progress measures, we discuss verification methods for proving that a program satisfies a property specified by an automaton having finite nondeterminism. Such automata can express any safety property. Previous methods, which can be derived from the method presented here, either rely on transforming the program or are not complete. In contrast, our ND progress measures describe a homomorphism from the unaltered program to a canonical specification automaton and constitute a complete verification method. The canonical specification automaton is obtained from the classical subset construction and a new subset construction, called historization.
Manifestations of dynamical facilitation in glassy materials

By characterizing the dynamics of idealized lattice models with a tunable kinetic constraint, we explore the different ways in which dynamical facilitation manifests itself within the local dynamics of glassy materials. Dynamical facilitation is characterized both by a mobility transfer function, the propensity for highly mobile regions to arise near regions that were previously mobile, and by a facilitation volume, the effect of an initial dynamical event on subsequent dynamics within a region surrounding it. Sustained bursts of dynamical activity-avalanches-are shown to occur in kinetically constrained models, but, contrary to recent claims, we find that the decreasing spatiotemporal extent of avalanches with increased supercooling previously observed in granular experiments does not imply diminishing facilitation. Viewed within the context of existing simulation and experimental evidence, our findings show that dynamical facilitation plays a significant role in the dynamics of systems investigated over the range of state points accessible to molecular simulations and granular experiments.
Effect of Backcoating On Toxicity of Pyrolysis Gases From Furniture Upholstery Fabrics

Available data on toxicity of pyrolysis gases from furniture upholstery fabrics were studied to determine the effect of backcoating. The data were obtained using the toxicity screening test method ...
Moderate alcohol consumption and unappreciated risk for alcohol-related harm among ethnically diverse, urban-dwelling elders

Abstract The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to gather data describing how older adults define moderate alcohol consumption and how they have interpreted media reports of the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption. Results showed that many older adults define moderate alcohol use at levels above Federal guidelines, and a notable number of older adults agree that moderate use is good for health. The disparity between older adults' definition of moderate drinking and Federal guidelines for low-risk drinking may contribute to the underrecognition of problem drinking by nurses and other health care providers and place older adults at an unappreciated level of risk for alcohol-related harm. (Geriatr Nurs 2003;24:155-61)
Cadmium and Silver Content of Market Milk

Abstract Market milk samples collected on a quarterly basis from various cities in the United States were analyzed for cadmium (Cd) and silver (Ag) content by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average Cd content of milk from different cities varied between 0.017 and 0.030 ppm. Significant differences in Cd content from one sampling period to another were noted. Milk from all states except the Southeastern states showed significant differences from one city to another. The average Ag content of milk from different cities varied between 0.027 and 0.054 ppm. The Ag content of milk did not vary significantly from one city to another. Only in milk from Southeastern states was a significant difference noted from one sampling period to another. Analysis of 32 milk samples from individual cows showed Cd variations from 0.020 to 0.037 ppm and Ag variations from 0.037 to 0.059 ppm with averages of 0.026 and 0.047 ppm, respectively.
Incorporating a Video-Editing Activity in a Reflective Teaching Course for Preservice Teachers.

Abstract Research and practice going back to the 1960s support the use of videotaping to facilitate preservice teachers' development of reflective teaching skills. Emerging research suggests that additional video-based activities, including editing video vignettes of teaching, can deepen preservice teachers' reflection. This action research study describes the incorporation of a video-editing activity in an “Introduction to Reflective Teaching Practice” course. Key features of the video-editing activities included (1) active videotaping of preservice teachers' field teaching by university supervisors, (2) self-directed video review by preservice teachers to support writing a reflective lesson analysis, (3) selection and editing of video vignettes by preservice teachers to illustrate their written reflections, and (4) posting of video vignettes on the students' electronic portfolio pages. Analysis of students' perceptions revealed considerable nervousness with the videotaping process but an appreciation of...
Scheduling optimization for resource-intensive Web requests on server clusters

Clustering support with a single-system image for large-scale Web servers is important to improve the system scalability in processing a large number of concurrent requests from Internet, especially when those requests involve resource-intensive dynamic content generation. This paper proposes scheduling optimization for a Web server cluster with a master/slave architecture which separates tatic and dynamic content processing. Our experimental results show that the proposed optimization using reservation-based scheduling can produce up to a 68% performance improvement.
Long Memory Options: LM Evidence and Simulations

This paper demonstrates the impact of the observed financial market persistence or long term memory on European option valuation by simple simulation. Many empirical researchers have observed the non-Fickian degrees of persistence or long memory in the financial markets different from the Fickian neutral independence (i.i.d.) of the returns innovations assumption of Black-Scholes' geometric Brownian motion assumption. Moreover, Elliott and van der Hoek (2003) provide a theoretical framework for incorporating these findings into the Black-Scholes risk-neutral valuation framework. This paper provides the first graphical demonstration why and how such long term memory phenomena change European option values and provides thereby a basis for informed long term memory arbitrage. By using a simple mono-fractal Fractional Brownian motion, it is easy to incorporate the various degrees of persistence into the Black-Scholes pricing formula. Long memory options are of considerable importance in corporate remuneration packages, since stock options are written on a company's own shares for long expiration periods. It makes a significant difference in the valuation when an option is blue or when it is red. For a proper valuation of such stock options, the degrees of persistence of the companies' share markets must be precisely measured and properly incorporated in the warrant valuation, otherwise substantial pricing errors may result.
Design of a digital library for human movement

This paper is focused on a central aspect in the design of our planned digital library for human movement, i.e. on the aspect of representation and recognition of human activity from video data. The method of representation is important since it has a major impact on the design of all the other building blocks of our system such as the user interface/query block or the activity recognition/storage block. In this paper we evaluate a representation method for human movement that is based on sequences of angular poses and angular velocities of the human skeletal joints, for storage and retrieval of human actions in video databases. The choice of a representation method plays an important role in the database structure, search methods, storage efficiency etc.. For this representation, we develop a novel approach for complex human activity recognition by employing multidimensional indexing combined with temporal or sequential correlation. This scheme is then evaluated with respect to its efficiency in storage and retrieval.For the indexing we use postures of humans in videos that are decomposed into a set of multidimensional tuples which represent the poses/velocities of human body parts such as arms, legs and torso. Three novel methods for human activity recognition are theoretically and experimentally compared. The methods require only a few sparsely sampled human postures. We also achieve speed invariant recognition of activities by eliminating the time factor and replacing it with sequence information. The indexing approach also provides robust recognition and an efficient storage/retrieval of all the activities in a small set of hash tables.
Fiber-optic frequency shifter using a surface acoustic wave incident at an oblique angle

A fiber-optic single-sideband frequency shifter has been demonstrated that uses a surface acoustic wave incident upon an optical fiber at an angle to produce phase-matched polarization coupling. Coupling efficiencies as high as 95% at 4.4 MHz have been obtained using 25 W of input power (electrical). A tuning range of 290 kHz was achieved. Sideband suppressions of 40 dB and carrier suppressions as high as 25 dB have been observed.
Postnatal administration of D1 dopamine agonist reverses neonatal dopaminergic lesion-induced changes in striatal enkephalin and substance P systems.

Abstract The present study examined the effects of postnatal dopamine (DA) receptor stimulation on enkephalin (Met5-enkephalin; ME) and tachykinin (substance P; SP) systems of basal ganglia of rats, lesioned as neonates with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, intracisternally) on the third postnatal day. D1 agonist, SKF-38393 or D2 agonist, LY-171555 (also known as quinpirole) was administered s.c. twice daily for 14 days, beginning 24 h after 6-OHDA administration. The animals were sacrificed at 60 days of age, and the concentrations of striatal DA, SP, and ME were determined by HPLC or radioimmunoassay. As expected, 6-OHDA induced a severe loss of DA, an increase in ME, and a decrease in SP. SKF-38393, but not, quinpirole significantly reversed the lesion-induced changes in ME and SP levels. The results indicate an important role for D1 receptors in the postnatal development of ME and SP systems in the striatum. These studies are relevant to our further understanding of potential early interventions in the progression and expression of DA deficiency states such as Parkinsonism and Lesch–Nyhan disease.
Wavelet applications in medicine

The author describes how, because of their compatibility with nonstationary random processes, wavelet transforms are particularly powerful when it comes to analyzing biomedical signals. In this paper, he presents a brief survey of the field which makes this fact clear. Applications discussed include detecting coronary artery disease, and heart sounds related to turbulent blood flow analysis.
Does a history of previous surgery or radiation to the prostate affect outcomes of robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy?

OBJECTIVE To evaluate retrospectively whether or not previous treatment to the prostate alters the perioperative outcomes from robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) after the initial ‘learning curve’, as there are conflicting data on outcomes of RP in patients with previous treatment to the prostate. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who had RARP between March 2005 and August 2007, and analysed demographic, perioperative variables and pathological data. In all, 510 patient charts were reviewed, identifying 24 patients with a history of previous treatment to the prostate including transurethral resection or incision of the prostate, transurethral microwave therapy, transurethral needle ablation, photoselective vaporization, simple prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and open bladder neck reconstruction (group 1) and 486 with no previous treatment (group 2). RESULTS There was no significant difference between the groups in body mass index, clinical stage, grade or prostate volume, but the patients in group 1 were older (70 vs 65 years, P = 0.001). Outcome analysis comparing groups 1 and 2 showed an estimated blood loss of 155 vs 137 mL, length of hospital stay of 2.2 vs 1.5 days, operative duration of 200 vs 186 min and catheter time of 12 vs 8 days, respectively; only the last was statistically significant (P = 0.03). There was an 8.3% and 6.8% complication rate in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and the respective overall positive margin rate was 20.8% and 22.6%. CONCLUSIONS A history of previous treatment of the prostate does not appear to compromise the perioperative outcomes of RARP.
Mineral concentrations in individual 'd'Anjou' pear fruit with and without corkspot

Individual‘d’ Anjou’ pear fruit with and without corkspot were analyzed for N, K, P, Mg and Ca concentrations over a two year period to determine if the disorder could be separated on the basis of mineral concentrations or N:Ca ratios. Two sites were sampled in 1989 and 12 sites in 1991. Although no critical mineral concentration or N:Ca ratio was found that would entirely separate populations of either normal or disordered fruit, a peel tissue N:Ca ratio of 6.3, suggested by the literature, correctly distinguished approximately 70% of fruit in each category. Logistic models developed by stepwise regression indicated that the best models for each site were not the same and did not always contain N or Ca. The logistic models correctly predicted approximately 83% of the fruit in each category.
Prevalence of overweight in US children: comparison of US growth charts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with other reference values for body mass index

Background: Several different sets of reference body mass index (BMI) values are available to define overweight in children. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of overweight in US children calculated with 3 sets of reference BMI values: the revised growth charts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC-US growth charts), international standards proposed by Cole et al, and values developed by Must et al. Design: Data for children and adolescents came from cross-sectional nationally representative US surveys: cycles II and III of the National Health Examination Survey (1963-1965 and 1966-1970) and the first, second, and third National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys: NHANES I (1971-1974), II (1976-1980), and III (1988-1994). The reference values of Cole et al equivalent to a BMI of 25 were compared with the 85th percentiles from the other 2 methods; the values equivalent to a BMI of 30 were compared with the 95th percentiles. Results: The 3 methods gave similar but not identical results. The reference values of Cole et al gave lower estimates than did the CDC-US growth charts for young children but higher estimates for older children. The reference values of Must et al gave much higher prevalences for younger girls than did the other 2 methods. Conclusions: Differences between methods were related to differences in data sets, smoothing methods, and theoretical approaches. All 3 methods are based on statistical criteria and incorporate arbitrary assumptions. These methods should be used cautiously, with awareness of the possible limitations.