cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Step structures and energies on monohydride-terminated vicinal Si(001) surfaces

Abstract Scanning tunneling microscopy was used to determine the equilibrium step structures and step formation energies on monohydride-terminated silicon surfaces for the complete range of (0 0 1)-terrace-plus-step orientations, (0 0 1) to (1 1 4). Compared with the clean surfaces, hydrogen termination alters the atomic-scale step-edge structure and, in many cases, causes large-scale changes in the surface morphology. The structural modifications result directly from a change in the relative energies of the possible single- and double-layer step configurations. These results should prove useful for developing high-fidelity models of film growth and surface processing on silicon substrates in complex gaseous environments.
Freezing or adding trypsin inhibitor to equine intestinal contents extends the lifespan of Clostridium perfringens beta toxin for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract Clostridium perfringens type C causes necrotizing enteritis mostly in neonatal animals of several species, including horses. The virulence of C. perfringens type C is mostly mediated by beta toxin (CPB). This toxin is highly sensitive to the action of trypsin and other proteases, which explains the increased susceptibility of neonatal animals to type C infections. Final confirmation of type C disease diagnosis should be based on detection of CPB in the intestinal content of affected animals. However, because CPB is so sensitive to the action of proteases, it is believed that this toxin persists for only a limited period of time in specimens of intestinal content of animals collected for diagnostic purposes. This study was therefore performed to determine the stability of CPB in intestinal content of horses stored at different temperatures and to evaluate the use of trypsin inhibitor to extend the lifespan of CPB in intestinal content of horses. When the intestinal content of horses that had been spiked with different amounts of CPB was tested by a capture ELISA technique to detect CPB, 319 LD50 of CPB per milliliter was the lowest amount that could be detected. When equine intestinal content spiked with 319 LD50/ml was stored at 4 °C, CPB was detected by ELISA until day 8 after spiking. Samples spiked with the same amount of CPB and stored at −20 °C were positive for at least 5 weeks after spiking. When intestinal samples spiked with 319 LD50/ml of CPB were mixed with 0.1 mg/ml or 1.0 mg/ml of trypsin inhibitor and stored at 4 °C, all the samples were positive for at least 5 weeks after spiking. This study demonstrates that C. perfringens CPB present in equine intestinal samples stored at 4 °C cannot be detected by ELISA for more than 8 days. Freezing the samples at −20 °C or adding trypsin inhibitor before storage at 4 °C preserves the lifespan of CPB for at least 5 weeks.
On Modeling of 802.1lb Residue Errors

Errors that are observed at the MAC layer of a wireless protocol are known as residue errors due to the failure of the physical layer to correct them. In this paper, based on experimentation with actual 802.11b Wireless LANs (WLANs), it is shown that the 802.11b residue error process is a highly non-stationary process; and hence error models derived on the basis of observations at one time/environment may not be applicable at/in another. Thus MAC-layer modeling/prediction techniques need to adapt on the basis of some Channel State Information (CSI). Consequently, in this work, we characterize the variation in the behavior of the residue error process in accordance to the radio-link Signal to Silence Ratio (SSR) Indications (SSRI). The residue error process is treated as a piecewise stationary process, where each piece corresponds to a PHY/MAC packet. In particular, we construct a unified Markov framework to obtain SSR aware Markov models for residue errors. Further, it is shown that the proposed SR aware Markov framework shown that the proposed SSR aware Markov framework provides significant performance benefits and can characterize the residue error traces even across varied WLAN setups. This leads to the design of non-homogenous Markov models that can vary the transition matrix on the basis of using SSR indication as side-information. We deploy such a non-homogenous Markov model and show that it can characterize the error process significantly better than Markov models that are derived by ignoring SSR values.
A Sub-1W to 2W Low-Power IA Processor for Mobile Internet Devices and Ultra-Mobile PCs in 45nm Hi-Κ Metal Gate CMOS

This paper describes a low-power Intel* Architecture (IA) processor specifically designed for Mobile Internet Devices (MID) and Ultra- Mobile PCs (UMPC) where average power consumed is in the order of a few hundred mW (as measured by MobileMark'05 OP @ 60 nits brightness) with performance similar to mainstream Ultra-Mobile PCs. The design consists of an in-order pipeline capable of issuing 2 instructions per cycle supporting 2 threads, 32KB instruction and 24KB data LI caches, independent integer and floating point execution units, x86 front end execution unit, a 512KB L2 cache and a 533 MT/s dual-mode (GTL and CMOS) front-side-bus (FSB). The design contains 47 M transistors in a die size under 25 mm2 manufactured in a 9-metal 45nm CMOS process with optimized transistors for low leakage packaged in a Halide-Free 441 ball, 14x13 mm2 muFCBGA. Thermal Design Power (TDP) consumption is measured at 2 W using a synthetic power-virus test at a frequency of 2 GHz.
ANALYSIS OF FATTY ACID DERIVATIVES BY GAS-LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY.

Abstract A method for the cliassification of functional groups and positional isomers based on gas chromatographic retention data and theoretical equivalent carbon numbers is described. The columns used were ethylene glycol succinate (EGS), Carbowax 6000, SE-30 and Apiezon M. Combinations of EGS—Carbowax 6000 and EGS—SE-30 as column pairs appeared most suitable for the primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and methyl esters of a few fatty acids and their derivatives studied. Operating conditions for the different columns are described.
A movable-mass attitude stabilization system for cable-connected artificial-g space stations

The development of an active, momentum-exchange system to be used for attitude stabilization of a class of cable-connected artificial-g space stations is studied. A system which employs a single movable control mass is examined for the control of a space station which has the physical appearance of two cylinders connected axially by cables. The dynamic model for the space station includes its aggregate rigid body rotation and relative torsional rotation between the bodies. A zero torsional stiffness design (one cable) and a maximum torsional stiffness design (eight cables) are examined in various stages of deployment, for selected spin velocities ranging from 4 rpm upwards. A linear, time-invariant, feed-back control system is employed, with gains calculated via a root-specification procedure. The movable mass controller provides critical wobble-damping capability for the crew quarters for all configurations and spin velocity.
Molecular tritium uptake in Southeastern U.S. soils

Molecular tritium deposition occurred in all soils tested. Deposition velocities for tritium ranged from 0.0025 to 0.11cm s−1 with a geometric mean of 0.028 cm s−1. Coring surveys from six different sites showed that deposition rates were highest in the upper 20 cm of soil, with little activity evident below this depth. Plant cover did not appear to have a strong direct influence on the profile of tritium deposition activity.
Educating physicians for the twenty-first century

The author reviews the fundamental changes that have taken place in the U.S. health care system since 1935, predicts what that system will be like in the early part of the next century, and discusses the implications for academic medicine. Specifically, he maintains that physicians being trained today will practice within the context of large organizations, with payment for care being either by employment-based insurance or by some form of government-subsidized insurance. Care will be delivered across diffuse networks, and most physicians will be paid according to capitation or salary schemes. The role of technology will be high and will revolutionize the health care system, which will be focused on prevention and maintenance of function rather than cure. The success of the system will be measured by its cost-effectiveness and by how well it works to maintain the mental, social, and physical functions of its participants. Finally, the obligation of the physician will be not only to individual patients but also to the populations and communities from which patients come. Training physicians to meet these obligations and to function effectively in the revolutionized system will involve changes in medical education to more appropriately socialize students into the next century's medical culture. The author reviews in detail the various elements of the medical culture that must be addressed by medical education, gives examples of the kinds of changes that must be made, and describes efforts at his school to reinforce across the curriculum the population-based model of clinical practice.
The Complexity of Thyroid Transcription Factor 1 with Both Pro- and Anti-oncogenic Activities *

After the original identification of thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1 or NKX2-1) biochemical activity as a transcriptional regulator of thyroglobulin in 1989, the bulk of the ensuing research has concentrated on elucidating the roles of NKX2-1 in the development of lung and thyroid tissues. Motivated by its specific expression pattern, pathologists adopted the NKX2-1 immunoreactivity to distinguish pulmonary from nonpulmonary nonthyroid adenocarcinomas. Interestingly, the concept of NKX2-1 as an active participant in lung tumorigenesis did not take hold until 2007. This minireview contrasts the recent advancements of NKX2-1-related observations primarily in the realm of pulmonary malignancies.
Detection and Parameter Estimation of Gravitational Waves from Compact Binary Inspirals with Analytical Double-Precessing Templates

We study the performance of various analytical frequency-domain templates for detection and parameter estimation of gravitational waves from spin-precessing, quasicircular, compact binary inspirals. We begin by assessing the extent to which nonspinning, spin-aligned, and the new (analytical, frequency-domain, small-spin) double-precessing frequency-domain templates can be used to detect signals from such systems. For effective, dimensionless spin values above 0.2, the use of nonspinning or spin-aligned templates for detection purposes will result in a loss of up to 30% of all events, while in the case of the double-precessing model, this never exceeds 6%. Moreover, even for signals from systems with small spins, nonspinning and spin-aligned templates introduce large biases in the extracted masses and spins. The use of a model that encodes spin-induced precession effects, such as the double-precessing model, improves the mass and spin extraction by up to an order of magnitude. The additional information encoded in the spin-orbit interaction is invaluable if one wishes to extract the maximum amount of information from gravitational wave signals.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Cosmetics

Cosmetics are used to enhance one's appearance and are used by women worldwide. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical features, and management of cosmetic allergic contact dermatitis. Additionally, several important cosmetic-related allergens are discussed.
Cross‐Sectional Dependence and the Use of Generalized Least Squares*

. This paper provides additional evidence on the relation between the actual and asymptotic standard errors under generalized least squares (GLS). Simulations are conducted in the event-study framework using both daily and weekly returns. The case of simultaneous calendar time and industry clustering is also considered. The major finding is that the asymptotic standard errors under GLS can significantly underestimate the true standard errors when the number of parameters estimated is not small compared to the number of observations available to estimate them. To minimize the possibility of incorrect inferences, use of GLS should in general be combined with standard errors obtained from other techniques such as bootstrap. Resume. L'auteur apporte de nouvelles preuves de la relation entre les erreurs-types reelles et asymptotiques dans le cadre de l'utilisation des moindres carres generalises. Il procede a des simulations dans le contexte d'une etude d'evenements, en utilisant les rendements a la fois quotidiens et hebdomadaires. Le cas de simultaneite de la date et du groupage par secteur d'activite sont egalement pris en consideration. Principale conclusion de l'auteur: les erreurs-types asymptotiques dans le cadre de l'utilisation des moindres carres generalises peuvent entrainer une sous-estimation importante des erreurs-types veritables lorsque le nombre de parametres estimes n'est pas restreint par rapport au nombre d'observations disponibles pour formuler ces estimations. Si l'on veut reduire au minimum le risque d'inferences inexactes, l'utilisation des moindres carres generalises devrait, de facon generale, etre combinee aux erreurs-types obtenues a partir d'autres techniques comme celle de l'amorce.
Genetic polymorphisms and activity of cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP): should we be measuring them?

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a plasma glycoprotein that mediates the transfer of cholesteryl ester from high density lipoproteins (HDL) to triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in exchange for triglycerides. Several approaches are currently being used in research laboratories to measure its activity and/or mass. However, these assays are not standardized and it is not possible to compare data from different laboratories. Also, we lack enough information to assess the value of this variable as a coronary heart disease (CHD) predictor. Several genetic variants at CETP locus have been identified and they have been generally associated with increased HDL- cholesterol concentrations. However, there is no consensus about the association of this CETP-related increase in HDL-cholesterol and protection against CHD. Nevertheless, the most recent evidence from the common CETP-Taql-B polymorphism shows that the lower CETP activity associated with the presence of this polymorphism decreases CHD risk in men. Based on this and previous evidence, there has been an interest in the development of CETP inhibitors as a tool to increase HDL-cholesterol, thus reducing CHD risk. However, it should be noted that the evidence about the cardioprotective role of these drugs is not yet available.
Kinetics studies of the cardiac Ca-ATPase expressed in Sf21 cells: new insights on Ca-ATPase regulation by phospholamban.

Kinetics studies of the cardiac Ca-ATPase expressed in Sf21 cells (Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells) have been carried out to test the hypotheses that phospholamban inhibits Ca-ATPase cycling by decreasing the rate of the E1.Ca to E1'.Ca transition and/or the rate of phosphoenzyme hydrolysis. Three sample types were studied: Ca-ATPase expressed alone, Ca-ATPase coexpressed with wild-type phospholamban (the natural pentameric inhibitor), and Ca-ATPase coexpressed with the L37A-phospholamban mutant (a more potent monomeric inhibitor, in which Leu(37) is replaced by Ala). Phospholamban coupling to the Ca-ATPase was controlled using a monoclonal antibody against phospholamban. Gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting confirmed an equivalent ratio of Ca-ATPase and phospholamban in each sample (1 mol Ca-ATPase to 1.5 mol phospholamban). Steady-state ATPase activity assays at 37 degrees C, using 5 mM MgATP, showed that the phospholamban-containing samples had nearly equivalent maximum activity ( approximately 0.75 micromol. nmol Ca-ATPase(-1).min(-1) at 15 microM Ca(2+)), but that wild-type phospholamban and L37A-phospholamban increased the Ca-ATPase K(Ca) values by 200 nM and 400 nM, respectively. When steady-state Ca-ATPase phosphoenzyme levels were measured at 0 degrees C, using 1 microM MgATP, the K(Ca) values also shifted by 200 nM and 400 nM, respectively, similar to the results obtained by measuring ATP hydrolysis at 37 degrees C. Measurements of the time course of phosphoenzyme formation at 0 degrees C, using 1 microM MgATP and 268 nM ionized [Ca(2+)], indicated that L37A-phospholamban decreased the steady-state phosphoenzyme level to a greater extent (45%) than did wild-type phospholamban (33%), but neither wild-type nor L37A-phospholamban had any effect on the apparent rate of phosphoenzyme formation relative to that of Ca-ATPase expressed alone. Measurements of inorganic phosphate (P(i)) release concomitant with the phosphoenzyme formation studies showed that L37A-phospholamban decreased the steady-state rate of P(i) release to a greater extent (45%) than did wild-type phospholamban (33%). However, independent measurements of Ca-ATPase dephosphorylation after the addition of 5 mM EGTA to the phosphorylated enzyme showed that neither wild-type phospholamban nor L37A-phospholamban had any effect on the rate of phosphoenzyme decay relative to Ca-ATPase expressed alone. Computer simulation of the kinetics data indicated that phospholamban and L37A-phospholamban decreased twofold and fourfold, respectively, the equilibrium binding of the first Ca(2+) ion to the Ca-ATPase E1 intermediate, rather than inhibiting rate of the E.Ca to E'.Ca transition or the rate of phosphoenzyme decay. Therefore, we conclude that phospholamban inhibits Ca-ATPase cycling by decreasing Ca-ATPase Ca(2+) binding to the E1 intermediate.
Arazoformyl peptide surrogates as spectrophotometric kinetic assay substrates for carboxypeptidase A.

Abstract N-(4-Methoxyphenylazoformyl)- l -phenylalanine is efficiently cleaved by the enzyme bovine carboxypeptidase A into fragments anisole, molecular nitrogen, carbonate, and phenylalanine, in the course of which an intense spectral absorption of the substrate (ϵ350= 19,000 m −1cm−1) disappears completely. This furnishes a sensitive spectrophotometric detection of the protease. Steady-state catalytic velocity depends upon enzyme and substrate concentrations in the normal manner, and a Michaelis–MentenKmvalue of 0.11 m m and akcatvalue of 44 s−1were measured at pH 7.5 in saline solution. These parameters have a pH dependence typical for the enzyme. With saturating amounts of substrate, a solution containing 10 n m enzyme produces a spectral absorptivity change at 350 nm of −0.03 a.u./min (1-mm pathlength), suitable for assay purposes. Catalysis may alternatively be monitored at wavelengths as long as 400 nm.
Intelligence and school readiness in preschool children with prenatal drug exposure

This prospective, longitudinal study examined factors affecting intelligence and school readiness in children 4-5 years of age with prenatal cocaine/opiate exposure. Intelligence and school readiness scores were not significantly different for the drug-exposed group (N = 104) than for unexposed, demographically matched controls (N = 35), although both groups scored slightly below average. Caregivers of drug-exposed children scored significantly lower in intelligence and reading achievement than caregivers of controls; both were below average. Caregiver reading scores accounted for the largest variance in both child intelligence and school readiness; for school readiness, birth weight also contributed but was less important in the model. Neither prenatal drug exposure nor continuing caregiver drug use was significant in the regression analyses. The relationship between child scores and caregiver reading achievement is consistent with studies showing the importance of a stimulating, supportive home environment, and suggests interventions to foster caregiver literacy skills and facilitate caregiver-child cognitive interactions such as reading to the child.
The rate of hemoglobin chain formation in developing chick embryos.

Abstract This study has shown that there is a rapid rise in the hemoglobin and globin content of the erythroid cells of the chick embryo between 5 and 7 days of incubation. This early rise is followed immediately by an apparent abrupt drop in the hemoglobin and globin content of the average cell. This rise and fall is accounted for by the active synthesis of hemoglobin in immature cells of the primitive line, the sharp decrease in relative numbers of these cells, by the rather slow synthesis in immature cells of the definitive line, by a relatively low concentration of hemoglobin in the mature cells of the definitive line, and by the time of appearance of this line of cells. It has been estimated that a single ribosome of the red blood cell from the 5-day chick embryo can complete the synthesis of one polypeptide chain used in the synthethis of hemoglobin within 1.6 min.
Identifying the time of change in the mean of a two-stage nested process

Statistical process control charts are used to distinguish between common cause and special cause sources of variability. Once a control chart signals, a search to find the special cause should be initiated. If process analysts had knowledge of the change point, the search to find the special cause could be easily facilitated. Relevant literature contains an array of solutions to the change-point problem; however, these solutions are most appropriate when the samples are assumed to be independent. Unfortunately, the assumption of independence is often violated in practice. This work considers one such case of non-independence that frequently occurs in practice as a result of multi-stage sampling. Due to its commonality in practice, we assume a two-stage nested random model as the underlying process model and derive and evaluate a maximum-likelihood estimator for the change point in the fixed-effects component of this model. The estimator is applied to electron microscopy data obtained following a genuine ...
Stimulation of heterotrophic and autotrophic growth of Sphaerotilus discophorus by manganous ions.

Growth ofS. discophorus in a casamino acids-mineral salts medium was stimulated 3-fold on addition of 0.05% MnSO4·H2O to the medium. Growth was measured by determinations of total nitrogen, protein and DNA on the washed cellular material. Autotrophic growth ofS. discophorus strain 43-R was obtained in an inorganic mineral salts medium supplemented with trace amounts of the essential vitamins, thiamin, biotin and cyanocobalamin and with Mn++ as the sole available source of energy. A gas mixture of 5% CO2-95% air was bubbled continuously through the cultures during incubation. Concomitant with growth, Mn++ disappeared from the cultures and MnO2 was formed.
AVIATION INSURANCE AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SMALL AIRCRAFT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Abstract Aviation insurance is a unique field from a business, legal, and regulatory standpoint. Issues such as risk management, contracts, and liability raise particular challenges within this highly specialized market. The implementation of the small aircraft transportation system (SATS), as envisioned by NASA and its industry and academic partners entails a thorough analysis of aviation insurance to determine whether the current market structure could support this major policy initiative. In this paper, we investigate the impact of the current legal, regulatory, and market environments on the implementation and development of SATS. The primary goal is to determine what obstacles these conditions would raise vis-a-vis SATS’ implementation. We also seek to identify strategies, alternatives, and regulatory policies that would help achieve a successful transition to a modern, efficient, and fully developed market for small aircraft transportation services.
Level scheduling to minimize schedule length on lots of unit-time jobs

Abstract A few years ago a researcher attempted to show that one could minimize the total schedule length of lots of unit-time jobs by level scheduling. Unfortunately, this method can fail on problems where jobs have successors at more than one level. In this paper, the method is altered to handle this problem.
A Cysteine-Rich Isoform of Neuregulin Controls the Level of Expression of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptor Channels during Synaptogenesis

We report here that neuregulin (NRG) isoforms with a conserved cysteine-rich domain (CRD) in their N terminus regulate expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at developing interneuronal synapses and report the isolation of transmembrane NRG isoforms with this CRD within the N-terminal portion. CRD-NRG mRNA and immunoreactive protein are detected early in developing presynaptic (visceral motor) neurons. The levels of expression of CRD-NRG peak prior to the formation of synapses with their postsynaptic partners, the ganglionic sympathetic neurons. Recombinant CRD-NRG mimics the effects of presynaptic input on target neurons. Functional deletion of CRD-NRG from presynaptic neurons abolishes the upregulation of nAChR expression induced by input-derived soluble material. Thus, CRD-NRG appears to be both a necessary and a sufficient signal for the control of neuronal nAChR expression during synaptogenesis.
Reclaiming Magdalenism or Washing Away Sin: Magdalen Laundries and the Rhetorics of Feminine Silence

Every soul innately yearns for stillness, for a space, a garden where we can till, sow, reap, and rest, and by doing so come to a deeper sense of self and our place in the universe. Silence is not ...
The Ni−Si system

In Vol. 8 No. 1, page 10, Table 6, Table 4, lattice parameter values are for e, (Ni3Si2), and ΔH0 for ζ (Ni0.35Si0.65(s)) in the temperature range 700 to 1254 K should be −31.782, not −47.961. The authors with to thank Mr. Richard Curtis of Royal School of Mines, London, England, and Dr. Francois D’Heurle of IBM Research Center for bringing this to their attention.
Design and field test of a galvanometer deflected streak camera

We have developed a compact fieldable optically-deflected streak camera first reported in the 20th HSPP Congress. Using a triggerable galvanometer that scans the optical signal, the imaging and streaking function is an all-optical process without incurring any photon-electron-photon conversion or photoelectronic deflection. As such, the achievable imaging quality is limited mainly only by optical design, rather than by multiple conversions of signal carrier and high voltage electron-optics effect. All core elements of the camera are packaged into a 12" x 24" footprint box, a size similr to that of a conventional electronic streak camera. At LLNL's Site-300 Test Site, we have conducted a Fabry-Perot interferometer measurement of fast object velocity using this all-optical camera side-by-side with an intensified electronic streak camera. These two cameras are configured as two independent instruments for recording synchronously each branch of the 50/50 splits from one incoming signal. Given the same signal characteristics, the test result has undisputedly demonstrated superior imaging performance for the all-optical streak camera. It produces higher signal sensitivity, wider linear dynamic range, better spatial contrast, finder temporal resolution, and larger data capacity as compared with that of the electronic unit. The camera had also demonstrated its structural robustness and functional consistence to be well compatible with field environment. This paper presents the camera design and the test results in both pictorial records and post-process graphic summaries.
AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF FINANCING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM

IN 1955 THE FINANCIAL needs of the Interstate Highway System were estimated to be approximately $27 billion. The 1956 FederalAid Highway Act had as its basic objective the satisfaction of this need. The act established a pay-as-you-go financial plan for the 41,000-mile Interstate System. For the first time in the financial history of providing highway services, the federal government "earmarked" highway-user revenue for highway expenditures. Congress expressed an intent to have the Interstate System completed by 1969. The pay-as-you-go financial plan has not been successful in the first four years of the program. The original appropriations enacted by Congress in 1956 have not been met. The Byrd amendment had to be suspended in 1958 to enable authorized appropriations to be made for fiscal years 1959 and 1960. Furthermore, there is little doubt that the highway trust fund will have a deficit balance in the fiscal years 1960 and 1961. Pay-as-you-go financing cannot accomplish the goal of a 41,000mile system in a thirteen-year period. The projected cost and revenue schedules have not been realistically conceived. Costs have risen about 37 per cent since the inception of the program. Highway-user taxes have had to be increased to keep the program on a cash basis. Motor-vehicle users are becoming cognizant of the financial burden. At a realistic cost estimate of $37 billion, the Interstate Highway System cannot be "modernized" in thirteen years on a pay-as-you-go financial plan. A go-before-you-pay program is not difficult to justify as a solution for the financial problem of the Interstate Highway System. However, the advantages of a bond program should be considered in the light of the current debt-management problems of the federal government and the economic costs of utilizing public credit. Interstate highway construction has not jeopardized the financial position of toll roads. Toll financing has been incorporated into the financial scheme of the Interstate Highway System. Opportunities
The biology and clinical significance of acquired genomic copy number aberrations and recurrent gene mutations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in the Western world and remains incurable with conventional chemotherapy treatment approaches. CLL as a disease entity is defined by a relatively parsimonious set of diagnostic criteria and therefore likely constitutes an umbrella term for multiple related illnesses. Of the enduring fundamental biological processes that affect the biology and clinical behavior of CLL, few are as central to the pathogenesis of CLL as recurrent acquired genomic copy number aberrations (aCNA) and recurrent gene mutations. Here, a state-of-the-art overview of the pathological anatomy of the CLL genome is presented, including detailed descriptions of the anatomy of aCNA and gene mutations. Data from SNP array profiling and large-scale sequencing of large CLL cohorts, as well as stimulated karyotyping, are discussed. This review is organized by discussions of the anatomy, underlying pathomechanisms and clinical significance of individual genomic lesions and recurrent gene mutations. Finally, gaps in knowledge regarding the biological and clinical effects of recurrent genomic aberrations or gene mutations on CLL are outlined to provide critical stimuli for future research.
THE SELECTIVE-INHIBITION OF VASCULAR-PERMEABILITY FACTOR (VPF) EXPRESSION IN OVARIAN-CARCINOMA CELL-LINES BY GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE (GNRH) AGONIST

GnRH agonists have been found to be clinically useful in several hormone-sensitive conditions, including cancer. However, there is controversy regarding a direct action of these agents on the pathologic tissue of a given disease process, in particular, tumors. In this study, we examined the effects of D-Trp(6) -LHRH, a potent GnRH agonist, on the expression of an increasingly important angiogenesis factor, VPF (vascular permeability factor)/VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). Ovarian carcinoma cell lines exposed to D-Trp(6) -LHRH in culture demonstrated a reversible inhibition of VPF mRNA expression and a parallel decrease in the endothelium-specific mitogenic activity of the conditioned media from these treated cultures. This study reports a novel activity of a GnRH agonist and provides a starting point to investigate the in vivo anti-angiogenic properties of GnRH peptide analogs.
Multiplicative ideal theory of noncommutative Krull pairs. II: Factorization of one-sided ideals

5.1. A Krull pair (E, R) is called strong if every maximal element F in the Asano class 01 of E is d-Noetherian and R is a left-Asano quotient ring of E. This condition entails that every thick divisorial left ideal of every maximal order in iy is symbolically invertible, that is, a member of the Brandt groupoid B&Q) = K (see Theorem 3.6 and Corollary 3.8). In Section 6, the groupoid k’ is investigated from a general point of view. This is used in Section 7 to obtain a factorization theory for one-sided ideals of a strong Krull pair. But since we now have completed the essential definitions, it is appropriate first to point out examples of Krull pairs and strong Krull pairs showing that important classes of rings are of the type considered in this paper.
Normalized Residual Scattering Index Applied to Aquarius L-Band Measurements

A normalized residual scattering index is introduced. This index is based on the relationship between coincident microwave-backscatter and brightness-temperature observations. In this letter, the L-band NRSI is shown to correlate with vegetation cover conditions on a global scale. The interpretation of global observations from the Aquarius satellite is based on Passive Active L-band System airborne data collected during field experiments together with ground truth. The benefit of the method is that it is sensitive to land-cover features affecting both active and passive measurements while being insensitive to surface effects such as soil moisture.
Familial effects of prostate and other cancers on lifetime breast cancer risk

Lifetime probabilities of developing breast cancer were calculated for first-degree female relatives of three groups of breast cancer patients: 114 with bilateral cancer, 186 unselected, and 88 males. The patients were classified according to whether they had a family history of prostate, endometrial, or ovarian cancer, or no family history of these cancers. In families of unselected female and male patients with no family history of prostate, endometrial, or ovarian cancer, the lifetime probability of developing breast cancer was 11.4%. The risk increased slightly to 13.5% when these other cancers may or may not have present (i.e., they were ignored, which is the usual method in computing risks) and increased further to 25.5% when prostate, endometrial, or ovarian cancer was present in the family. In families of patients with bilateral cancer the respective risks were 10.9%, 17.3%, and 34.4%. A family history of prostate cancer increased lifetime risk consistently in each of the groups, to 29.0% in the unselected and male groups and to 38.2% in the bilateral group. Endometrial cancer increased risk only in the bilateral group (to 41.8%) as did ovarian cancer (to 54.6%). Increased risk of breast cancer with a family history of endometrial or ovarian cancer appeared to be influenced by families with hereditary breast-ovarian cancer or the cancer family syndrome. The results indicate that prostate cancer, and endometrial and ovarian cancers in some families, can significantly increase breast cancer risk and should be taken into account when counseling women about their breast cancer risk.
Better all the time

Innovation policies are more likely to be successful if they leverage existing capabilities, argues Daniel Sarewitz.
The effect of mean stress on the fatigue behavior of 316 LN stainless steel in air and mercury

Abstract Design of the mercury target system components for the spallation neutron source (SNS) requires data on high- and low-cycle fatigue behavior. The research and development program in progress includes determining the effects of mercury on the fatigue behavior of type 316 LN stainless steel, the primary material of choice for the target vessel. Uniaxial, load-controlled, fully reversed tension–compression R=−1 (minimum stress/maximum stress) fatigue tests have been conducted in air and mercury at room temperature employing constant amplitude sinusoidal loading at frequencies from 0.2 to 10 Hz. Stress amplitude versus fatigue life data (S–N curves) for both air and mercury show a sharp knee at approximately 1 million cycles indicating a fatigue endurance limit in either air or mercury around 240 MPa. Tensile mean stress (R=0.1) lowers the endurance limit to 160 MPa. Lower frequency and mercury environment had some impact (degradation) on fatigue life of type 316 LN stainless steel at high stress levels (i.e., stresses considerably above the apparent fatigue limit). Test results for high mean stress conditions (R=0.3, 0.5, and 0.75) at a cyclic frequency of 10 Hz exhibited further reductions in the endurance limit.
Covalently closed circular DNA of avian sarcoma virus: purification from nuclei of infected quail tumor cells and measurement by electron microscopy and gel electrophoresis.

Abstract Avian sarcoma virus-specific DNA is synthesized three to fourfold more efficiently after infection of a Japanese quail tumor cell line (QT-6, derived from a fibrosarcoma induced with methylcholanthrene) than after infection of duck or quail embryo fibroblasts; 10 to 30 copies of viral DNA per cell are generally observed in the first 24 hours after infection at multiplicities of one to five focus-forming units per cell. During the first five hours after infection viral DNA accumulates only in the cytoplasm of QT-6 cells; thereafter viral DNA is also observed in the nucleus. Covalently closed circular forms of viral DNA (form I) accumulate exclusively in the nucleus, and they persist for at least 600 hours after infection; within 24 to 48 hours after infection, form I DNA constitutes as much as 50% of the nuclear species of viral DNA and 20 to 25% of viral DNA in whole cells. We have purified viral form I DNA about 10 5 -fold from acutely-infected QT-6 cells by cell fractionation, sodium dodecyl sulfate/sodium chloride precipitation of cellular DNA, equilibrium density centrifugation in cesium chloride gradients containing propidium diiodide, rate zonal sedimentation in sucrose gradients, and chromatographic selection of molecules renaturing with zero-order kinetics. The length of viral form I DNA has been measured by direct observation in the electron microscope, revealing species of 6.6 × 10 6 , 5.6 × 10 6 and 2 to 4 × l0 6 daltons. These species presumably correspond to DNA transcribed from RNA subunits of avian sarcoma virus (3.3 × 10 6 daltons); DNA transcribed from RNA subunits of transformation-defective deletion mutants of the virus (2.8 × 10 6 daltons) shown to be present in the infecting stock; and newly identified, incomplete transcripts of these RNA subunits. The size of these species and their viral specificity were confirmed by molecular hybridization after electrophoresis in agarose gels. Viral form I DNA of 5 to 7 × 10 6 daltons is infectious in chick embryo cells, resulting in production of avian sarcoma virus and transformation-defective virus, whereas viral form I DNA of 2 to 4 × 10 6 daltons is not infectious in similar tests and is presumably defective.
Effect of diabetes on short- and long-term outcomes after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequent co-morbidity in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Implantation of LVADs is an acceptable option for diabetic patients with end-stage heart failure, yet no previous study has specifically examined the clinical outcomes of this patient population. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who underwent LVAD insertion at a single institution from June 17, 1996 to April 14, 2004. Patients were divided into 2 groups: diabetics (DM) and non-diabetics (NDM). The groups were compared with regard to demographics, etiology of heart failure, body mass index (BMI), intensive care unit (ICU) stay, early mortality (≤30 days), bridge-to-transplantation rate and post-LVAD and post-transplant survival. Results Two hundred one patients were identified. Of these, 49 (24.4%) had DM. Compared with the NDM group, DM patients had a higher mean body mass index (30.1 ± 6.0 vs 26.1 ± 4.8, p p p = 0.020), respectively. Conclusions Carefully selected diabetic patients can be successfully bridged to transplantation using LVADs with comparable outcomes to non-diabetic patients. Reasons for diminished post-transplant survival in this cohort are unclear and necessitate the conductance of multi-institutional studies to evaluate outcomes.
Trinexapac-ethyl and open-field burning maximize seed yield in creeping red fescue

Open-field burning, an effective and economical practice for increasing seed yield in creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), has been restricted in Oregon due to air quality and safety issues. The use of the plant growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl [4-(cyclopropyl-a-hydroxy methylene)-3,5-dioxocyclohexane carboxylic acid ethyl ester] (TE) was evaluated as a potential alternative to open-field burning for maximizing yield in creeping red fescue over 4 yr. Fall and spring applications of TE in combination with residue management practices, open-field burning and mechanical removal (flailing) of post-harvest residue, were evaluated to determine potential effects on seed yield and dry matter partitioning. Spring TE applications in burn plots increased cumulative seed yield by 38% over the check. In flail plots, spring TE applications increased yield by 30 and 16% over the burn check for the first 2 yr, but no response was observed later. Open-field burning was critical for maintaining high yields in the last 2 yr. Although late-spring TE applications in flail plots resulted in cumulative yields comparable to those of burn check plots, yields were 34% lower than those of burn, TE spring-treated plots. Fall TE applications had no consistent effect on seed yield. Therefore, neither spring nor fall TE applications are an effective alternative to replace open-field burning in creeping red fescue seed production over the life of the stand if seed yield is to be maximized. Spring TE applications plus open-field burning maximized seed yield and had the greatest harvest index, resulting in a more efficient crop.
Why customers stay: measuring the underlying dimensions of services switching costs and managing their differential strategic outcomes

Abstract Although switching costs are increasingly finding their way into models of customer loyalty, a lack of consistency and clarity exists regarding the appropriate conceptualization and measurement of this critical strategic construct. To address this deficiency, the following six dimensions of switching costs were proposed: (1) lost performance costs; (2) uncertainty costs; (3) pre-switching search and evaluation costs; (4) post-switching behavioral and cognitive costs; (5) setup costs; and (6) sunk costs. Support for these six dimensions was obtained across two studies and two service industries (banks and hairstylists). The multidimensional scale (24 items) evidenced reliability, discriminant validity, and convergent validity. In addition, individual dimensions related to various constructs in predictable and sometimes differential ways. For example, while all switching cost dimensions were positively and significantly associated with repurchase intentions in the overall sample, the association was strongest with lost performance costs. Industry differences also emerged both in the mean level of perceptions across switching cost dimensions, as well as in the strength of relationships between switching costs and outcomes such as repurchase intentions. For example, perceptions of setup costs and pre-switching search and evaluation costs were higher for hairstylists than banks and were also more strongly associated with repurchase intentions for hairstylists than banks. Strategic implications and areas for future research are discussed.
A practical method for reducing the effects of parasitic capacitances in integrated circuits

In integrated circuits, effects of distributed junction capacitance associated with the diffused resistor structure can be reduced by isolating this capacitance from the ac ground. In this letter a pactical method of obtaining is such an isolation is proposed and analytical results are presented to verify iprovement in high frequency performance.
Acetaldehyde Stimulates Collagen and Noncollagen Protein Production by Human Fibroblasts

The mechanisms responsible for the increased hepatic collagen deposition in alcoholic cirrhosis remain unknown. The question of whether ethanol or acetaldehyde has a direct effect on collagen and noncollagen protein production was investigated in human fibroblasts with no detectable activity of alcohol dehydrogenase to distinguish the effects of these metabolites. To eliminate environmental factors, protein production by confluent human skin, fetal and hepatic fibroblasts was studied after three passages. Cells were labeled with [5−3H]proline for 4 hr in the presence of 0.2 mM ascorbate alone or with addition of either ethanol (50 mM) or acetaldehyde (0 to 300 μM). Rates of protein production were calculated from the radioactivities of collagenase-sensitive and collagenase-resistant proteins. Skin fibroblasts from alcoholic individual either with cirrhosis or without liver disease have comparable rates of collagen and noncollagen protein production. Acetaldehyde, in a concentration found in the liver during ethanol abuse, significantly increased collagen production by human skin fibroblasts (up to 140%), fetal fibroblasts (up to 240%) and hepatic fibroblasts (up to 70%) but the addition of ethanol had no significant effect on basal collagen production. The effect of acetaldehyde was dose-related and affected noncollagen protein production in a similar manner. Acetaldehyde did not cause changes in either proline transport or the specific activity of the proline precursor pool. This newly recognized stimulation of collagen production by acetaldehyde may be a possible mechanism of fibrogenesis in alcoholic individuals.
The Treatment of Exercise-Inducible Chronic Stable Angina with Diltiazem: Effect on Treadmill Exercise

Although diltiazem has been shown to alleviate vasospastic angina pectoris, its effect on exercise-inducible chronic stable angina has not been objectively studied. Accordingly, the effect of diltiazem was studied in this condition with a placebo controlled double-blind randomized cross-over protocol at three dose levels (120, 180 and 240 mg/day) during graded treadmill exercise. Three end-points were evaluated: 1) time to onset of angina or fatigue if angina were eliminated; 2) time to 1 mm ST segment depression or fatigue if ST depression were eliminated; and 3) time to termination of exercise (2+ angina or fatigue). All end-points were prolonged at all dose levels. At the highest dose of 240 mg/day, time to onset angina or termination was prolonged from a placebo time of 8.0 ± 0.9 to 9.8 ± 0.9 minutes (p =