cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wind-Wave Nonlinearity Observed at the Sea Floor. Part I: Forced-Wave Energy

Abstract This is Part 1 of a study of nonlinear effects on natural wind waves. Array measurements of pressure at the sea floor and middepth, collected 30 km offshore in 13-m depth, are compared to an existing theory for weakly nonlinear surface gravity waves. In this depth, free surface waves (obeying the linear dispersion relation) an weakly attenuated at the sea bed at sea and swell frequencies (0.05–0.3 Hz) but very strongly attenuated at frequencies higher than about 0.35 Hz. Only nonlinearly driven motions can reach the sea floor at these high frequencies. Nonlinear interactions between free (primary) waves of about the same frequency, travelling in nearly opposing directions, theoretically excite long-wavelength, double-frequency forced (secondary) waves that are only weakly attenuated at the sea door and form a mechanism for the generation of microseisms at great depth. In 13-m depth, wind-generated free waves and corresponding long-wavelength, high-frequency forced waves can be simultaneously obse...
Flavor-singlet light-cone amplitudes and radiative Υ decays in the soft-collinear effective theory

We study the evolution of flavor-singlet, light-cone amplitudes in the soft-collinear effective theory, and reproduce results previously obtained by a different approach. We apply our calculation to the color-singlet contribution to the photon endpoint in radiative {upsilon} decay. In a previous paper, we studied the color-singlet contributions to the endpoint, but neglected operator mixing, arguing that it should be a numerically small effect. Nevertheless the mixing needs to be included in a consistent calculation, and we do just that in this work. We find that the effects of mixing are indeed numerically small. This result combined with previous work on the color-octet contribution and the photon fragmentation contribution provides a consistent theoretical treatment of the photon spectrum in {upsilon}{yields}{gamma}X.
Elementary students’ reasoning: Crests and troughs of learning

This study describes the improvement in 20 sixth grades students’ reasoning abilities in the context of structured or semi-structured inquiries conducted during an after-school science club. The findings shed light on the improvement in student reasoning and on the specific areas of student difficulties. Overall reasoning skills showed more or less continuous improvement; whereas, the warrants changed in a non-linear pattern—like waves—with crests of improvement and troughs of setbacks. The study also suggests that writing played and important role in the process of student learning.
Transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of mitral valve morphology to predict outcome after balloon mitral valvotomy.

1. Hyperhomocysteinemia: an independent risk factor or vascular disease. New Engl 11. Wilcken DEL, Wilcken B. Pathogens324:1149-1155. role for methionine metabolism. J Clin Invest 1976;57:1079-1082. 14. Israelsson B, Brattsuom LE, Hultberg BJ. Homocysteine and myocardial in12. Beers GHJ, Schoonderwaldt HC, Schulte BPM, Trijbels JMF, Smals RGH, farction. Atherosclerosis 1988;71:227-233. Kloppentq PWC. Heterozygosity for homocystinuria: a risk factor for occlusive 15. Genest JJ, McNamara JR, Salem DN, Wilson PWF, Schaefer El, Malinow MR. cerebrovascular disease? C/in Gene? 1983;24:30&301. Plasma homocyst(e)ine levels in men with premature coronary artery disease. J Am 13. Clarke R, Daly L, Robinson K, Naughten E, Cahalane S, Fowler B, Graham Co//Car&/ 1990;16:111&1119.
Viscoelastic characterization of rat cerebral cortex and type I collagen scaffolds for central nervous system tissue engineering.

Abstract In the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for the central nervous system, therapeutic strategies may involve implantation of biomaterial scaffolds into the brain. An understanding of the relationship between the brain and the scaffold mechanical properties can help in the selection of a safe and effective biomaterial. This research demonstrates the use of indentation testing along with viscoelastic modeling to characterize and compare mechanical properties of in situ rat cerebral cortex and collagen scaffolds of varying collagen concentration. The stress–relaxation solution for indentation of a viscoelastic material was derived based on a five-element Maxwell model and use of the correspondence principle. Applying the model to experimental stress–relaxation data, the brain was characterized by three shear moduli G1=1.6±0.10 kPa, G2=2.0±0.15 kPa, G3=1.8±0.20 kPa, and two viscosities η2=11.0 ± 0.44 kPa⋅s, η3=148.7 ± 6.70 kPa⋅s, with corresponding relaxation time constants τ1=5.7±0.3 s and τ2=88.4 ± 7.6 s. The brain showed average relaxation of 74% from its peak force during loading to an approximately asymptotic force over a 5 minute hold at constant displacement. Collagen scaffolds generally showed increasing trends in the shear moduli, viscosities, and percentage relaxation with increasing collagen concentration. While the brain had similar stiffness to the 1.0% collagen scaffold during the loading phase, the brain’s relaxation behavior was distinct from all of the scaffolds. Similarities and differences between the mechanical behavior of the brain and collagen scaffolds of varying collagen concentration are discussed in relation to application of biomaterials for regenerative medicine.
Autocorrelation function of velocity fluctuations and noise in diamond

Abstract The effects of high field and high temperature on the autocorrelation function of velocity fluctuations and its contribution to noise in natural diamond have been investigated. Calculations have been carried out using the ensemble Monte Carlo techniques. It is found that Φ(t) decreases to zero in an exponential way characterized by a decay constant found equal to the momentum relaxation time τm. The time duration of Φ(t) is found to decrease with increasing field and decreases slightly with temperature. Our analysis shows that increased noise will appear in diamond devices at frequencies around 5 GHz and that correlated carrier motion can be expected for times in the order of 220 fs, slightly shorter than that of silicon.
Analytic continuation as a method of phase determination

Abstract A method of phase determination which involves an analytic continuation of the Fourier transform is described. The method has been successfully used to obtain the phases of some of the higher orders of nerve myelin.
A novel methodology for assignment of disulfide bond pairings in proteins

A novel methodology is described for the assignment of disulfide bonds in proteins of known sequence. The denatured protein is subjected to limited reduction by tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) in pH 3.0 citrate buffer to produce a mixture of partially reduced protein isomers; the nascent sulfhydryls are immediately cyanylated by 1-cyano-4-dimethylamino-pyridinium tetrafluoroborate (CDAP) under the same buffered conditions. The cyanylated protein isomers, separated by and collected from reversed-phase HPLC, are subjected to cleavage of the peptide bonds on the N-terminal side of cyanylated cysteines in aqueous ammonia to form truncated peptides that are still linked by residual disulfide bonds. The remaining disulfide bonds are then completely reduced to give a mixture of peptides that can be mass mapped by MALDI-MS. The masses of the resulting peptide fragments are related to the location of the paired cysteines that had undergone reduction, cyanylation, and cleavage. A side reaction, beta-elimination, often accompanies cleavage and produces overlapped peptides that provide complementary confirmation for the assignment. This strategy minimizes disulfide bond scrambling and is simple, fast, and sensitive. The feasibility of the new approach is demonstrated in the analysis of model proteins that contain various disulfide bond linkages, including adjacent cysteines. Experimental conditions are optimized for protein partial reduction, sulfhydryl cyanylation, and chemical cleavage reactions.
Mutation and polymorphism in the EGFR-TK domain associated with lung cancer.

Background The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is involved in the development and progression of lung cancer. Somatic EGFR mutations are predictors of response to treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors (TKIs) for lung cancer, especially among never smokers. EGFR mutations may occur independently of other genetic alterations. Methods The authors sequenced the EGFR -TK domain and the K-ras and p53 genes from lung tumor tissues from 44 never smokers and 46 smokers. A case-control study also was conducted to examine the relationship between an EGFR single nucleotide polymorphism in the TK domain and the lung cancer through a multivariate logistic regression analysis. In addition, the authors compared cell growth kinetics, EGFR-TKI sensitivity by MTT, and activation of signaling molecules by immunoblot in lung cancer cell lines with and without EGFR -TK mutations. Results EGFR -TK mutations were more frequently observed in never smokers (25%) than in smokers (2.2%) ( p = 0.001). Excluding cases with a K-ras mutation, the frequency of EGFR -TK domain mutation was still significantly higher in never smokers than in smokers, 26.2% versus 4.5% ( p = 0.046). EGFR -TK mutations and K-ras mutations ( p = 0.015), and p53 and K-ras mutations ( p = 0.015) were mutually exclusive, but p53 and EGFR -TK mutations were not ( p = 1.00). During sequencing of the EGFR -TK domain in tumors, an EGFR polymorphism (G2607A) was identified. The genotype AA and AA + AG occurred at a significantly higher frequency in lung cancer cases ( n = 122) when compared with controls ( n = 147) (odds ratio, 3.39 and 2.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.41–8.17 and 1.17–6.08, p = 0.006 and p = 0.02, respectively). This polymorphism was found independently of EGFR -TK mutations in lung cancer cases, indicating that it does not predispose to mutations. In vitro, lung cancer cell lines with EGFR -TK mutations also did not contain K-ras mutations and displayed a lower growth rate (50%, p = 0.013) than EGFR -TK wild-type cell lines. EGFR -TK mutant cell lines were more sensitive to both gefitinib and erlotinib, although relative sensitivity to erlotinib compared with wild-type was less pronounced than for gefitinib. Cell lines with a lower growth rate also expressed higher levels of E-cadherin than faster growing cell lines. Conclusions EGFR -TK mutation frequency is high in never-smoking lung cancer patients and is exclusive of mutation in K-ras but not p53 . In addition to somatic EGFR -TK mutations that arise in lung tumors, germline variation in the EGFR -TK domain might also be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Somatic EGFR -TK mutations alter cell biology and response to EGFR -TKIs and may be mutation specific.
Correlation Between Glycemic Control and Menstruation in Diabetic Adolescents

Background An association between diabetes and menstrual dysfunction has long been noted. The purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between the degree of glycemic control in insulin dependent diabetic adolescents and menstrual regulation. Methods A retrospective review of 93 active charts of diabetic females aged 10–18 was performed. Office visits were scheduled every 3 months, at which time pubertal development, menstrual function, growth, and diabetic control, including hemoglobin (Hgb) AIC, and complications were assessed. Premenarchea1 patients (27), those with premature ovarian failure due to chemotherapy/radiation (1), those within 2 years after menarche with irregular menstrual cycles (8), charts with insufficient information (11), and data obtained while patients were using hormonal contraception were excluded from analysis. Forty-six patients were eligible for data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Chi-square and Student T tests, were applied. Results Thirty-seven (81%) patients had regular menstrual cycles, and 9 (19%) had menstrual disturbances including secondary amenorrhea (1), oligomenorrhea (7), and primary amenorrhea followed by oligomenorrhea (1). There were 2 pregnancies. Six patients used hormonal contraception, but none for menstrual regulation. There was a statistically significant difference (P .05) between the two groups with respect to age at menarche (156 vs. 152 mo), age at onset of diabetes (144 vs 108 mo), or interval between diabetes onset and menarche (54 vs 41 mo). There were no patients in either group with diabetic retinopathy or nephropathy. Four patients were hypertensive, but there was no statistically significant difference (P > .05) between groups. Conclusions Tighter glycemic control as measured by Hgb AIC concentrations corresponds to improved menstrual regulation in adolescent insulin dependent diabetics.
Deep‐tank culture of blue‐green algae in H2O and D2O

A 160-liter stainless steel algal growth tank has been constructed and has been used essentially continuously for over three years. Filamentous and unicellular blue-green algae as well as a photosynthetic bacterium have been cultured using both ordinary and heavy water (99.8 atom % 2H). By using a recycling technique, yields as high as 25 g/liter of 2H2O have been obtained.
Microfossils in stromatolitic cherts from the proterozoic allamoore formation of west texas

Abstract A diverse, well-preserved microbiota has been discovered in petrographic thin sections of stromatolitic black chert of the ca. 1000–1100 Ma-old Allamoore Formation from the Van Horn region of west Texas. Geologic evidence indicates that the mat-building microbial community inhabited a shallow-water environment, probably intermittently exposed to subaerial desiccation. The microfossils occur in two interlaminated sedimentary fabrics: a flat-lying to wavy stromatolitic fabric, formed during relatively quiescent periods, and an intraclastic fabric that reflects deposition in agitated water, perhaps during storms. The carbonaceous microfossils are three-dimensionally preserved, permineralized in fine-grained chert probably of early diagenetic origin. The assemblage includes solitary and colonial unicellular cyanobacteria (Entophysalidaceae or Chroococcaceae), the tubular sheaths of at least three microbial taxa (apparently of oscillatoriacean affinities), and cellular prokaryotic filaments. The common occurrence of large spheroidal unicells, some in excess of 100 μm in diameter, suggests that fossil eukaryotes (green or red algae) may also be represented. The Allamoore cherts comprise one of only a few microfossiliferous Precambrian deposits now known from western North America.
Performance of the EL-4+ maskwriter for advanced chrome on glass reticles

The IBM EL-4+ maskmaker, installed in the Advanced Mask Facility in Burlington site has been undergoing extensive evaluation of its ability to fabricate advanced 4X chrome on glass (COG) reticles. In previous years on 1X x-ray masks, the EL-4+ maskmaker has demonstrated image placement of 20 nm 3(sigma) , minimum feature size to 100 nm, image size uniformity to below 10 nm while maintaining availability of 97% during the last 6 months of 1998. So far, in 1999, the EL- 4+ system has demonstrated minimum etched features to 100 nm in COG using ZEP7000 resist and dry etching. Promising results have also been achieved using a gate level 0.18 micrometer ground rule mask as a learning vehicle. COG learning is continuing, with indications that we should be able to achieve 35 nm image placement. There are a number of significant advantages to be realized in COG reticle fabrication on the EL-4+. Resolution, coupled with a 1/640 tool grid permits features to be patterned with sharp corners and precisely located edges without any impact on writing speed. An advanced proximity correction algorithm exploiting the systems dose modulation capabilities insures image fidelity across a wide spectrum of pattern density.
Release of [3H]Norepinephrine: Alteration by early developmental exposure to diazepam

Abstract The effect of prenatal exposure to diazepam (over gestational days 13–20) on the release of tritiated norepinephrine ([3H]NE) from selected brain regions was analyzed to determine mechanisms whereby such exposure could disrupt functioning in specific NE neurons, as previously observed. Pregnant rats were administered diazepam (DZ) once daily at doses of 1.0, 2.5 or 10.0 mg/kg and the offspring studied as adults at 70–90 days of age and during development at 14, 21, 35 and 56 days of age. Release of [3H]NE was measured during in vitro incubation using 25 mM potassium as the depolarizing stimulus. As noted previously, prenatal exposure to DZ induced an effect only on NE neurons innervating the hypothalamus, sparing the NE innervation to the hippocampus and cerebellum. Prenatal exposure to DZ had no effect on the depolarized release of [3H]NE in the hypothalamus until after 35 days of age, a developmental pattern previously observed with respect to endogenous NE levels. In adult rat offspring, however, the depolarization-induced release of [3H]NE from the hypothalamus decreased 28%, 32% and 64% (relative to uninjected control values) in animals prenatally exposed to DZ at 1.0, 2.5 or 10 mg/kg/day respectively. Concurrent exposure of the pregnant dam to benzodiazepine antagonists (Ro 15-1788 or ethyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate) prevented the effects of DZ (2.5 mg/kg/day) on [3H]NE release, demonstrating again the importance of the benzodiazepine binding site to the effects induced by the early DZ exposure. The initial accumulation of the [3H]NE was not altered by the prenatal exposure. The presence of an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine, in the incubation medium reversed the decreased release of [3H]NE from the hypothalamus that was induced by prenatal exposure to DZ, suggesting that under basal conditions the hypothalamic NE neurons of the exposed animals may have been under greater modulation from the alpha-receptor. These data suggest that the NE innervation to the hypothalamus may have a unique relationship with the benzodiazepine binding site, compared with NE innervation to other regions, such that early exposure to benzodiazepines can alter the course of maturation of these neurons.
Scaling in ecotoxicology: Theory, evidence and research needs

Issues of scale, particularly extrapolations across spatial or temporal scales, are of great importance in ecotoxicology. A variety of approaches are valuable for addressing issues of scale, and in developing scaling relationships that allow for extrapolation across scales. Both theoretical and empirical approaches can be applied in deriving scaling relationships. A variety of models may be employed, including statistical models, mathematical models, computer simulations and physical models (such as microcosms and mesocosms). Specific approaches that appear promising include dimensional analysis, allometric scaling, fractal geometry and microcosm/mesocosm experiments in which scale is appropriately manipulated as a treatment variable. Further research should be directed toward assessing the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches, identifying non-linearities and thresholds in scaling relationships, integrating spatial and temporal aspects of scaling, and designing experimental studies that explicitly...
Do alcohol expectancy outcomes and valuations mediate peer influences and lifetime alcohol use among early adolescents

Building on the theory of reasoned action (I. Ajzen & M. Fishbein, 1973, 1980; M. Fishbein & I. Ajzen, 1975) and expectancy theory, the authors examined the mediating role of alcohol expectancies in adolescent drinking behaviors by testing whether alcohol expectancy outcomes and valuations (the extent to which these outcomes are perceived as good or bad) mediate the association between peer influences and lifetime alcohol use. Early adolescents (N = 904) from 2 public middle schools in western Michigan completed a battery of questionnaires. Overall, results showed that alcohol expectancies and valuations partially mediated the relations between peer influences (peer use and peer approval) and lifetime alcohol use. The findings suggest that associating with peers who are perceived as using alcohol and approving of drinking may influence adolescents' alcohol expectancies. The authors briefly discuss future research directions and implications for prevention.
Minority influence: the role of the rate of majority defection and persuasive arguments

An experiment employing the Twelve Angry Men paradigm was conducted to determine the role of the rate of majority defection to the minority position and the use of persuasive arguments by the minority on minority influence. Subjects were more influenced by the minority when it provided persuasive arguments by refuting the majority viewpoint than when the minority did not. More minority influence occurred when the minority obtained majority defectors than when the minority did not. Moreover, the rate of majority defection made a difference. Minority influence was not obtained with the initial acquisition of a single defector and the significant influence that occurred with the acquisition of four defectors was not further increased by the acquisition of additional defectors. The results for the number of majority defectors were generally consistent with Tanford and Penrod's social influence model. Finally, the issue of the number of majority defectors versus the speed at which they defect is discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Southeast Asian Refugee Youth And the Cycle of Violence

What can be done to curb Asian gang activities and to identify potential mem bers? What can school administrators do to involve more Asian youth in leader ship and citizenship activities and to prevent dropouts? To better understand how to deal effectively in reducing Asian youth involvement in violent gang activi ties, as either victims or perpetrators, it is important to understand the historical perspective of the gang activities.
New Traversability Indices and Traversability Grid for Integrated Sensor/Map-Based Navigation

This paper presents new measures of terrain traversability at short range and long range of a mobile robot; namely, local and global traversability indices. The sensor-based local traversability index is related by a set of linguistic rules to large obstacles and surface softness within a short range of the robot measured by on-board sensors. The map-based global traversability index is obtained from the terrain topographic map, and is based on major surface features such as hills and lakes within a long range of the robot. These traversability indices complement the mid-range sensor-based regional traversability index introduced earlier. Each traversability index is represented by four fuzzy sets with the linguistic labels {POOR, LOW, MODERATE, HIGH}, corresponding to surfaces that are unsafe, moderately-unsafe, moderately-safe, and safe for traversal, respectively. The global terrain analysis also leads to the new concepts of traversability map and traversability grid for representation of terrain quality based on the global map information. The traversability indices are used in two sensor-based traverse-local and traverse-regional behaviors and one map-based traverse-global behavior. These behaviors are integrated with a map-based seek-goal behavior to ensure that the mobile robot reaches its goal safely while avoiding both sensed and mapped terrain hazards. This provides a unified system in which the two independent sources of terrain quality information, i.e., prior maps and on-board sensors, are integrated together for reactive robot navigation. The paper is concluded by a graphical simulation study. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of the Deuteron to Provide a Polarized Proton Target

It is shown that deuterons can be used to provide a polarized proton target for experiments in the Bev range. The deuteron consists of a neutron and proton with their spins correlated in a triplet state. In certain reactions only the proton takes part, while the neutron stands by as a spectator. The nucleon spin correlation implies that a measurement of the neutron polarization gives information about the proton polarization. Proton polarizations up to a maximum of 1/3 can be obtained. (C.E.S.)
Medications used for paediatric HIV infection in the USA, 1991-1992

Medications constituted the third largest health care expenditure for children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Previous literature had not investigated volume or cost of pharmaceuticals consumed by individual patients. The US Agency for Health Care Policy & Research (AHCPR) therefore sponsored the AIDS Cost & Services Utilization Survey (ACSUS) to measure utilization of health care services, including medications. Starting in 1991, it surveyed 100 children with AIDS and 41 HIV-infected children (via adult proxies) six times at quarterly intervals and collected their outpatient bills. These children reported using 5,634 prescriptions and had 5,026 bills. Children with AIDS reported more prescriptions than HIV-infected children. On the basis of CD4 counts and age, 14.2% of children had indications for antiretrovirals, but did not receive them; and 17.7% warranted PCP prophylaxis but did not receive it. Outpatient bills averaged $2,325 and inpatient bills averaged $7,725 per year. These...
Lymphocyte-depletion Hodgkin's disease. A clinicopathological entity.

Abstract Study of 13 cases of lymphocyte-depletion Hodgkin's disease disclosed a distinctive clinicopathological entity of rapidly fatal disease with fever, pancytopenia, lymphocytopenia and abnormalities of hepatic function, frequently without peripheral lymphadenopathy. In 10 patients the histologic type was that of diffuse fibrosis, and the diagnosis was frequently made by bone-marrow aspiration or laparotomy or at autopsy. The remaining three patients had the reticular type, with more obvious peripheral lymphadenopathy. The distribution of the process was predominantly subdiaphragmatic, with extensive involvement of liver, spleen, retroperitoneal lymph nodes and all bone-marrow sites, associated with marked marrow hypoplasia. Multiple bone-marrow examinations and liver biopsy in patients without peripheral lymphadenopathy may provide diagnostic material. The striking clinical presentation, distinctive organ distribution and marked cellular depletion of this entity differ from other types of Hodgkin's ...
Objective comparison of cellular yield in fine-needle biopsy of lymph nodes with and without aspiration

Recent reports have indicated that needle biopsy without aspiration obtained adequate material for diagnosis. To determine objectively the adequacy of cell yield both for diagnosis and for special studies (e.g., flow cytometry, markers), we prospectively studied 20 superficial lymph nodes in 20 patients with a history of lymphoma. In each case, the cytology materials were obtained by fine-needle biopsy techniques with (FNAB) and without (FNB) aspiration. Two needle passes for each method were placed in separate tubes of RPMI medium. With FNAB, the cell counts (determined by a Coulter counter) ranged from 1.55 to 70 million (M) per tube, mean = 19.12 M, whereas with FNB, the cell counts ranged from 1.58 M to 40 M, mean = 15.48 M (P = 0.4555). Although FNAB provided more cells in 12 cases (60%), FNB provided more cells in the remaining 8 cases (40%) (P = 0.9392). Both techniques provided adequate numbers of cells for special studies in all cases. We conclude that FNB can provide an adequate number of cells both for diagnosis and for special studies.
Outcomes of PermaVision Intracorneal Implants for the Correction of Hyperopia

Purpose To report the clinical and visual outcomes of a series of patients implanted with the PermaVision intracorneal lens (ReVision Optics Inc, Lake Forest, California, USA) for correction of hyperopia. Design Prospective, nonrandomized, clinical trial study. Methods Fifteen patients were implanted with the intracorneal lens for correction of spherical hyperopic refractive errors ranging from 1.00 to 5.00 diopters (D) (mean, 2.45 D). All eyes were correctable to 20/20 before surgery. Patients were followed up to 3 years with measurements of residual refractive error, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA). Results For patients with follow-up of 1 year or more, the mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BSCVA was 0.15 (20/28 Snellen equivalent; range, 0.1 to 0.6) with an average change of −2.5 lines of BSCVA (range, 1 to −6 lines). Only 3 eyes (25%) achieved 20/20 or better UCVA. Two patients experienced early adverse events and 1 patient experienced a late-onset adverse event requiring eventual removal of the implant. Nine patients elected to have the implant removed, with dissatisfaction with the quality of vision as the most frequent reason for removal. Conclusions The quality of visual and refractive outcomes with this device was less than satisfactory for most of the patients in our series. Although the problems of early onset migration or extrusion of the device are possible, late-onset ulceration noted in one of our patients most likely represents a neurotropic melt. Further research to improve the safety and quality of refractive result with intracorneal implants is needed.
BT cationic peptides: small peptides that modulate innate immune responses of chicken heterophils and monocytes.

Abstract Neonatal poultry exhibit a transient susceptibility to infectious diseases during the first week of life that stems from inefficient host defense mechanisms. Yet, the initial host immune response to pathogens is a critical determinant of disease resistance and susceptibility. With this context in mind, novel ways to stimulate or modulate the hosts’ natural immune response is emerging as an important area of interest for food animal producers including the poultry industry. Specifically, we have been investigating new modulation strategies tailored around the selective stimulation of the host's immune system, and particularly rapid acting innate immunity, as an alternative to direct targeting of microbial pathogens. One such approach that we have been investigating is the use of a group of cationic peptides produced by a Gram-positive soil bacterium, Brevibacillus texasporus (BT peptides). We have previously shown that, provided as a feed additive, BT peptides significantly induced a concentration-dependent protection against cecal colonization and extraintestinal colonization by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE). This protection is not the result of direct antibacterial activity of the BT peptides on the SE since the concentrations used were below the minimum inhibitory concentration for SE. We also found that BT are not absorbed in the intestine, but still induce a significant up-regulation in the functional efficiency of peripheral blood heterophils and monocytes. The mechanisms of this immune modulation are unknown. Here, using in vitro models for measuring: (1) leukocyte oxidative burst, (2) changes in leukocyte cytokine and chemokines gene expression profiles, and (3) phosphorylation of the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in leukocytes, we evaluated the role of BT peptides as priming mediators for heterophil and monocyte responses at the level of cell function, gene transcription/expression, and cell phosphorylation following stimulation with inflammatory agonists. BT peptides primed both heterophils and monocytes for an increased oxidative burst and up-regulation in transcription of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 and inflammatory chemokines CXCLi1 and CXCLi2 induced by inflammatory agonists. In addition, BT peptides induced a rapid (10 min) phosphorylation and activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and p38 kinase pathways in primary chicken heterophils. Taken together, we conclude that BT peptides, acting through MAPK pathways, enhance leukocyte functional and pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine gene transcription activities. These small cationic peptides may prove useful as immune modulators in neonatal poultry.
Non-linear spatial summation in cat retinal ganglion cells at different background levels.

Cat retinal ganglion cells were identified as X-cells (linear) or Y-cells (non-linear) on the basis of the spatial summation properties of their receptive fields. For each cell, the degree of non-linearity in spatial summation was assessed at a number of different mean luminance levels in order to determine how spatial linearity depended on mean luminance. The stimuli were counterphase sinusoidal gratings whose contrast was sinusoidally modulated in time. A grating with one bar centered on the receptive field was used to measure the contrast sensitivity of the mechanisms which produced responses at the stimulus frequency. A grating with a zero crossing centered on the receptive field was used to measure the contrast sensitivity of mechanisms responsible for the non-linear frequency doubled responses of Y-cells. As the mean luminance was reduced from low photopic to scotopic, the contrast sensitivity decreased for both the linear and non-linear responses. The ratio of non-linear to linear sensitivity in Y-cells changed less with background than did either contrast sensitivity. In some Y-cells this ratio decreased slightly at low luminance levels, but in others it did not. X-cells appeared to sum signals linearly at all levels of illumination. X-cells and Y-cells could still be distinguished on the basis of their spatial summation properties in the scotopic range.
Aluminum substitution in the glass system 0.33 [(1−x)P2S5-xAl2S3]−0.67 Li2S

Abstract Glasses belonhing to the 0.33[(1−x)P2S5-xAl2S3]−0.67 Li2S system were synthesized for 0≤x≤0.5 using classical quenching techniques. Conductivity increased by a factor of three with the first addition of Al2S3(x=0.1) after which only small changes occurred with further additions. Tg was increased from 220°C to 276°C in a nearly linear function with composition. 31P solid state MAS-NMR experiments carried out on glassy and crystallized samples reveal that aluminum substitution results in changes in the phosphorus speciation. These glasses are interesting not only for their high conductivity at room temperature, but also as possible electrolytes for high temperature applications.
The life cycle costs of personal computing in an educational institution: A comparative case study

The widespread adoption of personal computers (PCs) may be attributable to their low purchase and operational costs. However, significant procedural costs arise in fitting a PC application into a work setting. Our investigation of the adoption and use of PCs in several departments of a complex organization reveals a large number of unanticipated costs. These indirect, deferred, and governance costs are chiefly borne by users not responsible for acquiring PCs. The costs represent demands for users' time, skill, expertise, and attention as well as money. We find that the distribution of deferred costs determines the viability of PC systems. We also find that the integration of PCs can alter the way people do their jobs. These changes in turn give rise to additional social and political costs within the organization. Subsequently, we find that the true costs of personal computing are typically underestimated and unaccounted.
Post-hatching inhibition of aromatase activity does not alter sexual differentiation of the zebra finch song system.

Abstract Hatchling zebra finches were treated with fadrozole, an aromatase (estrogen synthesis) inhibitor, to test whether estrogen is required for normal masculine development of the song system. Injections on posthatching days 1–30 had no effect on the volumes of the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA) and area X or on neuron soma size in RA and high vocal center (HVC) measured on day 31. These results argue against the importance of estrogen in masculinization of the song system in males after hatching.
Genotype-phenotype interactions in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea

Pediatric sleep disordered breathing (PSDB) is not only a very frequent condition affecting 2–4% of all children, but is also associated with an increased risk for a variety of manifestations underlying end-organ injury and dysfunction that impose both immediate and potentially long-term morbidities and corresponding inherent elevations in healthcare costs. One of the major problems with the creation of valid algorithms aiming to stratify diagnostic and treatment prioritization lies in our current inability to predict and identify those children who are most at-risk for PSDB-induced adverse consequences. Thus, improved our understanding of the mechanisms governing phenotype variance in PSDB is essential. Here, we examine some of the potential underpinnings of phenotypic variability in PSDB, and further propose a conceptual framework aimed at facilitating the process of advancing knowledge in this frequent disorder.
Characterizations of myosin essential light chain’s N-terminal truncation mutant Δ43 in transgenic mouse papillary muscles by using tension transients in response to sinusoidal length alterations

Cross-bridge kinetics were studied at 20 °C in cardiac muscle strips from transgenic (Tg) mice expressing N-terminal 43 amino acid truncation mutation (Δ43) of myosin essential light chain (ELC), and the results were compared to those from Tg-wild type (WT) mice. Sinusoidal length changes were applied to activated skinned papillary muscle strips to induce tension transients, from which two exponential processes were deduced to characterize the cross-bridge kinetics. Their two rate constants were studied as functions of ATP, phosphate (Pi), ADP, and Ca2+ concentrations to characterize elementary steps of the cross-bridge cycle consisting of six states. Our results demonstrate for the first time that the cross-bridge kinetics of Δ43 are accelerated owing to an acceleration of the rate constant k 2 of the cross-bridge detachment step, and that the number of strongly attached cross-bridges are decreased because of a reduction of the equilibrium constant K 4 of the force generation step. The isometric tension and stiffness of Δ43 are diminished compared to WT, but the force per cross-bridge is not changed. Stiffness measurement during rigor induction demonstrates a reduction in the stiffness in Δ43, indicating that the N-terminal extension of ELC forms an extra linkage between the myosin cross-bridge and actin. The tension-pCa study demonstrates that there is no Ca2+ sensitivity change with Δ43, but the cooperativity is diminished. These results demonstrate the importance of the N-terminal extension of ELC in maintaining the myosin motor function during force generation and optimal cardiac performance.
Comparisons of Risk Factors for HIV-1 Infection in Jefferson and Mobile County, Alabama

A study of the Alabama state AIDS database was conducted to determine whether differences exist in demographic and risk characteristics between patients with HIV-1 in Jefferson and Mobile County. The authors found that the age distribution of patients with HIV-1, the percent of those having AIDS, and the percent of those surviving were very similar. However, significant differences existed in patient-reported risk factors in the two counties. Homosexuality was reported as the major risk factor in both counties. However, there was proportionately more homosexuality reported in Jefferson County and, conversely, more heterosexuality reported in Mobile. There also were significant differences in race and gender distributions in the two counties. This was due in part to the proportionately higher prevalence of African American females of reproductive age with HIV-1 in Mobile County. This may pose a significantly greater risk for pediatric AIDS among African American females in Mobile County.
S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase activity in horses, Equus cabalus, with severe combined immunodeficiency

Abstract 1. 1. Activities of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolase were measured in tissues of horses with severe combined immunodeficiency. No decrease in activity of the enzyme was detected. 2. 2. The activity in erythrocytes was 14.2 ± 9.2 nmol AdoHcy formed/min/g hemoglobin and in fibroblasts it was 28.0 ± 7.9 nmol AdoHcy formed/min/108 cells. 3. 3. Km values were obtained for hemolysates (0.77 μM) and for fibroblast lysates (0.59 μM). 4. 4. Effects of 2′-deoxyadenosine on enzyme inactivation were studied.
A cognitive model of suicidal behavior: Theory and treatment

With some prominent exceptions, much of the research designed to elucidate the nature, prevalence, and correlates of suicidal behavior has been conducted from an atheoretical perspective. Conversely, psychological theories to explain suicidal behavior are largely untested by rigorous experimental designs. We propose a cognitive model of suicidal behavior that is grounded in the empirical literature on cognitive and behavioral correlates of and risk factors for suicidal behavior. In addition, we demonstrate the manner in which the theoretical components are targeted in cognitive therapy for suicidal patients. We highlight aspects of the model with less empirical support, and we propose ways those constructs can be tested in future research.
Patterns of gene duplication and intron loss in the ENCODE regions suggest a confounding factor.

The exon–intron structure of eukaryotic genes allows for phenomena such as alternative splicing, nonsense-mediated decay, and regulation through untranslated regions. However, the evolution of the exon structure of genes is not well elucidated because of limited and phylogenetically sparse data sets. In this study, we use the phylogenetically diverse sequencing of the ENCODE regions to study gene structure evolution in mammalian genomes. This first phylogenetically diverse study of gene structure changes offers insights into the mode and tempo of mammalian gene structure evolution. The genes undergoing structure changes appear to be moderately to highly expressed in germline cells and show levels of selection similar to those of other ENCODE genes. Patterns of gene duplication of the affected genes are more complex than expected. The number of sampled genomes is sufficiently dense to infer that certain gene duplications happened after intron loss. Thus, although gene duplication is highly correlated with intron loss, we conclude that structural changes in genes are not necessarily due to a loss of constraint following gene duplication as previously suggested.
On the Use of Students for Developing Engineering Laboratories

This paper describes a unique and innovative approach that solved the dual problem of starting up a new engineering instructional laboratory in a timely manner, and for teaching engineering students advanced skills in Automatic Data Collection. Students enrolled in a special pilot course were used to develop and startup an Automatic Data Collection laboratory. These students were assigned individual Automatic Data Collection technologies of interest and given total responsibility for the successful startup of the laboratory. The organization and structure of the course modeled the typical team oriented project development efforts in industry. Feedback from students showed the course to be better than a typical lecture/laboratory/demonstration type course in the following ways: 1) students believed they had greater amount of contact with equipment; 2) their experience on the project was more realistic than more traditional courses; 3) they believed they gained a more thorough understanding of the technology under study; and 4) they believed they improved their professional skills making them more marketable to potential employers. With respect to the laboratory itself, startup time was reduced from an estimated 18 months to 14 weeks with the help of the student teams.
The foundations of Quantum Field Theory

Since its inception, Quantum Field Theory has been confronted by the occurrence of infinite quantities. In the process of computing finite and experimentally observable quantities, for example the Lamb shift, one encounters infinite quantities in the form of divergent integrals. These divergent integrals are removed and a finite answer is obtained by the process of adjusting a few parameters in the equations of motion (mass, charge, vacuum energy). It is disconcerting, however, that the adjusted parameters (the bare mass, etc.) are themselves infinite. Thus the equations of motion contain terms with infinite coefficients and they might appear to lie outside of the domain of conventional mathematics. The central objects of the theory, for example the Hamiltonian or total energy operator, H, and S, the scattering operator, are not well defined in a rigorous mathematical sense. Through the use of formal reasoning, primarily power series manipulation, one can define H and S. While theLe definitions are not rigorous (the power series presumably diverge), they provide a basis for numerical calculation. If e is the charge on the electron, we write H = H(e) and S = S(e), and we expect that H and S, once they are rigorously defined, will be C” but not analytic functions of e for 0 < e. The formal calculations determine the Taylor series of
Effect of interrupted nursing on lactation in rats.

SummaryInterruption of suckling in rats for a single period of up to 12 hr in the immediate postpartum period or on day 10 of lactation had no significant effect on subsequent litter weights or mammary nucleic acid content. Interruption for 24 hr in both early and midlactation reduced litter weights and mammary gland RNA content but had no significant effect on weight of anterior pituitary, adrenal, or mammary gland DNA content. The results suggest that the effect of interrupted nursing is to reduce mammary gland metabolic activity without altering cell number and furthermore, that the effect probably occurs locally within the mammary gland.
Intermittent Nature of Subsonic Jet Noise

Following on previous works showing that far-field jet noise has significant intermittent aspects, the present work assumes that these intermittent events are the dominant feature of jet noise. A definition and method of detection for intermittent noise events is devised and implemented. Using a large experimental database of acoustically subsonic jets with different jet acoustic Mach numbers (Ma=0.5–0.9), nozzle diameters (D=2.54, 5.08, and 7.62 cm), and jet exit temperature ratios (0.84–2.70), these events are extracted from the far-field noise signals measured in the anechoic chamber of the NASA Glenn Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory. It is shown that a signal containing only these intermittent events retains all of the important aspects of the acoustic spectrum for jet noise radiating to aft angles, validating the assumption that intermittent events are the dominant feature of aft angle jet noise. Statistical analysis of the characteristics of these noise events reveals that these events can be des...
The Vibrational Spectra and Normal Coordinate Analysis of Semiconducting Y2BaCuO5

Abstract Both infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectra have been measured for the green semiconducting Y2BaCuO5 (2:1:1) in the Y-Ba-Cu-O system. Factor group analysis and normal-coordinate-analysis calculations have been conducted for this phase in order to determine the symmetries, the wavenumber locations and the eigenvector nature of its first-order modes of vibration along with the appropriate set of modified GVF force constants. The predicted vibrational spectral results are in good agreement with the experimentally observed FTIR and Raman spectral data. The generated force constants are interpreted along with those for related phases on the basis of structure.