cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Value Assessment of Private Sector and E-government Services in the Production of a Non-label Affiliated Jazz Album

Technological advances, market shifts in the recording industry, and aesthetic elements have converged to make recording and releasing a self-produced album financially feasible for the independent jazz musician. A critical step in the process of completing such a project involves the utilization of one ore more e-government services offered by the U.S. Copyright Office and the Library of Congress. This observational value assessment compares and contrasts these services with similar and related e-services in the private sector.
Artifact Classification: A Conceptual and Methodological Approach

Archaeologists have been developing artifact typologies to understand cultural categories for as long as the discipline has existed. Dwight Read examines these attempts to systematize the cultural domains in premodern societies through a historical study of pottery typologies. He then offers a methodology for producing classifications that are both salient to the cultural groups that produced them and relevant for establishing cultural categories and timelines for the archaeologist attempting to understand the relationship between material culture and ideational culture of ancient societies. This volume is valuable to upper level students and professional archaeologists across the discipline.
Side-Stream Cigarette Smoke Induces Dose–Response in Systemic Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Oxidative Stress

Side-stream cigarette smoke (SSCS), a major component of secondhand smoke, induces reactive oxygen species, which promote oxidative damage in tissues and organs. Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and heart failure. The present 4-month study examined the effect of various chronic SSCS exposure levels on splenic inflammatory cytokine secretion, heart contractile function, and pathology at 60- and 120-min per day, 5 days per week, for a total of 16 weeks. Tissue vitamin E level and lipid peroxide production also were tested to estimate the oxidative stress. The study found that the pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-1beta, significantly increased in 120-min SSCS-exposed mice. Decreased stroke volume and increased peripheral arterial resistance were observed in mice exposed to 120-min SSCS per day. Heart pathology was only found in 120-min SSCS-exposed mice. Cardiac and hepatic antioxidant vitamin E levels were decreased as a result of oxidative stress. Hepatic lipid peroxides were increased upon 60-min SSCS exposure. The data also demonstrated that the cardiac alpha-tocopherol level has a strong correlation with stroke volume; splenic IL-1beta has a strong negative correlation with stroke volume; splenic TNF-alpha has a very strong negative correlation with stroke volume. In conclusion, SSCS exposure induced systemic inflammatory responses. SSCS exposure also accentuated systemic lipid peroxidation with depletion of cardiac and hepatic antioxidant vitamin E level. Finally, SSCS exposure at 120 min per day decreased stroke volume and increased vascular resistance. Systemic IL-1beta and TNF-alpha production are responsible for heart contractile dysfunction. Free radicals may be responsible for the progression to heart contractile dysfunction induced, in part, by SSCS. Oxidized lipoprotein could contribute to the vascular functional changes. Exploring the mechanism of vascular dysfunction in mice is warranted. A more precise quantification of the smoking exposure dose in mice needs to be determined as well.
Partial characterization of endothelial FGF receptor functional domain by monoclonal antibody VBS-1.

Polypeptide growth factors mediate their cellular responses by binding to and activating specific cell surface receptors. Monoclonal antibody (MAb) VBS-1, produced against native fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR-1), inhibited the binding of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) to its receptor on coronary venular endothelial cells (CVECs) as determined by 125I-FGF-2 Scatchard analysis and [3H]thymidine uptake assays (ED50 = 80 ng/mL). Enzyme studies demonstrated that MAb VBS-1 binds to a protein epitope. Proteolytic mapping of the CVEC-FGFR established that a 52 kDa doublet contained the FGF binding site and the MAb VBS-1 antigenic epitope. N-glycanase digestion suggested the presence of a 50 kDa core protein for the CVEC-FGFR. Tunicamycin treatment resulted in the loss of expression of the core protein and the mature receptor, indicating the importance of CVEC-FGFR n-linked glycosylation. By Northern blot analysis, it was determined that CVECs express fgfr-1 and not fgfr-2. VBS-1 recognized FGFR-1 ...
Design of a diagnosable and fault-tolerant input/output controller

The paper describes the design of a diagnosable and fault tolerant input/output controller. The approach used is to follow an initial design effort by a detailed analysis of the organization of the system and its environment. Based on this analysis, modifications are made on the system and its environment to get the desired performance.For the interface controller under consideration, it is seen that its diagnosability and fault-tolerance can be improved significantly by introducing a minor amount of redundancy into the system. The environment which in this case is predominantly a CPU or a channel is modified only to the extent that a nominal amount of software is added and the existing software modified.The overall effect of these modifications results in a system which achieves the reliability comparable to that of duplication but for a redundancy of approximately 30 percent.
5-Bromodeoxyuridine inhibition of differentiation. Kinetics of inhibition and reversal in myoblasts.

Abstract This paper describes experiments on the kinetics of inhibition of muscle differentiation in vitro in the presence of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) and the recovery phenomena that occur when such inhibited cells are permitted growth in normal medium. The studies consist of a quantitation of cell fusion in the presence of the analog and during recovery in its absence coupled with simultaneous studies on changes in buoyant density of cellular DNA. We find that if myoblasts are exposed to BrdUrd during the last doubling before cell fusion would normally occur, most cells do not differentiate, but as many as 18% of the cells can fuse in spite of the incorporation of BrdUrd into their nuclei. These nuclei contain approximately the amount of BrdUrd expected for a full round of DNA synthesis. Studies on the rate of recovery of inhibition of cell fusion following one generation in BrdUrd reveal that after one doubling of inhibited cells in the presence of normal medium. fusion reaches about 50% of the control value; after two doublings it reaches 75% of control value; and after 2.5 doublings of reversal, recovery is essentially complete. We find that both the degree of inhibition after approximately one round of BrdUrd incorporation and the rate of cell differentiation after two generations of reversal are consistent with a model which assumes that BrdUrd “sensitivity” resides on single pair of chromosomes and that inhibition occurs in a dominant fashion if approximately 30% or more of the thymidine is replaced by BrdUrd in the readout strand of either chromosome.
Lessons Learned From the Use of the Laser Doppler Velocimeter and the Particle Image Velocimeter for Water Flow Bounded by a Layer of Oil

The objectives of this paper are to describe the learning of the use of the Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) as well as the Particle Image Velocimeter (PIV), including the fine points in their usage for instructional purposes. The application is to measure the velocity distribution across a flow of water bounded by a layer of oil using lasers. The characteristics at the oil-water interface are very interesting. It would be significant to measure the velocity distributions around this region. Such a scenario occurs during oil spills and spills of oily chemical pollutants in the sea or open ocean. The LDV is a well established method for measuring both laminar and turbulent flows. In this method, tracer particles are used to assist in measuring velocity profiles. This method was pushed to the limit by measuring the velocity boundary layer in the open channel flow. The average free-stream velocity is measured by other conventional means as a check on the LDV measurements. The PIV method is an optical method used to obtain instantaneous velocity measurements and related properties in fluids. The fluid is seeded with tracer particles and it is the motion of these seeded particles that is used to calculate the velocity information of the flow being studied. The PIV produces two dimensional vector fields. The simple PIV system was pushed to the limit by using it to measure the velocities in the oil-water interface of an open channel flow bounded by oil on the surface. The major difference between the LDV and the PIV is that the LDV measurements are done at a point, whereas the PIV measures the velocity of a region. Furthermore, PIV produces two dimensional vector fields while the LDV produces only a velocity measurement.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A Self-consistent Model for the Resonant Heating of Coronal Loops: The Effects of Coupling with the Chromosphere

We present the first model of resonant heating of coronal loops that incorporates the dependence of the loop density on the heating rate. By adopting the quasi-static equilibrium scaling law ρ ∝ Q5/7, where ρ is the density and Q is the volumetric heating rate, we are able to approximate the well-known phenomena of chromospheric evaporation and chromospheric condensation, which regulate the coronal density. We combine this scaling law with a quasi-nonlinear MHD model for the resonant absorption of Alfven waves in order to study the spatial and temporal dependence of the heating. We find that the heating is concentrated in multiple resonance layers, rather than in the single layer of previous models, and that these layers drift throughout the loop to heat the entire volume. These newfound properties are in much better agreement with coronal observations.
Derivation of a physical map of chloroplast DNA from Nicotiana tabacum by two-dimensional gel and computer-aided restriction analysis

A combined approach was used to derive a detailed physical map of Nicotiana tabacum chloroplast DNA for the restriction enzymes SalI, SmaI, KpnI, and BamHI. Complete maps for the restriction enzymes SalI, SmaI, and KpnI were derived by using two-dimensional agarose gel analysis of fragments obtained by reciprocal double digestion of chloroplast DNA. We have characterized a complete cloned library of N. tabacum chloroplast DNA which contains overlapping restriction fragments resulting from partial digestion by BamHI. With these clones and existing data, we used a novel computer-aided analysis to derive a detailed map for the enzyme BamHI. A comparison and compilation of all published N. tabacum chloroplast DNA restriction maps is presented. Differences between ours and a previously published SmaI and BamHI restriction map are discussed.
Fibromuscular dysplasia of the superior mesenteric artery and coexisting cerebral berry aneurysms.

Fibromuscular dysplasia of the systemic artery and cerebral "berry" (sac cular) aneurysm are nonatheromatous lesions of uncertain etiology. The coexistence of these vascular disorders in the individual reported here is unusual and may provide a possible explanation of their pathogenesis.
Measurement of cloud integrated backscattering coefficient with a nephelometer

We describe the application of a nephelometer to in-situ, real-time measurement of the integrated backscattering coefficient σbs of cloud drops. For thin and moderately thick clouds, this quantity is related to the cloud albedo A, for 0° zenith solar radiation, through the relation A=σbsL, where L is the geometric cloud thickness. The instrument was used in a field experiment on El Yunque peak in Puerto Rico. The measured σbs values are in agreement with results of Mie theory calculations, using independently measured cloud drop concentration and size distribution.
Biomarkers of response and resistance to antiangiogenic therapy.

No validated biomarkers currently exist for appropriately selecting cancer patients for antiangiogenic therapy. A number of potential systemic, circulating, tissue and imaging biomarkers have emerged as suitable candidate biomarkers, but all require prospective validation. The authors discuss the current challenges in establishing biomarkers, the advantages and disadvantages of systemic, circulating, tissue and imaging biomarkers, and the future opportunities for validating biomarkers of antiangiogenic therapy. No validated biological markers (or biomarkers) currently exist for appropriately selecting patients with cancer for antiangiogenic therapy. Nor are there biomarkers identifying escape pathways that should be targeted after tumors develop resistance to a given antiangiogenic agent. A number of potential systemic, circulating, tissue and imaging biomarkers have emerged from recently completed phase I–III studies. Some of these are measured at baseline (for example VEGF polymorphisms), others are measured during treatment (such as hypertension, MRI-measured Ktrans, circulating angiogenic molecules or collagen IV), and all are mechanistically based. Some of these biomarkers might be pharmacodynamic (for example, increase in circulating VEGF, placental growth factor) while others have potential for predicting clinical benefit or identifying the escape pathways (for example, stromal-cell-derived factor 1α, interleukin-6). Most biomarkers are disease and/or agent specific and all of them need to be validated prospectively. We discuss the current challenges in establishing biomarkers of antiangiogenic therapy, define systemic, circulating, tissue and imaging biomarkers and their advantages and disadvantages, and comment on the future opportunities for validating biomarkers of antiangiogenic therapy.
Decision making under epistemic uncertainty for a complex mechanical system.

This paper explores various frameworks to quantify and propagate sources of epistemic and aleatoric uncertainty within the context of decision making for assessing system performance relative to design margins of a complex mechanical system. If sufficient data is available for characterizing aleatoric-type uncertainties, probabilistic methods are commonly used for computing response distribution statistics based on input probability distribution specifications. Conversely, for epistemic uncertainties, data is generally too sparse to support objective probabilistic input descriptions, leading to either subjective probabilistic descriptions (e.g., assumed priors in Bayesian analysis) or non-probabilistic methods based on interval specifications. Among the techniques examined in this work are (1) Interval analysis, (2) Dempster-Shafer Theory of Evidence, (3) a second-order probability (SOP) analysis in which the aleatory and epistemic variables are treated separately, and a nested iteration is performed, typically sampling epistemic variables on the outer loop, then sampling over aleatory variables on the inner loop and (4) a Bayesian approach where plausible prior distributions describing the epistemic variable are created and updated using available experimental data. This paper compares the results and the information provided by different methods to enable decision making in the context of performance assessment when epistemic uncertainty is considered.
Neurobehavioral phenotype of Klinefelter syndrome.

A defined genetic syndrome with neurobehavioral components offers an unusual paradigm for the correlation of genetic defects with neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The power of the combination of detailed behavioral, neuroanatomical, and genetic studies has been demonstrated in studies of other conditions involving the sex chromosomes, such as Fragile X syndrome (Mazzocco [2000] Ment Retard Develop Disabil Res Rev. 6:96-106) and Turner syndrome (Ross [2000] Ment Retard Develop Disabil Res Rev. 6:135-141). Although the behavioral and neurologic difficulties that have been identified in Klinefelter syndrome (KS) are in most cases milder than the consequences of many other genetic syndromes, the deficits in KS cause significant morbidity, representing a more common, but poorly understood, subtype of those with learning disabilities. Both as children and as adults, KS subjects appear to offer a powerful genetic model for the study of language and language-based learning disabilities. Although it has been proposed that the language-based learning difficulties of KS boys are similar to those of nonaneuploidic dyslexics [Bender et al., 1986; Geschwind et al., 1998], this is not yet well established. The co-morbid frontal-executive dysfunction observed in KS is also a likely contributor to learning difficulties and, perhaps, social cognition, in many KS patients. It is also proposed that altered left-hemisphere functioning, whether causing, or due to, altered functional and anatomical cerebral dominance, is at the core of KS subjects' language problems. Although X chromosomal loci can provide only part of the picture, the study of KS subjects, a population with a relatively homogeneous etiology for dyslexia/dysphasia and frontal-executive dysfunction, offers many advantages over such a study in the general population, in which both dyslexia and attentional disorders are quite genetically heterogeneous [Decker and Bender, 1988; Pennington, 1990; Grigorenko et al., 1997; Geschwind et al., 1998]. Furthermore, the interaction of genetic factors and hormonal influences in the cognitive phenotypes described remains an unexplored area for future investigation. MRDD Research Reviews 2000;6:117-124.
Physiological and digestive effects of Neotyphodium coenophialum-infected tall fescue fed to lambs.

The digestive responses and degradation of ergovaline and production of lysergic acid in the rumen of sheep offered Neotyphodium coenophialum-infected tall fescue straw at 2 ergovaline levels were investigated. Six crossbred wethers (56 +/- 3.0 kg of BW) were used in a randomized crossover design involving 2 treatments, for a total of 6 observations per treatment. The experiment consisted of two 28-d feeding periods with a 14-d washout period between them. The treatments were 1) tall fescue straw containing 0.10). Digestion of DM, ADF, and CP was not different between treatments (P > 0.10). Daily water intake was less for the E+ diet (2.95 vs. 2.77 L/d; P 0.10). In the E+ treatment, ergovaline was not detectable in the urine, whereas the concentration in the feces was 0.480 mg/kg. Lysergic acid was detected in the diet of the E+ treatment at 0.041 g/kg, lysergic acid in the urine was 0.067 mg/kg and in the feces was 0.102 mg/kg. The apparent digestibility of the alkaloids was 64.2% for ergovaline and -12.5% for lysergic acid. Approximately 35% of dietary ergovaline and 248% of dietary lysergic acid were recovered in the feces and urine. The appearance of lysergic acid in the feces, urine, and ruminal fluid is likely due to microbial degradation of ergovaline in the rumen and further breakdown in the lower digestive tract.
The effects of an atherogenic diet on macrophage/biomaterial interactions

We previously reported that biomaterials differentially induced macrophages to secrete growth factors that mediate reendothelialization. The present study evaluates the effect of an atherogenic diet on macrophage/biomaterial interactions. Female New Zealand white rabbits were fed an atherogenic diet. Peritoneal macrophages were harvested from these as well as rabbits fed a normal diet and cultured in Minimum Essential Medium with platelet-poor serum. Dacron or polyglactin 910 were added to two of three conditions of both cell groups in passage 2. Conditioned media were collected weekly through week 15. Mitogenicity assays were performed with quiescent mouse embryonal (BALB/c3T3) fibroblasts, atherosclerotic rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells, and murine capillary lung (LE-II) endothelial cells. Mitogenic activity was assayed by scintillation counting of tritiated thymidine incorporation into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Results showed increased mitogenic activity released by macrophages from atherosclerotic rabbits, in the absence of prosthetic material, when assayed against every cell line. In normal diet macrophages, polyglactin 910 stimulated mitogen release for every cell line, and Dacron yielded minimal mitogen release. In lipid diet macrophages polyglactin 910 slightly increased mitogen release for all three cell lines, whereas Dacron resulted in stimulation of DNA synthesis in smooth muscle cells and BALB/c3T3 cells but less DNA synthesis in LE-II cells than in control, no graft material, media. Western blotting demonstrated immunoreactivity to basic fibroblast growth factor in media from normal diet macrophages but only in the presence of polyglactin 910 or Dacron. Radioimmunoassay for platelet-derived growth factor B chain was negative in all groups, and polymerase chain reaction techniques to amplify transforming growth factor-beta messenger ribonucleic was negative. These data demonstrate the effect of in vivo dietary manipulation on macrophage activation as well as the effect of an atherogenic diet in modulating macrophage/biomaterial interactions. Additionally, different biomaterials differentially induce macrophages to release factors that stimulate and inhibit growth.
Metallic glass formation reactions and interfaces

With the discovery of a number of new classes of bulk glass forming alloys that can achieve full vitrification in sizes of the order of millimeters to centimeters, there is a need to identify methods for the fabrication and joining of components. From the thermodynamics and kinetics of glass formation it is known that processing either to yield the suppression of crystal nucleation or crystal growth inhibition can yield amorphous alloys. In the latter case, usually rapid melt quenching is required and this results in thin ribbons or powders. For the bulk glass forming alloys, the kinetics are represented by suppressed nucleation so that cooling rates as low as 1 K/s may be sufficient to achieve glass formation. While the cooling rate and associated undercooling required for glass formation are largely estimated from calculation, they can be accurately monitored by using a wedge casting method which moreover allows for the identification and documentation of the kinetic competition that occurs at the onset of glass formation. Because of the high stability of bulk glass forming alloys, a clear glass transition signal and a region of undercooled liquid are characteristic features. Within this region liquid state joining operations may be performed to fabricate various bulk amorphous alloy components. In an alternate approach, joining may be accomplished by deformation flow in metallic glasses to achieve solid-state bonding. In this case, interface reactions between the amorphous layer and adjacent crystalline layers are important as well as the development of mixing at the joint interfaces where the high viscosity of the undercooled liquid inhibits crystallization from the adjoining crystalline surfaces. These developments represent promising opportunities for metallic glass alloys in joining applications.
Nutrient Leaching from Corn Residues under Simulated Rainfall

Crop residues left on the soil surface after harvest are effective in reducing erosion; however, when subjected to rainfall-leaching, the residues are a significant source of soluble nutrients to agricultural runoff. Nutrient leaching from crop residues as a function of rainfall intensity, and residue loading rate, was studied in a series of laboratory experiments under controlled conditions. Using a multiple-intensity rainfall simulator corn (Zea mays L.) stover placed on a nylon screen at an equivalent field loading rate of 10 t ha -1 , was subjected to simulated rainfall at intensities of 6, 12, 25, 51, and 99 mm h -1 . In another series of experiments, simulated rainfall was applied at 25 mm h -1 to four stover loading rates of 5, 7, 10, and 15 t ha -1 . In both experiments, leachate was sampled as a function of time and analyzed for PO 4 -P, NH 4 -N, NO 3 -N, and total organic carbon (TOC). Nutrient concentrations and losses were generally greater at the lower rainfall intensities and higher stover loading rates. In each study, nutrient concentrations decreased hyperbolically with either time or cumulative leachate volume. For all loading rates and rainfall intensities, nutrient amounts (kg ha - 1 ) leached from the stover followed the order C »N = P; however, the amounts of N as (NH 4 -N + NO 3 -N) or C leached were ≤1.5% of total nutrient in residue compared with 2.8 to 6.0% of total nutrient in residue for P. Stover exposed to field conditions over time showed leaching kinetics similar to freshly collected residues.
Managing grapevines to optimise fruit development in a challenging environment: a climate change primer for viticulturists

Grapevine reproductive development extends over two seasons, and the genotypic expression of yield potential and fruit composition is subject to environmental impacts, which include viticultural manipulations, throughout this period. This paper reviews current knowledge on yield formation and fruit composition and attempts to identify challenges, opportunities and priorities for research and practice. The present analysis of published information gives a critical appraisal of recent advances concerning variables, especially as they relate to global climate change, that influence yield formation and fruit composition at harvest. Exciting discoveries in fundamental research on the one hand and an increasing focus on outcomes and knowledge transfer on the other are enabling the development and implementation of practical recommendations that will impact grape production in the future. Future research should aim to minimise seasonal variation and optimise the profitable and sustainable production of high-quality fruit for specific uses in the face of climate change, water and labour shortages, shifting consumer preferences and global competition. Better control of product quantity and quality, and differentiation to meet consumer demands and market preferences will enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the global grape and wine industries.
Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Resistance Training on Stage I and II Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Abstract Background: Lack of physical activity has been noted in breast cancer survivors and been attributed to decreased physical function. Purpose: This study assessed the effects of a moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise program on body fat percentage, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), body mass index, and bone mineral density (BMD) of breast cancer survivors. Methods: Eleven stage I and II breast cancer patients, 40-65 years old, were recruited to assess VO2 max, BMD, weight, and percentage of body fat before and after an 8-week exercise (aerobic and resistance training) intervention. Results: Supervised exercise signifcantly improved aerobic capacity (+4.227 ml/kg/min; P=0.004) and increased, though not signifcantly, bone mass densities of hip (+0.433 SD units; P=0.061) and spine (+0.224 SD units; P=0.350). No significant changes were observed for body mass index (+0.0196 kg/m2; P=0.927) or body fat percentage (-0.737%; P=0.639). Discussion: Understanding how breast cancer survivors tolerate an...
Selecting Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer: What Role Does HER-2/neu Status Play?

Most women with breast cancer that overexpresses either estrogen (ER+) or progesterone receptors (PR+) will be treated with an endocrine agent. Although ER and PR are the only validated predictive markers of response to hormonal therapy, many women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) tumors will fail to respond to endocrine treatment or develop hormone resistant disease. Another tumor marker, HER-2/neu, is an oncogene whose amplification or protein overexpression predicts response to a monoclonal antibody targeting HER-2/neu, as well as to anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Preclinical and some clinical data suggest that HER-2/neu positivity may also predict for relative resistance to endocrine therapy. Interpretation of clinical data addressing this issue is confounded by largely retrospective study designs and considerable heterogeneity in patient populations and methods of marker detection and interpretation. At this writing, HER-2/neu expression should not influence the decision to use endocrine therapy.
A Probable Endocrine Basis for the Depression of Ketone Bodies during Infectious or Inflammatory State in Rats

The effects of infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae, Francisella tularensis, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus as well as inflammatory stress induced by the administration of turpentine and endotoxin on plasma ketone bodies and insulin were studied in white rats. All of the infectious/inflammatory stresses caused a significant decrease in the ketonemia of fasting and an elevation of plasma insulin. When a pneumococcal infection was initiated in a diabetic rat, inhibition of fasting ketonemia did not occur. Similarly, pneumococcal infection in the hypophysectomized rat did not result in a noticeable depression of either fasting ketonemia or plasma FFA. The increase in circulating insulin appears to be closely correlated with the inhibition of fasting ketonemia noted in the infectious/inflammatory stress.
DNA repair synthesis and chromosomal aberrations induced in vivo by triethylenemelamine

Abstract The alkylating agent, triethylenemelamine (TEM), was studied for its ability to induce unscheduled DNA (repair) synthesis (UDS) in vivo in rat lymphocytes. Somatic cytogenetic alterations were analyzed (in bone marrow) and compared with UDS as a function of TEM dosage. UDS was evaluated through the use of autoradiography; cytogenetic alterations were studied in metaphase bone marrow chromosome preparations. Data indicated that the degree of UDS is a direct function of TEM dosage up to a rate-limiting concentration, at which point it ceases to be dose dependent. Except for a deviation at the highest dose level tested, the extent of cytogenetic damage was directly and linearly related to TEM dose. Between the control and intermediate (0.2 mg/kg) dose levels, UDS response increased II-fold while cytogenetic damage showed only a 4-fold increase; this disparity diminished with increasing TEM dose. In the lower dose levels, therefore, the greater relative sensitivity of UDS evaluation in the detection of genetic activity may be indicated. Patterns of UDS response observed through the in vivo assay developed in this study were found to be analogous to those established in in vitro studies.
Fluoxetine alters behavioral consistency of aggression and courtship in male Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens

The detrimental effects of steroid-mimics are well known but investigations on non-steroid pharmaceuticals are less common. In addition, most behavioral studies do not examine the effects at multiple time points. This study examined the effects of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, on behavior when male Siamese fighting fish encounter female and male dummy conspecifics simultaneously. Thus, how chemical exposure impacts behavioral consistency and whether individuals differ in their sensitivity to exposure was assessed. Overall aggression was reduced after fluoxetine administration while courtship was unaffected. Fluoxetine affected behavioral consistency towards both the male and female, with individuals behaving less consistently to the male and more consistently to the female. In addition, males appeared to differ in their sensitivity to fluoxetine exposure as not all males reduced their aggression after administration. This has important implications for studying the effects of unintended pharmaceutical exposure. Exposure may have evolutionary implications as it may influence both territorial defense and mating success. In sum, these findings demonstrate that pharmaceutical exposure may alter more than just overall level of behavior and stress the importance of examining the effects of exposure on an individual level.
Epitaxial crystallization of polyethylene

Abstract Thin epitaxial layers of polyethylene, formed on the surface of alkali halide crystals by isothermal solution crystallization, were studied via electron microscopy and electron diffraction as a function of molecular weight, solution concentration, and degree of supercooling. Growth of the monoclinic form of polyethylene was found to increasingly predominate over the usual orthorhombic form as the thickness of the deposit decreased in the case of epitaxy on NaCl. This phenomenon was postulated to have occurred because of a favorable packing scheme for interfacial monoclinic layers and interactions between the polymer and the specific Van der Waals forces of the surface. Although this pseudomorphic growth pattern was relatively independent of molecular weight, initial growth rate perpendicular to the surface had a large molecular weight dependence. Concentration and degree of supercooling also were observed to have significant effects on growth rate. Lattice match between polymer crystallite and al...
From Program Comprehension to People Comprehension

Large-scale software engineering requires many teams to collaborate together to create software products. The problems these teams suffer trying to coordinate their joint work can be addressed through tools inspired by social networking. Social networking tools help people to more easily discover and more efficiently maintain relationships than is feasible using one-to-one or face-to-face interactions. Applying these ideas to the software domain requires new kinds and combinations of software program and process analyses that overcome intrinsic limitations in the accuracy of the underlying data sources and the ambiguity inherent in human relationships.
Support for Growth Centers The Case of Rural Northwest Wisconsin

Recent policy for regional economic development in the U.S. has taken shape around a growth-center concept. The success of any policy aimed at regional economic development is at least partially contingent on support from the rural-hinterland people who are both the policy's target and its ultimate vehicle of implementation. The failure of a target population to cooperate with and participate in programs designed to realize policy objectives may lead to a policy's doom. Knowledge of the attitudes towards a growth-centers policy of people who have experienced or will experience the policy's impact helps assess the prospects for the policy's success. This present article examines patterns of opposition to and support for growth centers among a target population for the policy and notes the implications for regional development policy in general.
Elimination of amino acid losses with protein acid hydrolyzates due to adsorption

Abstract Acid hydrolyzates are normally evaporated to dryness under vacuum before being dissolved with buffer for amino acid analysis. The present study has shown that this step is involved with unsuspected error due to amino acid losses through adsorption on the glass surface of hydrolysis tubes. An explanation of the adsorption phenomenon is described and simple solutions for eliminating the error are given.
Periodontitis and diabetes associations with measures of atherosclerosis and CHD

Abstract Objective Diabetes has been linked with more severe periodontal disease and with coronary heart disease (CHD). The purpose of this study was to determine if periodontal infection was a significant modifier in the risk that diabetes poses for increased carotid artery intimal–medial wall thickness (IMT) and more advanced atheroma lesions as reflected in atherosclerotic plaque calcification measured by acoustic shadowing. Methods and results Comparisons for analyses of cardiovascular outcomes were performed based upon periodontitis and diabetes status. Periodontitis was measured using pocket depth and attachment loss at six sites per tooth. Cross-sectional data on 6048 persons aged 52–74 years were obtained from the Dental Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Participants without diabetes ( n =5257) were compared to those with diabetes ( n =791). Dependent variables were thick IMT (>1mm), presence of acoustic shadowing, and prevalent CHD. All models were adjusted for the following covariates: gender, age, race/center, LDL and HDL cholesterol, BMI, triglycerides, hypertension, smoking, income and education. For multivariate model building, all non-normally distributed variables were transformed and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between periodontal infection, diabetes, and cardiovascular outcomes. Individuals with diabetes and with severe periodontitis were found to be significantly more likely to have IMT>1mm [OR=2.2, (1.4–3.5)], acoustic shadowing [OR=2.5, (1.3–4.6)], and CHD [OR=2.6, (1.6–4.2)] compared to those without diabetes or periodontal disease. Conclusion Results from this study suggest that among people with diabetes, periodontal disease may increase the likelihood of subclinical atherosclerotic heart disease and CHD.
Investigation of the infection process of macrophomina phaseolina on the surface of soybean roots using scanning electron microscopy

Sclerotial germination, hyphal growth pattern, and appressorial formation of the charcoal rot fungus, Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. on the surface of soybean roots, Glycine max (L.) Merrill was observed using scanning electron microscopy. Sclerotial germination is followed by a hyphal growth pattern which does not appear to be associated with any specific structural feature on the corrugated root surface. Appressoria are produced on the root surface at the tips of both primary hyphae and side branches within three days after inoculation.
Substance and Symbolism: Race, Ethnicity, and Campaign Appeals in the United States

Using data from the 2002 Wisconsin Advertising Project and a Democratic direct mailing firm, we ask if candidates publicly court African American and Hispanic voters through the inclusion of these groups in their campaign advertisements or through appeals to their substantive policy interests. We find evidence that Democratic and Republican candidates make symbolic and substantive appeals only when these appeals are very unlikely to be viewed by White voters. These findings lend credence to studies that conclude that candidates are hesitant to publicly court minority voters due to concerns that such activities may harm their existing electoral coalitions, particularly their standing with White voters.
Validity of the ACT Assessment as an Indicator of Reading Ability

The purpose of this research was to explore the validity of ACT Assessment test results as indi cators of reading skill. This was considered impor tant because of the large and growing number of postsecondary institutions using open admission policies and admitting students with a wide range of reading ability. If ACT scores were found to be predictive of reading performance, ACT data could be used to identify those students who might profit from remedial reading training. Various test score combinations were used to predict students' per formance on numerous reading tests at a large number of postsecondary institutions. These studies indicated a high level of predictive accuracy.
Neutral wind and plasma drift effects on low and middle latitude total electron content

[1] A physics-based numerical ionosphere/plasmasphere model (IPM) was used to study the effects of daytime neutral wind and electric field perturbations on the subsequent evolution of the afternoon and postsunset total electron content (TEC) during vernal equinox conditions. The model solves the transport equations for six ions on convecting flux tubes that realistically follow the geomagnetic field. The IPM covers geomagnetic latitudes from about 60°N to 60°S and equatorial crossing altitudes from 90 to 30,000 km. Two of the input parameters required by the IPM are the thermospheric neutral wind and the low-latitude electric field, which can be provided by existing empirical models or externally specified. To study effects of the neutral winds and the electric fields on TEC, these two model inputs were externally modified, and the resulting TEC variations were compared. Neutral wind and electric field modifications were introduced at three different local times in order to investigate the effect of different perturbation times on the evolution of TEC. Three longitudes (78°E, 273°E, and 318°E) were considered, and the results correspond to conditions of medium solar activity and low geomagnetic activity. The largest TEC changes were found predominantly in the equatorial anomaly, and a significant longitudinal dependence was observed. The simulation results indicate that TEC variations at 2100 LT vary nonlinearly at low latitudes and linearly at middle latitudes with the elapsed time after the imposed perturbations. An important outcome of this study is that daytime neutral wind and/or electric field modifications can lead to essentially identical TEC changes at 2100 LT.
The Internet - a catalyst for change

Abstract Hype and hyperbole about the Internet and its impact (or lack of impact) are widespread and many authors have felt compelled to add their favorite metaphor to make a salient point. As there is always room for one more, it is suggested that the Internet can be characterized as a catalyst for change. The expectation for change is probably the one constant that should be anticipated if one decides to use the Internet as one tool for the construction of learning environments.
Using the Multimodal Communication Screening Test for Persons with Aphasia (MCST‐A) to guide the selection of alternative communication strategies for people with aphasia

Background: People with severe communication problems associated with aphasia and concomitant apraxia of speech are often unable to meet their daily communication needs through speech alone. For these people, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies may offer opportunities for improved communication effectiveness. However, it can be challenging to determine if individuals can learn to use alternative communication strategies independently or if they will require assistance from conversational partners to participate in meaningful communication interactions. Aims: The authors developed an assessment tool, the Multimodal Communication Screening Task for Persons with Aphasia (MCST‐A; Garrett & Lasker, 2005b), to help clinicians differentiate those individuals who would benefit most from partner‐dependent communication strategies (e.g., written choice conversation, partner‐presented symbol choices, tagged yes/no questions) and those who could learn to use AAC systems (e.g., digitised speech...
Characterization of Porcine Growth Hormone (pGH) Binding to Porcine Liver Microsomes: Chronic Administration of pGH Induces pGH Binding

The effect that GH has on regulating GH binding to its receptors has not been resolved. This report describes the characterization of porcine (p) GH binding to pig liver membranes and clarifies the issue of regulation of GH binding by measuring pGH binding to liver membranes prepared from pigs treated daily for 35 days with different doses of pGH (0, 10, 30, or 70 micrograms/kg BW). Specific binding of [125I]pGH was dependent on time, pH, and membrane protein concentration. At 23 C, pGH binding reached a steady state after 24 h. Maximal pGH binding was observed at pH 7. Binding increased linearly as membrane protein concentration was increased from 150 to 450 micrograms/tube. Specificity studies indicated that the hepatic GH receptor was somatogenic, since porcine PRL poorly inhibited [125I] pGH binding (cross-reactivity, 0.1%). Treatment of microsomes from control pigs with 4 m MgCl2 to remove endogenously bound pGH did not affect pGH binding, whereas binding was significantly increased to microsomes from pGH-treated pigs. Binding of pGH increased in a linear manner with the dose of pGH given for 35 days (r = 0.79), thus establishing the inductive effect of chronic pGH administration on pGH binding in pig liver. GH binding was highly correlated with weight gain in pigs treated with pGH (r = 0.76). In addition, the serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentration was increased linearly (r = 0.87) by pGH. This increase in serum IGF-I was also highly correlated with the increase in pGH binding (r = 0.71). These results suggest that hepatic GH binding plays an important role in regulating pig growth, which may be mediated, in part, by an increase in hepatic IGF-I synthesis and secretion. The present report is also the first to establish that exogenous pGH induces pGH binding to pig hepatic GH receptors and to relate this increase in binding to an enhancement in pig growth.
Metabolic effects of sodium restriction and thiazides in tetraplegic patients.

The metabolic effects of sodium restriction, alone or with thiazide, were studied in 12 healthy subjects, in 24 tetraplegics during the initial 8 months of paralysis (early) and in 16 others during the subsequent period (late). The diuresis caused by both treatments led to more haemoconcentration in early than in late patients. In contrast with the healthy subjects on low sodium, the tetraplegics had a delayed urinary sodium retention and no fall in calciuria. During thiazide, urinary sodium depletion occurred early and the urine calcium fell after 3 days in all tetraplegics. During both treatments, aldosterone and renin increased more in early patients than in the other groups. The clinical implications of inducing dehydration and a sustained stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis in recently injured tetraplegics with severe orthostatic hypotension are discussed.
Operational research on perinatal epidemiology, care and outcomes.

Traditionally, neonatal–perinatal medicine has been concerned with two areas of research: basic and translational. A third area, perinatal epidemiology/health outcomes research addresses those factors that impede and promote the clinical actualization of the advances developed by basic and translational research. Unfortunately, research and training in perinatal epidemiology and outcomes analysis have not kept pace with our need to understand the interplay between risk, intervention, structure and outcome. This knowledge is essential to the development of the clinical/organizational and training strategies that will enable perinatal medicine to fully realize the promise of basic and translational research.
Developmental Trends and Gender Differences in the Relation between Understanding of Friendship and Asociality.

The relation between understanding of friendship and asociality was examined in 91 girls and 104 boys ranging in age from 9 to 17 years. Consistent with previous research, older children had higher understanding of friendship scores than younger children, and girls had higher understanding of friendship scores than boys. The relation between understanding of friendship and asociality was significant only for boys. Difficulty in understanding components of friendship appears to be one correlate of boys' delinquent tendencies.
Learning by Example: Exempla in Jerome’s Translations and Revisions of Biblical Books

Jerome’s interest in provinding Exempla for his readers in his letters and the Vitae Patrum extended to his translations and revisions of canonical Books—Ruth 4,11; Deut 29,22(23), Esth 1,18; Zech 13,4—and to a book he considered non-canonical (Tob 2,12). Jerome related the noun exemplum to a variety of lexemes in the semantic field of obiecta aversionis . His views regarding the regulation of female behavior played a role in the plus in Esth 1,18. He viewed Ruth to some extent as a positive exemplum for his female audience, although he likely had conflicted feelings about the fact that the widow remarried. Although the lexeme does not occur in the Book of Judith, his predilections for Judith as exemplum of the chaste and virtuous widow was the impetus for the pluses in Jdt 16,26 and 10,4.