cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
One-parameter item response theory models for psychomotor tests involving repeated, independent attempts.

Abstract Three one-parameter item response theory models are given as viable models that describe the observed score probabilities of an examinee who takes a multiple attempts, single-item test of a psychomotor skill. These models include the Binomial Trials Model, the Poisson Counts Model, and the Inverse Binomial Model. The paper presents these models and offers suggestions for their estimation and subsequent use in the assessment of psychomotor behavior.
Water and electrolyte changes in cardiac and skeletal muscle of cats late in haemorrhagic shock.

Water and Electrolyte Changes in Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle of Cats Late in Haemorrhagic Shock
Managing cultural differences: A rules analysis in a bicultural organization

This article reports the first stage in examining an organization employing first‐generation immigrants from India and Euro‐Americans. In‐depth interviews were used to explore participant perceptions of the influence of national culture on interactions as well as intercultural rules for managing differences. These qualitative data provided rich information about four culturally influenced situations: time deadlines, role duties, amount of supervision, and decision making. Of the 11 intercultural communication rules that surfaced, 8 focused on “resocializing” the Asian Indians into the dominant Euro‐American organizational culture, whereas the other 3 rules involved cultural compromises. The difficulties in determining when culture is the salient variable in an interaction are discussed.
Outsourcing Human Resources The Case of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission

This article examines human resources outsourcing (HRO) at the State of Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). It describes the emergence of HRO in the public sector and analyzes the HH...
Effect of incubation temperature on oxygen consumption and ammonia production by Japanese medaka, Oryzias latipes, eggs and newly hatched larvae

To develop a database for use in designing sealed-container bioassays, oxygen consumption and ammonia production rates were compared for eggs and newly hatched larvae of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). At 23, 26 and 29°C, the total amount of oxygen required to hatch an egg (49 to 54 μg O2.egg−1) was independent of temperature, but total oxygen required at 20°C (77 μg O2.egg−1) was significantly greater. Eggs produced no measurable ammonia (TAmm), but newly hatched larva produced 14 ng TAmm.h−1.larva−1 at 23°C and up to 48 ng TAmm.h−1.larva−1 at 29°C. When exposure to free air was denied, (a) oxygen, not ammonia, was the limiting factor for normal egg development, and (b) newly hatched larvae were unable to inflate their swimbladder.
A time dependent, two-layer frontal model of buoyant plume dynamics

The dynamics of buoyant plumes, such as those observed at the mouths of the Mississippi and Connecticut Rivers is investigated by considering the one dimensional, time dependent behavior of a two-layer, frontal model. The equations governing the flow in the main body of the plume are the long wave equations. The flow at the frontal boundary is modeled using jump conditions which incorporate the important dissipative processes. These equations are solved numerically using a shock patching technique that is accurate to second order in the long wave region and to first order at the front. The solutions demonstrate the controlling influence of the inlet on the flow field and the importance of time-dependent processes for the dynamics of buoyant plumes. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1983.tb00186.x
Smooth muscle cell and endothelial cell growth factors

Blood vessels are composed basically of two cell types, vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), whose proliferation in vivo is tightly regulated. A number of growth regulatory polypeptides have been identified that stimulate the proliferation of vascular cells. This article reviews briefly the structural properties and biologic activities of the best-characterized vascular cell growth factors. A fuller understanding of the properties of vascular cell growth modulators is an important element in delineating the proliferative events that are associated with vascular injury; with SMC hyperplasia such as occurs in restenosis following angioplasty, in atherosclerosis, and in hypertension; and with angiogenesis, both physiologic and pathologic.
The role of machine sensing in CIM

Abstract Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) is still an objective for the future rather than a present reality. Mechanical integration was introduced over 60 years ago by Ford to increase output and cut unit costs, but at the cost of making high volume production extremely inflexible. The answer is apparently “computer integration” with multi-purpose machines linked together by digital communications networks and adaptively controlled by computers. In practice this means replacing flexible human workers with high quality sensory interpretative abilities as decision-makers by “smart sensors” with artificial intelligence. However, adaptive controls are severely constrained by the capabilities of existing sensors and interpretative computer software, especially the latter. Most existing sensors are narrow-band, producing at most a few bits of data per second for control purposes. This provides enough information for a small class of machine control decisions, but is insufficient for part recognition, part orientation, or quality inspection. CIM also means that workpieces (components and work-in-progress) will have to communicate with machines, as machines will have to communicate with each other. Thus, the true economic significance of recent breakthroughs in machine vision/taction is that they will finally unlock the door to CIM, or “5th generation” automation. It is argued that the economics of machine vision/taction should not be assessed in the narrow context of specific tasks in direct competition with human workers but as the hitherto missing links that will permit all the elements of the factory of the future to communicate effectively with each other so as to function as an organism rather than as a set of independent cells.
Kissing nevus discovered at circumcision consult

A divided nevus of the penis is a rare embryological occurrence. The appearance of a congenital melanocytic nevus can be difficult to distinguish from penile melanosis. This article presents the successful excision and histopathologic evaluation of one such nevus.
Synthesis, degradation and biocompatibility of tyrosine-derived polycarbonate scaffolds

Polycarbonate terpolymers consisting of desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine alkyl esters (DTR), desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine (DT), and low molecular weight blocks of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are a new class of polymers that have good engineering properties while also being resorbable in vivo. This study is the first evaluation of their (i) degradation behavior, (ii) in vitro cytotoxicity, and (iii) in vivo biocompatibility. Porous, tissue engineering scaffolds were prepared by a combination of solvent casting, porogen leaching and phase separation techniques. The scaffolds (>90% porosity) displayed (i) a bimodal pore distribution with micropores of less than 20 µm and macropores between 200 and 400 µm, (ii) a highly interconnected and open pore architecture, and (iii) a highly organized microstructure where the micropores are oriented and aligned along the walls of the macropores. Molecular weight (number average, Mn) and mass loss were determined in vitro (PBS at 37 °C) for up to 28 days. All three terpolymer compositions were fast degrading and retained only 10% of their initial molecular weight after 21 days, while mass loss during the 28 days was polymer composition-dependent. In vitro biocompatibility of the polymer scaffolds was determined up to 14 days by measuring metabolic activity of MC3T3.E1 (subclone 4) pre-osteoblasts. The outcome showed no statistical difference between cells cultured in monolayer and all tested polymer scaffolds. Robust cell attachment throughout the scaffold volume was observed by confocal microscopy and SEM. The biocompatibility of resorbing scaffolds was evaluated at 12 week in a critical sized defect (CSD) rabbit calvaria model and showed only a minimal inflammatory response. Overall, the results reported here illustrate the potential utility of tyrosine-derived polycarbonate terpolymers in the design of tissue engineering scaffolds.
Two zebras in a corral: Gastrointestinal polyposis and adrenal lesions

Abstract: Pediatric hypertension is rare, and an underlying cardiac, renal, or endocrine etiology should be considered. We report an adopted 26-year-old white man with asymptomatic hypertension identified at age 14 during a sports examination. His medical history was notable for ulcerative colitis. The physical examination revealed hypertension despite a body mass index of 20.3 kg/m2. A left adrenal mass enhanced on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The presumptive diagnosis was pheochromocytoma. A 7.0 × 6.0 × 3.5-cm lesion was resected without complication, and the hypertension resolved. Over the next 3 years, he developed thyroid nodules, a presumptive osteochondroma, and benign fibrous lesions. By age 15, his colitis symptoms worsened and multiple polyps were observed. Polyps were identified later in the duodenum and stomach as well. A desmoid tumor involved the superior mesenteric vasculature. Sequential surgical resections left only residual small bowel. Review of adrenal gland histology revealed sheets and nests of lipid-poor epithelioid cells with vesicular nuclei and variably prominent nucleoli. Pseudoglandular architecture and degenerative hemorrhagic “angiomatoid” change was present. Findings were diagnostic of adrenal cortical adenoma, but not pheochromocytoma. The clinical presentation is consistent with Gardner syndrome. The location and nature of mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli tumor-suppressor gene often determine the presence of extraintestinal disease and disease severity. Seven percent to 13% of patients with Gardner syndrome have adrenal lesions. Most are nonfunctional. Functional lesions typically secrete cortisol. Although such lesions may not come to the attention of endocrinologists because of their nonsecretory status, endocrinologists should be aware of the syndrome and its diverse manifestations.
Age and Empire in the Indian Census, 1871-1931

The age returns in the British-administered Census of India between 1871 and 1931 were problematic. Owing to low levels of numeracy and poor records of births and deaths in India, census officials resorted to a number of technical innovations to generate useful statistical regularities out of the imperfect data. In the process, they came to realize that even so putatively a "universal" category as age might be impossible to determine accurately in a culture that lacked certain assumptions about time, and in a state that lacked the resources to tabulate when people began and ended their lives.
Studying enzyme-β-lactam interactions using X-ray diffraction*

The interaction of representative beta-lactam antibiotics with a bacterial enzyme target has been mapped in three dimensions using X-ray diffraction data to 2.25 A resolution. Examination of complexes of cephalosporin C, benzylmonobactam, and alpha-(2,3)-methylenepenicillin G with the D-alanyl-D-alanine transpeptidase-carboxypeptidase from Streptomyces R61 shows that the enzyme's reactive serine has acylated the beta-lactam ring of each inhibitor. The known half-lives of the three acyl complexes can be correlated with the distance of the drug's carboxylate (or sulfonate) group from complementary groups on the DD-peptidase.
Dynamic response of a single catalyst pellet

Abstract It has been shown previously that pulse-response experiments on single catalyst pellets can provide a simple, rapid method for determining effective diffusivities and adsorption equilibrium constants. Assumptions were made about boundary conditions in the earlier work in order to simplify the mathematical treatment. In this paper a more rigorous development is presented in order to evaluate the magnitude of likely errors in the simplified approach. By using large flow rates, small chamber volumes, and for catalyst pellets of moderate or low porosity, the error in using the approximate equations should be small (less than 10%). For short diffusion paths (short pellets) of highly porous catalysts, the error can be large.
Gas-phase combustion synthesis of aluminum nitride powder

Due to its combined properties of high electrical resistivity and high thermal conductivity aluminum nitride (AlN) is a highly desirable material for electronics applications. Methods are being sought for synthesis of unagglomerated, nanometer-sized powders of this material, prepared in such a way that they can be consolidated into solid compacts having minimal oxygen content. A procedure for synthesizing these powders through gas-phase combustion is described. This novel approach involves reacting AlCl3, NH3, and Na vapors. Equilibrium thermodynamic calculations show that 100% yields can be obtained for these reactants with the products being AlN, NaCl, and H2. The NaCl by-product is used to coat the AlN particles in situ. The coating allows for control of AlN agglomeration and protects the powders from hydrolysis during post-flame handling. On the basis of thermodynamic and kinetic considerations, two different approaches were employed to produce the powder, in co-flow diffusion flame configurations. In the first approach, the three reactants were supplied in separate streams. In the second, the AlCl3 and NH3 were premixed with HCl and then reacted with Na vapor. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of as-produced powders show only NaCl for the first case and NaCl and AlN for the second. After annealing at 775 C tinder dynamic vacuum, the salt was removed and XRD spectra of powders from both approaches show only AlN. Aluminum metal was also produced in the co-flow flame by reacting AlCl3 with Na. XRD spectra of as-produced powders show the products to be only NaCl and elemental aluminum.
Long distance dielectric properties of Yang-Mills theory

Abstract We use a dielectric constant of the Yang-Mills vacuum, ϵ(q), which for small q2 (a self-consistent solution of the Dyson equations and Ward identities), to derive a nonlinear differential equation for the expectation value of the color electric field induced in the vacuum by an external color current source. This equation describes the complete long distance response of the medium, i.e. all the nonlinear effects due to the field dependence of the dielectric constant. We show that even in the linear approximation this equation yields a confining potential between two static color charges.
Variation among mouse strains in responsiveness to migration inhibitory factor.

Abstract Mineral oil-induced peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from 10 different inbred mouse strains were tested for their responses to macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). PEC from 5 out of 10 mouse strains responded to MIF, PEC from BALB/c mice showed an intermediate responsiveness, and PEC from A/J, C3H/HeJ, CBA/N, and C57BL/10ScCR mice were refractory to MIF. MIF responsiveness was not linked to the H-2 complex. However, a possible link between responsiveness to LPS and MIF was suggested, since the mouse strains not responding to MIF were previously reported to be deficient for responses to LPS.
Fabrication of a cyclic olefin copolymer planar waveguide embedded in a multi-channel poly(methyl methacrylate) fluidic chip for evanescence excitation.

The fabrication and characterization of a novel cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) waveguide embedded in a poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, fluidic chip configured in a multi-channel format with an integrated monolithic prism for evanescent fluorescence excitation are reported. The fabrication approach allowed the embedded waveguide to be situated orthogonal to a series of fluidic channels within the PMMA wafer to sample fluorescent solutions in these channels using the evanescence properties of the waveguide. Construction of the device was achieved using several fabrication techniques including high precision micromilling, hot embossing and stenciling of a polymer melt to form the waveguide and coupling prism. A waveguide channel was fabricated in the fluidic chip's cover plate, also made from PMMA, and was loaded with a COC solution using a pre-cast poly(dimethylsiloxane), PDMS, stencil containing a prism-shaped recess. The PMMA substrate contained multiple channels (100 µm wide × 30 µm deep with a pitch of 100 µm) that were situated orthogonal to the waveguide to allow penetration of the evanescent field into the sampling solution. The optical properties of the waveguide in terms of its transmission properties and penetration depth of the evanescent field in the adjacent solution were evaluated. Finally, the device was used for laser-induced fluorescence evanescent excitation of a dye solution hydrodynamically flowing through multiple microfluidic channels in the chip and processed using a microscope equipped with a charge-coupled device (CCD) for parallel readout. The device and optical system were able to image 11 channels simultaneously with a limit-of-detection of 7.1 × 10−20 mol at a signal-to-noise ratio of 2. The waveguide was simple to manufacture and could be scaled to illuminate much higher channel numbers making it appropriate for high-throughput measurements using evanescent excitation.
College major and career choice: A retest of Holland's theory

Abstract In an effort to examine whether the previously established relationship between vocational choice and self-ratings on Holland's personality stereotypes among college freshmen would be strengthened with a sample of male college seniors, 109 subjects, sampled on the basis of major field choice, completed a questionnaire to select career stereotypes which described them best. The relationship between self-ratings and academic major was also to be examined. Significant relationships were obtained for four stereotypes (realistic, conventional, enterprising, and artistic) on the basis of both major and vocational choice, although significant stereotypes were not identical in each. Three of these significant relationships based on vocational choice matched those obtained previously. An additional finding suggested that vocational choice was slightly more valid than major field as a basis for utilizing this technique. The more restricted class sample emphasized did not, however, produce a more substantial relationship between self-ratings and occupational choice as expected.
Experiments in Multi-Lingual Information Retrieval

A comparison was made of the performance in an automatic information retrieval environment of user queries and document abstracts available in natural language form in both English and French. The results obtained indicate that the automatic indexing and retrieval techniques actually used appear equally effective in handling the query and document texts in both languages.
Non-ideal equations of state for combusting and and detonating explosives

Abstract This paper deals with the formulation and evaluation of the non-ideal equation of state for products developed when burning or detonating energetic solid propellants and/or solid explosives. Included is the review of non-ideal gas equations of state (EOS) based on (a) the virial EOS; (b)the Haar-Shenker EOS; (c) the Becker-Kistiakowsky-Wilson EOS; and (d) the Jacobs-Cowperthwaite-Zwisler EOS. A new methodology is presented for evaluating the parameters in the BKW formulation, based on explosion data for different loading densities of the same explosive. An alternative approach to determine the single species equivalent molecular well-depth and σ for JCZ EOS has been significantly improved by adjusting the values of γ, the equivalent specific heat ratio. Sufficient details for each EOS are included for one explosive constituent, namely HMX (Octagen). A general non-ideal EOS with a non-constant co-volume function has been obtained by utilizing a “multi-equation combination” procedure, which can be used for product densities ranging from ideal gas values to values of gas density equivalent to the condensed phase density. Comparison of the sensitivity of the general non-ideal EOS with various other forms was made by utilizing a DDT (Deflagration-to-Detonation Transition) analyses (work of Krier and Butler4). The results show that the accuracy of predictions of the DDT modeling using this general EOS has been improved.
Energy Level Alignment and Exciton Binding Energies Using Model Interfaces between Metals and Evaporable Organic Electroluminescent Materials

We report on a scanning probe spectroscopy study of the electronic properties of model organic/metal interfaces. The experiments allow us to determine parameters that are critical in charge carrier injection and transport, as are the energy gap between positive and negative polaronic states and the height of the barrier for charge carrier injection at metal/organic interfaces. In combination with optical absorption measurements, we gauge the exciton binding energy, a parameter determining energy transport and electroluminescence efficiency. The study was performed on thin films of tris(8-hydroxyquinolato)aluminum (Alq3) deposited on clean and LiF-covered Au(111), and on N,N’-di(naphthalen-1-yl)-N,N’-diphenylbenzidine (NPB) on Ni(111) and substrates.
The May 3, 1999, tornado in Oklahoma City

Abstract [Hogan DE, Askins DC, Osburn AE: The May 3, 1999, tornado in Oklahoma City. Ann Emerg Med August 1999;34:225-226.]
The impact of fluoridation on patterns of dental treatment.

Dr. Douglas and his group have tackled the problem of determining the impact on patterns of practice which develop in areas of fluoridated water.
The growth, reproduction, longevity, and histopathology of rats fed gamma-irradiated carrots.

Abstract Flour irradiated to 37,200 rad and 74,400 rad with gamma rays has been fed as 35% of the total ration solids to rats over a period of two years and through three generations. The performance of animals raised on these rations was compared with that of animals raised on a ration containing a similar proportion of unirradiated flour. No deleterious effects were observed that could be attributed to the irradiation variable. On the basis of this experiment there is no apparent toxic hazard involved in the ingestion of flour irradiated to a level of 74,400 rad. When compared with the parent-generation animals, second- and third-generation animals showed higher growth rates but inferior breeding performance. The survival of animals on the flour ration was considerably lower than that obtained with animals raised on peach and pork rations. To what extent this difference can be attributed to diet or exogenous factors is not apparent.
The effects of continuous wave and pulsed ultrasound on rat thymocytes in vitro

Rat thymocytes in suspension were exposed to continuous wave and pulsed ultrasound at frequencies of 0.5 and 1 MHz. In qualitative confirmation of the observations of Chapman et al. (1979), cell lysis and cell survival were found to depend upon ultrasound intensity, frequency and time of exposure. Cell survival after 10 min, 2 W/cm2, 0.5 MHz was approx. 40 percent of control. Pulsed exposures at 0.5 MHz with the same temporal average intensity but with a temporal peak intensity of 30 W/cm2 showed no statistically significant decrease in survival in comparison with controls. The thymocyte observations provide no support for the belief that diagnostic ultrasound may cause biological effects in the fluids of the body.
Defective hydroxyproline metabolism in type II hyperprolinemia.

Abstract Studies are reported on a patient with Type II hyperprolinemia. The results indicate that there is a defect in the metabolism of both proline and hydroxyproline in this disorder, and that the prime o -aminobenzaldehyde positive compound in the urine of these patients is Δ 1 -pyrroline-3-hydroxy-5-carboxylic acid. Deficiencies of either Δ 1 -pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid dehydrogenase or proline oxidase are compatible with the biochemical phenotype, and direct enzyme assays will be necessary to settle this point.
5-Dialkylamino-1-(2-thienyl)-1-penten-3-ones and related compounds.

Abstract Mannich bases from 4-(2-thienyl)-3-buten-2-one were prepared as vinylogs of similar compounds obtained from 2-acetothienone in an attempt to enhance the anesthetic and/or antispasmodic effect of the latter class of compounds.
Demonstration of acid phosphatase in Endamoeba histolytica.

SummaryThe presence of acid phosphatase in E. histolytica has been demonstrated by a modification of Gomori's histochemical method.
The selection and management of coral reef preserves

Abstract The value of coral reefs has been established on the basis of their high diversity, valuable resources, and recreational and aesthetic amenities. Coral reef ecosystems are being destroyed by a plethora of events including coastal development, overfishing, and the exploitation of biological products. The selection of coral reef preserves can be made on the basis of location, size, optimal yield and linkage. Areas to be considered can be assessed by biological, economic and sociological research. The economic value of each preserve can be estimated. User conflicts can be identified and a series of priorities can be established. Alternative sites can be compared using a powerful decisionmaking process (multi-attribute utility analysis). The selected preserves can be treated as a multiple-use resource and can be divided into user habitats for total preservation, exploitation, recreation, and research and education. Permits and fees, research, monitoring, enforcement, and public information and awareness play an important role in the success of the establishment of coral reef preserves.
Har Gobind Khorana (1922–2011): Pioneering Spirit

One of the great chemists of the 20th century died on November 9, 2011. H. Gobind Khorana, a founder of what we now call chemical biology and a pioneer at the dawn of the age of molecular biology, was 89 (see Image 1).
Signaling through the TRAIL receptor DR5/FADD pathway plays a role in the apoptosis associated with skeletal myoblast differentiation

Apoptosis rather than differentiation is a physiological process during myogenesis and muscle regeneration. When cultured myoblasts were induced to differentiate, we detected an increase in caspase 8 activity. Pharmacological inhibition of caspase 8 activity decreased apoptosis. Expression of a dominant-negative mutant of the adapter protein FADD also abrogated apoptosis, implicating a death ligand pathway. Treatment with TRAIL, but not Fas, induced apoptosis in these myoblasts. Accordingly, treatment with a soluble TRAIL decoy receptor or expression of a dominant-negative mutant of the TRAIL receptor DR5 abrogated apoptosis. While TRAIL expression levels remained unaltered in apoptotic myoblasts, DR5 expression levels increased. Finally, we also detected a reduction in FLIP, a death-receptor effector protein and caspase 8 competitive inhibitor, to undetectable levels in apoptotic myoblasts. Thus, our data demonstrate an important role for the TRAIL/DR5/FADD/caspase 8 pathway in the apoptosis associated with skeletal myoblast differentiation. Identifying the functional apoptotic pathways in skeletal myoblasts may prove useful in minimizing the myoblast apoptosis that contributes pathologically to a variety of diseases and in minimizing the apoptosis of transplanted myoblasts to treat these and other disease states.
Puzzles and games: addressing different learning styles in teaching operating systems concepts

Because students have different learning styles, it's important to incorporate multiple teaching techniques into the classroom experience. One such technique is the use of puzzles and games in the classroom to reinforce the learning objectives. Many topics in Computer Science are well suited for coverage in such a game. Several in-class puzzles and games have been used in the Computer Science program at this institution in recent years. In basic and advanced courses, simple crossword puzzles reinforce terminology and Jeopardy!®-style games help students master material with short answers. In the most recent iteration of the Operating Systems course, a BattleThreads game and a Process State Transition game helped students appreciate different approaches to process and thread management. The latter two games have been assessed for their effectiveness, providing several insights into what makes a good in-class game for teaching operating systems concepts, and how the existing games can be improved.
Complete genome sequences of cellular life forms: glimpses of theoretical evolutionary genomics

The availability of complete genome sequences of cellular life forms creates the opportunity to explore the functional content of the genomes and evolutionary relationships between them at a new qualitative level. With the advent of these sequences, the construction of a minimal gene set sufficient for sustaining cellular life and reconstruction of the genome of the last common ancestor of bacteria, eukaryotes, and archaea become realistic, albeit challenging, research projects. A version of the minimal gene set for modern-type cellular life derived by comparative analysis of two bacterial genomes, those of Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma genitalium, consists of approximately 250 genes. A comparison of the protein sequences encoded in these genes with those of the proteins encoded in the complete yeast genome suggests that the last common ancestor of all extant life might have had an RNA genome.
Refinement of the dosage and dosing schedule of ketoprofen for postoperative analgesia in Sprague-Dawley rats

Though ketoprofen is commonly used in rodent surgical procedures, an optimal dosing regimen has not yet been established. The authors sought to refine ketoprofen dosage requirements in rats and to determine whether one or two doses were needed. In one experiment they compared the effects of one preoperative dose of ketoprofen with those of two perioperative doses (3 mg per kg body weight). In a second experiment they compared the effects of two different dosages of ketoprofen (3 or 5 mg per kg body weight). Results show that all regimens tested were similarly effective in curbing post-surgical weight loss and reduction in food and water consumption; therefore, a single dose of 3 mg per kg body weight was the most efficient.
Effects of impurity doping on terrace width stability

Abstract A simple model is proposed to describe the effect of impurity doping on terrace width ordering during epitaxial growth. A single, unspecified parameter of smallness is used to describe the strength of the impurity effect and we find the conditions for which the terrace widths become ordered or disordered following a perturbing fluctuation. The results found are meant to be interpretive rather than predictive, i.e. they allow experimental outcomes to be explained in terms of the impurity effects at the steps but they cannot predict what these outcomes will be without a better understanding of the impurity-mediated adatom-step kinetics.
Ubiquinone binding protein used for determination of coenzyme Q

The conventional method of assaying for the ubiquinone (CoQ) content of biological samples is to partition CoQ into an organic phase and separate it from contaminants by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC is an accurate method of quantifying CoQ content but is not ideal for routine clinical analyses. This paper describes the development of a rapid method for assaying the CoQ content of biological samples based on the binding of CoQ to a CoQ binding peptide. The 14-amino acid binding peptide was chemically synthesized, and conditions for immobilizing the peptide on microfuge tubes were established. CoQ could be selectively bound to the immobilized peptide, eluted, and determined spectrophotometrically. Limits of detection for the method were 0.25 to 5 nmol CoQ. To test biological samples, CoQ was isolated from cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown in oleic acid medium. The recovery of CoQ samples using the binding assay ranged from 99 to 102% of the values obtained with HPLC. The assay described here provides an inexpensive, rapid method for determining the CoQ content of large numbers of biological samples in a variety of laboratory settings.
The products of the reduction of doxyl stearates in cells are hydroxylamines as shown by oxidation by 15N-perdeuterated Tempone

The use of nitroxides in functional biological systems has increased greatly as it has become evident that such studies can provide valuable biophysical and metabolic data. This has led to a need to understand the nature of the metabolism of nitroxides and their products. This paper presents data indicating the value of 15N-perdeuterated Tempone specifically to indicate the amount of hydroxylamines that are present in a cellular system. Using this technique, we found that in the mammalian cells that we studied the principal or only products of reduction of doxyl stearates were the corresponding hydroxylamines.
Performance-based management in local health departments: measuring the success of implementation

Six of eight local health departments in North Carolina's Southwest Perinatal Region III participated in a PBMS demonstration project also involving the state health department, the Centers for Disease Control, and the School of Public Health of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In all six counties the problem of reducing prematurity and low birthweight was selected to test this innovation. Using standardized instruments, staff awareness of and concern for low birthweight problems and programs were measured, as was level of success of implementation of PBMS. Factor analysis of three rounds of Awareness and Concern responses produced three uncorrelated factors: awareness of low birthweight problems, awareness of low birthweight programs, and concern for low birthweight. The results suggest that the PBMS increased awareness of the problem and the program, and that the project succeeded in half of the counties, helped some counties achieve some goals, and provided some benefits to some counties. The implications for Total Quality Management are discussed.
Chaos in a model of forced quasi-geostrophic flow over topography: an application of Melnikov's method

We demonstrate the existence of a chaotic invariant set of solutions of an idealized model for wind-forced quasi-geostrophic flow over a continental margin with variable topography. The model (originally formulated to investigate mean flow generation by topographic wave drag) has bottom topography that slopes linearly offshore and varies sinusoidally alongshore. The alongshore topographic scales are taken to be short compared to the cross-shelf scale, allowing Hart's (1979) quasi-two-dimensional approximation, and the governing equations reduce to a non-autonomous system of three coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations. For weak (constant plus time-periodic) forcing and weak friction, we apply a recent extension (Wiggins & Holmes 1987) of the method of Melnikov (1963) to test for the existence of transverse homoclinic orbits in the model. The inviscid unforced equations have two constants of motion, corresponding to energy E and enstrophy M, and reduce to a one-degree-of-freedom Hamiltonian system which, for a range of values of the constant G = E − M, has a pair of homoclinic orbits to a hyperbolic saddle point. Weak forcing and friction cause slow variations in G, but for a range of parameter values one saddle point is shown to persist as a hyperbolic periodic orbit and Melnikov's method may be applied to study the perturbations of the associated homoclinic orbits. In the absence of time-periodic forcing, the hyperbolic periodic orbit reduces to the unstable fixed point that occurs with steady forcing and friction. The method yields analytical expressions for the parameter values for which sets of chaotic solutions exist for sufficiently weak time-dependent forcing and friction. The predictions of the perturbation analysis are verified numerically with computations of Poincare sections for solutions in the stable and unstable manifolds of the hyperbolic periodic orbit and with computations of solutions for general initial-value problems. In the presence of constant positive wind stress τ0 (equatorward on eastern ocean boundaries), chaotic solutions exist when the ratio of the oscillatory wind stress τ1 to the bottom friction parameter r is above a critical value that depends on τ0/r and the bottom topographic height. The analysis complements a previous study of this model (Samelson & Allen 1987), in which chaotic solutions were observed numerically for weak near-resonant forcing and weak friction.
Differential immunohistochemical localization of xanthine oxidase in normal and neoplastic human breast epithelium

Xanthine oxidase (XO) and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) are alternate enzymatic forms of the XO/XDH protein that catalyzes the oxidation of hypoxanthine to xanthine, and xanthine to uric acid, and in the process XO/XDH generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. We hypothesize that XO/XDH, which is expressed in mammary epithelium, contributes to the development of breast cancers by virtue of its ability to generate genotoxic ROS. In this study, we produced human XO/XDH protein at high levels in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells using the baculovirus vector to confirm the specificity of antibodies used for immunostaining of human breast tissues. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the full length 143 kDa polypeptide was partially processed into a 87 kDa and 59 kDa fragments. The overexpressed XO/XDH protein was identified in the cytoplasm of insect cells by immunofluorescence staining. Using these antibodies we analyzed normal and neoplastic breast epithelium for the presence of XO/XDH. Immunohistochemical analysis of normal human breast revealed the presence of XO/XDH in the cytoplasm of epithelium lining terminal ducts. The intensity of XO/XDH staining was markedly enhanced in alveolar epithelium of lactating mammary lobules. In contrast, no immunohistochemically detectable XO/XDH was observed in intraductal in situ carcinomas and in invasive carcinomas of the breast. Further studies are necessary to confirm the utility of the loss of XO/XDH expression as a marker for neoplastic change in the breast and investigate the functional role of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.
β-Adrenergic Blockers in Heart Failure: Review of Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Outcomes

Better understanding of the pathophysiology of heart failure has shifted the treatment of heart failure away from enhancing myocardial contractility to a new paradigm that targets the root cause of disease progression by blocking the adverse effects of excessive neurohormonal activation. β-Adrenergic receptor-blockers have emerged as a cornerstone in the management of symptomatic heart failure. This article reviews the normal functioning of the β-adrenergic pathway, the consequences of hyperadrenergism on this crucial signaling pathway, and the mechanisms by which chronic β-blocker therapy reverses these abnormalities. The clinical evidence from controlled trials of the efficacy of β-blockers in treating heart failure is summarized. Finally, the concomitant use of β-blockers and positive inotropic agents in advanced heart failure is discussed.
Modeling and Control of a 1-D Membrane Strip With an Integrated PZT Bimorph

Ultra-lightweight, ultra-large and deployable satellite technology is at the forefront of research efforts for future on-orbit reconnaissance missions. The minimal mass and stowage volume associated with the technology are attractive traits for getting larger bandwidth satellites on-orbit. One of the key components for such a satellite is the membrane lens or aperture for optical or radar applications, and understanding the membrane’s dynamics is critical for mission success. As either an optical reflector or radar antenna, the vibration levels of the membrane must be minimized and eliminated. This work examines the possibility of integrating a PZT bimorph near the boundary of a strip sample to eliminate detrimental vibration. By starting with a 1-D model, the dominant governing phenomena of the system dynamics can be established and used to build more complex models with confidence. A physics-based finite element (FE) model of a thin strip of Kapton HN material with a monolithic PZT bimorph bonded near a boundary is developed in a MatLab environment and verified experimentally. The membrane strip under tension is modeled as a beam under axial load. In doing so, the FE model is able to capture the relevant transverse dynamics of the experimental setup. Having verified the FE model, an LQR controller is developed and simulated to demonstrate effective control over the transverse dynamics of the membrane sample.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Slanted Subjective Probabilities and Randomization: Reply to Howard Raiffa and K. R. W. Brewer

I. The problem, 676. — II. Bets involving essential asymmetries, 679. — III. Symmetrical bets, 681. — IV. Multiple utility functions instead of slanted probabilities? 684. — V. Observable behavior, 685. — Appendix, 685.
Effect of Feeding Canola or Sunflower Seeds on Conjugated Linoleic Acid Enrichment in Cow’s Milk Fat

Two experiments studied the effects of canola or sunflower seed supplementation on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration in milk fat of lactating cows. In each experiment, only eight cows in early lacta- tion were available to assign to one of two treatments in a completely randomized design and were fed indi- vidually for 12 wk. Experiment 1 compared similar diets with or without the addition of ground canola seed (12.1 g/100 g dry matter (DM)). Cows fed canola had higher cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat at wk 9 and 12 (P<0.05). In experiment 2, treatments were two levels of rolled sunflower seed: low (2.0 g/100 g DM) and high (11.4 g/100 g DM). In experiment 2, cows on the high sunflower diet had greater cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat compared with that of the low sunflower treatment at wk 3 and 12; however, significant individ- ual cow variation existed within the high sunflower treatment. Milk yield, milk composition, and dry matter intake (DMI) were not altered in either experiment. Even given this experiment was not robust, the oilseeds of canola and sunflower increased CLA content in milk fat of lactating cows without negatively affecting milk yield or milk fat concentration.
Psychological and Physical Variables as Predictors of Coping Strategies

26 women and 17 men between the ages of 26 and 62 yr. of age and diagnosed as having chronic illnesses were administered four questionnaires to assess physical and psychological variables and coping strategies: the Sickness Impact Profile, the Time Reference Inventory, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control. The Jaloweic Coping Scale assessed coping strategies. Canonical correlation indicated a single-factor link (Wilks' lambda) between scores on the first 3 tests, and the subscales of the coping scale. A significant but small correlation of .31 between the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control subscale, Powerful Others, and the coping subscale of Emotion-focused strategies was observed, that with the subscale Chance and the coping subscale confrontive strategies was negative. A second canonical correlation deleting the Time Reference Inventory score of age extension and including the three Sickness Impact Profile subscales was significant and positive for the Composite score and the subscale Palliative of the Jaloweic Coping Scale. Such data suggest that individuals who have a locus of control orientation of Powerful Others respond to chronic illness with emotionally based behaviors. In addition, chronically ill individuals who are physically dysfunctional tend to respond with palliative coping strategies.
Integrated Teaching Techniques in Executive Programs

This article describes a team teaching technique used in executive programs at the University of Southern California. After a series of lectures, groups are formed to make presentations about hypothetical companies. Then each instructor in a team, focusing on his particular discipline, offers constructive criticism and evalu ation. Response from participants has been excellent.
Determinants of Divorced Older Women's Labor Supply:

Unmarried older women, especially older divorcees, face a disproportionate risk of poverty. Despite the potential ameliorative effect of wages in addressing economic need, few studies have investigated the work behavior, retirement, and retirement income of unmarried older women. Using a nationally representative sample from the March 1989 Current Population Survey, this study addressed two research questions: What factors significantly affect divorcees', aged 55 and older, labor supply? Are these effects different for divorced as compared to other unmarried women? A sample selection model of labor supply indicated that wages, education, pension wealth, and asset wealth are significant predictors of labor supply for both the divorced and the other unmarried women, although the strength of these effects differed. Medicaid coverage had a significant effect for the divorced women only. The results suggest that wages are a limited, yet important, resource for unmarried older women, especially for older divorcees.
Breast Density and Benign Breast Disease: Risk Assessment to Identify Women at High Risk of Breast Cancer

Purpose Women with proliferative breast lesions are candidates for primary prevention, but few risk models incorporate benign findings to assess breast cancer risk. We incorporated benign breast disease (BBD) diagnoses into the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) risk model, the only breast cancer risk assessment tool that uses breast density. Methods We developed and validated a competing-risk model using 2000 to 2010 SEER data for breast cancer incidence and 2010 vital statistics to adjust for the competing risk of death. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the relative hazards for age, race/ethnicity, family history of breast cancer, history of breast biopsy, BBD diagnoses, and breast density in the BCSC. Results We included 1,135,977 women age 35 to 74 years undergoing mammography with no history of breast cancer; 17% of the women had a prior breast biopsy. During a mean follow-up of 6.9 years, 17,908 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. The BCSC BBD model sli...
Analysis of Priority R-ALOHA PR-ALOHA protocol

With the exception of required time synchronization, the Reservation-ALOHA R-ALOHA protocol is simple to implement and suitable for medium access control in ad hoc wireless networks. In this paper, we propose an innovative protocol, referred to as Reservation ALOHA with priority PR-ALOHA that provides differentiated services on the basis of traffic priority. To date, the carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance CSMA/CA protocol has been widely used for this purpose by employing an interframe spacing IFS for priority service, that is, nodes ready for packet transmissions are required to wait for an IFS amount of time, where a shorter IFS is used to gain faster access to the radio channel. However, sensing and collision avoidance mechanisms make CSMA/CA unsuitable for delay-sensitive applications, that is, congested scenarios with high traffic. In contrast, the proposed PR-ALOHA protocol may be considered a good candidate for such applications. In this paper, the performance of the PR-ALOHA protocol is investigated analytically and by simulation. Its comparison with regular R-ALOHA is also carried out. Modeling and simulation results of PR-ALOHA show that PR-ALOHA improves the performance of high-priority traffic with limited effect on normal network traffic. Thus, PR-ALOHA may be useful in vehicular communications, where traffic may be separated into emergency messages having high priority and multimedia messages having low priority. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.