cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medically Complex Infants Benefit from Post-Discharge Telemedicine Visits

Background: The transition from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to home is a challenging time for caregivers of medically complex infants. Discharging patients in a safe and efficient manner can also present many challenges for health care providers. Telemedicine can improve the complex infant’s transition to home for caregivers and health care providers alike. Objectives: 1) To identify issues encountered by caregivers’ post discharge. 2) To evaluate the efficacy of video communication during …
The conditional Gaussian multiplicative chaos structure underlying a critical continuum random polymer model on a diamond fractal

We discuss a Gaussian multiplicative chaos (GMC) structure underlying a family of random measures $\mathbf{M}_r$, indexed by $r\in\mathbb{R}$, on a space $\Gamma$ of directed pathways crossing a diamond fractal with Hausdorff dimension two. The laws of these random continuum path measures arise in a critical weak-disorder limiting regime for discrete directed polymers on disordered hierarchical graphs. For the analogous subcritical continuum polymer model in which the diamond fractal has Hausdorff dimension less than two, the random path measures can be constructed as subcritical GMCs through couplings to a spatial Gaussian white noise. This construction fails in the critical dimension two where, formally, an infinite coupling strength to the environmental noise would be required to generate the disorder. We prove, however, that there is a conditional GMC interrelationship between the random measures $(\mathbf{M}_r)_{r\in \mathbb{R}}$ such that the law of $\mathbf{M}_r$ can be constructed as a subcritical GMC with random reference measure $\mathbf{M}_R$ for any choice of $R\in (-\infty, r)$. A similar GMC structure plausibly would hold for a critical continuum (2+1)-dimensional directed polymer model.
Resilience assessment of Puerto Rico’s coral reefs to inform reef management

Globally increasing sea surface temperatures threaten coral reefs, both directly and through interactions with local stressors. More resilient reefs have a higher likelihood of returning to a coral-dominated state following a disturbance, such as a mass bleaching event. To advance practical approaches to reef resilience assessments and aid resilience-based management of coral reefs, we conducted a resilience assessment for Puerto Rico's coral reefs, modified from methods used in other U.S. jurisdictions. We calculated relative resilience scores for 103 sites from an existing commonwealth-wide survey using eight resilience indicators-such as coral diversity, macroalgae percent cover, and herbivorous fish biomass-and assessed which indicators most drove resilience. We found that sites of very different relative resilience were generally highly spatially intermixed, underscoring the importance and necessity of decision making and management at fine scales. In combination with information on levels of two localized stressors (fishing pressure and pollution exposure), we used the resilience indicators to assess which of seven potential management actions could be used at each site to maintain or improve resilience. Fishery management was the management action that applied to the most sites. Furthermore, we combined sites' resilience scores with projected ocean warming to assign sites to vulnerability categories. Island-wide or community-level managers can use the actions and vulnerability information as a starting point for resilience-based management of their reefs. This assessment differs from many previous ones because we tested how much information could be yielded by a "desktop" assessment using freely-available, existing data rather than from a customized, resilience-focused field survey. The available data still permitted analyses comparable to previous assessments, demonstrating that desktop resilience assessments can substitute for assessments with field components under some circumstances.
A Longitudinal Analysis of K-12 Computing Education Research in the United States: Implications and Recommendations for Change

The availability of computer science education in primary and secondary schools in the United States has grown rapidly over the last decade. Computing education research in K-12 has been increasing as well. In this study, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of seven years of data (2012-2018), curated from over 500 articles across 10 publication venues to identify trends in K-12 computing education research such as geographic location and curriculum and concepts taught. The data shows a decrease in the number of studies covering K-12 students receiving computing education even while there is an increase in the number of states adopting and implementing standards. The number of different concepts being researched is increasing, potentially reflecting the growth in what is being taught in the classroom. Demographic data is underreported (e.g., socio-economic status (SES) and disabilities of participants) which could directly limit generalizability of the studies to different learners as well as the ability to replicate and compare studies. We conclude with recommendations for how to better position this work for others trying to use the results to guide their efforts in creating standards or adopting techniques into their classrooms.
Assessing the Ecological Significance of Throughfall in Forest Ecosystems

Throughfall is the incoming precipitation that passes through a vegetative canopy. Because it represents the major fraction of incident precipitation that is delivered to the forest floor, it is central to understanding forest hydrology. The quantity of throughfall in a forest stand is related to canopy architecture and leaf morphology, because canopy structure can enhance or reduce interception losses. Meteorological conditions also affect throughfall generation, as interception is greater for a given total annual precipitation regime when storms are small, frequent, and of short duration. The hydrology of throughfall generation and appropriate methods of throughfall collection are well studied, with the literature suggesting that an extensive network of collectors is often required to accurately assess total throughfall inputs. Throughfall is enriched in many solutes relative to incoming precipitation, with the biggest increases noted for dissolved organic carbon, some nitrogen species, and potassium. Much of the interest in throughfall biogeochemistry for the past 40 years has been spurred by its importance in measuring dry deposition and documenting the effects of acidic deposition on forest ecosystems. In contrast, the fundamental ecological and evolutionary implications of temporal and spatial variability in throughfall chemistry are not well understood. Literature from other disciplines suggests that allelopathy should be considered as one factor contributing to the variability in throughfall biogeochemistry among tree species. Future work should focus on developing long-term records of throughfall quantity and chemistry for all major solutes, assessing variation in throughfall across biomes, and understanding its potential ecological and evolutionary significance.
A novel immunocompetent model of metastatic prostate cancer-induced bone pain

Background Over 70% to 85% of men with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) develop bone metastases characterized by severe bone pain and increased likelihood of bone fracture. These clinical features result in decreased quality of life and act as a predictor of higher mortality. Mechanistically, the skeletal pathologies such as osteolytic lesions and abnormal osteoblastic activity drive these symptoms. The role of immune cells in bone cancer pain remains understudied, here we sought to recapitulate this symptomology in a murine model. Methods The prostate cancer bone metastasis-induced pain model (CIBP) was established by transplanting a mouse prostate cancer cell line into the femur of immunocompetent mice. Pain development, gait dynamics, and the changes in emotional activities like depression and anxiety were evaluated. Animal tissues including femurs, dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and spinal cord were collected at killing and microcomputed tomography (μCT), histology/immunohistochemistry, and quantitative immunofluorescent analysis were performed. Results Mice receiving prostate cancer cells showed a significantly lower threshold for paw withdrawal responses induced by mechanical stimulation compared with their control counterparts. Zero maze and DigiGait analyses indicated reduced and aberrant movement associated emotional activity compared with sham control at 8-weeks postinjection. The μCT analysis showed osteolytic and osteoblastic changes and a 50% reduction of the trabecular volumes within the prostate cancer group. Neurologically we demonstrated, increased calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and neuronal p75NTR immune-reactivities in both the projected terminals of the superficial dorsal horn and partial afferent neurons in DRG at L2 to L4 level in tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, our data show elevated nerve growth factor (NGF) and TrkA immunoreactivities in the same segment of the superficial dorsal horn that were, however, not colocalized with CGRP and p75NTR . Conclusions This study describes a novel immunocompetent model of CIBP and demonstrates the contribution of NGF and p75NTR to chronic pain in bone metastasis.
Mechanical trimming with focused ion beam for permanent tuning of MEMS dual-mass gyroscope

Abstract This paper reports mechanical ablation techniques for permanent frequency tuning of the primary wineglass modes in planar gyroscopes with concentric ring suspension. Three different approaches for frequency tuning are discussed: (1) selective mass removal, (2) stiffness reduction via thinning of suspension elements, and (3) stiffness reduction by removal of interconnecting spoke elements between concentric rings. A predictive tuning algorithm is developed for identification of ablation locations to guide the trimming process. A dual-mass Dynamically Amplified Gyroscope (DAG) design is used to demonstrate the tuning approach. It is shown that introduction of “side-spokes” to the concentric ring system of DAG enables coarse ( > 50 Hz) tuning, as well as fine-tuning ( 1 Hz) of resonant frequencies, which is performed by means of mechanical ablation with focused ion beam (FIB). Finally, a comparison of the sensor noise characteristics using active electrostatic tuning and mechanical ablation is presented.
Who is targeted by email-based phishing and malware?: Measuring factors that differentiate risk

As technologies to defend against phishing and malware often impose an additional financial and usability cost on users (such as security keys), a question remains as to who should adopt these heightened protections. We measure over 1.2 billion email-based phishing and malware attacks against Gmail users to understand what factors place a person at heightened risk of attack. We find that attack campaigns are typically short-lived and at first glance indiscriminately target users on a global scale. However, by modeling the distribution of targeted users, we find that a person's demographics, location, email usage patterns, and security posture all significantly influence the likelihood of attack. Our findings represent a first step towards empirically identifying the most at-risk users.
A comparative techno-economic analysis of renewable methanol synthesis from biomass and CO2: Opportunities and barriers to commercialization

Abstract Global demand for methanol as both a chemical precursor and a fuel additive is rising. At the same time, numerous renewable methanol production pathways are under development, which, if commercialized, could provide significant environmental benefits over traditional methanol synthesis pathways. However, it is difficult to compare technologies at different maturity levels, with differing feedstocks, and with significant differences in overall process design. Thus, there is a need to harmonize the analyses of renewable pathways using a consistent techno-economic approach to evaluate the potential for commercialization of various pathways. This analysis uses a novel cross-comparison method to assess near-term and long-term viability of both low- and high-maturity level technologies. The techno-economic assessment considers cost factors critical to market acceptance combined with carbon- and energy-efficiency assessments of three renewable pathways compared with a commercial baseline. We find that biomass gasification to methanol represents a near-term viable pathway with a high technology readiness level and commercially competitive market price. If cost-reducing technological improvements can be realized and scaled up in the CO2 electrolysis pathways, the potential for higher carbon efficiencies may help drive market adoption of these more modular, direct conversion pathways in future markets as they present an opportunity to better support global decarbonization efforts through efficient waste carbon utilization.
Technical Tips: What is R.E.M?

(1997). Technical Tips: What is R.E.M? American Journal of Electroneurodiagnostic Technology: Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 276-280.
Anatomy of Plant Cells

Introduction Leaf Anatomy of In Vitro-Grown Plants Hyperhydricity Anatomy of Somatic Embryogenic Cultures Anatomy of Organogenic Cultures Anatomy of Plant Protoplast Anatomy of Cell Suspension Cultures Anatomy of Callus Cultures Bibliography Keywords: cell structure; monocot; dicot
SONET/SDH adaptive threshold pointer processor clocking strategies

Pointer processors in synchronous optical networks (SONET)/synchronous digital hierarchy networks (SDH) consist of three fundamental types: traditional fixed threshold pointer processors, uniform pointer processors, and adaptive threshold pointer processors. Uniform pointer processors and adaptive threshold pointer processors produce less network jitter than traditional pointer processors. This has created much interest in these advanced pointer processing algorithms. The theory behind adaptive threshold pointer processors is similar to that of sigma delta modulators with important distinctions which include the clocking opportunities for updating the algorithms. The SONET/SDH requirement that pointers must be spaced by at least 4 multiframes imposes a novel requirement that is not present in a standard sigma delta modulator. This paper compares the jitter which results from three different adaptive threshold pointer processor clocking strategies: uniform sampling, state-dependent feedback and non-uniform sampling. Simulation results show that, of these three different clocking strategies, uniform sampling is best.
Striking individual differences in color perception uncovered by 'the dress' photograph.

'The dress' is a peculiar photograph: by themselves the dress' pixels are brown and blue, colors associated with natural illuminants, but popular accounts (#TheDress) suggest the dress appears either white/gold or blue/black. Could the purported categorical perception arise because the original social-media question was an alternative-forced-choice? In a free-response survey (N = 1401), we found that most people, including those naive to the image, reported white/gold or blue/black, but some said blue/brown. Reports of white/gold over blue/black were higher among older people and women. On re-test, some subjects reported a switch in perception, showing the image can be multistable. In a language-independent measure of perception, we asked subjects to identify the dress' colors from a complete color gamut. The results showed three peaks corresponding to the main descriptive categories, providing additional evidence that the brain resolves the image into one of three stable percepts. We hypothesize that these reflect different internal priors: some people favor a cool illuminant (blue sky), discount shorter wavelengths, and perceive white/gold; others favor a warm illuminant (incandescent light), discount longer wavelengths, and see blue/black. The remaining subjects may assume a neutral illuminant, and see blue/brown. We show that by introducing overt cues to the illumination, we can flip the dress color.
Molecular modeling of polymers

Abstract The behavior of four derivative copolymers of poly(acrylic acid) were modeled in dilute aqueous polymer solutions with calcium counterions. Molecular dynamics simulations of negatively charged copolymer models in the presence of different Ca 2+ ion concentrations at 300 K, using an effective molecular dielectric constant of 3.5, were performed. Analyses of the dependence of the total potential energy, the counterion binding energy and the time average chain segment length of each of the copolymer models on Ca 2+ ion concentration was performed. One of the copolymer models was predicted to have the greatest propensity to capture the calcium counterions. Unusually strong binding interactions between the copolymer and Ca 2+ counterions were identified for this copolymer. Structure-binding analysis led to the identification of a specific Ca 2+ binding site sequence and geometry as being responsible for the strong counterion binding. The events that take place during the calcium capturing process at this binding-site are discussed in terms of intramolecular dynamics and intermolecular electrostatic interactions. The existence of this specific Ca 2+ binding sequence is a clear example of how property optimization studies in the laboratory mimic breakthrough outcomes realized in natural evolution.
The partial realization problem for moving average models

The author considers the problem of finding the minimum-order moving average (MA) model which jointly matches a set of correlation, power spectral, and/or impulse response values. He provides a solution for the case when correlations alone, or correlations and spectral values are specified. The solution rests on a representation of the set of attainable correlation/spectral values which a given order MA model can produce in terms of the eigenstructure of certain Toeplitz matrices. When impulse response values are included, the problem complicates because certain key attainable sets become nonconvex. Bounds for this case, involving generalized eigenvalues are provided. >
Coronary lipohyalinosis: Dietary induction in guinea pigs

Abstract Male guinea pigs were fed for 9 to 16 weeks an atherogenic diet containing 1% cholesterol with either 10% butter or 10% corn oil. The intramyocardial arteries of 25 of 31 experimental guinea pigs had a stenotic to occlusive, acellular to hypocellular intimal lesion appearing similar to hyalin and rich in lipid. Histochemically the lipohyalin contained cholesterol, neutral lipids and fibrinoid. The apparent acellular character of lipohyalin, its location in small intramyocardial arteries and renal arterioles and its possible thrombogenic origin are unique characteristics which suggest that the guinea pig would be a useful model to study morphologically and histochemically similar lesions in man.
Fifty Years Since Modigliani and Miller: Is Capital Structure Really Relevant for Firm Value?

More than fifty years ago, Modigliani and Miller proposed that, in the absence of taxes, capital structure is irrelevant in the sense that it does not affect firm value. Since then, three sets of theories (signaling, agency, and tradeoff models) have reasserted the relevance of capital structure. In this paper, I show that capital structure does not affect firm value in any of these theories under a set of assumptions not precluded by these theories. I reach three main conclusions. First, signaling through capital structure only conveys a priori unknown information about firm value – it does not affect it. Second, an important reason why existing agency‐cost theories and tradeoff theories proved capital structure irrelevance is that they started with an inefficient allocation of project‐choice control, i.e., inefficient governance; if project‐choice control can be efficiently allocated (and I show it can under a general set of assumptions), then capital structure is irrelevant. Third, I also show that, despite the value irrelevance of capital structure, it is possible to explain observed patterns in the data, such as the higher use of leverage by firms with more tangible assets.
A representation of time for automatic planning

This paper describes a representation of time and its associated inference rules that is being applied to process planning. The representation associates a time interval and a duration with every proposition in a world model, so that particular time relationships can be reasoned about explicitly. These time intervals are defined by their beginning and end instants, so interval relationships, such as "before" and "overlaps", are defined indirectly by the corresponding relations between the end instants. This new representation allows simpler rules for deducing the usual planning interval relationships. Similarly, interval durations are associated with each proposition by asserting the maximum and minimum durations, thus allowing the discovery of critical paths and allowing partial plans to be optimized. A planner has been designed to use the above time representation to produce plans for work stations with multiple robots, for example. A method is given for the detection and correction of interactions in the current partial plan that avoids any conflicts and deadlocks that could arise.
Opiates and Other Analgesics

This chapter is concerned with those pain-killing drugs (analgesics) that are most likely to be misused, ranging from propoxyphene (Darvon) through the synthetic, opiatelike drugs to the major opiates, including morphine and heroin. The generalizations made here apply to almost all prescription painkillers, with the possible exception of the newer prescription anti-inflammatory medications. The material will also be relevant to the newer opiate-type drugs, including the mixed agonist/antagonist butorphanol (Stadol or Borphanol), which is similar to buprenorphene and nalbuphene, as well as fentanyl (Sublimaze). Most of these newer medications have not yet met the test of time to determine their actual propensity to develop adverse reactions, including addiction.1,2
Web-centric instrumentation: controlling and monitoring a vertical profiler using a WWW browser

This paper describes the techniques and lessons learned in developing control and data display software for a vertical profiler using Java and a WWW (World Wide Web) browser.
Effect of Various Hallux Valgus Reconstruction on Sesamoid Location A Radiographic Study

Background:The correction of sesamoid subluxation is an important component of hallux valgus reconstruction with some surgeons feeling that the sesamoids can be pulled back under the first metatarsal head when imbricating the medial capsule during surgery. The purpose of this study was to radiographically assess the effect of an osteotomy on sesamoid location relative to the second metatarsal.Methods:This is a retrospective radiographic study review of 165 patients with hallux valgus treated with reconstructive osteotomies. Patients were included if they underwent a scarf or basilar osteotomy for hallux valgus but were excluded if they had inflammatory arthropathy or lesser metatarsal osteotomy. A modified McBride soft tissue procedure was performed in conjunction with the basilar and scarf osteotomies. Each patient’s preoperative and postoperative radiographs were evaluated for hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal 1-2 angle, tibial sesamoid classification, and lateral sesamoid location relative to the se...
Genetic approaches to inflorescence and leaf development in maize

Summary The application of genetic methods to the analysis of morphogenesis in maize is described. Several classes of floral mutants are differentiated through developmental studies and tests of epistasis. The results of mosaic and dosage analysis of Knl, a dominant mutation affecting leaf development, are related to molecular studies of the gene.
MOVEMENT OF MALE AND FEMALE BLACK-TAILED DEER FORAGING ON ACORNS

Abstract Movement and cropping rate influences forage selectivity of deer. Previously, I found that male and female black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) had similar cropping rates on acorns. Herein, I tested whether movement rates differed between the sexes when deer fed on acorns. I detected a relationship between movement rate and acorn abundance but no intersexual differences in movement. Male and female deer foraged on acorns in a similar manner because they had similar movement and cropping rates.
Spectral-domain radiation Q analysis of a planar dipole over a conducting ground plane

The exact radiation quality factor (Q) of a horizontal planar dipole antenna over a conducting ground plane is presented. The stored energies as well as the radiated power are evaluated in the 2-D spectral domain. In the half space above the antenna, the energies are found from surface integrals at the antenna height, following existing techniques. Stored energies between the antenna and the ground plane are evaluated using volume integrals. The effect of the ground plane on Q is discussed.
The school superintendency in connecticut's schools: An introductory analysis and preliminary standards

The Connecticut State Education Department is in the process of developing a standards-based approach to the certification of school administrators based on the belief that the preparation and certification for administrative positions should be outcome driven. It is believed that the current system of certification based largely on graduate course credits and years of experience is not the best way to demonstrate competence. Further, it is asserted that professional development should take place at stages in the career continuum of administrators, and, therefore, that requirements for continuing certification should extend throughout an administrator's career. The recommendations for these changes that were approved by the State Board of Education were based on the Report of the Connecticut Education Department Task Force, reviews of literature and practice, and discussions with national experts in the field. Among other features the new certification regulations would provide standards for an appraisal system that would provide the basis for state assessments of those seeking administrative certification. The development of a monograph and specific standards related to the school principalship were the major features during the beginning of the project. The purpose of this article is to present preliminary standards that would serve as the foundation for the development of an appraisal system for the certification of school superintendents in Connecticut. These preliminary standards would guide the preparation of school superintendents, and later the development of new assessment procedures for the certification of superintendents. Within this article a logical relationship is drawn between the discussion of the role categories of the school superintendent, the major expectations of superintendents within those categories, and general, preliminary standards. The standards are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to represent significant priorities for the superintendency in the opinion of the authors.
Testing and Teaching: Two Sides of the Same Coin?.

It is common among teachers, in the United States, to complain about the time devoted to testing. They argue that they could teach more if they could test students less, and on the surface, their arguments seem compelling. There has been considerable growth in the use of tests for decisions that are not always directly related to classroom instruction. Tests will be used by the Council of Chief State School Officers, beginning in 1987, to rate the average performance of students within each of the fifty states which comprise the United States (Sirkin, 1985), and presently tests are being used by policy makers and the media to rank school districts within many of the states. In at least one state, tests are used by the state to award cash bonuses to school personnel if their students' academic growth from one year to the next falls within the upper twenty-five percent of the distribution of test scores. While these uses are only remotely related to teaching, they unfortunately have fueled teacher resistance to the use of tests for formative evaluation of instruction.
Intestinal alkaline phosphatase is protective to the preterm rat pup intestine

Abstract Background Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common surgical emergency in neonates, with a mortality rate between 10 and 50%. The onset of necrotizing enterocolitis is highly variable and associated with numerous risk factors. Prior research has shown that enteral supplementation with intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) decreases the severity of NEC. The aim of this study is to investigate whether IAP is protective to the preterm intestine in the presence of formula feeding and in the absence of NEC. Methods Preterm rat pups were fed formula with or without supplementation with IAP, and intestine was obtained on day of life 3 for analysis of IAP activity, mRNA expression of TNFα, IL-6 and iNOS and permeability and cytokine expression after LPS exposure. Results There was no difference in the absolute and intestine specific alkaline phosphatase activity in both groups. Rat pups fed IAP had decreased mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-6 and iNOS. Pups supplemented with IAP had decreased permeability and inflammatory cytokine expression after exposure to LPS ex vivo when compared to formula fed controls. Conclusions Our results support that IAP is beneficial to preterm intestine and decreases intestinal injury and inflammation caused by LPS.
Ball State University's AuD degree.

This article provides an overview of the AuD degree at Ball State University. In 1996, Ball State became the third university to offer the AuD. An accompanying undergraduate major in preaudiology p...
Evaluation of five non-rigid image registration algorithms using the NIREP framework

Evaluating non-rigid image registration algorithm performance is a difficult problem since there is rarely a "gold standard" (i.e., known) correspondence between two images. This paper reports the analysis and comparison of five non-rigid image registration algorithms using the Non-Rigid Image Registration Evaluation Project (NIREP) (www.nirep.org) framework. The NIREP framework evaluates registration performance using centralized databases of well-characterized images and standard evaluation statistics (methods) which are implemented in a software package. The performance of five non-rigid registration algorithms (Affine, AIR, Demons, SLE and SICLE) was evaluated using 22 images from two NIREP neuroanatomical evaluation databases. Six evaluation statistics (relative overlap, intensity variance, normalized ROI overlap, alignment of calcarine sulci, inverse consistency error and transitivity error) were used to evaluate and compare image registration performance. The results indicate that the Demons registration algorithm produced the best registration results with respect to the relative overlap statistic but produced nearly the worst registration results with respect to the inverse consistency statistic. The fact that one registration algorithm produced the best result for one criterion and nearly the worst for another illustrates the need to use multiple evaluation statistics to fully assess performance.
The Zeitgeist of Futures

Abstract This paper seeks the Zeitgeist of Futures from 1968 to the present. The primary effort is to discern the topics addressed by Futures over the years, how these have changed, what methods, time horizons, and moods are expressed. One goal is to shed light on questions such as whether FUTURES, or “futures studies” in general, anticipates the future or simply adds commentary on the present. If the former, by how much: if the latter, is the commentary useful? Another goal, assuming the answer is positive is to assess whether articles in FUTURES provide a “data base” for scenario building, modeling, or Delphi? Although the starting point addressed in this article is to explore trends in the use of vocabulary, and its correlations with “real world events” the goal is to comprehend connections and associations as revealed in FUTURES articles, as a step toward paradigm recognition and Zeitgeist.
Photocarcinogenesis and Susceptibility to UV Radiation in the v-Ha-ras Transgenic Tg.AC Mouse

The v-Ha- ras transgenic Tg.AC mouse line has proven to be a useful model for the study of chemical carcinogenic potential. We undertook experiments designed to study the effect of the physical carcinogen, UV radiation, on tumorigenesis in this mouse strain. Following a total of three exposures on alternating days to a radiation source covering a cumulative UVR exposure range of 2.6–42.6 kJ per m 2 , squamous papillomas developed by 4 wk after initial exposure in a dose-dependent manner. Malignancies developed within 18–30 wk following the initial UVR exposure and were all diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma or spindle cell tumors. In contrast to other mouse stains used in photocarcinogenesis studies, few p53 mutations were found in Tg.AC malignancies upon polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphism analysis of exons 4–8 followed by sequencing of suspicious bands; however, all tumors analyzed by in situ hybridization expressed the v-Ha- ras transgene. Immunohistochemical analysis of UVR-exposed skin taken 24 h after the last of three exposures (13.1 kJ per m 2 total UVR) showed expression of p53 in hair follicles and in interfollicular epidermis, which indicates that the gene was functional. Thus, although there are some differences between the Tg.AC and other mouse models, these results suggest that the Tg.AC mouse may be a useful model for the study of acute exposure photocarcinogenesis.
MORPHOLOGY AND DISPERSAL POTENTIAL OF WIND-DISPERSED DIASPORES OF NEOTROPICAL TREES

Morphological and aerodynamic traits affecting mean potential dispersal distance are quantified for wind-dispersed diaspores of tree species on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. The sample includes 34 species in 16 families and represents six aerodynamic groups. Mass and area (maximum cross section) each vary over six orders of magnitude among the species. In contrast, wing-loading, defined as weight divided by area, varies over only one order of magnitude, as does the rate of descent. While the regression of rate of descent on the square root of wing-loading is significant overall, the slopes vary significantly among five aerodynamic groups. At comparable wing-loading values, diaspores of fluffy kapok fall faster than four other aerodynamic groups and rolling autogyros fall faster than non-rolling autogyros. Assuming the diaspores are released from their typical tree height and experience a mean windspeed of 1.75 m sec-1, the expected mean dispersal distance varies among the 34 species from 22 to 194 m. Rate of descent is weakly correlated with shade tolerance of seedlings for a subset of 18 species; rate of descent is more strongly correlated with the log of dry mass of seed for all 34 species. Given these wide differences in dispersal potential, any generalizations about tropical trees that use wind dispersal are of dubious value.
High-brightness kW QCW diode laser stacks with ultra-low pitches

State-of-the-art QCW solid-state lasers are demanding ever higher brightness from the pump source-conduction cooled diode laser stacks. The intensity of a QCW vertical stack is limited by the peak power of each diode bar and the bar pitch. The minimum bar pitch of the existing laser diode stacks on the market is about 400um. In this paper, we present a unique vertical diode laser stack package design to achieve a bar pitch as low as 150um, which improves the intensity of the stack by nearly 3 times. Together with the state-of-art diode laser bar from Coherent, greater than 30kW/cm 2 peak power density is achieved from the emitting area of the vertical stack. The p-n junction temperature of the diode bars in the device under QCW operation is modeled with FEA software, as well as measured in this research. Updated reliability results for these diode laser stacks are also reported.
Numerical Investigation of the Effects of Channel Geometry on Platelet Activation and Blood Damage

Thromboembolic complications in Bileaflet mechanical heart valves (BMHVs) are believed to be due to the combination of high shear stresses and large recirculation regions. Relating blood damage to design geometry is therefore essential to ultimately optimize the design of BMHVs. The aim of this research is to quantitatively study the effect of 3D channel geometry on shear-induced platelet activation and aggregation, and to choose an appropriate blood damage index (BDI) model for future numerical simulations. The simulations in this study use a recently developed lattice-Boltzmann with external boundary force (LBM-EBF) method [Wu, J., and C. K. Aidun. Int. J. Numer. Method Fluids 62(7):765–783, 2010; Wu, J., and C. K. Aidun. Int. J. Multiphase flow 36:202–209, 2010]. The channel geometries and flow conditions are re-constructed from recent experiments by Fallon [The Development of a Novel in vitro Flow System to Evaluate Platelet Activation and Procoagulant Potential Induced by Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve Leakage Jets in School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Atlanta: Georgia Institute of Technology] and Fallon et al. [Ann. Biomed. Eng. 36(1):1]. The fluid flow is computed on a fixed regular ‘lattice’ using the LBM, and each platelet is mapped onto a Lagrangian frame moving continuously throughout the fluid domain. The two-way fluid–solid interactions are determined by the EBF method by enforcing a no-slip condition on the platelet surface. The motion and orientation of the platelet are obtained from Newtonian dynamics equations. The numerical results show that sharp corners or sudden shape transitions will increase blood damage. Fallon’s experimental results were used as a basis for choosing the appropriate BDI model for use in future computational simulations of flow through BMHVs.
Dental Implant Success-Failure Analysis: A Concept of Implant Vulnerability

This article shows the factors of importance in the long-term success and failure of oral implants based on literature review. Many factors are attributed to the failure of dental implants. The critical components leading to early and late implant failures are evaluated. The behavior of natural teeth and implants is compared in healthy and unfavorable local and systemic conditions. Similarities and differences among dental implants, healthy natural teeth, and ankylosed teeth are examined. Based on this comparison, the author attempts to draw a conclusion on the vulnerability of dental implants and their prognosis. The importance of ongoing clinical supervision of a patient's implant condition with a good recall program and the necessity to accumulate clinical data concerning implant failures over an extended period of time in a standardized manner are emphasized. It is also suggested that implant practitioners avoid giving guarantees of long-term implant success to their patients.
Steroid sulfatase and 17β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activities in mouse tissues

The metabolism of estrone sulfate and dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate to the free, unconjugated steroids, estrone and dehydroisoandrosterone, was demonstrated in more than thirty different tissues from male and female BALB/c mice. The activity of steroid sulfatase, when expressed per mg tissue, was greatest in both the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands. The pituitary gland, however, had the lowest capacity for hydrolysis of steroid sulfates while the liver had the greatest capacity. 17 beta-Hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity also was demonstrated in all mouse tissues by the formation of estradiol-17 beta when using estrone sulfate as the substrate. The highest apparent activity for 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase was found in lung tissue, and the greatest capacity to form estradiol-17 beta from estrone sulfate was found in liver, lungs, kidneys and testes. This study demonstrates that the majority of mouse tissues have steroid sulfatase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activities.
A Solution to the Polynomial Hensel Code Conversion Problem

The polynomial Hensel code of a rational function a(x)/ b(x) ϵ F(x), F is a field, is the pair (c(x) d-1(x) mod Xr, n); r is a positive integer and a(x)/ b(x) = (c(x))xn such that c(x) and d(x) have nonzero constant terms. Such a representation scheme was proposed, in analogy with the Hensel code representations of rational numbers, to facilitate arithmetic operations on rational functions and control intermediate expressions well. The difficulty with this scheme was the conversion of such a code to rational function form. In this correspondence, we have given sufficient conditions under which this can be done and have described an algorithm for effecting the conversion. We have also discussed an application, namely, the reduction of a rational function to its simplest form.
Instrumental effects in the analysis of non‐homogeneous specimens in XPS

The effects of specimen non-homogeneity on XPS spectra have been studied for a Kratos ES300 x-ray photoelectron spectrometer. This instrument was equipped with a real-time imaging system to permit accurate specimen positioning. It was found that, for a correctly positioned specimen, both the measured kinetic energy and intensity of a photoelectron peak depended on the position on the specimen from which the signal arose. The variation in measured kinetic energy across the width of the entrance slit was found to be ∼1.7 eV for the widest entrance slit and highest pass energy of our spectrometer (FAT mode, 130 eV pass energy, 5 mm wide slit). The intensity of the photoelectron peaks was found to vary by a factor of ∼2 across the analyzer acceptance area for the widest (5 mm) slit, which corresponds to the inverse square of the distance from the X-ray source. These studies show that significant shifts in kinetic energy are possible due solely to specimen non-homogeneity (as opposed to chemical shifts) as well as misleading intensity variations. Therfore, data obtained from non-homogeneous specimens should be carefully examined for these artifacts when using large- area XPS analysis.
A noninductive GL ( n ,:1M) algorithm that constructs integral linear relations for n :1M-linearly dependent real numbers

Abstract A relation for a finite number of reals is the sequence of integer coefficients, not all zero, of an integral linear combination that represents zero. An iteration of algorithm Alg(n, Z) for n real numbers is stated in four steps. It is proven that Alg(n, Z) requires less than 2n + 2n log(2n2M) iterations to construct an integral relation if one of norm M exists. Each iteration of Alg(n, Z) requires fewer than 5n4 arithmetic operations. Alg(n, Z) comprises an algorithmic characterization of Z-linear independence.
Troubled beginnings of the modern state, 1888-1910

Part I. The Legacy of Negative Examples: 1. Legitimacy and history 2. The identity of the institution Part II. Class Conflict and the Supreme Court: 3. Debs and the maintenance of public order 4. Pollock - the redistributive function denied Part III. The Response to Progressivism: 5. The Antitrust campaign 6. Labor legislation and the theory of Lochner 7. Rate regulation: the assault on Munn v. Illinois Part IV. The Concept of the Nation: 8. The American empire? 9. Federalism and liberty Part V. Liberty Dishonored: 10. The Chinese cases: citizenship and the claims of procedure 11. The early free speech cases 12. Plessy, alas 13. The end of a tradition?
Combined source–detector response characteristics

A very simple model of thermal radiation sources and detectors is used to examine the resultant response of the combination. The desired output of this combination is the characteristic of the source. Through this simple model it is demonstrated that the detector output may be very misleading if the entrance aperture of the detector is large or the spatial variation of the source varies wildly. Only if the source spatial variation is very large compared to the area seen by the detector is there any hope of obtaining the desired information.
Investigation of the kinetics of aquation of the 1:2 complex between CrIII and nitrilotriacetic acid

Abstract Aquation of the 1:2 complex between CrIII and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) was monitored using a combination of capillary electrophoresis (CE), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometry, and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of the use of either CE or ATR-FTIR to monitor the kinetics of ligand exchange reactions of CrIII–aminocarboxylate complexes. The aquation products were identified as the 1:1 CrIII complex with NTA and “free” NTA. The 1:1 complex dimerized to form a 2:2 complex in a slower subsequent reaction step. Rates of disappearance of the 1:2 complex were first-order under all experimental conditions. First-order rate constants for aquation, kobs (h−1), measured using all three techniques were similar at equivalent pH conditions, and with values reported previously in the literature. Measured kobs values exhibited a complicated pH dependence with three distinct regions: (i) at pH
Comparison of the Volatile Constituents from Rabbiteye Blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) During Ripening

GLC-MS analyses of steam distillates prepared from Delite, Tifblue, and Woodard cultivars of rabbiteye blueberries at three stages of maturity showed qualitative and quantitative differences in their organic constituents. Fifty-one compounds, consisting of aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, terpenes, esters, and three methyl substituted indanones (the latter tentative) were identified and compared. Most compounds with molecular weights of 100 - 200 amu appeared to increase with maturity and indicate potential use as indices of quality. Terpenes, C6 unsaturated aldehydes, and unsaturated alcohols were the predominant types of compounds identified in the distillates. Synthetic mixtures of lina- 1001, trans-2-hexenal, trans-2-hexenol, cis-3-hexen-1-ol and geraniol possessed typical fruity aromas reminiscent of fresh blueberry odorflavor as determined by informal sensory evaluations.
The character of the 1315 keV state in Yb174

The electron capture decay of Lu/sup 174/ populating levels of 76.5 and l3l5 kev in Yb/sup 174/ was re-investigated. A measurement of the K-conversion coefficient of the 1238 plus or minus 7-kev transition was made, and a directional correlation measurement performed on the l238 to 76.5-kev cascade. The data were consistent with an assignment of 2/sup -/ for the l3l5-kev level in Yb/sup 174/. (auth)
The Annual Testicular Cycle in An Equatorial Colony of Lesser Rock Hyrax, Heterohyrax brucei

Adult males from a colony of lesser rock hyrax found near the equator in Kenya exhibited an annual cycle of testicular activity characterized by intense spermatogenesis and elevated androgen status from May to July. Average masses of testes and seminal vesicles taken in these months were almost fourfold greater than those from September to January. During the months of peak testicular activity average diameters of Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules were increased by approximately one half and total tubule length was doubled, compared with values for the quiescent months. Variable testicular development occurred during transitional intervals preceding and following peak testicular activity. From February to April thickening of the seminiferous epithelium and appearance of spermatozoa in the caput epididymidis signalled re-establishment of sperm production. In August shedding of germinal cells from the epithelium heralded impending failure of spermatogenesis. Evidence of an annual testicular cycle contradicted the prevalent belief that equatorial hyrax breed all year and suggested that the testicular cycle is a conservative element of hyracoid reproductive strategy.