cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene expression of IL-10 in relationship to TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-2 in the rat brain following middle cerebral artery occlusion

To systematically elucidate the gene expression of inflammatory and immune modulators following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in the rat, we studied interleukin-10 (IL-10) along with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). Gene expression of these cytokines was studied ipsilateral and contralateral to the MCAO, with mRNA expression levels evaluated 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h following permanent MCAO by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In the ischemic hemisphere TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA increased at 2 h following MCAO and peaked at 6 h, with IL-10 mRNA detected only at 6 h. Contralaterally, both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNAs were expressed with a similar pattern to that in the ischemic hemisphere, but at lower levels, with no contralateral IL-10 expression. There was no difference in IL-2 gene expression between control and experimental animals in either hemisphere. These results demonstrate that IL-10 and TNF-alpha, IL-1beta gene expression is induced early following MCAO. The temporal profile of these cytokines is similar to that seen in sepsis, where TNF-alpha induces IL-10; subsequently IL-10 inhibits TNF-alpha expression. The similarity of the temporal profile of cytokine expression in sepsis and cerebral ischemia suggests that IL-10 should be studied as a potential inhibitor of TNF-alpha production in ischemic brain tissue. The factors inducing contralateral expression of the inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, along with the potential clinical significance of this remote cytokine gene expression, merit further study.
Use of Entrance Hodoscope for Particle Identification in Very-High-Energy Blbble Chamber Experiments

At energies of 10 Bev and higher, it is not easy to obtain physically separated beams of ? and ? mesons. We have constructed a hodoscope system which will register the identity of each of 20 particles entering a bubble chamber over a 100 microsecond time interval. Particles are localized by a scintillator hodoscope with matrix elements 1 cm square. Particle identity is determined with Cerenkov counters. The combined information is displayed on an oscilloscope and photographed at each bubble chamber expansion.
Bias reduction for reliable fault detection of electric motors under measurement noise of non-zero means

Model identification and fault detection are of importance for reliable motor control. For fault diagnosis, motor parameters must be estimated accurately and reliably during operation. Typical measurement noises for power electronics encounter unknown and drifting non-zero means. This causes identification bias and has detrimental effects on reliability of fault detection. Based on enhanced model structures of electric motors that accommodate both normal and faulty modes, this paper introduces algorithms that correct this bias and restore diagnosis accuracy. BLDC motors are used as a benchmark type for concrete algorithm development and evaluation. Algorithms are presented, their properties are established, and their accuracy and robustness are evaluated by case studies.
A Preliminary Survey of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Courses in Graduate Public Health Programs

Interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has grown significantly in the United States. In response, numerous medical and nursing schools are now offering CAM courses. Considering the significant overlap of many CAM and public health objectives, it seems prudent for Schools of Public Health to also consider inclusion of this content into graduate training. This study examined the current status of CAM courses in public health programs. Interviews were conduct ed with school representatives attending the American Public Health Association annual meeting in Boston (November, 2000). School representatives reported a substantial interest in CAM among students and faculty, and that many schools were currently offering or considering CAM courses.
Mechanisms of regulation of gene expression by fatty acids

Fatty acids (FA) regulate the expression of genes involved in lipid and energy metabolism. In particular, two transcription factors, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1 c) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα), have emerged as key mediators of gene regulation by FA. SREBP-1 c induces a set of lipogenic enzymes in liver. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), but not saturated or mono-unsaturated FA, suppress the induction of lipogenic genes by inhibiting the expression and processing of SREBP-1c. This unique effect of PUFA suggests that SREBP-1c may regulate the synthesis of unsaturated FA for incorporation, into glycerolipids and cholesteryl esters. PPARα plays an essential role in metabolic adaptation to fasting by inducing the genes for mitochondrial and peroxisomal FA oxidation as well as those for ketogenesis in mitochondria. FA released from adipose tissue during fasting are considered as ligands of PPARα. Dietary PUFA, except for 18∶2 n′6, are likely to induced FA oxidation enzymes via PPARα as “feed-forward” mechanism. PPARα is also required for regulating the synthesis of highly unsaturated FA, indicating pleiotropic functions of PPARα in the regulation of lipid metabolic pathways. It is yet to be determined whether FA regulate other transcription factors such as liver-X receptor, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4, and carbohydrate response element binding protein.
Delivery of plasmid DNA to vascular tissue in vivo using catheter balloons coated with polyelectrolyte multilayers

We report an approach for the localized delivery of plasmid DNA to vascular tissue from the surfaces of inflatable embolectomy catheter balloons. Using a layer-by-layer approach, ultrathin multilayered polyelectrolyte films were fabricated on embolectomy catheter balloons by alternately adsorbing layers of a hydrolytically degradable poly(β-amino ester) and plasmid DNA. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that the films coated the surfaces of the balloons uniformly. Coated balloons that were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 °C released ∼25 μg DNA/cm(2) over 24 h. Analysis of the DNA by gel electrophoresis showed that the DNA was released in open-circular ('nicked') and supercoiled conformations, and in vitro cell transfection assays confirmed that the released DNA was transcriptionally active. Arterial injury was induced in the left common, carotid arteries of Sprague-Dawley rats using uncoated balloons, followed by treatment with film-coated balloons for 20 min. X-gal, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence staining of sectioned arteries indicated high levels of β-galactosidase or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression in arteries treated with film-coated balloons. β-galactosidase and EGFP expression were observed throughout the medial layers of arterial tissue, and around approximately two-thirds of the circumference of the treated arteries. The layer-by-layer approach reported here provides a general platform for the balloon-mediated delivery of DNA to vascular tissue. Our results suggest the potential of this approach to deliver therapeutically relevant DNA to prevent complications such as intimal hyperplasia that arise after vascular interventions.
Golden Rule Ethics and the Death of the Criminal Law's Special Part

Larry Alexander and Kimberly Kessler Ferzan, with Stephen Morse, Crime and Culpability: A Theory of Criminal Law (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009), xi + 358 pp. In the final chapter of C...
Results from the Big Spring basin water quality monitoring and demonstration projects, Iowa, USA

Agricultural practices, hydrology, and water quality of the 267-km2 Big Spring groundwater drainage basin in Clayton County, Iowa, have been monitored since 1981. Land use is agricultural; nitrate-nitrogen (-N) and herbicides are the resulting contaminants in groundwater and surface water. Ordovician Galena Group carbonate rocks comprise the main aquifer in the basin. Recharge to this karstic aquifer is by infiltration, augmented by sinkhole-captured runoff. Groundwater is discharged at Big Spring, where quantity and quality of the discharge are monitored.
Evaluation of microalgae cultivation using recovered aqueous co-product from thermochemical liquefaction of algal biomass

Abstract This study characterized the ACP stream from the TCL of Spirulina and evaluated its potential as a nutrient source for cultivation of microalgae. TCL of 100 g of dry Spirulina resulted in 40% BioOil and 429.80% ACP. The ACP was found to have high nitrogen (16,200 mg L −1 ), phosphorus (795 mg L −1 ), potassium (11,260 mg L −1 ) and secondary and micronutrients. Growth media were prepared using ACP as sole nutrient source in deionized water at 0.2%, 0.33%, 1%, and 10% v/v concentration and compared with a standard growth medium (BG 11) for algal cultivation. Chlorella minutissima was grown in these media for 12 days and monitored for biomass concentration, total chlorophyll and lipids. Biomass productivities with the ACP added media at 0.2% and 0.1% concentration were 0.035 and 0.027 g L −1 d −1 , respectively, compared to 0.07 g L −1 d −1 in BG 11.
Frequency-temperature relationships for relaxations in polymers

Abstract Two classes of relaxations have been found in which the relationship between the frequency and the temperature can be defined in terms of a single adjustable parameter. In the first class, the activation entropy is close to zero and where Δ H ≠ is the activation enthalpy. The second class of internal motions occurs close to absolute zero. These relaxations have frequencies proportional to the absolute temperature and are attributed to quantum mechanical tunneling. Relaxations such as gas transitions which have very large apparent activation energies are believed to reflect a distribution of internal motions which is sampled differently at different temperatures.
Large Group Problem-based Learning: A possible solution for the ‘2 sigma problem’

Problem-based learning is characteristically carried out in small groups with the teacher in a tutorial role and usually five to seven students. It has been difficult for schools interested in using this method to provide teachers with appropriate skills in sufficient numbers. In a second year immunology course the case method, an interactive teaching method requiring only one teacher for an entire class, was blended with the teaching-learning sequences employed in problem-based learning. The result of this experience suggests that large group problem-based learning may be an acceptable and more feasible alternative to small group problem-based learning.
The solution of certain isosceles-triangle and rhombus torsion and plate problems

Abstract A method for solving boundary-value problems by satisfying the boundary conditions at discrete points (“point-matching”) is applied to the elastic torsion of isosceles-triangle and rhombus prismatical bars, and to the elastic bending of uniformly loaded and clamped isosceles-triangle and rhombus plates. To increase the accuracy while reducing the labor, the torsion and deflection functions are specially selected so as to exactly satisfy the boundary conditions on portions of the boundaries. The magnitudes and locations of the maximum shearing stresses are computed in the torsion problems, as well as the twisting moment in terms of the angle of twist. In the plate problems the magnitude and location of the maximum deflections were computed, as well as the values of the principal bending moments.
Community views on cutaneous leishmaniasis in istalif, afghanistan: Implications for treatment and prevention

Afghanistan currently has the world's largest outbreak of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis with more than 9% of the population (270,000) of Kabul affected. Transmitted through the bite of a sandfly, this di...
Attrition rates of underrepresented minority students at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, 1993-1997.

PURPOSE To examine the attrition rates of underrepresented minority (URM) students and non-URM students at the University of Illinois at Chicago's College of Medicine (UIC-COM). METHOD The study used 11 categories of information about URM and non-URM students at UIC-COM for the five academic years 1993-1997 to determine how many students withdrew and why. RESULTS Of 895 graduates during these five years, 166 (18.5%) were URM students. The attrition rates were 6.5% for all graduates, 16.2% for URM students, and 4.0% for non-URM students. Students who withdrew because of academic difficulties comprised 75% of URM withdrawals and 57% of non-URM withdrawals. CONCLUSION Many URM students need special academic attention after matriculation. Existing academic support programs should be assessed regularly to ascertain whether they may be improved to minimize attrition.
Exploring commercial friendships from employees' perspectives

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate which types of service employees provide their customers with social support and to understand why they do so.Design/methodology/approach – The article employs a network‐based inventory method to evaluate a customer's commercial‐based social support network and grounded theory to develop a framework illustrating the interdependence between service providers and their customers regarding the exchange of intrinsic support and extrinsic financial incentives and gifts.Findings – Indirect service employees who do not directly receive tips from customers emerge as key providers of social support. Also, commercial friendships are not marketplace niceties. Service providers and customers engage in a mutually beneficial exchange of social support, gifts, and tips under the guise of commercial friendships.Research limitations/implications – The article is based upon service provider and customer relationships in an American diner. Researchers may want to apply t...
Effects of carbon nanofiller functionalization and distribution on interlaminar fracture toughness of multi-scale reinforced polymer composites

Abstract Carbon nanofillers with different surface functional groups and aspect ratios, including carboxyl carbon nanotubes, un-functionalized carbon nanofibers (CNFs), glycidyloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane carbon nanotubes (GPS-CNTs) and nanofibers were evaluated for their potential for increasing the interlaminar fracture toughness of an S2-glass fiber/epoxy composite. The fillers were added in the matrix of the fiber reinforced plies, in the resin interlayer between plies, or in both regions. Comparisons were made based on mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness. For composites made with CNTs dispersed in the matrix, fracture toughness was largely unaffected except for a slight increase seen with long GPS-CNTs. However, adding a CNF or CNT modified resin interlayer significantly increased the fracture toughness, with the highest improvement over the baseline material achieved by adding long GPS-CNTs in the interlayer (79% and 91% for mode I and mode II onset toughness, respectively). Important material parameters identified for improving interlaminar fracture toughness are the nanofiller aspect ratio and concentration at the fracture plane. Based on microscopic evaluations of the fracture surfaces, a high density of high aspect ratio nanofillers causes the best entanglement between the filler and glass fibers and effectively obstructs interlaminar crack propagation.
Motor control functions of the lateral hypothalamus and adjunctive behavior.

Abstract A theoretical review of some motor control functions of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) as a possible explanation for the stimulus-bound behavior evoked by electrical stimulation of this region of the brain. Relevant data to preference-aversion taste functions mediated by the LH is also considered and related to ethyl alcohol, alcoholism, other adjunctive behaviors and drug addiction in general.
Shared Symptoms of Panic Disorder in an Elderly Couple

The authors present a case report with details of an unusual presentation of panic disorder and shared symptomatology in a long-married elderly couple. At the initial diagnostic clinical interview, the couple shared in common six symptoms of panic disorder (husband with a total of six symptoms, wife with a total of eight symptoms) and manifested commonalties in avoidance behaviors. Authors discuss the duration and course of each patient's disorder, symptoms, and commonalities.
Lysine 63 polyubiquitination of the nerve growth factor receptor TrkA directs internalization and signaling

Nerve growth factor (NGF) binding to p75(NTR) influences TrkA signaling, yet the molecular mechanism is unknown. We observe that NGF stimulates TrkA polyubiquitination, which was attenuated in p75(-/-) mouse brain. TrkA is a substrate of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), and expression of K63R mutant ubiquitin or an absence of TRAF6 abrogated TrkA polyubiquitination and internalization. NGF stimulated formation of a TrkA/p75(NTR) complex through the p62 scaffold, recruiting the E3/TRAF6 and E2/UbcH7. Peptide targeted to the TRAF6 binding site present in p62 blocked interaction with TRAF6 and inhibited ubiquitination of TrkA, signaling, internalization, and NGF-dependent neurite outgrowth. Mutation of K485 to R blocked TRAF6 and NGF-dependent polyubiquitination of TrkA, resulting in retention of the receptor on the membrane and an absence in activation of specific signaling pathways. These findings reveal that polyubiquitination serves as a common platform for the control of receptor internalization and signaling.
Reflections on ‘The Treatment Relationship, Real or Symbolic?’ by Jean Stewart: An examination of the relationship between countertransference, Langs' concept of the “frame” and compensatory treatment technique

Clinical social workers have played a leading role in the development of compensatory treatment technique. In working with clients who are characterologically disturbed we use a variety of maturationally oriented techniques that repair or ameliorate early developmental deficits. Other related techniques are designed to reduce environmental stress. These techniques complicate the therapeutic process because they require modifications in the traditional “frame” of treatment, thus making the therapist particularly vulnerable to both induced and personal (neurotic) countertransference reactions. This paper explores the relationship between compensatory technique and countertransference in an effort to identify aspects of treatment that are particular to clinical social work practice.
EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE ON THE PROSTATE GLAND OF PATIENTS OVER 45

THE observations which led to the conclusion that testosterone propionate has an aggravating effect on existing carcinoma of the prostate (1) raise the question as to whether or not testosterone propionate in doses used for the treatment of the male climacterium and angina pectoris is a factor in initiating carcinoma or activating latent carcinoma of the prostate gland. In view of the seriousness of such a possibility, 100 adult males who had previously been exposed to testosterone therapy over periods varying from several months to several years were examined for evidence of carcinoma of the prostate or other pathologic changes of the gland. These men formed part of a larger group which had been studied by one of us (M.L.) several years previously in relation to the effect of testosterone propionate on angina pectoris or the male climacterium (2, 3, 4). Prior to treatment, each man had been examined to rule out existing neoplasm, and only those found by digital examination to be free of such growths had ...
Studies on the ozonization of methyl oleate

The ozonides of methyl 9-octadecenoate, 9-octadecene and methyl 9-octadecendioate (along with pelargonyl aldehyde, methyl azelaaldehydate and a fraction which appears to consist mainly of hydroperoxy-ozonides) were isolated from ozonizations of methyl oleate in pentane and methylene chloride at −65C. The relative amounts of these compounds were determined in ozonizations of methyl oleate in pentane, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate. Present concepts of the mechanism of the reaction are elaborated on the light of new information on the products of the ozonization of methyl oleate and related compounds under various conditions.
Maximal Orders in Central Simple Algebras and Bruhat–Tits Buildings

Abstract We study the affine building forSLnover a local field and give a characterization of distance involving Hecke operators. Forn=3 we give an explicitly computable distance formula. We use this local information to show that the class number of a maximal order in a central simple algebra of dimensionn2over a number fieldKis equal to the number of orbits of a group of isometries (related to the unit group of the maximal order) acting on a Bruhat-Tits building forSLn(K). This generalizes results of Serre and Vigneras who considered the quaternion case in which the Bruhat-Tits building is a tree.
A Framework for Estimating Benefits of Using Auctions in Revenue Management

We develop a stochastic model to explore the benefits of incorporating auctions in revenue management. To the best of our knowledge the extant literature on modeling in revenue management has not considered auctions. We consider three models, namely, a traditional fixed price (non-auction) model, a pure auction model, and a hybrid auction model and evaluate their revenue performance under a variety of conditions. The hybrid approach outperforms the other two in all 24 scenarios and yields an average revenue increase of 16.1% over the next best. A surprise finding is that there is no significant difference between the performance of the fixed price and pure auction approaches. A sensitivity analysis reveals that the relative superiority of the hybrid revenue management strategy is reasonably robust.
An Easy and Safe Technique for Ventricular Septal Defect Closure in Hearts with Atrioventricular Discordant Connection and Dextrocardia

Abstract When ventricular septal defect exists in hearts with atrioventricular discordant connection and dextrocardia, closure of the defect can most easily be accomplished by exposure through the left atrium and retracted tricupsid valve leaflets. This approach provides good visualization of all aspects of the defect and keeps the suture line away from the conduction tissue, thus reducing the possibility of iatrogenic heart block.
Maximizing the Coefficient of Generalizability in Decision Studies.

This paper presents an efficient search procedure for determining the optimal number of observations of facets in a design that maximize generalizability when resource constraints are imposed. The procedure is illustrated for a three- and four-facet, fully crossed design, and extensions are presented for other design configurations.
Testicular Infarction Becoming Apparent After Hernia Reduction

Abstract Background: Testicular infarction from an incarcerated inguinal hernia is a rare event in children, often not considered in the initial evaluation. Objective: To report a case that describes the presentation, diagnosis, and management of testicular infarction in the setting of an incarcerated inguinal hernia. Case Report: A 2-month old boy was brought to the Emergency Department (ED) by his parents for vomiting, crying, and a left-sided scrotal swelling. An inguinal hernia was manually reduced successfully in the ED. Subsequently, scrotal ultrasound with color Doppler was obtained, demonstrating no blood flow to the left testis. The patient underwent a left orchiectomy and right orchiopexy with hernia repair. Discussion: Testicular injury can occur from torsion due to the effect of an incarcerated hernia or due to ischemia from cord compression. Delay in diagnosis and surgery risks testicular viability, therefore, surgery should not be delayed for imaging in the presence of strong suspicion of torsion. Conclusions: The diagnosis of testicular torsion is not always straightforward because many conditions may have a similar clinical presentation or may compromise testicular blood supply. This case is an unusual presentation of testicular infarction in the setting of an incarcerated inguinal hernia.
Assessment of the quality of medical care among patients with early stage prostate cancer undergoing expectant management in the United States.

Purpose: Given the increased attention to the quality and cost of medical care, the Institute of Medicine and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have called for performance measurement and reporting. The clinical management of prostate cancer has been outlined, yet is not intended to describe quality prostate cancer care. Therefore, RAND researchers developed quality indicators for early stage prostate cancer. The ACoS (American College of Surgeons) used these indicators to perform the first national assessment to our knowledge of the quality of care among men with early stage prostate cancer undergoing expectant management.Materials and Methods: Information from medical records was abstracted for evidence of compliance with the RAND indicators (structure and process). Weighted and stratified proportions were calculated to assess indicator compliance. Logistic regression models were fit and evaluated by hospital type and patient factors.Results: A weighted and stratified total of 13,876 early stag...
Partisan balance and bias in network coverage of the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections

This study conceptualizes news bias as a causal factor producing systematic imbalance in the coverage of conflicting sides. Partisan bias is distinguished from structural bias by coverage that systematically favors one side with more prominence and attention. Content analysis was used to compare the television networks' balance in their treatment of Republican and Democratic candidates in stories and segments covering the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. Presidential candidates received balanced aggregate treatment in both elections. But individual networks differed in their partisan balance. CBS News consistently favored the Democratic candidate in both elections, unlike the mixed results for ABC and NBC. CBS's pattern of imbalance, especially in the 2004 election, suggests a possible political bias in its coverage.
Handheld Miniature Ion Trap Mass Spectrometers

For field applications, “miniature” and “rapid” have become almost synonymous, yet these small mass spectrometers are not useful if performance is too severely compromised. (To listen to a podcast about this feature, please go to the Analytical Chemistry website at pubs.acs.org/journal/ancham.)
Solar Vapor Generation Enabled by Nanoparticles

Solar illumination of broadly absorbing metal or carbon nanoparticles dispersed in a liquid produces vapor without the requirement of heating the fluid volume. When particles are dispersed in water at ambient temperature, energy is directed primarily to vaporization of water into steam, with a much smaller fraction resulting in heating of the fluid. Sunlight-illuminated particles can also drive H2O–ethanol distillation, yielding fractions significantly richer in ethanol content than simple thermal distillation. These phenomena can also enable important compact solar applications such as sterilization of waste and surgical instruments in resource-poor locations.
The Search for Strategies to Control Hypertension

Article see p 1183 Hypertension is a major contributor to the global disease burden.1 The worldwide prevalence of hypertension is estimated to be ≈26%, totaling ≈1 billion people. Because a larger proportion of the world's population is expected to be older in 2025, hypertension prevalence is projected to increase to ≥29% in the next 15 years.2 Currently, in the United States, approximately 73 million Americans have hypertension. Despite this “epidemic,” the US age-adjusted mortality rates for stroke and coronary heart disease decreased by 60% and 53%, respectively, between 1960 and 1994. Cardiovascular mortality has continued to decline since 1994, although at a less steep rate. It is likely that increased availability and utilization of effective antihypertensive agents have contributed to these favorable trends. In clinical trials of antihypertensive therapy, there has been a 35% to 40% reduction in stroke incidence, a 20% to 25% reduction in myocardial infarction, and a more than 50% reduction in the incidence of heart failure.3 Nevertheless, blood pressure remains uncontrolled in large numbers of people, even among those taking antihypertensive medications, and cardiovascular disease remains the most frequent cause of mortality. Based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, the age-adjusted hypertension prevalence in the United States has gradually increased over the past two decades (Table), possibly as a consequence of increasing obesity rates.4,5 From 1999 to 2000 and 2007 to 2008, hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates have improved considerably, and it appears that the Healthy People 2010 goal of controlling blood pressure in 50% of all individuals with hypertension has been achieved. However, despite the availability of effective antihypertensive medications, the documented beneficial effect of lifestyle modifications, national guidelines for hypertension management, and the overwhelming evidence for the cardiovascular protective effect of hypertension control, blood pressure …
A retinal mechanism of efficient vision

The threshold of stimulation of the visual rods and cones and of the retinal pigment, a t which they exhibit their characteristic photomechanical changes, is high.
Particle Swarm Optimization in Dynamic Pricing

Dynamic pricing is a real-time machine learning problem with scarce prior data and a concrete learning cost. While the Kalman Filter can be employed to track hidden demand parameters and extensions to it can facilitate exploration for faster learning, the exploratory nature of particle swarm optimization makes it a natural choice for the dynamic pricing problem. We compare both the Kalman Filter and existing particle swarm adaptations for dynamic and/or noisy environments with a novel approach that time-decays each particle's previous best value; this new strategy provides more graceful and effective transitions between exploitation and exploration, a necessity in the dynamic and noisy environments inherent to the dynamic pricing problem.
Turbo coded BICM scheme with iterative detection for MIMO block-fading channels

We investigate turbo coded bit interleaved coded modulation (BICM) schemes for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) block-fading channels. Both serial and parallel concatenated turbo codes are considered and their performance is compared. A sphere decoder is employed to achieve good performance with reduced computation complexity when the size of the constellation or the number of transmit antenna is large. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed schemes in MIMO block-fading channels.
Examining the Relationship between Multiple Internalized Oppressions and African American Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning Persons' Self-Esteem and Psychological Distress.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) persons come from diverse cultural groups with diverse racial and ethnic identities. However, most research on LGBQ persons has used primarily White samples, and most research on African Americans has used largely heterosexual samples. Thus, research has largely failed to attend to and investigate the complexity of African American LGBQ persons' experiences. This study examined the relations between multiple internalized oppressions and African American sexual minority persons' self-esteem and psychological distress. Results indicated that when examined together, internalized racism and internalized heterosexism (also known as internalized homophobia) were both significant negative predictors of self-esteem, but only internalized heterosexism was a unique positive predictor of psychological distress. The interaction of internalized racism and internalized heterosexism was not a significant predictor of self-esteem or psychological distress. Finally, the authors' findings indicate that self-esteem partially mediates the relationship between internalized heterosexism and psychological distress.
Linearly chirped erbium-doped fiber laser

Linear tuning the frequency of an erbium-doped fiber laser over a 46-nm spectral range is demonstrated using a rotating mirror/grating combination as one of the reflectors in a Fabry-Perot laser cavity. The rate of frequency change is determined by monitoring the fringes produced when the laser light reflects from a fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer (FFPI). A root mean square variation of the tuning rate of <0.2% over the entire range is achieved using feedback from the FFPI to adjust the voltage ramp which drives the rotating mirror. The measured spectral width of the laser is 33 pm (4.2 GHz).
Pulmonary complications of HIV infection

▪ Abstract Pulmonary disease is a major source of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected persons. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia has decreased substantially during the last eight years, but in the United States it remains the most common disorder that announces the onset of AIDS. In contrast, tuberculosis is by far the most important AIDS-associated indicator disease in developing countries. Community-acquired acute bacterial penumonia is a common HIV-linked complication throughout the world; pneumonia occurs at all levels of immune suppression but increases in frequency as CD4 counts decrease. Fungal infections mainly afflict persons who live or have lived in the various endemic areas. AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma and lymphoma generally do not involve the lungs until the malignancies are advanced. The increasing use of successful chemoprophylaxis against many important HIV-associated infections is increasing the incidence of other end-stage complications such as cytomegalovirus and disseminated MAC dis...
Sperm motility development in the epididymis is associated with decreased glycogen synthase kinase-3 and protein phosphatase 1 activity.

Immotile bovine caput epididymal sperm contain levels of protein phosphatase activity twofold higher than do mature motile caudal sperm. Comparison of the inhibition profiles of endogenous phosphatase activities detected by okadaic acid (OA) and calyculin A (CA) revealed a pattern consistent with the predominance of a type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1). Immunoblot analysis identified PP1 gamma 2 (the testis-specific isoform of PP1) as the only PP1 isoform in sperm and showed little protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). In addition, of the known PP1 inhibitors, i.e., DARPP-32, inhibitor 1 (I1), and inhibitor 2 (I2), only I2-like activity was detected in sperm. Inhibition of PP1 by the heat-stable I2-like activity purified from sperm could be reversed with purified glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). Furthermore, sperm extracts contain an inactive complex of PP1 and I2 (termed PP1I) that could also be activated by purified GSK-3. The presence of GSK-3 in sperm was demonstrated by activation of purified PP1I, and quantitation revealed that immotile caput sperm contained sixfold higher GSK-3 activity than motile caudal sperm. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the expression of GSK-3 in sperm and revealed the occurrence of both the alpha and beta isoforms. Our findings suggest that the higher PP1 activity measured in immotile sperm, presumably due to higher GSK-3 activity, is responsible for holding motility in check. This conclusion was supported by the observation that the phosphatase inhibitors OA and CA, at micromolar and nanomolar levels, respectively, were able to induce motility in completely immotile bovine caput epididymal sperm and to stimulate the kinetic activity of mature caudal sperm. The intrasperm levels of cAMP, pH, and calcium were unaltered by treatment with these inhibitors. The results suggest a biochemical basis for the development and regulation of sperm motility and a possible physiological role for the PP1/I2/GSK-3 system.
INFECTIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

One-half century after the discovery of penicillin revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infection, infectious diseases remain an important source of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Infections of the nervous system, in particular, represent a continuing diagnostic and therapeutic problem and frequently present as emergencies. Several factors contribute to the ongoing health threat from infectious diseases: (1) the emergence of two large populations of immuno-compromised patients as a result of (a) the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic and (b) the aggressive treatments that have altered host defenses while both improving survival in many types of malignancies and permitting the success of organ transplantation; (2) the decrease in immunization levels against some infectious diseases in segments of the US population; (3) the increase in international travel allowing rapid transmission of infectious agents on a global scale and presenting the clinician with illnesses unlikely to be seen with sufficient frequency to assure diagnostic acumen, 96 and (4) the widespread use of the very antibiotics that have contributed to many successes against infectious diseases but that also have created the emergence of resistant organisms. Successful treatment of infections of the nervous system depends on rapid and accurate diagnosis and, in turn, diagnosis depends on the clinician's index of suspicion. Many neurologic infections are not accompanied by either systemic signs or laboratory evidence of infection outside the nervous system. Confronting a patient who has an emerging neurologic syndrome, a North-American-trained physician may not promptly suspect infection, but, having done so, can use several sets of information to narrow the diagnostic focus and provide early and appropriate treatment. Four sets of data help refine diagnostic considerations:
Publication Bias in Psychological Science: Prevalence, Methods for Identifying and Controlling, and Implications for the Use of Meta-Analyses

The issue of publication bias in psychological science is one that has remained difficult to address despite decades of discussion and debate. The current article examines a sample of 91 recent meta-analyses published in American Psychological Association and Association for Psychological Science journals and the methods used in these analyses to identify and control for publication bias. Of the 91 studies analyzed, 64 (70%) made some effort to analyze publication bias, and 26 (41%) reported finding evidence of bias. Approaches to controlling publication bias were heterogeneous among studies. Of these studies, 57 (63%) attempted to find unpublished studies to control for publication bias. Nonetheless, those studies that included unpublished studies were just as likely to find evidence for publication bias as those that did not. Furthermore, authors of meta-analyses themselves were overrepresented in unpublished studies acquired, as compared with published studies, suggesting that searches for unpublished studies may increase rather than decrease some sources of bias. A subset of 48 meta-analyses for which study sample sizes and effect sizes were available was further analyzed with a conservative and newly developed tandem procedure of assessing publication bias. Results indicated that publication bias was worrisome in about 25% of meta-analyses. Meta-analyses that included unpublished studies were more likely to show bias than those that did not, likely due to selection bias in unpublished literature searches. Sources of publication bias and implications for the use of meta-analysis are discussed.
A Global Context for Instructional Leadership: Implications for Teaching and Teacher Preparation

Various school systems across the world are facing a plethora of global changes and realities that dictate rethinking instructional practices and professional training of teachers. Pressures on schools to promote conceptual knowledge and relevant skills for all students to be successful in the technologically advanced world in order to succeed in the competitive world continue to mount. Similarly teachers are constantly facing the challenges dictated by the universal culture that exerts a huge power on learning and teaching as manifested in today's classrooms. Thus there is a need for paradigm shift which underscores the need to prepare globally competent students and teachers in the technologically advanced world. This paper focuses on the vital role of teachers as instructional leaders who undertake their tasks and responsibilities within the local and global contexts of schools. It delineates a workable model for teaching and teacher preparation in global environments by establishing a set of goals for both students and teachers as a blueprint for skillful interaction in the complex world. Drawing on pertinent research and literature in the field, the discussion introduces an instructional leadership model conducive to producing promising educational outcomes. Finally, implications for curriculum planning, pedagogical practices, and teacher education are drawn while suggesting specific guidelines and ingredients for educational success.
The concentric-ring phased-array hyperthermia applicator: problems associated with directly synthesized annular heating patterns

The authors investigate the synthesis of different size annular patterns and examine the relative intensities produced in the ultrasonic field proximal and distal to the focal plane. Computer simulations using a concentric-ring array are presented and discussed. The size and position of the synthesized annular patterns are varied by adjusting the phase and amplitude of the driving signal to each array element. It is demonstrated that annular patterns need to be larger than a limiting size (R/sub s/) to avoid excessive energy accumulation along the array axis. Analysis and computer simulations demonstrate that smaller size annual patterns (r or=R/sub s/) show that while therapeutic temperatures are reached at the periphery, the tumor center temperature cannot be evenly raised. >
Neutron irradiation facilities at the intense pulsed neutron source-I☆

Abstract There are facilities for irradiation down to 4.2K with fast neutrons at Argonne's recently constructed Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS-I). The large irradiation volume, the neutron spectrum and flux, the ability to transfer samples without warm up, and the dedication of the facilities during the irradiation make this ideally suited for radiation damage studies on components for superconducting fusion magnets. Possible experiments are discussed on cyclic irradiation and annealing of stabilizers in a high magnetic field, mechanical tests on organic insulation irradiated at 4K, and superconductors measured in high fields after irradiation.
A reproducing kernel method with nodal interpolation property

A general formulation for developing reproducing kernel (RK) interpolation is presented. This is based on the coupling of a primitive function and an enrichment function. The primitive function introduces discrete Kronecker delta properties, while the enrichment function constitutes reproducing conditions. A necessary condition for obtaining a RK interpolation function is an orthogonality condition between the vector of enrichment functions and the vector of shifted monomial functions at the discrete points. A normalized kernel function with relative small support is employed as the primitive function. This approach does not employ a finite element shape function and therefore the interpolation function can be arbitrarily smooth. To maintain the convergence properties of the original RK approximation, a mixed interpolation is introduced. A rigorous error analysis is provided for the proposed method. Optimal order error estimates are shown for the meshfree interpolation in any Sobolev norms. Optimal order convergence is maintained when the proposed method is employed to solve one-dimensional boundary value problems. Numerical experiments are done demonstrating the theoretical error estimates. The performance of the method is illustrated in several sample problems. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mnd1/Hop2 Facilitates Dmc1-Dependent Interhomolog Crossover Formation in Meiosis of Budding Yeast

During meiosis, each chromosome must pair with its homolog and undergo meiotic crossover recombination in order to segregate properly at the first meiotic division. Recombination in meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae relies on two Escherichia coli recA homologs, Rad51 and Dmc1, as well as the more recently discovered heterodimer Mnd1/Hop2. Meiotic recombination in S. cerevisiae mnd1 and hop2 single mutants is initiated via double-strand breaks (DSBs) but does not progress beyond this stage; heteroduplex DNA, joint molecules, and crossovers are not detected. Whereas hop2 and mnd1 single mutants are profoundly recombination defective, we show that mnd1 rad51, hop2 rad51, and mnd1 rad17 double mutants are able to carry out crossover recombination. Interestingly, noncrossover recombination is absent, indicating a role for Mnd1/Hop2 in the designation of DSBs for noncrossover recombination. We demonstrate that in the rad51 mnd1 double mutant, recombination is more likely to occur between repetitive sequences on nonhomologous chromosomes. Our results support a model in which Mnd1/Hop2 is required for DNA-DNA interactions that help ensure Dmc1-mediated stable strand invasion between homologous chromosomes, thereby preserving genomic integrity.
Mass transfer to drops moving through power law fluids in the intermediate reynolds number region

The mass transfer rate to fluid spheres is calculated for power law and Newtonian fluids by using the intermediate Reynolds number stream functions of Nakano and Tien (1970) and Yamaguchi et al. (1974), respectively. The Sh increases with increases in Re and Pe and decreases in n. Better results are obtained with Nakano and Tien's functions when Re > 10 and with Yamaguchi's functions when Re < 10.
Applying reciprocity and accommodation theories to supervisor/subordinate communication

Abstract Reciprocity and accommodation theories were applied to communication between supervisors and subordinates. It was reasoned that supervisors and subordinates informally (and not necessarily consciously) negotiate communication styles with each other which become significantly correlated over time. It was hypothesized that the supervisors’ Socio‐Communicative Style and the subordinates’ Socio‐Communicative Orientation would be positively correlated with each other and both would predict the subordinates’ perceptions of the supervisors’ credibility, attractiveness, and the subordinates’ general attitude toward the supervisor and communicating with that supervisor. The results were consistent with the hypotheses.
ON WILLIAMSON'S ARGUMENTS THAT KNOWLEDGE IS A MENTAL STATE

In Knowledge and Its Limits, Timothy Williamson argues that knowledge is a purely mental state, that is, that it is never a complex state or condition comprising mental factors and non-mental, environmental factors. Three of his arguments are evaluated: arguments from (1) the non-analyzability of the concept of knowledge, (2) the ‘primeness’ of knowledge, and (3) the (alleged) inability to satisfactorily specify the ‘internal’ element involved in knowledge. None of these arguments succeeds. Moreover, consideration of the third argument points the way to a cogent argument that knowledge is not a purely mental state.
Clinical risk factors to predict deep venous thrombosis post-endovenous laser ablation of saphenous veins.

Objective: Endovenous laser ablation of saphenous veins is an alternative in treating symptomatic varicose veins. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) has been reported in up to 7.7% of patients undergoing...