cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Graph-based 4D lung segmentation in CT images with expert-guided computer-aided refinement

A new graph-based approach for simultaneous segmentation of lungs in 4D CT scans is presented. The approach is based on a “just enough” user interaction principle and consists of two stages. First, a fully automated graph-based segmentation algorithm is applied. Second, the user inspects the result and can correct local segmentation errors with all interactions performed within the graph-based computer-aided computational framework. The method was evaluated on ten 4D CT scans of lungs with disease (cancer, etc.). Compared against an independent reference standard, the average Dice coefficient was 0.966 ± 0.014 and 0.974 ± 0.009 after automated segmentation and subsequent interactive computer-aided refinement, respectively. Overall, fifteen out of twenty left/right lungs at inspiration and expiration needed refinement. This process took 4.3 min on average. The achieved improvement in segmentation performance was found to be significant (p <;<; 0.001). Results demonstrate good performance of the fully automated segmentation approach, which can be further improved by means of graph-based refinement.
Innovative multimedia instruction and sophisticated problem-solving exercise and testing in engineering statics and structural planning

Details of innovative utilization of multimedia features such as color and audio in instruction, and 10 interactive computer-graded problem-solving lessons with new problems at each execution time and sophisticated judgment of students' answers, developed in project "Interactive Computer-based Instruction and Testing in Engineering Statics," are described. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Characterization and Molecular Evolution of a Vertebrate Hyaluronan Synthase Gene Family

The three mammalian hyaluronan synthase (HAS) genes and the related Xenopus laevis gene,DG42, belong to a larger evolutionarily conserved vertebrate HAS gene family. We have characterized additional vertebrate HAS genes from chicken (chas2 and chas3) andXenopus (xhas2, xhas3, and a uniqueXenopus HAS-related sequence, xHAS-rs). Genomic structure analyses demonstrated that all vertebrate HAS genes share at least one exon-intron boundary, suggesting that they evolved from a common ancestral gene. Furthermore, the Has2 andHas3 genes are identical in structure, suggesting that they arose by a gene duplication event early in vertebrate evolution. Significantly, similarities in the genomic structures of the mouseHas1 and Xenopus DG42 genes strongly suggest that they are orthologues. Northern analyses revealed a similar temporal expression pattern of HAS genes in developing mouse andXenopus embryos. Expression of mouse Has2, Has3, andXenopus Has1 (DG42) led to hyaluronan biosynthesis in transfected mammalian cells. However, only mouse Has2 and Has3 expressing cells formed significant hyaluronan-dependent pericellular coats in culture, implying both functional similarities and differences among vertebrate HAS enzymes. We propose that vertebrate hyaluronan biosynthesis is regulated by a comparatively ancient gene family that has arisen by sequential gene duplication and divergence.
The Kuder Occupational Interest Inventory as a Moderator of its Predictive Validity

A measure of the extent to which the Kuder Occupational Interest Inventory (KOIS) was predictive of occupational membership for an individual was correlated with KOIS item and scale scores. KOIS items and scales were shown to moderate the 12 to 19 year predictive validity of the KOIS. Women with nontraditional interests were found to be relatively less predictable by the KOIS.
The Average Area Per Molecule of Cholesterol/PC-Lipid Bilayers: A Review of Experimental Data and a Physically Inspired Model

We recently documented that beta-cyclodextrin extracts cholesterol at different rates from supported lipid bilayers containing either DMPC, SOPC, or DOPC [Litz & Keller, BJ, 2013, 93A]. Quantitative measurement of the rate of cholesterol depletion relies on accurate knowledge of the average area per molecule within each bilayer, as does calibration of fixed-area molecular dynamic simulations [e.g. Klauda & Nagle, BJ, 2006, 2796]. A challenge is to integrate a plethora of seemingly incompatible experimental results, which yield significantly different average areas per molecule of PC-lipid/cholesterol bilayers. Historically, disagreements between values derived from x-ray and neutron scattering have been attributed to differences in sensitivity between the two techniques, and more recent approaches have analyzed scattering data from both techniques [e.g. Kucerka & Katsaras, BJ, 2008, 2356]. Here I show that the majority of the data from which areal measurements are derived is in agreement, and that most disparity in reported values arises from the choice of difficult-to-measure physical parameters. I provide an estimate of the uncertainty of how the area of a PC-lipid bilayer changes as a function of the mole fraction of cholesterol and derive a physically-inspired, two-parameter model to predict the change. I compare the efficacy of my model with that of the currently preferred four-parameter model [Edholm & Nagle, BJ, 2005, 1827]. I then apply my results to quantitatively report rates of cholesterol depletion from two-component lipid bilayers.
The Effectiveness of a Divorce Education Program on Father Involvement

Abstract Since the beginning of the 1990s, there has been a dramatic increase in, and use of, divorce education programs for parents who are divorcing. While many studies have examined the long-term effectiveness of such programs, virtually no studies have exclusively focused on outcomes for divorced fathers. In this study, I compared fathers who had attended a divorce education program (because of a county mandate) with fathers who did not participate in such an intervention. All fathers had been divorced for two to four years. I assessed several different kinds of father-outcomes including contact with children, attendance at school or extracurricular activities, participation in decision-making about children's lives, post-divorce relations (with the child and mother), and adjustment to life as a divorced father. The results indicate that this particular divorce education program did not bring lasting effects for divorced fathers.
A low noise, high power efficiency supply regulator for near-field power delivery

In order to deliver near-field electromagnetic power to a biomedical device or an RFID tag efficiently, the downlink signal is preferred to be at a high voltage level. To reduce power consumption and meet low supply requirements, it is advantageous for the remote device power supply to step-down the input voltage following rectification, typically using switch-mode regulators. The output ripple of a switched capacitor converter is inversely proportional to the filtering capacitance at the output node and switching frequency. In this paper, a hybrid DC---DC converter utilizing a switched capacitor regulator in master---slave configuration with a linear regulator is presented. Linear regulator actively cancels the switching ripple, while low frequency and DC current is provided by the switched capacitor converter. The converter is designed to receive an average input voltage of 5 Vpk from the receiver coil, with an output voltage of 2 V, and 5 mA of output current. The proposed regulator is fabricated in 0.35 μm technology. The power efficiency is measured to be 67%, with a nominal peak to peak ripple of less than 2 mV at the output.
Revisiting the Parable of the Prodigal Son for Decolonization: Luke's Reconfiguration of Oikos in 15:11-32

The early Christian Gospels' most radical construction of the household ( oikos ) helps to create extensive opportunities and freedoms over and against the constraints of the Roman Empire. In particular, the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) provides a transformative awareness of living and interacting under the Empire and writes its empowering effects into the present context of grassroots people. The paterfamilias of the parable is crossing the boundary of colonial oikos which has been least traversed. While going back and forth interacting with his sons, the paterfamilias erases the borderline and releases oikos from the economic, social, and cultural constructions of colonial power. Jesus' oikos emerges not from a moral regarding good economic discipline and earnings, but rather from real needs and real community under the mercy and grace of a God who levels all boundaries: "every valley" and "every mountain." This essay is a postcolonial reading of the Parable of the Prodigal Son from an East Asian perspective.
Charge Collection in Multilayer Structures

Charge collection measurements using energetic ions have been performed on layered structures in bulk and epitaxial silicon. Both fast transient digitizer and slower charge sensitive preamplifier measurements have been made as a function of bias, ion type, energy, and angle of incidence. The existence of pulses of both polarities on a node after passage of a charged particle has been seen in certain Cases.
Evaluation of oxidized media filtration for removing sulfides from groundwater

An evaluation of oxidized media filtration processes for the removal of sulfides from groundwater supplies has been completed. Two different filtration processes were studied at the pilot scale: bleach (NaOCl) oxidation preceding electromedia filtration, and NaOCl oxidation preceding manganese (IV) oxide (MnO2) filtration. Media filtration, historically used to remove iron and manganese from water supplies, was shown to effectively remove sulfide from groundwater where iron and manganese were not present in any appreciable quantities. Bleach oxidation prior to electromedia or manganese (IV) oxide fi lter media processes removed total sulfide to below detection levels (<0.1 mg/l) for groundwater supplies containing as high as 2.6 mg/l total sulfide. The use of bleach oxidation preceding media filtration produced finished water with low turbidity (<1.0 NTU), as compared to the more commonly used tray aeration and chlorination processes that produced significant turbidity (between 6–16 NTU as observed in thi...
Comparison of ambient and spray aerosol deposition in a standard induction port and more realistic mouth–throat geometry

Abstract For inhalation aerosols, it is well known that spray momentum and geometry characteristics can significantly influence deposition in the mouth–throat (MT) region. However, little is know about the quantitative influence of spray momentum on aerosol transport and deposition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of spray momentum on deposition in a standard induction port (IP) and a representative MT geometry using capillary-generated aerosols. Capillary aerosol generation (CAG) was selected as a model spray aerosol system that has not been previously tested in a realistic throat geometry. To evaluate the effects of spray momentum, the transport and deposition characteristics of transient capillary-generated aerosols were compared with ambient particles of the same size inhaled at a steady flow rate of 30 L/min. To evaluate the influence of geometry, aerosols were considered in a standard IP and a more realistic MT model. A previously tested CFD model was employed to simulate aerosol transport and deposition for ambient and CAG spray aerosols in both the IP and MT geometries. Considering the capillary-generated spray, good agreement was observed for the deposition of drug mass between the in vitro experiments (IP—15.3%, MT—19.4%) and CFD model predictions without droplet evaporation (IP—14.7%, MT—20.8%). In all cases considered, deposition was increased for spray vs. ambient aerosols and in the MT geometry vs. the IP model. Based on CFD results for a representative polydisperse aerosol distribution, the deposition of ambient particles was highly sensitive to the geometry considered, with 2.9 times more deposition in the MT compared to the IP model. In contrast, deposition was less influenced by the geometry for a CAG spray aerosol, with only a 25–40% deposition increase in the MT. As a result, use of the simple IP model may provide a reasonable approximation of total MT deposition for systems with high spray momentum. However, the IP model may be less useful for evaluating the total MT deposition in systems with reduced spray momentum effects.
Information available on UK agricultural web sites

In a survey of 132 UK agricultural web sites, more than 60 per cent mounted directorytype information like that found in printed directories of information sources, but this was not always easily accessible. Information about people in organisations varied between the different categories of web site. Just under three‐quarters of all sites mounted some substantive content but the amount of content on sites was small. Documents were available on slightly more than half the sites, but other types of content were available on fewer sites. Few sites explained how to locate information on the site or stated the intended audience. Less than one‐third of sites had facilities to aid site navigation, but there were differences between the site categories for these features. Just over half the web sites displayed revision dates, but only about one‐third had been updated in the last three months.
Generalised-function representations of nonlinear devices with Gaussian inputs

For a wide class of zero-memory nonlinear devices with a Gaussian input, the coefficients in the output intermodulation series may be evaluated by means of a sequence of transformations on the integral expressions defining them. The technique is also extended to certain time-dependent devices, studied previously as models in control theory.
GENDER EQUALITY AND THE SEX RATIO OF INTIMATE KILLING

This study examines variance in the sex ratio of intimate killing (SROK) across U.S. cities. The research primarily focuses on the influence that varying degrees of gendered economic equality have on the SROK. Also, we examine this relationship in economic and regional/cultural contexts. The results of OLS regression analyses reveal a significant negative influence of female economic equality (as measured by the sex ratios of employment) on the SROK. In addition, we find that this influence is contingent on general economic well-being and more traditional cultural orientations to gender roles. Overall, the findings clearly indicate that variation in the SROK is related to the structural features of communities. Theoretical implications are discussed and directions for future research suggested.
Effects of acidified fetal bovine serum on the fibrinolytic activity and growth of cells in culture.

The fibrinolytic activity of cells in culture varied with the type of serum employed in the growth medium. Degradation of iodinated fibrin occurred slowly when Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chick embryo fibroblasts were grown in medium containing fetal bovine serum (FBS), and rapidly when chicken serum was employed. This difference reflected the low plasminogen and high inhibitor content of FBS. The inhibitors were found to be serum macromolecules that were precipitated with ammonium sulfate or polyethylene glycol, and were inactivated by boiling or upon exposure to acidic conditions. No inhibitor activity was detected in fetuin, one of the major proteins present in FBS. Acidified FBS was similar to chicken serum in that both supported high rates of cell-mediated fibrinolytic activity. Although virally transformed hamster, mouse and chicken cells grew well in acid-treated FBS, their normal counter-parts did not. Apparently, acidification resulted in the formation of materials that were toxic to normal cells. These agents rapidly blocked cellular DNA synthesis.
Development of antibodies against the fluoroquinolone sarafloxacin and molecular modeling studies of cross‐reactive compounds

Polyclonal antibodies were prepared against the fluoroquinolone sarafloxacin. Sarafloxacin was conjugated directly to cationized bovine serum albumin (BSA) and ovalbumin. Balb/c mice were immunized with the sarafloxacin‐BSA conjugate (cBSA‐saraflox) and sarafloxacin‐reactive sera (1–5) were obtained from these mice. Serum from mouse 1 (Abl) exhibited the lowest IC50 for free sarafloxacin using an indirect competitive inhibition ELISA (ci‐ELISA). Other structurally related quinolones, including difloxacin, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, trovafloxacin and nalidixic acid, demonstrated cross‐reactivity with the sarafloxacin antibodies as determined by ci‐ELISA. In an effort to correlate antibody binding with three‐dimensional properties of the cross‐reactive compounds, all of the fluoroquinolones as well as nalidixic acid were modeled, and global energy minima were determined using molecular mechanical and quantum mechanical methods. The results demonstrate that the three‐dimensional models can yield information ...
Inner multipliers of de Branges's spaces

For a given functionb in the unit ball ofH∞ and an arbitraryH∞ functionm, the question of whenm is a multiplier of the de Branges space\(\mathcal{H}(b)\) (that is, when\(\mathcal{H}(b)\) is invariant under multiplication bym) is examined. Some necessary and sufficient conditions thatm be a multiplier of\(\mathcal{H}(b)\) are found and it is shown that there are no nonconstant inner multipliers of\(\mathcal{H}(b)\) whenb is a nonconstant extreme point of the unit ball ofH∞. A new proof is given of the known fact that\(\mathcal{H}(b)\) is invariant under multiplication byz whenb is not an extreme point of the unit ball ofH∞. Finally, we give a new proof of the known fact that an inner functionm is a multiplier of\(\mathcal{H}(b)\) forb(z)=(1+z)/2 if and only ifm belongs to the range of\(T_{\overline {{{(1 - z)} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{(1 - z)} 2}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 2}} } \).
Some laboratory experimental designs for obtaining dynamic property data on dioxins

Abstract The presence of polychlorinated p -dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (hereafter PCDD/F) in municipal waste incinerator effluents has sparked a variety of laboratory investigations in the last few years in the hope of learning more about the formation and destruction mechanisms of these compounds. In the course of the investigations a variety of approaches have been employed. It is the purpose of this paper to review these designs and to comment on them in general as well as in specifics. Since under the conditions of interest the quantities of PCDD/Fs are miniscule compared with other products and reactants and because there are nearly 200 congeners, quantitative information is difficult and expensive to obtain. A second aspect concerns the reaction rates involved. No intrinsic kinetic studies have been conducted and no intrinsic values for PCDD/F rates of formation exist. Such information will be necessary, however. As will be shown below, there seems to exist a basic conflict between reaction rates as may be inferred from some laboratory experiments and rates seemingly required by the time/temperature histories of gases and particles in incinerators. The paper is divided into four major parts: homogenous formation and destruction heterogeneous formation and destruction, comments on discrepancies, and suggested designs.
Interfering with aid

It is sometimes argued that cases of withdrawing, interrupting, or otherwise interfering with life-saving aid provide grounds for rejecting the thesis that there is a morally significant difference between killing and letting die. Consider the following series of examples, invented by Shelly Kagan (1989: 106-8). In each example an agent actively prevents the starving inhabitants of a remote village from receiving the life-saving aid they would otherwise receive; as a result, the villagers die.
Developmental regulation of flavin-containing monooxygenase form 1 in the liver and kidney of fetal and neonatal rabbits.

Abstract Flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) comprise a multi-gene family and catalyze the oxygenation of soft nucleophilic sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, and selenium in xenobiotics. Previous studies have demonstrated that FMO is regulated developmentally and by the administration of certain steroid hormones. This study examined the expression of FMO form 1 in the livers and kidneys of fetal and neonatal rabbits, from day 25 of gestation through 3 weeks of age, by assaying FMO1 mRNA and protein levels, as well as catalytic activity. FMO1 mRNA and protein expression and FMO catalytic activity were present in fetal livers at the earliest time point measured (day 25 of gestation), although at levels approximately 10% of that found in adult livers. Hepatic FMO1 mRNA levels increased during and after gestation; levels were not significantly different from those measured in adult male livers. FMO1 protein content and activity rose rapidly after birth to reach 70–80% of adult levels by 3 weeks of age. The expression of FMO1 in fetal and neonatal kidneys was markedly lower than in liver. FMO1 mRNA levels never averaged more than 3.4% of adult male liver levels, but did not differ from adult kidney levels at any of the points measured. Protein levels and enzyme activity rose significantly after birth to approximately 30% of the level in adult kidneys by 3 weeks of age. The early developmental appearance of FMO1 suggests a possible role in the metabolism of xenobiotics through transplacental or lactational exposures.
Perceived Value of Teacher Characteristics

The first 10 items of the Purdue Rating Scale for Instruction (Remmers & Eliot, 1950) deal with characteristics over which an instructor typically has considerable control. These characteristics were presented in a slightly modified format co 142 students (79 male and 63 female) attending introductory psychology classes under two different instructors to determine the relative value accorded to the characteristics. The student participants were asked "Which three of the following characteristics do you most like to observe in a college instructor?" and "Which three of these characteristics do you valrce least?" Shown below are the teachers' characteristics as presented to the students. The percentages of students who chose each characteristic as one of the three most-valued and as one of the three least-valued are given in the cwo columns preceding the rating-scale items. Since sex differences were negligible, it was not deemed necessary to report the results in terms of a breakdown by sex of student. Otherwise, the authors are content to leave interpretation of the results up to the reader.
Diagnostic value of clinical grind test for carpometacarpal osteoarthritis of the thumb.

Abstract Study Design Clinical Measurement. Introduction Thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis is a frequent cause of thumb pain. Purpose of the Study To evaluate the interrater reliability and the criterion validity of the grind test for thumb CMC osteoarthritis. Methods Radiological evaluation was used as the gold standard. Seventy thumbs of 54 persons with various hand disorders were included in the study. The grind test was performed by two physical therapists, and radiographs were evaluated by a certified hand surgeon, all blinded to the participants' diagnosis and other test results. Interrater reliability was compared with a kappa statistic, and the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and predictive values were calculated from a 232 table. Results A kappa value of 0.48 was calculated as the interrater reliability. The sensitivity of the grind test was 42% and 53%, depending on tester. The specificity of the grind test was 80% and 93%, depending on tester. The positive likelihood ratio was 2.65 and 6.00, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.59 and 0.62. The positive predictive value was 91% and 96%, depending on tester. The negative predictive value was 68% and 70%, depending on tester. Conclusion The grind test has moderate reliability and accurately confirms the diagnosis of CMC osteoarthritis and identifies those who do not have CMC osteoarthritis. However, a negative grind test does not necessarily reflect negative radiographic evidence of thumb CMC osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence n/a
Age-dependent reductions in mitochondrial respiration are exacerbated by calcium in the female rat heart.

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease mortality increases rapidly after menopause by poorly defined mechanisms. Objective Because mitochondrial function and Ca2+ sensitivity are important regulators of cell death after myocardial ischemia, we sought to determine whether aging and/or estrogen deficiency (ovariectomy) increased mitochondrial Ca2+ sensitivity. Methods Mitochondrial respiration was measured in ventricular mitochondria isolated from adult (6 months; n = 26) and aged (24 months; n = 25), intact or ovariectomized female rats using the substrates α-ketoglutarate/malate (complex I); succinate/rotenone (complex II); ascorbate/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine/antimycin (complex IV). State 2 and 3 respiration was initiated by sequential addition of mitochondria and adenosine diphosphate. Ca2+ sensitivity was assessed by Ca2+-induced swelling of de-energized mitochondria and reduction in state 3 respiration. Propylpyrazole triol (PPT) was administered intraperitoneally 45 minutes before euthanasia to assess mitochondrial protective effects through estrogen receptor (ER) α activation. Results Aging decreased the respiratory control index (RCI; state 3/state 2) for complexes I and II by 12% and 8%, respectively, independent of ovary status (P Conclusions Age-dependent decreases in RCI and sensitization to Ca2+ may explain in part the age-associated reductions in female ischemic tolerance; however, protection afforded by ER agonism involves more complex mechanisms.
Glutamatergic mechanisms associated with stress-induced amygdala excitability and anxiety-related behavior

The neural factors underlying individual differences in susceptibility to chronic stress remain poorly understood. Preclinical studies demonstrate that mouse strains vary greatly in anxiety-related responses to chronic stress in a manner paralleled by differential stress-induced changes in glutamatergic signaling in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Previous work has also shown that alterations in the amygdala gene expression of the GluN1 NMDA and the GluK1 kainate receptors are associated with stress-induced alterations in anxiety-like behavior in the C57BL/6J mouse strain. Using in vivo behavioral pharmacological and ex vivo physiological approaches, the aim of the current study was to further elucidate changes in glutamate neurotransmission in the BLA caused by stress and to test the functional roles of GluN1 and GluK1 in mediating stress-related changes in behavior. Results showed that stress-induced alterations in anxiety-like behavior (light/dark exploration test) were absent following bilateral infusion of the GluK1 agonist ATPA into the BLA. Intra-BLA infusion of the competitive NMDA antagonist AP5 produced a generalized behavioral disinhibition/locomotor hyperactivity, irrespective of stress. Slice electrophysiological recordings showed that ATPA augmented BLA GABAergic neurotransmission and that stress increased the amplitude of network-dependent spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents and amplitude of GABAergic miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in BLA. These findings could indicate stress-induced BLA glutamatergic neuronal network hyperexcitability and a compensatory increase in GABAergic neurotransmission, suggesting that GluK1 agonism augmented GABAergic inhibition to prevent behavioral sequelae of stress. Current data could have implications for developing novel therapeutic approaches, including GluK1 agonists, for stress-related anxiety disorders.
Incidence of dental malpractice claims

This report examines the incidence of dental malpractice claims in terms of numbers and costs in relation to professional responsibility insurance. The insurance companies’ loss of interest in providing malpractice insurance could become a major problem to American dentists.
Glucocorticoid-lens protein adducts in experimentally induced steroid cataracts

The injection of glucocorticoids into the vitreous chamber of the rabbit eye results in the development of posterior subcapsular opacities. These lesions appear to be similar in morphology to human steroid-induced cataracts. Electron microscopic analysis revealed fiber cell separation, vacuolization, and changes within the matrix of the crystallins. Opacification could only be produced by glucocorticoids possessing a reactive C-20,21 hydroxylcarbonyl function, supporting the hypothesis that glucocorticoid addition products are involved in the induction of these lesions. The occurrence of glucocorticoid-lens proteins adducts was confirmed by tritium incorporation and by radioimmunoassay of protein hydrolysates obtained from these lenses.
ESR study of manganese(II) complexes in aqueous solutions

Abstract Electron spin resonance spectroscopy was used to study manganese(II) complexes with several organic ligands in aqueous solutions. The concentration formation constants of manganese complexes with deprotonated (L) and monoprotonated (HL) phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) were determined at different ionic strengths. These values were extrapolated to the zero ionic strength in order to determine the thermodynamic values of the complexation constants. The values obtained are: log KPAAHL = 3.5 ± 0.2, and log KPAAL = 6.3 ± 0.1. The formation constants of manganese complexes with phosphonoformic acid (PFA), 3-phosphonopropionic acid (3-PPA), and citric acid were measured at ionic strength of 0.05 and were found to be: log KPFAHL = 2.57 ± 0.05, log KPFAL = 5.34 ± 0.05, log K3-PPAHL = 1.6 ± 0.2, log K3-PPAL = 3.15 ± 0.04, and log Kcitric acidL = 4.28 ± 0.04. In aqueous solutions manganese(II) ion does not appear to form complexes with the crown ethers 12C4, 15C5, or 18C6, while the cryptand C211-Mn(II) complex has a log Kf of 1.6 ± 0.1.
Flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy in the practice of a surgeon

The extent to which surgeons participate in surveillance programs depends on their clinical interests, referral patterns, and the needs of the community. The design of surveillance programs, including designation of normal and high risk individuals, and the type and frequency of screening examinations has been studied. The patient's history guides the surgeon in deciding whether and how to implement a surveillance program for a given patient. Sixty-centimeter FFS is clearly superior to 25-cm rigid sigmoidoscopy in screening for rectosigmoid and sigmoid neoplasia. 1-4. 6 The average viewing distance of the rigid sigmoidoscope is less than 20 cm/ whereas in FFS it consistently reaches 40 to 50 cm. The reported diagnostic yield of asymptomatic polyps and cancers is 1.7 to 3 times as great. 4 FFS in sigmoid diverticular disease is very accurate in confirming or ruling out questionable sigmoid lesions noted on barium enema. Some of the logistic and practical deficiencies of FFS include the increased initial expense and maintenance costs, the longer examination and cleaning time, the greater degree of endoscopic skill necessary to use it effectively, and the inadequate cost-effectiveness in small practice settings. Two compelling arguments for FFS screening not often acknowledged are the more dignified examination position, left lateral decubitus rather than knee-chest or jack-knife, and the greater degree of comfort. The value of FFS for neoplasia surveillance is limited. FFS is not a substitute for complete visualization of the colon by colonoscopy or barium contrast enema. The depth of insertion of the FFS is a function of several variables, including endoscopic skill, instrument design, bowel preparation, and the patient's anatomy and cooperation. At what depth another 5cm tube insertion will yield an important increase in percent of lesions detected, or obviate the need for total colonoscopy or barium enema has not been determined. The point of diminishing returns in cancer screening with FFS has yet to be determined. At that point, patient enthusiam or compliance with follow-up examinations may fall off, and the long term effectiveness of a surveillance program is threatened.
Delay synchronization in time-of-flight optical systems

Time-of-flight optical computer designs must implicitly or explicitly allow for the synchronization of all signals at all interaction points. This paper details algorithms for calculating delays required for synchronization of optical systems, as well as the sensitivity of these systems to variations in delays from their nominal values. These algorithms, which are applied to graph models of systems, form the basis for an optical systems design methodology in which the designer develops architectures with lumped delays and idealized zero-delay devices. When applied to the system designs, the algorithms provide estimates of actual delay distributions and sensitivities.
Commensurate and incommensurate phases of epitaxial semiconductor antiferromagnets with built-in strain

We construct a Landau-Ginzburg theory for a new class of epitaxial semiconductor antiferromagnets with built-in strain. Using present knowledge from experiment we extract the mean-field phase diagram of these systems as a function of the built-in strain field. We find both the commensurate (type-III) and incommensurate (helical) phases seen in experiment as well as a new commensurate phase not yet seen to our knowledge.
The Effects of Study Abroad in the German‐Speaking World: A Research Review

Research on learning during study abroad has become a vibrant area within the field of second language acquisition. However, relatively few studies have been published on the outcomes of language and culture learning during study abroad in German-speaking countries. This article (1) critically reviews research on study abroad effects in US and other English-speaking learners of German, and (2) identifies open questions and issues in need of further research. It is hoped that the review will spur more research in this area which in turn may help study abroad program administrators set realistic learning objectives and create optimal learning conditions for their study abroad program participants. The Need for Learning Outcome Assessment during Study Abroad The last two decades have seen an increase in the demand for more accountability in education in the US and abroad (Norris, 2006). Language and culture programs including study abroad (SA) programs have been no exception in this respect (Mills & Norris, in press). SA programs are often asked to better assess and demonstrate students’ learning outcomes, and the programs’ impact on students’ academic achievement, careers, and personal growth (e.g., Gillespie, 2002). Research has demonstrated that not all students that participate in SA
Supporting Trade Space Exploration of Multi-Dimensional Data with Interactive Multi-Scale Nested Clustering and Aggregation

Knowledge discovery in multi-dimensional data is a challenging problem in engineering design. For example, in trade space exploration of large design data sets, designers need to select a subset of data of interest and examine data from different data dimensions and within data clusters at different granularities. This exploration is a process that demands both humans, who can heuristically decide what data to explore and how best to explore it, and computers, which can quickly identify features that may be of interest in the data. Thus, to support this process of knowledge discovery, we need tools that go beyond traditional computer-oriented optimization approaches to support advanced designer-centered trade space exploration and data interaction. This paper is an effort to address this need. In particular, we propose the Interactive Multi-Scale Nested Clustering and Aggregation (iMSNCA) framework to support trade space exploration of multi-dimensional data common to design optimization. A system prototype of this framework is implemented to allow users to visually examine large design data sets through interactive data clustering, aggregation, and visualization. The paper also presents a case study involving morphing wing design using this prototype system. By using visual tools during trade space exploration, this research suggests a new approach to support knowledge discovery in engineering design by assisting diverse user tasks, by externalizing important characteristics of data sets, and by facilitating complex user interactions with data.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Inferring ancestry in admixed populations using microarray probe intensities

Numerous methods exist for inferring the ancestry mosaic of an admixed individual based on its genotypes and those of its ancestors. These methods rely on bialleic SNPs obtained from genotype calling algorithms, which classify each marker as belonging to one of four states (reference allele, alternate allele, heterozygous, or no call) based on probe hybridization intensity signals. We demonstrate that this conversion of probe intensities to discrete genotypes can lead to a loss of information and introduce errors via incorrect genotype calls. We propose a method that directly infers ancestry from probe intensities by minimizing the intensity difference between a target individual and one or more of its ancestors. We demonstrate our method on mice from the developing Collaborative Cross (CC) genetic reference population, which are admixtures of a common set of eight ancestors. Our samples were genotyped using a 7.8K-marker Illumina Infinium platform called the Mouse Universal Genotyping Array (MUGA). We compare our reconstructions with a standard genotype-based method and validate our results using DNA sequencing data. Our algorithm is able to use information not captured by genotype calls and avoid errors due to incorrect calls.
29.3: Color ChLC E-paper Display with 100 um Flexible Glass Substrates

Light weight bistable cholesteric liquid crystal displays were fabricated using 100 um flexible glass as the top and bottom substrates. The flexible glass provided better registration control compared to plastic substrates previously used in the device process. A passive matrix full-color panel using a color sharing architecture was successfully demonstrated.
Appropriability of innovation benefit as a predictor of the source of innovation

Abstract It has been empirically observed that, in some industries product users are the most frequent sources of product innovations while, in other industries, product manufacturers are. I hypothesize that such differences are caused by differences in the ability of these two “functional” categories of innovators to appropriate innovation benefit. I explore this hypothesis by examining the real-world effectiveness of mechanisms (such as patents and lead time) used for the appropriation of innovation benefit and the dependence of this effectiveness on the functional relationship between innovator and innovation.
Chemical reactions involved in the deep- fat frying of foods: IX. Identification of the volatile decomposition products of triolein

The acidic and nonacidic volatile decomposition products (VDP) pro-duced by pure triolein maintained at 185 C with periodic injection of steam were collected, fractionated and identified. A total of 93 compounds were positively or tentatively identified. A number of the compounds found were identified for the first time in fats or oil VDP. Among these newly identified compounds are: unsaturated acids, keto-substituted unsaturated acids, ω-enals, unsaturated esters and an unsaturated γ-lactone.
A Diffusion Approximation for a GI/GI/1 Queue with Balking or Reneging

Consider a single-server queue with a renewal arrival process and generally distributed processing times in which each customer independently reneges if service has not begun within a generally distributed amount of time. We establish that both the workload and queue-length processes in this system can be approximated by a regulated Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (ROU) process when the arrival rate is close to the processing rate and reneging times are large. We further show that a ROU process also approximates the queue-length process, under the same parameter assumptions, in a balking model. Our balking model assumes the queue-length is observable to arriving customers, and that each customer balks if his or her conditional expected waiting time is too large.
LOCUS OF CONTROL AND ACHIEVEMENT OF FEMALE PROPRIETORS OF SMALL BUSINESSES

Internality of locus of control is a personaliry construct long associated with such entrepreneurial activity as small business ownership (1, 2). However, little evidence has appeared about the relationship between economic returns in business and owners' perceived contml. This is ironic, since a Linkage of perceived control with entrepreneurship is rooted in Rotter's (6) association of internality with need for achievement, a variable which also had been related by McClelland (3) to the entrepreneurial spirit. Research was conducted with 92 female proprietors of small businesses in the Dallas, Texas area to explore the association between internality and business performance, measured as return on original capital investment. Generalizability is precluded by the selection of a convenience sample of women only from a limited geographical area. However, i t was believed that unique insights might be obtained from a group of businessowners who were willing both to complete Rotter's I/E scale and disclose information about their financial achievements. Mean locus of control was 5.7 (SD = 3.2) which is similar to scores of female business groups in other research, and substantially more internal than the general population (1, 4, 5, 7). Locus of control and return on investment were not significantly related (r = . lo; t = -.95). Comparison of actual and predicted residuals produced p = .01, indicating heteroskedasticity. However, through logarithmic transformation of both variables, r became -.21 and f = -2.06, directionally aligned as expected in terms of internality ( p = .05), and, with p = .36, sufficiently free of hetemskedastic influence to be usefully interpretable. The possibility of a logarithmic association between locus of control and certain forms of achievement implies a facet of internality warranting further inquiry. If that configuration held for other samples, an essentially discontinuous association between internality and achievement might be postulated. Under such a formulation, extremely high achievement would be associated with the strongest internality, while more common plateaus of success would be tied to comparatively moderate levels of internality. The relative effects of stmng and moderate internality could be explored, perhaps yielding new insights toward the measurement and interpretation of this basic construct of social learning theory.
The Essential Nature of the Ubiquitous 26-Kilobase Circular Replicon of Borrelia burgdorferi

The genome of the type strain (B31) of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, is composed of 12 linear and 9 circular plasmids and a linear chromosome. Plasmid content can vary among strains, but one 26-kb circular plasmid (cp26) is always present. The ubiquitous nature of cp26 suggests that it provides functions required for bacterial viability. We tested this hypothesis by attempting to selectively displace cp26 with an incompatible but replication-proficient vector, pBSV26. While pBSV26 transformants contained this incompatible vector, the vector coexisted with cp26, which is consistent with the hypothesis that cp26 carries essential genes. Several cp26 genes with ascribed or predicted functions may be essential. These include the BBB29 gene, which has sequence homology to a gene encoding a glucose-specific phosphotransferase system component, and the resT gene, which encodes a telomere resolvase involved in resolution of the replicated telomeres of the linear chromosome and plasmids. The BBB29 gene was successfully inactivated by allelic exchange, but attempted inactivation of resT resulted in merodiploid transformants, suggesting that resT is required for B. burgdorferi growth. To determine if resT is the only cp26 gene essential for growth, we introduced resT into B. burgdorferi on pBSV26. This did not result in displacement of cp26, suggesting that additional cp26 genes encode vital functions. We concluded that B. burgdorferi plasmid cp26 encodes functions critical for survival and thus shares some features with the chromosome.
5-Lipoxygenase inhibitor MK-886 increases GluR1 phosphorylation in neuronal cultures in vitro and in the mouse cortex in vivo

Modifications of AMPA glutamate receptor GluR1 phosphorylation are critical for neuroplastic mechanisms. Previous in vitro studies in brain slices employed MK-886, a functional inhibitor of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), and found increased GluR1 phosphorylation. Since slice preparations have accompanying postmortem phosphorylation changes, e.g., decreased GluR1 phosphorylation, it remains to be clarified whether MK-886 can affect GluR1 phosphorylation in intact neurons and in the brain in vivo. We used primary neuronal cultures prepared from embryonic mouse brain and in vivo drug administration to investigate the effects of MK-886 on GluR1 phosphorylation using quantitative Western immunoblotting assays. In vitro, MK-886 increased GluR1 phosphorylation at both serine 831 and serine 845. In vivo, repeated but not a single MK-886 injection increased GluR1 phosphorylation in the prefrontal cortex. These findings indicate that MK-886 has an intrinsic effect on neuronal phosphorylation both in vitro and in vivo and support the use of MK-886 as a pharmacological tool in studies of not only the 5-LOX pathway but also neuronal GluR1 functioning.
An empirical examination of the dark side of relationship marketing within a business to business context

There is a preponderance of research documenting the benefits associated with adopting a relationship marketing (RM) strategy. However, there is a nascent stream of literature which suggests the adoption of an RM strategy may actually diminish organizational performance. In this chapter, the authors introduce and operationalize a set of dark side constructs. The goal is to examine the influence that relational constructs such as trust, commitment, and satisfaction have on the emergence of this dark side. The influence the dark side has on performance is also tested. The results of the study (N = 309) support the premise of positive relationships between relational constructs and the dark side. Although time was thought to moderate these relationships only the main effects between the relational constructs and the dark side were significant. Performance is found to be negatively influenced by the dark side. The authors discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of these findings.
Decoupling for power gating: sources of power noise and design strategies

Power gating is essential for controlling leakage power dissipation of modern chip designs. However, power gating introduces unique power delivery integrity issues and tradeoffs between switching and rush current (wake-up) supply noises. In addition, in power-gated power delivery networks (PDNs), the amount of power saving intrinsically trades off with power integrity. In this paper, we propose systemic decoupling capacitance optimization strategies that optimally balance between switching and rush current noises, and tradeoff between power integrity and wake-up time, hence power saving. Furthermore, we propose a novel re-routable decoupling capacitance concept to break the tight interaction between power integrity and power saving, providing further improved tradeoffs between the two. Our design strategies have been implemented in a simulation-based optimization flow and the conducted experimental results have demonstrated significant improvement on leakage power saving through the presented techniques.