cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of the loss of clonal integration on four sedges that differ in ramet aggregation

Although clonal growth is a dominant mode of plant growth in wetlands, the importance of clonal integration, resource sharing among ramets, to individual ramet generations (mother and daughter) and entire clones of coexisting species has not been well investigated. This study evaluated the significance of clonal integration in four sedge species of varying ramet aggregations, from clump-forming species (Clumpers –Carex sterilis, Eleocharis rostellata), with tightly aggregated ramets (rhizomes<1cm), to runner species (Runners –Schoenoplectus acutus, Cladium mariscoides), with loosely aggregated ramets. We manipulated clonal integration by either severing connections between target mother and daughter ramets or leaving connections intact, and then planted them in an intact neighborhood of a fen in Michigan, USA. We measured growth parameters of original and newly produced ramets over two growing seasons and conducted a final biomass harvest, to address four hypotheses. First, we expected integrated clones to accumulate more biomass than severed clones. However, final clone-level biomass and ramet production were the same for both treatments in all species although severing initially stimulated ramet production by Schoenoplectus and produced a more compact ramet aggregation in Cladium. Second, we hypothesized that mother ramets would experience a cost of integration, through reduced ramet or biomass production, while daughters would experience a benefit, through increased resource availability from mothers. Mother ramets of Cladium suffered a cost from integration, while Schoenoplectus mothers suffered a slight cost and Carex daughters saw a slight benefit. Finally, we hypothesized that integration would be more active in runner species than in clumper species. Indeed, we documented more active integration in runners than clumpers, but none of the study species were dependent upon integration for growth or survival once daughter ramets were established with their own roots and shoots. This study demonstrates that integration between established ramets may not be the most important advantage to clonal growth in this wetland field site. The loss of integration elicited varied responses among coexisting species in their natural habitat, somewhat but not completely related to their growth form, suggesting that a combination of plant life history traits contributes to the dependence upon clonal integration among established ramets of clonal species.
Structural Basis for Recognition and Catalysis by the Bifunctional dCTP Deaminase and dUTPase from Methanococcus jannaschii

Potentially mutagenic uracil-containing nucleotide intermediates are generated by deamination of dCTP, either spontaneously or enzymatically as the first step in the conversion of dCTP to dTTP. dUTPases convert dUTP to dUMP, thus avoiding the misincorporation of dUTP into DNA and creating the substrate for the next enzyme in the dTTP synthetic pathway, thymidylate synthase. Although dCTP deaminase and dUTPase activities are usually found in separate but homologous enzymes, the hyperthermophile Methanococcus jannaschii has an enzyme, DCD-DUT, that harbors both dCTP deaminase and dUTP pyrophosphatase activities. DCD-DUT has highest activity on dCTP, followed by dUTP, and dTTP inhibits both the deaminase and pyrophosphatase activities. To help clarify structure-function relationships for DCD-DUT, we have determined the crystal structure of the wild-type DCD-DUT protein in its apo form to 1.42A and structures of DCD-DUT in complex with dCTP and dUTP to resolutions of 1.77A and 2.10A, respectively. To gain insights into substrate interactions, we complemented analyses of the experimentally defined weak density for nucleotides with automated docking experiments using dCTP, dUTP, and dTTP. DCD-DUT is a hexamer, unlike the homologous dUTPases, and its subunits contain several insertions and substitutions different from the dUTPase beta barrel core that likely contribute to dCTP specificity and deamination. These first structures of a dCTP deaminase reveal a probable role for an unstructured C-terminal region different from that of the dUTPases and possible mechanisms for both bifunctional enzyme activity and feedback inhibition by dTTP.
Egfr-targeted hybrid plasmonic magnetic nanoparticles synergistically induce autophagy and apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells

Background The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in 80% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is associated with poor survival. In recent years, EGFR-targeted inhibitors have been tested in the clinic for NSCLC. Despite the emergence of novel therapeutics and their application in cancer therapy, the overall survival rate of lung cancer patients remains 15%. To develop more effective therapies for lung cancer we have combined the anti-EGFR antibody (Clone 225) as a molecular therapeutic with hybrid plasmonic magnetic nanoparticles (NP) and tested on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.
THUG LIFE: RACE, GENDER, AND THE MEANING OF HIP-HOP

Michael P. Jeffries, THUG LIFE: RACE, GENDER, AND THE MEANING OF HIP-HOP, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011, x + 263 pp., $21.00 (paper) In Thug Life, Michael Jeffries contributes to the l...
Ultralow oil-water IFTs using neutralized oxidized hydrocarbons as surfactants

Surfactants that may be suitable for application in enhanced oil recovery have been produced from C22 and C26 paraffinic and naphthenic petroleum fractions by a two-step process. The hydrocarbon feed stocks were first oxidized in the vapor-phase, followed by neutralization of the oxidized products with aqueous alkali. As a result, dilute solutions of organic acid salts were produced that achieved ultralow (<10−2 dyne/cm) interfacial tensions against a synthetic oil. Surfactant solutions that exhibited the lowest interfacial tensions (IFTs) were prepared from neutralizations that used low concentrations of sodium hydroxide rather than sodium silicate, sodium tripolyphosphate, or sodium carbonate. Neutralizations that used sodium silicate or sodium carbonate resulted in surfactant solutions having IFT profiles that were less sensitive to the electrolyte concentration. When sodium hydroxide was combined with either sodium silicate or sodium tripolyphosphate in the neutralizations, solutions having intermediate IFT properties were produced. The amount of alkali used in the neutralizations was observed to affect the IFT properties of the resultant surfactant solution. The electrolyte concentration at which the minimum IFT occurred was inversely related to the pH of the surfactant solution. For surfactant solutions of common pH prepared from different concentrations of oxidized product, the minimum IFTs all occurred at the same concentration of electrolyte. Surfactant solutions remained interfacially active even in the presence of significant concentrations of calcium chloride. One pore volume of a solution containing only about 1% of active surfactant recovered 42.0% of the residual oil in a tertiary core-flood experiment.
Curvature in the scattered-beam growth curves in H − +(He,Ne,Ar) collisions

In this paper, we report measurements of the curvature present in the H[sup 0] and H[sup +] scattered-beam growth curves for the H[sup [minus]] + (He, Ne, Ar) collision systems. The main motivation for this study is to provide an experimental test of the scattered-beam growth-curve rate-equation solutions for tenuous target thicknesses at one level beyond that used to determine cross sections. In doing so, this study provides an indirect verification of the magnitudes of the dominant charge-changing cross sections for H[sup [minus],0,+] projectiles incident on noble-gas targets. The measured quadratic coefficients of the growth curves are compared with the expected quadratic coefficients derived from the previously measured, charge-changing cross sections. These curvature measurements indicate that additional measurements of cross sections for charge-changing processes between hydrogen projectiles incident on neon and argon targets may be warranted.
Variation of flow pattern in waterways due to degradation and aggradation

The cross section and profile of waterways are constantly subjected to alteration due to changes in flow volume and velocity. Banks and beds of waterways could experience excessive scouring especially at locations with sharp bents. At these locations, the soil constituting the cross section of the waterway could be subjected to considerable degradation, which could significantly alter the flow pattern at these locations. With severe degradation, the volume of sediment transport increases and may exceed the water carrying capacity resulting in the phenomenon known as aggradation. Contrary to degradation, aggradation results from the deposition of carried aggregate transport, which can hinder water flow in the waterway and obstruct its path. As degradation and aggradation take hold at some location along the waterway, their effect gets compounded over time which exacerbates the problem and make it difficult for the waterway to recover. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is used to study the effect of degradation and aggradation along the Schoharie Creek, which is one of the major tributaries of the Mohawk River in upstate New York. The change in the selected locations will be examined over time to show the gradual alteration that a given section experiences and its effect on flow pattern and waterway profile. The analysis will also include a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) study of bank slopes based on the creation of a contour map. The August and September 2011 Tropical Storms Irene and Lee, respectively, left in their wake tremendous change to the waterway due to excessive degradation and aggradation. This effect was sensed due to the severe brunt it brought on the area landscape and its infrastructure. This study will identify the areas most in need for buffering and most susceptible to the impact of these natural phenomena. This will help implement proper protection methods, and in case of a damage, it will help plan for effective restoration systems.
Clinical Presentation as a Guide to Therapy for Travelers’ Diarrhea

ABSTRACT To better define the role of antimicrobial therapy among U.S. travelers in Mexico, clinical and nonculture laboratory parameters were compared for 56 patients with shigellosis and 204 others with diarrhea of other causes. The presence of fever, stool mucus and blood, and fecal leukocytes were significantly more common among patients with shigellosis (p
Hemophilia gene therapy: update.

Gene transfer is an exciting and potentially important treatment approach for hemophilia A and B. Four phase I clinical trials of the safety of gene transfer in hemophilia A or B have been completed and two more trials are currently underway. The results of these trials indicate that gene transfer in hemophilia with the vectors and doses used is safe and well tolerated. Efforts continue to understand the basic biology and improve the efficiency of gene transfer.
Children′s Representation and Recall of Event Alternatives

Abstract In this study, we compared children′s recall for alternative event components in both spontaneous and probed recall conditions. At four separate sessions, 4-and 7-year-old children repeatedly participated in the same two activities. Individual components of these activities varied across sessions, with alternatives introduced either (a) at every session or (b) at the third session only. At a fifth session, spontaneous event reports were elicited first, followed by probed recall for alternative event components. Not surprisingly, children in both age groups recalled more variable elements when probed than they did spontaneously. But probing facilitated older children′s recall for alternatives to a greater extent than younger children′s recall. Further, when directly probed, all children recalled components that always changed better than components that changed only once. These results provide additional evidence that the complexity of children′s event representations increases with age, whereas the variable structure of recurring events may have similar effects across age.
Individual differences and variability in the timing of motor activity during walking in insects

The uniformity of the neural physiology of an animal population is a fundamental, rarely tested assumption in most neurophysiological work. In this study, the variability of the timing between the movements of pairs of legs during free walking in cockroaches was assessed. Phases (a measure of timing) of motor bursts in muscles of legs in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, were calculated for insects walking straight over a flat, level surface. Student's t, Wallraff, Mann Whitney and Watson U2 two-sample tests were used to compare the phases of motor bursts of the same pairs of legs in different insects. The comparisons showed that in spite of the homogeneity both of the animal population and of the conditions under which the insects walked, most of the inter-leg phases of the animals that were compared were significantly different statistically. Further testing of greater numbers of insects using analysis of variance to test for population uniformity confirmed that the insects we tested were not members of a single statistical population with respect to the timing of motor bursts of the legs during walking. We infer that this unexpectedly large variability in a population thought to be relatively homogeneous reflects subtle but biologically significant differences between animals. The possible sources of these differences and their consequences for the study of behavior and its physiological basis are discussed.
Developments in the speciation and determination of alkylmetals (Sn, Pb) using volatilization techniques and chromatography-atomic absorption spectroscopy

Abstract The behavior and fate of heavy metals in the environment is related to the reactivity of their chemical species in the water phase. Further, alkylmetals are more toxic than their free ionic counterparts and usually their toxicity and impact on the biota increase with the size of the alkylgroup. However, their low concentrations in the environment (ng to pg/L) require highly sensitive techniques. We have developed several sensitive methods for the speciation and determination of alkyltins and alkylleads from aqueous samples. All are derived from volatilization of alkylmetals, preconcentration by cryogenic trapping on chromatographic packing material, speciation by mild thermal desorption, detection in a quartz heated furnace aligned in the beam of an atomic absorption spectrometer and electronic integration of the signal. This paper summarizes optimizing and limiting conditions from the different methods developed. Environmental application on these techniques on extractions of methyltin compounds...
An evaluation of computerized accounting practice sets

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss computerized practice sets for accounting principles and a method for evaluating them. Criteria for selecting and evaluating computerized practice sets are identified. An evaluation of 10 actual computerized practice sets is presented.
Updated defense display market assessment

This paper addresses the number, function and size of principal military displays and establishes a basis to determine the opportunities for technology insertion in the immediate future and into the next millennium. Principal military displays are defined as those occupying appreciable crewstation real-estate and/or those without which the platform could not carry out its intended mission. DoD 'office' applications are excluded from this study. The military displays market is specified by such parameters as active area and footprint size, and other characteristics such as luminance, gray scale, resolution, angle, color, video capability, and night vision imaging system compatibility. Funded, future acquisitions, planned and predicted crewstation modification kits, and form-fit upgrades are taken into account. This paper provides an overview of the DoD niche market, allowing both government and industry a necessary reference by which to meet DoD requirements for military displays in a timely and cost-effective manner. The aggregate DoD installed base for direct-view and large-area military displays is presently estimated to be in excess of 313,000. Miniature displays are those which must be magnified to be viewed, involve a significantly different manufacturing paradigm and are used in helmet mounted displays and thermal weapon sight applications. Some 114,000 miniature displays are presently included within future weapon system acquisition plans. For vendor production planning purposes it is noted that foreign military sales could substantially increase these quantities. The vanishing vendor syndrome (VVS) for older display technologies continues to be a growing, pervasive problem throughout DoD, which consequently must leverage the more modern, especially flat panel, display technologies being developed to replace older, especially cathode ray tube, technology for civil-commercial markets. Total DoD display needs (FPD, HMD) are some 427,000.
Strength Evaluation and Failure Prediction of a Composite Wind Turbine Blade Using Finite Element Analysis

Strength evaluation and failure prediction on a modern composite wind turbine blade have been conducted using finite element analysis. A 3-dimensional finite element model has been developed. Stresses and deflections in the blade under extreme storm conditions have been investigated for different materials. The conventional wood design turbine blade has been compared with the advanced E-glass fiber and Carbon epoxy composite blades. Strength has been analyzed and compared for blades with different laminated layer stacking sequences and fiber orientations for a composite material. Safety design and failure prediction have been conducted based on the different failure criteria. The simulation error estimation has been evaluated. Simulation results have shown that finite element analysis is crucial for designing and optimizing composite wind turbine blades.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Gendered choices : codeswitching and collaboration in a bilingual classroom

This paper examines the use of Spanish and English, as well as collaborative discourse sequences, of four fourth graders in a bilingual classroom in terms of how they are used to construct gender identity. The analysis shows how language practices can become gendered through both societal and interactional norms and practices. The two girls’ use of English to construct their identities as best friends becomes part of the construction of femininity through the influence of both macro-social gender roles and the girls’ own linguistic repertoires and behavior in this community of practice. Further, both boys and girls use collaborative speech, but their aims of collaboration differ in ways that draw on hegemonic masculine roles in society as well as the personal agendas of the speakers.
Social Analytic Jurisprudence in Sexual Harassment Litigation: The Role of Social Framework and Social Fact

This article discusses an approach for resolving sexual-harassment litigation that relies on valid social scientific findings. The approach applies social analytic jurisprudence, which utilizes social fact and social framework information to assist the courts in recognizing when social-sexual misconduct rises to the level prohibited by Title VII law. The paper describes how social fact and social framework evidence can assist judges and juries in determining whether the alleged misconduct is so severe and pervasive that it creates a hostile work environment from the perspective of a reasonable victim of harassment. The paper argues that the courts need social science evidence to apply the reasonable woman test in a just and consistent manner. It gives examples of how social framework and social fact information can address relevant issues in hostile work environment disputes and concludes with some comments on how research can be conducted to address these issues.
Rational approximation to the Fermi---Dirac function with applications in density functional theory

We are interested in computing the Fermi---Dirac matrix function in which the matrix argument is the Hamiltonian matrix arising from density functional theory (DFT) applications. More precisely, we are really interested in the diagonal of this matrix function. We discuss rational approximation methods to the problem, specifically the rational Chebyshev approximation and the continued fraction representation. These schemes are further decomposed into their partial fraction expansions, leading ultimately to computing the diagonal of the inverse of a shifted matrix over a series of shifts. We describe Lanczos and sparse direct methods to address these systems. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages that are illustrated with experiments.
The effect of a menhaden oil-containing diet on hemostatic and lipid parameters of nonhuman primates with atherosclerosis

Abstract Three species of nonhuman primates were fed an atherogenic diet for 6 months (baseline period) and a menhaden oil (EPA)-containing diet for 8 weeks (test period) during which various hemostatic and lipid parameters were compared. The EPA-rich diet prolonged bleeding times, inhibited platelet aggregation response to ADP and collagen, and increased mean platelet lifespan. This diet elicited an increase in the polyunsaturated fatty acids C20 : 5 (EPA) and C22 : 6 (docosahexaenoic acid) at the expense of C18 : 2 (linoleic acid) and C20 : 4 (arachidonic acid) in pooled samples of platelet membranes, creating an increase in the ratio of n-3/n-6 polyunsuturated fatty acids. The serum lipid response to a menhaden oil diet comprised a nonsignificant decrease in total serum cholesterol and a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol.
Spanning flexibility: supply chain information dissemination drives strategy development and customer satisfaction

Purpose – To respond to an increasingly uncertain environment, firms are seeking to enhance flexibility across the value chain. Spanning flexibility, a critical dimension of value chain flexibility, is the ability of a firm to provide horizontal information connections across the value chain to meet a variety of customer needs. This research organizes literature on spanning flexibility and classifies it according to competence and capability theory.Design/methodology/approach – The study collected data from 273 manufacturing executives related to spanning flexibility. The instruments used to collect these data have been validated via literature review and structured interviews with executives. Structural equation modeling was applied to these data to test relationships among the variables in the study.Findings – This study develops valid and reliable instruments to measure the sub‐dimensions of spanning flexibility. The results indicate strong, positive, and direct relationships between flexible spanning ...
Lifting Disabled Patients onto the Densitometer with a Ceiling Lift: Effect of the Sling on Measurement of BMD

OBJECTIVE Lifting disabled patients onto a densitometer manually is dangerous for both the patient and the densitometry staff; using a ceiling lift is the preferred method of transfer. This system requires the use of a sling underneath the patient. Unless extra time is taken for its removal, the sling remains underneath the patient as bone mineral density (BMD) is measured. The aim of this study was to determine whether leaving this sling in place during scan acquisition affects the BMD measurement. METHODS Measurements were taken of a spine phantom 30 times by itself, 30 times with a standard sling underneath the spine phantom, and 16 times with a disposable sling underneath the spine phantom. RESULTS We found that mean BMD was significantly different versus the phantom alone when a sling was used, due to differences in area, bone mineral content, or both. The disposable sling affected the mean BMD to a much greater extent than did the standard sling (+1.9% vs. -0.41%; P for the difference between slings <.001). The standard sling did not increase the variance in the BMD measurement compared with the spine phantom alone, whereas the disposable sling did increase the variance in the BMD measurements. CONCLUSION Commercially available ceiling-lift slings affect BMD measurements of spine phantoms. This effect is expected to persist when BMD is measured in patients and suggests that when lifting a patient onto the densitometer using these slings, it is best to take the time to remove the sling from under the patient after transfer and before scanning.
Gene therapy for metabolic disorders

Most diseases caused by genetic deficiencies could, in theory, be treated by the introduction and expression of a normal gene into an appropriate target tissue. It seems likely that gene therapy strategies for most metabolic disorders will not require strict gene regulation, as a fraction of the normal levels of gene activity could result in amelioration or significant improvement in the clinical outcome. Gene therapy is making rapid progress towards the goal of treating various disorders: here, we summarize the state of gene therapy for metabolic disorders.
Compensation of thermal nonlinearity effect in optical resonators

Thermal nonlinearity is known to cause bistability in Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) resonators and to destabilize the red slope of the Lorentzian resonant curve. We demonstrate an optical technique that allows compensation of the thermal effect and forces the resonances to appear linear with both red and blue slopes stable.
A Method for Determining Depolarization Factors in Raman Spectra

A method is described for the measurement of depolarization factors in Raman spectra which utilizes the spectral intensity traces obtained directly on a recording monochromator. A dry ice-refrigerated multiplier photo-tube is used as a detector with additional d.c. amplification. The initial photo-current, amplified some 108-fold, is continuously traced on a galvanometer deflection recorder of sensitivity 10−9 amp./mm. Analysis of the partially polarized scattered Raman light is made by means of a Polaroid oriented to obtain one record each for the parallel and perpendicular intensities. The instrument responds to the parallel and perpendicular intensities in the ratio of 0.82 to 1.00. Thus, the apparent depolarizations determined by this method were divided by 0.82 to correct for the in equivalence of transmission by the instrument for the two types of polarization. Values thus obtained for the principal Raman lines of benzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and symmetrical tetrachloroethane are tabulated together with results published by other authors. Values obtained for the depolarization factors ρ agree satisfactorily with the values for the same molecules using the generally accepted method of Cabannes and Rousset.
Layered Synthetic Microstructures: Properties And Applications In X-Ray Astronomy

Refinements in vacuum deposition technology have made it possible to produce structures in which two materials are arranged in alternating layers of uniform thickness and as thin as 5 A. Such structures act as Bragg diffractors or 'artificial crystals' for X-rays, as well as they may be regarded as multilayer interference coatings. A dynamical theory is used to show how the properties of layered synthetic microstructures are dependent on the layer materials and thicknesses and how these properties can be tailored to specific applications. Laboratory results at various X-ray wavelengths are presented. In particular, specific X-ray astronomy applications in spectroscopy, imaging, polarimetry and laboratory calibration are discussed.
Lung endothelial dipeptidyl peptidase IV is an adhesion molecule for lung-metastatic rat breast and prostate carcinoma cells.

Attachment of circulating tumor cells to endothelial cell adhesion molecules restricted to select vascular compartments is thought to be responsible for site-specific metastasis. Lung-metastatic rat R3230AC-MET breast and RPC-2 prostate carcinoma cells bound outside-out endothelial cell membrane vesicles, prepared by perfusion of the rat lung vasculature with a low-strength formaldehyde solution, in significantly higher numbers than their nonmetastatic counterparts R3230AC-LR and RPC-LR. In contrast, vesicles derived from the vasculature of a nonmetastasized organ (e.g., hind leg muscle) showed no binding preference for either of the four tumor cell lines. Lung-derived endothelial vesicles were used here to generate mAbs against lung endothelial cell adhesion molecules. The first group of mice were actively immunized against lung endothelial vesicles, whereas the second group was injected with syngeneic mouse antiserum against leg endothelial vesicles before active immunization with lung endothelial vesicles. 17 hybridoma supernatants obtained from the two fusions bound lung vesicles with at least a 10-fold higher affinity than leg vesicles. Seven (four obtained by a passive/active immunization protocol) stained rat capillary endothelia. One mAb, mAb 8.6A3, inhibited specific adhesion of lung-derived vesicles to lung-metastatic breast and prostate carcinoma cells. Purification of the antigen (endothelial cell adhesion molecule) from rat lung extracts revealed a protein with a 110-kD mol wt. NH2-terminal sequencing established identity with dipeptidyl peptidase IV which had been reported to serve as a fibronectin-binding protein. These results indicate that vesicles obtained from in situ perfused organs are a convenient immunogen for the production of antibodies to compartment-specific endothelial cell surface molecules, and reinforce the concept that endothelial cell surface components are selectively recognized by circulating cancer cells during metastasis formation.
Analysis of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation in murine melanoma for photon activation therapy.

Abstract Quantitative evaluation of the dose enhancement obtained with analog nucleoside agents such as iododeoxyuridme (IdUrd) requires knowledge of the degree to which the thymidine (Thd) in DNA is replaced by IdUrd. In the present investigation, mice were infused with IdUrd using an intravenous infusion apparatus capable of delivering continuous multi-day infusions without restraining the mice. The absolute incorporation of IdUrd in DNA was measured by 125IdUrd label, both in whole tissue and extracted DNA, showing a good correlation between levels observed in DNA and whole tissue. Replacement in a Harding-Passey murine melanoma tumor carried in BALB/c mice approached 10%. In addition, a Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique was developed which showed in vitro, a sensitivity sufficient to evaluate the ‰ replacement of Thd by IdUrd in small biological samples with a sensitivity greater than 0.1 ppm, at 1 ‰ replacement in mg samples. This method can provide information on iodine substitution in DNA in humans where the. use of a radioactive DNA-seeking substance would be undesirable. Analyses of IdUrd incorporation in cultured cells by NAA and 125I counting showed good agreement.
From fiber to the home to full broadband ISDN

The author presents an evolutionary path for the broadband integrated service digital network (B-ISDN), starting with the installation of fibers to the home. Basing the target B-ISDN network on asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology (which is quite different from current circuit switching used by telephone networks) is being considered. The author suggests a four-phase evolution. Fiber to the home is the key to generating the evolution momentum toward B-ISDN. The second phase is to provide TDM (time-division multiplexing) or STM (synchronous transfer mode) access to the home, so that initial broadband services can be provided in a timely manner by existing network elements. The third phase provides ATM access to the home and uses interworking units to interface STM-based terminals. The last phase has the full ATM-based access where every terminal is ATM-based. >
Real Estate Pricing under Two-Sided Asymmetric Information

What happens when a buyer and a seller each have private information about the value of an item for trade, as is particularly common in real estate? We solve for the equilibrium price under both public information, where the seller shares his information with the buyer, and private information, where the seller is constrained to be unable to credibly share. Our main results are 1) even under public information, the equilibrium price differs from the expected value of the item, 2) under private information, prices follow a step function, with small changes in information generically having no effect on price, and 3) equilibrium price is more sensitive to informational changes under private information than public information. This under-studied game of 2-sided asymmetric information reasonably describes real estate transactions.
An effective method for integrity constraint simplification

A description is given of a very effective method for the syntax-directed simplification of multirelation, multivariable, aggregate-free integrity constraints against a fairly general class of multirelation update transactions with partial specifications. Compared with other work, the approach covers a wider range of update transactions and integrity constraints, and explores more optimization opportunities with no more effort. The method is both a uniform generalization of previous research and a basis for examining arbitrary update transactions. >
IEEE 1453 - how well does it work in the real world

Utility engineers have long used the "GE Curve" for determining allowable flicker levels on their electrical systems. This has been done in spite of known limitations, quirks, and inconsistencies of that method. With the recent approval of IEEE 1453-2004, another option exists for the determination of flicker compliance. This paper describes one engineers experience in applying that document through the use of an actual case study.
Selective coronary dye-dilution curves in normal subjects and in patients with coronary disease

Abstract Selective coronary dye-dilution curves were obtained in 24 patients with no clinical evidence of coronary disease and with arteriographically normal coronary arteries and in 20 patients with clinical evidence of coronary disease and significant obstructive disease of the coronary arteries. Cardiogreen, 3.1 mg., was used as an indicator and selectively injected into the ostia of the right and left coronary arteries, with continuous sampling from the main pulmonary artery. The curves for normal subjects showed a fast appearance time, rapid buildup time, tall peak concentration, rapid clearance and mean transit times. The spread ratio was short and peak amplitude/buildup time ratio was prolonged. Major obstructive disease in one or more of the coronary arteries resulted in major alteration in the contour of the dye curves, which exhibited prolonged appearance time, slurrings, notches and “double hump” of the ascending limb, slow buildup time, low peak amplitude and the prolonged mean transit and clearance times. The spread ratio was high and the peak amplitude/buildup time ratio was short. The interplay of three major factors—namely, delay of clearance of the indicator through the localized mechanical obstruction, coronary flow and resistance and extent of collateral circulation—may explain the abnormality of the selective coronary dye-dilution curves. This technic is safe and reproducible, and it is not assocated with any major cardiac arrhythmias or bradycardia. Although more experience with this technic is needed, the present data indicate that this technic may be a useful adjunct in the study of the coronary circulation in man.
Analysis and implementation of a novel single-channel direction-finding method

We propose and analyze a novel single channel direction finding (DF) algorithm based on phase-locked loops (PLL). The algorithm is evaluated via Matlab simulation to determine the accuracy of the estimated angle-of-arrival (AOA) of a target signal in an AWGN channel. The proposed algorithm is shown to provide exceptional accuracy. Additionally, we present results from a hardware implementation using a software radio platform and an eight-element circular array; they validate the simulation results.
Dielectric properties of human normal, malignant and cirrhotic liver tissue: in vivo and ex vivo measurements from 0.5 to 20 GHz using a precision open-ended coaxial probe

Hepatic malignancies have historically been treated with surgical resection. Due to the shortcomings of this technique, there is interest in other, less invasive, treatment modalities, such as microwave hepatic ablation. Crucial to the development of this technique is the accurate knowledge of the dielectric properties of human liver tissue at microwave frequencies. To this end, we characterized the dielectric properties of in vivo and ex vivo normal, malignant and cirrhotic human liver tissues from 0.5 to 20 GHz. Analysis of our data at 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz indicates that the dielectric properties of ex vivo malignant liver tissue are 19 to 30% higher than normal tissue. The differences in the dielectric properties of in vivo malignant and normal liver tissue are not statistically significant (with the exception of effective conductivity at 915 MHz, where malignant tissue properties are 16% higher than normal). Also, the dielectric properties of in vivo normal liver tissue at 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz are 16 to 43% higher than ex vivo. No statistically significant differences were found between the dielectric properties of in vivo and ex vivo malignant tissue (with the exception of effective conductivity at 915 MHz, where malignant tissue properties are 28% higher than normal). We report the one-pole Cole-Cole parameters for ex vivo normal, malignant and cirrhotic liver tissue in this frequency range. We observe that wideband dielectric properties of in vivo liver tissue are different from the wideband dielectric properties of ex vivo liver tissue, and that the in vivo data cannot be represented in terms of a Cole-Cole model. Further work is needed to uncover the mechanisms responsible for the observed wideband trends in the in vivo liver data.
Comparative Evaluation of Macrodilution and Chromogenic Agar Screening for Determining Fluconazole Susceptibility of Candida albicans

A simple screening method forfluconazole susceptibility using CHROMagar Candida withfluconazole was compared with the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) macrobroth method. In this agar dilution method, susceptible Candida albicanscolonies are smaller on medium withfluconazole than on fluconazole-free medium. Yeasts with decreased susceptibility have normal-sized colonies on medium containingfluconazole. On agar with 16 mg offluconazole per ml, 32 of 34 strains with NCCLS MICs of >16 mg/ml were correctly predicted, as were 66 of 68 with MICs of 8 were correctly predicted, as were 59 of 61 isolates with MICs of <8, an agreement of 95%. This agar dilution method appears to highly correlate with NCCLS macrobroth methods for detection of C. albicansand may be an effective screen forfluconazole susceptibility.
Maintenance and repair decision making for infrastructure facilities without a deterioration model

In the existing approach to maintenance and repair decision making for infrastructure facilities, policy evaluation and policy selection are performed under the assumption that a perfect facility deterioration model is available. The writer formulates the problem of developing maintenance and repair policies as a reinforcement learning problem in order to address this limitation. The writer explains the agency-facility interaction considered in reinforcement learning and discuss the probing-optimizing dichotomy that exists in the process of performing policy evaluation and policy selection. Then, temporal-difference learning methods are described as an approach that can be used to address maintenance and repair decision making. Finally, the results of a simulation study are presented where it is shown that the proposed approach can be used for decision making in situations where complete and correct deterioration models are not (yet) available.
Detailed description of a two-state non-Markov system

Abstract A two-state system in which transitions between the states are made randomly, is often used as a model of different phenomena in several fields. Both the probability density for the cumulative dwell-time in one of the states during a fixed observation time T , and the distribution of the number of transitions made during that time are known. We calculate the joint distribution of these two correlated random variables, showing that at long times it approaches a two-dimensional Gaussian form.
The Krichever Map and Automorphic Line Bundles

A solution of the KP-hierarchy can be given by the τ -function or the Baker function associated to an element of the Grassmannian Gr(L 2 (S 1 )) consisting of some subspaces of the space L 2 (S 1 ) of square-integrable functions on the unit circle S 1 . The Krichever map associates an element W ∈ Gr(L 2 (S 1 )) to a line bundle over a Riemann surface equipped with some additional data. We consider a line bundle over a modular curve associated to an automorphy factor J and prove that the elements of the image W of this bundle under the Krichever map can be characterized by a set of criteria involving J.
Early clinical experiences from students' perspectives: a qualitative study of narratives.

Purpose To gain insight into how early clinical experiences contribute to medical students’ professional development. Method Qualitative content analysis of secondyear Mayo Medical School students’ reflective journal essays pertaining to their first experiences with inpatients (from 2002 to 2004) was done using a grounded theory approach. The apprenticeship model of professional learning (knowledge and cognitive abilities, technical skills, and ethical standards) and perspectives from learning theory provided the conceptual framework. Major themes were identified, and member checking and interrater reliability was assessed to support the validity and reliability of the content analysis. Results Four major themes related to the purposes that the early clinical experiences with patients served for students were identified in analysis of reflections from 76 students (participation rate 95%). The themes were issues related to relationships and learning in early encounters with hospitalized patients; integration with learning in the entire curriculum; aspects of doctoring learned; and affiliation with the physician role and professional development. Select quotes illustrate these themes and provide thick description. Member checking supported the analysis; interrater reliability was 91%. Conclusions
Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus and Variations in Plasma Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Relationship to Physical Characteristics of Egg Shells

Abstract THE alkaline phosphatase activity of the domestic fowl as related to dietary calcium has been the subject of a number of investigations. Common (1936) was the first to demonstrate a higher and more variable phosphatase activity in laying hens than in cocks and a still higher activity if the hens were on a low calcium diet. Since then many workers, including Hurwitz and Griminger (1961) and Dumanovsky (1962), have reported a decrease in the enzyme activity as the dietary calcium increased. Hurwitz and Griminger (1961) reported that 2.6% dietary calcium was the lowest calcium level which resulted in minimum alkaline phosphatase activity in hens. Although considerable research has been conducted on the relationship of plasma alkaline phosphatase and level of dietary calcium, few studies have been conducted on the activity of this enzyme in relation to egg shell calcification. The close relationship between skeletal metabolism and shell formation is well…
Community Genomic and Proteomic Analyses of Chemoautotrophic Iron-Oxidizing “Leptospirillum rubarum” (Group II) and “Leptospirillum ferrodiazotrophum” (Group III) Bacteria in Acid Mine Drainage Biofilms

We analyzed near-complete population (composite) genomic sequences for coexisting acidophilic iron-oxidizing Leptospirillum group II and III bacteria (phylum Nitrospirae) and an extrachromosomal plasmid from a Richmond Mine, Iron Mountain, CA, acid mine drainage biofilm. Community proteomic analysis of the genomically characterized sample and two other biofilms identified 64.6% and 44.9% of the predicted proteins of Leptospirillum groups II and III, respectively, and 20% of the predicted plasmid proteins. The bacteria share 92% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity and >60% of their genes, including integrated plasmid-like regions. The extrachromosomal plasmid carries conjugation genes with detectable sequence similarity to genes in the integrated conjugative plasmid, but only those on the extrachromosomal element were identified by proteomics. Both bacterial groups have genes for community-essential functions, including carbon fixation and biosynthesis of vitamins, fatty acids, and biopolymers (including cellulose); proteomic analyses reveal these activities. Both Leptospirillum types have multiple pathways for osmotic protection. Although both are motile, signal transduction and methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins are more abundant in Leptospirillum group III, consistent with its distribution in gradients within biofilms. Interestingly, Leptospirillum group II uses a methyl-dependent and Leptospirillum group III a methyl-independent response pathway. Although only Leptospirillum group III can fix nitrogen, these proteins were not identified by proteomics. The abundances of core proteins are similar in all communities, but the abundance levels of unique and shared proteins of unknown function vary. Some proteins unique to one organism were highly expressed and may be key to the functional and ecological differentiation of Leptospirillum groups II and III.
Renormalization-group study of the standard model and its extensions: The standard model.

In this paper we present a comprehensive analysis of the running of all the couplings of the standard model to two loops, including threshold effects. Our purpose is twofold---to determine what the running of these parameters may indicate for the physics of the standard model and to provide a template for the study of its extensions up to the Planck mass.
Interlocked transdomal suture technique for the wide interdomal space in rhinoplasty.

Multiple techniques are available for the treatment of the wide interdomal space in rhinoplasty. A simple, predictable method for narrowing the interdomal space using a suture technique is described herein. The procedure uses a pair of permanentsuturesthataredesignedtominimizedistortion,valveimpingement,andovercorrection. It can be performed through intranasal or external approaches. This article will define the wide interdomal space, describe the technique, and demonstrate the efficacy of the technique in 250 rhinoplasty procedures.