cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Group 2A idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasia in monozygotic twins.

Purpose To report the clinical and fluorescein angiographic characteristics of monozygotic twins affected by group 2A idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasia. Design Observational case report. Methods Both eyes of identical twins were examined in a clinical practice setting. Results Two 68-year-old Caucasian, monozygotic, female twins were examined. In one twin, visual acuity was 20/50 in the right eye (OD) and 20/40 in the left (OS). Ophthalmoscopy demonstrated right-angle venules without edema in both eyes (OU). Fluorescein angiography demonstrated areas of leakage temporal to the fovea OU with some nasal leakage OS. In her identical twin sister, with type II diabetes, visual acuity was 20/60 OD and 20/25 OS. Right-angle venules OU, refractile deposits OS, and no macular edema OU were present. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated areas of parafoveal leakage temporal and nasal OD and temporal OS. Conclusion This is the second set of female monozygotic twins with group 2A idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasia reported in the literature. This finding suggests a genetic component in the pathogenesis of this retinal vascular disease.
Obesity is associated with an increased prevalence of advanced adenomatous colon polyps in a male veteran population

Obesity has been associated with an increased risk for colonic adenomatous polyps (APs) and colorectal cancers, but the influence of obesity on the development of advanced APs is not clear. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of obesity on the prevalence of advanced APs in a male veteran population. We performed a retrospective study of patients (n = 2,903) with histologically confirmed APs on an index colonoscopy. APs were evaluated for advanced features (size > or = 1 cm in diameter and/or a villous component and/or high grade dysplasia). Patients were categorized as: normal weight (BMI > 18.5 and or = 25 and or = 30). An association between clinical factors and advanced APs was sought by Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson Chi-square. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors for advanced APs. We identified 2,903 male patients with APs (mean age 64 + 1.1(SE) years; 770 (27%) normal weight, 1,029 (35%) overweight, 1,104 (38%) obese. By univariate analysis, obese patients had a greater prevalence of advanced APs than the overweight and normal weight patients (28 vs. 23 vs. 24%, p = 0.025). Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed the association of obesity and advanced APs (OR = 1.01, CI = 1-1.02, p = 0.04). For every one-unit increase in BMI above 30, there was a corresponding 1% increase in the frequency of finding advanced APs. Obesity in male veteran patients is associated with the finding of advanced APs on colonoscopy. We speculate that obesity may increase the risk for CRC by promoting the development of advanced APs.
Effect of serotonin on phenol oxidase from the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica and from other sources

Fasciola hepatica contains a phenol oxidase associated with insoluble particles. This enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of phenolamines at a higher rate than it catalyzes the oxidation of catechol, DOPA and tyrosine ethyl ester. The substrate specificity of this enzyme differs from that of melanoma phenol oxidase. Diethyldithiocarbamate inhibits the activity of the liver fluke phenol oxidase. This inhibition is reversed by copper ions indicating that this oxidase is a copper enzyme. Serotonin inhibits the activity of both the liver fluke and melanoma enzymes. The inhibition by serotonin of the liver fluke phenol oxidase can be reversed by increasing the substrate concentrations indicating that the inhibitory effect is competitive. The inhibitory effect of serotonin on melanoma enzyme is not competitive. Serotonin also inhibited phenol oxidase of meal worms but had no effect on mushroom phenol oxidase.
The representative anecdote as a burkean method, applied toevangelical rhetoric

This essay explains Kenneth Burke's method of discovering the representative anecdote of a discourse. The method is synecdotal insofar as it identifies a story or dramatic form which represents the motivational essence of the discourse. The anecdote is metaphorical insofar as it underlies groups of discourses. The method is demonstrated through application to three examples of evangelical rhetoric. Implications of that rhetoric in social and political contexts are discussed.
MAGI-1 interacts with beta-catenin and is associated with cell-cell adhesion structures.

Abstract The family of membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUK) comprises peripheral membrane proteins involved in the formation of specialized cell–cell junctions. MAGUK proteins possess a conserved domain composition, containing PDZ, guanylate kinase, and SH3 or WW domains. MAGI-1 is a recently identified member of the MAGUK protein family. Three splice variantsof MAGI-1 have been characterized to date, including MAGI-1a, -1b, and -1c. MAGI-1b is predominantly associated with the crude membrane fraction. Here we show that the fifth PDZ domain of MAGI-1b is essential for membrane localization. We have also identified β-catenin as a potential ligand for this PDZ domain. MAGI-1b forms complexes with β-catenin and E-cadherin during the formation of cell–cell junctions in MDCK cells. In agreement with this observation, a significant portion of a GFP fusion of MAGI-1b localizes to the basolateral membrane of polarized MDCK cells.
Regional and National Identities in Robert Frost's and T.S. Eliot's Criticism

In her essay, "Regional and National Identities in Robert Frost's and T.S. Eliot's Criticism," Angela M. Senst analyzes Robert Frost's and T.S. Eliot's criticism in order to explore their different concepts of culture and to determine their respective regional and national identities: While both poets stress the necessity of unified cultural entities, Frost is deeply committed to the American principle e pluribus unum, whereas Eliot disapproves of internally heterogeneous societies that strive to level out differences which he considers a prerequisite for the mutual revitalization of cultures. Instead, Eliot promotes the idea of intercultural exchange, whereas Frost credits the experience of immigration with producing and continuously revitalizing the American culture. Considering New England the cradle of the cultural and political American nation, Frost is convinced that his regional loyalty is the foundation for his national loyalty. T.S. Eliot, however, considers a cultural nation to be an organic, and not an artificial, structure. Consequently, he can become a naturalized British citizen without giving up his cultural loyalties to the regions of his childhood and youth, while denying America, as the product of colonization, its claim to being not only a political, but also a cultural nation. Angela M. Senst, "Regional and National Identities in Robert Frost's and T.S. Eliot's Criticism" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 3.2 (2001):
Validation of Analytical Measurements by Single‐trial and Collaborative Study

: Validation of analytical measurements is necessary to report scientifically justifiable results. In this exercise, students validate the accuracy and precision of analytical instruments in single trials and in collaborative study, and validation results are used to report measurements in a scientifically justifiable manner. Tables are provided to guide data collection and to clarify reporting of results. A set of allied questions explores validation theory to develop student understanding, stimulate discussion, and provide feedback to the instructor regarding student comprehension. References are given that reinforce the validation concepts.
Transfer between vision and haptics: Memory for 2-D patterns and 3-D objects

Explicit memory tests such as recognition typically access semantic, modality-independent representations, while perceptual implicit memory tests typically access presemantic, modality-specific representations. By demonstrating comparable cross- and within-modal priming using vision and haptics with verbal materials (Easton, Srinivas, & Greene, 1997), we recently questioned whether the representations underlying perceptual implicit tests were modality specific. Unlike vision and audition, with vision and haptics verbal information can be presented in geometric terms to both modalities. The present experiments extend this line of research by assessing implicit and explicit memory within and between vision and haptics in the nonverbal domain, using both 2-D patterns and 3-D objects. Implicit test results revealed robust cross-modal priming for both 2-D patterns and 3-D objects, indicating that vision and haptics shared abstract representations of object shape and structure. Explicit test results for 3-D objects revealed modality specificity, indicating that the recognition system keeps track of the modality through which an object is experienced.
Effects of Diagnostic Inclusion Criteria on Prevalence and Population Characteristics in Database Research

Objectives:Studies of serious mental illnesses that use administrative databases have employed various criteria to establish diagnoses of interest. Several studies have assessed the validity of diagnostic inclusion criteria against research diagnoses. However, no studies have examined the effect of diagnostic inclusion criteria on prevalence and population characteristics across such groups.Methods:Administrative data for 2003–2010 from the Department of Veterans Affairs were used to calculate prevalence rates and assess effects of varying the diagnostic inclusion criteria on population composition for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, for each diagnosis, mutually exclusive subpopulations were compared on the basis of the following inclusion criteria for a given diagnosis: one treatment encounter, two outpatient encounters or one inpatient encounter, and any two encounters. For bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, effects of excluding individuals who h...
ETANA-GIS: GIS for archaeological digital libraries

With the growing importance of mapping land, regions, and their related features, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has become an ever important standard in fields where such detailed study of land features is required. Our archaeology digital library, ETANA-DL (http://etana.dlib.vt.edu), contains thousands of records from eight member excavations. Here, we draw on the Space aspect of the 5S meta-model [1] for digital libraries and demonstrate a methodology used to integrate archaeological GIS data with the wealth of information within ETANA-DL. ETANAGIS connects the digital library's textual records with a spatial representation of their original locations, enhancing users' understanding of the find.Using a dataset of the University of Toronto's Tell Madaba excavation project [2], we developed an interactive, Web-based representation of the original ArcGIS document (accessible from ETANA-DL homepage). For dynamic generation of maps from geospatial data, we use the MapServer [3] project, a mature, project which boasts a rich toolset of features for cartographicrelated image generation. MapServer can directly utilize ArcGIS layer resources but some translation and additional authoring must occur for proper image generation. Then, using PHP, the MapScript MapServer API, and navigation tools, the map was ported to an interactive, Web-accessible format. Based on a study of alternatives, the technology we chose for our technique seemed to be the best suited for digital library integration and is also completely open source.To explore the presentation of the map, a user employs the navigation tools displayed in the corner of the main view (see Figure 1). In addition, full control of displayed layers, a smaller map showing overall view and context, as well as a dynamic scale bar are available for use. To integrate the Web-based version of the Tell Madaba GIS map with the existing digital library, the layers depicting archaeological divisions are clickable and labeled for easy identification. Any area queried results in a pop-up box with ETANA-DL's records and artifacts for that area.While this integration connects the digital library with the spatial representation of the region, the unique quality of various GIS maps causes certain difficulties. The lack of standard in denoting spatial divisions in GIS is one hindrance to producing a more automated technique. Future work will include more automation, usability evaluation, and integration of additional excavations. We hope integration of the digital library and GIS greatly aids users' understanding of the spatial organization of the included data.
Direct-scanning alpha-spectrometer for americium and plutonium contamination on highly-enriched uranium surfaces

Trace239Pu and241Am contamination on a surface whose alpha count is dominated by235U and234U decay has been successfully quantified by counting swipes in external alpha-spectroscopy chambers. The swipe process, however, is labor intensive and subject to uncertainties in the swiping process as well as degraded spectral resolution due to the presence of the swipe material. A multichannel instrument for automated in situ measurements of interior and exterior contamination has been developed which incorporates a rotary table, 13 fixed ion-implanted silicon detectors, and spectroscopy electronics. Custom software was written to allow alpha-spectrometer to function as a virtual instrument in the LabView environment. This system gives improved speed and resolution as well as a complete log of the location of areas of high surface contamination, a feature not practical to obtain by other methods, and one which opens the possibility of long term studies such as Pu outgrowth evaluation employing the instrument. We present performance data as well as system integration, calibration, control, and dynamic geometric efficiency calculations related to the design of this and next generation systems.
Downregulation of Repressive CUP/AP-2 Isoforms during Adipocyte Differentiation

Abstract Activation of transcription of the C/EBPα (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α) gene is a critical event in the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes. The kinetics of this process parallels a decline of AP-2α protein (also referred to as CUP, C /EBP u ndifferentiated protein) and decreased binding of CUP/AP-2α to the C/EBPα promoter. Mutation of the CUP/AP-2 binding sites in the C/EBPα promoter results in increased C/EBPα expression. Based on these findings, it appears that decline in AP-2α expression is an important early event in the adipocyte differentiation program. In the studies presented here, we identify three mRNAs that encode the repressive CUP/AP-2α isoforms expressed in undifferentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We demonstrate that the kinetics of the decline of these isoforms' expression over the course of differentiation parallels both the decrease in CUP/AP-2α DNA binding activity and the increase in C/EBPα protein observed in previous studies.
Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Regulates the Pluripotent State and Lineage Fate Choice in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Understanding the intrinsic and extrinsic signals that regulate the molecular basis of the pluripotent state may improve our understanding of mammalian embryogenesis, different states of pluripotency, and our ability to tailor lineage differentiation. Although the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in the self-renewal and maintenance of mESCs is well-established, the specific contribution of the pathway or of its negative regulator, PTEN, in the maintenance of the human pluripotent state is less understood. To explore the PI3K/AKT pathway in human embryonic stem cell (hESC) pluripotency and differentiation, we generated stable PTEN knockdown (KD) hESCs using short hairpin RNA. Similar to mESCs, we found that PTEN KD hESCs have increased self-renewal, cell survival, and proliferation over multiple passages compared to control cells. However, in contrast to mESCs, in vitro, PTEN KD hESCs differentiated inefficiently in directed differentiation assays, in part due to the continued maintenance of OCT4 and NANOG expression. In teratoma assays, PTEN KD hESCs generated tissues from the three germ layers, although with a bias toward neuroectoderm differentiation. These results demonstrate that PTEN is a key regulator of hESC growth and differentiation, and manipulation of this pathway may improve our ability to regulate and understand the pluripotent state.
The distribution of orthogonal arrays in the freeze-fractured rat median eminence.

The distribution of orthogonal arrays of particles and their relationships to gap and tight junctions have been studied in the glia of the freeze-fractured rat median eminence (ME). These rectilinear clusters of intramembrane particles are thought to represent trans-membrane channels for ions or metabolites, and were found to be densely packed on the membranous laminations of the pial-glial limitans. Additionally, arrays were found to be present on all of the perivascular glial end-feet examined. Two classes of end-feet were distinguished by their relative densities of orthogonal arrays. End-feet displaying low densities of arrays occurred more frequently in the internal zone, while end-feet displaying high densities occurred more often in the external zone. Similar distinctions based on array density could be made in membranes from other regions of the cell as well. Cross-fractures revealing the cytoplasm underlying these membranes often exposed lipid inclusion bodies, suggesting that membranes containing few arrays belong to tanycytes (or to ‘astrocyte-like tanycytes’). The distribution of arrays appeared to be unrelated to the distribution of gap junctions in the membranes of astrocytes and tanycytes (and ‘astrocyte-like tanycytes’) of the ME, appearing near to and far from gap junctions with approximately equal frequency. Orthogonal arrays were absent from glial membranes near synaptic profiles in the ME. Arrays were also absent from the microvillous membranes of the apical surfaces of ependymal cells, from the cytoplasmic protrusions into the CSF of tanycytes, and from the vicinity of the tight and complex junctions linking the tanycyte and ependymal cell lateral membranes near their apical poles. These results suggest that there is a gradient of array density for most glia of the ME, increasing from the ventricular to the pial surface.
Poisson kriging: A closer investigation

Abstract This work revisits a simple geostatistical model for the analysis of spatial count data and describes some of its main second-order properties. This geostatistical model is simpler than an alternative hierarchical model, also used for the analysis of spatial count data, so it may be more appealing to practitioners and spatial data analysts. Geostatistical methods for trend parameter estimation, semivariogram estimation and prediction of the latent process are reviewed, and new estimators and predictors are proposed. Finally, a designed simulation experiment is carried out to investigate and compare the sampling properties of the different estimators and predictors.
Transient growth of perturbations in a vortex column

Linear transient growth in a normal-mode-stable vortex column is studied by extracting ‘optimal modes’ of perturbations. Amplifications occur over a wide range of azimuthal wavenumbers practical flows. An optimal bending wave, on the other hand, is localized closer to the vortex column, where a vorticity perturbation external to the core can resonantly excite vortex core waves. This leads to substantial growth of core fluctuation energy and, probably, to core transition to turbulence. Such resonant growth may be the mechanism for the appearance of bending waves in a vortex in a turbulent field.
Software process modeling for an interactive, graphical, educational software engineering simulation game

SimSE is an educational software engineering simulation game that uses a unique software process modeling approach. This approach combines both predictive and prescriptive aspects to support the creation of dynamic, interactive, graphical models for software engineering process education. This paper describes the different constructs in a SimSE process model, the associated model builder tool, and discusses the underlying tradeoffs and issues involved in this approach.
Open operative management of dialysis‐dependent ischemic nephropathy

OBJECTIVE This retrospective review examines open operative management of dialysis-dependent ischemic nephropathy among consecutive hypertensive adults. METHODS From February 1987 through July 2005, 820 patients underwent open operative repair of 1220 kidneys at our center. A subgroup of 45 hypertensive patients (19 women, 26 men; mean age, 68 ± 9 years; mean BP, 205 ± 29/99 ± 20) considered permanently dialysis-dependent prior to renal artery (RA) repair forms the basis of this report. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) was determined from serial serum creatinine measures 14 weeks before and after RA repair. The mean rate of change of EGFR was estimated before and after RA repair using linear regression analysis. Analysis of kidney status and change in EGFR was performed. The relationship between renal function response after an operation and survival was determined by the product-limit method. RESULTS Renal artery repairs to 73 kidneys included RA bypass (44 repairs: 22 saphenous vein repairs and 22 prosthetic grafts), RA endarterectomy (25 repairs; 13 transrenal and 12 transaortic), and RA reimplantation (4 repairs). Thirty-five patients had bilateral procedures, including 4 procedures to solitary kidneys. Eighteen patients had combined aortic repair (13 AAA, 5 aortic occlusions). Of 28 RA occlusions, 25 were repaired. Three nephrectomies were performed for unreconstructable RA to a nonfunctioning kidney. After RA repair, 2 patients died (4.4%) within 30 days of operation or in-hospital. Twenty-nine of 43 (67%) surgical survivors stopped being dialysis dependent. Among patients removed from dialysis, postoperative EGFR ranged from 10.0 to 91.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 (mean: 41.7 ± 18.6 mL/min/1.73 m2). Four patients initially removed from dialysis progressed to eventual dialysisdependence on follow-up. Removal from dialysis was associated with a more rapid decline in preoperative EGFR (mean slope per week loge EGFR: −0.1489 ± 0.0180 off dialysis; −0.0748 ± 0.0236 on dialysis; p = .01); however, EGFR did not differ statistically after unilateral or bilateral RA procedures (mean: 25.8 ± 7.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 unilateral versus 44.6 ± 3.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 bilateral; p = .06). On follow-up, improved survival was observed for patients removed from dialysis compared with patients who remained dialysis dependent (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION Open operative management of dialysis-dependent ischemic nephropathy can remove selected patients from dialysis. Beneficial renal function response was associated with a rapid decline in preoperative renal function. Compared with that of patients who remained dialysis dependent, the survival of patients who could cease dialysis after the operation was was improved.
Perturbations of Atomic g Values

A further investigation of the perturbation by excited core states of gyromagnetic ratios for atoms consisting of a single electron outside closed shells takes account of the spin orbit interaction of the excited core. Although the effect vanishes to lower orders than the fourth, and at least the first term in the expansion of the electrostatic interconfiguration interaction cancels even in that order, there is for alkali atoms a residual correction possibly large enough to account for observed deviations of $g$ values from those expected. Calculations have also been made for $^{2}P$ states: The effect in gallium is negligible, but the anomalous observed $\frac{{g}_{J}({P}_{\frac{3}{2}})}{{g}_{J}({P}_{\frac{1}{2}})}$ for indium may be at least in part due to perturbations of this kind.
The History of Cancer: An Annotated Bibliography

Preface Historical Background The Etiology of Cancer Malignant Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Clinical Treatment Indexes
The Global Compact Selected Experiences and Reflections

In this paper, the Executive Head of the Global Compact shares some of his own reflections on the evolution of the Global Compact initiative – United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s voluntary corporate citizenship initiative in the area of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption. Two main themes are addressed. The first considers the Global Compact’s institutional context, examining how such an initiative is even possible in the historically hierarchical and traditionally business-unfriendly UN. The second concerns the voluntary nature of the initiative and how it interacts with regulatory approaches. It explains what the Global Compact has to offer as a voluntary initiative, as well as how it can make a unique and complementary contribution to regulation-backed initiatives. The paper concludes with a brief consideration of what the future holds for the Global Compact.
Conditional possibility measures

Possibility theory is the formalization of the methods of reasoning about uncertainty and information, derived from the principles of fuzzy sets and systems. Derived possibilistic assignments can be constructed within this theory. This paper defines the notion of conditional possibility—an assignment subject to conditioning by other possibilistic random variables. The proposed definition can be based on one of the two principles: proper interaction with marginal distributions, or minimization of possibilistic information distance between the original and derived distributions. Both approaches independently lead to the same definition, thus strongly suggesting its wider applicability.
Remote Data Entry and the Electronic New Drug Application: An Integrated Approach to Acquire, Analyze, and Review New Drug Data

This paper details the potential for the use of remote data entry and a relational computerized data base of new drug data and the means to speed its analysis and review. The potential savings in accuracy, management, and time is enormous. The principles and early use of these systems are reviewed.
Feature processing during high-rate auditory selective attention.

Auditory event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and reaction times were, analyzed in a selective attention task in which subjects attended to tone pips presented at high rates-Xinterstimulua intervals [ISIs] of 40-200 msec). Subjects responded to infrequent target tones of a specified frequency (250 or 4000 Hz) and location (left or right ear) that were louder than otherwise identical tones presented randomly to the left and right ears. Negative difference (Nd) waves were isolated by subtracting ERPs to tones with no target features from ERPs to the same tones when they shared target location, frequency, or both frequency and location cues. Nd waves began 60-70 msec after tone onset and lasted until 252–350 msec after tone onset, even for tones with single attended cues. The duration of Nd waves exceeded the ISIs between successive tones, implying that several stimuli underwent concurrent analysis. Nd waves associated with frequency processing had scalp distributions different from those associated with location processing, implying that the features were analyzed in distinct cortical areas. Nd waves specific to auditory feature conjunction were isolated. These began at latencies of 110–120 msec, some 30-40 msec after the Nds to single features. The relative timing of the different Nd waves suggests that auditory feaure conjunction begins after a brief parallel analysis of individual features but before feature analysis is complete.
Multiplexing schemes for cost-effective fault-tolerance

Motivated by the need for cost-effective fault-tolerant nano architectures, we explore von Neumann multiplexing (vN-MUX) at small and very small redundancy factors. We present a novel analysis of vN-MUX of 3-input majority gates (MAJ-3), using combinatorial arguments to exactly determine performance. We show that MAJ-3 vN-MUX performs very well when compared to other redundancy schemes, increasing the allowed device error probability by four orders of magnitude (for small redundancy factors). We describe in detail an extension, called MAJ-3 vN-MUX(N,k), that contributes up to four more orders of magnitude, by excluding superfluous restorative stages for very small redundancy factors. We also analytically determine the performance of MAJ-3 vN-MUX for large redundancy factors, finding that the maximum tolerable gate failure probability is 0.0197 (in contrast to 0.0107 for NAND-2 vN-MUX).
226Ra/230Th excess generated in the lower crust: Implications for magma transport and storage time scales

Excesses of 226 Ra in arc magmas have been interpreted as resulting from flux melting of the mantle above subducting slabs, followed by fast ascent rates of magma from slab to surface (up to 1000 m/yr). However, we demonstrate that incongruent melting of the lower crust could either maintain or augment mantle-derived 226 Ra excesses, and so reduce inferred vertical transport rates. We developed an incongruent, continuous melting model, and both the incongruent melting reaction and ingrowth effects contribute to the 226 Ra excess. In particular, we found that dehydration melting of amphibolite can produce modeled 226 Ra excesses greater than 300%. Mixtures of such amphibolite dehydration melts with mantle melts will likely retain a 238 U excess (subducted slab) signature. This amphibolite dehydration melting process will also produce elevated ratios of light rare earth elements to heavy rare earth elements, similar to those observed in several arc settings, which may distinguish these magmas from those with 226 Ra excesses produced by slab dewatering alone.
Flow of Dilute Polymer Solutions in Rough Pipes

Abstract : A simplified model is developed to describe the effects of boundary roughness on drag reduction achieved by polymer additives. The model is suitable for both uniform and nonuniform roughness. Predictions of friction coefficients by means of the model are in reasonable agreement with experimental results. (Author)
Indestructible strong compactness and level by level inequivalence

If ‐ < ∞ are such that ‐ is indestructibly supercompact and ∞ is measurable, then it must be the case that level by level inequivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness fails. We prove a theorem which points to this result being best possible. Speciflcally, we show that relative to the existence of cardinals •1 < ‚ such that •1 is ‚ supercompact and ‚ is inaccessible, there is a model for level by level inequivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness containing a supercompact cardinal • < •1 in which •’s strong compactness, but not supercompactness, is indestructible under •-directed closed forcing. In this model, • is the least strongly compact cardinal, and no cardinal is supercompact up to an inaccessible cardinal.
Progress in Large-Scale Production of Graphene. Part 2: Vapor Methods

Graphene is critical for applications in electronics, optical devices, thermal management, energy, and biosystems, while at the same time cost-effective and large-scale production of graphene is a challenge. In this regard, vapor phase graphene synthesis is a bottom-up approach, which could be compatible with device industry fabrication methods. Here, we review the state-of-the-art techniques developed for the scalable production of graphene in bottom-up approaches. These mainly include the epitaxial growth and chemical vapor deposition methods. Product quality, structure, and yields for different graphene growth techniques are discussed and specific examples are described. The article also emphasizes promising methods for scalable graphene production but still needing a deeper research understanding.
Narcissism and object relations.

Questionnaire measures of the narcissistic personality disorder can predict healthy and unhealthy self-functioning. That this outcome might support Heinz Kohut's psychoanalytic psychology of the self was tested in a sample of 354 undergraduates. In canonical correlations, factors from the Narcissistic Personality Inventory were associated more strongly with grandiose than with idealizing immaturities in Kohut's bipolar self, while difficulties in interpersonal relationships (i.e., poor object relations) were associated more strongly with idealizing deficits. Zero-order and partial correlational data were congruent with Kohut's hypothesis that self-grandiosity can include elements of both "pathology" and relative mental health, but canonical correlations did not support Kohut's claim that narcissism can be described in a bidimensional self-structure.
Multicasting sustained CBR and VBR traffic in wireless ad-hoc networks

Wireless ad-hoc networks consist of mobile nodes forming a dynamically changing topology without any infrastructure. Multicasting in a wireless ad-hoc network is difficult and challenging. We propose a novel protocol, the Wireless Ad-hoc Real-Time Multicast (WARM) protocol, for multicasting real-time (CBR and VBR) data among nodes in a wireless ad-hoc network. The protocol is distributed, highly adaptive and flexible. Multicast affiliation is receiver initiated. The messaging is localized to the neighborhood of the receiving multicast member and thus the overhead consumed is low. The protocol enables spatial bandwidth reuse along a multicast mesh (a connected structure of multicast group members). The real time connection is guaranteed quality of service (QoS) in terms of bandwidth. For VBR traffic, a combination of reserved and random access mechanisms are used. The protocol is self-healing in the sense that the mesh structure has the ability to repair itself when members either move or relays fail. We present simulation results to demonstrate features of the protocol and show that the throughput is above 90% for pedestrian environments.
DCCT and EDIC Studies in Type 1 Diabetes: Lessons for Diabetic Neuropathy Regarding Metabolic Memory and Natural History

The DCCT/EDIC (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/ Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications) provides a comprehensive characterization of the natural history of diabetic neuropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes and provides insight into the impact of intensive insulin therapy in disease progression. The lessons learned about the natural history of distal symmetrical polyneuropathy and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and the impact of glycemic control on neuropathy are discussed in this review.
Compound Formation and Interfacial Instability in the Au-Cu-Sn System at Low Temperature

Etude de la formation de nouveaux composes ternaires dans les couples de diffusion Cu 3 Au/Sn, CuAu/Sn et CuAu 3 /Sn par reaction a l'etat solide a 170 C. Determination de la composition de ces phases. Analyse par microanalyse en sonde atomique des chemins de diffusion. Construction, a partir de ces resultats, de la section isotherme, du systeme ternaire. Analyse de la largeur de la zone de diffusion et du nombre de couches intermediaires
Artificial Intelligence‐Based Methods for Infrastructure Evaluation and Repair

Analogie entre l'evaluation des conditions de fonctionnement et physiques des ouvrages de genie civil (pont, chaussee, egout etc.) et le diagnostic d'un malade. Un resultat recent des recherches en informatique dans l'intelligence artificielle appele systeme expert base sur la connaissance montre son potentiel a produire des programmes d'ordinateur qui donnent une diagnose et un pronostic au niveau des experts
The 6-kilodalton membrane protein of Semliki Forest virus is involved in the budding process.

Alphavirus genomes encode a small hydrophobic protein of 6 kDa (the 6K protein) that is expressed as part of a large polyprotein containing the sequences of the two virus transmembranal glycoproteins which form the spikes of the infectious particle. Although made in amounts equivalent to those of the glycoproteins, very little of the 6K protein is found in secreted infectious virions. The role of this protein in virus replication and structure has been studied by use of a variety of mutationally altered forms of 6K, which yield phenotypically distinct viruses. A complete deletion of the gene encoding the 6K protein (delta 6K) of Semliki Forest Virus (SFV) has been constructed from an SFV infectious cDNA and the transcribed RNA-produced progeny virus that closely resembled the normal virus (P. Liljestrom, S. Lusa, D. Huylebroeck, and H. Garoff, J. Virol. 65:4107-4113, 1991). Further studies of this mutant have now been performed, and they show that growth of delta 6K has a strong dependency on its host cell, varying from 2 to 50% of the rate of formation of the wild-type SFV. Mammalian cells are much more defective than insect and avian cells in replication of the delta 6K mutant. This mutant is not defective in formation and transport of the glycoproteins or in production of nucleocapsids, which accumulate at the plasma cell membrane in infected BHK cells. The major defect, thus, is in the final assembly and budding of new virus. In BHK cells infected with the delta 6K strain, a relatively large fraction of the total infectious virus formed can be recovered by osmotic lysis of exhaustively washed cells. Infectious SFV totally lacking 6K is identical to wild-type SFV in the early stages of virus replication, i.e., binding and uptake. The particles themselves are more thermolabile than those of wild-type SFV, suggesting that the 6K protein may be a part of the structure of wild-type virus or that the slower budding leads to an altered configuration of the trimeric spikes. These data support other studies that implicate the 6K protein as an important but nonessential component in the assembly and budding of the alphavirus particle, perhaps by affecting the packing of the glycoproteins and their interactions with membrane lipid.
Developing Pre-service Elementary Teachers’ Pedagogical Practices While Planning Using the Learning Cycle

Without the science content knowledge required to effectively teach this discipline, many elementary teachers struggle without the support of curriculum materials. Curriculum materials are often the main means by which these science practices and canonical knowledge are incorporated into lessons. As part of a 5-year longitudinal research and design project at a large university in the USA, faculty developed an elementary science methods course for pre-service elementary teachers. As a result the pre-service elementary teachers come to understand the Learning Cycle framework as support mechanism for science instruction. This study examined pre-service elementary teachers’ use of curriculum materials in lesson planning by identifying types of instructional tools used during the Learning Cycle. Findings highlight the importance of providing pre-service elementary teachers with supportive frameworks and opportunities to learn to critique and adapt curriculum materials in order to begin the development of their pedagogical design capacity for Learning Cycle lessons.
Aspects of Quality Tools on Total Quality Management

The use of Quality Tools to improve both product and process quality is currently a common practice. However, there are two schools of thought on the use of Quality Tools, namely, statistical quality tools or non-statistical quality tools. The purpose of this article is to literature review the pros of implementing these quality tools; review the issues related to the implementation of such tools and finally understand the role of such tools in the framework of TQM.
Nonsurgical management of surgical otitis media with effusion

The objective of this paper was to determine the effectiveness of combined steroid-antimicrobial therapy for otitis media with effusion (OME) of sufficient duration to justify tympanostomy tube insertion. A consecutive sample of 122 children with bilateral OME of at least three months duration, or unilateral OME of at least six months duration, despite treatment with one or more beta-lactamase stable antibiotics was studied. The treatment group received prednisolone plus a beta-lactamase stable antibiotic for 10 days, with responders receiving an additional six weeks of chemoprophylaxis. The control group received no medication. The child's caregiver decided which group the child should be in. Resolution of effusion in all affected ears occurred in 32 per cent of steroid-treated children and in 2 per cent of controls (p < 0.001) at three to four weeks post-therapy. Relapse of effusion occurred in over 40 per cent of initial responders within six months, reducing the final resolution rate to 25 per cent (95 per cent CI: 15-36 per cent). It was concluded that treatment with oral steroids should be considered in selected children with chronic OME prior to surgical intervention. One in every four children whose caregiver consents to this therapy may avoid or postpone surgery for at least six months.
Evaluation of Sex Differences in Embryonic Heart Rates

Abstract Adult female chickens are known to have higher heart rates than adult males. Previous evidence suggested that sex-related differences in heart rates exist in embryos. The objective of the present study was to determine if differences in heart rate can be used for sexing chickens during embryonic development. The effects of hyper and hypothermia also were evaluated. On Day 14 of incubation, Single Comb White Leghorn embryos were candled and three surface electrodes were placed on the eggshell. The electrodes were attached to an electrocardiograph. Heart rates were recorded from Days 15 to 20 of incubation. Female embryos exhibited higher mean heart rates than males (2 to 4 beats/min) for Days 15 to 19 of incubation. Average heart rates of male and female embryos decreased and were significantly different when exposed to hypothermia (26.1 C for 2 h) on Day 15 of incubation. Hyperthermia (39.4 C for 45 min) on Day 15 of incubation increased embryonic heart rates, but male and female heart rates did not differ significantly. Extensive overlap between male and female heart rates under normal and hypothermic conditions makes this technique an industrially impractical method for determining embryonic sex.
MATLAB Software for the Code Excited Linear Prediction Algorithm: The Federal Standard-1016

This book describes several modules of the Code Excited Linear Prediction (CELP) algorithm. The authors use the Federal Standard-1016 CELP MATLAB(r) software to describe in detail several functions and parameter computations associated with analysis-by-synthesis linear prediction. The book begins with a description of the basics of linear prediction followed by an overview of the FS-1016 CELP algorithm. Subsequent chapters describe the various modules of the CELP algorithm in detail. In each chapter, an overall functional description of CELP modules is provided along with detailed illustrations of their MATLAB(r) implementation. Several code examples and plots are provided to highlight some of the key CELP concepts. Table of Contents: Introduction to Linear Predictive Coding / Autocorrelation Analysis and Linear Prediction / Line Spectral Frequency Computation / Spectral Distortion / The Codebook Search / The FS-1016 Decoder
Radiosynthesis of 1′-[18F]fluoroethyl-β-D-lactose ([18F]-FEL) for early detection of pancreatic carcinomas with PET

Introduction: The hepatocellular carcinoma–intestine–pancreas and pancreatitis-associated proteins, also known as lactose-binding protein, is upregulated in peritumoral pancreatic tissue. Previously, we reported ethyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1,4′)-2′-deoxy-2′-[18F]fluoro-β-D-glucopyranoside (Et-[18F]-FDL), a radiofluorinated lactose analog for positron emission tomography (PET) of small pancreatic carcinomas in mice. However, synthesis of the precursor for Et-[18F]-FDL involves 11 steps, which is quite lengthy, and produces overall low yields. Here, we report on synthesis and radiolabeling of another analog of lactose, the 1′-[18F]fluoroethyl-β-D-lactose for PET imaging of pancreatic carcinomas. Methods: Two precursor compounds, 1′-bromoethyl-2′,3′,6′,2,3,4,6-hepta-O-acetyl-β-D-lactose 4, and 1′-p-toluenesulfonylethyl-2′,3′,6′,2,3,4,6-hepta-O-acetyl-β-D-lactose 5, were synthesized in two and three steps, respectively; then, cold fluorination and radiofluorination of these precursors were performed. The reaction mixture was passed through a silica gel Sep-pack cartridge, eluted with EtOAc, and the 1′-[18F]fluoroethyl-2′,3′,6′,2,3,4,6-hepta-O-acetyl-β-D-lactose ([18F]-6) purified by HPLC. After hydrolysis of the protecting groups, the 1′-[18F]fluoroethyl-β-D-lactose [18F]-7 was neutralized, diluted with saline, filtered through a sterile Millipore filter, and analyzed by radio-TLC. Results: The average decay-corrected radiochemical yield was 9% (n = 7) with>99% radiochemical purity and specific activity of 55.5 GBq/µmol. Conclusion: A new analog of lactose, 1′-[18F]fluoroethyl-β-D-lactose, has been synthesized in good yields, with high purity and high specific activity suitable for PET imaging of early pancreatic carcinomas. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RDRP: Reward-Driven Request Prioritization for e-Commerce web sites

Meeting client Quality-of-Service (QoS) expectations proves to be a difficult task for the providers of e-Commerce services, especially when web servers experience overload conditions, which cause increased response times and request rejections, leading to user frustration, lowered usage of the service and reduced revenues. In this paper, we propose a server-side request scheduling mechanism that addresses these problems. Our Reward-Driven Request Prioritization (RDRP) algorithm gives higher execution priority to client web sessions that are likely to bring more service profit (or any other application-specific reward). The method works by predicting future session structure by comparing its requests seen so far with aggregated information about recent client behavior, and using these predictions to preferentially allocate web server resources. Our experiments using the TPC-W benchmark application with an implementation of the RDRP techniques in the JBoss web application server show that RDRP can significantly boost profit attained by the service, while providing better QoS to clients that bring more profit.
In Utero Iron Status and Auditory Neural Maturation in Premature Infants as Evaluated by Auditory Brainstem Response

Objective To determine whether cord ferritin (CF) concentration, an index of in utero iron status, is associated with auditory neural maturation in premature infants. Study design A prospective cohort study was performed to compare auditory neural maturation in infants with latent iron deficiency (CF 11-75 ng/mL) and infants with normal iron status (CF > 75 ng/mL) at birth. Our inclusion criteria were infants of 27-33 weeks gestational age who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between July 2007 and November 2008 within 12 hours after birth and had cord blood collected. Infants with TORCH infections (toxoplasmosis, other infections, rubella, cytomegalovirus infection, and herpes simplex), chromosomal disorders, craniofacial anomalies, culture-proven sepsis, and/or unstable conditions were excluded. CF level was measured using a chemiluminescence immunoassay method. Bilateral monaural auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR) was assessed using 80-dB nHL click stimuli at a repetition rate of 29.9/seconds within 48 hours after birth. Results Of the 80 infants studied, 35 had latent iron deficiency. After controlling for confounders, the infants with latent iron deficiency had significantly prolonged absolute wave latencies I, III, and V and decreased frequency of mature ABR waveforms compared with the infants with normal iron status. Conclusion Premature infants with in utero latent iron deficiency have abnormal auditory neural maturation compared with infants with normal in utero iron status.