cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxygen Annealing Characterization of Reactively Sputtered SiCBN Thin Films by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Amorphous thin films of silicon boron carbon nitride (SiCBN) were deposited in a multigun radio frequency magnetron sputtering system using reactive co-sputtering of silicon carbide (SiC) and boron nitride targets. Films of different compositions were obtained by varying the ratios of argon and nitrogen gas in the sputtering ambient. The films were annealed in dry oxygen ambient in the temperature range 300-900°C. Subsequent surface characterization of the annealed films was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the chemical composition and oxidation kinetics at the different annealing temperatures. Studies revealed that the carbon and nitrogen concentrations in the films are highly sensitive to annealing temperatures. Higher annealing temperatures lead to broken C-N bonds, resulting in the loss of C and N content. Temperatures beyond 700°C lead to complete loss of nitrogen, and the silicon and boron in the films interacted with oxygen to form SiO 2 and B 2 O 3 .
Feeding of irradiated peaches and whole and peeled oranges to monkeys.

Summary Inclusion of irradiated peaches, whole oranges, or peeled oranges in the diet of monkeys over a two-year period had no effect on the hematologic picture, growth, microscopic pathology or mortality. Inclusion of orange peel in the diet of monkeys did not increase intraocular pressure.
Nuclear data for A = 96 isobars

Nuclear Data for the A = 96 isobars have been revised on the basis of experimental data received prior to August 1972. Information from approximately 130 papers and communications has been included in the present compilation.
Computational equations for radiating and ablating shock layers

The computational equations governing the shock-layer flowfield over a blunt body dominated by radiation and ablation are derived. The flowfield considered is that expected around the vehicles entering the atmosphere of the planet Mars or the earth on return from Mars on a sprint-type manned mission. To determine the appropriate method of approach, the radiative transfer calculations are made first using the existing computer code RASLE (Nicolet et al., 1978), which uses the assumption of equilibrium and a coarse spectral band model for radiative transfer, and the code NONEQ which accounts for thermochemical nonequilibrium and carries out line-by-line calculation of radiation. By comparing the results, it is concluded that a thermochemical nonequilibrium model and a line-by-line spectral model must be used.
Optimal Genetic Improvement for the High Producing Herd

Abstract Genetic merit for milk production is increasing over 150 kg of milk/yr in the Holstein cow population. Nationwide decreases in payments for fat differential since 1987 have not been counterbalanced by similar increases in payments for protein differential, resulting in a steady increase in the value of carrier. Protein yield should be emphasized rather than specific casein or whey fractions of protein because national recording, evaluation, and payment structures are not in place. Genetic merit of bulls for markers may differ across families, making selection for marker traits of limited value in current breeding schemes. Conformation traits that appear to have the highest correlation with measures of herd life are udder depth, fore udder attachment, and teat placement. Selection for health traits is difficult because of limited genetic information. National evaluations for SCC are being developed, but average difference between extreme bulls is only slightly more than one linear SCC. Managers of high producing herds should continue with primary selection emphasis on production traits. The greatest challenge to dairy producers is to develop management systems, particularly in nutrition, that allow maximal expression of genetic potential.
Reference-compensated surface plasmon resonance biosensor for detection of foodborne pathogens

We present a dual-channel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor and demonstrate its applicability to detection of foodborne pathogens such as Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). Experimental results indicate that the SPR biosensor can detect SEB at very low concentrations: 5 ng/ml in pure samples directly, 0.5 ng/ml in both pure samples and in milk using a sandwich assay.
A Hepatitis C Virus Infection Model with Time-Varying Drug Effectiveness: Solution and Analysis

Simple models of therapy for viral diseases such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus assume that, once therapy is started, the drug has a constant effectiveness. More realistic models have assumed either that the drug effectiveness depends on the drug concentration or that the effectiveness varies over time. Here a previously introduced varying-effectiveness (VE) model is studied mathematically in the context of HCV infection. We show that while the model is linear, it has no closed-form solution due to the time-varying nature of the effectiveness. We then show that the model can be transformed into a Bessel equation and derive an analytic solution in terms of modified Bessel functions, which are defined as infinite series, with time-varying arguments. Fitting the solution to data from HCV infected patients under therapy has yielded values for the parameters in the model. We show that for biologically realistic parameters, the predicted viral decay on therapy is generally biphasic and resembles that predicted by constant-effectiveness (CE) models. We introduce a general method for determining the time at which the transition between decay phases occurs based on calculating the point of maximum curvature of the viral decay curve. For the parameter regimes of interest, we also find approximate solutions for the VE model and establish the asymptotic behavior of the system. We show that the rate of second phase decay is determined by the death rate of infected cells multiplied by the maximum effectiveness of therapy, whereas the rate of first phase decline depends on multiple parameters including the rate of increase of drug effectiveness with time.
Prayer and Spiritual Practices for Health Reasons among American Adults: The Role of Race and Ethnicity

Many studies find racial differences in prayer and religious practices, but few reports examine factors that help explain the effects of Hispanic ethnicity or African American race. A national survey conducted in 2002 collected data on 10 non-religious spiritual practices as well as on prayer for health reasons in 22,929 adults aged 18 years and over. We found marked racial and ethnic differences in the use of prayer and other spiritual practices for health reasons. Greater proportions of African Americans and Hispanic Americans than European Americans reported prayer for health reasons. Sociodemographic variables and health status could not explain these differences. Further, among those who reported prayer, African Americans were more likely than European Americans to report being prayed for by others. However, African American women and Hispanic women and men were significantly less likely than European Americans to use other spiritual practices such as meditation and Tai Chi. Surprisingly African American men were just as likely to report these practices as European American men. Sociodemographic variables and health status could not explain these differences.
Nonminimum-Phase Phenomenon of PEM Fuel Cell Membrane Humidifiers

A membrane-based humidifier that uses cooling water of a fuel cell system to humidify the inlet air is modeled and analyzed in this paper. This four-state lumped model is simple and yet captures the humidification behavior accurately. A peculiar characteristic of this system is the fact that it exhibits nonminimum-phase (NMP) behavior. The reason the NMP behavior exists and the effect of system parameters on the location of the NMP zero are analyzed. A proportional control algorithm is proposed to reject the effect of system disturbances, and a feed-forward algorithm is developed to ensure proper humidifier operation under air flow rate changes. Because the NMP zero exists in the disturbance-to-output loop, the proposed algorithm was found to successfully eliminate the undershoot phenomena associated with the NMP zero. However, the disturbance-to-output loop is coupled with input-to-output loop, and the NMP zero could affect the feedback control design.
A Follow-up Study on Teacher Evaluation in China: Historical Analysis and Latest Trends

This research study follows up on previous investigations of the ongoing curriculum reform in China and its repercussions (actual and potential) on the effectiveness of the teacher evaluation process there (Liu & Teddlie, 2004, 2005). With the full implementation of the new curriculum reform throughout the country, teacher evaluation is becoming more and more important in today’s China. Practitioners are exploring new methods for making practical reforms in teacher evaluation in individual districts and schools. There are two sources of information for this article, which focuses on events that have transpired in China beginning in 2004: a content analysis of academic sources related to teacher evaluation and interviews conducted with Chinese teachers at different sites and grade levels. Six themes were derived from an analysis of the academic sources. Interview results focus on issues such as (1) the utilization of student test scores in the evaluation of teachers and (2) “teaching to the test.” The article ends with eight suggestions for improving practices currently associated with teacher evaluation in China.
Elucidation Of The High Temperature Oxidation Mechanism Of A Polybenzimidazole Through FT-IR Studies Of Isotopically Labeled Materials.

(m- phenylene) -5,5' bibenzimidazole], P8I, and of the reactions of PBI inoxygen -18 environments were conducted to evaluate a previously proposedmechanism (1,2). A tentative oxidative degradation mechanism had beenproposed primarily on the basis of mass spectral analyses of gaseousdecomposition products, comparisons with model solution oxidation studies(1), and limited infrared analysis (2). It was postulated that initialattack on PBI occurs at the imidazole N -H. Abstraction of the N -Hhydrogen by oxygen produces radicals. Oxygen reacts with these species toform quinoid type structures in the rings attached to the imidazole.These intermediates then break down into acids and eventually intoaromatic nitriles and gaseous products. Again, only the nitriles andgaseous products were observed in the polymer studies.The previously postulated quinoids and acids were found in the currentFT -IR derivative spectra. Anhydrides and imides are also formed throughreactions of the acids with themselves or with the nitriles. The new datastrongly support the mechanism proposed by Conley et al. (1).1. R. Conley, J. Kane, and S. Ghosh, Technical
A reply to new Zeno

appeared in Analysis v.60, #2 (April 2000)S. YabloI. A new Zeno paradox has been devised that looks at first sight rather more challengingthan the old ones. It begins like so:A man decides to walk one mile from A to B . A god waits in readiness to throw up awall blocking the man's further advance when the man has travelled 1/2 mile. Asecond God (unbeknownst to the first) waits in readiness to throw up a wall of hisown blocking the man’s further advance when the man has travelled 1/4 mile. Athird God etc. It is clear that this infinite sequence of mere intentions (assuming thecontrary to fact conditional that each God would succeed in executing his intensionsif given the opportunity) logically entails...that the man will be arrested at point A; hewill not be able to pass beyond it, even though not a single wall will in fact bethrown down in his path (Bernardete 1964: 259).So far this is just a surprising result. But a contradiction ensues if we stipulate -- whatseems anyway implicit in the original set-up -- that the man does not stop unless a barrier isput in his way. Now we can infer from the fact that no walls are thrown down that heeventually makes it to B, and so in particular makes it past A . So he both does and doesn'tprogress beyond A.Borrowing from Priest (1999), we can see the paradox as disclosing an unexpectedinconsistency between some innocent-looking assumptions. Suppose that object α isgliding in from the left along an infinite number line, with A and B at the x =0 and x =1marks respectively. The Gods are waiting to set up their walls if α goes anywhere to the
The kinetic impact of vinylic fluorine substituents on 5-hexenyl radical cyclizations

Abstract A study of the effect of vinylic fluorine substituents on the 5-hexenyl radical cyclization indicates that substituents at the 6-position, or vicinal 5,6-difluoro substitution have little effect on the rate, whereas a 5-fluoro substituent slows down the rate by a factor of 10.8, and 5,6,6-trifluoro substitution enhances the rate by a factor of 2.3. The results are explained in terms of a combination of steric and enthalpic effects, with possible intervention of polar influences in the trifluorovinyl case.
Coordination of fingertip forces during precision grasping in multiple system atrophy

While the pathology and autonomic nervous system components of multiple system atrophy (MSA) have been well described, little is known about the associated motor dysfunction. One prominent feature of MSA is parkinsonism, although ataxias and pyramidal tract signs are frequently present. To investigate the nature of motor deficits in MSA, a natural grip-lift movement requiring a precision grasp was used to examine force coordination. Subjects were asked to grasp an instrumented object using the fingertips of the thumb and index finger and lift it 10 cm above the table surface. Subjects with MSA demonstrated a prolonged duration between object contact and initiation of the lifting drive that increased with the weight of the object. During this period these subjects produced large grasping forces generating a significant portion of the eventual grip force employed to hold the object. In contrast, control subjects generated grip and load forces in parallel after establishing contact with the object. Therefore, subjects with MSA showed a disrupted performance on both the sequential (grasp, then lift) and simultaneous (grip and load force development) portions of this task. Only after initiation of the vertical lifting drive did subjects with MSA generate forces in a similar manner to control subjects. These findings demonstrate that subjects with MSA exhibit a disrupted coordination of grasp and could suggest a general deficit in motor control resulting from multi-focal neural degeneration.
Electron Beam Visualization in Hypersonic Airflows

The electron beam fluorescence technique has been employed for visualizing hypersonic airflow fields. A high current electron beam generator was used to provide electron beams with currents up to 50 ma at voltages up to 20 kv. Applications of the technique at low densities illustrate that many details of the flowfield can be obtained in density regions where conventional optical systems fail to yield useful results. Techniques for obtaining quantitative density measurements with photographic techniques are discussed. The value and versatility of the method is demonstrated by results obtained with a sharp cone model and an advanced ramjet aircraft configuration in a Mach 10 airflow field.
Attributing Traits to Oneself and to Others: The Role of Acquaintance Level

Attributional explanations of trait ascription processes predict that actors are more likely to use a situational attribution when describing themselves than when describing others. It has been further hypothesized that as level of acquaintance with the other increases, so does the tendency to form situational attributions for the other. The hypothesis concerning level of acquaintance has received mixed results, perhaps because previous studies in which the hypothesis was tested have confounded situational attributions with neutral, uncertain, and ambiguous ones. Subjects in the current study rated themselves and four acquaintances (differing in level of acquaintance) on 16 traits, using a response format that allowed unconfounding of the aforementioned attributions. This more precise measure of attributional tendencies revealed a clear-cut positive relation between level of acquaintance and the tendency to use a situational attribution. The implications of these findings for current views of personality ...
The two-photon process for particle production in colliding beam experiments

Abstract Cross sections for particle production by the two-photon process for the reactions ee→eeX with X=π0 or η and X=π+π− or π+π− are calculated exactly by numerical techniques and are compared with predictions of the double equivalent photon approximation (DEPA). Implications of these results as to the validity of the DEPA are discussed and an attempt is made to summarize and clarify some of the earlier criticisms of this approximation.
The Lack of an Effect of Active Immunization with the β-Subunit of Chorionic Gonadotropin Coupled to Tetanus Toxoid on the Growth of Human Choriocarcinoma Maintained in the Hamster Cheek Pouch*

The antitumor properties of antibodies to the β-subunit of hCG (hCGβ) coupled to tetanus toxoid (tt) were studied in hamsters implanted with the BeWo strain of human choriocarcinoma. After active immunization with hCGβ-tt mixed in complete Freund’s adjuvant, hamsters synthesized large quantities of antibodies which bound whole hCG, as measured in vitro by the binding of radiolabeled hCG to plasma. Scatchard binding analysis indicated that the total high affinity hCG-binding capacity of hCGβ-tt plasma was approximately 130 μg/ml. However, these antibodies were devoid of any antitumor activity. Choriocarcinoma implanted into hamsters during the peak times of [l25I]iodo-hCG-binding activity by plasma did not show any change in tumor volume over a 20-day period of tumor growth compared to tumors in hamsters immunized with tt alone. Active immunization with hCGβ-tt did not alter the percentage of tumors taking, the length of lag phase of tumor growth, or the initial day of grossly detectable tumor necrosis. Th...
Three Systems for Visual Motion Perception

ment of three systems of human motion perception. The first two are primarily monocular, sensi tive, and fast. A third-order sys tem computes motion from a fea ture-salience map, that is, a neural representation of visual space in which the locations of important visual features are marked. The third-order motion system is in herently binocular, insensitive, slow, but highly versatile?it com putes motion from all ordinary and many exotic types of stimuli, and it is influenced by attention. This article describes how these
Multiple equilibria in a cloud-resolving model using the weak temperature gradient approximation

[1] Multiple equilibria corresponding to either a state with persistent, precipitating deep convection or a nonprecipitating state are shown to exist in a cloud-resolving model employing the weak temperature gradient (WTG) approximation. WTG is important for the existence of both equilibria; numerical experiments show that a weak enforcement of WTG eliminates the dry nonprecipitating state. In situations which support both equilibria, we find that the dry equilibrium has a small or negative gross moist stability, while larger positive values of gross moist stability correspond to the precipitating equilibrium. Our simulations also show that the gross moist stability tends to become negative during times of rapid change in the atmospheric moisture, as occurs in the transient stages of convection.
A multifunctional PEI-based cationic polyplex for enhanced systemic p53-mediated gene therapy.

We recently reported a novel coupling strategy involving salicylhydroxamic acid and phenyl(di)boronic acid molecules to attach the CNGRC peptide to PEI/DNA for CD13 targeting in tumors. Here, we doubly coupled Simian Virus (SV) 40 peptide-(nuclear localization signal)) and oligonucleotide-based (DNA nuclear targeting signal) nuclear signals to the same vector using peptide nucleic acid chemistry. This vector, CNGRC/PEG/PEI/DNA-βgal/NLS/DNTS, was predominantly localized in the cell nucleus, yielding about 200-fold higher βgal gene expression in vitro, more than 20-fold increase in tumor-specific gene delivery, and a robust βgal gene expression as demonstrated in stained tumor sections. For gene therapy purposes, we further engineered a similar targeting polyplex, CNGRC/PEG/PEI/DNA-p53/NLS/DNTS, with EBV-based episomal vector for sustained p53 gene expression. A distribution of vector DNA and apoptosis in p53-containing tumors was observed, yielding a significant tumor regression and 95% animal survival after 60 days. This multicomponent vector also co-targeted tumor and tumor-associated endothelial cells but not normal cells, and had more efficient therapeutic index than each vector administered as a single modality. The use of an efficient coupling strategy without compromising the vector's integrity for DNA condensation and endosomal escape; nuclear import; tumor-specific and persistent p53 gene expression clearly provides a basis for developing a single combinatorial approach for non-viral gene therapy.
Turbulence in the nocturnal boundary layer with light and variable winds

Turbulence quantities are analyzed from nine months of data collected on the floor of a valley where nocturnal cold pools are frequent. Often the speed of the vectoraveraged wind over the night is less than 0.5 m s −1 (near-calm winds) with no preference for wind direction. The quantity of such near-calm data is sufficiently large to allow new types of analyses as well as the opportunity to examine statistics of the previously ignored near-neutral subclass of near-calm winds. For near-calm weak winds and strong stratification, the turbulence can be difficult to isolate from wave-like motions and more complex small-scale structures. The smallest scale perturbations on time-scales less than 5 s behave most like turbulence. Larger-scale perturbations are characterized by very weak vertical velocity fluctuations and large temperature fluctuations, but lead to systematic downward heat flux after extensive averaging. For near-calm nocturnal conditions, significant turbulence is mainly generated by short-term (minutes) accelerations of unknown origin. The turbulence between such infrequent mixing events is extremely weak, but not zero. While the turbulence in the events approximately follows similarity theory, the extremely weak turbulence scales neither with stratification nor bulk shear, and its inferred vertical length-scale is small compared to the distance from the ground, even at the 2 m level. Copyright c
History, Jargon, Privacy and Multiple Vulnerabilities

What does cartography mean to me? There are two answers: a definition of the term cartography, of course, and the wider issue of cartography as an endeavour with relations to society, the state, te...
Development of 35 microsatellite markers from heat stress transcription factors in Populus simonii (Salicaceae).

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite markers within regulators of heat stress transcription factors were identified in the Populus trichocarpa genome, and then developed for P. simonii to investigate the genetic diversity of germplasm resources and to further identify favorable alleles significantly associated with stress-resistant traits.• Methods and Results: Thirty-five novel microsatellite markers were identified from genes controlling heat stress transcription factors in P. simonii using a Sanger sequencing protocol. Polymorphisms in 48 individuals from 16 populations of P. simonii revealed that the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to nine with an average of 4.6; the observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity per locus varied from 0.143 to 0.857 and from 0.257 to 0.948, respectively.• Conclusions: The new polymorphic markers developed during this study will facilitate the construction of genetic linkage maps and will aid in marker-assisted breeding of a new germplasm with desirable abiotic stress resistance in Populus species.
Design Characteristics of the K=800 Superconducting Cyclotron at M.S.U.

Design work on the proposed K=800, KF= 400, superconducting cyclotron at MSU has progressed to the point where overall machine characteristics are firmly established. The main purpose1 of the machine is to serve as a booster for the K=500 cyclotron, now under construction. In this respect, let us recall that the design goal is to achieve maximum beam energies of 200 MeV/n for fully stripped light ions, and typically 30-40 MeV/n for heavy ions like uranium. Energy variability down to about 50 MeV/n and 4-5 MeV/n, again for light and heavy ions respectively, is also required to ensure some overlap with beam energies delivered by the K = 500 in stand-alone mode.
Temperature-dependent supersensitivity to isoprenaline in mouse atria.

The positive chronotropic effect of (−)-isoprenaline in mouse atria was determined at 37 and at 26°C under control conditions and in the presence of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor tropolone. Under control conditions, the atria were markedly more sensitive at the lower bath temperature (ED50 37 °C/ED50 26°C = 16.61). However, in the presence of tropolone, there was little difference in the sensitivity (ED50 37°C/ED50 26°C = 2.18). These data suggest that decreased activity of COMT at 26°C is a major factor in temperature-dependent supersensitivity. Support for this concept comes from studies with (−)-soterenol and (±)-nylidrin at 37°C and 26°C. Temperature-dependent supersensitivity was not observed with these agonists which are not substrates for COMT.
Bone-seeking therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals

Bone-seeking therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals are utilized on the basis of the radionuclides particulate emissions (primarily low to intermediate beta emission). The requirements therefore are different from those of bone imaging agents that consist mainly of short-lived single photon emitters. Lately, the therapeutic bone seeking radiopharmaceuticals have attained increasing importance due to their potential role in alleviating pain from osseous metastases in cancer patients, for the treatment of joint pain resulting from inflamed synovium (radiosynoviorthesis, or radiosynovectomy), or from various other forms of arthritic disease. There is, however, a paucity of published data on the bio-pharmacokinetics of these agents when used following intravenous administration for bone pain palliation. This paper will briefly review and summarize the presently available chemical and biopharmacokinetic information on the various clinically approved as well as experimental bone-localizing therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, and make projections on their clinical application for the treatment of primary/metastatic cancer in bone.
How to approach cardiac diagnosis from the chest radiograph

Direct visualization of pathologic changes in the heart has significantly influenced the diagnostic accuracy and management of patients with cardiovascular disease. This article presents an approach to plain film examination of the heart based on basic principles of radiologic evaluation. It emphasizes the relationship between the radiologic appearance of a structure and the technique used to obtain that image, and the relationship between the observation of a structural abnormality and the anatomic relationships that allow that observation to be made. This approach is simple, organized in a logical manner, and when applied rigorously results in not only accurate and insightful differential diagnosis, but also a deep understanding of cardiovascular disease processes.
Post-Natal Testicular Development in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract THERE are reports on growth and development of the testes in young chickens (Breneman, 1941, 1944; Latimer, 1924; Bennett, 1947; Kumaran and Turner, 1949; Nestor and Jaap, 1963; and others). However, it is difficult to extrapolate this information to apply to the sexually precocious Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A study of the testicular development in Coturnix was conducted under known environmental conditions to help interpret experiments involving photoperiodic response. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, Coturnix from U.C. Line 908 were reared from day of hatching under alternate 16 hours light and 8 hours darkness. Incandescent illumination was provided at an average intensity of 30 foot candles at bird level. The birds were brooded and reared in units 16×38×40 inches. (For details see Wilson et al., 1962.) Food and water were available at all times. Sample birds, selected at semi-weekly intervals from day of hatching to 43 days of…
Relationship between serum luteinizing hormone and estradiol in prepubertal boars.

Effects of estradiol on serum luteinizing hormone (LH) were studied in prepubertal boars. In Exp. 1, 15-wk-old boars were given (iv) 50 μg estradiol, 1 mg testosterone or 1.5 ml ethanol. Estradiol (P<0.05) decreased LH over a 2.5-hr period, but testosterone did not. In Exp. 2, an estradiol implant reduced LH sample variance (P<0.01) while LH (547 ± 96 vs 655 ± 43 pg/ml) and estradiol (14.2 ± 3.3 vs 18.4 ± 1.0 pg/ml; control vs implant) were unchanged in 12-wk-old boars. Pulsatile LH releases (4.3 ± 1.1 vs 3.0 ± 0.4 pulses/pig/8 hr; control vs treated) and pulse amplitude (272 ± 34 vs 305 ± 40 pg/ml) were not affected. The implant tended to decrease serum testosterone (4.86 ± 0.75 vs 7.66 ± 1.51 ng/ml; P<0.10). In Exp. 3, LH was higher after zero implants than after four implants (279 ± 7 vs 227 ± 9 pg/ml; P<0.01), and LH after two implants was also higher than after four implants (263 ± 7 pg/ml; P<0.01) in 14-wk-old boars in a Latin square design. Peak LH after 40 μg gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) was less after two and four implants (1,100 ± 126 and 960 ± 167 pg/ml, respectively; P<0.01) than after zero implants (1,742 ± 126 pg/ml). Slope of the first 20 min of LH response to GnRH was greater after zero implants (45.3 pg/min; P<0.05) than after either two or four implants (20.6 and 16.9 pg/min, respectively). Implant treatment decreased serum testosterone (P<0.025) but increased estradiol (P<0.10). Small changes in serum estradiol resulted in changes in LH. These changes in sample variance and mean LH were recognized by boars as different from normal because serum testosterone decreased. Changes in LH may result from estradiol's negative effect on pituitary responsiveness to endogenous GnRH because response to exogenous GnRH was depressed by estradiol.
Application of a Reliability Method to Maintenance Strategy for Mechanical Components

This paper presents a maintenance decision-making strategy in the general area of replacement and reliability of mechanical components. The decision-making strategy involves the optimization of replacement interval based on fatigue failure of mechanical components. This new approach is based on the cumulative damage distribution function for evaluating mean fatigue life. By using the approach, the analytical expressions for the mean and the variance of the cumulative damage distribution under both stationary narrow-band and stationary wide-band random process are provided. The mean value and variance of the fatigue life distribution are thus evaluated to determine the optimal replacement intervals under fatigue failure. To evaluate probability function and the expected length of a failure cycle, approximated function forms were used.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Quantifying the area at risk using the infarct lateral border: importance of infarct transmurality.

Background The wavefront phenomenon describes the transmural progression of myocardial infarction (MI) from endocardium to epicardium with increasing ischemia duration. A corollary is once subendocardial MI has developed, the infarct lateral border (InfarctLatBor) delineates the Area-at-risk (AAR) lateral border, and thus, can be used to measure overall AAR size. However, with short ischemia time a confluent subendocardial layer of infarction may not develop, and InfarctLatBor may underestimate AAR size. The transmural extent of infarction necessary for InfarctLatBor to accurately reflect AAR size is unknown. In-vivo assessment of InfarctLatBor with delayedenhancement-CMR (DE-CMR) has been compared with surrogates of the AAR (ECG, angiographic scores, T2weighted-CMR). However, no comparison exists with a pathology-based truth standard of the AAR (i.e microspheres). We sought to examine: (1) on pathology studies, the threshold of infarct transmurality necessary for the InfarctLatBor to accurately delineate the AAR, and (2) the ability of in-vivo DE-CMR (via InfarctlatBor assessment) to quantify the AAR in comparison with pathology.
Performance of a Stabilized Aggregate Base Subject to Different Durability Procedures

This study examined the effects of two freeze-thaw (FT) laboratory procedures, FT-1 and FT-2, on stabilized aggregate specimens. Cylindrical specimens were stabilized with 10% Class C fly ash (CFA) cured for selected periods and then subjected to either FT-1 or FT-2 cycles. FT-1 and FT-2 procedures consisted of freezing specimens at −25°C for 24 h and thawing them at 21.7°C for another 24 h with a high relative humidity; the only difference was that FT-1 required a membrane around each specimen, while FT-2 required no membranes during freezing and thawing. After being subject to freezing and thawing actions, specimens were then tested for resilient modulus ( MR ) and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) values. Results showed that the MR values of 28-day cured specimens increased as FT-1 cycles increased up to 12, beyond which a reduction in MR values was observed. For 3-day cured specimens the MR increased with FT-1 cycles up to 30. The UCS values of 28- and 3-day stabilized specimens also exhibited the...
Oscillations of a system of delay logistic equations

We obtained sufficient conditions for the oscillation of all positive solutions of the system Ni(t)=Niai−∑j=1mbijNj(t−τ) , i = 1, 2, …, m about its steady state. We also obtained sufficient conditions for the existence of a nonoscillatory solution of this system.
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of 3-imino-1-oxoisoindolines in CF1 mice

Summary A series of 3-imino-1-oxoisoindolines were shown to be potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents at 8 mg/kg, intraperitoneally in mice. The compounds were also able to protect against lipopdysaccarhide induced endotoxic shock and death better than the current clinical agents. These agents appear to function by blocking the release of TNF α and IL-1 from macrophages as well as competition with their respective high affinity receptors on target tissue, eg, fibroblasts, and macrophages. In addition lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes were inhibited as well as leukotriene synthesis in macrophages by the agents.
Behavior of the kinetoplast of Leishmania tarentolae upon cell rupture.

SYNOPSIS. The kinetoplast of L. tarentolae remains attached to the basal body upon cell rupture by detergent lysis, sonication, or hypotonic lysis in 0.02 M Tris buffer (pH 7.9) at 0–4 C. Hypotonic lysis in 0.02 M Tris-HCl-2 mM EDTA at 0–4 C and application of mild shearing forces bring about release of most of the swollen kinetoplasts. The kinetoplast DNA can be seen in phase contrast microscopy as a dark mass contiguous to the kinetoplast membrane directly opposite the basal body. Upon return to isotonic media, the kinetoplast shrinks; the membranes of such kinetoplasts are impermeable to added DNAase.
Computation of tightly-focused laser beams in the FDTD method

We demonstrate how a tightly-focused coherent TEMmn laser beam can be computed in the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The electromagnetic field around the focus is decomposed into a plane-wave spectrum, and approximated by a finite number of plane waves injected into the FDTD grid using the total-field/scattered-field (TF/SF) method. We provide an error analysis, and guidelines for the discrete approximation. We analyze the scattering of the beam from layered spaces and individual scatterers. The described method should be useful for the simulation of confocal microscopy and optical data storage. An implementation of the method can be found in our free and open source FDTD software (“Angora”).
Joint congestion control, routing, and MAC for stability and fairness in wireless networks

In this paper, we describe and analyze a joint scheduling, routing and congestion control mechanism for wireless networks, that asymptotically guarantees stability of the buffers and fair allocation of the network resources. The queue-lengths serve as common information to different layers of the network protocol stack. Our main contribution is to prove the asymptotic optimality of a primal-dual congestion controller, which is known to model different versions of transmission control protocol well
Technique of tissue-preserving, minimally-invasive total hip arthroplasty using a superior capsulotomy

Preservation of the tissues surrounding the hip may improve hip joint stability and facilitate recovery. A new technique for performing total hip arthroplasty with a superior capsulotomy allows for maximal preservation of the hip joint capsule and surrounding muscles. Using this technique, the gluteus medius and minimus are reflected anteriorly and the piriformis is reflected posteriorly. The short external rotators and posterior capsule are left intact. In most cases, the femur is instrumented with straight instruments before the femoral head is excised. This provides additional strength and stability to the femur during preparation. The femoral head is excised, rather than dislocated, to minimize disruption of surrounding tissues. The acetabulum is prepared and the acetabular component is inserted with angled instruments. This allows the femur to remain in physiologic positions throughout the procedure. Experience with this procedure demonstrates that, while technically demanding, the patients return to a normal gait more rapidly, with unrestricted motion and weight bearing postoperatively. The procedure offers the opportunity to facilitate recovery while potentially decreasing both short- and long-term surgical complication rates compared with conventional total hip arthroplasty techniques.
Photosclerosis of cutaneous vascular malformations with a pulsed 810-nm diode laser

Various continuous wave lasers have been effectively used for sclerosis of cutaneous vascular lesions. The risk of scarring has been as high as 15% in some applications, however. Pulse dye lasers have virtually eliminated scarring as a complication, substituting high cost and cumbersome operation. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the ability of the 810 nm gallium-aluminum-arsenide diode laser in photosclerosis. In this study, a small group of patients (n equals 6) were treated with a pulsed 810 nm diode laser (Surgimedics, The Woodlands, TX). Pulse widths used were 5 - 15 msec with corresponding energy densities during the square wave pulse of 14 - 42 J/cm2. Pulse interval was 32 msec. Lesions treated include telangiectasias (n equals 5), spider veins, (n equals 4), capillary dermal malformation (n equals 1) and a cutaneous venous malformation (n equals 1). Lower extremity spider veins were the most resistent to treatment, rarely disappearing entirely. Telangiectasias were most responsive, usually disappearing after one treatment. No scarring was noted and textural changes were seen in only one patient. While these data are preliminary and parameters have not been optimized, pulsed diode laser exposure can be an effective treatment for cutaneous vascular lesions.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Exceptions in language as learned by the multi-factor sparse plus low-rank language model

Word usage is influenced by diverse factors, including topic, genre and various speaker/author characteristics. To characterize these aspects of language, we introduce the “Multi-Factor Sparse Plus Low Rank” exponential language model, which allows supervised joint training of arbitrary overlapping factor-specific model components. This flexible architecture has the advantage of being highly interpretable. The elements of sparse parameter matrices can be viewed as factor-dependent corrections (e.g. topic- or speaker-dependent phenomena). In topic modeling experiments on conversational telephone speech, we obtain modest perplexity reductions over an n-gram baseline and demonstrate topic-dependent keyword extraction that leads to a 13% (absolute) improvement in precision over TFIDF. We also show how keywords can be jointly learned for speakers, roles and topics in a study of Supreme Court oral arguments.
A structural model of the relationships between sport website quality, e-satisfaction, and e-loyalty.

The Internet website has become an effective marketing vehicle for sport organizations. The purpose of this study was to examine theoretical relationships between key variables of online sport consumption behavior such as sport consumers’ perceptions of sport website quality, satisfaction, and behavioral loyalty to the websites. In addition, the mediating effect of e-satisfaction between website quality and e-loyalty was examined. The results of data analyses using structural equation model tests revealed that loyalty to a sport team’s website was more likely to occur as sport fans developed positive perceptions and satisfaction with the website. The results also suggested that consumer e-satisfaction is an important mediating variable between sport website quality and e-loyalty.
The relationship of coping resources to occupational stress and strain

Abstract Stress, strain, and coping are thought to be related within a closed system of individual perception. This suggests that individuals differ in their reports of stress, strain, and the mechanisms they use to cope. A field study was conducted using the Osipow and Spokane (1983) scales to test the relationship of coping resources as moderators to stress-strain relationships. It was found that role overload is the most significant source of strain but that coping resources contributed to moderating the relationship. Other significant stress-strain relationships were also moderated by the coping mechanisms. Low levels of cognitive/rational were more effective than high levels as a coping resource, counter to expectations.
Male and female factor structures of the australian sex-role scale (form A)

Abstract Form A of the Personal Description Questionnaire (PDQ), an Australian sex-role scale, was administered to 156 female and 110 male subjects. Scale and subscale means, standard deviations, and gender differences are reported. Factor analyses of the separate male and female data showed a very high degree of correspondence between the factor structures. The analyses yielded four factors, three of which clearly reflected the scales of the PDQ design. Support for the existence of a unitary masculinity dimension was obtained but femininity appears to be more complex. The findings support the view that broad generalized conceptions of masculinity and femininity exist in Australian society and that the PDQ is at least partially successful in tapping them.
Epidemiological approaches to understanding the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever.

The rheumatic fever syndrome has been clinically recognized for several centuries. Its cause was unknown, despite clinical suggestions of an association with haemolytic streptococcal infection. How and why 'acute articular rheumatism' affected the heart remained an intriguing mystery. It was the meticulous studies of bacteriologist Rebecca Lancefield in the 1930's that resulted in a laboratory method for differentiation of haemolytic streptococci.1 This technique ultimately led to the epidemiological conclusion that only the group A streptococcus can lead to this non-suppurative sequel of a bacterial infection. This observation stimulated serious attempts to solve the pathogenetic puzzle of this disease which represented a significant public health problem. As recently as the Second World War, rheumatic fever caused major problems in military forces; the disease was also common in the civilian populations of the United States and Western Europe in the 1950's and early 1960's. (Less was known about the incidence of rheumatic fever in the rest of the world at that time, for it was thought that this was primarily a disease of temperate climates and not of tropical zones.) Clinicians, epidemiologists, immunologists, pathologists, and bacteriologists all sought to explain the 'enigma. These intensive efforts began over four decades ago. Yet today the problem remains. Why is this so, and what can be done to solve it? As one reviews past efforts to understand and to control rheumatic fever, it appears that two widely acclaimed observations may also have had an unintentionally negative effect. The first was the careful epidemiological study at the Warren Air Force Base, showing that adequate antibiotic therapy of strepto
Monitoring of potential cytotoxic and inhibitory effects of titanium dioxide using on-line and non-invasive cell-based impedance spectroscopy.

Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles (NPs) with different sizes and structures were probed for plausible cytotoxicity using electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS), a non-invasive and on-line procedure for continuous monitoring of cytotoxicity. For insect cells ( Spodoptera frugiperda Sf 9), the ECIS 50 values, i.e., the concentration required to achieve 50% inhibition of the response, differed depending on the size and shape of the TiO 2 nanostructure. The lowest ECIS 50 value (158 ppm) was observed for the needle shaped rutile TiO 2 (10 nm × 40 nm, 15.5 nm nominal particle size), followed by 211 ppm for P-25 (34.1 nm, 80% anatase and 20% rutile), 302 ppm for MTI5 (5.9 nm, 99% anatase) and 417 ppm for Hombitan LW-S bulk TiO 2 (169.5 nm, 99% anatase). Exposure of TiO 2 NPs to UV light at 254 nm or 365 nm exhibited no significant effect on the ECIS 50 value due to the aggregation of TiO 2 NPs with diminishing photocatalytic activities. Chinese hamster lung fibroblast V79 cells, exhibited no significant cytotoxicity/inhibition up to 400 ppm with P25, MTI 5 and bulk TiO 2 . However, a noticeable inhibitory effect was observed (ECIS 50 value of 251 ppm) with rutile TiO 2 as cell spreading on the electrode surface was prevented
Beyond the Coronary Angiogram: Further Evaluation of the Coronary Vasculature and Endothelial Function

Coronary artery disease is a progressive and diffuse process. The focus in the past decade was on the late stage of coronary atherosclerosis, with efforts being devoted to the development of thrombolytic drugs and sophisticated interventional devices. However, in spite of the success in decreasing morbidity and mortality from coronary atherosclerosis, the disease process continues. Early diagnosis and treatment of patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease, may prevent the development of unstable angina and myocardial infarction. It has become apparent that the endothelium is the primary target and/or participant in the early stages of coronary atherosclerosis. The endothelium is as an active paracrine organ capable of regulating coronary vascular tone as well as the atherosclerotic and restenosis process by releasing vasorelaxing factors with antiproliferative activity and vasoconstricting and growth factors. During the evolution of coronary atherosclerosis endothelial dysfunction occurs, which is characterized by attenuated release and activity of endothelium derived vasorelaxing factors and enhanced release of vasoconstricting factors. The goal of cardiology is to develop diagnostic methods and treatment for these patients who present to us with cardiac symptoms and nonobstructive coronary artery disease. This article will review the current knowledge of endothelial function as it applies to coronary circulation and describe a clinical approach to the patient with suspected coronary disease and a normal coronary angiogram. (J Interven Cardiol 1996;9:153–161)