cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Space frame analysis by flexibility matrix

Summary A method of deriving flexibility matrices for structural members arbitrarily oriented and curved in space is presented. Using vector and matrix algebra, Castigliano's second theorem provides a simple and direct approach to the problem. By transforming the flexibility matrix into meaningful submatrices, a unified treatment of space frames is obtained for thermal, concentrated and distributed loads. The method is particularly suitable for automatic computer analysis of continuous space structure of any configuration. Flexibility matrices for straight and curved members are given and used in an illustrative example.
General compactons solutions and solitary patterns solutions for modified nonlinear dispersive equations mK(n, n) in higher dimensional spaces

In this paper we present a general and unified approach for analyzing the genuinely nonlinear dispersive mK(n, n) equations. The focusing branch exhibits compactons: solitons with finite wave lengths, whereas the defocusing branch supports solutions with solitary patterns. The work formally shows how to construct compact and noncompact solutions for mK(n, n) equations in one-, two- and three-dimensional spatial domains. Two distinct general formulae for each model, that are of substantial interest, are developed for all positive integers n, n > 1
Parallel detection algorithm for page-oriented optical memories

We present a parallel algorithm for the reliable detection of two-dimensional binary data in page-oriented memories. The development of the proposed pseudodecision-feedback equalization (PDFE) method is motivated by the classical decision-feedback equalization receiver. The technique takes advantage of the known or the estimated optical system characteristics to mitigate space-variant blur and additive thermal noise. We extend the method to correct for fixed-pattern errors including magnification, rotation, and transverse shift. Advantages of the PDFE algorithm include its parallel design, low computational complexity, and local connectivity. A system-capacity metric is used to compare the performance of the PDFE receiver with other conventional approaches, including the simple threshold, the 1:2 modulation code, and the Wiener filter. Results show the PDFE to outperform all the above techniques over a variety of channels for both incoherent and coherent systems. Implementation issues are discussed, and a MOSIS (Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Implementation Service) 2-mum design is presented.
Phosphorus-sorption characteristics of intensely weathered soils in south-central Kentucky

Abstract Studies were conducted to investigate phosphorus (P)‐sorption characteristics of some intensely weathered soils in south‐central Kentucky. Phosphorus adsorption characteristics reflected the chemical and mineralogical properties of the soils studied. All adsorption data were adequately described by first order kinetic reactions which implied that the soils have uniform surfaces for P sorption. In spite of the limitations of the Langmuir equation, its usefulness in summarizing data into one adsorption maximum value was demonstrated by nearly identical adsorption maxima estimated by three linear transformations of the equation and small deviations from the observed maxima. Variations in adsorption maxima between surface and subsoils and among soils were best correlated with extractable aluminum (Al) (r = 0.93, p<0.01) and crystalline iron (Fe) oxy‐hydroxides (r = 0.97, p<0.01). Clay content was also highly correlated with P sorption (r = 0.97, p <0.01) as well as with extractable Al (r = 0.83, p<0....
Impurity screening in amorphous semiconductors

Abstract The dielectric response of semiconductors to the field spanned up by impurity atoms is shown to harden in the transformation from crystalline to amorphous forms in the sense that ceteris paribus the damping of umklapp processes reduced screening.
Peeking through the picket fence: What astrophysical surprises may be present in the 100–1200 Å region?

In anticipation of more sensitive EUV and FUV spectroscopic instruments, spectra are simulated including interstellar absorption of solarlike, RS CVn, and flare stars as folded through the instrument parameters of the EUVE, Lyman/FUSE Phase A, and a desirable next-generation spectrometer. Even the relatively insensitive EUVE spectrometer is able to detect sufficient spectral lines from many active binary and dMe stars to determine their coronal-emission-measure distributions. The Lyman/FUSE or next-generation spectrometers are needed to study solar-type stars or flaring stars with high time resolution. The high throughput and effective area of a nex-generation spectrometer is needed for Doppler imaging studies, stellar wind and downflow measurements, and high time and spectral resolution of stellar flares.
Trophoblastic pseudotumor-evidence of malignant disease potential

Abstract Trophoblastic pseudotumor, the histopathologic entity described by Kurman and associates (R. J. Kurman, R. E. Scully, and H. J. Norris, Cancer 38 , 1214–1226 (1976)), has been considered in the scheme of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia as an exaggerated form of syncytial endometritis and, therefore, associated with a benign outcome. The manifestation of malignant sequalae and ultimate demise of a patient in a recognized case of trophoblastic pseudotumor is presented. Light and electron microscopic studies and autopsy findings are discussed. Therapies, both surgical and chemotherapeutic, and serum assay of the β subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin are correlated to the clinical course.
Cognitive and behavioral adaptations to HIV/AIDS among gay and bisexual adolescents

Abstract Purpose: To examine short-term changes in HIV knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors among gay and bisexual adolescents, 139 gay and bisexual male adolescents (13–21 years of age) completed interviews and self-administered surveys of HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors during an initial assessment (Time 1) and 3–6 months after intervention (Time 2). Methods: The intervention included individualized HIV/ AIDS risk assessment and risk reduction counseling, peer education, and referrals to needed services. Crosssectional (group) and individual cognitive and behavioral changes were examined; adolescents who reported unprotected anal intercourse and/or injecting drug use after interventions were compared to those who did not. Results: Compared to Time 1,60% fewer subjects at Time 2 reported unprotected anal intercourse with recent partners. Subjects also reported less frequent anal intercourse and more consistent use of condoms during follow-up. Substance abuse severity scores and use of amphetamines and amyl nitrite declined. One-quarter of subjects reported ongoing high-risk behaviors associated with multiple partners, frequent anal intercourse, completion of education, and relative numbers of gay friends. Conclusions: Compliance with HIV risk reduction improved over time. Constructive change most often involved the practices of anal intercourse and, to a lesser extent, oral sex. Ongoing risk-taking behavior may reflect serious psychosocial problems.
The utility of functional magnetic resonance imaging in epilepsy and language.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a viable presurgical tool for use with the pediatric epilepsy population as replacement for the intra-carotid sodium amobarbital test (IAT) used to identify hemispheric language dominance. This paper reviews the current imaging research on the identification of language cortex in pediatric epilepsy patients and in normal children. A review of the literature comparing fMRI to the IAT and electrocortical stimulation suggests that fMRI reliably identifies the dominant hemisphere, with pediatric and adult studies producing comparable results. Within-hemisphere localization of eloquent cortex with fMRI is more problematic. Paradigm selection, data analysis techniques, and considerations specific to imaging children are discussed. Utility of fMRI for studying neural plasticity as a result of brain insult (eg, epilepsy) is also considered.
Profiling blood donors in Egypt: A neural network analysis

This study uses intelligent modeling techniques to examine the effect of various demographic, cognitive and psychographic factors on blood donation in Egypt. Two artificial neural network models (multi-layer perceptron neural network [MLP] and probabilistic neural network [PNN]) are compared to a standard statistical method (linear discriminant analysis [LDA]). The variable sets considered are sex, age, educational level, altruistic values, perceived risks of blood donation, blood donation knowledge, attitudes toward blood donation, and intention to donate blood. The paper shows how it is possible to identify various dimensions of blood donation behavior by uncovering patterns in the dataset, and also shows the classification abilities of two neural network techniques.
In vivo adenovirus-mediated endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene transfer ameliorates lung allograft ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Abstract Objective: Nitric oxide regulates vascular tone, inhibits platelet aggregation, and inhibits leukocyte adhesion, all of which are important modulators of ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study aimed to determine the effects of endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase gene transfer on ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat lung transplant model. Methods: In group I, donor animals were injected intravenously with 5 × 10 9 pfu of adenovirus-encoding endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase. Groups II and III served as controls, whereby donor animals were injected with either 5 × 10 9 pfu of adenovirus encoding β-galactosidase or saline solution, respectively. Twenty-four hours after injection, left lungs were harvested and preserved for 18 hours at 4°C, then implanted into isogeneic recipients, which were put to death 24 hours later. Recombinant endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase gene expression was evaluated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Lung grafts were assessed by measuring arterial oxygenation, myeloperoxidase activity, and wet/dry weight ratios. Results: Western blotting confirmed the overexpression of endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase in lungs so transfected compared with controls. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, mean arterial oxygenation was significantly improved in group I compared with group II and III controls (189.4 ± 47.1 mm Hg vs 71.7 ± 8.9 mm Hg and 67.8 ± 12.2 mm Hg, P = .02, P = .01, respectively). Myeloperoxidase activity, a reflection of tissue neutrophil sequestration, was also significantly reduced in group I compared with groups II and III (0.136 ± 0.038 ΔOD/mg/min vs 0.587 ± 0.077 and 0.489 ± 0.126 ΔOD/mg/min, P = .001, P = .01, respectively). Conclusion: Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer with endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase ameliorates ischemia-reperfusion injury as manifested by significantly improved oxygenation and decreased neutrophil sequestration in transplanted lung isografts. Endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase gene transfer may reduce acute lung dysfunction after lung transplantation. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000; 119:297-304)
Preparative isoelectric focusing of proteins using binary buffers in a vortex‐stabilized, free‐flow apparatus

Recombinant proteins are often produced as isoforms with different kinds and amounts of post-translational modifications that alter their function. Isoelectric focusing in shallow pH gradients, less than 0.5 pH/cm, might be capable of fractionating these isoforms. The synthetic carrier ampholyte mixtures typically used to generate these pH gradients are expensive and may adversely interact with proteins. Using defined buffers instead of synthetic carrier ampholytes reduces these problems. We tested two defined buffer systems in a vortex-stabilized electrophoresis device to see if they could form shallow pH gradients useful for separating isoforms. These pH gradients were formed by pouring a two-component concentration gradient. The poured gradients were smooth, reproducible, and stable for at least 1.5 h at 5 kV. One poured gradient focused 20 mg of cytochrome c. A second poured gradient separated glucose oxidase from amyloglucosidase. The breadth of the amyloglucosidase band indicates that the shallow, poured pH gradients can only partially separate protein isoforms at 10 kV. Proteins with pI < 0.2 pH units apart will have overlapping bands in these shallow, poured pH gradients.
The Post Knowledge of Results Interval: Effects of Interpolated Activity on Cognitive Information Processing.

Abstract The present study investigated the effects of interpolated activity on the cognitive information processing operations occurring during the post knowledge of results (KR) interval. Eighty right-handed subjects were randomly assigned to four post-KR interval activity groups and required to complete the McCloy blocks test of multiple response to a criterion of three consecutive errorless trials in less than 35 sec each. The four post-KR intervals included: (1) interfering verbal cognitive activity, (2) attention-demanding verbal activity, (3) attention-demanding motor activity, or (4) rest. Orthogonal planned comparisons indicated that the post-KR interval activity groups differed from the rest group on the acquisition of the criterion task. Comparisons of verbal versus motor, and of interfering verbal cognitive versus attention-demanding verbal activities revealed no significant findings. Additional findings indicated no significant relationship between criterion and interpolated activity performa...
The Family Taboo in Psychology Textbooks.

The frequency of family-related concepts in 60 texts is the basis for the authors' urging a greater consideration of relational factors.
Fibronectin and water content of articular cartilage explants after partial depletion of proteoglycans

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that fibronectin in cartilage of osteoarthritic joints accumulates in increased quantities in response to a reduction in proteoglycan content in the matrix. We determined fibronectin content in an ELISA system, uptake of plasma 125I-fibronectin from the medium, and glycosaminoglycan content by a dye method. The proteoglycan content of canine articular cartilage was reduced by co-incubation of the cartilage with canine synovium, partially purified catabolin, or retinoic acid. Data suggested that proteoglycan loss alone was not sufficient to result in the increased fibronectin accumulation that has been reported in the deteriorating articular cartilage of osteoarthritic joints. Cartilage that lost as much as 75% of its proteoglycan content did not have increased fibronectin content and did not take up more fibronectin from the external medium. A related goal of this study was to evaluate the percentage of water in proteoglycan-depleted but disease-free cartilage, as the percentage of water is known to be elevated in osteoarthritic cartilage. Data indicated that the percentage of water in the depleted cartilage increased in proportion to the decrease in proteoglycan content, but the total amount of water in the cartilage did not increase; water content appeared to be unchanged. Under the conditions used, the proteoglycan content was reduced and the percentage of water was elevated, but fibronectin content was not increased. Thus, the cartilage incubated in vitro did not mimic osteoarthritic cartilage.
Monte Carlo modeling of low-index surfaces in stoichiometric and Ni-rich NiAl

The structure and chemical composition of low-index surfaces of NiAl are investigated by grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. Atomic interactions in NiAl are modeled by an embedded-atom potential fit to experimental and first-principles data. The simulations are performed at the temperature of 1200 K for the stoichiometric and two Ni-rich bulk compositions. For the (110) surface, the top surface layer is slightly enriched in Ni relative to the bulk whereas deeper layers are slightly depleted in Ni, so that the overall Gibbsian surface adsorption is almost zero. For the (100) and (111) surface orientations, the Al termination is structurally stable but contains a certain percentage of Ni atoms, depending on the bulk composition. The Al (111) termination also develops a large amount of vacancies and adatoms. The Ni terminations of the (100) and (111) surfaces are both unstable and transform to the respective Al terminations. This transformation can take place by two different mechanisms. One mechanism is the development of a terrace surface structure with areas of Al termination separated by stoichiometric (110) facets. An alternative mechanism, observed only for the (100) surface, is the injection of an antiphase boundary into the bulk with a simultaneous switch of the surface termination to Al. It is demonstrated that this mechanism cannot work for the (111) surface.
Evolution of the resonance and incommensurate spin fluctuations in superconducting YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6+x)

Polarized and unpolarized neutron triple-axis spectrometry was used to study the dynamical magnetic susceptibility chi"(q,omega) as a function of energy ((h) over bar omega) and wave vector (q) in a wide temperature range for the bilayer superconductor YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6+x) with oxygen concentrations, x, of 0.45, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.93, and 0.95, The most prominent features in the magnetic spectra include a spin gap in the superconducting state, a pseudogap in the normal state, the much-discussed resonance, and incommensurate spin fluctuations below the resonance. We establish the doping dependence of the spin gap in the superconducting state, the resonance energy, and the incommensurability of the spin fluctuations. The magnitude of the spin gap (E(sg)) up to the optimal doping is proportional to the superconducting transition temperature T(c) with E(sg)/k(B)T(c)=3.8. The resonance, which exists exclusively below T(c) for highly doped YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6+x) with x = 0.93 and 0.95, appears above T(c) for underdoped compounds with x less than or equal to0.8. The resonance energy (E(r)) also scales with k(B)T(c), but saturates at E(r)approximate to 40 meV for x close to 0.93. The incommensurate spin fluctuations at energies below the resonance have structures similar to that of the single-layer superconducting La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4). However, there are also important differences. While the incommensurability (delta) of the spin fluctuations in La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4) is proportional to T(c) for the entire hole-doping range up to the optimal value, the incommensurability in YBa(2)Cu(3)O(6+x) increases with T(c) for low-oxygen doping and saturates to delta =0.1 for x greater than or equal to0.6. In addition, the incommensurability decreases with increasing energy close to the resonance. Finally, the incommensurate spin fluctuations appear above T(c) in underdoped compounds with x less than or equal to0.6 but for highly doped materials they are only observed below T(c). We discuss in detail the procedure used for separating the magnetic scattering from phonon and other spurious effects. In the comparison of our experimental results with various microscopic theoretical models, particular emphasis was made to address the similarities and differences in the spin fluctuations of the two most studied superconductors. Finally, we briefly mention recent magnetic-field-dependent studies of the spin fluctuations and discuss their relevance in understanding the microscopic origin of the resonance.
Shoptorebuild.Org—A Service Learning Project to Boost Commerce after Hurricane Katrina

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf Coast faced the difficulty of rebuilding and trying to reignite commerce. This service learning project was aimed at assisting in the renewal of the area while getting students involved in a charitable learning exercise. The project focused on students from a graduate marketing course developing a promotions strategy. The campaign "Shop to Rebuild" was a temporary Web site that acted as a portal, or "one-stop" shop, for people wanting to help the businesses damaged by the hurricane. The service learning project for the graduate marketing course gave students a first-hand look at what is involved in promoting a Web site on a very tight budget. The class was small-only eight students-so essentially the class acted as one team to design and implement a plan to promote the site. Students in the promotion class quickly learned that promotion is not a matter of "if we build it, they will come." After writing and distributing a news release, students followed up wi...
Consistency of knee pain: correlates and association with function

Summary Objective The extent and factors associated with knee pain fluctuation are not well-known. We evaluated the prevalence, correlates, and association with function of consistency of knee pain. Design Participants of the Multicenter Osteoarthritis (MOST) Study, a cohort of individuals with or at high risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA) had baseline knee X-rays, questionnaires, and a question about frequent knee pain (FKnP) (pain on most of the past 30 days) at two time points: a telephone screen and a later clinic visit. We computed the prevalence of inconsistent knee pain (positive answer to FKnP question at only one time point) and consistent knee pain (positive answer to FKnP question at both time points). We evaluated the association of consistency of FKnP with a number of sociodemographic factors, pain severity, and function. Results There were 2940 participants with complete data (5867 knees) [mean age 62, mean body mass index (BMI) 30.7, 60% female]. Of those, 2977 knees had pain, with 43% having inconsistent and 57% having consistent knee pain. Those with radiographic OA [odds ratio (OR) 0.46], depressive symptoms (OR 0.73), and widespread pain (OR 0.68) (all P Conclusions A substantial proportion of persons with knee pain have inconsistent knee pain, associated with better physical function and strength (adjusting for pain severity). Such pain may be suggestive of an earlier stage of disease.
Impaired fasting tolerance among Alaska Native Children with a common Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 1A sequence variant

A high prevalence of the sequence variant c.1436C→T in the CPT1A gene has been identified among Alaska Native newborns but the clinical implications of this variant are unknown. We conducted medically supervised fasts in 5 children homozygous for the c.1436C→T variant. Plasma free fatty acids increased normally in these children but their long-chain acylcarnitine and ketone production was significantly blunted. The fast was terminated early in two subjects due to symptoms of hypoglycemia. Homozygosity for the c.1436C→T sequence variant of CPT1A impairs fasting ketogenesis, and can cause hypoketotic hypoglycemia in young children. Trial registration www.clinical trials.gov NCT00653666 "Metabolic Consequences of CPT1A Deficiency"
Cyclic stress-strain behavior at a high strain amplitude of AlCu crystals containing partially coherent precipitates

Abstract Single crystals of Al-3.3wt.%Cu alloys have been cycled at a high plastic shear strain amplitude (about 1.5 × 10−2) and the hysteresis loop behavior studied as a function of crystal orientation. Concave-type hysteresis loops appear in early cycles for crystals of single-slip orientation and regular loops for multislip orientation. Although the saturation stresses of the two types of crystal are the same, differences in their loop shapes persist throughout life. These differences are attributed to more reversible deformation in the single-slip crystals.
Teaching the Catalog as a Reference Tool

Article in a column for "The Reference Librarian," Material-Mind-Method: On the Teaching of Reference. This article discusses teaching the catalog as a reference tool.
Brain organization for language in children, adolescents, and adults with left hemisphere lesion: a PET study.

1. There is evidence for pronounced brain plasticity during postnatal maturation. The authors hypothesized that left-hemisphere lesion would be associated with greater than normal language participation of the right hemisphere and that atypical asymmetry of perisylvian language activations would be enhanced after lesion occurring in early childhood as compared to lesion occurring later in life. 2. Eleven patients with left-hemisphere lesion (aged 8-33 yrs.) and 9 normal adult comparison subjects were studied, using [15O]-water positron emission tomography. One patient group (N = 6) had early lesion onset ( or = 10 years of age). Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes during listening to sentences (minus rest) and sentence generation (minus repetition) were compared between groups in predefined regions of interest. 3. Variance of regional activations within early and late lesion onset groups was considerable and qualitative inspection revealed only few robust group differences. However, when 4 patient pairs were approximately matched for chronological age, lesion site and VIQ, significantly reduced leftward asymmetry of activations in early lesion patients was found in the prefrontal, inferior frontal, and inferior parietal regions for expressive language, with concordant and marginally significant trends in the inferior frontal and superior temporal regions for receptive language. 4. The results suggest enhanced postlesional plasticity in childhood, while also reflecting strong individual variability probably due to clinical and demographic factors beside lesion onset.
Accumulation and metabolism of carbon-14 labeled benzene, naphthalene, and anthracene by young coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Carbon-14 labeled benzene, naphthalene, and anthracene were administered to young coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the food and by intraperitoneal injection. Regardless of the mode of application the accumulated carbon-14 (% administered dose) in key organs (e.g., liver and brain) increased in the order anthracene > naphthalene > benzene over various time periods. The metabolic fate of the hydrocarbons after intraperitoneal injection was studied. It was shown that the highest percentages of metabolites occurred in the gall bladder; however, significant amounts were also found in the liver, brain, flesh, and “carcass.” Solvent partition and thin-layer chromatographic techniques were developed to determine the structure of individual metabolites. In brain, liver, and gall bladder, 1-naphthol and 1-naphthyl glucuronic acid were major products of naphthalene metabolism; however, glycoside/sulfate fractions and mercapturic acid were indicated. The heart and flesh were rich in 1-naphthol and the former organ contained significant amounts of 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene. The findings indicated that the aromatic hydrocarbons in key organs increased in relation to the number of benzenoid rings. Further, it appears that aromatic metabolites are broadly distributed throughout fish exposed to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.
Structural characterization of silver thioborosilicate glasses

Abstract Fast ion conducting glasses of composition zAgI+(1−z)[0.525Ag2S+0.475(0.5B2S3+0.5SiS2]), where 0.0⩽z⩽0.4, have been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Raman, and infrared (IR) spectroscopies to investigate their short-range order (SRO) structure. These glasses are of significant interest due to the observation that they exhibit significant non-Arrhenius behavior in their ionic conductivity. A thorough study of the SRO of these glasses is being conducted to determine if there is an underlying structural origin to the non-Arrhenius behavior of the conductivity. The NMR, Raman and IR spectra show that these glasses are comprised primarily of silicon sulfide (Ag2Si(S2)S2/2 and boron sulfide (AgBS4/2) tetrahedra with small amounts of B3S6 thioboroxyl six-membered rings and BS3/2 trigonal units in the glassy matrix. The addition of AgI appears dissolve into glass interstitially without significant modification of the SRO of the glasses. SEM experiments show the samples are homogeneous with little oxide contamination and the XRD experiments show that the samples are glassy with little evidence of crystallization. As with other AgI-doped glasses, the AgI systematically decreases the glass transition temperature. So far, there is no evidence of significant structural uniqueness at the SRO level to these glasses that would suggest a cause for the non-Arrhenius temperature dependence of the conductivity. More detailed neutron scattering and NMR studies of these glasses are in progress and will be used to determine if the structural origin of this behavior can be found at longer length scales.
Evidence on the predictive ability of inflation‐adjusted earnings measures*

. The results of prior studies on the information content of inflation-adjusted data in general, and of the SFAS 33 pronouncement in particular, have been mixed. The present study is motivated by the need to address further the relevance of SFAS 33 data to decisions made by security-market participants. The relevance of the SFAS 33 data is assessed in two contexts: (1) the association of security returns with inflation-adjusted and historical cost based earnings, and (2) the SFAS 33 data's ability, in a one-period-ahead prediction of security returns in comparison with the traditional historical cost model. The association test leads to mixed and inconclusive results. The predictive ability test indicates that several inflation-adjusted measures of firms' earnings outperformed the historical cost earnings measure for 1981 and 1982. The latter results were not sensitive to the form of user loss function, sample size, and type of sample. These results may suggest that the recent decision by the FASB to make reporting according to the SFAS 33 pronouncement optional was premature. Resume. Les resultats d'etudes precedentes sur le contenu informationnel des donnees ajustees pour tenir compte des effets de l'inflation en general, et de l'emission par le FASB de la Norme no33 en particulier, ont ete mixtes. L'etude qui suit se justifie par la necessite de se pencher davantage sur la pertinence des donnees selon la Norme no 33 relativement aux decisions prises par les intervenants sur le marche des valeurs mobilieres. Les auteurs evaluent la pertinence des donnees selon la Norme no 33 dans deux contextes: 1) l'association du rendement des titres aux benefices ajustes pour tenir compte des effets de l'inflation et aux benefices exprimes a la valeur d'origine et 2) la valeur des donnees selon la Norme no 33 dans la prevision, un exercice a l'avance, du rendement de titres par comparaison au modele traditionnel du cout d'origine. Le test d'association mene a des resultats mixtes et non concluants. Le test de la valeur de prediction indique que plusieurs mesures des benefices ajustees pour tenir compte des effets de l'inflation sont superieures a la mesure des benefices au cout d'origine pour 1981 et 1982. Ces derniers resultats n'ont pas ete sensibles a la forme de la fonction de perte de l'utilisateur, a la taille de l'echantillon et au type d'echantillon. Ces resultats donnent a penser que la decision recente du FASB de rendre facultative l'application de la Norme no33 en matiere de publication d'information etait prematuree.
Lung Tumorigenesis Suppressing Effects of a Commercial Kava Extract and Its Selected Compounds in A/J Mice

Lung cancer is the most deadly malignancy in the US. Chemoprevention is potentially a complementary approach to smoking cessation for lung cancer control. Recently, we reported that a commercially available form of kava extract significantly inhibits 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice at a dose of 10 mg per gram diet. In the present study, we examined the dose-dependent lung tumor inhibitory activities of kava and investigated potential active constituent(s). Mice treated with carcinogen alone contained 12.1±5.8 lung adenomas per mouse 22 weeks after final carcinogen administration. Mice that were fed diets containing kava at dosages of 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/g of diet had 8.4±3.5, 6.6±3.5, 4.3±2.4, and 3.8±2.3 lung adenomas per mouse, respectively. This corresponds to a reduction of 31%, 46%, 65% and 69% in tumor multiplicity, which were all statistically significant (p < 0.05). Analyses of lung adenoma tissues derived from kava-treated animals revealed that kava significantly inhibited adenoma cell proliferation while it had no detectable effect on cell death, indicating that kava primarily suppressed lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice via inhibition of cell proliferation. Flavokawains A, B, and C, three chalcone-based components from kava, demonstrated greatly reduced chemopreventive efficacies even at concentrations much higher than their natural abundance, suggesting that they alone were unlikely to be responsible for kava's chemopreventive activity. Kava at all dosages and treatment regimens did not induce detectable adverse effects, particularly with respect to liver. Specifically, kava treatment showed no effect on liver integrity indicator enzymes or liver weight, indicating that kava may be potentially safe for long-term chemopreventive application.
Common and Unique Contributions of Decorin-Binding Proteins A and B to the Overall Virulence of Borrelia burgdorferi

As an extracellular bacterium, the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi resides primarily in the extracellular matrix and connective tissues and between host cells during mammalian infection, where decorin and glycosaminoglycans are abundantly found, so its interactions with these host ligands potentially affect various aspects of infection. Decorin-binding proteins (Dbps) A and B, encoded by a 2-gene operon, are outer surface lipoproteins with similar molecular weights and share approximately 40% identity, and both bind decorin and glycosaminoglycans. To investigate how DbpA and DbpB contribute differently to the overall virulence of B. burgdorferi, a dbpAB mutant was modified to overproduce the adhesins. Overproduction of either DbpA or DbpB resulted in restoration of the infectivity of the mutant to the control level, measured by 50% infectious dose (ID50), indicating that the two virulence factors are interchangeable in this regard. Overproduction of DbpA also allowed the mutant to disseminate to some but not all distal tissues slightly slower than the control, but the mutant with DbpB overproduction showed severely impaired dissemination to all tissues that were analyzed. The mutant with DbpA overproduction colonized all tissues, albeit generating bacterial loads significantly lower than the control in heart and joint, while the mutant overproducing DbpB remained severely defective in heart colonization and registered bacterial loads substantially lower than the control in joint. Taken together, the study indicated that DbpA and DbpB play a similar role in contribution to infectivity as measured by ID50 value but contribute differently to dissemination and tissue colonization.
Turing patterns with O(3) symmetry

Abstract We perform an explicit center manifold reduction for the general steady-state bifurcation of a chemical reaction–diffusion system in an arbitrary compact domain. In particular we focus on those systems with two chemical species in domains with O(3) symmetry. We illustrate with the Brusselator on the spherical shell and produce explicit computations of the solution branches and their stabilities for the low l bifurcations. Because of the phenomenon of parameter collapse we can create universal bifurcation diagrams for even l. This work is an extension of that done in [Physica D 132 (1999) 339–362].
Computer models of aerosol deposition in two human tracheobronchial geometries.

Abstract Two different tracheobronchial (TB) morphologies are compared for suitability of representing the human when assessing the fate of inhaled particulate matter. Aerosol behavior within the branching networks is described by theoretical deposition probability equations. Computations using a symmetric TB morphology are in very good agreement with experimental measurements of aerosol deposition from inhalation exposure tests using human subjects. Computer model calculations using an asymmetric TB pattern consistently estimate lower doses delivered to human airways. Findings suggest the symmetric TB morphology computer model may be used as an aid in aerosol therapy by identifying the effects of patient breathing rates and medicinal aerosol sizes upon the dispersion of therapeutic agents within the respiratory tract.
Motor-sensory feedback and geometry of visual space: an attempted replication

This study involved a partial replication of an experiment performed by Held & Rekosh (1963) on the relation between prism-induced changes in visuomotor feedback and shifts in the perception of straightness. The Held & Rekosh study is important because its methodology makes it possible to clearly separate changes in perception due to visuomotor feedback from those due to other perceptual factors. Thus it bears unambiguously on the hypothesis that the neurological processing of sensory input is dependent on the organization of motor activity. The present paper consists of a brief review of theory and experiment on sensorimotor phenomena in perception, followed by a detailed consideration of the Held & Rekosh study and the present replication. For greater effectiveness, Held & Rekosh should have used base-up and base-down prism orientations rather than the base-left and base-right orientations that they employed, but in any case our replication yielded negative results for both base-up and base-right. It is concluded that, given the minimally effective prism orientation and the attentional loads characterizing the Held & Rekosh study, there is need for further experimentation with these two variables. A more drastic suggestion is that there may be a need to confront anew the evidence for sensorimotor processes in perception.
Signal excited-state absorption in the L-band EDFA: Simulation and measurements

Signal excited-state absorption (ESA) influences the performance of erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) in the L band. The influence is twofold: 1) ESA is responsible for signal absorption, and thus for noise figure increase in the long wavelength range of the L band and 2) ESA decreases inversion of erbium ions, and as a result, amplifier gain is decreased. Two methods of signal ESA measurement are discussed. It is shown that reliable data can be obtained through measurement and later used for accurate simulation of amplifier performance.
Olmec Cave Paintings: Discovery from Guerrero, Mexico

A cave in Guerrero, Mexico, investigated in 1968, contained previously unreported Olmec paintings. These paintings, some of the oldest known in Mesoamerica, are stylistically similar to Olmec art from the site of LaVenta, on Mexico's Gulf Coast, but contain several important glyphic motifs never previously known to have existed at this time level. The iconography of the paintings confirms several important hypotheses concerning basic concepts of Olmec religion; the cave itself was probably a shrine to water and fertility. Several pre-Hispanic textile fragments found in the cave are probably from a later culture period.
Universal behaviour in families of area-preserving maps

Abstract We have investigated numerically the behaviour, as a perturbation parameter is varied, of periodic orbits of some reversible area-preserving maps of the plane. Typically, an initially stable periodic orbit loses its stability at some parameter value and gives birth to a stable orbit of twice the period. An infinite sequence of such bifurcations is accomplished in a finite parameter range. This period-doubling sequence has a universal limiting behaviour: the intervals in parameter between successive bifurcations tend to a geometric progression with a ratio of 1 δ = 1 8.721097200 …, and when examined in the proper coordinates, the pattern of periodic points reproduces itself, asymptotically, from one bifurcation to the next when the scale is expanded by α = −4.018076704… in one direction, and by β = 16.363896879… in another. Indeed, the whole map, including its dependence on the parameter, reproduces itself on squaring and rescaling by the three factors α, β and δ above. In the limit we obtain a universal one-parameter, area-preserving map of the plane. The period-doubling sequence is found to be connected with the destruction of closed invariant curves, leading to irregular motion almost everywhere in a neighbourhood.
Business Ethics and Religion: Religiosity as a Predictor of Ethical Awareness Among Students

We survey students at two Southern United States universities (one public and one private, religiously affiliated). Using a survey instrument that includes 25 vignettes, we test two important hypotheses: whether ethical attitudes are affected by religiosity (H1) and whether ethical attitudes are affected by courses in ethics, religion or theology (H2). Using a definition of religiosity based on behavior (church attendance), our results indicate that religiosity is a statistically significant predictor of responses in a number of ethical scenarios. In seven of the eight vignettes for which religiosity is significant, the effect is negative, implying that it reduces the “acceptability” of ethically-charged scenarios. Completion of ethics or religion classes, however, was a significant predictor of ethical attitudes in only two of the 25 vignettes (and in the expected direction). We also find that males and younger respondents appear to be more accepting of the ethically-questionable vignettes. We conclude that factors outside of the educational system may be more influential in shaping responses to ethical vignettes than are ethics and religion courses.
Antibiotic prophylaxis and routine management guidelines to minimize the occurrence of postoperative spinal infections

The Pre-Lister era of surgery in the mid 19th century was complicated by infection in over 90% of cases, the result of which often led to significant widespread morbidity and mortality known as “hospitalism.” Ironically, the “laudable pus” was often welcomed as a natural sign of the healing process before it inevitably signified the development of gangrene, tetanus, erysipelas, septicemia, and other dreaded lethal consequences. 1 The principles of antiseptic and aseptic surgery,setforthbyListerinhismanuscriptdated1867,“On the Antiseptic Principle in the Practice of Surgery,” were based on preliminary work from Pasteur who described a microbial source for disease. Some of the techniques that are attributed to Lister’s principles of antiseptic surgery include carbolic acid sprays, soaking of suture materials, and hand washing; use of these principles alone reduced infection rates to approximately 10%. 2
Characteristics of deep-well 4.8-μm emitting quantum-cascade lasers grown by MOCVD

In this work we present the characteristics of a novel type of quantum-cascade (QC) laser: the deep-well (DW) QC device, which, unlike conventional QC lasers, contains a superlattice of quantum wells and barriers of different composition, respectively. The fabrication of DW-QC devices is made possible by the use of metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), a crystal growth technique which allows one to easily vary the composition of wells and barriers within QC structures, thus providing significantly increased flexibility in optimizing the device design. We have designed such varying-composition QC structures to have deep quantum wells in and tall barriers in and around the active region. DW- QC laser structures have fabricated into 19 μm-wide ridges and 3 mm-long chips. Threshold-current densities as low as 1.5 kA/cm 2 are obtained at room temperature in the 4.6-4.8 μm wavelength region. In conventional QC lasers emitting in the 4.5-5.5μm range there is substantial thermionic carrier leakage from the upper laser level to the continuum, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the slope efficiency above 250 K, which is understandable given the relatively small (i.e., ~ 200 meV) energy differential, δE, between the upper lasing level and the top of the exit barrier. For the DW design carrier leakage is suppressed due to deep active wells and tall barriers, such that δE reaches values in excess of 400 meV. Preliminary results include a threshold-current characteristic temperature, T 0 , value of 218 K over the temperature range: 250- 340 K.
Multidimensional image quality measure using singular value decomposition

The important criteria used in subjective evaluation of distorted images include the amount of distortion, the type of distortion, and the distribution of error. An ideal image quality measure should therefore be able to mimic the human observer. We present a new image quality measure that can be used as a multidimensional or a scalar measure to predict the distortion introduced by a wide range of noise sources. Based on the Singular Value Decomposition, it reliably measures the distortion not only within a distortion type at different distortion levels but also across different distortion types. The measure was applied to Lena using six types of distortion (JPEG, JPEG 2000, Gaussian blur, Gaussian noise, sharpening and DC-shifting), each with five distortion levels.
Targeting miR-146a to Treat Delayed Wound Healing in Human Diabetic Organ-Cultured Corneas

Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC) residing at the corneal periphery are largely responsible for maintaining corneal optical transparency by continuously supplying new corneal epithelial cells, which mature during their radial migration to the central cornea. Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects all the structures of the eye including the cornea. Frequent epithelial erosions, delayed wound healing, and microbial infections are common alterations of the diabetic eye that can result in vision loss. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding oligonucleotides that regulate gene expression by repressing translation. Our purpose was to understand the role of miR-146a in the human limbal versus central corneal epithelial compartment in normal and pathological conditions such as diabetes mellitus. Using quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) we found miR-146a enrichment in the limbal corneal compartment. This miRNA was also expressed at higher levels in the diabetic vs. normal limbus. Cell migration and wound closure were significantly delayed in normal and diabetic primary limbal epithelial cells (LEC) transfected with miR-146a. Cells treated with miR-146a had decreased levels of phosphorylated (activated) p38 and EGFR, mediators of epithelial wound healing. Conversely, inhibition of miR-146a significantly enhanced cell migration in both normal and diabetic primary LEC and in diabetic organ-cultured corneas by nearly 40% vs. scrambled miRNA control, accompanied by increased phosphorylated signaling intermediates. Transfection of miR-146a in cultured LEC resulted in an increased immunoreactivity for putative LEC markers Frizzled-7 and K15, whereas inhibition of miR-146a decreased their expressions. These data suggest that miR-146a plays a role in LEC maintenance at the corneal periphery, and its expression is downregulated during their migration towards the central cornea and accompanying terminal differentiation. Furthermore, abnormal miR-146a upregulation may be an important mechanism of delayed wound healing in the diabetic cornea.