cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finite difference analysis of cylindrical two conductor microstrip transmission line with truncated dielectrics

Abstract The characteristics of the quasi-static TEM mode of a cylindrical microstrip transmission line are investigated using the finite difference technique. The transmission line consists of two perfectly conducting strips located between two different layers of dielectric materials, and a dielectric notch embedded in the substrate between two strips. The dielectric overlay and substrate are truncated for practical purposes. The formulation of the problem is based on the solution of Laplace's equation subject to appropriate boundary conditions and the use of Taylor's expansion to approximate the first and second order derivatives in Laplace's equation. To truncate the finite difference mesh, two artificial boundaries have been considered. The goal of this research is to study the effects of the parameters of the multi-layered cylindrical transmission line on the odd and even mode phase velocities, and to present several techniques to minimize the coupling and distortion between the two conductors.
Alloying at surfaces by the migration of reactive two-dimensional islands.

We have studied the formation kinetics of the copper-tin alloy bronze when tin is deposited on the (111) surface of copper at room temperature. Low-energy electron microscopy and atomic-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy reveal that bronze forms on the surface by a complicated, unanticipated cooperative mechanism: Ordered two-dimensional tin islands containing several hundred thousand atoms spontaneously sweep across the surface, leaving bronze alloys in their tracks. We propose that this process, driven by surface free energy, is a version of the “camphor dance” observed on liquid surfaces, and should be a general mechanism of surface alloying when surface diffusion is faster than exchange into the substrate.
Preparation of chiral annulated indenes derived from nopinone, verbenone and menthone

Abstract A three-step procedure for the synthesis of chiral annulated indenes is described in which nopinone, verbenone and menthone are converted to their enolate form, alkylated with 2-bromomethylbromobenzene, ring-closed with CrCl 2 /cat. NiCl 2 and dehydrated with catalytic acid.
Role of Derlin-1 Protein in Proteostasis Regulation of ATP-sensitive Potassium Channels

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels composed of sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) and Kir6.2 regulate insulin secretion by linking glucose metabolism with membrane potential. The number of KATP channels in the plasma membrane affects the sensitivity of β-cells to glucose. Aberrant surface channel expression leads to insulin secretion disease. Previously, we have shown that KATP channel proteins undergo endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, and inhibition of proteasome function results in an increase in channel surface expression. Here, we investigated whether Derlin-1, a protein involved in retrotranslocation of misfolded or misassembled proteins across the ER membrane for degradation by cytosolic proteasomes, plays a role in ERAD and, in turn, biogenesis efficiency of KATP channels. We show that both SUR1 and Kir6.2 form a complex with Derlin-1 and an associated AAA-ATPase, p97. Overexpression of Derlin-1 led to a decrease in the biogenesis efficiency and surface expression of KATP channels. Conversely, knockdown of Derlin-1 by RNA interference resulted in increased processing of SUR1 and a corresponding increase in surface expression of KATP channels. Importantly, knockdown of Derlin-1 increased the abundance of disease-causing misfolded SUR1 or Kir6.2 proteins and even partially rescued surface expression in a mutant channel. We conclude that Derlin-1, by being involved in ERAD of SUR1 and Kir6.2, has a role in modulating the biogenesis efficiency and surface expression of KATP channels. The results suggest that physiological or pathological changes in Derlin-1 expression levels may affect glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by altering surface expression of KATP channels.
Method for probing the microstructure of particle beds using infiltration behavior

Abstract An approach for investigating the microstructural features that govern the capillary-pressure driven infiltration of liquid within beds of particles has been developed. Simultaneous measurement of the rate of liquid mass uptake and the volume occupied by that liquid within the particle bed provides information about the fraction of pore volume that participates in liquid infiltration as well as the effective size of the geometric unit that governs infiltration kinetics. Experiments involving the infiltration of squalane within different grades of silica and titanium dioxide illustrate the technique. The method is sensitive enough to enable interpretation of how variations in the morphology of the particles comprising the bed, or small changes in packing density within the particle bed, can lead to large changes in infiltration behavior.
Fat embolism: Evolution of histopathological changes in the rat lung

The pathophysiology of Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES) is poorly understood and subject to some controversy. Evaluation of the evolution of histological changes in the lungs of patients with FES is impractical. The current theories of FES were established through acute clinical observations and acute animal experiments, but sequential changes in the histology of lungs over a prolonged period have not been made. The progressive effects of fat embolization of the lungs were examined in a rat model over a period of 11 days. Triolein, a major bone marrow fat, was administered to conscious Sprague-Dawley rats via the caudal vein. Rats were euthanized at 24, 48, 96 h, and 11 days, but some died within a few hours. Histomorphometric evaluations of lung tissue were made, including stains for fat, collagen, and smooth muscle actin. Arterial and arteriolar patency decreased progressively up to 96 h, but returned toward normal after 11 days. A striking finding was the very early presence of inflammation and fibrosis after only several hours, persisting up to 11 days. The results of this study provide evidence of both very early and prolonged changes due to fat embolization.
Laser interaction with pseudoblood clots

In recent years lasers have become a common tool for medical procedures. Lasers are typically used to deliver energy/power to a biological specimen to alter its characteristics, fuse tissue or destroy a particular structure. Under a Los Alamos CRADA, we have been working with a medical laser company and a laser medical center to study the laser interaction with pseudo-blood clots that are typical of those found in human coronary arteries. A 577-nm flash lamp pumped dye laser beam is pulsed through a 300- micron optical fiber to deliver the laser energy on the surface of a pseudo-clot material. The fiber and pseudo-clot are surrounded by water or x-ray contrast fluid transparent at 577 and 514 nm. The laser-pulse/clot interaction creates a bubble at the water-clot interface. The bubble expands out and collapses back on the pseudo-clot resulting part of the clot being removed. Using a backlight technique with an electronic framing camera we record the bubble growth, expansion, and collapse, and the debris generated by the interaction.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
STREPTOKINASE AND BUERGER'S DISEASE.

BUERGER originally described thromboangiitis obliterans as primarily a thrombotic process occurring in arteries and veins1 ; later he postulated that the thrombosis arose from an angiitis2. Impressed with the thrombotic aspects of the disease, our laboratory undertook an investigation of clot formation and dissolution in Buerger's disease. Clots obtained from patients diagnosed as suffering from Buerger's disease were exposed to varying concentrations of streptokinase (‘Varidase’; Lederle Laboratories) as were clots obtained from normal patients. While the blood clots obtained from normal patients were found to be resistant to high concentrations of streptokinase, similar concentrations of streptokinase completely dissolved the clots obtained from cases with thromboangiitis obliterans
Interactive Videoconferencing: Connecting Theory to Practice for Preservice Teachers.

The purpose of this work is to examine using interactive videoconferencing (IVC) to provide preservice teachers with a model of exemplary reading instruction to transfer their learning and implement effective reading instruction. The program was facilitated by university professors and carried out though frequent interactions between preservice teachers and a number of master teachers employed in public school classrooms. The programs success was based upon the extent to which IVC was considered helpful to preservice teachers attempting to link theory to practice. Data from this program evaluation suggest that, when using IVC technology to prepare new teachers to become more effective reading teachers, teacher candidates expressed improvements in both their ability to, and confidence for, providing better reading instruction. Based on this program evaluation, we the researchers postulate that IVC may be a powerful tool for helping prepare new teachers to meet the many challenges inherent in teachi...
Genetic Testing in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Syndromes: Mutation Types and Clinical Significance

Objective To determine the types of mutations and the clinical significance of a specific genotype in familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) syndromes. Design We retrospectively and prospectively studied patients with MTC at a tertiary referral center. Material and Methods The study cohort consisted of 348 affected patients and at-risk family members of MTC kindreds, including 33 multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIA (MEN IIA) kindreds with 165 members, 13 familial MTC alone (FMTC) kindreds (at least 4 affected members with MTC per kindred, without evidence of pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism) with 108 members, IS "other hereditary MTC" kindreds (2 or 3 affected members) with 42 members, and 33 individuals with sporadic MTC. An additional 53 subjects from the aforementioned MEN IIA kindreds who were clinically affected but not genetically tested were also included in an analysis of the relationship between genotype and phenotype. The presence of germline mutations in the RET protooncogene was studied by DNA sequence analysis of exons 10,11, and 13. Results Germline RET mutations in exons 10 and 11 were identified in 32 of 33 MEN IIA kindreds (97%), 10 of 13 FMTC kindreds (77%), and 10 of 15 "other hereditary MTC" kindreds (67%). No mutations were identified in exon 13. No patient with sporadic MTC had a germline mutation. In MEN IIA, codon 634 was affected in 73% of the kindreds, whereas in FMTC, the main affected codon was codon 618 (54%). In MEN IIA, patients with codon 634 mutations had a higher risk of having C-cell disease, pheochromocytoma, and hyperparathyroidism than did those with other mutations ( P P P Conclusion RET analysis is a reliable, practical, and cost-effective test in the screening of at-risk family members of MEN IIA and FMTC kindreds. In addition, RET analysis may be helpful in the follow-up of gene carriers and for the early detection of pheochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism in patients with codon 634 mutations.
A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life for Male Veterans with and without Intestinal Stomas

Intestinal stomas have a major impact on Cases’ lives. It is essential to better understand the areas in which interventions may help to minimize the negative consequences. This was a case-control survey study using validated instruments (City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy and Short Form 36 for Veterans). Cases were accrued from Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Tucson, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles. Eligibility included a major intra-abdominal surgical procedure that led to an ostomy (cases), or a similar procedure that did not mandate a stoma (controls). Analysis included quantitative and qualitative responses. The response rate was 48 percent (511/1063). Cases and controls had relatively similar demographic characteristics. Because of low numbers of female respondents (13 cases and 11 controls), only results for males are reported. Based on both the City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy and Short Form 36 for Veterans, cases reported significantly poorer scores on scales/domains reflecting psychologic and social functioning and well being. Additionally, cases reported poorer scores on Short Form 36 for Veterans scales reflecting physical functioning and significantly lower scores on multiple items in the social domain of the City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy compared with controls. Two-thirds of cases replied to an open-ended question on their “greatest challenge” related to their ostomy, which led to further clarification of major issues. Multiple health-related quality of life problems were reported by male veterans with intestinal stomas. The greatest differences between cases and controls were observed in the social and psychologic domains/scales. Findings from this study provide a greater understanding of the challenges faced by ostomates and will inform the development and evaluation of urgently needed intervention strategies.
Variant AE2 anion exchanger transcripts accumulate in multiple cell types in the chicken gastric epithelium.

Abstract Molecular analyses have resulted in the isolation of two chicken stomach AE2 anion exchanger cDNAs, AE2-1 and AE2-2. The 4.3-kilobase (kb) AE2-1 cDNA contains an open reading frame that encodes a predicted polypeptide of 135 kDa that is homologous to AE2 anion exchangers from other species. The partial 1.7-kb AE2-2 cDNA, which differs from the AE2-1 cDNA in two regions, would be predicted to encode an AE2 polypeptide with an alternative N-terminal cytoplasmic tail. Examination of the distribution of these variant transcripts has revealed that AE2 transcripts ranging in size from 4.4 to 7.3 kb accumulate in various adult tissues. However, in the stomach, the unique sequence at the 5′-end of AE2-1 is preferentially associated with transcripts that range in size from 4.5 to 4.9 kb, while the unique sequence at the 5′-end of AE2-2 is preferentially associated with the 7.3-kb AE2 RNA species. In situ hybridization analyses have further revealed that AE2 transcripts accumulate to very high levels within the acid-secreting epithelial cells of the profound gland in the stomach and, to a lesser extent, within the mucus-secreting cells of the superficial gland that line the stomach lumen. This result suggests that AE2 anion exchangers are involved in the regulation of intracellular pH in each of these gastric epithelial cell types.
Differences in metabolism of 5‐fluorouracil and 5‐fluorouridine and regulation by glucosamine in human colon cancer multicell tumor spheroids

Glucosamine (GlcN) modulates fluoropyrimidine metabolism and enhances cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouridine (FUrd), but not of 5-fluorouracil (FUra), in human tumor models. To elucidate the underlying metabolic differences between FUra and FUrd, by the use of 19F and 31P NMR spectroscopy we studied these drugs in multicell tumor spheroids (MTS) formed by human colon carcinoma cells HT-29. This experimental system allowed detailed kinetic measurements of anabolic intracellular phosphates and fluorophosphates over periods of up to 2 days. Time-dependent NMR data were reduced and interpreted by the use of nonlinear compartmental models which yielded numerical values for the empirical rate constants characterizing mass transfer among the compartments. An analysis of these rate constants indicated qualitative and quantitative differences in the metabolism of FUra and FUrd and in the effects of GlcN on these drugs. The enhanced generation of FUDP-hexoses was a predicted effect of GlcN, but inhibited formation of fluorouridine diphosphates and fluorouridine triphosphates in FUra-treated MTS, and the magnitude of stimulation of fluoropyrimidine incorporation into macromolecules in FUrd-treated MTS were not predicted. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influences of anatomical differences on gender-specific book-carrying behavior

Book-carrying styles of 1,133 school-age children (kindergarten through high school) were observed, and anatomical measurements (hips, waist, and underarm) of the space between the trunk and fall line of the arm in 735 of the students were recorded. With the exception of handedness, the results replicated those of earlier studies of sexual differences in bookcarrying styles and implicated the protrusion of female hips as instrumental in this phenomenon.
An Exploratory Analysis of Alendronate in Older Men with Low Glomerular Filtration Rate

AbstractBisphosphonates are not recommended for patients with a creatinine clearance less than 35 ml/minute, yet many individuals with osteoporosis have reduced renal function. We performed a retrospective case-control study to explore the effects of alendronate on bone mass in such individuals. Cases and controls had a mean glomerular filtration rate of 26 and 70 ml/minute, respectively, and mean age of 82 and 62 years, respectively. The change in bone mass at the spine, femur, and radius was similar between cases and controls (p > 0.05, all comparisons). A prospective clinical trial defining the role of bisphosphonate therapy among older individuals with renal disease is warranted.
Part description and segmentation using contour, surface, and volumetric primitives

In this paper we discuss the ongoing research on the problem of shape description, and decomposition of complex objects in range images. We propose a paradigm for part description and segmentation by integration of contour, surface, and volumetric primitives. Unlike previous approaches, we use geometric properties derived from both bpundary-based (surface contours and occluding contours), and primitive-based (biquadratc patches and superquadric models) representations to define and recover part-whole relationships, without a priori knowledge about the objects or the object domain. The descriptions thus obtained are independent of position, orientation, scale, domain and domain properties, and are based purely on geometric considerations. We pose the problem of integration in terms of evaluation of the intermediate descriptions and segmentation of the objects in a closed loop process. We present algorithms for superquadric edge detection and apparent contour generation. The criteria for the evaluation of the superquadric models is discussed and examples of real objects supporting our approach are presented.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On Most Permissive Observers in Dynamic Sensor Activation Problems

We consider the problem of dynamic sensor activation for fault diagnosis of discrete event systems modeled by finite state automata under the constraint that any fault must be diagnosed within no more than K + 1 events after its occurrence, a property called K-diagnosability. We begin by defining an appropriate notion of information state for the problem and defining dynamic versions of the projection operator and information state evolution. We continue by showing that the problem can be reduced to that of state disambiguation. Then we define the most permissive observer (MPO) structure that contains all the solutions to the problem, and we prove results showing that maintaining the K-diagnosability property is equivalent to satisfying the extended specification of the state disambiguation problem. We then prove a monotonicity property of the extended specification, and show that this allows us to reduce our information state, which in turn allows us to significantly reduce the complexity of our solution. Putting all of our results together, we obtain a MPO with a size complexity of O(2|X|(K+2)|X|2|E|), compared with O(2|X|2 ·K ·2|E|) for the previous approach, where X and E are, respectively, the sets of states and events of the automaton to diagnose. Finally, we provide an algorithm for constructing the most permissive observer and demonstrate its scalability through simulation.
An improved nonlocal Gurson model for plastic porous solids, with an application to the simulation of ductile rupture tests

Abstract In recent work, the author and co-workers have developed a new methodology to delocalize the damage in Gurson model for porous ductile materials. The motivation was to rectify the difficulties connected to the excessive damage smoothing arising in the practical use of the original damage delocalization method. The new approach consists of delocalizing the logarithm of the damage instead of the damage itself. The relevance of the new method to avoid mesh size effects and satisfactorily reproduce typical ductile fracture experiments are explored in this work.
Nontraditional Cytotoxic Therapies for Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease, with median survival rates of 4-6 years even with aggressive, high-dose chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, and intensive supportive care. Additionally, multiple myeloma is primarily a disease of the elderly, many of whom cannot tolerate aggressive chemotherapy. Thus, newer treatments with good safety profiles are needed to improve the quality of responses and, hopefully, to translate into prolonged progression and overall survival. The pathophysiology of multiple myeloma is complex, involving many pathways and interactions among cytokines, adhesion molecules, angiogenesis, and mechanisms of resistance, which, taken together, provide multiple targets for novel therapeutic modalities. Agents currently under investigation for treating multiple myeloma include thalidomide and its successors, PS-341, and arsenic trioxide. Thalidomide and immunomodulatory drugs both exhibit activity against multiple myeloma by affecting different levels of the immune system. PS-341 is a proteasome inhibitor that halts the cell cycle, resulting in apoptosis; it also inhibits a key transcription factor and may have antiangiogenic activity. Arsenic trioxide activates multicellular mechanisms to induce apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis, and stimulate immune responses. Preclinical and early clinical data suggest that combination regimens should be pursued, given the different mechanisms of action of these compounds on the immune system and their non-overlapping toxicities at low dosages.
High Rayleigh Number Thermal Convection in a Shallow Laterally Heated Cavity

The flow near the end of a shallow laterally heated cavity enters a nonlinear convective regime when the Rayleigh number R, based on cavity height, is of the same order of magnitude as the aspect ratio L (length/height). In the present work the asymptotic structure of the flow that develops in the limit as R/L $\rightarrow \infty $ is considered for the case where the horizontal surfaces of the cavity are thermally insulated. A model is discussed in which the formation of a vertical boundary layer on the end wall involves an unexpectedly large contribution to the local ambient temperature field. Expulsion of fluid from the base of the layer, and its subsequent return to the core through a horizontal boundary layer, maintains the necessary lateral heat transfer in the cavity. Implications of the model for the flow throughout the cavity are also discussed. The evolution of the end-zones leads to a change in the amplitude of the main Hadley circulation when R = O(L$^{\frac{12}{7}}$). Various properties of the solution for this new regime are determined, including the Nusselt number for the lateral heat transfer, which is found to be proportional to L$^{\frac{3}{7}}$. A comparison is made with both numerical and experimental results.
How and why the winner effect forms: influences of contest environment and species differences

Winning aggressive social encounters can enhance the probability of future victories. This so-called winner effect occurs in diverse species and is thought to be an intrinsic phenomenon mediated by postencounter hormone release. Yet, recent evidence suggests the possibility that certain extrinsic factors also influence the winner effect’s formation within an individual, possibly by affecting the expression of hormone titers that follow a fight. We first investigated in the monogamous and territorial male California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) whether the effect of residency, an extrinsic factor, influences the winner effect’s formation and the endogenous secretion of testosterone and/or progesterone after a dispute. We found that California mice that acquire winning experience in unfamiliar physical locations do not form a full winner effect. Furthermore, this species does not experience a testosterone pulse after a fight in an unfamiliar cage. These findings indicate that environmental context can mediate the winner effect’s formation, possibly by affecting the expression of postencounter testosterone pulses. Second, we compared the winner effect of the California mouse to that of the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), a close relative that is promiscuous and less-territorial. We found that, compared with California mice, white-footed mice exhibit neither a full winner effect, despite similar past winning experiences, nor a postencounter surge in testosterone. This finding suggests that these behavioral and physiological phenomena vary among even closely related species and are possibly linked to aspects of social biology, including the degree to which individuals of each species are territorial. Key words: aggression, Peromyscus, residency, social behavior, testosterone, winner effect. [Behav Ecol]
Effect of Plane of Nutrition on Adipose Tissue Lipid Metabolism in Genetically Obese and Lean Pigs

Genetically lean and obese pigs of 27 kg body weight were individually fed at varying levels of intake. During the first 5 weeks (period 1) the pigs on the high plane nutrition (H) gained 19 kg, those on the medium plane (M) gained 7 kg and those on the low plane (L) lost 5 kg. During the second 5 weeks (period 2) the M pigs gained an additional 7 kg (MM), whereas the period 1 H pigs were fed to lose 5 kg (HL) and the period 1 L pigs were fed to gain 19 kg (LH). All pigs were targeted to weigh 41 kg at the end of 10 weeks. Subcutaneous adipose tissue samples were obtained by biopsy from each pig on day 28 and day 63 of the experiment, i.e., after 4 weeks of feeding a particular level of intake in each period. In vitro glucose metabolism to CO2, total lipids and glyceride fatty acids as well as basal and epinephrine-stimulated lipolytic rates were assessed. Obese pigs had greater cell size and lipogenic and lipolytic rates than lean pigs. During both periods the glucose metabolism rates paralleled the plane of nutrition, i.e., the low intake level yielded low rates and the high intake level yielded high rates. The lipolytic activities were refractory to the plane of nutrition. Finally the less muscular, obese and more muscular, lean pigs presented similar qualitative metabolic responses to their planes of nutrition, although the quantitative responses were divergent.
CTH12-5: Acquisition Performance Comparison of Transmitted-Reference and Coherent UWB Receivers

Non-coherent transmitted reference (TR) scheme is a popular technique in ultra-wideband (UWB) communications. Comparisons of the TR receiver with the coherent UWB receiver have not yet been studied in terms of their acquisition performance. In this paper, the acquisition performance of coherent and TR receivers is analyzed over a common acquisition stage. Closed-form expressions of their average acquisition time (AAT) and false-alarm rate (FAR) are derived, which enables the AAT comparison under the same FAR threshold. Results show that the TR receiver has a better acquisition performance than the coherent receiver despite of its noisy template signal and energy loss on pilot signals.
Glutathione S-transferase T1 status and gastric cancer risk: a meta-analysis of the literature.

To clarify the risk of gastric cancer associated with glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) status, a meta-analysis of published studies was performed. Eligible studies included all reports investigating an association between GSTT1 status and gastric cancer published before October 31, 2005. A qualitative scoring of papers was applied to evaluate the quality of the published data. The principal outcome measure was the odds ratio (OR) for the risk of gastric cancer associated with GSTT1 deletion status using a random effects model. Eighteen case–control studies detailing a possible association between the GSTT1 null genotype and gastric cancer were selected. Combining data from these studies, totalling 2508 cases and 4634 controls, a nonstatistically significant OR for gastric cancer risk associated with GSTT1 deficiency emerged [OR 5 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97–1.21; I 2 5 0%]. When only highquality scored studies were considered, a statistically significant increased risk appeared (OR 5 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04–1.45; I 2 5 0%), as well as considering only Caucasians (OR 5 1.23; 95% CI: 1.03–1.56; I 2 5 0%). By pooling data from seven studies (319 cases and 656 controls) that considered combinations of GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes, a statistically significant increased risk for gastric cancer (OR 5 1.95, 95% CI: 1.42–2.67; I 2 5 0%) was detected for individuals with deletion mutations in both genes compared with wild-types. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that the GSTT1 null genotype may slightly increase the risk of gastric cancer and that interaction between unfavourable GST genotypes may exist. Greater attention should, therefore, be paid to the design of future studies; the investigation of interactions among multiple genotypes and environmental exposures are justified to clarify GSTT1 null status influence on gastric cancer risk.
An interpretation system for land register maps

A system for the automatic acquisition of land register maps is described. The system converts paper-based documents into digital form for integration into an existing database. Processing a map begins with its digitization by a scanning device. A key step in the system is the conversion from raster format to graph representation, a special binary image format suitable for processing line structures. Subsequent steps include vectorization of the line structures and recognition of the symbols interspersed in the drawing. The system requires operator interaction only to resolve ambiguities and correct errors in the automatic processes. The final result is a set of descriptors for all detected map entities, which is then stored in a database. It is shown that the image representation, vectorization techniques, and optical character recognition subsystem are quite general and that the methodology implemented in the system can be generalized to the acquisition of other classes of line drawings. >
Metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids by skin epidermal enzymes: generation of antiinflammatory and antiproliferative metabolites

In the skin epidermis, the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is highly active. Dietary deficiency of linoleic acid (LA), the major 18-carbon n-6 PUFA in normal epidermis, results in a characteristic scaly skin disorder and excessive epidermal water loss. Because of the inability of normal skin epidermis to desaturate LA to γ-linolenic acid, it is transformed by epidermal 15-lipoxygenase to mainly 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid, which functionally exerts antiproliferative properties in the tissue. In contrast, compared with LA, arachidonic acid (AA) is a relatively minor 20-carbon n-6 PUFA in the skin and is metabolized via the cyclooxygenase pathway, predominantly to the prostaglandins E 2 , F 2α , and D 2 . AA is also metabolized via the 15-lipoxygenase pathway, predominantly to 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. At low concentrations, the prostaglandins function to modulate normal skin physiologic processes, whereas at high concentrations they induce inflammatory processes. PUFAs derived from other dietary oils are also transformed mainly into monohydroxy fatty acids. For instance, epidermal 15-lipoxygenase transforms dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3n-6) to 15-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) to 15-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) to 17-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid, respectively. These monohydroxy acids exhibit antiinflammatory properties in vitro. Thus, supplementation of diets with appropriate purified vegetable oils, fish oil, or both may generate local cutaneous antiinflammatory and antiproliferative metabolites which could serve as less toxic in vivo monotherapies or as adjuncts to standard therapeutic regimens for the management of inflammatory skin disorders.
Organizational Change and Characteristics of Leadership Effectiveness

The existing literature suggests that numerous variables affect a leader's effectiveness. In this study, the authors examine behaviors associated with leadership effectiveness in driving change. Results indicate that specific leader behaviors—the ability to motivate, communicate, and build teams—are predictors of successful implementation of organizational change.
Invasive Activity of Allogromia Pseudopodial Networks: Skyllocytosis of a Gelatin/Agar Gel1

Time-lapse phase-contrast videomicroscopy revealed that the psudopodial network of two allogromiid foraminiferense display an invasive behaviour, previously undescribed, which I term Skyllocytosis (Greek: skylo—to rend, tear, pluck). When these networks encounter an interface between a gelatin/agar overlay and a glass substratum, portions of the overlay are penetrated and partly surrounded by reticulopodia. By the coordinated activity and contraction of these reticulopodia, small segments of the overlay are ripped away. Manageable portions of the overlay are subsequently transported towords the cell body. In carnivorous foraminifera skyllocytosis may account for the removal of soft, autolysed tissues from dead invertebrate prey.
X/X/Ka-band horn design

The NASA's Deep Space Network has a need for a multifrequency horn for simultaneous X/X/Ka-band operation in a beam waveguide antenna. The multifrequency horn will receive an X-band downlink (8.4-8.5 GHz) and a Ka-band downlink (31.8-32.3 GHz), and transmit an X-band uplink (7.145-7.235 GHz) signals simultaneously. The horn is designed for circularly polarized wave operation. Low loss (noise) and high power (up to 20 kilowatts) operation are considered in the horn design.
Hazards, critical races, and metastability

The various modes of failure of asynchronous sequential logic circuits due to timing problems are considered. These are hazards, critical races and metastable states. It is shown that there is a mechanism common to all forms of hazards and to metastable states. A similar mechanism, with added complications, is shown to characterize critical races. Means for defeating various types of hazards and critical races through the use of one-sided delay constraints are introduced. A method is described for determining from a flow table situations in which metastable states may be entered. A circuit technique is presented for extending a previously known technique for defeating metastability problems in self-timed systems. It is shown that the use of simulation for verifying the correctness of a circuit with given bounds on the branch delays cannot be relied upon to expose all timing problems. An example is presented that refutes a plausible conjecture that replacing pure delays with inertial delays can never introduce, but only eliminate glitches. >
Phylogenetic and experimental tests of interactions among mutualistic plant defense traits in Viburnum (adoxaceae).

Plant traits that mediate mutualistic interactions are widespread, yet few studies have linked their macroevolutionary pat- terns with the ecological interactions they mediate. Here we merged phylogenetic and experimental approaches to investigate the evolu- tion of two common mutualistic plant traits, extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) and leaf domatia. By using the flowering plant clade Vibur- num, we tested whether macroevolutionary patterns support adaptive hypotheses and conducted field surveys and manipulative experi- ments to examine whether ecological interactions are concordant with evolutionary predictions. Phylogenetic reconstructions sug- gested that EFN-bearing species are monophyletic, whereas the evo- lution of domatia correlated with leaf production strategy (deciduous or evergreen) and climate. Domatia were also more common in the EFN clade, suggesting that the two traits may jointly mediate eco- logical interactions. This result was further investigated in a com- mon-garden survey, where plants with domatia and EFNs on the leaf blade had more mutualistic mites than plants with other trait com- binations, and in manipulative field experiments, where the traits additively increased mutualist abundance. Taken together, our results suggest that mutualistic traits in Viburnum are not ecologically in- dependent, as they work in concert to attract and retain mutualists, and their long-term evolution may be influenced by complex inter- actions among multiple traits, mutualists, and geography.
Full-field measurements of particle size distributions: I. theoretical limitations of the polarization ratio method

Detailed theoretical and experimental studies of the polarization ratio technique have been completed to ascertain its sensitivity and accuracy with regard to sizing of discrete particle distributions. A novel broadband technique was developed for sizing individual particles (particles with diameters exceeding 10 μm) as well as local averages in two-phase flows of moderate number densities (103–104/cm3). The technique uses an imaging configuration such that all particles in a plane can be simultaneously sized. This paper reviews the theory and presents several calculations that demonstrate the sensitivity and accuracy of the technique as a function of particle size, refractive index, local number density, and local size distribution. Part II will compare experimental results of the broadband polarization ratio technique with those of a technique based on scattered intensities.
Stress-induced smectite dehydration: ramifications for patterns of freshening and fluid expulsion in the N. Barbados accretionary wedge

Abstract Presented is new experimental evidence that smectites can partially dehydrate from 18.5 A to 15.4 A hydrates when they are subjected to effective mineral framework stresses above 1.3 ± 0.3 MPa. We show here that this process can substantially freshen saline pore fluids and impact our understanding of the hydrogeologic processes in convergent margins where smectites are abundant. The general anomalous freshening of pore fluids in the N. Barbados accretionary wedge was previously proposed to relate to the widespread lateral expulsion of fluids derived from mineral dehydration reactions at great depth. In contrast, our analysis suggests that a significant part of the widespread anomalous freshening relates to stress-induced smectite dehydration that occurred during the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) pore water extraction process. Clear evidence for long-distance lateral flow appears to be limited to localized chloride and isotopic anomalies developed in a 20 m thick, locally mineralized region at the top of decollement horizon at Site 948. Our reinterpretation is consistent with the fluid flow in the decollement zone being (1) highly transient on time scales of several hundreds of years, and (2) channeled laterally into heterogeneous finger-like flow paths that are apparently not intersected, and/or sampled by drilling in most regions at the toe of the wedge. The incipient stress-induced dehydration of smectite may also be buffering in situ fluid pressures in the wedge, maintaining the effective stresses at ˜1.3 MPa.
African Americans and the Struggle for Opportunity in Florida Public Higher Education, 1947–1977

In the decades following World War II, access to higher education became an important vehicle for expanding opportunity in the United States. The African American-led Civil Rights Movement challenged discrimination in higher education at a time when state and federal government leaders saw strengthening public higher education as necessary for future economic growth and development. Nationally, the 1947 President's Commission on Higher Education report Higher Education for American Democracy advocated dismantling racial, geographic, and economic barriers to college by radically expanding public higher education, to be accomplished in large part through the development of community colleges. Although these goals were widely embraced across the country, in the South, white leaders rejected the idea that racial segregation stood in the way of progress. During the decades following World War II, white southern educational and political leaders resisted attempts by civil rights organizations to include desegregation as part of the expansion of public higher education.
Early results of stent-grafting to treat diffuse aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Abstract Introduction Diffuse aortoiliac occlusive disease or isolated external iliac artery occlusion ≥10 cm long typically are treated with surgical bypass grafting because of limited durability of stent placement. We evaluated the results of stent-graft placement as an option for treatment of these diseases. Methods Demographic data for patients undergoing stent-grafting in one or more iliac artery segments were recorded. Technical, clinical, and hemodynamic success, and aortoiliac primary and secondary patency were analyzed with Society for Vascular Surgery/American Association for Vascular Surgery criteria. Results Thirty-four consecutive patients underwent stent-graft treatment because of rest pain (65%) or tissue loss (35%). Mean patient age was 63 years, and 38% of patients were women. Ninety-one percent of patients had hypertension, 71% had coronary artery disease, 21% had renal insufficiency (serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL), and 26% had diabetes; 71% were active smokers. TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus C or D disease was present in 85% of patients, complete common or external iliac artery occlusion was present in 41%, and external iliac artery disease requiring treatment was present in 94% of patients. Mean lesion length was 13.7 ± 8 cm. Technical, hemodynamic, and clinical success was achieved in all patients in whom the lesion could be crossed with a wire. Ankle-brachial index increased from .30 ± .03 to .59 ± .04. Self-expanding stent grafts were used (Wallgraft, Boston Scientific, Boston, Mass, in 88% of patients; Viabahn, W. L. Gore, Flagstaff, Ariz, in 12% of patients). Concomitant common femoral endarterectomy was performed in 53% of patients. At 12 months, primary patency was 70% and primary assisted patency was 88%. Four stent grafts became occluded because of distal external iliac artery or proximal common femoral artery disease, which required subsequent common femoral endarterectomy and either external iliac artery stent grafting or extraanatomic bypass grafting. Eighty percent (four of five) of primary patency failures were in patients who did not undergo concomitant common femoral endarterectomy at initial stent graft placement. Conclusion Early results of stent-graft placement to treat diffuse aortoiliac occlusive disease appear better than our recent experience with stenting alone. Concomitant common femoral endarterectomy or better assessment of femoral disease may improve durability.
Calculating PMD statistics and outage probabilities with importance sampling

This paper describes the application of importance sampling to Monte-Carlo simulations of polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) in optical fibers. We have shown that importance sampling biases Monte-Carlo simulations of concatenated birefringent sections so that large first-and/or second-order PMD values occur more frequently than they would normally. The method also allows the effect of PMD on system outage probabilities to be assessed at realistic levels. PMD can be a major impairment in optical transmission systems. To first order in frequency, PMD splits a pulse between the fast and slow fiber axes; at the same time, higher-order PMD induces depolarization and polarization-dependent chromatic dispersion. We have shown that importance sampling biases Monte-Carlo simulations of concatenated birefringent sections so that large first-and/or second-order PMD values occur more frequently than they would normally. Importance-sampled Monte-Carlo techniques thus provide a natural and effective tool to assess PMD statistics and PMD-induced impairments in optical transmission systems at realistic probability levels.
FIELD METHOD FOR ESTIMATING NITRATE, PHOSPHATE, AND POTASSIUM IN PLANTS.

Work on tomato and lettuce plants (2) indicates that the percentage of a plant-food element in the mature conducting tissue of a plant is a better index of the adequacy of the soil in supplying this element to the plant than is the percentage of the element found in the soil. Therefore quick tests for approximating the percentages of nitrate, phosphate, and potassium in mature plant tissue, in the field, should have practical value in supplying information to guide the application of fertilizers, either to the growing crop or for the benefit of a crop to follow. The procedures described in this paper, which are adaptations of good laboratory procedures, seem to be satisfactory for the purpose indicated. The field pack should be as follows : For preparing the plant extract. A small hand balance and 5 gm. weight; a 10 cc. graduate; two small mortars and pestles; 11 cm. no. 1 Whatman filter-papers; test-tubes (3|"x|" is a convenient size); a testtube rack ; a dipper to measure 0.5 gm. of charcoal ; a 1 cc. pipette graduated in tenths of a cc. ; glacial acetic acid ; phosphate-free charcoal (3) ; tap water (distilled water is best if available). Besides these, calcium hydroxide and a 10 per cent, solution of copper sulphate (4) may be needed for some tissues.
Drag reduction in flow: Review of applications, mechanism and prediction

Abstract Drag reduction (DR) agents are used at very low concentrations to accelerate significantly the flow in oil pipeline conduits, oil well operations, flood water disposal, fire fighting, field irrigation, transport of suspensions and slurries, sewer systems, water heating and cooling systems, airplane tank filling, marine systems, and biomedical systems including blood flow. DR agents are typically high molecular mass polymers; this review discusses a mechanism explaining how DR occurs using such agents. All pertinent experimental findings are challenged with that mechanism and all are shown to support it. In industrial applications DR agents undergo mechanical degradation in turbulent flow. An equation predicting the degradation as a function of time is presented and successfully confronted with experimental data. Experimental methods of determination of DR are outlined. Finally a connection between DR and flocculation is discussed.