cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
I Can See Clearly Now The Kuona Process—A Teaching Strategy for Liberation

This article is a beginning dialogue on the kuona process of teaching skill development. This process teaches conceptualization from a cultural, political, spiritual, and liberating perspective, a perspective that is rooted in the African culture. Kuona, a Swahili word, means to perceive beyond what is apparent. The kuona process is designed to foster self-reliance and self-determination for the purpose of social change in African American participants. When this liberating process is used consciously, it can change a participant’s perception of what can and cannot be accomplished in transforming self, others, and institutions. This article focuses on the process of conceptualization from a traditional and a liberating perspective, the formation of the kuona process, facilitating the process, philosophical assumptions of the process, and major components of the process.
Constriction ring syndrome—Unusual case report

This report describes the case of a newborn with a constriction ring encircled by a fibrous band on the thumb.
Facile synthesis and anti-tumor cell activity of Se-containing nucleosides.

Many organic compounds containing selenium have shown anticancer effects and some have been used in chemoprevention of cancers and other diseases. Though Se-containing amino acids are generally used for these purposes, the natural nucleosides may also be used as Se-carriers for these important applications. Therefore, we describe here the convenient synthesis of the new 3′-MeSe-thymidine nucleoside and the other uridine and thymidine derivatives modified with MeSe at the 2′ and 5′ positions, and report their anti-tumor activity against prostate cancer cell lines. Our work demonstrates for the first time anticancer activity of the methylseleno nucleosides.
Interactions of Indoleacetic Acid and Gibberellic Acid in Leaf Abscission Control

Debladed midribs of citrus leaves showed the typical delay of abscission in response to indoleacetic acid (IAA), and the typical acceleration of abscission in response to gibberellic acid (GA). Interaction experiments with these 2 hormones indicated that the balance of the 2 hormones may be more important in regulating abscission than the quantity of either. The often reported acceleration of abscission with low quantities of IAA did not seem to exist in citrus. IAA did accelerate abscission in this tissue when its application was delayed for at least 24 hours after deblading, which suggests the 2-stage effect is also present in citrus.When abscission was first delayed with IAA and then allowed to continue, the rate of abscission proceeded at a slower rate than was typical for this tissue. This slower rate was also typical of the effect observed when GA overcame the abscission retarding effect of IAA. The phenylurethane, Barban, blocked the GA acceleration of abscission, but it did not affect the rate of abscission of control or IAA treated midribs.
Prediction in Dynamic Environments for Autonomous On-Road Driving

We have developed PRIDE (Prediction In Dynamic Environments), a hierarchical multi-resolutional framework for moving object prediction that incorporates multiple prediction algorithms into a single, unifying framework. PRIDE incorpo-rates a long-term (LT) prediction approach based on situation recognition and a short-term (ST) prediction approach based on vehicle models. These two approaches provide for the prediction of the future location of moving objects at various levels of resolution at the frequency and level of abstraction necessary for planners at different levels within the hierarchy using sensory data. In this paper, we demonstrate the ability to use the results of the short-term prediction algorithms to strengthen/weaken the estimates of the long-term prediction algorithms via experimental results. We provide experimental results in an autonomous on-road driving scenario using AutoSim1, a high-fidelity simulation tool that models details about road networks, including individual lanes, lane markings, intersections, legal intersection traversability, etc.
In situ modification of polynucleotide films for infrared study

Abstract Films of DNA may be chemically modified by immersing them into water-ethanol solutions of low molecular weight reactants. With LiCl, MgCl 2 , CaCl 2 , MnCl 2 and ZnCl 2 cation exchange occurs, whereas, CuCl 2 , LiOH and HCl bring about denaturation. The occurring changes are easily monitored by infrared spectroscopy.
“Chitin Leash”: a polysaccharide heterobifunctional cross-linking agent which can be cleaved by lysozyme

Abstract 6- O -[(2-Hydroxyethyl)poly(2-oxyethyl)]chitosan (“glycolchitosan”) was oxidatively cleaved with nitrous acid and then partly acetylated with acetic anhydride, reacted with bromoacetyl- N -hydroxysuccinimide, and reacted further with acetic anhydride. Conditions were selected, including fractionation by size-exclusion chromatography, so that the resulting “Chitin Leash” had an estimated, average molecular weight of 10 000 (dextran standards)_, corresponding to a length of ≈ 40 sugar residues. It possessed 0.9 terminal aldehyde and 2.6 random (presumably) side-chain bromoacetyl reactive groups per chain (average values). As a model system, the Chitin Leash was used to crosslink staphylococcal nuclease (SNase) to ribonuclease A (RNase) with retention of 75 and 78%, respectively, of the starting enzyme activities. For this coupling, the Nase was first converted to a sulfhydryl SNase derivative which retained 74% of the activity of staring enzyme. The yields in this synthesis were: 13% Chitin Leash from glycolchitosan, 24% Chitin Leash-RNase from Chitin Leash and 45% SNase-Chitin Leash-RNase from the latter conjugate. The ratio of SNase to RNase in this conjugate was 1.0:0.94. In a second preparation, in which [ 14 C]acetic anydride was used, a longer reaction time was employed for the coupling of Chitin Leash to RNase. This gave a 1.0:1.8:0.95 molar ratio of Nase: [ 14 C]Chitin Leash: RNase, revealing multiple attachment of the [ 14 C]Chitin Leash to RNase. The activity of the RNase in the final conjuagte was 20%. The latter conjuagte was ≈70° hydrolyzed by diaminooctyl-succinyl-lysozyme, disconnecting the two enzymes while not affecting their activities.
Polarized view of the top asymmetry

Recent experimental results from the CDF collaboration which study the top forward-backward asymmetry have strengthened the case that new physics is playing a role in $t\overline{t}$ production. Here, we propose a set of measurements, built from the charged lepton kinematics in semileptonic and fully leptonic $t\overline{t}$ events, designed to further probe the underlying causes of this asymmetry both at the Tevatron and at the LHC. Using a set of conservative reference models, we find that measurements of the charged lepton asymmetry, top polarization, and $t\overline{t}$ spin correlation can establish the existence of new physics and distinguish between competing models both at the Tevatron and the LHC. At the Tevatron, discrimination between models is possible at the $3\ensuremath{\sigma}$ level. At the LHC, we demonstrate that a top forward-backward asymmetry can be established at $\ensuremath{\gtrsim}3\ensuremath{\sigma}$ in the first $\ensuremath{\sim}5\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ of data and show how competing explanations can be further disentangled.
Numerical Boundary Conditions for Viscous Flow Problems

A method for treating certain troublesome boundary conditions in the numerical solution of time-dependent incompressible viscous flow problems is presented. This method is developed on the basis of an integral representation for the velocity vector which contains the entire kinematics of the problem, including the boundary conditions of concern. It is shown that for the exterior flow problem the freestream condition is satisfied at infinity exactly, and the need to treat a farfield condition is removed by the use of the integral representation. The distribution of a nonvelocity variable on the solid boundary, i.e., the "extraneous" boundary condition needed for both the exterior and the interior flows, are shown to be governed by the kinematics of the problem. The method is shown to accurately follow the local generation of vorticity on the solid boundary computationally.
Fundamentals of service science

Service systems are value-co-creation configurations of people, technology, value propositionsconnecting internal and external service systems, and shared information (e.g., language, laws, measures, and methods). Service science is the study of service systems, aiming to create a basis for systematicservice innovation. Service science combines organization and human understanding with business andtechnological understanding to categorize and explain the many types of service systems that exist as wellas how service systems interact and evolve to co-create value. The goal is to apply scientific understandingto advance our ability to design, improve, and scale service systems. To make progress, we think servicedominantlogic provides just the right perspective, vocabulary, and assumptions on which to build a theory ofservice systems, their configurations, and their modes of interaction. Simply put, service-dominant logicmay be the philosophical foundation of service science, and the service system may be its basic theoreticalconstruct.
Numerical simulation of flow through scramjet inlets using a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code

A three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes code has been used to numerically analyze flow through a two-strut, supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) inlet configuration. It solves the governing equations in full conservation form using either the fully explicit or explicit-implicit method due to MacCormack. An algebraic two-layer eddy viscosity model is used for turbulent flow calculations. The analysis allows inclusion of end effects which are caused by the aft placement of the cowl on the underside of the inlet. A special grid has been developed to accommodate the struts embedded in the inlet flow field. Detailed numerical results are presented here for the two-strut configuration, and a comparison is made with the available experimental results.
Initial beam size study for passive scatter proton therapy. II. Changes in delivered depth dose profiles

In passively scattered proton radiotherapy, a clinically useful treatment beam is produced by spreading a small proton "pencil beam" extracted from the accelerator to create both a uniform dose profile laterally and a uniform spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) in depth. Lateral spreading and range modulation of the beam are accomplished using specially designed components within the treatment delivery nozzle. The purpose of this study was to determine how changes in the size of the initial proton pencil beam affect the delivery of dose with a passive scatter treatment nozzle. Monte Carlo calculations were used to study changes of the beam's in-air energy distribution at the exit of the nozzle and the central axis depth dose profiles in water resulting from changes in the incident beam size. Our results indicate that the width of the delivered SOBP decreases as the size of the initial beam increases.
Formulation of a protein with propellant HFA 134a for aerosol delivery

The purpose of this study was to investigate the formulation and delivery of a protein in a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) containing HFA 134a as the propellant for aerosol delivery. Ethanol and surfactants, including polyoxyethylene 10 oleyl ether (Brij 97), polyoxyethylene 20 oleyl ether (Brij 98), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) and Aerosol OT (AOT), were investigated as formulation adjuvants to improve the dose delivery characteristics of the model protein (bovine serum albumin) containing pMDI formulations. The aqueous solution of a surfactant and protein was lyophilized to obtain a solid carrier system of the protein. Readily dispersible suspensions were obtained by suspending this solid carrier system in HFA 134a with ethanol as a dispersing aid. The formulations containing Tween 80 resulted in the highest respirable fraction. This study suggested a potential formulation containing a lyophilized complex of surfactant and protein readily dispersible in HFA 134a for delivering a therapeutic protein to the respiratory tract by inhalation.
Annexin VI isoforms are differentially expressed in mammalian tissues

Abstract Purified annexin VI migrates as a closely spaced doublet when separated by SDS-PAGE. Immunolocalization of annexin VI in heart demonstrates staining at different defined subcellular compartments. Moss et al. [1] identified two cDNAs, one having an insert of 18 bases encoding VAAEIL at the beginning of repeat domain seven. We have identified the splicing site of the murine annexin VI gene. It contains a single small exon of 18 bases. PCR amplification of reverse transcribed (RT) mRNA demonstrates that, in all tissues tested, the mRNA isoform containing the insert is predominant. Site-directed antibody was produced and affinity purified against peptides reflecting the insert and deletion sequences. The steady-state isoform ratio of the annexin VI protein is consistent with the RT-PCR data. Chromatographic experiments demonstrate that the annexin VI protein isoforms have biochemical differences. These differences may target the individual isoforms to unique cellular compartments or alter functional properties.
Activity-Dependent Energy Metabolism in Rat Posterior Pituitary Primarily Reflects Sodium Pump Activity

Sokoloff later noted, "This report provides evidence that the increase in glucose utilization evoked by functional activation in neural tissue is due to the opening of Na+ channels and activation of Na+, K+ -ATPase activity."
The temperature dependence in the hydraulic conductivity, Lp, of the mouse sperm plasma membrane shows a discontinuity between 4 and 0 degrees C.

Cryopreservation of sperm from transgenic mice would make possible the economical perpetuation of these genetic models. In order to design a protocol for this process, it was first necessary to determine the hydraulic conductivity, Lp, or water permeability, of the plasma membrane as a function of temperature to calculate its activation energy, Ea. This was done with sperm from the caudae epididymides of CD-1 mice, using the hyposmotic cell lysis method, in which the critical osmolality, Osmcrit, defined as the osmolality at which 50% of the cells lyse, was first determined, and then the time, t, to lysis of 50% of the cells in a medium of Osm < Osmcrit was obtained. Values (mean +/- SEM, n = 10) of Osmcrit at 37, 22, 4, and 0 degrees C were 32.1 +/- 2.7, 33.7 +/- 4.1, 30.8 +/- 3.4, and 101.0 +/- 10.8 mOsm, and of t in 17 mOsm medium were 40.6 +/- 2.4, 33.8 +/- 5.7, 25.0 +/- 4.4, and 4.7 +/- 1.2 s, respectively. Values of Lp were calculated from Osmcrit and t by two different algorithms, one based on the high-amplitude swelling model used with sperm from other mammalian species and the other based on a low-amplitude swelling model. Values of Lp in micron.min-1.atm-1 from the high-amplitude swelling model at 37, 22, 4, and 0 degrees C were 1.41 +/- 0.08, 1.88 +/- 0.35, 2.12 +/- 0.19, and 1.13 +/- 0.1, respectively. From the low-amplitude swelling model, the Lp values were 0.025 +/- 0.001, 0.040 +/- 0.008, 0.082 +/- 0.029, and 1.66 +/- 0.23. Examination of mouse sperm in hyposmotic media by microscopy revealed little swelling of the cells, indicating that the low-amplitude swelling model may be the one more applicable to these cells. The temperature dependence, and hence Ea, of Lp shows a marked discontinuity between 4 and 0 degrees C with values calculated from either model. This suggests a membrane phase transition to a more brittle structure in this temperature range, consistent with the observed marked increase in Osmcrit (P < 0.0003) and decrease in t (P < 0.0001) at 0 degrees C compared to the other temperatures. In the presence of 1 M glycerol, there was no discontinuity between 4 and 0 degrees C in the values of Osmcrit, consistent with the ability of glycerol to fluidize the membrane. Low hydraulic conductivity and low-temperature embrittlement of the plasma membrane are proposed as two factors leading to mouse sperm hypersensitivity to cryodamage.
Strain of laser annealed silicon surfaces

High resolution Raman scattering measurements have been carried out on pulse and continuous‐wave laser annealed silicon samples with various surface preparations. These included polished and ion‐bombarded wafers, and saw‐cut crystals. The pulse annealing treatments were carried out in ultrahigh vacuum and in air. The residual strain was inferred from the frequency shift of the first‐order Raman active mode of Si, and was detectable in the range 10−2–10−3 in all except the polished samples.
The utility of fetal renal pelvis dilation in distinguishing between obstructive and nonobstructive postnatal hydronephrosis

BETWEEN OBSTRUCTIVE AND NONOBSTRUCTIVE POSTNATAL HYDRONEPHROSIS JEFFREY M. DICKE, DOUGLAS COPLEN, Washington University in St. Louis, Obstetrics & Gynecology, St. Louis, MO OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of current thresholds for fetal renal pelvis dilation (RPD) in identifying significant postnatal urinary tract obstruction. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected measurements of fetal RPD. The entire study population consists of 287 fetuses who underwent ultrasound (U/S) examination in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with isolated RPD of $4 mm at 33 wks and known postnatal follow-up at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. All cases had postnatal U/S and evaluation by Ped Urology. RESULTS: Postnatal diagnoses included nonobstructive hydronephrosis (NOH) (40%), ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) (19%), megaureter (9%), reflux (7%),multicystic dysplastic kidney (7%), ureterocele (7%), normal (NL) (5%), and other (7%). One-way ANOVA indicated no difference in fetuses with normal postnatal ultrasound and those with NOH, defined as RPD that resolved or did not progress and did not require surgery. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed comparing the maximum RPD in the NL/NOH (n = 128) group and the UPJO group (n = 53). ROC analysis revealed that the renal pelvis diameter that correctly classified the highest percentage (85%) of fetuses with respect to obstructive or nonobstructive postnatal hydronephrosis was 17 mm, with a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 91%. Area under the ROC curve equals 0.859 with a standard error of 0.032 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.795 to 0.923. CONCLUSION: The current threshold for fetal pathologic RPD utilized at this institution was devised to ensure 100% sensitivity with less regard for specificity. When fetal RPD is associated with 100% sensitivity for detection of postnatal obstructive hydronephrosis, the false-positive rate is >90%. If maximum sensitivity is desired, consideration should be given to a single postnatal U/S rather than serial prenatal U/Ss in cases of mild ( < 10 mm) RPD.
A coordinate transfer of anatomical information from CT to treatment simulation.

Abstract Use of CT in treatment planning requires that the anatomical information obtained from the CT scans can be transferred accurately to the treatment geometry. We have developed a technique which transfers the Or data to the simulation data and vice versa. The method uses skin marks and digital radiographs reconstructed from CT scans to reproduce the patient's position. The technique has been studied with a special phantom. Based on 10 phantom set-ups, CT coordinates can be transferred to simulation coordinates with a standard deviation of 0.25 cm. This method has been applied on a number of clinical cases that involve different disease sites. For these cases, comparisons of set-up films taken at the simulator and the digital radiographs reconstructed from CT data indicate that patient position can be reproduced to within 0.5 cm.
Non-shivering thermogenesis and obesity in adult diabetic wistar fatty rats

Abstract 1. 1. Characteristics of resting and of norepinephrine (NE)-stimulated thermogenesis, and the glycemic response to NE were determined in adult male Wistar Fatty rats. Rats were maintained on Purina chow No. 5001 until 22 weeks of age, and fed semisynthetic diets containing 54% carbohydrate, 20% protein, 16% mixed fats, plus essential vitamins, minerals, and non-nutritive fiber from 22 until 30 weeks of age. 2. 2. Obese rats were 50% heavier than lean throughout the study. Phenotype effects (obese > lean) were present for retroperitoneal (RP) and dorsal (DOR) white fat depot weight, adipocyte number per depot, and adipocyte lipid content. Epididymal mass and cellularity were similar in both phenotypes. 3. 3. Interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) mass, adipocyte size, and adipocyte number were greater in obese than in lean. Resting metabolic rates (RMR) of obese rats were lower than in lean, and increased 79% in lean but only 33% in obese animals following NE (200 μg/kg BW, s.c.) stimulation. 4. 4. The glycemic response to NE occurred normally in both phenotypes, and resulted in a 3-fold increment in plasma glucose in lean rats and a 5–6-fold increase in plasma glucose in obese rats. 5. 5. The results of this study are consistent with hyperplasia and hypertrophy of IBAT, RP and DOR depots, and indicate that the capacity for non-shivering thermogenesis is impaired in the obese phenotype of this strain in spite of peripheral sensitivity to NE and greater mass and cellularity of brown adipose tissue.
African-American children are at risk of a measles outbreak in an inner-city community of Chicago, 2000.

Since the measles resurgence of 1989–1991, which affected predominantly inner-city preschoolers, national vaccination rates have risen to record-high levels, but rates among inner-city, preschool-aged, African-American children lag behind national rates. The threat of measles importations from abroad exists and may be particularly important in large U.S. cities. To stop epidemic transmission, measles vaccination coverage should be at least 80%.
Beta-Barrel Hypothesis: Structural Insights to Oligomeric Prion Conformation

The denaturation of prion protein (PrP) and the concurrent formation of beta-sheet rich isoform has been accredited to the etiology of the prion diseases. Accumulating biochemical evidences underline the critical role of oligomeric PrP conformations emerging from the early stage of the denaturation process. However detailed structural information on the oligomeric isoforms remains elusive, which hampers precise description of the pathological process. Recently we proposed a new structural hypothesis for the oligomeric PrP species comprised of a short PrP construct (Human PrP 175-217) based on experimental findings. We postulated that 1) monomers adopt beta-hairpin conformation and 2) assemble as beta-barrel quaternary structure. These assumptions provided a comprehensive explanation for the experimental findings suggesting beta-sheet rich structure including circular dichroism (CD) spectrum and Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as the presence of disulfide bridge between CYS-179 and CYS-214. To be more specific, we constructed various beta-barrel models differing in number of monomers, inter-molecular hydrogen bond pattern and side-chains facing exterior of the barrel. Those models were refined extensively using a protein structure prediction tool (Rosetta). Structural energy profile of the predicted oligomer models was consistently lower than that of native like monomer or oligomers comprised of partially denatured monomers. Also the smallest stable oligomer was predicted to be an octamer, which is in good agreement with available mass spectrometric data. Finally, we discussed a possible generality between protein denaturation and amyloidogenesis problems in general, by comparing our model with a oligomeric assembly model for the pathological amyloid beta protein (Abeta).
Cancer chemotherapy I: hepatocellular injury

Although hepatotoxicity is a frequent concern with all medications, chemotherapeutic agents are more often implicated in causing liver damage than most other drug classes. In many instances, these reactions are considered dose related because cytotoxic therapy directed at rapidly growing cancer cells may readily impact hepatocytes even though they are dividing more slowly. Because the stakes (remission of cancer) are high, so are the risks that the oncologist and the patient are willing to assume. The dose of many chemotherapeutic agents is limited by the toxic effects on the lungs, bone marrow, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system, including the liver. An awareness of the toxic potential of each chemotherapeutic agent is necessary before initiation of new oncologic treatments.
Crystal structure of the excisionase-DNA complex from bacteriophage lambda.

Abstract The excisionase (Xis) protein from bacteriophage λ is the best characterized member of a large family of recombination directionality factors that control integrase-mediated DNA rearrangements. It triggers phage excision by cooperatively binding to sites X1 and X2 within the phage, bending DNA significantly and recruiting the phage-encoded integrase (Int) protein to site P2. We have determined the co-crystal structure of Xis with its X2 DNA-binding site at 1.7 A resolution. Xis forms a unique winged-helix motif that interacts with the major and minor grooves of its binding site using an α-helix and an ordered β-hairpin (wing), respectively. Recognition is achieved through an elaborate water-mediated hydrogen-bonding network at the major groove interface, while the preformed hairpin forms largely non-specific interactions with the minor groove. The structure of the complex provides insights into how Xis recruits Int cooperatively, and suggests a plausible mechanism by which it may distort longer DNA fragments significantly. It reveals a surface on the protein that is likely to mediate Xis–Xis interactions required for its cooperative binding to DNA.
The Ost1p Subunit of Yeast Oligosaccharyl Transferase Recognizes the Peptide Glycosylation Site Sequence, -Asn-X-Ser/Thr-

Other laboratories have established that oligosaccharyl transferase (OST) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be purified as a protein complex containing eight different subunits. To identify the OST subunit that recognizes the peptide sites that can be glycosylated, we developed photoaffinity probes containing a photoreactive benzophenone derivative,p-benzoylphenylalanine (Bpa), as part of an125I-labeled peptide that could be expected to be glycosylated. We found that Asn-Bpa-Thr peptides served as substrates for OST and that photoactivation of these probes in the presence of microsomes abolished the OST activity. Photoactivation of125I-labeled Asn-Bpa-Thr in the presence of microsomes resulted in specific covalent labeling of a protein doublet of molecular mass 62 and 64 kDa. By carrying out the photoactivation of the probe using microsomes containing epitope-tagged Ost1p, we demonstrated that the 125I-labeled protein was Ost1p. Radiolabeling of this protein was dependent on irradiation at 350 nm. No labeling was detected using a probe containing Ala instead of Thr as the third amino acid residue. We conclude that Ost1p is the subunit of the OST complex that recognizes the peptide sites in the nascent chains that are destined to be glycosylated.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polyolefin-graft-oligopeptide Polyelectrolytes

Novel polyelectrolytes consisting of hydrophobic polyolefin backbones and charged oligopeptide grafts have been synthesized and characterized. Oligopeptide-containing monomers were prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and then polymerized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Copolymerization of the peptide-functionalized monomers with charge neutral cyclic olefins (i.e., poly(ethylene glycol)-substituted) gave polymers with varying charge density. These graft copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, organic and aqueous gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and light scattering. Light scattering indicated that the oligopeptide-functionalized polyolefins could be tailored to form extended, pearl-like, or multimolecular structures, depending on the composition and density of the grafts.
Photoexcited carrier diffusion near a Si(111) surface and in the Si bulk

Photocarrier diffusivities of Si have been measured near a surface covered with naturally grown oxide layer and in the bulk using the transient grating technique in reflection and transmission geometries, respectively. Within experimental uncertainty, the surface diffusivity near the surface is found to be essentially the same as that in the bulk, indicating that in the medium-high carrier density regime there is no significant surface effects such as surface recombination, surface state trapping or band bending, affecting band edge carrier diffusion.
A finite difference scheme for solving a nonlinear hyperbolic two-step model in a double-layered thin film exposed to ultrashort-pulsed lasers with nonlinear interfacial conditions

Hyperbolic two-step microscale heat transport equations have attracted attention in thermal analysis of thin metal films exposed to ultrashort-pulsed lasers. Exploration of temperature-dependent thermal properties is absolutely necessary to advance our fundamental understanding of microscale (ultrafast) heat transport. In this article, we develop a finite difference scheme, by obtaining an energy estimate, for solving the hyperbolic two-step model with temperature-dependent thermal properties in a double-layered microscale thin film with nonlinear interfacial conditions irradiated by ultrashort-pulsed lasers. The method is illustrated by investigating the heat transfer in a gold layer on a chromium layer.
A new statistical procedure for testing equivalence in two-group comparative bioavailability trials

The clinical problem of testing for equivalence in comparative bioavailability trials is restated in terms of the proper statistical hypotheses. A simple t-test procedure for these hypotheses has been developed that is more powerful than the methods based on usual (shortest) and symmetric confidence intervals. In this note, this new procedure is explained and an example is given, including the method for sample size determination.
Modulation of isotropic turbulence by particles of Taylor length-scale size

This study investigates the two-way coupling effects of finite-size solid spherical particles on decaying isotropic turbulence using direct numerical simulation with an immersed boundary method. We fully resolve all the relevant scales of turbulence around freely moving particles of the Taylor length-scale size, 1.2≤d/λ≤2.6. The particle diameter and Stokes number in terms of Kolmogorov length- and time scales are 16≤d/η≤35 and 38≤τp/τk≤178, respectively, at the time the particles are released in the flow. The particles mass fraction range is 0.026≤φm≤1.0, corresponding to a volume fraction of 0.01≤φv≤0.1 and density ratio of 2.56≤ρp/ρf≤10. The maximum number of dispersed particles is 6400 for φv=0.1. The typical particle Reynolds number is of O(10). The effects of the particles on the temporal development of turbulence kinetic energy E(t), its dissipation rate (t), its two-way coupling rate of change Ψp(t) and frequency spectra E(ω) are discussed.In contrast to particles with d η, is that E(t) is always smaller than that of the single-phase flow. In addition, Ψp(t) is always positive for particles with d > η, whereas it can be positive or negative for particles with d < η.
Primary access to vehicles increases risky teen driving behaviors and crashes: national perspective.

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to explore teen driver vehicle access and its association with risky driving behaviors and crashes. METHODS: A nationally representative, school-based survey of 2167 ninth-, 10th-, and 11th-graders examined patterns of vehicle access (primary access [ie, the teen is the main driver of the vehicle] versus shared access) and associated driving exposure, risky driving behaviors, and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Seventy percent of drivers reported having primary access to vehicles. They were more likely to be white, to be in 11th grade, to attend schools with higher socioeconomic levels, to have mostly A/B grades, to have a job, to drive a pickup truck, and to drive more hours per week but were not more or less likely to consume alcohol or to wear seat belts while driving. Compared with drivers with shared access, drivers with primary access reported more than twice the crash risk (risk ratio [RR]: 2.05 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41-2.99]) and higher likelihoods of using cellular telephones while driving (RR: 1.23 [95% CI: 1.12-1.35]) and speeding> or =10 mph above the posted limit (RR: 1.24 [95% CI: 1.11-1.40]). CONCLUSIONS: Primary access of novice teen drivers to vehicles is highly prevalent in the United States. This practice is a dangerous norm, because primary access is associated with risky driving behaviors. Healthcare providers and schools should consider counseling parents to discourage giving novice teen drivers primary access to vehicles. In communities where teens require primary access (eg, due to limited public transportation options), greater efforts should be made to promote safe behaviors. Language: en
Clinical trials: introduction.

Abstract. Held P, Wedel H, Wilhelmsen L (The Cardiovascular Institute, Goteborg University, Goteborg, Sweden). Clinical trials: introduction (Clinical Trials). J Intern Med 2003; 254: 103–104.
What's Wrong with Health Inequalities?*

IT seems obvious that facts about health are of great importance to egalitarians concerned with social policy. Health is both an important component and cause of well-being. So if inequalities in well-being or resources are of interest from the perspective of justice – as seems evident – then health inequalities are of interest. What information about health inequalities should egalitarian policy makers seek? Until recently, egalitarians focused on health differences across different social classes, ethnic groupings, or geographical regions. Following the usage of staff at the World Health Organization, I shall call these “social group health differences.” Recently, as part of their effort to compare health and health systems, staff members at the World Health Organization sought to compare the extent of inequality in health across individuals in different countries and regions. They proposed to study the extent of inequality in health across individuals, just as economists study inequalities in income or wealth across individuals or families. One important factor that made this proposal attractive to the WHO staff is that relevant social groupings vary from society to society, which makes it difficult to compare health differences among an array of groups in one country to health differences among other groups in another. Measures of inequality across individuals, in contrast, permit international comparisons. In addition, members of the WHO staff argued that measuring individual health inequalities is in several ways superior to focusing exclusively on social group health differences. I have discussed these arguments elsewhere and will not comment on them here. This article instead argues that information about inequalities in health across individuals as opposed to information about social group health differences is
Evolution of GSM into the Next Generation Wireless World

GSM is the most widely deployed 2nd generation digital cellular standard, with over 2 billion subscribers in some 213 countries and adding about 1000 new users per minute! Originally developed in the 1980s, and first deployed in 1991, GSM is a TDMA+FDMA system, providing wide area voice communications using 200 KHz carriers. Subsequently, GSM evolved into a 2.5G standard with the introduction of packet data transmission technology (GPRS) and higher data rates via higher order modulation schemes (EDGE). More recently, GERAN standards organization has been evolving further to coexist with and provide comparable services to 3G technologies. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the traditional 2G and 2.5G GSM, and then discuss the so-called "GERAN Evolution" into the 3G world. We conclude by detailing a few selected aspects of the GERAN Evolution. Overall, we aspire to demonstrate that GERAN is a vibrant, living and growing technology that exploits the latest advances in communications and signal processing.
The Formulation of Spray Combustion Models: Resolution Compared to Droplet Spacing

Formulations of the governing equations for burning air/fuel spray mixtures are discussed. The subsystem of equations describing liquid properties is formulated in three ways: Eulerian description, Lagrangian description, and probabilistic or distribution function description. The relationships among these approaches and the relative advantages and disadvantages are discussed. The reduction of numerical error, the ability to resolve multivalued solutions, and the ability to achieve resolution a scale smaller than droplet spacing lead to a preference of the Lagrangian method over the Eulerian method. However, when resolution is desired on a scale smaller than the average droplet spacing, the location of each droplet is known only in a statistical manner. The advantages of a probabilistic formulation in this case are evaluated.
Trident: an FPGA compiler framework for floating-point algorithms

Trident is a compiler for floating point algorithms written in C, producing circuits in reconfigurable logic that exploit the parallelism available in the input description. Trident automatically extracts parallelism and pipelines loop bodies using conventional compiler optimizations and scheduling techniques. Trident also provides an open framework for experimentation, analysis, and optimization of floating point algorithms on FPGAs and the flexibility to easily integrate custom floating point libraries.
Design Evolution of a High Packing Density Micro Air Vehicle for Local-Area Seeding

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Vehicle Research Section (VRS) has developed an expendable Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) called CICADA (Close In Covert Autonomous Delivery Aircraft) for missions such as payload delivery, meteorology, or electronic warfare. The design concept is an inexpensive, high packing density, yable sensor node that can be deployed en-masse to quickly seed an area with networked sensors. Four design iterations of the airframe explore the concepts of high packing density
An Econometric Analysis of Coca Eradication Policy in Colombia

Abstract We estimate an econometric model of coca production in Colombia. Our results indicate that coca eradication is an ineffective means of supply control as farmers compensate by cultivating the crop more extensively. The evidence further suggests that incentives to produce legal substitute crops may have greater supply-reducing potential than eradication.
Local Impacts of the Post-Mao Development Strategy: The Case of the Zhujiang Delta, Southern China

The spatial impacts of the post-Mao development strategy are examined at the local level from various perspectives using the Zhujiang Delta, southern China as a case. The findings of this article suggest that the overall growth performance during the period from 1978 to 1992 has been extremely strong, in spite of fluctuating and uneven development between industrial and agricultural sectors. As a result of economic reform and the open door policy, particularly of free market forces, the spatial economic pattern changed from one in which Guangzhou monopolized the development to one that became dominated by two core areas after 1985. Moreover, the spatial relationship between the industrial and agricultural sectors has evolved into a new, balanced sectoral development pattern from place to place. Finally, in keeping with Chinese classical socialist development objectives, regional disparity in the delta since 1978 has shown a tendency to decline. Les effets spatiaux de la strategie de developpement d’apres Mao sont examines au niveau local sous des angles divers, utilisant the delta Zhujiang en Chine du Sud comme cas d’etude. Les resultats suggerent que la performance generale de croissance durant la periode 1978–1992 a ete extremement bonne en depit de developpements variables et inegaux entre les secteurs industriel et agricole. A la suite des reformes economiques et de la politique de portes ouvertes, particulierement des forces du marche libre, le modele spatial economique est passe apres 1985 de Guangzhou monopolisant le developpement a une domination par deux regions centrales. De plus, la relation spatiale entre les secteurs industriel et agricole a ici et laevolue vers un nouveau modele equilibre de developpement par secteurs. Enfin, en accord avec les objectifs du developpement socialiste classique chinois, les disparites regionales dans le delta ont tendance aetre en declin depuis 1978.
From Bars to Valleys: The Sedimentology and Seismic Geomorphology of Fluvial to Estuarine Incised-Valley Fills of the Grand Rapids Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Iron River Field, Alberta, Canada

Abstract A high-resolution 3D seismic data set from Alberta, Canada, has revealed great detail in the morphology and architecture of a series of incised-valley fills from the Grand Rapids Formation (Albian, Lower Cretaceous). A large-scale well-log study was used to place the seismic stratigraphic architecture in regional context. Seismic facies were calibrated with numerous cores and wells. The data reveal that the Grand Rapids Formation was composed of shoreface parasequences cut by many incisions filled with fluvial to estuarine facies. The incisions contain one to several channel fills with a range of bar architectures, but dominated by lateral accretion. Incised valleys are here defined as any fluvial incision that is bounded below by a sequence boundary. Incised valleys form in response to a relative fall in sea level and, unlike distributary channels, are not in facies relationship with the surrounding sediments into which they are incised. A range of direct and indirect evidence indicates that all of the studied incisions into the shoreface parasequences are incised valleys. Thirty-two incised valleys were identified in the Grand Rapids Formation in the 3D seismic. They range in width from a few tens of meters to a few kilometers, and in depth from 5 to 60 m. There is no relationship between the size of a valley and its stratigraphic position. Composite sequence boundaries have many, intersecting incised valleys of a range of size. High-frequency sequence boundaries have only a few incised valleys. None of the incised valleys have a dendritic drainage network; they mostly have straight to gently sinuous edges. They were interpreted to have formed from fluvial entrenchment rather than knickpoint migration. Valleys also exhibit large variations in depth of the thalweg over short distances. This is interpreted to result from local processes based on the application of an engineering model that predicts scour depth of modern channels.
Race Differences: Use of Walking Speed to Identify Community-Dwelling Women at Risk for Poor Health Outcomes—Osteoarthritis Initiative Study

Background Onset of disability, risk for future falls, frailty, functional decline, and mortality are strongly associated with a walking speed of less than 1.0 m/s. Objective The study objective was to determine whether there were differences in slow walking speed (<1.0 m/s) between community-dwelling African American and white American adult women with osteoarthritis symptoms. An additional aim was to examine whether racial differences in walking speed can be attributed to age, obesity, socioeconomic factors, disease severity, or comorbidities. Design A cross-sectional design was used. Methods Community-dwelling adults were recruited from Baltimore, Maryland; Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Participants were 2,648 women (23% African American) who were 45 to 79 years of age and had a self-selected baseline walking speed of 20 m/s in the Osteoarthritis Initiative Study. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to examine racial differences in walking speed (<1.0 m/s versus ≥1.0 m/s), with adjustments for demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, disease severity, and comorbidities. Results Walking speed was significantly slower for African American women than for white American women (mean walking speed=1.19 and 1.33 m/s, respectively). The prevalence of a walking speed of less than 1.0 m/s in this cohort of middle-aged women was 9%; about 50% of the women with a walking speed of less than 1.0 m/s were younger than 65 years. Women with a walking speed of less than 1.0 m/s had lower values for socioeconomic factors, higher values for disease severity, and higher prevalences of obesity and comorbidities than those with a walking speed of ≥1.0 m/s. After controlling for these covariates, it was found that African American women were 3 times (odds ratio=2.9; 95% confidence interval=2.0, 4.1) more likely to have a walking speed of less than 1.0 m/s than white American women. Limitations The study design made it impossible to know whether a walking speed of less than 1.0 m/s in women who were 45 years of age or older was a predictor of future poor health outcomes. Conclusions In this study, race was independently associated with a walking speed of less than 1.0 m/s in community-dwelling women who had or were at risk for osteoarthritis, with African American women having 3 times the risk for slow walking as white American women. This finding suggests that middle-aged African American women have an increased risk for poor health outcomes. Further longitudinal evaluations are needed to confirm the long-term health outcomes in a middle-aged population and to establish walking speed as a useful tool for identifying middle-aged women at high risk for poor health outcomes.
Results Of Software Simulation Of A Realtime Sar Processor Capable Of Providing Ocean Wave Spectra

Results from the SIR-B mission and the Seasat SAR demonstrate that it is possible to infer ocean wave spectra from SAR image siectra [I]. If SAR wave spectra could be providedton a global basis, they could be used to enhance our knowledge of wave generation and dissipation as well as to provide additional data for assimilation into wave forecast models. A real-time, on-board SAR processor, capable of calculating SAR image spectra, scheduled to be carried aboard the shuttle during the SIR-C mission, has been designed and is being fabricated [2]. To partially test the processor design, the hardware computations to be performed are being simulated in software on a general purpose computer. We present here the results of this simulation and confirin the SAR image spectra generation capacity of the on-board processor.
Tolerance to the effects of cocaine on performance under behavior-correlated reinforcement magnitude.

Four pigeons responded under a fixed-interval 8-min schedule of food delivery in which the amount of food delivered at the end of each interval depended on performance during the interval (i.e., a correlated schedule). Specifically, duration of access to grain was contingent upon the number of responses made during the first 4 min of the interval. This differential outcome did not affect response rates or patterning relative to performance under a simple fixed-interval 8-min schedule. Behavior under the correlated schedule was then investigated under doses of cocaine ranging from 0.3 to 10.0 mg/kg. A bitonic dose-response function was obtained for response rates and the time with head in the food hopper, whereas dose-dependent decreases were observed in the mathematical index of curvature (Fry, Kelleher, & Cook, 1960). The dose that produced the greatest increase in the head-in-hopper time was then administered prior to each session. Following repeated administration of cocaine, disruptions in response patterning were attenuated for all 4 pigeons; tolerance was also observed to the rate-increasing effects and increased head-in-hopper time for 2 pigeons after chronic cocaine administration. Tolerance therefore developed despite the fact that the initial effect of cocaine was to increase the amount of food obtained.