cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On-The-Job Training of New Hires

A growing number of commentators are pointing to employer sponsored training as a critical ingredient in a nation’s competitiveness. American employers appear to devote less time and resources to the training of entry level blue collar, clerical and service employees than employers in Genoany and Japan (Limprecht and Hayes 1982, Mincer and Higuchi 1988, Koike 1984, Noll et al 1984, Wiedemold-Fritz 1985). In the 1983 Current Population Survey, only 33 percent of workers with 1 to 5 years of tenure reported having received skill improvement training from their current employer (Hollenbeck and Wilkie 1985). Analyzing 1982 NLS-Youth data, Parsons (1984) reports that only 34 to 40 percellt of the young workers in clerical, operative, service and laborer jobs reponed that it was “very true” that “the skills [I am] learning would be valuable in getting a better job.” The payoffs to getting jobs which offer training appear to be very high, however. In Parson’s study, having a high learning job rather than a no learning job in 1979 increased a male youth’s 1982 wage rate by 13.7 percent. While the 1980 job had no such effect, the 1981 job raised wages by 7.2 percent when it was a high learning job rather than a no learning job.
A regional assessment of windbreak habitat suitability.

The Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Programwas initiated in 1989 by the United StatesEnvironmental Protection Agency to collect, analyze,and report quantitative, statistically unbiasedinformation about the state of the nation'senvironment on a regional basis. During a pilotprogram in Nebraska we measured a habitat suitabilityindex for a probability sample of 40 windbreaks andexpanded the results to estimate the potential valueof windbreaks as wildlife habitat in Nebraska. Theindex estimates the suitability of a windbreak ashabitat for wildlife including breeding birds, smallmammals, and deer. Index values range from zero toone, where a value of one indicates maximal habitatvalue. We estimated that 50% (±13% at 90%confidence) of windbreaks in Nebraska have a habitatsuitability index of 0.25 or less and that nowindbreaks have a suitability index greater than 0.6. Our results indicate that increasing the area ofindividual windbreaks is the most effective way toimprove their value as wildlife habitat. Monitoringwindbreak condition over time would alert wildlifemanagers to changes in the resource that might affectwildlife populations. Because our data were highlyvariable, the power to detect change in habitatcondition between two measurement periods was low. Amuch larger sample would be required to detect smallchanges in habitat condition. Variability may bereduced, and power increased, by carefully andconsistently constructing the sampling frame, keepingdata collection as simple as possible, appropriatelystratifying sample selection, and using a small numberof well-trained data collection teams. However, wesuggest adapting the index for use with aerialphotography in future efforts to evaluate windbreaksas wildlife habitat in extensive areas.
Mill's Ambivalence About Rights

Mill recognizes individual rights, but he insists that these rights have a utilitarian foundation. Much contemporary work in moral and political philosophy assumes that rights act as trumps or side constraints on the pursuit of utility and is skeptical about the compatibility of utility and rights. Understanding Mill's theory of rights is a good test of this conventional wisdom. Though Mill recognizes the existence and importance of rights, he is ambivalent about their connection with utility. On one conception, rights function as an important kind of secondary principle to be used in moral reasoning in lieu of direct appeals to the utilitarian first principle. On another conception, rights protect certain interests and liberties that qualify as pre-eminent goods, higher in importance than other goods. Both of these conceptions of rights can be squared with the direct utilitarian assumption that any object of moral assessment should be assessed by and in proportion to the value of its consequences for the general happiness. Mill's third conception of rights understands them as claims that it is especially useful for society to enforce. This conception requires adopting a form of indirect utilitarianism, which assumes that an object of moral assessment should be assessed, not by the value of its consequences for human happiness, but by its conformity to norms that have good or optimal acceptance value. This essay sketches these three conceptions of rights, compares their commitments, and explores the different ways they reconcile utility and rights.
Properties of DNA isolated from tissues of calves treated with S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine. 1. Chemical and physical properties.

DNA has been isolated from seven tissues of calves, some of which were given a single intravenous injection of S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)- l -cysteine (DCVC, 3 mg/kg). Except for some biopsy specimens of thymus and lymph nodes the tissues were collected about 3 weeks after treatment when the calves had developed severe thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. There was no detectable difference in the base composition of hydrolized DNA from normal or treated calves. In bone marrow, thymus gland, and in lymph nodes there appeared about 10 days after DCVC treatment an abnormal species of DNA which is more resistant to denaturation by heat and has a lower buoyant density. This component was not detected in DNA isolated from liver, kidney, spleen, and intestinal mucosa of any calves.
Pyridine nucleotide oxidizing enzymes of Lactobacillus casei. I. Diaphorase.

Abstract A diaphorase was isolated from Lactobacillus casei and purified approximately ninetyfold. It has been shown to be free from DPNH oxidase and DPNH peroxidase activity. The enzyme is specific for DPNH rather than TPNH and requires the addition of FMN for maximal activity. A number of dyes will serve as acceptors, including p benzoquinone, indophenol, and ferricyanide. Oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, methylene blue, lipoic acid, cytochrome c, and substrate amounts of flavin nucleotides are inactive as acceptors. Under the assay conditions used, the diaphorase activity was only slightly inhibited by the presence of hydrogen peroxide, cyanide, or N -ethylmaleimide and not inhibited at all by versene or amytal.
Polybutadiene Rubbers and Resins

1,3-Butadiene, CH2CHCHCH2, can be converted to a wide variety of polymeric materials such as noncrystallizing rubbers, highly crystalline plastics, liquid, castable resins, and so on. The variety of polybutadiene products arises from two sources: differences in molecular weight and differences in microstructure. Moderately high molecular weight polymers are solids, while low molecular weight polymers are liquid. Differences in microstructure determine the properties of both solids and liquids. Properties of these polymers and some examples of processes for resin are discussed in this article. Moreover, some applications of polybutadiene-based composites are presented, and at the end, some aspects on the toxicity of these resins are discussed. Keywords: resins; rubbers; properties; processing; applications
Binding of Adenosine Triphosphate to Sodium and Potassium Ion-stimulated Adenosine Triphosphatase

Abstract In order to characterize a step in the reaction sequence of sodium and potassium ion-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.3), the binding of radioactive adenosine triphosphate to kidney cell membranes was estimated by flow dialysis in the presence of a chelator of divalent cations, which prevented hydrolysis of the adenosine triphosphate. Adenosine triphosphate was bound to a single site on sodium and potassium ion-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (a) because binding capacity of the membranes was equal, one for one, to the phosphorylation capacity of this enzyme, (b) because binding was inhibited by pretreatment of the membranes with the specific inhibitor, ouabain, and (c) because binding was inhibited by potassium ion with antagonism of this inhibition by sodium ion, which had no direct effect. The dissociation constant was 0.22 µm. Other nucleotides displaced ATP including, in order of decreasing effectiveness: deoxyadenosine triphosphate, β,γ-methylene adenosine triphosphate, cytidine triphosphate, and inosine triphosphate. Monovalent cations reduced the binding affinity at progressively higher cation concentrations, as follows: potassium, rubidium, thallous, ammonium, and cesium ions. Lithium ion had no effect. Binding was stable between pH 5.6 and 7.6, but declined sharply above pH 8.0. In the presence of potassium ion alone, there appeared to be one or more binding sites on this enzyme with a much lower affinity for adenosine triphosphate. These may be regulatory sites.
Growth of mouse pups derived from biopsied blastocysts.

Objective To test the hypothesis that removal of cells from the pre-embryo affects intrauterine growth, as reflected in birth weight or growth to weaning. Methods ICR Swiss albino and C57B1/6 mice served as embryo donors to provide two strains of distinct coat colors. Alternate strains were assigned to control treatment or blastocyst biopsy of trophectoderm. Embryos from both treatments were transferred to a different uterine horn within each pseudopregnant recipient. A total of 412 embryos (206 controls and 206 biopsied blastocysts) were transferred to 26 recipients, which resulted in the birth of 122 pups Results There was no significant difference ( P > .1) in birth weight or growth to weaning, defined as [[(weaning weight — birth weight)/birth weight)] × 100], between male and female pups. There was a significant difference ( P n = 72) versus C57B1/6 (birth weight 1.43 ± 0.03 g; growth to weaning 460 ± 14%; n = 50) embryos. However, there was no significant difference ( P > .1) in birth weight or growth to weaning for pups derived from biopsied embryos (birth weight 1.70 ± 0.03 g; growth to weaning 502 ± 14%; X ± standard error of the mean; n = 67) or control embryos (birth weight 1.71 ± 0.05 g; growth to weaning 520 ± 17%; n = 55). Conclusio These data support the null hypothesis that embryo biopsy does not result in reduced birth weight or altered subsequent growth to weaning
Get Him Out of My House: Parental Competencies of Juvenile Probationers

The current research explores parent–child connections and the extent to which parental thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors toward their children impact progress on probation. Using a conv...
Exogenous nitric oxide prevents endotoxin-induced glomerular thrombosis in rats

Exogenous nitric oxide prevents endotoxin-induced glomerular thrombosis in rats. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized from L-arginine is an endogenous vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet adhesion and aggregation. Gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce NO synthesis, which may mediate the pathophysiologic effects of endotoxemia. In addition, our previous studies suggested that LPS-induced NO may protect against thrombosis in rats. In the present study, male Sprague-Dawley rats given LPS (0.1 mg/kg) i.p. increased their urinary excretion of NO 2 + NO 3 (stable end-products of NO) by 4.3-fold. Rats given 10 µg/kg/hr i.v. of nitroglycerin (GTN), an exogenous NO donor, showed a similar increase. L-NAME, an inhibitor of NO synthesis, abrogated the increase in urinary NO 2 + NO 3 in LPS-treated rats but not in rats given GTN. Glomerular thrombosis developed in rats given LPS + L-NAME (thrombosis score=3.02 ± 0.4), while those given LPS + L-NAME + GTN were largely protected (thrombosis score=1.37 ± 0.5, P 2 + NO 3 nor prevented glomerular thrombosis (thrombosis score=2.68 ± 0.5, NS). Hydralazine, another vasodilator without effects on NO or platelets, also failed to prevent glomerular thrombosis in rats given LPS + L-NAME. We conclude that in endotoxemia, the antithrombogenic properties of endogenously synthesized NO are important in preventing alomerular thrombosis. The exogenously NO donor, GTN, can substitute for the antithrombogenic effect of endogenous NO. Clinically, administration of NO synthesis inhibitors to treat endotoxic shock may need to be combined with concomitant administration of exogenous NO donors to prevent microvascular thrombosis.
Cell cycle distribution in‐vivo of mononuclear blood cells of renal allograft recipients

In 47 healthy blood donors (controls) and 29 renal allograft recipients (patients) the relative contents of RNA and DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cell populations were estimated from the intensities of green and red fluorescences emitted by complexes that form with DNA and RNA, respectively, after staining the cells with the metachromatic dye, acridine orange. Based on the correlated DNA and RNA estimates for large numbers of cells, the percentages and the relative RNA contents of cells in particular compartments of the cell cycle were determined. PBM cell populations of controls contained < 0.5% proliferating (SG2M) cells with highly variable relative RNA contents. Among controls, neither percentages nor relative RNA contents of SG2M-cells were correlated with percentages or relative RNA contents of G1-cells with an RNA content 2 (2SD) or 3 (3SD) standard deviations above the mean of the entire GO/1-cell population. Unlike controls, PBM cell populations of patients contained significantly higher percentages of SG2M-cells which were significantly correlated with the relative coefficients of variation (rCV) of the F530 histograms of GO/1-cells; the rCV represents the ratio of a patient's CV to a control's CV. Moreover, significant statistical correlations existed between percentages and relative RNA contents of 2SD-, 3SD-, SG2M-and GO/1-cells, suggesting a well-orchestrated progression of cells through the cell cycle. Different pairs of correlated parameters characterized clinically stable, acutely rejecting, and infected patients. Finally, the data of this pilot project suggest that two features of GO/1-cells, namely the rCV and the mean relative RNA content may carry the information necessary to predict the cell cycle distribution of PBM cells of stable, rejecting, or infected renal allograft recipients.
Pediatric otolaryngology: The maturation of a pediatric surgical subspecialty.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To review the historical development of pediatric otolaryngology as a surgical subspecialty and to compare and contrast this historical development with that of pediatric surgery and pediatric urology. Study Design: Literature search. Methods: A sequential comparison of these three surgical subspecialties was undertaken in terms of their early origins and founding physicians, sections and societies, standardization of training and accreditation, official recognition, and certification. Supportive materials were obtained via a literature search using the PubMed database from 1950 to the present, supplemented by archived material from the libraries of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Countway Library of the Harvard Medical School. Results: Pediatric surgery, urology, and otolaryngology have taken somewhat parallel but also disparate paths toward surgical subspecialty establishment. Conclusions: Pediatric otolaryngology, despite its many accomplishments, lags behind its surgical and urologic brethren from both an accreditation and certification standpoint. Laryngoscope, 2011
Back to Normal: Gender and Disaster

Our earlier studies of Hurricane Andrew focused on the destruction of everyday life during the crisis itself and the reconstruction of a taken-for-granted world during the recovery period; this paper examines the significance of gender in these processes. The abrupt loss of taken-for-granted reality occasioned by the storm involved only a slight and momentary disruption of gender roles. The resilience of these roles can be understood only if gender is seen as a property of social organization that shapes not only interactional expectations and pressures, but also cultural and institutional processes, as well as bodily experiences.
Energy Expenditure and Activity of Different Types of Small Ruminants Grazing Varying Pastures in the Summer

Abstract Beker, A., Gipson, T.A., Puchala, R., Askar, A.R., Tesfai, K., Detweiler, G.D., Asmare, A. and Goetsch, A.L., 2009. Energy expenditure and activity of different types of small ruminants grazing varying pastures in the summer. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 37: 1–14. Objectives were to determine the activity energy cost for different types of goats as well as a breed of sheep and to evaluate methods of prediction. Eight animals each of yearling Angora, doeling goats, yearling Boer wether goats, yearling Spanish wether goats and Rambouillet wether sheep slightly more than 2 yr of age were used. Two animals of each type were randomly allocated to one of the four pastures 9.3, 12.3, 4.6 and 1.2 ha in area. Forage conditions varied markedly among pastures. The experiment was conducted in the summer with three periods, 30, 26 and 26 d in length. Energy expenditure (EE) was estimated from heart rate (HR) on pasture and EE:HR for each animal determined in a calorimetry system. A leg position/movement monitoring sy...
Regulation of cell cycle progression and apoptosis by beta-carotene in undifferentiated and differentiated HL-60 leukemia cells: possible involvement of a redox mechanism.

Although epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that a high intake of vegetables containing β-carotene lowers the risk of cancer, recent intervention studies have revealed that β-carotene supplementation to smokers resulted in a high incidence of lung cancer. We hypothesized that β-carotene may act as a pro- or anticancerogenic agent by modulating pathways involved in cell growth and that such a modulation may involve a redox mechanism. To test this hypothesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis and redox status were evaluated in undifferentiated and dimethylsulfoxide-differentiated HL-60 cells exposed to β-carotene. The carotenoid modified cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were more remarkable in undifferentiated cells than in differentiated cells. In accord with these findings, in undifferentiated cells, β-carotene was more effective in decreasing cyclin A and Bcl-2 expression and in increasing p21 and p27 expression. Neither Bcl-xL nor Bax expression were significantly modified by the carotenoid. From a mechanistic point of view, the delay in cell growth by β-carotene was highly coincident with the increased intracellular reactive oxygen species production and oxidized glutathione content induced by the carotenoid. Moreover, α-tocopherol minimized the effects of β-carotene on cell growth. These data provide evidence that β-carotene modulates molecular pathways involved in cell cycle progression and apoptosis and support the hypothesis that a redox mechanism may be implicated. They also suggest that differentiated cells may be less susceptible to the carotenoid than highly neoplastic undifferentiated cells. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Vertex-transitive triangulations of compact orientable 2-manifolds

Abstract In this note we construct two infinite families of vertex-transitive triangulations of compact orientable 2-manifolds. Included in these families are two of the best known “classical” examples, viz., the triangulation of the genus 3 surface admitting the group PSL(2, 7) and the triangulation of the genus 7 surface admitting SL(2, 8).
Pivotal Role of Extended Linker 2 in the Activation of Gα by G Protein-coupled Receptor

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) relay extracellular signals mainly to heterotrimeric G-proteins (Gαβγ) and they are the most successful drug targets. The mechanisms of G-protein activation by GPCRs are not well understood. Previous studies have revealed a signal relay route from a GPCR via the C-terminal α5-helix of Gα to the guanine nucleotide-binding pocket. Recent structural and biophysical studies uncover a role for the opening or rotating of the α-helical domain of Gα during the activation of Gα by a GPCR. Here we show that β-adrenergic receptors activate eight Gαs mutant proteins (from a screen of 66 Gαs mutants) that are unable to bind Gβγ subunits in cells. Five of these eight mutants are in the αF/Linker 2/β2 hinge region (extended Linker 2) that connects the Ras-like GTPase domain and the α-helical domain of Gαs. This extended Linker 2 is the target site of a natural product inhibitor of Gq. Our data show that the extended Linker 2 is critical for Gα activation by GPCRs. We propose that a GPCR via its intracellular loop 2 directly interacts with the β2/β3 loop of Gα to communicate to Linker 2, resulting in the opening and closing of the α-helical domain and the release of GDP during G-protein activation.
Realizing the Promises of Pluripotent Stem Cells: Discovering Fundamental Biological Principles, New Medical Options and Enriching Friendships via Scientific Diplomacy Globally

Abstract Pluripotent stem cells from humans (hPSCs), including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and PSCs generated by induced pluripotency (hiPSCs), captivate biomedical attentions due to their unique properties of unlimited self-renewal and pluripotent differentiation. As immortal gametic lineages are differentiated from PSCs, especially spermatogenic cells, the previous distinction between mortal somatic cells and potentially immortal germ cells is now blurred with bioethical and even metaphysical implications. ESC lines have only been established robustly and investigated intensively in mice (mESCs) and more recently in humans after derivations from fertilized-blastocysts and now after induced pluripotency (iPSCs). Scientists around the world are now asking whether these cells might treat or even cure juvenile diabetes with insulin secreting β-islet cells responsive to circulating glucose; cerebral palsy treatments with neuroprogenitors to repair white matter injuries due to premature births; heart m...
Analyzing security costs

Quantification tools, if applied prudently, can assist in the anticipation, budgeting, and control of direct and indirect computer security costs.
Immunoreactive gonadotropin and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in the pituitary gland of neonatal platyfish.

Abstract An immunoperoxidase method has been used to localize luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and gonadotropin (GTH) in neonatal (1-, 3-, 6-, and 9-day-old) platyfish ( Xiphophorus maculatus ). Immunoreactive (ir-) GTHβ and ir-LHRH are found in cells of the two extreme lateral regions of the caudal pars distalis (CPD), in a small number of the chromophobes comprising the single cell layer of the ventral CPD, and in many PAS+ cells of the pars intermedia (PI). Antiserum to the alpha subunit of GTH stains the same cells in the CPD but none in the PI. Neither ir-GTH nor ir-LHRH is found in the brain. Evidence that suggests that the PI is the source of a GTH which is not identical to the one in the CPD and which may function early in postnatal development is presented and discussed. The speculation that the cells of the lateral CPD give rise to the ventral GTH zone of the CPD which is characteristic of sexually mature fish is also presented.
Fluid interaction for high resolution wall-size displays

This paper describes new interaction techniques for direct pen-based interaction on the Interactive Mural, a large (6′x3.5′) high resolution (64 dpi) display. They have been tested in a digital brainstorming tool that has been used by groups of professional product designers. Our "interactive wall" metaphor for interaction has been guided by several goals: to support both free-hand sketching and high-resolution materials, such as images, 3D models and GUI application windows; to present a visual appearance that does not clutter the content with control devices; and to support fluid interaction, which minimizes the amount of attention demanded and interruption due to the mechanics of the interface. We have adapted and extended techniques that were developed for electronic whiteboards and generalized the use of the FlowMenu to execute a wide variety of actions in a single pen stroke, While these techniques were designed for a brainstorming tool, they are very general and can be used in a wide variety of application domains using interactive surfaces.
New Cataloger Preparedness: Interviews With New Professionals in Academic Libraries

This study presents the results of interviews with twenty-two new professional catalogers in their first professional positions in an academic library. Interview questions focus on library education experiences, comfort with the theory and practice of cataloging, and overall level of preparedness provided by the master of library science (MLS) or equivalent degree. Interview results place great importance on practica, internships, or other practical experience during library education. The availability of more and better cataloging classes was also emphasized. Many interview respondents were unenthusiastic in their descriptions of the level of preparedness provided by the MLS.
Some observations on the connection between counting and recursion

Abstract Based on Valiant's class # P of all functions counting the number of accepting computations of nondeterministic polynomial-time Turing machines, the polynomial-time hierarchy of counting functions is introduced. The class PHCF of all functions of this hierarchy and some of its subclasses are characterized by recursion-theoretic means. It turns out that, from the recursion-theoretic point of view, PHCF is an analogue to Kalmar's class E of elementary functions, to the class Pspace of polynomial-space computable functions as well as to the class P of polynomial-time computable functions.
Hydrophobic Binding Hot Spots of Bcl-xL Protein-Protein Interfaces by Cosolvent Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

Identifying binding hot spots in protein−protein interfaces is important for understanding the binding specificity and for the design of nonpeptide, small molecule inhibitors. Molecular dynamics si...
Augmentation of the air puff-elicited eye blink by concurrent visual and acoustic input

The human eye blink elicited by a periorbital air puff increases in amplitude as the intensity of the air puff is increased. The present research indicates that, within wide limits, the presentation of either a light flash or a tone at the moment of air puff presentation adds a constant increment to the reaction elicited by the air puff. It is concluded that each of the modalities tested has independent access to the neural systems in which elicited eye blinks are instigated.
Transformation of metolachlor in soil inoculated with a Streptomyces sp.

Microbial detoxication of pesticides may offer a promising alternative to existing physical-chemical treatment methods. We investigated a strain of Streptomyces sp. which can transform metolachlor in a liquid medium for its ability to decontaminate herbicide-treated soil. A cell suspension of Streptomyces sp. was added to a silt loam soil (Hagerstown, pH 6.1) which was amended with 10 μg of metolachlor containing 5 nCi ring-UL-14C metolachlor per gram of soil, and the mixture was incubated at 28°C. Inoculation of the sterile soil resulted in the rapid transformation of metolachlor. Analyses of one-week-old samples indicated that approximately 70% of the added radioactivity was recovered in the ethyl acetate and water fractions as products from the inoculated reaction mixture, whereas in the uninoculated control less than 8% of the 14C was found as products and about 80% was recovered in the form of unchanged metolachlor. In native soil, however, the rate of metolachlor disappearance was not enhanced by Streptomyces inoculation. In inoculated sterile soil the yields of products were affected by inoculum size, inoculation temperature and substrate concentration, but these variables had no effect on product formation in the inoculated native soil. Addition of Na2CO3 (200 μg/g soil) into native soil significantly promoted growth of Streptomyces due to the higher pH (7.8) and also stimulated transformation of metolachlor by 30%. Our results suggest that proliferation of the inoculated organisms under favorable conditions is essential for their function as metolachlor degraders in native soil.
Development of agranular reticulum in Sertoli cells of the testis of the dogfish Squalus acanthias during spermatogenesis

Biochemical analyses of Squalus testis indicates that key enzymes involved with androgen production increase progressively from immature regions containing spermatogonia to mature regions in the late spermatid stage of maturation (Canick et al., 1983). In an effort to identify cells possessing the cytological characteristics of steroid production and to determine the structural correlates of the observed functional changes, we have carried out an electron microscopic study of Squalus testis. This report demonstrates that Sertoli cells contain a well-developed agranular reticulum, mitochondria with tubulovesicular cristae, and numerous lipid droplets. Moreover, as germ cells mature, there is an increase in abundance of agranular reticulum in the adjacent Sertoli cells. By the time of spermatid elongation, this has reached dramatic proportions and fills the Sertoli cell as a mass of tubules. These results lead us to conclude that the Sertoli cell is responsible for secretion of the increasing amounts of androgen during the spermatogenetic cycle in Squalus.
Three-dimensional analytical magnetic resonance imaging phantom in the Fourier domain.

This work presents a basic framework for constructing a 3D analytical MRI phantom in the Fourier domain. In the image domain the phantom is modeled after the work of Kak and Roberts on a 3D version of the famous Shepp-Logan head phantom. This phantom consists of several ellipsoids of different sizes, orientations, locations, and signal intensities (or gray levels). It will be shown that the k-space signal derived from the phantom can be analytically expressed. As a consequence, it enables one to bypass the need for interpolation in the Fourier domain when testing image-reconstruction algorithms. More importantly, the proposed framework can serve as a benchmark for contrasting and comparing different image-reconstruction techniques in 3D MRI with a non-Cartesian k-space trajectory. The proposed framework can also be adapted for 3D MRI simulation studies in which the MRI parameters of interest may be introduced to the signal intensity from the ellipsoid. Magn Reson Med, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Momentum Distributions and the Impulse Approximation in Helium

The momentum distributionn(p) of atoms in condensed matter may be determined from neutron inelastic scattering measurements. However, scattering at high momentum transfers ħQ (high enough that the impulse approximation holds) is required. A model of solid helium is used to assess the error introduced inn(p) by assuming the impulse approximation holds at severalQ values. AtQ=20 A−1 the error inn(p) is ≈5–10%. This error can be reduced by a factor of ten using a symmetrization procedure.
Mechanistic aspects of photooxidation of polyhydroxylated molecules on metal oxides.

Polyhydroxylated molecules, including natural carbohydrates, are known to undergo photooxidation on wide-gap transition-metal oxides irradiated by ultraviolet light. In this study, we examine mechanistic aspects of this photoreaction on aqueous TiO2, α-FeOOH, and α-Fe2O3 particles using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and site-selective deuteration. We demonstrate that the carbohydrates are oxidized at sites involved in the formation of oxo bridges between the chemisorbed carbohydrate molecule and metal ions at the oxide surface. This bridging inhibits the loss of water (which is the typical reaction of the analogous free radicals in bulk solvent) promoting instead a rearrangement that leads to elimination of the formyl radical. For natural carbohydrates, the latter reaction mainly involves carbon-1, whereas the main radical products of the oxidation are radical arising from H atom loss centered on carbon-1, -2, and -3 sites. Photoexcited TiO2 oxidizes all of the carbohydrates and polyo...
Functional analysis and treatment of elopement.

Elopement is a dangerous behavior because children who run away may encounter life-threatening situations (e.g., traffic). We conducted functional analyses of the elopement of 3 children who had been diagnosed with developmental disabilities. The results identified a maintaining reinforcer for the elopement of 1 child, but the data were difficult to interpret for 2 of the children. Subsequent reinforcer assessments were used to help to clarify the reinforcers for elopement for these 2 children. Results of the functional analyses and reinforcer assessments then were used to develop successful treatments to reduce elopement. The findings are discussed in terms of (a) the application of functional analysis methodology to elopement, (b) the use of reinforcer assessments to identify potential reinforcers when standard functional analyses are undifferentiated, and (c) the utility of assessment-based treatments for elopement.
Organic corrosion inhibitors for titanium

Abstract A study of organic compounds containing nitro-groups has shown that these additives can reduce corrosion rates of Ti6A14V in HCl solutions, provided their concentration exceeds a certain critical concentration. Below that concentration level, the additives increase corrosion rates. Polarization curves show that the compounds studied are passivators, their nitro-groups being reduced at the Ti surface, causing polarization of Ti to more noble potentials. Picric acid is a very effective corrosion inhibitor for Ti6A14V in 6N HCl even at a concentration of 10mM.
Risk factors associated with lameness in lactating dairy cattle in Michigan

Abstract A prospective cohort study was conducted to determine specific risk factors that may be associated with lameness in lactating dairy cattle. The data for this study were from the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) project from June 1986 to August 1987. Possible risk factors evaluated included the parity of the cow, herd size, housing type, exclusion of dry hay from the diet, bedding type and frequency of bedding changes. This study included 45 of the 54 randomly-selected herds that participated in the NAHMS project. Data were obtained from individual animal records and two herd management surveys completed by the producer at each farm. The results of the analysis show that for each 1 year increase in parity there was more than a 30% increased risk of becoming lame (odds ratio=1.4; CI=1.2–1.4). A herd size of 50–99 cattle was also associated with lameness in lactating daily cows (odds ratio=4.6; CI=1.2–12.7).
Radiolarian assemblage distributions and paleoceanography of the eastern equatorial pacific ocean during the last 127 000 years

Abstract Mathematical treatment ( Q -mode factor analysis) of radiolarian species abundance data in equatorial Pacific core tops yields four oceanographically meaningful assemblages. The distribution of these assemblages in surface sediments can be related to the major surface and subsurface characteristics of the equatorial circulation system: western tropical mixed layer flow; coastal upwelling and the oxygen minimum layer; eastern equatorial divergence, upwelling and the Equatorial Undercurrent; and the subtropical water masses of both hemispheres. Changes in the distribution of radiolarian assemblages during the glacial-interglacial cycle spanning the last 127 000 yr are observed in two equatorial Pacific piston cores. These changes reflect fluctuations in the boundaries of equatorial water masses in response to variations in the position and strength of the tradewind system and tend to precede major glacial-interglacial transitions by several thousand years. A history of atmospheric circulation in the equatorial Pacific has been developed for the last 127 000 yr. Fluctuations in tradewind intensity, north-south shifts in the latitudinal position of the tradewind maxima, and perhaps a change in the zonality of the tradewinds during the last 127 000 yr have been inferred from downcore quartz abundance and radiolarian assemblage distribution patterns. Oxygen isotopic fluctuations during the last 127 000 yr indicate that continental ice volume was much greater during glacial stage 2 (29 000 B.P. to 11 000 B.P.) than during glacial stage 4 (73 000 B.P. to 61 000 B.P.). Large changes in atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns also are indicated by the distribution of radiolarian assemblages during the two glacial periods. During stage 2, oceanic circulation was more intense, the southeast tradewind maximum was closer to the Equator and wind stress was more meridional than during stage 4.
Attaining participatory objectives: Citizen information and training needs

In this article the authors examine three interrelated elements of citizen participation: participatory objectives, participation techniques, and citizen information and training needs. Four object...
Phi meson mass in hot and dense matter

Abstract The phi meson mass in hot and dense hadronic matter is studied in the QCD sum rules. We find that it decreases substantially as a result of the abundant number of strange particles in the matter.
Modulation of the arrestin-clathrin interaction in cells. Characterization of beta-arrestin dominant-negative mutants.

We recently demonstrated that nonvisual arrestins interact via a C-terminal binding domain with clathrin and function as adaptor proteins to promote β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) internalization. Here, we investigated the potential utility of a mini-gene expressing the clathrin-binding domain of β-arrestin (β-arrestin (319–418)) to function as a dominant-negative with respect to β2AR internalization and compared its properties with those of β-arrestin and β-arrestin-V53D, a previously reported dominant-negative mutant.In vitro studies demonstrated that β-arrestin-V53D bound better to clathrin than β-arrestin but was significantly impaired in its interaction with phosphorylated G protein-coupled receptors. In contrast, whereas β-arrestin (319–418) also bound well to clathrin it completely lacked receptor binding activity. When coexpressed with the β2AR in HEK293 cells, β-arrestin (319–418) effectively inhibited agonist-promoted receptor internalization, whereas β-arrestin-V53D was only modestly effective. However, both constructs significantly inhibited the stimulation of β2AR internalization by β-arrestin in COS-1 cells. Interestingly, immunofluorescence microscopy analysis reveals that both β-arrestin (319–418) and β-arrestin-V53D are constitutively localized in clathrin-coated pits in COS-1 cells. These results indicate the potential usefulness of β-arrestin (319–418) to effectively block arrestin-clathrin interaction in cells and suggest that this construct may prove useful in further defining the mechanisms involved in G protein-coupled receptor trafficking.
Generation and Verification of Finite Models and Counterexamples Using an Automated Theorem Prover Answering Two Open Questions

Two open questions in ternary Boolean algebras (Not. Amer. Math. Soc., 16, No. 4, 654 (June 1969; Bull Amer, Math. Soc., 53, No. 6, 567-572 (June 1947); Proc. Eighth Int. Sypm. on Multiple-Valued Logic, pp. 251-256) were answered with the aid of an existing automated theorem-proving program without recourse to any additional programing. The new automated theorem-proving techniques developed in answering the open questions are presented in this paper; essentially the existing theorem prover is used in a nonstandard way to seek and verify small finite models and counterexamples for a first-order axiom system. Exhibiting a model of an axiom system proves it consistent; this facility complements traditional theorem-proving methods which can only prove inconsistency. 1 figure.
Variable voltage scheduling

This paper presents a low power design technique at the behavioral synthesis stage. Scheduling technique for low power is studied and a theoretical foundation is established. The equation for dynamic power, Pdyn = V 2 ddCloadfswitch, is used as a basis. The voltage applied to the functional units is varied, slowing down the functional unit throughput, reducing the power but meeting the throughput constraint for the entire system. The input to our problem is an unscheduled data ow graph with a timing constraint. The goal is to establish a voltage value at which each of the operations of the data ow graph would be performed and thereby xing the latency for the operation such that the total timing constraint for the system is met. We give an exact algorithm to minimize the system's power. The timing constraint for our system could be any value more than or equal to the critical path. The experimental results for some High-Level Synthesis benchmarks show considerable reduction in the power consumption. For tighter timing constraints, the maximum reduction is about 40% by using supply voltages 5V and 3V and a maximum reduction of about 46% using supply voltages 5V, 3V and 2.4V. For larger timing constraints, the maximum reduction is about 64% by using supply voltages 5V and 3V and a maximum reduction of about 74% using supply voltages 5V, 3V and 2.4V.
Winning the ASEE 2006 Robotics Design Competition: Guiding Students to Success

Robotics Model Design Competition sponsored by the Two Year College Division (TYCD) of American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) provides an avenue for freshman and sophomore student teams in two year as well as four year colleges and universities to participate in a creative engineering design project. Historically Black Colleges and University - Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) at National Science Foundation (NSF) have provided support for development of ACTION (Advanced Curriculum and Technology-based Instructional Opportunities Network) at UMES. The ACTION program promotes inquiry based active learning and research projects among undergraduate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) majors. Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics students responded enthusiastically when the authors proposed the idea of participating in the (ASEE) 2006 Robotic Model Design Competition at one of the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) student section meetings at UMES in the fall of 2005. (The authors serve as the advisors for ASME student section chapter at UMES). The student leader of the section quickly put together a team of five freshman and sophomore engineering, engineering technology and mathematics students to develop a proposal to UMES ACTION program. The authors supported the proposal development efforts. The proposal got funded and provided the resources for project execution and travel. A team of eleven freshmen and sophomore students from Engineering, Engineering Technology and Mathematics departments of University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) participated in the American Society for Engineering Education’s (ASEE) 2006 Robotics Model Design Competition project. The event was sponsored by the Two-year College Division (TYCD) of ASEE and was open to freshman and sophomore student teams from two year as well as four year colleges and universities. The competition required teams to design and build an autonomous robot capable of delivering ping pong balls to each of four corner pockets located on an 8ft×8ft plywood track in a sequence. Each team was evaluated on the basis of a written report, an oral presentation, and scores obtained from the best two runs out of four runs on the racing track. Sixteen student teams across the nation participated in the event. UMES entered two teams in the competition who called themselves “Hawks 1” and “Hawks 4”. The student team “Hawks 1” won the competition. Video clips of both design projects as they executed the specified task at the 2006 ASEE Robotics Model Design Competition can be viewed at: http://www.umes.edu/asme/robots.htm . This paper describes the design projects “Hawks 1” and “Hawks 4” and its relevance to ABET learning outcomes.© 2007 ASME
Compartment syndrome associated with lithotomy position and intermittent compression stockings.

Abstract Background: Compartment syndrome is a condition in which increased tissue pressure within a limited tissue space compromises the circulation and function of the contents of the space. Case: A 43-year-old black woman, para 3, had repair of a recurrent vesicovaginal fistula. She was placed in a low lithotomy position with thigh length sequential compression sleeves. The procedure lasted more than 5 hours. On postoperative day 1, she complained of pain in her right leg and foot. Compartment syndrome was diagnosed and emergency fasciotomy was done. Conclusion: Gynecologists should be aware of the possibility of compartment syndrome during prolonged procedures with patients in the lithotomy position. Concomitant intermittent compression sleeves might further increase the risk. Early diagnosis and treatment of compression syndrome are essential to minimize long-term neurovascular morbidity.
Non-derivative algorithm design for efficient routing over unreliable stochastic networks

We study the question of routing for minimum average drop rate over unreliable servers that are susceptible to random buffer failures, which arises in unreliable data or manufacturing networks. Interestingly, we first reveal that the traditional Join-the-Shortest-Queue (JSQ) or optimal Randomized Splitting (RS) strategies are consistently outperformed by the Constant Splitting Rule (CSR) where the incoming traffic is split with a constant fraction towards the available servers. This finding motivates us to obtain the optimal splitting fraction under CSR. However, the objective function to be minimized depends on the mean queue length of the servers, whose closed-form expression is not available and often intractable for general arrival and service processes. Thus, we use non-derivative methods to solve this optimization problem by approximately evaluating the objective value at each iteration. To that end, we explicitly characterize the approximation error by utilizing the regenerating nature of unreliable buffers. By adaptively controlling the precision of this approximation, we show that our proposed algorithm converges to an optimal splitting decision in the almost sure sense. Yet, previous works on non-derivative methods assume continuous differentiability of the objective function, which is not the case in our setup. We relax this strong assumption to the case when the objective function is locally Lipschitz continuous, which is another contribution of this paper.
Fate of orthotopic corneal allografts in C57BL/6 mice

Abstract Our aim was to determine whether corneal allografts placed in normal eyes of C57BL/6 mice enjoy immune privilege, and whether recipients of long-standing grafts acquire donor-specific ACAID. C57BL/6 mice received corneal grafts from BALB/c, C57BL/6, C3H, B10.D2 or BALB.B mice; for comparison, BALB/c mice received C3H or C57BL/6 corneal allografts. Delayed hypersensitivity and anterior chamber associated immune deviation (ACAID) induction were assessed in recipient mice at four and eight weeks after grafting. It was found that C57BL/6 mice resemble BALB/c mice in mounting more vigorous rejection reactions against minor H, rather than MHC, alloantigenic corneas, and in the acquisition of donor-specific DH within four weeks of engraftment. In addition, C57BL/6 mice with long-standing, healthy allografts display donor-specific ACAID. However, C57BL/6 mice differ from BALB/c mice in that (1) fewer allodisparate corneal grafts were accepted indefinitely; and (2) rejection in these eyes correlated with sustained donor-specific DH. It was concluded that immune privilege is less secure in the eyes of C57BL/6 mice, compared to BALB/c mice. This conclusion is discussed in terms of known polymorphic differences between these mouse strains at genetic loci governing (a) immune responsiveness, (b) alloform of Fas ligand, and (c) bias of immune response toward Th1 or Th2 phenotypes.