cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sporadic Visual Acuity Loss in the Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT)

Purpose To evaluate transient, large visual acuity (VA) decreases, termed sporadic vision loss, during anti–vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design Cohort within a randomized clinical trial. Methods setting: Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT). study population: Total of 1185 CATT patients. main outcome measures: Incidence of sporadic vision loss and odds ratio (OR) for association with patient and ocular factors. Sporadic vision loss was a decline of ≥15 letters from the previous visit, followed by a return at the next visit to no more than 5 letters worse than the visit before the VA loss. Results There were 143 sporadic vision loss events in 122 of 1185 patients (10.3%). Mean VA at 2 years for those with and without sporadic vision loss was 58.5 (∼20/63) and 68.4 (∼20/40) letters, respectively ( P Conclusions Approximately 10% of CATT patients had sporadic vision loss. Baseline predictors included AMD-related factors and factors independent of AMD. These data are relevant for clinicians in practice and those involved in clinical trials.
Homo peccator in public administration

In the animal world the presence of entropy necessitates contest. Among the non‐human mammals the contests are overwhelmingly inter‐specific. On the other hand the bulk of human contests are intra‐specific. They bring about a dissipation in human systems akin to that brought on by noise in natural systems (“human noise”). Just as the engineering of natural systems hinges on the successful understanding of noise and its filtration, so the successful administration of human systems must hinge on the understanding of human noise and its filtration. In this paper, after demarcating the concepts of communication, teleology, contest and inquiry and their stochastic foundations, we shall (1) show that post‐Weber administrative theory, unlike the more classical, is delinquent in its neglect of human noise, (2) list the lacunae in the prevailing theory, (3) explain the greater efficiency of the administration of warfare in contrast to that of more humane projects, (4) expound the Parkinson maxims on the human noise specific to a Weberian bureaucracy, (5) show how this together with widespread corruption results in ineffective government, and finally, (6) suggest how systems analysts might approach this problem.
Up for sale: consumer medical information

Purpose – This paper aims to examine privacy breaches in personal health record information that expose consumers to unsolicited marketing.Design/methodology/approach – Examples of: data theft by healthcare workers; sale of consumer health data by entities not covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); and piracy of health data through sophisticated internet targeted marketing.Findings – This paper finds that HIPAA's strict safeguards to medical privacy are not extended to database companies that aggregate data for electronic medical records, a source of highly profitable information that is purchased by advertisers. Similar health information is obtained by marketers through consumer “health surveys” completed on web‐based health information sites or at community health screenings.Practical implications – Consumer education is warranted to ensure awareness of privacy breaches and vigilance against loss of personal and protected health information to marketers.Originality/...
Importance of phosphor persistence characteristics in reducing visual distress symptoms in VDT users

The literature presents many examples of visual distress (Gunnarsson and Soderberg, 1983) and (Ostberg, 1975) which indicate that many VDT operators suffer from ocular discomfort. Task design, room lighting, VDT screen glare, improper refraction correction, and the physical workstation environment are often given as the reasons for observed visual distress without delving into the specific mechanisms or combinations thereof of visually induced fatigue. There has been little noticeable improvement made up to today even though many more VDTs are in use.
Mannosyltransfer from GDP-mannose to oligosaccharide-lipids.

Abstract Rabbit liver microsomes catalyzed mannosyltransfer from GDP-mannose to oligosaccharide-lipids isolated from porcine liver. The transfer occurred in the presence of 10 mM EDTA, a condition under which the formation of dolichol-P-mannose and other chloroform soluble mannosyl-lipids was almost completely inhibited, indicating that the mannosyl-oligosaccharide linkage was formed by a direct transfer of mannose from the nucleotide sugar. Virtually all of the mannose incorporated into the oligosaccharides was released by α-mannosidase, demonstrating the formation of an α-mannosyl-linkage in the oligosaccharide-lipid product. An enzyme catalyzing the divalent cation independent transfer of mannose from GDP-mannose to exogenous oligosaccharide-lipids was solubilized from rabbit liver microsomes and purified over 10 fold.
Mechanism study of porcine skin ablation by nanosecond laser pulses at 1064, 532, 266, and 213 nm

The ablation mechanism of fresh porcine skin has been studied using nanosecond laser pulses at the wavelengths of 1064, 532, 266, and 213 nm. We have identified the Na spectral line at 589 nm in the secondary radiation from the ablated skin sample as the signature of tissue ablation and measured the ablation probability near ablation threshold. Ablation depth per pulse has been measured by histological examination of ablated skin samples. Review of the ablation probability data through probit analysis indicated that the same mechanism is likely to be operative for tissue ablation at all four wavelengths. Various soft tissue ablation models are discussed, and it is concluded that the ablation of the skin by nanosecond laser pulses from 1064 to 213 nm is a result of electronic impact ionization which leads to the formation of a plasma.
A Highly Efficient Approach to the Self-Assembly of Hexagonal Cavity-Cored Tris[2]pseudorotaxanes from Several Components via Multiple Noncovalent Interactions

A method of incorporating both metal−ligand and crown ether−dialkylammonium self-assembly techniques in the efficient synthesis of metallacyclic tris[2]pseudorotaxanes is described. These multifunctional supramolecules can be prepared by the stepwise or one-pot assembly of nine separate components on account of the orthogonality of the two noncovalent assembly strategies employed. This methodology demonstrates the power of orthogonal self-assembly and may be expanded beyond the use of two recognition motifs in hopes of mimicking the complex multifunctionality of biological systems.
Complex medical processes as context for embedded systems

Many embedded systems are intended for use in complex and highly concurrent processes with multiple human agents. In these cases, the requirements for the system depend critically on the details of the process. If certification is to be useful for such systems, it must take the details of the process into account. In this paper, we describe some current research involving the formal definition and analysis of complex medical processes. We discuss the ways in which this work may provide a basis for a more complete understanding of the behavior of medical devices in the context of the processes in which they are used, and thus for certification methods for sophisticated embedded systems.
Ethanol-induced transcriptional activation of programmed cell death 4 (Pdcd4) is mediated by GSK-3β signaling in rat cortical neuroblasts.

Ingestion of ethanol (ETOH) during pregnancy induces grave abnormalities in developing fetal brain. We have previously reported that ETOH induces programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), a critical regulator of cell growth, in cultured fetal cerebral cortical neurons (PCNs) and in the cerebral cortex in vivo and affect protein synthesis as observed in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). However, the mechanism which activates PDCD4 in neuronal systems is unclear and understanding this regulation may provide a counteractive strategy to correct the protein synthesis associated developmental changes seen in FASD. The present study investigates the molecular mechanism by which ethanol regulates PDCD4 in cortical neuroblasts, the immediate precursor of neurons. ETOH treatment significantly increased PDCD4 protein and transcript expression in spontaneously immortalized rat brain neuroblasts. Since PDCD4 is regulated at both the post-translational and post-transcriptional level, we assessed ETOH’s effect on PDCD4 protein and mRNA stability. Chase experiments demonstrated that ETOH does not significantly impact either PDCD4 protein or mRNA stabilization. PDCD4 promoter-reporter assays confirmed that PDCD4 is transcriptionally regulated by ETOH in neuroblasts. Given a critical role of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) signaling in regulating protein synthesis and neurotoxic mechanisms, we investigated the involvement of GSK-3β and showed that multifunctional GSK-3β was significantly activated in response to ETOH in neuroblasts. In addition, we found that ETOH-induced activation of PDCD4 was inhibited by pharmacologic blockade of GSK-3β using inhibitors, lithium chloride (LiCl) and SB-216763 or siRNA mediated silencing of GSK-3β. These results suggest that ethanol transcriptionally upregulates PDCD4 by enhancing GSK-3β signaling in cortical neuroblasts. Further, we demonstrate that canonical Wnt-3a/GSK-3β signaling is involved in regulating PDCD4 protein expression. Altogether, we provide evidence that GSK-3β/PDCD4 network may represent a critical modulatory point to manage the protein synthetic anomalies and growth aberrations of neural cells seen in FASD.
A New Type of Warble Tone Generator

In testing various types of apparatus used in electrical communication circuits, it is often desirable to obtain a single average reading over a range of frequencies. For this purpose a ``warble'' tone, or a tone the frequency of which varies cyclically over the desired range, is used. In this paper is described a new type of electronic tube warble tone generator which utilizes a ``relaxation'' oscillator and has no mechanically moving parts.
Electrochemical reactions of pincer rhodium(I) complexes

Abstract The electrochemical properties of the (PCP)RhI(H2) (1-H2, PCP = κ3-C6H3–2,6-(CH2P(tBu2)) complex was examined by cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile (MeCN), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 1,2-difluorobenzene (1,2-DFB). Upon oxidation in weakly or non-coordinating media such as 0.05 M NaBArF24 in 1,2-difluorobenzene, simple one electron oxidation to [(PCP)RhII(H2)]+ is observed. Conversely, in coordinating solvents (e.g. acetonitrile and dimethylsulfoxide) the reactivity is dominated by solvent coordinated species with a slight variation in the RhIII/II oxidation potentials as a function of the supporting electrolyte conductivity. A computational analysis of these reactions in support of the proposed mechanism is presented.
An updated treatment of soil texture and associated hydraulic properties in a global land modeling system

The advent of new data sets describing soil texture and associated soil properties offers the promise of improved hydrological simulation. Here we describe the composition of a new soil texture data set and its implementation into a specific land surface modeling system, namely, the Catchment land surface model (LSM) of the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System version 5 (GEOS-5) modeling and assimilation framework. First, global soil texture composites are generated using data from the Harmonized World Soil Database version 1.21 (HWSD1.21) and the State Soil Geographic (STATSGO2) project, with explicit consideration of different levels of organic material. Then, the LSM's soil parameters are upgraded using the new texture data, with hydraulic parameters derived for the more extensive set of texture classes using pedotransfer functions. Other changes to the LSM parameters are included to further support simulations at increasingly fine resolutions. A suite of simulations with the original and new parameter versions shows modest yet significant improvements in the Catchment LSM's simulation of soil moisture and surface hydrological fluxes. The revised LSM parameters will be used for the forthcoming Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) soil moisture assimilation product.
New scalable systolic array processor architecture for simultaneous discrete convolution of k different (n × n) filter coefficient planes with a single image plane

A new high-performance scalable systolic array processor architecture module is presented which can simultaneously convolute k different (n x n) Filter Coefficient (FC) planes with a single (i x j) pixel Input Image Plane (IP). The architecture will have the capability to simultaneously perform convolution of k different (n x n) FC planes on 600dpi (dot per inch) IPs of size 8½” x 11” at a rate such that k convoluted Output Image (OI) plane pixels are output each system clock cycle for a system clock cycle time of less than 10 nanoseconds. Bit-parallel arithmetic is used and each IP pixel is 8-bits in length and each FC plane coefficient is 6-bits in length. A new pipelined systolic type architecture module is first developed which can generate one convoluted OI plane pixel per system clock cycle using a level of 'r' hardware resources for the case of (n = 5). The architecture is then extended in a scalable and deeper pipelined manner to allow simultaneous convolution of a single IP pixel, with k different (n×n) FC planes for the case of (n = 5), within one system clock cycle, utilizing less than (k × r) hardware resources. Synthesis and post-implementation VHDL simulation results are shown for an experimental model of the architecture which validates the scalability and functionality of the architecture. Simulation results demonstrate the performance of the architecture to be directly proportional to pipeline depth.
Self-healing properties of optical Airy beams

We investigate both theoretically and experimentally the self-healing properties of accelerating Airy beams. We show that this class of waves tends to reform during propagation in spite of the severity of the imposed perturbations. In all occasions the reconstruction of these beams is interpreted through their internal transverse power flow. The robustness of these optical beams in scattering and turbulent environments is also studied experimentally. Our observations are in excellent agreement with numerical simulations.
An investigation of the vacancy annealing kinetics and precipitate structure in quenched gold

Polycrystalline gold specimens, in the form of narrow foils, with initial nominal purities of 99·999% or greater, were annealed for various periods in air at elevated temperatures, by resistance he...
Optimization of parameters for an effective hamiltonian

Abstract A generally applicable, least-squares method that can be used to optimize the parameters of an effective hamiltonian matrix in any basis set is described. The technique is applied to the correlation of photoelectron spectra of saturated hydrocarbons.
Locus of control, sex, and attitudes toward suicide

A sample of 191 college students were administered the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire and the Rotter Locus of Control Scale. Significant differences in endorsement were obtained on 2 of the 8 Suicide Opinion Questionnaire scales with respect to sex and locus of control.
Early distribution of radioactive liposomes and scrapie infectivity in mouse tissues following administration by different routes

Mice were injected with 99mtechnetium-labelled liposomes or with a standard homogenate of scrapie-affected brain. Four different routes of injection were used, intracerebral (i.c.), intravenous (i.v.), intraperitoneal (i.p.) and subcutaneous (s.c.). Blood and a range of other tissues were removed between 5 min and several hours after injection. The tissues included spleen and salivary gland in which appreciable agent replication (or at least accumulation) is known to occur and, liver where replication of scrapie agent does not occur. Within 30 min of injection by any of the four routes used, radioactivity, and infectivity were detected in tissues remote from the site of injection. The distribution of radioactivity in various tissues was similar to that of infectious scrapie agent, but in both cases it occurred much more rapidly after i.v. injection than after injection by the i.p. or s.c. route. It is suggested that the 1000-fold reduced efficiency of scrapie infection by the s.c. route, compared to the i.v. route, is related to the extensive localisation of inoculum at the site of injection. Despite the relatively high efficiency of infection of the i.v. route, much of the detectable agent is taken up by liver where the agent does not replicate. It is concluded that only a very small proportion of the agent injected i.v. (and presumably by other routes) is involved in establishing scrapie infection of mice.
Optimization design for selective extraction of size-fractioned DNA sample in microfabricated electrophoresis devices

In recent years, there has been tremendous interest in developing a highly integrated DNA analysis system using microfabrication techniques. With the success of incorporating sample injection, reaction, separation and detection onto a monolithic silicon device, addition of otherwise time-consuming components in macroworld such as sample preparation is gaining more and more attention. In this paper, we designed and fabricated a miniaturized device, capable of separating size-fractioned DNA sample and extracting the band of interest. In order to obtain pure target band, a novel technique utilizing shaping electric field is demonstrated. Both theoretical analysis and experimental data shows significant agreement in designing appropriate electrode structures to achieve the desired electric field distribution. This technique has a very simple fabrication procedure and can be readily added with other existing components to realize a highly integrated "lab-on-a-chip’ system for DNA analysis.
Computational Science Research and Graduate Studies at San Diego State University

This installment of the News department focuses on one particular CS program and what it's doing to prepare CS students for their future careers.
Decays of 126Ba and 126Cs

Abstract The γ-ray spectra associated with the decay of 126 Ba in equilibrium with its daughter 126 Cs have been studied with the use of a 50 cm 3 Ge(Li) and a thin window intrinsic Ge detector. A large number of γ-rays have been observed to decay with a 100±2 min half-life and are assigned to 126 Ba and its shortlived ( T 1 2 = 1·6 min ) daughter 126 Cs. Preliminary measurements of γ-γ coincidences have been performed using two Ge(Li) detectors and a 4096 × 4096 two parameter analyzer. Partial decay schemes of 126 Ba and 126 Cs are suggested.
Development of Harmonization and Sight-Reading Skills among University Class Piano Students

This study is an exploration of the development of sight-reading and harmonization skills among nonkeyboard music majors enrolled in six intact sections of class piano (N = 39). Classes included 10...
Time of cell origin and cell death in the avian dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.

Cessation of cell proliferation and cell death were studied in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus of the chick embryo, hatchling, and adult. Most of the cells comprising the nucleus (94%) complete their final DNA synthesis on days 2 and 3 of incubation. There is a caudo-rostral gradient in the cessation of proliferation, with the caudalmost cells withdrawing from the cell cycle slightly in advance of the middle and rostral cells. Cell death in the dorsal motor nucleus results in a 21% loss of cells between days 8 and 12, and 37% loss by hatching. A caudo-rostral gradient was also present with respect to cell death, with more delayed and gradual cell loss occurring in the rostral region. The timing and spatial pattern of cell death may be related to the asynchronous innervation of the several targets of the nucleus.
Epidermal growth factor mediated healing in stem cell-derived vocal fold mucosa

Abstract Background The goal of vocal fold wound healing is the reconstitution of functional tissue, including a structurally and functionally intact epithelium. Mechanisms underlying reepithelialization in vocal folds are not known, although it is suspected that healing involves the interplay between several growth factors. We used a three-dimensional human embryonic stem cell-derived model of vocal fold mucosa to examine the effects of one growth factor, exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF), on wound healing. Materials and methods A scratch wound was created in the in vitro model. Rate of wound healing, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation, and cell proliferation after injury were analyzed with and without application of both exogenous EGF and an EGFR inhibitor, gefitinib. Results Wound repair after injury was significantly hastened by application of exogenous EGF (13.3 μm/h, ±2.63) compared with absence of exogenous EGF (7.1 μm/h ±2.84), but inhibited with concurrent addition of Gefitinib (5.2 μm/h, ±2.23), indicating that EGF mediates wound healing in an EGFR-dependent manner. Immunohistochemistry revealed that EGFR activation occurred only in the presence of exogenous EGF. Although not statistically significant, increased density of Ki67 staining in the epithelium adjacent to the scratch wound was observed after treatment with EGF, suggesting a tendency for exogenous EGF to increase epithelial cell proliferation. Conclusions Exogenous EGF increases the rate of wound healing in an EGFR-dependent manner in a three-dimensional stem cell-derived model of vocal fold mucosa. This model of wound healing can be used to gain insight into the mechanisms that regulate vocal fold epithelial repair after injury.
New business models for emerging media and entertainment revenue opportunities

Purpose – As a growing share of consumer value shifts to new industry entrants, this paper seeks to suggest how long‐time leaders in many media and entertainment (M&E) market segments can replace declining traditional revenue with equivalent value from digital media.Design/methodology/approach – The paper suggests how established media and entertainment companies – newspapers, broadcasters, music labels and movie studios – can proactively address both their potential revenue challenge and find new business models.Findings – The paper finds that media companies need to “rethink” their business models and seek innovative ways to enhance the consumer experience and connect with consumers.Research limitations/implications – This is a 2010 IBM Institute for Business Value analysis.Practical implications – M&E companies will require the capabilities to build analytics and insights, develop consumer‐centric models and enable multiplatform delivery.Originality/value – Three strategies will likely help M&E leaders...
Induction of interferon-α by scleroderma sera containing autoantibodies to topoisomerase I: Association of higher interferon-α activity with lung fibrosis

Objective Peripheral blood cells (PBMCs) from some patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) express an interferon-α (IFNα) signature. The aim of this study was to determine whether SSc patient sera could induce IFNα and whether IFNα induction was associated with specific autoantibodies and/or clinical features of the disease. Methods SSc sera containing autoantibodies against either topoisomerase I (anti–topo I; n = 12), nucleolar protein (ANoA; n = 12), or centromeric protein (ACA; n = 13) were cultured with a HeLa nuclear extract and normal PBMCs. In some experiments, different cell extracts or inhibitors of plasmacytoid dendritic cell (DC) activation, Fcγ receptor II (FcγRII), endocytosis, or nucleases were used. IFNα was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Topo I–containing sera induced significantly higher levels of IFNα as compared with all other groups. IFNα induction was inhibited by anti–blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (90%), anti-CD32 (76%), bafilomycin (99%), and RNase (82%). In contrast, ACAs induced low levels of IFNα even when necrotic, apoptotic, or demethylated extracts were used, despite the fact that CENP-B–binding oligonucleotide containing 2 CpG motifs effectively stimulated IFNα. IFNα production was significantly higher in patients with diffuse SSc (mean ± SEM 641 ± 174 pg/ml) than in those with limited SSc (215 ± 66 pg/ml) as well as in patients with lung fibrosis than in those without. Conclusion Autoantibody subsets in SSc sera differentially induce IFNα and may explain the IFNα signature observed in SSc. IFNα is induced by plasmacytoid DCs and required uptake of immune complexes through FcγRII, endosomal transport, and the presence of RNA, presumably for interaction with Toll-like receptor 7. The higher IFNα induction in sera from patients with diffuse SSc than in those with limited SSc as well as in sera from patients with lung fibrosis suggests that IFNα may contribute to tissue injury.
Mechanical properties of intrasynovial and extrasynovial tendon fascicles

Abstract Background Tendon grafting in tendon reconstruction often involves the interchange of intrasynovial and extrasynovial tendons. Although many studies have examined the cellular and biological differences between tendons of various sources, few have studied the mechanical properties of these two different types of tendons. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of intrasynovial and extrasynovial tendons. Methods Canine peroneus longus (extrasynovial) and flexor digitorum profundus (intrasynovial) tendons, further subdivided into intrasynovial tendinous and intrasynovial fibrocartilaginous segments, were used in the study. An indentation test was used to measure the compressive modulus. Tensile testing was performed on 400 μm longitudinal sections. Findings The compressive modulus of the intrasynovial fibrocartilaginous segment was significantly higher than that of the intrasynovial tendinous segment, which was in turn significantly higher than that of the extrasynovial tendon ( P P P = 0.14). Interpretation The results suggest that extrasynovial tendons exhibit superior tensile properties but inferior compressive properties when compared to intrasynovial tendons, which is consistent with their biological role in situ, but which could lead to complications when these tendons are repositioned during tendon graft surgery.
Prostatic Specific Antigen Related to Clinical Status 1 to 14 Years after Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

Summary— Serum prostatic specific antigen (PSA by Tandem-R immunoassay) was measured in 190 patients after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Serial measurements were made in all patients operated on in the past 3 years; 131 had undetectable levels and 59 had levels in the detectable range. Only 10% of the patients with undetectable PSA following surgery had seminal vesical involvement or positive lymph nodes. None of the patients with undetectable PSA have had clinical recurrence within the 41 months of mean follow-up. In 14 patients who had PSA serially measured since surgery, detectable levels were found within 6 months of operation and 7 of these patients had clinical progression within 2 years; 39 patients had detectable PSA after radical prostatectomy with no clinical evidence of recurrence. Biopsy of the anastomosis was performed in 11 patients with isolated detectable PSA after surgery and local recurrence was established in 4. PSA was detectable later in the follow-up of 45 patients operated on before the PSA assay became available but the date when PSA actually became detectable is not known. A relatively new method of estimating that date and constructing a corresponding Kaplan Meier curve is presented. PSA is an effective marker for monitoring patients after radical prostatectomy as it often detects early persistent disease in patients with detectable measurements 6 months post-operatively or recurrent disease in patients with later rising levels.
The Foam Friend: A Useful Penile Bandage in Children

ABSTRACTPurpose: We describe the design and use of our preferred penile bandage.Materials and Methods: A simple bandage composed of Reston foam (3M, St. Paul, Minnesota), Telfa (Tyco Adhesives, Franklin, Kentucky), gum mastic and tape was used in more than 500 penile procedures in children.Results: The bandage proved to be well tolerated, easily removed by parents and quite effective.Conclusions: The foam friend is the most useful and problem-free penile bandage that we have used.
A new approximation algorithm for labeling points with circle pairs

We study the NP-hard problem of labeling points with maximum-radius circle pairs: given n point sites in the plane, find a placement for 2n interior-disjoint uniform circles, such that each site touches two circles and the circle radius is maximized. We present a new approximation algorithm for this problem that runs in O(n log n + n log 1/e) time and O(n) space and achieves an approximation factor of (2 + √3 + 2√4+ √3)/4 +√3)+e(≈ 1.486 + e), which improves the previous best bound of 1.491 + e.
Electronegativity and electron binding in gold alloys

Measurements were made of the Au core-electron binding-energy shifts which occur when Au metal is made the minor constituent in alloys of Pd, Pt, and Ni. These results and binding-energy shifts previously reported for alloys with Ag, Al, and Sn were combined with M\"ossbauer isomer-shift and work-function data to derive estimates for the net charging of the Au sites in these systems. Au turns out to be negative in all cases to the extent of $\ensuremath{\sim}0.1e$, except for Au-Pt where the charging is less. Although considerably greater Au $s$ density increases are demonstrated by the M\"ossbauer data, they are largely compensated by depletion of the $d$ count. The trend in host-to-Au charge behavior is qualitatively in accord with the Pauling electronegativity scale.
BMI-based body size guides for women and men: development and validation of a novel pictorial method to assess weight-related concepts.

BMI-based body size guides for women and men: development and validation of a novel pictorial method to assess weight-related concepts
Radiometric microbiological assay of B vitamins. part 1: assay procedure

Radiometric-microbiological assays (RMAs) were developed to eliminate some of the technical problems associated with the conventional turbidimetric-microbiological method. The RMA is based on the measurement of 14 CO 2 from the metabolism of a 14 C-labeled substrate by the test organism in the presence of the specific vitamin to be analyzed. We have used the yeast Kloeckera brevis, wich has an absolute requirement for niacin, biotin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6, as the test organism and L-1- 14 C-valine as the radiolabeled substrat. We describe the RMA procedure for these vitamins.
Low-energy predictions of a two-loop finite supersymmetric SU5 theory

We present a detailed discussion of a two-loop finite supersymmetric SU5 theory, with particular emphasis on the new particle mass spectrum and its dependence on the input parameters. The model predicts sin2θw = 0.237, mb/mτ ≈ 1.8 (at MW) and MX = 5.3 × 1015 GeV, which means that nucleon decay, if observable, will be to strange final states. We find in general mg > mq > me, and that results consistent with a supersymmetric explanation of the CERN monojet and “top-quark” events are possible, in which case we predict light (O(20 GeV)) charged scalar leptons.
Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions (PEPPI): Validation of an Instrument in Older Persons

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a brief instrument – the Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions Questionnaire (PEPPI) – to measure older patients' self-efficacy in obtaining medical information and attention to their medical concerns from physicians. DESIGN: Two consecutive validation surveys. SETTING: Eleven senior multipurpose centers in Los Angeles County California. POPULATION: A convenience sample of 163 community-dwelling older persons (Survey 1: n = 59, mean age = 77.1 years, 76.3% female; Survey 2: n = 104, mean age = 77.4 years, 57.7% female). MEASURES: The 10-item PEPPI, subscales of the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Coping Scale, the Mastery Scale, and global self-reported health and restricted activity days items. RESULTS: The full 10-item and a 5-item short form of PEFPI demonstrated Cronbach's alphas of 0.91 and 0.83, respectively. PEPPI demonstrated discriminant and convergent validity as hypothesized, correlating negatively with avoidant coping (r = -.27, P =.001) and positively with active coping (r =.17, P =.03) and with patient satisfaction with physician interpersonal manner (r =.49, P <.0001) and communication (r =.51, P <.0001) (values from the overall sample). Further, in the second survey, PEPPI correlated positively with self-reported health (r =.42, P <.0001), education (r =.24, P =.01) and self-mastery (r =.29, P =.01) and negatively with restricted activity days (r = -.25, P =.01). PEPPI-5 demonstrated correlations similar in magnitude, direction, and statistical significance. CONCLUSION: In either the 5- or 10-item version, PEPPI is a valid and reliable measure of older patients' perceived self-efficacy in interacting with physicians. This instrument may be useful in measuring the impact of empowerment interventions to increase older patients' personal sense of effectiveness in obtaining needed health care.
Antidepressants and driving

Although some impairment of skills due to antidepressants has been observed clinically, the impact of antidepressants on traffic safety is at present unknown.
AIDS prevention: A public health psychology perspective

To prevent HIV infection we must influence risky sexual and drug-using practices, some of the most basic yet complex of human behaviors. No single discipline or one-shot intervention is going to solve this problem; rather, a sustained, multidimensional, interdisciplinary effort with repeat exposures to a variety of well-planned and targeted strategies is essential.
Stop-out or Drop-out? An Examination of College Withdrawals and Re-Enrollments.

The withdrawal policies of many universities are based on the supposition that being able to withdraw without grade point repercussions will encourage students to return to the institution at a later date. This study focused on withdrawing students and examined the differences between those who re-enroll after a withdrawal and those who do not. About one-third of withdrawing students did re-enroll. Although intentions to return were related to re-enrollment behaviors, respondents were not always accurate in their predictions. Numerous differences were also found between those who did re-enroll and those who did not, including educational goals, work commitments, adjustment issues, health-related problems, and participation levels. The results suggest that the distinction between drop-outs and stop-outs may further our understanding of student retention issues.
Managing Employee Rights & Responsibilities

The article reviews the book “Managing Employee Rights & Responsibilities,” edited by Chimezie A.B. Osigweh.
Influence of nitric oxide on cellular and mitochondrial integrity in oxidatively stressed astrocytes.

Astrocytes provide protection and trophic support to neurons, but like neurons are vulnerable to oxidative stress. Decreased function of astrocytes resulting from oxidative stress could contribute to neurodegeneration. Our goal is to understand the intracellular events associated with oxidative stress in astrocytes. Because nitric oxide (NO z ) has been implicated as a contributor to oxidative stress in the brain, we examined in this study whether NO z contributed to oxidative stress in
Immediate nasal prosthetic rehabilitation following cytomegalovirus erosion: A clinical report

The immediate prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient with erosive cutaneous cytomegalovirus (CMV) is presented. Although CMV is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients, skin lesions are rarely discussed in the literature. Recognition of the susceptibility of medically compromised patients to infections that can cause extraoral and intraoral deformity is essential to prevention, early diagnosis, and prompt intervention of a life-threatening destructive debilitation. A method for rapidly fabricating a nasal prosthesis is described, and the importance of prompt esthetic and psychological rehabilitation is reviewed.
Elective endoscopic management of transitional cell carcinoma first diagnosed in the upper urinary tract

OBJECTIVE To report our experience using ureteroscopic or percutaneous management of upper urinary tract (UUT) transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in patients with no history of bladder TCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1983 and 2004 we identified 22 patients who underwent endoscopic management of TCC first diagnosed in the UUT and in the setting of a normal contralateral kidney. We performed a retrospective chart review and conducted outcome analyses. RESULTS The median (range) age at diagnosis was 64 (37–86) years and the median tumour size was 0.8 (0.3–2.6) cm. The tumour grade was 1, 2, or diagnosed as visual low grade in two (9%), seven (32%), and 13 (59%) patients, respectively; no patient had grade 3 TCC at diagnosis. Tumour stage was Ta or visual Ta in all patients. The median follow-up was 4.9 (0.4–17) years during which 11 (50%) patients developed 21 UUT recurrences and 10 (45%) patients developed bladder TCC. At last follow-up, seven (32%) patients required a nephroureterectomy for recurrent TCC and two (9%) patients died from TCC. Among 13 patients with a diagnosis based on visual inspection only, three recurred with grade 3 invasive TCC during follow-up. No patient with pathological confirmation of low-grade/stage TCC recurred with high-grade or invasive TCC. CONCLUSIONS Recurrence is common after endoscopic management of UUT-TCC, underscoring the need for strict surveillance. Patients diagnosed visually, without adequate tissue for pathological examination, can recur with high-grade invasive TCC. No patient with pathological confirmation of low-grade TCC developed progressive disease during follow-up.
Ratiometric Imaging of the T-Cell Actin Cytoskeleton Reveals the Nature of Receptor-Induced Cytoskeletal Enrichment

The T-cell actin cytoskeleton mediates adaptive immune system responses to peptide antigens by physically directing the motion and clustering of T-cell receptors (TCRs) on the cell surface. When TCR movement is impeded by externally applied physical barriers, the actin network exhibits transient enrichment near the trapped receptors. The coordinated nature of the actin density fluctuations suggests that they are composed of filamentous actin, but it has not been possible to eliminate de novo polymerization at TCR-associated actin polymerizing factors as an alternative cause. Here, we use a dual-probe cytoskeleton labeling strategy to distinguish between stable and polymerizing pools of actin. Our results suggest that TCR-associated actin consists of a relatively high proportion of the stable cytoskeletal fraction and extends away from the cell membrane into the cell. This implies that actin enrichment at mechanically trapped TCRs results from three-dimensional bunching of the existing filamentous actin network.
Aging characteristics and mechanical properties of 1600 MPa body-centered cubic Cu and B2-NiAl precipitation-strengthened ferritic steel

Abstract High-strength low-carbon ferritic steels attaining a maximum yield strength of 1600 MPa by combined Cu and NiAl precipitation-strengthening were developed. The yield strength of the alloys increases monotonically with the total concentration of the principal alloying elements i.e. Mn, Cu, Ni and Al. At 12.40 at.%, a 1600 MPa yield strength is achieved after solution treatment at 950 °C followed by aging at 550 °C for 2 h. For all three alloys investigated, the hardness reached a maximum after 1–2 h aging at 500–550 °C. At peak hardness, the combined precipitation of the body-centered cubic (bcc) Cu-alloy and B2-ordered NiAl-type intermetallic precipitates is observed by atom probe tomography (APT). The morphology, composition and structure of the Cu-alloy and NiAl-type precipitates were characterized using APT and transmission electron microscopy, as a function of aging time at 550 °C. In peak hardness conditions, the equiaxed bcc Cu-alloyed precipitates contain substantial amounts of Fe and are enriched in Ni, Al and Mn. Ni and Mn segregate at the Cu-alloy precipitate/ferrite matrix interface. In addition to the segregation, B2 NiAl-type precipitates nucleate at the Cu-alloy precipitates. After aging for 2 h, most Cu-alloy precipitates have a NiAl-type precipitate attached to their side. On subsequent further aging, the Cu-alloyed precipitates enrich progressively with Cu and elongate, indicating a transformation to the 9R or face centered cubic structure. The Cu-alloyed precipitates coarsen slower than the NiAl-type precipitates due to interfacial energy differences between the two types of precipitates, slower diffusion kinetics of Cu through the NiAl precipitates, different matrix equilibrium solubility and solute transfer from Cu-alloyed precipitates to NiAl-type precipitates. The relatively slow growth and coarsening of Cu-alloyed precipitates are consistent with the observation of an only modest decrease of hardness with extended aging.
Optical properties of metal phthalocyanines

In this study, optical properties of phthalocyanines of five metals, i.e., cobalt, nickel, iron, copper, and manganese, have been discussed in the energy (E) range of 1.5–4.1 eV. Utilizing the available data of refractive index (n) and extinction coefficient (k) of these materials in the literature, the related optical properties such as the real (e1), imaginary (e2) parts of the complex dielectric constant (e), and reflectivity (R) are calculated. Interpretations for the energies corresponding to the peaks in e2 are explained in terms of the Penn gap (EP). High-frequency dielectric constant (e∞) values corresponding to four models, i.e., the conventional Lorentz model, modified Lorentz model, relaxed Lorentz model, and the dual Lorentz model are used to determine EP. It is found that the EP values corresponding to the conventional and dual Lorentz models are in good agreement with the average of energy peaks in the R-E and the e2-E spectra. The oscillator energy (E0) and the dispersion energy (Ed) of these materials have been determined utilizing the Wemple–DiDomenico model. The calculated values of (a) E0 are generally in good agreement with the Penn gap EP, the average of the energy peaks in the R-E and the e2-E spectra and (b) Ed are comparable to those in the literature for CoPc and NiPc.
Parallel processing and simulation: a panel discussion

Approaching rapidly on the horizon is a change to parallel architecture in digital computers that has the potential for multiplying the speed of execution achieved in serial architectures. The departure from serial operations provides rather obvious improvements in execution times for operations that are repetitive and that can be performed independently of each other. Such operations arise frequently in signal processing programs and in mathematical programming algorithms. Of interest to this conference is the impact of the new architectures on the practice of simulation - particularly simulations of large physical systems. A large number of questions can be raised (but few answered) on the impact of the new machines on simulation model designs, languages, data base manipulation, and other questions on the general utility of such machines for simulation problem solving. Moreover, it is likely that the new machines will influence the design of simulation experiments, random number generation, strategies for statistical iterations, sensitivity analyses, and variance reduction methods. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of these topics a dialog between simulation practitioners and computer technology developers will grow in importance. Several panelists, consisting of a mixture of simulation practitioners and computer scientists will describe their recent experiences in simulating systems on parallel computer configurations, highlighting efficiency comparisons and speculating on the general utility of such machines for simulation enterprises.
Seamount Characteristics and Mine-Site Model Applied to Exploration- and Mining-Lease-Block Selection for Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Crusts

Regulations are being developed through the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) for the exploration and mining of cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts. This paper lays out geologic and geomorphologic criteria that can be used to determine the size and number of exploration and mine-site blocks that will be the focus of much discussion within the ISBA Council deliberations. The surface areas of 155 volcanic edifices in the central equatorial Pacific were measured and used to develop a mine-site model. The mine-site model considers areas above 2,500 m water depth as permissive, and narrows the general area available for exploration and mining to 20% of that permissive area. It is calculated that about eighteen 100 km2 exploration blocks, each composed of five 20 km2 contiguous sub-blocks, would be adequate to identify a 260 km2 20-year-mine site; the mine site would be composed of thirteen of the 20 km2 sub-blocks. In this hypothetical example, the 260 km2 mine site would be spread over four volcanic edifice...
Novel Mechanism for Noise Reduction between Nuclear Transcriptional Activity and Cytoplasmic MRNA Distributions Living Fly Embryos

Noise in gene expression has been shown to play an important role in various organisms. In particular, transcriptional bursts are thought to be a common mode for mRNA output. Yet, the final patterns of gene expression, especially in the case of multicellular organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster, are highly precise and reproducible. In order to address this apparent contradiction, we present a strategy to measure transcriptional dynamics in living fly embryos by monitoring the production of mRNA at their sites of transcription on DNA loci in real time simultaneously in hundreds of individual nuclei. In particular, we measure the transcriptional activity of the hunchback promoter as a function of the position along the embryo throughout the first three hours of development. We observe “waves” of transcription associated with the progressing mitotic cycles, where transcription rises steadily in the beginning of the nuclear cycle, peaks mid-way through it and disappears during mitosis. Although the overall shape of these transcription waves is similar, we see a high degree of variability among nuclei. However, we see no evidence of transcriptional bursting. Single molecule mRNA FISH reveals that this variability in transcription rate does not translate into noise in the cytoplasmic mRNA distribution suggesting the need for a mechanism of noise rectification. In fact, we observe an overall 4-fold noise reduction between nuclear activity and cytoplasmic mRNA levels. using a simple stochastic model we demonstrate that our noise measurements can only be explained through a combination of both temporal and spatial averaging.
MICRORADIOGRAPHY OF THE PULMONARY MICROCIRCULATION.

Conventional radiographs of lungs of calves which had been injected post mortem with barium sulphate could not be used to demonstrate vessels smaller than 50 μ in diameter. To overcome this difficulty, frozen sections 50–150 μ thick were floated on to high resolution photographic plates and contact microradiographs made using soft radiation. The resultant microradiogram was then viewed and photographed with the light microscope. It was possible to visualize the smaller arterioles and the capillary networks around the alveoli. The technique is simple and gives reproducible results.