cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fair routing and wavelength assignment in all-optical networks

We introduce new routing and wavelength assignment algorithms for all-optical networks without wavelength conversion which accommodate calls with higher quality of service and more fairly than traditional algorithms without sacrificing low blocking probabilities.
Poor glycemic control is associated with low BMD detected in premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes

The etiology of bone fragility in individuals with type 1 diabetes is unknown. This study demonstrated that bone turnover favors resorption and that poor glycemic control is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and low bone turnover, in premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes. The results could inform future interventions. Low BMD and fracture may be complications of type 1 diabetes. We sought to determine the roles of bone turnover and glycemic control in the etiology of low BMD. Premenopausal women from the Wisconsin Diabetes Registry Study and matched controls were compared (n = 75 pairs). Heel and forearm BMD were measured, and hip and spine BMD were measured in a subset. Markers of bone formation (osteocalcin) and resorption (NTx), and glycemic control (HbA1c) were determined. Age ranged from 18 to 50 years with a mean of 28, and 97% were Non-Hispanic white. Among women with diabetes, mean disease duration was 16 years and current HbA1c was 8%. Compared to controls, women with diabetes had a high prevalence of previous fracture (37% vs. 24%) and low BMD for age (heel or forearm: 49% vs. 31%), low heel and forearm BMD, and low osteocalcin levels. Levels of NTx were similar, suggesting uncoupled turnover favoring resorption. Poor glycemic control was associated with low BMD at all bone sites except the spine, and with low osteocalcin and NTx levels. Optimal glycemic control may prevent low BMD and altered bone turnover in type 1 diabetes, and decrease fracture risk.
Kinetic study of the mass transfer of bovine serum albumin in anion-exchange chromatography.

A kinetic study was made on the mass transfer phenomena of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in two different anion-exchange columns (Resource-Q and TSK-GEL-DEAE-5PW). The analysis of the concentration dependence of the lumped mass transfer rate coefficient (km,L) provided the information about the kinetics of the several mass transfer processes in the columns and the anion exchangers, i.e., the axial dispersion, the fluid-to-particle mass transfer, the intraparticle diffusion, and the adsorption/desorption. In the Resource-Q column, the intraparticle diffusion had a dominant contribution to the band broadening compared with those of the other processes. The surface diffusion coefficient (Ds) of BSA showed a positive concentration dependence, by which the linear dependence of km,L on the BSA concentration seemed to be interpreted. On the other hand, in the TSK-GEL-DEAE-5PW column, the contribution of the adsorption/desorption was also important and almost same as that due to the intraparticle diffusion. There are some differences between the intrinsic properties of the mass transfer kinetics inside the two anion exchangers. It was likely that the positive concentration dependence of Ds was explained by the heterogeneous surface model.
An assessment of the quality of mammography care at facilities treating medically vulnerable populations

Regular screening mammography, the primary strategy to diagnose breast cancer early in its course, is known to decrease morbidity and mortality, and increase the probability of cure.1,2 For medically vulnerable women—such as racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents, and socioeconomically disadvantaged women—age-adjusted breast cancer mortality is significantly higher than in other populations.3–6 Such mortality differences are due, in part, to delayed diagnosis from lower screening rates and to disparities in access to quality treatments.7–12 Less well studied has been whether medically vulnerable populations receive screening mammography of lower quality. Overall, variation in the quality of screening mammography is well documented.13 Patient factors such as mammographic breast density, use of hormone therapy, and timing since last mammogram all influence the accuracy of mammography.14–17 The influences of race and ethnicity are more complicated, because they are associated with both test characteristics18–21 and breast cancer biology.4,20,22 Variation in the quality of screening mammography has also been shown to depend on characteristics not only of women but also of radiologists and facilities.13,23 The quality of mammography that vulnerable populations receive depends on the quality of mammography that facilities can provide and the proximity of high-quality mammography facilities to vulnerable populations' home or workplace.23 If vulnerable populations tend to go to facilities that provide lower-quality mammography, they could receive delayed diagnosis—and poorer prognosis at diagnosis.24–28 The quality of physicians, technicians, and equipment, as well as longer wait-times and delayed follow-up (perhaps through a lack of an automated patient reminder system), might compromise care at facilities that serve vulnerable populations. However, the extent to which women attending facilities that mostly serve medically vulnerable populations receive worse mammography care, compared with those who attend facilities serving less vulnerable populations, has not been considered. We assessed whether women who attend mammography facilities that serve high proportions of vulnerable patients—defined by race/ethnicity, rural residence, household income, and education—receive mammography of different quality than those serving fewer underserved patients. This analysis evaluates whether the quality of screening mammography depends on the characteristics not only of the individual woman but also of the other women in the population to which she belongs.
Cooled Cooling Air Systems for Turbine Thermal Management

This paper evaluates the feasibility and potential impact on overall engine performance when utilizing the heat sink sources available in a gas turbine engine for improved turbine thermal management. A study was conducted to assess the application of a heat exchanger to cool the compressor bleed air normally used air for cooling turbine machinery. The design tradeoffs of this cooled cooling air approach as we’ll as the methodology used to make the performance assessment will be addressed.The results of this study show that the use of a cooled cooling air (CCA) system can make a positive impact on overall engine performance. Minimizing the complexity and weight of the CCA system, while utilizing advanced, high temperature materials currently under development provide the best overall solution in terms of design risk and engine performance.Copyright © 1999 by ASME
Collision-induced light scattering from fluid methane: Temperature dependence of the low frequency decay constants

Abstract The collision-induced light scattering spectrum of fluid methane has been studied at several temperatures to densities of 200 amagat. The two- and three-body decay constants were found to follow a T 1 2 dependence with temperature
Pressure broadening of NO2, CF2Cl2, HDO and HOOH by O2 and N2 in the millimeter wave region

The pressure-broadening coefficients of four molecules of atmospheric significance (NO2, CF2Cl2, HDO and HOOH) have been measured in the millimeter wave region. For each species, two transitions near 230 GHz were broadened by both N2 and O2, for a total of 16 different pressure-broadening measurements. Intercomparisons among the results of these measurements, as well as recent more extensive measurements on HNO3, are considered.
Absorption and tissue distribution of cholesterol in Manduca sexta.

In Manduca sexta larvae, radioactive free cholesterol is absorbed directly from the midgut into mucosal cells where it is stored both in the free form (87% in males and 93% in females) and esterified form (13% in males and 7% in females). Subsequently, cholesterol is transported to fat body via lipophorin in the hemolymph exclusively in the free form. In fat body, the distribution of cholesterol between the free and esterified form varied significantly between genders and developmental stages. Except for the larval stage, males and females were able to store cholesterol in both free and esterified forms in the fat body and in the adult stage cholesterol ester accounted for more than 75% of the stored cholesterol. Placement of radioactive cholesterol at different locations in the gut—foregut, midgut, and hindgut—demonstrated that the midgut is the site where cholesterol is absorbed and released into the hemolymph. Cholesterol-labeled lipophorin injected into larval hemolymph was cleared from the hemolymph with a half-life of 10.2 h. After 17 h, most of the cleared radioactivity was recovered in the fat body (38%). Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 49:167–175, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
International accounting and finance

Choi, F.D.S., C.A. Frost, and G.K. Meek. 1999. International Accounting, 3rd ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall). Baker, J.C. 1998. International Finance: Management, Markets, and Institutions (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall).
Nanoscale thermal lithography by local polymer decomposition using a heated atomic force microscope cantilever tip

Nanopatterning of polymer thin films is the basis for the vast majority of current microlithography processes used in integrated circuit manufacturing. Future scaling of such polymer patterning methods will require innovative solutions to overcome the prohibitively high tool and mask costs associated with current optical lithography methods, which will prevent their use in many applications. Scanning probe-based methods for surface modification are desirable in that they offer high resolution patterning while also offering the ability to perform in situ metrology. We report a new scanning probe lithography method that uses heated atomic force microscope cantilevers to achieve nanoscale patterning in thin polymer films via the local thermal decomposition of the polymer and in situ postdecomposition metrology. Specifically, cross-linked polycarbonate thin films are developed in this work and are shown to be excellent writing media for this process. This new method has the advantage that the tip can be heated and cooled on microsecond time scales and thus material can be removed and patterned without need for the disengagement of the tip from the polymer surface. This ability to write while the tip is constantly engaged to the surface offers significantly higher writing speeds for discontinuous patterns relative to other scanning probe techniques.
Hyperexcitability and epilepsy associated with disruption of the mouse neuronal-specific K–Cl cotransporter gene

Four genes encode electroneutral, Na+-independent, K-Cl cotransporters. KCC2, is exclusively expressed in neurons where it is thought to drive intracellular Cl- to low concentrations and shift the reversal potential for Cl- conductances such as GABA(A) or glycine receptor channels, thus participating in the postnatal development of inhibitory mechanisms in the brain. Indeed, expression of the cotransporter is low at birth and increases postnatally, at a time when the intracellular Cl- concentration in neurons decreases and gamma-aminobutyric acid switches its effect from excitatory to inhibitory. To assert the significance of KCC2 in neuronal function, we disrupted the mouse gene encoding this neuronal-specific K-Cl cotransporter. We demonstrate that animals deficient in KCC2 exhibit frequent generalized seizures and die shortly after birth. We also show upregulation of Fos, the product of the immediate early gene c-fos, and the significant loss of parvalbumin-positive interneurons, both indicative of brain injury. The regions most affected are the hippocampus and temporal and entorhinal cortices. Extracellular field potential measurements in the CA1 hippocampus exhibited hyperexcitability. Application of picrotoxin, a blocker of the GABA(A) receptor, further increased hyperexcitability in homozygous hippocampal sections. Pharmacological treatment of pups showed that diazepam relieved the seizures while phenytoin prevented them between postnatal ages P4-P12. Finally, we demonstrate that adult heterozygote animals show increased susceptibility for epileptic seizure and increased resistance to the anticonvulsant effect of propofol. Taken together, these results indicate that KCC2 plays an important role in controlling CNS excitability during both postnatal development and adult life.
Conceptions of play in the history of early childhood education

The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the original reasons for the introduction of play as an important component of the early childhood curriculum. The paper focuses on the late nineteenth and early twentieth century debates among educators and other professionals who were modifying kindergarten and early childhood curriculum theory and practice. This period was selected because the rationale and materials for play that are still current today were introduced into early childhood programs at this time. By analyzing the socio-historical context of play during this important period, the authors attempt to describe the original theories for play and play materials and to show the relationships with current theories; in addition, the historical analysis points out several remaining important questions concerned with play in early childhood programs that were raised in the early twentieth century that educators still need to address for the twenty-first century.
Herpes Simplex Infection Causing Acute Necrotizing Tonsillitis

Objective To describe the clinical and pathologic features of acute herpetic tonsillitis and to compare the histologic findings with those of herpetic lymphadenitis. Design We present a case report of a 22-year-old woman with bilateral cervical adenopathy, acute tonsillitis, and suspected peritonsillar abscess. Material and Methods Histologic examination of the excised tonsils demonstrated discrete necrotic areas that contained cells with intranuclear viral inclusions. Results The diagnosis of herpetic tonsillitis was confirmed by demonstrating herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells on paraffin section immunostains and by positive HSV cultures of the tonsillar tissue. Conclusion HSV infection is an uncommon cause of acute tonsillitis; the histologic findings are similar to those seen in herpes simplex lymphadenitis.
The detection of peripheral venous pulsation using the pulse oximeter as a plethysmograph.

The pulse oximeter can serve as a sensitive photoelectric plethysmograph in the operating room. It was noted in several cases that the plethysmographic waveform showed a high degree of variability during diastole. Three patients are described with discrete diastolic peaks on the plethysmograph. Further investigation revealed that these diastolic peaks appear to correlate with peripheral venous pulsation, which seems to have a central venous origin. Evidence is presented that the plethysmographic detection of the venous pulse may be useful in estimating the changing volume status of the patient.
Comprehensive toxicology screening in the emergency department: An aid to clinical diagnosis

Abstract An audit of 2,641 toxicology requests from the Georgetown University Hospital Emergency Department from 1981 through 1984 was conducted to assess the contribution of toxicology laboratory results to the clinical evaluation of the intoxicated patient. Positive findings were obtained in 80% of the patients tested. Ethanol was the most common intoxicant, accounting for 48% of all positive results and an average serum concentration of 250 mg/dl. Multiple drug use was documented in 28% of the patients with positive results; some ingested as many as six substances. Women were more likely than men to be polydrug users. A comparison of laboratory findings with diagnosis based on history and examination for 76 patients revealed that the laboratory provideo additional information on the nature of the intoxication two-thirds of the time. Our conclusion is that the toxicology laboratory offering a broadly based screening service when properly utilized by the emergency department staff can aid in establishing an accurate diagnosis and provide a guide to therapy in the intoxicated patient.
J. de la R.: autor de Memorias del último soldado de la Independencia

En 1885 El Heraldo de Cochabamba publica un texto misterioso firmado por Juan de la Rosa: Memorias del ultimo soldado de la independencia. Esta obra, una de las narraciones latinoamericanas mas importantes del siglo XIX, provoca un curioso culto en Bolivia: todos la citan pero pocos la leen. Como todo culto, este supone dogmas y prejuicios que obscurecen su interpretacion. Senalo el mas enigmatico: nadie duda de que su autor es Nataniel Aguirre. Los anonimos editores de la segunda edicion (1909), muerto Aguirre (1888), le atribuyeron su autoria e incorporaron “Juan de la Rosa” al titulo original. A partir de ahi Memorias se transforma en Juan de la Rosa. Memorias del ultimo soldado de la independencia , la mitica “novela” de Nataniel Aguirre. Este nuevo libro fue el texto–base para ediciones posteriores que repiten sus anadiduras, erratas y omisiones. Mi ensayo postula una produccion hibrida y conjunta. Los manuscritos de un genial autor anonimo —J. de la R. (el prologo esta firmado asi)— son editados y publicados en El Heraldo por Nataniel Aguirre, un destacado letrado de la epoca que respeta el nombre (o seudonimo) del autor.
Online Versus in the Classroom: Student Success in a Hands-On Lab Class

Abstract This study compares learning success of online and on-campus students in a general education soil science course with lab and field components. Two terms of students completed standardized pre- and postassessments designed to test knowledge and skills from the lecture and lab content of the course. There was no difference in overall grade or lab assignment grades between course formats. Online students outperformed on-campus students on the preassessment in the first term and on the post-assessment in the second term; the two populations scored the similarly for the other assessments. Online students showed a 42% grade improvement from pre- to post-assessment; on-campus students had a 21% improvement. Online students also showed better learning success in lab-related knowledge and skills based on individual assessment questions. The students in both populations successfully met the learning objectives for this lab- and field-based science course.
Some chemical aspects of the fluorocarbon plasma etching of silicon and its compounds

Mass spectrometric sampling of fluorocarbon glow discharges and in situ measurements of the etch rate of Si and SiO2, with quartz crystal microbalances have been used to provide additional insight concerning the chemistry involved when additive gases such as O2, H2, N2, H2O, and C2F4 are injected into a CF4 glow discharge. The results obtained in our low-pressure, long-residence-time system indicate that the etching behavior of the discharge is not significantly influenced by the molecular structure of the injected gas molecules but is determined primarily by the elemental composition of the glow discharge. This phenomenologically observed result can be used to predict qualitatively the relative etching behavior of a large class of gaseous etchant mixtures as well as the role of various electrode or wall materials in the plasma etching process. Although this oversimplified interpretation should not be extended to short-residence-time plasma systems, it is believed to be valid for some of the configurations used in plasma etching and reactive ion etching.
Imperfection-sensitivity of eccentrically stiffened cylindrical shells.

Imperfection sensitivity of eccentrically axial and ring stiffened cylinderal shells under axial compression and hydrostatic pressure
Active eukaryotes in microbialites from Highborne Cay, Bahamas, and Hamelin Pool (Shark Bay), Australia

Microbialites are organosedimentary structures that are formed through the interaction of benthic microbial communities and sediments and include mineral precipitation. These lithifying microbial mat structures include stromatolites and thrombolites. Exuma Sound in the Bahamas, and Hamelin Pool in Shark Bay, Western Australia, are two locations where significant stands of modern microbialites exist. Although prokaryotic diversity in these structures is reasonably well documented, little is known about the eukaryotic component of these communities and their potential to influence sedimentary fabrics through grazing, binding and burrowing activities. Accordingly, comparisons of eukaryotic communities in modern stromatolitic and thrombolitic mats can potentially provide insight into the coexistence of both laminated and clotted mat structures in close proximity to one another. Here we examine this possibility by comparing eukaryotic diversity based on Sanger and high-throughput pyrosequencing of small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) genes. Analyses were based on total RNA extracts as template to minimize input from inactive or deceased organisms. Results identified diverse eukaryotic communities particularly stramenopiles, Alveolata, Metazoa, Amoebozoa and Rhizaria within different mat types at both locations, as well as abundant and diverse signatures of eukaryotes with <80% sequence similarity to sequences in GenBank. This suggests the presence of significant novel eukaryotic diversity, particularly in hypersaline Hamelin Pool. There was evidence of vertical structuring of protist populations and foraminiferal diversity was highest in bioturbated/clotted thrombolite mats of Highborne Cay.
Presidents, privilege and performance

evidence on two or more variables cannot. Baltzell and Schneiderman appear oblivious to that most fundamental law of social statistics: that correlations, no matter how impressively high, do not establish causal connections. That it may have rained hard in Marseilles every time Republicans won in Peoria is really no "predictor" that wetness in southern France bodes poorly for Democratic candidates in middle America. That the four Harvard men who have to date occupied the presidency have been ranked high is really not good evidence that the next Harvard man-o r woman-in the highest office will be successful. I have argued that the high achievement of an adult who was born to wealth is not necessarily due to his fortunate birth. He might have made it in the absence of inherited advantages. Similarly, the successful presidencies of men who happen to have been born to wealth, may have been due to factors not hinted at in the evidence on their families' social and economic positions. Baltzell and Schneiderman do not entertain this possibility. Interestingly, in writing that all of the men who reached the White House got there by "their own merits," they ignore evidence that the distinct and significant head starts of family wealth and prestige enjoyed by many of the presidents gave the inside track to legal, economic, and political preferment to men, some of whose modest personal "merits" would otherwise have probably resulted in their being lost in the shuffle. Donald R. Matthews a generation ago observed that American scholars have done very little with the theme of the social backgrounds of officeholders beyond gathering much data on these backgrounds. Nor have we progressed much in the interim. Since interpretations of the significance of these data remain in short supply, any attempt at such interpretation is welcome. To be truly illuminating, an interpretation of the interrelationship between social position and political achievement requires mastery of the historical literature on the latter, the sociological literature on the former, and a grasp of the complexities that abound in the relationship between class and power. []
IcmQ in the Type 4b Secretion System Contains an NAD+ Binding Domain

Summary A Type 4b secretion system (T4bSS) is required for Legionella growth in alveolar macrophages. IcmQ associates with IcmR, binds to membranes, and has a critical role in the T4bSS. We have now solved a crystal structure of IcmR-IcmQ to further our understanding of this complex. This structure revealed an amphipathic four-helix bundle, formed by IcmR and the N-terminal domain of IcmQ, which is linked to a novel C-terminal domain of IcmQ (Qc) by a linker helix. The Qc domain has structural homology with ADP ribosyltransferase domains in certain bacterial toxins and binds NAD + with a dissociation constant in the physiological range. Structural homology and molecular dynamics were used to identify an extended NAD + binding site on Qc, and the resulting model was tested by mutagenesis and binding assays. Based on the data, we suggest that IcmR-IcmQ binds to membranes, where it may interact with, or perhaps modify, a protein in the T4bSS when NAD + is bound.
Synthesis of polynomial and other curves with the Bezier technique

Abstract This paper discussed the application of the Bezier technique for motion program synthesis of cam-follower mechanisms. It shows that any polynomial curve can be obtained through the Bezier technique by selecting control points with a uniform θ increment and the simple and intuitive nature of the Bezier technique in computer graphics is fully preserved in motion program synthesis. The boundary control, including the situations with zero derivatives, non-zero derivatives, derivative continuity, and no derivative control, can be achieved without the troubles of differentiation, integration or derivation of equations. The use of basic and auxiliary control points adds more flexibility to control the peak velocity, acceleration, and jerk of motion programs. Compared to the traditional motion program synthesis techniques, the proposed Bezier technique is far more flexible and simpler, and readily adaptable for interior control. The Bezier technique allows one to apply his feeling and intuition to change the motion program. An excellent motion program difficult to achieve through the traditional techniques may be synthesized with little experience and training.
Exoplanet transit analysis using the point spread function

The behavior of the point spread function could be analyzed in images of stars with known exoplanets. A transform plot of the log intensity versus the Gaussian or sinc function value was used in the analysis. The intercept was extrapolated for brightness information and the slope or adjacent log intensity difference was also fitted. The robustness of the algorithm was evaluated using a bootstrap statistical method that does not require the error to follow a Gaussian distribution. The bootstrap confidence interval was used to assess the changes in the signal before and during transit with simulations that include Gaussian errors as well as non-Gaussian ones. Simulations using Gaussian noise suggested that transit signal changes at about 1-sigma noise level are detectable with a 90% confidence interval, while non-Gaussian noise simulations suggested a lower confidence level. This bootstrap method and the standard Chi-square method used in the analysis of the point spread function of data taken with space telescopes such as Spitzer was compared. The impact of using under-sampled CCD observations with super-sampled point spread functions on the bootstrap analysis is discussed. The analysis of images such as HD 209548 (captured by our 16-inch telescope) suggested that the point spread function approach is comparable to the photometric approach but requires fewer images. The application to other images from telescopes such as Hubble is also discussed.
Interactions of bovine serum albumin with ionic surfactants in aqueous solutions

Abstract The interactions of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with cationic (DTAB) and anionic (SDS) surfactants in aqueous solution (pH 7.0, 20 mM imidizole, 10 mM NaCl) were studied using isothermal titration calorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry and turbidity measurements. The mixing enthalpy (corrected for demicellization) of DTAB with BSA (0.5 wt%) was endothermic at low surfactant concentrations (0–17 mM), but exothermic at high surfactant concentrations (17–27 mM). BSA was completely denatured when the DTAB concentration exceeded about 4 mM. Insoluble BSA–DTAB complexes formed between 4 and 10 mM DTAB was attributed to charge neutralization of the protein by the surfactant. The corrected mixing enthalpy of SDS with BSA (0.5 wt%) was exothermic at all surfactant concentrations (0–9 mM). BSA became completely denatured when the SDS concentration exceeded about 4 mM. There was no evidence of insoluble protein–surfactant complex formation at any SDS concentration. The corrected mixing enthalpy vs. surfactant concentration profiles could be interpreted in terms of various molecular events, e.g. specific binding, cooperative binding, protein unfolding, protein aggregation and micelle formation. These results have important implications for understanding the influence of surfactants on globular protein functionality in foods.
Dorsal root ganglion neurons of embryonic chicks contain nitric oxide synthase and respond to nitric oxide.

We investigated the function of nitric oxide (NO) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from 10 day embryonic chicks and adult birds. NADPH-diaphorase activity, a histochemical marker for nitric ooxide synthase (NOS) in paraformaldehyde-fixed neurons, and NOS-like immunoreactivity were localized in all neurons in thoracic and lumbar ganglia from embros. However, only a subset of neurons from adults contained NOS-like immunoreactivity and NADPH-diaophorase activity. Thus, embryonic chick DRG neurons have the potential to synthesize NO in response to elevated cytoplasmic Ca2+. We also investigated the ability of dissociated embryonic chick DRG neurons to respond to NO by examining the effects of NO donors and 8-bromoguasonine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) on Ca2+ current (ICa) using the amphotericin-permeabilized patch-clamp technique: sodium nitroprusside (5 μM) reduced ICa to 0.68 ± 0.06 (mean±S.D., n = 5) of control, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine) (1 μM) reduced ICato0.44 ± 0.06 (n = 4) of control, while 8-Br-cGMP (1 mM) reduced ICato0.58 ± 0.22 (n = 5) of control. ICa was reduced in every neuron tested and this effect was partially reversed after ≈ 10min of washing. Thus, ICa of embryonic chick DRG neurons is inhibited by NO, possibly by a cGMP-dependent mechanism. These results indicate that all DRG neurons in embryonic chicks contain NOS-like immunoreactivity and respond to NO. Further, the percentage of NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons is reduced during development.
A Systems Approach to the Design and Operation of Effective Marketing Programs in Community Colleges.

In this paper, marketing is defined as the approach a college takes to its environmental situation, the way it plans for identifying the needs of its students, the strategies it selects to ensure a continuous supply of new students that it can best serve, and the processes it uses to satisfy the legitimate educational needs of all its constituencies. A model is presented that was developed through research involving 600 community and junior colleges nationwide. This model consists of an environmental‐scanning process, a series of marketing audits, and an information‐processing scheme. Information flow is the most important facet in this systems approach to marketing. The essential features of college marketing operations found by the study are: (1) a high‐level, deep, and long‐term commitment to formalized marketing practices; (2) a diverse set of strategies that includes measuring consumer needs and satisfactions; (3) an agency within the college (committee, task force, etc.) with responsibility for mark...
Benzene as a cause of lymphoproliferative disorders

There is a long standing issue concerning the strength of evidence relating benzene to lymphocytic neoplasms. Because benzene is a known cause of human acute myelogenous leukemia there has been little reason for organizations such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) or the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) to perform standard hazard identification reviews of benzene as a possible cause of other cancers such as lymphomas. Increased understanding of underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis, as is reflected in the greater scope given to mechanistic evidence in assigning overall sufficiency of evidence for carcinogenicity by both IARC and NTP, suggests that the evidence supporting benzene as a cause of lymphoma likely has passed the threshold required for being listed as a known causal relationship. A broad range of genotoxic effects in the lymphocytes of benzene-exposed workers has been well documented, as has the role of chromosomal effects in carcinogenesis. There is also increasing evidence of a close relationship between lymphoid tumors and the types of myeloid tumors known to be caused by benzene. This includes the not infrequent finding of biphenotypic lineage as well as the formation of lymphoid as well as myeloid leukemias following chemotherapy. Studies of the mechanism of benzene toxicity are consistent with a relatively non-specific mechanism capable of producing multiple chromosomal changes, and there is evidence that the early hematopoietic stem cell, which is believed to be targeted by benzene in causing myeloid cancers, is also the progenitor of lymphocytic cell types. Furthermore, the classification of lymphomas has evolved so that non-Hodgkin lymphoma now includes such formerly distinct disorders as chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma, and there is less of a distinction between leukemia and non-leukemia forms of lymphoma.
Investigations of energy migration in an organic dendrimer macromolecule for sensory signal amplification.

The issue of macromolecular exciton delocalization length and fluorescence sensing of energetic materials is investigated and modeled from results of nonlinear optical and time-resolved spectroscopy. By using two- and three-photon absorption techniques the fluorescence quenching effects of an organic dendrimer for sensing TNT were carried out. The Stern−Volmer plots for the set of dendrimers were examined and a large quenching constant for the dendrimer G4 was obtained (1400 M−1). The quenching constant was found to increase with the dendrimer generation number. The mechanism for the enhanced sensitivity of the dendrimer system was examined by probing the exciton dynamics with femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion. Fluorescence lifetime measurements revealed a multicomponent relaxation that varied with dendrimer generation. Fluorescence anisotropy decay measurements were used to probe the exciton migration length in these dendrimer systems and for the large structure the excitation migration area covers ...
NMR studies of hydrogen diffusion in β-LaNi5−yAly hydrides☆

Proton relaxation times have been measured in β-phase LaNi5−yAlyHx, where 0<y<1.2, to determine the role of Al on hydrogen diffusion. Al substitution significantly increases the observed activation energy with a corresponding 100-fold decrease in the room temperature (300K) diffusion constant between y=0 and y=1.2. Comparisons are also made with previous studies of β-LaNi5Hx and possible diffusion mechanisms are suggested.
Strain energy functions for filled elastomers

Abstract : It is the purpose of this research to investigate possible forms of elastic strain energy functions which reproduce the fundamental behavior of compressible, isotropic filled elastomers as observed in experiments. Three different forms of the strain energy function are considered although they can be classified into two essentially different classes: in the first case, the function is assumed to be the sum of the distortional and the volumetric strain energy, while in the second it represents a possible modification of Mooney's strain energy function. For these three strain energy functions, the relations between axial and lateral deformations under uniaxial tension are plotted together with the result of experiments performed on dumbell-shaped specimens of a KCl-filled polyurethane. The relations in uniaxial tension and compression between the axial stress and deformation are also plotted. (Author)
A Preliminary Evaluation of a Multiple-Generator Drivetrain Configuration for Wind Turbines

The recent trend toward large wind turbines has led to very expensive gearboxes that hinder their feasibility. The gearboxes for these wind turbines are more expensive per kilowatt (kW) of rated power than for smaller turbines because the torque increases more quickly than the power when increasing the rotor diameter. Multiple-generator drivetrain configurations can reduce the drivetrain cost for large wind turbines while increasing the energy capture and reliability. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is reexamining the benefits of multiple-generator configurations through the Wind Partnership for Advanced Component Technology (WindPACT) program. This paper qualitatively compares a multiple-generator drivetrain configuration to a conventional drivetrain.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
A finite element solution for electromagnetic scattering from an infinite periodic grating

A two-dimensional finite-element analysis was previously used to find the electromagnetic scattering from periodic material structures by S. D. Gedney and R. Mittra (see IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag., vol.AP-39, no.11, p.1605-14, 1991). In the present work, it is proposed that this problem be solved (assuming a TE(E/sub y/, H/sub z/, H/sub y/) polarized incident plane wave) by using a one-dimensional finite-element formulation. This formulation is, in many cases, very computationally efficient. >
MRI patterns of T1 enhancing radiation necrosis versus tumour recurrence in high-grade gliomas

Introduction Despite the emergence of new imaging technologies, the differentiation of treatment-related changes from recurrent tumour in patients with high-grade gliomas remains a difficult challenge. We evaluated whether specific MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) T1 post-contrast enhancement patterns can help to distinguish between radiation necrosis and tumour recurrence. Methods This study was approved by local institutional review board. Fifty-one patients with World Health Organization grade III–IV glioma underwent reoperation after prior chemoradiation. The percentage of radiation necrosis versus recurrent tumour in reoperation specimens was estimated by an experienced neuropathologist. Enhancement patterns on T1 post-contrast sequences from the MRIs obtained prior to reoperation were evaluated according to pathology. Results T1 contrast enhancement patterns correlating with recurrent tumour included focal solid nodules and solid uniform enhancement with distinct margins. Eighty-five per cent (17/20) of patients with ≥70% recurrent tumour at reoperation demonstrated one of these patterns on preoperative MRI. Enhancement patterns correlating with radiation necrosis included a hazy mesh-like diffuse enhancement and rim enhancement with feathery indistinct margins. Ninety-four per cent (17/18) of patients with ≥70% radiation necrosis demonstrated one of these two patterns. Thirteen cases had more mixed pathology (>30% of tumour/necrosis) and demonstrated patterns associated with recurrence and/or necrosis. Compared to MR spectroscopy performed in 10 patients, enhancement patterns on MRI were just as accurate in predicting pathologic diagnosis. Conclusion Identifying distinct patterns of contrast enhancement on MRI may help to differentiate between radiation necrosis and tumour recurrence in high-grade gliomas.
Losing pieces of the puzzle: threats to marine, estuarine, and diadromous species

The number of marine species at risk of extinction is rising. Understanding the threats that contribute to extinction risk in the seas is thus critical to conservation. When major threats to marine, estuarine, and diadromous species on the US Endangered Species Act and IUCN Red lists were ranked according to the number of species they affect, strong consensus in the ranking of threats across species and between institutions emerged. Overexploitation is the most frequent threat to vulnerable marine species, with approximately half of threatened species caught as bycatch in fisheries. Habitat degradation, the primary threat to terrestrial species, ranks second in impact on marine species. Loss of listed marine species would probably affect ecosystem function and delivery of ecosystem services because many of these species are strong inter-actors, including ecosystem engineers, taxa that provide important nutrient links between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and a disproportionate number of high trophic-...
IN VIVO METHYLATION AND TURNOVER OF RAT BRAIN HISTONES

— The turnover of the different histone components from brain nuclei was studied after the administration of l-[3H]lysine and l-[14C-methyl]methionine to newborn rats. The radioactivities of the different histone subfractions as well as other proteins were determined over a 280-day period. Biphasic type decay curves (3H and 14C) were obtained for total brain histones and all the subfractions. From 6 to 40 days of age the half life of total brain histones was 19 days. After reaching brain maturity the half life was 132 days. The lysine rich histone (F1) was found to turnover the fastest of all the histones, having half lives of 13 and 112 days, respectively. The decay curve for the slightly lysine rich histones (F2a2, F2b) gave half lives of 25 days up to 40 days of age and 189 days after reaching brain maturity. The arginine rich histones (F2a1, F3) gave a half life of 32 days up to 40 days of age, while no turnover was observed after maturity. The turnover rates of the methyl groups and/or methionyl residues did not vary significantly from the turnover rates of the lysyl residues in the F2 and F3 histones. The lysine-rich histones did not contain significant amounts of methionyl residues or methyl groups. Amino acid analysis of the brain histones revealed that about 3·6 per cent of the lysyl residues in the slightly lysine rich histones were methylated, mainly as e-N-dimethyllysine. About 13 per cent of the lysyl residues in the arginine rich histones were methylated, mainly as e-N-monomethyllysine and e-N-dimethyllysine.
Studies on persistent infections of tissue cultures. I. General aspects of the system.

Inoculation of the MCN and Lung-To lines of human cells in continuous culture with Newcastle disease (NDV), mumps, or 6-6 viruses led to slight cytopathic effects (CPE) if the multiplicity of infection exceeded one. On second passage or with smaller initial inocula no CPE became apparent. The viruses multiplied, however, as determined by titrations in HeLa cultures or chick embryos. Indeed, persistently infected sublines of MCN and Lung-To were readily established without resort to special manipulations and some of these have been carried now for over 18 months on the same media and schedules as the uninfected parent strains. The viruses were found to be associated mainly with the cells and only 1, or at most 10 per cent of it was detectable in the media. The titers obtained were always low in relation to the available cell population. Reduction or even omission of the horse serum component in the media or ultraviolet irradiation of the cultures did not increase the yield of virus, and CPE became apparent only when similarly treated, uninfected cultures were, likewise, affected by the manipulations. The persistently infected cultures differed from their uninfected counterparts in that they exhibited (a) decreased cellular growth rates and ultimate yields; (b) increased aerobic glycolysis; and (c) a high degree of resistance to cytopathogenic viruses, influenza A (PR8), herpes simplex and, especially vesicular stomatitis (VSV) viruses. Prolonged treatment of persistently infected cultures by addition of specific antiviral immune sera to the media reduced significantly the amount of virus present and the degree of resistance to VSV. However, upon removal of the sera after as many as 187 days of treatment the viruses reappeared in all but one instance. The cured culture, on reinfection, became again persistently infected. No evidence was obtained to indicate genetic inhomogeneity of the cell populations. Of 50 cloned MCN lines none was destroyed by NDV and all became persistently infected. None were initially resistant to VSV but all after establishment of persistent NBV infection. All 39 cloned lines derived from MCNNDV cultures in the presence of anti-NDV serum, were free of virus and susceptible to VSV, and all acquired persistent infections and with it resistance to VSV following inoculation of NDV. NDV maintained in MCN cultures differed from the parent, chick embryo-adapted strain with respect to its plaque morphology. Whereas the former yielded only plaques on monolayers of chick embryo fibroblasts which were of pin-point size and hazy, those obtained with the latter were rarely of this type and mostly large and clear. This apparent selection of virus particles did not alter significantly their behavior with respect to cytopathogenicity for uninfected MCN cultures.
Economic dimensions and directions of animal disease policy

Widely publicised incidents of transboundary animal diseases (TADs), devastating to local livestock industries, have occurred worldwide creating a greater awareness of the role of response policy selection on TAD spread risk and risk of initial introduction into previously disease free areas. In particular, drawing on past TAD outbreaks, the literature and the intrinsic characteristics of the issues, potential policy directions and economic information needs are discussed in an attempt to provide an update on the status of economic research addressing animal disease and identify key areas where additional research is needed. In particular, the focus is on policy implications with the understanding that these policies exist as risk management tools.
Efficient software architecture for IPSec acceleration using a programmable security processor

Cryptographic accelerators and security processors are often used in embedded systems in order to enable enhanced security without significantly impacting performance or power consumption. However, realizing the performance promised by them requires the design of efficient software architectures for crypto offloading (offloading cryptographic operations from a host processor). In this paper, we describe an efficient software architecture for IPSec crypto offloading on a state-of-the-art mobile application processor system-on-chip (SoC) that includes a programmable security processor. We consider both user-space and kernel-space implementations of IPSec, compare their performance, and identify factors that limit the efficiency of crypto offloading. We describe two optimizations, called protocol-level crypto offloading and adaptive crypto offloading, which further improve the performance of IPSec by (i) offloading higher granularity computations to reduce the crypto offloading overheads, and (ii) using crypto offloading judiciously based on the trade-off between the savings in processing cycles vs. the overhead of communication with the security processor. We measure the performance of our implementation of IPSec crypto offloading using a commercial network protocol stack on the mobile application processor SoC, under a wide range of workloads. Our results indicate that efficient crypto offloading can result in application-level improvements of up to 10.6X in data rate and up to 5X in latency, enabling IPSec to be used for emerging high-bandwidth and interactive mobile applications.
Limbal Autograft Reconstruction After Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Two patients who had squamous cell carcinoma with extensive limbal and corneal involvement were treated with surgery and cryotherapy. Rarely large areas of the cornea are involved by this tumor. Visual prognosis in such patients is poor. In these two patients, autologous limbal transplants were effective in restoring an excellent corneal surface and good visual function. This technique may be useful in the reconstruction of eyes with extensive neoplastic involvement of the corneoscleral limbus and cornea.