cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Free Quantum Action and {BRST} Charge for the Superparticle

Abstract We perform the covariant gauge fixing of the Brink-Schwarz superparticle action in its Batalin-Vilkovisky form in such a way that we obtain a free quantum action. We give its BRST charge.
Canonical Correlation Analysis Using Small Number of Samples

Canonical correlation assesses the relationship between two groups of variables. Although it has been a useful tool in a wide variety of research areas, it is not well known that weaker canonical correlations require larger sample sizes to be correctly inferred. In this article, we investigate small sample bias in canonical correlation analysis and apply the jackknife bias correction to the estimation of canonical correlations. We use bootstrap samples to obtain a better confidence interval for the jackknife canonical correlation estimator.
Layer-by-layer electronic structure at semiconductor-metal interfaces: band gap and magnetism

Epitaxial semiconductor-metal interfaces are studied with inverse photoemission. For Group-V elements (Sb,Bi) on III–V surfaces (GaAs(110),InP(110)) it is possible to distinguish electronic states of the first few layers. The metal layer at the interface becomes semiconducting. Interfaces of semiconductors with ferromagnetic metals, such as epitaxial GaAs(110)Fe, exhibit a change in magnetism. The ferromagnetic exchange splitting can be resolved very clearly in Fe by inverse photoemission. The bulk splitting of 2 cV is observed to collapse to < 0.7 eV for a monolayer of Fe on GaAs(110), probably due to FeAs bonding. It is suggested to use Au as an epitaxial barrier layer between GaAs and Fe since it is lattice-matched and does not suppress magnetism at the interface. Gold also plays the role of a surfactant, thereby making it possible to grow Fe in a layer-by-layer fashion.
Ultrasound in diagnosis of congenital hydronephrosis due to obstruction of pelviureteric junction.

Abstract The use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of upper abdominal masses with nonfunctioning kidneys is described. Two cases of congenital hydronephrosis due to obstruction of the pelviuretic junction are presented, both of which were diagnosed by B-scan ultrasound examination. Diagnostic ultrasound is a simple, noninvasive and reliable method of differentiating cystic from solid lesions and of assessing whether or not a mass is renal or extrarenal. It is recommended that all patients seen with an upper abdominal mass and/or nonfunctioning kidney be examined by ultrasound.
THz ribbon waveguides using polymer-ceramic nanocomposites

Thin dielectric ribbon waveguides made from polymer-ceramic nanocomposites for the fabrication of planar, low-loss and large area compatible terahertz (THz) waveguide is presented. Such a waveguide provides low propagation loss as compared to other waveguide structures (e.g., microstrip) at high frequencies. Two fabrication approaches are studied: i) photopatterning of nanocomposites, ii) laser engraving of dry nanocomposite films. Polymer ceramic nanocomposites are characterized over a wide band in the THz spectral region. The nanocomposite thin-film layer is used as the core material and it is surrounded by a low-loss low-dielectric constant cladding polymer layer. Simulation and measured results of straight and curved transmission lines demonstrate that integrated THz circuits can be realized at the wafer-level using polymer ceramic nanocomposites ribbon waveguides.
Proteases and Glioma Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis, the process by which new branches sprout from existing vessels, requires the degradation of the vascular basement membrane and remodeling of the ECM in order to allow endothelial cells to migrate and invade into the surrounding tissues. Serine, metallo, and cysteine proteinases are 3 types of a family of enzymes that proteolytically degrade various components of extracellular matrix. These proteases release various growth factors and also increase adhesive molecules and signaling pathway molecules upon their activation, which plays a significant role in angiogenesis. Downregulation of these molecules by antisense/siRNA or synthetic inhibitors decreases the levels of these molecules, inhibits the release of growth factors, and decreases the levels of various signaling pathway molecules, thereby leading to the inhibition of angiogenesis. Furthermore, MMPs degrade specific substrates and release angiogenic inhibitors which inhibit angiogenesis. Downregulation of 2 molecules, such as uPA and uPAR, uPAR and MMP-9, or Cathepsin B and MMP-9, are more effective to inhibit angiogenesis rather than downregulation of single molecules. However, careful testing of these combinations are most important because multiple effects of these combinations play a significant role in angiogenesis.
Digitalis, a Preliminary Investigation

Fresh leaves of Digitalis purpurea and Digitalis lanata were disintegrated in the presence of water by means of a Waring Blendor. The chlorophyll was coagulated by heat and removed by filtration. The aqueous solution thus obtained was concentrated and diluted with alcohol to obtain a tincture having a potency comparable to a tincture made from the dried and powdered drug according to the usual procedures. An alternative method would be precipitation of the glycosides from aqueous solution by saturation with sodium sulfate. The separated glycosides could then be dissolved in alcohol to give a tincture that compares favorably in activity to the one above.
Calibration and random variation of the serum creatinine assay as critical elements of using equations to estimate glomerular filtration rate.

Equations using serum creatinine level, age, sex, and other patient characteristics often are used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in both clinical practice and research studies. However, the critical dependence of these equations on serum creatinine assay calibration often is overlooked, and the reproducibility of estimated GFR is rarely discussed. We address these issues in frozen samples from 212 Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study participants and 342 Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) participants assayed for serum creatinine level a second time during November 2000. Variation in serum creatinine level was assessed in 1,919 NHANES III participants who had serum creatinine measured on two visits a median of 17 days apart. Linear regression was used to compare estimates. Calibration of serum creatinine varied substantially across laboratories and time. Data indicate that serum creatinine assays on the same samples were 0.23 mg/dL higher in the NHANES III than MDRD study. Data from the College of American Pathologists suggest that a difference of this magnitude across laboratories is not unusual. Conversely, serum creatinine assays an average of 2 weeks apart have better precision (SD of percentage of difference in estimated GFR, 15%; 90% of estimates within 21%). Errors in calibration make little difference in estimating severely decreased GFR (<30 mL/min/1.73 m2), but result in progressively larger differences at higher GFRs. Both clinical and research use of serum creatinine or equations to estimate GFR require knowledge of the calibration of the serum creatinine assay.
Structural Effects in the Recognition of DNA by Circular Oligonucleotides.

It was recently reported that certain pyrimidine-rich circular DNA oligomers can bind strongly and specifically to purine-rich DNA or RNA strands by forming bimolecular triple helical complexes.1-3 In this study are investigated the effects of structural variations on the strength of binding for this new class of nucleotide-binding ligand. The number of loop nucleotides (nt) which is optimum for bridging the two binding domains of a circle is examined. Comparing loop sizes of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 nt, the optimum number of nucleotides in a loop is found to be five for the sequences studied. In order to test the method of construction and the ability of these compounds to bind sites of varied length, we attempted to synthesize circles of varied size. Circles over the size range 24-46 nt were successfully constructed. Varying the target site length shows that oligomers of four, eight, twelve, and eighteen nucleotides can be complexed strongly by circles, with melting temperatures (Tm) 17° to >33 °C higher at pH 7.0 than the corresponding Watson-Crick duplexes of the same length. Also studied is the effect of the covalently closed circular structure in comparison to linear oligomers having the same sequence; it is shown that a covalently closed circle has considerably higher binding affinity than do three different "nicked" circles (linear oligomers) which contain the same bases. The high binding affinities of these circles are thus attributed to the entropic benefit of preorganization. Finally, the ability of such circles to bind to complementary sites within longer oligomers, the ends of which must pass beyond the loops of a circle, is confirmed by melting studies with synthetic target strands 36 bases in length.
Robotic hysterectomy strategies in the morbidly obese patient.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to present strategies for performing computer-enhanced telesurgery in the morbidly obese patient. METHODS This was a prospective, institutional review board-approved, descriptive feasibility study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2) conducted at a university-affiliated hospital. Twelve class III morbidly obese women with a body mass index of 40 kg/m(2) or greater were selected to undergo robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy, classified as type IVE, with complete detachment of the cardinal-uterosacral ligament complex, unilateral or bilateral, with entry into the vagina was performed. RESULTS The median estimated blood loss was 146.3 mL (range, 15-550 mL), the mean length of stay in the hospital was 25.3 hours (range, 23- 48 hours), and the complication rate was 0%. The rate of conversion to laparotomy was 8%. The median surgical time was 109.6 minutes (range, 99 -145 minutes). CONCLUSION Robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy can be a safe and effective method of performing hysterectomies in select morbidly obese patients, allowing them the opportunity to undergo minimally invasive surgery without increased perioperative complications.
Facial Prototype Formation in Children.

In this study, memory representation, as exhibited in facial prototype formation, was examined in children between the ages of 3 and 6. In the first part of this experiment, an Identikit was used to construct faces with the features of hair, eyes, mouth, and nose plus chin, varied systematically. A series of these faces (called exemplar faces) was presented individually to four groups of young children between the ages of 3 and 6. Following familiarization with the faces, a recognition task was presented, which consisted of the presentation of some new faces, some previously shown faces, and the prototype face, which embodied the most frequently presented facial features. The number of false alarms on the prototype face increased from the younger to the older group, with 6- year-olds’ reactions to the prototype similar to adult performance.
Coping and adjustment to genital herpes.

The current study examined how individuals deal with genital herpes, a recurrent, incurable disease with a great psychological impact. An assessment battery composed of cognitive and problem-focused coping, attribution, and social support mechanisms was employed. These coping mechanisms were correlated with measures of psychological adjustment: self-esteem, depression, sexual adjustment, and amount upset by herpes. Subjects were 152 people with herpes recruited from self-help groups and people from the community who volunteered to participate in the study. Results supported several hypotheses derived from previous research on coping with life stressors. Cognitive coping mechanisms, especially negative thoughts, along with wishful thinking and characterological self-blame, were significant predictors of poor psychological adjustment. Social support was correlated with better psychological adjustment. In addition, the repeated use of disease management strategies was found to correlate with poor psychological adjustment. Further research in the area of coping with chronic illness is suggested.
Environmental Assessment of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Farming in Alabama

An environmental assessment was made of Alabama channel catfish Ictalurus punctahrs farming which is concentrated in the west-central region of the state. There are about 10,OOO ha of production ponds with 10.7% of the area for fry and fingerlings and 89.3% for food fish. Food fish production was about 40,800 tons in 1997. Watershed ponds filled by rainfall and runoff make up 76% of total pond area. Water levels in many of these ponds are maintained in dry weather with well water. The other ponds are embankment ponds supplied by well water. Harvest is primarily by seine-through procedures and ponds are not drained frequently. The main points related to Alabama catfish farming and environment issues are as follows: 1) catfish farming in Alabama is conservative of water, and excluding storm overflow, about two pond volumes are intentionally discharged from each pond in 15 yr; 2) overflow from ponds following rains occurs mostly in winter and early spring when pond water quality is good and stream discharge volume is high; 3) total suspended solids concentrations in pond effluents were high, and the main sources of total suspended solids were erosion of embankments, pond bottoms, and discharge ditches; 4) concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in effluents were not high, but annual effluent loads of these two nutrients were greater than for typical row crops in Alabama; 5) ground water use by the industry is about 86,000 m3/d, but seepage from ponds returns water to aquifers; 6) there is little use of medicated feeds; 7) copper sulfate is used to control blue-green algae and off-flavor in ponds, but copper is rapidly lost from pond water; 8) although sodium chloride is applied to ponds to control nitrite toxicity, stream or ground water salinization has not resulted from this practice; 9) fertilizers are applied two or three times annually to fry and fingerling ponds and occasionally to grow-out ponds; 10) hydrated lime is applied occasionally at 50 to 100 kgha but this does not cause high pH in pond waters or effluents; 11) accumulated sediment removed from pond bottoms is used to repair embankments and not discarded outside ponds; 12) sampling above and below catfish pond outfalls on eight streams revealed few differences in stream water quality; 13) electricity used for pumping water and mechanical aeration is only 0.90 kWWkg of production; 14) each metric ton of fish meal used in feeds yields about 10 tons of dressed catfish. Reduction in effluent volume through water reuse and effluent treatment in settling basins or wetlands does not appear feasible on most farms. However, some management practices are recommended for reducing the volume and improving the quality of channel catfish pond effluents .
Cytotoxic triterpenoid saponins from husks of Aesculus californica (Spach) Nutt.

Abstract Fifteen polyhydroxyoleanene saponins, aesculiosides C1–C15 (1–15), were isolated from husks of Aesculus californica. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic and chemical analyses. The triterpenoid saponins from A. californica have greater structural diversity than those from any other investigated species thus far in the genus Aesculus. The chemotaxonomic characteristic of aesculiosides C1–C15 is that the unit attached to the C-3 of the aglycone is a glucopyranosyl moiety, instead of a glucuronopyranosyl group in the saponins that have been isolated from other Aesculus species. The saponins isolated from A. californica then provide important evolutionary and chemotaxonomic knowledge of the Aesculus genus, a well-known intercontinental disjunct genus in the Northern hemisphere. Aesculiosides C1–C15 (1–15) showed cytotoxicity to human non-small cell lung tumor (A549) with GI50 ranged from 3.76 to >25 μM.
Serum theophylline and phenytoin levels: Can we afford to do them? Can we afford not to?

The following factors must be considered when determining the need for theophylline and diphenylhydantoin (DPH) levels: accuracy and reproducibility, turnaround time, and cost-benefit ratio for the patient. Serum levels must bear a relationship to the therapeutic effects of the drugs. In addition, the pharmacology of the drugs must be of such an order of complexity that there is not a simple relationship between dosage and serum levels.
Δ4-Hydrogenase in Guinea Pig Adrenal: Evidence of Localization in Zona Reticularis and Age-Related Change*

The guinea pig adrenal increases in size with age, yet cortisol secretion per gram adrenal declines. It has been suggested that this could be due to catabolism of cortisol by increased adrenal Δ4-hydrogenase. In this paper we show that Δ4-hydrogenase is localized in the zona reticularis and increases coincidently with the large increase in the volume of this zone with age. Glands were microdissected to give inner vs. outer cortices, and the postmitochondrial supernatants of these two portions were assayed for Δ4-hydrogenase activity. The enzyme was found almost solely in preparations from inner cortices, which were predominantly zona reticularis. Cells were isolated from each portion and assayed for Δ4-hydrogenase activity. Again, only those which contained zona reticularis cells, that is, those from the inner cortices, had activity. The activity was shown to be present in both microsomes and cytosol, although the latter was preferentially expressed in a 15,000 × g supernatant. When the metabolites were s...
The effect of complex formation upon the reduction rates of cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase compound II

The effect of complex formation between ferricytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase (Ferrocytochrome-c:hydrogen peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.5) on the reduction of cytochrome c by N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD), reduced N-methylphenazonium methosulfate (PMSH), and ascorbate has been determined at low ionic strength (pH 7) and 25 degrees C. Complex formation with the peroxidase enhances the rate of ferricytochrome c reduction by the neutral reductants TMPD and PMSH. Under all experimental conditions investigated, complex formation with cytochrome c peroxidase inhibits the ascorbate reduction of ferricytochrome c. This inhibition is due to the unfavorable electrostatic interactions between the ascorbate dianion and the negatively charged cytochrome c-cytochrome c peroxidase complex. Corrections for the electrostatic term by extrapolating the data to infinite ionic strength suggest that ascorbate can reduce cytochrome c peroxidase-bound cytochrome c faster than free cytochrome c. Reduction of cytochrome c peroxidase Compound II by dicyanobis(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) (Fe(phen)2(CN)2) is essentially unaffected by complex formation between the enzyme and ferricytochrome c at low ionic strength (pH 6) and 25 degrees C. However, reduction of Compound II by the negatively changed tetracyano-(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) (Fe(phen)(CN)4) is enhanced in the presence of ferricytochrome c. This enhancement is due to the more favorable electrostatic interactions between the reductant and cytochrome c-cytochrome c peroxidase Compound II complex then for Compound II itself. These studies indicate that complex formation between cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase does not sterically block the electron-transfer pathways from these small nonphysiological reductants to the hemes in these two proteins.
A diffusion approximation for the ruin function of a risk process with compounding assets

Abstract The traditional theory of collective risk is concerned with fluctuations in the capital reserve {Y(t): t ⩾O} of an insurance company. The classical model represents {Y(t)} as a positive constant x (initial capital) plus a deterministic linear function (cumulative income) minus a compound Poisson process (cumulative claims). The central problem is to determine the ruin probability ψ(x) that capital ever falls to zero. It is known that, under reasonable assumptions, one can approximate {Y(t)} by an appropriate Wiener process and hence ψ(.) by the corresponding exponential function of (Brownian) first passage probabilities. This paper considers the classical model modified by the assumption that interest is earned continuously on current capital at rate β > O. It is argued that Y(t) can in this case be approximated by a diffusion process Y*(t) which is closely related to the classical Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. The diffusion {Y*(t)}, which we call compounding Brownian motion, reduces to the ordinar...
Paradoxes of fulfillment

Al Martinich (1983) has observed that the liar paradox has analogues in illocutionary acts other than assertion. Each of the following, for example, exhibits something like the paradoxical character of the liar: (1) I bet that I lose this bet. (2) Don't obey this command! (3) I promise not to keep this promise. (4) 1 order you not to follow this order. (5) I advise you not to take this piece of advice. (6) I propose that this proposal be rejected. (7) I suggest that this suggestion not be taken. (8) I intend not to act on this intention. (9) I want this desire to go unfulfilled. (10) I need for this need not to be met. (11) This obligation should not be fulfilled. (1) is paradoxical because the bet is won if and only if it is lost. One obeys (2), similarly, just in case one does not obey it. The promise in (3) is kept if and only if it is not. Similarly for the other cases.' For reasons that will become clear, I shall call these paradoxes offulfillment. Throughout this paper I shall treat promising, commanding, needing, wanting, obligation, and so on, as well as truth, as predicates of sentences. Call predicates such as (12) I promise (13) you command (14) is obligatory
Studies on the lipoic acid free radical

Abstract 1. 1. When dihydrolipoic acid is irradiated by 60Co γ rays at pH 8.0 and in the presence of N2O, it is converted to lipoic acid with a G value of 3.3 ± 0.3, where G is the number of molecules formed per 100 eV energy absorbed. No other products were detectable. The radiation product was identified by its absorption spectrum and thin-layer chromatography. 2. 2. The lipoic acid free radical was studied with pulse radiolysis. Its absorption spectrum has a maximum at 410 nm with a molar extinction coefficient of 7760 M−1 cm−1. The radicals derived from either oxidation of dihydrolipoic acid or reduction of lipoic acid are the same. At pH 8 the radical decays by second order, k = (7.45 ± 0.22) s 10 7 M −1 s s −1 . Ionic strength studies indicate that the radical decay is influenced by a charge of one. 3. 3. The formation of the lipoic acid radical by pulse radiolysis and the rate of its decay are independent of the concentration of dihydrolipoic acid in the solution, which excludes the possibility of an interaction between the radical and its patent compound to form a complex. 4. 4. The lipoic acid radical reduces FAD to form FADHṡ at a rate of k = (2.40 ± 0.18) × 10 8 M −1 s s −1 .
Putting things in order

Identifying and characterizing dependence among a set of variables (also called features, covariates, and factors) is at the core of statistics. Since the concept of “correlation” was introduced by Sir Francis Galton (1) in the late 1800s, many measures of associations have been proposed to capture the notion of nonindependence between two variables, x and y. The work of Wang et al. (2) is the latest installment to this long history of developments, with their measure motivated by identifying gene pairs with correlated expression patterns from high-throughput microarray data.
In Vivo characterization of skin using a weiner nonlinear stochastic system identification method

This paper describes an indentometer device used to identify the linear dynamic and nonlinear properties of skin and underlying tissue using an in vivo test. The device uses a Lorentz force actuator to apply a dynamic force to the skin and measures the resulting displacement. It was found that the skin could be modeled as a Wiener system (i.e. a linear dynamic system followed by a static nonlinearity). Using a stochastic nonlinear system identification technique, the method presented in this paper was able to identify the dynamic linear and static nonlinear mechanical parameters of the indentometer-skin system within 2 to 4 seconds. The shape of the nonlinearity was found to vary depending on the area of the skin that was tested. We show that the device can repeatably distinguish between different areas of human tissue for multiple test subjects.
Proteins with weakly funneled energy landscapes challenge the classical structure–function paradigm

Unearthing the origin of incredible acceleration of chemical reaction rates by enzymes has occupied the minds of biochemists and molecular biologists for more than a century (1). The modern paradigm of enzymatic action rests on the ideas presented by Haldane and Pauling, namely, that enzymes selectively stabilize transition states in chemical reactions, thus lowering reaction activation energies (2). The widely held microscopic view of enzymatic catalysis envisions a nearly static enzyme reaction chamber carefully sculpted by evolution to match complementarily the shape and electrostatic surface of the reaction transition state. However, recent NMR experiments have suggested that enzyme active sites are mobile on the microsecond to second time scale, commensurate with the time scales for the corresponding catalytic reactions (3). Single-molecule fluorescent spectroscopy studies also point to nontrivial static and dynamic disorder in enzymatic processes, something that is often masked by ensemble averaging in macroscopic kinetic experiments (4). Even in the light of these findings, the central dogma of modern structural biology has remained largely intact; 3D protein structure determines its function. Indeed, this paradigm has worked wonderfully over many decades to explain numerous biological processes, from enzymatic catalysis to signal transduction. Recent works, however, suggested that from one-sixth to one-third of eukaryotic proteins are either disordered or contain large disordered regions (5, 6), hinting that the traditional interpretation of the structure–function paradigm may be too limiting (6). Disordered proteins regulate many transcriptional and signal transduction processes (7). They even exhibit enzymatic activity, as was recently demonstrated experimentally (8). How this is accomplished in the absence of prearranged 3D structure has not been well understood. In a recent issue of PNAS, Roca et al. (9) have used computer simulations to explain the way a molten globule can accelerate a chemical reaction. Their work, combined with recent advances in understanding the way protein folding and functional landscapes are coupled (6, 10), provide essential groundwork for generalizing the structure–function paradigm by using energy landscape ideas.
Kinetics of primary and secondary infections with Taenia crassiceps metacestodes (Zeder, 1800) Rudolphi, 1810 (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea).

Abstract Siebert A. E. Jr., Good A. H. & Simmons J. E. 1978. Kinetics of primary and secondary infections with Taenia crassiceps metacestodes (Zeder, 1800) Rudolphi, 1810 (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea). International journal for Parasitology8: 39–43. When three T. crassiceps metacestodes were inoculated intraperitoneally in mice as a primary infection, approximately 50% of the larvae recovered during the first 4 weeks after inoculation were found to be dead, while in mice primed by previous subcutaneous inoculation, about 85% of the larvae died. Larvae which survived the first 4 weeks following primary intraperitoneal inoculation reproduced asexually by exogenous budding and produced viable infections within the host mice. But larvae in secondary infections were encapsulated by host granulomata, failed to reproduce asexually, and did not produce viable infections. In mice given intraperitoneal inoculations of seven, ten and twenty metacestodes, fewer larvae were killed and little encapsulation response was noted, though host cells were common at the budding region of the larvae. Such a biphasic host-response to the infection has not previously been reported for larval cestode infections, and the reduction in host response associated with increased worm burdens may indicate possible depression of the host immune system.
A new specific endonuclease present in Xanthomonas holcicola, Xanthomonas papavericola and Brevibacterium luteum

A new specific endonuclease, XhoI, has been partially purified from Xanthomonas holcicola. This enzyme cleaves adenovirus-2 DNA at five sites, bacteriophage λ DNA at one site, φX174 DNA at one site, but does not cleave simian virus 40 DNA. It recognizes the sequence and cuts at the sites indicated by the arrows. Enzymes with identical specificity have also been found in Xanthomonas papavericola and Brevibacterium luteum.
Inkjet Printing of Amphotericin B onto Biodegradable Microneedles Using Piezoelectric Inkjet Printing

The delivery of amphotericin B, a pharmacologic agent with activity against a broad spectrum of fungi as well as against parasitic protozoa, has been complicated by the fact that amphotericin B exhibits poor solubility in aqueous solutions at physiologic pH levels. In this study, piezoelectric inkjet printing was used to modify the surfaces of Gantrez 169 BF microneedles (Ashland, Covington, KY). These amphotericin B-loaded microneedles demonstrated activity against Candida parapsilosis in a radial diffusion assay. The results of this study suggest that a combination of visible light dynamic mask microstereolithography, micromolding, and piezoelectric inkjet printing may be used to prepare amphotericin B-loaded microneedles with antifungal properties. It is envisioned that microneedles containing amphotericin B may be used for transdermal delivery of pharmacologic agents for the treatment of cutaneous fungal infections as well as cutaneous leishmaniasis.
UV-B Biodosimetry in Turfgrass Canopies

Phylloplane microorganisms are affected by ultraviolet (UV) radiation penetrating into plant canopies, but data as to the relationships between microorganism activity and canopy UV levels is lacking. Current instrumentation and modeling systems are inadequate to analyze canopy radiation environments at scales relevant to microorganisms. A biological dosimeter system was developed for measuring UV-B in turfgrass and other compact canopies. Cell suspensions of a DNA repair-deficient strain of Escherichia coli (CSRO6) were enclosed in packets (0.2-mL volume) of UV-transmissible polyethylene. After the packets were exposed to sunlight, numbers of surviving bacteria were determined. The log percent survival was found to be linearly related to accumulative UV-B dosage, as measured with a broad-band UV-B radiometer, but was not related to UV-A dosage. In one experiment, the performance of the biodosimeter system was compared with that of a miniature UV-B radiometer mounted in soil-level tracks in eight plots of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) that varied in leaf area index (LAI). The two methods yielded similar mean transmittance values that decreased with increasing LAI, closely fitting Beer's law. A similar relationship was found in a second experiment, in which biodosimeter packets were placed at the base of undisturbed tall fescue canopies. The packets also revealed considerable variation in transmittance possibly because of localized shading and sun flecks in the natural canopies. In a third experiment, direct and diffuse UV-B at different heights within a tall fescue canopy was measured by packets attached to narrow, flat wooden sticks simulating grass leaves. This method has potential as a tool to capture the variability in UV levels related to nonuniformity in canopy structure, depth in a canopy, and leaf orientation.
VACCUM CONSTRICTION AND EXTERNAL ERECTION DEVICES IN ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

The development of external erection devices has evolved as the social stigma surrounding the treatment of erectile dysfunction has gradually disappeared during the late twentieth century. Although the success of surgical and medical therapy for erectile dysfunction has been documented, especially since the introduction of sildenafil citrate, patient demand for an effective, noninvasive, drug-free management of erectile dysfunction has remained. As the population continues to age, acquiring the comorbidities commonly associated with erectile dysfunction, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerotic vascular disease, the demand for such treatment should persist. This article examines the development, mechanism of action, efficacy, and patient satisfaction with regard to vacuum constriction and external erection devices.
Continental Margins--Classification and Petroleum Prospects

Continental margins can be classified according to their stages of development as judged from published continuous seismic reflection profiles. Mapping of the stages of initial, youth, maturity, and old age (= destruction) shows that their distributions are related to plate movements and to sediment supply. The main information gaps are in the Arctic Sea, off Antarctica, in the open Indian Ocean, and along parts of eastern Asia. Even in these regions the stages of development can be inferred from related regions having available profiles and from general knowledge of the topography and structure. The distribution for the entire earth is about 6% initial, 48% youth, 25% maturity, and 21% old age. Best petroleum prospects are believed to be mature margins and thick basin fi ls within youthful margins.
Entropy production and thermodynamics of nonequilibrium stationary states: a point of view.

Entropy might be a not well defined concept if the system can undergo transformations involving stationary nonequilibria. It might be analogous to the heat content (once called “caloric”) in transformations that are not isochoric (i.e., which involve mechanical work): it could be just a quantity that can be transferred or created, like heat in equilibrium. The text first reviews the philosophy behind a recently proposed definition of entropy production in nonequilibrium stationary systems. A detailed technical attempt at defining the entropy of a stationary states via their variational properties follows: the unsatisfactory aspects of the results add arguments in favor of the nonexistence of a function of state to be identified with entropy; at the same time new aspects and properties of the phase space contraction emerge.
Unique effects of zinc protoporphyrin on HO-1 induction and apoptosis

Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a naturally occurring molecule, is increased in iron deficiency and lead intoxication. ZnPP can also induce heme oxygenase (HO-1), the enzyme it competitively inhibits. In cultured cells (HA-1), ZnPP was the strongest HO-1 inducer of any metalloporphyrin (MP) tested. This was not due to increased oxidative stress, enhanced binding at metal response element, nor increased binding at activator protein-1 (AP-1) or SP-1 sites on HO-1. Only ZnPP, however, increased binding of nuclear proteins to early growth response-1 (Egr-1) protein consensus sequence. Pretreatment of HA-1 with cycloheximide inhibited ZnPP-induced HO-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) by 55%. Incubation with antisense Egr-1 oligomers decreased ZnPP-induced HO-1 expression by 47%. Furthermore, the level of HO-1 mRNA induction by ZnPP was 2-fold less in Egr-1-deficient fibroblasts than in wild-type cells. Because no Egr-1 binding site was previously identified on the HO-1 promoter, HA-1 cells were transfected with HO-1 CAT constructs containing segments of a 12.5-kb enhancer region of HO-1. A 196-bp fragment (RH) located approximately 9.5 kb upstream of the transcription start site mediated HO-1 induction by ZnPP alone. DNase I footprinting analysis further revealed that nuclear proteins bound to a 50-bp sequence in the RH. Within this sequence, a novel 9-bp region with 78% homology to the Egr-1 consensus sequence was identified further suggesting that Egr-1 partially mediates HO-1 induction by ZnPP. Lastly, increased apoptosis and nuclear localization were only seen with ZnPP, suggesting that increased ZnPP in disease states may serve as a cellular signaling mechanism.
Compensation of nonuniform gain induced by Raman scattering and EDFAs in ultralong-distance WDM links

The ability of EDFAs to amplify over a wide bandwidth has permitted high-capacity, long-distance wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) systems.1 However, there are several major challenges in incorporating WDM channels in a long-distance cascaded EDFA system. One difficulty is controlling the optical nonlinear interactions between the optical signal and the fiber, which can lead to interference and attenuation of the signals, resulting in system degradation. Among the nonlinearities, the stimulated-Raman-scattering (SRS) effect causes spectral gain to be wavelength dependent, with the longer wavelengths having higher gain. Another problem in WDM systems is that the EDFA gain is wavelength dependent, resulting in a severe signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) differential among many channels after the signal passes through a cascade of EDFAs.
Slow bubble growth and dissolution in a viscoelastic fluid

A simple equation is derived for the time dependence of the bubble radius for the diffusion-induced slow growth or dissolution of a spherical gas bubble in a viscoelastic fluid of infinite extent. The constitutive equation for a first-order fluid and a surface–volume perturbation scheme are used to develop the solution, and the effect of viscosity level and elasticity on the bubble dynamics is considered. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:2093–2103, 1998
Model of a hyperelastic thin plate using the extended bond graph method

Abstract In this paper, an extended bond graph method is used to analyze the vibration of a hyperelastic plate. The development of the two-dimensional model is outlined in detail using the theory of conjugate projection in continuum mechanics. The natural frequencies computed from the bond graph analysis are compared to those from a finite element analysis and show excellent agreement in the fundamental mode. The utility of the bond graph model is illustrated by the ease of adding damping elements to the undamped plate. The extended bond graph method allows for wide ranges of continuous media to be reticulated in bond graph form.
Personalization of mathematics word problems in Taiwan

This study investigated the effects of group personalization of instruction on the mathematics achievement and attitudes of 72 fifth-grade Taiwanese students. Personalization was accomplished by incorporating personal information and preferences provided by students into their mathematics word problems. Students were blocked by ability level, then randomly assigned to a personalized or nonpersonalized version of an instructional program on mathematics word problems. Students made significant pretest-to-posttest gains across treatments and scored significantly higher on personalized than on nonpersonalized posttest problems. However, the personalized treatment did not produce a significant achievement difference over the nonpersonalized one. Significant two-way interactions reflected greater pretest-to-posttest improvement for lower-ability than for higher-ability students and a greater difference between scores on personalized over nonpersonalized posttest problems for lower-ability students. The posttest scores of high-ability students were limited by a ceiling effect. Student attitudes were significantly more favorable toward the personalized instruction.
Total Hip Arthroplasty With an Uncemented Tapered Femoral Component in Patients Younger than 50 Years

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of primary uncemented total hip arthroplasty in patients younger than 50 years using the Taperloc (Biomet, Warsaw, Ind) femoral component. We evaluated 94 hips in 79 patients at a mean follow-up of 16 years (range, 11-18.5 years). The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was 36 years (range, 20-49 years). Three femoral components had been revised, none for aseptic loosening. Complete clinical and radiographic follow-up was obtained on the 91 hips that had not undergone femoral component revision. The mean Harris hip score increased from 54 points (range, 20-72) before surgery to 93 points (range, 68-100) at the time of this review. Radiographically, 89 stems (98%) were determined to have fixation by bone ingrowth, 2 (2%) demonstrated stable fibrous ingrowth, and no femoral component was loose. Distal femoral osteolysis was identified in 1 hip (1%). These findings indicate that excellent clinical and radiographic results can be achieved in young patients with the Taperloc femoral component at a mean follow-up of 16 years.
Assessment of Pancreatic Neoplasms: Review of Biopsy Techniques

Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death annually. Recent technological advances in imaging have led to non-uniformity in the evaluation of pancreatic neoplasms. The following article describes the history behind various biopsy techniques and the rationale for obtaining a biopsy of a pancreatic neoplasm and discusses the benefits and disadvantages of the various pancreatic biopsy techniques, including fine needle aspiration biopsy, Tru-cut needle biopsy, endoscopic brushings/cytology, and endoscopic ultrasound guided biopsies. A treatment algorithm for pancreatic neoplasms is then presented.
Evidence-based use of cardiac procedures and devices.

The fundamental principle of evidence-based medicine is that clinical practice should rest on a sound scientific foundation established by clinical studies involving human subjects. The level of evidence needed for the adoption of new therapies should vary according to the clinical situation, and the higher the stakes, the better the evidence should be. The stakes grow higher in proportion to the size of the affected population, the severity of illness, and the cost of the therapy. Several therapies in cardiovascular medicine are backed by substantial evidence of high quality. For example, the effects of statin therapy on mortality and the . . .
The Perceived Importance of an Ethical Issue as a Determinant of Ethical Decision-making for Accounting Students in an Academic Setting

In this study, we investigate the impact of an ethical decision-making construct, the ‘perceived importance of an ethical issue’ (PIE) for accounting students in an academic setting. One objective was to test the measure of this construct for generalizability in gauging ethical decision- making. The other objective was to draw inferences on the PIE construct for pedagogical purposes. Using tests of validity, the measure reasonably captured the ‘perceived importance of an ethical issue’ construct. In addition, the PIE construct was significantly related to both ethical judgment and behavioural intention. Implications for accounting educators and ethics training in business are discussed.
Family Assessment in Child Welfare Services: Instrument Comparisons

Summary Family assessment instruments can enhance the clinical judgment of child welfare practitioners by structuring decision-making processes and demonstrating the linkages between assessment, service provision, and child and family outcomes. This article describes the concept of family assessment in the child welfare context and provides an overview of the theoretical and disciplinary influences in the family assessment field. Based on a structured review of 85 instruments, the article discusses 21 that appear to the be the most valid and reliable for evaluating four federally-defined domains of family assessment: (1) patterns of social interaction, (2) parenting practices, (3) background and history of the parents or caregivers, and (4) problems in access to basic necessities such as income, employment, and adequate housing. Key measurement criteria as well as practical considerations in the selection and implementation of family assessment instrumentation in child welfare are discussed.
Practical flight test method for determining reciprocating engine cooling requirements

It is pointed out that efficient and effective cooling of air-cooled reciprocating aircraft engines is a continuing problem for the general aviation industry. Miley et al. (1981) have reported results of a study regarding the controlling variables for cooling and installation aerodynamics. The present investigation is concerned with experimental methods which were developed to determine cooling requirements of an instrumented prototype or production aircraft, taking into account a flight test procedure which has been refined and further verified with additional testing. It is shown that this test procedure represents a straightforward means of determining cooling requirements with minimal instrumentation. Attention is given to some background information, the development history of the NACA cooling correlation method, and the proposed modification of the NACA cooling correlation.
Reflections on the holocaust

This paper is a personal reflection on the Holocaust, its impact on the Jewish psyche, and on the anti-Jewish teachings within Christianity, which over many centuries created a climate of hatred, contempt, and suspicion of the Jews that made it possible for the Holocaust to happen within the heart of Christian Europe.
LIMITED, LOCALIZED NONVOLATILE ELEMENT FLUX AND VOLUME CHANGE IN APPALACHIAN SLATES

Geometric evidence for major nonvolatile volume losses at several Appalachian slate localities contradicts geochemical evidence for minimal compositional changes during low-grade metamorphism of shales. Relative to adjoining microlithons, spaced cleavage zones are depleted in Si (quartz), Na (albite), and, for carbonate-rich slates, Ca, Mn, and Mg (calcite and dolomite). Zr, Ti, Al, P, and Fe are enriched in cleavage zones; the greatest enrichments are in Zr. Proportional K gains and Na and Si losses suggest that cleavage fractionation combines stoichiometric reactions (e.g., K + + albite + chlorite = muscovite + SiO 2 + Na + ) with pressure solution of quartz and carbonate minerals. Cleavage and sorting (pelite to psammite) fractionation patterns are similar but can be distinguished by higher Zr in Al-rich cleavage zones relative to Zr in Al-rich pelitic rocks. The compositional similarities of homogeneous shales and slates do not indicate large volume losses during slate metamorphism. For Paleozoic slates from localities where large volume losses have been hypothesized on geometric grounds (Martinsburg slate belt of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Meguma Group of Nova Scotia, and Taconic slate belt of Vermont and New York), slate compositions show no evidence of large nonvolatile volume losses relative to likely shale protoliths. Detailed sampling of slates folded at hand specimen to quarry scales indicate that substantial element and volume fluxes are limited to the submeter scale. In small-scale folds, volume losses in tight inner arcs appear to be balanced by volume gains in adjoining areas. The complications of metamorphic recrystallization and heterogeneous strain are probably responsible for erroneous interpretations of large nonvolatile volume losses in these Appalachian slate localities.