cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intermetallic Reactions Between Copper and Magnesium as an Adhesion / Barrier Layer

The reliability of copper multilevel interconnections requires good adhesion and the prevention of copper diffusion into the interlevel dielectric. Magnesium is a candidate for an adhesion layer and diffusion barrier for copper due to the high heats of formation of magnesium oxides, fluorides and sulfides and the formation of low resistivity compounds of Mg with copper. An investigation of the interactions in thin films of copper and magnesium has been carried out in the temperature range of 25°C to 500°C. The results of these reactions leading to phase formation in Cu/Mg bilayers deposited on Si3N4 or SiO2 using X-ray diffraction, in situ sheet resistance, and Rutherford backscattering measurements are presented in this paper. It was found that the Mg-rich phase CuMg2 is the first phase to form on annealing to approximately 215°C, followed by the formation of the Cu-rich phase Cu2Mg at about 380°C in the presence of excess Cu.
Interferon-γ up-regulates intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and recruits lymphocytes into the vagina of immune mice challenged with herpes simplex virus-2

Lymphocyte recruitment into tissues involves interactions between adhesion molecules on vascular endothelial cells and corresponding ligands on the lymphocyte surface. In the present study we investigated the expression of four endothelial addressins in the vagina and their possible up-regulation by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in immune mice after vaginal challenge with herpes simplex virus type 2. The adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were minimally expressed in the vagina of non-immune mice with or without vaginal challenge and in immune mice before challenge, but both were up-regulated by IFN-gamma, directly or indirectly, in immune mice after challenge. Mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) was detected in most vaginas but was not up-regulated by IFN-gamma in immune mice after virus challenge. E-selectin was not detected in any vaginas. The results suggest that ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 may be involved in rapid, IFN-gamma-mediated recruitment of lymphocytes to the vaginal mucosal of immune mice after local virus challenge.
Qualification of the concepts of unqualified success and unmitigated failure.

To the Editor: By mathematically compensating for adverse effects, Mancini and Schulzer1 refine the concept of the numbers needed to be treated (NNT) for a therapeutic success and introduce the use of the terms: (1) the numbers needed to be treated for an unqualified success (NNTUS) or (2) an unmitigated failure (NNHUF). Nevertheless, there appear to be important limitations to these concepts. First, the authors define an unqualified success as “…a successful outcome unaccompanied by treatment-related adverse events…”. However, in the context of practice, …
Anomalous behavior of the low temperature specific heat of v-doped Ti2O3

Abstract The specific heat of Ti 2 O 3 doped with 4 to 10% V 2 O 3 has been measured from 0.4–20 K. The results are in good agreement with a one-dimensional electron band model.
Ethical Issues and Guidelines for Conducting Data Analysis in Psychological Research

Psychologists are directed by ethical guidelines in most areas of their practice. However, there are very few guidelines for conducting data analysis in research. The aim of this article is to address the need for more extensive ethical guidelines for researchers who are post–data collection and beginning their data analyses. Improper data analysis is an ethical issue because it can result in publishing false or misleading conclusions. This article includes a review of ethical implications of improper data analysis and potential causes of unethical practices. In addition, current guidelines in psychology and other areas (e.g., American Psychological Association and American Statistical Association Ethics Codes) were used to inspire a list of recommendations for ethical conduct in data analysis that is appropriate for researchers in psychology.
Shock-induced combustion in high-speed wedge flows

OH planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and schlieren imaging were applied to investigate shock-induced combustion phenomena on a 40° wedge in an expansion tube. OH PLIF was utilized to determine the regions of combustion in the flow field, while schlieren imaging provided complementary shock-wave visualization. Stoichiometric H 2 /O 2 gas mixtures, at three different levels of nitrogen dilution (75, 80, and 85%), were tested at two different test-flow conditions in these experiments. A pressure transducer was mounted in the wedge to obtain a record of the surface-pressure history on the model. Three test cases yielded shock-induced combustion behind an attached shock at the tip of the wedge. Depending on the sensitivity of the mixture employed, the flame front either rapidly converged with the shock or slowly diverged away from it. The measured wave angles and surface pressures in these tests were, in general, well modeled by shock-polar theory using frozen thermochemistry. Two other test cases, using the most sensitive gas mixtures, produced a closely coupled flame front behind a detached shock wave near the wedge tip. The measured surface pressure in this latter case was better modeled by a shock polar using equilibrium chemistry. Simple finite-rate chemistry modeling of the ignition zone agrees well with the experimental results in all cases.
Thrust Modeling and Measurement for Clapping Wing Nano Air Vehicles Actuated by Piezoelectric T-Beams

Insects that use a Weis-Fogh clap and fling mechanism, where their wings clap together and fling apart, show an increase in thrust per unit muscle mass compared to conventional flapping insects. This has motivated the development of macroscale clapping winged ornithopters with four wings. Most clapping wing ornithopters use electric motors with gears and linkages that are inefficient at the sub-millimeter (meso)scale. Piezoelectric actuators are attractive for Nano Air Vehicles (NAVs) because they have high power density, high efficiency, and new fabrication processes have been developed at this scale. Recently developed piezoelectric T-beam actuators are monolithically fabricated from bulk PZT and function like unimorph actuators without the need to bond passive layers. These bending actuators drive a novel four-winged clapping NAV that produces thrust. This paper studies thrust force generation of a clapping wing NAV using a model-based approach. A three degree of freedom dynamic model of the clapping wing nano air vehicle is derived including unsteady aerodynamic forces and torques. The model is validated using experimental data from a NAV prototype.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Perceptions of Preservice Early Educators: How Adults Support Preschoolers' Social Development.

Studies show that for preschool-age children, social skills can have a profound effect on, and be a predictor of, future societal success and school achievement. Therefore, it is essential that young children develop appropriate social behaviors. To do this, preschoolers need support and guidance from the adults in their life: parents, family, and early educators. This study looks at the perceptions of preservice early educators in regards to their understanding of preschoolers' social and antisocial behaviors, their assumptions about what appropriate adult interventions might be, and their beliefs about the role they, as early educators, play in supporting young children's social development.
Interactional Troubles in Face-to-Face Survey Interviews

(1990). Interactional Troubles in Face-to-Face Survey Interviews. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 85, No. 409, pp. 232-241.
Mode-dependent attenuation of optical fibers: excess loss

A theory is presented for calculating the excess loss produced by random perturbations of optical fibers. The theory is applicable to perturbations whose longitudinal spatial frequencies are below the range required for mode coupling. To illustrate the method, losses due to diameter variations are calculated for the case of a step-index optical fiber. The diameter variations are found to produce a strong attenuation of the higher order modes. The total excess loss is approximately wavelength independent.
"El legado del hombre que se tomó la publicidad en serio: Pedro Prat Gaballí Aproximación a sus contribuciones teóricas y profesionales "

Esta investigacion sobre la produccion publicitaria y literaria del considerado padre de la publicidad espanola, Pedro Prat Gaballi, lo revela como un experto publicitario de primer orden que alterno la actividad publicitaria con la docencia academica, el asociacionismo profesional y la redaccion de los manuales publicitarios mas relevantes del siglo XX, al margen del cultivo de la poesia. La metodologia empleada en la elaboracion de este articulo ha sido fundamentalmente la observacion documental con el objetivo de compendiar sus contribuciones profesionales y teoricas -manuales, articulos y ponencias- al avance de la publicidad en nuestro pais. Complementariamente, se han abordado los titulos que componen su obra poetica, una faceta que da muestra de la sensibilidad y versatilidad de esta polifacetica figura. Su actitud proactiva como teorico y tecnico publicitario se puso de manifiesto a traves de sus constantes reivindicaciones para garantizar la maxima eficacia de la publicidad espanola. Para ello, promovio la organizacion de congresos que supusiesen un avance en la disciplina desde un punto de vista cientifico, de ensenanzas oficiales que permitiesen su estudio estricto y su eficaz aplicacion practica asi como de plataformas asociativas que facilitasen la cohesion y la transferencia de conocimientos en el sector, dotando a la publicidad espanola de una rigurosa base teorica y de visibilidad ante la sociedad. En definitiva, su ingente legado lo erige en un referente esencial de la historia publicitaria espanola que abogo por la dignificacion de la profesion publicitaria aportando tratados y articulos que proporcionaron a la disciplina un solido corpus teorico de caracter cientifico.
The major's therapy: Ernest Hemingway's “In Another Country”

“In Another Country” draws upon Hemingway's experiences during World War I. Narrated by a wounded young American, this story is a parable of early machine-rehabilitation therapy, one in which the strong optimism of a physician employing new machines is contrasted with the skepticism of an Italian major (“the greatest fencer in Italy”) who, disbelieving in the machines, nevertheless comes regularly for therapy to his hand. That daily attendance is interrupted only when the major's young wife dies suddenly. The major, who had instructed the American never to put himself “in a position to lose,” has himself just “lost” the wife he had married when he felt sure that his own wounding had effectively taken him out of danger of being killed at the front. His continued stoicism offers the young soldier an example of ethical and moral behavior, for after her funeral he resumes his daily routine of machine-therapy. Seen against the ineffectiveness of the machines, the major's behavior seems to offer an example of the only “therapy” possible in this world of wounds and machines.
Elastic capsule deformation in general irrotational linear flows

Knowledge of the response of elastic capsules to imposed fluid flow is necessary for predicting deformation and motion of biological cells and synthetic capsules in microfluidic devices and in the microcirculation. Capsules have been studied in shear, planar extensional, and axisymmetric extensional flows. Here, the flow gradient matrix of a general irrotational linear flow is characterized by two parameters, its strain rate, defined as the maximum of the principal strain rates, and by a new term, q, the difference in the two lesser principal strain rates, scaled by the maximum principal strain rate; this characterization is valid for ellipsoids in irrotational linear flow, and it gives good results for spheres in general linear flows at low capillary numbers. We demonstrate that deformable non-spherical particles align with the principal axes of an imposed irrotational flow. Thus, it is most practical to model deformation of non-spherical particles already aligned with the flow, rather than considering each arbitrary orientation. Capsule deformation was modeled for a sphere, a prolate spheroid, and an oblate spheroid, subjected to combinations of uniaxial, biaxial, and planar extensional flows; modeling was performed using the immersed boundary method. The time response of each capsule to each flow was found, as were the steady-state deformation factor, mean strain energy, and surface area. For a given capillary number, planar flows led to more deformation than uniaxial or biaxial extensional flows. Capsule behavior in all cases was bounded by the response of capsules to uniaxial, biaxial, and planar extensional flow.
Chloroplast ribosomal RNA genes in the chloroplast DNA of Euglena gracilis.

Euglena chloroplast DNA has a buoyant density in CsCI of 1.686. Shearing this DNA produces a satellite band at density 1.700. The satellite, easily lost during preparative CsCI gradient centrifugation of chloroplast DNA, contains the genes for chloroplast ribosomal RNA. Pure Euglena chloroplast DNA is shown to contain one set of ribosomal RNA genes for each 90 × 106 daltons of DNA.
“SHOULD FEDERAL RESERVE FLOAT BE ABOLISHED AND ITS CHECK ACTIVITIES CURTAILED?”: REPLY

Two ARTICLES have been published recently in which the Federal Reserve's role in check operations has been questioned. In one, Professors Brunner and Meltzer proposed that Federal Reserve float be abolished.' In the other, Deane Carson appeared to be recommending that the Federal Reserve's check clearing function be diminished, or at least that commerical bank correspondents be used more widely in clearing checks.2 These issues were not the focal points of their respective articles. Neither are they as fundamental or controversial as the debates concerning the direction of monetary policy, the means of achieving a desired monetary goal, or the effectiveness of monetary policy. Nevertheless, they are sufficiently important to warrant critical examination, which is the purpose of this paper. In order to provide some perspective, this paper will first briefly review the origins of the Federal Reserve's entry into check collection operations. Next, Part II discusses the rationale for the Federal Reserve's particular method of making payment to the accounts (largely member banks) presenting checks for collection. Part III presents the views of the critics of the present arrangements, with an analysis of the reasons for their objections. Finally, Part IV attempts to rebut these arguments. I. ORIGINS
Efficient moment estimation with extremely small sample size via bayesian inference for analog/mixed-signal validation

A critical problem in pre-Silicon and post-Silicon validation of analog/mixed-signal circuits is to estimate the distribution of circuit performances, from which the probability of failure and parametric yield can be estimated at all circuit configurations and corners. With extremely small sample size, traditional estimators are only capable of achieving a very low confidence level, leading to either over-validation or under-validation. In this paper, we propose a multi-population moment estimation method that significantly improves estimation accuracy under small sample size. In fact, the proposed estimator is theoretically guaranteed to outperform usual moment estimators. The key idea is to exploit the fact that simulation and measurement data collected under different circuit configurations and corners can be correlated, and are conditionally independent. We exploit such correlation among different populations by employing a Bayesian framework, i.e., by learning a prior distribution and applying maximum a posteriori estimation using the prior. We apply the proposed method to several datasets including post-silicon measurements of a commercial high-speed I/O link, and demonstrate an average error reduction of up to 2x, which can be equivalently translated to significant reduction of validation time and cost.
The development of large-scale portfolio placement assessment at the University of Michigan: 1992–1998

Abstract The first section of this article examines in detail the mechanics of a large-scale writing portfolio assessment at the University of Michigan, including its impact on matriculation and placement; students' reactions to the requirement; and instructors' evaluation of the efficacy of placements under the new system. The second section of the article examines the scoring process used by readers to assess portfolios, describes its evolution over a 4-year period, and examines the results produced by various changes made to this process over time. The evolution of this portfolio placement assessment has not been traditional, in that it has enacted an understanding that people learn to read and write within specific social contexts, at the same time that it has enacted a commitment to connecting the intellectual and practical work of university teaching with the work of teaching that comes before it in the high schools. The assessment process also has enacted the authors' belief that issues of assessment are intimately linked to issues of curriculum and pedagogy; thus, the assessment has become an occasion for sustained talk about the purposes of our required writing courses, about the fit between our lower division and upper division writing requirements, and about the degree to which teachers share criteria for assessing students' writing within courses.
High performance mid-wavelength quantum dot infrared photodetectrors for focal plane arrays

Quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) have recently emerged as promising candidates for detection in the middle wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long wavelength infrared (LWIR) ranges. This is due to the QDIPs' absorption of normally incident light, potential room-temperature operation and high responsivity. These unique features are a direct consequence of the three-dimensional confinement potential achieved in quantum dots that provides a discrete density of states and a longer life time of excited electrons due to the phonon bottleneck effect. Here, we report our recent results for mid-wavelength QDIPs grown by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The device structure was gown on a semi-insulating GaAs (001) substrate. The active region consisted of ten In0.68Ga0.32As quantum dot layers separated by 35nm-thick In0.49Ga0.51JP barriers. Three monolayer of In0.68Ga0.32As self-assembled via the Stranski-Krastanov growth mode and formed lens-shaped InGaAs quantum dots with a density around 3 x10 10 cm -2 . The peak responsivity at 77 K was measured to be 3.4 A/W at a bias of-1.9 V with 4.7 μm peak detection wavelength. A high peak detectivity of 3x10 12 cmHz 1/2 /W was achieved at 77 K and a bias of -1.9 V. The temperature dependent device performance was also investigated. The improved temperature insensitivity compared to quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) was attributed to the quantum dots properties. The device showed a background limited performance temperature of 220 K with a 45° field of view and 300K background. Focal plane arrays (FPAs) based on these devices have been developed. The preliminary result of FPA imaging is presented.
Clinical relevance of VEGF receptors 1 and 2 in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia

Vascularity is increased in the bone marrow of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and high vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels correlate with worse survival. We analyzed the significance of VEGF-receptor 1 (VEGF-R1) and VEGF-R2 levels in bone marrow samples from 170 CML patients (137 chronic, 24 accelerated, and 9 blastic phase). Median VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2 levels were 4.66 and 2-fold, respectively, that in normal control samples. Receptor levels did not correlate with disease phase or other host and disease features examined. Chronic phase CML patients with increased VEGF-R2 levels had significantly inferior survival than patients without receptor up-regulation (P=0.009). Patients in accelerated/blastic phase CML with elevated VEGF-R2 expression had marginally worse survival (P=0.05). In contrast, high VEGF-R1 levels did not correlate with a specific CML phase, characteristic, or outcome. Our findings support VEGF-R2 over-expression as an independent prognostic indicator for shortened survival in patients with CML.
Pretreatment prostate-specific antigen velocity is associated with freedom from biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy alone

Abstract Purpose This report examines the relationship between pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity (PSAV) and freedom from biochemical recurrence (FFBR) in men with prostate cancer treated with low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy (LDRPB). Methods and Materials This is a report of 51 men treated with LDRPB between 1997 and 1999. Inclusion criteria: two or more evaluable PSA values >3 months apart and 125 I LDRPB. The prescription dose was 144 Gy. Biochemical failure is determined from PSA values over time using the ASTRO Consensus Definition. FFBR is estimated using Kaplan–Meier method. Pretreatment variables analyzed include percentage positive biopsy cores, D 90 , risk group, and PSAV. All p values are two-sided. Results The median followup is 60 months. The median pretreatment PSA is 6.5, 75% of men were Stage T1c, and 88% had Gleason score ≥6; 10% developed evidence of biochemical recurrence at a median of 13 months (range, 6–36). The 6-year estimate of FFBR is 90% for the entire cohort. On univariate analysis, pretreatment PSAV and risk group are associated with FFBR. The 6-year estimate of FFBR in patients with a PSAV p = 0.017). Conclusions Pretreatment PSAV is a predictor of FFBR after LDRPB in this population of men with prostate cancer. Men with a pretreatment PSAV ≥2 ng/mL/yr may warrant more aggressive treatment.
Electron capture gas chromatographic determination of Kepone® residues in environmental samples

The pollution of the environment with Kepone (decachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-metheno-2H-cyclobuta[cd]pentalen-2-one) by an industrial manufacturer of the pesticide resulted in the contamination of several terrestrial media, including biological life, near the entry of the insecticide into the ecosystem. The substrata investigated and for which residue methodology was developed included river sediment, soil, water, shellfish, and finfish. Rigorous extraction techniques utilizing the Soxhlet apparatus and the Polytron tissue homogenizer were required for complete removal of Kepone from the samples. Finfish tissue was the most difficult to analyze. For this type of substratum, a preliminary cleanup by gel permeation chromatography was required to remove most of the lipid material followed by a micro Florisil column elution to eliminate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB'S). Cleanup of shellfish and other environmental samples was accomplished with a micro Florisil column only. Electron capture gas chromatography was used to analyze the sample extracts. Recoveries of Kepone from fortified samples averaged 84% or greater.
Scaling the Socioeconomic Ladder: Low‐Income Women's Perceptions of Class Status and Opportunity

This study examined how 69 low-income women enrolled in an educational training program perceived social class and upward mobility. Participants identified their social class during childhood, their current status, and their anticipated post graduate status. Beliefs about income inequality and attributions for wealth and poverty were also assessed. Respondents expected to achieve middle class status and perceived higher education as a route to upward mobility, although the accessibility of post-secondary programs was questioned. Consistent with previous research involving low-income groups (Bullock, 1999; Kluegel & Smith, 1986), structural attributions for poverty and wealth were favored over individualistic causes. Also, respondents perceived income inequality as unjust. The construction of class identity and implications for class-based mobilization are discussed. It [the American dream] means the opportunity to go as far in life as your abilities will take you. Anyone in America can aspire to be a doctor, a teacher, a police officer or even, as Oprah said, a President. But you can't get any of those important jobs if you don't have the opportunity to acquire the skills you need … . And that's why I believe that the key to the American Dream is education. —————Former President George Herbert Walker Bush, 1997
NTera 2 Cells: A human cell line which displays characteristics expected of a human committed neuronal progenitor cell

We have identified a human cell line with a phenotype resembling committed CNS neuronal precursor cells. NTera 2/cl.D1 (NT2/D1) cells expressed nestin and vimentin, intermediate filament (IF) proteins expressed in neuroepithelial precursor cells, as well as MAP1b, a microtubule-associated protein (MAP) expressed in human neuroepithelium. NT2/D1 cells also expressed the cell adhesion molecules NCAM and N-cadherin which are thought to be important in cell-cell interactions within the neuroepithelium. These NT2/D1 cells also expressed small amounts of NF-L, alpha-internexin, NF-M, and MAP2c, indicating that they are committed to a neuronal fate. Previous studies have shown that, following RA treatment, a proportion of NT2/D1 cells terminally differentiate into neurons and that this occurs via an asymmetric stem cell mode of differentiation. In light of the identification of the neuroepithelial phenotype of NT2/D1 cells we decided to examine more closely the relationship of in vitro neurogenesis in NT2/D1 cells, during RA treatment to that of neurons in vivo. Three days after RA treatment, islands of NT2/D1 cells showed increased expression of neurofilament proteins and increased phosphorylation of NF-M. By 10-14 days, these cells began to resemble neurons morphologically, i.e., with rounded cell bodies and processes. These neuronal cells were clustered into clumps which rested on top of a layer of progenitor cells. In this upper layer, the neurons began to express MAP2b and tau and extinguished their expression of nestin. Recently, we developed a method for obtaining pure cultures of neurons from RA treated NT2/D1 cells. The phenotype of these postmitotic neurons is clearly dissociated from that of the untreated NT2/D1 cells. Given the data obtained in this study and the characterization of the neurons derived from NT2/D1 cells, we propose that NT2/D1 cells are a committed human neuronal precursor cell line which retains some stem cell characteristics and is capable only of terminal differentiation into neurons.
Early laparoscopic management of acute postoperative hemorrhage after initial laparoscopic surgery.

Background and Purpose: The use of laparoscopic surgery has been well established for the management of abdominal emergencies. However, the value of this technique for postoperative hemorrhage in urology has not been characterized. We present our favorable experience with laparoscopic exploration after urologic surgery and suggest guidelines for laparoscopic management of post-laparoscopy bleeding. Patients and Methods: Three patients who developed hemorrhage shortly after laparoscopic urologic surgery and were managed by laparoscopic exploration were identified from a series of 910 laparoscopic urologic procedures performed at our institution from October 2002 to June 2006. Results: Three patients, who were hemodynamically stable (two after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, one after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy), required prompt surgical exploration for postoperative hemorrhage not stabilized by blood transfusion (mean 2.7 units) at a mean of 19.4 hours after initial surgery. Clots were eva...
Studies on Alkylthio-Dimethylamino-Borane and Ethylthio-Phenyl-Borne Systems1

Abstract Systems of the type (RS)nB[N(CH3)2]3-n with R = CH3 or C2H5 exist in equilibrium mixtures in which the presence of the unsym-metrical compounds with n = 1 or 2 can be demonstrated but the species cannot be isolated in pure state. Reactions and spectro-scopic data on such systems as well as on some ethylthio-phenyl-borane species are reported.
Play, Language, and Maternal Responsiveness: A Longitudinal Study of Deaf and Hearing Infants

Language, maternal responsiveness, and developmental play levels were investigated in 43 middle-class dyads at 9, 12, and 18 months: hearing child/hearing mother (hH), deaf child/deaf mother (dD), deaf child/hearing mother (dH). Group dH provides information about play when language is delayed and maternal responsiveness decreased. Group dD provides information on developmental effects of diminished audition. There were no 9-month group play differences. At 12 months, hH infants displayed more representational play than infants in either deaf group (p < .001). At 18 months, hH and dD children displayed more preplanned play than dH children (p = .01). At 12 and 18 months, language was associated only marginally with play levels. Maternal responsiveness was significantly associated with 18-month-olds' preplanned play (p = .01).
A modeling study of benthic detritus flux's impacts on heterotrophic processes in Lake Michigan

[1] Effects of sediment resuspension-induced benthic detrital flux on the heterotrophic part of the microbial food web in Lake Michigan were examined using a three-dimensional (3-D) coupled biological and physical model. The model was driven by the realistic meteorological forcing observed in March 1999. Wind-induced surface wave dynamics were incorporated into the physical model to generate the bottom flux. The model-generated benthic detrital flux was assumed to be proportional to the difference between model-calculated and critical stresses at the bottom. The model results indicate that detrital flux at the bottom was a key factor causing a significant increase of phosphorus and detritus concentrations in the nearshore region of the springtime plume. Inside the plume the sediment-resuspended bottom detritus flux could directly enhance heterotrophic production, while outside the plume, detrital flux from river discharge might have a direct contribution to the high abundance of bacteria and microzooplankton in the nearshore region. Model-data comparison on cross-shore transects near Chicago, Gary, St. Joseph, and Racine suggests that other physical and biological processes may play a comparative role as the bottom detritus flux in terms of the spatial distribution of bacteria and microzoplankton. A more complete microbial food web model needs to be developed to simulate the heterotrophic process in southern Lake Michigan.
RELEASE OF GLUTATHIONE INHIBITION OF MELANIN FORMATION BY ESTRONE

THE FACT that pigmentary changes occur in man coincident with functional alterations in sex organs was observed long ago. The pigmentary change in the nipple and areola during pregnancy affords a well-known example. Likewise, injection, transplantation, castration and tissue culture experiments indicate that sex hormones may influence secondary sex or even general pigmentation (1-9). This subject was recently reviewed by Domm, Danforth, and Moore (10) where additional references may be found. In many of the cases recorded, it is melanin that is partially or entirely responsible for the pigmentary changes. It is hoped that the observations recorded in this report may eventually lead to more definite knowledge of themechanism by which these endocrine substances influence the process of melanin formation. It had been demonstrated that reduced glutathione inhibits melanin formation in buffered tyrosine-tyrosinase mixtures (11, 12). When the glutathione is completely oxidized, melanin formation takes place at ...
Ethnic differences in the consistency and accuracy of perceived exertion

Objectives This study investigated the effect of weight loss and weight regain on accuracy of perceived exertion (APE) in previously overweight African American (AA) and European American (EA) women. Methods Formerly overweight women (n = 102, age 20–44 years) completed a weight loss program to achieve BMI < 25 kg/m2. Physiological variable of exertion and rating of perceived exertion (RPE, Borg's 6–20 Scale) were recorded during submaximal aerobic exercise prior to, immediately following, and approximately 1 year after weight loss. APE was defined as the composite score of physiological variables (heart rate, ventilation rate, and respiratory exchange ratio) minus RPE. Results APE was significantly different from the composite score of physiological variables at baseline and at 1-year follow-up for EA women (0.347 ± 0.88 P < 0.05 and 0.53 ± 0.92, P < 0.01, respectively) and at 1-year follow-up for AA (−0.37 ± 1.1, P < 0.01). EA women had lower physiological effort at baseline and 1-year follow-up states (−0.24 ± 0.66 P < 0.05; and, −0.27 ± 0.84 P < 0.05, respectively). AA women had higher physiological effort, at 1-year follow-up state (0.21 ± 0.61, P < 0.01). Conclusions Physiologic effort and perceived exertion contributed independently to the racial differences in APE, and APE may be an important trait to evaluate before planning an exercise intervention. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:398–404, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wear Resistant Coatings Reduce Particulate Contamination in a Magnetic Disk Drive

A test was performed to evaluate the particulate contamination coming from components in a magnetic disk drive. The 300-series stainless steel components undergo unlubricated sliding motion and are susceptible to adhesive wear and fretting. To reduce the wear debris, the components were coated with six different hard coatings: electroless nickel, chromium, Nedox®, titanium nitride, amorphous diamond, and iron boride. Hardware was tested in a specially made chamber that permitted collection of the airborne particles on nucleopore filters as well as real-time particle counts. Particle size distribution and elemental composition were provided by automated image analysis using SEM and EDX.
Sythesis of deuterium and tritium labeled psoralens

Deuterium and tritium labeled 4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen (), psoralen (), and angelicin (), have been prepared by D2O and T2O exchange with specific activities of 228-253 mCi/mmol. Tritium labeled 4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen () with a specific activity of 17.6 Ci/mmol was prepared by catalytic reduction with tritium gas followed by dehydrogenation. Tritiated 4′-hydroxymethyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen () with a specific activity of 12.0 Ci/mmol was obtained by reduction of the corresponding aldehyde with sodium borotritide and elaborated to 4′-aminomethyl-4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen () (12.0 Ci/mmol) by conversion of to the chloromethyl derivative followed by the Gabriel synthesis. Tritium labeled 8-methoxypsoralen () was prepared by demethylation of unlabeled to the phenol followed by methylation with tritiated methyl iodide.
An analysis of Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent signal parameter estimation using particle filters

The Blood-Oxygen-Level-Dependent (BOLD) signal that is measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been the subject of extensive research since the development of the first balloon model. While there are definite benefits to moving from the Canonical Hemodynamic Response function to a physiologically inspired BOLD model, significant barriers remain. Optimizing the simplest balloon model requires searching within 7 dimensions, and even more complex models exist. Additionally, the nonlinear nature of these models make them difficult to analyze; therefore, this work uses a particle filter to regresses a simple form of the BOLD model. Whereas traditional methods of analyzing fMRI aims to determine where activation occurs, BOLD model regression seeks a parametric representation of the signal. The results show that the particle filter attains a good fit but that the system of equations are not observable, leading to a large range of parameters that are consistent with the measurements.
The relative importance of Ah versus H-2 genetype on Trichinella resistance following exposure to 3-methylcholanthrene

Abstract The relative influence of Ah vs H -2 genotype on the outcome of Trichinella spiralis (Tsp) infections of mice was examined following methylcholanthrene (MC) treatment. Female mice of four inbred strains were treated with MC and infected 24 h later with Tsp muscle larvae. The strains, with their respective major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase responsiveness ( Ah phenotype) and level of susceptibility to Tsp infection, were: C3HeB/FeJ (C3), H -2 k , Ah b , Tsp susceptible; C57BL/10.BR (B10.BR), H -2 k , Ah b , Tsp susceptible; C57BL/10.Q (B10.Q), H -2 k , Ah b , Tsp resistant; and AKR/J (AK), H -2 k , Ah d , Tsp resistant. The proliferative response of splenic lymphocytes to crude Tsp L 1 stage antigen was significantly depressed in all MC-treated groups, with the exception of the B10.BR strain. MC administered at 40 mg/kg impaired the ability of C3 and B10.Q mice to eliminate adult worms. At 80 mg/kg, C3 strain mice were also impaired, as well as AK strain mice. The fecundity of female worms recovered from B10 or AK strain mice was not significantly altered by MC treatment, although female worms from treated C3 mice exhibited increased fecundity on day 9 post infection. Muscle larvae burdens of MC-treated B10 and C3 mice were elevated, while those of AK strain mice were unaffected. These data suggest that with acute exposures to MC, the immunogenetic resistance or susceptibility of a given mouse strain may have a more pronounced effect on immune depression and the severity of Tsp infection than does the Ah phenotype.
Molecular characterization and histopathology of Myxobolus koi infecting the gills of a koi, Cyprinus carpio, with an amended morphological description of the agent.

A Myxobolus sp., morphologically resembling M. toyamai, M. longisporus, and M. koi, was isolated from the gills of a koi, Cyprinus carpio, that died in an ornamental pond. Large plasmodia were localized within lamellae, causing severe disruption of the normal branchial architecture, sufficient to compromise respiration. Although the case isolate shared several features with the aforementioned species, several key characteristics were most compatible with M. koi. In valvular view, spores were elongate and pyriform with a rounded posterior, 15.4 (14.5-16.5) mm long and 8.3 (7.1-9.0) mm wide. Polar capsules were pyriform and elongate, 10.1 (9.0-10.9) mm long and 3.1 (2.5-3.5) mm wide. Polar filaments were coiled perpendicular to the long axis of the spore making 10 turns (9-11). A BLAST search using a generated 18S SSU rDNA sequence resulted in no direct matches. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence indicates a close relationship to M. longisporus and M. toyamai from C. carpio, within the clade of Myxobolus species infecting gills of cyprinid fishes (89% or greater bootstrap support by maximum parsimony and minimum evolution distance analysis). Although published descriptions are inconsistent, morphometric similarities to this isolate suggest a morphotype of M. koi. The description of M. koi is supplemented here with new data on pathogenicity and spore morphology and is characterized at the molecular level using 18S small subunit rDNA sequence data.
Ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics and oral absorption of generic ciprofloxacin tablets in dogs.

Objective—To determine the pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin in dogs, including oral absorption following administration of generic ciprofloxacin tablets. Animals—6 healthy Beagles. Procedures—In a crossover study design, ciprofloxacin was administered as a generic tablet (250 mg, PO; mean dose, 23 mg/kg) and solution (10 mg/kg, IV) to 6 dogs. In a separate experiment, 4 of the dogs received ciprofloxacin solution (10 mg/mL) PO via stomach tube (total dose, 250 mg). Blood samples were collected before (time 0) and for 24 hours after each dose. Plasma concentrations were analyzed with high-pressure liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by means of compartmental modeling. Results—When ciprofloxacin was administered as tablets PO, peak plasma concentration was 4.4 μg/mL (coefficient of variation [CV], 55.9%), terminal half-life (t1/2) was 2.6 hours (CV, 10.8%), area under the time-concentration curve was 22.5 μg•h/mL (CV, 62.3%), and systemic absorption was 58.4% (CV, 45.4%). For the ...
Lipoxygenase-Mediated N-Demethylation of Imipramine and Related Tricyclic Antidepressants in the Presence of Hydrogen Peroxide:

In this study, we examined the ability of soybean lipoxygenase to mediate the N-demethylation of imipramine and related drugs in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Formaldehyde generation resulting from the N-demethylation of imipramine, a prototype drug, was found to depend on incubation time, and the concentration of the enzyme, imipramine, and hydrogen peroxide. Under optimal assay conditions, Vmax values of 14 to 18 nmol formaldehyde/min/nmol enzyme or 133 to 164 nmol formaldehyde/min/mg protein were observed. An inhibition of formaldehyde and desipramine formation by nordihydroguaiaretic acid confirmed the lipoxygenase involvement. The blockade of the reaction by glutathione, dithiothreitol, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) indicated the generation of a free radical intermediate from imipramine. Desipramine, trimipramine, clomipramine, and diltiazem, but not amitriptyline and doxepin, were also oxidized, albeit at a lower rate. Collectively, the evidence gathered in ...
Evaluation of Formaldehyde Pretreatment for Wool Bleaching

The formaldehyde treatment of wool fibers and fabric prior to bleaching by hot alkaline peroxide solutions has been investigated. Although pretreated fabrics exhibit lower alkali solubility and better handle after bleaching, characteristic degradation, shown by various single-fiber as well as fabric properties, is not retarded by the pre treatment. Formaldehyde pretreatment alone, under the conditions used, lowers the breaking stress and breaking extension of single fibers, but this degradation may not be severe enough to cause concern for many fabric uscs. Other experiments, without formaldehyde pretreatment, fail to support the claim that wool fibers possess increased susceptibility to damage when strained prior to bleaching.
Noise computation in single chip packages

This paper describes the computation of noise in single chip packages forming an integral part of a larger system. An analysis tool is discussed that integrates the details of chip, first level, and second level packages to form a network for simulation. The tool is useful in the computation of noise generated by single chip packages and allows for post-layout, pre-fabrication noise estimation. This paper provides details on the components of noise including resonance which is often over looked in most computations. Time domain measurements have been used to validate the noise analysis.
A Pilot Study Does Obesity Begin in the First Year of Life

Aim. To determine if growth patterns in healthy infants can identify associations with obesity at age 5 years. Method. Body mass index growth patterns from birth to 1 year were described for cohorts of children who were classified at 5 years as normal weight (n = 61), overweight (n = 47), obese (n = 41), and morbidly obese (n = 72). A longitudinal analysis of body mass index means based on the age postbirth was conducted and graphed. Results. Distinctions in growth patterns were evident before 1 year postbirth. Children who were normal weight at 5 years demonstrated a growth pattern in the first year that differed from children who were overweight, obese, or morbidly obese at 5 years. Conclusions. Obesity growth patterns were seen in infancy and are clinically important because identification of infants who do not fit a normal weight pattern can occur and thus guide individualized interventions in the first year postbirth while precursors of later health are still forming.
Effects of short-term treatment of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on the follicular development and gonadotropin secretion in the rat

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) controls pituitary gonadotropin biosynthesis and secretion and therefore it is indispensable in regulating reproductive function. We have studied the effects of a short term treatment (7-days) of a GnRH-agonist (GnRH-Ag) in vivo (a) on reproductive cyclicity and follicular development and (b) on peripheral gonadotropin secretion of normal cycling rat. GnRH-Ag (0.2, 1 or 5 micrograms/day), administered continuously through an osmotic minipump for 7-days, had a varied effect on ovarian cyclicity as is evident by vaginal cytology and it also decreased ovarian weight. A dose of 1 as well as 5 micrograms/day for 7-days of GnRH-Ag caused the complete demise of early and late antral follicles, whereas a dose of 0.2 microgram/day of GnRH-Ag for 7-days caused a significant decrease in the number of late antral follicles. There was a remarkable increase in the number of atretic follicles in the ovary of rats that were treated with 5 micrograms/day of GnRH-Ag for 7-days. Ovarian histology showed the predominance of corpora lutea in rats treated with 1 or 5 micrograms/day of GnRH-Ag and the interstitial cells in general appeared pycnotic. GnRH-Ag treatment significantly enhanced the serum LH secretion but FSH secretion remained unaffected. Serum PRL concentration diminished in rats that were treated with the highest dose (5 micrograms/day) of GnRH-Ag. Results from this study clearly demonstrate that GnRH-Ag treatment interferes with normal cyclicity of rats and it profoundly affects the follicular development. Therefore, it acts as an atretognic factor in the ovary.
An Energy-Efficient All-Digital UWB Transmitter Employing Dual Capacitively-Coupled Pulse-Shaping Drivers

This paper presents an all-digital, non-coherent, pulsed-UWB transmitter. By exploiting relaxed center frequency tolerances in non-coherent wideband communication, the transmitter synthesizes UWB pulses from an energy-efficient, single-ended digital ring oscillator. Dual capacitively coupled digital power amplifiers (PAs) are used in tandem to attenuate low frequency content typically associated with single-ended digital circuits driving single-ended antennas. Furthermore, four level digital pulse shaping is employed to attenuate RF sidelobes, resulting in FCC compliant operation in the 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 GHz IEEE 802.15.4a bands without the use of any off-chip filters or large passive components. The transmitter is fabricated in a 90 nm CMOS process and occupies a core area of 0.07 mm2 . The entirely digital architecture consumes zero static bias current, resulting in an energy efficiency of 17.5 pJ/pulse at data rates up to 15.6 Mb/s.
An Object Oriented Approach to CAD Tool Control within a Design Framework

As VLSI design frameworks evolve, a distributed control mechanism for CAD tools has become a central research issue. In this paper, we present an object oriented tool integration methodology that treats the tools as objects. This approach simplifies CAD tool control within a design framework making the framework more general, easier to use, and more capable of supporting a large population of CAD tools.