cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring the susceptibility of humans to animal prion diseases

Prion diseases are fatal, infectious diseases of cattle (bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE), sheep (scrapie), deer and elk ( chronic wasting disease, CWD) and humans (Creutzfeldt Jakob disease). Disease is caused by the misfolding of a normal protein, PrP, into a pathogenic form called a prion. Prions then coerce normal PrP to misfold, resulting in propagation of the pathogenic form in the brain and elsewhere, where it is toxic to neurons. Over 200 people were infected with BSE and 4 million cattle were culled during an outbreak in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. The fallout led to constraints on the use of animal by-products, organ donation and cattle culling, which have effectively ended the BSE outbreak. Nevertheless, an atypical form of BSE has been identified in older cattle in several countries, including the USA. These cases are disruptive to the beef supply chain and raise concerns for another outbreak. CWD is spreading through deer and elk in the United States and, increasingly, abroad. CWD infection of humans has not been documented, but we do not know the risk of CWD transmission to humans, how BSE and CWD may be different in their host ranges, or what defines this difference. Using an in vitro model of prion conversion, we have demonstrated that CWD prions adapt more readily to a new host than do BSE prions, which remain largely unchanged. These observations prompted us to investigate the role of specific regions of the PrP molecule in defining species barriers.
Artificial intelligence in dermatology for the clinician.

Abstract As medicine enters the era of artificial intelligence (AI)–augmented practice, dermatology is beginning to witness the integration of AI into the daily practice, particularly in the areas of diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of skin diseases. Many of the current electronic medical records that dermatologists have incorporated provide guidance in billing, a form of AI at work. The recent advances in visual recognition AI make application and integration of the technology particularly suited for perceptual specialties such as radiology and dermatology. In dermatology, AI is poised to improve the efficiency and accuracy of traditional diagnostic approaches, including visual examination, skin biopsy, and histopathologic examination. This review highlights the current progress of AI in dermatology and provides a basic overview of the technology.
Behavioral and Environmental Explanations of Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Immigrant Children and Children of Immigrants

Immigrant/refugee children sometimes have substantially higher blood lead levels (BLLs) than US-born children in similar environments. We try to understand why, by exploring the relationship between immigration status of mother and the BLLs of US-born children. We compared BLLs of children born in Michigan to immigrant and non-immigrant parents, using the Michigan database of BLL tests for 2002-2005, which includes the child's race, Medicaid eligibility and address. We added census data on socio-demographic/housing characteristics of the child's block group, and information about parents. Low parental education, single parent households, mothers' smoking and drinking, all increase the child's BLL. However, immigrant parents had fewer characteristics associated with high BLL than US born parents, and their children had lower BLLs than children of US-born mothers. Our findings suggest that prior findings of higher BLLs among immigrant/refugee children probably result from them starting life in high-lead environments.
Beguines: The First Women's Movement in Christianity: A Time for a Return?

The Beguines (pronounced “bay-geens”) were women who initiated a radically new way of life for Christian women in the 12th century. Despite having no initiator or major leader, the movement caught fire and grew spontaneously in Low Countries.
Basic Language Constructs of VHDL

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Skeleton of a basic VHDL program Lexical elements and program format Objects Data types and operators Synthesis guidelines Bibliographic notes ]]>
Nanostructured Origami/sup /spl trade// 3D fabrication and assembly of electrochemical energy storage devices

Using the Nanostructured Origami/sup /spl trade// 3D Fabrication and Assembly Process, 3D nanostructured devices can be made from exclusively 2D micro- and nanofabrication tools. The origami approach consists of first patterning large 2D membranes and then folding them along predefined regions to obtain the desired 3D configuration. State-of-the art nanopatterning tools can be integrated into the process, and batch-fabrication can be achieved via several actuation methods that allow automated, parallel manipulation of the 2D segments. This paper reports on the application of the origami method to the fabrication of a supercapacitor, a type of an electrochemical energy storage device. The advantages of utilizing the 3rd dimension and nanostructured surfaces in such devices will be discussed.
The Pitfalls of Professionalized Prosecution: A Response to Josh Bowers's "Legal Guilt, Normative Innocence, and the Equitable Decision Not to Prosecute"

This short essay responds to Josh Bowers’s article Legal Guilt, Normative Innocence, and the Equitable Decision Not to Prosecute. While most scholars focus on the most visible injustices in the most serious cases, Bowers rightly notes that this sliver of serious felonies is dwarfed by the mountain of minor, low-visibility misdemeanors and violations. Prosecutors are reasonably good at classifying crimes based on legal guilt and administrative criteria, but are far worse at weighing all the particulars and exercising equitable discretion. Our consistent faith in prosecutors’ expertise, Bowers argues, is not only misguided but backwards; we should value outsiders’ fresh perspectives over insiders’ jaded expertise. Thorough solutions would require large structural reforms to bring laymen back into power as a check, either at charging or at sentencing. The trick will be pulling off this important task in our cash-strapped, overwhelmed criminal justice system.
Demand response control for PHEV charging stations by dynamic price adjustments

Because of their economical operation and low environmental pollution, PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) are rapidly substituting gasoline vehicles. However, there still exist obstacles to proliferating their use, such as their relatively short driving range and long battery charging time. At the same time, it is recognized that the current increasing trend of PHEV use will have a serious impact on the stability of power grids (i.e., electricity providers). Along with improving the performance of PHEVs, the installation of charging stations, which addresses such problems, is essentially required in smart grid communities.
A performance comparison of piecewise linear estimation methods

The response functions in many engineering problems are piecewise smooth functions, although globally they can be highly nonlinear. The linear Shepard algorithm (a moving window weighted least squares method based on linear functions) usually creates reasonable approximations. When used to approximate data obtained from piecewise linear functions, a better approximation near the function creases is obtained when a robust linear Shepard algorithm is used. Due to limitations of the robust linear Shepard algorithm in high dimensions, RIPPLE (residual initiated polynomial-time piecewise linear estimation) was developed for piecewise linear estimation of high dimensional data. RIPPLE selects minimal sets of data based on a minimal residual criterion. Once the best minimal set is obtained, RIPPLE adds other consistent data points using a robust statistical procedure. RIPPLE is resistant to outliers. It produces good approximations even if the data contains significant random errors. The code L2WPMA (least squares weighted piecewise monotonic approximation, ACM TOMS Algorithm 863) calculates a piecewise monotonic approximation to n univariate data points contaminated by random errors. The continuous piecewise linear approximation consists of k (a positive integer provided by the user) monotonic linear splines, alternately monotonically increasing and monotonically decreasing. An optimal approximation is obtained if there are at most k monotonic sections in the exact data. This paper will present a theoretical complexity comparison and an empirical performance comparison of the linear Shepard algorithm, robust linear Shepard algorithm, RIPPLE, and L2WPMA for univariate datasets.
Post-subarachnoid Hemorrhage Vasospasm in Patients with Primary Headache Disorders

Altered cerebral vasomotor reactivity leading to vasospasm can be seen both in patients with primary headache disorders (PHD) and in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The pathogenesis of vasospasm in post-SAH patients and in headache disorder sufferers may be related. To address this hypothesis, we analyzed a large cohort of SAH patients to determine whether a diagnosis of PHD predisposes to vasospasm, delayed cerebral ischemia, or worsened clinical outcome. Prospectively collected data from patients enrolled in the SAH Outcomes Project between 1996 and 2006 were analyzed. Patients were segregated based on whether they had a diagnosis of PHD or not and were subsequently compared for differences in clinical and radiographic outcome. A total of 921 SAH patients were analyzed, 265 of which had a diagnosis of PHD. In total, symptomatic vasospasm was seen in 17 %, while angiographic vasospasm was seen in 28 %. Vasospasm rates were similar among patients with a PHD and in those without a PHD (p > 0.05). However, on multivariate analysis new ischemic infarcts were more common in patients with a PHD as compared to patients without a PHD (p = 0.015). Functional outcomes at 3 months were similar among PHD and non-PHD patients (p > 0.05). A history of PHD is associated with an increased rate of ischemic infarcts during admission for SAH. Increased rates of vasospasm within small cerebral blood vessels may be implicated. Further studies are warranted to more closely link the mechanisms of vasospasm in PHD and SAH patients.
Comparative efficiency and driving range of light- and heavy-duty vehicles powered with biomass energy stored in liquid fuels or batteries.

This study addresses the question, “When using cellulosic biomass for vehicular transportation, which field-to-wheels pathway is more efficient: that using biofuels or that using bioelectricity?” In considering the question, the level of assumed technological maturity significantly affects the comparison, as does the intended transportation application. Results from the analysis indicate that for light-duty vehicles, over ranges typical in the United States today (e.g., 560–820 miles), field-to-wheels performance is similar, with some scenarios showing biofuel to be more efficient, and others indicating the two pathways to be essentially the same. Over the current range of heavy-duty vehicles, the field-to-wheels efficiency is higher for biofuels than for electrically powered vehicles. Accounting for technological advances and range, there is little basis to expect mature bioelectricity-powered vehicles to have greater field-to-wheels efficiency (e.g., kilometers per gigajoule biomass or per hectare) compared with mature biofuel-powered vehicles.
Bayesianism, Quo Vadis? —Critical Notice: David Corfield and Jon Williamson (eds.), Foundations of Bayesianism

Abstract This is a review essay about David Corfield and Jon Williamson’s anthology Foundations of Bayesianism. Taken together, the fifteen essays assembled in the book assess the state of the art in Bayesianism. Such an assessment is timely, because decision theory and formal epistemology have become disciplines that are no longer taught on a routine basis in good philosophy departments. Thus we need to ask: Quo vadis, Bayesianism? The subjects of the articles include Bayesian group decision theory, approaches to the concept of probability, Bayesian approaches in the philosophy of mathematics, reflections on the relationship between causation and probability, the Independence axiom, and a range of criticisms of Bayesianism, among other subjects. While critical of some of the arguments presented in the articles, this review recommends Corfield and Williamson’s volume to anyone who is trying to stay abreast of Bayesian research.
Hybrid simulation of deformable solids

Although mesh-based methods are efficient for simulating simple hyperelasticity, maintaining and adapting a mesh-based representation is less appealing in more complex scenarios, e.g. collision, plasticity and fracture. Thus, meshless or point-based methods have enjoyed recent popularity due to their added flexibility in dealing with these situations. Our approach begins with an initial mesh that is either conforming (as generated by one's favorite meshing algorithm) or non-conforming (e.g. a BCC background lattice). We then propose a framework for embedding arbitrary sample points into this initial mesh allowing for the straightforward handling of collisions, plasticity and fracture without the need for complex remeshing. A straightforward consequence of this new framework is the ability to naturally handle T-junctions alleviating the requirement for a manifold initial mesh. The arbitrarily added embedded points are endowed with full simulation capability allowing them to collide, interact with each other, and interact with the parent geometry in the fashion of a particle-centric simulation system. We demonstrate how this formulation facilitates tasks such as arbitrary refinement or resampling for collision processing, the handling of multiple and possibly conflicting constraints (e.g. when cloth is nonphysically pinched between two objects), the straightforward treatment of fracture, and sub-element resolution of elasticity and plasticity.
Type A behaviour, financial performance and organizational growth in small business firms

Eight hundred randomly selected members of the Smaller Business Association of New England were mailed the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) and a biodata questionnaire. A total of 368 chief executive officers completed both instruments, representing a response rate of 46***.0 per cent. Based on the JAS, 82 per cent of the respondents were characterized by the Type A or coronary-prone behaviour pattern. Corporate performance was plotted against Type A and B scores. Firms run by Type As showed a higher return on investment and greater five-year growth in sales revenue than firms run by Type Bs, but this pattern was found only for the Job Involvement subscale.
A Comparison of Log-Linear and Regression Models for Systems of Dichotomous Variables:

The relative abilities of dummy variable regression and log-linear models to locate significant relationships in systems of dichotomous variables are compared. On logical grounds log-linear models are superior to regression since the data more readily meet the assumptions of the former. Two illustrative examples suggest that the methods converge in their findings when the range in proportions of the dependent dichotomy is between .25 and. 75, but may differ on which effects are significant when proportions are more extreme. Substantive differences under the two methods are likely to be small, however.
OMVPE growth of GaInP

Abstract The growth of the promising semiconductor alloy GaInAs by OMVPE has been studied using organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE). The growth process and materials properties have been studied and compared for growth using triethyl-group III sources (TEGa + TEIn) and trimethyl-group III sources (TMGa + TMIn) in an atmospheric pressure OMVPE apparatus. The most significant disadvantage of using triethyl sources, as opposed to trimethyl sources, is their greater propensity to participate in parasitic gas phase reactions which deplete Ga, and especially In, from the gas phase upstream from the substrate. This results in low growth efficiency and a temperature dependent growth rate and solid composition. Control of growth rate, morphology and solid composition are discussed in detail. The electrical and optical properties are also presented for comparison.
Adhesion of perichondrial cells to a polylactic acid scaffold

The number of chondrogenic cells available locally is an important factor in the repair process for cartilage defects. Previous studies demonstrated that the number of transplanted rabbit perichondrial cells (PC) remaining in a cartilage defect in vivo, after being carried into the site in a polylactic acid (PLA) scaffold, declined markedly within two days. This study examined the ability of in vitro culture of PC/PLA constructs to enhance subsequent biomechanical stability of the cells and the matrix content in an in vitro screening assay. PC/PLA constructs were analyzed after 1 h, 1 and 2 weeks of culture. The biomechanical adherence of PC to the PLA scaffold was tested by subjecting the PC/PLA constructs to a range of flow velocities (0.25-25 mm/s), spanning the range estimated to occur under conditions of construct insertion in vivo. The adhesion of PC to the PLA carrier was increased significantly by 1 and 2 weeks of incubation, with 25 mm/s flow causing a 57% detachment of cells after 1 h of seeding, but only 7% and 16% after 1 and 2 weeks of culture, respectively (p<0.001). This adherence was associated with marked deposition of glycosaminoglycan and collagen. These findings suggest that pre-incubation of PC-laden PLA scaffolds markedly enhances the stability of the indwelling cells.
Disciplining domestic regulation: the World Trade Organization and the market for professional services

This paper presents an institutional analysis of the processes underlying the globalization of professional service and labor markets. Focusing on the accountancy sector, the research documents the ongoing efforts by non-market institutions, including transnational accounting firms and industry lobbies in Europe and the US, to create a global market for accounting and auditing services under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The research shows how international trade agreements, specifically the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the Disciplines on Domestic Regulation in the Accountancy Sector, are being used to eliminate domestic regulations that industry views as barriers to trade and investment, such as diverse national and sub-national licensing and qualification requirements, regulations limiting scope of practice and forms of business organization, and non-harmonized technical standards. The paper discusses the implications of theses trends for the future of domestic regulation and democratic forms of economic governance.
Deformation induced Nanostructure and texture in MP35N alloys

The macro-texture was related to the nano-platelets formed during the rolling deformation of a Co-Ni-Cr-Mo alloy (MP35N) with low stacking fault energy. The deformed materials showed {011}(533) texture but also had {011}(211) and {011}(100) texture components. The {011}(533) component reached the maximum at 74% reduction-in-area. Further deformation of the material to 80% decreased the intensity of the {011}(533) component. The cold deformation introduced platelets of a few atomic layer in thickness and less than 100 nm in diameters. The habit planes of the platelets were identified to be {111}, which were perpendicular to both the rolling and {011} crystallographic plane. Therefore, the tensile strain in the rolling direction assisted formation of the platelets, which were identified as stacking faults. A high density of nano-platelets and dislocations strengthened materials and influenced the plastic deformation behaviors and texture evolution. Thus, the MP35N developed slightly different textures from other low stacking fault energy materials. The maximum at {011}(533) was related the nanoplatelets and stacking fault energy. The {011}(112) and {110}(001)components could be linked to the low stacking fault energy.
The Impact of Upgraded In Vivo Lung Measurement Capability on an Internal Dosimetry Program

Abstract Implementation of high-purity germanium (Ge) detectors in place of sodium iodide (NaI) detectors for in vivo lung measurements of low-energy photon-emitting radionuclides resulted in significant improvement in detection capability and corresponding improvements in the monitoring of potentially exposed workers. Lung activities below those detectable with the NaI system were discovered during the first 18 months of operation. In a number of cases, these activities were estimated to represent intakes resulting in lung doses as high as 25% of the 15 rem/yr United States Department of Energy Radiation Protection Standard. Evaluation of these lung activities and their associated intakes was substantially more time consuming than originally anticipated due to calibration differences between the Ge and NaI systems and to the difficulty of completing some of the follow-up investigations.
Scalable visual assessment of cluster tendency for large data sets

The problem of determining whether clusters are present in a data set (i.e., assessment of cluster tendency) is an important first step in cluster analysis. The visual assessment of cluster tendency (VAT) tool has been successful in determining potential cluster structure of various data sets, but it can be computationally expensive for large data sets. In this article, we present a new scalable, sample-based version of VAT, which is feasible for large data sets. We include analysis and numerical examples that demonstrate the new scalable VAT algorithm.
Affirmative Action's Contradictory Consequences

This comment raises questions about whether affirmative action has actually moved us closer to the objective of creating a more equal workplace. It explores some of the potential psychological costs of affirmative action—costs that paradoxically may undermine its objectives—and their implications for achieving the goal of workplace equality.
Improved free R factors for cross-validation of macromolecular structure - importance for real-space refinement.

Improvements in free R cross-validation are based on changed scaling procedures and the use, in map calculation, of estimates of the validation amplitudes which are independent of the actual observed values. The deleterious effects of the omitted test data are mitigated by reduction of the test-set size, which is made possible by constraining test and working sets to share the same scaling coefficients, thereby reducing the degrees of freedom and the dependence of free R on data selection. Further improvements come with use of a modified free R factor, R^{\rm free}_{T_{A}}. Instead of omitting the validation reflections from map calculation, their amplitudes are replaced by the average of resolution peers that is (nearly) independent of the actual cross-validation amplitudes. The improvements are relevant to model building, phase refinement by density modification and especially to real-space refinement. Although for real data at about 3 A resolution, free R factors of about 0.25 are affected little, the precision of the structure is improved by about 0.1 A. Tests with simulated data show that with good agreement between observed and calculated amplitudes (as in very high resolution studies or simulated refinement tests), free R factors can be improved by factors greater than two.
Assistant instructors facilitate simulation for medical students

Abstract Background A procedural training protocol for medical students must be cognizant of faculty opportunity costs, which may preclude individually supervised practice. Meanwhile, sporadic exposure in large group settings yields suboptimal proficiency. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of undergraduate assistant instructors in providing one-on-one simulation-based instruction for basic invasive techniques. Materials and methods Investigators designed proficiency-based checklists by faculty consensus for three simulation tasks as follows: orotracheal intubation, central venous catheterization, and suturing. Four undergraduate students were trained as instructors. Interrater agreement between instructors using the task checklists ranged from 0.754–0.866. Instructors conducted up to seven flexibly scheduled, one-on-one practice sessions with clinically inexperienced medical student participants. Sessions comprised repetitive task attempts with an evaluation after every attempt. On completion of the training protocol, participants underwent evaluation by an experienced surgeon blinded to practice session performance. Study participants were surveyed to assess satisfaction. Results Twenty-nine participants completed the study. Median total practice time was 8.75 h (interquartile range 7.12–8.75). Posttest pass rates were 93% (26/28), 71% (20/28), and 68% (19/28) for suturing, intubation, and central venous catheterization, respectively. Ninety-seven percent (27/28) of participants were satisfied with their experience, and 62% (18/29) advocated for protocol adoption into the standard preclinical curriculum. Estimated cost saved using student instructors, based on departmental collections for surgical faculty, was $43,760. Conclusions Clinically inexperienced assistants may be trained as instructors for basic simulation tasks with excellent interrater reliability. Deploying these assistant instructors makes effective, one-on-one technical training for preclinical medical students financially feasible.
Batch CVD Process for Depositing Pd Activation Layers

We describe a novel chemical vapor deposition (CVD) procedure for depositing a Pd activation layer for subsequent electroless Cu deposition. The two-step process uses a continuous precursor transfer step followed by a batch H 2 reduction step to achieve efficient utilization of the Pd (hfac) 2 precursor. The resulting activation layer contains both isolated Pd(0) clusters (ca. 10 nm average diam) and also dispersed Pd(II) species that appear to be stabilized by residual (hfac) fragments. The activation layer produces growth rates for Cu electroless deposition that are similar to values reported for Pd activation layers prepared using wet chemical methods. The Cu growth rate is independent of the Pd(0) cluster density, which suggests that Cu nucleation occurs at both Pd(0) clusters and the dispersed Pd(II) species. The Cu films shows poor adhesion upon drying, which we attribute to weak film attachment at the Pd(II) sites.
Quantum Cell Model for Bosons

An approach is presented toward validating the assumption that the ground state of bosons with repulsive interactions at low densities is characterized by macroscopic occupation of the zero momentum level. We use a cell model which affords a simple description of the high-density region, where fluctuations in number density are small and where no single-particle level is macroscopically occupied. As the density decreases, fluctuntions increase, and we reach a critical density at which the small fluctuntion approximation becomes unstable with respect to plane wave states of zero momenturn. At this critical density, the single-particle energy gap disappears, and the dependence of excitation on momentum changes from quadratic to linear, for small values of momentum. (auth)
THE AMAZINGLY INVARIANT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS–A 30 YEAR LOOK

From time to time, systems engineers find themselves debating the subject of the systems engineering process. These debaters are commonly experienced systems engineers that may not, at the time, realize the limitations of arguing from experience. It is the trap of generalizing from a specific. The systems engineering process is well established in the systems engineering literature; it is a pragmatic engineering process that has at its basis the practices of scientific inquiry. The systems engineering literature shows that the fundamentals of this process have changed very little over the past 30 years. This paper will describe the fundamental systems engineering process, as shared by businesses as diverse as telecommunications, agriculture and defense, and will give an example of how that process is practiced in the 1990s at Texas Instruments Incorporated.
Novel refractory contact and interconnect metallizations for high-voltage and smart-power applications

Power electronic system performance enhancements, device structures, process technologies, manufacturability, and performance results obtained from three distinct process technologies that are based on selective TiSi/sub 2/ and low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) tungsten, and blanket LPCVD WSi/sub 2/ are discussed. Several key factors are identified that should be helpful in the choice and implementation of refractory metallization targeted for a specific system enhancement. It is demonstrated that the application of advanced wafer fabrication technologies using refractory multilevel metallizations has resulted in nearly optimal performance from low-voltage silicon power devices. Tables are shown which summarize the current state of the art of refractory metallization as applied to power system applications. It is seen that TiSi/sub 2/-based technology has the highest potential for near-term commercialization, followed by LPCVD WSi/sub 2/. >
Tensile fracture behaviour of long SiC whiskers

The tensile mechanical properties of long (up to 77 mm length) SiC whiskers have been investigated using multiple-fracture testing. SiC whiskers fractured from two types of defects. Below approximately 10 GPa stress, fracture occurred from extraneous surface defects, such as foreign matter particles and growth appendages. Above 10 GPa, fracture initiated from intrinsic defects. The Weibull modulus for intrinsic whisker fracture was determined to be in the range 3 to 4. Tests on very long whiskers indicated a strength plateau at 16 GPa for intrinsic whisker fracture. A basic statistical fracture description for the intrinsic fracture of whiskers was derived, which predicts a plateau in the intrinsic whisker strength.
Dissociation of insulin receptor expression and signaling from caveolin-1 expression

The presence of cell surface caveolin/caveolae has been postulated to influence the localization, expression levels, and kinase activity of numerous receptors, including the insulin receptor. However, there are conflicting data concerning the effects of caveolin on insulin receptor expression and function. To help clarify this issue, we created a gain of function situation by expressing caveolin-1 at various levels in HEK-293 cells where the endogenous level of caveolin-1 is very low. We generated four permanent lines of this cell expressing amounts of caveolin-1 ranging from 10 to 40 times that of parental cells. The amount of caveolin-1 in the human embryonic kidney cells expressing the highest caveolin levels is comparable with that of adipocytes, cells that naturally express one of the highest levels of caveolin-1. We measured insulin receptor amount and insulin-dependent receptor autophosphorylation as well as insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) tyrosine phosphorylation as an index of insulin signaling. We found that the insulin receptor level was essentially the same in the parental and all four derived cell lines. Likewise, we determined that insulin-dependent insulin receptor and IRS1 tyrosine phosphorylation was not significantly different in the four cell lines representing parental, low, medium, and high levels of caveolin-1 expression. We conclude that insulin receptor expression and ligand-dependent signaling is independent of caveolin-1 expression.
Isospin dependence of the nuclear surface tension

Using the Thomas-Fermi nuclear model we have constructed a standard dimensionless function (a simple hyperbola) which can be used to estimate the dependence of the surface tension $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ on the relative neutron excess $\ensuremath{\delta}$ for a variety of models, using only the models' properties calculated for standard (semi-infinite) nuclear matter with $\ensuremath{\delta}=0.$ We add some comments clarifying the relation between the Gibbs and the droplet model definitions, ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{e},$ of the surface tension.
752-6 Visualization of Coronary Arteries and Measurement of Coronary Blood Flow with Transthoracic Echocardiography After Intravenous Administration of a New Echocardlographic Contrast Agent

Imagent®US (AF0145, Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.), a new hemodynamically inert perfluorochemical echocardiographic contrast agent, produces excellent left ventricular and blood pool contrast effect after intravenous administration when imaged with conventional (2-D) ultrasound. We evaluated the potential of Contrast Specific Imaging (Acuson) employing second harmonic principles to further enhance the visualization of structures containing contrast agents. Transthoracic images were obtained during injections of 10–40 mg of the agent into the left femoral vein of seven closed chest dogs. Coronary Dopplerflow was simultaneously measured using an intracoronary Doppler wire. No alterations in flow velocities were observed with contrast administration. There was heterogenous opacification of the myocardium following contrast injection: a striking finding was of contrast-enhanced linear, branching structures in the myocardium consistent with coronary vessels. Further exploration of the largest structures (2–3 mm diameter) in the region of the basal ventricular septum was technically possible with pulsed wave Doppler in two dogs. A characteristic coronary Doppler flow pattern was observed (Fig 1a). Transthoracic Doppler flow velocities transiently increased after intracoronary adenosine (Fig 1b). The calculated coronary flow reserve ratio was similar to simultaneous intracoronary Doppler measurements. Conclusions Intramyocardial coronaryvasculature was observed and coronary flow velocites were measured during transthoracic Contrast Specific Imaging with an intravenously administered contrast agent. These findings suggest that noninvasive assessment of coronary blood flow is possible with echocardiographic contrast enhancement. Download : Download high-res image (103KB) Download : Download full-size image
Management of hypertensive crises.

The availability of potent antihypertensive drugs that will decrease markedly elevated blood pressure within minutes to hours has changed the concepts of definition and therapy of hypertensive emergencies and urgencies. Intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside can be used in the truly emergent situation and is effective, reliable, and safe. While oral therapy is more convenient, it is not as consistently effective as parenteral administration and can lead to excessive reductions in blood pressure that are more difficult to manage than when short-acting agents are given intravenously. (JAMA. 1991;266:829-835)
Dual electrode configurations with a plant tissue as generator reactor

Abstract Amperometric bioelectrodes prepared from tissues open up several biosensing possibilities. Dual-electrode configurations with a tissue reactor generating electroactive species that are hydrodynamically swept and detected amperometrically are described. A series-flow thin-layer detector and a rotating ring-disk electrode are characterized and offer significant advantages for biosensing applications and for the evaluation of biological materials. The selection of enzyme-rich tissue regions for biosensing applications is facilitated by constructing “maps” of the catalytic activity. Definite spatial variation of the enzymatic activity is observed. The kinetic behavior of the enzyme in the tissue is characterized by varying the convection rate and from Lineweaver-Burke plots. Because of the absence of diffusional barriers, dual-electrode devices respond very rapidly to changes in the substrate concentration. For flow-injection determination of dopamine by using the banana generator-carbon paste collector, the relative standard deviation is 1.5%, the detection limit is 1.9×10−6 M and the injection rate is 45 samples per hour. Preliminary results are also given for the horseradish root/hydrogen peroxide and mushroom/cathechol systems.
Dimensions of Urban Structure: An Example of Construct Validation

Traditionally, city classification studies have been considered descriptive. Empirical results have typically not been applied to explain or predict other urban characteristics. This pattern was reversed in the 1980s by the application of the results of two well-known classification studies as independent variables in a regression analysis. However, in performing statistical inference, it was implicitly assumed that the classifications provide measures of unobservable theoretical constructs. In this paper, it is argued that knowledge of a classification's validity is required prior to performing such inference. An example of a construct validation is provided by proposing that the physical and spatial characteristics of urban areas may in part be described by four independent dimensions and an attempt is made to operationalise and validate appropriate measures.
A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF EARLY SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Thirty boys who had been studied in a research nursery school when they were two and a half were re-evaluated when they were six and a half. Early social differences tended to correlate with later intellectual ones; children who were socially dependent in nursery school tended to show a less abstract cognitive style and lower nonverbal intellectual functioning when older. Four cases are presented.
Bone mineral density in adults transplanted in childhood for liver disease.

Abstract Introduction It remains unclear whether bone mineral density (BMD) is compromised in adult life after liver transplantation (LT) during childhood. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of total body (TB) and lumbar spine (LS) dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, anthropometry, and data collected, which included a physical activity questionnaire. Results Fifteen patients were enrolled. Mean age at LT was 10.6 (4.5) years (range 1.6 to 18.4). The mean posttransplant period was 12.0 (4.1) years (range 4.4 to 16.7); six were men. The mean TB BMD, 1.11 (0.12) g/cm 2 , was similar to LS BMD, 1.15 (0.17) g/cm 2 ( P = .82). The Z-score mean was lower for TB BMD, −0.92 (1.2), and LS BMD, −0.41 (1.2) ( P = .22). There was no effect from gender, pretransplant cholestasis (9/15 cases), age at LT, and time since LT. BMD (Z-score) was better for those on corticosteroids (9/15 cases): TB BMD −0.42 (1.20) versus −1.77 (0.86) ( P = .04); LS BMD 0.14 (1.00) versus −1.54 (1.03) ( P = .03). Anthropometry Z-scores were height −0.04 (0.70), weight −0.33 (0.39), and BMI −0.32 (0.37). There was no correlation between Z-scores for BMD and any of the anthropometry parameters. Conclusion Although the mean TB BMD was lower in transplanted patients than would be expected for the general population, overall BMD and anthropometry were with the normal adult ranges for adults who had undergone LT in childhood.
High-Index-of-Refraction Spherical Sheath Composite-Rod Optical Masers

The focusing of pumping light by high-index-of-refraction spherical and cylindrical sheaths covering a ruby-rod maser material has been studied both theoretically and experimentally. In the experimental work, the reduction in threshold pumping energy and the increase in optical output energy for the same ruby rod have been measured as a function of the index of refraction of the sheath by using spherical and cylindrical sheaths of water and benzyl benzoate, which have indices of refraction of 1.33 and 1.57, respectively. The results of the measurements clearly show that the spherical sheath is better than the cylindrical sheath. In the theoretical work, a thermodynamical method of analysis has been used to develop an approximate three-dimensional theory for the power absorbed per unit volume at each point in the rod. This theory treats the spherical and cylindrical sheath composite-rod structures in a unified way. The theoretical results are in fair agreement with the experimental ones. Moreover, the theory shows that the spherical sheath of sapphire is an optimum composite-rod optical-maser configuration. In fact, the theory predicts that in this case the threshold pumping energy for maser oscillation should be reduced by a factor of 4, whereas the cylindrical sheath of sapphire should only give an improvement by a factor of 2.4.
Amino Acid Composition of Six Distinct Types of β-Casein

Abstract Aschaffenburg classified β -caseins into three groups—A, B, and C—based on their mobilities at pH 7.15 in paper electrophoresis with a citrate-phosphate buffer-containing urea. A study of the high-voltage electrophoresis diagrams of tryptic hydrolysates of a large number of β -caseins of Type A showed four distinct and different patterns. When representatives of these four types were purified by chromatography and analyzed for their amino acid composition, differences were found in histidine, proline, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, serine, valine, isoleucine, and leucine. Considering only the variation in charge-bearing groups, the four β -caseins, on the basis of five glycines per molecule, might be abbreviated as: A 1 (His 6 Asp 9 Glu 40 ), A 2-1 (His 5 Asp 10 Glu 39 ), A 2-2 (His 5 Asp 10 Glu 38 ), and A 2-3 (His 5 Asp 9 Glu 38 ). When the β -caseins were typed in 7% acrylamide gel at pH 9 by our usual procedure, no difference in mobility could be detected. However, if the acrylamide was increased to 10% in the gels, A 2-1 (His 5 Asp 10 Glu 39 ) was faster and A 2-2 (His 5 Asp 10 Glu 38 ) slower than the two other types. The majority of the β -casein 1 A samples typed agreed with A 1 (His 6 Asp 9 Glu 40 ) and A 2-3 (His 5 Asp 9 Glu 38 ) in mobility in the 10% gels. If the electrophoresis was in pH 3 acrylamide gels, the last two variants were easily distinguished, since the three A(His 5 ) variants ran with the same mobility, but the A(His 6 ) variant had a higher mobility. Thus, the four types can be distinguished by gel electrophoresis alone. An analysis of β -caseins B and C is included for comparison. The β -casein C was isolated by chromatography from an A/C β -casein. The A and C analyses were identical, except for addition of one histidine and one lysine and subtraction of two prolines in the β -casein C. β -Caseins B are distinguished by the presence of five arginines; A and C have only four. (B and C have both 6-histidines.)
Double scattering of light from biophotonic nanostructures with short-range order

We investigate the mechanism for coloration of isotropic nanostructures with short-range order in bird feather barbs. While the primary spectral peak originates from single scattering, double scattering of light contributes additional spectral features.
ON THE RELATION OF PERFORMANCE TO EDITING IN NEAREST NEIGHBOR RULES

A general class of editing schemes is examined which allows for the relabeling as well as the deletion of samples. It is shown that there is a trade-offbetween asymptotic performance and sample deletion which can adversely affect the finite sample performance. A kk' rule is proposed to minimize the proportion of deleted samples. A slight modification of the rule is introduced which allows for an exact analysis in any dimension. Nearest neighbors Editing Probability of misclassification NN rules Asymptotic performance
Hopkins host-selection in Nasonia vitripennis and its implications for sympatric speciation

Abstract The operation of the Hopkins host-selection principle in the host-selection behaviour of the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis on three dipteran host species was tested. In order to determine whether larval conditioning influenced adult ovipositional preference, the parasitoids were reared on and then offered choices between host species in two pairwise combinations, Phormia regina/Phaenicia sericata and P. regina/Musca domestica. Hopkins host-selection was evident in the latter combination only. Preference for a given host is not reinforced by conditioning over several generations. The conditioning was not strong enough to serve as a primary isolating mechanism in the speciation process as suggested by Thorpe (1938, 1945), though it could be important as a secondary isolating mechanism.
Permeation of captan through disposable nitrile glove

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the permeation of an aqueous emulsion of the pesticide, captan, as a wettable powder (48.9% captan) through a disposable nitrile glove material using an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)-type I-PTC-600 permeation cell. The goal was to investigate the protective capability of the gloves against dermatitis. The analytical method was based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography–electron capture detection (GC–ECD). The least quantifiable limit (LQL) was 6 ng for GC–ECD and 30 ng for GC–MS. Testing was conducted using the ASTM F739 closed-loop permeation method and a worst-case aqueous concentration 217 mg/ml of captan 50-WP. The average permeation rates were low, with 12±5 ng/(cm2 min) after 2 h, 50±25 ng/(cm2 min) after 4 h, and 77±58 ng/(cm2 min) after 8 h. The calculated diffusion coefficient was (1.28±0.10)×10−5 cm2/h. No significant swelling or shrinkage occurred at P≤0.05. Infrared (IR) reflectance analysis of pre- and post-exposure glove surfaces confirmed no outer or inner surface degradation. The disposable nitrile glove showed excellent resistance to a highly concentrated aqueous emulsion of captan. Because the ASTM normalized breakthrough detection time of 250 ng/cm2 was
Characterization of Osmotic Dehydrated Apple by NMR and DSC

Abstract Osmotic dehydration of apple in concentrated sucrose solutions was followed by low-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance. Spin-spin and spin-lattice relaxation times were measured as a function of degree Brix index of the fruits during the process. A rapid decrease of both relaxation times was found between 0 and 3 h of soaking. After 3 h of osmotic dehydration, the decay of relaxation times tended to be less dramatic. Water mobility changes were analyzed inside the fruits by population of distributed exponentials. The spin-lattice relaxation time distribution showed a reduction of mobility of the water molecules in the cells due to greater sucrose concentration and interaction. The spin-spin relaxation time distribution revealed a shrinkage phenomenon associated with the removal of water in the cytoplasm. Differential scanning calorimetry data showed changes of the freezing point of the dehydrated fruits and the associated enthalpy of crystallization as a function of the amount of sugar present in the fruit. Measurements of the temperature of the maximally freeze-concentrated matrix were in accordance with literature data on similar model sucrose–water solutions. Unfrozen water fractions were also estimated by differential scanning calorimetry from the melting endotherms.
Inhibition of Mitochondrial Monoamine Oxidase of Canine Spleen and Liver by 1-Isonicotinyl-2-isopropylhydrazine (Iproniazid)

The inhibitory effects of 1-isonicotinyl-2-isopropylhydrazine (iproniazid) on monoamine oxidase of dog liver is well known. This investigation sought to determine the monoamine oxidase inhibitory effect of this drug in dog spleen when injected intramuscularly and when added to spleen mitochondria in vitro.
Conceptual design of a divertor Thomson scattering diagnostic for NSTX-U

A conceptual design for a divertor Thomson scattering (DTS) diagnostic has been developed for the NSTX-U device to operate in parallel with the existing multipoint Thomson scattering system. Higher projected peak heat flux in NSTX-U will necessitate application of advanced magnetics geometries and divertor detachment. Interpretation and modeling of these divertor scenarios will depend heavily on local measurement of electron temperature, Te, and density, ne, which DTS provides in a passive manner. The DTS design for NSTX-U adopts major elements from the successful DIII-D DTS system including 7-channel polychromators measuring Te to 0.5 eV. If implemented on NSTX-U, the divertor TS system would provide an invaluable diagnostic for the boundary program to characterize the edge plasma.