cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation Between Levels of Gastrin and Thyrocalcitonin in Pig Thyroid Venous Blood

Thyroid venous plasma samples from pigs given 1) CaCl2, iv or into the stomach or jejunum, 2) acetylcholine intragastrically, and 3) porcine gastrin iv were analyzed for both gastrin and thyrocalcitonin (TCT) using specific radioimmunoassays. Changes in TCT secretion were found to correlate with alterations in the level of gastrin in blood traversing the thyroid gland. In 10 of the 11 pigs correlation coefficients (r) were highly significant (p 10-fold) occurred after iv doses of gastrin sufficient to raise the concentration of gastrin in thyroid venous blood to levels ⋝ 1000 pg/ml. The findings extend previous studies showing that the native gastrointestinal hormones, gastrin and cholecystokinin-pancreozymin, and their active synthetic analogs are potent stimuli for secretion ofTCT in several s...
Measuring heights to crown base and crown median with LiDAR in a mature, even-aged loblolly pine stand

This study evaluated the possibility of measuring the height to the base of the live crown and the height to the median of canopy elements with airborne scanning LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) in a simple, even-aged stand of loblolly pine. The first step in determining these heights was fitting truncated Weibull functions to the vertical distribution of elevations where discrete laser pulses were reflected from the dominant canopy strata. The height to the canopy median was defined as height at the median of the distribution. The height to the base of the live crown was defined as the height where the upper tail the distribution asymptotes to zero returns. Ground-based and LiDAR-based estimates of the canopy median differed by 0.3 m and were not significantly different (P = 0.23). Ground- and LiDAR-based estimates of the base of the live crown differed by 0.6 m and were significantly different (P = 0.03). LiDAR-based estimates of the canopy median exhibited positive bias over most of the range of field-measured values. Analyses of the LiDAR data resulted in overestimating the height to the canopy base over most of the range in field-measured values; however, the difference between ground and LiDAR-based estimates were negatively correlated with ground-based measurements. Average tree diameter was calculated with LiDAR-generated heights to the canopy median and to the base of the live crown. The overall average diameter was not statistically different from the overall quadratic mean diameter measured on the ground, demonstrating the possible utility of these canopy variables to forest managers working with simple stands such as plantations.
Ethical Considerations in Counselor-Clergy Collaboration

As professional counselors increase their awareness of, and competence with, client spiritual concerns, the potential for boundary confusion and incursion with clergy could result in harm to clients and compromised therapeutic outcomes. Because both professional counselors and clergy members are ethically obligated by the foundational moral principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence to help and not to harm clients, it becomes necessary to clarify and distinguish the formal and functional roles of counselors and clergy as they increasingly cooperate in their commonly shared work with individuals, couples, and families. By doing so, a set of ethical guidelines for professional collaboration may be formulated.
Identification of a single nucleotide change in a mutant gene for hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT Ann Arbor).

HPRTAnn Arbor is a variant of hypoxanthine (guanine) phosphoribosyl-transferase (HPRT: EC 2.4.2.8), which was identified in two brothers with hyperuricemia and nephrolithiasis. In previous studies, this mutant enzyme was characterized by an increased Km for both substrates, a normal Vmax, a decreased intracellular concentration of enzyme protein, a normal subunit molecular weight and an acidic isoelectric point under native isoelectric focusing conditions. We have cloned a full-length cDNA for HPRTAnn Arbor and determined its complete nucleotide sequence. A single nucleotide change (T→G) at nucleotide position 396 has been identified. This transversion predicts an amino acid substitution from isoleucine (ATT) to methionine (ATG) in codon 132, which is located within the putative 5′-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP)-binding site of HPRT.
The Visual Culture of American Religions. Ed. by David Morgan and Sally M. Promey. (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001. xiv, 427 pp. Cloth, $60.00, ISBN 0-520-22520-1. Paper, $29.95, ISBN 0-520-22522-8.)

Contemporary artists have often clashed with conservative American evangelicals in recent years, giving the impression that art and religion are fundamentally at odds. Yet historically, artistic images have played a profound role in American religious life. This superb collection of essays, with its unique assembly of images, challenges the apparent tension between religion and the arts by illustrating and investigating their long-standing and intriguing relationship from the early nineteenth century to the present day. The essays explore such varied topics as Sioux Sun Dance artifacts and paintings, American Jewish New Year postcards, the New Mexican santos tradition, roadside shrines, images of journey in African American pictorial traditions, the public display of religion, and the religious use of nineteenth-century technologies of mass reproduction.
Intermovement interval and spatial assimilation effects in sequential bimanual and unimanual movements

This study extended earlier work by showing spatial assimilations in sequential bimanual and unimanual movements separated by 1.5-3.5 s. In Experiments 1 and 2, 30 right-handed participants (18-22 years of age) made rapid single and bimanual lever reversals of 20 degrees and 60 degrees assigned to 1.5, 2.5, or 3.5 s intermovement interval groups. Participants self-timed the intermovement interval in the first experiment, but it was provided in the second experiment using separate auditory stimuli. In the third experiment, participants performed both the 20 degree and 60 degree movement with the same hand. In all experiments, the shorter-distance limb overshot and the longer-distance limb undershot the targets in both bimanual and unimanual sequential movements relative to single movements in all three intermovement interval groups, particularly in the non-dominant left limb. The results suggest that assimilation effects in sequential movements are caused by command interactions at the planning level, but the effects are reduced by practice.
Carrier-envelope phase stabilization of femtosecond modelocked lasers and direct optical frequency synthesis

Summary form only given. Progress in femtosecond pulse generation has made it possible to generate optical pulses that are only a few cycles in duration. This has resulted in rapidly growing interest in controlling the phase of the underlying carrier wave with respect to the envelope. The carrier-envelope phase is normally not important in optics; however, for such ultrafast pulses it can have physical consequences. Concurrently, modelocked lasers, which generate trains of ultrashort pulses, have become an important tool in optical frequency measurement. There is a close connection between these two apparently disparate topics. We have exploited this connection to develop a frequency domain technique that stabilizes the carrier phase with respect to the pulse envelope. Using the same technique, we performed absolute optical frequency measurements using a single modelocked laser with the only input being a stable microwave clock.
On Testing for Variance Effects

There are compelling reasons to include a discussion of tests for differences between group variances in statistics textbooks. It is important to test for heterogeneity of variance when conducting the t test and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) as well as to test hypotheses about differences between variances as the result of experimental treatment. A survey of 18 introductory statistics textbooks revealed that few cover heterogeneity of variance and that none gives it adequate coverage.
Institutionalizing Assessment-As-Learning Within an Ability-Based Program

SUMMARYInstitutionalizing assessment-as-learning (AAL) within an ability-based program provides a framework not only to assess curricular efficacy but to enhance learning as well. In ability-based education, AAL serves as the driving force for determination of educational outcomes, curricular content and structure, teaching processes, and assessment strategies. Properly institutionalized, AAL provides a method by which students become increasingly proficient in performing clearly defined abilities. An institution-wide AAL plan can also provide the basis for design of an assessment program capable of evaluating institutional effectiveness, as mandated by accreditation agencies. Care must be taken that the assessment program be constructed to focus on student performance of ability outcomes across the curriculum. A comprehensive approach to establishing such a program should involve collaboration among faculty, an assessment council/committee, and the curriculum committee.
Chemical modifications of lysyl and arginyl residues of human plasma α1-antitrypsin☆

Abstract Reactions of human plasma α 1 -antitrypsin ( α 1 -AT) with reagents known to modify the lysyl residues [citraconic anhydride, acetic anhydride, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)] and arginyl residues [1,2-cyclohexanedione (CHD) and phenylglyoxal (PGO)] in proteins have been studied. Native and modified human plasma α 1 -AT preparations were tested for their inhibitory activities against trypsin and α-chymotrypsin. TNBS was utilized to modify and quantitate free amino groups (ϵ-NH 2 groups of lysine residues) in human plasma α 1 -AT. The number of lysine residues determined by the TNBS spectrophotometric procedure agreed well with that found by amino acid analyses. Both the trypsin-inhibitory and chymotrypsin-inhibitory activities of α 1 -AT were destroyed by modification with TNBS. CHD was employed to modify the arginyl residues of α 1 -AT. Neither the trypsin-inhibitory nor the chymotrypsin-inhibitory activity of α 1 -AT was affected by modification of its arginyl residues. Amino acid analyses of the CHD-treated α 1 AT revealed that only the arginine residues were modified. PGO was also utilized for the modification of the arginyl residues in α 1 -AT. Both the trypsininhibitory and chymotrypsin-inhibitory activities of α 1 -AT were destroyed after modification. However, amino acid analyses showed that not only the arginyl, but also the lysyl residues of the PGO-treated inhibitor were modified. The side reaction of PGO with the lysyl residues could explain the loss of inhibitory activities. Reaction of a α 1 -AT with citraconic anhydride resulted in an extensive modification of the amino groups accompanied by a 100% loss in inhibitory activity against both trypsin and α-chymotrypsin. Comparable results were observed when acetic anhydride was utilized as the acylating reagent. With the exception of the citraconylated α 1 AT, all of the other chemically modified α 1 -AT derivatives studied presently retained their immunological reactivities against antisera to native α 1 -AT. Regeneration of about 60% of the PGO-blocked arginyl residues in α 1 -AT did not lead to any recovery of the proteinase inhibitory activities. Full recovery of trypsin-inhibitory and immunological activities were achieved when about 50% of the citraconylated amino groups were deblocked. The CHD-treated α 1 -AT still retained the capacity to form complexes with both trypsin and chymotrypsin. On the other hand, the other chemically modified α 1 -AT derivatives have completely lost the ability to form complexes with the enzymes. Recovery of the ability to form complexes with the enzymes was, however, recovered when about 50% of the citraconylyl groups was removed from the α 1 -AT molecule. Based on these modification studies, it is concluded that α 1 -AT is a lysyl inhibitor type (i.e., the reactive site is Lys-X bond) and that the interaction of α 1 -AT with trypsin or chymotrypsin very likely involves or requires the same site as in the case of the soybean trypsin inhibitor (Kunitz).
Unprotected intercourse for extra money among commercial sex workers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Abstract This study assessed the extent and correlates of the practice of engaging in unprotected intercourse for extra money among commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire among a convenience sample of 136 CSWs. More than one-quarter of CSWs (26.5%) engaged in unprotected intercourse for extra money. These CSWs charged about 3.5 times more for unprotected intercourse than for protected intercourse. Multivariate logistic regression showed that CSWs who engaged in unprotected intercourse for extra money were significantly more likely to live or work in non-downtown (lower socioeconomic) areas of Kinshasa (odds ratio [OR] = 3.07), to have at least one child less than six years of age (OR = 2.95), and to know other CSWs who engaged in the same practice (OR = 9.38). We hypothesize that desperate socioeconomic conditions combined with peer/social norms drive the practice of engag...
Some remarks on extending and interpreting theories with a partial predicate for truth

In the seminal paper [1975], Kripke gave a method for constructing models of the truth predicate in which there are interesting instances of self application (of the truth predicate to sentences involving the truth predicate) compatible with the appropriate instances of the Tarski truth schema. In making these constructions, Kripke was guided by the idea of truth as a partial predicate: grammatically well formed sentences in the classical first order language with a predicate for truth (and suitable resources for syntactic discussions) were regarded as always meaningful (in some broad sense) but as not necessarily significant (in the sense of successfully getting from meaning to truth value). In particular, the idea is that the statement that A is true (formalized by T[A]) need not be true or false; thus T(x) is thought of as a partial predicate. In this paper we point out the connection between the idea of partial predicates and the suggestion of G6del regarding the possibility of resolving the paradoxes using the notion of meaningful applicability. We argue that there is a way of reading Kripke's theory as an implementation of G6del's suggestion. As there are serious problems of interpretation with this theory, this involves answering a number of possible objections. In particular, Burge has pointed out difficulties associated with the strengthened liar which we discuss in detail. What happens on our analysis is that essentially Burge's argument can be given, but only in a stronger formal system. The effect of this is to give the paradox epistemological rather than metaphysical force: it leads to stronger formal systems rather than to a hierarchy of truth predicates. This paper is organized as follows. In o1 a formal theory is given. In o2 this theory is used to make the basic proposal of the paper. This is an instance of a general proposal concerning the interpretation of theories of truth which intend to take truth as a partial predicate. In
Effect of neutron irradiation on the breakdown voltage of power MOSFET's

The effect of neutron irradiation on power metaloxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (power MOSFET) breakdown voltage has been investigated. Transistors with various breakdown voltage ratings were irradiated in a TRIGA nuclear reactor with cumulative fluence levels up to 5/spl times/10/sup 14/ neutrons/cm/sup 2/ (1 MeV equivalent). Noticeable increases in the breakdown voltages are observed in n-type MOSFET's after 10/sup 12/ neutrons/cm/sup 2/ and in p-type MOSFETs after 10/sup 12/ neutrons/cm/sup 2/. An increase in breakdown voltage of as much as 30% is observed after 5/spl times/10/sup 14/ neutrons/cm/sup 2/. The increase in breakdown voltage is attributed to the neutron-irradiation-induced defects which decrease the mean free path and trap majority carriers in the space charge region. The effect of positive trapped oxide charge due to concomitant gamma radiation and the effect of the termination structure on the increase in breakdown voltage are considered. An empirical model is presented to predict the value of the breakdown voltage as a function of neutron fluence. >
The reaction of benzenesulfonyl azide with cis-endo and cis-exo norbornene-5,6-dicarboxylic acid anhydrides and methyl esters. The formation of endo aziridines from exo triazolines

Benzenesulfonyl azide reacts with cis-endo (Ia) and cis-exo-norbornene-5,6-dicarboxylic anhydrides (IIa) and with the corresponding cis-exo-dimethyl ester (IIb) in refluxing carbon tetrachloride to give predominantly endo aziridines. Under identical conditions the cis-endo dimethyl ester (Ib) gives exclusively the exo aziridine and under photolytic conditions the cis-exo and cis-endo anhydrides and dimethyl esters give almost exclusively exo aziridines. At room temperature, the cis-exo dimethyl ester IIb gives predominantly the exo aziridine, and p-methoxybenzenesulfonyl azide reacts with the endo-anhydride Ia in refluxing carbon tetrachloride to give an even greater ratio of the endo aziridine. The exo-1,2,3-Δ2-triazoline XIIIa prepared from the exo anhydride and phenyl azide, on pyrolysis in decalin, gives an almost 1:1 ratio of the exo and endo aziridine. A mechanism is proposed to account for the above observations which involves the conversion of exo-1,2,3-Δ2-triazolines to endo aziridines via a 3-diazomethylcyclopentane-2-carboxaldehydeimine intermediate (XI).
Entanglement relaxation and release in hard chain fluids during molecular dynamics simulations

Discontinuous molecular dynamics simulations are performed on systems containing 32 hard chains of length 192 at three volume fractions, φ = 0.40, 0.45, and 0.50, to investigate entanglement relaxation and release in model polymer melts. The relaxation behavior of the systems is compared to that predicted by the tube model and to that suggested for the release of interchain entanglements, or knots. The mean squared displacement of the chain center of mass, the mean squared displacements of inner, outer, and intermediate segments along the chain, the end-to-end vector autocorrelation function, and the apparent self-diffusion coefficient are calculated over the course of the simulations. The three relaxation times (τe, τR, and τd) predicted by the tube model are estimated in order to determine the extent to which the results exhibit tube confinement. The initial relaxation of chain segments occurs from the ends toward the middle as the tube model predicts. However, different methods for predicting the longe...
Sea level history in Beringia during the past 250,000 years

This paper attempts to relate current knowledge of sea-level history in Beringia to the Broecker-van Donk “Termination” concept of climatic and sea-level history. The Einahnuhtan transgression is thought to represent Termination III, which according to Broecker and van Donk, took place about 225,000 y.a. The Kotzebuan transgression is thought to represent a positive fluctuation that modulated the generally falling sea level during the ensuing 100,000 yr. Sea level probably fell to about −135 m in the Bering Sea area during the maximum phase of the penultimate glaciation. The two Pelukian shorelines probably represent Termination II (about 125,000 yr BP in the Broecker-van Donk chronology) and one of the two positive fluctuations that modulated the generally falling sea level of early Wisconsinan time, about 105,000 and 80,000 y.a. according to Broecker and van Donk. Another positive modulation brought sea level to at least −20 m, about 30,000 y.a. Sea level evidently fell to between −90 and −100 m during the late Wisconsinan regression, but a substantial part of the outer Bering shelf remained submerged. Submerged shoreline features at −38m, −30 m, −24 to −20 m, and −12 to −10 m represent stillstands or slight regressions that modulated Termination I, the late Wisconsinan, and early Holocene recovery of sea level.
Development of the Speech Intelligibility Rating (Sir) Test for Hearing Aid Comparisons

The Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) Test has been developed for use in clinical comparisons of hearing aid conditions. After listening to a short passage of connected speech, subjects generate a rating proportional to its intelligibility using an equal-appearing interval scale from 0 to 10. Before test passages are presented, the signal-to-babble ratio (SBR) is adjusted to a level that elicits intelligibility ratings of 7-8 for a "setup" passage. Then, with SBR held constant, three or more test passages are rated and the results averaged for each aided condition. This paper describes the generation of recorded test materials and their investigation using normally hearing listeners. Based on these data, a critical difference of about 2 scale intervals is recommended. A future paper will deal with results for hearing-impaired subjects.
Elastic and thermodynamic properties of the shape-memory alloy AuZn

Abstract This work reports the elastic shear moduli, internal friction, and specific heat of the B2 cubic ordered alloy AuZn as functions of temperature. Measurements were made on single-crystal and polycrystalline samples using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, semiadiabatic calorimetry and quasistatic stress-strain measurements. Our results confirm that this alloy exhibits the shape-memory effect and a phase transition at 64.8 K that appears to be second-order (continuous) from the specific heat data. The acoustic dissipation does not peak at the transition temperature as expected but instead rises well into the low-temperature phase. The low-temperature limiting Debye temperature value Θd = 219 K, obtained from a linear fit of C/T versus T 2 from T = 0.59 K to T = 5.3 K is in favourable agreement with the value calculated from the acoustic data Θ = 207 K, using a T = 0 linear extrapolation of the shear moduli. It is argued that the combination of equiatomic composition and a low transformation temperat...
Increased risk of birth defects among children from multiple births.

BACKGROUND Multiple births are increasing, and may be associated with birth defects. METHODS To explore this relationship, data from the Virginia birth defects registry (VaCARES) was analyzed. RESULTS During 1989–1998, a total of 44,505 children from singleton births and 2258 children from multiple births were born with birth defects in Virginia. The risk of birth defects was significantly increased in children from multiple births as compared to singleton births (birth defect rate per 10,000 live births: singleton 482.3, twin 922.0, triplet 1300.0, and quadruplet or higher 2222.2). Increased risk was observed for 39 of 86 diagnoses. The five diagnoses with the highest risk ratio per 10,000 live births (RR) were: neurofibromatosis (RR, 12.80), retrolental fibroplasia (RR, 9.96), microphthalmos (RR, 5.24), pulmonary valve anomalies (RR, 5.00), and patent ductus arteriosus (RR, 4.68). A significantly reduced risk ratio for congenital hip dislocation was found in these children (RR, 0.54). In most multiple births, only one child was born with birth defects (81% in twin births, 71% in triplet births, and 56% in quadruplet and higher births). The diagnosis of birth defects might be concordant or discordant for children in which all siblings had birth defects. The children from multiple births who had birth defects were generally preterm and had significantly lower birth weight. A higher fatality and mortality rate and longer hospital stay were also observed. CONCLUSIONS Overall, children from multiple births have an increased risk of birth defects. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 67:879–885, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Probability density of aperture-averaged irradiance fluctuations for long range free space optical communication links.

The probability density function (PDF) of aperture-averaged irradiance fluctuations is calculated from wave-optics simulations of a laser after propagating through atmospheric turbulence to investigate the evolution of the distribution as the aperture diameter is increased. The simulation data distribution is compared to theoretical gamma-gamma and lognormal PDF models under a variety of scintillation regimes from weak to strong. Results show that under weak scintillation conditions both the gamma-gamma and lognormal PDF models provide a good fit to the simulation data for all aperture sizes studied. Our results indicate that in moderate scintillation the gamma-gamma PDF provides a better fit to the simulation data than the lognormal PDF for all aperture sizes studied. In the strong scintillation regime, the simulation data distribution is gamma gamma for aperture sizes much smaller than the coherence radius ρ0 and lognormal for aperture sizes on the order of ρ0 and larger. Examples of how these results affect the bit-error rate of an on-off keyed free space optical communication link are presented.
Reproduction and development of Japanese medaka following an early life stage exposure to xenoestrogens

Abstract Japanese medaka were exposed to environmentally-relevant concentrations of environmental estrogens: nonylphenol (NP, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.9 μg l−1), methoxychlor (MXC, 0.2, 0.6 and 2.3 μg l−1) and estradiol (E2, 0.01, 0.12 and 1.66 μg l−1). Exposure occurred throughout the first month following hatch. E2 survival ratios following the exposure period were significantly altered compared to control groups. Following a month period of `growout' in dilution water only, sex ratios were measured and reproductive capabilities assessed. No alteration in sex ratios was observed following treatment with NP or MXC. All three concentrations of E2 were sufficient to produce exclusively female populations. There was no depreciation in reproductive capability in the NP or MXC-treated fish as measured by fecundity, viability of eggs, or hatchability of eggs. E2-treated female fish had a lower fecundity in the highest concentration.
The influence of the interface on the fracture toughness of low aspect ratio fibre composites

Abstract The fracture toughness of an epoxy resin reinforced with discontinuous glass fibres of low fibre aspect ratios was measured by double cantilever cleavage tests and notched bend tests. The fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion was varied by applying different surface treatments to the fibres. It was observed that the interfacial bond strength determines whether the crack initiates by debonding at the fibre-matrix interface or by fibre failure and also the relative values of the energies absorbed during these processes. The interfacial bond strength also controls the energy absorbed due to fibre pull-out. When all these energies are accounted for it is shown thata weak interfacial bond may produce a composite with a fracture toughness higher than that which can be obtained by strong interfacial bonds.
Two New Species of Calyptranthes (Myrtaceae) from Ecuador

Abstract. Two new species of Calyptranthes (Myrtaceae) from Ecuador are described and illustrated: Calyptranthes aequatoriensis and C. ampliflora. Their relationships to closest relatives in the genus are discussed.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 200

Experimental data pertaining to nuclei with A = 200 are compiled and evaluated. copyright 1987 Academic Press, Inc.
A new experimental method assessing attitudes toward adolescent dating and sibling violence using observations of violent interactions.

Abstract The present study provides experimental data comparing emerging adults’ attitudes toward dating and sibling violence in adolescence using a new methodology in which participants observe a violent interaction between adolescents. The reported amount of violence experienced in dating and sibling relationships among emerging adults is also compared. The participants included 148 emerging adults (111 females, 37 males) who were in the dating violence condition and 134 emerging adults (93 females, 41 males) in the sibling violence condition. The results provide initial psychometric data on a new measure to assess attitudes toward interpersonal violence in adolescence—the Attitudes toward Interpersonal Violence Assessment (AIVA). Using this new observational measure in an experimental design, empirical evidence was found that (1) male initiated violence was less acceptable than female initiated violence, (2) females were less accepting of violence than males, (3) individuals were more complacent toward sibling violence than dating violence in adolescence, (4) males reported perpetrating more injuries than females, and (5) sibling violence was reported at higher frequencies than dating violence. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Glucose concentration measured by the hybrid coherent anti-Stokes Raman-scattering technique

We investigate the possibility of using a hybrid coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering technique for noninvasive monitoring of blood glucose levels. Our technique combines instantaneous coherent excitation of several characteristic molecular vibrations with subsequent probing of these vibrations by an optimally shaped, time-delayed, narrowband laser pulse. This pulse configuration mitigates the nonresonant four-wave mixing background while maximizing the Raman-resonant signal and allows rapid and highly specific detection even in the presence of multiple scattering. Under certain conditions we find that the measured signal is linearly proportional to the glucose concentration due to optical interference with the residual background light, which allows reliable detection of spectral signatures down to medically relevant glucose levels.
Pituitary and gonadal function in the infant son of a patient with hypogonadofropic hypogonadism

We have evaluated the pituitary-gonadal function of the infant son of a patient with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The father was treated with hCG and FSH to induce fertility. The son had normal external genitalia and his testicular volume increased appropriately during early infancy. Basal and post GnRH gonadotropin levels, as well as testosterone concentrations increased during early infancy. The data suggest that this infant had adequate gonadotropin secretion and testicular function. The patient illustrates the potential usefulness of evaluating the pituitary-gonadal function of male infants suspected of having hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
A possible mechanism for the pulsar radio emission

The possibility of radio emission is considered within a model which produces the beam-plasma system near the pulsar. A longitudinal instability develops near the light cylinder for a particular choice of parameters adopted in the paper. The excited wave strongly oscillates the beam particles perpendicular to its average velocity on one hand, and forms bunches of them on the other hand. Consequently, coherent radiation is expected. The frequency of the emission falls within the radio band, but the intensity turns out to be too low to explain observations. An appreciable enhancement of the beam number density over the Goldreich-Julian value (nb≃BΩ/2πec) is needed if the mechanism discussed in the present paper is responsible for the pulsar radio emission.
Privacy leakage in two-party group nearest neighbor queries

Location-based social network (LBSN) requires answering a variety of queries related to user locations. In this paper, we investigate issues in performing secure multi-party computation in LBNS and discuss some of the challenges and problems associated with it. In particular, we look at the group nearest neighbor queries and discuss the privacy leakage problem in two party group nearest neighbor computation. We elucidate the attack model and propose a privacy leakage index to measure the impact. We perform experiments to show the privacy leakage problem and suggest a solution to deal with this problem.
Twenty Years of Progress in Addressing Domestic Violence: An Agenda for the Next 10

The past 20 years have seen great strides in addressing violence against women by their male partners. Although the author cannot point to one single intervention or set of interventions as being the most effective, institutional reforms that have included coordinated community responses have had a positive impact. During the next 10 years, researchers must learn how to address the obstacles that prevent institutional responses from being more effective in addressing the needs of victims.
Melting and internal motion in highly alternating copolymers of ethylene and carbon monoxide

The melting point of the 1:1 copolymer of ethylene and CO is 244°C. It falls rapidly as the percent CO is reduced indicating that the heat and entropy of fusion are 0.60 kcal and 1.15 e.u./mol of chain atoms, respectively. These are lower than the values for polyethylene. Dynamic mechanical measurements showed loss peaks at −100° and 25°C. The low temperature γ-relaxation which is also seen in dielectric data appears to be a local mode relaxation with an activation energy of about 12 kcal/mol. The room temperature relaxation is associated with a large decrease in the modulus and a large increase in the dielectric constant. It is probable that the low entropy of fusion is due in part to extensive motion in the crystal.
Simple adaptive control for a class of non-linear systems with application to robotics

Simple adaptive control techniques have recently been developed for continuous stationary and non-stationary linear systems, based on the fact that the output stabilizability property of systems can be used to realize ‘almost passive’ configurations that may facilitate the implementation of simple robust adaptive controllers. This paper extends these concepts to a class of non-linear systems that are linear in the control; this includes manipulators and similar systems. Since it has recently been shown that non-linear systems that can be stabilized via static or dynamic output feedback become ‘almost passive’ via some corresponding parallel feedforward, a rigorous proof of the robust stability of the simple adaptive control of non-stationary almost passive systems is presented
Delayed Postoperative Hematoma Formation after Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Implantation

Introduction. Infrequent but serious postoperative complications following inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) inser- tion include infection, malfunction, and bleeding. Although prior publications report methods to reduce immediate postoperative bleeding, there is little in the literature concerning the etiology, diagnosis, imaging, and management of delayed bleeding after IPP insertion. Aim. The aim of the study was to review cases of delayed postoperative bleeding following IPP insertion in a large single-surgeon series. Methods. We carried out a retrospective chart review of 600 patients implanted with a Coloplast Titan IPP with One-Touch Release pump by a single surgeon, and analyzed cases of delayed postoperative bleeding. Main Outcome Measure. The main outcome measure was an analysis of the incidence, causes, diagnostic methods, treatment, and final outcome of these cases. Results. Three out of 600 consecutive patients (0.5%) developed a delayed (defined as >5 days postoperative) hematoma following IPP insertion. All patients presented postoperatively with a swollen surgical site, and all were evaluated with a pelvic computed tomography scan to completely define the extent of the hematoma. Two patients developed a delayed hematoma because of excessive physical activity; the remaining patient bled because of prema- ture administration of enoxaparin sodium (Lovenox) by his cardiologist. All three patients were successfully treated with hospital admission, intravenous antibiotics, wound exploration, hematoma evacuation, and antibiotic washout. All three IPPs were successfully salvaged; none developed peri-prosthetic infection. Conclusions. The incidence of delayed postoperative hematoma following IPP surgery was 0.5% in our series of 600 cases. All cases were successfully managed with intravenous antibiotics, hematoma evacuation, and antibiotic washout. Because of the low incidence of this complication, definitive statements concerning prevention and management cannot be made. However, we now recommend avoiding postoperative anticoagulants for at least 5 days if possible, and avoiding vigorous physical activity for at least 3 weeks. Garber BB and Bickell M. Delayed postoperative hematoma formation after inflatable penile prosthesis implantation. J Sex Med 2015;12:265-269.
The use of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy to characterize instrumental differences

In looking for a way to examine the utility of commercial instrumentation capable of performing the measurement of stickiness in cotton, a means of evaluating the way these nine instruments performed against the research grade spectrometer was required. While all of the instruments had the potential analytical capability of measuring sticky cotton, some were more expensive than the industry would afford and would require even more costly hardening to be used in a cotton gin or spinning plant and some were concept commercial instruments without published performance data. Regardless, the calibration would need to be transferred to any of these new instruments. While there are existing algorithms to do this, it is imperative to understand the differences between instrument platforms. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS) has been used to characterize instrumental differences which will affect performance, stability and reliability. The 2DCOS programs were re-written in MATLAB ver. 6.51 to get on a common format with the newer instruments and the special purpose instruments which utilize MATLAB for data functions. The instruments used in the complete calibration studies of sticky cotton and those that we examined as possible rugged small instruments were evaluated for their instrument function parameters. The possibilities for using 2DCOS for instrument characterization will be explored for the small instruments.
Atomic force microscopy: a multifaceted tool to study membrane proteins and their interactions with ligands.

Abstract Membrane proteins are embedded in lipid bilayers and facilitate the communication between the external environment and the interior of the cell. This communication is often mediated by the binding of ligands to the membrane protein. Understanding the nature of the interaction between a ligand and a membrane protein is required to both understand the mechanism of action of these proteins and for the development of novel pharmacological drugs. The highly hydrophobic nature of membrane proteins and the requirement of a lipid bilayer for native function have hampered the structural and molecular characterizations of these proteins under physiologically relevant conditions. Atomic force microscopy offers a solution to studying membrane proteins and their interactions with ligands under physiologically relevant conditions and can provide novel insights about the nature of these critical molecular interactions that facilitate cellular communication. In this review, we provide an overview of the atomic force microscopy technique and discuss its application in the study of a variety of questions related to the interaction between a membrane protein and a ligand. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Structural and biophysical characterization of membrane protein–ligand binding.
Distance-independent RF fading compensation using a tunable nonlinearly-chirped FBG in a phase diversity configuration

We use a nonlinearly-chirped fibre Bragg grating (FBG) in a phase diversity configuration to achieve distance-independent RF power fading compensation for double sideband (DSB) subcarrier-multiplexed systems. We demonstrate compensation for RF power fading from 0 to 150 km for 8, 10 and 12 GHz, with received RF power in all cases flat to within 1 dB.
Mutant enzymes challenge all assumptions.

Enzymes called Rab GTPases that carry so-called “activating” mutations may never become activated at all.
High-fidelity radio communications modeling for multi-robot simulation

This paper describes a high-fidelity model of wireless propagation that integrates several existing models from the wireless communications literature. The model accounts for environmental features, including fading (large and small-scale, and multipath), link-layer models, and interference between radios. In addition to identification and integration of the complementary communication components, this paper's contribution is in demonstrating how discretization, approximation and batch pre-calculation allow the complete model to remain practicable for real-time robot simulation. The faithfulness of the simulated communications is assessed by showing how important qualitative aspects of the communication behavior are reproduced.
Investigating Work–Family Balance, Job Anxiety, and Turnover Intentions As Predictors of Health Care and Senior Services Customer-Contact Employee Voluntary Turnover:

Using data collected from 620 health care and senior services customer-contact employees and their employer, we investigated the chain of relationships between work–family balance, job anxiety, turnover intentions, and voluntary turnover. Results showed that work–family balance was related to job anxiety, turnover intentions, and actual, subsequent voluntary turnover. The relationship between work–family balance and turnover intentions was fully mediated by job anxiety. The findings indicate that work–family balance affects organizationally relevant employee psychological outcomes (i.e., job anxiety and turnover intentions) and is a predictor of voluntary turnover. The study further highlights three stages at which hospitality and health care managers and supervisors may intervene to reduce the likelihood of voluntary turnover, namely, to help employees maintain their work and family balance, to correct imbalances, and to restructure or otherwise change work duties if an employee intends to leave.
The Folk Psychology of Free Will: Fits and Starts

According to agent-causal accounts of free will, agents have the capacity to cause actions, and for a given action, an agent could have done otherwise. This paper uses existing results and presents experimental evidence to argue that young children deploy a notion of agent-causation. If young children do have such a notion, however, it remains quite unclear how they acquire it. Several possible acquisition stories are canvassed, including the possibility that the notion of agent-causation develops from a prior notion of obligation. Finally, the paper sets out how this work might illuminate the philosophical problem of free will.
Percutaneous aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair

For mitral regurgitation and aortic valve disease warranting replacement, the surgical approach has been the mainstay therapy since the 1960s. Technological advances have provided potentially less invasive alternatives to surgery. Novel catheter-based techniques include aortic valve replacement with a valved stent, and devices aimed at reconfiguring the annulus or approximating a portion of the leaflets for mitral regurgitation. The main considerations regarding aortic valved stents include device anchoring and orientation, potential restriction of coronary flow, optimal method of delivery, ideal leaflet material, stent characteristics, and valve durability. The catheter-based approaches to mitral regurgitation are undergoing further experimental and clinical evaluations, and its success will be partially dependent on a thorough understanding of the underlying valvular pathology. Patient selection will be a critical component in the long-term efficacy of these new therapies. Close collaboration among the ...
A novel technique using three-dimensionally documented biopsy mapping allows precise re-visiting of prostate cancer foci with serial surveillance of cell cycle progression gene panel

Background Conventional systematic biopsy has the shortcoming of sampling error and reveals “no evidence of cancer” with a rate of >50% on active surveillance (AS). The objective of this study is to report our initial experience of applying a 3D-documented biopsy-mapping technology to precisely re-visit geographically documented low-risk prostate cancer and to perform serial analysis of cell-cycle-progression (CCP) gene-panel. Methods Over a period of 40 months (1/2010–4/2013), the 3D-biopsy-mapping technique, in which the spatial location of biopsy-trajectory was digitally recorded (Koelis), was carried out. A pair of diagnostic (1st-look) and surveillance (2nd-look) biopsy were performed per subject (n = 25), with median interval of 12 months. The documented biopsy-trajectory was used as a target to guide the re-visiting biopsy from the documented cancer focus, as well as the targeted field-biopsy from the un-sampled prostatic field adjacent to negative diagnostic biopsies. The accuracy of re-visiting biopsy and biopsy-derived CCP signatures were evaluated in the pair of the serial biopsy-cores. Results The 1st-look-biopsy revealed a total of 43 cancer lesions (1.7 per patient). The accuracy of re-visiting cancer was 86% (37/43) per lesion, 76% (65/86) per core, and 80% (20/25) per patient. This technology also provided an opportunity for 3D-targeted field-biopsy in order to potentially minimize sampling errors. The CCP gene-panel of the 1st-look (−0.59) versus 2nd-look (−0.37) samples had no significant difference (P = 0.4); which suggested consistency in the molecular signature of the known cancer foci during the short-time interval of median 12 months. Any change in CCP of the same cancer foci would be likely due to change in sampling location from the less to more significant portion in the cancer foci rather than true molecular progression. The study limitations include a small number of the patients. Conclusion The 3D-documented biopsy-mapping technology achieved an encouraging re-sampling accuracy of 86% from the known prostate cancer foci, allowing the serial analysis of biopsy-derived CCP signatures. Prostate 75:863–871, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new uranyl oxide hydrate sheet in vandendriesscheite: Implications for mineral paragenesis and the corrosion of spent nuclear fuel

The structure of vandendriesscheite, Z 5 8, Pb1.57[(UO2)10O6(OH)11](H2O)11, orthorhombic, a 5 14.1165(6), b 5 41.378(2), c 5 14.5347(6) A ˚, V 5 8490 A ˚ 3 , space group Pbca, has been solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques to an agreement factor (R) of 12.1% and a goodness-of-fit (S) of 1.28 using 4918 unique observed reflections ( zFoz $ 4sF) collected with MoKa X-radiation and a CCD (chargecoupled device) detector. The structure contains ten unique U 61 positions, each of which is part of a nearly linear (UO2) 21 uranyl ion that is further coordinated by five equatorial (O 22 ,OH 2 ) anions to form pentagonal bipyramidal polyhedra. There are two unique Pb positions; one is fully occupied, but site-scattering refinement gives an occupancy factor of 0.573(8) for the other. The Pb positions are coordinated by O atoms of the uranyl ions and by H2O groups. There are 11 unique H2O groups; five are bonded to Pb and the other six are held in the structure by hydrogen bonds only. The U polyhedra link by the sharing of equatorial edges to form sheets parallel to (001). The sheet of U polyhedra is not known from another structure and is the most complex yet observed in a uranyl oxide hydrate. The sheets are structurally intermediate to those in schoepite and becquerelite and are linked by bonds to the interlayer Pb cations and the H2O groups. The extensive network of hydrogen bonds that link adjacent sheets is derived on the basis of crystal-chemical constraints. The high mobility of U 61