cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DETECTING IMPACTS OF CURRICULAR DIFFERENCES IN ACHIEVEMENT TEST DATA

Standardized tests are designed to measure broad goals. But many professionals have been concerned with the lack of fairly specific matches between items (or objectives) on a test and the curriculum (instruction). This study assessed the differences in standardized test scores resulting from curricular differences in two school systems. The degree of curriculum-test match for reading and math in grades 3 and 6 was based on ratings of that match by qualified district personnel. Further, results of using different textbook series were analyzed. The dependent variables of test and subtest scores were analyzed using a two-factor MANCOVA where textbook series and school personnel ratings were the two factors, and pretest scores and percent eligible for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) were the covariates. None of the multivariate F tests were significant at the .05 level. It was concluded that neither the curricular match as judged by district personnel or the textbook series used had a significant impact on standardized test scores.
Neisseria mucosa Endocarditis

A case of Neisseria mucosa tricuspid valve endocarditis in an intravenous drug abuser is described. The patient was treated initially with intravenous penicillin G followed by oral penicillin VK but relapsed. He was cured after 4 weeks of combined therapy with penicillin G and gentamicin. In vitro synergy studies performed on the patient's and two other isolates revealed synergy in all three. Thus, combination therapy is recommended for treatment of recalcitrant cases of bacterial endocarditis caused by N. mucosa.
On the polynomial time computation of equilibria for certain exchange economies

The problem of computing equilibria for exchange economies has recently started to receive a great deal of attention in the theoretical computer science community. It has been shown that equilibria can be computed in polynomial time in various special cases, the most important of which are when traders have linear, Cobb-Douglas, or a range of CES utility functions. These important special cases are instances when the market satisfies a property called weak gross substitutability. Classical results in economics, which theoretical computer scientists (including us) appear to have been hitherto unaware of, show that the equilibrium prices in such markets are characterized by an infinite number of linear inequalities and therefore form a convex set. In this paper, we show that under fairly general assumptions, there are polynomial-time algorithms to compute equilibria in such markets. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first polynomial-time algorithms for exchange markets under the general setting of weak gross substitutability. To show this result, we need to build on the proofs that characterize the equilibria as a convex set.As a consequence, we obtain alternative polynomial-time algorithms for computing equilibria with linear, Cobb-Douglas, a range of CES, as well as certain other non-homogeneous utility functions that satisfy weak gross substitutability. Unlike previous polynomial-time algorithms, our approach does not make use of the specific form of these utility functions and is in this sense more general. We expect our framework to work or be readily adaptable to handle other exchange markets, provided that the utility functions satisfy weak gross substitutability.
Vertical Structure of Time-Dependent Flow for Viscosity that Depends on Both Depth and Time

Abstract A previously developed eigenfunction expansion, that describes horizontal current as a function of depth and time, is extended to include any eddy viscosity given as a product of a function of depth and a function of time.
Studies of the development of frog hemopoietic tissue in vitro. I. Spleen culture assay of an erythropoietic factor in anemic frog blood.

A new in vitro technique has been described for demonstrating the presence of an erythropoietic factor in the circulating blood of frogs. The assay system consisted of MC33 medium, erythropoietically active spleen cells from Rana pipiens, and plasma or serum from frogs made anemic via phenylhydrazine or bleeding. The spleen cells, which remain erythropoietically active for up to nine days, were found to incorporate 59Fe, [3H] thymidine, [3H]uridine, and [3H]leucine at a greater rate in the presence of plasma or serum from anemic versus normal frogs. The hormones triiodothyronine, prolactin, and erythropoietin were not effective in eliciting an hemopoietic response. The data presented suggest that the spleen from that adult frog is a major site of erythroid differentiation and maturation.
Edelen's dissipation potentials and the visco-plasticity of particulate media

Following is an elaboration on D. G. B. Edelen's (1972-1973) nonlinear generalization of the classical Rayleigh-Onsager dissipation potentials and the implications for the models of viscoplasticity. A brief derivation is given via standard vector calculus of Edelen's potentials and the associated non-dissipative or "gyroscopic" forces and fluxes. It is also shown that certain extensions of Edelen's formulae can be obtained by means of a recently proposed source-flux relation or "inverse divergence," a generalization of the classical Gauss-Maxwell construct. The Legendre-Fenchel duality of Edelen's potentials is explored, with important consequences for rate-independent friction or plasticity. The use of dissipation potentials serves to facilitate the development of viscoplastic constitutive equations, a point illustrated here by the special cases of Stokesian fluid-particle suspensions and granular media. In particular, we consider inhomogeneous systems with particle migration coupled to gradients in particle concentration, strain rate, and fabric. Employing a mixture-theoretic treatment of Stokesian suspensions, one is able to identify particle stress as the work conjugate of the global deformation of the particle phase. However, in contrast to past treatments, this stress is not assumed to be a privileged driving force for particle migration. A comparison is made with models based on extremal dissipation or entropy production. It is shown that such models yield the correct dissipative components of force or flux but generally fail to capture certain non-dissipative, but mechanically relevant components. The significance of Edelen's gyroscopic forces and their relation to reactive constraints or other reversible couplings is touched upon. When gyroscopic terms are absent, one obtains a class of strongly dissipative or hyperdissipative materials whose quasi-static mechanics are governed by variational principles based on dissipation potential. This provides an interesting analog to elastostatic variational principles based on strain energy for hyperelastic materials and to the associated material instabilities arising from loss of convexity. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Wien.
Distribution of Heavy Metals and Foraminiferal Assemblages in Sediments of Biscayne Bay, Florida, USA

Abstract Heavy-metal pollution is an issue of concern in estuaries influenced by agriculture, urban, and harbor activities. Foraminiferal assemblages have been shown to be effective indicators of pollution. Sediment samples (n = 110) from Biscayne Bay were analyzed for heavy metals, foraminiferal assemblages, and grain-size distribution. Highest Cu, Zn, Cr, Hg, Pb, and Ni concentrations were found closest to Miami and near the mouths of several canals along the western margin of the bay. Few samples exceeded limits of possible biological effects as defined by previous studies. Ammonia and Cribroelphidium, two known stress-tolerant genera, correlated positively with Cu, Zn, Hg, and Ni (r ≥ 0.43). Symbiont-bearing foraminifers, Archaias, Laevipeneroplis, and Androsina, correlated negatively with Cu, Zn, Hg, and Ni (r ≤ −0.26).
Ambulance exhaust: exhausting our lungs.

February 2006 32:1 s you are standing by the ambulance bay, how A often do you notice that the engine(s) of one or several ambulances are idling while patients are being delivered? How many times have you cleared your throat, coughed, sneezed, and discussed the noxious fumes with your co-workers? If you are like so many of us, you assume that any consequences of breathing these fumes will be short lived and relatively benign, but that was not the case for one career emergency nurse who worked in an emergency department located in a New England suburb. This woman was an ED nurse educator with a background of 15 years of ED staff nursing when her hospital’s busy emergency department underwent reconstruction and renovation. The ambulance bay was suddenly smaller, and the fumes from ambulances became more concentrated. Before the renovation, this nurse had noticed that she was occasionally hoarse when she was at work, but she also observed that the hoarseness resolved quickly once she left the emergency department. However, once the emergency department moved to its new location, she noticed immediately that she could actually smell the fumes in the emergency department when ambulances were idling in the bay. A new vent system, with an intake valve placed right in the ambulance bay, actually took in the air from the bay, exhaust fumes and all, and disseminated the ‘‘fresh air’’ throughout the emergency department. Initially this nurse suffered respiratory problems, but those problems quickly progressed to neurologic manifestations: She tripped easily, became forgetful, and her speech took on a slow, halting cadence. Once she was relocated from the emergency department, her symptoms diminished somewhat, but even now, several years later, she is still plagued by some neurologic sequelae. Initially she was allowed to work on ED policies
Topological representations of Jahn-Teller distortions

Topological representations (top-reps), which originally were developed to model molecular polyhedral isomerization processes, can be extended to depict the relationships between the polygons and polyhedra involved in Jahn-Teller (JT) distortions. Using this approach, the top-rep of the E ⊗ (b 1g + b 2g) distortion of square planar molecules to rectangle and rhombus isomers becomes a rhombus in which the vertices alternately represent distortions to the rectangle and rhombus isomers. Similarly the top-rep of the E ⊗ e distortion of regular Oh octahedra to elongated D4h tetragonal bipyramids becomes a triangle in which the vertices represent the three distinct tetragonal bipyramids from a given octahedron and the edge midpoints represent lower symmetry rhombic D2h intermediates. A regular octahedron can be used as a top-rep for the T ⊗ (e + t 2) distortions of regular octahedra if the 6 vertices represent distortions to D4h tetragonal bipyramid isomers, the 8 face midpoints represent distortions to D3d tri...
Oligomers of prostaglandin B1 inhibit arachidonic acid mobilization in human neutrophils and endothelial cells

The previous paper (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1006 (1989) 272–277) has demonstrated that oligomers of prostaglandin B 1 are effective in vitro inhibitors of a wide range of both cell-derived and extracellular phospholipases A 2 . The present study has investigated the effects of prostaglandin oligomers on agonist-stimulated phospholipase activity on intact human cells. PGBx, an oligomer ( n = 6) or PGB 1 , and PGB-trimer inhibit as much as 95% of the A23187-stimulated release of arachidonic acid from human neutrophils. The effect is dose-dependent, with an IC 50 of 4–5 μM; near maximal inhibition is obtained with as little as 1 min of preincubation with PGB-trimer. Consistent with its role as a phospholipase A 2 inhibitor, PGB-trimer also inhibits the A23187-stimulated incorporation of [ 3 H]acetate into platelet-activating factor. PGBx and PGB-trimer also inhibit the release of arachidonic acid from human umbilical vein endothelial cells stimulated with histamine, thrombin, or ionophore A23187; inhibition of the basal or unstimulated turnover of both arachidonic acid and oleic acid is also observed. Inhibition by PGB-trimer can be blocked by simultaneous addition of 50 μM albumin; cells preincubated with PGB-trimer are not affected by albumin. Furthermore, removal of exogenous PGB-trimer prior to challenge with A23187 does not reverse the inhibition of either endothelial cells and neutrophils. Thus, prostaglandin B 1 oligomers are taken up by human neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells and serve as potent inhibitors of arachidonic acid mobilization. One mechanism for the pharmacological effects of PGBx may be inhibition of cell-associated and extracellular phospholipase A 2 .
CD47 regulates the phagocytic clearance and replication of the Plasmodium yoelii malaria parasite

Several Plasmodium species exhibit a strong age-based preference for the red blood cells (RBC) they infect, which in turn is a major determinant of disease severity and pathogenesis. The molecular basis underlying this age constraint on the use of RBC and its influence on parasite burden is poorly understood. CD47 is a marker of self on most cells, including RBC, which, in conjunction with signal regulatory protein alpha (expressed on macrophages), prevents the clearance of cells by the immune system. In this report, we have investigated the role of CD47 on the growth and survival of nonlethal Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL (PyNL) malaria in C57BL/6 mice. By using a quantitative biotin-labeling procedure and a GFP-expressing parasite, we demonstrate that PyNL parasites preferentially infect high levels of CD47 (CD47hi)-expressing young RBC. Importantly, C57BL/6 CD47−/− mice were highly resistant to PyNL infection and developed a 9.3-fold lower peak parasitemia than their wild-type (WT) counterparts. The enhanced resistance to malaria observed in CD47−/− mice was associated with a higher percentage of splenic F4/80+ cells, and these cells had a higher percentage of phagocytized parasitized RBC than infected WT mice during the acute phase of infection, when parasitemia was rapidly rising. Furthermore, injection of CD47-neutralizing antibody caused a significant reduction in parasite burden in WT C57BL/6 mice. Together, these results strongly suggest that CD47hi young RBC may provide a shield to the malaria parasite from clearance by the phagocytic cells, which may be an immune escape mechanism used by Plasmodium parasites that preferentially infect young RBC.
An electrokinetically driven micro liquid piston for leak-tight gas pumping

This paper presents a gas pumping technique demonstrating an electrokinetically driven liquid piston, which can provide a complete sealing in a microfluidic channel by fully wetting the inner surface without leaving any void spots. The liquid piston can push or pull a gaseous medium very effectively by not allowing any backflow. Successful leak-tight gas pumping with zero dead volume has been achieved.
Advisor, Teacher, Partner: Using the Learning Partnerships Model to Reshape Academic Advising.

An academic advisor who has built a one-on-one relationship with a student over an extended period is in an ideal position to become a partner in helping shape the advisee's academic experience. The author offers one model for taking full advantage of this opportunity.
Interleukin-2 apparently upregulates its receptor and induces proliferation of various resting mononuclear leukocytes in the absence of antigen.

Abstract We demonstrate that exposure to highly purified recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) in the absence of known antigenic stimulation induces/increases the expression of two activationassociated proteins, the interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) and 4F2 on “resting” peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); subsequently, these cells enter the S phase of the cell cycle and proliferate. Dual parameter flow cytometry indicates that the phenotype of the cell population(s) which proliferate following this treatment includes HNK + , DR + , and T3 + cells. A twofold expansion in the number of HNK + and DR + cells was observed upon culturing resting PBMC in rIL-2 over a 6-day culture period. While the HNK monoclonal antibody is not specific for NK cells, these data do suggest that antigen independent growth of HNK + cells may represent an additional mechanism by which IL-2 enhances NK effector activity, i.e., by induction of clonal growth of NK cells. In contrast, several concentrations of recombinant Interferon-γ failed to produce a similar proliferative response.
Robust design and optimization of material handling in an FMS

Although a significant amount of simulation research has been carried out for design and analysis of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS), it does not provide optimal solutions. In this research, we employ two optimum-seeking methods to design and optimize a manufacturing system. The first method is a Taguchi approach, which uses robust design concept to reduce the output variation. The second method is the response surface methodology (RSM), which combines mathematical and statistical techniques to study the geography of the response surface. The results show that throughput of a selected FMS system can be maximized when both methods are employed.
Operative strategy in patients with MRI-identified dual pathology and temporal lobe epilepsy

We performed a prospective study using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging to identify hippocampal formation atrophy in 15 consecutive patients with intractable partial epilepsy who had undergone a stereotactic resection of an extrahippocampal temporal lobe foreign-tissue lesion. A stereotactic lesionectomy was performed in all patients, i.e., only the imaging-defined lesion itself was resected. Hippocampal formation atrophy was identified in three of the 15 patients. Neuroimaging-detected hippocampal formation atrophy has been shown to be a reliable marker of moderate to severe mesial temporal sclerosis. All patients with hippocampal formation atrophy had an unfavorable operative outcome. Pathological examination of the hippocampus in one patient with neuroimaging-identified hippocampal formation atrophy who subsequently received an anterior temporal lobectomy revealed mesial temporal sclerosis. Nine of the 12 patients without hippocampal formation atrophy experienced a significant reduction in seizure tendency after lesionectomy. The surgically excised hippocampus in one patient without hippocampal formation atrophy who later underwent a temporal lobectomy showed no significant neuronal loss. Results of this study have modified the surgical approach taken at this institution in patients with temporal lobe lesional epilepsy. Patients with magnetic resonance imaging-defined dual pathology now undergo a temporal lobectomy which includes resection of the hippocampus and the foreign-tissue lesion.
Classification and Analysis of Partially Balanced Incomplete Block Designs with Two Associate Classes

INCOMPLETE block designs are now in fairly general use, especially the I balanced incomplete block and the lattice designs. One of the authors in collaboration with Nair [1] introduced in 1939 a wider class of designs, viz. partially balanced incomplete block designs which included as a special case the balanced incomplete block designs and the square lattices. A slight generalization by Nair and Rao [2], resulted in the inclusion of cubic and other higher dimensional lattices as special cases. Recently other special cases of partially balanced designs are beginning to be used, for example, the rectangular lattices of Harshbarger [3, 4, 51 and the linked block designs of Youden [6]. It is the object of this paper to review the more important properties of partially balanced designs with two associate classes and to give both the intrablock and the combined intraand inter-block analysis in a simplified and compact form, together with an illustrative numerical example. A special feature is the division of these designs into a small number of distinct types, for each of which the association scheme can be explicitly exhibited. This simplifies the numerical computations as well as the interpretation of the results. A number of useful designs belonging to each type have been given for illustrative purposes, but no complete tabulation has been attempted. Complete tables (up to ten replications) will be published by the Institute of Statistics, University of North Carolina.
Some developmental aspects of the head skeleton of the 35–37 mm Squalus acanthias foetus

Two specimens of a group of five foetuses, 35–37 mm in total length, of Squalus acanthias were serially sectioned and stained. These specimens were studied for the purpose of testing statements made in the literature, especially by Holmgren ('40), regarding cell sources and skeletal development. Many of Holmgren's results were confirmed with some important differences in detail. Limited blastemas of dermal bones were not evident although a diffuse subepidermal blastema was present in certain areas. There is evidence of delamination addition to the jaws and many parts of the endocranium. Although the trabecula is in part of visceral origin, the visceral material does not represent an infrapharyngohyal since it always has been an integral part of the endocranium, never a formed element of the arch. The same applies to the pharyngo region of the hyoid arch. The pharyngohyal tissue forms the area of articulation of the hyomandibula and the lamina hypotica. Thus a typical lateral commissure is not formed and the resulting otic capsule-basicranial association is unique to the elasmobranchs. The hyomandibula is the epihyal and there is no evidence of a symplectic in this group. The jaws appear to incorporate delamination tissue, associated in teleostomes with dermal bone, in addition to the neural crest proper.
Methysergide reduces the prolactin response to ECT

One of the most consistently reported immediate effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a rapid and transient increase of serum prolactin (PRL) (Ohman et al. 1976; Deakin et al. 1983), but the underlying mechanism mediating this response remains unclear. Interventions such as pretreatment with the alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker phentolamine (Klimes et al. 1978), diazepam (Arato and Bagdy 1982), or the opioid antagonist naloxone (Papakostas et al. 1985) do not seem to affect this ECT-induced PRL secretion. Similarly, omission of anticonvulsive premedication (Klimes et al. 1978), or omission of pretreatment with atropine (Scott et al. 1986), do not influence the PRL response to ECT. On the other hand, it has been suggested that ECT exerts a selective hypothalamic+uitary axis effect and that the secretion of PRL in particular is due to the stimulation of central serotonergic mechanisms (Whalley et al. 1987). In this study, the role of the serotonergic system in the ECT-induced PRL secretion was tested using the serotonin receptor blocking properties of methysergide.
Determination of Carcinogenic Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines in Mainstream Smoke from U.S.-brand and non-U.S.-brand Cigarettes from 14 Countries

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) comprise one of the major classes of carcinogenic compounds in mainstream cigarette smoke. As part of collaborative efforts between the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce tobacco use and resulting disease, the CDC examined carcinogenic TSNA levels from cigarettes obtained from selected countries around the world. Using a modern, high-throughput liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method under stringent quality control protocols, we determined the carcinogenic TSNA levels in mainstream smoke from a globally marketed brand, Marlboro, and from local top-selling cigarette brands from 14 countries. The levels of carcinogenic TSNAs in mainstream smoke collected using a 35-ml puff volume, 60-s puff interval, and 2-s puff duration correlated well (R=0.79, p<.0001) with previously reported levels in the corresponding tobacco filler. Marlboro cigarettes purchased in 10 countries had significantly higher carcinogenic TSNA levels in mainstream smoke than did local-brand cigarettes from the same country. In only one country, Brazil, were the carcinogenic TSNA levels in mainstream smoke from Marlboro cigarettes significantly lower than in the locally popular brand. However, carcinogenic TSNA levels in mainstream smoke from Brazilian Marlboro cigarettes were usually lower than those in mainstream smoke from the Marlboros purchased in the other 13 countries, suggesting a reason for the difference. The wide range of mainstream smoke carcinogenic TSNA levels measured in the present study (8.7-312 ng/cigarette) suggest that manufacturers can lower the carcinogenic TSNA levels and that, for similar filter ventilation, carcinogenic TSNA levels in the tobacco filler of a cigarette are a useful indicator of the corresponding levels in mainstream smoke.
Happiness and self-knowledge: A positive psychology and judgment and decision-making hybrid course

This chapter describes an undergraduate positive psychology course that specifically focuses on the construct of happiness, or subjective well-being. Judgment and decision-making research is used to understand the processes involved in making decisions with the goal of promoting happiness. The course heavily focuses on methodology and recent empirical research. However, students are also given hands-on activities and are encouraged to consider the relationship between happiness, self-knowledge, and decision-making processes in their own lives.
Pigeons’ preference for fixed-interval over fixed-ratio food reinforcement schedules

Pigeons tested on reinforcement schedules that terminated in the same reinforcer preferred fixed-interval (FI) over fixed-ratio (FR) schedules, even when the response (i.e., work) requirements of the schedules were equal and rate of reinforcement on the FR schedule was double that of the FI. Only when rate of reinforcement on the FR schedule was 2.15 times greater than rate of reinforcement on the FI schedule did subjects prefer the FR over the FI schedule. Reinforcement schedule preferences appear to be directly sensitive to time-dependent vs. nontemporal variables, rate of reinforcement parameters, and magnitude of the total response demand placed upon the organism, in that order of importance.
Public perspectives on returning genetics and genomics research results.

Background: The debate about returning research results has revealed different perspectives among researchers, participants and advisory groups with participants generally interested in obtaining their results. Given this preference, policies regarding return of individual research results may affect whether a potential subject chooses to participate in a study. Public attitudes, particularly those of African-Americans, toward this issue have been understudied. Methods: In 2008–2009, we convened 10 focus groups in Durham, N.C. to explore attitudes about returning research results and how different policies might influence their likelihood to participate in genetic/genomic studies. Transcripts were complimented by a short anonymous survey. Of 100 participants, 73% were female and 76% African-American with a median age of 40–49 years. Results: Although there was general interest in obtaining genetics research results, particularly individual results, discussants recognized many potential complexities. The option to obtain research results (individual or summary) was clearly valued and lack thereof was potentially a deterrent for genetic/genomic research enrollment. Conclusions: Providing the option to learn research results may help strengthen relationships between investigators and participants and thereby serve as a positive influencing factor for minority communities. Consideration of the broader implications of returning research results is warranted. Engaging diverse publics is essential to gain a balance between the interests and burdens of participants and investigators.
Beneficial effects of prostglandin on rat cardiac allografts with cyclosporine immunosuppression

Graft rejection is characterized by cellular infiltration, reduction in blood flow, and intravascular coagulation, finally resulting in graft failure and absolute increase in thromboxane and relative decrease in prostacyclin synthesis. It is also suspected that prostaglandin itself could cause prolongation of allograft survival. In this experimental study, after successful heterotopic cardiac transplantation in rats, CyA was administered by intramuscular injection and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) given into the peritoneal cavity. Each dose was according to the experimental designs. The authors found that PGE1 in addition to CyA could provide beneficial effects with significantly increased cardiac allograft survival, with amelioration of pathological changes in allograft rejection reaction.
NMR spectral mapping of Lipid A molecular patterns affected by interaction with the innate immune receptor CD14

Abstract Soluble CD14 (sCD14) is a serum glycoprotein that binds to the Lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with high affinity as part of the innate immune response to bacterial endotoxins. In order to investigate structural interactions of Lipid A with sCD14, we have prepared an isotopically labeled form of a fully active and chemically defined endotoxin, Kdo 2 –Lipid A, which allowed us to carry out detailed NMR spectral mapping of this agonist ligand bound to sCD14 and identify for the first time structural regions that are strongly affected during complex formation with sCD14. These map to two adjacent areas comprising the lower portions of the sugar headgroup and upper half of the acyl chains I, III, and V, which are spatially proximal to the 1- and 4′-phosphate ends. Additionally, we have detected for the first time, presence of differential dynamic behavior for the affected resonances, suggesting a likely role for dynamics in the mechanism of Lipid A pattern recognition by sCD14.
Improved method for measuring galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase activity of erythrocytes☆

Abstract Previously described UDPG consumption assays have been modified by increasing the concentration of UDPG, introducing a correction factor for non-linearity, using saline instead of distilled water to produce an optically clear extract of blood (thus obviating turbidity corrections) and by correcting for non-specific reduction of DPN by contaminants in UDPG dehydrogenase, when present. The enzyme has been found to be remarkably stable in red blood cells even when stored at room temperature. A modification of the procedure will yield reliable results on blood samples of as small as 100 μl. Good differentiation has been obtained between heterozygotes for galactosemia, heterozygotes for the Duarte Variant, and normal subjects. Examination of samples from subjects with various hematologic disorders indicates that abnormally high values are obtained in the presence of a reticulocytosis and when red cells are hypochromic.
Mass characteristics of DNA obtained from chromosomes of a human carcinoma cell line.

Sedimentation studies of DNA from chromosomes extracted from human mitotic cells showed that highmolecular-weight DNA can be obtained if cell hypotonic treatments and prolonged metaphase blocks are avoided. Two types of large double-stranded DNA were observed. One of these (M r = 2.5×108) appeared as a size class with characteristics reminiscent of the chromosomal DNA subunit hypothesis. However, this DNA is the decay product of larger molecules, whose minimum molecular weight is 6×108.
Injection site sarcomas in cats

Feline injection-site sarcomas have mostly been associated with the administration of vaccines. Although the pathogenesis remains largely unknown, it is believed that the inflammatory reaction caused from the injection of the compound leads to uncontrolled proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts that in a subset of cats undergo malignant transformation. Pretreatment evaluation and proper planning of the therapy are essential. Because of the aggressive nature of these tumors, a multimodality treatment approach is being recommended. A combination of surgery and radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy appears to be providing the best prognosis
The Role of Triglycerides in Atherosclerosis

Hypertriglyceridemia is a prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and increasingly important in the setting of current obesity and insulin resistance epidemics. High triglyceride (TG) levels are markers for several types of atherogenic lipoproteins. Patients who have hypertriglyceridemia may be at significant risk for CVD even if low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are at goal, and therefore warrant treatment that optimizes diet, reduces overweight, and promotes regular exercise. High-risk patients with hypertriglyceridemia, such as those with diabetes, CVD, or metabolic syndrome, may benefit from additional drug treatment aside from a statin to address other lipid abnormalities. In this discussion, we review the role of hypertriglyceridemia and its associated atherogenic lipoproteins in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the relevance of a high TG level as a predictor of CVD, the cardiovascular outcomes from TG-lowering intervention trials, and the current guidelines for treating hypertriglyceridemia.
Performance of mid-wave infrared (3.8 μm) light emitting diode device

We describe the temperature-dependent characteristics of light emission from an IR interband cascade (IC) Type II-superlattice light emitting diode (LED) structure, which is mounted epi-side down. Light, current, and voltage (LIV) curves and spectra are reported for CW and pulsed excitation at various temperatures. At room temperature, we observe a typical increase in light and voltage with increasing CW current. At lower temperatures, as the CW excitation current is progressively increased to greater values, the LED emission peaks, followed by a power decrease, and finally approaches values similar to that of the room temperature emission. The room temperature CW peak power is 28% of the peak at liquid helium temperature. The LI results and spectra for pulsed excitation are compared. We observed red and blue shifts in peak emission wavelength with increasing current for CW and pulsed operation, respectively.
Enumeration of T cell subsets in atopic dermatitis using monoclonal antibodies

Abstract Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 22 patients with atopic dermatitis, 17 age-matched healthy controls, 10 patients with other skin diseases, and 14 patients with either asthma or allergic rhinitis were characterized by reactivity with monoclonal antibodies to the surface antigens of helper-inducer (T4) and suppressor-cytotoxic (T8) T cell subsets and to a common T cell antigen (T3). In contrast to healthy controls and controls with other skin diseases or respiratory allergic disease, patients with atopic dermatitis had a reduced percentage of T3-positive (T3+) cells (p 0.05). A selective increase in the ratio of T4+ cells over T8+ cells was observed in 17 of 22 patients with atopic dermatitis but not in any of the controls. Thus there is a loss of circulating suppressor-cytotoxic T cells in the majority of patients with active atopic dermatitis.
System Design and Implementation of a National Image Registry for Orthopaedic Oncology Image Management, Research and Teaching

Orthopaedic oncology is highly dependent on imaging studies to diagnose and treat patients. However, many types of bone tumors are rare creating a lack of teaching and research cases. We have developed a system to locally document and nationally register electronic images for teaching and research on bone tumors. The system minimizes storage requirements and maintains confidentiality using a unique approach. This paper demonstrates the system design and current implementation.
The effect of age and vocal task on cepstral/spectral measures of vocal function in adult males.

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of aging on cepstral/spectral acoustic measures calculated from clinical stimuli (vowels and sentences from the Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice). Thirty younger adult males (20–49 years of age) and thirty older males (50–79 years of age) produced sustained vowels and read a connected speech stimulus which were applied to cepstral/spectral acoustic analyses to derive the multiparametric measure of Cepstral/Spectral Index of Dysphonia (CSID). Results indicated that older males exhibited significantly greater CSID measures than younger males in connected speech (p = 0.001; d = 0.98), but not the vowel. Linear regression revealed a moderate correlation between age and CSID in connected speech. These results further inform our understanding of how aging influences voice production in varied contexts and how commonly utilised clinical voice tasks subjected to cepstral/spectral acoustic analyses might differentially inform our knowledge of underlying v...
Skew scattering of electrons in a spin glass

Abstract The field and temperature dependences of the extraordinary Hall effect in alloys of the Au Fe system have been measured for the first time over a range that encompasses the spin glass regime. We are able to show how the data reflect the competition between the spin glass ordering interactions and the disruptive effects of temperature and applied magnetic field.
Evidence for a complex symmetry term in the optical potential for nucleons

Abstract The scattering of 24 MeV neutrons is studied using an optical model potential previously obtained from analysis of 30 MeV proton scattering. The non-elastic and total cross sections and to a lesser extent the differential cross sections indicate that the strength W D of the surface absorption potential has a term proportional to the relative neutron excess ( N - Z )/ A with opposite signs for neutrons and protons. This may be interpreted as arising from a complex potential term proportional to t · T . This result may be related to other indications that the neutron distribution in neutron-rich nuclei has a larger radius than the proton distribution.
Observations within two regions of charge during initial thunderstorm electrification

Airborne electric field measurements in two small thunderstorms in New Mexico show the existence of a narrow region of charge in each storm during the early stage of electrification. In one case a net negative region of charge was observed at about 7 km (- 12°C) about 1.5 km below the radar cloud top, when the electric field was only 600 V m−1, and could be accounted for by total charge of −0–01 C with a maximum net space charge density of −0.15 nCm−3, assuming spherical symmetry. This region of charge was about 500 m across and appears to have been associated with an updraught-downdraught transition zone. In the other cloud, a region of net positive charge, also about 500m across, was detected at 7.7 km (-20°C) about 500 m below the radar cloud top, when the electric field was about 2000 Vm−1. In both regions of charge, supercooled liquid water and ice particles including graupel were present, and ice particle concentrations, sizes, and collision rates were at a relative maximum, suggesting that the charge generation occurred via a precipitation-based mechanism.
The theory of brown dwarfs and extrasolar giant planets

Straddling the traditional realms of the planets and the stars, objects below the edge of the main sequence have such unique properties, and are being discovered in such quantities, that one can rightly claim that a new field at the interface of planetary science and astronomy is being born. This article extends the previous review of Burrows and Liebert (1993) and describes the essential elements of the theory of brown dwarfs and giant planets. It discusses their evolution, atmospheric composition, and spectra, including the new spectroscopic classes L and T. Particular topics which are important for an understanding of the spectral properties include the effects of condensates, clouds, molecular abundances, and atomic opacities. Moreover, it discusses the distinctive features of these extrasolar giant planets that are irradiated by a central primary, in particular, their reflection spectra, albedos, and transits. Overall, the theory explains the basic systematics of substellar-mass objects over three orders of magnitude in mass and age, and a factor of 30 in temperature.
A digital PWM control for switched reluctance motor drives

Switched reluctance motor (SRM) drives are highly non-linear. Therefore, their control over a wide speed range has unique difficulties. Conventional linear controllers are not ideal for SRMs. In this paper, a novel digital PWM control for SRM drives is presented. By treating the system digitally, the controller switches between two different duty ratios to get the desired speed. The proposed control technique is very easy to implement and has a wide speed range. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the proposed digital control approach.
Micropreparative High Resolution Purification of Proteins by a Combination of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate–Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis, Isoelectric Focusing, and Membrane Blotting

Abstract We report a simple, economical, and efficient protocol for protein purification from cells. First, proteins of cell lysates were separated by standard sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and electroblotted to protein-blotting membrane. The blots were stained with Coomassie blue or developed by immunoblotting to visualize specific proteins. The bands corresponding to those visible by immunoblotting were excised from the dye-stained blots and subjected to isoelectric focusing. The focused gel was stained with Coomassie blue. Finally, the stained bands were excised and subjected to another SDS–PAGE separation and electrotransferred back to protein-blotting membrane. At this stage, the purified proteins were suitable for microsequencing. We have tested the feasibility of this novel technique by purifying proteins with molecular weights ranging from 19 to 100 kDa from a lysate ofSarcocystis neurona,the etiologic agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. The purity of proteins was demonstrated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Partial sequences of these purified proteins were obtained by N-terminal or digestive sequencing.
The independence of language and mathematical reasoning.

An article by Varley et al. in this issue of PNAS (1) offers new evidence that numerical reasoning and language are functionally and neuroanatomically independent in adult humans. Varley et al . demonstrate a dramatic dissociation between grammatical and mathematical syntax in three patients with diffuse brain damage to the left perisylvian language area. Consistent with many prior studies (e.g., ref. 2), all three patients suffered from severe aphasia, preventing them from understanding or producing grammatically correct language. Varley et al. 's novel contribution was to test these aphasic patients with a set of mathematical problems that required procedures computationally equivalent to the linguistic grammatical operations the same patients were unable to solve. All three individuals demonstrated proficiency in mathematical syntax, despite an inability to comprehend analogous syntax in spoken or written language. For example, although the patients understood the referents of “John,” “Mary,” and “hit,” they were unable to differentiate between the statements “Mary hit John” and “John hit Mary.” However, these same patients successfully solved mathematical operations that were structurally dependent in this same general way, for instance, the difference between 52 - 11 and 11 - 52. Similarly, the patients were unable to comprehend sentences with embedded clauses such as, “This is the dog that worried the cat that ate the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built”; nonetheless, their performance was unimpaired in …
A High-Performance Digital-Input Class-D Amplifier with Direct Battery Connection in a 90nm Digital CMOS Process

The class-D amplifier system presented in this paper is a second-order architecture that operates on a digital PWM input and eliminates the use of an external carrier signal. It consists of two identical audio channels and a common section consisting of a PLL and a reference system. Each channel has a digital interpolation filter followed by a digital DeltaSigma modulator, PWM generator and two second-order analog loops.
Reactivity of Serum from Patients with Suspected Legionellosis Against 29 Antigens of Legionellaceae and Legionella-Like Organisms by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay

Sets of sera (444) submitted for diagnostic testing for legionellosis were tested against 29 indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) antigens prepared from the characterized Legionella species and Legionella-like organisms to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Legionella organisms. Reciprocal titers of 15% of the serum sets rose fourfold or more to greater than or equal to 128 (indicating seroconversion) against one or more Legionella antigens. The specificity of the test was 96% when evaluated in patients with pneumonia due to non-Legionella organisms. Antibodies were of the IgG, IgM, and (infrequently) IgA classes and were either specific for a single species (as defined by a difference in titer of fourfold or more) or reacted with common Legionella antigens (30 [45%] vs. 36 [55%] of 66 seroconversions, respectively). No single antigen detected half of the positive sera. Elevated IFA titers (of greater than or equal to 256) against single or multiple Legionella antigens occurred in 12% of 184 normal control sera. Therefore, only seroconversions to titers of greater than or equal to 128 should be considered indicative of recent Legionella infection.
The DYX2 Locus and Neurochemical Signaling Genes Contribute to Speech Sound Disorder and Related Neurocognitive Domains

A major milestone of child development is the acquisition and use of speech and language. Communication disorders, including speech sound disorder (SSD), can impair a child's academic, social and behavioral development. Speech sound disorder is a complex, polygenic trait with a substantial genetic component. However, specific genes that contribute to SSD remain largely unknown. To identify associated genes, we assessed the association of the DYX2 dyslexia risk locus and markers in neurochemical signaling genes (e.g., nicotinic and dopaminergic) with SSD and related endophenotypes. We first performed separate primary associations in two independent samples - Cleveland SSD (210 affected and 257 unaffected individuals in 127 families) and Denver SSD (113 affected individuals and 106 unaffected individuals in 85 families) - and then combined results by meta-analysis. DYX2 markers, specifically those in the 3' untranslated region of DCDC2 (P = 1.43 × 10(-4) ), showed the strongest associations with phonological awareness. We also observed suggestive associations of dopaminergic-related genes ANKK1 (P = 1.02 × 10(-2) ) and DRD2 (P = 9.22 × 10(-3) ) and nicotinic-related genes CHRNA3 (P = 2.51 × 10(-3) ) and BDNF (P = 8.14 × 10(-3) ) with case-control status and articulation. Our results further implicate variation in putative regulatory regions in the DYX2 locus, particularly in DCDC2, influencing language and cognitive traits. The results also support previous studies implicating variation in dopaminergic and nicotinic neural signaling influencing human communication and cognitive development. Our findings expand the literature showing genetic factors (e.g., DYX2) contributing to multiple related, yet distinct neurocognitive domains (e.g., dyslexia, language impairment, and SSD). How these factors interactively yield different neurocognitive and language-related outcomes remains to be elucidated.