cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolism of zinc and copper in the neonate: zinc thionein in developing rat brain, heart, lung, spleen, and thymus.

Abstract In a continuing study of the importance of metallothionein (MT) in the growth and development of neonates, zinc and copper metabolism in rat brain, heart, lung, spleen, and thymus has been analyzed in 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 day old rats. Total, cytosol, and MT zinc and copper concentrations and organ contents were determined. Zinc, but very little, if any copper was associated with MT in these organs. Concentrations ranged from 0.03 to 3.3 μg Zn in MT/g; organ contents ranged from 0.003 to 2.2 μg Zn in MT/organ. Brain exhibited the highest concentrations and contents of zinc in MT, approaching the levels found in kidneys. Rank order of organ contents of zinc in MT was brain > lung > heart, spleen, thymus, during this neonatal growth period. When organ growth was rapid, a large percentage (20–95%) of the cytosolic zinc present in these organs was associated with MT, as has been previously observed with liver, kidneys, and testes. None of these organs undergoes the dramatic changes in zinc and copper metabolism previously observed in neonatal rat liver and gastrointestinal tract, and in maturing testes. They are more comparable to kidneys in their concentrations of zinc in MT. Like testes, little copper is found in these organs.
Enzymatic synthesis of β-[U-14C]alanine and d-[1,2,3-14C]pantothenate of high specific radioactivity

Abstract β-[U-14C]Alanine can be synthesized in >95% yield from l -[U-14C]aspartic acid using the aspartate 1-decarboxylase of Escherichia coli and converted to d -[1,2,3-14C]pantothenate in a 10–20% yield using the pantothenate synthetase of E. coli. Sufficiently pure preparations of both enzymes are readily obtained.
Sleeping our way to weight normalization and stable learning

The functions of sleep have been an enduring mystery. Tononi and Cirelli (2003) hypothesized that one of the functions of slow-wave sleep is to scale down synapses in the cortex that have strengthened during awake learning. We create a computational model to test the functionality of this idea and examine some of its implications. We show that synaptic scaling during slow-wave sleep is capable of keeping Hebbian learning in check and that it enables stable development. We also show theoretically how it implements classical weight normalization, which has been in common use in neural models for decades. Finally, a significant computational limitation of this form of synaptic scaling is revealed through computer simulations.
Apples and Oranges: The Logic of the Early and Later Arabic Logicians

In a recent article in Islamic Law and Society, Khaled El-Rouayheb proposed that opposition to logic was probably never the predominant view of Sunni Muslim scholars. El-Rouayheb also expressed doubt in the position of later scholars who argued that there existed two approaches to the study of logic, one whose permissibility was debated, and another whose permissibility was agreed upon. In response to El-Rouayheb, Mufti Ali argued in his own article that opposition to logic was the predominant view of Sunni Muslim scholars between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. In this article, I argue, pace Ali, that there is merit to the claim that neither opposition to, nor support for, logic achieved predominance, especially between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, even if favorable opinions came to be viewed as the soundest position in later centuries. I also argue, pace El-Rouayheb, that there is merit to the proposition that there are two distinct approaches to logic, one that mixes objectionable elements from Greek philosophy, and one that, in varying degrees, may have rid itself of these elements. Additionally, I argue that the thirteenth through fifteenth centuries may have marked a transitional period during which the two approaches became more distinct, although some jurists who ruled on logic did not always notice, or acknowledge, the distinction.
Remarks of the sojourn times of a semi-Markov process

Abstract Let { X n } ∞ 0 ( X 0 X 1 T n } ∞ 0 a sequence of non-negative integer-valued r.v.'s conditionally independent given { X n } ∞ 0 . Under certain conditions {( X n , T n )} ∞ 0 is a Markov renewal process. The semi-Markov process { ξ n } ∞ 0 associated with {( X n , T n )} ∞ 0 is non-decreasing with { T n } ∞ 0 as its sojourn times. In this paper we determine the marginal distributions of { ξ n } ∞ 0 . Under certain assumptions on P { T n = i || X n } the { T n } ∞ 0 is asymptotically i.i.d. and possesses a mixing property. This is used to show that Var(∑ n 1 T n + i )= nL ( n ), where { L ( n )} is a slowly varying sequence. We also show that { T n } ∞ 0 obeys the strong law of large numbers. Finally, under some suitable moment restrictions we prove that { T n } ∞ 0 has the central limit property.
Aromatase Activity in Quail Brain: Correlation with Aggressiveness*

Testosterone (T) triggers aggressive behavior in males of many vertebrate species; however, the neural and hormonal basis of individual differences in the frequency or intensity of aggressive behavior is still debated. Using the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), a species in which individuals exhibit a wide range of aggressiveness in nature and the laboratory, together with a newly devised test procedure for quantifying aggressiveness, we recently demonstrated that aggression is estrogen dependent. Here we extend these studies by testing the hypothesis that aromatization in brain is a rate-limiting step in the expression of individual differences in aggressiveness. Using procedures previously validated for this species, aromatase and 5 alpha- and 5 beta-reductase activities were estimated in selected brain regions of reproductively active male quail by measuring conversion of [3H]androstenedione to [3H]estrone, [3H]5 alpha-androstanedione, and [3H]5 beta-androstanedione, respectively. In Exp 1, behaviorally inexperienced test birds were killed 90 sec after a single behavioral test. Aggressiveness of individuals in this group, as determined by pecking and locomotor activity in response to visualization of a conspecific, ranged 3- to 4-fold from high to low. Aromatase activity in the posterior hypothalamus (PHYP) was significantly higher in males rated high for aggressiveness than in animals rated low (1.04 vs. 0.59 pmol/h.mg protein; P less than 0.02). Similar differences were observed in the anterior hypothalamus/preoptic area (AHPOA) but were not significant. In Exp 2, sexually mature males were behaviorally tested eight times over 22 days and killed 24 h after the final test. Aggressiveness varied 5-fold from high to low, although the rating in a given bird remained constant with time and repeat testing. Aromatase activity in the AHPOA was significantly greater in birds rated high for aggressiveness than in low aggressiveness birds (3.77 vs. 2.80 pmol/h.mg protein; P less than 0.02). In addition, when AHPOA aromatase in all birds was plotted against behavioral intensity, there was a 2-fold variation and a significant positive correlation (r = 0.556; P less than 0.02). Similar differences were observed in PHYP, but these were of borderline significance. By contrast, aromatase levels outside the AHPOA and PHYP were unrelated to behavior. Moreover, in both Exp 1 and 2, 5 alpha- and 5 beta-reductase activities in AHPOA, PHYP, and other brain regions; plasma T, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, and total estrogens; and relative testicular weights were not consistently related to aggression.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Chronic toxicity of tebuthiuron to an alga (Selenastrum capricornutum), a cladoceran (Daphnia magna), and the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)

Chronic toxicity studies were conducted with an alga (Selenastrum capricornutum), a cladoceran (Daphnia magna) and the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) to determine their relative sensitivities to tebuthiuron, a soil-applied herbicide. The alga was the most sensitive of the three species. The no observed effect concentrations for the studies with the fathead minnow (9.3 mg/L) and the cladoceran (21.8 mg/L) were higher than the algistatic concentration (1.5 mg/L) for Selenastrum. These concentrations are 8 to 121 times higher than the highest transient concentration of tebuthiuron reported for a catchment pond.
Theα1-noradrenergic antagonist prazosin decreases the concentration of estrogen receptors in female rat hypothalamus

A series of experiments was performed to determine the effects of theα1-noradrenergic antagonist, prazosin, on the concentration of estrogen receptors in female rat brain and pituitary gland. Prazosin caused a dose-dependent decrease in the concentration of cytosol estrogen receptors in fediobasal hypothalamus when injected 10 and 16 h prior to assay. The drug was without effect on the concentration of nuclear estrogen receptors in the absence of estradiol, indicating that the decreased concentration of cytosol estrogen receptors is not due to nuclear estrogen receptor accumulation. Scatchard analysis confirmed that prazosin treatment decreases the conceptors of cytosol estrogen receptors without influencing the apparent affinity of the receptors for [3H]estradiol. The prazosin-induced decrease in the concentration of cytosol estrogen receptors in the mediobasal hypothalamus was transient with maximal effects occurring between 8 and 12 h after a single injection. Competition analysis confirmed that prazosin is not an effective competitor for binding to the estrogen receptor in vitro. The effects of prazosin on the estrogen receptor system could not be attributed to modulation of the levels of norepinephrine or dopamine. Assay of the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in hypothalamus and preoptic area after prazosin injection revealed no effects of prazosin on the level of either of these catecholamines. An estradiol injection resulted in the predicted decrease in the concentration of estrogen receptors accumulating in hypothalamic cell nuclei, suggesting that the cytosol estrogen receptors that decrease in concentration are functional receptors. Prazosin treatment did not result in a decrease in the effectiveness of estradiol in the induction of cytosol progestin receptors in the mediobasal hypothalamus, suggesting that the cells are regulated by theα1-noradrenergic system may not be those cells in which progestin receptors are also induced. These experiments provide further evidence that the noradrenergic system modulates the concentration of estrogen receptors, and perhaps sensitivity to estradiol, in some cells within the rat hypothalamus.
Interaction of psychoactive tryptamines with biogenic amine transporters and serotonin receptor subtypes

Rationale Synthetic hallucinogenic tryptamines, especially those originally described by Alexander Shulgin, continue to be abused in the USA. The range of subjective experiences produced by different tryptamines suggests that multiple neurochemical mechanisms are involved in their actions, in addition to the established role of agonist activity at serotonin 2A (5-HT2A )r eceptors. Objectives This study evaluated the interaction of a series of synthetic tryptamines with biogenic amine neurotransmitter transporters and with serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtypes implicated in psychedelic effects. Methods Neurotransmitter transporter activity was determined in rat brain synaptosomes. Receptor activity was determined using calcium mobilization and DiscoveRx PathHunter® assays in HEK293, Gα16-CHO, and CHOk1 cells transfected with human receptors. Results Twenty-one tryptamines were analyzed in transporter uptake and release assays, and 5-HT2A, serotonin 1A (5HT1A), and 5-HT2A β-arrestin functional assays. Eight of the compounds were found to have 5-HT-releasing activity. Thirteen compounds were found to be 5-HT uptake inhibitors or were inactive. All tryptamines were 5-HT2Aagonists with a range of potencies and efficacies, but only a few compounds were 5-HT1A agonists. Most tryptamines recruited β-arrestin through 5-HT2A activation. Conclusions All psychoactive tryptamines are 5-HT2A agonists, but 5-HT transporter (SERT) activity may contribute significantly to the pharmacology of certain compounds. The in vitro transporter data confirm structure-activity trends for releasers and uptake inhibitors whereby releasers tend to be structurally smaller compounds. Interestingly, two tertiary amines were found to be selective substrates at SERT, which dispels the notion that 5-HT-releasing activity is limited only to primary or secondary amines.
Plasma brain natriuretic peptide to detect preclinical ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction: a community-based study.

Background— Preclinical systolic or diastolic dysfunction is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We postulated that plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) might serve as a biomarker for preclinical ventricular dysfunction (PCVD) but that the discriminatory values for BNP may vary with age and sex. Methods and Results— We measured BNP, systolic and diastolic ventricular function, and clinical parameters in 2042 randomly selected residents of Olmsted County, Minn, aged 45 years or older. For preclinical systolic dysfunction, the areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve were higher for those with more severe (0.82 to 0.92) than any (0.51 to 0.74) systolic dysfunction and were similar in men and women and in younger and older persons. For preclinical diastolic dysfunction, the areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve were higher for those with moderate-to-severe (0.74 to 0.79) than any (0.52 to 0.68) diastolic dysfunction and were similar regardless of age or sex...
Reducing Identity Distress: Results of an Identity Intervention for Emerging Adults

Emerging adulthood is a transitional period between adolescence and adulthood where positive and negative life trajectories tend to diverge, with issues surrounding identity formation playing a key role. The present study evaluated the Miami Adult Development Project, a self-facilitated identity-focused intervention. The sample consisted of 141 emerging adults (19−29 years old; M = 23.08) who completed pretest and posttest assessments. Results indicated participation in the intervention relative to the comparison group was associated with lower levels of identity distress and higher levels of well-being via the reduction of identity distress and the development of a consolidated identity (commitment and synthesis). The present study provides evidence for the effectiveness of positive identity interventions during emerging adulthood.
Improving bioretention/biofiltration performance with restorative maintenance.

One of the most popular Stormwater Control Measures is bioretention, or biofiltration. Anecdotal evidence suggests that well-designed bioretention cells are often not adequately installed and that maintenance is lacking, leading to less-than-adequate water storage volume and/or surface infiltration rates post-construction. In March 2009, two sets of bioretention cells were repaired by excavating the top 75 mm of fill media, increasing the bioretention surface storage volume by nearly 90% and the infiltration rate by up to a factor of 10. Overflow volume decreased from 35 and 37% in the pre-repair state for two different sets of cells, respectively, to 11 and 12%. Nearly all effluent pollutant loads exiting the post-repair cells were lower than their pre-repair conditions. The bioretention systems employed two different media depths (0.6 and 0.9 m). The deeper media cells discharged less outflow volume than the shallower cells, with 10-11% more runoff volume leaving as exfiltration from the 0.9-m than from the 0.6-m media depth cells. This study showed that maintenance is both critical and beneficial to restore otherwise poorly performing bioretention. Moreover, while deeper media cells did outperform the shallower systems, the improvement in this case was somewhat modest vis-a-vis additional construction costs.
Markedly reduced insulin-like growth factor-1 in the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

Abstract OBJECTIVES We investigated whether insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is reduced in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and whether such a decrease might influence prognosis. BACKGROUND Insulin-like growth factor-1 protects against insulin resistance and apoptosis. Although insulin resistance has been reported in AMI, IGF-1 levels have not been investigated. METHODS We measured serum IGF-1 in 23 patients with AMI within 24 h of symptom onset and in 11 matched controls. In the first 12 patients and controls, we also measured fasting insulin, diurnal growth hormone (GH) and insulin sensitivity (assessed as glucose disappearance or T/2 after an insulin bolus), and repeated IGF-1, insulin and GH after one year. In all patients, 90-day cardiovascular death, recurrent ischemia, reinfarction, revascularization and late malignant arrhythmias were assessed. RESULTS The AMI patients versus controls showed markedly reduced IGF-1 (115 ± 112 vs. 615 ± 300 ng/ml, p CONCLUSIONS In the early phase of AMI, serum IGF-1 levels are markedly reduced and may contribute to adverse outcomes. Reduced IGF-1 preceding the rise of myocardial necrosis markers suggests a possible pathogenetic role. A compensatory increase in IGF-1 appears to occur by one year.
Resource quantity, not resource heterogeneity, maintains plant diversity

Resource heterogeneity has often been proposed to explain the maintenance of plant species diversity and patterns of species diversity along productivity gradients. Resource heterogeneity should maintain biodiversity by preventing competitive exclusion because different species are superior competitors in different parts of a heterogeneous environment. In natural systems, however, resource heterogeneity covaries with average resource supply rate, making the effect of heterogeneity difficult to isolate. Using a novel experimental approach, we tested the independent effects of resource heterogeneity and average supply rate on plant species diversity. We show that the average supply rate of the most limiting resource controlled species diversity, whereas heterogeneity of this resource had virtually no effect. These findings also suggest that biodiversity declines with increasing productivity because at high enough levels of productivity one resource may always be driven to sufficiently short supply to exclude many species.
Variation of Insulin Sensitivity Estimates in Horses

Abstract In the horse, resting insulin concentration (INS), the glucose-to-insulin ratio (G:I), and the reciprocal of the square root of insulin (RISQI = 1/√INS) are commonly used to estimate insulin sensitivity, whereas the modified insulin-to-glucose ratio (MIRG = [800 – 0.30 × (INS -50) 2 ]/(GLU – 30) is used to estimate pancreatic beta-cell responsiveness. Because no estimates of their within-horse variability and repeatability have been reported, the objective of this study was to evaluate the within-horse variation of these estimates. Resting blood samples were obtained from six healthy equids (three geldings, two mares; mean ± SD body weight, 525.0 ± 43.36 kg; mean age, 9.8 ± 8.2 years; and one pony gelding: 293 kg; 12 years) on three consecutive days in week 1 and again in week 2. Samples were collected at 12:00 noon, approximately 6 hours postprandially. Serum insulin and plasma glucose (GLU) concentrations were analyzed and used to calculate G:I, RISQI, and MIRG, as well as the insulin to glucose ratio (I:G). The coefficient of variation was used to determine within-horse variation, and repeatability was determined using the repeatability coefficient (RC; measurements from a single horse should differ less than the RC for 95% of the pairs). The mean coefficients of variation (CVs) for resting GLU, INS, G:I, I:G, MIRG, and RISQI were 5.5%, 33.7%, 36.0%, 31.6%, 22.3%, and 18.6%, respectively. All variables had values that differed more than the RC in at least one horse. These data suggest that care should be taken when interpreting insulin sensitivity estimates from a single blood sample.
Applying Cognition-Based Assessment to Elementary School Students' Development of Understanding of Area and Volume Measurement

As part of a discussion of cognition-based assessment (CBA) for elementary school mathematics, I describe assessment tasks for area and volume measurement and a research-based conceptual framework for interpreting students' reasoning on these tasks. At the core of this conceptual framework is the notion of levels of sophistication. I provide details on an integrated set of levels for area and volume measurement that (a) starts with the informal, preinstructional reasoning typically possessed by students, (b) ends with the formal mathematical concepts targeted by instruction, and (c) indicates cognitive plateaus reached by students in moving from (a) to (b).
A Generalized Linear Model for Single Event Transient Propagation in Phase-Locked Loops

A first-order linear model is formulated in closed-form for the examination of transient propagation through charge pump phase-locked loops (PLL). As a result, a novel PLL design parameter-the PLL critical time constant-is discovered as the primary factor influencing extraneous transient generation and propagation through the PLL independent of technology node. Various simulations and experiments have been performed on PLL circuits designed in 130 nm and 90 nm technology nodes. Using the described simulation and laser two-photon absorption (TPA) techniques, the generalized model is shown to accurately predict the output phase displacements and critical time constant of the PLL following transient perturbations, validating the analytical results independent of technology and without the need for calibration parameters. Moreover, the characteristic critical time constant is shown to be valuable for identifying and evaluating the single-event vulnerabilities in charge pump PLL designs.
Parameter variation in low-quartz between 94 and 298K

The structure of low quartz has been refined at 94, 115, 150, 190, 240 and 298K using Mo Kα intensities up to 2θ = 90° with residuals around 1.25%. The major structural change from 94 to 298K is an increase of the SiOSi angle from 142.69(4) to 143.65(5) corresponding to a rotation by ∼0.8° of a rigid SiO4 tetrahedron around the crystallographic 2-axis through its central Si. The orientations of the principal axes of vibration of Si and O do not change significantly with temperature. The temperature dependence of the mean-square displacement of O along its principal axes follows the Debye formula of thermal motion quite well, while for Si the experimental slopes are significantly less than their calculated values.
The synthesis of poly[6,8‐dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane‐b‐(ethylene glycol)‐b‐6,8‐dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane] by controlled cationic ring‐opening polymerization

The triblock copolymer poly[6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-b-(ethylene glycol)-b-6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane] was prepared by the controlled cationic ring-opening polymerization of 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane (6,8-DBO) from a macroinitiator. The macroinitiator, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) di(1-chloroethyl ether), was prepared via the addition of HCl to PEG divinyl ether and was characterized with 13C NMR, 1H NMR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Upon preparation, a small fraction of the chain ends underwent a cyclization reaction to form inactive chain ends. When the macroinitiator was used in polymerizations of 6,8-DBO with ZnI2 as an activator, linear kinetic plots were observed, a linear increase in the copolymer molecular weight with conversion was seen, and the molecular weight distributions of the copolymer samples remained constant at about 1.40. Confirmation of the triblock structure of the final product was obtained with 1H NMR spectra, 13C DEPT spectra, and GPC chromatograms. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4081–4087, 2000
Three-drug intra-arterial chemotherapy using simultaneous carboplatin, topotecan and melphalan for intraocular retinoblastoma: preliminary results.

Aims To report outcomes with selective intra-arterial chemotherapy (SIAC) using simultaneous carboplatin, topotecan, and melphalan for advanced intraocular retinoblastoma. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who received three-drug (melphalan, topotecan, and carboplatin) SIAC during 2006–2011. Results Twenty-six eyes of 25 patients received the three-drug chemotherapy for treatment of advanced retinoblastoma. Reese-Ellsworth group was 5b in 21 eyes, 5a in 2, 4a in 2, and 3a in 1. Seventeen patients (68%) had recurrence after prior intravenous chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. In the three-drug therapy, dose ranges were 2.5–7.5 mg for melphalan, 0.3–0.6 mg for topotecan, and 25–50 mg for carboplatin, and median infusions per eye was 2 (range 1–4). At a mean follow-up of 14 months (range 1–43 months), all patients are alive and no patient developed metastatic disease. Twenty-three of 26 eyes (88%) survived. Eleven of the 26 eyes (35%) developed recurrent disease and were treated with enucleation ( n =3) or with focal therapy ( n =8) with or without plaque brachytherapy ( n =3). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of ocular survival at 24 months was 75% (95% CI). Electroretinogram showed improvement greater than 25 µV in 4 eyes (15%), loss greater than 25 µV in 12 eyes (46%), and no change greater than 25 µV in 10 eyes (39%). Conclusions Three-drug SIAC has been used successfully to rescue eyes after treatment failure of intravenous chemotherapy and/or single- or double-agent SIAC. Twenty-three of 26 eyes avoided both enucleation and external beam radiotherapy and retained electroretinogram function.
Wind turbine reduced order models for grid integration and control studies

Current trends in the wind energy industry is to design, develop and manufacturing wind turbine of constantly increasing size and rated power, as well as wind parks of larger size and installed power. Knowledge of the wind turbine behavior during its operation is of critical importance in the design and planning stages of a wind farm in order to minimize the risks, as well as for grid integration. In order to analyze the wind turbine impacts of power grid, accurate yet simple models are needed. We are proposing in this work simple wind turbine generator models used to describe its behavior during the operation on a mechanical and electrical standpoint. The same reduced order models can be used for control and design system studies.
Meta-Analytic Methods of Pooling Correlation Matrices for Structural Equation Modeling Under Different Patterns of Missing Data.

Three methods of synthesizing correlations for meta-analytic structural equation modeling (SEM) under different degrees and mechanisms of missingness were compared for the estimation of correlation and SEM parameters and goodness-of-fit indices by using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. A revised generalized least squares (GLS) method for synthesizing correlations, weighted-covariance GLS (W-COV GLS), was compared with univariate weighting with untransformed correlations (univariate r) and univariate weighting with Fisher's z-transformed correlations (univariate z). These 3 methods were crossed with listwise and pairwise deletion. Univariate z and W-COV GLS performed similarly, with W-COV GLS providing slightly better estimation of parameters and more correct model rejection rates. Missing not at random data produced high levels of relative bias in correlation and model parameter estimates and higher incorrect SEM model rejection rates. Pairwise deletion resulted in inflated standard errors for all synthesis methods and higher incorrect rejection rates for the SEM model with univariate weighting procedures.
What makes a brand manager effective

Abstract Brands have become increasingly important as a foundation for competitive strategy. Unfortunately, although brand managers are responsible for brand strategy development and execution, little is known about what makes a brand manager effective. A model is developed to understand what intangible capital embodied by brand managers influences brand management capabilities and resultant brand performance. Measures of brand manager intangible capital and brand management capabilities are developed through an iterative scale development process. Hypothesis testing, derived from a survey of brand managers, indicates that brand manager human, relational and informational capital influences brand management capabilities and resultant brand performance, and brand manager intangible capital has an indirect effect on brand performance via brand management capabilities. By delineating and operationalizing the intangible capital and capabilities of brand managers, this study provides a theoretical and empirical foundation for future research on brand managers, tools for assessing current brand manager capital and capabilities, and guidance in relation to intangible capital and capabilities needed by brand managers.
Structural and magnetic properties of Tc n @ C 60 endohedral metalofullerenes: First-principles predictions

We use ab initio spin-density-functional calculations to study the equilibrium structure and magnetic properties of ${\text{Tc}}_{n}@{\text{C}}_{60}$ endohedral metalofullerenes. We find that ${\text{C}}_{60}$ can endohedrally accommodate ${\text{Tc}}_{n}$ clusters with up to $n=7$ atoms, even though the encapsulation process becomes increasingly endothermic beyond $n=4$. The encapsulation does not change significantly the structure of the enclosed clusters, but reduces the magnetic moment due to a stronger Tc-C hybridization for the larger clusters.
Evaluation of pyrolysis and arc tracking on candidate wire insulation designs for space applications

Polyimide wire insulation has been found to be vulnerable to pyrolization and arc tracking due to momentary short-circuit arcing events. This report compares arc tracking susceptibility of candidate insulation configurations for space wiring applications. The insulation types studied in this report were gauge 20 hybrid wiring constructions using polyimide, tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), Cross-linked Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (XL-ETFE) and/or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) insulations. These constructions were manufactured according to military wiring standards for aerospace applications. Arc track testing was conducted under DC bias and vacuum (10/sup -6/ torr). The tests were conducted to compare the various insulation constructions in terms of their resistance to arc tracking restrike. The results will be presented and discussed in this paper. >
Automatic Sprinkler System Calculations

Water is the most commonly used fire fighting agent, mainly due to the fact that it is widely available and inexpensive. It also has very desirable fire extinguishing characteristics such as a high specific heat and high latent heat of vaporization. A single gallon of water can absorb 9280 Btus (2586.5 kJ) of heat as it increases from a 70 °F (21 °C) room temperature to become steam at 212 °F (100 °C).
A Five-Year Evaluation of Examination Structure in a Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy Course

Objective. To evaluate the composition and effectiveness as an assessment tool of a criterion-referenced examination comprised of clinical cases tied to practice decisions, to examine the effect of varying audience response system (ARS) questions on student examination preparation, and to articulate guidelines for structuring examinations to maximize evaluation of student learning. Design. Multiple-choice items developed over 5 years were evaluated using Bloom's Taxonomy classification, point biserial correlation, item difficulty, and grade distribution. In addition, examination items were classified into categories based on similarity to items used in ARS preparation. Assessment. As the number of items directly tied to clinical practice rose, Bloom's Taxonomy level and item difficulty also rose. In examination years where Bloom's levels were high but preparation was minimal, average grade distribution was lower compared with years in which student preparation was higher. Conclusion. Criterion-referenced examinations can benefit from systematic evaluation of their composition and effectiveness as assessment tools. Calculated design and delivery of classroom preparation is an asset in improving examination performance on rigorous, practice-relevant examinations.
Film Thickness Effects on Interfacial Fracture of Epoxy Bonds

Nanoindentation test techniques were combined with deposition of highly stressed overlayers to study the interfacial fracture susceptibility of spin coated Epon 828/T403 on aluminized glass substrates as a function of film thickness. The test techniques required to induce fracture differed between samples. Nevertheless, the resulting interfacial fracture energies decreased monotonically with film thickness to a value near 0.5 J/m2. This value is higher than the ‘true work of adhesion' for uncured epoxy oliogomers on a methyl-terminated aluminum surface. However, it may indicate that we have irreversible specific interactions such as hydrogen bonding. Then 0.5 J/m2 may be near the fundamental value for such an interaction, or the ‘practical work of adhesion’.
The Method of Arnold's Essays in Criticism

The first series of Essays in Criticism was one of four works growing directly out of the lectures which Matthew Arnold delivered at Oxford between 1857 and 1867. The so-called “inaugural series,” on the “modern element” in literature, survives only in fragments—one whole lecture and part of another. A second series, on the translation of Homer, was begun even before the first was completed, and the lectures on Celtic literature wound up Arnold's professorship, except for the valedictory “Culture and Its Enemies.” Crowded into the interstices of this ambitious program were the pieces which were to make up the bulk of the Essays in Criticism of 1865.
VISUAL WFiATHER SIMULATION USING METEOROLOGICAL DATABASES

This paper presents the results of an internal research program at Southwest Research Institute for the development of a visual weather simulation and modeling system for flight training applications. This weather simulation system concept, first presented at the 1990 AIAA Flight Simulation Technology Conference, provides the means to correlate and synchronize all weather-related cues presented to the aircrew. The approach provides for direct correlation between out-the-window visual weather scenes, weather-processing sensor avionics displays, and aircraft handling qualities through the use of a unified meteorological database. By ensuring dynamic weather cue correlation across all simulator subsystems, this technique enables simulator instruction in weather-related flying to be highly transferable to in-flight, mission-oriented situations. This research effort produced a unique' method for generating real-time fly-through weather conditions on a polygon-based visual system. The model architecture also supports sensor simulation for driving forward-look wind profiling models and cockpit displays. Since the weather model is driven by gridded-field, digital meteorological data, aircrews can learn and practice line-oriented weather avoidance skills in a realistic simulated weather environment.
Impact of After Visit Summaries on Patient Return Rates at an Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Clinic

Abstract Objective: To determine whether an after visit summary (AVS) provided to patients at the conclusion of their first acupuncture treatments affects the number of times patients return for follow-up treatments, a retrospective cohort study was performed. Materials and Methods: Two random samples of 100 new patient records (N=200) at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine's (OCOM) outpatient clinics in Portland, OR, were reviewed over a 3-month period before and after the implementation of using the AVS. Patients who had been seen previously at any of the college clinics were excluded. The number of return visits recorded in the MediSoft™ database was hand counted for each patient. Results: The use of an AVS did not significantly change the mean number of return visits for acupuncture (2-sided p-value=0.91), but there was a trend toward more frequent returns by patients who received AVS, compared to those who did not (2-sided p-value=0.0827, relative risk [RR]: 1.51, confidence interval [CI] 0.95–2....
On the Development Path of Rural Teachers' Professional Knowledge

In recent years,our country rural teachers' professional knowledge structure have obvious improvement and progress,but rural teachers' professional knowledge structure is still not perfect,has become an obstacle of the development of education career.Therefore,on the one hand,to enlarge the rural teacher ethics,beliefs and skills training,the education On the other hand,we should fully use modern teaching means,teaching technology and teaching strategies to promote rural teachers inside and outside to hold concurrently to fix,perfect professional knowledge structure.
Spinal manipulative therapy for low back pain.

In the short term, manipulative therapy is as effective for acute or chronic low back pain as other treatments such as analgesics, physical therapy, exercises, back school, and routine care from a primary care physician. Radiation of pain, type of manipulation, and use of multiple modalities do not alter these results.
A comparison of pulmonary function in puppies undergoing total cardiopulmonary bypass with bubble or membrane oxygenators

Twenty-six puppies, 4 to 6 weeks of age, underwent preoperative determination of alveolar ventilation, venoarterial shunting, static pulmonary compliance, and diffusion capacity. The animals were divided into four groups: Group I underwent a left thoracotomy alone for 3 hours and served as a control; Group II underwent total cardiopulmonary bypass for 1 hour with a membrane oxygenator; Group III underwent total cardiopulmonary bypass for 1 hour with a bubble oxygenator; and Group IV underwent total cardiopulmonary bypass for 3 hours with a membrane oxygenator. After the operation, pulmonary function studies were repeated in each animal. It was found that pulmonary function deteriorated in all groups. Alveolar ventilation and venoarterial shunting grew worse in the two groups that had been supported by the membrane oxygenator, whereas decrease in compliance seemed to be related to duration of the procedure. Diffusing capacity decreased equally in all groups.
The prostatic capsule: does it exist? Its importance in the staging and treatment of prostatic carcinoma.

Pathologic evaluation of tumor extent in a radical prostatectomy specimen for prostatic adenocarcinoma is extremely important in staging and planning further therapy. We studied whole-organ sections of 50 prostate glands, obtained at either radical prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma or cystoprostatect
Nanostructures and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

The optical properties of metallic nanostructures are particularly important for the field of nanoscience and technology. Excitation of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of metallic surfaces having nanoscale features results in local electromagnetic (EM) field enhancement, which dramatically increases the signal observed from molecules adsorbed to the surface of plasmonic nanostructures. This chapter focuses on a technique that takes advantage of this effect, namely surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). We first introduce the physical basis of the LSPR, with particular attention to the dielectric function of plasmonic materials as it relates to nanoparticle extinction. Next, we focus on the relationships among LSPR, EM enhancement, and SERS – highlighting both fundamental and applied experiments. Finally, we turn our attention to the future of SERS, including studies involving new materials, nanostructures, and techniques.
Enhanced Solution Concentration of Quercetin in Amorphous Solid Dispersions

The flavonol quercetin is present in foods such as apples and onions and has potential beneficial bioactivities against cardiovascular disease, obesity, and oxidative stress. However, the benefits ...
Terrain modeling on high-fidelity ground vehicle simulators

Distributed interactive simulation (DIS) involves a large number of geographically dispersed operator-in-the-loop simulators interacting in the same virtual environment. Recently, the ability of DIS is being expanded to evaluate equipment performance for the purpose of design modification and eventually, acquisition. This requires use of simulators that model the behavior of ground vehicles or other such equipment with enough detail to extract useful data from the simulator. Terrain modeling and representation becomes a central issue due to the significance of properly modeling the ground to vehicle interaction. This paper discusses design issues associated with modeling terrain for high-fidelity ground vehicle simulators. Experiences have been drawn from research leading to the design and implementation of an arbitrary resolution terrain model in the Iowa Driving Simulator (IDS), a high-fidelity ground vehicle simulator that is being integrated in the DIS network. >
Effects of tissue electrical properties on neural excitation

The influence of anisotropy and inhomogeneity of tissue electrical conductivity on the relationship between the threshold current and the electrode-to-fiber distance was determined by computer simulation. Anisotropy affected both the slope and offset of the current-distance curve. Inhomogeneity also affected the slope and offset of the current-distance curves, and in some cases caused reversals in recruitment order. This study demonstrates the importance of accurate representation of tissue electrical properties when modeling extracellular electrical stimulation.
Shared aperture antenna for simultaneous two-dimensional beam steering at near-infrared and visible

A dual-band multilayer shared aperture antenna (SAA) is presented, which can recognize anomalous two-dimensional beam steering simultaneously at two distinct operating wavelengths lie in near-infrared (NIR) (λ1=1055 nm) and visible (λ2=700 nm) spectra. The supercell consists of one large cross-shaped resonator antenna (top layer) and a 2×2 square-shaped patches (bottom layer). This compact bifunctional dual-band reflectarray SAA can steer the main beam toward relatively large angles (≈40 deg) in both θ- and ϕ-planes at dual-frequency bands. The state-of-the-art techniques in antenna design are exploited to attain the minimized aperture size and negligible coupling among NIR and visible arrays. The overall height of the antenna is 275 nm (≈0.25λ1). The presented structure is customizable in form and can easily be scaled to other frequency ratios.
Developing a Framework to Promote Children’s Health Insurance Enrollment in Florida

Florida Covering Kids & Families (FL-CKF) at the University of South Florida's Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies advocates for uninsured children and promotes outreach and enrollment in the state's children's health insurance program, Florida KidCare. FL-CKF facilitates the development of local coalitions to reach children and families throughout the state. Coalitions are provided with one-on-one training and a wide array of tools to increase effectiveness such as coalition-building resources, membership guides, and assistance in building strong local partnerships. FL-CKF places emphasis on creating formalized membership structures so each member knows his or her responsibilities and is accountable for them, partnering with other organizations in the community, and training on how to create and maintain partnerships in the community at large. These approaches help create lasting coalitions and offer an easily replicable approach for others to enhance children's health insurance outreach and enrollment.
Targeting the Microbiota, from Irritable Bowel Syndrome to Mood Disorders: Focus on Probiotics and Prebiotics.

The crosstalk between the gut and the brain has revealed a complex communication system responsible for maintaining a proper gastrointestinal homeostasis as well as affect emotional mood and cognitive functions. Recent research has revealed that beneficial manipulation of the microbiota by probiotics and prebiotics represents an emerging and novel strategy for the treatment of a large spectrum of diseases ranging from visceral pain to mood disorders. The review critically evaluates current knowledge of the effects exerted by both probiotics and prebiotics in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Relevant literature was identified through a search of MEDLINE via PubMed using the following words, “probiotics”, “prebiotics”, “microbiota”, and “gut-brain axis” in combination with “stress”, “depression”, “IBS”, and “anxiety”. A number of trials have shown efficacy of probiotics and prebiotics in ameliorating both IBS-related symptoms and emotional states. However, limitations have been found especially due to the small number of clinical studies, studies’ design, patient sample size, and placebo effect. Nonetheless, current finding supports the view that beneficial manipulation of the microbiota through both probiotics and prebiotics intake represents a novel attractive strategy to treat gut-brain axis disorders such as IBS and depression.
TRANSFER OF CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY IN VITRO TO HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES USING DIALYZABLE LEUKOCYTE EXTRACTS FROM IMMUNE BURROS

Publisher Summary The dialyzable leukocyte extracts (DLE) prepared from burros immunized with either Mycobacterium tuberculosis (PPD–S) or Coccidioides immitis (spherulin) antigen can transfer antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to previously nonresponsive human lymphocytes in vitro. The results of experiments described in this chapter indicate that when Burros are immunized with either Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen or Coccidioides immitis antigen, DLE subsequently prepared from their PBL contains TF activity, which is active in inducing antigen-specific responsiveness in previously nonimmune human lymphocytes. Burro TF activity easily can be detected using the LMI assay, the in vitro assay for human TF activity. Characterization of Burro TP specific for PPD–S indicates that it has physical–chemical properties similar to those of human TF derived from DLE.
Perfused Organs Studied Using NMR Spectroscopy

NMR spectroscopy of perfused isolated organs is described. The main system studied has been the heart but also other organs such as the liver and kidney have been studied using mostly 31 P NMR. 19 F NMR has been used to investigate intracellular Ca 2+ levels, whilst 23 Na, 87 Rb and 7 Li NMR have all been employed for studies of sodium–potassium exchange.
Cultural Accessibility of Services for Culturally Diverse Clients with Disabilities and Their Families.

The following paper describes the dilemma faced by many professionals in special education and rehabilitation when serving clients and their families who come from culturally diverse populations. U...
Charting a Course for Computer-Aided Bio-Inspired Design

Bio-inspired design (BID) is an emerging research area in design, biology, computing, and engineering that seeks to systematically mine biological knowledge to solve design problems. To promote BID research, and especially research on computer-aided BID, the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) recently sponsored two workshops. These workshops served as the catalysis for this book. In this chapter, we review the discussions at the two workshops. We also sketch the outline of a research program on computer-aided BID that emerged from the workshops.
Psychosocial needs assessment of underserved prostate cancer patients: Survivorship program planning.

10107Background: The ACoS Commission on Cancer has recommended national standards for cancer centers to meet that emphasize patient-centered care including distress screening and survivorship treat...