cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linking oxidative stress to inflammation: Toll-like receptors

Injury caused by oxidative stress occurs in many clinical scenarios involving ischemia and reperfusion such as organ transplantation, hemorrhagic shock (HS), myocardial infarction, and cerebral vascular accidents. Activation of the immune system as a result of disturbances in the redox state of cells seems to contribute to tissue and organ damage in these conditions. The link between oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways is poorly understood. Recently, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been shown to mediate the inflammatory response seen in experimental ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). The TLR family of receptors involved in alerting the innate immune system of danger seems to be activated by damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs) that are released during conditions of oxidative stress. In this review, we examine the role of TLRs in various experimental models of oxidative stress such as HS and I/R. We also report on potential DAMPs that may interact with TLRs in mediating injury. Finally, potential mechanisms by which reactive oxygen species from NADPH oxidase can signal the commencement of inflammatory pathways through TLRs are explored.
Income smoothing from a Census X-12 perspective

Abstract Corporate income smoothing has been the focus of much attention, yet relatively little is known about the key characteristics of income-smoothing firms. To address this issue, the current study uses quarterly data with Census X-12 analysis in a novel way to identify firms where the degree of random variability in earnings is less than the degree of random variability in sales (EVAR SVAR). Large-sample US results identify these exceptions throughout a broad cross section of firms, but smaller and less profitable firms tended to have a higher incidence rate. Results also indicate that effective smoothers exhibited higher earnings persistence.
Potentiated Startle: Its Relation to Freezing and Shock Intensity in Rats

Acoustic startle response and freezing were measured in a potentiated startle paradigm in which a startle stimulus was presented either alone or in the presence of a light conditioned stimulus (CS) which had been paired previously with either 1-mA or 3-mA footshock. During the CS the 1-mA group had higher startle amplitudes and a higher percentage of freezing than the 3-mA group. Startle amplitude was positively correlated with freezing under all conditions. The nonmonotonic relation between potentiated startle and shock intensity replicated Davis and Astrachan's (1978) study. However, rather than suppressing startle, as they suggested, freezing facilitated startle and, like startle amplitude, was nonmonotonically related to shock intensity. Experiment 2 replicated these results and showed a regularly decreasing monotonic extinction function for potentiated startle and shock-associated freezing for both shock-level groups. Brown, Kalish, and Farber (1951) reported that the magnitude of the acoustic startle response was increased when the startle-eliciting stimulus was presented in conjunction with a stimulus previously paired with shock. This phenomenon, now commonly called the potentiated startle effect, has been frequently
The Angular Distribution of 1 to 3.5 Mev Deuterons Scattered by Deuterons

The differential cross section for the elastic scattering of deuterons by deuterons has been obtained in the energy range from 1 to 3.5 Mev. The observed yields were corrected for the counted particles produced in the D-D reactions and for those scattered by contaminants by using the results of other experiments. The resultant elastic cross sections are probably accurate to about 2.5 percent.
Intermediates detected by visible spectroscopy during the reaction of nitrite with deoxyhemoglobin: the effect of nitrite concentration and diphosphoglycerate.

The reaction of nitrite with deoxyhemoglobin (deoxyHb) results in the reduction of nitrite to NO, which binds unreacted deoxyHb forming Fe(II)-nitrosylhemoglobin (Hb(II)NO). The tight binding of NO to deoxyHb is, however, inconsistent with reports implicating this reaction with hypoxic vasodilation. This dilemma is resolved by the demonstration that metastable intermediates are formed in the course of the reaction of nitrite with deoxyHb. The level of intermediates is quantitated by the excess deoxyHb consumed over the concentrations of the final products formed. The dominant intermediate has a spectrum that does not correspond to that of Hb(III)NO formed when NO reacts with methemoglobin (MetHb), but is similar to metHb resulting in the spectroscopic determinations of elevated levels of metHb. It is a delocalized species involving the heme iron, the NO, and perhaps the β-93 thiol. The putative role for red cell reacted nitrite on vasodilation is associated with reactions involving the intermediate. (1) T...
Biogeography and phenology of satellite-measured phytoplankton seasonality in the California current

Abstract Thirteen years (1998–2010) of satellite-measured chlorophyll a are used to establish spatial patterns in climatological phytoplankton biomass seasonality across the California Current System (CCS) and its interannual variability. Multivariate clustering based on the shape of the local climatological seasonal cycle divides the study area into four groups: two with spring-summer maxima representing the northern and southern coastal upwelling zones, one with a summer minimum offshore in mid-latitudes and a fourth with very weak seasonality in between. Multivariate clustering on the seasonal cycles from all 13 years produces the same four seasonal cycle types and provides a view of the interannual variability in seasonal biogeography. Over the study period these seasonal cycles generally appear in similar locations as the climatological clusters. However, considerable interannual variability in the geography of the seasonal cycles is evident across the CCS, the most spatially extensive of which are associated with the 1997–1999 El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) signal and the 2005 delayed spring transition off the Oregon and northern and central California coasts. We quantify linear trends over the study period in the seasonal timing of the two seasonal cycles that represent the biologically productive coastal upwelling zones using four different metrics of phenology. In the northern upwelling region, the date of the spring maximum is delaying (1.34 days yr−1) and the central tendency of the summer elevated chlorophyll period is advancing (0.63 days yr−1). In the southern coastal upwelling region, both the initiation and cessation of the spring maximum are delaying (1.78 days yr−1 and 2.44 days yr−1, respectively) and the peak is increasing in duration over the study period. Connections between observed interannual shifts in phytoplankton seasonality and physical forcing, expressed as either basin-scale climate signals or local forcing, show phytoplankton seasonality in the CCS to be influenced by changes in the seasonality of the wind mixing power offshore, coastal upwelling in the near-shore regions and basin-scale signals such as ENSO across the study area.
Placemaking by Design: Fitting a Large New Building Into a Historic District

This study of how people respond to design strategies for making new construction contextually compatible with the older buildings of a historic district is based on Amos Rapoport's theory of place meaning. The objective was to learn what elements of architecture help people find meaning in the built environment and to suggest ways that architects and policymakers can use this knowledge. Seventy-three people who were encountered in a public square across from a new megastructure were asked to do a multiple sort task using criteria of their own choice with 6 photos. Photos included an old facade that was used in the new building, other elevations of the new building, and old buildings around the square. The ways the old facade differed from the other elevations of the new building were noticed giving support to Rapoport's conclusion that people respond to the associations a place has with their own experience but they have to notice differences in what they see before they can make the association. The ide...
Oxygen-isotopic compositions of low-FeO relicts in high-FeO host chondrules in Acfer 094, a type 3.0 carbonaceous chondrite closely related to CM

With one exception, the low-FeO relict olivine grains within high-FeO porphyritic chondrules in the type 3.0 Acfer 094 carbonaceous chondrite have DELTA O-17 ( = delta O-17 - 0.52 X delta O-18) values that are substantially more negative than those of the high-FeO olivine host materials. These results are similar to observations made earlier on chondrules in C03.0 chondrites and are consistent with two independent models: (1) Nebular solids evolved from low-FeO, low-DELTA O-17 compositions towards high-FeO, more positive DELTA O-17 compositions; and (2) the range of compositions resulted from the mixing of two independently formed components. The two models predict different trajectories on a DELTA O-17 vs. log Fe/Mg (olivine) diagram, but our sample set has too few values at intermediate Fe/Mg ratios to yield a definitive answer. Published data showing that Acfer 094 has higher volatile contents than CO chondrites suggest a closer link to CM chondrites. This is consistent with the high modal matrix abundance in Acfer 094 (49 vol.%). Acfer 094 may be an unaltered CM chondrite or an exceptionally matrix-rich CO chondrite. Chondrules in Acfer 094 and in CO and CM carbonaceous chondrites appear to sample the same population. Textural differences between Acfer 094 and CM chondrites are largely attributable to the high degree of hydrothermal alteration that the CM chondrites experienced in an asteroidal setting.
Observations of the Atomic Structure of Tensile and Compressive Twin Boundaries and Twin–Twin Interactions in Zirconium

The boundary structures of twins in the hexagonal close-packed metal zirconium were studied. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the boundary structure of $$\{10\bar{1}2\}$$ (T1), $$\{\bar{1}\bar{1}21\}$$ (T2), and $$\{\bar{1}\bar{1}22\}$$ (C1) twins on the atomic level. Basal–prismatic (B–P) plane faceting is observed along the T1 twin boundaries, matching previous observations of T1 twins in magnesium. C1 twins are observed to form basal–pyramidal (B–Py) facets along otherwise perfect twin planes. T2 twins exhibit faceting that aligns prism planes with second-order pyramidal planes across the boundary (P–Py facets). As a function of the crystallography, T2 twins appear less likely to accommodate large deviations from perfect twin planes by P–Py faceting alone, and may rely on small dislocation-accommodated facets to achieve arbitrary boundary planes. The structure of these boundaries, specifically the modes by which faceting is permitted, has a direct impact on boundary mobility. In addition, the boundary structure of two C1 twins during a twin–twin interaction event is observed, and is compared to previous observations of tensile twin–twin interactions in magnesium.
Transaction management in an object-oriented data base system

Abstract The newer generation of data base applications requires modeling techniques more powerful than the ones offered by relational systems. Object-oriented data bases provide a promising alternative for advanced applications such as computer-aided design (CAD) and multimedia data bases (MMDB). However, many issues in object-oriented systems are still not well understood. Transaction management is one such issue. Transactions in advanced applications such as CAD and MMDB differ from those in conventional applications in many respects. Some of these differences include the duration of transactions, granularity of transaction management features, and complications arising out of various object-oriented characteristics such as class hierarchies, encapsulation, and inheritance. There is need for research in the area of transaction management in object-oriented data bases. The cooperating nature of transactions in applications such as CAD and MMDB requires the redefinition of concepts such as consistency and correctness. The notion of correctness used in conventional systems (i.e., serializability) is no longer appropriate in the object-oriented environment. In this article, we define an alternate transaction model that is more suitable for the kinds of applications arising in object-oriented data bases and develop correctness criteria for concurrent executions in such a system, taking into consideration the class and class composition hierarchies.
Voicing an Islamic Dante: The Problem of Translating the Commedia into Arabic

The Commedia of Dante Alighieri poses a range of problematic questions specific to the Muslim translator. Dante’s reliance upon Islamic sources, along with his polemical critique of the Muslim faithful, renders the Commedia one of the most challenging Christian texts to translate into an Islamic vernacular. Focussing upon Hasan ‹Uthmān’s Arabic edition of the Commedia, the present study seeks to identify the linguistic, literary and theological difficulties which must be addressed in rendering the Dantean canon for a Muslim audience. Exploring the intriguing textual complexities generated by ‹Uthmān’s Arabic Commedia, this paper reveals how the translation of Dante’s poem into the language of Islamic scripture provokes a subtle shift in its poetic constitution, as well as its religious import.
Continuous regulation of capacitive reactive power

A novel method for the continuous regulation of reactive power generated by a capacitor bank is presented. The two proposed control circuits consist of capacitor banks controlled by bidirectional switches which are built with antiparallel connected thyristor and GTO (gate turn-off thyristor) valves, or with two GTO valves. The current of the capacitor is regulated by turning off the GTO switch before zero current crossing. By tuning off the current, charge is trapped in the capacitor, resulting in a constant capacitor voltage. To avoid the current surge, the switch is turned on when the supply and capacitor voltage are equal. The current regulation is achieved by switching off the current for a part of each cycle. The feasibility of the method has been verified by extensive transient analysis. The advantage of the proposed system is the fast and continuous regulation of reactive power without inductance. >
Deletion mapping at 12p12-13 in metastatic prostate cancer.

The identification of homozygous deletions in malignant tissue is a powerful tool for the localization of tumor suppressor genes. Representational difference analysis (RDA) uses selective hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to isolate regions of chromosomal loss and has facilitated the identification of tumor suppressor genes, such as BRCA2 and PTEN. We have recently identified a 1–5-cM homozygous deletion on 12p12–13 in a prostate cancer xenograft and found that 47% of patients who died of prostate carcinoma demonstrate focal loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in this region in metastatic deposits. We have now characterized the region of interest by assembling a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contig spanning the homozygous deletion and identifying which known genes and expressed sequence tags (EST) lie within the homozygous deletion. A rib metastasis was harvested at autopsy and placed subcutaneously in a male SCID mouse. Genomic DNA from this xenograft and from the patient's normal renal tissue was extracted. Multiplex PCR, with the xenograft and normal DNA used as template, was performed using primers for loci on the Whitehead contig 12.1 believed to be near our region of interest. We found that our deletion lay in a 1–2-Mb interval between WI-664 and D12S358. We then used the same primers to construct a YAC contig across the homozygous deletion. PCR amplification of YAC DNA, using primers for the genomic sequences of known genes and ESTs reported to lie on 12p12–13, was used to identify candidate genes that lay within the deletion. Duplex PCR, with control primers known not to be deleted in the xenograft, was used to confirm that both the CDKN1B and ETV6 genes were homozygously deleted in the xenograft. Mutations in either or both of these genes may play an important role in metastatic prostate carcinoma. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 25:270–276, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Inversion of the Bloch transform in magnetic resonance imaging using asymmetric two-component inverse scattering

In magnetic resonance imaging, the relation between the radio-frequency modulation of the magnetic field and the desired final magnetisation state is called the Bloch transform. Selective excitation then amounts to inverting this transform, which is highly nonlinear. Previous attempts to formulate this problem as an inverse scattering problem have restricted attention to solutions using reflectionless potentials. The author uses fast numerical algorithms for inverse scattering problems to obtain a much larger set of solutions. Numerical examples are included.
Strain-induced self-organization of steps and islands in SiGe/Si multilayer films

It has recently been recognized that “stress management” may become a unique way of fabricating nanostructures, because structural self-assembly and self-organization can be strongly influenced by strain. In this article, we review recent studies of growth and ordering processes in multilayer films of alternating Si and SiGe layers with nanometer-layer spacing. The formation of ordered arrays, superlattices of step bunches, and three-dimensional (3-D) islands that exhibit remarkable spatial and size uniformity and very good long-range order, are demonstrated. Theoretical analyses and simulations based on elastic models are discussed to elucidate the lattice strain-induced formation and self-organization processes. The self-organized steps and 3-D islands provide a possible route for fabricating novel devices based on quantum wires and quantum dots.
Beyond comorbidity counts: how do comorbidity type and severity influence diabetes patients' treatment priorities and self-management?

BACKGROUND The majority of older adults have 2 or more chronic conditions and among patients with diabetes, 40% have at least three.
Fuzzification of set inclusion: theory and applications

Abstract Fuzzification of set inclusion for fuzzy sets is developed in terms of an indicator for set inclusion, the indicator giving the degree to which a fuzzy set is a subset of another fuzzy set. To date, such indicators have been called ‘inclusion grades’; however, in contrast to most existing indicators, it is proposed in the present paper that the indicator must be two-valued for crisp sets. The approach, herein, is to begin by postulating desired properties of indicators for fuzzified set inclusion, to then assume a specific mathematical form for such indicators, and then derive the necessary and sufficient conditions under which the specified formula gives rise to indicators possessing the desired properties. The investigation results in a very general class of indicators based on the bold union operation, and, most importantly, in a complete measure-theoretic characterization of this class. The characterization takes the form of a constrained representation providing explicit formulation for all indicators in the class of interest. The paper closes with applications of fuzzified set inclusion to shape recognition via image processing, in particular, mathematical morphology, and to the measurement of fuzziness in fuzzy sets by means of entropy.
Lack of delay in hepatic insulin transit as indicated by concordance of insulin secretory and peripheral insulin pulses

The liver is an important site of insulin metabolism and action. It has often been assumed that the liver may diminish the amplitude of the insulin secretory waveform without altering hepatic insulin transit time. However, the significant extraction and metabolism of hepatic insulin has the potential to delay hepatic insulin transit. To examine hepatic insulin transit, we studied the concordance of calculated insulin secretory peaks with peripheral insulin peaks in 12 healthy men of varying body weight and fat distribution. Adiposity was determined by percent body fat, and fat distribution by the waist to hip ratio. Arterialized peripheral venous samples for insulin and C-peptide assays were obtained every 2 minutes for 90 minutes. Pancreatic insulin secretion rates were estimated with individual C-peptide kinetics using a two-compartment model. Concordance between insulin secretory peaks and peripheral insulin peaks was assessed by the hypergeometric probability model. A significant concordance between secretory and peripheral insulin pulses was demonstrated in seven of 12 subjects (P < .00001). The mean pulse intervals for insulin secretion were similar to the mean pulse intervals for peripheral insulin. The degree of concordance between the insulin secretory peaks and peripheral insulin pulses was unrelated to adiposity or body fat distribution. Significant synchronicity exists between insulin secretory peaks and peripheral insulin peaks in healthy men. We conclude that despite significant hepatic insulin extraction and metabolism, hepatic insulin transit may not be delayed in healthy men.
Meal-stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretion and release of GI peptides in normal and nicotine-treated rats

In rats, treated chronically with saline and nicotine, we studied the postprandial release of gastrin and cholecystokinin by specific radioimmunoassays and simultaneously measured secretory outputs of the exocrine pancreas. Rats were prepared surgically with gastric and pancreatic fistulas. Meal-stimulated release of peptides and exocrine secretory outputs were measured 24 h postoperatively in conscious rats. Infusion of food via intragastric cannula significantly stimulated plasma gastrin levels in both control and nicotine treated rats. Postprandial gastrin levels in nicotine treated rats were significantly higher compared to gastrin levels obtained after food in untreated control rats. Plasma CCK levels were increased in both groups after food. These levels remained significantly elevated from the basal values only for a transient period following infusion of the liquid meal. There were no differences in postprandial plasma CCK levels between the two groups. Outputs of exocrine pancreatic volume, protein and trypsin increased significantly after food in both control and nicotine treated groups of rats. The differences in outputs of volume and protein between the two groups of rats were not significant; however, the trypsin outputs in the nicotine rats were decreased significantly when compared to control rats. The data indicate that in rats, administration of food stimulated the release of immunoreactive gastrin and CCK with concomitant increase in exocrine pancreatic secretions of volume, protein and trypsin. Chronic nicotine treatment and its effect on food, however, appeared to have induced hyperfunction of G-cells that resulted in increased gastrin secretion and a decrease in trypsin secretion by exocrine pancreas. These data may have important implications in the etiology of the development of exocrine pancreatic dysfunction in chronic smokers.
The chemical state of particulate sulfur in ambient aerosols determined by pixe analysis

Abstract By a combination of relative humidity control during aerosol particle sampling by cascade impactors and of elemental analysis for S and other elements by proton induced X-ray emission, ammonium sulfate may be distinguished from sulfuric acid as the principal chemical form of sulfur in fine aerosol particles of aerodynamic diameter 〈2 μm. In a laboratory test, two impactors sampled air simultaneously, one by first passing the air at a measured rate over a water surface in a horizontal tube, thus adjusting the relative humidity upward to a predetermined value, e.g. 98%, depending on tube length, and the other impactor by sampling the laboratory air directly. The dependence of mass median aerodynamic diameter on relative humidity indicated that ammonium sulfate, rather than sulfuric acid, is more abundant on the average in the 〈2 μm fine particle mode in these samples.
On the complexity of repeated principal agent games

We examine an infinitely repeated principal agent game without discounting (Radner [1985]), in which the agent may engage in multiple projects. We focus on “linear” strategies that summarize each history into a linear function of public outcomes, and select an action according to a single threshold rule. We claim that linear strategies significantly simplify the computation needed to make strategic decisions following each history. Despite the simplicity of linear strategies, we can virtually recover the folk theorem. For any individually rational payoff vector in the interior of the set of feasible expected payoff vectors, there exists a pair of linear strategies that form a Nash equilibrium supporting the target payoff. The equilibrium strategies and the equilibrium payoff vectors form a globally stable solution (Smale [1980]).
Back analysis of landslide susceptibility zonation mapping for the 2005 Kashmir earthquake: an assessment of the reliability of susceptibility zoning maps.

The October 2005 earthquake triggered several thousand landslides in the Lesser Himalaya of Kashmir in northern Pakistan and India. Analyses of ASTER satellite imagery from 2001 were compared with a study undertaken in 2005; the results show the extent and nature of pre- and co-/post-seismic landsliding. Within a designated study area of ~2,250 km2, the number of landslides increased from 369 in 2001 to 2,252 in October 2005. Assuming a balanced baseline landsliding frequency over the 4 years, most of the new landslides were likely triggered by the 2005 earthquake and its aftershocks. These landslides mainly happened in specific geologic formations, along faults, rivers and roads, and in shrubland/grassland and agricultural land. Preliminary results from repeat photographs from 2005 and 2006 after the snowmelt season reveal that much of the ongoing landsliding occurred along rivers and roads, and the extensive earthquake-induced fissuring. Although the susceptibility zoning success rate for 2001 was low, many of the co-/post-seismic landsliding in 2005 occurred in areas that had been defined as being potentially dangerous on the 2001 map. While most of the area in 2001 was (very) highly susceptible to future landsliding, most of the area in 2005 was only moderate to low susceptible, that is, most of the landsliding in 2005 actually occurred in the potentially dangerous areas on the 2001 map. This study supports the view that although susceptibility zoning maps represent a powerful tool in natural hazard management, caution is needed when developing and using such maps.
The role of ethylene in the control of cell division in cultured pea root tips: a mechanism to explain the excision effect

A transitory cell division block, or excision effect, occurs in the meristem of roots after excision and transfer to culture medium. This block can be induced, in intact seedling roots, by exogenous treatment with ethylene gas. With continuous treatment, the block is longer and the recovery less than after a 4 hour pulse. In excised roots the excision effect can be eliminated by treatment with an inhibitor of ethylene synthesis (aminoethoxyvinylglycine) or action (silver thiosulfate). These experiments provide evidence to support the hypothesis that ethylene from the wounded end of an excised root is involved in a process resulting in a transitory block in cell cycle progression in the meristem. The implications of this hypothesis are discussed.
Optical Measurements In High-Pressure Diamond-Anvil Cells

A typical sample that can be accommodated in a high-pressure diamond-anvil cell is about 300 μm in diam and 100 μm thick. In this microscopic working volume we observed phase transitions of various condensed gases. Pressures were determined from measurements of fluorescence line shift in a ruby chip imbedded in the sample. We observed freezing in the gases and we conclude that solid phase transitions can be detected by the sudden changes they cause in depolarization of transmitted light, even when viewed through stressed diamond anvils.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Recombinant vaccine displaying the loop-neutralizing determinant from protective antigen completely protects rabbits from experimental inhalation anthrax.

ABSTRACT We previously showed that a multiple antigenic peptide (MAP) vaccine displaying amino acids (aa) 304 to 319 from the 2β2-2β3 loop of protective antigen was capable of protecting rabbits from an aerosolized spore challenge with Bacillus anthracis Ames strain. Antibodies to this sequence, referred to as the loop-neutralizing determinant (LND), are highly potent at neutralizing lethal toxin yet are virtually absent in rabbit and human protective antigen (PA) antiserum. While the MAP vaccine was protective against anthrax, it contains a single heterologous helper T cell epitope which may be suboptimal for stimulating an outbred human population. We therefore engineered a recombinant vaccine (Rec-LND) containing two tandemly repeated copies of the LND fused to maltose binding protein, with enhanced immunogenicity resulting from the p38/P4 helper T cell epitope from Schistosoma mansoni. Rec-LND was found to be highly immunogenic in four major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-diverse strains of mice. All (7/7) rabbits immunized with Rec-LND developed high-titer antibody, 6 out of 7 developed neutralizing antibody, and all rabbits were protected from an aerosolized spore challenge of 193 50% lethal doses (LD50) of the B. anthracis Ames strain. Survivor serum from Rec-LND-immunized rabbits revealed significantly increased neutralization titers and specific activity compared to prechallenge levels yet lacked PA or lethal factor (LF) antigenemia. Control rabbits immunized with PA, which were also completely protected, appeared sterilely immune, exhibiting significant declines in neutralization titer and specific activity compared to prechallenge levels. We conclude that Rec-LND may represent a prototype anthrax vaccine for use alone or potentially combined with PA-containing vaccines.
Quickest change point detection with sampling right constraints

In this paper, quickest detection problem with sample right constraints is considered. Specifically, there is a sequence of samples whose probability density function will change at an unknown time. The goal is to detect such a change in a way that a linear combination of the detection delay and false alarm probability is minimized. However, one can take at most N observations from this random sequence. In this paper, we show that the cost function can be written as a set of iterative functions, which can be solved by optimal Markov stopping theorem. The optimal stopping rule is shown to be a threshold rule. To assist the analysis of the optimal scheme, several schemes whose delay performances bound the delay performance of the optimal scheme are developed. Asymptotic performance analysis indicates that the performance of the quickest detection with sample right constraints is close to that of the classic Bayesian quickest detection for several scenarios of practical interest.
Temperature- and pH-Responsive Self-assembly of Poly(propylene oxide)-b-Poly(lysine) Block Copolymers in Aqueous Solution

A series of poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(l-lysine) (PPO-PK) block copolymers were synthesized using Huisgen’s 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, and the solution self-assembly was studied using transmission electron microscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and dynamic and static light scattering techniques. In contrast to previous studies of poly(lysine)-based block copolymers, PPO-PK exhibits a significant shift in the pH associated with the helix–coil transition of the poly(lysine) block, potentially a result of decreased hydrophobicity in the core PPO block. Given the proximity of the lower critical solution temperature of the PPO block, these materials exhibit both pH and temperature-responsive (i.e., “schizophrenic”) self-assembly, the latter of which was interpreted in terms of changes in the second osmotic virial coefficient. Finally, the vesicle morphology obtained from these polymers was studied for the propensity in drug encapsulation and passive release.
Man's Relation to Man in Africa

~~~~~~~~~~~~~I INTENT on understanding the choices peoples make in ordering their lives and the justification they feel for their choices, anthropologists are committed to probe not only the institutions and patterned ways of doing, but also different systems of values and the philosophical premises underlying them. This area of research puts objectivity to its most rigorous test. Only one who had experienced no enculturation might approach the study of a particular culture without presuppositions about the nature of man, his position in a universe (however defined), his relations with other men, and similar aspects of a world view; but such a person could hardly produce the kind of data expected of an objective scientist. Ignorance does not equal objectivity; only knowledge of a wide range of belief and behavior, together with conscious application of the principle of cultural relativism, can lead to a nearly unbiased response to the question, "Why do men behave as they do?" In order to avoid the distortion that results from preconceptions, one should describe values in the indigenous language and in an order that flows from the philosophical system of the people who hold those values. Such perfect description is seldom accomplished, for aside from the difficulty of making it intelligible to those unfamiliar with the culture, it does not lend itself to compara
SEROSURVEY FOR SELECTED VIRAL DISEASES AND DEMOGRAPHY OF AFRICAN WILD DOGS IN TANZANIA

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are endangered, with only 3,000–5,000 remaining in the wild. It is believed that wild dogs are unusually vulnerable to viral diseases, particularly rabies and canine distemper (CDV). However, canine distemper has been confirmed by laboratory diagnosis in only one free-living wild dog. The 43,000 km2 Selous Game Reserve (SGR; Tanzania) holds approximately 900 adult wild dogs. In a study area of 2,600 km2, the population maintained high density (≥1 dog/20.5 km2) from 1991 to 1996. The population was stable, varying 18% below and 9% above the mean density over the 6-yr period. Serum samples (n = 22) collected over 3 yr showed that most individuals were exposed to CDV (59%: 95% confidence interval = 43–76% seropositive) and canine parvovirus (68%: 95% CI = 54–81% seropositive), although none were seropositive for rabies (0%: 95% CI = 0–17%). CDV titers were positively related to age, with no seropositive dogs younger than 1.9 yr. At least five of 13 dogs positive for CDV sero...
Changes in surgical loads and economic burden of hip and knee replacements in the US: 1997-2004.

Objective A major component of the economic burden associated with the treatment of arthritis relates to surgical joint replacements of the hips/knees. The purpose of this study was to describe the recent trend of hip/knee replacements and the associated economic burden. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Survey from 1997 to 2004 was analyzed. The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification procedure coding was used to identify joint replacement cases. Results During 2004, ∼225,900 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 201,782–250,018) primary hip replacements and 431,485 (95% CI 397,454–465,516) primary knee replacements were performed. This was a 37% increase in primary hip replacements and a 53% increase in primary knee replacements compared with 2000. The number of primary replacement procedures increased equally for males and females; however, the number of procedures increased excessively among persons age 45–64 years. While Medicare remained the major source of payment (55.4% for primary hip replacements, 59.3% for primary knee replacements), private insurance payment experienced a steeper increase. In 2004, the national bill of hospital charges for hip/knee replacements was $26.0 billion, the hospital cost was $9.1 billion, and the amount of reimbursement was $7.2 billion (28% of hospital charges or 79% of hospital cost). Nearly 600,000 hip replacements and 1.4 million knee replacements will be performed in the year 2015. Conclusion The number of joint replacement procedures performed is growing faster than ever. The health care community should consider and prepare for this upcoming demand of surgical loads and its associated economical burden.
Polarizing frequency of a fluid plasma antenna element

Plasma antennas are a new concept in adaptive antennas. This work uses the fluid plasma model developed in (Michael Robinson, Master's thesis, Rensselaer Poly. Inst., 2003), and presents an expression for the current distribution of a plasma antenna element. It then makes some comments regarding the frequencies at which the antenna element is properly polarized. Although the results are valid specifically for an element in the shape of a prism, the general solution procedure will work for other geometries.
Mast cell immunohistochemistry: non-immunological immunostaining mediated by non-specific F(ab′)2-mast cell secretory granule interaction

During investigations of murine and human mast cell immunoreactivity with potential anti-interleukin-4 antibodies, non-specific, non-immunological labelling of mouse and human mast cells became apparent. Non-specific, non-immunological labelling was identified by (i) immunolabelling of mast cells when using control isotype primary antibodies, (ii) ability of conjugated secondary antibodies to label mast cells without prior mast cell exposure to a primary antibody, (iii) extinction of the non-specific labelling and retention of specific labelling when the pH of the diluting and washing buffers is shifted from pH 7.2 to pH 6.0, and (iv) reduction/extinction of the labelling when the antibodies are pre-incubated with soluble heparin prior to immunostaining. The site of the reactivity on the electron microscope level was shown to be confined to the mast cell secretory granules. The results of this study support the hypothesis that non-specific labelling of mast cells results from an ionic interaction between the F(ab′)2 segments of antibodies and the heparin constituent of the mast cell secretory granules. This study points out the necessity of stringent controls when using immunohistochemistry to determine mast cell reactivity to various antibodies.
Simulation of Dissipative Trapped-Electron Instability in Linear Geometry

A simulation model has been developed to study the low-frequency trapped-particle instability in a linear geometry. Low-frequency drift instabilities identified as the dissipative trapped-electron mode grow accompanied with the turbulent transport of a plasma. Measured electron heat conductivity is a few times larger than the particle diffusion. 10 refs., 4 figs.
Systematic Distortions in Urban Cognitive Maps

Abstract Aggregate cognitive maps of urban areas differ from cartographic maps for reasons other than differences in the mobility and idiosyncratic experiences of individuals. Systematic distortions in aggregate urban cognitive maps may be caused by the cognitive processes used to code spatial information into memory or to retrieve it from memory and by the way these processes relate to a particular urban area. A purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which systematic distortions are present in aggregate urban cognitive maps and to investigate the causes of such distortions. Subjects from three neighborhoods were asked to provide estimates of distances and directions between 105 pairs of landmarks. We analyzed differences between these estimates and true distances and directions to determine if the patterns of distortions were significantly different among the three neighborhoods. Differences for the three samples appeared to be related to the scale and orientation of the aggregate cognitive...
How do alcohol and relationship type affect women's risk judgment of partners with differing risk histories?

Understanding how women judge male partners’ sexual risk is important to developing risk reduction programs. Applying a cognitive mediation model of sexual decision making, our study investigated effects of alcohol consumption (control, low dose, high dose) and relationship type (disrupted vs. new) on women’s risk judgments of a male sexual partner in three sexual risk conditions (low, unknown, high). After random assignment to an experimental condition, 328 participants projected themselves into a story depicting a sexual interaction. The story was paused to assess primary appraisals of sexual and relationship potential and secondary appraisals of pleasure, health, and relationship concerns, followed by sexual risk judgments. In all risk conditions, alcohol and disrupted relationship increased sexual potential whereas disrupted relationship increased relationship potential in the low- and high-risk conditions. In the unknown-risk condition, women in the no-alcohol, new relationship condition had the lowest primary sexual appraisals. In all conditions, sexual appraisals predicted all secondary appraisals, but primary relationship appraisals predicted only secondary relationship appraisals. Secondary health appraisals led to increased risk judgments whereas relationship appraisals predicted lower risk judgments. Possible intervention points include helping women to re-evaluate their safety beliefs about past partners, as well as to develop behavioral strategies for decreasing hazardous drinking.
Developing a global dimension in teacher education: The Florida international university experience

(1982). Developing a global dimension in teacher education: The Florida international university experience. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 21, Global Education, pp. 212-217.
A Precision Dose Control Circuit for Maskless E-Beam Lithography With Massively Parallel Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanofibers

This paper describes a highly accurate dose control circuit (DCC) for the emission of a desired number of electrons from vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) in a massively parallel maskless e-beam lithography system. The parasitic components within the VACNF device cause a premature termination of the electron emission, resulting in underexposure of the photoresist. In this paper, we compensate for the effects of the parasitic components and noise while reducing the area of the chip and achieving a precise count of emitted electrons from the VACNFs to obtain the optimum dose for the e-beam lithography.
Identification of human sperm surface glycoproteins recognized by autoantisera from immune infertile men, women, and vasectomized men.

To identify the surface antigens of human sperm recognized by antisera from immune infertility patients and vasectomized men the authors labelled sperm surface proteins with I- and used patient antisera for immunoprecipitation. Sera were studied from 27 infertile males 18 infertile females and 4 vasectomized males each possessing antisperm antibodies detected by immunobead binding. Sera from different infertile males different infertile females and vasectomized males were remarkably similar in their surface antigen recognition. The different sera specifically immunoprecipitated the small group of I-labelled surface proteins which included polypeptides in the region 90 kDa 40-45 kDa and 26 kDa. Treatment with N-glycanase showed that the proteins of 90 kDa 40-45 kDa and 26 kDa were glycoproteins with N-linked carbohydrate. The immunoprecipitated I-labelled proteins and the total extract of I-labelled surface proteins were compared on 2-dimensional (2D) gels. The results show that 90 kDa polypeptide is a major sperm surface component whereas 40-45 kDa and 26 kDa polypeptides are minor components. The 2D gel comparison also indicates that 90 kDa 40-45 kDa and 26 kDa are a small subset of the total ensemble of sperm surface proteins. Clinical data suggest antibodies to these few proteins interfere with sperm function. (authors)
Effect of the Look AHEAD Study Intervention on Medication Use and Related Cost to Treat Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Objective: To examine the effect of a lifestyle intervention to produce weight loss and increased physical fitness on use and cost of medications to treat cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes. Research Design and Method: Look AHEAD is a multi-center randomized controlled trial of 5,145 overweight or obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, aged 45-76 years. An intensive lifestyle intervention involving group and individual meetings to achieve and maintain weight loss through decreased caloric intake and increased physical activity (ILI) was compared with a diabetes support and education (DSE) condition. Medications prescribed to treat diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia were compared at baseline and 1-year. Medication costs were conservatively estimated using prices from a national on-line pharmacy. Results: Participants randomized to ILI had significantly greater improvements in CVD risk parameters and reduced medication use and cost compared to DSE. At 1-year, average number of medications prescribed to treat CVD risk factors was 3.1±1.8 for ILI and 3.6±1.8 for DSE (P Conclusions: At 1 year, ILI significantly improved CVD risk factors while at the same time reducing medication use and cost. Continued intervention and follow-up will determine whether these changes are maintained and reduce CV risk.
Shakespeare in Spain and Spanish America

THE purpose of this study has been to ascertain how much interest there is and has been in the great English dramatist among the peoples of Spanish speech. There are many things that indicate such an interest,' but only a small part of the field can be considered here. I started out merely to investigate the matter of Spanish translations of Shakespeare's works, but the performance of his plays is so closely connected with translation that I have included some consideration of that. Admittedly, there are many and large gaps in my material, but perhaps it may suggest to some other interested person a more thorough study of the field. I expect to do nothing more with it myself. One of the difficulties one encounters in studying the translations is that of determining which titles are real translations, which are refundiciones and which are original Spanish plays with little or nothing of Shakespeare except the title. It is clear that very many are refundiciones,2 often made from French versions rather than from the English. Furthermore, versions that are called translations have frequently been made from French translations. Some of the versions are parodies, some are zarzuelas, some are operettas, and others are difficult to classify. I soon gave up trying to classify them, because, after all, whatever the type, they all indicate an interest in Shakespeare, and that is what I am looking for. I do not know whether Spaniards have given Shakespeare as much attention as people of other important countries but I am inclined to suspect not. In Spain and other nations of Spanish speech, the people could turn to Lope de Vega, to Tirso de Molina, Calder6n, Ruiz de Alarc6n, Rojas Zorrilla, and to others for good theatre. Those very names suggest a reason why Spain did not take Shakespeare so enthusiastically as, say, Germany and Russia. Spain had a good and well established national theatre of its own, untainted by the neoclassicism against which most