cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cognitive, Academic, and Attitudinal Predictors of the Grade Point Averages of College Students with Learning Disabilities:

This study examined cognitive, academic, and attitudinal predictors of college grade point average (GPA) among college students with learning disabilities (LD). The study population included 84 youth who attended a large private university in the midwestern United States. Measures of cognitive and academic functioning, along with a self-report measure of study habits and study attitudes, were used to predict college GPA. The results indicated that Full Scale IQ and one factor on the self-reported study habits scale accounted for a significant amount of variance in students' college GPA. These findings suggest that variables other than traditional cognitive and academic skills are important for determining the performance of youth with LD during college. The implications of these findings for future research efforts and practice are discussed.
An introduction to Stephen C. Pepper’s philosophical system via World Hypotheses: A Study in Evidence

Attention was called to the pregnant philosophical contribution of Stephen C. Pepper and to contemporary applications of his thought within various fields, especially psychology. Special attention was also called to the fact that general experimental psychologists as a group do not appear to be familiar with Pepper’s World Hypotheses text. This writing was designed to serve as an introduction to this work and thereby to Pepper’s philosophical system; this effort was directed expressly at members of The Psychonomic Society, most of whom are experimental psychologists.
Current dependency of the gain-frequency characteristics of inversely operated transistors

Inversely operated transistors show a gain-frequency characteristic whose logarithmic slope is a function of the current density.
Maternal methadone dosing schedule and fetal neurobehaviour.

Objective. Daily methadone maintenance is the standard of care for opiate dependency during pregnancy. Previous research has indicated that single-dose maternal methadone administration significantly suppresses fetal neurobehaviours. The purpose of this study was to determine if split-dosing would have less impact on fetal neurobehaviour than single-dose administration.Methods. Forty methadone-maintained women were evaluated at peak and trough maternal methadone levels on single- and split-dosing schedules. Monitoring sessions occurred at 36- and 37-weeks gestation in a counterbalanced study design. Fetal measures included heart rate, variability, accelerations, motor activity and fetal movement-heart rate coupling (FM-FHR). Maternal measures included heart period, variability, skin conductance, respiration and vagal tone. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used to evaluate within-subject changes between split- and single-dosing regimens.Results. All fetal neurobehavioural parameters were suppresse...
Endogenous C-type viral expression in primates.

C-TYPE viruses are genetically transmitted in species representing several orders of vertebrates (for review see refs 1 and 2). So far the isolation of endogenous viruses of primates has been limited to species of Papio3–5 although related viral nucleic acid sequences have been detected in cellular DNAs of several other Old World monkeys6. The extent of divergence of known endogenous primate viruses should be useful in predicting properties of the gene products of evolutionary related endogenous viruses of primates from which such viruses have yet to be isolated. We report here an investigation of the antigenic divergence of different structural proteins of prototype endogenous primate C-type virus isolates. Endogenous viral antigen expression was also examined in tissues of primate species, representing the major genera of the order Anthropoidea. Immunologically divergent gene products of endogenous viruses were found to be expressed in tissues of Old World monkeys, including many species that have not yet yielded complete virus. These findings, together with the marked variations in viral antigen expression demonstrated among different primate genera, have implications for endogenous virus regulation in primates and the search for related viruses of humans.
Computed tomographic peritoneography prior to intraperitoneal chemotherapy in advanced müllerian cancer: a pilot study

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to utilize computed tomographic peritoneography (CTP) to assess distribution prior to intraperitoneal chemotherapy for advanced mullerian cancer. Methods Nineteen patients were submitted to CTP. A novel 6-point peritoneal distribution index was developed and applied to the patients prospectively. Results The median peritoneal distribution index was 6 (range, 4–6). The most common region for incomplete peritoneal distribution correlated to the right subphrenic space. Conclusion Further studies are needed to determine the impact of inadequate distribution on recurrence and survival.
Cloning of a rat kidney cDNA that stimulates dibasic and neutral amino acid transport and has sequence similarity to glucosidases.

Abstract The transport of amino acids across cell membranes is believed to be mediated by integral membrane proteins with distinct substrate specificities. Using expression cloning in Xenopus oocytes and assaying for the uptake of 14C-labeled cystine, we isolated a 2.3-kilobase cDNA (D2) from a rat kidney library. D2 is expressed specifically in kidney and intestine and induces the transport of both neutral and cationic amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence predicts a 78-kDa protein with a single transmembrane domain, a structure not typical of the known membrane transport proteins, which generally have multiple membrane-spanning regions. The putative extracellular region is highly similar to the 4F2 heavy-chain cell surface antigen and to a family of alpha-glucosidases, which raises the possibility that D2 encodes a transport activator or regulatory subunit.
A high speed transmitter for visible light communications upto 50 Mbps

A high speed, low-cost transmitter for visible light communication has been developed. The PCB design has been optimized for high frequency operation using surface-mounted devices. A two-stage on-chip amplifier has been used to amplify the square-wave pulses up to 50 MHz fundamental frequency, which is limited by the measurement setup. The frequency components up to eleventh harmonic have been observed in the amplified signal. The transmitter driver has been used to operate a high-brightness LED and the transmission up to 25 MHz–50 Mbps (using NRZ) has been attained.
Phase Separation in AlxGa1-xAs Nanowhiskers Grown by the Solution-Liquid-Solid Mechanism

Low-temperature growth of AlxGa1-xAs by the solution-liquid-solid mechanism affords nanowhiskers having two specific overall compositions: x = 0.1 and 0.8. Intermediate compositions (0.1 < x < 0.8) are inaccessible by the method employed. Examination of the nanowhiskers by transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and annealing studies indicates that they possess compositionally modulated nanostructures. The observed compositional modulation consists of alternating comparatively Al-rich and Ga-rich AlxGa1-xAs domains with dimensions of 3-20 nm. The spontaneous phase separation, which occurs during growth, appears to be kinetically driven, and the resulting phase-separated nanostructures appear to be, therefore, metastable rather than stable. Spontaneous phase separation in AlxGa1-xAs, which strongly influences its photoemission behavior, is not well understood theoretically.
The Effect of Sequential Injuries on Splanchnic Perfusion and Eicosanoid Release

Background.This study examines the hypothesis that sequential burn injury followed by intraabdominal sepsis induces significantly greater splanchnic hypoperfusion and reduced intestinal PGI2release than either injury independently.Materials and methods.Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to one of four groups: BURN (45% body surface area scald burn) + cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); BURN alone; CLP alone; or uninjured controls (SHAM). Twenty-four hours following injury, superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow was measured with a doppler flow probe. Splanchnic eicosanoid release (6-keto-PGF1α, metabolite of PGE2; TxB2, metabolite of TxA2; and PGE2) was measured in mesenteric venous effluent utilizing an isolated, perfused bowel preparation.Results.SMA blood flow was no different than that of controls 72 h following BURN injury alone; whereas CLP alone resulted in a 80% reduction in splanchnic blood flow when compared with controls (P< 0.001). SMA blood flow in animals sustaining BURN + CLP was only modestly reduced from controls (P= 0.04) and 3.6 times greater than that of animals sustaining CLP alone (P< 0.001). PGI2was the dominant eicosanoid released by the intestine with levels 10 times greater than TxB2and nearly 50 times greater than PGE2. CLP either alone or when combined with BURN was associated with a 60% decrease in splanchnic PGI2release when compared to controls (P< 0.05).Conclusions.These data suggest that moderate BURN injury in rats attenuates the severe reduction in splanchnic perfusion associated with intraabdominal sepsis and that this occurs despite profound reductions in the release of the endogenous splanchnic vasodilator PGI2.
Embryonic development of an endoparasitoid, Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in cell line-conditioned media.

Embryos of the parasitoidMicropolitis croceipes develop from pregerm band stage to first larval instar in cell culture medium conditioned by a cell line (IPLB-LdFB) derived from fat body from an atypical hostLymantria dispar. However, the percentage of eggs that develop normally to the first larval instar stage is significantly less than for those maintained in IPL-52B medium conditioned with host fat body tissue. Therefore, we examined the capacity of five insect cell lines to promote growth and development of pregerm band eggs in five media, IPL-52B, TC-199, TC-100, Grace’s, and ExCell 400. The developmental response ofM. croceipes was dependent both on the cell line and the cell culture medium used. TC-100, TC-199, and Grace’s media promoted development to the germ band stage without the need for conditioning with host tissue. IPL-52B supported development to the germ hand stage when a defined lipid concentrate was added. In IPL-52B medium, the IPLB-LdFB cell line promoted a significantly higher number of eggs developing to germ band relative to the other cell lines; however, none of the cell line-conditioned IPL-52B medium significantly stimulated egg hatch relative to the control medium. None of the cell line-conditioned Grace’s media had a significant effect on eggs attaining germ band stage compared with the Grace’s control medium. However, Grace’s medium conditioned with the IAL-TND1 and IPLB-LdFB cell lines promoted development beyond germ band, resulting in a significantly higher percentage of hatching eggs than the Grace’s control medium. Although the BCIRL-HZ-AMI cell line, which is derived from the parasitoid’s typical host, did not induce hatch in either IPL-52B medium or Grace’s medium, it promoted hatch in TC-199 and Excell 400 media. Fat body taken from the same species that the cell lines were derived from was a better predictor of a cell line’s embryotrophic activity in Grace’s medium rather than in IPL-52B medium. Thus, the composition of the medium and the species and tissue type of the cell line source must be evaluated interactively to determine optimal conditions for promoting development ofM. croceipes in vitro.
Favorite cigarette of the day in a random sample of women smokers.

From a Random Digit Dialing survey of American women, we assessed current smokers (n = 371). Respondents were 33.6 ± 7.6 years old, 49.6% married, and 87.6% White, with an FTND score of 3.9 ± 2.6. When asked “which cigarette of the day would be the most difficult for you to give up?” 30 women gave uncodable responses and 341 women provided answers subsequently coded into 5 categories: FIRST; 43.7%, MEAL; 29.3%, LAST; 13.8%, ROUTINE; 7.3%, and ENHANCE; 5.9%. Response groups differed significantly on age (p<.01), smoking rate (p<.001), time to first cigarette (p<.001), and self-rated health (p<.05). In Post Hoc analyses, FIRST were older, smoked more cigarettes/day, and smoked sooner after waking than at least one other group. LAST smoked the fewest cigarettes/day, and ENHANCE rated their health significantly better than did all other groups. The FTND is coded as 1 for “first” and 0 for any other response. Examining more closely the richness contained in that “other” category is a novel approach that may prove useful as a phenotyping tool.
Understanding and Reducing Faculty Reluctance to Improve Teaching

Many believe college instructors resist new teaching practices. In this article, the author develops a hypothesis to understand resistant faculty members, focusing on their likely educational experiences and on insights from psychology. Using Dweck's conception of self-theories and Fischer's conception of dynamic skill-theory, she defends the hypothesis that those who view teaching ability as a talent will not alter practice for fear of reaching the limit of their talent. In response, institutions should encourage risk taking and discourage the psychologically easier path of not changing. This can be done with institutional structures that support each individual—support that does not depend on the individual's continual success and embraces failures that are the result of considered risk taking.
Analysis of cell packets in elongating plant tissue

A general description is given for the meristem of elongating organs such as for stem internode, monocotyledonous leaf and roots. The meristem is viewed as a cellular organization rather than traditionally as a region with certain growth dynamics; cell lineages are inspected and analyzed by cell packet features. Three features of the meristem are described by the displacement of the distal (bottom) transverse wall of a cell: (a) the duration of time the cell and its derivatives spend in the meristem, (b) the duration of cell cycle and (c) the number of cells in a clone derived from a meristematic cell. Cell packet analyses of data from the internode of the Purple Heart (Setcreasea) and the top epidermis of the leaf of the Wandering Jew (Zebrina) indicate meristem lengths of 33 and 50 cells, respectively, while growth and cell division rates in the meristem for both species follow Gaussian distributions.
Structure of Bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalenium Dichlorocyanoselenate (2:1), (BEDT-TTF)2Cl2SeCN

Abstract The synthesis and crystal structure of the new organic semiconductor (BEDT-TTF)2Cl2SeCN [BEDT-TTF = bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene] is described. The salt is isostructural with (BEDT-TTF)2Br2SeCN, reported earlier.
Identification and management of severe respiratory syncytial virus.

Purpose. Identifying children at risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) so that the most appropriate management strategies can be implemented, thereby reducing the morbidity associated with this disease, is discussed. Summary. RSV infection is associated with a variety of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild cold-like symptoms to more severe disease. The majority of infants infected with RSV develop mild upper respiratory tract disease during their initial RSV infection. However, more severe RSV disease can occur when the lower respiratory tract becomes involved, with symptoms escalating to include significant wheezing and chest-wall retractions, as well as cyanosis and tachypnea in the most severe cases. Extrapulmonary manifestations of RSV disease also have been observed, such as sepsis-like syndrome and arrhythmias. Factors that increase the risk of acquiring RSV infection have been identified, along with factors that increase the risk of severe RSV disease. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that clinicians assess risk factors for severe disease when making decisions regarding evaluation and management of children with bronchiolitis. There is currently no curative treatment for RSV infection, and management primarily involves the treatment of specific symptoms. The AAP developed clinical practice guidelines to provide an evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of bronchiolitis in children aged one month to two years, with detailed recommendations on which therapies are appropriate for children with more severe RSV disease. Conclusion. The AAP developed specific guidelines for the management of RSV bronchiolitis; however, treatment is primarily supportive and has been shown to be suboptimal in many patients. Because of the limitations associated with the management of RSV disease, prevention remains of paramount importance, especially in patients at high risk for severe disease.
The origins and early evolution of DNA mismatch repair genes—multiple horizontal gene transfers and co-evolution

To understand the evolutionary process of the DNA mismatch repair system, we conducted systematic phylogenetic analysis of its key components, the bacterial MutS and MutL genes and their eukaryotic homologs. Based on genome-wide homolog searches, we identified three new MutS subfamilies (MutS3-5) in addition to the previously studied MutS1 and MutS2 subfamilies. Detailed evolutionary analysis strongly suggests that frequent ancient horizontal gene transfer (HGT) occurred with both MutS and MutL genes from bacteria to eukaryotes and/or archaea. Our results further imply that the origins of mismatch repair system in eukaryotes and archaea are largely attributed to ancient HGT from bacteria instead of vertical evolution. Specifically, the eukaryotic MutS and MutL homologs likely originated from endosymbiotic ancestors of mitochondria or chloroplasts, indicating that not only archaea, but also bacteria are important sources of eukaryotic DNA metabolic genes. The archaeal MutS1 and MutL homologs were also acquired from bacteria simultaneously through HGT. Moreover, the distribution and evolution profiles of the MutS1 and MutL genes suggest that they have undergone long-term coevolution. Our work presents an overall portrait of the evolution of these important genes in DNA metabolism and also provides further understanding about the early evolution of cellular organisms.
Role of two carbon phases in oxygen reduction reaction on the Co–PPy–C catalyst

Abstract In spite of a significant progress in their performance in recent years, the heat-treated metal-nitrogen–carbon (M-N–C) non-precious metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are in need of further improvement to match the activity and, especially, the stability of Pt-based nanoparticle catalysts of oxygen reduction. A better understanding of the role of individual components in M-N–C catalysts is vital for the development of more advanced formulations. In this work, using a cobalt-polypyrrole-carbon catalyst system as an example, we demonstrate that carbon originating from the organic nitrogen precursor (ONP) has different properties than the carbon support. Unlike the carbon originating from polypyrrole, the support carbon helps to enhance ORR performance but negatively impacts the stability. To the best of our knowledge, this may be the first time that the properties of the ONP-derived carbon are being differentiated from the properties of carbon in the carbon support, emphasizing the potential importance of carbon phases in ORR electrocatalysis on heat-treated M-N–C catalysts.
The Fas-FasL death receptor and PI3K pathways independently regulate monocyte homeostasis

Peripheral blood-derived monocytes spontaneously undergo apoptosis mediated by Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) interactions. Activation of monocytes by LPS or TNF-alpha prevents spontaneous monocyte apoptosis through an unknown mechanism. Here, we demonstrate that LPS and TNF-alpha up-regulate Flip and suppress spontaneous Fas-FasL mediated monocyte apoptosis and caspase 8 and 3 activation. Flip was responsible for this protection, since inhibition of Flip by antisense oligonucleotides in the presence of LPS or TNF-alpha restored monocyte sensitivity to spontaneous apoptosis. We also investigated whether the PI3K pathway contributes to the suppression of spontaneous monocyte apoptosis mediated by LPS and TNF-alpha. Monocytes treated with a reversible PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) displayed enhanced apoptosis, while LPS and TNF-alpha partially protected against apoptosis mediated by LY294002. However, direct suppression of Fas-FasL interactions by addition of neutralizing anti-FasL antibody did not further suppress LY294002-induced apoptosis in the presence of LPS or TNF-alpha. Collectively, these data demonstrate that LPS or TNF-alpha protect monocytes from death receptor-mediated apoptosis through the up-regulation of Flip, but not apoptosis initiated by inhibition of the PI3K pathway.
Nucleation and condensation in the primitive solar nebula

It is pointed out that the primitive solar nebula may be modeled using the frictionally induced transport theory of Lynden-Bell and Pringle (1974) if the principal frictional mechanism within the nebula is turbulent viscosity. The present investigation is concerned with the construction of a model of a section of the primitive solar nebula as a basis for the study of nucleation and condensation processes within this section. The construction involves a relatively simple application of the Lynden-Bell and Pringle theory subject to steady mass flow conditions. The calculations which are conducted in connection with the investigation indicate that by the time the gas in the primitive solar nebula has become sufficiently supercooled to nucleate condensation centers, several different compounds, including the magnesium silicates forsterite and enstatite (MgSiO3), will probably be able to condense on the growing condensation center.
Energy and Structure of Few-Boson Systems

The energies of systems comprised of N = 2–8 bosons interacting with various potentials are calculated using the Stochastic Variational Method with an Explicitly Correlated Gaussian basis. Besides the energies, particle–particle distances and correlation functions are also calculated and structural properties are discussed.
DURUM WHEAT AND THE EXPANSION OF DRY FARMING IN THE SOVIET UNION

(1956). DURUM WHEAT AND THE EXPANSION OF DRY FARMING IN THE SOVIET UNION. Annals of the Association of American Geographers: Vol. 46, No. 4, pp. 405-410.
Little energetic limitation to microporous and mesoporous materials

A series of pure-silica or high-silica zeolites, several mesoporous silicas, moganite, and the conventional silica polymorphs (tridymite, cristobalite, coesite, glass) are energetically, at most, 15 kJ/mol higher than quartz, with the energy versus volume curve leveling off about 15 kJ per mol of SiO2 above quartz for large volumes. For AlPO4 polymorphs, a similar trend holds, with energy leading off at an even less metastable value, namely about 10 kJ per mol of Al0.5P0.5O2 above berlinite. These small energy differences are consistent with self assembly of these materials being geometrically and kinetically, rather than energetically, controlled. Thus there is very little energetic limitation to the possibility of synthesizing various micro- and mesoporous framework structures.
Structural Characterization of Self-Assembled Lipid Monolayers by NπT Simulation

Molecular dynamics simulations in which the number of molecules (N), the two-dimensional pressure (π), and the temperature (T) are held fixed (NπT) were performed on phospholipid monolayers in two-dimensional periodic boundary conditions. Four different phospholipids were simulated: dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), disteroylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC), and 1-steroyl-2-arachidonylphosphatidylethanolamine (SAPE) in both low- and high-density states. The simulations reproduced pressure−area isotherms measured on a Langmuir−Blodgett trough. The alkyl chain alignment in the low-density simulations also compared well to results of H2 NMR investigations from the literature. Simulations in which the area of the lipid monolayer was fixed (NAT) were also performed. Simulations in the NπT ensemble were superior to the NAT simulations. Inaccurate equilibrium pressures and alkyl chain order resulted from the NAT simulations. Experimental results indicated the ...
Exploring the degree of commercialisation associated with sports marketing activities

The purpose of this paper is to provide practitioners of management and interested researchers insights to the degree of commercialisation in sports and how advertisement has evolved to become a major force in the sports entertainment field though corporate sponsorship and commercialised of athletes. With commercialisation, it gears towards owners, corporate sponsors, and advertisers which play a huge impact on the teams. Three major sporting events are focused upon to see how commercialisation takes a tool on the events. The Super Bowl, Major League Baseball World Series and the NCAA Basketball Tournament are now commercialised more over the few years with the advertiser’s ability to target their markets by strategically commercialising the event with advertisements and sponsorships. It was found from an empirical study, females were generally more concerned than their male counterparts that such commercialisation activities do significantly increase the amount of time to finish the game and that such commercialism has negatively impacted athletes’ love of the sport in negative ways. Females were statistically more concerned with the increased degree of violence and unsafe behaviours that are depicted in the sporting event commercials. The degree of corporate sponsorships of physical sport facilities seems to be a neutral issue.
Effect of microwave radiation on the nonlinear resistivity of a two-dimensional electron gas at large filling factors

We study transport properties of a two-dimensional electron gas, placed in a classically strong perpendicular magnetic field and in constant and oscillating in-plane electric fields. The analysis is based on a quantum Boltzmann equation derived for a weakly disordered two-dimensional electron gas. We consider disordered potential with both long and short range correlations. Electron scattering off such disorder is not limited to small change in momentum direction, but occurs on an arbitrary angle, including the backscattering. The non-linearity of the transport in the considered system is a consequence of two co-existing effects: formation of a non-equilibrium distribution function of electrons and modification of the scattering rate off the disorder in the presence of dc and ac electric fields. This work describes both effects in a unified way. The calculated dissipative component of electric current oscillates as a function of the electric field strength and frequency of microwave radiation in a qualitative agreement with experiments.
LBO-1.5 Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a 140-fold risk for HIV and syphilis compared with other men in New York City

Background While men who have sex with men (MSM) comprise the majority of new HIV and new syphilis cases in the U.S., understanding the full burden of disease among them has been challenging as direct estimates of Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) numbers in the general population have been largely unavailable. We describe the population of Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in New York City, compare their demographics, risk behaviours, and new HIV and primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis rates with those of men who have sex with women (MSW), and examine trends in disease rates among Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM). Methods Population denominators and demographic and behavioural data were obtained from population-based behavioural surveys during 2005–2008. Numbers of new HIV and P&S syphilis diagnoses were extracted from citywide disease surveillance registries. We calculated overall, age- and race/ethnicity-specific case rates and rate ratios for Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) and MSW, and analysed trends in Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) rates by age and race/ethnicity. Results The average prevalence of same-sex behaviour among sexually active men during 2005–2008 (5.0%; 95% CI 4.5 to 5.6) differed by age (peaking at 8% among 40–49-year-old men) and race/ethnicity (2.3% among non-Hispanic black men; 7.4% among non-Hispanic white men). Compared to MSW, Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) differed significantly on all demographics and reported a higher prevalence of condom use at last sex and of HIV testing, but also more sex partners; 38.4% of Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) and 13.6% of MSW reported =3 partners in the last year (p Conclusions The substantial population of Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in NYC is at high risk for transmission of sexually transmitted infections given high disease rates and ongoing risk behaviours. There is significant overlap between HIV and P&S syphilis epidemics in NYC with the relatively small subgroups of young and non-Hispanic black Men who Have Sex with Men (MSM) disproportionately affected. Integration of HIV and STD case data would allow for better identification and characterisation of the population affected by these synergistic epidemics. Intensified and innovative efforts to implement and evaluate prevention programs are required.
Multivariable Observer-Based Deadtime Control

A closed-loop form of observer is presented for multivariable control of processes exhibiting time delay or "dead time" characteristics. With this method under ideal conditions (i.e., a perfect fit of the model to the process), the separation of the system poles does not include any deadtime effects. Thus, higher controller gains could normally be used under these conditions. Here, response results are shown for simulation tests on a (2×2)-interactive first order lag plus deadtime process which originated in the literature as a dynamic model for a binary distillation column. Response comparisons are made between the observer-based system with proportional-plus-integral (PI) control and the systems with a main "multi-Pi" controller alone and in combination with the multivariable (Smith) type of open-loop predictor. The performances with respect to load (signal) disturbances and process parametric changes or forcing are mainly considered.
One‐Dimensional Model to Evaluate the Performance of Wick Samplers in Soils

Wick samplers have become a valuable device for collecting soil pore water samples from the unsaturated zone. However, one of the problems with wick samplers has been that water and solutes bypass the samplers. Little work has been done on the nature of soil-wick interrelations. Based on an analytical solution for a layered soil profile, a steady-state solution was developed to predict the pressure head in a wick-soil continuum. The solution was also used to match wick properties to a given soil type in order to minimize the bypass flow. The results of this analysis show that for a good match between wick and soil types, (i) their capillary length (α -1 ) needs to be similar, and (ii) the ratio of their saturated hydraulic conductivities should be similar to the inverse ratio of their cross section for flow. Examples for wick type selection based on these two requirements are given for two soil types and two wick types. For sandy soils, the optimal wick length is 30 to 40 cm, while for silt loams, the optimal length is >100 cm. Sampling with wick samplers in coarse-textured soils was found to be less disturbing of the soil pressure head and moisture profile than sampling in fine-textured soils. Hydraulic properties of fine-textured soils require a large sampling area in order to create an undisturbed zone above the wick sampler
Gene Therapy of Erectile Dysfunction in the Rat with Penile Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase

Gene transfer to the penile corpora cavernosa of constructs of the inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) cDNAs ameliorates erectile dysfunction in aged rats. In this study, we investigated whether the neuronal NOS (nNOS) variant responsible for erection, penile nNOS (PnNOS), can exert a similar effect, and whether the combination of electroporation with a helper-dependent adenovirus (AdV) improves gene transfer. PnNOS and b-galactosidase cDNAs were cloned in plasmid (pCMV-PnNOS; pCMV-b-gal) and ‘‘gutless’’ AdV (AdV-CMVPnNOS; AdV-CMV-b-gal) vectors, and injected into the penis of adult (b-gal) or aged (PnNOS) rats, with or without electroporation. Penile erection was measured at different times after PnNOS cDNA injection, by electrical field stimulation of the cavernosal nerve. The expression of b-galactosidase or PnNOS was estimated in penile tissue by either histochemistry and luminometry or Western blot, and the effects of AdV-CMV-PnNOS on mRNA expression were examined by a DNA microarray. We found that electroporation increased pCMV-b-gal uptake, and its expression was detectable at 56 days. In the aged rats treated with pCMV-PnNOS and electroporation, the maximal intracavernosal:mean arterial pressure ratios were elevated for 11 and 18 days when compared with those in controls. Electroporation intensified penile uptake of as few as 10 6 viral particles (vp) of AdV-CMV-b-gal, and with 10 7 vp b-galactosidase was still detectable at 60 days. Electroporated AdV-CMV-PnNOS (10 7 vp) was effective at 18 days in stimulating the erection of aged rats, without inducing the expression of cytotoxic genes. In conclusion, intracavernosal gene therapy with PnNOS cDNA corrected the aging-related erectile dysfunction for at least 18 days when given by electroporation in a helper-dependent AdV at low viral loads. aging, gene regulation, male sexual function, nitric oxide, penis
Within-die process variations: how accurately can they be statistically modeled?

Within-die process variations arise during integrated circuit (IC) fabrication in the sub-100nm regime. These variations are of paramount concern as they deviate the performance of ICs from their designers' original intent. These deviations reduce the parametric yield and revenues from integrated circuit fabrication. In this paper we provide a complete treatment to the subject of within-die variations. We propose a scan-chain based system, vMeter, to extract within-die variations in an automated fashion. We implement our system in a sample of 90 nm chips, and collect the within-die variations data. Then we propose a number of novel statistical analysis techniques that accurately model the within-die variation trends and capture the spatial correlations. We propose the use of maximum-likelihood techniques to find the required parameters to fit the model to the data. The accuracy of our models is statistically verified through residual analysis and variograms. Using our successful modeling technique, we propose a procedure to generate synthetic within-die variation patterns that mimic, or imitate, real silicon data.
Elucidating atomic-scale friction using molecular dynamics and specialized analysis techniques

Because all quantities associated with a given atom are known as a function of time, molecular dynamics simulations can provide unparalleled insight into dynamic processes. Many quantities calculated from simulations can be directly compared to experimental values, while others provide information not available from experiment. For example, the tilt and methyl angles of chains within a self-assembled monolayer and the amount of hydrogen in a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film are measurable in an experiment. In contrast, the atomic contact force on a single substrate atom, i.e., the force on that atom due to the tip atoms only, and the changes in hybridization of a carbon atom within a DLC film during sliding are not quantities that are currently obtainable from experiments. Herein, the computation of many quantities, including the ones discussed above, and the unique insights that they provided into compression, friction, and wear are discussed.
High-, but not low-bioavailability diets enable substantial control of women’s iron absorption in relation to body iron stores, with minimal adaptation within several weeks

Background: Adaptation of iron absorption in response to dietary iron bioavailability is less likely in premenopausal women, who generally have lower iron stores, than in men. Objective: The objective of the study was to ascertain whether iron absorption in women adapts to dietary iron bioavailability and whether adaptation reflects altered absorptive efficiency or adjustment to specific inhibitors or enhancers of absorption. Design: Heme- and nonheme-iron absorption from either high- or low-bioavailability diets was measured at 0 and 10 wk in premenopausal women as they consumed one of the diets for 12 wk (randomized 2 2 factorial design). The high- and low-bioavailability diets contained similar amounts of total iron, as 13.1 and 14.8 mg/d nonheme and 2.0 and 0.3 mg/d heme iron, respectively, and they differed in contents of meat, ascorbate, whole grains, legumes, and tea. Results: In premenopausal women, the efficiency of nonhemeiron absorption (P 0.06, two-tailed test), but not of heme-iron absorption, tended to adapt in response to a 12-wk difference in dietary iron bioavailability, whether absorption was tested with high- or low-bioavailability menus. Bioavailability, but not adaptation, substantially influenced total iron absorption (6-fold). In contrast with iron absorption from the low-bioavailability diet, that from the high-bioavailability diet consistently was inversely associated with serum ferritin. Conclusion: Only the high-bioavailability diet enabled women to absorb more iron in relation to their low iron stores. Women consuming the high-bioavailability diet absorbed up to 4.5 mg (30–35%) dietary iron with minimal influence of the diet consumed during the previous 10 wk. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78: 1168–77.
A survey of J2EE application performance management systems

J2EE components and APIs have remained largely unmined, and their potential as performance barometers therefore largely unrealized, because the tools businesses have traditionally wielded to service transactions - database servers, directory services, application servers themselves - have been unable to provide businesses and software developers the access they need to capture, measure, and optimize discrete transactions. Businesses that lack insight into J2EE components and APIs lack the ability to manage some of e-business's most vital performance assets, assets that, when performing poorly or not at all, can down whole distributed applications. This paper discusses the requirements of J2EE application performance management systems and five commercial tools.
Are neurologists really data driven in selecting epilepsy treatment

Neurology is considered a cognitive field, with thoughtful practitioners who are driven by empiric data. With the development of guidelines, practice parameters, and now a review of how physicians practice, this notion could be called into question. There is no doubt that evidence-based medicine (EBM) should be and is the basis for the practice of modern medicine. Medical school curricula worldwide have recognized the importance of EBM, incorporating it into standard medical student education. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN), recognizing the need to supplement this type of thinking, developed a resident education program covering the basics of EBM.1 So how do we as neurologists fare in the practice of EBM? Our track record is mixed. We hear our colleagues utter, “there is no evidence to support that.” That statement is more an editorial comment than a valid conclusion. EBM is built on the principle that there exists a hierarchy of evidence, some of which is strong and other weak, with the rest falling somewhere in between. Data, properly collected, should not be considered valid or invalid, but rather strong or weak. Similarly, an individual's opinion should not be thought of as valid …
Structure and Meaning in Cognizing

The major work for which these Lectures are an “anticipation” will be titled Toward an Abstract Performance Grammar, this being taken from the well-known article by W. C. Watt (“On Two Hypotheses Concerning Psycholinguistics”, 1970). He questions whether the deep mental grammar (MG) could be equated with a competence grammar characterized by any linguistic grammar, deriving from the intuitions of linguists about relations among sentence in a language. He then goes on to state that the deep mental grammar must be equated with an abstract performance grammar (APG) which is not characterizable by any purely linguistic grammar. His main argument is that the competence grammar which systematizes intuitions of linguists maximizes one economy criterion (deep syntactic relations between sets of sentences having different surface structures—e.g., x, y, where x are full passives and y truncate passives) and the APG that systematizes language performance maximizes another (“ … a premium on economy of derivation of individual sentential paradigms” (p. 187), x and y independently, in order to most efficiently satisfy pragmatic demands of communication). But aside from casual reference to the language performances of ordinary speaker-hearers (particularly children), Watt is quite vague about how an APG is to be characterized (and thus we are left with MG = APG = ?). This book, and these Lectures, will be an attempt to reduce somewhat the “emptiness” symbolized by that ? mark.
Scaling statistics in a critical, nonlinear physical model of tropical oceanic rainfall

Over the last two decades, concepts of scale in- variance have come to the fore in both modeling and data analysis in hydrological precipitation research. With the ad- vent of the use of the multiplicative random cascade model, these concepts have become increasingly more important. However, unifying this statistical view of the phenomenon with the physics of rainfall has proven to be a rather non- trivial task. In this paper, we present a simple model, de- veloped entirely from qualitative physical arguments, with- out invoking any statistical assumptions, to represent trop- ical atmospheric convection over the ocean. The model is analyzed numerically. It shows that the data from the model rainfall look very spiky, as if generated from a random field model. They look qualitatively similar to real rainfall data sets from Global Atmospheric Research Program (GARP) Atlantic Tropical Experiment (GATE). A critical point is found in a model parameter correspond- ing to the Convective Inhibition (CIN), at which rainfall changes abruptly from non-zero to a uniform zero value over the entire domain. Near the critical value of this parame- ter, the model rainfall field exhibits multifractal scaling de- termined from a fractional wetted area analysis and a mo- ment scaling analysis. It therefore must exhibit long-range spatial correlations at this point, a situation qualitatively sim- ilar to that shown by multiplicative random cascade models and GATE rainfall data sets analyzed previously (Over and Gupta, 1994; Over, 1995). However, the scaling exponents associated with the model data are different from those es- timated with real data. This comparison identifies a new theoretical framework for testing diverse physical hypothe- ses governing rainfall based in empirically observed scaling statistics.
Sketch-based recognition system for general articulated skeletal figures

We present a new recognition system for detecting general articulated skeletal figures in sketch-based applications. We abstract drawing style from recognition by defining figures using two data models: templates and figure targets. Our system recognizes general skeletal figures consisting of lines and ellipses which may be drawn partially off the canvas with the system automatically completing the figure. Figures are modeled as graphs and are allowed to contain cycles. Subgraph matching on a graph built from the stroke input is used to perform recognition. This paper outlines our system design, key details to its proper implementation, and proposes its application to various domains of sketch recognition.
Endovascular interventions for managing vascular complication of renal transplantation

Renal transplantation is a well-established treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. Although the procedure is commonly undertaken with a high rate of initial technical success, a low but significant risk of vascular complications can develop and ultimately threaten the transplanted kidney. Complications include transplant renal artery stenosis, extraparenchymal and intraparenchymal pseudoaneurysm and arteriovenous fistula formation, and stenosis of native iliac arteries due to aortoiliac occlusive disease. Historically, open surgical correction of these complications has been associated with high morbidity and the risk of graft loss. Endovascular approaches are better tolerated by renal transplantation patients and are used increasingly for management of vascular complications associated with kidney transplantation. We review the contemporary diagnosis and treatment of these complications using endovascular techniques.
Trichothiodystrophy: Photosensitive, TTD-P, TTD, Tay syndrome.

Although the term, “trichothiodystrophy” (TTD) refers to the hair anomalies in this group of patients, this is a heterogeneous, multisystem disease in which any or every organ in the body may be affected.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Neuroectodermal derived tissues are particularly likely to be involved. This term was introduced by Price et al in 1980 to designate patients with sulfur-deficient brittle hair, which they recognized as a marker for this complex disease and designated it as a “neuroectodermal symptom complex”.6 Patients with TTD have brittle hair and nails (associated with reduced content of cysteine-rich matrix proteins), ichthyotic skin and physical and mental growth retardation. 7 Ichthyosis is usually apparent at birth but much less so after the first few weeks of life. Other frequently associated features include ocular cataracts, infections and maternal complications related to pregnancy. Atrophy of subcutaneous fat may also be present.
An Overview of the Sieve Algorithm for the Shortest Lattice Vector Problem

We present an overview of a randomized 2g(n) time algorithm to compute a shortest non-zero vector in an n-dimensional rational lattice. The complete details of this algorithm can be found in [2].