cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Process of Infection with Bacteriophage øX174 XII. Phenotypic Mixing between Electrophoretic Mutants of øX174

A technique for the acrylamide gel dise electrophoresis of oX174 partieles has been developed. Using this technique, mixtures of several phage mutants, altered in genes which affect the structuro of the viral capsid, can be physically separated. This technique allows also the separation of incomplete phage particles produced in oX174 infection from infective phage.
Recent Advances in Understanding Flow Effects on Polymer Crystallization

Molecular aspects of polymer melt rheology play an extremely strong role in governing the processing-structure-property relations of semicrystalline polymers, the dominant materials in the plastics industry. Recent advances in experimental apparatus and methods have revealed that the dramatic changes in crystallization kinetics and morphology induced during shear follow a kinetic pathway. The rate of formation of oriented precursors is not limited by the usual activation barrier to nucleation but instead occurs many orders of magnitude faster, at a rate that tracks the dynamics of the polymer chains in the melt. Model polymers and their binary blends have shown that the relevant melt dynamics that control formation of the oriented threadlike nuclei are those of the longest chains in the melt and that the effect of the long chains is cooperative, greatly enhanced by long chain-long chain overlap. Thus, insights gained into the role of chain dynamics in the molecular mechanism of shear-enhanced crystallization may soon combine with parallel advances over the past decade regarding the dynamics of polydisperse melts to provide the underpinnings for truly predictive models of flow-enhanced crystallization of polymers.
Unilateral mydriasis after induction of anaesthesia

Unilateral mydriasis is a disturbing finding during anaesthesia and may indicate serious neurological injury. In addition, the assessment of abnormal neurological findings is limited during general anaesthesia, and therefore requires special consideration. I report finding a dilated right pupil (7 mm, nonreactive to light) after bronchoscopic tracheal intubation and induction of general anaesthesia in a frail, 74-yr-old woman with cervical subluxations and spinal cord impingement. The possible aetiology of the unilateral mydriasis includes the effects of anaesthetic agents, stellate ganglion block, impaired venous return from the head and neck, acute intracranial mass lesion or an haemorrhagic event, direct eye trauma, pre-existing medical or surgical conditions, and inadvertent direct deposition of alpha-adrenergic or anticholinergic agents in the eye. Consideration of these factors, the autonomic innervation of the eye, and an intraoperative "wake-up" test allowed satisfactory neurological assessment in this patient and surgery to proceed. Unilateral mydriasis, while unusual, may be seen during general anaesthesia and requires thorough knowledge of autonomic nerve pathways and pharmacology of the eye for correct diagnosis. In this case, mydriasis was considered to result from phenylephrine/lidocaine spray which was used to provide topical anaesthesia to the airway.
Promotion of lung tumor colonization in mice by the synthetic thrombin inhibitor (no. 805) and its reversal by leech salivary gland extracts.

The role of anticoagulationper se in the reduction of experimental or spontaneous metastasis still remains to be determined, as shown by the conflicting results reported by the literature using different conventional anticoagulants. A new compound has been synthesized (compound no. 805) which prolongs or suppresses coagulation via specific inhibition of thrombin and its possible use in a model of experimental metastasis to clarify the role of anticoagulants in tumor spread was investigated. Contrary to our expectations, this compound increased rather than decreased the number of lung colonies induced by intravenous injections of a variety of murine neoplasias. Studies of the mechanism of this effect indicated that the compound increases retention of tumor cells by the lung without apparent impairment of the natural cell immune system, suggesting that the synthetic thrombin inhibitor may enhance vascular attachment of tumor cells. The promoting effect of compound no. 805 on metastasis was totally reversed by the administration of leech salivary gland extracts, which appear to protect capillaries from damage produced by cyclophosphamide, as revealed by other studies.
Epileptogenesis: a model for the involvement of slow membrane events and extracellular potassium.

Abstract A computer model was developed, based in part on voltage-clamp data from Aplysia bursting pacemaker cells. This model was used to explore the interaction of slow subthreshold membrane properties with the synaptic events and the accumulation of extracellular potassium which are thought to occur in experimental epileptic foci. Results of the model suggest a new role for potassium ions and subthreshold membrane events in epileptogenesis—namely, that an increase in extracellular potassium may transform a group of stable cells into unstable, oscillatory cells, independent of synaptic activity. The model also suggests that a population of cells may be more susceptible than single cells to this transformation.
Is an adult with Asperger syndrome sitting in your waiting room

The prevalence of Asperger syndrome, a mild form of autism, appears to be rapidly increasing. This developmental disorder affects children and adults and can present challenges to providing medical care. In this update on Asperger syndrome, we offer guidance on how to interact with adult patients with the disorder. We also address proposed diagnostic changes scheduled to take effect in 2013.
Allergen Immunotherapy and Tolerance

Successful allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is associated with a marked decrease in symptoms on allergen exposure, a reduced requirement for 'rescue' anti-allergic drugs and improvement in patients' quality of life. These benefits persist for at least several years following discontinuation of immunotherapy - the hallmark of clinical and immunological tolerance. AIT has been shown to modulate both innate and adaptive immunological responses. Early suppression of innate effector cells of allergic inflammation (mast cells, basophils), regulation of pro-allergic T helper 2 type (Th 2) responses and IgE+ B cell responses have been shown to occur both in the tissue and in the peripheral blood during AIT. The allergen-tolerant state is associated with local and systemic induction of distinct populations of allergen-specific T regulatory cells including IL-10+ Tregs (Tr1 cells), TGF-β+ Tregs and FoxP3+ memory T regs. B cells are switched in favour of producing IgG (particularly IgG4) antibodies and associated blocking activity for IgE-dependent events, including basophil activation and IgE-facilitated allergen binding to B cells. An induction of IL-10+ B regulatory cells and alterations in dendritic cell subsets have also recently been described. These events are followed by the induction of T regulatory cells, suppression of allergen-specific T cell proliferation and immune deviation from Th2 in favour of Th1 responses. Alternative mechanisms of tolerance include apoptosis/deletion of antigen-specific memory Th2 cells and/or a failure of co-stimulation leading to T cell anergy.
The Right Time and Place? Middle School Language Arts Teachers Talk about Not Talking about Sexual Orientation

In this article we report results of a qualitative interview study focusing on middle school Language Arts teachers’ perceptions, attitudes, and reported practices related to LGBQ topics. The study found that virtually all of the teacher participants recognized that the topic of same-sex sexuality was important for their students, yet the teachers used a variety of strategies to avoid or redirect discussion of the topic. We argue that teacher responses indicate that they generally reinforced the heteronormative silence about sexual orientation and, in some cases, blocked student attempts to disrupt the norm of silence or to change the discourse. In doing so, teachers shaped (inadvertently or not) student behaviors and attitudes to fit into the heterosexist and homophobic local school community of practice. Implications for teacher education and professional development are discussed.
A goal programming-discriminant function approach to the estimation of an empirical production function based on DEA results

This paper describes a new frontier estimation procedure which relies on results obtained from Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The paper reviews some of the earlier works in this area and points out potential difficulties with them. It further suggests ways to validate such developments. A procedure is constructed on the basis of a Goal Programming (GP)-Discriminant Function model developed in stages during the 1980s. A numerical example is used to illustrate the proposed procedure. Then, an extensive simulation in which the GP-based procedure is compared to three regression-based techniques is presented. The simulation results clearly indicate the superiority of the proposed technique over the regression alternatives.
Frames and heuristics in doctor-patient discourse

Abstract The medical interview can be viewed as a verbal exchange between two people trying to solve a problem. Research in linguistics and cognitive psychology casts interesting and useful light on such discourse. Using the concepts ‘frames’ and ‘heuristics’ from these fields, we viewed, transcribed and analyzed taped sessions between a family practice physician and sixteen patients to examine how those patients understood their illness. To be an effective teacher the physician must discover not only the causes of the patient's medical problem, but also something of the conceptual structure that supports the patient's perceptions and understanding of his problem. This paper presents a method to understand these conceptual structures and how they function.
LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE OF ELASTOMERIC BRIDGE BEARINGS

The effects of long-term service on bridge bearings composed of steel plates laminated between elastomeric layers, as placed on twin structures carrying the Route 400 Aurora Expressway over Route 16 and Conrail tracks in New York's Erie County, are summarized. Expansion-joint bearings replaced as part of a recent rehabilitation project were recovered for evaluation and were found to be in generally good condition. New York's current accelerated aging test procedures were evaluated by comparing mean ratings for these bearings (after simulated aging in their original 1969 acceptance testing) with results of similar tests conducted from 1992 to 1995 (after their removal from these bridges). An analysis of mean ratings from other 1969 acceptance tests is included, with similar tests repeated to determine the effects of the years in service. As a final step, the recovered bearings underwent further testing for conformance with other current specifications. The bearings, as originally installed on these structures, had problematic design, construction, and material properties, but nevertheless performed very well in service and were insensitive to these deficiencies.
Kinetics of the formation of the β fiber rolling texture in continuous cast AA 5xxx series aluminum alloys

Abstract The texture evolution in cold rolled continuous cast AA 5xxx series aluminum alloys was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The volume fraction of the β fiber component was calculated by integration of the ODF intensities within 15.5° of the center position of the β fiber. The relationship between the volume fraction of the β fiber component and true strain follows the Avrami equation.
Enumeration of specific cytotoxic T cells.

EFFORTS directed towards the enumeration of effector cells involved in the cell-mediated immune response have so far met with little success. One of the principal reasons for this failure is the current ignorance of relationships between killer, lymphokine producer and suppressor T cells, all of which have effector functions. To date, attempts at quantification have focused principally on cytolytically active (killer) T cells largely because in vitro assays using target cells labelled with radioisotopes afford sensitive and reproducible measurement of their function1.
Timing of late Cenozoic volcanic and tectonic events along the western margin of the North American plate

A number of well- to relatively well-dated significant volcanic and tectonic events along the western margin of the North American plate began, ended, or increased intensity at 16 ± 1 m.y. B.P., 10 ± 2 m.y. B.P., and 5 ± 1 m.y. B.P. Continental events at 16 ± 1 m.y. B.P. were related to the upwelling of an elongated mantle diapir, which created a widespread thermal disturbance east of the subducting Farallon plate. Oceanic events at 16 ± 1 m.y. B.P. were largely related to the approach of the East Pacific Rise toward the North American plate. Continental and oceanic events at 10 ± 2 m.y. B.P. were related to the clockwise rotation of the Pacific plate spreading direction and to the increased rate of relative motion between the Pacific and North American plates. Most events at 5 ± 1 m.y. B.P. were related to the opening of the Gulf of California and to the oceanic plate reorganizations of which the gulf-opening was a part. Different styles of response reflect differences between intraplate volcanic and tectonic subdomains. Pulses of volcanic activity do not seem to be directly or solely related to changes of plate motion. Increased volcanic activity at arcs and some intraplate volcanic settings may be indicators or precursors of significant tectonic transition intervals. If so, we may presently be in the midst of such a transition interval.
Solar eruptions and long wavelength radio bursts: The 1997 May 12 event

We report on the cause of the 1997 May 12 type II bursts observed by ground based and space-based radio instruments. We estimate the fast mode speed in the corona as a function of heliocentric distance to identify the regions where fast mode shocks can be driven by CMEs. We find that both the coronal and the interplanetary type II bursts can be explained by shocks driven by the same CME at two different spatial domains. The fast mode speed in the corona has a peak at a heliocentric distance of ∼ 3 R⊙ which does not allow the coronal shock wave to propagate beyond this distance. When the CME continues to travel beyond the fast mode peak, another shock forms in the interplanetary medium where the fast mode speed falls sufficiently. From the radio observations we can infer that the plane of the sky speed of the CME is smaller than the space speed by at least a factor of 2, consistent with the location of the eruption at N21 W08. The inferred CME speed is also consistent with previous deprojected speed estimates.
Interpolation of functions from generalized Paley--Wiener spaces

We consider the problem of reconstruction of functions f from generalized Paley-Wiener spaces in terms of their values on complete interpolating sequence {Zn}. We characterize the set of data sequences {f(zn)} and exhibit an explicit solution to the problem. Our development involves the solution of a particular ∂- problem.
Synthesis of superconducting microcomposite coatings by melt-dipping and oxidation of Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu-Ag metallic precursor alloys

Abstract Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2Cu3Ag4−8 and Bi1.4Pb0.6Sr2Ca3Cu4Ag11−36 alloy coatings were made by vacuum induction melting followed by melt-dipping on substrates of MgO and Ag. The precursor coatings were processed to superconducting microcomposites by controlled atmosphere oxidation and annealing. The coatings possess superconducting onset temperatures of 114 K, zero resistance temperatures of 105 K, and critical current densities up to 600 A/cm2 at 77 K in zero field. The addition of Ag aided in the alloy melting and dipping processes, increased the adhesion of the coatings to the substrates, promoted the formation of the high-Tc “2223” phase, and therefore increased the critica current density. The microstructure of the superconducting coatings was observed by scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. The superconducting phases were analysed by X-ray powder diffraction. The influence of the alloy composition, substrate materials, dipping processes, oxidation and annealing conditions on the superconducting and adhesion properties are discussed.
An ELF and AIM study of a model charge resonance complex: intermolecular interactions between two strong electron acceptors

Abstract Calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level involving the electron localization function (ELF) and atoms-in-molecules (AIM) methods have been carried out for the (Li) 2 TCNE–quinone complex as a model of a charge resonance complex in the solid state. No intermolecular ELF basins were found but a small delocalization index of about one between the complex components in the ground singlet state is indicative of some electron pair sharing. Several unusual ELF topological features are observed which are interpreted in terms of the electronic structure of the model system.
Nostalgia, Identity and Tourism: Bollywood in the Indian Diaspora

In today's global world of movement our personal identities are changing. So, ‘where is my “home”?’ and ‘what is my “identity”?’ have become essential questions in one's life. In recent times, more and more diasporic communities visit their homelands, perhaps to reroot their identities. This study explored the influence of Bollywood movies in the Indian diaspora's identity construction and notions of home and tourism behaviour to India. Findings revealed that the Indian diaspora's imagination of India is strongly informed by Bollywood movies. Yet, different generations of the Indian diaspora have different reasons for travelling to India. The first generation's nostalgia arises from watching Bollywood movies, and as a result, creates a motivation to travel to India. The second generation's main to travel behaviour to India is to experience the new ‘modern’ country, portrayed in the affluent surroundings of contemporary Bollywood movies. And, for those first generations, who have never seen India before, B...
The insular cortex: morphological and vascular anatomic characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: We undertook this anatomic study of the insula to investigate its vasculature, morphological features, and surrounding cortical relationships. METHODS: Under magnification of x2 to x32, 53 formalin-fixed, adult cadaver hemispheres were dissected. Overlying opercular landmarks were identified and used as guides to portions of the deeper insula. RESULTS: The insula has a complex venous system; 50 (94.3%) hemispheres exhibited a combination of superficial and deep venous connections. The venous connections divide the insular cortex into the following three anatomic zones, with some overlap: subapical region (insular pole), anterior lobe, and posterior lobe. Arterial contributions to the insula originated entirely from the middle cerebral artery, predominantly via the superior division. Thirty-six (67.9%) specimens exhibited a dedicated terminal vessel to the insula; in 34 of these (94.4%), this terminal vessel arose from the middle cerebral artery branch to the central sulcus. There was never more than one terminal vessel in each insular cortex. CONCLUSION: Historically, it has been reported that the insula drains primarily via the deep middle cerebral vein (DMCV). We found more complex (typically both superficial and deep) venous connections. In most specimens, the DMCV exhibited a direct venous connection to only a portion of the insular cortex. The deep drainage connections of the insula and the vessels that form the DMCV suggest that the DMCV drains primarily the lateral lenticular veins and secondarily the insula. Arterial contributions to the insula tended to be centered around the central insular sulcus, independent of the location of the middle cerebral artery bifurcation. Although the insular vascular anatomic features showed great variability, the anatomic and structural relationships described in this dissection series should facilitate safe surgical and endovascular interventions.
Ammonia excretion by the gills of two marine teleost fish the importance of NH4+ permeance

Varying the concentration of un-ionized ammonia (NH3) in the medium perfusing the gills of the isolated fish head while holding the total ammonia (NH4+ + NH3) concentration constant had no significant effect on gill ammonia excretion. In contrast, alteration in the medium NH4+ concentration at a fixed NH3 concentration produced a significant change in ammonia excretion. Thus, gill ammonia excretion was related to medium NH4+, not NH3, concentration.
Smoothing out focused demand for network resources

We explore the problem of sharing network resources when agents' preferences lead to temporally concentrated, inefficient use of the network. In such cases, external incentives must be supplied to smooth out demand. Taking a game-theoretic approach, we consider a setting in which bandwidth is available during several time slots at a fixed cost, but all agents have a natural preference for choosing the same slot. We present four mechanisms that motivate agents to distribute load optimally by probabilistically waiving the cost for each time slot, and analyze equilibria.
Approaching the consult for “hemorrhoids”

Hemorrhoids are a very common cause for medical/surgical consultation. A thorough understanding of their pathophysiology and presentation, coupled with a methodic approach to the patient interview and exam, is vital to establishing the correct diagnosis and therefore guiding treatment or the need for further workup.
Clinical experience with multiagent intravesical therapy in interstitial cystitis patients unresponsive to single-agent therapy.

A total of 25 patients with the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis (IC) were involved in this study. All patients had been previously diagnosed with interstitial cystitis and had received treatment with single intravesical agents. Patients were divided into two groups according to their bladder capacity. The bladder capacity was >350 ml in group I patients and <350 ml in group II patients. For our study, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), methylprednisolone, and heparin sulfate were given every week for a total of 6 weeks. When symptoms recurred, supportive oral pharmacotherapy consisting of anticholinergics and/or tricyclic antidepressants was given. Under anesthesia, patients in group I showed a 99% increase in their bladder capacity; whereas those in group II showed an increase of only 19%. Cystoscopically, Hunner's ulcers were present in 60% of the group II patients but were seen in only 5% of the group I patients. Histopathological examination showed that the inflammatory changes were more frequent and severe in group II than in group I. Mast-cell hyperplasia was present in 100% of the patients in group II, versus only 61% of those in group I. A total of 23 patients (92%) achieved an initial remission averaging 8.1 months. In all, 9 patients (35%) had 1 or more relapses, and all achieved a subsequent remission averaging 8 months. By this combined multiagent approach, the majority of patients with IC obtained relief from their incapacitating symptoms and were socially rehabilitated.
COMPENSATION CONTRACTS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS: DETERMINANTS OF PAY‐PERFORMANCE SENSITIVITY

Compensation contracts of chief executive officers of large firms typically provide for a low linkage between compensation and stock performance. We test predictions of various theoretical models of managerial behavior using pay-performance sensitivity measures. We find that even though the sensitivity measures are low on average, they vary cross-sectionally, in a manner broadly consistent with predictions from the literature on efficient contracting.
Catching the Highest Energy Neutrinos

We briefly discuss the possible sources of ultrahigh energy neutrinos and the methods for their detection. Then we present the results obtained by different experiments for detection of the highest energy neutrinos.
Developmental changes in inhibition of return from 3 to 6 months of age

The development of inhibition of return was examined in 3–6-month-olds using varied stimulus onset asynchronies. The 300 ms SOA condition revealed particularly interesting findings as it elicited facilitation in 4.5-month-olds, but inhibition in 6-month-olds. Implications for understanding the development of IOR are discussed.
A Potent New Class of Reductively Activated Peptide Gene Delivery Agents

A new class of peptide gene delivery agents were developed by inserting multiple cysteine residues into short (dp 20) synthetic peptides. Substitution of one to four cysteine residues for lysine residues in Cys-Trp-Lys(18) resulted in low molecular weight DNA condensing peptides that spontaneously oxidize after binding to plasmid DNA to form interpeptide disulfide bonds. The stability of cross-linked peptide DNA condensates increased in proportion to the number of cysteines incorporated into the peptide. Disulfide bond formation led to a decrease in particle size relative to control peptide DNA condensates and prevented dissociation of peptide DNA condensates in concentrated sodium chloride. Cross-linked peptide DNA condensates were 5-60-fold more potent at mediating gene expression in HepG2 and COS 7 cells relative to uncross-linked peptide DNA condensates. The enhanced gene expression was dependent on the number of cysteine residues incorporated, with a peptide containing two cysteines mediating maximal gene expression. Cross-linking peptides caused elevated gene expression without increasing DNA uptake by cells, suggesting a mechanism involving intracellular release of DNA triggered by disulfide bond reduction. The results establish cross-linking peptides as a novel class of potent gene delivery agents that enhance gene expression through a new mechanism of action.
Evaluating the reducing power of 3-coordinate T-shaped NiI ☆

Abstract The reactivity of (PNP)NiI, where PNP = (tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N, with oxidants was evaluated. Towards the nitroxyl TEMPO, a 1:1 adduct is formed which was shown to have η2-TEMPO bound through both N and O, with the consequence that one P of the PNP ligand is displaced, leaving the pincer ligand bidentate to NiII. DFT calculations show that the bidentate character of TEMPO is due to steric clash between tBu and TEMPO ring methyl groups. Reaction of (PNP)Ni with I2, Br2, C2Cl6 and even CH2Cl2 all yield (PNP)NiIIX, but never (PNP)NiIIIX2. Excess Br2 instead oxidizes one phosphorus, yielding the zwitterion [(BrtBu2PCH2SiMe2)N(SiMe2CH2PtBu2)]NiBr2, whose structure is determined. DFT calculation of the species (PNP)NiIII(Br)2 yields reaction thermodynamics which show the reason for its absence, and also shows the low BDE of its Ni–Br bond. (PNP)Ni slowly catalyzes the polymerization of HCCR (R = H or Ph), but gives no detectable conversion to a new alkyne-derived nickel complex.
Stability analysis of a growing horizontal thermal layer subject to sudden bottom heating

Abstract The hydrodynamic stability considered here is formulated in terms of a two-point boundary-value, eigenvalue problem derived by assuming periodic small disturbances superimposed on a time-dependent base-state which is the quiescent growing conduction layer resulting from a step in surface heat flux. Since the local heat flux field is similar, a dimensionless similarity parameter arises. The assumed disturbance form is guided by previous stability investigations The stiff equations are integrated to obtain the neutral stability curve with an extreme at Gr = 202.19, α = 1.151, and Cr = 0.0 Although the postulated disturbance form allowed for time-dependent periodic oscillation, the computed disturbance wave velocity is found to be identically zero for the entire curve. Thus, it is presumed that the assumed oscillatory component of the perturbation is not time dependent, during the instability onset, at least for the calculated range (202 ⩽ Gr ⩽ 1000). Thus, unlike analyses for steady base-states, these results prohibit ‘tracking’ disturbances along constant frequency paths. Nevertheless, experimental results suggest that the wave number should decrease with increasing Gr as the neutral curve is crossed by the perturbation.
Sobetirome: a case history of bench-to-clinic drug discovery and development

Sobetirome, also known as GC-1 and QRX-431, is a member of a class of compounds known as selective thyromimetics (Scanlan et al., Curr Opin Drug Discov Dev 4:614–622). These compounds are synthetic structural analogs of thyroid hormone that have tissue-specific thyroid hormone actions. Many of the compounds in this class, including sobetirome, also are subtype-selective thyroid hormone receptor (TR) agonists. Sobetirome selectively binds to and activates TRβ over TRα and this receptor selectivity led to the hypothesis that sobetirome would lower cholesterol through activation of liver TRβ without stimulating cardiac function through TRα activation in the heart. The tissue selective thyromimetic properties of sobetirome have been demonstrated in numerous animal models, which led to its clinical development as a novel cholesterol-lowering agent. This review will describe the discovery and development journey of sobetirome as a case history.
RICHNESS OF VOCABULARY: AN ATTRIBUTIONAL ANALYSIS

Five experiments demonstrated a positive relationship between a speaker's lexical diversity level and listeners' judgments of his socioeconomic status, competence, emotional state, and communicatio...
A methodology for implementing the curvature theory approach to path tracking with planar robots

Abstract Planar motion can be synthesized with two-degree-of-freedom curvature theory by using the second-order Taylor series to coordinate planar path-tracking systems. Second-order control-variable coordination generates tracking error away from the reference point, and tracking becomes erratic when the driving variable experiences a dwell in its trajectory. This paper extends the technique through an algorithm that addresses both tracking errors and control variable dwells. The algorithm corrects the coefficients in the coordinating Taylor series when an error parameter is exceeded and switches the control variable when the current driving variable approaches a dwell. The algorithm is applied to a revolute–revolute mechanism to track a polynomial path. The approach utilizes local path information and executes tracking using an incremental approach. This is an advantage over the traditional method which requires knowledge of the entire path to compute exact joint variable motions before the motion of the system begins.
Curriculum Design in Health Education.

This chapter describes a collaborative design model for developing curriculum for family caregivers of children with special health care needs. The curriculum focuses on access to information and seamless care for children, with the ultimate goal of fostering family independence.
On the Statistical Significance of Regional Economic Impacts from Recreational Fishing Harvest Limits in Southern Alaska

ABSTRACT Confidence intervals for regional economic impacts resulting from changes in saltwater sportfishing harvest limits are calculated using a stated preference model of sportfishing participation and a social accounting matrix (SAM) for southern Alaska. Confidence intervals are constructed to account for two types of input variation in impact estimates—sample variation in sportfishing-related expenditures and stochastic variation from parameters in the recreation participation model. For five of six policy scenarios examined, estimated impacts are not statistically different from zero. Tests for differences in estimated impacts between scenarios show that no statistical differences are found whenever stochastic variation is considered (statistical differences occur only when sample variation alone is accounted for). Due to the lack of statistical differences in this case, a comparison of economic impacts does not provide a clear-cut preferred alternative, and consequently other economic and non-econo...
Electrical and optical behavior of ion-implanted and ion-beam mixed polymers

A series of polystyrene (PS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) materials were implanted with 50 keV nitrogen ions to a dose in the range of 1-8 X 1015 to determine optical losses in the visible range. The transmission results indicate a minimum at about 350 nm for both the PS and PMMA materials, in agreement with previous experiments. This minimum changes in amplitude and shifts to longer wavelengths with increasing dose. A similar minimum is observed in 1000A sputter deposited C films on PS and PMMA substrates. However, the density of scattering centers responsible for the minimum, is higher in the implanted materials than in the carbon sputtered materials. The electrical and to some extent, the optical, properties of ion implanted polymers are unstable. By truncating the microstructure, toward the mean range of the implant ion, the electrical resistivity can be stabilized to about a 3 percent change per year. To further reduce this stability problem, we ion beam mixed 200-500A metallic films on polytetrafloroethlene. The resulting polymer/metallic composite has a highly conductive layer slightly below the surface and is bonded securely to the polymer substrate. Ion beam analysis result suggest that by this method we can produce metallic layers under the surface of the polymer.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Conspiracy effects in word pronunciation.

Abstract According to what we call “conspiracy models” of word pronunciation, the pronunciation of a target word or nonword is influenced by the pronunciations of word “neighbors” orthographically similar to the target. Words with inconsistent neighbors should, therefore, be pronounced more slowly than words with consistent neighbors. In Experiment 1, we found that pronunciation latencies for exception words (words whose pronunciations are inconsistent with most of their neighbors) were indeed slow compared to consistent controls, but no such effect was obtained for regular inconsistent words (words whose pronunciations are consistent with most but not all of their neighbors). In Experiments 2 and 3, we preceded trials on target words or nonwords with priming trials using specific neighbors of the target, in an attempt to boost their influence on the pronunciation of the target. As predicted, Experiment 2 showed that preceding a target word with an exceptional neighbor does indeed produce an effect on the accuracy and latency of pronunciation of the target. Experiment 3 amplified the effect found in Experiment 2 by using pseudoword targets. Reliable effects were found for primes that shared the same vowel and final consonants with the target (VCC primes), and for primes that shared the same vowel and initial consonants with the target (CCV primes). However, no reliable effect was found for primes that shared only the vowel with the target. These findings are consistent with predictions of conspiracy models. The general discussion considers the implications of the results for dual-route models, as well as various types of conspiracy models.
Activation of MAPK by inverse agonists in six naturally occurring constitutively active mutant human melanocortin-4 receptors

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is a G protein-coupled receptor that plays an essential role in regulating energy homeostasis. Defects in MC4R are the most common monogenic form of obesity, with about 170 distinct mutations identified in human. In addition to the conventional Gs-stimulated adenylyl cyclase pathway, it has been recently demonstrated that MC4R also activates mitogen-activated protein kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Herein, we investigated the potential of four MC4R ligands that are inverse agonists at the Gs-cAMP signaling pathway, including agouti-related peptide (AgRP), MCL0020, Ipsen 5i and ML00253764, to regulate ERK1/2 activation (pERK1/2) in wild type and six naturally occurring constitutively active mutant (CAM) MC4Rs. We showed that these four inverse agonists acted as agonists for the ERK1/2 signaling cascade in wild type and CAM MC4Rs. Three mutants (P230L, L250Q and F280L) had significantly increased pERK1/2 level upon stimulation with all four inverse agonists, with maximal induction ranging from 1.6 to 4.2-fold. D146N had significantly increased pERK1/2 level upon stimulation with AgRP, MCL0020 or ML00253764, but not Ipsen 5i. The pERK1/2 levels of H76R and S127L were significantly increased only upon stimulation with AgRP or MCL0020. In summary, our studies demonstrated for the first time that MC4R inverse agonists at the Gs-cAMP pathway could serve as agonists in the MAPK pathway. These results suggested that there were multiple activation states of MC4R with ligand-specific and/or mutant-specific conformations capable of differentially coupling the MC4R to distinct signaling pathways.
Does the Generalized Inverse of A Commute with A

(1986). Does the Generalized Inverse of A Commute with A? Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 59, No. 4, pp. 230-232.
PREOPERATIVE LOCALIZATION OF PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA.

Several tests are available which indicate pheochromocytoma as a probable cause of hypertension. Measures for localization of the tumor(s) are, however, less effective. Preoperative localization is relatively more important in children than in adults since there is a higher incidence of multiple tumors in the younger age group and such tumors are often located at some distance from the adrenal glands. A previously described technique for localizing tumors in which plasma samples obtained by catheterization of several veins are analyzed for catecholamine has been modified. Seven previously undetected pheochromocytomas were localized by this modified method in a boy from whom 5 tumors had been surgically removed at an earlier date.
Standards for reproducible access flow measurements.

Practical techniques for determining the access flow rate during hemodialysis are reviewed and compared; all are based on indicator dilution principles. The precision of duplicate determinations of the access flow rate in close succession during a given treatment session for all techniques is good; the coefficients of variation vary from 5 to 12%. Access flow measurements during an entire treatment session or from one treatment to another may be considerably more variable since changes in systemic hemodynamics can alter the access flow rate. The influence of variability in access flow measurements on tests for access surveillance is illustrated by data simulations using the Monte Carlo method. Improved approaches for normalizing access flow measurements to changing hemodynamic conditions are desirable to permit more accurate predictions of access stenosis and thrombosis.
Fractal dimensions and dimensional crossover in superconducting wire networks

Abstract We have fabricated Al wire networks in the form of submicron scale fractals including the Sierpinski Gasket (SG), arrays of SG's, and percolation clusters. Measurements have been made of the superconducting phase boundary, T c ( H ), and the magnetoconductance above T c . From analysis of the SG data we have determined the fracton dimension of that fractal. The gasket arrays show a crossover from fractal behavior at small length scales to two-dimensional behavior over large lengths, or, equivalently, small fields. The percolation networks are also inhomogeneous, but show no crossover. Presumably this is due to the addition of randomness and dead-end bonds in these patterns.
Fiber-based telecom-band degenerate-frequency source of entangled photon pairs

We demonstrate the generation of polarization-entangled photon pairs of degenerate frequency for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, in standard optical fiber using a novel dual-pump, counterpropagating configuration. Two-photon interference with >97% visibility is obtained. The purity of the photon source, as characterized by the ratio of coincidence to accidental-coincidence counts, is shown to be as high as 116 under suitable operating conditions.
III Studies of Maternal Nutrition and Infant Outcome: Statistical Versus Biological Significance

Severe malnutrition which occurs during conditions of famine leads to a serious disruption of the reproductive process. Severe deprivation of certain specific nutrients in early pregnancy results in an increase in congenital abnormalities. Lesser deprivation later in pregnancy results in smaller infants decreased gestation time and assocaited increases in infant mortality. Since protien and energy represent the major nutritional deficiencies in the Third World most interventions have been focused in this direction and almost all of the interventions have had some statistically significant effect on birth-weight. However to test whether these gains are biologically or socially significant other factors need to be weighed such as the effects of infections secular changes in health care stress and other nutritional deficiencies. In the latter case for example it has been demonstrated that administration of folic acid leads to decreased neural tube defects in otherwise well-nourished Western women. Many studies which show a correlation between malnutrition and poor pregnancy outcomes fail to describe how risk factors (such as smoking or prior prematurity) operate. Since an infinate number of different relationships between birth weight and risk is possible the significance of an increase in birth weight on the biological outcome of the child can be large or small. For this reason the importance of 2500 grams dividing low from normal birthweight should be questioned for its universal applicability. Similarly the increase in protien in the US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for pregnant women should also be reexamined in this light. The effects of intervention on measurable variables and their significance must be evaluated along with the long-range outcome of these variables.
Octopamine Affects the Timing of Retinal Responses in Limulus as well as their Amplitudes.

This magisterial article is concerned with the effects of octopamine modulation on the quantity of activity that occurs in a variety of well-studied model nervous systems. It particularly notes the effects of such neuromodulation on the magnitude of the responses found in the visual system of Limulus, the horseshoe crab. We here wish to note that such neuromodulation also affects the latencies and timing of neural responses in this same crab’s visual system. Specifically, we (Lim et al., 2008) found that octopamine delays and prolongs the intracellular receptor potentials (RPs) recorded from excised Limulus photoreceptors while substance P accelerates such RPs. Further electroretinographic studies in intact crabs (Bolbecker et al., 2009) confirmed that such alterations in RP latencies are fully natural effects of these neuromodulators because they can also be produced by physiologic efference that varies with time-of-day. Finally, we note that such effects have properties that make efferent neuromodulation a candidate for the mediation of human visual attention (cf. Wasserman et al., 2011). If that candidacy is confirmed, new methods of diagnosing and treating attention disorders will become feasible.
A dynamic theory for composite materials

A continuum model is developed for a composite medium consisting of inclusions of arbitrary geometry embedded in a matrix material. The equations are valid up to wave lengths of the order of a unit cell dimension and are found to reduce under special assumptions to Mindlin's equations in the long wave-length approximation. In particular, a pair of characteristic time scales and length scales encountered in stress-gradient theories are evaluated in terms of known constituent material properties. As a basis of the theory, it is shown that adefinite relation exists between the dimensions of a local representative volume and those of a unit cell. The relation is found to depend on the ratio of the maximum and minimum effective elastic impedances. As a consequence, the theory hinges on the evaluation of several material constants that reflect the effect of inclusion arrangement in a local representative volume of definite dimensions.
Complexity analysis and approximate solutions for two multiple-robot localization problems

We consider the localization problem for a system of mobile robots using inexpensive range sensors. Among many issues for multi-robot systems, two problems are identified and formally defined. The first problem is sensing ranges from all robots as quickly as possible while avoiding sensor cross-talk, and the second problem is to localize a multi-robot system using a minimal number of range sensings. We show that both these problems are NP-complete, and we propose an approximate method for the multi-robot localization problem that takes advantage of the robots pose uncertainty information. Simulation results show the effectiveness of our method for localizing multiple robots.
URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS DO NOT CAUSE END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD). 1693

We reviewed the records of patients seen at Children's Mercy Hospital during a ten year period (1986-1995) to identify the causes of ESRD. Our objective was to determine the frequency with which UTIs in the absence of concomitant underlying abnormalities caused ESRD. The leading causes of ESRD(disease necessitating dialysis and/or transplant) in 103 children were obstructive uropathy, aplastic/dysplastic/hypoplastic kidney, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Three children had diagnoses of reflux nephropathy, one of whom had never had a UTI. Table
Theory of dynamical electron channeling contrast images of near-surface crystal defects

Abstract This paper describes the dynamical simulation of electron channeling contrast images (ECCIs) of dislocations. The approach utilizes both the Bloch wave formalism and the scattering matrix formalism to generate electron channeling patterns (ECPs). The latter formalism is then adapted to include the effect of lattice defects on the back-scattered electron yield, resulting in a computational algorithm for the simulation of ECCIs. Dislocations of known line direction and Burgers vector are imaged experimentally by ECCI and match well with simulated ECCIs for various channeling conditions. Experiment/simulation comparisons for ECPs and ECCIs are demonstrated for metals (Al), semiconductors (Si), and ceramics (SrTiO3).
The kinetics of the decarboxylation of n-butylmalonic acid in alkanols and amines

Rate constants and activation parameters are reported for the decarboxylation of n-butylmalonic acid in four normal alkanols (hexanol1, octanol1, decanol1, and dodecanol1) and in five amines (aniline, N-methylaniline, N-ethylaniline, N-n-propylaniline, and N-n-butylaniline). Both ΔH‡ and ΔS‡ of the reaction in both homologous series decrease regularly with increasing length of the hydrocarbon chain of solvent. If we compare data for the reaction in alkanol–amine pairs containing the same total number of carbon atoms in the molecule, we find that the ΔH‡ values are identical, but that the value of ΔS‡ is 0.8 eu/mole higher for the reaction in the amines as compared with the alcohol. The rate constant, at all temperatures, is 1.5 times as large in the amine as it is in the corresponding alcohol. Empirical equations are deduced relating the parameters ΔH‡ ΔS‡ ΔG‡ and k of the reaction to the parameters n and T, where n is the total number of carbon atoms in the solvent molecule and T is the absolute temperature. The results reported herein are compared with previously reported data for malonic acid.