cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of the ‘lifestyle’ label and negative bias in the allocation of health resources for erectile dysfunction drugs: an ethics-based appraisal

There have been recent calls for the re-evaluation of health resource allocation for erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs. This paper discusses sociocultural prejudices associated with ED and its treatment, arising from the link with sexuality, the perception that ED is a 'lifestyle' issue and the belief that ED is part of the normal ageing process. These views diminish the perceived importance of sexual health, extending subjectively into the funding arena as a 'negative bias'. Empirical data are presented, which demonstrate that ED can have significant psychosocial consequences, and that ED drugs are valuable quality-of-life interventions. The assumption that ED is an inevitable part of ageing is also analysed and found to be questionable. Health resource allocation decisions for ED drugs must be conducted with an awareness of the ethical and clinical complexities described in this paper, and with the sensibility that negative personal value judgments (on the part of policymakers) must be guarded against.
USE OF PROTHROMBIN COMPLEX CONCENTRATES (PCC) IN HEMOPHILIACS WITH INHIBITORS: LACK OF CORRELATION BETWEEN CLINICAL RESPONSE AND LABORATORY PARAMETERS

Proplex (P), Konyne, and Auto-Factor IX (A) are PCC which can promote hemostasis in patients with hemophilia A with circulating inhibitors against Factor VIII. This is achieved by the variable amounts of procoagulant substances (presumably activated clotting proteins) present in the PCC. Six patients have received 337 infusions of PCC for 95 bleeding episodes, including iliopsoas hemorrhage, life-threatening upper airway bleeding, pseudotumor, and surgical procedures (laminectomy, laparatomy, dental extractions). No untoward thrombotic complications occurred, and circulating inhibitor levels fell in 4/6 patients while remaining constant in the 2 others. Many infusions were beneficial, but clinical responses were variable and unpredictable over a wide dosage range. To evaluate this inconsistency, we tested 15 different lots of P and A and found all of them to contain activated factors as evidenced by: (1) the ability of 1:100 to 1:5000 dilutions to shorten the unactivated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) of normal and hemophilic plasma in vitro, and (2) transient shortening of patients' prothrombin time and PTT after each dose. There was no correlation between these laboratory parameters of accelerated coagulation and cessation of bleeding. Therefore, efficacy of PCC must be judged primarily by clinical response rather than by laboratory tests demonstrating activation of coagulation.
Sonic infrared imaging NDE

We describe Sonic Infrared Imaging NDE for materials and structures. In this imaging technique, a short ultrasonic pulse is applied to the structure/material to cause heating of the defects, while an infrared camera images the time evolution of the heating effect to identify the defective areas in the target. The heating effect is astonishing. In this paper, we'll include our study of Sonic IR imaging NDE on aircraft structure specimens, automotive specimens, etc. for metals, composites, ceramics, addressing fatigue cracks, and delaminations/disbonds. Some fundamental issues related to Sonic IR imaging NDE are discussed in this paper as well.
EFFECTS OF COPPER TOXICITY ON SILICIC ACID UPTAKE AND GROWTH IN THALASSIOSIRA PSEUDONANA11

The toxicity of Cu to Thalassiosira pseudonana (Hustedt) Hasle and Heimdal was investigated by examining both short and long term effects of Cu on cellular processes. Toxic levels of Cu (pCu* < 13) were found to inhibit short term Si(OH)4 uptake rates with kinetics characteristic of irreversible inhibition at a hypothetical Cu-sensitive Si(OH)4 transport site. Residual Si(OH)4 concentrations (those below which no uptake could occur) were found to increase with increasing levels of Cu, and the toxic effects of Cu could be reversed by increasing the concentrations of Si(OH)4 in the medium. The actual uptake of Cu by the cells was found to vary inversely with the ambient Si(OH)4 concentration. Copper did not inhibit the uptake of NO3− or PO43-. The long term inhibition of growth rate by Cu in this species was shown not to be a result of Si deficiency caused by the inhibition of Si(OH)4 uptake. Cu inhibited cells were found to have higher Si cell quotas (including a sizable soluble pool) than the control cultures. They were, however, observed to have aberrant frustules, significantly larger than the control cells, suggesting interference with the silification process as a possible mechanism for inhibition of growth by Cu. A conceptual model is proposed for the Cu-Si(OH)4-growth relationship. It includes a Cu sensitive Si(OH)4 transport site that may also serve to transport Cu into the cell, and growth inhibition mediated by intracellular Cu concentrations which may block cell division or cause general cellular disfunction.
Effects of N -Acetylcysteine Plus Mesalamine on Prostaglandin Synthesis and Nitric Oxide Generation in TNBS-Induced Colitis in Rats

The aim of the present studies was to examine mechanisms by which the rectally administered combination of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) plus mesalamine (5-ASA) affects inducers of inflammation to promote mucosal healing and reduce tissue inflammation in chemically (trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, TNBS) induced colitis in rats. Experimental findings demonstrate that dual therapy with NAC plus 5-ASA was superior to individual agents in reducing histological measures of colitis. NAC alone and in combination with 5-ASA suppressed COX2 gene expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels to control values. Furthermore, NAC plus 5-ASA reduced nitrate generation, an expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, to basal levels and these results were significantly lower than those observed with either NAC or 5-ASA alone. In conclusion, these results indicate that NAC plus 5-ASA exerts therapeutic benefit, in part by countering the actions of PGE2 and the deleterious effects of oxidative and nitrosative stress induced by TNBS colitis.
Assimilation and Trade between the Middle East, Europe, and North America

How are immigration and trade related? Migration leads to the formation of social networks across borders, driving down trade costs. Immigrants may also retain a preference for their native country's products, creating a local market for exports. I examine these two competing theories by estimating the immigration-trade linkage separately for migrants moving from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to Europe and North America. While these two groups originate in the same location and have similar preferences, they are quite different in terms of both income and education, with migrants to North America tending to be less numerous but more educated. The greater degree of economic assimilation for North American migrants should strengthen migrant network effects, but greater cultural assimilation weakens both network and preference effects. I find the migration-trade link to be stronger for migrants to Europe, with the strongest effect for imports. The link is stronger for differentiated goods than for homogeneous goods and strongest for differentiated goods imports into Europe. These results suggest that while network effects matter, immigrant preferences for native country goods are the key factor driving the migration-trade link.
Comparison of highly-purified microsomal cytochromes P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductases by peptide mapping

Abstract Considerable differences were observed among several cytochrome P-450 species upon mapping of proteolytic digests, although certain preparations derived from rabbits were not distinguished by this technique. Several NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductases gave peptide maps rather similar to each other. The results support and extend other evidence that microsomal cytochromes P-450 are not necessarily closely-related polypeptides.
Acquired B antigen and polyagglutination in a apparently healthy blood donor.

This work presents the second published report of an apparently healthy adult with an acquired B antigen. This case is unique because of the serial studies documenting the increase in strength of the B antigen, development of polyagglutinability, and absence of detectable gastrointestinal pathology. The cells of G.R., a 56-year-old caucasian female, came to our attention because of weak reactions with anti-B. Her cells were typed normal group A one year earlier. G.R.'s cells specifically absorbed an eluted anti-B. Her saliva contained A and H, but no B substance. The red cells were not polyagglutinable. Her cells did not react with the lectin Bandeiraea simplificolia. The cells reacted more strongly with anti-B from group A2 donors than A1. Her serum reacted with all normal group B cells, but was nonreactive with two other examples of acquired B cells. The autologous control and direct antiglobulin test were consistently negative. Samples examined three, six, and twelve months later showed the same serological results except that the acquired B antigen was stronger, although weaker than group B controls, and the cells were polyagglutinable. The cells failed to react with the following lectins Bandeiraea simplificolia I, Salvia sclarae, Salvia horminium and Soy bean lectin; but reacted with Arachis hypogea and Bandeiraea simplificolia II. Freezing and thawing the cells removed the polyagglutination but did not affect the B antigen. Normal A1 cells, but not O cells, became specifically agglutinable by anti-B after incubation with G.R.'s serum. G.R. is free from obvious pathology as determined by physical examination and gastrointestinal X-rays.
Multi-pair and multi-way communications using energy harvesting nodes

In this paper, we consider multi-directional information flow in networks with energy harvesting nodes and intermittent data arrivals at the source nodes. The sum throughput optimization problem is studied in models where an intermediate energy harvesting relay facilitates the multi-directional information exchange in the network. In particular, we consider the multi-way relay channel as well as its special case with two-user clusters, i.e., the multi-pair bidirectional relay channel, with a decode-and-forward relay. A new ingredient that is introduced in this study is the finite size data buffers at each node in addition to the finite size energy storage units (batteries). We observe that the optimal transmission policies can be found by solving the underlying convex optimization problem. We present numerical results for the multi-way and multi-pair setups to demonstrate the throughput performance of the optimal policies and the impact of the finite buffers.
Semiclassical dynamics of quasi-one-dimensional, attractive Bose–Einstein condensates

Abstract The strongly interacting regime for attractive Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) tightly confined in an extended cylindrical trap is studied. For appropriately prepared, non-collapsing BECs, the ensuing dynamics are found to be governed by the one-dimensional focusing Nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLS) in the semiclassical (small dispersion) regime. In spite of the modulational instability of this regime, some mathematically rigorous results on the strong asymptotics of the semiclassical limiting solutions were obtained recently. Using these results, “implosion-like” and “explosion-like” events are predicted whereby an initial hump focuses into a sharp spike which then expands into rapid oscillations. Seemingly related behavior has been observed in three-dimensional experiments and models, where a BEC with a sufficient number of atoms undergoes collapse. The dynamical regimes studied here, however, are not predicted to undergo collapse. Instead, distinct, ordered structures, appearing after the “implosion”, yield interesting new observables that may be experimentally accessible.
Epidermal‐dermal recombinations with embryonic naked and normal back skin of Gallus domesticus

Birds exhibiting a varying featherless condition resulting from the recessive, sex-linked gene naked (n) were used to investigate whether the gene altered the dermis or the epidermis. By splitting 7-day normal and naked skin into its dermal and epidermal components, and heterotypically recombining and growing it in chambers on the chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM), it was found that the epidermis of the naked birds is the site of mutant gene action. A histological study of developing normal and naked skin was done and the structure of the naked feather is elucidated.
Experience as Revelatory of Nature in Dewey’s Metaphysical Methodology

Dewey’s approach to philosophical methodology was, it scarcely needs saying, empiricist. In common with all empiricists (in so far as they were empiricists), he rejected as meaningless any upper-case Reality which transcends the conditions of spatio-temporal experience and any “faculty,” like upper-case Reason, of attaining such a Reality. One of the characteristics of empiricism, however, is that it appears to rob man of so much that he considers valuable. In Hume’s empiricism, especially, the world and man seem to disintegrate into a sand storm.
A technique for duplicating a fixed complete denture.

The fixed implant prosthesis often requires repair due to fracture and/or wear of acrylic resin teeth. Repair of such a prosthesis, although simple, requires retaining the prosthesis to be revised in the laboratory. In order to reveneer the implant prosthesis, a provisional restoration should be fabricated for the patient that provides similar function and esthetics. This article presents a technique for duplicating the existing fixed implant-supported prosthesis prior to repair/reveneer, thus providing a smooth transition from the provisional to the definitive prosthesis. (J Prosthet Dent 2008;100:316-319)
Regulation of Oceanic Silicon and Carbon Preservation by Temperature Control on Bacteria

We demonstrated in laboratory experiments that temperature control of marine bacteria action on diatoms strongly influences the coupling of biogenic silica and organic carbon preservation. Low temperature intensified the selective regeneration of organic matter by marine bacteria as the silicon:carbon preservation ratio gradually increased from ∼1 at 33°C to ∼6 at –1.8°C. Temperature control of bacteria-mediated selective preservation of silicon versus carbon should help to interpret and model the variable coupling of silicon and carbon sinking fluxes and the spatial patterns of opal accumulation in oceanic systems with different temperature regimes.
Choroidal osteoma: an atypical presentation

Abstract Choroidal osteomas are benign osseous tumors of the choroid. These tumors typically occur unilaterally in the juxtapapillary region in young, healthy, white females. The fundus appearance is a yellow-white or orange-red elevated lesion with sharply demarcated irregular borders. Potential complications include growth and visual compromise secondary to choroidal neovascularization. Management involves photodocumentation with annual funduscopic examination and daily Amsler Grid self assessment. Laser photocoagulation is advocated in the presence of choroidal neovascularization within the arcades. A 70-year-old male presented with a unilateral subretinal elevated yellow-orange mass. Although atypical in presentation, the lesion was diagnosed as a choroidal osteoma based on the funduscopic appearance, computed tomography, ultrasonography and serologic testing.
Strategic dynamic vehicle routing with spatio-temporal dependent demands

We study a zero-sum game formulation of a dynamic vehicle routing problem: a system planner seeks to design dynamic routing policies for a team of vehicles to minimize the average waiting time of demands that are strategically placed in a region by an adversarial agent with unitary capacity operating from a depot. We characterize an equilibrium in the limiting case where vehicles travel arbitrarily slower than the agent (heavy load). We show that such an equilibrium consists of a routing policy based on performing successive TSP tours through outstanding demands and a unique power-law spatial density centered at the depot location.
Can early timed internal atrial defibrillation shocks reduce the atrial defibrillation threshold

The defibrillation threshold is markedly reduced very early following the initiation of ventricular fibrillation. The purpose of this study was to determine if the same finding holds true for atrial defibrillation. Sustained, reproducible AF was induced with programmed atrial pacing using acetyl-beta-methylcholine chloride (40-640 microL/min) in six adult sheep (heart weight 245-300 g). Seven timing intervals (125 ms, 200 ms, 1 s, 3 s, 10 s, 30 s, and 5 min after AF induction) and two lead configurations: (1) RA as cathode and CS as anode; and (2) RA as cathode and RV apex as anode were tested. Single capacitor biphasic waveforms (3/1 ms) were delivered and atrial defibrillation thresholds (ADFTs) were determined in random order. No significant differences in leading edge voltage and total energy were detected for the RA-CS configuration for the seven timing intervals. For the RA-RV configuration, a significant difference was detected comparing the voltage for 125 ms to the 5-minute timing interval. For all times except 125 ms, the RA-RV threshold was significantly higher than the RA-CS level. In contrast to ventricular defibrillation, the ADFT does not change significantly within the first 5 minutes after the initiation of AF for the RA-CS configuration. However, if the shock is given very early (125 ms after AF induction) with the RA-RV configuration, the ADFT is lowered almost to the RA-CS level.
QUEUEING ALGORITHM FOR CALCULATING IDLING EMISSIONS IN FLINT--THE FLORIDA INTERSECTION AIR QUALITY MODEL

The theoretical development of the queueing model used in the FLINT (FLorida INTersection) air quality model is described. FLINT is an area source model used to predict carbon monoxide concentrations for under-saturated and oversaturated traffic conditions at signalized intersections. In the FLINT model, deterministic queueing is used to estimate the queue length for cases of undersaturated conditions. In oversaturated cases, a cycle failure method has been developed to estimate queue length. In addition, a new concept is presented for calculating idling time for each vehicle's position in the queue during both the red and the green phases of the traffic signal cycle. A limited set of undersaturated cases from monitoring data in Melrose Park, Illinois, was used to compare the predicted queue lengths with the measured queue lengths for several air quality models. It was found that FLINT predicted the queue length within one vehicle of the observed queue length. The same cases were tested using CAL3QHC, TEX...
Hinge spectrometer: a grating Fabry-Perot instrument for far-infrared/submillimeter spectroscopy in space

A compact submillimeter spectrometer can be constructed through the use of a combination of grating and Fabry-Perot techniques. The instrument has only one moving part, a grating that pivots about an accurately placed hinge. The entire optical train is cooled to liquid helium temperature for low-background low-noise operation and is designed for use in astronomical observations from aircraft, balloons, or space vehicles. Resolving power R about 20,000 at about 150 microns is demonstrated.
Changes in the Climate at Harbel, Liberia

ABSTRACT Liberia's climate, with the absence of South American Leaf Blight (SALB) disease, was the major factor suiting the cultivation of Hevea brasiliensis (Hevea rubber) by Firestone Plantations Company at Harbel. Notably, however, the weather was unusually hot and dry during the latter 1980's, and concerns about fires, tree survival, and economically sustainable yields surfaced. The objective was consequently set to analyze accumulated climatic data, find out if there had been significant changes in the weather at Harbel, and determine if Hevea rubber cultivation at Harbel was threatened. Meteorological data had been routinely collected per internationally-recognized meteorological procedures since 1936 at the Firestone Botanical Research Center, and 53 years of accumulated data were available. These data were tabulated, analyzed and presented herein. The data showed a trend of annual rainfall decline. The number of days with rain per year also declined, and the average temperature at Harbel rose some...
Calculation of the twist and the writhe for representative models of DNA

The geometric quantities twist (Tw) and writhe (Wr) are of primary importance for a complete description of the structure of DNA. In the case of a closed circular DNA, the sum of Tw and Wr is constant and equal to the linking number, Lk. In this paper we present a general method for calculation of the twist in terms of a pair of curves and a correspondence surface that joins them. The twist of any pair of curves (C1 and C2) may take on different values depending upon their ordering, and in general Tw(C1, C2) is not equal to Tw(C2, C1). We describe four models that may be taken to represent the structure of DNA and compute the twist for both orderings in each case. The four models examined are: I, a regular helix about a linear axis; II, a toroidal helix about a closed circular axis; III, a superhelix about a regular helical axis; and IV, a superhelix about a closed toroidal helix. In cases II and IV these results are also used to calculate Lk and Wr. Case III is used to analyze the winding of DNA in a nucleosome.
Elevation of serum lipids after chronic administration of amiodarone in rabbits.

Amiodarone hydrochloride is a potent, iodine-containing antiarrhythmic compound with a long elimination half-life, whose cardiac action appears to be mediated through an interference with thyroxine-dependent pathways in the heart. Whether it has any effect on lipid metabolism is not known. Its effect (20 mg/kg per day intraperitoneally) after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment on changes in serum lipoproteins were studied in male New Zealand white rabbits. Serum amiodarone levels reached a steady state (∼ 0.50 μg/ml) after 3 weeks, and serum reverse T3 (an index of drug dose and duration of treatment) increased 3–4 fold by 3 and 6 weeks. In two discrete sets of studies, serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (CHOL) increased significantly (P < 0.01) after 3 and 6 weeks on amiodarone when compared to the values in a control series of animals. Phospholipid (PL) levels were not changed. Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in the drug-treated groups showed a significant increase in triglyceride (P < 0.01) and in apoprotein B (P < 0.05). There was no change in low density lipoprotein (LDL)-total cholesterol levels, but there was a significant increase in low density lipoprotein-apoprotein B levels. Whether the abnormalities observed in serum lipids induced by amiodarone are mediated through changes in thyroid hormones or occur as a result of a direct effect on lipid metabolism is unknown, but the problem merits further investigation.
Recruitment strategies in the Asthma Clinical Research Network

In any clinical trial, recruitment of trial participants usually requires an intense effort to reach the target sample size. The Asthma Clinical Research Network (ACRN) was keenly aware of this issue at its inception and therefore initiated and emphasized recruitment strategies for each of its clinical trials. This article describes the recruitment strategies for the ACRN's first four major clinical trials. Particular attention is given to the strategies for the recruitment of women and minorities. Finally, the specific strategies of each of the six ACRN clinical centers are presented.
Fibromyalgia: a time-series analysis of the stressor-physical symptom association.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association among daily stressors, cognitive rumination, and fibromyalgia symptoms using time-series methodology and to determine whether autocorrelation was present in the self-report data. Twelve female fibromyalgia subjects monitored their daily level of stressors, cognitive rumination, and fibromyalgia symptoms for 30–35 days. Time-series regression analyses indicated that there was a positive association between previous-day stressors and fibromyalgia symptoms for one subject and between previous-day cognitive rumination and fibromyalgia symptoms for four subjects. For 7 out of 12 subjects autocorrelation was present, and generalized least-squares methods were used with these subjects. These results indicate that ordinary least-squares methods may often not be appropriate for within-subject designs with self-report data. These results also question the often reported stressor-physical symptom association. This study illustrates a useful methodology and analysis to investigate psychosocial-physical symptom associations.
An automatic amperometric method for the specific enzymatic determination of galactose

Abstract An automatic enzymatic method is described for the determination of galactose. The method is based on the catalysis by galactose oxidase of the oxidation of galactose. Hydrogen peroxide produced by the enzymatic reaction rapidly oxidizes iodide to iodine in the presence of Mo(VI). The formation of iodine is detected amperometrically. Automatic control equipment provides direct read-out of the time required for a definite amount of iodine to be produced. The reciprocal of the measured time interval when plotted against the galactose concentration provides a linear working curve. Automatic results for samples show relative standard deviations of about 2% over a range of 50–500 p.p.m. galactose.
Energetics and mechanism of the decomposition of trifluoromethanol.

The thermal instability of α-fluoroalcohols is generally attributed to a unimolecular 1,2-elimination of HF, but the barrier to intramolecular HF elimination from CF3OH is predicted to be 45.1 ± 2 kcal/mol. The thermochemical parameters of trifluoromethanol were calculated using coupled-cluster theory (CCSD(T)) extrapolated to the complete basis set limit. High barriers of 42.9, 43.1, and 45.0 kcal/mol were predicted for the unimolecular decompositions of CH2FOH, CHF2OH, and CF3OH, respectively. These barriers are lowered substantially if cyclic H-bonded dimers of CF3OH with complexation energies of ∼5 kcal/mol are involved. A six-membered ring dimer has an energy barrier of 28.7 kcal/mol and an eight-membered dimer has an energy barrier of 32.9 kcal/mol. Complexes of CF3OH with HF lead to strong H-bonded dimers, trimers and tetramers with complexation energies of ∼6, 11, and 16 kcal/mol, respectively. The dimer, CH3OH:HF, and the trimers, CF3OH:2HF and (CH3OH)2:HF, have decomposition energy barriers of 2...
The (not always sweet) uses of opportunism: post-communist political parties in Poland

Abstract The author argues that political opportunism, an attitude common among communist party members before 1989, turned into both the blessing and the curse for post-communist parties in Poland. Once hopeful of secure careers in the authoritarian structures of the old regime, after the regime breakdown communists found themselves in a situation where the only chance for such a career could be associated with the party reinventing itself as a player in the field of pluralist democracy. Opportunistic attitudes of communist apparatchiks and nomenklatura members were instrumental in transforming them, individually and collectively, into effective actors in market economy and competitive politics. Yet the same attitudes doomed the post-communists once the opportunities associated with access to political power opened up widely. The same people who in the 1990s were so apt in turning the rules of democratic game into their collective advantage, in the 2000s acted with a sense of impunity and lack of any consideration for political accountability that in democracies arrives at the end of any election cycle. Plagued by corruption scandals, they lost their popular base: the economically disadvantaged groups to nationalistic populists, the urbane libertarians to liberal democrats.
Molecular Friction-Induced Electroosmotic Phenomena in Thin Neutral Nanotubes

We reveal by classical molecular dynamics simulations electroosmotic flows in thin neutral carbon (CNT) and boron nitride (BNT) nanotubes filled with ionic solutions of hydrated monovalent atomic ions. We observe that in (12,12) BNTs filled with single ions in an electric field, the net water velocity increases in the order of Na+ < K+ < Cl–, showing that different ions have different power to drag water in thin nanotubes. However, the effect gradually disappears in wider nanotubes. In (12,12) BNTs containing neutral ionic solutions in electric fields, we observe net water velocities going in the direction of Na+ for (Na+, Cl–) and in the direction of Cl– for (K+, Cl–). We hypothesize that the electroosmotic flows are caused by different strengths of friction between ions with different hydration shells and the nanotube walls.
How Best to Remove the Snare From the Pair: Construction and Cognitive Load Hypotheses

Students (N = 124) viewed 14 timed Web pages that distinguished 14 confusing word pairs. In a 2 X 2 factorial design, the authors gave all of the students matrices containing representational pictures for each pair of words, as well as examples of each word in use. One factor in the design was the absence or presence of rules of usage for each pair, which did or did not prompt rule construction, and the other factor was audio or text presentation of the examples or rules + examples, which could affect cognitive load. Results were consistent with the construction hypothesis and previous research. Students in rule-absent conditions (a) generated more novel examples of the words in use and (b) explained the rules of usage better on written tests than did students in rule-present conditions.
Multimodal coupling of optical transitions and plasmonic oscillations in rhodamine B modified gold nanoparticles

The optical properties of a photoluminescent dye rhodamine B (RhB) interacting with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) have been investigated using plasmonic absorbance, fluorescence, and resonance elastic light scattering (RELS) spectroscopy. We have found that these interactions result in a multimodal coupling that influence optical transitions in RhB. In absorbance measurements, we have observed for the first time the coupling resulting in strong screening of RhB π–π* transitions, likely caused by a contact adsorption of RhB on a conductive surface of AuNP. The nanoparticles quench also very efficiently the RhB fluorescence. We have determined that the static quenching mechanism with a non-Forster fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from RhB molecules to AuNP is involved. The Stern–Volmer dependence F0/F = f(Q) shows an upward deviation from linearity, attributed to the ultra-high quenching efficiency of AuNP leading to the new extended Stern–Volmer model. A sharp RELS peak of RhB alone (λmax = 566 nm) has been observed for the first time and attributed to the resonance fluorescence and enhanced scattering. This peak is completely quenched in the presence of AuNP22nm. Our quantum mechanical calculations confirm that the distance between AuNP surface and conjugated π-electron system in RhB is well within the range of plasmonic fields extending from AuNP. The optical transition coupling to plasmonic oscillations and the efficient energy transfer due to the interactions of fluorescent dyes with nanoparticles are important for biophysical studies of life processes and applications in nanomedicine.
MMP-1 (collagenase-1) and MMP-13 (collagenase-3) differentially regulate markers of osteoblastic differentiation in osteogenic cells

Previous studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between constitutive or stimulated collagenase expression and osteoblastic phenotype of osteogenic cells. However, the direct effects of cell-secreted collagenases on osteoblastic differentiation, and the precise contributions of the key collagenolytic MMPs, MMP-1 and -13 to the modulation of specific osteoblastic markers have not been elucidated. Early passage osteogenic human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were exposed to exogenous collagenase-1 in the presence and absence of dexamethasone. Alternatively, endogenous collagenases were modulated by transfecting the cells with cDNA or siRNA to MMP-1 and/or -13. Specific osteoblastic markers and collagenase expression and activity were then assayed. Increasing concentrations of exogenous collagenase or endogenous MMP-1 and -13 produced a dose-dependent decrease in AP activity. Conversely, a dose-dependent increase in AP activity was observed with increasing concentrations of MMP-1 or MMP-13 siRNA. Overexpression of MMP-1 resulted in a significant decrease in Runx2, osteonectin (ON), osteopontin (OP), bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OC), but an increase in osterix (Osx) mRNA levels. In contrast, knockdown of MMP-1 caused a significant increase in Runx2, ON, OP, BSP and OC levels and a decrease in Osx levels. MMP-13 overexpression resulted in diminished levels of Osx, OP and BSP, while its knockdown caused a significant increase in Osx and OP levels and a significant decrease in ON levels. The accretion of matrix molecules including collagen I(α1) in cell-matrix extracts paralleled the changes in their respective mRNAs. Simultaneous suppression of both MMP-1 and -13 resulted in significant increases in all osteoblastic markers assayed. MMP-1 and -13 differentially regulate osteoblastic markers and their combined suppression is important for the elaboration of an osteoblastic phenotype in PDL cells.
Estimating African-American Mortality from Inaccurate Data*

This paper evaluates the quality of vital statistics and census data for estimating African-American mortality over a period of six decades. The authors employ intercensal cohort comparisons and extinct generation estimates to demonstrate that conventionally constructed African-American death rates may be seriously flawed as early as age 50. Using the crude death rate at ages 50+ for 1978-1982 in conjunction with estimated growth rates and two model life table systems, the authors estimate black age-specific death rates in 1978–1982. These results suggest that if a racial crossover in death rates occurs, the age pattern of mortality among African-Americans must be far outside the range observed in populations with more accurate data.
Relaxation dynamics in orthoterphenyl: comparing βK from extended mode coupling theory and phenomenological analyses

Abstract Depolarized light scattering susceptibility spectra of orthoterphenyl (OTP) were analyzed using the idealized and extended versions of mode coupling theory (MCT). The extended MCT fits were combined with KWW fits to the α peaks to provide combined α–β fits from which the KWW stretching coefficient βK was determined. βK was found to be nearly independent of temperature, in agreement with the asymptotic prediction of MCT. The spectra were also analyzed with a five-function phenomenological model developed by Patkowski et al. [J. Non-Cryst. Solids 172–174 (1994) 52]. While this model gives excellent fits to the spectra, we found that it is not able to determine βK uniquely unless other parameters are artificially constrained. Here, and in comparing light scattering and dielectric data for salol, we find the claim that βK approaches 1 at high temperatures not to be justified by the experimental data.
Compact integrated motion sensor with three-pixel interaction

An integrated circuit with on-chip photoreceptors is described, that computes the bi-directional velocity of a visual stimulus moving along a given axis in the focal plane by measuring the time delay of its detection at two positions. Due to the compactness of the circuit, a dense array of such motion-sensing elements can be monolithically integrated to estimate the velocity field of an image and to extract higher-level image features through local or global interaction.
Identification of a Familial Hyperinsulinism-causing Mutation in the Sulfonylurea Receptor 1 That Prevents Normal Trafficking and Function of KATP Channels

Mutations in the pancreatic ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel subunits sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) and the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir6.2 cause persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy. We have identified a SUR1 mutation, L1544P, in a patient with the disease. Channels formed by co-transfection of Kir6.2 and the mutant SUR1 in COS cells have reduced response to MgADP (∼10% that of the wild-type channels) and reduced surface expression (∼19% that of the wild-type channels). However, the steady-state level of the SUR1 protein is unaffected. Treating cells with lysosomal or proteasomal inhibitors did not improve surface expression of the mutant channels, suggesting that increased degradation of mutant channels by either pathway is unlikely to account for the reduced surface expression. Removal of the RKR endoplasmic reticulum retention/retrieval trafficking motif in either SUR1 or Kir6.2 increased the surface expression of the mutant channel by ∼35 and ∼20%, respectively. The simultaneous removal of the RKR motif in both channel subunits restored surface expression of the mutant channel to the wild-type channel levels. Thus, the L1544P mutation may interfere with normal trafficking of KATP channels by causing improper shielding of the RKR endoplasmic reticulum retention/retrieval trafficking signals in the two channel subunits.
Clinical course of thoracic cancers in Hodgkin's disease survivors

Abstract Background Hodgkin's disease survivors have a high risk of subsequently developing thoracic cancers. Our goal was to evaluate the prognosis and treatment outcomes of thoracic cancers after Hodgkin's disease. Patients and methods Thirty-three patients treated for Hodgkin's disease at Harvard-affiliated hospitals subsequently developed small-cell lung carcinoma, non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) or mesothelioma. Information was obtained from medical records about the initial treatment for Hodgkin's disease, any salvage therapy, smoking history, and the stage, histology, treatment and survival for thoracic cancers. Results Of the 33 patients, 29 (88%) had a history of radiotherapy to the thorax, 17 (52%) had received alkylating chemotherapy, and 24 (73%) had a known history of smoking. The median time between diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease and diagnosis of thoracic cancer was 17.3 years (range 1.2–27.9 years). Among patients with NSCLC and a known stage, 85% presented with stage III or stage IV disease. Among patients whose treatment details were available, 40% underwent surgery, 40% received radiotherapy and 65% received chemotherapy. The median survival was 9 months (range 1–47 months). Conclusions Most patients with thoracic cancers after Hodgkin's disease have a history of exposure to risk factors and present at an advanced stage. Patients with thoracic cancers after Hodgkin's disease have a poor survival.
Design of multistage feedforward compensated opamps

For applications requiring low distortion and low power and for low supply voltage environments, the multipath feed-forward compensation is an attractive design technique. It achieves high loop gain over a wide bandwidth without requiring any high speed amplifier stages or complex design equations. As a result it leads to low power solutions. This paper describes the design procedure to design stable amplifiers of arbitrary order with ease.
Methoxyl as an indicator of the nutritive value of forage.

Summary A study was made of the relationships between the digestibility and methoxyl content of forages and between forage digestibility and the fecal methoxyl content. The three forages studied were of different botanical composition, were both grazed and hand-fed, and each was harvested at several stages of growth. The coefficients of digestibility of the clipped forage were determined in the conventional digestion trial, whereas those of the grazed forage were estimated by the chromogen technique. The digestibility of the dry matter and the methoxyl content of the hand-fed forage were highly significantly correlated (r = −0.83). The methoxyl content of forage appears to be useful as a relative index of forage digestibility for selecting among similar forages of widely different digestibility. The regression of dry matter digestibility on the concentration of methoxyl in feces was not statistically different for the three forage mixtures or for grazed and hand-fed forage. The pooled regression of percentage dry matter digestibility (Y) on percentage fecal methoxyl (X) , representing all forages ( i.e. , grazed and hand-fed), is: Y = 94.18−9.586X, and the correlation coefficient obtained for 107 observations is −.742.
Performance Limits of an Aircraft Inertial-Based Stochastic Lateral Guidance System

The performance limits that can be achieved for a specified level of control activity are explored for a class of incomplete state feedback inertial data based lateral control systems in a stochastic gust environment. The stochastic optimization problem is defined and direct minimization of the performance index, consisting of weighted elements of the system covariance matrix, is carried out using parameter optimization techniques. Optimal solutions are presented for an inertial measurement based reduced state feedback lateral control system for the Convair 880 transport aircraft. The solutions provide a lower bound on the rms path deviation due to wind gusts which can be achieved with a specified level of control activity and also provide valuable guidance in the choice of primary lateral effector between ailerons and differential spoiler. The performance characteristics of a conventional radio coupler design for the CV880 are presented for comparison purposes.
The relevance of social issues in ubiquitous computing environments

Social issues include individual, group, and organizational behaviors that are affected by ubiquitous computing. Our discussion of these issues is prompted by the following questions. What if technology was literally untethered by any physical connection to a network, to a workspace, or to an organization? What new ways to communicate, collaborate, coordinate, organize, and manage would we see? Answers to these questions invite fresh approaches to studying the social consequences of technologies. Ubiquitous computing technologies not only enable new ways of acting and interacting, but also stimulate fundamental reassessments of the meaning of human action and interaction. In some cases, social actions will occur in entirely new ways, and in other cases completely new social actions will appear.
Stability and posets

Hirschfeldt and Shore have introduced a notion of stability for infinite posets. We define an arguably more natural notion called weak stability, and we study the existence of infinite computable or low chains or antichains, and of infinite chains and antichains, in infinite computable stable and weakly stable posets. For example, we extend a result of Hirschfeldt and Shore to show that every infinite computable weakly stable poset contains either an infinite low chain or an infinite computable antichain. Our hardest result is that there is an infinite computable weakly stable poset with no infinite chains or antichains. On the other hand, it is easily seen that every infinite computable stable poset contains an infinite computable chain or an infinite antichain. In Reverse Mathematics, we show that SCAC, the principle that every infinite stable poset contains an infinite chain or antichain, is equivalent over RCA 0 to WSAC, the corresponding principle for weakly stable posets.
Bending-induced birefringence of optical fiber cladding modes

The bend-induced lateral stresses that generate birefringence in an optical fiber are analytically determined throughout the fiber cross section. This stress profile is used to determine the birefringence of a cladding mode in a single-mode fiber. The result demonstrates that the birefringence of cladding modes may be much smaller than that of the core mode and knowledge of the mode profile and stress distribution is necessary for an accurate prediction.
Functional Characterization of the GATA Transcription Factors GNC and CGA1 Reveals Their Key Role in Chloroplast Development, Growth, and Division in Arabidopsis

Chloroplasts develop from proplastids in a process that requires the interplay of nuclear and chloroplast genomes, but key steps in this developmental process have yet to be elucidated. Here, we show that the nucleus-localized transcription factors GATA NITRATE-INDUCIBLE CARBON-METABOLISM-INVOLVED (GNC) and CYTOKININ-RESPONSIVE GATA1 (CGA1) regulate chloroplast development, growth, and division in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). GNC and CGA1 are highly expressed in green tissues, and the phytohormone cytokinin regulates their expression. A gnc cga1 mutant exhibits a reduction in overall chlorophyll levels as well as in chloroplast size in the hypocotyl. Ectopic overexpression of either GNC or CGA1 promotes chloroplast biogenesis in hypocotyl cortex and root pericycle cells, based on increases in the number and size of the chloroplasts, and also results in expanded zones of chloroplast production into the epidermis of hypocotyls and cotyledons and into the cortex of roots. Ectopic overexpression also promotes the development of etioplasts from proplastids in dark-grown seedlings, subsequently enhancing the deetiolation process. Inducible expression of GNC demonstrates that GNC-mediated chloroplast biogenesis can be regulated postembryonically, notably so for chloroplast production in cotyledon epidermal cells. Analysis of the gnc cga1 loss-of-function and overexpression lines supports a role for these transcription factors in regulating the effects of cytokinin on chloroplast division. These data support a model in which GNC and CGA1 serve as two of the master transcriptional regulators of chloroplast biogenesis, acting downstream of cytokinin and mediating the development of chloroplasts from proplastids and enhancing chloroplast growth and division in specific tissues.
Fault-Tolerant Flow Control in On-chip Networks

Scaling of interconnects exacerbates the already challenging reliability of on-chip networks. Although many researchers have provided various fault handling techniques in chip multi-processors (CMPs), the fault-tolerance of the interconnection network is yet to adequately evolve. As an end-to-end recovery approach delays fault detection and complicates recovery to a consistent global state in such a system, a link-level retransmission is endorsed for recovery, making a higher-level protocol simple. In this paper, we introduce a fault-tolerant flow control scheme for soft error handling in on-chip networks. The fault-tolerant flow control recovers errors at a link-level by requesting retransmission and ensures an error-free transmission on a flit-basis with incorporation of dynamic packet fragmentation. Dynamic packet fragmentation is adopted as a part of fault-tolerant flow control to disengage flits from the fault-containment and recover the faulty flit transmission. Thus, the proposed router provides a high level of dependability at the link-level for both datapath and control planes. In simulation with injected faults, the proposed router is observed to perform well, gracefully degrading while exhibiting 97% error coverage in datapath elements. The proposed router has been implemented using a TSMC 45nm standard cell library. As compared to a router which employs triple modular redundancy (TMR) in datapath elements, the proposed router takes 58% less area and consumes 40% less energy per packet on average.