cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is chemiluminescent immunoassay an appropriate substitution for radioimmunoassay in monitoring estradiol levels

Abstract Objective: To determine the correlation between serum estradiol measurements by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA) vs. radioimmunoassay (RIA) in two groups: patients treated with gonadotropins and patients treated with oral estrogen. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program based in a university-affiliated hospital in Manhasset, New York. Patient(s): Three hundred forty-eight patients undergoing gonadotropin stimulation and 63 patients receiving oral estrogen between July and December, 1997. Intervention(s): Estradiol levels were measured concomitantly on all patients undergoing gonadotropin stimulation for IVF and all patients receiving oral estrogen for a frozen-thaw cycle. Main Outcome Measure(s): RIA:CIA ratio. Result(s): In the group undergoing gonadotropin stimulation, the median RIA:CIA ratio was 0.92, RIA=1.26 × CIA 0.96 , r = 0.98. In the group receiving oral estrogen, the median ratio was 3.93, RIA=2.9 × CIA 1.05 , r = 0.89. Conclusion(s): Estradiol levels determined by CIA correlate closely with RIA results for patients being treated with gonadotropins. Conversely, for patients receiving oral estrogen, CIA levels are one-third or less of the RIA level.
Silicon-chip-based octave-spanning frequency comb

We demonstrate an octave-spanning frequency comb via parametric four-wave mixing in a monolithic, high-Q silicon nitride microring resonator. The comb is generated from a single-frequency pump laser and spans 180 THz with a 226-GHz spacing.
Legislating Victim Offender Dialogue: A Value-Rich Policy Analysis

This paper examines the utility and efficacy of Texas's legislation of victim offender mediated dialogue (VOMD) as a means of seeking justice for victims of crime. Conclusions are informed by the historical application of VOMD in cases of serious violent crime, exploration of the theoretical and value bases of such a policy, practical implementation of the policy to date, and preliminary evaluation of the resultant programs. This author recommends serious, thoughtful consideration of the transferability of Texas's VOMD legislation to other states.
The Role of Bronchial Arteriography and Therapeutic Embolization in Hemoptysis

A case is presented which demonstrates the value of bronchial arteriographic studies in localizing and treating hemoptysis. The patient was bleeding from an old posttuberculous bulla and for several reasons was not a candidate for surgery. Bronchial arteriographic studies demonstrated both hypervascularity in the region of the cavity and also a mycotic aneurysm of a bronchial artery. After therapeutic embolization with gelatin (Gelfoam), the hypervascularity and aneurysm were no longer opacified. Active bleeding abruptly ceased and, except for a single mild recurrence, has not recurred during the three months since therapeutic embolization. The major theoretic risk of bronchial arteriographic study and therapeutic embolization is spinal injury. It is believed that permanent injury can almost always be avoided, providing proper technique is used.
Lead pollution in a large, prairie-pothole lake (Rush Lake, WI, USA): effects on abundance and community structure of indigenous sediment bacteria.

Abstract Rush Lake (WI, USA), the largest prairie-pothole lake east of the Mississippi River, has been contaminated with lead pollution as a result of over 140 years of waterfowl hunting. We examined: (1) the extent of lead pollution in Rush Lake sediments and (2) whether lead pollution in Rush Lake is affecting the abundance and community structure of indigenous sediment bacteria. Sediment lead concentrations did not exceed 59 mg Pb kg−1 dry sediment. No relationship was observed between sediment lead concentration and the abundance of aerobic (P = 0.498) or anaerobic (P = 0.416) heterotrophic bacteria. Similarly, lead did not appear to affect bacterial community structure when considering both culturable and nonculturable community members. In contrast, the culturable fraction of sediment bacteria in samples containing 59 mg Pb kg−1 exhibited a unique community structure. While factors other than lead content likely play roles in determining bacterial community structure in the sediments of Rush Lake, these data suggest that the culturable fraction of sediment bacterial communities is affected by elevated lead levels.
Metabolism of Bovine Semen. VII. Pyruvate-Alanine Conversion

Summary Conversion of pyruvate to alanine and the reverse reaction have been demonstrated in dialyzed extracts of bovine spermatozoa and of seminal plasma, and in intact washed spermatozoa. Using washed spermatozoa, substituting Ringer phosphate-glycine for Ringer phosphate, results in an increase in alanine and a decrease in pyruvate. It is suggested that the glycine-containing buffer forces the transamination reaction to the right, and that this reaction accounts for the reduced accumulation of lactate in diluents containing glycine.
Phosphorylation of a Src Kinase at the Autophosphorylation Site in the Absence of Src Kinase Activity

Exposure of cells to oxidants increases the phosphorylation of the Src family tyrosine protein kinase Lck at Tyr-394, a conserved residue in the activation loop of the catalytic domain. Kinase-deficient Lck expressed in fibroblasts that do not express any endogenous Lck has been shown to be phosphorylated at Tyr-394 following H2O2 treatment to an extent indistinguishable from that seen with wild type Lck. This finding indicates that a kinase other than Lck itself is capable of phosphorylating Tyr-394. Because fibroblasts express other Src family members, it remained to be determined whether the phosphorylation of Tyr-394 was carried out by another Src family kinase or by an unrelated tyrosine protein kinase. We examined here whether Tyr-394 in kinase-deficient Lck was phosphorylated following exposure of cells devoid of endogenous Src family kinase activity to H2O2. Strikingly, treatment of such cells with H2O2 led to the phosphorylation of Tyr-394 to an extent identical to that seen with wild type Lck, demonstrating that Src family kinases are not required for H2O2-induced phosphorylation of Lck. Furthermore, this efficient phosphorylation of Lck at Tyr-394 in non-lymphoid cells suggests the existence of an ubiquitous activator of Src family kinases.
The Double-Helix Microscope Enables Precise and Accurate Measurement of 3D Single-Molecule Orientation and Localization Beyond the Diffraction Limit

Failure to account for the asymmetric nature of fluorophore emission in single-molecule super-resolution microscopy can lead to large localization errors. We use the Double-Helix microscope to correct such mislocalizations while simultaneously extracting 3D position and molecular orientation.
Interpopulation variation in Chrysoperla carnea reproduction: implications for mass-rearing and storage.

To determine whether diverse populations and biotypes of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) can be mass-produced and stored under uniform conditions, we assessed reproduction in five North American populations, four from the carnea biotype and one from the mohave biotype. Non-diapause adults from the carnea biotype varied significantly in only one aspect of reproduction, viz., the preoviposition period, whereas the duration and rate of oviposition, as well as fecundity, did not vary significantly. Relative to the carnea populations, the mohave population typically had delayed oviposition and a lower rate of oviposition; however, its oviposition period was long, and thus its fecundity differed only from that of the most productive carnea populations. The shelf-life (= survival during storage, and subsequent survival and reproduction after storage) was evaluated for four populations of the carnea biotype. Survival of diapausing adults during the first 18 weeks of storage was high among all four populations; adults from three populations also showed high survival after 35 weeks of storage. A high incidence of females from all four populations laid some fertile eggs after being stored for up to 31 weeks or longer. After six or more weeks of storage, average fecundity was high and ranged from ∼400–900 eggs/female. Duration of storage (up to 39 weeks) was a significant determinant of fecundity in two of the four populations. In practice, diverse populations of C. carnea can be efficiently mass-produced (with or without storage) under uniform conditions in the insectary. Thus, the choice of which populations to mass-produce and use in augmentation can be based primarily on the characteristics (e.g., climate, habitat, crop) of the intended area of release, rather than on considerations concerning mass-rearing.
Management of postoperative mediastinitis in infants and children by muscle flap rotation.

Abstract Between July 1, 1976, and June 30, 1986, at the Henrietta Egleston Hospital for Children, 2,242 infants and children underwent palliation or repair of a congenital heart defect. Twenty-one (0.94%) of these patients developed mediastinitis following a median sternotomy. Nineteen of these twenty-one patients had required cardiopulmonary bypass. All patients had positive mediastinal cultures. The first 8 patients were managed traditionally by debridement and irrigation. Three of these patients suffered serious metabolic complications related to the povidone-iodine irrigant, which resulted in 1 death. Another patient died from persistent sepsis following debridement. Subsequently, 13 patients were managed by early debridement and rotation of the pectoralis major or rectus abdominis muscle flaps, or both. Following muscle flap rotation and early wound closure, 2 patients had subsequent incisional complications. One patient had incisional dehiscence and 1 had a superficial skin separation. Two deaths in this group, 28 and 51 days, respectively, following muscle flap rotation, resulted from nonincisional problems in patients with healed median sternotomies. The group having muscle flap rotation required a significantly shorter duration of postoperative ventilatory support (3.2 versus 24 days, p p
Seed radiosensitivity: wide range in oxygen-enhancement ratio after gamma-irradiation of eight species.

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the oxygen effect after 60Co γ-radiation of dry seeds from eight species of higher plants which differed in radiosensitivity and nuclear and chromosome volume. Seeds of barley, rice, cucumber, fescue, lettuce, alfalfa, radish and onion were dried to a water content of between 1 and 3 per cent by storage over CaSO4 under vacuum. The seeds in vacuo in glass tubes were then exposed to 60Co γ-radiation. After irradiation, the seeds were soaked in either oxygen- or nitrogen-bubbled water at 0°c ∼ 18 hours. The oxygen-enhancement ratio (o.e.r.) measured at D50 for seedling growth reduction (dry weight per plant) ranged from 1·3 for onion to 16·7 for rice. The wide range in oxygen-sensitivity among species is not related to nuclear volume or interphase chromosome volume, the relative radiosensitivity of the species or any taxonomic criteria. The radiation damage appeared to be enhanced more by oxygen in starchy than in oily seeds. Seed radiosensitivity was rela...
Does Ethnicity Affect the Coping of Military Spouses

This article presents results of an exploratory study of how Army military spouses with children cope with everyday stresses varies based on ethnic background. The study used data from 4,464 respon...
Panoramic Appearance Map (PAM) for Multi-camera Based Person Re-identification

This paper proposes a concept of panoramic appearance map to perform reidentification of a people who leave the scene and reappear after some time. The map is a compact signature of appearance information of a person extracted from multiple cameras. The person is detected and tracked in multiple cameras and triangulation is used to accurately localize the person in 3-D. A virtual cylinder is formed around the person?s location and mapped onto an image with the horizontal axis representing the azimuth angle and vertical axis representing the height. Each bin in the map image gets the appearance information from all the cameras which can observe it. The maps between different tracks are matched using a weighted metric. Experimental results showing person matching and reidentification show the effectiveness of the approach.
Caspases and p38 MAPK Regulate Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness for Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells natively circulating or delivered into the blood stream home to sites of injury. The mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell homing to sites of injury is poorly understood. We have shown that the development of apoptosis in endothelial cells stimulates endothelial cell adhesiveness for mesenchymal stem cells. Adhesion of mesenchymal stem cells to apoptotic endothelial cells depends on the activation of endothelial caspases and p38 MAPK. Activation of p38 MAPK in endothelial cells has a primary effect while the activation of caspases potentiates the mesenchymal stem cell adhesion. Overall, our study of the mesenchymal stem cell interaction with endothelial cells indicates that mesenchymal stem cells recognize and specifically adhere to distressed/apoptotic endothelial cells.
Antibiotic cost savings from formulary restrictions and physician monitoring in a medical-school-affiliated hospital

Abstract Strictly enforced antibiotic formulary restrictions for aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, and a vancomycin group generated combined savings of $2.61 (p
Beam profiler for single-photon applications based on compressive sampling techniques

We report the development of a low-cost beam characterization technique appropriate for extremely low light levels. The technique makes use of compressive sampling strategies that have been developed recently for imaging applications.
Time-Temperature Superposition for Asphalt Mixtures with Growing Damage and Permanent Deformation in Compression

The objective in this study was to check the validity of the time-temperature superposition principle for hot-mix asphalt (HMA) with growing damage and viscoplastic strain in the compression state, which is essential for the permanent deformation characterization of HMA. Constant crosshead rate compression tests were conducted at temperatures between 25° and 55°, and data were analyzed to construct the stresslog reduced-time master curves for various strain levels. Research results indicate that HMA with growing damage remains thermorheologically simple in the temperature range used in this study and that the time-temperature shift factor is only a function of temperature and is independent of the strain level. Two types of tests, the repeated creep and recovery test and the cyclic sinusoidal loading test, were performed in this study to validate the time-temperature superposition in loading histories commonly used in asphalt mixture testing. The results further confirm that the time-temperature superposi...
Infantile Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy of Glycogenosis Type IX: Isolated Cardiac Phosphorylase Kinase Deficiency

Glycogen storage disease confined to the heart due to cardiac phosphorylase kinase deficiency causes a fatal infantile cardiomyopathy. Cardiomegaly can be detected in utero and is progressive. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings are characteristic but not specific; these include large QRS complexes, short PR interval, and a hypertrophic nonobstructive pattern. Conclusive diagnosis requires biochemical analysis of myocardium, which may not be possible premortem due to the amount of tissue required. Pathologic examination of a standard cardiac biopsy can provide a presumptive diagnosis. There is no current treatment except a heart transplant. Infants succumb to heart failure and/or respiratory compromise due to pulmonary compression. This is a rare entity; only three cases have been reported to our knowledge. We report two additional cases.
Challenges for fuel cells as stationary power resource in the evolving energy enterprise

Abstract The primary market challenges for fuel cells as stationary power resources in evolving energy markets are reviewed. Fuel cell power systems have significant barriers to overcome in their anticipated role as decentralized energy power systems. Market segments for fuel cells include combined heat and power; low-cost energy, premium power; peak shaving; and load management and grid support. Understanding the role and fit of fuel cell systems in evolving energy markets and the highest value applications are a major challenge for developers and government funding organizations. The most likely adopters of fuel cell systems and the challenges facing each adopter in the target market segment are reviewed. Adopters include generation companies, utility distribution companies, retail energy service providers and end-users. Key challenges include: overcoming technology risk; achieving retail competitiveness; understanding high value markets and end-user needs; distribution and service channels; regulatory policy issues; and the integration of these decentralized resources within the electrical distribution system.
Analysis of hybrids of durum wheat with Thinopyrum junceiforme using RAPD markers

The objective of this study was to detect the presence of alien chromatin in intergeneric hybrids of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum, 2n=4x=28; AABB genomes) with the perennial grass Thinopyrum junceiforme (2n=4x=28; J1J1J2J2) using RAPD markers. The first step was to identify amplification of species-specific DNA markers in the parental grass species and durum wheat cultivars. Initially, the genomic DNA of five grass species (Thinopyrum junceiforme, Th. bessarabicum, Lophopyrum elongatum, Leymus karataviensis and Elytrigia pycnantha) and selected durum cultivars (‘Langdon’, ‘Durox’, ‘Lloyd’, ‘Monroe’, and ‘Medora’) was screened with 40 oligonucleotide primers (nano-mers). Three oligonucleotides that amplified DNA fragments specific to a grass species or to a durum cultivar were identified. Primer PR21 amplified DNA fragments specific to each of the five durum cultivars, and primers PR22 and PR23 amplified fragments specific to each of the grass species. Intergeneric hybrids between the durum cultivars ‘Langdon’, ‘Lloyd’ and ‘Durox’ and Th. junceiforme, and their backcross (BC) progeny were screened with all 40 primers. Six primers amplified parent-specific DNA fragments in the F1 hybrids and their BC1 progeny. Three primers, PR22, PR23 and PR41, that amplified Th. junceiforme DNA fragments in both F1 and BC1 were further analyzed. The presence of an amplified 1.7-kb Th. junceiforme DNA fragment in the F1 hybrids and BC1 progeny was confirmed using Southern analysis by hybridization with both Th. junceiforme genomic DNA and Th. junceiforme DNA amplified with primer PR41. With the exception of line BC1F2 no. 5, five selfed progeny of BC1 and a BC2 of line 3 (BC1F2 no. 3×‘Lloyd’) from a cross of ‘Lloyd’×Th. junceiforme showed the presence of the 1.7-kb DNA fragment. All selfed BC1 and BC2 lines retained the 600-bp fragment that was confirmed after hybridization with Th. junceiforme DNA amplified with primer PR22. Other experiments using RFLP markers also showed the presence of up to seven Th. junceiforme DNA fragments in the F1 hybrids and their BC progeny after hybridization with Th. junceiforme DNA amplified with primer PR41. These studies show the usefulness of molecular markers in detecting alien chromatin/DNA fragments in intergeneric hybrids with durum wheat.
The utilization of lysine in the biosynthesis of elastin crosslinks

Abstract A polyfunctional amino acid which is probably the crosslink in elastin has recently been isolated from hydrolysates of purified bovine ligamentum nuchae by Partridge et al . (1963). Further studies by Thomas et al (1963) have resolved two structural isomers which contain a pyridinium ring with four side chains located at the 1, 3, 4, 5 positions (desmosine) or at the 1, 2, 3, 5 positions (isodesmosine). Each side chain has a terminal carboxyl and an α-amino group indicating that all may be involved in peptide linkage in the protein. Thus, either isomer could serve as a link between as many as four different polypeptide chains. The empirical formula, C24H39N5O8·H2O, and the structures suggested that either molecule could be formed from four lysine residues. One lysine would provide an ϵ-amino nitrogen in the formation of the pyridinium ring, while threa other lysines would contribute the remainder of the ring structure and side chains with the loss of their ϵ-amino nitrogens during condensation. This report presents the results of two series of experiments designed to investigate this possibility.
Translation Control of trpG from Transcripts Originating from the Folate Operon Promoter of Bacillus subtilis Is Influenced by Translation-Mediated Displacement of Bound TRAP, While Translation Control of Transcripts Originating from a Newly Identified trpG Promoter Is Not

Bacillus subtilis trpG encodes a glutamine amidotransferase subunit that participates in the biosynthesis of both tryptophan and folic acid. TRAP inhibits translation of trpG in response to tryptophan by binding to a site that overlaps the trpG Shine-Dalgarno sequence, thereby blocking ribosome binding. Similar mechanisms regulate trpP and ycbK translation. The equilibrium binding constants of tryptophan-activated TRAP for the trpG, ycbK, and trpP transcripts were determined to be 8, 3, and 50 nM, respectively. Despite TRAP having a higher affinity for the trpG transcript, TRAP exhibited the least control of trpG expression. The trpG Shine-Dalgarno sequence overlaps the stop codon of the upstream pabB gene, while six of nine triplet repeats within the TRAP binding site are located upstream of the pabB stop codon. Thus, ribosomes translating the upstream pabB cistron could be capable of reducing TRAP-dependent control of TrpG synthesis by displacing bound TRAP. Expression studies using pabB-trpG'-'lacZ fusions in the presence or absence of an engineered stop codon within pabB suggest that translation-mediated displacement of bound TRAP reduces TRAP-dependent inhibition of TrpG synthesis from transcripts originating from the folate operon promoter (P(pabB)). A new trpG promoter (P(trpG)) was identified in the pabB coding sequence that makes a larger contribution to trpG expression than does P(pabB). We found that TRAP-dependent regulation of trpG expression is more extensive for a transcript originating from P(trpG) and that transcripts originating from P(trpG) are not subject to translation-mediated displacement of bound TRAP.
Applications of deterministic chaos theory to corrosion

Abstract In recent years there has been a considerable increase in interest in the behavior of non-linear dynamical systems. Under some circumstances, these systems exhibit a behavior which has been termed deterministic chaos. This means that the system is always behaving in a deterministic way, that is, nonrandom: but the detailed behavior is extremely sensitive to the initial conditions, and in the long range is completely unpredictable. One effect of this is that if a numerical model is being analyzed, then the round-off errors and methods of approximation can also contribute to the long-range predictability. Under some circumstances, this lack of predictability is undesirable, and the aim in that case is to ensure that the system does not move into a chaotic regime. However, the chaotic regime corresponds to very good mixing, and in systems such as chemical reactors this may be the desirable condition. The lack of predictability does, however, present control problems. In this paper, the possibility that some corrosion processes may exhibit chaotic behavior is examined, and the implications of such behavior are discussed.
The Policy Biases of Political Activists

The nature of policy differences between political strata are examined with survey data from 1952 to 1976. In identifying policy biases, one must consider the interaction between issue area, time period, and partisan grouping. Prior to 1966, a conservative bias on do mestic economic issues existed among the more active, due to the conservative bias of the higher SES and hyperactivity among conservative Republicans. After 1966, no consistent bias on domestic economic issues existed among the more active, due to hyperactivity among liberal Democrats as well as conservative Republicans. After 1966 a definite liberal bias existed among activists on black rights and social-cultural issues, because of the greater liberalism of the more educated, and hyperactivity among Democratic liberals. Foreign affairs patterns are more complex, though there is usually an inter nationalist bias among activists, due to the greater internationalism of the more educated.
Thermal decomposition of energetic materials 74. volatile metal isocyanates from flash pyrolysis metal-NTO and metal-picrate salts and an application hypothesis

Abstract The gaseous products resulting from flash pyrolysis by T-jump/FTIR spectroscopy are described for two classes of energetic metal salts. The first category is the hydrated Li + , Na + , K + , Cu 2+ , and Pb 2+ salts of NTO − (NTO = 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one), and the second is the Li + , Na + , K + , Rb + , Cs + , Co 2+ , and Ni 2+ salts of picric acid (PA). The atom balance is generally better with the NTO salts. The characteristics of the evolution of H 2 O were obtained for the Li + , Na + , and K + salts of NTO at a heating rate of about 800°C/s. All of these salts liberate volatile metal compounds, although the quantity is smaller in the case of the most energetic salts, e.g., Cu(NTO) 2 (H 2 O) 4 and the picrates. The Group 1 metal salts of both NTO and PA produce metal isocyanate vapor (MNCO) as monomers or very small aggregates. Pb(NTO) 2 (H 2 O) appears to produce more than one volatile metal–containing compound. An application of these volatile metal isocyanates is hypothesized to be their continued reaction to form metal oxide particles that might produce subsequent damping of high-frequency acoustic oscillations in solid rocket motors.
Customer Relationship Management in Electronic Markets

Abstract Customer relationship management, or CRM, has found increased attention in both the academic and managerial worlds of marketing in recent years. While the Internet has greatly enabled the application of CRM in fostering loyal customers, the preliminary results on the effectiveness and efficiency of technology-based CRM has been far from discouraging. The authors identify various contentious issues behind the various key concepts of relationship management and identify several areas that deserve closer academic scrutiny and managerial inspection. The paper also comments on the extent to which Internet technology can bring about closer relationships with a firm's customers.
Infrared spectroscopy (2-3-20 μm) for the geological interpretation of remotely-sensed multispectral thermal infrared data

The spectral radiance and spectral reflectance of natural weathered surfaces of common sedimentary and igneous rocks is determined from in situ and in the laboratory measurements. In situ spectral radiance measurements (5-14 microns) were made with a portable spectral radiometer and were used to derive the spectral emissivity of the rocks. The spectral reflectance measurements (2.3-20 microns) were made in a laboratory with a Fourier transform IR spectrometer with a diffuse reflectance accessory. Good agreement is found between the two techniques. The field portable spectrometer has a larger field of view and the in situ data provide more accurate measurements of the intensity of spectral features related to temperature and atmospheric effects.
Correlation effects in solid hydrogen

Abstract The self-consistent T -matrix method is used to calculate the volume dependence of the pressure and λ-transition temperature in solid hydrogen. The results indicate that correlation effects caused by the zero-point motion are small because of the deep attractive well in the intermolecular interaction.
Correlation of hypersonic zero-lift drag data.

A pseudo-one-dimensional model of the supersonic combustion ramjet engine cycle is revised on the basis of recent (additional) data obtained from combustor tests. The data were generated in a simple nonreacting system which produces shock structures and shock/boundary layer interactions analogous to those observed at the entrance of supersonic combustors. It is shown that the revised model provides better descriptions of the wall pressure distributions and the overall shock pressure rises for the available test data.
Transition density of phase error in a nonlinear tracking system

Abstract A nonlinear phase tracking system driven by a baseband noise is modeled by a nonlinear random differential equation whose forcing function is a function of the tracking error in the system. The transition density of the phase is determined from the Fokker-Planck equation. Then an expansion is used in solving for the transition density using concepts of eigenfunctions and eigenvalues, and this reduces the Fokker-Planck equation to a two point boundary value problem. Under appropriate conditions, the transition density of the phase error has been obtained.
The Role of Invention in Digital Dating Site Profile Composition

Abstract This study investigates writers enacting rhetorical invention within a non-academic digital environment. The data described and analyzed came from dating site participants who completed surveys about their composing processes and who provided profiles they had previously written for a dating site. In particular, the investigation considers the inventional choices writers make to represent themselves through discourse in this particular environment. Qualitative textual analysis led to the identification of these digital writers’ invention strategies along four dimensions: assessing self, assessing task, planning/composing text, and assessing interaction. The findings complicate our understanding of the relationship between rhetorical invention, audience, and impression management and suggest that rather than engaging in invention within the discovery versus creation binary, digital writers actually employ a spectrum of approaches to invention. Overall, this study suggests that audience is deeply connected to invention throughout the profile composing process: the participants expressed concerns about ethos, pathos, and the process of impression management within their writing, and these concerns all connected to audience in various ways.
Tensile behavior of microcracking SiC-TiB2 composites

The stress-strain behavior of microcracking SIC-TIB_2 composites was studied using uniaxial tensile tests. The nonlinear stress-strain behavior provided the critical stresses for microcracking (defined as the proportional limit) and the magnitude of residual strain release as a consequence of stress-induced microcracking. The release of residual strain was confirmed using the loading-unloading process. Both the critical stress for the nonlinear stress-strain curve and the release of residual strain mere used to establish the maximum principal stress as the stress criterion for microcracking.
Time-frequency analysis of radar target backscatter

Studies of two orbiting spheres demonstrate the usefulness of time-frequency distributions for the analysis of radar signals. The spheres served as a simplified model for moving blades of an engine propeller or helicopter rotor. Illuminating the moving spheres with a continuous wave radar generated a backscatter signal which was difficult to interpret in either the time or the frequency domains. By applying the binomial distribution (a discrete time-frequency distribution) we could clearly associate each sphere with its corresponding doppler return. The binomial distribution provided a detailed view of the target dynamics, opening the way for target classification and identification. The structures and details available in the time- frequency domain were not readily exploited in the original signal representation.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An analysis of confusion errors in naming letters under speed stress

Three subjects named six visually presented letters under two levels of speed stress. The obtained confusion matrices for each stress condition were fit by Luce’s choice theory, which provided measures of stimulus similarity and response bias. Speed stress produced proportional increases in pairwise similarity measures but had no systematic effect on response biases. In Experiment 2, the same three subjects named the same letters under two levels of stimulus quality and a constant response-time deadline. As with speed stress, degrading the stimulus produced proportional increases in pairwise similarity measures but had no systematic effect on response biases. In Experiment 3, two of the subjects participating in Experiments 1 and 2 named the six letters under conditions where the probabilities of the letters were unequal. The letters toward which the subject had been most biased in Experiments 1 and 2 were assigned low probabilities, and the letters toward which he was least biased were assigned high probabilities. The result of this manipulation was to completely reverse the ordering of the response bias parameters of the Luce choice model. It is suggested that the present methodology provides a means of validating as psychological constructs the parameters of various mathematical models of stimulus recognition.
Teen Mothers: Marriage, Cohabitation, and Educational Achievement

ABSTRACT This study examines the proportions of ethnically diverse low-income teen mothers who are cohabitating and/or married to the father of their child(ren) at approximately 14, 24, and 36 months after birth of their child. In addition, the relationship between marital status and education among teen mothers is explored. At 36 months after giving birth, 60% of mothers were not living with or married to the fathers of their children. Hispanic mothers were the most likely, and African-American mothers the least likely, to be married to the father at each of the three time points. For Hispanic teen mothers, being married at 14 months was related to lower educational achievement.
Extreme Nonresponse to Acute Phase Cognitive Therapy for Depression: An Attempt to Replicate and Extend

Abstract As with other interventions for major depressive disorder (MDD), cognitive therapy (CT) results in treatment failure for about half of all participants. In 2007, Coffman and colleagues in Seattle studied this topic by identifying a group of patients who demonstrated an extremely poor response to CT (i.e., posttreatment BDI score ≥ 31). They called these patients “extreme nonresponders” (ENR) and described the pretreatment characteristics that predicted response status. In the current study, we attempt a replication of the Seattle study with a larger sample of adults with recurrent MDD (N = 473) who received a 16–20 session (12–14 week) course of CT. The rate of ENR in this large sample was only 6.3% (30/473), compared to 22.2% (10/45) in the Seattle sample. Four pretreatment measures of symptom severity and functioning differed significantly among ENR and non-ENR participants. In each case, higher symptoms or poorer functioning were associated with ENR status. However, the combination of these factors in a regression model did not predict actual ENR status with the high degree of sensitivity or specificity observed in the Seattle study. These findings suggest that extreme nonresponse to CT is not as common as previously described and, although poor outcomes are associated with pretreatment clinical status, it is difficult to predict posttreatment symptom severity with a high degree of accuracy across different research samples.
Implantation of cauda equina nerve roots through a biodegradable scaffold at the conus medullaris in rat.

Abstract Background context Traumatic injuries occurring at the conus medullaris of the spinal cord cause permanent damage both to the central nervous system and to the cauda equina nerve roots. Purpose This proof-of-concept study was to determine whether implanting the nerve roots into a biodegradable scaffold would improve regeneration after injury. Methods All experimental works involving rats were performed according to the approved guidelines by the Mayo Clinic Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Surgical procedures were performed on 32 Sprague-Dawley rats. Four ventral cauda equina nerve roots were reimplanted either directly into the ventral cord stump or through a poly(lactic -co -glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold. These experimental groups were compared with a control group in which the nerves were inserted into a muscle fascia barrier that was placed between the spinal cord and the nerve roots. Animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks. Results There was no difference in motor neuron counts in the spinal cord rostral to the injury in all treatment groups, implying equal potential for the regeneration into implanted nerve roots. One-way analysis of variance testing, with Tukey post hoc test, showed a statistically significant improvement in axon regeneration through the injury in the PLGA scaffold treatment group compared with the control (p Conclusions This pilot study demonstrated that a PLGA scaffold improved regeneration of axons into peripheral nerve roots. However, the number of regenerating axons observed was limited and did not lead to functional recovery. Future experiments will employ a different scaffold material and possible growth factors or enzymes to increase axon populations.
Mammalian Evolution: Upwards and Onwards

A newly described fossil sits on one of the lowest branches of the placental-mammal family tree. But its paws and claws suggest that, where actual vegetation was concerned, it could climb further than its contemporaries.
Nanometer-Scale Probing of Potential-Dependent Electrostatic Forces, Adhesion, and Interfacial Friction at the Electrode/Electrolyte Interface

The atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to examine the influence of an applied electrochemical potential on the interfacial properties of the electrode/electrolyte interface. Measurements of electrostatic force, adhesion, and friction coefficient were performed at two different electrode surfaces: glassy carbon and a thin film of sulfonate-derivatized poly(aniline) (SPANi). At the carbon electrode, changes in electrostatic force between probe and substrate exhibited a potential-dependent transition from repulsive to attractive values at potentials negative and positive of the potential of zero charge (Epzc). Simultaneous measurements of tip−substrate adhesion and friction coefficient showed a change from low to high values over the same potential range, suggesting a common mechanism dominated by the electrostatic force. Measurement of these same properties at a SPANi-coated electrode also displayed a potential-dependent response. The electrostatic force and the adhesion tracked with the oxidation stat...
QUANTITATIVE HPTLC DETERMINATION OF DIPHENHYDRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN TABLET, GELCAP, AND CAPSULE ANTIHISTAMINE PHARMACEUTICALS

A quantitative method involving high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) with automated sample application and UV-absorption scanning densitometry was developed for the determination of diphenhydramine hydrochloride in tablets, gelcaps, and capsules. Separation was performed on high performance silica gel plates containing fluorescent indicator, and the analyte was detected as fluorescence-quenched zones under short-wave UV light. Four different pharmaceutical products containing diphenhydramine hydrochloride as an active ingredient were nalyzed to test the applicability of the new method. Precision was validated by replicate analysis of samples and accuracy by analysis of spiked samples. The percent diphenhydramine hydrochloride in the tested pharmaceutical samples ranged from 86.8% to 111% compared to label values, precision ranged from 1.7% to 1.9% relative standard deviation, and the errors in the two spiking experiments were 0.00% and 0.81% compared to the fortification levels.
Psychology's Future in Medical Schools and Academic Health Care Centers.

An exciting challenge exists for psychology to establish itself in the general health care delivery system. Advances in treating physical as well as emotional disorders offer the discipline the chance to expand its traditional and formerly limited role. Convincing empirical evidence suggests that psychology can simultaneously improve health care treatment and reduce its costs. Opportunities and obstacles on the path to success in this expanded venture are examined.
Candida infection of the arteriovenous fistula used for hemodialysis

Arteriovenous fistula infection is an exceedingly rare manifestation of Candida infection, with only one case previously reported in the English literature. This report describes three cases of Candida arteriovenous fistula infection seen in a prospective study and reviews the previously reported case. All cases involved the polytetrafluoroethylene graft. The presentations can be either acute or subacute in onset, with drainage at the fistula site as the most common sign. The diagnosis of Candida arteriovenous fistula infection relies on the isolation of the organism from an intraoperative culture of the fistula. Candida was isolated from blood in three of four cases, and wound drainage in two of three cases. Antifungal therapy should be given, but complete removal of the arteriovenous fistula may be necessary for long-term cure.
The bigger the better: determining nephron size in kidney

The main functions of the kidney are to excrete metabolic waste products and actively reabsorb essential molecules such as amino acids, ions, glucose and water. In humans, a wide range of genetic disorders exist characterized by wasting of metabolically important compounds. At the cellular level, more than 20 highly specialized renal epithelial cell types located in different segments of the nephron contribute to the reabsorption process. In particular, proximal tubular cells play a crucial role and are uniquely adapted to maximize reabsorption efficiency. They accommodate high numbers of transporters and channels by increasing the apical surface area in contact with the primary filtrate by forming a brush border as well as undergoing hypertrophy and hyperplasia. This adaptation is evolutionarily conserved and is detected in the primitive pronephric kidney of fish and amphibians as well as the metanephric kidney of higher vertebrates. Surprisingly, signaling pathways regulating these three processes have remained largely unknown. Here we summarize recent studies that highlight the early phases of kidney development as a critical juncture in establishing proximal tubule size.
The dynamic and quasi-static mechanical response of three aluminum armor alloys: 5059, 5083 and 7039

Abstract The mechanical response and microstructural evolution of aluminum alloys 5083, 5059 and 7039 was examined in compression and shear in both the quasi-static (0.001 s −1 ) and dynamic (≈2000 s −1 ) strain rate regimes. Electron Back Scattered Diffraction was utilized for detailed post-mortem analysis of the specimens following loading. The mechanical responses in shear were found to be strain-rate sensitive. At the slowest strain rates, all of the alloys had relatively large volumes of highly deformed material with 5083 and 5059 having the largest shear affected volumes. The dynamic strain rate test samples all formed highly compact shear localized volumes across the sheared zone with 7039 consistently displaying the narrowest shear regions. The morphology of these shear bands, along with the limited hardening during deformation, indicate a mechanism change at the higher strain rates. Higher resolution orientation image mapping has shown that between the three alloys there are varying degrees of crystallographic order within the shear bands. Transmission electron microscopy revealed various stages of dynamic recrystallization were present suggesting that while low strain rate deformation is controlled by dislocation multiplication and glide, high strain and strain-rate deformation is influenced in part due to mechanical recrystallization.
‘Don't talk with strangers’ engaging student artists in dialogic artmaking

Starting with a brief description of the culminating participatory arts and dialogue event, Don't Talk With Strangers, the author then backtracks to describe the rationale and process for a new community engaged arts course centred on dialogic artmaking. The course was designed for undergraduate and youth artists with diverse social, cultural and artistic backgrounds to work in collaboration as part of an arts-based action research study. In particular, the author is invested in better understanding the meaning making and civic learning student artists gain from engaging in these distinct practices. Inspired by Grant Kester's conception of the dialogical aesthetic and his expansive views on the role of the artist that move away from self-expression towards facilitation of communication and exchange, this article shares the challenges, points of resistance and pedagogical insights gained from giving student artists, early in their education, a hands-on experience with such practices.
An interdisciplinary major emphasizing multimedia

In this paper, we describe a new interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in Interactive Digital Media at Northwest Missouri State University, developed and maintained by three departments, Art, Computer Science/Information Systems and Mass Communication. The majors share a common core of courses taught by the three departments with each having its own concentration of Visual Imaging, Computer Science Programming and New Media, respectively. This paper describes the process utilized to develop the major, the curriculum, some observations and the process to maintain the major.
Radiation Therapy Increases the Risk of Hepatobiliary Complications in Short Bowel Syndrome

Patients developing short bowel syndrome (SBS) are at risk for hepatobiliary complications. Radiation enteritis and radiation-induced liver disease are potential complications of radiation therapy (XRT). The authors hypothesized that SBS patients with a history of abdominal XRT would be at increased risk for hepatobiliary complications. Methods: The authors reviewed 92 adult patients developing SBS as a complication of operation for malignancy (n = 37) and/or XRT (n = 55). Hepatobiliary disease was evaluated by liver function tests, radiologic imaging, endoscopy, and histologic studies. Results: Rectal cancer was the most frequent tumor in both groups (36% vs 35%). There were significantly more ovarian cancers (18% vs 3%, P < .05) in the radiation group and fewer desmoid tumors (0% vs 24%, P < .05). Intestinal remnant length was similar, but radiation patients more frequently had colon present (87% vs 62%, P < .05) and were less likely to have type I anatomy (33% vs 65%, P < .05). Radiation patients were ...
The Effect of a Lysine Deficiency on Body Weight and Age at Sexual Maturity of Meat-Type Pullets

Abstract Nutritional manipulations and management techniques for reducing growth rate and delaying sexual maturity in replacement pullets have been studied extensively without uncovering any completely satisfactory solution. Recently Gordon (1963) reported that the growth of chicks could be arrested, without apparent ill effects, by reducing the tryptophan level of the diet. Similar results have been observed in 4-week old chicks in this laboratory using a lysine-deficient diet. These observations suggested that amino acid deficiencies might provide a means by which growth rate and possibly age at sexual maturity could be modified in replacement pullets, provided there were no subsequent detrimental effects. One experiment has been conducted to explore these possibilities. The experimental design involved the use of a “normal” and a lysine-deficient ration and a periodic ration reversal technique. The lysine-deficient ration was composed of ground yellow corn 14.7%, wheat middlings 10.0%, ground barley 27.0%, corn gluten meal 25.0%, dried whey…