cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of an ELISA for the detection of serum chromogranin A (CgA) in prostate and non-neuroendocrine carcinomas

Introduction: Chromogranin A (CgA) is a glycoprotein found in neuroendocrine cells and may be useful as a tumor marker for neuroendocrine tumors. Methods: We developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum CgA on a microtiter plate. Results: We established a reference range for both women and men of different age groups ranging from 20 to 80 years. Men appeared to have a slightly higher serum CgA concentration than women. This slight increase in serum CgA concentration was also found in both gender groups with advancing age. We also detected increased serum CgA in a variety of cancers and non-endocrine carcinomas: the majority of the increased serum CgA was associated with specimens containing highly increased concentration of tumor markers. In other words, increased serum CgA was found at later, more advanced stages of the disease in these patients. For patients with prostate cancer, serum CgA was increased much earlier than serum PSA in approximately one-third of prostate cancer patients developing resistance to hormonal therapy. Conclusions: The early rise of serum CgA provides an early signal for prostate cancer patients who developed resistance to hormonal therapy: this advance signal could create a critical window for therapy changes to be made before diseases progress to a fatal stage.
A Journey to a “Pure Islam”: Time, space, and the resignification of ritual in post 9/11 faith testimonies of Muslim women

This paper focuses on time, space, and identity relations in narratives of Muslim women in an Islamic student group in Colorado, who use autobiographies of how their faith developed for countering stereotypes of Islam and Muslims in post 9/11 America. In these faith development narratives, these women, who were born and raised in Islam, strive to dispel the often abstract media claims of Muslim women being oppressed by Muslim men and by Islamic doctrines, as well as being behind the times, stagnant in the past, or simply anti-modern, anti-secular, or anti-American. In narrating how they have progressed from unknowing children socialized into Islam to knowledgeable adults, the women decontextualize, and thereby idealize, Islam to stress their agency and individuality. The women resignify Islamic rituals, such as the salat (praying five times a day), sawn (fasting during Ramadan), and hijab (wearing the head scarf), by delinking them from the often criticized materialistic and pure-repetitious nature characteristic of religious rituals of the pre-modern. Instead, they project these rituals as self-disciplining and self-realizing practices very much in line with modern precepts of individuality and female emancipation. In their narratives, they reinforce the media’s binary opposition between America and Islam, reducing them to caricatures of a purely secular, somewhat ignorant, state and a perfect and pure religion, respectively.
The distribution of acetylcholinesterase and catecholamine containing nerves in the rat lung

The distribution of catecholamine and acetylcholinesterase containing nerve fibers in the rat lung was studied employing specific histochemical techniques. Silver impregnation and methylene blue staining was used to allow comparison with the results of previous workers. Catecholamine containing nerve fibers were found associated with the nerve plexus about bronchial arteries and were carried to the bronchial wall and the pulmonary vessel wall along branches of the artery. Acetylcholinesterase containing fibers followed along the bronchi and bronchioles and were found in the adventitia, mucosa and submucosa, Acetylcholinesterase containing nerves were not found in the perivascular plexi with the exception of a few positive nerve fibers within the larger pulmonary veins.
A new irregular surface measuring system

Abstract To measure and record highly irregular configurations, a new surface measuring system using an oscillating stylus is developed and coordinated with a data handling unit capable of direct interfacing with a computer. This on-line non-destructive measurement system is found to be accurate, capable of a comprehensive range of utilization and easily operated. Examples of measured grinding wheel profiles and tool craters are shown.
Cyclic changes of human mammary gland epithelium in relation to the menstrual cycle—an ultrastructural study

The ultrastructure of resisting human female mammary gland epithelium was studied in 21 females of reproductive age (15–36 years) with regular menstrual cycles. Grossly and light microscopically normal appearing breast tissue contiguous to benign lesions was selected and processed at the time of frozen section diagnosis. Acino-ductular epithelium was ultrastructurally classifiable into two major categories: Phase I—non-secretory, and Phase II—potentially secretory. The above cells were often further classifiable into Phase IA cells, whose main feature was prominent intracellular fluid retention, and Phase IIA epithelium, characterized by cytoplasmic glycogen deposits. The preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle was associated with a peak number of Phase I cells, while in the postovulatory phase there was a preponderance of Phase II cells. In the late preovulatory phase, Phase IA cells, and in the early postovulatory phase, Phase IIA cells were more commonly found. The relationship between the menstrual stage and cyclic changes in the ultrastructural morphology of mammary gland epithelium presumably represents the effects of ovarian steroid activity on the cellular physiology of an endocrine-sensitive end organ; this is a cell biological phenomenon parallel to the better known cyclic cellular alterations occurring in the endometrium during the normal menstrual cycle. An understanding of the cyclic ultrastructural changes of mammary gland epithelium may lay the basis for a sounder and more meaningful interpretation of breast pathology and its pathogenesis.
Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(pyridinium salt)s with Organic Counterions Exhibiting Both Thermotropic Liquid-Crystalline and Light-Emitting Properties

Two poly(pyridinium salt)s with bulky organic counterions (tosylate and triflimide) were synthesized by either the ring-transmutation polymerization reaction of 4,4‘-(1,4-phenylene)bis(2,6-diphenyl...
Behavioral Interventions for Lung Cancer‐Related Breathlessness

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to present behavioral interventions to assist persons with lung cancer in the management of feelings of breathlessness and, thus, also to enhance their quality of life. Overview: Breathlessness is a serious symptom that adversely affects the quality of life of persons with lung cancer. A review of the literature points to the value of exercises in assisting patients to breathe more effectively and to manage related anxiety. However, the professional literature frequently does not describe these basic interventions in enough detail to enable oncology professionals to learn them. Instructional materials, found in the popular wellness and self-help literature, are included in this article to more easily facilitate acquisition of these skills. Interventions described include exercises that enhance the use of the diaphragm when breathing and those that help to alter the breathing rhythm and to exhale more effectively. clinical Implications: All oncology professionals should be aware of the importance of breathlessness as a problem that diminishes the quality of life for patients with lung cancer. Addressing breathlessness through the use of psychosocially oriented behavioral interventions can act as an adjunct to the medical management of this debilitating symptom.
The Lego-ization of polyketide biosynthesis.

A modular method for assembling polyketide synthases accelerates the generation of new polyketides.
Clinical isolates of Candida albicans , Candida tropicalis , and Candida krusei have different susceptibilities to Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline

The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of copper and cobalt based dimeric pyrophosphate complexes with capping 1,10-phenanthroline groups on clinical isolates of C. albicans (28 isolates), C. krusei (20 isolates) and C. tropicalis (20 isolates) are reported. C. albicans was inhibited by the cobalt complex better than by the copper complex, while C. krusei demonstrated the opposite results. C. tropicalis showed similar sensitivities to both metals in terms of calculated MIC50 values but was more sensitive to cobalt when MIC90 values were noted. Knockout strains of C. albicans that had the copper efflux protein P-type ATPase (CRP1), the copper binding metallothionein CUP1 or both CRP1/CUP1 removed clearly demonstrate that the origins of copper resistant in C. albicans lies primarily in the P-type ATPase, with the MT playing an important secondary role in the absence of the efflux protein. This study suggests that certain strains of Candida have evolved to protect against particular metal ions and that in the case of C. albicans, a primary invasive fungal species, cobalt may be a good starting-point for new therapeutic development.
Monochromatic applications of polycapillary optics

Polycapillary optics can be employed as efficient low pass devices in conjunction with simple absorption filters to produce narrow band radiation from conventional broadband x-ray tube sources. Narrow band filtration has been shown to be adequate for low-resolution protein crystallography without a monochromator and for investigating energy-dependent phenomena such as Compton scatter production. For applications that would benefit from more monochromatic or more parallel input beams, polycapillary collimating optics can be used to collect divergent radiation and redirect it towards a monochromatizing crystal to produce orders of magnitude higher diffracted intensity than from pinhole collimation. The implementation of high contrast monochromatic and refractive index imaging with a very low power source has been demonstrated. Polycapillary optics can also be used to provide spatial resolution for inherently monochromatic applications such as microfluorescence and radioscintigraphy.
The institutional climate for talented Latino students

Colleges and universities have witnessed a 48-percent increase in Latino enrollments in the last decade, yet increases in the college-age population mask an actual decline in the Latino college-going rate (Carter and Wilson, 1991; Orfield, 1991). The tremendous leakage in the educational pipeline, coupled with the increasing segregation of this group in America's high schools, suggests that mostly open-access colleges located near a growing Hispanic population may actually face substantial increases of Latino enrollments. Estrada (1988) suggests that significant ethnic restructuring will occur on many of these campuses. At the same time, however, talented Latino students are recruited and may choose to attend some of the most elite and selective campuses in the nation. Therefore, different types of colleges are faced with challenges in confronting the essential problem of attracting and retaining Latino students. An institution's success in these areas may have much to do with Latino student perceptions of the institutional climate. Scholars have conceded that the social environment of predominantly white institutions remains problematic, even for minorities with strong academic preparation (Skinner and Richardson, 1988). High-achieving Latino high school students that are nationally recruited for college entrance face a myriad of issues in their transition to colleges that remain largely unfamiliar with Latino culture. More specifically, only about 21 percent of a national sample of academic administrators report that their campus provided an "excellent" to "very good" climate for Hispanics in 1989 (El-Khawas, 1989). These facts indicate that both researchers and campus administrators are aware of a need to create a supportive climate for Latino students. The purpose of this study is to understand how high-achieving Latino students perceive the receptivity of their institutions to a Latino presence on campus. It is a multiinstitutional study with the prime objective of identifying areas for institutional improvement to help administrators become more aware of specific climate issues facing talented Latino students at four-year institutions.
Human embryoid body-derived stem cells in tissue engineering-enhanced migration in co-culture with bladder smooth muscle and urothelium

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the affinity between human stem cells and human bladder cells by analyzing their migration and proliferation patterns in co-culture. Human stem cells have great potential for tissue engineering purposes. Co-culture of stem cells with mature cells may promote differentiation. Methods Equal numbers of green fluorescent protein-labeled human embryonic germ cell derivates (SDECs) were plated, either alone or in the presence of red fluorescence-labeled (PKH 26) human bladder smooth muscle cells (SMCs) or urothelial cells (UROs). The co-cultures shared the same media (EGM2MV). The migration patterns of the different cell lines were measured daily, using an integrated grid, for 8 days with fluorescence microscopy. Results SDECs, grown alone, had a robust basal migration rate of between 0.3 and 0.7 mm/day compared with SMCs, which had a rate of 0.1 to 0.3 mm/day and UROs with a rate of 0.1 to 0.2 mm/day. Stem cell migration was enhanced in co-culture with SMCs or UROs to 0.5 to 1.0 mm/day. Migration of SDECs was more linear, directed toward SMCs or UROs, compared with the circumferential growth when plated alone. SMCs, more than UROs, migrated more rapidly in the presence of stem cells. Conclusions Human stem cells showed improved migration in the presence of mature human bladder cells and were attracted to them, as shown by the altered direction of growth. Thus, co-culture of human stem cells with host SMCs can enhance seeding of matrices due to positive chemotaxis. Identifying the responsible factors may help to augment chemotaxis between desired cell types and optimize tissue regeneration.
Improved high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of 8-methoxypsoralen monoadducts and cross-links in polynucleotide, DNA, and cellular systems: analysis of split-dose protocols.

— The distribution of 8-methoxypsoralen-thymidine photoadducts from polynucleotides, calf thymus DNA and mammalian cells treated with [3H]8-methoxypsoralen under a variety of irradiation conditions was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography and scintillation analysis. The split-dose protocol, with samples treated with 8-methoxypsoralen and low doses of long-wavelength UV radiation to generate monoadducts, washed to remove unreacted 8-methoxypsoralen, then irradiated further to convert the monoadducts to cross-links, was examined. The photoadduct distribution in the first step is dependent upon the UVA dose and the wavelength of the radiation, but it is relatively independent of 8-methoxypsoralen concentration. Low fluence and longer wavelengths generate mainly 4′,5′-monoadducts, whereas higher fluences and shorter wavelengths yield more cross-links. The second irradiation step converts the 4′,5′-monoadducts to cross-links as well as to 3,4-monoadducts. The overall yield of cross-links after the second irradiation step is not dependent upon the wavelength used in the first step. Cellular studies demonstrated that the split-dose protocol is applicable to mammalian systems. These results may afFect the interpretation of mutagenesis studies based on the split-dose protocol, because the second step can convert 4′,5′-monoadducts to both 3,4-monoadducts, the expected cross-links. Therefore, interpretations that link increases in mutagenicity after the second step in a split-dose study solely to cross-link formation may need re-examination.
Chronic pruritus associated with Helicobacter pylori.

Background Helicobacter pylori is an established cause of gastritis and has been implicated in extradigestive diseases.
The interaction of polar-optical phonons with a two-dimensional electron gas

Abstract The interaction Hamiltonian for a two-dimensional electron gas with optical phonons was obtained, for an electron gas on the interface of a polar semiconductor in a metal-insulator-semiconductor device. We found that the electron-phonon interaction is proportional to the inverse square root of the phonon wave number. The dependence of the electron-phonon coupling constant on the dielectric constant of the insulator is determined.
Urinary stone formation in children with prenatally diagnosed uropathies.

Summary Among a series of 312 patients with prenatally diagnosed uropathies, 4 male children developed urinary calculi at ages varying from 2 to 5 years. All had upper urinary tract dilatation not associated with vesicoureteric reflux or with renographically defined obstruction; 3 followed Proteus urinary infections. Strategies for prevention are discussed.
Site-specific Protein Cross-Linking with Genetically Incorporated 3,4-Dihydroxy-l-Phenylalanine

Come together right now with L-DOPA: Chemical cross-linking is widely used to study protein-protein interactions. However, many cross-linking agents suffer from low reactivity or selectivity. An efficient and selective reaction of site-specific protein cross-linking was achieved using genetically incorporated 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine.
The concurrency control and recovery problem for multilevel update transactions in MLS systems

The problem is addressed of a transaction reading and writing data at multiple classification levels in a multilevel secure (MLS) database. The authors refer to such transactions as multilevel update transactions. They show that no scheduler can ensure atomicity of multilevel update transactions in the presence of transaction aborts and at the same time be secure. There are essentially two ways of scheduling multilevel update transactions. The first method, which ensures strong atomicity, involves delaying low-level subtransactions until the fats of the sibling high-level subtransactions are known. The second scheme, which ensures only semantic atomicity, involves compensating the effects of any committed subtransactions. Analysis of these schemes indicates that the compensation approach leads to lower covert channel bandwidths. A concurrency control and recovery protocol based on compensation is proposed for multilevel update transactions. The security and correctness of the protocol is considered. >
Seedling emergence, growth, and allocation of Oriental bittersweet: effects of seed input, seed bank, and forest floor litter

Abstract The establishment of invasive plant populations is controlled by seed input, survival in the soil seed bank, and effects of soil surface disturbance on emergence, growth, and survival. We studied the invasive vine Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (Oriental bittersweet) to determine if seedlings in forest understory germinate from the seed bank or from seed rain. We also conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the role of leaf litter mass and physical texture on seedling survival, growth, and allocation. In the understory of an invaded mixed hardwood forest, we measured seed input, seedling emergence with seed rain, and seedling emergence without seed rain. Mean seed rain was 168 seeds m−2: mean seedling emergence was 107 m−2, and there was a strong correlation between seed rain and seedling emergence. The ratio of seedlings to seed input (0.61) was close to the seed viability (0.66) leaving very few seeds to enter the seed bank. Seed bank germination under field conditions was low (1 seedling m−2). Soil cores were incubated in a greenhouse to determine seed bank viability, and germination from these soil cores did not occur. To determine how litter affects seedling establishment and growth, we measured seedling emergence and biomass allocation in a greenhouse experiment. Seeds were placed below intact and fragmented deciduous leaf litter in amounts ranging from zero to the equivalent of 16 Mg ha−1. Seedling emergence was not affected by fragmented litter, but decreased to
Balance Control During Walking in the Older Adult: Research and Its Implications

In this article, we highlight the unique nature of balance control during walking in humans. A control framework, including proactive and reactive balance control, is introduced to lay out age-related changes in different balance control mechanisms during walking. Clinical implications that may be useful for clinicians for assessment and treatment of balance problems that occur during walking are also discussed.
Converting an Intranet Site to the Cloud: Using CampusGuides to Refresh a Library Portal

After a major redesign project in 2002, Mayo Clinic Libraries' heavily used intranet portal remained largely static. Library staff were unable to make substantive design changes or introduce tools that would make the content more dynamic. CampusGuides offered a practical, user-friendly, web-based solution to add dynamic content to the library site. A task force was formed both to establish design and style guidelines that would integrate with the library site and to plan the conversion of content to CampusGuides. Converting intranet site content to CampusGuides gave the task force the opportunity to examine, re-imagine, and revitalize site content.
Using the bootstrap to evaluate forecasting equations

The bootstrap, like the jack-knife, is a technique for estimating standard errors. The idea is to use Monte Carlo simulation, based on a non-parametric estimate of the underlying error distribution. The bootstrap will be applied to an econometric equation describing the demand for energy by industry, to determine multi-period forecasting error and choose among competing specifications. The delta method for estimating forecast errors turns out to be too optimistic by a factor of 2.
Power control and clustering in ad hoc networks

In this paper, we consider the problem of power control when nodes are nonhomogeneously dispersed in space. In such situations, one seeks to employ per packet power control depending on the source and destination of the packet. This gives rise to a joint problem which involves not only power control but also clustering. We provide three solutions for joint clustering and power control. The first protocol, CLUSTERPOW, aims to increase the network capacity by increasing spatial reuse. We provide a simple and modular architecture to implement CLUSTERPOW at the network layer. The second, Tunnelled CLUSTERPOW, allows a finer optimization by using encapsulation, but we do not know of an efficient way to implement it. The last, MINPOW, whose basic idea is not new, provides an optimal routing solution with respect to the total power consumed in communication. Our contribution includes a clean implementation of MINPOW at the network layer without any physical layer support. We establish that all three protocols ensure that packets ultimately reach their intended destinations. We provide a software architectural framework for our implementation as a network layer protocol. The architecture works with any routing protocol, and can also be used to implement other power control schemes. Details of the implementation in Linux are provided.
Novel treatment strategies for patients with relapsed classical Hodgkin lymphoma

Although classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is considered one of the most curable human cancers, the treatment of patients with relapsed and refractory disease, especially those who relapse after autologous stem cell transplantation, remains challenging. Furthermore, because the median age of the patients is in the mid-30s, the impact of early mortality on the number of years lost from productive life is remarkable. Patients with HL whose disease relapses after stem cell transplantation are rarely cured with current treatment modalities. New drugs and novel treatment strategies that are based on our understanding of the disease biology and signaling pathways are needed to improve treatment outcome for these patients. This review will focus on emerging new treatment modalities that are currently under investigation for patients with relapsed classical HL.
Linear motion estimation for systems of articulated planes

In this paper, we describe the explicit application of articulation constraints for estimating the motion of a system of planes. We relate articulations to the relative homography between planes and show that for affine cameras, these articulations translate into linear equality constraints on a linear least squares system, yielding accurate and numerically stable estimates of motion. The global nature of motion estimation allows us to handle areas where there is limited texture information and areas that leave the field of view. Our results demonstrate the accuracy of the algorithm in a variety of cases such as human body tracking, motion estimation of rigid, piecewise planar scenes and motion estimation of triangulated meshes.
Hereditary Nephrotic Syndrome

Human mutations in various genes have been associated with the development of steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in children and adults. These genes encode for proteins that participate in the development and structural architecture of glomerular visceral epithelial cells (podocytes) or for proteins involved in podocyte energy metabolism. All hereditary proteinuria syndromes share a common phenotype when evaluated by electron microscopy, which uniformly demonstrates a typical change in podocyte morphology with flattening of cellular foot processes. Different clinical entities can be distinguished, especially referring to the onset of the disease and modi of inheritance. Disorders of early glomerular development most often manifest prenatally, directly after birth or in early infancy. Disorders with late-onset nephrotic syndrome typically manifest as FSGS in adolescence or adulthood, frequently following an autosomal-dominant mode of inheritance with incomplete penetrance and variable expression. Mitochondrial disorders of coenzyme Q10 biosynthesis bear the potential of pharmacological treatment resulting in reduction of proteinuria. The chapter reviews important genes involved in hereditary nephrotic syndrome making allowance to the rapid development in this field.
Which Improvised Tourniquet Windlasses Work Well and Which Ones Won't?

Objective Improvised tourniquets in first aid are recommended when no scientifically designed tourniquet is available. Windlasses for mechanical advantage can be a stick or pencil and can be used singly or multiply in tightening a tourniquet band, but currently there is an absence of empiric knowledge of how well such windlasses work. The purpose of the present study was to determine the performance of improvised tourniquets in their use by the type and number of windlasses to improve tourniquet practice. Methods A simulated Leg Tourniquet Trainer was used as a manikin thigh to test the effectiveness of improvised tourniquets of a band-and-windlass design. Two users made 20 tests each with 3 types of windlasses. Tests started with 1 representative of a given type (eg, 1 pencil), then continued with increasing numbers of each windlass type until the user reached 100% effectiveness as determined by cessation of simulated blood flow. Windlass types included chopsticks, pencils, and craft sticks. Results Effectiveness percentages in stopping bleeding were associated inversely with breakage percentages. Pulse stoppage percentages were associated inversely with breakage. The windlass turn numbers, time to stop bleeding, the number of windlasses, and the under-tourniquet pressure were associated inversely with breakage. The windlass type was associated with breakage; at 2 windlasses, only chopsticks were without breakage. Of those windlass types that broke, 20.7% were chopsticks, 26.1% were pencils, and 53.2% were craft sticks. Conclusions A pair of chopsticks as an improvised tourniquet windlass worked better than pencils or craft sticks.
A soft-output detector for the golden code

Soft-output detection of the golden code is an important but computationally difficult task. We propose a low-and fixed- complexity soft-output detector for the golden code that uses linear equalization to simplify the task of finding a list of candidate values for one pair of information symbols, and then — for each pair on the list — it uses decision-feedback equalization to find candidate values for the remaining pair of information symbols. We propose a simple ordering algorithm that exploits the golden code's structure to ensure that the overall algorithm performs well. Numerical results indicate that the proposed algorithm is significantly less complex than previously reported algorithms, yet performs comparably.
Identification of Multiple Sclerosis-Associated Genes

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex genetic trait. Analyses to identify genetic variants that increase susceptibility to MS have primarily focused on candidate genes, either in family linkage investigations or in association (linkage disequilibrium) studies in sporadic cases and control subjects. Most of the candidate genes considered to date either influence immune function or encode structural myelin proteins. Recently, three preliminary whole genomic surveys were completed, and they reveal multiple loci of possible genetic linkage that are worthy of further study. No convincing evidence for a single strong locus has emerged from analysis of the three studies. Linkage promises to focus the future choice of candidate genes for further investigation.
Uncertainty models for physically realizable Inertia Dyadics

This paper proposes new probability-distribution functions (PDFs) for the inertia dyadic. Representing uncertainty in rigid-body rotational dynamics with these PDFs preserves constraints on the moments and products of inertia that arise from the underlying physics but which conventional approaches violate. Specifically, we propose representing uncertainty in terms of parameters closely related to the radii of gyration and in terms of Euler parameters (for the orientation of the principal axes with respect to a set of body-fixed reference coordinates). The physical constraints on the inertia matrix are shown to be satisfied for any distribution in these special parameters and if the Euler parameters are given a radially constrained Gaussian distribution. Although unconventional, this uncertainty structure is shown to be broadly applicable. We consider the example of spacecraft/launch vehicle separation analysis for an early-stage spacecraft program, when mass properties are ill-defined. Here, misplaced conservatism in requirements can be costly. The proposed PDFs are shown to guarantee physically realizable results, while more naive approaches yield non-physical behaviors.
Specification Analysis of Affine Term Structure Models

This paper characterizes, interprets, and tests the over-identifying restrictions imposed in affine models of the term" structure. Letting r(t) = e Y(t), where Y is an unobserved vector affine process, our analysis proceeds in three steps. First, we show that affine models can be categorized according to the different over-identifying restrictions they impose on (i) e, and (ii) the parameters of the diffusion matrices. Second, this formulation is shown to be equivalent to a model in which there is a terraced drift structure with one of the state variables being the stochastic long-run mean of r. This equivalence allows direct comparisons of the substantive restrictions on the dynamics of interest rates imposed in CIR-style models and models in which the state variables are the stochastic long-run mean and volatility of r. Third, we compute simulated method of moments estimates of a three-factor affine term structure model, and test the over-identifying restrictions on the joint distribution of long- and short-term interest rates implied by extant affine models of r. We find allowing for correlated factors is key to simultaneously describing the short and long ends of the yield curve. This finding is interpreted in terms of the properties of the risk factors underlying term structure movements.
In search of an easy witness: exponential time vs. probabilistic polynomial time

Restricting the search space {0, 1}/sup n/ to the set of truth tables of "easy" Boolean functions on log n variables, as well as using some known hardness-randomness tradeoffs, we establish a number of results relating the complexity of exponential-time and probabilistic polynomial-time complexity classes. In particular, we show that NEXP/spl sub/P/poly/spl hArr/NEXP=MA; this can be interpreted to say that no derandomization of MA (and, hence, of promise-BPP) is possible unless NEXP contains a hard Boolean function. We also prove several downward closure results for ZPP, RP, BPP, and MA; e.g., we show EXP=BPP/spl hArr/EE=BPE, where EE is the double-exponential time class and BPE is the exponential-time analogue of BPP.
MIMO High Gain Trajectory Linearization Observer Design and Hardware-in-the-loop Test

In this paper, we extend the previous TLO results for SISO trajecotory linearization observer (TLO) to MIMO nonlinear dynamic systems. Regular perturbation and nonlinear high-gain observer theories are applied to analyze the stability and robustness of the TLO method. The high-gain observer theory has been extended from time-invariant cases to time-varying cases using a singular perturbation approach. The high-gain TLO design method is applied to the attitude tracking controller for Quanser UFO, which is a real-time nonlinear control test bed. Both computer simulation and hardware-in- the-loop (HIL) experimental results are presented to show the effectiveness of TLO method.
Generalized compliant motion with sensor fusion

A task execution primitive has been developed which merges compliant motion with the fusion of real and virtual sensory data for execution of general manipulation tasks. The behavior of the primitive is specified by an input parameter set. Motion can be caused by a variety of inputs including a Cartesian trajectory generator, a wrist force-torque sensor, dither waveforms, virtual springs, virtual joint limiting force fields, and 6 degree of freedom hand controllers. The primitive has been been used for a variety of autonomous and shared control tasks in the JPL telerobot testbed. The primitive provides autonomous control, compliant teleoperation, and shared control. >
A TRIPARTITE MODEL OF GROUP IDENTIFICATION Theory and Measurement

Group identification is defined as member identification with an interacting group and is dis - tinguished conceptually from social identity, cohesion, and common fate. Group identifica- tion is proposed to have three sources: cognitive (social categorization), affective (interper- sonal attraction), and behavioral (interdependence). Inconsistent use of the term and problematic measurement mar existing literature on group identity and group identification. A new group identification scale, composed of three subscales that match the tripartite model for the cognitive, affective, and behavioral sources, is presented and its psychometric properties described.
Pneumocystis carinii induces ICAM-1 expression in lung epithelial cells through a TNF-α-mediated mechanism

Inflammatory cell recruitment contributes to respiratory impairment during Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. We evaluated expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a key participant i...
Strength of MWCNT-Reinforced 70Sn-30Bi Solder Alloys

In this study, the effect of Cu-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the tensile strength of 70Sn-30Bi solder alloy has been investigated. Copper was first deposited onto metal-activated MWCNTs by an electroless process and confirmed with a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Sn-Bi alloy solder was reinforced with Cu-coated MWCNTs with additions of 0.5 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 2 wt.%, and 3 wt.%, respectively. 70Sn-30Bi solder was produced by melting pure tin and bismuth in an inert gas atmosphere. Cu-coated MWCNTs were then added into the metal matrix by cold rolling, followed by hot pressing to disperse the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the matrix. Tensile tests were conducted on an mechanical testing and simulation (MTS) tester. The tensile strength was found to be proportional to the addition of Cu/MWCNTs, and about 47.6% increase in tensile strength over the pure alloy has been obtained for an addition of 3 wt.% Cu/MWCNTs. The Cu coating may enhance CNT dispersion to prevent tangling.
Can Dental Students Be Taught to Use Dental Radiographs for Osteoporosis Screening

This study investigated the possibility of teaching dental students to detect radiographic changes suggestive of osteoporosis. Twenty-five panoramic radiographs from dental school patients with a history of osteoporosis and radiographic changes suggestive of the disease and twenty-five normal panoramic radiographs were selected by a clinician from the database of the College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Twenty students were taught to use the mandibular cortical index (MCI) and detect changes suggestive of osteoporosis. Students also used a five-point scale to determine the diagnostic accuracy of panoramic images for osteoporosis. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICCC) and Cronbach’s alpha internal coefficiency statistical tests were used to evaluate interrater reliability among the twenty students and between the students and the radiologist. To test for differences in diagnosis between the gold standard (dental clinician) and the oral radiologist, we performed a McNemar’s chi-square test for matched data. The interrater consistency was excellent for both the students (α=0.902) and between the students and the radiologist (α=0.909). The diagnostic accuracy of panoramic images was moderate (A z =0.81). No statistically significant difference between radiographic and clinical evaluations (McNemar’s chi-square=3.063; p=0.0801) was observed. Teaching dental students to recognize radiographic changes suggestive of osteoporosis in routine panoramic radiographs should be emphasized to improve their awareness and identification of this disease.
Urinary metabolites of 1-nitropyrene in US–Mexico border residents who frequently cross the San Ysidro Port of Entry

Diesel exhaust presents a community exposure hazard, but methods to measure internal exposure are lacking. We report results from a community-based study using 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) and its urinary metabolites as markers of exposure to traffic-related diesel particulate matter (DPM). The study participants were Tijuana, Mexico residents who commuted on foot into San Diego, California for work or school using the International San Ysidro Port of Entry, placing them within feet of idling traffic (referred to as border commuters). The comparison group (non-border commuters) was comprised of residents of south San Diego who did not commute into Mexico. Air concentration of 1-NP in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was measured in personal samples from participants. Spot urine samples were analyzed for 1-NP urinary metabolites 8-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene (8-OHNP) and 8-hydroxy-N-acetyl-1-aminopyrene (8-OHNAAP). Compared with non-border commuters, border commuters had two- to threefold higher mean urinary concentrations for unadjusted and creatinine-adjusted 8-OHNP and 8-OHNAAP. Urinary 8-OHNAAP and the sum of 8-OHNP and 8-OHNAAP were both associated with personal exposure to 1-NP in the prior 24 h. These results suggest that 1-NP urinary metabolites reflect recent exposure to DPM-derived 1-NP in community settings and can be useful for exposure analysis.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) have been adapted to treat adolescents with self-harming behavior, depression, and other psychiatric disorders. This chapter will outline the key structures of DBT and IPT for adolescents as manualized, evidence-based treatments with a special focus on aspects of intervention that are culturally congruent with African American youth and families. This chapter will also review research studies supporting the use of each treatment with African American and racially diverse adolescents and discuss recommendations for future research and clinical care for African American youth. Although only a few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of IPT and none of DBT have been published for adaptations of these treatments for youth, preliminary evidence shows promise in reducing a range of clinical and subclinical symptoms in diverse settings and cultural background. While the majority of the studies did not specifically examined racial/ethnic differences or made culturally specific adaptations to meet the needs of African American youth, a few studies did include a sizable number of African American youth. Although more extensive research is needed to examine the effectiveness and adaptation of these interventions for African American youth and families, current empirical evidence suggests the utility of their application to clinical care for African American youth and families.
Comparisons of Bean Varieties Currently Being Used to Culture the Mexican Bean Beetle (Coleoptera: Coceinellidae)

Lima and snap bean varieties that are currently being used to culture the Mexican bean beetle (MBB)and its parasite, Pediobius foveolatus (Crawford), were examined to identify the most efficient variety for the culture of MBB. ‘Top Crop,’ ‘Provider,’ ‘Spartan Arrow,’ and ‘Burpee's Stringless’ snap beans and ‘Henderson’ lima beans were compared by constructing life tables for MBB on each variety. Varietal growth rates and responses to MBB culture conditions were also compared. Mean durations of immature MBB development were significantly different between all varieties, being shortest on ‘Spartan Arrow’ at 19.9 days. The preoviposition period was shortest and oviposition period longest on ‘Provider,’ being 8.9 and 27.2 days, respectively. Larval and pupal survivorships were higher on ‘Henderson’ (61.7%) and ‘Provider’ (60.4%) than on the other varieties. MBB females produced significantly more egg masses (16.5) and eggs (839.7) on ‘Provider’ than on any other variety. The highest net reproductive rate occurred on ‘Provider’ (222.5 female progeny per female), but the shorter generation times were on ‘Spartan Arrow’ (48.0 days) and ‘Henderson’ (48.1 days). As a result of these differences, MBB on ‘Provider’ and ‘Henderson’ exhibited higher intrinsic rates of increase (0.1172 and 0.1112, respectively). These results and observations on growth rates of the varieties and their responses to MBB culture conditions indicated that ‘Henderson’ lima beans was the best variety of those studied for culturing MBB.
An Improved Method for Testing the Efficacy of Respiratory Protective Devices for Use Against Micronized Insecticidal Dusts

Gas chromatographic analysis of dust trapped by an electrostatic precipitator in a specially designed test apparatus was used to evaluate the ability of 3 types of respiratory protective devices to filter micronized insecticidal dusts. Combination filter cartridges were found to be 99.2% efficient in preventing the passage of micronized dust under test conditions, whereas white fiber filter masks and urethane foam rubber masks were 83.6% and 48.1% efficient, respectively.
The Demography of the Congressional Vote on Foreign Aid, 1939–1958

Recent applications of more elaborate quantitative methods (e.g., bloc cluster analysis and Guttman scale procedures) to legislative politics have sharply improved the ability of political scientists to specify significant dimensions of voting behavior.' Party affiliation, constituency characteristics and cohesion within state delegations have been correlated with the congressional vote in a number of subject matter areas. Because of the masses of data to be handled, however, even the best of these studies have been limited in scope to a single year or to one Congress.2 This restriction has not prevented the authors of these works from demonstrating clearly the utility of their methodology, but it has limited correspondingly either the generality or the reliability of their conclusions.3 The present study, limited to the single issue of congressional voting on foreign aid, is an attempt to discover, by the application of quantitative methods to votes over longer time periods, how far the relationships previously suggested persist over time or are peculiar to the individual sessions in which they occur.
Defect Induced Luminescence from MBE Prepared Si/Si1-xGex Superlattices

We report the first definitive observation of photoluminescence from Si/Si 1-x Ge x superlattice heterostructures. Excitons bound to a deep-level radiation damage center (I 1 ) are observed in a series of low Ge content (x = 0.05) unrelaxed structures. We also present preliminary results on photoluminescence from as-grown narrow period (Si 6 Ge 4 ) superlattices.
Conductive Surface Modification with Aluminum of High Capacity Layered Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O2 Cathodes

The electrode films fabricated with the high capacity layered oxide Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O2 have been surface modified with metallic aluminum by a thermal evaporation process. The morphology and electrochemical performances of the bare and the Al-coated cathodes have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and charge−discharge measurements. Compared to the bare Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O2 cathode, the Al-coated cathodes (coating time ≤ 30 s) exhibit higher discharge capacity with lower irreversible capacity loss, better cyclability, and higher rate capability. Specifically, the 20 s Al-coated cathode exhibits the highest capacity (278 mAh/g at C/20 rate) and the best rate capability (157 mAh/g at 5C rate), while the 30 s Al-coated cathode displays the best cyclability (268 mAh/g with a capacity retention of 98% in 50 cycles). An analysis of the charge−discharge capacity values, surface conductivity evaluation, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements reveal tha...
Intent Based Trajectory Prediction by Multiple Model Prediction and Smoothing

Trajectory prediction is important for trajectory-based operations in the next generation air transportation system. The intent of an en-route aircraft can benefit significantly the performance of trajectory prediction. An intent based trajectory prediction (IBTP) algorithm for civilian aircraft is proposed in this paper. The predictor based on the Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) algorithm is guided by the spatial and temporal information in the intent. First, the trajectory is predicted based on IMM prediction, where the dynamic model with a heading angle closer to the intended direction is assigned a larger weight. Second, a pseudo-measurement based on the spatial information (e.g., position and speed) in the intended waypoint is generated to update/smooth the predicted trajectory. An illustrated example is provided and results are evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation.
Management of Patients With Resistant or Refractory Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

The introduction of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) has dramatically changed the management and prognostic outlook of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Despite the outstanding results achieved with imatinib, approximately 20% to 30% of patients may either not respond to therapy or eventually develop resistance or intolerance to the drug. Resistance to imatinib is mediated to a great extent by the emergence of mutations within the tyrosine kinase domain of the BCR-ABL oncogene. A growing number of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles are currently being investigated in clinical trials to determine their efficacy against CML resistant to imatinib therapy. The leading examples of this group of second-generation TKIs are nilotinib (Tasigna) and dasatinib (Sprycel). This review addresses the causes and consequences of imatinib resistance and current management of refractory CML with the second-generation TKIs.