cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mucocele of the appendix: diagnosis and surgical management.

Cystadenomas of the appendix are an unusual clinical entity. Despite a recognized constellation of findings, the diagnosis is not usually made prior to surgical exploration.
The Use of Piezoelectric Crystals as Electrode Substrates in Iron Corrosion Studies: The Real-Time, In Situ Determination of Dissolution and Film Formation Reaction Rates

Abstract The use of a piezoelectric crystal (PC) electrode as the substrate for an iron film permits the real-time, in situ evaluation of both current and mass vs potential behavior. This combination of data is shown to be far more informative than conventional corrosion scan results. Linear potentiodynamic scans in 1.0 N Na2SO4 for iron films electrodeposited at current densities (CDs) from 20 to 400 mA/cm2 are described. The observed corrosion behavior is interpreted on the basis of hydrogen co-reduction influences.
The impact of AIDS on an urban population of high-risk female minority adolescents: Implications for intervention

Abstract Purpose: This study's purpose was to describe acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related concerns, risk behaviors, and psychosocial/situational determinants of condom use among an urban minority population of sexually active, adolescent girls. In addition we sought to define the accuracy of personal AIDS risk-assessment, the relative importance of AIDS in relation to other concerns, and the broader context of sexual experience and attitudes in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional interview study was conducted involving sexually active female adolescents attending a pediatric clinic in an inner-city university-affiliated community hospital. Sixty-nine subjects (ages 13–19 yr, 90% African-American) were enrolled. While the goals of this study were primarily descriptive, subject characteristics felt to impact on condom use were identified prior to data collection and were examined against several measures of usage including: use at the time of last sexual intercourse, overall frequency of condom use, and reported behavior change to include initiation of or increased condom usage. Results: Forty-one percent of participants reported knowing someone with AIDS. Global concern regarding this disease was high, although worry about povertyrelated issues was often greater. Despite concern and high measures of AIDS risk (median number of sex partners, 3; past sexually transmitted disease, 55%; past pregnancy 77%), most participants perceived themselves to be at low personal risk owing to current monogamy, lack of intravenous drug use, and implicit trust in their partner's safety. Discussion with their partner about actual risk and awareness of the importance of past behaviors was generally lacking. Although 98% were aware that condoms may prevent AIDS, 64% used condoms half of the time or less when they had sex and use appeared to be primarily for contraception. Several intrinsic cognitive/psychological and extrinsic social/situational factors were found to correlate with measures of condom use. Conclusions: Participants' sexual histories and behavior emphasize the need for concern regarding AIDS risk in this population. Patterns of sexual behavior and beliefs regarding committed relationships raise challenging questions regarding how to motivate sexually active members of this population to use condoms more frequently. Programs aimed at AIDS prevention among urban minority adolescents need to be cognizant of the larger personal and sociocultural context in which these teenagers are making health-behavior choices.
AEBP1 gene variants in infants with gastroschisis.

BACKGROUND: The AEBP1 (adipocyte enhancer binding protein) gene has two isoforms: AEBP1, the shorter of the two isoforms, and Aclp (aortic carboxypeptidase-like protein). Aclp−/− mice demonstrate a ventral wall defect that is similar to gastroschisis in humans. Aclp is a potential candidate gene because it is expressed in numerous tissues during early development in mice; it associates with the extracellular matrix; and is essential for abdominal wall development and wound healing. In contrast, AEBP1 encodes an intracellular protein involved in proinflammatory responses, and may play a critical role in apoptosis and cell survival. Gastroschisis is a severe abdominal wall defect more common in young women and recently associated with a genitourinary infection early in pregnancy. METHODS: We screened AEBP1 in 40 cases of gastroschisis and compared identified variants in a control population. RESULTS: We identified several novel variants in AEBP1, including synonymous and nonsynonymous single nucleotide substitutions and intronic indels. However, the frequency of these variants was not significantly different from that of the control group, and the associated amino acid changes were predicted to be benign by two prediction software programs. CONCLUSIONS: Gastroschisis remains an intriguing defect that, for an unknown reason, occurs more commonly in young women and after a genitourinary infection. Although we found many alterations in AEBP1 among the gastroschisis cases, they were predicted to be benign. However, this gene requires further understanding of its interaction with other genes involved in the immune response pathway. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 94:738–742, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlling Surface Energy and Wetability with Diels−Alder Chemistry

Reversible Diels−Alder chemistry was utilized to manipulate the surface energy of glass substrates. Hydrophobic dieneophiles were prepared and attached to glass slides and capillaries to yield a nonwetting surface. Thermal treatment of the surfaces cleaved the Diels−Alder linkage, and resulted in the fabrication of a hydrophilic surface. Preliminary analysis utilized contact angle (CA) measurements to monitor the change in surface energy, and observed a hydrophilic state (CA - 70 ± 3°) before attachment of the dieneophile to a hydrophobic state (CA − 101 ± 9°) followed by regeneration of the hydrophilic state (CA − 70 ± 6°) upon cleavage of the Diels−Alder linkage. The treatments were then applied to glass capillaries, with effective treatment confirmed by fluid column measurements. Patterned treatments were also demonstrated to provide effective flow gating. Finally, attempts to create self-pressurizing capillaries were unsuccessful due to pronounced contact angle hysteresis for the hydrophobic surface t...
Eating Disorders as Coping Mechanisms

This article focuses on the complex nature of eating disorders, specifically highlighting their use as coping mechanisms for underlying emotional and psychological concerns. Case examples of college counseling center clients are discussed in order to illustrate common ways in which eating disorders are utilized by clients with varying symptomatology. Offering reflections on their work with clients in the college setting, the authors discuss implications for counselors who work with similar clients.
Isolation of Phytochrome from the Alga Mesotaenium and Liverwort Sphaerocarpos

Phytochrome has been isolated from the green alga Mesotaenium and the liverwort Sphaerocarpos. The Mesotaenium pigment had absorption peaks at 649 and 710 nm for the PR and PFR forms, respectively. Corresponding difference spectrum maxima for the Sphaerocarpos pigment were at 655 and 720 nm. While the absorption maxima differ, the reversibility and efficiency with which red and far-red light transform the Mesotaenium pigment are very similar to that reported for phytochrome isolated from etiolated seedlings of higher plants. Methods are described which allow efficient separation of phytochrome from highly pigmented light-grown material.
Reinforcement and punishment in a closed system

Abstract Children chose between toys freely and with various restrictive contingencies. Sometimes play with a preferred toy was contingent on play with a nonpreferred toy. Sometimes play with a nonpreferred toy was contingent on play with a preferred toy. Another toy (free toy) was always available during contingency sessions. Because toy playing occupied the entire session the response system was closed. When one response increased in duration others had to decrease. An analysis of closed-system responding revealed that the restrictions of the closed system together with the restrictions imposed by the contingencies forced subjects to alter the proportion of time devoted to the three responses. A geometrical model representing the closed system and an analytical method based on distance are presented to describe the data.
Preparedness and Cognitive Legitimacy as Antecedents of New Venture Funding in Televised Business Pitches

This research addresses the question of what specific entrepreneurs’ behavior increases the propensity for resource acquisition. Within the context of business “pitches,” we explore subtleties in t...
Capital costs in economic program evaluation: The case of mental health services

Capital costs are substantial, frequently problematical, and often neglected or inappropriately estimated in deliberations over how to deliver public services, such as mental health care.
Manipulus rubiacearum. III: Deppeeae, a new tribe of Rubioideae (Rubiaceae)

A new tribe,Deppeeae, in subfamily Rubioideae Verdc. of the Neotropical Rubiaceae is described. It is easily distinguished by the presence of raphides, contorted or modified alternative aestivation of the corolla, numerous small ovules, and placenta attached to the middle of the septum. Three genera are known to be members of the tribe,Deppea, Schenckia, andOmiltemia. A hypothetical phylogenetic tree for the tribe is presented.
Spinless fermions on frustrated lattices in a magnetic field.

Etude de l'effet d'un champ magnetique sur l'energie cinetique d'un ensemble de fermions sans spin presents sur des reseaux frustres. Etude de deux reseaux distincts topologiquement. On trouve qu'un flux d'un quantum de flux par site augmente la frustration. De plus, si l'energie de l'etat fondamental en absence de champ possede des lignes ou un plan de degenerescence dans l'espace k, alors une valeur quelconque du flux abaisse l'energie de la particule simple. Dans de tels cas, au moins une sous-bande magnetique est situee completement en dessous de l'energie de l'etat fondamental en absence de champ. Ceci renforce le paramagnetisme de la bande
Early Experience with Racial Discrimination and Conduct Disorder as Predictors of Subsequent Drug Use: A Critical Period Hypothesis

A critical period hypothesis linking early experiences with both racial discrimination and conduct disorder (CD) with subsequent drug use was examined in a panel of 889 African American adolescents (age 10.5 at time 1) and their parents. Analyses indicated that these early experiences did predict use by the adolescents at time 3 (T3)-5 years later. These relations were both direct and indirect, being mediated by an increase in affiliation with friends who were using drugs. The relations existed controlling for parents' reports of their use, discrimination experiences, and their socioeconomic status (SES). The impact of these early experiences on African American families is discussed.
Antioxidant Properties of Phosphates and Other Additives During the Storage of Raw Mackerel and Lake Trout

ABSTRACT: The addition of phosphates, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), to mackerel samples showed an antioxidant effect, although not as strong as that of propyl gallate (PG), ascorbic acid (AA), or erythorbic acid (EA). Phosphates were particularly effective in the white muscle. This effect was not observed in lake trout, where EA was a strong pro-oxidant. In mackerel, the addition of STPP with other free radical quenchers did not enhance the anti-oxidant effect. Smaller, monovalent cation phosphates were better antioxidants than larger cations with higher valences. Although the concentration and type of phosphate may affect the oxidation rate of the mackerel, their effect was found to be masked by certain factors.
The mast cell and mast cell disease

Mast cell disease or mastocytosis is a heterogeneous group of clinical disorders characterized by the proliferation and accumulation of mast cells in a variety of tissues, most often the skin. The signs and symptoms of mast cell disease are varied, dependent on the localization of mast cells in different organs and the local and systemic effects of mediators released from these cells. Although mast cell disease is most commonly identified in the skin, involvement of the skeletal, hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, cardiopulmonary, and central nervous systems may be seen. Clinical management of mastocytosis depends most heavily on knowledge of the diverse effects of mast cell mediators on various tissues and organs, the stimuli that can cause their release, and the different methods available for blocking the effects of these mediators.
Kinetics of the ruthenium thin film deposition from supercritical carbon dioxide by the hydrogen reduction of Ru(tmhd)2cod

The kinetics of ruthenium thin film deposition via the hydrogen assisted reduction of bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato)(1,5-cyclooctadiene)ruthenium(II) [Ru(tmhd)"2cod] in supercritical carbon dioxide was studied. Deposition temperature was varied from 240^oC to 280^oC and the apparent activation energy was determined to be 45.3kJ/mol. Deposition rates up to 30nm/min were attained. The growth rate dependence on precursor concentration between 0 and 0.2wt.% in CO"2 was studied at 260^oC using excess hydrogen. The results indicated first order deposition kinetics with respect to precursor at concentrations lower than 0.06wt.% and zero order dependence at concentrations above 0.06wt.%. The ability to access regimes of zero order growth kinetics is advantageous for conformal depositions in high aspect ratio features. Growth rate was second order with respect to hydrogen at concentrations less than 0.26 wt.% and zero order at higher concentrations. The reaction byproducts, cyclooctadiene and cyclooctene, both had negative first order effects on growth rate while cyclooctane had a small negative impact on film growth rate. The effect of reaction pressure on the growth rate was studied at a constant reaction temperature of 260^oC and pressures between 159bar and 200bar and found to have no significant effect on the growth rate.
Up and Down Regulation of the Sodium Pumping Sites in Myocardium

It is well known that myocardial sodium pump plays an important role in the maintenance of the electrochemical activities of the heart, and it is now becoming apparent that an inhibition of its activity by cardiac glycosides is associated with both positive inotropic and arrhythmogenic effects (see 1 and 2). Many types of effector cells are known to undergo compensatory changes in sensitivity to stimuli and in receptor numbers, particularly the beta-adrenergic receptors, when there is a chronic increase or decrease in the contact between an agonist and the cells. The phenomenon of up and down regulation of sodium pumping sites in myocardium with chronic exposure to cardiac glycosides, as well as the subsequent myocardial sensitivity changes, however, are not well understood. Recently, we and a number of other investigators have also reported significant alterations in the steady-state activity of myocardial sodium pump in various pathological states, such as diabetic, hypertensive, hypothyroid and ischemic (3–7), as well as following various hormonal (insulin and thyroid) and chemical (reserpine) treatments (3, 7–8). The pathophysiological significance of these sodium pump activity alterations in relation to myocardial function and their responsiveness to cardiac glycosides, however, are not clear. Since it is becoming apparent that the remaining uninhibited sodium pump activity in the presence of cardiac glycosides ultimately determines the magnitude of increases in intracellular sodium concentration and the positive inotropic effect of cardiac glycosides, changes in the steady-state sodium pumping sites could thus modulate the sensitivity of cardiac glycosides. In this article we will briefly review the results of our studies on 1) the effects of chronic cardiac glycosides treatment as well as various pathological states, such as diabetes mellitus and acute myocardial ischemia, on myocardial sodium pumping sites, and 2) the sensitivity of these pathological hearts to the inotropic actions of cardiac glycosides.
Biphasic action of cyclic adenosine 3',5'- monophosphate in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog-stimulated hormone release from GH3 cells stably transfected with GnRH receptor complementary deoxyribonucleic acid

GH3 cells are a PRL-secreting adenoma cell line derived from pituitary lactotropes. These cells have been stably transfected with rat GnRH receptor complementary DNA to produce four cell lines: GGH(3)1', GGH(3)2', GGH(3)6', and GGH(3)12'. In response to either GnRH or Buserelin (a metabolically stable GnRH agonist), these cell lines synthesize PRL in a cAMP-dependent manner. Only GGH(3)6' cells desensitize in response to persistent treatment with 10(-7) g/ml Buserelin. GGH(3)1', GGH(3)2', and GGH(3)12' cells, however, can be made refractory to Buserelin stimulation by raising cAMP levels either by the addition of (Bu)2cAMP to the medium or by treatment with cholera toxin. In GGH(3) cells, low levels of cAMP fulfill the requirements for a second messenger, whereas higher levels appear to mediate the development of desensitization. The observation that in GGH(3)6' cells, cAMP production persists after the onset of desensitization is consistent with the view that the mechanism responsible for desensitization...
Rigorous coupled-wave approach to scattering from cylindrical and spherical inhomogeneous objects

Rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) approach is employed to determine electromagnetic (EM) scattering from cylindrical (circular and noncircular) spatially, inhomogeneous, anisotropic material objects. From the late 70's to the present, the RCWA approach has become an extremely important technique for the study of EM diffraction from one and two dimensional planar gratings. RCWA which is a spectral domain technique, is based on expanding Maxwell's equations in a set of Floquet harmonics, and from this expansion, arranging the unknowns of the system in a state variable (SV) form from which a solution may be found. For the study of diffraction from planar gratings, the technique has proved to be a very fast, accurate, and effective method which requires only the solution of relatively small matrix and eigenvalue equations. When the RCWA approach is applied to study scattering from two and three dimensional objects, the theta and phi azimuthal coordinates represent periodic coordinates from which Floquet harmonics may be used to expand the unknowns of the system. Secs. 1 and 2 will review the RCWA method and its application to E-mode planar diffraction gratings. Sec. 3 will present the basic RCWA EM formulation to study scattering from inhomogeneous, anisotopic circular, cylindrical objects, and Sec. 4 will briefly review the RCWA EM formulation used to study scattering from elliptical inhomogeneous objects.
Channel changes and living fencerows in eastern Sonora, Mexico: Myopia in traditional resource management?

The riverine landscape of the eastern half of the state of Sonora, northwest Mexico, is characterized by cultural features that may well be unique to the region. Living fencerows are constructed by farmers planting willow and cottonwood saplings well out into river channels during the dry season, when discharge is low and restricted to rivulets in the middle of the otherwise dry streambeds. They are arranged more or less parallel to the channels and the edges of adjacent fields, and eventually sprout and establish roots. Brush is woven between the saplings, to stabilize them, and to slow stream flow along the channel edges during the rainy season when discharge is at its annual peak. Diminished velocities behind the fencerows result in decreased stream bank erosion, and increased sedimentation, at least In theory. On the whole, living fencerows are envisaged by the farmers who construct them, and by environmentalists, as ecologically sound strategies to protect, fertilize, and enlarge fields. As advantageous as they may seem, however, there is at least one negative consequence of living fencerows. This paper suggests that by narrowing and straightening stream channels, living fencerows contribute to increased stream velocity, and hence, increased stream bank erosion and field destruction, especially downstream from these features. Advantages that accrue to the builders of living fencerows come at the expense of their neighbors. The assumptions of farmers having total knowledge of their environments, and total understanding of their actions are questioned.
Lithium toxicity in Amsinckia tessellata Gray at the Nevada Test Site.

Abstract Three years after an application of 454 g of LiSO4 *H2O in a trench around a pair of shrub clumps at West Frenchman Flat of the Nevada Test Site, several Amsinclda tessellata Gray annual plants growing near the trenches showed symptoms of leaf burn while seedlings of the same species away from the trenches were free of symptoms. No other species in the area had such symptoms. Leaves of plants with symptoms contained 525 μg Li/g leaf while control plants had around 1 μg/g. Stems contained 54 μg li/g dry weight. Calcium and Li distributed similarly between leaves and stems.
A possible relationship between aspects of dentition and feeding in the centrarchid and anabantoid fishes

Certain components of dentition — teeth on the third basibranchial in the Centrarchidae and on the parasphenoid in the anabantoids (sensu lato) — are very rare elsewhere in higher teleostean fishes. Though these basibranchial and parasphenoid teeth in the two fish groups are on opposite sides of the oral cavity, it is hypothesized that they both developed as adaptations for gripping a particular category of food items, namely strong-clawed, hard-shelled, active animals that, once within the oral cavity, would try to crawl out again. A corollary to this hypothesis is that higher teleosts with extensive dentition in the central part of the oral cavity have a grasping jaw bite, which, unlike a piercing, shearing, or crushing jaw bite, does not necessarily kill the prey that is taken into the oral cavity.
Lipoxin A4 antagonizes cellular and in vivo actions of leukotriene D4 in rat glomerular mesangial cells: evidence for competition at a common receptor

Abstract Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) was competitive with [3H]leukotriene D4 (LTD4) for specific binding to cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. Half-maximal inhibition was obtained with 100 nM LXA4, compared with 10 nM for unlabeled LTD4. At 10 and 50 nM LXA4 induced low, but significant, increases in mesangial-cell inositol trisphosphate generation: 48% and 44% increases as compared to vehicle controls, respectively (compared with 146% and 106% increments obtained for equimolar LTD4), which were abolished in the presence of 100-fold concentrations of the LTD4 receptor antagonist, SKF 104353. In addition, exposure to 100 nM LXA4 prevented mesangial cell inositol trisphosphate generation induced by 10 nM LTD4. To test the in vivo relevance of these results, we established a dose-response curve for the reducing effects of intrarenal arterial LTD4 on glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow in anesthetized rats (LTD4 doses were 0.5, 7.0, 14.0, and 20.0 micrograms/kg per min) without or with LXA4 at 1 microgram/kg per min. Mean percent decreases in glomerular filtration rate/renal plasma flow during LTD4 administration were 27*/24, 25*/40*, 70*/65*, and 73*/70* at the above doses, respectively (*P less than 0.05 versus baseline). With LXA4, these values were as follows: 9/20*, 11/37*, 42*/51*, and 50*/68*, the latter value representing a shift in the LTD4/glomerular filtration rate dose-response curve. Thus, LXA4 competes for [3H]LTD4 binding to mesangial cells, its presence prevents LTD4-induced inositol trisphosphate generation, and its own stimulation of mesangial-cell inositol trisphosphate is blocked by an LTD4 receptor antagonist. In vivo, LXA4 antagonizes LTD4-induced falls in glomerular filtration rate but not renal plasma flow, implying prevention of LTD4-mediated reductions in the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient, a consequence of mesangial-cell contraction. These results suggest that LTD4 and LXA4 interact at a common site on rat mesangial cells at which LXA4 provokes partial agonist responses and competitively antagonizes both the cellular and physiological actions of LTD4. Moreover, these results provide evidence for a potential counterregulatory interaction between leukotrienes and lipoxins that may be relevant during glomerular inflammation.
Regulation of lycopene formation in cell suspension culture of VFNT tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) by CPTA, growth regulators, sucrose, and temperature

The onium compound 2-(4-chlorophenylthio)-triethylamine (CPTA) was used to increase lycopene formation to levels approximating those in field-or glasshouse-grown fruit, and then growth regulators, sucrose and temperature were used to regulate lycopene accumulation. It was found that the native auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was substantially more effective than 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in promoting lycopene formation, sucrose inhibited lycopene formation (cell basis), and temperature produced a pattern similar to that observed in the field with a temperature optimum between 18 and 26 °C. Suggestions for further improvements in technique are included
Investigating the correlations among the chemical structures, bioactivity profiles and molecular targets of small molecules

Motivation: Most of the previous data mining studies based on the NCI-60 dataset, due to its intrinsic cell-based nature, can hardly provide insights into the molecular targets for screened compounds. On the other hand, the abundant information of the compound–target associations in PubChem can offer extensive experimental evidence of molecular targets for tested compounds. Therefore, by taking advantages of the data from both public repositories, one may investigate the correlations between the bioactivity profiles of small molecules from the NCI-60 dataset (cellular level) and their patterns of interactions with relevant protein targets from PubChem (molecular level) simultaneously. Results: We investigated a set of 37 small molecules by providing links among their bioactivity profiles, protein targets and chemical structures. Hierarchical clustering of compounds was carried out based on their bioactivity profiles. We found that compounds were clustered into groups with similar mode of actions, which strongly correlated with chemical structures. Furthermore, we observed that compounds similar in bioactivity profiles also shared similar patterns of interactions with relevant protein targets, especially when chemical structures were related. The current work presents a new strategy for combining and data mining the NCI-60 dataset and PubChem. This analysis shows that bioactivity profile comparison can provide insights into the mode of actions at the molecular level, thus will facilitate the knowledge-based discovery of novel compounds with desired pharmacological properties. Availability: The bioactivity profiling data and the target annotation information are publicly available in the PubChem BioAssay database ( ftp://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubchem/Bioassay/). Contact:ywang@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; bryant@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Engineering Innovators without Borders: Developing Entrepreneurial Opportunities for the Developing World through Engineering Redesign

“Engineering Innovators without Borders” seeks to establish entrepreneurship opportunities for the developing world. Through the Junior/Senior engineering clinics at Rowan University, engineering and business majors work together to develop sustainable devices and business plans. The first technology developed by this project is the human powered grain crusher. The grain crusher project aims to create a cheap and simple mechanical device to grind barley, corn, and other grain. The grain crusher utilizes human energy to crush grains quickly and efficiently. The goal is to provide technological solutions to problems in the developing world by using detailed opportunity recognition evaluations and development of prototypes. The prototypes are then turned over to the developing world for manufacture, distribution, and use. The projects are expected to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for the developing world, alleviate poverty, and improve the quality of life. The grain crusher will be adopted by the DHAN Foundation in India for manufacturing and piloting.
A federated simulation method for multi-modal transportation systems: combining a discrete event-based logistics simulator and a discrete time-step-based traffic microsimulator

The primary focus of computer simulation in transportation engineering has been to model individual systems using modeling software packages designed for the specific system under investigation. However, this limits the ability to explore interactions between multiple disparate transportation systems in a dynamic modeling environment. To address this gap, this study develops and tests a technique to federate two transportation models, each constructed using different simulation software packages: 1 a discrete event-based simulation model of a freight trucking terminal and 2 a discrete time-step-based traffic microscopic simulation model of the network serving the terminal. The federation technique is tested to consider potential feedback loops that may arise between the models during a single simulation run. It is then applied in a notional case study of the Port of Savannah to further assess its capabilities. The findings suggest that this federated simulation technique captures the dynamic interaction of the two systems being modeled. A comparison of the observed versus expected time-based characteristics of the interactions are shown to yield statistically significant correlation.
Composition of the milks of dairy cattle. II. Ash, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus

Milks from commercial dairy herds in Southeastern Pennsylvania were analyzed for ash, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Milk samples were from single milkings of 151 healthy purebred cows in midlactation. The data represent market milk composition. Average values for all animals were ash .78%, calcium 1.25 g/liter, magnesium .11 g/liter, and phosphorus 1.14 g/liter. The data also were grouped and analyzed by breed and beta-lactoglobulin phenotype. Breeds differed in all inorganic components with 18 to 33 cows per breed. No differences in ash, calcium, magnesium, or phosphorus were significant when the data were grouped by beta-lactoglobulin phenotype.
Involving study populations in the review of genetic research.

Research on human genetic variation can present collective risks to all members of a socially identifiable group. Research that associates race or ethnicity with a genetic disposition to disease, for example, presents risks of group discrimination and stigmatization. To better protect against these risks, some have proposed supplemental community-based reviews of research on genetic differences between populations. The assumption behind these appeals is that involving members of study populations in the review process can help to identify and minimize collective risks that otherwise could go unnoticed. In contrast to this position, critics have argued that supplemental community-based reviews are unnecessary, impractical, and morally problematic. This paper is our attempt to advance this debate by distinguishing the various goals of community review and the forms that it can take.
Obesity: Prevalence, Theories, Medical Consequences, Management, and Research Directions

Obesity and its associated disorders are a growing epidemic across the world. Many genetic, physiological, and behavioral factors play a role in the etiology of obesity. Diet and exercise are known to play a valuable role in the treatment and prevention of obesity and associated disorders such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to examine the prevalence, etiology, consequences, and treatment of obesity.
The Beat Goes On: Diastolic Noise That Just Won’t Quit

See related article, pages 979–987 In this issue Bogdanov et al1 show how late diastolic depolarization in rabbit SA-node pacemaker (SAN) cells may be driven largely by stochastic local SR Ca2+ release events (LCRs), consequent pulses of inward Na/Ca2+ exchange current ( I NCX) and small jumps in membrane potential (Em). This group has published a comprehensive series of studies (see their reference list) and have made a compelling case for the importance of SR Ca2+ release in SAN pacemaker rate, and response to β-adrenergic activation. The mechanism is as follows (Figure 1). SAN cells have relatively high basal levels of cAMP and phospholamban phosphorylation,2 resulting in highly active SR Ca2+ uptake. After a prior beat, as SR Ca2+ content rises and the ryanodine receptor (RyR) recovers its triggerability, the high luminal [Ca2+] causes activation of a cluster of RyRs to produce an LCR or Ca2+ spark. The rise in local [Ca2+]i near the Na/Ca2+ exchanger activates Ca2+ extrusion via inward I NCX causing depolarization. In particular, these Ca sparks (or LCRs) are known to be very brief stochastic local releases of a bolus of Ca2+, which induce an almost simultaneous bolus of inward I NCX (because of the high local submembrane [Ca2+]i near the NCX).3 Note the simultaneous spikes on the RyR release and I NCX traces in Figure 2. The high membrane impedance of SAN cells (because of minimal inward rectifier K current I K1)4 allows this brief pulse of inward current to cause a small jump in Em. As more and more of these stochastic events occur during late diastole the diastolic depolarization steepens, bringing Em to the threshold …
microRNAs in Cartilage Development, Homeostasis, and Disease

microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression mainly at the posttranscriptional level. Many different miRNAs are expressed in chondrocytes, and each individual miRNA can regulate hundreds of target genes, creating a complex gene regulatory network. Experimental evidence suggests that miRNAs play significant roles in various aspects of cartilage development, homeostasis, and pathology. The possibility that miRNAs can be novel therapeutic targets for cartilage diseases led to vigorous investigations to understand the role of individual miRNAs in skeletal tissues. Here, we summarize our current understanding of miRNAs in chondrocytes and cartilage. In the first part, we discuss roles of miRNAs in growth plate development and chondrocyte differentiation. In the second part, we put a particular focus on articular cartilage and discuss the significance of variety of findings in the context of osteoarthritis, the most common degenerative joint disease.
Sulfation of rat apolipoprotein E.

The synthesis of a 37-kilodalton (kDa) protein which has been shown recently to be identical with apolipoprotein E (apo-E) was increased after sciatic nerve injury of the rat. When regeneration of the nerve was allowed, its synthesis returned to control levels at about 8 weeks post injury. In this report it is shown that similar time-course studies of the protein in the rat optic nerve revealed a delayed increase of the protein but a comparably high level of synthesis at 3 weeks post injury. This level was maintained up to at least 18 weeks after crush. Furthermore, two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed that the characteristic “trailing” of the protein is due to its sialylation, because it was reduced after neuraminidase treatment. This treatment, however, detected a neuraminidase-resistant heterogeneous form in CNS tissue and a homogeneous form in peripheral nervous tissue. The trailing persisted up to 18 days of culture of optic nerve explants, of CNS glial cells, and of peritoneal macrophages, but disappeared during the first culture days of sciatic nerve explants and was not observed in Schwann cell culture media. Incorporation studies with 35SO4 revealed that apo-E was the major sulfated protein in culture media conditioned by CNS glial cells, whereas sulfation of the protein was undetectable in Schwann cell cultures. Because macrophages are likely to be the major source of apo-E in both peripheral and central glial cell cultures as well as in injured optic and sciatic nerves, it is hypothesized that resident cells of sciatic nerves secrete potent sulfatases. As a result, sialic acid residues may be more susceptible to degradation. Furthermore, the affinity of apo-E toward heparan sulfate proteoglycans of the extracellular matrix may be increased, which results in its preferential accumulation in the peripheral nerve.
DFT + DFD: An Integrated Method for Design for Testability and Diagnosability

While conventional test point insertions commonly used in design for testability can improve fault coverage, the test points selected may not necessarily be the best candidates to aid silicon diagnosis. In this paper, test point insertions are conducted with the aim to detect more faults and also synergistically distinguish currently indistinguishable fault-pairs. We achieve this by identifying those points in the circuit, which are not only hard-to-test but also lie on distinguishable frontiers, as Testability-Diagnosability (TD) points. To this end, we propose a novel low-cost metric to identify such TD points. Further, we propose a new DFT + DFD architecture, which adds just one pin (to identify test/functional mode) and small additional combinational logic to the circuit under test. Our experiments indicate that the proposed architecture can distinguish 4× more previously indistinguishable fault-pairs than existing DFT architectures while maintaining similar fault coverages. Further, experiments illustrate that quality results can be achieved with an area overhead of around 5%.
Trace-driven analysis of migration-based gang scheduling policies for parallel computers

Gang scheduling is a job scheduling policy for parallel computers that combines elements of space-sharing and time-sharing. In this paper we analyze the performance of gang scheduling policies that allow the remapping of an executing job to a new set of processors. Most previously proposed gang-scheduling policies do not allow such job remapping under the assumption that it is prohibitively expensive. Through a detailed trace-driven simulation, we analyze the tradeoff between the benefits and overheads of such job relocation. Our results show that gang-scheduling policies that support such job relocation offer significant performance gains over policies that do not use remapping.
Notes on estimating experience curves

Experience curves have for some time provided a conceptual framework for forecasting unit costs of new products or production activities. On a practical level, however, statistical estimation of experience curves involves a number of subtle model specification issues which if ignored can render estimated curves totally inappropriate. Several of these issues are explored in a heuristic setting. A major finding of the analysis undertaken is that many estimates of experience curves are estimates of models seriously flawed due to specification errors. First, price experience curves and the problems encountered in estimating these functions due to missing variables are treated. Then, attention is focused on cost experience curves. It is argued that estimates of cost experience curves are generally biased due to both missing variables and missing equations; the latter is usually termed simultaneous equation bias.
Safety Hazard of Tinted Automobile Windshields at Night

The effects of tinted optical media, particularly of heat-absorbing automobile windshields, upon visibility distances on the highway at night are analyzed theoretically. The loss percentages in visibility distances caused by replacing clear windshields with tinted ones are calculated as functions of the variables involved, viz., transmittance of the tinted optical medium, isocandle profile of the headlamp, angular size and reflectance of the target. It is found that the loss percentages in visibility distances are further dependent upon the distance of the target itself, with the losses increasing with decreasing distances. Losses in visibility distances caused by commercial brands of tinted windshields amount to between 9 and 15 percent at visibility distances ranging between 1000 and 200 feet. These results agree fairly well with the data of Blackwell and with data obtained experimentally in the field by other authors. The analysis shows further that the losses in visibility distances are greatest for targets so nearly matched to the background that they may be seen even with clear windshields only at short distances. Under these conditions the losses may be as high as 30 to 45 percent. A reconsideration of the 70 percent minimum transmittance requirement for windshields in the American Standard Safety Code Z26.1–1950 is recommended.
Does Maternal Employment Following Childbirth Support or Inhibit Low‐Income Children’s Long‐Term Development?

This study assessed whether previous findings linking early maternal employment to lower cognitive and behavioral skills among middle-class and White children generalized to other groups. Using a representative sample of urban, low-income, predominantly African American and Hispanic families (n = 444), ordinary least squares regression and propensity score matching models assessed links between maternal employment in the 2 years after childbearing and children’s functioning at age 7. Children whose mothers were employed early, particularly in their first 8 months, showed enhanced socioemotional functioning compared to peers whose mothers remained nonemployed. Protective associations emerged for both part-time and full-time employment, and were driven by African American children, with neutral effects for Hispanics. Informal home-based child care also heightened positive links.
Methodologic Issues in Post-Marketing Surveillance: Pharmaceutical Industry's View—Burroughs Wellcome

The program in pharmaco-epidemiology has been developed at Burroughs Wellcome Company coupling into a single department the monitoring of spontaneously reported adverse experiences (“epidemiologic intelligence”) with the design and conduct of epidemiologic studies, with primary emphasis upon monitoring for drug safety. The emphasis of the program is upon tailoring the epidemiologic method to meet the information need; and recognizing the uniqueness of each drug, each phase in the evolution of drug experience, and each specific set of questions to be answered. Examples are given of specific studies using varied epidemiologic methods and the specific sorts of questions they are designed to address within the Burroughs Wellcome program in pharmaco-epidemiology.
Bayesian Individualization of Pharmacokinetics: Simple Implementation and Comparison with Non-Bayesian Methods

One may attempt to individualize drug dosage by estimating an individual's pharmacokinetic parameters. Information useful for this purpose consists of certain population pharmacokinetic parameters (notably those describing the typical relationship between dosage and drug concentrations) and also measured drug concentrations from the individual of concern. Both types of information should be used. A (Bayesian) method that does so has been described in the pharmacokinetic literature. In this report an implementation of the Bayesian method that is readily adapted to a microcomputer is presented. Using simulated data it is compared with two other methods proposed by others, for estimating individual theophylline clearances. Both previously suggested methods are shown to be less precise than the Bayesian method: their typical error magnitudes are 20-70% larger.
Experiencing Health in the Context of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The purpose of this study was to explicate the health experience of persons with rheumatoid arthritis who manifest a strong sense of well-being. Five women and three men participated in unstructured interviews in order to answer the research question, What are the subplots that emerge in the descriptions of health given by persons with rheumatoid arthritis? A hermeneutic method was used to analyze the transcripts. Three subplots emerged: (a) The evolving—not knowing and then knowing something, but never really knowing, (b) the reframing, and (c) the relational fugue. The findings, including creation of healing spaces and an evolving relationship with assistive devices, provide evidence of turning points in the health process and are suggestive of a strong sense of well-being as a manifestation of a reorganized pattern.
Coadsorption of nitriles and CO on Cu-ZSM-5: An in situ FTIR spectroscopic study

The catalytic opportunity that Cu-ZSM-5 has for potentially reducing NO{sub x} emission through reduction by hydrocarbons has prompted an enormous international examination of this material and the chemical properties it displays. The coadsorption of acetonitrile (ACN) or deuterated acetonitrile (dACN) with CO at Cu-ZSM-5 reveals several interesting features concerning the partial valency of Cu. Specifically, CO binds at Cu{sup +1} and Cu{degree} centers (in the absence of preadsorbed ACN) and exhibits C-O stretching frequencies of 2,157 cm{sup {minus}1} and 2,112 cm{sup {minus}1}, respectively. Carbon monoxide readily adsorbs at an ACN (or dACN) saturated Cu-ZSM-5 and exhibits a C-O stretch of 2,122 cm{sup {minus}1}, a value more consistent with a partially reduced Cu{sup +1} center. Furthermore, the IR cross section for the CN stretch in a number of nitriles (ACN, dACN, and benzonitrile) coadsorbed with CO displays interesting effects attributed to rehybridization and changes in CN dipole moment.
Calibration Method for Fully Polarimetric Microwave Radiometers Using the Correlated Noise Calibration Standard

In this paper, a new and improved L-band version of the correlated noise calibration standard (CNCS) has been developed to aid in the characterization of polarimetric microwave radiometers. The CNCS generates a series of known polarimetric test signals using a two-channel commercial arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) and a pair of frequency-upconversion modules. When it is inserted in place of the antenna used by a radiometer-under-test (RUT), it can fully characterize the polarimetric response of the receiver portion of the RUT. Both hardware and software improvements have been made over a previous version of the CNCS. The frequency upconverters now include integral warm and cold calibration-reference targets to automatically compensate for small drifts in AWG output-signal strength. The procedure used to calibrate the RUT has been generalized to correct for nonideal characteristics of the CNCS itself. Moreover, the effects on the derived polarimetric gain matrix of impedance mismatches between the RUT, and either the CNCS or the antenna have been determined. Details of the CNCS improvements are presented. The results of an experimental demonstration of its use and of a series of validation tests of its performance are also presented.
Nonvanishing of the partition function modulo small primes

Let p(n) be the ordinary partition function. We show, for all integers r and s with s 1 and 0 r < 3 s , that #fn X : n r (mod 3 s ) and p(n) 6 0 (mod 3)g r;s