cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A dynamical analysis of the nuclear reactions 3He(d, p)4He and 3H(d, n)4He: (I). Two-body states

Abstract We present some general expressions for the two-body states of the two stable channels of the five-nucleon systems. The concept of broken symmetries is applied to the polarization, the asymmetry and the vector analyzing powers of the incident deuteron and mass A = 3 particle to extract information on the reaction mechanism by inspection.
The anaerobic co-digestion of fruit and vegetable waste and horse manure mixtures in a bench-scale, two-phase anaerobic digestion system.

In this study, the anaerobic digestion of mixtures of food waste (FW) and horse manure was investigated using a bench-scale two-phase reactor system. Both phases were maintained at 35°C for the duration of the 30-day study period. The first phase reactors were prepared with biomass mixtures in deionized water such that each mixture had an initial total solids (TS) concentration of 6 wt%. The second phase reactors were inoculated with cow manure in water two weeks prior to the study period at 3 wt% TS. The biogas from all second phase reactors contained greater than 60 vol% methane in the biogas before they were used in the study, thus indicating the presence of active methanogens. Filtrate (5 mL) from the first phase was used as feed to the second phase reactor. The chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon, and volatile solids (VS) of the feed from Phase 1 increased with FW content in the biomass mixture, and so the organic loading rates (OLRs) to the Phase 2 reactors also increased. Accordingly...
Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Differentially Regulates the Adhesiveness of Normal and Psoriatic Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells for Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Lymphocytes adhere to dermal microvascular endothelial cells (DMEC) as the first step in their migration from the bloodstream into diseased skin. Psoriasis is characterized by an intense T-lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis, which may be a consequence of the abnormal regulation of endothelial adhesiveness by cytokines released locally. In the present study, we investigated the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-4, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β) on the adhesiveness of DMEC isolated from psoriatic plaques or normal skin for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The results showed that DMEC from both normal and psoriatic skin retain the capacity to adhere to 51Cr-labeled PBMC. Pretreatment of DMEC from normal skin with human recombinant IL-1 or TNF alone or in combination for 8 h significantly (p
Imaging neoplasia in zebrafish.

Application of a wider range of imaging techniques to cancer research in zebrafish will advance the utility of this exciting model.
Mechanism of defective oxygen extraction following global ischemia.

Abstract Prolonged global ischemia has been shown to result in a defect in oxygen extraction (O 2 E) which is not related to postischemic changes in coronary blood flow or ventricular contractility. Possible explanations for this defect include either (1) decreased O 2 delivery due to diffusion barriers, arterial-venous (A-V) shunting, or myocardial flow maldistribution, or (2) an impaired cellular ability to utilize delivered O 2 . Studies were carried out in 24 isolated perfused feline hearts divided into three equal groups. Groups I and II were subjected to 60 min of 37°C ischemia; Group III was protected with hypothermia (27°C) and potassium cardioplegia during the 60 min of ischemia. Group II underwent hyperosmolar (340 mOsm) reperfusion with mannitol to improve subendocardial perfusion; Groups I and III had isosmolar postischemic reperfusion. In addition to O 2 E determinations, myocardial O 2 ( P m O 2 ) was monitored continuously by mass spectrometry. Radioactive microspheres were used to measure both A-V shunting and endo/epi flow ratios. Postischemic O 2 E was depressed in Group I (70 ± 5% of control) and Group II (70 ± 4% of control) but was unaltered in Group III (105 ± 8% of control). This impairment of O 2 E was not associated with increased A-V shunting. P m O 2 was not different among the three groups excluding diffusion barriers as a likely explanation. Improving transmural myocardial perfusion in Group II did not result in improvement in postischemic O 2 E making flow maldistribution an unlikely cause of this defect. The mechanism of defective postischemic O 2 E, therefore, must be an impaired capacity for utilization of delivered O 2 at the cellular level.
Osmotic pressure for concentrated suspensions of polydisperse particles with thick double layers

A spherical cell model is used to describe the electrical double layer interaction in concentrated suspensions. The model is used to calculate the osmotic pressure of a system of colloidal particles in electrolyte solution. The model uses the full nonlinear Poisson—Boltzmann equation with constant-potential boundary conditions in spherical coordinates and is therefore not limited to small electrical double layers and small surface potentials. The model, which is applicable to both monodisperse and polydisperse particles, is compared to the pair-potential model of monodisperse systems.
Preliminary kerr electro-optic field mapping measurements in propylene carbonate using point-plane electrodes

Abstract Propylene carbonate is used in Kerr electro-optic field mapping measurements because of its non-toxic chemical nature and very high Kerr constant. We describe the experimental design and chemical purification procedure that minimizes reactions with the electrodes and removes particles and moisture. We measure the optical characteristic parameters using the ac modulation method with point-plane electrodes that allows calculation of the electric field magnitude and direction at any point even though the electric field direction varies along the light path. The “onion peeling” method of radial discretization of concentric circles centered on the axisymmetric axis of the point electrode at various heights above the ground plane is used to recover from light intensity measurements the radial and axial components of the electric field which are compared to the theoretical space charge free solutions.
Decay Times of Scintillators

The rate of decay of luminescence following excitation by a high energy particle is an important parameter both in application and interpretation of scintillation phenomena. Two of the present authors developed a more accurate method of measuring scintillation decay, using a pulsed X-ray tube. However, the intensity and time resolution of that apparatus was not adequate for the measurement of all interesting scintillators. A new apparatus has been constructed in which cathode rays are used to excite the scintillator. Cathode-ray pulses as short as 10-10 sec are generated by sweeping a cathode-ray beam across a narrow slit. The emergent electrons in the pulse are accelerated to ~80 key and pass through a thin window to strike the scintillator. The latter may be a crystal, plastic or liquid. The light from the scintillator is detected and amplified by a multiplier phototube, type 1P28. The currents from the anode and last dynode are fed through 120-ohm transmission lines to a traveling-wave oscilloscope. A value of 2.15 × 10-9 sec is obtained for the decay time of scintillations from a solution of 5 g/l of terphenyl in toluene, in agreement with previous measurements. The apparatus is currently being used to study the dependence of the decay time on solute concentration in liquid and plastic scintillators. The decay time is found to increase with decreasing concentration, as predicted by the current theories of energy transfer.
A Matter of Life and Death: The Voices of Domestic Violence Survivors

In light of recent threats to funding for essential services, this qualitative study asked women survivors of domestic violence what they would do if their current services were no longer available. The themes seemed to span a continuum of resilience, from continuing to look for a way to escape the abuse, to uncertainty, to hopelessness and fear, and to resignation by staying in the abusive relationship. The majority of women reported that if domestic violence services were not available, they would remain with their abusers with dramatically negative consequences.
Identification of a Thiol/Disulfide Redox Switch in the Human BK Channel That Controls Its Affinity for Heme and CO

Heme is a required prosthetic group in many electron transfer proteins and redox enzymes. The human BK channel, which is a large-conductance Ca2+ and voltage-activated K+ channel, is involved in the hypoxic response in the carotid body. The BK channel has been shown to bind and undergo inhibition by heme and activation by CO. Furthermore, evidence suggests that human heme oxygenase-2 (HO2) acts as an oxygen sensor and CO donor that can form a protein complex with the BK channel. Here we describe a thiol/disulfide redox switch in the human BK channel and biochemical experiments of heme, CO, and HO2 binding to a 134-residue region within the cytoplasmic domain of the channel. This region, called the heme binding domain (HBD) forms a linker segment between two Ca2+-sensing domains (called RCK1 and RCK2) of the BK channel. The HBD includes a CXXCH motif in which histidine serves as the axial heme ligand and the two cysteine residues can form a reversible thiol/disulfide redox switch that regulates affinity of the HBD for heme. The reduced dithiol state binds heme (Kd = 210 nm) 14-fold more tightly than the oxidized disulfide state. Furthermore, the HBD is shown to tightly bind CO (Kd = 50 nm) with the Cys residues in the CXXCH motif regulating affinity of the HBD for CO. This HBD is also shown to interact with heme oxygenase-2. We propose that the thiol/disulfide switch in the HBD is a mechanism by which activity of the BK channel can respond quickly and reversibly to changes in the redox state of the cell, especially as it switches between hypoxic and normoxic conditions.
Analysis of flexibility with rationing for a mix of manufacturing facilities

A major competitive advantage of a flexible manufacturing facility is its ability to cope with uncertainties in demand. At a strategic level, capacity-size decisions for a mix of flexible facilities (each not necessarily producing the same combination of products) are made based on aggregates of product types. Such an approach overlooks possible capacity-devouring by some products, arising at the operational level, when the aggregate demand for the period exceeds the available capacity. A rationing policy is required to ensure that the available aggregate capacity of the facilities is shared equitably. In this article, it is shown that such a rationing policy has an impact on the required capacity size and, therefore, must be integrated with the decisions at the strategic level. Several properties indicating the relative preferences of certain facility strategies are also established.
Factors Associated with Food Security Optimism in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Food security is fundamental to psychological well-being, perhaps especially so in developing countries such as Bangladesh. This study aimed to examine factors associated with food security optimism (FSO), or the belief that the household food security will improve in the future, by testing the following hypotheses: (1) Wealthier and more food secure households are more optimistic than their poorer and food insecure counterparts. (2) There is a difference between the levels of optimism in men and women living in the same household. The results supported the first hypothesis, but there was no significant difference in levels of optimism on the basis of gender. Since optimism has been associated with other factors contributing to well-being, understanding what affects optimism could positively guide stakeholders in decisions concerning programming targeted to the poor.
Cosmic strings and black holes

The metric for a Schwarzschild black hole with a cosmic string passing through it is discussed. The thermodynamics of such an object is considered, and it is shown that S=(1/4)A, where S is the entropy and A is the horizon area. It is noted that the Schwarzschild mass parameter M, which is the gravitational mass of the system, is no longer identical to its energy. A solution representing a pair of black holes held apart by strings is discussed. It is nearly identical to a static, axially symmetric solution given long ago by Bach and Weyl. It is shown how these solutions, which were formerly a mathematical curiosity, may be given a more physical interpretation in terms of cosmic strings.
Evaluation of peak structural responses based on consistent elastic and inelastic design spectra

Many structures built in seismically active regions are expected to behave nonlinearly during an earthquake event. Because of the complex and cumbersome nature of nonlinear time history structural analysis, more recent research has been focused on a way of producing inelastic response spectra that will accurately estimate the peak structural responses. In this paper, peak acceleration and displacement values for three different two-dimensional steel frames were determined using linear and nonlinear time history analysis, and the results were then compared with peak responses found using elastic and inelastic response spectrum analysis. In order to compare the accuracy of these methods, 12 ground motions were adjusted using spectral matching to produce 12 different ground motion histories with nearly identical 5% damped elastic design spectra for the University of Utah location in Salt Lake City, as specified by the United States Geological Survey. It was determined that linear response spectrum analysis proves to be a fairly accurate estimate of time history peak responses. While inelastic response spectrum analysis was found to provide a somewhat less accurate estimation of time history peak responses, the method still shows promise as a simpler and less computationally intensive alternative to time history analysis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization and regulation of insulin binding by embryonic chick heart cells.

Abstract We have compared insulin binding by heart cells at 7 and 14 days of development. Species specificity, optimum pH, temperature relationships, and time to equilibrium for binding of insulin were the same in both 7 and 14-day systems. Curvilinear Scatchard plots for chicken insulin binding were demonstrated. Binding affinities and capacities were calculated based on a two-receptor model including a specific high-affinity receptor and a less specific low-affinity receptor that bound insulin and other growth peptides. Apparent association constants (KA) were 4.0 and 0.05 nM−1 and binding capacities were 600 and 9000 sites per cell for high- and low affinity receptors, respectively. We have also investigated the ability of insulin to regulate binding to its own receptors. Chick heart cells from 7- and 14-day embryos, cultured for 44 hr in insulin-enriched medium (3.4 μM), bound 50% less insulin (down-regulated) than control cells. At both developmental stages, down regulation was primarily a reduction in binding to the high-affinity receptor. The low-affinity receptor was less susceptible to down regulation and retained its ability to mediate maximal insulin stimulation of amino acid transport.
Estimation Of Ship Profiles From A Time Sequence Of Forward-Looking Infrared Images

This paper addresses the problem of estimating the profile, or silhouette, of a ship target from a sequence of forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery obtained at video rates. We are specifically interested in the performance of multiframe processing techniques compared with single-frame methods. Our approach to multiframe signal processing combines spatial and temporal processing in two stages: first, a target profile is extracted from each image frame by a segmentation algorithm; second, the resulting sequence of profiles is temporally filtered in order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. Long sequences of FLIR imagery tend to exhibit several characteristic forms of non-Gaussian noise (random speckle, occlusions, and flaring) caused by various atmospheric and background phenomena, as well as instrument noise. Simple temporal averaging is inadequate in this environment. In this paper we develop a combination of spatial and temporal processing algorithms that may be used to overcome the signal-to-noise ratio problems associated with these noise effects. A recursive temporal median filter in conjunction with a simple spatial segmentation algorithm is proposed for this purpose. Experimental results based on a database of FLIR ship imagery are presented in support of the spatiotemporal processor. Although the approach is developed for ship targets, we feel it could be adapted for a broader class of FLIR applications.
Laboratory tests in children undergoing ambulatory surgery: a review of clinical practice and scientific studies

The drive for cost containment in the United States has lead anesthesiologists to re-assess the benefits of routine pre-operative laboratory and radiological testing. The value of routine tests has been questioned not only by insurance companies but also by physicians. Common pre-operative laboratory and radiological tests are reviewed in the following analysis. Specifically, the use of such tests in children scheduled for ambulatory surgery is discussed. Current clinical practice patterns of pediatric anesthesiologists are included so that physicians may make conclusions on the basis of published literature and clinical practice of peers.
Trends in grain size and BET surface area in cold-arid versus warm-semiarid fluvial systems

Abstract Sediment grain size and surface area impose critical controls on the rates of chemical weathering, even in cold-based (i.e., polar) glacial systems, where extensive chemical weathering traditionally has been considered minimal owing to low temperatures. Production of fine-grained material increases the surface area of sediments, priming mineral surfaces for chemical weathering. Comparison among grain size and reactive surface area of sediments along granitoid-sourced fluvial transects between a cold–arid, glacial (Wright Valley, Antarctica) and a warm–semiarid, nonglacial (Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma) environment indicates opposing trends downstream within the silt and clay (
Systematic approach for modeling methanol mass transport on the anode side of direct methanol fuel cells

Abstract A systematic method for modeling direct methanol fuel cells, with a focus on the anode side of the system, is advanced for the purpose of quantifying the methanol crossover phenomenon and predicting the concentration of methanol in the anode catalyst layer of a direct methanol fuel cell. The model accounts for fundamental mass transfer phenomena at steady state, including convective transport in the anode flow channel, as well as diffusion and electro-osmotic drag transport across the polymer electrolyte membrane. Experimental measurements of methanol crossover current density are used to identify five modeling parameters according to a systematic parameter estimation methodology. A validation study shows that the model matches the experimental data well, and the usefulness of the model is illustrated through the analysis of effects such as the choice fuel flow rate in the anode flow channel and the presence of carbon-dioxide bubbles.
Azimuthal brightness variation and albedo measurements of the Uranian rings

The recent Voyager encounter with Uranus has produced new insights and observational constraints on the structure, composition, and evolution of the Uranian rings. We have made careful measurements of the brightness variation as a function of longitude for the α, β, γ, δ, and e rings. These measurements showed a substantial variation in azimuthal brightness because of the varying width of the rings. The single scattering albedo of the e ring particles was found to be 3.9% ± 0.6% (for the Lambert surface) or 2.3% ± 0.4% assuming the “lunar-type” phase function. The optical depth at apoapse of the e ring was found to be 0.40 ± 0.05. Note that this determination of the optical depth is independent of the occultation measurement from Earth or from the spacecraft. This value is the optical depth for reflected light, whereas occultation data provide the forward scattering optical depth. It is consistent with varying amounts of mutual shadowing of ring particles due to changing width of the ring along its orbit. The single scattering albedo of the α, β, γ, and δ rings is consistent with the e ring, however, with bigger error bars (between 1.5 and 2.0% ±0.5% assuming the “lunar-type” phase function).
Single explanation for both baryon and dark matter densities

It is shown that in a general class of models in which the baryon number of the Universe is created by electroweak anomalies, the energy density in dark matter may be related to the energy density in baryons as ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{\mathit{b}}$/${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{\mathrm{dm}}$=c times )(proton mass)/(weak scale), where the number c is order unity and calculable from the anomaly equation. The scenario unambiguously predicts charged and neutral particles with weak-scale masses which carry a new conserved quantum number and can be pair produced via the weak interactions.
Do charismatic presidents influence college applications and alumni donations? Organizational identity and performance in US higher education

The effect of charismatic leadership on organizational performance is contested. Yet despite the lack of consistent evidence of the value of charismatic leadership to organizations, presidential searches have increasingly favored charismatic candidates. This study shows how organizational identity mediates the relationship between charismatic leadership and organizational performance. Among religious colleges, but not among private colleges considered overall, there is a positive relationship between presidents’ charismatic leadership and the number of applications for enrollment and the amount of financial donations colleges receive. This suggests that among organizations with atypical identities, charismatic leadership can be interpreted as a meaningful signal of organizational performance.
4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamate esters of milkweed oil : Synthesis and characterization

The common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) is a new industrial crop. Its seed oil (TAG) is highly polyunsaturated. In the search for novel applications for milkweed seed oil, the olefinic groups in the TAG were oxidized to polyhydroxy TAG via epoxidation and subsequent epoxy ring-opening reactions. These polyhydroxy TAG exhibit unique industrially desirable emulsoid properties in water. Esterification of the secondary polyhydroxy functionalities of the TAG derivatives of the oil with trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid) has resulted in the development of novel cinnamate esters of milkweed oil. These cinnamates are also obtainable via direct ring-opening of the epoxy TAG intermediate with ferulic acid. Among the interesting characteristics of the ester derivatives is their UV radiation-absorbing property.
On-line structure-lossless digital mammogram image compression

This paper proposes a novel on-line structure lossless compression method for digital mammograms during the film digitization process. The structure-lossless compression segments the breast and the background, compresses the former with a predictive lossless coding method and discards the latter. This compression scheme is carried out during the film digitization process and no additional time is required for the compression. Digital mammograms are compressed on-the-fly while they are created. During digitization, lines of scanned data are first acquired into a small temporary buffer in the scanner, then they are transferred to a large image buffer in an acquisition computer which is connected to the scanner. The compression process, running concurrently with the digitization process in the acquisition computer, constantly checks the image buffer and compresses any newly arrived data. Since compression is faster than digitization, data compression is completed as soon as digitization is finished. On-line compression during digitization does not increase overall digitizing time. Additionally, it reduces the mammogram image size by a factor of 3 to 9 with no loss of information. This algorithm has been implemented in a film digitizer. Statistics were obtained based on digitizing 46 mammograms at four sampling distances from 50 to 200 microns.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The major CD8 T cell effector memory subset in the normal and Chlamydia trachomatis-infected human endocervix is low in perforin

Background The local tissue microenvironment plays an important role in the induction, homing, maintenance and development of effector functions of T cells. Thus, site-specific differences in phenotypes of mucosal and systemic T cell populations have been observed. Chlamydia trachomatis most commonly infects the endocervix in women, yet little is known about Chlamydia-specific effector T cell immunity at this unique mucosal site. Our previous flow-cytometry-based study of cervical-cytobrush retrieved cells indicated that CD8 T cells are significantly increased in the C. trachomatis-infected human endocervix. The cytolytic function of CD8 T cells is important in the protective immunity against many intracellular pathogens, and requires the cytolytic granule perforin to facilitate the entry of other molecules that mediate the lysis of target cells. Determination of perforin expression of the CD8 T cell population in the endocervix would therefore provide insights on the granule-mediated cytolytic potential of these cells at this site.
Major ion variation and efflux related to discharge in a mafic piedmont province watershed

Major-ion variability related to discharge was analysed in a forested 187 km2 mafic Piedmont Province watershed using statistical (both parametric and non-parametric), graphical (box-plots) and curve-fitting (log concentration-log discharge) techniques. Baseflow alkalinity and base cation concentrations show systematic temporal variations as a result of the influx of additional water that occurs during the late autumn to early spring. Regression analyses indicate that storm-related discharge and baseflow generated during periods of water surplus are characterized by similar dilution slopes. Mass balance estimates indicate that the additional water, which comprises storm/recession discharge and base-flow from late autumn to early spring, is between about 30 and 80% as concentrated as summer low-flow. The thick clay-rich soil mantle represents a key control on solute concentrations in that it stores water for periods of time sufficient for a high degree of water-mineral interaction to occur. Hence solute-discharge relationships (C = aQb, where b is typically < 0) are characterized by relatively low slope values and there is ample acid neutralizing capacity throughout the range of discharge. Owing to the predominance of amphibolite, solute efflux related to rock weathering from the Falling Creek watershed is much greater than other more felsic locations within the region. Statistical analyses (Mest and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test), along with accompanying box-plot representations, provide a useful method of describing systematic annual hydrochemical variation within streamflow. These methods are particularly effective for those instances in which a long-term data set exists, but is limited to relatively few sampling periods per year.
Neural correlates supporting sensory discrimination after left hemisphere stroke

Abstract Background: Nearly half of stroke patients have impaired sensory discrimination, however, the neural structures that support post-stroke sensory function have not been described. Objectives: 1) To evaluate the role of the primary somatosensory (S1) cortex in post-stroke sensory discrimination and 2) To determine the relationship between post-stroke sensory discrimination and structural integrity of the sensory component of the superior thalamic radiation (sSTR). Methods: 10 healthy adults and 10 individuals with left hemisphere stroke participated. Stroke participants completed sensory discrimination testing. An fMRI was conducted during right, impaired hand sensory discrimination. Fractional anisotropy and volume of the sSTR were quantified using diffusion tensor tractography. Results: Sensory discrimination was impaired in 60% of participants with left stroke. Peak activation in the left (S1) did not correlate with sensory discrimination ability, rather a more distributed pattern of activation was evident in post-stroke subjects with a positive correlation between peak activation in the parietal cortex and discrimination ability (r = .70, p = .023). The only brain region in which stroke participants had significantly different cortical activation than control participants was the precuneus. Region of interest analysis of the precuneus across stroke participants revealed a positive correlation between peak activation and sensory discrimination ability (r = .77, p = .008). The L/R ratio of sSTR fractional anisotropy also correlated with right hand sensory discrimination (r = .69, p = .027). Conclusions: Precuneus cortex, distributed parietal lobe activity, and microstructure of the sSTR support sensory discrimination after left hemisphere stroke.
A review essay on woman-as-mirror

L'A. s'interesse a la femme en tant qu'image de verite symbolisee par le miroir. Il etudie ce que J. Derrida dit de ce theme d'apres la pensee de Nietzche et ce que trois auteurs feministes, V. Wolf, K. Silverman et T. Minh-ha ont ecrit a ce sujet. Il n'ecrit pas sur les femmes actuelles mais sur les systemes symboliques et sur la representation des images utilisees pour exprimer la relation entre les hommes et les femmes d'aujourd'hui.
Separate Sex-Influenced and Genetic Components in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Hypertension

Previous results from our laboratory indicated two major genetic components of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) hypertension, an autosomal component and a Y chromosome component. Two new substrains, SHR/a and SHR/y, were developed using a series of backcrosses to isolate each of these components. The SHR/a substrain has the autosomal loci and X chromosome from the SHR strain and the Y chromosome from the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat strain. The SHR/y substrain has only the Y chromosome from the SHR and autosomal loci and X chromosome from the WKY strain. Throughout these breeding programs parents were chosen at random without selection for blood pressure. Males of both substrains maintained blood pressures over 180 mm Hg. Comparisons of blood pressure in these new substrains with the original parental strains can be used to determine the relative proportions of each genetic component in hypertension. The Y chromosome component contributes 34 mm Hg, which is the difference between SHR/y male and WKY male blood pressure. The total autosomal component contributes 46 mm Hg, which is the difference between SHR/a male and WKY male blood pressure. The autosomal component is a sex-influenced trait; males in the SHR/a strain have significantly higher pressures than SHR/a females. Of the 46 mm Hg estimated for the autosomal component, 41 mm Hg is the result of these loci interacting with male phenotypic sex. This sex-influenced component is separate and distinct from the Y chromosome component.
Atomistic modeling of dopant diffusion and segregation in strained SiGeC

In this work, density functional theory calculations are used to calculate the separate effects of stress/strain and chemical binding on diffusion, segregation and solubility of dopants in group IV alloy materials. Kinetic lattice Monte Carlo calculations are used to extract the effects of anisotropic stress and random alloy distributions. We find that segregation and solubility is dominated by stress effects, but that chemical interactions of Ge and C with point defects have a significant effect on diffusivity in SiGeC alloys.
Physician Assistants in Oncology

To the Editor: We would like to comment on the efforts of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in identifying the challenges and demands of treating patients with cancer, and in naming physician assistants (PA) and nurse practitioners (NP) as part of the solution.1 At the same time, we are disappointed with two articles published in the May 2007 issue of the Journal of Oncology Practice (JOP), which slight the PA profession. The first article, written by Dr Yu, describes how NPs will have an increased role in the oncology workforce, yet the role of the PA is noticeably omitted.2 In the second article, a biased communication, Dr Cohen expresses his concerns over PAs in oncology.3 We cannot ignore that the section heading for the article by Dr Yu is the “Voice of ASCO.” I can only hope that Dr Yu will follow his current report with a discussion of the role of PAs in oncology. Certainly, an article dedicated to describing the positive impact that PAs can have in caring for patients with cancer is warranted. Or does ASCO not have a voice for PAs? I do not believe this is the case. A liaison to ASCO was created in conjunction with the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) to represent PAs in oncology at ASCO events. In addition, a new educational symposium made its debut at the ASCO Annual Meeting in 2006. In conjunction with the AAPA, ASCO, and Oncology Nursing Society, the symposium addressed challenges that NPs and PAs face when evaluating patients. Dr Cohen's letter deserves attention as well. PAs are educated, motivated, and caring health care providers. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) employs over 160 PAs and relies on their skills, knowledge, and expertise to ensure the highest quality of care. The office of Physician Assistant Programs at MDACC developed a PA journal club, a PA continuing education lecture series, and a postgraduate PA program in oncology. In gastrointestinal medical oncology at MDACC, PAs have had a significant impact on oncology research, publishing original research articles and giving presentations at international oncology meetings.4–10 Other departments at MDACC have equally successful PAs. We admire Dr Cohen's engagement with his patients. We also suggest that a PA might allow him to work part-time in his practice or see more patients as a full-time clinician. Dr Erikson et al reported that oncologists who work with NPs or PAs have higher weekly visit rates, and productivity is highest when NPs or PAs are used for advanced activities.1 In addition, PAs provide quality care when working in non–primary care settings. For example, PAs and NPs working in specialty HIV clinics had performance ratings similar to or better than physician ratings for eight quality measures.11 PAs should not diminish the role of the patient-physician relationship in oncology, but rather provide high patient satisfaction, increased revenue, and more forgiving work schedules for their supervising physicians.
“When You’re Sitting on the Fence, Hope's the Hardest Part”: Challenges and Experiences of Heterosexual and Same-Sex Couples Adopting Through the Child Welfare System

This study of 84 foster-to-adopt parents (42 lesbian, gay, and heterosexual couples) examined the challenges that parents faced as they navigated multiple systems during the post-placement period. Some participants described the legal insecurity associated with their role as foster-to-adopt parents as impacting their well-being and attachment. Lack of support services, disorganization within social service agencies, and strained relationships with birth parents were also identified as stressors. Lesbian and gay participants faced additional concerns regarding the security of their placement due to the possibility for discrimination. Participants as a whole identified positive aspects of their experiences within various systems (e.g., supportive social workers).
A Development Model for Effective MRO Procurement

Maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies have long been considered one of the least systematic and most problematic areas of purchasing. In the quest for productivity, many firms have attacked this area for cost savings and value-added opportunities. This research reveals that in practice MRO purchasing is in three phases of development, with different purchasing activities, processes, and user interfaces, as well as perceptions, at each phase.
A robust face recognition system for real time surveillance

This paper describes a face detection and recognition system in color image sequences with a novel scheme to model skin color in the RGB color-space using neural networks. In our approach, there are no limitations regarding human skin color. This method eliminates the difficulty of describing non-skin samples by approximating non-skin color from skin samples in the VLSI Systems Laboratory skin database. The neural network algorithm based face detection is performed by using a multilayer feed-forward neural network trained with back-propagation learning algorithm in conjunction with a modular approach utilizing the distance based learning for reducing the structural complexity of the network by analyzing each frame in the video sequence. The recognition is performed based on composite principal component analysis (CPCA) algorithm. This algorithm is better equipped to recognize faces under the conditions of varying illumination and pose compared to the conventional PCA. The system is capable of detecting and recognizing faces at the rate of 10 frames per second when the frame resolution is 320 /spl times/ 240 and the color depth is 24-bit.
Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Boehmite

The decomposition of boehmite, or alpha alumina monohydrate, was studied in water vapor and nitrogen atmospheres between 430° and 500°C. Powder samples used consisted of agglomerates of very small boehmite crystallites. The rate of decomposition was determined with a transducer which measured the loss of sample weight due to the liberation of gaseous water. A linear rate law is obeyed by the decomposition of boehmite and, because of the characteristics of the fractional weight loss-time curve, an interface model was suggested as the mechanism of decomposition. The activation energy was 70 kcal/mole. The effect of water vapor on the rate of decomposition was investigated. A simple forward-back reaction mechanism did not satisfactorily explain the data. Two models, either of which could be valid, were proposed to describe the relation between decomposition rate and water vapor pressure: (1) An adsorption-desorption process of water on the boehmite was assumed, and (2) an intermediate species of Al2O3 entering into the decomposition reaction was assumed.
Evaluation of a preventive intervention for bereaved children

Abstract One hundred eighty four families completed a twelve month parent-guidance (experimental) or a parent telephone-monitoring (comparison) intervention initiated during one parent'S terminal cancer illness and continued until six months after the death. Children in the parent-guidance intervention reported greater reduction in trait anxiety and greater improvement in their perceptions of the surviving parent'S competence and communication, a primary goal of the intervention. Identified problems in implementing evaluations of experimental interventions with bereaved children include the following: (1) Available and commonly used standardized psychopathology measures do not adequately capture changes in non-psychopathological but bereaved distressed, grieving children and adolescents. (2) Experimental and control samples usually have very few children with psychopathology (scores). Relatively small changes in scores within the normal range may be insufficient to allow measurement of meaningful differen...
Massifquant: open-source Kalman filter-based XC-MS isotope trace feature detection.

MOTIVATION: Isotope trace (IT) detection is a fundamental step for liquid or gas chromatography mass spectrometry (XC-MS) data analysis that faces a multitude of technical challenges on complex samples. The Kalman filter (KF) application to IT detection addresses some of these challenges; it discriminates closely eluting ITs in the m/z dimension, flexibly handles heteroscedastic m/z variances and does not bin the m/z axis. Yet, the behavior of this KF application has not been fully characterized, as no cost-free open-source implementation exists and incomplete evaluation standards for IT detection persist. RESULTS: Massifquant is an open-source solution for KF IT detection that has been subjected to novel and rigorous methods of performance evaluation. The presented evaluation with accompanying annotations and optimization guide sets a new standard for comparative IT detection. Compared with centWave, matchedFilter and MZMine2-alternative IT detection engines-Massifquant detected more true ITs in a real LC-MS complex sample, especially low-intensity ITs. It also offers competitive specificity and equally effective quantitation accuracy. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Massifquant is integrated into XCMS with GPL license ≥ 2.0 and hosted by Bioconductor: http://bioconductor.org. Annotation data are archived at http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/3232. Parameter optimization code and documentation is hosted at https://github.com/topherconley/optimize-it.
Composition and function of PDZ protein complexes during cell polarization

Complexes consisting of PDZ proteins have been implicated in a variety of cellular processes. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that PDZ proteins play essential roles during the est...
A Signal Detection Framework for the Evaluation of Probabilistic Forecasts

In this paper 1 formulate an approach for evaluating probabilistic forecasts in terms of signal detection theory. Signal detection theory provides a powerful perspective for this type of problem, and a rich empirical background including methodological tools as well as an extensive body of research in many domains. 1 propose procedures which emphasize the maximization of expected utility for the decision maker who uses the forecasts. Further, 1 suggest approaches to obtaining indices of calibration and resolution within this framework. I also present arguments that the proposed indices will exhibit the same basic properties as do decompositions of Brier’s (1950, Monthly Weather Review, 78, 1-3) mean probability score. However, the properties may be reflected in different ways, and hence, the present methods may lead to different conclusions about forecasting ability. Finally, I argue thal the use of an expected utility loss function makes this approach more appropriate for practical applications as well as for theoretical research than other procedures with more arbitrary loss functions. 0 1985 Academic Press, Inc.
The use of low alpha-galactoside protein products as a protein source in chicken diets☆

Abstract A 12 week feeding trial utilizing four inclusion levels of a low alpha-galactoside soy protein concentrate was conducted with 224 Dekalb-XL chicken laying hens, seven hens per cage, eight cages per dietary treatment. Soy protein concentrate ranged from 0 to 18.65% of the diets. Soybean meal was used to make the diets iso-nitrogenous. Diets with the highest levels of soy protein concentrate resulted in significantly lower feed consumption and egg weights. No significant differences were observed in shell quality parameters. A 6 week feeding trial was conducted with 240 Arbor Acre × Ross 1-day-old male broiler chicks, eight chicks per cage, six cages per dietary treatment. The four diets differed in the ratio of soybean meal and low alpha-galactoside soy protein concentrate used to provide protein, with soy protein concentrate ranging from 0 to 25.9% of the diets. The diets were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic. Diets containing the highest amounts of soy protein concentrate resulted in significantly reduced feed consumption and weight gain. Feed conversion was not significantly affected. Protein utilization studies were also conducted with 2- or 3-week-old male broiler chicks to compare the protein efficiency ratio of soybean meal, ethanol extracted soybean meal, and soy protein concentrates with five chicks per cage, six cages per protein source treatment. Chicks were given the test diets for a 2 week period. Feed consumption and body weights were recorded to compare protein efficiency ratios (PER) of the different protein sources. Ethanol extracted soybean meal resulted in greater protein utilization and amino acid availability than soybean meal. It was speculated that the soy protein concentrates required further heat treatment and methionine supplementation in order to obtain optimal protein utilization by chickens.
Transient Analysis of Partial Armature Short Circuit in an Electronically Commutated Permanent Magnet Motor System using an Integrated Nonlinear Magnetic Field-Network Model

The simulation of the dynamic performance characteristics of an electronically commutated brushless dc machine system with radially oriented permanent magnets, which is experiencing a partial short in one of its phases, is reported in this paper. The newly introduced integrated field network (IFN) method was used throughout this work. The IFN method, which is detailed in a companion paper, is based on simultaneously solving the dynamic equations of the machine system network, using machine winding parameters (inductances and emfs) which are determined from numerical solutions of the nonlinear magnetic field prevailing in the machine cores for the corresponding winding currents. These field solutions and corresponding machine parameters are updated at every time step of the solution of the dynamic equations. The results presented here document effects of the shorting of a portion of an armature phase winding on the dynamic performance of a 15 hp (11.2 kw), 120 volts samarium-cobalt permanent magnet brushless dc motor. A comparison of the current, inductance, enf, torque and power time profiles of the motor system with and without partial armature winding failure (short) is given here. These studies are of importance in motor system security and redundancy considerations. The dramatic change of the values of machine parameters upon occurrence of the partial short circuits demonstrate that conventional solution methods would have left much to be desired.