cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 32 – Heme Biosynthesis

: With the exception of Fe++, all atoms in heme are derived from succinyl-CoA and glycine. Part of heme biosynthesis occurs in mitochondria. D-ALA synthase controls the rate-limiting step in heme biosynthesis. Lead inhibits heme biosynthesis. Porphobilinogen contains the basic pyrrole ring system used to assemble other mammalian porphyrins. Some porphyrins cause photosensitization, and thus skin lesions in animals. Harderian glands secrete protoporphyrin IX. D-ALA can be used in cancer photodynamic therapy. Carbon monoxide competes with O2 for binding to the Fe++ of hemoglobin. Nitric oxide binds to hemoglobin, which may be of significance in cases of hemolysis. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and adult hemoglobin (HbA) do not bind 2,3-BPG with equal affinity.
Nutrient intake, body composition, and blood phenylalanine control in children with phenylketonuria compared to healthy controls.

Abstract Background Phenylketonuria (PKU) treatment consists of life-long protein restriction and Phe-free medical foods for adequate nutritional intake and growth. A relationship between body composition and blood phenylalanine (Phe) concentrations in subjects with PKU has been proposed but this has not been consistently reported. Methods Dietary intake, lean body mass (LBM) and fat mass (FM) were measured in 30 pediatric subjects with PKU compared to 30 age, and sex matched controls. The relationship between body composition and blood Phe was analyzed within the PKU cohort from clinically collected dried blood spot Phe concentrations. Results Male subjects with PKU had less LBM% and more FM% than controls (p = .024). There was no difference in LBM% and FM% among female subjects. Age (p = .02) and FM% (p = .02) were positively correlated to dried blood spot Phe. Synthetic protein intake (g/kg body weight) was negatively correlated with dried blood spot Phe (p = .04). Natural protein intake was not related to blood spot Phe. Conclusions Children with PKU face additional dietary challenges maintaining healthy growth and body composition while keeping Phe levels low. We observed higher FM% and lower LBM% in male subjects with PKU. Correlations do not prove cause and effect but suggest a relationship between increased blood Phe, lower synthetic protein intake and increased FM%. Future studies may explore if lower blood Phe concentrations is associated with a lower FM% and higher LBM%; particularly among adult patients now managed on pegvaliase (Palynziq®) who consume normal amounts of natural protein or among younger patients who consume glycomacropeptide (GMP).
The effect of donor type on outcomes in adults with acute myeloid leukemia after reduced-intensity hematopoietic peripheral blood cell transplant - a retrospective study.

We retrospectively analyzed outcomes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HCT) from a peripheral blood (PB) source. We identified 46 haploidentical HCT (haplo), 59 matched unrelated donor HCT (MUD), and 40 matched related donor HCT (SIB) patients at a single institution. Haplo had improved overall survival (OS) when compared to MUD, HR 2.03 (P = 0.01) but not SIB, HR 1.17 (P = 0.61). There were no differences in relapse rates or treatment-related mortality (TRM). Haplo had higher rates of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grade II-IV at day 180 than MUD (44% vs. 25%, P = 0.03) and SIB (44% vs. 13% P < 0.01). Rates of acute GVHD III-IV and chronic GVHD were similar among the groups. Haplo had slower engraftment rates compared to MUD with neutrophil engraftment at 87% vs. 93%, (P < 0.01) and platelet engraftment at 59% vs. 86%, (P < 0.01) at 28 days. Although patients receiving haplo had higher acute GVHD II-IV and slower engraftment, they did not have increased TRM. These data may suggest that patients receiving haplo have improved OS compared to MUD for AML patients receiving RIC transplants. This should be confirmed using a larger cohort.
Toward obtaining 2D and 3D and 1D PtPN with pentagonal pattern

We apply an alloying strategy to single-layer PtN2 and PtP2, aiming to obtain a single-layer Pt–P–N alloy with a relatively low formation energy with reference to its bulk structure. We perform structure search based on a cluster-expansion method and predict single-layer and bulk PtPN consisting of pentagonal networks. The formation energy of single-layer PtPN is significantly lower in comparison with that of single-layer PtP2. The predicted bulk structure of PtPN adopts a structure that is similar to the pyrite structure. We also find that single-layer pentagonal PtPN, unlike PtN2 and PtP2, exhibits a sizable, direct PBE band gap of 0.84 eV. Furthermore, the band gap of single-layer pentagonal PtPN calculated with the hybrid density functional theory is 1.60 eV, which is within visible light spectrum and promising for optoelectronics applications. In addition to predicting PtPN in the 2D and 3D forms, we study the flexural rigidity and electronic structure of PtPN in the nanotube form. We find that single-layer PtPN has similar flexural rigidity to that of single-layer carbon and boron nitride nanosheets and that the band gaps of PtPN nanotubes depend on their radii. Our work shed light on obtaining an isolated 2D planar, pentagonal PtPN nanosheet from its 3D counterpart and on obtaining 1D nanotubes with tunable band gaps.
Accounting curricula: Soft skills at the expense of technical competency or a happy merger of the two?

This study explores whether soft skills can be developed through students’ participation in collaborative learning projects in entry level accounting courses without sacrificing time allotted to th...
Meniscal problems in the ACL deficient knee: What every ACL surgeon must be able to do!

Meniscal tears are common concomitant injuries seen in up to 65% of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knees. The goal of ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) is to restore mechanical stability to the knee and to prevent further damage to the menisci, which act as secondary knee stabilizers for both anterior-posterior translation and rotational laxity. Delayed ACL-R and chronic ACL insufficiency have been associated with secondary meniscal tears that are more likely to be complex tears. Excluding graft failure, another common cause of reoperation in ACL reconstructed knees is meniscal surgery. Therefore, addressing meniscal tears at time of primary ACL-R is important to restore joint mechanics, protect the ACL graft for successful healing, and prevent long-term osteoarthritis. Current management options include leaving tears in-situ, meniscectomy, or meniscus repair. However, inconsistent findings have identified the need for well-defined treatment recommendations. Surgical decision making is reliant upon multiple factors such as adequate understanding of meniscal anatomy, biomechanics, tear pattern, and patient factors. This review focuses on the impact of meniscus injuries in ACL deficient knees and addresses current surgical indications and outcomes.
Turbulence, Disturbed Flow, and Vascular Endothelium

In a series of recent experiments, we have measured striking differences between cultured endothelial cells subjected to laminar flow and cells subjected to turbulent flow. In steady laminar flow, as well as laminar flow oscillated at frequencies up to 1 Hz, there is no evidence of increased cell turnover compared to static controls even though the cells undergo significant realignment in a period of 24 hours. With turbulent flow that contains a broad spectrum of higher-frequency small-scale oscillations, the most visible endothelial cell response is increased mitosis. This cell division occurs at time-average shear stresses as much as a factor of 5 smaller than the steady laminar shear stress required to cause alignment. One possible mechanism for this behavior is discussed.
Characteristics of Forensic Science Faculty within Criminal Justice Higher Education Programs

In 1980, the Joint Commission on Criminology and Criminal Justice Education and Standards surveyed more than 3600 faculty members from approximately 560 graduate and undergraduate criminal justice and criminology programs in the country. This paper compares the responses of faculty who indicated expertise in the forensic sciences with those of the larger group of criminal justice faculty members. More than 40% of the 61 faculty who specialize in forensic science have backgrounds in law enforcement and are teaching at two-year institutions. Less than 10% of these faculty have crime laboratory work experience. Teaching is clearly the primary activity of these faculty, with a small percentage of their time devoted to research and writing. The forensic science faculty are also notable in that they customarily teach in an adjunct status and do not hold academic appointments that will lead to permanent status with a college or university.
High Field MR Spectroscopy: Investigating Human Metabolite Levels at High Spectral and Spatial Resolution

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) offers a unique window to cellular metabolism through its ability to detect the concentrations of small mobile biological compounds non-invasively. Nevertheless, MRS has failed to broadly enter the clinical routine despite its success in scientific studies. Limitations in sensitivity, spatial resolution, and spectral identification, which can be severe at lower fields, are reduced for ultra-high field MRS allowing unprecedented in vivo studies of cellular metabolite levels at 7 T. In this chapter, the challenges, methods, capabilities, and applications of ultra-high field magnetic resonance spectroscopy are presented. Also included are examples of the unique metabolic information obtained using 7 T MR systems for the study of human cellular metabolite levels in both normal volunteers and patients. High resolution MR spectroscopic imaging has provided improved detection of small brain lesions and enhanced assessment of brain tumor presence and extent. While the majority of MRS research has focused on neurological applications, the increased sensitivity and spectral resolution can improve the metabolic characterization of pathologies in other organs as well.
A happiness Kuznets curve? Using model-based cluster analysis to group countries based on happiness, development, income, and carbon emissions

This exploratory study uses model-based cluster analysis to group sixty-one countries based on statistical similarities in terms of happiness, development, income, and carbon emissions. Model-based cluster analysis is appropriate for an initial identification of a pattern that is worthy of further investigation. A key finding is that there may be a Kuznets curve for happiness. The Kuznets curve graphs the proposition that, as an economy develops, economic inequality first increases and then decreases. Similarly, the authors find that clusters of countries at the extremes of the lowest and highest average levels of development and income have the highest self-reported levels of happiness. Clusters of countries in the middle of the development and income spectrum have the comparatively lowest average levels of happiness. Further, carbon emissions are not perfectly associated with happiness. For example, between two clusters with the highest average levels of development, income, and happiness there is a 43 % difference in carbon emissions. A highly developed cluster has roughly the same mean carbon emissions as a cluster with 83 % less income, and the least developed cluster has 93 % of the happiness as the most developed cluster yet 86 % less carbon emissions. Despite limitations of both data and methodology, the overall pattern—that there may be a happiness Kuznets curve and that development, income, and carbon emissions are not associated lockstep with happiness—contributes to the literature on decoupling development from growth in emissions.
Interobserver agreement for grating acuity and letter acuity assessment in 1- to 5.5-year-olds with severe retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE. TO evaluate interobserver test-retest reliability of the Teller Acuity Card procedure for assessment of grating acuity at ages 1, 2, 3.5, 4.5, and 55 years, for HOTV letter acuity at 35 and 4.5 years, and for Early-Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter acuity at 55 years in the multicenter study of Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity (CRYO-ROP). METHODS. Subjects were the 73 participants in the CRYO-ROP study who had acuity assessed at one or more ages by two of the seven study visual acuity testers as part of a quality control procedure. All subjects had birth weights of less than 1251 g, and all had severe (threshold) ROP in one or both eyes. RESULTS. For sighted eyes, interobserver agreement for grating acuity (across all five test ages) was 0.5 octave or better in 57% of eyes and 1.0 octave or better in 85% of eyes. Interobserver agreement for letter acuity (35-, 4.5-, and 5.5-year test ages) was 0.5 octave or better in 71% of eyes and 1.0 octave or better in 93% of eyes. For all eyes (sighted and blind), Kendall rank correlation coefficients (Tau) were 0.86, 0.83, and 0.94 for grating, HOTV, and ETDRS acuity, respectively. Kappa statistics on data from all eyes indicated excellent interobserver agreement for grating, HOTV, and ETDRS acuity (0.73, 0.80, and 0.84, respectively). Interobserver agreement was not related to age or to severity of retinal residua of ROP. CONCLUSIONS. Excellent interobserver agreement for grating acuity measurements and for letter acuity measurements was obtained. Results suggest that with careful training and implementation of quality control procedures, high reliability of visual acuity results is possible in clinical populations of young children. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Set. 1999;40:1565-1576)
Capacity of two-way linear deterministic diamond channel

In this paper, we study the capacity regions of two-way linear deterministic diamond channels. We show that the capacity of the diamond channel in each direction can be simultaneously achieved for all values of channel parameters, where the forward and backward channel parameters are not necessarily the same. We propose a relay strategy called ‘reverse amplify-and-forward’ strategy and show that this strategy and its variants combined with proper transmission strategies achieve the capacity of linear deterministic diamond channel.
Signaling pathways that regulate T cell development and differentiation.

As a postdoctoral fellow in Mark Davis’s laboratory at Stanford University Medical School, my work focused on TCR repertoire selection in the thymus. At that time—the late 1980s—the first TCR-transgenic lines were being generated and were used to study positive and negative selection ([1][1
Application of maximal invariance to adaptive detection with structured and unstructured covariance matrices

The authors introduce a framework for exploring array detection problems in a reduced dimensional space by exploiting the theory of invariance in hypothesis testing. This involves calculating a low dimensional basis set of functions called the maximal invariant, the statistics of which are often tractable to obtain, thereby making analysis feasible and facilitating the search for tests with some optimality property. This approach obtains a locally most powerful test for unstructured covariance and shows that the Kelly and AMF detectors form an algebraic span for any invariant detector. With the same framework applied to structured covariance matrices, several new detectors are shown to perform as well or better than existing detectors. >
Multivariate genetic analysis of apo AI concentration and HDL subfractions: Evidence for major locus pleiotropy

A major locus influencing apolipoprotein AI (apo AI) serum levels was detected using data from the Donner Laboratory Family Study. This locus accounts for 46% of the phenotypic variability in apo AI levels. Multivariate segregation analysis revealed that this major locus also has significant pleiotropic effects on the relative distribution of high density lipoproteins
Azide as a Probe of Proton Transfer Reactions in Photosynthetic Oxygen Evolution

In oxygenic photosynthesis, photosystem II (PSII) is the multisubunit membrane protein responsible for the oxidation of water to O2 and the reduction of plastoquinone to plastoquinol. One electron charge separation in the PSII reaction center is coupled to sequential oxidation reactions at the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC), which is composed of four manganese ions and one calcium ion. The sequentially oxidized forms of the OEC are referred to as the Sn states. S1 is the dark-adapted state of the OEC. Flash-induced oxygen production oscillates with period four and occurs during the S3 to S0 transition. Chloride plays an important, but poorly understood role in photosynthetic water oxidation. Chloride removal is known to block manganese oxidation during the S2 to S3 transition. In this work, we have used azide as a probe of proton transfer reactions in PSII. PSII was sulfate-treated to deplete chloride and then treated with azide. Steady state oxygen evolution measurements demonstrate that azide inhibits oxygen evolution in a chloride-dependent manner and that azide is a mixed or noncompetitive inhibitor. This result is consistent with two azide binding sites, one at which azide competes with chloride and one at which azide and chloride do not compete. At pH 7.5, the Ki for the competing site was estimated as 1 mM, and the Ki′ for the uncompetitive site was estimated as 8 mM. Vibrational spectroscopy was then used to monitor perturbations in the frequency and amplitude of the azide antisymmetric stretching band. These changes were induced by laser-induced charge separation in the PSII reaction center. The results suggest that azide is involved in proton transfer reactions, which occur before manganese oxidation, on the donor side of chloride-depleted PSII.
Controlled Assembly of Conducting Monomers for Molecular Electronics

We report controlled self-assemblies of two molecules as crystalline arrays on gold substrates at room temperature. The size, shape, orientation, and ordered assemblies of molecular wires can be engineered through a delicate interplay of the intermolecular π−π stacking and chemisorptive substrate−linker interactions. In particular, the molecule based on a fused aromatic, anthracene, forms an ordered 2D stacked array. Through scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we demonstrate changes in the electronic behavior of single molecules that form into superlattices. The ability to assemble predictable 2D crystals and understand the order-related electronic behavior of single molecular components could allow for the future design of nanopatterned arrays as a controlled platform toward further miniaturization of electronic devices.
Finite Difference Schemes and Partial Differential Equations

Preface to the second edition Preface to the first edition 1. Hyperbolic partial differential equations 2. Analysis of finite difference Schemes 3. Order of accuracy of finite difference schemes 4. Stability for multistep schemes 5. Dissipation and dispersion 6. Parabolic partial differential equations 7. Systems of partial differential equations in higher dimensions 8. Second-order equations 9. Analysis of well-posed and stable problems 10. Convergence estimates for initial value problems 11. Well-posed and stable initial-boundary value problems 12. Elliptic partial differential equations and difference schemes 13. Linear iterative methods 14. The method of steepest descent and the conjugate gradient method Appendix A. Matrix and vectoranalysis Appendix B. A survey of real analysis Appendix C. A Survey of results from complex analysis References Index.
Grid-based Quasi-Monte Carlo Applications

s — In this paper, we extend the techniques used in Grid-based Monte Carlo appli- cations to Grid-based quasi-Monte Carlo applications. These techniques include an N-out-of-M strategy for efficiently scheduling subtasks on the Grid, lightweight checkpointing for Grid sub- task status recovery, a partial result validation scheme to verify the correctness of each individual partial result, and an intermediate result checking scheme to enforce the faithful execution of each subtask. Our analysis shows that the extremely high uniformity seen in quasirandom sequences prevents us from applying many of our Grid-based Monte Carlo techniques to Grid- based quasi-Monte Carlo applications. However, the use of scrambled quasirandom sequence becomes a key to tackling this problem, and makes many of the techniques we used in Grid- based Monte Carlo applications effective in Grid-based quasi-Monte Carlo applications. All the techniques we will describe here contribute to performance improvement and trustworthiness enhancement for large-scale quasi-Monte Carlo applications on the Grid, which eventually lead to a high-performance Grid-computing infrastructure that is capable of providing trustworthy quasi-Monte Carlo computation services.
MECHANISM OF INHIBITION OF DNA (CYTOSINE C5)-METHYLTRANSFERASES BY OLIGODEOXYRIBONUCLEOTIDES CONTAINING 5,6-DIHYDRO-5-AZACYTOSINE

Abstract A key step in the predicted mechanism of enzymatic transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosyl- l -methionine (AdoMet) to cytosine residues in DNA is the transient formation of a dihydrocytosine intermediate covalently linked to cysteine in the active site of a DNA (cytosine C5)-methyltransferase (DNA C5-MTase). Crystallographic analysis of complexes formed by HhaI methyltransferase (M.HhaI), AdoMet and a target oligodeoxyribonucleotide containing 5-fluorocytosine confirmed the existence of this dihydrocytosine intermediate. Based on the premise that 5,6-dihydro-5-azacytosine (DZCyt), a cytosine analog with an sp3-hybridized carbon (CH2) at position 6 and an NH group at position 5, could mimic the non-aromatic character of the cytosine ring in this transition state, we synthesized a series of synthetic substrates for DNA C5-MTase containing DZCyt. Substitution of DZCyt for target cytosines in C -G dinucleotides of single-stranded or double-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotide substrates led to complete inhibition of methylation by murine DNA C5-MTase. Substitution of DZCyt for the target cytosine in G- C -G-C sites in double-stranded oligodeoxyribonucleotides had a similar effect on methylation by M.HhaI. Oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing DZCyt formed a tight but reversible complex with M.HhaI, and were consistently more potent as inhibitors of DNA methylation than oligodeoxyribonucleotides identical in sequence containing 5-fluorocytosine. Crystallographic analysis of a ternary complex involving M.HhaI, S-adenosyl- l -homocysteine and a double-stranded 13-mer oligodeoxyribonucleotide containing DZCyt at the target position showed that the analog is flipped out of the DNA helix in the same manner as cytosine, 5-methylcytosine, and 5-fluorocytosine. However, no formation of a covalent bond was detected between the sulfur atom of the catalytic site nucleophile, cysteine 81, and the pyrimidine C6 carbon. These results indicate that DZCyt can occupy the active site of M.HhaI as a transition state mimic and, because of the high degree of affinity of its interaction with the enzyme, it can act as a potent inhibitor of methylation.
An evaluation of nitric and hydrofluoric acid digestions following dry combustion of pine foliage

Abstract Pine foliage samples of 1.00, 0.50, and 0.25 g were ground in either a Wiley mill or a shatterbox, ashed, subjected to either HF or HNO3 digestions, and analyzed for element concentrations. Grinding methods had little effect on estimated mean element concentrations. The 1.00 g sample size was preferable, but few differences were observed with the 0.50 g sample. However, the 0.50 g weight is probably approaching the minimum for conventional grinding and analytical methods. Both acid digestions were equally effective in dissolving major elemental constituents, but the HF method was superior for the micro‐nutrients, especially Mn. Variability associated with the major elements was similar for all combinations of grinding, acids, and the two larger sample weights. For analysis of the minor elements, the best combination was the 1.00 g sample, shatterbox grinding, and HF digestion. Analysis of 1.00 g samples of National Institute of Standards and Technology pine needles, Standard Reference Material No...
Congestive Heart Failure Secondary to Diffuse Organized Biventricular Mural Thrombus Following Mitral Valve Replacement

A 52-year-old woman underwent mitral valve replacement for progressive mitral regurgitation. Despite anticoagulation therapy, pulmonary thromboemboli occurred. Progressive heart failure developed and fatal intracerebral hemorrhage occurred four years after valve replacement. Autopsy findings revealed a normal-sized heart with minimal ventricular hypertrophy. However, there was extensive organized mural thrombosis involving both ventricles. Endocardial thickening by diffuse organized thrombosis is an uncommon but severe complication following prosthetic valve replacement and may result in intractable heart failure from endocardial rigidity.
Quantification of macular and optic disc hyperfluorescence after phacoemulsification in diabetes mellitus.

Purpose To quantify changes in areas of hyperfluorescence of the macula, perifovea, and optic disc after phacoemulsification in patients with diabetes mellitus and evaluate relationships between hyperfluorescence, macular thickness, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and logMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Setting Ophthalmology Clinic and Operating Room, Ambulatory Care Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, and the University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Methods This prospective case-control study comprised 30 eyes of 24 subjects with cataracts and diabetes mellitus with different levels of DR. Preoperatively and 2 months postoperatively, BCVA was recorded, digital retinal photography and fluorescein angiography were performed, macular thickness was measured (optical coherence tomography), and DR and hyperfluorescence of the optic disc, macula, and perifovea were quantified. Results Postoperatively, BCVA improved in surgical eyes but was unchanged in nonsurgical eyes. Preoperatively, between eyes, there was no difference in hyperfluorescence. Postoperatively, hyperfluorescence of the optic disc, macula, and perifovea increased in surgical eyes and was unchanged in nonsurgical eyes. Macular thickness increased in surgical eyes, although DR was unchanged in surgical and nonsurgical eyes. Although there was no correlation between hyperfluorescence and macular thickness in surgical eyes, increased hyperfluorescence of the perifovea was associated with less improvement in BCVA. Conclusions After phacoemulsification, hyperfluorescence and macular thickness increased in the eyes of diabetic subjects. These short-term changes are more likely an effect of the surgery than a worsening of DR.
Contributions of GIS and Satellite-based Remote Sensing to Landscape Archaeology in the Middle East

This article explores the coevolution of landscape approaches and geospatial tools in Middle Eastern archaeology. From the first aerial reconnaissance programs, archaeologists recognized the value of a view from above to address overarching human–environmental questions that underpin regional historical narratives. The diversity and density of visible remains in the landscape of the Middle East has required an integrative approach, encompassed in the perspective of landscape as a static artifact, landscape as built features, landscape as a system, and landscape as a dynamic construct, which cuts across modern political boundaries. Recent advances in geospatial tools and datasets have enabled archaeologists to make significant progress on four long-standing questions of how to (1) best document and manage rapidly disappearing ancient landscapes, (2) understand landscape formation processes, (3) identify and interpret economic, environmental, and social influences that result in long-term settlement and land use patterns, and (4) recognize and contextualize the interplay between environment and human agency in the evolution of ancient economies and transformations in socio-organizational complexity.
Hard-Potato routing

We present the first hot-potato routing algorithm for the n x n mesh whose running time on any "hard" (i.e., f~(n)) "many-to-one" batch routing problem is, with high probability, within a polylogarithmic factor of optimal. For any instance I of a batch routing problem, there exists a wellknown lower bound LBI based on maximum path length and maximum congestion. If LBt is f~(n), our algorithm solves I with high probability in time O(LBI. log ~ n). The algorithm is distributed and greedy, and it makes use of a new routing technique based on multi-bend paths, a departure from paths using a constant number of bends used in prior hot-potato algorithms.
A germanium on silicon uni-traveling carrier photodiode

A Ge/Si uni-traveling carrier (UTC) photodetector is demonstrated for the first time. The device has a bandwidth of 15GHz and no saturation of the DC response is visible at −1V up to 28dBm input power.
Abstinence-related expectancies predict smoking withdrawal effects: implications for possible causal mechanisms

Rationale Despite the decades-long emphasis on withdrawal in leading models of addiction, the causal mechanisms driving smoking withdrawal effects are not well known. This gap in the knowledge base has stalled theory and treatment development for smoking dependence.
Work in progress - the Five Paragraph Essay in Junior/Senior Electrical Engineering courses

To strengthen the writing of junior and senior electrical and computer engineering students, we are adding several writing assignments based upon the five paragraph essay format to our junior and senior courses. The five paragraph essay format, almost universally taught in middle and high schools, requires the student to clearly and concisely analyze and communicate a single idea, beginning with a single paragraph that states the overall point, three supporting paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. During the Spring 2008 semester, these essays will be used in electromagnetic field theory, engineering practice, and capstone design project courses. In each course, the students will be asked to describe concept or argue why a specific design choice must be made without presenting just a mathematical calculation. The paper will include a discussion of the format, and graphic organizers used to help students write the essays, as well as the rubric used for grading the essay. Since a sizable fraction of our students are non-native speakers of English our evaluation on their performance will be compared to the performance of students writing these essays in English as a second language courses as reported in education literature.
Classification of image edge blocks by orthogonal projection

The authors present a new image edge block classification method using a set of orthogonal projection filters, accomplished by choosing the index of the filter that gives the maximum output magnitude. Coded monochromatic images with 0.625-0.813 bits/pixel are shown to presence their quality and edge integrity, as seen by subjective and objective measures.
The retroisthmic cleft : Scintigraphic appearance and clinical relevance in patients with low back pain

This article describes the scintigraphic appearance of both a symptomatic and asymptomatic retroisthmic cleft in two athletes with low back pain. This lesion, which involves the lamina, is the least common of the neural arch defects of which spondylolysis is the most common. The anatomy of the lesion is discussed and illustrated. The literature about the possible cause of these lesions is reviewed. The report emphasizes the valuable role of radionuclide bone imaging in patients who have pain of potentially osseous origin, and who have a lesion of uncertain physiologic significance seen on an anatomic study such as a plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI.
Genome accumulation in eastern gamagrass, Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L. (Poaceae)

Intermatings between sexual diploids (2n=36) and facultative apomictic tetraploids (2n=4n=72) of Tripsacum dactyloides var. dactyloides, (L.), L., have been generated. Subsequent exchange and addition of genetic material between the two cytotypes, via a backcrossing program, provides one method for the manipulation of genetic elements involved in apomictic reproduction (diplospory) of this species. Identification and development of fertile triploids, and their innate tendency to exhibit a high frequency of unreduced egg cells which remain receptive to fertilization by a sperm nucleus, allows for the unique development of B III (2n=3x+n) tetraploids by genome accumulation. The resultant B III progeny provide new breeding stock for investigating the inheritance and generation of such materials also allows for the occurrence of genetic recombination between sexual diploids and apomictic tetraploids. Potential use of fertile triploids, their tendency for genome accumulation and their use in exploiting apomictic tetraploid germplasm resources are also discussed.
PALM-3000: visible light AO on the 5.1-meter Telescope

PALM-3000 is proposed to be the first visible-light sodium laser guide star astronomical adaptive optics system. Deployed as a multi-user shared facility on the 5.1 meter Hale Telescope at Palomar Mountain, this state-of-the-art upgrade to the successful Palomar Adaptive Optics System will have the unique capability to open the visible light spectrum to diffraction-limited scientific access from the ground, providing angular imaging resolution as fine as 16 milliarcsec with modest sky coverage fraction.
Preface to special section on Arctic Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (AOMIP) Studies and Results

] More than 130years ago,theAustrian Arctic explorer,Carl Weyprecht [Weyprecht and Ihne, 1913] (who discov-ered Franz Josef Land, an archipelago north of Russia, andwho advanced a successful scheme for international coop-eration in polar science—the International Polar Year con-cept) postulated that a number of fundamental problems ofmeteorology and geophysics could be solved near theEarth’spoles.Thishypothesisisstillvalidinthe21stcenturybecause the Arctic is recognized as a region where globalclimate change signals are amplified. The model-basedconclusion of Manabe and Stouffer [1994] that the firstsigns of climate change could be detected in the Arctic hasbeen corroborated by numerous other model results [e.g.,Holland and Bitz, 2003; Symon et al., 2005]. On the otherhand, it has been demonstrated that model conclusions maybe highly uncertain and that model estimates of futureclimate change differ significantly from model to model.In order to reduce these uncertainties, it is important tovalidate and to improve models. The latter is the first majorgoal of the Arctic Ocean Model Intercomparison Project(AOMIP). The second major AOMIP goal is to investigatevariability of the Arctic Ocean and sea ice at seasonal todecadal timescales, and identify mechanisms responsible forthe observed changes. Some of the latest AOMIP activitiesassociated with these project goals arereflected inthe papersof this special section.[
Consideration of preference shifts due to relative attribute variability

Abstract This study examined whether, and if so by what mechanism, changes in relative attribute variability can elicit a decoy effect. We argue and demonstrate that when only the relative variability of the attribute values in the choice set are manipulated (i.e., a frequency-only manipulation), decoy effects are observed consistent with predictions made by the Context-Dependent Weighting hypothesis as formulated by Huber et al. [Huber, J., Payne, J.W., & Puto, C. (1982). Adding asymmetrically dominated alternatives: Violations of regularity and the similarity hypothesis. Journal of Consumer Research, 10, 31–44.]. On the surface, our results appear to contravene earlier refutations of the Context-Dependent Weighting model. However, additional results from explicit tests of the purported casual mechanism (i.e., context-dependent attribute weight changes) suggest that decision-makers’ perceived importance of dimensions did not shift in response to our manipulation, making the Loss Aversion model a more viable explanation. Finally, results from a written protocol analysis suggest that many decision-makers were unaware, or at least unable to accurately verbalize, the influence of the context. Most decision-makers purported that they had made choices on the basis of their a priori beliefs about the relative importance of attributes despite the fact that there was clear evidence of context effects. Overall, our results underscore the importance of gathering multiple types of evidence for preference shifts in order to fully understand the mechanisms underlying decision-making.
Fluorescent photography of droplets in a spray using a Q-switched laser as a light source

Q-switched laser use as light source for photographing droplets in spray containing fluorescent dye excited by second harmonic of ruby light
Anesthetic Technique Influences Brain Temperature During Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Dogs

Abstract Background . Because different anesthetics have different effects on cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolism, we hypothesized that they also may have different effects on brain temperature during hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and subsequent rewarming. Methods . Sixteen dogs were anesthetized either with inhaled halothane, 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration (ie, an anesthetic that should increase cerebral blood flow and minimally affect cerebral metabolism; n=8), or with intravenous high-dose pentobarbital (ie, an anesthetic that should reduce cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolism by approximately one half; n=8). Normocapnia (alpha-stat technique) and a blood pressure near 90 mm Hg were maintained. Thermistors were placed in the esophagus (ie, the body core), in the parietal epidural space, and in the parietal brain parenchyma at depths of 1 and 2 cm. Initially, all temperatures were controlled at 38.0° ± 0.2°C (mean ± standard deviation). Thereafter, atrial-femoral artery CPB was initiated, and after 15 minutes at 38°C, the core temperature was decreased to 28°C over approximately 21 minutes. After 30 minutes at 28°C, the core temperature was returned to 38°C over approximately 21 minutes and was maintained at 38°C for the next 30 minutes. Results . In halothane-anesthetized dogs, the mean brain-to-core temperature gradient always was 1.0°C or less for all brain sites during all phases of CPB. In contrast, in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, the mean brain temperature during active cooling typically exceeded the core temperature by 1.7° to 2.2°C. This brain-to-core temperature gradient persisted into the period of stable hypothermia. During the rewarming phase of CPB, the mean brain temperature was 2.9° to 3.4°C cooler than the core temperature. This trend of relative cerebral hypothermia persisted well into the period in which the core temperature was 38°C. Conclusions . Deep barbiturate anesthesia resulted in a brain-to-core temperature gradient during CPB that was of a magnitude greater than the 1°C previously reported to modulate ischemic neurologic injury. We speculate that the timely administration of barbiturates (eg, during the latter stages of CPB) may be useful as part of a cerebroprotective regimen in humans undergoing CPB, in part because the barbiturates influence brain temperature.
Changing the Status Quo in Environmental Engineering Education in Response to Emerging Markets

The job market and skill needs have been expanding for environmental engineers requiring more interdisciplinary training and global citizenship. The 1970s was a decade of regulatory activities, the 1980s was a decade of major environmental disasters, the 1990s was a decade for global awakening, and the first decade of the 21st century is becoming the decade of concern for increasing global environmental stress. In parallel with the environmental trends, the environmental engineering programs have evolved from strictly water/wastewater focus to interdisciplinary programs with a wide selection of courses such as computer science, meteorology, aquatic biology, and ecology in addition to the classical environmental engineering curriculum. Advancements in science and technology, changing demographics, new delivery structures, changes in educational programs and policies, new regulatory requirements, increased global interactions, and recent large scale events with significant environmental impacts have increas...
iVo: interactive voting for the Olympics

This paper describes the creation of an interactive audience voting system, iVo. The device is intended for diving and gymnastics events during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. iVo is adaptable and can be incorporated into a wider range of sports and events. Industrial Design and Interaction Design methodologies were combined allowing us to create an iterative process which guided us through the project. This unique mixture of techniques allowed us to explore both the interface and usability, as well as form and ergonomics of this device. Through the application of this methodology, we created an interactive voting system that is innovative and realistic for implementation during the 2004 Olympics.
Protons and deuterons in stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric MgAl 2 O 4

The OH/sup -/ and OD/sup -/ vibrational frequencies in stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric MgAl/sub 2/O/sub 4/ were measured. The nonstoichiometric material had a Al/Mg ratio of 7. The diffusion coefficient of deuterons in the nonstoichiometric material at 1600 K is about 6 +- 3 x 10/sup -8/ cm/sup 2//s. Deuterons can readily be swept out by applying an electric field at temperatures above 1000 K.
The effect of stimulus repetition rate on the auditory brainstem response in tumor and nontumor patients.

Auditory brainstem responses were recorded in two groups of adult subjects with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss. Clicks were presented at repetition rates of 9.7, 39.7, 49.7, and 59.7/s. One ...
A dialectic view of information systems outsourcing: pros and cons

In recent years, information systems (IS) outsourcing is increasing in business organizations as a way to govern their IS operations. Burgeoning IS costs, lack of IS organization's responsiveness to users, and a renewed emphasis on return on IS investment are among some of the reasons towards this trend. Media reports are almost unanimous, and at times euphoric, in their claims of benefits. However, a reporting bias must be recognized: first, these reports are, at best, anecdotal accounts and second, they are based on the accounts of outsourcing vendors, consultants, senior executives and those who remained or were promoted in the organization after the outsourcing act. Naturally, these individuals have a vested interest in making their decisions look beneficial. This article discusses the various advantages and pitfalls of IS outsourcing, based on a dialectic view. It provides a balanced perspective, as it is based on a real case discussed by two individuals who were on opposing sides of the fence: one was an outsourcing survivor and was promoted, and the other was terminated due to decisions related to outsourcing.
Pituitary responsiveness to superfused GnRH in two species of ranid frogs

Abstract Dynamics of pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) as measured by LH and FSH secretion rates were examined for two species of ranid frogs in an in vitro superfusion system. The influence of sex was studied with juvenile bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana , and responsiveness to long-term continuous superfusion with GnRH was examined in R. catesbeiana and R. pipiens . Female juvenile bullfrogs showed virtually no response to doses of GnRH up to 1000 ng/ml, whereas males responded to doses of GnRH as low as 10 ng/ml, and very large increments in LH and FSH were observed with 100 and 1000 ng/ml GnRH (responsiveness in the males was dependent on body size). Adult R. pipiens were more sensitive than bullfrogs to GnRH; 0.2 ng/ml GnRH was an effective dose. These data indicate that, relative to mammals, sensitivity to GnRH in frogs is higher than suggested by previous in vivo studies. As in mammals, “self-priming” in response to GnRH was evident; but unlike mammals, the “self-priming” occurred only after 7–12 hr of continuous superfusion with GnRH, and the R. pipiens glands were more resistant to desensitization during 48 hr of GnRH treatment. This study confirms that sex- and age-dependent differences in responsiveness to GnRH as well as “self-priming” found in previous in vivo studies are evidently dependent on properties of the anterior pituitary peruse.
Overuse of Imaging for Staging Low Risk Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Routine imaging for staging low risk prostate cancer is not recommended according to current guidelines. We characterized patterns of care and factors associated with imaging overuse.Materials and Methods: We used SEER-Medicare linked data to identify men diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer from 2004 to 2005, and determined if imaging (computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, bone scan, abdominal ultrasound) was obtained following prostate cancer diagnosis before treatment.Results: Of the 6,444 men identified with low risk disease 2,330 (36.2%) underwent imaging studies. Of these men 1,512 (23.5%), 1,710 (26.5%) and 118 (1.8%) underwent cross-sectional imaging (computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging), bone scan and abdominal ultrasound, respectively. Radiation therapy vs surgery was associated with greater odds of imaging (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.68–2.35, p <0.01), while active surveillance vs surgery was associated with lower odds of imaging (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.34–0.56, p...
The effect of intraparticle convection on nutrient transport in porous biological pellets

Abstract Intraparticle convection has been neglected in the majority of reaction—diffusion studies in porous catalysts to date. However, this transport mode can contribute significantly to the total intraparticle transport rate, especially in the case of reactants of limited solubility, such as oxygen, frequently encountered in biotechnological applications. In this work, a regular perturbation method is employed for the derivation of the flow field inside a porous particle subject to external free fluid flow conditions. It is shown that the intrapellet and extrapellet Peclet numbers are generally related by a linear scaling relationship, Pein ≈ e Peout where e, is a small number proportional to the hydraulic permeability of the particle and inversely proportional to the square of the characteristic length. External transport is further studied and found to be unaffected by intraparticle fluid flow. Following the above findings, the intrapellet diffusion—convection—reaction problem is formulated and solved analytically for a zeroth-order nutrient uptake rate. From the obtained solution a general condition is derived between the Peclet number and Thiele modulus for the prevention of nutrient depletion everywhere in the pellet. This condition is proposed as a fundamental criterion for the design of porous pellets and optimal operation of processes involving biological catalysts.