cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined therapy with insulin lispro Mix 75/25 plus metformin or insulin glargine plus metformin: a 16-week, randomized, open-label, crossover study in patients with type 2 diabetes beginning insulin therapy.

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to assess glycemic response to a mixture of 75% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 25% insulin lispro (Mix 75/25) BID plus metformin versus insulin glargine QD plus metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Adults new to insulin therapy were enrolled in a multicenter, randomized, prospective, open-label, crossover study with 16 weeks on each treatment. Variables included glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ), hypoglycemia rate, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (ppBG), and rise in blood glucose after meals. Results: One hundred five patients (mean age, 55 years) were randomized. There was no difference in baseline mean values for either treatment sequence group for body mass index, duration of DM, or HbA 1c . Ninety-five patients completed the study and 67 were included in the efficacy analysis. Mix 75/25 was associated with lower mean (SD) HbA 1c at end point (7.4% [1.1%] vs 7.8% [1.1%]; P = 0.002). More patients using Mix 75/25 achieved target HbA 1c ≤7.0% (42% [30/71] vs 18% [13/71]; P P = 0.012) and dinner (164.8 [42.5] mg/dL vs 193.8 [51.0] mg/dL; P P P P P = 0.006). For all randomized patients, mean (SD) hypoglycemia rates were lower with insulin glargine (0.68 [1.38] vs 0.39 [1.24] episodes/patient per 30 days; P = 0.041), although nocturnal hypoglycemia was similar. Conclusion: In this study population, Mix 75/25 plus metformin was associated with lower HbA 1c than insulin glargine plus metformin, smaller rise in ppBG after breakfast and dinner, and higher proportion of patients achieving HbA 1c ≤7.0%, with a slight increase in overall (but not nocturnal) hypoglycemia.
In vitro translation of virion RNA from Moloney murine sarcoma virus.

Abstract Virion RNA of Moloney murine sarcoma virus (Mo-MSV) was translated in the mRNA-dependent reticulocyte lysate and the translation products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. The major products had apparent molecular weights of 62,000, 37,000, 33,000, 24,000, 18,000, and 15,000. None of these proteins was derived from the helper virus RNA present in our Mo-MSV virion preparations. Immunoprecipitation studies showed that the 62K protein was related to the gag gene product of Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MLV). The 37K, 33K, 24K, 18K, and 15K proteins, on the other hand, were found to be unrelated to either the gag gene or env gene products of Mo-ML V. Tryptic peptide mapping showed that the 37K, 33K, 24K, and 18K proteins had overlapping amino acid sequences. By this criterion the 37K family of proteins was not related to the 62K protein nor to the 15K protein. Likewise, the 15K protein was not related to the 62K protein. Translation of naturally occurring polyadenylated fragments of virion RNA showed that the 62K protein was derived from RNA of genomic length (30 S). The 15K protein was made from RNA of about 25 S, while the 37K, 33K, 24K, and 18K proteins were synthesized from RNAs ranging from 20 to 17 S. On the basis of these results, we have proposed a model for the expression of the genome of Mo-MSV in vitro. The 62K protein would arise from the gag gene at the 5′ end of the Mo-MSV genome. The 15K protein would originate from one of the two pol gene fragments in the Mo-MSV genome. The 37K, 33K, 24K, and 18K proteins would be derived from the src gene of Mo-MSV.
Hate Crimes: Worse by Definition

State and federal hate crime laws punish crimes involving discrimination on the basis of a person's group characteristic, such as race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, or dis...
Optical Fabrication Training in the 80's and Beyond

ABSTRACT This paper presents the skills training that optical fabricators will require in the 1980's and beyond. It is written for those individuals who wish to set up training programs in this area. INTRODUCTION Recently, optical industry journals such as "Photonics Spectra" and "Laser Focus" have published editorials and articles concerning inadequate optical fabrication training resources in the United States. There are not enough qualified young opticians to fill industry's needs and training to fill the need is lacking.Historically a large percentage of the master opticians in the US immigrated to this country from Europe (predominately Germany) where they served a lengthy apprenticeship before becoming master opticians. Most of these opticians have retired from the industry. The remaining pool of properly trained opticians is not sufficient to fulfill the needs of the expanding technology.This country now faces a severe shortage of opticians who have been trained in precision polishing where optical surfaces require tolerances of just a few millionths of an inch or less. The labor involved in the polishing/testing process accounts for 40% to 70% of the cost of a finished optical component. Industry recognizing this fact has taken a dual approach. One is to purchase components manufactured offshore. The second is to employ more machine intensive rather than skill intensive processes. Both practices have clearly led to the decline of optics production capacity in the US. Today nearly all large volume commercial optical components are produced offshore. The machine intensive processes have created machine operators - but not skilled opticians.For the US optics industry to be competitive in the precision optics arena, one of the areas we must focus on is optician training. Currently there are two schools of thought on how to provide training for opticians. Either the older style European apprenticeship being proposed by APOMA (American Precision Optical Manufacturers Association) or an associate degree program from a community college. Both of these programs are roughly 2 years in length and both have their merits as well as pitfalls. Unfortunately they are out of phase with each other. For any training program to be truly successful the first thing that has to be defined is "what skills need to be taught". It is the author's view that the optician of the future will need the basics included in most craft skill training such as:1A. Blueprint reading1B. Basic metrology including hands-on use of equipment.MicrometersVerniersInd icatorsSpherometersTest platesCollimators and Autocol1imators1C. Blocking methods: Spherical surfaces as well as flats and prisms.1D. Generating and grinding: These operations are becoming more machine intensive rather than skill intensive.1E. Polishing: This area should receive major emphasis.1F. Centering: This hand operation has been mostly replaced by automated equipment which employ laser or CCTV attachments.
Simple analytical solutions for spherically symmetric production and modulation of energetic solar particles

Exact analytical solutions are presented for the standard time-independent spherically symmetric convection-diffusion-adiabatic deceleration equation governing the transport of cosmic rays in the interplanetary medium for the case in which particles are produced with spherical symmetry at the sun. It is assumed that the solar-wind speed is constant and radial, and that the spatial diffusion coefficient has a power-law dependence on momentum. The Green's function describing the modulation of a monoenergetic production of particles is presented. The solutions provide a useful basis for the study of time-integrated properties of energetic solar-flare particle spectra.
Stability for Polyharmonic Obstacle Problems with Varying Obstacles

(1999). Stability for Polyharmonic Obstacle Problems with Varying Obstacles. Communications in Partial Differential Equations: Vol. 25, No. 7-8, pp. 559-616.
Disassembly information model incorporating dynamic capabilities for disassembly sequence generation

Abstract Industrial recycling and reusing is becoming more and more important due to the environmental and economic pressures. It involves disassembly activities to retrieve all the parts or selected parts. An information modeling for the disassembly and optimal disassembly sequence generation based on the information model becomes critical. Unlike the traditional graph based representation of product structure, this paper introduces an efficient and machine readable disassembly information model and then discusses a linear programming based optimization model for obtaining the optimal disassembly sequence from the proposed disassembly information model. A key feature of this approach is the incorporation and use of dynamic capabilities in its information model processing technique. Dynamic capabilities are added into the information model to handle state-dependent information such as parts' disassembly directions which may change after each disassembly operation. The overall information model is built in UML, and dynamic capabilities are represented as events in UML. The proposed method has been illustrated using an electrical–mechanical device.
Physical activity and correlates of estimated energy expenditure in Taiwanese adolescents 12-14 years of age.

Energy expenditure (EE) was estimated in 282 Taiwanese adolescents 12–14 years of age, 138 boys and 144 girls, using the 3-day activity record and protocol of Bouchard et al. (Bouchard C et al. [1983] Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 37:461–467). Total daily estimated EE and EE in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (about 4+ METS) were considered on a weekday and weekend day by age and sex, and relative to area of residence and socioeconomic status (SES). Estimated total daily EE and EE in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity are higher in boys than girls, and on weekend days than weekdays. Urban-rural and SES differences in the two estimates of EE in boys are not significant, while corresponding comparisons in girls are not consistent. Results of multiple and stepwise regression analyses indicate that age, sex, area of residence, and SES account for only about 15–17% of the variance in estimated daily EE and EE in moderate-to-vigorous activity. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Failure Behavior of Knitted Fabric Composites

This paper presents experimental and theoretical studies of the failure behavior of knitted fabric composites. Test results of the tensile and shear strengths of plain-stitch and rib-stitch fabric composites are presented. It has been determined that fracture initiates due to yam/matrix debonding, and the interfacial crack propagates along the yam/matrix interface. An analytical model of the failure behavior based upon observation of the fracture surface is presented. A good agreement between experimental and predicted failure strengths is obtained for plain-stitch fabric composites under warp direction loading. Large discrepancies exist between predicted and experimental strengths for other cases.
Shiny Cowbird Parasitism in Two Avian Communities in Puerto Rico

Molothrus bonariensis parasite 42% des nids d'especes residentes (rapaces exclus) a Porto Rico. Les consequences en sont: diminution du succes reproducteur et de la productivite de l'hote
The discectomy membrane (nerve root fibrovascular membrane): its anatomic description and its surgical importance

Abstract The positive identification and protection of the nerve root is crucial prior to addressing the disc during lumbar discectomy. We report here our observation that there exists a membrane which lies immediately posterior to the annulus fibrosus at the level of the disc and connects to the dura of the nerve root at that level. This is a constant anatomic finding during the approach to the disc, and we refer to it as the "discectomy membrane". We found this tissue present at all lumbar levels of five fresh frozen cadaver spines. Its consistency varied from thin wisps of nearly transparent tissue to tissue strong enough to tether the nerve root laterally.
Skip‐Row Planting Patterns Stabilize Corn Grain Yields in the Central Great Plains

The highly variable climate of the central Great Plains makes dryland corn (Zea mays) production a risky enterprise. Twenty-three field trials were conducted across the central Great Plains from 2004 through 2006 to quantify the effect of various skip-row planting patterns and plant populations on grain yield in dryland corn production. A significant planting pattern by plant population interaction was observed at only one of 23 trials, suggesting that planting pattern recommendations can be made largely irrespective of plant population. In trials where skip-row planting patterns resulted in increased grain yields compared to the standard planting pattern treatment (every row planted using a 30-inch row spacing), the mean grain yield for the standard planting treatment was 44 bu/acre. In those trials where skip-row planting resulted in decreased grain yield compared to the standard planting pattern, the mean yield was 135 bu/acre. The plant two rows, skip two rows planting pattern is recommended for riskaverse growers in the central Great Plains where field history or predictions suggest likely grain yields of 75 bu/acre or less. Planting one row and skipping one row is recommended for growers with moderate risk-aversion and likely yield levels of 100 bu/acre or less.
Production deficits in aphasia: A voice-onset time analysis

Abstract An experimental study was conducted to examine phonetic and phonemic deficits in the speech production of aphasics. Subjects included four Broca's aphasics, four Conduction aphasics, five Wernicke's aphasics, one nonaphasic dysarthric patient, and four normal controls. The subjects read a list of words containing word-initial stop consonants which were subsequently measured acoustically for voice-onset time. The results showed that Broca's aphasics exhibit a more severe production disorder than Conduction aphasics who in turn exhibit a more severe disorder than Wernicke's aphasics, in accord with clinical observations. In addition, although Broca's aphasics produced both phonetic and phonemic errors, the results showed that they have a pervasive phonetic disorder which affects their correct target productions as well as the total number of phonetic errors produced. This deficit however seems to be a speech deficit rather than a low-level motor control problem. In contrast, the Wernicke's aphasics show a deficit characterized by isolated phonemic mistargeting errors. Finally, the pattern of productions for the Conduction aphasics indicates that some patients show a predominantly phonetic disorder similar to the Broca's aphasics and others show predominantly a phonemic disorder similar to the Wernicke's aphasics.
An Optimal Algorithm for Time-Slot Assignment in SS/TDMA Satellite Systems

Packet scheduling in switches plays an important role in providing guaranteed service to meet Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirements. In this paper, we revisit a historical Maximum Traffic Time-slot Scheduling (MTTS) problem for both circuit- and packet-switched traffic in SS/TDMA satellite systems proposed two decades ago by Bonuccelli et al.. They developed a two-step approach to solve the MTTS problem, which scheduled the circuit-switched traffic first into TDMA frames and then inserted packets from packet-switched traffic into empty slots in these scheduled TDMA frames as many as possible. This problem was referred as Incremental Time-slot Assignment (ITSA) Problem in their paper, and was proved to be NP-hard. Therefore, MTTS problem seems to be NP-hard due the the NP-hardness of ITSA problem induced by their two-step approach. However, in this paper, we show that MTTS problem is NOT NP-hard, since there exists an optimal algorithm for this problem. By aggregating the traffic in scheduled TDMA frames, an optimal algorithm based on network flow method is developed for MTTS problem, which can solve the MTTS problem in polynomial time. Theoretic proof for the optimality of our algorithm is given and simulations results further validate the correctness of our algorithm.
MulticoreSDK: a practical and efficient data race detector for real-world applications

Multicore processors with each core supporting multiple threads are becoming commonplace. To take advantage of these hardware advances, application software has to evolve and embrace parallel processing, otherwise the performance growth that we have come to expect with each generation of processor technology will not be met. But, introducing parallelism into software is difficult and error prone. Robust debugging tools are required to help developers build efficient, scalable, multi-threaded applications. In this paper we present a data race detection tool and a set of techniques that were used to improve the efficiency of the tool. Also, we present detailed performance overheads for the tool using a number of industrial strength applications.
Assessing differential prediction of college grades by race/ethnicity with a multilevel model

Previous research notes the importance of understanding racial/ethnic differential prediction of college grades across multiple institutions. Institutional variation in selection indices is especially important given some states’ laws governing public institutions’ admissions decisions. This paper employed multilevel moderated multiple regression to study the variation of selection indices across 30 institutions and the accuracy of selection indices in predicting college grades for students of different racial/ethnic backgrounds. Several benefits of multilevel models for cross-institutional differential prediction studies were described and include: controlling for institutional differences in range restriction, providing reliability estimates of least squares estimates, and adjusting criterion scores for differences in coursework difficulty. The findings from this study provide evidence of institutional variation in selection indices, which challenges current laws aimed at standardizing them. Specifically, there was evidence that the predictor slope coefficients varied across institutions, in addition to the estimates that measured intercept differences for African and Asian American students. Across universities, the results mirrored previous findings: high school grade point average (GPA) differentially predicted grades for African Americans, SAT verbal scores differentially predict grades for Asian Americans, and SAT math scores were better predictors of Asian Americans’ grades.
Aquinas and Modern Contractualism

Abstract When modern ethical contractualists defend their view against “teleology,” they typically have in mind utilitarian or consequentialist theories according to which valuable states of affairs are to be promoted. But if we look to older teleological theories e.g. that found in the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas we will find a kind of teleology that can be incorporated beneficially into contractualist ethics. In this paper I argue that Scanlon would be well served, on grounds to which he appeals, to make a teleological modification to his theory of what we owe to each other. Drawing not only on Aristotle and Aquinas, but also on the thought and life of Martin Luther King, I argue that Scanlon's contractualism can and should be modified to incorporate the ancient and medieval teleological emphasis on personal fruition and legitimate self‐assertion.
Coupled bending–torsional dynamic stiffness matrix for beam elements

Explicit expressions for the coupled bending–torsional dynamic stiffness matrix of a uniform beam element are derived in an exact sense by solving the governing differential equation of the beam. Implementation of the derived dynamic stiffness matrix in a space frame computer program is discussed with particular reference to an established algorithm to enable vibration analysis of coupled systems to be made. The application of the theory is demonstrated by an illustrative example wherein the results for a cantilever beam with a substantial amount of coupling between bending and torsion are highlighted. The correctness of the theory is confirmed to a high degree of accuracy by computed results and numerical checks.
Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans (1920-2012): In Memoriam

A memorial essay for Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans, philanthropist and patron of the history of medicine.
Purification of human serum gamma globulins by hydrophobic interaction high-performance liquid chromatography.

Fresh, whole human serum was fractionated on a Bio-Rad Protein Chromatography System, equipped with a Bio-Gel TSK Phenyl-5PW column, by utilizing a descending linear gradient of ammonium sulfate in 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, at 0 degree C. Two major peaks were isolated corresponding to albumin and gamma globulin. The identity of these protein peaks was substantiated by chromatography of an albumin-gamma globulin standard mixture. The purity of the individual fractions was verified by high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) on either a Bio-Sil TSK-250 or a Bio-Gel TSK-40 column. The applicability of these HPSEC columns to the molecular weight characterization of the Bio-Gel TSK Phenyl-5PW column fractions was compared. Typically, the Bio-Gel TSK Phenyl-5PW column (75 X 7.5 mm I.D.) was used to purify gamma globulin from 100 microliter of plasma. This corresponded to approx. 1.5-2.0 mg of the globin fraction. Unidentified contaminants in this fraction had molecular weights of approx. 1000-3000 daltons and 260 000-300 000 daltons.
The ability of stutterers and nonstutterers to initiate and terminate phonation during production of an isolated vowel.

This study tested the hypothesis that stutterers have difficulty initiating and terminating phonation independent of the acts of running speech and stuttering. Ten young adult stutterers served as ...
Effects of whey-milk proteins on Caco-2 and HT-29 intestinal cell lines

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine whether α-lactalbumin (α-LA) and β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) affect proliferation of intestinal cells. As a consequence of intake of milk, epithelial cells of the intestine may be subjected to small concentrations of undergraded milk proteins. The question was whether α-LA or β-LG have growth promoting or inhibiting properties in the intestinal epithelial cell model systems, Caco-2 and HT-29. Cells were grown as recommended by ATCC. Native bovine α-LA, or 2 and 4% trypsin hydrolyzed α-LA were added to cultures of Caco-2 cells in dosages of 0 to 50 ng/mL. After 24 to 120 h of culture, cell proliferation assays were done. By using the XTT cell proliferation assay, by visually counting cells in selected microscope fields, and by counting trypsinized cell suspensions in a hemocytometer, α-LA consistently increased cell replication rate with a peak response at approximately 20 ng/mL. For example, the HTT assay showed 85% increased mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity in the 15 ng/ml treatment relative to control. Higher concentrations were either less effective or ineffective growth stimulators in both cell lines. At 2% α-LA hydrolysis, there was a slight stimulation (7%) and no effect at 4% hydrolysis. There was no response using bovine β-LG as supplement. Variance from plating to plating was high, but percent changes from dose to dose within a plate were consistent over the replicates (C.V.
Familial Ventricular Arrhythmias in Boxers

The purposes of this study were to evaluate families of Boxers with ventricular arrhythmias to determine whether this disorder is a familial trait and, if so, to determine the mode of inheritance. Eighty-two Boxers were evaluated by physical examination, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram. Dogs were considered affected if at least 50 premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) were observed during a 24-hour period. All dogs were at least 6 years of age at evaluation. Complete cardiovascular examinations were performed on dogs from 6 extended families. The 2 most complete pedigrees were used to determine the pattern of inheritance. The number of PVCs observed during a 24-hour period in affected dogs ranged from 112 to 4,894 (mean +/- SD, median; 1,309 +/- 2,609, 1,017). The number of PVCs observed during a 24-hour period in the unaffected dogs ranged from 0 to 16 (7 +/- 10, 12). Pedigree evaluation was performed to determine pattern of inheritance. An autosomal dominant pattern was determined to be most likely because a sex predisposition was not observed, affected individuals were observed in every generation, and 2 affected individuals produced unaffected offspring. We conclude that familial ventricular arrhythmias is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in some Boxers.
Stutterers' self-ratings of how natural speech sounds and feels

The efficacy of stuttering treatment has been a contentious issue in recent years. Two issues of primary concern include the treated stutterer’s abnormal speech quality and the problem of continually self-monitoring fluency skills. One approach to addressing these issues is to obtain stutterers’ self-ratings of speech quality and levels of speech monitoring. However, the reliability and validity of such self-ratings need to be assessed before they are suitable for use in stuttering treatment. The present study investigated one method of estimating the reliability and validity of stutterers’ self-ratings of how natural their speech sounds (speech naturalness), and how natural they feel about the amount of attention they are paying to the way they are speaking (feel naturalness). Twelve adult stutterers were instructed to self-rate the speech and feel naturalness of their speech under a variety of rhythmic stimulation conditions across repeated rating occasions. With some qualifications, the results showed ...
Synthesis and processing of nuclear RNA in human monocytes after phagocytosis of polystyrene particles

Abstract Nuclear RNA was extracted from human monocytes separated by bovine serum albumin gradients. Sedimentation profiles yielded patterns of undegraded RNA. The turnover of nascent RNA in resting cells appeared to be slow. In monocytes engulfing latex particles an increase in the synthesis of 45-S rRNA precursor and an accelerated processing into mature 28-S and 18-S moieties occurred. Chase experiments indicated a higher rate of delivery of mature ribosomal RNA to the cytoplasm in these activated cells.
Confinement of Elastomeric Block Copolymers via Forced Assembly Coextrusion

Forced assembly processing provides a unique opportunity to examine the effects of confinement on block copolymers (BCPs) via conventional melt processing techniques. The microlayering process was ...
A Fuzzy Approach To The Interpretation Of Robot Assembly Forces

Uncertainties encountered in part positioning and variations in part dimensions have motivated the use of sensor feedback control in robot assembly. This paper presents a fuzzy logic based system which interprets the forces and torques generated by a force/torque sensor mounted on a robotic wrist, and controls the execution of robotic assembly tasks. Techniques from the field of fuzzy decision making are applied to the force/torque feedback to monitor the mating of parts by a robot. An example is presented that addresses the problems of inserting a printed circuit board into a card cage. The fuzzy rules that are used to interpret the force/torque readings are discussed and the experimental results are presented.
Welfare reform and caseload reductions

The US 1996 Welfare Reform Act creating the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and replacing the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) is discussed and reviewed. Based on the latest data for 35 states, the regression results estimated by the weighted least squares indicate that welfare caseload reductions are mainly attributable to lower unemployment rates, lower benefits, more education, and more sanctions. The administrative expense per welfare recipient ratio is insignificant, probably because some human efforts cannot be measured or because the positive and the negative effects of administrative expense on welfare rolls cancel each other.
PTHrP expression in chick sternal chondrocytes is regulated by TGF-beta through Smad-mediated signaling.

PTHrP regulates the rate of chondrocyte differentiation during endochondral bone formation. The expression of PTHrP and its regulation by TGF-beta, BMP-2, and PTHrP was examined in upper sternal chondrocytes following 1, 3, and 5 days of continuous treatment. While TGF-beta stimulated the expression of PTHrP (5-fold), PTHrP caused a slight inhibition, and BMP-2 markedly inhibited PTHrP mRNA expression. The effect of these factors on PTHrP expression was not simply related to the maturational state of the cells, since BMP-2 increased, while both PTHrP and TGF-beta decreased the expression of type X collagen. TGF-beta isoforms 1, 2, and 3 all stimulated PTHrP expression. Signaling events involved in the induction of PTHrP by TGF-beta were further evaluated in a PTHrP-promoter CAT construct. The effect of TGF-beta, BMP-2, and PTHrP on the PTHrP-promoter paralleled their effects on mRNA expression, with TGF-beta significantly increasing CAT activity, BMP-2 decreasing CAT activity, and PTHrP having a minimal effect. Co-transfection of the TGF-beta signaling molecule, Smad 3, mimicked the effect of TGF-beta (induction of PTHrP promoter), while dominant negative Smad 3 inhibited the induction of the PTHrP promoter by TGF-beta. Furthermore, infection with a Smad 3-expressing retrovirus mimicked the effects of exogenously added TGF-beta, and induced PTHrP mRNA expression in the infected chondrocyte culture. In contrast, a dominant negative Smad 3 completely inhibited PTHrP promoter stimulation by TGF-beta, but only partially blocked the effect of TGF-beta on PTHrP mRNA synthesis. These findings demonstrate that PTHrP is expressed in chondrocytes undergoing endochondral ossification, and show regulation, at least in part, by TGF-beta through Smad mediated signaling events.
Common clonal origin of synchronous primary head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: Analysis by tumor karyotypes and fluorescence in situ hybridization

Abstract Two synchronously arising primary squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) originating from separate sites in the anterior floor of mouth (FOM) and the pyriform sinus (PS) were evaluated by karyotype and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to determine whether they were of common or independent ancestry. The primary tumors were designated Henry Ford Hospital (HFH)-SCC-8a (FOM) and HFHSCC-9a (PS), and the respective recurrent tumors after chemotherapy and radiation were designated -8b and -9b. HFH-SCC-8a and -8b were cultured and had closely related hypotetraploid karyotypes of monoclonal origin. Karyotypes could not be obtained from the second primary tumor HFH-SCC-9a or its recurrence -9b. However, we used karyotypes from HFH-SCC-8a and -8b as a guide to select FISH probes for the histological evaluation of genetic markers in tumor sections. Fluorescence in situ hybridization on metaphase chromosomes from the cell cultures was useful in modifying the tumor karyotypes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization identified a chromosome Y rearrangement that was not obvious from the HFH-SCC-8a and -8b karyotypes, and this Y rearrangement served as a unique clonal marker. Using two probes for the Y chromosome we showed that all four tumors shared the same Y rearrangement with loss of Yq (DYZ1) and retention of Ycen (DYZ3). Furthermore, FISH showed that all four tumors had the same aneuploidy patterns for chromosomes X, Y, 7, 9, 15, 16, and 17. From karyotypic and FISH analysis disomy for X and 9 centromere regions and the rearranged Y were all predicted and observed in the tumor tissue sections. Tetrasomy and trisomy for 7, 15, 16, and 17 were predicted from the karyotypes and this also was observed using FISH in all four tumors. These FISH aneuploidy patterns and the presence of a clonal Y marker in all four tumor samples indicate that the synchronous primaries and their recurrences were of monoclonal origin.
Antagonistic effect of zinc on increased urine δ-aminolevulinic acid excretion in lead-intoxicated rats

Abstract Urine δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALAU) excretion has previously been reported as being closely correlated with the clinical picture of lead poisoning. In the present investigation, rats were administered either zinc or lead or both. Zinc administration resulted in the reduction to near normal levels of ALAU excretion in lead-intoxicated rats. This effect occurred in the absence of any significant reduction in blood lead levels or any alleviation of the anemia of lead toxicity. The observations place considerable doubt on the validity of using ALAU screening tests as a means of determining lead exposure.
COPURE INJECTIVE MODULES

Abstract A module is said to be copure injective if it is injective with respect to all modules A ⊂ B with B/A injective. We first characterize submodules that have the extension property with respect to copure injective modules. Then we characterize commutative rings with finite self injective dimension in terms of copure injective modules. Finally, we show that the quotient categories of reduced copure injective modules and reduced h- divisible modules are isomorphic.
Timing of amputations in peripheral vascular disease

The medical charts of 29 patients who underwent 31 episodes of foot ampu tations, toe or transmetatarsal, preceded by arterial bypass procedures for limb salvage in the presence of ischemic gangrene, were reviewed retrospectively. Seventy-one percent of the attempts were successful and the success rate ap peared to be affected by the timing of the procedures, with 88% limb salvage for those undergoing bypass first versus 50% for those undergoing amputation first or at the same time as bypass. This significance was duplicated in reviewing both diabetic patients and those with wet gangrene. The authors recommend that in most cases, patients with reconstructable vascular lesions and concomi tant localized gangrene should have bypass procedures preformed before ampu tations.
Histone synthesis in polyoma- and SV40-infected cells.

Abstract Using acrylamide gel electrophoresis of acid-soluble nuclear proteins (labeled with tryptophan- 3 H and lysine- 14 C) to monitor histone synthesis, it was found that the virus-promoted synthesis of cellular DNA is accompanied by a stimulation of histone synthesis in (1) polyoma-infected primary mouse kidney cells, (2) polyoma-infected hamster BHK21 cells, (3) SV40 2 -infected mouse 3T3 cells, and (4) SV40-infected, X-irradiated (5000 rads) mouse 3T3 cells. An induction of mitotic activity was also found in the X-irradiated, SV40-infected 3T3 cells.
Traceable 3D imaging metrology

This paper summarizes the causes of uncertainty in 3D data measurement, some basic theory of 3D imaging that explains the origin of some of these causes, and, describes the properties and performances of a 100 square meter facility to perform research in traceable 3D imaging metrology. Built in 2006, the laboratory space allows accurate measurements of 3D data from devices operating at standoff distances from a few centimeters up to 10 meters. A laminar flow of 20°C air at 50% humidity level is maintained within ±0.1°C. The total volume of air in the lab is changed twice a minute (18 000 cfm). This characteristic combined with the air filtering design allows air cleanliness to be exceptionally good (Class 100).
Economic Feasibility of a Mechanical Separation Process for Recycling Alkaline Batteries

Spent primary alkaline batteries present an unused source of secondary metals in Europe and the US, with at least 300,000 metric tons of batteries being landfilled each year. While battery recycling programs exist, current hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes are not profitable when used for dedicated alkaline battery recycling, so industry growth is difficult. A novel mechanical separation process consisting of shredding, baking, magnetic separation, and specific gravity separation was developed to recycle one metric ton per hour of alkaline batteries at lower cost than current methods, while being environmentally beneficial. Financial analysis was conducted using a Process-Based Cost Model to address the challenges of modeling a recycling process. At full capacity, the cost to recycle alkaline batteries via the developed process is $529 per metric ton, +/- 25%, not including transportation, with revenue of $383 per metric ton. This cost is lower than that of other reported processes, but is still not economically feasible. With supplemental revenue of $0.3 per kg, which could come from various sources, the return on investment can occur in just under 3 years. The low value of alkaline battery recovery material is identified as the most significant economic barrier for the recycling.
Should cancer screening be routine in rheumatoid arthritis

The degree to which the elevated risk of malignant lymphomas in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is related to disease activity or to therapy is uncertain. Evidence is mounting in support of a strategy of more-intensive cancer screening in these patients.
Statistical transmutation in diluted flux states

We investigate a generalization of the commensurate-flux-state theory of the diluted t-J model in which fluctuations in the self-induced gauge field are coupled to the hole coordinates. Doped fermionic holes in the theory carry an internal SU(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2) degree of freedom, and a polarization of this internal field leads to fractionization of the quantum statistics of the particles. The many-semion states of the model are studied by an application of the Atiyah-Singer index theorem to investigate the dynamics of these diluted flux states.
Finite element analysis on horizontal vessels with saddle supports

Abstract Finite element analysis is performed to predict the stress distributions within a water-filled horizontal vessel with hemispherical ends and two or three saddle supports. Computations are performed for various values of design parameters. The wall thickness was varied from 0.5 to 70 mm; the vessel length from 10 to 30 m; and the vessel radius from 0.5 to 2.0 m. The effects of the pressure and a third saddle support are also investigated. The maximum tensile and shear stresses are compared with the predictions of Zick's analysis. Design correlations are obtained, based on the numerical results.
Radioactive material screening for gamma ray spectrometer experiment on Mars

Abstract It is important to minimize the background for gamma ray remote sensing experiments. It becomes more important with the advent of high-resolution gamma ray spectroscopy, as one wishes to study smaller regions and lower elemental concentrations. Here, we describe our procedure to minimize the background due to γ-radioactivity in the local mass around the gamma ray spectrometer (GRS). We have used low-level counting systems, a GeLi and a high-purity Ge detector for material screening. Although most commercially available materials are found clean down to a few ppm for 232 Th and 238 U, the worst-case analysis has been limited occasionally due to statistical error in counting data, self-absorption of gamma rays or due to nonavailability of larger samples.
Myelodysplastic syndromes and acute leukemia developing after imatinib mesylate therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia

During therapy with imatinib, some patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) develop chromosomal abnormalities in Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative cells. These abnormalities are frequently transient and their clinical consequence is unclear. Although some reports have suggested that the abnormalities might be associated with secondary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), the diagnosis has not always been established using standard criteria. We report 3 cases of patients treated with imatinib for CML who were subsequently found to have chromosomal abnormalities in Ph-negative cells. One of them developed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and the other 2 developed high-risk MDS that rapidly transformed to AML. These cases were identified in a total study group of 1701 patients. Although these occurrences are rare, the findings highlight the need for close monitoring of patients with CML treated with imatinib.
Approximating the timely throughput of heterogeneous wireless networks

In this paper we consider the down link of a heterogeneous wireless network with N Access Points (AP's) and M clients, where each client is connected to several out-of-band AP's, and requests delay-sensitive traffic (e.g., real-time video). We adopt the framework of Hou, Borkar, and Kumar, and study the maximum total timely throughput of the network, denoted by C T 3, which is the maximum average number of packets delivered successfully before their deadline. We propose a deterministic relaxation of the problem, which converts the problem to a network with deterministic delays in each link. We show that the additive gap between the capacity of the relaxed problem denoted by C det , and C T3 is bounded by 2√N(C det + N/4), which is asymptotically negligible compared to C det , when the network is operating at high-throughput regime. Moreover, using LP rounding methods we prove that the relaxed problem can be approximated in polynomial time with additive gap of N.
Spatial buffering of light-evoked potassium increases by retinal Muller (glial) cells

Activity-dependent variations in extracellular potassium concentration in the central nervous system may be regulated, in part, by potassium spatial buffering currents in glial cells. The role of spatial buffering in the retina was assessed by measuring light-evoked potassium changes in amphibian eyecups. The amplitude of potassium increases in the vitreous humor was reduced to approximately 10 percent by 50 micromolar barium, while potassium increases in the inner plexiform layer were largely unchanged. The decrease in the vitreal potassium response was accurately simulated with a numerical model of potassium current flow through Muller cells, the principal glial cells of the retina. Barium also substantially increased the input resistance of Muller cells and blocked the Muller cell-generated M-wave, indicating that barium blocks the potassium channels of Muller cells. Thus, after a light-evoked potassium increase within the retina, there is a substantial transfer of potassium from the retina to the vitreous humor by potassium current flow through Muller cells.
Quality Multiple-Choice Test Questions: Item-Writing Guidelines and an Analysis of Auditing Testbanks

Abstract In accounting classes, publisher testbanks can be an important source of multiple-choice test questions. There has been, however, some criticism that textbook testbanks may be of low quality (Baldwin, 1984). To determine if testbank questions are well constructed and follow general guidelines for writing multiple-choice items, we examined 10 audit testbanks. Our analysis revealed that across all published testbanks examined, 75% of the questions had one or more guideline violations. Seventeen of the most cited rules for writing multiple-choice questions are given.
Utility-based radio link assignment in multi-radio heterogeneous networks

Techniques for coordinated use of WiFi and LTE radio links are developed for operator-managed multi-radio heterogeneous networks. In particular, we consider deployments based on integrated small cells with co-located WiFi and LTE interfaces, which allow for tighter coordination between the two interfaces especially when used together with WiFi/LTE capable client devices. The paper develops a utility based framework which optimizes the partitioning of users between WiFi and LTE to improve the aggregate per-cell utility. The resulting link assignment framework is applied to take advantage of the orthogonal WiFi carrier to mitigate cross-tier LTE interference between macro-cells and small-cells. Results show that this technique not only improves system capacity and coverage beyond what is achievable with uncoordinated use of WiFi and LTE, but also preserves macro-cell throughput by reducing the need for macro-cells to mute their transmissions in order to avoid cross-tier interference. We also apply the utility-based assignment framework to improve the on-time throughput across users, which measures the average data rate delivered to a user before its delay deadline. This is an important metric to characterize the quality-of-service achievable for transmitting delay sensitive traffic, such as real-time voice and video. Our results show that accounting for delay sensitivity in the optimization can improve the number of users achieving target on-time throughput by up to 3x, when compared with un-coordinated use of WiFi and LTE interfaces.
Functional ecomorphology: Feedbacks between form and function in fluvial landscape ecosystems

Abstract The relationship between form and function has been a central organizing principle in biology throughout its history as a formal science. This concept has been relevant from molecules to organisms but loses meaning at population and community levels where study targets are abstract collectives and assemblages. Ecosystems include organisms and abiotic factors but ecosystem ecology too has developed until recently without a strong spatially explicit reference. Landscape ecology provides an opportunity to once again anneal form and function and to consider reciprocal causation between them. This ecomorphologic view can be applied at a variety of ecologically relevant scales and consists of an investigation of how geomorphology provides a structural template that shapes, and is shaped by ecological processes. Running water ecosystems illustrate several principles governing the interaction of landscape form and ecological function subsumed by the concept of “Functional Ecomorphology”. Particularly lucrative are ecosystem-level interactions between geologic form and biogeochemical processes integrated by hydrologic flowpaths. While the utility of a flowpath-based approach is most apparent in streams, spatially explicit biogeochemical processing pervades all landscapes and may be of general ecological application.
Maturation of p-aminohippuric acid transport in the developing rabbit kidney: interrelationships of the individual components.

Summary: The excretion of both endogenous organic (aryl) acids, such as benzoic acid, and exogenous ones, such as p-aminohippuric acid (PAH), penicillin, and furosemide, is reduced in the human neonate and other immature animals. The unique developmental pattern of aryl acid transport in immature rabbit kidney cortex slices is produced by the interrelationships of PAH uptake, efflux, and amount of intracellular binding protein, all of which reach mature levels at different ages.
I ARC, a Novel Arachidonate-regulated, Noncapacitative Ca2+ Entry Channel

Abstract Along with the inositol trisphosphate-induced release of stored Ca2+, a receptor-enhanced entry of Ca2+ is a critical component of intracellular Ca2+ signals generated by agonists acting at receptors coupled to the activation of phospholipase C. Although the simple emptying of the intracellular Ca2+ stores is known to be capable of activating Ca2+ entry via the so-called “capacitative” mechanism, recent evidence suggests that Ca2+ entry at physiological agonist concentrations, where oscillatory Ca2+ signals are typically observed, does not conform to such a model. Instead, a noncapacitative Ca2+entry pathway regulated by arachidonic acid appears to be responsible for Ca2+ entry under these conditions. Using whole-cell patch clamp techniques we demonstrate that low concentrations of arachidonic acid activate a Ca2+-selective current that is superficially similar to the store-operated current I CRAC, but which also demonstrates certain distinct features. We have named this novel currentI ARC (forarachidonate-regulated calcium current). Importantly, I ARC can be readily activated in cells whose Ca2+ stores have been maximally depleted. I ARC represents a novel Ca2+ entry pathway that is entirely separate from those activated by store depletion and is specifically activated at physiological levels of stimulation.