cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Models for the Analysis of Association in Multivariate Contingency Tables

Abstract The present work describes a family of models that can be used for the analysis of association in multiway cross-classifications. The models are complementary to the usual (i.e., the so-called hierarchical) log-linear models. An advantage of this family of models is that it is frequently possible to give a more parsimonious description of the association than is possible with the usual log-linear models approach. The models will be especially useful when some or all of the variables are ordinal. The models are derived from a reparameterization of the saturated model based on singular value decompositions of interaction terms in the log-linear parameterization. Multivariate association models given in Goodman (1979, 1986), Clogg (1982a,b), Agresti and Kezouh (1983), Gilula and Haberman (1988), and Becker and Clogg (1989) are obtained as special cases. The utility of the models developed in this article is demonstrated with the analysis of two examples. The first example, a cross-classification of ...
Immunologic systems and protection in infections caused by intracellular blood protista

Rickettsiaea and protozoa which invade circulating leukocytes and erythrocytes are discussed in this communication. Characteristic features of animal diseases caused by these agents are (1) they are transmitted by arthropod vectors, (b) most cause devastating losses to the livestock industry, and (c) some are important to human health. A common characteristic of blood protista is their ability to survive for a long time in immunologically hostile hosts. This can be attributed to their intracellular domicile, possible incorporation of host cell proteins in their structure, and antigenic variations causing evasion of the host's surveillance mechanism. The last decade has seen an expansion in the application of immunologic principles to the study of blood protista. Infections caused by blood protista stimulate humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Antibodies have been measured in serodiagnostic procedures. Cell-mediated immunity in combination with antibodies of various activities seem to be the main protective mechanism. A vaccine using a live attenuated agent (Anaplasma marginale) which induces and maintains the above responses constitutes a novel, realistic, and practical approach to control of blood protistan diseases.
Chronology and Development of Juvenile Bluegill Parasite Communities

Abstract This study describes the parasite communities of juvenile bluegill and examines the development of parasite communities in juvenile bluegill from 2 Michigan lakes. Parasitological examination of 510 juvenile bluegill from 2 Michigan lakes (Three Lakes II [TL] and Gull Lake [GL]) demonstrated that TL bluegill harbored 19 parasite species and GL bluegill harbored 16 parasite species. Parasite communities of juvenile bluegill from both lakes were dominated by larval parasites, particularly larval trematodes. A nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis showed bluegill of similar lengths to have similar parasite communities. Relative influences of species richness on parasite infracommunities of juvenile bluegill suggest similar patterns of parasite community structure between TL and GL. Patterns in parasite colonization evident in both lakes suggest that the smallest juvenile bluegill are primarily vulnerable to colonization by parasites acquired through direct contact, particularly larval trematod...
Development of an adolescent marijuana educational presentation: Preliminary findings

younger (mean=33.0, SD=5.3) or older (mean=46.0, SD=4.2) based on a median split. Participants underwent neuropsychological (NP), medical, psychiatric, and substance use assessments. NP outcomes included mean scaled scores (uncorrected for age) in 7 cognitive domains: speed of information processing, executive functions, verbal fluency, learning, memory, workingmemory, and fine-motor performance. Age groups did not differ in terms of other demographic factors, psychiatric and substance use comorbidities, total quantity of MA use, and prevalence of HIV infection (ps > .10). The older group had a significantly higher prevalence of hepatitis C infection and was older at first reported MA use (ps .10). For speed of information processing and executive functions, there was an interaction between age and MA abstinence, whereby younger (betas = .21–.25,ps .10) individuals demonstrated better performance with longer abstinence. Conclusions: Older adults demonstrated reduced neurocognitive benefit of prolonged abstinence fromMA, perhaps as a function of diminished potential for neural plasticity (e.g., synaptic remodeling) following MA-associated neurotoxicity. Financial support: NIH grants P01-DA12065, P50-DA026306, 5T32DA007315-09, P30-MH62512; PST4TP1 (TMARC).
Coupling of flow simulation and structural analysis for glass-filled thermoplastics

In the automotive industry, glass-filled thermoplastics are used in air intake manifolds, radiator tanks, and many other parts. Plastic parts have many advantages over metal parts including mass, design flexibility and parts consolidation. However, widespread application of glass-filled thermoplastic materials has been limited in many cases by the inability to accurately predict performance and durability. Fiber-filled injection-molded parts contain complex fiber orientation patterns. This fiber orientation state affects material properties including elastic modulus and strength and part properties including shrinkage and warpage. Tremendous amounts of time and money can be saved if one can predict the moldability and mechanical properties of a part at the design stage. In this work, we present a method where commercially available injection molding and structural analysis software may be coupled together with appropriate material property data to improve prediction of structural performance for parts molded from short glass fiber-filled plastics. In addition, we compare the experimental and predicted performance based on simple equations and complex finite element calculations. Two major conclusions may be drawn from this work. In general, the assumption of geometric nonlinearity must be made. Also, an orthotropic material model is generally more robust and accurate than an isotropic analysis. Polym. Compos. 25:343–354, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
The Uncoupled O-H or O-D Stretch in Water as an Internal Pressure Gauge for High-Pressure Infrared Spectroscopy of Aqueous Systems

High-pressure infrared spectra of aqueous model biomembranes have been studied extensively in this laboratory (Refs. 1–7 and unpublished work from this laboratory). Enhancement of the intermolecular interactions by high pressure has provided new knowledge concerning the structural and dynamical properties of model biomembranes and the interactions between biomembrane lipids and other biomolecules. In aqueous model biomembranes, the structural and dynamical properties are influenced only by the bound water and not by the excess free water. This is evident from the lack of change in the infrared spectra of these aqueous systems at the critical pressures of the formation of ice VI (∼ 12 kbar) and ice VII (∼ 21 kbar). Consequently, the pressure range in these studies has been extended to that above the critical pressure of the ice VI/ice VII transition.
Nonuniform Pricing with Unobservable Numbers of Purchases

Properties are derived for the profit-maximizing price schedule in a market where the firm can observe the size of any given purchase, but cannot directly observe the number of purchases made by any given consumer. In such a market, A consumer may make multiple purchases to minimize the amount paid for a given quantity of the good. It is shown that when purchase numbers are unobservable the schedule may entail quantity premia and may be strikingly different from the schedule that obtains when the numbers of purchases are observable. In particular, some individuals may consume more under the profit-maximizing outcome than under the first-best outcome.
Therapeutic Hypothermia in Children After Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundTherapeutic hypothermia (TH) has been shown to be effective in resuscitation of some adults following cardiac arrest and infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, but has not been well studied in children.ObjectivesThe purpose of this systematic review/meta-analysis was to examine mort
Magnetostatic forces on a chain of spherical beads in a nonuniform magnetic field

An analysis is presented for calculating the magnetic forces at various joints of a chain of spherical beads in a magnetic field. A potential energy approach has been used. The analysis shows that the chain is markedly weak at the first joint even though it has the maximum magnetic field. Contrary to intuition, the second joint is the strongest. Therefore, the beads in a long chain can be removed one by one up to a point. An attempt to remove additional beads will break the chain at the first joint. The strength of the second joint can be varied and made weaker than the first joint when the beads are separated by a thick coating of paramagnetic material. The calculations are supported qualitatively by a simple experiment.
Mechanism of baroreceptor adaptation in dogs : attenuation of adaptation by the K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine

1. Increased arterial pressure increases baroreceptor activity but activity declines (i.e. baroreceptors adapt) as the pressure is maintained at the higher level. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of a 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive K+ current in causing baroreceptor adaptation. 2. Multi- and single fibre recordings of baroreceptor activity were obtained from the vascularly isolated carotid sinus in anaesthetized dogs during step increases in carotid sinus pressure sustained for periods up to 5 min. 3. Baroreceptor activity increased with the rise in pressure, declined markedly over the first minute, and continued to decline at a slower rate during the remainder of the 5 min period of elevated pressure. Exposure of the isolated carotid sinus to 4-AP (10(-5) and 10(-4) M) attenuated adaptation in a dose-dependent and reversible manner (P < 0.05). 4-AP attenuated the gradual decline in single fibre activity and also prevented derecruitment or dropout of fibres that occurred over time. 4-AP did not alter peak nerve activity measured within the first 2 s of the pressure step. 4. Ouabain (5 x 10(-7)-10(-6) M), an inhibitor of Na+,K(+)-ATPase, increased baroreceptor activity but did not attenuate baroreceptor adaptation. 5. Neither 4-AP nor ouabain altered the distensibility of the carotid sinus as measured with sonomicrometer crystals suggesting that the agents act directly on the nerve endings. 6. The results suggest that activation of a 4-AP-sensitive K+ current contributes significantly to baroreceptor adaptation with little or no contribution of Na+,K(+)-ATPase.
The redistribution of a conserved nuclear envelope protein during the cell cycle suggests a pathway for chromosome condensation

Abstract We describe a human autoantiserum that recognizes specific determinants present both on the nuclear envelope of interphase cells and the periphery of metaphase chromosomes. These determinants are highly conserved through evolution and present on a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 33,000. This 33 kd protein, which we call "perichromin," appears to be directly or indirectly bound to both interphase and metaphase DNA. Studies of the transformation of perichromin from a nuclear envelope association to a perichromosomal position during prophase suggests a pathway for chromosome organization throughout the cell cycle.
Unique Signature of Dark Matter in Ancient Mica

Mica can store (for >1 Gy) etchable tracks caused by atoms recoiling from WIMPs. Because a background from fission neutrons will eventually limit this technique, a unique signature for WIMPs in ancient mica is needed. Our motion around the center of the Galaxy causes WIMPs, unlike neutrons, to enter the mica from a preferred direction on the sky. Mica is a directional detector and despite the complex rotations that natural mica crystals make with respect to this WIMP ``wind,'' there is a substantial dependence of etch pit density on present day mica orientation.
Changes in extracellular calcium and magnesium and synaptic transmission in isolated mouse spinal cord.

Hemisected mouse spinal cords were maintained in vitro and the concentrations of calcium [Ca2+] and of magnesium [Mg2+] in the bath were varied. In control solution containing 1.2 mM of both [Ca2+] and [Mg2+] stimulation of a dorsal root (DR) evoked in an adjacent DR an initial fiber volley representing ‘input’; a postsynaptic compound spike recorded by volume conduction from dorsal gray matter, the dorsal horn response (DHR); and a slow dorsal root potential (DRP). In the ventral root of the stimulated segment a monosynaptic reflex (VRR1) was evoked. The fiber volley was enhanced by lowering [Ca2+] or [Mg2+] and depressed when either ion concentration was raised. The DRP, DHR and VRR1 were enhanced in low [Mg2+] and in moderately elevated [Ca2+]. At 1.8 mM [Ca2+] and above, the ‘classical’ dorsal root reflex (DRR) and a GABA-dependent delayed VR reflex (VRR2) appeared. Transmission of reflexes was maximal between 2.4 and 3.6 mM [Ca2+], while DRP was maximal at about 4.8 mM. In elevated [Mg2+] and in low [Ca2+] all synaptically transmitted responses (DRR, DRP and VRR) were depressed. The influence of both [Ca2+] and [Mg2+] was stronger on DRP, DRR and VRR2 than on DHR and VRR1. The effects of simultaneous changes of [Ca2+] and [Mg2+] partially cancelled each other. We conclude that low to moderately elevated [Ca2+] mainly influences the release of transmitter from presynaptic terminals; at very high [Ca2+] the depression of neuronal excitability dominates. The effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on GABAergic transmission are especially marked.
Driver distance from the steering wheel: perception and objective measurement.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the accuracy of driver perceptions of the distance between the driver's nose and the steering wheel of the vehicle as a factor in considering driver disconnection of an airbag contained in the steering wheel for preventing injury to the driver in an accident. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1000 drivers was done to obtain perceived and objective measurements of the distance between the driver's nose and the steering wheel of the vehicle. RESULTS: Of 234 drivers who believed that they sat within 12 inches of the steering wheel, only 8 (3%) actually did so, whereas of 658 drivers who did not believe that they sat within 12 inches of the wheel, 14 (2%) did so. Shorter drivers were more likely than taller ones to both underestimate and overestimate their seating distance. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable misperception of drivers' distance from the wheel indicates that drivers should objectively measure this distance.
Markers of Pancreatic Cancer: Working Toward Early Detection

Because early detection of pancreatic cancer is the best way to cure this disease, investigators continue to try to identify accurate markers of early pancreatic cancer. Because early-stage pancreatic cancer is generally asymptomatic, the only reliable way to detect it is by targeting individuals at increased risk for pancreatic screening. Clin Cancer Res; 17(4); 635–7. ©2011 AACR .
The Curious Conversion Of Empire Blue Cross

The for-profit conversion of Empire Blue Cross in New York challenges the case law and conventional policy wisdom that financial assets from formerly nonprofit organizations should be used to endow independent charitable foundations. The appropriation of Empire's assets by state government itself, and their subsequent deployment to subsidize health care institutions and repay political obligations, changes the conversion process from one that pits nonprofits against for-profits to one that pits private, nonprofit organizations against public-sector programs in the competition for new financial resources.
Rereading Mircea Eliade's Youth Without Youth, a story of suspicion and camouflage

Abstract The article argues that Mircea Eliade's 1976 novella Youth Without Youth (which has been recently turned into a film by Francis Ford Coppola) offers an intriguing literary illustration of the concept of ‘camouflage’ so prominent in Eliade's scholarly writings. Youth Without Youth, revolving around the paradoxes of aging and of (biological) time, develops as a fantastic reverie, a mysterious gnostic parable under the appearances of a work of science fiction, and ultimately becomes a sort of rebus, made up of a large number of suggested enigmas within enigmas. It is, at the same time, an opportunity for the author to revisit phantasmatically a dramatic period of his life – the year 1938. Historical reality becomes fantastic, charged with symbols and riddles. The Eliadean dialectic between the sacred and the profane is interestingly doubled in this story by a dialectic between spying and hiding, surveillance and escape, suspicion and camouflage.
Nickel accumulation in leaves, floral organs and rewards varies by serpentine soil affinity.

Serpentinesoilsareedaphicallystressful environmentsthathostmanyendemicplantspecies. Inparticu- lar, serpentine soils are high in several heavy metals (e.g. nickel, cobalt and chromium) and these high heavy metal concentrationsarethought, inpart,toleadtovaryinglevelsofplant adaptation andsoil affinities (i.e. endemic vs. non- endemic plant species). It is unclear, however, whether serpentine endemics vs. non-endemics differ with respect to heavy metal uptake into either vegetative or reproductive organs. Here, we use nickel as a model to determine whether plant heavy metal uptake varies with the level of endemism in several non-hyperaccumulating species. Under controlled greenhouse conditions, we grew seven plant species from the Brassicaceae family that vary in their degrees of affinity to serpentine soil from low (indifferent) to medium (indicator) and high (endemic) in soil that was nickel supplemented or not. We quantified nickel concentrations in leaves, pistils, anthers, pollen and nectar. While nickel concentrations did not vary across organs or affinities when grown in control soils, under conditions of nickel supplementation endemic species had the lowest tissue concentrations of nickel, particularly when considering leaves and pistils, compared with indifferent/indicator species. Species indifferent to serpentines incorporated higher concentrations of nickel into reproductive organs relative to leaves, but this was not the case for indicator species and endemics where nickel concentration was similar in these organs. Our findings suggest that endemic species possess the ability to limit nickel uptake into above-ground tissues, particularly in reproductive organs where it may interfere with survival and reproduction. Indifferent species accumulated significantly more nickel into reproductive organs compared with leaves, which may limit their reproductive potential relative to endemic species when growing on serpentine soils. Additional work determining the fitness consequences of these differences will further our under- standing of edaphic endemism.
Acoustoelectric effect tudy for SAW sensors

Research has recently begun on the use of ultra thin films and nanoclusters as mechanisms for sensing of gases, liquids, etc., since the basic material parameters may change due to film morphology. As films of various materials are applied to the surface of SAW devices for sensors, the conductivity of the films may have a strong acoustoelectric effect, whether desired or not. The purpose of this paper is to reexamine the theory and predictions of the acoustoelectric effect for SAW interactions with thin conducting or semi-conducting films. The paper will summarize the theory, and predict the effects of thin film conductivity on SAW velocity and propagation loss versus frequency and substrate material. The theory predicts regions of conductivity which result in extremely high propagation loss, which also correspond to the mid-point between the open and short circuit velocities. As an example of the verification and possible usefulness of the acoustoelectric effect, recent experimental results of palladium (Pd) thin films on an YZ LiNbO 3 SAW delay line have shown large changes in propagation loss, depending on the Pd film thickness, and/or exposure to hydrogen gas. By proper design, a sensitive hydrogen leak detector SAW sensor can be designed.
STFL: a spatio temporal filtering language with applications in assisted living

In this paper we introduce the Spatio Temporal Filtering Language (STFL), which is a language framework that aims to provide the primitives for easily defining rules and sequences of rules and constraints. These sequences of rules can be used to convert low-level streams of sensor data into higher-level semantics and provide triggers for actuation. Among others STFL provides support for heterogeneous types of sensors, composability and code reusability. Special emphasis is given on the support of different categories of users by providing different types of interfaces spanning from a natural-like language aiming at end-users to a regular scripting language aiming at system developers. The expressiveness and power of STFL is presented through an assisted living scenario.
Linear programming based routing design for a class of positive systems with piecewise constant capacity constraints

We present a technique to design routing parameters for positive compartmental conservative systems with capacity constraints. Such systems describe the flow of material through a network of interconnected reservoirs and have become popular, in particular, as models of air traffic flows. The technique presented here is a Linear Programming based method to design time varying routing parameters to satisfy piecewise constant capacity constraints. Under these routing parameters, the resulting system is positive, conservative and exhibits the desired interconnection.
Giemsa Staining of Autoradiograms Prepared with Stripping Film

A method is described in which sections or smears of animal tissue are covered with stripping film, exposed and developed for autoradiograms, and stained with modified Giemsa through the film. Results are consistently satisfactory.
Disturbance rejection and robustness for LTV Systems

In this paper, we consider the optimal disturbance rejection problem for (possibly infinite dimensional) linear time-varying (LTV) systems using a framework based on operator algebras of classes of bounded linear operators. In particular, after reducing the problem to a shortest distance minimization in a space of bounded linear operators, duality theory is applied to show existence of optimal solutions, which satisfy a "time-varying" allpass or flatness condition. With the use of the theory of M-ideals of operators, it is shown that the computation of time-varying (TV) controllers reduces to a search over compact TV Youla parameters. This involves the norm of a TV compact Hankel operator and its maximal vectors. Moreover, an operator identity to compute the optimal TV Youla parameter is also derived. The results are generalized to the mixed sensitivity problem for TV systems as well, where it is shown that the optimum is equal to the operator induced of a TV mixed Hankel-Toeplitz operator generalizing analogous results known to hold in the LTI case. Finally, a numerical algorithm to compute optimal TV controllers is proposed.
Tidal fluxes of nutrients and suspended sediments at the North Inlet–Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Beginning June of 1993 suites of 13 water samples have been collected at Oyster Landing, North Inlet (SC), every 20 days covering two consecutive tidal cycles at 2.07 h intervals. In order to ascertain whether this large (and still growing) water chemistry data set can be used to determine tidal fluxes of nutrients and sediments, we coupled measured concentrations to estimates of instantaneous tidal discharge based on a basin water storage curve and hindcast tides. The mean advective fluxes of all constituents, including salt, showed statistically significant exports. This result, however, is largely due to an ebb bias in the sampling protocol, which resulted in 52% of the samples being collected on ebb tide versus a theoretical percentage of 48%. When this bias was corrected by reducing the mean discharge (� 610 l s � 1 ) to a value (� 125 l s � 1 ) that produced a balance between the mean advective and dispersive salt fluxes, the advective fluxes of the other constituents were reduced to values that are not significantly different from zero. In addition to a statistically significant dispersive influx of salt, significant dispersive exports were found for DON, NH4, DOP, PO4 and DOC. All particulate constituents (PN, PP, ISS and OSS) yielded dispersive fluxes that were not significantly different from zero. Annual material budgets for the Oyster Landing basin based on the dispersive fluxes of all constituents (except salt) are generally similar in magnitude and direction to those measured by [Dame, R.F., Spurrier, J.D., Williams, T.M., Kjerfve, B., Zingmark, R.G., Wolaver, T.G., Chrzanowski, T.H., McKeller, H.N., Vernberg, F.J., 1991. Annual material processing by a salt marsh-estuarine basin in South Carolina, USA. Marine Ecology Progress Series 72, 153e166.] in the nearby and ecologically similar Bly Creek basin, indicating that the dispersive fluxes determined in this study are realistic. We offer suggestions for improving the reliability and usefulness of future Oyster Landing water quality data. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of Remote Sensing Technologies for Collecting Roadside Feature Data to Support Highway Safety Manual Implementation

Roadside feature data are critical inputs to highway safety models as described in the Highway Safety Manual (HSM). Collecting safety-related roadside feature data is an important step for HSM implementation. Many states’ department of transportations (DOTs) routinely collect data on roadside objects using a variety of sensing methods, which often incur in significant costs. At present, it is unknown which of these data collection methods or any combination of them is capable of efficiently collecting safety-related roadside feature data while minimizing costs and safety concerns. This research is designed to identify required roadside feature data for various types of facilities in the HSM and to characterize the capabilities of existing remote sensing methods (e.g., Mobile LiDAR) to collect those required data. To accomplish this objective, tasks such as literature reviews, a nation-wide survey, and large-scale field trial are performed in this research. The findings of this research suggest that either...
A New Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology

The Division of Ecoimmunology and Disease Ecology (hereafter, DEDE) was founded in January 2014, and its bylaws approved in May of that year, to encourage the growth of research addressing the mechanistic aspects of host-parasite interactions. The purpose of DEDE is to facilitate communication, research, and data-sharing among scientists and promote mentoring and training of students and early career investigators, excellence of research, and the fundamentals of societal business. Here, we review briefly the history of the field, and the history of the discipline with SICB.
Financial Intermediation and Macroeconomic Analysis

a macroeconomic framework in which fi nancial intermediation matters for the allocation of resources. allocation of resources. In this paper, I fi rst discuss why neither standard macroeconomic models that In this paper, I fi rst discuss why neither standard macroeconomic models that abstract from fi nancial intermediation nor traditional models of the "bank lending abstract from fi nancial intermediation nor traditional models of the "bank lending channel" are adequate as a basis for understanding the recent crisis. I argue that channel" are adequate as a basis for understanding the recent crisis. I argue that instead we need models in which intermediation plays a crucial role, but in which instead we need models in which intermediation plays a crucial role, but in which intermediation is modeled in a way that better conforms to current institutional intermediation is modeled in a way that better conforms to current institutional realities. In particular, we need models that recognize that a market-based fi nan- realities. In particular, we need models that recognize that a market-based fi nan- cial system—one in which intermediaries fund themselves by selling securities in cial system—one in which intermediaries fund themselves by selling securities in competitive markets, rather than collecting deposits subject to reserve require- competitive markets, rather than collecting deposits subject to reserve require- ments—is not the same as a frictionless system. ments—is not the same as a frictionless system. I then sketch the basic elements of an approach that allows fi nancial inter- I then sketch the basic elements of an approach that allows fi nancial inter- mediation and credit frictions to be integrated into macroeconomic analysis in a mediation and credit frictions to be integrated into macroeconomic analysis in a straightforward way. I show how the model can be used to analyze the macroeco- straightforward way. I show how the model can be used to analyze the macroeco- nomic consequences of the recent fi nancial crisis and conclude with a discussion of nomic consequences of the recent fi nancial crisis and conclude with a discussion of some implications of the model for the conduct of monetary policy. some implications of the model for the conduct of monetary policy.
Short-Term Vitamin A Supplementation Does Not Affect Bone Turnover in Men

Limited data in humans and animals indicate that excess vitamin A stimulates bone resorption and inhibits bone formation, effects that over time might lead to bone loss and fracture. Thus, it is possible that vitamin A supplementation is a currently unrecognized risk factor for the development of osteoporosis. To further evaluate this possibility, a prospective, randomized, single-blind study of vitamin A supplementation was conducted in 80 healthy men age 18-58 y. One half received 7576 microg (25,000 IU) of retinol palmitate daily with their evening meal; the others took a placebo. Blood was collected from fasting subjects and serum prepared at baseline and after 2, 4 and 6 wk of supplementation. Serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) and N-Telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTx) were measured at all time points. Serum osteocalcin (Oc) was measured at baseline and after 6 wk of supplementation. BSAP, NTx and Oc did not differ between the supplemented and placebo-treated groups over the course of the study. In conclusion, short-term vitamin A supplementation at this dosage in healthy men does not alter serum markers of skeletal turnover. Thus, it is unlikely that short-term administration of vitamin A would contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Whether long-term vitamin A supplementation might have adverse skeletal effects remains to be determined.
Parent conversations about healthful eating and weight associations with adolescent disordered eating behaviors

Importance The prevalence of weight-related problems in adolescents is high. Parents of adolescents may wonder whether talking about eating habits and weight is useful or detrimental. Objective To examine the associations between parent conversations about healthful eating and weight and adolescent disordered eating behaviors. Design Cross-sectional analysis using data from 2 linked multilevel population-based studies. Setting Anthropometric assessments and surveys completed at school by adolescents and surveys completed at home by parents in 2009-2010. Participants Socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse sample (81% ethnic minority; 60% low income) of adolescents from Eating and Activity in Teens 2010 (EAT 2010) (n = 2793; mean age, 14.4 years) and parents from Project Families and Eating and Activity in Teens (Project F-EAT) (n = 3709; mean age, 42.3 years). EXPOSURE Parent conversations about healthful eating and weight/size. Main outcomes and measures Adolescent dieting, unhealthy weight-control behaviors, and binge eating. Results Mothers and fathers who engaged in weight-related conversations had adolescents who were more likely to diet, use unhealthy weight-control behaviors, and engage in binge eating. Overweight or obese adolescents whose mothers engaged in conversations that were focused only on healthful eating behaviors were less likely to diet and use unhealthy weight-control behaviors. Additionally, subanalyses with adolescents with data from 2 parents showed that when both parents engaged in healthful eating conversations, their overweight or obese adolescent children were less likely to diet and use unhealthy weight-control behaviors. Conclusions and relevance Parent conversations focused on weight/size are associated with increased risk for adolescent disordered eating behaviors, whereas conversations focused on healthful eating are protective against disordered eating behaviors.
Behavior of ultrawideband-radar array antennas

This paper discusses general issues concerning ultrawideband (UWB) arrays and specifically analyzes time-delay scanning linear arrays of thin dipoles that are excited by a single-cycle sine, when the effects of mutual coupling are neglected. In particular, when the array consists of eleven equally spaced and equally weighted dipoles, the time-domain radiated far field for broadside scan and the energy-density pattern for several scan angles are determined as a function of the observation angle. Also, the beamwidth is defined in terms of the energy-density pattern and is calculated versus different scan angles for selected inter-element spacings.
Optical Crystallographic Properties of Organic Compounds. I. Barbituric Acid Derivatives

The following optical and crystallographic data for several barbituric acid derivatives have been determined: the principal indices of refraction, alpha, beta, and gamma; birefringence; the optic sign; type and extent of dispersion; elongation; habit; crystal system; extinction; and the relationship, of the ellipsoidal axes to the crystallographic axes, when possible. The size of the optic axial angle, 2 V , has been calculated from the indices of refraction. The optical orientation commonly observed is noted when constant. The optical crystallographic properties of the several barbituric acid derivatives are useful physical constants for purposes of identification.
Reproductive Success of Cavity-nesting Birds Breeding under High-voltage Powerlines

Abstract Recently, possible biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by high-voltage transmission lines have come under intense scrutiny, mostly with respect to human health. Because little has been done to assess possible effects of EMFs on the biology of free-ranging animals living within such fields, this study monitored the breeding biology of birds using nest boxes placed under transmission lines and in reference areas. Tree swallows (Iridoprocne bicolor) had significantly lower reproductive success (number fledged/clutch size) under the powerlines than in the reference sites. No such effect was apparent for house wrens (Troglodytes aedon). These results suggest that habitats under high-voltage lines may be suboptimal for tree swallows.
Koo Nimo: a contemporary Ghanaian musician

Daniel Kwabena Amponsah, known professionally as Koo Nimo, was born on October 3, 1934 in Ofoase, a village near Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti Region of modem Ghana. His mother, Akua Forkuo, was a farmer, cloth trader, homemaker, and a chorister at the local Methodist church. His father, Kwame Amponsah, was a farmer, tailor, mason, and musical amateur who played the trumpet in the Ofoase brass band.
Development of a standing wave apparatus for calibrating acoustic vector sensors and hydrophones

An apparatus was developed to calibrate acoustic hydrophones and vector sensors between 25 and 2000 Hz. A standing wave field is established inside a vertically oriented, water-filled, elastic-walled waveguide by a piston velocity source at the bottom and a pressure-release boundary condition at the air/water interface. A computer-controlled linear positioning system allows a device under test to be precisely located in the water column while the acoustic response is measured. Some of the challenges of calibrating hydrophones and vector sensors in such an apparatus are discussed, including designing the waveguide to mitigate dispersion, understanding the impact of waveguide structural resonances on the acoustic field, and developing algorithms to post-process calibration measurement data performed in a standing wave field. Data from waveguide characterization experiments and calibration measurements are presented and calibration uncertainty is reported.
The Continuing Challenge of Engineering Education

A review is given of existing academic programs for today's engineering students. There is a recent decline in engineering enrollments, in particular a decline in the percentage of freshman enrolling in engineering. There is a vanishing distinction between the various departments of engineering. For example, aeronautical engineering is increasing its emphasis to problems concerning transportation and large-scale systems design. The flexibility of most engineering curricula must be increased. A public relations effort is required on behalf of both engineering education and the engineering profession. Central to the solution of most of the problems in engineering education is faculty selection.
Unsteady Simulation of One Dimensional Heat Transfer in Porous Media with a Temperature Jump Condition

The one-dimensional unsteady conduction in a solid with an air gap on the order of 100 microns is simulated using a 1-dimensional conduction solver. A temperature jump boundary condition is implemented. These results show that the change in Knudsen number as the density of the air gap changes will have a large impact on the unsteady heat transfer within the material. This magnitude of this effect depends on the frequency of the unsteady temperature disturbance.
Renal Tubular Secretion and Biosynthesis of Organic Acids

SummaryWith the in vitro kidney slice technique, the in vivo steady state and stopflow technique, we have studied the sites and the interrelationship of tubular secretion and biosynthesis of organic acids and found that both occur in the cortex, in the same proximal segment and probably in the same cells. Addition of transported substance, such as PAH or Diodrast, in the medium does not alter the rate of biosynthesis. Simultaneous administration of aminobenzoic acid does not augment, but exhibits either no effect or a slight decrease of tubular transport maximum of the aminohippurate. However, administration of Diodrast would markedly depress the urinary excretion of aminohippurate either by administration or by biosynthesis. Our results indicate that the second step of the transport process, from cell to lumen, is carrier-mediated, and that this carrier can be saturated at a Tm level.
Marinization of the General Electric LM 1500 Gas Turbine

After presenting some of the attractive features and characteristics of the aircraft gas turbine for selected marine propulsion applications, this paper looks at those features of such engines that need improvement in order that they may become true marine power plants. Both cold and hot-corrosion problems are created by the marine atmosphere and the change from aircraft-type fuels to higher-sulfur-content marine fuels. Phases of a development program to produce the required features in the General Electric LM 1500 gas-turbine power plant are discussed.Copyright © 1965 by ASME
Allocation of Flexible Tooling for Optimal Stochastic Multistation Manufacturing Process Quality Control

Stream of Variance (SoV) modeling of multi-station manufacturing process has been studied for the past 15 years and was used for identification of root causes of manufacturing errors, characterization and optimal allocation of measurements in multi-station manufacturing processes, process-oriented tolerance allocation, and most recently, for optimal in-process adaptations of programmable, flexible tooling (flexible fixtures, CNC machines) for autonomous minimization of errors in dimensional product quality. However, due to the high cost of flexible tooling, it is plausible to strategically position such devices across a manufacturing system in a way that one’s ability to mitigate quality problems is maximized. In this paper, a distributed stochastic feed-forward control method is devised which gives the optimal (in least square sense) reduction of the variance-covariance matrix of errors in dimensional workpiece quality in a multi-station manufacturing process with a limited number of flexible tooling components. Genetic Algorithm is proposed to enable optimal allocation of flexible tooling devices. Theoretical results have been evaluated and demonstrated using the SoV model of a real industrial process.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Electronic Properties of Transparent Conductive Films of PEDOT:PSS on Stretchable Substrates

Despite the ubiquity of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as a transparent conducting electrode in flexible organic electronic devices, its potential as a stretchable conductor has not been fully explored. This paper describes the electronic and morphological characteristics of PEDOT:PSS on stretchable poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrates. The evolution of resistance with strain depends dramatically on the methods used to coat the hydrophobic surface of PDMS with PEDOT:PSS, which is cast from an aqueous suspension. Treatment of the PDMS with an oxygen plasma produces a brittle skin that causes the PEDOT:PSS film to fracture and an increase in resistivity by four orders of magnitude at only 10% strain. In contrast, a mild treatment of the PDMS surface with ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) and the addition of 1% Zonyl fluorosurfactant to the PEDOT:PSS solution produces a mechanically resilient film whose resistance increases by a factor of only two at 50% strain and retains si...
Modification of lethality of endotoxin in mice by zymosan.

SummaryPre-treatment of mice with different preparations of zymosan modified the lethal effect of a subsequent endotoxin challenge, ranging from increased resistance to increased susceptibility, despite equivalent RES stimulation. Source and degree of heating in preparation for injection were determinants. Greater relative sensitivity to i.v. than to i.p. challenge was found regardless of the zymosan used. Protection was not attributable to endotoxin contamination or to stimulation of serum antibody titer to the challenge. Zymosan produced a monophasic fever in the rabbit, differing from the biphasic endotoxin fever, and did not elicit an acute leucopenia.
An Example of Computer Application in the Clinical Laboratory

This article describes a microprocessor-based data formatter which is being used to interface a differential blood cell analyzer to a central laboratory computer system. Automation of the transfer of test results from the cell analyzer to the computer results in a labor savings of three and one-half worker-days per week.
Security Analysis of Application with Office Automation System

Office automation system is a basic platform for enterprise modern office. Aiming at the security requirements, form the aspects of identity authentication, access control, database backup and recovery, this paper expounds the security mechanism for office automation system, with an emphasis on introducing the application of role-based access control in the office automation system.
Multidisciplinary Design Optimization for Complex Product Review

It is very important to implement multidisciplinary design optimization(MDO)method in the complex product design process because there is the problem which the whole optimization design of the complex product can't be executed for the numerous disciplinary kinds and it's high coupling.The state of the art and the concept of MDO are expatiated on,and then a summarizat ion for the knowledge structure of MDO is shown with the theory including mathematic modeling,system decomposition,optimization framework,approximation model,sensitivity analysis,optimization method and the applications including software integration,data transformation,design data management,visualization,project management,parallel computation.The relation between the theoretical methods and the application technologies is indicated.Some future works are pointed out to be practiced in China including theoretical innovation,integration platform design,and MDO methodology spread.
Successful human kidney preservation by intracellular electrolyte flush followed by cold storage for more than 48 hours

AbstractTransplantation of cadaver kidneys after flushing with an ice-cold intracellular electrolyte solution is inhibited by arbitrary time limits on cold ischemia. During the 25-month interval ending March 22, 1982 we transplanted 7 kidneys preserved by this method and cold-stored for 48.2 to 61.4 hours. Of the recipients 86 per cent required dialysis within 1 week after transplantation, the mean serum creatinine nadir within 1 month was 2.1mg./dl. and the graft survival at 1 month was 71 per cent. The 1-year actuarial cadaver graft survival was 69.2 plus or minus 18.1 per cent. Kidneys preserved by this simple method can be transplanted successfully after 48 hours of simple cold storage.
Non parametric Bayesian analysis of the two-sample problem with censoring

AbstractTesting for differences between 2 groups is a fundamental problem in statistics and due to developments in Bayesian nonparametrics and semiparametrics there has been renewed interest in approaches to this problem. Here we describe a new approach to developing such tests and introduce a class of such tests that takes advantage of developments in Bayesian nonparametric computing. This class of tests use the connection between the Dirichlet process prior and the Wilcoxon rank sum test bucht extends this idea to the Dirichlet process mixture prior. Here tests are developed that have appropriate frequentist sampling procedures for large samples but have the potential to outperform the usual frequentist tests. Extensions to interval and right censoring are considered and an application to a high dimensional data set obtained from a RNA-Seq investigation demonstrates the practical utility of the method.