cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Type 1 Diabetes and Body Weight Status on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescent Children

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, it is unclear whether increased body weight amplifies that risk in T1D patients. This is a cross-sectional study examining the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in normal and overweight children, both with and without T1D. Sixty-six children (aged 16±2.2 years) were included in one of the following groups: (T1D and normal weight, T1D and overweight, healthy and normal weight, and healthy and overweight). A fasting blood sample was analyzed for lipid profile (triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), apolipoprotein B (apoB), and apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) levels. Body composition was determined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and vascular elasticity by HDI/Pulsewave CR-2000 (Hypertension Diagnostics, Eagan, MN). Statistical analyses examined the effect of T1D and body weight status and their interactions on cardiovascular risk parameters. In this study, the authors were unable to demonstrate an additive effect of body weight status and T1D on cardiovascular risk profile. However, subgroup analysis of patients with T1D revealed higher apoC-III levels in overweight patients with T1D (P=.0453) compared with normal-weight diabetic children. Most notably, there was a direct relationship of small artery elasticity to body weight status. This seemingly paradoxical observation supports recent data and warrants further investigation. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:351–356. ©2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of Diaphanous Formin Signaling In Vivo Impairs Cardiovascular Development and Alters Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype

Objective— We and others have previously shown that RhoA-dependent stimulation of myocardin-related transcription factor nuclear localization promotes smooth muscle cell (SMC) marker gene expression. The goal of this study was to provide direct in vivo evidence that actin polymerization by the diaphanous-related formins contributes to the regulation of SMC differentiation and phenotype. Approach and Results— Conditional Cre-based genetic approaches were used to overexpress a well-characterized dominant-negative variant of mDia1 (DNmDia) in SMC. DNmDia expression in SM22-expressing cells resulted in embryonic and perinatal lethality in ≈20% of mice because of defects in myocardial development and SMC investment of peripheral vessels. Although most DNmDia + /SM22Cre + mice exhibited no overt phenotype, the re-expression of SMC differentiation marker gene expression that occurs after carotid artery ligation was delayed, and this effect was accompanied by a significant decrease in myocardin-related transcription factor-A nuclear localization. Interestingly, neointima growth was inhibited by expression of DNmDia in SMC and this was likely because of a defect in directional SMC migration and not to defects in SMC proliferation or survival. Finally, by using the tamoxifen-inducible SM MHC-CreER T2 line, we showed that SMC-specific induction of DNmDia in adult mice decreased SMC marker gene expression. Conclusions— Our demonstration that diaphanous-related formin signaling plays a role in heart and vascular development and the maintenance of SMC phenotype provides important new evidence that Rho/actin/myocardin-related transcription factor signaling plays a critical role in cardiovascular function.
Low Frequency of Mouse t Haplotypes in Wild Populations Is Not Explained by Modifiers of Meiotic Drive

t haplotypes are naturally occurring forms of mouse chromosome 17 that show non-Mendelian transmission from heterozygous +/t males. In laboratory studies, transmission ratios of >=0.90 or higher are typically observed. With transmission ratios of this level, theoretical analyses predict high frequencies of t haplotypes (~ 75%) in wild populations. In contrast, empirical frequencies of only 15-25% are typically found. This has led to the suggestion that modifiers of drive may play a role in reducing t frequencies. We have measured transmission ratio distortion (TRD) levels in wild +/t mice to examine this hypothesis. TRD was very high in both litters collected from wild-caught pregnant females, and in wild litters bred in the laboratory (mean = 0.9). Contrary to the results of other studies, we found no difference in TRD levels between semilethal and lethal t haplotypes nor between litters conceived from cycling or postpartum estrus. We found three litters with aberrantly low TRDs that were all multiply sired, although the role this might play in natural populations is unknown. These findings show a general absence of modifiers of drive in natural populations and suggest that other factors are responsible for the low observed frequencies of wild t haplotypes.
Effects of cholesterol loading of mouse macrophages on carnitine palmitoyltransferase activity and sensitivity to inhibition by malonyl-CoA

Scavenger receptor-mediated uptake of acetylated low density lipoprotein-derived cholesterol by peritoneal mouse macrophages resulted in decreased activity of the malonyl-CoA inhibitable carnitine palmitoyltransferase and a decrease in the sensitivity of this enzyme to inhibition by malonyl-CoA.
A Model for Teaching Structures: Finite Element Analysis in Architectural Education

A six-year experiment using an unconventional teaching approach and advanced structural engineering software to teach structures to architecture students has been conducted at the University of California, Berkeley, and has resulted in the formulation of a comprehensive model for teaching structures. This model may help solve the general problem of effectively teaching and integrating structures within an architecture curriculum. This article discusses conventional teaching approaches and their shortcomings, outlines the new model by presenting twelve foundational tenets, briefly describes finite element analysis, and argues for the appropriateness of using finite element analysis as a tool for learning. The article then examines the detailed implementation of the model in a single course, and it concludes by describing a prototype curriculum that has grown from the teaching model and its underlying philosophies.
Total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol decrease with age in older men and women. The Rancho Bernardo Study 1984-1994.

Background The purpose of the present study was to study the effects of age, weight change, and covariates on lipid and lipoprotein levels cross-sectionally and prospectively in an elderly population. Methods and Results A community-based sample of 1041 men and 1303 women aged 50 to 93 years was studied cross-sectionally in 1984 to 1987, with follow-up of 372 men and 545 women 8 years later. In the cross-sectional study, levels of total cholesterol (TC) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased and levels of HDL cholesterol (HDLC) increased with age in men (all P 2.5-kg loss, change within 2.5 kg, and >2.5-kg gain) and in all waist girth change groups, for an overall decrement of ≈1% per year. In multiple linear regression models, change in weight was the most important independent and consistent p...
Pancreas and islet cell transplantation.

Currently, for the patient with type 1 diabetes, a definitive treatment without resorting to the use of exogenous insulin can be achieved only with pancreas or islet cell transplantation. These means of restoring β-cell mass can completely maintain essentially normal long-term glucose homeostasis, although the need for powerful immunosuppressive regimens limits their application to only a subgroup of adult patients. Apart from the shortage of donors that has limited all kinds of transplantation, however, the widespread use of β-cell replacement has been precluded until recently by the drawbacks associated with both organ and islet cell transplantation. Although the study of recurrence of diabetes has generated attention, the fundamental obstacle to pancreas and islet transplantation has been, and remains, the alloimmune response. With a better elucidation of the mechanisms of alloengraftment achieved during the last 3 years, the stage has been set for further advances.
On the chaotic response of a nonlinear rolling isolation system

Abstract Isolation systems protect fragile objects from potentially-damaging shocks and shakes by mechanically decoupling motions of the object from motions of the surrounding environment. Shock and vibration isolation systems have been applied to systems ranging from the micron scale to the scale of entire buildings. Many isolation systems operate within a linear range, while others have strong nonlinearities. The focus of this paper is on the chaotic response of a rolling-pendulum vibration isolation system. An experimentally-calibrated model is reduced to a single-degree-of-freedom nonlinear system. The nonlinearities involve softening behavior at intermediate responses and stiff impacts at large amplitudes. This model is investigated numerically to explore and establish the influence of harmonic forcing parameters on the chaotic nature of responses. Rich chaotic behavior is exhibited in the case where the response includes impacts.
Application of superconducting technologies as chemical/biological agent electronic eyes

High temperature superconductors provide enhanced sensitivity capabilities as chemical/biological agent detectors. State-of-the-art advances in ruggedizing superconducting platforms make them much more robust for field applications. In addition, microminiaturization and advances in refrigeration have enabled the systems engineering of portable, durable, survivable, low power requirement devices. This presentation describes a prototype system employing YBCO (yttrium barium copper oxide) superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDS) with specific biolayer detection dye coatings. These devices may be deployed as specific stand-off detectors, or potentially reconfigured as point sensors. A library of pattern recognition algorithms provides the reference template for the system. The human-system interface will provide a 'yes/no' agent confirmation for the environment being queried, and associated confidence value. This prototype detection system has great potential for deployment in support of hostage rescue/rapid response teams, DMAT, and urban search and rescue. The preparation and characterization of a new generation of optical sensors fabricated from high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) thin films is reported herein. These new hybrid devices are fashioned using HTSC thin films which are coated with organic dye overlayers. These systems are shown to respond selectively to those wavelengths which are absorbed strongly by the molecular dye. Methods for fabricating the superconductor element and depositing the dye layer are discussed. Moreover, resistivity versus temperature measurements before and after dye deposition are utilized to characterize these hybrid structures. The unique optical response properties of these hybrid sensors are also detailed.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Exclusive vector meson production in relativistic heavy ion collisions

Exclusive vector meson production reactions such as Au+Au$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Au}+\mathrm{Au}+\mathrm{V},$ where $V=\ensuremath{\rho}, \ensuremath{\omega}, \ensuremath{\varphi}$, or $J/\ensuremath{\psi},$ can proceed through photon-Pomeron and photon-meson interactions. Photons from the electromagnetic field of one nucleus interact coherently with the other nucleus. Photonuclear cross sections are scaled from $\ensuremath{\gamma}p$ data and convoluted with the photon spectrum to find the exclusive rates. The cross sections at the RHIC and LHC heavy ion colliders are huge, 10% of the total hadronic cross section at RHIC and 50% at LHC. These accelerators may be useful as vector meson factories. With iodine beams at RHIC, 640 $\ensuremath{\rho}$ are produced each second ${(10}^{10}/\mathrm{yr});$ with calcium at the LHC the rate is 240 kHz. The $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ rates are 39 Hz at RHIC and 15 kHz at LHC, while the $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ rate is 0.3 Hz at RHIC and 780 Hz at the LHC. Because of the coherent couplings, the reactions kinematics are similar to coherent two-photon interactions; we discuss the interplay between the two reactions.
Superselective arterial embolization for the treatment of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility, efficacy of hemostasis, recurrent bleeding, and ischemia resulting from superselective embolization of acute lower gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two superselective mesenteric artery catheterization procedures were undertaken in 48 patients with angiographic evidence of lower GI bleeding. Embolization was performed only if the arterial recta leading to the bleed could be successfully catheterized (n 39). The lesions treated were located in the colon (n 33) and jejunum (n 6). In 28 of 39 procedures, embolization was achieved by delivering polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles (150 –500 m) through a microcatheter. Microcoils were used as the sole embolic agent in four procedures and a combination of microcoils and PVA particles were used in another four. Gelfoam particles were used in three of our earliest procedures. Of the 35 patients who underwent embolization, 25 were evaluated for objective evidence of ischemia by endoscopy (n 16) and/or histologic evaluation of the surgical specimen (n 9); the remaining 10 patients were followed clinically. RESULTS: Embolization was successful in 39 procedures involving 35 patients. Immediate hemostasis was achieved after embolization in all but two patients. Recurrent bleeding occurred in 12 other patients, eight patients underwent surgery, three were managed medically, and one underwent successful repeat embolization. Of the 25 patients evaluated for ischemia, mucosal ischemia was demonstrated in six (24%), but they remained asymptomatic and developed no sequelae as a result of ischemic changes on long-term follow-up. There was no incidence of clinically significant intestinal ischemia. Embolization alone was the definitive treatment in 44% patients (21 of 48). Reasons for unsuccessful superselective catheterization (27%) were small vessel spasm, cessation of bleeding, and vessel tortuosity. CONCLUSION: Superselective embolization is a feasible, safe, and effective technique for treating acute lower GI hemorrhage.
Familial laryngeal paralysis.

Vocal fold paralysis (VFP) is the second most frequent cause of congenital stridor. Although often due to birth trauma, infection, and brainstem abnormalities, most cases are idiopathic. Infrequently, a family history of VFP is elicited, identifying a role for genetic factors in laryngeal function. This study describes a family in which an autosomal dominant form of familial laryngeal abductor paralysis segregates. The typical physical findings, diagnostic and therpeutic considerations, and possible molecular mechanisms of this disorder are discussed in detail. Am. J. Med. Genet. 77:277–280, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Bilateral multifocal hemangiomas of the orbit in the blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome.

Abstract Purpose To report the clinical findings and surgical treatment of multifocal, bilateral orbital hemangiomas in a patient with the blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome, a rare vascular disorder characterized by distinctive cutaneous and visceral hemangiomas. Design Interventional case report. Methods Review of clinical findings, radiologic studies, and treatment of the patient. Results A 36-year-old female with multifocal, bilateral orbital lesions was seen with severe proptosis and decreased visual acuity of the left eye. Surgical debulking of multiple cavernous hemangiomas of the orbit resulted in decreased proptosis and an improvement in visual acuity. Subsequent histopathologic analysis and the results of a systemic workup revealing multiple, distinctive, cutaneous and visceral lesions were found to be consistent with the blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome. Conclusions Although hemangiomas of the orbit are relatively common occurrences, multifocal, bilateral lesions may exist in the setting of underlying systemic hemangiomatosis. Bilateral or multifocal hemangiomas associated with cutaneous or visceral lesions should alert the clinician to the possibility of a number of syndromes that may have life-threatening consequences.
Temporal and spatial trends of atmospheric polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations near the Great Lakes.

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were measured in the atmosphere at six regionally representative sites near the five Great Lakes from 1990 to 2003 as part of the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN). Concentration data for several individual PCB congeners and for total PCBs were analyzed for temporal and spatial trends after correcting for the temperature dependency of the partial pressures. Atmospheric PCB concentrations are decreasing relatively slowly for tetra- and pentachlorinated congeners, an observation that is in agreement with primary emissions modeling. Relatively rapid decreases in PCB concentrations at the sites near Lakes Michigan and Ontario may reflect successful reduction efforts in Chicago and Toronto, respectively. Atmospheric PCB concentrations near Lakes Superior and Huron are now so low that the air and water concentrations may be close to equilibrium. Atmospheric PCB concentrations at sites near Lakes Michigan, Erie, and Ontario are relatively higher than t...
An Improved Method Of Multi-Wavelenth Pyrometry

It is demonstrated that the temperature of a thermal radiator can be determined by curve fitting techniques using multiple spectral radiance measurements without prior knowledge of the emissivity of the source. This new passive measurement technique assumes only that a smooth function exists between spectral emissivity and wavelength. The spectral radiance values are fitted to a Planck radiation law relation to yield the temperature of the source. Error analysis shows that relative errors in the temperature measurements are generally an order of magnitude less than in the spectral radiance measurements and in the simultaneously calculated spectral emissivity values. Computer simulations are included which show the effects of varying different parameters, such as the number of data pairs, the wavelength range, the spectral emissivity behavior, the source temperature, and the measurement noise, on the accuracy of the temperature determination. Experimental confirmation of this technique is presented showing temperature measurements within 1% of the actual temperatures on a platinum surface within a temperature range of 1273-1724 K.
Unified approach for open‐loop optimal control

We develop a unified approach for the necessary conditions for optimization of open-loop control systems, starting from the basic principles of calculus of variations. The unified approach results are simultaneously applicable to both shift (q)-operator-based, discrete-time systems and the derivative (d/dt)-operator-based, continuous-time systems. It is shown that the optimal condition results that are now obtained separately for continuous-time and discrete-time systems can be easily obtained from the unified approach. An illustrative example is given. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skin problems related to noninfectious coastal microorganisms

While there are a number of coastal microorganisms that can cause infections of the skin, there are many that can cause skin problems that are noninfectious in nature. From cyanobacterial dermatitis to skin problems related to dinoflagellates, to skin signs of ciguatera or scombroid fish poisonings, to “sea lice”/“seabather's eruption,” to “swimmer's itch,” this article attempts to separate these entities into distinct syndromes caused by a variety of bacteria, phytoplankton and zooplankton. Treatment and prevention of these diseases are also discussed.
A scenario-based methodology for conducting requirements elicitation

Requirements analysis is the process of identifying a user's needs and determining what to build in an a system. Within requirements analysis is the process of requirements elicitation in which tacit information about "what to build" is obtained from the user and his environment. Here, we will describe a methodology, dubbed Scenario Based Requirements Elicitation (SBRE), which structures the early interaction between users and designers in order to quickly develop a set of initial requirements. The methodology features the parallel development of requirements and a high-level design, the use of scenarios to communicate the behavior of a design, an evaluation function to assess the suitability of the design, and an issue base with which to maintain the issues that arise during the elicitation process.
Neighboring-group participation in carbohydrates: The (methylthio)carbonyl neighboring group

Abstract The use is described of the (methylthio)carbonyl group as a means of preparing carbohydrates having cis-oriented functional groups, by way of stable, intermediate, cyclic carbonates. By this route, methyl 2-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-α- d -arabionopyranoside was prepared from methyl α- d -lyxopyranoside. Methyl α- d -lyxofuranoside was prepared from methyl 5-O-acetyl-3-bromo-3-deoxy-α- d -arabinofuranoside.
Diagnosis for uncertain, dynamic and hybrid domains using Bayesian networks and arithmetic circuits

Abstract System failures, for example in electrical power systems, can have catastrophic impact on human life and high-cost missions. Due to an electrical fire in Swissair flight 111 on September 2, 1998, all 229 passengers and crew on board sadly lost their lives. A battery failure most likely took place on the Mars Global Surveyor, which unfortunately last communicated with Earth and thus ended its mission on November 2, 2006. Fault diagnosis techniques that seek to hinder similar accidents in the future are being developed in this article. We present comprehensive fault diagnosis methods for dynamic and hybrid domains with uncertainty, and validate them using electrical power system data. Our approach relies on the use of Bayesian networks, which model the electrical power system, compiled to arithmetic circuits. We handle in an integrated way varying fault dynamics (both persistent and intermittent faults), fault progression (both abrupt and drift faults), and fault behavior cardinality (both discrete and continuous behaviors). Our work has resulted in a software system for fault diagnosis, ProDiagnose , that has been the top performer in three of the four international diagnostics competitions in which it participated. In this paper we comprehensively present our methods as well as novel and extensive experimental results on data from a NASA electrical power system.
Decision support for management

Abstract Decision support systems (DSS) are tools for providing and sharing information, together with the means of using the information to assess the benefit of a decision. An example of a simple DSS system is a financial modelling package available on a microcomputer. However, in large businesses adequate DSS requires backup from a full-scale data processing system. Integrating personal computing and corporate DP is a solution to the problem of providing adequate DSS. Advances in program writing, the use of relational databases, query languages and specific applications all enhance the advantages of such decision support systems.
Effects of pre‐trial publicity and jury deliberation on juror bias and source memory errors

We examined the effects of exposure to pre-trial publicity (PTP) and jury deliberation on juror memory and decision making. Mock jurors either read news articles containing negative PTP or articles unrelated to the trial. They later viewed a videotaped murder trial, after which they either made collaborative group decisions about guilt or individual decisions. Finally, all participants independently attributed specific information as having been presented during the trial or in the news articles. Exposure to PTP significantly affected guilty verdicts, sentence length, perceptions of defendant credibility, and misattributions of PTP as having been presented as trial evidence. Jury deliberation had significant effects on jury verdicts, perceptions of defendant credibility, source memory for trial items, and confidence in source memory judgements, but did not affect sentences or critical source memory errors. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An application of strain-gradient theory to nonhomogeneous materials

Abstract The nonhomogeneity of each “elementary cell” of a continuously reinforced, elastic material is described by allowing the strain energy to depend also on gradients of strain. This theory is applied to axial extension and to Lame-type problems.
Desalination of brackish waters using ion exchange media.

An environmentally friendly method and materials study for desalinating inland brackish waters (i.e., coal bed methane produced waters) using a set of ion-exchange materials is presented. This desalination process effectively removes anions and cations in separate steps with minimal caustic waste generation. The anion-exchange material, hydrotalcite (HTC), exhibits an ion-exchange capacity (IEC) of ∼3 mequiv g-1. The cation-exchange material, an amorphous aluminosilicate permutite-like material, (Nax+2yAlxSi1-xO2+y), has an IEC of ∼2.5 mequiv g-1. These ion-exchange materials were studied and optimized because of their specific ion-exchange capacity for the ions of interest and their ability to function in the temperature and pH regions necessary for cost and energy effectiveness. Room temperature, minimum pressure column studies (once-pass through) on simulant brackish water (total dissolved solids (TDS) = 2222 ppm) resulted in water containing TDS = 25 ppm. A second once-pass through column study on act...
Control of pelagic sediment distribution by internal waves of tidal period: Possible interpretation of data from the southern East Pacific Rise

Abstract Sediment depositional patterns were observed on acoustic-reflection profiles at 36 and 42°S across the East Pacific Rise, near 100°W longitude. The sediment thickness as a function of distance from the crest shows a remarkable linearity on the east side of the rise, where the bottom topography is unusually subdued. The rate of sedimentation is 3.8 m/m.y at 42°S and 7.2 m/m.y. at 36°S. Disturbance to the even sedimentation appears to be correlated with topographic features more than 300 m high, and may therefore be associated with the interference between the barotropic tides and the topography. The group velocity of internal waves of semi-daily period is 15 cm sec −1 in this area for a vertical wave number of 300 m −1 , and the characteristic slopes at 9° to the horizontal. The waves travel faster than the flow velocity of the tides and at an angle less than the slopes associated with the larger topographic features. Therefore a typical tidal velocity of 3 cm sec −1 can be magnified substantially before the particle velocity approaches the group velocity and breaking occurs. Less magnification is possible near smaller topography because the group velocity is proportional to wavelength for internal waves of constant period. The tidal flow is magnified most near the boundary where the internal waves are reflected, and the higher velocities should cause settling sediment particles to remain in suspension locally. Thick boundary layers caused by breaking and mixing can shield the smaller-scale topography from the tidal motion.
Magnetic resonance imaging of lower extremity injuries

T HE ACCURATE diagnosis and treatment of lower-extremity trauma requires a synthesis of clinical and imaging data. Knowledge of the mechanism of injury coupled with a thorough physical examination is indispensable in predicting the likely abnormality and expected sequela and in determining a tailored imaging approach to the patient. Conventional radiographs often suffice for diagnosis: however, at times, advanced imaging techniques are necessary to evaluate the extent of injury and determine the treatment options. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a widely available, noninvasive technique ideally suited to this task. Its multiplanar capability and highcontrast rendition result in an unparalleled depiction of the osseous and soft-tissue structures. The exquisite sensitivity of MRI for abnormalities within cancellous bone allows detection of symptomatic, previously occult injuries. With the continued evolution of MRI hardware and software, the list of musculoskeletal applications grows daily. This review will highlight the MRI appearance of commonly encountered lower extremity injuries. It will also address several technical considerations for successful imaging of lowerextremity trauma.
Fire-dependent forests in the Northern Rocky Mountains

One objective of wilderness and parkland fire-ecology research is to describe the relationships between fire and unmanaged ecosystems, so that strategies can be determined that will provide a more nearly natural incidence of fire. More than 50 yr of efforts directed toward exclusion of wildland fires in the Northern Rocky Mountains (western Montana and northern Idaho) have resulted in a definite and observable impact on the forest ecosystems in this region. Fire-ecology investigations in Glacier National Park and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness have helped to reveal the nature of this impact and to provide a better understanding of the natural role of fire within these coniferous ecosystems. Such areas provide a unique opportunity to study and test approaches designed to perpetuate unmodified ecosystems. However, we still don't understand all of the long-term consequences of fire control in those forest communities that have evolved fire-dependent characteristics.
Matching Readers' Preferences and Reading Skills with Appropriate Web Texts

This paper describes Read-X, a system designed to identify text that is appropriate for the reader given his thematic choices and the reading ability associated with his educational background. To our knowledge, Read-X is the first web-based system that performs real-time searches and returns results classified thematically and by reading level within seconds. To facilitate educators or students searching for reading material at specific reading levels, Read-X extracts the text from the html, pdf, doc, or xml format and makes available a text editor for viewing and editing the extracted text.
Influence of supplemental dietary poultry fat, phytase, and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on the performance of commercial layers inoculated before or at the onset of lay with F-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum

The effects of 2 levels of supplemental dietary poultry fat (PF) and the combination of PF, phytase (PHY), and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (D(3)) on the performance of commercial layers inoculated with F-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum (FMG) were investigated in 2 trials. Sham and FMG inoculations were administered at 12 (before lay) and 22 (early in lay) wk and dietary treatments [basal control diet (BCD), BCD with 0.75% supplemental PF, BCD with 1.50% supplemental PF, and BCD with 1.50% supplemental PF, 0.013% PHY, and 0.025% D(3)] were initiated at 20 wk of age. Hen BW, egg weight, and egg production (EP) were determined every 4 wk between 24 and 58 wk of age. Feed consumption (FC) and feed conversion were determined in 4-wk intervals beginning on wk 25 and ending on wk 58, and total mortality and mean EP were determined over the entire 24 to 58-wk period. The addition of 0.75 and 1.50% PF increased BW at wk 48 and 58, respectively, and supplemental PF at the 1.50% level increased the BW of hens that had been inoculated (sham or FMG) on wk 22 and reduced the FC of hens inoculated on wk 12. Feed conversion was decreased in the 25 to 28- and 57 to 58-wk age periods and increased in the 45 to 48-wk age periods by an FMG inoculation. In birds inoculated at 22 wk of age, FMG increased egg weight. Although EP was reduced at wk 24 and was increased at wk 58 by FMG, total EP was not affected. In conclusion, an inoculation of FMG at either 12 or 22 wk of age can result in a relative shift in EP from the early to late stage of lay without affecting total EP, and although the BW and FC responses of hens to added dietary PF were influenced by their age and the age of inoculation, use of the supplemental combination of PHY and D(3) had no additional effect on performance when provided in conjunction with 1.50% PF.
Reproductive strategies and disease susceptibility: an evolutionary viewpoint

Arguments about which constitutes the ‘weaker sex’ notwithstanding, sex differences in mortality and disease susceptibility have been noted in many species of animals, including humans. In this article, Marlene Zuk examines the possible reasons for these differences, relating them to reproductive strategies, and suggests how they may have resulted from selective pressures.
COD: a transparent optical time-division multiplexer at 1.3 /spl mu/m for scalable multigigabit multimedia networks

Summary form only given. We have constructed a fast statistical time-division packet multiplexer (MLTX) based on the cascaded optical delay (GOD) architecture. The COD uses 2x2 lithium niobate photonic crossbar switches and lengths of fiber delay line to buffer contentious packets. The routing control of the COD is performed electronically on a packet-by-packet basis.
Pegmatite/wallrock interactions, Black Hills, South Dakota: Progressive boron metasomatism adjacent to the Tip Top pegmatite

Abstract Interaction between country rock and fluids derived from the Tip Top pegmatite has resulted in a series of boron enriched assemblages. Between unaltered quartz-mica schist to the pegmatite contact is a succession of four mineral assemblages: 1. (1) Quartz-Biotite-Potassium Feldspar assemblage (Q-B-K), which consists essentially of the original metamorphic silicate assemblage plus anomalously high amounts of modal tourmaline 2. (2) Quartz-Biotite-Tourmaline assemblage (Q-B-T) 3. (3) Tourmaline-Quartz-Muscovite assemblage (T-Q-M) 4. (4) Tourmaline-Quartz assemblage (T-Q). Alkali elements (Cs, Rb, K, Li), SiO 2 , and Ba show a decrease from the Q-B-K assemblage to the T-Q assemblage. A1 2 O 3 , Ga, B, total Fe and Zn increase moderately from the Q-B-K assemblage to the T-Q assemblage. The mineral chemistries also change considerably. The Mg/(Mg + Fe 2+ ) ratios in biotites range from 0.54 to 0.50 in samples from the Q-B-K assemblage to 0.39 in the (Q-B-T) assemblage. The range in tourmaline end-member components from the Q-B-K assemblage to the T-Q assemblage is as follows: Q-B-K: Dravite .63 Schorl .23 Elbaite .05 Buergerite .09 T-Q: Dravite .23 Schorl .37 Elbaite .17 Buergerite .23 . Observed variations in mineral assemblage and whole rock chemistry within the alteration zone appear to a first approximation to be a function of μB 2 O 3 (boron metasomatism) and μK 2 O (alkali leaching). The breakdown of feldspar and biotite may be approximated by reactions: 2HCl + 2(K, Na)AlSi 3 O 8 /ai 2(K, Na)Cl + Al 2 SiO 5 + 5SiO 2 + H 2 O and 2 Annite + SiO 2 + 5Al 2 SiO 5 + 2NaCl + 6H 3 BO 3 /ai 2 Tourmaline + 2KCl + 7H 2 O. The alteration zone may represent either a single episode (B-, Cs-, Li-, Rb-enriched fluid) or multiple episodes (B, Zn, Mn fluid and Cs, Li, Rb fluid) of pegmatite fluid-schist interactions. In both situations, B in the aqueous fluid from the pegmatite reacts with the schist breaking down sheet silicate “traps” for Cs, Rb, Li, and K and forming tourmaline-rich assemblages.
Tension pneumoperitoneum and gastric rupture following cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Inadvertent esophageal intubation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation following aortocoronary bypass grafting resulted in gastric rupture and tension pneumoperitoneum in a 65-year-old patient. Rapid hemodynamic deterioration necessitated emergency laparotomy with successful repair of the gastric rupture. The patient's recovery was uneventful, and he was doing well at six months follow up. Awareness of this unusual complication may lead to early recognition and successful treatment.
NbN thin films for superconducting radio frequency cavities

NbN thin films have the potential to be incorporated into radio frequency cavities in a multilayer coating to overcome the fundamental field gradient limit of 50 MV m−1 for the bulk niobium based technology that is currently implemented in particle accelerators. In addition to having a larger critical field value than bulk niobium, NbN films develop smoother surfaces which are optimal for cavity performance and lead to fewer losses. Here, we present a study on the correlation of film deposition parameters, surface morphology, microstructure, transport properties and superconducting properties of NbN thin films. We have achieved films with bulk-like lattice parameters and superconducting transition temperatures. These NbN films have a lower surface roughness than similarly grown niobium films of comparable thickness. The potential application of NbN thin films in accelerator cavities is discussed.
Cell cycle regulatory proteins in glomerular disease.

Cell cycle regulatory proteins in glomerular disease. Evidence is accumulating that directly responsible for the rate of progression of glomerular disease are specific positive (cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases) and negative (cyclin-kinase inhibitors) cell cycle regulatory proteins. The challenge for nephrologists is to determine which ones are expressed in renal disease and their precise role in glomerular cell proliferation, hypertrophy and differentiation. Ultimately the goal is to find ever more appropriate therapeutic strategies to arrest or prevent progressive renal disease.
Quasi-quantization of the orbits in the Solar System

The motion of the planets, asteroids and comets in the Solar System are controlled by gravity and are well explained in classical mechanics by Newton's and Kepler's laws. Using these laws, one can easily calculate some of the unknown variables such as the period or the angular momentum of the planets. However, neither Newton's laws nor Kepler's laws explain the relationship between the angular momentum of the orbits in the Solar System. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that the specific angular momentum (angular momentum per unit mass) of any planet in the Solar System can be expressed in terms of the specific angular momentum of the planet Mercury and, consequently, to prove that the semi-major axis of any planet, asteroid or comet can be expressed as a multiple of the semi-major axis of Mercury.
PREPARATION OF CARCINOGENIC POLYNUCLEAR HYDROCARBONS LABELLED WITH TRITIUM BY WILZBACH'S METHOD

THE need for radioactive labelled polynuclear hydrocarbon carcinogens, to be used in biological investigations, led to an investigation of the feasibility of a tritium exchange procedure for their preparation. Wilzbach's method1 offers a simple method of labelling complex compounds which are comparatively difficult to synthesize. However, the procedure has its attendant problems in that, during exposure to tritium gas, concurrent with the exchange reaction, tritium will tend to be taken up by reducible compounds present. The purification of the product must, therefore, ensure removal of the high specific activity by-products.
Evaluation of prison systems

Abstract Models are developed for the flow of prisoners through a state prison system. These models are used to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative correctional programs. Results based on the Georgia prison system are presented.
Bortezomib interactions with chemotherapy agents in acute leukemia in vitro

Although there is effective chemotherapy for many patients with leukemia, 20% of children and up to 65% of adults relapse. Novel therapies are needed to treat these patients. Leukemia cells are very sensitive to the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (VELCADE®, PS-341), which enhances the in vitro cytotoxic effects of dexamethasone and doxorubicin in multiple myeloma. To determine if bortezomib enhances the cytotoxicity of agents used in leukemia, we employed an in vitro tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT) to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of bortezomib alone and in combination with dexamethasone, vincristine, doxorubicin, cytarabine, asparaginase, geldanamycin, trichostatin A, and the bcl-2 inhibitor HA14.1. We demonstrated that primary leukemia lymphoblasts and leukemia cell lines are sensitive to bortezomib, with an average IC50 of 12 nM. Qualitative and quantitative bortezomib-drug interactions were evaluated using the universal response surface approach (URSA). Bortezomib was synergistic with dexamethasone in dexamethasone-sensitive leukemia cells, and additive with vincristine, asparaginase, cytarabine, and doxorubicin. The anti-leukemic activity of bortezomib was also additive with geldanamycin and HA14.1, and additive or synergistic with trichostatin A. These results were compared to analysis using the median-dose effect method, which generated complex drug interactions due to differences in dose-response curve sigmoidicities. These data suggest bortezomib could potentiate the cytotoxic effects of combination chemotherapy in patients with leukemia.
Oxametallacycle Intermediates on Clean and Cs-Promoted Ag(111) Surfaces

We have performed density functional theory calculations for a model cluster representative of the [111] face of Ag to study the effect of Cs and Cs+ on a proposed oxametallacycle intermediate of e...
The legal landscape after MGM v. Grokster: Is it the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? Part 1: Understanding the context

L'A. expose le contexte legal du proces ayant oppose la Metro-Goldwin-Mayer au fournisseur du systeme Grokster d'echange de donnees interpair sur l'internet. Il s'agit de determiner si une technologie donnee contribue a la violation des droits d'auteur par un tiers, et si dans ce cas les producteurs de la technologie partagent la responsabilite de cette infraction avec ce tiers. Le fait que la technologie autorise des usages licites aussi bien qu'illicites doit etre pris en compte.
Statistical mechanical estimation of the free energy of formation of E. coli biomass for use with macroscopic bioreactor balances

The need for the determination of the free energy of formation of biomass in bioreactor second law balances is well established. A statistical mechanical method for the calculation of the free energy of formation of E. coli biomass is introduced. In this method, biomass is modelled to consist of a system of biopolymer networks. The partition function of this system is proposed to consist of acoustic and optical modes of vibration. Acoustic modes are described by Tarasov's model, the parameters of which are evaluated with the aid of low-temperature calorimetric data for the crystalline protein bovine chymotrypsinogen A. The optical modes are described by considering the low-temperature thermodynamic properties of biological monomer crystals such as amino acid crystals. Upper and lower bounds are placed on the entropy to establish the maximum error associated with the statistical method. The upper bound is determined by endowing the monomers in biomass with ideal gas properties. The lower bound is obtained by limiting the monomers to complete immobility. On this basis, the free energy of formation is fixed to within 10%. Proposals are made with regard to experimental verification of the calculated value and extension of the calculation to other types of biomass.
Isolated subclavian artery aneurysm: evaluation by transesophageal echocardiography.

A 50-year-old man was evaluated following a motor vehicle accident. Chest X-ray showed a widened mediastinum. Transesophageal echocardiography was helpful in identifying the left subclavian artery and in demonstrating an isolated subclavian artery aneurysm. The TEE findings correlated well with the results of chest CT. Using TEE for the identification of the aortic branches in patients with chest trauma may be critical. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 21, January 2004)
Microsatellite markers developed for the Caribbean palm Pseudophoenix sargentii : two PCR-based methods

Pseudophoenix sargentii is critically endangered in the USA. We have developed ten polymorphic microsatellite loci for this palm. A study based on populations from the Bahamas and Florida identified 3–17 alleles per locus. Values for the fixation index were positive, and eight loci deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium. Two different PCR-based methods were utilized. The first method yielded specific primer-pairs for three of the loci, and it was based on amplification, cloning and sequencing of products obtained through 5′ anchored PCR. Specific primers for the remaining seven loci were obtained by refining microsatellite regions discovered by 5′ anchored PCR using a new protocol based on inverse PCR.
Hyperboloid-hyperboloid grazing incidence x-ray telescope designs for wide-field imaging applications

The classical Wolter Type 1 X-ray telescope consists of two grazing incidence mirrors, a confocal paraboloid and hyperboloid. This design exhibits perfect geometric imaging on-axis (i.e., no spherical aberration) but suffers from severe field curvature, coma, astigmatism, and higher-order aberrations such as oblique spherical aberration. The Wolter-Schwarzschild design, consisting of two general aspheric grazing incidence surfaces, is corrected for both spherical aberration and coma, thus yielding very good geometrical performance at small field angles that becomes severely degraded at large field angles. The image quality criterion for stellar (small-field) X-ray telescopes is frequently expressed in terms of an on-axis fractional encircled energy, with the off-axis performance being dictated by the field-dependent aberrations characteristic of the design. A more appropriate image quality criterion for wide-angle applications is some area-weighted-average measure of resolution that maximizes the number of spatial resolution elements over a given operational field-of-view (OFOV). In practice, scattering effects from residual optical fabrication errors and detector effects (finite pixel size and charge spreading) dominate geometrical aberrations for small field angles whereas the geometrical aberrations dominate the image degradation at large field angles. Under these conditions, there is little merit in a telescope design corrected for coma (or even spherical aberration). Our new image quality criterion has led us to a whole new class of generalized Wolter Type I (hyperboloid- hyperboloid) designs that can be optimized for a given OFOV. A specific design and its predicted systems performance for the Solar X-ray Imager mission are described in detail.
Why Crystals Exist.

After the discoveries of Laue and Bragg the physics of crystals progressed very rapidly, both experimentally and theoretically. Taking the existence of regular arrangements of atoms in lattices for granted, Laue, Madelung, Born and others developed the theory of ideal crystals. This theory met with great success as far as certain special properties of crystals are concerned. However, at the same time it became apparent that its foundations were not broad enough to provide for a general scheme in which all the phenomena related to the crystalline state could be incorporated. The purpose of this paper is to show that this failure of the theory may have its origin in the fact that nobody seems to have considered seriously the question why crystals do exist at all. A tentative answer to this question will be given in the following. To obtain this answer it will be found that special emphasis must be laid on the problem of arriving at a clear understanding of the nature of the transitions gas-liquid, and liquid-crystal. The suggested solution also throws new light on the problem of the primary and the secondary (mosaic) structure in crystals.
State-Chartered American Commercial Banks, 1781–1801

As is generally known, the 1790s was the first decade in which the American banking system expanded. Professor Klebaner has taken the trouble to ascertain the fate of the state-chartered banks founded in that decade. He has put his material into lists that we are glad to publish as a unique source of banking history.