cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating bone quality in patients with chronic kidney disease

Bone of normal quality and quantity can successfully endure physiologically imposed mechanical loads. Chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD–MBD) adversely affects bone quality through alterations in bone turnover and mineralization, whereas bone quantity is affected through changes in bone volume. Changes in bone quality can be associated with altered bone material, structure, or microdamage, which can result in an elevated rate of fracture in patients with CKD–MBD. Fractures cannot always be explained by reduced bone quantity and, therefore, bone quality should be assessed with a variety of techniques from the macro-organ level to the nanoscale level. In this Review, we demonstrate the importance of evaluating bone from multiple perspectives and hierarchical levels to understand CKD–MBD-related abnormalities in bone quality. Understanding the relationships between variations in material, structure, microdamage, and mechanical properties of bone in patients with CKD–MBD should aid in the development of new modalities to prevent, or treat, these abnormalities.
Ethylene adsorption on platinum: kinetics, bonding, and relevance to catalysis.

Ethylene adsorption on platinum(111) single-crystal surfaces involves two states, a di-σ species irreversibly bonded on the clean surface, and a second π reversible adsorption which develops at high coverages. The two states display significantly different kinetic behavior, but they can slowly interchange. This suggests an adsorption mechanism at high coverages via an initial interaction with the few metal atoms left exposed by an imperfect monolayer followed by a collective rearrangement of the neighboring molecules into a new compressed layer.
AUTOMATED ITEM SELECTION USING ITEM RESPONSE THEORY

This paper presents a new heuristic approach to interactive test assembly that is called the successive item replacement algorithm. This approach builds on the work of van der Linden (1987a) and van der Linden and Boekkooi-Timminga (1989) in which methods of mathematical optimization are combined with Item Response Theory (IRT) to construct tests from larger collections or pools of items. This new approach is contrasted with two more formal models as well as other heuristic approaches that appear in the literature. An experiment using quasi-realistic data is performed that serves to illustrate the differences in approaches for typical practical test construction applications.
Sampling of Fresnel transforms

Domains other than the time or frequency domains arises naturally in coherently illuminated optical systems that produce Fourier transforms. We extend the well known result that N samples are sufficient to represent the information content in the object, image, and Fourier planes to include any Fresnel plane of a coherently illuminated optical system, provided that we use a specified sampling technique.
Age Estimates for the Buckwheat Family Polygonaceae Based on Sequence Data Calibrated by Fossils and with a Focus on the Amphi-Pacific Muehlenbeckia

The buckwheat family Polygonaceae is a diverse group of plants and is a good model for investigating biogeography, breeding systems, coevolution with symbionts such as ants and fungi, functional trait evolution, hybridization, invasiveness, morphological plasticity, pollen morphology and wood anatomy. The main goal of this study was to obtain age estimates for Polygonaceae by calibrating a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, using a relaxed molecular clock with fossil data. Based on the age estimates, we also develop hypotheses about the historical biogeography of the Southern Hemisphere group Muehlenbeckia. We are interested in addressing whether vicariance or dispersal could account for the diversification of Muehlenbeckia, which has a “Gondwanan” distribution. Eighty-one species of Polygonaceae were analysed with MrBayes to infer species relationships. One nuclear (nrITS) and three chloroplast markers (the trnL-trnF spacer region, matK and ndhF genes) were used. The molecular data were also analysed with Beast to estimate divergence times. Seven calibration points including fossil pollen and a leaf fossil of Muehlenbeckia were used to infer node ages. Results of the Beast analyses indicate an age of 110.9 (exponential/lognormal priors)/118.7 (uniform priors) million years (Myr) with an uncertainty interval of (90.7–125.0) Myr for the stem age of Polygonaceae. This age is older than previously thought (Maastrichtian, approximately 65.5–70.6 Myr). The estimated divergence time for Muehlenbeckia is 41.0/41.6 (39.6–47.8) Myr and its crown clade is 20.5/22.3 (14.2–33.5) Myr old. Because the breakup of Gondwana occurred from 95–30 Myr ago, diversification of Muehlenbeckia is best explained by oceanic long-distance and maybe stepping-stone dispersal rather than vicariance. This study is the first to give age estimates for clades of Polygonaceae and functions as a jumping-off point for future studies on the historical biogeography of the family.
Who communicates what to whom, in what voice and why, about the study of mass communication?

(1990). Who communicates what to whom, in what voice and why, about the study of mass communication? Critical Studies in Mass Communication: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 185-196.
Oxidation of cholesterol in synaptosomes and mitochondria isolated from rat brains

Cholesterol and α-tocopherol oxidations were studied in brain subcellular fractions isolated from cerebral hemispheres of 4-month-old, male Fischer 344 rats. The fractions were suspended in buffered media (pH 7.4, 37°C) and oxidized by adding (i) ferrous iron (Fe2+) with or without ascorbate or (ii) peroxynitrite (an endogenous oxidant produced by the reaction of superoxide and nitric oxide). Treatment of subcellular fractions with Fe2+ in the presence or absence of ascorbate produced primarily 7-keto- and 7-hydroxy-cholesterols and small amounts of 5α,6α-epoxycholesterol. Since brain contains high levels of ascorbate, any release of iron could result in oxysterol formation. Peroxynitrite oxidized α-tocopherol but not cholesterol. Hence, the toxicity of peroxynitrite or nitric oxide could not be due to cytotoxic oxysterols. When synaptosomes were incubated for 5 min in the presence of 0.5 to 2 μM Fe2+ and ascorbate, α-tocopherol was oxidized while cholesterol remained unchanged. Thus, α-tocopherol is functioning as an antioxidant, protecting cholesterol. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid blocked production of oxysterols, whereas citrate, ADP and EDTA dit not. A significant percentage of mitochondrial cholesterol was oxidized by treatment with Fe2+ and ascorbate. Hence, mitochondrial membrane properties dependent on cholesterol could be particularly susceptible to oxidation. The oxysterols formed were retained within the membranes of synaptosomes and mitochondria. The 7-oxysterols produced are known to be inhibitors of membrane enzymes and also can modify membrane permeability. Hence, oxysterols may play an important role in brain tissue damage during oxidative stress.
Masculinity, Femininity, and Multiple Regression: Comment on Zeldow, Daugherty, and Clark's "Masculinity, Femininity, and Psychosocial Adjustment in Medical Students: A 2-Year Follow-Up"

Inappropriate applications and interpretations of multiple regression analyses by Zeldow and his associates (Zeldow, Clark, & Daugherty, 1985; Zeldow, Daugherty, & Clark, 1987) are discussed as are several general interpretive and statistical issue. To perform and interpret multiple regressors, several characteristics of this statistical approach must be taken into account. Of critical importance is the order in which variables are entered, the choice of regression approaches, the direction of an effect upon entering the model, and the manner in which the interpretation of interaction effects varies as a function of the presence or absence of main effects. Because Zeldow et al. (1985, 1987) did not consider these factors, their regression analyses were not run as stated and are difficult to interpret. Five hypothetical outcomes in androgyny research and an example involving actual data are presented.
Rehabilitation health care executives and ethical issues.

(2003). Rehabilitation Health Care Executives and Ethical Issues. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation: Vol. 10, Stroke Rehabilitation Evidence-Based Review: Part II, pp. 130-133.
Eigenvalues and Resonances for Domains with Tubes: Neumann Boundary Conditions

Abstract We consider unbounded regions which consist of a bounded domain C joined to an unbounded region E by a tube T(ϵ) whose cross-section is of small diameter ϵ. On such a region, we consider the Laplacian with Neumann boundary conditions. We show that as ϵ → 0+, the spectral resonances converge to eigenvalues of C , resonances of E , or eigenvalues for a two point boundary value problem on an interval of the same length as the tube. The main goal of our work is to give estimates for the rates of convergence.
Abstract 4908: Detection of bladder tumor by quantitative methylation specific real time PCR from urine sediment DNA

Bladder cancer is the fifth most frequent human cancer and causes approximately 3% of all cancer-related deaths. DNA hypermethylation is a common epigenetic abnormality in cancer and may serve as a useful marker to clone new cancer-related genes as well as a marker of the disease activity. Recently, we developed a high throughput genome wide methylation assay, Methylated CpG Island Amplification Microarray (MCAM). Using MCAM, we investigated methylation changes in about 8,000 genes in bladder tumors. Through this screening method and validation by bisulfite pyrosequencing, we have developed novel biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of bladder tumor. We characterized a group of genes that was found to be methylated in 80-90% of the tested bladder tumor samples. These candidate genes (DBC1, MYO3A, SOX11, SLC16A12, NPTX2, NKX6-2, A2BP1, PENK and CA10) were used to screen for bladder cancer in urine samples by quantitative methylation specific real time PCR, thus representing a non-invasive method for early detection. Based on these data, we established a panel of 6 biomarkers (MYO3A, SOX11, NKX6-2, PENK, CA10 and quantity of DNA in test urine) that can be used for bladder tumor screening in urine samples. The method showed 89.1 % sensitivity and 91.4 % specificity for detection of bladder tumor urines (n=128) compared to normal control urine (n=105) by 3 or more than 3 positive out of 6 biomarkers. Analyzing by stage of bladder tumors, 5 out of 5 (100 %) in Tis, 21 out of 29 (72 %) in Ta, 18 out of 19 (95 %) in T1, 57 out of 60 (95 %) in T2, 6 out of 6 (100 %) in T3 and 2 out of 2 (100 %) in T4 showed 3 or more than 3 positive out of 6 biomarkers. Thus, 83% of Tis-Ta-T1 stages and 95.6 % of T2-T3-T4 stages were detected in analyzed bladder tumor urines. This DNA methylation biomarkers panel will help the early detection and monitoring of bladder tumor patients. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4908.
Intérêts, stratégies des acteurs et innovation en politiques de développement en Afrique

Les interets sont des variables incontournables pour la comprehension des phenomenes politiques en Afrique. Peu d’auteurs ont cependant propose un cadre systematique permettant de comprendre le mecanisme a travers lequel cette variable faconne le jeu politique en Afrique. Comment et quand les interets (variables strategiques) permettent-ils d’expliquer les processus d’emergence des politiques et des strategies de developpement sur ce continent ? Cet article propose une contribution originale en faisant le point theorique sur la question et analysant de maniere empirique le role joue par les interets et les strategies des dirigeants africains dans leurs relations avec les institutions financieres internationales dans le processus d’emergence des strategies de developpement, notamment des plans d’ajustement structurel (annees 1980 et 1990) et des documents strategiques pour la reduction de la pauvrete (annees 2000 et 2010). Les cas empiriques du Mali et du Togo servent d’illustration aux mecanismes presentes, relatifs particulierement a l’articulation des interets et des strategies des acteurs aux paradigmes economiques et aux contextes temporels dans l’orientation et la configuration de l’emergence et de la forme des innovations en matiere de strategies de developpement en Afrique.
Electrophoretic analysis of seed proteins in the dicotyledoneae

SDS-PAGE was used to analyze seed protein extracts from plants representing 58 orders of the Dicotyledoneae. In most seeds, includingMagnolia grandiflora, the most prevalent storage protein class appeared to be the 11 S or legumin-like proteins. These data suggest that the legumin-like proteins are ubiquitous throughout the plant kingdom.
Spherosil-S Ion Exchange Process for Preparing Whey Protein Concentrate

Ion exchange whey protein concentrate (IEWPC) was produced from acid whey using Spherosil-S, a microporous silica bead cation exchange medium. About 80% of the total whey proteins were recovered by the ion exchange process. The composition of IEWPC was 63 - 66% protein, 1 - 2% lactose, 7 - 9% milkfat and 20 - 22% ash. Solubility, PAGE, reverse phase HPLC and Sephadex gel frltration results confirmed that the proteins in IEWPC had undergone substantial denaturation during their isolation. Several major problems encountered during the study were: generation of large volumes of column effluent, the need for concentration of column protein elutate fractions by ultrafiltration, column fouling and loss of protein solubility and functionality.
Enumerating Neighbors in Diamond-Like Lattices

A simple method is presented for locating sites in diamond-like lattices, and for obtaining the number and locations of their neighbors of arbitrary order.
ABRASIVE WATERJET PEENING WITH ELASTIC PRESTRESS: SUBSURFACE RESIDUAL STRESS DISTRIBUTION

Recent advances in abrasive waterjet (AWJ) technology have resulted in new processes for surface treatment that are capable of introducing compressive residual stresses with simultaneous changes in the surface texture. While the surface residual stress resulting from AWJ peening has been examined, the subsurface residual stress field resulting from this process has not been evaluated. In the present investigation, the subsurface residual stress distribution resulting from AWJ peening of Ti6Al4V and ASTM A228 steel were studied. Treatments were conducted with the targets subjected to an elastic prestress ranging from 0 to 75% of the substrate yield strength. The surface residual stress ranged from 680 to 1487 MPa for Ti6Al4V and 720 to 1554 MPa for ASTM A228 steel; the depth ranged from 265 to 370 μm for Ti6Al4V and 550 to 680 μm for ASTM A228 steel. Results showed that elastic prestress may be used to increase the surface residual stress in AWJ peened components by up to 100%.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Transformation of indole by methanogenic and sulfate-reducing microorganisms isolated from digested sludge

In the present study, mineralization of an aromaticN-heterocyclic molecule, indole, by microorganisms present in anaerobically digested sewage sludge was examined. The first step in indole mineralization was the formation of a hydroxylated intermediate, oxindole. The rate of transformation of indole to oxindole and its subsequent disappearance was dependent on the concentration of inoculum and indole and the incubation temperature. Methanogenesis appeared to be the dominant process in the mineralization of indole in 10% digested sludge even in the presence of high concentrations of sulfate. Enrichment of the digested sludge with sulfate as an electron acceptor allowed the isolation of a metabolically stable mixed culture of anaerobic bacteria which transformed indole to oxindole and acetate, and ultimately to methane and carbon dioxide. This mixed culture exhibited a predominance of sulfate-reducers over methanogens with more than 75% of the substrate mineralized to carbon dioxide. The investigation demonstrates that indole can be transformed by both methanogenic and sulfate-reducing microbial populations.
Ofatumumab in combination with glucocorticoids for primary therapy of chronic graft-versus-host disease: phase I trial results.

Abstract Standard primary therapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is incompletely effective. Based on biologic insights implicating pathogenic B cells, we conducted a phase I trial examining the combination of standard (1 mg/kg/day prednisone) glucocorticoid therapy with ofatumumab, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, for primary chronic GVHD therapy. Patients ages ≥ 18 with National Institutes of Health Consensus moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD newly requiring 1 mg/kg/day prednisone were treated at 3 escalating dose levels (300 mg, 700 mg, and 1000 mg) of i.v. ofatumumab on days 1 and 14 of initial glucocorticoid therapy. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined by grade 4 infusion reactions, related grade 4 constitutional symptoms, related grade ≥ 3 organ toxicities, or grade 4 neutropenia lasting > 14 days. A total of 12 patients (median age 54; range, 25 to 72) were treated (dose level 1: n = 3; level 2: n = 3; level 3: n = 6). At enrollment, overall chronic GVHD was moderate (n = 7) or severe (n = 5), with diverse organ involvement (skin: n = 8; mouth: n = 8; eye: n = 8; lung: n = 4; gastrointestinal: n = 3; liver: n = 5; genital: n = 2; joint/fascia: n = 5). Infusion of ofatumumab was well tolerated, and no DLT was observed. From the total number of adverse events (n = 29), possibly related adverse events (n = 4) included grade 1 fatigue, grade 1 transaminitis, and 2 infusion reactions (grades 2 and 3). Infectious complications were expected, and there were no cases of hepatitis B reactivation or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Ofatumumab in combination with prednisone is safe and a phase II examination of efficacy is ongoing.
The Evolution of an Innovative Heart Disease Management Program for Older Women: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Practice

Few studies in the literature describe how to combine quantitative and qualitative methods to enhance the development of health education interventions. This article describes the evolution and refinement of an innovative disease management program “take PRIDE” for older adults with heart disease. Over 15 years, information obtained from data collection methods including telephone interviews, focus groups, face-to-face interviews, and program process data illuminated and guided subsequent refinement of the program and led to new iterations for different participants. Qualitative and quantitative data were incorporated into the two key areas of program development (theoretical framework, objectives, format, and content) and evaluation (evaluation design, sampling, and measurement). Combining both types of data enhanced the opportunity to detect needed program changes, to increase understanding of the mechanisms by which the program effects were produced, and to enhance the relevance of the program to diffe...
ANALYSIS OF THE RATE OF THE ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION AND RECONSTITUTION REACTIONS OF 1,3-DIMETHYLURACIL AND URIDINE*

Summary Kinetic analysis of the forward and backward reactions of 1,3-dimethyluracil and uridine showed that the rate constants and kinetic orders of the photochemical reactions were strongly dependent upon the substituent groups present in the excited molecules. Thus the irradiation of 1,3-dimethyluracil in aqueous solution with ultraviolet light followed first-order kinetics in 0–1 mM solution, while in 0.5, 1 and 5 mM solutions the reaction was pseudo-zeroth-order. Such a change in the order of reaction is characteristic for a light-dependent reaction. For uridine, the reaction followed first-order kinetics for all concentrations between 0.5 and 10 mM, showing that the dark step may be rate determining. Effect of pH in buffered solution and dilute hydrochloric acid solution, light intensity and temperature on the rate of reactions were studied and are discussed. Quantum yields for the various reactions were calculated. The reconstitution reaction of 1,3-dimethyluracil from 6-hydroxy-1,3-dimethylhydrouracil was first-order in both acid and base catalyzed dehydration. The 6-hydroxyhydrouridine reverted to uridine by a first-order reaction when catalyzed by acid and by a second-order reaction when catalyzed by base.
Quantitative ultrasonic assessment of normal and ischaemic myocardium with an acoustic microscope: relationship to integrated backscatter.

Purpose of investigation – The aim was to study ultrasonic propagation properties of normal and ischaemic myocardium with a scanning laser acoustic microscope and to correlate these changes with ultrasonic backscatter. Design – Myocardial ischaemia was produced by total occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery in anaesthetised open chest dogs. Myocardium supplied by left circumflex coronary artery served as normal control. IBR5, an optimum weighted frequency average (4-6.8 MHz) of the squared envelope of diffraction corrected backscatter, was measured in vivo. Ultrasonic attenuation coefficient, an index of loss per unit distance, the propagation speed and heterogeneity index were measured from nonnal and ischaemic regions with a scanning laser acoustic microscope which operates at 100MHz in vitro. Myocardial water content of nonnal and ischaemic myocardium was also estimated. Subjects – Were five anaesthetised mongrel dogs. Results – Attenuation coefficient of 33.8(SD4.2) dB·mm−1 in the ischaemic tissue was lower than 63.8(17.2) dB·mm−1 in the normal tissue (p<0.01). Ultrasonic speed was lower in ischaemic than normal myocardium at 1584(25) v 1612(35) m·s−1(p<0.05). Heterogeneity index of 11(7) m·s−1 in the ischaemic region was lower than 14(8) m·s−1 in the normal region (27% reduction, p<0.05). IBR5 and myocardial water content were higher in the ischaemic than the normal myocardium: −37.2(SEM1.8) dB v −46.6(0.6) dB, (p<0.01) and 80.9(0.0)% v 78(0.2)%, (p<0.05) respectively. Conclusion – Ultrasonic properties of the myocardium are significantly altered during acute ischaemia.
Supersymmetric gauged scale covariance in ten and lower dimensions

Abstract We present globally supersymmetric models of gauged scale covariance in ten, six, and four dimensions. This is an application of a recent similar gauging in three dimensions for a massive self-dual vector multiplet. In ten dimensions, we couple a single vector multiplet to another vector multiplet, where the latter gauges the scale covariance of the former. Due to scale covariance, the system does not have a Lagrangian formulation, but has only a set of field equations, like Type IIB supergravity in ten dimensions. As by-products, we construct similar models in six dimensions with N = ( 2 , 0 ) supersymmetry, and four dimensions with N = 1 supersymmetry. We finally get a similar model with N = 4 supersymmetry in four dimensions with consistent interactions that have never been known before. We expect a series of descendant theories in dimensions lower than ten by dimensional reductions. This result also indicates that similar mechanisms will work for other vector and scalar multiplets in space–time lower than ten dimensions.
A Church in Search of a State: Catholic Missions in Eastern Zaïre, 1879–1930

The Belgian Congo is commonly cited as an example of an extremely close association of church and state in colonial Africa. The Catholic mission there, despite active competition from Protestant missions, became particularly large, unusually powerful, and exceptionally privileged. Crawford Young, for example, argued that the "triple alliance" of state, church, and big business in the Belgian Congo was "not only ... a virtually seamless web but each component, in its area of activity, was without peer in tropical Africa in the magnitude of its impact."1 Rene Lemarchand noted that Catholic missionaries there played "a semi-official role that allowed them to extend their actions far beyond the limits of evangelization."2 Adrian Hastings described it as a "union of church and state," noting that the long-time vicar apostolic of Elisabethville in Katanga province, Monsignor Jean Felix de Hemptinne, was known as "the son of King Leopold," the colony's founder.3 It is thus ironic that the pioneering missionaries in the eastern Congo, the White Fathers, long opposed working with the Belgian king, Leopold II, and his Congo Free State, accepting its jurisdiction only with great reluctance as all other options were closed to them. In explaining the missionaries' reluctance to work with King Leopold,
Recombinant Growth Factor Gene Expression in Vascular Cells in Vivo

Several issues are important to the use of direct gene transfer as an investigative tool and as a potential therapeutic modality (Table 3). Transfection efficiencies of different vectors must be improved and optimized. Retroviral vectors and DNA liposome conjugates currently used in animal models are low-efficiency vectors. Adenoviruses and adenoviral conjugates appear promising, but issues related to gene persistence, germ-line transmission, and stability of expression must be explored. Second, the pharmacology or dose-response properties of recombinant gene expression have not been investigated. It is not currently known how many cells must be transfected in an arterial segment in order to produce a desired biological effect. Our studies suggest that only a small population of cells is required to secrete a recombinant gene product into the local milieu. This gene product may then have local paracrine effects with amplification of the biological response, suggesting a "gain of function." Third, methods must be developed to target recombinant genes specifically to endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells using cell-specific promoters. Finally, gene expression should be regulated through inducible or repressible promoters. Nonetheless, during the past ten years a dramatic expansion in the fields of gene transfer and gene therapy has occurred. We have entered a new era in which molecular genetic techniques are being increasingly used to investigate the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disorders and to design potential therapies for these diseases. Although technical hurdles related to optimization of vectors and regulated gene expression must be solved, molecular genetic approaches will be increasingly used to study and treat cardiovascular diseases.
Pragmatic Development in Children's Telephone Discourse.

This study examined children's telephone discourse. The subjects were 20 children, five at each age of 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. Three telephone calls between each child and an adult were analyzed for opening sequences, answerer rules, turn‐taking, constructional units, conversational acts, closing sequence, and ability to take messages. Results showed developmental differences. However, mastery of discourse skills appeared only in response categories, and these occurred primarily at 4 and 5 years. Initiating behaviors were only beginning to emerge by 5 years. Also discussed are turn‐taking, quality, telephone discourse, contrasted with face‐to‐face discourse, and the telephone as a language eliciting procedure.
AGE-ASSOCIATED LONGITUDINAL CHANGES IN ARTERIAL STIFFNESS TRAJECTORIES AND BLOOD PRESSURE WITHIN INDIVIDUALS OF COMMUNITY DWELLING POPULATION

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), a marker of arterial stiffness that increases with advancing age, though related to blood pressure (BP), is an established independent cardiovascular CV risk factor. Essentially no information is available on the pattern and rate of longitudinal
On the variability of the Kozeny constant for saturated flow across unidirectional disordered fiber arrays

Abstract Flow in porous media is frequently analysed as a potential flow problem, in which the local flux is related to the local potential gradient through Darcy's law. The relevant constant is the permeability, which is a property of the porous medium. If the latter is described in terms of the Carman-Kozeny equation, morphological parameters of the medium are “hidden” (or, incorporated) in the Kozeny constant (kc), which should not be a function of porosity. Experiments seeking to determine the value of the Kozeny constant in fibrous systems have resulted in values that, for systems of same porosity, show a significant scatter. The objective of this study is to computationally study flow across many unidirectional fiber arrays and, in the process, explain the wide scatter in (kc) values observed experimentally. This task is made possible by a parallel implementation of the Boundary Element Method. A large number of simulations are carried out in model systems generated by a Monte Carlo procedure, in which porosity (ϕ=0.45, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8) and the allowable minimum inter-fiber distance (dmin=0.1 1.0 R) are variable. The raw permeability data are converted to the corresponding Kozeny constant values; the results indicate a substantial scatter of the predicted (kc) values at each porosity level. This shows conclusively that the microstructure of fiber beds is at the heart of the observed variations in experimentally-determined values of (kc).
What's in an Algorithm?

How can we rethink the definition of algorithm, and through that, produce another age of enlightenment in modern scientific programming and software development in general? Removing these limitations in our own thoughts is the key for expanding the possibilities in alternative paradigms and exploiting parallel and next-generation hardware.
Noncovalent fluorous interactions for the synthesis of carbohydrate microarrays

Abstract A surface patterning method based on noncovalent immobilization of fluorous-tagged sugars on fluorous-derivatized glass slides allows the facile fabrication of carbohydrate microarrays. To expand the scope of these arrays, the first syntheses are reported of arabinose, rhamnose, lactose, maltose, and glucosamine tagged with a single C8F17-tail for ease of purification as well as array formation. Screening of these carbohydrate microarrays against lectins from Triticum vulgaris (WGA) and Arachis hypogaea (PNA) demonstrate that the noncovalent fluorous–fluorous interaction is sufficient to retain not only mono- but also disaccharides under the biological assay conditions.
Expression and characterization of a human mitochondrial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase.

Abstract Human mitochondrial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (mtPheRS) has been identified from the human EST database. Using consensus sequences derived from conserved regions of the α and β-subunits from bacterial PheRS, two partially sequenced cDNA clones were identified. Unexpectedly, sequence analysis indicated that one of these clones was a truncated form of the other. Detailed analysis indicates that unlike the (αβ)2 structure of the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cytoplasmic forms of PheRS, the human mtPheRS consists of a single polypeptide chain. This protein has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Gel filtration and analytical velocity sedimentation centrifugation indicate that the human mtPheRS is active in a monomeric form. The N-terminal 314 amino acid residues appear to be analogous to the α-subunit of the prokaryotic PheRS, while the C-terminal 100 amino acid residues correspond to a region of the β-subunit known to interact with the anticodon of tRNAPhe. Comparisons with the sequences of PheRS from yeast and Drosophila mitochondria indicate they are 42 % and 51 % identical with the human mtPheRS, respectively. Sequence analysis confirms the presence of motifs characteristic of class II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. KM and kcat values for ATP:PPi exchange and for the aminoacylation reaction carried out by human mtPheRS have been determined. Evolutionary origins of this small monomeric human mtPheRS are unknown, however, implications are that this enzyme is a result of the simplification of the more complex (αβ)2 bacterial PheRS in which specific functional regions were retained.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Maternal and Peer Influences on Sexual Intention among Urban African American and Hispanic Females

Peer and family influences are interconnected in complex ways. These influences shape adolescent decision-making regarding engagement in sexual behaviors. Evidence indicates the more proximal (and direct) a process is to an individual, the more likely it is to affect his/her development and behavior. Therefore, family factors (e.g., parenting practices) and peer influence (e.g., peer norms) tend to be more strongly associated with adolescent behavior than distal factors (e.g., media or the economy). Guided by an ecological framework, this study explored how maternal influence variables interact with perceptions of peer influence to affect daughters’ intentions to have sex. A nonprobability sample of 176 mother–daughter dyads was recruited in clinics and service organizations in the northeastern United States. Results from path analysis revealed that maternal influence variables had a significant indirect relationship with daughters’ intentions to have sex through daughters’ perceptions of peer influence. Maternal processes can act as protective factors for adolescent girls who perceive their peers are engaged in sexual behaviors. Therefore, risk reduction interventions with adolescents should include opportunities for parents to learn about sex-related issues and develop skills that will allow them to buffer negative peer influence.
Experimental validation of structural health monitoring for flexible bridge structures

The complex behavior of flexible structures such as cable-stayed bridges poses a challenge to the field of structural health monitoring. Modes are often closelyspaced and coupled translational and rotational motions hinder modal identification. This study proposes a structural health monitoring technique that uses vibrational characteristics to detect, identify and quantify damage. The technique can be automated using a procedure based on the finite element method. The technique is validated on an experimental model designed for this study representing a cable-stayed bridge. Accelerometers are employed to measure vertical responses of the bridge, and an impulse hammer provides the excitation to the structure. Damage is successfully detected in the experimental bridge model. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytogenetic analysis of ovulated mouse oocytes following hyperthermic stress during meiotic maturation.

Abstract Effects of hyperthermia on maturing oocytes of a random-bred stock of mice were investigated to determine if those effects might in part be responsible for the decreased reproductive efficiency observed in animals during periods of high ambient temperatures. Oocytes were collected from virgin mice 15 1 2 h following synchronization of ovulation with Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). Stressed animals were exposed to hyperthermic conditions (35 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 3% relative humidity (RH)) immediately following the injection of HCG until the time of oocyte recovery. Prior to heat exposure all animals were maintained at control conditions of 21 ± 2 °C and 65 ± 5% RH. Meiotic maturation was disrupted in a significant proportion (>25%) of oocytes from stressed animals. Apparent disruption of the spindle mechanism resulted in the cessation of the meiotic process at metaphase I in 12.28% of the oocytes from heat-stressed mice with 4.87% oocytes exhibiting subnucalei. Other nuclear forms presumed to be non-viable occurred in an additional 8.58% of the oocytes. Two oocytes exhibited retained polar body chromatin and several oocytes at metaphase II exhibited atypical configuration. The remaining oocytes were in normal metaphase II configuration.
The use and environmental impact of daylighting

Abstract With an expanding population and finite natural resources, it is critical to develop and implement energy-saving solutions that meet the needs of society without impacting future sustainability. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is an effort to promote the selection and use of high-efficiency products. Within LEED, the use of energy-efficient lighting and daylighting (the use of natural sunlight for indoor lighting applications) is a focus. Daylighting is an area of significant research within the lighting industry and one of the largest areas of interest for those pursuing LEED certification. If designed and implemented correctly, daylighting can deliver environmentally neutral lighting to interior spaces. Once a daylighting system is installed, there is no ongoing impact as there is no pollution, no sources to maintain, no energy drawn, and little fixture maintenance required over the life of the product. There are a variety of daylighting designs in the marketplace, but limited information on how or where they are best utilized. If not properly utilized daylighting can result in ineffective lighting and unsatisfied consumers. Ineffective daylighting designs may cause users to revert back to more environmentally taxing lighting solutions. Additionally, ineffective implementation of daylighting can create a negative view of efficient lighting. This paper evaluates the design and implementation of various daylighting systems. It discusses three primary designs: skylights, solar concentrators, and tubular daylighting devices. Each design has unique uses and limitations. This paper is a brief guide to assist in the understanding and selection of daylighting technologies.
Ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging of rat spinal cord at 9.4 T.

Abstract The magnetic resonance (MR) properties of the rat spinal cord were characterized at the T9 level with ex vivo experiments performed at 9.4 T. The inherent endogenous contrast parameters, proton density (PD), longitudinal and transverse relaxation times T1 and T2, and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) were measured separately for the grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM). Analysis of the measurements indicated that these tissues have statistically different proton densities with means PDGM=54.8±2.5% versus PDWM=45.2±2.4%, and different T1 values with means T1GM=2.28±0.23 s versus T1WM=1.97±0.21 s. The corresponding values for T2 were T2GM=31.8±4.9 ms versus T2WM=29.5±4.9 ms, and the difference was insignificant. The difference between MTRGM=31.2±6.1% and MTRWM=33.1±5.9% was also insignificant. These results collectively suggest that PD and T1 are the two most important parameters that determine the observed contrast on spinal cord images acquired at 9.4 T. Therefore, in MR imaging studies of spinal cord at this field strength, these parameters need to be considered not only in optimizing the protocols but also in signal enhancement strategies involving exogenous contrast agents.
Endotoxin stimulation of liver parenchymal cell phosphofructokinase activity requires nonparenchymal cells

The rate of carbohydrate flux through phosphofructokinase (measured as the rate of [3-3H]glucose detritiation) was increased fourfold in rat liver parenchymal cells incubated with conditioned mediuni from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated adherent liver non-parenchymal cells. The rate was not affected in parenchymal cells incubated either with lipopolysaccharide directly or with conditioned medium from non-stimulated non-parenchymal cells. The stimulation of carbohydrate flux through phosphofructokinase by conditioned medium was not duplicated by peptide cytokines known to be released by lipopolysaccharide-activated liver non-parenchymal cells (interleukin-1, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, and transforming growth factor-p) or platelet activating factor. Furthermore, formation of the active conditioned medium was not prevented by inclusion of cycloheximide or dexamethasone to inhibit cytokine synthesis, or indomethacin or BW7SSc to inhibit arachidonic acid metabolism, during lipopolysaccharide-stimulation of the non-parenchymal cells. The results indicate that intercellular communication between lipopolysaccharide-stimulated liver non-parenchymal cells and parenchymal cells by soluble mediators is responsible for thc stimulation of liver phosphofructokinase activity during endotoxin-induced shock. Studies to isolate and identify the factor(s) in the conditioned medium are currently in progress.
Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorders: Part II: Non-Pharmacological Treatments

Edited by Marian W. Roman, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BCCollege of Nursing, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USAA rich compendium of evidence supports the use of non-pharmacologic treatments...
Near and Far Visual Acuity in Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca Mulatta)

Measures of monocular and binocular subjective visual acuity were obtained for 5 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) at both near (3 ft.) and far (20 ft.) viewing distances. The visual acuity stimuli were Landolt rings which had gap-openings varying between 0.5 and 2.0 min. of arc. No differences were found between the near and far acuity of the 5 Ss. Binocular acuity was superior to monocular acuity.
The Effciency of Southern Tenant Plantations, 1900–1945

The continued importance of tenant plantations in some areas of the South since the Civil War suggests that there was some advantage to large-scale agriculture. One source of economies of scale was in the marketing of high-quality cotton.
An Interactive Approach to Solving Correspondence Problems

Finding correspondences among objects in different images is a critical problem in computer vision. Even good correspondence procedures can fail, however, when faced with deformations, occlusions, and differences in lighting and zoom levels across images. We present a methodology for augmenting correspondence matching algorithms with a means for triaging the focus of attention and effort in assisting the automated matching. For guiding the mix of human and automated initiatives, we introduce a measure of the expected value of resolving correspondence uncertainties. We explore the value of the approach with experiments on benchmark data.
Relational Job Design and the Motivation to Make a Prosocial Difference

This article illustrates how work contexts motivate employees to care about making a positive difference in other people's lives. I introduce a model of relational job design to describe how jobs spark the motivation to make a prosocial difference, and how this motivation affects employees' actions and identities. Whereas existing research focuses on individual differences and the task structures of jobs, I illuminate how the relational architecture of jobs shapes the motivation to make a prosocial difference.
On the Equivalence in Performance of Several Phase-Locked Loop Configurations

A double-superheterodyne tracking loop using two frequency converters to provide coherent reference signals for demodulation is analyzed and compared to two other well-known configurations. It is shown that if the loop parameters are defined appropriately, then the dynamic noise performance of the loop is identically equivalent to that of a standard phase-locked loop or a double-superheterodyne tracking loop using a noise-free external reference generator.
Kernel Adatron implementation for breast cancer data

Breast cancer is a scourge for women, second only to lung cancers as the leading cause of death in women. As an extension of current efforts to improve lesion classification to reduce the number of women having benign lesions referred for biopsy, the Kernel Adatron algorithm has been implemented for the purpose of classifying datasets of mammographic results. The Duke University dataset with 500 cases of non-palpable mammographically suspicious breast lesions in its initial 16 field form and its reduced 7 field form, was used. Testing also include the University of South Florida dataset of 1979 cases.
Implementation and extension of the ladder algorithm

The problem of the implementation of exact path-planning algorithms is addressed. The focus is on the implementation of and experimentation with the ladder algorithm of J.T. Schwartz and M. Sharir (1983). The problem is to find a continuous motion for a line segment which is constrained to move in a 2D Euclidean space amid polygonal obstacles. One of the main results is that this algorithm, in spite of its complex structure, provides surprisingly fast running times. The problems involved in the implementation of each step of the algorithm are discussed. The techniques employed to solve them are described with special emphasis on their limitations. It is shown that the original sketch of the algorithm is not guaranteed to find a path. The appropriate modifications to make the algorithm complete are briefly discussed. >
Innovative service and performance focused handson end-to-end system integration approach in teaching undergraduate Data Communications and Telecommunications

Undergraduate courses for Data Communications and Telecommunications cover services from a network technology perspective more so than they cover network technologies from a service perspective. Thus, critical issues such as interoperability and end-to-end system integration in support of new service and application ideas are left unexplored until post graduation, on-the-job training. Up until now, such explorations have not been easy or practical to execute in an undergraduate laboratory and/or classroom environment. In this paper, we present an innovative approach based on the design and implementation of a hands-on experiment where the students defined a new converged data and voice service and prototyped such a service using emulated network links and nodes. In this experiment, a specific service selected by the students for implementation supports real time remote wireless monitoring of a patient location and vital signs data involving three different locations (control, ambulance dispatch and medical centers). The emulated components involved a GPS device, wireless networks configured for ad hoc and wireless distribution system (WDS) topologies, Fiber Optic Communication system, and wireless/wire line based IP Private Branch Exchange (PBX). The class was successful in demonstrating the features and performance of the prototyped service under different network quality-of-service (QoS) conditions. Also, provided in this paper are the key learning identified both by the students and the instructor/coach perspectives. We believe that the experiment was a success and plan to enhance and apply this approach in future classes.