cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automatic measurement extraction for apparel from a three-dimensional body scan

This paper describes a project involving computer assisted measurement extraction from a three-dimensional (3D) noncontact fullbody scan. It explains the motivation behind the project, describes briefly the research plan and provides details on the measurement extraction software currently being developed. The software provides the user with tools to take measurements from a digitized image. In addition, a measurement extraction language allows the user to develop macros, or short programs, designed to automate the measurement extraction process. The paper concludes with a description of the current status of the project.
Integration of atomic layer deposited high-k dielectrics on GaSb via hydrogen plasma exposure

In this letter we report the efficacy of a hydrogen plasma pretreatment for integrating atomic layer deposited (ALD) high-k dielectric stacks with device-quality p-type GaSb(001) epitaxial layers. Molecular beam eptiaxy-grown GaSb surfaces were subjected to a 30 minute H2/Ar plasma treatment and subsequently removed to air. High-k HfO2 and Al2O3/HfO2 bilayer insulating films were then deposited via ALD and samples were processed into standard metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors. The quality of the semiconductor/dielectric interface was probed by current-voltage and variable-frequency admittance measurements. Measurement results indicate that the H2-plamsa pretreatment leads to a low density of interface states nearly independent of the deposited dielectric material, suggesting that pre-deposition H2-plasma exposure, coupled with ALD of high-k dielectrics, may provide an effective means for achieving high-quality GaSb MOS structures for advanced Sb-based digital and analog electronics.
Bidirectional synchronization and hierarchical error correction for robust image transmission

In this paper, we present a novel joint source and channel image coding scheme for noisy channel transmission. The proposed scheme consists of two innovative components: (1) Intelligent bi-directional synchronization, and (2) Layered bit-plane error protection. The bi-directional synchronization is able to recover the coding synchronization when any single or even when two consecutive synchronization codes are corrupted by the channel noise. With synchronized partition, unequal error protection for each bit-plane can be designed to suit for a wide range of channel environments. The hierarchical error protection strategy is based on the analysis of bit-plane error sensitivity, aiming at achieving an optimal joint source and channel coding when the compressed image data are transmitted over noisy channels. Experimental results over extensive channel simulations show that the proposed scheme outperforms the approach proposed by Sherwood and Zeger who have reported the best numerical results in the literature.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Topical ophthalmic beta blockers: a comparative review

ABSTRACT Topically administered beta blockers are the preferred medical therapy for glaucoma. These agents reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), thereby preventing damage to the optic nerve and the subsequent loss of vision. Timolol, betaxolol, levobunolol, metipranolol, and carteolol are the topical beta blockers available in the U.S. They have similar IOP-lowering efficacy, but differ in other pharmacological properties. Topically administered beta blockers are generally well tolerated. They undergo systemic absorption, however, and can adversely affect cardiovascular and bronchopulmonary function in patients with existing diseases such as heart failure, sinus bradycardia, chronic obstructive airways disease, or asthma. Betaxolol, which is beta1-selective, and carteolol, which has intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), may have systemic tolerability profiles superior to the traditional nonselective, non-ISA beta blockers. These hypotheses require confirmation in controlled clinical trials. Local adverse...
Hyperfine structure and interstellar curves of growth

The effects of the hyperfine structure (HFS) that is present in some interstellar absorption lines are investigated in the case of a single absorbing cloud. If the respective total equivalent widths of two or more unresolved HFS multiplets measured in relatively low-resolution spectra are analysed specifically by means of a curve of growth, the column density N(X) and the linewidth parameter b(X) inferred for absorbing species X in the cloud will generally be in error if the HFS is ignored. The fundamental physical effect is the reduced line saturation that arises because the total column density is divided among the HFS levels of the ground atomic level, each of which generally gives rise to an HFS line at a different wavelength. For nuclear spins / = 3/2 and / = 5/2, theoretical curves of growth are calculated for some of the resonance lines of some alkali atoms, for each of four illustrative choices of the parameter α = A/b, the ratio of the HFS splitting in the ground atomic level to the linewidth. Applications of the results to interstellar absorption by NaI, KI and Al III are emphasized. HFS is, fortunately, unimportant for most interstellar lines, however. Among the 35 elements that have been detected in diffuse clouds via interstellar absorption in the ultraviolet/optical spectral region, the most abundant isotope of each of 25 of these shows no HFS, because I = 0 or, in the relevant ground atomic level, J = 0.
Gender Differences in Reproductive and Physiological Traits in a Gynodioecious Species, Geranium maculatum (Geraniaceae)

Plant species with separate genders often exhibit gender differences in traits related to reproductive allocation. In gynodioecious species, females often produce more seeds than do hermaphrodites, leading to a higher reproductive cost. The mechanisms that allow females to meet the high costs of reproduction are currently under debate. In this study, we test the hypothesis that there are genetically based gender differences in physiological traits that enable females to finance these costs through higher photosynthetic carbon gain in the gynodioecious perennial Geranium maculatum. Females and hermaphrodites were compared in a greenhouse study that minimized environmental and selfing rate differences between the genders. We found that females produced smaller flowers but more of them and more fruits than did hermaphrodites. However, genders did not differ in their seed number, seed mass, fruit set, and reproductive allocation. In addition, genders did not differ in photosynthetic rate (A), leaf N, and wate...
A study of the evolution of repeated DNA sequences in primates and the existence of a new class of repetitive sequences in primates.

Abstract A new class of lowly repetitive DNA sequences has been detected in the primate genome. The renaturation rate of this sequence class is practically indistinguishable from the renaturation rate of single-copy sequences. Consequently, this lowly repetitive sequence class has not been previously observed in DNA renaturation rate studies. This new sequence class is significant in that it might occupy a major fraction of the primate genome. Based on a study of the thermal stabilities of DNA heteroduplexes constructed from human DNA and either bonnet monkey or galago DNAs, we are able to compare the relative mutation rates of repetitive and single-copy sequences in the primate genome. We find that the mutation rate of short, interspersed repetitive sequences is either less than or approximately equal to the mutation rate of single-copy sequences. This implies that the base sequence of these repetitive sequences is important to their biological function. We also find that numerous mutations have accumulated in interspersed repeated sequences since the divergence of galago and human. These mutations are only recognizable because they occur at specific sites in the repeated sequence rather than at random sites in the sequence. Although interspersed repetitive sequences from human and galago can readily cross-hybridize, these site-specific mutations identify them as being two distinct classes. In contrast, far fewer site-specific mutations have occurred since the divergence of human and monkey.
Climate and the northern distribution limits of Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

The southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, is among the most important agents of ecological disturbance and economic loss in forests of the south-eastern United States. We combined physiological measurements of insect temperature responses with climatic analyses to test the role of temperature in determining the northern distribution limits of D. frontalis. Laboratory measurements of lower lethal temperatures and published records of mortality in wild populations indicated that air temperatures of -16∞ should result in almost 100% mortality of D. frontalis. The distribution limits for D. frontalis approximate the isoline corresponding to an annual probability of 0.90 of reaching £-16 ∞C. Thus, D. frontalis have been found about as far north as they could possibly occur given winter temperature regimes. At latitudes from 39∞ N (southern Ohio) to 33∞ N (central Alabama), winter temperatures must exert high mortality on D. frontalis populations in at least one year out of ten. In contrast, we reject the hypotheses that summer temperatures or the distribution of host trees constrain the northern distribution of D. frontalis. Because of the short generation time of D. frontalis, its high dispersal abilities, and the cosmopolitan distribution of suitable host trees, changes in either the mean or variance of minimum annual temperatures could have almost immediate effects on regional patterns of beetle infestations. We estimate that an increase of 3 ∞C in minimum annual temperature could extend the northern distribution limits by 170 km. Increases or decreases in the variance of minimum annual temperatures would further relax climatic constraints on the northern distribution limits of D. frontalis. Results emphasize the ecological importance of spatial and temporal variability in minimum annual temperatures. The physiologically based models provide a tool for guiding land management decisions in forests and illustrate a general approach for predicting the regional effects of climatic patterns on the distribution of organisms.
Eating disorder symptoms among Pacific Island and Caucasian women: The impact of self dissatisfaction and anger discomfort

Background: Recent findings suggest that there may be an increased risk of eating disorders among women from non-Western countries, however, few studies have examined this risk among Pacific Island women.Aim: The present study examines eating disorder symptom levels, self dissatisfaction, anger discomfort, body dissatisfaction and body mass index (BMI) among Chamorro (Pacific Island) and Caucasian female college students. The study also accesses whether BMI, anger discomfort, self and body dissatisfaction levels correlate with eating disorder symptom levels.Method: A self-report questionnaire that included subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), and measures of anger discomfort, self dissatisfaction, and body dissatisfaction, was administered to 76 Caucasian and 59 Chamorro female college students.Results: There were no cultural differences in eating disorder symptom, self dissatisfaction or body dissatisfaction scores. Chamorro females reported higher BMI and anger discomfort levels. Measur...
Psychiatry and primary care as neighbors: from the Promethean primary care physician to multidisciplinary clinic.

Objective:A successful eight-year experience developing a co-practice model for psychiatry in a primary care practice is described.Methods:The effect on service delivery of specific changes in avai...
Triclinic elastic constants for low albite

The full set of elastic constants for plagioclase end-member phase albite (NaAlSi3O8) is reported for the first time. Velocities of surface acoustic waves (both Rayleigh and pseudo-surface waves) were measured using impulsively stimulated light scattering on polished surfaces having six different orientations (three normal to the Cartesian axes and three lying on diagonals). Data were inverted and results tested using several non-linear optimization techniques. Compliance moduli determined under hydrostatic compression provided additional constraints and reduced covariance in the reported constants. The Cartesian coordinate system associated with the constants (using the $$ {\text{C}}\ifmmode\expandafter\bar\else\expandafter\=\fi{1} $$ unit cell) has the y-axis parallel to the crystal b axis, the x-axis parallel to a* (perpendicular to b and c) and the z-axis consistent with a right-handed coordinate system. The values of the moduli C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C33, C34, C35, C36, C44, C45, C46, C55, C56, C66 and their 2σ uncertainties (in parentheses) are, respectively, 69.1(0.6), 34.0(0.7), 30.8(0.5), 5.1(0.1), −2.4(0.1), −0.9(0.1), 183.5(2.7), 5.5(2.2), −3.9(0.5), −7.7(0.7), −5.8(0.7), 179.5(2.3), −8.7(0.4), 7.1(0.6), −9.8(0.6), 24.9(0.1), −2.4(0.1), −7.2(0.1), 26.8 (0.2), 0.5(0.1), 33.5(0.2). These constants differ significantly from the previously reported pseudo-monoclinic constants that were based on velocity measurements on polysynthetic twinned crystal aggregates. Differences are consistent with systematic errors in the earlier study associated with sparse data and the presence of cracks and other imperfections.
Hospitality Students’ Intent to Become Involved as Active Alumni: A Predictive Model

Researchers examined the direct and indirect role and impact of student involvement in hospitality clubs and student-led events on desirable outcomes, consisting of students’ perceived emotional attachment to the hospitality program, their career focus in the hospitality field, and their future intent to become involved as active alumni. A conceptual model predicting students’ supportive behavioral intentions as active alumni was empirically tested using survey data from 430 hospitality students. Overall, all 5 hypothesized relationships from the proposed structural equation model were statistically supported. This study's findings suggest that hospitality program administrators and faculty advisers should encourage student involvement in hospitality clubs and event activities. Implications and future directions for research are discussed.
Hierarchical Analysis of Variance of Shelf-Sediment Texture: ABSTRACT

Several geologic inferences are made from studies of the geographic distributions of sediment-texture variables. Evaluation of such distributions requires that information on the total within-station variability be available. To obtain information on the relative magnitudes of the within-station and among-station variabilities, an extensive sampling program was undertaken on the continental shelf of Washington. Sampling was done in a stratified-multistage scheme on traverses placed by a systematic random system along the coast; 450 stations were occupied. Duplicate samples were taken at each station and duplicate analyses were made on each sample. Compete analyses are available for 130 stations. This sampling design leads directly to a three-level, hierarchical analysis of variance. In this analysis, the F-ratios of the mean square among stations to that within stations are measures of the reliability of distributions. Nine textural variables were measured in each of the analyses. Values of the ratios diff red greatly among the variables. Table I indicates the F-ratios for the nine variables analyzed. Each ratio is based on 129 and 130 degrees of freedom. Table I. F-Ratios for Nine Values Analyzed End_of_Article - Last_Page 464------------
Minimal modification in the factor VIII B-domain sequence ameliorates the murine hemophilia A phenotype

Recombinant canine B-domain deleted (BDD) factor VIII (FVIII) is predominantly expressed as a single-chain protein and exhibits greater stability after activation compared with human FVIII-BDD. We generated a novel BDD-FVIII variant (FVIII-RH) with an amino acid change at the furin cleavage site within the B domain (position R1645H) that mimics the canine sequence (HHQR vs human RHQR). Compared with human FVIII-BDD, expression of FVIII-RH protein revealed a 2.5-fold increase in the single-chain form. Notably, FVIII-RH exhibited a twofold increase in biological activity compared with FVIII-BDD, likely due to its slower dissociation of the A2-domain upon thrombin activation. Injection of FVIII-RH protein in hemophilia A (HA) mice resulted in more efficacious hemostasis following vascular injury in both the macro- and microcirculation. These findings were successfully translated to adeno-associated viral (AAV)-based liver gene transfer in HA mice. Expression of circulating FVIII-RH was approximately twofold higher compared with AAV-FVIII-BDD–injected mice. Moreover, FVIII-RH exhibits superior procoagulant effects compared with FVIII-BDD following a series of hemostatic challenges. Notably, the immunogenicity of FVIII-RH did not differ from FVIII-BDD. Thus, FVIII-RH is an attractive bioengineered molecule for improving efficacy without increased immunogenicity and may be suitable for both protein- and gene-based strategies for HA.
NMDA receptor subunit expression and PAR2 receptor activation in colospinal afferent neurons (CANs) during inflammation induced visceral hypersensitivity

Visceral hypersensitivity is a clinical observation made when diagnosing patients with functional bowel disorders. The cause of visceral hypersensitivity is unknown but is thought to be attributed to inflammation. Previously we demonstrated that a unique set of enteric neurons, colospinal afferent neurons (CANs), co-localize with the NR1 and NR2D subunits of the NMDA receptor as well as with the PAR2 receptor. The aim of this study was to determine if NMDA and PAR2 receptors expressed on CANs contribute to visceral hypersensitivity following inflammation. Recently, work has suggested that dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons expressing the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) receptor mediate inflammation induced visceral hypersensitivity. Therefore, in order to study CAN involvement in visceral hypersensitivity, DRG neurons expressing the TRPV1 receptor were lesioned with resiniferatoxin (RTX) prior to inflammation and behavioural testing. CANs do not express the TRPV1 receptor; therefore, they survive following RTX injection. RTX treatment resulted in a significant decrease in TRPV1 expressing neurons in the colon and immunohistochemical analysis revealed no change in peptide or receptor expression in CANs following RTX lesioning as compared to control data. Behavioral studies determined that both inflamed non-RTX and RTX animals showed a decrease in balloon pressure threshold as compared to controls. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the NR1 cassettes, N1 and C1, of the NMDA receptor on CANs were up-regulated following inflammation. Furthermore, inflammation resulted in the activation of the PAR2 receptors expressed on CANs. Our data show that inflammation causes an up-regulation of the NMDA receptor and the activation of the PAR2 receptor expressed on CANs. These changes are associated with a decrease in balloon pressure in response to colorectal distension in non-RTX and RTX lesioned animals. Therefore, these data suggest that CANs contribute to visceral hypersensitivity during inflammation.
Observations of potassium in the tenuous lunar atmosphere

Observations of neutral potassium (K) in the tenuous lunar atmosphere are described. An echelle spectrograph, CCD, and data acquisition system are used to obtain emission spectra of neutral K atoms in the lunar atmosphere as observed by the 1.54 telescope at the Catalina Observatory at first quarter the night of April 29, 1989. A table of relevant lunar atmosphere parameters summarizes the results of the investigation. It is found that the number density at the surface is 9.5 + or - 1 atoms per cu cm and that there is a large nonthermal component and a deficiency of atoms equilibrated to the surface temperature. The calculated thermalization rate of the nonthermal component through encounters with the lunar surface gives a source of strength for the thermal component factor of 7 greater than loss by photoionization. Possible explanations for the low thermalized population observed are considered.
A Dose-Response Study on the Effects of Purified Lycopene Supplementation on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress

Objective While tomato product supplementation, containing antioxidant carotenoids, including lycopene, decreases oxidative stress, the role of purified lycopene as an antioxidant remains unclear. Thus, we tested the effects of different doses of purified lycopene supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress in healthy volunteers.
Benign vascular tumors and tumor-like proliferations

Appropriate nomenclature of benign vascular tumors and tumor-like conditions is problematic due to overlapping histologic features, limited understanding of the pathogenesis, and controversy regarding classification. Benign vascular anomalies are categorized into malformations, neoplasms, reactive proliferations, or ectasias based on their clinical behavior, currently accepted etiologies, and histopathology. We address controversies in the classification of some entities and also discuss recent immunohistochemical developments that have raised questions regarding the origin of certain vascular tumors. This comprehensive review focuses on the clinical presentation, behavior, associated conditions, histopathological findings, and differential diagnoses of benign vascular tumors and tumor-like conditions.
The model for Fundamentals of Endovascular Surgery (FEVS) successfully defines the competent endovascular surgeon.

Objective Fundamental skills testing is now required for certification in general surgery. No model for assessing fundamental endovascular skills exists. Our objective was to develop a model that tests the fundamental endovascular skills and differentiates competent from noncompetent performance. Methods The Fundamentals of Endovascular Surgery model was developed in silicon and virtual-reality versions. Twenty individuals (with a range of experience) performed four tasks on each model in three separate sessions. Tasks on the silicon model were performed under fluoroscopic guidance, and electromagnetic tracking captured motion metrics for catheter tip position. Image processing captured tool tip position and motion on the virtual model. Performance was evaluated using a global rating scale, blinded video assessment of error metrics, and catheter tip movement and position. Motion analysis was based on derivations of speed and position that define proficiency of movement (spectral arc length, duration of submovement, and number of submovements). Results Performance was significantly different between competent and noncompetent interventionalists for the three performance measures of motion metrics, error metrics, and global rating scale. The mean error metric score was 6.83 for noncompetent individuals and 2.51 for the competent group ( P P Conclusions The Fundamentals of Endovascular Surgery model successfully differentiates competent and noncompetent performance of fundamental endovascular skills based on a series of objective performance measures. This model could serve as a platform for skills testing for all trainees.
Synthesis of Testosterone and 5α‐Reduced Androgens during Initiation of Spermatogenesis in the Rat

Zusammenfassung Synthese von Testosteron und 5α-reduzierten Androgenen wahrend des Beginns der Spermatogenese bei der Ratte Zahlreiche Autoren haben uber die ansteigende 5α-Reduktase-Aktivitat in den Hoden von Ratten in der Entwicklung berichtet. Der schnelle in vitro-Stoffwechsel von Progesteron zu 5α-reduzierten Androgenen erfolgt in bestimmten Stadien der Hodenentwicklung. Dieses wurde als Beweis fur die Schlusfolgerung angesehen, das Testosteron mehr ein Zwischenprodukt als ein Endprodukt im unreifen Rattenhoden ist. Es ist jedoch eine Diskrepanz festzustellen, wenn die Werte aus der Entwicklungsphase von zirkulierenden oder intratestikularen Androgenwerten mit den Werten der Akkumulierung von Metaboliten des Progesterons in vitro verglichen werden. Im Blut und im Hoden von 17–20 Tage alten Ratten wurde ein Testosterin-Gipfel berichtet, wahrend bei den in vitro-Studien dieser Gipfel nicht zu beobachten war. In der vorgelegten Untersuchung wurde radio-markiertes Pregnenolon als Substrat in vitro benutzt; es wurde ein Muster der Androgenbildung beobachtet, wie es in ahnlicher Weise bei in vivo-Untersuchungen festgestellt wurde. Unmittelbar vor dem Abschlus der meiotischen Prophase wurde ein Androgen-Bildungs-Gipfel (Testosteron und 5α-Androstandiol) beobachtet. Jedoch lies sich keine Beziehung zwischen 5α-Reduktion und Abschlus der meiotischen Prophase herstellen, wenn Testosteron als Substrat verwendet wurde. Das legt es nahe, das der Anstieg an Testosteron mit dem Abschlus der meiotischen Prophase vergesellschaftet sein durfte. Eine Untersuchung der Androgen-Stoffwechselwege offenbarte die folgenden altersabhangigen Muster: Keine Veranderung in der 17β-Hydroxysteroid-Dehydrogenase, Aktivierung der 5α-Reduktase bis zum Alter von 12 Tagen und Aktivierung der 3α-Hydroxysteroid-Dehydrogenase zwischen 14–18 Tagen an Alter. Es wurde der Beweis geliefert, um die Annahme zu unterstutzen, das im unreifen Rattenhoden Androsteron primar uber ein Dihydrotestosteron-5α-Androstandiol gebildet wird, und zwar als uber Androstendion und 5α-Androstandion, wie es fruher angenommen wurde.
Energy and Environmental Aspects of Data Centers

Data centers have become an essential operational component of nearly every sector of the economy, and as a result growing consumers of energy and emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Developing strategies for optimizing power usage and reducing the associated life cycle GHG emissions are critical priorities for meeting climate policy objectives. We investigate data center power management through virtualization, a technique that consolidates data center workloads onto fewer computing resources within a data center and deploys computing resources only as needed. Based on an experimentally validated dynamic resource provisioning framework applied to a small scale computing cluster at Drexel University that employed lookahead control, a control scheme using virtualization demonstrated a 25% reduction in power consumption over a 24-hour period. Using the power savings results from the virtualization experiments, and extrapolating those savings to a medium-sized data center that hosts 500 servers, we estimate the avoided life cycle GHG emissions for implementing a virtualization strategy in hourly time-steps for marginal and average electricity units over a 24-hour day during the month of August, when electricity loads are typically highest for the year. Results from this work show virtualization could avoid the emission of approximately 0.8 to 1.2 metric tons CO2e/day.
Effects of Synchrotron X-Rays on PVD Deposited and Ion Implanted α-Si

We have studied the effects of intense x-ray irradiation on the stucture of amorphous Si films. The films were obtained by either physical vapor deposition or by implantation of high energy ions into crystalline Si. They were exposed to different total doses of synchrotron x-rays. From the EXAFS and EXELFS measurements we find that an exposure to x-rays increases the Si coordination number. Also in the PVD films a prolonged x-ray exposure enlarges, by about 2 %, the Si-Si bond length. Raman spectroscopy shows that Si amorphized with high energy ions contains small residual amounts of crystalline material. Irradiation of such films with x-rays annihilates those crystallites resulting in homogenously amorphous layer with a close to four-fold coordination of Si atoms. This rearangement of the local structure has a pronounced effect on the crystallization process of the amorphous films. Thermal annealing of x-ray irradiated ion amorphized films leads to nearly defect free solid phase epitaxy at 500°C. Also we observe a delay in the onset of the crystallization process in x-ray irradiated PVD films. We associate this with a reduced concentration of nucleation centers in the x-ray treated materials.
Effects of sympathetic stimulation on the round window compound action potential in the rat

The effect on the ear of stimulating the sympathetic nervous system was studied in rats by recording the compound action potentials (N1N2) in response to 2 kHz tonebursts presented to anesthetized rats before, during, and after electrical stimulation of the superior cervical ganglion, and evaluating the changes in N1 latency which resulted. Stimulation of the superior cervical ganglion was found to cause an increase in the N1 latency which was more pronounced at low stimulus intensities (mean value 0.09 ± 0.04 ms (S.E.) at 5 dB above threshold) than at moderate stimulation intensities (0.08 ± 0.04 ms at 15 dB above threshold), with little change in latency occurring at the highest intensity tested (0.02 ± 0.01 ms at approximately 25–30 dB above threshold). In addition, individual animals varied in their responses to stimulation of the superior cervical ganglion, with some animals evidencing a great change in the latency of the response (0.4 ms increase at 10 dB above threshold) and others showing very little change in latency. This variability could not be related to the condition of the animal at the time of observation of the response. In one of the twelve animals there was a slight decrease in latency as a result of sympathetic stimulation (0.07 ms at 5 dB above threshold), and although not studied systematically, low frequencies seemed to be affected more than high frequencies. Further, the change in the amplitude of N1 was not systematically related to sympathetic stimulation. After the adminstration of hexamethonium (which blocks transmission in autonomic ganglia) in three rats there was no effect on the latency of the N1 potential from sympathetic stimulation as recorded before sympathetic stimulation.
Functional properties of non-muscle tropomyosin isoforms

Tropomyosins are a family of actin filament binding proteins. They have been identified in many organisms, including yeast, nematodes, Drosophila, birds and mammals. In metazoans, different forms of tropomyosin are characteristic of specific cell types. Most non-muscle cells, such as fibroblasts, express five to eight isoforms of tropomyosins. The various isoforms exhibit distinct biochemical properties that appear to be required for specific cellular functions.
The Reduced Monotonic Regression Method

Abstract Medical researchers often desire to categorize patients into monotonic response groups based on the relationship between continuous variables. Isotonic regression fits consist of level sets of increasing value, for which the estimated response is constant. However, the number of level sets obtained is often large, preventing simple description. This article introduces two new nonparametric methods called reduced isotonic regression and reduced monotonic regression, the latter being a two-sided extension of the former for use when the direction of the trend is unknown. Using a backward elimination algorithm, the new procedures reduce the number of level sets by combining those whose values do not differ greatly. For the statistical relations examined here, the reduced monotonic method averaged at most 30% of the number of level sets obtained for isotonic regression. The method is illustrated with an example that examines the relationship between risk factors for survival among children with leukem...
The presence of visible third molars negatively influences periodontal outcomes in the Maternal Oral Therapy to Reduce Obstetric Risk study.

Purpose To assess the relationship between the presence or absence of visible third molars and outcomes for periodontal inflammatory disease. Methods Obstetric subjects, at enrollment in an institutional review board–approved, multisite study, Maternal Oral Therapy to Reduce Obstetric Risk (N = 1,798), were divided into 2 groups, those with no visible third molars (n = 692) and those with at least 1 visible third molar (n = 1,106), the predictor variables for this study. The principal outcome variables were the patient-level periodontal status of the first/second molars: mean periodontal probing depths, mean attachment levels, and mean extent scores. Periodontal disease severity also was assessed by criteria from the Oral Conditions and Pregnancy trial and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology. Outcomes according to the presence or absence of third molars were compared with χ 2 statistics and multivariable analyses. Significance was set at P Results Significantly more subjects had at least 1 third molar (62%) as compared with subjects with no visible third molar (38%) ( P Conclusion If at least 1 visible third molar was detected in subjects in the Maternal Oral Therapy to Reduce Obstetric Risk study at enrollment as compared with no detected third molars, periodontal outcomes were significantly worse.
Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors: long-term prognosis for surgically treated patients.

To evaluate long-term survival of patients with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors and to assess factors that may influence prognosis, 154 patients (49% females, 51% males), median age 62 years (range 12–84 years) treated at our institution during 1972–1982 have been followed long term. Tumor location included the foregut (7%), midgut (62%), and hindgut (30%). Ninety-five percent of the patients underwent surgical or endoscopic excision of the primary tumor, with overall operative mortality and postoperative morbidity rates of 2.6% and 11%, respectively. At follow-up, 60 patients (39%) were alive (median follow-up 18 years; range 1–26 years). The main causes of death included carcinoid tumor burden (32%), unrelated causes (45%), other malignancy (19%), and unknown causes (4%). Observed overall 5- and 10-year survivals were 69% and 53%, respectively. Survival was not related to gender or symptoms at presentation. However, age, embryologic origin, tumor size, depth of invasion, nodal status, and stage of disease proved to be of statistical significance (log-rank). In a multivariate Cox' model, only older age (> 62 years) [P =0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 3.4) and embryologic origin (midgut versus foregut) (P = 0.045, OR = 0.45) provided independent prognostic power when death from any cause was taken as the end-point. This study confirms that patient's age and the site of the primary tumor have prognostic significance. Carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine tumors with a relatively good prognosis, and long-term survival is possible despite advanced stages of disease.
Momentum Projection and Relativistic Boost of Solitons: Coherent States and Projection

We present a method for calculating center-of-mass corrections to hadron properties in soliton models and we apply the method to the soliton bag model. A coherent state is used to provide a quantum wave function corresponding to the mean-field approximation. This state is projected onto a zero-momentum eigenstate. States of nonzero momentum can be constructed from this with a Lorentz boost operator. Hence center-of-mass corrections can be made in a properly relativistic way. The energy of the projected zero-momentum state is the hadron mass with spurious center-of-mass energy removed. We apply a variational principle to our projected state and use three ``virial theorems'' to test our approximate solution. We also study projection of general one-mode states. Projection reduces the nucleon energy by up to 25%. Variation after projection gives a further reduction of less than 20%. Somewhat larger reductions in the energy are found for meson states.
New Directions in Primate Research

Chimpanzee Material Culture: Implications for Human Evolution. W. C. McGrew Theropithecus: The Rise and Fall of a Primate Genus. N. G. Jablonski
Dictionaries for Language Learners

Book reviewed in this article: The TESOL Quarterly welcomes evaluative reviews of publications relevant to TESOL professionals. In addition to textbooks and reference materials, these include computer and video software, testing instruments, and other forms of nonprint materials. COBUILD English Learner's Dictionary Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
A Bridge Across the Bosphorus

Relatively few studies have focused on migrants who returned to the country of their origin or their parentsâ origin. Still fewer have examined the communication patterns of call center workers who live in one country but conduct all of their business in the language and culture of another country. Drawing on work by Portes and Bourdieu, this study treats the use of traditional media and the Internet and its relation to the bridging and bonding behavior of a group of Turks who returned to Istanbul from the Netherlands and who are now employed by a Dutch call center company. Based on a survey and three focus groups of employee participants, this research finds that more recent and younger returnees primarily bond with family and friends in Holland through use of Dutch media and Internet use, whereas longer term returnees connect more with Turkish media. Some bridging was occurring through interpersonal communication with Turks by the younger and more recent arrivals.
The Phage Shock Protein PspA Facilitates Divalent Metal Transport and is Required for Virulence of Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium

The phage shock protein (Psp) system is induced by extracytoplasmic stress and thought to be important for the maintenance of proton motive force. We investigated the contribution of PspA to Salmonella virulence. A pspA deletion mutation significantly attenuates the virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium following intraperitoneal inoculation of C3H/HeN (Ity(r) ) mice. PspA was found to be specifically required for virulence in mice expressing the natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1) (Slc11a1) divalent metal transporter, which restricts microbial growth by limiting the availability of essential divalent metals within the phagosome. Salmonella competes with Nramp1 by expressing multiple metal uptake systems including the Nramp-homologue MntH, the ABC transporter SitABCD and the ZIP family transporter ZupT. PspA was found to facilitate Mn(2+) transport by MntH and SitABCD, as well as Zn(2+) and Mn(2+) transport by ZupT. In vitro uptake of (54) Mn(2+) by MntH and ZupT was reduced in the absence of PspA. Transport-deficient mutants exhibit reduced viability in the absence of PspA when grown under metal-limited conditions. Moreover, the ZupT transporter is required for Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium virulence in Nramp1-expressing mice. We propose that PspA promotes Salmonella virulence by maintaining proton motive force, which is required for the function of multiple transporters mediating bacterial divalent metal acquisition during infection.
Proving optimizations correct using parameterized program equivalence

Translation validation is a technique for checking that, after an optimization has run, the input and output of the optimization are equivalent. Traditionally, translation validation has been used to prove concrete, fully specified programs equivalent. In this paper we present Parameterized Equivalence Checking (PEC), a generalization of translation validation that can prove the equivalence of parameterized programs. A parameterized program is a partially specified program that can represent multiple concrete programs. For example, a parameterized program may contain a section of code whose only known property is that it does not modify certain variables. By proving parameterized programs equivalent, PEC can prove the correctness of transformation rules that represent complex optimizations once and for all, before they are ever run. We implemented our PEC technique in a tool that can establish the equivalence of two parameterized programs. To highlight the power of PEC, we designed a language for implementing complex optimizations using many-to-many rewrite rules, and used this language to implement a variety of optimizations including software pipelining, loop unrolling, loop unswitching, loop interchange, and loop fusion. Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of PEC, we used our PEC implementation to verify that all the optimizations we implemented in our language preserve program behavior.
Ultrasonographic prediction of birth weight in diabetic pregnancies.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To compare diabetic and nondiabetic pregnant women near term regarding the accuracy of predicted birth weight by the gestation-adjusted projection method using ultrasonographic measurements. METHODS: Patients with singleton pregnancies who had diabetes and who underwent sonograms between 34.0 weeks and 36.9 weeks formed the study group. The control group was comprised of nondiabetic women who had sonograms in the same gestational age range. The absolute birth weight errors and absolute percent errors in the study group and the controls were compared with t tests. RESULTS: A total of 133 diabetic women and 1690 controls were included in the study. The mean (± standard deviation) absolute error of the predicted birth weight was 265 ± 210 g in the diabetic women and 261 ± 204 g in the control group ( P = .87). The mean (± standard deviation) absolute percent error was 7.4% ± 6.3% for diabetic women compared with 8.3% ± 6.6% for the controls ( P = .14). CONCLUSION: Prediction of birth weight using the gestation-adjusted projection method is as accurate in diabetic women as in controls.
Solar ultraviolet-B radiation increases phenolic content and ferric reducing antioxidant power in Avena sativa

Abstract: We examined the influence of solar ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B; 280-320 nm) on the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (F v /F m ), bulk-soluble phenolic concentrations, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and growth of Avena sativa. Treatments involved placing filters on frames over potted plants that reduced levels of biologically effective UV-B by either 71% (reduced UV-B) or by 19% (near-ambient UV-B) over the 52 day experiment (04 July - 25 August 2002). Plants growing under near-ambient UV-B had 38% less total biomass than those under reduced UV-B. The reduction in biomass was mainly the result of a 24% lower leaf elongation rate, resulting in shorter leaves and less total leaf area than plants under reduced UV-B. In addition, plants growing under near-ambient UV-B had up to 17% lower F v /F m values early in the experiment, and this effect declined with plant age. Concentrations of bulk-soluble phenolics and FRAP values were 17 and 24% higher under near-ambient UV-B than under reduced UV-B, respectively. There was a positive relationship between bulk-soluble phenolic concentrations and FRAP values. There were no UV-B effects on concentrations of carotenoids (carotenes + xanthophylls).
Oxidative Stress in Critically Ill Patients

Oxygen-derived free radicals play an important role in the development of disease in critically ill patients. Normally, oxygen free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants such as vitamin E or enzymes such as superoxide dismutase. However, in patients who require intensive care, oxygen free radicals become a problem when either a decrease in the removal or an overproduction of the radicals occurs. This oxidative stress and the damage due to it have been implicated in many diseases in critically ill patients. Many drugs and treatments now being investigated are directed toward preventing the damage from oxidative stress. The formation of reactive oxygen species, the damage caused by them, and the body's defense system against them are reviewed. New interventions are described that may be used in critically ill patients to prevent or treat oxidative damage.
Pipelined disk arrays for digital movie retrieval

We develop a reliable disk array based storage architecture for digital video retrieval. Our goals are two fold: maximizing the number of concurrent real time sessions while minimizing the buffering requirements, and ensuring a high degree of reliability. The first goal is achieved by adopting a pipelined approach and by reducing latencies through specialized disk caching and constrained data placement schemes. The second goal is achieved by dividing the disks into RAID 3 reliability groups which serve as pipeline stages. We note that the buffering requirement decreases as the number of groups increases. To improve the performance further, we introduce two techniques for more efficient movie retrieval: on arrival caching, and interleaved annular layout. We present a case study of the performance of these techniques which shows a significant improvement when they are incorporated.
Direct use of CT scans for hyperthermia treatment planning

In the field of deep regional hyperthermia cancer therapy, patient-specific, three-dimensional computer modeling for treatment planning in the BSD-2000 hyperthermia system is addressed. Two persistent problems have been the large amount of time needed to create the patient model from a computed tomography (CT) scan (one and a half days), and the lack of a way to view the large amounts of data that comprise the output of a treatment plan, i.e. the specific absorption rate (SAR) at 20000 to 30000 cells. A method that obtains the dielectric properties needed for hyperthermia treatment planning directly from the CT image with minimum operator interaction is presented. Comparison is made with the previous method of drawing contours around the different tissue types. A method which displays the output as iso-SAR contours directly over the CT scan of the patient is described. >
Crack arrest testing of high strength structural steels for naval applications

Abstract The crack arrest fracture toughness of two high strength steel alloys used in naval construction, HSLA-100, Composition 3 and HY-100, was characterized in this investigation. A greatly scaled-down version of the wide-plate crack arrest test was developed to characterize the crack arrest performance of these tough steel alloys in the upper region of the ductile–brittle transition. The specimen is a single edge-notched, 152 mm wide by 19 mm thick by 910 mm long plate subjected to a strong thermal gradient and a tensile loading. The thermal gradient is required to arrest the crack at temperatures high in the transition region, close to the expected service temperature for crack arrest applications in surface ships. Strain gages were placed along the crack path to obtain crack position and crack velocity data, and this data, along with the applied loading is combined in a “generation mode” analysis using finite element analysis to obtain a dynamic analysis of the crack arrest event. Detailed finite element analyses were conducted to understand the effect of various modeling assumptions on the results and to validate the methodology compared with more conventional crack arrest tests. Brittle cracks initiation, significant cleavage crack propagation and subsequent crack arrest was achieved in all 15 of the tests conducted in this investigation. A crack arrest master curve approach was used to characterize and compare the crack arrest fracture toughness. The HSLA-100, Comp. 3 steel alloy had superior performance to the HY-100 steel alloy. The crack arrest reference temperature was TKIA = −136 °C for the HSLA-100 plate and TKIA = −64 °C for the HY-100 plate.