cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preoperative coagulation screening for adenotonsillectomy: a review and comparison of current physician practices.

Objective To determine the current practice of pediatric otolaryngologists on a national level and general otolaryngologists on a regional level regarding preoperative coagulation screening prior to adenotonsillectomy. Study design A five-question survey of members of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) and the Massachusetts Society of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (MSO-HNS). Subjects and methods Survey results were analyzed to determine current preoperative screening practices relative to awareness of screening recommendations published in the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) 1999 Clinical Indicators Compendium. Results The survey response rate was 27 percent (54/190) and 29 percent (76/260) for MSO-HNS and ASPO members, respectively. In patients with no known bleeding risk, 21 percent of respondents continue to obtain coagulation screening including, at a minimum, a partial thromboplastin time and a prothrombin time. MSO-HNS respondents reported ordering more preoperative coagulation studies than did ASPO respondents (35% vs 10%). Interestingly, awareness of the AAO-HNS consensus statement was similar between the two groups and did not impact screening practices. Conclusions The survey results indicate a discrepancy between current practice relative to pre-adenotonsillectomy coagulation screening and the recommendations of the AAO-HNS 1999 consensus statement.
Interactional models of learning disabilities: Evidence from students entering foster care

Children are increasingly entering foster care due to primary or secondary neglect in the home environment. They provide a unique opportunity to examine the relationship between learning and extrascholastic environments. Achievement and intelligence scores were obtained for 3483 school-age children during the first 30 to 60 days of foster care placement. Results showed average to low-average mean achievement and IQ, with primary academic deficits in basic skill areas. One or more severe (≥1.75 SD) regressed discrepancies was found for 25.4% of children, and 76.6% showed one or more areas of academic underachievement (≤25th percentile). Results are interpreted as supporting interactional models of learning disability etiology that recognize environmental, neurologic, instructional, and behavioral variables. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mucocutaneous paraneoplastic manifestations of hematologic malignancies.

Abstract Appearance of a dermatosis with a potential paraneoplastic association may herald the appearance of a new or relapsed neoplasm, and may in some cases even provide the clue to the type of cancer present. However, it should be kept in mind that while the mucocutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes discussed herein occur primarily in hematologic diseases, they still may be associated with solid tumors on occasion (Table IV). 4,49,50 As more is learned about the causes of these syndromes, paraneoplastic phenomena may shed light on the biology of specific cancers. Based on the diverse nature of the paraneoplastic mucocutaneous syndromes, a uniform etiologic basis is unlikely and, to date, a variety of possible immune- or cytokine-mediated aberrations have been postulated. In regard to treatment, some of the cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes will respond to specific measures such as systemic corticosteroid therapy but, for the most part, successful resolution requires eradication of the underlying malignancy.
Reactions of Cr3+ with aspartic acid within a wide pH range

Formation of the metal complexes of aspartic acid (Asp) with the chromium metal ion (Cr3+) in solutions using potentiometric titrations is presented within a wide pH range (∼3.5 to ∼10.5) at 25°C and I=0.10 M NaNO3. Concentration distribution diagrams revealed that the main complex formed within this pH range is the bis Cr 3+ complex. Literature stability constant values for the Cr–Asp complexes were used to construct concentration distribution diagrams. Complexes taken into consideration were the simple one-to-one complex, the bis-complex, and the bis-mono-protonated complex, namely, Cr–Asp, Cr(Asp)2, and Cr(Asp)2H. The corresponding Log β values of these complexes were 12.46, 21.86, and 24.30, respectively. UV–Vis spectra demonstrate Cr 3+–Asp binding. The UV–Vis spectra were collected from a system that reached a high level of equilibrium state (50 days’ equilibrium time).
Singularity structure of the perturbation series for the ground-state energy of a many-fermion system

Calculational procedures are developed for the ground-state energy of a many-fermion system. The entire theory is developed from the many-body Schr\"odinger equation via perturbation theory. The linked cluster expansion is derived by elementary methods. The analytic singularities of the energy function are analyzed, and procedures designed to avoid or overcome them. Results for the calculation of the energy in the presence of a purely repulsive two-body force are reviewed, and the situation is found to be reasonably satisfactory, though good results are restricted to weak potentials when the system is not dilute. Results for an attractive potential surrounding a strongly repulsive core are reviewed, and procedures discribed for calculations in this case. A sample calculation with an assessment of the probable errors is reviewed.
Kaempferol Inhibits Angiogenesis and VEGF Expression Through Both HIF Dependent and Independent Pathways in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Ovarian cancer is 1 of the most significant malignancies in the Western world, and the antiangiogenesis strategy has been postulated for prevention and treatment of ovarian cancers. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid present in many fruits and vegetables. The antiangiogenesis potential of kaempferol and its underlying mechanisms were investigated in two ovarian cancer cell lines, OVCAR-3 and A2780/CP70. Kaempferol mildly inhibits cell viability but significantly reduces VEGF gene expression at mRNA and protein levels in both ovarian cancer cell lines. In chorioallantoic membranes of chicken embryos, kaempferol significantly inhibits OVCAR-3-induced angiogenesis and tumor growth. HIF-1alpha, a regulator of VEGF, is downregulated by kaempferol treatment in both ovarian cancer cell lines. Kaempferol also represses AKT phosphorylation dose dependently at 5 to 20 muM concentrations. ESRRA is a HIF-independent VEGF regulator, and it is also downregulated by kaempferol in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, this study demonstrated that kaempferol is low in cytotoxicity but inhibits angiogenesis and VEGF expression in human ovarian cancer cells through both HIF-dependent (Akt/HIF) and HIF-independent (ESRRA) pathways and deserves further studies for possible application in angio prevention and treatment of ovarian cancers.
An alternate form of the MUR second-order absorbing boundary condition

The Mur absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs) are used very widely for the truncation of the finite-difference mesh. The purpose of this note is to present an alternate form of the second-order Mur absorbing boundary condition. It has a more compact form and can be viewed as a special case of the second-order dispersive boundary condition. This compact form is not only simple to implement, but also requires less computational time. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Why are so many goods priced to end in nine? And why this practice hurts the producers

Abstract The widespread phenomenon of goods being priced at D dollars and 99 cents is explained without abandoning the assumption of full rationality; and it is shown that as a consequence of such pricing it is the producers who are generally worse off.
Extracellular access to the Na,K pump : pathway similar to ion channel

In each normal Na,K pump cycle, first three sodium and then two potassium ions are transported; in both cases, the ions become temporarily occluded in pump conformations that isolate them from internal and external solutions. A major charge movement occurs during sodium translocation and accompanies the deocclusion of sodium ions or their release to the cell exterior, or both. The nature of the charge movement was examined by measurement of the undirectional sodium-22 efflux mediated by Nai-Nao exchange (Nai and Nao are internal and external sodium ions) in voltage-clamped, internally dialyzed squid giant axons in the absence of potassium; in this way the pump activity was restricted to the sodium-translocation pathway. Although electroneutral, the Nai-Nao exchange was nevertheless voltage-sensitive: increasingly negative potentials enhanced its rate along a saturating sigmoid curve. Such voltage dependence demonstrates that the release and rebinding of external sodium is the predominant charge-moving (hence, voltage-sensitive) step, suggesting that extracellular sodium ions must reach their binding sites deep in the pump molecule through a high-field access channel. This implies that part of the pump molecule is functionally analogous to an ion channel.
Water‐in‐oil emulsifying agents: VI. Esters synthesized from cholesterol derivatives

Fifteen normal esters of 3α-carboxy-Δ5-cholestene, thirteen of which were previously unreported, have been prepared. Nine, previously unreported, normal esters of 3α-(hydroxymethyl)-Δ5-cholestene have been prepared. The 12-hydroxystearic acid ester and the 9,10-dihydroxstearic acid ester of this carbinol have also gee, prepared. Cholesteryl 12-hydroxystearate has been prepared.
Generation of an angiostatin-like fragment from plasminogen by stromelysin-1 (MMP-3).

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3 or stromelysin-1) specifically hydrolyzes the Glu59−Asn60, Pro447−Val448, and Pro544−Ser545 peptide bonds in plasminogen, yielding a 55 kDa NH2-terminal angiostatin-like domain (comprising kringles 1−4), a 14 kDa domain comprising kringle 5, and a 30 kDa domain comprising the serine proteinase domain. The conversion is completely abolished in the presence of the MMP inhibitors EDTA or 1,10-phenanthroline. Biospecific interaction analysis indicates that binding of proMMP-3 and MMP-3 to plasminogen occurs with comparable affinity (KA of 4.7 × 106 and 4.1 × 106 M-1, respectively) and is mediated via the miniplasminogen moiety (kringle 5 plus the proteinase domain) and via the catalytic domain of MMP-3. Thus, proteolytic cleavage of plasminogen by MMP-3 generates angiostatin-like fragments.
Polymeric nanoparticles for siRNA delivery and gene silencing

Gene silencing using small interfering RNA (siRNA) has several potential therapeutic applications. In the present study, we investigated nanoparticles formulated using the biodegradable polymer, poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) for siRNA delivery. A cationic polymer, polyethylenimine (PEI), was incorporated in the PLGA matrix to improve siRNA encapsulation in PLGA nanoparticles. PLGA-PEI nanoparticles were formulated using double emulsion-solvent evaporation technique and characterized for siRNA encapsulation and in vitro release. The effectiveness of siRNA-loaded PLGA-PEI nanoparticles in silencing a model gene, fire-fly luciferase, was investigated in cell culture. Presence of PEI in PLGA nanoparticle matrix increased siRNA encapsulation by about 2-fold and also improved the siRNA release profile. PLGA-PEI nanoparticles carrying luciferase-targeted siRNA enabled effective silencing of the gene in cells stably expressing luciferase as well as in cells that could be induced to overexpress the gene. Quantitative studies indicated that presence of PEI in PLGA nanoparticles resulted in 2-fold higher cellular uptake of nanoparticles while fluorescence microscopy studies showed that PLGA-PEI nanoparticles delivered the encapsulated siRNA in the cellular cytoplasm; both higher uptake and greater cytosolic delivery could have contributed to the gene silencing effectiveness of PLGA-PEI nanoparticles. Serum stability and lack of cytotoxicity further add to the potential of PLGA-PEI nanoparticles in gene silencing-based therapeutic applications.
Ethical considerations in planning and conducting research on human subjects

The ethical conduct of research on humans requires more than a caring researcher and a legalistic adherence to federal regulations. It requires good planning and managing of issues accruing from the research relationship–communication, risk and perception of risk, and benefits–to all who have a stak
Converting p53 from a killer into a healer

Selenium-containing compounds are in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for prostate cancer prevention, although it is unclear how they work. A study suggests that selenium can facilitate DNA repair by activating the p53 tumor suppressor in an unusual way.
Prospects for the determination of H0 through observation of multiply imaged supernovae in galaxy cluster fields

We assess the possibility of determining the Hubble constant H0 by measuring time delays between multiple images of supernovae gravitationally lensed by rich clusters of galaxies and combining these delay measurements with detailed cluster potential models based on other lensing constraints. Such a lensing determination of H0 would be complementary to those obtained from galaxy-quasar lensing studies and could potentially be better calibrated. We show that relatively low-redshift (z ~ 0.2), significantly elliptical clusters have appreciable lensing cross sections for observable image pairings with tractable time delays on the order of a few years despite large lensing mass scales. We find that a targeted search for such image pairs would be a significant undertaking for current observatories but that it would be appropriate for a facility such as the proposed Large-Aperture Synoptic Survey Telescope.
Temperature dependence of photon-gated persistent spectral hole-burning for the meso-tetra-p-tolyl-Zn-tetrabenzoporphyrin/chloroform system in poly(methylmethacrylate)

Abstract : Persistent spectral hole-burning has been utilized as both a tool for studying relaxation processes in amorphous solids and as a means for possibly achieving high-density frequency-domain optical storage. Persistent spectral holes are formed in inhomogeneously broadened absorption lines when a photoinduced change occurs in the subset of absorbers that are in resonance with a narrowband laser beam. If the photoreacted centers do not absorb at the original wavelength, a dip in absorption or spectral 'hole' is formed that may be detected by subsequent measurement of the absorption line. One- and two-color persistent spectral hole-burning properties of the electron donor-acceptor system meso-tetra-p-tolyl-Zn-tetrabenzoporphyrin/chloroform in poly(methylmethacrylate) are examined versus temperature from 1.5 to 90 K. The efficiency for photo-gated (two-color) hole-burning is independent of temperature, while the one-color hole-burning efficiency decreases as the temperature is raised from 1.5 K. Raising the temperature improves the gating ratio (ratio of two- to one-color hole-burning efficiencies) from 100 at 1.5 K to 10,000 at 90 K. The loin-power, short-burn-time hole width is also measured from 1.5 K to 90 K and is found to have a T(2.17 + or - 0.07) power law behavior.
Comparison of cardiovascular and renal toxicity after cardiac catheterization using a nonionic versus ionic radiographic contrast agent

Abstract Both ionic and nonionic contrast agents used in angiography are relatively well tolerated but have a number of undesirable effects, particularly on the cardiovascular system and the kidney. 1–7 Whereas low osmolar agents may reduce acute events, contrast nephropathy remains a common cause of in-hospital renal injury, and the potential advantage of one contrast agent over another is less well defined. 2,3 The best method of evaluating the relative toxicity of iopamidol and diatrizoate is by a randomized controlled clinical trial. In principle, there are 2 major designs for a randomized trial: (1) a cohort trial that compares results between different patients, and (2) a crossover trial that compares results within the same patient. The crossover design provides the greatest assurance that between-patient differences will not affect the results, and this design is generally well suited for investigations of pharmaceuticals. As part of a randomized trial using a cohort design, 1,2 we prospectively designed a crossover protocol so that any patient randomized in the trial would receive the alternative contrast agent if a second coronary angiogram proved to be clinically indicated within the study period. In all, 67 of the 443 randomized patients had a second procedure, 41 of whom received the alternative agent. This report summarizes the results of 41 randomized patients in this prospective controlled crossover investigation.
Effect of intrahypothalamic infusion of acetylcholine on behavioural and physiological thermoregulation in the rat.

CHANGES in body temperature can be produced by local application of drugs to the preoptic and anterior area of the hypothalamus. The direction of these responses varies with the drug and the species1–4. The physiological response induced by the drug may be accompanied by a complementary behavioural thermoregulatory response: local heating of the hypothalamus, which produces physiological heat dissipation responses5, also results in decreases in rate of response for peripheral heat6,7. Similarly, local cooling produces increased rectal temperature and increased rates of response for heat7,8.
Comparisons of Methodologies and Results in Vertical Scaling for Educational Achievement Tests

A number of vertical scaling methodologies were examined in this article. Scaling variations included data collection design, scaling method, item response theory (IRT) scoring procedure, and proficiency estimation method. Vertical scales were developed for Grade 3 through Grade 8 for 4 content areas and 9 simulated datasets. A total of 11 scaling variations were investigated for both real and simulated data. When the assumptions were met with the simulated data, all 11 scaling variations investigated were able to preserve the general characteristics of the scales. With the real data, vertical scales using all the methods showed decelerating growth from lower to higher grades. For within-grade variability, the Thurstone method produced scales with increasing variability over grades, whereas the IRT methods produced scales with fluctuating or decreasing variability over grades. Consequently, the growth patterns of high- and low-achieving students tended to differ across scaling methodologies. The scaling d...
The uptake of native and desialylated glucocerebrosidase by rat hepatocytes and Kupffer cells.

Abstract Human glucocerebrosidase is cleared from rat circulation after intravenous administration with a half-life of 21 minutes. The enzyme retains at least 85% of its activity following desialylation with neuraminidase and the half-life of the desialylated enzyme is 1.2 minutes. Asialo-orosomucoid inhibits the disappearance of the desialylated enzyme from the blood. Untreated enzyme is taken up by both Kupffer cells and hepatocytes while desialylated enzyme is cleared predominantly by hepatocytes and the uptake by Kupffer cells is reduced. These findings indicate that both Kupffer cells and hepatocytes take up a lysosomal enzyme and removal of sialic acid augments uptake by hepatocytes and decreases uptake by Kupffer cells.
Asymmetry and thickness effects in reflective EUV masks

The use of a reflective mask in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography requires illumination of the mask at a small but obliquely incident angle. This results in an inherent asymmetry in the diffraction pattern from the mask. This asymmetry results in a shift of the image at the wafer. The image shift depends on the mask structure and the exposure condition. The thicknesses of the patterned mask layers, specifically, the absorber and anti-reflection layer (ARL), are particularly important for the image formation. A rigorous approach to simulating these effects is required. In this paper, a fast frequency-domain method for simulating EUV masks with the underlying multilayer is used for the study of various mask variation effects on image placement as well as linewidth, for nested 35 nm and 25 nm lines. Results indicate that EUV radiation reflected from the mask before entering the multilayer cannot be neglected. Consequently, it is of utmost importance to maintain better than ±1 nm control of absorber thickness and ARL thickness over the entire mask, in order to minimize the CD impact of variations in reflectance swing.
Skin Grafts in Intraoral Reconstruction: A New Stenting Method

• The results of skin graft reconstruction in intraoral cancer in 65 consecutive cases were uniformly good. There were only 11 wound complications and all resolved spontaneously without additional surgery. Skin grafts were used successfully in conjunction with coronal resections of the mandible, incontinuity modified neck dissections, and composite resections. Postoperative radiation therapy had no ill effects on the grafts or oral hygiene. A new stenting method with a dental tissue conditioner was employed. When used to immobilize intraoral skin grafts, it improved oral hygiene and patient deglutition, thereby hastening rehabilitation. The success of grafts performed with the new stent was equal to (if not better than) the success of grafts performed with the traditional stent. ( Arch Otolaryngol 1984;110:463-467)
Pion nucleon scattering in a new approach to chiral perturbation theory

We study pion-nucleon scattering with a chiral Lagrangian of pions, nucleons, and $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ isobars. The scattering amplitude is evaluated to one-loop ${Q}^{3}$ order, where $Q$ is a generic small momentum, using an approach which is equivalent to heavy baryon chiral perturbation theory. We obtain a good fit to the experimental phase shifts for pion center-of-mass kinetic energies up to 100 MeV. A $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ term greater than 45 MeV is favored, but the value is not well determined.
Characterization and applications of antibodies produced in plants.

The majority of antibodies, such as those used in diagnostic immunoassays or for in vivo clinical applications, are produced in animals and isolated from serum or ascites fluid, or are produced in batch culture. With the advent of recombinant DNA technology, it became possible to clone the genes for the antibody proteins and express them in other organisms. This process was most easily achieved in cells of vertebrate organisms, because the specialized cellular machinery for processing of the antibodies already existed in such cells. Part of the difficulty with the synthesis of antibodies in recombinant organisms is that the production of a normal, functional antibody requires the synthesis of two proteins and therefore the expression of two genes. Both of these genes must therefore be transferred to the recombinant organism in order to achieve antibody expression in the foreign host. This heterologous expression also requires the orderly assembly of the protein tetramer. The IgG molecule is composed of two pairs of subunits of different molecular weight and different amino acid sequence. Each IgG molecule has two identical large molecular weight (heavy chain) subunits linked together by disulfide bonds. Each heavy chain is also disulfide bonded to one of two identical lower molecular weight (light chain) subunits. In addition, there are extensive intramolecular disulfide bonds which are necessary for antigen binding and other immunoglobulin mediated functions.
Modifications of the EM algorithm for survival influenced by an unobserved stochastic process

Abstract Let Y =( Y t ) t ≥0) be an unobserved random process which influences the distribution of a random variable T which can be interpreted as the time to failure. When a conditional hazard rate corresponding to T is a quadratic function of covariates, Y , the marginal survival function may be represented by the first two moments of the conditional distribution of Y among survivors. Such a representation may not have an explicit parametric form. This makes it difficult to use standard maximum likelihood procedures to estimate parameters - especially for censored survival data. In this paper a generalization of the EM algorithm for survival problems with unobserved, stochastically changing covariates is suggested. It is shown that, for a general model of the stochastic failure model, the smoothing estimates of the first two moments of Y are of a specific form which facilitates the EM type calculations. Properties of the algorithm are discussed.
Comparison of Shear Press Measurements and Sensory Evaluation of Angel Cakes

SUMMARY Procedures were developed for Kramer shear-press measurement of compressibility, tensile strength, and tenderness of angel cakes of three degrees of toughness. Both maximum force and area-under-the-curve values were determined for each. These values were correlated with sensory evaluations of tenderness, of moistness and of texture, defined as cell size, cell distribution, and cell wall thickness. Maximum-force shear-press values consistently showed differences among the three types of cake in compressibility, tenderness, and tensile strength. Based on area-under-the-curve, compressibility and tenderness differences were detected, but no consistent pattern was noted in tensile-strength readings. Sensory evaluations showed variance in the 3 types of cake for all characteristics except cell distribution. Correlations between sensory evaluations and maximum-force shear-press measurements were high. Area-under-the-curve values for compressibility and tenderness correlated with sensory evaluation at varying levels of significance. Highly significant correlations were found between the area-under-the-curve value for tensile strength and the following factors: cell size, cell wall thickness, tenderness, and moistness. The correlation between area-under-the-curve for tensile strength and cell distribution was not significant.
The development of high through-put micro-bump-bonded process with non-conductive paste (NCP)

In this study, various micro-bump-bonded structures with TCB + NCP processes were evaluated and developed. A commercial available snap-cure NCP material was applied for the joining processes study. Three types of micro bumps, Cu/Ni/Sn2.5Ag, Cu/Sn2.5Ag and Cu/Ni/Au- were fabricated and bonded to achieve joint structures of Cu/Ni/Sn2.5Ag/Ni/Cu, Cu/Ni/Sn2.5Ag/Au/Ni/Cu and Cu/Sn2.5Ag/Au/Ni/Cu. Moreover, the filler trapped and void issues which associated with the TCB+NCP process were also investigated. After the evaluation, the reliability test such as moisture sensitivity test level 3 (MSL 3), temperature cycling test (TCT) and high temperature Storage (HTS) were conducted to the bonded samples. Hereafter, the failure modes with the mentioned issues were analyzed and discussed. Based on the experimental and reliability results, the optimized TCB + NCP processes with various micro-bump-bonded structures can be established. The joints electrical and reliability performance associated with the failure mode were investigated and analyzed. Finally, the characteristics of each joint connection were defined.
Competing orders in the Dirac-like electronic structure and the nonlinear sigma model with a topological term

The Dirac-like electronic structure can host a large number of competing orders in the form of mass terms. In particular, two different order parameters can be said to be dual to each other, when a static defect in one of them traps a quantum number (or ``charge'') of the other. We discuss that such complementary nature of the pair of the order parameters shows up in their correlation functions and dynamical properties when a quantum phase transition is driven by fluctuations of the one of the order parameters. Approaching the transition from the disordered (paramagnetic) side, the order parameter correlation function at the critical point is reduced, while such fluctuations enhance the correlation of the dual order parameter. Such complementary behaviors in the correlation function can be used to diagnose the nature of quantum fluctuations that is the driving force of the quantum phase transition.
Using automated item files as the basis for effective collection management and cooperative collection development: A note

Abstract This article promotes the use of an automated item file, for selective depositories, as an effective device for collection management and cooperative collection development. This article suggests ways to implement such a device and describes the kinds of useful data that the automated file can generate.
Imprint lithography enabling ultra-low loss coaxial interconnects

Processing techniques have been demonstrated to fabricate a novel structure with smooth transitions, metallic shielding, and encapsulated air dielectric layers using sacrificial polymers and the three-dimensional patterning capabilities of imprint lithography. This innovative structure incorporates encapsulated air dielectrics with copper shielding. A semicircular stamp was fabricated to create the circular base of the coaxial transmission line using the reflow properties of solder, and imprinting the stamp produced smooth rounded terminations. Copper shielding was electroplated and a sacrificial photosensitive polycarbonate was patterned using a unique interaction with the copper. The polycarbonate was over-coated with a epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) layer and then thermally decomposed to form an air cavity. A center conductor was patterned using photolithography and electro-deposition. The half-coaxial line was aligned with a sample with the top portion of the copper shielding and bonded in the imprinter to complete the structure. Imprint lithography also demonstrated the capability to planarize surfaces which simplified the buildup process, and complex structures were fabricated with a comparable number of registration steps to traditional transmission lines. The mechanical integrity of the air-clad transmission lines was also evaluated using nano-indentation.
Proteolytic degradation of heterologous proteins expressed inAspergillus niger

Proteolytic degradation of heterologous proteins expressed in the filamentous fungusAspergillus niger reduces the yield of authentic target protein. The activities ofA. niger proteases are differentiated by their effects on two proteins expressed and secreted fromA. niger: hen egg-white lysozyme and porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2.
Cellobiose oxidase of Phanerochaete chrysosporium enhances crystalline cellulose degradation by cellulases.

The effect of Phanerochuete chrysosporium cellobiose oxidase (CBO) on microcrystalline cellulose hydrolysis by Trichoderma cellulases was determined. Addition of 10 μg ml−1 CBO to a reaction mixture containing T. viride cellulase increased glucose and cellobiose production by 10% and 48%, respectively. Cellulose weight loss was also enhanced by 19%. Al higher concentrations (20–80 μg ml−1). CBO decreased glucose and cellobiose production. Cellulose weight loss at 60 μ ml−1 CBO was 76% compared to control cellulase reactions. This decrease appears to be due to inactivation of cellulase by H2O2 produced via CBO reaction, because addition of catalase enhances sugar production and cellulose weight loss. These findings suggest that at low, perhaps physiologically relevant concentrations, CBO enhances crystalline cellulose degradation by cellulases.
The Effect of Child Gender on Parents' Labor Supply: An Examination of Natives, Immigrants, and their Children

Previous research has shown that child gender has significant effects on household behavior in developing countries. More recently, research on parents in developed countries has shown that child gender affects many aspects of parents’ behavior, including parents’ labor supply (Shelly Lundberg and Elaina Rose 2002; Lundberg 2005), marital stability (Gordon B. Dahl and Enrico Moretti 2004; Lundberg and Rose 2003), and time spent with children (Lundberg, Sabrina Wulff Pabilonia, and WardBatts 2006). One hypothesis as to why parents behave differently depending on child gender is that there is a gender preference, i.e., fathers prefer sons. This appears to be a reasonable explanation for the difference in parental behavior by child gender in some developing countries where the eldest male son and his wife traditionally provide old-age security for his parents. It is less clear why preference for a son would be a significant explanation for the difference in parental behavior by child gender in an industrialized country such as the United States, where Social Security and private pensions are used as support in old age, and there is greater gender equality in the workplace. Using the March Current Population Survey (CPS) Supplement, we examine US parents to determine whether having a son rather than a daughter has a significant effect on parents’ labor supply, and whether the cultural preferences of immigrants play a role in generating the effects of child gender on US parents’ labor supply. If preference for a son is the only explanation, then we would expect to find that immigrant status increases the effect of having a son on parents’ The Effect of Child Gender on Parents’ Labor Supply: An Examination of Natives, Immigrants, and their Children
Measurement of infrared laser backscatter spectra from sulfuric acid and ammonium sulfate aerosols

An optical system employing a tunable carbon dioxide laser has been used to investigate backscatter signatures of aerosols as a function of wavelength. Submicron sulfuric acid or ammonium sulfate aerosols are produced with a vapor-condensation aerosol generator. The aerosol is contained in a 1-m long windowless aerosol chamber, and laser radiation backscattered from the irradiated aerosol is collected and measured as the laser is tuned from 9.2 to 10.8 μm. The volume backscatter coefficient is calculated from the lidar equation to yield the theoretical IR spectrum of the aerosol. The measured spectral signature is compared with the theoretical signature, which is computed from Mie theory. Backscatter signatures show excellent agreement with calculated signatures. The spectral signature of ammonium sulfate is readily distinguished from that of sulfuric acid for the conditions of the experiment. Because of vapor pressure characteristics of sulfuric acid, it is possible to concentrate the acid in the generator over time and look for a change in the acid concentration in the aerosol. Not only has this concentration process been observed optically, but under these experimental conditions the acid concentration in the aerosol can be determined by observing backscatter at just two wavelengths.
Evaluating Quality of Experience for Streaming Video in Real Time

We present a scalable, lightweight, no-reference framework to infer video QoE. Our framework revolves around a one time offline construction of a k-dimensional space, which we call the QoE space. The k-dimensions accommodate k parameters (network-dependent/independent) that potentially affect video quality. The k-dimensional space is partitioned to N representative zones, each with a QoE index. Instantaneous parameter values are matched with the indices to infer QoE. To validate our framework, we construct a 3-dimensional QoE space with bit-rate, loss, and delay as the principal components. We create 18 video samples with unique combinations of the 3 parameters. 77 human subjects rated these video samples on a scale of 1 to 5 to create the QoE space. In a second set of survey, our predicted MOS was compared to 49 human responses. Results show that our MOS predictions are in close agreement with subjective perceptions. An implementation of our framework on standard Linux PC shows we can compute 20 MOS calculations per second with 3 parameters and 18 partitions of the QoE space.
Fuzzy logic and neural networks: clips from the field

This is a review of a video consisting of clips from presentations made at the Second IEEE International Conference on Fuzzy Systems (1993) and the 1993 IEEE International Conference on Neural Networks. Each video clip describes significant achievements and current advances in the fields of fuzzy logic and neural networks contributed by researchers from around the world. >
Failure of simian virus 40 small t antigen to disorganize actin cables in nonpermissive cell lines

Abstract Mouse C3H 10T1/2 cell lines expressing the simian virus 40 (SV40) small t antigen were obtained by cotransfection of pSV2neo and plasmids which encode small t. Cell lines derived from two plasmids which encode small t in the absence of stable deletion fragments of the large T antigen were morphologically normal and grew to slightly higher saturation densities in low serum than control cell lines. Unexpectedly, the clones had highly organized actin cables, as did parental 10T1/2 cells infected with wild-type SV40. These observations and comparisons of rat F111 cells infected with either polyomavirus or SV40 suggest that the SV40 small t antigen does not directly affect cytoskeletal organization.
A low voltage, low power, BiCMOS, audio-frequency voltage controlled oscillator with sinusoidal output

A low-frequency, low-power voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) used as part of a single chip multi-channel telemetry system for biomedical applications is described. A VCO having high linearity, low harmonic content, and using little chip area is necessary to achieve fidelity of the telemetered signals without crosstalk. The circuit uses a conventional triangle wave VCO to drive a novel sine-shaping circuit that provides a signal with low harmonic content with no trimming. The circuit operates with a power supply from 2.4 to 3.3 volts and draws approximately 45 microamperes per VCO plus 25 microamperes for dedicated bias circuitry. The operating frequency can be changed over a 2:1 range with better than 0.5% of full-scale linearity. The center frequency is accurate to 5% over the entire supply voltage range. The VCO output is in the form of a current which allows for simple summing of the subcarriers. The IC is fabricated using the MOSIS 2-micron BiCMOS process. >
The Role of Science in Environmental Governance: Competing Knowledge Producers in Swedish and Norwegian Forestry

This article explores the influence of scientific knowledge in rule-making processes to enhance environmental protection in Swedish and Norwegian forestry. It examines the mapping and protection of small reserves; the development of plans for protection of large reserves; and rule-setting in voluntary forest certification schemes. The analysis shows that Sweden has enacted more stringent environmental protection policies on all measures examined. Whereas variation in the state of knowledge about environmental protection needs does not explain these differences, variation in the access to the science-policy dialogue and in the distribution of costs and benefits in the forestry sector does help explain the differences in the stringency of Norwegian and Swedish forest policy. I conclude that the influence of knowledge depends on the process by which it is created. Although scientific information usually has little influence when strong economic counter-forces are involved in the decision-making process, this...
Feedback Regulation of Receptor-Induced Ca2+ Signaling Mediated by E-Syt1 and Nir2 at Endoplasmic Reticulum-Plasma Membrane Junctions

Summary Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-plasma membrane (PM) junctions are highly conserved subcellular structures. Despite their importance in Ca 2+ signaling and lipid trafficking, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation and functions of ER-PM junctions remain unclear. By developing a genetically encoded marker that selectively monitors ER-PM junctions, we found that the connection between ER and PM was dynamically regulated by Ca 2+ signaling. Elevation of cytosolic Ca 2+ triggered translocation of E-Syt1 to ER-PM junctions to enhance ER-to-PM connection. This subsequently facilitated the recruitment of Nir2, a phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP), to ER-PM junctions following receptor stimulation. Nir2 promoted the replenishment of PM phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) after receptor-induced hydrolysis via its PITP activity. Disruption of the enhanced ER-to-PM connection resulted in reduced PM PIP 2 replenishment and defective Ca 2+ signaling. Altogether, our results suggest a feedback mechanism that replenishes PM PIP 2 during receptor-induced Ca 2+ signaling via the Ca 2+ effector E-Syt1 and the PITP Nir2 at ER-PM junctions.
The influence of different workload descriptions on a heuristic load balancing scheme

A task scheduler based on the concept of a stochastic learning automation, implemented on a network of Unix workstations, is described. Creating an artificial, executable workload, a number of experiments were conducted to determine the effect of different workload descriptions. These workload descriptions characterize the load at one host and determine whether a newly created task is to be executed locally or remotely. Six one-dimensional workload descriptors are examined. Two workload descriptions that are more complex are also considered. It is shown that the best single workload descriptor is the number of tasks in the run queue. The use of the worst workload descriptor, the 1-min load average, resulted in an increase of the mean response time of over 32%, compared to the best descriptor. The two best workload descriptors, the number of tasks in the run queue and the system call rate, are combined to measure a host's load. Experimental results indicate that no performance improvements over the scheduler versions using a one-dimensional workload descriptor can be obtained. >
Variation in the ilium of North American Bufo (Lissamphibia; Anura) and its implications for species-level identification of fragmentary anuran fossils

Abstract The ilium is widely considered to be the single best element upon which to base the identification of fossil anurans when isolated bones are all that are available. I tested the diagnostic utility of continuous and discrete ilial characters for toads of the genus Bufo by evaluating their distribution among an expanded taxonomic sample of 27 extant North American species. Support for species-level identifications and for the identification of traditionally recognized species groups based on ilial characters alone was assessed. Results indicate that no distinctive morphologies in the ilium of extant North American Bufo are known that permit a species-level identification or the diagnosis of any traditionally recognized species group. Two of the ten included extinct species, B. holmani and B. kuhrei, do contain ilial characters that fall outside the observed range of the examined extant species. The fact that both morphometric and discrete characters fail to support species-level identification of i...
Army SATCOM on-the-move (OTM) laboratory

The Army has a well established requirement for satellite communications (SATCOM) OTM, in order to support the needed level of near real-time, tactically-relevant information on a non-contiguous battlefield. The US Army CERDEC Space and Terrestrial Communications Directorate is doing relevant research and development in order to provide the best SATCOM OTM technology for transition to the Warfighter. Systems being developed support multi-band operation with both MILSATCOM and commercial frequency bands at the data rates required within the stringent confines of available size, weight, power and production cost. The technologies employed in order to meet these requirements include mechanical, phased array, and hybrid antenna architectures. The Army development community needs a way to independently and rigorously test these and other SATCOM OTM antenna systems. The US Army CERDEC SATCOM OTM Lab located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD will meet this need. The SATCOM OTM Lab will support a multitude of development and testing capabilities, but will focus on measuring acquisition and tracking performance. The lab will utilize two methods to comprehensively support OTM testing. First, test vehicles will be instrumented and driven over applicable cross country road courses at APG while operating over active satellites. Second, a motion simulator will be utilized to implement testing over live satellites and in a laboratory environment to simulate operation over the full range of elevation angles. The technical concepts behind this approach to achieve a comprehensive technical capability will be discussed. Technical challenges and trades being conducted will also be addressed. Applicability to Joint certification for operation over MILSATCOM satellites will be included.
Women's Participation in Non‐Government Organizations: Implications for Poverty Reduction in Precarious Settlements of Guatemala City

As the poor in Latin American cities continue to struggle, there has been interest in the role of non-government organizations (NGOs) in addressing their difficult circumstances. This article examines the lives of residents in two peripheral urban neighborhoods of Guatemala City. The hardships posed by urban poverty are documented with a particular focus on women as they struggle to meet their families' needs. The experiences of women in a unique, woman-centered association are described and compared with women in communities without such associations. The goals of the analysis are (1) to provide an appreciation of the nature and evolution of precarious settlements in Guatemala City, and (2) to consider the role of NGOs in addressing the challenges women face in such settlements. One association (UPAVIM) is described that has addressed these needs through job training and employment while simultaneously providing child care and educational opportunities for children. Emphasis is given to the role of the critical middle sector in offering opportunities to the most marginalized groups. [Non-government organizations, urban poverty, women and poverty, Guatemala City]
Leishmania IFT140 mutants show normal viability but lack external flagella: A tool for the study of flagellar function through the infectious cycle

A striking feature of the parasitic protozoan Leishmania is the dramatic remodeling of the flagellum during the infectious cycle; in the sand fly midgut the promastigote form has a long, motile flagellum, while within the phagolysosome of the mammalian macrophage the flagellum barely protrudes past the surface of the amastigote form. The flagellum functions in promastigote motility and likely in cell morphogenesis, division, and maintenance of flagellar pocket structure for both forms. The flagellar pocket is the sole site of endo- and exocytosis in trypanosomatids and a sensory role for the amastigote flagellum has been proposed but a function is not established. Intraflagellar transport (IFT) is required for flagellar assembly and viability in the long, motile flagella of trypanosomes but unknown in Leishmania. We asked whether IFT is essential for viability in 'long' promastigote and 'short' amastigote flagella in L. donovani strain Bob by targeting a core retrograde pathway gene IFT140. Using a plasmid segregation knockout approach [1], viable knockout promastigotes were readily obtained. Δift140 lack external flagella by light and scanning electron microscopy, and have defective axonemes by transmission electron microscopy, which was reversed by complementation. This is the first example of a Leishmania mutant lacking flagella while retaining normal viability and growth. Thus, Δift140 allows for further studies of promastigote flagellar function. In addition, LdBob can generate amastigotes in vitro and infect mammalian hosts allowing us to probe the effect of Δift140 on the short flagella of amastigotes and parasite virulence.