cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"The Story of United States v. United States District Court (Keith): The Surveillance Power"

This chapter, prepared for Presidential Power Stories (edited by Christopher Schroeder and Curtis Bradley), tells the story of United States v. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, better known as the Keith case. Keith is the Supreme Court's first and still most important statement on the extent to which the President, acting in the interests of national security, may authorize the warrantless wiretapping or other electronic surveillance of persons within the United States. The case began as a criminal prosecution of members of the radical White Panther Party for the bombing of a CIA office in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It took a turn when the government disclosed before trial that one of the defendants had been overheard on a warrantless federal wiretap of domestic organizations that the Attorney General deemed threats to national security. This put the legality of the wiretap in issue. In what the New York Times called a stunning legal setback for the government, the Court concluded that Fourth Amendment freedoms cannot properly be guaranteed if domestic security surveillance may be conducted solely within the discretion of the Executive Branch. Thus, the Court held, a judicial warrant must issue before the government may engage in wiretapping or other electronic surveillance of domestic threats to national security. But the Court also limited its holding to cases involving the domestic aspects of national security, and express[ed] no opinion as to [the surveillance of the] activities of foreign powers or their agents. Both in what it said and what it did not say, Keith has exerted great influence upon the judicial, legislative, and executive approaches to these issues in the years since, including on Congress's passage in 1978 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA. As of this writing, it is still the case that the Supreme Court has never upheld warrantless wiretapping within the United States, for any purpose.
Icacinaceae from the Eocene of western North America

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The Icacinaceae are a pantropical family of trees, shrubs, and climbers with an extensive Paleogene fossil record. Our improved understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the family provides an excellent context for investigating new fossil fruit and leaf material from the Eocene of western North America. METHODS We examined fossils from early and middle Eocene sediments of western Wyoming, northeastern Utah, northwestern Colorado, and Oregon and compared them with extant species of Iodes and other icacinaceous genera as well as previously described fossils of the family. KEY RESULTS Three new fossil species are described, including two based on endocarps (Iodes occidentalis sp. nov. and Icacinicaryites lottii sp. nov.) and one based on leaves (Goweria bluerimensis sp. nov.). The co-occurrence of I. occidentalis and G. bluerimensis suggests these might represent detached organs of a single species. A new genus, Biceratocarpum, is also established for morphologically distinct fossil fruits of Icacinaceae previously placed in Carpolithus. Biceratocarpum brownii gen. et comb. nov. resembles the London Clay species "Iodes" corniculata in possessing a pair of subapical protrusions. CONCLUSIONS These fossils increase our knowledge of Icacinaceae in the Paleogene of North America and highlight the importance of the Northern Hemisphere in the early diversification of the family. They also document interchange with the Eocene flora of Europe and biogeographic connections with modern floras of Africa and Asia, where Icacinaceae are diverse today. The present-day restriction of this family to tropical regions offers ecological implications for the Eocene floras in which they occur.
Design Features for Online Examination Software

Online education and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) have existed for years, but few general tools exist to help instructors create and evaluate lessons. Are these tools sufficient? Specifically, what elements do instructors want to see in online testing tools? This study asked instructors from various disciplines to identify and evaluate the importance of several features that they want to see in testing tools. Along with standard elements, the respondents evaluated the importance of more advanced elements including adaptive responses and programmability, which would be used to add responsiveness and intelligence to provide more tailored questions and assistance. A latent variable analysis of the detailed model was performed and the results reveal that several advanced features not commonly available today would be useful to many instructors—particularly to handle higher level courses. Instructors teaching lower level courses tended to emphasize basic testing and simple grading features. The features were grouped into nine categories: question formats, feedback, programmability, grading, question bank, page display capabilities, platform, data analysis, and security. The results of the study examine the relative importance of the categories as well as the detail items within each category.
Transient eddies in the MACDA Mars reanalysis

We present a survey of the transient eddy activity in the Mars Analysis Correction Data Assimilation (MACDA) reanalysis. The spatial structure and propagation characteristics of the eddies are emphasized. Band-pass-filtered variance and covariance fields are found to be zonally modulated, indicating a longitude dependence of the typical amplitudes of Martian transient eddies. Considerable repeatability of the eddy field spatial structures is found across Mars years, including a roughly wave number 3 pattern of low-level eddy meridional temperature transport (v′T′¯) in the northern hemisphere that is evident before and after winter solstice and a possible tendency for northern hemisphere eddy kinetic energy maxima to be located above low-lying areas. Southern hemisphere eddy fields tend to feature two local maxima, one roughly south of Tharsis and the other associated with Hellas. Eddies are weakened near winter solstice in both hemispheres and were generally weakened in the northern hemisphere during the 2001 (Mars year 25) global dust storm, albeit with little change in spatial patterns. Because the transient eddies propagate in space, we also used a teleconnection map-based technique to estimate their phase velocities. Eddy propagation at the surface is found to follow topography, a phenomenon less evident at higher altitude. Possible physical mechanisms underlying the documented eddy phenomena are discussed.
Results from On-Orbit Testing of the Fram Memory Test Experiment on the Fastsat Micro-Satellite

NASA is planning on going beyond Low Earth orbit with manned exploration missions. The radiation environment for most Low Earth orbit missions is harsher than at the Earth's surface but much less harsh than deep space. Development of new electronics is needed to meet the requirements of high performance, radiation tolerance, and reliability. The need for both Volatile and Non-volatile memory has been identified. Emerging Non-volatile memory technologies (FRAM, C-RAM,M-RAM, R-RAM, Radiation Tolerant FLASH, SONOS, etc.) need to be investigated for use in Space missions. An opportunity arose to fly a small memory experiment on a high inclination satellite (FASTSAT). An off-the-shelf 512K Ramtron FRAM was chosen to be tested in the experiment.
Sea Surface Temperature Biases under the Stratus Cloud Deck in the Southeast Pacific Ocean in 19 IPCC AR4 Coupled General Circulation Models

AbstractThis study examines systematic biases in sea surface temperature (SST) under the stratus cloud deck in the southeast Pacific Ocean and upper-ocean processes relevant to the SST biases in 19 coupled general circulation models (CGCMs) participating in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). The 20 years of simulations from each model are analyzed. Pronounced warm SST biases in a large portion of the southeast Pacific stratus region are found in all models. Processes that could contribute to the SST biases are examined in detail based on the computation of major terms in the upper-ocean heat budget. Negative biases in net surface heat fluxes are evident in most of the models, suggesting that the cause of the warm SST biases in models is not explained by errors in net surface heat fluxes. Biases in heat transport by Ekman currents largely contribute to the warm SST biases both near the coast and the open ocean. In the coastal area, southwestward Ekman curre...
Thermal Performance Optimization of RF Packages for Wireless Communication

The increasing trend in power levels and associated densities leads to the need of design thermal optimization, either at the module level or at the system (module-board stack-up) level. The wireless communication industry is facing multiple challenges as it tries to promote smaller, faster and cost-effective packages, yet trying to cope with potential thermal bottlenecks. The present study investigates a new family of packages, whose thermal and electrical performances are far superior to the classic (standard) packages. A 3-D conjugate numerical study was conducted to evaluate the thermal performance of Gallium Arsenic (GaAs) die packaged in Quad Flat No Lead (QFN) packages for various wireless and networking applications. Two different QFN packages are investigated: a standard package and a Power package (PQFN) with thicker leadframe and solder die attach. The thermal impact of die attach material, leadframe thickness, die pad size, and board structure is evaluated and provides valuable information for product designers. Two powering scenarios are investigated: 1) one for standard operating parameters and 2) an alternative for extreme operating powering scenarios. Results indicate that the peak temperature reached on the die for 3×3 mm QFN under normal powering conditions is ∼138.5°C (or 119°C/W junction-to-air thermal resistance), while for the extreme scenario, the junction temperature is ∼186°C (or 125°C/W junction-to-air thermal resistance). In both cases, the top Au metal layer has a limited impact on lateral heat spreading. Under extreme powering conditions, the 5×5 mm PQFN package reaches a peak temperature of ∼126°C (66°C/W thermal resistance). A ∼32% reduction in peak temperature is achieved with the 5×5 PQFN package. The improvement is mainly due to the larger package size, high conductivity die attach material, thicker leadframe and more board thermal vias. A parametric study shows that the increase in leadframe thickness from 0.2 mm (8 mils) to 0.5 mm (20 mils) in the QFN package will lead to only 3% reduction in peak temperature. By comparison, for both packages, the die attach material (conductive epoxy vs. solder) will have a significant impact on the overall reduction in peak temperature (∼12%). Experimental measurements using an Infrared (IR) Microscope are performed to validate the numerical results. The results indicate good agreement (∼6% discrepancy) between the numerical model and the measurement.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Photopolymers For Laser Recording And 'KTP' - New Frequency Doubling Material

General characteristics of photopolymer imaging systems are reviewed with comments on applicability for laser recording. Two imaging systems are emphasized in detail; namely, a Dylux® proofing paper material which produces a visible dye on exposure to UV and an experimental holographic photopolymer. A review of the characteristics of these materials is presented. Formulation variations for the color forming Dylux® are noted which have potential for improved laser recording response. After reviewing exposure procedures and diffraction characteristics of the experimental holographic photopolymer, applications and comments on potential new developments are given. Finally, a brief description of a new 'KTP' crystal-potassium titanyl phosphate - is described which is ideal for frequency doubling neodymium lasers.
Note: Graphs with restricted valency and matching number

Abstract Consider the family of all finite graphs with maximum degree Δ ( G ) d and matching number ν ( G ) m . In this paper we give a new proof to obtain the exact upper bound for the number of edges in such graphs and also characterize all the cases when the maximal graph is unique.
Conditioning variables in attentional handicaps.

Abstract The relationship between attention and the process of conditioning was investigated in spastic-hemiplegic subjects suffering from attentional handicaps. Observations were made on the effects of retinally stabilized images on the course of alpha blocking responses to tone before, during and after the pairing with light stimulation. Changes in the subjective attention state over time were rated by the use of a self-assessment checklist on both control (indirectly photically stimulated) and directly photically stimulated groups. Stabilized retinal image procedures appeared to have a significant effect when the tone was paired with a light stimulus during conditioning and to a lesser extent during extinction. A significant increase was noted in the duration of the alpha blocking response during conditioning amongst the directly photically stimulated hemiplegic subjects. The stabilized retinal image techniques seem to have aided the hemiplegic subjects in acting selectively to augment the components of the conditioned response which develops after repeated pairings.
Quantitative Detection of Clostridium perfringens in the Broiler Fowl Gastrointestinal Tract by Real-Time PCR

Strains of Clostridium perfringens are a frequent cause of food-borne disease and gas gangrene and are also associated with necrotic enteritis in chickens. To detect and quantify the levels of C. perfringens in the chicken gastrointestinal tract, a quantitative real-time PCR assay utilizing a fluorogenic, hydrolysis-type probe was developed and utilized to assay material retrieved from the broiler chicken cecum and ileum. Primers and probe were selected following an alignment of 16S rDNA sequences from members of cluster I of the genus Clostridium, and proved to be specific for C. perfringens. The assay could detect approximately 50 fg of C. perfringens genomic DNA and approximately 20 cells in pure culture. Measurements of the analytical sensitivity determined with spiked intestinal contents indicated that the consistent limit of detection with ileal samples was approximately 102 CFU/g of ileal material, but only about 104 CFU/g of cecal samples. The decreased sensitivity with the cecal samples was due to the presence of an unidentified chemical PCR inhibitor(s) in the cecal DNA purifications. The assay was utilized to rapidly detect and quantify C. perfringens levels in the gut tract of broiler chickens reared without supplementary growth-promoting antibiotics that manifested symptoms of necrotic enteritis. The results illustrated that quantitative real-time PCR correlates well with quantification via standard plate counts in samples taken from the ileal region of the gastrointestinal tract.
Etching studies of stress-induced surface polygonization in SI GaAs wafers

Abstract Surface etching studies have been performed on Si GaAs wafers grown by liquid encapsulated Czochralski (LEC) and vertical encapsulated zone melting (VZM) techniques. The wafers were sliced, mechanically polished and dipped in a bromine-methanol solution to remove surface damage, which is the standard wafer preparation technique. Surface polygonization has been seen using an eutectic etch in both the LEC and VZM wafers polished in this manner. The polygonized surface “cells” grew in size at higher etching temperatures and/or longer etching times at lower temperatures. If the wafers were dipped for a much longer time in the bromine-methanol solution, it was found that no surface polygonization occurred after the use of the eutectic etch. Thus, we conclude that this polygonization process is driven by relaxation of strain which was introduced in the initial cutting and polishing, and which was not fully relieved by the short bromine-methanol dip.
THE PASSIONATE MIND: BRAIN, DREAMS, MEMORY, AND SOCIAL CATEGORIES

. The intellectualist position held by structuralists does not explain the extremes of emotional reaction to the disruption of social categories. An approach from neuroscience based on the functions of the limbic system in the creation of long-term memory through the role of the hippocampus and REM sleep is proposed to account for the emotive loading of cognitive categories.
Emergency Department Visits Among Pediatric Patients for Sports-related Injury: Basic Epidemiology and Impact of Race/ethnicity and Insurance Status

OBJECTIVES:: (1) To characterize the demographics and external causes of pediatric sports injury-related visits (SIRVs) to emergency departments (EDs). (2) To analyze the effect of race/ethnicity and insurance on SIRVs to EDs. METHODS:: A stratified random-sample cross-sectional survey of EDs in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey was conducted from 1997-2001; for patients younger than 19 years, we used all visits [n = 33,654; injury-related visits (IRVs) = 13,496, SIRVs = 2990]. We examined both the external cause codes and the actual verbatim text of all IRVs. National estimates of pediatric IRVs were obtained using the assigned patient visit weights in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey databases and SUDAAN 9.1 software (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC). RESULTS:: Sports injuries resulted in 2.5 million visits annually, or 23% of ED IRVs. Male sex, older age (6-18 years), and white race/ethnicity are associated with higher rates of SIRVs. Cycling, basketball, playground injuries, and football resulted in the largest numbers of ED SIRVs. Leading diagnoses for SIRVs included fractures and dislocations, sprains and strains, open wounds, and contusions. Hispanic race/ethnicity was associated with lower rates of SIRVs across all insurance types. After controlling for demographic factors and insurance, Hispanic children were less likely to have an SIRV than white children (odds ratio, 0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-0.9). CONCLUSIONS:: Sports and recreation are the leading causes of pediatric ED IRVs. Hispanic children, regardless of insurance status, had lower rates of SIRVs than white children, which helps explain the lower rate of nonfatal IRVs to EDs among Hispanic youth. Language: en
Fabrication, current density and strain dependence of sintered, Ag-sheathed BiSrCaCuO (2212) single filament and multifilamentary tape superconductors

Bi/sub 2/Sr/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub x/ (2212) superconductors have been fabricated into silver (Ag)-sheathed single-filament, multifilament, and wire-in-tube (WIT) tapes. Calcining, annealing and sintering conditions have been studied to improve the critical current density J/sub c/(B, 4.2 K) at high magnetic field (B). The optimization is discussed, and resulting properties are related to the microstructure of the superconductor. Superconductor J/sub c/ approximately 1-5*10/sup 4/ A/cm/sup 2/ has been obtained in fields >20 T at 4.2 K in both single and multifilamentary tapes. The dependence of J/sub c/ upon mechanical strain ( in ) has been investigated. No prestraining of the superconductor occurred in any of the samples, most likely due to yielding of the Ag sheath. Although strain resistance was good in all samples, the WIT tapes were significantly more resistant than the single-filament tapes. For the single-filament tapes, in /sub irr/ approximately 0.24%, while for the WIT tapes, in /sub irr/ approximately 0.36%, where in /sub irr/ is the irreversible strain limit.
Activated carbon from pecan shell: process description and economic analysis

Abstract Granular activated carbons derived from pecan shells have been shown to adsorb a variety of metal and organic species in various processing wastewaters. Their effectiveness is equivalent to or exceeds comparable commercial carbons in this regard. The objectives of this study were to develop process flow diagrams for the large-scale production of pecan shell-based carbons derived from steam or phosphoric acid activation and to carry out an economic evaluation to estimate the cost to manufacture these carbons. On the basis of laboratory investigations with pecan shell-based carbons, process flow diagrams were established for scale-up, and an economic evaluation of carbon production costs was determined. Process flow diagrams were developed for steam and phosphoric acid activation of pecan shells. Major unit operations included shell preparation for pyrolysis, pyrolysis/activation, washing/drying and collection of the final product. Process parameters were calculated for a production facility processing 10 000 kg/day of shells. Final product yields were 13.7% for steam activation and 29.6% for phosphoric acid activation. Therefore, 1370 kg of steam-activated and 2964 kg of acid-activated pecan shell carbon could be produced per day. Mass losses were incurred during milling (20%), during pyrolysis/activation (82% for steam and 55% of acid), during washing/drying (13%) and during sieving (5%) of the final product. Based on an annual production cost of $1.22 million and an annual production of 448 000 kg of carbon, steam-activated carbon would cost about $2.72 per kg. For the phosphoric acid activation process, annual production costs were estimated at $2.78 million and annual production at 960 000 kg. Therefore, the estimated cost for acid-activated carbon would be $2.89 per kg.
APACHE ARCHAEOLOGY IN NORTHEASTERN NEW MEXICO

Excavations in northeastern New Mexico have confirmed the presence of a variety of Jicarilla Apache house types mentioned in Spanish documents of ca. 1700. Associated with a 7-room adobe structure and a pit house was an artifact complex closely resembling that of the Plains Apaches represented by the Dismal River aspect. The predominant pottery, however, is a thin micaceous ware, herein described as Ocate Micaceous, accompanied by trade sherds of Tewa Polychrome, plain black Pueblo ware, and Puebla (Mexico) blue and white majolica. Mid-19th-century Apache sites in the area are "tipi-ring" sites yielding a thicker micaceous ware, herein described as Cimarron Micaceous, White man's trade goods, and a few stone artifacts. The relationship between Apache micaceous pottery, made from ca. 1600 (or earlier) until the early 1900's, and that made at Taos and Picuris is still not clear. FOR AT LEAST 200 years (ca. 1525-1725) Southern Athabascans occupied much of the High Plains, controlling the buffalo country that separated sedentary villagers of the prairies from the Pueblo Indians, and frequenting the settlements of both groups (D. Gunnerson 1956). In the course of these two centuries some, if not all, of the tipi-dwelling Plains Apache nomads added horticulture to their subsistence activities and as a result became semisedentary. The fact that their way of life both before and after this transition is sketchily documented by historical sources makes the Plains Apaches promising subjects for studies in cultural change, while their geographical position leads naturally to a consideration of three important problems:
Strength and functional deficits in individuals with hip osteoarthritis compared to healthy, older adults.

AbstractPurpose: Hip osteoarthritis (OA) compromises quality of life for many individuals. This study quantified deficits in functional capacity for use in rehabilitation goal setting by combining assessments of muscle strength, function and physical activity in patients with hip OA and healthy adults. Method: Twenty-six patients with end-stage hip OA and 18 healthy adults participated. Isometric muscle strength around the hip and knee was measured. Function was assessed using stair climbing, five-time-sit-to-stand, timed-up-and-go and 6-minute walk tests. The UCLA activity rating scale assessed physical activity. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to assess differences between groups. Results: Patients had 30% less knee extensor (p < 0.001), 38% less knee flexor (p < 0.001), 10% less hip flexor (p = 0.47), 23% less hip extensor (p = 0.24) and 17% less hip abductor strength (p = 0.23) than healthy adults. Hip adductor strength was equal between groups (p = 0.93). Patients were 50% slower on the sta...
High temperature Raman spectroscopy of silver tetratungstate, Ag8W4O16

Polarized Raman spectra have been obtained on oriented single crystals of Ag/sub 8/W/sub 4/O/sub 16/ from 20/sup 0/C to the melting point (620/sup 0/C) and also of the melt, both in air and in an oxygen atmosphere. The temperature dependences of the low-frequency Ag/sup +/-ion vibrations show no anomalies, in contrast to those in ionic conductors such as ..cap alpha..-AgI. Polarization versus temperature measurements have been made on the crystals under the same conditions as the Raman measurements. The results indicate that there is decomposition of the crystals in air which produces irreversible conducting phases. The oxygen atmosphere impedes this decomposition, and the results in this case confirm an earlier prediction that there is no crystallographic transformation of the crystals up to the melting point and that the (W/sub 4/O/sub 16/)/sup 8 -/ ions continue to be noncentrosymmetric in the melt.
Monoclonal antibodies and cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Theoretical and practical considerations.

The T cell nature of mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome was established a decade ago. The recent advent of monoclonal antibodies to T cells and other lymphoid subpopulations has resulted in an explosion of knowledge on the biology of this group of disorders. These reagents have increased our knowledge on thymic differentiation status, pathogenesis, the phenotype of premalignant vs malignant lymphocytic infiltrates, the identification of other previously unrecognized cells within lymphomas, and the phenotype of circulating vs skin lymphocytes. Therapeutic applications may result. These new developments are discussed.
Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Low Molecular-Weight Proteins by Selective Solubilization in Reversed Micelles

Abstract The effects of pH and salt concentration on the solubilization of ribonuclease-a, cytochrome-c and lysozyme in Aerosol OT/isooctane reversed micelle solutions have been studied to explore the potential for employing this solvent system in the large-scale recovery and concentration of proteins using liquid extraction. For pH values below the isoelectric point, pI, of the protein, solubilization was high, probably owing to strong electrostatic-interactions between the positively charged proteins and the anionic surfactant heads forming the inner micelle wall. Above the pI, the proteins could not be solubilized, probably because of unfavorable electrostatic repulsions between the like-charged proteins and surfactants. At low ionic strength and neutral pH, complete solubilization of the proteins was observed. As the ionic strength was increased, there was an abrupt decrease in solubilizing power of the reversed micelle solutions; the salt concentration at which this occurred was different for each pr...
Identifying the role of specific motifs in the lens fiber cell specific intermediate filament phakosin.

Purpose Phakosin and filensin are lens fiber cell-specific intermediate filament (IF) proteins. Unlike every other cytoplasmic IF protein, they assemble into a beaded filament (BF) rather than an IF. Why the lens fiber cell requires two unique IF proteins and why and how they assemble into a structure other than an IF are unknown. In this report we test specific motifs/domains in phakosin to identify changes that that have adapted phakosin to lens-specific structure and function. Methods Phakosin shows the highest level of sequence identity to K18, whose natural assembly partner is K8. We therefore exchanged conserved keratin motifs between phakosin and K18 to determine whether phakosin's divergent motifs could redirect the assembly of chimeric K18 and K8. Modified proteins were bacterially expressed and purified. Assembly competence was assessed by electron microscopy. Results Substitution of the phakosin helix initiation motif (HIM) into K18 does not alter assembly with K8, establishing that the radical divergence in phakosin HIM is not by itself the mechanism by which IF assembly is redirected to BF assembly. Unexpectedly, K18 bearing phakosin HIM resulted in normal IF assembly, despite the presence of an otherwise disease-causing R-C substitution, and two helix-disrupting glycines. This disproves the widely held belief that mutation of the R is catastrophic to IF assembly. Additional data are presented that suggest normal IF assembly is dependent on sequence-specific interactions between the IF head domain and the HIM. Conclusions In the lens fiber cell, two members of the IF family have evolved to produce BFs instead of IFs, a change that presumably adapts the IF to a fiber cell-specific function. The authors establish here that the most striking divergence seen in phakosin is not, as hypothesized, the cause of this altered assembly outcome. The authors further establish that the HIM of IFs is far more tolerant of mutations, such as those that cause some corneal dystrophies and Alexander disease, than previously hypothesized and that normal assembly involves sequence-specific interactions between the head domain and the HIM.
Growth Hormone Treatment Improves Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins in Adults With Growth Hormone Deficiency R. C. CUNEO, F. SALOMON, G. F. WATTS, ET AL Metabolism 42:1519–1523, 1993

Previous studies suggest that growth hormone (GH) deficiency is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.1 Several studies have demonstrated hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia in both children and adults with GH deficiency.2 However, the effects of GH replacement therapy on serum lipids in GH-deficient children have been inconsistent, and no previous prospective studies on the effects of GH on lipoprotein metabolism in GH-deficient adults have been reported.In this study, the authors describe the effects of 6 months of physiologic GH replacement therapy on serum lipids and lipoproteins in 24 adults with GH deficiency. The effects of GH replacement on body composition and metabolism were previously reported in these individuals.3 In that report, GH improved indices of lean body mass and diminished fat mass during a 6-month period; the current study extends the previous finding of decreased serum cholesterol levels during GH treatment.3Patients (aged 18 to 52 ye...
Loaf: a framework and infrastructure for creating online adaptive solutions

Achieving effective online adaptation for natively executed applications has proved quite challenging and to date has not been widely adopted. Traditionally, to enable online adaptation for native binary applications, a run-time layer is added that virtualizes the execution of the application by performing dynamic binary to binary translation. This virtual layer injects trampolines and instrumentation into the translated code to maintain control of the application. This approach adds significant overhead and complexity to the application, discouraging its use for online adaptation in commercial deployments and particularly in the modern datacenter computing domain. In this work we present a new lightweight paradigm for online adaptation that leverages current microarchitectural advances to efficiently enable online monitoring and adaptation without the complexity of binary translation or fine-grain instrumentation. Our methodology takes advantage of the ubiquitous hardware performance monitors present in modern chip micro-architectures to dynamically monitor micro-architectural events and application behavior with negligible overhead. By leveraging these capabilities to develop an innovative lightweight online adaptation framework (Loaf) we are able to address a number of important real-world online adaptation problems.
Physical studies on three lectins from the seeds of Abrus precatorius.

Abstract The physical properties of three lectins from the seeds of the Abrus precatorius plant, abrin C, abrin A and the Abrus agglutinin, were studied. All three exhibited similar circular dichroic (CD) spectra in the near-ultraviolet having negative maxima at 286 and 293 nm. In addition, d -galactose induced similar conformational alterations in the three proteins as observed through changes in the near-ultraviolet CD from 280 to 295 nm. The near-ultraviolet CD spectrum of the toxic subunit of abrin C was very different from that of the parent molecule. The fluorescence emission spectra of the three proteins were also studied. All exhibited fluorescence near 335 nm which is quenched 9% by galactose. Iodide quenching of fluorescence using the Stern-Volmer analysis indicated different tryptophan accessibilities in the presence and absence of d -galactose for the Abrus agglutinin. The result suggest that there is a saccharide-induced conformational change which buries several partially exposed tryptophan residues. A comparable analysis of the closely related Ricinus agglutinin revealed that its tryptophan residues are more buried than those of the Abrus agglutinin and, unlike the Abrus agglutinin, there was no saccharide-induced change in tryptophan accessibility.
Spreadsheets:: Multidimensionable Analysis Features

For many years, I have been recommending Reflex (published by Borland International) as a tool for analyzing financial and statistical data. My primary reason for this recommendation has been that Reflex allowed me to cross‐tabulate data. If you want to look at the year's financial data broken down, for example, by month‐by cost center‐by line item, you are essentially dictating that you want to do a crosstab. Reflex has a built‐in “view” that allows you to construct a two dimensional table that, with data limiting capabilities, yields a surprisingly diverse and multidimensional look at your data. In fact, I installed a financial reporting system in a library back in 1987 that was based on Reflex. In 1993 the library finally changed over to a commercial reporting system (costing thousands of dollars) that replaced Reflex. Yet, the old system provided a fairly flexible reporting and analysis system.
Effect of Saline Irrigation Water Composition on Selenium Accumulation by Wheat

Abstract Trace amounts of selenium (Se) are essential for animal and human nutrition. However, the optimum concentration range is very narrow and outside of this range deficiencies or toxicities can occur. Potentially harmful levels of Se in soils and irrigation waters have been reported in regions where salinity is also a hazard. This study was conducted to determine the effects of irrigation water composition and salinity level on Se accumulation in leaves and grain of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. ‘Yecora Rojo'). Plants were grown in greenhouse sand cultures and irrigated with complete nutrient solution. Salinity treatments were initiated 4 days after planting by irrigating the seedlings with either chloride‐dominated waters or with waters containing both chloride and sulfate salts. Compositions of the mixed salt waters were designed to simulate saline drainage waters commonly present in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with two sali...
Matching preclusion and conditional matching preclusion for regular interconnection networks

Abstract The matching preclusion number of a graph is the minimum number of edges whose deletion results in a graph that has neither perfect matchings nor almost-perfect matchings. For many interconnection networks, the optimal sets are precisely those induced by a single vertex. Recently, the conditional matching preclusion number of a graph was introduced to look for obstruction sets beyond those induced by a single vertex. It is defined to be the minimum number of edges whose deletion results in a graph with no isolated vertices and neither perfect matchings nor almost-perfect matchings. In this paper, we prove general results regarding the matching preclusion number and the conditional matching preclusion number as well as the classification of their respective optimal sets for regular graphs. We then use these general results to study the problems for Cayley graphs generated by 2-trees and the hyper Petersen networks.
Instructional computing and local area networking

The personal computer, hereinafter called PC, has profoundly affected the university community. A growing number of faculty from many disciplines are focusing instructional efforts around PCs and, as a result, more and more students are called upon to do their classwork using them. They are also increasingly being used by faculty for research and record keeping, and by administrative and clerical staff for word processing, spreadsheets, database access, and communication just as in other governmental and private business organizations. The result is a wide, growing, and changing use of PCs in the university community.
Mechanical twinning in crystals.

In mechanical twinning of crystals, compound twins are examined for symmetry and found that by necessity the plane of shear is a mirror plane to enable the twins of the first and second kind to exist simultaneously.
Partitioning of REE between solution and particulate matter in natural waters: a filtration study

Rare earth element (REE) concentrations were determined in filtered and unfiltered fractions of one stream water and five shallow ground waters from springs and wells from the Palouse region of Idaho/Washington to characterize the contribution of suspended, colloidal, and solution fractions to the REE contents of each water sample. Similar characteristics were observed in the shallow ground waters as reported in the literature for rivers. In almost all cases the LREE were depleted substantially in filtered fractions relative to the unfiltered fractions, indicating substantial partitioning of LREE onto particulate matter. In some, but not all samples, the HREE were far less depleted, indicating greater mobility of the REE as dissolved species or small colloidal particles. Increased solubility of HREE relative to LREE in these neutral to slightly alkaline waters may be due to preferential complexation of the HREE with ligands such as carbonate, hydroxide, fluoride or organic anions. In one water studied, filtration through a finer pore-size filter resulted in markedly more pronounced Ce anomalies. Cerium anomalies are likely controlled by preferential sorption of Ce4+ onto Fe–Mn particle coatings.
Analysis of O2 Adsorption on Binary−Alloy Clusters of Gold: Energetics and Correlations

We report a B3LYP density-functional theory (DFT) analysis of O2 adsorption on 27 AunMm (m, n = 0−3 and m + n = 2 or 3; M = Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt, and Na) clusters. The LANL2DZ pseudopotential and corresponding double-ζ basis set was used for heavy atoms, while a 6-311+G(3df) basis set was used for Na and O. We employed basis-set superposition error (BSSE) corrections in the electronic adsorption energies at 0 K (ΔEads) and also calculated adsorption thermodynamics at standard conditions (298.15 K and 1 atm), i.e., internal energy of adsorption (ΔUads) and Gibbs free energy of adsorption (ΔGads). Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis showed that all the clusters donated electron density to adsorbed O2 and we successfully predicted intuitive linear correlations between the NBO charge on adsorbed O2, O−O bond length, and O−O stretching frequency. Although there was no clear trend in the O2 binding energy (BE = −ΔEads) on pure and alloy dimers, we found the following interesting trend for trimers: BE (MAu2) < BE (M3...
The role of finances in the persistence process: A structural model

The study empirically examined the role of finances on college persistence by presenting a causal model that relied on several theoretical frameworks. A quantitative model was tested via linear structural equations for categorical data that incorporated constructs from the financial aid literature as well as the persistence literature. The research design was longitudinal in nature and analyses were conducted on a sample of 466 college students who were attending a large public urban commuter institution in the spring of 1989. In sum, results appear to suggest that financial aid, and its concomitant attitude, is important not only because it equalizes opportunities between affluent and low-income students, but also because it facilitates the integration of the student into the academic and social components of the institution as well as by influencing his or her commitment to stay in college.
The asymptotic codifference and covariation of log-fractional stable noise

Abstract Many econometric quantities such as long-term risk can be modeled by Pareto-like distributions and may also display long-range dependence. If Pareto is replaced by Gaussian, then one can consider fractional Brownian motion whose increments, called fractional Gaussian noise, exhibit long-range dependence. There are many extensions of that process in the infinite variance stable case. Log-fractional stable noise (log-FSN) is a particularly interesting one. It is a stationary mean-zero stable process with infinite variance, parametrized by a tail index α between 1 and 2, and hence with heavy tails. The lower the value of α , the heavier the tail of the marginal distributions. The fact that α is less than 2 renders the variance infinite. Thus dependence between past and future cannot be measured using the correlation. There are other dependence measures that one can use, for instance the “codifference” or the “covariation”. Since log-FSN is a moving average and hence “mixing”, these dependence measures converge to zero as the lags between past and future become very large. The codifference, in particular, decreases to zero like a power function as the lag goes to infinity. Two parameters play an important role: (a) the value of the exponent, which depends on α and measures the speed of the decay; (b) a multiplicative constant of asymptoticity c which depends also on α . In this paper, it is shown that for symmetric α -stable log-FSN, the constant c is positive and that the rate of decay of the codifference is such that one has long-range dependence. It is also proved that the same conclusion holds for the second measure of dependence, the covariation, which converges to zero with the same intensity and with a constant of asymptoticity which is positive as well.
An improved musculoskeletal discomfort assessment tool

Abstract A self-report musculoskeletal assessment tool was adapted following field use by ergonomic analysis teams and was administered to 797 employees of a public utility company. Results were analyzed to determine if the self-reports could adequately predict whether or not an employee reportedly sought medical or therapeutic treatment for a work-related discomfort. A discriminant analysis was used to show that the ratings could identify those who had sought treatment. Tabulation of a joint frequency distribution of the ratings (Discomfort Level × Frequency of Discomfort) and discriminant function probabilities resulted in a convenient separation of the population into three “zones”. These zones were labeled: (1) “very likely”, (2) “somewhat likely”, and (3) “not likely” to seek treatment. This tool is not intended to be a diagnostic instrument since the criterion was not a specific cumulative trauma diagnosis. Rather, it can be utilized as an easily administered, proactive surveillance instrument to assist in early identification of ergonomic concerns and to help prioritize jobs for intervention. Relevance to industry An easy to administer, self-reporting discomfort tool was developed and validated based upon a large industrial population. It is anticipated that this tool will be useful in auditing and surveillance for musculoskeletal disorders. It may be particularly useful in prioritizing ergonomic intervention for these disorders.
Ethics and information technology use: a factor analysis of attitudes to computer use

Abstract. In 1986 Richard O. Mason identified privacy, accuracy, property and access as four ethical issues for the information age. The research reported here sought to answer the questions: are these social issues empirically verifiable constructs? Second, what consensus exists on the factors? A field survey of 79 business professionals and students identified 12 factors which were grouped into five clusters: ownership, access, motivation, responsibility and privacy. These constructs identify additional dimensions and complexity to extend Mason's definition of key ethical issues. The importance of separating the computer user who experiences the ethical dilemma from the stakeholder(s) who deal with the consequences of the dilemma is identified. This study also demonstrates some consensus within the survey items. Consensus exists that it is unethical to profit from non-job, computer-related acts. Consensus also exists that personal use of company-owned information technology resources is acceptable. The other items show little consensus, identifying areas of necessary discussion within the computing professions to determine ethically consistent and appropriate computer uses.
GAPPER: A microcomputer-based learning game

Abstract This paper describes a software package for computer-assisted language learning that combines an interactive text manipulation game based on the cloze procedure, a text editor, a text analysis program, record-keeping facilities, and various optional functions that allow the learning game to be altered to meet local requirements and objectives. The system, called GAPPER, is designed to put the text handling and “number cruching” capabilities of the microcomputer to use in the language classroom in ways that are compatible with the learner's own natural needs and strategies, and at the same time give the classroom teacher a significant degree of control over the resulting learning experience.
Interleukin-33 in Asthma: How Big of a Role Does It Play?

In complex disorders such as asthma and allergic disease, the goal for developing disease-modifying biotherapeutics is to find a target that is a central instigator of immunologic activity. Interleukin (IL)-33 seems to be such a molecule, as it is one of the earliest-released signaling molecules following epithelial damage and can orchestrate the recruitment and activation of the cells responsible for disease. Unregulated IL-33 activity leads to activation of T-helper type 2 cells, mast cells, dendritic cells, eosinophils, and basophils, ultimately leading to increased expression of cytokines and chemokines that define the disease. As such, IL-33 is an attractive candidate for therapeutic intervention with the goal of ameliorating disease. This review focuses on the role of IL-33 in promoting and maintaining the asthma phenotype.