cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Applications of Digital Microscopy and Densely Connected Convolutional Neural Networks for Automated Quantitation of Babesia-Infected Erythrocytes

Background: Clinical babesiosis is diagnosed, and parasite burden is determined, by microscopic inspection of a thick or thin Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear. However, quantitative analysis by manual microscopy is subject to observer bias, slide distribution errors, statistical sampling error, recording errors, and is inherently burdensome from time management and workflow efficiency standpoints. As such, methods for the automated measurement of percent parasitemia in digital microscopic images of peripheral blood smears could improve clinical accuracy, relative to the predicate method. Methods: Individual erythrocyte images (shape: 70x70x3) were manually labeled as "parasite" or "normal" and were used to train a model for binary image classification. The best model was then used to calculate percent parasitemia from a clinical validation dataset, and values were compared to a clinical reference value. Lastly, model interpretability was examined using an integrated gradient to identify pixels most likely to influence classification decisions. Results: The precision and recall of the model during development testing were 0.92 and 1.00, respectively. In clinical validation, the model returned increasing positive signal with increasing mean reference value. However, there were two highly erroneous false positive values returned by the model. Lastly, the model incorrectly assessed three cases well above the clinical threshold of 10%. The integrated gradient suggested potential sources of false positives including rouleaux formations, cell boundaries, and precipitate as deterministic factors in negative erythrocyte images. Conclusions: While the model demonstrated highly accurate single cell classification and correctly assessed most slides, several false positives were highly incorrect. This project highlights the need for integrated testing of ML-based models, even when models in the development phase perform well.
A Fast Penalty-Based Gauss-Seidel Method for Stochastic Unit Commitment With Uncertain Load and Wind Generation

Stochastic network-constrained unit commitment (S-NCUC) can be used to manage the uncertainty of an increasing penetration level of renewable energy effectively. However, the drawbacks of the progressive hedging algorithm (PHA) based solutions are that they are not provably convergent due to the non-convexity of S-NCUC. Additionally, the solution obtained is usually fractional-valued (non-binary) and therefore not readily implementable. In this paper, we apply a novel Penalty-Based Gauss-Seidel (PBGS) algorithm in solving S-NCUC using an exact augmented Lagrangian representation with proven convergence. To improve the computational efficiency of the PBGS, we further propose an accelerating technique with rigorous proof to skip solving scenarios when certain conditions are met during iterations. We numerically validate the proposed algorithms on the IEEE 118-bus system and a practically-sized ERCOT-like system, both with variable wind generation. Numerical results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithms in yielding high-quality S-NCUC solutions. The merits of the proposed algorithms are also revealed in comparison with PHA and extensive-form (EF) based mixed-integer programming solutions.
SLOPE for Sparse Linear Regression:Asymptotics and Optimal Regularization

In sparse linear regression, the SLOPE estimator generalizes LASSO by penalizing different coordinates of the estimate according to their magnitudes. In this paper, we present a precise performance characterization of SLOPE in the asymptotic regime where the number of unknown parameters grows in proportion to the number of observations. Our asymptotic characterization enables us to derive the fundamental limits of SLOPE in both estimation and variable selection settings. We also provide a computational feasible way to optimally design the regularizing sequences such that the fundamental limits are reached. In both settings, we show that the optimal design problem can be formulated as certain infinite-dimensional convex optimization problems, which have efficient and accurate finite-dimensional approximations. Numerical simulations verify all our asymptotic predictions. They demonstrate the superiority of our optimal regularizing sequences over other designs used in the existing literature.
Computational analysis of novel high performance optically controlled RF switches for reconfigurable millimeterwave-to-THz circuits

Optically controlled RF switches with a novel non-contact device architecture that achieves high performance in the millimeterwave-to-terahertz (mmW-THz) region are proposed and investigated through simulation. The significant change in conductivity in semiconductors caused by photogenerated carriers is used to develop RF switches having very high performance. By including a thin layer of insulator between the active semiconductor material and the metal contacts, the carrier concentration can be enhanced over that of conventional devices. For a prototype demonstration, G-band coplanar waveguide-based optical switches (using Si and Ge as active materials) with different contact geometries have been modeled and simulated. The proposed switches outperform both conventional solid-state switches and phase-change material-based switches in the switch figure-of-merit, and are promising for developing a novel class of tunable and reconfigurable mmW-THz circuits for advanced sensing, imaging, and communication.
Design, Modelling and Measurements for Multichip High Density Interconnections

High density interconnections are essential for high performance systems. For excellent signal fidelity it is essential to design interconnects as controlled impedance transmission lines in these systems. Results from design studies are summarized in this paper. Effects of substrate and conductor properties on the interconnect parameters are emphasized. Crosstalk noise is proportional to interconnection density. Crosstalk can be analyzed in SPICE using a set of isolated transmission line and congruence transformers synthesized with dependent sources. A SPICE subcircuit for a pair of coupled interconnections is presented. Using this subcircuit, crosstalk calculations are illustrated for systems based ECL and CMOS technologies. High density interconnects have considerable resistance. Results of a theoretical analysis of the time domain reflectometer (TDR) responses of a lossy interconnect are presented. These results can be used to determine the impedance and the effective resistance of the interconnections...
Listing Contract Length and Time on Market

Miceli (1989) in a search for the optimal time to allow a broker to market property provides a theoretical model which posits that the principal (seller) may use the length of the listing contract to motivate the agent (listing broker) to better align incentives. Expanding slightly on Miceli, this present work predicts that longer time allotted the broker to market residential property will decrease broker effort resulting in lower search intensity and eventually a longer marketing span for property, ceteris paribus. This prediction is borne out across three empirical modeling methodologies commonly used in time on market studies.
The impact of insurance instability on health service utilization: does non-metropolitan residence make a difference?

Purpose Discontinuous and no health insurance are major barriers to health care utilization. This paper examines if nonmetropolitan versus metropolitan residence is associated with differences in health care utilization in the face of insurance instability. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of adults aged 18-64 years was conducted using the 2006-2010 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data set (N = 61,039). Negative binomial regression was used to model measures of health service utilization (emergency room [ER] visits, inpatient discharges, office-based visits, dental care visits, prescriptions filled, home health visits) as functions of insurance continuity, adjusted for sociodemographic and health-related covariates. Models were stratified by metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan residence. Findings Health insurance continuity was significantly associated with several measures of health service utilization, including more ER visits for individuals with gaps in health insurance (IRR [incident risk ratio] = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.16-1.42) and fewer inpatient discharges for individuals without insurance (IRR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.43-0.57) when compared with individuals with continuous insurance. Individuals who were discontinuously insured or uninsured had significantly fewer office-based visits. They also had significantly fewer dental visits, prescription fills, and home health visits; moreover, the magnitudes of these associations were generally significantly greater for residents of nonmetropolitan areas. Conclusions Insurance instability is associated with higher use of emergency services and reduced use of nonhospital health care services. Residents of nonmetropolitan areas with unstable or no insurance coverage may be at particular risk for reduced access and use of some health services relative to their counterparts living in metropolitan areas.
Kinetic-dependent Killing of Oral Pathogens with Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide (NO)-releasing silica nanoparticles were synthesized via the co-condensation of tetramethyl orthosilicate with aminosilanes and subsequent conversion of secondary amines to N-diazeniumdiolate NO donors. A series of ~150 nm NO-releasing particles with different NO totals and release kinetics (i.e., half-lives) were achieved by altering both the identity and mol% composition of the aminosilane precursors. Independent of identical 2 h NO-release totals, enhanced antibacterial action was observed against the periodontopathogens Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis with extended NO-release kinetics at pH 7.4. Negligible bactericidal effect was observed against cariogenic Streptococcus mutans at pH 7.4, even when using NO-releasing silica particles with greater NO-release totals. However, antibacterial activity was observed against S. mutans at lower pH (6.4). This result was attributed to more rapid proton-initiated decomposition of the N-diazeniumdiolate NO donors and greater NO-release payloads. The data suggest a differential sensitivity to NO between cariogenic and periodontopathogenic bacteria with implications for the future development of NO-releasing oral care therapeutics.
Jammed FH-FSK performance in Rayleigh and Nakagami-m fading

This paper looks at the performance of frequency hopped spread spectrum (FH) binary frequency shift keyed (FSK) modulated signals in wideband and partial-band noise jamming, when either the signal or signal and jammer are subject to Rayleigh or Nakagami-m fading. Simple bit error rate (BER) approximations are derived as functions of the signal and jammer fading parameters (which need not be equal) using the assumption that average jammer power is much greater than average signal power. The approximations are used to find the worst case jammer fractional bandwidth. For signals with Rayleigh or more severe fading, full-band jamming is the optimal attack. In less severe signal fading, partial-band jamming may be more disruptive, depending on the available jammer power. It is found that jammer fading improves communications channel performance with wideband jamming by 2-4 dB effective power gain. When jammer bandwidth is optimized, BER performance is dominated by the signal fading parameter, although the optimal jammer bandwidth will vary somewhat due to jammer fading. The accuracy of these approximations is verified by comparing them to more detailed numerical solutions.
Effects of surfactant addition on the biomineralization and microbial toxicity of phenanthrene.

Surfactants are known to increase the apparent aqueous solubility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and may thereby enhance their bioavailability. In this study the effects of four surfactants on the mineralization of phenanthrene by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in liquid culture and in soil-water suspensions was studied in batch reactors over a 15-week study period. In the absence of surfactant, liquid cultures mineralized approximately 50% of the phenanthrene added within seven weeks following a one-week lag period and an initial mineralization rate of 0.04 mg/d. Mineralization in soil-water suspensions proceeded without any measurable lag period. The initial mineralization rate was lower (0.006 mg/d), but mineralization continued to >70% over the fifteen week period. In general, the addition of very low concentrations of surfactant (≤0.001%) to liquid cultures did not impact mineralization significantly. At higher surfactant concentrations (≥CMC) all surfactants were seen to be inhibitory. In soil-water systems, the rate of phenanthrene mineralization was decreased even at surfactant doses that did not produce significant solubilization. In summary, none of the surfactants enhanced the mineralization of phenanthrene by P. aeruginosa in liquid culture or in soil-water suspensions. In order to rank surfactant toxicity, microbial toxicity tests were performed measuring the light output of bioluminescent bacteria as affected by the presence of surfactants. Additional toxicity testing indicated that the presence of solubilized phenanthrene increased the toxicity of the surfactant by a 100-fold suggesting that the toxicity of solubilized substrate needs also to be considered in the application of surfactant-amended remediation.
A fuzzy logic-based approach to determine product component end-of-life option from the views of sustainability and designer's perception

Abstract In our time, an increasing awareness of short and long-term environmental impacts is driving manufacturers to reconsider the product design process with a view toward sustainability. Manufacturers have begun to consider the need for responsible resource use and management during the product life cycle, particularly during the product retirement phase. The determination of appropriate end-of-life (EOL) options for retired product components is a crucial issue relative to most manufactured products. To address it, the product design process must be modified to consider sustainability in a comprehensive manner. At present, only limited existing research integrates social sustainability into EOL option determinations; that gap, in part, stimulates this study. We also recognize that a product designer's background and experience will directly affect the EOL strategy selection. Therefore, incorporating the designer's perception along with sustainability dimensions into an EOL strategy determination is essential and also motivates this investigation. In our proposed approach, quantitative indicators are used to assess sustainability dimensions — economic (residual value), environmental (Eco-indicator) and social impact (job creation, human toxic potential and land use) — for each EOL option. The primary merit of this approach is transferring the essential but not directly relevant design preferences into sustainability analysis through fuzzy logic-based transformation equations. An expected value is derived to represent the sustainability value of each EOL option. An automobile gasoline engine is used as a case study to illustrate the methodology.
Carbon nanospikes grown on metal wires as microelectrode sensors for dopamine.

Carbon nanomaterials are advantageous as electrodes for neurotransmitter detection, but the difficulty of nanomaterials deposition on electrode substrates limits the reproducibility and future applications. In this study, we used plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to directly grow a thin layer of carbon nanospikes (CNS) on cylindrical metal substrates. No catalyst is required and the CNS surface coverage is uniform over the cylindrical metal substrate. The CNS growth was characterized on several metallic substrates including tantalum, niobium, palladium, and nickel wires. Using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV), bare metal wires could not detect 1 μM dopamine while carbon nanospike coated wires could. The highest sensitivity and optimized S/N ratio was recorded from carbon nanospike-tantalum (CNS-Ta) microwires grown for 7.5 minutes, which had a LOD of 8 ± 2 nM for dopamine with FSCV. CNS-Ta microelectrodes were more reversible and had a smaller ΔEp for dopamine than carbon-fiber microelectrodes, suggesting faster electron transfer kinetics. The kinetics of dopamine redox were adsorption controlled at CNS-Ta microelectrodes and repeated electrochemical measurements displayed stability for up to ten hours in vitro and over a ten day period as well. The oxidation potential was significantly different for ascorbic acid and uric acid compared to dopamine. Growing carbon nanospikes on metal wires is a promising method to produce uniformly-coated, carbon nanostructured cylindrical microelectrodes for sensitive dopamine detection.
The Draper Loom in New England Textiles: A Comment

The September 1966 issue of this Journal contains a study by Professor Irwin Feller on the rate of adoption of the Draper Automatic Loom in the New England cotton textile industry. I have no quarrel with his central conclusions concerning the economic rationality of the New England cotton manufacturers. I do, however, have some comments on his analysis of the relative costs of producing cloth on plain (power) as opposed to automatic looms.
Q-Theory and Acquisition Returns

This paper applies the q−theory of investment to corporate acquisitions to explain target choice and acquirer returns. The theory predicts that larger acquirers optimally choose larger targets, but of smaller relative size. Dollar gains increase, but percentage returns decrease as acquirers get larger. Since later deals are made by larger acquirers, returns appear to decline with experience. Using a panel dataset of repeat acquirers, empirical tests support the predictions of q−theory. In contrast, I find only weak support for an agency explanation and no support for a hubris story. I also reject the theory that declining returns result from market anticipation of later deals.
Energy efficiency improvement and CO2 emission reduction opportunities in the cement industry in China

Abstract China's annual cement production (i.e., 1868 Mt) in 2010 accounted for nearly half of the world's annual cement production in the same year. We identified and analyzed 23 energy efficiency technologies and measures applicable to the processes in China's cement industry. The Conservation Supply Curve (CSC) used in this study is an analytical tool that captures both the engineering and the economic perspectives of energy conservation. Using bottom–up CSC models, the cumulative cost-effective and technical electricity and fuel savings, as well as the CO 2 emission reduction potentials for the Chinese cement industry for 2010–2030 are estimated. By comparison, the total final energy saving achieved by the implementation of these 23 efficiency measures in the Chinese cement industry over 20 years (2010–2030) is equal to 30% of the total primary energy supply of Latin America or Middle East or around 71% of primary energy supply of Brazil in 2007. In addition, a sensitivity analysis with respect to the discount rate is conducted to assess its effect on the results. The result of this study gives a comprehensive and easy to understand perspective to the Chinese cement industry and policy makers about the energy efficiency potential and its associated cost.
Policy Diffusion: Seven Lessons for Scholars and Practitioners

The scholarship on policy diffusion in political science and public administration is extensive. This article provides an introduction to that literature for scholars, students, and practitioners. It offers seven lessons derived from that literature, built from numerous empirical studies and applied to contemporary policy debates. Based on these seven lessons, the authors offer guidance to policy makers and present opportunities for future research to students and scholars of policy diffusion.
Is adenovirus a fetal pathogen

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to test the relationship between adenovirus genetic material in the amniotic fluid and adverse pregnancy outcome. Study design This was a prospective, observational study of women who were referred in the second trimester of gestation for either genetic amniocentesis or evaluation of fetal malformation. A 2-mL aliquot of amniotic fluid was subjected to multiplex polymerase chain reaction for a panel of viruses that included adenovirus and human genome controls. Fetuses with an abnormal karyotype were excluded from analysis. Results The prevalence of adenovirus was similar in normal (39/652) and anomalous fetuses (23/364; χ 2 test, P =.376). There was significant seasonal variation in the prevalence in both normal and anomalous fetuses (χ 2 exact test, P 2 test, P =.67). Central nervous system anomalies and echogenic liver foci were significantly more common among fetuses with positive amniotic fluid polymerase chain reaction results for adenovirus ( P Conclusion Adenovirus is found in a similar prevalence and seasonal variation in sonographically normal and abnormal pregnancies. Although a specific fetal presentation was not identified, echogenic liver lesions with or without hydrops and neural tube defects were significantly more common in the presence of adenovirus. The significance of these findings deserves further study.
Sodium Coupling and Nucleoside Specificity of a Concentrative Nucleoside Transporter

Concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs) are ion-coupled membrane transporters that utilize ion gradients to transport nucleosides and nucleoside-derived anticancer and antiviral drugs into cells. Humans have three subtypes of CNTs with varying nucleoside and nucleoside-drug specificity. The crystal structure of a CNT from Vibrio cholerae (vcCNT) in complex with uridine revealed the overall architecture, the nucleoside-binding site, and the putative sodium-binding site of this class of transporter 1.In our follow-up studies, we have addressed two issues: the role of sodium in nucleoside transport and the substrate specificity of vcCNT. With regard to the role of sodium in nucleoside transport, the hypothesis that we gained from the structure is that sodium binding stabilizes the nucleoside-binding site thereby increasing its affinity for nucleosides. To test this structural hypothesis, we performed mutagenesis, isothermal titration calorimetry, and radioactive nucleoside uptake experiments. Our results are consistent with our structural hypothesis. To dissect the substrate specificity of vcCNT, we first observed that the nucleoside-binding site of vcCNT is very similar to hCNT3 (>90% sequence identity). As a result, our functional studies showed that vcCNT displays similar substrate specificity as hCNT3. To understand the structural basis of nucleoside and nucleoside-drug specificity, we have performed crystallographic and functional studies of vcCNT in complex with several different nucleosides and nucleoside-derived drugs. Our results provide a structural basis for the substrate specificity of vcCNT and hCNT3.Reference1. Zachary Johnson, Cheom-Gil Cheong, and Seok-Yong Lee, Crystal structure of a concentrative nucleoside transporter from Vibrio cholerae at 2.4 A. Nature. 2012, Mar 11;483(7390):489-93.
Phase-retrieval algorithms for a complicated optical system

Phase-retrieval algorithms have been developed that handle a complicated optical system that requires multiple Fresnellike transforms to propagate from one end of the system to the other including the absorption by apertures in more than one plane and allowance for bad detector pixels. Gradient-search algorithms and generalizations of the iterative-transform phase-retrieval algorithms are derived. Analytic expressions for the gradient of an error metric, with respect to polynomial coefficients and with respect to point-by-point phase descriptions, are given. The entire gradient can be computed with the number of transforms required to propagate a wave front from one end of the optical system to the other and back again, independent of the number of coefficients or phase points. This greatly speeds the computation. The reconstruction of pupil amplitude is also given. A convergence proof of the generalized iterative transform algorithm is given. These improved algorithms permit a more accurate characterization of complicated optical systems from their point spread functions.
Monitoring change in community-oriented treatment programs†

Changes in the social climate of two alcoholism treatment programs were evaluated by repeated assessments with the Community-Oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES). The programs were similar in size and treatment, orientation, but differed in physical and organizational setting, program length, and patient and staff characteristics. Specific and unique changes occurring within the treatment programs resulted in corresponding changes in relevant dimensions of the programs' social climates. The practical utility of COPES evaluations in instituting quality control and evaluating the results of change in community-oriented treatment programs is discussed.
Surface crystallization of polypropylene

Crystallization of compression-molded isotactic polypropylene and polyethylene is invariably spherulitic; generally, nucleation occurs randomly throughout the sample. In a special case where nucleation predominates at the surface, spherulitic growth centers become crowded and are forced to propagate unidirectionally into the bulk (transcrystallinity). Conditions for the formation of transcrystallinity have been investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The occurrence of transcrystallinity is attributed to heterogeneous nucleation induced at the mold surface. To be effective, the mold surface must have a nucleating efficiency equal to or greater than that of adventitious nuclei present in the polymer. As the crystallization temperature approaches the melting point, the activity of mold surfaces is found to increase leading invariably to transcrystalline formation. The degree of activity of various mold surfaces correlates with the known activity of specific dispersed nucleating agents having similar chemical structures. Contrary to claims in the literature, the surface energy of the mold surface and temperature gradients across the melt surface do not play a primary role in transcrystalline formation of polypropylene.
Fast amplitude and delay measurement for characterization of integrated optic devices

A fast, non-interferometric measurement technique that allows the frequency-dependent delay and amplitude responses to be measured is presented. For a single amplitude and relative phase measurement at a fixed optical wavelength, the measurement time is on the order of a microsecond. RF modulation up to 2.7 GHz can be accommodated. A modified technique using frequency modulation is described to overcome non-idealities in the phase measurement. Results are presented for a fiber Bragg grating and an acetylene gas cell with swept-wavelength laser tuning at a rate of 40 nm/s.
The Contribution of Death-Related Experiences to Health Care Providers' Attitudes toward Dying Patients: I. Graduate and Undergraduate Nursing Students

This is the first in a series of studies planned by the authors concerned with the contribution of different death-related experiences to health care providers' attitudes toward caring for dying patients. This study investigated the contributions of personal, professional, and educational experience to the aversive and attractive components of those attitudes among 420 undergraduate and graduate students at six university-based nursing schools. The results showed that aversiveness decreased, attractiveness increased, and overall attitude became more positive, as the number, extent, and specificity of a student's death-related experiences increased. However, the different types of experience differed in the degree to which they affected each component: aversiveness was most affected by professional experience, attractiveness by personal experience. Educational experience made a small but significant contribution to both. The psychological assumptions and the measurement model underlying the development of ...
Use of teeth with a poor prognosis in cleft palate prosthodontics

A treatment technique to be used for patients who have unoperated or incomplete closure of cleft palates and who have only a few teeth or poor prognosis remaining is described. Patients who have an unoperated or incomplete closure of their palates and who have only a few teeth of poor prognosis remaining offer a challenge to the prosthodontist. Two cases are presented to illustrate treatment techniques that can be used for such patients.
Characterization of microfluidic human epidermal keratinocyte culture

Human epidermal keratinocytes (HEK) are skin cells of primary importance in maintaining the body’s defensive barrier and are used in vitro to assess the irritation potential and toxicity of chemical compounds. Microfluidic systems hold promise for high throughput irritant and toxicity assays, but HEK growth kinetics have yet to be characterized within microscale culture chambers. This research demonstrates HEK patterning on microscale patches of Type I collagen within microfluidic channels and maintenance of these cells under constant medium perfusion for 72 h. HEK were shown to maintain 93.0%–99.6% viability at 72 h under medium perfusion ranging from 0.025–0.4 μl min−1. HEK maintained this viability while ∼100% confluent—a level not possible in 96 well plates. Microscale HEK cultures offer the ability to precisely examine the morphology, behavior and viability of individual cells which may open the door to new discoveries in toxicological screening methods and wound healing techniques.
Effects of Channel Height and Bulk Temperature Considerations on Heat Transfer Coefficient of Wetted Surfaces in a Single Inline Row Impingement Channel

High performance turbine airfoils are typically cooled with a combination of internal cooling channels and impingement/film cooling. In such applications, the jets impinge against a target surface, and then exit along the channel formed by the jet plate, target plate, and side walls. Local convection coefficients are the result of both the jet impact, as well as the channel flow produced from the exiting jets. Numerous studies have explored the effects of jet array and channel configurations on both target and jet plate heat transfer coefficients. However, little work has been done in examining effects on the channel side walls, which may be a major contributor to heat transfer in real world applications. This paper examines the local and averaged effects of channel height and on heat transfer coefficients, with special attention given to the channel side walls. The effects on heat transfer results due to bulk temperature variations were also investigated. High resolution local heat transfer coefficient distributions on target and side wall surfaces were measured using temperature sensitive paint and recorded via a scientific grade charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Streamwise pressure distributions for both the target and side walls was recorded and used to explain heat transfer trends. Results are presented for average jet based Reynolds numbers between 17,000 and 45,000. All experiments were carried out on a large scale single row, 15 hole impingement channel, with X/D of 5, Y/D of 4, and Z/D of 1, 3 and 5. The results obtained from this investigation will aid in the validation of predictive tools and development of physics-based models.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Carbohydrate and end group analyses of ovine FSH.

Abstract The carbohydrate content and terminal amino acids of a highly purified preparation of ovine follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined. The purified FSH contained high amounts of hexosamine and sialic acid. The C-terminal amino acids were serine and glutamic acid while serine and phenylalanine were found at the N-termini.
Induction of theophylline toxicity and inhibition of clearance rates by ranitidine

Purpose Theophylline is metabolized by the hepatic microsomal oxidase system, as is ranitidine, although the latter has a much lower affinity for the system. The incidence of theophylline toxicity is rare when the two drugs are administered simultaneously. We observed the development of clinical and chemical toxicity in three elderly patients receiving oral theophylline therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after the administration of ranitidine therapy for peptic ulcer disease. Patients and methods Three patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who had been receiving theophylline for prolonged periods of time were studied. Two patients presented with complaints of epigastric pain, which was attributed to acid-peptic disease; the other patient presented with hematemesis, which was shown to be due to gastric and duodenal ulcers. Ranitidine was administered for treatment of acid-peptic disease. Theophylline clearance rates were determined before, during, and after ranitidine treatment. When symptoms of theophylline toxicity developed, the dose of theophylline was either stopped or reduced. Subsequently, patients were readministered their usual dose of theophylline. Results The effect of simultaneous administration of both drugs resulted in similar reductions in theophylline clearance rates. Serum theophylline levels returned to pretreatment values after cessation of ranitidine treatment. In one patient, rechallenge with ranitidine during steady-state theophylline treatment resulted in recurrence of clinical and chemical theophylline toxicity. Conclusion These observations suggest that treatment with ranitidine may cause clinically apparent interactions with theophylline since both drugs are metabolized by the same cytochrome P-450 isozymes.
Absorption spectra of nucleotides, polynucleotides, and nucleic acids in the far ultraviolet

Ultaviolet absorption spectra down to 185 mμ are presented for a number of nucleic acids and synthetic polynucleotides in the helical and random forms, and of their constituent mononucleotides, as well as the corresponding nucleosides and free bases. A short wavelength absorption band is in all cases observed with a maximum varying between about 187 and 201 mμ. These bands are more intense than those near 260 mμ. The helical polymers show a hypochromic effect in this region of a somewhat similar magnitude to that in the 260 mμ region. Other spectral phenomena accompanying denaturation and degradation are described.
Effect of early monocular enucleation upon ocular dominance columns and cytochrome oxidase activity in monkey and human visual cortex

We examined cytochrome oxidase (CO) activity in striate cortex of four macaque monkeys after monocular enucleation at ages 1, 1, 5, and 12 weeks. These animal experiments were performed to guide our interpretation of CO patterns in occipital lobe specimens obtained from two children who died several years after monocular enucleation during infancy for tumor. In the macaques, the ocular dominance columns were labelled by injecting [ 3 H]proline into the remaining eye. After enucleation at age 1 week, ocular dominance columns were eliminated in layer IVcβ, resulting in a uniform pattern of autoradiographic label and CO staining. However, columns could still be seen in wet, unstained sections and with the Liesegang silver stain. Autoradiographs through layers IVcα and IVa showed residual, shrunken columns belonging to the missing eye, indicating that enucleation has less drastic effects in these layers. In the two human cases, enucleation at age 1 week also resulted in uniform CO staining in layer IVc. In the macaque after enucleation at age 5 weeks, ocular dominance columns belonging to the missing eye were severely narrowed, but still occupied 20% of layer IVcβ. CO revealed wide, dark columns alternating with thin, pale columns in layer IVcβ. The CO pattern and the columns labelled by autoradiography matched perfectly. After enucleation at age 12 weeks, only mild shrinkage of ocular dominance columns occurred. Enucleation at ages 1, 5, and 12 weeks did not alter the pattern of thin-pale–thick-pale stripes in V2. The main findings from this study were that (1) CO histochemistry accurately labels the boundaries of columns in layer IVcβ of macaque striate cortex after early monocular enucleation, making it a suitable technique for defining the critical period for plasticity of ocular dominance columns in human striate cortex; (2) enucleation causes more severe shrinkage of ocular dominance columns than eyelid suture; (3) early monocular enucleation obliterates ocular dominance columns in layer IVcβ, but their pattern remains visible in wet sections and with the Liesegang stain; and (4) enucleation does not affect CO staining in V2.
Political payoffs and the electoral advantages of incumbency

This paper studies one important effect of the electoral advantage due to incumbency. Specifically, we show that if political parties are long-lived entities that care not only about the outcome of the present election, but about future elections as well, then each party's ''lifetime'' payoff will typically be a steadily increasing function of the number of seats it wins in each election, even if the parties' short-term payoffs in each election depend only on winning a majority of the seats. The reason is simply that if incumbents have an electoral advantage, then winning seats today yields benefits in the future, by increasing the likelihood that the party will win a majority of the seats in future elections. Applying this to a standard resource-allocation game of electoral competition, we show that under plausible conditions, the incumbency advantage will lead parties to act approximately as if their goal is to maximize the expected number of seats won in the current election.
Data attack on strategic buses in the power grid: Design and protection

Malicious data attacks on specific buses of the power grid can lead to incorrect state estimation and in turn affect electricity prices and operational stability. A hidden data attack model is presented in this paper which involves an adversary corrupting meter readings in the grid to produce undetectable errors in a set of critical state variables. A polynomial time algorithm is given to identify the minimum set of measurements needed by the adversary to corrupt the desired state variables. To prevent such hidden attacks, a greedy protection algorithm is proposed for two cases, one where the adversary is resource limited and the other where the adversary has no resource constraint. The performances of the proposed algorithms are demonstrated through simulations on different IEEE test systems.
Spatially filtered images of B. subtilisα-amylase crystals

SUMMARY Microcrystals of B. subtilis α-amylase have been negatively stained and examined by electron microscopy. The micrographs were then subjected to spatial filtering and averaging using a Fourier transform procedure programmed for a mini computer. From these ‘enhanced’ images refined crystallographic parameters were obtained and a model for the packing of the asymmetric units within the crystal was derived. In addition, these parameters obtained from electron microscopy are compared with those derived from limited X-ray diffraction data on macrocrystals of the same form.
Body image, perceived pubertal timing, and adolescent mental health

Abstract Purpose: To examine the impact of gender, racial-ethnic group, and perceived pubertal timing on body image and adolescent mental health. Method: A three-stage, area probability sample was selected which included 877 teens (13–18 years) with diverse social and demographic characteristics. Interviews in English or Spanish were conducted in person. The content emphasized emotional distress and problematic behavior, exposure to social stressors, coping resources and behaviors, and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the adolescent and his or her family. Results: Girls were more depressed and had lower self-esteem than boys, but not after controlling for body image. Hispanics were more depressed and had lower self-esteem than other racial-ethnic groups, a difference that remained when controlling for body image. African- Americans had the most positive body image, a finding that could not be attributed to higher self-esteem or fewer depressive symptoms. The impact of perceived pubertal timing on body image varied considerably by gender and across racial-ethnic group. Conclusions: Negative feelings about their bodies contribute to the higher prevalence of depressive symptomatology and lower self-esteem among girls. African- Americans appear to be take pride in their bodies in a manner that sets them apart from other teenagers, suggesting they hold a different ideal. Relative to teenagers of other racial-ethnic backgrounds, Hispanics may be at elevated risk for mental health problems.
Sheep, wolf, or werewolf: Cancer stem cells and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Multiple cancers contain subpopulations that exhibit characteristics of cancer stem cells (CSCs), the ability to self-renew and seed heterogeneous tumors. Recent evidence suggests two potentially overlapping models for these phenotypes: one where stem cells arise from multipotent progenitor cells, and another where they are created via an epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Unraveling this issue is critical, as it underlies phenomena such as metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, there is intense interest in understanding these two types of CSSs, how they differ from differentiated cancer cells, the mechanisms that drive their phenotypes, and how that knowledge can be incorporated into therapeutics.
Mesoscopic scattering in the half plane: Squeezing conductance through a small hole

We model the 2-probe conductance of a quantum point contact (QPC), in linear response. If the QPC is highly non-adiabatic or near to scatterers in the open reservoir regions, then the usual distinction between leads and reservoirs breaks down and a technique based on scattering theory in the full two-dimensional half-plane is more appropriate. Therefore we relate conductance to the transmission cross section for incident plane waves. This is equivalent to the usual Landauer formula using a radial partial-wave basis. We derive the result that an arbitrarily small (tunneling) QPC can reach a p-wave channel conductance of 2e^2/h when coupled to a suitable reflector. If two or more resonances coincide the total conductance can even exceed this. This relates to recent mesoscopic experiments in open geometries. We also discuss reciprocity of conductance, and the possibility of its breakdown in a proposed QPC for atom waves.
Lasers and optics program at San Jose State University

Located in high-tech "Silicon Valley," California, San Jose State University is ideally suited to provide students with a high quality education in optics, and industry with a partner for optics related research and development projects. There are 130 undergraduate majors and 65 graduate (M.S.) students in the Physics Department. For the past five years the Department has offered a special program leading to the B.S. in Physics with a Concentration in Lasers and Optics. Students take the usual core undergraduate Physics courses plus upper division courses in Modem Optics, Lasers and Applications, Advanced Optics Lab, Advanced Lasers Lab, Advanced Instrumentation Lab, and either Individual Studies or a graduate course in Electro-optics, Graduate Optics, Optical Metrology, or Laser Spectroscopy. Graduates are well prepared to enter the lasers and optics industry or go on to graduate school. Recently, a 4000 square foot area in the Science Building has been renovated to house the new Institute for Modem Optics, an organized research unit in the College of Science. One of the major goals of the Institute is to facilitate collaborative research between the local optics industry and the faculty and students at SJSU. The Institute is well equipped with lasers, optical instrumentation, electronics/computers, and about 10 optical tables. A National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Program grant provides research support in optics for about eight undergraduates at any time throughout the calendar year. The National Science Foundation also provides support for "Laser Applications in Science Education," a summer program that provides hands-on experience with lasers for high school science teachers.
Multi-person Sex among a Sample of Adolescent Female Urban Health Clinic Patients

Adolescent sexual activity involving three or more people is an emerging public health concern. The goal of this exploratory, cross-sectional study was to describe the prevalence, correlates, and context of multiple-person sex among a sample of adolescent females seeking health care from an urban clinic. Because sex involving multiple people may either be consensual (i.e., “three-ways” or “group sex”) or forced (i.e., “gang rape”), we use the term “multi-person sex” (MPS) to encompass these experiences. Subjects were 328 females, ages 14–20 years old, who utilized a Boston-area community- or school-based health clinic between April and December of 2006, and completed an anonymous survey using computer-assisted self-interview software. Overall, 7.3% reported ever having had a MPS experience. Of these, 52% reported ever being pressured to engage in MPS and 43% reported ever being threatened or forced. Condom nonuse by at least one male participant in the most recent MPS was reported by 45%. Controlling for potential demographic confounders, MPS was associated with cigarette smoking (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR], 3.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56–9.44), sexual initiation prior to age 15 (APR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.04–5.98), ever being diagnosed with an STI (APR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.08–6.03), dating violence victimization (APR, 4.43; 95% CI, 1.68–11.69), childhood sexual abuse victimization (APR, 4.30; 95% CI, 1.83–10.07) and past-month pornography exposure (APR, 4.79; 95% CI, 1.91–11.98). Additional study of the perpetration and prevention of adolescent MPS is urgently needed.
Particulate formate oxidase from Nitrobacter agilis

Abstract 1. The nitrite oxidase particles obtained by sonic oscillation of Nitrobacter agilis cells also possessed appreciable formate oxidase activity, ranging from about 25 to 50% of the nitrite oxidase activity depending upon the N. agilis strain. Both activities distributed themselves in the same pattern and proportions during differential centrifugation, and resided solely in the pellet resulting from high-speed centrifugation. 2. Difference spectra of formate-reduced particles or intact cells demonstrated the presence of cytochromes of the c - and a -types like those of the NO 2 − -reduced material. Under anaerobic conditions NO 3 − or fumarate acted as an alternate electron acceptor in place of O 2 in formate oxidation. Under aerobic conditions increasing NO 3 − concentrations resulted in (a) an increased role of NO 3 − as a terminal electron acceptor compared to O 2 , (b) a greater total enzymatic transfer of electrons from formate than if O 2 were the sole electron acceptor, and (c) a partial inhibition of O 2 uptake suggestive of a competition for electrons by the two acceptors. The formate oxidase system failed to catalyze consistently the transfer of electrons to either added mammalian cytochrome c or Fe(CN) 6 3− . The marked sensitivity of the system to certain inhibitors implicated cytochrome oxidase as an integral part of the formate oxidase. The system was also inhibited significantly by a variety of chelating agents, indicating a metal component in the formate dehydrogenase or early portion of the electron transfer sequence. 3. The stoichiometry of the formate oxidase system was shown to approach the theoretical value of 2 moles of CO 2 evolved per mole of O 2 or per 2 moles of formate consumed. 4. To a limited extent, phosphorylation occurred concomittantly with the oxidation of formate in the presence of the cell-free particulate system.