cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectral mechanisms in the tree squirrel retina

The retina of the gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) contains rods and cones in a ratio of about 2∶3. The spectral mechanisms in this retina were examined in behavioral and electrophysiological experiments. Tests of color vision revealed that this animal has a spectral neutral point at about 500 nm and, thus, dichromatic color vision. Recordings made from single optic nerve fibers and results obtained from an analysis of the flicker photometric electroretinogram (ERG) indicated that vision in the gray squirrel is based on three spectral mechanisms. One of these, presumably rod-based, has peak sensitivity at about 502 nm. The other two mechanisms reflect the presence of two classes of cone having average peak sensitivity of about 444 nm and 543 nm.
Fine structural aspects of early development of Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae in cultured cells.

Sporozoites, trophozoites, and early schizonts of Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae grown in cultured cells were examined with the electron microscope. Intracellular sporozoites had ultrastructural characteristics similar to those of extracellular sporozoites, except that apparently functional micropores were observed. During transformation of sporozoites to trophozoites, the conoid, annuli and subpellicular tubules, as well as some portions of the inner membrane complex of the pellicle, disappeared. Trophozoites and binucleate schizonts had a reduced number of micronemes and rhoptries. In schizonts with 3 nuclei, only a few remnants of the micronemes and rhoptries were seen and the inner membrane complex had almost completely disappeared. One such schizont had one or more centrioles associated with each nucleus; in one, an eccentric spindle with a dense, coneshaped structure at each pole was observed. A moderately dense, granular crescent body, probably derived from host cell material, was seen within the parasitophorous vacuole in some specimens.
On the distribution of the number of Young tableaux for a uniformly random diagram

The number of Young tableaux for a diagram chosen uniformly at random among all diagrams of size n is proven to be asymptotic to the logarithm of a normal random variable, with mean [email protected] and standard deviation @bn^3^/^4.
Probing Polymer Adsorption Using an Emissive Semiconductor Substrate: Adsorption of Poly(acrylic acid) onto Cadmium Selenide

Quenching of the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of single-crystal CdSe by adsorption of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) from methanol solutions is introduced as a sensitive probe of polymer interactions with a semiconductor surface. Comparison with the influence on CdSe PL of methanol solutions of acrylic acid (AA), propionic acid (PrA), and methyl acrylate (MA), along with IR data, indicate that surface binding leading to PL quenching involves the carboxylic acid proton. Over the range of PAA molecular weights studied in methanol (2K−100K), the dependence of PL quenching on concentration is found to be insensitive to PAA chain length, indicating that the same fraction of CdSe surface sites are used. The PL profile of a surface COOH-derivatized dendrimer (PAMAM−COOH) differs markedly, suggesting that PAA chains uncoil upon adsorption. The time dependence of the PL decay for the PAA/methanol system indicates diffusion-controlled adsorption kinetics. Implications of the use of this methodology for characterizing...
Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) amplification for analysis of microsatellite motif frequency and fingerprinting in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) amplification was used to analyze microsatellite motif frequency in the rice genome and to evaluate genetic diversity among rice cultivars. A total of 32 primers, containing different simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs, were tested for amplification on a panel of 59 varieties, representative of the diversity of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.). The ISSR analysis provided insights into the organization, frequency and levels of polymorphism of different simple sequence repeats in rice. The more common dinucleotide motifs were more amenable to ISSR analysis than the more infrequent tri-, tetra- and penta-nucleotide motifs. The ISSR results suggested that within the dinucleotide class, the poly(GA) motif was more common than the poly(GT) motif and that the frequency and clustering of specific tri- and tetra-nucleotide simple sequence repeats was variable and motif-specific. Furthermore, trinucleotide ISSR markers were found to be less polymorphic than either dinucleotide or certain tetranucleotide ISSR markers, suggesting which motifs would be better targets for microsatellite marker development. The ISSR amplification pattern was used to group the rice genotypes by cluster analysis. These results were compared to surveys of the same varieties for amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and isozyme markers. The ISSR fingerprint could be used to differentiate the genotypes belonging to either Japonica or Indica sub species of cultivated rice and to dissect finer levels of diversity within each subspecies. A higher percentage of polymorphic bands was produced with the ISSR technique than the AFLP method, based on a similar PCR reaction. Therefore, ISSR amplification proved to be a valuable method for determining genetic variability among rice varieties and for rapidly identifying cultivars. This efficient genetic fingerprinting technique would be useful for characterizing the large numbers of rice accessions held in national and international germplasm centers.
The utility of immunohistochemical detection of DNA mismatch repair gene proteins

Since the development of monoclonal antibodies against the MSH2 protein by Leach et al. in 1996, a series of investigations has been undertaken to determine the utility of immunohistochemical detection of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene proteins in the identification of hereditary or sporadic colorectal tumors with microsatellite instability. These studies, however, have been performed with different aims and on different patient populations. Interpretation of these immunohistochemical data relies on a thorough understanding of the biological and technical factors that affect the detection of MMR proteins. In this review, we analyze the data from the published research studies, pointing out the various factors affecting immunohistochemical detection of MMR proteins and projecting the utility of immunohistochemistry in different clinical settings.
Vertical path atmospheric MTF measurements

Measurements of the atmospheric modulation transfer function (MTF) have been made at three sites simultaneously along a vertical path using stars as point light sources. A relatively simple photographic technique was employed to compile “climatological” summaries of the atmospheric MTF characterized by the transverse coherence length r0 over a seven-month period during the day and night. The results show a factor of 2 diurnal change in r0 with relative peaks during the morning and evening neutral zones. The average r0 was found to be 90 ± 40 mm at night and 45 ± 18 mm during the day with a relatively constant standard deviation of 43%. The night-time averages appear to be among the highest recorded to date. The measurement technique is presented along with the average data trends. The differences among site locations are investigated.
Growing pains: a noninflammatory pain syndrome of early childhood

'Growing pains' is a term that has been applied for almost 200 years to describe and diagnose some forms of childhood limb pain. To date no clear mechanism has been identified. The authors present a thorough historical Review of the physical presentation, differential diagnoses, potential causative factors and management options for this phenomenon. The term 'growing pains' has been used for almost 200 years to refer to the often severe, generally bilateral lower-extremity nocturnal pains experienced by up to one-third of all children at some time during early childhood. No clear mechanism has yet been identified that explains these pains, but there is an increasing body of evidence indicating that several factors, individually or in combination, might be responsible for this phenomenon. These include mechanical factors, such as joint hypermobility and flat feet, decreased pain thresholds, reduced bone strength, and emotional factors involving the patient's family and other social stressors. Correct diagnosis of growing pains requires a thorough patient history and physical examination. The diagnosis can be safely established without unnecessary laboratory investigations or imaging; however, identification of one or more clinical cautionary signs, such as unilateral pain, morning stiffness, joint swelling and systemic symptoms (e.g. fever, weight loss and malaise), should trigger an extended evaluation to exclude other more serious conditions that might also present with limb pain. Once the diagnosis has been established, conservative management, using symptomatic pain medications, massage and other supportive measures, should be employed until the syndrome self-resolves with time.
A framework for regional modeling of past climates

The methods of reconstructing ancient climate information from the rock record are summarized, and the climate forcing factors that have been active at global and regional scales through Earth history are reviewed. In this context, the challenges and approaches to modeling past climates by using a regional climate model are discussed. A significant challenge to such modeling efforts arises if the time period of interest occurred prior to the past ∼3–5 million years, at which point land–sea distributions and topography markedly different from present must be specified at the spatial resolution required by regional climate models. Creating these boundary conditions requires a high degree of geologic knowledge, and also depends greatly upon the global climate model driving conditions. Despite this and other challenges, regional climate models represent an important and unique tool for paleoclimate investigations. Application of regional climate models to paleoclimate studies may provide another way to assess the overall performance of regional climate models.
Justice and deserving in the family: Introduction

The family, as Emler and Abrams note in this issue, represents a highly important arena for the allocation of benefits and burdens, and so for distributive justice. Indeed, every manner of noncomparable resource is exchanged. Yet, as Williamson and Clark show, also in this issue, social norms, perhaps more implicit than expicit, prohibit us from keeping track of the many exchanges that occur. The extent to which we do keep track, and what we keep track of, may vary by relationship stage, couple orientation (Desmarais and Lerner), and by individual orientation (Williamson and Clark) with important consequences for both the level and source of partners' satisfaction. Further, the allocation of benefits and burdens must serve multiple goals. As partners in this most complex relational system, family members must accommodate not only to needs for nurturance, affection, and personal development but to extensive instrumental and economic responsibilities as well. The diverse goals incorporated within the relationship have important consequences for the justice principles used. Reciprocally, as the article by Steil and Makowski suggests, the justice principles used have implications for the way the partners feel about themselves, each other, and the decisions that are made. Traditionally, as a vast literature has now shown, and as several of the papers in this issue affirm, the distribution of benefits and burdens, of economic responsibilities, and opportunities for personal development and nurturance has been unequal. The paper by Emter and Abrams suggests that men and women, regardless of their ideology, are fully prepared for this pattern early on. Is gender then the overriding determinant of deserving in the family? Or as the authors ask, is entitlement activity and benefit specific? Buunk and Van Yperen also address the inequality issue. They ask whether or not women who find themselves overbenefited find this less satisfying than do overbenefited men. They
Immunological effects of BCG as an adjuvant in autologous tumor vaccines.

The role of Bacillus Colmette-Guerin (BCG) as an adjuvant in autologous tumor vaccines was examined. In nine patients with renal cell cancer, irradiated tumor cells alone (wild-type, WT) or with BCG were inoculated intradermally into contralateral thighs. Seven to 10 days later, the draining vaccine-primed lymph nodes (WT-VPLN and BCG-VPLN) were excised. BCG increased the number of harvested VPLN cells by 10-fold (mean +/- SE = 61.8 +/- 20.6/x10(-7)/patient). BCG-VPLN had significantly greater percentages of CD3(+) and CD4(+) T cells compared to WT-VPLN. Both groups of VPLN cells were activated in vitro with anti-CD3 or anti-CD3/CD28 mAbs followed by expansion in IL-2. Anti-CD3/CD28 activation resulted in greater expansion of CD4(+) T cells compared to anti-CD3. After activation, VPLN cells were stimulated with irradiated autologous tumor targets and cytokines (IFN-gamma, GM-CSF, IL-10) released into the supernatants were measured 24 h later. Anti-CD3/CD28-activated BCG-VPLN cells were found to have a greater release of IFN-gamma compared with that of WT-VPLN cells, which was not observed significantly with IL-10 or GM-CSF. BCG resulted in increased VPLN cell yield as well as enhanced type 1 (IFN-gamma release) immune responses of VPLN cells to autologous tumor without upregulating type 2 (IL-10 release) responses. Anti-CD3/CD28 was superior to anti-CD3 activation in this cellular response.
Performance of a high-level parallel programming layer defined on top of the Ada tasking model

In earlier work, we proposed extending Ada with a high-level parallel programming layer consisting of three pragmas that indicate where standard sequential constructs can be executed in parallel without changing the sequential semantics of a program. The three pragmas specify: {i) parallelizable sequences of statements, (ii) parallelizable for-loop statements, and (iii) single-assignment types for synchronization. A precise definition of these pragmas was given by means of transformations to standard Ada tasking constructs. In this paper, we improve our definition of the parallel programming layer and demonstrate that the pragmas can be implemented efficiently on top of an existing Ada compiler by straightforward preprocessing using the defining transformations. We present three simple parallel programs that exhibit good speedups over sequential programs, when executed on a multiprocessor computer. Development of these programs was considerably easier than the direct use of Ada tasking, because the parallel programs are identical to equivalent sequential programs except for the added pragmas.
Conserving the benefits of predator biodiversity

Organisms at higher trophic levels often face a disproportionate risk of local or regional extinction, while at the same time many ecosystems are being invaded by non-native predators. Global environmental change fosters both processes, further altering predator biodiversity. Thus, there has been growing interest in how predator species richness impacts ecosystem functioning. Manipulative experiments have revealed that complementarity and sampling effects, two mechanisms commonly found to underlie diversity effects at other trophic levels, also commonly impact the relationship between predator diversity and prey suppression. Intraguild predation and non-consumptive (behaviorally-mediated) effects on prey, two mechanisms without direct analogs among plants, also strongly impact predator-diversity effects. Predator diversity studies are particularly relevant to conservation because they focus on the trophic group that is most prone to extinction, and because they nearly always measure diversity effects that span several trophic levels. Predator invasions may partly offset species-richness losses to extinction, but because invasive predators typically reach much higher densities and exert stronger impacts on prey than do native species, and because they also displace ecologically-similar native predators, invasion is likely to disrupt natural predator function. A framework for predicting which predator-diversity mechanisms are likely to operate in a given community, and experiments that span more realistic spatiotemporal scales and include large vertebrate predators, are needed to improve the relevance of predator-diversity experiments to conservation decision-making in the future.
Impact of dietary protein content on uncoupling protein mRNA abundance in swine.

Abstract The present study was designed to determine if dietary protein can alter uncoupling protein (UCP) expression in swine, as has been shown in rats, and attempt to identify the mechanism. Eight pigs (~ 50 kg body mass) were fed an 18% crude protein (CP) diet while another eight pigs were switched to a diet containing 12% crude protein (CP) and fed these diets until 110 kg body mass. The outer (OSQ) and middle (MSQ) subcutaneous adipose tissues, liver, leaf fat, longissimus (LM), red portion of the semitendinosus (STR) and the white portion of the ST (STW) were analyzed for gene expression by real-time PCR. Feeding of 12% CP did not alter growth or carcass composition, relative to 18% CP ( P > 0.05). Serum growth hormone, non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides and urea nitrogen were reduced with the feeding of 12% CP ( P P P P P
Frequency Estimator Performance for a Software-Based Beacon Receiver

As propagation terminals have evolved, their design has trended more toward a software-based approach that facilitates convenient adjustment and customization of the receiver algorithms. One potential improvement is the implementation of a frequency estimation algorithm, through which the primary frequency component of the received signal can be estimated with a much greater resolution than with a simple peak search of the FFT spectrum. To select an estimator for usage in a Q/V-band beacon receiver, analysis of six frequency estimators was conducted to characterize their effectiveness as they relate to beacon receiver design.
A Comparative Analysis of Curbside Recycling Behavior in Urban and Suburban Communities

This study explores the variations in household participation rates in recycling projects implemented in urban and suburban communities. A causal model is developed to compare the demographic attributes of residents, their awareness of the recycling programs, their environmental attitudes, and their overall willingness to recycle. The model is assessed by Linear Structural Equations Methodology (LISREL). The results suggest that household recycling behavior is not consistent across communities due primarily to variations in demographic characteristics of residents and their evaluation of program policies.
Electrochemical determination of sulfide and sulfite ions by pneumatoamperometry

Abstract Sulfide and sulfite ions in aqueous solution are converted through acidification to hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, which are purged from solution with nitrogen carrier gas. The volatile species are detected through oxidation in 1 M sulfuric acid at an anodically polarized platinum electrode separated from the gas stream by a gas-permeable polymer membrane. Mixtures of sulfide and sulfite are separated and determined independently through pH control during acidification. Interferences from metal ions, which form sulfide precipitates, and other anions, which form volatile species on acidification, are discussed.
The specification of multi-market disequilibrium econometric models☆

Abstract The specifications of multi-market disequilibrium econometric models are clouded with different notions of effective demand. This paper points out that the specification of such models for econometric analysis can be achieved from the basic concept of fixed-price equilibrium and without the use of the concepts of effective demand. The specifications of Ito and Gourieroux, Laffont and Monfort are justified within this framework. With proper stochastic elements introduced in the system, the derived likelihood function from our approach does not involve multiple integrals and is computationally tractable for models with many disequilibrium markets.
Characterization and enhancement of the damping within composite beams

The dynamics relating the transverse motions of a clamped-free graphite/epoxy beam are investigated. A Bernoulli-Euler beam model with viscoelastic damping is used to predict the transfer function relating the displacement of the clamped end (input) to the displacement of the free end (output). Three different damping strategies are considered. One strategy relies simply on the internal damping arising from the presence of the matrix. A second approach uses continuous strips of a 3M viscoelastic damping material included within the layup to enhance the damping characteristics. And a final design considers optimal placement of the damping material within a specimen to achieve the greatest damping enhancement with a minimum impact on strength, stiffness and weight. Each strategy is applied to two different layup geometries, unidirectional and crossply. An experimental apparatus is configured using a shaker to drive the clamped end and a laser velocity/displacement transducer to measure the displacements of the clamped and free ends. Data are collected and analyzed to evaluate the utility of the model structure for capturing the essential system dynamics and the effectiveness of the damping strategies considered.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
RESEARCH NOTES: EPAS OBJECTIVES AND FOUNDATION PRACTICE SELF-EFFICACY: A REPLICATION

This replication study continued the examination of the psychometric properties of the Foundation Practice Self-Efficacy scale (FPSE) with a sample of MSW students. As in the original study, evidence was found regarding the reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of this measure. First, internal reliability estimates for the FPSE all exceeded .95. Second, in terms of validity, the large positive correlation that had been predicted between the FPSE and the Social Work Empowerment scale was observed. Third, the amount of change in students' FPSE total scale scores between pretest and posttest was statistically significant.
Iatrogenic pulmonary overpressure accident

An unconscious victim of an overdose was intubated with an endotracheal tube to prevent aspiration. The respiratory therapist deflated the cuff of the endotracheal tube to allow for a retrograde oral air leak and then tightly attached the oxygen tube directly to the endotracheal tube. Seconds later there was a loud pop as the oxygen tube blew off the end of the entracheal tube. The patient sustained both a hemodynamic and a neurologic decompensation as the result of marked pulmonary overinflation, with bilateral pneumothoraces and probable cerebral and coronary artery air emboli. We present the case in the hope that it will help avoid any such future occurrences.
Molecular measurements of methane hydrate formation

Abstract Time-wise Raman data are presented as evidence for methane transformation to the hydrate phase from methane dissolved in water for three cases: (1) pure water, (2) water containing a kinetic inhibitor, Poly N-vinylcaprolactam (PVCap), and (3) water containing 1 wt.% deuterated tetrahydrofuran (THF-d8). The ratio of large to small cage formation is suggested as a basis for a future kinetic model.
Real-time imaging through fog by a self-referencing interferometric technique

Imaging through scattering media has many important applications in the fields of medicine, transportation and remote sensing. We implement a self-referencing interferometric technique using a photorefractive crystal; in this way we achieve quasi-real time contrast enhancement. The technique is simple and can be applied in field conditions.
Association between Systemic Calcified Atherosclerosis and Bone Density

Both atherosclerosis and osteoporosis are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, are independent predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, and may share common regulatory mechanisms as well as histopathology. Multiple reports of weak or null relationships between traditional CVD risk factors and calcified atherosclerosis have heightened interest in novel predictors of arterial calcium. One such hypothesis is for an inverse relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and calcified coronary atherosclerosis. Although contrary findings have been reported, the majority of cross-sectional and all prospective studies have demonstrated a significant inverse association between arterial calcium deposits and BMD. The few studies that include men are equivocal, and, to date, no study has investigated the relationship between BMD and systemic arterial calcium. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that lumbar BMD is significantly associated with the presence of arterial atherosclerotic calcium in the carotid, coronary, and iliac vascular beds as well as the aorta.
Advances in assays and analytical approaches for botulinum-toxin detection

Abstract We review methods to detect botulinum toxin, the most poisonous substance known. Current assays are being developed with two main objectives in mind: (1) to obtain sufficiently low limits of detection to replace the mouse bioassay with an in vitro assay; and, (2) to develop for screening purposes rapid assays that are as sensitive as possible while requiring an hour or less to process the sample and to obtain the result. We emphasize the diverse analytical approaches and devices that have been developed over the past decade. Also, to provide background and context, we briefly review representative older immunoassays.
Is the aardwolf a mimic of the hyaena

MIMICRY is a phenomenon of evolutionary convergence or parallelism by which an edible mimic species gains some measure of protection from predators by virtue of its close resemblance to a model species which is unpalatable (that is, distasteful or dangerous)1–3. Predators learn to avoid the unpalatable model species after one or more adverse experiences with it, and any mimic species that resembles the model sufficiently closely will likewise be avoided.
Parenting, Self-Control, and Delinquency Examining the Applicability of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime to South Korean Youth

Limited studies have examined whether self-control fully mediates the effect of parenting on deviant behavior beyond Western cultures. Using a sample of 882 South Korean middle and high schools students, this article examines the applicability of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s argument about the role of parenting in self-control theory in the context of Asian culture. Results of structural equation modeling (SEM) suggest the relationships among parenting, self-control, and delinquency hold in South Korean culture: Parenting has only an indirect effect through self-control on delinquency. The findings of multigroup SEM, however, indicate that gender differences exist in the relationships among parenting, self-control, and delinquency. This study provides support for cultural invariance of self-control theory but suggests that more studies examining gender differences and interaction between gender and race in the theory are required.
Principal-Teacher Interactions: How Affective Relationships Shape Principal and Teacher Attitudes.

Purpose: Research finds that the attitudes of principals and teachers create an atmosphere for learning, often referred to as school climate, that influences school effectiveness. Other research shows that atmospheres of trust, shared vision, and openness create positive school climate conditions. Little is known, however, about how these climates emerge in some schools and not others. There is good theoretical reason to suspect that interpersonal relationships between principals and their teachers influence school professionals’ attitudes that define the broader school climate. Theories from organizational studies, social psychology, and sociology inform hypotheses about how affective, cathectic responses from interpersonal principal–teacher relationships explain variation in school professionals’ satisfaction, cohesion, and commitment levels. Research Design: Nationally representative data from the Schools and Staffing Survey, 2003–04, match principals to teachers in public elementary schools. Using str...
Stereoscopic imaging through the sea surface: I. Theory and error analysis

The detection and recognition of submerged objects via airborne or spaceborne imaging platforms can be problematic, due to distortions resulting from refraction at the sea surface as well as absorption and scattering in atmospheric and aqueous media. In previous research, we showed that, given point-to-point measurement of interfacial topography and estimates of media optical parameters, it is often possible to partially invert refractive effects and compensate for first- order optical effects such as absorption and single scattering, thereby producing a visually acceptable, image- based reconstruction of a submerged target. Additionally, information concerning target depth or surface topography is obtained. Although potentially useful for human-in-the-loop viewing scenarios, this method is not universally applicable to automated target recognition (ATR) due to reconstruction errors that tend to cluster in regions of detail. In this paper, we present theory and error analysis pertaining to stereoscopic viewing through a corrugated refractive interface and scattering media. Via stereoscopic imaging, one can produce a stereo pair image from which target depth and salient features can be extracted mathematically. Estimation of errors involved in this process is facilitated by partial knowledge of interfacial topography and is further enhanced by knowledge of media optical parameters. Analyses emphasize effects of sea state, topography estimation error, media optical parameters, and submergence depth. Reconstruction algorithm complexity is discussed in terms of work requirement applicable to sequential workstations and parallel computers.
Abstract 577: Medical Marijuana Use: Effect on Lipid Metabolism and Atherosclerosis

Background: Dyslipidemia and aortic (Ao) and carotid (Ca) atherosclerosis are common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Medical use of Marijuana is common in SLE. Marijuana use has been associated with stroke and myocardial infarction in isolated case reports and limited and retrospective series. In contrast, Marijuana in atherogenic animal models has resulted in favorable lipid metabolism and inhibition of atherosclerosis. However, there are limited data on the effect of medical Marijuana on the lipid profile and atherosclerosis in humans. Methods: 76 SLE patients (69 women, age 38 ± 12 years) underwent laboratory evaluations including lipid profile [total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides levels in mg/dL] and Ca ultrasonography and transesophageal echocardiography for assessment of Ca and Ao atherosclerosis, respectively. Atherosclerosis was defined as intima-media thickening (mean intima-media thickness in 26 healthy controls+2SD) or ...
Absorption and metabolism of anitrazafen, a topically effective anti-inflammatory agent, in the rat.

1. The metabolism and pharmacokinetics of anitrazafen, a topically effective anti-inflammatory agent, have been investigated in the rat after oral, subcutaneous and topical administration.2. [14C] Anitrazafen is rapidly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract and subsequent metabolism is rapid and extensive; biliary excretion is the major route of elimination. After subcutaneous or topical administration, elimination of [14C] anitrazafen was delayed due to a slower rate of systemic absorption.3. Pharmacokinetic studies confirmed these results. After oral administration peak concn. of parent drug were attained within 1 h; plasma concn. of 14C were an order of magnitude greater than those of unchanged drug. The apparent volume of distribution of anitrazafen was high (1121/kg) consistent with observed tissue 14C concentrations. Subcutaneous administration resulted in delayed absorption but with maximum bioavail-ability of parent drug. Absorption was slowest following topical application.4. Anitrazafen was ...
Development and Evaluation of Enhanced IntelliDrive-Enabled Lane Changing Advisory Algorithm to Address Freeway Merge Conflict

Freeway merge conflicts contribute significantly to freeway congestion. With the capabilities that will be available in an IntelliDrive environment, which enables vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, new approaches to managing freeway merges are possible. In this paper, an enhanced IntelliDrive enabled lane changing advisory algorithm was developed with a variable gap size concept. This algorithm first calculates anticipated lead-lag gap sizes with the equations of motion prepared for a car and a truck and for three vehicle dynamics (accelerating, maintaining current speed, and decelerating). The algorithm then provides lane changing advisories to freeway main-line vehicles (selected on the basis of the calculated variable gap sizes) to create more space within the ramp merging area. Evaluation conducted with a VISSIM microscopic traffic simulation model of a freeway network in Virginia showed that the proposed algorithm has the potential to address freeway merge conflicts. The...
Corrosion of orthodontic temporary anchorage devices

Corrosion of orthodontic miniscrews or temporary anchorage devices (TADs) has been proposed as a contributor to inflammation, which in turn is a factor in the clinical success of miniscrews. The purpose of this study was to measure the electrochemical properties of orthodontic miniscrews in artificial saliva with and without fluoride. The corrosion properties of three miniscrew products (VectorTAS, Ormco Corp.; Unitek TAD, 3M Unitek; and Through-Hole Screw, American Orthodontics) were tested in an artificial saliva (Fusayama-Meyer) with (1500 ppm) or without fluoride (n = 10/product/solution). Open circuit potential (OCP), polarization resistance (R p), and corrosion current (I corr) were measured and statistically analysed with the Friedman/Tukey least significant difference tests. No significant differences (P > 0.05) between miniscrews with regard to OCP, R p, and I corr were found except that the American Orthodontics miniscrews had a significantly (P < 0.05) more noble OCP compared to the others. Incorporation of 1500 ppm fluoride in the artificial saliva significantly (P < 0.001) lowered the OCP, reduced the polarization resistance, and increased the corrosion current of each miniscrew product. Few differences existed in the electrochemical properties of miniscrews from the three different manufacturers; however, exposure to fluoride was detrimental to the corrosion properties of all miniscrews.
Modeling of frequency and temperature effects in GaAs MESFETs

The small-signal conductance and large-signal I-V characteristics of conventional 1- mu m recessed-gate GaAs depletion-mode MESFET devices have been investigated. The small-signal saturation-region output conductance g/sub ds/ of a conventional GaAs MESFET is dependent on both frequency and temperature. These dependencies present serious difficulties in the design of many GaAs integrated circuits, since the small-signal voltage gain in analog circuits and the propagation delay in digital circuits depend on g/sub ds/, and no accurate simulation model is available. A semiempirical model for the frequency-dependent parameters in GaAs depletion-mode MESFETs is presented. An analytical formulation of temperature dependence is also included by an extension of the basic Curtice model. The resulting model is significantly more accurate than other models, which have not previously incorporated frequency- and temperature-dependent effects. >
Pulmonary intravascular macrophages : Role in acute lung injury

PIMs, although present only in selected animal species, may provide a clue to the potential role of mononuclear phagocytes on the vascular side of the air-blood barrier in lung inflammation and injury. We know PIMs localize circulating pathogens to the lungs in animals and concentrate the inflammatory response in the lung parenchyma. In certain disease states-e.g., biliary cirrhosis-pulmonary phagocytes may develop in the pulmonary capillaries, placing the lungs at risk for pathogen localization and subsequent inflammation. The two experimental approaches described last in this article-induction of intravascular macrophages in the lungs of rodents or rabbits and the selective inhibition or destruction of PIMs-offer models to study the role of mononuclear phagocytes in lung injury. The cirrhotic rat, especially, offers a model to investigate the interaction between pulmonary phagocytes and liver disease, including the adhesive molecules necessary for monocytes to adhere and differentiate in pulmonary capillaries. We then can investigate whether such factors arise in human lungs. We now can determine selectively whether macrophages can cause lung injury and what mediators they may contribute to the complex interactions among inflammatory cells, cytokines, proteases, oxygen radicals, and lipid mediators that participate in early sepsis-induced lung injury.
Diffusivity of urea in concentrated, saturated and supersaturated solutions

A relatively simple and extremely versatile optical method of obtaining diffusion coefficient data known as Gouy interferometry was employed to measure diffusion coefficients in undersaturated and supersaturated aqueous urea solutions at 25°C. The use of laser light as a monochromatic light source in the interferometer greatly simplified the procedure for obtaining diffusivity data from the interferometer. A novel design of a real image camera was employed to record the interferometric data. Values obtained from the interferometric data for low concentration (0–4 molar) aqueous urea solutions were within ±5% of literature values. The diffusion coefficient was found to decrease linearly with increasing concentration up to the saturation point of the aqueous urea solutions, and to decrease drastically with increasing concentration in the supersaturated region. This behavior is similar to that observed in liquid-liquid systems near the consolute point (Cussler, 1980). It is speculated that this phenomenon is a result of molecular aggregation of the urea molecules in supersaturated aqueous solutions. Very little experimental data have previously been obtained in the supersaturated region due to crystallization problems. Supersaturated diffusion coefficient data are important in the study and design of crystallization processes. The solid-solute-liquid solvent binary systems urea-water and sucrose-water were modeled as a saturated solution solute-liquid solvent system in order to test various concentration dependent diffusion relationships. Two of these relationships, the Vignes and Leffler-Cullinan equations, showed improved correlation with experimentally determined diffusivity data for aqueous urea and aqueous sucrose solutions at undersaturated conditions.
Maneuvers of Whiteness: ‘Diversity’ as a Mechanism of Retrenchment in the Affirmative Action Discourse:

Through a discourse analysis of three textual sources within elite law schools, we suggest that the white racial frame and the diversity construct are key mechanisms in the process of stalling racial reform by imposing tacit boundaries around the discourse surrounding progressive racial policies. We contend that this limits their effectiveness, resulting in the retrenchment of white racial privilege and power and that this happens without any explicit expression of racial animosity by whites participating in the discourse. To illustrate this process, we analyze the discourse concerning affirmative action, a policy designed to end racial discrimination in and redistribute resources related to employment and education. We focus on the institutional setting of elite law schools both because of its socializing influence on those who will make and interpret affirmative action law and because it represents an institution in which the policy may be utilized in student selection and faculty hiring.
Structure-Dependent Hydrostatic Deformation Potentials of Individual Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Summary: The hydrostatic pressure coefficients of interband transition energies of a number of single-walled carbon nanotubes with different chiralities were measured. Both optical absorption and photoluminescence experiments were performed on de-bundled, single-walled carbon nanotube suspensions with hydrostatic pressure applied by diamond anvil cells. The pressure coefficients of the first van Hove transition (bandgap) energies are negative and dependent on the nanotube structure, while the second van Hove transitions are much less sensitive to hydrostatic pressure. The hydrostatic deformation potentials of individual nanotubes are deduced within an elastic model. An empirical equation that relates the pressure coefficients to nanotube structure is presented and discussed.
METAMORPHIC LOW NOISE AMPLIFIERS AND OPTICAL COMPONENTS

GaAs based metamorphic HEMT (MHEMT) technology has emerged as an attractive, low cost alternative to InP HEMTs. The strain-induced imperfections caused by high indium content layers on GaAs is eliminated in metamorphic devices by providing a properly grown lattice-matching buffer between the substrate and active device layers. With this limitation overcome, it is now possible to provide the superior performance of InP-based devices with the cost advantages of highly manufacturable 4- and 6-inch GaAs wafers that can easily be integrated on existing GaAs fabrication lines. This paper will review device performance as well as state-of-the-art low noise amplifiers fabricated with this technology operating from 1 to 100 GHz. Fiber optic receiver components such as 40 Gb/s optical-to-electrical photodiodes and traveling wave amplifiers fabricated metamorphically will also be discussed. Finally, device and circuit reliability data will be presented demonstrating median-time-to-failure of more than 30 years at 125 C.
Self-concepts of visually handicapped and sighted children.

The purposes of this study were to determine the self-concepts of visually handicapped children and to compare these self-concepts with those of sighted children. Fifty-eight students, 29 visually handicapped and 29 sighted, were Ss. The self-concept scale designed by Lipsitt (1958) was utilized. Only 4 significant differences among 22 comparisons appeared in self-concepts of the visually handicapped and sighted Ss.
Families' experiences in psychiatric emergencies.

Sixty families from three self-help, psychoeducational groups in western New York State were interviewed about their experiences during recent psychiatric emergencies involving their mentally ill relatives. Twenty-six hospital-based emergency mental health service providers were compared with the families on key attitudes toward emergency services. Families reported that emergencies were complicated and traumatic and that they involved contacts with numerous agencies, sometimes over several months. Satisfaction with the emergency service system was generally low among both families and hospital service providers. Service providers were less likely than families to believe that families' assessments of their ill relatives' need for treatment were credible. The author suggests that apparently "crazy" behavior of families may make sense in the context of serious patient pathology and a general lack of emergency assistance. Much effort is needed to develop coordinated emergency mental health treatment that is...
Screening entire health system ECG databases to identify patients at increased risk of death.

Background— Current methods to identify patients at higher risk for sudden cardiac death, primarily left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%, miss ≈80% of patients who die suddenly. We tested the hypothesis that patients with elevated QRS-scores (index of myocardial scar) and wide QRS-T angles (index abnormal depolarization–repolarization relationship) have high 1-year all-cause mortality and could be further risk stratified with clinical characteristics. Methods and Results— We screened all 12-lead ECGs over 6 months at 2 large hospital systems and analyzed clinical characteristics and 1-year mortality. Patients with ECGs obtained in hospital areas with known high mortality rates were excluded. At the first hospital, QRS-score ≥5 and QRS-T angle ≥105° identified 8.0% of patients and was associated with an odds ratio of 2.79 (95% confidence interval, 2.10–3.69) for 1-year mortality compared with patients below both ECG thresholds (13.9% versus 5.5% death rate). Left ventricular ejection fraction was >35% in 82% of the former group of patients, and addition of ECG measures to left ventricular ejection fraction increased the discrimination of death risk ( P <0.0001). At the second hospital, the odds ratio was 2.42 (1.95–3.01) for 1-year mortality (8.8% versus 3.8%). Adjustment for patient characteristics eliminated interhospital differences. Multivariable adjusted odds ratio combining data from both hospitals was 1.53 (1.28–1.83). Increasing heart rate and chronic renal impairment further predicted mortality. Conclusions— Screening hospital ECG databases with QRS-scoring and QRS-T angle analysis identifies patients with high 1-year all-cause mortality and predominantly preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. This approach may represent a widely available method to identify patients at increased risk of death.
Synchrotron-based Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Solid/vapor and liquid/vapor interfaces govern many processes in the environment and atmosphere, energy generation, and electrochemical devices as well as heterogeneous catalysis. Examples include catalytic converters in automobiles [1], solid oxide fuel cells [2], cloud droplet nucleation on atmospheric aerosol particles [3], as well as the interaction of trace gases with polar snow packs [4]. A fundamental understanding of the molecular processes at these interfaces requires experimental methods that allow the investigation of samples under as close to operating conditions as possible. This kind of investigation has become increasingly important over the last few decades, leading to the development of a number of surface-sensitive, in-situ spectroscopies and microscopies, including infrared spectroscopy (IR) [5, 6]; vibrational sum-frequency generation (VSFG) [7, 8]; X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) [9]; surface X-ray diffraction (SXRD) [10]; scanning force microscopy (SFM) in both contact [11] and non...