cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of genetic merit for milk somatic cell score of sires and maternal grandsires on herd life of their daughters.

Abstract A retrospective study of the impact of the estimated breeding values of sires and maternal grandsires for somatic cell score (SCS) on productive life (PL) of Holsteins and Jerseys was conducted. Data included records from 2,626,425 Holstein and 142,725 Jersey cows. The sires and maternal grandsires of cows were required to have been available through artificial insemination and to have predicted transmitting ability (PTA) SCS evaluations based on 35 or more daughters. A weighted function (WPTA) of sire and maternal grandsire PTA for SCS was used: (sire PTA + 0.5 maternal grandsire PTA)/1.5. The 3 dependent variables were PL, frequency of cows culled for mastitis, and first-lactation SCS. The model included effects of herd, birth year, and WPTA (WPTA was categorized into groups:
A direct distance and luminosity determination for a self-luminous giant exoplanet: The trigonometric parallax to 2MASSW J1207334-393254Ab

We present the first trigonometric parallax and distance for a young planetary mass object. A likely TW Hya cluster member, 2MASSW J1207334-393254Ab (hereafter 2M1207Ab), is an M8 brown dwarf with a mid-to-late L-type planetary mass companion. Recent observations of spectral variability have uncovered clear signs of disk accretion and outflow, constraining the age of the system to <10 Myr. Because of its late spectral type and the clearly youthful nature of the system, 2M1207b is very likely a planetary mass object. We have measured the first accurate distance and luminosity for a self-luminous planetary mass object. Our parallax measurements are accurate to <2 mas (1 σ) for 2M1207Ab. With 11 total epochs of data taken from 2006 January through 2007 April (475 images for 2M1207Ab), we determine a distance of 58.8 ± 7.0 pc (17.0 mas, 1.28 σ) to 2M1207Ab and a calculated luminosity of (0.68-2.2) × 10-5 L☉ for 2M1207b. Hence, 2M1207Ab is a clear member of the TW Hya cluster in terms of its distance, proper motions, and youthful nature. However, as previously noted by Mohanty and coworkers, 2M1207b's luminosity appears low compared to its temperature according to evolutionary models.
A NOTE ON THE PECCEI-QUINN SYMMETRY

A modified Peccei-Quinn symmetry proposed by Georgi, which is more suitable for studying the axions, is worked out and the relevant strong CP problem is briefly discussed.
APPLICATIONS OF MODERATED REGRESSION IN JOB DESIGN RESEARCH

Applications of moderated regression analysis in five areas of job design research are described and fully illustrated with actual survey data. The five areas of research have received some attention in the literature over the past 10 years. Arguments for the selection of moderated regression over the more common subgroups analysis are presented. We conclude that moderated regression analysis is superior to a subgroups analysis for the research questions being asked by investigators interested in job design research.
Intraoperative patient registration using volumetric true 3D ultrasound without fiducials

Purpose: Accurate patient registration is crucial for effective image-guidance in open cranial surgery. Typically, it is accomplished by matching skin-affixed fiducials manually identified in the operating room (OR) with their counterparts in the preoperative images, which not only consumes OR time and personnel resources but also relies on the presence (and subsequent fixation) of the fiducials during the preoperative scans (until the procedure begins). In this study, the authors present a completely automatic, volumetric image-based patient registration technique that does not rely on fiducials by registering tracked (true) 3D ultrasound (3DUS) directly with preoperative magnetic resonance (MR)images. Methods: Multistart registrations between binary 3DUS and MR volumes were first executed to generate an initial starting point without incorporating prior information on the UStransducer contact point location or orientation for subsequent registration between grayscale 3DUS and MR via maximization of either mutual information (MI) or correlation ratio (CR). Patient registration was then computed through concatenation of spatial transformations. Results: In ten (N = 10) patient cases, an average fiducial (marker) distance error (FDE) of 5.0 mm and 4.3 mm was achieved using MI or CR registration (FDE was smaller with CR vs MI in eight of ten cases), which are comparable to values reported for typical fiducial- or surface-based patient registrations. The translational and rotational capture ranges were found to be 24.0 mm and 27.0° for binary registrations (up to 32.8 mm and 36.4°), 12.2 mm and 25.6° for MI registrations (up to 18.3 mm and 34.4°), and 22.6 mm and 40.8° for CR registrations (up to 48.5 mm and 65.6°), respectively. The execution time to complete a patient registration was 12–15 min with parallel processing, which can be significantly reduced by confining the 3DUS transducer location to the center of craniotomy in MR before registration (an execution time of 5 min is achievable). Conclusions: Because common features deep in the brain and throughout the surgical volume of interest are used, intraoperative fiducial-less patient registration is possible on-demand, which is attractive in cases where preoperative patient registration is compromised (e.g., from loss/movement of skin-affixed fiducials) or not possible (e.g., in cases of emergency when external fiducials were not placed in time). CR registration was more robust than MI (capture range about twice as big) and appears to be more accurate, although both methods are comparable to or better than fiducial-based registration in the patient cases evaluated. The results presented here suggest that 3DUS image-based patient registration holds promise for clinical application in the future.
Scaling a discrete structural model to match measured modal frequencies

The structure modification problem, where the computer model of a structure is to be upgraded on the basis of experimental measurements of normal mode frequencies, is approached by the modal energy concept. The modes for correlation with test data are selected on the basis of relative strain energy participation. The resulting procedure can be viewed as an extension of White's (1972) method. Its advantage lies in that both the number and choice of structural parameters to be varied in the modification are arbitrary.
Geothermometry of Kilauea Iki lava lake, Hawaii

Data on the variation of temperature with time and in space are essential to a complete understanding of the crystallization history of basaltic magma in Kilauea Iki lava lake. Methods used to determine temperatures in the lake have included direct, downhole thermocouple measurements and Fe-Ti oxide geothermometry. In addition, the temperature variations of MgO and CaO contents of glasses, as determined in melting experiments on appropriate Kilauean samples, have been calibrated for use as purely empirical geothermometers and are directly applicable to interstitial glasses in olivine-bearing core from Kilauea Iki. The uncertainty in inferred quenching temperatures is ±8−10° C. Comparison of the three methods shows that (1) oxide and glass geothermometry give results that are consistent with each other and consistent with the petrography and relative position of samples, (2) downhole thermo-couple measurements are low in all but the earliest, shallowest holes because the deeper holes never completely recover to predrilling temperatures, (3) glass geothermometry provides the greatest detail on temperature profiles in the partially molten zone, much of which is otherwise inaccessible, and (4) all three methods are necessary to construct a complete temperature profile for any given drill hole. Application of glass-based geothermometry to partially molten drill core recovered in 1975–1981 reveals in great detail the variation of temperature, in both time and space, within the partially molten zone of Kilauea Iki lava lake. The geothermometers developed here are also potentially applicable to glassy samples from other Kilauea lava lakes and to rapidly quenched lava samples from eruptions of Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
Influence of sediment nitrogen-availability on carbon and nitrogen dynamics in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum

Variations in tissue carbon (C), nitrogen (N) content, and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) reserves in the turtle grass Thalassia testudinum Banks ex Konig were examined in relation to changes in sediment-N availability in Corpus Christi Bay (CCB) and lower Laguna Madre (LLM), Texas, USA, from May to October 1997. Under natural conditions, sediment pore-water NH+ 4-concentrations were higher at CCB (100 μM) than at LLM (30 μM); this difference was reflected in a significantly higher leaf and rhizome N-content at CCB than at LLM. However, sediment NH+ 4-enrichment using a commercial fertilizer resulted in significantly higher tissue N-content relative to controls at both sites. N enrichment also influenced plant carbon metabolism, as reflected by distinct increases in leaf C-content at both sites. Significant decreases in rhizome NSC-content was recorded during the first two months of the experiment, suggesting that C was reallocated from rhizomes to leaves to support stimulated leaf growth at both sites. At LLM, leaf growth-rates increased and leaf turnover-time decreased as a result of sediment NH+ 4-enrichment. With respect to chlorophyll, concentrations did not change significantly at CCB, but increased steadily at LLM after the first month following fertilization. In general however, chlorophyll concentrations in control plots were significantly higher at CCB than that at LLM. These observations suggest that leaf function related to C-fixation is enhanced under higher sediment N conditions, as reflected in higher leaf growth-rates and increased blade chlorophyll-content. In contrast, under low-N conditions, below-ground tissue production is enhanced at the expense of the above-ground shoots and leaves, resulting in the high below: above-ground biomass ratios often observed in seagrass beds of oligotrophic environments.
A PHASE-II TRIAL OF NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY AND CONCOMITANT CHEMORADIOTHERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF LOCALLY ADVANCED NONSMALL CELL LUNG-CANCER

Treatment strategies for locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer have failed to significantly alter the survival of most patients. Treatment strategies utilizing, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy/radiation therapy have shown promise in some reports. Twenty-six consecutive patients with stage III, non-small cell lung cancer were treated over a 3 year period according to a strategy involving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (mitomycin, vinblastine, cisplatin [MVP]) followed by reassessment for surgical resection, followed by treatment with concomitant radiation therapy and chemotherapy (hydroxyurea [HU], 5-fluorouracil [5-FU]). Staging revealed stage IIIa disease in 15 patients and stage IIIb disease in 11 patients. Nine of 18 evaluable patients responded to MVP (50%) with 1 CR and 8 PRs. Only one of nine responders underwent surgical resection. Eleven of 19 patients receiving concomitant 5-FU, HU, and radiation therapy were evaluable for response. Two of 11 patients were converted to clinical CRs, and the remaining 9 patients had stable disease. Myelosuppression, mucositis and hand-foot syndrome were observed with 5-FU/HU/RT. Median survival for all patients is 10.5 months. One and 2-year survival is estimated at 36% and 27%, respectively. This clinical trial combining neoadjuvant chemotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy/radiation therapy is feasible. Select patients appeared to have a survival benefit however most patients failed to derive an improvement in clinical endpoints.
Surgical volume was not related to 30 day mortality in 8 common operations

Source Citation Khuri SF, Daley J, Henderson W, et al., and the participants in the VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Relation of surgical volume to outcome in eight common operatio...
Copper deficiency in the developing rat brain: a possible model for Menkes' steely-hair disease.

— In comparison to controls, copper-deficient suckling rats showed an appreciable decrease in body growth, a slight decrease in whole brain and cerebellar growth, and a highly significant decrease in myelination based on the activity of cerebellar 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase—a myelin enriched protein. Specific effects of a fivefold reduction in the copper content of brain were seen in a drastic decrease in cerebellar cytochrome c oxidase and smaller but significant drops in cerebellar super-oxide dismutase and brain norepinephrine concn. These observations are discussed with respect to the neuropathology and biochemistry of Menkes’ steely-hair disease, a sex-linked recessive disorder in humans characterized by copper deficiency.
Modalities for Imaging of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths among males in the United States. Prostate screening by digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen has shifted the diagnosis of prostate cancer to lower grade, organ confined disease, adding to overdetection and overtreatment of prostate cancer. The new challenge is in differentiating clinically relevant tumors from ones that may otherwise never have become evident if not for screening. The rapid evolution of imaging modalities and the synthesis of anatomic, functional, and molecular data allow for improved detection and characterization of prostate cancer. However, the appropriate use of imaging is difficult to define, as many controversial studies regarding each of the modalities and their utilities can be found in the literature. Clinical practice patterns have been slow to adopt many of these advances as a result. This review discusses the more established imaging techniques, including Ultrasonography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MR Spectroscopy, Computed Tomography, and Positron Emission Tomography. We also review several promising techniques on the horizon, including Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI, Diffuse-Weighted Imaging, Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles, and Radionuclide Scintigraphy.
Carbon allotropes: On the road to carbyne.

Chemists have now prepared the longest known stable subunit of the elusive all-carbon polymer — carbyne. Their results suggest that carbyne itself would have a polyyne-like rather than a cumulene structure.
Noninvasive Nasal Mask-Assisted Ventilation in Respiratory Failure of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

The effects of noninvasive nasal mask-assisted ventilation were studied in two patients with chronic respiratory failure due to Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. Observations were made with continuous recordings of transcutaneous CO2 and O2 and ear oximetry. In one case, the mean tcPCO2 fell from 72 mm Hg to 43 mm Hg. The tcPO2 increased from 38 mm Hg to 62 mm Hg without supplementary oxygen. In the second case, hypercapnia associated with supplementary oxygen was corrected, and at five months' follow-up, hypoxemia was corrected without supplementary oxygen. Prolonged therapy during sleep has resulted in sustained clinical improvement for more than 18 months.
Hypoxia Induces Cyclooxygenase-2 via the NF-κB p65 Transcription Factor in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells

Abstract The inducible cyclooxygenase, COX-2, has been associated with vascular inflammation and cellular proliferation. We have discovered that hypoxia increases expression of the COX-2 gene in human vascular endothelial cells in culture independent of other stimuli. Western analysis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) revealed a greater than 4-fold induction of protein by hypoxia (1% O2). The steady-state level of COX-2 mRNA was correspondingly elevated by both Northern blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays with antibody supershifting, we also found that hypoxia causes increased binding of NF-κB p65 (Rel A) to the one out of the two NF-κB consensus elements in the COX-2 promoter which is closest to the transcription start site of the COX-2 gene. Transfection of an immortalized human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1) with mutation reporter gene constructs and HUVEC with both mutation and deletion reporter gene constructs suggested that transcription of the COX-2 gene was enhanced by hypoxia. In transcription factor decoy experiments, hypoxic HUVEC were exposed in culture to 20 μM of the same NF-κB element found to bind NF-κB protein. The wild type transcription factor decoy prevented hypoxic induction of COX-2, presumably by binding with cytoplasmic p65; however, mutated or scrambled oligonucleotides did not prevent the increase in COX-2 protein expression by hypoxia. Thus, the intracellular signaling mechanism that leads to induction of COX-2 by hypoxia includes binding of p65 to the relatively 3′ NF-κB consensus element in the COX-2 upstream promoter region in human vascular endothelial cells.
Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH) Is a Post-Caspase Suppressor of Apoptosis in RAW 264.7 Macrophages

The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an important regulator of immune cell activity within the immunosuppressive ocular microenvironment. Its constitutive presence not only suppresses macrophage inflammatory activity, it also participates in retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPE) mediated activation of macrophages to function similar to myeloid suppressor cells. In addition, α-MSH promotes survival of the alternatively activated macrophages where without α-MSH RPE induce apoptosis in the macrophages, which is seen as increased TUNEL stained cells. Since there is little know about α-MSH as an anti-apoptotic factor, the effects of α-MSH on caspase activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, Bcl2 to BAX expression, along with TUNEL staining, and Annexin V binding were examined in RAW 264.7 macrophages under serum-starved conditions that trigger apoptosis. There was no effect of α-MSH on activated Caspase 9 and Caspase 3 while there was suppression of Caspase 8 activity. In addition, α-MSH did not improve mitochondrial membrane potential, change the ratio between Bcl-2 and BAX, nor reduce Annexin V binding. These results demonstrate that the diminution in TUNEL staining by α-MSH is through α-MSH mediating suppression of the apoptotic pathway that is post-Caspase 3, but before DNA fragmentation. Therefore, as α-MSH promotes the alternative activation of macrophages it also provides a survival signal, and the potential for the caspases to participate in non-apoptotic activities that can contribute to an immunosuppressive microenvironment.
Evolution of correlation strength in K x Fe 2 – y Se 2 superconductor doped with S

We report the evolution of thermal transport properties of K${}_{x}$Fe${}_{2--y}$Se${}_{2}$ with sulfur substitution at Se sites. Sulfur doping suppresses the superconducting ${T}_{c}$. The Seebeck coefficient of all crystals in the low-temperature range can be described very well by a diffusive thermoelectric response model. The zero-temperature extrapolated value of the Seebeck coefficient divided by temperature, $S/T$, gradually decreases from $\ensuremath{-}0.48$ $\ensuremath{\mu}$V/K${}^{2}$ to a very small value, $\ensuremath{\sim}$0.03 $\ensuremath{\mu}$V/K${}^{2}$, where ${T}_{c}$ is completely suppressed. The normal-state electron Sommerfeld term (${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{n}$) of specific heat also decreases with the increase in sulfur content. The decrease of $S/T$ and ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{n}$ reflects a suppression of the density of states at the Fermi energy, or a change in the Fermi surface that would induce the suppression of correlation strength. Our results imply little relevance of strong electron correlations to superconductivity.
Enhanced fatigue crack growth resistance at elevated temperature in TiC/Ti-6Al-4v composite: Microcrack-lnduced crack closure

The fatigue crack growth behavior of TiC/Ti-alloy composite was examined at 450 °C and compared to the room-temperature behavior. Contrary to the temperature-dependent fatigue crack growth behavior of the monolithic alloy, fatigue crack growth resistance of the composite was improved at the elevated temperature. At 450 °C, the fatigue threshold of the composite was found to be 50 Pct higher than at room temperature. Such an improved fatigue crack growth resistance is shown to result from extensive microcracking of reinforcing particles, which promotes fatigue crack closure at the elevated temperature.
State Charter School Adoptions: A Probit Regression Model

This paper assesses the factors that spur states to adopt charter school legislation. Using a probit regression model, this study considers political, economic, and education related variables and their effect on policy. In this model, little support is found for political explanations. Moreover, this study casts doubt on conventional wisdom, which contends that the purpose of reform is to improve education. The model suggests that a state's economic variables are the best predictors for charter school adoption.
Dynamics of an Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis in Human Cadaveric Spines

Low-back pain is a common, disabling medical condition, and one of the major causes is disc degeneration. Total disc replacements are intended to treat back pain by restoring disc height and re-establishing functional motion and stability at the index level. The objective of this study was to determine the effect on range of motion (ROM) and stiffness after implantation of the ProDisc®-L device in comparison to the intact state. Twelve L5–S1 lumbar spine segments were tested in flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation with axial compressive loads of 600 N and 1,200 N. Specimens were tested in the intact state and after implantation with the ProDisc®-L device. ROM was not significantly different in the implanted spines when compared to their intact state in flexion/extension and axial rotation but increased in lateral bending. Increased compressive load did not affect ROM in flexion/extension or axial rotation but did result in decreased ROM in lateral bending and increased stiffness in both intact and implanted spine segments. The ProDisc®-L successfully restored or maintained normal spine segment motion.
Electric utility returns and the market model

Abstract Use of estimates of the single factor market model has been criticized on a number of fronts including the allegedly poor empirical “fit” of the characterization for regulated firms. Countervailing evidence is presented here that indicates the market model is a better characterization of electric utilities than of unregulated companies
Ultraviolet detectors for astrophysics: present and future

Astronomical instruments for the study of UV astronomy have been developed for NASA missions such as the Hubble Space Telescope. The systems that are `blind to the visible' (`solar-blind') yet sensitive to the UV that have been flown in satellites have detective efficiencies of about 10 to 20%, although typically electron bombardment charge coupled devices are higher at 30 - 40% and ordinary CCDs achieve 1 - 5%. Therefore, there is a large payoff still to be gained by further improvements in the performance of solar blind UV detectors. We provide a brief review of some aspects of UV astronomy, UV detector development, and possible technologies for the future. We suggest that a particularly promising future technology is one based on the ability of investigators to produce high quality films made of wide bandgap III-V semiconductors.
Epstein-Barr Virus BPLF1 Deubiquitinates PCNA and Attenuates Polymerase η Recruitment to DNA Damage Sites

ABSTRACT PCNA is monoubiquitinated in response to DNA damage and fork stalling and then initiates recruitment of specialized polymerases in the DNA damage tolerance pathway, translesion synthesis (TLS). Since PCNA is reported to associate with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA during its replication, we investigated whether the EBV deubiquitinating (DUB) enzyme encoded by BPLF1 targets ubiquitinated PCNA and disrupts TLS. An N-terminal BPLF1 fragment (a BPLF1 construct containing the first 246 amino acids [BPLF1 1-246]) associated with PCNA and attenuated its ubiquitination in response to fork-stalling agents UV and hydroxyurea in cultured cells. Moreover, monoubiquitinated PCNA was deubiquitinated after incubation with purified BPLF1 1-246 in vitro. BPLF1 1-246 dysregulated TLS by reducing recruitment of the specialized repair polymerase polymerase η (Polη) to the detergent-resistant chromatin compartment and virtually abolished localization of Polη to nuclear repair foci, both hallmarks of TLS. Expression of BPLF1 1-246 decreased viability of UV-treated cells and led to cell death, presumably through deubiquitination of PCNA and the inability to repair damaged DNA. Importantly, deubiquitination of PCNA could be detected endogenously in EBV-infected cells in comparison with samples expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against BPLF1. Further, the specificity of the interaction between BPLF1 and PCNA was dependent upon a PCNA-interacting peptide (PIP) domain within the N-terminal region of BPLF1. Both DUB activity and PIP sequence are conserved in the members of the family Herpesviridae. Thus, deubiquitination of PCNA, normally deubiquitinated by cellular USP1, by the viral DUB can disrupt repair of DNA damage by compromising recruitment of TLS polymerase to stalled replication forks. PCNA is the first cellular target identified for BPLF1 and its deubiquitinating activity.
Incremental sentence production with a parallel marker-passing algorithm

This paper describes a method of incremental natural language generation using a parallel marker-passing algorithm for modeling simultaneous interpretation. Semantic and syntactic knowledge are represented in a memory network in which several types of markers are passed around in order to make inference, and explore implicit parallelism of sentence production. The model is consistent with several psycholinguistic studies. The model is actually implemented as a part of the φDMDIALOG real-time speech-to-speech dialog translation system developed at the Center for Machine Translation at Carnegie Mellon University, and publicly demonstrated since March 1989.
Structure and functional regulation of the CD38 promoter

CD38 has multiple roles in biology, including T lymphocyte signaling, neutrophil migration, neurotransmission, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and bone remodeling. To study the transcriptional control of the CD38 gene, we cloned a putative 1.8 kb promoter fragment from a rabbit genomic DNA library. Primer extension analysis indicated two transcription start sites consistent with the absence of a TATA box. Sequence analysis revealed several AP-1, AP-4, myo-D, GATA, and SP-1 sequences. MC3T3.E1 (osteoblast) or RAW-C3 (osteoclast precursor macrophage) cells were then transfected with the CD38 promoter or its deletion fragments ligated to the luciferase reporter gene. Except for the shortest 41 bp fragment, all fragments showed significant luciferase activity. There was a marked stimulation of basal activity in the 93 bp fragment that contained a GC box and SP-1 site. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the activity of the fragments in MC3T3.E1 and RAW-C3 cells. Intracellular Ca(2+) elevations by ionomycin (10muM) in MC3T3.E1 cells inhibited promoter activity, except in the short 41 bp. In contrast, cAMP elevation by exposure to forskolin (100 microM) inhibited activation of all fragments, except the 0.6 and 1.2kb fragments. Finally, TNF-alpha stimulated promoter activity in RAW-C3 cells transfected with the 93 bp and 1.0 kb fragments, consistent with the stimulation of CD38 mRNA by TNF-alpha. Physiologically, therefore, modulation of the expression of the NAD(+)-sensing enzyme, CD38, by Ca(2+), cAMP, and cytokines, such as TNF-alpha may contribute to coupling the intense metabolic activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts to their respective bone-resorbing and bone-forming functions.
Full-Field Random Bending Strain Measurement of a Plate from Vibration Measurement

Abstract Experimental results of a non-contacting, full-field measurement of random bending strain over the surface of a two-dimensional structure are presented. The method is based on a combination of the measurment of random vibration at discrete points on the structure using a scanning laser vibrometer along with an analysis of the measured data using a surface smoothing technique. The power spectral densities of the random bending strains at all points on the structure are estimated by the numerical differentiation of cross-spectral densities of the vibration measured by two transducers, a fixed reference transducer and a roving (or scanning) transducer. The experimental results are compared with those measured directly using strain gages, which shows very good agreement.
Vesicle-associated membrane protein 4, a positional candidate gene on 1q24-q25, is not associated with type 2 diabetes in the Old Order Amish

Abstract Objective The vesicle-associated membrane protein-4 ( VAMP4 ) gene is an excellent type 2 diabetes (T2DM) positional candidate gene. It is located on chromosome 1q24-q25, a region of linkage to T2DM in the Amish and several other populations. VAMP4 is expressed in liver and skeletal muscle and participates in intracellular trafficking of secreted and membrane-associated proteins. Design and methods We sequenced VAMP4 in 20 Amish subjects. Polymorphisms in and around VAMP4 were genotyped in 65 Amish subjects with T2DM, 64 subjects with impaired glucose homeostasis (IGH), and 126 normal glucose tolerant controls, as well as in an expanded set of 749 participants of the Amish Family Diabetes Study for whom glucose and insulin levels during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and other quantitative traits related to diabetes were available. Case-control and quantitative trait association analyses were performed. Results We found three common non-coding intragenic polymorphisms: a 23bp insertion/deletion (I/D) in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) in exon 1 at position 73127, and G35319T and C335296T single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3′ UTR (NCBI Accession No. Z98751). The two 3′ UTR SNPs were in complete linkage disequilibrium (LD) and both were in strong LD with the exon 1 I/D polymorphism (|D′|=0.82). Similarly, three extragenic flanking SNPs (rs978985, rs203255, and rs1023479) showed moderate LD with the neighboring intragenic SNPs (|D′|=0.23–0.69). None of the SNPs individually nor any of the 2-, 3-, 4-, or 5-polymorphism haplotypes were associated with T2DM or IGH. The exon 1 I/D polymorphism was not associated with significant differences in mean fasting or stimulated glucose or insulin levels during an OGTT or other diabetes-related quantitative traits in the expanded set of 749 subjects. Conclusion Variation in VAMP4 does not significantly influence risk of T2DM or IGH in the Amish.
Articulatory Phonetics in the First‐Year Spanish Classroom

focus of this article is twofold: I reconsider the general question of the role of articulatory phonetics in the second language (L2) classroom and review the phonetics presentation in 10 recent first-year Spanish texts. Pronunciation has been accorded little importance within recent methodological approaches, although their stated goals of communication and intelligibility in fact require the incorporation of explicit phonetics instruction in the language classroom. Considering the first-year Spanish L2 classroom, I propose a phonetics program based on the notion of a learner's dialect (cf. Bergen, 1974). I then measure the phonetics presentation of 10 Spanish textbooks against a learner's dialect, and find that pronunciation sections are in most cases incomplete and inaccurate and provide for no self-monitoring or recycling. This article argues against the current trend reflected in these texts, which relegates pronunciation to the laboratory manual or eliminates it altogether.
Evaluation of an oscillometric blood pressure monitor for use in anesthetized sheep.

Objective To determine the accuracy of an oscillometric blood pressure monitor in anesthetized sheep. Study design Prospective study. Animals Twenty healthy adult sheep, 11 males and nine females, weighing 63.6 ± 8.6 kg. Methods After premedication with buprenorphine or transdermal fentanyl, anesthesia was induced with ketamine-midazolam and maintained with isoflurane and ketamine, 1.2 mg kg−1 hour−1, ± lidocaine, 3 mg kg−1 hour−1. Invasive blood pressure measurements were obtained from an auricular arterial catheter and noninvasive measurements were from a cuff on the metatarsus or antebrachium. Simultaneous invasive and noninvasive measurements were recorded over a range (55–111 mmHg) of mean arterial pressures (MAP). Isoflurane concentration was increased to decrease MAP and decreasing the isoflurane concentration and infusing dobutamine achieved higher pressures. Invasive and noninvasive measurements were compared. Results Correlation (R2) was good between the two methods of measurement (average of three consecutive readings) for systolic (SAP) (0.87), diastolic (DAP) (0.86), and mean (0.90) arterial pressures (p < 0.001). Bias ± SD between noninvasive and invasive measurements for SAP was 3 ± 8 mmHg, for DAP was −10 ± 7 mmHg, and MAP was −7 ± 6 mmHg. There was no significant difference between the average of three measurements and use of the first measurement. Correlations using the first measurement were SAP (0.82), DAP (0.84), and MAP (0.89). Bias ± SD for SAP was 3 ±10 mmHg, for DAP was −11 ± 7 mmHg, and MAP was −7 ± 6 mmHg. The oscillometric monitor slightly overestimated SAP and underestimated DAP and MAP for both average values and the first reading. Conclusions and clinical relevance This oscillometric model provided MAP measurements that were acceptable by ACVIM standards. MAP measurements with this monitor were lower than those found with the invasive technique so a clinical diagnosis of hypotension may be made in sheep that are not hypotensive.
An update on the current status of medical student urology education in the United States.

Objective To provide an updated report on the status of urology education in the United States. Methods Forty-one randomly selected accredited medical schools in the United States were surveyed concerning their urology curriculum. All schools were included in the randomization, even those that had not produced any successful urology applicants during the past 5 years. Results In 48% of the schools, there were no urology lectures or coursework required before third-year clinical rotations. Two schools (5%) had a mandatory urology clinical clerkship. All schools offered an elective urology clerkship during either the third or fourth year of medical school. Fifty-five percent of medical schools used a core curriculum, and 31% based their curriculum on the American Urological Association's medical student core curriculum. Twenty-nine percent used Web-based resources during their clerkship, and 21% had a urology interest group. Conclusion This survey further reveals that there is a decline in exposure of medical students in the United States to formal urology teaching. In an attempt to minimize any possible adverse impact and to ensure that students are being exposed to the most important urologic topics and skills needed, some medical schools have instituted the use of a core curriculum in their clerkships. Despite the persistent decline in required medical student exposure to urology, urology residency programs remain extremely competitive.
Verification of goal-oriented HP-adaptivity

The paper presents calculations for the radiation of a loop antenna wrapped around a metallic cylinder into a conductive medium. The problem has been solved analytically by using Fourier transform and Bessel functions. The analytical solution has been used to verify a goal-oriented hp adaptive strategy based on a simultaneous solution of a dual problem, and an hp strategy based on minimizing the projection-based interpolation error of a reference solution.
Developing a Pulmonary Insulin Delivery System for Patients with Diabetes

Abstract Background: Many patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) do not achieve recommended glycemic goals. Insulin therapy is often delayed, despite its effectiveness in maintaining glycemic control, for reasons such as fear of needles or dislike of the complexity of injections. Inhaled dry powder insulin (IDPI) is approved for preprandial use in both the United States and Europe. Methods: Relevant English-language publications were identified through a search of the PubMed data-base (1980–2007). Search terms included diabetes , in combination with subcutaneous and/or inhaled insulin . A similar search of abstracts from the 2006 American Diabetes Association 66th Annual Scientific Sessions was also performed. Results: Eight clinical studies to date have reported that IDPI consistently improved glycemic control, whether used in combination with longer-acting SC insulin regimens in patients with type 1 or type 2 DM or to supplement or replace oral agent therapy in patients with type 2 DM. Evidence to date suggests that IDPI is associated with an acceptable tolerability profile, with a risk of hypoglycemia similar to that of SC insulin (risk ratios in 2 studies were 0.94 and 0.96, in favor of IDPI). Moreover, no clinically significant changes in pulmonary function have been noted. Patients treated with IDPI in clinical studies reported significantly greater improvements in overall satisfaction with treatment compared with SC insulin ( P P = 0.02). Conclusion: IDPI is effective and well tolerated for the treatment of diabetes and may be an option for patients to achieve glycemic control.
Using Conditional Logistic Regression to Fit Proportional Odds Models to Interval Censored Data

An easily implemented approach to fitting the proportional odds regression model to interval-censored data is presented. The approach is based on using conditional logistic regression routines in standard statistical packages. Using conditional logistic regression allows the practitioner to sidestep complications that attend estimation of the baseline odds ratio function. The approach is applicable both for interval-censored data in settings in which examinations continue regardless of whether the event of interest has occurred and for current status data. The methodology is illustrated through an application to data from an AIDS study of the effect of treatment with ZDV+ddC versus ZDV alone on 50% drop in CD4 cell count from baseline level. Simulations are presented to assess the accuracy of the procedure.
Approximating the exponential, the lanczos method and an Õ(m)-time spectral algorithm for balanced separator

We give a novel spectral approximation algorithm for the balanced (edge-)separator problem that, given a graph G, a constant balance b ∈ (0,1/2], and a parameter γ, either finds an Ω(b)-balanced cut of conductance O(√γ) in G, or outputs a certificate that all b-balanced cuts in G have conductance at least γ, and runs in time ~O(m). This settles the question of designing asymptotically optimal spectral algorithms for balanced separator. Our algorithm relies on a variant of the heat kernel random walk and requires, as a subroutine, an algorithm to compute exp(-L)v where L is the Laplacian of a graph related to G and v is a vector. Algorithms for computing the matrix-exponential-vector product efficiently comprise our next set of results. Our main result here is a new algorithm which computes a good approximation to exp(-A)v for a class of symmetric positive semidefinite (PSD) matrices A and a given vector v, in time roughly ~O(mA), independent of the norm of A, where mA is the number of non-zero entries of A. This uses, in a non-trivial way, the result of Spielman and Teng on inverting symmetric and diagonally-dominant matrices in ~O(mA) time. Finally, using old and new uniform approximations to e-x we show how to obtain, via the Lanczos method, a simple algorithm to compute exp(-A)v for symmetric PSD matrices that runs in time roughly O(tA⋅ √norm(A)), where tA is the time required for the computation of the vector Aw for given vector w. As an application, we obtain a simple and practical algorithm, with output conductance O(√γ), for balanced separator that runs in time O(m/√γ). This latter algorithm matches the running time, but improves on the approximation guarantee of the Evolving-Sets-based algorithm by Andersen and Peres for balanced separator.
Towards ecological validity in menu research

Abstract The goal of this research was to test the effects of menu organization on user performance under situations representative of typical user-computer interactions. Effects of alphabetical, categorical, and random organizations on response time and accuracy were tested using a problem-solving task in which problems differed in degree of complexity. In addition, explicit or implicit targets were searched for in menus consisting of items from distinct or overlapping categories. Results indicated that alphabetical and categorical organizations were generally equivalent and superior to random organizations, replicating the results of others. Unexpectedly, decreasing category distinctiveness, although generally detrimental, did not seem to negatively affect performance with categorical menu organizations. On the other hand, problem complexity had large effects on performance and magnified the effects of other factors such as target type. These results extend some previous conclusions about menu organization to situations that are more typical of user interactions. The limits of generalizing from results of controlled experiments to truly ecologically valid settings are also discussed.
Functional Equations of Modular Forms

Let N be a positive integer, and all(N, k) the space of modular forms of a z + b dimension k for the group Fo(N), the group of substitutions ~ c z + d °f the upper half plane' where'( a c ~)~SL(2, Z),NIc. In a previous paper [2], certain results on the eigenvatues of the Hecke operators T(p) were derived, for P l N, provided a corresponding eigenfunction satisfies a functional equation. In this paper we show that, conversely, these conditions on the eigenvalues imply the functional equation, in the case where N is square-free. The notations, as in [2], are the following. Let k be a fixed positive even integer. If f(~, is a function on the upper half plane, and ( ; ~) is a real matrix
A study of the physical binding of benzanthracene to DNA bases by optically detected magnetic resonance

Abstract Effects on the electronic structure of benzanthracene due to physical binding to bases of nucleic acid were studied by optically pumping the molecular triplet state and monitoring the subsequent decay. Since the triplet electronic states of molecules are sensitive to such perturbations, the observed changes in the total phosphorescence decay rate constants were used as a measure of the extent of molecular interaction. Additionally, changes in the triplet state zero field splitting parameters arising from the anisotropic spin—spin interaction of the triplet electrons were used as another measure of the extent of interaction. Changes in these parameters were observed for base pairs, polynucleotides and methylated adenines.
Defoliation by the Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Field Corn in Iowa

To determine the importance of herbivory and subsequent effect on grain yield from armyworm (AW), Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haworth), infestations on conventionally tilled field corn, field plots in a split plot design were manually infested with larvae of various ages (instars 4, 5, and 6) and densities (one, two, and three larvae per plant). In 1982, significant differences in defoliation were observed on plants infested with AW larvae compared with un infested (nondefoliated) corn. In 1982, differences were also noted between defoliation produced by AW larvae of different instars and defoliation produced by various densities of AW larvae. In 1983, however, high temperatures (31°C) had a depressing effect on AW survival, larval feeding behavior, or both. Therefore, all AW instars and densities consumed significantly less corn foliage in 1983 than in 1982. In 1982, yields of plants infested with AW larvae and un infested corn were similar. In 1983, however, significant differences in yield were obtained on plants infested with AW fourth instars compared with plants infested with fifth or sixth instars. Differences in leaf defoliation and plant yield that occurred within and between years were attributable to temperature and precipitation. These results indicate that larval AW attack has little influence on yield of conventionally tilled corn in midwestern cornfields.
Temporal variability in the responses of individual canine airways to methacholine

Previous work showed that individual airway size, before any spasmogen, varied widely in the same animals on different days. The effect of this variable baseline size on the airway response to a su...
Mesure directe et indirecte de l'irradiation des patients au cours du traitement endovasculaire des anévrismes aortiques

Avec la complexite croissante des procedures endovasculaires, l'interet s'est porte sur l'exposition des patients aux radiations. Le traitement des anevrismes de l'aorte abdominale (AAA) est la procedure endovasculaire la plus complexe realisee par les specialistes vasculaires. Notre etude evalue la dose de radiations recue par les patients au cours du traitement endovasculaire des AAA. Sur une periode de trois mois nous avons surveille de maniere prospective la dose de radiations chez des patients consecutifs ayant le traitement endovasculaire d'un AAA. Tous les patients ont eu le traitement endovasculaire standard d'un AAA avec une des deux protheses disponibles dans le commerce en employant l'unite GE OEC 9800. La mesure directe de la dose de rayonnement maximum au niveau de peau (pic de dose cutanee, PDC) a ete enregistree en employant le film radiographique de dosimetrie GAFCHROMIC. Des mesures indirectes de la dose de radiation (temps de fluoroscopie et produit dose-surface [PDS]) ont ete enregistrees avec le dosimetre de l'arceau. Douze patients consecutifs ayant le traitement endovasculaire standard d'un AAA ont ete evalues. Le PDC moyen etait de 0,75 Gy (extremes 0,27-1,25). Le temps total moyen de fluoroscopie etait de 20,6 min (extremes 12,6-34,2) avec une moyenne de 92% du temps passes en fluoroscopie standard et de 8% passes en cinefluoroscopie. Concernant le temps total de fluoroscopie, 49% etaient passes en champ normal et 51% en vue agrandie. Le PDS moyen etait de 15 166 cGy · cm2 (extremes 5 207-24 536). Le PDC etait correle avec le PDS (r = 0,9, p 0,05). Le PDS etait egalement correle avec l'index de masse corporelle (IMC; r = 0,82, p