cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The trained psychologist as expert witness

Abstract Judgment research is described and related to forensic assessment. Topics include (a) the relation between training and accuracy of judgments, (b) our ability to identify clinicians who are good at a judgment task, (c) the reliability and validity of judgments made by mental health professionals and neuropsychologists, (d) the cognitive processes of clinicians, and (e) the validity of statistical prediction rules. Research indicates that expert testimony can be useful as long as clinicians are aware of the limitations of their expertise. Clinicians are able to make reliable and valid judgments for many tasks, and their judgments are frequently more valid than judgments made by laypersons.
PCB and PAH Speciation among Particle Types in Contaminated Harbor Sediments and Effects on PAH Bioavailability

This research provides particle-scale understanding of PCB and PAH distribution in sediments obtained from three urban locations in the United States: Hunters Point, CA; Milwaukee Harbor, WI; and Harbor Point, NY. The sediments comprised mineral grains (primarily sand, silt, and clays) and carbonaceous particles (primarily coal, coke, charcoal, pitch, cenospheres, and wood). The carbonaceous sediment fractions were separated from the mineral fractions based on their lower density and were identified by petrographic analysis. In all three sediments, carbonaceous particles contributed 5−7% of the total mass and 60−90% of the PCBs and PAHs. The production of carbonaceous particles is not known to be associated with PCB contamination, and it is very unlikely that these particles can be the source of PCBs in the environment. Thus, it appears that carbonaceous particles preferentially accumulate PCBs acting as sorbents in the aqueous environment if PCBs are released directly to the sediment or if deposited as ...
On the Limitation of Embedding Cryptographic Signature for Primary Transmitter Authentication

Recently, an interesting primary transmitter authentication scheme was proposed. The main idea of this scheme is to have the primary transmitter embed cryptographic authentication tag at the physical layer. There are a number of features that make this scheme attractive. In this paper, we investigate the effective coverage areas for the primary and secondary receivers before and after applying this scheme. During the process, we reveal a serious limitation of this scheme, which may prohibit its application in practice.
Calculating electronic properties of the Si:SiO 2 interface using density functional theory with periodical boundary condition

Si:SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles are ideal for photovoltaic applications due to their stability and easily tunable optical properties. Investigations with ab initio methods have the potential to lead to a better understanding of the electronic properties of these materials. Using density functional theory, we calculated the density of states, absorption spectra, and partial charge densities of a model interface composed of a pure silicon portion sandwiched between SiO2 layers with a formula of Si264O160. Quantum confinement was observed in the pure Si portion, indicating that SiO2 serves as an insulating barrier to charge delocalization within the interface. This provides theoretical evidence that tuning the size of the nanoparticles and the thickness of the silicon oxide layer can affect the electronic properties.
Growth of Continental-Scale Metro-Agro-Plexes, Regional Ozone Pollution, and World Food Production

Three regions of the northern mid-latitudes, the continental-scale metro-agro-plexes, presently dominate global industrial and agricultural productivity. Although these regions cover only 23 percent of the Earth's continents, they account for most of the world's commercial energy consumption, fertilizer use, food-crop production, and food exports. They also account for more than half of the world's atmospheric nitrogen oxide (NOx,) emissions and, as a result, are prone to ground-level ozone (O(3)) pollution during the summer months. On the basis of a global simulation of atmospheric reactive nitrogen compounds, it is estimated that about 10 to 35 percent of the world's grain production may occur in parts of these regions where ozone pollution may reduce crop yields. Exposure to yield-reducing ozone pollution may triple by 2025 if rising anthropogenic NOx emissions are not abated.
Development and Initial Validation of the Student Rating of Environmental Stressors Scale: Stressors Faced by Students in Accelerated High School Curricula

High school students in accelerated curricula face stressors beyond typical adolescent developmental challenges. The Student Rating of Environmental Stressors Scale (StRESS) is a self-report measur...
Mammographic mass classification: initial results

Mammography is recognized as an important means to reduce breast cancer mortality. However, its accuracy is limited, both in sensitivity (some cancers are missed) and specificity (many non-cancer cases are referred for invasive procedures). It has been shown that computer classification of expert radiologist's findings can improve the specificity of mammography. Our project is aimed at automatically extracting measurements by computer analysis of digital mammograms, so as to provide automatic inputs for a benign/malignant classifier. We tested classification of radiological findings and found an area under the ROC curve of 0.95, comparable to what has been reported in the literature. Image measurements were taken from manual segmentations of lesions as well as from two different automatic segmentations. We found that segmentation using a fuzzy clustering method with some post-processing gives results comparable to results on manual outlines with a positive predictive value of 73%. The fuzzy clustering strategy has the potential to provide fully automatic classifications comparable to those based on expert radiological findings. This approach may dramatically reduce the false alarm rate currently seen in screening mammography.
Pyridylethyl: A versatile protecting group. Part II†. The protection of heterocyclic N-H groups

Pyrrole, indole, carbazole and imidazole have been protected as N-[2-(4-pyridyl)ethyl] derivatives. Deprotection occurred under mild conditions after quaternisation. 3-Bromoindole was prepared by bromin-ation of the protected parent indole.
Anastomotic integrity and function: Role of the colonic J‐pouch

Since the colonic J-pouch with a colo-anal anastomosis was first introduced in 1986, many reports have shown the superiority of this design as compared to a “straight” colo-anal anastomosis. These advantages have been demonstrated in retrospective, prospective, and prospectively randomized reports. Furthermore, these attributes are realized for at least 12 and possibly more than 24 months after surgery. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 15:91–100, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Classification by race and Spanish origin in the 1980 census and its impact on white and nonwhite rates.

Abstract A basic change in 1980 census procedures is examined for its impact on white and nonwhite population counts—and the rates computed with such counts—for several urban areas. The change, which affected the racial classification of persons of Spanish origin, had its greatest impact on data for central cities in the southwestern United States, but its consequences for Chicago and New York City figures were also substantial. Arrest rates by race for central city Phoenix together with 1980 census data by race and ethnicity for Phoenix and 11 other central cities are used to illustrate the substantive effect of changes in the white and “other race” counts produced by this change in procedure. Remedies for the problems faced by those using published census data are examined, and one possibility for creating comparable rates is presented. Closely related complications created by the failure of the Office of Management and Budget to arrive at a single, logical statistical standard for the classification of...
Boundary stabilization of a 3-dimensional structural acoustic model

Abstract The main result of this paper provides uniform decay rates obtained for the energy function associated with a three-dimensional structural acoustic model described by coupled system consisting of the wave equation and plate equation with the coupling on the interface between the acoustic chamber and the wall. The uniform stabilization is achieved by introducing a nonlinear dissipation acting via boundary forces applied at the edge of the plate and viscous or boundary damping applied to the wave equation. The results obtained in this paper extend, to the non-analytic, hyperbolic-like setting, the results obtained previously in the literature for acoustic problems modeled by structurally damped plates (governed by analytic semigroups). As a bypass product, we also obtain optimal uniform decay rates for the Euler Bernoulli plate equations with nonlinear boundary dissipation acting via shear forces only and without (i) any geometric conditions imposed on the domain ,(ii) any growth conditions at the origin imposed on the nonlinear function. This is in contrast with the results obtained previously in the literature ([22] and references therein).
A Microprocessor-Based Controller for Nuclear Instruments

A microprocessor-based digital controller was developed to control the operational modes and the data output of a nuclear PHA (pulse height analyzer). The controller communicates with the PHA via a full duplex serial communications line. Only four wires are required between the devices; therefore, this method is very desirable for remote applications when the nuclear detector and PHA may be distantly located from the controller. The I/O (input/output) device for the controller is a standard 110-baud keyboard terminal or a 2400-baud interface. A SC/MP-II (Simple Cost-effective MicroProcessor) with firmware (permanent software) provides the control functions and output data formatting. The firmware may be easily changed to control other instruments.
The Society of Surgical Oncology at a Crossroads: Thoughts for the Future: Presidential Address

I am deeply honored by being elected president of the Society of Surgical Oncology. In my most extravagant dreams as a college and medical student or surgical resident, I never envisioned being so honored or rewarded. I fully recognize, as in so many careers, that I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. Having taken 5 years to get through high school, I was lucky enough to have two teachers who pushed me ahead and into Amherst College. As a slightly better-than-average college student and without French or German courses usually required, I was lucky enough to make my selection of medicine as a career change from psychology late enough so that Cornell University did not see my organic grades before accepting me! My luck persisted, though sometimes in obscure ways, by not being accepted at either my first or second choice of internship.
The implications of forecast accuracy on the benefits of online auctions in business-to-business and business-to-consumer environments

The internet is providing firms with an increased opportunity to use auctions as a price discovery mechanism for disposing surplus assets in both Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) environments. While numerous papers have focused on the savings that are attained by electronic auctions vis-a-vis conventional (non-internet-based) procurement practices in B2B environments, few have offered economic intuition or empirical evidence to gauge the performance of the new price distribution channels available to a seller firm that is ready to exploit the internet in B2B or B2C environment. We develop a stochastic model to compare the expected performance of an online auction approach relative to a fixed (posted or listed) price approach in the presence of the forecast errors that are associated with traffic intensity and the variance in customers' willingness-to-pay.
Tracking the martian climate.

Like Earth, Mars has experienced long-term fluctuations in climatic conditions. The cause of certain fluctuations is now identified as variation in the planet's astronomical behaviour.
Temporal benchmarks for modeling Phanerozoic flow of basinal brines and hydrocarbons in the southern Midcontinent based on radiometrically dated calcite

Fluid-inclusion studies of radiometrically dated (U/Pb, Th/Pb) calcite samples document the presence of hydrothermal fluids at ca. 251, 137, 67, and probably 39 Ma within the Tri-State Zn-Pb mining district of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Fluid inclusions indicate minimum temperatures and equivalent salinities ranging from highs of 122 °C and 24 wt% NaCl ca. 251 Ma to lows of 52 °C and 0 wt% NaCl ca. 39 Ma. The two earliest calcites contain primary petroleum inclusions, but these are absent in samples younger than ca. 137 Ma. When combined with information on metal-rich shales, paleomagnetism, and modern groundwater flow, our results are most readily explained by periodic influxes of hydrothermal fluids of diverse compositions for >200 m.y. and sporadic migration of hydrocarbons for at least 100 m.y. in the southern Midcontinent.
Differential regulation of interleukins IL-13 and IL-15 by ovarian steroids, TNF-α and TGF-β in human endometrial epithelial and stromal cells

Based on the endometrial spatial and temporal expression of interleukins (ILs) IL-13 and IL-15 during the normal menstrual cycle, we hypothesized that ovarian steroids and non-steroidal factors regulate their expression in a cell-specific manner. To test this hypothesis and determine IL-13/IL-15 actions, we used endometrial epithelial (EEC) and stromal (ESC) cells isolated and cultured under defined conditions. We confirmed the expression of IL-13 and IL-15 in these cells and further demonstrated that 17beta estradiol (E2), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and their combination differentially regulated their mRNA expression and protein production in a time- and cell-specific manner (P < 0.05). We also showed that tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha; 10 and 25 ng/ml) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta; 1 and 5 ng/ml), cytokines with inflammatory and immune regulatory functions in a cell- and dose-dependent manner regulate the expression of IL-13 and IL-15 (P < 0.05). Functionally, IL-13 and IL-15 1-100 ng/ml displayed a limited mitogenic activity towards EEC and ESC; however, they regulated the expression of TNF receptor type 1 (TNFR) mRNA and soluble protein in a cell-specific manner (P < 0.05). We conclude that ovarian steroids, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta act as key regulators of endometrial IL-13 and IL-15 expression which act locally regulating TNFR expression in a cell-specific manner. Based on these findings, we conclude that IL-13/IL-15, either alone or through their interactions with other cytokines, influence the outcome of endometrial inflammatory/immune responses during the normal menstrual cycle, and due to their altered expression may extend these processes in dysfunctional bleeding and endometriosis.
Introducing textual analysis tools for policy informatics: a case study of e-petitions

Electronic petitioning (e-petitioning) provides a unique and promising channel through which people can directly express their policy preferences. E-petitions may be viewed as a natural laboratory for determining subjects of public interest, and thus can be used by policy analysts to understand social needs and constraints. In this paper, we introduce textual analysis tools (such as NER and topic modeling) and extract three types of novel variables (informativeness, named entities, and 21 topics) from We the People petition texts. The regression result shows that informativeness, named location, and several topics are significantly correlated with the log of the signature counts. These exploratory but promising results indicate that textual analysis tools can complement traditional statistical methods by providing descriptive measures that are helpful for making causal inferences from electronic petition data. These new tools, we believe, will facilitate policy analysis and policy informatics by enabling meaningful use of large volumes of online archives containing public expression regarding policy preferences.
A Theoretical Study of Imidazole- and Thiol-Based Zinc Binding Groups Relevant to Inhibition of Metzincins

In this report, we present a quantum chemical/density functional theory (DFT) study of possible zinc binding modes for five imidazole- and thiol-based ligands relevant to metzincin (MMP and ADAM) inhibitor design. The gas-phase DFT calculations show that, while the imidazole-based ligands may bind zinc in either a five-coordinate bidentate or a four-coordinate monodentate manner, the deprotonated thiolate-containing mercaptoketone and mercapto alcohol ligands are not strongly bidentate, in agreement with recently reported model complex structures. On the basis of modeling of ligand−water exchange reactions, we estimate that the free energy released upon coordination of these zinc binding groups to metzincins decreases in the order mercaptoketone > mercapto alcohol > imidazole-based. The range of binding free energies, however, is only about a few kcal/mol, in the gas phase. In addition, calculated proton dissociation energies show that the driving force for deprotonation of coordinated thiol is greater th...
Why do older adult volunteers stop volunteering

This paper reports a United States study of the factors that influence the turnover of older adult volunteers. Based on a parent study of programmes that use older adult volunteers, the follow-up study examined the experience for 207 older volunteers who served in ten programmes in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Telephone interviews and mail surveys were used to collect programme and personal information. The findings indicated that aspects of the volunteer experience, like duration of involvement, volunteering in other programme(s), type of activity, the adequacy of on-going support, and the availability of stipends influenced volunteering retention and turnover. Respondents who volunteered for a longer period were committed in other programmes, felt better supported, and received a stipend were less likely to quit volunteering in a designated programme. Also those volunteering in public safety programmes were least likely to quit. As reported by older adult volunteers themselves, the primary reasons for volunteer withdrawal included a higher priority of another productive activity or commitment, declining health, and problems with the programme administration. Volunteers with extensive experience were least likely to withdraw. The findings suggest that organisations with volunteer programmes can promote older adults' long-term engagement as volunteers by providing on-going support and stipends. Changes in programme characteristics would impact positively on volunteer retention, especially among low-income older Americans.
A direct carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance study of boron trihalide complexes with several ethers

Abstract The preliminary results of a direct, low-temperature 13 C NMR study of BF 3 and BCl 3 complexes with a series of ethers are reported. By lowering the sample temperature to slow exchange, it is possible to observe separate 13 C signals for coordinated and free ligand molecules. The 13 C chemical shifts at the α-carbon produced by complex formation are to lower field and they decrease in the order THF > Et 2 O > Pr 2 O ≅ Bu 2 O. The 13 C signals for all other carbon atoms in these ethers are displaced to higher field in the complexes. A preliminary interpretation in terms of ligand basicity, and possible electronic changes occurring in the complexes is presented.
Effects of Tyr-MIF-1 (Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2) on GH, LH, prolactin, FSH, and TSH secretion in rats with and without morphine

Abstract Plasma concentrations of GH, LH, prolactin, FSH, and TSH were evaluated in adult rats after administration of Tyr-MIF-1. Male rats were killed 0, 15, 30, and 60 min after Tyr-MIF-1 (0.02, 0.2 and 2.0 mg/kg) and ovariectomized females 15 min after injection of the peptide (0.2 and 2.0 mg/kg). The effect of Tyr-MIF-1 on pituitary hormonal secretion in morphine-treated ovariectomized rats also was studied. After 15 min, Tyr-MIF-1 (0.2 mg/kg) increased plasma concentrations of LH in males (p
Endoscopic ablation therapies for Barrett's esophagus: a meta-analysis of stricture complications

Endoscopic ablation therapies for Barrett's esophagus: a meta-analysis of stricture complications
Can gamma ray bursts produce the observed cosmic rays above 1020 eV

Abstract It has been suggested that cosmological γ-ray bursts (GRBs) can produce the observed flux and spectrum of cosmic rays at the highest energies. However, recent observations indicate that the redshift distribution of GRBs most likely follows that of the star formation rate in the universe, a rate which was much higher at redshifts 1.5–2 than it is today. Thus, most GRBs are at high redshifts. As a consequence, any cosmic rays emitted by these GRBs at energies above ∼2–3×1019 eV would be strongly attenuated by interactions with the 3 K background radiation. If one assumes rough equality between the energy released by GRBs in ∼10−2 to ∼1 MeV photons, and that released in 1020 eV cosmic rays, then less than 10% of the cosmic rays observed above 1020 eV can be accounted for by GRBs.
Frontiers of research in photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion

The purpose of this article is to provide an outlook for future research in semiconductor electrochemistry. A historical perspective is first presented to frame the recent scientific and technological progress that has been made in the field. The remainder of the article provides an overview of two selected research projects at the frontier of photoelectrochemistry. The first example discusses how exploitation of a deliberately nanostructured interface can provide useful enhancements to the kinetics of interfacial charge transfer events and can allow the use of catalysts without suffering concomitant efficiency losses. The second example discusses a model system that is useful for elucidating the interconnections between the chemical modification, electrical properties, and electrochemical behavior of photoelectrode surfaces.
Human resource management and supply chain effectiveness: an exploratory study

The premise that effective Human Resource Management (HRM) is critical to satisfactory organisational performance has been accepted for some time. Anecdotal evidence suggests that an even more robust relationship exists between HRM practices and the performance of firms that are implementing a Supply Chain Management (SCM) philosophy. While this notion is intuitively pleasing, there is little empirical research to support it. The aim of this study is threefold. First, draw upon the HRM and SCM literature to develop a conceptual model depicting proposed relationships among HRM, SCM implementation, SCM outcomes, customer satisfaction, and organisational performance. Second, generate a survey instrument that enables valid measurement of these constructs. Third, empirically test the model utilising structural equation modelling. The results may be used to improve both HRM and SCM processes and to stimulate further research.
The Role of Program Theory in Evaluation Research: A Consideration of the What Works Clearinghouse Standards in the Case of Mathematics Education

We examined the extent to which mathematics program evaluations that have been conducted according to methodologically rigorous standards have attended to the theories underlying the programs being evaluated. Our analysis focused on the 37 reports of K–12 mathematics program evaluations in the last two decades that have met standards for inclusion in What Works Clearinghouse syntheses. Each report was coded for the extent to which program theory was articulated and used in the evaluation, and for evaluator, study, and program characteristics. Our analyses revealed that very few evaluations attended to program theory, but that aspects of program theory use—as well as reported effect sizes—varied by study and evaluator characteristics.
Hypothesis for thermal activation of the caspase cascade in apoptotic cell death at elevated temperatures

Apoptosis is an especially important process affecting disease states from HIV-AIDS to auto-immune disease to cancer. A cascade of initiator and executioner capsase functional proteins is the hallmark of apoptosis. When activated the various caspases activate other caspases or cleave structural proteins of the cytoskeleton, resulting in "blebbing" of the plasma membrane forming apoptotic bodies that completely enclose the disassembled cellular components. Containment of the cytosolic components within the apoptotic bodies differentiates apoptosis from necroptosis and necrosis, both of which release fragmented cytosol and other cellular constituents into the intracellular space. Biochemical models of caspase activation reveal the extensive feedback loops characteristic of apoptosis. They clearly explain the failure of Arrhenius models to give accurate predictions of cell survival curves in hyperthermic heating protocols. Nevertheless, each of the individual reaction velocities can reasonably be assumed to follow Arrhenius kinetics. If so, the thermal sensitivity of the reaction velocity to temperature elevation is: ∂k/∂T = E a [k/RT 2 ]. Particular reaction steps described by higher activation energies, Ea, are likely more thermally-sensitive than lower energy reactions and may initiate apoptosis in the absence of other stress signals. Additionally, while the classical irreversible Arrhenius formulation fails to accurately represent many cell survival and/or dye uptake curves - those that display an early stage shoulder region - an expanded reversible model of the law of mass action equation seems to prove effective and is directly based on a firm theoretical thermodynamic foundation.
Performance Modeling of Protocols

One of the unpleasant surprises in many communication systems has been the difficulty of designing the protocols used to meet the performance requirements of the system application. We include system correctness as a performance requirement. Some of the problems are common to the early design phase of any large program, but the lack of adequate design tools is more serious in the case of concurrent systems, since the timing anomalies and other glitches are extremely hard to predict by ad hoc methods. This paper describes two formal notational mechanisms that assist the modeler in discovering and defining all of the assumptions that go into a system design. These mechanisms are being incorporated into a simulation laboratory aimed at providing complete formal specifications of digital communication systems at the early design stages.
Sulfide Stability, Void Nucleation and the Toughness of Ultra High Strength Steels

The upper shelf fracture toughness of ultra high strength steels is dependent on both the microstructure, which is determined by composition and heat treatment, and on the inclusions present in the steel. The inclusions In ultra high strength steels are typically oxides and sulfides [1]. In most ultra high strength steels the sulfides are manganese sulfides, although depending on the composition of the steel and the melt practice used, other sulfides are found, such as chromium sulfide, calcium sulfide and lanthanum oxy-sulfide [2]. If the inclusions can be regarded as pre-existing voids then the inclusion volume fraction and spacing appear to be sufficient to characterize the inclusion population from the standpoint of fracture toughness [3,4]. The purpose of this paper is to discuss results which show sulfur can be gettered as particles which are much more resistant to void nucleation than manganese sulfides and that this increased resistance to void nucleation can result in vastly improved upper shelf fracture toughness. In particular, when HY180 steel contains manganese sulfides the fracture toughness is about 250 MPa but when the sulfur is gettered as particles containing titanium, carbon and sulfur the fracture toughness of HY180 steel will approach 550 MPa . These particles, believed to be titanium carbosulfides, are much more resistant to void nucleation than manganese sulfides and this increased resistance to void nucleation appears to be the reason for the improved fracture toughness.
Exposure of four generations of mice to caffeine in drinking water.

A population of CD-1 mice has been bred for four generations with continuous ingestion of caffeine. Three caffeine levels (and a control) were used with intakes averaging 4–5, 12–18 and 25–39 mg/kg/day (25–39 mg/kg/day is equivalent to 19–30 cups of coffee in man). At each level 20 pairs of animals were bred in each generation, the F1 matings being divided between brother-sister matings and out-crosses. F2's and F3's were out-crossed. There were no consistent, dose-related effects of caffeine on fertility, age at sexual maturity, mean litter size, weight of offspring at weaning, sex ratio or fetal abnormalities. A few pairs at the highest caffeine level failed to produce litters, but only in the F1 brother-sister and in the F3 matings. Litters in the caffeine-treated series showed a somewhat higher incidence of underweight animals in the F2 and the F3 generations, but not in a dose-related way. A difference in sex ratios (males slightly predominating) in the caffeine-treated groups compared to the control groups is related to an apparent deficit of male births in the control groups rather than to an effect of caffeine. In this study 3824 caffeine-exposed offspring (352 litters) were examined at birth for birth defects and 1365 of these (147 litters) were reexamined at weaning age. The only defect observed was in one litter (of F2 offspring from out-cross parents receiving the middle dose of caffeine) with a digital abnormality. This low frequency of abnormal offspring is consistent with control group experience. Further litters from the same parental pair continued on caffeine showed no abnormalities. These studies in the mouse, thus support the safety of caffeine in relatively high doses during reproduction.
Reaction selectivity of rhizomucor miehei lipase as influenced by monoacylation of sn-glycerol

Reaction selectivities were determined in multicompetitive reactions mediated by Rhizomucor miehei (RM) lipase at water activity of 0.19 in hexane. Saturated FA (C4–C18 even chain) and oleic acid (C18∶1) were reacted with a single alcohol, glycerol, or α-or β-MAG containing C4, C10, C16, or C18∶1 individually as alcohol cosubstrate. Similar patterns of broad FA selectivity toward C8–C18 FA were generally observed for esterification into specific acylglycerol (AG) pools with the different α/β-CX-MAG cosubstrates. Exceptions were enrichment of C18 in the MAG pool with α-C16-MAG substrate, and a general suppression of C4/C6 FA reactivity and a specific discrimination toward >C8 FA incorporation into the TAG pool, both for reactions with α-C10- and α-C16-MAG. RM lipase selectivity toward MAG was in descending order: β-C18∶1-MAG>α/β-C4-MAG∼β-C10-MAG∼β-C16-MAG>α-C18∶1-MAG >α-C10-MAG∼α-C16-MAG. Selectivity in channeling CX of the original CX-MAG substrates into higher AG species was in descending order: α-C10-MAG∼α-C16-MAG>β-C10-MAGβ-C16-MAG>α-C18∶1-MAG>β-C18∶1-MAG∼ α/β-C4-MAG. Aside from their characteristic FA selectivity, Burkholderia cepacia (PS-30) and RM lipases behaved similarly in terms of MAG selectivity as well as a general conservation of FA selectivity throughout the sequential steps of TAG assembly from FA and glycerol for processes designed to yield specifically structured TAG.
Acute effects of delayed reperfusion following myocardial infarction: a 3D x-ray imaging analysis

Clinical and experimental data suggest that delayed reperfusion of the infarct related artery may limit infarct expansion without increasing myocardial salvage. In order to assess the potential mechanisms involved, an acute closed chest canine model of myocardial infarction and delayed reperfusion was studied. Nineteen dogs underwent 3D computed tomography in the Dynamic Spatial Reconstructor (a fast, volume imaging, CT scanner) at baseline and three and four hours later to estimate left ventricular chamber volumes, global distensibility and regional myocardial stiffness. A control group was scanned without intervention. An occlusion group underwent four hours of coronary artery occlusion. A reperfusion group underwent three hours of coronary artery occlusion followed by one hour of reperfusion. Similar infarct sizes were seen in the occlusion and reperfusion groups. Globally reperfusion was associated with increased left ventricular end diastolic pressure and prolongation of global relaxation. Regionally reperfusion was associated with increased myocardial stiffness, intramyocardial blood volume and wall thickness within the infarct zone relative to the not reperfused myocardium.
Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline polymethacrylates, polyacrylates, and polysiloxanes containing 4‐methoxy‐4′‐hydroxy‐α‐methylstilbene‐based mesogenic groups

The synthesis and characterization of polymethacrylates and polyacrylates containing 4-methoxy-4′-hydroxy-α-methylstilbene side groups attached either directly or through flexible spacers containing eleven, eight, six, three, and respectively two methylenic units, and of the polysiloxanes containing the same mesogenic group connected through flexible spacers containing eleven, eight, six, and respectively three methylenic units are described. All polymers exhibit thermotropic liquid crystallinity. The nature of the mesophase is determined by the spacer length. However, the nature of the polymer backbone determines the thermal stability of the mesophase. That is, for the same spacer length and similar polymer molecular weight, the most flexible polymer backbone leads to the highest isotropization temperature.
Th2 immune regulation induced by T cell vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis.

T cell responses to myelin basic protein (MBP) are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, we demonstrated that subcutaneous inoculations with irradiated autologous MBP-reactive T cell clones (T cell vaccination) elicited CD8 + antiidiotypic T cell responses and CD4 + Th2 cell responses in patients with MS. Both regulatory cell types induced by T cell vaccination contributed to the inhibition of MBP-reactive T cells while they differed in the recognition pattern and functional properties. We describe for the first time that the Th2 regulatory cells reacted with activated but not resting T cells in the context of MHC class II molecules and inhibited the proliferation of MBP-reactive T cells through the secretion of IL-4 and IL-10. The T-T cell interaction mediated by Th2 regulatory cells was independent of the antigen specificity of activated T cells. The findings have important implications for our understanding of the regulatory mechanism induced by T cell vaccination.
Functional significance of intramandibular bending in Poeciliid fishes

Substrate-feeding teleosts show multiple, independent evolutionary acquisitions of intramandibular bending (bending within the lower jaw)—a behavior that likely enhances performance when feeding on attached or encrusting food items. However, intramandibular bending has only been quantified for marine teleosts. Here, we examine substrate feeding in eight species from the order Cyprinodontiformes and quantify movements produced by the anterior jaws of four target species selected from the family Poeciliidae to represent a variety of trophic strategies. Intramandibular bending, defined here as bending between the dentary and angular–articular bones of the lower jaw, is not present in some poeciliids (i.e. Gambusia affinis), nor is it present in outgroup cyprinodontiforms (i.e. Fundulus rubrifrons). However, intramandibular bending is present in certain poeciliids (i.e. Poecilia sphenops), and can exceed 90°. Such jaw bending enables the production of a gape angle that approaches 120°, which likely allows the fish to maximize contact between the toothed tips of the jaws and the substrate during the bite. Intramandibular bending in poeciliid species is associated with specific trophic shifts: the greater the intramandibular bending in a given species, the more attached algae (periphyton) reported in its diet. This result supports the hypothesis that intramandibular bending enhances performance when feeding on encrusting food items. We predict that additional examples of functional convergence are likely to be documented in freshwater teleosts as more herbivorous species are examined, and we propose that intramandibular bending represents an excellent model system in which to examine the functional processes that underlie convergent evolution.
Effect of sodium butyrate in combination with prostaglandin E1 and inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase on human amelanotic melanoma cells in culture

Sodium butyrate and cyclic AMP-stimulating agents (prostaglandin E1, papaverine, theophylline, and RO20-1724) caused reductions in the cell number (primarily due to reduction in cell division) when added individually to human melanoma cells in culture. However, the combination of sodium butyrate with one of the cyclic AMP-stimulating agents produced a marked reduction in cell number (primarily due to cell death).
7.4: A 2.4-in. VGA LCD by CW-Laser Lateral Crystallization Poly-Si TFTs with Excellent TFT Uniformity

A low power (lower than 50mW) and high resolution (332ppi) VGA LCD with integrated 6-bit digital data drivers has been developed using CLC (CW-Laser Lateral Crystallization) technology. Logic operations at 3V and low power analog buffer circuits are realized by improved uniformity of TFT characteristics. Integration of digital drivers with line-at-a-time driving scheme is achieved by fine lithography technology (2μm pitch wiring).
A personal computer system for testing gas exchange, heart, lungs, ventilatory pump

This paper reports the development of a computer system for testing gas exchange and lung function in the ICU. The essence of the system is a software package that uses an IBM personal computer for data processing and analysis. Front end hardware is modular, as is software, so that portions or all of the system can be used. The system provides measurements of lung mechanics work, functional residual volume, spirometry, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output, lung water, blood gas interpretation, hemodynamics. Reports are provided by standard data base manager and so are easily customized.
Hadron production in the transfragmentation region in heavy-ion collisions

We study the production of hadrons in Au+Au collisions in the region 0.6 0, where {eta}{sup '}={eta}-y{sub beam}, depending on the transverse momentum p{sub T}. We show how hadrons can be produced in that region when the hadronization process is parton recombination. The inclusive x distributions for proton and pion production are calculated with momentum degradation taken into account. The results show that the proton yield is significantly higher than that of the pions in the TFR. Without particle identification, the existing data cannot be used for comparison with our result on the p/{pi} ratio. Without p{sub T} determination, it is not feasible to relate the x distribution to the experimental {eta}{sup '} distribution. Nevertheless, on theoretical grounds we have shown why the production of hadrons in the TFR is not forbidden by momentum conservation.
Minding the brain and body

To what degree must the brains and bodies of any creatures with minds be similar to the brains and bodies of human beings? Many philosophers and cognitive scientists have supposed that there are relatively few constraints on what sorts of brains and bodies can realize minds. It is widely believed that minds can be implemented in many ways – that they are ‘multiply realizable’. Of course there were always dissenters, and in recent years their grumbling has grown harder to dismiss. In The Mind Incarnate, Lawrence Shapiro provides the first book-length study of multiple realizability.
R2D: Extracting Relational Structure from RDF Stores

The enthusiastic acceptance of Resource Description Framework (RDF) as a data model has given birth to a new data storage paradigm, namely, the RDF Graph model. The pool of modeling and visualization tools available for RDF stores is limited due to the technology being in its fledgling stage. The work presented in this paper, called R2D (RDF-to-Database) is an effort to make available, to RDF data stores, the abundance of relational tools that are currently in the market. This is done in the form of a JDBC wrapper around RDF Stores that presents a relational view of the stores and their data to the modeling and visualization tools. This paper presents key R2D functionalities and mapping constructs, procedures for every stage of R2D deployment, and sample results in the form of screenshots and performance graphs.
Deposition, characterization, thermo-chemical compatibility and failure analysis of multi-layer coated silicon-carbide fiber-reinforced metal-matrix composites

Abstract Thin films of La2O3, ZrO2, TiAlN, TiN, Al2O3 and Ti have been synthesized on SiC fibers using rf/dc hollow cathode magnetron sputtering source. These coatings have been designed and implemented as a combination of diffusion barrier and compliant layer for a NiAl intermetallic matrix. The structural, microstructural, surface morphological and compositional properties of these thin films have been investigated as a function of deposition parameters. Coated fibers embedded in NiAl matrix were subjected to high-temperature treatment and were studied for the damage and the interdiffusion of these ceramic layers. The thermo-chemical compatibility of, and the fabrication-process-induced physical damages to, ceramic coatings are discussed in this paper and alternate methods for the fabrication of fiber-reinforced composites are suggested.
Genomic footprinting of the yeast HSP82 promoter reveals marked distortion of the DNA helix and constitutive occupancy of heat shock and TATA elements

We describe here for the first time successful application of the hydroxyl radical technique for genomic footprinting. In combination with two complementary techniques, DNase I footprinting and dimethyl sulfate methylation protection, we have obtained a high-resolution map of the promoter region of the yeast HSP82 heat shock gene, which resides within a constitutive nuclease hypersensitive site. We find that irrespective of transcriptional state, basal or induced, only one of three putative heat shock elements, HSE1, and the TATA box are tightly bound by proteins, presumably heat shock factor (HSF) and TFIID, respectively. Whereas the HSE1-associated factor binds tightly within the major groove of DNA, as discerned by protection of guanine residues from methylation by dimethyl sulfate in intact cells, the TATA factor appears to bind principally to the sugar-phosphate backbone, as revealed by strong protection from hydroxyl radical cleavage in whole-cell lysates. In addition, while HSE1 is strongly footprinted by DNase I in lysates, the TATA box is only weakly footprinted. Strikingly, both elements are associated with marked distortion of the DNA double helix in chromatin. Protein binding to HSE1 appears to cause a non-B-conformation, on the basis of a local 12 base-pair periodicity of hydroxyl radical protection and the presence of multiple DNase I hyperreactive cleavages flanking HSE1, whose pattern changes following heat shock. Similarly, helix distortion is evident in the vicinity of the TATA box, since hydroxyl radical detects a lower strand-specific hypersensitive site at the dyad center of an adjacent polypurine tract. Finally, the absence of discernable modulation in the DNase I cleavage pattern argues against the presence of a specifically positioned nucleosome within the IISP82 promoter region.
Use of 3C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the evaluation of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme activity in perfused mouse livers

Experiments were performed to determine whether the activity of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes could be estimated in intact livers by 13C NMR spectroscopy. 13C-labelled aminopyrine was administered to isolated perfused mouse livers and the rate of decline in the NMR signal arising from the drug was used to estimate the half-life of aminopyrine. The technique was sufficiently sensitive to discriminate between the enzyme activities in normal livers and in livers whose enzyme activity was enhanced by treatment with sodium phenobarbitone. It was also demonstrated that demethylation of aminopyrine was not impaired in perfused livers from mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.
The prolonged persistence of western equine encephalomyelitis virus in cultures of strain L cells.

Abstract Inoculation of cultures of strain L cells with Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) virus was followed by multiplication of virus and varying degrees of cellular degeneration. Large viral inocula frequently caused less degeneration than smaller inocula. Surviving cells proliferated and eventually produced thickly populated cultures. Some of these cultures continued to produce virus over a period of many months. As long as virus persisted in cultures, the cells were immune to mass destruction by superinfection from newly added virus. After virus disappeared from cultures, either spontaneously or following a period of exposure to antiserum, cultures reverted to increased susceptibility to small inocula. The hypothesis proposed to explain these observations postulates that noninfectious virus, either inactivated or incomplete, protected cells in infected cultures by autointerference. Periodic loss of interfering activity presumably rendered individual cells susceptible to infection from time to time, thereby providing a continuing supply of susceptible cells in infected cultures over long periods of time.
SAME NUCLIDE INTERFERENCE CORRECTIONS IN INAA

Same nuclide interference (gamma emitting isotopes that are identical to the parent and/or daughter products of irradiation) corrections are discussed in INAA. The corrections account for production rate, decay, parent/daughter growth and equilibrium and the effect of the corrections on the reported uncertainties.
Phase-fluctuation optical heterodyne spectrometer as a non-destructive detector for gas chromatography

A novel, selective, non-destructive gas chromatographic (GC) detector which measures the infrared (IR) absorption of the functional group of interest using a laser homodyne photothermal refractometer is described. This technique, called phasefluctuation optical heterodyne spectroscopy (PFLOHS) has demonstrated an absorption sensitivity of 10-8 cm-1. In the case of SF6, a measured detection limit of less than 1 pg of injected material was obtained. Sensitivities of ca. 0.75 pg sec-1 (corresponding to a flow-rate of 30 ml/min) are anticipated for materials possessing an absorption coefficient of 10cm-1 atm-1, which is typical of the strongest IR bands exhibited by most species. We expect that the primary utilization of GC-PFLOHS will be in atmospheric trace-gas analysis.
MR angiographic evaluation of platinum coil packs at 1.5T and 3T: an in vitro assessment of artifact production: technical note.

Summary: Susceptibility artifact from platinum coil packs impairs the visibility of perianeurysmal soft tissues at conventional 3D time-of-flight MR angiography. These artifacts limit the evaluation for residual-recurrent aneurysm and parent vessel stenosis. Reducing the echo time can decrease the artifact and improve perianeurysmal visualization. The purpose of this study was to assess quantitatively the effect of decreasing the echo time on artifact production at different field strengths and coil pack densities.