cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Origin of latency shift of cochlear nerve potentials with sound intensity

Compound action potentials were recorded from the round window in anesthetized rats in response to tonebursts and to continuous tones. The responses to tonebursts were compared to cross-correlograms of the responses to continuous tones that were amplitude modulated by pseudorandom noise. The cross-correlograms were similar in shape to the responses to tonebursts, but the latencies of the two cross-correlogram peaks decreased less when the sound intensity was increased from near threshold values than did the latencies of the peaks in the responses to tonebursts. When an unmodulated tone was added to these stimuli, the latencies of peaks in the response to tonebursts increased as the intensity of the unmodulated tone was increased. However, the effect of an unmodulated tone on the latencies of the peaks in the cross-correlograms was more complex: when the frequency of the unmodulated tone was below that of the modulated tone, there was a decrease in the latency of the peaks in cross-correlograms. This decrease in latency was a function of the intensity of the unmodulated tone, and was similar to the decrease in latency seen when the intensity of a single modulated tone is increased. These results are interpreted as supporting the findings of earlier research, which showed that the cross-correlogram of the unit response to amplitude-modulated tones has a latency that is nearly independent of the stimulus intensity. In addition, the data indicate that the decrease in the latency of the peaks in the cross-correlograms of the gross response from the round window is a result of nonlinearity of the cochlear frequency analyzer and is not directly related to neural excitation in the cochlea.
A Least Square Finite Element Technique for Transonic Flow with Shock

Abstract : The governing differential equation for the one-dimensional, transonic flow in a laval nozzle in the vicinity of the throat was obtained in the non-dimensional form. A least square finite element technique was used with a linearly interpolating polynomial to reduce the governing equation to a system of non-linear algebraic equations which were solved numerically by Newton's method. The system of partial differential equations for the two dimensional flow in a laval nozzle was also obtained in the non-dimensional form. The method of integral relations was used to replace the original system of partial differential equations by a system of ordinary differential equations. Using the least square finite element technique a computer program was developed for the construction and solution of the non-linear equations for the laval nozzle problem. The results including the location of the shock in the flow are presented. (Author)
TGA–FTi.r. investigation of the thermal degradation of Nafion® and Nafion®/[silicon oxide]-based nanocomposites

Abstract The integrated TGA–FTi.r. technique probed the thermal degradation of: (1) a Nafion®–H+ membrane; (2) this membrane as modified by incorporation of a SiO2[1-x/4] (OH)x phase via in situ sol–gel reactions for tetraethoxysilane; and (3) this modified membrane as further modified, organically, via post-reaction with diethoxydimethylsilane. Gravimetric loss is multistep for (1) and (2), but occurs in a single step for (3) which has the greatest thermal degradative stability. The considerable inhibition of SO2 evolution for (2) and (3) is rationalized in terms of side-chains that are immobilized within silicon oxide cages that block reactions involving SO3 groups. Degradation of SiO2[1-x/4] (OH)x `cores' by generated HF is retarded by their organic `shells' in (3). Substituted carbonyl fluorides and CF2-containing fragments appear. Si-CH3 and CH3 groups and/or –CHCH2 vinyl compounds are degradation products for (3). It is unlikely that intact R-SO2-OH groups, or perfluoroalkylether groups issuing from the side-chains of Nafion®, exist as gas phase products. The origins of some peaks are in question owing to spectral complexity. Altogether, the hybrid (3) is superior with respect to degradation onset temperature, subsequent mass loss over a range of about 100°C, and low quantity of evolved products.
Evaluation of SuperMAG auroral electrojet indices as indicators of substorms and auroral power

[1] We use magnetometer chains collaborating with SuperMAG to derive SME, a generalization of the auroral electrojet indices calculated from 100 or more sites instead of the 12 used in the official auroral electrojet indices, AE(12) = AU(12) − AL(12). We investigate how these various indices relate to nightside auroral power by using both particle (DMSP) and image (Polar Ultraviolet Imager (UVI)) data. The best correlation is between SME and total nightside auroral power, namely, r = 0.86. Hence, nearly 3/4 of the minute-by-minute variance in nightside power can be determined by SME alone. Interestingly, although the geophysical meaning of AE(12) has sometimes been challenged, we show that even that index correlates at the r = 0.81 level, or 2/3 of the variance, in nightside power. Most auroral power stems from the diffuse aurora, with a linear relationship between the auroral electrojet indices and nightside diffuse power. Thus, SME has a clear geophysical meaning: It samples the thermal portion of the magnetotail plasma sheet. We study how well SML (the generalization of AL) identifies substorms in two types of tests. The first is a comparison with a set of 1081 substorms determined from Polar UVI in 1997–1998, and the second is the use of DMSP particle precipitation data for superposed epoch analysis. The same algorithm applied to SML is much more likely (about 50% more likely) to identify an onset seen by UVI than is AL(12). Even when both indices can be used to identify onsets, the median delay after imaging onset until the AL indicator is less than half using SML (about 4 min versus 8 min). There are 10,719 onsets in the SML data between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2002, of which 5084 are isolated. Isolated SML onsets behave almost identically to the onsets determined by global imagers. Specifically, they represent the same sharp spike in auroral power, which is most pronounced in broadband (wave) precipitation, with the same duration and subsequent recovery. However, recurrent substorms (those following less than 2 h after a previous onset) rise from a higher baseline by a smaller percentage but with the same absolute change in auroral power, thus reaching a higher peak power.
A short synthesis of γ-hydroxycyclopentemones

Abstract A facile synthesis of γ-hydroxycyclopentenones is described involving olefinnitrile oxide cycloaddition, isoxazoline reduction, and intramolecular aldol cyclization. Applications toward rethrolones and important prostanoid synthons are presented.
USE OF A TOUCH SENSITIVE COMPUTER TABLET FOR THE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF HANDWRITING IN ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERED (ADD) CHILDREN

Significant gaps exist in our knowledge of the basis for mild to moderate school disabilities. Children with ADD have a high incidence of dysgraphia along with their behavioral and learning difficulties. Elements which contribute to writing problems include altered neuromaturation, inattention, and fine motor inefficiency. A significant proportion of children with ADD show an improvement in written work when receiving methylphenidate (MP). The usual evaluation of handwriting problems involves a global review of the products of writing without attention to the details of the writing act. Recent computer technology offers tools for the study of important writing variables. We used a microcomputer and a touch sensitive computer tablet to quantify the writing efforts of patients who were undergoing a concurrent double blind placebo controlled assessment of cognitive and behavioral effects of MP. We obtained samples including a)the child's name; b)a spelling word; and c)a set of matched letters. A counterbalanced order of medication and placebo conditions were used to control for practice and order effects. The following quantitative measures of handwriting are analyzed: speed of writing, size of letters, number of stokes per letter, pencil lifts, and fluidity. Analysis of variance indicates significant effect of MP on some of these variables. This system offers a basis for study of writing remediation programs.
Estimating the health impact of industry infant food marketing practices in the Philippines

The decline in the prevalence and duration of breast‐feeding in less developed countries and the accompanying increase in bottle feeding is a concern. Little research has been done tracing the links from infant food marketing to infant and child health outcomes. In this study, Philippine mothers’ feeding decisions and infantile diarrhoeal morbidity rates are modelled and jointly estimated using semiparametric estimation methods. The data clearly support the hypothesis that infant feeding practices are important determinants of diarrhoeal morbidity and that breast‐feeding reduces the incidence of diarrhoea. Our results also show that marketing activities have affected infant feeding choices.
Surface characterization of low‐temperature cascade arc plasma–treated low‐density polyethylene using contact angle measurements

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was treated with a low-temperature cascade arc plasma torch (LTCAT) of argon with or without adding a reactive gas of oxygen or water vapor. The static sessile droplet method and the dynamic Wilhelmy balance method were employed to perform surface contact angle measurement in order to investigate and characterize the effects of LTCAT treatment on LDPE surfaces. These treatment effects included changes in surface wettability and surface stability and possible surface damage that would create low-molecular-weight oligomers on the treated surface. Experimental results indicated that the combination of static and dynamic surface contact angle measurements enabled a comprehensive investigation of these effects of plasma treatment on a polymer surface. Without the addition of a reactive gas, a 2-s argon LTCAT treatment of LDPE resulted in a stable hydrophilic surface (with a water contact angle of 40°) and little surface damage. The addition of oxygen into argon LTCAT produced a less stable LDPE surface and showed more surface damage. Adding H2O vapor into argon LTCAT produced an extremely hydrophilic surface (with a water contact angle < 20°) of LDPE but with pronounced surface damage. When compared with conventional radio frequency (13.56 MHz) plasmas, LTCAT treatment provides a much more rapid, effective, and efficient method of surface modification of LDPE. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 2528–2541, 2006
Conditional Cauchy equations and applications

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new perspective concerning conditional Cauchy equations - namely, that of exploiting a natural algebraic structure on the set of solutions of the equation. We then show how this approach leads to applications in both group and loop theory.
Investigation of a mercurous chloride acousto-optic cell based on longitudinal acoustic mode.

A number of spectral imagers using acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs) operating from the UV to the longwave infrared (LWIR) using KDP, MgF2, TeO2, and Tl3AsSe3 crystals to cover different spectral regions have been developed. In the LWIR there is a lack of high quality acousto-optic (AO) materials. Mercurous halide (Hg2Cl2 and Hg2Br2) crystals are highly anisotropic with a high AO figure of merit due to slow acoustic velocities and high photoelastic constants and are transparent over a wide spectral region from 0.35 to 20 μm for Hg2Cl2 and from 0.4 to 30 μm for Hg2Br2. AO modulators, deflectors, and AOTFs based on these crystals can operate over a wide spectral range. Single crystals of these materials are being grown and some prototype devices have been fabricated. Results are presented from device characterization for an AO cell fabricated in Hg2Cl2 based on longitudinal acoustic mode propagation. This device was very useful in demonstrating the AO interaction as well as soundness of the transducer bonding technique. Acoustic phase velocity is calculated and measured, diffraction efficiency is obtained from experiments, and the AO figure of merit of the sample is evaluated.
Anthrax lethal toxin‐induced inflammasome formation and caspase‐1 activation are late events dependent on ion fluxes and the proteasome

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) is cytotoxic to macrophages from certain inbred mouse strains. The gene controlling macrophage susceptibility to LT is Nalp1b. Nalp1b forms part of the inflammasome, a multiprotein complex involved in caspase-1 activation and release of interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18. We confirm the role of caspase-1 in LT-mediated death by showing that caspase inhibitors differentially protected cells against LT, with the degree of protection corresponding to each compound's ability to inhibit caspase-1. Caspase-1 activation and cytokine processing and release were late events inhibited by elevated levels of KCl and sucrose, by potassium channel blockers, and by proteasome inhibitors, suggesting that inflammasome formation requires a protein-degradation event and occurs downstream of LT-mediated potassium efflux. In addition, IL-18 and IL-1beta release was dependent on cell death, indicating that caspase-1-mediated cytotoxicity is independent of these cytokines. Finally, inducing NALP3-inflammasome formation in LT-resistant macrophages did not sensitize cells to LT, suggesting that general caspase-1 activation cannot account for sensitivity to LT and that a Nalp1b-mediated event is specifically required for death. Our data indicate that inflammasome formation is a contributing, but not initiating, event in LT-mediated cytotoxicity and that earlier LT-mediated events leading to ion fluxes are required for death.
Bottleneck analysis with NetKit: teaching information security with hands-on labs

In this paper, we describe our experience with developing a bottleneck analysis lab with a virtual network emulation environment NetKit. This lab is one of a series of online information security labs that provides students practical experiment opportunities at low cost and little effort. A few new real-world hands-on exercises with NetKit are introduced in this paper. We introduce the NetKit lab setup, outline major sections of the lab, illustrate lab instructions, and report the lab feedback. The hands-on labs can significantly help facilitating students' understanding of the concepts and challenges of computer networks and network security.
Refractive index and scattering effects on radiative behavior of a semitransparent layer

Heat transfer characteristics are analyzed for a plane layer of semitransparent material with refractive index not less than 1. Energy transfer in the material is by conduction, emission, absorption, and isotropic scattering. Each side of the layer is heated by radiation and convection. For a refractive index larger than unity, there is internal reflection of some of the energy within the layer. This, coupled with scattering, has a substantial effect on distributing energy across the layer and altering the temperature distribution from when the refractive index is unity. The effect of scattering is examined by comparisons with results from an earlier paper for an absorbing layer. Results are given for a gray medium with a scattering albedo up to 0.999, and for a two-band spectral variation of the albedo with one band having low absorption. Radiant energy leaving the surface as a result of emission and scattering was examined to determine if it could be used to accurately indicate the surface temperature.
Clozapine for Treatment of Schizophrenia

To the Editor. —In an article in the series Grand Rounds at the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health, Drs Pickar and Hsiao1reported a selected patient who participated in a double-blind clinical trial showing that clozapine is effective in the treatment of refractory schizophrenia. The research protocol used placebos. While some authors attempt to justify the use of placebo controls in clinical trials for schizophrenia,2others condemn placebo usage when effective treatment is known.3 Although their case report is not intended to be a report of the research, their allusion to the study without citation raises some important questions. The authors report, "Placebo substitution was followed by rapid increases in symptoms of schizophrenia." Was this psychotic patient able to give valid consent? Did she clearly understand that she would be on no treatment for some period of time? How long was this patient's condition
Synergism Between Pt/Al2O3 and Au/TiO2 in the Low Temperature Oxidation of Propene

CO impedes the low temperature (<170 °C) oxidation of C3H6 on supported Pt. Supported Au catalysts are very effective in the removal of CO by oxidation, although it has little propene oxidation activity under these conditions. Addition of Au/TiO2 to Pt/Al2O3 either as a physical mixture or as a pre-catalyst removes the CO and lowers the light-off temperature (T 50) for C3H6 oxidation compared with Pt catalyst alone by ~54 °C in a feed of 1% CO, 400 ppm C3H6, 14% O2, 2% H2O.
Changes in body weight and condition of gestating mares

Summary Changes in body weight, condition scores, and rump fat thickness were observed in 12 mares during an entire gestation period. Mares had ad libitum access to forage (alfalfa hay or haylage) during the study. Total weight gain during gestation averaged 16% of the mares' initial body weight. The majority of weight gain occurred in the second, rather than third trimester of gestation. Only 30% of the total weight gain occurred in the third trimester of gestation. Estimates of body stores (condition score and rump fat thickness) increased during the second trimester of gestation as well. These observations suggest that the effects of pregnancy on the nutritional requirements of mares may not be confined to the last trimester of gestation.
Isotropic etch for SiO2 microcantilever release with ICP system

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) system has been widely used for anisotropic silicon etching because it offers high aspect ratio with a vertical side wall. The isotropic etching capability of the ICP system, however, has not gained much attention, even though it possesses advantages in profile control and high etching rate over wet isotropic etching or conventional RIE (reactive ion etching). We report here an isotropic dry etching process to release microcantilever beams. Investigations have covered chamber pressure, plasma source power, substrate power, SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) flow rate relating to Si etching rate, undercutting rate, and isotropic ratio. The SiO2 (silicon dioxide) cantilevers were successfully released from the Si substrate and the optimized silicon etching rate was 9.1µm per minute. The etching profiles were analyzed by scanning electron micrographs (SEM).
Parallel-quadrature phase-shifting digital holographic microscopy using polarization beam splitter.

Abstract We present a digital holography microscopy technique based on a parallel-quadrature phase-shifting method. Two π /2 phase-shifted holograms are recorded simultaneously using polarization phase-shifting principle, slightly off-axis recording geometry, and two identical CCD sensors. The parallel phase-shifting is realized by combining circularly polarized object beam with a 45° degree polarized reference beam through a polarizing beam splitter. DC term is eliminated by subtracting the two holograms from each other and the object information is reconstructed after selecting the frequency spectrum of the real image. Both amplitude and phase object reconstruction results are presented. Simultaneous recording eliminates phase errors caused by mechanical vibrations and air turbulences. The slightly off-axis recording geometry with phase-shifting allows a much larger dimension of the spatial filter for reconstruction of the object information. This leads to better reconstruction capability than traditional off-axis holography.
ATM protein expression correlates with radioresistance in primary glioblastoma cells in culture

Abstract Purpose: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the malignancies most resistant to radiation therapy. In contrast, cells derived from individuals with ataxia telangiectasia (AT), possessing mutations in the ATM gene, demonstrate increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Using a collection of glioma specimens adapted to tissue culture and several established GBM cell lines, we investigated the relationship between ATM protein expression and radiosensitivity. The three aims of our study were to: ( 1 ) quantify ATM protein levels in cultured glioma cells; ( 2 ) measure the correlation between ATM protein levels and radiation sensitivity; and ( 3 ) examine the dependence of ATM on p53 status. Methods and Materials: Glioma specimens were collected, catalogued, and adapted to grow in culture. Levels of ATM, p53, and p21 proteins were determined by Western blot. Radiation sensitivities were determined by clonogenic assays. p53 mutation status was determined by DNA sequencing. Correlations were identified by linear regression analysis. Results: ATM protein levels were variable in the primary gliomas. Glioma cell lines demonstrated significantly lower levels of ATM protein. Clonogenic assays of cell strains and cell lines yielded survival fractions (SF 2 s) consistent with the radioresistant behavior of GBM tumors in vivo . Regression analysis revealed a high correlation between ATM protein levels and SF 2 for primary glioma cell strains, but not for established GBM cell lines. p53 status failed to predict radiosensitivity. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that while our collection of low passage cell cultures depends on ATM for their resistance to IR, established cell lines may acquire adaptive characteristics which downplay the role of the ATM gene product in vitro . Therefore, attenuating ATM gene expression may be a successful strategy in the treatment of GBM tumors.
Continuous dependence on geometry for the backward heat equation

In this paper we are concerned with the development of criteria for stabilizing inherently unstable initial-boundary value problems under small errors in the geometry of the underlying domain. We consider in particular the initial-boundary-value problem for the backward heat equation assuming that some error has been made in characterizing the geometry of the domain under consideration. It is shown that solutions which belong to an appropriately defined constraint set depend continuously in L2 on errors in the geometry.
The economics of housespousery: An essay on household work

The economic model of the household has been used extensively to examine questions relating to work within the household. This essay takes a critical look at this model and these household work applications. It concludes that the model provides several useful insights regarding factors that have influenced the decline in women's household work time during this century and the changes in the overall economic value of household work. In other areas (e.g., parental child care), the model has rarely been used although it has the potential to provide useful insights. Finally, in certain applications, such as investigations of the gender-related specialization of function within the household, the model relies on unrealistic assumptions that need to be modified if it is to prove useful.
Socioeconomics drive woody invasive plant richness in New England, USA through forest fragmentation

Woody invasive plants are an increasing component of the New England flora. Their success and geographic spread are mediated in part by landscape characteristics. We tested whether woody invasive plant richness was higher in landscapes with many forest edges relative to other forest types and explained land use/land cover and forest fragmentation patterns using socioeconomic and physical variables. Our models demonstrated that woody invasive plant richness was higher in landscapes with more edge forest relative to patch, perforated, and especially core forest types. Using spatially-explicit, hierarchical Bayesian, compositional data models we showed that infrastructure and physical factors, including road length and elevation range, and time-lagged socioeconomic factors, primarily population, help to explain development and forest fragmentation patterns. Our social–ecological approach identified landscape patterns driven by human development and linked them to increased woody plant invasions. Identifying these landscape patterns will aid ongoing efforts to use current distribution patterns to better predict where invasive species may occur in unsampled regions under current and future conditions.
Analysis of rainfall-recharge relationships

Abstract Understanding the recharge process and its relationship with rainfall is of critical importance to the management of groundwater systems and enormous effort has been made to estimate the amount and process of recharge by infiltration using precipitation data. In the present research, in-situ lysimeter experiments and numerical simulations were used to study the relationships between rainfall and recharge by infiltration at different groundwater depths. Four lysimeters, 1.5, 3, 4.5, and 5 m deep, were installed in the field to measure the infiltration recharge rates under conditions of fixed water tables at the bottoms of the soil columns. Annual infiltration recharges at different groundwater depths were obtained through the lysimeter measurements. The effect of rainfall pattern and annual rainfall distribution on infiltration recharge was simulated at various groundwater depths using a numerical model based on soil-water dynamics, and comparisons of the simulated and observed recharges showed very good agreement. Relationships between rainfall and infiltration recharge at different groundwater depths were investigated using the lysimeter measurements and computer simulations. Groundwater systems were classified into three categories, i.e. shallow water table, intermediate water table, and deep water table, based on the relationship between rainfall and infiltration recharge at different groundwater depths.
What is the Role of the Teacher? To Guide the Studies ofOthers

The development of good teaching pedagogy for pre-service students is one of the major goals of university schools of education. The art of teaching is a complex process that leads to many debates and requires a consistent review of current strategies and effective practices. Equally significant is the delicate balance in the relationship between teacher and student. This essay brings to light an essential point for discussion: the role of self-reflection as viewed in the Dewey model. In reflecting on my own teaching career I was reminded that teachers teach students not only methodology and content, but also values. Such issues that are created by real world lessons may lead to deliberations regarding justice, equity, respect, and other virtues that might contribute not only to better students, but to better citizens.
A well-articulated volume

Review of Primate Encounters: Models of Science, Gender, and Society edited by Shirley C. Strum and Linda Marie Fedigan. Chicago, Chicago University Press, 2000, xv + 635 pp, 7 fig., $35.
Practical testing device for fluorescence lifetime on μs with LCD display

Based on laser crystals, the testing principle of fluorescence lifetime on μs is introduced and a practical device on this principle is designed. The testing system includes exciting source, light path system, detecting circuit, signal disposing circuit and LCD display circuit. Achieved by pulse sampling technique, this device with small size can display the fluorescence lifetime value on LCD directly and reliably, and it measures the fluorescence lifetime of Nd:YAG crystal and doped Nd glass in lab as 240μs or 330μs separately which conforms to the theoretical value very well.
For incapacitation, there is no time like the present: The lagged effects of prisoner reentry on property and violent crime rates

Abstract Previous research has suggested that prisons can both reduce and increase crime. These counterbalancing effects will have different timings. Prison reduces crime by denying those currently behind bars the opportunity to commit further offenses. However, the prison experience and the stigma of an incarceration record can be criminogenic. Once released, ex-inmates might commit more crimes than they otherwise would have. Additionally, an influx of former inmates can cause social disorganization in the community at large. Unlike incapacitation, these crime-promoting effects are not limited to the present, but are based on the proportion of the population that has experienced incarceration either in the current year or in any past year. While some previous studies have recognized the counterbalancing effects, they have only considered the contemporaneous impacts. We develop a statistical model that captures the contemporaneous and lagged effects of incarceration and reentry on property and violent crime rates. State-level panel data results (1978–2003) suggest that, with the inclusion of just 5 years of lags for incarceration and prisoner societal reentry rates, any crime-reducing benefits of increased incarceration are completely eliminated by the crime-promoting effects associated with the increasing prevalence of ex-prisoners. This conclusion is robust to several alternative specifications, including one that accounts for potential reverse causality between the crime and incarceration rates.
Escherichia coli RNASE III cleaves HeLa cell nuclear RNA

Summary Highly purified RNase III, which is specific for double-stranded RNA gives limited cleavage of nucleolar 45S RNA and nuclear heterogeneous RNA from HeLa cells. Major cleavage products of 45S RNA are comparable in mobility to the in vivo products. 45S RNA which had incorporated toyocamycin or which was treated with ethidium bromide was not cleaved by ribonuclease III. The results suggest that there are specific signals at double-stranded regions in the nuclear RNA, which are recognized by an enzyme during RNA maturation.
Global warming and the greenhouse effect

Abstract The empirical evidence for global warming is analyzed as to the onset of a warming trend, its magnitude in terms of an overall temperature rise from its onset through 1992, and for indications of a contribution of a CO2 induced addition to the natural greenhouse effect. The data investigated include the hemispheric and global surface air temperatures (SAT), permafrost temperatures and data on the retreat and advance of mountain glaciers around the globe.
A shift from normal to high glucose levels stimulates cell proliferation in drug sensitive MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells but not in multidrug resistant MCF‐7/ADR cells which overproduce PKC‐βII

Glucose concentration may be an important factor in breast cancer cell proliferation because the prevalence of breast cancer is high in diabetic patients. To determine the role of protein kinase C (PKC)-betaII in regulating MCF-7 cell proliferation at different glucose concentrations, the effects of glucose and a PKC-betaII-specific inhibitor (CGP53353) were examined in cultures of MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line and its multidrug resistant variant (MCF-7/ADR). Cell proliferation and DNA synthesis of MCF-7 were increased when glucose concentration in the culture medium was increased from normal (5.5 mM) to high (25 mM) levels. However, MCF-7/ADR cell proliferation and DNA synthesis were unaffected by the increase in glucose. PKC-betaII protein and the corresponding mRNA levels were 4- to 5-fold higher in MCF-7/ADR than in MCF-7 cells. High glucose-induced decreases of PKC-betaII protein and mRNA levels were observed during the DNA synthesis phase in MCF-7 but not in MCF-7/ADR cells. Decreases in PKC-betaII mRNA and protein levels below a critical threshold in response to high glucose levels may account for glucose-stimulated proliferation of MCF-7 cells. Cultures of multidrug resistant MCF-7/ADR cells reach maximal cell density in medium containing normal (5.5 mM) glucose levels and are not induced to grow further in response to high (25 mM) glucose. Our results demonstrate a link between high glucose-induced PKC-betaII isozyme down-regulation with concomitant acceleration of cell cycle progression in MCF-7 cells.
Continuous time ΣΔ modulator, challenges & possibilities

Single-bit SDM is not very suitable for wide bandwidth and high dynamic range applications even though they are the perfect choice in deep submicron digital process. This paper describes few novel approaches which achieves close to multi-bit modulator performance without losing the advantage of the single-bit modulator.
A multilayer freezer for freeze concentration of liquid milk

Abstract Over the past few decades, much progress has been made in the development of freeze concentration technology, and commercial freeze concentration plants have been established around the world. However, high costs still limit its use in many potential applications. A continuous, multilayer freezer was designed, constructed, and operated under different conditions. This process used a series of chambers, mounted as layers in a column, with individual coolant jackets for controlling ice crystal growth and heat removal. Mixing effects and specific gravity differences between ice and liquid concentrate generated a natural counter-current flow, providing suitable conditions for ice crystal growth and ice-liquid separation. The multilayer freezer was operated at different process conditions to evaluate operation efficiency. Both coolant temperature and stir rate influenced efficiency of ice crystallization, with coolant temperature having a larger influence. The results show that freeze concentration in the multilayer freezer was feasible for low concentration (10–17%) skim milk, but further research at the pilot-scale level would be required to develop this process to a commercial system.
Analysis of the Hydroformylation Reaction over an Immobilized Catalyst in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Homogeneously catalyzed reactions are often among the most selective reactions that can be accomplished, yet they are often unsuitable for industrial applications because recovery of the expensive ...
The Joint Commission Children’s Asthma Care Quality Measures and Asthma Readmissions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Joint Commission introduced 3 Children’s Asthma Care (CAC 1–3) measures to improve the quality of pediatric inpatient asthma care. Validity of the commission’s measures has not yet been demonstrated. The objectives of this quality improvement study were to examine changes in provider compliance with CAC 1–3 and associated asthma hospitalization outcomes after full implementation of an asthma care process model (CPM). METHODS: The study included children aged 2 to 17 years who were admitted to a tertiary care children’s hospital for acute asthma between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2010. The study was divided into 3 periods: preimplementation (January 1, 2005–December 31, 2007), implementation (January 1, 2008–March 31, 2009), and postimplementation (April 1, 2009–December 31, 2010) periods. Changes in provider compliance with CAC 1–3 and associated changes in hospitalization outcomes (length of stay, costs, PICU transfer, deaths, and asthma readmissions within 6 months) were measured. Logistic regression was used to control for age, gender, race, insurance type, and time. RESULTS: A total of 1865 children were included. Compliance with quality measures before and after the CPM implementation was as follows: 99% versus 100%, CAC-1; 100% versus 100%, CAC-2; and 0% versus 87%, CAC-3 ( P P = .01) postimplementation. No change in other outcomes was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the asthma CPM was associated with improved compliance with CAC-3 and with a delayed, yet significant and sustained decrease in hospital asthma readmission rates, validating CAC-3 as a quality measure. Due to high baseline compliance, CAC-1 and CAC-2 are of questionable value as quality measures.
Sexual Dysfunction in Men with COPD: Impact on Quality of Life and Survival

Background Most patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are middle-aged or older, and by definition all have a chronic illness. Aging and chronic illness decrease sexual interest, sexual function, and testosterone levels. To date, researchers have not simultaneously explored prevalence, risk factors, and impact of sexual dysfunctions on quality of life and survival in men with COPD. We tested three hypotheses: First, sexual dysfunctions, including erectile dysfunction, are highly prevalent and impact negatively the quality of life of those with COPD. Second, gonadal state is a predictor of erectile dysfunction. Third, erectile dysfunction, a potential maker of systemic atherosclerosis, is a risk factor for mortality in men with COPD.
Fundamental Limit for Optical Devices

We examine a basic general limit to optical components that scatter, separate, disperse, or delay light, an upper bound that depends on material properties and device volume, independent of design details.
A cylindrical shell model of the NASA-MPE barium ion cloud experiment.

A computer model is developed using infinitely long concentric cylindrical shells to represent the neutral atoms, ions and electrons in the barium cloud. The neutral shells are given a distribution of positions and velocities whose parameters are chosen to be consistent with the dynamics of the release. From this distribution, the ion and electron shells are generated at random using the observed time constant for photoionization. The ion and electron shells thus formed are followed using self-consistent equations of motion. Various averages which could be compared with observation of the actual cloud are calculated at regular time intervals. An unexpected result is the predicted very early return of the magnetic field within the cloud to its ambient value.
Information requirements of a global EIS: an exploratory macro assessment

Rapid changes in the world economy and politics have accelerated the drive of businesses into international expansion. Information technology (IT) has made an important contribution in both the facilitation and the driving of a global business. As a result of globalization, senior executives in corporations need the ability to monitor important global information in order to spot problems as well as identify opportunities anywhere in the world. The current executive information systems (EISs) that are receiving heightened attention by both executives and researchers are largely domestic in nature. This paper argues that future executive information systems would have to be increasingly global in scope and would be vital for conducting global business. We call such systems global EISs. An exploratory study has been conducted which identifies, in macro categories, the types of information required by executives in a global EIS, the current level of use of such information, and the sources of such information.
Motivation and Competence Development in Special and Remedial Education

Explains the concept of motivation and how it can be applied to facilitate competence development
Conventional mucogingival surgery is more effective than guided tissue regeneration in root coverage procedures.

Original Article Al-Hamdan K, Eber R, Sarment D, Kowalski C, Wang H-L. Guided tissue regeneration-based root coverage: meta analysis. J Periodontol 2003;74(10):1520-33. Level of Evidence 2a Purpose To determine whether guided tissue regeneration (GTR) provides improved clinical outcomes compared to conventional mucogingival surgery for root coverage procedures Source of Funding University of Michigan Periodontal Graduate Student Research Fund Type of Study/Design Systematic analysis
A New Wavelet Based Image Denoising Method

This paper proposes a new wavelet based image denoising method by using linear elementary parameterized denoising functions in the form of derivatives of Gaussian of a set of estimated wavelet coefficients. These coefficients are derived from an improved context modeling procedure in terms of mean square error estimation combining inter- and intra-sub band data. The denoising method results in a two-step denoising effort which outperforms the state-of-the-art non-redundant methods. This method is also extended to the over complete wavelet expansion by applying cycle spinning, which provides additional denoising performance and yields significantly better results than the orthogonal transform.
A dangerous curve: the role of history in America's scoliosis screening programs.

In 2004, the US Preventive Services Task Force called for an end to scoliosis screening in US public schools. However, screening endures, although most nations have ended their screening programs. Why? Explanations range from America's unique fee-for-service health care system and its encouragement of high-cost medical specialism to the nation's captivation with new surgeries and technologies. I highlight another, more historical, reason: the persistence of the belief that spinal curvature is a sign of a progressive disease or disability. Despite improved health and the mid-20th-century discovery of antibiotics and vaccines that all but eradicated the diseases historically associated with scoliosis (e.g., polio and tuberculosis), the health fears associated with spinal curvature never fully dissipated. Scoliosis is still seen as a “dangerous curve,” although the exact nature of the health risk remains unclear.
Polemics and patronage in Safavid Iran: The debate on Friday prayer during the reign of Shah Tahmasb

This study argues that five treatises on the legal status of Friday prayer in Twelver Shiite law that were composed between 1555 and 1563, in the middle of the reign of Safavid Shah Tahmasb, were all penned as part of a heated competition over the post of shaykh al-islām of the Safavid capital Qazvin. Detailed analysis of the first four treatises and the context in which they were produced, building on a 1996 article that discussed the fifth, demonstrates the influence of politics and academic rivalry on texts of Islamic law and other sciences, the types of rhetorical strategies used by scholars in the competition for patronage, and the importance of support of scholars for the establishment of legitimate rule and an official religion.
POSTMENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY IS IT USEFUL FOR CORONARY PREVENTION

Several converging issues have served to highlight the interest in postmenopausal hormone therapy as a coronary preventive intervention for women. First is the increased prevalence of coronary heart disease in women in their menopausal years, with clinical manifestations of coronary disease occurring predominantly in older women. How much of this increase in coronary risk is a phenomenon of aging versus a phenomenon of menopausal status remains controversial. Also, the earlier onset of coronary heart disease and the greater relative risk of coronary death in women with bilateral oophorectomy or premature ovarian failure emphasizes the importance of estrogen status as a determinant of coronary risk for women. 30,57 Of great concern are the less favorable outcomes for women than for men who have defined coronary events, both myocardial infarction and myocardial revascularization procedures. Further, in recent years, an array of biologically plausible mechanisms of estrogen benefit for coronary prevention have been defined and are reviewed here. Finally, the sizable number of observational studies that suggest the cardiovascular benefit of postmenopausal hormone therapy render compelling the need to evaluate precisely the coronary heart disease–gonadal hormone relationships.
Effects of sustained dietary ethanol on the ultrastructure of the visceral yolk-sac placenta of the rat.

The present investigation reports ultrastructural alterations in endodermal epithelial cells of the rat visceral yolk-sac placenta that accompany alcohol-induced changes in intracellular trafficking of endocytosed maternal serum proteins. Fine structural changes include restructuring of mitochondrial cristae (foliate to vesicular and tubular forms), beading of cisterns of granular endoplasmic reticulum, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of Golgi elements, differentiation of the Golgi membranes to a GERL configuration, and a notable increase in numbers of primary lysosomes. Such changes in ultrastructure suggest that exposure of this developing maternofetal exchange system to high levels of ethanol in maternal blood increases the production of primary lysosomes near term for proteolysis of maternal serum proteins within the visceral yolk-sac epithelium. Near term, targeting of endocytosed protein to secondary lysosomes for proteolysis appears to be augmented; transcellular routing of maternal protein (e.g., IgG) for placental transport may be impeded. Thus significance of the observed changes in the fine structure of this placenta may relate to the mechanism(s) of action of maternal alcohol consumption on the acquisition of neonatal immunity, intrauterine growth retardation, and the production of congenital malformations.
Corynebacterium Prosthetic Joint Infection

Identification of Corynebacterium species may be challenging. Corynebacterium species are occasional causes of prosthetic joint infection (PJI), but few data are available on the subject. Based on the literature, C. amycolatum, C. aurimucosum, C. jeikeium, and C. striatum are the most common Corynebacterium species that cause PJI. We designed a rapid PCR assay to detect the most common human Corynebacterium species, with a specific focus on PJI. A polyphosphate kinase gene identified using whole-genome sequence was targeted. The assay differentiates the antibiotic-resistant species C. jeikeium and C. urealyticum from other species in a single assay. The assay was applied to a collection of human Corynebacterium isolates from multiple clinical sources, and clinically relevant species were detected. The assay was then tested on Corynebacterium isolates specifically associated with PJI; all were detected. We also describe the first case of C. simulans PJI.
An RBCC protein implicated in maintenance of steady-state neuregulin receptor levels

Despite numerous recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying receptor tyrosine kinase down-regulation and degradation in response to growth factor binding, relatively little is known about ligand-independent receptor tyrosine kinase degradation mechanisms. In a screen for proteins that might regulate the trafficking or localization of the ErbB3 receptor, we have identified a tripartite or RBCC (RING, B-box, coiled–coil) protein that interacts with the cytoplasmic tail of the receptor in an activation-independent manner. We have named this protein Nrdp1 for neuregulin receptor degradation protein-1. Northern blotting reveals ubiquitous distribution of Nrdp1 in human adult tissues, but message is particularly prominent in heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. Nrdp1 interacts specifically with the neuregulin receptors ErbB3 and ErbB4 and not with epidermal growth factor receptor or ErbB2. When coexpressed in COS7 cells, Nrdp1 mediates the redistribution of ErbB3 from the cell surface to intracellular compartments and induces the suppression of ErbB3 and ErbB4 receptor levels but not epidermal growth factor receptor or ErbB2 levels. A putative dominant-negative form of Nrdp1 potentiates neuregulin-stimulated Erk1/2 activity in transfected MCF7 breast tumor cells. Our observations suggest that Nrdp1 may act to regulate steady-state cell surface neuregulin receptor levels, thereby influencing the efficiency of neuregulin signaling.
Geology and hydrology of the deep subsurface microbiology sampling sites at the savannah river plant, South Carotina

Abstract This paper describes important hydrologic features of the deep subsurface microbiology sampling sites. Geologic history, depositional environments, statigraphy, and groundwater movement are discussed in relation to possible mechanisms of microbial colonization of deep aquifer formations beneath the Savannah River Plant.