cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A coupled model study on ENSO, MJO and Indian summer monsoon rainfall relationships

In this paper, we have tried to understand the ENSO, MJO and Indian summer monsoon rainfall relationships from observation as well as from coupled model results. It was the general feeling that El-Nino years are the deficient in Indian monsoon rainfall and converse being the case for the La-Nina years. Recent papers by several authors noted the failure of this relationship. We find that the model output does confirm a breakdown of this relationship. In this study we have seen that a statistically defined modified Indian summer monsoon rainfall (MISMR) index, a linearly regressed ISMR index and dynamical Webster index (WBSI), shows an inverse relationship with ENSO index during the entire period of integration (1987 to 1999). It is also seen from this study that the amplification of the MJO signals were large and the ENSO signals were less pronounced during the years of above normal ISMR. The MJO signal amplitudes were small and ENSO signals were strong during the years of deficient ISMR. It has been noted that here is a time lag between the MJO and ENSO signal in terms of their modulation aspect. If time lag is added with the ENSO signal then both signals maintain the amplitude modulation theory. A hypothesis is being proposed here to define a relationship between MJO and ENSO signals for the entire period between 1987 and 1999.
Contextual modulation of V1 receptive fields depends on their spatial symmetry

The apparent receptive field characteristics of sensory neurons depend on the statistics of the stimulus ensemble—a nonlinear phenomenon often called contextual modulation. Since visual cortical receptive fields deter- mined from simple stimuli typically do not predict responses to complex stimuli, understanding contextual modulation is crucial to understanding responses to natural scenes. To analyze contextual modulation, we examined how apparent receptive fields differ for two stimulus ensembles that are matched in first- and second-order statistics, but differ in their feature content: one ensemble is enriched in elongated contours. To identify systematic trends across the neural population, we used a multidimen- sional scaling method, the Procrustes transformation. We found that contextual modulation of receptive field compo- nents increases with their spatial extent. More surprisingly, we also found that odd-symmetric components change systematically, but even-symmetric components do not. This symmetry dependence suggests that contextual mod- ulation is driven by oriented On/Off dyads, i.e., modulation of the strength of intracortically-generated signals.
7056 Analysis of endoscopic appearance and a re-staging endoscopic ultrasound (eus) after neo-adjuvant therapy in the management of esophageal cancer (ec).

Background: EUS has established itself as the most accurate pre-operative staging modality for EC. Its utility in assessing response after neo-adjuvant therapy has been less promising. Aims: To determine whether the initial EUS T-stage predicts response to neo-adjuvant therapy and if the endoscopic appearance at the time of a re-staging EUS correlated with pathology from the resected specimen (pTNM). Methods: 32 patients (27M, 5F, av age 63.9±10.3) with EC underwent an esophagectomy between 7/98 and 11/99 after neo-adjuvant therapy. A staging EUS was performed followed by a repeat EGD and EUS prior to surgery. Results: 19 patients (16 adeno, 3 SCCA) had an EUS prior to neo-adjuvant therapy for EC. 17 patients underwent an EGD with 15 undergoing concomitant EUS after receiving neo-adjuvant therapy. 14 patients underwent an esophagectomy. 50% (5/10) of T3 lesions and 57% (4/7) of T2 lesions had no mass by EGD after neo-adjuvant therapy (NS). The presence of a mass at EGD after neo-adjuvant therapy had the following sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for detecting tumor in resected specimens: 80%,100%,100%, and 90%. A re-staging EUS was unable to correctly downstage 54.5 % (6/11) when compared to pTNM. 86% (6/7) of patients downstaged to at least T2 by a re-staging EUS had no tumor in the resected specimen. Conclusions: Response rates to neo-adjuvant therapy appear to be equal in patients staged either T2 or T3 by EUS. The absence of a visible mass by EGD after neo-adjuvant therapy has a NPV of 90% for detecting tumor in the resected specimen. Although the ability of EUS to assess response to neo-adjuvant therapy remains poor, EUS may help in identifying a subset of patients who have a low likelihood of residual EC if downstaged to T2.
Reticle blank inspection and its role in zero-defect manufacturing

Stringent specifications require that reticle makers carefully examine the role blanks play in reticle quality. Photronics and KLA-Tencor are jointly examining several aspects of this issue. As part of this investigation, PBS blank quality was tested in a production environment using the KLA-Tencor STARlight inspection system. PBS blanks were inspected using a 500-nm pixel with the highest sensitivity settings. We completed a comprehensive study using an effective blank defect test pattern. The test pattern was chosen to maximize the probability that a blank defect will fall on a chrome-to- quartz transition. Several test reticles were inspected and reviewed before writing, and reviewed a second time after processing. 452 defects were classified using three variables: blank defect size, blank defect type and reticle defect type. Some blank defect sizes and types transferred to the test reticles with probabilities exceeding 80%. False defect rates were less than 0.5%. Defect statistics for two blank suppliers are presented. We outline the phases of the research, present the results and discuss the implications for production reticles. We demonstrate techniques that can be used before writing and processing to assess the probability of defect transfer. Plans for a trial protocol for blank inspection are presented.
Post-Feedback and Response Latencies in Concept Identification as a Function of Type of Concept and Number of Irrelevant Dimensions

-72 subjects were required to learn either an affirmation or a conjunction concept in which there were either three or four stimulus dimensions in the stimulus array. Post-feedback latencies were longer ~n the conjunction-concept groups but did not vary with numb-r of d~mensions. Response latencies were longer with more dimensions but did not vary between concepts. More trials were required to reach criterion in che conjunccion-concept and fourdimension groups. These results suggest that problem difficulty does not uniquely affect post-feedback latencies and that each interval is used by the subject for different problem-solving operations.
Mammographic screening for breast cancer: An invited review of the benefits and costs.

Abstract Mammographic screening is a proven method for reducing breast cancer mortality for women 40 years of age and older, but the best method for implementation of mammographic screening, particularly in the age group 40–49, remains controversial. The author, in an invited review, summarizes the data and offers guidance based on the best information available for women at risk for breast cancer, and their care providers, with particular emphasis on costs and benefits.
The role of FKBP5 in cancer aetiology and chemoresistance

FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP51, also called FKBP5) belongs to a family of immunophilins, FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs). Members of this family are targets for drugs such as rapamycin and cyclosporine. Although FKBP5 shares characteristics with other FKBPs, it also has unique features, especially its role in the regulation of multiple signalling pathways and in tumourigenesis and chemoresistance. In this review, we will focus on the recently discovered role of FKBP5 in cancer aetiology and response to antineoplastic therapy.
TLR-4 and -6 agonists reverse apoptosis and promote maturation of simian virus 5-infected human dendritic cells through NFkB-dependent pathways

Infection of primary cultures of human immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDC) with the paramyxovirus Simian Virus 5 (SV5) results in extensive cytopathic effect (CPE) and induction of apoptosis, but DC maturation pathways are not activated. In this study, we investigated the relationship between SV5-induced apoptosis and the lack of DC maturation. Reducing CPE and apoptosis in SV5-infected immature DC by the addition of a pancaspase inhibitor resulted in only low level expression of maturation markers CD40, CD80 and CD86, suggesting that SV5 infection either actively blocked maturation pathways or failed to provide sufficient signals to activate maturation. To distinguish between these hypotheses, SV5-infected immature DC were challenged with agonists that stimulate toll-like receptors (TLRs). Treatment with the TLR-4 agonist LPS or TLR-6 agonist FSL1 enhanced cell surface expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86 on SV5-infected cells to levels approaching that of mock-infected TLR-treated moDC, but treatment with agonists for TLR-2, -3, -5 or -8 had little effect. Addition of TLR-4 or -6 agonists to SV5-infected DC also dramatically reduced CPE and apoptosis, but the levels of viral protein and virus yield were not affected. Similarly, SV5-infected immature moDC were matured by treatment with IL-1β, and these mature infected cells also showed reduced CPE and apoptosis. In the presence of NFkB inhibitors, TLR-4 and -6 agonists did not promote maturation or reduce apoptosis of SV5-infected DC, indicating that maturation and cell survival were both dependent on signaling through NFkB-dependent pathways. Our results suggest a model whereby SV5 replication induces apoptosis in immature DC but fails to provide strong maturation signals, while activation of NFkB-dependent pathways by exogenous ligands can lead to moDC maturation and override SV5-induced cell death.
Vena cava filter insertion and angiographic diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

Insertion of a vena cava filter is a therapeutic alternative for patients in whom anticoagulation is not effective or appropriate. The Greenfield filter is associated with a 95% long-term patency rate and a low incidence of mortality or recurrent embolization. Although insertion can be done through the femoral or jugular route, the right femoral vein is the easiest, most direct approach to the inferior vena cava (IVC). Pulmonary arteriography remains, the “gold standard” for establishing the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
Development and testing of a terrain-based hydrologic model for spatial Hortonian Infiltration and Runoff/On

Efficient numerical simulation of process interactions between infiltration and Hortonian runoff is needed to evaluate patterns of internal state variables and fluxes within a watershed. A fully distributed rainfall-runoff model was developed for event-based studies of space-time watershed processes. A routing hierarchy was defined over the watershed using the D-infinity contributing area algorithm. Computation of ponding time was included to handle variable run-on and rainfall intensity. The Green-Ampt model was adopted to calculate surface infiltration, and the kinematic wave model was used to route Hortonian runoff and channel flow. The model can handle input rainfall, soil parameters, and other properties that vary in space and time. The model was tested first against analytical solutions for idealized overland planes. After a sensitivity analysis to identify the most significant parameters, it was then calibrated and verified using rainfall and streamflow data from the USDA-ARS Walnut Gulch experimental watershed in Arizona, USA. The coefficients of efficiency for runoff volume, peak flow, and time to peak flow with respect to calibration/validation are 0.95/0.65, 0.85/0.09, and 0.69/0.88, respectively. Example applications of the model show its potential for simulating internal states and fluxes. The open-source model is provided for space-time simulation and scaling of event-based Hortonian runoff and infiltration.
On-line monitoring of eye-position signals in contingent and noncontingent paradigms

This paper presents a research methodology for the study of human attentional and perceptual processes by means of on-line monitoring of eye-position signals. The first part of the presentation considers techniques by which commercially available apparatus may be interfaced to a minicomputer for purposes of monitoring eye-position signals during psychological experiments. Hardware and software techniques related to automating the calibration, recording, and analysis of eye-position data are discussed. The second part of the paper discusses a more advanced research methodology, one in which visual stimuli are contingent upon momentary eye-position signals. The methodology is appropriate to a variety of studies in which eye movements are considered to be part of an attentional control system. Several experimental applications are described. The implementation of eye-position-stimulus contingencies on a small computer poses additional technical problems, several of which are discussed.
The Effects of Media Interpretation for Citizen Evaluations of Politicians' Messages:

Although politicians prefer to communicate directly with the public, political sound bites in the nightly news are shrinking and primetime presidential press conferences are becoming increasingly uncommon. Instead, people primarily receive the messages of politicians as interpreted by journalists. What are the consequences of this interpretation for how citizens evaluate political messages? This article compares how people evaluate mediated political accounts and those delivered by politicians directly. Using a set of experiments, this article considers whether the power of politicians to inform and persuade people is limited or enhanced through the interpretation of journalists. This article finds that although people respond similarly to message content, whether from the politicians or from the media, evaluations of the message source and political processes are improved when politicians communicate directly with the public.
Solid-state bioconversion of phenolics from cranberry pomace and role of Lentinus edodes beta-glucosidase

Cranberry pomace contains large amounts of phenolic glycosides, which are important sources of free phenolics that have many food uses such as antioxidants, flavorings, and nutraceuticals. Our hypothesis was that these glycosides in cranberry pomace could be hydrolyzed by beta-glucosidase produced by Lentinus edodes during solid-state fermentation. On the basis of this hypothesis, our objective was to investigate the potential of using cranberry pomace as a substrate for the production of free phenolics and beta-glucosidase through solid-state fermentation by a food-grade fungus L. edodes. Our results suggested that L. edodes beta-glucosidase played a major role in release of phenolic aglycons from cranberry pomace during solid-state fermentation. After 50 days of cultivation, the yield of total free phenolics reached the maximum of 0.5 mg per g of pomace, while the beta-glucosidase activity was about 9 units per g of pomace. The enzyme exhibited optimal activity at 60 degrees C and at pH 3.5 and was stable at temperatures up to 50 degrees C and between pH 3 and 6.5. The major free phenolics produced from cranberry pomace were identified by HPLC as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and p-coumaric acid. These results suggest that cranberry pomace is a potential substrate for producing food-grade phenolics and fungal beta-glucosidase. The L. edodes beta-glucosidase showed good stability and tolerance to low pH and, therefore has potential applications in wine and juice processing for aroma and flavor enrichment through enzymatic hydrolysis of glucoside precursors.
Processing Of Data Containing A Large Number Of Spectral Lines

With use of the technique of Fourier spectroscopy, we are able to conduct a high quality measurement (high resolution and high S/N) on a very large number of spectral lines which spread over a wide spectral region. As a consequence, the Fourier spectroscopists are challenged with a problem of analyzing extremely complex spectral data containing a large number of lines. This paper reviews the numerical processing technique required for such spectral analysis.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Exploiting border structure in solving large sparse linear systems in bordered triangular form

Abstract An elimination strategy for solving sparse linear systems in bordered triangular form is presented. This strategy is designed to exploit certain common structural properties of the borders of such a system. It may also be interpreted as a recursive application of block elimination. The technique is numerically efficient and provides significant reductions in fill-in compared to routine Gaussian elimination. It is applicable in the iterative solution of the large systems of nonlinear equations that arise in the equation-oriented approach to process simulation and design calculations, as well as in other problems of interest to the chemical engineer.
Experimental study on the performance of reduced rank timing acquisition scheme for multiple access communications

This work studies the performance of a data-driven reduced rank scheme for rapid timing acquisition in multiple access communications. Our results show that when only a limited amount of preamble bits are available, instead of the true second-order statistics (SOS), the reduced rank scheme provides reliable timing information. Exploiting the structure of the multiple access interference, the data driven reduced-rank timing acquisition scheme demonstrates almost near-far resistant performance in signal acquisition.
Green’s function and Eshelby’s tensor based on a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory

The Eshelby problem of an infinite homogeneous isotropic elastic material containing an inclusion is analytically solved using a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory that involves one material length scale parameter in addition to two classical elastic constants. The Green’s function in the simplified strain gradient elasticity theory is first obtained in terms of elementary functions by applying Fourier transforms, which reduce to the Green’s function in classical elasticity when the strain gradient effect is not considered. The Eshelby tensor is then derived in a general form for an inclusion of arbitrary shape, which consists of a classical part and a gradient part. The former contains Poisson’s ratio only, while the latter includes the length scale parameter additionally, thereby enabling the interpretation of the size effect. By applying the general form of the Eshelby tensor derived, the explicit expressions of the Eshelby tensor for the special case of a spherical inclusion are obtained. The numerical results quantitatively show that the components of the new Eshelby tensor for the spherical inclusion vary with both the position and the inclusion size, unlike their counterparts based on classical elasticity. It is found that when the inclusion radius is small, the contribution of the gradient part is significantly large and thus should not be ignored. For homogenization applications, the volume average of this newly obtained Eshelby tensor over the spherical inclusion is derived in a closed form. It is observed that the components of the averaged Eshelby tensor change with the inclusion size: the smaller the inclusion radius, the smaller the components. Also, these components are seen to approach from below the values of their counterparts based on classical elasticity when the inclusion size becomes sufficiently large.
EFFECTS OF REINFORCEMENT AND GUIDANCE PROCEDURES ON INSTRUCTION‐FOLLOWING BEHAVIOR OF SEVERELY RETARDED CHILDREN

Positive reinforcement, physical guidance, and fading procedures were used to teach two severely retarded children motor responses to a variety of verbal instructions. Subjects' responses to one set of instructions provided the focus for the training procedures. Their responses to a second set of instructions were used to assess the generalized effects of training. The frequency of responses to both sets of instructions was evaluated during Baseline 1, Training 1, Baseline 2, and Training 2 periods. During the training periods, this evaluation was made after the daily training sessions when no training procedures were in effect. Results indicated that the subjects showed pronounced increases in instruction-following behaviors (both trained and untrained) during training periods with decreases in such behavior occurring during the Baseline 2 period. The general findings demonstrate the applicability of the training procedures for producing and maintaining instruction-following behaviors in severely retarded children and for facilitating appropriate responding to instructions not directly involved in training.
Viral Kinetics and Duration of Hepatitis C Therapy

Treatment for hepatitis C is aimed at eliminating the virus and thus preventing the development of cirrhosis. The effectiveness of antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is based upon inhibition of viral replication and successful viral clearance while maintaining minimal toxicity. Therapy as short as 12 to 16 weeks duration may be adequate for those with genotypes 2 or 3, and 24 weeks may be sufficient for those with genotype 1 and low viral load who achieve rapid virologic response. On the other hand, extension of therapy beyond 48 weeks may be necessary for those with genotype 1 and slow response or those with a high pretreatment viral load who do not achieve rapid virologic response. As new viral kinetic data emerge with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, the tailoring of hepatitis C virus treatment will allow shorter durations of therapy for some patients and a greater chance of sustained response in others who are treated for longer durations.
Treefall and resprouting following catastrophic windthrow in an old-growth hemlock-hardwoods forest

Abstract We surveyed the type of treefall (snapped or uprooted), and for snapped trees the height of break and sprouting tendency, in a catastrophic windthrow in an old-growth hemlock-hardwoods forest. Two-thirds of the 630 trees sampled were uprooted and one-third snapped. Trunk size (diameter at breast height) was more important than species in determining whether trees snapped or uprooted. Tree characteristics interacted with storm meteorology to determine the overall pattern of treefalls. We found that only 25% of the snapped trees sprouted in the four growing seasons after the tornado, and that the tendency to sprout varied significantly among species. Of those snapped trees that sprouted, only 68% were alive at the end of the fourth growing season. In contrast to small gaps in the tropics, where sprouted trees contribute a substantial portion of the post-disturbance canopy, sprouting will be of little importance in the re-establishment of forest in this catastrophic windthrow.
Subsurface Electrical Centrifugal Pumps

The first subsurface electrical centrifugal pump for oilwell service in the U.S. was installed in the Russell field, KS, in 1926. Since that time many improvements have increased the efficiency of the pump at various pumping rates and depths in a variety of casing sizes. Each oil well has a different producing environment that the design engineer must consider to optimize the pumping installation for maximum service life. This paper discusses the major items involved in selection of a subsurface electrical centrifugal pump for a specific application. Additionally, installation, operating, and servicing practices are discussed.
A study of coarsening, recrystallization, and morphology of microstructure in Al-Sc-(Zr)-(Mg) alloys

Minor additions of Sc are effective in controlling the recrystallization resistance of 5xxx, 2xxx, and 7xxx aluminum. The addition of Sc to aluminum results in the rapid precipitation of homogeneously distributed Al3Sc dispersoids, which are coherent with the matrix and have the L12 structure. The presence of Al3Sc dispersoids increases the recrystallization resistance of wrought alloys. The higher coarsening rate of Al3Sc compared to that of Al3Zr may limit its applications as a single ancillary addition. When both scandium and zirconium are used in the same alloy, Al3(Sc1-x , Zr x ) dispersoids form. These dispersoids are more effective recrystallization inhibitors than either Al3Sc or Al3Zr. The Al3(Sc1-x , Zr x ) dispersoids precipitate more rapidly than Al3Zr but have a slower coarsening rate than Al3Sc. Furthermore, the distribution of Al3(Sc1-x , Zr x ) is significantly more homogeneous than Al3Zr. It was also established that alloys containing up to 3.5Mg showed improvement in recrystallization resistance when both Sc and Zr were present. Several morphologies of Al3Sc and Al3(Sc1-x , Zr x ) were also observed.
Native-like structure and self-association behavior of apolipoprotein A-I in a water/n-propanol solution

Abstract The effect of n-propanol on the secondary and tertiary structure of human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), an interfacial protein, was investigated using near and far ultraviolet (UV)-circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as limited proteolytic digestion with trypsin, and cross-linking with bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate. The structure of apoA-I in n-propanol (30%, v/v) was compared with that in Tris buffer and in reconstituted, spherical or discoidal, high density lipoproteins (rHDL). Addition of n-propanol to apoA-I in Tris buffer induces major changes in its near and far CD spectra: α-helical content increases by 27% and the near UV-CD spectrum becomes very similar to that of apoA-I in rHDL particles. Fluorescence spectral, lifetime, and polarization results, and quenching by KI confirm that major structural changes occur in the N-terminal half of apoA-I as n-propanol is added: the Trp residues become more exposed to solvent than in buffer alone or in rHDL. Higher concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride or urea are required to denature apoA-I in n-propanol than in buffer alone, but a similar free energy of unfolding is observed. The N-terminus of apoA-I is relatively resistant to trypsin digestion and the C-terminus has equivalent digestion sites for apoA-I in the three states, but the kinetics of digestion are much slower in n-propanol and in rHDL compared to apoA-I in Tris buffer. Cross-linking experiments reveal that dimers of apoA-I exist in n-propanol, in contrast to dimers plus multimeric aggregates in Tris buffer. From these results we conclude that in 30% n-propanol the structure of apoA-I approaches that of ‘native’ lipid-bound apoA-I, in contrast to its structure in the aqueous Tris buffer.
Estimation of WAIS-III intelligence from combined performance and demographic variables: development of the OPIE-3.

Data from the WAIS-III standardization sample (The Psychological Corporation, 1997) was used to generate several FSIQ estimation formulas that used demographic variables and current WAIS-III subtest performance. The standardization sample (N =2,450) was randomly divided into two groups, the first was used to develop the formulas and the second group was used to validate the prediction equations. Age, education, ethnicity, gender, region of the country as well as Vocabulary, Information, Matrix Reasoning, and Picture Completion subtests raw scores were used as predictor variables. Regression formulas were generated using four subtest, two subtest, single verbal, two performance subtest, and single performance algorithms. The four-subtest model combined Information, Vocabulary, Matrix Reasoning, and Picture Completion raw scores with demographic variables. The two-subtest algorithm used Vocabulary and Matrix Reasoning raw scores with demographic variables. Formulas to estimate FSIQ using only verbal or perf...
Corrections to “Effective Surface Impedance of a Printed-Circuit Tensor Impedance Surface (PCTIS)” [Apr 13 1403-1413]

A plus sign has been accidentally omitted in the above paper (ibid., vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 1403-1413, Apr. 2013) in Equations (43) and (44). The corrected expressions are presented here.
Degradation of canine cardiac myosin and actin by cathepsin D isolated from homologous tissue

The ability of canine cardiac cathepsin D to catalyse hydrolysis of myosin and actin isolated from homologous tissue was monitored using both SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the release of trichloroacetic acid soluble radioactivity from the radioactively (14C) labelled proteins. Cathepsin D readily catalysed the hydrolysis of myosin and actin. The pH-activity profile for myosin hydrolysis exhibited two optima with a major peak at pH 2.6 together with a smaller peak at pH 3.4. This was distinct from the pH-activity profile for actin hydrolysis where a single optimum at pH 4.2 was observed. Incubation of cathepsin D with myosin (pH 2.6, 37°C) resulted in complete degradation of myosin light chains (MW =28000±700 and 18600±350, n=4) within 10 min while heavy chains (MW= 190400±2500, n=4) were degraded into three proteins of molecular weight 32000 ±750; 37000 ±1000 and 49000 ±750 (n=4) within 4 h. Further incubation (24 h) of cathepsin D with myosin resulted in two proteins of MW 29000±2000 and 48800±3100 (n=4). In the case of actin (MW 44800± 1600, n=6) polypeptides produced as a result of hydrolytic cleavage by cathepsin D (pH 4.2, 37°C) were not observed on SDS gels, although the overall size of the actin band was markedly decreased at 24 h. Cathepsin D catalysed the hydrolysis of myosin at near neutral pH (6.5) although the overall rate of degradation was considerably reduced compared to that observed at pH 2.6. Pepstatin A was a potent inhibitor of the hydrolysis of myosin and actin at all pH values investigated indicating that cathepsin D and not a contaminant was responsible for the observed degradation.
LC/MS/MS quantitation of an anti-cancer drug in human plasma using a solid-phase extraction workstation: application to population pharmacokinetics

A liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method to quantitate an anti-cancer drug in human plasma was validated. The method has proven suitable for routine quantitation of the experimental anti-cancer compound at concentrations from 1 to 400 ng/ml. Retention times of the compound and internal standard (compounds I and II, respectively) were 1.8 and 2.1 min, respectively. No interfering endogenous peaks were observed throughout the validation process. Precision estimates for this approach were typically less than 5% relative standard deviation (RSD) across the calibration range. Other validation parameters studied included specificity, system reproducibility, limit of quantitation, accuracy, linear range, and stability of the compound and internal standard in plasma and injection solvent. This method was used to quantify drug for population pharmacokinetic studies.
The Incidence of Congenital Malformations in Various Socioeconomic Groups in Sweden

The incidence of congenital malformations reported to the Register of Births during 1976–77 in various socioeconomic groups were studied combining the informations from the birth register with that from the 1975 census (including occupation of the mother, income of the family, type of family and housing standard). The total population of 190 024 infants were divided into three groups; 6915 infants (3.6 %) were assigned to the most privileged group (group I) and 26430 (13.9 %) to the less privileged group (group III). The total incidence of 5.01 % of any malformation did not differ significantly between the groups. Neither was any variation found for specific malformation types, such as neural tube defects, cleft palate or morbus Down
Necropsy techniques for fish

Fish medicine has become more mainstream within the veterinary profession over the past two decades. Aquarium hobbyists, public aquariums, and private facilities are relying more and more on veterinary expertise for fish health problems. Most problems in fish health are related to water quality and other husbandry issues; the necropsy is only one important part of a complete work up. As with necropsy of exotic terrestrial animals, an understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology of a few common fish species can help the practitioner gain confidence when working with more exotic fish. However, because species differences do exist, protocols may require modification. Moribund or fresh dead specimens are best. With fish, perhaps more than any other class of animals, wet mount biopsies of external and internal tissues are very informative. Parasites are an important contributor to disease, and most easily identified alive. The delicate structure of the gill and the rapidity with which it can break down also necessitates careful analysis at the outset. Like-wise, other pathology can be identified quickly using wet mounts. Microbiological culture of kidney, brain, liver, spleen, and other affected organs, and histopathology are also important aspects of the fish necropsy. Cultures should be incubated at temperature ranges similar to those for the fish. Certain viruses, including Spring viremia of carp (SVC) and koi herpes virus (KHV-not Herpesvirus cyprini , the causative agent of carp pox) are important pathogens that require confirmatory virus isolation and culture. SVC is a notifiable disease.
Studying and Facilitating Dialogue in Select Online Management Courses

Dialogue is arguably one of the most significant elements of learning in higher education. The premise of this article is that online instructors can creatively facilitate dialogue for effectively teaching online management courses. This article presents a dialogue-focused framework for addressing significant behavioral, structural, and technological elements that involve the development and delivery of knowledge and application use (KAU) online management course content. Specifically, the proposed framework and propositions suggest how various antecedents and moderators influence the use of dialogue resources, technology, and student engagement in KAU-type management courses.
The influence of extracellular calcium on the distribution of protein kinase C in non-neoplastic and neoplastic rat liver cells.

Abstract Non-neoplastic T51B rat liver epithelial cells cannot proliferate in Ca 2+ -deficient medium. This proliferative inhibition in Ca 2+ -deficient medium is accompanied by a large reduction in the amount of cellular EDTA-extractable Ca 2+ phospholipid -dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) activity. By contrast, tumorigenic epithelial cells from several Morris hepatomas proliferate in Ca 2+ -deficient medium and either maintain or greatly increase their content of EDTA-extractable protein kinase C.
ENERGY GAP IN NUCLEAR MATTER

The magnitude of the energy gap in nuclear matter associated with a highly correlated ground state of of the type believed to be important in the theory of superconductivity has been evaluated theoretically. The integral equation of Cooper, Mills, and Sessler is linearized and transformed into a form suitable for numerical solution. The energy gap, calculated by using an appropriate single-particle potential and the Gammel-Thaler two-body potential, is found to be a very strong function of the density of nuclear matter, and of the effective mass at the Fermi surface. It is concluded that the magnitude of the energy gap for nuclear matter should not be compared directly with experimental values for finite nuclei, although the results suggest that if the theory is extended to apply to finite nuclei it probably would be in agreement with experiment.
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a home-based AIDS care programme in rural Uganda.

Summary Background Poverty and limited health services in rural Africa present barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy that necessitate innovative options other than facility-based methods for delivery and monitoring of such therapy. We assessed adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a cohort of HIV-infected people in a home-based AIDS care programme that provides the therapy and other AIDS care, prevention, and support services in rural Uganda. Methods HIV-infected individuals with advanced HIV disease or a CD4-cell count of less than 250 cells per μL were eligible for antiretroviral therapy. Adherence interventions included group education, personal adherence plans developed with trained counsellors, a medicine companion, and weekly home delivery of antiretroviral therapy by trained lay field officers. We analysed factors associated with pill count adherence (PCA) of less than 95%, medication possession ratio (MPR) of less than 95%, and HIV viral load of 1000 copies per mL or more at 6 months (second quarter) and 12 months (fourth quarter) of follow-up. Findings 987 adults who had received no previous antiretroviral therapy (median CD4-cell count 124 cells per μL, median viral load 217 000 copies per mL) were enrolled between July, 2003, and May, 2004. PCA of less than 95% was calculated for 0·7–2·6% of participants in any quarter and MPR of less than 95% for 3·3–11·1%. Viral load was below 1000 copies per mL for 894 (98%) of 913 participants in the second quarter and for 860 (96%) of 894 of participants in the fourth quarter. In separate multivariate models, viral load of at least 1000 copies per mL was associated with both PCA below 95% (second quarter odds ratio 10·6 [95% CI 2·45–45·7]; fourth quarter 14·5 [2·51–83·6]) and MPR less than 95% (second quarter 9·44 [3·40–26·2]; fourth quarter 10·5 [4·22–25·9]). Interpretation Good adherence and response to antiretroviral therapy can be achieved in a home-based AIDS care programme in a resource-limited rural African setting. Health-care systems must continue to implement, evaluate, and modify interventions to overcome barriers to comprehensive AIDS care programmes, especially the barriers to adherence with antiretroviral therapy.
Angiopoietin-4 increases permeability of blood vessels and promotes lymphatic dilation

The angiopoietin (Ang) ligands are potential therapeutic targets for lymphatic related diseases, which include lymphedema and cancer. Ang-1 and Ang-2 functions are established, but those of Ang-4 are poorly understood. We used intravital fluorescence microscopy to characterize Ang-4 actions on T241 murine fibrosarcoma-associated vessels in mice. The diameters of lymphatic vessels draining Ang-4- or VEGF-C (positive control)-expressing tumors increased to 123 and 135 μm, respectively, and parental, mock-transduced (negative controls) and tumors expressing Ang-1 or Ang-2 remained at baseline (∼60 μm). Ang-4 decreased human dermal lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) monolayer permeability by 27% while increasing human dermal blood endothelial cell (BEC) monolayer permeability by 200%. In vivo, Ang-4 stimulated a 4.5-fold increase in tumor-associated blood vessel permeability compared with control when measured using intravital quantitative multiphoton microscopy. Ang-4 activated receptor signaling in both LECs and BECs, evidenced by tyrosine kinase with Ig and endothelial growth factor homology domains-2 (TIE2) receptor, protein kinase B, and Erk1,2 phosphorylation detectable by immunoblotting. These data suggest that Ang-4 actions are mediated through cell-type-specific networks and that lymphatic vessel dilation occurs secondarily to increased vascular leakage. Ang-4 also promoted survival of LECs. Thus, blocking Ang-4 may prune the draining lymphatic vasculature and decrease interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) by reducing vascular permeability.
Teaching Political Economy in Political Science: A Review of International and Comparative Political Economy Syllabi

Prior to the 1970s, political science for the most part happily ignored questions of production, exchange, consumption, and investment. The new prominence of Marxist and neo-Marxist scholarship in that decade as well as the transformation of many institutions, trends and premises of the post-World War II order (including the collapse of Bretton Woods, the rise of OPEC and Third World liberation movements, the advent of detente, and the first global recession since the Great Depression) ushered many innovative themes and methodologies into our discipline. Political economy was the most direct result of both these trends, taking its place as one of the first of a wave of “inter-” or “multidisciplinary” fields of study.Darel E. Paul is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Williams College, Williamstown, MA (dpaul@williams.edu). He is the author of Rescaling International Political Economy: Subnational States and the Regulation of the Global Political Economy (Routledge, 2005) as well as of several articles on cities in the contemporary global political economy.
Parallel Data Sort Using Networked FPGAs

We present an approach to perform transformation and reduction data operations in an intelligent network switch comprised of FPGAs. Data processing in a distributed system often requires the data to be aggregated at a single client before performing the data operation. Performing data processing in the interconnection network which has the global view of the data could speed up the application. In this paper, we show an example of a data sorting application that uses parallel servers to pre-sort data and then uses FPGAs within the switch to merge sort data as it passes through the network thereby reducing computation requirements at the client node. The architecture takes advantage of the NetFPGA board to perform a 4-way merge sort in an embedded network FPGA device. Using this architecture we show how data sort times can be reduced significantly.
Giftedness and Metacognition A Short-Term Longitudinal Investigation of Metacognitive Monitoring in the Classroom

The current study investigated differences in metacognition between high school gifted (n = 44) and typical (n = 23) students and examined local calibration accuracy as a potential mechanism for partially explaining superior exam performance by gifted students. Metacognition was measured using student self-reports of metacognitive awareness, acquired at the start of a semester-long course on biology, and students’ global (pre- and posttest) and local (item-by-item) confidence judgments to assess monitoring across four biology exams over the course of one semester. Gifted students outperformed typical students on both local and global postdictive measures of calibration. However, there were no statistically significant differences in global predictive judgments or calibration bias. Local, item-by-item calibration accuracy partially mediated the relation between giftedness and exam performance. Implications for both theory and practice are discussed.
Measurement of Piezoelectric Phase Angles in a Ferroelectric Ceramic

A method is described for measuring the phase angle of the piezoelectric coefficient d31 in a ferroelectric ceramic. This method requires only data on the complex electrical admittance of a length-extensional bar resonator. Measurements based on this procedure gave a phase angle on the order of 3° for the piezoelectric constant d31 of the ferroelectric ceramic [Pb0.99 Nb0.02 (Zr0.65 T0.35) 0.98 O3].
A Multilevel Analysis of Asian Immigrant Children’s Reading Achievement in the Early Years: Evidence from the ECLS-K Data

This study investigates 1.5 generation1 Asian immigrant children’s (n = 264) early literacy achievement patterns, treating them as a heterogeneous group. Specifically, the within-group variances in reading achievement from kindergarten to third grade are examined, drawing on four waves of data from the ECLS-K class of 1998–1999. Our analysis shows that ethnicity plays a role in shaping the children’s initial reading readiness and later growth, but the effects of languages spoken at home are not significant. Our analysis also demonstrates a persistent achievement gap between low- and high-socioeconomic status (SES) Asian groups. However, gender difference in terms of children’s reading development is not found to be significant. There is also no interaction between SES and the other factors such as gender, ethnicity and language backgrounds.
Detecting symmetry and faces: Separating the tasks and identifying their interactions

Face and symmetry processing have common characteristics, and several lines of evidence suggest they interact. To characterize their relationship and possible interactions, in the present study we created a novel library of images in which symmetry and face-likeness were manipulated independently. Participants identified the target that was most symmetric among distractors of equal face-likeness (Experiment 1) and identified the target that was most face-like among distractors of equal symmetry (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, we found that symmetry judgments improved when the stimuli were more face-like. In Experiment 2, we found a more complex interaction: Image symmetry had no effect on detecting frontally viewed faces, but worsened performance for nonfrontally viewed faces. There was no difference in performance for upright versus inverted images, suggesting that these interactions occurred on the parts-based level. In sum, when symmetry and face-likeness are independently manipulated, we find that each influences the perception of the other, but the nature of the interactions differs.
PATHWAYS OF NUTRIENT LOADING AND IMPACTS ON PLANT DIVERSITY IN A NEW YORK PEATLAND

Nutrient loading is a subtle, yet serious threat to the preservation of high diversity wetlands such as peatlands. Pathways of nutrient loading and impacts on plant diversity in a small peatland in New York State, USA were determined by collecting and analyzing a suite of hydrogeological, hydro-chemical, soil, and vegetation data. Piezometer clusters within an intensive network constituted hydro-chemical sampling points and focal points for randomly selected vegetation quadrats and soil-coring locations. Hydrogeological data and nutrient analyses showed that P and K loading occurred chiefly by means of overland flow from an adjacent farm field, whereas N loading occurred predominantly through ground-water flow from the farm field. Redundancy analysis and polynomial regression showed that nutrients, particularly total P in peat, total K in peat, extractable NH4-N, and NO3-N flux in ground water, were strongly negatively correlated with plant diversity measures at the site. No other environmental variables except vegetation measures associated with eutrophication demonstrated such a strong relationship with plant diversity. Nitrate loading over 4 mg m−2 day−1 was associated with low plant diversity, and Ca fluxes between 80 and 130 mg m−2 day−1 were associated with high plant diversity. Areas in the site with particularly low vascular plant and bryophyte species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity (H′) occurred adjacent to the farm field and near a hillside spring. High H′ and species richness of vascular plants and bryophytes occurred in areas that were further removed from agriculture, contained no highly dominant vegetation, and were situated directly along the ground-water flow paths of springs. These areas were characterized by relatively constant water levels and consistent, yet moderate fluxes of base cations and nutrients. Overall, this study demonstrates that knowledge of site hydrogeology is crucial for determining potential pathways of nutrient loading and for developing relationships between nutrient inflows and wetland plant diversity.