cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation of second phase particles in aluminum-copper alloy films

The formation of second phase particles in Al+3% Cu alloy films was examined in order to find differences of the precipitation in thin films from that occurring in bulk alloys. Compared to bulk alloys in the thin film material the formation of Guinier-Preston zones is retarded. In well quenched thin films 60 h at 100°C or 6 h at 130°C are necessary to produce G.P. zones. θ′ particles are nucleated after approximately 100 h at 120°C without formation of θ″. The stable θ-Al2Cu precipitate was found at temperatures as low as 150°C on the film surface. The results show that excess vacancies cannot be retained in thin films and that the film surfaces provide preferential nucleation sites for the equilibrium precipitate θ-CuAl2.
Comparative Particulate Trap Performance Using Fischer-Tropsch and Conventional Diesel Fuels in a Modern CI Engine

Increasingly stringent emissions regulations aimed at drastically reducing particulate emissions from diesel engines pose one of the greatest challenges to diesel engine development today. Furthermore, engine manufacturers are finding it more and more difficult to comply with these new regulations through in-cylinder optimization alone. As a result, exhaust after-treatment systems, namely diesel particulate traps, present additional means for meeting these strict requirements. A previous study demonstrated the potential for diesel particulate emissions reduction using neat Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) fuel and blends. The absence of sulfur in F-T fuels permits the use of more aggressively catalyzed traps, as sulfur poisoning is not an issue. Furthermore, the reduced particulate emissions of F-T fuels leads to increased time between trap regenerations, which in conjunction with advanced catalyst formulations reducing the temperatures required to initiate regeneration, may provide substantial improvements in trap durability and performance. However, the deposition of particulates from F-T fuels on the trap substrates and loading and regeneration of the trap with F-T particulates and F-T fuel have not been adequately addressed. In this study a 2002, six-cylinder, 5.9 liter, Cummins ISB 300 diesel engine, outfitted with a fully instrumented particulate trap, was subjected to a subset of the Euro III 13-mode test cycle under steady-state operating conditions. In order to investigate the fundamental fuel effects on particulate trap loading characteristics, un-catalyzed Cordierite substrates were loaded with particulates generated from neat F-T diesel and a low sulfur diesel (LSD). Trap temperature, pressure drop, particulate emissions, and gaseous exhaust composition were monitored before and after the trap. The use of F-T fuel significantly extended the trapping period and reduced the regeneration frequency as compared to the LSD. Based on the differences in emissions and fuel composition, explanations for the observed differences in the trap performance were developed.© 2006 ASME
Reclaiming Normal Life: Mothers' Stages of Recovery From Drug Use

Objective Pilot study to describe the process and stages of pregnant and postpartum women's recovery from drug addiction. Design Naturalistic inquiry directed by the grounded theory approach of constant comparison and theoretical sampling, including individual interviews and a focus group. Setting A hospital-affiliated, nurse-directed comprehensive drug treatment program for pregnant and postpartum women. Participants Fourteen pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in substance abuse treatment completed individual interviews, and 3 substance abuse counselors completed a focus group. Main outcome measures Grounded theory analysis of the process and stages of addiction and recovery. Results Abstinence was short-lived unless supported by the long, intensive process of reconstructing an identity as a member of society. The basic process of recovery, “reclaiming normal life,” consisted of four stages: “rescue or refuge,”“no fun any more,”“leaving drugs but not the life,” and “building a life.” An important transition point, “clearing up,” was identified between the third and fourth stages. Nine dimensions of attitude changed across the stages. Conclusions Nurses can assess women's stage of drug use or recovery, considering attitudes typical of each stage in nurse-patient interactions. Future research may enable tailoring of interventions to women's stages of addiction and recovery.
Investigation of a generalized multinomial model for species data

The question of how to estimate the number of specie in a region given the species frequency distribution for a sample of animals from the region has been of interest for more than 60 years. Data analyses indicate that the inferential problem is a difficult one when there are many rare species and a few abundant ones. In this article simulation is used to study the properties of data sets generated by a generalized multinomial model proposed for this setting by Boender and Rinnooy Kan [Boender, C.G.E. and Rinnooy Kan, A.H.G., 1987, A multinomial Bayesian approach to the estimation of population and vocabulary size. Biometrika, 74, 849–856.]. In addition, the performance of Bayesian methods for drawing inferences about the parameters of the generalized multinomial model is evaluated by simulation.
Binding of triethyllead chloride by hemoglobin.

Abstract The interaction of triethyllead chloride with human and rat hemoglobin has been investigated using equilibrium dialysis. In addition the uptake of triethyllead by washed human and rat erythrocytes has been studied in vitro and the distribution of the organolead between blood cells and plamsa has been examined in vivo in the rat. Total lead was determined to atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Equilibrium dialysis demonstrated that human hemoglobin had a very low affinity and capacity for the binding of triethyllead. On the other hand, each tetramer of rat hemoglobin bound 3 mol of triethyllead at sites which did not exhibit cooperativity. ATP, EDTA, Na2S, and NaNO2 had no effect on the binding of triethyllead by rat hemoglobin while urea, glutathione, and N-ethylmaleimide inhibited the interaction. Rat red cells took up more triethyllead than did human red cells and the difference was not due to a higher binding capacity of the rat cell membrane for the organometal. For 80 min following the intravenous injection of triethyllead chloride, the total blood lead in rats was about 10 times the total plasma lead. It was concluded that triethyllead binds to the globin moiety of rat hemoglobin and that organometal binding sites occur on the hemoglobin tetramer but not on the monomers. The results demonstrated that the binding of triethyllead to hemoglobin is a significant determinant of the pharmacokinetics of the organometal in the rat and that the interaction between triethyllead and human hemoglobin would not have a significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of the organometal in the human.
Scalable, high performance ethernet forwarding with CuckooSwitch

Several emerging network trends and new architectural ideas are placing increasing demand on forwarding table sizes. From massive-scale datacenter networks running millions of virtual machines to flow-based software-defined networking, many intriguing design options require FIBs that can scale well beyond the thousands or tens of thousands possible using today's commodity switching chips. This paper presents CuckooSwitch, a software-based Ethernet switch design built around a memory-efficient, high-performance, and highly-concurrent hash table for compact and fast FIB lookup. We show that CuckooSwitch can process 92.22 million minimum-sized packets per second on a commodity server equipped with eight 10 Gbps Ethernet interfaces while maintaining a forwarding table of one billion forwarding entries. This rate is the maximum packets per second achievable across the underlying hardware's PCI buses.
EPR Study of the Molecular and Electronic Structure of the Semiquinone Biradical QA-•QB-• in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

The photocycle of bacterial photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs) involves electron transfer between two quinone molecules, QA and QB. The semiquinone biradical QA-•QB-• forms an intermediate state in this process. We trapped the biradical at low temperature (77 K) and investigated its EPR spectra at three microwave frequencies, 9.6, 35, and 94 GHz, at temperatures between 1.5 and 100 K. The spectra were described with a spin Hamiltonian that contained, in addition to the Zeeman terms, dipolar and exchange interactions, and were fitted using the simulated annealing method (Kirkpatrick et al. Science 1983, 220, 671). From the parameters derived from the fit, information about the spatial and electronic structure was obtained. The relative position and orientation of the two quinones, determined from the EPR spectra, compared well with those obtained from X-ray diffraction of RCs in the QAQB-• state (Stowell et al. Science 1997, 276, 812). The values of the dipolar coupling and of the exchange interaction o...
The effect of composition on the crystallization and magnetic transition of Fe-Si-B amorphous alloys

Abstract This paper presents the effect of the metalloid composition on the crystallization and the magnetic phase transition of Fe-Si-B amorphous alloys. The phenomenon of two exothermic peaks (MS-I and MS-II phases) correlated with the crystallization behavior was examined by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The magnetic phase transition process was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis under a magnetic field (M-TGA). The microstructural evolution was studied by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). For the lower metalloid contents, the MS-I and MS-II phases were revealed to be a crystalline α -Fe structure and a compound structure with a large amount of metalloid elements, while for the higher metalloid contents, the compound of metalloid elements may be observed only in the MS-I phase. The precipitation temperature of the α -Fe phase exhibits a decreasing trend with increasing iron content. The Curie transition temperature of Fe-Si-B amorphous alloys also decreases with increasing iron content. The phase transitions of the DSC measurements were in good agreement with those measured by TGA under a magnetic field.
Sexual selection in a lekking Hawaiian Drosophila: the roles of male competition and female choice in male mating success

Abstract The importance of sexual selection in Drosophila grimshawi , a lek-forming Hawaiian Drosophila , was analysed in the laboratory by studying details of male and female mating behaviour at spontaneouslyforming leks in large and in small observation chambers. Sexual selection was found to be intense, as is often hypothesized for Hawaiian Drosophila . However, little evidence was found for a significant role of active female choice in male mating success although females can reject attempted copulations. Male body size was significantly related to mating success, but mostly because large males spent more time sexually active at lek sites, which resulted in increased mating success, and not because large males physically dominated smaller ones. Variation in larval environmental quality significantly affected male size, and thus, environmental factors may have a large, but indirect, influence on male mating sucess.
The primordial germ cells of Hemidactylium and other amphibia

The primordial germ cells of urodeles and anurans can occupy comparable positions in the embryo only in very early stages of development, if at all. When first recognizable as reproductive elements, their situation in the two amphibian orders is quite strikingly different. The germ cells first become recognizable in urodeles in the medial edge of the lateral mesoderm; there is no evidence that their position previous to this time is other than mesodermal. In the anura they are entodermal in association during early development; they are finally separated from the dorsal portion of the roof of the archenteron to form a single axial germ-cell cord. No amphibian species studied showed a mode of origin different from that characteristic of its order. The so-called migration of the amphibian germ cells to their definitive situation is interpreted as the result of growth shiftings of related parts. Germ cells do not migrate independently through the tissues. Aberrant or ectopic cells for the most part result from failures or faulty correlations of growth processes. Certain aberrant cells of the caudal portion of the body in urodeles indicate the inclusion of sex elements in the ventral as well as in the lateral mesoderm.
Discovery of genetic susceptibility factors for human birth defects: An opportunity for a national agenda

A recent workshop highlighted the current challenges and new opportunities for studying the role of genetic factors in the etiology of human birth defects. The workshop provided a series of recommendations pertaining to the use of animal models, key elements of population-based designs, the need for national collaborative projects, biorepositories, and consortia, investigation of new types of structural genetic variants, examination of gene-exposure interactions, and a strategy for gene variant discovery. A key reason to hold the recent workshop and contribute this concise communication to the literature is to draw attention to and initiate action toward advancing discoveries about the genetic etiologies of birth defects.
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Is a Disulfide-linked Dimer

The sequences of the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) show little homology with other members of the G protein-coupled receptor family and exhibit several distinctive features, including a large N-terminal extracellular domain with 17 cysteines in conserved positions. Here we demonstrate that mGluR5, as well as other mGluRs, behave as species approximately twice as large as expected from their sequence, but reducing conditions cause a decrease to the predicted molecular mass. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments using wild type and epitope-tagged receptors demonstrate that this is due to specific, disulfide-dependent dimerization of the receptor. The intermolecular disulfide that mediates dimerization occurs in the extracellular domain, within about 17 kDa from the N terminus.
Exploring Situated Insights into Research and Learning.

In this report I offer an exploration of the insights that may be provided by a situated perspective on learning. Through an extension of my previous analysis of students learning mathematics in 2 schools (Boaler, 1998), I consider the ways in which a focus on the classroom community and the behaviors and practices implicit within such communities may increase one's understanding of students' mathematical knowledge production and use. The implications of such a focus for classroom pedagogy and assessment as well as for research in mathematics education are considered.
Trisomy 7p resulting from 7p15;9p24 translocation: report of a new case and review of associated medical complications.

The authors report on a young girl with generalized developmental deficits originally thought to be caused by an unusual reaction to DPT vaccination. At the age of 4(1/2) years, chromosome analysis showed that the terminus of the short arm of chromosome 9 had extra material believed to originate from 7p terminus, thus she was considered to be trisomic for a segment of 7p and monosomic for a small portion of 9p [46,XX,der (9), t(7;9)(p15;p24)]. Ten years later, molecular cytogenetic testing using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed that the extra chromosomal material represented partial trisomy 7p. The proposita had a high and large forehead, hypertelorism, and broad nasal bridge, findings seen in most individuals with trisomy 7p. Long-term follow-up showed the presence of hypothyroidism, obesity, and cerebral palsy. A review of all published cases of trisomy 7p with focus on associated complications suggests a well-defined pattern of abnormalities characterized by musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, neurological, genital, and ocular abnormalities in decreasing frequency. At least one-third of affected individuals died in infancy and close to half had severe mental retardation. FISH was essential in the confirmation of the cytogenetic abnormality and further delineation of the chromosomal disorder.
Morphologically based automatic phonetic transcription

A system is described that automatically generates phonetic transcriptions for German orthographic words. The entire generative process consists of two main steps. In the first step, the system segments the words into their morphs, or prefixes, stems, and suffixes. This segmentation is very important for the transcription of German words, because the pronunciation of the letters depends also on their morphological environment. In the second step, the system transcribes the morphologically segmented words. Several transcriptions can be generated per word, thus permitting the system to take pronunciation variants into account. This feature results from the application area of the system, which is the provision of phonetic reference units for an automatic large-vocabulary speech recognition system. Statistical evaluations show that the transcription system has an excellent linguistic performance: more than 99 percent of the segmented words obtain a correct segmentation in the first step, and more than 98 percent of the words receive a correct phonetic transcription in the second step.
Determinants of paternity in the milkweed leaf beetle

Males and females of the milkweed leaf beetle mate for up to 2.5 d in the field; copulation is interspersed with mounted courtship behavior and periods of passive riding on the female's back. In 1985, females mated with up to 10 different males in Bridgeport, New York, and matings averaged 0.75±0.04 (SE) d in duration. Sperm utilization patterns are complex in the milkweed leaf beetle. In the laboratory, mating duration, mating order and the duration of the gap between matings affected paternity. The second male's sperm predominated when a female's two consecutive matings were of equal duration (but were long: 45 h each) or when they were intermediate in duration (15 h each) with a 5 day gap between the two matings. The mechanism of sperm predominance appears to be one of time-dependent sperm removal and replacement. Neither relative nor absolute size of males affected the extent to which they superceded the sperm of rivals. Electrophoretic analysis of paternity at 6 polymorphic loci showed that offspring of at least eight out of 11 mating pairs pairs collected in the field at the end of the 1984 breeding season were sired by more than one male. At least seven of the 11 families produced some offspring that were sired by the female's most recent mate in the field and in no case was the collected male completely excluded from paternity. In a greenhouse plot, males climbed off females' backs a mean of 1.1±0.3 h before oviposition. Females did not oviposit with males on their backs and did not oviposit sooner when males were removed than when males were allowed to remain mounted, indicating that males don't keep females from ovipositing until they can achieve sperm predominance. The close concordance between male disembarkment and oviposition suggests that males remain with females beyond the time when they have superceded the sperm of their prior mates, possibly to guard them from rival males. Although the prolonged mating association of the milkweed leaf beetle cannot be separated into discrete copulatory and guarding phases, the results of this study suggest that prolonged mating enables males both to remove and replace the sperm of the females' prior mates with their own sperm and to prevent females from remating prior to oviposition.
Competition, predation, and the evolutionary significance of the cercopithecine cheek pouch: the case of Cercopithecus and Lophocebus.

Reports of cercopithecine cheek pouch use and functional significance are largely anecdotal, and to date there have been no investigations into its use by species living in closed forest habitats. Here, I report on cheek pouch use in Cercopithecus ascanius and Lophocebus albigena in the Kibale National Park, Uganda, between July–October 1997. Two hypotheses were evaluated: this feature was selected for because of its role in 1) increasing feeding efficiency via a reduction in potential feeding competition, and/or 2) reducing vulnerability to predation. Results indicate that both species were more likely to use their cheek pouches when feeding on contestable foods and, after filling cheek pouches, retreated to more densely vegetated (“safer”) positions for processing food. There was no influence of age and sex on L. albigena cheek pouch use. Subadult C. ascanius cheek-pouched less frequently than adults, although there were no differences between adult males and females. There was no relationship between feeding-patch size and number of plant food items cheek-pouched in either species. However, the diameter of breast height (dbh; a measure of patch size) of trees in which C. ascanius used their cheek pouches was significantly larger than the dbh of trees in which they did not. Both species were more likely to use their cheek pouches in the presence of greater numbers of conspecifics. These data provide insight into the relationship(s) among oral anatomy and feeding efficiency, and facilitate understanding into the selection for this important oral feature in stem cercopithecines. Am J Phys Anthropol 126:183–192, 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pathological Outcomes and Biochemical Progression in Men With T1c Prostate Cancer Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy With Prostate Specific Antigen 2.6 to 4.0 vs 4.1 to 6.0 ng/ml

Purpose: Recent studies have suggested that the cut point for recommending prostate biopsy among men with a normal digital rectal examination should be greater than 2.5 ng/ml as opposed to the more traditional greater than 4.0 ng/ml. We compared outcomes between men with clinical stage T1c disease undergoing radical prostatectomy who had a low vs slightly increased prostate specific antigen.Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 2,896 men treated with radical prostatectomy between 1985 and 2004 at a tertiary care referral center with clinical stage T1c disease and a pre-biopsy prostate specific antigen between 2.6 and 6.0 ng/ml. Using multivariate analysis we evaluated the association between pre-biopsy prostate specific antigen 2.6 to 4.0 ng/ml (784) vs 4.1 to 6.0 ng/ml (2,112), and pathological outcomes and biochemical progression.Results: After adjusting for multiple clinical and pathological characteristics, lower preoperative serum prostate specific antigen values were associated wi...
Arg-14 loop of site 3 anemone toxins: effects of glycine replacement on toxin affinity.

Anthopleurin B (ApB) is a high-affinity sea anemone neurotoxin that interacts with voltage-sensitive sodium (NaV) channels, causing a delay in channel inactivation. The solution structures of all known anemone toxins having this activity include a poorly defined region encompassing ApB residues 8−17, which we call the Arg-14 loop. We propose that the inherent mobility of the Arg-14 loop is necessary for the toxins' ability to maintain a high-affinity channel complex throughout the continual conformational transitions experienced by the channel during its functional cycle. We have previously shown that Arg-12, located in this loop, and Leu-18, which is adjacent, are important for ApB activity. Here, we characterized the role of two glycines located within the loop (Gly-10 and Gly-15) and an additional glycine positioned immediately C-terminal to it (Gly-20). We used site-directed replacement by alanine to assess the functional contribution to toxin binding of each of these residues singly and in combinatio...
Theoretical and experimental conductivities of silver halide-silver sulfide ISE membranes

Abstract In a previous paper, the Smith-Anderson particulate conductivity model has been extended to particulate ISE membranes. In this paper, theoretically calculated results are compared with experimentally measured results for silver halide-silver sulfide ISE membranes. Calculated and experimental ionic conductivities are in very good agreement. Calculated and experimental electronic conductivities are in poor agreement. The possible reasons for the latter are discussed.
Measurements of the free surface flow structure under an impinging, free liquid jet

The objective of this research was to characterize the flow structure under an impinging liquid jet striking a flat, normally oriented surface. The approach was the measurement of the free surface velocities of the jet prior to impingement and the surface velocities of the radially spreading liquid layer. A novel laser-Doppler velocimetry technique was used. The LDV system was configured such that the measurement volume would span the time-dependent fluctuations of the free surface, with the surface velocity being measured. The mean and fluctuating components of a single direction of the velocity vector were measured. It was found that the radial liquid layer data collapsed well over the range of jet Reynolds numbers 16,000 < Re < 47,000 if plotted in dimensionless coordinates, where the measured velocity was normalized by the average jet exit velocity and the radial coordinate was normalized by the nozzle diameter. Mean liquid layer depths were inferred from the velocity measurements by assuming a velocity profile across the layer, and were reported. Pre-impingement jet measurements suggest that the flow development is nearly complete two diameters from the nozzle exit.
On Orbital Elements of Extrasolar Planetary Candidates and Spectroscopic Binaries

We estimate probability densities of orbital elements, periods, and eccentricities, for the population of extrasolar planetary candidates (EPC) and, separately, for the population of spectroscopic binaries (SB) with solar-type primaries. We construct empirical cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) in order to infer probability distribution functions (PDFs) for orbital periods and eccentricities. We also derive a joint probability density for period-eccentricity pairs in each population. Comparison of respective distributions reveals that in all cases EPC and SB populations are, in the context of orbital elements, indistinguishable from each other to a high degree of statistical significance. Probability densities of orbital periods in both populations have P(exp -1) functional form, whereas the PDFs of eccentricities can he best characterized as a Gaussian with a mean of about 0.35 and standard deviation of about 0.2 turning into a flat distribution at small values of eccentricity. These remarkable similarities between EPC and SB must be taken into account by theories aimed at explaining the origin of extrasolar planetary candidates, and constitute an important clue us to their ultimate nature.
EFFECT OF THE SELECTIVE PHOSPHODIESTERASE TYPE 5 INHIBITOR SILDENAFIL ON ERECTILE FUNCTION IN THE ANESTHETIZED DOG

AbstractPurpose: The effects of sildenafil, a highly selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase type 5, on erectile function in the anesthetized dog were evaluated.Materials and Methods: In pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, increases in intracavernosal pressure in the corpus cavernosum and penile blood flow were induced by pelvic nerve stimulation over a frequency range of 1 to 16 hertz. The effects of increasing doses of sildenafil on electrically stimulated intracavernosal pressure, penile blood flow, blood pressure, and heart-rate were evaluated. In parallel experiments, the effects of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N omega-Nitro-L-Arginine (L-NOArg) on these same parameters also were assessed.Results: The effects of nerve stimulation on intracavernosal pressure and blood flow to the penis were blocked by L-NOArg, 0.1-3 mg./kg., in a dose-related manner, confirming the important role of nitric oxide in producing erections. Sildenafil, 1-100 micro g./kg administ...
Combined effects of human papillomavirus-18 and n-methyl-n-nitro-n-nitrosoguanidine on the transformation of normal human oral keratinocytes

This study was supported in part by a grant from the Smokeless Tobacco Research Council,Inc.(grant number 0231) and U.S. Public Health Service research grant R01-DE10049 from the National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health.
Time-resolved measurement of a self-amplified free-electron laser.

Abstract We report on a time-resolved measurement of self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser (FEL) pulses. We observed that the spikes in such FEL pulses have an intrinsic positive chirp and the energy chirp in the electron bunch mapped directly into the FEL output. The measurement also provides rich information on the statistics of the FEL pulses.
Effect of the Specific Toxin in Helminthosporium victoriae on Host Cell Membranes

Helminthosporium victoriae toxin, which affects only hosts of the toxin-producing fungus, causes loss of electrolytes from roots, leaves, and coleoptiles of treated plants. Root hair cells lost the ability to plasmolyze after 20 minutes exposure to toxin in solution; comparable resistant cells retained plasmolytic ability during 3 hours exposure. Toxin stopped uptake of exogenous amino acids and Pi by susceptible but not by resistant tissue. Incorporation of (32)P into organic-P and (14)C-amino acids into protein was blocked in susceptible but not in resistant tissue. Apparent free space increased in susceptible but not in resistant roots. The increase was evident within 30 minutes, and reached 80% free space after 2 hours exposure to toxin. When cell wall-free protoplasts were exposed to 0.16 mug toxin/ml, protoplasmic streaming stopped and all plasma membranes of susceptible protoplasts broke within 1 hour. Resistant protoplasts were not affected significantly. Data support the hypothesis of a primary lesion of toxin in the plasma membrane. Effects on synthesis could result from lack of transport of exogenous solutes to sites of synthesis. It is possible that all other observed effects of toxin are secondary to membrane damage.
Why do barium ions imitate acetylcholine

Abstract The action of 1–4 mM barium on bullfrog sympathetic ganglion cells was studied using voltage clamp. Barium imitated the action of muscarine, causing depolarization, increased input resistance, tendency to repetitive firing, and a specific inhibition of a slow small outward current termed the M current. Barium did not produce significant short-term inhibition of three other outward currents; the delayed rectifier, the calcium-dependent K current, and the A current.
Design and analysis of sampling plans to estimate aflatoxin concentrations in shelled peanuts

Methodology for use in the design and evaluation of sampling plans to estimate aflatoxin concentrations in lots of shelled peanuts is presented. Use of the operating characteristic curve for comparing and evaluating processor and consumer risks related to various sampling plans and application of the negative binomial distribution to estimate probabilities associated with sampling lots of shelled peanuts for aflatoxin concentration are discussed. Operating characteristic curves are developed for two different single-sample plans, an attribute multiple sample plan, and the plan presently used by the peanut industry to estimate aflatoxin concentrations in commercial lots of shelled peanuts. An estimated prior distribution of lots according to aflatoxin concentration is used to predict, among others, such values as the per cent of all lots tested that will be accepted by the sampling plans and the average aflatoxin concentration in the accepted lots. All four of the sampling plans described in the paper are compared on the basis of values such as these. Other factors to be considered in the critical evaluation and selection of sampling plans for estimating aflatoxin concentrations in commercial lots of shelled peanuts are discussed.
137. Acute calorie restriction as a modulator of anxiety-like behavior

Neurological disorders, such as depression, cognitive decline, and anxiety, are a growing class of chronic diseases. Recently, several studies have highlighted the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of these disorders, specifically caspase-1 mediated activation of IL-1β. Additionally, acute calorie restriction has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, and improve sickness behaviors. While the benefits of calorie restriction are well known, the specific mechanism by which it modulates behavior is yet to be determined. In the current study mice were subjected to acute calorie restriction in the form of a 24 h fast to determine how calorie restriction can modulate anxiety-like behavior. Fasted mice displayed reduced anxiety-like behavior as measured by an elevated zero maze, while exhibiting no changes in locomotor activity during the task. Additionally, fasted mice exhibited reduced brain caspase-1 activity and a parallel reduction in IL-1β gene expression in the whole brain, amygdala, and hypothalamus. Taken together our data suggest that acute calorie restriction can improve anxiety-like behavior through a reduction in brain caspase-1 activity and IL-1 gene expression in specific brain regions.
Technique for access to the posterosuperior iliac spine for local bone graft during total hip arthroplasty

A technique of local acquisition of large amounts of autogenous bone graft during revision total hip arthroplasty is described. Eleven such procedures in ten patients are described, with average total blood loss (intraoperative and postoperative) of 2,610 ml. No adverse wound or operative complications related to bone graft acquisition occurred.
Protein Kinase C-α and Protein Kinase C-ε Are Required for Grb2-associated Binder-1 Tyrosine Phosphorylation in Response to Platelet-derived Growth Factor

Abstract Grb2-associated binder-1 (Gab1) is an adapter protein related to the insulin receptor substrate family. It is a substrate for the insulin receptor as well as the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and other receptor-tyrosine kinases. To investigate the role of Gab1 in signaling pathways downstream of growth factor receptors, we stimulated rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) with EGF and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Gab1 was tyrosine-phosphorylated by EGF and PDGF within 1 min. AG1478 (an EGF receptor kinase-specific inhibitor) failed to block PDGF-induced Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting that transactivated EGF receptor is not responsible for this signaling event. Because Gab1 associates with phospholipase Cγ (PLCγ), we studied the role of the PLCγ pathway in Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation. Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation by PDGF was impaired in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing mutant PDGFβ receptor (Y977F/Y989F: lacking the binding site for PLCγ). Pretreatment of VSMC with U73122 (a specific PLCγ inhibitor) inhibited Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation as well, indicating the importance of the PLCγ pathway. Gab1 was tyrosine-phosphorylated by phorbol ester to the same extent as PDGF stimulation. Studies using antisense protein kinase C (PKC) oligonucleotides and specific inhibitors showed that PKCα and PKCe are required for Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation. Binding of Gab1 to the protein-tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase was significantly decreased by PLCγ and/or PKC inhibition, suggesting the importance of the PLCγ/PKC-dependent Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation for the interaction with other signaling molecules. Because PDGF-mediated ERK activation is enhanced in Chinese hamster ovary cells that overexpress Gab1, Gab1 serves as an important link between PKC and ERK activation by PDGFβ receptors in VSMC.
Hyperplastic Luschka ducts: a mimic of adenocarcinoma in the gallbladder fossa

Ducts of Luschka are a developmental abnormality found within the gallbladder fossa in up to 10% of cholecystectomy specimens. They are most often encountered by surgeons when injured during laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy, leading to bile leakage and subsequent peritonitis. Histologically, they are typically composed of lobular aggregates of small ductules lined by bland, cuboidal-to-columnar biliary-type epithelium, associated with centrally located, larger ductules surrounded by concentric fibrosis. We have identified 6 cases of florid Luschka duct proliferation in which the ductules demonstrated irregular growth pattern, loss of characteristic concentric fibrosis, and epithelial atypia that strongly suggested the diagnosis of invasive pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma or metastatic adenocarcinoma involving the gallbladder serosa. Two of the cases were initially diagnosed as invasive adenocarcinoma, whereas the other 4 were sent for consultation to rule out adenocarcinoma. All cases were associated with marked acute and chronic cholecystitis with mucosal ulceration, cholelithiasis, and thickening of the gallbladder wall. The ducts of Luschka were located within the rim of adherent liver in all 6 cases and the gallbladder serosa in 5 cases. Limited follow-up information was available for all patients with no documentation of progressive disease. Awareness and proper recognition of the anatomic location and histologic features are imperative in distinguishing florid ducts of Luschka from both non-neoplastic conditions and most importantly adenocarcinoma.
Coupled Distributed Estimation and Control for Mobile Sensor Networks

In this paper, we introduce a theoretical framework for coupled distributed estimation and motion control of mobile sensor networks for collaborative target tracking. We use a Fisher Information theoretic metric for quality of sensed data. The mobile sensing agents seek to improve the information value of their sensed data while maintaining a safe-distance from other neighboring agents (i.e., perform information-driven flocking). We provide a formal stability analysis of continuous Kalman-Consensus filtering (KCF) algorithm on a mobile sensor network with a flocking-based mobility control model. The discrete-time counterpart of this coupled estimation and control algorithm is successfully applied to tracking of two types of targets with stochastic linear and nonlinear dynamics.
Precision measurements for propagation properties of high-definition polymer waveguides by imaging of scattered light

We present a reliable, nondestructive, and real-time technique for characterization of propagation properties of planar optical waveguides based on accurately imaging the scattered light from the optical waveguide using a sensitive charge-coupled device (CCD) camera with built-in integration functionality. This technique can be used for real-time investigation of the propagation properties (loss, mode profile, bending properties, etc.) as well as the fabrication quality of planar optical waveguides. With this technique, we evaluate high-definition polymer optical waveguides on printed circuit board (PCB) substrates with a very low loss of 0.065 dB/cm at a wavelength of 850 nm, and measurement accuracy is less than 0.01 dB/cm. We expect this technique with the given CCD camera to be suitable for reliably measuring loss coefficients well below 0.1 dB/cm.
Balloon angioplasty for arteriovenous graft stenosis

Purpose To retrospectively review the long-term outcome as well as the cost effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy and balloon angioplasty (TBA) versus surgical thrombectomy and balloon angioplasty (SBA) in the treatment of prosthetic dialysis access grafts. Methods Between February 1996 and February 1999, 63 hemodialysis patients (35 women; mean age 62.2 years) were treated for 105 thromboses in 6-mm polytetrafluoroethylene straight or loop bridge arteriovenous grafts. Choice of treatment was at the discretion of the surgeon or interventional radiologist: either Fogarty balloon thrombectomy followed by balloon dilation of the venous anastomotic stenosis or urokinase thrombolysis followed by angioplasty. Results Forty-eight SBAs and 55 TBAs were performed in 63 patients without complications. The primary patency rates in the entire cohort were 34%, 29%, and 17% at 1, 2, and 3 months, respectively. Primary patency after TBA was 29%, 18%, and 11%, and that for SBA, 45%, 45%, and 33% over the same time intervals. The mean graft survival was 10 days for TBA versus 31 days for SBA. Repeat angioplasty performed in 23 grafts produced secondary patency rates of 52% at 1 month, 34% at 3 months, and 5% at 5 months. The Medicare reimbursement for both treatments was identical ($1638 for TBA and $1670 for SBA). Conclusions The poor patency rate and high cost of TBA and SBA suggests that these procedures should not be routinely used for salvage of thrombosed arteriovenous grafts with outflow stenosis. Patch angioplasty or creation of simultaneous temporary and new permanent accesses may be a more cost-effective approach in these patients.
European ancestry decreases the risk of early onset, severe lupus nephritis in a single center, multiethnic pediatric lupus inception cohort.

Purpose: To determine whether pediatric SLE patients without European ancestry are at higher risk for development of severe lupus nephritis (ISN/RPS class III, IV or V). Methods: Ninety-eight of 101 patients with pediatric SLE (age <18 years at diagnosis) were enrolled. Race/ethnicity of four grandparents, socioeconomic status (SES) and language proficiency were collected. The primary outcome was time to development of severe lupus nephritis. Results: Based on patient report of four grandparent ancestry, 29% had at least one grandparent of European ancestry (14% had all four grandparents of European ancestry). Patients without European ancestry were 46% Hispanic, 47% Asian, and 3% African American. In the entire 98 patient cohort, 12% had ≥3 different ancestries. Patients without European ancestry had significantly lower SES levels and English proficiency. There was no significant difference between patients with or without European ancestry in duration of SLE, age of onset, and lag time between symptoms ...
Overview of Oral Appliance Therapy for the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Oral appliances are increasingly used in dental practices, and are indicated for the management of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and sometimes for patients with severe OSA who cannot tolerate continuous positive airway pressure therapy. Short-term and long-term follow-up is necessary to assess the efficacy of the device from subjective and objective measurements. A multidisciplinary approach involving a sleep physician, a dentist, an ear/nose/throat specialist, and a primary care physician is imperative for a better treatment outcome. Short-term and long-term side effects may occur with appliance therapy; it is recommended that dentists offering oral appliance therapy be educated and gain knowledge about the diagnosis, prevention, and management of common side effects, including temporomandibular disorders that occur with the use of such devices.
Requirements and design considerations of UV and x-ray detectors for astronomical purposes

Since our previous review, new developments have occurred which make it interesting to compare wide bandgap semiconductors with low temperature detectors. We compare the strengths and weaknesses of each of these devices. We show that there is a need for both types of devices. Furthermore, single or small-array versions of the low temperature devices have been shown to work as single photon-counting devices. This gives the low temperature devices a distinct advantage over wide bandgap detectors. The ability to operate at room temperature and to be able to use standard indium bump bonding techniques to allow for relatively routine fabrication of 500 X 500 pixel formats should, however, provide impetus to further development of wide bandgap semiconductor devices.
Viral arthritis including HIV.

Viruses are attractive candidates for infectious etiologic agents or cofactors in the development of rheumatic diseases. The epidemic of HIV infection and the recognition of "emerging viruses" continues to fuel interest in the possible role of viruses in the pathogenesis of diseases without defined etiologies. During 1994, roles for parvovirus B19 in vasculitis and erosive rheumatoid arthritis were entertained. We were reminded that rubella infection may present with polyarthritis. Our understanding of the rheumatic disease manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection was broadened to include polyarthritis. A possible role for herpesviruses in Sjogren's syndrome continued to be explored without definite resolution. Paramyxoviruses were offered as an agent in the development of Paget's disease. The retroviruses continued to attract attention because of rheumatic disease syndromes in AIDS patients and the ability of retroviruses to latently infect the host and alter host immune responses. This review highlights efforts made in the past year to elucidate the role of viral infection in rheumatic disease.
Analytical prediction of structural response to fire

In this paper, general methods for analytical prediction of thermal and structural responses of building subassemblies exposed to any specified fire exposure are summarized and validity and application of these methods to design for structural fire safety of buildings are discussed.
Patronage in the Commonwealth of Kentucky

The continuing tensions between patronage and merit are illustrated in this case study. Based on telephone interviews and a review of published accounts, it describes a series of apparent violations of merit-hiring principles that occurred in Kentucky during the gubernatorial administration of Ernie Fletcher. The role of the governor and the behavior of other institutional actors suggest that mechanisms exist to reestablish a balance between patronage and merit.
An Alternative Sequential Approach to the Problem of Selecting the Best of k Populations

Abstract Previous sequential solutions for selecting the population with the largest center of symmetry among k populations differing only in location have taken the following approach: Let cs denote the event of correct selection and derive a stopping rule which is such that, for α > 0 preassigned, lim inf P (cs) ≥ 1 − α as δ → 0 when δ = θ[k] − θ[k−1] and θ[i] is the ith smallest center of symmetry. In the present article the fixed δ case is of primary concern, and rules which perform well as α → 0 are sought. A general method of solution is presented and applied to yield a procedure based on the sample means. Comparison with a previously developed rule is made.
Thermodynamic Study of the Effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid and Ursodeoxycholate on Aqueous Dipalmitoyl Phosphatidylcholine Bilayer Dispersions

The effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCAH) and ursodeoxycholate (UDCA-) on the thermotropic phase behavior of aqueous bilayer dispersions of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-3-sn-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), buffered at pH 7.0, were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for concentrations of UDCAH and UDCA- (represented by UDCA) from 0 to approximately 76 mol %. The calorimetric data show that progressively increasing UDCA concentrations decreases the DPPC bilayer main transition temperatures (Tm), while increasing the widths of the gel to liquid crystalline phase transition endotherms. The DPPC bilayer pretransition is suppressed in the presence of UDCA at the lowest concentrations employed. The calorimetric data, which are interpreted in terms of the partition equilibria of UDCAH and UDCA- and of the DPPC bilayer phase transition enthalpies and Gibbs free energies, allow the development of a thermodynamic approach for determining the phase boundaries in mixed DPPC:UDCA dispersions. In particular, for conce...