cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review: My Text: An alternative to the traditional textbook

Both college level students and instructors alike have become frustrated with the modern textbook. Textbooks are expensive, passive in tone; water downed, and rarely has the breadth and depth that is needed for a course. Recently, Myles Johnson a former Psychology Instructor, has come up with an instructional method known as My Text that addresses these frustrations. Here students, with the instructor's guidance, create their own textbooks. This paper takes a look at some of the Pedagogical merits of this method as a Learner Centered Approach and makes recommendations for future research.
Effects of Nutrition on Unconjugated Plasma Bilirubin Concentrations in Squirrel Monkeys

Bolivian squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) have fasting unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia (males: 2.0 +/- 0.14; females: 3.0 +/- 0.26 mg per dl) which resembles that of humans with Gilbert's syndrome. Closely related Brazilian squirrel monkeys have fasting levels (males: 0.29 +/- 0.045; females: 0.36 +/- 0.073 mg per dl) similar to normal people. The purpose of this study was to identify the underlying mechanisms and the nutritional factors involved. Both Bolivian and Brazilian squirrel monkeys had higher plasma bilirubin concentrations after an 18 hr fast than 4 hr after feeding. The development of fasting hyperbilirubinemia was progressive for at least 24 hr. Both populations that received a semipurified diet containing 5% fat had lower fasting and postprandial plasma bilirubin concentrations than did animals receiving 0.3% fat but much lower than those receiving 20% fat. The emulsified complete meal, or glucose, sucrose, casein, or lactalbumin alone when given by intragastric tube lowered the plasma bilirubin levels of Bolivian monkeys to less than one-half of fasting values within 1 to 4 hr. Water or butter did not have a significant effect. Glucose or fructose, when given intravenously, lowered the plasma bilirubin levels to less than half of fasting values; the fat emulsion, Intralipid, did not have a statistically significant effect. Subcutaneous epinephrine increased plasma glucose concentrations and reduced plasma bilirubin concentrations. When glucose or glucose plus butter were given by stomach tube to Bolivian squirrel monkeys for 48 hr, a very low plasma bilirubin concentration resulted whereas butter given alone resulted in high values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Patterning of dielectric oxide thin layers by microcontact printing of self-assembled monolayers

This communication describes a technique used to pattern oxide thin layers using microcontact printing ({mu}CP) and sol-gel deposition. The technique involves {mu}CP of self-assembled monolayers (SAM`s) of alkylsiloxane on various substrates (SiO{sub 2}/Si, sapphire, ITO, and glass), followed by deposition of oxide thin layers from sol-gel precursors. Delamination of oxide layers from SAM-derivatized regions allows selective deposition of crystalline dielectric oxide layers on underivatized regions. To demonstrate the viability of this technique for integrated microelectronics and optics applications, patterned (Pb,La)TiO{sub 3} (PLT) and LiNbO{sub 3} layers were deposited on sapphire, silicon, and indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates. Use of lattice-matched substrates allows lithography-free deposition of patterned heteroepitaxial oxide layers. Strip waveguides of heteroepitaxial LiNbO{sub 3} with 4 {mu}m lateral dimensions were fabricated on sapphire. Dielectric measurements for patterned PLT thin layers on ITO are also reported. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital Materials} {ital Research} {ital Society}.
Anton 2: raising the bar for performance and programmability in a special-purpose molecular dynamics supercomputer

Anton 2 is a second-generation special-purpose supercomputer for molecular dynamics simulations that achieves significant gains in performance, programmability, and capacity compared to its predecessor, Anton 1. The architecture of Anton 2 is tailored for fine-grained event-driven operation, which improves performance by increasing the overlap of computation with communication, and also allows a wider range of algorithms to run efficiently, enabling many new software-based optimizations. A 512-node Anton 2 machine, currently in operation, is up to ten times faster than Anton 1 with the same number of nodes, greatly expanding the reach of all-atom bio molecular simulations. Anton 2 is the first platform to achieve simulation rates of multiple microseconds of physical time per day for systems with millions of atoms. Demonstrating strong scaling, the machine simulates a standard 23,558-atom benchmark system at a rate of 85 µs/day -- 180 times faster than any commodity hardware platform or general-purpose supercomputer.
Empirical constrained Bayes predictors accounting for non-detects among repeated measures.

When the prediction of subject-specific random effects is of interest, constrained Bayes predictors (CB) have been shown to reduce the shrinkage of the widely accepted Bayes predictor while still maintaining desirable properties, such as optimizing mean-square error subsequent to matching the first two moments of the random effects of interest. However, occupational exposure and other epidemiologic (e.g. HIV) studies often present a further challenge because data may fall below the measuring instrument's limit of detection. Although methodology exists in the literature to compute Bayes estimates in the presence of non-detects (BayesND), CB methodology has not been proposed in this setting. By combining methodologies for computing CBs and BayesND, we introduce two novel CBs that accommodate an arbitrary number of observable and non-detectable measurements per subject. Based on application to real data sets (e.g. occupational exposure, HIV RNA) and simulation studies, these CB predictors are markedly superior to the Bayes predictor and to alternative predictors computed using ad hoc methods in terms of meeting the goal of matching the first two moments of the true random effects distribution. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Yukawa interaction in infinite volume

We prove the existence of the Heisenberg picture field operators for quantum fields with a Yukawa interaction. The interaction density $$g:\Psi ^ + (x) \Psi (x) \Phi (x):$$ has a momentum cutoff on the Fermions, but no spatial form factor, and is thus translation invariant.
5-Lipoxygenase Compartmentalization in Granulocytic Cells Is Modulated by an Internal Bipartite Nuclear Localizing Sequence and Nuclear Factor κB Complex Formation☆☆☆

Abstract A region of basic amino acids spanning residues 639–656 in the human 5-lipoxygenase sequence resembles a consensus bipartite nuclear localizing sequence. A synthetic peptide consisting of the Kaposi fibroblast growth factor signal sequence fused to the 5-lipoxygenase 639–656 bipartite nuclear localizing sequence has a prominent inhibitory effect on 5-lipoxygenase catalysis in granulocytic HL-60 cells activated by calcium ionophor A23187. Recombinant 5-lipoxygenase was not affected by the peptide. The peptide also inhibited redistribution of 5-lipoxygenase from the cytosol to the nuclear membrane of HL-60 cells stimulated by A23187. 5-Lipoxygenase protein was detected in nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 subunit immunoprecipitate fractions prepared from HL-60 cell lysates. The amount of 5-lipoxygenase protein coimmunoprecipitated by NF-κB antiserum was increased following A23187 stimulation. In cells treated with agents that block 5-lipoxygenase translocation to the nucleus, 5-lipoxygenase protein appearing in the NF-κB immunoprecipitate was diminished. Our results implicate an internal bipartite nuclear localizing sequence as a regulatory domain that modulates 5-lipoxygenase redistribution and catalysis in granulocytic cells. Additionally, our results suggest that molecular determinants which govern 5-lipoxygenase and NF-κB redistribution to the nucleus may be coordinately controlled in granulocytic cells.
Resolution of lactic dehydrogenase in beef cornea epithelium on diethylaminoethyl cellulose

Abstract Multiple forms of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in beef cornea epithelial extract were studied by use of diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose anion-exchange chromatography. After passage through DEAE cellulose anion-exchange column, two forms of diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPNH) linked LDH were detected. Both forms used triphosphopyridine nucleotide for the reduction of pyruvate to lactate but at a much lower rate than DPNH.
Education about Lymphedema Prevention and Management: A Needs Assessment of Breast Cancer Survivors in a Rural U.S. State

Breast cancer survivors who had received treatment at a tertiary hospital in the rural state of Vermont were interviewed to ascertain their sources of information and levels of awareness and practice relating to lymphedema prevention and management. The results generally corroborated those of previous research: surgeons, reading materials, and other breast cancer survivors were the three most cited sources of information. Awareness of recommended practices for preventing and managing lymphedema ranged from 21.4 percent to 71.4 percent and respondents tended to practice what little they knew. Higher levels of awareness and practice were associated with citing a primary care physician as an information source. The results suggest designing different interventions for providers and patients. It seems that providers need to be motivated to provide information to their patients at every opportunity, while patients would benefit from direct discussions with their primary care physicians about lymphedema prevent...
Isoforms of agrin are widely expressed in the developing rat and may function as protease inhibitors

The agrin family of extracellular matrix proteins may be important in the formation of the neuromuscular junction. Using in situ hybridization with a probe recognizing all agrin isoforms, we demonstrate that it is widely expressed during mammalian embryogenesis. In the developing rat, particularly high levels of expression are found in the dorsal root and cranial ganglia, gut, whisker rudiments, penis, snout, teeth, retina, hippocampus, cerebral cortex and the lining of brain ventricles. Functional analysis of the recombinant rat protein shows that it is a potent inhibitor of the proteases trypsin, chymotrypsin and plasmin but not thrombin or the plasminogen activators. We conclude that agrin and its isoforms may play multiple roles in mammalian development including the regulation of proteolysis in the extracellular matrix.
Matrixx v. Siracusano: what do courts mean by ‘statistical significance’?

The Supreme Court ruled in Matrixx that statistical significance is not necessary to show that a drug caused an adverse reaction. Five circuit court decisions holding otherwise preceded this decision. This paper examines the extent to which the Supreme Court's reasoning differed from those of the circuit courts. Language: en
Microbial transformation from normal oral microbiota to acute endodontic infections

Endodontic infections are a leading cause of oro-facial pain and tooth loss in western countries, and may lead to severe life-threatening infections. These infections are polymicrobial with high bacterial diversity. Understanding the spatial transition of microbiota from normal oral cavities through the infected root canal to the acute periapical abscess can improve our knowledge of the pathogenesis of endodontic infections and lead to more effective treatment. We obtained samples from the oral cavity, infected root canal and periapical abscess of 8 patients (5 with localized and 3 with systemic infections). Microbial populations in these samples were analyzed using next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons. Bioinformatics tools and statistical tests with rigorous criteria were used to elucidate the spatial transition of the microbiota from normal to diseased sites. On average, 10,000 partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from each sample. All sequences fell into 11 different bacterial phyla. The microbial diversity in root canal and abscess samples was significantly lower than in the oral samples. Streptococcus was the most abundant genus in oral cavities while Prevotella and Fusobacterium were most abundant in diseased samples. The microbiota community structures of root canal and abscess samples were, however, more similar to each other than to the oral cavity microbiota. Using rigorous criteria and novel bioinformatics tools, we found that Granulicatella adiacens, Eubacterium yurii, Prevotella melaninogenica, Prevotella salivae, Streptococcus mitis, and Atopobium rimae were over-represented in diseased samples. We used a novel approach and high-throughput methodologies to characterize the microbiota associated normal and diseased oral sites in the same individuals.
Distinct value estimation on peer-to-peer networks

Peer-to-Peer networks have become very popular on the Internet, with millions of peers all over the world sharing large volumes of data. In the assistive healthcare sector, it is likely that P2P networks will develop that interconnect and allow the controlled sharing of patient databases of various hospitals, clinics, and research laboratories. However, the sheer scale of these networks has made it difficult to gather statistics that could be used for building new features. In this paper, we present a technique to obtain estimations of the number of distinct values matching a query on the network. We evaluate the technique experimentally and provide a set of results that demonstrate its effectiveness, as well as its flexibility in supporting a variety of queries and applications.
Does Perceived Control Predict Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use Among Patients with Lung Cancer? A Cross-Sectional Survey

Purpose Scant literature exists on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among patients with lung cancer. Preliminary data indicates that perceived control is an important factor leading patients to CAM. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between perceived control and CAM use in patients with lung cancer.
A mathematical model of the passive properties of bladder muscle

Abstract A mathematical model of the passive properties of bladder muscle is described. It consists of an arbitrary number of blocks connected together. Between each two blocks there is nonlinear elastic reactance, viscous resistance, and frictional resistance. The equations for the system are set down, and simulation studies are done on the case of two movable blocks to compare the behavior of the model with that of bladder muscle.
Management of Patients With Positive Surgical Margins After Vertical Hemilaryngectomy

Objective: To evaluate the significance of positive surgical margins after vertical hemilaryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Design: A retrospective review of patients undergoing hemilaryngectomy over a 20-year period. Setting: A major academic medical center. Patients: Fifty-six consecutive patients who underwent hemilaryngectomy between 1970 and 1990. Seventeen patients were excluded because of insufficient data or because they received postoperative radiation therapy. Results: Eleven (28%) of 39 patients had cancer involvement of at least one margin. Two (8%) of 28 patients with negative margins and six (55%) of 11 patients with positive margins had recurrence. This difference in tumor recurrence is statistically significant. The mean disease-free interval prior to recurrence was 25 months, with no significant difference between the two groups. The mean follow-up periods for patients with positive vs negative margins were not statistically significant. There were no significant differences in survival estimates between patients with positive margins and those with negative margins. Conclusions: Despite a sevenfold increase in tumor recurrence rates for patients with positive margins after hemilaryngectomy, there was no adverse effect on overall survival when these patients were managed with close follow-up and salvage surgery with or without postoperative radiation therapy for tumor recurrence. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;121:172-175)
Device Application Of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals

Device Application of Ferroelectric Liquid CrystalsN. A. Clark and M. A. HandschyDepartment of Physics, University of ColoradoBoulder, Colorado 80309 -0390AbstractFerroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) in the Surface Stabilized (SSFLC) geometry can beused to make voltage operated light valves with bipolar response, intrinsic memory, andmicrosecond switching speeds. These light valves, configured as linear or matrix arrays,have a variety of practical optical computing applications.We present a high spatial resolution matrix -addressed SSFLC light valve array suitablefor use as a spatial modulator for transmitted light. The array employs the typical SSFLCgeometry of the FLC as a dielectric in a transparent capacitor. The capacitor plates areindium -tin oxide (ITO) coated glass with the ITO patterned into electrical strips, the topand bottom strips oriented at 90° with respect to each other, to form a matrix -addressedarray of overlapping square areas, the individual addressible shutters (pels).Voltage pulses applied to selected rows and columns will switch the FLC molecularorientation into one of either two states having different uniaxial optic axis orientations.The FLC -glass sandwich is placed between crossed polarizers to exploit the reorientationfor application as a light valve. Typical contrast ratios exceed 100:1 for pels in thearray to be discussed. Our array has 1024 (32x32) pels of dimension (17y mxl7r m) with5pm -wide gaps between the pels.The array addressing circuitry employs bipolar pulse sequences which allow all of thepels in a selected row to be written simultaneously. For the room temperature FLC mixtureemployed, the optical risetime (10% - 90 %) is 100psec, enabling a single row to be writtenin about 400jusec, and enabling the entire array to be written in about 13msec.The pel dimensions in the presented array are limited by the lithographic equipmentavailable to pattern the plates. Ultimately the pel dimension will be limited by thewidth of the domain wall separating the states, on the order of 1 to 2ym. Hence, peldimensions of about 5pm square should be feasible.
Long-Wavelength Modes of Cosmological Scalar Fields

We give a numerical analysis of long-wavelength modes in the WKB approximation of cosmological scalar fields coupled to gravity via {xi}{phi}{sup 2}R. Massless fields are coupled conformally at {xi}=1/6. Conformality can be preserved for fields of nonzero mass by shifting {xi}. We discuss implications for density perturbations.
Molecular Systematics of Chipmunks ( Neotamias ) Inferred by Mitochondrial Control Region Sequences

Western chipmunks (Neotamias) exhibit a complex geographical distribution and can vary by minute morphological differences. This has lead to confusion around the taxonomy and evolutionary history of this group. The main focus of this molecular study was to infer taxonomic relationships within Neotamias, especially at the tips of the tree. Sequences of the complete control region for 16 species of chipmunks (Tamias, Neotamias) were analyzed independently and in combination with previously published sequences of two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase II. The control region data set corroborated the findings of Piaggio and Spicer (2001) in finding five discrete clades, while also providing stronger bootstrap support for most terminal branches. Analysis of individual mitochondrial genes revealed that not all genes have the same phylogenetic signal and when analyzed in combination, this incongruence amongst genes is resolved.
Tightly bound cardiolipin in cytochrome oxidase.

Tightly bound cardiolipin has been found in cytochrome oxidase. The molar ratio of bound cardiolipin to cytochrome oxidase approaches 1:1. The tightly bound cardiolipin cannot be removed by many solvents which extract loosely bound lipids, but can be extracted with alkaline chloroform-methanol. Phospholipase A does not hydrolyze the bound lipid. After partial removal by repeated cholate-(NH4)2SO4 treatment maximum activity can be restored in the oxidase by cardiolipin but not by detergents. The bound cardiolipin has a fatty acid composition similar to the bulk mitochondrial cardiolipin but small amounts of three other phospholipid fractions with a high level of saturated fatty acid are also found to be closely associated with the oxidase.
A digital profiler for the characterization of semiconductors

Describes an automatic digital profiler which measures the density of free carriers versus depth in a semiconductor material. The instrument is controlled by a microprocessor in order to reduce operator intervention and eliminate some of the errors inherent in analog systems.
Jamming probabilities and throughput of cognitive radio communications against a wideband jammer

In this paper we give closed-form analysis results of the jamming probabilities and throughput of cognitive radio transmissions when facing a wideband jammer. We first set up a Markov model of the cognitive radio transmissions which consists of three states: spectrum sensing, channel access, and channel switching. The jamming probabilities of the three states are derived under the assumption of a wideband jammer. The normalized transmission throughput is then derived. This expression is simple enough for us to analyze and optimize some important jamming and anti-jamming parameters for optimal anti-jamming design. Simulations are conducted to verify the analysis results.
EPR of Cu2+ Prion Protein Constructs at 2 GHz Using the g⊥ Region to Characterize Nitrogen Ligation

A double octarepeat prion protein construct, which has two histidines, mixed with copper sulfate in a 3:2 molar ratio provides at most three imidazole ligands to each copper ion to form a square-planar Cu2+ complex. This work is concerned with identification of the fourth ligand. A new (to our knowledge) electron paramagnetic resonance method based on analysis of the intense features of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum in the g⊥ region at 2 GHz is introduced to distinguish between three and four nitrogen ligands. The methodology was established by studies of a model system consisting of histidine imidazole ligation to Cu2+. In this spectral region at 2 GHz (S-band), g-strain and broadening from the possible rhombic character of the Zeeman interaction are small. The most intense line is identified with the MI = +1/2 extra absorption peak. Spectral simulation demonstrated that this peak is insensitive to cupric Ax and Ay hyperfine interaction. The spectral region to the high-field side of this peak is uncluttered and suitable for analysis of nitrogen superhyperfine couplings to determine the number of nitrogens. The spectral region to the low-field side of the intense extra absorption peak in the g⊥ part of the spectrum is sensitive to the rhombic distortion parameters Ax and Ay. Application of the method to the prion protein system indicates that two species are present and that the dominant species contains four nitrogen ligands. A new loop-gap microwave resonator is described that contains ∼1 mL of frozen sample.
The Effects of an Outdoor Adventure Camp Experience on Self-Concept

Abstract Four sessions of coed outdoor adventure camp were evaluated to determine the effects on self-concept of the teenage participants. A primary goal of the camp was to instill in the campers a sense of accomplishment and cooperation by providing a safe environment in which campers can experience new adventures and challenges while sharing responsibilities with other youth. The Tennessee Self-concept Scale was administered at the beginning of each camp session and again at the end of the 6th day of each session. The hypothesis of this study stated that there would be a statistically significant difference between pre- and posttest self-concept scores, indicating a positive change in the self-concept of the camper as a result of the outdoor adventure experience. Nine areas of self-concept were evaluated. Although results were inconsistent across all four sessions, the differences could be attributed to differences in organization of each camp session. The findings of this study may be used by camp dire...
InSAR coherence due to remote sensing of low-loss, guiding planar-layered geophysical media using H-polarized microwaves

We propose a planar-layered medium-based radar backscat-ter model to predict coherence trends, in Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) images, manifest when interrogating planar-layered dielectric geophysical subsurfaces. This InSAR coherence model improves upon past ones in two ways: Incorporation of “multi-bounce”, arising from the guidance behavior of minimally-attenuating and high-contrast dielectric slabs, as well as azimuthal deviation in antenna pointing. Including the former renders this model especially suitable for analyzing coherence modifications (decorrelation and phase bias) arising from remote sensing of low-attenuating targets (e.g., dry soil), which augments applicability to high-attenuating targets (e.g., wet, salty soils) readily analyzed with many traditional InSAR models. Representing the model's key contributions, we discuss two predicted trends: Namely, in the limit of a perfectly guiding dielectric slab (i.e., zero attenuation and infinite dielectric contrast), the interferometric correlation is inversely proportional to the InSAR perpendicular baseline length and the phase bias linearly diverges.
Isotopic Evolution of Saline Lakes in the Low-Latitude and Polar Regions

Isotopic fractionations associated with two primary processes (evaporation and freezing of water) are discussed, which are responsible for the formation and evolution of saline lakes in deserts from both low-latitude and the Polar regions. In an evaporative system, atmospheric parameters (humidity and isotopic composition of water vapor) have strong influence on the isotopic behavior of saline lakes, and in a freezing system, salinity build-up largely controls the extent of freezing and associated isotope fractionation. In both systems, salinity has a direct impact on the isotopic evolution of saline lakes. It is proposed that a steady-state “terminal lake” model with short-term hydrologic and environmental perturbations can serve as a useful framework for investigating both evaporative and freezing processes of perennial saline lakes. Through re-assessment of own work and literature data for saline lakes, it was demonstrated that effective uses of the isotope activity compositions of brines and salinity-chemistry data could reveal dynamic changes and evolution in the isotopic compositions of saline lakes in response to hydrologic and environmental changes. The residence time of isotopic water molecules in lakes determines the nature of responses in the isotopic compositions following perturbations in the water and isotope balances (e.g., dilution by inflow, water deficit by increased evaporation, and/or reduction in inflow). The isotopic profiles of some saline lakes from the Polar regions show that they switched the two contrasting modes of operation between evaporative and freezing systems, in response to climate and hydrological changes in the past.
Hydrophilic 7β-hydroxy bile acids, lovastatin, and cholestyramine are ineffective in the treatment of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

Abstract We compared the effect of treatments with hydrophilic bile acids (ursodeoxycholic and ursocholic acids), cholestyramine, and lovastatin versus chenodeoxycholic acid in 4 patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). Bile acids and bile alcohols in plasma, bile, and urine before and after treatment were quantitated by gas-liquid chromatography. Untreated, all patients showed abnormal biliary bile acid composition: cholic acid (72.7%) and chenodeoxycholic acid (6.2%), and polyhydroxylated C 27 -bile alcohols (10.0%), and elevated plasma cholestanol levels. Treatment with hydrophobic chenodeoxycholic acid inhibited abnormal bile acid synthesis (virtual disappearance of C 27 -bile alcohols from plasma, bile, and urine and marked reduction of plasma cholestanol levels). Hydrophilic ursodeoxycholic and ursocholic acids did not inhibit abnormal bile acid synthesis, while cholestyramine increased abnormal bile acid synthesis (continued increased formation of polyhydroxylated C 27 -bile alcohols and further elevation of plasma cholestanol levels). Lovastatin did not affect abnormal bile acid synthesis or reduce plasma cholestanol levels. The results demonstrate that impaired side-chain oxidation in bile acid synthesis due to mutations of Cyp27 results in increased formation of polyhydroxylated C 27 -bile alcohols and cholestanol in CTX. Hydrophobic chenodeoxycholic acid, but not cholestyramine, lovastatin, or hydrophilic 7β-hydroxy acids, inhibited the abnormal synthetic pathway. The role of chenodeoxycholic acid in downregulating abnormal bile acid synthesis in CTX is emphasized.
The Effects of Antecedent Cues on Teachers’ and Mental Health Workers’ Perceptions of Students’ Life Event Stressors

This study examined point‐in‐time and point‐of‐view antecedent cue effects on teachers’ and mental health workers’ perceptions of life events’ impact on students. Increased congruence between student and adult perceptions of life events’ impact was demonstrated via systematic variation of cue conditions designed to limit the contribution of historical and personal referents. Implications are discussed in terms of future research and training efforts.
Voltage-sensitive ion channels and cancer

Plasma membrane voltage-sensitive ion channels classically have been associated with a variety of inherited diseases or "channelopathies" that range in the severity of symptoms from mild to lethal. Ion channels are found throughout the body and are responsible for facilitated diffusion of ions down the electrochemical gradient across cells membranes in various tissues. Voltage-sensitive ion channels open in response to changes in the membrane potential and are primarily found in excitable cells and tissues. Potassium, calcium, and sodium channels play critical roles in the development of major diseases, such as hyperkalemia, epilepsy, congenital myotonia and several cardiac arrythmias. Recently, cancer studies have begun to define the role of voltage-sensitive ion channels in the progression of cancer to a more malignant phenotype. In cancer, the increased expression or increased kinetics of voltage-sensitive ion channels is associated with an increasing malignant potential as evinced by their role in cell proliferation, migration and survival; as such, these channels are becoming the targets of significant drug development efforts to block or reduce voltage-sensitive ion channel activity in order to prevent or combat malignant disease.
Association of a monoamine oxidase B allele with Parkinson's disease

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) is implicated in the cause of Parkinson's disease (PD) because of its role in metabolizing the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, and forming H2O2 during dopamine metabolism. Altered MAO-B activity has been observed in PD platelets. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify a portion of the MAO-B gene. Polymerase chain reaction products were screened with restriction enzymes to identify fragments useful for single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis. A single-stranded conformational polymorphism was identified in an MAO-B polymerase chain reaction product after Hae III digestion. One hundred twenty-one control individuals were allelotyped with frequencies of 0.45 and 0.55 for alleles 1 and 2, respectively. Frequencies of 0.62 and 0.38 (1 and 2, respectively) were observed in a population of 46 patients with PD. The presence of MAO-B allele 1 is associated with a relative risk for PD of 2.03-fold (confidence interval, 1.44-2.61; p < 0.02). For comparison, a monoamine oxidase A polymorphism was used to determine allelic frequencies in these same populations and no statistically significant differences were found. These results suggest that an inherited variant of MAO-B may be involved in a genetic predisposition for PD.
Tantalum and niobium in some electronic applications

The evolution of tantalum and niobium capacitors is reviewed. Present tantalum capacitor technology and commercial activity are summarized. Superconducting materials are reviewed, with specific discussion of niobium alloys and intermetallics. The use of tantalum and niobium oxides is described in the production of tantalate and niobate piezocrystals.
Risk of Prostate Cancer After Diagnosis of Atypical Glands Suspicious for Carcinoma on Saturation and Traditional Biopsies

Purpose: Prostatic glandular atypia is present in approximately 5% of traditional template biopsy specimens. Prior reports suggest this finding carries a 40% risk of prostate cancer on subsequent biopsy. We determined the risk of malignancy in patients with atypia diagnosed on saturation biopsy.Materials and Methods: We identified 57 patients with a diagnosis of atypia who underwent repeat biopsy between January 2001 and August 2007. Charts were reviewed for clinical and pathological information.Results: Median patient age was 62 years (range 46 to 79). Of the 57 patients 19 (33%) had atypia diagnosed on saturation biopsy (20 cores or greater) (group 1), whereas 38 (67%) had atypia diagnosed with a more traditional biopsy technique (12 cores or fewer) (group 2). All patients subsequently underwent saturation repeat biopsy a median of 5 months after the original biopsy. Eight group 1 patients (42%) were found to have cancer on rebiopsy compared to 15 (39.5%) in group 2 (p = 1.00). Whereas only 1 of the 8 p...
Determination of tissue optical properties by piezoelectric detection of laser-induced stress waves

A technique is described for the measurement of optical properties in clear and turbid media based on time-resolved detection of acoustic transients. Thermal expansion of the irradiated volume of a sample heated by short laser pulses causes a pressure-rise that is proportionally to the laser fluence and the absorption coefficient in the sample. The exponential profile of the acoustic signal formed by the initial stress distribution corresponds to z-axial light distribution in the irradiated volume. Therefore, the absorption and scattering properties of tissue can be determined from the profile and amplitude of the acoustic signals induced by the laser pulses. Stress waves generated in phantom aqueous medium and biological tissues by laser pulses were detected by a broad-band lithium niobate acoustic transducer. The results indicate that absorption coefficients in soft biological tissues in the near infrared spectral range are significantly (5 - 10 times) lower as compared to previously reported from integrating sphere measurements.
Virus protein changes and RNA termini alterations evolving during persistent infection

Abstract Cloned infectious vesicular stomatitis virus isolated following 5 years of persistent infection of BHK21 cells in vitro exhibits a number of peptide map changes in the G protein (spike glycoprotein), the M protein (membrane matrix protein) and the N protein (nucleocapsid structural protein). Only slight alterations have occurred in the peptide maps of the two VSV polymerase-associated proteins L and NS. Dideoxy sequencing of the 3′ ends of the cloned virus originally used to establish the persistent infection, and of the cloned virus recovered following 5 years of persistence, shows one base substitution in the three base junction between the 3′ leader sequence and the N protein-coding region. Repeated lytic passages of virus recovered from persistent infection led to no oligonucleotide map changes after 30 passages, but two map changes were present after 102 and remained after 133 lytic passages in BHK21 cells in vitro. Only one of these represented reversion to the original map position, and this "mutant" virus still exhibited a temperature-sensitive small plaque phenotype. Finally, the mutated virus recovered after more than 512 years of persistent infection is now so slow-growing that it can establish persistent infection of BHK21 cells in the absence of DI particles (although DI particles are present constantly once the cells recover from the initial cytopathology).
Voltage noise from hair cells during mechanical stimulation.

THE generator potential of mechanoreceptor hair cells is thought to arise from a change in conductance of the receptor membrane1–4. A mechanical force in the environment acts on hairs to cause the generator potential. The conductance change associated with the generator potential may be composed of many elementary conductances whose frequency or number vary with mechanical stimulation. From this hypothesis, one would expect to observe random fluctuations, or noise, associated with the generator potential. We report here the presence of such fluctuations in an invertebrate statocyst; the analysis of the fluctuations gives an estimate of the size of the underlying events associated with the generator potential during mechanical stimulation.
The patterns of retinal ganglion cell death in hypertensive eyes

We have recently described a rat model of hypertensive eye in which cauterizing limbal derived episcleral veins leads to increase in the intraocular pressure [S.R. Shareef, E. Garcia-Valenzuela, A. Salierno, J. Walsh, S.C. Sharma, Chronic ocular hypertension following episcleral venous occlusion in rats, Exp. Eye Res. 61 (1995) 379-382.]. We have further documented that retinal ganglion cell death is apoptotic [E. Garcia-Valenzuela, S. Shareef, J. Walsh, S.C. Sharma, Programmed cell death of retinal ganglion cells during experimental glaucoma, Exp. Eye Res. 61 (1995) 33-44.]. Here, we describe the total loss of retinal ganglion cells at various time intervals following increased IOP. At early time points death of ganglion cells in the central, peripheral retina occurred with similar frequencies. Between 4-6 weeks after intraocular elevation, ganglion cells in the peripheral retina were more susceptible than the central retina. Percentage of total ganglion cell death over the 10 week period was presumably linear and was about 4% per week.
Development of Some Promising Approaches for The Toughening of High-Temperature Polymers

Abstract : A number of polymers of interest and importance to the U.S. Air Force have a degree of brittleness that limits their utilization. This brittleness was reduced, and a number of the physical properties improved, by the in-situ introduction of dispersed elastomeric phases. The approach was a modification of the sol-gel technique previously used to introduce much harder ceramic-like phases into similar polymers. Specifically, precursor molecules were chosen so that their hydrolyses did not produce a ceramic such as silica, but one in which organic groups flexibilize the phases. This increases extensibility and thereby toughness, and has some additional benefits such as decrease of water absorption.
Correlates of Service Utilization Among Midlife and Older Adults With HIV/AIDS: The Role of Age in the Equation

Objectives: To determine the role of age on service utilization among persons with HIV/AIDS. Methods: The study examined 571 individuals diagnosed with symp- tomatic HIV or AIDSranging in age from 30 to 81 years. All individuals had been enrolled in case management services from July 1995 through June 1996. It was hypothesized that older persons would utilize higher rates of health and medical ser- vices and lower rates of psychosocial services. Results: The study found that in the older age groups the proportion of women, those living alone, and those having pri- vate health insurance increased. Mortality also increased in the older age groups, whereas survival time from AIDSdiagnosis to death decreased. Age did not emerge as a significant variable in a multiple regression of service utilization. Functional dependence and mortality were significant predictors of medical services, whereas geographical location and insurance coverage explained the majority of variance in home care services.
INCITING READINGS AND READING CITES: VISITS TO MARX'S THE EIGHTEENTH BRUMAIRE OF LOUIS BONAPARTE

Karl Marx's The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte can be read as a guidebook, but it is also a site of pilgrimage for those seeking to come to terms with the Marxist legacy, from within and from without. This essay examines the reading and citing of The Eighteenth Brumaire by Marxist and non-Marxist political analysts, historians of the Second Republic, and cultural theorists. Invoking this text and claiming to rescue it from the distorted glosses others have given it, readers both confront and evade their own political and intellectual anxieties.
Reversible changes in the content of cellular and microtubular tubulin in spermatogenic cells after gossypol treatment.

After exposure of young male rats to gossypol acetic acid for various times, a reduction in the content of cellular and microtubular β-tubulin was found in spermatocytes and spermatids. The content of tubulin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were expressed as micrograms tubulin/100 μg total protein and compared with those of the control rats. After drug treatment for 2, 6, 12, and 20 weeks, the content of total cell tubulin in spermatocyte was reduced by 2.4%, 8.8%, 52%, and 61%, respectively; whereas the content of tubulin in spermatid was reduced by 7.4%, 36%, 70%, and 72%, respectively. At the same time length of drug treatment, the content of microtubular tubulin in spermatocyte was reduced by 1.6% 13%, 58%, and 61% in comparison to the reduction rate of 5%, 37%, 69%, and 77%, respectively, for spermatid. These results indicated that the tubulin associated with spermatids were more vulnerable to gossypol than that of the spermatocytes. Eight weeks after withdrawal of the drug treatment, the content of tubulin in spermatocytes and spermatids was recovered.
THE USEFULNESS OF HEALTH DISPARITY: STUMBLING BLOCKS IN THE PATH TO SOCIAL EQUITY

Health disparities in the United States have declined little over the past century despite far-reaching technological advances and, especially since the 1980s, heightened consciousness of the problem. Their persistence can be explained in large part by their usefulness to those who hold and seek to consolidate power. Among other things, health disparities help in bolstering master-subservient relationships; shoring up the ideology of rugged individualism; maintaining bureaucratic structures and jobs; providing plausible public enemies; monitoring upstream social ills; and sustaining a flow of research funding. Conditions likely necessary for ameliorating health disparities include open and mutual recognition of several often veiled realities concerning power relations: money equals power; power translates into access to resources; those who hold power are reluctant to part with it; those who lack power serve as convenient scapegoats; and institutions evolve so as to ensure their own survival. Health disparity will remain exceedingly difficult to eradicate so long as health inequities continue to perform useful functions in ways that seem cost effective for groups and individuals seeking to secure their power. A readiness to work around stumbling blocks in the path to equity-arrived at via frank and equitable discourse among community members and leaders in pursuit of vital community goals-will likely hinge upon heightened awareness not only of the cumulative economic burden imposed by health inequality but also of the extent to which even the most powerful are intrinsically dependent upon other members of the community.
A New Completely Digitized Filter Magnetograph

The optics and electronics of a new filter magnetograph will be described. The instrument uses a Zeiss 0.13 A birefringent filter to isolate magnetic sensitive lines. All four Stokes parameters can be measured. A Westinghouse SEC vidicon WX 30 654 serves as the detector. The data are completely digitized and transmitted in real time into a Univac 1108 computer.
Introduction to Robust Estimation and Hypothesis Testing

Preface 1. Introduction 2. A Foundation for Robust Methods 3. Estimating Measures of Location and Scale 4. Confidence Intervals in the One-Sample Case 5. Comparing Two Groups 6. Some Multivariate Methods 7. One-Way and Higher Designs for Independent Groups 8. Comparing Multiple Dependent Groups 9. Correlation and Tests of Independence 10. Robust Regression 11. More Regression Methods
Permeability loss with depth in the Cenozoic carbonate platform of west-central Florida

Relationships between matrix permeability and depth in shallow-buried (< 500 m) Cenozoic limestones of Florida were investigated using more than 12,000 minipermeameter measurements on 1210 m of slim-hole core. These data are considered representative of the matrix permeability reduction that accompanies early burial of shallow-water, subtidal to peritidal, nonreefal carbonates of sta ble cratonic margins, platforms, shelves, and ramps. Measured matrix permeabilities range from less than 4.0 to 6450 md for both limestones and dolostones, although the median permeability of limestones (88 md) exceeds that for dolostones (15 md). Sucrosic dolostones, which have high intercrystalline po rosities, have median matrix permeabilities of 1000 md. Non sucrosic dolostones, which are much less porous, have median matrix permeabilities of only 13 md. Neither population of dolostones exhibits a permeability-with-depth trend. Low-permeability limestones consist of mudstones, wackestones, (tidal) laminites, pedogenetically altered limestone, lime mud-rich breccia, and well-cemented grain-supported rocks. These low-permeability limestones all exhibit median matrix permeabilities less than 35 md, and none exhibit permeability-with-depth trends. In contrast, high-mud packstones, low-mud packstones, very low mud packstones, and grainstones exhibit larger median matrix permeabilities (69, 129, 181, and 418 md, respectively) and a systematic reduction with depth in their mean and maximum permeabilities. Least-squares exponential regressions indicate that burial depth explains 22-31% of the permeability variance in these grain-supported rocks; the balance of the variability within each textural class is attributed to variation in facies (grain types, grain sizes, sorting, etc.) and the amount of early, preburial cementation. In the absence of permeability enhancement by deep subsurface diagenesis or fracturing, extrapolation of the permeability-with-depth trends suggests that the limestones that have the best reservoir potential in the deeper subsurface are grain-supported limestones that have higher than (Begin page 1254) average matrix permeabilities in the near-surface realm. Petrographic analyses and consideration of diagenetic histories suggest that matrix permeability of the dolostones and low-permeability limestones was determined by early near-surface dolomitization and cementation, respectively, and has yet to be affected by burial processes. Petrographic observations also suggest that the depth signal in grain-supported limestones results from mechanical compaction and the onset of grain-to-grain pressure solution. Extrapolation of the matrix permeability data indicates that permeability loss with burial occurs faster than the documented burial-related porosity loss for the same group of rocks. This indicates that limestone permeability is more sensitive to burial compaction than limestone porosity. Thus, preservation of reservoir-quality rock during burial is more dependent on permeability preservation than on porosity preservation.