cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early Treatment of Class III Malocclusion Associated with Macroglossia

Aim: The macroglossia is commonly defined as an increase in volume of the tongue that protrudes permanently from the rhyme of the lips. We report a case of Class III malocclusion associated with dental and skeletal macroglossia in a young patient without syndrome, evaluating the effectiveness of interceptive orthodontic treatment associated with surgical therapy. Materials and Methods: 18/05/2010,male patient, 6.4 years old, who presented destructive caries on the deciduous molars, upper deciduous and permanent Mesiodens ,dental class III malocclusion, open bite, unilateral right and front cross bite, pro-inclination of the lower incisors, macroglossia, short sublingual frenulum, infantile swallowing. 21/03/2011: Home treatment for 20 hours a day, after the extraction of two Mesiodens (deciduous on 07/01/11; permanent on 05/03/2011 at U.D.S.C.M.F.), with Functional Device “PFB“, with vestibular shield like lip bumper, expansion springs and protrusive shields, monthly checks for its activation. 26/02/2013: consulting with Pediatric Maxillo Facial Surgery Department and auxological investigation for the exclusion of associated syndrome. Observation of MRI do not detect focal abnormalities in the body of the tongue and/or in the surrounding tissues. 06/09/2013: Surgery of tongue with partial glossectomy according to Egyedi-Obwegeser, partial reduction V-shaped of the tip of the tongue and rhomb shaped of the body of the tongue with reconstruction of the mucous and muscular tissue with 4.0 Vicryl suture. 26/10/13: speech therapy evaluation and beginning of postural re-education of the language. Insertion of TMA springs in the “PFB“ at 1.2-1.1-2.1-2.2 palatally, re-motivation to constant use for 20 hours per day of PFB . Results: 27/06/14: resolution of anterior open bite and unilateral front cross bite; almost completed the automation of the tongue“s correct position during rest, swallowing and phonation, achieved also an important improvement in the muscular balance and in the tongue“s tone, motility and functionality. Conclusions: The case treated is a rare occurrence in the daily practice but well demonstrates as a pattern of favorable growth can be disrupted by an impaired muscle function and that the early interceptive therapy in association with early surgical acts to decrease muscle hypotonicity, can help reduce the malocclusion in the presence of serious dental/skeletal/myofunctional discrepancies.
Functional Programming Formalisms for OODB Methods

Two well-studied functional formalisms in the theory of programming languages are (1) applicative program schemas and (2) typed lambda calculi. We relate these programming formalisms to object-oriented databases (OODBs) and in particular to the description of methods. The language of method schemas (MS) is a programming formalism based on applicative program schemas with additional key object-oriented features such as classes, methods, inheritance, name overloading, and late binding. From [AKRW92], we present its syntax and semantics and survey the state-of-the-art of consistency checking or signature inference for this language, a problem which can be used in studyingbase schema evolution. We then relate MS with more conventional database query languages by showing that its expressive power over finite ordered databases is PTIME. Despite its simplicity and applicability, MS does not directly model the tuple, set, and list complex structures that are quite common in databases. Also, it does not treat functions as objects, i.e., methods are different from objects. It is possible to achieve these two capabilities using the typed lambda calculus with equality as a database query language, even without any object-oriented features. From [HKM93], we illustrate how this pure functional language subsumes most conventional database query languages including the relational calculus/algebra, Datalog (with or without negation), and the complex object calculus/algebra (with or without powerset). In conclusion, we argue that the appropriate programming formalism for OODBs must be a functional language that combines the object-oriented MS with the expressive $TLC^=$ and facilitates operations on sets of objects.
Analysis of active handrest control methods

People use fixed handrests to complete routine dexterous activities such as providing a signature or making a sketch. Because the hand's workspace for very fine motions is limited, we have developed an Active Handrest that extends a user's dexterous workspace while providing ergonomic support. Our current Active Handrest prototype is a planar, computer controlled support for the user's hand and wrist that allows complete control over a grasped tool. The device determines handrest motions by interpreting isometric (force) input from the user's wrist, isotonic (position) input from a grasped manipulandum, or a blend of both inputs. Circle tracing experiments measuring task precision and completion time were conducted to investigate each control mode under various velocity limits for both experienced and novice users.
FITS: A Remarkable Achievement in Information Exchange

The FITS format is a remarkable achievement in information handling and sharing. Astronomy is alone among the sciences in having an international data interchange format that is used by virtually all scientists and institutions in the field. The technical and sociological reasons for this success are discussed and a few of the many remarkable scientific results made possible by this information handling are described.
Organizational change – overcoming resistance by creating readiness

Purpose – Despite a significant amount of academic research showing that failure to create and manage readiness for change, nonetheless, far too many organizational managers have failed to learn both from their past mistakes and from the research. This paper aims to provide a brief review of five important elements necessary to build readiness in an organization when it is faced with change. By successful application of the five elements, readiness for the change may be created and managed leading to a prevention or minimization of resistance to the change.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a general review of one approach to managing change.Findings – The paper finds that by addressing each of the five elements, there will be a greater likelihood of successful change introduction and management.Originality/value – The paper provides overview of the five elements of readiness for managing change as created by Armenakis et al.
Financial Structures and Egalitarian Economic Policy

Written in 1995 and published in the New Left Review, this Working Paper remains highly relevant to the current financial crisis. Pollin grapples with how we can maintain the pursuit of egalitarianism in the context of globalization. He considers how we may harness financial institutions and activities to promote renewed egalitarian policy, by bringing dramatic increases in the democratic control over financial markets and the allocation of credit. He proposes ways to do so without sacrificing the basic sources of micro efficiency and macro coordination and stability that are necessary for any viable economic strategy.
Alternative approaches to urban natural areas restoration: integrating social and environmental goals

Commonly accepted goals and practices of ecological restoration may serve for certain projects that are aimed to match with accepted standards of historical authenticity in terms of ecological diversity, structure, and function, particularly in less disturbed, large scale sites. This may not be the case with restoration projects in urban natural areas, however, and attempting to apply this “classical” approach to restoration management of some urban sites may not only be ecologically unrealistic but also socially unacceptable. In this paper I examine key social and ecological issues and constraints in case studies of urban natural areas restoration programs in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA. While the classical approach can be appropriate for some sites, I argue that others sites might be better managed along a spectrum of alternative approaches, with different principles and practices emphasized to balance social and ecological goals. The USDA Forest Service’s Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) has long been used to understand key biophysical, social, and managerial constraints and opportunities in planning and managing national forest recreation areas, and I outline how a similar scheme might be developed for identifying appropriate methods for restoring urban natural areas.
Neurofibromatosis Type 2

Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant neurogenetic disorder with a birth prevalence of 1 in 40 000. Bilateral vestibular schwannomas are the hallmark of NF2 but nonvestibular schwannomas, meningiomas, and ependymomas are also common. The NF2 gene was initially linked to chromosome 22 through tumor studies and subsequently cloned by two groups in 1993. The NF2 protein, merlin, is a member of the 4.1 family of cytoskeletal proteins that includes ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM proteins). Merlin plays a crucial role in contact inhibition of proliferation by linking membrane-associated proteins with the actin cytoskeleton. Detection rates for NF2 gene mutations have increased with the introduction of newer techniques. Nonsense and frameshift mutations are most common and are associated with severe disease. Transgenic mouse models of NF2 have been generated but do not entirely recapitulate the human disease. Future studies will focus on determining the role of merlin in tumorigenesis, improving mutation detection rates, and designing clinical trials for affected individuals.
Validation of Aura Microwave Limb Sounder OH and HO2 measurements

[1] The Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument on the Aura satellite obtains global measurements of both OH and HO2 radicals. This paper describes the precision and systematic errors of the MLS version v2.2 of the retrieval software. Estimated systematic errors are less than 8% for OH over 32–0.003 hPa and HO2 over 6.8–0.21 hPa. Comparison of measurements from MLS OH and HO2 profiles and three balloon-based instruments show good agreement among themselves and with a photochemical model using standard chemistry (i.e., recommended rate constants). Similarly, good agreement is seen between column OH found by integrating satellite profiles and ground-based measurements of column OH. The agreement between measured and modeled OH and HO2 is improved following perturbations to the rate constants O + OH and OH + HO2 that are within the recommended uncertainties. Measurements of OH obtained a decade ago by the Middle Atmosphere High-Resolution Spectrograph Investigation (MAHRSI) are smaller than MLS measurements by 20% at 70 km, are similar to MLS data near 50 km, and are 50% larger than MLS observations near 42 km. The MLS and MAHRSI measurements of OH overlap at the limit of their respective 2-σ uncertainties. Most importantly, we find the shape of the OH profile measured by MLS is simulated well using standard chemistry.
Evaluation of radon emanation from soil with varying moisture content in a soil chamber

The EPA chamber (2 × 2 × 4 m long) was constructed to study convective and diffusive soil gas movement under known conditions of 226Ra and222 Rn concentration, moisture, density, soil constituent, and physical response to pressure variation. The radon emanation rates of soil are known to depend strongly on the moisture content of the soil. Because the moisture content varies greatly with depth in the EPA's soil chamber (from saturated at the bottom to nearly dry at the top), it is not possible to fully understand the radon distribution within the chamber without knowing the emanation rate as a function of moisture. Soil radon concentrations vary in the chamber from 7.4 kBq m−3, near the soil surface, to 86.2 kBq m−3, at the chamber bottom. This paper describes measurements of the emanation coefficient and diffusion of radon in soil contained in the chamber, using a wide range of moisture contents. In addition, equal amounts of well-mixed oven-dried soil were placed in 20 L aluminized gas-sampling bags, and, after approximately 1 month of in-growth, radon samples were taken, after which water was added, and another period of in-growth and sampling followed. The emanation coefficients and radon concentrations in the gas bag experiment were observed to increase with increasing moisture content and then decrease before reaching saturated conditions. The emanation and diffusion effects on the radon concentration soil gradient were identified for this sandy soil having approximately 200 Bq kg−1 radium and a soil density of 1682 kg m−3.
Comparison of hemodynamic response nonlinearity across primary cortical areas

Abstract Hemodynamic responses to auditory and visual stimuli and motor tasks were assessed for the nonlinearity of response in each of the respective primary cortices. Five stimulus or task durations were used (1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 s), and five male subjects (aged 19 ± 1.9 years) were imaged. Two tests of linearity were conducted. The first test consisted of using BOLD responses to short stimuli to predict responses to longer stimuli. The second test consisted of fitting ideal impulse response functions to the observed responses for each event duration. Both methods show that the extent of the nonlinearity varies across cortices. Results for the second method indicate that the hemodynamic response is nonlinear for stimuli less than 10 s in the primary auditory cortex, nonlinear for tasks less than 7 s in the primary motor cortex, and nonlinear for stimuli less than 3 s in the primary visual cortex. In addition, neural adaptation functions were characterized that could model the observed nonlinearities.
Fabrication of 0.4-N.A. fibers by the outside process

The increasing importance of the local area network and subscriber loop applications has brought renewed emphasis on the type of fiber that would best serve these applications.
USE OF AEROBIC DANCE AND LIGHT WEIGHTS IN IMPROVING SELECTED MEASURES OF STRENGTH, ENDURANCE, AND FLEXIBILITY '

Summary.-Many individuals have limited time to participate in conditioning programs so it is important that time spent exercising be used efficiently. When lack of time is a problem in a conditioning program, could the addition of weights be an effective solution? The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of 1-lb. weights on various measures of strength, endurance and flexibility of college women who participated in a 10-wk. aerobic dance program. Two intact groups of 19 each, from two-day-a-week aerobic dance classes, were used as experimental groups. The aerobic only group followed the typical aerobic dance format while the aerobic with weights group performed the aerobic part of the program holding a 1-lb. weight in each hand. Analysis of covariance using the pretest as a covariant except when assumptions were violated and appropriate alternative methods were used, significant differences were observed on four of the six variables on which the aerobic with weights group excelled. Aerobic dance has become popular since its development in the early 1970s (Sorensen, 1979). The widespread interest in this form of exercise has spread across the United States with Jacki Sorensen's Aerobic Dancing, Inc. offering classes in 43 states and 91.9% of the YMCAs in the nation teaching some form of aerobic dance (Legwold, 1982). This exercise appeals to women because it is performed to music, involves a variety of relatively simple movement forms, and is enjoyable. Studies testing the effectiveness of aerobic dance conditioning have yielded positive results, including favorable changes in VO, max (Vaccaro & Clinton, 1981), reduced resting heart rates (Eickhoff, Thorland, & Ansorge, 1983), and improved cardiorespiratory functioning (Dowdy, Cureton, DuVal, & Ouzts, 1985). Researchers, comparing aerobic dance and jogging found that a 7-wk. training program yielded similar significant (p< .05) improvements in VO, max and decreases in maximal heart rates, concluded that both exercise modalities were effective in improving cardiorespiratory endurance when they were performed at similar intensities, frequencies, and durations (Milburn & Butts, 1983). Although a relatively new exercise program, aerobic dance, appears to have many interested participants and the activity provides significant benefits. Another approach to body conditioning that has become acceptable and
One-Pot Synthesis of Highly Substituted Tetrahydrofurans from Activated Propargyl Alcohols using Bu3P

Abstract General and robust synthesis of highly functionalized tetrahydrofuran ring was accomplished with activated propargyl alcohol and reactive Michael acceptors in the presence of catalytic Bu 3 P.
The economic consequences of an import surcharge: Theory and empirical evidence for the U.S. economy

Abstract This paper analyzes the impact of a 20 percent import surcharge on all U.S. imports and on imports from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Brazil. The analytical framework is based upon the Michigan Model of World Production and Trade. We also discuss the methodology and results of two recent papers on the effects of an import surcharge. The empirical results indicate that, while the macroeconomic consequences of an import surcharge would be limited, significant intersectoral trade and employment adjustments would take place. The competitive position of U.S. tradable industries may improve or deteriorate depending on whether the dollar depreciates or appreciates in response to the import surcharge.
Augmentation of Tendon-to-Bone Healing With a Magnesium-Based Bone Adhesive

BackgroundHealing of an anterior cruciate ligament graft in a bone tunnel occurs by formation of fibrous scar tissue, which is weaker than the normal fibrocartilaginous insertion.HypothesisWe hypothesized that a magnesium-based bone adhesive would improve tendon-to-bone healing in a rabbit anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction model.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsThirty-five New Zealand White rabbits underwent bilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with semitendinosus autografts. A total of 12.5 g of bone adhesive was placed in the intraosseous tunnel around the graft in one limb, while the tunnels in the contralateral limb received no implant. Sixteen animals each were sacrificed at 3 weeks and at 6 weeks (12 biomechanical testing/4 histology). Outcomes included semiquantitative histologic analyses for new cartilage formation and fibrous tissue formation in the tendon-bone interface, microcomputed tomography to quantify new bone formation along the bone tunnel, and biome...
Some relationships of body weight and age with first-lactation yield.

Abstract The data were from the Illinois crossbreeding experiment which included Holsteins, Guernseys, and three intermediate crossbred groups. One set of analyses indicated that on a within season-sire-breed group basis: 1) Age at freshening, when included with days carried calf (DCC) as the only additional covariate, was significantly associated with first lactation yields of milk fat and fat-corrected milk (FCM) ; 2) body weight taken soon after calving, included with DCC as the only additional covariate, was highly significantly associated with yields of milk, milk fat, and FCM; 3) when both factors were included as additional covariates, weight retained its importance, but the independent association of yield with age became trivial; lactation milk yield increased 395kg with each 100-kg increase in body weight; and 4) neither factor was significantly associated with per cent milk fat. In a separate analysis, lactation yields of milk, milk fat, and FCM varied approximately as the .6 power of body weight at calving. Expressing first-lactation yield as a function of body weight was proposed as a measure of performance. A final analysis indicated that body weights estimated directly from a tape were consistently high and often unreliable.
Ecology and Management of Nesting Blue-and-Yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna) in Mauritia Palm Swamps

This paper reports on the nesting ecology of blue-and-yellow macaws (Ara ararauna) and the structure, conservation, and management of the Mauritia flexuosa palm swamps where they nest: clutch size averaged 2.6 and the number of chicks fledged per nesting attempt was 0.5. Macaws nested in tall dead palms in healthy palm swamps and in palms of all heights in open dieing palm stands. All nesting palms rose well above the surrounding vegetation presumably to discourage terrestrial predators. PVC nest boxes failed to attract nesting blue-and-yellow macaws. A small section of palm swamp was managed to encourage macaw nesting by cutting the tops off of M. flexuosa palms and clearing the understory vegetation. The palms remained standing from 4 to 7 years and were occupied by nesting macaws at a rate of 24%. The data presented here suggest that cutting five palms a year in perpetuity would produce a stand of approximately 20 standing dead palms used by 6 or more pairs of macaws annually. However, macaw occupancy rates would depend on the density of macaws and density of naturally occurring nest sites. This management scheme could be conducted on a 100-year rotation in an area of 1–4 ha or more depending on the palm density. Such a colony could be used to increase reproductive success of blue-and-yellow macaw populations, create a valuable ecotourism resource, and concentrate macaw nesting in protected areas.
High-frequency components of normal voice

Summary Recent advancements in digital audio technology have made highly detailed analysis of the voice signal possible. Utilizing a digital audio tape recorder, 16-bit analog-digital converter, and a fast microcomputer with large memory, such an acoustic analysis was performed on five vowels using 13 normal subjects. This article presents results that indicate the normal voice contains significant amounts of very high-frequency energy above 10 kHz. The power of this high-frequency energy is affected by vocal tract shape, which varies significantly among different individuals.
Panchromatic spectrograph with supporting monochromatic imagers.

The Arizona Imager/Spectrograph is a set of imaging spectrographs and two-dimensional imagers for space flight. Nine nearly identical spectrographs record wavelengths from 114 to 1090 nm with a resolution of 0.5–1.3 nm. The spatial resolution along the slit is electronically selectable and can reach 192 elements. Twelve passband imagers cover wavelengths in the 160–900-nm range and have fields of view from 2° to 21°. The spectrographs and imagers rely on intensified CCD detectors to achieve substantial capability in an instrument of minimum mass and size. By use of innovative coupling techniques only two CCD’s are required to record images from 12 imagers, and single CCD’s record spectra from pairs of spectrographs. The fields of view of the spectrographs and imagers are coaligned, and all spectra and images can be exposed simultaneously. A scan platform can rotate the sensor head about two orthogonal axes. The Arizona imager/spectrograph is designed for investigations of the interaction between the Space Shuttle and its environment. It is scheduled for flight on a Shuttle subsatellite.
The purification of glutamine synthetase from Azotobacter and other procaryotes by blue sepharose chromatography

Abstract We report the facile purification of glutamine synthetase ( l -glutamate: ammonia ligase (adenosine 5′-diphosphate-forming), EC 6.3.1.2) in both the adenylylated and unadenylylated form, from Azotobacter vinelandii ATCC 12837. A general affinity column, which used as an affinity ligand Reactive blue 2 dye (Cibacron blue) covalently linked to Agarose, was employed as an efficient first step of purification. Further purification to electrophoretic homogeneity employed DEAE-cellulose chromatography and an additional Affigel chromatographic step. The method was used successfully to prepare glutamine synthetase from Escherichia coli, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides and Anabaena sp. strain CA.
A note on graphing helical parameters of dynamics structure of DNA

A graphical procedure for analysis of helical parameters in dynamic structure of DNA is described. The performance of the procedure is illustrated by analysis of a 20 ps dynamics simulation of the non-self-complementary ninemer, 5'CAAACAGGA:5'TCCTGTTTG, which is a part of DNA from lacI gene. The dynamics trajectory of the duplex shows sequence-dependent fluctuations of helical parameters.
Parallel bands of cyclopropane in the 3.2-μm region

Abstract The extremely perturbed parallel band system occurring in the infrared spectrum of cyclopropane between ∼3060 and 3150 cm−1 has been recorded with effective resolution of less than one-half of the Doppler width using a difference-frequency laser spectrometer and subsequent deconvolution. The region of the strong Q branches near 3101 cm−1 has also been measured with a color center laser and optothermal detection in a molecular beam adiabatically cooled to ∼10 K. Three distinct sequences of parallel subbands are observed belonging to the antisymmetric CH stretching vibration ν6 of species A″2 in anharmonic plus Jz-type Coriolis resonances with two perturbing states identified as the A″ 2 A″ 1 components of the combinations ν 2 + ν 11 ⊣ + ν 14 ± and 2ν132± + ν14±. A five-level Hamiltonian model has been used to interpret the observed spectrum and to adjust spectroscopic constants for the states involved and for their interactions. Additional local perturbations are observed in the spectrum.
From foreign investors to strategic insiders: Shifting parameters, prescriptions and paradigms for MNCs in China

Abstract Multinational corporations (MNCs) entering and operating in China have been significantly changing their dominant strategies over the past two decades to cope with China's shifting competitive and regulatory environments. The new strategies have resulted in a status shift such that MNCs are no longer merely “foreign investors”; they have become “strategic insiders” who view their large-scale China operations as key to their overall corporate success. To provide an overarching picture of this status shift, this article identifies and discusses shifting competitive parameters facing MNCs (from scant to strong competition, from niche to massive competition, from single- to multi-market competition and from structural similarity to multiplicity), as well as the shifting regulatory parameters they face (from entrance to operational intervention, from separation to convergence with domestic policies and from national control to regional regulation). This article also analyzes the shifting dominant strategies MNCs use to deal with changing environmental landscapes, including shifts from parent to national integration, from production relocation to value chain localization, from competence transfer to competence building, from competition to coopetition, from repetition to adaptive diversification and from alliance building to restructuring. This article concludes by discussing how the above strategic shifts provoke the extension and rethinking of extant MNC theories and what future issues merit particular attention.
Effects of cooperative and individualistic instruction on the achievement of handicapped, regular, and gifted students

Summary The effects of cooperative and individualistic learning experiences were compared on achievement of academically handicapped, normal-progress, and gifted sixth-grade students. Fifty-five students were assigned to conditions on a stratified random basis controlling for ability and sex. They participated in one instructional unit for 65 minutes a day for five instructional days. The results indicate that cooperative learning experiences promoted higher achievement, greater retention, more positive attitudes among students, and higher self-esteem than did individualistic learning experiences.
Nonmydriatic Fundus Camera for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in a Safety Net Hospital: Effectiveness, Prevalence, and Risk Factors:

PurposeTo evaluate diabetic retinopathy (DR) prevalence and risk factors, and the effectiveness of nonmydriatic fundus camera as a screening tool for the detection of DR, in a safety net hospital.M...
An approach for coordinating mobility and manipulation

The authors discuss the problem of planning a task for a robotic system that consists of a manipulator mounted on a mobile base. The task planning problem is formulated as a nonlinear optimization problem. The cost of point-to-point motion in three-dimensional Cartesian space is decomposed into two components representing the qualitative difference between motion due to the mobile base and motion due to the manipulator system. Task specifications at each end of the motion impose constraints on the endpoint configurations. The resulting regions of feasible positions and configurations are unconnected and nonconvex. Thus, standard algorithms for nonlinear optimization lead to nonextremal solutions. A heuristic method is presented for searching a tree of starting points for a standard numerical algorithm to find a global minimum for the cost function. The problem formulation is illustrated for a three-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) manipulator on a simple two-DOF mobile base, and tradeoffs between base motion and manipulator motion are evaluated with respect to cost function weighting coefficients. >
Integrin-Mediated Mechanotransduction in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells : Frequency and Force Response Characteristics

Blood vessels are continuously exposed to mechanical forces that lead to adaptive remodeling and atherosclerosis. Although there have been many studies characterizing the responses of vascular cells to mechanical stimuli, the precise mechanical characteristics of the forces applied to cells to elicit these responses are not clear. We designed a magnetic exposure system capable of producing a defined normal force on ferromagnetic beads that are specifically bound to cultured cells coated with extracellular matrix proteins or integrin-specific antibodies. Rat aortic smooth muscle cells were incubated with engineered fibronectin-coated ferromagnetic beads and then exposed to a magnetic field. With activation of extracellular signal-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2(MAPK)) used as a prototypical marker for cell responsiveness to mechanical forces, Western blot analysis demonstrated an increase in phosphorylated ERK 1/2(MAPK) expression reaching a maximal response of a 3.5-fold increase at a total force of approximately 2.5 pN per cell. The peak response occurred after 5 minutes of exposure and slowly decreased to baseline after 30 minutes. A cyclic, rather than static, force was required for this activation, and the frequency-response curve increased approximately 2-fold between 0.5 and 2.0 HZ: Vitronectin- and beta(3) antibody-coated beads showed a response nearly identical to those coated with engineered fibronectin, whereas forces applied to beads coated with alpha(2) and beta(1) antibodies did not significantly activate ERK 1/2(MAPK). Mechanical activation of the ERK 1/2(MAPK) system in rat aortic smooth muscle cells occurs through specific integrin receptors and requires a cyclic force with a magnitude estimated to be in the piconewton range.
Spectral comparisons between explosion P signals from the Tuamotu Islands, Nevada, and eastern Kazakh

A comparison is presented between explosion-generated teleseismic P signals from single events of comparable magnitude in the Tuamotu Islands, Nevada, and E. Kazakh recorded by the Wake Island Hydrophone Array. Spectral analysis of these signals indicates that attenuation (presumably under the source) is greatest for the Tuamotu travel path and least for the E. Kazakh travel path. The high frequencies (> 3 Hz) present in E. Kazakh signals, which enhance the detectability of these signals on the ocean bottom near Wake (where noise levels are low in this range), are generally absent in signals from Nevada and the Tuamotus.
Physician assistant students and diabetes: evaluation of attitudes and beliefs.

PURPOSE Physician assistants are assuming a greater role in patient care in the US health system. The objective of this study was to examine attitudes and beliefs about diabetes among physician assistant trainees. METHODS A survey of 3 currently enrolled classes of physician assistant students was conducted using the Diabetes Attitude Survey (DAS, version 3). An additional question was presented to gather information about the level of hyperglycemia at which students would intensify diabetes therapy. RESULTS On average, students scored high on all subscales, indicating general agreement with the attitudes examined by the DAS. For 3 subscales (seriousness of type 2 diabetes, value of tight glucose control, and patient autonomy), significant differences were seen across year of training. When asked about the level of glucose control at which they would advance therapy, a wide range of responses occurred, with some being out of target. CONCLUSIONS Physician assistant students had favorable attitudes regarding type 2 diabetes. However, deficits appear to exist in understanding when to advance therapy. More studies on physician assistant students' knowledge of diabetes standards of care are required.
Globalization and the Feldstein–Horioka puzzle

Capital account liberalization and the integration of world financial markets should increase capital mobility across countries. This article uses the Feldstein–Horioka savings–investment methodology to examine the impact of economic globalization on the degree of capital mobility in 99 countries over the period 1970 to 2005. Our findings suggest that economic openness and financial market integration have led to increased capital mobility in developed as well as developing countries. However, their effect appears to be larger for the latter. This also implies that countries with more financial openness can run higher current account deficits due to better access to external capital markets. Our results also support the previous findings that foreign aid supplements domestic savings for investment in developing countries.
1,3-benzodithiolium ion mediated annulations

Abstract A mild and selective method for cyclizations onto aromatic systems using 1, 3-benzodithiolium ions is described.
Selection dramatically reduces effective population size in HIV-1 infection

In HIV-1 evolution, a 100–100,000 fold discrepancy between census size and effective population size (N e ) has been noted. Although it is well known that selection can reduce N e , high in vivo mutation and recombination rates complicate attempts to quantify the effects of selection on HIV-1 effective size. We use the inbreeding coefficient and the variance in allele frequency at a linked neutral locus to estimate the reduction in N e due to selection in the presence of mutation and recombination. With biologically realistic mutation rates, the reduction in N e due to selection is determined by the strength of selection, i.e., the stronger the selection, the greater the reduction. However, the dependence of N e on selection can break down if recombination rates are very high (e.g., r ≥ 0.1). With biologically likely recombination rates, our model suggests that recurrent selective sweeps similar to those observed in vivo can reduce within-host HIV-1 effective population sizes by a factor of 300 or more. Although other factors, such as unequal viral reproduction rates and limited migration between tissue compartments contribute to reductions in N e , our model suggests that recurrent selection plays a significant role in reducing HIV-1 effective population sizes in vivo.
Further evidence on gender and academic rank

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the relative attainment of various academic ranks for males and females at a large Midwestern university in the 1983–1987 time period. Using both cross-sectional and longitudinal specifications, we find no evidence of differential treatment by gender when the level of analysis is the university as a whole, with the gender differential in the attainment of higher ranks attributable to differences in levels of experience and research output. Evidence of differential treatment is found, however, when the sample is disaggregated.
Current community mental health center operations: Entrepreneurship or business as usual?

Now that previous funding levels are no longer guaranteed to community mental health centers, implementing cost effective and innovative mental health programs is increasingly important. This paper reports on a 1987 study of 69 mental health center directors from 27 states. The results indicate that while familiar with prescriptions for organizational innovation and entrepreneurship, mental health center directors are concentrating more on control and efficiency than on supporting a structure and atmosphere conducive to creative thinking and innovation. Specifically, the structure of work units, work assignments, and staff's lack of participation in decision making may inhibit innovation.
Human adipose-derived stem cells adhere to acellular dermal matrix.

Human acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is commonly usedin the surgical closure of soft tissue defects not amenable toprimary repair. Adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) therapy inthe context of soft tissue loss may enhance local micro-vascular density and wound healing [3]. The current studyaimed to determine whether ASCs adhere to ADM in vitroand whether stem cell–seeded ADM is a viable approachfor surgical application.Materials and MethodsIn accordance with the Tulane University InstitutionalReview Board, ASCs were isolated from discarded adiposetissue obtained at body-contouring procedures as described[5]. The ASCs were characterized by ﬂuorescence-acti-vated cell sorting as previously described [1].Acellular dermal matrix 0.4 to 0.8 mm in thickness wasobtained (AlloDerm; LifeCell, Branchburg, NJ, USA, andFlexHD; MTF, Edison, NJ, USA). Passage 1 to 5 cellsuspensions in growth medium were seeded into multiwellplates covered with ADM, papillary dermis side facing up,at a density of 5 9 10
A New Concept of Immune Specificity Emerges from a Consideration of the Self–Nonself Discrimination

Abstract The necessity to make a Self(S)–NonSelf(NS) discrimination is the evolutionary selection pressure for specificity of the immune response. A new definition of paratopic specificity, which is heuristic and generalizable, can be derived from an understanding of this selection pressure. Specificity of the paratope is defined by a Specificity Constant,K,which is the probability that a functional change in recognition will be anti-Self. In an antigen-unselected population,Kis the proportion of cells that are anti-Self. This definition is unique in that it is derived from the function upon which evolution selects, namely the effector output. This paper describes how the concept of a Specificity Constant was derived, how it is estimated, what it can be used to explain, and how it impacts on repertoire and effectiveness of response.
The effect of perturbations on the convergence rates of optimization algorithms

The problem of minimizing a functionF over a set Ω is approximated by a sequence of problems whereF and Ω are replaced byF(n) and Ω(n), respectively. We show in which manner the convergence rates of the conditional gradient and projected gradient methods are influenced by the approximation. In particular, it becomes evident how the convergence theory for infinite dimensional problems such as control problems explains the behavior of finite dimensional implementations.
Sensing of pH in Multiply Scattering Media with Fluorescence Lifetime

ABSTRACT The fluorescent decay kinetics of an exogenous fluorescent dye injected or immobilized in a polymer implantcan be sensitive to the biochemical environment of the tissue and can provide quantitative in vivo biochemicalinformation of the tissue site. In this research project, we develop the rationale for NIR fluorescence spectroscopy ofbiologically relevant dyes for the sensing of analyte concentration, such as Ca 2+ , pH, glucose, etc. In vivo analyticalsensing using fluorescence spectroscopy is complicated not only by the scattering of tissue, but also by the fact thatmost sensing fluorophores exhibit more than one (multi-exponential) decay lifetime. The objective of this paper is todemonstrate the concept of fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy in scattering media using a pH sensing dye, CarboxySeminaphthofluorescein-1 (C-SNAFL-1). Work to extrapolate our results to an analyte-sensing dye constructembedded in a polymer are also presented.Keywords: fluorescence, lifetime, multi-exponential decay, scattering, phase-modulation spectroscopy
Sulfur Amino Acid Nutrition of the Growing Chick: Effect of Age on the Capacity of Cystine to Spare Dietary Methionine

Abstract GRABER et al. (1971) reported a constant methionine requirement for maximal gain of the growing chick from 2 to 8 weeks of age. Since the crystalline amino acid diet (14.5% protein equivalent) used in this study was devoid of cystine, the methionine requirement value also represented the total sulfur amino acid (T.S.A.A.) need. However, since protein synthesis requires cysteine as well as methionine, part of the methionine had to be converted to cysteine. The need for cysteine can be met by supplying cysteine or cystine in the diet. During the process of protein synthesis, disulfide bonds are formed between cysteine molecules resulting in cystine formation. Certain tissues, e.g., keratoid tissue, have a high concentration of cystine (Block and Weiss, 1956). Hartsook and Mitchell (1956) stated that with increasing age keratin synthesis assumes an increasingly important role in protein synthesis. Hence, the cystine need may be affected differently by age than…
Motives of some acyclic varieties

We prove that the Voevodsky motive with Z-coefficients (resp. Q-coefficients) of aZ-acylic (resp. Q-acyclic) smooth complex variety of dimension 6 2 is isomorphic to that of a point and discuss some related extensions.
The gnosis of knowledge navigation on the Net

A set of activities developed to expose liberal arts undergraduates to global networking software and resources is detailed. Using a suite of Internet software tools and Macintosh computers, teams of students collaborated with faculty searching the World-Wide Web for on-line resources. Detailed student logs provide insights into the challenges of searching for Internet resources. Project shortcomings include difficulty in accessing information sites and poor organization of the final written reports. Ideas for improving the project in the future include allowing more time for the search process and replacing the written report with a WWW home page. The class project enhances the utilization of technology in the curriculum while equipping the students with computer skills to enhance their education.
A comparison of the rotational potential functions in butane, propylsilane, ethylmethylsilane, and 1,2-disilylethane: Ab initio and MM2 results

Ab initio calculations at several basis set levels were used to examine the rotational potential energy function around the CC bond of 1,2-disilylethane, also known as disilabutane (DSB). The best basis set for this system was found to be the 3-21G(*) basis, which was also used to verify the potential function around the CH2—SiH2 segment in ethylmethylsilane (EMS). The torsional parameters developed by Frierson and Allinger for the CSiCC fragments were shown to yield a potential in excellent agreement with those from the 3-21G(*) basis. Full 3-21G(*) geometry optimizations were performed on the 0°, gauche (60°), and 180° conformers of DSB and EMS. Data derived from the ab initio calculations on DSB were used to establish MM2 torsional and bond length parameters for the SiCCSi fragment. The MM2 and ab initio structures agree well. A detailed comparison of rotational potentials and the steric energy components is presented. We also report the torsional potential of propylsilane (PS) and compare the MM2 calculated structure with experiment. Our findings suggest that the similarity of the torsional potentials of butane and DSB and the dissimilarity between butane and EMS arise from the same phenomenon—van der Waals interactions that are attractive rather than repulsive dominant.
Role of metals in the reaction catalyzed by protein farnesyltransferase.

Protein farnesyltransferase catalyzes the posttranslational farnesylation of several proteins involved in signal transduction, including Ras, and is a target enzyme for antitumor therapies. Efficie...
An inverse solution for reconstruction of the area-moment-of-inertia of a beam using deflection data

The main purpose of this study was to develop a mathematical model that could be used to determine the changes in the structural characteristics – such as changes that could occur due to corrosion in the cross-sectional area-moment-of-inertia of a bridge – from the knowledge of its loading and deflection. Reconstruction of the cross-sectional area-moment-of-inertia of a bridge from the knowledge of its loading and deflection is an inverse problem. In this investigation, the cross-sectional area-moment-of-inertias of a scaled model of simply supported steel bridge (with simulated corrosion) are reconstructed using the deflection and load data. The deflection data used in this inverse problem were numerically generated using the finite element method and the ANSYS software. The deflection data for each model were then used in the inverse problem to reconstruct the cross-sectional area-moment-of-inertias for the model. To solve the inverse problem, the solution domain was discretized into finite number of el...
Day-of-the-week effects in commercial paper yield rates

Abstract In order to minimize short-term financing costs, corporations issue commercial paper instead of seeking bank loans. We examine the changes in the daily rates of commercial paper over the last two decades. Our most interesting finding is based on a consistent and significant negative return on Wednesdays as compared to other weekdays over the sample period. We use t -tests, non-parametric tests and the binary regression developed by French [J. Finan. Econ. 8 (1) (1980) 55] to confirm our results. Finally, we deduct the return for each Wednesday from the average return for that week and find that Wednesday returns are significantly lower. Consistent with other money market instruments like T-bills and federal funds, we show that a day-of-the-week effect exists in the commercial paper rates.
Wear and scuffing characteristics of composite polymer and nickel/ceramic composite coated piston skirts against aluminum and cast iron cylinder bores

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the tribological behavior and compatibility between coated piston skirts and aluminum or cast iron bore counterfaces. Aluminum piston skirts with either composite polymer coatings (CPCs) or nickel/ceramic composite coatings (NCCs) were evaluated. Among the NCC coated piston skirts, Ni–P–BN showed consistent low wear on either cast iron or the aluminum bores. The tin plated piston skirt generated low wear depths on cast iron or 390 Al bore surfaces, but higher wear depths on 413 Al or 356 Al bore. All the CPCs generated much less wear on cast iron or aluminum cylinder bores compared with the Ni–P–SiC or Ni–P–Si3N4 skirt coatings. Even the wear tests using 413 Al and 356 Al bores showed very low wear depths. Among the CPCs, two coatings with different percentages of molybdenum disulfide and graphite particles dispersed in the resin generated the lowest wear on 390 Al bore. Using a CPC over a hard-anodized surface, the bore wear depth was further reduced and became much more consistent compared with using a CPC alone. The response of the coatings to a simulation of the oil starvation associated with scuffing conditions revealed that the CPCs had intrinsic resistance to scuffing. However, the durability was not very good. The Ni–P–BN coating had intrinsic resistance to scuffing and good durability when sliding against 390 Al bore in the unlubricated conditions. The hard anodized surfaces with the CPCs showed much improved coating durability with good scuffing resistance. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.