cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pragmatism and Production: Introductory Computing in an Undergraduate Business Curriculum

In general, computing in business is an applied activity with computing serving as a utility to provide leverage for business goals. This is in contrast to a computer science program where computing is more likely an end in itself. The former is pragmatic the latter is more theoretical. Similarly, in high schools computing resources are frequently found in the business departments where students use them purposefully for production rather than as objects of inquiry. Despite the differences, programming is essential to understanding and using computing. Students in business programs tend to be production oriented in that the courses often create artifacts, which are increasingly becoming the foundation for the course outcomes. Alice has demonstrated itself to be a good fit with the programming requirements for the business curriculum as it prepares students for programming in a scripting environment and exposes them to object oriented concepts. Additionally, Alice has the advantage of providing a product -- a functioning world to specifications -- accessible to a wide audience. Both the adaptability of Alice to a pragmatic approach and the creation of a product reinforce Alice as an introductory environment for computer programming in business.
Impact parameter dependence of light charged particle production in 2 5 A MeV 16 O on Tb, Ta, and Au and 3 5 A MeV 14 N on Sm and Ta

The impact parameter dependence of light charged particle $(p,d,t,\ensuremath{\alpha})$ emission has been studied using an impact parameter selection based on coincident detection of residues or fission fragments. The energy spectra at twelve angles between $20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ and $150\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ have been fit by a multiple moving source parametrization. The angle and energy integrated preequilibrium proton multiplicities decrease with increasing impact parameter in qualitative agreement with a Fermi jet calculation. The preequilibrium $d/p$ and $t/p$ multiplicities increase slowly with increasing impact parameter and are nearly identical at the two bombarding energies. The preequilibrium $\ensuremath{\alpha}/p$ ratio shows a less consistent dependency on impact parameter but decreases significantly with increasing bombardment energy. A calculation of the $d/p$ and $t/p$ multiplicity ratios with a transport model incorporating complex particle emission is quite successful in reproducing the absolute magnitude, impact parameter dependence, and bombarding energy dependence of the experimental total multiplicities.
Thermoelastic generation of elastic waves for non-destructive testing and medical diagnostics

The generation of MHz elastic waves by means of thermoelastic expansions is described. Several multilayered structures are described which use constrained boundary conditions at the energy absorbing surface. Elastic waves of sufficient amplitude can be generated to be useful for non-destructive testing applications. Biomedical ultrasonics using thermoelastically generated MHz waves will also be discussed.
THE NATURE OF SUPPORTING TISSUES FOR COMPLETE DENTURES.

Summary An understanding of the function and characteristics of the palatal mucosa is essential in denture fabrication. The oral problems of the aging edentulous patient are important to the dentist in determining the effects of tissue changes. Cellular alterations and mucosal changes can affect the adaptation of a prosthetic appliance. The role of the various denture base materials and the influence they may have upon the supporting tissues must be thoroughly understood if complete denture treatment is to be successful.
Synchronous amplitude and time control for an optimum dynamic range variable photonic delay line

A synchronous-amplitude-controlled and time-delay-controlled photonic controller for phased-array antenna applications is proposed and demonstrated. Amplitude control is based on a variable optical attenuator system that operates in synchronism with the photonic delay line (PDL). This amplitude control system can provide both the signal calibration for the different PDL channels and settings required for driving the antenna elements of a phased-array radar and the optimum optical power levels that impinge on the photodetector for optimum fiber-optic-link performance. Various variable amplitude control modules based on ferroelectric liquid crystals, polymer-dispersed liquid crystals, and photoconductive devices are proposed. We show that the dynamic range loss due to a switched-PDL inherent structure loss can be compensated when we control the optical power from the laser, using the synchronous optical attenuation system. For the first time to our knowledge, full dynamic range loss compensation is demonstrated for an external-modulation-fed 3-bit switched PDL with a structure optical insertion loss of 5.5 dB. A compression dynamic range of 158 dB·Hz was measured at 6 GHz, and a spurious free dynamic range of 111 dB·Hz2/3 was estimated. Feasibility of the dynamic range compensation technique for multichannel, higher-insertion-loss PDL systems is discussed.
Is interstitial implantation essential for successful radiotherapeutic treatment of base of tongue carcinoma

The role of interstitial implantation in the radiotherapeutic treatment of base of tongue carcinoma remains controversial. At the University of Florida, essentially all patients with base of tongue cancer have been managed initially by radiation therapy (with or without neck dissection) with operation reserved for radiation therapy failure. Eighty-four patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue were treated with continuous-course external-beam irradiation without interstitial implantation between October 1964 and July 1986. Treatment was administered once-a-day in 59 patients and twice-a-day in 25 patients. The median follow-up was 99 months (range, 25-284 months). No patient was lost to follow-up. Local failure occurred in 1/9 patients (11%) with T1 lesions, 3/30 (10%) with T2, 6/31 (19%) with T3, and 9/14 (64%) with T4. If one excludes from the local control analysis those patients who died of intercurrent or metastatic disease within 2 years with their primary tumor continuously controlled, then the rates of local control are as follows: T1, 3/4; T2, 22/25 (88%); T3, 20/26 (77%); T4, 5/14 (36%). An improved local control rate for T4 tumors was noted with twice-a-day fractionation. Eighty-eight percent of N0-N1 necks and 79% of N2-N3 necks were treated successfully by irradiation with or without planned neck dissection. Five-year rates of continuous disease control above the clavicles were as follows: Stage I-II, 100%; Stage III, 72%; Stage IVA, 78%; Stage IVB, 44%. Five-year absolute and relapse-free survival rates for the entire group were 43% and 58%, respectively. The incidence of bone exposure was 6%, and that of soft-tissue necrosis was 19%. In all but one case, the complication was mild to moderate in severity and healed with conservative management. These results compare favorably with those recently published in the literature supporting moderate-dose external-beam irradiation combined with interstitial implantation. We conclude that interstitial implantation is not essential for the successful radiotherapeutic treatment of base of tongue carcinoma.
Central sleep apnea in pregnant women with sleep disordered breathing.

Physiologic changes in the cardiac, respiratory, and renal systems in pregnancy likely impact ventilatory control. Though obstructive sleep apnea and snoring are common in the pregnant population, the predisposition to central respiratory events during sleep and the prevalence of such events is less well studied. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of central apneas during sleep in pregnant women and non-pregnant controls suspected of sleep disordered breathing. Twenty-five pregnant women referred for polysomnography for sleep disordered breathing were compared with non-pregnant controls matched for age, body mass index, gender, and apnea hypopnea index (AHI). Central apnea index was defined as the number of central apneas per hour of sleep, and mixed apnea index was defined as the number of mixed apneas per hour of sleep. Sixty-four percent of pregnant women had a respiratory disturbance index >5 events per hour of sleep. Mean body mass index was 44.1 ± 6.9 kg/m2 pregnant compared to 44.0 ± 7.3 kg/m2 in controls. The total number of central apneas observed during sleep in the pregnant group consisted of two central apneas in one patient, and of 98 central apneas in 11 patients in the control group (p = 0.05). Median central apnea index was low in both groups (pregnant 0, interquartile range (IQR) 0, 0 vs. non-pregnant 0, IQR 0, 0.2, p = 0.04). Mixed apnea index was similarly low in both groups. Despite some physiologic changes of pregnancy that impact ventilatory control, the prevalence of central sleep apnea was low in our sample of overweight pregnant women with sleep-disordered breathing.
Development of a highly efficient 1D/0D TiO2 nanotube/n-CdTe photoanode: single-step attachment, coverage, and size control by a solvothermal approach

The creation of an n–n heterojunction between TiO2 nanotubes (T_NT) and CdTe nanocrystals (which mostly exist as p-type) is crucial for realizing the benefits of efficient directional charge transport in a photoanode of 1D/0D architecture. The presented one-pot solvothermal approach leverages a temperature control to achieve a linker-free spatial distribution of CdTe on T_NT in a non-coordinating solvent resulting in highly efficient optical and photoelectrochemical responses. Quantum confinement, broad spectral absorbance, and multiple excitonic generations – areas that are critical to transforming solar energy utilization, will benefit from the presented strategy.
Community Health Education at Student-Run Clinics Leads to Sustained Improvement in Patients’ Hepatitis B Knowledge

While student-run clinics are often important healthcare safety nets for underserved populations, their efficacy for improving patient health knowledge has not been thoroughly explored. From September 2011 to April 2012, we assessed patients’ retention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) knowledge after receiving student-led education at two student-run HBV screening and vaccination clinics. Patient education was provided by trained first and second-year medical, nursing, and pharmacy students, aided by a script and interpreters. Patient knowledge of HBV was evaluated at three points: before education, after the initial visit, and at one-month follow-up. Student-led education produced improved knowledge of HBV transmission, prevention, and management, which was retained 1 month after education for 52 patients tracked through time. Mean scores on an HBV knowledge survey improved from 56.4 % (SD = 15.2 %) at baseline to 66.6 % (SD = 15.1 %) after education, and 68.3 % (SD = 15.2 %) after one month. There was a statistically significant difference between the first and second (paired T test, p < 0.001) and the first and third tests (paired T test, p < 0.001), but no difference between the second and third tests (paired T test, p = 0.45). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that retention was correlated with patient educational background but independent of patient age, gender, income, primary language and number of years lived in the United States. Our study suggests that trained health professional students can effectively impart health knowledge that is retained by patients for at least 1 month. These results warrant consideration of student-led educational sessions at SRCs as a promising community health education model.
Comorbidity in Aging and Dementia: Scales Differ, and the Difference Matters

Background Accurate assessment of the effect of dementia on healthcare utilization and costs requires separation of the effects of comorbid conditions, often poorly accounted for in existing claims-based studies. Objective To determine whether two different types of comorbidity and risk adjustment scales, the Chronic Disease Score (CDS) and the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G), perform similarly in older persons with and without dementia. Methods All subjects in the community-outreach diagnostic program of the University of Washington Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Satellite were included (N = 619). Subjects' mean age was 75 ± 9 years; 40% were cognitively normal, 17% were cognitively impaired but not demented, and 43% were demented. CDS and CIRS-G scores (neuropsychiatric disorders excluded to reduce colinearity with group) were examined across strata of age, education, and cognitive classification by using analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and linear regression. Results CIRS-G scores were sensitive to factors known to be associated with chronic disease burden, including age ( F = 21.3 [df = 2, 616], p 32% for normal and mildly impaired groups combined, 17% for dementia). Conclusion Different methods of measuring and adjusting for comorbidity are not equivalent, and dementia amplifies the discrepancies. The CDS, if used to control for comorbidity in comparative studies of healthcare utilization and costs for persons with and without dementia, will underestimate burden of comorbid disease and artificially inflate the costs attributed to dementia.
Enabling Comparative Effectiveness Research with Informatics: Show Me the Data!

Rationale Both outcomes researchers and informaticians are concerned with information and data. As such, some of the central challenges to conducting successful comparative effectiveness research can be addressed with informatics solutions. Methods Specific informatics solutions which address how data in comparative effectiveness research are enriched, stored, shared, and analyzed are reviewed. Results Imaging data can be made more quantitative, uniform, and structured for researchers through the use of lexicons and structured reporting. Secure and scalable storage of research data is enabled through data warehouses and cloud services. There are a number of national efforts to help researchers share research data and analysis tools. Conclusion There is a diverse arsenal of informatics tools designed to meet the needs of comparative effective researchers.
A study of stress distribution in model composites by finite-element analysis. II. Fiber/matrix interfacial effects

Finite-element analysis, in conjunction with a spectroscopic mechanical method, has been applied in a study of stress distribution in fiber reinforced model composites. In this study, special emphasis was devoted to an understanding of variation of stress distribution with changing fiber/matrix interfacial properties. Experimental studies were focused on the effects of coating properties of an anisotropic polydiacetylene fiber in an epoxy matrix. Stress transfer efficiency and stress distribution curves were shown to be clearly dependent on the nature and thickness of the interface, although the effects of a thin coating are limited. Lower stress transfer efficiency, even failure, was observed for thicker coatings. Calculated results, utilizing the finite element method for model composites, agree qualitatively well with experimental data. A detailed description of possible failure modes for the discontinuous fiber composites has been developed from these finite-element calculations.
How and when are substrates selected for type III secretion

Many Gram-negative bacteria use type III secretion systems to secrete virulence factors as well as the structural components of the flagellum. Some bacterial secretion systems use a secretion signal contained in the amino acid sequence of the secreted substrate. However, substrates of type III systems lack a single, defined secretion signal. There is evidence for the existence of three independent secretion signals - the 5' region of the mRNA, the amino terminus of the substrate and the ability of a secretion chaperone to bind the substrate before secretion - that direct substrates for secretion through the type III pathways. One or more of these signals might be used for a given substrate. A recent study of flagellar assembly presented evidence for a role of translation in the type III secretion mechanism. We present a unifying model for type III secretion that can be applied to flagellar assembly, needle assembly and the secretion of virulence factors. The potential role of translation in regulating the timing of substrate secretion is also discussed.
Evaluation of a Food Processor for Making Model Meat Emulsions

Meat emulsions or batters made with a retail food processor were compared to batters produced by three commercial machines (silent cutter, Schnellkutter, and emulsifier) and two laboratory machines (small size cutter and blender) for suitability in laboratory studies. Batters were evaluated for post-heating fat losses and smokehouse water losses. Stabilities of the finished frankfurters were evaluated by severe cooking weight changes, penetration forces, fat droplet sizes, and sensory qualities. The food processor was comparable to the other machines for producing high quality batters and had the advantage of being inexpensive, economical with ingredients, and time-saving.
Vascular effects of HMG CoA-reductase inhibitors (statins) unrelated to cholesterol lowering: new concepts for cardiovascular disease.

Time for primary review 18 days. In 1976, Endo et al. [1] reported on the discovery of a specific competitive inhibitor of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase. This compound, isolated from fungi, was called mevastatin. In 1988, Alberts [2] described a more potent HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, lovastatin, isolated from Aspergillus terreus . These two compounds started the development of a series of cholesterol lowering agents, now commonly called ‘statins’. Statins block the conversion of HMG CoA to mevalonic acid and thus dramatically attenuate the biosynthesis of cholesterol. These effects occur largely in the liver, where the statins primarily distribute [2]. The major effect of these pharmacologic agents is a marked reduction in LDL-cholesterol levels in the blood. On the basis of these and other findings, the statins have been widely prescribed in humans with elevated serum cholesterol levels. These statins are well tolerated, are very safe, and effectively lower serum LDL-cholesterol levels and maintain this effect over periods of many years [3]. In one clinical trial, 4444 patients were carefully studied and not only was simvastatin shown to be safe and effective in lowering circulating cholesterol, it also significantly improved survival in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) [4], and carried a 37% reduction in the risk of treated patients undergoing myocardial vascularization procedures [4]. These findings speak eloquently to the clinical usefulness of the statins. For many years, all the beneficial effects of the statins were attributed to their cholesterol lowering effect. Nevertheless, quite recently, the statins were found to exert direct cardiovascular effects which clearly are independent of their cholesterol lowering effects, and are not directly attributable to a reduction in serum cholesterol levels. The purpose of this review is to describe, evaluate, and discuss the major mechanisms underlying these non-lipid-lowering effects … * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-215-503-7760; fax: +1-215-503-2073 allan.m.lefer{at}mail.tju.edu
An asynchronous learning approach for the instructional component of a dual-campus pharmacy resident teaching program.

Objective. To describe the shift to an asynchronous online approach for pedagogy instruction within a pharmacy resident teaching program offered by a dual-campus college.Design. The pedagogy instruction component of the teaching program (Part I) was redesigned with a focus on the content, delivery, and coordination of the learning environment. Asynchronous online learning replaced distance technology or lecture capture. Using a pedagogical content knowledge framework, residents participated in self-paced online learning using faculty recordings, readings, and discussion board activities. A learning management system was used to assess achievement of learning objectives and participation prior to progressing to the teaching experiences component of the teaching program (Part II).Assessment. Evaluation of resident pedagogical knowledge development and participation in Part I of the teaching program was achieved through the learning management system. Participant surveys and written reflections showed genera...
Time Averaged Net Heat Flux Reduction for Unsteady Film Cooling

Film cooling flow for reduction in heat flux to a gas turbine engine hot gas path component is generally assumed to be steady. However, unsteady film cooling may occur due to naturally occurring flow unsteadiness or may be induced intentionally. Analysis of pulsed or otherwise unsteady film coolant flow necessitates a reformulation of the existing steady-state technique for net heat flux reduction (NHFR). We show that addition of a cross-coupled term to the traditional steady form of the NHFR equation with time averaged quantities accounts for the unsteady effects. In the experimental technique to determine the time averaged NHFR, we present a new parameter γ to capture the combined influence of the average adiabatic effectiveness and the coupling between η' and h'. Measurement of γ is shown to be straightforward but requiring careful considerations beyond those required to measure η with steady film cooling.
An inexpensive sample applicator for thin-layer chromatography

Abstract A sample applicator for thin-layer chromatography (TLC), which is simple in design, inexpensive to construct, and ideal for applying small volumes of solutions to TLC strips or plates is described.
The chemical nature of combustion deposition and corrosion: The case of alkali chlorides

Abstract Quantitative deposition studies are reported involving flame gases containing traces of sodium and chlorine. Comparisons with previously published and unpublished data involving Na2SO4 and Na2CO3 deposition indicate a similar behavior and a generic type mechanism. A wide series of propane and hydrogen flames of varying equivalence ratio have been examined that contain sodium on a part per million by volume scale (ppmv) and chlorine either as a similar trace amount or in excess. An important aspect is that deposition is efficient and the product does not directly correlate to the gas-phase metal speciation. Whether sodium is present as gaseous NaCl, NaOH or Na in a flame is irrelevant to the composition of the deposit. Rates are controlled by the total amount of sodium reaching the surface. Once there, the flame becomes solely a provenience of preferred ingredients. Below 850 K, formation rates of NaCl, Na2CO3 or Na2SO4 are the same, and for Na/Cl containing flames the ranking is NaCl > Na2CO3 > NaOH as predicted by thermodynamics. Rates are first-order in alkali and zero-order for chlorine concentrations. They are independent of equivalence ratio, flame temperature, flow velocity, or temperature gradient across the surface boundary layer. Compositional analyses of deposits indicate that below 850 K, where NaCl vaporization is negligible, a several fold excess of chlorine over sodium is required to produce the theoretically predicted 100% deposit of NaCl. The data suggest slight kinetic constraints relating to the chlorine concentrations, which might imply conversions of transient hydroxide or carbonate. Deposition of NaCl continues to higher temperatures but rapidly becomes short-lived due to vaporization. Deposition processes are seen as a steady state balance between a perpetual influx and egress of materials at all temperatures. In this regard, steel corrosion by NaCl is reported above its ‘dew point’ with the formation of Na2CrO4.
EFICACIA PROFILACTICA DE LA ASOCIACION CEFAZOLINA-TINIDAZOL EN PACIENTES SOMETIDAS A HISTERECTOMIA VAGINAL

Evaluar un esquema antibiotico profilactico, eficaz y seguro que disminuya la incidencia de morbilidad infecciosa postoperatoria en histerectomia vaginal. Doscientos cincuenta pacientes son randomizadas prospectivamente en 2 grupos. Cumplen criterios 228: El grupo 1 (116) recibio Tinidazol (2 g, oral) + Miconazol-tinidazol (100-150 mg, vaginal). El grupo 2 (112) recibio placebo por via oral y vaginal. Se uso cefazolina endovenosa preoperatoria en ambos grupos. La eficacia se midio clinicamente. Se establecen criterios de inclusion, exclusion y diagnostico. Tambien esquema de control, pareando distintas variables. En el grupo en estudio se observo un 2,6% de infeccion. Por otro lado, en el grupo 2 se obtuvo un 16,1% de infeccion (Odds ratio: 7,21 RR. 6,21 IC 95% Ji-cuadrado 10,83 p-value: 0,0009978). En este segundo grupo, se diagnosticaron 5 casos de absceso de cupula y ninguno en el grupo control. Conclusiones: El uso de un imidazol asociado a cefazolina contribuye a disminuir significativamente la ocurrencia de abscesos y celulitis de cupula vaginal
Visual information and intermanual transfer of latch box problem solving in monkeys with commissures sectioned.

Abstract Intact monkeys and monkeys with forebrain commissures sectioned were tested for intermanual transfer of latch box problem solving. Four experimental groups were trained and tested with or without unobstructed binocular vision or in combinations of the two conditions. The intact animals showed a high level intermanual transfer of learning in absence of vision. In contrast, monkeys with commissures sectioned failed to transfer the skill under comparable conditions. When allowed to view their manipulations during learning, however, the operated animals transferred the skill on first testing. Visual information obtained during acquisition can mediate the intermanual transfer of a tactuokinesthetic response pattern. The skill may be reproduced in absence of further visual guidance.
Genome-wide association study for flowering time, maturity dates and plant height in early maturing soybean (Glycine max) germplasm

Soybean (Glycine max) is a photoperiod-sensitive and self-pollinated species. Days to flowering (DTF) and maturity (DTM), duration of flowering-to-maturity (DFTM) and plant height (PH) are crucial for soybean adaptability and yield. To dissect the genetic architecture of these agronomically important traits, a population consisting of 309 early maturity soybean germplasm accessions was genotyped with the Illumina Infinium SoySNP50K BeadChip and phenotyped in multiple environments. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using a mixed linear model that involves both relative kinship and population structure. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) decayed slowly in soybean, and a substantial difference in LD pattern was observed between euchromatic and heterochromatic regions. A total of 27, 6, 18 and 27 loci for DTF, DTM, DFTM and PH were detected via GWAS, respectively. The Dt1 gene was identified in the locus strongly associated with both DTM and PH. Ten candidate genes homologous to Arabidopsis flowering genes were identified near the peak single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with DTF. Four of them encode MADS-domain containing proteins. Additionally, a pectin lyase-like gene was also identified in a major-effect locus for PH where LD decayed rapidly. This study identified multiple new loci and refined chromosomal regions of known loci associated with DTF, DTM, DFTM and/or PH in soybean. It demonstrates that GWAS is powerful in dissecting complex traits and identifying candidate genes although LD decayed slowly in soybean. The loci and trait-associated SNPs identified in this study can be used for soybean genetic improvement, especially the major-effect loci associated with PH could be used to improve soybean yield potential. The candidate genes may serve as promising targets for studies of molecular mechanisms underlying the related traits in soybean.
The Anti-inflammatory Drug Indomethacin Alters Nanoclustering in Synthetic and Cell Plasma Membranes

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin exhibits diverse biological effects, many of which have no clear molecular mechanism. Membrane-bound receptors and enzymes are sensitive to their phospholipid microenvironment. Amphipathic indomethacin could therefore potentially modulate cell signaling by changing membrane properties. Here we examined the effect of indomethacin on membrane lateral heterogeneity. Fluorescence lifetime imaging of cells expressing lipid-anchored probes revealed that treatment of BHK cells with therapeutic levels of indomethacin enhances cholesterol-dependent nanoclustering, but not cholesterol-independent nanoclustering. Immuno-electron microscopy and quantitative spatial mapping of intact plasma membrane sheets similarly showed a selective effect of indomethacin on promoting cholesterol-dependent, but not cholesterol-independent, nanoclustering. To further evaluate the biophysical effects of indomethacin, we measured fluorescence polarization of the phase-sensitive probe Laurdan and FRET between phase-partitioning probes in model bilayers. Therapeutic levels of indomethacin enhanced phase seperation in DPPC/DOPC/Chol (1:1:1) and DPPC/Chol membranes in a temperature-dependent manner, but had minimal effect on the phase behavior of pure DOPC at any temperature. Taken together, the imaging results on intact epithelial cells and the biophysical assays of model membranes suggest that indomethacin can enhance phase separation and stabilize cholesterol-dependent nanoclusters in biological membranes. These effects on membrane lateral heterogeneity may have significant consequences for cell signaling cascades that are assembled on the plasma membrane.
Surfactant cholesterol metabolism of the isolated perfused rat lung

Abstract 1. 1. The isolated perfused rat lung was used as the principal model to study surfactant cholesterol metabolism. 2. 2. Cholesterol was found to represent over 50% of the neutral lipid of both the total surfactant and the lamellar body fractions. 3. 3. De novo synthesis of cholesterol from [1-14C]acetate accounted for only 1% of the surfactant cholesterol, the remainder being derived from exogenous cholesterol supplied as serum lipoproteins. 4. 4. Lipoprotein [1,2-3H2] cholesterol was incorporated into the lamellar body and extracellular surfactant fractions. The increase in the cholesterol specific activities of these fractions with time was consistent with a precursor-product relationship between the lamellar body cholesterol and that of the extracellular surfactant. 5. 5. Incorporation of [methyl-14C]choline and [1,2-3H2]cholesterol indicated that the metabolism and secretion of lamellar body and extracellular surfactant cholesterol parallels that of phosphatidylcholine and suggests that most if not 6. 6. Comparison of the relative specific activities of incorporated [1,2-3H2]-cholesterol indicate that 59% of the total surfactant cholesterol is located extracellularly.
Contribution of brain MRI in a patient diagnosed with 2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria

l-2-Hydroxyglutaric aciduria is a rare autosomal recessively inherited metabolic disorder of organic acid metabolism. Clinical findings are characterised by progressive neurological syndrome with cerebellar signs, mental deterioration and macrocephaly. Diagnosis is via increased levels of l-2 hydroxyglutaric acid in urine, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows peripheral white matter abnormalities in cerebral hemispheres, basal ganglia and dentate nuclei. In this report, we present an rare 8-year-old patient with a rare mental retardation, cerebellar findings, macrocephaly and typical brain MRI findings, who was subsequently diagnosed with l-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria. In conclusion, in patients with progressive mental retardation, macrocephaly and cerebral findings, l-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria should be considered in case of deep white matter and dentate nuclei involvement in MRI.
Fractionation of protein, RNA, and plasmid DNA in centrifugal precipitation chromatography using cationic surfactant CTAB containing inorganic salts NaCl and NH4Cl

Centrifugal precipitation chromatography (CPC) is a separation system that mainly employs a moving concentration gradient of precipitating agent along a channel and solutes of interest undergo repetitive precipitation-dissolution, fractionate at different locations, and elute out from the channel according to their solubility in the precipitating agent solution. We report here for the first time the use of a CPC system for fractionation of protein, RNA, and plasmid DNA in clarified lysate produced from bacterial culture. The cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was initially used as a precipitating agent; however, all biomolecules showed no differential solubility in the moving concentration gradient of this surfactant and, as a result, no separation of protein, RNA, and plasmid DNA occurred. To overcome this problem, inorganic salts such as NaCl and NH4Cl were introduced into solution of CTAB. The protein and RNA were found to have higher solubility with the addition of these salts and separated from the plasmid DNA. Decreasing surface charge density of CTAB upon addition of NaCl and NH4Cl was believed to lead to lower surfactant complexation, and therefore caused differential solubility and fractionation of these biomolecules. Addition of CaCl2 did not improve solubility and separation of RNA from plasmid DNA. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A theoretical look at firm performance in high-tech organizations: what does existing theory tell us?

Abstract This paper looks at the changing nature of work for workers in knowledge-intensive high-tech firms. Four theories (institutional theory [IT], resource-based theory, game theory, and agency theory) are examined and propositions formulated as to how each theory helps explain the existence of intellectual cooperation and knowledge sharing within high-tech firms. The paper examines the usefulness of existing theory and suggests new research propositions, constructs, and methods to focus on building an empirical approach towards organizational research in the high-tech arena.
CRT-302 Are Guidelines Effective In Increasing Awareness And Detection Of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) represents atherosclerotic disease in the large-vessel arterial beds excluding the coronary and cerebral circulation. PAD is asymptomatic in 50% of patients which often delays diagnosis. Early recognition can minimize complications such as limb loss and prevent
Measuring energy savings using personal trend data

Abstract Twelve households are analyzed for details of their gas heating energy consumption before and after insulating to determine energy and dollar savings. These are standard, private insulation jobs done without house doctoring and not including any specific infiltration control measures. Our method uses utility bill data for several years before and after insulating; we discuss three methods of using such data. Average yearly energy savings (change in Normalized Annual Consumption) is 23%, ranging from 6% to 43%. Nine of the 12 households saved money; the payback time is no more than 9 years, even assuming no increase in the real price of natural gas. A simple heat load calculation does not accurately predict energy savings.
An economic evaluation of elementary education for dropouts in Indonesia

Abstract The article presents the results of benefit-cost analysis for an experimental and prototype elementary education program in Indonesia which is designed to solve a serious dropout problem. The program will use nonformal and self-paced methods to return 10, 000 children to elementary school in order to complete grades four through six. Alternative benefit-cost ratios are calculated using differing assumptions regarding probable lifetime earnings-enhancement and alternative discount rates. The calculations consider only private benefits and opportunity costs in addition to the project budget; however, several of the problems and unresolved questions that arose in the process of making the evaluation in a less developed country are discussed.
Implications of a Stakeholder View on Corporate Reporting

While the stakeholder view is increasingly being seen as an integral part of corporate governance, a corresponding view has not emerged in corporate reporting. This paper explores the possibility of a normative stakeholder view of corporate reporting by addressing the foundation of financial reports, the underlying mission of the conceptual framework contained in Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 1. Specifically, the paper contrasts mission concepts to find a suitable foundation for the stakeholder view that would sufficiently project the ideas, and particularly the public interest perspective contained in that view. The paper also illustrates how the mission of corporate reporting extends to other areas in the conceptual framework and international accounting, and critically reviews the current trajectory of corporate reporting in the light of the implications of the stakeholder view.
Restrictions on the field of view for an undersampled 1-D synthetic thinned aperture radiometry

Traditional radio astronomy formulation of the field of view (FOV) applied to a non-Nyquist spatially sampled synthetic thinned aperture radiometers appear to overestimate the FOV. Utilizing the current design of the Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRad) as a baseline instrument, a simple analytical instrument simulator is developed to investigate the different methods of determining the FOV. Analytically, this value is found to be 70deg. However the usable range seems to extend only to 61deg. The presence of aliased grating lobes is easily seen in the synthesized antenna patterns. Beam efficiency plots with threshold levels can be used to determine the reduced FOV. Error analysis is performed utilizing several sample images of Hurricane Katrina.
On Balancing Exploration Vs. Exploitation in a Cognitive Engine for Multi-Antenna Systems

In this paper, we define the problem of balancing exploration vs. exploitation in a cognitive engine controlled multi-antenna communication system in terms of the classical multiarmed bandit framework. We then employ the e-greedy strategy and Gittins' indices methods for addressing the problem in a system with no prior information. Results show that the Gittins' indices assuming a normal reward process had the best overall performance compared to the Gittins' indices with a Bernoulli reward process and the e-greedy strategy. The latter was found to be more consistent albeit inefficient for most of the cases except in the case of both a low number of trials and a low SNR in which it was found to have better performance than the other methods. Nevertheless, the Gittins' indices method should be generally preferred as it is more consistent than the e-greedy strategy across different scenarios.
Contesting race and power: Second-generation dominican youth in the New Gotham

One of the effects of the new era of globalization has been an intensification of racialized inequalities, both globally and locally. Youth in cities like New York have been working arduously to establish projects and coalitions that challenge globalization and its consequences. This article examines social and racial justice projects in which New York based Dominican youth are involved. In their attempts to confront and challenge globalization and racism, they have begun to construct a new political identity; their work involves other people of color throughout the diaspora. What does the work of these activists tell us about the prospects of the “new contestatory politics” emerging among youth? What does their work tell us about the ways in which people reconfigure their sense of self, of political community, and social justice ideology in today's world?
Progressive deformation and orogenic uplift at the southern extremity of the Andes

The Middle to Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous silicic volcanic and sedimentary rocks of Isla de los Estados, Argentina, at the southern extremity of the Andean Cordillera, have been interpreted to lie on the rear (continental) side of an Early Cretaceous marginal basin. The basin floor was uplifted, together with the magmatic arc on its Pacific side, in mid-Cretaceous time. Uplift was accompanied by inhomogeneous deformation of the rocks of the magmatic arc, of the basin floor, and particularly of those on the continental side of the basin. Detailed structural analysis shows that the rocks of Isla de los Estados are disposed in a major asymmetric, noncylindrical syncline. The island, nearly 1,000 m high, lies in the core of this fold. A strong slaty cleavage developed prior to the large-scale folding. Both bedding and early slaty cleavage were reoriented by this folding. A new foliation axial planar to the large syncline is present only on the inverted limb in the more strongly compressed eastern area. Late, flat-lying cleavages are also most strongly developed in the east, but in the lower limb of the fold. The structures are all interpreted to be the result of progressive deformation of the rocks during a single period of regional compression. The sequence of strains correlates closely with that deduced from theoretical and experimental studies of buckling. The early cleavage is thought to have developed during initial shortening of the layering of the rocks. Subsequent buckling of the thick multilayer of competent silicic volcanics produced the syncline. The late, flat-lying cleavages are considered to have resulted from gravitationally induced vertical shortening produced by the greatly increased overburden of the tectonically thickened rock pile. The dominant northward vergence of the structures undoubtedly reflects the uplift of the Pacific margin of the continent, but the initial layer-parallel shortening indicates the operation of a stress system with maximum compressive principal stress subhorizontal and at right angles to the Pacific margin. The crustal thickening resulting from the horizontal shortening and the buckling seems to have played a major role in the mid-Cretaceous orogenic uplift of the southernmost part of the Andean Cordillera.
Determining trace amounts of nickel in plant samples by neutron activation analysis

Neutron activation analysis of plant samples for trace amounts of nickel has applications in various fields. Landsberger and Robinson (Trans Am Nucl Soc 102:187–188, 2010) found their measurement of the concentrations of nickel for different NIST reference materials to be significantly greater than the certified values when measuring nickel from the 810.8 keV gamma ray that comes from 58Co from the 58Ni(n,p) reaction. They determined that this overestimation was due to a significant interference by the presence of 152Eu at 810.5 keV, and presented a method for correcting this interference. Their method involved a long thermal irradiation and correction of gamma ray counts based on the 1,408 keV belonging to 152Eu. This paper presents an alternative approach, which involves irradiating the samples with epithermal neutrons, which suppressed the 152Eu to the point of being negligible for samples with low levels of europium. Both methods were determined to work well for the identification of nickel concentrations by neutron activation analysis.
Probability density methods for smooth function approximation and learning in populations of tuned spiking neurons

This article proposes a new method for interpreting computations performed by populations of spiking neurons. Neural firing is modeled as a rate-modulated random process for which the behavior of a neuron in response to external input can be completely described by its tuning function. I show that under certain conditions, cells with any desired tuning functions can be approximated using only spike coincidence detectors and linear operations on the spike output of existing cells. I show examples of adaptive algorithms based on only spike data that cause the underlying cell-tuning curves to converge according to standard supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms. Unsupervised learning based on principal components analysis leads to independent cell spike trains. These results suggest a duality relationship between the random discrete behavior of spiking cells and the deterministic smooth behavior of their tuning functions. Classical neural network approximation methods and learning algorithms based on continuous variables can thus be implemented within networks of spiking neurons without the need to make numerical estimates of the intermediate cell firing rates.
Fundamental solutions and numerical methods for flow problems

An approach for the numerical solution of flow problems based on the concept of fundamental solutions of differential equations is described. This approach uses the finite element methodology but does not rely on the concept of variational principle or that of residuals. The approach is shown to be well-suited for many types of flow problems. Various applications of this approach are discussed in this paper, with particular emphasis placed on the solution of potential flows and viscous flows containing appreciable regions of separation.
Genome size and ploidy of Thysanoptera.

Flow cytometry was used to study the genome sizes and ploidy levels for four thrips species: Franklinothrips orizabensis Johansen (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, Frankliniella fusca Hinds, and Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). F. orizabensis males and females had 1C genome sizes of 426 Mb and 422 Mb, respectively. Male and female F. fusca had 1C genome sizes of 392 Mb and 409 Mb, whereas F. occidentalis males and females had smaller 1C genomes that were 345 Mb and 337 Mb, respectively. Male F. orizabensis, F. occidentalis and F. fusca were haploid and females diploid. Five isofemale lines of T. tabaci, initiated from parthenogenetic, thelytokous females and collected from different locations in North Carolina, were included in this study; no males were available. One isofemale line was diploid with a genome size of 1C = 310 Mb, and the other four had a mean genome size of 1C = 482 Mb, which is consistent with evidence from microsatellite data of diploidy and polyploidy, respectively, in these same five thelytokous lines. This is the first study to produce genome size estimates for thysanopteran species, and report polyploidy in T. tabaci populations.
Estimating correspondence in digital video

This paper addresses several estimation problems involving correspondence in digital video. We present three cases, in order of increasing complexity: affine transformations, projective transformations, and general correspondence. We review some recent research in the first two cases and present a new framework for discussing the third case. We also discuss how to use the formalism of correspondence graphs to ensure that any estimated correspondence is physically valid.
Equity and Exact Credibility

We consider an alternative to the usual credibility premium that arises from squared-error loss, namely, a so-called equitable credibility premium (Promislow and Young, 1999). We derive formulas for the credibility weight in certain cases and give sufficient conditions for exact credibility.
Insect Infestation of Farm-Stored Shelled Corn and Wheat in Minnesota

Farm-stored shelled corn and wheat in south-central and west-central Minnesota were sampled for insects during 1977 and 1978. The most common insects, in decreasing order, were Cryptolestes spp., Ahasverus advena (Waltl), Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), Cynaeus angustus (LeConte), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Typhaea stercorea (L.) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.). A. advena and Cryptolestes spp. were the most abundant. Of 38 bins of shelled corn sampled in South-Central Minnesota, 10 had 15 or more live adult insects per ca. 0.95-liter (1-qt) sample. Fifteen bins had 5 to 14 insects per ca. 0.95-liter sample. Mold-damaged areas were infested by numerous species simultaneously. Samples of grain collected at a local country elevator confirmed the similar frequencies of occurrence of the insect species detected in farm-stored grain. C. angustus was unexpectedly found to be both common and abundant in shelled corn.