cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal capacitor placement in distribution systems by genetic algorithm

Abstract The genetic algorithm uses a biological analogy to evolve a population of search-space points toward an optimal solution, and has been applied to several disiplines in engineering and the sciences. The algorithm is attractive due to its ease of implementation, its lack of differentiability requirements on the objective function, and, its ability to find globally optimal solutions. These properties allow optimization of a practical formulation of the capacitor placement problem which includes the discrete nature of capacitor installations. In this paper, the genetic algorithm's structure, its application to the capacitor placement problem in distribution systems, and experimental numerical results are presented. Additionally, several implementation issues including selection pressure, fitness scaling and ranking, unity crossover probability, and the selection of generalized control parameters are examined in details.
Dealing with an increasing user/consultant ratio

Use of the computer at The Catholic University of America has been growing at the rate of twenty percent per year for the last five years. While equipment has been enhanced, the Computer Center has had no additional positions. The increased User/Consultant ratio has been dealt with in the following ways:- a “help the user help herself” philosophy- a schedule for consultation has been developed- students share the consulting load- emphasis is placed on user documentation- reassignment of positions within the Computer Center- increased communication with faculty- a Task Management System for projects- standardization of equipment and software- use of students in software/documentation developmentThis paper will elaborate on how these ideas have helped Academic Services at The Catholic University of America keep pace with growth in the number of users.
Tear dysfunction and the cornea: LXVIII Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture.

Purpose To describe the cause and consequence of tear dysfunction–related corneal disease. Design Perspective on effects of tear dysfunction on the cornea. Methods Evidence is presented on the effects of tear dysfunction on corneal morphology, function, and health, as well as efficacy of therapies for tear dysfunction–related corneal disease. Results Tear dysfunction is a prevalent eye disease and the most frequent cause for superficial corneal epithelial disease that results in corneal barrier disruption, an irregular optical surface, light scattering, optical aberrations, and exposure and sensitization of pain-sensing nerve endings (nociceptors). Tear dysfunction–related corneal disease causes irritation and visual symptoms such as photophobia and blurred and fluctuating vision that may decrease quality of life. Dysfunction of 1 or more components of the lacrimal functional unit results in changes in tear composition, including elevated osmolarity and increased concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases, inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. These tear compositional changes promote disruption of tight junctions, alter differentiation, and accelerate death of corneal epithelial cells. Conclusions Corneal epithelial disease resulting from tear dysfunction causes eye irritation and decreases visual function. Clinical and basic research has improved understanding of the pathogenesis of tear dysfunction–related corneal epithelial disease, as well as treatment outcomes.
A sub-1 Volt 10-bit supply boosted SAR ADC design in standard CMOS

This paper presents a new very low-power, low-voltage successive approximation analog to digital converter (SAR ADC) design based on supply boosting technique. The supply boosting technique (SBT) and supply boosted (SB) circuits including level shifter, comparator, and supporting electronics are described. Supply boosting provides wide input common mode range and sub-1 Volt operation for the circuits designed in standard CMOS processes that have only high-Vt MOSFETs. A 10-bit supply boosted SAR ADC was designed and fabricated in a standard 0.5 μm, 5 V, 2P3M, CMOS process in which threshold voltages of NMOS and PMOS devices are +0.8 and ?0.9 V, respectively. Fabricated SB-SAR ADC achieves effective number of bits (ENOB) of 8.04, power consumption of 147 nW with sampling rate of 1.0 KS/s on 1 Volt supply. Measured figure of merit (FOM) was 280 fJ/conversion-step. Proposed supply boosting technique improves input common mode range of both SB comparator and SAR ADC, allows sub-1 Volt operation when threshold voltages are in the order of the supply voltage, and achieves low energy operation. Thus, SBT is suitable for mixed-signal circuit designed for energy limited applications and systems in where supply voltage is in the order of threshold voltages of the process.
Critical Reflections on Sociobiology

(1980). Critical Reflections on Sociobiology. Review of Social Economy: Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 123-139.
Permeability characterization. Part 1: A proposed standard reference fabric for permeability

A three-dimensionally woven fabric is proposed as a standard reference material for permeability characterization. The 3-D woven fabric requires care in cutting and handling, although it is more robust than 2-D woven or braided fabrics. If prepared carefully, the permeability of the 3-D woven fabric can be measured reproducibly within 15% in either radial flow or saturated 1-D flow geometries. The material was characterized for permeability in radial, unsaturated and saturated 1-D, and through-thickness flow geometries. The transient results demonstrated the importance of structural heterogeneity on the unsaturated flow behavior, and agree qualitatively with a simplistic model of flow in heterogeneous unsaturated porous media. The effects of heterogeneity were manifested in the proposed SRM by an increasing trend in the “unsaturated permeability.” Experiments were also conducted with a random mat that displayed transient flows dominated by wicking. The effects of wicking on the macroscopic flow behavior were manifested by transients in the “unsaturated permeability” in which a decreasing trend was observed.
Annexin A2 Regulates β1 Integrin Internalization and Intestinal Epithelial Cell Migration

The gastrointestinal epithelium functions as an important barrier that separates luminal contents from the underlying tissue compartment and is vital in maintaining mucosal homeostasis. Mucosal wounds in inflammatory disorders compromise the critical epithelial barrier. In response to injury, intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) rapidly migrate to reseal wounds. We have previously observed that a membrane-associated, actin binding protein, annexin A2 (AnxA2), is up-regulated in migrating IECs and plays an important role in promoting wound closure. To identify the mechanisms by which AnxA2 promotes IEC movement and wound closure, we used a loss of function approach. AnxA2-specific shRNA was utilized to generate IECs with stable down-regulation of AnxA2. Loss of AnxA2 inhibited IEC migration while promoting enhanced cell-matrix adhesion. These functional effects were associated with increased levels of β1 integrin protein, which is reported to play an important role in mediating the cell-matrix adhesive properties of epithelial cells. Because cell migration requires dynamic turnover of integrin-based adhesions, we tested whether AnxA2 modulates internalization of cell surface β1 integrin required for forward cell movement. Indeed, pulse-chase biotinylation experiments in IECs lacking AnxA2 demonstrated a significant increase in cell surface β1 integrin that was accompanied by decreased β1 integrin internalization and degradation. These findings support an important role of AnxA2 in controlling dynamics of β1 integrin at the cell surface that in turn is required for the active turnover of cell-matrix associations, cell migration, and wound closure.
Serendipitous Science and the Prepared Mind: Merton on the Microenvironments of Discovery

Robert K. Merton-the acknowledged giant of sociological thought and an awesome figure to generations of students; honored by major universities throughout the world as well as by the President of the United States1 who granted him the National Medal of Science (the first awarded to a social scientist)-had his whimsical side. As every scholar whose work was subjected to his editorial pen can attest (and there were generations of them), he highlighted his comments or corrections with imprints from his collection of rubber stamps, for example, a light bulb for a good idea, a pointing finger for emphasis, or a cloud for foggy thinking. Wordsmithing was a frolic for Merton but it was always play with a purpose. He loved the ways in which words and phrases were the carriers of ideas but had their own power to frame thought. Sometimes he gasped at their transformative powers, especially when a word or phrase he coined for a complex idea made it into public discourse, among them role model, the self-fulfilling prophecy, or opportunity structure. And of course, he exclaimed over their misuse through commercialization or banalization.
Spectroscopic analysis of fire suppressants and refrigerants by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is evaluated as a means of detecting the fire suppressants CF(3)Br, C(3)F(7)H, and CF(4) and the refrigerant C(2)F(4)H(2). The feasibility of employing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for time- and space-resolved measurement of these agents during use, storage, and recharge is discussed. Data are presented that demonstrate the conditions necessary for optimal detection of these chemicals.
DNA strand breakage by wheat germ type 1 topoisomerase.

Abstract Properties of strand breakage in duplex and single-stranded DNA by the wheat germ type 1 DNA topoisomerase were investigated. Strand breakage in duplex DNA is dependent upon the use of denaturing conditions to inactivate the enzyme and terminate the reaction, whereas breakage of single-stranded DNA occurs under the normal reaction conditions and is not dependent upon denaturation. Breakage generates a free 5′ hydroxyl group and enzyme bound to the 3′ side of the break, presumably via the 3′ phosphate group. The location of sites of breakage with both duplex and single-stranded DNA is not random. In all these respects the wheat germ enzyme closely resembles the rat liver type 1 topoisomerase. A comparison of the locations of the sites of breakage in duplex DNA generated by the topoisomerases from wheat germ and rat liver indicates a number of common sites, although the patterns of breakage are not identical.
Pulse laser driven ultrafast micro and nanofluidics system

We report on a novel fluid actuation mechanism capable of achieving ultrafast actuation in micro and nanofluidic environment by utilizing laser pulse induced cavitation bubbles. A highly focused laser beam can initiate a vapor bubble with a rapidly expansion speed at more than 100 m/sec in few nanoseconds and an internal pressure of tens of MPa. Such a fast response and large force induced laser triggered cavitation bubble could strongly perturb the fluid flow near the focal point and the neighboring channel structures. We have demonstrated several novel applications based on this mechanism, including a high speed microfluid membrane switch with a cycle lifetime less than 6 μsec, and a high speed droplet device capable of generating highly uniform droplet at a speed of 10,000 droplets per second on demand.
The effect of visual magnification and reduction on perceived hand size

The aim of the present study was to clarify the mechanisms underlying body understanding by examining the impact of visual experience (magnification and reduction) on perception of hand size and neutral external objects (squares). Independent groups of participants were asked to look through a 2× magnification lens, a ½-× reduction lens, or a control UV filter and to make visual size judgments about square stimuli and their hands. In Experiment 1, participants used a measuring device with unmarked wooden slats orientated in horizontal and radial/vertical space for their visual judgments. In Experiment 2, participants used an upright frontal slat for visual length judgments of their hands to eliminate any potential foreshortening in viewing the measurement apparatus. The results from the two experiments demonstrate that participants significantly underestimated both the square stimuli and their hands when they viewed them under a reduction lens. While overestimation and underestimation of squares was found for females in Experiment 2, males generally underestimated the squares. However, overestimation was not seen when the participants viewed their hands under a magnification lens. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Intracellular potential of medullary reticular neurons during sleep and wakefulness.

Abstract Intracellular records were obtained in the chronic cat from neurons of the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (NGC) during naturally occurring sleep and wakefulness. When wakefulness and quiet sleep was compared with active sleep, the membrane potential level of NGC neurons gradually decreased; a depolarized membrane potential was maintained tonically and selectively throughout active sleep. These data support the concept that NGC neurons assist in the generation of somatic atonia during active sleep and suggest that this state-dependent inhibitory function may be controlled by the nucleus pontis oralis as part of the general phenomenon of reticular response reversal.
Flexible power fabrics made of carbon nanotubes for harvesting thermoelectricity.

Thermoelectric energy conversion is very effective in capturing low-grade waste heat to supply electricity particularly to small devices such as sensors, wireless communication units, and wearable electronics. Conventional thermoelectric materials, however, are often inadequately brittle, expensive, toxic, and heavy. We developed both p- and n-type fabric-like flexible lightweight materials by functionalizing the large surfaces and junctions in carbon nanotube (CNT) mats. The poor thermopower and only p-type characteristics of typical CNTs have been converted into both p- and n-type with high thermopower. The changes in the electronic band diagrams of the CNTs were experimentally investigated, elucidating the carrier type and relatively large thermopower values. With our optimized device design to maximally utilize temperature gradients, an electrochromic glucose sensor was successfully operated without batteries or external power supplies, demonstrating self-powering capability. While our fundamental stu...
Age-related development of olfactory bulb transplants in rats

We are using the rat olfactory system to study developmental aspects of neurotransplantation (TX). Age-related TX maturation and subsequent establishment of connections are of special concern. Previous studies of deafferentation by olfactory bulb (OB) removal suggested “critical” periods of plasticity in the system. We present here preliminary attempts at relating age of host receiving TX to maturation of the TX and its connections. This investigation used hosts of postnatal age (PN) 13–14 days with fetal donors at Embryonic Day 15; the former having one OB ablated and receiving a fetal donor OB TX immediately placed in the vacated space. The fetal tissue was labeled previously in utero with tritiated thymidine. After 2 months a small coagulation lesion was placed in the OB TX and 2 days later the tissue was taken, serially sectioned, and processed for [3H] autoradiography, degeneration, and olfactory marker protein (OMP). Extensively 3H-labeled OB TXs with localized small lesions were studied. The cellular architecture of the TX is less well organized than in normals but substantial OMP reactivity occurs throughout. Degeneration occurs mainly near the lesion and little if any degeneration is seen beyond the 3H-labeled TX tissue. The results show that OB TX survive and develop in the PN 13–14 age group as they do in the younger animals and that primary olfactory neurons likewise reinnervate the TX but that PN 13–14 TX efferent projections are far more limited than those of younger hosts.
Low Insertion-Loss, High Extinction Ratio Optical Amplitude Modulation Using Two beam Interference into Single-Mode Fibers

Optical modulation components are widely used in optical telecommunications. These devices allow signals to be coded using an optical field prior to being transmitted through fiberoptic networks [1]. In a previous publication, we have shown that by launching the central fringe of an interference pattern of two Gaussian beams into a single-mode fiber (SMF), it is possible to spatially redistribute the optical intensity to achieve better mode matching between the input light and the SMF and obtain optical coupling efficiencies close to 97% [2]. In this paper, we show theoretically and experimentally that the two-beam optical interference approach when used to modulate continuous wave optical signals can yield insertion-losses much lower than the 9 dB commonly attained by other Mach-Zenhder modulators [3] or the 3.6 dB obtained with electro-absorption modulation modules [4]. Our approach consists of spatially shifting an optical interference fringe across the input cross section of a SMF and taking advantage of the high (resp., low) coupling efficiency of the central (resp. first dark) fringe into the SMF.
Corticosterone, foraging behavior, and metabolism in dark-eyed juncos, Junco hyemalis

Male, dark-eyed juncos, Junco hyemalis, were held in captivity under conditions simulating winter temperature and photoperiod. Birds were administered corticosterone (B), metapyrone (MET), or control (empty) implants in silastic tubing. B implants resulted in higher plasma levels of B, especially on the first day following implantation. After 4 days, B-implanted birds had significant atrophy of the flight muscles and increased storage of fat in the furcular and abdominal adipose depots. Despite the increased fat deposition, no differences in adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity or plasma levels of glycerol or free fatty acid were observed after 4 days of treatment. There were no differences in muscle LPL activity when enzyme activity was expressed per tissue. However, when enzyme activity was expressed per gram of tissue, muscle LPL was significantly greater in the B-treated birds. Therefore, despite the atrophy of muscle tissue, the LPL enzyme had been preserved. No differences were observed in either foraging behavior or food consumption, even in light of the dramatic changes in fat and muscle masses in B-treated birds. These data are discussed in light of the chronic effects of B which may be applicable to the advanced stage of stress in birds.
African-American women who use crack cocaine: a comparison of mothers who live with and have been separated from their children.

Abstract Objective: This study examined factors that influenced caregiver status for African–American mothers who use crack cocaine but are not receiving drug treatment and participated in an HIV prevention study in North Carolina. Method: Caregiver mothers who were living with at least one of their children at intake ( n = 257) were compared with non-Caregivers who were separated from all of their children ( n = 378). Bivariate analyses and logistic regression were used to compare these mothers at intake on current drug use, risky sex practices, psychological symptoms, victimization, and aggression. Results: Compared with Caregiver mothers, non-Caregivers reported higher frequencies of drug use, risky sex practices, psychological distress, and victimization experiences. Caregiver mothers were more likely than non-Caregiver mothers to have health insurance, but were less likely to have received drug treatment. Logistic regression found that non-Caregiver mothers were significantly more likely than Caregiver mothers to be older, to have been physically abused as children, to trade sex more frequently, to be homeless, and to have no health insurance. Recent crack use, psychological symptoms, and victimization were not significantly related to caregiver status. Conclusions: Findings that socio-environmental factors were more strongly associated with caregiver status than crack use underscore the importance of contextual issues such as housing, victimization history, and resources in serving maternal crack users. Community outreach and interventions that engage mothers who use drugs and live with their children may be more effective strategies than formal office-based services to link mothers who use crack and their children to needed drug treatment and family and child services.
A pregnant pause : blunt urologic trauma in a young woman

Abstract Trauma in a woman of child-bearing age is rarely discussed in urologic literature.However, it is the leading cause of maternal death during pregnancy. We propose that the standard workup for gross hematuria secondary to trauma be performed, in light of child-bearing age, since the greatest cause of fetal demise in this setting is maternal death.
Effects of the hepatocarcinogen, aflatoxin, on open-field behaviors in Syrian hamsters

For 35 days male Syrian hamsters were exposed to food treated with aflatoxin, copper acetate, aflatoxin plus copper acetate, or a control diet. When tested in an open-field, the copper acetate and the control groups showed normal decreases in rears, squares entered, and escape attempts across trials. The two aflatoxin-treated groups, however, did not show a decrease across trials on these measures. In fact, the aflatoxin plus copper acetate group showed significant increases in rears and escape attempts. There seems to be a lack of habituation in all animals receiving aflatoxin, and concurrent copper treatment failed to alter this response. Thus, the open-field test revealed behavioral changes while the hamsters were still in a precancerous stage.
Simulation, Theory‐Theory and Cognitive Penetration: No ‘Instance of the Fingerpost’

In this paper it is argued that studies involving subjects who attempt to verbally predict the outcome of experiments concerning unexpected and surprising psychological processes do not constitute a critical test of simulation theories. The failure of ‘observer-subjects’ to predict the outcome of such experiments does not demonstrate that their anticipatory abilities are ‘cognitively penetrable’ and thus based upon theory, as Nichols, Stich, Leslie and Klein (1996) maintain. This is because such studies are based upon the doubtful assumption that our ability to verbally predict another’s behaviour is a reliable measure of our ability to anticipate it. It is suggested that studies involving nonverbal measures of our anticipatory capacities would constitute a more decisive test of simulation theory.
Existence and Nonexistence of Entire Positive Solutions of Semilinear Elliptic Systems

Abstract We show that entire positive solutions exist for the semilinear elliptic system Δ u = p ( x ) v α , Δ v = q ( x ) u β on R N , N ≥ 3, for positive α and β, provided that the nonnegative functions p and q are continuous and satisfy appropriate decay conditions at infinity. We also show that entire solutions fail to exist if the functions p and q are of slow decay.
Understanding the Moral Distress of Nurses Witnessing Medically Futile Care

Purpose/objectives To explore the topic of moral distress in nurses related to witnessing futile care. Data sources Literature related to moral distress and futility; analysis of narratives written by 108 nurses attending one of two national continuing education courses on end-of-life care regarding their experiences in the area. Data synthesis Nurses were invited to share a clinical situation in which they experienced moral distress related to a patient receiving care that they considered futile. Nurses described clinical situations across care settings, with the most common conflict being that aggressive care denies palliative care. Conflicts regarding code status, life support, and nutrition also were common. Patients with cancer were involved quite often, second only to geriatric patients and patients with dementia. The instances created strong emotional responses from nurses, including feeling the need for patient advocacy and that futile care was violent and cruel. Important spiritual and religious factors were cited as influencing the clinical experiences. Conclusions Instances of futile care evoke strong emotional responses from nurses, and nurses require support in dealing with their distress. Implications for nursing The ethical dilemma of futile care is complex. Additional research and support are needed for patients, families, and nurses.
Candida chorioamnionitis after serial therapeutic amniocenteses: a possible association.

Background Reduction amniocentesis is used in cases of severe polyhydramnios to decrease maternal discomfort and the risk of preterm labor. In a MEDLINE search (1966 to present, English language, keywords: amniocentesis, chorioamnionitis), no report of Candida chorioamnionitis after serial reduction amniocentesis exists. Case A 29-year-old primigravida with a history of four therapeutic amniocenteses for idiopathic polyhydramnios developed preterm labor at 30 and 5/7 weeks' gestation, rupture of membranes, and Candida albicans chorioamnionitis. Despite aggressive therapy with amphotericin B, the neonate succumbed to overwhelming systemic candidiasis. Conclusion Serial amniocentesis may place patients at elevated risk for Candida chorioamnionitis and subsequent preterm delivery. Clinicians should consider early diagnostic amniocentesis in patients in preterm labor with a history of prior amniocentesis, and the routine Gram stain and culture of amniotic fluid.
Modeling and measurement of the impact of input/output on system performance

The input/otrtput (1/0) subsystem is often the bottleneck in high performance computer systems where the CPU/Memory technology has been pushed to the limit. But recent microprocessor and workstation speeds ae beginning to shift the system balance to the point that 1/0 is becoming the bottleneck even in mid-range and low-end systems. In this work the 1/0 subsystem’s impact on system performartce is shown by modeling the relative performance of VAX uniprocessors with and without enhancement in the 1/0 subsystem. Tradhional system performance models were enhanced to include the effect of the I/O subsystem. The parameters modeling the I/O subsystem’s effect were identified as D[,O (the number of I/O bytes transferred per instruction executed by the CPU), trl,O (the &ansfer time per I/O byte), and Wq (the waiting time in the I/O subsystem). These parameters were measured on a VAX1 1/780 system by using special purpose hardware and were used to calibrate the enhanced system performance model. It is interesting to note that these measurements indicate that contemporary systems require a factor of eight increase over the I/O bandwidth requirement stated by the Amdhal-Case rule.
An Unusual Cause of Sudden Hearing Loss

AnAfricanAmericanman in his 40s initially presentedwith a sudden-onset unilateral hearing losswith associated vertigo and tinnitus. His medical history was unremarkable, and he specifically had nohistory of any auditory or vestibular symptoms. Results fromhis physicalexaminationwerealsounremarkableanddemonstratednormal otoscopic and neurologic findings. Audiometry results revealed amoderate right-sided sensorineural hearing loss across all frequencies (250-8000Hz). Prior audiogramswereunavailable for comparison. The patient was treated with tapered prednisone therapy and scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiographic evaluation. Subsequent clinical and audiology evaluationsat 1weekand 1monthdemonstratedanalmost complete resolutionofhishearing lossandvertigosymptoms.HisMRIwasobtained 2 months after onset of his symptoms with the enhancement pattern shown (Figure). What is your diagnosis? A B
Alterations in biochemical functions during hyperthermic isolation-perfusion of the human liver.

Hyperthermia (42–42.5°) was applied to the liver of eight patients with cancer in the liver by a technique of isolation-perfusion. Hepatic functional integrity was assessed during perfusion through measurement of multiple perfusate constituents. Data from seven perfusions were available for analysis. During perfusion there was an increase in perfusate lactate, pyruvate, glucose, urea, potassium, alkaline phosphatase, SGOT, and LDH. All increases in these constituents were significant (P < 0.05) except for potassium. Lactate accumulated throughout the perfusion from an initial level of 3.8 ± 1.0 mM to 7.6 ± 3.5 mM at 4 hr. Pyruvate increased over the first 3 hr of perfusion from 0.14 ± 0.06 mM to 0.80 ± 0.37 mM before declining to 0.54 ± 0.24 mM at 4 hr. The L/P (lactate/pyruvate) ratio decreased during perfusion to <10 in the first 2 hr, but rose to within normal limits by the end of perfusion. The decreases in L/P ratios were significant (P < 0.05). Initially there was a rapid rise in perfusate glucose concentrations from 4.5 ± 0.8 mM to 20.7 ± 5.4 mM at 2 hr with nonsignificant changes thereafter. Urea levels increased from 0.64 ± 0.22 mM to 1.92 ± 0.76 mM. Perfusate potassium increased from the initial level of 7.0 ± 1.0 mM during perfusion to 8.3 ± 1.7 mM at 2 hr before declining. SGOT, LDH, and alkaline phosphatase increased during perfusion from 21 ± 15, 142 ± 48, and 16 ± 6 to 176 ± 22, 472 ± 53 and 52 ± 42, respectively. Total ketone bodies in the perfusate increase from 0.08 ± 0.05 mM to 0.89 ± 0.49 mM at 90 min and decrease to about 0.58 ± 0.46 mM. The B/A (3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate) ratio remained near 1.0 throughout the perfusion time. The rise in perfusate enzymes was indicative of hepatic damage from hyperthermic perfusion. Hyperlactatemia with a marked rise in perfusate pyruvate and a decreased L/P ratio suggested a possible decrease in the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase or failure of transfer of reducing equivalents from the mitochondria to the cytosol. The data indicate that hepatic functional integrity was maintained during perfusion after 4 hr at 42–42.5°.
Quality in an Integrated Rural Development Program: the Sierra Leone experience

As part of a longitudinal research study started in 1984, the purpose of this paper is to critically examine the issue of quality in an Integrated Rural Development project in Sierra Leone. An in-depth study was conducted (1990-93) to assess pre-service teacher quality, using two major indices: teacher knowledge base of subject-matter and teacher beliefs about teaching and classroom management. The results indicate that quality is affected by what knowledge teachers possess in a given subject area and their perceptions of teaching. This research is a departure from the traditional areas of looking at quality in education, that is from what happens to students in the education process to the issue of the quality of education teachers receive during their training.
Exploring Cross-Racial Contact: Implications for PETE Pre-Service Teachers’ Color-blind Racial Attitudes

The present study examined differences in color-blind racial attitudes based on reported levels of cross-racial contact in a sample (n=239) of physical education teacher education (PETE) pre-service teachers. test analysis were utilized to assess differences between pre-service teachers whom reported either frequent cross-racial contact or non-frequent cross-racial contact in various settings (previous k-12 schooling, college courses, and home community) during their life experiences. Participants responded to the Color-blind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS), and a demographic survey which collected self-reported level of cross-racial contact. T-test results indicated a significant effect across each of the three settings, as collectively pre-service teachers perceiving to have had frequent cross-racial contact in academic and community settings revealed significantly lower color-blind racial attitudes than their counterparts whom collectively perceived non-frequent cross-racial contact across these settings. Overall, the findings in this study appear to support the theoretical utility of contact hypothesis as a method for reducing racial prejudice and biased attitudes.
Varieties of emergence

Abstract ‘Emergence’ can be analyzed into evolutionary and developmental kinds. The latter can be further analyzed into intensional and extensional kinds of emergence. Evolutionary emergence occurs each time a uniqueness enters the world. Intensional emergence (supervenience) explicitly involves the categories of an observer. Extensional emergence (cohesion) is constructed as an attempt to see developmental emergence as a result of the imposition of larger scale constraints on a system. In all cases there is a sudden jump from pre‐emergent to post‐emergent stages so that the transformation may be said to defy continuous description, which is also hampered by the fact that knowledge of properties of the pre‐emergent condition alone does not allow us to predict post‐emergent properties.
Modulation of benzene-induced lymphocytopenia in the rat by 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl and 3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl.

Abstract Repeated administration of benzene (440 mg/kg/day, s.c.) to 6-week-old male Fischer-344 rats resulted in a progressive decline in the number of circulating lymphocytes. Pretreatment of these animals with 2,4,5,2′,4′,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) or 3,4,3′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) protected against benzene toxicity for as long as 7 days, but not after 10 days of repeated dosing. Representative phase I (mixed-function oxidase) and phase II (conjugating) enzyme activities were measured to determine whether the altered susceptibility to benzene toxicity in TCB- and HCB-pretreated rats could be correlated with changes in the profile of hepatic oxidative and detoxification pathways. Measurement of 7-ethoxycoumarin O -deethylase and benzphetamine N -demethylase activities indicated that the loss of protection by HCB or TCB against benzene toxicity after 7 days was not associated with changes in the activities of hepatic mixed-function oxidases inducible by 3-methylcholanthrene or phenobarbital. The time course for the stimulation by TCB and return to control values, of UDP-glucuronosyl transferase activity, a potential route for the elimination of benzene metabolites, mirrored the time course for the protection against toxicity. Epoxide hydratase activity was induced 2- to 3-fold by HCB. Although stimulation of this pathway could result in a decreased concentration of phenol, this activity did not decline with the loss of protection. Hepatic 10 000 × g supernatant fractions, prepared from livers of rats given TCB, were incubated with a non-saturating concentration of [ 14 C]benzene (equivalent to 19 nmol/mg wet wt. tissue). Under these conditions the metabolism of benzene was depressed (40% of control) 2 days after pretreatment; after 14 days, the metabolism of benzene returned to control values. This pattern correlated temporarily with the protection against lymphocytopenia. The data indicate that the protection against benzene toxicity in rats pretreated with HCB or TCB is not necessarily related to the capacity of these compounds to induce phase I activities. In rats pretreated with TCB, the data suggest that decreasing the concentration of primary benzene metabolites, either by inhibiting the hepatic metabolism of benzene or increasing hepatic conjugation activity is an important factor modulating toxicity.
Evaluation of the grade placement of science concepts in the early elementary grades

Nonverbal evolution techniques can be used to assist in the grade placement of science concepts at the primary grade level.
In vivo tracking of cellular therapeutics using magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: The success of many cell-based therapies is highly dependent on the accurate delivery, dosing and trafficking of the cellular therapeutic. In vivo magnetic resonance (MR) cell tracking provides a means to non-invasively and longitudinally evaluate these parameters for cellular therapy. Objective: To provide an overview of MR cell tracking and how cellular therapeutics might be improved by utilizing this technology. Methods: We focused on the technologies utilized for stem cell and immunotherapies in preclinical models of disease. Results/conclusion: New technologies in MR cell tracking will soon take the field beyond preclinical studies and begin to show benefits in clinical trials of novel experimental cell-based therapies.
Role of the polypeptide region of a 33 kDa mycobacterial lipoprotein for efficient IL-12 production

Mycobacterium leprae lipoprotein, LpK, induced IL-12 production from human monocytes. To determine the components essential for cytokine production and the relative role of lipidation in the activation process, we produced lipidated and non-lipidated truncated forms of LpK. While 0.5 nM of lipidated LpK-a having N-terminal 60 amino acids of LpK produced more than 700 pg/ml IL-12 p40, the non-lipidated LpK-b having the same amino acids as that of LpK-a required more than 20 nM of the protein to produce an equivalent dose of cytokine. Truncated protein having the C-terminal 192 amino acids of LpK did not induce any cytokine production. Fifty nanomolar of the synthetic lipopeptide of LpK produced only about 200 pg/ml IL-12. Among the truncated LpK, only LpK-a and lipopeptide stimulated NF-kB-dependent reporter activity in TLR-2 transfectant. However, when monocytes were stimulated with lipopeptide in the presence of non-lipidated protein, they produced IL-12 synergistically. Therefore, both peptide regions of LpK and lipid residues are necessary for efficient IL-12 production.
Faculty Employment and R&D Expenditures at Research Universities.

Abstract This study uses panel data to examine the relationship between faculty employment and external R&D expenditures at Research and Doctoral institutions over a 15-year period of time. On average, a 1% increase in the number of full-time faculty is associated with about 0.2% increase in total R&D expenditure. Further, a one percentage point increase in the share of full-time faculty members that are not on tenure-track lines is associated with a decrease in total external R&D expenditure by about 0.6%, suggesting that full-time faculty that are tenured or on tenure-tracks are the main category of faculty that generate external R&D funding. Further, our results suggest that an increasing usage of part-time faculty, holding constant the institution's full-time faculty size, boosts an institution's external R&D expenditures. On average, a one percentage point increase in the share of part-time faculty members is associated with a 0.44% increase in the total external R&D expenditures. Increases in graduate student enrollments are associated with increases in external R&D expenditures. Finally, an institution's external R&D expenditures are significantly influenced by both the amount of its own institutionally financed research expenditures and the level of federal funding for research.
Long chain fatty acid methyl ester hydrolase activity in mammalian cells

Long chain fatty acid methyl esters were hydrolyzed by cell free homogenates and subcellular fractions prepared from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The highest enzyme specific activity was observed in the microsomal fraction. Maximum hydrolase activity occurred in the pH range of 6.5–7.0. The relative activities for the methyl ester substrates that we tested were: methyl palmitate > methyl laurate > methyl oleate > methyl stea-rate. Butyl palmitate also was hydrolyzed by this enzyme. Enzymatic activity increased when the methyl ester-albumin complex concentration or the methyl ester-albumin molar ratio was raised. In addition to Ehrlich cells, methyl ester hydrolase activity was observed in homogenates of rat heart and liver. The highest enzyme specific activities also occurred in the microsomal fractions prepared from these tissues.
Development of an instrument to assess expectations of and preference for an insulin injection pen compared with the vial and syringe.

Abstract Background: Before using a product, patients form expectations regarding the extent of a product's desirable attributes. These expectations can be used to understand their preference and anticipate potential satisfaction with the product. Objective: The aim of this study was to produce a valid and reliable data collection instrument (the Insulin Injection Preference questionnaire [IIP-q]) to measure expectations of and preference for the insulin injection pen compared with the vial and syringe. Methods: This study was initiated at the University of Mississippi (University, Mississippi). The IIP-q was developed to determine the extent to which respondents' prepurchase expectations of a product's attributes relate to preference for an insulin injection pen compared with the vial and syringe. Instrument development began with item generation related to product attributes important to patients who inject insulin. Items originated from an extensive search of the peer-reviewed Internet-based literature, marketing reports, clinical studies, and existing instruments. Content validity also was assessed using expert panel and focus group review. The resultant instrument (the IIP-q) was mailed to 1200 patients known to have type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus who either did or did not use insulin. Subscales were identified through exploratory factor analysis. Reliability and validity were assessed using Cronbach α for subscale items. Product-moment correlations between subscale dimensions and 2 global measures of preference were used to test the relationship between attribute expectations and preference. Results: Seventeen of the questionnaires were returned as undeliverable, leaving 1183 in the sample population. Questionnaires were received from 302 individuals, 55 of whom failed to complete ≥ 85% of the items and thus were not included in the final analysis. Of the 247 respondents (135 women, 112 men; mean [SD] age, 52.4 [13.2] years (range, 18–83 years]), 99 (40.1%) were current insulin usersand 143 (57.9%) were not using insulin. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 13-item solution (Cronbach α = 0.92), accounting for 73.6% of the total explained variance. Ease of use, activity interference, and social acceptability emerged as expectation subscales from exploratory factor analysis. Cronbach α for items comprising the subscales ranged from 0.82 to 0.92. The 3 subscales were significantly correlated with patient preference (ease of use, r = 0.520, P r = 0.570, P r = 0.602, P Conclusions: The results of the present study provide support for the IIP-q as a reliable and valid instrument to assess patient expectations of product attributes and preference. This instrument can be modified for use in clinical trials to determine the role of patient expectations and preference in their judgments regarding satisfaction with insulin delivery devices.
Introduction of mechanical sphincter augmentation for gastroesophageal reflux disease into practice: early clinical outcomes and keys to successful adoption.

Background A new device for mechanical sphincter augmentation (MSA) of the lower esophageal sphincter was approved by the FDA on March 22, 2012. We report early experience with MSA, specifically addressing postoperative management. Study Design Between October 1, 2011 and June 1, 2013, 150 patients were evaluated for MSA. Of these, 66 patients underwent device implantation; the first implant was April 10, 2012. All patients had objectively confirmed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with pH testing, acceptable esophageal motility, and no significant hiatal hernia (>3 cm). All patients experienced clinical improvement on antisecretory medication, but incomplete symptom control or medication intolerance. Results All patients were successfully implanted without intra- or perioperative complications. Average length of hospital stay was 0.7 days. At an average follow-up of 5.8 months (range 1 to 18.6 months), 92% of patients are satisfied or neutral with their GERD condition, and 83% are proton pump inhibitor free. The GERD-Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) scores are similar to those of patients without GERD. There were no device ulcers or erosions and no devices explanted. Thirteen patients underwent additional testing for dysphagia or persistent symptoms. Calls with questions and nursing involvement in the first 6 months postoperatively were 3 times what is typical for fundoplication patients. Dysphagia and regurgitation were the most common concerns. All these symptoms were improving over time. Conclusions Single-center early results are promising and parallel those from a multicenter trial. There is significant interest in MSA, with referrals and direct patient appointments specifically for MSA. Outcomes improve over time after implantation. The surgeon learning curve is different than with the Nissen, both in operative technique and postoperative management. This is a promising new offering for patients with GERD, and surgeons will need to learn how to integrate this into their practices.
Optimization Procedure to Correct Stiffness and Flexibility Matrices Using Vibration Tests

Nomenclature Lagrange function for the flexibility matrix weighted norm of the errors between the given and the optimal flexibility matrix Lagrange function for the stiffness matrix weighted norm of the errors between the given and the optimal stiffness matrix unity matrix given stiffness matrix mass matrix M» //element of TV //element of N~* Nq general-coordinates vector measured mode shape /th measured_mode shape normalized 7} transpose of [ • ] = optimal flexibility matrix = (/ element of W orthogonal mode shape matrix = (/ element of X optimal stiffness matrix -ij element of Y = matrices of Lagrange multipliers = ij element of 0y and 0W , respectively = matrix of Lagrange multipliers = given flexibility matrix = matrices of Lagrange multipliers = ij element of A^ and A^ , respectively = measured frequency matrix = //element of Q y»(i* w
Social support sources following sexual assault

Considerable research suggests that social support plays a crucial role in coping with stressful life events. The present study used data from 3,132 randomly selected survey respondents to investigate the use and helpfulness of seven potential social support sources in coping with a particular life crisis: sexual assault. About two-thirds of the 447 sexually assaulted respondents had told someone about the assault. Over half had talked to a friend or relative (59.3%). Fewer respondents consulted police (10.5%), mental health professionals (16.1%), physicians (9.3%), clergy (3.9%), rape crisis centers (1.9%), and legal professionals (1.6%). Assault by a stranger, physical threat, fighting against the assailant, a high degree of sexual contact, and emotional distress concerning the assault were associated with talking about the assault, especially with police and physicians. Most of those who told someone found at least one person helpful (73.8%). Rape crisis centers (94.2%) and legal professionals (82.7%) were most frequently described as helpful, followed by mental health professionals (70.1%), friends and relatives (66.6%), clergy (63.1%), physicians (55.6%), and police (38.2%). Results are compared to previous findings, and implications for research and intervention are discussed.
Grafting onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) driven by 172 nm UV light

Abstract The reactivity of the surface of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) film under 172 nm UV irradiation (xenon excimer lamp) towards nitrogen-borne 1-octene, n-nonane and heptafluorodecene vapor was investigated. Materials receiving from 0 to 24 J/cm2 of UV were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF/SIMS), water and mineral oil contact angle measurement and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A uniform nanoscale layer developed on PET surface attributed to the grafting reaction between photolytically-produced polymer radicals and vapor phase molecules.