cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laser Raman spectroscopy and the conformation of insulin and proinsulin.

Abstract Laser-excited Raman spectra of native and denatured insulin in the solid state and aqueous solution are reported. Striking spectral changes on denaturation have been observed in the following spectral regions: (a) the amide I and III, (b) the SS and CS stretching, (c) the skeletal bending and (d) skeletal stretching region. Detailed analysis of these spectral changes indicates that extensive conformational changes have taken place in the conversion of native to denatured fibrous insulin and that fibrous insulin exists in a β-conformation as proposed by Ambrose & Elliott (1951). Comparisons have also been made between the spectra of native insulin in crystals and in solution at various pH values. Small spectral differences were observed and interpreted in terms of conformational changes and ionization effect. We also present the first Raman spectrum of proinsulin in the solid state and compare it to that of insulin. A total of eleven lines, known to be conformation-dependent, was found to be in good agreement between these two spectra. This strongly suggests that the insulin moiety of proinsulin exists in a conformation very nearly the same as insulin itself, which is consistent with the conclusions of Frank & Veros (1968). The differences between these two spectra are attributed to the connecting peptide, characteristic of its conformation. A graphical subtraction between these two spectra in the amide I region shows a peak at 1663 cm −1 with a shoulder near 1685 cm −1 . These two frequencies are indicative of α-helical structure and random-coil form, respectively, in the C-peptide.
Dissociative and neuropsychological symptoms: The question of differential diagnosis

Abstract Recent literature raises questions about the relationship between dissociative symptoms and neurological disorders. In this article, we consider issues pertinent to the differential diagnosis of dissociative disorders. We discuss DSM-IV dissociative disorders and their assessment, as well as symptom overlap between dissociative disorders and a number of neurological conditions (primarily temporal lobe epilepsy, TLE), which resemble dissociative symptoms. We argue that dissociative symptoms may be conceptualized as anxiety based, defensive responses to prior physical and/or psychological trauma. In tabular format, we propose a tentative scheme to assist clinicians in making diagnostic decisions.
Some notes on the germination of seeds of Najas marina L.

Abstract The germination of seeds of Najas marina L., collected in Lith (The Netherlands) was studied in relation to temperature, light conditions and redox potential. Germination (expressed as HMGD and percentages) was best under dark conditions, relatively low redox potentials (between −300 and −440 mV) and a temperature of 24°C. Germination was observed at 12, 16, 20 and 24°C under dark conditions. Under long-day conditions, germination occurred at temperatures of 20 and 24°C. At 4, 8, 12 and 16°C no germination could be observed.
The science behind metastatic bone pain

Abstract Metastatic bone pain is a significant cause of morbidity in patients with advanced cancer and greatly reduces quality of life. Standard palliative treatments such as opioids may not provide effective relief of metastatic bone pain, particularly acute breakthrough pain, without unacceptable side effects at the high doses required. A mouse model of metastatic bone pain has been developed in which tumor cells are injected directly into the marrow space of mice femora. As the tumor cells proliferate, mice display reproducible behaviors associated with pain, such as flinching or guarding the affected limb, that increase as bone destruction progresses. The model also enables measurement of other endpoints, including tumor growth and migration, and monitoring of relevant cell types such as osteoclasts, macrophages, and neurons. Mouse studies have provided important information on the mechanisms behind metastatic bone pain and the specific effects of potential therapies. These studies have demonstrated that metastatic bone disease is caused by multiple factors and that osteoclasts are particularly important in pain generation through destruction of bone and nerve fibers and acidotic stimulation of pH-sensitive receptors. Clinical studies with bisphosphonates demonstrate that these agents provide relief of metastatic bone pain, and preliminary experiments using the mouse model suggest that this may occur via multiple mechanisms. Further studies are under way.
Determination of leghemoglobin in legume nodules

Abstract A method is described for the determination of LHb in legume root nodule tissue. The LHb is extracted with Drabkin's solution and measured colorimetrically as the CMLHb complex on the centrifuged extract. The procedure requires a minimum of specialized equipment and reagents, and is rapid and reproducible.
Discriminant analysis of edible oils and fats by FTIR, FT-NIR and FT-Raman spectroscopy

Abstract The goals of this study were to use Fourier transform mid-infrared (FTIR), near-infrared (FT-NIR) and Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy for discrimination among 10 different edible oils and fats, and to compare the performance of these spectroscopic methods for edible oil/fat study. The spectral features of edible oils and fats were studied and the unsaturation bond (C C) in IR and Raman spectra was identified and used for discriminant analysis. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA) were used for the discrimination and classification of different edible oils and fats based on spectral data. FTIR spectroscopy was found to be the most efficient in classification of oils and fats when used with CVA and yielded about 98% classification accuracy, followed by FT-Raman (94%) and FT-NIR (93%) methods; however, the number of factors were much higher for FT-Raman and FT-NIR methods. Overall, results demonstrated that FTIR, FT-NIR and FT-Raman techniques can be used to rapidly and simply determine the authenticity of edible oils and fats with chemometric analysis.
Change in Cholinesterase Levels and Self-Reported Symptoms Over Two Years

ABSTRACT In a continuing effort to explore the application and the reliability of self-reported symptoms and cholinesterase levels over time, 22 ginseng producers in central Wisconsin participated in two years of on-site testing. Each year, the participants reported on farming practices and health-seeking behavior and completed a 20-item questionnaire related to possible farm chemical exposure symptoms. Plasma and red cell cholinesterase were measured at the same time. No participant noted seizure symptoms. of the remaining 19 symptoms, the highest yearly correlations were the following: Have your relatives noted that you have trouble remembering (r = 0.82); have you had trouble falling asleep (r = 0.80); and are your fingers numb (r = 0.81). There were no significant changes in farming practices or health-seeking behavior. In 1994, 14 producers applied their own pesticides; nine did in 1995. Only nine (40.9%) of the participants were under a physician's care and three (13.6%) were under chiropractic care...
The suppression of Salt of the earth : how Hollywood, big labor, and politicians blacklisted a movie in Cold War America

This impassioned history tells a story of censorship and politics during the early Cold War. The author recounts the 1950 Empire Zinc Strike in Bayard, New Mexico, the making of the extraordinary motion picture 'Salt of the Earth' by Local 890 of the International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers, and the films suppression by Hollywood, federal and state governments, and organised labour. This disturbing episode reflects the intense fear that gripped America during the Cold War and reveals the unsavoury side of the rapprochement between organised labour and big business in the 1950s. In the face of intense political opposition, blackballed union activists, blacklisted Hollywood artists and writers, and Local 890 united to write a script, raise money, hire actors and crews, and make and distribute the film. Rediscovered in the 1970s, Salt of the Earth is a revealing celluloid document of socially conscious unionism that sought to break down racial barriers, bridge class divisions, and emphasise the role of women. Lorence has interviewed participants in the strike and film such as Clinton Jencks and Paul Jarrico and has consulted private and public archives to reconstruct the story of this extraordinary documentary and the co-ordinated efforts to suppress it.
Asymmetry and Rigidity in Farm-Retail Price Transmission

This article demonstrates how retail-price transmission asymmetry can arise from intertemporal optimizing behavior among spatially competitive retailers facing concave spatial demand and shows that vigorous competition among retailers may not necessarily result in the larger retail-price declines farmers expect during periods of declining farm prices. It also shows that, when this particular class of retailers incurs repricing costs, retail prices can be rigid over a range of upward and downward movements in the farm price. This suggests that the rigidity of retail prices, during periods of declining farm prices, could be due to repricing costs. It also suggests that the appropriate econometric model of price-transmission is the model of friction, where Tobit analysis is the proper method of estimation rather than nonreversible functions.
Endoscopic removal of large colonic lipomas

Background: Colonic lipomas are benign adipose tumors that rarely cause symptoms. Removal of lipomas 2 cm or greater in diameter has been associated with a greater risk of perforation. Experience with the evaluation and removal of large colonic lipomas with the assistance of EUS to reduce the risk of perforation is reported. Methods: Four patients with large colonic lipomas were evaluated and treated with endoscopic methods. EUS was performed to confirm that the lesion was a lipoma superficial to the muscularis propria. Saline or epinephrine solution was injected at the base of the tumor, which was then resected electrosurgically with a snare. Observations: All 4 lesions were successfully removed and histopathologically confirmed to be lipomas (mean maximal diameter 2.8 cm). There were no complications of any procedure. One patient was hospitalized overnight because of abdominal pain that resolved without complication. Conclusions: Large colonic lipomas can be removed safely by electrosurgical snare resection after injection of the base with epinephrine or saline solution. EUS should be used to ensure that the lipoma does not extend into the muscularis propria. Clinical judgment is important in assessing the need to remove these lesions.
Development and familiality of sexual orientation in females.

The development and familial clustering of sexual orientation were studied in 358 heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual women. Sexual orientation, as measured by the Kinsey scales, was diverse yet showed statistical congruity and stability over a 1- to 1.5-year time span. Developmental patterns, as measured by retrospective reports on the ages of first sexual or romantic attraction and of self-acknowledgment of sexual orientation, were very similar in the heterosexual and lesbian subjects except for the difference in object choice. The bisexual subjects displayed intermediate patterns that were more similar to the heterosexuals' on most facets yet closer to the lesbian subjects' on other dimensions. Familial clustering of nonheterosexual orientation was significant. Using two criteria, elevated rates of nonheterosexuality were found in four classes of relatives: sisters, daughters, nieces, and female cousins through a paternal uncle. The current data are not sufficient to distinguish between genetic and shared environmental sources of this familial aggregation. We discuss the possibility of using developmental criteria to differentiate between inherited and cultural sources of variation in female sexual orientation.
Replication control in a composite plasmid constructed by in vitro linkage of two distinct replicons

Although it carries two competent replication systems, a composite plasmid formed in vitro by linkage of the complete ColE1 and pSC101 plasmid replicons at their unique EcoRI endonuclease cleavage sites normally uses only the replication origin and functions of the ColE1 component. Restriction of ColE1 replication functions by DNA polymerase I deprivation results, however, in exclusive use of the pSC101 replication origin. When using the ColE1 replication system the composite plasmid is nevertheless incompatible with both the parent replicons. This suggests that a trans-dominant gene product is involved in plasmid incompatibility and supports negative control rather than positive control models for regulation of the initiation of DNA replication.
A simple hanging drop cell culture protocol for generation of 3D spheroids.

Studies of cell-cell cohesion and cell-substratum adhesion have historically been performed on monolayer cultures adherent to rigid substrates. Cells within a tissue, however, are typically encased within a closely packed tissue mass in which cells establish intimate connections with many near-neighbors and with extracellular matrix components. Accordingly, the chemical milieu and physical forces experienced by cells within a 3D tissue are fundamentally different than those experienced by cells grown in monolayer culture. This has been shown to markedly impact cellular morphology and signaling. Several methods have been devised to generate 3D cell cultures including encapsulation of cells in collagen gels1or in biomaterial scaffolds2. Such methods, while useful, do not recapitulate the intimate direct cell-cell adhesion architecture found in normal tissues. Rather, they more closely approximate culture systems in which single cells are loosely dispersed within a 3D meshwork of ECM products. Here, we describe a simple method in which cells are placed in hanging drop culture and incubated under physiological conditions until they form true 3D spheroids in which cells are in direct contact with each other and with extracellular matrix components. The method requires no specialized equipment and can be adapted to include addition of any biological agent in very small quantities that may be of interest in elucidating effects on cell-cell or cell-ECM interaction. The method can also be used to co-culture two (or more) different cell populations so as to elucidate the role of cell-cell or cell-ECM interactions in specifying spatial relationships between cells. Cell-cell cohesion and cell-ECM adhesion are the cornerstones of studies of embryonic development, tumor-stromal cell interaction in malignant invasion, wound healing, and for applications to tissue engineering. This simple method will provide a means of generating tissue-like cellular aggregates for measurement of biomechanical properties or for molecular and biochemical analysis in a physiologically relevant model.
Trends in Women's Economic Status

We consider trends over the last several decades in the economic status of women relative to men. Trends in the proportion of women employed outside the home, occupational sex segregation, the sex gap in earnings, and poverty are reviewed. A review of research that provides explanations for these gender inequalities is presented.
Assessing body image issues and body satisfaction/dissatisfaction among Hmong American children 9-18 years of age using mixed methodology.

Abstract This study investigated body image issues and the usefulness of self-reported measurements among Hmong American children, 9–18 years using mixed methodology. Twelve focus groups were conducted ( n = 68) and a silhouette drawing instrument and six questions pertaining to body image were administered ( n = 335). About 50% of the children were either overweight or obese and 23% were short statured relative to US norms. About 70% of the girls and 53% of the boys selected smaller body ideals than their perceived body sizes. Further, 21% of the girls and 31% of the boys were satisfied with their bodies. Children underestimated their weights and overestimated their heights. During focus groups children reported that parents, peers, and media influenced their body image perceptions. Our results indicate that the majority of Hmong children are dissatisfied with their bodies and tend to endorse American ideals of beauty and attractiveness rather than the heavier, traditional Hmong body ideals supported by their parents.
Beneficial effects of felodipine on myocardial and coronary function during low-flow ischemia and reperfusion.

An acute coronary occlusion causes severe lowflow ischemia in the occluded region. Calcium antagonists have the potential to reduce the rate of ischemic injury by decreasing myocardial oxygen demand, as well as by other mechanisms, especially when given prior to the onset of ischemia. However, their clinical use may be limited by their negative inotropic effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of felodipine as a potentially protective agent against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury, independent of any negative inotropic actions, when given after the onset of low-flow ischemia. Isolated isovolumic (balloon-in-LV), blood-perfused rabbit hearts, paced at a constant heart rate, were subjected to 90 minutes of low-flow ischemia at a coronary perfusion pressure of 10 mmHg, which reduced coronary blood flow to 22–24% of baseline. After 15 minutes of low-flow ischemia, hearts received 2 × 10-6 M felodipine (n=7) or no drug (controls, n=8). Felodipine was given until 15 minutes of reperfusion. During lowflow ischemia both groups of hearts had identical coronary blood flow, heart rate, left ventricular (LV) developed pressure, lactate production, and O2 consumption. However, felo-dipine markedly protected against ischemic diastolic dysfunction. At the end of low-flow ischemia, LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) had increased from 10±1 to 28±5 mmHg in the felodipine group, while in the controls LVEDP increased to 48±8 mmHg (p<0.05). During 30 minutes of reperfusion, felodipine had a beneficial effect upon coronary blood flow (initial postischemic hyperemia 245±38% of baseline in the felodipine group vs. 124±18% in the controls; p<0.01) Felodipine markedly improved the recovery of contractile function [LV developed pressure recovered from a baseline of 104±4 to 75±6 mmHg (72%) in the felodipine group vs. 34±10 mmHg (32%) in the control group; p<0.01], as well as diastolic function (LVEDP=25±4 mmHg in the felodipine group vs. 61±10 mmHg in the controls; p<0.05), and ATP levels (8.5±1.4 μmoles/g d.w. in the felodipine group vs. 3.9±1.4 μmoles/g d.w. in the control group, p<0.05). Felodipine, given after the onset of low-flow ischemia, protects the myocardium during both ischemia and reperfusion by mechanisms other than reducing myocardial oxygen demand.
Shope papilloma virus DNA is extensively methylated in non-virus-producing neoplasms

The extent of viral DNA methylation in non-virus-producing benign and malignanttumors induced by the Shope (rabbit) papilloma virus was investigated with the two isoschizomeric restriction endonucleases Msp I and Hpa II. The overall extent of methylation is variable in papillomas and uniformly higher in carcinomas. In a transplantable Shope virus-induced carcinoma and in two transplantable carcinoma derived cell lines, the viral DNA is even more highly methylated than in carcinomas induced by the virus directly. However, even in these cells at least two Msp I sites remain essentially unmethylated and these sites are also unmethylated in carcinomas induced by the virus directly. At least one additional Msp I site is unmethylated in papillomas but is partly methylated in carcinomas. Viral DNA from papillomas, which consists mostly of unit-sized form I and form II DNA and from carcinomas in which large oligomeric forms predominate was separated into fractions containing viral plasmids of different size and conformation. The analysis of the different fractions showed that methylation patterns do not correlate with the size of viral DNA, but they rather correlate with the degree of neoplasia.
Coccidia from Bats (Chiroptera) of the World: A New Eimeria Species in Pipistrellus javanicus from Japan

Fecal samples from 56 Japanese bats representing 6 species in 2 families were examined for coccidian oocysts. Two of the 56 (< 4%) were infected with coccidia; however, only 1 animal was infected with sufficient numbers of sporulated oocysts to allow the description of a new species of Eimeria. Sporulated oocysts (n = 150) of this new species are subspheroidal, 20.3 x 18.1 (16-25 x 14-21) microns, with ellipsoidal sporocysts 10.6 x 6.6 (8-12 x 5-8) microns; this species occurred in 1 of 4 (25%) pipistrelles, Pipistrellus javanicus (Gray, 1838) (Vespertilionidae). Oocysts of another coccidium, also an Eimeria sp., were found in 1 of 3 (33%) horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774) (Rhinolophidae), but only 2 sporulated oocysts were seen, which is not enough to describe a new species.
Fluorescence-enhanced imaging using a novel hand-held based optical imager: phantom studies

Near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging is an emerging noninvasive modality for breast cancer diagnosis. The currently available optical imaging systems towards tomography studies are limited either by instrument portability, patient comfort, or flexibility to image any given tissue volume. Hence, a novel hand-held probe based gain modulated intensified CCD camera imaging system is developed such that it can possibly overcome some of the above limitations. The unique features of this hand-held probe based optical imaging system are: (i) to perform simultaneous multiple point illumination and detection, thus decreasing the total imaging time and improving overall signal strength; (ii) to adapt to the tissue contours, thus decreasing the light leakage at contact surface; and (iii) to obtain trans-illumination measurements apart from reflectance measurements, thus improving the depth information. Phantom studies are performed to demonstrate the feasibility of performing fluorescence optical imaging under different target depths using cubical phantoms (10×6.5×10 cc). The effect of simultaneous multiple point illumination over sequential single point illumination is demonstrated from experimental phantom studies.
Snowmobile injuries and fatalities in children

Abstract Background/Purpose: Snowmobiling is a popular form of wintertime recreation but can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To better understand snowmobile trauma in children, medical records were reviewed, evaluating the relationships between demographic data, mechanisms, and resultant injuries. In addition, because prior studies of childhood snowmobile fatalities have reviewed only national databases, state and national data were combined to evaluate possible underreporting. Methods: Medical records were reviewed of children ≤17 years old admitted to one trauma center between 1991 and 2000 with snowmobile-related injuries. Demographics, helmet usage, driver versus passenger, mechanism, injuries, injury severity score (ISS), and outcome data were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed to identify relationships between potential causative factors and ISS. State mortality data were acquired from state agencies and 2 databases of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Data from the 3 sources were compared, and a single list of fatalities was compiled and evaluated. Results: Thirty-one children (65% boys; mean age, 12 years) were admitted with snowmobile-related injuries. Fifty-two percent were driving the snowmobile. Helmet usage was 68%. The most common mechanisms were collisions with a fixed object (42%) and with a motor vehicle (35%). The head was the most commonly injured site (71%) followed by the extremities (58%). ISS ranged from 1 to 38 (median, 10). Increased age and the child driving were the only factors associated with increased ISS ( P Conclusions: Reckless snowmobiling leads to significant morbidity and mortality among children. Prior reports based on CPSC data likely underestimated the number of snowmobile-related fatalities. Our findings support previous American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, including the restriction of snowmobile driving by children under 16, graduated licensing for older children, and universal helmet usage. J Pediatr Surg 38:784-787. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Dangling Bond Dynamics on the Silicon (100)-2×1 Surface: Dissociation, Diffusion, and Recombination

The dynamics of dangling bond (DB) diffusion was studied after deuterium desorption from the silicon (100)-2x1 surface. At elevated temperatures, paired DB sites produced after desorption unpaired as deuterium atoms hopped from adjacent dimers. Below 620 kelvin, the unpaired configuration most commonly observed corresponded to two DBs on adjacent silicon dimers. At higher temperatures, unpaired DBs executed one-dimensional walks along the dimer rows, and recombination was observed with the same partner after walks lasting many minutes. The frequency and extent of these excursions increased with temperature. Above 660 kelvin, complete dissociation was observed and was sometimes followed by recombination by means of partner exchange. The implications for low-temperature materials growth are discussed.
Midlatitude synoptic meteorology: Dynamics, analysis, and forecasting

The art and science of weather forecasting have changed considerably over the past few decades. The most obvious change is the advent of accurate numerical weather prediction. Given a comprehensive three-dimensional analysis, an operational forecast model will consistently outperform a human at lead times ranging from 10 hours to 7 days. The role of the human forecaster is to add value to the forecast, to ensure (for the sake of his or her own professional longevity) that the combined forecast information from the computer and the human is clearly more useful than the information from the computer alone.
Is there a new dawn for selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism

Purpose of reviewAldosterone and the mineralocorticoid receptor contribute to resistant hypertension and cardiovascular mortality, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists effectively reduce these complications. Their use is limited in certain populations with a higher risk of hyperkalemia or rena
Prediction of production: Elicited imitation and spontaneous speech productions of language disordered children

Two forms of an imitation task designed to elicit eleven language behaviors were presented to 32 language impaired children (mean age 7;4, mean MLU 2.9). The tasks differed in terms of the presence or absence of contextual support. To determine how well the imitation tasks could predict spontaneous productions, a multiple regression analysis was performed using the children's spontaneous productions of each behavior as the criterion variable and responses to the same behaviors on each imitation task plus age, sex, MLU, and a measure of memory as predictor variables. The major finding was that predictions of spontaneous production varied among the eleven language behaviors. Additionally, the presence of contextual support had little effect.
Perilipin 1 moves between the fat droplet and the endoplasmic reticulum

Perilipin 1, unlike the other perilipins, is thought to be restricted to the fat droplet. We reassessed its cellular distribution using the fat droplet marker CGI-58 in OP9 and 3T3-L1 adipocyte lines and in brown adipose tissue (BAT). As expected, we found perilipin 1 in the fat droplet-enriched floating fraction from centrifuged adipocyte or BAT homogenates. However, about half of perilipin 1 was suspended in the cytosol/infranate or pelleted with cellular membranes. In these fractionations, most of the fat droplet-associated protein CGI-58 was in the floating fraction. In BAT and OP9 adipocytes about a third of perilipin 1 pellets, compared with a much smaller fraction of CGI-58. Co-imaging perilipin 1 and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER) markers reveals both ER and fat droplet associated perilipin 1 in OP9 adipocytes. Consistent with these observations, perilipin 1 overexpressed in COS7 cells mostly fractionates with cellular membranes and imaging shows it on the ER. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes almost half of perilipin 1 floats, half is suspended as infranate and small amounts pellet. Finally, driving rapid fat droplet synthesis in OP9 adipocytes increases the intensity of perilipin 1 on fat droplets, while decreasing non-fat droplet immunolabeling. Confirming the morphological findings, fractionation shows perilipin 1 moving from the pelleted to the floated fractions. In conclusion, this study documents an expanded intracellular distribution for perilipin 1 and its movement from ER to fat droplet during lipid synthesis.
Beating the I/O bottleneck: a case for log-structured file systems

CPU speeds are improving at a dramatic rate, while disk speeds are not. This technology shift suggests that many engineering and office applications may become so I/O-limited that they cannot benefit from further CPU improvements. This paper discusses several techniques for improving I/O performance, including caches, battery-backed-up caches, and cache logging. We then examine in particular detail an approach called log-structured file systems, where the file system's only representation on disk is in the form of an append-only log. Log-structured file systems potentially provide order-of-magnitude improvements in write performance. When log-structured file systems are combined with arrays of small disks (which provide high bandwidth) and large main-memory file caches (which satisfy most read accesses), we believe it will be possible to achieve 1000-fold improvements in I/O performance over today's systems.
The advice taker/inquirer, a system for high-level acquisition of expert knowledge

The Advice Taker/Inquirer (AT/I) is a domain-independent program that is used to construct, monitor, and improve an expert system. In the learning phase, an expert teaches a strategy to the AT/I by providing it with declarative and procedural knowledge, expressed in the expert's domain-specific vocabulary. The expert can modify any advice given to the system earlier, and any advice dependent on the altered advice is reviewed automatically for syntactic and sematic soundness. Knowledge acquisition and methods for ensuring the integrity of the knowledge base in an expert system is discussed.
CrO2 (100) and TiO2 (100) film heteroepitaxy on a BaF2 (111)/Si (100) substrate

Abstract Multi-domained heteroepitaxial rutile-phase TiO 2 (1 0 0)-oriented films were grown on Si (1 0 0) substrates by using a 30-nm-thick BaF 2 (1 1 1) buffer layer at the TiO 2 –Si interface. The 50 nm TiO 2 films were grown by electron cyclotron resonance oxygen plasma-assisted electron beam evaporation of a titanium source, and the growth temperature was varied from 300 to 600 °C. At an optimal temperature of 500 °C, X-ray diffraction measurements show that rutile phase TiO 2 films are produced. Pole figure analysis indicates that the TiO 2 layer follows the symmetry of the BaF 2 surface mesh, and consists of six (1 0 0)-oriented domains separated by 30° in-plane rotations about the TiO 2 [1 0 0] axis. The in-plane alignment between the TiO 2 and BaF 2 films is oriented as [0 0 1] TiO 2 || BaF 2 [ 1 0 1 ¯ ] or [0 0 1] TiO 2 || BaF 2 [ 1 1 2 ¯ ] . Rocking curve and STM analyses suggest that the TiO 2 films are more finely grained than the BaF 2 film. STM imaging also reveals that the TiO 2 surface has morphological features consistent with the BaF 2 surface mesh symmetry. One of the optimally grown TiO 2 (1 0 0) films was used to template a CrO 2 (1 0 0) film which was grown via chemical vapor deposition. Point contact Andreev reflection measurements indicate that the CrO 2 film was approximately 70% spin polarized.
Demonstration of two immunologically distinct xenotropic type c rna viruses of mouse cells.

Abstract Several independent type C virus isolates were obtained by transplantation of human tumor cell lines into immunosuppressed NIH Swiss mice. Each isolate appeared to be of mouse origin as determined by the antigenicity of its major virion polypeptide, p30. The virus isolates were indistinguishable from each other in serologic and host range properties and also closely resembled BALB:virus-2, one endogenous virus of BALB c mouse cells. However, in immunoassays for a highly type-specific virion polypeptide, designated p12, every isolate was found to differ from BALB: virus-2. These results provide evidence for the existence of immunologically distinct xenotropic viruses of mouse cells.
Magnetic resonance imaging during intracavitary gynecologic brachytherapy.

Abstract The cases of three patients, two with Stage III-B and one with Stage Il-B carcinoma of the cervix, are cited to illustrate specific advantages of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging over computed tomography (CT) during intracavitary cavitary gynecologic brachytherapy. CT and MR were performed during the first two intracavitary implants. To obtain artifact-free images with the intracavitary implant in place, a CT- and MR-compatible Fletcher system applicator was used. Although CT failed to differentiate the cervical tumor clearly from surrounding tissues, the area of pathology could be identified on MR by comparing the T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) images. Cervical tumors typically exhibit low-signal intensity on T1W and high-signal intensity on T2W scans, whereas paracervical soft tissues demonstrate high intensity on both T1W and T2W images. This contrast permits the size, location, and paracervical involvemnt of the tumor to be defined by MR. Multiplanar images obtained during the patient's intracavitary brachytherapy help demonstrate the actual relationship between the tumor and the applicator. Isodose distributions displayed on these images show that, in two cases, the tumor margin extended beyond he prescribed isodose lines. Thus, MR may prove to be a clinically useful reference during intracavitary brachytherapy for ascertaining radiaton dose to actual tumor volume.
Using historically informed archaeology: Seventeenth and eighteenth century Hueda/European interaction on the coast of Bénin

The period of the Atlantic slave trade between Africa and European colonies is relatively well documented compared with the historic records of many regions of precolonial Africa. However, this documentation necessarily presents a perspective distilled through European eyes. This paper suggests a methodology influenced byAnnales history for critically analyzing documentary sources in conjunction with a critical interpretation of archaeological remains. Archaeological evidence from recent excavations at the site of Savi, capital of the Hueda kingdom, is contrasted with documentary evidence, facilitating an interpretation of motivations guiding Hueda interaction with European traders and structuring their spatial relationship.
The Link is Equitability.

On the one hand is a hue and cry for college teaching to be evaluated for its effectiveness. Professors are to be held accountable for the learning or lack of it that takes place in their classrooms. There are charges telling us how to evaluate (Miller, 1972; Hildebrand and Wilson, 1970), how to create an interplay of mind on mind (Eble, 1972), how to challenge and change the patterns of the graduate schools in order to enhance the teaching function (Heiss, 1970; Spurr, 1970), and how to comport ourselves effectively (Lee, 1970). To deny the importance of studies like these is to deny the timelessness of effective college teaching. On the other hand is an array of research studies demonstrating that professors who teach are significantly different. They interact with students differently (Thistlethwaite and Wheeler, 1966; Gamson, 1967). They are rewarded differently in terms of promotion and merit raises (Hoyt, 1970). They demonstrate different career and productivity patterns (Blackburn, 1972; Lehman, 1953). But, most important of all, teaching faculty are different in terms of the subject matter they teach (Brown, 1967; Peters, 1969). To deny the importance of these studies is to deny that human beings have value because they are uniquely individuals even in groups. Why is it that almost no studies attempt to link up the clamor for effective teaching with those groups of teachers in the diverse academic orientations? The time has come to make this connection because there is a persistent and invidious danger in talking about the professoriate as if all its members were the same (Blackburn, 1971). They are not. To insist on their sameness leads to untoward generalizations.
Intertemporal tradeoffs: perceiving the risk in the benefits of marijuana in a prospective study of adolescents and young adults.

Purpose . Intertemporal tradeoffs characterize the decision to use drugs: pleasure now traded off against the possibility of pain later. Traditional approaches have examined whether individuals use drugs because they either seek immediate benefit or fail to appreciate long-term risk. We asked whether risk taking might also result from failing to appreciate benefits. We refer to this as risk in the benefits (RIBs), an understanding that one's first drug experience can be so good, that a person may not want (or be able) to stop, putting him/her on a path that leads directly to addiction.Methods . In total, 304 participants, 160 adolescents and 144 young adults, participated in a longitudinal study on marijuana use and other risky health behaviors.Results. The failure to perceive the RIBs of marijuana use led to increased risk taking 1 year later within 3 different health behaviors: alcohol, tobacco, and sexual risk-taking. Greater appreciation of RIBs predicted significantly less future risk taking over-and...
Visual information foraging in a focus + context visualization

Eye tracking studies of the Hyperbolic Tree browser [10] suggest that visual search in focus+context displays is highly affected by information scent (i.e., local cues, such as text summaries, used to assess and navigate toward distal information sources). When users detected a strong information scent, they were able to reach their goal faster with the Hyperbolic Tree browser than with a conventional browser. When users detected a weak scent or no scent, users exhibited less efficient search of areas with a high density of visual items. In order to interpret these results we present an integration of the CODE Theory of Visual Attention (CTVA) with information foraging theory. Development of the CTVA-foraging theory could lead to deeper analysis of interaction with visual displays of content, such as the World Wide Web or information visualizations.
Anomalous structure-luminescence relationship in phosphorescent gold(I) isonitrile neutral complexes.

A new compound that exhibits the shortest intermolecular Au⋯Au distance ever reported for neutral RNCAuX complexes is found to exhibit a counterintuitive higher-energy Au-centered phosphorescence than that in an analogous compound with a much longer Au⋯Au distance, presumably due to a different extent of excited-state distortion in dimers vs. extended chains.
The effect of analogues of folic acid on the activity of sulfadiazine against Plasmodium gallinaceum.

Abstract Folic acid, 7-methyl-, 9-methyl-, and N10-methylpteroylglutamic acid, 2,4-diaminopteroylaspartic acid and N-[p-(2,4-diamino-6-hydroxy-5-pyrimidylazo) benzoyl] glutamic acid completely reversed the antimalarial activity of sulfadiazine against Plasmodium gallinaceum in chicks. Aminopterin and amethopterin were toxic for chicks at doses below that at which folic acid produced significant reversals of sulfadiazine activity.
Thermomechanical response of inelastic fibre composites

A theoretical formulation and the analysis of heat conducting fibre-reinforced structures are shown herein. Viscoelastoplastic behaviour at infinitesimal strain is considered in the context of non-equilibrium irreversible thermodynamics. To demonstrate the theory, a fibre-reinforced cylindrical rod subjected to a dynamic axial load is solved via the finite elements. Strain hardening of both fibres and matrix media is incorporated in the analysis. The results clarify the relationships of energy dissipation resulting from viscoelasticity, plasticity, or the combined effects with respect to orientation of the fibres.
Nonionic Polymer−Salt Interactions in Dilute Solution: The Poly(ethylene oxide)/LiClO4/Methanol System

The interaction of lithium perchlorate with high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in dilute methanol solutions was studied using cloud point measurements, static and dynamic light scattering, and viscometry. For both good and poor solvent conditions, PEO/LiClO4 complexes form in coil outer portions and charge−charge repulsions between these complexes swell the PEO coils and result in repulsive interactions between coils. A noteworthy consequence of this nonionic polymer → polyelectrolyte conversion is the “salting in” of PEO in methanol by LiClO4.
Novel recurrent genetic imbalances in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines identified by comparative genomic hybridization.

To search for recurrent and specific genomic alterations in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we examined 18 cell lines by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), a molecular cytogenetic approach that allows positional identification of gains and losses of DNA sequences of the entire tumor genome. We report here a distinct pattern of multiple recurrent DNA copy-number gains and losses that include alterations frequently seen in other neoplasias as well as changes potentially specific for HCC. The most frequent gains were localized on 1p34.3-35, 1p33-34.1, 1q21-23, 1q31-32, 6p11-12, 7p21, 7q11.2, 8q24.1-24.2, 11q11-13, 12q11-13, 12q23, 17q11.2-21, 17q23-24, and 20p11.1-q13.2. Recurrent losses were mapped on 3p12-14, 3q25, 4p12-14, 4q13-34, 5q21, 6q25-26, 8p11.2-23, 9p12-24, 11q23-24, 13q12-33, 14q12-13, 15q25-26, 18q11.2-22.2, and 21q21-22. Seventeen genomic imbalances are novel in HCC, thus extending significantly the map of genetic changes and providing a starting point for the isolation of new genes relevant in pathogenesis of liver neoplasia, as well as providing molecular probes for both diagnosis and monitoring treatment of the disease
Dynamic reconfiguration of continuous media server with changing access frequency

Due to skewed popularity of objects in many continuous media applications, data placement techniques such as selective replication have been introduced to resolve potential load imbalance problem by providing more replicas for more popular objects, resulting in a higher availability of hot objects and a more efficient usage of bounded storage space. To fully harness the advantage of selective replication technique, one may need to periodically reconfigure the number of instances of objects and data placement of them to tune up the system performance because, in reality, access frequency varies over time in many reasons. Reconfiguration usually requires time and disk bandwidth resulting in a degradation of the system performance during the process. This paper proposes algorithms for dynamic reconfiguration of continuous media servers based on ever changing popularity of objects. This paper quantifies the expected startup latency and reconfiguration overhead. Proposed analytic models and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed reconfiguration process is feasible in a reasonable amount of time. They also show tolerable performance degradation due to bandwidth overhead during reconfiguration process, which is critical for most real applications.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Some remarks on essential self‐adjointness and ultracontractivity of a class of singular elliptic operators

We study the properties of essential self-adjointness on C∞c (ℝN) and semigroup ultracontractivity of a class of singular second order elliptic operators defined in L2 (ℝN, σ–a –N(x) dx) with Dirichlet boundary conditions, where a, b ∈ ℝ and σ: ℝN (0, ∞) is a C∞-function satisfying c-1(1 + |x |) ≤ σ (x) ≤ c (1 + |x |) (x ∈ ℝN). We also obtain sharp short time upper and lower diagonal bounds on the heat kernel of e –Ht. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Carrot or Stick? How Do School Performance Reports Work?

State and federal government espouse school performance reports as a way to promote education reform. Some practicing educators question whether performance reports are effective. While the question of effectiveness deserves study, it accepts the espoused purposes of performance reports at face value, and fails to address the more basic, tacit political and symbolic roles of performance reports. Theories of organization, modern government, and regulation provide a context that helps to clarify these political and symbolic roles. Several performance report and assessment programs in California provide illustrations.
Validity of classical nucleation theory for Ising models

While the classical nucleation theory (CNT) is widely used to predict the rate of first-order phase transitions, its validity has been questioned due to discrepancies with experiments. We systematically test the individual components of CNT by computer simulations of the Ising models and confirm its fundamental assumptions under a wide range of conditions ($h=0.01\text{\char21{}}0.13J$, $T=0.44\text{\char21{}}0.84{T}_{c}$ in two-dimensions and $h=0.30\text{\char21{}}0.60J$, $T=0.48\text{\char21{}}0.62{T}_{c}$ in three dimensions). First, CNT accurately predicts the nucleation rate if the correct droplet free energy is provided. Furthermore, theoretical prediction of droplet free energy matches numerical results very well in the two-dimensional (2D) Ising model, if appropriate correction terms are added. This establishes the 2D Ising model as an important reference point where existing theories can predict nucleation rate accurately with no adjustable parameters.
GEDMWA: geospatial exploratory data mining web agent

An abundance of geospatial information is flourishing on the Internet but mining and disseminating these data is a daunting task. With anything published on the web available to the public it has become a grand repository of volunteered geographic information (VGI). Internet users often provide location information for videos, pictures, travel destinations, or other events. All of these data can be gathered by a web crawling geospatial agent that later performs geospatial data mining. The discovered geoinformation can be stored, analyzed, queried, and visualized as the agent creates a data repository of what it discovered. This paper presents the design and prototypical implementation of the GEDMWA (Geospatial Exploratory Data Mining Web Agent). It reads webpage data and follows links to acquire knowledge in order to add value to geoinformation usable in a GIS. The agent creates a database of webpage text, mines it for location information, and then converts it to proper geospatial data format. The data is quickly visualized and analyzed after GEDMWA converts it into proper GIS and virtual globe formats. This provides diverse user communities a tool that utilizes a variety of distributed sources to discover additional knowledge about their fields of interest.
A survey of the cost/managerial sequence in AACSB schools

Abstract The trend toward equal emphasis on financial and managerial accounting in the elementary sequence may have peaked in the seventies and is now moving toward an increased coverage of financial accounting. Textbooks utilized at the lower and upper division levels indicate that more attention is being devoted to the decision-making process.