cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Color display in electron probe microanalysis

The electron probe microanalyzer is used primarily for chemical analysis and for displaying the topography and atomic number distribution of specimens as small as one cubic micron. This is accomplished by first bombarding the sample with a static or scanning beam of fast-moving electrons, causing the sample to give signals resulting from x-rays, or from backscattered, secondary, or absorbed electrons. If any of these signals is collected, discriminated, amplified, and made to modulate a suitable detector, such as an oscilloscope, the topography and atomic number distribution and the elements present in the sample can be displayed. For the former display, electrons (back-scattered, absorbed, or secondary) are used, and for the latter, x-rays. However, the oscilloscope can accept only one signal at a time. If this signal is, for example, that of x-rays representing an element, only the distribution of this element in the sample can be displayed on the CRT. Consequently, if more than one constituent is present, the distribution of these can be attained by repeating the above procedure for as many times as there are elements. The total elemental distribution in a sample is then attained by juxtaposing the individual black and white pictures. However, interpretation might in some cases become ambiguous, since it is not easy to ascertain from these pictures where one elements starts and the other ends, or whether or not elements are together. Color display for electron probe microanalysis has been attempted by using color filters. 1-5 The technique described here is similar to that of Ficca, 6 who attached to the probe a color display computer scope to produce color images. The relatively inexpensive oscilloscope (Telonic Tricolor display model 203) used here is connected to the probe, and no extra attachments or modifications to the mieroanalyzer are needed. This oscilloscope consists of three guns, each having an assigned basic color--blue, green, or red. I f three signals (that is, x-rays from three elements) are used to modulate these guns, one signal per gun, these elements can be displayed concurrently and in color. The resultant image clearly defines the distribution of these elements in the sample, since each one is represented by a different color. In addition, if two or three elements are together, forming an alloy, the resultant color is a mixture of the basic colors, corresponding to the mixture of the pure elements.
Stress-induced alterations in microsomal drug metabolism in the rat.

Abstract Stress alone and in combination with phenobarbital has been investigated for its stimulatory effects on hepatic microsomal drug metabolism in the rat. Stress (cold) caused increases in the rate of p -hydroxylation of aniline. N -dealkylation of ethylmorphine, and increases in adrenal ascorbic acid content. The stimulatory actions of stress on microsomal metabolism and ascorbic acid levels are additive with those produced by phenobarbital. It is tentatively concluded that stress and phenobarbital appear to act through different mechanisms in inducing increases in enzyme activity, although each treatment may have a common final step, namely an increased net synthesis of enzyme protein.
Altered Mitochondrial Energetics and Increased ROS Generation Act Synergistically to Dampen β-Adrenergic Stimulated Contractility in the Diabetic Heart

Background: Excitation-contraction coupling and β-adrenergic activation are altered in diabetic hearts, contributing to contractile dysfunction. We hypothesized that mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic hearts contributes to altered β-adrenergic responses via increased oxidative stress and respiratory uncoupling. Methods: Basal and isoproterenol (ISO)-induced changes in sarcomere shortening and Ca2+ transients were assessed in cardiomyocytes from wild-type (WT) and db/db mice under euglycemia (5.5mM) or hyperglycemia (30mM). Reactive oxygen species (ROS; H2O2 and O2.-), NADH, and ΔΨm were monitored using two photon laser scanning fluorescence microscopy. Results: Basal fractional shortening (FS) and Ca2+ transients were not significantly different between WT and db/db myocytes, regardless of glucose concentration. Following ISO (10nM), FS increased by ≅150% and Ca2+ transients by ≅30%, in both WT and db/db myocytes under euglycemia. Under hyperglycemia, the WT ISO response was intact, but the increase in FS and Ca2+ transients was blunted in db/db cells (68±2%, and 12±3%, respectively, both p<0.01 vs euglycemia). Under euglycemia, db/db cardiomyocytes had H2O2 signals 31% higher than WT (p<0.001), but under hyperglycemia, they possessed higher H2O2 (+12%; p<0.01) and lower O2.- levels (−22%; p<0.05) vs WT. Isolated WT and db/db mitochondria showed impaired respiration for substrates of Complex I (16±5 and 23±8 nmol O2min−1mg−1, respectively), but normal activity for substrates of Complexes II or IV. Impaired energetics correlated with high levels of ROS generation from Complex I or II observed under similar conditions. State 3 mitochondrial respiration with succinate and total respiratory capacity were significantly lower in db/db cells compared to WT. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the reduced effectiveness of ISO in diabetic hearts under hyperglycemia is mediated by impaired mitochondrial energetics coupled to increased oxidative stress, leading to a deleterious synergistic effect on β-adrenergic response.
H∞-Optimal control for a class of reaction–diffusion equations

This paper investigates the control of laminar combustion processes represented by a class of one–dimensional, non-linear, reaction–diffusion equations. The control objective is to regulate the spatial location of a propagating flame front dynamically by varying the fuel-air velocity. It is shown that when viewed from an input–output perspective, the problem is equivalent to the control of a system consisting of linear elements and a single time-varying non–linear element. The system is controlled using a linear compensator that is designed based on an H∞ (minimax) optimality criterion.
The Inhibition of Pitting Corrosion in Stainless Steel 304 L During Proton Irradiation

In 0.1 M sodium chloride, proton irradiation resulted in a 220 mV increase in the pitting potential of stainless steel 304 L (0.425 vs 0.644 V saturated calomel electrode). In addition, the passive region of the polarization curve during irradiation was associated with a drop in metastable pitting activity by a factor of 100. Mott-Schottky experiments in pH 1.6 H 2 SO 4 found that irradiation was associated with an increase in oxygen vacancy concentration (Vo = 2.94 X 10 21 vs 3.41 X 10 21 cm -3 ). However, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiments found that the Warburg coefficient (σ) increased during irradiation (47 kΩ cm 2 /s 0.5 vs 118 kΩ cm 2 /s 0.5 ). An increase in film impedance was also observed. Given that σ is inversely proportional to V o , one would expect that an increase in V 0 would result in a decrease in a. This apparent dichotomy, an increase in oxygen vacancies in the space charge region at the film/solution interface and a corresponding increase in σ, can be explained if the film is composed of inner Cr-rich p-type and outer Fe-rich n-type semiconducting layers. It is proposed that changes in the inner Cr-rich layer of the oxide are responsible for the observed increase in pitting potential during irradiation.
Moment-trace calculations of atomic and molecular photoabsorption cross sections

Abstract Regularization procedures employing positive integer spectral power moments are described for calculation of atomic and molecular photoionization cross sections. Use of positive moments avoids matrix diagonalizations, and thus appears to have substantial computational advantages.
Interaction of D2O with a Thick BaO Film: Formation of and Phase Transitions in Barium Hydroxides

The interaction of D2O with a thick BaO film (≥20 monolayer equivalent (MLE)) on ultrathin Al2O3/NiAl(110) was investigated with temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). Upon D2O exposure of a thick BaO film, amorphous barium hydroxide formed at room temperature that readily converted to crystalline Ba(OD)2 phases during annealing in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). The formation of crystalline hydroxide phases depends on the initial D2O exposure at 300 K. Following low D2O exposure at room temperature that results in the formation of amorphous barium hydroxide with no hydrating water, only the α-Ba(OD)2 phase was observed after 400 K annealing. The sample that was exposed to D2O extensively (i.e., hydrated amorphous barium hydroxide formed) showed a series of phase transformations as the sample was annealed to increasingly higher temperatures: amorphous-Ba(OD)2·xD2O (x > 1) → β-Ba(OD)2·D2O → β-Ba(OD)2 → α-Ba(OD)2. The results of TPD experiments completely agr...
Some aspects of design and programming of computer graphics for structural engineering

Abstract Two programs are described which are used in conjunction with sourses on structural and mechanical engineering. The first one deals with cable structures, and is designated for basic courses in structural engineering. The second program handles problems of stress concentrations around holes and performs stress transformations, it is intended for basic and advanced courses on the strength of materials and elasticity. This paper emphasizes technical details, namely, the displays that have been found most adequate for ease of operation, and the sub-routines incorporated in the programs. The goal is to save effort on the part of the software designer who wishes to develop similar programs.
Opioid receptors and the regulation of ion conductances.

In the past two years, knowledge about the regulation of ion conductances by opioid receptors has expanded in several directions. First, it has now been shown that all three of the major receptor subtypes act on all three of the well recognized effectors, i.e., adenylyl cyclase, calcium channels and potassium channels. Second, the opioid-mediated receptor inhibition of adenylyl cyclase has been linked to the modulation of ion channel activity /20/. Third, opioids have also been found to increase the activity of adenylyl cyclase in some preparations. Fourth, opioid receptors can mediate a rise in internal free-calcium concentration /21/. These observations suggest that the regulation of cell excitability by opioids is dependent on the cell under study and that the generalization between receptor subtype and specificity of action is no longer valid. The additional second messenger pathways affected by opioids suggest that the adaptive changes resulting from chronic opioid treatment are more complex than previously thought. This review evaluates these relatively new observations and suggests how these results may change the interpretations from previous work on opioid actions.
Roles of alternative splicing in the functional properties of inner ear-specific KCNQ4 channels.

The function of the KCNQ4 channel in the auditory setting is crucial to hearing, underpinned by the finding that mutations of the channel result in an autosomal dominant form of nonsyndromic progressive high frequency hearing loss. The precise function of KCNQ4 in the inner ear has not been established. However, recently we demonstrated that there is differential expression among four splice variants of KCNQ4 (KCNQ4_v1–v4) along the tonotopic axis of the cochlea. Alternative splicing specifies the outcome of functional channels by modifying the amino acid sequences within the C terminus at a site designated as the membrane proximal region. We show that variations within the C terminus of splice variants produce profound differences in the voltage-dependent phenotype and functional expression of the channel. KCNQ4_v4 lacks exons 9–11, resulting in deletion of 54 amino acid residues adjacent to the S6 domain compared with KCNQ4_v1. Consequently, the voltage-dependent activation of KCNQ4_v4 is shifted leftward by ∼20 mV, and the number of functional channels is increased severalfold compared with KCNQ4_v1. The properties of KCNQ4_v2 and KCNQ4_v3 fall between KCNQ4_v1 and KCNQ4_v4. Because of variations in the calmodulin binding domains of the splice variants, the channels are differentially modulated by calmodulin. Co-expression of these splice variants yielded current magnitudes suggesting that the channels are composed of heterotetramers. Indeed, a dominant negative mutant of KCNQ4_v1 cripples the currents of the entire KCNQ4 channel family. Furthermore, the dominant negative KCNQ4 mutant stifles the activity of KCNQ2–5, raising the possibility of a global disruption of KCNQ channel activity and the ensuing auditory phenotype.
Identification of differentially expressed genes from limited amounts of RNA

The identification of cellular RNA expression profiles by differential display (DD) involves the visualization of RT–PCR products from the RNA. Traditionally, DD protocols require 200–500 ng RNA for each RT reaction. Thus, the limiting factor in DD is the amount of RNA available and the sensitivity of the RT reaction. By replacing the type of reverse transcriptase in our method, the sensitivity of DD increased up to 100-fold. Very significantly, the cDNA species obtained are higher in molecular weight, increasing the chances of detection of differential display genes with less background bands. The false positives and background in general also decreased due to the utilization of Taq polymerase antibody to facilitated DNA synthesis in the PCR reaction step. The reverse transcriptases described here may have a greater priming capacity as well as strong processivity which would explain the higher sensitivity accomplished in comparison to more standard reverse transcriptases. Additionally, the application of a more sensitive DD to samples when the amount of RNA is limited would be highly recommended.
How Not to Prove the Existence of ‘Atomless Gunk’

In his ‘Could Extended Objects Be Made Out of Simple Parts?: An Argument for “Atomless Gunk’’, Dean Zimmerman defends the claim that no physical object has a complete decomposition into simples but instead has among its parts a piece of ‘atomless gunk’ His argument for this claim rests in part upon a theory of the impenetrability of physical objects. In that theory, Zimmerman distinguishes ‘[t]he sort of impenetrability that is a part of the concept of’ a physical object from ‘a power to resist the pressure of other objects’. He says that impenetrability is but ‘an essential inability’ of two physical objects to occupy one and the same region of space, an essential inability that is not a power of one physical object to exert repulsive forces on others in its vicinity. I argue that this theory of impenetrability is false and that Zimmerman's argument for the existence of ‘atomless gunk’ fails.
Aspergillosis — Clinical aspects

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is much more common than originally suspected, can have its onset in childhood and remain undiagnosed for years or decades, at which time it presents in a patient with end-stage fibrotic lung disease. In other patients, ABPA may cause a finite number of roentgenographic lesions and not be associated with chronic sputum production or widespread bronchiectasis. Clinical symptoms range from the patient being asymptomatic with a new roentgenographic infiltrate being suspected only by a sharp elevation of total serum IgE to wheezing dyspnea or status asthmaticus. Serologic assays that are of major value in diagnosis of ABPA include elevation of total serum IgE--not all of which is directed against Aspergillus fumigatus, precipitating antibodies to A. fumigatus--unless the patient is in remission, and elevated serum IgE-A. fumigatus and IgG-A. fumigatus compared to serum from patients with asthma with immediate cutaneous reactivity to A. fumigatus but without evidence of ABPA. Five stages have been identified which reflect the time of recognition of ABPA and disease activity. They are Acute, Remission, Recurrent Exacerbation, Corticosteroid-Dependent Asthma, and Fibrotic. Stage I (Acute) patients have the classic clinical, serologic, and radiologic features of ABPA. Stage II (Remission) occurs after prednisone has resulted in resolution of the chest infiltrate and can be tapered and discontinued for 6 months without new infiltrates. Stage III (Exacerbation) occurs when a new roentgenographic infiltrate occurs associated with elevation of total serum IgE. Stage IV (Corticosteroid-Dependent Asthma) is present when repeated attempts to discontinue prednisone results in severe wheezing that cannot be prevented with other therapy. Some Stage IV patients continue to develop new ABPA infiltrates. Stage V (Fibrotic) patients have irreversible obstructive and restrictive pulmonary function abnormalities and may present or progress to respiratory failure and death.
Wide-Stopband Bandpass Filters Using Asymmetric Stepped-Impedance Resonators

This letter presents novel bandpass filters (BPFs) with a wide stopband using asymmetric stepped-impedance resonators (SIRs). An uncoupled section located within conventional coupled lines functions as a means of achieving additional transmission zeros between each existing zeros, created by the conventional coupled lines. Designing two types of resonators, which have the same fundamental resonant frequency f1 with different spurious harmonic resonances, results in extending the stopband bandwidth with the better suppression level. Embedded inserted feeder structure is also designed to create supplementary transmission zeros at about 9.0 and 13.0 GHz. Measured results of the proposed filter show the suppression level of -23.7 dB up to 10.6f1 with the FBW of 8.9%.
Long-term outcome of children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome treated with tacrolimus

We report the outcome of our single-center, long-term follow-up study of tacrolimus therapy in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). All cases of nephrotic syndrome (NS) with kidney biopsies treated at our center between January 2000 and July 2008 were reviewed. Children with systemic lupus erythematosus and steroid-dependent NS were excluded. Nineteen children with SRNS received tacrolimus. Histopathological analysis of the biopsy revealed the underlying conditions of these 19 patients to be focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (ten patients), C1q nephropathy (four), membranous nephropathy (two), minimal change disease (one), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (one), and immunoglobulin A nephropathy (one). The mean follow-up was 55 months, and the median age of the patient cohort was 10 years. We observed complete remission in 11 (58%) patients, partial remission in six (32%), and failure to respond in two (9%). The median time to response was 8 weeks. Side effects were mild and transient (one case of acute kidney injury and three cases of hyperglycemia). The initial rate for combined partial and complete remission of the NS in children with SRNS was 81%, which was sustained in 58% of the patients on follow-up. Among children with FSGS, the sustained remission rate was 50%, while 40% progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (mean time 52 months). Based on the results of this study, we conclude that tacrolimus is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for the treatment of SRNS in children. However, the occurrence of relapses of the NS with progression to ESRD during the long-term follow-up indicates the need for careful monitoring of such patients.
Direct determination of ibuprofen and ibuprofen acyl glucuronide in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography using solid-phase extraction

A method for the simultaneous determination of ibuprofen and its labile, reactive metabolite, ibuprofen acyl glucuronide, in plasma is described. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) employed a C18 column using methanol-10 mM trifluoroacetic acid as the mobile phase with ultraviolet detection at 225 or 214 nm. It is essential that blood is handled rapidly and plasma is acidified upon collection prior to freezing. Plasma samples first are deproteinated with acetonitrile, the supernatant is diluted with phosphate buffer, and ibuprofen, ibuprofen glucuronide, and ibufenac (internal standard) are initially isolated by solid-phase extraction on C18 cartridges. Upon elution, the residue is evaporated, dissolved and injected onto the HPLC system. Recovery is 94 +/- 8 and 70 +/- 9% for ibuprofen glucuronide and ibuprofen, respectively. The measurable concentration range is linear from 0.1 to 10 micrograms/ml for ibuprofen glucuronide and from 0.5 to 100 micrograms/ml for ibuprofen. The method is satisfactory for the analysis of ibuprofen and ibuprofen glucuronide from pharmacokinetic studies in humans. The direct determination of ibuprofen glucuronide allows accurate measurement of this conjugate at low levels relative to the parent compound, ibuprofen, a distinct advantage compared to previously employed indirect methods.
Outcomes of primary scleral buckling for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity.

Abstract Background: Scleral buckling is an option for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This study evaluated the anatomic results of a primary scleral buckling procedure for the treatment of this condition. Methods: Retrospective analysis of cases in which premature infants were treated solely with a primary scleral buckling procedure for stage 4 ROP by I retinal specialist between January 1990 and April 2001. The 20 eyes, of 14 infants, had previously been treated with cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation ablation for threshold ROP, but stage 4 ROP had developed. Maintenance of an attached macula was the desired anatomic result of surgical treatment. Results: Of the 20 eyes, 14 (70%) had an attached macula postoperatively. During a follow-up period of 3.5 to 28 months the retina redetached in 2 eyes, which became phthisical. The other 6 eyes also became phthisical, despite additional surgical treatment. Interpretation: Primary scleral buckling has a high anatomic success rate in infants with stage 4 ROP, a rate thought to be higher than would occur with natural progression of the disease. Because an attached macula is associated with improved visual potential, timely primary scleral buckling is reasonable for these infants, offering a 60% chance of useful vision.
Variations on a theme by Ziv and Lempel

The data compression methods of Ziv and Lempel are modified and augmented, in three ways in order to improve the compression ratio, and hold the size of the encoding tables to a fixed size. The improvements are in the area of dispensing with any uncompressed output, ability to use fixed size encoding tables by using a replacement strategy, and more rapid adaptation by widening the class of strings which may be added to the dictionary. Following Langdon, we show how these improvements also provide an adaptive probabilistic model for the input data. The issue of data structures for efficient implementation is also addressed.
Facultatively parasitic strain of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus.

A strain of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (designated strain UKi2) was isolated which was capable of growing either saprophytically in host-free medium or endoparasitically in Escherichia coli B/r. It was quantitatively determined that each bdellovibrio could develop in solid medium to produce a colony, and 65% of the cells in a late exponential-phase culture were capable of inducing E. coli B/r spheroplasts. A photomicrographic sequence of single E. coli spheroplasts containing bdellovibrios demonstrated that parasitically derived B. bacteriovorus UKi2 could develop saprophytically after release from the host cells. Strain UKi2 appears to be morphologically quite similar to previously described obligately parasitic bdellovibrios; biochemical data on this strain suggests its close relationship to some of the previously described host-independent strains of Bdellovibrio. Images
Exposure to Alcohol Advertisements and Teenage Alcohol-Related Problems

OBJECTIVE: This study used prospective data to test the hypothesis that exposure to alcohol advertising contributes to an increase in underage drinking and that an increase in underage drinking then leads to problems associated with drinking alcohol. METHODS: A total of 3890 students were surveyed once per year across 4 years from the 7th through the 10th grades. Assessments included several measures of exposure to alcohol advertising, alcohol use, problems related to alcohol use, and a range of covariates, such as age, drinking by peers, drinking by close adults, playing sports, general TV watching, acculturation, parents’ jobs, and parents’ education. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling of alcohol consumption showed that exposure to alcohol ads and/or liking of those ads in seventh grade were predictive of the latent growth factors for alcohol use (past 30 days and past 6 months) after controlling for covariates. In addition, there was a significant total effect for boys and a significant mediated effect for girls of exposure to alcohol ads and liking of those ads in 7th grade through latent growth factors for alcohol use on alcohol-related problems in 10th grade. CONCLUSIONS: Younger adolescents appear to be susceptible to the persuasive messages contained in alcohol commercials broadcast on TV, which sometimes results in a positive affective reaction to the ads. Alcohol ad exposure and the affective reaction to those ads influence some youth to drink more and experience drinking-related problems later in adolescence.
Oxidative imbalance and lipid peroxidation in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing serious public health problem worldwide. Clinically, AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a global cognitive decline. There is significant evidence that reactive oxygen species-mediated reactions, particularly of neuronal lipids, are extensive in those AD brain areas directly involved in the disease processes. Traditional views claim that oxidative-mediated tissue injury in the AD brain is the result of neurodegeneration. In recent years, numerous investigations have pointed to the functional importance of oxidative imbalance as a crucial event in mediating AD pathogenesis. The availability of specific and sensitive markers to monitor in vivo oxidative imbalance, in combination with studies performed in living patients with clinical diagnosis of AD, are helping to elucidate these issues. Here, I summarize some of the most recent research on the relevance that oxidative imbalance and lipid peroxidation have in AD. The evidence accumulated so far clearly indicates that oxidative imbalance is an early event during the evolution of this devastating disease. This new concept implies that this phenomenon may play a more important role in AD pathogenesis than previously anticipated. Drug Dev. Res. 56:446–451, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a dermatological fibrosing disease with potential systemic manifestations resulting in mild to severe symptoms including joint contractures. NSF can be lethal in a subset of cases. It has been recently observed that almost all patients with NSF have had severe renal insufficiency and have received prior administrations of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA). This review will focus on the specific evidence from a retrospective study performed at our center in combination with the general experience available. Conclusions summarize our current understanding of NSF. Recommendations are provided for use of GBCA in clinical MRI practice. Conclusions and recommendations include that the risk of inducing NSF is related to higher-dose administrations of GBCA and that there are differences in risk related to differences in gadolinium-chelate formulation, with the highest relative risk associated with gadodiamide (Omniscan, Nycomed Amersham, GE Healthcare, Piscataway, N.J.).
Static dipolar interactions in a polar medium with dispersion

Abstract With the use of the phenomenological description of a polar medium with account taken of space and time dispersion (in manner due to Dogonadze and his associates), we calculate the form of the interaction energy between two dipoles. The medium influences the interaction in much the same way as has been found for monopole interactions in the polaron theory. In addition, however, there is a contribution which is indirect, acting through the polar modes, and is attractive (repulsive) when the predominate direct interaction is repulsive (attractive).
The Decision‐Making Process for Ridge Preservation Procedures After Tooth Extraction

Focused Clinical Question: How should the extraction socket be managed after tooth removal?Summary: Resorptive changes that take place after tooth extraction can result in a significant reduction in alveolar ridge width and height. This may create a problem for proper implant placement and fabrication of esthetic restorations. Ridge preservation has been shown to be effective in decreasing alveolar bone resorption after tooth removal. During ridge preservation, the extraction socket is filled with graft material, and a barrier is generally used to contain the graft. Flap reflection is usually not recommended if the socket walls are intact and the ridge width is sufficient after tooth removal. However, if significant breakdown of the buccal bony plate is present, mucoperiosteal flap elevation may be required to allow proper placement of the bone graft and membrane. Different types of bone grafts (autograft, allograft, and xenograft) and barrier membranes (resorbable and non-resorbable) have been evaluated ...
Estimating Natural Environmental Characteristics of Subsidized Households: A Case Study of Austin, Texas

Compared to the traditional public housing program, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program has been regarded as a better tool to ensure the quality of housing structure for subsidized households and the mixing of incomes in neighborhoods. Previous studies related to LIHTC developments have solely focused on the relationships between subsidized households and socioeconomic environments, such as income, race, poverty, etc. Beyond the socioeconomic environments where subsidized households are located, there is a limited understanding about whether subsidized households experience healthier natural environments in their neighborhoods. This study aims to investigate whether LIHTC-subsidized housing neighborhoods provide adequate natural environments to the subsidized households in Austin, Texas, compared to the public housing households. We employ comparison t-tests and binomial logistic regression models. The results show that LIHTC households are significantly exposed to unhealthy natural environmental settings such as a lack of green vegetation and steep slopes while no statistical evidence is reported for public housing neighborhoods. Findings from this study may help policymakers and planners improve their understanding of whether subsidized housing developments offer better natural environments for disadvantaged populations and help them develop effective environmental intervention strategies to improve the quality of life of subsidized households.
Complex constituencies: intense environmentalists and representation

The role of environmental subconstituencies in determining the voting behaviour of members of the US Congress is assessed. Using ordinary least squares and symmetrically censored least squares (a method especially appropriate for bimodal data), the impact of environmentally-concerned constituents, as measured by original data on environmental group membership, on congressional voting is quantified. In general, members of the US Congress vote more pro-environmental when they have more environmental group members in their districts, which may be representation or factionalism at work. Surprisingly, even though members of environmental groups are a traditionally Democratic constituency in the United States, both Democrats and Republicans are responsive.
Using Deep Serial Memory for large block data transfers

This paper will explain some of the advantages of utilizing an instrument with Deep Serial Memory in digital test applications that involve large block data transfer. Deep Serial Memory can accommodate test applications that use large block transfers of data, such as read-only memory (ROM) testing, boundary scan and communications that involve read/write of megawords of data. Conventional test pattern memory can be exhausted by these applications. A test case will be presented to simplify the creation and support of tests for a Read Only Memory (ROM). The techniques applied in this example show how the transfer of large blocks of data can be easier and more practical with Deep Serial Memory.
Influence of the substrate and electrolyte on the composition and properties of thin electrodeposited Ni-Fe films

The characteristics of electrolytes will be described which prevent composition gradients from developing as the result of differences in Ni++ and Fe++ diffusion, during the electrolytic formation of Ni-Fe films. This is accomplished by using an electrolyte additive which results in a solution which can be operated at a Ni-Fe ratio that is the same as desired in the film, making both the Ni++ and Fe++ deposition diffusion controlled. Using a specific electrolyte with these characteristics, the influence of the substrate on the film composition, structure, and resultant properties has been demonstrated by changing the composition gradients induced by electrolyte diffusion effects. The metallurgical structure (grain size, porosity, crystal texture, composition) and the magnetic properties ( H_{c}, H_{k}, \alpha_{q} , magnetostriction) of films deposited on Au and Cu were examined. Using the Au substrate, films were made at constant deposition conditions from 100 to 4000 A thick. The average Fe content of the films changed from 28 to 18 percent over this thickness range. Films deposited under the same conditions onto Cu substrates had a lower average Fe content; e.g.,13 percent at 600 A thick. Film compositions as a function of thickness are described by the sum of two exponential terms; one term takes into account electrolyte diffusion effects on composition and the other term takes into account the electrode effect on composition. Previously reported data are analyzed in the same manner and composition gradients as a function of film thickness are confirmed to be larger than in the work reported here. Low values of coercive force and dispersion were obtained only from films thicker than about 300 A deposited on Au. These low coercive forces and dispersion are shown to be due to the isotropic crystal structure, fine grain size, and relatively mild composition fluctuations in the Ni-Fe promoted by the characteristics of the Au substrate in the electrolyte. On Cu the films were magnetically isotropic and high in H c below thicknesses of about 4000 A, due to the highly porous film structure and large grain size induced by the Cu substrate. The deposition potentials, monitored during the formation of the film, reflected the composition of the alloy depositing and provides a technique for choosing the optimum substrate and electrolyte.
Detecting errors using multi-cycle invariance information

Ensuring reliable computation at the nanoscale requires mechanisms to detect and correct errors during normal circuit operation. In this paper we propose a method for designing efficient online error detection schemes for circuits based on the identification of invariant relationships in hardware. More specifically, we present a technique that automatically identifies multi-cycle gate-level invariant relationships---where no knowledge of high-level behavioral constraints is required to identify the relationships---and generates the checker logic that verifies these implications. Our results show that cross-cycle implications are particularly useful in discovering difficult-to-detect errors near latch boundaries, and can have a significant impact on boosting error detection rates.
Modeling Competition and Market Equilibrium in Insurance: Empirical Issues

In the last decade or so, numerous papers have been devoted to empirical investigations based on contract theory. Many contributions use insurance data, and specifically files pro vided by firms. A typical paper would analyze the relationship between individual characteris tics, the contracts chosen and the corresponding “outcome,” as measured by claims. � The natural next step in this research agenda is to model empirically market equilibrium on insurance markets. Empirical models of com petitive insurance markets are important in many respects. First, such models are an indis pensable first step for the empirical analysis of existing markets. The discussion of optimal pricing strategies or the definition of new insur ance contract would greatly benefit from such models. From a policy perspective, the design of any regulation requires estimating its likely impact on the market allocation. For instance, while a ban on specific pricing options (based, say, on gender or age) is often advocated on ethi cal grounds, a precise assessment of its impact on insurance markets is needed before any deci sion is made; and an empirical model is required to provide such an assessment.
Are Giftedness and Creativity Synonyms in Mathematics

At the K–12 level one assumes that mathematically gifted students identified by out-of-level testing are also creative in their work. In professional mathematics, “creative” mathematicians constitute a very small subset within the field. At this level, mathematical giftedness does not necessarily imply mathematical creativity but the converse is certainly true. In the domain of mathematics, are the words creativity and giftedness synonyms? In this article, the constructs of mathematical creativity and mathematical giftedness are developed via a synthesis and analysis of the general literature on creativity and giftedness. The notions of creativity and giftedness at the K–12 and professional levels are compared and contrasted to develop principles and models that theoretically “maximize” the compatibility of these constructs. The relevance of these models is discussed with practical considerations for the classroom. The paper also significantly extends ideas presented by Usiskin (2000).
Microsatellite Fingerprinting of the USDA-ARS Tropical Agriculture Research Station Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) Germplasm Collection

Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is an important cash crop in many tropical countries. Cacao accessions must be propagated vegetatively to conserve genetic integrity due to its allogamous nature and its seed recalcitrance (lack of dormancy). Therefore, cacao germplasm is usually maintained as living trees in fi eld collections and has resulted in varying rates of misidentifi cation and duplication. Using a high throughput genotyping system with 15 microsatellite loci, all 924 trees in the USDA-ARS Mayaguez cacao collection were fi ngerprinted. Nineteen accessions (12.3%) were found to have intraplant errors while 14 (9.1%) synonymous sets were identifi ed that included replicates of 49 accessions. The average number of alleles (8.8; SE = 0.56) and gene diversity (H Obs = 0.65; SE = 0.026) indicate a high allelic diversity in this collection. A distance-based cluster analysis and a Bayesian assignment test showed that the cacao accessions can be classifi ed into four distinct clusters, with their geographical origins covering most of the cacao growing regions in the Americas. Assessment of the representative diversity of the collection led to the identifi cation of several genetic gaps, including underrepresented genetic populations and particular traits of economic and agronomic value. The improved understanding of identities and structure in the USDA-ARS cacao collection will contribute to more effi cient use of cacao in conservation and breeding.
Variable antigens of Ureaplasma urealyticum containing both serovar-specific and serovar-cross-reactive epitopes.

Currently there are 14 recognized serovars of Ureaplasma urealyticum, and it has been postulated that only certain ones may be associated with disease and that lack of serovar-specific antibody may be an important risk factor. Unfortunately, ureaplasma antigens important in the human immune response and disease pathogenesis are poorly defined. By using sera from ureaplasma-infected patients and antiureaplasma monoclonal antibodies, the present study has demonstrated, for serovars 3, 8, and 10, antigens which (i) are species specific, (ii) contain both serovar-specific and cross-reactive epitope(s), (iii) are produced not only in vitro but also in vivo, (iv) undergo a high rate of structural variation in vitro, (v) are present and structurally variable on invasive ureaplasma isolates (i.e., those from placenta, lung, and cerebrospinal fluid), and (vi) are among the predominant antigens recognized during infections in humans. Furthermore, we have shown that monoclonal antibodies to these antigens can inhibit the growth of the organisms in vitro, indicating the potential for these antigens to be important for host defense.
Linking Research to Clinical Practice

The purpose of Linking Research to Clinical Practice is to present evidence-based information to clinical dental hygienists so that they can make informed decisions regarding patient treatment and recommendations. Each issue will feature a different topic area of importance to clinical dental hygienists with A BOTTOM LINE to translate the research findings into clinical application.
The rutting and stripping resistance of warm and hot mix asphalt using bio-additives

Abstract Isosorbide distillation bottoms (IDB) are a co-product from the conversion of sorbitol to isosorbide and have been shown to improve low temperature binder performance when tested in the bending beam rheometer. With the successful inclusion of IDB into asphalt, other bio-chemical streams with similar properties to IDB are of interest. The incorporation of bio-additives that create softening of the binder require an evaluation of rutting resistance. To use bio-based chemical additives as a warm mix asphalt modifier, moisture susceptibility must also be examined. The objective of this paper is to evaluate how IDB and several new bio-derived material additives influence the rutting and stripping resistance in WMA binders and mixtures. Rutting resistance of short term age binder is evaluated using the multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) test and hot mix asphalt (HMA) and WMA evaluation will employ the Hamburg Wheel-Tracking Device (HWTD) test. Reduced mixing and compaction temperatures were achieved with all bio-additives. MSCR and HWTD results using the bio-additives with non-polymer modified binder show no improvements but when with a polymer modified (PM) binder, all additives show statistical improvements in resistance to rutting and stripping compared to a PM control.
The Systematics and Evolution of the Cathartidae in the Old World Tertiary

One of the more intriguing problems in avian paleontology and zoogeography is the supposed occurrence of New World vultures (Cathartidae) in the Tertiary of Europe. Despite the fact that paleontologists have generally accepted these European records (Lambrecht 1933; Brodkorb 1964), avian zoogeographers have either discounted or ignored the fossil evidence in their discussions of the family (e.g., Lrnnberg 1927; Mayr 1946). Clearly, if the species recorded in Europe are not cathartids, then the hypothesis of a New World origin for the family is strengthened. If, on the other hand, the specimens are cathartids, then previous conclusions about the origin and evolution of the family must be re-examined. The stratigraphic ranges of the fossil genera of cathartids and neocathartids are shown in
RESPONSE OF SOME PATHOGENIC FUNGI TO SODIUM FLUORIDE.

Elevated concentrations of fluoride long have been recognized to produce markings on foliage of sensitive species of gymnosperms and angiosperms. Effects of fluoride on metabolic activity of higher plants have also been studied, but little information is available regarding pos? sible effects of low concentrations of fluoride on fungi. Do fluorides inhibit or stimulate development of fungi under field conditions? Such information would prove especially valuable in understanding the pos? sible role of atmospheric fluorides in modifying the severity of fungusinduced plant diseases. Existence of host-parasite modifications has been suggested by growers in a number of instances although little evidence is available on which to base such conclusions. In the lumber
Steroids and related natural products. 14α-Methyl testosterone

Eine Zwanzigstufenumwandlung von Isocholesterol (rohes Lanosterol) zu 14α-Methyltestosteron wurde ausgefuhrt und die Reaktionsfolge von 3β-Hydroxy-4,4,14α-trimethyl-20-oxo-5α-pregnan zu 14α-Methyltestosteron beschrieben.
963 THYMUS SIZE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

In an attempt to correlate the thymolytic effect of glucocorticoids with their role in the induction of surfactant synthesis and the prevention of RDS, the size of the thymus on the initial chest radiographs of newborns who required intensive care was reviewed. Utilizing a ratio of the cardiothymic silhouette at the carina to the thoracic width (C-T/T) we found an increase in C-T/T with increasing gestational age. Newborn infants with RDS had a significantly elevated mean C-T/T (0.40 vs 0.36; p. <0.001) an increased percentage of ‘enlarged’ (C-T/T ≥ 0.45) thymuses (28% vs 8% in non-RDS babies), and a decreased percentage of ‘small’ (C-T/T ≥ 0.30) thymuses (11% vs. 26%). Moreover, in a series of 8 multiple gestations that were discordant for RDS, the larger thymus was seen in those with RDS in 6 of 8, while in only one did the converse hold true. Surprisingly, babies whose mothers had received prepartum dexamethasone to prevent RDS showed no difference in thymic size when compared to a control population. These data are consistent with the theory that endogenous gluco-corticoids play a physiologic role in the prevention of RDS. The initial size of the thymus may also be of predictive value in differentiating between the diverse causes of respiratory distress in newborn infants.
Genetic Variation and the Potential for Host Range Evolution in the Leafmining Fly Amauromyza flavifrons (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

This study investigated patterns of genetic variation in host-use characters in the leafmining fly Amauromyza flavifrons Meigen. Females of this species readily oviposit on Beta vulgaris L., a nontraditional host plant upon which the larvae experience high levels of mortality. Experiments found significant genetic variation in oviposition response to B. vulgaris but not in either larval survival or growth on this plant species. In regions with high densities of B. vulgaris, it is predicted that the lack of genetic variation in larval survival and growth on this plant will constrain the adoption of this plant as a “true host plant” and, instead, females will evolve to have lower acceptance of this plant for oviposition.
Detection of Bacteriuria by Automated Methods

Seven automated bacteriuria screening methods are currently available for clinical use. Three are based on the principle of photometry: the Autobac Systema, the AutoMicrobic Systemb, and the MS-2c. Three utilize bioluminescence: the Lumacd, Monolight 2001e, and Turner Luminometerf. One method is based on colorimetry and filtration: Bac-T-Screeng. Detection times for these systems range from two minutes to nine hours. This article reviews these systems with regard to sensitivity, predictive value, detection time, and cost.