cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The point break effect: an examination of surf, crime, and transitory opportunities

Opportunity theories of crime suggest that crime is highly specific and concentrated in time and space. Using these theories as a framework, this paper seeks to examine the transitory nature of crime. This hypothesis was tested using data from a coastal city in California to examine the relationship between surf conditions (measured at five daily time points) and number of crime incidents (n = 16,075). Crime totals were aggregated at the street segment level (n = 4551) for each day in 2011. These data were modeled using a series of panel negative binomial models, clustered by census block group. The findings suggest that surf conditions had an effect on the likelihood of crime incidents, but these effects were time specific. Favorable surf conditions were associated with increases in crime only between 2:30 pm and 5:29 pm. Additionally, locations closer to surf spots were associated with more crime, relative to locations farther away. Closer examination of micro-geographies aids in understanding how syste...
Artificial intelligence and expert systems in education: Progress, promise and problems

It is not our purpose here to get into a deep analysis of the meanings and accepted definitions of Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems. Indeed it appears that no universally accepted definitions exist, a fact that is bemoaned by some authors as a source of much confusion in the field and an open invitation to "exploit the hype - being generated about the field in popular and quasi-technical media" (Harris and Owens, 1986). In their opinion, the artificial half of AI is generally taken to mean man-made , but there is much disagreement and lack of definition as regards the term intelligence as used in this context. Some researchers even refuse to be associated with this term. For example, I once attended a seminar given by Gordon Pask the cybernetician and creator of the CASTE system of conversational CAI (a name often quoted in the AI literature), in which he argued that AI does not exist, on the grounds that: if a machine were to act in a way that one recognised as being intelligent, then the machine will be intelligent (why the need for the prefix artificial ), but he has not as yet seen a machine that is truly intelligent and doubts if he ever will (on the grounds that, for him, true intelligence has an affective/ emotional component and he has never seen machine display emotion).
The ambiguity of adverse drug reactions.

Three clinical pharmacologists independently evaluated 500 untoward clinical events reported by physicians as adverse drug reactions (ADRs). They often disagreed with the reporting physicians and with each other. They judged 14.4–28.2% of the events to be definite, 26.4–38.0% probable, 21.4–31.0% possible and 15.8–28.2% unlikely ADRs. In their opinion 19.1–32.4% of the drugs blamed were definitely, 29.8–34.4% probably, 24.9–36.7% possibly and 8.4–14.5% not responsible for the adverse reactions. Evaluators disagreed among themselves about the drug most likely to have been responsible in 36.4% of the events, about ADRs causing hospital admission in 56.8%, about severe ADR morbidity in 55.8%, about ADR prolongation of hospitalization in 67.3% and about ADR contribution to death in 71.0%. The divergence of judgements suggests that suspected ADRs are usually ambiguous clinical events, and that incidence, severity, medical consequences and cost of ADRs can only be estimated.
Radiology of penile prostheses

Early research suggested that in most cases impotence results from psychogenic factors and that psychotherapy is the most appropriate treatment.1,2 More recently there has been a virtual explosion in knowledge about the erectile process. It has since become clear that a variety of components are involved (hormonal, neurogenic, vasculogenic).3 It is now believed that most etiologies of impotence are organic rather than psychogenic, and that most organic causes are due to vasculogenic dysfunction.4 A variety of other organic causes have also been identified, including neurologic diseases (affecting either the central nervous system5 or the lower spinal cord6), medications (e.g., β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics),7 pelvic surgery (particularly radical prostatectomy),8 and trauma.9 Some investigators have suggested that a combination of psychogenic and organic factors plays a role in causing impotence in some patients.3
Enzyme-Free Nucleic Acid Logic Circuits

Biological organisms perform complex information processing and control tasks using sophisticated biochemical circuits, yet the engineering of such circuits remains ineffective compared with that of electronic circuits. To systematically create complex yet reliable circuits, electrical engineers use digital logic, wherein gates and subcircuits are composed modularly and signal restoration prevents signal degradation. We report the design and experimental implementation of DNA-based digital logic circuits. We demonstrate AND, OR, and NOT gates, signal restoration, amplification, feedback, and cascading. Gate design and circuit construction is modular. The gates use single-stranded nucleic acids as inputs and outputs, and the mechanism relies exclusively on sequence recognition and strand displacement. Biological nucleic acids such as microRNAs can serve as inputs, suggesting applications in biotechnology and bioengineering.
Partially oxidized potassium intercalate of ultradispersed diamond: A cautionary note

Abstract Direct reaction of gray ultradispersed diamond (UDD) powder with molten potassium metal gives K/UDD intercalate as a black powder. Upon prolonged storage in glass vials, presumed partial oxidation of this black powder by diffused air occurs giving a partially oxidized K/UDD gray powder. Powder XRD data indicate likely formation of undetermined amounts of KO 2 and stage-3 potassium graphite intercalate. Exposure of this gray powder to ambient atmosphere initiates a violent detonation (or rapid oxidation) having sufficient force to pulverize glass vial containers. It is recommended that handling of any partially oxidized carbonaceous potassium intercalate material should be conducted with extreme caution. Partially oxidized K/UDD powder appears to be stable to mild mechanical shock and could possibly be of interest as a secondary explosive activated by direct exposure to ambient atmosphere.
Focused one-cycle electromagnetic pulses.

We describe several families of exact unbounded solutions of Maxwell's equations in vacuum. These solutions depict one- (or 11/2-) cycle electromagnetic pulses whose fields are of either transverse magnetic or transverse electric character and are confined to toroidal wave packets that converge to a focus and then diverge in a manner that is expected from familiar rules of diffraction. These ``focused doughnut'' pulses constitute a subset of the ``modified power spectrum'' pulse solutions discovered by Ziolkowski [Phys. Rev. A 39, 2005 (1989)]. We derive the total energy, the energy spectrum, the ability to accelerate an electron, and other properties of these focused doughnut pulse solutions. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Mud cracks and dedolomitization in the Wittenoom Dolomite, Hamersley Group, Western Australia

Abstract Several impure dolomitic limestone beds in an outcrop of the latest Archean Wittenoom Dolomite (Hamersley Group, Western Australia) are polygonally cracked. The cracks appear to be sub-aerial desiccation features, suggesting that the known area of shallow water and locally emergent conditions extended from the far eastern part of the basin (the Carawine Dolomite) over 270 km farther west. This finding places shallow-water or emergent conditions either (1) near the middle of what Trendall (1983) defined as the probable original limits of the Hamersley Basin (Trendall's “Pilbara Egg”) or (2) near the southern edge of what Morris (1993) thought to be a broad carbonate platform which fed a deeper water sequence to the south. In any case, the Hamersley Basin in the area of Bee Gorge and eastward to the Carawine Dolomite may have been a carbonate mudflat in part with restricted circulation of sea water. The Carawine Dolomite and the Wittenoom Dolomite near Bee Gorge may have been affected by carbonate buildups along a shelf edge. Regardless of whether shallow water was widespread or local in the Hamersley basin, shallow water verging on emergence is supported by evidence of diagenetic dedolomitization under conditions of low atmospheric and hydrospheric P O 2 and precipitation of strontianite in the mud-cracked sample. Evidence of shallow water at Bee Gorge is consistent with Trendall's broad evaporite-basin model and with Morris' barred-platform model for the origin of Hamersley carbonates and banded iron-formations.
Successive recall as a measure for the unlearning effect

The hypothesis that successive recall (SRC) facilitates recall was tested in an A-B, A-C paradigm using 10 trials of paced MMFR after two retention intervals (0 and 24 h). SRC MMFR groups were compared to conventional unpaced MMFR groups and single list controls. Recall tended to increase over SRC trials but terminal performance did not differ from unpaced MMFR.
The Squishy and Stubborn Problem of Retention: A Study of a Mid Atlantic Historically Black Institution with a Land-Grant Mission

This study of a Mid Atlantic Historically Black Institution (MAHBI) examines cognitive, social, and institutional factors to identify those that are most critical in contributing to the steady decline of the rate of student retention for this institution and others with similar characteristics. Secondary source data pertaining to three cohorts (i.e., 2,854 students) of first-time, full-time students were used and a regression analysis was performed to determine the likelihood of student retention for the variables in the matrix. While the Odds-ratio analysis confirmed significant potential for increasing retention by increasing the amount of financial aid, in-state tuition status, fall semester GPA, and taking Math 101 (i.e., Intermediate Algebra), a 1-point increase in the Spring Semester GPA for a student at the MAHBI increases student chances of being retained by 453%. These results have serious implications for student academic support services at the MAHBI.
Properties of an external-cavity traveling-wave semiconductor ring laser.

We describe the lasing characteristics of an external-cavity 1.3-μm-wavelength traveling-wave semiconductor laser that uses a tilted-stripe optical amplifier. It was found that within a 45-nm-wavelength tuning range the power level does not suffer any discontinuous change. The lasing spectrum remains single mode within a 35-nm range, and the linewidth is less than 50 kHz. The lasing frequency is stable and changes by only 25 MHz/°C and by approximately 1.6 MHz/mA. For cw operation the intracavity power reaches 24 mW, and for long-pulse operation the power level is as high as 175 mW. The lasing power level exhibits long-term stability. Moreover the intracavity power level is found to be insensitive to the coupled output power.
Atypical presentation of cocaine-induced Type A aortic dissection: a diagnosis made by transesophageal echocardiography.

Cocaine abuse can cause a variety of cardiovascular emergencies, especially myocardial ischemia and infarction and is one of the leading causes of emergency room visits for chest pain evaluation in the young population.1In 1998, 1.7 million Americans were using cocaine at least once per month, with the highest rates of use among Americans age 18 to 25 years.2We present a unique case of cocaine abuse with multiple life-threatening cardiovascular effects. A 43-year-old African American man presented to emergency room with shortness of breath of 4 hours' duration. He had chest pain earlier in the day, described as a mild pressure-like sensation localized in the substernal area, which gradually got better. Past medical history was significant for untreated hypertension. Family history was noncontributory. The patient admitted to tobacco, ethanol, and cocaine abuse for years, including cocaine within the last 12 hours. On examination he was alert, oriented, and in minimal distress because of dyspnea. Vital signs were pulse, 130 beats/min; blood pressure, 120/70 mm Hg and equal in both arms and legs; afebrile; and respiratory rate, 20/min. No jugular venous distension noticed. Carotid upstroke was normal without audible bruits. Chest examination revealed basal crackles bilaterally. Examination of …
Are There Any More like You at Home

This essay defines “US workers” and “illegal immigrants” in an attempt to explain how the law is meant to project American jobs; reviews the continuing practice in the hospitality industry of hiring illegal immigrants over Americans; and discusses what the industry should do to change from a primarily low-skill, low-wage employer to a competitive, high-wage employer of American workers.
PNEUMOCOCCAL TYPE 3 ANTIBODY IS RESTRICTED TO THE IgG2 SUBCLASS

To determine if human antibodies to Pneumococcal Polysaccharide type 3 are restricted in IgG subclass diversity, we tested sera from normal volunteers drawn before and after immunization (n=9). Subclass-specific ELISA techniques using murine monoclonal antibodies to human IgG1, IgG3, IgG4 and the Ig fraction of sheep anti-IgG2 were developed. Enzyme-conjugated antibodies were shown to be specific by testing against homologous and non-homologous IgG subclasses in direct ELISA using WHO myeloma reference standards. The relative sensitivity of each subclass antibody conjugate differed as shown by reaction in competitive binding ELISA where 50% inhibition of binding for IgG1=0.1 mcg, IgG2=1.75 mcg, IgG3=0.25 mcg and IgG4=0.175 mcg. End-point serum titer was defined as that dilution giving an optical density twice nonspecific background and was normalized to reflect the relative sensitivity of each subclass-specific assay. Preimmunization geometric mean titers of serum antibody were IgG1= 13.5, IgG2=258.7, IgG3=7.0, and IgG4=3.5. Post-immunization titers were significantly higher for IgG2=955.0 (p <.05) but unchanged for IgG1=20.8, IgG3=6.6, and IgG4=4.0. Mean pre to post-immunization increases in antibody titer were significantly higher for IgG2=5.75 (p < 0.05) compared to IgG1=1.55, IgG3=1.0, and IgG4=1.0. These results demonstrate that 90-95% of human antibody to the putative T-cell independent antigen Pneumococcal Polysaccharide type 3 is restricted to the IgG2 subclass.
Coercive Organizational Politics and Organizational Outcomes: An Interpretive Study

This study tried to understand how the members of an organization interpreted, in their enacted cognitive schema, the events and processes they enacted during their formation of a new strategy. Participant observation, qualitative interviewing, and cognitive mapping identified many important organizational processes. Among these were pervasive coercive organizational politics, which was retained as an interesting element of the organization's rich cognitive schema. Organization members interpreted politics as being deleterious to morale, as indirectly related to inferior organizational performance outcomes, and as a source of organizational control in the form of negative feedback loops. They also interpreted politics in a paradoxical way-greater levels of political activity led to lower levels of political activity.
Plasma catecholamine and cardiovascular responses to physostigmine in Alzheimer's disease and aging.

Stimulation of brain cholinergic systems increases activity of both the sympathoneural (SN) and sympathoadrenomedullary (SAM) components of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. Because presynaptic cholinergic neuron numbers are substantially reduced in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we predicted decreased responsiveness in AD of plasma norepinephrine (NE), an estimate of SN activity, and of epinephrine (EPI), an estimate of SAM activity, to central cholinergic stimulation by the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine (0.0125 mg/kg i.v.). Because previous studies have demonstrated that normal human aging increases SN activity but not SAM activity, we specifically hypothesized: (1) a smaller NE response to physostigmine in subjects with mild to moderate AD (n=11; age 72±2 yrs; mini-mental state exam [MMSE] scores of 19±2) than in healthy older subjects (n=20; age 71±1 yrs); and (2) a smaller EPI response in AD subjects than in either healthy older or healthy young subjects (n=9; age 27±2 yrs). Unexpectedly, the plasma NE increase following physostigmine only achieved significance in AD subjects and plasma EPI responses were greater in both AD and older subjects than in young subjects. Blood pressure responses to physostigmine were consistent with the catecholamine responses. These data suggest that the presence of mild to moderate AD increases the SN response to cholinergic stimulation and that both AD and normal aging increase the SAM response to cholinergic stimulation. As a result, plasma catecholamine responses to physostigmine do not appear to be useful peripheral neuroendocrine estimates of the severity of brain cholinergic deficits in mild to moderate AD.
The World Post STICH: Is This a “Game Changer?” A Surgeon's Perspective — Revascularization Is Still the Treatment of Choice

The Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial addressed the broader role of surgical revascularization in patients with heart failure due to reduced LV systolic function EF ≤35% and less severe CAD. The primary outcome (all-cause death) was not reduced by CABG. CABG did, however, reduce the secondary outcomes of cardiovascular death (RRR 19%) and death from any cause or cardiovascular hospitalization (RRR 26%). However, 40% of patients enrolled were asymptomatic, and only 49% of patients underwent careful functional evaluation pre-randomization. Moreover, this assessment was for viability, and not ischemia. Careful scrutiny of these trial results illustrates important emerging trends in revascularization, namely the functional as well as anatomic assessment of patients prior to intervention with CABG, and the benefits of CABG in these patients. These STICH findings illustrate the importance of these evaluations in all candidates for revascularization in ischemic heart disease; the results of the trial in terms of the efficacy of CABG need to be interpreted in this light.
Estimation of Fractional Surface Coverage of Particles for Oxide CMP

The surface coverage of particles between pad and wafer has been studied as a function of down load, particle size, and concentration in order to investigate oxide chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) mechanism. In situ friction force measurements have been conducted to investigate the interfacial contact behavior during polishing. In the absence of particles, friction force increased with increasing down load. In the presence of particles, friction force increased with an increase in down load and solids loading. An equation derived from Amonton's second law was used to determine the fraction of abrasive particles that actually come into contact with the wafer. The fractional surface coverage of abrasive particles was independent of down load and increased with increasing solids loading and decreasing particle size. Determination of the amount of abrasive particles effectively involved in polishing will make clearer the oxide CMP polishing mechanisms improving slurry design leading to further optimization of the CMP process.
Dip pen nanolithography and transfer of ZnO patterns on plastics for large-area flexible optoelectronic applications

Abstract This study demonstrates the ability to combine the dip-pen nanolithography patterning of ZnO solutions on a polymer release layer and their subsequent transfer, after heat-treatment, to a flexible substrate. It is found that ink viscosity plays an important role in controlling both the feature size and the total number of the fabricated features. In addition, the role of the dwell time is investigated and it is observed that higher dwell times lead to both larger printed dot sizes and smaller total numbers of fabricated features. Resulting dot size is ranging from 7.2 to 1.9 μm as observed using in-situ optical microscopy. Heat treatment is found to lead to a slight shrinkage of the as-deposited patterns due to the coarsening and sintering mechanisms that are active during firing. Then, using a 75 kPa pressure and a hot plate set at 190 °C for 10 min, the fired ZnO patterns are transferred on a flexible polyethylene naphthalate substrate. The ability to effectively transfer high temperature-treated functional nano/micro-patterns on polymer substrates may be proved vital for the development of large-area flexible optoelectronic device applications.
The determination of a mid-scale reference standard for baked potato mealiness

Eleven sensory tests (six with Kennebecs and five with Russet Burbank) of five to seven baked potato samples varying in specific gravity by 0.004 were conducted to relate the mid-scale mealiness rating by sensory panels to a characteristic specific gravity (raw) and total solids (cooked).
Prenatal ontogeny of the gabaergic system in the rat brain: An immunocytochemical study

Abstract Prenatal development of the GABAergic system in the rat brain has been studied using an antiserum to GABA-glutaraldehyde-hemocyanin conjugates, specific for GABAergic neurons. The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system has been found to differentiate very early relative to other transmitter-identified neurons, such that by embryonic day 13 a well developed fiber network exists in the brainstem, mesencephalon and diencephalon, including a large projection in the posterior commissure and adjacent areas on the surface of the mesencephalon and tectum. Although no cell bodies are visible at this time, it appears that these fibers originate from the caudal brainstem and spinal cord. GABAergic cell bodies begin to appear on embryonic day 14 in the lateral cortical anlage. By embryonic day 16, they are also visible in the basal forebrain and in all regions of cortex where they are located in three zones: (1) in layer I, (2) below the cortical plate and (3) in the intermediate zone. Also contained in the outer part of layer I is a dense fiber plexus which stains intensely for GABA. These fibers may be part of the first contingent of cortical afferents to invade the telencephalic vesicle, an event which is thought to be a stimulus for the beginning of neuronal differentiation in this region. By E18, two bands of immunoreactivity are visible in layer I, which probably contain both cell bodies and fibers. The trajectories taken by growing GABAergic fibers in the brainstem, mesencephalon and diencephalon at embryonic day 13 and at subsequent stages of development are coincident with regions of both monoaminergic and peptidergic differentiation and appear to correspond to recently reported patterns of benzodiazepine receptors which appear slightly later. The early differentiation of the GABAergic system could indicate a trophic role for GABA in early brain development, possibly involving receptors for this neurotransmitter or related substances.
Do Reductions in Class Size Crowd Out Parental Investment in Education

Abstract We use panel data from the kindergarten and 1st grade waves of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Class to investigate whether increases in schooling inputs in the form of smaller classes “crowd out” parental inputs. We estimate child fixed-effect and fixed-effect-instrumental-variable models to identify the causal effects of class size on three types of parental involvement—parent—child interactions, parent–school interaction, and parent-financed activities for children. Our results suggest that increases in class size are associated with a decrease in parent–child interaction, no change in parent–school interaction, but an increase in parent-financed activities. The magnitude of these effects is between 3% and 7% of a standard deviation. Controlling for parental involvement in test score regressions does not change the achievement effects of class size, suggesting that the benefits of class size reduction are unlikely to be neutralized by adjustments in parental inputs, at least during the first 2 years in school.
PSPACE Tableau Algorithms for Acyclic Modalized $\boldsymbol{\mathcal{ALC}}$

We study \(\mathcal{ALCK}_m\) and \(\mathcal{ALCS}4_m\), which extend the description logic \(\mathcal{ALC}\) by adding modal operators of the basic multi-modal logics Km and S4m. We develop a sound and complete tableau algorithm \(\Lambda_\mathcal{K}\) for answering \(\mathcal{ALCK}_m\) queries w.r.t. an \(\mathcal{ALCK}_m\) knowledge base with an acyclic TBox. Defining tableau expansion rules in the presence of acyclic definitions by considering only the concept names on the left-hand side of TBox definitions or their negations, allows us to give a PSPACE implementation for \(\Lambda_\mathcal{K}\). We then consider answering \(\mathcal{ALCS}4_m\) queries w.r.t. an \(\mathcal{ALCS}4_m\) knowledge base (with an acyclic TBox) in which the epistemic operators correspond to those of classical multi-modal logic S4m. The expansion rules in the tableau algorithm ΛS4 are designed to syntactically incorporate the epistemic properties. Blocking is corporated into the tableau expansion rules to ensure termination. We also provide a PSPACE implementation for ΛS4. In light of the fact that the satisfiability problem for \(\mathcal{ALCK}_m\) with general TBox and no epistemic properties (i.e., \(\mathbf{K}_{\mathcal{ALC}}\)) is NEXPTIME-complete, we conclude that both \(\mathcal{ALCK}_m\) and \(\mathcal{ALCS}4_m\) offer computationally manageable and practically useful fragments of \(\mathbf{K}_{\mathcal{ALC}}\).
Local government and the governance of metropolitan areas in Latin America

Two of the most important trends occurring in Latin America and the Caribbean during the past quarter century have been rapid urbanisation and government decentralisation. With approximately 75% of its 520 million inhabitants living in urban areas, the region has seen the emergence of such mega-cities as Buenos Aires, Lima, Mexico City and Sao Paulo. At the same time, the region, partly on its own and partly prodded by international organisations and donors, has been struggling with the issue of decentralising its historically highly centralised national governments and strengthening its traditionally very weak and highly dependent local governments. In this article, the authors examine local governance structures in several major urban areas of Latin America in order to understand how these two sometimes highly contradictory developments are impacting upon the governance of metropolitan areas and the resolution of the major problems facing them. Particular attention is paid to emerging cooperative arrangements that may in the future help to address significant metropolitan area issues. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence of a probable role for 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the regulation of human calcium metabolism

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] is the principal mediator of the biologic effects of vitamin D. We showed previously that obese white subjects have low serum vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) with increased serum-immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25-(OH)2D, low urinary calcium, and increased urinary cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) compared with nonobese white individuals. To determine whether 25-OHD modulates calcium metabolism, the effects of 25-OHD3, 40–100 μg/day for 9 days, were compared in seven obese and seven nonobese white subjects who were between the ages of 20 and 34 years. Each of them was hospitalized on a metabolic ward and given a constant daily diet that contained 400 mg calcium, 900 mg phosphate, and 18 mEq magnesium. Whereas 25-OHD3 increased mean serum 25-OHD from 7 ± 1 to 37 ± 5 ng/ml (P < 0.01) and urinary calcium from 102 ± 18 to 146 ± 17 mg/day (P < 0.001) and decreased mean serum 1,25-(OH)2D from 40 ± 2 to 28 ± 2 pg/ml (P < 0.01) and urinary cyclic AMP from 3.23 ± 0.57 to 2.00 ± 0.17 nM/dl GF (P < 0.05), it did not change mean serum calcium, ionized calcium, phosphate, magnesium, immunoreactive PTH or urinary phosphate, or creatinine clearance in the obese subjects. In contrast, 25-OHD3 increased mean serum 25-OHD from 16 ± 1 to 46 ± 4 pg/ml (P < 0.001) but did not alter mean serum 1,25-(OH)2D or urinary calcium or cyclic AMP in the nonobese subjects. Metabolic balance studies carried out in two of the obese subjects showed that 25-OHD3 increased serum 25-OHD and urinary calcium and lowered serum 1,25-(OH)2D. The findings are interpreted to mean that elevated serum 1,25-(OH)2D and urinary cyclic AMP and low urinary calcium in obese subjects result from a deficiency of vitamin D and 25-OHD, that these changes are reversed by 25-OHD3, and that in humans 25-OHD has a modest role in the regulation of calcium metabolism that is independent of the regulation by 1,25-(OH)2D.
Immune monitoring and biomarkers to predict chronic allograft dysfunction

Late failure of a kidney transplant continues to be a major problem after transplantation, in spite of more potent immunosuppressive strategies and the focus of clinical management shifting toward prolonging long-term graft survival. It is now recognized that graft failure occurs because of two major complications: death with a functioning graft and intrinsic allograft failure. Recent studies of late kidney graft loss have indicated a complexity of findings, including etiologies that are both immune and non-immune. These studies suggest that late graft failure is not an inevitable fact and that further investigation into the etiology of transplant graft failure may lead to a new understanding of the biology that will provide novel therapeutic strategies and biomarkers. In this review, we will focus on late allograft failure due to intrinsic injury to the transplant. The role of immune monitoring will be discussed in the context of monitoring for ongoing injury or for identifying late injury. A variety of methodologies have been used, including genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, not only for monitoring allograft injury but also for identifying markers of graft failure that are more sensitive than serum creatinine. The available studies, as they relate to late or chronic graft injury, will also be reviewed.
Dynamic models of shortest path routing algorithms for communication networks with multiple destinations

This paper provides analysis and computational results relating to the dynamic behavior of shortest path routing algorithms for store and forward communication networks. A companion paper [1] focuses on networks with a single destination. The present work considers networks with multiple destinations.
Automated quantification reveals hyperglycemia inhibits endothelial angiogenic function.

Objective Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has reached epidemic levels globally. A contributing factor to the development of DM is high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). One complication associated with DM is a decreased angiogenesis. The Matrigel tube formation assay (TFA) is the most widely utilized in vitro assay designed to assess angiogeneic factors and conditions. In spite of the widespread use of Matrigel TFAs, quantification is labor-intensive and subjective, often limiting experiential design and interpretation of results. This study describes the development and validation of an open source software tool for high throughput, morphometric analysis of TFA images and the validation of an in vitro hyperglycemic model of DM. Approach and Results Endothelial cells mimic angiogenesis when placed onto a Matrigel coated surface by forming tube-like structures. The goal of this study was to develop an open-source software algorithm requiring minimal user input (Pipeline v1.3) to automatically quantify tubular metrics from TFA images. Using Pipeline, the ability of endothelial cells to form tubes was assessed after culture in normal or high glucose for 1 or 2 weeks. A significant decrease in the total tube length and number of branch points was found when comparing groups treated with high glucose for 2 weeks versus normal glucose or 1 week of high glucose. Conclusions Using Pipeline, it was determined that hyperglycemia inhibits formation of endothelial tubes in vitro. Analysis using Pipeline was more accurate and significantly faster than manual analysis. The Pipeline algorithm was shown to have additional applications, such as detection of retinal vasculature.
Exocytosis in Rat Parotid Acini After in vitro Treatment with Forskolin is Accompanied by Cellular Redistribution of Regulatory Subunits of Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase

Incubation of rat parotid acinar tissue with 1 mumol/L forskolin resulted in progressive exocytosis which was virtually complete after a 30-minute incubation period. Cyclic AMP binding to protein kinase (cA-PK) regulatory (R) subunits, determined by photo-affinity labeling with [32P]-8-azido cyclic AMP, was found to increase in a time-dependent manner in the 10,000-g supernatant fraction of a broken cell preparation. An apparent redistribution of protein kinase R subunits took place in the 600-g supernatant after in vitro treatment of cells with forskolin. In control cells, RI and RII subunits and a 35-to-40-kdal fragment were present in approximately equal amounts throughout the incubation. Azido labeling of RII appeared either to increase or to remain unchanged, while that of RI decreased in the 600-g pellet. Only type I isozyme R subunits were found in the 600-g pellet in either the absence or presence of forskolin. These finding indicate that a temporal relationship exists between stimulated protein exocytosis and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activation. Forskolin stimulation of adenylate cyclase in salivary gland cells therefore provides a defined system for the study of cyclic AMP-mediated protein secretion.
Theoretical study of structural properties, infrared spectra, and energetic properties of C4H4 isomers

Abstract A high level of ab initio and several density functional theory studies were performed with the target being to elucidate structural, spectroscopic, and energetic properties of triafulvene, cyclobutadiene, and tetrahedrane as three C 4 H 4 isomers. For triafulvene all of the experimental values are available, but for cyclobutadiene only the IR spectra is known, while for tetrahedrane none of these physical values have been estimated experimentally. An excellent agreement between the computed and the experimental values were obtained where data are available, which makes it confident that the computed data should be very accurate. New structural data, IR spectra, and enthalpies of formation for both cyclobutadiene and tetrahedrane are offered.
An exchange economy can have an empty α-core

Yannelis has shown that under very mild conditions on preferences, a 2-agent exchange economy has a nonempty α-core [4, Corollary 4.2]. The purpose of the present paper is to demonstrate that an exchange economy with three or more agents can have an empty α-core. Hence, Yannelis' result would not extend to three or more agents. Examples are provided with and without free disposal, and all preferences are described by linear utility functions. These results are compared with those of Scarf [3], who proved the existence of an α-core solution for a large class ofn-person games. The comparison is carried out on two levels. First, since Scarf [3] and Yannelis [4] use different definitions for the α-core of an exchange economy, we compare these definitions. Second, the present results show that a natural extension of Scarf's theorem forn-person games fails if certain feasibility constraints are incorporated.
The Age Lipid A2E and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Synergistically Impair Phagocytosis by Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Accumulation of indigestible lipofuscin and decreased mitochondrial energy production are characteristic age-related changes of post-mitotic retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in the human eye. To test whether these two forms of age-related impairment have interdependent effects, we quantified the ATP-dependent phagocytic function of RPE cells loaded or not with the lipofuscin component A2E and inhibiting or not mitochondrial ATP synthesis either pharmacologically or genetically. We found that physiological levels of lysosomal A2E reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibited oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) of RPE cells. Furthermore, in media with physiological concentrations of glucose or pyruvate, A2E significantly inhibited phagocytosis. Antioxidants reversed these effects of A2E, suggesting that A2E damage is mediated by oxidative processes. Because mitochondrial mutations accumulate with aging, we generated novel genetic cellular models of RPE carrying mitochondrial DNA point mutations causing either moderate or severe mitochondrial dysfunction. Exploring these mutant RPE cells we found that, by itself, only the severe but not the moderate OXPHOS defect reduces phagocytosis. However, sub-toxic levels of lysosomal A2E are sufficient to reduce phagocytic activity of RPE with moderate OXPHOS defect and cause cell death of RPE with severe OXPHOS defect. Taken together, RPE cells rely on OXPHOS for phagocytosis when the carbon energy source is limited. Our results demonstrate that A2E accumulation exacerbates the effects of moderate mitochondrial dysfunction. They suggest that synergy of sub-toxic lysosomal and mitochondrial changes in RPE cells with age may cause RPE dysfunction that is known to contribute to human retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration.
Whither history? Encounters with historicism, postmodernism, postcolonialism

Abstract Postmodernist questioning of historians' claims to historical truth has created a sense of crisis in historical consciousness. The essay argues that the crisis is not a crisis in the writing of history, as most historians still continue with business as usual, but a crisis in the cultural meaning of history. While this crisis has been associated with the so-called “linguistic turn” which was to result in a paradigm shift in historiography in the 1970s, it has other important dimensions; including Third World questionings of EuroAmerican understandings of the past and, perhaps even more importantly, the intrusion into the representations of the past of the new media. The essay argues that new kinds of history that have appeared since the 1970s from women's history to the history of social movements to “microhistory” have themselves contributed to the complication of our understanding of the past, and what might be called postmodernity's histories. It suggests that historians have always assumed the tentativeness and contingency of claims to historical truth, and argues against a premature panic concerning the status of history. Constructivism is here to stay, but that does not necessarily point to the disappearance of history, only to more complicated ways of grasping the past.
An empirical study of short range communications for vehicles

This paper presents a detailed measurement study of short range communications between vehicles and between vehicles and roadside stations in a realistic highway scenario. We show the expected wireless communication characteristics in a driving environment and identify factors that significantly affect communication performance. We also illustrate the benefits of multi-hop communication in improving communication performance.
Thomas Martin: Dryolestidae (Dryolestoidea, Mammalia) aus dem oberen Jura von Portugal

(2001). Thomas Martin: Dryolestidae (Dryolestoidea, Mammalia) aus dem oberen Jura von Portugal. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology: Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 784-786.
School-wide PBIS: An Example of Applied Behavior Analysis Implemented at a Scale of Social Importance

School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an example of applied behavior analysis implemented at a scale of social importance. In this paper, PBIS is defined and the contributions of behavior analysis in shaping both the content and implementation of PBIS are reviewed. Specific lessons learned from implementation of PBIS over the past 20 years are summarized.
Circadian Periodicity of Intestinal Na+/Glucose Cotransporter 1 mRNA Levels Is Transcriptionally Regulated

Intestinal expression of the high affinity Na+/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), which absorbs dietary glucose and galactose, exhibits both circadian periodicity in its activity and induction by dietary carbohydrate. Because the daily variation in SGLT1 activity is established by the feeding schedule (whether ad libitum or imposed) and persists in the absence of food, this variation has been described as anticipatory. To delineate the mechanisms regulating SGLT1, its expression was examined in rats maintained in a 12-h photoperiod with free access to chow. SGLT1 mRNA levels varied significantly, with the maximum abundance occurring near the onset of dark and the minimum near the onset of light. The SGLT1 transcription rate was 7-fold higher in the morning (1000-1100 h) than in the afternoon (1600-1700 h). An element for hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF-1) was identified in the SGLT1 promoter that formed different complexes with small intestinal nuclear extracts, depending on the time when the source animal was killed. Serological tests indicated that HNF-1alpha was present in complexes throughout the day, while HNF-1beta binding exhibited circadian periodicity. We propose that exchange of HNF-1 dimerization partners contributes to circadian changes in SGLT1 transcription. Because SGLT1 mRNA levels also varied in rhesus monkeys (offset by approximately one-half day from rats), a similar mechanism appears to be present in primates.
Life events and brand preference changes

Three types of variable have been used to explain brand preference changes: consumer characteristics, marketing mix factors and situational influences. The study presented in this paper focuses on the relationship between life events experienced by individuals, resultant stress and lifestyle changes and changes in brand preferences. Based on theory and past research, a model is proposed and tested. The data support the notion that brand preference changes may be viewed as the outcome of adjustments to new life conditions and changes in consumption lifestyles that reflect consumer efforts to cope with stressful life changes. Implications for consumer research are also discussed. Copyright © 2003 Henry Stewart Publications.
Type IIIA1b right aortic arch: Angiographic and computed tomographic evalution

A case of type IIIA1b mirror-image right aortic arch is described and the complementary role of angiography and computed tomography suggested.
Keratophakia and Keratomileusis: Histopathologic, Ultrastructural, and Experimental Studies

Abstract We present ultrastructural findings in two cases, one of keratophakia (9 months postoperatively) and one of keratomileusis (1 year, 7 months postoperatively), which best demonstrate the pathologic changes we observed in six cases of cryorefractive surgery. In addition, we studied a rabbit model of keratophakia which appears to exhibit similar features to that of human keratophakia. In the keratomileusis cases, there were marked abnormalities, including deposition of redundant basal lamina, loss of Bowman's membrane and deposition of a 6 nm fibrillar material in areas devoid of Bowman's membrane. In keratophakia lenticule we noted the absence of keratocyte regeneration, abnormal deposition of long-spacing collagen, and the presence of necrotic cellular debris. In experimental keratophakia, little to no evidence of keratocyte regeneration was evident 4 months after surgery. Keratophakia lenticules implanted into actively regenerating corneas induced by freeze injury exhibit only a slight increase in the number of keratocytes migrating into the donor tissue, suggesting that implants lack a primary factor necessary for keratocyte regeneration. Immunofluorescent localization of fibronectin and fibrinogen demonstrated absence of these factors in normal host stroma, implanted lenticules and freeze injured corneal stroma. Actively migrating fibroblasts, however, did react positively for fibronectin, suggesting that these cells synthesize and secrete fibronectin during regeneration. These results do not support a role for soluble fibronectin or fibrinogen in keratocyte repopulation.
Effects of primary breakup modeling on spray and combustion characteristics of compression ignition engines

Abstract Injector flow dynamics and primary breakup processes are known to play a pivotal role in determining combustion and emissions in diesel engines. In the present study, we examine the effects of primary breakup modeling on the spray and combustion characteristics under diesel engine conditions. The commonly used KH model, which considers the aerodynamically induced breakup based on the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability, is modified to include the effects of cavitation and turbulence generated inside the injector. The KH model and the new (KH-ACT) model are extensively evaluated by performing 3-D time-dependent simulations with detailed chemistry under diesel engine conditions. Results indicate that the inclusion of cavitation and turbulence enhances primary breakup, leading to smaller droplet sizes, decrease in liquid penetration, and increase in the radial dispersion of spray. Predictions are compared with measurements for non-evaporating and evaporating sprays, as well as with flame measurements. While both the models are able to reproduce the experimentally observed global spray and combustion characteristics, predictions using the KH-ACT model exhibit closer agreement with measurements in terms of liquid penetration, cone angle, spray axial velocity, and liquid mass distribution for non-evaporating sprays. Similarly, the KH-ACT model leads to better agreement with respect to the liquid length and vapor penetration distance for evaporating sprays, and with respect to the flame lift-off location for combusting sprays. The improved agreement is attributed to the ability of the new model to account for the effects of turbulence and cavitation generated inside the injector, which enhance the primary breakup. Results further indicate that the combustion under diesel engine conditions is characterized by a double-flame structure with a rich premixed reaction zone near the flame stabilization region and a non-premixed reaction zone further downstream. This flame structure is consistent with the Dec’s model for diesel engine combustion (Dec, 1997) [1] , and well captured by a newly developed flame index based on the scalar product of CO and O2 mass fraction gradients.