cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parametric Recomuting in Alignment Graphs

DNA/protein sequence alignments in computational molecular biology depend heavily on the settings of penalties for substitutions, insertions/deletions and gaps. Inappropriate choice of parameters causes irrelevant matches (“noise”) to be reported, thus obscuring biologically relevant matches. In practice, biologists frequently compare sequences in a few iterations, starting from a vague idea about appropriate parameters, then refining parameters to reduce noise. This procedure often helps to delineate biologically interesting similarities and to substantially reduce laborious analysis. This paper provides a computational underpinning for such iterative noise filtration in alignment graphs. Our main results assume that a preliminary “noisy” alignment, computed with reasonable but ad hoc parameters, is given; the problem is to modify the parameters to reduce noise. We present fast algorithms to refine penalty parameters and describe an application of these algorithms.
Maintenance, Cultivation, and Excystation of Echinostomes

The need for a consistent and reliable source of material is important for continued research on parasitic helminths. Often, only a particular stage in the life cycle of a helminth is available and workers have exploited use of that stage. For instance, Halton and colleagues (see Smyth and Halton, 1983 for review) have examined various aspects of the biology of the monogenean Diclidophora merlangi, by obtaining these parasites from the gills of naturally infected adult whitings, Merlanguis merlanguis. My laboratory has relied on obtaining Echinostoma trivolvis cercariae from naturally infected Helisoma trivolvis snails in a farm pond in Northampton County, PA for continuing studies on the biology of echinostomes (Schmidt and Fried, 1997).
Leveraging Smartphone Advances for Continuous Location Privacy

Location privacy preservation algorithms for nearby points-of-interest (POI) search have evolved in the recent years. However, a majority of the proposals assume that points of interests are ranked only by distance, and demand extensive architectural changes. As a result, a significant gap remains between academic proposals and the industry standard of implementing location based services. Recent advances in mobile device capabilities, more specifically in their computational power and energy efficiency, have opened the possibility of engaging the client hardware more actively in the execution of a privacy algorithm, thereby relaxing strong dependencies on trusted third parties or the service provider. With this motivation, we propose a novel privacy algorithm for use in POI search that achieves much of the desired location privacy by restricting the usage of precise location data to the client device.
Histologic inflammation is a risk factor for progression to colorectal neoplasia in ulcerative colitis: a cohort study.

Background & Aims: Although inflammation is presumed to contribute to colonic neoplasia in ulcerative colitis (UC), few studies have directly examined this relationship. Our aim was to determine whether severity of microscopic inflammation over time is an independent risk factor for neoplastic progression in UC. Methods: A cohort of patients with UC undergoing regular endoscopic surveillance for dysplasia was studied. Degree of inflammation at each biopsy site had been graded as part of routine clinical care using a highly reproducible histologic activity index. Progression to neoplasia was analyzed in proportional hazards models with inflammation summarized in 3 different ways and each included as a time-changing covariate: (1) mean inflammatory score (IS-mean), (2) binary inflammatory score (IS-bin), and (3) maximum inflammatory score (IS-max). Potential confounders were analyzed in univariate testing and, when significant, in a multivariable model. Results: Of 418 patients who met inclusion criteria, 15 progressed to advanced neoplasia (high-grade dysplasia or colorectal cancer), and 65 progressed to any neoplasia (low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, or colorectal cancer). Univariate analysis demonstrated significant relationships between histologic inflammation over time and progression to advanced neoplasia (hazard ration (HR), 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4–6.3 for IS-mean; HR, 3.4; 95% CI: 1.1–10.4 for IS-bin; and HR, 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2–4.2 for IS-max). This association was maintained in multivariable proportional hazards analysis. Conclusions: The severity of microscopic inflammation over time is an independent risk factor for developing advanced colorectal neoplasia among patients with long-standing UC.
Caspase and calpain activation both contribute to sepsis-induced diaphragmatic weakness

The cecal ligation perforation (CLP) model of sepsis is known to induce severe diaphragm dysfunction, but the cellular mechanisms by which this occurs remain unknown. We hypothesized that CLP induces diaphragm caspase-3 and calpain activation, and that these two enzymes act at the level of the contractile proteins to reduce muscle force generation. Rats (n = 4/group) were subjected to 1) sham surgery plus saline (intraperitoneal); 2) CLP; 3) CLP plus administration of calpain inhibitor peptide III (12 mg/kg ip); or 4) CLP plus administration of a caspase inhibitor, zVAD-fmk (3 mg/kg). At 24 h, diaphragms were removed, and the following were determined: 1) calpain and caspase-3 activities by fluorogenic assay; 2) caspase-3 and calpain I protein levels; 3) the intact diaphragm force-frequency relationship; and 4) the force generated by contractile proteins of single, permeabilized diaphragm fibers in response to exogenous calcium. CLP significantly increased diaphragm calpain activity (P < 0.02), caspase-3 activity (P < 0.02), active calpain I protein levels (P < 0.02), and active caspase-3 protein (P < 0.02). CLP also reduced the force generated by intact diaphragm muscle (P < 0.001) and the force generated by single-fiber contractile proteins (P < 0.001). Administration of either calpain inhibitor III or zVAD-fmk markedly improved force generation of both intact diaphragm muscle (P < 0.01) and single-fiber contractile proteins (P < 0.001). CLP induces significant reductions in diaphragm contractile protein force-generating capacity. This force reduction is mediated by the combined effects of activated caspase and calpain. Inhibition of these pathways may prevent diaphragm weakness in infected patients.
Differential patterns of performance impairment result from changed reinforcer efficacy or distracting stimulation in a two-choice rodent spatial signal detection task.

Measures of the discriminabililty of stimuli in signal detection tasks can be influenced by alterations of motivational state. In the present study, rats performed an operant signal detection procedure that required the completion of a fixed number of responses before a stimulus was presented at one of two front cue lamps to separately measure the motivation to respond from the ability to respond accurately. One manipulation, presession water access, affected the speed and frequency that trials were initiated, but did not affect response accuracy. In contrast, a flashing houselight during the session, and i.p. ((5R,10S)-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d,] cyclohepten-5,10-imine (dizocilpine or MK-801), a glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, impaired response accuracy in a stimulus duration-dependent manner. These results suggest that it is possible to procedurally isolate the motivation to respond to stimuli from accuracy of detection, and thereby protect attending from side effects of drugs that influence the motivation to respond.
Five Years of Stereo Magnetospheric Imaging by TWINS

Two Wide-angle Imaging Neutral-atom Spectrometers (TWINS) is the first stereoscopic magnetospheric imager. TWINS is a NASA Explorer Mission of Opportunity performing simultaneous energetic neutral atom (ENA) imaging from two widely-separated Molniya orbits on two different spacecraft, and providing nearly continuous coverage of magnetospheric ENA emissions. The ENA imagers observe energetic neutrals produced from global ion populations, over a broad energy range (1–100 keV/u) with high angular (4∘×4∘) and time (about 1-minute) resolution. TWINS distinguishes hydrogen ENAs from oxygen ENAs. Each TWINS spacecraft also carries a Lyman-α geocoronal imager to monitor the cold exospheric hydrogen atoms that produce ENAs from ions via charge exchange. Complementing the imagers are detectors that measure the local charged particle environment around the spacecraft. During its first five years of science operations, TWINS has discovered new global properties of geospace plasmas and neutrals, fostered understanding of causal relationships, confirmed theories and predictions based on in situ data, and yielded key insights needed to improve geospace models. Analysis and modeling of TWINS data have: (1) obtained continuous (main phase through recovery) global ion spectra, (2) revealed a previously unknown local-time dependence of global pitch angle, (3) developed quantitative determination of ion fluxes from low altitude ENAs (4) determined dynamic connections between local pitch angle and global ion precipitation, (5) confirmed local-time dependence of precipitating ion temperature, (6) imaged global dynamic heating of the magnetosphere, (7) explained why the oxygen ring current survives longer into recovery than hydrogen, and (8) revealed new global exospheric density features and their influence upon ring current decay rates. Over the next several years of the solar cycle, TWINS observations of three-dimensional (3D) global ion dynamics, composition, origins and destinies are crucial to capture the system-level view of geospace over the full range of geomagnetic and solar activity conditions.
Radiative μ-capture on protons and 3He

Abstract We present calculations of the process μ−P→ νnγ for coincidence measurements of both n and γ, aimed at an improved experimental estimate of the induced pseudoscalar weak coupling (gp). The elementary particle approach used is then applied to calculations of μ−3He→ ν3Hγ. This latter work includes a discussion on how to relate intermediate-state nuclear excitations to other observable processes, so as to again permit extraction of information regarding gp. Also we discuss experimentally feasible measurements briefly for the 3He case.
Strategy for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia based on folate receptor β-targeted liposomal doxorubicin combined with receptor induction using all-trans retinoic acid

Up-regulation of folate receptor (FR) type-beta in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and its restricted normal tissue distribution makes it a potential target for therapeutic intervention. The FR-beta in peripheral blood granulocytes was unable to bind folate and appeared to have a variant GPI membrane anchor, evident from its insensitivity to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C but not nitrous acid. Granulocyte FR-beta lacked mutations, and neither deglycosylation nor detergent solubilization restored folate binding. The posttranslational modification causing its nonfunctionality was evidently absent in FR-beta from AML cells from patient marrow, which bound folate. From flow cytometric analysis of 78 AML bone marrow specimens of different subtypes, 68% expressed FR-beta, most of which were also CD34+. In model cell lines that are FR - (KG-1a, L1210, and Chinese hamster ovary [CHO]) or FR + (KG-1, L1210 JF, and recombinant CHO-FR-beta), selective FR-mediated binding and cytotoxicity was obtained using folate-coated liposomes encapsulating fluorescent calcein (f-L-calcein) and doxorubicin (f-L-DOX), respectively, which could be blocked by 1 mM free folic acid. In the FR-beta-expressing KG-1 human AML cells, treatment with ATRA further increased this specificity. In mouse ascites leukemia models generated using L1210JF or KG-1 cells, increased median survival times were obtained with f-L-DOX treatment compared to nontargeted L-DOX. In the KG-1 model, ATRA treatment increased the cure rate with f-L-DOX from 10% to 60%. The above combined data from our 2 laboratories further support the feasibility and potential usefulness of selective ATRA-facilitated liposomal drug delivery in FR-beta + AMLs.
Proposed modifications of the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) for interpreting plant analyses

Abstract The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) is a unique method of interpreting plant analyses. DRIS includes a number of assumptions which distinguish it from “critical concentration”; approaches, the most important being that ratios of nutrient element concentrations are often better indicators of nutrient deficiency than are simple nutrient element concentrations. Though several workers have shown that DRIS often produces more accurate diagnoses of nutrient element deficiency than conventional approaches, the complexity of the DRIS methodology has discouraged its use. This paper offers three modifications of the DRIS methodology which can simplify its use and interpretation. These include simplified calculation of intermediate functions, modified parameter selection, and modified criteria for predicting response to additional fertilizer.
Jet Spreading Increase by Passive Control and Associated Performance Penalty

This paper reviews the effects of 'screech', 'asymmetric nozzle shaping', 'tabs' and 'overexpansion' on the spreading of free jets. Corresponding thrust penalty for the tabs and overexpanded condition are also evaluated. The asymmetric shapes include rectangular ones with varying aspect ratio. Tabs investigated are triangular shaped 'delta-tabs' placed at the exit of a convergent circular nozzle. The effect of overexpansion is examined with circular convergent-divergent (C-D) nozzles. Tabs and overexpansion are found to yield the largest increase in jet spreading. Each, however, involves a performance penalty, i.e., a loss in thrust coefficient. Variation of the size of four delta-tabs show that there exists an optimum size for which the gain in jet spreading is the maximum per unit loss in thrust coefficient. With the C-D nozzles, the minimum in thrust coefficient is expected near the beginning of the overexpanded regime based on idealized flow calculations. The maximum increase in jet spreading, however, is found to occur at higher pressure ratios well into the overexpanded regime. The optimum benefit with the overexpanded flow, in terms of gain in spreading for unit penalty, is found to be comparable to the optimum tab case.
Updates on uterine papillary serous carcinoma

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) is a biologically aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer. Although much less common than its endometrioid carcinoma counterpart, UPSC accounts for a disproportionate number of endometrial cancer-related recurrences and subsequent deaths. Women most often present with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. In women diagnosed with metastatic disease, ascites, omental implants or a pelvic mass may be present. Local and distant recurrences occur frequently, with extrapelvic relapses being observed most commonly. Although few prospective trials exist, several retrospective series have demonstrated that optimal cytoreduction and adjuvant platinum/taxane-based chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy appears to improve survival. In addition, another approach to the management of UPSC may lie in targeted therapy. This article reviews the recent literature concerning the epidemiology, molecular pathogenesis and management of UPSC.
Phylogenetic patterns of skeletal morphometrics and pelvic traits in relation to locomotor mode in frogs

Frogs are one of the most speciose groups of vertebrate tetrapods (> 6200sp) with a diverse array of locomotor behaviours. Despite the impressive diversity in frog locomotor behaviours, there remains a paucity of information on the relationship between skeletal variation and locomotor mode in frogs and the evolutionary patterns in which these relationships are framed across the frog phylogeny. Our current understanding of the evolution of frog locomotion shows that hopping transitioned into jumping within the Neobatrachia where a variety of pelvic/hindlimb length patterns and locomotor niches have appeared, but this has yet to be studied over a broad taxonomic sample of frogs. Although limb length remains as the primary predictor of leaping performance, pelvic and sacral morphometrics have not been quantified in relation to limb proportions, body size and locomotor mode and previous studies have not sampled more than 24 families. We present a large-scale phylogenetic comparison of skeletal morphometrics in relation to locomotor mode in 188 genera from 37 families. Osteological variation in limb/pelvic girdle morphometrics and pelvic traits that are posited to be associated with locomotor mode were analysed to identify which aspects of the frog skeleton are the best descriptors of locomotor mode. Our results, contrary to previous work, reveal that the greatest axis of variation in frogs is represented by the shape of the sacrum with two pelvic morphologies evident in qualitative and quantitative ancestral trait reconstructions. Limb morphology was not significantly different across most locomotor modes, but we identified several outliers in hindlimb phylomorphospace. Patterns of sacral evolution together with hindlimb length outliers reveal how the general bauplan of this successful group of vertebrate tetrapods is constrained, has radiated and has converged on certain phenotypes to fill an array of locomotor modes.
Regulation of the anorectic drug recognition site during glucoprivic feeding.

The acute effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)-induced glucoprivic feeding on the anorectic drug recognition site and Na+K(+)-ATPase in the brain were examined in adult rats and in lean and genetically obese mice. The marked hyperglycemia and the induction of feeding caused by the administration of 2-DG to satiated rats and lean mice were associated with significant increases in Na+K(+)-ATPase activity, and in [3H]ouabain binding and [3H]mazindol binding to the anorectic drug recognition site in hypothalamic membranes. Basal and 2-DG-stimulated levels of blood glucose were significantly correlated to the levels of hypothalamic [3H]ouabain (r = + .91, p less than 0.01) and [3H]mazindol (r = + .87, p less than 0.01) binding. A significant correlation (r = .74, p less than 0.05) was also observed between [3H]mazindol binding and [3H]ouabain binding supporting the hypothesis that these hypothalamic binding sites are functionally coupled in their response to circulating glucose. Following the intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of the diabetogenic drug alloxan, 2-DG did not stimulate feeding or increase [3H]mazindol and [3H]ouabain binding sites in the hypothalamic paraventricular area. Since 2-DG still caused hyperglycemia in alloxan-treated rats, alloxan-induced inactivation of glucoreceptor mechanisms led to an uncoupling of the anorectic drug recognition site from a hypothalamic glucostat. In genetically obese mice (ob/ob), 2-DG also could not induce feeding or increase hypothalamic [3H]ouabain or [3H]mazindol binding, despite a significant hyperglycemic response. In contrast, 2-DG did increase feeding and the binding of [3H]ouabain and [3H]mazindol to the hypothalamus of lean littermates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Probe effects on micellar size

Abstract The effect of several probes on the average hydrodynamic radius of micelles, as measured by photon correlation spectroscopy, is reported for several detergent-salt solutions. The micelles of myristyltrimethylammonium bromide, which grow in the presence of electrolyte, show further growth upon addition of pyrene and 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) but shrink upon addition of hexane. In the detergent-salt concentration regime, where minimum sphere values ( R ⋍ 23 A ) are observed, hexane does not perturb the apparent size up to its solubility limit. Probe effects on micellar size are also reported for cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and sodium dodecyl sulfate at high counterion concentrations.
Infrared spectroscopy at high pressure: Interaction of CO with oxidized Rh/Al2O3

Infrared spectroscopy was used to study the interaction of CO with preoxidized Rh/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalyst films in a high-pressure cell reactor. An infrared band near 2,125 cm{sup {minus}1}, which had previously been assigned to a Rh{sup 2+}CO species and to one band component of an asymmetric Rh(CO){sub 3} species by two different laboratories, is now assigned to Rh{sup 2+}CO. This work demonstrates that gas-phase contributions from infrared-active species with high extinction coefficients can be eliminated from surface contributions, even at high pressures of the gas.
The anatomy of a loop: a story of scope and control

Writing loops with tail-recursive function calls is the equivalent of writing them with goto's. Given that loop packages for Lisp-family languages have been around for over 20 years, it is striking that none have had much success in the Scheme world. I suggest the reason is that Scheme forces us to be precise about the scoping of the various variables introduced by our loop forms, something previous attempts to design ambitious loop forms have not managed to do.I present the design of a loop package for Scheme with a well-defined and natural scoping rule, based on a notion of control dominance that generalizes the standard lexical-scope rule of the λ-calculus. The new construct is powerful, clear, modular and extensible.The loop language is defined in terms of an underlying language for expressing control-flow graphs. This language itself has interesting properties as an intermediate representation.
Racial Differences in the Association of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration With Coronary Heart Disease Events

Importance Low circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) have been consistently associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in white populations. This association has not been rigorously evaluated in other races or ethnicities, in which the distributions of 25(OH)D concentration and possibly other aspects of 25(OH)D metabolism differ. Objective To examine the association of serum 25(OH)D concentration with risk of CHD in a multiethnic population. Design, Setting, and Participants We studied 6436 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), recruited from July 2000 through September 2002, who were free of known cardiovascular disease at baseline. We measured baseline serum 25(OH)D concentrations using a mass spectrometry assay calibrated to established standards. We tested associations of 25(OH)D with adjudicated CHD events assessed through May 2012. Main Outcome and Measures Primary outcome measure was time to first adjudicated CHD event, defined as myocardial infarction, angina, cardiac arrest, or CHD death. Results During a median follow-up of 8.5 years, 361 participants had an incident CHD event (7.38 events per 1000 person-years). Associations of 25(OH)D with CHD differed by race/ethnicity ( P for interaction Conclusions and Relevance Lower serum 25(OH)D concentration was associated with an increased risk of incident CHD events among participants who were white or Chinese but not black or Hispanic. Results evaluating 25(OH)D in ethnically homogeneous populations may not be broadly generalizable to other racial or ethnic groups.
"Let"-ing go with clonal expansion?

In this issue of Blood , Ikeda et al report the effects of the high mobility group A2 (Δ hmga2 ) lacking the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) in hematopoietic tissues. 1 Overexpression of Δ hmga2 in transgenic mice resulted in “big mice with big blood”: the mice weighed more and had a myeloproliferative phenotype with increases in peripheral blood counts, splenomegaly, a hypercellular bone marrow and erythropoietin-independent erythroid colony formation.
Corresponding residue systems in normal extensions

Abstract Let K and K′ be number fields with L = K · K′ and F = K φ K′. Suppose that K F and K′ F are normal extensions of degree n. Let B be a prime ideal in L and suppose that B is totally ramified in K F and in K′ F . Let π be a prime element for B K = B φ K, and let f(x) ∈ F[x] be the minimum polynomial for π over F. Suppose that B K · D L = ( B ≠)e. Then, M(B# : K, K′) = min {m, e(t + 1)} , where t = min {t( K F ), t( K′ F )} and m is the largest integer such that ( B K′)nm/e φ f( D K′) ≠ {φ}. If we assume in addition to the above hypotheses that [K : F] = [K′: F] = pn, a prime power, and that B divides p and is totally ramified in L F , then M(B# : K, K′) ⩾ p n−1 [(p − 1)(t + p] , with t = t( B : L/F).
High-surface-area catalyst design: Synthesis, characterization, and reaction studies of platinum nanoparticles in mesoporous SBA-15 silica

Platinum nanoparticles in the size range of 1.7-7.1 nm were produced by alcohol reduction methods. A polymer (poly(vinylpyrrolidone), PVP) was used to stabilize the particles by capping them in aqueous solution. The particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM investigations demonstrate that the particles have a narrow size distribution. Mesoporous SBA-15 silica with 9-nm pores was synthesized by a hydrothermal process and used as a catalyst support. After incorporation into mesoporous SBA-15 silica using low-power sonication, the catalysts were calcined to remove the stabilizing polymer from the nanoparticle surface and reduced by H2. Pt particle sizes determined from selective gas adsorption measurements are larger than those determined by bulk techniques such as XRD and TEM. Roomtemperature ethylene hydrogenation was chosen as a model reaction to probe the activity of the Pt/SBA-15 materials. The reaction was shown to be structure insensitive over a series of Pt/SBA-15 materials with particle sizes between 1.7 and 3.6 nm. The hydrogenolysis of ethane on Pt particles from 1.7 to 7.1 nm was weakly structure sensitive with smaller particles demonstrating higher specific activity. Turnover rates for ethane hydrogenolysis increased monotonically with increasing metal dispersion, suggesting that coordinatively unsaturated metal atoms present in small particles are more active for C 2H6 hydrogenolysis than the low index planes that dominate in large particles. An explanation for the structure sensitivity is suggested, and the potential applications of these novel supported nanocatalysts for further studies of structure -activity and structure-selectivity relationships are discussed.
Relationships between beliefs about medications and adherence.

Purpose. The relationships between beliefs about medications, health literacy, and self-reported medication adherence are examined. Methods. Patients from an inner-city hospital pharmacy completed an in-person, interviewer-assisted questionnaire that included the Morisky 8-item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), the Beliefs About Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ), and the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of self-reported medication adherence as determined by the MMAS-8. Variables included in the model were summary scores from the BMQ, REALM, and patient or regimen characteristics that were significantly associated with the MMAS-8. Results. A majority of the 275 study participants were African-American (86.2%), were women (73.1%), and could read at less than a high school reading level (59.7%). The average age was 53.9 years. Approximately half of the patients (52.7%) reported low medication adherence (MMAS-8 score of >2). Multivariate analyses indicated several factors were associated with low self-reported adherence, including negative beliefs about medications, younger age, low medication self-efficacy, and hyperlipidemia. Health literacy was not independently associated with beliefs or adherence. Conclusion. Patients who had negative beliefs about medications, who were <65 years of age, or who had low medication self-efficacy reported low medication adherence.
The Effects of the Timing of Ethanol Exposure during the Brain Growth Spurt on the Number of Cerebellar Purkinje and Granule Cell Nuclear Profiles

Ethanol exposure during development is particularly deleterious to cerebellar Purkinje cells and granule cells, but the mechanism(s) underlying this sensitivity and the variables which affect it remain unknown. One important variable that has not been fully investigated, is the timing of the ethanol exposure. Ethanol exposure during the brain growth spurt causes a differential loss of Purkinje cells across the 10 lobules of the vermal cerebellum. However, whether or not changing the timing of the ethanol exposure during the brain growth spurt alters the extent and location of the loss of Purkinje cells within the cerebellar vermis has not been investigated. Moreover, the loss of cerebellar granule cells has been shown to parallel the loss of Purkinje cells, leading to the conclusion that the loss of granule cells occurred as a function of the loss of their targets, the Purkinje cells. The purpose of this study was to address both issues. Male rat pups were exposed to ethanol, via an artificial-rearing method, during one of the following 2-day time periods: postnatal days (PD) 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10, or 12-13. Gastrostomy control (GC) and suckle control (SC) groups also were included. All pups were sacrificed on PD21. The number of Purkinje cell nuclear profiles from three vermal sections were counted in all groups, while the number of granule cell nuclear profiles in the ten lobules was estimated from pups in selected groups. No loss of Purkinje cells was observed in pups exposed to ethanol on PD7-8 or at any of the later exposure times. Additionally, among the three exposure groups in which significant Purkinje cell loss was observed (PD4-5, PD5-6 and PD6-7), seven lobules exhibited significant differences particularly between the PD4-5 and PD6-7 groups. The group with the greatest loss of Purkinje cells (PD4-5) also was the group with the greatest loss of granule cells. A significant loss of granule cells did not occur without a corresponding loss of Purkinje cells. The loss of both the Purkinje and granule cells was affected by the timing of the ethanol exposure, and that the extent and the location of Purkinje cell loss were extremely sensitive to the effects of the timing of the ethanol exposure.
The effect of [Phe1ψ(CH2-NH)Gly2]-nociceptin(1-13)NH2 on feeding and c-Fos immunoreactivity in selected brain sites

Abstract Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is an endogenous ligand of the ORL1 receptor. N/OFQ, when administered centrally, stimulates feeding in a fashion similar to other opioids. Intracerebroventricular administration of N/OFQ induces changes in c-Fos immunoreactivity in several feeding-related brain sites. A synthetic pseudopeptide, [Phe1ι(CH2-NH)Gly2]-nociceptin(1-13)-NH2 (hereafter: [FG]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2), has been labeled both as an ORL1 agonist and antagonist. The present study was designed to examine the influence of [FG]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2 on food intake in rats. We also evaluated c-Fos immunoreactivity in those areas of the brain which have been shown to exhibit altered c-Fos expression upon N/OFQ administration. We found that [FG]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2 increases food consumption in satiated rats. This effect is short-lasting and can be reversed by the opioid antagonist naloxone. Co-administration of [FG]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2 does not affect orexigenic response to N/OFQ. Intracerebroventricularly-injected [FG]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2 induces c-Fos expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract, hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei, central nucleus of amygdala, lateral septal and lateral habenular nuclei–brain areas that have been shown to be activated by N/OFQ. These results support the hypothesis that [FG]N/OFQ(1-13)NH2 acts as an agonist of ORL1 receptor in vivo.
Efficacy of Foliar Applications of Particle Films and Genotype for Managing Thrips, Diseases, and Aflatoxin in Peanut

The kaolin-based particle film Surround has been shown to suppress various insect pests and foliar diseases while reducing canopy temperature and improving water use efficiency in certain agricultural production systems. The usefulness of Surround was examined against important production constraints in peanut, including tomato spotted wilt, leaf spots, and aflatoxin contamination. Field experiments were conducted during 2001 using multi-varietal trials with or without spray treatment of Surround (75 lbs/acre) + NuFilm-17 (8 oz/acre). The effects of Surround application were evaluated for control of thrips and tomato spotted wilt on genotypes Georgia Green, C11-2-39, C34-24, and Sunoleic 97R; for control of leaf spots on AgraTech 201, GK 7 High Oleic, and C-99R; and for control of aflatoxin contamination on Aspergillus-inoculated plots of genotypes Georgia Green, AgraTech 201, and GK 7 High Oleic. In these experiments, Surround applications had little or no effect on thrips populations, tomato spotted wilt severity and incidence, leaf spot severity, drought stress, aflatoxin contamination, chlorophyll content, specific leaf area, and pod yield. In all experiments, host genotype effects were more effective in reducing disease and increasing yield than was Surround protection. Although foliar applications of particle films may be useful for producing certain vegetables and fruits, its benefits for addressing peanut production constraints are limited.
Realization of FDDI optical bypass switches using surface micromachining technology

We report a novel fiber data distribution interface (FDDI) optical bypass switch using the surface-micromachining technology. In this design, all of the switches' components are made of polysilicon films and are monolithically patterned. The switch consists of four multimode optical fibers and a two-sided mirror sitting vertically on the top of a sliding plate which can be driven by an integrated micro-actuator. The gap between two in-line fibers are minimized to reduce insertion loss without using any lense. The total insertion loss of the switch has been measured to be 2.8 dB for the CROSS state and 3.1 dB for the BAR state with a LED source operates at 1.3 micrometers wavelegnth. The cross-talk between two states is measured to be 26.1 dB. The insertion loss and cross-talk can be improved further using different designs. Using this approach, the size, weight, and cost of current FDDI bypass switches can be dramatically reduced. Furthermore, the micromachined FDDI bypass switches are potentially integrable with the optical sources/detectors and controlling electronics.
Designing an on-demand multimedia service

A quantitative study of techniques for designing a high-performance multiuser multimedia on-demand information service is presented. The problem of maintaining continuity of playback of each media stream in the presence of multiple subscriber requests is formulated, and admission control algorithms that permit a multimedia server to satisfy the maximum number of subscribers simultaneously are presented. A feedback technique in which a multimedia service uses lightweight messages called feedback units that are transmitted back to it by subscribers' mediaphones to detect asynchrony among them and steer them back to synchrony thereafter is presented. The feedback technique guarantees synchronous playback of media streams transmitted by the multimedia server to subscribers over metropolitan-area networks. >
Beam characterization of a new continuous wave radio frequency quadrupole accelerator

Abstract A new Continuous Wave (CW) Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) for the ATLAS (Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System) Intensity Upgrade was developed, built and tested at Argonne National Laboratory. We present here a characterization of the RFQ output beam in the longitudinal phase space, as well as a measurement of the transverse beam halo. Measurement results are compared to simulations performed using the beam dynamics code TRACK.
SCALED QUANTUM MECHANICAL STUDY OF VIBRATIONAL FORCE FIELD FOR P-DIFLUOROBENZENE AND P-FLUOROTOLUENE

The ground-state geometries, scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) quadratic force field, and infrared and Raman intensities of p-difluorobenzene and p-fluorotoluene have been determined from density functional theory, using the B3-LYP hybrid functional and the 6-31G* basis set. Based on these calculations, one b2u mode of p-difluorobenzene is reassigned. Possible reassignments of a few other, less certain, experimental bands are proposed. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 72: 249–260, 1999
Effect of Grinding Parameters on Surface Finish of Ground Ceramics

Abstract Experimental research has been conducted into the effect of grinding parameters on surface finish of ground hot pressed silicon nitride. Wheel grit size and machine parameters of wheel depth of cut and workspeed in surface grinding have been investigated. The relationships between surface finish and the grinding parameters of grit size, grit depth of cut, surface scallop height, chip cross-sectional area, and theoretical cutting edge spacing are explored. Two unique relationships appear to exist between surface finish and chip cross-sectional area; one below chip cross-sectional area of 0.1 μm2 and another above this value. The relationship between surface finish and theoretical cutting edge spacing shows the best fit for all test data.
Microelectronic Systems Education in the Global Economy Era

Currently, fewer ASIC designers are needed as before and the creation of intellectual property (IP) blocks is being performed in developing countries like India. As a result of this shift in design practices, a microelectronic design methodology that: (1) de-emphasize our traditional ASIC design and fab courses, and (2) concentrates on system integration of IP blocks for programmable SoCs such as XILINX VirtexII-Pro becomes an attractive alternative to more traditional ASIC style experiences. Both the University of New Hampshire and the University of Tennessee are restructuring our own curricula to respond to these challenges. We do not plan to eliminate entirely our custom VLSI courses which deal with physical level issues such as signal integrity, design for testability and design for manufacturability. However, we recognize that the number of ASIC design starts is continuing to go down while the number of FPGA designs is increasing. At the same time, we realize that globalization of engineering design means that many of the IP blocks needed for applications will be designed overseas, not in the USA. On the bright side, we believe that US designers will still be needed but will focus more on customizing FPGA platforms to the needs of local customers. Thus, we need to emphasize our FPGA-based courses even more than in the past and concentrate on providing students with team projects that sharpen their skills in developing specifications, integrating IP blocks and filling in new ones where needed, and in verification using both simulation and FPGA-based prototype boards. Because of collaboration, learning management tools, non-technical and technical components become equally important. Both centralized and global educational models are presented and collaboration scenarios proposed for consideration and discussion.
Fine-Needle Aspiration in the Evaluation of Thyroid Neoplasms.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a safe, rapid, and accurate diagnostic tool. Although it continues to gain acceptance, the pace is slow. Probably, if more pathologists master the basics (i.e., learn how to obtain a good sample), this simple technique could be utilized to its fullest advantage. If the sample is not adequate or representative of the lesion, the diagnosis will not be correct. Based on personal experience, we believe that suction should be minimal when obtaining thyroid aspirates. Cytologic diagnostic criteria for the most common neoplasm of the thyroid gland are provided.
On Human Kinds and Role Models: A Critical Discussion about the African American Male Teacher

This article explores the theoretical implications around positioning the Black male teacher as the central agent of social change for Black male students. In addressing such concerns, my intention is not to discourage efforts to recruit and retain more African American men as teachers, but to trouble the commonsense assumptions embedded in such efforts. To achieve these goals, I draw from philosopher Ian Hacking's (1995) notion of “human kinds” to historicize the context in which Black male teachers emerged as possible role models for Black male students. To further illustrate this point, I draw data from interviews I conducted in a qualitative study. The Black male teachers cited in the interview section of this article provide a revised theorization of the dominant discourse about their practice. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of this work for ongoing concerns about the recruitment and retention of Black male teachers.
Money, politics, and the regulation of public accounting services: Evidence from the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002

Abstract Because public accounting is a regulated practice, the profession actively manages its relationship with the state. While prior studies have analyzed the profession’s efforts to shape its regulatory environment, few studies have examined the profession’s pointed attempts to influence a specific regulatory policy that affects the practice of auditing in the United States. Drawing on extant theories of regulation and political economy, this study investigates the rationality and effectiveness of political action committee (PAC) contributions paid to members of the US Congress by the US public accounting profession during the policy formulation period of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002. Based on the results of empirical tests, we conclude that the US profession strategically manages its relationship with the federal government, in part, through direct involvement in the financing of political campaigns. Furthermore, the profession’s pattern of contributions implies an ideologically conservative as well as a professional regulatory motivation for providing financial support to federal legislators. Thus, although the US profession continues to proclaim the primacy of its public interest orientation, it does not appear to be politically neutral when attempting to influence public policy.
Future lab-on-a-chip technologies for interrogating individual molecules

Advances in technology have allowed chemical sampling with high spatial resolution and the manipulation and measurement of individual molecules. Adaptation of these approaches to lab-on-a-chip formats is providing a new class of research tools for the investigation of biochemistry and life processes.
"But, I don't take steps": Examining the Inaccessibility of Fitness Trackers for Wheelchair Athletes

Wearable fitness devices have demonstrated the capacity to improve overall physical activity, which can lead to physical and mental health improvements as well as quality of life gains. Although wheelchair athletes who participate in adaptive sports are interested in using wearable fitness trackers to capture their activity, we have observed low adoption of wearable fitness trackers among wheelchair athletes. We interviewed five wheelchair athletes and three physical and occupational therapists to explore fitness activities, experience with wearable technology, and potential uses for wearable fitness devices. None of the wheelchair athletes we interviewed had previously used any wearable fitness devices, however four out of five were interested in tracking their physical activity. We present five thematic areas helpful for thinking about wearable computing systems and accessibility challenges that arise based on incorrect assumptions about the athletic community. We highlight opportunities for improving the impact and accessibility of fitness tracking technologies for wheelchair athletes. These opportunities include improving the analysis of data from existing sensors, instrumenting the custom equipment used by adaptive sport athletes, and revising the language used in the presentation of fitness data to create a more inclusive community of users.
Store environment and consumer purchase behavior: Mediating role of consumer emotions

This article presents a large-scale cross-sectional field study of the effect of store environment on consumer emotions and the resulting influence on aspects of consumer behavior with actual shopping behavior used as an example. Cast into a stimulus–organism–response framework, the results suggest that a consumer's emotions can be a mediating factor in the purchase process. In this study, we identify and explore how store environment and emotional states may influence various dimensions of purchase behavior. This research confirms that although cognitive factors may largely account for store selection and for most planned purchases within the store, the environment in the store and the emotional state of consumers may be important determinants of purchase behavior. This research has many pragmatic applications, because pleasure was associated with the amount of money spent and affinity for the store, whereas arousal was associated with money spent in the store, time spent in the store, and the number of items purchased in the store. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Slutsky matrix and homogeneity in intertemporal consumer theory

A dual vista of an intertemporal model of the consumer yields insights into its fundamental qualitative structure that previous research was heretofore unable to uncover. For example, the intertemporal Slutsky matrix and its properties of symmetry and negative semidefiniteness apply to the integral of the discounted open-loop demand and supply functions, not to the instantaneous open-loop demand and supply functions. The results are established in a general dynamic model of the consumer which accounts for durable and nondurable goods, installation costs for the durable goods, and a leisure/labor choice.
Multiphoton excitation and emission from europium ions in aqueous solution.

Simultaneous emission induced by one- and two-photon absorption from the charge-transfer band from aqueous solutions of europium perchlorate pumped by a repetitively pulsed nitrogen laser have been detected. These processes were verified both through the measured fluorescence intensity as a function of the laser flux and from a qualitative analysis of the two overlapping characteristic broad emission spectra, which are dependent on the excitation wavelength. A theoretical fit could be made to the laser-power-dependence data, which gave a two-photon absorption coefficient of approximately 4 × 10−49 cm4 sec/photon-molecule for this system.
MALL LYMPHOCYTE POPULATIONS IN THE MOUSE BONE MARROW

Autoradiography and scintillation counting have been used for evaluation of lymphocyte turnover and life span in the bone marrow, peripheral blood and thoracic duct lymph of BALB/C mice. It was shown that the bone marrow contained two populations of small lymphocytes. One population was labelled 100% after 3–4 days of intensive injections of 3H-thymidine and constituted about 75% of the lymphocytes. The remaining 25% of the lymphocytes turned over at a much slower rate comparable to the rate of increase in labelled small lymphocytes of the thoracic duct. More than 10% of the small lymphocytes of the bone marrow were found to be unlabelled after 10 days of intensive injections of 3H-thymidine. Nine weeks after giving 3H-thymidine for 30 consecutive days, 8·6% of the small lymphocytes in the bone marrow remained labelled. The mean grain counts of cells in this population were comparable to those of thoracic duct lymphocytes at corresponding times. About 90% of the peripheral blood lymphocytes were found to have a slow turnover and a long life span.