cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of TiO2 photocatalysts used in trichloroethene oxidation

Abstract Kinetic studies show deactivation of TiO2 catalysts during aqueous-phase and gas-phase photooxidation of trichloroethene (TCE). Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to examine adsorbed species on TiO2 photocatalyst surfaces after reaction, and TPD was used to determine how reactants and products adsorb on the TiO2 surface. Used and deactivated catalysts were analyzed after participating in either aqueous-phase or gas-phase photooxidation of TCE. The XPS spectra showed little difference between the surface composition of fresh TiO2 and that of a deactivated catalyst from the aqueous-phase photoreactor. Chlorine was observed only on catalysts used in the gas-phase photocatalytic decomposition of TCE. Differences due to photoreaction were observed in TPD spectra of water, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Both the total amount desorbed and the temperature of desorption of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide were quite different for used and deactivated catalysts from the two photoreactions. Apparently strongly bound species, such as carbonates, accumulated on the surface and formed carbon monoxide upon high-temperature decomposition. Small amounts of chlorinated compounds desorbed from the used and deactivated catalysts following gas-phase photoreaction. Dichloroacetyl chloride (DCAC), a reaction intermediate, can adsorb strongly on TiO2 and readily displaces TCE. Thermally decomposed DCAC reduces the number of available adsorption sites for DCAC and TCE. An interesting low-temperature oxygen desorption peak was observed from catalysts treated with H2O2, which improves catalytic activity. This feature indicates that H2O2 is stable on TiO2 at room temperature and decomposes at 420 K.
pH gradients and cell polarity inPelvetia embryos

Endogenous pH profiles were measured around single fertilized eggs of the brown algaPelvetia during the earliest stages of development. Profiles were constructed by measuring the pH near the cell surface at several positions using a pH sensitive microelectrode. Transcellular pH differences in the medium surrounding zygotes were detected soon after fertilization, as the developmental axis was being formed. The future rhizoid end of the cell was relatively alkaline and the presumptive thallus was acidic. At germination and throughout the first 5 d of embryogenesis, the apex of the elongating rhizoid was alkaline with respect to more distal regions. However, conditions that dissipated or reversed this extracellular pH gradient had little or no effect on polarization or growth, indicating that the gradient was not essential for early development.
Beta-alanine uptake is not a marker for brain astroglia in culture.

The properties of the beta amino acid transport system were examined in cultivated rat brain astrocytes, using the specific probe, beta-alanine. The uptake of beta-alanine is thought to be glial specific. Beta-alanine was not actively transported and the intracellular accumulation was not altered by coincubation with GABA, alanine, glutamate, or methionine. We suggest therefore that betaalanine is passively taken up by a mechanism distinct from the transport system for GABA. Brain is a highly heterogeneous tissue, and therefore the role of specific cell types in any dynamic process is difficult to ascertain 9. Thus, it is of interest to determine the uptake properties of amino acids in pure preparations of each brain cell type. Astrocytes appear similar to brain in the properties of the amino acid uptake systemslL Amino acids are accumulated against a concentration gradient and transport systems discriminate between classes of amino acids on the basis of structural featuresaL Methionine (L-system) and alpha-aminoisobutyrate (A-system) are both actively transported by primary cultures of rat brain astrocytes 4-6. Furthermore, methionine uptake is altered by elevations in extracellular K +4,5. Astrocytes have been postulated to transport the beta amino acid analog betaalanine (BALA) by a carrier-mediated system 10, which is inhibited by GABAT, a°, suggesting that GABA and BALA may be transported by the same carrier system. Furthermore, BALA uptake has been postulated to be a marker for central astrocytes, and peripheral satellite cells ~0. We present evidence to show that beta-alanine is not actively transported by astrocytes in vitro, and therefore may not be an astrocytic marker. Astrocytes were grown in culture as previously describedL Briefly, cerebra of 3day-old rats are minced, trypsinized, and placed in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium containing 10 ~ fetal calf serum. At an initial density of one cerebrum per ten 60 mm dishes, cultures are confluent (104 cells) in 12-14 days. Confluent cultures ubiquitously stain with the astrocyte-specific stains phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin, and Cajal's gold sublimate stain 3, suggesting homotypic purity. Cultures prepared by
Guidance, navigation, and control subsystem for the EOS-AM spacecraft

This paper presents the preliminary design of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) subsystem for the EOS-AM spacecraft and specifically focuses on the GN&C Normal Mode design. First, a brief description of the EOS-AM science mission, instruments, and system-level spacecraft design is provided. Next, an overview of the GN&C subsystem functional and performance requirements, hardware, and operating modes is presented. Then, the GN&C Normal Mode attitude determination, attitude control, and navigation systems are detailed. Finally, descriptions of the spacecraft's overall jitter performance and Safe Mode are provided.
Linking higher physical activity to lower serum cystatin C among US adults

Aim The goal of the study was to examine the association between the intensity of physical activity and serum cystatin C (mg/dl), a novel cardiovascular risk factor.
SUR1 (CSG1/BCL21), a gene necessary for growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the presence of high Ca2+ concentrations at 37 degrees C, is required for mannosylation of inositolphosphorylceramide.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells require two genes, CSG1/SUR1 and CSG2, for growth in 50 mM Ca2+, but not 50 mM Sr2+. CSG2 was previously shown to be required for the mannosylation of inositol-phosphorylceramide (IPC) to form mannosylinositolphosphorylceramide (MIPC). Here we demonstrate that SUR1/CSG1 is both genetically and biochemically related to CSG2. Like CSG2, SUR1/CSG1 is required for IPC mannosylation. A 93–amino acid stretch of Csg1p shows 29% identity with the α-1, 6-mannosyltransferase encoded by OCH1. The SUR1/CSG1 gene is a dose-dependent suppressor of the Ca2+-sensitive phenotype of the csg2 mutant, but overexpression of CSG2 does not suppress the Ca2+ sensitivity of the csg1 mutant. The csg1 and csg2 mutants display normal growth in YPD, indicating that mannosylation of sphingolipids is not essential. Increased osmolarity of the growth medium increases the Ca2+ tolerance of csg1 and csg2 mutant cells, suggesting that altered cell wall synthesis causes Ca2+-induced death. Hydroxylation of IPC-C to form IPC-D requires CCC2, a gene encoding an intracellular Cu2+ transporter. Increased expression of CCC2 or increased Cu2+ concentration in the growth medium enhances the Ca2+ tolerance of csg1 mutants, suggesting that accumulation of IPC-C renders csg1 cells Ca2+ sensitive.
A Priori Sparsity Patterns for Parallel Sparse Approximate Inverse Preconditioners

Parallel algorithms for computing sparse approximations to the inverse of a sparse matrix either use a prescribed sparsity pattern for the approximate inverse or attempt to generate a good pattern as part of the algorithm. This paper demonstrates that, for PDE problems, the patterns of powers of sparsified matrices (PSMs) can be used a priori as effective approximate inverse patterns, and that the additional effort of adaptive sparsity pattern calculations may not be required. PSM patterns are related to various other approximate inverse sparsity patterns through matrix graph theory and heuristics concerning the PDE's Green's function. A parallel implementation shows that PSM-patterned approximate inverses are significantly faster to construct than approximate inverses constructed adaptively, while often giving preconditioners of comparable quality.
Hydrate dissociation pressure minima in multicomponent systems

Abstract Conditions for which gas hydrates have a minimum dissociation pressure are determined analytically. The development allows direct determination of the gas phase compositions which will result in such azeotropic conditions. Results show that the azeotrope is not a manifestation of non-idealities in the hydrate phase but rather a direct result of the hydrate structure. Minima will occur for some ternary mixtures (2 gases + water), but, surprisingly, not for more complex systems. Analysis shows that molecular size can be used as the basis for choosing ternary mixtures which will display dissociation pressure minima.
Using Ground-Based Reflectance Measurements as Selection Criteria for Drought- and Aflatoxin-Resistant Peanut Genotypes

Drought stress and aflatoxin contamination continue to challenge peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) producers across the USA. Thus, the continued development of drought- and aflatoxin-resistant peanut cultivars is essential to maintain productivity under less than ideal growing conditions. Remote sensing of canopy reflectance is a well-established method of evaluating crop condition and shows promise as a tool for rapid selection of drought- and aflatoxin-resistant peanut genotypes. The objective of this study was to evaluate ground-based reflectance measurements to more accurately quantify differences in genotype response to drought conditions. In April 2004 and 2005 several small plots (4 m × 2 m) were established at the Gibbs Farm research facilities in Tifton, GA. Treatments consisted of five peanut genotypes encompassing a range of drought tolerance and yield characteristics. Drought conditions were simulated beginning 90 d after planting and maintained through harvest. Once drought conditions were established, a handheld radiometer was used to acquire twice-weekly reflectance measurements in the visible and near-infrared. Benchmark indices were developed based on the change in remotely sensed vegetation indices as a measure of the change in crop response between nonstressed and drought-stressed conditions. Significant treatment differences in benchmark indices were observed between drought-tolerant, moderately drought-tolerant and drought-intolerant varieties. Benchmark indices were also highly correlated with yield (r = −0.41 to −0.75, α = 0.05) in all three planting environments. However, the relationship between aflatoxin contamination and benchmark indices was less consistent, having a strong correlation with aflatoxin contamination in the second and third planting environments only (r = 0.38–0.73, α = 0.05). These indices could aid plant breeders in more accurately assessing genetic differences, which would accelerate breeding progress and the development of peanut cultivars with resistance to drought and aflatoxin contamination.
Field-Based collaboration and cooperation: Vehicles for effective preparation of preservice science teachers

One of the major areas targeted for reform is teacher education. Teachers too often enter classrooms with what they consider to be an adequate working knowledge of their subject specialties when, in reality, they lack a true understanding of their disciplines. More specifically, preservice science teachers often do not fully comprehend the interrelatedness of intradisciplinary concepts, so they are unable to introduce relevancy or interdisciplinary aspects into their curricula (Mathison & Mason, in press). Further, having been neither encouraged nor shown how to apply the information presented in education courses, they also develop ineffectual instructional models (Shulman, 1987). Many strategies for reforming teacher preparation programs have been proposed, including the development of school-university partnerships. The project described here involves a partnership, a collaborative effort designed to combine the skills of scientists and educators to prepare science teachers. Program success is indicated by therelationships that have developed among faculty members, with collaboration evolving into cooperative efforts based on shared goals.
Genome-scale analysis of anaerobic benzoate and phenol metabolism in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Ferroglobus placidus

Insight into the mechanisms for the anaerobic metabolism of aromatic compounds by the hyperthermophilic archaeon Ferroglobus placidus is expected to improve understanding of the degradation of aromatics in hot (>80° C) environments and to identify enzymes that might have biotechnological applications. Analysis of the F. placidus genome revealed genes predicted to encode enzymes homologous to those previously identified as having a role in benzoate and phenol metabolism in mesophilic bacteria. Surprisingly, F. placidus lacks genes for an ATP-independent class II benzoyl-CoA (coenzyme A) reductase (BCR) found in all strictly anaerobic bacteria, but has instead genes coding for a bzd-type ATP-consuming class I BCR, similar to those found in facultative bacteria. The lower portion of the benzoate degradation pathway appears to be more similar to that found in the phototroph Rhodopseudomonas palustris, than the pathway reported for all heterotrophic anaerobic benzoate degraders. Many of the genes predicted to be involved in benzoate metabolism were found in one of two gene clusters. Genes for phenol carboxylation proceeding through a phenylphosphate intermediate were identified in a single gene cluster. Analysis of transcript abundance with a whole-genome microarray and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that most of the genes predicted to be involved in benzoate or phenol metabolism had higher transcript abundance during growth on those substrates vs growth on acetate. These results suggest that the general strategies for benzoate and phenol metabolism are highly conserved between microorganisms living in moderate and hot environments, and that anaerobic metabolism of aromatic compounds might be analyzed in a wide range of environments with similar molecular targets.
Human apolipoprotein A-II: complete nucleic acid sequence of preproapoA-II

Abstract The complete cDNA nucleic acid sequence of preproapolipoprotein (apo) A-II, a major protein constituent of high density lipoproteins, has been determined on clones from a human liver ds-cDNA library. Clones containing ds-cDNA for apoA-II were identified in the human liver ds-cDNA library using synthetic oligonucleotides as probes. Of 3200 clones screened, 4 reacted with the oligonucleotide probes. The DNA sequence coding for amino acids −17 to +17 of apoA-II were determined by Maxam-Gilbert sequence analysis of restriction fragments isolated from one of these clones, pMDB2049. The remainder of the cDNA sequence was established by sequence analysis of a primer extension product synthesized utilizing a restriction fragment near the 5'-end of clone pMDB2049 as primer with total liver mRNA. The apoA-II mRNA encodes for a 100 amino acid protein, preproapoA-II that has an 18 amino acid prepeptide and a 5 amino acid propeptide terminating with a basic dipeptide (Arg-Arg) at the cleavage site to mature apoA-II.
A system for magnetic circular dichroism measurements with a 10 m toroidal grating monochromator

Abstract A system of remotely-controlled apertures have been installed in the Synchrotron Radiation Center 10-m toroidal grating monochromator (TGM) for production of circularly-polarized light. In addition to allowing normal operation of the beamline, the apertures can be adjusted to block any fraction of the incoming beam without excessive heating and outgassing. This selective blocking of the light produces an appreciable elliptical polarization of the incoming light. Over the energy range of the 10 m TGM high energy grating, from 200 to 800 eV, the beamline optics do not significantly affect the polarization. The 10-m instrumental energy range overlaps the binding energies of the L-shell core levels of the important transition-metal materials. Calculations have been performed to estimate the performance of the aperture system as a function of energy. The results indicate that for an aperture position transmitting 20% of the synchrotron flux, the degree of polarization should be about 85% and should be reasonably constant over the photon energy range. With the light masked, magnetic circular dichroism was observed by measuring total yield with different orientations of sample magnetization and photon spin. Thin films of magnetic materials on magnetic and non-magnetic substrates have been studied.
On the effect of copper (II) and chloride ions on the iodate‐hydrogen peroxide reaction in the presence and absence of manganese (II)

The effect of copper (II) and chloride ions on the manganese (II) catalyzed iodate-peroxide reaction has been examined with reference to the hydrogen peroxide-iodic acid-manganese (II)-organic species oscillatory reaction. The observations are considered to provide evidence for iodine dioxide as the key intermediate in the manganese (II) catalyzed reaction. Kinetic data for the copper (II) catalyzed reaction are reported.
Railway power contracts

RAILWAY power contracts should be based upon rate schedules and general provisions that harmonize the respective interests of the power supplier and user. Elimination of the customary demand charge and the substitution therefor of a straight energy charge supplemented with a minimum bill provision appears to offer considerable assistance toward this goal. By this means railway managements would be freed from unnecessarily restrictive deterrents to good operation, and utility companies would at the same time be assured of earning sufficient revenue to cover fully all operating costs and a return on the capital invested in railway power facilities commensurate with the risks involved and with the return from capital devoted to other industrial power services.
Effect of penetrant size, shape, and chemical nature on its transport through a thermoset adhesive. II. Esters

Abstract The transport properties of a series of ester penetrants through a polyamide-based elastomeric adhesive are reported. The results obtained are compared with those from a similar study on a series of n -alkane penetrants reported previously. It was established that the diffusion of the esters, as in the case of n -alkanes, is Fickian and follows a Henry's law-type mechanism. Furthermore, it was concluded from a combination of activation energy calculations and molecular simulations that the ester penetrants, similar to n -alkanes, diffuse linearly along their long molecular axes. The chemical composition influence of the penetrants was investigated by means of their Flory–Huggins interaction parameter with the elastomer, χ 12 . The χ 12 values for the esters were found to be lower than those of the corresponding n -alkanes suggesting the role of favorable contributions from the polymer–ester interactions. Differences in the diffusion coefficients between the n -alkane and ester series were explained on the basis of these χ 12 values. Finally, correlations between (a) the diffusion parameters, D and E d , (b) penetrant size (molar volume, V m ) and (c) chemical nature of the penetrant ( χ ) were established. These correlations account for both penetrant size and chemical effects simultaneously, thereby providing a more general description of the transport properties of the polymer– n -alkane and polymer–ester systems.
Enantiomerically homogeneous intermediates toward the synthesis of descarbamoylcalicheamicinone

Abstract Enzymatically mediated kinetic resolution of racemic 12 with lipase PS-30 provides a practical route to the aglycones of descarbamoylcalicheamicin.
Integrated heterostructure devices composed of II–VI materials with Hg-based contact layers

Abstract Integrated heterostructure devices (IHDs) composed of II–VI materials in epitaxial multilayered structures for light-emitting diode and laser diode applications are described. These IHDs combine a light emission multilayer structure with an abrupt or graded heterostructure which includes Hg-based materials for improved ohmic contact to the upper p-type layer of the light emitting structure.
Transient G1 arrest of S. cerevisiae cells of mating type α by a factor produced by cells of mating type a

Abstract Haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells of mating type a, but not α, produce and secrete a diffusible substance, designated a factor. The a factor transiently arrests cells of mating type α, but not a, at a very early stage of the cell cycle, prior to budding and to the initiation of DNA synthesis. While the cells are arrested at this stage, few, if any, of the functions required for the ensuing cell cycle are carried out. This stage of the cell cycle coincides with the stage at which α factor, produced by cells of mating type a, specifically arrests cells of mating type a [2]. It seems probable that the reciprocally acting a and α factors together provide the mechanism by which haploid cells are synchronized to the appropriate stage of the cell cycle as a prelude to conjugation.
Electrical Resistance Changes as an Alternate Method for Monitoring the Corrosion of Steel in Concrete and Mortar

Abstract A very sensitive, unambiguous, and simple procedure was introduced for the assessment of corrosion in concrete. This method consists of making resistance change measurements (RCM) on small diameter (228.6 μm) 1040 steel (UNS G10400) wires embedded in concrete (or mortar) prisms and correcting the measurements for temperature by use of a noncorroding control wire. Metal loss caused by corrosion lead to a loss in cross-sectional area and, hence, an increase in resistance. Through proper temperature correction, these methods lead to a sensitivity of 1 μm diameter loss. The wires were heat-treated at 538°C for 1hto attain an oxide chemistry similar to bare rebar, as determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Although this method was designed for the evaluation of inhibitive admixtures, it was used in the present study to examine supplementary cementitious materials. The rate of steel corrosion in these was assessed by RCM using mortar prisms (25.4 cm by 5 cm by 5 cm) of the following composition...
FOUR REMARKS ON EIGENVALUES OF LAMÉ'S EQUATION

Four properties of eigenvalues of Lame's differential equation are studied: interlacing of eigenvalues, behavior as k→1, width of stability bands and expansion in powers of k2.
Managing a Firm's Cash Flow Recovery Strategy

Traditional cash flow estimation techniques focus on generating net cash flow estimates period-by-period, which are then discounted by the firmâ€™s cost of capital. While conceptually strong, this aggregation approach can be insensitive to the fine-grained detail so important to managing project cash flows, in particular, that investment returns are always a combination of growth (renewal) and decline (convergence) forces at work over the firm's life. As is demonstrated in this paper, the aggregation problem can be addressed by employing a cash flow recovery period (CFRP) framework, which distinguishes and quantifies the renewal and convergence forces unique to each firm's project cash flows. The benefit of this more fine-grained approach is that it provides an additional level of detail that can be used to manage firm returns.
An XML vocabulary for error message documentation

The documentation of software error messages has traditionally been a laborious and error-prone process. The documentation has been produced in a variety of file formats, either manually, or using special software to extract the desired information. Now that Extensible Markup Language (XML) has become a standard data format, it makes sense to store error messages and all related data in an XML source document. You can author the documents using standard tools, and software applications can extract the messages and other information from the document. Also, you can use standard XML technologies and tools to validate the XML documents and transform them into appropriate formats. Using the XML approach, you ensure consistency between your error message documentation and information displayed by software applications. This article describes an XML vocabulary for error message documentation defined by an XML Schema document. It illustrates how the use of an XML Schema document provides great flexibility for error message documentation, and powerful mechanisms for constraining document content. The article also gives examples from instance documents, and discusses how internationalized versions of error message documents can be handled.
Analytical approximations to predict performance measures of markovian type manufacturing systems with job failures and parallel processing

Abstract Manufacturing or service systems with multiple product classes, job circulation due to random failures, resources shared between product classes, and some portions of the manufacturing or assembly carried in series and the rest in parallel are commonly observed in real-life. The web server assembly is one such manufacturing system which exhibits the above characteristics. Predicting the performance measures of these manufacturing systems is not an easy task. The primary objective of this research was to propose analytical approximations to predict the flow times of the manufacturing systems, with the above characteristics, and evaluate its accuracy. The manufacturing system is represented as a network of queues. The parametric decomposition approach is used to develop analytical approximations for a system with arrival and service rates from a Markovian distribution. The results from the analytical approximations are compared to simulation models. In order to bridge the gap in error, correction terms were developed through regression modeling. The experimental study conducted indicates that the analytical approximations along with the correction terms can serve as a good estimate for the flow times of the manufacturing systems with the above characteristics.
Measuring partition and diffusion coefficients for volatile organic compounds in vinyl flooring

Interactions between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and vinyl flooring (VF), a relatively homogenous, diffusion-controlled building material, were characterized. The sorption/desorption behavior of VF was investigated using single-component and binary systems of seven common VOCs ranging in molecular weight from n-butanol to n-pentadecane. The simultaneous sorption of VOCs and water vapor by VF was also investigated. Rapid determination of the material/air partition coefficient (K) and the material-phase diffusion coefficient (D) for each VOC was achieved by placing thin VF slabs in a dynamic microbalance and subjecting them to controlled sorption/desorption cycles. K and D are shown to be independent of concentration for all of the VOCs and water vapor. For the four alkane VOCs studied, K correlates well with vapor pressure and D correlates well with molecular weight, providing a means to estimate these parameters for other alkane VOCs. While the simultaneous sorption of a binary mixture of VOCs is non-competitive, the presence of water vapor increases the uptake of VOCs by VF. This approach can be applied to other diffusion-controlled materials and should facilitate the prediction of their source/sink behavior using physically-based models.
Subacute digoxin toxicosis in the beagle dog.

Abstract Digoxin was administered iv to healthy beagle dogs at dose levels previously shown to induce sustained toxicosis and to permit survival over a 2-week period. Treatment regimens of both 5 and 7 days/week were employed. Electrocardiographic (ECG) responses, clinical pathology, and serum digoxin concentrations were monitored, and, at necropsy, tissues were examined for pathological changes. The development of digoxin toxicosis among treated dogs was extremely variable and did not correlate well with the amount of digoxin administered. However, correlation between the degree of toxicity and serum digoxin concentrations appeared to be good. The results indicate that of the variables monitored at the sampling times employed, ECG responses were the most sensitive, prompt, and consistent indicators of digoxin toxicity when moderately toxic serum digoxin concentrations (2.5–6.0 ng/ml) were attained in normal beagle dogs. Elevations in activities of serum creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were less reliable. At severely toxic serum digoxin concentrations (above 6.0 ng/ml), elevated CPK and LDH activities appeared early and persisted for several days until the mean serum digoxin concentration fell below 6.0 ng/ml. An unexpected finding was evidence of compromised renal function as indicated by elevated serum creatinine and blood nitrogen concentrations and by alterations in serum electrolytes. These changes were associated with histopathological evidence of renal damage in all dogs.
Future Directions in Engineering Ethics Research: Microethics, Macroethics and the Role of Professional Societies

Three frames of reference for engineering ethics are discussed—individual, professional and social—which can be further broken down into “microethics” concerned with individuals and the internal relations of the engineering profession and “macroethics” referring to the collective social responsibility of the engineering profession and to societal decisions about technology. Few attempts have been made at integrating microethical and macroethical approaches to engineering ethics. The approach suggested here is to focus on the role of professional engineering societies in linking individual and professional ethics and in linking professional and social ethics. A research program is outlined using ethics support as an example of the former, and the issuance of position statements on product liability as an example of the latter.
Interactions of hearing loss and diabetes mellitus in the middle age CBA/CaJ mouse model of presbycusis

Recently, we characterized the more severe nature of hearing loss in aged Type 2 diabetic human subjects [Frisina, S.T., Mapes, F., Kim, S., Frisina, D.R., Frisina, R.D., 2006. Characterization of hearing loss in aged type II diabetics. Hear. Res. 211, 103-113]. The current study prospectively assessed hearing abilities in middle age CBA/CaJ mice with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (STZ injection) or Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (high fat diet), for a period of 6 months. Blood glucose, body weight and auditory tests (Auditory Brainstem Response-ABR, Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions-DPOAE) were evaluated at baseline and every 2 months. Tone and broad-band noise-burst responses in the inferior colliculus were obtained at 6 months. Body weights of controls did not change over 6 months (approximately 32 g), but there was a significant (approximately 5 g) decline in the T1DM, while T2DM exhibited approximately 10 g weight gain. Blood glucose levels significantly increased: 3-fold for T1DM, 1.3-fold for T2DM; with no significant changes in controls. ABR threshold elevations were found for both types of diabetes, but were most pronounced in the T2DM, starting as early as 2 months after induction of diabetes. A decline of mean DPOAE amplitudes was observed in both diabetic groups at high frequencies, and for the T2DM at low frequencies. In contrast to ABR thresholds, tone and noise thresholds in the inferior colliculus were lower for both diabetic groups. Induction of diabetes in middle-aged CBA/CaJ mice promotes amplification of age-related peripheral hearing loss which makes it a suitable model for studying the interaction of age-related hearing loss and diabetes. On the other hand, initial results of effects from very high blood glucose level (T1DM) on the auditory midbrain showed disruption of central inhibition, increased response synchrony or enhanced excitation in the inferior colliculus.
Postembolization small bowel ischaemia

A 28-year-old man presented with massive gastrointestinal aemorrhage and hypovolemic shock. His haemoglobin level ropped to 5 g/dl over a six-hour period. Emergency upper ndoscopy to the second part of the duodenum showed no bnormalities. Digital subtraction visceral angiography was perormed. Superior mesenteric arteriography revealed bleeding from marginal branch of the ileocolic artery (Fig. 1A, arrow) that suplied the distal ileum, consistent with small bowel angiodysplasia. uperselective mesenteric embolization with gelatin sponges was erformed (Fig. 1B, arrow). Twelve hours after this procedure, the patient complained f crampy abdominal pain in the lower quadrants. On physial examination, the abdomen was tender and diffusely tense. aboratory findings revealed increased levels of lactate dehydroenase (1065 IU/L), hematocrit (75%) and neutrophil granulocytes 17.220 mm−3). Under the suspicion of intestinal ischaemia, an exploratory aparotomy was performed, and a 5 cm ischaemic ileal loop was ound and resected (Fig. 2). The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postperative day 4. Small bowel ischaemia represents a rare side effect after uperselective mesenteric embolization in patients with acute gasrointestinal bleeding, 3% according to the most recent series [1].
Faculty Development via Field Programs for Middle-Aged, Disillusioned Faculty.

This paper reviews reasons why traditional faculty development programs have neglected middle-aged, disillusioned faculty (colleagues who are chronically depressed or angry about their jobs, who are inactive and unenthusiastic as teachers and researchers, and whose campus participation is passive at best). It then describes a format for engaging field-based developers, including chairpeople, in stepwise programs that help reestablish communication and reinvolvement of these “problem” faculty in meaningful activities and rewards. Data from ongoing field programs of the sort advocated here include survey-based portrayals of middle-aged, disillusioned faculty (e.g., 22% of all older faculty were rated as explosive with students/colleagues), of usual failings in communicating academic reward processes to faculty, of faculty's and administrators' reservations about reengaging “problem” colleagues, and of benefits accruing to field-workers themselves. Thus far, of the 45 middle-aged, disillusioned faculty involved in programs with their chairs acting as field-based developers, 84% have shown significant progress in preliminary stages of reestablishing communication and departmental activity, 69% have renegotiated for more meaningful roles as teachers/scholars/colleagues, and 47% have earned public rewards for meeting the goals set in their recontracting.
Who wants a gun license

This article examines factors related to the plan to purchase a license to carry a concealed weapon in Kentucky. Routine activity and lifestyle theory provide a framework for analysis. Data for the project were collected by telephone interviews conducted in Jefferson County shortly after the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation allowing citizens to purchase concealed weapon licenses. Results suggest that heavy-patterned drinking is significantly related to the plan to purchase a concealed weapon license. Social and policy implications are discussed.
On neoadjuvant hormonal downsizing of localized carcinoma of the prostate: effects on the volume of normal tissue irradiation.

A prospective evaluation of neoadjuvant hormonal downsizing in patients with localized carcinoma of the prostate was undertaken to assess its effect on normal tissue irradiation. Twenty patients with stage TI or T2 (A, B) carcinoma of the prostate received 3 months of Lupron prior to definitive radiotherapy. The volumes of the prostate, seminal vesicles, bladder, and rectum from both the pre-and posthormone treatment planning CT were entered onto a 3–0 treatment-planning system. The treatment planning parameters were standardized to facilitate comparison of the pre-and posthormonal volumes. Following the three monthly injections of Lupron, the average volume of the prostate was reduced by 37%. As a consequence, the volume of the bladder receiving at least 40, 52, and 64 Gy was reduced by an average of 15, 18, and 20%, respectively. In addition, the volume of the rectum receiving at least 40, 52, and 64 Gy was reduced by an average of 13, 20, and 34%, respectively. In conclusion, in patients with localized...
Parlor Games: Italian Music and Italian Politics in the Parisian Salon

Abstract Among a community of Italian political leaders and artists who settled in Paris after the failed Italian revolutions of 1831 was Count Carlo Pepoli, author of the libretto for Bellini9s I puritani . During his years in Paris, Pepoli also wrote the poetry for two song collections: Rossini9s Soireees musicales and Mercadante9s Soireees italiennes . Both collections are conceived as a series of picturesque images of Italian locales interspersed with pastoral scenes; they are also linked by allusions to a character named Elvira, perhaps a projection of the heroine of I puritani . This article explores the connections between the Rossini and Mercadante songs and their possible link to Bellini9s opera, in relation to two distinct audiences: the Parisian salons of the 1830s, with their strong Italian expatriate presence, and the market of amateurs who purchased sheet music. In both contexts, the poetic content and musical style of the songs may have fostered favorable attitudes to Italy and to Unification, showing that even music composed for private and domestic uses could be politically influential.
Condos in the woods: the growth of seasonal and retirement homes in northern Wisconsin

by Rebecca L. Schewe, Donald R. Field, Deborah J. Frosch, Gregory Clendenning, and Dana Jensen, Madison, WI, University of Wisconsin Press, 2012, 182 pp., US$29.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-299-28534...
A logit model for the effect of telecardiology on acute newborn transfers.

UNLABELLED The deregionalization of neonatal intensive care in the United States has shifted the site of care for many newborn infants away from academic medical centers where subspecialty support is available. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of immediate echocardiogram interpretation via telemedicine on rates of neonatal transfer to academic medical centers. METHODS A logit model was developed to predict the probability of transfer from two regional level 3 neonatal intensive care units to academic medical centers. One of these units implemented a telecardiology program and the other acted as a comparison institution with on-site cardiology expertise. The telecardiology intervention began 18 months into the 36-month study period. SUBJECTS Infants (n = 2,142) admitted to neonatal intensive care at either of the two institutions during calendar years 1994 through 1996. RESULTS A statistically significant reduction in the rate of transfer to academic medical centers was observed. Telecardiology was associated with a 58% reduction of such transfers (p = .001, 95% CI = 30%, 75%). No such reduction was noted at the comparison institution. It is estimated that approximately 30 transfers were eliminated during the study period, resulting in the elimination of approximately $150,000 in hospital charges. In addition, the infants that were transferred after the adoption of telemedicine were more often transferred to their telemedicine partner institution (p < .02).
Proactive, Motivationally Enhanced Smoking Cessation Counseling Among Women with Elevated Cervical Cancer Risk

Current treatment guidelines recommend that all smokers be given motivational or action-oriented counseling, as is appropriate to their readiness to quit smoking. The present study assessed the acceptability and impact of a proactively delivered, motivationally tailored phone counseling program targeted to women with elevated risk for cervical cancer. Female smokers with a recent abnormal pap exam or a colposcopy were contacted and invited to participate, regardless of their interest in quitting smoking. Participants were randomly assigned to usual care (UC) or UC plus motivationally enhanced phone counseling (MEC). The intervention was well received: 79% of eligible women enrolled (n = 275), and 90% completed at least three of four calls. Participation did not vary by baseline motivation to quit. Compared with control subjects, counseling participants were more likely to seek additional treatment services and had a higher 7-day point-prevalence abstinence rate at 6 months (20% MEC vs. 12% UC, p<.05). MEC impact was sustained at 12 months, but abstinence increased among the UC group (18% MEC vs. 20% UC, p = ns). There was no difference in repeated point-prevalence abstinence at 6 and 12 months (11% MEC vs. 10% UC, p = ns). Outcomes were similar in a subgroup of 229 women who, at baseline, were interested in quitting in the next 6 months.
Androgen Deprivation in Veterans with Prostate Cancer: Implications for Skeletal Health

Background:Common risk factors for osteoporosis in older men include smoking, heavy use of alcohol, propensity to falls, and use of bone-toxic medications such as prednisone. There is also increasing appreciation of the skeletal risk faced by men receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer. Measures to prevent bone loss in such patients are available.Objective:To test the following hypotheses in a population of veterans receiving ADT for prostate cancer: (1) fracture risk factors in addition to androgen deprivation would be found in most patients, (2) bone mass measurements would be assessed in a minority of patients, and (3) a minority of the subjects would receive bisphosphonate therapy or have contraindications for such treatment.Methods:We conducted a retrospective chart review of male veterans receiving ADT from 1993 through 2001, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Madison, WI.Results:One hundred and seventy-four subjects met study criteria, with a mean age of 76 years and m...
Reading between the lines: Infertility and current health insurance policies in the US:

This article will examine current US health insurance policies for providing fertility services and Assisted Reproductive Technologies and analyze the open-ended policies of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This state in particular will be discussed in depth, as there are virtually no limits on infertility provision or coverage. However, tightening up Massachusetts’s health insurance policies by putting parameters on provision and coverage of Assisted Reproductive Technologies will allow the infertile to continue to access paid-for treatment while ensuring that the goal of health insurance coverage—which I understand to be the provision of paid coverage to address medical conditions—is maintained.
A Probabilistic Framework for Soft Target Learning in Online Cursive Handwriting Recognition

To develop effective learning algorithms for online cursive word recognition is still a challenge research issue. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic framework to model the inherent ambiguity of cursive handwriting by using soft target vector of each character class. In the proposed algorithm, the values of soft targets are estimated by introducing a lower bound on the log likelihood and optimizing this lower bound via an EM like algorithm. In the experiments on 207K collected cursive words written by 1060 subjects, the proposed algorithm clearly outperforms baseline method with word error reduction up to 11.6%. Furthermore, the estimated soft target values are useful for measuring the separability between output classes.
Phased arrays - part 1: theory and architectures

An overview of electronically scanned array technology with a brief introduction of the basic theory and array architectures are presented. Implementations, current state-of-the-art, and future trends are briefly reviewed in Part II of this paper.
Neither the Bvg− Phase nor the vrg6 Locus of Bordetella pertussis Is Required for Respiratory Infection in Mice

In Bordetella species, the BvgAS sensory transduction system mediates an alteration between the Bvg+ phase, characterized by expression of adhesins and toxins, and the Bvg- phase, characterized by the expression of motility and coregulated phenotypes in Bordetella bronchiseptica and by the expression of vrg loci in Bordetella pertussis. Since there is no known environmental or animal reservoir for B. pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, it has been assumed that this phenotypic alteration must occur within the human host during infection. Consistent with this hypothesis was the observation that a B. pertussis mutant, SK6, containing a TnphoA insertion mutation in a Bvg-repressed gene (vrg6) was defective for tracheal and lung colonization in a mouse model of respiratory infection (D. T. Beattie, R. Shahin, and J. Mekalanos, Infect. Immun. 60:571-577, 1992). This result was inconsistent, however, with the observation that a Bvg+ phase-locked B. bronchiseptica mutant was indistinguishable from the wild type in its ability to establish a persistent respiratory infection in rabbits and rats (P. A. Cotter and J. F. Miller, Infect. Immun. 62:3381-3390, 1994; B. J. Akerley, P. A. Cotter, and J. F. Miller, Cell 80:611-620, 1995). To directly address the role of Bvg-mediated signal transduction in B. pertussis pathogenesis, we constructed Bvg+ and Bvg- phase-locked mutants and compared them with the wild type for their ability to colonize the respiratory tracts of mice. Our results show that the Bvg+ phase of B. pertussis is necessary and sufficient for respiratory infection. By constructing a strain with a deletion in the bvgR regulatory locus, we also show that ectopic expression of Bvg- phase phenotypes decreases the efficiency of colonization, underscoring the importance of Bvg-mediated repression of gene expression in vivo. Finally, we show that the virulence defect present in strain SK6 cannot be attributed to the vrg6 mutation. These data contradict an in vivo role for the Bvg- phase of B. pertussis.
The Local Expression and Abundance of Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF) Binding Proteins in Skeletal Muscle Are Regulated by Age and Gender But Not Local IGF-I in Vivo

We wished to determine whether sustained IGF-I production in skeletal muscle increases local IGF binding protein (IGFBP) abundance, thereby mitigating the long-term stimulation of muscle growth by IGF-I. Muscle growth of transgenic mice that overexpress IGF-I in muscle (SIS2) and of wild-type (Wt) mice was compared. At 3, 5, 10, and 20 wk of age, hind-limb muscle weights and IGFBP-3, -4, -5, and -6 mRNA and protein abundances were quantified. Additional mice were injected with IGF-I or LR3-IGF-I, and phosphorylation of the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-1R) was compared. Muscle mass was 20% greater in SIS2 compared with Wt mice by 10 wk of age (P 0.21). Thus, variations in local IGF-I levels do not appear to regulate muscle IGFBP expression. The age- and gender-specific differences in muscle IGFBP expression are not sufficient to alter the response of the muscle to the IGFs but may impact the IGF-independent effects of these IGFBPs.
Social Engagement in Assisted Living and Implications for Practice

While it is known that social engagement is important for the well-being of older people, its role among residents in assisted living (AL) residences has not been well explored. The purposes of thi...