cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined geometrical techniques and applying nonlinear field dependent conductivity layers to address the high electric field stress issue in high voltage high-density wide bandgap power modules

Wide bandgap (WBG) power modules made from materials such as SiC and GaN (and soon Ga 2 O 3 and diamond), which can tolerate higher voltages and currents than Si-based modules, are the most promising solution for reducing the size and weight of power electronics systems. In addition to the higher blocking voltages of WBG power modules, their volume has been targeted to be several times smaller than that of Si-based modules. This translates into higher electric stress within the module and, in turn, a higher risk for unacceptable partial discharge (PD) activities, leading to aging and degradation of both the ceramic substrate and the silicone gel. Due to the small dimensions of power module geometry, in the mm or μm (for protrusions) range, and due to its extremely non-uniform electric field geometry, conventional high voltage testing electrode geometries cannot simulate real conditions. On the other hand, university-based laboratories often cannot provide testing samples under manufacturing/factory conditions and with high-quality materials. Thus, it is difficult to determine the efficacy of electric field and PD control methods. To address this issue, an electric field criterion based on precise dimensions of a power module and its PD measurement is introduced. Then, combined geometrical techniques and the application of nonlinear field-dependent conductivity (FDC) layers are proposed, for the first time, to address the high electric field issue in an envisaged 25 kV high-density WBG power module. Electric field modeling and simulations are carried in COMSOL Multiphysics where various electric field reduction methods proposed in this paper can be used as a guideline and reference to design the insulation system for next-generation WBG power modules, meeting both the one-minute insulation and PD tests based on IEC 61287-1.
Volume of Gleason pattern 4 stratifies risk of metastasis and death in patients with Gleason score 3+5=8/5+3=8 positive prostate core biopsies

Summary Implementation of Grade Groups (GrGrs) has been widely accepted for reporting prostate cancer grade since the 2014 International Society of Urological Pathology consensus meeting. Despite their undisputed value for risk stratification, some GrGr are, a priori, quite heterogeneous in that they contain multiple Gleason patterns (GPs). In this regard, the prognostic significance of GP5 in biopsies with highest GrGr4 is uncertain and evaluated in this study. A search of all core biopsies positive for prostate cancer reviewed after 2005 was performed, and 71 cases with highest GrGr4 containing GP5 (i.e., 3 + 5 = 8 or 5 + 3 = 8; referred to as GrGr4/GP5pos) eligible for inclusion were identified. In addition, 95 core biopsy cases with highest GrGr4 and no GP5 (i.e, 4 + 4 = 8; referred to as GrGr4/GP5neg) were selected for comparison. Multiple pathologic parameters, including volume and amount of GP4, and clinical variables were collected to evaluate the influence of GP5 on disease recurrence, development of metastases, and disease-specific death. GrGr4/GP5pos cases did not show, as a group, statistically significant differences in prostatectomy findings, disease recurrence, metastases, and disease-specific mortality when compared with GrGr4/GP5neg cases. In addition, the risk of all outcomes evaluated in the study did not differ between the whole GrGr4/GP5pos and GrGr4/GP5neg groups. However, Kaplan-Meier analysis found that GrGr4/GP5pos cases with a significant amount of GP4 did show a higher risk of prostate cancer–specific death as well as bone and visceral metastases. Univariate Cox regression demonstrated that preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA), total number of positive cores, and global GrGr5 were also associated with a higher chance of disease-specific death. In a multivariate model, only global GrGr5 and PSA >20 ng/dL remained statistically significant. This study suggests that the mere presence of GP5 in core biopsies with highest GrGr4 disease may not portend a worse prognosis. In these cases, accounting for the case-wide volume of GP4 by reporting a global GrGr appears to be more relevant as it identifies a subset of GrGr4/GP5pos patients with global GrGr5 who have a higher risk of metastases and prostate cancer–specific mortality.
Discussion, Findings, and Conclusion

The ancient Incas practiced horizon astronomy in the Peruvian Andes through positional observations of the rising and setting Sun on days of ceremonial and agricultural significance. They also observed risings for celestial objects such as the Pleiades. A majority of the sites examined involve attention to the solstices. Solar orientations are preeminent and have been the primary focus in this book.
Description of a Lung Cancer Hotspot: Disparities in Lung Cancer Histology, Incidence, and Survival in Kentucky and Appalachian Kentucky.

Abstract Introduction Kentucky is recognized as the state with the highest lung cancer burden for more than 2 decades, but how lung cancer differs in Kentucky relative to other US populations is not fully understood. Patients and Methods We examined lung cancer reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program by Kentucky and the other SEER regions for patients diagnosed between 2012 and 2016. Our analyses included histologic types, incidence rates, stage at diagnosis, and survival in Kentucky and Appalachian Kentucky relative to other SEER regions. Results We found that both squamous cell carcinomas and small-cell lung cancers represent larger proportions of lung cancer diagnoses in Kentucky and Appalachian Kentucky than they do in the SEER registries. Furthermore, age-adjusted cancer incidence rates were higher in Kentucky for every subtype of lung cancer examined. Most notably, for Appalachian women the rate of small-cell carcinomas was 3.5-fold higher, and for Appalachian men the rate of squamous cell carcinoma was 3.1-fold higher, than the SEER rates. In Kentucky, lung cancers were diagnosed at later stages and lung cancer survival was lower for adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinomas than in SEER registries. Squamous cell carcinomas and small-cell carcinomas were most lethal in Appalachian Kentucky. Conclusion Together, these data highlight the considerable disparities among lung cancer cases in the United States and demonstrate the continuing high burden and poor survival of lung cancer in Kentucky and Appalachian Kentucky. Strategies to identify and rectify causes of these disparities are discussed.
Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis Reduces the Rate of Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Elite Athletes:

Objectives:Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) has been shown to decrease the re-rupture rates in cases of ACL reconstruction (ACLR) at high risk of failure when combined with hamstring (HS) au...
Teaching Metaphors: Supporting Professional Growth and Shaping Teacher Identity

A phenomenological study was conducted to further a better understanding, and inquire a new awareness, on how metaphors can support professional growth and shape teacher identity for early childhood education students. Examining teaching metaphors might be another strategy for teacher preparation programs to help early childhood education students in identifying their pre-existing values about teaching and learning. Teaching metaphors may guide students to reflect on values and beliefs that make an important impression on their individual teaching journey.
An Instrument for Direct Measurement of Emissions: Cooling Tower Example

Abstract. Measuring emissions from stacks is challenging due to accessibility and safety concerns, and requires techniques to address a broad range of conditions and measurement challenges. One way to facilitate such measurements is to build an instrument package and then use a crane to hold the package over the emissions source. Here we describe such an instrument package that is used to characterize both wet droplet and dried aerosol emissions from cooling tower spray drift. In this application, the instrument package characterizes the velocity, size distribution and concentration of the wet droplet emissions and the mass concentration and elemental composition of the dried PM2.5 and PM10 emissions. Subsequent papers will present and analyze the wet and dried emissions from individual towers.
Combined biportal unilateral endoscopic endonasal and endoscopic anterior transmaxillary approach for resection of lesions involving the infratemporal fossa.

Approaching tumors involving the infratemporal fossa (ITF) is technically challenging due to the complex relationships between several neurovascular structures and the deep-seated location of these lesions. The authors describe in detail a minimally invasive approach to the ITF, consisting on a single-nostril endoscopic endonasal transmaxillary approach aided by an anterior transmaxillary port (EEA-ATMa). Anatomical landmarks and surgical tenets of this approach are highlighted and reviewed with the goal to guarantee successful tumor resection and avoid operative complications. The EEA-ATMa is technically feasible and offers excellent surgical exposure to the anterior and lateral aspect of ITF, without the need of transecting the Vidian nerve or performing a wide septectomy.
Advances in mechanics and mathematics

List of Figures. Preface. Part I: Nonsmooth Mechanics of Solids. 1. Dynamics of Rigid Bodies Systems with Unilateral or Frictional Constraints P. Ballard. 2. Semilinear Hemivariational Inequalities D. Motreanu, Z. Naniewicz. Part II: Dendritic Growth in Fluids. 3. Dendritic Growth With Convection Jian-Jun Xu.
Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in the Regulation of Cardiac Myocyte Phenotype

In cardiac myocytes in vitro, ROS can cause either hypertrophy or apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner with hypertrophy in response to low levels of ROS and apoptosis in response to higher levels. Likewise, there is evidence that ROS mediate the hypertrophic effects of α-adrenergic receptor stimulation and low-level mechanical strain, and the apoptotic effects of β-adrenergic receptor stimulation or higher amplitude mechanical strain. The MAPK signaling pathway appears to mediate several of these effects of ROS. Erk is involved in the hypertrophic response to low levels of ROS, low amplitude mechanical strain and α-adrenergic receptor stimulation. In contrast, JNK is involved in the apoptotic effect of higher levels of ROS, high amplitude mechanical strain and β-adrenergic receptor stimulation. These observations indicate that ROS play a critical role in the determination of myocyte phenotype in response to a variety of stimuli associated with cellular growth or death.
Prepregnancy Nutrition and Early Pregnancy Outcomes

Implantation failure and pregnancy loss are estimated to affect up to 75% of fertilized ova; however as of yet there is limited empirical evidence, particularly at the population level, for understanding the environmental determinants of these losses. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on prepregnancy nutrition and early pregnancy outcomes with particular focus on the outcome of spontaneous abortion among pregnancies conceived naturally and early pregnancy end points among pregnancies conceived through in vitro fertilization. To date, there is limited evidence to support associations of prepregnancy vitamin D and caffeine intake with pregnancy loss. There is suggestive data supporting a link between a healthy diet and lower risk of pregnancy loss. High folate and minimal to no alcohol intake prior to conception have the most consistent evidence supporting an association with lower risk of pregnancy loss.
Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering

The Raman effect is an inelastic photon-scattering process, in which an atom or molecule absorbs one photon while simultaneously emitting another photon at a different frequency. The emitted photon is at a frequency, w0, which can be greater or less than the frequency, w1, of the absorbed photon: (1) where Δw > 0.
Relief from Back Pain Through Postural Adjustment: a Controlled Clinical Trial of the Immediate Effects of Muscular Chains Therapy (MCT).

Introduction: Back pain can be one of the most common health problems, causing suffering, disabilities, and financial losses. Postural models for pain treatment state that poor posture alters the joint position and causes pain, such as back pain. Muscular Chain Therapy (MCT) is a technique that is used to treat posture pathologies, among others. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the efficiency of a single session of Muscular Chain Therapy (MCT) on complaints of undiagnosed musculoskeletal spinal pain. Setting: Physical therapy clinic of the University of Center-West (Guarapuava, Brazil). Participants: 100 subjects, aged between 20 and 39 years, with complaints of spinal musculoskeletal pain. Research Design: Randomized controlled trial. Intervention: The participants were randomly assigned by a non-care provider into two groups: The MCT Group that received Muscular Chain Treatment and the Control Group that received a placebo treatment of 15 minutes turned off ultrasound therapy. All volunteers were assessed before and after treatment using an analog pain scale. A score of 0 indicated no pain and 10 was the maximum degree of pain on the scale. Main Outcome Measure: Degree of pain measured by analog scale. Results: The chi-square goodness of fit test was used to compare gender distribution among groups displayed a p value = .25. Subject age had differences analyzed using the unpaired t test (p = .44). Pain assessment for treatment and placebo control groups was analyzed using a paired t test and unpaired t test. The paired t test was used for intragroup before/after treatment comparison (MCT p = .00001; Control Group p = .0001). The unpaired t test was used for comparing the difference of the pain level before and after treatment between groups (p = .0001). A priori statistical significance was set a p = .05. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that one MCT session is an effective treatment of undiagnosed spinal musculoskeletal pain.
Substrate Specificity of Soybean Lipoxidase

Abstract Purified soybean lipoxidase was used to test the substrate specificity of all cis,cis-methylene-interrupted isomers of linoleic acid. The natural 9,12-isomer was found to be the best substrate, and the 13,16-isomer 50% as effective. The presence of calcium ions broadened the pattern of specificity. The rates of reaction of a series of polyunsaturated acids in which chain length, number of double bonds, and positions of double bonds varied were tested with crude lipoxidase in the presence of calcium ion. The substrates which exhibit high rates of reaction all possessed double bonds at the 6th and 9th carbon atoms counting from the methyl group. Thus the terminal structure is critical to the specificity of the enzyme. For enzyme reaction, the carboxyl group must not be sterically hindered, and the unsaturation at the 6th carbon atom from the methyl end of the chain must be a double bond.
c-charts, X-charts, and the Katz Family of Distributions

[This abstract is based on the author's abstract.] The c-chart is the principle method used to monitor the number of nonconformities in statistical process control. The conventional c-chart assumes that nonconformities in samples are well modeled by a P..
LEESA: Embedding Strategic and XPath-Like Object Structure Traversals in C++

Traversals of heterogeneous object structures are the most common operations in schema-first applications where the three key issues are (1) separation of traversal specifications from type-specific actions, (2) expressiveness and reusability of traversal specifications, and (3) supporting structure-shy traversal specifications that require minimal adaptation in the face of schema evolution. This paper presents Language for Embedded quEry and traverSAl (LEESA), which provides a generative programming approach to address the above issues. LEESA is an object structure traversal language embedded in C++. Using C++ templates, LEESA combines the expressiveness of XPath's axes-oriented traversal notation with the genericity and programmability of Strategic Programming. LEESA uses the object structure meta-information to statically optimize the traversals and check their compatibility against the schema. Moreover, a key usability issue of domain-specific error reporting in embedded DSL languages has been addressed in LEESA through a novel application of Concepts , which is an upcoming C++ standard (C++0x) feature. We present a quantitative evaluation of LEESA illustrating how it can significantly reduce the development efforts of schema-first applications.
Aerospace medical factor gene expression patterns in live subjects persist in aviation accident victims within muscle, blood, and brain (981.6)

In support of our efforts to validate gene expression markers for aerospace medical factors such as mild hypoxia, sleep deprivation, and alcohol use, we compared gene expression patterns between av...
Modal Solution of a Point Source in a Strongly Focusing Medium

The ray solution for a point source located in a medium with varying propagation constant given by k(z) = h0 √sech2 αz β2 exhibits for β = 0 the interesting property of the focusing of all rays at periodic distances. The problem of finding the exact solution for the electromagnetic field reduces to that of finding Green's function to the scalar wave equation, ∇G + k20 (sech2 αz − β)G = (1/2πr)δ(r)δ(z − z0). The eigenfunctions for this equation consist of a mixed spectrum, i.e., a continuous set of eigenfunctions plus a finite number of discrete eigenfunctions. The mixed spectrum is normalized and shown to form a complete set, in which the Green's function is expanded. Examination ofthe discrete spectrum in the far field reveals that all the lower order modes add in phase where ray theory predicts focusing. Integral approximations for the continuous spectrum show that it represents a nonpropagating, rapidly decaying field, which is negligible compared to the discrete spectrum, except in the region “close” to the point source.
Chapter 26. Plasminogen Activators

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the recent developments with an intriguing group of specific, neutral, serine proteases that proteolytically convert plasminogen, a serum zymogen, to the active enzyme plasmin: the plasminogen activators (PAs). The chapter describes the PA biochemical characterization to highlight the relationship between the molecular properties of PAs and their biological function. The association of PA and malignant cells is also emphasized as an example of the role of PAs in a variety of invasive and degradative biological processes. PAs have many regulatory functions and contribute to a number of biological degradative processes. In case of malignant cells, the expression of PA may be related to pleiotropic aspects of the malignant phenotype: invasive degradation, cell migration, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and modification of cell surface and cytoskeletal composition. In case of thrombolytic reactivity, the degradative properties of PAs can be of importance in therapeutic lysis of clots. Recent observations, concerning the production of PA, by leukemic cells and natural killer cells, and the regulation of PA, by protease nexin, indicate that future studies may elucidate additional biological roles for the PAs.
Decadence Disrupted: Arguing Against a Decadence Model in Late Ming Painting History

This essay offers an intervention to the field of Chinese art history, arguing that a decadence model has been tacitly operating in studies of late Ming painting, and that this model has clouded our understanding of this art. A possible source of the decadence model is explained, and a few of the terms resulting from its application are contemplated. A number of historical fallacies that have combined with the decadence model are identified, and are brought to bear in a cautionary note to beware of confusing cause for correlation.
Houston Toad (Bufo (Anaxyrus) houstonensis) Tadpoles Decrease Their Activity in Response to Chemical Cues Produced from the Predation of Conspecifics and Congeneric (Bufo (Incilius) nebulifer) Tadpoles

Abstract Anurans have been shown to reduce their activity in the presence of predation-related chemical cues. We exposed tadpoles of the federally endangered Houston Toad, Bufo (Anaxyrus) houstonensis, to three chemical cues: A no-predation cue produced by the presence of only predatory anisopteran nymphs (Anax junius), a conspecific-predation cue produced from the consumption of conspecific tadpoles by A. junius nymphs, and a heterospecific-predation cue produced from the consumption of coastal plain toad (Bufo (Incilius) nebulifer) tadpoles by A. junius nymphs. We measured tadpole activity levels before and after exposure to the cues. Tadpole activity was not influenced by the no-predation cue, but it decreased significantly during exposure to either predation cue. The reduction in activity did not differ significantly between predation cue treatments. These data suggest that: 1) B. houstonensis tadpoles will respond to predation, but not the presence of a predator alone. 2) There may be a chemical homo...
Prematurity among insulin-requiring diabetic gravid women

From Jan. 1, 1983, through Dec. 31, 1987, 420 gravidas with insulin-requiring diabetes antedating pregnancy delivered on the Joslin Clinic service. Among them, 110 pregnancies (26.2% of the total) delivered before 37 completed weeks of gestation compared with a 9.7% incidence (906/9368) for the general population at the Brigham and Women's Hospital during calendar year 1985. Thirty-three percent of all premature deliveries were the result of the development of preeclampsia. The relative risk of prematurity for diabetic patients with any hypertensive complication was 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.40 to 2.87) compared with normotensive diabetic subjects. Compared with the general population, most of the excess risk of prematurity was confined to hypertensive diabetics and normotensive patients of more advanced White class. A history of having had a previous premature delivery, increasing duration of diabetes antedating pregnancy, and carrying a male fetus in the index pregnancy were significantly associated with premature delivery. Future efforts to reduce the incidence of prematurity among diabetic gravidas should be directed toward reducing the incidence of preeclampsia.
Planetary science: Go and catch a falling star

Patches of deposits containing unusual mafic minerals are observed in and around some large lunar impact craters. Numerical simulations suggest that in the slowest of these impacts, asteroidal material, alien to the Moon, could have survived.
Humility revisited: Self-esteem, information search, and policy consistency

Abstract A computer simulation of a managerial task was used to study the relationship between self-esteem and the information search and policy consistency of subjects. As predicted, there were significant negative relationships between self-esteem and both experimenting (number of policy changes), and information search (requests for performance feedback and other information). The implications of these results for the practice of experimenting decision making are discussed.
Microquantitative Infra-Red Analysis: Application to Gas Chromatographic Fractions

THE need to study infra-red absorption spectra of small quantities of sample has led to the development of new micro-sampling devices and techniques. These have been particularly useful in the qualitative identification of gas chromatographic fractions. Their use has now been extended to quantitative analysis of unresolved chromatographic fractions.
Direct and Indirect Quantum Mechanical QSPR Hildebrand Solubility Parameter Models

The objectives of this study were to develop Quantitative Structure–Property Relationship (QSPR) models to predict Hildebrand solubility parameters (δt). The study investigated direct δt prediction by QSPR and indirect δt calculation from QSPR-predicted enthalpy of vaporization values. Molecular ground-state minimum energy conformations were identified and optimized using the AM1 semiempirical Quantum Mechanical (QM) method. Predictive multiple linear regression models were derived correlating training set experimental solubility parameters or enthalpies of vaporization with descriptors obtained from the QM calculations. A four-descriptor Hildebrand total solubility parameter regression equation was developed where R2=0.97, R=0.97, F=461.5, s2=0.53, and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE)=0.69. A four-descriptor QSPR model to predict enthalpies of vaporization (ΔHvap−kJ/mol) was constructed where R2=0.96, R=0.96, F=230.3, s2=4.75, and RMSE=2.04. δt calculations from ΔHvap correlated well with literature δt , where R2=0.96. Both of these models are statistically significant as well as predictive. The direct and indirect δt models developed here compare favorably with liquid solubility parameter estimation accuracies (10%) reported by Hoftyzer–Van Krevelen and Hoy. These methods are useful for determining the miscibility of small organic molecules, an important consideration when formulating polymer blends.
Laboratory Monitoring of Mechanical Ventilation

This article examines the use of laboratory tests for managing mechanical ventilation. Blood gas analysis is a common test widely used for this purpose, and this is evaluated in detail. Other tests, however, provide valuable insight into the management of patients receiving mechanical ventilation. These include serum electrolytes, thyroid function tests, and adrenal function tests.
Consistent Markov branching trees with discrete edge lengths

We study consistent collections of random fragmentation trees with random integer-valued edge lengths. We prove several equivalent necessary and sufficient conditions under which Geometrically distributed edge lengths can be consistently assigned to a Markov branching tree. Among these conditions is a characterization by a unique probability measure, which plays a role similar to the dislocation measure for homogeneous fragmentation processes. We discuss this and other connections to previous work on Markov branching trees and homogeneous fragmentation processes.
In vivo determination of the pyridine nucleotide reduction charge by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

An intracellular coenzyme has been observed by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The pyridine nucleotides in Escherichia coli were specifically labeled with carbon-13 from the biosynthetic precursor, nicotinic acid. The intracellular redox status and metabolic transformations of the pyridine nucleotides were examined under a variety of conditions. A highly reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide pool was observed under anaerobic conditions only in cells that were cultured aerobically on glycerol.
Coding multiple diagnoses for patient visits at which procedures were performed: no evidence for abuse by physicians.

BACKGROUND A problem area in the reimbursement of physicians is the office visit at which both procedures and evaluation/management services are performed. Insurers are concerned that frequent reporting of diagnoses unrelated to procedures may represent an abuse of the claims process. OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of secondary diagnoses that are present at visits at which procedures are performed and to compare the frequency with that reported in Medicare claims. METHOD The 1998 and 1999 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data were used to provide data unrelated to claims for payment. The results were compared with Medicare claims data from the 1998 to 1999 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey. NAMCS visits were limited to patients who were 65 year old or greater to limit the analysis to the Medicare population. RESULTS In the NAMCS dataset, 52% of the visits for actinic keratoses at which a procedure was performed were associated with multiple diagnoses. Similarly, in the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey dataset, 52% of these visits had multiple diagnoses listed. CONCLUSION The frequency of visits with multiple diagnoses is the same in both administrative claims and epidemiologic survey databases. There is no evidence for widespread abusive coding by physicians. It is incumbent on payers to respect the integrity of the coding system in order to assure fair reimbursement for physician services.
Non‐existence of solutions in optimal structural design

Recently, much effort has been expended in establishing the well-posedness of optimal structural design problems. Experience indicates, however, that awareness of the non-existence of a solution may also be beneficial and can eliminate time wasted in searching for non-existing numerical or analytical optima. Two standard approaches to non-existence proofs are presented: the construction of suitable sequences and the use of necessary conditions — both within the context of contradiction proofs. The methods are illustrated with examples from optimal structural design ranging from the minimum weight design of an axially loaded rod to that of axisymmetrically loaded shells of revolution. It is shown that the causes of non-existence can be the choice of function space, boundary conditions, and a discontinuous dependence on parameters, among others. Some possible guidelines for a successful formulation of well-posedness in structural design are included.
Spectroscopic studies on the mixed disulfide formation of lens crystallin with glutathione.

Mixed disulfide was formed through thiol-disulfide exchange reaction of lens crystallin with oxidized glutathione (GSSG). The reaction was monitored by isoelectric focusing (IEF) and DTNB [5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)] assay. The effects on protein conformation were studied by circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence. The DTNB shows 22% and 49% decrease of SH groups after the exchange reaction in α-crystallin and γ-crystallin, respectively. The exchange reaction was further shown by an acidic shifting in IEF pattern. The near ultraviolet CD shows a slight decrease in the GSSG-treated crystallins. The fluorescence measurements of the SH specific probe IANBD, 4-(N-iodoacetoxy)ethyl-N-methylamino-7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-dia-zole, indicate that the surface SH groups were oxidized in the GSSG-treated samples. The labeling with amine selectively reactive probe FITC, fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate, indicates an increase of amine reactivity with mixed disulfide formation. Polarization measurements show that bound FITC probes are in a less rigid structure in the mixed disulfide rich crystallin. All these results point out that the formation of mixed disulfide partially unfolds protein.
The Rate-Limiting Catalytic Steps of Hydroxymandelate Synthase from Amycolatopsis orientalis

Hydroxymandelate synthase (HMS) catalyzes the committed step in the formation of p-hydroxyphenylglycine, a recurrent substructure of polycyclic nonribosomal peptide antibiotics such as vancomycin. HMS has the same structural fold as and uses the same substrates as 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) (4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) and O(2)). Moreover, HMS catalyzes a very similar dioxygenation reaction to that of HPPD, adding the second oxygen atom to the benzylic position, rather than the aromatic C1 carbon of the substrate. The dissociation constant for HPP (59 microM) was measured under anaerobic conditions by titrating substrate with enzyme and monitoring the intensity of the weak (epsilon(475nm ) approximately 250 M(-1) cm(-1)) charge-transfer absorption band of the HMS.Fe(II).HPP complex. Pre-steady-state analysis indicates that evidence exists for the accumulation of three intermediates in a single turnover and the decay of the third is rate-limiting in multiple turnovers. The rate constants used to fit the data were k(1) = 1 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1), k(2) = 250 s(-1), k(3) = 5 s(-1), and k(4) = 0.3 s(-1). However, the values for k(1) and k(2) could not be accurately measured due to both a prolonged mixing time for the HMS system that obscures observation at the early times (<10 ms) and the apparent high relative value of k(2). The third phase, k(3), is attributed to the formation of the product complex, and no kinetic isotope effect was observed on this step when the protons of the substrate's benzylic carbon were substituted with deuteriums, suggesting that hydroxylation is fast relative to the steps observed. The final and predominantly rate-limiting step shows a 3-fold decrease in the magnitude of the rate constant in deuterium oxide solvent, and a proton inventory for this step suggests the contribution of a single proton from the solvent environment.
Spatial correlation of non-equilibrium effects in superconductors: Optical excitation☆

Abstract Laser radiation impinging on a thin film produces markedly different effects in a spatially separated second superconducting film if the first film is normal rather than superconducting. This phenomenon is postulated to be due to the dominant role of 2Δ phonons in sustaining the non-equilibrium condition of superconductors.
Costing commonality: Investigating the impact of platform divergence

Commonality strategies have become an important means of cost-sharing across systems, particularly in long lifecycle aerospace applications such as the Joint Strike Fighter. However, decreases in realized commonality (divergence) have important implications for the cost-sharing effects of commonality. We review the results of a recent study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) of 16 firms and 8 Government organization, which was chartered to evaluate the costing of commonality benefits. We conclude that the size of commonality investments has been underestimated — our data reveal the cost of developing common systems is 12%–50% above the unique design cost. We find evidence to suggest that divergence has cost consequences, notability creating higher quality expenses and requiring additional manufacturing coordination. We examine in detail the potential use of development cost allocation as a management practice for incentivizing commonality. We show that lead variants bearing platform costs achieved weaker investment returns and re-captured few benefits from later variants. We propose a framework for evaluating the consequences of each cost allocation, which explicitly captures the impact of individual variant decisions on the platform's cost structure, building on existing work used in decision-making in the Joint Strike Fighter program. We conclude with management guidance gathered from the case studies for reinforcing commonality incentives.
Judicial Decision Making and Biological Fact: Roe v. Wade and the Unresolved Question of Fetal Viability:

rT HE GROWING complexity of social issues inextricably bound up with moral and technical dimensions is producing a situation where traditional policy-making bodies appear impotent in resolving them. This failure is largely one of being unable to achieve a political consensus. These emerging issues are not amenable to conventional decision-making modes of bargaining and compromise and often reflect an "either-or" decision with little discretion for the policymaker. As a consequence, these pressing issues require a policy mechanism for making hard choices that politically are "no-win" situations. Despite the reluctance of the courts to enter this policy realm, increasingly they are being called upon to make final decisions on otherwise unresolvable public issues. Although there is little systematic analysis of the problems derived from entrance of the courts into areas that necessitate substantial techni-
Task-based Hardware Reconfiguration in Mobile Robots Using FPGAs

This paper presents a methodology for the realization of intelligent, task-based reconfiguration of the computational hardware for mobile robot applications. Task requirements are first partitioned into requirements on the system hardware and software. Architecture is proposed that enables these requirements to be addressed through appropriate hardware and software components. Hardware---software co-design and hardware reconfiguration are utilized to design robotic systems that are fault-tolerant and have improved reliability. It is shown that this design enables the implementation of efficient controllers for each task of the robot thereby permitting better operational efficiency using fixed computational resources. The approach is validated through case studies where a team of robots is configured and the behavior of the robots is dynamically modified at run-time. It is demonstrated through this implementation that the design procedure results in increased flexibility in configuration at run-time. The ability to reconfigure the resources also aids collaboration between robots, and results in improved performance and fault tolerance.
Domain Structure and Conformation of Histidine−Proline-Rich Glycoprotein†,‡

The complete primary structure of rabbit plasma histidine−proline-rich glycoprotein (HPRG), also known as histidine-rich glycoprotein, was determined by a combination of cDNA and peptide sequencing...
Flow regimes in inclined open-channel flows of granular materials

Open-channel flows of fluids may be classified as supercritical or subcritical, depending on whether their average velocity ῡ is larger, equal to or smaller than the propagation rate of small disturbances √(gh) cos α (where g is the gravitational acceleration, h is the flow depth and [alpha] is the channel inclination). Typically, the flow type is classified by the magnitude of the Froude number, ῡ√(gh), relative to its value under critical conditions Fr_c = √(cosα). Supercritical and subcritical flow represent conjugate states of open-channel flow; that is, a given supercritical flow will transition via an hydraulic jump that will transition a subcritical flow back to its corresponding supercritical value. flow. (However, energy considerations prohibit a reverse hydraulic jump that will transition a subcritical flow back to its corresponding supercritical value.) Supercritical flows are unaffected by downstream conditions, as they move faster than the downstream information can propagate upstream. Subcritical flows are strongly affected by downstream conditions. If downstream conditions are relaxed, a subcritical flow may transition back to supercritical flow (although not its conjugate state) via an expansion wave progagating upstream. The existence of a subcritical flow requires that the flow must be critical somewhere downstream before any abrupt expansion of the channel (such as the drop-off at the channel's end). The critical state prevents an expansion wave from propagating upstream from the expansion and causing a transition to supercritical flow. (A more complete discussion of these phenomena may be found in most introductory fluid mechanics textbooks; see, for example, Ref. 1, pp. 363-377.)
Generation of simulation input scenarios using bootstrap methods

Simulation modellers frequently face a choice between fidelity and variety in their input scenarios. Using an historical trace provides only one realistic scenario. Using the input modelling facilities in commercial simulation software may provide any number of unrealistic scenarios. We ease this dilemma by developing a way to use the moving blocks bootstrap to convert a single trace into an unlimited number of realistic input scenarios. We do this by setting the bootstrap block size to make the bootstrap samples mimic independent realizations in terms of the distribution of distance between pairs of inputs. We measure distance using a new statistic computed from zero crossings. We estimate the best block size by scaling up an estimate computed by analysing subseries of the trace.
Quantum theory of microwave conductivity

A quantum theory using a density matrix for electrical conductivity with an alternating electric field is described. The relaxation time, and the effeot of the microwave frequency on it, is obtained in a natural way without making any assumptions regarding its existence, as in the solution of the Boltzmann transport equation. Starting from the formal manipulation of the density matrix equation, the theory emphasizes various approximations under which the density matrix can be obtained in a usable form, assuming the electron-phonon interaction to be a dominant mechanism of scattering in the nonpolar model. This density matrix is then used to find the expectation value of the current operator and hence the miorowave conductivity. Es wird eine Quantentheorie der elektrischen Leitfahigkeit in der Formulierung der Dichtematrix fur ein elektrisches Wechselfeld beschrieben. Die Relaxationszeit, sowie der Einflus einer Mikrowellenfrequenz darauf, werden in naturlicher Weise, ohne irgendwelche Annehmen uber ihre Existenz, wie bei der Losung der Boltzmahchen Transportgleichung, erhalten. Von der formalen Behandlung der Dichtematrixgleichung ausgehend, werden mit der Theorie verschiedene Naherungen betrachtet, unter denen die Dichtematrix in ublicher Form erhalten wird, wobei angenommen wird, das die Elektron-Phonon-Wechselwirkung der dominante Streumechanismus in dem nichtpolaren Modell ist. Die Diohtematrix wird dann benutzt, um den Erwartungswert des Stromoperators und somit der Mikrowellenleitfahigkeit zu finden.
Perforator Vessel Recipient Options in the Lower Extremity: An Anatomically Based Approach to Safer Limb Salvage

When free tissue transfer is employed for defects of the lower third of the leg, recipient anastomoses are typically performed to major vessels. The aim of this study was to assess soleal perforators located in the distal half of the leg as potential vessels for free flap recipient vessels. Six fresh cadavers (12 limbs) were dissected. Perforators of adequate size (>or=1 mm) were documented as was the location and ease of dissection. Lower extremity magnetic resonance angiograms (MRAs) of 18 extremities were retrospectively reviewed. Two free tissue transfers to lower extremity perforators were presented. Soleal perforators most reliably matched our recipient vessel requirements. Perforators were of adequate size to support free tissue transfer, easy to dissect, and were located at mid/distal fibula level. MRA evaluation confirmed these results. One free tissue reconstruction was performed for trauma (posterior tibial perforator) and one was performed for a chronic radiation wound (peroneal perforator). The soleus muscle is easily exposed and is supplied distally by perforators from both the posterior tibial and the peroneal artery systems. These perforating branches are more accessible than the major lower extremity arteries, making the exposure and anastomosis technically easier and sparing potential iatrogenic injury to critical vessels.
MCV as a guide to phlebotomy therapy for hemochromatosis.

BACKGROUND: A multitude of recommendations exist for laboratory assays to monitor the pace and endpoints of phlebotomy therapy for hemochromatosis. All of these recommendations rely on an assessment of storage iron to guide treatment, and none have been prospectively evaluated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Nine consecutive patients underwent serial monitoring of Hb, MCV, transferrin saturation, and ferritin during weekly phlebotomy to deplete iron stores (induction therapy) and less frequent sessions to prevent iron reaccumulation (maintenance therapy). Changes in MCV and Hb were used to guide the pace of phlebotomy over a median of 7 years of follow-up. RESULTS: During induction therapy, the MCV increased transiently because of reticulocytosis and then stabilized for a prolonged period before decreasing more sharply, which reflected iron-limited erythropoiesis. Iron depletion was achieved after a median of 38 phlebotomies and removal of 9.0 g of iron. Maintenance phlebotomy was targeted to maintain the MCV at 5 to 10 percent below prephlebotomy values and the Hb at >13 g per dL. Transferrin saturation fluctuated considerably during treatment, but remained below 35 percent during MCV-guided maintenance therapy. Ferritin values were not useful guides to the pace of phlebotomy. The median maintenance therapy phlebotomy interval was 7.5 weeks (range, 6-16), which corresponded to an average daily iron removal of 35 to 67 μg per kg. Most patients showed evidence of iron reaccumulation at phlebotomy intervals of 8 weeks or more. CONCLUSION: The MCV is an inexpensive, precise, physiologic indicator of erythropoietic iron availability. When used in conjunction with the Hb, it is a clinically useful guide to the pace of phlebotomy therapy for hemochromatosis.
The evidence for bipolarons in pyrrole polymers

Abstract We present experimental data and theoretocal studies which support the hypothesis that bipolarons are the charge carriers responsible for the conductivity of polypyrrole. A consistent model emerges from consideration of earlier transport, ESR, photoelectron spectroscopy and optical absorption results.
Attitudes towards computer technology: comparison of retail buyers and apparel manufacturers in the U.S.A.

Apparel retailers and manufacturers are incorporating advanced technologies such as CAD/CAM systems and electronic data interchange into their businesses. Attitudes held by key personnel toward these new technologies can enhance or hinder implementation. This study was designed to investigate and compare the attitudes of manufacturers and buyers towards computer technology. Fifteen Likert-type attitude statements were developed by the researchers. A pilot test of the instrument resulted in minor changes. A total of 105 usable questionnaires were returned: 57 from manufacturers and 48 from retail buyers. t-test results indicated that buyers' and manufacturers' attitudes differed significantly on five of the 15 attitude statements. A discriminant analysis showed that the same five statements significantly discriminated buyers from manufacturers. Manufacturers' responses were more positive than buyers' on four of these statements. Overall, the results indicated that apparel manufacturers and retail buyers held favourable attitudes towards computer technology.
Transnational Cross-Racial Surrogacy: Issues and Concerns

The Indian movie Mala Aai Vhhaychy (“I Want to Be a Mother” in the Marathi language), in juxtaposition with the article in this issue of Affilia by Rotabi and Bromfield entitled “Intercountry Adoption Declines and New Practices of Global Surrogacy: Global Exploitation and Human Rights Concerns,” bring to the surface several cultural, social, ethical, economic, and professional social work issues that I address in this editorial. The movie asks a challenging question in relation to mothering: Does the poor, rural, Gujarati (Indian) mother, who would benefit financially from surrogacy, have any claim to the child she is bearing for an American fertility-touring couple? More questions are raised with the possibility that the child may be born with a handicap, with the response of the commissioning couple, and additional more positive and negative twists in the story. Rotabi and Bromfield’s article raises the ethical dilemma as well as human rights concerns arising from international surrogacy, using India as...