cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping the Profit Motive: A Comparative Analysis of For-­Profit and Non-­Profit Charter Schools

For-profit charter schools represent a controversial new market-based education reform (Garcia, Barber, & Molnar, 2009; Conn, 2002). This essay explores how schools operated by for-profit corporations differ from those operated by non-profit organizations. Specifically, do for-profit charter schools locate in demographically distinct areas and serve different student populations than similar schools operated by non-profit providers? Research suggests that charter school operators in some districts appear to strategically locate their schools in an effort to exclude certain student populations (Lubienski, Gulosino, & Weitzel, 2009). If charter schools seek to exclude certain students, as these schools proliferate in a district or region there may be an intensifying stratification effect detrimental to the most disadvantaged students (Bifulco, Ladd, & Ross, 2009). This essay undertakes a broad comparative analysis of the neighborhood demographic and student population characteristics of charter schools operated by for-profit corporations and nonprofit organizations, using multilevel modeling and geographic information systems, to compare the two school types across dissimilar state contexts. In so doing, the study seeks to isolate the impact of a school being operated by a for-profit corporation and illuminate what impact the proliferation of for-profit schools might have on the distribution of student populations across regions.
A Research Design to Collect Data for a Second Generation Eyellipse

Current automotive design practices related to driver visibility are based on static laboratory studies of mostly straight ahead viewing that were conducted by Meldrum and others beginning in 1962. These individual studies have never been replicated either in the lab or in actual driving situations to determine the validity of their procedures. After a thorough review of the literature related to driver eye location and a statistical analysis of previous static eye location data an experimental design is proposed to determine dynamic eye location distribution characteristics. This design will provide information on: (a) the relationship of static anthropometric measurements to dynamic eye location; (b) the difference between dynamic on-the-road eye location versus static in-the-lab eye location distributions: (c) the effect of the different types of vehicle seating package parameters on eye location; and, (d) a validation of previous static eye location studies. The data obtained from the proposed experimental design could be used to verify or replace the SAE Eyellipses. Also, it would allow for the development of a mathematical model that will describe eye positions during the driving task as a function of package variables, driver anthropometry, and target viewing angles. /HSRI/
Hypoxia triggers a HIF-mediated differentiation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells into osteoclasts.

Dandajena T. C., Ihnat M. A., Disch B., Thorpe J., Currier G. F. Hypoxia triggers a HIF-mediated differentiation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells into osteoclasts. Orthod Craniofac Res 2012;15:1–9 © John Wiley & Sons A/S Structured Abstract Background – The source and mechanisms leading to osteoclast (OC) generation during tooth movement are not clearly understood. We hypothesized that during tooth movement, OC differentiate from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) downstream of the global hypoxia-inducible transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Objective – The objective of this study was to demonstrate up-regulation of OC growth factors from osteoblasts (OB) and subsequent conversion of PBMNC into functional OC under hypoxic stress. Material and Methods – Human primary PBMNC were cocultured with/without OB and subjected to either hypoxia (2.5% O2) or normoxia (21% O2) over 14 days. Levels of HIF, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa-β ligand (RANKL) were measured. Conversion of PBMNC into OC was measured using resorption and TRAP assays. Results – Functional OC were only observed in response to hypoxia during coculture of PBMNC and OB and only after up-regulation of HIF, VEGF and RANKL in the hypoxic conditions. YC-1, a HIF inhibitor, reduced OC formation in response to hypoxia. Conclusion – Hypoxia triggers the differentiation of PBMNC into functional OC in the presence of OB in a HIF-dependent manner as would occur during orthodontic loading of the periodontal ligament space.
Probing the role of the N-terminus of Thermodesulfovibrio yellowstonii ADPglcuose pyrophosphorylase in allosteric regulation (769.9)

ADPGlucose Pyrophosphorylase (ADPG PPase) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of glucan biosynthesis in plants and bacteria. The successful engineering of ADPG PPase will allow for the production of more renewable and biodegradable carbon. Thermodesulfovibrio yellowstonii (Td.y) ADPG PPase shows only ~30% identity to other bacterial forms of the enzyme; at positions E15, F18, F23, S25, and S28 the Td.y enzyme differs from consensus in the glycine rich (positions 9-17) and KRAKPAV regions (positions 23-29), areas known to play roles in activity and allosteric regulation. These positions were targeted for mutagenesis and the enzymes purified using hydroxyapitite and DEAE chromatography. For wild-type (WT), kinetic studies revealed a Vmax of 5.3 U/mg and S0.5 values of 4.0 mM, 13.9 mM, and 1.2 mM for ATP, Mg, and G1P, respectively. Metabolites PEP, G6P, and 3PGA increased the Vmax by 1.5-3 fold and decreased the S0.5 values for ATP by 4.2, 10.3, and 3.8 fold, respectively. Initial kinetics for the variant S25A ...
Parity Encoding of Binary Sequences

The parity encoding of binary sequences, which is essentially the inverse operation to the differentiation of binary sequences, partitions the sequences into cycles of sequences. The spectrum of these cycles is shown to be a fractal-like semi-infinite sequence of powers of 2, with the property that truncating it at the (n + 1)st term yields the cycle spectrum for the parity encoding of the n-bit binary sequences. A simple and complete characterization of both the cycles and of the cycle spectrum is given.
Damage Tolerance Analysis for Advanced Composites

In this article, the concept of damage tolerance as it relates to aerospace grade carbon fiber polymeric composites is introduced. The goal of a damage tolerance approach is to ensure safety of a structural part even in the presence of an acceptable flaw or damage. Typical damage of concern is impact-induced delamination, particularly, barely visible impact damage (BVID) wherein internal unseen delamination can be present and grow with service loading. Damage assessment using non destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques is critical. Compression after impact (CAI) has become an industry standard to evaluate residual strength, which is a good measure of effect of impact damage on laminate compressive design property. The overall damage tolerance approach is empirical and relies heavily on test data. More sophisticated combined analytical/computational/experimental methods are under development. Keywords: damage tolerance; polymeric composites; compression after impact; delamination; nondestructive evaluation; residual strength
USGS issues report on responses to climate change in different watersheds

While watershed-scale responses to climate change could include reductions in snowpack and soil moisture, changes to snowmelt timing, and alterations to streamflow, those changes will vary in different U.S. water basins, according to a 16 May report by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). “A key finding is that the hydrological response of the different geographical regions of the United States to potential climate change may be different, depending on the dominant physical processes of that particular region,” states the report, which includes modeling studies for 14 basins. Also considered is the tremendous amount of uncertainty present in the carbon emission scenarios and how this uncertainty propagates through the hydrologic simulations,” states the report, entitled “Integrated watershed- scale response to climate change for selected basins across the United States.”
Impact Assessment of Perioperative Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training on Anesthesiology Residents

BACKGROUND The perioperative surgical home model highlights the need for trainees to include modalities that are focused on the entire perioperative experience. The focus of this study was to design, introduce, and evaluate the integration of a whole-body point-of-care (POC) ultrasound curriculum (Focused periOperative Risk Evaluation Sonography Involving Gastroabdominal Hemodynamic and Transthoracic ultrasound) into residency training. METHODS For 2 yr, anesthesiology residents (n = 42) received lectures using a model/simulation design and half were also randomly assigned to receive pathology assessment training. Posttraining performance was assessed through Kirkpatrick levels 1 to 4 outcomes based on the resident satisfaction surveys, multiple-choice tests, pathologic image evaluation, human model testing, and assessment of clinical impact via review of clinical examination data. RESULTS Evaluation of the curriculum demonstrated high satisfaction scores (n = 30), improved content test scores (n = 37) for all tested categories (48 ± 16 to 69 ± 17%, P < 0.002), and improvement on human model examinations. Residents randomized to receive pathology training (n = 18) also showed higher scores compared with those who did not (n = 19) (9.1 ± 2.5 vs. 17.4 ± 3.1, P < 0.05). Clinical examinations performed in the organization after the study (n = 224) showed that POC ultrasound affected clinical management at a rate of 76% and detected new pathology at a rate of 31%. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that a whole-body POC ultrasound curriculum can be effectively taught to anesthesiology residents and that this training may provide clinical benefit. These results should be evaluated within the context of the perioperative surgical home.
Second Messenger Systems in the Regulation of Cytokines and Adhesion Molecules in the Central Nervous System

Abstract Cytokines are a group of secreted proteins that exhibit diverse biological activity and are especially important in immune and inflammatory responses. The inappropriate production of cytokines in the central nervous system (CNS) has been implicated in a number of disease states such as Alzheimer′s disease, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS dementia complex. This article focuses on the biological role of three cytokines in the CNS, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha, and nerve growth factor, with an emphasis on production by glial cells. We will discuss the diverse intracellular signaling pathways that regulate expression of these cytokines by glial cells and then describe the second messenger systems that mediate cytokine-induced responses in the CNS, with an emphasis on adhesion molecule expression. We conclude by discussing the complexities of signal transduction pathways, particularly "cross-talk" between different intracellular mediators.
Photosynthesis in Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase-Type C4 Plants: Mechanism and Regulation of C4 Acid Decarboxylation in Bundle Sheath Cells

The mechanism and regulation of C4 acid decarboxylation in phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase-type C4 plants was examined in isolated bundle sheath cell strands. These cells decarboxylated added oxaloacetate to PEP at rates exceeding 2.5 mumol min-1 mg-1 chlorophyll when ATP was added. This requirement for ATP could be replaced by malate plus ADP; under these conditions this cytosol-located decarboxylation of oxaloacetate via PEP carboxykinase was sustained by respiratory ATP. It was confirmed that respiratory ATP production was linked primarily to the oxidative decarboxylation of malate via NAD malic enzyme. This process, measured as pyruvate production, was highly dependent on Pi. Besides being required to generate ATP, Pi had a second role which was probably associated with the transport of malate into mitochondria. Maximum rates of malate decarboxylation via NAD malic enzyme substantially exceeded the minimum rates necessary for providing ATP for cytosolic oxaloacetate decarboxylation. When malate was added with oxaloacetate, ADP and Pi rates of malate decarboxylation of between 3 and 4 mumol min-1 mg-1 chlorophyll were recorded. About half of this activity was sustained by the reoxidation of NADH coupled to reduction of oxaloacetate via malate dehydrogenase. When malate was added without oxaloacetic acid, respiration by these bundle sheath cells was stoichiometrically linked with the oxidation of malate to pyruvate. This malate-dependent respiration was stimulated by adding ADP or phosphorylation uncouplers; it was not significantly inhibited by including oxaloacetate. Possible mechanisms of regulation of the partitioning of C4 acid decarboxylation between PEP carboxykinase in the cytosol and mitochondrial NAD malic enzyme are discussed.
Structural Determinants of Lateral Gate Opening in the Protein Translocon

The heterotrimeric SecY/Sec61 complex is a protein-conducting channel that provides a passage for proteins across the membrane as well as a means to integrate nascent proteins into the membrane. While the first function is common among membrane protein channels and transporters, the latter is unique. Insertion of nascent membrane proteins, one transmembrane segment at a time, by SecY likely occurs through a lateral gate in the channel. Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to investigate the mechanism of gate opening. Opening and closing the gate under different conditions allowed us to identify structural elements that resist opening as well as those that aid closure. SecE, considered to act as a clamp keeping the lateral gate closed, was found to play no such role. Loosening of the plug by lateral gate opening, a potential step in channel gating, was also observed. The simulations revealed that lipids on time scales of up to 1 μs do not flood channels with an open lateral gate.
Changes in cerebral metabolism are detected prior to perfusion changes in early HIV-CMC: A coregistered (1)H MRS and SPECT study.

Human immunodeficiency virus-cognitive motor complex (HIV-CMC), a common complication of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction. Functional imaging methods, such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 1 H-MRS), have been applied to assess the severity of brain injury. However, it is unclear which of these two methods is more sensitive in detecting brain abnormalities in patients with early HIV-CMC. Twenty-four HIV-CMC patients were compared with 34 healthy subjects; each had quantitative SPECT ( 133 Xenon-calibrated 99m Tc-HMPAO) and quantitative 1 H-MRS. Both modalities were co-registered in order to assess regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and metabolite concentrations within the same voxel of interest in four brain regions (midfrontal and midparietal gray matter, temporoparietal white matter, and basal ganglia). On SPECT, only the temporoparietal white matter showed a trend for decreased rCBF in HIV-CMC patients (213%, P 5 0.06). On MRS, HIV-CMC patients showed significantly reduced creatine concentration in the basal ganglia (28%, P 5 0.008), as well as increased myoinositol concentrations in the basal ganglia (125%, P 5 0.01) and the temporoparietal white matter (118%, P 5 0.08). There was no significant correlation between SPECT and MRS variables in the patients in any region. 1 H MRS showed abnormal neurochemistry in the
Analysis of clustered data in community psychology: with an example from a worksite smoking cessation project.

Although it is common in community psychology research to have data at both the community, or cluster, and individual level, the analysis of such clustered data often presents difficulties for many researchers. Since the individuals within the cluster cannot be assumed to be independent, the use of many traditional statistical techniques that assumes independence of observations is problematic. Further, there is often interest in assessing the degree of dependence in the data resulting from the clustering of individuals within communities. In this paper, a random-effects regression model is described for analysis of clustered data. Unlike ordinary regression analysis of clustered data, random-effects regression models do not assume that each observation is independent, but do assume data within clusters are dependent to some degree. The degree of this dependency is estimated along with estimates of the usual model parameters, thus adjusting these effects for the dependency resulting from the clustering of the data. Models are described for both continuous and dichotomous outcome variables, and available statistical software for these models is discussed. An analysis of a data set where individuals are clustered within firms is used to illustrate fetatures of random-effects regression analysis, relative to both individual-level analysis which ignores the clustering of the data, and cluster-level analysis which aggregates the individual data.
Enzymatic Probe for Accessibility of NH2-Terminal Residues in Immunoglobulins

ARGINYL-tRNA-protein transferase is a soluble enzyme from mammalian tissues which catalyses the transfer of arginine from arginyl-tRNA into peptide linkage specifically with NH2-terminal aspartic or glutamic acid residues of protein acceptors1,2. Molar equivalents of arginine are transferred to appropriate NH2-terminal residues2. The reaction differs in many respects from the transfer of amino-acids associated with protein synthesis de novo and is thought to be a mechanism for regulating the activity of acceptor proteins3. Many immunoglobulins possess aspartic or glutamic acid in the NH2-terminal position and it was interesting to examine whether arginylation of such residues might result in an alteration of activity of these proteins, for there is considerable evidence that the antibody-combining site is contained in the NH2-terminal region of both light4–7 and heavy8,9 chains.
A study of burn-through times for laser protective eyewear

The authors studied the performance of laser protective eyewear currently in use at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: a goggle with a cellulose propionate filter from Glendale Protective Technologies and a goggle with a glass optical filter from Spectra Optics. A new polycarbonate optical filter material from Glendale was studied also, and its performance was compared with that of the cellulose propionate material. The authors used three lasers in the study: a single-pulse (variable pulse length) Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm; a pulsed copper-vapor laser with a pulse-repetition frequency of 6.08 kHz and a wavelength of 510.6 nm; and a pulsed xenon-fluoride laser with a repetition rate variable up to 100 Hz and a wavelength of 351 nm. Where possible, the output power of each laser was increased systematically to the damage threshold of the material and beyond. The results showed that the new polycarbonate optical filter suffered less damage at equivalent laser beam challenges than the...
Effects of late gestational high-fat diet on body weight, metabolic regulation and adipokine expression in offspring

Effects of late gestational high-fat diet on body weight, metabolic regulation and adipokine expression in offspring
Functional Heterogeneity of Marginal Zone B Cells Revealed by Their Ability to Generate Both Early Antibody-forming Cells and Germinal Centers with Hypermutation and Memory in Response to a T-dependent Antigen

Marginal zone (MZ) B cells play a major role in the first-line responses against blood-born T-independent bacterial antigens (TI), but the full scope of their immune functions is not known. Here we compare the responses of MZ and follicular (FO) B cells to a T-dependent antigen (TD), hapten–(4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP) coupled to chicken γ-globulin, in a cell transfer system. Consistent with the conventional paradigm, MZ B cells but not FO B cells rapidly generated the early burst of NP-specific antibody-forming cells (AFC), high levels of IgM Ab, and early IgG with relatively high affinity to NP. However, MZ B cells were also capable of forming germinal centers (GCs) albeit with a delay, compared with FO B cells. The early AFCs and the GCs originated from different MZ precursors, but the MZ- and FO-derived GCs were similar in VH gene repertoire, somatic mutation, and production of late AFC and IgG Ab. Surprisingly, the MZ but not the FO memory response included IgM Ab. We conclude that MZ B cells are heterogeneous, comprising cells for both early AFC response and GC/memory pathway against TD antigens.
Squeeze This!: A Cultural History of the Accordion in America. By Marion Jacobson. (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2012. Pp. xi, 219. $29.25.)

The author of this study, a musicologist, provides a lively and interesting history of the much‐maligned accordion. Squeeze This! blends the linear trajectory of the invention, development, promoti...
An Engineering Model for Prediction of Waste Incineration in a Dump Combustor

An engineering model that can be used to obtain predictions of axial distributions of temperature and species concentrations in complex flows has been formulated and applied to waste incineration in a dump combustor. The model incorporates mean convection and molecular diffusion in a quasi-1D sense and uses a stochastic model to approximate the effects of turbulent convection. The inputs to the model are extracted from experimental data and results of large eddy simulations. Comparisons of waste consumption rates and pollutant formation in the dump combustor with experimental data show that the model can capture the correct trends and achieve fairly good quantitative agreement. Further, the model does not use any ad-hoc constants that need to be calibrated or tuned. (Author)
On-line testing of lab-on-chip using reconfigurable digital-microfluidic compactors

Dependability is an important system attribute for microfluidic lab-on-chip devices. On-line testing offers a promising method for detecting defects, fluidic abnormalities, and bioassay malfunctions during chip operation. However, previous techniques for reading test outcomes and analyzing pulse sequences are cumbersome, sensitive to the calibration of capacitive sensors, and error-prone. We present a built-in self-test (BIST) method for on-line testing of digital microfluidic lab-on-chip. This method utilizes microfluidic compactors based on droplet-based AND gates, which are implemented using digital microfluidics. An optimization method is proposed to schedule logic AND operations in the compactor to minimize the end time for the compaction procedure. Dynamic reconfiguration of these compactors ensures low area overhead and it allows BIST to be interleaved with bioassays in functional mode. We evaluate the on-line testing method using a multiplexed in vitro diagnostics bioassay.
Extramedullary hematopoiesis in unusual locations in hematologically compromised and noncompromised patients

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) occurs as a compensatory reaction to an underlying hematologic abnormality. EMH is most commonly seen in the liver and spleen but rarely has been reported in other locations, as well. On rare occasions, EMH may mimic a neoplasm in hematologically noncompromised patients. In this report, we present three cases of EMH in unusual locations, two in the presacral soft tissue and one in the synovial lining of the knee joint. The patients with presacral masses had no hematologic abnormality. In all patients with EMH, imaging plays an important role in both localization of the lesion and guidance for the biopsy; when imaging results are correlated with histological findings, the diagnosis of EMH can be confirmed.
Retinal degeneration in experimental scrapie after intraperitoneal or subcutaneous inoculation of hamsters

Hamsters injected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously with the scrapie agent developed photoreceptor degeneration. The degree of degeneration did not correlate well with infectivity titers of retinal tissue or stage of clinical encephalopathy, and was not as great as seen in intracerebrally injected animals. We conclude that retinal degeneration is universal in hamsters experimentally inoculated with the scrapie agent regardless of the route of inoculation.
Modeling Mesoscale Cellular Structures and Drizzle in Marine Stratocumulus. Part II: The Microphysics and Dynamics of the Boundary Region between Open and Closed Cells

Abstract This is the second of two companion papers on modeling of mesoscale cellular structures and drizzle in marine stratocumulus. In the first, aerosol–cloud–precipitation interactions and dynamical feedbacks were investigated to study the formation and evolution of open and closed cellular structures separately. In this paper, coexisting open and closed cells and how they influence one another are examined in a model domain of 180 × 60 × 1.5 km3. Simulations show that gradients in aerosol at the open–closed-cell boundary cause gradients in precipitation that generate a mesoscale circulation. The circulation promotes precipitation in the polluted closed cells but suppresses it in open cells by transporting water vapor to the closed-cell regime and carrying drier air and aerosol back to the open cells. The strength of this circulation depends on the contrast in precipitation under clean and polluted conditions at the boundary. Ship plumes emitted into clean, precipitating regions, simulated as a specia...
Intra- and interspecific communication in salamanders through chemical signals on the substrate

Abstract Chemical markings on the substrate facilitate communication between conspecifics of the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) and between individuals of the red-backed and Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon nettingi shenandoah). During two-choice laboratory tests, male and female P. cinereus showed a preference for their own substrates only when simultaneously exposed to the substrates of conspecific males. In interspecific tests, however, red-backed and Shenandoah salamanders avoided substrates of congeners in all but one case: female P. cinereus did not avoid substrates of male P. nettingi shenandoah. We suggest that body secretions and/or faecal material may act as signal markers during territorial defence.
X-chromosome inactivation in the human cytotrophoblast

Preferential paternal X-chromosome inactivation occurs in the cell lineages that differentiate first within the female rodent blastula (trophectoderm and extraembryonic endoderm). The present studies
Bariatric surgery: a review of procedures and outcomes.

The prevalence of obesity has increased in recent decades, and obesity is now one of the leading public health concerns on a worldwide scale. There is accumulating agreement that bariatric surgery is currently the most efficacious and enduring treatment for clinically severe obesity, and as a result, the number of bariatric surgery procedures performed has risen dramatically in recent years. This review will summarize historic and contemporary bariatric surgical techniques, including gastric bypass (open and laparoscopic), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and biliopancreatic diversion (with or without duodenal switch). Data are presented on bariatric surgery outcomes, focusing on weight loss and obesity-related comorbidities. We also review possible complications from surgery. Bariatric surgery patients undergo many dramatic lifestyle changes, and comprehensive presurgical screening conducted by a multidisciplinary team is important to prepare patients for the numerous changes necessary for successful outcome. In addition, comprehensive presurgical screening can aid the treatment team in identifying patients who would benefit from additional services prior to or following surgery. Further research focused on presurgical variables that predict outcome—especially the longer term outcome—of bariatric surgery is needed. At present, approximately 1% of eligible individuals with morbid obesity receive bariatric surgery. In addition, there appears to be inequity in access to weight loss surgery. Given the accumulating evidence that bariatric surgery is efficacious in producing significant and durable weight loss, improving obesity-related comorbidities, and extending survival, the U.S. healthcare system should examine ways to improve access to this treatment for obesity.
Millimeter-wave imaging for concealed weapon detection

Full body, real-time, millimeter-wave imaging systems have been developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the detection of body-worn, concealed weapons and contraband at security checkpoints. These security systems employ methods derived from microwave holography techniques that utilize phase and amplitude information recorded over a two-dimensional aperture to reconstruct a focused image of the target. Millimeter-wave imaging is well suited for the detection of concealed weapons or other contraband carried on personnel, since millimeter waves are non-ionizing, readily penetrate common clothing material, and are reflected from the human body and any concealed items. In this paper, wide-bandwidth, three-dimensional, holographic microwave imaging techniques and a full-body, planar, millimeter-wave imaging system are described.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fingerprint Reconstruction Method Using Partial Differential Equation and Exemplar-Based Inpainting Methods

Manual latent fingerprint reconstruction to restore missing ridges is a tedious, time consuming, and expensive process. Latent fingerprint ridges are typically partially smudged, partially missing, aged, etc. This type of fingerprint cannot be used in the court of law directly to garner a conviction unless it can be matched to a known fingerprint. However, latent prints minimize the search for potential suspects and finding missing people. We propose an automated reconstruction method which minimizes manual restoration. Our nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE) and exemplar inpainting processes can aid the fingerprint expert. Larger missing regions are repaired using our coherent-based exemplar inpainting algorithm. PDE inpainting is used to fill small fissures in ridge structure. Ridge-lines are sharpened with anisotropic diffusion filters. These technologies improve latent fingerprint computer matching by allowing more minutiae. Accuracy assessment for inpainting missing ridges is described.
Bovine gingival collagenase: demonstration and initial characterization.

. A collagenase active against native collagen was found in culture fluids of bovine gingiva. The enzyme first appeared in the culture fluid after 1–2 days and could be harvested thereafter for at least 30 days. The collagenase attacked collagen fibrils and cleaved collagen in solution, resulting in reaction products 1/4 and 3/4 of the length of the original molecule. The enzyme was inhibited by serum, by EDTA and by cysteine. The molecular weight was estimated by gel filtration to be 63,000 daltons.
A Mammalian Retinal Bipolar Cell Uses Both Graded Changes in Membrane Voltage and All-or-Nothing Na+ Spikes to Encode Light

Barlow (1953) studied summation in ganglion cell receptive fields and observed a fine discrimination of spatial information from which he inferred that retinal interneurons use analog signals to process images. Subsequent intracellular recordings confirmed that the interneurons of the outer retina, including photoreceptors, horizontal cells, and bipolar cells, respond to light with slow, graded changes in membrane potential. Analog processing may enable interneurons to discriminate fine gradations in light intensity and spatiotemporal pattern, but at the expense of the speed, temporal precision, and threshold discrimination that are characteristic of all-or-nothing Na(+) spikes. We show that one type of mammalian On bipolar cell, the ground squirrel cb5b, has a large tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive Na(+) current. When recorded from in the perforated patch configuration, cb5b cells can signal the onset of a light step with 1-3 all-or-nothing action potentials that attain a peak amplitude of -10 to -20 mV (peak width at half-height equals 2-3 ms). When exposed to a continuous, temporally fluctuating stimulus, cb5b cells generate both graded and spiking responses. Cb5b cells spike with millisecond precision, selecting for stimulus sequences in which transitions to light are preceded by a period of darkness. The axon terminals of cb5b bipolar cells costratify with the dendrites of amacrine and ganglion cells that encode light onset with a short latency burst of spikes. The results support the idea that a spiking On bipolar cell is part of a dedicated retinal pathway for rapidly and reliably signaling dark to light transitions.
New conic sectors for sampled-data feedback systems

The conic-sector analysis of the closed-loop stability and robustness of a multivariable-analog-system controller based on sampled-data feedback compensation is investigated. Conic sectors and sampled-data feedback systems are defined, and the existence of a conic sector containing a sampled-data operator is established mathematically. An example is presented to prove that the conic sector is computable and gives sufficient conditions of closed-loop stability. A procedure for determining sampled-data-operator gain is also derived.
Conversion Coefficients of the Fe 57 14.4-keV Transition, the K-Capture Fraction in Co 57 e - Capture, and the K-Fluorescence Yield of Fe

By x-x and $\mathrm{x}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence-counting a ${\mathrm{Co}}^{57}$ \ensuremath{\rightarrow} ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{57}$ source with gas proportional counters, we obtain the values ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{K}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{K}=2.484 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.8%)$, $f{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{K}=0.3044 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.4%)$, and $\frac{S}{({\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{T}+1)}=0.09482 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.3%)$, where ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{K}$ and ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{T}$ are the $K$ and total conversion coefficients of the ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{57}$ 14.4-keV $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ ray, ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{K}$ is the $K$-fluorescence yield of Fe, $S$ is the probability that the ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{57}$ 136.4-keV level decays to the 14.4-keV level, and $f$ is the fraction of $K$ captures in ${\mathrm{Co}}^{57}$ ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ capture. These numbers are consistent within narrow limits with others' reported precise measurements of $S$, $f$, and the ratio $\frac{{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{K}}{{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{T}}$. With the use of the values $S=0.87 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.7%)$ and $\frac{{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{K}}{{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{T}}=0.89 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15%)$ from electron-spectrometer measurements reported by others, we obtain ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{T}=8.17 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.1%)$; ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{K}=7.27 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.1%)$; $f=0.891 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.85%)$; ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{K}=0.342 (\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.6%)$. Our value of ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{T}$ is 9% lower than that reported for some half-dozen measurements by $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence counting and by M\"ossbauer methods, all of which cluster closely about the value 9.0. It closely confirms the theoretical ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{T}$. Our $f$ value agrees closely with one measured by multiwire proportional counter, and our ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{K}$ agrees with a recent direct measurement.
Is Your Virtual Machine Monitor Secure

It is widely believed that the use of a virtual machine monitor (VMM) is at least as secure, if not more secure than separate systems. In reality, the security of a single system running in a virtual machine can never be as secure as that single system running in its own dedicated physical hardware. If for no other reason, the security of that system in a virtual machine depends on the correct operation of both the operating system and the hypervisor software, while in a dedicated physical computer, it depends only on the correct operation of the operating system. The VMM case always has more opportunity for exploitable security flaws. While many people view virtual machine monitors as something special and different, in realty they are just special-purpose operating systems. The major difference is that the API to a virtual machine monitor is the instruction set of the virtual machine, while the API to an operating system is a set of system calls to manipulate processes, file systems, perform I/O, etc. To the extent that a particular VMM uses paravirtualization, it begins to look more like a classical operating system than a VMM.
Patterns of Conservation Acquisition and the Relationship of Conservation to Intelligence for Children of Low Income

The acquisition pattern of conservation tasks of the Concept Assessment Kit—Conservation (Kit) and its relationship to intelligence was determined for 105 children, ages 6 to 8 yr., from low-income backgrounds. The acquisition pattern of these children was similar to that demonstrated by the standardization sample of the Concept Assessment Kit—Conservation. The comparison of interrelationships of tasks, intelligence and age of the subjects and children of middle income indicated less differentiation in task performance between tasks for the low-income sample. Conservation performance correlated significantly and positively with age and with 1Q; for older children only, conservation performance was related within age to IQ.
Evaluation of gamma-ray response calculations for 7LiF TLDs

Abstract The accuracy of calculated gamma-ray dose ratios - the dosimeter dose relative to the surrounding medium dose - was investigated. Measurements were performed by exposing 1×1×6 mm 7 LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters encased in B 4 C, teflon, Al, stainless steel, Cu, Ta and Pb to 137 Cs, 54 Mn, and 60 Co gamma-ray sources. These data, in conjunction with the analytical expressions presented, were used to empiracally select an appropriate electron spectrum attenuation coefficient. Calculations were in good agreement with the measurements for all dosimeter encasement materials and gamma-ray energies investigated.
Reduced-size lung transplantation from adult to neonatal sheep.

Abstract Lung transplantation continues to be limited by donor availability. This shortage is particularly acute in the pediatric population. A model was developed in sheep to simulate human pulmonary transplantation from adults into newborns. Pulmonary allografts were performed in 8 neonatal lambs (
In Vitro Release of Levonorgestrel from Phase Sensitive and Thermosensitive Smart Polymer Delivery Systems

The objective of this research is to develop injectable controlled delivery systems for the contraceptive hormone, levonorgestrel (LNG), using phase sensitive and thermosensitive polymers. A combination of poly (lactide) (PLA) and a solvent mixture of benzyl benzoate (BB) and benzyl alcohol (BA) was used in the phase-sensitive polymer delivery systems. The effects of solvent systems and polymer concentrations on the in vitro LNG release were evaluated. In the case of thermosensitive polymer delivery systems, a series of low-molecular-weight poly (lactide-co-glycolide)-poly (ethylene glycol)-poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) triblock copolymers with varying ratios of lactide/glycolide (LA/GA, 2.0-3.5) were used. The effects of varying block length of copolymers 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the in vitro LNG release were evaluated. Phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4) containing 0.5% w/v Tween-80 was used as in vitro release medium. The amount of the released LNG was determined by an high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. A controlled (zero-order) in vitro release of LNG was observed from both phase-sensitive and thermosensitive-polymer delivery systems. Increasing the concentration of the phase-sensitive polymer from 5% to 30% significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the release rate of LNG from 38.32 microg/day to 31.45 microg/day; and increasing the hydrophilic fraction of the solvents mixture (i.e., BA) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the release rate of LNG. In the case of the thermosensitive polymer delivery system, increasing the hydrophobic PLGA block length of copolymers significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the release rate of LNG (98.65 microg/day to 67.60 microg/day). It is evident from this study that both the phase sensitive and thermosensitive polymers are suitable for developing prolonged-release injectable delivery systems for the contraceptive hormone.
Strategies for molecular intervention in esophageal cancers and their precursor lesions

Molecular analysis of malignant transformation in Barrett’s epithelium provides insight into the temporal nature and significance of individual genetic events during multistep esophageal carcinogenesis. Potential targets for intervention in esophageal neoplasms include mutations involving retinoblastoma (Rb) and p53 tumor-suppressor pathways as well as tyrosine kinase cascades, which are known to promote cell cycle progression. Data from recent experiments provide the preclinical rationale for novel pharmacologic interventions in established esophageal cancers, and suggest strategies for chemoprevention in patients at risk for the development of these neoplasms.
Synthesis gas conversion to aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract The conversion of synthesis gas to aromatic hydrocarbons over a new class of catalysts comprising a CO reduction function combined with a ZSM-5 class zeolite is reported. The polystep nature of the catalysis is analyzed.
Controversies in the medical management of Kawasaki disease

Summary Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, now called Kawasaki disease, affects children of all ages and races. The cause of this systemic vasculitis is unknown, thus the diagnosis is based solely on clinical criteria. Coronary arteritis and the formation of coronary arterial aneurysms are the most serious early cardiac complications, while long term sequels, such as coronary stenosis and myocardial infarction, may occur. Current medical therapy is aimed solely at preventing or decreasing the occurrence of these cardiovascular complications in patients with this disease. Past treatment included antibiotics, steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Aspirin remains the most widely used drug, although the use of intravenous gammaglobulin has also become common. When used in combination, these two agents may reduce the incidence of coronary arterial aneurysms. The optimal dosage and duration of treatment has not yet been determined.
Temporal characteristics of capsaicin desensitization and stimulus-induced recovery in the oral cavity

Abstract GREEN, B. G. AND H. RENTMEISTER-BRYANT. Temporal characteristics of capsaicin desensitization and stimulus-induced recovery in the oral cavity. PHYSIOL BEHAV 65 (1) 141–149, 1998.—It was recently discovered that capsaicin desensitization of the tongue can be temporarily reversed during recurrent stimulation (“stimulus-induced recovery,” SIR). The effects of concentration and the temporal pattern of stimulation on desensitization and SIR were studied in four experiments. In Experiment 1, three different concentrations of capsaicin (3.3, 33, or 330 μM) were delivered to the tongue in blocks of twelve stimuli at the rate of one per minute (treatment block) followed by a block of 20 exposures to 33 μM capsaicin (test block). The 33- and 330-μM treatments both caused significant desensitization, but by the end of the test block recovery was substantial only for the 33-μM condition. Experiment 2 provided a second test of the effect of concentration while also exploring whether intermittent stimulation was a requirement for SIR, i.e., stimuli were refreshed on the tongue every six minutes rather than every 60 s. SIR occurred but was pronounced only when the concentration of the test stimulus equaled or exceeded that of the treatment stimulus. In the third experiment we delivered capsaicin in a candy formulation to examine SIR under conditions in which stimulation was not interrupted at all. Although desensitization was evident during the first few minutes of succeeding exposures to the candy, peak irritation was unchanged throughout nine exposures over 3 days. In the final experiment, we returned to intermittent stimulation to examine the effect of lengthening ISI on SIR. The results showed that SIR remained virtually complete until ISI was lengthened to 60 s. We conclude that SIR is a robust phenomenon that is maximized by rapid exposure to capsaicin in a concentration at least as high as that of the desensitizing stimulus. The implications of these findings for hypotheses about the mechanism of SIR, its function in endogenous chemonociception, and for clinical use of capsaicin as a topical analgesic are discussed.
Intracytoplasmic tagging of cells with ferumoxides and transfection agent for cellular magnetic resonance imaging after cell transplantation: methods and techniques.

Background Superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIO) are being used to label cells for in vivo monitoring by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study is to present protocols using SPIO and a polycationic transfection agent for magnetic labeling of cells as a basis for cellular MRI. Methods Various concentrations of ferumoxides (FE)-poly-l-lysine (PLL) complexes were used to magnetically label cells. Iron incorporation into cells along with cell viability and short- and long-term toxicity were evaluated. Results Rapidly growing cell suspension and adherent cells were effectively labeled by means of endocytosis into endosomes at low concentrations of FE (25 microg/mL media) and PLL (0.75 microg/mL media). Hematopoietic stem cells and lymphocytes required higher concentrations of PLL (1.5 microg/mL) in serum-free media during initial FE-PLL complex formation before labeling the cells in culture. Total iron concentration in cells depended on the cell type, concentration of FE-PLL complexes in media, cellular density, and incubation time. Iron concentrations after overnight incubation with given FE at 25 microg/mL media resulted in, for example, T cells being labeled with 1 to 3 pg/cell of intracytoplasmic endosomal iron and 15 to 20 pg/cell of intracytoplasmic iron in mesenchymal stem cells compared with 0.01 to 0.1 pg/cell for unlabeled cells. Protocols developed for this study demonstrated no adverse effect on the cell viability, functional capacity, or toxicity. Conclusion This technique can be used to label cells for in vivo MRI tracking of stem cells and lymphocytes. FE at a concentration of 25 to 50 microg/mL with a ratio of SPIO to PLL of 1:0.03 to 1:0.06 would be sufficient to label cells for cellular MRI.