cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complex Impedance Study of Fine and Coarse Grain TiO2 Ceramics

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) ceramics with various grain sizes were investigated by impedance spectroscopy techniques. Dielectric loss peak identified in coarse grain TiO2 was attributed to space charge polarization occurring at the grain boundaries. Electric modulus representation of the impedance data showed two types of relaxation processes in coarse grain TiO2, whereas only one type was observed in fine grain TiO2. Long-range migration of oxygen vacancies was found to be the dominant conduction mechanism for fine grain TiO2, while electron hopping between localized states was attributed to dielectric relaxation in coarse grain TiO2.
Sources of arginine for induced nitric oxide synthesis in the isolated perfused liver

Hepatocytes can be stimulated to express high levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which utilizes arginine for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. Hepatocytes also synthesize and catabolize arginine, an intermediate in the urea cycle, raising the possibility that the urea pathway may provide substrate for hepatic NO synthesis. To identify the sources of arginine for iNOS, we measured the release of NO-2 + NO-3 and urea in isolated rat livers perfused in a recirculation model with a Krebs-Henseleit-bicarbonate buffer containing either no added amino acid, arginine, or precursors for urea synthesis. To induce iNOS expression, rats were injected with killed Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum) or with endotoxin. In livers from C. parvum- and endotoxin-treated rats, we found that 1) an intracellular source of arginine exists that provides substrate to iNOS; 2) additional exogenous arginine increase NO synthesis, demonstrating that endogenous arginine is insufficient for maximal NO synthesis; and 3) an increase in the rate of endogenous arginine synthesis within the urea cycle is inefficient in increasing NO synthesis, demonstrating the independence of the two pathways in the liver.
Evaluation criteria about parasitics in impedance measurements of ionic conductors

Abstract Impedance spectrum measurements of an ionic conductor material constitute a well known method for the optimization of these materials. Today the most adopted method consists, essentially, in the vectorial comparison between two sinusoidal signals, one taken as reference, over a wide range of frequencies. In this work, after some considerations about practical electrical connections, an evaluation criterion to eliminate the so-called ‘parasitic impedance’, noticeable chiefly at high frequencies (10 kHz), is proposed. A method is also reported which permits the voltage at the extremes at the measuring cell to remain constant.
Localization of the thiazide sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter, rTSC1, in the rat kidney

A thiazide sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter, rTSC1, has recently been cloned from a rat kidney cortex cDNA library. The molecular regulation and nephron localization of this protein is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the nephron distribution and subcellular localization of the rTSC1 protein in the rat kidney. In situ hybridization showed rTSC1 transcripts were localized to short, convoluted tubule segments in the kidney cortex. Polyclonal antibodies raised against a 110 amino acid segment from the amino terminus of rTSC1 recognized three major bands of 135, 140 and 155 kDa on Western blotting of membrane protein from cortex but not outer medulla of the rat kidney. Immunofluorescence studies using the antibody alone and in double labeling experiments with antibodies against the H+ ATPase and calbindin D28, showed intense labeling of apical membranes in the distal nephron beginning in the initial distal convoluted tubule and terminating within the connecting tubule. The intensity of labeling diminished from proximal to distal sites along the distal tubule. Ultrastructural studies by immunoelectron microscopy showed the cotransporter protein to be localized predominately on apical microvilli of the distal convoluted tubule cells. These results are consistent with rTSC1 encoding the apical thiazide sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter in the distal tubule.
Sphincter preservation therapy for distal rectal carcinoma: a review.

BACKGROUND There has been increasing interest in the use of sphincter-preserving therapy for patients with distal rectal carcinomas. The outcomes of conservative treatments for early stage rectal carcinoma appear to be comparable to that achieved with abdominoperineal resection. METHODS Retrospective and prospective clinical series of patients with distal rectal carcinoma treated by local excision alone, local excision with postoperative adjuvant therapy, preoperative radiation followed by local excision, or radical circumferential sphincter-sparing surgeries were reviewed. The local control rates, salvage rates, and treatment complications in patients treated by these various methods were examined. RESULTS Patients with T1 distal rectal carcinoma with favorable clinical and histopathologic characteristics treated with local excision alone had a local control rate of greater than 90% in most series. Postoperative chemoradiation improved local control for those with T1 disease with unfavorable characteristics, or those with T2 disease. Most T3 patients had failure rates of greater than 30% despite adjuvant local and systemic therapy. With high dose preoperative radiation, approximately 80% of patients with locally advanced or unresectable tumors were able to undergo sphincter-preservation treatment. CONCLUSIONS Patients with favorable T1 rectal carcinoma are likely to be adequately treated with local excision alone. Patients with T1 disease with unfavorable characteristics as well as T2 patients will benefit from postoperative chemoradiation. The use of local therapy in T3 patients needs to be carefully considered because these patients are at relatively high risk for local recurrence despite adjuvant therapy. Preoperative radiation followed by either local excision or radical circumferential sphincter-sparing resections appears promising in allowing sphincter preservation in patients with locally advanced tumors. Cancer 1997; 79:671-83. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Obesity and clinical restenosis after coronary stent placement.

Background Obesity has been associated with improved clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention—"obesity paradox." Methods We studied 6186 patients pooled from 6 major coronary stent clinical trials. Clinical restenosis was defined as target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1 year. Body mass index was classified according to World Health Organization criteria as underweight ( 2 ), normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 ), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m 2 ), obesity class I (30-34.9 kg/m 2 ), and obesity class II/III (≥35 kg/m 2 ). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of obesity class on TLR. Results Compared with normal-weight patients, there was a trend to more frequent TLR in patients of obesity class II/III (13.6% vs 10.9%, P = .08). After adjustment for previously defined predictors of TLR, other than the obesity-related intermediate states of diabetes and hypertension, obesity class II/III was associated with 1.33-fold (95% CI 1.00-1.78) higher odds of TLR. In an analysis restricted to patients without diabetes or hypertension, obesity class II/III was also associated with significantly higher odds of undergoing TLR (odd ratio [OR] 2.14, 95% CI 1.21-3.77). Conclusion After coronary stenting, the odds of undergoing TLR were higher in patients with obesity class II/III compared with normal-weight patients. The significant association of severe obesity in nondiabetic and normotensive patients suggests that other obesity-associated mechanisms such as insulin resistance and inflammation should be further explored.
Hydroformylation of 1-hexene in supercritical carbon dioxide: characterization, activity, and regioselectivity studies.

The hydroformylation of alkenes is a major commercial process used for the production of oxygenated organic compounds. When the hydroformylation reaction is performed using a homogeneous catalyst, an organic or aqueous solvent is employed, and a significant effort must be expended to recover the catalyst so it can be recycled. Development of a selective heterogeneous catalyst would allow simplification of the process design in an integrated system that minimizes waste generation. Recent studies have shown that supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as a reaction solvent offers optimal environmental performance and presents advantages for ease of product separation. In particular, we have considered the conversion of 1-hexene to heptanal using rhodium- and platinum-phosphine catalysts tethered to supports insoluble in scCO2 to demonstrate the advantages and to understand the limitations of a solid-catalyzed process. One of the historical limitations of supported catalysts is the inability to control product ...
Phase noise measurements of a D-band backward wave oscillator

The difficulties encountered in measuring phase noise at millimetre wave frequencies have resulted in a scarcity of such data for backward wave oscillators. This paper reports the extension of a highly sensitive quasi-optical phase noise measurement system to D-band and presents phase noise spectra of a commercial backward wave oscillator at carrier frequencies between 120 and 160 GHz for offset frequencies in the range 10 kHz to 10 MHz. At small offset frequencies, the measured phase noise is typically 15 dB higher than solid state oscillators at this frequency. >
The antigenic structure of the human glycoprotein hormone α-subunit : III: Solution- and solid-phase mapping using synthetic peptides

Twenty-seven synthetic peptides, representing the entire structure of the human glycoprotein hormone αsubunit were used to map the antigenic structure of the αsubunit. Solution phase and solid phase assays were performed with these peptides and a panel of eight monoclonal antibodies (MAb). Two dominant regions were localized between residues 22–37 and 70–87. All eight antibodies recognized these regions, but differed somewhat with respect to whether they saw the more N-terminal, middle, or C-terminal portions of these regions. The sequence of residues 13–22 was recognized by three MAbs. The C-terminal region from residues 84–92 was recognized by three MAbs. All MAbs recognized conformational epitopes in that they reacted with two or more regions. Three MAbs (two against free α and one against human CG) have linear amino acid sequences as part of their conformational epitope. (Endocrinology 128: 2907–2915,1991)
Depletion of the environmental basis for renewable resources: the economics of interdependent renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Abstract This paper synthesizes familiar theories of nonrenewable and renewable resource economics in a two-sector, partial-equilibrium analysis of efficient trade-offs between renewable resource production and environmental development. The irreversible impacts of coastal zone development provide a motivating example. While development proceeds, the efficient harvest of renewable resources may exceed the “sustainable” rate. While development may involve several periods of growth and decline, once development begins it proceeds without significant interruptions. If a profitable renewable sector survives, development ceases before exhausting all profitable opportunities. Interdependent stocks reduce distinctions between resource types because each sector exhibits features of the other.
Finding saliency in noisy images

Recently, many computational saliency models have been introduced 2, 5, 7, 13, 23 to transform a given image into a scalar-valued map that represents visual saliency of the input image. These approaches, however, generally assume the given image is clean. Fortunately, most methods implicitly suppress the noise before calculating the saliency by blurring and downsampling the input image, and therefore tend to be apparently rather insensitive to noise. 11 However, a fundamental and explicit treatment of saliency in noisy images is missing from the literature. Indeed, as we will show, the price for this apparent insensitivity to noise is that the overall performance over a large range of noise strengths is diminished. Accordingly, the question is how to compute saliency in a reliable way when a noise-corrupted image is given. To address this problem, we propose a novel and statistically sound method for estimating saliency based on a non-parametric regression framework. The proposed estimate of the saliency at a pixel is a data-dependent weighted average of dissimilarities between a center patch and its surrounding patches. This aggregation of the dissimilarities is simple and more stable despite the presence of noise. For comparison's sake, we apply a state of the art denoising approach before attempting to calculate the saliency map, which obviously produces much more stable results for noisy images. Despite the advantage of preprocessing, we still found that our method consistently outperforms the other state-of-the-art 2, 13 methods over a large range of noise strengths.
Study of Lubricant Jet Flow Phenomena in Spur Gears

Lubricant jet flow impingement and penetration depth into a gear tooth space were measured at 4920 and 2560 rpm using a 8.89 cm (3.5 inch) pitch diameter 8 pitch spur gear at oil pressures from 70,000 to 410,000 n/sqm (10 psi to 60 psi). A high speed motion picture camera was used with xenon and high speed stroboscopic lights to slow down and stop the motion of the oil jet. An analytical model was developed for the vectorial impingement dept and for the impingement depth with tooth space windage effects included. The windage effects for oil drop size greater than .0076 cm (.003 inches). The analytical impingement dept compared favorably with experimental results above an oil jet pressure of 70,000 n/sqm (10psi). There was further penetration into the tooth space after impingement, but much of this oil was thrown out of the tooth space without further contacting the gear teeth.
The effects of process parameters on alternating voltage (AV) passivation of 304 stainless steel

Abstract In the AV passivation process a potential square wave is applied for a certain length of time at a constant DC bias potential. The effects of the process parameters DC bias potential E o , pulse length P . pulse amplitude A and ratio R o of the duration of the anodic to the cathodic portion of the pulse on the passive properties of 304 SS have been evaluated using a factorial design experiment. The passive properties have been determined by recording the critical current density i crit and the passive current density i p as well as the time t p for open-circuit potential decay in 0.1 M H 2 SO 4 . For E o = 300 mV(SCE), P = 100 ms, A = 900 mV and R o = 4:1 a reduction of i crit by about 200 with respect to the as-received sample has been observed, while i p decreased by a factor of 10. A significant increase of t p was also noted.
Frictional Coefficient of TMJ Disc and Condylar Cartilage

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the only diarthrodial joint in human head, is composed of two articulating bones covered by cartilage with an extra disc between the two cartilage surfaces. The rotation and gliding motions of TMJ allow us to talk, chew, and yawn. Dislocation of the disc or degeneration of the cartilage can severely ruin the congruity and integrality of TMJ and further leads to TMJ disorders (TMD). Histology studies showed that the composition and structure of condylar cartilage do not resemble any other fibrocartilages [1], our recent study also found that the condylar cartilage is much softer than cartilage in other joints [2]. The condyle is fully covered by the disc, which glides on the condyle cartilage during daily activities [3]. Little is known about the frictional coefficients of these cartilaginous tissues in TMJ. In this study, using a novel custom-built tribometer, we propose to investigate: 1) the frictional coefficients of condylar cartilage and disc at five different regions, and 2) the dependency of frictional coefficient on sliding speed and loading magnitude.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The effects of soil temperature, harvest sequence and storage on French fry processing quality of potatoes

A study was made of the influence of harvest sequence, soil temperature, storage at 10 C and specific gravity on the French fry processing quality ofRusset Burbank andRusset Sebago potatoes grown in four different localities in Wisconsin. Late harvested potatoes contained greater amounts of reducing sugars than early harvested potatoes due to persistent low soil temperatures. The late harvested potatoes were, because of the high reducing sugar content. unsuitable for immediate processing into frozen French fries. Early harvested potatoes, when stored at 10 C developed high levels of reducing sugars and were unsuitable for processing into French fries, even when conditioned at 21 C. Levels of 0.5% or less in reducing sugar content in potatoes were deduced to be essential for acceptable quality in French fries. Generally rating scores of colour, mealiness, and flavor of French fries decreased with continued storage at 10 C of the potatoes from which they were made. Separation of potatoes with higher specific gravity improved scores of lack of oiliness and mealiness.
Using task context variables for selecting the best timing for interrupting users

This paper presents a framework that helps in selecting the most appropriate timing for interruption as a way to mediate human interruptions by the computer. The conceptual framework is based on the new Interruption Taxonomy and uses Bayesian Belief Networks as a decision-support aid. A proof-of-concept model was constructed for the experimental setting used in the exploratory study that was also part of this research. The steps in constructing the model that was built into the first version of the interruption mediator will be presented to show, in detail, how one might use the proposed framework for mediating interruptions.
Glandular odontogenic cysts (GOCs) lack MAML2 rearrangements: a finding to discredit the putative nature of GOC as a precursor to central mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a cyst of the gnathic bones that is characterized by squamous and glandular differentiation. The histopathologic features of GOC overlap considerably with central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), suggesting that GOC could be a precursor lesion to, or even a low-grade form of, central MEC. Differentiating the two lesions may be difficult or impossible on a limited biopsy. MAML2 rearrangements have been recently found to be specific for MEC, even those arising in the jaws. An analysis of MAML2 in GOCs could help clarify its relationship with central MEC. Tissue blocks from 21 GOCs and 5 central MECs were retrieved from the surgical pathology archives of The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Each MEC exhibited solid areas and clear-cut stromal invasion. In addition, 4 of the MECs demonstrated cystic areas that were histologically similar to GOC. Break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization for MAML2 was performed. For the MECs, analysis was performed on both the solid components and the cystic areas that resembled GOC. MAML2 rearrangements were identified in all 5 of the MECs, but in none of the 21 GOCs (100 vs. 0 %; p < 0.0001, Fisher’s Exact). In the MECs, the rearrangement was present in both the solid and GOC-like cystic areas. While central MECs consistently harbor the MAML2 rearrangement, even in low-grade cystic areas that resemble a pre-existing GOC, true GOCs do not. Accordingly, GOC does not appear to represent an early or low-grade form of central MEC, but rather an unrelated lesion. The high sensitivity and specificity of MAML2 rearrangement for MECs points to its utility as a diagnostic adjunct in separating mucinous cystic lesions of the gnathic bones.
Callus formation from mechanically isolated mesophyll cell of soybean and sweet potato

Abstract Cells mechanically isolated in distilled water at room temperature from the primary leaves of soybean and the leaf mesophyll of sweet potato grew, divided, and formed calli when cultured in semi-solid, modified Schenk-Hildebrandt's S-H medium. Soybean callus formed roots; sweet potato callus did not. Cells grew but did not divide in 3% sucrose in a semi-solid matrix.
The great pig roast

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the issue of the next generation OPAC, and several proposed solutions to that problem.Design/methodology/approach – This is an exploratory paper. It examines several proposals for reinventing the traditional library OPAC into a more relevant, user centered system.Findings – Libraries need to seriously re‐evaluate the relevance of the online public access catalog as it exists today. There are no one size fits all solutions given the rapidly changing information environment libraries find themselves in today.Originality/value – This paper provides points of discussion for professional librarians and library staff to engage in as they consider to future of the OPAC. Several key members of the library technology community are cited, and may provide further information on this important topic.
Ordering for Embedded Coding of Wavelet Image Data Based on Arbitrary Scalar Quantization Schemes

Many modern wavelet quantization schemes specify wavelet coefficient step sizes as continuous functions of an input step-size selection criterion; rate control is achieved by selecting an appropriate set of step sizes. In embedded wavelet coders, however, rate control is achieved simply by truncating the coded bit stream at the desired rate. The order in which wavelet data are coded implicitly controls quantization step sizes applied to create the reconstructed image. Since these step sizes are effectively discontinuous, piecewise-constant functions of rate, this paper examines the problem of designing a coding order for such a coder, guided by a quantization scheme where step sizes evolve continuously with rate. In particular, it formulates an optimization problem that minimizes the average relative difference between the piecewise-constant implicit step sizes associated with a layered coding strategy and the smooth step sizes given by a quantization scheme. The solution to this problem implies a coding order. Elegant, near-optimal solutions are presented to optimize step sizes over a variety of regions of rates, either continuous or discrete. This method can be used to create layers of coded data using any scalar quantization scheme combined with any wavelet bit-plane coder. It is illustrated using a variety of state-of-the-art coders and quantization schemes. In addition, the proposed method is verified with objective and subjective testing
Radiologic diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis: self-assessment module

The educational objectives of this self-assessment module are for the participant to exercise, self-assess, and improve his or her understanding of the radiologic diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis.
Dynamic Light Scattering Based Microelectrophoresis: Main Prospects and Limitations

Microelectrophoresis based on the dynamic light scattering (DLS) effect has been a major tool for assessing and controlling the conditions for stability of colloidal systems. However, both the DLS methods for characterization of the hydrodynamic size of dispersed submicron particles and the theory behind the electrokinetic phenomena are associated with fundamental and practical approximations that limit their sensitivity and information output. Some of these fundamental limitations, including the spherical approximation of DLS measurements and an inability of microelectrophoretic analyses of colloidal systems to detect discrete charges and differ between differently charged particle surfaces due to rotational diffusion and particle orientation averaging, are revisited in this work. Along with that, the main prospects of these two analytical methods are mentioned. A detailed review of the role of zeta potential in processes of biochemical nature is given too. It is argued that although zeta potential has been used as one of the main parameters in controlling the stability of colloidal dispersions, its application potentials are much broader. Manipulating surface charges of interacting species in designing complex soft matter morphologies using the concept of zeta potential, intensively investigated recently, is given as one of the examples. Branching out from the field of colloid chemistry, DLS and zeta potential analyses are now increasingly finding application in drug delivery, biotechnologies, physical chemistry of nanoscale phenomena and other research fields that stand on the frontier of the contemporary science. Coupling the DLS-based microelectrophoretic systems with complementary characterization methods is mentioned as one of the prosperous paths for increasing the information output of these two analytical techniques.
Sensitivity of photo-thermo-refractive glass to IR femtosecond pulses: application for the recording of phase elements

In this paper we investigate the features of refractive index modulation after excitation of PTR glass by high intensity IR femtosecond pulses and show as an example, how this non linear photosensitivity can be used for the recording of a Fresnel lens.
Accuracy in patient setup and its consequence in dosimetry.

Analysis of 5575 settings on a computer-monitored Theratron-80 $sup 60$Co unit demonstrates that human error does occur in treating patients with radiation. The errors are due to inaccurate setting of such parameters as field size, gantry angle, collimator rotation, treatment time, etc. The error rate per parameter was found to be about 3%, and more than two-thirds of the patients monitored with the PDP 11/45 computer had at least one error at some stage during the full course of treatment. Both the dose and the dose distribution may be affected by these errors and have been studied in a few typical cases. The errors in timer setting have the largest effect on the prescribed dose and may change the probability of local control appreciably. (AIP)
Regularized symmetric positive definite matrix factorizations for linear systems arising from RBF interpolation and differentiation

Abstract Scattered data interpolation using Radial Basis Functions involves solving an ill-conditioned symmetric positive definite (SPD) linear system (with appropriate selection of basis function) when the direct method is used to evaluate the problem. The standard algorithm for solving a SPD system is a Cholesky factorization. Severely ill-conditioned theoretically SPD matrices may not be numerically SPD (NSPD) in which case a Cholesky factorization fails. An alternative symmetric matrix factorization, the square root free Cholesky factorization, has the same flop count as a Cholesky factorization and is successful even when a matrix ceases to be NSPD. A regularization method can be used to prevent the failure of the Cholesky factorization and to improve the accuracy of both SPD matrix factorizations when the matrices are severely ill-conditioned. The specification of the regularization parameter is discussed as well as convergence/stopping criteria for the algorithm. The formation of differentiation matrices with the regularized SPD factorizations is demonstrated to improve eigenvalue stability properties of RBF methods for hyperbolic PDEs.
Bremsstrahlung in proton-α scattering

Abstract Proton-α bremsstrahlung cross sections have been measured at 45 MeV for θ p = 91°, θ α = 30° and θ p = 70°, θ α = 39°; at 40 MeV for θ p = 92°, θ α = 29°; and at 22 MeV for θ p = 70°, θ α = 30°. Calculations for these cross sections have been made using the Feshbach-Yennie model following the methods of Green and Prodon including p-α partial waves up to L = 4. These potential-independent calculations have only the proton-α elastic-scattering phase shifts as input. Good agreement with the experimental cross sectios has been obtained.
Statistical Mechanics and Molecular Simulation of Adsorption in Microporous Materials: Pillared Clays and Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes†

We report the results of extensive equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation of adsorption of single-component and binary gas mixtures in models of two classes of microporous materials, namely, pillared clays and carbon molecular sieve membranes (CMSMs), both of which have been utilized for separation of gas mixtures. We develop a novel three-dimensional molecular pore network model for CMSMs based on Voronoi tessellation. The simulations allow us to investigate the effect of the morphology of the pore space, i.e., its pore size distribution and pore connectivity on the adsorption isotherms. The simulation results are also used to test the accuracy of a recently developed statistical mechanical theory of adsorption. The theory is shown to provide very accurate predictions for the simulation results for both classes of the microporous materials over a wide range of the porosity of the porous materials.
The mechanical behavior of artificial graphites as portrayed by uniaxial tests

Abstract Stress-strain behaviors which are representative of nuclear-grade, or equivalent, graphites are described and discussed. Since cyclic loading test results provide important insight into the characteristics of graphite behavior, emphasis is placed on results of this type. Monotonic loading curves are also considered, and both stress versus longitudinal strain and stress versus lateral strain curves are given for monotonic and cyclic loading. The new results given in this paper are combined with results published in the literature to provide a unified description of the observed behavior.
Individual Differences among Female Rats in the Timing of the Preovulatory LH Surge Are Predicted by Lordosis Reflex Intensity

In young female rats, we found individual differences in LH surge characteristics that could underlie differences in fertility throughout adulthood and aging. We modified a jugular cannulation technique, which enabled us to characterize four successive proestrous LH surges in regularly cycling female rats. During a surge, the timing and amount of LH were negatively correlated, so that late-onset surges reached a low peak, late in the day. Within a female rat, the timing of the LH surge, but not the blood level of LH, was stable from cycle to cycle. Thus, differences in onset and peak time between successive LH surges within one female were less than differences among females. Moreover, these individual differences in timing of the LH surge were positively correlated with individual differences in lordosis reflex intensity on proestrus. Females with early-onset LH surges had high average lordosis reflex intensity on proestrus. Therefore, lordosis reflex intensity is a nonintrusive behavioral biomarker for individual differences in the timing of the preovulatory LH surge. This relationship between behavior and the preovulatory LH surge may reflect a hormonal basis for variations in reproductive strategies throughout the life span.
Studies of human fetal pancreatic allografts in diabetic recipients without immunosuppression

Abstract Four Type I insulin-dependent diabetic men received minced tissue from 6–12 pooled fetal pancreata cultured for 48 hours. Immunosuppressive therapy was not given. The tissue was transplanted under local anesthesia into the brachioradialis muscle of the nondominant arm or below the subcutaneous adipose tissue of the left lower quadrant of the abdominal wall. An increase in C-peptide secretion was documented following each procedure. Detectable C-peptide secretory capacity has persisted for 1 year in three cases. The total insulin requirement showed a drop of 71–100% at the time of maximum C-peptide secretion. No increase in anticytoplasmic islet cell antibody titer was detected during the year of observation following transplantation. These studies document that transplantation of functioning fetal pancreatic insulin-secreting tissue can be performed with minimal operative or immunologic risk to the reciplent. Significant insulin secretory capacity persists for 1 year following implantation. Further studies are warranted in order to optimize insulin secretion following fetal pancreatic islet transplantation.
The anatomic structure of the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle in the third molar region.

Purpose The arrangement of the structures within the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle has not been clearly defined. Because this could be of importance in surgery involving the inferior alveolar canal, a study was undertaken. Materials and Methods The inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle was dissected from 8 cadaveric mandibles and examined for the arrangement of the inferior alveolar artery, vein, and nerve. Histologic sections were taken for examination, and simultaneously, the bundle was exposed as part of a clinical surgical procedure for a marginal resection of the mandible. Results All 3 studies confirm that the inferior alveolar vein lies superior to the nerve and that there are often multiple veins. The artery appears to be solitary and lies on the lingual side of the nerve, slightly above the horizontal position. This position appeared to be consistent in all cases. Conclusions Knowledge of the arrangement of the inferior alveolar artery vein and nerve within the inferior alveolar canal can be of importance in surgical procedures that may involve these structures. Dentoalveolar surgery, implant-related surgery, and surgery for trauma or pathology could involve these structures.
Dominance of an invasive earthworm in native and non-native grassland ecosystems

More attention is currently being focused on earthworm invasions; however, in many ecosystems the relative abundance of native and invasive earthworm species is unknown. We characterized earthworm populations of two grassland types within the Palouse region: native prairie remnants and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) set asides planted with exotic grasses. The earthworm community in both grassland types was completely dominated by the exotic-invasive Aporrectodea trapezoides. Only one individual of a native species, Driloleirus americanus (the giant Palouse earthworm), was found in a prairie remnant. No differences were found between prairie remnants and CRP sites for mean earthworm density (24–106 individuals m−2) or fresh weight (12–45 g m−2). Our results suggest that the combined effects of land-use change, habitat fragmentation and competitive interactions have resulted in the decimation of native earthworm populations and dominance of invasive earthworms in native and non-native grasslands of the Palouse region.
Aquatic Vegetation as a Basis for Classification of Anopheles albimanus Weideman (Diptera: Culicidae) Larval Habitats

Larvae of Anopheles albimanus were collected on the Pacific coastal plain of Chiapas, Mexico, from 131 sampling sites representing different larval habitats. For each habitat the total percentage of emergent vegetation, floating vegetation, or both, percentage of cover of individual plant species, amount of phytoplankton, water conductivity, and the number of mosquito larvae collected in 30 dips were recorded. Individual habitats were classified into higher units, or habitat-types, by cluster analysis based on 37 environmental variables. Sixteen clusters, or habitat-types, were distinguished and defined by dominant plant species. Habitat-types were ranked by larval density and categorized as either low, medium, or high producers of A. albimanus .
Responding to the Special Needs of Refugee Children: Practical Ideas for Teachers

Increasing numbers of refugee children are entering our public schools. In addition to carrying with them memories of untold trauma, they bring with them many special needs. This article explores these needs and ideas for assisting teachers in making our classrooms more responsive to our refugee children.
Egg integrins: back in the game of mammalian fertilization.

Recent data provide insights into the function of egg integrins in mammalian fertilization and address some of the controversies regarding the involvement of these molecules in sperm−egg interaction.
Temperature dependence of photovoltaic cells, modules and systems

Photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules are often rated in terms of a set of standard reporting conditions defined by a temperature, spectral irradiance and total irradiance. Because PV devices operate over a wide range of temperatures and irradiances, the temperature and irradiance-related behavior must be known. This paper surveys the temperature dependence of crystalline and thin-film, state-of-the-art, research-size cells, modules and systems measured by a variety of methods. The various error sources and measurement methods that contribute to cause differences in the temperature coefficient for a given cell or module measured with various methods are discussed.
Pineal hydroxyindole-0-methyl transferase and N-acetyl transferase during sexual maturation of coturnix quail.

Abstract The enzymic activities of hydroxyindole-o-methyl transferase (HIOMT) and N-acetyl transferase (NAT) were determined in pineals of female and male Coturnix during sexual maturation. Optimum assay conditions for HIOMT was incubation of 5 μl of homogenate for 30 min at pH 7.9, while NAT was 5 μl homogenate for 15 min at pH 6.9. These enzymes were determined in pineals of Coturnix which were immature (30 d), rapidly maturing (40 d), mature (50 d) and discontinued breeders (270 d). HIOMT was significantly decreased in pineals of Coturnix undergoing rapid sexual maturation at 40 d, compared to other stages investigated. However, NAT was significantly greater in rapidly maturing and mature Coturnix compared to immatures and discontinued breeders. These results suggest that the decline in HIOMT and increase in NAT during rapid sexual maturation may be a consequence of increased gonadal activity in this species.
Brand Loyalty and Price Promotion Strategies: An Empirical Analysis

Though brand loyalty has been studied extensively in the marketing literature, the relationship between brand loyalty and retail pricing strategies is not well understood. Designing promotion strategies involves two key decisions: the percentage reduction in price from the existing price point (depth), and the frequency with which a product is promoted. These decisions, in turn, are critically dependent upon how many consumers can be convinced to switch to a brand by temporarily reducing its price, and how many are instead brand loyal. Theoretical models of how the strength of brand loyalty influence optimal promotion strategies have been developed, but there are no rigorous tests of their hypotheses that take into account wholesale price variation. We test how brand loyalty impacts promotion strategies for two frequently purchased consumer packaged good categories. Our results confirm that retailers promote strong brands shallower and more frequently compared to brands with weak loyalty. Our results highlight the importance of carefully modeling wholesale prices when testing behavioral models on retail pricing.
Microtubules are more stable and more highly acetylated in ethanol-treated hepatic cells

Background/Aims Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to serious liver disease. Although the disease progression is clinically well-described, the molecular basis for alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity is not understood. Methods We examined hepatocyte-specific, alcohol-induced alterations in microtubule dynamics in WIF-B cells. These cells provide an excellent model for studying alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity; they remain differentiated in culture and metabolize alcohol. Results Consistent with reports in other hepatic systems, microtubule polymerization in ethanol-treated WIF-B cells was impaired. However, when viewed by epifluorescence, the microtubules in ethanol-treated cells resembled stable polymers. Antibodies to acetylated α-tubulin confirmed their identity morphologically and revealed biochemically that ethanol-treated cells had approximately three-fold more acetylated α-tubulin than control cells. Livers from ethanol-fed rats also contained increased levels of acetylated α-tubulin. Consistent with increased acetylated α-tubulin levels, microtubules in ethanol-treated WIF-B cells were more stable. Because stability increased with increased time of ethanol exposure or concentration, was prevented by 4-methylpyrazole and was potentiated by cyanamide, we conclude that increased acetylation requires alcohol metabolism and is likely to be mediated by acetaldehyde. Conclusions Ethanol metabolism impairs tubulin polymerization, but once microtubules are formed they are hyperstabilized. These ethanol-induced alterations in microtubule integrity likely have profound effects on hepatocyte function.
Spin transport theory in ferromagnet/semiconductor systems with noncollinear magnetization configurations

We present a comprehensive theory of spin transport in a nondegenerate semiconductor that is in contact with multiple ferromagnetic terminals. The spin dynamics in the semiconductor is studied during a perturbation of a general, noncollinear magnetization configuration and a method is shown to identify the various configurations from current signals. The conventional Landauer-B\"uttiker description for spin transport across Schottky contacts is generalized by the use of a nonlinearized $I\text{\ensuremath{-}}V$ relation, and it is extended by taking into account noncoherent transport mechanisms. The theory is used to analyze a three terminal lateral structure where a significant difference in the spin accumulation profile is found when comparing the results of this model with the conventional model.
Local lines: a linear time line detector

This paper introduces LOCAL LINES--a robust, high-resolution line detector that operates in linear time. LOCAL LINES tolerates noisy images well and can be optimized for various specialized applications by adjusting the values of configurable parameters, such as mask values and mask size. As described in this paper, the resolution of LOCAL LINES is the maximum that can be justified for pixelized data. Despite this high resolution, LOCAL LINES is of linear asymptotic complexity in terms of number of pixels in an image. This paper also provides a comparison of LOCAL LINES with the prevalent Hough Transform Line Detector.
Refinements in selection criteria for pediatric laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate and refine the current criteria used in patient selection for pediatric laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Methods: An institutional review board–approved, retrospective review of the medical records of all children undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair by a single pediatric surgeon in an academic medical center was performed. Due to a high recurrence rate, refinements in patient selection criteria (primarily limiting the operation to 6 year olds and under) were made after the first 75 hernias were repaired. This study compared the early and late experience. Results: Between June 2004 and October 2007, 165 hernias were repaired laparoscopically in 116 children. Group A represents the first 75 hernias repaired, while group B includes the subsequent 90 repairs. Age range was 3 weeks to 14 years for group A and 4 weeks to 6 years of age for group B. Group A had two recurrences (2.6%), while group B had none. Both recurrences presented within ...
Pediatric unintentional injury: Behavioral risk factors and implications for prevention

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for children and adolescents between the ages of 1 and 18 in the United States, accounting for more deaths than the next 20 causes of mortality combined. It is estimated that pediatric injury accounts for more than $50 billion in annual losses from medical care costs, future wages, and quality of life. Despite these numbers, much remains to be learned about the behavioral risks for pediatric unintentional injury. This article reviews behavioral risk factors for pediatric unintentional injury risk, with a particular focus on four broad areas. First, we discuss the effects of demographic risk factors, including gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. Second, we present information about child-specific risk factors, including temperament, personality, psychopathology, and cognitive development. Third, we discuss the influence of parents and other primary caregivers on childhood injury risk, with a particular focus on the effects of supervision and parenting quality and style. Finally, we discuss the role of peers on child injury risk. We conclude with a discussion of the ways in which the material reviewed has been translated into injury prevention techniques, with a focus on how pediatricians might use knowledge about etiological risk to prioritize safety counseling topics. We also present thoughts on four priorities for future research: injury risk in diverse nations and cultures; developmental effects of injury; the influence of multiple risk factors together on injury risk; and translation of knowledge about risk for injury into intervention and prevention techniques.
What happens when you leave the car lights on overnight: Violation of local electroneutrality in slow, steady discharge of a lead-acid cell.

Slow, steady discharge of the common lead-acid cell is analyzed without assuming local electroneutrality. In this limit, the rate of electrolyte depletion is uniform in space and in time. For each ionic flux, the chemical reactions at the two electrodes impose boundary values; for slow, steady discharge, the fluxes vary linearly between these values. This leads to a linear variation in the electric field and the ionic density gradients. About half of the voltage drop across the cell is quadratic in space, due to a nonzero bulk charge density; in steady discharge the electrolyte is not merely a resistor. The steady-discharge resistance is about half the initial, resistorlike, resistance.
A model of three-choice discrimination learning under complete and incomplete feedback conditions

Abstract The Bower and Trabasso model of concept identification was extended to cover problems in which three stimuli were presented simultaneously and S pointed to the one he thought was correct. The E gave complete feedback by indicating the correct stimulus, or incomplete feedback by saying “correct” or “wrong.” The model accurately accounted for the significant difference in total errors between the two feedback conditions by incorporating process assumptions reflecting the logical difference in information content of the two types of feedback. Using a single set of parameter estimates, the model made satisfactory quantitative predictions of several statistics for both feedback conditions. Some deviations from the model's predictions were found in the length of terminal error runs, indicating that Ss were possibly using memory more extensively than posited by the model.
Measurements of energy gap at the level anti-crossing region of the photo-excited triplet state of organic molecules

Abstract By the application of zero-field magnetic resonance (ZFMR)/FID technique and fast-field sweeping around the level anti-crossing region with fixed rf frequency, we obtained the (minimum) energy gaps between the two crossing levels as 16.7±2.0 and 14.3±3.7 MHz for pentacene-h 14 in p -terphenyl and pentacene-d 14 in p -terphenyl, respectively, when B 0 ∥ x . The minimum energy gaps occur at 14 mT for both systems. The hyperfine interaction contributes only partially to the observed energy gap.
A latitudinal assessment of economic development in Sub‐Saharan African countries

Reviews the economic development of Sub‐Saharan African countries and discusses investment potential and opportunities in the region. Concludes with recommendations to investors and the governments of the countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa. In assessing development and investment potential of this region, examines and compares economic development data pertaining to the area and matches them with the debt burden these countries carry as they struggle to develop and reform their political systems. Finally, highlights exemplary achievements and problems of note.