cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of inorganic versus organic selenium on hen production and egg selenium concentration

A 28-d experiment using 288 Hy-Line W-36 laying hens was conducted to compare sodium selenite (SS) with Se-enriched yeast (SY). The Se from SS or SY was supplemented into a corn-soybean meal basal diet at 0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.60, or 3.00 ppm, and the basal diet was formulated to provide 0.82% lysine and 2,950 kcal/kg of ME. Each treatment was replicated 4 times with 2 cages of 4 hens per cage in each replicate. Hen production was assessed daily, and 2 eggs per replicate were collected every 4 d for whole-egg Se analysis. Albumen quality was assessed at 2 egg storage temperatures (7.2 vs. 22.2 degrees C) with the eggs collected on d 24 and 28, respectively. The percentage of dirty and cracked eggs was greater (P 0.05) by diet. Albumen quality of eggs stored at 22.2 degrees C was improved (P 0.05) in albumen quality of eggs stored at 7.2 degrees C. Egg weight was linearly increased (P < 0.01) by SY. Whole-egg Se levels were linearly increased (P < 0.01) as dietary Se level increased for both sources of Se, but eggs from hens fed SY had higher (P < 0.01) Se concentrations than those fed SS. The results from this experiment indicate that percentage hen-day production is not affected by Se source, and that SY increases egg Se concentrations more than SS.
Arthroscopy-assisted Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Patellar Tendon Substitution Two- to Four-year Follow-up Results

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate clinically, functionally, and objectively our initial experience using free, autogenous middle third patellar tendon for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction without extraarticular augmentation in 62 of 75 patients (80% followup) who were available for clinical review at a minimum 2-year followup. Subjective, clinical, functional, Cybex dynamometer, and KT-1000 arthrometer tests were performed along with modified tests of the Hospital for Special Surgery, Noyes Cincinnati, Tegner, and Lysholm knee rating scales. Ninety-two percent had a negative pivot shift at followup. The mean Cybex dynamometer extension deficits postoperatively were 9% and 7% at 180 and 240 deg/sec. Mild patellar pain symptoms were noted in 18%. The reoperation rate was 10% with a mild flexion contracture as the most common reason. The Hospital for Special Surgery scoring scale postoperatively was 88; Noyes, 86; Lysholm, 88; and Tegner, 6. Mean postoperative single-legged and vertical jump indices were 88% and 87%, respectively. The KT-1000 arthrometric evaluation postoperatively revealed a mean maximum manual difference of 0.3 mm; 92% of the patients had a maximum manual difference of < or = 3 mm. Subjectively, 95% indicated that they would undergo the procedure again. Early results demonstrate excellent stability, preservation of motion, and encouraging evaluations by scoring scales and arthrometric evaluation.
Structure and structural dynamics of alkylidenesulfur difluorides and alkylidenesulfur difluoride oxides: Experiment theory

Abstract Recently, Seppelt and co-workers reported the first examples of alkylidenesulfur difluorides [SF 2 C(CF 3 ) 2 , SF 2 C(CF 3 )SF 5 ] [1] and alkylidenesulfur difluoride oxides [OSF 2 C(H)C(O)F] [2]. While these workers have predominantly studied the structural dynamics of these compounds by NMR spectroscopy, we have assisted in their further study by computational methods. In the case of the alkylidenesulfur difluorides, the computational results are consistent with the experimental observation that the corresponding sulfenyl fluorides, R 2 FC-SF, are the thermodynamically favored products. In addition, the lowest energy structure for SF 2 C(CF 3 ) 2 (I) is consistent with the appearance of two unique CF 3 resonances in the fluorine-19 NMR spectrum, and thus, with the appearance of cis and trans isomers for SF 2 C(CF 3 )SF 5 . However, another minimum energy structure II is found on the potential energy surface for each of the alkylidenesulfur difluorides calculated. For example, with SF 2 CF 2 the planar, T-shaped structure (II) is significantly lower in energy than is the structure corresponding to I, while with SF 2 C(H)F structures I and II are nearly equivalent in energy. Preliminary calculations on SFCF indicate a preference of an ylide structure over a triple bond structure. The four possible conformations of OSF 2 C(H)C(O)F, which would result from hindered rotation about the SC and CC bonds, have been calculated at the 3-21G(*) basis set level. Interconversion between these conformations has also been examined computationally by two separate mechanisms: (1) the barrier to rotation about the SC bond and (2) the barrier to inversion at the sulfur via edge inversion. The results of these calculations will be described and compared to the reported variable-temperature NMR data [2].
Pathophysiology of atherosclerosis

New experimental evidence has shed light on a number of fundamental processes that contribute to atherosclerotic plaque formation. Recent data suggest that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may be more avidly bound and taken up by macrophages, and thus more atherogenic, than unmodified LDL. A subclass of LDL, lipoprotein(a), is also of interest with respect to atherogenic potential, particularly since it has a plasminogen-like moiety as part of its structure. It may promote platelet aggregation and thrombus formation and thereby contribute to atherosclerotic plaque growth. Hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and possibly other factors may induce changes in endothelial structure and function, which appear to be relatively early events associated with arterial injury. Smooth muscle cell proliferation and accumulation are hallmarks of arterial lesions induced by both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, and several growth factors have been potentially implicated in these responses. Hypertension by itself causes arterial damage, but it does not appear to induce atherosclerosis when plasma lipid concentrations are low. In combination with hypercholesterolemia, however, it is a potent promoter of atherogenesis, and the mechanisms for this more-than-addictive effect are now the focus of considerable investigative attention.
Who's responsible to refer for epilepsy surgery? We all are!

Epilepsy is not a benign disease. Patients with uncontrolled seizures face a trifold higher mortality risk compared with the general population and a yearly 0.5% risk of sudden death.1 A patient's only chance to reduce this risk is by completely eliminating seizures. For those fortunate enough to be candidates, epilepsy surgery is an important treatment option, but growing evidence supports that many patients receive neither the necessary information about whether they are surgical candidates, nor an unbiased assessment of the risks of continued seizures vs surgical therapy. Theoretically, best practice dictates that many patients fulfilling criteria of being treatment resistant (failure of adequate trials of 2 antiseizure medications)2 should be referred for a comprehensive epilepsy evaluation that might include epilepsy surgery. The current reality is that on average, adult patients who do get surgery have had intractable epilepsy for 20 years or more, and many who come for evaluation never knew they might be surgical candidates. Causes of this treatment gap are obviously complex, but may be summed up as a “knowledge gap” and a “feasibility gap.”
Opportunistic spectrum access in cognitive radio networks: when to turn off the spectrum sensors

In cognitive radio networks, spectrum sensing is a critical to both protecting the primary users and creating spectrum access opportunities of secondary users. Channel sensing itself, including active probing and passive listening, often incurs cost, in terms of time overhead, energy consumption, or intrusion to primary users. It is thus not desirable to sense the channel arbitrarily. In this paper, we are motivated to consider the following problem. A secondary user, equipped with spectrum sensors, dynamically accesses a channel. If it transmits without/with colliding with primary users, a certain reward/penalty is obtained. If it senses the channel, accurate channel information is obtained, but a given channel sensing cost incurs. The third option for the user is to turn off the sensor/transmitter and go to sleep mode, where no cost/gain incurs. So when should the secondary user transmit, sense, or sleep, to maximize the total gain? We derive the optimal transmitting, sensing, and sleeping structure, which is a threshold-based policy. Our work sheds light on designing sensing and transmitting scheduling protocols for cognitive radio networks, especially the in-band sensing mechanism in 802.22 networks.
A Phase I Trial of Oxaliplatin for Intraperitoneal Hyperthermic Chemoperfusion for the Treatment of Peritoneal Surface Dissemination from Colorectal and Appendiceal Cancers

Background Cytoreductive surgery with intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion (IPHC) has evolved into a promising approach for peritoneal surface malignancy. A large body of literature suggests that oxaliplatin has excellent cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer. Therefore, we undertook a phase I evaluation of IPHC with oxaliplatin for peritoneal dissemination from colorectal and appendiceal cancers to establish the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD).
LA-ICP-MS depth profile analysis of apatite: Protocol and implications for (U-Th)/He thermochronometry

Abstract Heterogeneous concentrations of α-producing nuclides in apatite have been recognized through a variety of methods. The presence of zonation in apatite complicates both traditional α-ejection corrections and diffusive models, both of which operate under the assumption of homogeneous concentrations. In this work we develop a method for measuring radial concentration profiles of 238 U and 232 Th in apatite by laser ablation ICP-MS depth profiling. We then focus on one application of this method, removing bias introduced by applying inappropriate α-ejection corrections. Formal treatment of laser ablation ICP-MS depth profile calibration for apatite includes construction and calibration of matrix-matched standards and quantification of rates of elemental fractionation. From this we conclude that matrix-matched standards provide more robust monitors of fractionation rate and concentrations than doped silicate glass standards. We apply laser ablation ICP-MS depth profiling to apatites from three unknown populations and small, intact crystals of Durango fluorapatite. Accurate and reproducible Durango apatite dates suggest that prolonged exposure to laser drilling does not impact cooling ages. Intracrystalline concentrations vary by at least a factor of 2 in the majority of the samples analyzed, but concentration variation only exceeds 5x in 5 grains and 10x in 1 out of the 63 grains analyzed. Modeling of synthetic concentration profiles suggests that for concentration variations of 2x and 10x individual homogeneous versus zonation dependent α-ejection corrections could lead to age bias of >5% and >20%, respectively. However, models based on measured concentration profiles only generated biases exceeding 5% in 13 of the 63 cases modeled. Application of zonation dependent α-ejection corrections did not significantly reduce the age dispersion present in any of the populations studied. This suggests that factors beyond homogeneous α-ejection corrections are the dominant source of overdispersion in apatite (U–Th)/He cooling ages.
The piezoelectric properties of some PZT composites

Abstract Two types of PZT/polymer composites were investigated. The first is a coral-type PZT having a 3-3 connectivity, produced by the simplified BURPS technique. The second type is an epoxy-PZT composite with a 3-2, connectivity. Properties including the dielectric constant, dissipation factor and the hydrostatic piezoelectric constants were characterized. The effects of temperature and pressure on these properties were also studied.
High performance of IR detectors due to controllable kinetics in quantum-dot structures

ABSTRACT To optimize the photodetector based on quantum-dot (QD) structures, we develop and exploit a model of the room-temperature QD photodetector. Using analytical modeling and Monte-Carlo simulations, we investigate photoelectron kinetics, i.e. capture and transit processes, as functions of selective doping of a QD structure, its geometry, and electric field applied. Results of our simulations demonstrate that the photoelectron capture is substantially enhanced in strong electric fields. Detailed analysis shows that effects of the el ectric field on electron capture in the structures with barriers are not sensitive to the redistribution of electrons between valleys. Thus, most data find adequate explanation in the model of hot-electron transport in the potential relief of quantum dots. We also show that the photoelectron kinetics is very sensitive to potential barriers of intentionally or unintentionally charged quantum dots. The capture processes can be substantially suppressed by a proper choice of the geometry of a QD structure and modulation doping. The suggested model is in agreement with the available experimental results. Manageable kinetics will allow one to employ QDIP as an adaptive detector with changing parameters. Keywords: infrared photodetector, quan tum-dot structure, potential barriers, photoelectron capture.
A Symptom-Based Measure of the Severity of Chronic Lung Disease: Results From the Veterans Health Study

Study objectives We developed a symptom-based measure of severity for chronic lung disease (CLD) that can be readily administered in ambulatory care settings and be used to supplement general health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessments and pathophysiologic indicators in research and clinical care. Design Cross-sectional data from the Veterans Health Study, an observational study of health outcomes in patients receiving Veterans Affairs (VA) ambulatory care. Setting Four VA outpatient clinics. Study subjects Two hundred ninety-two participants with CLD were identified on the basis of patient report of having a physician's diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or asthma and either using inhaled medications or having a productive cough on most days for 3 months. Measurements and results Participants were scheduled for an in-person interview in which they completed a CLD questionnaire and measurements of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). They were also mailed an HRQoL questionnaire, the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The CLD questionnaire included six symptom items chosen by an expert panel (two items each for dyspnea, wheezing, and productive cough). The combination of these items yielded a CLD severity index that correlated significantly with all eight scales of the SF-36 (range of r, −0.19 to −0.37; p Conclusions The CLD severity index is a reliable and valid patient-administered instrument that may be used to evaluate the effects of CLD on general HRQoL and predict future health services utilization.
The micro-statistical fracture mechanics approach to dynamic fracture problems

Continuum fracture mechanics concepts should be applied to solve dynamic fracture problems wherever a continuum approach can provide sufficient answers. Many dynamic fracture problems, however, involve multiple cracks or voids and are not well-suited to the relatively simple continuum approach. This paper describes a statistical fracture mechanics concept on a microscopic scale and illustrates its use for the case of shock-wave-induced ductile spall fracture. The paper further shows how micro-statistical fracture mechanics (MSFM) merges with continuum fracture mechanics by treating a macrocrack propagating in a DCB specimen using MSFM and the MSFM parameters deduced from the spall work.
A quantitative immunofluorescence test for the detection of anti-Candida antibodies☆

Abstract A quantitative immunofluorescence assay for anti- Candida antibodies has been developed using a recently introduced system that includes an automatic fluorometer and a special immunoadsorbent for antigen coating. A commercially available cytoplasmic antigen preparation was adsorbed into the substrate, and after incubation with sera from patients with systemic candidiasis or from normal controls, the antibodies bound to the antigen-coated immunoadsorbent were revealed by the use of fluorescein-labeled antisera to human immunoglobulins. Using doubling dilutions of a high titer serum, a positive relation was found between antibody concentration and the logarithm of the intensity of fluorescence. Quantitativ essays of unknown samples were performed using a calibration curve constructed from dilutions of that strongly positive sample; the results of antibody determinations were expressed as percentages of the control. Seven of 9 sera from patients with systemic candidiasis, and only 2 of 42 from asymptomatic individuals, had antibody levels considered significant in this assay. Precipitating antibodies were detected by counterimmunoelectrophoresis in all patients and in 18 of the asymptomatic controls; measurable antibody levels were also found in 14 controls showing no precipitating antibodies. This assay is simple, sensitive and inexpensive, and its quantitative nature makes it useful in the investigation of the immune response to C. albicans .
Prenatal diagnosis/treatment in families at risk for infants with steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (congenital adrenal hyperplasia)

The most common enzymatic defect of steroid synthesis is adrenal steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Inhibited formation of cortisol causes increased pituitary release of ACTH, driving the adrenal cortex to overproduce androgens, whose synthesis does not involve the 21-hydroxylase enzyme. This hormonal setting is established in the embryonic period and affects development of genetic females, misdirecting differentiation of the external genitalia toward male type. At birth, the genitalia are visibly ambiguous (enlarged clitoris, fused labia) or in some cases even male in appearance (phallus with urethral opening, rugated scrotal sac), leading to wrong sex assignment. Adrenal steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency is the most common basis of female pseudohermaphroditism. These females, however, have normal fertility and potential for gestation (gonads are functional and the internal duct-derived structures are well-formed), thus the sex of rearing should always be female. Management is by life-long hormonal (glucocorticoid) replacement, with surgical correction of the genital ambiguity. Prenatal diagnosis of 21-hydroxylase deficiency, first possible by steroid assay of the amniotic fluid, has utilized HLA typing for identification of loci (antigens B and DR) in close linkage with the 21-hydroxylase gene, and now increasingly relies on DNA analysis for linked HLA or C4 genes or for mutant 21-hydroxylase alleles directly by molecular genetic techniques. The most recent clinical advance is a program of combined prenatal diagnosis with karyotyping and suppression of fetal androgen production in genetic females by steroid administration to the mother. This is the first instance of an inborn metabolic error to be prenatally treated. A series of 85 managed pregnancies is reported on, including accuracy of diagnosis, response of the mother to steroid treatment, and outcome for treated and untreated male and female fetuses (of 77 born by 6/91). Prenatal diagnosis by current techniques is accurate. Normal growth and development patterns postnatally suggest that dexamethasone treatment is safe.
An LEED and STM study of the structures formed by sulfur on the Rh(111) surface

Abstract The structures formed by sulfur adsorbed on the Rh(111) surface have been studied with Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Five differently ordered overlayer structures were observed to form as a function of coverage. These are: (√3 × √3)R30°, c(√3 × 7)rect, c(4 × 2), (4 × 4) and (7 × 7). The first structure forms up to 0.33 monolayers, with S occupying fcc hollow sites. Above 0.33, hcp hollow sites are occupied as well. In the c(4 × 2) structure, at 0.5 monolayer coverage, there is equal occupation of fcc and hcp hollow sites. The transition from the (√3 × √3)R30° to c(4 × 2) overlayer occurs by formation of dense domain boundaries containing both fcc and hcp sites. The S in the hcp sites is metastable and, upon heating, it moves to nearest fcc sites to produce the (4 × 4) structure.
Cohesive force and resistivity between electrostatically-precipitated particles

Abstract In electrostatic precipitators, the precipitated particles experience a cogesive force due to the corona current which flows through the dust layer. Because this current must pass from particle to particle at, or near, the interparticle contacts, the electric field strength in these regions can become sufficiently high to initiate electrical breakdown. In the present article, a model is developed for the cohesive force between particles which analytically includes the limiting electric field. The resultant expression for the cohesive stress varies nearly linearly with the electric field in the layer and provides reasonable agreement with the data of McLean. Also, the resistivity of the layer is computed.
Neural correlates of sensory and decision processes in auditory object identification

Physiological studies of auditory perception have not yet clearly distinguished sensory from decision processes. In this experiment, human participants identified speech sounds masked by varying levels of noise while blood oxygenation signals in the brain were recorded with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Accuracy and response time were used to characterize the behavior of sensory and decision components of this perceptual system. Oxygenation signals in a cortical subregion just anterior and lateral to primary auditory cortex predicted accuracy of sound identification, whereas signals in an inferior frontal region predicted response time. Our findings provide neurophysiological evidence for a functional distinction between sensory and decision mechanisms underlying auditory object identification. The present results also indicate a link between inferior frontal lobe activation and response-selection processes during auditory perception tasks.
Outlook for patients after coronary artery revascularization.

Abstract Data are now available from many centers on the results of the coronary artery bypass operation. Approximately 85 percent of the patients who survive the procedure experience relief of angina and 60 percent have no further chest pain. Similarly, 70 to 85 percent of the patients have improved results on objective testing, and this improvement seems to correlate fairly well with the patency of the bypass grafts. Data from various institutions on effects on ventricular function have not been consistent, but there is some evidence that myocardial contractility for segments with a patent graft can be improved, particularly when there is no infarction and the preoperatlve ventricular wall motion is moderately depressed. The operative mortality rate for patients with stable angina is less than 6 percent in most centers and appears to be related to the quality of ventricular function. The mortality rate in patients with unstable angina is considerably higher in most institutions. Although vein patency is reduced to between 65 and 75 percent 1 year postoperatlvely, the occlusion rate over the next 2 years appears to be only 5 to 6 percent. It is too early to state definitively whether surgery can prevent infarction in patients with stable or unstable angina. However, there is fairly good evidence that bypass surgery can prevent infarction if it is carried out within 4 hours after the onset of coronary occlusion. The results from several centers suggest that bypass surgery may favorably influence the annual survival rate in patients with stable angina. There are not enough controlled data to say whether the procedure can extend life in patients with unstable angina, which is a highly lethal disease, particularly for individuals with continuing severe angina. Bypass surgery would appear to be of value for this group of patients.
An Anticopper Antiangiogenic Approach for Advanced Cancer in Spontaneously Occurring Tumors Using Tetrathiomolybdate: A Pilot Study in a Canine Animal Model

In this pilot study, 13 dogs of various breeds and ages with a variety of advanced tumors were treated with the antiangiogenic copper complexing drug tetrathiomolybdate. Dose escalations were performed to determine the safe and effective dose in dogs. The study was designed to last for a 6-month period for each dog entered. Dogs were examined weekly for the first 3 months and then every other week for the next 3 months. Complete blood count, serum biochemistry panel, and measurement of serum ceruloplasmin (Cp) content were conducted at each visit to monitor response to drug administration. Serum Cp was used as a surrogate marker of copper status. The owner reported toxicity at each visit. The dog was examined for physical abnormalities. Tumor measurements were completed every 2 weeks using direct measurements of the tumor with calipers in three planes or by direct measurements of the tumor using radiographic or ultrasonographic images in two planes. Tumor response was evaluated only after dogs achieved a 4-week reduction in their serum Cp content. Tumor responses were defined as either disease stabilization or reduction in tumor volume. Nine dogs achieved Cp reduction. Of those dogs, five had no response to treatment, whereas four dogs had tumor responses after Cp reduction, characterized as either disease stabilization or reduction in tumor volume, for the remainder of the study period. There was only mild self-limiting toxicity with use of the drug. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 17:9–20, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Parallel logic simulation of VLSI systems

Fast, efficient logic simulators are an essential tool in modern VLSI system design. Logic simulation is used extensively for design verification prior to fabrication, and as VLSI systems grow in size, the execution time required by simulation is becoming more and more significant. Faster logic simulators will have an appreciable economic impact, speeding time to market while ensuring more thorough system design testing. One approach to this problem is to utilize parallel processing, taking advantage of the concurrency available in the VLSI system to accelerate the logic simulation task.Parallel logic simulation has received a great deal of attention over the past several years, but this work has not yet resulted in effective, high-performance simulators being available to VLSI designers. A number of techniques have been developed to investigate performance issues: formal models, performance modeling, empirical studies, and prototype implementations. Analyzing reported results of these techniques, we conclude that five major factors affect performance: synchronization algorithm, circuit structure, timing granularity, target architecture, and partitioning. After reviewing techniques for parallel simulation, we consider each of these factors using results reported in the literature. Finally we synthesize the results and present directions for future research in the field.
Modeling, Simulation, and Flight Tests for a T-38 Talon with Wing Fences

A computational study, a wind-tunnel analysis, and a flight test on the T-38 Talon demonstrated that approach-to-stall characteristics may be improved by the addition of a wing fence. Fences were placed at the location of a preexisting seam, at ±0.825 semispan, and were compared with the T-38 without fences. Reynolds-averaged Navier― Stokes simulations were conducted using the computational fluid dynamics air vehicles unstructured solver to examine the flow around the T-38 at typical full-flap landing conditions (Re = 4.66 x 10 6 per unit length). Solutions were computed over a range of angles of attack from 2 to 15 deg. The fence was found to increase C L max by 7% and delay the attainment of C L max from a 12 to a 13 deg angle of attack. This effect was achieved through the formation of a discrete streamwise vortex outboard of the fence, which prevented flow separation in the tip region, which (in turn) delayed flow separation over the remainder of the wing, resulting in the higher computed lift. Wind-tunnel results, by and large, were based on aircraft instrumentation and flow visualization for Mach numbers up to 0.65 (Re mac ∼ 10 7 ). The flight-test data showed an increase in C L of approximately 2 % in the angle-of-attack range of 12―14.5 deg when the wing fence was in place. Onboard accelerometer data suggest the fence reduced the roll-off tendency and the wing-rock amplitude during approaches to stall. Flow visualization on the aircraft wing in both the wind-tunnel study and the flight test suggested that the fence reduced spanwise and separated flow outboard the fence, which agreed with the computational fluid dynamics results.
Insulin-like growth factor: Receptor and binding proteins in human retinal endothelial cell cultures of diabetic and non-diabetic origin

Human retinal endothelial cell (HREC) cultures of diabetic and non-diabetic origin were examined for the production of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), IGF-I receptor and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) using colloidal gold quantitative immunocytochemistry and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). The levels of immunoreactivity for IGF-I receptor and for four IGFBPs (IGFBP-1, -2, -3 and -5) were significantly increased in diabetic HREC cultures. Moreover, diabetic HREC cultures showed significantly less immunoreactivity for IGF-I and for IGFBP-4 as compared to non-diabetic HREC cultures. Message levels for IGF-I decreased two-fold in diabetic HREC and correlated with protein levels. Message levels for IGFBP-1, -2 and -5 increased 1.5-, 1.7- and 1.6-fold, respectively, in diabetic HREC and correlated with protein levels. However, the protein levels for IGF-I receptor and IGFBP-3 and -4 did not correlate with mRNA levels. There were no differences in mRNA levels for IGF-I receptor and IGFBP-3 and -4 between diabetic and non-diabetic HREC cultures, suggesting a post-transcriptional regulation of IGF-I receptor and the two IGFBPs. The net effect, however, supports enhanced IGF-I action in HREC cultures of diabetic origin which is an important cellular event in diabetic retinopathy.
Regression Analysis Of Zernike Polynomials Part II

In an earlier paper entitled "Regression Analysis of Zernike Polynomials, Proceedings of SPIE, Vol. 18, pp. 392-398, the least squares fitting process of Zernike polynomials was examined from the point of view of linear statistical regression theory. Among the topics discussed were measures for determining how good the fit was, tests for the underlying assumptions of normality and constant variance, the treatment of outliers, the analysis of residuals and the computation of confidence intervals for the coefficients. The present paper is a continuation of the earlier paper and concerns applications of relatively new advances in certain areas of statistical theory made possible by the advent of the high speed computer. Among these are: 1. Jackknife - A technique for improving the accuracy of any statistical estimate. 2. Bootstrap - Increasing the accuracy of an estimate by generating new samples of data from some given set. 3. Cross-validation - The division of a data set into two halves, the first half of which is used to fit the model and the second half to see how well the fitted model predicts the data. The exposition is mainly by examples.
Placing identities: Transnational practices and local attachments of Turkish immigrants in Germany

This paper examines the ways that Turkish immigrants create places of belonging in a German city. I suggest that transnational ties enable immigrants to forge local attachments through the production of place. Drawing on a neighbourhood case-study of Duisburg–Marxloh, I show how immigrants’ transnational ties and practices visibly transform their current place of residence through transnational consumption, mass media, and the establishment of communal places such as mosques and teahouses that also contribute to conflicts between groups. Their placing of identities also forms an engagement with the receiving society, as immigrants are actively carving out belonging in the face of often hostile attitudes from German residents. Viewing immigrants’ attachments from the perspective of places they create teases out the complexities of multiple and sometimes conflicting attachments of contemporary migrants, and allows for an understanding of transnational ties and engagement with the host society as complementa...
Differential response to various stimulants in the body and antrum of the canine stomach

This study was initiated to evaluate gastric motility with the use of extraluminal force transducers in unanesthetized dogs. The contractile activity of the circular and longitudinal muscle in both antrum and body of the canine stomach was monitored in the interdigestive state and under the influence of food, acetylcholine, and 5-hydroxytryptophane. The latter two chemicals were infused for a 30-min. period. Each of the two muscle layers in antrum and body had a maximum frequency of 5 contractions per minute. This activity was continuous during 30 min. only under the influence of food and 5-hydroxytryptophane. Acetylcholine stimulant effects did not persist beyond the initial 10 min. of infusion. Amplitude of contractions under spontaneous or induced activity varied. The height of these contractions were circular antrum > longitudinal antrum > circular body > longitudinal body. This method of recording muscle contractility is believed to be useful for quantitatively assaying gastric activity without compromise of physiologic environment.
Improvements in the Determination of Decomposition Gases from 1,3,3-Trinitroazetidine and 5-Nitro-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-trizol-3-one Using Capillary Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

A Chrompack PLOT fused-silica capillary column with a narrow internal diameter (0.25 mm) and PoraPLOT Q stationary phase are used for the simultaneous gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen cyanide, cyanogen, and water from thermal decompositions of the highly energetic materials 1,3,3-trinitroazetidine (TNAZ) and 5-nitro-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one. Previously this laboratory required two separate capillary columns for analyses of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide. The detection of hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen gases as products of TNAZ thermal decomposition is verified for the first time by our laboratory using this new column.
A new look at the informational gain of soft decisions

The paper develops a new systematic method of studying the benefits of 2 bit soft decisions by applying the concepts of information processing theory. We quantify performance in terms of the information transfer ratio and demonstrate the performance gain over hard decision detectors in several noise environments. In addition, we show that likelihood ratio tests maximize the information transfer ratio, and we propose a method of optimizing threshold values for the 2 bit soft decision detector.
Bridging the Distance

AbstractIn recent years, asynchronous environments, such as e-mail and electronic mailing lists, have been used in instructional contexts by supervisors, cooperating teachers, and others as a medium for communicating with preservice teachers. It is also possible for asynchronous environments such as electronic mailing lists to provide opportunities for preservice teachers to become part of a larger community of educators. This study is an effort to better understand interactions between preservice teachers and other members of the education community in the context of an electronic mailing list environment. Specifically, this study examines responses from participants in a technology and literacy electronic mailing list to postings made by preservice teachers as part of a class assignment. Participants included teachers, professors, and graduate students as well as preservice teachers who took part in a corrective reading course electronic mailing list. Results indicate that (I) responses to postings addr...
Websites for engineering educators: a bencrmark study to identify best practices

There are a large number of websites devoted to engineering education issues. In this paper, we evalu ate four of these websites using a usability inspection technique. We use the results of the evaluation to provide a benchmark of engineering education websites, in terms of promising design practices and opportunities for improvement.
A Boundary Layer Theory - Part I: Laminated Composites in Plane Stress

The boundary layer theory of plane stress in isotropic elasticity devel oped by Reiss and Locke is extended here to the laminated composites, In the boundary layer region, equations are separated into two problems, i.e., torsion problem and plane strain problem. These two problems are coupled through the compatibility equations as well as the continuity condition at the interfaces of the laminates. This formulation provides a tool to obtain analytical solutions to predict the two interlaminar shear stresses as well as the normal or "peel" stress.
Design and performance of octave S/C band MMIC T/R modules for multi-function phased arrays

A complex wideband transmit/receive module that achieves performance levels superior to any MMIC module is described. Peak performance within the octave 3.0 to 6.0 GHz band includes a power output of 21 W at S-band and 19 W at C-band, a noise figure of 3.9 to 5.0 dB, 30 to 38 dB of receive gain, 25 to 26 dBm output IP/sub 3/, 40 dB of gain control in 256 steps, dual receive channels with independent amplitude and phase control, and an 8-bit phase shifter with less than 1 degree calibrated RMS phase error. Total GaAs area is 146 mm/sup 2/ with 170 mm of total gate periphery. The module incorporates a compact digital interface, requires only three supply voltages, and utilizes advanced packaging techniques, resulting in a size compatible with a grating lobe free grid spacing. >
Making a Case and a Place for Effective Content Area Literacy Instruction in the Elementary Grades

Today, as never before, content area literacy is gaining the attention of educators. Although it has always been emphasized at the secondary level, the need for content area literacy instruction at the elementary level is becoming more and more apparent. This article begins by providing background on the topic, demonstrating how interest in elementary content area literacy has increased over the past decade and the ways conceptions of content area literacy have changed over time. It identifies three critical reasons for including content area literacy in the elementary grades: Early exposure to exposition may facilitate development of nonnarrative reading and writing skills Informational texts may motivate some children to read more Informational texts may increase student facility with new knowledge domains It then describes five ways that teachers can make a place for content area instruction in their classrooms. They include (a) integrating literacy instruction with content area study, (b) providing students access to multiple text types and time to read them, (c) helping students become strategic readers and writers of informational texts, (d) involving students in inquiry-based experiences, and (e) developing professional expertise in teaching students about nonnarrative texts.
Children’s social category-based giving and its correlates: Expectations and preferences.

Do young children use information about gender and race to guide their prosocial gestures, and to what extent is children’s selective prosociality related to other intergroup phenomena? Two studies tested 3to 5-year-old children’s allocation of resources to, social preferences for, and expectations about the behaviors of unfamiliar people who varied by gender or race. In both studies, a predominantly White sample of participants gave more resources to same-gender and White children than to other-gender and Black children, respectively. Correlational analyses showed that participants’ gender-based giving was related to their social preferences for, and expectations about receiving help from, children who matched their gender. Race-based giving was only related to participants’ expectations that they would be more likely to receive help from White than from Black children. The findings show that gender and race can guide children’s resource distribution behavior and also provide insight into factors underlying children’s allocation decisions.
Non-parametric approximate linear programming for MDPs

The Approximate Linear Programming (ALP) approach to value function approximation for MDPs is a parametric value function approximation method, in that it represents the value function as a linear combination of features which are chosen a priori. Choosing these features can be a difficult challenge in itself. One recent effort, Regularized Approximate Linear Programming (RALP), uses L1 regularization to address this issue by combining a large initial set of features with a regularization penalty that favors a smooth value function with few non-zero weights. Rather than using smoothness as a backhanded way of addressing the feature selection problem, this paper starts with smoothness and develops a non-parametric approach to ALP that is consistent with the smoothness assumption. We show that this new approach has some favorable practical and analytical properties in comparison to (R)ALP.
Photomechanical transdermal delivery: The effect of laser confinement

Background and Objective Photomechanical waves can transiently permeabilize the stratum corneum and facilitate the delivery of drugs into the epidermis and dermis. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of pulse characteristics to the penetration depth of macromolecules delivered into the skin. Study Design/Materials and Methods Photomechanical waves were generated by confined ablation with a Q-switched ruby laser. Fluorescence microscopy of frozen biopsies was used to assay the delivery of macromolecules through the stratum corneum and determine the depth of penetration. Results Photomechanical waves generated by confined ablation of the target have a longer rise time and duration than those generated by direct ablation. Confined ablation required a lower radiant exposure (from ∼7 J/cm2 to ∼5 J/cm2) for an increase in the depth of delivery (from ∼50μm to ∼400μm). Conclusions Control of the characteristics of the photomechanical waves is important for transdermal delivery as they can affect the depth of drug penetration into the dermis. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:344–347, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mortality risk associated with leaving home: recognizing the relevance of the built environment.

Objectives. I analyzed traffic fatalities and homicides related to leaving home for routine activities, and considered connections between these fatalities and the built environment. Methods. I analyzed city, county, state, and federal data for traffic fatalities and homicides by strangers for 15 metropolitan areas, and classified deaths as occurring in the central city, in inner suburbs, or in outer suburbs (exurbs). Results. Traffic fatality rates were highest in exurban areas. Combined traffic fatality and homicide-by-stranger rates were higher in some or all outer counties than in central cities or inner suburbs in all of the metropolitan areas studied. Conclusions. Traffic fatalities are largely unrecognized as a danger to be factored into residential location decisions. Land use controls that deter sprawl along narrow exurban roads can reduce the mortality risks associated with leaving home.
Interaction of ZEB and Histone Deacetylase with the PLDLS-binding cleft region of monomeric C-terminal Binding Protein 2

Proteins of the C-terminal binding protein (CtBP) family, CtBP1 and CtBP2 are closely related transcriptional regulators that are coded by two different gene loci in the vertebrate genomes. They perform redundant and unique functions during animal development. CtBP proteins mediate their transcriptional function through interaction with various DNA-binding repressors that contain PLDLS-like motifs and chromatin modifying enzymes, such as class I histone deacetylases (HDAC) that do not contain such motifs. The N-terminal region of CtBP1/2 forms a hydrophobic cleft and is involved in interaction with both PLDLS-containing factors and non-PLDLS factors. CtBP proteins function as dimers to mediate transcriptional repression and dimerization is modulated by specific binding to NAD/NADH. In this study, we have investigated the role of dimerization of CtBP2 in recruitment of PLDLS-motif cofactors and non-PLDLS cofactors. Our results indicate that mutations in CtBP2 that interfere with dimerization abolish CtBP2 interaction with most cellular factors, except the PLDLS-motif factor zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB) and the non-PLDLS factor HDAC2. Unlike most PLDLS-containing CtBP-binding proteins, ZEB contains three PLDLS-like motifs and all three contribute to the interaction with the CtBP2 monomer. Despite the ability to interact with ZEB and HDAC, the CtBP2 monomer fails to mediate ZEB-dependent transcriptional repression. The lack of repression activity of the CtBP2 monomer is correlated with the competition between ZEB and HDAC for interaction with the CtBP2 monomer. These results suggest a competition between the canonical PLDLS-motif factors such as E1A and non-PLDLS factor HDAC for interaction with CtBP. They also indicate that the affinity for the CtBP monomer may be determined by the number as well as amino acid sequence compositions of the PLDLS-like motifs. Our results are consistent with a model that the CtBP2 dimer may interact with a PLDLS-containing repressor through one monomer and recruit HDAC and other chromatin modifying enzymes through the second monomer in the CtBP2 dimer.
Agricultural Development and Land Tenancy in a Peasant Economy: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis

In this paper we have a two-season model of agricultural production in a peasant economy, with labor unemployment in the lean season, land rationing at a conventionally fixed crop share by a monopolistic landlord who is also the financier of consumption credit for the sharecropper families. We then work out hypotheses about the relation of the equilibrium percentage of area under tenancy with land quality factors, labor-intensity of crops, extent of unemployment, interest rates, weather uncertainty, etc. Most of the hypotheses are confirmed by interstate cross-section evidence from India in early 1950s.
Taxation, Human Capital Accumulation and Economic Growth

Previous studies have shown that tax rates and the growth rate of output are negatively related under the assumption that government wastes tax revenues. This paper shows that, if tax revenues are used for human capital accumulation, tax rates and the growth rate can be positively related. An increase in the human capital tax rate will increase (decrease) the growth rate when the initial tax rate is small (large). An increase in the physical capital tax rate will increase the growth rate when savings are completely interest-inelastic. The effects of income taxes and lump-sum taxes on growth are also analysed. JEL Classification Numbers: E6, H2, O4.