cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ganglioside modulation of CD4 does not block T-helper cell function as compared to antagonism by anti-CD4 antibody

Gangliosides (GM1) modulate CD4 from the surface of T-helper lymphocytes and have been shown to block CD4-mediated HIV-1 infection in vitro. However, the effects of GM1 on CD4 are neutralized in the presence of serum. We sought to make a GM1 derivative which would resist serum neutralization and to determine whether modulation of CD4 by GM1 would affect T-helper lymphocyte function. Study of GM1 and GM1-derivatives in the presence of serum indicated that the active conformation involves intact sialic acid hydroxyl groups and intermolecular ganglioside interactions. All chemical modifications directed toward the sialic acid moiety reduced the ability of GM1 to modulate CD4. Elution profiles of GM1 in the presence and absence of albumin indicate that the active form of GM1 is represented by micelles that are disrupted by albumin. Function studies show that CD4 T-helper cells made CD− by GM1 treatment continued to proliferate in culture and recognize antigen (Ag) through the T cell receptor (TcR). Moreover, T-helper cell mediated inflammation assessed by Ag-specific, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) was enhanced after passive transfer of GMl-treated T-helper cells to naive animals. In comparison, CD4 blockade by anti-CD4 antibody decreased Ag-stimulated T-helper cell proliferation and DTH reactions. These results demonstrate that (1) CD4 modulation involves an active conformation that arises from sialic acid effector molecules organized by micellar GM1 conformations; and (2) the mechanism by which GM1 modulates CD4 is different from CD4 antagonism seen with anti-CD4 antibody treatment. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mechanically flexible interconnects with highly scalable pitch and large stand-off height for silicon interposer tile and bridge interconnection

This paper reports novel interconnect technologies to enable a large scale `interposer tile' and `silicon bridge' interconnection platform. Microfabricated self-alignment structures enable high alignment accuracy between the components. Mechanically flexible interconnects (MFIs) are utilized to enable rematable electrical interconnects. Moreover, a proof of concept demonstration with interposer tiles directly mounted on FR4 board and interconnected by silicon bridges is reported.
Teaching Group Work in the BSW Generalist Social Work Curriculum: Core Content

In this article, nine considerations associated with social work practice with groups are identified and discussed. These range from the importance of mutual aid and the role of the group leader to multicultural competence and practice skills needed in the beginning, middle, and ending phases of group work. Group work is only one of four modalities that must be taught in the undergraduate practice sequence. Therefore, the nine considerations represent the essential content on group work for the generalist practice curriculum. The author assumes that this content can be presented in a 7-week time frame. In a companion article, the author presents teaching strategies and techniques that assist the instructor in conveying the principles for practice discussed in the present article.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Residential Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Florida

The main concern for adopting solar PV is the cost of PV systems and their higher unit price than grid price. This study uses four cities in Florida as cases to investigate the life-cycle cost, in the form of equivalent annual cost (EAC), and unit electricity price of various scenarios that apply solar photovoltaic (PV) system technologies to residential buildings. The study shows that currently the EAC of using distributed standalone PV systems increases when more electricity is generated by such systems. The unit electricity price is essentially determined by the aggregate unit price of electricity, which includes two parts, electricity consumption of a residence from both grid and PV systems. When the unit electricity price is less than the unit grid price during the study period, the investment on PV system becomes feasible. However, other factors may have a great impact on the life cycle cost including the cost of batteries, the replacement cycle of batteries and inverters, net metering, and rebate a...
Creative Aspects of Engineering Writing

Writing an engineering paper is shown to be an intrinsic part of the engineering work, rather than a mere recording of results. The process of writing a paper for publication in an engineering journal has some rather interesting aspects of creativity. This paper shows how any careful attempt to record and analyze the results of an engineering project will actually contribute to the engineer's understanding of his own work. Writing a paper not only affords a fresh insight to the author, but may even inspire a more thorough study and a new approach to laboratory work before the manuscript is finished. In addition, this paper exposes three popular fallacies about the creative aspects of writing.
INFLUENCE OF RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY ON SERUM HORMONE LEVELS

AbstractPurpose: The influence of radical prostatectomy on the hypothalamic pituitary axis has not been well studied. It is also unclear how alterations in serum androgen levels that result from surgical removal of the prostate might influence the recovery of libido and sexual function following radical prostatectomy. We determined the influence of radical prostatectomy on the hypothalamic pituitary testicular axis of 63 men with clinically localized prostate cancer treated only with radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: A total of 63 healthy men 43 to 67 years old were enrolled in this prospective study. Phlebotomy was performed immediately before and 1 year following radical retropubic prostatectomy. Sera were stored frozen and analyzed as a group at the end of the study. We measured serum testosterone, percent free testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone binding globulin and prolactin.Results: Following radical...
Analytic families of finite-slope Selmer groups

We develop a theory of Selmer groups for analytic families of Galois representations, which are only assumed “ordinary” on the level of their underlying (φ,Γ)-modules. Our approach brings the finite-slope nonordinary case of Iwasawa theory onto an equal footing with ordinary cases in which p is inverted.
Long-term evaluation of drug abuse resistance education☆

Project DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is the most prevalent school-based drug-use prevention program in the United States, but there is little evidence of its effectiveness. Results from a longitudinal evaluation of the program in 36 schools in Illinois provide only limited support for DARE's impact on student's drug use immediately following the intervention, and no support for either continued or emerging impact on drug use 1 or 2 years after receiving DARE instruction. In addition, DARE had only limited positive effects on psychological variables (i.e., self-esteem) and no effect on social variables (e.g., peer resistance skills). Possible substantive and methodological explanations for the relative lack of DARE's effectiveness observed in this study are discussed.
Relationships between the catecholaminergic and enkephalinergic systems demonstrated by a combined technique of formaldehyde-induced fluorescence and immunocytochemistry

A technique for the localization of catecholamines and enkephalin in the same tissue section is described. Sections from rat brains prepared according to the Falck-Hillarp technique were examined by dark field fluorescence microscopy and then processed for immunocytochemistry for leucine-enkephalin (leu-enk) using the unlabeled antibody technique. In the medial hypothalamus the distribution of the catecholamines and enkephalin is complementary, while in the lateral hypothalamus the patterns are similar but not identical. Enkephalin terminals are also observed in and around the locus coeruleus, while enkephalin cell bodies are adjacent to the nucleus.
Pion-nucleus elastic scattering at 80 MeV

80 MeV positive and negative pions inelastically scattered from targets of /sup 12/C and /sup 40/Ca have been studied at laboratory angles between 50/sup 0/ and 120/sup 0/. Angular distributions are presented for scattering from the 4.44 MeV (2/sup +/) state in /sup 12/C, the 3.7 MeV (3/sup -/), 13.4 MeV, and 17.5 MeV states in /sup 40/Ca. The cross sections are compared with distorted wave calculations using potentials obtained from elastic scattering.
Bounds on Achievable Accuracy in Analog Optical Linear Algebra Processors

Upper arid lower bounds on the number of bits of accuracy achievable are determined by applying a seconth-ortler statistical model to the linear algebra processor. The use of bounds was found necessary due to the strong signal-dependence of the noise at the output of the optical linear algebra processor (OLAP). 1 1. ACCURACY BOUNDS One of the limiting factors in applying OLAPs to real world problems has been the poor achievable accuracy of these processors. Little previous research has been done on determining noise sources from a systems perspective which would include noise generated in the multiplication ard addition operations spatial variations across arrays and crosstalk. We have previously examined these noise sources and determined a general model for the output noise mean and variance. The model demonstrates a strony signaldependency in the noise at the output of the processor which has been confirmed by our experiments. 1 We define accuracy similar to its definition for an analog signal input to an analog-to-digital (ND) converter. The number of bits of accuracy achievable is related to the log (base 2) of the number of separable levels at the P/D converter output. The number of separable levels is fouri by dividing the dynamic range by m times the standard deviation of the signal a. 2 Here m determines the error rate in the P/D conversion. The dynamic range can be expressed as the
Changes in the organization of the mouse egg plasma membrane upon fertilization and first cleavage: indications from the lateral diffusion rates of fluorescent lipid analogs.

Abstract Using the technique of fluorescence photobleaching recovery, we have measured the lateral diffusion of the lipid analogs 3,3′-diacylindocarbocyanine iodides of acyl chain lengths, n = 14 to 22 in the plasma membranes of unfertilized and fertilized CD-1 mouse eggs and two-cell embryos. Mean diffusion coefficients ranged from (3.4 to 7.9) × 10−9 cm2/sec and mean percentage diffusing ranged from 65 to 82%. Within 10% diffusing fractions are independent of chain length and unaffected by fertilization or first cleavage. In unfertilized and fertilized eggs the diffusion coefficients show relative maxima at n = 16 and 20. In two-cell embryos the relative maximum at n = 16 is suppressed. As was observed by D. E. Wolf, W. Kinsey, W. Lennarz, and M. Edidin (1981, Develop. Biol.81, 133) on sea urchin eggs, the effect of fertilization on diffusion coefficients is chain length dependent. Little change is observed for n = 14 and 18; a slight increase is observed for n = 16; and small decreases are observed for n = 20 and 22. This is interpreted in terms of a reordering of the lipid domains in the plasma membrane upon fertilization and first cleavage.
Country reputation and performance: The role of public relations and news media

Using agenda-building and agenda-setting as theoretical framework, this study examined the relationship that international public relations and US news media coverage have with public opinion of foreign countries and their economic performance. The study analyzed 598 press releases from 30 countries, 488 news media articles and public opinion data from the 2009 Anholt's Nation Brands Index (NBI). In addition, foreign trade and tourism figures from the US Department of Commerce were examined. The findings supported both first- and second-level agenda-building and agenda-setting effects. Further, the study identified effective areas for public relations to highlight in press releases about a country to help inform the practice of country reputation management and nation branding.
Isolation and functional characterization of the chick M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor gene.

Abstract: The chick is a widely used system for study of the actions of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the cardiovascular, visual, and nervous systems. We report the isolation and functional analysis of the gene encoding the chick M5 muscarinic receptor. RT-PCR analysis indicates that the M5 receptor is expressed at low levels in embryonic chick brain and heart. When expressed in stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells, the M5 receptor exhibits high-affinity binding to muscarinic antagonists and mediates robust activation of phospholipase C activity.
Circularity and epistemic principles: A reply to James Keller

This paper is a reply to James Keller's criticisms of my ‘Foundationalism, Coherentism and the Levels Gambit’ (Synthese 55, April 1983). Foundationalists have often claimed that, within a foundationalist framework, one can justify beliefs about epistemic principles in a mediate, empirical fashion, while escaping the charge of vicious circularity that is usually thought to afflict such methods of justification. In my original paper I attacked this foundationalist strategy; I argued that once mediate, empirical justification of epistemic principles is allowed, the foundationalist must also allow circular patterns of justification of the sort that he typically criticizes coherentists for espousing. Here I argue that Keller's reply only makes matters worse for the foundationalist. At several points, his reply turns out to be inconsistent either with reliabilism or with the foundationalist strategy he is trying to defend.
Deviations from stoichiometry and electrical properties in SnTe

Abstract The maximum melting point of SnTe has been found to be 805.9 ± 0.3°C near 50.4 at. per cent Te by thermal analysis. The apparent hole concentration, p ∗ = 1 eR , at 300° and 77°K has been measured for single crystals saturated with Sn or Te between 550° and 797°C and quenched. For saturation at 700°C, the apparent hole concentration at 300°K (p∗300) is 2 × 1020 cm−3 for Sn-saturated SnTe and 1.5 × 1021cm-3 for Te-saturated SnTe. The corresponding concentrations for saturation at 775°C are 5 × 1020 and 1.1 × 1021cm-3, respectively. The maximum melting composition corresponds to about 8 × 10 20 holes cm 3 . The relationships between apparent hole concentration at 300° or 77°K and at. per cent Te have been determined by equilibrating small crystals of SnTe at 750°C with large ingots having known compositions within the SnTe solidus field. In both cases, it is linear and for p∗300, is given by p 300 ∗ 10 20 = 16·94 ( at. per cent Te -50·00)+ 0.51 On the basis of the above, the solidus field of SnTe lies entirely on the Te-rich side of 50 at. per cent Te above 600°C and has its maximum width near 600° where the limits of stability are 50·1 and 51·1 at. per cent Te. The density determined by weighing is 6·445 ± 0·010 gm/cm3 at 25°C for all samples. The lattice parameter varies linearly with at. per cent Te from 6·318 A at 50·17 at. per cent Te to 6·306 A at 51·06 at. per cent Te. Comparison of the ideal and observed densities indicates that Sn-vacancies are the predominant atomic point defects. The ratio of the apparent hole concentration to the Sn-vacancy concentration varies between 3.4 and 3·2 for p∗300 and between 4·5 and 3·2 for p∗77. Cu is a fast diffusing donor in SnTe crystals which have values of p∗300 between 2 and 2·5 × 1020 cm−3. Hall measurements on SnTe crystals grown from Bi-doped melts indicate Bi is a donor and/or the SnTe solidus surface in the Sn-Bi-Te system is not symmetric about the SnTe solidus lines. The Hall mobility at 300° and 77°K and the absolute thermoelectric power at 300°K are given as a function of the apparent hole concentration.
The Community College Website as Virtual Advisor: A Usability Study

This study explored whether community college websites are a useful medium for providing knowledge relevant to degree completion. Ten community students used one of three community college websites to answer 10 questions about occupational degree programs. A facilitator asked participants to think aloud while using the website to answer these questions; their responses were video-recorded and coded in terms of correctness of answers and types of usability problems encountered. The findings suggest that participants frequently encountered problems with finding and understanding information needed to understand degree selection and completion. The content analysis of these problems yields several suggestions for improving the usability of community college websites for answering common questions about degree completion.
Global asymptotic stability and symmetric periodic solutions

Abstract The global asymptotic stability of “second-order” relay control systems with negative eigenvalues is shown to be a consequence of the nonexistence of symmetric periodic solutions. The result shows further that, except for a special case, the solutions reach the origin in finite time.
k-Dimensional intersections of convex sets and convex kernels

This paper will investigate the dimension of the kernel of a compact starshaped set, and the following result will be obtained: For each k and n, 1== k if and only if for some @e > 0 and some n-dimensional flat F in L, every f(n, k) points of S see via S a common k-dimensional ge-neighborhood in F. If k = 1 or if k = n, the result is best possible. Furthermore, the proof will yield a Helly-type theorem for the dimension of intersections of compact convex sets in @?^n.
More than (where the target) meets the eyes: disrupted visuomotor transformations in optic ataxia.

Abstract Visually guided reaching entails multiple coordinate frame transformations between retina-centered target location and body-centered limb location. Reaching errors in optic ataxia (OA) may be caused by disruptions to these transformations. Consistent with this proposal, previous studies report that reaching errors in OA depend primarily on the location of a target relative to the patient’s gaze regardless of its location relative to the head or body midline. We attempted to replicate this finding by testing KE, a patient with OA following bilateral parietal and left premotor lesions (as well as significant non-specific white matter disease) on a reaching task that varied the orientation of his head and torso while holding the gaze-relative position of the target constant (always foveated). In contrast to previous reports, we observed that rotating the head or body away from the midline led to decreased reaching accuracy. Further analyses showed that multiple visuomotor transformation steps might have been disrupted in KE. These results suggest that gaze-relative target position is not the sole determinant of reaching errors in all OA patients.
Transient Surface Patterns and Instabilities at Adhesive Junctions of Viscoelastic Films

A new kind of self-organized transient fingering pattern and instability was found to generally exist during the adhesive contact and coalescence of two polymer films in the viscous or viscoelastic state. The average radius of the patterns was found to increase with contact time following r = (ri + ro)/2 ∝ tn, where ro and ri are the outer and inner radii of the fingers, and where n varies from 0.15 to 0.3 depending on the viscoelastic properties of the materials. The surface approach rate has no effect on the appearance of the fingering patterns once it is less than some critical rate. The lifetime of the fingering patterns increases with the polymer viscosity as τ ∝ ηn (n = 1.6 ± 0.2), and peaks at some critical film thickness. The mechanism for the transient patterns is discussed in terms of theories of fluid mechanics and the molecular forces between surfaces.
Calculation of error measures for deconvolved deep-sea stratigraphic records

Abstract Deconvolution processing (unmixing) is used to remove the smoothing effects of benthic bioturbation from deep-sea stratigraphic signals. This processing, while restoring lost high-frequency information, strongly amplifies any measurement noise in the data. Equations are provided for straightforward calculation of error bars for unmixed signals. Error tabulations for a range of benthic mixing situations are also given.
LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION IN RHEUMATIC MITRAL REGURGITATION: AN ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT

Echocardiograms (E) in mitral regurgitation (MR) are thought to show exaggerated interventricular septal excursion (IVSE) and posterior wall excursion (PWE), suggesting that LV function is unimpaired. E from 15 patients (pts) with rheumatic MR were compared to those from 20 normal (N) children to delineate any segmental variation in LV function. The following measurements are defined: (1)Fractional shortening (FS)= (D-S)/D × 100 where D and S are end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters; (2)Posterior wall fractional shortening (PFS)=PWE/D × 100; (3)Septal fractional shortening (SFS)= IVSE/D × 100; (4)Ratio of SFS/PFS (R). Pts were divided into group A with LA/Ao ratio ≥1.5:1 and group B with LA/Ao , 5:1, SFS and R were clearly increased and PWE diminished. Hyperdynamic septal motion may, therefore, be a compensatory mechanism for posterior wall dysfunction in mitral regurgitation. Furthermore, frequently used estimates of LV function, including FS and ejection fraction, would fail to detect this regional dysfunction.
Nanorods in functionalized block-copolymer gels: Flexible ladders and liquid crystalline order in curved geometries

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) hold great promise for designing novel materials. Current challenges in PNCs are achieving nanosized dispersion of the inorganic component as well as robust control of nanoparticle orientation. We show that a gel of multi-block polymers with functionalized end groups that have specific affinity towards nanorods provides a general example of a PNC where the inorganic component is dispersed at the nanometer scale and displays long range as well as orientation order. We find a novel type of liquid crystalline (LC) order consisting of thin nanorod strips, i.e., "flexible ladders" (FL). Depending on concentration and affinity, FL display positional long-range order and patch together into 2D smectic phases. We discuss implications for designing new PNCs and address possible realizations of our systems via DNA linkers. The problem of LC order on curved geometries is also discussed.
Surface Modification and Optical Behavior of Tio2 Nanostructures.

TiO2 is a very important material from the perspective of photocatalytic applications, but due to its 3.2 eV bandgap, it is not possible to make this material efficient under visible illumination. Anatase TiO2 nanoclusters in the 3 - 30 nm range have been formed by a wet chemical technique and surface modified in order to enhance the absorption of visible light. Nitridation of the highly reactive TiO2 nanosphere surface has been achieved by a quick and simple treatment in alkyl ammonium compounds and the metallization of this surface has been achieved by electroless plating. Although the structure of the resultant material remains anatase, some of the treated material exhibits strong emission between 550-560 nm, which red shifts and drops in intensity with aging in the atmosphere. Electron Spin Resonance performed on these samples identify a resonance at g=2.0035, which increases significantly with the nitridation step. This resonance is attributed to an oxygen hole center created near the surface of the nanoclusters, which correlates well the noted optical activity.
Acute renal failure secondary to severe type I cryoglobulinemia following rituximab therapy for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by the presence of a monoclonal IgM paraproteinemia. Cryoglobulinemia is a common sequela of Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia present in 8–18% of the patients. Cryoglobulinemia has also been described as occurring after treatment with rituximab. In the previous report, the cryoglobulinemia was a transient phenomenon and did not carry any adverse effect. We present a case of an 80-year-old male with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia in whom the rituximab-induced cryoglobulinemia resulted in acute renal failure and a vasculitic rash. Cryoglobulins level reached a peak of 63%. The patient was successfully treated with plasmapheresis, chlorambucil and prednisone, with near-complete recovery of renal function. As this case illustrates, the rituximab-induced cryoglobulin is not always benign. Pre- and post-treatment monitoring of the cryoglobulin level is advised in these patients.
Acylation of 2-Methoxynaphthalene and Isobutylbenzene over Zeolite Beta

Abstract The acylation of 2-methoxynaphthalene (2MN) with acetic anhydride is carried out in the liquid phase in the presence of zeolite beta. Two main products, 1-acetyl-2-methoxynaphthalene (1,2-AMN) and the desired 2-acetyl-6-methoxynaphthalene (2,6-AMN) are obtained. Variations of reaction temperature, the concentration of the acylating agent, and the weight of the catalyst are investigated to find reaction conditions sufficient to provide for good conversion of 2MN and limited deactivation. Surface-poisoning experiments show that the formation of 1,2-AMN occurs on the external surface of the zeolite. When the external surface of zeolite beta is passivated by coating with amorphous silica, a significant increase in the selectivity of 2,6-AMN is observed and this result is a clear example of shape-selective acylation with zeolite catalysts. The acylation of isobutylbenzene with acetic anhydride is investigated also. At conversions of around 10%, the selectivity to 4-isobutylacetophenone is excellent (>97%). For the acylation of isobutylbenzene, the external surface of the zeolite contributes significantly to the formation of 4-isobutylacetophenone, so the shape-selective properties of the zeolite are not utilized.
Immunologic findings among lead-exposed workers

A comprehensive panel of immune parameters was evaluated among 145 lead-exposed workers with a median blood lead level (BLL) of 39 μg/dL (range: 15–55 μg/dL) and 84 unexposed workers. After adjusting for covariates, we found no major differences in the percentage of CD3+ cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, or NK cells between lead-exposed and unexposed workers, although the association between lead exposure and the number of CD4+ T cells was modified by age. We also found no differences between exposed and unexposed workers in serum immunoglobulin levels, salivary IgA, C3 complement levels, or lymphoproliferative responses. However, among exposed workers, the percentage and number of B cells were positively associated with current BLL, serum IgG was negatively associated with cumulative lead exposure, and the percentage and number of CD4+/CD45RA+ cells were positively associated with cumulative lead exposure. We found no evidence of a marked immunotoxic effect of lead at the exposure levels studied, although some subtle differences in immunologic parameters were noted. Am. J. Ind. Med. 33:400–408, 1998. Published 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
The Human SepSecS-tRNASec Complex Reveals the Mechanism of Selenocysteine Formation

Selenocysteine is the only genetically encoded amino acid in humans whose biosynthesis occurs on its cognate transfer RNA (tRNA). O-Phosphoseryl-tRNA:selenocysteinyl-tRNA synthase (SepSecS) catalyzes the final step of selenocysteine formation by a poorly understood tRNA-dependent mechanism. The crystal structure of human tRNASec in complex with SepSecS, phosphoserine, and thiophosphate, together with in vivo and in vitro enzyme assays, supports a pyridoxal phosphate–dependent mechanism of Sec-tRNASec formation. Two tRNASec molecules, with a fold distinct from other canonical tRNAs, bind to each SepSecS tetramer through their 13–base pair acceptor-TΨC arm (where Ψ indicates pseudouridine). The tRNA binding is likely to induce a conformational change in the enzyme’s active site that allows a phosphoserine covalently attached to tRNASec, but not free phosphoserine, to be oriented properly for the reaction to occur.
Eddy-Current Detection Methods for Surface-Breaking Tight Cracks

The eddy-current (EC) NDE method has been in use for quite some time, and efforts have been made to make it a fully quantitative method. To evaluate impedance signals for a given EC inspection system, one has to characterize the system as a whole, including both probes and specimens. In particular, until probes are characterized, the electromagnetic fields cannot be calculated. Naturally, the amount of numerical computation becomes a serious issue during the course of development. It is necessary to choose probes carefully so as to maximize the flaw-characterization capability, while keeping numerical tasks within a reasonable size. Probes that are suitable for quantitative assessment are presumably different in nature from those with maximum detection capability. Among all kinds of existing probes, the simplest characterizable probe is the uniform-field-eddy-current (UFEC) probe. In fact, a series of studies, both theoretical and experimental, were devoted to demonstrating potential capabilities of UFEC probes [1–9]. The present theoretical work is another entry in this series. The numerical procedure developed in this work is limited to the case where cracks are tightly closed. The procedure is nevertheless capable, in principle, of dealing with an arbitrary range of frequencies.
Dichotic Word Recognition in Noise and the Right-Ear Advantage

Purpose This study sought to compare dichotic right-ear advantages (REAs) of young adults to older adult data (C. M. Roup, T. L. Wiley, & R. H. Wilson, 2006) after matching for overall levels of re...
Primary hepatic burkitt lymphoma presenting with acute liver failure.

Introduction We report the first case of immunophenotypically confirmed primary hepatic Burkitt lymphoma presenting with acute liver failure. The patient survived following an aggressive diagnostic approach followed by emergent chemotherapy.
Mechanism of enhanced melibiose transport rate catalyzed by an Escherichia coli lactose carrier mutant with leucine substituted for serine-306. The pH-dependence of melibiose efflux.

Abstract The mechanism of melibiose transport was studied in cells containing plasmid pAA22 which expresses the mutant lactose carrier (serine-306 to leucine) cloned from Escherichia coli AA22. These studies were of interest because several lines of evidence suggested that the AA22 mutation conferred novel properties upon the lactose carrier, decreasing turnover with several β-galactoside substrates, increasing turnover with melibiose, and abolishing active accumulation even though equilibrium occurred via symport with H + . Although severely defective in active melibiose accumulation, the present study indicates that in cells poisoned with azide the AA22 carrier does in fact equilibrate melibiose across the membrane more rapidly than the normal lactose carrier. Similarly, melibiose efflux from cells preloaded with melibiose was more rapidly catalyzed by the AA22 carrier than by the normal carrier (pH 7.0). Furthermore, although external H + did reduce net melibiose efflux to a rate slower than seen in equilibrium exchange, a lower than normal pH was required to achieve this effect. Therefore, at pH 7.0, the AA22 carrier (but not the normal carrier) catalyzed net efflux at a rate approaching that for the exchange process (which was pH-resistant in both the mutant and the parent). At pH 8.0 both the AA22 carrier and the normal carrier catalyzed net melibiose efflux at a rate indentical to the equilibrium exchange rate. We suggest (i) that the sensitivity of melibiose efflux to external pH indicates that during efflux the AA22 carrier interacts with protons in a manner similar to the normal carrier (i.e., sugar is cotransported with H + ) and hence the absence of accumulation is not explained by internal leak via a binary carrier-melibiose complex; and (ii) that the modest increase in rate constants for melibiose exit reflect small changes in activation energy (I kcal/mol) consistent with a steric mechanism possibly involving van der Waals contacts.
Are Fault Failure Rates Good Estimators of Adequate Test Set Size

Test set size in terms of the number of test cases is an important consideration when testing software systems. Using too few test cases might result in poor fault detection and using too many might be very expensive and suffer from redundancy. For a given fault, the ratio of the number of failure causing inputs to the number of possible inputs is referred to as the failure rate. Assuming a test set represents the input domain uniformly, the failure rate can be re-defined as the fraction of failed test cases in the test set. This paper investigates the relationship between fault failure rates and the number of test cases required to detect the faults. Our experiments suggest that an accurate estimation of failure rates of potential fault(s) in a program can provide a reliable estimate of an adequate test set size with respect to fault detection (a test set of size sufficient to detect all of the faults) and therefore should be one of the factors kept in mind during test set generation.
Activation by acetaldehyde of the promoter of the mouse α2(I) collagen gene when transfected into rat activated stellate cells

Abstract The effect of acetaldehyde in activating the mouse α 2 (I) collagen promoter in transiently transfected rat activated stellate cells and the possible mediating effect of transforming growth factor β 1 (TGFβ 1 ) on type I collagen gene expression were determined. Acetaldehyde and TGFβ 1 , each had a similar effect in activating the wild-type promoter, but failed to activate the promoter with a −352 to −104 deletion, or the promoter containing a 3-bp substitution between −305 and −303 in the putative nuclear factor I (NF-I) binding site. The effects of acetaldehyde and TGFβ 1 are therefore mediated by a similar factor or factors that bind to the NF-I consensus sequence within the region −352 to −104. Additional factors may also play a role in the effects of acetaldehyde and TGFβ 1 , which have similar effects on the wild-type promoter, but become additive in activating the promoter with a more distal deletion containing a cis -repressor element. Pretreatment of activated stellate cells with antibodies to TGFβ 1 suppressed the effect of acetaldehyde in increasing the α 1 (I) collagen message, indicating that TGFβ 1 mediates the effect of the acetaldehyde-induced increase in the expression of the α 1 (I) collagen gene which also contains NF-I binding sites.
Accounting for spatial autocorrelation in null models of tree species association

A commonly used null model for species association among forest trees is a well-mixed community (WMC). A WMC represents a non-spatial, or spatially implicit, model, in which species form nearest-neighbor pairs at a rate equal to the product of their community proportions. WMC models assume that the outcome of random dispersal and demographic processes is complete spatial randomness (CSR) in the species ’ spatial distributions. Yet, stochastic dispersal processes often lead to spatial autocorrelation (SAC) in tree species densities, giving rise to clustering, segregation, and other nonrandom patterns. Although methods exist to account for SAC in spatially-explicit models, its impact on non-spatial models often remains unaccounted for. To investigate the potential for SAC to bias tests based upon non-spatial models, we developed a spatially-heterogeneous (SH) modelling approach that incorporates measured levels of SAC. Using the mapped locations of individuals in a tropical tree community, we tested the hypothesis that the identity of nearest-neighbors represents a random draw from neighborhood species pools. Correlograms of Moran ’ s I confi rmed that, for 50 of 51 dominant species, stem density was signifi cantly autocorrelated over distances ranging from 50 to 200 m. Th e observed patterns of SAC were consistent with dispersal limitation, with most species occurring in distinct patches. For nearly all of the 106 species in the community, the frequency of pairwise association was statistically indistinguishable from that projected by the null models. However, model comparisons revealed that non-spatial models more strongly underestimated observed species-pair frequencies, particularly for conspecifi c pairs. Overall, the CSR models projected more signifi cant facilitative interactions than did SH models, yielding a more liberal test of niche diff erences. Our results underscore the importance of accounting for stochastic spatial processes in tests of association, regardless of whether spatial or non-spatial models are employed.
Lorentz Violation with an Antisymmetric Tensor

Field theories with spontaneous Lorentz violation involving an antisymmetric 2-tensor are studied. A general action including nonminimal gravitational couplings is constructed, and features of the Nambu-Goldstone and massive modes are discussed. Minimal models in Minkowski spacetime exhibit dualities with Lorentz-violating vector and scalar theories. The post-Newtonian expansion for nonminimal models in Riemann spacetime involves qualitatively new features, including the absence of an isotropic limit. Certain interactions producing stable Lorentz-violating theories in Minkowski spacetime solve the renormalization-group equations in the tadpole approximation.
INTEGRATING-SPHERE ERRORS IN THE COLORIMETRY OF FLUORESCENT MATERIALS

The wavelength dependence of the efficiency of an integrating sphere alters the relative spectral irradiance of the light-source system of which it is a part. Since the total radiance factor (reflected plus fluoresced energy) of a fluorescent material depends upon this irradiance, wavelength-dependent changes in the efficiency of the integrating sphere can lead to significant variations in the total radiance factor. Such variations can result from changes in the fractional area of the sample port, changes in the sphere wall coating, or the change from specular component included to excluded. Conditions minimizing the importance of these variations are described, but for the accurate colorimetry of fluorescent materials, the use of45°/0° geometry is recommended.
Viral and histopathologic correlates of MN and MIB-1 expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

A recently studied tumor antigen, MN, has been associated with cervical carcinomas and cervical intraepithelial neoplasms (CIN), suggesting that it may serve as a marker for cervical cancer or cancer risk. To determine if expression of the MN antigen paralleled parameters reflecting viral or biological events in precursor epithelium, MN expression was correlated with MIB-1 expression, morphological phenotype, and human papillomavirus (HPV) distribution and type in a series of CINs. Seventy-three percent, 62% and 83% of CIN I, II, and III, respectively, were MN antigen positive. The proportion of neoplastic cells immunoreactive for MN did not correlate with the CIN grade or with HPV types stratified by their association with cancer. Evaluation of serial sections showed no correlation between the frequency of MN antigen staining, the proportion of MIB-1 immunoreactive cells, or the proportion of HPV positive cells detected by in situ hybridization (ISH). CINs associated with prototypical high risk (HPV 16) types exhibited increased immunostaining for the MIB-1 antigen and were more often classified as HSIL in contrast to the other types. Thus, although MN expression previously has been associated strongly with squamous carcinoma, it did not emerge as a specific marker for either cancer-associated HPV types or high grade CIN. CIN I lesions associated with low and high risk HPV types were not distinguished by MIB-1 expression and viral replication. This emphasizes the interrelationship between vegetative viral functions (including viral replication) and morphological phenotype, irrespective of HPV type.
The “Malling” of Main Street: The Threat of Chain Stores to the Character of a Historic City’s Downtown

This article looks at King Street, Charleston, South Carolina, the main street of a successful historic tourism city that in recent years has seen a steady transition in tenant mix from one dominated by local merchants, to one today that features such national chain merchants as Victoria’s Secret, Banana Republic, Gucci, and many others. The issue considered herein, based upon survey data collected from both local residents and tourists, is the effect of the city’s changing merchant mix. The findings offer insight that should be helpful to tourism and government officials in any city experiencing, or concerned about, a similar metamorphosis in their community. Helping to explain the community attitude toward change, a new model, the Cycle of Acceptance, is presented.
Neighbourhood racial/ethnic composition and segregation and trajectories of cognitive decline among US older adults

Background The influence of the sociodemographic context of one9s environment on cognitive ageing is not well understood. Methods We examined differences in cognitive trajectories according to the racial/ethnic characteristics of the residential environment. On the basis of 63 996 person-years of data from a nationally representative cohort of 6150 adults over the age of 50 years from the Health and Retirement Study, we used multivariate linear mixed models to determine the effect of neighbourhood racial/ethnic composition and county-level segregation on cognitive function and cognitive decline over a 10-year period. Results In models adjusting for individual demographic and health characteristics, Hispanic composition had a significant positive association with cognitive function (standardised β=0.136, p Discussion This study demonstrates disparities in the progression of cognitive ageing according to racial/ethnic characteristics of the neighbourhood environment.
A Commentary on the Case Study of State-Owned Hotels in China

The comparison of Stephen Rushmore’s seven hotel valuation techniques provides a starting point for approaches to valuing government-owned hotels in the People’s Republic of China. Although the authors express concern because of a relative lack of published lodging valuation data for China, until relatively recently appraisals have been performed without third-party data even in the United States. In-person interviews almost always overcome any lack of published data. Hotel valuation relies on the skill of the researcher, especially because selection of discount and capitalization rates involves judgment.
On the Connectivity of Finite Wireless Networks with Multiple Base Stations

Connectivity is a basic quality of a network since it is required to obtain useful information out of the network. Research literature has mainly focused on the connectivity of wireless networks having a single connected network. However, due to diverse factors, it is feasible that a wireless network will have multiple base stations or sinks, i.e. it will have infrastructure. In this paper we analyze the connectivity of wireless networks with infrastructure and provide formulas to calculate the probability of having a connected network considering finite number of node platforms. With infrastructure the requirements for having a connected network may be relaxed since there can be more than one single-connected component of a network. Using combinatorics arguments we analyze the connectedness of a one- dimensional network over a line segment as a function of the available infrastructure-base stations and wireless nodes. This paper contains definitions for connected subnetworks that form a connected communication network; it also presents a one-dimensional network model and provides probability formulas for network connectivity for any given base stations arbitrary locations and the number of nodes. Through simulation we show the large increase in the probability of having a connected network when comparing a deployment with two base stations versus one with just one base station. This is of strong relevance when designing a wireless network.
Dialect enregisterment in performance 1

This paper explores sociolinguistic enregisterment in two comedy sketches performed by a team of radio DJs. I show that dialect enregisterment works differently in these high performances than in other genres. Unlike the cultural artifacts that have been the focus of previous work, this sort of broadcast comedic performance creates multiple possibilities for the enregisterment of unexpected linguistic forms. Linking locally-occurring forms to multiple models of speech, behavior, and action, performances like these expand the set of potential meanings of particular forms by linking themwithneworadditionalregisters,creatingsemioticalignmentsbetween different social identities that can be indexed by the same forms. Thus, in additiontodescribingwhatanidealized‘culturallyliterate’audiencemember needstoknowinordertounderstandtheperformance,itmayalsorepayour effort to ask how actual hearers understand what is going on.
Biologic consequences of Stat1-independent IFN signaling

Although Stat1 is required for many IFN-dependent responses, recent work has shown that IFNγ functions independently of Stat1 to affect the growth of tumor cells or immortalized fibroblasts. We now demonstrate that both IFNγ and IFNα/β regulate proliferative responses in cells of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage derived from Stat1-null mice. Using both representational difference analysis and gene arrays, we show that IFNγ exerts its Stat1-independent actions on mononuclear phagocytes by regulating the expression of many genes. This result was confirmed by monitoring changes in expression and function of the corresponding gene products. Regulation of the expression of these genes requires the IFNγ receptor and Jak1. The physiologic relevance of IFN-dependent, Stat1-independent signaling was demonstrated by monitoring antiviral responses in Stat1-null mice. Thus, the IFN receptors engage alternative Stat1-independent signaling pathways that have important physiological consequences.
Alternative RNA processing in calcitonin gene expression generates mRNAs encoding different polypeptide products

Alternative processing of RNA transcripts from the calcitonin gene results in the production of distinct mRNAs encoding the hormone calcitonin or a predicted product referred to as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The calcitonin mRNA predominates in the thyroid while the CGRP-specific mRNA appears to predominate in the hypothalamus. These observations lead us to propose a model in which developmental regulation of RNA processing is used to increase the diversity of neuroendocrine gene expression.
Sacrificial metal wafer level burn-in KGD

Sacrificial Metal Wafer Level Burn-In KGD (Known Good Die) is a strategic enabling technology that allows Motorola to maintain its competitive edge in the electronic personal communications, computer and automotive market place. This paper will focus on the development and implementation of 127 mm and 200 mm Sacrificial Metal Wafer Level Burn-In KGD at Motorola Inc. This joint effort between teams at Motorola Austin-TSG (Transportation Systems Group), Motorola Chandler-SMD (Strategic Manufacturing Deployment) and MOS12 at Chandler is currently the only effective WLBI technology in production in the world. The current multi-port system is capable of testing up to twenty-eight 200 mm wafers or forty-eight 127 mm wafers simultaneously. We will discuss the test system design, contact technology and wafer fixture design which enables this low cost solution to KGD. We will also examine the thermal and electrical performance of the system on a port to port basis. We will also examine the thermal and electrical performance across test chamber boundaries.