cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coronal Structure at the Solar Eclipse of September 22, 1968

I RECENTLY published1 a prediction of the coronal structure to be expected during the eclipse of September 22, 1968. Waldmeier has kindly made available a sketch prepared from his photographs obtained during this eclipse. The observations of Waldmeier were obtained with a 120 cm focal length telescope near Yurgamysh, USSR.
Numerical prediction of the effect of nanoscale surface roughness on film-coupled nanoparticle plasmon resonances

Plasmon resonant metal nanoparticles on substrates have been considered for use in several nanophotonic applications due to the combination of large field enhancement factors, broadband frequency control, ease of fabrication, and structural robustness that they provide. Despite the existence of a large body of work on the dependence of the nanoparticle plasmon resonance on composition and particle-substrate separation, little is known about the role of substrate roughness in these systems. This is in fact an important aspect, since particle-substrate gap sizes for which large resonance shifts are observed are of the same order of typical surface roughness of deposited films. In the present study, the plasmon resonance response of 80 nm diameter gold nanoparticles on a thermally evaporated gold film are numerically calculated based on the measured surface morphology of the gold film. By combining the measured surface data with electromagnetic simulations, it is demonstrated that the plasmon resonance wavelength of single gold nanoparticles is blueshifted on a rough gold surface compared the response on a flat gold film. The anticipated degree of spectral variation of gold nanoparticles on the rough surface is also presented. This study demonstrates that nanoscale surface roughness can become an important source of spectral variation for substrate tuned resonances that use small gap sizes.
There are Multiple Contributors to the Verbal Short-Term Memory Deficit in Children with Developmental Reading Disabilities

Prior research has put forth at least four possible contributors to the verbal short-term memory (VSTM) deficit in children with developmental reading disabilities (RD): poor phonological awareness that affects phonological coding into VSTM, a less effective phonological store, slow articulation rate, and fewer/poorer quality long-term memory (LTM) representations. This project is among the first to test the four suppositions in one study. Participants included 18 children with RD and 18 controls. VSTM was assessed using Baddeley's model of the phonological loop. Findings suggest all four suppositions are correct, depending upon the type of material utilized. Children with RD performed comparably to controls in VSTM for common words but worse for less frequent words and nonwords. Furthermore, only articulation rate predicted VSTM for common words, whereas Verbal IQ and articulation rate predicted VSTM for less frequent words, and phonological awareness and articulation rate predicted VSTM for nonwords. Overall, findings suggest that the mechanism(s) used to code and store items by their meaning is intact in RD, and the deficit in VSTM for less frequent words may be a result of fewer/poorer quality LTM representations for these words. In contrast, phonological awareness and the phonological store are impaired, affecting VSTM for items that are coded phonetically. Slow articulation rate likely affects VSTM for most material when present. When assessing reading performance, VSTM predicted decoding skill but not word identification after controlling Verbal IQ and phonological awareness. Thus, VSTM likely contributes to reading ability when words are novel and must be decoded.
A silicon 60GHz receiver and transmitter chipset for broadband communications

An integrated SiGe superheterodyne RX/TX pair capable of Gb/s data rates in the 60GHz band is described. The 6dB NF RX includes an image-reject LNA, a multistage down-converter with on-chip IF filters, a frequency tripler, a PLL, and baseband outputs. The 10 to 12dBm P1dBTX achieves 10% PAE in the final stage. It includes a PA, image-reject driver, multistage up-converter with on-chip filters, tripler, and PLL
Moderators of the openness to experience‐performance relationship

Contrary to expectation, the relationship between openness to experience and performance has been non‐significant in prior research. We proposed and ultimately demonstrated, using a sample of 114 financial services employees, that other personality variables – including extroversion and emotional stability – moderate this relationship and help to account for prior findings. Implications for research and practice are addressed.
Calculation of Electron Shake-Off Probabilities as the Result of X-Ray Photoionization of the Rare Gases

The probability for either exciting or ionizing an electron from a given atomic orbital as the result of a sudden vacancy in one of the atomic shells, such as might occur with photoionization, has been calculated through the use of the sudden approximation. Calculations were made for each of the subshells of neon, argon, krypton, and xenon as a function of the location of the initial vacancy. The calculations were based on relativistic Hartree-Fock-Slater wave functions. The results were generalized in terms of the change in effective charge. For example, electron shake-off in the valence shell was found to be nearly independent of the location of the initial core vacancy, increasing slightly as one goes to the lower principal quantum numbers. The ionization potentials were also found to be nearly independent of the location of the core vacancy. The results of the electron-shake-off calculations were also used to obtain an evaluation of the relaxation energy arising from the promotion of a single vacancy, and compared with values obtained from binding-energy calculations. Results of the electron-shake-off calculations are applicable to any process that leads to a sudden creation of a vacancy in an atom. However, particular emphasis is given to photoelectron spectroscopy in discussing the results.
γδ T cells play an essential role in several forms of tolerance

γδ T cells were discovered in the mid-1980s, but the antigens they recognize and the biological functions they mediate are poorly understood. Although γδ T cells have the capacity to augment immunity to certain infections and kill certain tumor cells, they are generally not required for development of antibody responses, for graft rejection, or for development of autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, γδ T cells accumulate at sites of inflammation induced by infection, tumor growth, and autoimmune lesions, where they have been shown to reduce the inflammatory reaction and tissue damage. In this review, we summarize the evidence that γδ T cells play an important role in the induction of various forms of tolerance.
Nonparametric function estimation from inversely sampled record-breaking data

Often, in industrial stress testing, meteorological data analysis, and other similar situations, measurements may be made sequentially and only values smaller than all previous ones are recorded. When the number of records is fixed in advance, the data are referred to as inversely sampled record-breaking data. This paper is concerned with nonparametric estimation of the distribution and density functions from such data (successive minima). For a single record-breaking sample, consistent estimation is not possible except in the extreme left tail of the distribution. Hence, replication is required, and for m such independent record-breaking samples, the estimators are shown to be strongly consistent and asymptotically normal as m ∞ . Computer simulations are used to investigate the effect of the bandwidth on the mean squared errors and biases of the smooth estimators, and are also used to provide a comparison of their performance with the analogous estimators obtained under random sampling for record values. Dans certains contextes experimentaux, en meteorologie par exemple, mais aussi dans de diverses applications industrielles, il arrive que les donnees soient recueillies de facon sequentielle et qu'on ne retienne une observation que si elle est inferieure a toutes les precedenles. Lorsque le nombre de tels “records a la baisse” est fixe a l'avance, les donnees forment une suite decroissante de minima successifs. Cet article aborde le probleme de l'estimation non parametrique de la fonction de repartition et de la densite de telles donnees. En presence d'un seul echantillon de ce type, on ne saurait esperer construire des estimateurs convergents, sauf en ce qui touche l'extremite gauche de la loi. La replication est done necessaire, et pour m echantillons de records a la baisse, on montre ici qu'il est possible de construire des echantillons asymptotiquement normaux et fortement convergents, lorsque m ∞ . Des simulations par ordinateur permettent d'etudier l'effet de la largeur de la fenětre sur l'erreur quadratique moyenne et le biais de ces estimateurs lisses; elles permettent en outre d'en comparer leur performance avec celui d'estimateurs analogues bǎtis a partir d'echantillons aleatoires de valeurs record.
Faraday's law paradoxes

Some unusual circuits have been devised which appear to produce a flux change without generating a corresponding induced potential difference, thus violating Faraday's law. What has been generated is a large amount of controversy and this article shows the cause of the dispute and its resolution.
In vitro "lipid" metabolism in the developing human foetus.

IT can be concluded from animal data that the human foetus synthesizes lipids, chiefly from carbohydrates1–3. We have measured the synthesis of fatty acids and sterols from acetate and citrate in human foetal tissue taken at various periods of gestation. The total lipid content of the organs and the ability of the 8 week placenta to take up palmitate and incorporate it into lipids was also determined.
Engineering growth : Business group structure and firm performance in China's transition economy

Business groups have received increasing attention from academics interested in interorganizational relations and their impact on firms. As part of industrial reform, the Chinese government began in the mid‐1980s to encourage firms to form business groups with structural characteristics that promised to enhance financial performance and productivity. Using 1988‐90 panel data on China's 40 largest business groups and their 535 member firms, the study finds that the presence and predominance of interlocking directorates and finance companies in business groups improved the financial performance and productivity of the groups' member firms. In addition, firms in groups with nonhierarchical organizational structures performed better than firms in hierarchical groups, suggesting that complete integration into a hierarchical organization is not an optimal strategy.
A murine model for low molecular weight chemicals: differentiation of respiratory sensitizers (TMA) from contact sensitizers (DNFB).

Exposure to low molecular weight (LMW) chemicals contributes to both dermal and respiratory sensitization and is an important occupational health problem. Our goal was to establish an in vivo murine model for hazard identification of LMW chemicals that have the potential to induce respiratory hypersensitivity (RH). We used a dermal sensitization protocol followed by a respiratory challenge with the evaluation of endpoints typically associated with RH in human disease. Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) was used as a prototype respiratory sensitizer and was compared to the dermal sensitizer; 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), along with vehicle controls. BALB/c mice were dermally sensitized using two exposure protocols. Mice in both protocols were dermally exposed on experimental days; D −18 and D −17 (abdomen), and D −13 (ear). On D 0 mice received an intratracheal (IT) challenge. The mice in Protocol 2 were abdominally exposed twice with the addition of exposures on D −25 and D −24. Results indicate that mice required the additional dermal sensitization and the IT challenge (Protocol 2) to significantly elevate total IgE in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Additional responses suggestive of RH were seen following Protocol 2, including increases in BALF cell numbers and neutrophils post IT with TMA (but not DNFB). These data suggest that the dermal sensitization and IT challenge followed by evaluation of serum antibodies and lung parameters are a reasonable and logistically feasible approach towards the development of a model for RH responses to LMW chemicals. © 2003 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
“Unpacking” the Domestic Ecological Footprint of the United States

Ecological footprint analysis has become a popular method for exposing excess appropriation of limited biophysical resources on a global scale. Here we test the thesis that these discrepancies are both among countries and within the sub-regions of a country. We use U.S. county-level human footprint estimates, consumer expenditure information, and local air emissions estimates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to explore the patterns of ecological inequality occurring domestically. We do so using a spatially weighted structural equations approach, aimed at accounting for both the spatial dependence of the units of analysis and the specified causal relationships among the determinants of both ecological footprint estimates and carbon emissions. At this smaller spatial scale, findings may be more easily incorporated into policy and planning decisions, as well as practical efforts to achieve improved sustainability, especially since a significant element of environmental politics is local (O'Neil...
Determination of acetylcholinesterase by an organic substrate selective electrode.

Abstract A new electrochemical method is described for the determination of acetylcholinesterase activity. A liquid membrane electrode is used which has a high selectivity for acetylcholine over choline and various inorganic cations, thus permitting a continuous determination of the rate of change of substrate concentration in the presence of active enzyme. Enzyme activity ranging from 0.2 to 8 units was determined in 10 to 50 ml of saline buffered solutions. Consistent measurements of the rate of change in substrate concentration are obtained within one minute of introduction of the enzyme. The rate of hydrolysis can be monitored up to about 40% hydrolysis before the interference due to choline concentration becomes significant. The electrochemical procedure was correlated with the spectrophometric method of Hestrin.
Studies Of High Speed Photodetectors In III-V Compounds

Optical techniques for time resolved studies of semiconductors are attractive because they are inherently limited only by the excitation laser pulsewidth. In recent years, various techniques have been exploited in measurements of photoexcited carrier dynamics and fast relaxation processes in GaAs and other semiconductors. Each optical technique has its own set of disadvantages. An absorption experiment requires a transparent sample or device. Because of the small signal, reflectivity experiments in the visible require good noise rejection. Time resolved luminescence measurements utilizing upconversion techniques have been difficult due to low upconversion efficiencies. However, the existence of a non-linearity in the luminescence of GaAs''' has made luminescent measurements easy, even at room temperature.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Application of cation-sensitive glass electrodes to the study of alkali metal complexes—II1Use of a potential comparison method

Abstract Formation constants for alkali metal-citrate and -malate complexes have been evaluated by cation-sensitive glass electrodes. Use of a potential comparison method was found to be beneficial in improving the reliability and accuracy of such measurements. Formation constants for alkali metal-malate complexes agree well with the literature data; corresponding values for citrate complexes have not previously been published.
Calculated Thermodynamic Data and Metastable Immiscibility in the System SiO2-Al2O3

Thermodynamic data on activities, activity coefficients, and free energies of mixing in SiO/sub 2/--Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ solutions were calculated from the phase diagram. Positive deviations from ideal mixing in the thermodynamic data suggest a tendency for liquid immiscibility in both SiO/sub 2/- and Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/-rich compositions. The calculated data were used to estimate regions of liquid-liquid immiscibility. A calculated metastable liquid miscibility gap with a consolute temperature of approx. = 1540/sup 0/C at a critical composition of approx. = 36 mol % Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ was considered to be thermodynamically most probable; the gap extended from approx. = 11 to approx. = 49 mol % Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ at 1100/sup 0/C. SiO/sub 2/-rich glass compositions showed evidence of glass-in-glass phase separation when examined by direct transmission electron microscopy.
Continuous low-flow supracarinal and subcarinal oxygen insufflation in addition to intermittent positive-pressure ventilation does not improve gas exchange.

Abstract Recent studies in animals have demonstrated that continuous insufflation of oxygen near the tracheal carina results in ventilation and carbon dioxide removal that is proportional to the flow rate. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of supracarinal and subcarinal low-flow oxygen insufflation to conventional intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) of critically ill and anesthetized patients results in increased ventilation and improved oxygenation. In eight studies a supracarinal catheter (3.7 mm ON was placed 1 to 2 cm above the carina, and in another eight studies two subcarinal catheters (1.7 mm ON were placed 2 cm below the tracheal carina under direct vision with a fiberoptic bronchoscope. Both supracarinal and subcarinal catheters were passed within the lumen of an 8 mm ID endotracheal tube. In both groups, conventional IPPV consisted of a tidal volume of 10–12 mL/kg, respiratory rate of 8 to 10 breaths/min, O cm H 2 O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and F 1 O 2 of 1.0. In both groups, continuous oxygen insufflation flow rates were 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 L/ kg/min. It was found that compared with control conditions (no insufflation), oxygen insufflation at all flow rates in both supracarinal and subcarinal insufflation groups did not cause any significant change in either oxygenation or ventilation. There was a significant increase in proximal peak airway pressure with each incremental increase in continuous oxygen flow rate. Conversely, there was a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure and cardiac output with each incremental increase in continuous oxygen flow rate. It is concluded that use of continuous low-flow insufflation of oxygen with simple administration systems (catheters within the lumen of endotracheal tube) in addition to conventional IPPV is contraindicated at the present time. Further studies using different insufflation systems may prove to be worthwhile.
The technical and economic aspects of producing high-purity cobalt and nickel from superalloy scrap utilizing a double-membrane electrolytic cell

Abstract US Bureau of Mines researchers have developed a process to recover high-purity cobalt and nickel from superalloy scrap (SAS). The process utilizes novel, Bureau-developed double-membrane electrolytic cells to electrorefine SAS into high-purity cobalt cathodes and high-purity nickel cathodes. The cells anodically dissolve carburized SAS producing a chloride anolyte. This anolyte is treated by a series of hydrometallurgical provedures which yield chromium chemicals and purified cobalt chloride s and nickel chloride solutions. The purified solutions are utilized as catholytes in the double membrane electrolytic cells to recover high-purity cobalt and nickel cathodes. Energy consumption in the double membrane electrolytic cells was determined to be comparable to that of conventional electrowinning cells, and laboratory tests have produced cobalt cathodes meeting National Defense Stockpile Specifications and high-grade nickel cathodes. A preliminary economic evaluation for the process is presented. The evaluation indicates a 25.8% interest rate of return. The fixed capital cost for a plant processing 16,800 kg of SAS per day is estimated to be $22.6 million, based upon second quarter 1991 costs.
Morphological and physiological differences between Bipolaris maydis races O and T.

Methods of determining the identity of Bipolare mayais races O and T were compared. Races O and T of B. maydis were differentiated within 5 da on Difco malt agar and by their differential hydrolysi...
Novel antiviral therapy based on innate immunity.

Orthopox viruses include variola major (the etiologic agent for smallpox), vaccinia virus (VV), and monkeypox. Although the devastating effects of smallpox have been successfully controlled by vaccination with VV, vaccine programs have been discontinued, raising the population’s susceptibility to VV bioterrorism. Furthermore, immunocompromised individuals and those with atopic dermatitis are at risk for fatal complications of vaccination, such as progressive vaccinia and eczema vaccinatum, respectively (Cono et al., 2003). Despite the effectiveness of intravenous Ig and other antiviral therapies, treatment of orthopox infections is imperfect. The innate immune system produces antimicrobial compounds such as human β-defensins and cathelicidins, which exhibit antiviral activity against VV (Howell et al., 2007). In addition, innate immunity in patients with atopic dermatitis has been found to be deficient. This may, in part, predispose these individuals to develop eczema vaccinatum. Therefore, peptides such as human β-defensin-3 might represent a potential treatment for these adverse reactions; however, rapid degradation by endogenous tissue proteases occurs when peptides are introduced systemically. Structurally similar to antimicrobial peptides and able to selectively disrupt bacterial cell walls, a novel class of synthetic compounds called ceragenins (CSAs) shows promise as a therapeutic agent against orthopox virus infections (Ding et al., 2004). To elucidate the salutary properties of CSAs, Howell and colleagues (2009, this issue) conducted a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess the ability of various CSAs to destroy VV, restore and protect keratinocytes, and limit systemic viral dissemination; they also studied the mechanisms by which CSAs might work. CSA-13 was found to be the most potent of the CSAs studied, exhibiting in vitro antiviral activity and efficacy as a topically applied cream. The effects of CSAs might be multimodal, affecting viral propagation by disrupting the viral envelope and stimulating the activity of other antimicrobial peptides against VV. Through the following questions, we examine this paper in greater detail. For discussion and brief answers, please refer to the supplementary information linked to the online version of the paper at http://www.nature.com/jid.
Selective modification of yeast seryl-t-RNA and its effect on the acceptance and binding functions

Abstract Yeast seryl-t-RNA contains N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl) adenosine adjacent to the presumed anticodon. This component can be selectively modified by treatment of the RNA with aqueous iodine. This treatment does not affect the acceptance of serine residues but it does interfere with the binding of seryl-t-RNA to the ribosome-messenger RNA complex.
Magnetic anomalies and epicentral lines on the South Carolina coastal plain

Abstract The history of magnetic geophysical investigations upon the southern Atlantic coastal plain is traced, an incomplete map of part of South Carolina is presented, and a few hypothetical geological structures or lithological alignments that may be reflected in the plotted magnetic data are pointed out.
Ionic liquids at charged surfaces: Insight from molecular simulations

Abstract Understanding of molecular level structure and mechanisms of the formation of electric double layers in realistic ionic liquid-based electrolytes on charged electrode surfaces is one of scientifically and technologically key areas that have attracted a lot of attention over the last decade. Extensive experimental, theoretical, and modeling studies have been dedicated to this challenging topic in order to establish fundamental correlations between the details of molecular structure of electrolyte and the properties of the electric double layers (EDL) forming on various electrodes. While great progress has been made in advancing our understanding of EDL properties and their influence on the performance of supercapacitors, batteries, and other energy storage devices, there are still a number of challenges and controversies that have not been resolved. In this manuscript, we demonstrate how atomistic molecular dynamics simulations provide a powerful tool for dealing with these challenges and can facilitate the design of novel materials for advancing energy storage technologies.
Improved surgical resection of human brain tumors: Part 1. A preliminary study

Twenty-three patients underwent craniotomies for brain malignancies. One hundred eleven fluorescein-stained and 75 nonstained tissue biopsies were obtained for histopathological examination using a special arc-lighting system connected to a conventional surgical headlight. Of the 75 nonstained specimens, 71 (94.7%) were negative for tumor and 4 demonstrated the presence of tumor. Ninety-four (84.7%) of the fluorescent tissues obtained were reported as having neoplasia and the remaining 17 showed characteristics consistent with necrotic tissue debris. All stained tissues obtained in this study demonstrated visible fluorescence within neoplastic tissue margins harboring abnormally permeable blood-brain barriers.
Using pictographs to enhance recall of spoken medical instructions.

The first study in this series [Houts PS, Bachrach R, Witmer JT, Tringali CA, Bucher JA, Localio RA. Patient Educ. Couns. 1998;35:83-8] found that recall of spoken medical instructions averaged 14% but that, when pictographs (drawings representing the instructions) accompanied the spoken instructions and were present during recall, 85% of medical instructions were remembered correctly. Those findings suggested that spoken instructions plus pictographs may be a way to give people with low literacy skills access to medical information that is normally available only in written form. However, there were three important limitations to that study: (1) the subjects were literate and perhaps literate people remember pictograph meanings better than people with low literacy skills; (2) only short term recall was tested and, for medical information to be useful clinically, it must be remembered for significant periods of time and (3) a maximum of 50 instructions were shown in pictographs, whereas managing complex illnesses may require remembering several hundred instructions. This study addresses those limitations by investigating 4-week recall of 236 medical instructions accompanied by pictographs by people with low literacy skills. Subjects were 21 adult clients of an inner city job training program who had less than fifth grade reading skills. Results showed 85% mean correct recall of pictograph meanings immediately after training (range from 63 to 99%) and 71% after 4 weeks (range from 33 to 94%). These results indicate that people with low literacy skills can, with the help of pictographs, recall large amounts of medical information for significant periods of time. The impact of pictographs on symptom management and patient quality of life remains to be studied.
A comparative evaluation of three discriminant scales for endogenous depression.

Abstract Three discriminant scales for diagnosing endogenous depression were examined in 56 depressed impatients. These scales were the Newcastle 1 (N1), Newcastle 2 (N2), and Michigan Index (MI). The scales agreed on diagnosis in 17 (30%) patients; respective frequencies of endogenous depression were 23%, 57%, and 78% for the N2, N1, and MI scales. Relationships were examined between treatment response to isocarboxazid, drug dose, and diagnostic type for each scale. Significant dose × diagnosis interactions were noted for N1 and N2, but not for MI. A correlational within-dose analysis of all three scales revealed that actual diagnostic score was related to outcome only for high-dose patients on the Newcastle-1 scale; no other significant correlations emerged.
Comparative safety and efficacy of short ragweed extracts differing in potency and composition in the treatment of fall hay fever. Use of allergenically bioequivalent doses by parallel line bioassay to evaluate comparative safety and efficacy.

One high potency (HP) and two low potency (LP) commercial whole short ragweed (WSR) extracts were assayed for relative potency (RP) by antigen E (AgE-Amb a 1), RAST inhibition, and parallel line bioassay (PLBA). The RP of the HP extract (300 (μg AgE) was equal to the reference WSR, but the LP extracts were only ∼ 0.01 of the RP of the reference. Each extract was administered to fall hay fever patients with skin sensitivity to WSR (≤ 10−3μg/ml AgE for sum of erythema = 50 mm) to the maximum tolerated dose, or 0.5 cc of the concentrate, by either a 9- or 40-dosc regimen. HP-treated patients had significantly lower symptom scores than untreated controls. No significant difference was noted in the total symptom scores between HP and LP extract-treated patients. Despite ∼ 100-fold differences in the RP of HP versus LP extracts, both produced similar frequencies of severe systemic and severe late phase local reactions. Furthermore, when RP of HP and LP extracts were estimated by PLBA, both reached similar peak dosages, similar dosage for IgG WSR antibody response, and comparable IgG WSR antibody levels, indicating that the WSR dose estimates based on RP were bioequivalent. The 9-dosc HP regimen produced fewer late phase local and systemic reactions per patient than the 40-dose HP regimen. Most patients experiencing severe systemic reactions were among those most skin sensitive to WSR. The number of systemic reactions per injection was significantly higher at higher WSR doses. One LP extract produced a high incidence of systemic reactions in the initial three injections. With respect to HP, its RP varied ∼ 10-fold depending on the skin sensitivity of the patient to heat-stable ragweed allergens, demonstrating that it was compositionally different. However, when the dose of this extract was estimated by RP based on the skin sensitivity of each patient, the peak dose of the extract as well as the doses associated with late phase and systemic reactions were found to be similar to the HP doses. This indicated that immunizing dose estimates of compositionally different WSR extracts based on RP by PLBA were also bioequivalent.
Comparison of a new spectrum alignment algorithm with other methods

Many data generated by the analytical techniques (such as chromatography, mass spectrometry (MS), near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy) are not synchronized or aligned, where the same peak may show up at different positions for different samples. Before applying any analysis method to these spectra, data synchronization/alignment is needed to ensure that the same variable represents the same attribute in all samples. In this work, we propose a three-step self-calibrated warping (SCW) algorithm and apply it to align a clinical prostate cancer data set generated by mass spectrometry. The performance of SCW, in terms of alignment quality and computation speed, is compared with two existing methods. In addition, the robustness of SCW to its tuning parameters and data noise is studied.
Normal ranges for packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentration in adults: relevance to ‘apparent polycythemia’

Published data from Europe and North America indicate that for non-iron-deficient adult Caucasian males, the normal mean packed cell volume (PCV) is 0.46 and the 2.5-97.5 percentile interval is 04.0-0.53. Corresponding values for adult Caucasian females are: mean PCV 0.42; 2.5-97.5 percentile interval 0.36-0.48. It is not usually appropriate to undertake studies of polycythemia in adult Caucasian males with PCV < 0.55 (Hb Conc. < 180 g/L) or in adult Caucasian females with PCV < 0.50 (Hb Conc. < 16.5 g/L). Application of this principle will reduce the number of inappropriate and costly studies that would otherwise be performed in patients whose PCV values are only in the upper percentiles of the normal range, and will help to avoid misdiagnoses and therapeutic misadventures.
Isolation, Characterization, and Differentiation of Stem Cells for Cartilage Regeneration

The goal of tissue engineering is to create a functional replacement for tissues damaged by injury or disease. In many cases, impaired tissues cannot provide viable cells, leading to the investigation of stem cells as a possible alternative. Cartilage, in particular, may benefit from the use of stem cells since the tissue has low cellularity and cannot effectively repair itself. To address this need, researchers are investigating the chondrogenic capabilities of several multipotent stem cell sources, including adult and extra-embryonic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Comparative studies indicate that each cell type has advantages and disadvantages, and while direct comparisons are difficult to make, published data suggest some sources may be more promising for cartilage regeneration than others. In this review, we identify current approaches for isolating and chondrogenically differentiating MSCs from bone marrow, fat, synovium, muscle, and peripheral blood, as well as cells from extra-embryonic tissues, ESCs, and iPSCs. Additionally, we assess chondrogenic induction with growth factors, identifying standard cocktails used for each stem cell type. Cell-only (pellet) and scaffold-based studies are also included, as is a discussion of in vivo results.
Comparative tumorigenicity in newborn mice of chrysene- and 5-alkylchrysene-1,2-diol-3,4-epoxides.

Abstract We determined the tumorigenicity in newborn mice of racemic anti-1,2-diol-3,4-epoxides of chrysene, 5-methylchrysene, 5-ethylchrysene and 5-propylchrysene. Among the four diol epoxides, only anti-5-methylchrysene-1,2-diol-3,4-epoxide was highly tumorigenic. It was 15–30 times more potent in induction of pulmonary tumors than the other compounds. The results demonstrate that molecular shape is critical in determining the tumorigenic activity of alkylchrysene diol epoxides. A methyl group in the same bay region as the epoxide ring leads to exceptional activity. This may be a consequence of DNA adduct conformation.
Electrical conductivity of sodium and calcium forms of the synthetic inorganic exchanger zeolite type A

Abstract The electrical conductivity of the sodium and calcium forms of the synthetic inorganic exchanger, zeolite type A, was determined. The isoconductance point method, usually used for the determination of electrical conductivity of exchangers, was found unsuitable for the zeolite because the latter hydrolyzes. The conductivity of the dispersed phase was calculated from the measured conductivity of dilute suspensions and their equilibrium solutions by using Maxwell's equation. The electrical conductivity of the Na-zeolite was found to be 1163 ± 112 ohm −1 cm −1 × 10 −6 and that of the Ca-zeolite, 31 ± 4 ohm −1 cm −1 × 10 −6 at a frequency of 1000 Hz. By comparing the equivalent conductivity of the counter ions to the equivalent conductivity of the same ions in a dilute aqueous solution, an estimate of the “degree of dissociation” of the sodium and calcium counter ions was obtained.
Legal aspects of records based medical research.

Ethical medical research must continue despite the legal problems of records based medical research All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession… which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal (Hippocratic Oath) Patient confidentiality is a fundamental component of medicine, but as late as 1994 the Royal College of Physicians determined that there was a duty to use available information for the general good where that could be done without detriment to individuals.1 The British Medical Association Ethical Committee in 1988 said that information could be used without consent as long as a local research ethics committee had approved the study.2 In 1997, Doyal3 proposed that epidemiological research, involving only access to medical records, should be an exception to the requirement for informed patient consent. ### Data Protection Act 1998 The situation was radically modified in March 2000, when the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA)4 came into force in the UK, thus curtailing the relative freedom which had previously been enjoyed by medical researchers. The DPA was designed to protect the rights of individuals with regard to the confidentiality of their information and its implication was that no identifiable data on living individuals should be handled or disclosed without the explicit consent of the subject. Although the Data Commissioner said that the DPA should not be seen as an obstacle to medical research, that is the present situation. ### Subsequent legislation and the Patient Information Advisory Group The cancer registration establishment was the first body to voice concerns over the implications of the DPA, after the General Medical Council (GMC) issued its own guidance in September 2000. Their interpretation effectively prohibited the automatic reporting of cancer cases to the local registry without the patient’s consent. The system had been in effect for over 50 years, with no adverse …
Potential for collaborative caching and prefetching in largely-disconnected villages

In a world becoming ever more reliant on the power of information, bringing data connectivity into developing regions is becoming an important way to lift these regions out of poverty by educating and informing the population. Although many of these regions are not likely to receive the infrastructure to support fully wired (or even wireless) networks, existing cellular and delay tolerant technologies allow limited connectivity. In this paper we show that usability of highly disconnected networks can be increased through collaborative caching and data prefetching techniques. We focus on decreasing the miss rate of pages fetched in both general web access as well as more specialized education applications. We evaluate our schemes by running trace-driven simulations of internet traces from Cambodia and logs from Princeton University's Blackboard courseware web servers. Our caching and prefetching strategies in these environments show improvements in miss rate of up to 90% over more traditional approaches.
Whole-Genome Shotgun Sequencing of a Colonizing Multilocus Sequence Type 17 Streptococcus agalactiae Strain

This report highlights the whole-genome shotgun draft sequence for a Streptococcus agalactiae strain representing multilocus sequence type (ST) 17, isolated from a colonized woman at 8 weeks postpartum. This sequence represents an important addition to the published genomes and will promote comparative genomic studies of S. agalactiae recovered from diverse sources.
Middle School Programmatic Practices and Student Satisfaction With School

The middle level school is a major educational response to the wide range of needs of young adolescents. Significant research supports various middle level education programmatic practices. It is important for researchers, middle school personnel, parents, and communities to know if implementing these middle school programmatic practices will, in fact, affect students.
CMOS photovoltaic-cell layout configurations for harvesting microsystems

Wireless microsensors add intelligence to otherwise inaccessible locations and large infrastructures, such as tiny crevices in hospitals, factories, and farms. These small devices, however, store little energy, so functionality is low or lifetime is short, or both. Luckily, harnessing ambient energy can replenish these microsystems, and because solar light generates considerably higher power density than motion, temperature, and radiation, photovoltaic (PV) systems are appealing options. Still, chip-sized CMOS PV cells produce only microwatts, and power-conditioning circuits consume some of that, leaving little energy for the sensor system. In view of this constraint, this paper shows that a 0.18-μm CMOS system is 6% more efficient with four stacked 1-mm2 PV cells than with one 4-mm2 cell. However, stacking P+-N Well cells, which is the only stackable PV structure, is 20% less efficient than one cell, so systems that draw power from one N+ or N well in substrate cell are better.
A study of page arrangements for extendible hashing

Dans cet article, la reduction potentielle de la quantite de mouvements accomplis par la tete de lecture d'un lecteur disque est etudiee lorsqu'une organisation optimale des pages memoire est utilisee
Substituent Effects on the Exchange Dynamics of Ligands on 1.6 nm Diameter Gold Nanoparticles

The kinetics of exchange of phenylethanethiolate ligands (PhC2S) of monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs, average formula Au140(PhC2S)53) by para-substituted arylthiols (p-X−ArSH) are described. 1H NMR measurements of thiol concentrations show that the exchange reaction is initially rapid and gradually slows almost to a standstill. The most labile ligands, exchanging at the shortest reaction times, are thought to be those at defect sites (edges, vertexes) on the nanoparticle core surface. The pseudo-first-order rate constants derived from the first 10% of the exchange reaction profile vary linearly with in-coming arylthiol concentration, meaning that the labile ligands exchange in a second-order process, which is consistent with ligand exchange being an associative process. A linear Hammett relationship with slope ρ = 0.44 demonstrates a substituent effect in the ligand place exchange reaction, in which the bimolecular rate constants increase for ligands with electron-withdrawing substituents (1.4 × 10-2 an...
Addressing the cold-start problem in location recommendation using geo-social correlations

Location-based social networks (LBSNs) have attracted an increasing number of users in recent years, resulting in large amounts of geographical and social data. Such LBSN data provide an unprecedented opportunity to study the human movement from their socio-spatial behavior, in order to improve location-based applications like location recommendation. As users can check-in at new places, traditional work on location prediction that relies on mining a user's historical moving trajectories fails as it is not designed for the cold-start problem of recommending new check-ins. While previous work on LBSNs attempting to utilize a user's social connections for location recommendation observed limited help from social network information. In this work, we propose to address the cold-start location recommendation problem by capturing the correlations between social networks and geographical distance on LBSNs with a geo-social correlation model. The experimental results on a real-world LBSN dataset demonstrate that our approach properly models the geo-social correlations of a user's cold-start check-ins and significantly improves the location recommendation performance.
Optical free space communication and its applications to distributed network architecture

This paper will address the application of optical free space communication to distributed network architecture. High speed optical links in digital and/or analog forms enable new satellite and land based communication and sensing system architectures with significantly enhanced system performance over conventional single platform architectures. These applications include: RF communications supported by multiple spatially separated satellites or cellular-like base stations performing beam forming and nulling and long baseline interferometry over multiple platforms for sensing. We will examine both the physical transport design of the optical free space links and their architecture implications.
Class-associative multiple-target detection using fringe-adjusted joint transform correlation

We propose a class-associative correlation filter based technique for detecting a class of objects consisting of dissimilar patterns. The fringe-adjusted joint transform correlation algorithm is utilized to enhance the correlation performance, thus ensuring strong and equal correlation peak for each element of the selected class. For enhanced performance, an enhanced version of the fringe-adjusted filter is incorporated in the class-associative multiple target detection process. The feasibility of the proposed technique has been tested by computer simulation.
Structural and Functional Analysis of Human SIRT1.

SIRT1 is a NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase that plays important roles in many cellular processes. SIRT1 activity is uniquely controlled by a C-terminal regulatory segment (CTR). Here we present crystal structures of the catalytic domain of human SIRT1 in complex with the CTR in an open apo form and a closed conformation in complex with a cofactor and a pseudo-substrate peptide. The catalytic domain adopts the canonical sirtuin fold. The CTR forms a β hairpin structure that complements the β sheet of the NAD(+)-binding domain, covering an essentially invariant hydrophobic surface. The apo form adopts a distinct open conformation, in which the smaller subdomain of SIRT1 undergoes a rotation with respect to the larger NAD(+)-binding subdomain. A biochemical analysis identifies key residues in the active site, an inhibitory role for the CTR, and distinct structural features of the CTR that mediate binding and inhibition of the SIRT1 catalytic domain.
Comparison of pressure-derived fractional flow reserve with poststenotic coronary flow velocity reserve for prediction of stress myocardial perfusion imaging results

Abstract The physiologic importance of coronary stenoses can be assessed indirectly by stress myocardial perfusion imaging or directly by translesional pressure and flow measurements. The aims of this study were to compare myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFRmyo), a recently proposed index of lesion significance derived from hyperemic translesional pressure gradients, with directly measured poststenotic flow velocity reserve for the prediction of myocardial perfusion stress imaging results in corresponding vascular beds. Poststenotic coronary flow velocity (0.018-inch guide wire) and translesional pressure gradients (2.7F fluid-filled catheter) were measured at baseline and after intracoronary adenosine (12 to 18 μg) in 70 arteries (diameter stenosis: mean 56% ± 15%, range 14% to 94% by quantitative angiography). Coronary flow reserve was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to basal mean flow velocity. FFRmyo was calculated during maximal hyperemia as equal to 1 — (hyperemic gradient [mean aortic pressure — 5]), where 5 is the assumed central venous pressure. Positive and negative predictive values and predictive accuracy for reversible stress myocardial perfusion abnormalities were computed. There was a significant correlation between pressure-derived FFRmyo and distal coronary flow reserve (r = 0.46; p
A NEW OLIVINE‐BRONZITE CHONDRITE FROM DE KALB, MISSOURI

In the spring of 1969, an olivine-bronzite chondrite weighing approximately 575 g was found within the city limits of De Kalb, Missouri. Though the discovery site is only 3 miles west of the known area of Faucett meteorites, “De Kalb” is shown in this paper to represent a distinct fall