cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gender differences in the factor structure of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test in multinational general population surveys.

Abstract Background Most gender-specific studies of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) have focused on gender differences in thresholds for hazardous drinking. This study examines gender differences in the factor structure of the AUDIT in general-population surveys. Methods General-population surveys from 15 countries provided 27,478 current drinkers’ responses to the AUDIT and related measures. We used single-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate goodness-of-fit of three hypothesized models for responses to the AUDIT by men and women in each country. Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) using a maximum likelihood robust (MLR) estimator was evaluated to identify the best fitted model. We then assessed factorial invariance within country surveys where fit indices were acceptable for both genders. Gender-specific internal consistency and concurrent validity were also evaluated in all 15 countries. Results CFA revealed that the fit indices of 2-factor or 3-factor models were consistently better than fit indices for a 1-factor model in 14 of 15 countries. Comparisons of BIC values indicated that the 2-factor solution was the best fitted model. Factorial invariance tests in data from 3 countries indicated that the factor loadings and thresholds of the AUDIT were invariant across gender. The internal reliability and concurrent validity of AUDIT and its subscales were acceptable in both genders. Conclusions A two-factor model best describes AUDIT responses across general-population surveys in 12 of 15 countries, with acceptable internal reliability and concurrent validity, and supports a gender-invariant structure in at least three of those countries.
Ultrafast Torsional Relaxation from the Barrier Region for an Excited‐State Isomerization in Solution: 9‐Carbonylanthracenes

The class of compounds containing a carbonyl group substituted at the 9 position of anthracene have been studied as new model systems for torsional isomerization in solution. Franck-Condon excitation yields an excited-state distribution near the barrier for isomerization in S1. Using time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, we have determined that the relaxation from the barrier region is subpicosecond for three different compounds in all solvents studied. In fact, the relaxation seems to be almost independent of solvent at room temperature, indicating that most of the local friction felt by the twisting carbonyl is internal friction rather than solvent friction. Apparently the small carbonyl is effectively shielded from the solvent by the anthracene ring so the solvent friction is not strong. In contrast to the weak solvent coupling, previously reported gas-phase spectra indicate that the torsion may be strongly coupled to the other vibrational modes of the molecule. Energy flow out of the torsion into these other vibrational modes appears to occur on the subpicosecond time scale.
Teaching IFRS in Brazil: News from the Front

This paper presents a personal overview of the teaching of IFRS in a developing code law country, Brazil. It relates to teaching of undergraduates, MBA, MSc and executive students. The paper focus ...
Kinetics of vortex formation in superconductors with d pairing.

We study the kinetics of vortex formation in superconductors with {ital d} pairing. We find order-parameter peculiarities and associated magnetic field maxima at intermediate stages of the evolution from the disordered to the ordered state. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Kinetics and glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein production in a transplantable human giant cell glioblastoma (D-212 MG) of near haploid karyotype maintained in an organ culture system. An immunohistochemistry study.

A transplantable subcutaneous tumour (designated D-212 MG), sequentially passaged in athymic nude mice and originally derived from a human giant cell glioblastoma, was maintained in an organ culture (matrix) system and studied immunohistochemically after in vitro pulse-labelling with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and for the presence of glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein, after 1, 2 and 3 weeks in culture. The histological characteristics of the tumour, showing two cell populations of giant multinucleated cells and small cells, were preserved in the explants. An increased percentage of multinucleated giant cells was found after 3 weeks in vitro. A small but constant fraction (4–6%) of these cells continued to synthesize DNA. The labelling index of the small cells was somewhat higher, but decreased slightly although significantly over the 3-week period in vitro (from approximately 10.5 to 8%). The percentage of small cells that were positive for GFA protein was in the region of 75% and that of the giant multinucleated cells was in the region of 45%; it did not change significantly during the 3 weeks in vitro. The in vitro results confirm the astrocytic nature of both the small cells and the giant multinucleated cells in this tumour, the capacity of both cell populations to synthesize DNA in culture and to demonstrate invasiveness, and suggest the possibility that some of the giant multinucleated cells may have originated from the conversion of a number of small tumour cells.
Bipartite implementation of the residue logarithmic number system

The Logarithmic Number System (LNS) has area and power advantages over fixed-point and floating-point number systems in some applications that tolerate moderate precision. LNS multiplication/division require only addition/subtraction of logarithms. Normally, LNS is implemented with ripple-carry binary arithmetic for manipulating the logarithms; however, this paper uses carry-free residue arithmetic instead. The Residue Logarithmic Number System (RLNS) has the advantage of faster multiplication and division. In contrast, RLNS addition requires table-lookup, which is its main area and delay cost. The bipartite approach, which uses two tables and an integer addition, is introduced here to optimize RLNS addition. Using the techniques proposed here, RLNS with dynamic range and precision suitable for MPEG applications can be synthesized. Synthesis results show that bipartite RLNS achieves area savings and shorter delays compared to naive RLNS.
On the minimum cost project schedule

Abstract This note draws attention to and corrects an error, which repeats that made in the so-called ‘crashing algorithm’ given in many textbooks, in a note by Wu and Li on minimal cost project networks published in Omega 22(4), 401–407, in 1994.
Essential role of the iron-sulfur cluster binding domain of the primase regulatory subunit Pri2 in DNA replication initiation

DNA primase catalyzes de novo synthesis of a short RNA primer that is further extended by replicative DNA polymerases during initiation of DNA replication. The eukaryotic primase is a heterodimeric enzyme comprising a catalytic subunit Pri1 and a regulatory subunit Pri2. Pri2 is responsible for facilitating optimal RNA primer synthesis by Pri1 and mediating interaction between Pri1 and DNA polymerase α for transition from RNA synthesis to DNA elongation. All eukaryotic Pri2 proteins contain a conserved C-terminal iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster-binding domain that is critical for primase catalytic activity in vitro. Here we show that mutations at conserved cysteine ligands for the Pri2 Fe-S cluster markedly decrease the protein stability, thereby causing S phase arrest at the restrictive temperature. Furthermore, Pri2 cysteine mutants are defective in loading of the entire DNA pol α-primase complex onto early replication origins resulting in defective initiation. Importantly, assembly of the Fe-S cluster in Pri2 is impaired not only by mutations at the conserved cysteine ligands but also by increased oxidative stress in the sod1Δ mutant lacking the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Together these findings highlight the critical role of Pri2’s Fe-S cluster domain in replication initiation in vivo and suggest a molecular basis for how DNA replication can be influenced by changes in cellular redox state.
Transferring the existing occlusal vertical dimension using a duplicate denture

aClinical Lecturer, Biologic and Materials Sciences, Division of Prosthodontics. bProfessor, Biologic and Materials Sciences, Division of Prosthodontics. (J Prosthet Dent 2007;98:68-69) 1 A, Three-mm-high healing abutments in place. B, Close tray impression copings. In patients for whom a fixed complete denture is required, different techniques are described to determine the occlusal vertical dimension such as rigid, stable, and accurate record bases1, gold cylinders,2,3 healing abutments, and others.4 This article describes a procedure using a duplicated complete denture to replicate the occlusal vertical dimension in a patient with implants. Several techniques were used to determine the accuracy of this procedure, including determining the occlusal vertical dimension after the fabrication of new record bases and occlusal rims and measurements using extraoral landmarks. After using these techniques, it was determined that the procedure presented produced an accurate occlusal vertical dimension for the patient presented.
Project offers funding applicants education, public outreach help

The Windows to the Universe project (http://www.windows.umich.edu) offers principal investigators developing proposals for funding from NASA, the National Science Foundation, and other agencies a high leverage vehicle for education and public outreach efforts associated with their proposals. With a rapidly growing audience of over 300,000 users per month (as of February 1999), approximately one third in the K-12 sector, the Windows to the Universe project provides investigators an instant, large-scale, global audience. The approximately 4800 interconnected html documents developed by the project over the past 4 years (including an emphasis on Sun-Earth connections through its “Space Weather Today” section) provide a substantial body of content, as well as a proven user-friendly interface, that can be immediately utilized to avoid duplication of effort and provide efficient use of education and public outreach funds. The Windows to the Universe project also includes teacher workshops, evaluation, and dissemination.
MONOLITHIC-SUPPORTED NICKEL CATALYSTS: I. METHANATION ACTIVITY RELATIVE TO PELLET CATALYSTS

Abstract The catalytic activity and selectivity of pellet and monolithic supported Ni/A12O3 for methanation of carbon monoxide were investigated to determine the role of support geometry in catalyst performance. Turnover numbers, CO conversion versus temperature data, and product distributions were measured at space velocities from 15,000 to 50,000 hr-1 and pressures of 140 to 2500 kPa. The data show that monolithic supported nickel is significantly more active and selective for methane production at both low and high CO conversions compared to nickel catalysts beads and pellets. Monolithic supported methanation catalysts apparently operate with a higher effectiveness and rate of mass transfer than do catalyst beads or pellets. Because of its superior activity, selectivity and tow pressure drop at high space velocities, monolithic nickel may be the ideal catalyst for use in a high throughput recycle methanator
Race Differentials in Obesity: The Impact of Place

This article reveals race differentials in obesity as both an individual- and neighborhood-level phenomena. Using neighborhood-level data from the 1990-1994 National Health Interview Survey, we find that neighborhoods characterized by high proportions of black residents have a greater prevalence of obesity than areas in which the majority of the residents are white. Using individual-level data, we also find that residents of neighborhoods in which at least one-quarter of the residents are black face a 13 percent increase in the odds of being obese compared to residents of other communities. The association between neighborhood racial composition and obesity is completely attenuated after including statistical controls for the poverty rate and obesity prevalence of respondents' neighborhoods. These findings support the underlying assumptions of both institutional and social models of neighborhood effects.
Space-time quantum ghost imaging: double beam and single beam

We experimentally demonstrate quantum imaging where the images are stored in both space and time. Quantum images of remote objects are produced with either one or two beams of chaotic laser light and two sensors measuring the reference field and bucket field at different space-time points. Chaotic laser light is produced by laser light passing through rotating ground glass. Experiments were performed in both turbulent and nonturbulent conditions. Interestingly, quantum images are produced using the two sensors of quantum imaging when both single and double beams are implemented in the experimental setup. Also, we observed that the quantum images move depending on the time delay between the sensor measurements. The experiments provide a new testbed for exploring the time and space scale fundamental physics of quantum imaging and suggest new pathways for quantum information storage and processing. The research is applicable to making ghost imaging movies of moving objects and implementation of space-time imaging for enhanced imaging.
Δ′-Pyrroline: An intermediary metabolite in the conversion of putrescine to 2-pyrrolidone

Abstract Δ′-Pyrroline, an oxidative product of putrescine metabolism, was chemically synthesized and incubated with a rat liver homogenate. The incubation mixture was fractionated on an amino acid analyzer before and after acid hydrolysis. The hydrolyzed sample, in contrast to the unhydrolyzed sample, contained a ninhydrin positive compound that cochromatographed with γ-aminobutyric acid, the product of 2-pyrrolidone acid hydrolysis. Authentic 2-pyrrolidone had the same retention time as the Δ′-pyrroline metabolite when analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. It is concluded that Δ′-pyrroline is an intermediary metabolite in the pathway from putrescine to 5-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidone.
THz Thermal Emission Control Via Electromagnetic Band Engineering

In the following, we report on the design and implementation of an inexpensive thermal source for THz radiation with a highly tunable radiation signature. It consists of five 350- μm-thick Si wafers, each spaced 1 mm apart. The thermal emission of this structure was calculated analytically and numerically. A comprehensive study was performed that included analyzing the oblique incidence, polarization, and design tolerance effects. The thermal emission was calculated using both Kirchhoff's law and directly using a Green's function method. It was measured using a Michelson interferometer. The predicted and measured thermal emission spectra had peaks around 150 GHz apart, with a narrow bandwidth of 50 GHz. The peaks were up to 80% of the expected blackbody levels and the bandgaps had emission levels of about 20% of those blackbody values. We demonstrate that, using these techniques, it is possible to achieve a desired THz thermal emission signature, with narrowband features that can be engineered to have specific angles of emission and polarization states.
Identification of new genes in Sinorhizobium meliloti using the Genome Sequencer FLX system

Sinorhizobium meliloti is an agriculturally important model symbiont. There is an ongoing need to update and improve its genome annotation. In this study, we used a high-throughput pyrosequencing approach to sequence the transcriptome of S. meliloti, and search for new bacterial genes missed in the previous genome annotation. This is the first report of sequencing a bacterial transcriptome using the pyrosequencing technology. Our pilot sequencing run generated 19,005 reads with an average length of 136 nucleotides per read. From these data, we identified 20 new genes. These new gene transcripts were confirmed by RT-PCR and their possible functions were analyzed. Our results indicate that high-throughput sequence analysis of bacterial transcriptomes is feasible and next-generation sequencing technologies will greatly facilitate the discovery of new genes and improve genome annotation.
Reduction numbers for ideals of higher analytic spread

Let (R, M) be a commutative Noetherian local ring having an identity, and assume the residue field R/M is infinite. If I is an ideal in R, recall that an ideal J contained in I is called a reduction of I if JIn = In + 1 for some non-negative integer n. A reduction of J of I is called a minimal reduction of I if it does not properly contain another reduction of I. Reductions (and minimal reductions) were introduced and studied by Northcott and Rees[8]. If J is a reduction of I we define the reduction number of I with respect to J, denoted rJ(I), to be the smallest non-negative integer n such that JIn = In + 1 (note that rJ(I) = 0 if and only if J = I). The reduction number of I (sometimes referred to as the reduction exponent) is defined as r(I) = min{rj(I)|J ⊆ I is a minimal reduction of I}.
Variations in soil carbon dioxide efflux across a thaw slump chronosequence in northwestern Alaska

Warming of the arctic landscape results in permafrost thaw, which causes ground subsidence or thermokarst. Thermokarst formation on hillslopes leads to the formation of thermal erosion features that dramatically alter soil properties and likely affect soil carbon emissions, but such features have received little study in this regard. In order to assess the magnitude and persistence of altered emissions, we use a space-for-time substitution (thaw slump chronosequence) to quantify and compare peak growing season soil carbon dioxide .CO2/ fluxes from undisturbed tundra, active, and stabilized thermal erosion features over two seasons. Measurements of soil temperature and moisture, soil organic matter, and bulk density are used to evaluate the factors controlling soil CO2 emissions from each of the three chronosequence stages. Soil CO2 efflux from the active slump is consistently less than half that observed in the undisturbed tundra or stabilized slump (1.8 versus 5.2 g CO2‐C m 2 d 1 in 2011; 0.9 versus 3.2 g CO2‐C m 2 d 1 in 2012), despite soil temperatures on the floor of the active slump that are 10‐15 C warmer than the tundra and stabilized slump. Environmental factors such as soil temperature and moisture do not exert a strong control on CO2 efflux, rather, local soil physical and chemical properties such as soil organic matter and bulk density, are strongly and inversely related among these chronosequence stages .r 2 D 0:97/, and explain 50% of the variation in soil CO2 efflux. Thus, despite profound soil warming and rapid exposure of buried carbon in the active slump, the low organic matter content, lack of stable vegetation, and large increases in the bulk densities in the uppermost portion of active slump soils (up to 2:2 g 1 cm 3 ) appear to limit CO2 efflux from the active
Human trophoblast-endometrial interactions in an in vitro suspension culture system

Summary We developed an in vitro suspension co-culture system to examine the interaction of ist, 2nd and 3rd trimester purified cytotrophoblasts with hjman endometrium. Endometrium explants were added to cytotrophoblast cell suspensions and placed on an angled gyrating platform in a 37°C incubator. When endometrium was cultured alone it was able to remain viable for up to 3 days. When trophoblasts were cultured alone, they formed small and large aggregates, and occasionally spherical shells with hollow centers. When trophoblasts and endometrium were cultured together, the trophoblasts adhered to the exposed stromal surfaces of the tissue fragments. The surface epithelium was not receptive to trophoblast attachment except in one experiment when day 19 endometrium was used for the co-incubation, suggesting that surface attachment is usually restricted. A common finding was the presence of an acellular zone in the endometrium only adjacent to the attached trophoblasts. we speculate that this zone may be caused by proteolysis and resynthesis of ECM proteins by the trophoblasts. Based on our results, this in vitro suspension should prove useful for examining those factors which: (1) induce endometrial permissiveness, (2) promote paracrine effects on the endometrium, and (3) facilitate human trophoblast invasion.
Using a hybrid system of corpus and knowledge-based techniques to automate the induction of a lexical sublanguage grammar

Porting a Natural Language Processing (NLP) system to a new domain remains one of the bottleneeks in syntactic parsing, because of the amount of effort required to fix gaps in the lexicon, and to attune the existing grammar to the idiosyncracies of the new sublanguage. This paper shows how the process of fitting a lexicalized grammar to a domain can be automated to a great extent by using a hybrid system that combines traditional knowledge-based techniques with a corpus-based approach.
Limiting the permeability of composites for cryogenic applications

Abstract The correlation between thermal fatigue-generated networks of transverse micro-cracks and the permeability of carbon fiber polymer matrix composites (PMCs) was the focal point of this effort. Epoxy and bismaleimide matrix PMCs were cycled between liquid nitrogen temperature (−196 °C) and elevated temperature. The samples were then optically examined for micro-cracks and evaluated for their tendency for leakage in a fluid containment application. Composite coupons were tested for the rate of flow of low-pressure helium gas in the through-thickness direction at room temperature (RT) and liquid nitrogen (LN 2 ) temperature as a function of the applied cycles. The choice of lay-up drastically influenced the permeability. Samples with [0/90] 2S and [0/90/45/−45] S lay-ups resisted leakage at least 100 cycles more than the [0/45/−45/90] S samples. The temperature of the elevated portion of the thermal cycle also had a large impact on the initiation and propagation of transverse cracks and the eventual creation of complete through-thickness gas flow paths that were the source of permeability. For example, for the [0/45/−45/90] S lay-up of IM7/5250-4 a relatively moderate 57 °C reduction in the elevated hold temperature decreased permeability by up to 100 times.
Some notes on physiologic conditions as social problems.

Abstract It is suggested that health workers, including social scientists interested in things medical, have tended to view diseases as phenomena whose identity as social problems is not to be questioned. Attention is called in this paper to the political process through which various disease phenomena must pass in order to attain the status of social as opposed to purely personal problem. Sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and lead poisoning are given as examples of conditions which may be remaining constant in prevalence, if not actually declining, but which have attained significance due to the political conflicts of the past decade. Finally, it is suggested that the process by which disease conditions emerge into public awareness as social problems, as well as the process by which they disappear from public concern, are topics about which we know very little and might well be considered suitable subjects for research by social scientists in medicine.
Copolymer 1 inhibits experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

Abstract Copolymer 1 (Cop 1) inhibits experimental allergic encephalomyelitis induced by a variety of myelin proteins, but has been found ineffective so far in inhibiting other experimental autoimmune diseases such as diabetes or arthritis. Here, we report for the first time that Cop 1 inhibits the development of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis, induced in mice by interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). Pooled data of three experiments showed that treatment with Cop 1, at 0.5 mg/mouse, reduced the disease severity by 53% ( p =0.0002). Cop 1 treatment also inhibited the proliferation and the production of cytokines by lymph node cells in response to IRBP and moderately reduced the antibody response to this antigen. The possible mechanisms of EAU inhibition by Cop 1 are discussed.
Clio's Obituary: Organization of American Historians Report on the Status of History.

(1976). Clio's Obituary: Organization of American Historians Report on the Status of History. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 87-90.
Environmental Factors of Distance Learning: An Exploratory Study

The widespread use of the Internet has opened new avenues for learning in higher education. Distance education through the Internet has had a large increase over the last decade. This study focuses on examining factors of the online course environment that affect student satisfaction. The results identify factors that affect students' satisfaction toward the class. These findings should help instructors teaching online classes concentrate more on factors that are important to students taking online classes.
A 50-GeV muon storage ring for a neutrino factory at Fermilab ☆

Abstract A 50-GeV muon storage ring has been designed using a racetrack configuration in order to maximize the percentage of stored muons converted into a directed neutrino beam. This design achieves ∼40% of the muon decays occurring in the production straight, assuming a production straight which is directed (downward) towards a detector located on the SLAC site. The design criteria and parameters of this ring are presented.
Fast temperature spectrometer for samples under extreme conditions.

We have developed a multi-wavelength Fast Temperature Readout (FasTeR) spectrometer to capture a sample’s transient temperature fluctuations, and reduce uncertainties in melting temperature determination. Without sacrificing accuracy, FasTeR features a fast readout rate (about 100 Hz), high sensitivity, large dynamic range, and a well-constrained focus. Complimenting a charge-coupled device spectrometer, FasTeR consists of an array of photomultiplier tubes and optical dichroic filters. The temperatures determined by FasTeR outside of the vicinity of melting are, generally, in good agreement with results from the charge-coupled device spectrometer. Near melting, FasTeR is capable of capturing transient temperature fluctuations, at least on the order of 300 K/s. A software tool, SIMFaster, is described and has been developed to simulate FasTeR and assess design configurations. FasTeR is especially suitable for temperature determinations that utilize ultra-fast techniques under extreme conditions. Working in parallel with the laser-heated diamond-anvil cell, synchrotron Mossbauer spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, we have applied the FasTeR spectrometer to measure the melting temperature of ^(57)Fe_(0.9) Ni_(0.1) at high pressure.
Cell contour extraction on multi-threshold images

A procedure for the extraction of cell and nuclear contours from digital images is presented. The procedure is simple and suitable for efficient implementation in an interactive environment where the user selects a region of interest containing the cell to be segmented. Segmentation is facilitated by multi-thresholding where the threshold values are determined by an iterative algorithm using the mean square error criteria to cluster the image pixel values. Edges are detected on the threshold images by employing a binary morphological filter and the desired contours are selected by considering closed contours in the edge image. The cell region is first extracted by performing segmentation, edge detection and contour extraction on the region of interest. The nuclear region is subsequently extracted by reapplication of the algorithms within the extracted cell region. Segmentation examples are presented.
The Value of Doppler Resistive Index and Peak Systolic Velocity in the Evaluation of Porcine Renal Obstruction

AbstractPurpose: We evaluated the use of Doppler resistive indexes and systolic velocities as diagnostic tools in a partially obstructed animal model.Materials and Methods: We studied 12 normal pigs by Doppler sonography, which served as control units. In 9 subjects partial ureteral obstruction was then created surgically, and 3 continued as controls. The presence or absence of obstruction was confirmed by ultrasound, antegrade nephrostography and intrapelvic pressure monitoring. Doppler parameters were measured 1 hour to 21 days postoperatively. Resistive index, and angle corrected peak and mean systolic velocities were measured bilaterally from samplings of interlobar and arcuate arteries. An average of 4 samplings per kidney was obtained at each session. Data from the control and obstruction groups were compared for statistical differences.Results: In controls mean resistive index was 0.53, and peak and mean systolic velocities were 0.38 and 0.26 m. per second, respectively. In the subacute period afte...
Alterations in calcium metabolism in phorbol ester-treated mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Abstract Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated macrophages exhibited a two-fold increase in the rate of 45Ca++ efflux and over a three-fold increase in the size of the exchangeable calcium pool, resulting in almost a seven-fold increase in the slow phase of calcium efflux. The calcium antagonist 8-(N,N-diethylamino) octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8) by itself did not affect calcium efflux in macrophages; but abolished the PMA-induced increase in the rate of calcium efflux. The divalent cationophore A23187 increased the rate constant of the fast phase of calcium efflux two-fold when applied alone or when applied with PMA. These effects might be linked to ionophore enhancement and TMB-8 inhibition of PMA-induced macrophage chemotaxis and spreading (previously reported in Cell Calcium 3:503–514 and Cancer Research 43:3385–3391). No change in calcium efflux was observed if cells were exposed to PMA only during the efflux experiment suggesting that a prolonged exposure to PMA is required to elicit changes in calcium flux. Increased 45Ca++ remained in treated cells at each time point perhaps reflecting the PMA-induced increase in exchangeable calcium.
Medical students' perceptions of child psychiatry: pre- and post-psychiatry clerkship.

Objective The U.S. is facing a severe shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs). While medical students have been relatively disinterested in psychiatry, little research has examined their perceptions of CAP. The present study examined student perceptions of CAP and general psychiatry, and whether these perceptions changed during the psychiatry clerkship.
A group of Midwestern university students needs to improve their oral hygiene and sugar/pop consumption habits

Poor oral hygiene and sugar/pop consumption practices are detrimental to one's overall health. College women were hypothesized to have better oral hygiene habits and to consume less sugar/pop than men and that the students' habits would be different from those the students had before college. These habits of students at a Midwestern university were evaluated by sex. The volunteers included 105 men and 91 women. Three quarters of the students reported brushing their teeth at least the recommended twice daily, with women brushing their teeth more often. About a third of the students flossed at least the recommended once daily. Not quite a third of the students reported brushing and flossing their teeth more often than they did before college. More than a third reported using mouth rinses 4 or more times weekly, with 13% reporting using a fluoride-containing mouth rinse. More than 60% reported using fluoride-containing toothpaste. Slightly more than a third reported drinking fluoridated water in their younger years. A larger percentage of women than men reported that diet pop was their pop of choice. More than two thirds of the students that drank pop indicated that regular pop was their favorite. Most of the students reported consuming sugary foods more than once daily, but they indicated that most of these sugars were not sticky. Few differences were observed in oral hygiene and sugar/pop consumption habits of these college students by sex. Nutritionists and other health professionals should work cooperatively in helping individuals improve their oral hygiene and sugar/pop consumption habits.
Corneal epithelial wound healing increases the expression but not long lasting activation of the p85alpha subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase.

Purpose. Corneal epithelial wound healing is a complex process involving several growth factors whose interaction with tyrosine kinase receptors (RTK) leads to the recruitment of enzymes coupled to second messengers that propagate and amplify growth factor-induced signals inside the cells. Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K) is one such enzyme. Here we have investigated changes in PI-3K activity and expression during re-epithelialization after in vivo and in vitro corneal injury. Methods. For the in vivo model, epithelium was collected from rabbit corneas at different stages of wound healing after complete de-epithelialization. For in vitro studies, after 7mm central scrape wounds were applied, rabbit corneas were maintained in organ culture. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot using anti-p85a antibodies were employed to determine PI-3K activity and expression of the p85a regulatory subunit of PI-3K. Two specific PI-3K inhibitors, Wortmannin and LY 294002 were used to study the effect of PI-3K activity...
A study of ohmic contacts on β-SiC

A study on ohmic contacts on β-SiC is reported. The contacts were formed using titanium, tungsten, and their silicides. The tungsten and titanium contacts exhibited ohmic behaviour following annealing at a low-temperature (300°C) but deteriorated when annealed at 600°C. The minimum contact resistance for titanium and tungsten on SiC was 7.6 ×l0−3 and 6.1 × 10−3ohm-cm2, respectively. The silicides of titanium and tungsten yielded a lower contact resistance than the metallic Ti and W. The minimum contact resistance for TiSi2 and WSi2 is 1.1 × 10−4 and 3.0 × 10−4ohm-cm2, respectively.
Reduced immunogenic potential of membrane filtered bovine thrombin preparations for hemostatic application.

There is concern that exposure to bovine thrombin can result in the development of antibodies, usually against factor V/Va, which can lead to hemostatic abnormalities. It is thought that purer preparations of bovine thrombin might be less immunogenic. Utilizing newer methods including a membrane filtration step, bovine crude thrombin is further purified into thrombin 4A and 4B preparations which exhibit a higher specific activity and are devoid of some of the protein contaminants. Bovine crude thrombin and its purified versions were administered intravenously to individual groups of rabbits using standard immunologic protocols. Antiserum was drawn from each rabbit and the pooled antisera were purified to obtain the IgGs using protein G affinity columns. The results suggest that the reported purification process, including filtration, resulted in the removal of most of the antigens found in crude thrombin, and that none of these preparations generated any detectable antibodies against bovine factor V relat...
Hippocampally dependent and independent chronic spatial navigational deficits following parasagittal fluid percussion brain injury in the rat

Previous reports have documented spatial navigational deficits following experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI), although the majority of the work to date has involved assessment at acute intervals following TBI, and has focused on tasks sensitive to hippocampal dysfunction. The present experiments were designed to investigate the chronic consequences of TBI, and the possible contribution of extrahippocampal dysfunction to TBI-induced spatial navigational deficits, in a moderate parasagittal fluid percussion TBI model. In Experiment 1, animals were pre-trained in a water maze, subjected to TBI or sham procedures, and re-evaluated in the water maze 48 h following the insult. Six to 8 weeks following TBI, the same animals were required to navigate to a different platform location. TBI animals exhibited significant deficits in retention of previously learned spatial information at the 48 h interval, and marginally impaired acquisition of a novel platform location during the chronic test sessions. In Experiment 2, animals were required to navigate to novel spatial locations using cued (to evaluate extrahippocampal function) as well as non-cued variants of the water maze task during the 8 week period following the insult. Injured animals exhibited deficits in both tasks which gradually diminished over the course of testing. The results of these experiments indicate that moderate TBI is accompanied by both retention and acquisition deficits, and that some of the navigational deficits observed in the water maze can be attributed to extrahippocampal damage. The possible recovery of spatial navigational ability following parasagittal TBI at moderate intensities is also discussed.
Bidirectional Single-Supply Level Shifter with Wide Voltage Range for Efficient Power Management

Level shifter circuits are used to interface multiple voltage islands in many modern ICs or Systems-on-Chip (SoCs). Single-supply level shifters are being used to reduce the power routing resources and minimize the routing congestion at the chip level. A single-supply bidirectional level shifter aimed at low voltage which offers a wide voltage range (SS-WVRLS) is designed using standard commercial 90nm CMOS process. The proposed level shifter uses analog and digital circuit techniques to provide full voltage shifting range for any combination of supply voltages (VDDIN = VDD, VDDIN VDD) in any step size (paper shows 25mv step) with no requirement for special low-VT or high-VT devices, thus reducing the process cost. Post layout SPICE simulation comparison results show that proposed circuit is functional for full core supply voltage range (0.6V - 1.32V) compared to other published level shifters. The circuit was tested for robustness under process mismatch conditions by 1000 point global and local Monte Carlo simulations.
A perspective of solar energy and its applications

A relatively comprehensive overview is presented of solar energy as a U.S. and worldwide resource and of solar technology as the means of implementing its usage broadly. The various direct and indirect forms of solar energy resources are described. To show the flexibility in the use of solar energy resources, the various technologies and applications are described for converting those resources to a wide range of useful power products to match requirements of potential users. As a consequence of the relatively small, modular collector field components or power units making up many solar system approaches, it is practical to combine an appropriate number of modular units to obtain either small (decentralized), medium, or large (centralized) power systems. Also, the effects of diurnal and weather interruptible characteristics are discussed relative to the design of power systems to meet user requirements. The general thesis of the overview is that many solar‐based (renewable) energy systems have already bee...
Magnetic resonance imaging: role in the understanding of cerebral malformations

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has had an enormous impact on the practice of medicine, and especially, on the clinical neurosciences. One area in which MRI has had a particularly large impact has been on the analysis and understanding of cerebral malformations. This manuscript describes the manner in which MRI in conjunction with modern molecular biology has helped to shed new light on our understanding and classification of cerebral malformations.
The natural history and dose-response characteristics of enzyme-altered foci in rat liver following phenobarbital and diethylnitrosamine administration

Enzyme-altered foci (EAF) were induced in the liver of female rats by 70% partial hepatectomy (PH), followed by a single intragastric administration of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The stability and response of these foci to various doses of the hepatic promoting agent, phenobarbital (PB), were studied. The number of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase-positive (GGT+) EAF resulting from PH/DEN followed by PB (0.05%) administration for 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months or 4 months did not significantly change when the administration of the promoting agent was followed by a 6-month period of a diet containing no PB. These data demonstrate the stability of the foci induced by the PH/DEN/PB regimen and indicate that the increased number of foci resulting from PB promotion in the absence of overt hepatic necrosis are not reversible on removal of the promoting stimulus. Chronic administration of dose levels of PB below 0.001% in the diet failed to demonstrate an increase in the number of EAF over the number in the control animals not promoted with PB. A linear increase in the number of EAF was observed when rats were chronically fed doses of PB ranging between 0.001% and 0.05% in the diet, whereas diet concentrations of PB greater than 0.05% did not result in any further increase in the number of EAF. The number of EAF resulting from PH/DEN followed by 0.05% PB in the diet increased during the first 3-4 months of promotion. Thereafter, the number of foci did not change despite the continued administration of PB for as long as 8 months. These data suggest the presence of an apparent threshold (no effect level) for promotion by PB and demonstrate the presence of a maximal response of EAF to this promoting agent after initiation by a single dose of DEN.
Direct radiative forcing during Sahara dust intrusions at a site in the Central Mediterranean: Anthropogenic particle contribution

Abstract The clear-sky, instantaneous Direct Radiative Effect (DRE) by all and anthropogenic particles is calculated during selected dust intrusion events at a site in the Central Mediterranean, to evaluate the role of anthropogenic particle's radiative effects and obtain a better estimate of the DRE by desert dust. The Mediterranean basin is continuously influenced by long-range transported emissions from continental Europe and northern Africa. The clear-sky aerosol DRE is calculated by a two stream radiative transfer model in the solar (0.3–4 μm) and infrared (4–200 μm) spectral range, at the top of the atmosphere (ToA) and at the Earth's surface (sfc), during typical weak and strong dust intrusion events. Aerosol optical properties by AERONET sun-sky photometer measurements and aerosol vertical profiles by EARLINET lidar measurements, both performed at Lecce (40.33°N, 18.10° E) in the Central Mediterranean, are used to perform radiative transfer simulations. Instantaneous solar DREs are negative as a consequence of the cooling effect by aerosol particles and span the – (25–11) W m − 2 and – (53–25) W m − 2 range at the ToA and surface, respectively during the investigated dusty days. Infrared DREs offset the solar DRE from 8% up to 14% at the ToA and from 9% up to 22% at the surface. A methodology has been implemented to estimate the contribution of anthropogenic particles during dusty days since their contribution can be significant over the Central Mediterranean. We have found that the aerosol optical depth (AOD) by anthropogenic particles is from 35% up to 65% of the AOD by all particles. The solar DRE by anthropogenic particles represents from 44% up to 83% and from 28% up to 60% of the DRE by all particles, at the ToA and surface, respectively. If we assume that the DRE by natural and anthropogenic particles can be linearly added, the contribution of natural particles to the whole aerosol DRE is lower than 56% and 72% at the ToA and surface, respectively during the tested dusty days.
An open-label trial of combination therapy with interferon β-1a and oral methotrexate in MS

An open-label study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination therapy with weekly oral methotrexate (20 mg) and interferon β-1a (IFNβ-1a) in 15 patients with MS who had experienced exacerbations while receiving IFNβ monotherapy. Nausea was the only major side effect. A 44% reduction in the number of gadolinium-enhanced lesions seen on MRI scan was observed during combination therapy ( p = 0.02). There was a trend toward fewer exacerbations. This combination therapy appears to be safe and well tolerated, and should be studied in a controlled trial.
An improved reliability bound of a probabilistic parallel integer sorting algorithm

It is shown how one can improve the reliability bound of the parallel sorting algorithm of Rajasekaran and Sen (1992) [7] that sorts uniformly distributed integer keys on a CRCW Parallel Random Access Machine (PRAM). The probability of success improves to 1−2−Ω(nloglogn/logn) from the previous bound of 1−2−Ω(n/(lognloglogn)) while retaining the O˜(logn) time bound for sorting n uniformly distributed integers on n/logn processors.
Endothelial function predicts positive arterial-venous fistula remodeling in subjects with stage IV and V chronic kidney disease

PURPOSE The maturation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) requires remodeling of the arterial inflow and the venous outflow limbs to sustain flows sufficient to support hemodialysis. However, factors influencing remodeling of AVF are poorly understood. We hypothesized that AVF remodeling was an endothelium-dependent process. METHODS This is a prospective cohort study of patients (n=25) undergoing autologous AVF formation. Brachial artery vasoreactivity studies were performed pre-operatively to assess endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). High-resolution ultrasound was used to assess venous and arterial diameters intraoperatively, and at 3 months. RESULTS The mean age was 64.5 ± 13.6 yrs. Twelve patients (48%) had diabetes. The mean FMD for the entire cohort was (mean ± SEM) 5.82 ± 0.9%, (range) 0-17.3%. The vein increased in size 3.19 ± .28 to 6.11 ± .41 mm, 108.4 ± 17.9%, p=.0001, while the artery increased from 3.29 ± .14 to 4.48 ± .30 mm, 20.47 ± 10.8%, p=.013. There was a significant positive correlation between the degree of arterial and venous remodeling, r=.52, p=.023. Brachial artery FMD most strongly correlated with the magnitude of arterial remodeling, r=.47, p=.038. Patients with diabetes failed to undergo venous remodeling to the same extent as did those without diabetes, 59.2 ± 24.4% vs. 141.5 ± 25.4%, p=.04. CONCLUSION Impairment of endothelial function is associated with decreased arterial remodeling and final venous lumen diameter attained at 3 months. Further investigation is needed to determine whether modulation of endothelial function in this cohort can improve AVF maturation.
360-Hz Complementary Impulse Commutated Inverter

A fixed-frequency 360-Hz SCR inverter operated with an inductive and three-phase motor load is described. Such an inverter could provide a solid-state motor control more compact and possibly at a lower cost for a given horsepower than a 60-Hz system. A McMurray-Bedford inverter circuit was used similar to that described by Bedford and Hoft in [1]. The inverter operation has been described in detail by an approximate equivalent circuit approach for which a digital computer simulation was devised. Computer plots of various waveforms and experimental results are included. This simulation gives a thorough prediction of the circuit behavior with inductive load. The circuit provides a reliable and efficient ac power source with a fixed frequency. An accurate prediction by the digital computer simulation enables one to choose most efficiently. circuit elements which would perform the function most efficiently.