cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Preventive Intervention for Divorced Families: Reduction in Mental Health and Justice System Service Use Costs 15 Years Later

This cost-benefit analysis compared the costs of implementing the New Beginnings Program (NBP), a preventive intervention for divorced families to monetary benefits saved in mental healthcare service use and criminal justice system costs. NBP was delivered when the offspring were 9–12 years old. Benefits were assessed 15 years later when the offspring were young adults (ages 24–27). This study estimated the costs of delivering two versions of NBP, a single-component parenting-after-divorce program (Mother Program, MP) and a two-component parenting-after-divorce and child-coping program (Mother-Plus-Child Program, MPCP), to costs of a literature control (LC). Long-term monetary benefits were determined from actual expenditures from past-year mental healthcare service use for mothers and their young adult (YA) offspring and criminal justice system involvement for YAs. Data were gathered from 202 YAs and 194 mothers (75.4 % of families randomly assigned to condition). The benefits, as assessed in the 15th year after program completion, were $1630/family (discounted benefits $1077/family). These 1-year benefits, based on conservative assumptions, more than paid for the cost of MP and covered the majority of the cost of MPCP. Because the effects of MP versus MPCP on mental health and substance use problems have not been significantly different at short-term or long-term follow-up assessments, program managers would likely choose the lower-cost option. Given that this evaluation only calculated economic benefit at year 15 and not the previous 14 (nor future years), these findings suggest that, from a societal perspective, NBP more than pays for itself in future benefits.
The Starting Flow in Ducts Filled with a Darcy–Brinkman Medium

Analytical solutions are found for the transient starting flow due to a sudden pressure gradient in cylindrical, rectangular, and parallel plate ducts fill with a Darcy– Brinkman porous medium. It is found that, for all geometries, the initial velocity front is flat. It eventually becomes more parabolic for small porous media parameter s but remains flat for large s. The boundary layer thickness is of order (1/s). The transient is also shorter (proportional to exp(−s2t)) for large s.
Regulation of urinary thromboxane B2 in man: influence of urinary flow rate and tubular transport

Abstract Thromboxane B2 (TxB) is excreted in human urine, but the mechanism of renal excretion and the quantitative relationship of urinary TxB to the active parent compound, thromboxane A2, of renal or extrarenal origin is not established. To determine the effects of vasoactive hormones, uricosuric agents and urinary flow rate on TxB excretion, urinary TxB was measured by radioimmunoassay and mass spectrometry, and renal metabolism of blood TxB was determined by radiochromatography of urine after i.v. [3H]-TxB infusions. Basal TxB was 6.7 ± 1.1 ng/h during an oral water load, and TxB fell with s.q. antidiuretic hormone (to 3.4 ± 0.4 ng/h, P
Vertex calculation for a composite particle

The classical treatment and the quantization of composite relativistic systems is given a manifestly covariant formulation in presence of constraints. A particular formulation of Feynman's quantum mechanics is used to treat the scattering of composite relativistic systems. A covariant harmonic oscillator model is employed to calculate vertices of interactions: the results are similar to the corresponding ones in the usual field theories, but the presence of some convergence factors gives hope that a theory with composite particles may be finite.
The Forkhead Transcription Factor FoxC2 Inhibits White Adipocyte Differentiation

In this study, we show that expression of FoxC2 blocks the capacity of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to undergo adipogenesis in the presence of dexamethasone, isobutylmethylxanthine, and insulin. This block is characterized by an extensive decrease in the expression of proteins associated with the function of the mature fat cell, most notably C/EBPα, adiponectin, perilipin, and the adipose-specific fatty acid-binding protein, FABP4/aP2. Since the expression of these proteins lies downstream of PPARγ, we overexpressed PPARγ in Swiss mouse fibroblasts to promote adipocyte differentiation. We show that FoxC2 blocks the ability of PPARγ to induce adipogenic gene expression in response to exposure of the cells to dexamethasone, isobutylmethylxanthine, insulin, and a PPARγ ligand. Interestingly, the expression of aP2 escapes the inhibitory action of FoxC2 under conditions that promote maximum PPARγ activity. In contrast, FoxC2 inhibits the expression of C/EBPα, perilipin, and adiponectin even in the presence of potent PPARγ ligands. Finally, we show that FoxC2 does not affect the ability of PPARγ to bind to or transactivate from a PPARγ response element. These data suggest that FoxC2 blocks adipogenesis by inhibiting the capacity of PPARγ to promote the expression of a subset of adipogenic genes.
Intraneural neurothekeoma: case report.

NEUROTHEKEOMAS ARE RARE, benign cutaneous tumors, with a distinctive histological appearance, that seldom have been documented to arise from identifiable medium- or large-caliber peripheral nerves. We report a neurothekeoma of the left posterior tibial nerve, whose gross histological appearance and strong immunostaining for S-100 in the majority of the tumor corroborates the impression that this tumor is a variant of a schwannoma. (Neurosurgery 37 :333-335, 1995)
Milking Systems for Large Herds

Abstract Milking systems and mechanization which might be added to these milking systems to improve labor efficiency and reduce drudgery are described. Labor efficiency and annual milking cost comparisons in variously equipped systems show that (i) no single parlor or degree of mechanization is superior for every herd size and length of milking period, (ii) more than one parlor system may be economically feasible for a given farm, (iii) any parlor system must be used to capacity to attain a minimum annual milking cost per cow, and (iv) high labor utilization, measured in cows per man-hour, can more than offset high original investment when a system is used to capacity.
Quasiparticle band structures of six II-VI compounds: ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdS, CdSe, and CdTe.

Quasiparticle band structures of six II-VI compounds (ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdS, CdSe, and CdTe in the zinc-blende and wurtzite structures) are calculated using the [ital GW] approximation. Results for band structures, calculated using the [ital ab] [ital initio] pseudopotential method within the local-density approximation (LDA), are given along with the energies of the quasiparticle excitations at symmetry points. Comparisons are made with measured values and trends in the [ital GW] corrections to the LDA band structures are examined.
Earthquake study in southern California, 1945

This continues the previous report of Gutenberg and Richter [see “References” at end of report, 1945 a]. Three papers reported as in press in 1945 have since appeared [Gutenberg, 1945 a and b; Gutenberg and Richter, 1945 b]. Wood's paper [pending] on local epicenters and fault structure in Southern California has been submitted to the Seismological Society of America. As the first paper of Gutenberg and Richter [1941] on seismicity of the Earth is now out of print, a revision has been undertaken, incorporating the results of the supplementary paper [Gutenberg and Richter, 1945 b] and much new material. No epicenter has been accepted from the International Summary or any other source without careful revision. A large file of individual station bulletins has been accumulated through correspondence, as exchange or on loan. This has facilitated assigning magnitudes, and has much improved the statistics of large shocks. Magnitudes have been assigned to all shocks, shallow and deep, of magnitude 6 or larger, used in the study. For further statistical investigation the data have been entered on punch cards, which now number about 2500 for shallow earthquakes, and over 1000 for deep shocks. It is hoped that it will be possible to publish the full list of epicenters.
SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF RHENIUM WITH 4-METHYLNIOXIME

A simple method applicable to the spectrophotometric determination of less than 0.001% to more than 1.0% of rhenium in molybdenite concentration and ln "molybdenite roaster flue dust" has been developed. Interfering elements commonly found in these materials are removed in three operations: evaporation with hydrochloric acid, precipitation of hydrous oxides with ammonia, and formation of organometallic compounds with ethyl xanthate and chloroform extraction. The method is based on the formation of a soluble, stable, yellow- green rhenium-4-methylnioxime chelate where rhenium/sup VII/ is reduced by tin/ sup II/ chloride in a dilute hydrochloric acid solution in the presence of 4methylnioxime (4-methyl-1: 2-cyclohexanedionedioxime). The color develops in less than 5 min and the chloroform extract shows a maximum absorption at 436 m mu . The calibration curve corforms to Beer's law. The molar extinction coefficient for rhenium-4-methylnioxime is abcut 6.89 x 104 as compared to less than 4.5 x l0/sup 4/ reported for other methods for rhenium. (auth)
Polarization‐rotation and thermal‐motion studies via resonant degenerate four‐wave mixing

We report experimental observation of polarization rotation in resonant degenerate four‐wave mixing (DFWM) arising from the third‐order coupling of the electric fields. This effect allows investigation of molecular motion and its effect on the efficiency of the DFWM. By controlling the pulse width and therefore γ=T0/τp (where T0≡λ/vth) we show quantitative agreement with a third‐order density matrix perturbation calculation. In particular, using a CO2 laser at 10.6 μm and SF6 as the nonlinear medium, we show that for γ≫1 (stationary limit) we see no molecular motion and for γ≈1, we see a significant ’’washout’’ of one third–order polarization.
Compartmentalization of hnRNP-K during cell cycle progression and its interaction with calponin in the cytoplasm.

Coronary artery blockage, due to cardiovascular disease, is routinely treated by either balloon-angioplasty or bypass surgery. The limited success of these clinical interventions is due at least in part to smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. Here we show that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex K (hnRNP-K) protein levels increase in SMC with response to serum stimulation in vitro, in the aortas from an animal model of atherosclerosis, and in occluded human vein segments. hnRNP-K is a multi-functional protein that has been studied primarily in cancer cells and has been suggested to play a role in cell cycle progression. We show that in untransformed, cultured SMC, hnRNP-K protein sub-cellular localization modulates through the cell cycle in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Using cycloheximide, we observed that cytoplasmic accumulation of hnRNP-K protein at later time points in the cell cycle occurred with a concomitant decrease in nuclear hnRNP-K protein, suggesting a translocation of nuclear hnRNP-K protein to the cytoplasm. Also, because we did not observe an increase in hnRNP-K protein at early time points in the cell cycle in the presence of cycloheximide, we propose that the early increase in cytoplasmic hnRNP-K protein following serum stimulation is due to new hnRNP-K protein synthesis. When present in the cytoplasm, hnRNP-K is part of a multi-protein complex that consists of at least two other proteins, calponin and ERK1/2. Our findings from this study are intriguing because they suggest that cytoplasmic hnRNP-K in SMC is part of a signaling complex that may be involved in growth-stimulated post-transcriptional regulation. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Factors associated with mental health service use in Latino and Asian immigrant elders.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with the mental health service use of Latino and Asian immigrant elders. Adapting Andersen's behavioral health model of health service utilization, predisposing, enabling, and mental health need factors were considered as potential predictors for use of mental health services. Method: Data were drawn from a nationally representative dataset, the National Latino and Asian American Survey (NLAAS). Hierarchical logistic regression analyses of mental health service use were conducted for Latino (N = 290) and Asian (N = 211) immigrant elders. Results: For both groups of immigrant elders, poor self-rated mental health was associated with significantly greater mental health service use, even after controlling for all other variables. For Latinos, use of mental health services was significantly associated with both predisposing factors (being younger and female) and mental health need factors (having any mood disorders and poor self-rated men...
The length heuristic for simultaneous hypothesis tests

We observe a sequence of test statistics T = (T 1 , T 2 , ..., T J ), each of which is approximately N(0,1) under the null hypothesis H 0 , but which are correlated with each other. Not being certain which T j is best, we use the test statistic T max = max{T 1 , ..., T J ). For a given observed value of T max , say c, what is the significance probability pr(T max > c)? Define the length of T to be Σ j L =2 arccos(p j-1,j ), where p j-1,j is the null hypothesis correlation between T j-1 and T j . Hotelling's theorem on the volume of tubes leads to a length-based bound on pr(T max > c) that usually beats the Bonferroni bound. It is easy to improve Hotelling's bound. Several examples show that in favourable circumstances the improved bounds can be good approximations to the actual value of pr(T max > c).
Stabilized finite element formulation for elastic–plastic finite deformations

Abstract This paper presents a stabilized finite element formulation for nearly incompressible finite deformations in hyperelastic–plastic solids, such as metals. An updated Lagrangian finite element formulation is developed where mesh dependent terms are added to enhance the stability of the mixed finite element formulation. This formulation circumvents the restriction on the displacement and pressure fields due to the Babuska–Brezzi condition and provides freedom in choosing interpolation functions in the incompressible or nearly incompressible limit, typical in metal forming applications. Moreover, it facilitates the use of low order simplex elements (i.e. P1/P1), reducing the degrees of freedom required for the solution in the incompressible limit when stable elements are necessary. Linearization of the weak form is derived for implementation into a finite element code. Numerical experiments with P1/P1 elements show that the method is effective in incompressible conditions and can be advantageous in metal forming analysis.
Further studies on cytoplasmic particulates isolated by gradient centrifugation.

Abstract 1. 1. The use of gradient centrifugation to study the distribution of cytoplasmic components of rat and mouse liver has been further explored. The method for calculation of particle sizes has been revised by considering the effects of the osmotic-pressure gradient. 2. 2. Data obtained on tissue which was not mashed prior to homogenization are presented for comparison with earlier results. The use of the masher has a deleterious effect on mitochondria, but apparently not on other subcellular particles. 3. 3. Mitochondria isolated by gradient centrifugation are capable of efficient oxidative phosphorylation, regardless of whether or not the tissue was mashed. The total yield of active material is less from mashed tissue. 4. 4. Among the enzymes studied in both rat and mouse liver, catalase was found by our technique to differ markedly in the two species, being associated with microsomes in rats and with uricase-containing particles in mice. The former is recognized as an artifact of redistribution. 5. 5. The question of association of enzymes reputedly found only in mitochondria with particles of microsomal size is discussed.
Photoinduced structural dynamics of epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films probed by ultrafast hard x-ray diffraction

The photoinduced dynamical reverse piezoelectric effect in epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films has been characterized by time-resolved hard X-ray diffraction measurements for ultrafast optical control of room temperature multiferroics.
Non-Newtonian end effects in falling ball viscometry of concentrated suspensions

In a Newtonian fluid contained in a cylinder, a small ball initially at rest released just below the surface would accelerate to achieve a steady-state velocity within one cylinder diameter. After traversing the center section of the cylinder, the ball would begin slowing down within one cylinder diameter of the bottom. This behavior is also observed in suspensions where the size of the suspended particles is small relative to the containing cylinder. However, in concentrated suspensions of larger suspended particles, balls released near the upper surface travel faster than the steady state velocity. In addition, the length of the upper surface end effect, where the falling ball decelerates to the steady state velocity, and the lower end effect zone, where the ball decelerates to rest at the bottom, is many times longer than in a Newtonian single-phase liquid. These non-Newtonian end effects are reduced if the suspended particles are polydisperse in their size distribution.
Modification of polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene surfaces downstream from helium microwave plasmas

Abstract Films of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyethylene (PE) were treated downstream from a helium microwave plasma. Vacuum ultraviolet radiation induces reduction in deionized water contact angle, probably as a result of crosslinking and desaturation of these linear, saturated polymers. Photons with energies greater than the first ionization potentials of PTFE and PE were shown to be most effective for modification. Valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to determine these ionization potentials. XPS analyses also revealed that simultaneous exposure to high energy (19·8 eV) He metastables and photons (12 eV to 54 eV) results in extensive defluorination of the surface of PTFE while PE surfaces display enrichment in CO bonding. The latter is attributed to the presence of carbonyl impurities in the untreated PE and/or reaction of surface sites with oxygen upon exposure to air.
Osteoblastoma of the Lateral Skull Base: Work-Up, Surgical Management, and a Review of the Literature

Objectives To describe the work-up and surgical management of an osteoblastoma involving the lateral skull base. Typically occurring in the spine or long bones, osteoblastomas of the craniofacial skeleton are exceedingly rare and infrequently reported. A review of the current literature regarding temporal bone osteoblastoma, diagnosis, and treatment is described. Methods This case report describes the clinical presentation, radiographic studies, surgical management, histology, and postoperative follow-up of a young man presenting to a tertiary care neurotology practice with osteoblastoma involving the lateral skull base. A review of the current literature regarding osteoblastoma of the skull base, work-up, and treatment is described. Results A 15-year-old adolescent boy with a greater than 1-year history of right-sided retroauricular pain, a palpable postauricular mass, and chronic headaches presented for evaluation/management. Microscope examination of the ears, hearing, and cranial nerve function were normal. High-resolution temporal bone computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained, which revealed an expansile mass involving the junction of the temporal and occipital bones. The patient underwent a combined retrosigmoid/retrolabyrinthine resection of this extradural tumor. Histology revealed a benign bone neoplasm consistent with osteoblastoma. Complete surgical resection was achieved, and the patient's symptoms fully resolved. Follow-up imaging studies found no evidence of recurrence. The scientific literature relevant to work-up and management of osteoblastoma is reviewed. Discussion Osteoblastomas of the lateral skull base are rare, histologically benign tumors that can present with radiographic features suggestive of malignancy. An en bloc resection is important for both diagnosis and definitive treatment of these neoplasms. The differential diagnosis on imaging and histology is discussed.
11.5 A 100MS/s 10.5b 2.46mW comparator-less pipeline ADC using self-biased ring amplifiers

Pipelined ADCs require accurate amplification; however traditional OTAs limit power efficiency since they require high quiescent current for slewing. In addition, it is difficult to design low-voltage OTAs in modern, scaled CMOS. The ring amplifier [1-4] provides an intriguing alternative to traditional OTAs. This work improves the power efficiency and practicality of the ring amplifier by introducing a self-biasing scheme and by eliminating the comparators.
Estimation of Stable-Law Parameters: A Comparative Study

The stable distribution has many desirable properties and is applicable in many areas of scientific pursuit (e.g., the study of stock-return behavior). Despite this, little is known about the properties of the various extant estimation techniques for the parameters of the stable laws. This article compares the iterative regression technique with the latest version of the fractile technique, using both simulated and actual data.
A Survey of Mathematics Education Technology Dissertation Scope and Quality 1968–2009

We examined 480 dissertations on the use of technology in mathematics education and developed a Quality Framework (QF) that provided structure to consistently define and measure quality. Dissertation studies earned an average of 64.4% of the possible quality points across all methodology types, compared to studies in journals that averaged 47.2%. Doctoral students as well as their mentors can play a pivotal role in increasing the quality of research in this area by attending to the QF categories as they plan, design, implement, and complete their dissertation studies. These results imply that mathematics education technology researchers should demand greater clarity in published papers through the preparation of their own manuscripts and how they review the works of others.
Use of porosity to estimate hydraulic properties of volcanic tuffs

Abstract Correlations of hydraulic properties with easily measured physical properties are useful for purposes of site characterization in heterogeneous sites. Approximately 600 samples of volcanic rocks from Yucca Mountain, Nevada, representing lithologies with a large range of hydraulic properties, were analyzed to develop correlations of effective porosity with saturated hydraulic conductivity and moisture-retention curve-fit parameters that relate to lithologies of varying depositional history and alteration processes. Effective porosity, φe, defined as the porosity calculated using drying at a relative humidity of −70 MPa, is used in a generalized Kozeny–Carman equation to predict saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks=bφen, where b and n are constants. The entire dataset has an R2 of 0.36. When samples are grouped according to general lithology, correlations result in an R2 of 0.71 for the crystallized/vitric samples, 0.24 for samples with mineral alteration, and 0.34 for samples with microfractures, thus increasing the predictive capability over that of the total dataset.
A monolithic analog video comb filter in a 1.2 mu m CMOS

A fully integrated comb filter for luminance/chrominance (Y/C) separation of NTSC video signals is fabricated using a standard 1.2- mu m double-poly CMOS technology. This paper demonstrates its use of analog RAM structures in the realization of video line delays. Information is stored and retrieved using switched-capacitor techniques optimized for operation in a parasitic dominated environment. Fixed pattern noise is avoided through the use of serial data paths whenever possible, necessitating the use of a G/sub m/-enhanced amplifier and techniques to improve the feedback factor. The 11.7 mm/sup 2/ adjustment-free circuit, which requires a single clock and reference current, dissipates 170 mW at 5 V and yields an SNR of 51 dB and frequency response flat within 1.1 dB to 4.2 MHz. >
An integrated approach to modeling and analysis of embedded real-time systems based on Timed Petri Nets

In computer-based control systems, embedded software is taking over what mechanical and dedicated electronic systems used to do, that is, to engage and control the physical world, interacting directly with sensors and actuators. Therefore, software running on a digital processor is tightly-coupled with its surrounding physical environment. We propose an integrated approach based on Timed Petri-Nets for modeling and analysis of embedded real-time systems where real-time scheduling behavior of the controller software is explicitly represented at the model-level, together with the physical environment that it interacts with. This enables the designer to have an integrated view of the entire system while analyzing the system and making design decisions. We also describe a syntax-directed, automated translation procedure from Timed Petri-Nets to Timed Automata, thus enabling the use of model checkers such as UPPAAL for analysis purposes. We consider the railroad crossing problem as an application example, and evaluate alternatives for controller implementation on either single-processor or distributed multi-processor platforms based on the integrated approach.
Multiple 5'-flanking regions of the human alpha-skeletal actin gene synergistically modulate muscle-specific expression.

Transfection into myogenic and nonmyogenic cell lines was used to investigate the transcriptional regulation of the human alpha-skeletal actin gene. We demonstrated that 1,300 base pairs of the 5'-flanking region directed high-level transient expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene in differentiated mouse C2C12 and rat L8 myotubes but not in mouse nonmuscle L.TK- and HuT-12 cells. Unidirectional 5' deletion analysis and heterologous promoter stimulation experiments demonstrated that at least three transcription-regulating subdomains lie in this 1,300-base-pair region. A proximal cis-acting transcriptional element located between positions -153 and -87 relative to the start of transcription at +1 was both sufficient and necessary for muscle-specific expression and developmental regulation during myogenesis in the two myogenic cell systems. The region 3' of position -87 interacted with factors present in both myogenic and fibroblastic cells and appeared to define, or to be a major component of, the basal promoter. In C2C12 myotubes, but not in L8 myotubes, a distal sequence domain between positions -1300 and -626 and the proximal sequence domain between positions -153 and -87 each induced transcription about 10-fold and synergistically increased CAT expression 100-fold over levels achieved by the sequences 3' of position -87. Furthermore, these cis-acting elements independently and synergistically modulated an enhancerless, heterologous simian virus 40 promoter in a tissue-specific manner. DNA fragments which included the proximal domain displayed classical enhancerlike properties. The central region between positions -626 and -153, although required in neither cell line, had a positive, two- to threefold, additive role in augmenting expression in L8 cells but not in C2C12 cells. This suggests that certain elements between positions -1300 and -153 appear to be differentially utilized for maximal expression in different myogenic cells and that the particular combination of domains used is dependent on the availability, in kind or amount, of trans-acting, transcription-modulating factors present in each cell type. Thus, multiple myogenic factors that vary qualitatively and quantitatively may be responsible for the different and complex modulatory programs of actin gene expression observed during in vivo muscle differentiation.
Anti-mouse mesangial cell serum induces acute glomerulonephropathy in mice.

In order to develop a model in mouse similar to anti- Thy-1 nephritis in the rat, we prepared sheep antiserum against SV40-transformed mouse mesangial (MES 13) cells. In vivo, the anti-mouse mesangial cell serum-treated mice showed severe azotemia that peaked at day 6 and proteinuria that peaked at day 8, in a dose-dependent fashion. Light microscopy and electron microscopy showed duplication of glomerular basement membranes, mesangiolysis, subendothelial and mesangial electron-dense deposits, and foot process effacement. Intraglomerular tuft cell number was significantly reduced at day 4 and there were increased numbers of apoptotic cells at days 2 and 4. SCID mice and mice lacking C3 manifested similar responses to anti-mouse mesangial cell serum, suggesting that T cells, B cells and complement are not required for glomerular injury in this model. In vitro, anti-mouse mesangial cell serum treated mesangial cells showed greater release of lactate dehydrogenase, decreased cell survival, and increased apoptotic cell death. Anti-mouse mesangial cell serum induces glomerulopathy characterized by mesangiolysis and mesangial cell apoptosis, and followed by cellular proliferation.
Unique thermoremanent magnetization of multidomain sized hematite: Implications for magnetic anomalies

Intense magnetic remanence (100^1000 A/m) associated with MD hematite and/or titanohematite and associated with high Koenigsberger ratios (40^1000) indicate that magnetic remanence may dominate the total magnetization if these minerals are volumetrically significant. Titanohematite behaves similarly to hematite and, thus, the grain size dependence of TRM acquisition in hematite is considered as a generalization. The transition between truly MD behavior and tendency towards SD behavior in hematite has been established to be between grain sizes of 0.1 and 0.05 mm. In contrast to magnetite and titanomagnetite, hematite exhibits inverse grain size dependence, with MD hematite acquiring a relatively intense TRM in the geomagnetic field, comparable to sub-micrometer sized magnetite and only an order of magnitude less than SD magnetite. Consequently MD hematite (and by analogy titanohematite) remanence may be of significance as a source of magnetic anomalies at all scales. MD hematite exhibits TRM weak field acquisition behavior that is different from all other magnetic minerals, being the only magnetic mineral having an REM (TRM/SIRM) value E0.1 for TRM acquisition in the geomagnetic field. The very different TRM behavior of MD hematite in contrast to magnetite is due to two factors. The first is the lesser influence of demagnetizing energy with respect to wall pinning energy, at temperatures almost up to the Curie temperature for hematite. The second is the greater importance of the magnetostatic energy in the applied field, which for hematite dominates the total energy at high temperatures. fl 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
A Novel Human Multidrug Resistance Gene MDR1 Variant G571A (G191R) Modulates Cancer Drug Resistance and Efflux Transport

The human multidrug resistance gene MDR1 encodes a membrane-bound transporter P-glycoprotein (Pgp) that confers the drug resistance of cancer cells by mediating an ATP-dependent drug efflux transport. We and others have reported a number of functionally significant MDR1 variants, including G1199A and G1199T, that modulate cancer drug resistance and intracellular levels of antivirals. In this report, we describe a novel G571A variant of MDR1 detected in 6.4% of leukemia patients. Because this nucleotide modification gives rise to an amino acid change from Gly to Arg at the 191 amino acid position of Pgp, we have developed and characterized the functional affect of the G571A variant in stable, recombinant cells. Using six chemotherapeutic drugs, doxorubicin HCl, daunorubicin HCl, vinblastine sulfate, vincristine sulfate, taxanes (paclitaxel), and epipodophyllotoxin (etoposide, VP-16), we found that the MDR1571A variant selectively reduced the degree of Pgp-mediated resistance in drug-dependent manner. Although there was a minimal effect on doxorubicin and daunorubicin, the MDR1-dependent resistance on vinblastine, vincristine, paclitaxel, and etoposide was reduced by approximately 5-fold. The increased drug sensitivity in MDR1571A, compared with MDR1wt, paralleled the intracellular drug levels. These data suggest that individuals with this novel MDR1 variant, the 571A genotype, may be more sensitive to the specific anticancer drugs that are Pgp substrates.
Intraciliary calcium oscillations initiate vertebrate left-right asymmetry.

Summary Background Bilateral symmetry during vertebrate development is broken at the left-right organizer (LRO) by ciliary motility and the resultant directional flow of extracellular fluid. However, how ciliary motility is perceived and transduced into asymmetrical intracellular signaling at the LRO remains controversial. Previous work has indicated that sensory cilia and polycystin-2 (Pkd2), a cation channel, are required for sensing ciliary motility, yet their function and the molecular mechanism linking both to left-right signaling cascades are unknown. Results Here we report novel intraciliary calcium oscillations (ICOs) at the LRO that connect ciliary sensation of ciliary motility to downstream left-right signaling. Utilizing cilia-targeted genetically encoded calcium indicators in live zebrafish embryos, we show that ICOs depend on Pkd2 and are left-biased at the LRO in response to ciliary motility. Asymmetric ICOs occur with onset of LRO ciliary motility, thus representing the earliest known LR asymmetric molecular signal. Suppression of ICOs using a cilia-targeted calcium sink reveals that they are essential for LR development. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that intraciliary calcium initiates LR development and identify cilia as a functional ion signaling compartment connecting ciliary motility and flow to molecular LR signaling.
EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON OF TRAJECTORY TRACKERS FOR A CAR WITH TRAILERS

Abstract In this paper various design techniques are applied to the trajectory tracking problem for a mobile robot with trailers. Using simulations and experiments, we evaluate linear and nonlinear designs on the basis of implementation issues, stability and performance. After a careful design of their gains, the various feedback controllers have very close performance measures, In both the simulations and the experiments, all the controllers show a strong dependence on the knowledge of the reference trajectory. The flatness of the system is exploited in precomputing this quantity.
Effect of heat and milk yield on bovine plasma glucocorticoid levels.

SummaryThis study indicates that at 15° higher producing cattle (milk yield) have higher plasma glucocorticoid concentrations compared to lower producing cattle with glucocorticoid levels appearing to be positively correlated with lactational intensity. Short term thermal (30°) exposure for 18 hr resulted in glucocorticoid levels being markedly lower in high producing cattle compared to low producers. This shift at 30° (after 18 hr) is possibly due to different time sequence of glucocorticoid response to thermal exposure between high and low producing cows. These data support the concept that gluco-corticoids assist the animal in efficiently meeting the greater energy demand of lactation and further studies should be undertaken to denote free plasma levels and their utilization by dairy cattle at various levels of milk production.The authors gratefully acknowledge Richard Morgan and Lewis Croy for cooperation on animal management, L. Hahn and Dale Clark for engineering support on this experiment, Carolyn ...
Bilingual advantages in executive functioning: problems in convergent validity, discriminant validity, and the identification of the theoretical constructs.

A sample of 58 bilingual and 62 monolingual university students completed four tasks commonly used to test for bilingual advantages in executive functioning (EF): antisaccade, flanker, Simon, and color-shape switching. Across the four tasks, 13 different indices were derived that are assumed to reflect individual differences in inhibitory control, monitoring, or switching. The effects of bilingualism on the 13 measures were explored by directly comparing the means of the two language groups and through regression analyses using a continuous measure of bilingualism and multiple demographic characteristics as predictors. Across the 13 different measures and two types of data analysis there were very few significant results and those that did occur supported a monolingual advantage. An equally important goal was to assess the convergent validity through cross-task correlations of indices assume to measure the same component of executive functioning. Most of the correlations using difference-score measures were nonsignificant and many near zero. Although modestly higher levels of convergent validity are sometimes reported, a review of the existing literature suggests that bilingual advantages (or disadvantages) may reflect task-specific differences that are unlikely to generalize to important general differences in EF. Finally, as cautioned by Salthouse, assumed measures of executive functioning may also be threatened by a lack of divergent validity that separates individual or group differences in EF from those in general fluid intelligence or simple processing speed.
Digital energy detection for OOK demodulation in ultra-low power radios

A new technique for performing energy detection for ultra-low power OOK-modulated radio receivers is presented. This technique uses oversampling and digital averaging to reduce the excess noise contributions of wideband gain following the channel selection stage in these radios and helps to bring the noise performance closer to the expected value from communications theory. The proposed sampler effectively removes 10 dB of excess noise from such systems, bringing the minimum required IF SNR to achieve 10-3 bit error rate down as low as 0 dB. In addition, the oversampling technique provides added resolution in time to perform synchronization and clock extraction for the rest of the radio system. The energy detector was implemented in a 65 nm digital CMOS process, and consumes less than 10 µW under its nominal operating conditions providing a 200 kbps data rate.
Morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients following cardiac transplantation.

Background: Diabetes remains a relative contraindication to cardiac transplantation. Previous reports have described small numbers of diabetic patients without end-organ damage who have undergone successful cardiac transplantation. Methods: A retrospective analysis of diabetic patients transplanted and their outcome in a single large center from 1/1/95 to 12/31/99 was performed. Diabetes was defined as “medium risk” by the presence of any of the following parameters: duration of therapy >10 years; use of insulin; serum creatinine >2 mg/dl; urinary protein >300 mg per 24 hours; presence of peripheral vascular disease (ankle:brachial ratio <1.0); and documentation of other diabetic comorbidity (retinopathy, neuropathy, gastroparesis). Results: During this time period, 374 adult cardiac transplants were performed. Seventy-six patients (20%) were diabetic with 33 patients (43%) requiring insulin. Forty-two of the patients had moderate disease. Survival of the diabetic and non-diabetic recipients was comparable (1- and 3-year survival of 86% and 85%. vs 87% and 84%, respectively, p = NS). No difference in survival between “medium-risk” and “low-risk” diabetics was observed. The incidence of acute rejection in the first year, graft vasculopathy and infection, was comparable between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. In both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, there was a similar and small insignificant increase in serum creatinine. Conclusions: More patients with advanced diabetes are undergoing cardiac transplantation and the early and mid-term survival remains comparable to non-diabetic recipients. Future liberalization of transplantation in diabetics appears likely.
The minimum upper bound on the first ambiguous power of an irreducible, nonpowerful ray or sign pattern

Abstract Let A be an n × n irreducible ray or sign pattern matrix. If A is a sign pattern, it is shown that either A is powerful or else A k has an ambiguous entry for some k ⩽ n 2 - 2 n + 2 , and further, sign patterns based on the Wielandt graph show that this bound is the best possible. If A is a ray pattern, partial results for the same bound are given.
A Novel High-Throughput Screening Assay for Putative Antidiabetic Agents through PPARα Interactions

As natural peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) ligands, high levels of fatty acids and glucose could lead to hyperactivation of PPARα, like that seen in diabetes. Important diabetes research goals are to uncover new metabolic or signaling pathways involved in hyperglycemic cellular injury and to develop therapeutics for preventing or reversing this injury. Consequently, 1040 putative antidiabetic agents were screened for their ability to 1) affect PPARα lipid binding, 2) directly bind PPARα, and 3) alter PPARα transactivation in the presence of high glucose. A high-throughput fluorescent binding assay was developed to examine each compound’s ability to restore fatty acyl-CoA binding to PPARα in the presence of high glucose concentrations. Approximately 1% of the compounds restored acyl-CoA binding by 60% or more. These compounds directly interacted with PPAR α with high affinity (nM Kds), validating the primary screen. Furthermore, these compounds altered PPARα transactivation, and 1 strongly reversed the hyperactivation of PPARα found in the presence of clofibrate and high glucose levels.
Dispersion behaviour, thermal and electrical conductivities of carbon nanotube-polystyrene nanocomposites

The dispersion behaviour, thermal and electrical conductivities of carbon nanotube-polystyrene nanocomposites were investigated. The dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the nanocomposites was characterised by scanning electron microscope; it was observed that CNTs were homogeneously dispersed and embedded within the polystyrene matrix. The thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites were measured with a through transmission thermal inspection system at room temperature. The results showed that the thermal conductivity increased with an increase in CNT content, and the nanocomposite loaded 5 wt CNTs exhibited a 120 enhancement in thermal conductivity. The correlation between the dispersion behaviour and thermal and electrical conductivities was discussed. In addition, it was demonstrated that CNT-polymer nanocomposites give larger increases in thermal and electrical conductivities for the same loading of carbon nanofibres, graphite powders and silver nanoparticles.
Bringing Energy Back into the Economy

This paper works out some of the basic properties of an economy where energy is the driving force behind all economic activities. The economy now consists of streams of energy conversions that direct energy to the production of goods and services. The focus on energy generates a variety of insights. It yields a new taxonomy of economies and economic activities; allows a better grasp of the tasks performed by labor and capital; raises the prospect of examining growth as the speeding up of machines; and identifies greater use of energy as an important independent source of growth. In addition, I use these results to explain the near stagnation in living standards in agrarian economies in the millennia before 1800, and the dramatic acceleration in growth since that date.
Efficient reinforcement learning through symbiotic evolution

This article presents a novel reinforcement learning method called SANE (Symbiotic, Adaptive Neuro-Evolution), which evolves a population of neurons through genetic algorithms to form a neural network capable of performing a task. Symbiotic evolution promotes both cooperation and specialization, which results in a fast, efficient genetic search and prevents convergence to suboptimal solutions. In the inverted pendulum problem, SANE formed effective networks 9 to 16 times faster than the Adaptive Heuristic Critic and 2 times faster than the GENITOR neuro-evolution approach without loss of generalization. Such efficient learning, combined with few domain assumptions, make SANE a promising approach to a broad range of reinforcement learning problems, including many real-world applications.
A large-scale exploration of group viewing patterns

We present a large-scale study of television viewing habits, focusing on how individuals adapt their preferences when consuming content with others. While there has been a great deal of research on modeling individual preferences, there has been considerably less work studying the preferences of groups, due mostly to the difficulty of collecting group data. In contrast to most past work that has relied either on small-scale surveys, prototypes, or a relatively limited amount of group preference data, we explore more than 4 million logged household views paired with individual-level demographic and co-viewing information. Our analysis reveals how engagement in group viewing varies by viewer and content type, and how viewing patterns shift across various group contexts. Furthermore, we leverage this large-scale dataset to directly estimate how individual preferences are combined in group settings, finding subtle deviations from traditional models of preference aggregation. We present a simple model which captures these effects and discuss the impact of these findings on the design of group recommendation systems.
ET-1 modulates KCa-channel activity and arterial tension in normoxic and hypoxic human pulmonary vasculature

The molecular mechanisms by which endothelin (ET)-1 induces pulmonary hypertension are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of ET-1 on outward K+ currents of normoxic and chronically hypo...
Patient Attitudes towards Vasectomy

To assess patient response to vasectomy performed at the Clinic of the University of Wisconsin Medical School a questionnaire was sent to 137 married patients who had been vasectomized for one or more years previously. Of the 58% who responded 23% noted increased libido by both husband and wife. No wives and only one husband reported decreased libido. Only six patients admitted to having gained self-respect. No patients had requested vas reanatomosis or admitted regretting the decision or being depressed afterwards. There was no preoperative psychological evaluation.
Functional Analysis of the HIV-1 Gene Products vif and vpu

Like other members of the lentivirus subfamily, HIV-1 contains several open reading frames (ORFs) in addition to the gag, pol, and env ORFs present in other retroviruses. Considerable effort has been put into the analysis of these extra genes to understand their significance for virus replication. We were focusing in the last few years on the functional analysis of the HIV-1 vif and vpu genes. The vif gene (previously also designated A, Q, P′, ORF-1, or sor), partially overlaps the pol gene (see Fig. 1); its protein product has a relative molecular mass of 23.000 (Mr 23K) and is present in productively infected cells. The vif gene is highly conserved within HIV-1 and analoguous genes have been identified in HIV-2 and other lentiviruses suggesting that the gene function is an important one.
Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy of Ceramics

Application of SIMS to ceramics is a complicated but rewarding technique for characterization. The variable composition, hardness and insulating nature of these materials render spectra interpretation complex. Basic data reduction procedures from graphical data collection are presented along with spectra from SIMS applied to a glass frit, magnesium sialon, silicon and PTCR barium titanate.