cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cushing's disease without hypercortisolism.

ABSTRACT A patient with Addison's disease remained hyperpigmented despite customary replacement therapy with glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid. Plasma ACTH and MSH concentrations were found to be elevated, but could be suppressed by large doses of glucocorticoid, indicating a pituitary origin for these hormones. When graded doses of cortisol were administered, the patient demonstrated inappropriately high plasma levels of ACTH and MSH for each quantity of cortisol given, and the normal diurnal rhythm in plasma ACTH and MSH concentrations was lacking. These aberrations in regulation of ACTH and MSH are consistent with a diagnosis of Cushing's disease superimposed upon pre-existing Addison's disease.
Substrate effects on surface-plasmon spectra in metal-island films

The effects of the local dielectric environment on the surface-plasmon resonances of annealed metal-island films are studied experimentally and modeled theoretically. Silver-island films were annealed to produce spheroidal shaped particles which exhibit well-resolved resonances in polarized, angle-resolved, absorption spectra. These resonances are shifted in different amounts by the depolarizing interaction with the underlying substrate. They are also affected by additional dielectric coverages or separation of the particle film from the substrate. Cross-section calculations based upon a nonretarded, single-particle, dielectric interaction for these various configurations are presented and found to be in agreement with experimental observations.
Obtaining Feasible Solutions In Image Restoration

A major problem in image reconstruction and restoration is assuming that the obtained solution is acceptable to the user. The reason that a user can reject a computed solution is that the user has access to more a priori knowledge about the image than the solution method can use. This paper will discuss ways in which the amount of a priori knowledge that is actually made available to the restoration algorithm can be increased. The main vehicles for including this additional knowledge is the method of projection onto convex sets and application of fuzzy set theory.
Age- and hormone-regulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunit NR2b in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus of the female rat: Implications for reproductive senescence

Glutamate, acting through its N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors in the hypothalamus, regulates reproductive neuroendocrine functions via direct and indirect actions upon gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones. Previous studies indicate that the NMDA receptor subunit NR2b undergoes changes in protein and gene expression in the hypothalamus in general, and on GnRH neurones in particular, during reproductive ageing. In the present study, we examined whether the NR2b-expressing cell population, both alone and in association with the NR1 subunit (i.e. the latter subunit is necessary for a functional NMDA receptor), is altered as a function of age and ⁄ or steroid hormone treatment. Studies focused on the anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nucleus of the hypothalamus, a region critically involved in the control of reproduction. Young (3-5 months), middle-aged (9-12 months), and aged (approximately 22 months) female rats were ovariectomised and, 1 month later, they were treated sequentially with oestradiol plus progesterone, oestradiol plus vehicle, or vehicle plus vehicle, then perfused. Quantitative stereologic analysis of NR2b-immunoreactive cell numbers in the AVPV showed an age-associated decrease in the density of NR2b-immunoreactive cells, but no effect of hormone treatment. In a second study, immunofluorescent double labelling of NR2b and NR1 was analysed by confocal microscopy of fraction volume, a semi-quantitative measure of fluorescence intensity. No effect of ageing was detected for immunofluorescent NR1 or NR2b alone, whereas the NR2b fraction volume increased in the oestradiol plus vehicle group. With ageing, the fraction volume of the NR2b/NR1-colocalised subunits increased. Together with the stereology results, this suggests that, although fewer cells express the NR2b subunit in the ageing AVPV, a greater percentage of these subunits are co-expressed with NR1. Our results suggest that the subunit composition of NMDA receptors in the AVPV undergo both age- and hormonal-regulation, which may be related to previous observations of changes in functional responses of reproductive neuroendocrine systems to NMDA receptor modulators with ageing.
Search for new meson resonances in K+p interactions at 12.7 GeV/c

Abstract In a study of K + p interactions at 12.7 GeV/ c we have carried out a search for meson resonances having any one of the following properties: (a) a strangeness of S =2, (b) S =1 and isotopic spin of I= 3 2 , or (c) S =1, I= 1 2 and decaying into an antihyperon ( Y ) and a nucleon (N).
Video switching and sensor fusion for multicamera sensing systems

With the low cost of solid-state camera systems, it is now possible to include many cameras on a mobile robot or other machine. However, video processing is still relatively expensive. Therefore it is often desirable to share several cameras with a single processor. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of a video switching system that permits eight cameras to be multiplexed with a single chip. Multiples of eight could also easily be accomplished. The heart of the system is a Maxim video switch. The user simply selects using a three-bit control signal, which camera signal is selected. The output of the video switch is then the desired camera image. One application of this video switch is a four camera input system to a mobile robot being constructed at the University of Cincinnati. Other applications include surveillance and other mobile systems. The decision as to which camera to observe can be made automatically from a computer providing a great versatility. For example, supplemental motion detectors could be used to activate the camera selection for a surveillance system. Higher-level logic has been used on our mobile robot application. Still higher-level logic could be used to fuse the video information in various ways before processing. The significance of this device is that it provides a wealth of video information to be used at the discretion of either a human viewer or automatic system.
Rotifer Threshold Food Concentrations and the Size-Efficiency Hypothesis

Using published data, we develop a physiological explanation for the positive relationship between threshold food concentration (the food concentration at which the population growth rate is zero) and body mass in planktonic rotifers. The exponent de? scribing maximum clearance rate as a function of body mass is similar to the exponent expressing energy intake rates at low food concentrations. The former exponent (0.42) is considerably lower than the exponent for respiration (0.66). Consequently, the difference between energy intake and metabolism should decrease with increasing body size at low food concentrations. Rotifer swimming speeds are rather uniform for a wide range of body sizes and species. Consequently, length-specific swimming speeds (body lengths moved per unit time) and, particularly, mass-specific swimming speeds (distance moved per unit time per unit mass) decrease rapidly with increasing body size. We conclude that swimming speed, which is under the energy constraints of ciliary locomotion and which directly determines the rate of food encounters, provides the mechanism for the positive relationship between body size and threshold food concentration.
Anatomy and pigments of chrysanthemum leaves developed under spectrally selective filters

Abstract The effects of selectively filtered sunlight on leaf pigments and morphology of Dendranthema X grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura ‘Spears’ were studied. Light was filtered by water (control) which did not absorb solar radiation between 400 and 800 nm, a blue dye solution which absorbed primarily red light, and a solution of CuSO 4 which absorbed primarily far-red light. Comparisons were made with reported effects of chemical growth regulators on leaf anatomy. Leaves grown in CuSO 4 -filtered light had increased chl a, chl b, and carotenoids per unit area and on a dry weight basis compared with other treatments. Palisade cell number was increased per unit area under CuSO 4 filters. Light through CuSO 4 filters reduced leaf area, palisade cell length, and intercellular space but not leaf thickness. Increased pigment content appeared to be the result of more densely arranged palisade cells and reduced intercellular space. Leaf anatomy of plants grown under CuSO 4 filters often resembled that of leaves from plants treated with the chemical growth regulators daminozide or chlormequat. Chl a : chl b, xanthopyll : β-carotene, and total chlorophyll : total carotenoid ratios were not affected by filter. Number of stomata was not affected on a per unit area basis but number per leaf was reduced as a result of decreased leaf size by CuSO 4 -filtered light. Blue-dye-filtered light did not influence leaf pigments or morphology compared with controls.
Pulsed Gaussian beam interactions with double negative metamaterial slabs: errata.

The numerical results, Figs. 16 and 18, for the double negative (DNG) metatmaterial Goos-Hanchen examples were incorrect. Corrected numerical results show closer agreement to predictions.
On the fundamental group of the fixed points of an uhipotent action

We show that for a meromorphic action of an unipotent linear algebraic group over on a compact connected reduced complex space, the fundamental group of the fixed point set of the action surjects onto the fundamental group of the space.
Global properties for a class of dynamical neural circuits

Abstract In this paper, we study the global properties of a class of asymmetrical Hopfield-type neural circuits. We first present a result for the existence and uniqueness of an equilibrium point; this result does not assume smoothness of the neural activation functions. Then we give some testable sufficient conditions for the global stability of such neural circuits. These results generalize a few previous known results and remove some restrictions on the neural circuits.
Applied sociology? Even musicians give concerts

Applied sociology is basically what sociologists do for nonsociologists and sometimes for themselves. Applied sociology includes the teaching of sociology as one of the liberating arts and sciences. It also involves the practice of sociology outside academia in the public and private sectors. Either way, applied sociology needs support groups, and state sociological associations need useful things to do beyond their traditional interests in academic teaching and research. Professional sociological associations, and especially those that serve at the local, state level, can become important support groups for applied sociology. This article suggests five types of applied sociology projects appropriate for state associations. These are volunteering applied sociology; doing applied sociology through consulting; making the value of sociological applications more visible; identifying applied sociology jobs for our baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral graduates; and helping to improve the socioeconomic outlook for our academic colleagues and, in turn, ourselves. State associations provide an organizational base, proximate members, and local opportunities for applying sociology.
Value creating stock manipulation: feedback effect of stock prices on firm value

Higher stock prices relax a firm's budget constraint by increasing the value of its stock currency and enabling it to acquire larger targets through stock swaps. Higher prices also signal improved prospects to firm managers, potentially affecting their investment decisions and firm value. This feedback from prices to firm value complicates trading decisions of large traders, since their trades are likely to move prices. They need to condition not only on how their trades affect prices, but also on how these price changes induce further price changes through their impact on firm investments. This paper identifies equilibrium trading strategies of such traders and equilibrium price setting by a market maker. The question arises whether traders have an incentive to manipulate prices to get firms to undertake certain investments. The answer is yes, as long as traders maintain some inventory in the stock they trade. Moreover, the price manipulation turns out to be value-increasing for firms.
Microscopic Constitutive Equation Theory for the Nonlinear Mechanical Response of Polymer Glasses

Building on recent statistical mechanical theories of segmental activated barrier hopping and elasticity in quiescent and stressed polymeric materials, we construct a constitutive equation description at a generalized Maxwell model level for the nonlinear mechanical response of polymer glasses. The key physics is contained in a deformation-dependent elastic modulus and alpha relaxation time. Calculations of the temperature and strain rate dependence of the stress−strain curves, yield stress, and yield strain are presented for atactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The strain rate dependences of these properties are roughly logarithmic with upward deviations at very high rates. Yield stresses grow approximately linearly as temperature is lowered. Stress−strain curves at different temperatures and strain rates can be collapsed onto a master curve based on nondimensionalizing stress by the plateau yield stress and strain by an effective critical strain. Quantitative comparisons of the theory with several ...
Contract award and bidding strategies

The R and D contract-award and bidding-decision process is studied from the points of view of both bidders and customers. Competitive bidding models are developed which incorporate such factors as probability of contract award, level of resource utilization, and expected return. Conditions for the existence of and methods for evaluating the probability of contract award are presented. Competitive bidding strategies for the cases of known and unknown numbers of bidders and single and multiproposal situations are investigated.
Comparison of microvascular pressures in normal and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract The principal cardiovascular manifestations of essential hypertension are known to be an increase in peripheral vascular resistance and in systemic arterial blood pressure. However, it is not known if the increased vascular resistance is of appropriate location and magnitude to prevent an elevation of pressures in the microvasculature during hypertension. To examine this possibility, the pressures and diameters of microvessels in the cremasteric muscle were measured in normal (NR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The pressures and diameters in comparable orders of vessels in NR and SHR at their respective systemic arterial pressures of 88.5 ± 2.1 and 115.6 ± 1.8 mm Hg at age 7–8 weeks were measured by the servonull micropipet technique. Both the systemic pressure and the microvascular pressure in SHR are 30–35% higher than those measured in NR. The diameters of the arterioles and venules in SHR are as large or larger than comparable orders of vessels in NR. Therefore, the reported increase in vascular resistance during hypertension seems not to be caused by vasoconstriction of vessels in SHR as compared to NR, nor does the increased resistance prevent an increase in microvascular pressures.
Similarities and Differences between Adult and Child Learners as Participants in the Natural Learning Process

This paper compares Brian Cambourne’s Conditions of Learning (1988), APA’s Learner-Centered Psychological Principles (1997), and Malcolm Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory (2011). These theories embrace the natural learning process and not the traditional view of learning. The traditional view suggests that the teacher has the knowledge, the learner is dependent on the teacher to disseminate the knowledge and the learner has nothing to contribute. In the natural learning process, knowledge is distributed in a circular and reciprocal way through a collaborative sharing of experiences, centered on real life situations, and learners are responsible for their own learning. In the 21st century knowledge is constantly changing and expanding exponentially. The natural learning process facilitates the life-long learning that is needed to remain a valuable contributor in society where learning has become a collaborative experience.
High-resolution photofragment spectroscopy of the O2+b4Σg−(v′ = 5–8) ← a4Πu(v″ = 6–9) first negative system

Abstract A laser-ion coaxial beams photofragment spectrometer was used to observe optical absorptions from O 2 + a 4 Π u ( v ″ = 5–9) to predissociated O 2 + b 4 Σ g − levels in the v ′ = 5, 6, 7, and 8 vibrational manifolds. The bands studied were (5,6), (5,7), (6,7), (7,8), and (8,9). The coaxial beams technique was used with a single-mode dye laser and velocity tuning to obtain an overall resolution of 0.003 cm −1 in the best cases. A reanalysis of the first negative system, including these data, other bands previously observed in predissociation, and the bands observed in emission at high resolution was performed. The Hamiltonian representation used to determine the molecular constants was that used in the previous study, with the addition of a fine structure term of the form L z S z 3 in the effective Hamiltonian for the a 4 Π u state. This term was significant in the fits for all v ″ levels except 8 and 9, where the data are of relatively poor resolution, and improved the fit for the v ″ = 4 level by a factor of 5, bringing it into agreement with the experimental uncertainty. In addition to the band-by-band molecular constants, the interconnected bands were combined to calculate merged constants and Dunham coefficients. These constants should provide substantially the most accurate and comprehensive description of the a and b states of O 2 + that is currently available.
Transthoracic access for cardiac catheterization

Patients who have undergone Fontan palliation for congenital heart disease have limited access to the pulmonary venous atrium. We describe a transthoracic approach to the pulmonary venous atrium for diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization. A total of 22 patients ranging in age from 14 months to 25 years and weighing 7-68 kg underwent transthoracic catheterization. With the aid of fluoroscopic and angiographic markers, a 20 gauge needle was inserted into the pulmonary venous atrium. A floppy-tipped wire was inserted, and a 4 Fr sheath was placed, upsized as needed. Access to the pulmonary venous atrium was obtained for all patients. Therapeutic procedures were completed for all patients. Transthoracic access to the pulmonary venous atrium in patients who have undergone a Fontan operation is a reliable and rapid mode of access, allowing for complex therapeutic procedures to be performed in the catheterization laboratory, obviating the need for additional open heart surgery.
Communicative strategies used to terminate romantic relationships

Most data‐based research on relationship dissolution has been limited to hypothetical relationships or those in the distant past. This longitudinal study focused on long‐distance romantic relationships that terminated within a 15‐month time frame. Subjects provided reports of the termination strategies they and their partners used. We found (1) symmetrical use of verbal indirectness, (2) directness/indirectness as a central dimension of strategy use, (3) dissolution choices uninfluenced by who initiated the dissolution, (4) mutual terminations producing fewer negative emotional reactions than one‐sided initiations, and (5) verbal directness used to terminate expressed regrets about the choice. The findings are discussed in terms of extant theory and research on the termination process.
Statistical properties of randomization in clinical trials.

This is the first of five articles on the properties of different randomization procedures used in clinical trials. This paper presents definitions and discussions of the statistical properties of randomization procedures as they relate to both the design of a clinical trial and the statistical analysis of trial results. The subsequent papers consider, respectively, the properties of simple (complete), permuted-block (i.e., blocked), and urn (adaptive biased-coin) randomization. The properties described herein are the probabilities of treatment imbalances and the potential effects on the power of statistical tests; the permutational basis for statistical tests; and the potential for experimental biases in the assessment of treatment effects due either to the predictability of the random allocations (selection bias) or the susceptibility of the randomization procedure to covariate imbalances (accidental bias). For most randomization procedures, the probabilities of overall treatment imbalances are readily computed, even when a stratified randomization is used. This is important because treatment imbalance may affect statistical power. It is shown, however, that treatment imbalance must be substantial before power is more than trivially affected. The differences between a population versus a permutation model as a basis for a statistical test are reviewed. It is argued that a population model can only be invoked in clinical trials as an untestable assumption, rather than being formally based on sampling at random from a population. On the other hand, a permutational analysis based on the randomization actually employed requires no assumptions regarding the origin of the samples of patients studied. The large sample permutational distribution of the family of linear rank tests is described as a basis for easily conducting a variety of permutation tests. Subgroup (stratified) analyses, analyses when some data are missing, and regression model analyses are also discussed. The Blackwell-Hodges model for selection bias in the composition of the study groups is described. The expected selection bias associated with a randomization procedure is a function of the predictability of the treatment allocations and is readily evaluated for any sequence of treatment assignments. In an unmasked study, the potential for selection bias may be substantial with highly predictable sequences. Finally, the Efron model for accidental bias in the estimate of treatment effect in a linear model is described. This is important because the potential for accidental bias is equivalent to the potential for a covariate imbalance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Universal Infant Hearing Screening by Automated Auditory Brainstem Response Measurement

Background. Our purpose was to identify infants with a bilateral, permanent, handicapping hearing loss and to provide them with amplification before age 6 months. Methodology. The study population consisted of 10 372 infants born during a 5-year period. Universal hearing screening by automated auditory brainstem response was done in the nursery. Infants who failed the screening test were followed up diagnostically. Infants who were not tested in the nursery were followed up as outpatients. Hearing aids were recommended for those infants who had bilateral hearing loss. Results. Successful screening in the nursery was achieved for 96% of infants. The failure rate was 4%. The incidence of bilateral loss requiring amplification was 1.4/1000. The false-positive rate was 3.5% after the initial screening and .2% when a two-stage screening procedure was used. The incidence of congenital bilateral hearing loss in the well population was 1/1000, and in the neonatal intensive care unit population, 5/1000. The cost of screening was $17 per infant, and the cost to identify each true bilateral hearing loss was $17 750. Amplification was recommended for 15 infants; well infants who used hearing aids before age 6 months achieved age-appropriate speech and language development. Conclusions. Mild, moderate, and severe bilateral, persistent hearing loss can be identified in the nursery by automated auditory brainstem response measurement to provide amplification before age 6 months and thus optimize speech and language development.
Syngas conversion to ethane over metal-zeolite catalysts

Abstract Synthesis gas is selectively converted to ethane over a dual-functional catalyst comprised of HZSM-5 zeolite ( SiO 2 Al 2 O 3 = 70 ) containing Cr, Zn, and Al in the atomic ratios 1:1:1 (zeolitic Al) at 343–482 °C, 100 atm, and 500 hr−1 GHSV. Ethane selectivities as high as 83 wt% were obtained. The roles of metal and zeolite are defined and the reaction path is elucidated.
Serum Factor in Renal Compensatory Hyperplasia

Serum from uninephrectomized rats was injected into normal recipient rats. This led to an increased incorporation of tritiated thymidine in the kidney cells, but not in the liver cells of the recipients. The results suggest that there is a humoral substance acting specifically on the kidney that promotes renal compensatory hyperplasia.
Reduction of caecal Listeria monocytogenes in Leghorn chicks following treatment with a competitive exclusion culture (PREEMPT)

Day-of-hatch Leghorn chicks were treated by oral gavage with PREEMPT™, a continuous-flow competitive exclusion culture containing broiler caecal bacteria, followed by an oral challenge with Listeria monocytogenes, to determine the effects of PREEMPT™ on L. monocytogenes caecal colonization. Increased (P < 0·001) concentrations of caecal propionic acid in control chicks compared with PREEMPT™-treated chicks at 3 days of age were indicative of the establishment of the PREEMPT™ bacteria. Caeca from control chicks at 7 days after the oral challenge with L. monocytogenes contained mean 3·4 ± 1·4 log cfu g−1 of caecal content, while caeca from PREEMPT™-treated chicks contained no detectable Listeria. Enrichment for L. monocytogenes resulted in 100 % of caeca from control chicks testing culture-positive for L. monocytogenes, while none of the caeca from PREEMPT™-treated chicks were culture-positive. The results indicated that prophylactic treatment of newly hatched chicks with PREEMPT™ significantly reduced caecal colonization by L. monocytogenes.
Optimal configuration design of structures using the binary enumeration technique

Abstract This paper presents an optimization methodology for the design of structural members. The objective is to develop a fully stressed design while satisfying constraints on the maximum stress value and maintenance of the connectivity of finite elements in the model. This work is based on altering the finite element model of structure by removing or keeping elements in the discretized design. Such a problem is categorized into a large-scale, non-convex and non-linear discrete problem. Thus, it can have many local optimum solutions and it is important to develop methodologies that find global optimum solutions as opposed to local. In this study, to solve the problem, a discrete optimization technique based on enumeration method is used. To improve the computational efficiency, the non-linear design problem has been linearized. An error intensity analysis is implemented to account for the difference between the non-linear and the linearized values. To illustrate the approach, several design examples are presented and examined.
Long-term metabolic effects of different doses of niacin-bound chromium on Sprague-Dawley rats

We simultaneously assessed benefits and risks of niacin-bound chromium (NBC) intake at varying doses over a prolonged period of time (>1.2 years) in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. We performed the study in two phases. First, we followed 60 male and 60 female SD rats, each gender divided into six groups. Through day 150 (phase 1A), all SD rats received a high sucrose diet (30% w/w) with or without different concentrations of NBC. The male/female groups were: 1] control without NBC n = 10, 2] low NBC (2.8 ppm, n = 10), 3] medium NBC (8.7 ppm, n = 20), 4] high NBC (28.0 ppm, n = 20). Based on dosing, we refer to the three treatment groups as 1X, 3X, and 10X. During days 151-312 (phase 1B), NBC was removed from diets of one half of the 3X and 10X groups. These are referred to as 3X satellite and 10X satellite. In phase 2 (days 313-460), males from groups 1X, 3X, 10X, 3X satellite, and 10X satellite received the same 3X dose of NBC (8.7 ppm). The last two groups also ingested different doses of a formulation of natural products in addition to NBC. We examined blood pressure, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), nitric oxide (NO), and insulin systems and inflammatory parameters. Results in male and female SD rats were comparable. NBC lowered systolic blood pressure (SBP) in a dose-dependent fashion; however, after 200 days, the SBP of the low dose group (1X) began to rise and returned to baseline control. After raising the dose of NBC to 3X, the SBP in the 1X group decreased significantly once more. When half the test rats (3X and 10X) were deprived of NBC, SBP rose gradually to control levels after 2 to 3 months. However, the SBP decreased significantly once more when each satellite group returned to the 3X dose. Special testing suggests that NBC at adequate dosing increases insulin sensitivity, lowers HbA1C, decreases activity of the RAS, at least in part, through ACE inhibition, enhances NO activity, and is without signs of toxicity. The addition of a formula composed of antioxidants and immune modulators to the chromium regimen caused even faster and more profound changes in SBP than with NBC alone. We conclude that NBC at adequate dosing is effective in male and female SD rats on certain metabolic parameters over a prolonged period, effects that disappear over months after NBC is removed. When dosing is returned, the effectiveness of NBC returns. Low doses of NBC may lose their effect over time. No signs of toxicity were observed.
Regulation of ion transport by oxidants.

Ion channels perform a variety of cellular functions in lung epithelia. Oxidant- and antioxidant-mediated mechanisms (that is, redox regulation) of ion channels are areas of intense research. Signi...
Noninvasive Ocular Angiography by Optical Coherence Tomography

Diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma are all associated with impaired circulation. Noninvasive assessment of ocular circulation would be very powerful for understanding and diagnosing these eye diseases. Using high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT), we developed a new OCT angiography algorithm called split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography (SSADA) for imaging ocular microcirculation. Here, the system and theory of this novel OCT angiography technique are reviewed; its capabilities for imaging retinal, choroidal, and optic nerve head blood flow are demonstrated; and its limitation is discussed.
Nonparametric tests in small unbalanced samples: Application in employment-discrimination cases

Unbalanced-size samples arise naturally in equal-employment cases, as the minority fraction of all employees or applicants are invariably less than one half. Motivated by an actual case in which the median test with no power to detect disparate treatment was accepted in court, we develop a symmetrized form of the control median test having the same asymptotic properties as the median test. Since the actual case concerned the relative merits of the median and Wilcoxon test, a Monte Carlo study of the power of the new test and other nonparametric tests is reported. The results show that the new procedure is more powerful than the ordinary median test in small unbalanced samples. When the data come from a normal or double-exponential law, the Wilcoxon test is however usually superior to either of the others. When the data come from a Cauchy distribution, on the other hand, the powers of the procedures typically are reversed. Les echantillons de tailles inegales surviennent naturellement dans les causes de discrimination a l'embauche puisque la fraction minoritaire de tous les employes ou de tous les postulants est invariablement inferieure a un demi. Incites par une cause precise ou le test de la mediane, pourtant sans puissance pour detecter un traitement disparate, fut admis en cour, nous developpons une forme symetrique du test temoin de la mediane qui possede des proprietes asymptotiques identiques a ce dernier. Puisque la cause en question portait sur les merites relatifs des tests de la mediane et de Wilcoxon, nous presentons une etude par methodes de Monte Carlo de la puissance du nouveau test et de d'autres competiteurs non parametriques. Les resultats montrent que la nouvelle procedure est plus puissante que le test ordinaire de la mediane pour de petitis echantillons de tailles inegales. Lorsque les donnees sont regies par une loi normale ou double-exponentielle, le test de Wilcoxon est toutefois generalement superieur aux deux test. Cependant, lorsque les observations sont issues d'une population Cauchy, les puissances des procedures sont typiquement renversees.
Alterations of spectrin assembly in the red cell membrane: Functional consequences

The internal side of the red cell membrane is laminated by fibres of spectrin tetramers linked into a two-dimensional cytoskeleton by actin oligomers and polypeptide 4.1. We have investigated abnormalities in associations among the skeletal and integral membrane proteins and their functional consequences. We employed spectrin extraction from the membrane and analysis of its oligomeric states by gel filtration, oxidative cross-linking (XL) of membrane protein neighbours and we examined shape and structural stability of red cells and membrane skeletons.We describe three cytoskeletal perturbations and their functional consequences. (1) Defective association of membrane-bound spectrin dimers (Sp-D) into tetramers (Sp-T). This is found in fresh red cells from patients with hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP) and some patients with hereditary ellip-tocytosis (HE). In normal red cell ghosts Sp-T are transformed to Sp-D by incubation (37°C) at low ionic strength. Cytoskeletons prepared from all of the above ghost...
Compressive properties of Al-A206/SiC and Mg-AZ91/SiC syntactic foams

Metal matrix syntactic foams are promising materials with high energy absorption capability. To study the effects of matrix strength on the quasistatic compressive properties of syntactic foams using SiC hollow particles as reinforcement, matrices of Al-A206 and Mg-AZ91 were used. Because Al-A206 is a heat-treatable alloy, matrix strength can be varied by heat treatment conditions, and foams in as-cast, T4, and T7 conditions were tested in this study. It is shown that the peak strength, plateau strength, and toughness of the foams increase with increasing yield strength of the matrix and that these foams show better performance than other foams on a specific property basis. High strain rate testing of the Mg-AZ91/SiC syntactic foams showed that there was little strain rate dependence of the peak stress under strain rates ranging from 10−3/s to 726/s.
The small regulatory RNA FasX controls pilus expression and adherence in the human bacterial pathogen group A Streptococcus.

Summary Bacterial pathogens use cell surface-associated adhesion molecules to promote host attachment and colonization, and the ability to modulate adhesion expression is critical to pathogen success. Here, we show that the human-specific pathogen the group A Streptococcus (GAS) uses a small regulatory RNA (sRNA) to regulate the expression of adhesive pili. The fibronectin/fibrinogen-binding/haemolytic-activity/streptokinase-regulator-X (FasX) sRNA, previously shown to positively regulate expression of the secreted virulence factor streptokinase (SKA), negatively regulates the production of pili on the GAS cell surface. FasX base pairs to the extreme 5′ end of mRNA from the pilus biosynthesis operon, and this RNA:RNA interaction reduces the stability of the mRNA, while also inhibiting translation of at least the first gene in the pilus biosynthesis operon (cpa, which encodes a minor pilin protein). The negative regulation of pilus expression by FasX reduces the ability of GAS to adhere to human keratinocytes. Our findings cement FasX sRNA as an important regulator of virulence factor production in GAS and identify that FasX uses at least three distinct mechanisms, positive (ska mRNA) and negative (pilus operon mRNA) regulation of mRNA stability, and negative regulation of mRNA translation (cpa mRNA), to post-transcriptionally regulate target mRNAs during infection.
Inactivation of Penicillin G in Milk Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract Milk antibiotic residues have been a public concern in recent years. The Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance mandates that raw Grade A milk will test negative for β -lactam antibiotic residues before processing. The purpose of this research was to investigate the ability of various levels of peroxide and heat to inactivate penicillin G in raw milk. Whole milk spiked to a mean of 436±15.1 (standard error of the mean) ppb of potassium penicillin G was treated with hydrogen peroxide at levels of 0.0, 0.09, 0.17, and 0.34%. Samples at each peroxide level (n=6 per treatment) were treated as follows: 1) incubated at 54.4°C for 3h, 2) pasteurized at 62.8°C for 30min, 3) incubated and pasteurized as in treatments 1 and 2, or 4) received no further treatment. A β -lactam competitive microbial receptor assay was used for quantification of penicillin G. Concentrations of penicillin in selected samples were determined by HPLC for a comparison of test methods. Treatments were evaluated relative to their ability to reduce milk penicillin G levels to below the safe level of 5ppb. The 0.09% hydrogen peroxide level was ineffective for all treatments. Hydrogen peroxide at 0.17% lowered the mean penicillin G (± SEM) from 436±15.1 to 6±1.49ppb using the incubated and pasteurized heat treatment. The 0.34% concentration of hydrogen peroxide was the most effective, inactivating penicillin G to a level well below the safe level of 5ppb with the pasteurized heat treatment, with or without incubation.
Monoclonal antibody with specific affinity for pyrimidine dimers in RNA.

— A monoclonal antibody was prepared which meets three criteria for specific binding to pyrimidine dimers in RNA. (i) UV irradiation at wavelengths greater than 300 nm in the presence of a triplet state sensitizer, or at 270 nm without sensitizer, promotes antibody binding to RNA and polyribonucleotides, (ii) Antibody binding is reduced by exposure to UV radiation of short wavelength (240 nm) following sensitized irradiation (<300 nm). (iii) Antibody binding is dependent upon the presence of adjacent pyrimidine ribonucleotides. The antibody recognizes a single uridine dimer with one or more additional nucleotides at both ends. Affinity for a single uridine dimer with additional nucleotides at only the 3′ end is substantially weaker.
Assessing the adequacy of postexperimental inquiries in deception research and the factors that promote participant honesty

The primary aim of this research was to assess the adequacy of postexperimental inquiries (PEI) used in deception research, as well as to examine whether mood state, reward, or administering the PEI as a face-to-face interview or computer survey impacts participants’ willingness to divulge suspicion or knowledge about a study. We also sought to determine why participants are not always forthcoming on the PEI. Study 1 examined how frequently PEIs are included in research and found that most researchers employing deception do use a PEI. Studies 2 and 3 showed that participants are often unwilling to divulge suspicion or awareness of deception or to admit to having prior knowledge about a study, though offering a reward and completing the PEI on a computer modestly improved awareness and admission rates. Study 4 indicated several reasons why participants may not reveal suspicion or knowledge about a study on the PEI.
Molecular Basis of Diastolic Dysfunction

Diastolic dysfunction is characterized by prolonged relaxation, increased filling pressure, decreased contraction velocity, and reduced cardiac output. Phenotypical features of diastolic dysfunction can be observed at the level of the isolated myocyte. This article reviews the cellular mechanisms that control relaxation at the level of the myocyte in the healthy situation and discusses the alterations that can affect physiologic function during disease. It focuses specifically on the mechanisms that regulate intracellular calcium handling, and the response of the myofilaments to calcium, including the changes in these components that can contribute to diastolic dysfunction.
Spoofing protection for fingerprint scanner by fusing ridge signal and valley noise

Biometric fingerprint scanners are positioned to provide improved security in a great span of applications from government to private. However, one highly publicized vulnerability is that it is possible to spoof a variety of fingerprint scanners using artificial fingers made from Play-Doh, gelatin and silicone molds. Therefore, it is necessary to offer protection for fingerprint systems against these threats. In this paper, an anti-spoofing detection method is proposed which is based on ridge signal and valley noise analysis, to quantify perspiration patterns along ridges in live subjects and noise patterns along valleys in spoofs. The signals representing gray level patterns along ridges and valleys are explored in spatial, frequency and wavelet domains. Based on these features, separation (live/spoof) is performed using standard pattern classification tools including classification trees and neural networks. We test this method on a larger dataset than previously considered which contains 644 live fingerprints (81 subjects with 2 fingers for an average of 4 sessions) and 570 spoof fingerprints (made from Play-Doh, gelatin and silicone molds in multiple sessions) collected from the Identix fingerprint scanner. Results show that the performance can reach 99.1% correct classification overall. The proposed anti-spoofing method is purely software based and integration of this method can provide protection for fingerprint scanners against gelatin, Play-Doh and silicone spoof fingers.
Interfacial Properties of Fluorocarbon and Hydrocarbon Phosphate Surfactants at the Water−CO2 Interface

With high-pressure pendant-drop tensiometry, the interfacial tension (γ) and surface excess (Γ∞) for a family of ionic surfactants with identical phosphate headgroups and varying fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon tail structures were examined at the water−CO2 interface. To compensate for the unusually weak CO2−surfactant tail interactions, we designed hydrocarbon tails with weak tail−tail interactions to achieve a more favorable hydrophilic−CO2-philic balance. Branching of hydrocarbon surfactant tails is shown to lead to more favorable adsorption at the interface, closer to that of fluorocarbon surfactants. γ for a double-tail hydrocarbon phosphate surfactant with a relatively high degree of tail branching was lowered from the water−CO2 binary interface value of about 20 mN/m at 25 °C and 340 bar to 3.7 mN/m. This reduction in γ is attributed to both a decrease in the free volume between tails at the interface and reduced tail−tail interactions. In addition to tail structure, the effects of surfactant counteri...
The use of the pulse dye laser in the treatment of vocal fold scar: a preliminary study.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Dysphonia due to vocal fold scarring is a challenging problem to the laryngologist. Vocal fold scarring after radiation, phonosurgery, and laser cordectomy causes moderate to severe dysphonia. Surgical attempts at scar removal and voice restoration have limited success. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment has been shown to be effective in softening scarred skin by serial office treatments. The objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate the use of the PDL in the management of patients with established vocal fold scar. Study Design: This is an Institutional Review Board-approved prospective study involving 11 patients. The causes of scarring were phonosurgery (n = 7), radiation (n = 2), and partial laryngectomy (n = 2). The subjects were evaluated pre- and postprocedure using the voice handicap index (VHI), laryngeal stroboscopy rating, voice recordings with acoustic and aerodynamic analysis, and self-evaluation. Methods: The PDL was applied with the fiberoptic delivery system by three treatments at 1-month intervals in the office setting. Each treatment endpoint was blanching of the treatment site. Results: There were three women and eight men in our study group. Ten of 11 patients subjectively improved by self-rating. No patients were worse. VHI improved from 48.44 pretreatment to 35.55 at 6 months posttreatment (P < .05). The jitter at 6 months improved from 2.230% to 1.654% (P = NS) and shimmer improved from 3.679% to 3.196% (P = NS). The noise to harmonic ration improved from 0.1428 to 0.1316 (P = NS). The mean phonotory flow went from 0.177 to 0.254 L/S (P < .05).Three raters blinded to treatment sequence rated the posttreatment stroboscopy findings as better than pretreatment in a forced choice comparison, kappa score 0.903. Conclusion: PDL is a safe and potentially promising treatment for established vocal fold scar. Subjectively, no patients were worse and 10 of 11 patients reported improved voice. There was improvement in the VHI, acoustic measures of shimmer and jitter, and stroboscopy findings. Further study using this approach in a larger cohort seems to be warranted.
Silky, Sticky Chimeras-Designer VEGFs Display Their Wares

See related articles, pages 1460–1467 and 1468–1475 To the casual observer of the VEGF field, the panoply of players involved already looks sufficiently intimidating; 5 VEGF genes (A,B,C,D and E) with multiple splicing variants encoding proteins of varied functionality, 3 high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors (VEGF-R1, 2 and 3), and at least 2 nontyrosine kinase receptors (neuropilin-1 and 2). One would imagine that with such a variety we would have encountered by now all possible variations on the theme of VEGF control of new vessel growth, arterial or lymphatic. But one would be wrong. Two reports in this issue of Circulation Research by Kari Alitalo and colleagues demonstrate how various VEGF domains dictate hitherto unappreciated biological nuances of vascular growth and how these can be combined into “designer” VEGFs with new activities not present in parent molecules.1,2 Principal VEGF-A domains include a signal peptide sequence, a VEGF homology domain (VHD) common to all VEGF but dictating specific VEGF receptor binding properties (VEGF-R1 and VEGF- R 2 in the case of VEGF-A VHD), and a heparin binding domain (HBD) encoded by exons 6 and 7 in VEGF189 or a shorter HBD encoded only by exon 7 in VEGF-A165. Exon 7 also encodes a neurolin-1 binding domain present in both VEGF-A165 and A189 (Figure). Similarly, VEGF-C principal domains include the signal peptide domain and VEGF-C VHD (in this case dictating VEGF- R 2 and VEGF-R3 binding) flanked by N- and C-terminal domains that normally undergo proteolytic process to form the mature protein (Figure). The C-terminal domain of VEGF-C, because of its cysteine-rich sequences eliciting comparisons with a protein component of silk, has been termed a silk homology domain. VEGF and VEGF chimera domain structure. Domain structure of VEGF-A189, VEGF-A165 and VEGF-C (top) and …