cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hide powder and collagen lysis by organisms from the oral cavity.

Abstract Hide powder plates have been developed which reveal proteolysis at this level by organisms from fifty-seven out of a total of sixty samples taken from the human oral cavity. These organisms are not able to lyse an unaltered or native rat tail collagen, but can lyse bovine collagen as prepared in this experiment. They were isolated from normal, periodontitis, and periodontosis patients. In a series from eleven patients studied on rat tail collagen plates (native collagen), no organisms were found which produce collagenase. Known producers of collagenase (Clostridia) produce varying degrees of lysis when grown on native collagen plates, and reveal the amount of their enzyme production. Under the conditions of these experiments, it is shown that collagen must undergo some denaturing or internal rearrangement before it is susceptible to breakdown by the oral flora. Correlation to a pathologic process remains unexplained. These proteolytic organisms could play a role in the etiology of periodontal disease; however, this work indicates that this influence would be combined with one or more factors. This is also indicated in the literature13–15 in connection with the seeming symbiotic effect in mixed cultures.
Introduction to the Special Issue. In Search of Organizational Virtue: Moral Agency in Organizations

This editorial provides an introduction to the themes of this ‘Special Issue on Organizational Virtue and Moral Agency in Organizations’. MacIntyre, in After Virtue (1981), critically observed that, under the severe pressures of narrowly focused, system-driven, utilitarian financial and bureaucratic calculation, it can be very difficult both for organizations and individuals in their organizational lives to realize and express moral agency and virtue. The articles contained here trace the development of MacIntyre’s analysis of this possibility and consider how organizational pressures against moral agency can be an important problem. In addition, the special issue considers how both philosophical and social-behavioral science approaches reveal similar problems and diagnoses. Further, there is discussion of how the possibilities of and constraints on virtue vary and are more and less severe in different types of organizational systems and situations. The special issue also considers what degrees of freedom...
Analysis of frequency components in time series data.

Abstract We describe a method for assessing the periodic elements of variations in a time series and illustrate it with examples drawn from infant cardiac beat-to-beat intervals. Compared with averaging techniques, the procedure has the advantage of providing quantification of periodical elements in a non-stationary time series. Moreover, the procedure is robust to artifacts such as those which frequently contaminate beat-to-beat interval data. The method examines successive increments of the time-series plot, and when they become negative or positive, peaks and troughs are noted in the curve. Two successive troughs confine a wave which may be described by its amplitude and period. The set of all waves, terminated by the sequence of troughs, is defined as the “high-frequency component” of the series. Waves of the next low-frequency component are delineated when only the high-frequency peaks (or troughs) are considered. Thus, low-frequency peaks are defined as peaks of the curve formed by the high-frequency peaks, and lower-frequency troughs are the troughs of the curve formed by the high-frequency troughs. The process iterates to assess variations at lower and lower frequencies and any specific frequency component is being characterized by the median and interquartile range of its wave amplitudes and wave periods.
Melt inclusions in high-An plagioclase from the Gorda Ridge: an example of the local diversity of MORB parent magmas

The use of ocean floor basalt chemistry as a tool to investigate mantle composition and processes requires that we work with basalts that have been modified little since leaving the mantle. One source of such basalts is melt inclusions trapped in primitive crystals. However, obtaining information from these melt inclusions is complicated by the fact that melt inclusions in natural basalts are essentially always altered by post-entrapment crystallization. This requires that we develop techniques for reconstructing the original trapped liquid compositions. We conducted a series of experiments to reverse the effects of post-entrapment crystallization by re-heating the host crystals to their crystallization temperature. For these experiments we used plagioclase crystals separated from a single Gorda Ridge lava. The crystallization temperature for these crystals was determined by a set of incremental re-heating experiments to be ∼1240–1260° C. The inclusions are primitive, high Ca-Al basaltic melts, saturated with plagioclase, olivine and Al-rich chromite at low pressure. The inclusion analyses can be linked to the host lava composition by low pressure fractionation. The major element composition of the re-homogenized melt inclusions within each crystal is relatively constant. However, the incompatible element analyses have extremely wide ranges. The range of La/Sm and Ti/Zr from inclusions analyzed from a single sample from the Gorda Ridge exceeds the range reported for lavas sampled from the entire ridge. The pyroxene compositions predicted to be in equilibrium with the melt inclusion trace element signature cover much of the range represented by pyroxenes from abyssal peridotites. The volumetric proportions of the magmas entering the base of the crust can be evaluated using frequency distribution of melt inclusion compositions. This distribution suggests that the array of magmas was skewed towards the more depleted compositions, with little evidence for an enriched component in this system. This pattern is more consistent with a dynamic flow model of the mantle or of a passive flow model where the melts produced in the peripheral areas of the melting regime were not focused to the ridge.
Dislocation models of interseismic deformation in the western United States

[1] The GPS-derived crustal velocity field of the western United States is used to construct dislocation models in a viscoelastic medium of interseismic crustal deformation. The interseismic velocity field is constrained by 1052 GPS velocity vectors spanning the ∼2500-km-long plate boundary zone adjacent to the San Andreas fault and Cascadia subduction zone and extending ∼1000 km into the plate interior. The GPS data set is compiled from U.S. Geological Survey campaign data, Plate Boundary Observatory data, and the Western U.S. Cordillera velocity field of Bennett et al. (1999). In the context of viscoelastic cycle models of postearthquake deformation, the interseismic velocity field is modeled with a combination of earthquake sources on ∼100 known faults plus broadly distributed sources. Models that best explain the observed interseismic velocity field include the contributions of viscoelastic relaxation from faulting near the major plate margins, viscoelastic relaxation from distributed faulting in the plate interior, as well as lateral variations in depth-averaged rigidity in the elastic lithosphere. Resulting rigidity variations are consistent with reduced effective elastic plate thickness in a zone a few tens of kilometers wide surrounding the San Andreas fault (SAF) system. Primary deformation characteristics are captured along the entire SAF system, Eastern California Shear Zone, Walker Lane, the Mendocino triple junction, the Cascadia margin, and the plate interior up to ∼1000 km from the major plate boundaries.
Linear maps and tensor rank

Abstract Let V 1 , …, V m be inner product spaces and A a linear operator on V 1 ⊗ ··· ⊗ V m . Suppose that an equation involving A holds for all tensors of a given rank. Does it follow that the equation holds for all tensors ? We answer this question for some equations involving the inner production V 1 ⊗ ··· ⊗ V m . For example, it is shown that if the field is the complex numbers and ( At , t ) = 0, for all decomposable tensors t , then ( At , t ) = 0, for all tensors t . Thus, A = 0.
Observation of elastic scattering of positrons and electrons at glancing incidence

Elastic intensity versus energy ($I\ensuremath{-}V$) spectra have been observed using both positrons and electrons scattered at glancing incidence (83\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}-56\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} with respect to the surface normal) in the energy range of 50-450 eV from a variety of metallic and alkali-metal-halide surfaces. Unlike the electron spectra under the same conditions, all glancing-angle positron $I\ensuremath{-}V$ spectra have broad (\ensuremath{\ge}100 eV) features. The enhanced broadening is associated with the reduced penetration depth of the elastically scattered positrons. Peak positions and widths fit a quasikinematic calculation of the intensity for Cu(100).
REGULATION OF ACETYLCHOLINE SYNTHESIS: CONTROL OF CHOLINE TRANSPORT AND ACETYLATION IN SYNAPTOSOMES

— The high affinity transport of choline (Ch) and the synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh) were measured in synaptosomes by measuring the utilization of [2H4]Ch. The synthesis of ACh was reduced under several conditions which reduce the availability of acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) including no glucose added, replacement of glucose with succinate or impairment of glucose utilization by bromopyr-uvate, NaCN, or pentobarbital. These conditions did not reduce the amount of unacetylated [2H4]Ch in the synaptosomes indicating that the high affinity transport of Ch is not directly coupled to the synthesis of ACh.
Photoallergic responses to chemicals.

— –Photochemical and immunologic knowledge about photoallergy to chemicals is briefly summarized. Studies in in vitro systems have demonstrated that photoallergic compounds can covalently bond to proteins through a photochemical reaction. The immunologic nature of the photoallergic response is based mainly on clinical observations, induction of photoallergy in man and in guinea-pigs and on results of in vitro immunologic tests. Studies of the photoreactions of the photoallergic compound, 3,3′,4′,5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCSA), with proteins are discussed. TCSA noncovalently bonds to human serum albumin prior to irradiation. Prior interaction is essential for formation of a photoaddition product indicating that a short-lived reactive species derived from TCSA is involved in the photoaddition and limiting the number of skin proteins which can participate in antigen formation. By fragmentation of the TCSA-albumin photoadduct with CNBr, it was determined that TCSA can bond to at least three sites on the albumin molecule. TCSA also can sensitize the photooxidation of histidine in albumin.
Single Cell Sensing and Manipulation by Scanning Nanopore Microscopy

Signal Transduction by Ion Nano-Gating (STING) technology is a label-free biosensor based on quartz nanopipettes capable of detecting DNA and proteins. Using conical quartz nanopipettes a Scanning Ion Conductance Microscope (SICM) was developed and used for single cell imaging, sensing and manipulation. The height of the nanopore above a surface can be accurately controlled by measuring the ionic current through the pore as it approaches a surface. By maintaining a predefined distance from a surface and raster scanning the pore, a topographical image can be acquired. Additionally, material can be ejected through nanopipette using electrophoretic and electroosmotic properties. The cost of fabrication and ease of use of nanopipettes provides an ideal system for developing cellular systems for both cell detection and control. We demonstrate the capability of this sensor to image living cells, deposit material for controlled single cell growth on a substrate, and a platform for single cell injection and detection using an integrated microfluidic chip. The combination of STING technology with traditional SICM technology can be leveraged to acquire both topographical data and functional data, such as local ion concentration. This form of complementary microscopy is henceforth termed functional Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy (fSICM). Preliminary fSICM results will be presented. This work illustrates the applicability of the STING sensor to a variety of applications, from single cell detection to definition of cellular circuits.
Layoffs in the computer industry

The worldwide recession in the computer industry has resulted in substantial layoffs among computer professionals. Even more critical than the current slump is the permanent restructuring underway in the industry. Many jobs lost during this global downturn are likely to be gone from corporate organization charts forever. The changes in industry employment in the US are outlined, and the long-term employment outlook in the US is discussed. >
The effects of anaerobiosis on the giant silkworms Hyalophora cecropia and Samia cynthia with special reference to the accumulation of glycerol and lactic acid

Abstract An investigation has been made into the effects of anaerobiosis during pupation of the giant silkworms, Hyalophora cecropia and Samia cynthia . Immediately after pupation Cecropia pupae begin to accumulate glycerol. The rate of production appears to be maximal just after pupation and decreases rapidly thereafter. The source of the glycerol is very likely glycogen, since after the first 2 days of pupal life there is a correspondence between the amounts of glycerol appearing and the amounts of glycogen disappearing. There also appears to be a mechanism for the reconversion of glycerol to glycogen, since it was possible to cause a synthesis of glycogen from glycerol by injecting high concentrations of glycerol into the pupae. The anaerobic accumulation of glycerol by an intact insect has been demonstrated and this finding is consistent with the mechanisms for the normal accumulation of glycerol discussed. Although Cynthia pupae have the ability to produce reducing compounds, glycerol does not accumulate to the extent to which it does in the case of Cecropia. Anaerobiosis does not increase the glycerol level; however, the level can be increased by 50 per cent by chilling either aerobically or anaerobically. Although the anaerobic accumulation of glycerol was dependent upon the physiological state of the animals, a conversion of sugar to lactic acid was noted in every experiment which was proportional to the duration of anaerobiosis. The lactic acid levels always returned to normal when the pupae were allowed to recover in air thus confirming the oxygen-debt data reported in a preliminary study and indicating the presence of an active lactic dehydrogenase in the tissues. The significance of these various effects in the light of both the physiological needs and the energetic capabilities of the animals is discussed.
Comparison of 9 -THC, LSD-25 and scopolamine on non-spatial single alternation performance in the runway.

Rats were trained in a straight runway on a non-spatial single alternation (NSSA) which involved presentation of reward (R) and nonreward (N) in a fixed repeating sequence (i.e. R-N-R-N ...). Patterned running results since rats learned to run fast on R trials and slow on N trials. This task can be regarded as an animal analog of the goal directed serial alternation task employed with humans. After patterned running was well established the effects of graded doses of δ9-THC, LSD and scopolamine were delineated. Although all drugs modified alternation performance, each agent produced distinctly specific effects on the different components of NSSA. δ9-THC disrupted alternation by decreasing running speed on R trials and increasing running speed on N trials. Lower doses of LSD increased running speed on N trials while leaving R trial speeds unchanged. At the highest dose, LSD decreased running speed on R trials while leaving N trial speeds only slightly elevated from baseline. Scopolamine disrupted alternation solely by decreasing speed on R trials. The results were discussed with reference to the effects of these drugs on internal inhibition, registration and recall of internal cues and timing behavior.
Cooperating Teachers’ Role in Preparing Preservice Special Education Teachers: Moving Beyond Sink or Swim

Practicum experiences, a crucial component of preservice teacher preparation, help establish the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for beginning special education teachers (SETs). Preserv...
Attraction and Killing of the Nematode Panagrellus Redivivus By the Predaceous Fungus Arthrobotrys Dactyloides

The predaceous fungus Arthrobotrys dactyloides forms ring-like traps which constrict and mechanically catch nematodes that have entered them. We have found that the fast death of the captured prey is caused by ammonia produced by the fungus. We have also devised a semiquantitative method for the detection of nematode-attracting substances and have shown that A. dactyloides produces compounds of this type, one of which is carbon dioxide.
The Preisach Diagram and Interaction Fields for Assemblies of γ‐Fe2O3 Particles

The Preisach diagram calculated for an assembly of γ‐Fe2O3 particles at a packing density of 20% by volume has been used to obtain a distribution function of the particle remanence‐coercivities in the absence of interaction fields. This function, which has a peak at 275 oe, is then compared with the function obtained by differentiating the remanence hysteresis loop, i.e., with the distribution function in the presence of interaction fields. It is found that the latter function is broader than the former; this can be qualitatively explained in terms of a two‐particle model for the interacting particles. The magnitude of the interaction fields can be estimated from the Preisach diagram and is found to have a maximum value of roughly 300 oe.
SU-GG-T-157: Commission of 2.5 Mm ModuLeaf MLC for Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

Purpose: Improvements of MLC technology in radiotherapy, including smaller leaf sizes, allow greater accuracy in deliveringradiationdoses to the target with better conformality. For example, the high ablative doses used in hypo‐fractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT) require high precision in dosedelivery, thus high precision in commissioning the MLC system to verifiy MLC accuracy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the procedure and challenges in the commissioning and application of 2.5‐mm small‐leaf MLC.Method and Materials: Siemens' newly‐developed Moduleaf MLC (MMLC) with 2.5mm leaf‐size was commissioned for SBRT. Step‐by‐step QA and application procedures for SBRT commission guidelines were followed. Error tolerance and QA results were analyzed through the entire commission process from beam data preparation, to treatment planning system commission, to treatment plan verification. The commission was divided into 3 phases: mechanical commission, software commission, and comprehensive commission. Isocenter accuracy was assured for mechanical precision. For software commission, the effect of small field factor was analyzed. In comprehensive phase, a single field and a head‐and‐neck case were tested with the QA standard. Results: The commission and clinical implementation of 2.5mm MMLC were described in this study, with provided guidelines for QA procedures from beam data collection and modeling to treatment planning methodology. The accuracy of the MLC mechanic isocenter was within 0.2 mm. At the same time, the treatment modalities with or without the flatten filter were compared, and they were consistent to each other except for the dose‐rate effect. Different MMLC clinical protocols, from SBRT to head‐and‐neck and intracranial treatments, have been suggested. Conclusion: After strictly following the physical QA requirements, we successfully commissioned the new mounted‐on 2.5mm MMLC for SRS/SBRT. In the follow‐up studies, clinical applications with MMLC will be further compared to other on‐site SRS systems, including Gamma‐Knife, and Tomotherapy system.
17β-Estradiol upregulates distinct maxi-K channel transcripts in mouse uterus

The mouse maxi-K channel transcript undergoes alternative splicing to produce isoforms differing in sensitivity to intracellular regulators. We hypothesized that 17beta-estradiol could induce myometrial maxi-K channel transcripts to differentially splice. Polymerase chain reaction demonstrated two products at site D in mice injected with either 8.5 microg of 17beta-estradiol for 4 days or a vehicle control. Splicing of site D is known to modulate the sensitivity of the maxi-K channel to calcium and voltage. RNase protection analyses revealed that the alpha subunit transcript, and an exon encoding 59 amino acids at site D that enhances Ca(2+)- and voltage-sensitivity, are upregulated approximately 1.4-fold after 17beta-estradiol stimulation however, the insertless isoform of this transcript is enhanced approximately 5-fold. Immunoblotting demonstrates that the total maxi-K channel alpha subunit expression mimics transcript regulation. These findings verify that maxi-K channel transcripts are differentially spliced by 17beta-estradiol, which may contribute to stoichiometric changes in isoform expression during pregnancy.
IS THE NUCLEAR DNA CONTENT OF MATURE ROOT CELLS PRESCRIBED IN THE ROOT MERISTEM

A B S T R A C T Cells of the mature root exhibit arrest within the GI and G2 periods of the mitotic cycle. The number of cells arrested with a 2C or 4C DNA amount in mature tissue was compared with that in meristems of excised primary root tips deprived of carbohydrate. Results from four plant species are described. Cells in mature tissue of seedling roots of Vicia and Pisun exhibited arrest predominately at the 4C while those of Triticum and Helianthus arrested preponderantly at the 2C DNA level. The proportion of cells arrested at the 2C and 4C levels in mature root tissue was specific for each species tested. In each species the cycle stage where most cells arrested was the same in carbohydrate-deficient root meristems as in mature root tissue; consequently, most meristematic cells are preconditioned or predetermined to arrest in a specific mitotic period. A test system was developed in Pisum in which the predominant period of arrest was altered by the removal of the cotyledons. The predominant arrest period changed from 4C to 2C in both mature root tissue and carbohydrate-deficient root meristems with cotyledon removal and indicated that mature root cells are preconditioned while meristematic as to where they will eventually arrest in the mitotic cycle. MICROSPECTROPHOTOMETRIC ESTIMATES of relative DNA/nucleus of cells in the meristem and mature root tissue of Vicia faba were made by Deeley, Davies, and Chayen (1957). In Vicia most cells in the mature root tissue had a 4C DNA content. In 1961 McLeish and Sunderland confirmed these results with Vicia faba and also showed that in recently mature root tissue of Scilla most cells had a 2C DNA content. Measurements of nuclei of other plant species showed that cells in mature root tissue of Pisum (Libbenga
Studies on the chiral isomers of fonofos and fonofos oxon: I. Toxicity and antiesterase activities

Abstract The toxicity of the ( R ) P and ( S ) P chiral isomers and racemates of fonofos and fonofos oxon to insects and white mice were determined. ( R ) P -Fonofos and ( S ) P -fonofos oxon were 2- to 12-fold more toxic to house flies, mosquito larvae, and mice than were the corresponding enantiomers. The racemates were intermediate in toxicity. Stereoselectivity also was observed in the in vitro inhibition of house fly-head and bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase, horse serum cholinesterase, chymotrypsin, trypsin, and a variety of esterases. In all cases the ( S ) P -oxon was a more potent inhibitor than the ( R ) P -oxon with k 1 ratios of (S) P (R) P ranging from 4- to 60-fold. Further, differences in levels of house fly-head, mouse brain, and blood cholinesterase obtained from house flies and mice treated with the enantiomers and racemates of fonofos and fonofos oxon were observed. Differences in toxicity of the enantiomers and racemates to house flies and mice were more closely related to in vivo than to in vitro cholinesterase inhibition.
The corporate university: A model for sustaining an expert workforce in the human services

The human service industry has become a complex industry in which agencies must respond to the demands of the marketplace. To respond to these demands, agencies must develop and maintain their knowledge capital by offering an extensive array of learning opportunities related to their business goals. The corporate university, a contemporary educational model designed to maintain an expert workforce, allows agencies to meet this need effectively.
High critical current density thick MOD-derived YBCO films

High critical current density thick MOD (metal-organic-deposition)-derived Ba/sub 2/YCu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x/ (BYC) films have been prepared on latticed matched single crystal lanthanum aluminate substrates. Critical current densities of approximately one million amps per square centimeter (at 77 K) have been obtained from one micron thick BYC films. These superconducting films were prepared from a single MOD coating. Substrate coatings of a mixed metal trifluoroacetate precursor were first converted into high quality mixed metal oxyfluoride films by heat treating under controlled conditions. These films were then patterned and subsequently converted into epitaxial BYC by exposure to water vapor at higher temperatures, High critical current density films were obtained by controlling the conversion kinetics of the mixed metal oxyfluoride films into BYC.
Cerebral vascular insufficiency after Blalock-Taussig shunts.

n 1944 Alfred Blalock first performed the subclavian-pulmonary artery anastomosis in a child with tetralogy of Fallot [l]. Since that I time, the operation has been widely employed as an effective means of increasing pulmonary blood flow in patients with congenital cardiac abnormalities and associated severe reductions in pulmonary blood flow. The beneficial effects of this procedure are generally appreciated; however, surprisingly little information is available concerning the hemodynamic alterations that accompany the creation of a BlalockTaussig shunt. A significant number of these patients have developed headache, visual disturbances, paresthesia, dizziness, and syncope, but in the past little attention was given to these often vague complaints which were usually considered to be an expected consequence of residual hypoxia and cyanosis. Folger and Shah [ Z ] recently recognized that these symptoms may be the consequence of basilar artery insufficiency accompanying the subclavian steal syndrome which under certain circumstances can develop after subclavian-pulmonary artery anastomosis. In many of these operations the ipsilateral vertebral artery was left in communication with the distal subclavian artery which had been severed from its central connection and thus became a relatively lowresistance vascular bed. Reivich and his associates [S] observed that this situation may permit blood, normally destined for the brain, to be diverted into the low-resistance vascular bed of the upper extremity. This has subsequently been termed the subclavian steaZ syndrome. In the study of Folger and Shah [ Z ] , however, patients who have undergone total correction of their cardiac defects, with ligation of the subclavian-pulmonary artery shunts, have had no further symptoms of cerebral vascular insufficiency although the vertebral-subclavian connection responsible for the subclavian steal was still present. These observations indicate that the subclavian steal is not the only factor involved in producing symptoms of cerebral vascular insufficiency;
Down-regulation of angiotensin II receptor subtypes and desensitization of cyclic GMP production in neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells.

: Murine neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells possess membranous receptors for the octapeptide angiotensin II (AngII) whose density is substantially increased by in vitro differentiation. Incubation of differentiated N1E-115 cells with AngII produced a rapid decrease in receptor density, but did not alter the affinity of these receptors for either 125I-AngII or the high-affinity antagonist 125I-[Sarc1,Ile8]-AngII. This apparent down-regulation was dose related with an ED50 of 1 nM, and maximal decreases of ∼90% were obtained with 100 nM AngII. Receptor loss from differentiated cell membranes was unaffected by incubations of membranes obtained from agonist-exposed cells with non-hydrolyzable analogues of GTP for 60 min at 37°C to ensure dissociation of the ligand. Partial loss of AngII receptors was apparent within 5 min of agonist exposure, whereas maximal declines were not observed until 30 min. This temporal pattern resulted from a preferential decrease in the AT1 receptor subtype during the first 5 min, followed by a decline in both AT1 and AT2 receptors with longer periods of agonist exposure. The loss of membranous receptors was reversible with partial recovery observed after 4 h, and with nearly full recovery observed 18 h after exposure of the cells to AngII. However, the long-term recovery of receptor density was blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide. The heptapeptide angiotensin III produced a similar down-regulation of receptors, and the high-affinity antagonist [Sarc1, Thr8]-AngII blocked agonist-induced down-regulation. Finally, the apparent loss of cell surface Angll receptors decreased the ability of AngII to stimulate cyclic GMP production within intact N1E-115 cells. These results suggest that differentiated N1E-115 cells are an excellent cell line in which to examine the factors regulating the expression of AngII receptor subtypes in the nervous system.
Sympathetic reactivity in young women with a family history of hypertension

Young adults with a family history of hypertension (+FH) have increased risk of developing hypertension. Furthermore, the blood pressure (BP) response to sympathoexcitatory stimuli in young adults ...
Direct-conversion radio transceivers for digital communications

Direct-conversion is an alternative wireless receiver architecture to the well-established superheterodyne, particularly for highly integrated, low-power terminals. Its fundamental advantage is that the received signal is amplified and filtered at baseband rather than at some high intermediate frequency. This means lower current drain in the amplifiers and active filters and a simpler task of image-rejection. There is considerable interest to use it in digital cellular telephones and miniature radio messaging systems. This paper briefly covers case studies in the use of direct-conversion receivers and transmitters and summarizes some of the key problems in their implementations. Solutions to these problems arise not only from more appropriate circuit design but also from exploiting system characteristics, such as the modulation format in the system. Baseband digital signal processing must be coupled to the analog front-end to make direct-conversion transceivers a practical reality.
What adult ESL learners say about improving grammar and vocabulary in their writing for academic purposes

Linguistic accuracy plays an important role in the quality of written texts, yet the explicit teaching of linguistic form – particularly grammar – for the purpose of improving learners' writing has generated an ongoing debate. Furthermore, students' voices about their learning are often ignored because they are perceived as not knowing what they need most. This study explores adult ESL learners' goals for improving grammar and vocabulary in their writing in order to understand their motivations and strategies for improvement. The study describes learners' goals from an emic perspective based on semi-structured interviews and stimulated recalls. Fifteen learners enrolled in a pre-university intensive English for Academic Purposes programme were asked to describe their goals for writing over a two-year period as they progressed to mainstream university courses. Learners were found to be motivated to improve grammar and vocabulary in their writing, but lacked the knowledge and resources to take effective act...
Torsion in a triorchid testis.

A healthy 15-year-old white boy presented with left lower abdominal discomfort and nausea 24 hours in duration. The pain started to localize to the left testis 12 hours later. Examination revealed a high riding and tender leR testis about twice the normal size of that of a fully virilized man. The right testis was normal. Exploration of the left hemiscrotum demonstrated 2 leR testes of similar size. The upper testis was clearly ischemic secondary to torsion of the blood supply, which was a division of the primary spermatic cord (fig. 1). This testis had a partially developed epididymis, and a normal appearing a p pendix epididymis and blood supply. There was no evidence of a vas deferens or gubernacular attachments. The lower testis appeared normal with a fully developed epididymis, vas deferens and blood supply but with no appendix epididymis. The position was anatomically normal with intact gubemacular attachments. Simple orchiectomy of the ischemic testis was performed. Histological examination of the removed testis demonstrated elements of spermatogenesis amid extensive ischemic changes and necrosis (fig. 2).
Do Zoning Regulations Rob Rural Landowners' Equity?

Zoning regulations are land use control tools used to conserve resource land, limit negative externalities from high density development, and achieve agglomeration benefits from conserving large blocks of land. However, the passage of low-density zoning is often challenged by landowners who claim that through it, they lose their land’s equity due to lower land values. We investigate whether low-density zoning impacts rural land value using arm’s-length sales in Maryland’s nine Eastern Shore counties. Using both a propensity score matching method and an instrumental variable approach, we find that low-density zoning has differentiated impacts. Resource parcels’ land values are unaffected, and non-resource parcels’ values decrease by 20–50%.
Automated classification of metaphase chromosomes: Optimization of an adaptive computerized scheme

We developed and tested a new automated chromosome karyotyping scheme using a two-layer classification platform. Our hypothesis is that by selecting most effective feature sets and adaptively optimizing classifiers for the different groups of chromosomes with similar image characteristics, we can reduce the complexity of automated karyotyping scheme and improve its performance and robustness. For this purpose, we assembled an image database involving 6900 chromosomes and implemented a genetic algorithm to optimize the topology of multi-feature based artificial neural networks (ANN). In the first layer of the scheme, a single ANN was employed to classify 24 chromosomes into seven classes. In the second layer, seven ANNs were adaptively optimized for seven classes to identify individual chromosomes. The scheme was optimized and evaluated using a ''training-testing-validation'' method. In the first layer, the classification accuracy for the validation dataset was 92.9%. In the second layer, classification accuracy of seven ANNs ranged from 67.5% to 97.5%, in which six ANNs achieved accuracy above 93.7% and only one had lessened performance. The maximum difference of classification accuracy between the testing and validation datasets is <1.7%. The study demonstrates that this new scheme achieves higher and robust performance in classifying chromosomes.
MYCORRHIZAL COLONIZATION ACROSS HYDROLOGIC GRADIENTS IN RESTORED AND REFERENCE FRESHWATER WETLANDS

Arbuscular mycorrhizae, which are plant root-fungal symbioses, are common associates of vascular plants. Such relationships, however, are thought to be rare in wetland plant roots, although several recent studies suggest that arbuscular mycorrhizae may be important in wetland ecosystems. Our objectives were to determine (1) the level of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of plant roots in three freshwater marshes and (2) the effect of restoration status, hydrologic zone, and plant species identity on mycorrhizal colonization. We quantified the percentage of plant roots colonized by mycorrhizal fungi in one reference and two restored freshwater marshes in northern Indiana, USA during summer 1999. Roots were collected from soil cores taken around dominant plant species present in each of three hydrologie zones and then stained for microscopic examination of mycorrhizal colonization. Mycorrhizae were present in each wetland, in all hydrologie zones and in all sampled plants, includingCarex andScirpus species previously thought to be non-mycorrhizal. Both restored and reference wetlands had moderate levels of mycorrhizal colonization, but no clear trends in colonization were seen with hydrologie zone, which has been hypothesized to regulate the formation of mycorrhizae in wetlands. Mycorrhizal colonization levels in the roots of individual species ranged from 3 to 90% and were particularly large in members of the Poaceae (grass) family. Our results suggest that arbuscular mycorrhizae may be widely distributed across plant species and hydrologic zones in both restored and reference freshwater marshes. Thus, future research should examine the functional role of mycorrhizal fungi in freshwater wetlands.
Phylogenetic analysis reveals positive correlations between adaptations to diverse hosts in a group of pathogen‐like herbivores

A jack of all trades can be master of none-this intuitive idea underlies most theoretical models of host-use evolution in plant-feeding insects, yet empirical support for trade-offs in performance on distinct host plants is weak. Trade-offs may influence the long-term evolution of host use while being difficult to detect in extant populations, but host-use evolution may also be driven by adaptations for generalism. Here we used host-use data from insect collection records to parameterize a phylogenetic model of host-use evolution in armored scale insects, a large family of plant-feeding insects with a simple, pathogen-like life history. We found that a model incorporating positive correlations between evolutionary changes in host performance best fit the observed patterns of diaspidid presence and absence on nearly all focal host taxa, suggesting that adaptations to particular hosts also enhance performance on other hosts. In contrast to the widely invoked trade-off model, we advocate a "toolbox" model of host-use evolution in which armored scale insects accumulate a set of independent genetic tools, each of which is under selection for a single function but may be useful on multiple hosts.
What part writer? What part programmer? A survey of practices and knowledge used in programmer writing

There are few resources geared to technical writers working on documentation for software developers. This paper presents the results of online surveys and telephone interviews that cover the experience, technical knowledge, and practices of technical writers in this area, with a large percentage of respondents who are Microsoft employees. Respondents value strong writing skills and the ability to learn quickly and continuously, with the amount and type of knowledge needed being specific to the subject area and audience for their work.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists practice bulletins: An overview

Objective The purpose of this study was to review the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists practices bulletins to quantify the type of recommendations and references and determining whether there are any differences between obstetric and gynecologic bulletins. Study design All practice bulletins published from June 1998 to December 2004 were reviewed. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results The 55 practice bulletins contained 438 recommendations of which 29% are level A, 33% level B, and 38% level C. The 55 bulletins cite 3953 references of which 17% are level I, 46% level II, 34% level III, and 3% others. Level A recommendations were significantly more likely among the 23 gynecologic than 32 obstetric bulletins (37% versus 23%, odds ratios 1.95, 95% confidence intervals 1.28, 2.96). The study types referenced in obstetric and gynecologic bulletins were similar ( P > .05 for comparison of levels I, II, and III and meta-analysis references). Conclusion Only 29% of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommendations are level A, based on good and consistent scientific evidence.
Introduction to Programming High Performance Applications on the CELL Broadband Engine

Summary form only given. Programming the STI CELL processor is about successfully exploiting its potential for delivering very high performance. The purpose of this tutorial is to give the programmer practical guidelines for achieving this goal. We begin by a brief overview of the main CELL architectural features and its software development environment. Then we discuss three basic aspects of CELL programming: SPE SIMD kernel development (vectorization), SPE parallelization and intra-chip communication. We show how high performance SPE kernels are created by replacing scalar operations with vector ones, heavily unrolling loops, and exploiting dual-issue nature of the SPE architecture. We explain coding using SIMD C language extensions (intrinsics), as well as using assembly language and discuss aspects specific to code development in assembly. We present static performance analysis using the spu-timing tool. The presentation of intra-chip communication follows, with emphasis on DMA communication both for bulk data transfers as well as for synchronization. We discuss message size and alignment restrictions, enforcing of message ordering using barrier and fence mechanisms and creation of complex data transfers using DMA lists. We conclude the topic with guidelines on implementing pipelined processing with direct local store to local store communication. We discuss basic profiling techniques using the SPE decrementer. We conclude with a set of practical tips and tricks and a list of "gotchas" or common rookie mistakes. A brief overview of academic and commercial CELL programming packages follows, and a discussion of a real life example - scanning network traffic using DFA- based string matching. The tutorial ends with a presentation of techniques for programming multi-CELL systems using message passing with MPI.
Skyfarer: Design Case Study of a Mixed Reality Rehabilitation Video Game

This paper outlines a design case study for Skyfarer, a mixed reality rehabilitation application developed for upper body exercise of individuals aging with disability. We describe how experience, experiential and participatory design methodologies were combined to develop a game, which was publicly exhibited at IEEE VR and ACM SIGGRAPH, and formally evaluated in a biomechanical study at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center RLANRC.
The mechanism of sympatric host race formation in the true fruit flies (Tephritidae)

A lack of unanimity among evolutionary biologists concerning the processes involved in host race formation and speciation of parasitic insects of plants and animals has existed from the time Benjamin Walsh published his provocative paper on sympatric host race formation in phytophagous insects in 1864. Use of the term host race itself has created problems as it has been applied to taxons ranging from sibling species to biotypes. I will limit it to an infraspecific category generally applied to populations of a parasitic species which exhibit distinct genetically-based preferences for certain host plants.
The Effective Properties of Brittle/Ductile Incompressible Composites

A new variational method for estimating the effective properties of nonlinear composites in terms of the corresponding properties of linear composites with the same microstructural distributions of phases is applied to an isotropic, incompressible composite material containing a brittle (linear) and a ductile (nonlinear) phase. More specifically, in this particular work the prescription is used to obtain bounds of the Hashin-Shtrikman type for the effective properties of the nonlinear composite in terms of the well-known linear bounds. It can be shown that in some cases the method leads to optimal bounds.
NFL Needs to Change Mentality to Prevent Head Injuries

This article discusses the recent influx of issues arising as a result of head trauma in the NFL, including dementia and chronic traumatic encehpalopathy (CTE). It also discusses the NFL's retirement policies and medical benefits and how they may or may not address these issues. Finally, the article focuses on the litigation that is arising against the NFL from former players because many felt that the NFL has kept the tragic consequences of severe head injuries from the players.
Visual Function in Older Eyes in Normal Macular Health: Association with Incident Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration 3 Years Later

PURPOSE In older eyes in normal macular health, we examined associations between impaired photopic acuity, mesopic acuity, spatial contrast sensitivity, light sensitivity, and the presence of low luminance deficit (difference between photopic and mesopic acuity) at baseline and incident AMD 3 years later. Associations were compared with an association between delayed rod-mediated dark adaptation and incident AMD, previously reported for this cohort. METHODS Enrollees were 60 years or older. Eyes at step 1 in the AREDS nine-step classification system based on masked grading of color fundus photographs were included. Photopic and mesopic acuity, contrast sensitivity, and light sensitivity, and the presence of low luminance deficit, were measured at baseline. Demographic, lifestyle, general health, and blood markers were assessed at baseline as potential confounders. Three years later fundus grading was repeated to determine AMD presence. RESULTS For the analysis, 827 eyes of 467 persons were eligible. Impaired mesopic acuity at baseline was associated with incident AMD, age-adjusted rate ratio (RR) 1.57 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-2.35), whereas impaired photopic acuity, contrast sensitivity and macular light sensitivity, and the presence of a low luminance deficit were not. The mesopic acuity association was slightly weaker than the association between abnormal dark adaptation and incident AMD (RR 1.85, 95% CI 1.07-3.20). CONCLUSIONS Impaired mesopic acuity in eyes in normal macular health is a risk factor for incident early AMD 3 years later, however, photopic acuity, contrast sensitivity, and light sensitivity, and the presence of a low luminance deficit are not risk factors.
Does accounting for mitochondrial genetic variation improve the fit of genetic models

We describe a simple variance component model for estimating the effect of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) inheritance on quantitative trait variation. The model is applied to quantitative trait Q5 in the simulated general population data from Genetic Analysis Workshop (GAW) 12. Although the mitochondrial effect on Q5 is small (5.3%) and the power of the method to detect the effect is correspondingly low, analysis over the available population replicates demonstrates that the effect of maternal relatedness can be detected and estimated accurately.