cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alexithymia and 7.5-year incidence of compensated low back pain in 1207 urban public transit operators

Abstract Objective Alexithymia, a lack of emotional awareness, was positively associated with self-reported low back pain (LBP) in cross-sectional studies. We assessed the association of alexithymia with 7.5-year incidence of LBP prospectively in a cohort study of 1207 San Francisco transit operators. Methods Alexithymia was measured by the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). LBP was assessed by physician-confirmed diagnoses from administrative workers' compensation data. Cox proportional hazards analyses controlled for demographic, behavioral, and physical and psychosocial job factors measured by questionnaire and interview. Results Of all drivers, 27.7% ( n =334) filed compensated claims for LBP injuries with workers' compensation insurance during the 7.5-year observation time. The hazard ratios from the fully adjusted model were 0.73 (0.56-0.96) for the TAS-20 scale and 0.82 (0.69-0.98) for the subscale “difficulty describing feelings.” Alexithymia scores did not predict the duration of compensated work disability. Conclusion In contrast to previous cross-sectional positive associations between alexithymia and LBP, alexithymia is negatively associated with compensated LBP claims. We hypothesize that shame and reporting behavior may explain these inconsistent results.
Spherically invariant processes: Their nonlinear structure, discrimination, and estimation☆

Abstract The structure of the nonlinear space of a spherically invariant process is studied and the problem of discriminating between two spherically invariant processes as well as the problem of nonlinear estimation for spherically invariant processes are solved.
Hosting neurotoxicity in polyglutamine disease.

Polyglutamine diseases are caused by an expanded glutamine domain thought to confer a toxic activity onto the respective disease proteins. In this issue, Lam et al. (2006) propose that toxicity of the polyglutamine protein Ataxin-1 may not be due to abberant protein interactions mediated by the polyglutamine expansion. Instead, they suggest that toxicity is solely due to interactions of Ataxin-1 with its normal binding partners.
Seafloor image compression with large tilesize vector quantization

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) often communicate with scientists on the surface over an unreliable acoustic channel. The challenges of operating in deep waters, over long distances, and with surface ship noise amount to a communication channel with a very low effective bandwidth. This restriction makes transmission of images, even highly compressed images, quite difficult. We present an image compression algorithm designed to convey the gist of an image to surface operators in a very small number of bytes. Our technique divides a large existing database of underwater images into ‘tiles’, and uses these to reconstruct an approximation to new underwater images from a similar domain. We achieve significantly higher compression ratios than conventional image compression techniques, such as JPEG or SPIHT, while still being able to provide useful visual feedback to the surface.
Identifying the safety profile of a novel infectivity-enhanced conditionally replicative adenovirus, Ad5-Δ24-RGD, in anticipation of a phase I trial for recurrent ovarian cancer

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biodistribution and toxicity of the tropism-modified infectivity-enhanced conditionally replicative adenovirus, Ad5-Δ24–arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD). Study Design Cohorts of cotton rats were treated intravenously or intraperitoneally for 3 consecutive days with 5 × 10 8 to 5 × 10 11 particles/kg of Ad5-Δ24-RGD or controls and killed on day 8, 17, or 56. For biodistribution studies, tissue samples from 14 organ sites and serum samples were evaluated for the presence of virus with the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. For toxicity experiments, tissue samples from more than 30 organ sites and serum samples were obtained for the assessment of vector-related tissue or laboratory effects. Results Ad5-Δ24-RGD was noted in tested samples at days 8 and 17 in animals that were treated intravenously and intraperitoneally with clearance by day 56. There were lower copies of vector noted in the blood and liver specimens of intraperitoneally treated animals. Mild peritonitis histopathologic findings were noted in rats that were treated intraperitoneally with Ad5-Δ24-RGD; pathologic findings did not vary significantly with dose, over time, or in comparison to that noted in animals that were treated with Ad5-Δ24. Conclusion These studies provide critical insights regarding Ad5-Δ24-RGD dosing and anticipated toxicity for a planned clinical trial for ovarian cancer.
Workplace Spirituality and Employee Attitudes within the Lodging Environment

This research examined the workplace spirituality concept and its relationship with employee variables, including intrinsic work satisfaction, job involvement, intention to quit, organizational based self-esteem, and organizational commitment, within the lodging setting. Workplace spirituality is a growing trend not only in the research community, but also in the corporate environment. Researchers sampled employees from two hotel management groups, one that actively promoted workplace spirituality within its organization and one that did not. The results of this study found a significant relationship between the presence of workplace spirituality and the employee variables being examined. There was also a significant difference examined between the two organizations as related to the presence of workplace spirituality.
The British case conference in child sexual abuse: Another model for America

In 1990, I had an opportunity to observe the civic response to child sexual abuse in Leeds, England. During this time, I also attended the British Case Conference and found it to be a central event in the development of diagnosing and treating child abuse, especially sexual abuse. The purpose of this report is to describe this multidisciplinary, multiagency procedure that is used throughout Britain, and to offer opinions on its strengths and weaknesses.
Involvement Of Endothelin Receptors in Neonatal Morphine Withdrawal.

Purpose: Management of neonatal opioid tolerance and withdrawal symptoms remains a major clinical challenge in NICUs. Numerous neuromodulators are involved in tolerance and withdrawal mechanisms. We have previously shown that central endothelin (ET) receptors are involved in morphine tolerance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the involvement of central ET receptors in morphine withdrawal in neonatal rats. Methods: Pregnant rats were divided into two groups and rendered tolerant to placebo and morphine pellets, respectively, over a 7-day period. On day 8, both placebo and morphine pellets were removed and rats were allowed to undergo withdrawal for 24 hours. Rat pups were delivered by c-section. Neonatal rat brains were dissected and used for analysis. Changes in G-protein stimulation were determined by using [(35)S]-guanosine-5′-o-(3-thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTPγS) binding assay in the brain of neonatal rats undergoing placebo and morphine withdrawal. Results: Morphine produced significantly higher (P<0.05) maximal stimulation in neonatal rats undergoing morphine withdrawal (83.60%) when compared to placebo (66.81%). EC50 values in morphine withdrawal group (6.825nM) were significantly lower (P<0.05) as compared to placebo (72.917nM). A significant increase in maximal G-protein stimulation was observed with ET-1 in the morphine withdrawal group (87.16%, P<0.05) as compared to placebo (74.88%). EC50 values for ET-1 in neonatal rats undergoing morphine withdrawal (93.75nM) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than placebo (62.5nM). ETA receptor antagonist, BMS182874, did not stimulate GTP binding in placebo brains (EC501000nM), but significantly increased (P<0.05) maximal stimulation of G-proteins in morphine withdrawal group (86.07%, EC50=31.25nM). ETB agonist, IRL1620-induced stimulation of G-proteins was similar in placebo (73.43%, EC50=13.26nM) and morphine withdrawal (75.08%, EC50=11.70nM), respectively. Conclusion: Morphine-induced G-protein activation is increased while ET-1 induced G-protein activation is decreased in neonates undergoing morphine withdrawal. ETA antagonist increases activation of G-proteins during withdrawal in neonates. In conclusion we provide evidence for the first time that central ETA and not ETB receptors are involved in morphine withdrawal.
Diffuse reflectance FT-IR spectra of conducting polymeric films

Abstract Diffuse reflectance FT-IR spectroscopy has been shown to be a fast and convenient method for the characterization of conducting polymers either as free-standing films or ‘as-formed’ on the electrode surface.
Effect of Y2BaCuOx precipitates on flux pinning in melt-processed YBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract Magnetic hysteresis data have been taken at 4.2, 50, and 77 K over a wide range of magnetic field on three types of melt-textured YBa 2 Cu 3 O x (123) samples: stoichiometric 123, 123+6 mol% Y 2 BaCuO 5 (211) particles, and quench-melt-growth-processed (QMGP) 123+6 mol% 211. In order to obtain accurate comparisons of the intragranular critical current densities, the magnetization measurements were performed on finely powdered samples, the average particle size of which was less than the grain size of the original sample. The QMGP samples exhibited substantially larger hysteresis at 4.2 and 50 K, indicating significantly enhanced flux pinning at these temperatures. At 77 K, however, although the hysteresis loop of the QMGP samples was largest at low fields, the hysteresis difference, Δ M , decreased more rapidly with field than did the Δ M of the stoichiometric melt-processed sample. A possible pinning mechanism related to the observed hysteretic behavior is discussed.
Selecting tactics to implement strategic plans

Strategic managers have been found to use sophisticated tactics to implement strategic plans, but seem to limit their effectiveness by applying them indiscriminately. A contingency framework that uses situational constraints, such as the manager's freedom to act and need for consultation, is developed to select among tactics preferred by practitioners. The framework was tested using 50 episodes of strategic planning. There was a 94 percent success rate when the implementation tactic recommended by the framework was used, and a 29 percent success rate when another (non-recommended) tactic was applied, suggesting that following the framework's prescriptions may improve the success rate for strategic plan implementation. The implications this research for practicing managers are discussed.
Fabrication of self-aligned graded junction termination extensions with applications to 4H-SiC P-N diodes

The properties of SiC make this wide band-gap semiconductor a promising material for high power devices. This potential is demonstrated in various devices, such as p-n diodes, Schottky diodes, bipolar junction transistors, thyristors, etc., all of which require adequate and affordable termination techniques to reduce leakage current and increase breakdown voltage in order to maximize power-handling capabilities. In this paper, we describe a technique for fabricating a graded junction termination extension (GJTE) that is effective and self-aligned, a feature that simplifies the implantation process during fabrication and, therefore, has the potential to reduce production costs. Implanted anode p-n diodes fabricated using this technique on 10-µm thick n- epitaxial layer had a maximum breakdown voltage of 1830 V. This was comparable to the ideal parallel-plane breakdown of 1900 V predicted by numerical simulation.
My American Uncle, America Cries Uncle, and Other Fantastic Tales from France: Iegor Gran's Jeanne d'Arc fait tic-tac

Ella Shohat and Robert Stam's proposal that beliefs about nations often crystallize in the form of stories could serve as both summary and generative matrix for Jeanne d'Arc fait tic-tac. In keeping with a number of recent fictional works united by the attempt to understand French and American cultures in a comparative context, the first part of Iegor Gran's clever 2005 novel consists of eleven stories whose common focus on the danger represented by American culture for French national identity makes the second part of the novel, in which France declares war and invades the United States, almost inevitable. In the opening section of Jeanne d'Arc, Gran both rewrites the traditional folktale for a self-reflective postmodern age and revises and satirizes the conventions of fantastic literature. The primary comic strategy of the second half of the novel, constructed as a parody of the current American conflict in Iraq, pays homage to the most recent source of tension between the United States and France. Throughout the novel Gran caricatures French chauvinism and insularity as much as he mocks American arrogance and consumerism, and the metaphorical demise of the "oncle d’Amerique,” the specifically French version of the American dream, continually reminds us of the sheer power and pleasure of narrative. This article is available in Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature: http://newprairiepress.org/sttcl/vol32/iss1/2 My American Uncle, America Cries Uncle, and Other Fantastic Tales from France: Iegor Gran’s Jeanne d’Arc fait tic-tac Carolyn A. Durham College of Wooster Dis-moi qui te hante, je te dirais qui tu es. Tell me who haunts you and I’ll tell you who
H I Absorption toward Ultracompact H II Regions: Distances and Galactic Structure

The Very Large Array was used to observe H I absorption against 20 compact and ultracompact H II (UC H II) regions, thereby resolving the kinematic distance ambiguity to these sources. Combining these results with other sources whose distances were resolved through H I absorption, the half-width at half-maximum of the distribution of source height above and below the Galactic plane is found to be 35 ± 2 pc within the solar circle. The vertical height distribution is used to investigate the predictive accuracy of the Galactic latitude in resolving the kinematic distance ambiguity to UC H II regions without the need for H I observations. For a large difference between far and near kinematic distances, high accuracy can be achieved by choosing the kinematic distance closer to 1.84|b|-1 kpc, where b is the Galactic latitude in degrees.
Some unusual behavior of dielectric properties of SrTiO3 metal organic chemical vapor deposition grown thin films

SrTiO3 (STO) thin films were grown simultaneously via the metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technique on two different substrates: platinized sapphire and platinized TiO2/SiO2/Si. The thin films were analyzed for stoichiometry, crystallinity, surface roughness, and average grain size. Dielectric properties of the thin films such as dielectric constant, loss, and leakage current characteristics were measured and compared. We demonstrate that the MOCVD technique is an appropriate method for fabrication of STO thin films with excellent structural, microstructural, dielectric, and insulation properties. Comparative analysis of the films yielded an unexpected result that the thin film with a higher mismatch in thermal expansion coefficient between the substrate (Si) and the deposited STO film yielded a higher dielectric constant with respect to that of STO/sapphire. The dielectric loss for both films were similar (tan δ = 0.005 at 100 kHz), however, the leakage current for the film with a higher dielectric constant was three orders of magnitude higher. An explanation of these results is presented and discussed.
Natural categories: Well defined or fuzzy sets?

Thirty college students made category membership decisions for each of 540 candidate exemplar-category name pairs (e.g.,apple-fruit) in each of two separate sessions. For highly typical category members (e.g., chair for thefurniture category), and for items unrelated to a category (e.g.,cucumber-furniture), subjects agreed with each other and were consistent in their decisions. However, for intermediate-typicality items (e.g.,bookends-furniture), subjects disagreed with each other and were frequently inconsistent from one session to the next. These data suggest that natural categories are fuzzy sets, with no clear boundaries separating category members from nonmembers.
Phase transitions with spontaneous modulation-the dipolar Ising ferromagnet

A uniaxial ferromagnet of finite thickness spontaneously breaks into parallel "striped" domains as a result of demagnetizing forces. In a sufficiently large applied magnetic field a transition takes place to a hexagonal or "bubble" phase. We study the phase diagram of this system with the use of a Ginzburg-Landau approach and we investigate the effects of dislocations on the two-dimensional order of the modulated phases.
Comparison of heterophil functions of modern commercial and wild-type Rio Grande turkeys.

The purpose of the present study was to measure any functional differences in peripheral blood heterophils isolated from a commercial turkey line to wild-type Rio Grande turkeys. The phagocytosis of Salmonella enteritidis, oxidative burst (OXB) and degranulation (DGR) were used as parameters of heterophil functional efficiency in these studies. Blood was collected and heterophils isolated from each line of turkeys at days 4, 7, and 14 post-hatch. On days 4 and 7 post-hatch, heterophils from Rio Grande turkeys responded to phorbol A-myristate-13-acetate with significantly greater OXB activity than commercial line A. Results from the DGR assay also revealed a greater level of activity in Rio Grande heterophils when compared with heterophils from Line A turkeys. On day 14 post-hatch, heterophils from the commercial line A responded at similar or greater levels than Rio Grande turkey heterophils in the OXB and DGR assays. No differences in the phagocytosis of S. enteritidis were observed between the lines. Th...
Foraging behavior of specialist and generalist caterpillars on plantain ( Plantago lanceolata ) altered by predatory stinkbugs

To examine the effects of predators and plant genotype on the behavior, patterns of herbivory, growth and survivorship of caterpillars, we used an experimental garden in which we contrasted two hostplant genotypes of plantain (Plantago lanceolata), two kinds of herbivores (specialist Junonia coenia vs. generalist Pyrrharctia isabella) and two levels of caterpillar predation (with and without Podisus maculiventris stinkbugs). Each of the replicate plots per treatment contained two plants of the same genotype. The stinkbugs reduced the survivorship of the specialist caterpillars but not that of the generalists, which reflects the differences in predatoravoidance behaviors of these species. Nonetheless, the stinkbugs influenced the behavior of both caterpillar species. When stinkbugs were present, both specialist and generalist caterpillars were less likely to be found on the plant upon which they were initially placed (=“initial” plant), and they were more likely to be off both plants within the plot than larvae in the absence of predators. Consequently in the presence of the stinkbug predators, the proportion of the “initial” plants consumed was less than in the absence of the predators. Plant genotype influenced plant size and the proportion of individual plants eaten, but it did not affect larval location on the plots. Neither presence of predators nor plant genotype had an effect on relative growth rate of the caterpillars.
Is a single tricyclic antidepressant trial an active treatment for psychotic depression

Abstract 1. A retrospective chart review of 256 consecutively admitted depressed inpatients assessed their treatment response to optimal somatic therapy. 2. There were no differences in treatment response between patients with Major Depressive Episode (MD) and Major Depression with Psychosis (MD-P). 3. In addition, twenty-six studies were reviewed to clarity the role of tricyclic anti-depressants (TCA) in the treatment of MD-P. The authors conclude from this literature review that TCA's should not be considered an active treatment tor MD-P patients.
Indolent nonseminomatous germ cell tumor of testis Prolonged survival of patient with persistent metastatic disease

The complete response rate of disseminated nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) of the testes with current aggressive chemotherapy and surgical resection of residual disease is between 70 and 80 per cent. Those patients who do not attain complete response tend to have short survivals. A case is presented of a forty-one-year-old white man who has had nearly continuous evidence of metastatic embryonal carcinoma for more than eleven years. Although NSGCTs are characterized by rapid proliferation, early metastasis, high response rate to chemotherapy, and rapid death if uncontrolled, this case demonstrates an indolent form of disease with poor response to chemotherapy and yet prolonged survival in spite of uncontrolled disease. This is the first reported case of indolent metastatic germ cell neoplasm with survival of more than ten years.
Human olfactory neurons respond to odor stimuli with an increase in cytoplasmic Ca2

The sense of smell allows terrestrial animals to collect information about the chemical nature of their environment through the detection of airborne molecules. In humans smell is believed to play an important role in protecting the organism from environmental hazards such as fire, gas leaks and spoiled food, in determining the flavor of foods, and perhaps in infant-parent bonding. In addition, the study of human olfaction is relevant to a number of medical problems that result in olfactory dysfunction, which can affect nutritional state, and to the study of the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases which manifest themselves in the olfactory epithelium. Although much is known about behavioral aspects of human olfaction, little is understood about the underlying cellular mechanisms in humans. Here we report that viable human olfactory neurons (HON) can be isolated from olfactory tissue biopsies, and we find that HON respond to odorants with an increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Cai]).
Romance etymology: A computerized model

DESPITE THE FACT that the majority of sound changes within a given geographical area, within a given span of time, and within a given sound environment have long been considered regular and reduceable to definite patterns of change, and despite the fact that these changes have almost always been noted as variations of "If, then" statements, there has not yet been, to my knowledge, an attempt to program these patterns and statements into a computer-generated etymological dictionary of regularly derived cognate forms a dictionary which could surpass in scope and accuracy any etymological dictionary yet produced, and one which offers the promise of being an important instructional tool. Such a dictionary would differentiate between regular formations and those forms which, for whatever reasons, did not follow regular phonological changes, and could note what the expected derivation would have been. The intrinsic value of the study lies not in the computerization of phonological changes occurring in the development of a Romance language, per se though that is, in itself, a worthwhile accomplishment. The real value lies, rather, in the possibilities afforded by the expansion of the program. At present, however, the program is still in its infancy: morphological and analogical variations to normal development have not been programmed; discriminations in the exact stages of development are not precise, with output printed arbitrarily as Classical Latin, Vulgar Latin, and Old French; the development is assumed to be that of the Francian dialect, though some exceptions may be found. The program as it stands traces possible word-histories without considering the effects of morphology, analogy, retardation or other factors which alter "regular" or expected soundchange patterns. This, to me, seems a sufficient beginning. Many of my colleagues suggested that I tape and store the contents of the etymological dictionaries alrea y in existence, those which had been produced by years of laborious and tedious tracing by hand, but the program which I envisioned was to serve as a model for a program which could, conceivably, generate a reconstructed ProtoI doEuropean sound base as well as all the regularly derived cognate forms for all PIE languages and their dialects. Such a program would provide scholars with non-attested formations; with formations that have not survived or with variants which
Syntheses and structures of P-anilino-P-chalcogeno- and P-anilino-P-iminodiazasilaphosphetidines and their group 12 and 13 metal compounds.

The P-anilino-P-chalcogeno(imino)diazasilaphosphetidines [Me2Si(μ-NtBu)2PE(NHPh)] (E = O (3), S (4), Se (5), N-p-tolyl (6)) were synthesized by oxidizing the P-anilinodiazasilaphosphetidine [Me2Si(NtBu)2P(NHPh)] (2) with cumene hydroperoxide, sulfur, selenium, and p-tolyl azide, respectively. The lithium salt of 4 reacted with thallium monochloride to produce {[Me2Si(μ-NtBu)2PS(NPh)-κN-κS]Tl} (7), which features a two-coordinate thallium atom. Treatment of 4−6 with AlMe3 gave the monoligand dimethylaluminum complexes {[Me2Si(μ-NtBu)2PE(NPh)-κN-κE]AlMe2} (E = S (8), Se (9), N-p-tolyl (10)), respectively. In these complexes the aluminum atom is tetrahedrally coordinated by one chelating ligand and two methyl groups, as a single-crystal X-ray analysis of 8 showed. A 2 equiv amount of 4−6 reacted with diethylzinc to produce the homoleptic diligand complexes {[Me2Si(μ-NtBu)2PE(NPh)-κN-κE]2Zn} (E = S (11), Se (12), N-p-tolyl (13)). A crystal-structure analysis of 11 revealed a linear tetraspirocycle with a tetr...
Studies of hydrogen recycle from the walls in tokamaks using a plasma-wall interaction simulator☆

Abstract The recycle of hydrogen from walls and limiters plays a fundamental role in the operation of tokamaks for several reasons: (1) the average proton confinement time in the plasma is short with respect to plasma pulse length, therefore each proton is, on the average, recycled several times to and from the walls; (2) the walls may elastically or inelastically reflect the hydrogen but, according to our measurements, half or more of the hydrogen incident on the walls may be buried in the wall, thermalized, and most will return to the plasma volume on a time scale which is on the order of 10−1 s. We have studied details of the hydrogen recycle phenomena from 304L stainless steel using a plasma-wall interaction simulator. Low energy (30–200 eV) atomic and molecular hydrogen ions were used. The evolution rate from surfaces bombarded with a flux of 6 × 1015ions/cm2 · s has been measured for several conditions and appears to be limited by complex diffusion phenomena and perhaps, in some cases, by surface recombination rates. The evolution rate reveals effects due to diffusion from the highly supercharged near surface region. Several mechanisms were discussed but it is not possible to identify which are responsible for the prompt desorption processes.
Business strategy and financial consequences: The case of antidumping filings

Abstract Does predatory pricing in an industry affect firm values? In this paper, we show that firms filing for antidumping benefit from this decision after controlling for endogeneity of filing decision. Firms with shrinking assets in the past are more likely to file an antidumping petition and market price of firms with more employees and more assets increase more compared to ones with fewer employees and less assets when they file for antidumping. Finally, we find that the correlation between market value changes in supplier industries and the filing industry is economically larger than that of customer industries, suggesting that supplier industries would suffer more if a domestic firm faces foreign competition.
A Focused Review: Perioperative Safe Medication Use

To expand the perioperative team's knowledge about current safe medication practices, this article builds the knowledge base using definitions from a national taxonomy and a leading patient safety organization, presents findings from multiple sources that represent some of the known failure points that reflect the state of the science, and proposes and identifies solutions to address the failure points. It is hoped that this discussion allows perioperative clinicians to gain an appreciation of how the complex system within the perioperative environment predisposes otherwise competent practitioners to medication error involvement.
Purification and properties of manducin, an amino acid storage protein of the haemolymph of larval and pupal Manduca sexta

Abstract Manducin, a storage protein, has been isolated from the haemolymph of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Cross-linking experiments indicate that the intact protein (mol. wt 540,000) consists of six subunits and has associated with it ca. 2% by weight of lipids. The major lipids are phospholipids, 1, 2-diglycerides and cholesterol. The protein has 3.5% covalently bound sugar, consisting of N-acetylglucosamine and mannose in a molar ratio of two to five. The aromatic amino acids, phenylalanine and tyrosine, make up 20% of the total protein amino acid, while the cysteine content is only 0.4%. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows two closely spaced protein bands of equal intensity with estimated mol. wts corresponding to 87,000 and 92,000. The nature of the differences between these protomers and their distribution in the intact protein is not clear. The occurrence of manducin throughout the life cycle of the animal was followed by quantitative rocket immunoelectrophoresis. The protein is present in early larval instars, but increases dramatically in the last larval instar until it constitutes at least 80% of the total haemolymph proteins. It remains high in the pupa, but decreases to zero during formation of the adult. Thus manducin appears to be a storage form for amino acids sequestered during larval life to be used for construction of the adult animal.
Scanning Electron Microscopy of Collagen Fibers in Intestine

Collagen fibers of rat intestine were observed with and without mechanical stress in the scanning electron microscope. Observations were correlated with the previous results obtained by optical polarized microscopy to provide further insight into the organization and morphology of intestinal collagen. Larger fibers, approximately 4 μm in diameter, are densely packed in parallel undulating arrays. The initial response to stress is straightening of the original fibers. The extended fibers are biaxially oriented at +30° and -30° to the longitudinal direction. These large fibers appear as assemblies of subfibers. At higher magnifications, the larger fibers appear to be enmeshed in a network of small randomly oriented fibers approximately 0.2 μm in diameter. Study of the effect of age on fiber morphology showed that the length of the large fiber undulations increases during maturation but remains constant during aging. The diameters of large and small fibers appear not to change with age, but more of the 4 μm ...
The modification of benzene and carbon monoxide adsorption on platinum(111) by the coadsorption of potassium or sulfur

The effects of potassium and sulfur on the chemisorption of CO and benzene on the Pt(111) surface have been studied by thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). Potassium causes an increase in the desorption peak temperature of CO and a decrease in that of benzene. Sulfur, on the other hand, causes a decrease in the desorption peak temperatures for both benzene and CO. We interpret the effects of potassium on CO and benzene adsorption as electronic, while for sulfur, structural effects may dominate. 31 references, 9 figures.
Physically motivated correlation formalism in hyperspectral imaging

Most remote sensing data-sets contain a limiting number of independent spatial and spectral measurements, beyond which no effective increase in information is achieved. This paper presents a Physically Motivated Correlation Formalism (PMCF) ,which places both Spatial and Spectral data on an equivalent mathematical footing in the context of a specific Kernel, such that, optimal combinations of independent data can be selected from the entire Hypercube via the method of "Correlation Moments". We present an experimental and computational analysis of Hyperspectral data sets using the Michigan Tech VFTHSI [Visible Fourier Transform Hyperspectral Imager] based on a Sagnac Interferometer, adjusted to obtain high SNR levels. The captured Signal Interferograms of different targets - aerial snaps of Houghton and lab-based data (white light , He-Ne laser , discharge tube sources) with the provision of customized scan of targets with the same exposures are processed using inverse imaging transformations and filtering techniques to obtain the Spectral profiles and generate Hypercubes to compute Spectral/Spatial/Cross Moments. PMCF answers the question of how optimally the entire hypercube should be sampled and finds how many spatial-spectral pixels are required for a particular target recognition.
Highly Polymorphic Microsatellites in the North American Snakeweed Grasshopper, Hesperotettix viridis

Abstract Microsatellite markers are preferred for fine-scale population genetic studies requiring high resolution. The grasshopper Hesperotettix viridis (Thomas) is an oligophagous species that feeds on composites and often exhibits locally restricted diets. Divergence in host plant use in some localities is seen where co-occurring subpopulations select alternate plant species, as expected with the evolution of host shifts and associated lineage divergence. To characterize the host-associated divergence patterns among populations of H. viridis, we developed markers from two microsatellite-enriched genomic libraries. Here we report the characterization and optimization of seven polymorphic di- and tri-nucleotide microsatellite loci for this species. One hundred and six individuals from 5 populations were tested for polymorphism. The number of alleles varied from 4 to 38 in all the populations. Ho ranged from 0.339 to 0.790. Homozygote excess was observed across loci, perhaps due to inbreeding. This is the ...
Resilience in Women Sexually Abused as Children

Research suggests that adult women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA) vary on whether and how they experience long-term effects. According to current literature, the variation appears to be due to both risk and protective factors. In addition, the variation also appears to occur in connection with certain factors that function to help buffer the effects of CSA. The purpose of this study is to identify the protective factors that best predict resilience in a sample of 134 female adults who are members of AMAC (Adults Molested as Children). The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Fertilization antigen-1 removes antisperm autoantibodies from spermatozoa of infertile men and results in increased rates of acrosome reaction

Abstract Objective: To determine if fertilization antigen (FA)-1 will remove autoantibodies from the surface of sperm cells of immunoinfertile men by immune adsorption and permit an increased acrosome reaction (AR). Design: Prospective analytic study. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): Men from 18 infertile couples with autoantibodies present on their spermatozoa. Intervention(s): Sperm samples after processing were examined for antibody binding and AR before and after adsorption with control medium or FA-1. Main Outcome Measure(s): Sperm-bound antibody was assessed by the immunobead assay (immunoglobulin [Ig] A and IgG) and the AR by induction with ionophore A23187. Result(s): Adsorption with FA-1 compared with control medium increased immunobead-free swimming sperm an average of 50% and 76% for IgA and IgG antisperm antibodies, respectively, with 78% and 100% of the 18 semen specimens increasing significantly. The AR rate increased an average of 10.3% compared with control medium and showed improvement in 78% of the sperm samples after FA-1 adsorption. Conclusion(s): The FA-1 sperm antigen appears to significantly free sperm cells coated with autoantibodies in the semen of most infertile men examined. Reducing sperm-bound antibodies that inhibited the AR allowed the sperm cells to undergo successful AR induction by calcium ionophore.
Bandpass versus high-pass filtering of signal-averaged electrocardiograms

Signal-averaged electrocardiography is a means of studying late potential presence on surface electrocardiogram recordings. The presence of this information correlates with predisposition to serious ventricular arrhythmias and risk of sudden death, and thus has enormous implications. This data has been previously obtained using a variety of filtering techniques, usually highpass or bandpass frequency filtering. The authors' study compares time-domain late potential parameters obtained from a series of patients using both 40-Hz highpass and 40-250-Hz bandpass filters. The results indicate that the addition to a lowpass filter does not clinically alter late potential characteristics. >
DNA sequence of baboon highly repeated DNA: evidence for evolution by nonrandom unequal crossovers

Abstract A highly repeated DNA was isolated from the West African baboon (Papio papio) as a 343-base-pair fragment after digestion of total baboon DNA with the restriction endonuclease BamHI. The DNA sequence of this fragment was obtained by chemical cleavage methods and is compared with the DNA sequence of related highly repeated primate DNAs from African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) and man. The 343-base-pair baboon repeat consists of two related but nonidentical wings of 172 and 171 base pairs, respectively. The baboon 172-base-pair wing shares more homology with the African green monkey 172-base-pair repeat than with the baboon 171-base-pair wing. Comparison with the previously published monkey and human DNA sequences indicates that: (i) All the DNA sequences apparently arose from a common ancestral sequence. (ii) Evolution of the primate DNA sequences can be explained by a model involving unequal crossovers at specific points within the repeated DNA, possibly mediated by the sequence 5'-AAGG-3' 3'-TTCC-5' or its invert 5'-GGAA-3' 3'-CCTT-5'. (iii) There are alternating domains of conserved and divergent DNA sequences within each greater than 170-base-pair wing sequence. Taken together, the DNA sequences of these primates suggest a model whereby highly repeated DNAs are established and evolve as a consequence of unequal nonrandom exchanges of DNA duplexes. These exchanges may be mediated by short repeated nucleotide sequences and involve exchanges within and between the greater than 170-base-pair wings.
Prospective evaluation of screening multislice helical computed tomographic angiography in the initial evaluation of penetrating neck injuries

Background: The optimal management strategy for patients sustaining penetrating neck injury without an urgent indication for operative exploration remains controversial. The objective of this study was to prospectively assess multislice helical computed tomography angiography (MCTA) as a stand alone screening modality for the initial evaluation of hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating neck injuries. Our hypothesis was that MCTA is a sensitive diagnostic screening test that could noninvasively evaluate the vascular and aerodigestive structures of the neck. Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, all penetrating neck injuries assessed during a 16-month period were prospectively evaluated at a Level I trauma center. Patients without an indication for urgent neck exploration underwent MCTA screening. MCTA accuracy was tested against an aggregate gold standard of final diagnosis encompassing all imaging, surgical procedures and clinical follow-up obtained. Results: In all, 106 injuries penetrated the platysma; 15 required urgent exploration and 91 underwent MCTA (34 gunshot wounds/57 stab wounds). Nineteen external wounds were in zone 1, 39 were in zone 2, 10 in zone 3, and 23 traversed multiple zones. MCTA was nondiagnostic in 2.2% secondary to artifact from retained missile fragments. Follow-up was achieved in 84.5% of patients for a mean of 33.3 days (range: 2-150). MCTA achieved 100% sensitivity and 93.5% specificity in detecting all vascular and aerodigestive injuries sustained. MCTA correctly identified two tracheal and two carotid artery injuries requiring operative or endovascular repair in asymptomatic patients. No injuries requiring intervention were missed by MCTA. Conclusion: In the initial evaluation of stable penetrating neck injuries, MCTA appears to be a sensitive and safe screening modality. Further investigation is warranted.
A checklist for evaluating cab design of construction equipment.

(2003). A Checklist for Evaluating Cab Design of Construction Equipment. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene: Vol. 18, No. 10, pp. 721-723.
The Academic Success of East-Asian–American Students—An Investment Model

Abstract Previous empirical studies have long noted the existence of an “Asian effect” on students' math and science performance. Yet, few studies have developed a conceptual model that explains why Asian-American students outperform students from other race-ethnic backgrounds. In this study, I incorporate the concepts of financial, human, cultural, and social capital into an investment model to study racial differences in educational performance. Analyses of a nationally representative sample of 8th grade students have indicated that families from East-Asian origins invest more aggressively in financial, human, and within-family social capital than families from other racial groups, even after social and demographic controls are taken into consideration. These differences in investment explain a large portion of the Asian effect. In addition, half of the investment measures examined yield a greater educational return for East-Asian students than for students of other racial groups. Overall, the analyses have demonstrated that the investment model is an attractive approach to study the Asian effect.
Incoherent scatter radar measurements and modeling of high‐latitude solar photoionization

[1] A 9-year database of sunlit E region electron density altitude profiles (Ne(z)) measured by the Sondrestrom incoherent scatter radar (ISR) has been partitioned over a parameter space of 10.7 cm solar radio flux (F10.7) and solar zenith angle (χ) to investigate long-term solar and thermospheric variability and to validate a contemporary EUV photoionization model. A two-stage filter, which rejects Ne(z) profiles with large Hall-to-Pedersen conductance ratio and incorporates an MLT-dependent correction factor for low-energy precipitation, is used to mitigate auroral contamination. Resultant filtered mean sunlit Ne(z) is compared with subauroral Ne measured for the same F10.7 and χ conditions at the Millstone Hill ISR in order to confirm adequate high-energy auroral rejection. Mean Ne, as expected, increases with solar activity and decreases with large χ. Radar model comparison indicates that across all parameter space and for altitudes from 105 to 180 km, the GLOW model estimates are within 5% of the ISR mean with the contribution from photoelectrons accounting for 30 to 50% of equilibrium ion density. Above 180 km, the GLOW model slightly overestimates the height of the F1 layer. Radar model comparison also reveals a low-altitude Ne enhancement for high solar activity at altitudes commensurate with 3 to 7 nm XUV and H Lyman-β radiances. The variance of the ISR mean Ne is shown to be greatest at low F10.7 (solar minimum). Simulated Ne variance envelopes, given by perturbing the GLOW model neutral atmosphere input by the measured Ap, F10.7, and Te extrema, are narrower than ISR derived geophysical variance envelopes at solar minimum. We find no evidence for solar cycle control of low-energy precipitation and thus we attribute the observed Ne variance at solar minimum to variability in solar EUV flux. In order to address estimation of Ne at altitudes where GLOW model photochemical equilibrium assumptions are invalid, we provide an empirical model for Sondrestrom quiet time photoionization Ne(z) as a function of F10.7 and χ.
The 22q11.2 deletion in African‐American patients: An underdiagnosed population?

Findings associated with the 22q11.2 deletion often include congenital heart malformations, palatal anomalies, immunodeficiency, hypocalcemia, and developmental delay or learning disabilities. Often the clinical suspicion of the diagnosis in a patient with one or more of these findings is heightened based on the presence of a characteristic facial appearance. In our large cohort of 370 patients with the 22q11.2 deletion, we report the under-representation of African-Americans in our group, as well as, the paucity of craniofacial dysmorphism in these patients. We note that the absence of the typical facial features may result in decreased ascertainment in this population and, furthermore, may delay the implementation of palliative care, cognitive remediation, and recurrence risk counseling. We, therefore, suggest that the clinician’s threshold of suspicion should be lower in African-American patients.
Estimation of quasi-stiffness of the human hip in the stance phase of walking.

Biomechanical data characterizing the quasi-stiffness of lower-limb joints during human locomotion is limited. Understanding joint stiffness is critical for evaluating gait function and designing devices such as prostheses and orthoses intended to emulate biological properties of human legs. The knee joint moment-angle relationship is approximately linear in the flexion and extension stages of stance, exhibiting nearly constant stiffnesses, known as the quasi-stiffnesses of each stage. Using a generalized inverse dynamics analysis approach, we identify the key independent variables needed to predict knee quasi-stiffness during walking, including gait speed, knee excursion, and subject height and weight. Then, based on the identified key variables, we used experimental walking data for 136 conditions (speeds of 0.75–2.63 m/s) across 14 subjects to obtain best fit linear regressions for a set of general models, which were further simplified for the optimal gait speed. We found R2 > 86% for the most general models of knee quasi-stiffnesses for the flexion and extension stages of stance. With only subject height and weight, we could predict knee quasi-stiffness for preferred walking speed with average error of 9% with only one outlier. These results provide a useful framework and foundation for selecting subject-specific stiffness for prosthetic and exoskeletal devices designed to emulate biological knee function during walking.