cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NAVIGATING THE CURRENTS OF CERTIFICATION: A CASE STUDY OF HISPANIC BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL

This article examines the experiences of Hispanic Baptist Theological School (HBTS) through the institution's successful navigation of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's (THECB) process to obtain certification of authority to grant a bachelor of arts degree in Biblical/Theological Studies. Interviews with the HBTS president, HBTS academic dean, and a THECB program specialist are summarized to provide insight into the strengths and challenges of the Texas certification process. Policy implications are identified based on the interview responses.
Temperature-dependent morphological evolution of HOPG graphite upon exposure to hyperthermal O(3P) atoms

Abstract The chemical reactivity and morphological evolution of highly-ordered pyrolytic graphite upon exposure to hyperthermal (∼5 eV) O ( 3 P ) atoms have been investigated. The erosion rate and surface roughness exhibit a profound dependence on the temperature of the sample during the experiment. Atomic force microscopy images of eroded surfaces exposed to atomic oxygen at 298 K reveal embedded cylindrical erosion pits which span nanometer through micrometer length-scales. In contrast to this, very rough matted surfaces are observed following exposure at a surface temperature of 493 K. The erosion rate triples upon this increase in sample temperature. These data are compared to those of experiment EOIM-III, collected in low-earth orbit on-board the spacecraft Atlantis during STS-046.
Dissonance on audio interfaces

An important aspect of a complex intelligent system is the human-computer interface. The paper discusses the less familiar topic of audio interfaces. The controversy surrounds which of the three competing audio interface approaches is most effective: sonification, earcons and auditory icons.
Opioid therapy for nonspecific low back pain and the outcome of chronic work loss.

Abstract Outcomes of opioid therapy for noncancer pain remain to be more fully explored. Loss of work is among these outcomes. Especially when work loss becomes “chronic” (persists ⩾90 days), it has profound psycho-social repercussions that compound suffering of those already in pain. Furthermore, costs escalate as work loss persists. We thus explored associations between opioid therapy for back pain and chronic work loss. Data consisted of workers compensation claims for nonspecific low back pain. We used multivariate analyses to control for diverse covariates. Workers with no opioid prescriptions constituted the reference group. Findings included the following: compared with the (no opioid) reference group, odds of chronic work loss were six times greater for claimants with schedule II (“strong”) opioids; compared with the reference group, odds of chronic work loss were 11–14 times greater for claimants with opioid prescriptions of any type during a period of ⩾90 days; and three years after injury, costs of claimants with schedule II opioids averaged $19,453 higher than costs of claimants in the reference group. Our analysis was not designed to ascertain antecedent causes, or why chronic work loss occurred in the first place. Rather, we focused on an ensuing consequence of opioid therapy, i.e., the outcome of chronic work loss, which occurred far removed in time (⩾90 days) after the worker’s recorded date of back injury. The strong associations observed suggest that for most workers opioid therapy did not arrest the cycle of work loss and pain.
Thickness effects on the lithiation of amorphous silicon thin films

The lithiation of thin film Si was investigated in an electrochemical cell, using in situ wafer curvature to monitor the evolution of in-plane stresses. Increasing the initial film thickness from 50 to 250 nm led to decreases in both the nominal flow stress and the Li capacity. These observations are consistent with relatively slow Li diffusion. The corresponding concentration gradients should have a substantial effect on the deformation and viscous flow that occur in lithiated Si.
Effect of statins on atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: A duration- and dose-response meta-analysis

Objective This meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials evaluated effects of statins on postoperative atrial fibrillation risk after cardiac surgery. Methods Randomized, controlled trials evaluating statins in cardiac surgery were selected from MEDLINE (1996–August 2009), Cochrane CENTRAL Register, and manual review of references without any language restrictions. End points examined included postoperative atrial fibrillation, intensive care unit stay, and total hospital stay. Meta-regression analyses were conducted to determine whether statins' effects were duration or dose dependent. A random-effects model was used in all instances. Results Eight trials (n = 774) were identified and subjected to meta-analysis. Statins reduced postoperative atrial fibrillation risk (relative risk 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45–0.72, P P P = .0004) relative to placebo. Intensive care unit stay was also reduced (weighted mean difference −0.17 days, 95% confidence interval −0.37 to 0.03 days, P = .09) but did not meet prespecified criteria for statistical significance. Metaregression analysis revealed association between duration of preoperative statin prophylaxis and postoperative atrial fibrillation risk reduction (3% reduction per day, P = .008). No association was found between statin dose used and risk reduction ( P = .47). Conclusions Evidence suggests that statins are associated with reduced risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation and shorter hospital stay after cardiac surgery and that earlier therapy results in more profound benefit.
Development and utilization of reflectance confocal laser scanning microscopy to locate reaction sites in modified starch granules

ABSTRACT A new method of locating reaction sites within modified starch granules was developed and applied. The method involves converting anionic groups introduced into starch granules into their silver salt form, reducing the silver cations to silver atoms, and locating the silver atoms by means of reflectance confocal laser scanning microscopy. The method was tested on three types of starch (normal maize, waxy maize, potato) containing two types of derivatizing groups (mono- and distarch phosphate ester groups and the 2-hydroxy-3-sulfonylpropyl ether group). The method also revealed anionic sites in native granules, presumably due to proteins, ionic lipids, or native phosphate ester groups.
Relationship between the antibiotic and immunoadjuvant effects of amphotericin B methyl ester.

Abstract The polyene antifungal antibiotic amphoteriein B (AmB)† and its methyl ester (AME) are potent immunostimulants in mice. The adjuvant property of AME is lost in parallel to its antifungal and erythrocyte membrane permeabilizing effects following visible light irradiation. The adjuvant potency of AME in humoral immunostimulation is comparable to other commonly used experimental immunoadjuvants, and within a given mouse strain its potency seems to vary inversely with the dietary cholesterol content. The mechanism of the immunostimulant effects of amphotericin seems to be related to membrane sterol binding. These data support the working hypothesis that the adjuvant potency of amphotericin in mice is related to both the genetic and dietary factors that regulate cholesterol metabolism.
Brief psychotherapy for demoralization in terminal cancer: a case report

Coping with terminal illness and dying are fundamental challenges for patients and providers. The term ‘demoralization’ has been coined to describe a failure to cope with existential threats such as cancer. Thirty years ago, authors such as de Figueiredo and Frank began to define demoralization and formulate clinically applicable interventions. Kissane et al formulated diagnostic criteria for demoralization that included (1) existential distress, including hopelessness and loss of purpose in life; (2) pessimism, (3) absence of drive or motivation to cope differently; (4) features of social isolation or alienation; (5) persistence of symptoms of longer than 2 weeks; and 6) absence of a primary depression or psychotic condition. Whereas major depression is a more omnipresent, anhedonic, and vegetative state, demoralization remits when the stressor abates or when the patient’s coping skills for the stressor improve. Demoralization, then, is an excellent target for psychotherapy. Psychotherapy interventions for demoralization in oncology patients have included a range of targets and modalities, including self-transcendence and spirituality-and-meaning-centered group interventions. Recently, Griffith and Gaby articulated seven pairings of “existential postures of vulnerability and resilience to illness” as psychotherapy targets in demoralization. These pairings include confusion and coherence, isolation and communion, despair and hope, helplessness and agency, meaninglessness and purpose, cowardice and courage, and resentment and gratitude. The couplets allow a framework with which to pursue psychotherapy for demoralization. While Griffith and Gaby directed their publication towards brief, at-the-bedside interventions, their formulations lend towards the construction of an organized psychotherapy sequence for palliative care outpatients.
Data reduction via the wavelet transform for the synthesis of the projection-slice filter

The projection-slice synthetic discriminant function, which was described earlier, reduces significant portions of the training data in the synthesis process as compared to the normal synthetic discriminant function filters. This enables the matching of particular features of each training image. The wavelet transform is utilized to further reduce the data in the synthesis stage and thereby reduce the data overlap in filters. The method for this type of filter synthesis is discussed and simulation results of the algorithms involved are presented to show that the relative performance of the newly synthesized filter is improved, while the data representing the training images has been reduced. © 2000 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. (S0091-3286(00)01505-1)
Perturbation of linearly transformed energy spectra by configuration mixing

We study the effect of configuration mixing on the well known linear relations between the energy spectra of ${j}^{2}$ and ${j}^{n}$ configurations. We show that both single-particle excitations and third-order corrections lead to breakdown of these relations. Contributions from the former tend to cancel when many high-lying orbits contribute simultaneously.
Our legislative mills III. wisconsin

A keen study of a legislature which has led the way in many reforms of procedure but now suffers for lack of party organization and leadership. Nathing has yet appeared to fill the place of the old–fashioned boss
Confidence area modeling of ATR systems ROC curve points and its application to MSTAR major demo data

In Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) systems Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves are used to describe operating characteristics for changing threshold values of two aspects of importance to the users. the two aspects are the ability of the Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) system to detect targets and its ability to reject non-targets that is, not declare false alarms. These two abilities are represented in ATR systems analysis by the probability of detection and the false alarm rate. The problem of characterizing the confidence area for parameters of the probability distribution of ROC points is addressed and applied to the Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) DEMO III data using MATLAB.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Spectral Analysis of Matrix Converters Based on 3-D Fourier Integral

This letter proposes an analytical method based on 3-D Fourier integral to obtain accurate spectra of both the switching functions and the synthesized terminal quantities of a matrix converter. The challenges associated with the spectral analysis of matrix converter waveforms are twofold. On one hand, the modulation signal contains both the input and output frequencies. Unlike the third-harmonic injection in the modulation functions, the input frequency and the output frequency are typically independent from each other and will not form an integer ratio. On the other hand, it is very common that the switching frequency or the carrier frequency is not rational multiple of either the input frequency or the output frequency. These aforementioned challenges make it a very challenging task to accurately characterize the spectra of matrix converter waveforms through commonly resorted numerical methods such as a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The contribution of the proposed analytical method lies in providing accurate solution to spectral analysis of matrix converters when the FFT approach fails to characterize the spectral performance of matrix converters under typical operating conditions.
Paramagnetic resonance of erbium in CaWO4

Paramagnetic resonance of Er ion in calcium tungstate single crystal, determining spin- Hamiltonian parameters
A contextual uncertainty condition for behavior under risk

Suppose that your choice between uncertain financial prospects is made more difficult by two independent contextual uncertainties concerning the size of your existing wealth. One contextual uncertainty has a greater spread than the other. If you could resolve one of these contextual uncertainties before making your choice, would you rather it be the larger or the smaller? In this paper we explore the intuitive notion that it ought to be more advantageous to resolve larger rather than smaller contextual uncertainties. The utility function for wealth uw = aw-be-cwa, b, c â¥ 0 is the only utility function that satisfies this condition and that is also increasing and risk averse at all wealth levels.
Relationship between sediment organic content, metamorphosis, and postlarval performance in the deposit-feeding polychaete Capitella sp. I

Chemical cues induce metamorphosis for the larvae of many benthic marine invertebrate species. These cues help to place organisms into habitats that will allow for rapid growth and increased reproductive success. This study was designed to examine the correspondence between induction of metamorphosis and post-metamorphic success in the deposit feeding polychaete Capitella sp. I. Larvae were offered substrates with organic content reduced by 50, 75, 90 or 95% to examine inductive ability. Post-metamorphic success was assessed as juvenile growth rate, time to first brood production, and fecundity. Larvae did not consistently choose the substrate with the highest organic content, and often metamorphosed sooner in response to substrates with insufficient organic material for optimal growth and reproductive success. These findings suggest that, while the cue for metamorphosis is probably organic and bound to fine particulates, the larvae of Capitella sp. I cannot assess the concentration of organic material necessary to support subsequent growth and development.
The rate and amount of food intake as determinants of vomiting

Vomiting of nonmedical origin by retarded persons has been found to be greatly influenced by reinforcement procedures. To explicate the possible influence of the rate and amount of food intake, a satiation procedure and a spaced-eating procedure were provided to three profoundly retarded adults with this problem. Vomiting was found to double or triple after satiation for each subject, and to decrease during spaced eating for each subject; the decrease was especially great for the two subjects who learned to eat most slowly after extended spaced eating training. These results suggest that vomiting is caused in large part by excessive stomach loading and can be effectively treated by reducing the eating rate and/or amount of food intake. This generalization may also apply to infants and to the bulimic binge-purge cycle of nonretarded adults.
A bubble chamber for dark matter detection (the COUPP project status)

Heavy-liquid bubble chambers can be made stable-enough to be used in searches for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). Advantages of this approach are optimal choice of target liquid-CF3I, maximally sensitive to both spin-dependent (SD) and spin-independent (SI) WIMP interactions, low cost, good scalability, room temperature operation, extraordinary intrinsic rejection of minimally-ionizing backgrounds, and a number of features permitting rejection of irreducible neutron backgrounds. A 2 kg prototype chamber is currently operating at the depth of 300 meters water equivalent (m.w.e.) NuMi gallery of Fermilab. Even with the small prototype mass, results competitive in the SI channel and surpassing current limits in the SD channel are expected.
Computer aided detection of endobronchial valves

The ability to automatically detect and monitor implanted devices may serve an important role in patient care and the evaluation of device and treatment efficacy. The purpose of this research was to develop a system for the automated detection of one-way endobronchial valves implanted as part of a clinical trial for less invasive lung volume reduction. Volumetric thin section CT data was obtained for 275 subjects; 95 subjects implanted with 246 devices were used for system development and 180 subjects implanted with 354 devices were reserved for testing. The detection process consisted of pre-processing, pattern-recognition based detection, and a final device selection. Following the pre-processing, a set of classifiers were trained using AdaBoost to discriminate true devices from false positives (such as calcium deposits). The classifiers in the cascade used simple features (the mean or max attenuation) computed near control points relative to a template model of the valve. Visual confirmation of the system output served as the gold standard. FROC analysis was performed for the evaluation; the system could be set so the mean sensitivity was 96.5% with a mean of 0.18 false positives per subject. These generic device modeling and detection techniques may be applicable to other devices and useful for monitoring the placement and function of implanted devices.
Ethnic Similarities and Differences in Linguistic Indicators of Veracity and Lying in a Moderately High Stakes Scenario

One technique for examining written statements or interview transcripts for verbal cues of veracity and lying involves the analysis of linguistic features and grammatical structures associated with word usage. This technique is commonly referred to as Statement Analysis (SA). There are varying degrees of empirical support for different SA techniques and for specific linguistic markers; what is less known in the literature is the degree to which verbal indicators of veracity and lying vary across cultures or ethnicities. In this study participants from four cultural/ethnic groups participated in an adapted version of a mock-theft scenario in which participants were either asked to steal a check and lie about it to investigators or not steal a check and tell the truth. After being assigned to the steal-lie/don’t steal-truth condition, each participant engaged in three interviews, two prior to committing the crime (screening and secondary interviews) and one afterwards (investigative interview). Prior to the third investigative interview participants were asked to write a statement. The responses provided in the interviews and written statement were coded according to several empirically validated categories of SA. Some linguistic markers differentiated truths from lies across people of different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Post-hoc analyses indicated interesting ethnic group differences in the base rates of usage for many of these categories but ethnicity did not moderate the veracity condition effects.
Variability of human coronary artery geometry: An angiographic study of the left anterior descending arteries of 30 autopsy hearts

A computer-based system is described to measure objectively the geometric parameters of arteries from pairs of projection angiograms. This technique, which employs back-projection to define the vessel axes in 3-D space, was used to obtain selected parameters of coronary artery geometry from radiographic images of autopsy hearts. Results of the first 30 cases are presented, focussing on the distribution of the geometric parameters of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and its first two major branches. The derived parameters include the angle between the left circumflex artery and the LAD; the angles between the LAD and its early diagonal and septal perforator branches; distances between branch points; and tortuosity. The geometric parameters vary considerably, presumably contributing to a corresponding variability in local hemodynamic and mechanical stresses. Most parameters are uncorrelated. One exception is the angle at the origin of the second diagonal branch, which is positively correlated (p < 0.01) with the distance between the ostia of the first two diagonal vessels; this correlation could reflect the existence of "target" perfusion regions. No relation between geometric parameters and age or gender was seen. In this sample, blacks had a larger angle at the left main bifurcation than whites (p < 0.05).
Cutkosky-Leon Bootstrap Model and the Strong-Coupling Model

The static $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}N$ bootstrap model based on the Bethe-Salpeter equation is applied to the study of the mass spectrum and the meson coupling constants when isobars heavier than $N_{3,3}^{}{}_{}{}^{*}$ are included. By assuming $I=J$, we have obtained the solutions for two models which are constructed by adding, up to $I=J=\frac{7}{2}$, the isobars $N_{2I,2J}^{}{}_{}{}^{*}$ to those of the familiar model of the $N\ensuremath{-}N_{3,3}^{}{}_{}{}^{*}$. We discover also that this Bethe-Salpeter bootstrap model (or Cutkosky-Leon model) contains a solution which is identical to that from the strong-coupling model for the case of charge-symmetric pseudoscalar-meson theory; in this solution there are an infinite number of degenerate isobars with their isospin equal to their spin. Also included in the table of results is the $\mathrm{SU}(4)$ prediction for the various coupling constants when heavier isobars are included. The $\mathrm{SU}(4)$ model contains in addition to the pions the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and $\ensuremath{\eta}$ mesons. We notice that the results of bootstrapping and $\mathrm{SU}(4)$ are similar and that the deviations between them are less than 50%. It is also noticed that the heavier isobars act in the bootstrap model like a small perturbation on the low-lying isobar states.
Effect of Anaerobic Digestion and Application Method on the Presence and Survivability of E. coli and Fecal Coliforms in Dairy Waste Applied to Soil

Animal wastes are commonly used in a sustainable manner to fertilize crops. However, manures contain numerous pathogenic bacteria that can impact animal and human health. Treatment of animal waste by anaerobic digestion has the potential to reduce pathogen loading to land. This study was conducted to determine the fate of bacteria applied in raw and anaerobically digested dairy slurries that were broadcast and subsurface applied in a field of forage grasses. Digested slurry had significantly fewer indicator bacteria, Escherichia coli and fecal coliform at time of application. Anaerobic digestion did not increase the survivability of indicator bacteria. Waste treatment and application method did not affect the rate of bacteria die-off. There were fewer E. coli and fecal coliform at the end of each trial in the soils that received digested slurry. Anaerobic digestion of dairy waste has the potential to reduce pathogenic bacteria loading to cropland.
Stereopsis with and without monocular contours.

Abstract Depth perception elicited from random dot stereograms devoid of monocular cues is severely impaired when compared with similar stereograms that reveal the monocular contours. For transient stimuli, monocular contours appear necessary to elicit a range of depth sensations for different disparities, suggesting that monocular cue analysis is an integral component of the stereomechanism.
Elitism among albino rats: Genius and overachievement

From a larger population of rats that had been trained in a shuttlebox, the records of 40 animals which had shown particularly excellent avoidance performance were identified and examined further. Contrary to the conventional view that shuttlebox avoidance takes many trials to acquire, it was demonstrated that many rats learn the response quickly, showing maintained avoidance throughout a 200-trial session. These results were discussed in terms of particularly important procedures, notably the presence of odors associated with fear, which facilitate rapid acquisition of shuttlebox avoidance. It is a well known fact that shuttlebox avoidance is learned only after considerable practice. Ordinarily, learning the running avoidance response in a shuttlebox requires approximately 100 trials and some rats never learn the response (Bolles, 1970). Although we have occasionally observed excellent performance of individual rats, it was still surprising when a single naive male rat learned the shuttlebox avoidance response after a single brief (.5 sec at 1.3 rnA) shock, continuing to avoid efficiently without error for a total of 47 trials up til training was discontinued. During this time, avoidance was highly efficient as total CS duration for the 47 trials was 60.2 sec, an average of 1.28 sec per trial. Observation of this rat's behavior confirmed his efficient performance as he consistently responded immediately to CS onset with the effective running response. The remarkable performance of this single rat served as a reminder of previously observed excellent performance in the shuttlebox by other rats. This paper examined the performance of rats from three completed but unrelated studies which uS)d an automated shuttlebox, and reports the performance of an unexpectedly large number of rats which were characterized by unusually high shuttlebox performance.
Effects of sulfur on nitrogen recovery in coastal bermudagrass as influenced by sulfur fertilization

Abstract Research was conducted during two growing seasons to determine nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) fertilizer recovery of Coastal bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] on a S‐deficient Rilla silt loam (Fine‐silty, mixed, thermic Typic Hapludalf) soil in the Gulf Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States. Sulfur was applied as gypsum or wettable S at the annual initiation of forage growth at 100 kg S/ha. Nitrogen was applied as ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3), urea, and 32% urea‐ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution at rates of 0, 224, and 448 kg N/ha in four split applications. Nitrogen sources did not significantly influence N or S recovery. However, both N and S sources did significantly interact with N rates to affect N and S recovery. Nitrogen recovery declined with increasing N rates but was significantly higher when coupled with S fertilizer. Sulfur recovery increased with increasing N rates with higher recoveries for gypsum than for wettable S.
Accelerometer-determined sedentary and physical activity estimates among older adults with diabetes: considerations by demographic and comorbidity characteristics

Understanding of the objectively measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary patterns of adults with diabetes at the population level is currently limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to report accelerometer-determined PA and sedentary patterns among a national sample of U.S. adults with and without evidence of diabetes and to also explore differences across other comorbidity characteristics. Data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Four hundred seven participants had evidence of diabetes (mean age = 73.4 years), and 1,346 did not have diabetes (mean age = 74.3 years). Results showed that few older adults meet PA guidelines; the majority of their time is spent in sedentary activities; very few engage in more light-intensity PA than sedentary behavior; and older adults with multiple comorbidities engage in less PA and more sedentary behavior than their counterparts. The development and implementation of feasible, effective PA programs for older adults with multiple comorbidities are warranted.
Excitation of Schwarzschild quasinormal modes by collapse.

The quasinormal ringing of a black hole is of considerable interest in connection with laser interferometric gravitational-wave detectors. Although considerable work has been directed towards computing quasinormal frequencies, little attention has been paid to what features of an astrophysical process excite ringing. We investigate this question here, first with model collapse problems which give closed-form expressions for ringing strength, and second with computer studies of a range of collapse-type processes. We arrive at a simple semiempirical rule for excitation, which should produce adequate estimates of ringing strength when used in connection with Newtonian modeling of the early stages of collapse.
Host-tumor interactions during 5-fluorouracil therapy for prostatic carcinoma

Abstract A distinctive pattern of serial immunologic determinations was observed in a patient during tumor remission on 5-fluorouracil therapy when compared with patterns observed among 7 other patients not having remission on either cytotoxic or endocrine therapy. This pattern was characterized by a transient decline in T (thymus-derived) lymphocyte levels with a rebound to above normal levels during the height of the remission and a subsequent fall in T cell levels some weeks before relapse was detected clinically. Serum IgG (immunoglobulin G) levels declined during treatment, while serum IgA (immunoglobulin A) and IgM (immunoglobulin M) levels increased. The results suggest that a drug-induced reduction in tumor burden may result in an increase in the number and activity of T lymphocytes in the peripheral circulation, while relapse on therapy may be associated with a fall in T lymphocyte levels. These findings indicate that the effects of antiproliferative agents on the host-tumor relationship may provide important insights into the biologic nature of cancer.
In vitro modulation of antioxidant enzymes in normal and malignant renal epithelium.

The activities of three antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, were monitored in isolated human renal adenocarcinoma tissues and in cultured human renal adenocarcinoma cells. The results were compared to the activities of these enzymes in the proposed cell of origin, isolated human proximal tubular tissues, and cultured proximal tubular epithelial cells. Strong modulation of these enzymes by culture conditions was observed in normal cells but not in carcinoma cells. Low levels of cellular lipid peroxidation, as assessed by levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), were observed in adenocarcinoma cells under the culture conditions tested with one exception: greatly elevated MDA was observed in renal adenocarcinoma cells growth on plastic in serum-free, chemically defined medium. This increased lipid peroxidation correlated with a loss of cell viability under these conditions.
The value of a usability-supporting architectural pattern in software architecture design: a controlled experiment

Design patterns have been claimed to facilitate modification and improve understanding in software design. A controlled experiment was performed to assess the usefulness of portions of a usability-supporting architectural pattern (USAP) in modifying the design of software architectures to support a specific usability concern. Software engineering and information technology graduate students received different subsets of a USAP supporting cancellation functionality. They then studied a software architecture design and made modifications to add the ability to cancel commands. Results showed that participants who received a usability scenario, a list of general responsibilities, and a sample solution thought of significantly more key issues than participants who saw only the scenario. Implications for software development are that usability concerns can be included at architecture design time, and that USAPs can significantly help software architects to consider responsibilities inherent from usability concerns.
Population development of Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago) on leghorn roosters inoculated with steroids and subjected to extremes of social interaction

Abstract High levels of social interaction or dietary administration of corticosterone or desoxycorticosterone were shown to increase resistance of roosters to Ornithonyssus sylvarium infestation. The concentration of steroid in the feed which produced this effect was critical, and increasing concentrations past this level did not appear to augment resistance. Roosters maintained under low levels of social interaction were more affected by steroids in the feed than were their high stress counterparts as measured by weight gain and selected organ weight. No difference in antibody production against horse erythrocytes was noted between birds under high and low levels of social stress, or between birds receiving different steroid treatments. Histologic examination of tissue dorsad to the cloaca indicated that mite population differences in response to stress or steroid treatment may be linked to capillary density at the skin surface.
Regulation of binding sites for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in rat brain.

In two experiments, binding sites for atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) were studied in discrete areas of rat brain by quantitative autoradiography. In the first experiment, the maximum binding capacity of 125I-ANF was reduced significantly in the subfornical organ and choroid plexus of 4 and 14 week old spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats compared to aged-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) normotensive controls. In contrast, the maximum binding capacity of 125I-ANF in the area postrema was similar for young and adult SHR and WKY rats. The second experiment involved a comparison of brain ANF binding sites in Long-Evans control rats and Brattleboro rats with inherited diabetes insipidus. The maximum binding capacity of 125I-ANF was significantly greater in the subfornical organ of Brattleboro rats compared to Long-Evans controls. However, no strain differences occurred for 125I-ANF binding in the choroid plexus or area postrema. These findings indicate that the number of ANF binding sites in discrete areas of rat brain may be influenced in a highly selective fashion by alterations in body fluid homeostasis (i.e., hypertension or diabetes insipidus). Changes in brain ANF binding sites within circumventricular areas may involve central as well as peripheral sources of ANF-related peptides.
The data and safety monitoring board and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) clinical trials

The urgency of the Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic has mandated that multiple therapeutic approaches be developed and that these approaches be evaluated through clinical trials. To oversee these trials, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has created three large clinical trial programs monitored by a Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). For each clinical trial, this Board uses a standardized approach employing contemporary biostatistical, medical, and ethical principles. The DSMB is responsible for reviewing interim data on clinical trial performance, treatment safety and efficacy, and overall study progress. If interim results provide convincing evidence of either excessive adverse effects or significant treatment benefit, the DSMB may recommend early termination of the trial to the NIAID and the study investigators. The responsibility, organization, and operating procedures of this DSMB are presented and illustrated through three clinical trials sponsored by NIAID and monitored by the Board. The rationale and operational model for the DSMB may be a useful example for the development of similar review processes in other HIV clinical trial settings.
Prescribing syringes to injection drug users with HIV: an important clinical and public health tool.

Injection drug use is a major risk factor for infection with HIV and other viral illnesses including hepatitis B and C. There are an estimated 1 million active injection drug users (IDUs) in the United States; 50% to 80% become infected with hepatitis C in the first 6 to 12 months of injecting (Thomas et al., 1995). In 1999, 36% of all U.S. AIDS cases and the majority (58%) of AIDS cases in women were associated with injection drug use (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2000b). IDUs become infected through sharing contaminated syringes and other injection equipment and can pass on the viruses to their sexual partners and children. The reuse of syringes has caused IDUs to face additional health problems including tetanus, abscesses, cellulitis, wound botulism, and endocarditis (Friedland & Selwyn, 1998). By using sterile syringes, IDUs can avoid many injection-related health complications, and those IDUs who have already acquired HIV or hepatitis can protect themselves against co-infection with hepatitis or another strain of HIV and protect others from getting infected. The average IDU injects approximately 1,000 times per year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2000a), and although rinsing syringes with bleach can decrease transmission of HIV (Abdala, Gleghorn, Carney, & Heimer, 2001), it is difficult to sterilize used syringes completely. Using syringes that have been cleaned with bleach is not as effective as using a new sterile syringe (Normand, Vlahov, & Moses, 1995). For this reason, the Centers
Transverse z‐mode waves in the terrestrial electron foreshock

We examine the phase relation between two orthogonal electric field components for several hundred waveform measurements of intense electron plasma waves in the terrestrial electron foreshock. In general, the phase shift at the carrier frequency is not zero or π as would be expected if the waves were purely electrostatic Langmuir waves, but is a function of the angle between the antennas and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). When the antennas are field aligned, the phase shift between the components is large; this value recedes smoothly to zero as the antenna is rotated away from the IMF direction. When solar wind density fluctuations are considered, this is consistent with the dispersion of the electromagnetic z-mode and we assert that the electron foreshock is populated by transverse z-mode waves, not purely longitudinal Langmuir waves. This has implications for conversion to freely propagating modes and large-amplitude saturation mechanisms.
Chemical denudation rates in kärkevagge, swedish lapland

This study examines the spatial and temporal variability of chemical denudation rates in Karkevagge, northern Sweden. The chemical flux rates within the valley are strongly influenced by the local geology. Chemical denudation rates determined for the study period are more than double those previously reported in the literature for this valley. Rates of greater than 46t km−2 a−1 were measured at the valley mouth over the course of the melt season. This difference is likely due to differences in measurement technique compared to that used by past researchers. This rate is also much higher than for other arctic and alpine watersheds. Chemical denudation in Karkevagge is comparable to larger temperate rivers. The rapid chemical denudation in Karkevagge is likely due to sulfide weathering creating acid solutions.
Regulation of Methylbenzoate Emission after Pollination in Snapdragon and Petunia Flowers

The molecular mechanisms responsible for postpollination changes in floral scent emission were investigated in snapdragon cv Maryland True Pink and petunia cv Mitchell flowers using a volatile ester, methylbenzoate, one of the major scent compounds emitted by these flowers, as an example. In both species, a 70 to 75% pollination-induced decrease in methylbenzoate emission begins only after pollen tubes reach the ovary, a process that takes between 35 and 40 h in snapdragon and approximately 32 h in petunia. This postpollination decrease in emission is not triggered by pollen deposition on the stigma. Petunia and snapdragon both synthesize methylbenzoate from benzoic acid and S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM); however, they use different mechanisms to downregulate its production after pollination. In petunia, expression of the gene responsible for methylbenzoate synthesis is suppressed by ethylene. In snapdragon, the decrease in methylbenzoate emission is the result of a decrease in both S-adenosyl-l-methionine:benzoic acid carboxyl methyltransferase (BAMT) activity and the ratio of SAM to S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine ("methylation index") after pollination, although the BAMT gene also is sensitive to ethylene.
The Impact of Lookup Tables on Use Tax Reporting

ABSTRACT: This paper examines the anchoring effects that estimates of use tax provided by the state in the form of a “lookup table” have on use tax reporting. Results indicate taxpayers presented with a lookup table are significantly less likely to simply anchor on and report $0 for the amount of use tax due—currently the most commonly reported use tax amount. In addition, significantly more use tax was reported when an aggressive lookup table value (i.e., higher use tax estimate) was provided compared to a conservative lookup table value (i.e., lower use tax estimate) or when no table was available. By contrast, significantly less use tax was reported when a conservative lookup table value was provided compared to when no table was available. Finally, results indicate the anchoring effect of an aggressive lookup table value was magnified when taxpayers had greater uncertainty about the possible amounts of use tax due.
A new dust-generating system for inhalation studies.

In a program of inhalation studies with industrial plastic dusts, a generating system has been developed which permits consistent levels of respirable particles. In this system, preground dust is mixed in a fluidizing generator with a high-speed fan. The air-dust mixture is aspirated into a small baffling chamber and then piped directly into the inhalation chamber. The design of this system and its application to preliminary inhalation studies are discussed. Concentration and particle size data are presented.
On-line defect detection for weaving systems

One success in the automated inspection field is a video camera system which has the philosophy of running rolls at high speed after being removed from the weaving machines. The use of multiple line scan cameras and multiple computers for preprocessing and postprocessing provides detailed analysis. This system does not identify the specific defect or cause, but does save a picture of a portion of the defect which can be reviewed by an operator or quality assurance technician. The system is described and the defect detection/identification algorithms discussed.
The Handbook of Communication and Corporate Reputation by Craig E. Carroll (Ed.)

The Handbook of Communication and Corporate Reputation, edited by Craig Carroll, is part of the Handbooks in Communication and Media Series, a series of titles addressing business communication iss...
A rapid method for analysis of spirographic tracings in pulmonary function testing.

1. A method is described for more rapid and efficient analysis of spirographic tracings utilizing a new transparent plastic slide rule and tables prepared for direct conversion of millimeter measurements of spirographic tracings into actual volumes and flow rates. 2. This method provides simpler and slightly more accurate measurements of spirographic tracings, eliminates much calculation, and allows the use of unlined and much less expensive spirographic paper in carrying out these tests.
Ants, stem-borers, and fungal pathogens: experimental tests of a fitness advantage in Piper ant-plants

This study tests experimentally the hypothesis that Pheidole bicornis ants increase the fitness of Piper ant-plants (Piperaceae) in Costa Rican forests. In two exper- iments with naturally occurring Piper ant-plants, -50 individuals were randomly selected and maintained either as controls (with ants) or as ant-exclusion plants (without ants) for 2 yr. Leaf replacement rates and seed production, as measures of relative plant vigor and reproductive potential, were significantly greater in control plants with intact ant colonies than in plants from which ant colonies were experimentally excluded by periodical treatment with dilute insecticide. A series of experiments was designed to assess the relative contribution of antiherbivore defense, nutrient procurement, and antipathogen defense as potential mutualistic functions of the ants. To assess the fitness effects of antiherbivore defense, leaf replacement rates and seed production were measured on plants to which artificial folivory was applied over a 2-yr period (33% of each leaf blade removed), and stem-boring weevil damage was monitored on plants with and without ants. Nutrient procurement by ants was estimated quantitatively, and net leaf production was monitored experimentally on control plants (with ants), on plants without ants, and on nutrient-enriched plants with ants (microquantities of fertilizer added to lower stem). Epiphyll loads, phylloplane spore densities, and disease incidence were compared on experimental plants with and without ant colonies. The results indicate that folivory, the classical parameter measured in ant-plant studies, was not related to differences in fitness in Piper ant-plants; instead, ant disruption of stem-borers and ant foraging on inflorescences to reduce fungal invasion were identified as probable mechanisms by which ants conferred an average fitness advantage of at least 60 and 10%, respectively, in the 2nd yr of the comparison. Although neither antifolivore defense nor nutrient pro- visioning by ants appeared to benefit Piper plants, they may contribute synergistically or may operate on temporal or spatial scales not included in the study. For example, nutrient provisioning may allow Piper ant-plant species to occupy and compete favorably in poor- soil habitats not evaluated in these experiments.
On the role of organized multienzyme systems in cellular metabolism: a general synthesis.

Throughout this article, vector quantities are denoted by use of bold type face (e.g. Ai, ri). The symbol ▿ denotes the “gradient” operator and δ(r−r′) the three-dimensional Dirac delta function (see Appendix 1). All other terms and symbols are defined as they occur.
Meridional circulation during the Last Glacial Maximum explored through a combination of South Atlantic δ18O observations and a geostrophic inverse model

[1] The vertical profile of meridional transport in the South Atlantic is examined by combining paleoceanographic observations with a geostrophic circulation model using an inverse method. δ18Ocalcite observations along the margins of the South Atlantic show that upper-ocean cross-basin differences were weaker during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) than the Holocene. The δ18Ocalcite observations can be explained by a shift of water-mass properties without any change in the overturning circulation. Alternatively, they may indicate a reduced LGM cross-basin density difference and, via the thermal wind relation, a reduced vertical shear. Model inversions of δ18Ocalcite are found to require meridional transports different from the modern only after three assumptions are made: temperature and salinity distributions are spatially smooth, the relationship between salinity and δ18Owater is linear and spatially invariant, and LGM temperatures are known to within 1°C along the margins. The last assumption is necessary because an independent constraint on temperature or salinity is required to determine density from δ18Ocalcite observations. δ18Ocalcite observations are clearly useful, but before any firm constraints can be placed on LGM meridional transport, it appears necessary to better determine the relationship between δ18Ocalcite and density.