cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vitamin E and selenium interrelations in the diet of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): gross, histological and biochemical deficiency signs

Either simultaneous or separate dietary deficiencies of vitamin E and selenium in Atlantic salmon during first 4 weeks of feeding caused twice the mortality shown in fish fed both supplemental vitamin E (0.5 IU/g dry diet) and selenium (0.1 mug/g). Subsequent dietary repletion with both vitamin E and selenium significantly reduced mortality during the following 2 weeks. Larger salmon (0.9 g initial mean weight), with vitamin E deficiency with or without selenium resulted in the following deficiency signs: extreme anemia, pale gills, anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, elevated plasma protein, exudative diathesis, dermal depigmentation, in vitro ascorbic acid-stimulated peroxidation in hepatic microsomes, yellow-orange liver color, yellow-brown intestinal contents, enlarged gall bladder distended with dark green bile, low vitamin E in carcass and hepatic tissue, muscular dystrophy, increased carcass fat and water, and a response to handling characterized by a transitory fainting with interruption in swimming. A deficiency of dietary selenium suppressed plasma glutathione peroxidase activity. Supplemental selenium with vitamin E significantly increased tocopherol activity in hepatic, but not carcass tissues. Supplements of both vitamin E and selenium were necessary to prevent muscular dystrophy.
A survey of language-based approaches to Cyber-Physical and embedded system development

As computers continue to advance, they are becoming more capable of sensing, interacting, and communicating with the physical and cyber world. Medical devices, electronic braking systems in automotive applications, and industrial control systems are examples of the many Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) that utilize these computing capabilities. Given the potential consequences of software related failures in such systems, a high degree of safety, security, and reliability is often required. Programming languages are important tools used by programmers to develop CPS. They provide a programmer with the ability to transform designs into machine code. Of equal importance is their ability to detect and avoid programming mistakes. The development of CPS has predominantly been accomplished using the C programming language. Although C is a powerful language, it lacks features present in other languages that facilitate the development of reliable systems. This has prompted research into language-based alternatives for improving program quality through the use of programming languages. This paper presents an overview of the characteristics of embedded and cyber-physical systems and the associated requirements imposed on programming languages. This is followed by a survey of relevant research into language-based methods for creating safe, reliable, and robust software for CPS.
Partial Least Squares

Partial Least Squares (PLS), as described in this article, is a method of statistical analysis for characterizing and making inferences about the relationship(s) among two or more causally related blocks of variables in terms of pairs of latent variables. The methods of computation and inference for 2-block PLS analysis are described and illustrated for an application in behavioral teratology relating a block of 9 subscale scores on the WAIS-R IQ test measured on 419 subjects to a block of 13 measures of prenatal maternal alcohol consumption. Keywords: behavioral teratology; calibration; causal modeling; latent variables; permutation tests
Are new firms an important source of innovation?: Evidence from the PC software industry

Abstract We examine data from the PC software industry to determine if new forms play an important role in the advance of technology in this industry over the period 1982–1987. We find that new firms have a comparative advantage (over established firms) in creating new software categories, while established firms have a comparative advantage in developing subsequent improvements in existing categories.
On delay structures for the analog adaptive filters with long filter taps

Adaptive filtering of the time-domain signals requires delayed versions of the input signals. For example, adaptive filter for AEC (Acoustic Echo Cancellation) often has more than 1000 filter taps to correctly model a room impulse response. In analog-domain, first-order low-pass filters as well as the mixture of first-order low-pass and all-pass filter have been implemented for the approximation of ideal delay. In this paper, we investigate the accumulated noise problems of the analog adaptive filters that occur when nonideal delay filters are cascaded for a large number of filter taps. Group delay properties of various delay networks using low-pass and band-pass delay filters are also discussed.
Phenomenological linear theory of gravitation: Part III: Interaction with the spinning electron

Abstract A Lorentz-covariant, linear theory of gravitation interacting with the electromagnetic field as well as with matter has been developed in two preceding papers, in which matter was treated as consisting of classical point masses. Here, we treat the simultaneous interaction of this gravitational field with the electromagnetic field and with spinning electrons described wave-mechanically by Dirac's spinor or “undor” field. The “second” quantization of this undor field is postponed to Part IV of this series of papers. In the presence of the gravitational field, the usual interpretation of this undor field ψ as a probability amplitude needs modification. It is possible to define a field ϕ which takes the place of ψ as the probability amplitude. It is shown then that wave packets built up from these probability waves obey (but for some negligible spin terms) the same equations of motion as classical point particles in the “classical” limit in which both momentum and position of the wave packet are given with sufficient accuracy. The red shift of spectral lines emitted in a gravitational field is uniquely determined and is not influenced by the previously discussed uncertainty about the values of some of the constants in our Lagrangian. Our theory predicts for this red shift the same value as on quite different grounds is predicted by Einstein's theory. For both theories, there is no agreement between the predicted red shifts and the observed ones, probably as a result of other influences on the spectrum which are not fully understood.
Why Is Infarct Expansion Such an Elusive Therapeutic Target

Myocardial infarct expansion has been associated with an increased risk of infarct rupture and progression to heart failure, motivating therapies such as infarct restraint and polymer injection that aim to limit infarct expansion. However, an exhaustive review of quantitative studies of infarct remodeling reveals that only half found chronic in-plane expansion, and many reported in-plane compaction. Using a finite element model, we demonstrate that the balance between scar stiffening due to collagen accumulation and increased wall stresses due to infarct thinning can produce either expansion or compaction in the pressurized heart-potentially explaining variability in the literature-and that loaded dimensions are much more sensitive to changes in thickness than in stiffness. Our analysis challenges the concept that in-plane expansion is a central feature of post-infarction remodeling; rather, available data suggest that radial thinning is the dominant process during infarct healing and may be an attractive therapeutic target.
Filamentous Bacterial Viruses VI. Role of fd Gene 2 in Deoxyribonucleic Acid Replication

Functional gene 2 product was found to be necessary for fd deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis throughout the life cycle of the virus. Bacteria which had been infected with a temperature-sensitive gene 2 mutant ceased to make virus-specific DNA when transferred to restrictive conditions at any time after infection, although current rounds of replication were completed.
Race and Stress in the Incidence of Herpes Zoster in Older Adults

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of black race and acute (negative life events) and chronic (lack of social support) psychological stress on the risk of herpes zoster in late life. DESIGN: A population-based, prospective cohort study. SETTING: Central North Carolina PARTICIPANTS: Duke Established Populations for Epidemiological Studies of the Elderly, a stratified probability sample of community-dwelling persons more than 65 years of age. MEASUREMENTS: Interviewers administered a comprehensive health survey to the participants in 1986–1987 (P1, n = 4162), 1989–1990 (P2, n = 3336), and 1992–1994 (P3, n = 2568). Incident cases of zoster between P1 and P2 and P2 and P3 served as the dependent variable. Hypothesis-testing variables included race, negative life events, and five measures of social support. Control variables included age, sex, education, cancer, chronic diseases, basic ADLs, instrumental ADLs, depression, self-rated health, hospitalization, and cigarette smoking. Statistical analyses employed chi-square tests and proportional hazards model. RESULTS: At baseline, the sample had a mean age of 73.6 years and was 55% black, 45% white, and 65% female. There were 65 cases of zoster between P1 and P2 and 102 cases of zoster between P2 and P3. From P1 to P2, 1.4% of blacks and 3.4% of whites developed zoster (P <.001). From P2 to P3, 2.9% of blacks and 7.5% of whites developed zoster (P <.001). After controlling for the above variables, blacks were significantly less likely to develop zoster (adjusted risk ratio = 0.35; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.24–0.51; P <.001). Negative life events increased the risk of zoster, but the result was borderline for statistical significance (adjusted RR = 1.38, 95% CI 0.96–1.97; P =.078). No measures of social support were significantly associated with zoster. CONCLUSION: Black race decreased the risk of zoster in late life significantly. Measures of stress were not significantly related to zoster, but study limitations preclude definitive conclusions. Future research should focus on these factors in larger samples and different populations. J Am Geriatr Soc 46:973–977, 1998.
Effect of conditioning lesions on regeneration of goldfish optic axons time course of the cell body reaction to axotomy

Abstract The time course of the cell body reaction to axotomy was determined in goldfish retinal ganglion cells by measuring cell body size and the amount of labelled protein conveyed by fast axonal transport to the optic tectum, both of which increase during regeneration of the optic axons. Following a single testing lesion of the optic nerve, the regenerating axons began to innervate the tectum at about 14 days after the lesion and the cell body reaction began to decline 2–3 weeks thereafter. If the testing lesion had been preceded by a conditioning lesion 2 weeks earlier, the time for the regenerating axons to arrive in the tectum was reduced by a week, because of the faster rate of axonal outgrowth, but the interval between their arrival and the beginning of the decline of the cell body reaction was unchanged. Electrophysiological measurements showed that synaptic transmission was initiated earlier when the axons reached the tectum faster. These results indicate that the mechanisms initiating the recovery of cell body metabolism are independent of those governing the rate of axonal outgrowth. The recovery of the cell body may begin shortly after synapses are established, regardless of whether they are correctly or incorrectly targetted. The correctness of the target may be a separate factor in determining how rapidly and completely the cell body recovers.
Development and implementation of a PACS network and resource manager

Clinical acceptance of PACS is predicated upon maximum uptime. Upon component failure, detection, diagnosis, reconfiguration and repair must occur immediately. Our current PACS network is large, heterogeneous, complex and wide-spread geographically. The overwhelming number of network devices, computers and software processes involved in a departmental or inter-institutional PACS makes development of tools for network and resource management critical. The authors have developed and implemented a comprehensive solution (PACS Network-Resource Manager) using the OSI Network Management Framework with network element agents that respond to queries and commands for network management stations. Managed resources include: communication protocol layers for Ethernet, FDDI and UltraNet; network devices; computer and operating system resources; and application, database and network services. The Network-Resource Manager is currently being used for warning, fault, security violation and configuration modification event notification. Analysis, automation and control applications have been added so that PACS resources can be dynamically reconfigured and so that users are notified when active involvement is required. Custom data and error logging have been implemented that allow statistics for each PACS subsystem to be charted for performance data. The Network-Resource Manager allows our departmental PACS system to be monitored continuously and thoroughly, with a minimal amount of personal involvement and time.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Algorithm for Evaluating the Hourly Radiation Utilizability Function

A computationally simple algorithm is presented for evaluating the hourly utilizability function, /phi/, defined as the fraction of the long-term, monthly-average, hourly solar radiation incident on a surface which exceeds a specified threshold intensity. The algorithm was developed by correlating values of /phi/ obtained by numerical integration of hourly radiation for three locations. The algorithm is shown to compare well both with a more complex analytical expression for /phi/ developed recently and with results obtained numerically using many years of hourly horizontal radiation measurements in nine U.S. locations. In addition, the algorithm is shown to be applicable for surfaces of any orientation.
A survey of cloud computing taxonomies: Rationale and overview

The Cloud Computing (CC) as a field is progressing by leaps and bounds. In order to organize the knowledge on this newly flourishing field, numerous taxonomies have been proposed over the last few years. A well-developed cloud taxonomy aims to support researchers and practitioners from academia and industry by organizing cloud computing-concepts and terminology. It provides researchers with a tool to focus on the aspects that eliminate research gaps. This paper presents a survey of the existing cloud computing taxonomies for various purposes. We aim to enable the readers to better understand the state-of-the-art of cloud computing and categorize the existing cloud computing related taxonomies into three classes: conceptual, performance and security taxonomies. This classification will help readers to find out different perspectives in cloud computing taxonomies. We infer that current endeavors in CC taxonomy have not yet extensively explored all aspects of the emerging field.
Kinetics of Thermally Induced Phase Separation in Ternary Polymer Solutions. II. Comparison of Theory and Experiment

Light-scattering measurements and spinodal decomposition modeling have been used to quantify the kinetics of pore growth in thermally quenched polymer-solvent–nonsolvent [poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP)/glycerin] solutions. Solutions of fixed composition were quenched to a series of temperatures and light-scattering measurements and model calculations were performed to determine the temperature dependence of the pore growth rate. Both the experimental results and the model calculations show that the growth rate exhibits a maximum at an intermediate quench temperature that is related to an interplay between the thermodynamic and transport effects that govern pore growth. A similar growth-rate maximum is also observed when a series of solutions of varying nonsolvent composition are all quenched to the same temperature. The relevance of these experiments to the dynamics of pore growth and the eventual locking-in of the two-phase structure that forms during nonsolvent-induced phase inversion is discussed. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1461–1467, 1999
The effects of daily stressors on physical health in women with and without a childhood history of sexual abuse.

Abstract Objective: The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between daily stressors and physical symptoms in college-age women with a childhood history of sexual abuse and women without a history of childhood sexual abuse. It was hypothesized that women with a history of childhood sexual abuse would be particularly susceptible to the effects of daily stressors on physical symptoms, and would show more covariation between daily stressors and physical symptoms, compared to women without a history of childhood sexual abuse. Method: Female college students (n = 491) were screened for histories of childhood (before age 15) and adulthood (after age 15) contact sexual abuse. Of these participants, 18 women with only a history of childhood sexual abuse were assigned to the SA group, and 27 women with no history of childhood or adulthood sexual abuse were assigned to the NA group. These women filled out self-report measures of daily hassles and physical symptoms for 28 consecutive days. Results: During the 5 days preceding a highly stressful day, women in the SA group reported significantly more physical symptoms than during the 5 days preceding a day of low stress. For the NA group, there were no significant differences in reported physical symptoms between high- and low-stress days. Conclusions: The pattern of results for physical symptoms suggests that women with a history of childhood sexual abuse may be particularly susceptible to the effects of heightened daily stress, and may display this susceptibility in the report of physical symptoms. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.
Developing Teachers' Cultural Competence: One Teacher Educator's Practice of Unpacking Student Culturelessness

This article responds to the call to examine approaches and strategies that are practiced or should be practiced in teacher education programs to ensure teachers' cultural competence for effective teaching in a multicultural democracy. As part of a larger study on a self-study that examined the author's practice of teaching diversity courses in teacher education that spans over 15 years, this article is organized around three questions: (1) What have I learned about classroom teachers' and teacher candidates' learning to develop cultural competence? (2) What practices have I used to foster preservice teachers' development of cultural competence? (3) To what extent have I successfully fostered preservice teachers' development of cultural competence? Beginning with a critical discussion of the imperative and urgency to foster preservice and in-service teachers' cultural competence, the study proceeds to address the three questions. Discussion of the implications and recommendations for teacher education pra...
Tests of efficiency of limited diversification portfolios

Some simple statistical tests of efficiency are applied to limited diversification portfolios that are optimal in terms of minimizing risk measured by variances. These tests are intended to detect in some sense robustness, near-singularity and improvement of a portfolio by revision. The illustrative application considers eleven securities selected randomly from Moody's Handbook over the years 1970–81
On a Feasible-Infeasible Two-Population (FI-2Pop) genetic algorithm for constrained optimization : Distance tracing and no free lunch

Abstract We explore data-driven methods for gaining insight into the dynamics of a two-population genetic algorithm (GA), which has been effective in tests on constrained optimization problems. We track and compare one population of feasible solutions and another population of infeasible solutions. Feasible solutions are selected and bred to improve their objective function values. Infeasible solutions are selected and bred to reduce their constraint violations. Interbreeding between populations is completely indirect, that is, only through their offspring that happen to migrate to the other population. We introduce an empirical measure of distance, and apply it between individuals and between population centroids to monitor the progress of evolution. We find that the centroids of the two populations approach each other and stabilize. This is a valuable characterization of convergence. We find the infeasible population influences, and sometimes dominates, the genetic material of the optimum solution. Since the infeasible population is not evaluated by the objective function, it is free to explore boundary regions, where the optimum is likely to be found. Roughly speaking, the No Free Lunch theorems for optimization show that all blackbox algorithms (such as Genetic Algorithms) have the same average performance over the set of all problems. As such, our algorithm would, on average, be no better than random search or any other blackbox search method. However, we provide two general theorems that give conditions that render null the No Free Lunch results for the constrained optimization problem class we study. The approach taken here thereby escapes the No Free Lunch implications, per se.
Predicting Dynamic Stress in Centrifugal Compressors

The best analytical process to resolve the dynamic stress in rotating machinery has not yet been established. This is largely due to the different classes of the fluid induced vibration that exist today. This reported effort establishes a sound methodology of resolve fluid induced stresses that occur at resonant frequencies. The proposed process incorporates the use of transient sliding mesh computational fluid dynamics and forced frequency response finite element analysis. Details of the new process are provided along with any perceived limitations. There are 2 detailed case studies that are provided. The results obtained are validated with experimental impeller strain gauge data that was obtained during a full-load hydrocarbon test program. These case studies also provide good insight into the role volutes play on the dynamic stress of impellers.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Microsomal phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase of rat mammary tissue: I. General properties.

The microsomal bound phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase from lactating rat mammary tissue had a specific activity of six nmoles per mg protein per minute. The optimum pH was 7.0; magnesium at 1.3 mM was required for maximum activity, and at low substrate concentrations magnesium lowered the Km of the enzyme for phosphatidic acid. Diglycerides exerted little effect while diglyceride ether stimulated enzyme activity. Inorganic salts, i.e., potassium phosphate and potassium chloride, enhanced rates of phosphatidic acid hydrolysis under standard assay conditions.
A micromethod for the determination of iron and total iron-binding capacity in intraocular fluids and plasma using electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Abstract A new micromethod (requiring only 30 μl of sample) for the determination of iron (Fe) concentration and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) in intraocular fluids (IOFs; aqueous and vitreous humors) and plasma has been developed using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Values for Fe concentration in the IOFs were similar between species and were generally higher in the vitreous (0.031–0.060 mg/liter) than aqueous (0.014–0.038 mg/liter) humors obtained from the same eye. Plasma Fe concentration and TIBC fell within established limits for all species studied. The iron binding capacity of the aqueous and vitreous humors from the same species is similar. While the TIBC of the aqueous humor is saturated to the same extent as plasma, vitreous TIBC is more highly saturated in all species. Using this method considerably less species variation in IOF Fe concentration was found as compared to previous studies. Some possible methodological reasons for this difference are discussed.
Mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme: Mendelian inherited electrophoretic variants in the mouse.

Malate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme each possess supernatant and mitochondrial molecular forms which are structurally and genetically independent. We describe electrophoretic variants of the mitochondrial enzymes of malate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme in mice. Progeny testing from genetic crosses indicated that the genes which code for mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme were not inherited maternally but as independent unlinked nuclear autosomal genes. The locus for mitochondrial malic enzyme was located on linkage group I. Linkage analysis with a third mitochondrial enzyme marker, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, showed that the nuclear genes which code for the three mitochondrial enzymes were not closely linked to each other. This evidence suggests that clusters of nuclear genes coding for mitochondrial function are unlikely in mice.
Modeling Heterogeneity and State Dependence in Consumer Choice Behavior

In frequently-purchased-consumer-goods markets, consumer brand choices exhibit substantial persistence across purchase occasions. In this article, I estimate a choice model that admits of both heterogeneity in preferences and true state dependence as sources of this persistence, using Nielsen scanner data on ketchup. I find evidence for true state dependence in the choice process, even after controlling for a rich heterogeneity structure. Simulation of the model indicates that the long-term effect of a promotion-induced purchase on future purchase probabilities is positive but small.
Designing for emerging rural users: experiences from China

As part of IBM's Smarter Planet initiative, we studied information-sharing practices in rural Northern China to understand if and how ICT can help rural residents improve their lives. Interviews and participant observation in two villages showed a profusion of ICT devices, as well as an abundance of face-to-face information exchanges, but a shortage of localized and easily accessible information, and a deep dependence of many rural residents on 'information brokers' such as agricultural extension workers and shop owners. Can ICT support existing practices of information sharing among rural residents, when these practices are largely based on face-to-face encounters and passive reception of information? We argue that in such an environment, ICT should build on existing social habits even if less than ideal, rather than trying to transform them, and we outline a possible way to do so.
Production of chimeric rabbits from morulae by a simple procedure.

Experiments were conducted to develop a simple and reliable technique to produce chimeric rabbits from morula stage embryos. In Experiments 1 and 2, an in-vitro test of viability was initially performed by culturing embryos to the blastocyst stage. Ninety-three percent of the “chimeric” embryos developed to the blastocyst stage compared to 94% for controls when embryos were manipulated soon after collection (Exp. 1). Eighty-one percent chimeric embryos and 78% control embryos developed to blastocyst stage when embryos were held at room temperature for 4 hr (Exp. 2). In Experiment 3, enough morula-stage embryos were available from true breeding Dutch-belted and albino rabbits to form potentially 67 diverse “color” pairs. These micromanipulated pairs of morulae were successfully combined to produce 64 chimeric embryos (96%, 64/67). They were transferred to the uteri of seven recipient does and three became pregnant producing 13 young. Four of the young exhibited substantial overt chimerism (31%) and one more was a possible chimera.
Immigration and Crime in the New Destinations, 2000–2007: A Test of the Disorganizing Effect of Migration

Drawing from a social disorganization perspective, this research addresses the effect of immigration on crime within new destinations—places that have experienced significant recent growth in immigration over the last two decades. Fixed effects regression analyses are run on a sample of n = 1252 places, including 194 new destinations, for the change in crime from 2000 to the 2005–2007 period. Data are drawn from the 2000 Decennial Census, 2005–2007 American Community Survey, and the Uniform Crime Reports. Places included in the sample had a minimum population of 20,000 as of the 2005-07 ACS. New destinations are defined as places where the foreign-born have increased by 150 % or more since 1990 and with a minimum foreign-born population of 1000 in 2007. Results indicate new destinations experienced greater declines in crime, relative to the rest of the sample. Moreover, new destinations with greater increases in foreign-born experienced greater declines in their rates of crime. Additional predictors of change in crime include change in socioeconomic disadvantage, the adult-child ratio, and population size. Results fail to support a disorganization view of the effect of immigration on crime in new destinations and are more in line with the emerging community resource perspective. Limitations and suggestions for future directions are discussed.
Numerical allometric growth of the ommatidia, antennal sensilla, and teeth of foretibial combs in the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus Dallas (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

Abstract Oncopeltus fasciatus (Heteroptera : Lygaeidae), the milkweed bug, was bred in captivity. Sampling showed that individuals grow exponentially through their 6 developmental stages with an average linear increase per molt of 42% for the females and 41% for the males. The number of ommatidia per eye grows with negative allometry from an average of 30 in the first instar to 860 in the male and 820 in the female adult. The total number of sensilla on the 2 flagellar segments of an antenna increases with negative allometry during the 5 nymphal stages from a mean of 239 in the first instar to 2462 in the last. At this point, this allometric growth pattern is sharply broken by distinct numerical increase to 7163 on the adult flagellum. The number of teeth composing the foretibial comb, the tool for grooming the distal flagellar segment, grows with negative allometry through all 6 developmental stages. Calculations using previously published data from the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria , revealed the same growth pattern of antennal sensilla: uniform allometric growth during the nymphal development, broken by a conspicuous upward jump to the adult number of sensilla. In the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana , this growth pattern of antennal sensilla holds only for the male; the female continues the nymphal allometric growth into the adult stage. These observations on allometric growth fit three theoretical explanations: 1. Smooth allometric growth is evidence for an aut-adaptation to increasing size. 2. Ex-adaptations to novel ecological niches cause breaks in allometric growth patterns. 3. Chapman's rule, which states that increased mobility correlates with greater olfactory sensitivity, correctly predicts the observed breaks in the allometric growth patterns in the abundance of antennal sensilla.
A broadly based analysis of mathematical giftedness

Abstract This article addresses several questions raised by contemporary research on mathematical giftedness. Most issues are confronted empirically, based on a stratified random sample of 95,650 tenth-grade students and a highly select subsample of mathematically gifted individuals (boys N = 497, girls N = 508) drawn from this larger pool. Psychological profiles of the mathematically gifted were compared (by gender) to those of their normative cohorts. Typical gender differentiating attributes (e.g., interest patterns) were less stereotyped in gifted boys and girls; and students' homes covered a broad socioeconomic spectrum. Mathematically gifted students were found to be intellectually superior across a wide range of cognitive abilities; however, evidence for somewhat more mathematical specificity in the gifted than in the general population was also detected. The hypothesis that spatial visualization interacts synergistically with mathematical ability in the prediction of sophisticated levels of advanced mathematics was tested with negative results. “Classic” male/female differences were observed on measures of mathematical ability with the former generating larger means and variances. We suggest that gender differences reflected by these two statistics may have distinct antecedents. The social implications for not attending to group differences in ability-dispersion are discussed in the context of ability assessment in general and meta-analytic reviews in particular. Longitudinal data (13 years) revealed that 8% of gifted males and 19% of gifted females in the follow-up samples did not obtain college degrees. For the era of the 60s this difference is not surprising, but the proportion of both sexes who did not make full use of their abilities is shocking. Many of our results correspond to other longitudinal findings, such as Terman's classic studies as well as ongoing contemporary investigations on mathematical giftedness.
A free‐volume interpretation of the influence of the glass transition on diffusion in amorphous polymers

A new version of the free-volume theory of diffusion is used to describe polymer–solvent diffusion both above and below the glass transition temperature. Expressions are derived for the temperature dependence of the mutual diffusion coefficient and for the effective activation energy in the limit of zero penetrant concentration. The theory also describes the effect of the glass transition on the diffusion process. Predictions of the theory are compared with available diffusivity data for amorphous polymer–solvent systems.
The effect of halofenate and clofibrate on aggregation and release of serotonin by human platelets.

Abstract The hypolipidemic drugs halofenate and clofibrate inhibit the aggregation of human platelets induced by ADP, collagen and epinephrine. The effect of the drugs is primarily on the “second wave” of aggregation which is associated with the platelet release reaction. The drugs also inhibit the release of serotonin from platelets suggesting that the effect on aggregation is attributable to an inhibition of the release reaction. Halofenate is much more potent than clofibrate in inhibiting both the release of serotonin and the second wave of aggregation.
Assessing the Accuracy of Soil and Water Quality Characterization Using Remote Sensing

Assessing the risks of agricultural management practices on agro-ecosystem sustainability has special relevance in Ohio, USA due to the states prominence in agricultural production. However, identifying detrimental management practices remains controversial, a situation that may explain the inability to halt the recurring harmful algal blooms in inland waters, or the build-up of nutrients in the agricultural soils. Thus, detailed and accurate information is required to identify soils and water susceptible to degradation, and to support counteractive remedial measures. In this study soil and water spectral reflectance data were acquired with an Analytical Spectral Device, and modeled with laboratory measured physical and chemical properties using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and decision trees. Results reveal no site differences in pH for the water, but the differences in electrical conductivity (EC) were significant. Similarly, the pH for soils did not vary significantly with depth increments. However, the no till (NT) managed soils had significantly higher pH. EC varied with depth of the water, whereas the soil carbon: nitrogen (C/N) ratio varied with management in 4 out of 5 sites. Finally, this study shows that remotely sensed data can be utilized to effectively characterize agricultural management practices based on inherent soil and water properties, thus providing information critical for assessing the efficacy of Water Quality Trading initiatives.
An analysis of wave structure near center of maximum turbulent kinetic energy

An analysis is made of the wave structure near the center of maximum turbulent energy at 500 mb, Winter 1964. It is found that the kinetic energy of the zonal component is about twice that of the meridional component of the turbulent motion. The kinetic energy of the zonal component of the turbulent motion is essentially contributed by waves of low frequencies and by the interactions of waves of all frequencies. However, waves of all frequencies contribute to the kinetic energy of the meridional component of the turbulent motion. In the intermediate and high frequency ranges, contributions come mostly from interactions of waves of low frequency and the zonal mean motion, whereas in the low frequency range, contribution comes mainly from the ageostrophic motion. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1974.tb01607.x
Efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in refractory ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease: a single-center experience.

Background: The published experience regarding the use of tacrolimus in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) refractory to more commonly used medical therapy has been fairly limited. Our objective was to describe our experience with its use in a cohort of patients which, to our knowledge, represents the largest North American cohort described to date. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center chart analysis. Patients were identified by compiling all hospital discharges with principle diagnoses of ICD-9 codes for 555.0-555.9 (regional enteritis) and 556.0-556.9 (ulcerative colitis) from January 1, 2000, to October 31, 2005, and then cross-referencing the electronic charts for tacrolimus serum concentrations ordered during this time period. Additional patients were identified through verbal communication with participating clinicians. Information abstracted included proportion with clinical response and remission (using a modified disease activity index), ability to wean from steroids, need for surgery / time to surgery, and side-effect profile. Results: In all, 32 UC patients and 15 CD patients were identified. The mean disease duration was: UC 81 months (range, 1 month to 37 years), CD 100 months (range, 1 month to 35 years). The disease distribution for UC was: pancolitis 12 (37.5%), extensive colitis 6 (18.8%), left-sided 11 (34.4%), and proctitis 3(9.4%). For CD this was: TI 2 (13.3%), small bowel 2 (13.3%), colonic 3 (20.7%), ileocolonic 7(46.7%), and perianal 1 (6.7%). The duration of tacrolimus treatment for UC was mean, 29 weeks. For CD it was mean, 9.9 weeks. In all, 30/32 UC and 7/15 CD patients were on steroids; 4/30 UC and 0/7 CD patients were able to subsequently wean off steroids. In all, 12/32 UC patients proceeded to colectomy. Mean time to colectomy was 28 weeks and 6/15 CD patients proceeded to a resective surgery. The mean time to surgery was 22 weeks. In all, 22/32 UC patients achieved a clinical response; 3/32 achieved remission and 8/15 CD patients achieved a clinical response; 1/15 achieved remission. Adverse reactions were generally mild. In 6 patients the drug had to be discontinued because of an adverse reaction. There were no opportunistic infections identified, no cases of renal insufficiency related to drug administration, and no deaths while on the medicine. Conclusions: Our experience with tacrolimus in UC and CD indicates that it is safe and relatively well tolerated, although its clinical efficacy is quite variable. More prospective studies assessing its use are necessary. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007)
Simulation of Striped Bass Egg and Larva Development Based on Temperature

Abstract Comparisons of simulated and observed egg and larva abundance patterns for Hudson River striped bass Morone saxatilis during 1975 and 1976 provided support for a previously stated hypothesis that a sudden drop in water temperature during late May 1976 was associated with almost complete disappearance of cohorts spawned before that date. The major period of mortality for the earlier-spawned cohorts may have occurred during or immediately following egg hatching rather than immediately following yolk absorption as had been previously postulated.
Browsing in a loosely structured database

Current database architectures emphasize structure and are inappropriate for applications which model environments that are subject to constant evolution, or environments which do not lend themselves to massive classifications In this paper we describe an architecture which promotes databases that are only loosely structured heaps of facts instead of highly structured data This architecture avoids the traditional dichotomy between "schema" and "data", and it incorporates a single mechanism for defining both inference rules and integrity constraints As lack of organization will usually have adverse effect on retrieval, the principal retrieval method for loosely structured databases is browsing exploratory searching which does not assume any knowledge of the organization (or even the very existence of organization) Two styles of browsing, called navigation and probing, are defined Both are derived from a standard query language based on predicate logic
A guiding simulation research on developing promising energetic materials

This investigation is motivated by the representative synthesis reaction of 1,4,5,8-tetranitro-1,4,5,8-tetraazadecalin (TNAD): ethylene diamine is replaced by 1,1,diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (FOX-7) or 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) to react with glyoxal in order to subsequently obtain promising high energy density materials. The hybrid density functional theory method is used in calculations for some series of compounds with NNO2 and CNO2 functional groups. First, we create the corresponding Cartesian coordinates of the molecules under investigation and obtain their optimized molecular geometry; the molecular enthalpy can then be used to calculate the molecular detonation heat upon explosion. Furthermore, the target molecular volumes are obtained using the group additivity approach, which are then transferred into molecular densities. The densities and detonation heats of the corresponding energetics are carried into the Kamlet–Jacobs empirical equations to determine the related detonation velocities and detonation pressures. It was found that 10 of 14 TATB- and FOX7-related molecular derivatives have detonation velocities between 9,302 and 1,1122 m/s and between 396 and 646 kbar, and are superior in performance to the traditional octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) explosive. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Surface reactivity of oxygen on cleaved and sputtered graphite

Abstract The characterization of reactions which occur during the oxidation of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) was performed using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The results of this investigation provide spectroscopic evidence for the presence of semi-quinone functionalities on sputtered and oxidized HOPG STM images are presented to quantify the increase in defect sites after oxygen ion sputtering, and to correlate defect site density with reactivity.
Diffuse dermal angiomatosis: a variant of reactive cutaneous angioendotheliomatosis

Reactive angioendotheliomatosis (RA) is a rare, benign disease. Affected patients present with self-limited, erythematous to violaceous plaques. The clinical lesions are due to intravascular hyperplasia of cytologically banal endothelial cells in the dermis. We report 2 patients who presented with ulcerated, violaceous plaques on the lower extremities. Both had severe peripheral vascular atherosclerotic disease requiring bypass grafts. Unlike previously described cases of RA, our patient's lesions were due to a diffuse proliferation of endothelial cells in the reticular dermis with only minimal, focal intravascular proliferation of these cells. Positive immunostaining with antibodies to Factor VIII-related and CD34 antigens adds evidence that the proliferated cells in the dermis were endothelial cells.
Characteration of RNA synthesized during germination of Blastocladia ramosa Zoospores.

The synthesis of RNA was studied during the synchronous germination of Blastocladia ramosa zoospores. Comparison of RNA synthesis during germination of B. ramosa and Blastocladiella emersonii zoospores revealed that B. ramosa has a longer lag time before RNA synthesis is initiated and, in addition, the rate of RNA synthesis is tenfold lower in B. ramosa. Zoospores of B. ramosa were shown to contain pre-formed messenger RNA but this messenger RNA directs only a portion of the protein synthesis which occurs during early germination. The conclusion that the remainder of the protein synthetic activity of the germinating spores is due to new message synthesis was supported by demonstrating that the timing of the initiation of protein synthesis on new messages correlates with the time RNA synthesis is initiated. New message synthesis was also demonstrated by the incorporation of label into RNA which contains a poly (A) fragment. Synthesis of all classes of RNA including ribosomal, messenger, and transfer RNA was shown to be initiated at the same time. The implications of this observation are discussed.
Hot purge gas regeneration of adsorption beds with solute condensation: Experimental studies

Activated carbon beds with adsorbed n-octane are regenerated using hot air. Effects of pressure, feed temperature, and initial loading on temperature and concentration breakthrough curves are studied. For moderate and high values of these variables, effluent vapors are found to be saturated with hydrocarbon during part of the heating step, indicating the presence presence of liquid within the bed. Regeneration behavior is predicted with reasonable accuracy using a nonisothermal stage model.
The importance of bifurcation lesions in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Abstract Background Bifurcation lesions at the time of emergent PCI for STEMI are relatively common. However, there are little data regarding their significance. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of bifurcation lesions in the setting of emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods In 391 patients who underwent primary and rescue PCI, the clinical characteristics, procedural success, and in-hospital cardiac events were compared retrospectively between the patients with and without bifurcation lesions. The PCI strategy was at the discretion of the operator. Results The culprit artery involved a bifurcation lesion in 54/391 (14%) patients. The baseline clinical characteristics between the groups with and without bifurcation lesions were similar. The majority of bifurcation lesions (81%) were seen in the left anterior ascending (LAD) artery. All lesions were treated with the provisional stenting approach, and only 2 (3%) patients required 2 stents. There were no difference in the procedural success and the final TIMI-3 flow, but PCI of bifurcation lesion required higher amount of contrast use. There was no in-hospital MACE in the bifurcation group. The peak cardiac enzyme, left ventricular function, and length of stay were similar in these 2 groups. Conclusions Bifurcation lesions are relatively common in emergent PCI for STEMI involving the LAD. It can be safely treated with a provisional stenting approach, and the immediate outcome is similar to non-bifurcation lesions.
On edge diffraction rays of an open-ended waveguide

Two main results are reported in the development of a system of rays diffracted at the edges of an open-ended parallel-plate waveguide which take care of the coupling effect between the two plates of the waveguide automatically. As an example, the application of such rays to the problem of radiation from an open-ended waveguide recovers the exact solution obtainable by the Wiener-Hopf technique.