cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of the Core Imaging Laboratory in Multicenter Trials

The incorporation of imaging biomarkers and clinical trials is now common. Because of the multiple technical, clinical, and regulatory demands to ensure high-quality quantitative information, the core laboratory serves as a critical intermediary between the study sponsor and the site. It provides unique expertise not found in typical clinical research organizations. This expertise goes far beyond the passive receipt of images for conductance of central reads of data and includes the proactive and early involvement in the selection of sites for imaging, the qualification and assistance for managing the local site logistics, on-the-fly and active quality control of imaging data in close working relationship with sites, and preparation for and conductance of central image reads or quantification in a manner which bears up to regulatory scrutiny.
Prospect theory and pricing decisions

Abstract Kahneman and Tversky's well-known prospect theory predicts that decision-makers will predominantly take the sure thing when choosing between a sure gain and a risky gain of equal or better expected value. We find that, when a price cut decision is presented in a form similar to the prospect theory gamble problems, the majority of respondents (both students and retailers) choose the risky price cut choice, even when the risky choice has a lower expected value . The explanation that perceived short term gains in volume (i.e., the customer base) dominated the price cut decision is examined in detail.
A Dislocation-Based Analytical Model for the Nanoscale Processes of Shear and Plowing Friction

We describe a friction model to link the continuum-based shear and plowing method of Bowden and Tabor with the atomistic processes that occur at the nanoscale. We show that the interfacial shear component can be modeled via dislocation drag at the interface, and the plowing in terms of power-law creep. We show that without empirical friction measurements, this approach has a strong predictive power for the interfacial sliding of crystalline materials.
The mechanisms of collaboration in inventive teams: Composition, social networks, and geography

This paper investigates the composition of creative teams of academic scientists engaged in inventive activity. Our data provides a unique opportunity to explore the links between team composition and commercialization outcomes. We find that there are coordination costs associated with reaching across academic departments and organizational boundaries to build teams. However, we also find evidence of benefits due to knowledge diversity, particularly in the cases of truly novel combinations. In support of internal cohesion arguments, we find that performance improves with the experience of the team. In line with arguments regarding the value of diverse external networks, we find that teams that are composed of members from multiple institutions – focal university, other research institution, and/or industry – are more successful in generating patents, licenses, and royalties. Finally, we find that the presence of prior social ties supporting links with external team members positively influences commercial outcomes. We find that there is no benefit to proximity in team configuration.
Quantitative analysis of right and left ventricular infarction in the presence of postinfarction ventricular septal defect.

To quantitate the amount of right and left ventricular infarction in patients dying with postinfarction ventricular septal defect (PIVSD), hearts from 54 patients with anterior or inferior myocardial infarction were studied at autopsy. Fifteen hearts had myocardial infarction with PIVSD and 39 hearts had infarction without PIVSD and were used as a comparison group. All infarcts were sized histologically and the percent of each ventricle infarcted was quantitated by computer-assisted planimetry. The pathologic substrate for PIVSD was diffuse coronary artery disease with acute thrombosis resulting in transmural confluent infarction. Within the PIVSD group, there was significantly more left ventricle involved in anterior infarctions than in inferior infarctions (p less than .04). Conversely, there was more right ventricular infarction in inferiorly located myocardial infarctions with resulting PIVSD (p = .059). When infarctions resulting in PIVSD were compared with infarctions not resulting in PIVSD, the PIVSD group was characterized by larger left and right ventricular infarcts irrespective of infarct location (p less than .003). The incidence of right ventricular infarction was 100% in the PIVSD group (p less than .0001). Twelve of the 15 patients with PIVSD (80%) developed cardiogenic shock within 48 hr of septal rupture. The high incidence of shock and the rapid deterioration may have been secondary to right ventricular infarction in these patients. Therefore, infarcts resulting in PIVSD and subsequent death are characterized by a high incidence of right ventricular infarction. Significantly more infarction of the right ventricle is seen in either anterior or inferior infarctions resulting in PIVSD compared with infarctions not resulting in PIVSD. PIVSD complicating inferior infarctions is associated with the greatest amount of right ventricular infarction.
Distributed graph visualization on tiled displays

In this paper, we propose a distributed force-directed layout algorithm in order to handle large graph data on tiled display that consists of multiple computing machines and multiple displays connected to each computing machine through Ethernet. The distributed tiled display makes one big screen using multiple displays in order to discern data obviously. Besides, multiple computing devices on tiled displays share the parts of an entire dataset. Therefore, it can dramatically reduce the processing time to visualize data on screen compared with the processing time on a single machine.
(E) and (Z)-β-fluoromethylene-m-tyrosines: Resolution and determination of configuration

Abstract The geometrical isomers of β -fluoromethylene- m -tyrosine ( E and Z ) were prepared and the R and S enantiomers of the biologically active ( E )-isomer were separated with an enantiomeric excess >95% by the kinetic resolution of the racemic mixture using the enzyme α-chymotrypsin. The enantiomers of the ( Z )-isomer were obtained by an acid catalyzed isomerization reaction. The absolute configurations of the isolated enantiomers were determined based on their CD spectral characteristics and chiral HPLC behavior. The R and S enantiomers of ( E )- β -fluoromethylene- m -tyrosine were also analyzed by single crystal X-ray crystallography.
Cyclic Oxidation Modeling and Life Prediction

The cyclic oxidation process can be described as an iterative scale growth and spallation sequence by a number of similar models. Model input variable include oxide scale type and growth parameters, spalling geometry, spall constant, and cycle duration. Outputs include net weight change, the amounts of retained and spalled oxide, the total oxygen and metal consumed, and the terminal rates of weight loss and metal consumption. All models and their variations produce a number of similar characteristic features. In general, spalling and material consumption increase to a steady state rate, at which point the retained scale approaches a constant and the rate of weight loss becomes linear. For one model, this regularity was demonstrated as dimensionless, universal expressions, obtained by normalizing the variables by critical performance factors. These insights were enabled through the use of the COSP for Windows cyclic oxidation spalling program.
A preliminary engineering design of intravascular dual-frequency transducers for contrast-enhanced acoustic angiography and molecular imaging

Current intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) probes are not optimized for contrast detection because of their design for high-frequency fundamental-mode imaging. However, data from transcutaneous contrast imaging suggests the possibility of utilizing contrast ultrasound for molecular imaging or vasa vasorum assessment to further elucidate atherosclerotic plaque deposition. This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of a small-aperture (0.6 × 3 mm) IVUS probe optimized for high-frequency contrast imaging. The design utilizes a dual-frequency (6.5 MHz/30 MHz) transducer arrangement for exciting microbubbles at low frequencies (near their resonance) and detecting their broadband harmonics at high frequencies, minimizing detected tissue backscatter. The prototype probe is able to generate nonlinear microbubble response with more than 1.2 MPa of rarefractional pressure (mechanical index: 0.48) at 6.5 MHz, and is also able to detect microbubble response with a broadband receiving element (center frequency: 30 MHz, -6-dB fractional bandwidth: 58.6%). Nonlinear super-harmonics from microbubbles flowing through a 200-μm-diameter micro-tube were clearly detected with a signal-to-noise ratio higher than 12 dB. Preliminary phantom imaging at the fundamental frequency (30 MHz) and dual-frequency super-harmonic imaging results suggest the promise of small aperture, dual-frequency IVUS transducers for contrast-enhanced IVUS imaging.
Synamorphy, monophyly, and cladistic analysis: A reply to Wilkinson

Wilkinson (1991) suggests that the problems of polarity decisions and homoplasy in a cladistic analysis may be solved if cladists simply accept plesiomorphy as a reliable indicator of monophyly. Here we argue that: (1) Wilkinson's argument is based on misapprehension of synapomorphy and the problem of homoplasy; (2) His proposed methodology fails to consider the full ramifications of rooting, polarity, and parsimony; and (3) His method does not solve the problems he raises. We demonstrate the limitations of this methodology by using Wilkinson's practical example. We find no justification for the assertion that plesiomorphy may reliably delimit monophyly and recommend against Wilkinson's suggested methodological revisions.
Redox modulation of cellular signaling and metabolism through reversible oxidation of methionine sensors in calcium regulatory proteins.

Adaptive responses associated with environmental stressors are critical to cell survival. Under conditions when cellular redox and antioxidant defenses are overwhelmed, the selective oxidation of critical methionines within selected protein sensors functions to down-regulate energy metabolism and the further generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mechanistically, these functional changes within protein sensors take advantage of the helix-breaking character of methionine sulfoxide. The sensitivity of several calcium regulatory proteins to oxidative modification provides cellular sensors that link oxidative stress to cellular response and recovery. Calmodulin (CaM) is one such critical calcium regulatory protein, which is functionally sensitive to methionine oxidation. Helix destabilization resulting from the oxidation of either Met144 or Met145 results in the nonproductive association between CaM and target proteins. The ability of oxidized CaM to stabilize its target proteins in an inhibited state with an affinity similar to that of native (unoxidized) CaM permits this central regulatory protein to function as a cellular rheostat that down-regulates energy metabolism in response to oxidative stress. Likewise, oxidation of a methionine within a critical switch region of the regulatory protein phospholamban is expected to destabilize the phosphorylation-dependent helix formation necessary for the release of enzyme inhibition, resulting in a down-regulation of the Ca-ATPase in response to β-adrenergic signaling in the heart. We suggest that under acute conditions, such as inflammation or ischemia, these types of mechanisms ensure minimal nonspecific cellular damage, allowing for rapid restoration of cellular function through repair of oxidized methionines by methionine sulfoxide reductases and degradation pathways after restoration of normal cellular redox conditions.
Soil background effects on the spectral response of a three-component rangeland scene

Abstract Landsat data were simulated for a three-component rangeland scene consisting of grass, brush, and soil to evaluate the effect of soil background reflectance on the sensitivity of ratio and orthogonal spectral indices to vegetation density. The simulations were done using soils with low, intermediate, and high reflectances for conditions representing periods of active growth in which brush and grass are green, and summer dormancy in which brush is green and grass is dormant. When soil reflectance was low, the sensitivities of the ratio vegetation index and the normalized difference decreased as the density of green vegetation increased. When soil reflectance was high, the sensitivity of these same indices increased as vegetation density increased. The sensitivity of greenness, calculated from published coefficients, was greater when soil reflectance was low, and differences due to soil reflectance decreased as canopy cover increased. The sensitivity of soil-specific greenness, calculated from coefficients derived from the simulated data, was greater when soil reflectance was high, and differences due to soil reflectance increased as canopy cover increased. Soil reflectance also affected the sensitivity of the indices to the density of dormant grass. The results suggest that discrimination of brush and vegetation may not be possible during active growth when both are green, but may succeed during summer dormancy when the grass is dormant. The results further suggest that even if soil-specific calibrations and soil lines are used, the accuracy of any estimates of rangeland vegetation density derived from the indices may vary with the soil background.
The role of redundancy in language and language teaching

Abstract Redundancy exists at all levels of language: from phonemes and spelling, words and affixes, through syntax, semantics, and discourse. It exists in the reciprocity of linguistic, kinesic, and situational channels of communication. This paper illustrates the operation of redundancy at the various levels and in different communication channels. It examines the significance of redundancy in language learning and offers several exercises that help students develop the ability to utilize redundancy in learning a foreign language.
Particle size distribution of rat lung residues after exposure to fiberglass dust clouds.

One group of rats exposed for 2 months to airborne fiberglass dust less than 3.9 microns in aerodynamic equivalent diameter received intratracheal papain prior to inhalation in order to produce emphysema, while a second group did not. The animals were periodically sacrificed after exposure, a few serial sections of the lungs of each animal were taken, and lung tissue digestion was performed to obtain lung dust residues for analysis. Samples of each lung residue were counted and sized by optical phase contrast microscopy and by electron microscopy.
Confocal laser endomicroscopy in Barrett's esophagus and endoscopically inapparent Barrett's neoplasia: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover trial

Background The detection of high-grade dysplasia and cancer in Barrett's esophagus (BE) can be challenging. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) allows in vivo visualization of mucosal histology during endoscopy. Objective To determine whether CLE with optical biopsy and targeted mucosal biopsy improves the diagnostic yield of endoscopically inapparent, BE-associated neoplasia compared to standard endoscopy with a 4-quadrant, random biopsy protocol. Design Prospective, double-blind, randomized, crossover study. Setting Single, tertiary-care academic center. Patients This study involved patients with BE undergoing routine surveillance or referred for treatment of nonlocalized, endoscopically inapparent, BE-associated neoplasia. Intervention All participants underwent both a confocal endomicroscopy with a targeted biopsy procedure and standard endoscopy with a 4-quadrant biopsy procedure in a randomized order. Main Outcome Measurements Increase in diagnostic yield for neoplasia, reduction in mucosal biopsy number, final pathologic diagnosis. Results CLE with targeted biopsy almost doubled the diagnostic yield for neoplasia and was equivalent to the standard protocol for the final diagnosis of neoplasia. Two thirds of patients in the surveillance group did not need any mucosal biopsies at all. Limitation Single-center study. Conclusion CLE with targeted biopsy significantly improves the diagnostic yield for endoscopically inapparent BE neoplasia compared to a standard endoscopy with a random-biopsy protocol. CLE with targeted biopsy also greatly reduces the number of biopsies needed per patient and allows some patients without neoplasia to completely forgo mucosal biopsy. (This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov, ID number NCT00487695.)
Pottery Invention and Innovation in East Asia and the Near East

The invention of ceramic objects made from fire-hardened clay represents an important and early step in the development of pyrotechnology. This paper examines pottery invention and innovation by hunter-gatherers in East Asia and by farmers in the Near East to examine how prehistoric communities in different socio-economic systems came to rely heavily on fired-clay containers. Drawing on advances in archaeological science, it examines from a comparative perspective early pottery's broader entanglements related to technology and use and argues that early pottery production by farmers in the Near East can be viewed as a process of innovation in a longer tradition of container technology, while the first hunter-gatherer pottery production in East Asia provides a better case for independent invention.
Multiple Heavy Chain Classes and Light Chain Types on Surfaces of Cultured Human Lymphoid Cells

MATURE B lymphocytes and plasma cells synthesise and secrete immunoglobulin antibodies restricted as to class, light chain type, allotype, idiotype and specificity1 in accordance with the predictions of the clonal selection theory2. Membrane-associated immunoglobulin displayed on the surfaces of lymphocytes is also of a single class, light chain type and allotype3, 4 and is monospecific with respect to antibody combining sites5.
Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcal Sternal Wound Infections After Open Heart Operations

Abstract Background. Coagulase-negative staphylococci are commonly isolated from wounds of patients after median sternotomy; however, the epidemiology of these infections is poorly described and the morbidity, mortality, and cost of care remain undefined. Methods. Retrospectively, we studied all patients with sternal wound infections attributable to coagulase-negative staphylococci after 22,180 open heart procedures performed at the Cleveland Clinic between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 1994 (84 months). In an assessment of potential risk factors for sternal wound infections caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, 17 patients with coagulase-negative staphylococcal sternal wound infections were compared with 29 patients who underwent open heart operations without subsequent sternal wound infections, as well as with another 22 patients in whom sternal wound infections attributable to other pathogens developed. Results. A total of 436 sternal wound infections were identified (19 per 1,000 procedures), of which 100 (23%) were attributable to coagulase-negative staphylococci (4.5 per 1,000). Fifty-six percent of coagulase-negative staphylococcal sternal wound infections were superficial, 27% were deep, and 17% represented mediastinitis; 14% of patients had a concomitant secondary bloodstream infection. Ninety-two percent of coagulase-negative staphylococcal isolates were methicillin resistant. The mean interval from operation to onset of infection was 24 days (range, 4 to 388 days), and most patients had purulent discharge from the chest wound, fever, and leukocytosis. Adverse outcomes included reexploration (39%), flap operation (12%), and sternectomy (5%); 89% required parenteral antibiotics for a mean of 22 days. This resulted in 2,600 additional hospital days, with an average additional direct cost per case of $20,000. In both case-control studies, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was the only risk factor significantly associated with sternal wound infections attributable to coagulase-negative staphylococci ( p value=0.02 by two-tailed Fisher's exact test). Conclusions. Sternal wound infections attributable to coagulase-negative staphylococci had a substantial impact on cardiothoracic surgery-related morbidity. (Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:395–401)
Film formation from pigmented latex systems: Mechanical and surface properties of ground calcium carbonate/functionalized poly(n‐butyl methacrylate‐co‐n‐butyl acrylate) latex blend films

The mechanical and surface properties of films prepared from model latex/pigment blends were studied using tensile tests, surface gloss measurements, and atomic force microscopy. Functionalized poly(n-butyl methacrylate-co-n-butyl acrylate) [P(BMA/BA)] and ground calcium carbonate (GCC) were used as latex and extender pigment particles, respectively. The critical pigment volume concentration of this pigment/latex blend system was found to be between 50 and 60 vol % as determined by surface gloss measurement and tensile testing of the blend films. As the pigment volume concentration increased in the blends, the Young's modulus of the films increased. Nielsen's equations were found to fit the experimental data very well. When the surface coverage of carboxyl groups on the latex particles was increased, the yield strength and Young's modulus of the films both increased, indicating better adhesion at the interfaces between the GCC and latex particles. When the carboxyl groups were neutralized during the film formation process, regions with reduced chain mobility were formed. These regions acted as a filler to improve the modulus of the copolymer matrix and the modulus of the resulting films. The carboxyl groups on the latex particle surfaces increased the surface smoothness of the films as determined by surface gloss measurement. When the initial stabilizer coverage of the latex particles was increased, the mechanical strength of the resulting films increased. At the same time, rougher film surfaces also were observed because of the migration of the stabilizer to the surface during film formation. With smaller-sized latex particles, the pigment/latex blends had higher yield strength and Young's modulus. Higher film formation temperatures strengthen the resulting films and also influence their surface morphology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 4550–4560, 2006
A masked randomized comparison of oral and vaginal administration of misoprostol for labor induction.

Objective: To test the null hypothesis that administering misoprostol orally or vaginally will result in no difference in time to vaginal birth, and to determine whether different frequencies of tachysystole and hyperstimulation are associated with route of administration. -- Methods: Two hundred six women after 37 completed weeks' gestation who presented with an indication for induction were randomly assigned to receive misoprostol (50 μg) orally or vaginally every 4 hours as needed to induce labour. Placebo use and allocation concealment accomplished blinding until data analysis was completed. Sample size was calculated to allow a two tailed α of .05 and power (1-β) of 80%. All fetal heart rate and uterine activity graphs were classified according to Curtis' criteria before the induction groups were unmasked. -- Results: Analysis involved 104 women in the oral group and 102 in the vaginal group. The mean time (± standard deviation) to vaginal birth with oral misoprostol was 1072 (±593) minutes compared with 846 (±385) minutes with the vaginal protocol (P = .004). There were no significant differences in cesarean rate, epidural use or neonatal outcomes. More frequent tachysystole for 20 minutes (P < .01) and hyperstimulation (P < .04) were observed with vaginal misoprostol. No neonatal asphyxia occurred in either group. -- Conclusion: Misoprostol effectively induces labour, given orally or vaginally. There is a shorter interval to vaginal birth with vaginal application; however, the more frequent occurrence of fetal heart graph abnormalities in this group suggests that, until the optimal dosing interval for vaginal use is determined, the preferred route of misoprostol administration might be oral.
Lithium ratio in vitro. Diagnosis and lithium carbonate response in psychotic patients.

• The distribution of RBC lithium ratios in vitro in a recently hospitalized psychiatric population was found to be multimodal. Psychotic patients who had an antipsychotic response during open trials of lithium carbonate alone were identified with high sensitivity (89%), but low specificity (51%) before drug treatment, by lithium ratios that were in the extreme modes of the distribution ( 0.38). Diagnostic efficiency of the test was 61%. The DSM-III diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder demonstrated 90% diagnostic efficiency in predicting response/nonresponse during treatment with lithium carbonate alone. A subgroup of the psychotic disorders was similar to affective disorders with respect to course of illness, biological characteristics, and response to lithium carbonate.
Experimental scleral cross-linking increases glaucoma damage in a mouse model.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a scleral cross-linking agent on susceptibility to glaucoma damage in a mouse model.CD1 mice underwent 3 subconjunctival injections of 0.5 M glyceraldehyde (GA) in 1 week, then had elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) induced by bead injection. Degree of cross-linking was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), scleral permeability was measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), and the mechanical effects of GA exposure were measured by inflation testing. Control mice had buffer injection or no injection in 2 separate glaucoma experiments. IOP was monitored by Tonolab and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss was measured by histological axon counting. To rule out undesirable effects of GA, we performed electroretinography and detailed histology of the retina. GA exposure had no detectable effects on RGC number, retinal structure or function either histologically or electrophysiologically. GA increased cross-linking of sclera by 37% in an ELISA assay, decreased scleral permeability (FRAP, p = 0.001), and produced a steeper pressure–strain behavior by in vitro inflation testing. In two experimental glaucoma experiments, GA-treated eyes had greater RGC axon loss from elevated IOP than either buffer-injected or control eyes, controlling for level of IOP exposure over time (p = 0.01, and 0.049, multivariable regression analyses). This is the first report that experimental alteration of the sclera, by cross-linking, increases susceptibility to RGC damage in mice.
Ion-irradiation studies of cascade damage in metals

Abstract Ion-irradiation studies of the fundamental aspects of cascade damage in metals, which have been performed at Argonne National Laboratory, are reviewed. The emphasis of these studies has been the determination of the primary state of damage (i.e. the arrangement of atoms in the cascade region prior to thermal migration of defects). Progress has been made towards understanding the damage function (i.e. the number of Frenkel pairs produced as a function of primary recoil atom energy), the spatial configuration of vacancies and interstitials in the cascade and the cascade-induced mixing of atoms. It is concluded from these studies that the agitation of the lattice in the vicinity of energetic displacement cascades stimulates defect motion and that such thermal-spike motion induces recombination and clustering of Frenkel defects.
Tracking Electrons and Atoms in a Photoexcited Metalloporphyrin by X-ray Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

Simultaneously tracking electronic and molecular structures of a photoexcited metalloporphyrin, present for only 200 ps in a dilute solution, has been realized using X-ray transient absorption spectroscopy (XTA). Using laser pulses as excitation sources and delayed X-ray pulses as probes, we were able to identify the excited state electronic configuration of a nickel porphyrin as singly occupied 3dx2-y2 and 3dz2 molecular orbitals (MOs) with an energy gap of ∼2.2 eV, and energy shifts 4pz MOs to 1.5 eV higher relative to that of the ground state, and an expanded porphyrin ring characterized by lengthening of Ni−N and Ni−C bonds. Moreover, kinetic XTA signals at different X-ray photon energies demonstrate the capability for acquiring the correlation and coherence between different optically excited states with the same technique. These results provide guidance for theoretical calculations as well as insightful understanding of optically excited states that play important roles in photochemical processes.
Phosphorylation activity associated with plasma membrane-cortical granule complex of xenopus laevis oocytes

Summary Plasma membrane-cortical granule complexes from Xenopus laevis oocytes were isolated by a differential centrifugation procedure. Membrane preparations incorporated 32 P from [γ- 32 P]ATP predominantly into three protein bands of M r 128,000, 54,000 and 29,000, as determined by sodium dodecyl-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Progesterone and insulin, added in vitro to membranes, did not produce any change in this phosphorylation pattern, contrary to some previously published results. The availability of enriched membrane complexes should permit further biochemical dissection of signal transduction pathways that are activated during oocyte maturation and fertilization.
An analysis of the fractional step method

The fractional step method for solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in primitive variables is analyzed as a block LU decomposition. In this formulation the issues involving boundary conditions for the intermediate velocity variables and the pressure are clearly resolved. In addition, it is shown that poor temporal accuracy (first-order) is not due to boundary conditions, but due to the method itself. A generalized block LU decomposition that overcomes this difficulty is presented, allowing arbitrarily high temporal order of accuracy. The generalized decomposition is shown to be useful for a wide range of problems including steady problems. Technical issues, such as stability and the appropriate pressure update scheme, are also addressed. Numerical simulations of the steady, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in a square domain confirm the theoretical results. 18 refs., 4 figs.
Introducing China's First Comprehensive Technical Writing Book: On Technological Subjects by Song Yingxing

On Technological Subjects, written and completed by Song Yingxing in 1628, is China's first comprehensive technical writing book intended for a general audience. Its 18 chapters cover nearly all the major technological subjects of its time, such as growing grains, weaving clothes, making sugar and salt, and building ships. The book accommodates various audiences' information needs by combining equipment and material descriptions, process explanations, and task instructions. To help audiences understand his descriptions and to follow his instructions more effectively, the author integrates 100 full-page detailed drawings. Another mechanism that the author uses to help his audiences complete the described tasks is using names (nouns) instead of action-oriented phrases for most of the chapter titles. Song's book embodies several important features in modern technical communication, especially in China's modern technical communication. The book should help international technical communicators understand Chin...
Designing an Effective Concurrent Enrollment Program: A Focus on Quality of Instruction and Student Outcomes.

At Salt Lake Community College the concurrent enrollment department has structured a program that provides quality instruction for students by focusing on faculty development, and it creates a healthy partnership between public and higher education institutions.
Simulating speckle interferometry

This paper describes a simulator we have developed to model speckle imaging and resconstruction of astronomical objects. The simulator was designed as a tool in the development of new signal and image processing techniques for our high resolution imaging research. It has been found to accurately replicate the speckle imaging process, and can be used to predict experimental results under various environmental conditions. The simulator is described in detail, including the modeling of atmospheric turbulence effects, the generation of speckle images, and the simulation of the telescope and image detection processes.
Cyclic changes in polyribosomes of synchronized Tetrahymena pyriformis

Abstract Zonal centrifugation of indole-lysed synchronized Tetrahymena taken at the end of the cold period (cycle time = 9.5 hr at 12 °C and 2.5 hr at 27 °C) shows substantial amounts of polyribosomes. Predivision warm-period cells show a decrease in single 82 S ribosomes but no major changes in the higher multiple aggregates of polyribosomes. Cells treated with actinomycin D (10 μg/ml) 1 hr before the shift from the cold period to the warm period but lysed 1 hr after the onset of the warm period showed an increase in 82 S single ribosomes and a very noticeable reduction in polyribosomes. Analytical ultracentrifugation further showed that anomalous 70 S ribosomes are present only in actinomycin D-treated and postdivision cells under conditions where breakdown of 82 S ribosomes is known to occur. From all of these findings, it is suggested that a cyclic formation and breakdown of polyribosomes occurs in temperature synchronized Tetrahymena . It is suggested that more polyribosomes are present in cells actively engaged in protein synthesis during morphogenesis while a breakdown and the presence of fewer polyribosomes occurs in cells not engaged in morphogenesis following cell division.
T-Matrix computations of zenith-enhanced lidar backscatter from horizontally oriented ice plates

Zenith-enhanced backscattering (ZEB) of a lidar beam by cirrus clouds is a remarkable phenomenon usually explained in terms of specular reflection from large plane facets of horizontally oriented ice plates. Since the standard geometric optics approximation (GO) may be inapplicable in many cases, especially in analyzing infrared measurements, and ignores physical optics effects, we use the recently improved exact T-matrix method to compute the scattering of light by ice plates at visible and infrared wavelengths. Computations for horizontally and randomly oriented thin disks and oblate spheroids with size parameters up to 50 show that while all particles produce a strong Fraunhofer diffraction peak centered at exactly the forward-scattering direction, a strong and narrow ZEB peak can be produced only by horizontally oriented disks but not by horizontally oriented spheroids or particles in random orientation. This finding demonstrates that ZEB can be produced even by particles which are not in the GO domain of size parameters and supports the traditional interpretation of ZEB. Also, we have found that the angular width of the ZEB peak for horizontally oriented disks is equal to half the width of the Fraunhofer diffraction peak. This result can be used in practice to derive a lower estimate of ice particle sizes from high angular resolution measurements of ZEB. We show that our exact T-matrix computations can explain the peculiar zenith-angle dependence of depolarization observed by Platt et al. [1978] in the visible and can be interpreted qualitatively in terms of the modified Kirchhoff approximation.
Effects of hydrothermal alteration on the compositions of chromian spinels

Chromite spinels in hydrothermally altered rocks from fracture-zone ultramafic rocks and from both ultramafic cumulate pods and sheeted dikes in the Josephine ophiolite, California, display a wide variety of compositions. Alteration of the spinel may not be visible in thin section. The primary composition changes accompanying hydrothermal alteration are increase in Cr/(Cr+Al) and/or Fe2+/(Fe2++Mg). In general, altered spinel grains associated with hornblende and chlorite show an increase in Cr/(Cr+Al) from core to rim. Altered spinel grains associated with serpentine show an increase in Fe2+/(Fe2++Mg) from core to rim but may not show an increase in Cr/(Cr+Al). The compositional zoning in some altered spinel grains appears to result both from reaction of clinopyroxene plus spinel to form hornblende, and from reaction of hornblende to form chlorite. These observations suggest that subsolidus hydrothermal metamorphic effects need to be considered when interpreting spinel compositions and the compositions should not be interpreted solely in terms of igneous processes. Further, the presence of highly altered spinels may be indicative of hydrothermal alteration in rocks where other evidence of such alteration is absent.
A Comparison of Selected Quality and Compositional Characteristics of Brown and White Shell Eggs. III. Composition and Nutritional Characteristics

Abstract Eggs were obtained from three brown and three white shell commercial layer strains during 12 28-day production periods. Forty-eight eggs were randomly selected from each of the six strains during the last week of each period. The 61.5-g average egg weight for the brown shell eggs was significantly greater than the 60.3-g average weight of the white shell eggs. Significant differences were also found for the component parts. The overall means for percent shell were 9.35 and 8.65, for percent yolk 27.6 and 26.8, and for percent albumen 63.1 and 64.5 for the white shell eggs and the brown shell eggs, respectively. The only significant difference found in chemical composition was the percentage of albumen solids, which was 11.2 for the brown shell eggs and 10.8 for the white shell eggs.
Symmetric QP and linear programming under primal-dual uncertainty

A saddle-point formulation of linear programming problems with random objective function and RHS coefficients is proposed. Under a certainty equivalent criterion, a pair of primal-dual deterministic equivalents is derived. These problems are symmetric dual quadratic programs, and can be interpreted as generalizations of the classical mean-variance model.
Asymptotic behavior of solutions of a linear second-order difference equation

Abstract It is known that if Σ ∞ j ∣ p j ∣ Δ 2 y n − 1 = p n y n , n = 1,|, has solutions { y 1n } and { y 2n } such that lim n →∞ y 1 n = lim n →∞ y 2 n / n = 1. Here it is shown that this conclusion holds if the series ρ ∞ jp j converges (perhaps conditionally) and satisfies a second condition which is weaker than absolute convergence. Estimates of { y 1 n } and { Δy in }, i = 1,2, as n →∞ are also given.
Water sorption from air by celite-supported CaCl2: Mathematical model/experimental studies

A feasible means for the long-term storage of thermal energy considers the hydration of CaCl2. Differential and integral beds of Celite pellets impregnated with CaCl2 were employed to dehydrate humid air. Experimental studies were used in modeling the behavior of this system, which involved the solution of four partial differential equations. The simultaneous solution of these equations, using a modified Gear's method, yielded information about the temperature and composition distribution of both the air stream and the impregnated pellets. The mathematical solution predicts the time-dependent moving front characterized by a maximum temperature. Predicted and experimental measurements were found to be in good agreement.
Ageing studies in rat liver II. Patterns of cellular and cell-free protein synthesis from one to ten months of age

Potential changes in liver protein biosynthesis were investigated in 1 to 10-month-old male Fischer F344 rats by isolation and translation of polysome-derived poly(A)-containing RNA and by incubation of isolated hepatocytes in Swim's S77 medium supplemented with [3H]leucine. Labeled protein products were analyzed by one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by fluorography. The protein profiles revealed that the translation products of poly(A)-containing RNA derived from the livers of 1 -months-old animals lacked a major 22000 dalton band which was present in comparable profiles from livers of older animals. In parallel experiments, gel profiles of products from cultured hepatocytes isolated from 1-month-old animals were missing an 18000 dalton band which was seen in preparations from older animals. With livers from rats between 2 and 10 months of age, however, no age-related changes in the pattern of protein biosynthesis were detected either in the products of poly(A)-containing RNA translated in vitro or in the cellular and secreted proteins of intact hepatocytes. Furthermore, the polysome content (A1(260)cm/g tissue) was constant between 1 and 10 months of age, providing a constant amount of tissue was processed. A procedure for maximizing the yield of polysomes is described. These results suggest that the decline in protein synthesis observed in rat liver and in cultured hepatocytes during the first year of life is not due to changes in mRNA content or the variety of specific products synthesized, but results primarily from an overall decrease in protein biosynthesis, probably at the level of peptide chain elongation.
Bully for Apatosaurus

Thin at one end, thicker in the middle, then thin again at the other end, Brontosaurus is one of the most famous dinosaurs. So why do paleontologists call it Apatosaurus? Othniel Charles Marsh coined both names from two relatively complete specimens in the late 1870s. Additional specimens collected during the second American Jurassic dinosaur rush (1895-1905) provided the material for revisions. Henry Fairfield Osborn, who detested Marsh, systematically sought to overturn his work. Yet it was Elmer Samuel Riggs who showed that Marsh's Apatosaurus and Brontosaurus are synonymous, and Osborn who stubbornly, and inexplicably, adhered to the latter.
Implementation of aerosol assimilation in Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (v. 3.2) and WRF-Chem (v. 3.4.1)

Abstract. Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) is an assimilation tool that is used at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in operational weather forecasting in the USA. In this article, we describe implementation of an extension to the GSI for assimilating surface measurements of PM2.5, PM10, and MODIS aerosol optical depth at 550 nm with WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry). We also present illustrative results. In the past, the aerosol assimilation system has been employed to issue daily PM2.5 forecasts at NOAA/ESRL (Earth System Research Laboratory) and, we believe, it is well tested and mature enough to be made available for wider use. We provide a package that, in addition to augmented GSI, consists of software for calculating background error covariance statistics and for converting in situ and satellite data to BUFR (Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological data) format, and sample input files for an assimilation exercise. Thanks to flexibility in the GSI and coupled meteorology–chemistry of WRF-Chem, assimilating aerosol observations can be carried out simultaneously with meteorological data assimilation. Both GSI and WRF-Chem are well documented with user guides available online. This article is primarily intended to be a technical note on the implementation of the aerosol assimilation. Its purpose is also to provide guidance for prospective users of the computer code. Scientific aspects of aerosol assimilation are also briefly discussed.
Failure to Find Executive Function Deficits Following One Night's Total Sleep Deprivation in University Students Under Naturalistic Conditions

Young adult male students participated in a naturalistic, group-design experiment to ascertain the effects of one night's total sleep deprivation (TSD) on performance of diverse executive function tasks presented as an extended, multitask battery. On the majority of component tasks in this battery, performance has been reported to be impaired following one night's TSD when tasks are administered in isolation. However, participants sleep deprived 35 to 39 hr showed few performance deficits among tests in this battery when compared with non-sleep-deprived controls. Sleep-deprived participants showed only poorer recognition memory and overconfidence in incorrect temporal judgments. Behavioral and physiological adaptation to chronically sleep-restricting lifestyles may confer resistance to the cognitive effects of sleep deprivation in high-functioning young adults.
Dihydropteridine reductase activity in eluates from dried blood spots: automation of an assay for a national screening service.

We describe the automation, using a Cobas Bio centrifugal analyser, of a method for dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) assay in eluates from dried blood spots. This is used as part of a routine screening service of neonates with hyperphenylalaninaemia in the United Kingdom. Automation reduced reagent volumes and analysis time by about 80% and improved the precision of the assay. Relating DHPR activity to haemoglobin concentration of the eluate further improved the precision of the assay and removed some differences in ‘apparent’ DHPR activity between samples from different countries and different age groups.
Biofilms in Infections of the Eye

The ability to form biofilms in a variety of environments is a common trait of bacteria, and may represent one of the earliest defenses against predation. Biofilms are multicellular communities usually held together by a polymeric matrix, ranging from capsular material to cell lysate. In a structure that imposes diffusion limits, environmental microgradients arise to which individual bacteria adapt their physiologies, resulting in the gamut of physiological diversity. Additionally, the proximity of cells within the biofilm creates the opportunity for coordinated behaviors through cell–cell communication using diffusible signals, the most well documented being quorum sensing. Biofilms form on abiotic or biotic surfaces, and because of that are associated with a large proportion of human infections. Biofilm formation imposes a limitation on the uses and design of ocular devices, such as intraocular lenses, posterior contact lenses, scleral buckles, conjunctival plugs, lacrimal intubation devices and orbital implants. In the absence of abiotic materials, biofilms have been observed on the capsule, and in the corneal stroma. As the evidence for the involvement of microbial biofilms in many ocular infections has become compelling, developing new strategies to prevent their formation or to eradicate them at the site of infection, has become a priority.