cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Digital media in the home: technical and research challenges

This article attempts to identify some of the technology and research challenges facing the digital media industry in the future. We first discuss several trends in the industry, such as the rapid growth of broadband Internet networks and the emergence of networking and media-capable devices in the home. Next, we present technical challenges that result from these trends, such as effective media interoperability in devices, and provide a brief overview of Windows Media, which is one of the technologies in the market attempting to address these challenges. Finally, given these trends and the state of the art, we argue that further research on data compression, encoder optimization, and multi-format transcoding can potentially make a significant technical and business impact in digital media. We also explore the reasons that research on related techniques such as wavelets or scalable video coding is having a relatively minor impact in today’s practical digital media systems.
A mathematical model for space system reliability studies

Abstract The development of a model to assess the probabilities of important mission consequences—such as forced terminations and the loss of vehicles—traceable to the element failure and monitoring characteristics of any defined redundant subsystem, is described. This model accommodates the various possible modes of monitor malfunction, accepting as inputs the assumed probabilities of each. Then, the model generates, by successive matrix multiplication, the redundancy level probability status at the end of each mission phase, thereby accommodating alternate transition matrices reflecting different monitor operation during the various mission phases. From the resulting redundancy states, specific mission consequences can readily be interpreted. Following the presentation of model development, suitable applications are discussed, including a specific example.
A comparison of axonal numbers in dorsal roots following spinal cord hemisection in neonate and adult rats

Abstract This study presentsd mtelinated and unmyelinated axon counts from thoracic dorsal roots of rats whose spinal cords were hemisected at birth or at 1 year of age. Axonal numbers from a root on the unoperated side are compared to numbers from the root of the same segment on the operated side of the animal. Counts were made 3 segments cranially and 3 segments caudally from the hemisection. In animals hemisected at birth and sacrified at 3–8 months, there is a statistically significant increase in unmyelinated axons in roots of the operated as compared to the normal side. We interpret this as sprouting of unmyelinated axons. In animals hemisected at 1 year of age, the statistically significant change was a drop in myelinated axons in roots of the operated side. We interpret this as a loss of myelinated axon cell bodies due to axon section in the dorsal funiculus. Thus axonal sprouting occurs in young rats in our paradigm and a loss of myelinated axons occurs in older animals. We emphasize that different axonal populations respond to hemisection in different ways at different times.
Numerical simulation and analysis of thermally excited waves in plasma crystals

Abstract A numerical model for a 2D-monolayer plasma crystal was established using the Box_tree code. Box_tree is a Barnes_Hut tree code which has proven effective in modeling systems composed of large numbers of particles. Thermally excited waves in this plasma crystal were numerically simulated and dispersion relations for both the longitudinal and transverse wave modes were found. These were compared with the dispersion relations extrapolated from experiment as well as a theory based on harmonic approximation. The results were found to agree with theoretical dispersion relations under different wave propagation directions with different particle charges and over a range of 0.9 κ
Nanocrystalline Eu3+ Doped M3Al2O6 (M : Ba, Ca and Sr) Red Phosphors Prepared by Sucrose-PVA-Metal Ion Complex Route

Nanocrystalline ( 3+ - doped M3Al2O6 (M = Ba, Ca and Sr) phosphors were prepared by an aqueous sucrose-PVA-metal ion complex route. The aqueous sucrose-PVA solution includes 20 mol% PVA, and the method is based on the dehydration of a transparent metal ion-sucrose-PVA solution to a highly viscous liquid and then precursor formation by heating at 250°C. The phase formation and the crystallite size measurements were made by x-ray diffraction techniques. Photon correlation analysis revealed that all synthesized phosphor particles range in size from 400 nm to a few microns. The photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation characteristics have been investigated. All samples have broad CT bands centered at around 269 nm and only the Ca 3 Al 2 O 6 :Eu 3+ exhibited the characteristic f-f transitions of Eu 3+ ions mainly located at 396 and 465 nm in comparable levels with the CT band. The emission spectrum of Ca 3 Al 2 O 6 :Eu 3+ is dominated by the red ( 5 D 0 iae 7 F 2 ) transition band located at 614 nm, however the Eu 3+ doped Sr 3 Al 2 O 6 and Ba 3 Al 2 O 6 phosphors have comparable emission intensity in the red (5D0 iae 7F2 ) and orange (5D0 iae 7F1 ) transition bands. The highest intensity of the red emission was obtained when the Ca 3 Al 2 O 6 :Eu 3+ phosphor was excited at 396 nm.
Strain heating as a mechanism for partial melting and ultrahigh temperature metamorphism in convergent orogens: Implications of temperature-dependent thermal diffusivity and rheology

[1] We explore the importance of strain heating in ductile shear zones for production of leucogranites and high-temperature metamorphism in collisional orogens with temperature-dependent thermal diffusivity (D) and rock rheology. New measurements on metamorphic rocks from the Bohemian Massif show that D is ∼1.3 mm2/s at 25°C and decreases exponentially to as low as 0.4 mm2/s at >600°C. This temperature dependence causes model lithospheric geotherms to be straighter compared to geotherms calculated with a constant D. Using power law parameters for rheology, we show that deformation of quartzite at strain rate of 3 × 10−13 s−1 produces >100 μW/m3 at 550°C and ∼7 μW/m3 at 800°C. Deformation of stronger clinopyroxenite at this strain rate produces ∼8 μW/m3 even at 1050°C. When strain heating is introduced by a 3 km thick ductile shear zone with quartz rheology at the depth of 35 km in a lithosphere that has 70 km thick crust and 60 km thick lithospheric mantle, the schist solidus is reached by ∼8 Myr in the vicinity of the shear zone deforming at the strain rate of 3 × 10−13 s−1. For clinopyroxenite rheology, ultrahigh temperature (UHT) metamorphic conditions are reached in ∼40 Myr after initiation of strain heating. Two-dimensional models that replicate the exhumation of the Greater Himalaya crystalline rocks above the Main Central thrust produce extensive partial melting and an inverted metamorphic field gradient. Occurrences of leucogranites within crustal shear zone systems may be evidence of the coupling between deformation and heat production in the crust.
Geodynamic significance of spasmodic, cretaceous, rapid subsidence rates, continental shelf U.S.A.

Abstract Subsurface Cretaceous shallow-water sedimentary rocks of the exposed continental shelf between New York and southern Florida provide evidence of two periods of relatively high sedimentation and subsidence rates. North and south of the Cape Fear and Peninsula Arches, Late Aptian to Early Albian rates range from 50 to over 150 meters/ million years; in Coniacian/Santonian time, rates exceeding 30 meters/million years occur sporadically, even across the area of the Arches. A common, global phenomenon that affected both cratons and continental shelves is believed to have caused these periods of relatively rapid basin subsidence and consequent rapid sediment accumulation.
Relationship between total and extractable cotton leaf potassium in studies involving soil and foliar applied treatments

Abstract Information on the potassium (K) concentration of cotton leaves is useful to researchers, consultants, and producers for evaluating possible nutrient deficiencies and subsequent need for fertilizer applications. Procedures for evaluating leaf K concentrations generally involve digestion techniques requiring considerable time per sample. Extraction procedures require less time per sample for evaluating nutrient concentrations. An extraction method needs to be correlated with digestion data to evaluate accuracy of the procedure. This study was initiated to evaluate total leaf K, as detected by the sulfuric acid (H2SO4)‐hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) method, and extractable leaf K, using 2% acetic acid, in selected leaf materials representing a wide range of soil‐extractable K, foliar treatments, and growing conditions. Cotton leaves previously collected from other experiments with known total K concentrations were extracted with 2% acetic acid. Regression analyses were conducted evaluating digestible and...
Gagliardo-Nirenberg Imbeddings and DiPerna-Majda Sequences

A uniform positivity assumption on the mixed derivative of the stream function is shown to imply L$^{2}$-compactness of DiPerna-Majda sequences for two-dimensional incompressible flow. A related `compact positive cone' result is shown to hold for Gagliardo-Nirenberg imbeddings.
P2‐274: Challenges to recruitment and retention of African‐Americans for biomarker research

recruitment into clinical trials is a problem faced by many clinical research centers. The majority of dementia patients are first evaluated by community physicians; however, physician perceptions of clinical research are unknown. Addressing this gap in understanding may improve clinical trial recruitment. Methods: A survey was distributed to 3,123 physicians in three states to assess internet use and perceptions of referral for clinical trials; 355 completed surveys were returned (12%). Survey items included accessing medical information via the internet and perceived benefits and barriers toward referral to clinical research. Logistic regression models examined predictors of clinical trial referral. Results: The mean age of respondents was 50.6 10.8y; 70% were male, 78% Caucasian, 61% primary care providers; 63% used the internet 3 times/wk in their practice. No demographic differences were discovered between those who were likely (n 193) and unlikely to refer (n 162) for participation in a clinical trial. The fully adjusted, step-wise logistic model suggested that referral to clinical trials by community physicians is related to close proximity to a teaching hospital (OR:4.0, 95%CI:1.1-15.6) and availability of internet information regarding diagnostic evaluation (OR:2.3, 95%CI:1.1-4.7). Primary barriers to referral included concerns about exposure of patients to uncomfortable tests and procedures (OR:4.7, 95%CI:1.2-18.7) and lack of time to discuss research participation (OR:6.8, 95%CI:1.4-32.3) Conclusions: Proximity to a research center and adequate clinical tools for diagnostic decision making are strong predictors of clinical trial referral. Concern over risks and lack of time are strong barriers to referral. These results suggest that dementia outreach education should include an emphasis on: a) informing physicians on the importance of clinical trials in finding effective treatments, b) how to discuss research participation with patients and families in a time-efficient manner, and c) increasing awareness of importance and safety of tests and procedures that are likely to be required for research participation. Providing easy access to up-to-date and user-friendly educational materials on dementia diagnosis, treatment and care via the internet are likely to improve referrals of patients to AD clinical trials from the community.
RARE-EARTH PNICTIDES: THE ARSENIC-RICH EUROPIUM ARSENIDES.

Abstract Differential thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction techniques have been used to examine the arsenic-rich, europium-arsenic binary system in the temperature range 600 °–1200 °C. The phases EuAs, Eu3As4, Eu2As3, EuAs2 and EuAs3 have been characterised by powder techniques and, in addition, single crystal measurements have been carried out for Eu3As4, Eu2As3 and EuAs3. EuAs, Eu3As4, Eu2As3, EuAs2 and EuAs3 decompose peritectically at 990 °, 950 °, 930 °, 912 ° and 800 °C, respectively. An additional phase Eu 2 As 3 + x (x ⋍ 0.05) is stable between 697 ° and 842 °C. EuAs has a distorted NiAs structure of the Na2O2 type, P 6 2m , a = 8.1575 A , c = 6.1378 A ; the remaining phases appear to be of new structure types, Eu3As4, Fdd2, has a = 14.6438 A , b = 17.6416 A , c = 5.8857 A , Eu2As3 is monoclinic, P∗/∗ , a = 14.1058 A , b = 5.9559 A , c = 12.3250 A , β = 90.74 ° ; EuAs2 is orthorhombic P∗∗∗ , a = 7.1433 A , b = 6.9195 A , c = 6.0486 A ; EuAs3 is monoclinic, C∗/∗ , a = 9.500 A , b = 7.591 A , c = 5.789 A , β = 112.62 ° .
Nitroprusside suppresses cochlear potentials and outer hair cell responses

Biochemical and pharmacological evidence supports a role for nitric oxide (NO) in the cochlea. In the present experiments, we tested sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, applied by intracochlear perfusions on sound-evoked responses of the cochlea (CM, cochlear microphonic; SP, summating potential; EP, endocochlear potential; CAP, compound action potential) and in vitro on outer hair cell (OHC) voltage-induced length changes and current responses. In vivo application of SNP in increasing concentrations (10, 33, 100, 330 and 1000 μM) reduced all sound-evoked responses starting at about 300 μM. The responses continued to decline after a postdrug wash. At 1 mM SNP decreased EP slowly (≈ 80 min) whereas at 10 mM it reduced EP more rapidly (≈ 20 min). Ferricyanide (1 mM) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; 1 mM) had no effect on sound-evoked cochlear potentials. Ferricyanide (1 mM and 10 mM) and ferrocyanide (10 mM) had no effect on EP. In vitro, SNP (10 mM) significantly reduced both OHC voltage-induced length changes and whole-cell outward currents. Results suggest that SNP, possibly acting by released NO, influences cochlear function through effects at the stria vascularis and at the OHCs.
Determining the UV imaginary index of refraction of Saharan dust particles from Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer data using a three-dimensional model of dust transport

[1] A three-dimensional model has been developed for simulating Saharan dust emissions and transport over the tropical North Atlantic Ocean. The computed dust fields are constrained by data from ACE-2, and we use a radiative transfer code to simulate the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer on the Earth Probe satellite (EP-TOMS) aerosol index (AI). Using the observed relationship between AI and aerosol optical depth, we determine from our simulations the UV refractive index for dust particles at Dakar, Sal, and Tenerife. We find that the dust imaginary refractive index at Sal and Tenerife is approximately k = 0.0048 (0.0024–0.0060) at 331 nm and k = 0.004 (0.002–0.005) at 360 nm. At Dakar the dust imaginary refractive index is approximately k = 0.006 (0.0024–0.0207) at 331 nm and k = 0.005 (0.0020–0.0175) at 360 nm. These values are considerably less absorbing than the refractive index currently used in the TOMS retrievals of dust optical depth and single scatter albedo. Once the dust refractive index has been constrained, we calculate the single scatter albedo by integrating across the particle size distribution. We find that the particle single scatter albedo at 331 nm is ϖ0 = 0.81 (0.65–0.90) at Dakar, ϖ0 = 0.84 (0.82–0.91) at Sal, and ϖ0 = 0.86 (0.83–0.89) at Tenerife. The refractive index determined in this study should be useful for future retrievals using the TOMS data, as well as for energy balance studies that incorporate the radiative effects of mineral dust aerosols.
The M32L Substitution of Staphylococcal Nuclease: Disagreement Between Theoretical Prediction and Experimental Protein Stability

Abstract The M32L substitution mutation of staphylococcal nuclease was made to test the theoretical prediction by Yamaotsu, Moriguchi and Hirono that it would be approximately 1.6 kcal/mol more stable than the wild-type protein. Instead M32L and the closely related M32I mutant were 0.8 and 0.6 kcal/mol less stable than the wild-type protein, respectively. The theoretical treatment had successfully predicted the stability effects of other mutations in staphylococcal nuclease. The discrepancy found here may be due to a general problem of the theoretical treatment, such as inadequate molecular dynamics simulation time, or possibly due to more specific difficulty in assessing the strength of the sulfur – aromatic interaction that is present in the wild-type.
Reversal of abnormal lymphoscintigraphy after placement of venous stents for correction of associated venous obstruction

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report improvement or normalization of abnormal lymphoscintigraphy in swollen lower limbs after correction of associated venous stenosis by balloon dilatation and placement of venous stent of the iliac veins. Material: Twenty-six patients with lower-limb swelling underwent balloon dilatation and placement of venous stent of the iliac veins for correction of venous stenosis. Technetium 99M-sulfur colloid lymphoscintigraphy was also abnormal (8 absent, 18 reduced) before stent placement in all 26 limbs, suggesting combined venous/lymphatic etiology for the limb swelling. Median age was 53 years. Male-to-female ratio was 1:8 and left-to-right ratio, 3:1. Fifteen patients had limb pain associated with the swelling. Severity of venous stenosis was generally underestimated by preoperative transfemoral venography as compared with intravascular ultrasound, (mean, 50% versus 77%); in five limbs (19%), transfemoral venography altogether failed to identify the venous lesion evident on intravascular ultrasound. The etiology of venous obstruction was post-thrombotic in nine limbs and nonthrombotic (web, stricture, or May-Thurner syndrome) in 17 limbs. Results: Poststent lymphoscintigraphy completely normalized in 10 limbs, improved but remained abnormal in 9, and remained unchanged in 7. Clinical follow-up (mean, 1 year) showed improvement in swelling in 16 of 26 limbs ( P P Conclusion: These findings suggest that patients with a diagnosis of lymphedema made on the basis of lymphoscintigraphy alone and consigned to conservative therapy on that basis may benefit from additional venous investigations regardless of clinical presentation suggestive of lymphedema. This report supports the practice of aggressively searching for a venous basis of edema in these patients. Correction of the venous lesion may result in normalization or improvement of the lymphoscintigraphic abnormality and in any case may yield significant symptom relief, even in some limbs where the lymphoscintigraphic abnormality failed to improve after placement of venous stent. (J Vasc Surg 2001;34:779-84.)
Transplantation Without Immunosuppression

Exciting new findings have been reported in the past few years that indicate that islets can be transplanted successfully across major histocompatibility barriers without the continuous use of immunosuppressive agents by techniques designed to eliminate passenger leukocytes. In vitro culture of donor islets either at a low temperature (24 degrees C) with a single injection of antilymphocyte serum or culture of megaislets in the presence of 95% O2 before transplantation permitted the successful transplantation of islet allografts and xenografts (rat to mouse). Definitive evidence in support of the passenger leukocyte concept has been obtained recently. Mouse islet cells have been shown to express the class I antigens of the H-2 complex, but do not express Ia antigens. Treatment of fresh mouse islets with specific anti-Ia sera and complement completely prevented rejection of islets transplanted across a major histocompatibility barrier. These findings indicate that Ia-positive cells (possibly dendritic cells) are primarily responsible for the initiation of immune rejection of the transplants. This is of particular importance with respect to the eventual transplantation of islets into human diabetics since it may be feasible to utilize antisera to HLA-DR antigens for pretreatment of islets before transplantation. In addition, these new developments may also be applicable to the transplantation of other organs such as the parathyroid, heart, kidney, liver, and skin.
Synthesis and properties of a neutral derivative of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)

A neutral bifunctional derivative of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid europium(III) (11) was synthesized and its suitability to dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescence immunoassay was investigated.
Bradykinin in Solid-phase Peptide Synthesis

Bradykinin (Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg; BK) occupies a special place in the history of the development of solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). It was the first biologically-active peptide to be synthesized by Merrifield using the new method. Since that time many hundreds of BK analogs have been synthesized by SPPS. Certain of these analogs show potential as drug candidates.
Combined chemoradiotherapy vs. radiotherapy alone for early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a study of the eastern cooperative oncology group

Squamous carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus has an extremely poor prognosis. This study, EST-1282, was undertaken by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) to determine whether the combined use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), mitomycin C, and radiation therapy improved the disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with carcinoma of the esophagus, compared to those who received radiation therapy alone. Two- and 5-year survivals were 12% and 7% in the radiation alone arm and 27% and 9% in the chemoradiation arm. Patients treated with chemoradiation had a longer median survival (14.8 months), compared to patients receiving radiation therapy alone (9.2 months). This difference was statistically significant. The same pattern of survival was noted in almost all subgroups independent of whether surgical resection was performed.
Solving Problems of Elasto-Plastic Flow

I Ref. 1, Akyuz and Merwin document a solution technique for a class of problems of increasing engineering interest. It would appear from the presentation of their work that two comments are in order. First, the authors have failed to recognize the essential mathematical nature of their problem in that they refer to it as nonlinear. Second, many of the procedural aspects of their work have been predated. That the problem is not nonlinear may be deduced by observing carefully the structure of the governing equations. In addition, the basic relations imply the same information. The authors recognize the linear relation between strain and stress increments which, in compact notation, takes the form
Current concepts in the management and reconstruction of the dehisced median sternotomy

This review will delineate the underlying conditions that predispose patients to deep mediastinal infection and sternal dehiscence, discuss the principles of thorough debridement and preparation of the wound, and assess the appropriate options available for successful reconstruction.
Created in Context: A Comparative Case Study of the Use of Music in Two Reggio Emilia-Inspired Schools

The purpose of this comparative case study was to investigate the use of music in two Reggio-inspired preschools in the United States. I used purposeful sampling to select two sites that represented contrasting sociocultural contexts: one urban school serving a Latino population from low socioeconomic backgrounds and one suburban early childhood center serving a Caucasian population from high socioeconomic backgrounds. Data were collected over a 2-week timespan at each location and included observation fieldnotes, interview transcripts, and recordings. Children’s vocalizations and movement, audio recordings, and references to popular culture took center stage at the urban site, while chanting/intoning, playing instruments, and dialogue about music were the predominant musical happenings at the suburban location. The enhancing behaviors of adults at the suburban site seemed to encourage constant and more complex musicking. The uniquities between the two sites may be a reflection of values espoused and sources of funding in each sociocultural context.
The boundary element method applied to a moving free boundary problem

In this paper a boundary problem is considered for which the boundary is to be determined as part of the solution. A time-dependent problem involving linear diffusion in two spatial dimensions which results in a moving free boundary is posed. The fundamental solution is introduced and Green’s Theorem is used to yield a non-linear system of integral equations for the unknown solution and the location of the boundary. The boundary element method is used to obtain a numerical solution to this system of integral equations which in turn is used to obtain the solution of the original problem. Graphical results for a two-dimensional problem are presented. Published in 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cabII-1 gene encoding a chlorophyll-a/b-binding protein.

Abstract Gene cabII-1 is a light regulated gene that encodes the precursor of a major chlorophyll-a/b-binding protein in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . It is a member of a small gene family composed of about 3–7 members. Nucleotide sequencing data and S1 mapping reveal that the cabII-1 gene is interrupted by three introns. Except for the transit peptide and the N-terminus, the cabII-1 gene product is similar to cabII proteins in higher plants, the cabII-1 gene in C. reinhardtii appears to be an intermediate between type-I and type-II cabII genes described in higher plants.
Enhancement of postrotary nystagmus by alcohol intoxication in the goldfish and in the frog.

Frogs and goldfish respond to rapid rotation with head or eye nystagmus, which lasts some seconds after rotation ceases. This postrotary nystagmus phase is consistently prolonged by a moderately intoxicating treatment with ethyl alcohol. These data reinforce the hypothesis that several neural subsystems are “disinhibited” by the action of alcohol.
Simulation in the Pediatric Nurse Residency Program: A Joint Adventure

Abstract Simulation is an educational technique that allows interactive and immersive learning activity by recreating all or part of a clinical experience without exposing patients to associated risks. Simulation, incorporating the latest technology, provides varied learning experiences in nursing. The nurse residency program at a large acute care pediatric hospital in the Midwest promotes development of effective decision-making abilities related to clinical judgment and performance. Simulation-based learning was chosen to enhance the program experience while appealing to technology interests of today's nurses. This article describes how simulation experiences were incorporated into a transitions nurse residency program by partnering with a university simulation lab.
Candida Biofilm: Clinical Implications of Recent Advances in Research

Candida spp. are human commensals that can colonize devices and cause diseases associated with host tissue damage. In each lifestyle, Candida forms biofilms – communities of cells living within a protective extracellular matrix comprising proteins, polysaccharides, extracellular nucleic acids, and lipids. In vitro and in vivo models have defined basic steps in Candida biofilm formation as adhesion, initiation, maturation, and dispersal. Biofilms afford Candida cells resistance to antifungal agents, and host defenses and immune responses. In addition to “pathogenic” biofilm, Candida albicans also produces an alternative, permeable “sexual” biofilm that facilitates mating between cells. Treatment of biofilm infections consists of removing the infected device (if feasible) and antifungal therapy. Optimal antifungals are not defined, but echinocandins and lipid formulations of amphotericin B are most consistently active in model systems. Future research will shed light on how biofilm regulation allows Candida to adapt to diverse microenvironments relevant to commensalism and disease.
Linguistic politeness in Mexico: Refusal strategies among male speakers of Mexican Spanish

Abstract This study investigates the linguistic strategies employed by monolingual native speakers (NSs) of Mexican Spanish of one community in Mexico in refusal interactions in formal/informal situations. The study focuses on three aspects of politeness: (1) degree of formality; (2) politeness systems and strategy use; and (3) politeness and the notion of face in Mexico. Twenty Mexican male university students participated in four role-play interactions; each participant interacted with two NSs of Spanish, with one NS in formal situations and with a different interlocutor in informal situations. The production data were supplemented by verbal reports to examine speakers’ perceptions of refusals. The findings show that in this community politeness is realized by means of formulaic/semi-formulaic expressions employed to negotiate face (Watts, 2003). An analysis of the refusal interactions indicates that among these speakers, the negotiation of face is accomplished largely by various indirect attempts at (re)negotiating a successful resolution. Also, face needs are oriented towards the group, emphasizing involvement over independence (Scollon and Scollon, 2001). Finally, the notion of negative face, as proposed in Brown and Levinson (1987), is re-examined in light of the data.
International students’ network patterns and cultural stress: What really counts

The cultural adaptation literature indicates that direct contacts with host people and international students have positive effects on adaptation. However, it is not clear how the quantity of host people affects this relationship. Therefore, this study investigates the question by exploring the role of “quantity”; in terms of the numbers of host people in international students’ communication networks and cultural stress (CS). This effect was examined from close interpersonal communication ties and casual communicative contacts perspectives (i.e., quantity alone versus quantity‐with‐quality of relationship). One hundred and two international students were asked to complete a questionnaire from which their CS scores were determined. The scores were used to determine the effect of casual versus close contacts for the students. In general, the findings indicate that the quantity of host people in a network is an important determinant of CS (i.e., both casual contacts and close communication contacts). Howeve...
Permeation of human plasma lipoproteins in human carotid endarterectomy tissues: measurement by optical coherence tomography

Atherosclerosis is the most common underlying cause of vascular disease, occurring in multiple arterial beds, including the carotid, coronary, and femoral arteries (1, 2). Major efforts have concentrated on understanding the steps involved in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques (3). Considerable evidence now indicates that initiation of the inflammatory response involves accumulation of lipids and lipoprotein particles, particularly low-density lipoproteins (LDL), beneath the intimal layer of the arterial wall. This accumulation may be attributed to increased influx into and/or decreased efflux out of the intimal layer (4). Atherosclerosis also involves subintimal accumulation of inflammatory agents, such as tissue macrophages, which express scavenger receptors that bind modified lipoprotein particles (5). However, little is known about the rates at which substances permeate the arterial wall and how these rates may be related to the rate of atherosclerosis progression or regression. These processes may be closely linked to the rates at which lipoproteins permeate the individual layers of arterial tissues. Several imaging techniques have been used to study the permeation of analytes in biological tissues, including ultrasound (6), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (7), optical projection tomography (OPT) (8), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) (9–14). OCT is particularly attractive because it is a nondestructive, noninvasive technique that provides high-resolution, real-time images of biological tissues. OCT has been used extensively in tissue studies (9–14) to measure permeation of different molecules and materials through various epithelial tissues, such as rabbit sclera (10), monkey skin (11), rabbit cornea (12), and porcine aorta(11, 13, 14). In the present novel study, we used OCT to measure perfusion through yet another biological system, the intimal layer of the carotid arterial wall. This layer was obtained from human carotid endarterectomy (CEA) specimens, which contained normal healthy segments (PC, EC) and diseased atherosclerotic segments (BC, IC) (Fig. 1). OCT has the potential for enabling investigation of the atherosclerotic process. Progression of this process is thought to involve the subintimal accumulation of modified LDL (15) in the subintimal space, while regression is believed to involve removal of cholesterol by HDL (16, 17) (reverse cholesterol transport), among other mechanisms. Our study was directed toward measuring and comparing the rates of VLDL, LDL, and HDL (18) permeation into normal and atherosclerotic CEA tissue. Fig. 1. CEA specimen illustrating normal tissue in the proximal common (PC) and external (EC) segments (black arrows), and diseased tissue in the bifurcation (BC) and internal (IC) segments (white arrows).
Multijoint Rigidity-Testing Device for Titrating Medication and Deep Brain Stimulation Therapies

University of Minnesota Master of Science thesis. August 2014. Major: Biomedical engineering. Advisor: Dr. Matthew D. Johnson. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 38 pages, appendices 1-2.
Electrophoresis of acid phosphohydrolase isozymes on Cellogel.

Abstract Methods are presented for the electrophoresis and detection of various acid phosphohydrolases on Cellogel. Isozymes of acid DNase, RNase, 3′-phosphodiesterase, and nonspecific phosphodiesterase are readily detectable with these techniques. The enzymes studied were extracted from vertebrate spleens and leukocytes.
The structure of free irreducible, cocommutative Hopf algebras☆

In [9] M. Sweedler showed that the coalgebra structure of cocommutative, irreducible Hopf algebras over perfect fields is the coproduct of “sequence of divided power” coalgebras (i.e., coalgebras whose bases consist of a sequence of divided powers). In this paper it is shown that, over perfect fields of characteristic p > 0 and under certain rather weak conditions, the objects in this category and in the category of commutative, cocommutative, irreducible Hopf algebras which are free over cocommutative, pointed, irreducible coalgebras are coproducts of certain elementary Hopf algebras. (B. Ditters in [2] has independently proved this theorem in some special cases.) These elementary Hopf algebras will have evident analogies to sequence of divided power coalgebras and, as shown in the appendix, are isomorphic to Witt Hopf algebras in the commutative case. The second major theorem of this paper is that if $j is a cocommutative, irreducible Hopf algebra and F(g) the free Hopf algebra of 4j, then the Hopf kernel of F(e) -+ 4j is also a coproduct of the above mentioned elementary Hopf algebras. Section 1 consists of a listing of definitions and basic facts needed in the remainder of the paper. Section 2 culminates in the structure theorem for free cocommutative, irreducible Hopf algebras. For this proof we need to know that these Hopf algebras contain primitives and sequences of divided powers of a certain explicit form. This is done in Propositions 2.5 and 2.10, respectively. The proof of the former strongly uses Sweedler’s structure theorem, by saying in effect, for that theorem to be true, the desired primitives must exist. Section 3 includes a demonstration that the Hopf kernel of F(G) + Jj is
Adaptive properties of human cementum and cementum dentin junction with age

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate age related changes in physical (structure/mechanical properties) and chemical (elemental/inorganic mineral content) properties of cementum layers interfacing dentin. Methods Human mandibular molars (N=43) were collected and sorted by age (younger=19–39, middle=40–60, older=61–81 years). The structures of primary and secondary cementum (PC, SC) types were evaluated using light and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. Chemical composition of cementum layers were characterized through gravimetric analysis by estimating ash weight and concentrations of Ca, Mn, and Zn trace elements in the analytes through inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The hardness of PC and SC was determined using microindentation and site-specific reduced elastic modulus properties were determined using nanoindentation techniques. Results PC contained fibrous 1–3 µm wide hygroscopic radial PDL-inserts. SC illustrated PC-like structure adjacent to a multilayered architecture composing of regions that contained mineral dominant lamellae. The width of the cementum dentin junction (CDJ) decreased as measured from the cementum enamel junction (CEJ) to the tooth apex (49–21 µm), and significantly decreased with age (44–23 µm; p Significance The observed physicochemical changes are indicative of increased mineralization of cementum and CDJ over time. Changes in tissue properties of teeth can alter overall tooth biomechanics and in turn the entire bone–tooth complex including the periodontal ligament. This study provides baseline information about the changes in physicochemical properties of cementum with age, which can be identified as adaptive in nature.
Cardiac Hypertrophy Is Not a Required Compensatory Response to Short-Term Pressure Overload

Background—Cardiac hypertrophy is considered a necessary compensatory response to sustained elevations of left ventricular (LV) wall stress. Methods and Results—To test this, we inhibited calcineur...
The nitrogen fixation system of photosynthetic bacteria. I. Preparation and properties of a cell-free extract from Chromatium.

The preparation and properties of cell-free extracts of the photosynthetic bacterium Chromatium which give consistent and appreciable nitrogen fixation are described. Nitrogen fixation required ATP and reducing power. Reducing power was supplied by reduced ferredoxin or, in its absence, by sodium dithionite or H2, in the presence of catalytic amounts of a viologen dye. ATP was supplied by phosphocreatine and creatine phosphokinase, with a catalytic amount of free ATP. The Chromatium nitrogenase complex was found to have the typical properties of other nitrogenases, i.e., reduction of N2 to ammonia, and of acetylene to ethylene, ATP-dependent H2 evolution and reductant-dependent ATP hydrolysis.
Taking care: Anticipation, extraction and the politics of temporality in autism science

Research on autism has increased significantly over the past several decades. This upsurge parallels the steep rise in autism diagnoses. Together, these conditions have increased the number of people occupying the social role of research participants, including investigators, analysts and subjects. Simultaneously, addressing scientific questions about autism now involves new research efforts including prospective enriched-risk cohort studies exploring the environmental and genetic causes of autism during pregnancy and early child development. Rather than one-time donations, these studies require extended commitments on the part of all those involved in the research. This article draws on ethnographic observations of research practices and interviews with investigators, study staff and participants to examine the emergent relationships between research and care in this area of autism science. I introduce the notion of ‘taking care’ to describe the forms of anticipatory labor and mutual extraction involved in longitudinal research. Through tracing three modes of taking care across practices of study design, data collection and participation, I argue that research and care become intimately intertwined and mutually constructed during the research process. These findings reflect how processes of taking and giving are constitutive of research participation for all those engaged in the research enterprise. This article considers the relationships between these practices and new forms of community and sociality related to biomedical science.
Curved steel I-girder bridges: experimental and analytical studies

This paper describes the large-scale experimental and analytical program, initiated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), aimed at developing new rational design guidelines for horizontally curved steel bridges. Analytical and experimental efforts dedicated to establish the size of the full-scale components that will be tested as part of an entire three-girder bridge system are also presented.
What J.T. Fraser Gave the World

AbstractThis summary of the fundamental insights of J.T. Fraser dwells on four main themes. The first is the way that Fraser disposes of the ancient struggle between monism and dualism, with its related problem of ontology versus epistemology. His tree-like vision of the evolution of the many out of the one is both ordered and open-ended. The second is his critique of philosophy’s (and science’s) tendency to reify simple, defined, pure, and exclusive abstractions. Subjectivity, intentionality, consciousness, freedom, mind, cause, and the experience of time are shown by him to be composite, present in different degrees and kinds in different organisms and different times, constructed and complex. The third theme is Fraser’s decisive refutation of the metaphor of time as a line, as in clocks, calendars, and the t-axis in science. We must explore other geometries. The fourth theme is Fraser’s rehabilitations of the arts, including literature, as potentially legitimate ways of understanding the world and exploring the nature of time.
Behavior of N-Phenylmaleimide-Reacted Muscle Fibers in Magnesium-Free Rigor Solution

Using x-ray diffraction and mechanical stiffness, the response of N-phenylmaleimide (NPM)-reacted cross-bridges to solutions containing different amounts of ATP and Mg2+ has been studied. In relaxing solution containing greater than millimolar amounts of ATP and Mg2+, NPM-treated muscle fibers give x-ray diffraction patterns and stiffness records, which are nearly indistinguishable from those of untreated relaxed fibers. In a solution devoid of added ATP, but with Mg2+ (rigor(+Mg) solution), the muscle fibers still give x-ray diffraction patterns and mechanical responses characteristic of relaxed muscle. The new finding reported here is that in a solution devoid of both ATP and Mg2+ (rigor(-Mg) solution containing EDTA with no added ATP), NPM-reacted cross-bridges do give rigor-like behavior. This is the first report that NPM-reacted cross-bridges, at least in the presence of EDTA, are capable of going into a strongly binding conformation.
Decision horizons for the capacitated lot size model with inventory bounds and stockouts

Abstract In this paper we consider the lot size model for the production and storage of a single commodity with limitations on production capacity and storage capacity. There is also the possibility of not meeting demand, i.e. stockouts in the form of lost sales, at a penalty. The stockout option means that horizons can exist and permits the use of horizons to develop a forward algorithm for solving the problem. The forward algorithm is shown to be asymptotically linear in computational requirements, in contrast to the case for the classical lot size model which has exponential computing requirements. Besides the forward algorithm, a number of necessary conditions are derived which reduce the computational burden of solving the model.
Communal Responsiveness in Relationships with Female versus Male Family Members

Two studies of college students in the US utilized a new methodological approach in which participants arranged their multiple family members (i.e. parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles) within a series of relationship network grids. These grids measured participants’ own feelings of communal responsiveness toward and perceived feelings of communal responsiveness from each family member relative to one another. The results of Study 1 (N = 86) and Study 2 (N = 111) supported the hypotheses that (1) people perceive more responsiveness from female family members than from male family members and (2) people feel more responsive toward female than toward male family members. Study 2 provided evidence that these associations were mediated by felt and perceived intimacy, dependence, and obligation, but not liking.
Discovery of Retinal Elastin and Its Possible Role in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) etiology is unknown, but its association to atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) has been observed. Since elastin plays an important role in the atherosclerotic process, to understand ASVD and AMD's relationship we examined retinal elastin existence, elastin amount and vessel properties among normal subjects, mild AMD patients, moderate-to severe AMD patients, and ASVD patients (n = 20). One eye per donor was assigned to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantifying the retinal elastin amount. The rest were assigned to mechanical test for examining the retinal vessel properties. Additionally, two normal human and two porcine eyes were acquired in immunohistochemistry for locating the retinal elastin. We found that elastin presented in the human and porcine retinal vessels at the basement membranes. 3.73 ± 0.55% of the normal retinal tissues were elastin. Elastin decrease, tissue-weight increase, and vessel hardening and in elasticity (p<0.05) were observed in the retina of patients with ASVD and only moderate-to-severe (i.e., not mild) AMD. Most moderate-to-severe AMD patients also happened to have ASVD. The results suggest that ASVD is unlikely the cause of AMD, but it is perhaps a factor that aggravates the condition through mechanism associated with retinal vessel abnormality.
Caesarean section delivery and the risk of allergic disorders in childhood.

Summary Background The composition of the intestinal flora in young children, if unfavourable, may increase the susceptibility to allergic disorders. Beneficial intestinal microbes originate from the maternal vaginal tract and thus are more likely to be transferred during vaginal births than during Caesarean sections (C-sections). Objective To determine whether children born by C-section have a different risk of allergic disorders compared with those delivered vaginally. We also tested the hypothesis that the risk of allergic disorders is highest for children born after ‘repeat C-sections’. Methods A retrospective cohort study of 8953 children aged 3–10 years. Children diagnosed with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR), asthma, atopic dermatitis (AD), or food allergies were identified from the Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region electronic records. The children’s sex, birth weight, birth order, postnatal exposure to antibiotics as well as the mothers’ age, ethnicity, education, marital status, smoking status during pregnancy, and use of asthma or hayfever medications were identified through the mothers’ medical records or through the Oregon Birth Registry. Results The risk of being diagnosed with AR was significantly higher in the children born by C-section than in those delivered vaginally: adjusted odds ratio (OR) 5 1.37%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5 1.14–1.63. Delivery by C-section was also associated with the subsequent diagnosis of asthma (OR 5 1.24%, 95% CI 5 1.01–1.53); this association was gender specific, with a positive association restricted to girls (OR for asthma in girls: OR 5 1.53%, 95% CI 5 1.11–2.10; in boys: OR 5 1.08%, 95% CI 5 0.81–1.43). There was no significant association between mode of delivery and AD. If children born in a ‘repeat C-section’ were considered separately the risk of being diagnosed with AR increased further (OR 5 1.78%, 95% CI 5 1.34–2.37). The same increase was noted for asthma in girls (OR 5 1.83%, 95% CI 5 1.13–2.97) but not in boys. Conclusion Caesarean sections may be associated with an increased risk of developing AR in childhood.