cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Murine Model of Genetic Susceptibility to Lead Bioaccumulation

Previous reports have shown that blood lead levels in humans are associated with a polymorphic form of δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALAD), an enzyme of heme biosynthesis that binds and is inhibited by lead. We hypothesized that ALAD levels may influence the distribution and accumulation of lead in the blood and target organs. To assess this, we studied strains of mice that differ in the numbers of copies of the ALAD gene. Our findings showed that mice with a duplication of the ALAD gene (DBA) accumulated twice the amount of lead in their blood and had higher lead levels in kidney and liver than mice with a single copy of the gene (C57) exposed to the same oral doses of lead during adulthood. Hybrid animals showed intermediate blood lead levels. Levels of blood zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) increased with lead exposure in C57 animals while they were not affected in DBA mice, suggesting protection from production of this abnormal enzyme in mice with a duplication of the gene. Except for these protective effects in the formation of ZPP in DBA animals, duplication of the ALAD gene was found to increase lead accumulation. We conclude that although these mouse strains do not precisely replicate the polymorphism observed in humans, they may be used as a model to study genetic influences in lead bioaccumulation. Understanding genetic factors that affect susceptibility to lead-induced intoxication could have important implications for public health and intervention initiatives. These mouse strains may represent a useful model for future study of the role of ALAD in lead intoxication.
Control theory based airfoil design using the Euler equations

This paper describes the implementation of optimization techniques based on control theory for airfoil design. In our previous work it was shown that control theory could be employed to devise effective optimization procedures for two-dimensional profiles by using the potential flow equation with either a conformal mapping or a general coordinate system. The goal of our present work is to extend the development to treat the Euler equations in two-dimensions by procedures that can readily be generalized to treat complex shapes in three-dimensions. Therefore, we have developed methods which can address airfoil design through either an analytic mapping or an arbitrary grid perturbation method applied to a finite volume discretization of the Euler equations. Here the control law serves to provide computationally inexpensive gradient information to a standard numerical optimization method. Results are presented for both the inverse problem and drag minimization problem.
Aerosol Generation of Lanthanum Aluminate

Spherical lanthanum aluminate powders approximately [mu]m in diameter were produced using spray pyrolysis techniques. These materials were characterized by Z-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. Two intermediate products were produced and identified as lanthanum oxide and aluminum oxide. These intermediates were present in varying amounts in all of the aerosol-furnace-prepared materials and reflect the short residence time of the aerosols in the furnace. Samples of each aerosol-furnace preparation were further annealed in air for 1 h at 1100 C, and all of them converted completely to lanthanum aluminate.
Changes in rat parotid saliva protein composition following chronic reserpine treatment and their relation to inanition

Abstract Chronic administration of the catecholamine-depleting agent, reserpine (0.5 mg/kg), resulted in a reduction in food intake after 3 days. To differentiate effects of the drug from those of reduced food intake a pair-fed group, whose daily caloric intake was restricted to the amount consumed by the reserpine-treated rats, was included. After 7 days, both the reserpine-treated and pair-fed control exhibited a marked reduction in the volume of saliva collected in a 30 min interval following a secretory stimulus compared to untreated ad libitum-fed controls, and the proportion of salivary proteins attributable to acidic and basic proline-rich proteins and to minor Ib protein were decreased whereas deoxyribonuclease was increased. For two of the salivary proteins (fractions I and V) changes for the reserpine-treated and pair-fed groups were different. Fraction I was reduced in both groups, but exhibited a greater decrease in the pair-fed than in the reserpine-treated, whereas fraction V was significantly increased only in the pair-fed group. Thus many of the salivary changes associated with reserpine treatment may have resulted from the change in feeding habits and not from reserpine treatment per se. The study demonstrates the importance of controlling for food intake under experimental circumstances which may lead to a marked change in daily feeding habits.
Latency Associated Peptide Has In Vitro and In Vivo Immune Effects Independent of TGF-β1

Latency Associated Peptide (LAP) binds TGF-β1, forming a latent complex. Currently, LAP is presumed to function only as a sequestering agent for active TGF-β1. Previous work shows that LAP can induce epithelial cell migration, but effects on leukocytes have not been reported. Because of the multiplicity of immunologic processes in which TGF-β1 plays a role, we hypothesized that LAP could function independently to modulate immune responses. In separate experiments we found that LAP promoted chemotaxis of human monocytes and blocked inflammation in vivo in a murine model of the delayed-type hypersensitivity response (DTHR). These effects did not involve TGF-β1 activity. Further studies revealed that disruption of specific LAP-thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) interactions prevented LAP-induced responses. The effect of LAP on DTH inhibition depended on IL-10. These data support a novel role for LAP in regulating monocyte trafficking and immune modulation.
Boiling and Evaporation in Small Diameter Channels

Since the 1950s, the research and industrial communities have developed a body of experimental data and set of analytical tools and correlations for two-phase flow and heat transfer in passages having a hydraulic diameter greater than about 6 mm. These tools include flow regime maps, pressure drop and heat transfer correlations, and critical heat flux limits, as well as strategies for robust thermal management of HVAC systems, electronics, and nuclear power plants. Designers of small systems with thermal management by phase change will need analogous tools to predict and optimize thermal behavior in the mesoscale and smaller sizes. Such systems include a wide range of devices for computation, measurement, and actuation in environments that range from office space to outer space as well as living systems. This paper examines important processes that must be considered when channel diameters decrease, including flow distribution issues in single, parallel, and split flows; flow instability in parallel passa...
Factor structure of maladaptive behavior across the lifespan of persons with mental retardation.

Abstract Data obtained on a sample of persons with mild to profound degrees of mental retardation (N = 8255) and ranging from birth to 98 years of age were factor analyzed to provide information on the structure of maladaptive behavior relative to age and degree of mental retardation. Using the Problem Behavior scales of the Inventory for Client and Agency Planning, two principal factors emerged for children with mild to profound degrees of retardation: Internalized Maladaptive and Externalized Maladaptive. For adolescents and young adults, a three-factor solution which varied by degree of retardation was most appropriate. For middle and older adults, three-and four-factor solutions were identified across all ages and degrees of retardation. Across all samples as many as six different types of dimensions were identified, indicating that the structure of maladaptive behavior may well be influenced by age and level of mental retardation.
Forward-peaked scattering of polarized light: erratum

We intend to correct the typographical errors that occurred in our recent Letter [Opt. Lett.39, 6422 (2014)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.39.006422].
Role of storage on changes in the mechanical properties of tendon and self-assembled collagen fibers.

Fibrous collagen networks are the major elements that provide mechanical integrity to tissues; they are composed of fiber forming collagens in combination with proteoglycans (PGs). Using uniaxial tensile tests we have studied the viscoelastic mechanical properties of rat tail tendon (RTT) fibers and self-assembled collagen fibers that were stored at 22°C and 1 atm of pressure. Our results indicate that storage of RTT and self-assembled type I collagen fibers results in increased elastic and viscous components of the stress-strain behavior consistent with the hypothesis that storage causes the introduction of crosslinks.Analysis of the elastic and viscous mechanical data suggests that the elastic constant of the collagen molecule in RTT is about 7.7 GPa. Measurement of the viscous component of the stress-strain curves for RTTs and self-assembled collagen fibers suggests that PGs may increase the viscous component and effectively increase the collagen fibril length.
Socioeconomic profile of an American terrorist: 1960s and 1970s

Abstract Socioeconomic data supplied by the FBI on the backgrounds of 280 known right‐ and left‐wing terrorists active in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s was tabulated. Isolating for right‐left affiliation, membership status, and gender, seven variables were examined and used to confirm prevailing assumptions regarding the socioeconomic status of right‐ versus left‐wing terrorists active during this period. Findings support clear socioeconomic differences between right‐wing and left‐wing terrorists and emphasize the dominant position of women within left‐wing organizations. Surprising evidence revealed that considerable class differences exist within right‐wing groups between rank‐and‐file members and the leadership core.
A site-directed mutagenesis interrogation of the carboxy-terminal end of Arabidopsis thaliana threonine dehydratase/deaminase reveals a synergistic interaction between two effector-binding sites and contributes to the development of a novel selectable marker.

We fused four mutant omr1 alleles, encoding feedback-insensitive forms of Arabidopsis thaliana biosynthetic threonine dehydratase/deaminase (TD), to the CaMV 35S promoter and transformed these constructs into A. thaliana Columbia wild type plants. The mutant TD forms consisted of our previously isolated double mutant, omr1-1, and three new site-directed mutants, omr1-5, omr1-7, and omr1-8with single point mutations. We employed site-directed mutagenesis to assay the effects of amino acid substitutions in separate regulatory regions within the carboxy-terminal (C-term) allosteric end. TD assays and growth resistance to the isoleucine (Ile) toxic analog -O-methylthreonine (OMT) confirmed the desensitization to feedback inhibition and the viability of these mutant omr1 alleles as selectable markers, respectively. Two of the site-directed mutants, omr1-5 and omr1-7, appeared to influence one of the two separate Ile-binding sites and had a notable 13-fold and 15-fold increase in free Ile, respectively. The omr1-8 appeared to influence the other Ile-binding site and resulted in a 2-fold increase in free Ile. The transgenic omr1-1 double mutant affecting both Ile-binding sites, however, displayed a 106-fold increase in free Ile revealing a profound synergistic interplay between these separate Ile-binding sites. While all of the four omr1 alleles conferred resistance to elevated concentrations of OMT, the progeny of omr1-1 initial transformants exhibited a bushy phenotype at the rosette stage. On the other hand, progeny of transformants omr1-5, omr1-7, and omr1-8 had a normal phenotype, undistinguishable from wild type. Therefore, alleles omr1-5, omr1-7, and omr1-8, proved to be ideal as environmentally-friendly, dominant, selectable markers for plant transformation.
Cell‐specific SpoIIIE assembly and DNA translocation polarity are dictated by chromosome orientation

SpoIIIE and FtsK are related proteins that translocate chromosomes across septa. Previous results suggested that SpoIIIE exports DNA and that translocation polarity is governed by the cell-specific regulation of its assembly, but that FtsK is a reversible motor for which translocation polarity is governed by its DNA substrate. Seeking to reconcile these conclusions, we used cell-specific GFP tagging to demonstrate that SpoIIIE assembles a complex only in the mother cell, from which DNA is exported, but that DNA translocation-defective SpoIIIE proteins assemble in both cells. Altering chromosome architecture by soj-spo0J and racA soj-spo0J mutations allowed wild-type SpoIIIE to assemble in the forespore and export the forespore chromosome. Combining LacI-CFP tagging of oriC with time-lapse microscopy, we demonstrate that the chromosome is exported from the forespore when oriC fails to be trapped in the forespore. Thus, the position of oriC after septation determines which cell will receive the chromosome and which will assemble SpoIIIE.
R69-23 The Reduction of Tape Reversals for Off-Line One-Tape Turing Machines

Recently there has been a great deal of study of measures of computational complexity. In light of the results of Blum [1] yielding speedup theorems for abstract complexity measures, and the lack of any general agreement as to reasonable complexity measures, there is reason to study even artificial complexity measures, such as the number of tape reversals on a one-tape Turing machine, which lack intuitive appeal but do lead to some amusing results. The present paper, which should be read in connection with [2], provides the usual Hartmanis-Stearnstype speedup theorem [3] for off-line one-tape Turing machines; namely, the appropriate reversal complexity classes associated with f(x) and cf(x) are the same for any constant c>0. The proofs are based on straightforward applications of the notion of crossing sequences [4].
Initial Assessment of the Intensity Distribution of the 2011 Mw 5.8 Mineral, Virginia, Earthquake

The intensity data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) “Did You Feel It?” (DYFI) Website (USGS, DYFI; http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/events/se/082311a/us/index.html, last accessed Sept 2011)for the M w 5.8 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake, are unprecedented in their spatial richness and geographical extent. More than 133,000 responses were received during the first week following the earthquake. Although intensity data have traditionally been regarded as imprecise and generally suspect (e.g., Hough, 2000), there is a growing appreciation for the potential utility of spatially rich, systematically determined DYFI data to address key questions in earthquake ground-motions science (Atkinson and Wald, 2007; Hauksson et al. , 2008). DYFI intensities for the Mineral, Virginia, earthquake provide a unique opportunity to explore the variability of wave propagation and site amplification along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States, a region where instrumental recordings of moderate and large earthquakes are limited. The raw DYFI data suggest some general patterns, including not only significant apparent site response along Chesapeake Bay, in parts of the District of Columbia (D.C.), and elsewhere, but also source directivity and more efficient propagation along the predominantly southwest–northeast-striking tectonic fabric. These suggested patterns can be explored further by considering intensity residuals relative to an established intensity ground-motion-prediction equation (e.g., Atkinson and Wald, 2007). The M w 5.8 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake occurred at 17:51:04.59 UTC on 23 August 2011, one of the largest earthquakes in the region in historical times and the largest earthquake to strike the central/eastern United States (CEUS) in 70 yr. Shaking was widely felt through several major metropolitan areas, including the greater Washington, D.C., region, Philadelphia, and parts of New York State. The overall felt extent of the earthquake was enormous, with perceptible shaking reported as far west as Minnesota and as far south as Florida. To the northeast it was …
An acoustic sense in some hawkmoths (Choerocampinae)

Abstract The bulbous form of the second segment of the labial palp distinguishes the Choerocampinae from other families of hawkmoths (Sphingidae). Choerocampine species of the genus Celerio make violent evasive movements if they are exposed to ultrasound while hovering and feeding from blossoms. The responses of an interneuron in the prothoracic ganglion of four choerocampine species were used to demonstrate that the labial palp is involved in sound detection. A survey of other sphingids suggests that with one possible exception this acoustic mechanism is peculiar to the Choerocampinae. Acoustic sensitivity is optimal in the 15 to 70 kHz range, being comparable to that of the noctuid tympanic organ and covering the frequencies present in bat cries. The acoustic sense appears to be non-directional. Using the interneuron response as indicator, the labial palp was manipulated, amputated, and immobilized in various ways in an effort to clarify the means of acoustic detection and transduction. The palp appears to be buoyant and lightly poised, and the results in general indicate that it is displaced by sound vibrations. Indirect evidence suggests that the sensing element lies near the palp base and that it consists of a single sense cell. The adaptive significance and species distribution of this acoustic receptor are discussed.
Biogenic Ice Nuclei. Part II: Bacterial Sources.

Abstract Transient appearance of ice nuclei active at temperatures of −2 to −5°C has been noted to accompany the natural decay of plant leaf materials. It was shown that the development of these nuclei results from the presence of a bacterium which was identified as Pseudomonas syringae. These bacteria produce highly active nuclei in a variety of growth media. Evidence points to the fact that the bacterial cells themselves are the nuclei, but that nucleating capacity is a rare and changeable property of the cells. The findings raise the possibility that bacteria may play a role in atmospheric precipitation processes.
Anomalous dimension of the gluon operator in pure Yang-Mills theory.

We present new one loop calculations that confirm the theorems of Joglekar and Lee on the renormalization of composite operators. We do this by considering physical matrix elements with the operators inserted at [ital nonzero] momentum. The resulting IR singularities are regulated dimensionally. We show that the physical matrix element of the BRST exact gauge-variant operator which appears in the energy-momentum tensor is zero. We then show that the physical matrix elements of the classical energy-momentum tensor and the gauge-invariant twist-two gluon operator are independent of the gauge-fixing parameter. A Sudakov factor appears in the latter cases. The universality of this factor and the UV finiteness of the energy-momentum tensor provide another method of finding the anomalous dimension of the gluon operator. We conjecture that this method applies to higher loops and takes full advantage of the triangularity of the mixing matrix.
Radar Cross Section Statistics of Dismounts at Ku-band

Knowing the statistical characteristics of a target's radar cross-section (RCS) is crucial to the success of radar target detection algorithms. A wide range of applications currently exist for dismount (i.e. human body) detection and monitoring using ground-moving target indication (GMTI) radar systems. Dismounts are particularly challenging to detect. Their RCS is orders of magnitude lower than traditional GMTI targets, such as vehicles. Their velocity of about 0 to 1.5 m/s is also much slower than vehicular targets. Studies regarding the statistical nature of the RCS of dismounts focus primarily on simulations or very limited empirical data at specific frequencies. This paper seeks to enhance the existing body of work on dismount RCS statistics at Ku-band, which is currently lacking, and has become an important band for such remote sensing applications. We examine the RCS probability distributions of different sized humans in various stances, across aspect and elevation angle, for horizontal (HH) and vertical (VV) transmit/receive polarizations, and at diverse resolutions, using experimental data collected at Ku-band. We further fit Swerling target models to the RCS distributions and suggest appropriate detection thresholds for dismounts in this band.
Hyperspectral agricultural mapping using Support Vector Machine-Based Endmember Extraction (SVM-BEE)

Extracting endmembers from remotely-sensed images of vegetated areas can present difficulties. In this research, we applied a recently-developed endmember-extraction algorithm based on Support Vector Machines to the problem of semi-autonomous estimation of vegetation endmembers from a hyperspectral image. This algorithm, referred to as Support Vector Machine-Based Endmember Extraction (SVM-BEE), accurately and rapidly yields a computed representation of hyperspectral data that can accommodate multiple distributions. The number of distributions is identified without prior knowledge, based upon this representation. Prior work established that SVM-BEE is robustly noise-tolerant and can semi-automatically estimate endmembers; synthetic data and a geologic scene were previously analyzed. Here we compared the efficacies of SVM-BEE, N-FINDR, and SMACC algorithms in extracting endmembers from a real, predominantly-agricultural scene. SVM-BEE estimated vegetation and other endmembers for all classes in the image, which N-FINDR and SMACC failed to do. SVM-BEE was consistent in the endmembers that it estimated across replicate trials. Spectral angle mapper (SAM) classifications based on SVM-BEE-estimated endmembers were significantly more accurate compared with those based on N-FINDR- and (in general) SMACC-endmembers. Linear spectral unmixing accrued overall accuracies similar to those of SAM.
Regional blood flow responses to vasodilators and inotropes in congestive heart failure.

Regional blood flow and the distribution of cardiac output is an important aspect of the pathophysiology and pharmacology of human congestive heart failure. This study presents the cumulative experience and data from our laboratories with specific reference to (1) the regional blood flow responses, some rather unique, to various vasodilators and inotropes in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), and (2) the pharmacophysiologic conclusions and concepts that have evolved from these data. Certain drugs and drug groups evoke rather consistent changes in the blood flow of certain organ systems in CHF. Renal blood flow is augmented by hydralazine, an effect that persists with chronic administration. The converting enzyme inhibitors, captopril and enalapril, increase renal blood flow; this implies that the renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone axis plays a major role in modifying renal blood flow and regional blood flow distribution in human CHF. Nitrates either reduce or do not change renal blood flow. Augmentation of hepatic-splanchnic blood flow occurs after first-dose α 1 -adrenoceptor blockade suggesting that α -adrenergic agonism plays an important role in modifying hepatic-splanchnic flow and the regional distribution of cardiac output in CHF. A number of drugs and drug groups increase limb blood flow (e.g., dobutamine, dopexamine, intravenous nitrates, nitroprusside, hydralazine and nifedipine). With respect to regional blood flow and the distribution of cardiac output in CHF, major differences have been shown to exist between drug groups, between drugs within a group and between different doses of a drug. Certain agents can cause a redistribution of systemic flow without changing cardiac output. In addition, pharmacologically increasing cardiac output in CHF does not implicate an increase in flow to all organ systems (another redistribution effect). Some drugs (e.g., nitrates) may actually reduce flow to an organ system concomitant with a statistically and clinically significant increase in cardiac output. The mechanisms for the beneficial effects of various cardioactive drugs in CHF have not been fully elucidated. It is likely that many of the long-term effects (favorable and unfavorable) of these drugs are related to their regional hemodynamic properties.
Shame and Punishment in kant's Doctrine of Right

In the Doctrine of Right, Kant claims that killings motivated by the fear of disgrace should be punished less severely than other murders. I consider how Kant understands the mitigating force of such motives, and argue that Kant takes agents to have a moral right to defend their honour. Unlike other rights, however, this right of honour can only be defended personally, so that individuals remain in a ‘state of nature’ with regard to any such rights, regardless of their political situation. According to Kant, we should be lenient in these cases because the malefactors are caught between two kinds of authentic normative demand, at a point where the proper authority of the state collides with a certain authority which individuals must claim for themselves.
Compared to a small, supervised lab experiment, a large, unsupervised web-based experiment on a previously unknown effect has benefits that outweigh its potential costs

Research on internet-based studies has generally supported their benefits. However, that research sometimes did not directly compare internet-based to traditional delivery, often used non-experimental methods and small samples, and has not used an entirely unknown effect for the comparison to completely rule out demand characteristics. Our lab experiment (N=180), in which participants were supervised by an experimenter, demonstrated previously unexamined effects. Both the frighteningness and disgustingness of insects made people want to kill them, and females wanted to kill the insects more than males did. There were also some interesting patterns of interaction with gender, but they were not statistically significant. However, an unsupervised, but larger, web-based experiment (N=1301) produced the same significant main effects as the lab study, and the same patterns of interaction that had occurred at a non-significant level in the lab study occurred at a statistically significant level in the web-based study. These results add support to the finding that although web-based studies may incur risks by being unsupervised, such as some participants not being genuinely motivated to follow the instructions correctly, the risks are compensated for by the much larger sample size afforded by the web-based approach.
Dissipative quantum tunneling of a single defect in Bi.

We have studied the dynamics of single bistable defects in submicrometer Bi wires at temperatures 0.1-2 K. The defect motions cause measurable changes in the sample resistance via universal conductance fluctuations. The temperature dependence of the transition rates agrees quantitatively with the predictions of dissipative quantum tunneling theory, which describes tunneling of a defect in a doublewell potential with strong dissipation from the electron bath. We report detailed measurements of a single defect as a function of magnetic field, and discuss the field dependence of the defect-potential asymmetry e, the defect-bath coupling constant α, and the renormalized tunneling matrix element Δ r
High resolution vibrational linewidth study of CO on Pt(111)

Abstract Isolated single modes from an infrared diode laser have been used to measure the CO stretch mode for the on-top site of CO adsorbed at saturation coverage on a Pt(111) single crystal. A linewidth of 2.3±0.3 cm−1 (FWHM) was measured at 100 K. This linewidth is the lowest value reported for the linear CO stretch mode for CO adsorbed on any metal substrate. Variation of the linewidth with temperature indicates the maximum contribution from electron-hole pair creation is 2.0 ± 0.4 cm−1. This contribution corresponds to a minimum lifetime of 2.7 ± 0.6 ps, in good agreement with recent lifetime measurements using time-resolved techniques.
A multivariate chemical classification of rainwater samples

Abstract An experiment was conducted during February and March of 1985 and 1986 to collect rainwater both upwind and downwind, before and after the permanent closure of a copper smelter located in Tacoma, WA to determine the effect of the smelter on downwind precipitation chemistry. The results of two storm events sampled by a 38 site network in Western Washington are reported here. Two collectors were deployed at each site. This produced information on the spatial and temporal variability in the composition of the rainwater as well as the experimental uncertainty. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the influence of a factor which is similar to the atmospheric emissions from the smelter (As, Sb, Cu, Pb, excess SO 4 2− ). Two different PCA software packages produced similar results. A classification of rainwater samples according to the influence of the copper smelter was performed using PCA models for three geographical regions with separate meteorological and source emission characteristics. Ninety percent of the samples were correctly classified into one of three regions of varying smelter influence on rainwater chemistry, demonstrating that meteorology and source location are consistent with the PCA analysis of rainwater chemistry.
Chaotic and stochastic dynamics for a nonlinear structural system with hysteresis and degradation

Abstract In this paper we attempt to introduce some new and fascinating discoveries in chaotic dynamics with particular emphasis on their relationship with stochastic dynamics. Our investigation centers around the deterministic structural system. We begin with a nonlinear hard or soft spring system governed by the well known Duffing's equation. We then add the important engineering material behaviour of hysteresis and degradation. Under a set of unique initial conditions and a harmonic steady-state excitation, the response for a certain deterministic structural system is found to be stochastic.
Analysis of interactive continence health information on the Web.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to describe interactive information about continence health promotion for women that is available on Web sites identified by popular search engines or health/medical search engines or that is available on community-based or select health organizations' Web sites. Methods We used a variety of search services to search the Web for sites that disseminated information about continence health for women, for example, urinary incontinence, urine loss, and bladder problems. Two reviewers initially evaluated sites to determine if an interactive feature that provided individualized feedback was present. Web sites that had an interactive-with-feedback feature were further examined to delineate the purpose of the site and other descriptive characteristics. We evaluated each site according to content pertaining to continence health information. Results Most major search engines located more than 100,000 Web sites in the initial search; narrowing the search terms with the words “and women” decreased the number of sites. Only 13 sites with interactive-with-feedback features were located for further evaluation. E-mail was the most common interactive feature; none of the sites contained comprehensive information on continence health promotion. Conclusions Web sites exist and are informative in terms of continence health promotion, but they lack an emphasis on self-care and sufficient information to promote it. The functionality of computer technology and the Web has not been maximized for the purpose of delivering continence health information.
Efficient radiative and nonradiative energy transfer from proximal CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals into silicon nanomembranes.

We demonstrate efficient excitonic sensitization of crystalline Si nanomembranes via combined effects of radiative (RET) and nonradiative (NRET) energy transfer from a proximal monolayer of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals. Ultrathin, 25–300 nm Si films are prepared on top of insulating SiO2 substrates and grafted with a monolayer of CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals via carboxy-alkyl chain linkers. The wet chemical preparation ensures that Si surfaces are fully passivated with a negligible number of nonradiative surface state defects and that the separation between nanocrystals and Si is tightly controlled. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements combined with theoretical modeling allow us to quantify individual contributions from RET and NRET. Overall efficiency of ET into Si is estimated to exceed 85% for a short distance of about 4 nm from nanocrystals to the Si surface. Effective and longer-range radiative coupling of nanocrystal’s emission to waveguiding modes of Si films is clearly revealed. This demo...
A unified approach for the recursive determination of generalized inverses

Abstract Using a unified approach, simple derivations for the recursive determination of different types of generalized inverses of a matrix are presented. These include results for the generalized inverse, the least-squares generalized inverse, the minimum-norm generalized inverse, and the Moore-Penrose inverse of a matrix.
Generalized Transition Finite-Boundary Elements for high speed flight structures

A new class of 'Generalized Transition Finite-Boundary Elements' formulation is presented to predict temperature and/or stress distribution of flight structures at high speeds. A tweleve-noded three-dimensional transition element and a variable degree of freedom eight-noded element are formulated. These elements are incorporated into the formulation of the heat transfer and structural analysis problems by utilizing a newly introduced 'material approximation functions' concept. Results obtained from limited examples compared with the solutions from analytical and other finite element analysis solution. Numerical examples presented illustrate the effectiveness of these elements.
Synthesis and characterization of pure and stabilized mesoporous anatase titanias

Abstract The effects of dopants Al, La, Si, and Zr on the stability, surface area, and porosity of anatase were investigated. Anatase materials stabilized with 0–14 mol% La, Si, Zr, or 0–85 mol% Al were studied. Materials were characterized using XRD, TEM and N 2 adsorption. Results show that (1) dopants increased the surface area and thermal stability of anatase through structural modifications and grain growth inhibition, (2) due to structural modifications it was important to select the appropriate hysteresis branch for pore diameter calculations, and (3) a thorough analysis of N 2 adsorption and TEM data provided additional insight into how stabilizing agents affected the mesoporous structure. Stabilized titanias produced by this method demonstrated equivalent or higher thermal stability and surface area compared with pure anatase and previously reported materials after treatment at 400 °C and 700 °C including 22 mol% Al–TiO 2 calcined at 400 °C which had a surface area of 479 ± 39 m 2 /g, a pore volume of 0.46 ± 0.04 cm 3 /g, and a pore diameter of 2.9 ± 0.2 nm.
Occurrence of acute monocytic leukemia in a case of untreated Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a rare complication of untreated Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. Although two such cases have been reported, occurrence of acute monocytic leukemia, FAB M5b subtype, in a patient with untreated Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia has not been reported. The patient had distinct foci with clear demarcation of lymphoid infiltrates and myeloid infiltrates in the bone marrow, representing Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia and acute monocytic leukemia, indicating the concurrence of two primary malignancies.
A Comparison of Accelerated Test Plans to Estimate the Survival Probability at a Design Stress

In a previous paper [3], the authors presented large sample optimum accelerated test plans to estimate the survival probability at a design stress assuming a linear logistic model, i.e. a linear relationship between stress and the log survival odds at that stress. The optimum plans required testing at two accelerated stresses with a larger allocation of units assigned to the lower of the two stresses. In practice, however, it is often desirable to conduct the accelerated tests at more than two stresses and/or use equal or otherwise prespecified allocation. In this paper we compare the large sample variance of each of ten such non-optimum test plans (and also that of testing exclusively at the design stress) with that of the optimum plan under a variety of conditions.
Response properties of slowly adapting mechanoreceptors to temperature stimulation in cats.

Summary Single cutaneous dorsal root fibers from receptive fields on the proximal-lateral portions of the cat's hind limb were isolated in anesthetized animals by the technique of dissection. Slowly adapting mechanoreceptors were studied in detail and their responses to systematic presentations of various physiological temperature levels (43−13 °C) were examined. The mechanoreceptors were initially grouped into type I and II receptors on the basis of receptive field characteristics, the gross morphology of the skin in the receptive areas, and the existence and/or regularity of spontaneous activity levels. This dichotomization was shown to be valid with respect to the dissimilarity in the sensitivity of the two receptor groups to thermal stimulation. Type II receptors were found to behave more like true, specific thermoreceptors because they were able to maintain different discharge rates for dissimilar constant temperature stimuli and were able to respond consistently and, with little variability, to phasic cooling over a wide range of temperature differences. Both groups of receptors were, however, shown to be capable of responding to rapid cooling. The response patterns to temperature from cat type II receptors were noted to be quite similar to bimodally sensitive primate receptors and the possibility of using this thermal sensitivity as a method for categorizing primate slowly adapting mechanoreceptors was indicated. The probable role of these bimodally sensitive receptors in thermal sensation was also discussed.
When and how is it appropriate to terminate the physician-patient relationship?

This should be a last resort, done only in extreme cases, and only after trying to work things out, giving fair warning, and making sure you are not abandoning the patient.
Unified theory of antisymmetrized elastic two-fragment scattering

Abstract The relationship between a new antisymmetrized optical potential formulation based on the Alt, Grassberger, and Sandhas off-shell extension of the transition operator and the Feshbach effective Hamiltonian approach to elastic two-fragment scattering is established. Explicit relationships among the unsymmetrized and symmetrized projection operators of the two methods are found and exploited in order to determine several interpolative operator identities. The resonance signatures of both the optical potential and the Feshbach formalisms are found to be identical. An explicit operator identity connecting the effective Hamiltonian and the optical potential, which is stated in terms of a nonsingular dynamically independent mapping, is the principal result obtained. This identity leads to the unambiguous solution of the problem of the imposition of the correct elastic scattering boundary conditions upon Feshbach's projected forms of the Schrodinger equation and also completes the unification of two superficially distinct methods for dealing with elastic nuclear scattering with all effects of antisymmetry taken into account.
Bragg reflector waveguide based on thin film Barium titanate

Bragg reflector waveguide was fabricated from BaTiO3thin film using low pressure nano-lithography. Its transmission spectrum around 1.55 μm shows a 40% change over a 6 nm range. Velocity phase matching condition is discussed.
Bayesian multi-regime smooth transition regression with ordered categorical variables

Multivariate time series are ubiquitous among a broad array of applications and often include both categorical and continuous series. Further, in many contexts, the continuous variable behaves nonlinearly conditional on a categorical time series. To accommodate the complexity of this structure, we propose a multi-regime smooth transition model where the transition variable is derived from the categorical time series and the degree of smoothness in transitioning between regimes is estimated from the data. The joint model for the continuous and ordinal time series is developed using a Bayesian hierarchical approach and thus, naturally, quantifies different sources of uncertainty. Additionally, we allow a general number of regimes in the smooth transition model and, for estimation, propose an efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm by blocking the parameters. Moreover, the model can be effectively used to draw inference on the behavior within and between regimes, as well as inference on regime probabilities. In order to demonstrate the frequentist properties of the proposed Bayesian estimators, we present the results of a comprehensive simulation study. Finally, we illustrate the utility of the proposed model through the analysis of two macroeconomic time series.
Childhood moyamoya disease: hemodynamic MRI.

Background. Childhood moyamoya disease is a rare progressive cerebrovascular disease. Objective. To evaluate cerebral hemodynamics using dynamic Gd-DTPA-enhanced imaging in children with moyamoya disease. Materials and methods. Eight children (2–11 years of age) with the clinical and angiographic findings typical of moyamoya disease, before and/or after surgical intervention (pial synangiosis), underwent conventional MR imaging (MRI) and hemodynamic MR imaging (HMRI). HMRI used a spoiled gradient-echo with low flip angle (10 deg) and long TE (TR/TE = 24/15 ms) to minimize T 1 effects and emphasize T 2* weighting. Raw and calculated hemodynamic images were reviewed. Three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography (MRA) and perfusion brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were also performed. Results. Abnormal hemodynamic maps resulting from vascular stenosis or occlusion and basal collaterals were observed in six patient studies. HMRI depicted perfusion dynamics of affected cerebrovascular territories, detected cortical perfusion deficits, and complemented conventional MRI and MRA. HMRI findings were consistent with those of catheter angiography and perfusion SPECT. Conclusion. Our preliminary experience suggests that HMRI may be of value in the preoperative and postoperative evaluation of surgical interventions in moyamoya disease.
Equilibrium solubilities of β-carotene in supercritical carbon dioxide

Equilibrium solubilities of pure crystalline β-carotene in supercritical CO2 have been measured using an LDC Analytical SPA extractor1. The apparatus features a recirculating loop with an in-line UV detector. Quantitation by UV absorbance permits the detection of lower solubilities than can normally be obtained gravimetrically. The values reported were obtained at temperatures from 40 to 70°C and pressures from 200 to 500 bar. The measured mole fractions ranged from 9.0×10−9 at 40°C and 275 bar to 1.9x10−6 at 70°C and 400 bar. Solubilities are also reported for β-carotene in mixtures of CO2and 1 wt.% ethanol, 1 wt.% methanol and 1 wt.% methylene chloride, at 70°C and various pressures. Addition of the cosolvent increased the solubility in every case, with the largest increase occurring in a mixture of CO2 and 1 wt.% ethanol. Pure component properties for β-carotene were estimated, and the experimental data were correlated to a modified Peng-Robinson equation of state. The model predictions compare well with the experimental data.
The first s-Rydberg transitions of ethyl bromide and ethyl iodide as related to the corresponding methyl halides

Abstract The transitions observed in the first s-Rydberg region of the spectra of ethyl bromide, ethyl bromide-d5, and ethyl iodide are reported and assigned. The assignments are made by examining the effect of symmetry reduction from C3v to Cs on the observed electronic states and vibrational modes of the corresponding methyl halide spectrum. The calculated spectra obtained in this way give good agreement with the observed spectra. These resulting assignments are discussed in terms of a competition between spin-orbit coupling and hyper-conjugation.
Improved Media for Differentiation of Rods and Cocci in Yogurt

Abstract Selected yogurt starters and commercial samples grew on Elliker's lactic agar supplemented with .1% Tween 80 and 50μg/ml of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride to produce small, red Streptococcus thermophilus colonies and larger, white Lactobacillus bulgaricus colonies. The distinction was somewhat strain dependent but was satisfactory in most cases. Addition of 7% skim milk (11% solids) to lactic agar in place of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride allowed good rod-coccus differentiation, regardless of strain or yogurt brand. On this medium, called yogurt lactic agar, L. bulgaricus appeared as large white colonies surrounded by a cloudy zone and S. thermophilus as smaller white colonies devoid of a surrounding halo. Casein precipitation was responsible for the halo effect around the more acidogenic L. bulgaricus colonies. Yogurt lactic agar compared favorably with S. thermophilus and Lactobacillus agar media for the recovery of S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus in single and mixed cultures.
Cognitive phenomenology and conscious thought

How does mental content feature in conscious thought? I first argue that for a thought to be conscious the content of that thought must conscious, and that one has to appeal to cognitive phenomenology to give an adequate account of what it is for the content of a thought to be conscious. Sensory phenomenology cannot do the job. If one claims that the content of a conscious thought is unconscious, one is really claiming that there is no such thing as conscious thought. So one must either accept that there is such a thing as cognitive phenomenology, or deny the existence of conscious thought. Once it is clear that conscious thought requires cognitive phenomenology, there is a pressing question about the exact relationship between a thought’s cognitive phenomenological properties and its content. I conclude with a discussion of the nature of this relationship.
Pediatric craniomaxillofacial trauma

Trauma is a leading cause of death in children. The pediatric facial skeleton goes through progressive development and major changes, including change in the size ratio of the cranium to the face; change in the ratio of facial soft tissue to bone, and pneumatization of the sinuses. The main goal of maxillofacial fracture repair is to reestablish normal or preinjury structure and function. Follow-up is typically recommended until children reach skeletal maturity as trauma may affect growth of the facial skeleton. Problems not obvious immediately after the injury may become an issue later, and secondary surgery might be needed to address such issues.
An algebraic proof of the commutativity of intersection with divisors

Abstract We present a purely algebraic proof of the commutativity of the operation defined by intersection with divisors on the Chow group of a Noetherian ring.