cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High performance vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diodes with a Au-plated heat spreading layer

Etched-pillar vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser diodes exhibit submilliamp threshold currents down to 400 /spl mu/A and high output power levels. A Au-plated heat spreading layer reduces the thermal resistance by a factor of two and increases the maximum output power by approximately 60%. A laser with 660 /spl mu/A threshold current reaches a maximum output power of 3.56 mW. The good heat sinking provides high output power despite relatively large operating voltages over 3 V. Small output power variations over a wide temperature range from 20/spl deg/C to 90/spl deg/C are demonstrated. The best temperature insensitivity of laser output power is achieved in a constant voltage operation mode.
Electrical Degradation of High Voltage Cable Insulation Energized by Switching Impulses

The electrical degradation of cable insulation in distribution lines is due to the electrical stress caused by switching surges. During the operation, the insulation of power cables will be placed under high electrical stress, including overvoltages caused by switching. The status of power cable insulation aging is evaluated by the measurement of partial discharge level and AC breakdown voltage. The study helps to determine the reliability of power cables, as well as an estimation of the cable's expected lifetime. Many other factors than aging by switching surges have to be also considered as effect of the electrical insulation degradation.
Rotational nonequilibrium mechanisms in pulsed H(2) + F(2) chain reaction lasers. 1: Effect on gross laser performance parameters.

A rate equation model of a pulsed H2 + F2 chemical laser is used to examine the relative importance of rotational nonequilibrium mechanisms on laser performance. This computer model yields the time history of the first thirteen rotational levels and the first twelve vibrational–rotational P-branch transitions for the first six vibrational bands of HF. With this model, the general effects of rotational nonequilibrium on the H2 + F2 laser were found (1) to increase the number of transitions that lase simultaneously, (2) to lower the intensity of each transition, and (3) to extend the duration of lasing on each transition; these trends are similar to those observed earlier for the F + H2 laser. The major thrust of the present work is to isolate the relative importance of the various rotational nonequilibrium mechanisms. To this end, we have examined and compared several approaches to modeling R–T and V–R relaxation, nonequilibrium pumping distributions, and line-selected operation. The effects of these mechanisms (and their relative importance) on the laser output are clearly revealed by the model. The character of the spectra for the H2 + F2 model is significantly different from that observed for the F + H2 model. The ability of the model to predict spectra observed in experiments is assessed, and the model is found to compare well with discharge-initiated lasers. Additional calculations demonstrate the effect of multiquanta V-T deactivation of HF by HF.
Asymptotic behavior of a spline estimate of a density function

K. S. Lii and M. Rosenblatt. Asymptotic behavior of a spline estimate of a density function. Comput. Math. Appl., 1(2):223–235, 1975. Reprinted with permission of Elsevier Inc.
Cementless total hip replacement in an alpaca.

Objective— To report management of a chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) in an alpaca using cementless total hip replacement (THR). Study Design— Case report. Animal— An 18-month-old, 47 kg alpaca male. Methods— Cementless THR was performed in an alpaca with a chronic, right SCFE, and secondary osteoarthritis. Force plate gait analysis was performed before and 8 weeks after surgery. Outcome was determined through clinical evaluation, radiography, and force plate gait analysis. Results— Cementless THR resulted in marked improvement in the alpaca's comfort level, degree of lameness, and range of motion. On preoperative force plate gait analysis there was decreased contact time (P=.01) and vertical impulse (P<.01) of the affected limb, whereas at 8 weeks postoperatively significant differences in gait analysis between pelvic limbs were not apparent. Conclusion— THR using a BioMedtrix® canine cementless modular prosthesis restored hip function in an alpaca with coxofemoral osteoarthritis from chronic SCFE. Clinical Relevance— THR may be an appropriate treatment for selected traumatic and degenerative conditions of the coxofemoral joint in alpacas.
Accessory Mitral Valve Tissue Causing Left Ventricular Outflow Obstruction (Two-Dimensional Echocardiographic Diagnosis and Surgical Approach)

Accessory mitral valve tissue, a rare cause of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, can be difficult to diagnose preoperatively and confusing even at surgery. The reported case illustrates how preoperative evaluation can be made using two-dimensional echocardiography combined with Doppler flow analysis. The intraoperative technique for removing the accessory tissue without causing damage to the native mitral valve is discussed.
Atypical case of fungal laryngitis

Results: A patient with no history of pulmonary disease presented to the laryngology clinic with hoarseness and severe odynophagia. The patient was found to have laryngeal inflammation and an exophytic mass in the posterior larynx on laryngovideostroboscopy. After completion of a steroid taper, she had progression of her symptoms, developing stridor. The differential diagnosis included inflammatory and infectious processes, but there was concern for malignancy due to the finding of a laryngeal mass. Direct microlaryngoscopy and biopsies were performed. Pathology revealed yeast forms, and the patient’s urine was positive for blastomycosis antigen. The diagnosis of laryngeal blastomycosis was made. Although she required long-term therapy with oral fluconazole, the patient had dramatic resolution of both her symptoms and her laryngeal findings within one week of initiating treatment.
Incorporating husband-wife differences in place utility differentials into migration decision models.

This paper extends the micro-level empirical literature on migration decision making by investigating the manner in which husbands' and wives' subjective place utility expectations jointly feed into migration decisions in a low-income country. The authors use expectational data relating to four place utility dimensions and stated migration intentions of 376 village-resident Egyptian couples to test alternative decision models. An ordinal probit estimation technique is employed. The results of the analyses support the hypothesis of husband dominance in migration decisions in this context. The authors conclude with a discussion of the implications of the paper for further theoretical refinement and for migration survey design in this and other developing countries.
The effects of a peer-modeling film on children learning to self-inject insulin *

This study investigated the effects of a peer-modeling film on anxiety reduction and skill acquisition in children learning to self-inject insulin. Twenty-eight insulin-dependent children, aged 6–9 years and attending a summer camp for youngsters with diabetes, were randomly assigned to view a peer-modeling film of children learning self-injection or another film addressing nutrition. Immediately after viewing the film, the children were taught to self-inject insulin. Physiological, self-report, and observational measures were obtained at several points during the experiment and at a follow-up, 4 days later. There was little evidence indicating that the children were anxious, preventing assessment of the film's utility in anxiety reduction. On the other hand, the oldest girls viewing the peer-modeling film showed greater skill in self-injection than their counterparts viewing the nutrition film. The importance of age, sex, and previous experience as variables potentially affecting a modeling film's utility was discussed.
Evaluation of the Fire Suppression Effectiveness of Manually Applied Compressed-Air-Foam (CAF) System

Mobile compressed-air-foam (CAF) systems represent a new type of fire suppression system, which is gaining popularity among fire services. Properly engineered CAF systems produce superior quality foam with high momentum. However, until now, there has not been a study to systematically evaluate the fire suppression effectiveness of mobile CAF systems. NRC has carried out a project to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile CAF system in suppressing fully developed compartment fires. Several full-scale compartment fire tests were conducted to compare the fire suppression performance of a manually applied CAF system with that of hose stream application using water alone and using water-foam solution, under similar conditions. The study showed that a CAF system is much more effective in suppressing the compartment fire compared to hose stream application with water only or with foam-water solution. A CAF system with a 95 L/min (25 GPM) water flow rate suppressed the test fire better than the hose-stream application with water only or with foam-solution using 360 L/min (95 GPM). The CAF system suppressed the fire and cooled down the fire compartment (to 200°C) much quicker than the water alone or foam-solution. Also, the total amount of water used to control the test fire was much less with the CAF system than with the water alone or foam-solution.
EFFECTS OF FOUR SPECIES OF BACTERIA ON PORCINE MUSCLE. 1. Protein Solubility and Emulsifying Capacity

SUMMARY–A technique was used to obtain aseptic porcine muscle, portions of which were inoculated with cultures of Pediococcus cerevisiae, Micrococcus luteus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Pseudomonas fragi. The inoculated samples were compared with aseptic controls throughout a 20-day storage period at temperatures of 2 and 10°C. All 4 organisms grew at 10°C, but only P. fragi and L. mesenteroides grew at 2°C. The solubilities of the various protein fractions were affected by inoculation treatment. This was exemplified by correlation coefficients ranging from —.37—0.50. The coefficients indicated the interrelationships affected by storage conditions and bacterial growth. Protein solubility studies revealed a loss in the water-soluble fraction during storage of the controls and the M. luteus- and L. mesenteroides-treated samples. Samples inoculated with P. fragi evidenced an initial loss, followed by an increase. The solubility of meat proteins in a salt solution increased during the first 8 days of storage, then decreased or remained relatively constant for all samples. In comparison with controls, samples inoculated with P. fragi increased in salt-soluble protein solubility during the first 8 days, whereas those inoculated with L. mesenteroides decreased during the latter part of storage. Insoluble protein generally increased except for P. fragi-inoculated samples, which decreased. Nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) increased for all treatments and controls during the 20-day storage period. NPN extracted from the samples inoculated with P. fragi increased greatly. The pH increased with growth of M. luteus and P. fragi and decreased with growth of P. cerevisiae and L. mesenteroides. The emulsifying capacity was not influenced by the growth of M. luteus or P. cerevisiae. However, the emulsifying capacity of samples inoculated with L. mesenteroides decreased, whereas that of samples inoculated with P. fragi increased.
OPERating ON chromatin, a colorful language where context matters

Abstract Histones, the fundamental packaging elements of eukaryotic DNA, are highly decorated with a diverse set of post-translational modifications (PTMs) that are recognized to govern the structure and function of chromatin. Ten years ago, we put forward the histone code hypothesis, which provided a model to explain how single and/or combinatorial PTMs on histones regulate the diverse activities associated with chromatin (e.g., gene transcription). At that time, there was a limited understanding of both the number of PTMs that occur on histones and the proteins that place, remove, and interpret them. Since the conception of this hypothesis, the field has witnessed an unprecedented advance in our understanding of the enzymes that contribute to the establishment of histone PTMs, as well as the diverse effector proteins that bind them. While debate continues as to whether histone PTMs truly constitute a strict “code,” it is becoming clear that PTMs on histone proteins function in elaborate combinations to regulate the many activities associated with chromatin. In this special issue, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the landmark publication of the lac operon with a review that provides a current view of the histone code hypothesis, the lessons we have learned over the last decade, and the technologies that will drive our understanding of histone PTMs forward in the future.
Neuroscience: Lack of inhibition leads to abuse.

Chronic drug use can lead to addiction, which is initiated by specific brain circuits. The mystery of how one class of drugs, the benzodiazepines, affects activity in this circuitry has finally been solved.
Effects of size and dilution on dynamic properties of exothermic centers

Abstract In a further examination of the concept of exothermic centers, we have calculated the effects of size and dilution of exothermic centers upon the dynamic properties of a combusting H2O2 mixture. The computations were carried out for a stoichiometric hydrogenoxygen mixture at an initial state of p0 = 3.24 atm and T0 = 1335 °K, with argon as the diluent. The adiabatic process at constant volume was shown to represent the limit of large sizes, while that of constant pressure was the limit for small sizes, the dynamic behavior of the center in an undiluted mixture, whose reacting kernel had a radius of 100 microns, being practically the same as the latter. The effects of dilution were analyzed consequently only for the adiabatic process at constant pressure. Characteristic features of exothermic power pulses as a function of exothermic energy were expressed in terms of algebraic relations with respect to the concentration of reactants over the range of 100 to 10 per cent in their volumetric fraction.
An unusual presentation of bilateral facet dislocation of the cervical spine.

We report the case of a patient who presented complaining of neck pain after a fall. Initial physical examination was remarkable for an occipital scalp contusion and tenderness to palpation in the mid-cervical spine. Neurological examination demonstrated an absence of response to pinprick below approximately the T4 level. Upper extremities had equal withdrawal to pain and lower extremities were without movement. Initial cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine films were normal. An emergency myelogram demonstrated a complete extradural block at the C6 level. Cross-table lateral cervical spine films revealed a C5-C6 bilateral facet dislocation. The patient subsequently underwent closed reduction with in-line traction. He had a prolonged hospital course and was eventually transferred for rehabilitation, with some improvement in neurologic status.
A factor analysis of certain neurotic symptoms

In an attempt to investigate the concept of neurotic tendency thirty-nine of the forty-two most discriminative items in the Thurstone Neurotic Inventory were administered as a questionnaire to a group of five hundred male college students. An analysis of the table of intercorrelations by Thurstone's centroid method showed that eight factors were sufficient to account for the observed intercorrelations with negligible residuals. The eight centroid factors were then transformed into a simple structure. It is concluded that a single trait of neurotic tendency cannot be postulated and tentative hypotheses are formed as to the nature of the primary traits revealed by the analysis.
Alternate fates of the complementary strands of lambda DNA after infection of Escherichia coli.

After infection of Escherichia coli with phage lambda and denaturation of the intracellular DNA, parental label present initially in strand l of the lambda DNA is found in circular DNA molecules of monomer size. Parental label present initially in strand r of the DNA is found in DNA molecules which sediment in alkaline gradients as if they were from two to five times the length of mature lambda DNA. Some of the DNA containing parental r strand label spontaneously renatures. There appear to be three species of DNA containing parental r strand DNA: a dimer of two r strands, a trimer consisting of two r strands and one l strand, and a pentamer consisting of three r strands and two l strands. These findings indicate an asymmetric distribution of the two parental DNA strands after lambda infection and can be interpreted in terms of the rolling circle model of DNA replication. The link between l strand sequences and parental. r strand sequences may arise at the replication fork.
Impact of cluster C personality disorders on outcomes of acute and maintenance treatment in late-life depression.

Objective Personality disorders (PDs) have been associated with poor treatment outcomes in acute treatments for late-life depression and with persistent functional impairment after recovery from an episode of depression. Methods Using survival analysis and mixed-effects models, the authors examined the impact of Cluster C PDs on time-to-response and several aspects of functioning in acute and maintenance treatment of major depression in later life. Results Cluster C PDs were associated with longer time-to-response during acute treatment and non-response in continuation or maintenance treatment. Although not statistically significant, there was evidence of a cumulative negative impact of Cluster C PDs and residual depressive symptoms on instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) during maintenance treatment. Conclusions These findings suggest that screening for PD may be important for clinicians treating late-life depression and that the combination of Cluster C PDs and residual depressive symptoms may predict functional declines even after recovery from the index episode of depression.
Quantitative Metabolomics by 1H-NMR and LC-MS/MS Confirms Altered Metabolic Pathways in Diabetes

Insulin is as a major postprandial hormone with profound effects on carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. In the absence of exogenous insulin, patients with type 1 diabetes exhibit a variety of metabolic abnormalities including hyperglycemia, glycosurea, accelerated ketogenesis, and muscle wasting due to increased proteolysis. We analyzed plasma from type 1 diabetic (T1D) humans during insulin treatment (I+) and acute insulin deprivation (I-) and non-diabetic participants (ND) by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The aim was to determine if this combination of analytical methods could provide information on metabolic pathways known to be altered by insulin deficiency. Multivariate statistics differentiated proton spectra from I- and I+ based on several derived plasma metabolites that were elevated during insulin deprivation (lactate, acetate, allantoin, ketones). Mass spectrometry revealed significant perturbations in levels of plasma amino acids and amino acid metabolites during insulin deprivation. Further analysis of metabolite levels measured by the two analytical techniques indicates several known metabolic pathways that are perturbed in T1D (I-) (protein synthesis and breakdown, gluconeogenesis, ketogenesis, amino acid oxidation, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and oxidative stress). This work demonstrates the promise of combining multiple analytical methods with advanced statistical methods in quantitative metabolomics research, which we have applied to the clinical situation of acute insulin deprivation in T1D to reflect the numerous metabolic pathways known to be affected by insulin deficiency.
Numerical Propulsion System Simulation

The approach currently being developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center to address the issues of high-fidelity propulsion systems computational simulations is discussed. The approach focuses on interdisciplinary analysis, system simulation, simulation environment, and parallel computing. The Numerical Propulsion System Simulation is a long range program with the ultimate goal of developing the capability to reduce the cost and time of developing advanced technology propulsion systems.
Developing a Workplace Skills Course: Lessons Learned

Abstract The business community and educators have expressed concern about the deficiencies in students' skills, in particular communication, teamwork, thinking, and problem-solving skills. This article discusses the experience of implementing a course designed to develop and hone those skills, the faculty and student reaction to it, and the lessons learned. The article will provide a perspective for other educators who may be considering the addition of a skills development course to their curriculum.
Phase I/II study of weekly paclitaxel plus carboplatin and gemcitabine as first-line treatment of advanced-stage ovarian cancer : Pathologic complete response and longitudinal assessment of impact on cognitive functioning

Abstract Background . To determine the pathologic complete response rate of advanced ovarian cancer to weekly paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and carboplatin with filgrastim, and assess the longitudinal impact of this regimen on quality-of-life and cognitive functioning. Methods . Fourteen patients with advanced ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer were treated in the phase I portion of the study. Initial doses were paclitaxel: 60 mg/m 2 days 1, 8, and 15; gemcitabine: 800 mg/m 2 days 1 and 8; and carboplatin: area under the curve (AUC) 5 day 1, every 21 days for 6 cycles with filgrastim. Twenty-seven patients were treated at the phase II dose. Pathologic response was assessed by second-look laparoscopy in patients with complete response. Patients completed longitudinal assessments of quality-of-life and cognitive functioning. Results . Maximally tolerated doses were paclitaxel: 80 mg/m 2 days 1 and 8; gemcitabine: 800 mg/m 2 days 1 and 8; and carboplatin: AUC 5 day 1, every 21 days. Forty-eight percent of patients (13/27) experienced at least 1 grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity. Fifty percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 31–69%) of assessable patients achieved pathologic complete response. Median progression-free survival was 27.3 months (95% CI, 17.7 months to not reached), and overall survival 43.6 months (95% CI, 42 months to not reached). Cognitive functioning did not decline during or after chemotherapy. More highly educated women reported a perceived decline in concentration and memory while on chemotherapy. Quality-of-life scores were maintained during therapy. Conclusions . Fifty percent of patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer achieved pathologic complete response to weekly paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and carboplatin. Cognitive functioning did not decline by objective measures, although highly educated women reported subjective impairment.
Neonatal clomipramine treatment, alcohol intake and circadian rhythms in rats.

Neonatal exposure to antidepressant monoamine re-uptake inhibitors produces a wide variety of effects on the behavior and physiology of adult rats which are consistent with features of clinical depression. Since depressed patients show characteristic alterations in circadian rhythmicity, our laboratory has examined free-running circadian drinking rhythms in this putative animal depression model. Previously, neonatal desipramine treatment was shown to lengthen free-running period, and increase circadian amplitude, spectral magnitude, and voluntary alcohol intake (10% ethanol v/v) of male rats. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of neonatal clomipramine treatment (25 or 30 mg/kg SC, postnatal days 8–21) on circadian drinking rhythms and alcohol intake of both male and female rats. In addition, effects of alcohol exposure on circadian rhythmicity were also examined. Contrary to expectations, free-running period of clomipramine-treated rats did not differ from saline-treated controls in either constant darkness (DD) or constant light (LL), but spectral magnitude was increased in clomipramine-treated males and females, and circadian amplitude was increased in clomipramine-treated females. Neonatal clomipramine also increased voluntary alcohol intake, and both clomipramine- and saline-treated groups displayed significant period-shortening during alcohol exposure. Taken together, these results suggest that alterations in the amplitude and coherence of circadian rhythmicity may be more consistent than alterations in free-running period in animal depression models, as has been suggested previously for depressed patients.
Can walking ability enhance the effectiveness of breathing exercise in children with spastic cerebral palsy

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare differences in respiratory pressure and pulmonary function and the effectiveness of respiratory feedback training according to walking ability in children with cerebral palsy (CP). [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-three children with spastic CP were enrolled in the final analysis and were divided into an independent walking group (n=12) and non-independent walking group. All children received respiratory feedback training for four weeks. Before and after the training, respiratory muscle strength was measured and a pulmonary function test was performed. [Results] Comparison of respiratory pressure and pulmonary function test results between the two revealed that the independent walking group had significantly higher respiratory function than the other group in all variables except peak expiratory flow. In comparison of changes in respiratory function between the two groups, the independent walking group showed significantly higher improvement of respiratory function in terms of maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and forced vital capacity. [Conclusion] These findings showed that children with independent walking ability had better respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function compared with children without independent walking ability. Understanding respiratory function and the effectiveness of respiratory training according to walking ability will be valuable clinical information for respiratory assessment and therapy in children with CP.
Nanowire Growth by an Electron‐Beam‐Induced Massive Phase Transformation

Tungsten trioxide nanowires of a high aspect ratio have been synthesized in situ in a TEM under an electron beam of current density 14 A/cm2 due to a massive polymorphic reaction. Sol–gel-processed cubic phase nanocrystals of tungsten trioxide were seen to rapidly transform to one-dimensional monoclinic phase configurations, and this reaction was independent of the substrate on which the material was deposited. The mechanism of the self-catalyzed polymorphic transition and accompanying radical shape change is a typical characteristic of metastable to stable phase transformations in nanostructured polymorphic metal oxides. The findings are important to the controlled electron beam deposition of nanowires for functional applications starting from colloidal precursors.
THE EFFECT OF SIGNIFICANT TUMOR REDUCTION ON THE DOSE DISTRIBUTION IN INTENSITY MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY FOR HEAD-AND-NECK CANCER: A CASE STUDY

We present a unique case in which a patient with significant tissue loss was monitored for dosimetric changes using weekly cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. A previously treated nasopharynx patient presented with a large, exophytic, recurrent left neck mass. The patient underwent re-irradiation to 70 Gy using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with shielding blocks over the spinal cord and brain stem. Weekly CBCT scans were acquired during treatment. Target contours and treatment fields were then transferred from the original treatment planning computed tomography (CT) to the CBCT scans and dose calculations were performed on all CBCT scans and compared to the planning doses. In addition, a "research" treatment plan was created that assumed the patient had not been previously treated, and the above analysis was repeated. Finally, to remove the effects of setup error, the outer contours of 2 CBCT scans with significant tumor reductions were transferred to the planning scan and dose in the planning scan was recalculated. Planning treatment volume (PTV) decreased 45% during treatment. Spinal cord D05 differed from the planned value by 3.5 +/- 9.8% (average + standard deviation). Mean dose to the oral cavity and D05 of the mandible differed from the planned value by 0.9 +/- 2.1% and 0.6 +/- 1.5%, respectively. Results for the research plan were comparable. Target coverage did not change appreciably (-0.2 +/- 2.5%). When the planning scan was recalculated with the reduced outer contour from the CBCT, spinal cord D05 decreased slightly due to the reduction in scattered dose. Weekly imaging provided us the unique opportunity to use different methods to examine the dosimetric effects of an unusually large loss of tissue. We did not see that tissue loss alone resulted in a significant effect on the dose delivered to the spinal cord for this case, as most fluctuation was due to setup error. In the IGRT era, delivered dose distributions can be more readily determined during treatment, and this information can be useful in deciding whether replanning is necessary.
Hyaluronan Anchored to Activated CD44 on Central Nervous System Vascular Endothelial Cells Promotes Lymphocyte Extravasation in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

The extravasation of lymphocytes across central nervous system (CNS) vascular endothelium is a key step in inflammatory demyelinating diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) and its receptor, CD44, have been implicated in this process but their precise roles are unclear. We find that CD44(-/-) mice have a delayed onset of EAE compared with wild type animals. Using an in vitro lymphocyte rolling assay, we find that fewer slow rolling (<1 μm/s) wild type (WT) activated lymphocytes interact with CD44(-/-) brain vascular endothelial cells (ECs) than with WT ECs. We also find that CD44(-/-) ECs fail to anchor HA to their surfaces, and that slow rolling lymphocyte interactions with WT ECs are inhibited when the ECs are treated with a pegylated form of the PH20 hyaluronidase (PEG-PH20). Subcutaneous injection of PEG-PH20 delays the onset of EAE symptoms by ~1 day and transiently ameliorates symptoms for 2 days following disease onset. These improved symptoms correspond histologically to degradation of HA in the lumen of CNS blood vessels, decreased demyelination, and impaired CD4(+) T-cell extravasation. Collectively these data suggest that HA tethered to CD44 on CNS ECs is critical for the extravasation of activated T cells into the CNS providing new insight into the mechanisms promoting inflammatory demyelinating disease.
Spectroscopic studies of intense ion beam propagation in the PBFA-II gas cell

We are studying the physics of ion beam transport on PBFA II by measuring time-resolved visible spectral emission from the gas cell. The initial goals are to perform a spectral survey, to measure the spectral-line intensities and widths, and to evaluate the potential for using this emission as a diagnostic for conditions in the gas-cell, plasma. We have acquired spectra in the 4000 A to 7000 A regime excited by the transport of proton and carbon beams through 5 Ton-argon gas. The nominal ion beam energy and current density at the spectroscopic line of sight are 6–7 MeV protons, 12–21 MeV carbon, and 10–50 kA/cm2. The emission is dominated by n=4 to n=4 transitions in Ar II, with FWHM values typically 1–2 A. We are investigating a variety of mechanisms which might contribute to the line profiles, including plasma Stark broadening, Stark and Zeeman splittings and shifts due to residual electric and magnetic fields, and opacity effects. The relative contributions of ion-impact and plasma electron collisional excitation are being evaluated using an LTE atomic model. Measured plasma properties will be incorporated into cur understanding of beam transport.
Why no mere mortal has ever flown out to center field

The English past tense system has recently been used to argue that formal grammatical categories (such as root, rule, and lexical item) may not be necessary to explain the acquisition and knowledge of language. Rumelhart and McClelland (1986) devised a connectionist model relying solely on phonological information; it is often suggested that any deficiencies of such a model can be remedied by supplying it with semantic information. These proposals are incorrect: Grammatical categories and abstract morphological structure are indispensable and cannot be replaced with semantics while preserving the patterns of psychological generalization in the system. Linguists have noted that irregular past tense mappings (e.g., fly/flew; stick/stuck) apply only when a verb's root is marked in the lexicon as having an irregular past. Because nouns are never so marked, verbs with noun roots—denominal verbs—are regular even if they are phonologically identical to irregular verbs, hence: flied out/*flew out to center field; high-sticked/*high-stuck the goalie. Experiment 1 shows that adult subjects are highly sensitive to this principle when rating regular and irregular past tense forms of novel versions of irregular sounding verbs: New verbs formed from nouns were judged as better with a regular past tense (e.g., line-drived was the preferred past of “to hit a line drive”): new verbs formed from verbs were judged as better with an irregular past tense (e.g., line-drove was the preferred past of “to drive along a line”). Experiment 2 replicated the results with noncollege-educated adults, showing that the effect is not due to prescriptive language training. Experiment 3 tested an alternative to the formal grammatical account proposed by Lakoff (1987): When a verb has two meanings, one with an irregular past and one with a regular past, the irregular will belong to the meaning that is more central. Using regression techniques and ratings data, we disconfirm this prediction: In the data from Experiment 1, judgments of regular and irregular forms of a new verb are shown to be affected by whether the verb is derived from a noun or a verb, but not by whether its new sense is near the center or the periphery of the sense of the word it was derived from. Experiments 4 and 5 explain the few apparent counter-examples by gathering independent evidence for a short-circuiting process: When a denominal verb appears to have an irregular past tense form, it is because speakers sometimes interpret such verbs as having been derived directly from a related irregular verb root, bypassing the relevant noun. The experiments serve as a straightforward demonstration that representations of formal grammatical categories and structures are powerful determinants of linguistic behavior, and are not reducible to semantics, phonology, or prescriptive training.
Weak minimization of DFA: an algorithm and applications

DFA minimization is an important problem in algorithm design and is based on the notion of DFA equivalence: Two DFA's are equivalent if and only if they accept the same set of strings. In this paper, we propose a new notion of DFA equivalence (that we call weak-equivalence): We say that two DFA's are weakly equivalent if they both accept the same number of strings of length k for every k. The motivation for this problem is as follows. A large number of counting problems can be solved by encoding the combinatorial objects we want to count as strings over a finite alphabet. If the collection of encoded strings is accepted by a DFA, then standard algorithms from computational linear algebra can be used to solve the counting problem efficiently. When applying this approach to large-scale applications, the bottleneck is the space complexity since the computation involves a matrix of order k × k if k is the size of the underlying DFA M. This leads to the natural question: Is there a smaller DFA that is weakly equivalent to M? We present an algorithm of time complexity O(k3) to find a compact DFA weakly equivalent to a given DFA. We illustrate, in the case of a tiling problem, that our algorithm reduces a (strongly minimal) DFA by a factor close to 1/2.
Characterization of Driver Seatbelt Donning Behavior

Improvements in the accessibility and ease of use of seatbelts require an understanding of driver belt donning behavior. Participants in a study of driving posture were videotaped as they put on their belts in their own vehicles, either an SUV or a midsize sedan. The participants were unaware that the purpose of the videotaping was related to the seatbelt. Videos from 95 men and women were analyzed to identify several categories of belt-donning behavior and to analyze the influence of body dimensions. The results have applicability to seatbelt system design, including the use of human figure models to assess seatbelt accessibility.
Phylogeny, ecology, and the origins of climate-richness relationships

Many studies show that species richness is correlated with climate, especially among local sites within a region. However, few studies have addressed how these climate–diversity relationships actually arise. Only a few processes can directly change species richness (i.e., speciation, extinction, dispersal), and these processes may be best studied by incorporating a phylogenetic perspective. Here, we used a phylogenetic approach to address the causes of climate–diversity relationships in plethodontid salamanders by combining data on richness, climate, and phylogeny for 250 species. Our results suggest that species richness patterns in plethodontids are explained primarily by how long each region and climatic zone has been occupied, rather than by the effects of either area, species density (i.e., ecological limits), or climate on the rates of speciation or extinction. Across regions, diversity is related to time rather than climate. Within regions, significant climate–diversity relationships are also relat...
Synthesis and Characterization of Segmented Copolymers of a Methylated Polyamide and a Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polyester

A block copolymer consisting of liquid crystalline polyester segments and methylated polyamide segments has been synthesized. Solution polycondensation of acid chloride end-capped poly(terephthaloyl phenylhydroquinone) (LCP portion) with an amine terminated poly(N,N’-dimethylethylene sebacamide) was utilized to prepare the block copolymer. Characterization by differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, optical microscopy and elemental analysis has been performed to verify the existence of the block copolymer that may have potential as a molecular composite material or self-reinforcing thermoplastic.
Framework for determination of geometric parameters of a cone beam CT scanner for measuring the system response function and improved object reconstruction

We present a mathematical framework for image-based geometric calibration of flat-panel, cone-beam, circular-trajectory based computed-tomography (CT) scanners. The geometric parameters are used to determine the system response function corrected for misalignment. The system response function includes the shift-variant detector point response, and the location dependent response of the focal-spot. We propose a technique to automatically determine the relative geometric parameters of the scanner by including calibration marks on the object container. These parameters include the relative location and orientation of the detector and location of the focal-spot with respect to the object at each scanner rotation angle. The estimated parameters are used to determine the system response function and perform object reconstruction. Results of the system response function and object reconstruction with misalignment correction are provided, showing relevance of our mathematical framework and proposed technique.
Proposing Community-Based Learning in the Marketing Curriculum

Community service and service learning (CS&SL) exposes students to the business practice of giving back to society while reinforcing classroom learning in an applied real-world setting. However, does the CS&SL format provide a better means of instilling the benefits of community service among marketing students than community-based learning (CBL), a modification of client-sponsored projects using nonprofit organizations that emphasize societal benefits? A series of three studies reveals that CBL renders results that are more favorable than CS&SL by enhancing student awareness and perceived benefits of community service at the undergraduate and graduate curriculum levels.
Developmental coupling of larval and adult stages in a complex life cycle: insights from limb regeneration in the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

A complex life cycle, such as complete metamorphosis, is a key innovation that can promote diversification of species. The evolution of a morphologically distinct larval stage is thought to have enabled insects to occupy broader ecological niches and become the most diverse metazoan taxon, yet the extent to which larval and adult morphologies can evolve independently remains unknown. Perturbation of larval limb regeneration allows us to generate larval legs and antennae with altered limb morphologies, which may be used to explore the developmental continuity that might exist between larval and adult appendages. In this study, we determined the roles of several appendage patterning transcription factors, abrupt (ab), dachshund (dac), Distal-less (Dll), and spineless (ss), in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, during larval appendage regeneration. The functions of these genes in regenerating and non-regenerating limbs were compared using RNA interference. During limb regeneration, dac and ss were necessary to re-pattern the same larval structures as those patterned during embryogenesis. Removal of these two genes led to larval appendage patterning defects that were carried over to the adult legs. Surprisingly, even though maternal knockdown of ab had minimal effects on limb allocation and patterning in the embryo, it was necessary for blastema growth, an earlier phase of regeneration. Finally, knockdown of Dll prevented the blastema-like bumps from re-differentiating into appendages. Our results suggest that, similar to vertebrates, the re-patterning phase of Tribolium larval limb regeneration relies on the same genes that are used during embryonic limb patterning. Thus, the re-patterning phase of regeneration is likely to be regulated by taxon-specific patterning mechanisms. Furthermore, Ab and Dll appear to play important roles during blastema proliferation and re-differentiation, respectively. Finally, our results show that continuity exists between larval and adult limb patterning, and that larval and adult leg morphologies may be developmentally coupled. Thus, the evolution of imaginal discs may have been a key step towards completely removing any developmental constraints that existed between larval and adult phenotypes.
An Experimental Approach to the Study of Moisture Dynamics in Walls

This paper reports on the design of an experimental facility to examine moisture levels in the various components of a building envelope over the course of seasonal weather patterns. Using analytical methods, the pertinent factors in moisture accumulation were identified and the wall panels were built using a range of these factors. In addition to the permeance of the building materials, the effect of solar heating and interior vapor pressure also were studied. In this way, the relative importance of these variables can be compared while at the same time allowing the other factors of actual weather conditions, such as wind and precipitation, to be included as random variables. By using this approach, a realistic appraisal of the relationship between these factors and moisture accumulation can be made. To illustrate the capabilities of this facility, some preliminary data collected the first year are shown and compared to model predictions using the recorded weather conditions. Limitations of the experimental program as well as future research needs are discussed.
First Report of Tomato spotted wilt virus in Blackberry Lily in North America

Blackberry lily (Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.) is an herbaceous perennial in the Iridaceae characterized by purple-spotted orange flowers followed by persistent clusters of black fruit. In July 2002, virus-like symptoms including chlorotic ringspots and ring patterns were observed on blackberry lily leaves on 2 of 10 plants in a south Florida ornamental demonstration garden. Inclusion body morphology suggested the presence of a Tospovirus. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was specifically identified by serological testing using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Agdia, Elkhart, IN). Sequence analysis of a nucleocapsid (N) protein gene fragment amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers TSWV723 and TSWV722 (1) from total RNA confirmed the diagnosis. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of a 579 base pair region of the RT-PCR product were 95 to 99% and 95 to 100% identical, respectively, to TSWV N-gene sequences in GenBank. Since these 2-year-old plants were grown on-site from seed, they were likely inoculated by thrips from a nearby source. Together with a previous observation of TSWV in north Florida nursery stock (L. Breman, unpublished), this represents, to our knowledge, the first report of TSWV infection of blackberry lily in North America although TSWV was observed in plants of this species in Japan 25 years ago (2). References: (1) S. Adkins, and E. N. Rosskopf. Plant Dis. 86:1310, 2002. (2) T. Yamamoto and K.-I. Ohata. Bull. Shikoku Agric. Exp. Stn. 30:39, 1977.
U-M Abdominoplasty

Background: Standard abdominoplasty incisions invade aesthetic units outside of the abdominal wall. Contemporary styles of body exposure and bathing suit designs demand that those incisions be hidden inside the “bikini line.” Objectives: The “U-M” abdominoplasty design meets these and other aesthetic requirements. Methods: The patient is marked in the standing position for the U-M incisions, areas of suction-assisted lipoplasty (SAL), and undermining. The lower incision is designed as an open U, with its lateral limbs placed inside and parallel to the bikini line. The upper incision is a lazy M to provide lateral tension and match the length of the lower flap. Moderate tumescent solution is used to perform SAL of the waistline and iliac prominences and to create a xiphoumbilical depression. Gentle SAL of the flap is also performed avoiding the new suprapubic area. Undermining is performed to the xiphoid. Umbilical transposition and recti diastasis repair is performed according to the surgeon's preferred technique. Closure is performed in layers with repair of Scarpa's layer by use of nonabsorbable suture material. Results: This technique has been used in 132 patients over the past 12 years. Complications include seroma (3%), small areas of skin necrosis (2%), pseudobursa (0.7%), drain tract infection (0.7%), and deep venous thrombosis (0.7%). The rate of patient satisfaction has been very high. Conclusions: Advantages of the U-M abdominoplasty incision technique include safe contouring with SAL, high lateral tension to minimize midline problems, anterolateral thigh lifting, pubis rejuvenation, no improvisation during surgery, and incisions hidden by the bikini and located within the aesthetic units of the abdomen.