cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Case for Prediction-Based Best-Effort Real-Time Systems

We propose a prediction-based best-effort real-time service to support distributed, interactive applications in shared, unreserved computing environments. These applications have timing requirements, but can continue to function when deadlines are missed. In addition, they expose two kinds of adaptability: tasks can be run on any host, and their resource demands can be adjusted based on user-perceived quality. After defining this class of applications, we describe a significant example, an earthquake visualization tool, and show how it could benefit from the service. Finally, we present evidence that the service is feasible in the form of two studies of algorithms for host load prediction and for predictive task mapping.
Male Pelvis Studies Using MRI

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Prostate Gland 3 Seminal Vesicles 4 Penis/Urethra 5 Testis 6 Biographical Sketches Related Articles
Interhemispheric Variability of Earth’s Radiation

AbstractThe variability of interhemispheric symmetry of Earth’s energy serves as an independent indicator of climate change. The analysis of updated data obtained from satellite measurements at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) shows that in accord with Earth’s orbital requirements the annually averaged incident solar radiation is the same in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the annual mean of the reflected shortwave radiation is almost north–south symmetric, and the annual mean of the outgoing longwave radiation is larger in the Northern Hemisphere by 1.4 W m−2. These mean radiations systematically differ from the mean radiations found from the numerical atmospheric models that participated in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5). The hemispheric differences of the TOA radiations vary on the annual and interannual time scales. The multidecadal variability in Earth’s north–south temperature difference reveals a similarity of trends in both hemispheres. The Atlantic meridional tran...
Unique morphology of poly(azomethine ethers) sheared in the liquid crystalline state

The morphology and electron diffraction patterns of sheared films of a series of aliphatic-aromatic poly(azomethine ethers) with n = 1,4 and 7–10 CH2 units in the aliphatic segment have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The films were prepared by shearing in the liquid crystalline (nematic) state. In all cases, lamellae ca. 400 A thick and more or less perpendicular to the shear direction and perpendicular to the substrate were obtained. Annealing increases the lamellar thickness and overall order. Redrawing of annealed, sheared samples of n = 10 suggests they consist of chain folded lamellae. Electron diffraction (ED) yielded h0l single crystal patterns in all cases, except for n = 1, which yielded orthorhombic, fiber-like patterns. The h0l patterns suggest a planar, single crystal orientation over the entire sample. Annealing sheared samples above the crystal-liquid crystal transition temperature resulted in reorientation of the molecules (from parallel to perpendicular) with respect to the substrate. ED patterns changed accordingly from h0l to hk0. Sheared samples with n = 4 gave both orthorhombic and monoclinic diffraction patterns.
Sarantakos's Research on Same-Sex Parenting in Australia and New Zealand: Importance, Substance, and Corroboration with Research from the United States1:

Abstract Sarantakos (1996a) compared teacher ratings and other outcomes for the children of heterosexual married, heterosexual cohabiting, and homosexual parents and reported numerous significant, substantial differences. Few scholars have taken the effect sizes of his results into account or have considered his larger program of research. Sarantakos's research yielded many interesting findings with respect to children's academic performance, sexual orientation, use of alcohol and drugs, sexual deviance, and gender identity with respect to parents’ parenting values, relationship stability, conflict, monogamy, and religiosity or moral values, many of which have been corroborated by U.S. or British research. In addition, the methodological quality of his research appears to be at least above average, especially for research done 20 or more years ago. He appears to have been unbiased with respect to same-sex families. His results disseminated via multiple publications should be taken into account in literatu...
Making traffic-related decisions in FRIEND: A Cyber-Physical System for traffic flow related information aggrEgatioN and Dissemination

The main purpose of this paper is to present the various mechanisms whereby FRIEND - which is a Cyber-Physical System for traffic Flow Related Information aggrEgatioN and Dissemination, that was introduced in previous work - makes decisions about the state of the traffic and also about the possible occurrence of traffic-related incidents. Recall that FRIEND bases most of the inferences it makes about the status of traffic on two perceived parameters of the traffic flow: speed and density. In turn, the instantaneous density of the flow is deduced by sampling the headway distance of the most recently passing cars. A fundamental theoretical question that we address is the extent to which the sample mean of the collected headway distance data is a good approximation of the overall headway distance. In the paper, we also explain our incident detection algorithm and how we classify various types of incident. Our results show that the traffic parameters discussed in this paper along with historical data collected over a reasonable time period (duly adjusted for diurnal and seasonal variations), and with the aggregated traffic information firmly in hand, FRIEND is ready to disseminate to the traveling public a color-coded traffic status report.
High-energy (100-keV) e-beam lithography applied for fabrication of deep-submicrometer SAW devices on lithium niobate and quartz

Fabricating submicron feature size Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices on Lithium Niobate and Quartz allows one to take advantage of their unique piezoelectric material properties and operate at higher frequencies. With the recent availability of high performance, high energy e-beam nanowriter tools such as the Leica/Phillips EBPG-HR5 resident at this facility, SAW devices with very narrow line/space transducer gratings can be investigated. Utilizing very high energy (100 keV) direct write electron beam lithography (EBL), allows for processing of deep submicron features with an associated wider process latitude. This is specially desirable when applying EBL to high average Z materials such as lithium niobate. A previously presented paper demonstrated 400 and 500 nm line/space interdigitated transducer fingers on quartz and lithium niobate substrates. E-Beam lithography (30 keV) was used with two and three level, positive and negative tone processes respectively. In this current work a bilevel positive tone process is used by the authors, and involves first spinning a preparation of (1:1) ZEP-320-37 (Nagase Chemical) positive e-beam resist. A commercially available conductive polymer known as TQV-501 (Nitto Chemical) is then spun onto the wafer and serves as a charge removal vehicle. The TQV-501 film is removed by the development procedure. Xylene is used as the developer. Contact pads and interdigitated transducer elements are realized by e-beam metal deposition and lift off process. We will show a direct write positive tone process for the fabrication of deep submicron (400 nM and smaller) interdigitated transducer gratings on Lithium Niobate and Quartz substrates. An improved process dose latitude is seen because of the reduced expected proximity effect at high beam energy.
A direct spectrophotometric assay for pyruvate kinase

Abstract The enzymic transphosphorylation reaction catalyzed by pyruvate kinase is followed directly by recording the disappearance of phosphoenolpyruvate at 230 mμ. This assay has advantages over previous assays in that it is direct, simple, sensitive, and continuous and requires relatively small amounts of material. The turnover of substrate is calculated to be the same as that obtained using the lactic dehydrogenase coupled assay.
Damping of flexural vibration in the plane of lamination of elastic–viscoelastic sandwich beams

Abstract Laminated beams with internal viscoelastic layers are known to exhibit potentially high damping of flexural vibration in the direction normal to the plane of lamination. In this paper, a model is developed for vibration parallel to the plane of lamination of a symmetric five-layer elastic–viscoelastic sandwich beam. The model is used to study the resonant frequencies and damping ratios of the lowest several modes of beams with various boundary conditions and inertia and stiffness properties as the shear stiffnesses of the viscoelastic layers are varied. Experimental results for free–free beams with contiguous and segmented constraining layers are in reasonable agreement with the predictions of the model. Significant damping can be attained in the lowest several modes in the plane of lamination of a sandwich beam if the boundary conditions on the principal and constraining layers differ. For the particular example of a partially covered cantilever with a square box-beam cross-section, it is found that a constrained-layer damping treatment whose mass is approximately 15% of the mass of the cantilever can produce loss factors larger than 0.07 in the first mode of vibration in both the direction normal to and the direction parallel to lamination.
Cross-track control of a slender, underactuated AUV using potential shaping

The three-dimensional directional stabilization problem is addressed for a slender autonomous underwater vehicle with three inputs: thrust, pitch moment, and yaw moment. The control law reshapes potential energy through feedback. Conditions for asymptotic stability are derived by applying Lyapunov's direct method to a control Lyapunov function constructed from the control-modified energy and other conserved quantities. Analysis proves asymptotic stability and suggests almost global convergence. The dynamic model requires minimal assumptions concerning the viscous force and moment, resulting in a directional controller that is inherently robust to uncertainty in these effects. The directional control algorithm is then extended by incorporating a line-of-sight guidance rule to enable cross-track control, or line following, although the extension requires an additional control moment about the roll axis. Spectral stability analysis provides sufficient conditions for local exponential stability and numerical simulations suggest that stability is almost globally asymptotic.
Maximizing educational opportunities for youth aging out of foster care by engaging youth voices in a partnership for social change

Abstract This study examines the challenges faced by youth in foster care who are making the transition from high school to college. Forty-three high school and college students from across the state of Michigan who are or were in foster care spoke before panels of policymakers at two public forums. Transcripts from their testimony were analyzed. Eight main barriers to high school completion and college access were identified. The most frequently cited was a lack of supportive relationships with caring adults. This research demonstrates how the voice of youth in foster care can have an impact on the policies that affect their lives.
The use of antibody and complement to gain access to the interior of presynaptic nerve terminals

Treatment of synaptosomes with sera containing antibodies (Ab) directed against synaptosomal membranes and complement (C) alters the plasma membrane so that it becomes selectively permeable to small molecules and ions but not to proteins. When synaptosomes are incubated with Ab and C, a rapid release of intracellular K occurs. This release does not occur after treatment with antiserum alone, or with normal serum + C. Ab + C treatment releases approximately the same amount of K as does detergent treatment or hypotonic lysis, two procedures that extensively disrupt the plasma membrane.
Application of dihedral angle measurements to the microstructure of cemented carbides WC-Co☆

Abstract Dihedral angle measurements on sintered WC-Co reveal preferred contact angles between particles and preferred particle orientation over short distances.
Scan-Statistic Approach Identifies Clusters of Rare Disease Variants in LRP2, a Gene Linked and Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders, in Three Datasets

Cluster-detection approaches, commonly used in epidemiology and astronomy, can be applied in the context of genetic sequence data for the identification of genetic regions significantly enriched with rare disease-risk variants (DRVs). Unlike existing association tests for sequence data, the goal of cluster-detection methods is to localize significant disease mutation clusters within a gene or region of interest. Here, we focus on a chromosome 2q replicated linkage region that is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and that has been sequenced in three independent datasets. We found that variants in one gene, LRP2, residing on 2q are associated with ASD in two datasets (the combined variable-threshold-test p value is 1.2 × 10−5). Using a cluster-detection method, we show that in the discovery and replication datasets, variants associated with ASD cluster preponderantly in 25 kb windows (adjusted p values are p1 = 0.003 and p2 = 0.002), and the two windows are highly overlapping. Furthermore, for the third dataset, a 25 kb region similar to those in the other two datasets shows significant evidence of enrichment of rare DRVs. The region implicated by all three studies is involved in ligand binding, suggesting that subtle alterations in either LRP2 expression or LRP2 primary sequence modulate the uptake of LRP2 ligands. BMP4 is a ligand of particular interest given its role in forebrain development, and modest changes in BMP4 binding, which binds to LRP2 near the mutation cluster, might subtly affect development and could lead to autism-associated phenotypes.
CT visible internal stone structure, but not Hounsfield unit value, of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) calculi predicts lithotripsy fragility in vitro

Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) stones are often resistant to breakage using shock wave (SW) lithotripsy. It would be useful to identify by computed tomography (CT) those COM stones that are susceptible to SW’s. For this study, 47 COM stones (4–10 mm in diameter) were scanned with micro CT to verify composition and also for assessment of heterogeneity (presence of pronounced lobulation, voids, or apatite inclusions) by blinded observers. Stones were then placed in water and scanned using 64-channel helical CT. As with micro CT, heterogeneity was assessed by blinded observers, using high-bone viewing windows. Then stones were broken in a lithotripter (Dornier Doli-50) over 2 mm mesh, and SW’s counted. Results showed that classification of stones using micro CT was highly repeatable among observers (κ = 0.81), and also predictive of stone fragility. Stones graded as homogeneous required 1,874 ± 821 SW/g for comminution, while stones with visible structure required half as many SW/g, 912 ± 678. Similarly, when stones were graded by appearance on helical CT, classification was repeatable (κ = 0.40), and homogeneous stones required more SW’s for comminution than did heterogeneous stones (1,702 ± 993 SW/g, compared to 907 ± 773). Stone fragility normalized to stone size did not correlate with Hounsfield units (P = 0.85). In conclusion, COM stones of homogeneous structure require almost twice as many SW’s to comminute than stones of similar mineral composition that exhibit internal structural features that are visible by CT. This suggests that stone fragility in patients could be predicted using pre-treatment CT imaging. The findings also show that Hounsfield unit values of COM stones did not correlate with stone fragility. Thus, it is stone morphology, rather than X-ray attenuation, which correlates with fragility to SW’s in this common stone type.
Convex optimization and lagrange multipliers

The duality theorem of linear programming is used to prove several results on convex optimization. This is done without using separating hyerplane theorems.
The Fanconi anemia protein, FANCE, promotes the nuclear accumulation of FANCC.

Fanconi anemia is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by aplastic anemia, cancer susceptibility, and cellular sensitivity to mitomycin C. The 6 known Fanconi anemia gene products (FANCA, FANCC, FANCD2, FANCE, FANCF, and FANCG proteins) interact in a common pathway. The monoubiquitination and nuclear foci formation of FANCD2 are essential for the function of this pathway. FANCA, FANCC, FANCG, and FANCF proteins form a multisubunit nuclear complex (FA complex) required for FANCD2 monoubiquitination. Because FANCE and FANCC interact in vitro and FANCE is required for FANCD2 monoubiquitination, we reasoned that FANCE is a component of the FA complex in vivo. Here we demonstrate that retroviral transduction of Fanconi anemia subtype E (FA-E) cells with the FANCE cDNA restores the nuclear accumulation of FANCC protein, FANCA–FANCC complex formation, monoubiquitination and nuclear foci formation of FANCD2, and mitomycin C resistance. Hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged FANCE protein localizes diffusely in the nucleus. In normal cells, HA-tagged FANCE protein coimmunoprecipitates with FANCA, FANCC, and FANCG but not with FANCD2. Our data indicate that FANCE is a component of the nuclear FA complex in vivo and is required for the monoubiquitination of FANCD2 and the downstream events in the FA pathway.
Effects of maturation on tissue capillarity in chickens.

Abstract Tissue capillarity, diffusion distances and myoglobin concentrations in the anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD), consisting entirely of slow tonic fibers, the posterior latissimus dorsi (PLD), consisting entirely of twitch fibers, and the gastrocnemius (GST), consisting of both twitch and tonic fibers, were determined for the domestic chicken throughout maturation. Increases in muscle mass for the three muscles are due to fiber hypertrophy and are quantified as changes in the average cross-sectional area (FCSA) of the fibers. Capillary densities were highest in the newly hatched chicks: ALD = 3967 ± 888 caps/mm2, PLD = 8360 ± 1078 caps/mm2, and GST = 8360 ± 1283 caps/mm2; and decreased in proportion to the increase in FCSA, to adult values of ALD = 450 ± 50, PLD = 120 ± 20 and GST = 267 ± 33 caps/mm2. In contrast to mammals, the ratio of the numbers of capillaries to the numbers of muscle fibers appears to be fixed at or shortly after hatch; there is not an increase in the numbers of capillaries to offset fiber hypertrophy. Consistent with the observations on capillary densities, the diffusion distances are shortest in the newly hatched chicks where the maximal diffusion distance is 17.9 ± 1.06 μm in the ALD, 12.5 ± 1.08 μm in the PLD and 17.4 ± 0.93 μm the the GST. The maximal diffusion distance increased in proportion to FCSA; to 42.4 ± 5.75 μm in the ALD, 88.8 ± 1.33 μm in he PLD and 64.4 μm ± 8.59 μm in the GST. In the adult the diffusion distances varied with the fiber type of the muscle. Myoglobin concentrations were similar in the ALD and PLD and were lowest at hatch but increased to plateau values of 4.3 ± 0.51 mg/g for the slow-tonic ALD and 2.2 ± 0.33 mg/g for the fast-twitch PLD. In contrast, myoglobin concentrations in the GST were highest in the newly hatched chicks and decreased to a low-level plateau of 1.8 ± 0.83 mg/g in the adult. The very high myoglobin concentrations in the GST of the newly hatched chicks may represent an adaptation to conditions of extreme hypoxia in the hind limb of the developing embryo.
Comparison of HCMM and GOES Satellite temperatures and evaluation of surface statistics

Infrared data from GOES and HCMM satellites for areas in northern central and southern Florida were compared for February 1, 1979 to examine spatial variations of surface temperatures within GOES pixels using nested HCMM pixel surface temperatures. Standard deviations of HCMM pixel temperatures associated with mean temperature of a GOES pixel temperature during this period were found to be smallest for homogeneous water surfaces (about 0.5 K), to be slightly larger for homogeneous land surfaces (about 0.1 K), and to range up as high as 3.5 K for mixed water-land surfaces.
Characterization of Whole, Canine Gastric-Antral Mucus

SummaryFresh mucus, collected from the canine gastric antrum, was studied by column chromatography, disc gel and immunoelectrophoresis, as well as by analytical techniques for the measurement of protein and protein-bound carbohydrate concentration in mucosubstance. Approximately 40% of the nondialyzable organic solids in fresh antral mucus consists of serum proteins with representation of all or almost all of the various serum protein fractions. The rate of mucous secretion is augmented and the relative proportions of protein and protein-bound carbohydrate are altered when an indwelling cannula is used for the collection of antral mucus.
Glutamic Acid of Proteins

IN 1939, Kogl and Erxleben1 reported the isolation from tumour proteins of amino-acids of the d-series, chiefly d-glutamic acid, and developed a new theory of the origin of malignant tumours based on the view that malignant growth depends upon the alteration of the proteins in tumour cells owing to the inclusion of racemized amino-acids. Chibnall et al.2 failed to detect the unnatural form of glutamic acid in hydrolysates from tumour proteins. Graff3 was also unable to reproduce Kogl's results. Accord- ing to Kogl4, the failure of these authors to obtain d-glutamic acid was due to the fact that they used a different method for its isolation. White and White5 and Arnow6 confirmed the results of Kogl in a small number of experiments, but Dittmar7, who followed Kogl's technique for the isolation of glutamic acid, failed to detect the d-form of this acid in proteins from the growing parts of different types of sarcoma, though he was able to establish racemization of glutamic acid in the proteins from necrotic malignant tissue.
Error Propagation in Laser Beam Spatial Parameters

We have performed a propagation-of-errors analysis on two methods used to determine the spatial parameters of a laser beam. We measured diameters of a diode laser beam focused by a 993 mm focal length lens. Measurement uncertainties of less than 1% can result in uncertainties greater than 200% in locating the beam waist of the laser. We compare the inherent uncertainties in the spatial parameters as obtained by the two methods. Longer focal length lenses and lens position can reduce this magnification of uncertainty, but would require large propagation distances.
Three-dimensional point spread function characterization of a radially displaced scatterer

For synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems utilizing a circular aperture for target recognition, it is important to know how a target's point spread function (PSF) behaves as a function of various radar functional parameters and target positional changes that may occur during data collection. The purpose of this research is characterizing the three dimensional (3D) point spread function (3D PSF) behavior of a radially displaced point scatterer for circular synthetic aperture radar (CSAR). For an automatic target recognition (ATR) systems requiring target identification with a high degree of confidence, CSAR processing represents a viable alternative given it can produce images with resolution less than a wavelength. With very large CSAR apertures (90°r; or more) three dimensional imaging is possible with a single phase center and a single pass. Using a backprojection image formation process, point target PSF responses are generated at various target locations at a given radar bandwidth, depression angle and full 360°r; CSAR apertures. Consistent with previous studies, the 3D PSF for a point target located at the image center is cone shaped and serves as the basis for comparing and characterizing the 3D PSFs for radially displaced scatterers. For radially displaced point target, simulated results show 3D PSF response is asymmetric and tends to become an elliptic shape.
The Power of Visioning Change

What were the paradigm shifts that Quinsigamond Community College undertook in order to create a more effective advising system? Learn about our changes, the process, the end results—a Web-based Career, Academic, and Personal Success (CAPS) plan—and the key lessons learned!
Rise of the humans

Who among us would not prefer to live, rather than die? Death seems profoundly unfair. Coleridge used the image of death playing dice to capture the intuition that death is the outcome of chance, not design. Odd then to discover, as biologists and geneticists have in recent decades, that death does not occur by chance at all, at least in the broad scheme. We are not built to last forever. Rather, we are built specifically not to last forever. Worse yet, our own genes are complicit in this. They make us and then betray us.
Bioconjugate-Based Molecular Umbrellas

Molecular umbrellas are "amphomorphic" compounds that can produce a hydrophobic or hydrophilic exterior when exposed to a hydrophobic or hydrophilic microenvironment, respectively. Such molecules are composed of two or more facial amphiphiles that are connected to a central scaffold. Molecular umbrellas that have been synthesized to date, using bile acids as umbrella "walls", polyamines such as spermidine and spermine as scaffold material, and l-lysine as "branches", have been found capable of transporting certain hydrophilic peptides, nucleotides, and oligonucleotides across liposomal membranes by passive diffusion. They have also have been shown to increase water solubility and hydrolytic stability of a hydrophobic drug, and to exhibit significant antiviral activity. The ability of a fluorescently labeled molecular umbrella to readily enter live HeLa cells suggests that such conjugates could find use as drug carriers.
Angiopoietin-like 5 and IGFBP2 stimulate ex vivo expansion of human cord blood hematopoietic stem cells as assayed by NOD/SCID transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the basis of bone marrow transplantation and are attractive target cells for hematopoietic gene therapy, but these important clinical applications have been severely hampered by difficulties in ex vivo expansion of HSCs. In particular, the use of cord blood for adult transplantation is greatly limited by the number of HSCs. Previously we identified angiopoietin-like proteins and IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) as new hormones that, together with other factors, can expand mouse bone marrow HSCs in culture. Here, we measure the activity of multipotent human severe combined immunodeficient (SCID)-repopulating cells (SRCs) by transplantation into the nonobese diabetic SCID (NOD/SCID) mice; secondary transplantation was performed to evaluate the self-renewal potential of SRCs. A serum-free medium containing SCF, TPO, and FGF-1 or Flt3-L cannot significantly support expansion of the SRCs present in human cord blood CD133+ cells. Addition of either angiopoietin-like 5 or IGF-binding protein 2 to the cultures led to a sizable expansion of HSC numbers, as assayed by NOD/SCID transplantation. A serum-free culture containing SCF, TPO, FGF-1, angiopoietin-like 5, and IGFBP2 supports an approximately 20-fold net expansion of repopulating human cord blood HSCs, a number potentially applicable to several clinical processes including HSC transplantation.
A revised method for the synthesis of 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylethylene (BHPE) and its derivatives.

Abstract The synthesis of 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylethylene, which is of biological interest, has been reported by several authors in the past. In this article an improved method is introduced. Also a protective group which is easily attached and removed is used. This procedure provides milder reaction conditions and better yields while the number of steps involved in the synthesis are reduced. Furthermore the reactions are clean and formation of by-products which lead to poorer yields are avoided.
Consistency of nuclear Dirac phenomenology with meson-nucleon interactions

Abstract The phenomenological relativistic theory of nuclear single-particle dynamics is reviewed and its salient characteristics discussed. The phenomenological (relativistic) potential strengths necessary to secure agreement with the usual low-energy properties of nuclei are determined. These phenomenological potentials are then related to the time-independent meson fields generated by nuclei, and it is shown by direct calculation that the potential strengths predicted on the basis of renormalized meson-nucleon couplings (as measured in, say, NN scattering) are consistent with those deduced empirically. Thus the phenomenological theory is shown to be consistent with a more microscopic approach, in agreement with the work of previous authors. The role of the ρ-meson is then examined, and it is shown that the time-independent ρ-field leads to isovector terms in both the central and spin-orbit terms of the equivalent Schrodinger potential. The signs and magnitudes of these terms agree with those determined from fits to the isobaric analogue (p, n) reactions, or to the systematics of single-particle energies.
Optical properties of mixed yttria–silica films

The refractive indices and absorption coefficients of a series of mixed yttria–silica films prepared by electron beam codeposition have been calculated from transmission spectra. The dependence of the refractive index and film densification on composition suggests that porosity inherent in pure yttria films deposited by electron beam evaporation can be reduced by admixture with silica; however, the films show increased absorption which is attributed to oxygen deficiency. These effects are similar to those observed previously in mixed zirconia–silica films.
Long-term effects of insulin in weanling rats with dorsomedial hypothalamic hypophagia: Food intake, efficiency of food utilization, body weight and composition

Abstract Twenty-five day-old Sprague-Dawley rats received electrolytic lesions in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei (DMNL rats); sham-operated rats served as controls. Two weeks after the operation the DMNL rats showed reduced ( p p p
The estimation of the two-gap model

Abstract Two-gap and related theoretical models imply that different constraints on growth may be binding at different times. This paper develops and applies an econometric methodology suitable for estimating this type of model and determining which constraints hold at different times. The empirical results suggest that growth is more often constrained by savings than by foreign exchange and that these models can be used to interpret the behavior of LDCs during the oil crisis.
Use of hybrid computers to analyze behavior of detailed models of biological systems. II. System parameters used in bile salt stimulated biliary cholesterol excretion.

Abstract A hypothesis relating biliary bile salt excretion and cholesterol and phospholipid excretion was formalized into a model which could be programmed on an analog computer. Computer curves were generated by entering into the program bile salt infusion rates, parameters derived experimentally for each animal, and certain constants derived from the data. These curves closely approximated the measured biliary cholesterol and phospholipid outputs when other system parameters of the model were scanned systematically with a medium-sized digital computer. In this way the model served as a suitable framework for identifying the biological significance of the model parameters.
Evaluation of Nucleic Acid Sequencing of the D1/D2 Region of the Large Subunit of the 28S rDNA and the Internal Transcribed Spacer Region Using SmartGene IDNS Software for Identification of Filamentous Fungi in a Clinical Laboratory

Filamentous fungal infections have recently increased because of the increasing numbers of immunocompromised hosts. In this study, we evaluated DNA sequencing of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using SmartGene (SG; SmartGene Inc., Raleigh, NC) for the identification of a broad range of commonly encountered filamentous fungi. The SG proofreaders were used to upload, align, and edit fragments, and the resultant sequences were interpreted using the quality-controlled SG database. The results were compared with reference identifications using conventional phenotypic methods or ITS DNA sequences obtained from GenBank if phenotypic identifications were inconclusive. A total of 146 clinical isolates were included in this study, representing 49 different genera. The overall agreements of the D1/D2 and the ITS sequencing methods to reference identification were 97.2% (95% CI, 93.1% to 98.9%) and 97.7% (95% CI, 92.8% to 99.4%), respectively. Of the 146 isolates, 18 (12.3%) did not amplify using the ITS universal primers after repeated attempts and, therefore, could not be sequenced using this target. Correct identification was achieved for 100% (95% CI, 97.4% to 100%) of the isolates when applying both the D1/D2 and ITS targets. In summary, DNA sequencing using SG software provides a rapid, accurate, and reliable tool for the identification of filamentous fungi in a clinical laboratory.
Paranemic Crossover DNA: A Generalized Holliday Structure with Applications in Nanotechnology

Paranemic crossover (PX) DNA is a four-stranded coaxial DNA complex containing a central dyad axis that relates two flanking parallel double helices. The strands are held together exclusively by Watson-Crick base pairing. The key feature of the structure is that the two adjacent parallel DNA double helices form crossovers at every point possible. Hence, reciprocal crossover points flank the central dyad axis at every major or minor groove separation. This motif has been modeled and characterized in an oligonucleotide system; a minor groove separation of five nucleotide pairs and major groove separations of six, seven, or eight nucleotide pairs produce stable PX DNA molecules; a major groove separation of 9 nucleotide pairs is possible at low concentrations. Every strand undergoes a crossover every helical repeat (11, 12, 13, or 14 nucleotides), but the structural period of each strand corresponds to two helical repeats (22, 24, 26, or 28 nucleotides). Nondenaturing gel electrophoresis shows that the molecules are stable, forming well-behaved complexes. PX DNA can be produced from closed dumbbells, demonstrating that the molecule is paranemic. Ferguson analysis indicates that the molecules are similar in shape to DNA double crossover molecules. Circular dichroism spectra are consistent with B-form DNA. Thermal transition profiles suggest a premelting transition in each of the molecules. Hydroxyl radical autofootprinting analysis confirms that there is a crossover point at each of the positions expected in the secondary structure. These molecules are generalized Holliday junctions.
The 4,5-double bond of ceramide regulates its dipole potential, elastic properties, and packing behavior

The biological activities of ceramides show a large variation with small changes in molecular structure. To help understand how the structure regulates the activity of this important lipid second messenger, we investigated the interfacial features of a series of synthetic ceramide analogs in monomolecular films at the argon-buffer interface. To minimize differences arising from the N-acyl moiety, each analog had either a N-hexadecanoyl or a N-cis-4-hexadecenoyl moiety amide linked to the nitrogen of the sphingosine backbone. We found that the trans 4,5-unsaturation in the sphingosine backbone promoted closer packing and lower compressibilities of ceramide analogs in interfaces relative to comparable saturated species. Moreover, structures with this feature exhibited dipole potentials as much as 150-250 mV higher than comparable compounds lacking 4,5-unsaturation. The results support the hypothesis by M.C. Yappert and co-workers that trans unsaturation in the vicinity of C4 of the sphingoid backbone augments intramolecular hydration/hydrogen bonding in the polar region. This intramolecular hydration may allow the close packing of the ceramide molecules and engender their high dipole potentials. These properties of ceramides and their analogs may be important determinants of biological function.
Progressive dissociation of pectin

The structural organization of alkaline soluble peach pectin was investigated over size ranges extending from micrometers to tenths of nanometers. Analysis was by electron microscopy and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC). Superimposed and individual circular microgels in the micrometer size range were isolated from mesocarp tissue of cell walls and visualized by rotary shadowing. Dilute NaCl and 50% aqueous glycerol disaggregated these microgels into rods, segmented rods, and kinked rods, which collectively comprised the internal gel network of the microgels. Image analysis of the shadowed specimens before and after disaggregation followed by curve fitting of the smoothed distributions revealed a multimodal distribution of lengths. HPAEC revealed that the multimodal aggregates were stable for the most part to further dissociation by increasing ionic strength.
Target detection and tracking in airborne video imagery using statistical snake and mean-shift

Target detection and tracking in real-time videos are very important and yet difficult for many applications. Numerous detection and tracking techniques have been proposed, typically by imposing some constraints on the motion and image to simplify the problem depending on the application and environment. This paper focuses on target detection and tracking in airborne videos, in which not much simplification can be made. We have recently proposed a combined/switching detection and tracking method which is based on the combination of a spatio-temporal segmentation and statistical snake model. This paper improves the statistical snake model by incorporating both edge and region information and enhancing the snake contour deformation. A more complex motion model is used to improve the accuracy of object detection and size classification. Mean-shift is integrated into the proposed combined method to track small point objects and deal with the problem of object disappearance-reappearance. Testing results using real UAV videos are provided.
Determinants of Medical Students' Perceived Preparation To Perform End-of-Life Care, Quality of End-of-Life Care Education, and Attitudes Toward End-of-Life Care

Abstract Background: Medical students' learning about end-of-life care can be categorized into three learning modalities: formal curriculum, taught in lectures; informal curriculum, conveyed through clinical experiences; and “hidden curriculum,” inferred from behaviors and implicit in medical culture. In this study, we evaluated associations between survey items assessing these learning modalities and students' perceptions of their preparation, quality of education, and attitudes toward end-of-life care. Methods: Data were collected from a national survey of fourth-year medical students (n = 1455) at 62 medical schools in 2001. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess associations between formal, informal and hidden end-of-life care curricula and students' perceived preparedness to provide end-of-life care, quality of end-of-life care education and attitudes toward end-of-life, controlling for students' demographics and clustered by school. Results: Students reporting more exposure to formal an...
An X-ray diffraction microscope at the Advanced Photon Source

An instrument capable of high-resolution spatial mapping of crystallographic phase, lattice strain, and lattice distortion with x-rays of energies from 6 to 20 keV has been constructed and commissioned at the 2-ID-D. beamline of the Advanced Photon Source. By integrating a hard x-ray Fresnel zone-plate-based microprobe and a six-circle diffractometer, the instrument provides a spatial resolution better than 250 nm, angular resolution of diffractometer circles better than 0.0001°, angular repeatability of the sample circles better than 0.001°, and almost full accessibility to the entire reciprocal space. The microprobe employs 10 cm and 40 cm (focal length at 8 keV) zone plates to provide high and moderate focusing power, respectively. Each zone-plate assembly has two identical zone plates stacked together to provide higher efficiency for higher energy (up to 30 keV) applications. The x-ray diffraction microscope has been applied to studies of the microstructures of bicrystal-supported magnetoresistive films.
EWI-2 modulates lymphocyte integrin α4β1 functions

The most prominent cell-surface integrin α4β1 partner, a 70-kDa protein, was isolated from MOLT-4 T leukemia cells, using anti–α4β1 integrin antibody-coated beads. By mass spectrometry, this protein was identified as EWI-2, a previously described cell-surface partner for tetraspanin proteins CD9 and CD81. Wild-type EWI-2 overexpression had no effect on MOLT-4 cell tethering and adhesion strengthening on the α4β1 ligand, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), in shear flow assays. However, EWI-2 markedly impaired spreading and ruffling on VCAM-1. In contrast, a mutant EWI-2 molecule, with a different cytoplasmic tail, neither impaired cell spreading nor associated with α4β1 and CD81. The endogenous wild-type EWI-2–CD81–α4β1 complex was fully soluble, and highly specific as seen by the absence of other MOLT-4 cell-surface proteins. Also, it was relatively small in size (0.5 × 106 Da to 4 × 106 Da), as estimated by size exclusion chromatography. Overexpression of EWI-2 in MOLT-4 cells caused reorganization of cell-surface CD81, increased the extent of CD81-CD81, CD81-α4β1, and α4β1-α4β1 associations, and increased the apparent size of CD81-α4β1 complexes. We suggest that EWI-2–dependent reorganization of α4β1-CD81 complexes on the cell surface is responsible for EWI-2 effects on integrin-dependent morphology and motility functions. (Blood. 2004;103: 3013-3019)
Durability of endarterectomy and antegrade grafts in the treatment of chronic visceral ischemia.

Abstract Several techniques have been used to revascularize the visceral circulation. Although initially successful, these repairs often have a significant rate of late occlusion. To determine the durability of transaortic endarterectomy (TEA) and antegrade aortovisceral grafting, we reviewed the last 67 consecutive patients operated on at the University of California, San Francisco for chronic visceral ischemia. The patients were principally middle-aged (mean, 59 years) women (76%) with atherosclerotic disease involving at least two major visceral arteries. Forty-seven patients underwent TEA; 22 patients had associated renal endarterectomy, and 15 patients had simultaneous aortic reconstructions. Twenty patients had an aortovisceral antegrade bypass placed as their only reconstructions. Two of these had concomitant aortic reconstructions. There were five perioperative deaths. Of the 62 patients available for follow-up, 60 patients who had a total of 111 major visceral branch repairs have been followed up for 6 months to 14 years (mean, 4.4 years). Four patients (7%) have had recurrent visceral ischemia. Two patients had recurrent symptoms and have been asymptomatic for nearly 5 and 6 years, respectively, after successful reoperations. Two patients had intestinal infarction and died as a result. Thirty-four patients have had follow-up aortography that showed 58 widely patent reconstructions, two asymptomatic single-vessel stenoses, and one symptomatic occlusion. TEA and antegrade visceral bypass provided long-term relief of symptoms and prevented visceral gangrene in 56 of 60 patients (93%). The prolonged patency of these reconstructions is attributed to the following: (1) They originate from undiseased or endarterectomized aorta, (2) they provide optimal, nonturbulent flow, and (3) they avoid the inherent technical pitfalls of retrograde grafting. (J VASC SURG 1986;3:799-806.)
Renal excretion of ascorbic acid: effect of age and sex

To determine if the lower plasma ascorbic acid concentrations observed in males compared to females, and in the elderly in general, might be due to differences in renal clearances of ascorbic acid, tubular maximum reabsorptions (TmAA) and renal thresholds for ascorbic acid were determined on older (10 male, 10 female, aged 70-86 years) and younger (3 male, 5 female, aged 26-59 years) subjects. The mean TmAA for men was 1.54 +/- 0.29 and for women 1.39 +/- 0.33 mg/minute/100 mL glomerular filtration rate (p > 0.05). The mean renal threshold for men was 1.51 +/- 0.25 and for women 1.26 +/- 0.16 mg/dL (p < 0.02). Neither was affected by age. If differences in TmAA and renal threshold were to explain the lower plasma ascorbic acid concentrations observed in males, both values should have been lower than in females. The ability of women to maintain higher plasma ascorbic acid concentrations than men, and young higher than elderly, cannot be explained by differences in the renal handling of ascorbic acid.
Mesoscopic Correlations in Disordered Waveguide: Dependence on Channel Indexes

Numerical simulation in quasi-1D disordered waveguide demonstrate that spacial field correlations strongly deviate from expectation based on random matrix theory(RMT). We relate the descrepancy to invalidity of RMT assumption of equivalence of different transmission channels.
Aesthetic Strategies in Western Religious Thought

A s soon as we say, "Religion and Aesthetics," we are caught in a problem. It would seem that we are bringing together two relatively separate and independent entities: two separate dimensions of human consciousness, two separate areas of human activity, two separate subject fields. We may get the impression that these are two distinct spheres of influence, which we are bringing into some arbitrary juxtaposition. What a study of religion and aesthetics reveals, however, is that in the lived reality of our experience we are caught up in an intricate network of judgments that are simultaneously religious and aesthetic. When we start talking about our ultimate predispositions toward the world of experience, the shape and contours of our realities and our deepest sense of personal identity, we may find that the religious and the aesthetic are mutually implied. Religion and aesthetics are intimately intertwined in a number of important and interesting ways. They are already related to the extent that we can identify religious dimensions within works of art and aesthetic structures implicit in religion. It is the purpose of this brief paper to clarify-on a theoretical level-the relationship between religion and aesthetics. First of all, it is possible to identify religious dimensions within works of art. The religious dimensions can be identified in two ways. One way is in terms of diffusion. There are instances where we can locate and describe certain historical influences of a religious community, text, or practice upon a work of art. The influence of Aquinas's Summa upon Dante's Divine Comedy, the influence of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola upon the metaphysical poets, the influence of Calvin upon Milton-these would all be examples of religious dimensions in literature which can be empirically traced to a process of historical diffusion. Examples from the visual arts could include the influence of the liturgy upon the development