cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automatic differentiation and the adjoint state method

The C++ class fdtd uses automatic differentiation techniques to implement an abstract time stepping scheme in an object-oriented fashion, making it possible to use the resulting simulator to solve inverse or control problems. The class takes a complete specification of a single step of the scheme, and assembles from it a complete simulator, along with the linearized and adjoint simulations. The result is a (nonlinear) operator in the sense of the Hilbert Class Library, a C++ package for optimization. Performance is equivalent to that of optimized Fortran implementations.
Biology of recently discovered cytokines: interleukin-17--a unique inflammatory cytokine with roles in bone biology and arthritis.

IL-17 and its receptor are founding members of an emerging family of cytokines and receptors with many unique characteristics. IL-17 is produced primarily by T cells, particularly those of the memory compartment. In contrast, IL-17 receptor is ubiquitously expressed, making nearly all cells potential targets of IL-17. Although it has only limited homology to other cytokines, IL-17 exhibits proinflammatory properties similar to those of tumor necrosis factor-α, particularly with respect to induction of other inflammatory effectors. In addition, IL-17 synergizes potently with other cytokines, placing it in the center of the inflammatory network. Strikingly, IL-17 has been associated with several bone pathologies, most notably rheumatoid arthritis.
Sex Sells: Sex, Class, and Taste in Commercial Gay and Lesbian Media

A teenage girl kneels on the backseat of a car in short shorts, turning toward the camera with a look both innocent and wanton. A young man lounges shirtless, his top fly button open, gazing with lazy invitation through the frame. "What’s the story in these ads?" I ask students. "Well, you know," they shrug, "sex sells." Frustrated at how this aphorism closes down discussion, I have begun to consider its status as a commonsense response to some advertising. Antonio Gramsci and others have written about how "commonsense" beliefs become naturalized, taken for granted as "the way things are," and thereby obscure their own ideological foundations. "Sex sells" precludes further analysis: "Well, what can you say? We all know that sex sells and that advertisers use sexualized images of women/men/ teens/whomever to market products." The common sense of "sex sells" masks the relationship between sexuality and commerce, discouraging analysis of the particular ways that sex is articulated to marketing and ignoring the limits placed on visible manifestations of sexuality in advertising and commercial media. To put this another way, when might sex not sell? What manifestations of sex are not commercially viable? How do some forms of sex preclude selling? Disciplines Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/asc_papers/113
In vitro analyses of endothelial cell permeability

Endothelial cells lining the vessels of the vasculature and the cell-cell junctions, which join them, -provide the primary barrier to the passage of fluids, immune cells, and macromolecules between the bloodstream and the tissues. Appropriate and dynamic regulation of this barrier is required during normal -physiological processes; however, if not tightly controlled, increased permeability of the endothelium can also contribute to many pathological situations, including chronic inflammatory diseases and edema. The development of in vitro methods to study endothelial barrier function has been key in the identification of molecular mechanisms underlying many of these disease states. In this chapter, we describe three complementary approaches to measure endothelial monolayer permeability and barrier function in vitro.
Real-time detection of laser damage threshold of AR coating of high-power optics

ABSTRACT A photorefractive dynamic Schlieren ( PDS ) system is designed to monitor thephotothermal damage-threshold of ZrSiO2 coating. The PDS is calibrated by observing the fringemovement in a Twyman-Green interferometer ( TGI ). Whilethe phase changes due to opticalpath difference (OPD ) ofabout /10 are detectable by TGI, the PDS is capable of revealingintensity changes due to OPD ofless than In this experiment a Nd:YAG laser is the sourcefor photothermal phase change while a HeCd provides the Schlieren field.Keywords: phase conjugation, photorefractive crystals, Schlieren, phase detection, AR-coating 1. INTRODUCTION Consumers ofthe lasers industry are interested in lasers that are more efficient, smaller, and morepowerful all in one package . Unfortunately, putting more energy into a smaller area createshigher energy densities which are capable ofburning the defective optics ofthe laser.Zhouling Wu, et al have developed a Photothermal Deflection Microscopy (PDM) andPulsed-Photothermal Deflection Technique (pulsed-PDT)' to test a coating in place (in-situ). Thisis to say that the test and the results can be attained in real time without moving the sample to asecondary position for evaluation. In the pulsed-PDT a probe beam is reflected offofthe locationto be test AR-coating. The reflected beam is directed to a position detector to determine theamount of offset caused by coating swell when the site is illuminated by the pump beam. Thesesetups are neither straight forward nor simple i.e. a great deal ofalignment is necessary.In this paper we describe an alternative real-time technique where a HeCd laser is the probe laserand a Nd:YAG laser is the illumination laser. The probe laser is used to create the Schlieren fieldand the Twyman-Greeninterferometer while the illumination laser is used to irradiate the testsample. A photorefractive BaTiO3 crystal is arranged in a self-pumped phase-conjugate geometryas the dynamic phase filter of a Schlieren system.2 The Schlieren field can detect the phasechanges which occur within its viewing field. The absorbing areas are considered to be defectivezones in the optical coating. By illuminating the coated optic with an intense beam, the defectiveabsorbing area will change in size. The size change is seen as a phase variation in the Schlierenfield. Phase variations which have a response time shorter than the crystal's response aretransmitted through the crystal as intensity modulations. The zonal area for which an intensitymodulation is observed would be considered an area undesirable for intra-cavity alignments. TheTwyman-Green component of the experimental setup is used as a calibrating tool for the PDS. Itis also used to veriiy that the coating is actually swelling when an intense beam is incident on it.
Have Changes in Financial Reporting Attributes Impaired the Ability of Financial Ratios to Assess Distress Risk

This study explores the effect of cross-sectional and time-series differences in financial reporting attributes on the predictive ability of financial ratios for bankruptcy. We identify proxies for discretion over financial reporting, the importance of intangible assets, and the effects of changing accounting standards over time. Our proxies include earnings restatements, discretionary accruals, research and development intensity, book-to-market ratios and incurrence of losses. We test the ability of financial ratios to predict bankruptcy for a sample of bankrupt and non-bankrupt firms listed on NYSE/AMEX or NASDAQ during the 1962-2002 period. Each of our proxies is associated with less informative financial ratios as reflected in predictive ability for bankruptcy. We compare the findings for the accounting model to those of a model based on market-related variables, and find that the market-related variables do not compensate for the lessened predictive ability of financial ratios. In our time-series analysis, descriptive statistics confirm that each of our proxies exhibits a trend consistent with decreasing informativeness over time. Our time-series tests reveal a decline in the predictive ability of financial ratios for bankruptcy, and document that this decline is associated with our financial reporting variables.
Reducing software security risk through an integrated approach

The paper presents joint work by the California Institute of Technology's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of California at Davis (UC Davis) sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Goddard Independent Verification and Validation Facility to develop a security assessment instrument for the software development and maintenance life cycle. The paper presents research on the generation of a software security assessment instrument to aid developers in assessing and assuring the security of software in the development and maintenance lifecycles.
Incorporating Human Body Mass in Standards of Helmet Impact Protection against Traumatic Brain Injury

Impact induced traumatic brain injury (ITBI) describes brain injury from head impact not necessarily accompanied by skull fracture. For sufficiently abrupt head impact decelerations, ITBI results from brain tissue stress incurred as the brain crashes into the inside of the skull wall, displacing the surrounding cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Proper helmet cushioning can damp the impact force and reduce ITBI. But force is mass times acceleration and current helmet blunt impact standards are based only on acceleration thresholds. Here I show how this implies that present standards grossly overestimate the minimum acceleration onset for ITBI by implicitly assuming that the brain is mechanically decoupled from the body. I quantify how an arbitrary orientation of the body with respect to impact direction increases the effective mass that should be used in calculating the required damping force and injury threshold accelerations. I suggest a practical method to incorporate the body mass and impact angle into ITBI helmet standards and point out directions for further work.
On Alternating Direction Methods of Multipliers: A Historical Perspective

The Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) has been introduced in 1974 and has been used (and still is) under the name of ALG2 for the numerical solution of various problems from Mechanics, Physics and Differential Geometry, among others. During the last decade, ADMM has known a surge of popularity coming from its applicability to the solution of problems of Image Processing, Statistical Learning, Data Mining, etc. The main goals of this review article are: (1) Provide historical facts concerning the origins of ADMM. (2) Give a general presentation of ADMM and related algorithms in the framework of Hilbert spaces. (3) Show the relationships between ADMM and some classical operator-splitting methods such as Douglas-Rachford and Peaceman-Rachford. (4) Present the results of numerical experiments concerning the application of ADMM to the solution of the Weber problem and of a non-convex problem from nonlinear Elasto-Dynamics.
Effect of expressing the water channel aquaporin-1 on the CO2 permeability of Xenopus oocytes.

It is generally accepted that gases such as CO2 cross cell membranes by dissolving in the membrane lipid. No role for channels or pores in gas transport has ever been demonstrated. Here we ask whet...
Graph coloring bounds for cellular radio

Abstract A graph coloring problem useful in deciding whether a set of call requests in cellular radio is compatible with frequency use constraints is introduced. Lower and upper bounds are obtained for the hexagonal cell case typical of many urban cellular systems. These bounds are on the number of frequencies needed to satisfy demand when there is an upper bound on the demand with small subsets. For example, if we have 308 frequency channels available, as for American cellular systems, then this is enough to satisfy any set of call requests when every “superhex” of 7 hexagons, 6 around 1, has at most 154 call requests. But 308 frequencies are definitely not enough if we permit some superhexes to have 206 or more call requests.
Frequency of Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and describe the correlative clinical features. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients with IPAH who underwent right-sided heart catheterization (RHC) and chest CT scan within 3 months of each other. Patients were from a single tertiary institution. CT scans were reviewed for the presence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy (MLAD) with correlating demographic and clinical data, including lymph node size and location, right atrial pressure (RAP), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), and the presence of pleural and pericardial effusion. Results The study population included 85 patients with a mean age of 48 ± 17.3 years; 70 (82%) were women. Fifteen patients (18%) had MLAD on chest CT scan. The mean short-axis diameter of the largest lymph node in these patients was 13.6 mm (range, 11-20 mm). The enlarged lymph nodes were located predominantly in the lower paratracheal and subcarinal stations. There was no association of MLAD with age, sex, RAP, or mPAP. MLAD was associated with presence of pleural effusion ( P Conclusions MLAD without other identifiable causes is seen in approximately one in five patients with IPAH and is associated with pleural effusion but not mPAP, RAP, or left ventricular function.
Use of electrothermal vaporization for volatility-based separation of Rb–Sr isobars for determination of isotopic ratios by ICP-MS

A new method of separating Rb and Sr by ETV-ICP-MS is demonstrated. An electrothermal vaporizer (ETV) is used for sample introduction and control of the ETV heating cycle provides temporal separation of the isobars at m/z 87, allowing 87Rb and 87Sr determination within the same sample. The method utilizes an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for ionization and detection. A one or two vaporization stage heating method is used for the ETV separation, and initial methodology and feasibility experiments were conducted on an ETV-ICP-TOFMS. Final measurements were made using a MC-ICP-MS for data collection. The method uses minimal sample preparation and no front end chromatographic separation of Rb and Sr prior to analysis. The technique is applied to the analysis of a potassium feldspar sample (NIST SRM 607) and is demonstrated to be viable as a means of determining isotopic data for the Rb–Sr geochronological technique. The standard was determined to have a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 1.1876 ± 0.011, a Sr concentration of 64.1 ± 4.7 µg g−1, and a Rb concentration of 557 ± 6 µg g−1 (95% CI). This corresponds to a model age of 1266 ± 186 million years, statistically similar to the certified value of 1409 ± 14 for the standard. Error analysis is presented for several key calculations and a discussion is presented regarding approaches to improve precision.
Pseudocarcinoid Syndrome Associated With Hypogonadism and Response to Testosterone Therapy

Objective To characterize a disorder of episodes of flushing and increased levels of 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in men with secondary hypogonadism who respond to testosterone therapy. Material and Methods We present detailed case reports of three male patients who had flushing, secondary hypogonadism, and increased urinary 5-HIAA levels and describe their clinical and laboratory features before and after treatment with testosterone. In addition, six male patients with hypogonadism (three with primary and three with secondary hypogonadism) without flushing were assessed. Results The three patients with flushing and secondary hypogonadism (serum total testosterone 5.45 ± 0.63 nmol/L, free testosterone 89.3 ± 7.0 pmol/L, follicle-stimulating hormone 3.85 ± 0.58 IU/L, and luteinizing hormone 4.41 ± 0.98 IU/L) had increased urinary 5-HIAA levels (98.5 ± 12.2 (imol/24 h) but normal blood serotonin levels (9.66 + 1.58 (imoI/L). During a pentagastrin-calcium stimulation test, serum calcitonin and blood serotonin values were normal in patients with secondary hypogonadism and flushing. Detailed investigation showed no evidence of a carcinoid tumor. Urinary 5-HIAA levels became normal (16.6 ± 1.73 umol/24 h) after treatment with testosterone. When testosterone therapy was discontinued in two patients, flushing and increased urinary 5-HIAA levels recurred. Furthermore, flushing and the elevated urinary 5-HIAA values resolved when testosterone treatment was reinitiated. The six patients with hypogonadism without flushing had normal urinary 5-HIAA levels (14.9 ±3.31 umol/24 h). Conclusion Male patients with flushing and increased urinary 5-HIAA levels should undergo assessment for hypogonadism after screening for carcinoid tumor. If hypogonadism is diagnosed, resolution of flushing and normalization of 5-HIAA may be achieved with testosterone treatment. We suggest that pseudocarcinoid syndrome associated with hypogonadism be the descriptive label used for this combination of clinical features.
Plastic injection micromolding of THz circuits and microfluidic sensors

In this paper, THz circuits and sensors are designed and experimentally implemented using a cost effective plastic injection micromolding process. Plastic resin, having low refractive index and loss in THz region, was used as the base material to manufacture THz circuits. Periodic structures such as photonic bandgap (PBG) were utilized to design THz circuits and sensors. Numerical simulations were performed using the finite element method (FEM). Design, fabrication and characterization were carried out for THz circuits operating at a center frequency of 0.25 THz. The fabricated circuits were combined with microfluidics to demonstrate sensor applications. This proposed fabrication method is useful in low cost fabrication and massive production of THz circuits and sensors.
Daily cycle of release of sperm from the testes of the Mediterranean flour moth

Abstract A daily rhythm of sperm release from the testes was found in young virgin male Mediterranean flour moths, Anagasta kuhniella, maintained in a 12 hr light, 12 hr dark regimen. Passage of apyrene sperm from the testes began in the latter half of the light phase and that of eupyrene sperm somewhat later; an apparent peak of release occurred near the end of the light phase. A low level of sperm release continued through the night, but none occurred in the first half of the light phase. Maintenance of pupae and adults in continuous light or decapitation shortly after eclosiion greatly reduced the amount of eupyrene sperm released from the testes. Movement of sperm from the testes was not affected by continuous darkness or by severing the abdominal nerve cord.
Effect of PH3 poisoning on a Ni-YSZ anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell under various operating conditions

Abstract The Ni-YSZ anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) can generate electrical power by using coal-derived syngas as the fuel. However, trace contamination of phosphine (PH3) in the syngas can cause irreversible degradation in cell performance. A series of tests at 10 ppm PH3 in the fuel gas was carried out under a variety of operating conditions, viz, with/without electrochemical reaction in syngas and with/without H2O in H2 fuel at 750 °C, 800 °C and 850 °C. The poisoning effects were evaluated by both electrochemical methods and chemical analyses. The post-mortem analyses of the SOFC anode were performed by means of XRD, SEM/EDS, and XPS. The results show that the degradation rate is larger at the higher cell working temperature using syngas with PH3 in a 200 h test though PH3 is more reactive with Ni in the anode at lower working temperature and produces a secondary nickel phosphide (NixPy) phase. The dominant compositions of NixPy on the cell anode are Ni5P2 with the presence of H2O, and Ni12P5 without the presence of H2O. The production of NixPy can be generated on the cell anode using syngas or dry H2 fuel with 10 ppm PH3 contaminant. Further, the appearance of NixPy phases is independent of the electrochemical reactions in the cell.
An exploratory investigation of characteristics of compulsive talkers

The “talkative"person may well be as much of a communication problem as the reticent one. In this study, 28 undergraduates who were identified by acquaintances as talking too much were compared to 224 “normals”; on a series of variables thought to be associated with compulsive talking. Talkers differed from “normals”; in their self‐reports of verbal activity (PVB scores). Talkers also reported that they were more argumentative, less apprehensive, and had more positive attitudes about communication than “normals. “No differences in self esteem or locus of control were found between these groups.
Effects of hypoxia on movements and behavior of selected estuarine organisms from the southeastern United States.

Abstract Hypoxia, or low dissolved oxygen, remains a common occurrence in estuarine waters as human activity in coastal areas expands. Fish kills, probably the most recognized indicator of these and other water quality problems, have significantly increased in recent years in many Southeastern United States estuaries. While entire aquatic communities are impacted by changes in available oxygen, estuarine organisms serve as appropriate indicators of these changes as they exhibit complex physiological and behavioral responses to hypoxia. The consequences of hypoxia for these species depend on their ability to detect and avoid areas of low dissolved oxygen. We conducted a series of two-way, replicated choice experiments with juvenile spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), white mullet (Mugil curema), mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), and brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) to determine their ability to detect and avoid specific levels of hypoxia. Additional data on organisms’ movement patterns, aquatic surface respiration, and ventilation rates were collected. All species tested could detect and avoid 1 mg l−1 dissolved oxygen. The hypoxia avoidance response differed among species, as some species exhibited an avoidance threshold while others exhibited a graded avoidance response. These data supply baseline information necessary to assess how some mobile estuarine organisms respond behaviorally to oxygen concentrations, and to understand how hypoxia more broadly impacts fish populations and estuarine community health.
Metal-catalyzed oxidation of ascorbate, deoxyribose and linoleic acid as affected by phytic acid in a model system.

Antioxidant activity of phytate was investigated in metal-catalyzed model systems. In a dose-dependent manner, phytate facilitated oxidation of Fe (II) to Fe (III) and inhibited formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) from Fe (II)- or hemeprotein-catalyzed deoxyribose degradation. In the presence of 100 μM Fe (III), phytate inhibited reduction of Fe (III) to Fe (II) by 100 μM ascorbic acid and it consequently inhibited ascorbate oxidation. Phytate inhibited hemeprotein- and H 2 O 2 -catalyzed TBARS formation from linoleic acid micelles. Inhibition by phytate of iron + ascorbate-dependent lipid peroxidation depended on the concentration of ascorbate. These results indicate that phytate may be a useful antioxidant in the protection against oxidative deterioration of foods.
Positive and negative stimuli in relation to tennis players' reaction time.

Research has indicated that negative and positive thoughts may affect sport performance. The purpose of this analogue study was to assess whether negative and positive stimuli influenced tennis performance similar to positive and negative thought. The reaction time (RT) of 40 competitive tennis players was measured during a timed response to a tennis ball rotating in a topspin, sidespin, or backspin direction on the computer screen. Immediately prior to the ball presentation, a phrase (accessory stimulus) was presented visually or aurally. The accessory stimulus provided either positive (e.g., 'nice shot') or negative information (e.g., 'bad shot') followed by the subject's name. Analysis showed a main effect only for the type of spin. The slowest RT occurred when responding to a tennis ball rotating in a backspin direction. A significant interaction was found for the sensory modality (audition vs vision) and polarity (positive vs negative) of the accessory stimulus. RT to negative stimuli was slowest when the accessory stimulus was presented aurally. The quickest RT to positive stimuli occurred when the accessory stimulus was presented aurally. These results indicated that negative and positive stimuli, when presented aurally, affected performance as positive and negative thoughts measured in other studies. Not measured was whether negative and positive stimuli actually produce the negative and positive thoughts, respectively, that have been reported to affect performance.
High-bypass turbofan cycles for long-range subsonic transports.

The effects of cycle parameters on engine performance at a typical cruise condition are examined. High-bypass, high-pressure-ratio cycles are shown to have the potential for a large improvement in specific fuel consumption compared to present-day turbofan cycles. An engine and installation concept suitable for bypass ratios in the 5-to-10 range is described. The results of a parametric analysis of engine and installation characteristics are used to compute relative aircraft range as a function of cycle parameters assuming cruise sizing of the engines. With the use of air-cooled turbine temperatures, increases in bypass ratio up to the value of 10 studied and increases in cycle pressure ratio up to the value of 30 studied yield improvements in range. Takeoff requirements are then considered and shown to have little effect upon these trends. It is pointed out that high-bypass engines need not be greatly different from current turbofans in respect to the takeoff to cruise thrust relationship. Technology factors associated \vitli the air-cooled turbine required for a high-bypass engine are discussed briefly.
Can the Council on Social Work Education Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards Be Exported to Cuba

The purpose of this article is to examine Cuba’s social work profession through the lens of the United States’ Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. The examination, based on observations made during a research trip to Cuba, deepened our understanding of transcultural perceptions of social work, social problems, modes of practice, and standards of professional competence. We sought to answer the question: Can social workers from the United States export their values, ethics, lenses, and understanding of social problems to other countries? Implications of this examination and transcultural analysis are discussed.
Evaluation of coagulation (FeCl3) and anion exchange (MIEX) for stabilized landfill leachate treatment and high-pressure membrane pretreatment

Abstract Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted to assess the effectiveness of coagulation (ferric chloride – FeCl 3 ) and magnetic ion exchange (MIEX) as a pretreatment option for treating stabilized landfill leachate using reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes. Leachate from three different landfills was collected and characterized as stabilized leachate with a ratio of biochemical oxygen demand to chemical oxygen demand in the range of 0.02–0.11. Batch jar-tests were conducted to determine the effectiveness of FeCl 3 and MIEX. A maximum reduction of 71% and 34% dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and 94% and 48% UV-254 absorbing organic matter (OM) was observed using FeCl 3 and MIEX, respectively. Effective doses of FeCl 3 (22 mmol L −1 ) and MIEX (5 mL L −1 ) were selected for leachate pretreatment before membrane operation. Batch RO and NF membrane experiments were conducted with raw and pretreated leachates to study the change in permeate flux for each type of membrane and leachate. Even though the pretreated leachate contained over 45% less UV-254 absorbing OM than raw leachate, leachate pretreatment did not increase the permeate flux as compared to raw leachate during RO and NF membrane treatment. The potential cause of the decrease in permeate flux in pretreated leachate as compared to raw leachate was hypothesized as the change in characteristics of pretreated leachate and membrane surfaces caused by the continuous increase in pH of pretreated leachate.
Point-of-Selection Nutrition Information Influences Choice of Portion Size in an All-You-Can-Eat University Dining Hall

There is limited information about point-of-selection nutrition information on food choices in all-you-can-eat university dining halls, where food cost is controlled. This pilot study examined effects of point-of-selection nutrition information (pictures of different portion sizes with corresponding nutrition information) on students' choice of French fries and salad dressing and portion size of French fries. Point-of-selection nutrition information significantly decreased percentage consuming “large” portions of French fries (p 99% of respondents (n = 359) recalled point-of-selection nutrition information; more females used point-of-selection nutrition information to determine portion size. Additional studies are needed to support these promising results.
Deposition rates and accretion patterns of intramuscular fat, loin muscle area, and backfat of Duroc pigs sired by boars from two time periods.

A study was conducted to evaluate differences in performance and in carcass composition and tissue deposition rates between purebred Duroc pigs sired by boars currently available and those sired by boars from the mid-1980s. Two lines were developed by randomly allocating littermate and half-sib pairs of females to matings by current time period (CTP) or old time period (OTP) boars. Pigs from 2 replications were placed on test at a group mean BW of 63.5 kg. Serial ultrasonic measurements of the 10th-rib LM area (LMA), off-midline backfat (BF10), and intramuscular fat percentage (IMF) were collected every 2 wk in the first replication and used to assess deposition rate differences. Off-test ultrasonic LMA, BF10, and IMF measurements from a total of 557 pigs from 23 CTP sires and 232 pigs from 15 OTP sires across 2 replications and at a mean BW of 109 kg were evaluated. All available barrows and randomly selected gilts (n = 277) were sent to a commercial abattoir, and carcass measurements of 10th-rib backfat, last-rib backfat, last lumbar backfat, and LMA were collected. Analysis of serial backfat measurements revealed a linear relationship between back-fat and BW between 73 and 118 kg for pigs from both time periods. Pigs sired by OTP boars deposited more backfat (P 0.05) between the time periods was found for ADG over the entire test period. Results from this study illustrate that significant progress in carcass composition has been realized within the Duroc breed since the mid-1980s. The long-term selection response in carcass leanness has also resulted in changes in deposition rates of correlated traits such as LMA and IMF.
Effect of abrupt change in the salinity of the environment on plasma electrolytes, urine volume, and electrolyte excretion in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Abstract 1. 1. Plasma Na levels of fish transferred from fresh water to salt water remained hypernatremic to the environment; however, plasma Cl remained at or near the environmental level. 2. 2. Acclimation in salt water hyperionic to plasma ions required 15 days; in a medium isonatremic and hyperchloremic acclimation required 3 days, but in isoionic medium no change in plasma ions occurred. 3. 3. Handling did not affect plasma Na and Cl of fresh water fish. 4. 4. Acclimation in isoionic salt water had no effect on the response of plasma electrolytes to a hyperionic medium. 5. 5. Plasma Na and Cl decreased significantly after transfer from salt to fresh water. 6. 6. Fish in salt water produced small amounts of concentrated urine hypoosmotic to the plasma, compared to the large volume of dilute urine produced by fish in fresh water.
Prevalence of Low Monoamine Oxidase Function in Alcoholism

Several studies have found a trend for low platelet monoamine oxidase activity (MAO) in alcoholism but with a great deal of overlap in MAO activity of alcoholics versus controls. The main objective of this study was to carry out a detailed assessment of MAO function that included the measurement of key kinetic parameters (i.e., Km, Vmax) in three groups of male subjects: (a) 51 hospitalized chronic alcoholics, (b) 16 recovering alcoholics with 2-10 years of abstinence, and (c) 21 controls. MAO activity was assayed radiochemically with [14C]tyramine as substrate (43-729 microM). The present study demonstrated that alcoholics had low platelet MAO activity (p less than 0.05). Kinetic analysis revealed a substantial reduction (p less than 0.01) in enzyme Vmax values of chronic and recovering alcoholics. Greater than 95% of the alcoholics had Vmax values lower than the smallest value of control subjects. Moreover, 100% of the alcoholics in both groups exhibited exceedingly low Vmax values that were below the 25th percentile of controls. In summary, results of MAO Vmax determinations provided us with a better separation of the alcoholics from controls. Measurements of platelet MAO function that include enzyme Vmax may provide us a reliable biochemical marker for alcoholism.
A review of open queueing network models of manufacturing systems

In this paper we review open queueing network models of manufacturing systems. The paper consists of two parts. In the first part we discuss design and planning problems arising in manufacturing. In doing so we focus on those problems that are best addressed by queueing network models. In the second part of the paper we describe developments in queueing network methodology. We are primarily concerned with features such as general service times, deterministic product routings, and machine failures — features that are prevalent in manufacturing settings. Since these features have eluded exact analysis, approximation procedures have been proposed. In the second part of this paper we review the developments in approximation procedures and highlight the assumptions that underlie these approaches.
Single-Step Dyeing and Formaldehyde-Free Durable Press Finishing of Cotton Fabric:

Single-step dyeing in conjunction with formaldehyde-free durable press finishing of cotton textiles is discussed. The efficacy of polycarboxylic acids (BTCA and CA) as crosslinkers when used individually and as mixtures of various ratios in conjunction with direct dyes is investigated. Wrinkle recovery and dye fixation levels are compared with the conventional two-step dyeing and finishing process. Effects of additives on dye fixation and wrinkle recovery also are addressed.
NC solving of a system of linear ordinary differential equations in several unknowns

Abstract An NC algorithm is described for reducing a system of linear ordinary differential equations in several unknowns to the standard basis form.
E.s.r. of spin-trapped radicals in gamma-irradiated aqueous solutions of nucleic acids and their constituents.

The gamma-radiolysis of de-aerated neutral aqueous solutions of uracil, thymine, cytosine and of the corresponding nucleosides and nucleotides and of calf-thymus DNA was investigated. For uracil and thymine, the U.V. photolysis of aqueous solutions containing H2O2 was also studied. The short-lived radicals were spin-trapped by tert-nitrosobutane and identified by electron-spin-resonance spectroscopy. For all compounds two or more radicals were observed, and these could be distinguished by following the thermal decay of the spin adducts. Radicals formed by the addition of H or OH at the C(5) or C(6) positions of the pyrimidine derivatives were observed in all cases. Sodium formate was used as a scavenger for H and OH to identify the radicals formed by eaq-. Spin-trapped radicals in gamma-irradiated aqueous solutions of polynucleotides exhibited broad e.s.r. lines. For DNA gel, additional narrow lines due to scission products were also found.
The effects of restraint and restraint plus intermittent shock on ulcer formation in Brattleboro rats

It has been over two decades since the Brattleboro rat (DI) was discovered. These animals lack the hormone vasopressin and thus have the patholog­ ical disorder known as diabetes insipidus (Valtin & Schroeder, 1964). Sokol and Zimmerman (1982) have reported alterations of other hormones in the plasma of these rats. For example, levels of oxy­ tocin, follicle stimulating hormone, renin, and an­ giotensin II are increased in DI rats and levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and aldosterone are decreased in such animals. There is conflicting evi­ dence concerning variations in the level of plasma corticosterone. In addition to hormonal imbalances, DI rats show dramatic alterations in several plasma constituents when compared with Long-Evans (LE) control animals (Murphy & Wideman, 1982). Studies have indicated that because of hormonal alterations in DI rats, they may be more suscep­ tible to stress than normal animals (Arimura, Saito, Bowers, & Schally, 1967; Gash, Warren, Dick, Sladek, & Ison, 1982; Lutz-Bucher & Koch, 1982; McCann, Antunes-Rodrigues, NaUer, & Valtin, 1966; Wiley, Pearlmutter, & Miller, 1974; Yates, Russel, Dallman, Hedges, McCann, & Dhariwal, 1971). Ulcer development is one index of respon­ siveness to stress, as evidenced by the name "stress ulcer" proposed by Brodie (1971). The purpose of the present study was to determine the suscepti­ bility of DI rats to stress utilizing the criterion of ulcer induction.
Induction of human follicle-stimulating hormone in HeLa cells by sodium butyrate

THE ectopic production of polypeptide hormones by tumours derived from tissues that normally do not synthesise these proteins provides a means for investigating regulation of gene expression. All of the hormones ectopically synthesised by non-endocrine tumours are polypeptides or prostaglandins; however, pituitary gonadotropin production by neoplasm as opposed to chorionic gonadotropins is apparently very rare1. Only one patient has been reported in which a bronchiogenic carcinoma produced follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) (ref. 2). Glycopeptide hormones—FSH, LH, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)—are composed of two dissimilar subunits: an α subunit that is common to all the glycopeptide gonadotropic hormones and a β subunit unique for each hormone that confers biological specificity3. It has been shown that HeLa cells, derived over 25 yr ago from a carcinoma of the cervix, secrete HCG (refs 4,5) and the free α subunit of glycopeptide hormones6. Synthesis of HCG (ref. 4) and the α subunit5 is markedly increased by growth in medium with sodium butyrate. We report that HeLa cells also produce pituitary FSH which is induced by butyrate. The surprising synthesis of FSH by a non-pituitary cell has required validation of the radioimmunoassay (RIA) to exclude cross-reaction with other gonadotropic hormones.
Acute Control of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Gene Transcription by Growth Hormone through Stat5b

Many of the effects of growth hormone (GH) are mediated by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a secreted peptide whose gene transcription is induced by GH by unknown mechanisms. Recent studies in mice have implicated Stat5b as part of a GH-regulated somatic growth pathway, because mice lacking this transcription factor show diminished growth rates and a decline in serum IGF-I levels. To test the role of Stat5b in GH-stimulated IGF-I gene expression, we have delivered modified versions of the protein to pituitary-deficient male rats by quantitative adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. In pilot studies in cell culture, both constitutively active and dominant-negative Stat5b appropriately regulated transcription from a GH-responsive Stat5-dependent reporter gene. After in vivo expression, neither protein impaired GH-induced activation of cytoplasmic signaling pathways or blocked nuclear accumulation of Stats 1 and 3 in the liver, the major site of IGF-I production. Dominant-negative Stat5b completely prevented GH-stimulated IGF-I gene transcription, whereas constitutively active Stat5b led to robust IGF-I gene expression in the absence of hormone. An adenovirus encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein was without effect. Similar results were seen with the GH-responsive Stat5b-dependent Spi 2.1 gene, whereas GH-stimulated c-fos transcription was minimally altered. These results establish Stat5b as a key component of GH-stimulated IGF-I gene transcription, and they demonstrate the feasibility of using in vivo gene transfer to target distinct components of hormone-activated signaling pathways.
How Organ Donation Is Represented in Newspaper Articles in the United States

A media agenda setting study was conducted to examine how newspaper stories frame the topic of organ and tissue donation. Seven hundred fifteen stories on organ and tissue donation from 20 newspapers dated 2002 or 2003 were content-analyzed for valence (i.e., positive, negative, or neutral toward organ donation) and topic (e.g., living donation, transplant process, celebrity donor/recipient). The 20 newspapers were chosen by circulation and electronic access of database. Four of the top 5 and 13 of the top 20 circulating newspapers were included and several combinations of search terms were used to identify relevant articles. Results indicate that the majority of articles were either positive (57%) or neutral (29%) regarding the topic of organ donation. The 4 most common topics covered in news articles included: (a) posttransplantation health and welfare, (b) information on the shortage of organ donors, (c) living donation, and (d) information about the transplantation process. Kidneys (n = 204) and hearts (n = 120) were the 2 most commonly mentioned organs in the sample of articles. Results are discussed and how news articles may shape laypersons' attitudes and intentions regarding organ donation is considered.
Asymmetric flows in planar symmetric channels with large expansion ratio

SUMMARY A continuation method has been used with anite element grid and a geometric perturbation to com- pute two successive symmetry breakingow transitions with increasing Reynolds number inow of generalized Newtonianuids through a sudden planar expansion. With an expansion ratio of 16, the onset Reynolds number is particularly sensitive to small geometric asymmetry and the critical Reynolds numbers for the two successiveow transitions are found to be very close. These transitions are delayed to higher onset Reynolds numbers by increasing the degree of pseudoplasticity. This trend is observed experimentally as well in this work and may be attributed to the competing eects of shear thinning and inertia on the size of the corner vortex before the symmetry breakingow transition. After the second transition with an expansion ratio of 16, the two large staggered vortices on opposite walls occupy most of the transverse dimension so that the coreow between the vortices appears as a thin jet oscillating along theow direction. This is more pronounced for the pseudoplastic liquid. After the second transition, the degree ofow asymmetry at a given location downstream of the expansion plane is larger for the pseudoplastic liquid than for the Newtonian liquid at comparable Reynolds numbers. The last feature is also evident in the experimentally observed velocity proles. Copyright ? 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural system identification of a composite shell

Structural system identification is undergoing a period of renewed interest. Probabilistic approaches to physical parameter identification in analysis finite element models make uncertainty in test results an important issue. In this paper, we investigate this issue with a simple, though in many ways representative, structural system. The results of two modal parameter identification techniques are compared and uncertainty estimates, both through bias and random errors, are quantified. The importance of the interaction between test and analysis is also highlighted. 25 refs.
Variation in Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Relative Abundance and Dirofilaria immitis (Nematoda: Filarioidea) Vector Potential in Coastal North Carolina

At an enzootic focus of Dirofilaria immitis in coastal North Carolina, mosquito populations were sampled June–September 1985 and on several occasions during August–October 1986 and June–August 1987, to identify local vectors and to determine relative abundance and D. immitis infection rates. Predominant species collected were Anopheles bradleyi King (66.6%), Culex salinarius Coquillett (15.9%), Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann) (8.2%), and Aedes sollicitans (Walker) (4.9%). Population abundance varied within and among seasons. D. immitis infection was found in An. bradleyi (1.2%), Ae. taeniorhynchus (0.9%), and Ae. sollicitans (0.9%). Of infected An. bradleyi, 88% were collected June–2 July, whereas the highest number of infected Ae. taeniorhynchus and Ae. sollicitans were found during mid-July 1985. Ae. sollicitans and Ae. taeniorhynchus were the only infected species found during 1986 and 1987. However, based on overall relative abundance and infective rate, An. bradleyi appeared to be the primary vector of D. immitis in the study area.
Ghiberti and Master Gusmin

LORENZO GHIBERTI in the second book of his Commentaries gives a history of art of the Trecento introductory, as it were, to his autobiography.1 Beginning with Cimabue, he discusses in brief biographical sketches the oeuvre of what he would probably have called his ancestors in the realm of art. He deals first with Florentine painters, beginning with Giotto and his disciples, Stefano, Taddeo Gaddi, and Maso; these are followed by Bonamico=Buffalmacco and, after the interpolation of a chapter on the Roman school as represented by Pietro Cavallino, by the brothers Orcagna. The second part is given over to the Sienese masters, to the two Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, Barna da Siena, and Duccio. In a third, very short chapter, the sculptors are discussed, represented by Giovanni Pisano, Giotto, and Andrea Pisano. The choice of this ancestry, the great emphasis given to Sienese artists and among them, in contrast to the general consensus, to Ambrogio Lorenzetti, the stress laid upon painters, the omission of any ...
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for types 6 and 19 pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides

The primary IgM and the secondary IgG antibody responses to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides type 19 (S19) and type 6 (S6) coupled to sheep erythrocytes (S19-SRBC or S6-SRBC) differ in specificity. Although the primary IgM response appears to be totally specific for the pneumococcal cell wall carbohydrate (PnC) which is present in these polysaccharide preparations, the secondary IgG response appears to be completely specific for the immunizing capsular polysaccharide. A library of B cell hybridomas from fusions of splenocytes undergoing a primary response to an S19 preparation consisted entirely of PnC-specific hybrids. Thus, no evidence was obtained for the presence of capsular polysaccharide-specific IgM secreting B cells. IgM and IgG antibody secreting hybridomas were obtained, from fusions of splenocytes undergoing secondary S6- or S19-SRBC responses, to examine the antigen specificity of secondary antibody response of B cells at the clonal level. Many of the secondary IgM hybridomas secreted PnC-specific antibody; however, several S6-specific IgM secreting hybrids were also obtained, demonstrating a previously undetected population of B cells. All IgG secreting hybridomas obtained from S19- or S6-SRBC secondary response fusions secreted capsular polysaccharide-specific antibody, thus confirming the apparent absence of PnC-specific IgG secreting B cells in these responses. This method of immunization and challenge of mice with capsular polysaccharide coupled to erythrocytes, which results in the production of capsular polysaccharide-specific IgG responses, offers a relatively straightforward means to generate monoclonal antibodies specific for pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides.