cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solvent-assisted slow conversion of a dithiazole derivative produces a competitive inhibitor of peptide deformylase.

Abstract Due to its potential as an antibiotic target, E. coli peptide deformylase (PDF Ec ) serves as a model enzyme system for inhibitor design. While investigating the structural–functional and inhibitory features of this enzyme, we unexpectedly discovered that 2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (AMT) served as a slow-binding inhibitor of PDF Ec when the above compound was dissolved only in dimethylformamide (DMF), but not in any other solvent, and allowed to age. The time dependent inhibitory potency of the DMF-dissolved AMT was correlated with the broadening of the inhibitor's 295 nm spectral band toward the visible region, concomitant with the increase in the mass of the parent compound by about 2-fold. These data led to the suggestion that DMF facilitated the slow dimerization of AMT (via the formation of a disulfide bond), and that the dimeric form of AMT served as an inhibitor for PDF Ec . The latter is not caused by the simple oxidation of sulfhydryl groups by oxidizing agents such as H 2 O 2 . Newly synthesized dimeric/dithiolated form of AMT (“bis-AMT”) exhibited similar spectral and inhibitory features as given by the parent compound when incubated with DMF. The computer graphic modeling data revealed that bis-AMT could be reliably accommodated within the active site pocket of PDF Ec , and the above enzyme–ligand interaction involves coordination with the enzyme resident Ni 2+ cofactor. The mechanism of the DMF-assisted activation of AMT (generating bis-AMT), the overall microscopic pathway for the slow-binding inhibition of PDF Ec by bis-AMT, and the potential of bis-AMT to serve as a new class of antibiotic agent are presented.
A nonferrous instrumental joystick device for recording behavioral responses during magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy

Abstract A nonferrous joystick device was developed to permit subjects to continuously report ethanol-induced alterations in subjective mood states while undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) procedure. The device utilizes air pressure (supplied by a small compressor) that is directed to a series of tubes that terminate in a hand-held unit. The hand-held unit easily fits inside the magnet and resembles a standard computer game joystick except that the ends of the air hoses replace the buttons. The control unit contains three pressure transducers, which are triggered when the tubes are occluded by the subject, activating different pens on an event marker located 6 m from the whole body imager. The unit is safe to use inside a 1.5-Tesla magnetic field and does not distrupt the MRI and MRS recording procedures. Subjective reports of ethanol-induced euphoria and intoxication paralleled the MRS detection of ethanol in the brain. This device could prove to be useful in numerous behavioral studies involving whole-body MRI and MRS.
The Predictive Value of Specific Emergency Sonographic Signs for Cholecystitis

To determine the predictive value of emergency, bedside ultrasound (EUS) signs in the detection of acute cholecystitis (AC). This was a secondary analysis of a previously reported prospective study of EUS for AC. Cases done by physicians who met the training guidelines of the American College of Emergency Physicians by performing 25 prior examinations were selected to determine the predictive value of specific EUS signs for AC. The gold standard was surgical pathology obtained within 2 weeks, if available. Otherwise, the discharge diagnosis of AC was used as the criterion standard. A total of 291 patients were studied to evaluate the predictive value of EUS signs in the detection of AC. Gallbladder wall thickening (GBWT) and pericholecystic free fluid (PCFF) were the two most predictive individual signs for AC. The combination of gallstones with GBWT, PCFF, or sludge was also predictive of AC. Biliary ductal dilation and gallstones were the only least predictive signs. The combination of gallstones and GBWT, PCFF, or sludge on emergency ultrasound is predictive of AC.
Human papillomavirus vaccine communication: perspectives of 11-12 year-old girls, mothers, and clinicians.

Abstract Objectives Because little is known about the content of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine-related discussions with young adolescent girls in clinical settings, we explored communication between 11- and 12 year-old girls, mothers, and clinicians regarding HPV vaccines and concordance in reports of maternal and clinician communication. Methods We conducted individual interviews with 33 girls who had received the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in urban and suburban clinical settings, their mothers, and their clinicians. Data were analyzed using qualitative methods. Results From the perspectives of both girls and mothers, clinicians and parents were the preferred sources of HPV vaccine information for girls. Vaccine efficacy and risks/benefits of vaccination were the most commonly reported desired and actual topics of discussion by mothers, girls, and clinicians. Clinician recommendation of vaccination was reported by nearly one-fifth of girls and nearly half of mothers. The most common concordant messages were related to efficacy of the vaccine, with concordance in 70% of triads. The most common discordant messages were related to sexual health. Approximately half of clinicians (16) reported discussing sexual health, but only 5 mothers (15%) and 4 girls (12%) reported this. Triads recruited from suburban (vs. urban) practices had higher degrees of concordance in reported vaccination communication. Conclusions HPV vaccine efficacy and safety are important topics for clinicians to discuss with both girls and mothers; educating mothers is important because parents are a preferred source of vaccine-related information for girls. Because girls may be missing important vaccine-related messages, they should be encouraged to actively engage in vaccine discussions.
Complications in pediatric cochlear implants

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to retrospectively review the complications of pediatric patients undergoing cochlear implantation at a tertiary referral center. Method Institutional review board permission was obtained. A retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients (younger than 18 years) who underwent primary cochlear implantation was performed from January 2001 to December 2005. The patients were reviewed for demographic information, type of hearing loss, cochlear implant device, and complications including implant failure, meningitis, hematoma, implant extrusion, cerebrospinal fluid leak, facial palsy, and wound infection. Results One hundred sixty-five patient records were reviewed. Twenty-nine patients were lost to follow-up or were revision cases; therefore, 136 records were analyzed. Of the patients, 53.5% were male. The most common etiology of hearing loss was nonsyndromic, nongenetic, congenital sensorineural hearing loss (60.6%). Other less common etiology of hearing loss included TORCH (toxoplasmosis, other infections, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus) (8.3%), connexin mutation (5.8%), and enlarged vestibular aqueduct (6.5%). All patients had a follow-up of 3 years. There were no intraoperative complications. The most common complications were flap infections (2.6%) and immediate postoperative hematomas (1.9%). Flap problems mostly occurred within 2 weeks of implantation. Within the study period, there was only one device failure (0.7%). Conclusions Cochlear implantation in children continues to be reliable and safe in experienced hands, with a low percentage of severe complications. The patients should have a lifetime follow-up.
Association between broadly defined bulimia nervosa and drug use disorders: common genetic and environmental influences.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown an association between bulimia (BN) and drug use disorders (DUD). The purpose of the present study was to investigate possible influences on the comorbidity between BN and DUD. METHOD: Participants included 490 monozygotic and 354 dizygotic female twins and 930 females from opposite sex pairs. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to test shared correlates and mediators. Bivariate twin analyses were used to investigate the contribution of genes and environment to the correlation between BN and DUD. RESULTS: Depression, neuroticism, and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) mediated the association between BN and DUD regardless of which disorder was used as the dependent variable. Analyses also indicated genetic and nonshared environmental overlap between BN and DUD. CONCLUSION: The association between BN and DUD is due mostly to overlapping genetic influences with a smaller contribution from nonshared environment. Depression, neuroticism, and CSA are likely important shared correlates. Language: en
Finding specific RNA sequence motifs using digital filters

Local distinct structural elements, called motifs, in RNA sequences are strictly correlated with their function. Due to the enormous increase of genomic data in recent times, highly effective computational algorithms are in greater demand for identification of such motifs in RNA sequences. In this work, a digital signal processing approach using statistically optimal null filter (SONF) is developed for finding specific motifs in an RNA sequence. The instantaneous matched filter in SONF determines the degree of local alignment between the motif and the windowed RNA sequence being compared. Through example the effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated. In particular, the proposed method is highly efficient in identifying similar motifs in large RNA sequences.
Nuclear proteins in spermatogenesis

Abstract 1. 1. Mammalian somatic type histone variants are replaced or supplemented in early primary spermatocytes and possibly spermatogonia by testis specific and testis enriched histone variants. 2. 2. The testis complement of histones is replaced entirely by transition basic proteins in mid-spermatids. This transition is accompanied by a dramatic reduction of thermal stability of mid-spermatid chromatin which may be due in part to hyperacetylation of histone H4. 3. 3. The transition basic proteins are replaced by protamines which are arginine-rich and contain cysteine.
Synthesis and characterization of sterically encumbered Li, Na, and K aryl tellurolates, and some Pt(II), Ir(I), and Cd(II) derivatives

Abstract The synthesis, isolation, and characterization of several alkali metal aryl tellurolates of general formula (2,4,6-R 3 C 6 H 2 )TeM(sol) n (R  Me, i Pr, t Bu; M  Li, Na, K; sol = THF, n = 1.33, 1.5, 2.5, 3; sol = DME, n = 1; sol = TMEDA, n = 1; sol = 18-crown-6, n = 1) is reported. Reduction of (2,4,6-Me 3 C 6 H 2 ) 2 Te 2 and (2,4,6- i Pr 3 C 6 H 2 ) 2 Te 2 with 2 equiv of LiEt 3 BH in THF affords the corresponding lithium tellurolates 1 and 2 . Direct Te insertion into the CLi bond of (2,4,6- t Bu 3 C 6 H 2 )Li(THF) 3 in THF produces 3 , while a similar reaction of Te metal with ( o -C 6 H 4 CH 2 NMe 2 )Li affords the chelating tellurolate, 4 . The action of Na/Hg amalgam on THF solutions of (2,4,6-Me 3 C 6 H 2 ) 2 Te 2 or (2,4,6- i Pr 3 C 6 H 2 ) 2 Te 2 followed by work-up with TMEDA or DME leads to the sodium tellurolates 5 and 6 respectively. Treatment of THF solutions of (2,4,6- i Pr 3 C 6 H 2 ) 2 Te 2 with 2 equiv. of K s Bu 3 BH gives the polymeric tellurolate, (2,4,6- i Pr 3 C 6 H 2 ) 2 TeK(THF) 1.33 , ( 7 ). The infinite ladder-like structure is broken by reaction with 18-crown-6, which affords the monomeric derivative, 8 . Reaction of 2 or 3 with THF suspensions of cis -(PPh 3 ) 2 PtCl 2 produces the air-stable cis -platinum tellurolates, 9 and 10 , respectively. Reaction of 3 with trans -(PPh 3 ) 2 Ir(CO)Cl, leads to the isolation of 11 , a rare example of a Vaska's type complex with a cis -geometry, and only the second such structurally characterized derivative. Reaction of 4 with 1/2 equiv. of CdBr 2 produces 12 , Cd[Te( o -C 6 H 4 CH 2 NMe 2 )] 2 . Compounds 3 , 4 , 7 , 10 , and 11 have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.
Competing in the New Health Care Environment: Strategies for Surgical Oncology

Driven largely by pressures to reduce expenditures, the American health-care industry is in the midst of a major transformation. 1 These issues are critical to surgical oncologists, and they have clear, measurable impacts (Table 1). Surgical oncology procedures performed at university hospitals account for a substantial portion of hospital profits and professional collections, and these revenues historically have been used to cross-subsidize multiple research agendas. As competition has increased, private insurers are no longer willing to compensate these hospitals at higher rates. As pressure to increase clinical productivity mounts, time, the other key ingredient required for developing a research program, also becomes scarce. As a consequence, a new assortment of risks has metastasized to the academic arena—the risk to surgical oncology is that its scholarly side may become endangered or even extinct, and the risk to cancer patients is that considerations of cost may take precedence over research, the engine that drives advances in knowledge and advances in care (Fig. 1). In an attempt to cope with this turbulent environment, surgical oncologists will have to become more strategically focused. In formulating and implementing a strategic plan that relates to program development, it will be necessary to pay greater attention to business issues and the external marketplace. Such a focus will require addressing issues that are not “medical” in nature. However, our strategic choices must be guided by our commitment to patient care, research, and education. We must not compromise our mission goals solely for financial gain. Table 2 presents an initial approach for generating thinking on the impact of these changes in business
Approaches to reducing animal numbers in vaccine potency testing

Vaccine potency testing is conducted to provide manufacturers and regulatory officials information regarding the potency of vaccine products prior to market release. Post-licensing potency test protocols are often described and incorporated into regulation or guidance documents. This provides manufacturers with a consistent and uniform framework to follow for market release. Some of these protocols are based on widely accepted international test methods; others have been in existence for decades and were based on the best scientific information available at that time. In an effort to ensure that vaccine testing conducted on live animals provides optimal animal welfare, alternative test methods incorporating reduction, replacement, and refinement techniques should be considered and used when appropriate. Russell and Burch, in The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique, define reduction as “reduction in the numbers of animals used to obtain information of a given amount and precision.” This paper will focus on three methods of reducing the number of animals used for potency testing. These reduction methods include (1) a change in experimental design, (2) a change based on statistical review, and (3) changes resulting from the harmonization of test requirements.
Effects of mechanized pine straw raking on population densities of longleaf pine seedlings

Abstract Longleaf pine communities occupy a small fraction of their original extent in the southeastern United States and are in great need of restoration and conservation management. Recent anthropogenic disturbances, such as pine straw raking, may interfere with seedling survival and, hence, restoration efforts. We examined the effects of mechanized straw raking on longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) seedlings (pre-grass stage, or
A scintiphotographic method for measuring left ventricular ejection fraction in man without cardiac catheterization.

A radioactive tracer method for the measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction in man without cardiac catheterization is described. The tracer (99mtechnetium-labeled albumin) is injected intravenously. Images of the heart at end-systole and end-diastole are obtained using a scintillation camera and an electronic gate triggered by the patient's electrocardiogram. Each image is composed of 300,000 counts, representing a summation of 200 to 400 heartbeats at end-systole and end-diastole. An outline of the left ventricular free wall is drawn from each gated image. The position of the aortic and mitral valve planes is determined using a radionuclide angiogram obtained at the time of tracer injection. Left ventricular ejection fraction is calculated from the area and length of the long axis of the ventricular outline at end-systole and end-diastole. Determinations of ejection fraction in 20 patients using this tracer method were correlated with measurements obtained by contrast cineangiography with the following results: ejection fraction r = +0.92, P < 0.001; end-diastolic volume r = −0.76, P < 0.001; and end-systolic volume r = −0.75, P < 0.001.
Cardiovascular and plasma catecholamine response to static exercise in normotensive blacks and whites

OBJECTIVES The objectives of the present study were (1) to evaluate the pressor response to an isometric handgrip exercise in normotensive black and white males; (2) to measure plasma catecholamine levels pre- and post-exercise, as an index of sympathetic nervous system activity; and (3) to quantify the pressor response to bolus intravenous injections of phenylephrine (an alpha-specific agonist). METHODS Cardiovascular and catecholamine responses to an isometric handgrip exercise (3 minutes at 30% MVC) were measured in 15 normotensive blacks and whites. In another phase of the study, pressor responses to bolus injections of phenylephrine were assessed to evaluate alpha-adrenergic sensitivity. RESULTS The blood pressure in the blacks increased from 119/69 to 160/120 mm HG during isometric exercise, while in the whites it increased from 118/67 to 153/110 mm HG. The blacks exhibited a greater diastolic blood pressure reactivity, as evidenced by a significant race x time interaction (p < 0.05). The heart rate responses were not significantly different between the two groups. The plasma levels of norepinephrine were similar at rest, but were 25% lower in the blacks than in the whites following isometric exercise (p < 0.01). Black subjects also demonstrated an increased pressor response to intravenous injections of phenylephrine at rest (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The enhanced vascular sensitivity to norepinephrine may have contributed to the greater exercise pressor response in the blacks.
ERNST VON GLASERSFELD'S RADICAL CONSTRUCTIVISM AND TRUTH AS DISCLOSURE

In this essay Clarence Joldersma explores radical constructivism through the work of its most well-known advocate, Ernst von Glasersfeld, who combines a sophisticated philosophical discussion of knowledge and truth with educational practices. Joldersma uses Joseph Rouse's work in philosophy of science to criticize the antirealism inherent in radical constructivism, emphasizing that Rouse's Heideggerian critique differs from the standard realist defense of modernist epistemology. Next, Joldersma develops an alternative conception of truth, in terms of disclosure, based on Lambert Zuidervaart's work in aesthetics. Joldersma concludes by arguing that this notion of truth avoids the pitfalls of both realism and antirealism, giving educational theorists a way forward to accept some of the major insights of constructivism with respect to learning and teaching without having to relinquish a robust notion of truth.
Identification of non-linear effects in rotor systems using recursive QR factorization method

There are several non-linear and time variant effects in a rotor-bearing dynamic system. The non-linear characteristics of the rolling element bearing, internal damping, unsymmetrical stiffness of the shaft, cracks on the shaft, and the radial clearance are the typical root causes of these effects [1]. As rotating speeds increase and rotor weights decrease, these non-linear and time variant effects could significantly affect the dynamic characteristics of the rotor system [2–8]. If these non-linear and time variant effects are ignored, the vibration response could lead to incorrect interpretation of the rotor system. This will significantly affect the performance of the rotor vibration control schemes, the accuracy of the diagnosis results, and the performance of any schemes where an accurate rotor model is needed. Therefore, the accurate identification of both the model structure and parameters of a rotor-bearing system, including the non-linear effects, is an important engineering problem. A large body of literature concentrates on this area. Tiwari and Vyas [9] developed a technique for estimating the non-linear stiffness of rolling element bearings. Imam et al. [10] completed an on-line rotor crack detection and monitoring system. Krodkiewski and Ding [11] found a method for on-site estimation of the alignment of multi-bearing rotor systems. Tasker and Chopra [12] used the rotor stability data to estimate the non-linear damping of the system. Compared to the parameter estimation, the non-linear model structure identification is quite difficult. An optimal search scheme is usually needed to find an adequate model among all the possible ones. Desrochers and Mohseni [13] used a model set that has a multi-layered combinatorial tree structure. They showed that searching the tree for the optimal n-term model could be done in n stages. Kanjilal et al. [14] developed a method for fast selection of significant variables in linear-in-the-parameter models by using modified orthogonal-triangular factorization (also called QR factorization). The distinctive characteristic of their method is that estimations of ARTICLE IN PRESS
Physics-based statistical signal processing for improved land mine detection and classification via decay rate estimation

Target discrimination via decay rate (pole) estimation has been proposed a an effective method for landmine and UXO detection. The physical basis for this strategy is that every object in the target library possesses a unique set of decay rates, or poles. In theory, these poles can be estimated from the measured EMI response and then utilized for target detection and subsequent discrimination and/or identification. Unfortunately, pole estimation is notoriously difficult and this difficulty adversely impacts target discrimination performance. We present simulation results that show that when the sensor/object orientation is not known, the time-domain signature of two objects with distinct sets of poles may be indistinguishable. Furthermore, this can occur even when the two sets of poles are not necessarily 'close' to each other. Since the basis for this approach to target detection and identification is that targets are uniquely characterized by their estimated poles, discrimination performance is dependent upon pole estimation performance. The Cramer-Rao lower bound, which provides a lower bound on the variance of an unbiased estimator, for the pole and amplitude coefficient estimates is utilized to investigate the fundamental limitations on target discrimination via pole estimation. It is shown how both the sampling strategy and the number of poles being estimated affect pole estimation performance. Detection and identification results are presented for simulated data.
A superfusion apparatus for the examination of neurotransmitter release from synaptosomes.

A superfusion apparatus for examining the release of neurotransmitter from synaptosomes is described. The apparatus provides for accurate temperature control, rapid switching and continuous gassing of superfusing buffers, short (i.e. 1-s) pulses of high-potassium-containing buffer for examining depolarized release, rapid collection of superfusing eluate, and low tissue chamber dead volume. Depolarization (high-potassium) evoked release and to some degree spontaneous release of [3H]dopamine from rat striatal synaptosomes are dependent on buffer calcium concentration. The putative calcium channel blocker nickel reduces both spontaneous and high-potassium-evoked [3H]dopamine release.
The 'Acquired Income Deficiency Syndrome': School fees and sexual risk in Northern Tanzania [1]

This article examines the impact of structural adjustment policies on young women's educational opportunities and reproductive health in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. Despite recent improvements in Tanzania's macroeconomic performance, there is a widespread sense of economic decline at the local level that compounds the conditions of sexual risk among young women who want to pursue post-secondary schooling. The article begins with a discussion of the economic, education and reproductive health conditions in mainland Tanzania in general, and in Kilimanjaro in particular. It then describes the questionnaire and essay task used in the study, and the major findings from the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data. The remainder of the article discusses the significance of this study in the light of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the current debt relief programs in the country.
A free market solution for prescription drug crises.

The cost of prescription drugs is imposing an ever greater burden on families and varying levels of government. The vast majority of this cost is attributable to patent protection, since most drugs are actually relatively cheap to produce. The temporary monopolies provided by patent protection have been the main mechanism through which corporations have financed their drug research. This article examines the efficiency of publicly supported drug research relative to the current patent system. The author shows that even if publicly funded research were considerably less efficient on a dollar-per-dollar basis than patent-supported research, there would still be enormous gains from switching to a system of publicly supported research. The main reason for this conclusion is that patent monopolies lead to enormous economic distortions, including expensive sales promotion efforts, research into “copycat drugs,” incentives to conceal unfavorable research findings, and other inefficiencies that economic theory pr...
Relations between Neuropsychological and Cerebral Metabolic Asymmetries in Early Alzheimer's Disease

Regional CMRglc (rCMRglc) values were determined with positron emission tomography (PET) in 10 patients with mild to moderate clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in 26 healthy controls. rCMRglc in frontal, parietal, and temporal association cortices were significantly more laterally asymmetrical in AD patients than in controls (p < 0.05). Furthermore, lateral asymmetry of rCMRglc in AD patients but not in the control subjects correlated significantly with asymmetry of language and visuospatial functions such that lower left than right rCMRglc was associated with relatively greater impairment of language and vice versa. The results demonstrate that discrepancies between language and visuospatial deficits in patients with early AD are related to asymmetrical reductions in cerebral cortical glucose metabolism.
A target vacuum interlock system for Gammasphere

Abstract An interlock system is described that allows volatile targets to be prepared in an evaporator, sealed under vacuum, transported to the γ -array Gammasphere, and inserted into the reaction chamber for experiments, while maintaining a vacuum better than 10 - 5 torr . The performance of the system is demonstrated for lithium metal targets. A comparison is made between lithium targets covered by a gold evaporation to reduce oxidation and open metal targets transferred in the interlock.
Computing diffuse reflection from particulate planetary surface with a new function

An equation is derived to compute the amount of diffuse light reflected by a particulate surface, such as on Mars or an asteroid. The method traces the paths of rays within an ensemble of randomly shaped grains and finds the eventual probability of emission. The amount of diffuse, unpolarized emitted light is obtained in terms of the real index of refraction, the imaginary index, and the average diameter of particles making up the surface. The equation is used to compute the empirical rule for obtaining the planetary albedo from the slope of its polarization curve. Accuracy of the equation, estimated at + or - 4%, seems justified because of quantitative agreement with experimental measures of the empirical rule. It is also shown that the equation can be applied to bubble-enclosing surfaces such as volcanic foams. Results for the indices of the moon, Mars, Io, and Europa are obtained and compared with other data.
Time dependent adjoint-based optimization for coupled fluid-structure problems

A formulation for sensitivity analysis of fully coupled time-dependent aeroelastic problems is given in this paper. Both forward sensitivity and adjoint sensitivity formulations are derived that correspond to analogues of the fully coupled non-linear aeroelastic analysis problem. Both sensitivity analysis formulations make use of the same iterative disciplinary solution techniques used for analysis, and make use of an analogous coupling strategy. The information passed between fluid and structural solvers is dimensionally equivalent in all cases, enabling the use of the same data structures for analysis, forward and adjoint problems. The fully coupled adjoint formulation is then used to perform rotor blade design optimization for a four bladed HART2 rotor in hover conditions started impulsively from rest. The effect of time step size and mesh resolution on optimization results is investigated. A fully coupled unsteady aeroelastic sensitivity analysis formulation is given.Forward and adjoint sensitivity formulations are analogues of analysis formulation.Fluid-structure interface information is dimensionally equivalent in all solvers.A four bladed HART2 rotor shape is optimized in hover using the adjoint platform.The effect of time step size and mesh resolution on optimization results is investigated.
Wind power & transportation - A bridge to energy security: Part II - Case studies

This paper will presents extensive case studies to show the strength of the model proposed in Part I of the joint papers. Results show that with large scale wind power development and a high penetration of EVs and PHEVs, oil prices would be reduced to the levels below $60/bbl in several years, with oil import reduced by almost 60%. The results substantiate our proposed energy policy to speed up EV and PHEV deployment.
The development of talent through curriculum

This article presents a case for examining the talent development process through the lens of an integrated curriculum model (ICM). The author describes a rationale for such a model, features that it would contain, and specific applications of it that have been made in two federally funded curriculum projects. The relationship of the model of ICM to curriculum reform variables are delineated along with implementation considerations that focus on the nature of the learner, and various aspects of the learning context.
The Time‐Urgency Component of the Type A Behavior Pattern: Time Pressure and Performance1

We investigated the effects of time pressure on the performance of Type A and Type B individuals. We predicted that Type As would perform more poorly than Type Bs on an anagram task during a timed condition, but not during an untimed condition. Subjects were 40 female undergraduates and the Jenkins Activity Survey was used to measure Type A behavior. The results confirmed our hypothesis. Type As made significantly more errors than Type Bs when timed, but not when untimed. Implications of these findings and the time-urgency component of the Type A behavior pattern are discussed.
Evolution of the sun's near-surface asphericities over the activity cycle

Abstract Solar oscillations provide the most accurate measures of cycle dependent changes in the sun, and the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) data are the most precise of all. They give us the opportunity to address the real challenge — connecting the MDI seismic measures to observed characteristics of the dynamic sun. From inversions of the evolving MDI data, one expects to determine the nature of the evolution, through the solar cycle, of the layers just beneath the sun's surface. Such inversions require one to guess the form of the causal perturbation — usually beginning with asking whether it is thermal or magnetic. Matters here are complicated because the inversion kernels for these two are quite similar, which means that we don't have much chance of disentangling them by inversion. However, since the perturbation lies very close to the solar surface, one can use synoptic data as an outer boundary condition to fix the choice. It turns out that magnetic and thermal synoptic signals are also quite similar. Thus, the most precise measure of the surface is required. We argue that the most precise synoptic data come from the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) Solar Disk Photometer (SDP). A preliminary analysis of these data implies a magnetic origin of the cycle-dependent sub-surface perturbation. However, we still need to do a more careful removal of the facular signal to determine the true thermal signal.
Free Vibration of Bodies of Revolution by Boundary Collocation

Abstract The method of solution presented in this paper makes use of solutions of the governing differential equations of linear three-dimensional elasticity theory. Boundary conditions are satisfied by collocation at points on the boundary. The procedure is developed and investigated to determine its applicability to the solution of the problem of free vibrations of isotropic, linearly elastic bodies of revolution of arbitrary shape and arbitrary boundary conditions. The problem is formulated in terms of a series of solutions of the governing differential equations in cylindrical co-ordinates. Results are obtained for a number of bodies of revolution. The results are compared with analytical and finite element solutions. The comparisons clearly show that the boundary collocation method gives accurate answers with a minimum of computational effort. The method gives excellent results for both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric vibrations of hollow as well as solid bodies of revolution. Furthermore, by considering thin circular plates and thin cylindrical shells, it is shown that even for these extreme cases accurate answers are produced.
Incomparable Worth: Pay Equity Meets the Market

Comparable worth, or pay equity, is now an established policy in some US states, such as Minnesota, and the UK and Australia. Yet Steven Rhoads's research on those jurisdictions indicates there is no consensus on how to compare the value of dissimilar jobs involving 'comparable' amounts of effort, skill and responsibility. Consultants whose job evaluation systems are used in states adopting comparable worth policies do not agree on the factors to be included or how they should be weighed and arbitrary results produced by comparable worth policies have led to inefficient functioning of the labour markets. These policies have generated ill will among the workers who lose pay-equity cases, with political as well as economic consequences. The book argues that jobs are truly incomparable using the methods comparable worth relies on, and that the principles of comparable worth are not reconcilable with those of a market economy.
Selenium poisoning and embryogenesis: light and electron microscopic studies of the heart.

The effects of selenium (selenous acid dissolved in saline and injected into eggs at Day 4 at doses ranging from 0.0007 to 0.05 mg/egg) on chick embryos were analyzed at Days 6 and 11. Control eggs were injected with an equivalent volume of saline (0.1 ml/egg). In all, 288 eggs were used for this study. For gross and light microscopic studies, the observations were made at Day 11 of incubation. Gross malformations included reduced body size, twisted limbs, twisted neck, everted viscera, edema, ectopic heart, and body hemorrhage. Light microscopic studies of the heart showed ventricular septal defects and thin ventricular walls in 2 out of 16 embryos. Electron microscopic studies of the heart were made at Days 6 and 11 of incubation. Several alterations characteristic of cell damage were observed. These included extensive vacuolation, poorly developed and disorganized cristae in mitochondria, partial or total disorganization of the myofibrils, whorls of membranous structures that looked like myelin figures, and increase in the number of membrane-bound lysosomal bodies. The reported experiments indicate that selenium poisoning induces changes in the embryonic heart.
Considerations of probability-based fatigue design for marine structures

Abstract Fatigue is a major failure modelin marine structures which respond dynamically to random wave and wind loading. Oscillatory stresses produce fatigue at points of stress concentration, typically the welded joints. Because all fatigue design factors are subject to significant uncertainty, a reliability approach to management of such uncertainty seems appropriate. This article summarizes some studies in fatigue reliability research and demonstrates how reliability methods can be effectively utilized by designers to avoid fatigue in marine structural components. Included are (1) a description of fatigue damage under variable amplitude stresses employing the characteristics S-N and fracture mechanics models, (2) models for reliability assessment relative to fatigue and the use of these models to derive design criteria, and (3) an elementary application of system fatigue reliability analysis to establish component design criteria.
Color Skyrmions in the quark-gluon plasma

We consider the general formulation of non-Abelian fluid dynamics based on symmetry considerations. We point out that, quite generally, this admits solitonic excitations which are the color analog of Skyrmions. Some general properties of the solitons are discussed.
A Comparative Study of the Mouth to Caecum Transit Time in Children and Adults Using a Weight Adapted Lactulose Dose

. Mouth to caecum transit time (M.C.T.T.) was assessed in 41 subjects divided into 3 age groups (0-1 year, 1-4 years and 22-27 years) with the hydrogen breath test (H.B.T.) using lactulose as the hydrogen source (250 mg/kg; minimal dose 1.5 g in a 10% aqueous solution). The M.C.T.T. remained constant from the second month of age. In children under 1 year of age a high percentage of non-responders was found compared to the older age-groups. In 8 adults two test-substrates, pure lactulose (Legendal®, L) and a mixture of lactulose, lactose and galactose (Duphalac®, D) were compared. There was no significant difference in M.C.T.T., mean hydrogen production and clinical symptoms using D or L as substrate. We conclude that the H.B.T. using a relative dosage is a suitable test for children, but under the age of 1 year it is less useful because of the high percentage of non-responders. Because of the relation between body height and small bowel length the results suggest an increase in the velocity of the intestinal content with age.
Genome-wide Study of Families with Absolute Pitch Reveals Linkage to 8q24.21 and Locus Heterogeneity

Absolute pitch (AP) is the rare ability to instantaneously recognize and label tones with their musical note names without using a reference pitch for comparison. The etiology of AP is complex. Prior studies have implicated both genetic and environmental factors in its genesis, yet the molecular basis for AP remains unknown. To locate regions of the human genome that may harbor AP-predisposing genetic variants, we performed a genome-wide linkage study on 73 multiplex AP families by genotyping them with 6090 SNP markers. Nonparametric multipoint linkage analyses were conducted, and the strongest evidence for linkage was observed on chromosome 8q24.21 in the subset of 45 families with European ancestry (exponential LOD score = 3.464, empirical genome-wide p = 0.03). Other regions with suggestive LOD scores included chromosomes 7q22.3, 8q21.11, and 9p21.3. Of these four regions, only the 7q22.3 linkage peak was also evident when 19 families with East Asian ancestry were analyzed separately. Though only one of these regions has yet reached statistical significance individually, we detected a larger number of independent linkage peaks than expected by chance overall, indicating that AP is genetically heterogeneous.
Prevalence of positional plagiocephaly in teens born after the "Back to Sleep" campaign.

Objectives. To determine the prevalence of positional plagiocephaly and brachycephaly in teenagers born after the "Back to Sleep" campaign but before orthotic helmet treatment became widely available and to provide long-term outcomes data on those children with plagiocephaly who were not treated with remolding therapy. Study Design. Cross-sectional analysis.Setting. Local high schools in the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro area. Subjects and Methods. Subjects were selected if they attended participating high schools and were born after the Back to Sleep campaign began. Skull measurements, including transcranial diameter, length, and width, were taken. Overall facial appearance was inspected for any apparent abnormal characteristics. Cranial vault asymmetry and cephalic index were calculated for each participant. Plagiocephaly was diagnosed if cranial vault asymmetry was >1 cm. Brachycephaly was diagnosed if the cephalic index was >0.90. Results. There were 1045 participants, ranging from 12 to 17 years old, with an average age of 15.7 years. The prevalence of plagiocephaly was 1.1%. The prevalence of brachycephaly was 1.0%. The overall prevalence of a deformational cranial abnormality was 2.0%. Of those who met diagnostic criteria of plagiocephaly or brachycephaly, 38.1% were noted to have abnormal facial characteristics. Conclusions. The prevalence of plagiocephaly and brachycephaly in teenagers is significantly lower than the 20% to 48% prevalence found in infants in previous studies, suggesting most children will outgrow the condition without intervention. Additional studies are needed to determine which patients might benefit from treatment and which will likely have resolution without intervention, since treating all infants who meet criteria results in significant overtreatment. Language: en
Automobile fuel economy

Abstract Ten million barrels of oil per day are currently consumed by the world's 300 million passenger cars. The future stock of automobiles can be much more fuel efficient, if technological improvements in the engine-drive train combination are implemented. A quantitative model combining an engine map and a driving cycle is described, and fuel economy savings resulting from specific improvements are estimated; in combination, they lead to cars that achieve 2.6 1 100 km (90mpg). An important economic barrier to the production of such cars is the relative insensitivity of total lifecycle costs to these improvements; accordingly, governmental fuel economy standards—or incentives such as high taxes on fuel inefficient automobiles—will be required if the technologically and economically achievable automotive fuel economy potential is to be realized.
Titanium reduction in a soluble ziegler—natta catalyst

Abstract The spontaneous reduction of TiIV to TiIII in soluble Ziegler—Natta catalysts of type Cp2RTiCl·R’AlCl2 (Cp = h5 -cyclopentadienyl, R and R’ = methyl or ethyl) was studied both spectrally and chromatographically. Varied were R, R’, Al/Ti ratio, total concentration, solvent, and added olefin. Kinetic order in [Ti] could be varied from zero to second order by changing solvent. This can be explained by a mechanism in which a Cp2 RTiCl—R’AlCl2—olefin complex forms in the rate determining step and ligand R is expelled as half alkane half olefin. The expelled olefin may either polymerize or catalyze reduction by forming the rate-determining complex. Different apparent kinetic orders arise from differences in the olefin competitive reactions. The reaction products appear to form in a rapid bimolecular reaction following the rate-determining step. Evidence is presented that neither free radicals nor Cp2RR’Ti are reduction intermediates. The intermediate is postulated to be a TiIV transient hydride formed by a reverse insertion step.
Compiling quantum programs

In this paper we study a possible compiler for a high-level imperative programming language for quantum computation, the quantum Guarded-Command Language (qGCL). It is important because it liberates us from thinking of quantum algorithms at the data-flow level, in the same way as happened for standard computation a few decades ago. We make use of the normal-form approach to compiler design, introduced by Hoare, Jifeng and Sampaio. In this approach a source program is transformed, by means of algebraic manipulations, into a particular form which can be directly executed by a target machine. This entails the definition of a simple quantum hardware architecture, derived from Hoare et al.'s computing model. Our work provides a general framework for the construction of a compiler for qGCL, focusing mainly on the correctness of the design. Here we do not deal with other topics such as efficiency of compiled code, factorisation of unitary transformations and compilation of quantum data structures.
Management accounting and the workplace in the United States and Great Britain

Abstract Use of standard costs, budgets and performance report variances became popular in the United States prior to World War II. Comparable widespread use of these management accounting practices did not occur in Britain until the 1970s, if then. While different economic markets have been cited as the reason for this difference in accounting practices, the influence of industrial relations in the two countries has been largely ignored. In this paper we offer a historical-comparative analysis of different management styles and patterns of labor activism, and their relation to different accounting practices in the two countries. The analysis also has implications for a broadened understanding of the different patterns of workplace controls in Britain and the United States.