cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of individual nucleotides in the bacterial ribonuclease P ribozyme adjacent to the pre-tRNA cleavage site by short-range photo-cross-linking.

The bacterial RNase P ribozyme is a site-specific endonuclease that catalyzes the removal of pre-tRNA leader sequences to form the 5‘ end of mature tRNA. While several specific interactions between enzyme and substrate that direct this process have been determined, nucleotides on the ribozyme that interact directly with functional groups at the cleavage site are not well-defined. To identify individual nucleotides in the ribozyme that are in close proximity to the pre-tRNA cleavage site, we introduced the short-range photoaffinity cross-linking reagent 6-thioguanosine (s6G) at position +1 of tRNA and position −1 in a tRNA bearing a one-nucleotide leader sequence [tRNA(G-1)] and examined cross-linking in representatives of the two structural classes of bacterial RNase P RNA (from Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis). These photoagent-modified tRNAs bind with similar high affinity to both ribozymes, and the substrate bearing a single s6G upstream of the cleavage (−1) site is cleaved accurately. Interesti...
Dynamics of fractal networks

Random structures often exhibit fractal geometry, defined in terms of the mass scaling exponent, D, the fractal dimension. The vibrational dynamics of fractal networks are expressed in terms of the exponent d, the fracton dimensionality. The eigenstates on a fractal network are spatially localized for d less than or equal to 2. The implications of fractal geometry are discussed for thermal transport on fractal networks. The electron-fracton interaction is developed, with a brief outline given for the time dependence of the electronic relaxation on fractal networks. It is suggested that amorphous or glassy materials may exhibit fractal properties at short length scales or, equivalently, at high energies. The calculations of physical properties can be used to test the fractal character of the vibrational excitations in these materials.
Congenital transmission in mice of an active agent from human rheumatoid arthritis.

RHEUMATOID arthritis is the major cause of crippling today. The aetiology is unknown1–5, but the theory of a slow growing virus has attracted great interest6 and has led to our experiments. A transmissible acute and chronic polyarthritis has been consistently induced in mice and their litters with injections of synovial tissues obtained from rheumatoid arthritis patients. After 14 months of breeding and injection of 2,300 newborn mice, we find the disease can remain latent in females for a year and that it can be congenitally transmitted through at least three generations. There is a remarkable resemblance between rheumatoid arthritis and the disease produced in the experimental mice.
Infrared radiation properties of nitrous oxide

Abstract Spectral absorption of the fundamental bands of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) gas at 4.5μ( v 3 ) and 7.8μ( v 1 ) has been measured at low resolution at room temperature (295°K) and 500°K. The spectral mean (or narrow-band) parameters for these bands were obtained by use of the Elsasser model which was found to correlate experimental data better than the statistical model. The measured absorptances were further integrated and correlated to yield the wide-band parameters for the Edwards wide-band model. On the basis of these results, total emissivities of N 2 O are presented for the temperature range under consideration.
The Transport of Carbohydrates by a Bacterial Phosphotransferase System

The components and properties of a phosphoenolpyruvate: glucose phosphotransferase system are reviewed, along with the evidence implicating this system in sugar transport across bacterial membranes. Some possible physiological implications of sugar transport mediated by the phosphotransferase system are also considered.
The low-frequency density of states for amorphous and crystalline ices

Incoherent inelastic neutron scattering studies have been performed on two amorphous polymorphs and two crystalline polymorphs of ice, including high-density amorphous (hda) ice. Subsequent annealing cycles allowed data to be collected from low-density amorphous ice (lda), and crystalline ices Ic and Ih. Data were collected between 5 and 80 K for hda, and between 5 and 120 K for the other phases. The low-frequency (ν<1 THz) densities of states of the four phases are compared. The data illustrate clearly an excess number of modes in the hda density of states at 5 K centered at 0.65 THz. The magnitude of the excess g(ν) is considerably reduced upon heating the sample from 5 to 20 K. Above 60 K the density of states of hda was found to exhibit predominantly a Debye behavior, g(ν)∝Aν2, as ν0 THz. No such excess modes were observed in lda or the two crystalline phases studied.
Confronting the Middle Income Trap: Insights from Small Latecomers

Middle income countries have always faced the challenge of how to move from commodity production to more knowledge-intensive activities. The current globalization process is turning this middle income dilemma into a possible middle income trap. To understand better how countries can achieve broad-based upgrading to confront the middle income trap, we develop an analytical framework that links the macroeconomic context with microeconomic behavior and mesoeconomic conditions contingent upon path dependency and global circumstances. This capabilities-based approach draws from structuralist and evolutionary economic thought and global value chain analysis. We use the approach to analyze the particular set of factors that have enabled or constrained upgrading efforts under a liberal trade and investment regime in five small latecomers: Chile, the Dominican Republic, Jordan, Ireland, and Singapore. The country analyses demonstrate that strategic, pro-active, and coherent government policies for capability advancement are a key determinant of upgrading in open economies, both at the country level and in the development of “pockets of excellence.”
Alternatively spliced FGFR-1 isoforms attenuate the malignant phenotype of FGF-1 transformed pancreatic ductal cells1

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer continues to be a devastating tumor (280,000 new cases per year; 5% 5-year survival). Pancreatic tumors frequently (50–60%) overexpress acidic and basic (FGF-1, FGF-2) fibroblast growth factors and their high-affinity receptor (FGFR-1). Due to alternative receptor splicing, the predominant receptor isoform expressed in normal pancreatic tissue is FGFR-1α, with FGFR-1β expressed nearly exclusively in pancreatic cancer. We believe the ability of these ligands to modulate cellular transformation and oxidant stress (peroxynitrite)-induced apoptosis is critically linked to the predominantly expressed receptor isoform. The underlying mechanism associated with the aggressive malignant potential of this tumor is not well understood, and this study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the presence of the nonmalignant receptor isoform, FGFR-1α, in FGF-1/FGFR-1β transformed pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (ARIP-K cells). Methods: Nontumorigenic ARIP cells were transformed, producing a malignant phenotype (ie anchorage-independent growth, growth in reduced serum, resistance to immunologically stress-mediated death, ONOO−) via retrovirally delivered chimeric secreted form of human FGF-1 (ARIP-K cell). ARIP-K cells were transfected (CaPO4) with FGFR-1α receptor (P106 vector) and evaluated for evidence of successful gene transfer, growth, phenotype morphology, and response to ONOO−-induced death. Results: Biochemical assessment (RT-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting) confirmed the expression and functionality of the transgene in the ARIP (P106) cells. Compared with ARIP-K cells, ARIP (P106) cells demonstrated a reversal of transformed phenotype, evidenced by a 2-fold decrease (p < .001 test) in growth rate in reduced serum (0.05%) and a return of nonfoci anchorage–dependent growth. Finally, these cells demonstrated marked reversal in sensitivity to peroxynitrite (ONOO− 1 mM), 85% of ARIP-K cell survival versus 20% cell survival in ARIP (P106) (p < .001). Conclusion: These data may indicate that alternative receptor splicing may modulate the transforming effect of fibroblast growth factors in pancreatic cancer.
Buchanan and Tullock ignore their own contributions to expressive voting

It is common to employ small-number voting models to show how majority voting can lead to outcomes that are often at variance to what most people expect. For example, when government projects are voted on separately, and logrolling and side payment agreements are ruled out, each project can capture a majority vote even though all voters would be better off if none of the projects passed. The outcomes are typically driven by the assumption that the decision of each voter is influenced entirely by effect of their vote on their personal financial interests. But this is misleading since the financial interests of voters have little, if any, influence on how people vote when the number of voters is large. The same outcomes may be realized when there are a large number of voters, but they are likely to differ even though the distribution of financial interests is the same for the large group as it is for the small group. As indicated in the opening paragraph, we ignore the obvious way the outcome of a large-number election can differ from that of a small-number elections, by assuming the distribution of financial interests are the same in both cases, and by assuming away logrolling arrangements that can more easily be reached and enforced in the latter case than the former. Our explanation for the misleading nature of small-number voting models centers on the implications of what has become known as expressive voting, which imply that in large-number
Polarization compensation in silicon-on-insulator arrayed waveguide grating devices

As the AWG size is reduced our experimental and theoretical work demonstrates that it becomes increasingly difficult to suppress higher order modes and birefringence using ridge dimension alone. In part, it simply becomes difficult to meet the required fabrication tolerances when the ridge dimension approaches the order of a micron. We show that a novel polarization compensator scheme similar to that previously reported for a grating based demultiplexer in InP and consisting of simple shallow etched regions in the combiner sections of an SOI AWG, can eliminate the polarization sensitivity of the device by reducing the initial polarization dispersion of 2.22 nm to 0.04 nm. By combining the polarization compensator with mode filtering using appropriate array waveguide curvature, the shape of the array waveguides is no longer constrained. This allows the size of an AWG device to be scaled down to very small dimensions (e.g. less than a millimeter) and also permits the use of simple fabrication techniques such as wet etching. Our results were obtained on AWG devices based on 1.5 micrometers thick Si-on-insulator waveguides with a typical waveguide array area of a few square millimeters.
My Quarrels with Nelson Goodman

Anyone familiar with Nelson Goodman's philosophical career knows that to have quarreled with him was a hazardous enterprise. For aside from his creative brilliance and analytical subtlety, he was also one of the foremost dialecticians of the age. Seeing through the flaws of rival views and rebutting putative counterarguments to his own came as easily to him as breathing. To recall his rejoinders to a long list of would-be rebuttals of his paper, "On Likeness of Meaning",' or the acute series of counterexamples to received views of scientific law in his pioneering paper, "The Problem of Counterfactual Conditionals",2 or his replies to criticisms of his nominalism in "A World of Individuals",3 or again, his replies to confident attacks on his theory of projection4 is to find ample evidence of an intimidating intellectual presence. To take issue with him was in fact to take one's philosophical life in one's hands and many are those over the course of his career who rued the venture. Since I was one of the earliest of Goodman's doctoral advisees, starting in 1949 at the University of Pennsylvania, and studying with him during the period of his controversies over likeness of meaning, counterfactuals, and induction, as well as the first publication of his monumental book, The Structure of Appearance,' you can be sure that I did not pick my quarrels with him lightly. Moreover, I had no independent reason to quarrel with him. Indeed, he was generous and helpful to me, commenting on my early efforts with care and suggesting publication for my first papers. The truth is that I not only admired him enormously both as a thinker and a teacher but also
Predicting polymer nanofiber interactions via molecular simulations.

Physical and functional properties of nonwoven textiles and other fiberlike materials depend strongly on the number and type of fiber−fiber interactions. For nanoscale polymeric fibers in particular, these interactions are governed by the surfaces of and contacts between fibers. We employ both molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at a temperature below the glass transition temperature Tg of the polymer bulk, and molecular statics (MS), or energy minimization, to study the interfiber interactions between prototypical polymeric fibers of 4.6 nm diameter, comprising multiple macromolecular chains each of 100 carbon atoms per chain (C100). Our MD simulations show that fibers aligned parallel and within 9 nm of one another experience a significant force of attraction. These fibers tend toward coalescence on a very short time scale, even below Tg. In contrast, our MS calculations suggest an interfiber interaction that transitions from an attractive to a repulsive force at a separation distance of 6 nm. The resul...
The impact of the energy crisis on American cities based on dispersion of employment, utilization of transit, and car pooling

Abstract The impact of the energy crisis on transportation within selected American cities is analyzed. Using Journey to Work data from the 1970 U.S. Census of Population, changes are estimated in car pooling and in the use of alternative transportation modes for commutation travel. Suggestions are provided for the analysis of specific cities, and transportation planning in the Baltimore, Maryland, area is reviewed in some depth. Conclusions are drawn that, on average, limited energy shortfalls (of approximately 10 per cent) should have no severe adverse impact on commutation activity
Truancy’s Effect on the Onset of Drug Use among Urban Adolescents Placed at Risk

Purpose To examine the relationship between truancy and the onset of drug use. Methods Discrete time survival analysis was used to assess the effect of truancy on initiation of drug use after adjusting for several potential confounders from age 11 to 15 years, using data from the Denver Youth Survey, a longitudinal sample of youth who grew up in socially disorganized neighborhoods of Denver, CO. Results In this population, truancy was a significant predictor of initiation of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. The robust effect of truancy persisted after controlling for potential confounders, including school performance, school isolation, association with delinquent peers, personal delinquent values, parental monitoring, and family attachment. Conclusions Although this study cannot point to a causal relationship, we argue that the effect may be at least in part due to the unsupervised, unmonitored time with peers that truancy affords a young person. Truancy prevention is a field of research that needs much more attention. Keeping youth in school every day is likely to have many beneficial effects, and effective truancy prevention efforts may also help to prevent or delay the onset of drug use among adolescents.
VLSI gray-scale morphology processor for real-time NDE image-processing applications

This paper describes the VLSI hardware implementation onto an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) of a gray-scale morphology processor. This is a prototype first chip of a series for a project to perform real-time image processing for NDE (Non-Destnicve Evaluation) applications. Processing of images requires the performance of relatively simple mathematical operations like additions subtractions and comparisons on a tremendously large amount of pixels (data points). This hardware implementation uses the idea of an array processor where each processor performs the exact same operations at the same time but on different pixels. The morphology operation is done in a highly parallel fashion thus enabling a real time performance of 80 MOPS (Million Operations Per Second). The chip described in this paper has the capability of performing both erosion and dilation operations on variable size images with a variable size structuring element. This custom chip was designed using a 2. t CMOS process on a die size of 6. 8 x 6. 9 mm2 in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University. Custom layout was chosen over standard cell implementation in order to reduce the area of the chip and to increase the operational speed. The fabrication is being done through the MOSIS fabrication services. For the project the final version of the chip will be implemented in a 1jt CMOS technology thus enhancing the speed and© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mortality response of potato leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) to low temperatures: implications for predicting overwintering and early migrant mortality.

Mortality response to a 30-min exposure to low temperature was studied for all stages of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris). The relationship between mortality and temperature fit a linear logistic regression model for each stage from egg to adult, inclusive. This model satisfactorily described data for the egg, first and second instar, and adult female only after allowing for extra-binomial variation. For the first- and second instar data, a model with common slope but different intercepts was used. A common curve described the mortality responses of instars three through five. Cold hardiness increased with development stage from egg through adult. Implications for predicting overwintering population and early migrant mortality are discussed.
The fluorine-steam flame and its characteristics

Abstract Diffusion and premixed flames of fluorine and steam were produced and investigated. The ignition limits of the fluorine-steam mixture were found to be at ∼19 and ∼95 mole per cent fluorine, at 100°C initial temperature and 1 atm pressure (absolute). The maximum burning velocity, 810 ± 10 cm/sec, was that of the mixture containing 47·5 mole per cent fluorine, and 52·2 mole per cent steam. The conflicting information in the literature on the behaviour of fluorine and steam mixtures has been resolved.
Herbivore feeding and cyanogenesis in Trifolium repens L

Qualitative measures of herbivore feeding damage and cyanogenesis were obtained for 1000 Trifolium repens L. growing in unmanaged areas. An association between low herbivore feeding damage rating and cyanogenesis is indicated by the data. If only those plants given the highest feeding damage rating have significant reduction of vegetative growth and/or seed production, the data presented help to explain the maintenance of the polymorphism of cyanogenesis in T. repens.
The density of gaseous ethane and of fluid methyl chloride, and the vapor pressure of methyl chloride

Abstract The amount-of-substance density ϱn of gaseous ethane was measured in a Burnett-isochoric apparatus from 323 to 473 K in 25 K increments. Thirteen isochores ranging from 15.94 to 1489.0 mol m−3 nominal ϱn provide pressures from 43.0 to 5390kPa. For methyl chloride values of ϱn were observed at the same temperatures covering the vapor, gas, and near-critical regions. Seventeen isochores ranging from 20.42 to 8653.1 mol m−3 nominal ϱn provide pressures from 55.4 to 14908 kPa. Dense-vapor values near saturation are corrected for adsorption by a new technique. Second and third virial coefficients as well as derived thermophysical properties are reported for both ethane and methyl chloride. Optimal Lennard-Jones and Stockmayer force constants are calculated for ethane and methyl chloride respectively. Two sets of vapor pressures for methyl chloride are reported for the temperature range 313 to 408 K (T68c = 416.27 K).
Aerosol formation in the photooxidation of isoprene and β-pinene

Isoprene and β-pinene, at concentration levels ranging from a few ppb to a few ppm, were reacted photochemically with NO_x in the Caltech outdoor smog chamber facility. Aerosol formation from the isoprene photooxidation is found to be negligible even under extreme ambient conditions due to the relatively high vapor pressure of its products. Aerosol carbon yield from the β-pinene photooxidation is as high as 8% and depends strongly on the initial HC/NO_x ratio. The average vapor pressure of the β-pinene aerosol is estimated to be 37±24 ppt at 31 °C. Monoterpene photooxidation can be a significant source of secondary aerosol in rural environments and in urban areas with extended natural vegetation.
Evaluation of Properties of Constructed Tubular-Steel Cast-in-Place Pilings

Bridge foundations contribute significantly to the serviceability and efficiency of in-service transportation networks. Foundation failure may lead to catastrophic failure of the entire structure, which in turn results in system failure, loss of life, and detours. When the soil within ground surface layers fails to satisfy the bearing capacity requirements, deep foundations such as tubular-steel concrete-filled piles are commonly used in practice. A challenge that often exists with these systems is the uncertainty surrounding in-service capacity as well as condition, which is difficult to determine from the surface. As a consequence, transportation agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation use conservative approaches, such as neglecting the tubular-steel contribution or bounding the compressive strength of the core concrete, to design these systems. This approach, while effective for safety, can yield overly conservative and costly designs. The main purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the behavior of tubular-steel, concrete-filled, cast-in-place pilings, with a concentration on the compressive strength and composite behavior between concrete core and steel shell. In this regard, a series of experimental studies, including composite and noncomposite compression loading, core samples, push-through, and flexural testing together with a compatible finite element analysis, were conducted on a series of field-cast piles with different geometrical properties. The results indicated that the steel shell made a significant contribution to the axial loading capacity of the cast-in-place piles. Moreover, no evidence of bond loss was observed during the corresponding experimental studies.
Lid Splitting with Lash Resection for Cicatricial Entropion and Trichiasis

Lid margin splitting at the gray line with resection of the lash-bearing anterior lamella of the eyelid is a simple and effective treatment for cicatricial entropion and trichiasis. Twenty-six patients underwent this procedure with good results.
Perceiving Final Voiceless Stops without Release: Effects of Preceding Monophthongs versus Nonmonophthongs

Prepausal postvocalic stops in English are reported to occur both with and without audible release bursts, more or less randomly, and this difference is said to be without distinctive function. Howeve
Ignition of Titanium Powder Layers by Electrostatic Discharge

Titanium powder heating and ignition by an electrostatic discharge (ESD) or spark was investigated. The effect of powder layer thickness and morphology was determined. Ti powder was chosen for these experiments because it is commonly found in energetic formulations, used for materials preparation by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, and is extensively used in powder metallurgy. Two Ti powders were used: spherical powder with a volume mean diameter of 82 µm and sponge powder with a volume mean diameter of 30 µm. ESD current and voltage were measured in real time; powder ignition was characterized using an optical sensor and photographs of the produced burning particles. Different ignition modes were observed for powders with different morphologies and placed in layers with different thickness. For both spherical and sponge Ti powders prepared as monolayers, ESD initiation resulted in fragmentation of the initial particles. Produced particle fragments were ejected from the sample holder and burne...
A theater for eating, looking, and thinking: The restaurant as symbolic space

(1990). A theater for eating, looking, and thinking: The restaurant as symbolic space. Sociological Spectrum: Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 507-526.
Molecular phylogenies of plants and Frankia support multiple origins of actinorhizal symbioses.

Molecular phylogenetic trees were reconstructed from nucleotide sequences of nifH and 16S rDNA for Frankia and of rbcL for actinorhizal plants. Comparison of Frankia phylogenetic trees reconstructed using nifH and 16S rDNA sequences indicated that subgroupings of both trees correspond with each other in terms of plant origins of Frankia strains. The results suggested that 16S rDNAs can be utilized for coevolution analysis of actinorhizal symbioses. Frankia and plant phylogenetic trees reconstructed using 16S rDNA and rbcL sequences were compared. The comparison by tree matching and likelihood ratio tests indicated that although branching orders of both trees do not strictly correspond with each other, subgroupings of Frankia and their host plants correspond with each other in terms of symbiotic partnership. Estimated divergence times among Frankia and plant clades indicated that Frankia clades diverged more recently than plant clades. Taken together, actinorhizal symbioses originated more than three times after the four plant clades diverged.
Characterization of molecular structural changes in pectin during juice cloud destabilization in frozen concentrated orange juice

Pectin comprises one of the major components of cloud material in citrus juices. Juice cloud is a complex mixture of polysaccharides, proteins and lower molecular weight compounds that are responsible for the turbid appearance of citrus juices. The stability of juice cloud depends on a number of factors, including pectin degree of methylation (DM) and the availability of sufficiently-sized, charged demethylated blocks, but detailed information on the precise relationship between cloud state and pectin architecture is limited. To address this gap, we have systematically treated commercial frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) with pectin methylesterases extracted from orange pulp cells to mimic the aggregation of pectin that naturally occurs in the presence of calcium in unpasteurized or under pasteurized juice. We then assessed the pectin structural and functional properties, including juice optical density (OD) and soluble sugar composition, DM, degree of blockiness (DB), degree of absolute blockiness (DBabs) and rheological capacity from juice in various states of cloud loss. A strong positive correlation ([r] = 0.916) was observed between juice OD and DM, while a strong negative correlation ([r] = −0.914) was observed between OD and DBabs. Most critically, a reduction of average DM from 74.7% to 68.3% in the course of cloud loss resulted in the formation of rheologically active pectin.
Accuracy of crystal plate theories for high-frequency vibrations in the range of the fundamental thickness shear mode

The first-order plate theories with correction factors are generally assumed to predict accurately the plate modes which have half wavelengths greater than the plate thickness, and at frequencies up to 20% higher than the fundamental thickness shear frequency. This assumption is assessed by comparing the straight crested wave solutions of the plate theories with those of the three-dimensional elastic equations of motion. The frequency spectra for bandwidths of resonant frequencies versus the aspect ratio of length to thickness of plate are compared for three sets of plate equations: the first-order Mindlin plate equations, the third-order Mindlin plate equations, and the third-order Lee and Nikodem plate equations. The finite element results for a quartz SC-cut strip with free edges show that Mindlin's first-order plate equations, and Lee and Nikodem's third-order plate equations yield less accurate frequency spectra of the modes in the vicinity of the fundamental thickness shear mode than the third-order Mindlin plate equations without correction factors. The degree of inaccuracy increases with the ratio of plate length to thickness, and the slope of the modal branches in the frequency spectra. For a plate length to thickness ratio of 31 to 33, the first-order plate theory is found to yield accurate frequency spectra for normalized frequencies less than 0.3, which is lower than previously assumed. At normalized frequencies greater than 0.3, deviations are seen in the frequency spectra, starting with the modal branches which are more steeply inclined.
Wellness: Pharmacy Education's Role and Responsibility

The root cause of most chronic diseases in America is self-inflicted through an unhealthy lifestyle including poor diet, insufficient exercise, inability to maintain a healthy weight, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. Americans' ability to adhere to healthy lifestyles appears to be declining.1,2 The pharmacy profession, while positioned to provide an answer to this problem, has done little. In addition, academic pharmacy's primary focus is on drugs and diseases with limited instruction in the area of wellness. It is time for pharmacy education to step up and take a leadership role in enhancing the wellness of Americans.
Comparison of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease and Cockcroft-Gault equations for dosing antimicrobials.

Study Objectives. To determine the concordance between the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Cockcroft-Gault equations for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation, the impact of using each equation on antimicrobial dosing, the difference in estimated GFR in patients with acute kidney disease (AKD) versus chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the correlation between the MDRD, Cockcroft-Gault equation, and expert medical opinion for estimating GFR in patients with AKD. Design. Retrospective cohort study. Setting. A 689-bed academic medical center. Patients. A total of 372 adults hospitalized with either AKD or CKD between January 1, 2007, and May 31, 2007, and who received at least one antimicrobial drug; patients with stage 1 or 2 CKD or those receiving dialysis were excluded. Measurements and Main Results. Data were collected from electronic medical records on patient characteristics, laboratory values, antimicrobial drugs requiring dosage adjustment due to renal dysfunction, and estimated GFRs provided by the laboratory (MDRD estimation). In addition, estimated GFRs were calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. For patients with AKD, a third GFR was estimated by a nephrologist. For all patients, the MDRD GFR was significantly higher than the Cockcroft-Gault GFR (p<0.001). Level of concordance for the need for dosage adjustment based on the two equations was moderate (κ coefficient 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.5-0.63); 99.1% of patients with discordant dose recommendations would receive a higher dose if the MDRD GFR was used. In the AKD versus CKD groups, mean MDRD GFR was significantly higher than the Cockcroft-Gault GFR in both groups (p<0.0001), but the difference was significantly greater in the CKD group (p<0.0001). In patients with AKD, the GFR estimated by expert opinion was greater than that estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation (p=0.04), but was similar to the MDRD equation (p=0.07). Conclusion. The estimated GFR obtained with the MDRD equation was consistently higher than that from the Cockcroft-Gault equation in patients with AKD or CKD. In patients with AKD, the MDRD GFR more closely correlated with expert opinion than the Cockcroft-Gault, suggesting that the MDRD method may be applicable to this patient population. Moderate concordance between the two equations for the need for antimicrobial dosage adjustment due to renal dysfunction was found, but the specific dosage change was different for approximately 40% of patients, with 99% receiving higher doses when the MDRD GFR is used. These dosing differences may be significant, depending on drug safety profile, type of infection, and causative pathogen.
Continuous-time quadratic regulators and pseudo-continuous-time quadratic regulators with pole placement in a specific region

A linear optimal quadratic regulator is developed, for optimally placing the closed-loop poles of multivariable continuous-time systems within the common region of an open sector, and the left-hand side of a line parallel to the imaginary axis in the complex s-plane, without explicitly utilising the eigenvalues of the open-loop systems. Also, a pseudo-continuous-time state-space method is developed, for finding the linear suboptimal quadratic regulator which suboptimally places the closed-loop poles of multivariable discrete-time systems within the common region of a circle, and the logarithmic spiral in the complex z-plane. An illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedures.
Euroskeptics, Europhiles and Instrumental Europeans: European Attachment in Scotland and Wales

This article uses Q-methodology, a factor analytic approach, to distinguish among different types of European attachments in Scotland and Wales. This method allows us to divide the types of Europea...
Transfer of Ampicillin Resistance between Strains of Haemophilus influenzaeType B

Haemophilus influenzae type B, strain W-2, is highly resistant to ampicillin (MIC, 12.5 mug/ml). The ampicillin resistance of strain W-2 was transferred to an antibiotic-sensitive strain TF-2 (RifR, SmR) during mixed incubation on membrane filters at 36 C(transfeer frequency, 4.6 times 10(-5) per donor). Resistance was also transferred from the primary recipient to a secondary one (TF-3, EryR, NovR). The transfer frequency between these derivative strains was 10(-4) after incubation for 30 min. Resistance in strain W-2 remained even after growth in the presence of ethidium bromide or at an elevated temperature, although ampicillin resistance was lost from 13%-25% of transcipient cells after growth in broth. Strain W-2 and transcipients of ampicillin resistance had equivalent levels of beta-lactamase activity, while sensitive segregants and recipient strains demonstrated little or no enzyme activity. Transfer of ampicillin resistance between strains of H. influenzae is probably mediated by conjugation since transfer (1) requires cell-to-cell contact, (2) remains unchanged in the presence of DNase I, and (3) occurs in the absence of demonstrable bacteriophage.
Resonant periodic-gain surface-emitting semiconductor lasers and correlated emission in a ring cavity.

A semiclassical theory of a resonant periodic-gain (half-wave spatially periodic-gain segments) laser in the context of a semiconductor medium is presented using an oversimplified picture. Terms arise in the polarization of this periodic-gain medium that lead to enhanced light-matter interaction, doubling the gain coefficient, and enhancing mode-pulling effects. Discussion of the physical processes is extended to include a comparison with the ring-cavity correlated-emission laser, which also utilizes a periodic-gain medium and exhibits a vanishing phase fluctuation between the degenerate counterpropagating modes. A simple physical picture of radiations from a half-wave-periodic, radiating dipole array illustrates the common mechanism and important relationship between these lasers.
Virulence factors of Francisella tularensis

The mechanism causing viable Francisella tularensis to lose virulence in aerosols has been investigated. Fully virulent organisms were found to be encapsulated and avirulent organisms from aged aerosols, decapsulated. Capsules were also removed by suspension of F. tularensis in hypertonic sodium chloride. The resulting naked, but viable, organisms were predominantly avirulent for guinea-pigs challenged intraperitoneally. Capsular material and cell walls were found to contain large amounts of lipid, about 50 and 70% (w/w) respectively, and to differ in lipid and sugar composition. Isolated capsular material was not found to contain a lethal toxin for mice or guinea-pigs, or to induce an immunological response in these animals to fully virulent F. tularensis.
029 Rooster sperm plasma membrane protein and phospholipid organization and reorganization attributed to cooling and cryopreservation

Cholesterol to phospholipid ratio is used as a representation for membrane fluidity, and predictor of cryopreservation success but results are not consistent across species and ignore the impact of membrane proteins. Therefore, this research explored the modulation of membrane fluidity and protein organization of rooster sperm during cooling and cryopreservation using the fluorescent stains Merocyanine 540 (phospholipid order) and Rhodamine 640 (protein order). Rooster semen samples (3 roosters and breeds per pool; 4 pools total) were diluted in Lakes Low Temperature (LLT) and Sasaki diluent and cooled to 5 °C over 30 min (Step 1). The samples were then diluted with the penetrating cryoprotectants (CPA) glycerol (LLT) or methylacetamide (Sasaki), equilibrated for 30 min (Step 2), loaded into straws and cryopreserved. The cryopreservation and thawing (Step 3) was performed using the optimized procedures for each diluent. Computer automated semen analysis (CASA) was used to analyze motility characteristics and flow cytometry was used to analyze plasma membrane phospholipid, protein organization and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) at each step. Percent values from CASA and flow cytometry fluorescent medians (FM) were transformed using arcsine and Box–Cox, respectively. The GLM ANOVA was used to detect differences in motility characteristics and membrane organization and included the effects of cryopreservation step and rooster semen pool. In the total motility analyses cryopreservation diluent/CPA was a significant ( P P P P P Source of funding: USDA-ARS-NCGRP National Animal Germplasm Program. Conflict of interest: None declared. phil.purdy@ars.usda.gov
Fiscal policy and foreign debt

Abstract This paper shows that an expansionary fiscal policy may have the consequence of either increasing or decreasing the level of foreign debt in the context of a two-sector small economy that produces traded and nontraded goods. The long-run effect of a fiscal expansion depends on a measure of the relative capital intensity of the two productive sectors, in addition to the composition of private and public spending. The short-run effect of a transitory fiscal expansion is critically influenced by the extent to which investment reacts to current and prospective profits.
Quantitative interpretations of double mutations of enzymes

Abstract The quantitative effect of a second mutation on a mutant enzyme may be antagonistic, absent, partially additive, additive, or synergistic with respect to the first mutation. Depending on which kinetic or thermodynamic parameter of an enzyme is measured, the same two mutations can interact differently in the double mutant. Additive effects of two mutations on an equilibrium constant, such as the dissociation constant of the enzyme-substrate complex (Ks), occur when noninteracting residues which facilitate the same step (substrate binding) are mutated. Partially additive effects result from the cooperative interaction with the substrate of the two residues mutated, and synergistic effects result from the anticooperative interaction with the substrate of the two residues mutated. An alternative explanation for synergy is extensive unfolding of the enzyme. Antagonistic effects on an equilibrium constant such as Ks result from opposing structural effects of the two mutations on substrate binding. No additional effect of the second mutation in the double mutant represents a limiting case of either partial additivity or synergy. The interactions of the effects of two mutations on a rate constant such as kcat have the same explanations as those given above for equilibrium constants since the binding of a rate-limiting transition state is occurring. However, due to kinetic complexity, the following exceptions and additions exist. Additive effects of two mutations on kcat occur when non-interacting residues which facilitate the same step are mutated, provided this step is rate limiting. If the affected step is not rate limiting then synergistic effects of the two mutations are observed as each mutation causes the step to become progressively more rate limiting. Additive effects on kcat also occur when the two mutations affect consecutive steps, provided one of them is rate limiting. Partially additive effects on kcat also occur when noninteracting residues facilitating consecutive, non-rate-limiting steps are mutated. These concepts, when applied to published data on double mutants of Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase, staphylococcal nuclease, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, glutathione reductase, and subtilisin, provide deeper insights into the independent, cooperative, anti-cooperative, or antagonistic interactions of amino acid residues in the binding of substrates, activators, and inhibitors and in promoting catalysis.
Prenatal diagnosis of fetal cervicofacial anomalies.

Purpose of reviewTo review the current literature on prenatal diagnosis of cervicofacial anomalies that may require neonatal intervention or that require prenatal counseling by a maternal-fetal medicine team and otolaryngology, head and neck surgery.Recent findingsUltrasound and MRI imaging are comp
Elastic muon-carbon scattering in a low-momentum-transfer region

Elastic scattering of $190\ensuremath{-}\frac{\mathrm{MeV}}{c}$ muons has been measured to \ensuremath{\sim}1% in the angular range $140 \mathrm{mrad}\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{\le}590 \mathrm{mrad}$ corresponding to invariant four-momentum transfers $0.016 {\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}\ensuremath{\le}{q}^{2}\ensuremath{\le}0.33 {\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. Magnetostrictive wire spark chambers were used to measure the incident momentum and scattering angle. A comparison is made with electron scattering experiments which extend down in ${q}^{2}$ to 0.02 ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. A change of slope of the carbon form factor in the range below 0.05 ${\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ would indicate unexpected structure in the outer regions of the nuclear charge distribution. Disagreement with electron scattering where both processes are measured would indicate a breakdown of muon-electron universality. No such effects are observed.
The Impact of Political Change, Debt Servicing and Fiscal Deficits on Argentinian Budgetary Priorities

The turbulent world economic conditions of the 1970s and 1980s have required major adjustments within individual Third World countries. Two distinct responses were made by various governments: some reacted rather quickly with internal adjustment policies, while others borrowed heavily in order to finance high growth rates or at least to postpone economic contraction. Argentina is one of many countries that fall into the latter category.
Some suggested guidelines for serving customers with electronic mail

Electronic mail (usually referred to as e-mail) is no longer a luxury; for most of us it is a requisite of the academic computing life, a ubiquitous method of communication. Especially for individuals employed in university and college computing organizations, e-mail is now a very regular and important method for contacting and interacting with our customers. This is true for everyone in the organization: from the director to the administrative assistants to front line consultants and training staff. Not only do we use this medium to communicate with our traditional customers, i.e., faculty, staff, and students, but it is also a useful and necessary tool for intra-departmental communication as well.
Structure and Interactions of Aggrecans: Statistical Thermodynamic Approach

Weak polyelectrolytes tethered to cylindrical surfaces are investigated using a molecular theory. These polymers form a model system to describe the properties of aggrecan molecules, which is one of the main components of cartilage. We have studied the structural and thermodynamical properties of two interacting aggrecans with a molecular density functional theory that incorporates the acid-base equilibrium as well as the molecular properties: including conformations, size, shape, and charge distribution of all molecular species. The effect of acidity and salt concentration on the behavior is explored in detail. The repulsive interactions between two cylindrical-shaped aggrecans are strongly influenced by both the salt concentration and the pH. With increasing acidity, the polyelectrolytes of the aggrecan acquire charge and with decreasing salt concentration those charges become less screened. Consequently the interactions increase in size and range with increasing acidity and decreasing salt concentration. The size and range of the forces offers a possible explanation to the aggregation behavior of aggrecans and for their ability to resist compressive forces in cartilage. Likewise, the interdigitation of two aggrecan molecules is strongly affected by the salt concentration as well as the pH. With increasing pH, the number of charges increases, causing the repulsions between the polymers to increase, leading to a lower interdigitation of the two cylindrical polymer layers of the aggrecan molecules. The low interdigitation in charged polyelectrolytes layers provides an explanation for the good lubrication properties of polyelectrolyte layers in general and cartilage in particular.
Adaptation of the photo-induced [1,3]-allylic phenylthio shift to the preparation of functionalized diquinanes

Abstract The feasibility of utilizing the little known photo-induced [1,3]-allylic phenylthio shift in the context of functionalized diquinane construction has been tested.
The Epidemiology of Type 1 Diabetes in Children

Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood and adolescence. Multiple registries have assessed its epidemiology and have noted a steady increase in incidence of the disease. This article addresses the epidemiology of type 1 diabetes in children aged 0 to 19 years, by reviewing the available, current data from both US and international registries. The prevalence and incidence data by race, ethnicity, age of onset, sex, season of onset, and temporal trends of the disease are presented. Multiple risk factors have been implicated for the increasing incidence in type 1 diabetes, and these genetic and environmental risk factors are discussed.