cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The bear macaque,Macaca arctoides: a systematic review

The bear macaque,Macaca arctoides I. Geoffroy, [1831], is systematically reviewed, based on the study of 144 museum specimens and survey of relevant literature. This species inhabits hilly areas in continental Southeast Asia, southeast of the Brahmaputra River, from eastern India, northern Burma, and southern China southward to northernmost West Malaysia. Analysis of external variation inM. arctoides does not support recognition of subspecies, contrary to current taxonomic practice. Aspects ofM. arctoides that are investigated in this paper include pelage, external measurements and proportions, cranial characters, tail, male genitalia, female reproductive tract, copulatory behavior, natural history, life history, blood proteins, karyology, hybridization, and fossil record. An interpretation of the evolutionary history ofM. arctoides is presented. All known locality records ofM. arctoides are documented in an annotated gazetteer.
Cloning and sequencing of chloroperoxidase cDNA

An oligod-d(T) 12-18 primed cDNA library has been prepared from Caldariomyces fumago mRNA. A clone containing a full-length insert was sequenced on the supercoiled plasmid, pBR322. The complete primary sequence of chloroperoxidase has been derived. We have also determined about 73% of the peptide sequence by amino acid sequencing. The DNA sequence data matches all of the available known peptide sequences. The mature polypeptide contains 300 amino acids having a combined molecular weight of 32,974 daltons. A putative signal peptide of 21 amino acids is proposed from DNA sequence data. The chloroperoxidase gene encodes three potential glycosylation sites recognized as Asn-X-Thr/Ser sequences. Three cysteine residues are found in the protein sequence. A small region around Cys87 bears a minimal homology to the active site of cytochrome P450cam. No other heme protein homologues can be detected. We propose that Cys87 serves as a thiolate ligand to the iron of heme prosthetic group. A rare arginine codon, AGG, is used three times out of twelve in contrast to the very infrequent use of this codon in E. coli or yeast.
Computer design of optical coatings

Abstract A number of programs for the design of optical thin film systems are described. They are based on analysis of refinement of suitable multilayers, as well as on the synthesis of systems without the need for a starting design. The various programs are used to provide different solutions to the same problem. The advantages and disadvantages of the design methods are discussed. The properties of the multilayers that they result in are compared and contrasted. It is safe to conclude that it is now possible to design thin film multilayers with almost any desired spectral transmission curve. The degree of fit to the target will largely depend on the overall thickness of the coating.
Rapid simultaneous multielemental speciation by capillary electrophoresis coupled to inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Rapid simultaneous multielemental speciation was carried out by combining capillary electrophoresis (CE) with inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ICP-TOFMS). Fast electrophoretic separation of a mixture of several anionic species and negative-charged metal–cyanide complexes was achieved by using a linear polyacrylamide-coated capillary. The separation of three arsenic species and two cobalt–cyanide complexes required less than 70 s in the presence of other anions and metal cyanides of CuII, CrVI, NiII and VV. Simultaneous element-selective detection was provided by ICP-TOFMS. This method can acquire spectra at 20 kHz, a rate fast enough for even the narrow transient peaks generated by CE. In this case, because the CE peaks exhibited a 1–3 s full width at half maximum (FWHM), an integration time of 250 ms was employed. Thus, each single point in a transient peak results from the average of 5000 mass spectra. Furthermore, the multielemental capability of the ICP-TOFMS enabled mass spectral separation of several metal species that were not electrophoretically resolved. The effect of electric field strength, buffer concentration and applied hydrodynamic pressure at the head of the capillary on migration times and resolution has been examined. Absolute detection limits for the different metal species were 1–20 pg for 20 nL injected sample volumes. Peak-area and elution-time reproducibility were typically better than 4% RSD and 1% RSD, respectively, for 10 successive injections.
The influence of vibrational nonequilibrium upon infrared radiative energy transfer

Abstract The object of this investigation was to study the influence of vibrational nonequilibrium upon infrared radiative energy transfer in nongray, nonisothermal gases. An expression for the radiative flux within a diatomic gas is developed, and the spectroscopic realities of the structure of the fundamental vibration-rotation band are incorporated by expressing the kernel function in terms of the band absorptance. This procedure may readily be extended to include multiple band spectra. Illustrative results showing the effect of vibrational nonequilibrium are given for the case of a gas bounded by two black plates, and within which there is a uniform heat source.
Albinism in Africa: Stigma, Slaughter and Awareness Campaigns

Oculocutaneous albinism is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a lack of pigment in the hair, skin, and eyes. Albinism is caused by defective or absent tyrosinase, an enzyme necessary for melanogenesis. Although rare in the western world, albinism is quite common in sub-Saharan Africa, likely as a result of consanguinity. Albinism has long been associated with stigma and superstitions, such as the belief that a white man impregnated the mother or that the child is the ghost of a European colonist. Recently, a notion has emerged that albino body parts are good-luck charms or possess magical powers. These body parts may be sold for as much as $75,000 on the black market. As a result there have been over 100 albino murders in Tanzania, Burundi, and other parts of Africa in the past decade, which is now beginning to garner international attention and thus prompting novel legislation. To ameliorate the plight of individuals with albinism in Africa, a coordinated effort must be organized, involving medical professionals (dermatologists, ophthalmologists, oncologists), public health advocates and educators, social workers, human rights and antidiscrimination activists, law-enforcement agencies, and governmental support groups. The main issues that should be addressed include skin cancer prevention education, stigma and discrimination denouncement, and swift prosecution of albino hunters and their sponsors.
Instantaneous complex conjugate resolved spectral domain OCT using 3⨉3 fiber couplers

We demonstrate removal of the complex conjugate ambiguity in spectral domain OCT approaches (including swept source OCT and Fourier-domain OCT) by the use of a novel interferometer design based on 3x3 couplers.
Examining profile disclosure on online social networks: an affective, behavioural, and cognitive perspective

The magnitude of information shared on online social networks (OSN), such as Facebook, and their exponential growth brings to light the importance of understanding individual's profile disclosure. Encouraging disclosure is crucial for OSN to succeed as a business model, i.e., by using OSN as an advertising platform. A model was built making use of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) augmented by the ABC model of attitude, to investigate the affective, behavioural, and cognitive antecedents to attitude. To validate the model a survey was conducted, and the results were analysed with SmartPLS. Privacy risk, benefits, OSN trust, interpersonal trust, and OSN use were all found to significantly impact attitude, while attitude, social influence, and control all significantly impact profile disclosure. This research successfully applies TPB, and shows the value of including affective, behaviour, and cognitive antecedents in the OSN context. It also uniquely operationalises benefits, as well as, trust.
A comparison of cortical thickness in male and female rats--normal and gonadectomized, young and adult.

Removal of rat ovaries at Day 1 increases cortical thickness by Day 90 when compared with intact littermates (C. Pappas, 1977, Ph.D. Thesis, University of California, Berkeley, Calif.) . In the present experiments, using Day 1 sets of sextuplets, one male and one female were gonadectomized; one male and one female were sham-operated; one male and one female were left intact to serve as normal controls. After weaning at Day 21, the animals were separated three to a cage (20×20×32 cm) according to sex and condition. At 90 days of age all were ether-anesthetized and sacrificed. From Formalin-perfused and fixed frozen brains, transverse sections were cut from motor, somesthetic, and occipital regions. Projected, thionin-stained sections were outlined and the cortex was measured. Significant differences in cortical thickness were seen between ovariectomized rats compared with sham-operated littermates. There were no significant cortical thickness differences between normal intact males and females; or between rats ovariectomized at Day 90 and Day 300 compared 90 days later with sham-operated littermates.
Investigations in Array Sizing Part I. Accuracy of the Sizing Process

Abstract The technique of two-dimensional array sizing by optical microscopy is investigated for use in the determination of the average diameter of 0.9 μm polystyrene latex spheres. Error sources for the diameter measurement are discussed, including the effects of microcracks, anisotropy, and dissolved impurities. The technique has been used in a particle calibration program at NBS. The average diameter found was 0.897 ± 0.016 μm, while techniques based on light scattering from a single particle and from a suspension yielded 0.900 ± 0.011 and 0.895 ± 0.008 μm, respectively.
Automaticity and inhibition in action planning

We question the generalizability of Glover's model because it fails to distinguish between different forms of planning. The highly controlled experimental situations on which this model is based, do not reflect some important factors that contribute to planning. We discuss several classes of action that seem to imply distinct planning mechanisms, questioning Glover's postulation of a single “planning system.”
Results of measurements of the coda wave quality factor (Qc) in north-central Alaska

Abstract We investigated the coda wave quality factor (Qc) for the Rampart-Dall City seismic zone in northcentral Alaska. The data for local earthquakes analyzed were recorded digitally (100 samples/s) by a temporary vertical component short-period station located within the above zone and two events recorded by a similar station located in the greater Fairbanks area. The data were filtered using 9 pass-bands, whose center frequencies range from 0.8 Hz to 12 Hz with octave bandwidth. On the basis of the single scattering model, the values of Qc obtained were found to vary in the range between 168 and 891 in the above frequency (ƒ) interval (0.8–12 Hz). This variation, particularly for ƒ ≧ 1 Hz, is similar to that known for the Fairbanks seismic zone in central Alaska.
Pregnant, Substance-Abusing, and Incarcerated: Exploratory Study of a Comprehensive Approach to Treatment

Interventions addressing the multiple needs of incarcerated women are rare. In this study, several measures were used to assess functional changes among pregnant, substance-dependent, incarcerated ...
Sequence specificity of Hprt lymphocyte mutation in rats fed the hepatocarcinogen 2-acetylaminofluorene.

Abstract Rats fed the hepatocarcinogen 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) have a low, but significantly increased, frequency of lymphocyte Hprt mutants. In this study, mutants from 2-AAF-fed and control F344 rats were examined for mutations in the Hprt gene in order to determine if the 2-AAF treatment resulted in an agent-specific mutation profile. The most common mutation from 2-AAF-treated rats was G:C→T:A transversion (32% of all mutations) followed by 1-basepair (bp) deletion (19%); there were very few (5%) G:C→A:T transitions. Among mutations from control rats, G:C→A:T transition was the most common (43%), and there were very few G:C→T:A transversions (5%) and no 1-bp deletions. The profile of mutations from 2-AAF-fed rats was significantly different from control rats ( P =0.003) and was consistent with the types of mutations produced by 2-AAF in vitro. The results of this study indicate that even weak mutational responses in the lymphocyte Hprt assay are capable of producing mutation profiles that reflect the DNA damage inducing them.
TOTA: a construction set for the impending apocalypse

Toys of the Apocalypse (TOTA) is a construction kit with an immersive narrative that allows children to create their own toys with simple components and homemade polymers. It gives children an entry point to electronics and programming that allows for complete creative control of both aesthetics and mechanics. The objective of TOTA is to introduce children to the basics of circuitry, programmed behavior, and mechanical engineering.
Prodissoconch morphology of the relict marine paleoheterodont Neotrigonia margaritacea (Mollusca: Bivalvia) indicates a non-planktotrophic prejuvenile ontogeny

Trigonioids represent the most plausible marine outgroup for freshwater palaeoheterodonts, yet details of their early ontogeny are scant. We utilized museum specimens and scanning electron microscopy to characterize the prodissoconch structure of the living fossil' Neotrigonia margaritacea. This species produces a large inflated prejuvenile shell (mean length ±SD=664±16.9 μm, N=8) that lacks both an umbone and a prodissoconch II. It is concluded that N. margaritacea does not rely on planktotrophy to fuel its prejuvenile ontogeny.
Structural Contributions to Second-Order Optical Nonlinearities in Oriented Interfacial Multilayers

We report on the synthesis and characterization of Zr-phosphate/phosphonate (ZP) self-assembled multilayer structures using surface second harmonic generation measurements. We use two structurally complementary χ(2)-active chromophores that can be deposited with orientational control relative to the substrate. These chromophores produce multilayer χ(2) responses identical in magnitude but of opposite sign. We form opposing bilayers with these chromophores to produce two different structural motifs, each with a local center of inversion about the ZP interlayer bonding plane. The χ(2) responses of these two bilayer systems are different and reveal the extent to which the dipole approximation is valid in these layered assemblies. Our data elucidate the role that quadrupolar terms play in the χ(2) responses of thin interfacial films. This work illustrates the complex and subtle structural issues associated with the design and construction of layered interfaces and provides a means to evaluate the vacancy and ...
Automatic verification for interactive graphical programs

Modern software applications come with interactive graphical displays. In the past, verification efforts for such programs have usually ignored the I/O aspects of programs and focused instead on their core functionality. This approach leaves open the question of how errors in the interactive part of the program can affect its overall functionality.In this paper we present an extension of Dracula (the ACL2 development environment for DrScheme) with a simple graphical framework. With Dracula we can automatically prove theorems about interactive graphical programs, guaranteeing their complete behavior. We have successfully verified theorems about a number of interactive programs with Dracula; we have also successfully used Dracula as a motivational tool to introduce students to the world of automated theorem proving.
On certain conjectures on invariant measures on semigroups

A conjecture stating that a locally compact semigroup admits a twosided semi-invariant measure iff it contains a kernel which is a unimodular group, is proven. Also a conjecture stating that the support of an r*-invariant measure is a left group, is proven under the condition that for some a e F (=support of the measure), aF is right cancellative. Moreover four types of invariance for regular probability measures are shown to be equivalent. Also a new proof of the equivalence of a two-sided semi-invariant probability measure and the existence of a kernel which is a compact group, is given.
The role of nitric oxide in the pathophysiology of thromboembolic stroke in the rat.

Abstract Although nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to play an important role in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia, its contribution to the pathogenesis of experimentally induced thromboembolic stroke is unknown. In this study, we pharmacologically manipulated NO levels in the acute post-thrombotic stage and determined the effects on behavior and histopathology. The following drugs were used: nitro- l -arginine-methyl ester ( l -NAME), a non-specific endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (eNOS and nNOS) inhibitor, 3-bromo-7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a specific inhibitor for nNOS, the NO precursor, exogenous l -arginine and the NO-donor, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1). Male Wistar rats (n=76) were randomly assigned to receive vehicle or drug immediately after common carotid artery thrombosis (CCAT). Regional measurements of cortical NOS activity using the [3H] l -arginine to [3H] l -citrulline conversion assay were decreased 1 h after treatment with l -NAME and 7-NI by 50 and 65%, respectively; hippocampal NOS activity was reduced with l -NAME by 35% and with 7-NI by 65%. l -NAME significantly worsened forelimb placing as compared to other groups. 7-NI accelerated sensorimotor recovery. Water maze retention deficits were noted 48 h after CCAT and these were exacerbated by l -NAME treatment. Histopathological protection was conferred in the hippocampus by 7-NI and SIN-1; conversely, l -NAME increased neuronal injury in the contralateral cortex. l -arginine had no effect on these outcomes. In conclusion, both structural and functional consequences of CCAT can be aggravated by limiting endothelial NO production in the acutely post-thrombotic brain. In contrast, inhibition of nNOS and infusion of an NO donor has a beneficial effect on pathology.
Personalized risk stratification for adverse surgical outcomes: innovation at the boundaries of medicine and computation

Patients undergoing surgery exhibit a highly variable risk of mortality and morbidity, even when undergoing similar procedures. Accurately quantifying this risk is critical for preoperative decision-making to ensure patients recieve treatment that is optimal for their individual profile, and for guiding intraoperative and postoperative care. Despite the considerable attention this issue has received, existing models for surgical risk stratification remain grounded in traditional statistical methods and in problem statements that have not evolved significantly over the years. This article explores recent innovations in machine learning and data mining to advance these efforts. Risk-stratification models based on sophisticated computational techniques hold the promise of a new generation of predictive analytical tools that are highly accurate and widely deployable.
Photic and nonphotic inputs to the diurnal circadian clock

Diurnal animals occupy a different temporal niche from nocturnal animals and are consequently exposed to different amounts of light as well as different dangers. Accordingly, some variation exists in the way that diurnal animals synchronize their internal circadian clock to match the external 24-hour daily cycle. First, though the brain mechanisms underlying photic entrainment are very similar among species with different daily activity patterns, there is evidence that diurnal animals are less sensitive to photic stimuli compared to nocturnal animals. Second, stimuli other than light that synchronize rhythms (i.e. nonphotic stimuli) can also entrain and phase shift daily rhythms. Some of the rules that govern nonphotic entrainment in nocturnal animals as well as the brain mechanisms that control nonphotic influences on rhythms do not appear to apply to diurnal animals, however. Some evidence supports the idea that arousal or activity plays an important role in entraining rhythms in diurnal animals, either...
A Yield Surface Approach to the Estimation of Notch Strains for Proportional and Nonproportional Cyclic Loading

An analytical method is developed to estimate notch root strains in a notched bar of elastic-plastic, isotropic material subjected to proportional and nonproportional multiaxial nominal loading. The method uses anisotropic plasticity theory to define a structural yield surface in nominal stress space that incorporates both the isotropic material properties and the anisotropic geometry factors of the notch. Notch root plastic strain increments and anisotropic work-hardening effects are then related to this yield surface using standard methods of plasticity. Comparisons of the proposed method with previously published strain estimates using the finite element method for a notched shaft under proportional nominal bending and torsion, and with strain gage measurements of a circumferentially notched solid steel shaft subjected to a series of box-shaped nonproportional loading paths in tension-torsion nominal stress space are presented. The strain calculations agree well both qualitatively and quantitatively using an appropriate nominal load-notch plastic strain relationship, and are suitable for strain-life fatigue calculations.
Recovery of compressible signals in unions of subspaces

Compressive sensing (CS) is an alternative to Shannon/Nyquist sampling for acquisition of sparse or compressible signals; instead of taking periodic samples, we measure inner products with M ≪ N random vectors and then recover the signal via a sparsity-seeking optimization or greedy algorithm. Initial research has shown that by leveraging stronger signal models than standard sparsity, the number of measurements required for recovery of an structured sparse signal can be much lower than that of standard recovery. In this paper, we introduce a new framework for structured compressible signals based on the unions of subspaces signal model, along with a new sufficient condition for their recovery that we dub the restricted amplification property (RAmP). The RAmP is the natural counterpart to the restricted isometry property (RIP) of conventional CS. Numerical simulations demonstrate the validity and applicability of our new framework using wavelet-tree compressible signals as an example.
A comparative study on the hydrodynamic shape, conformation, and stability of E. coli ribosomal subunits in reconstitution buffer.

Abstract We have compared the hydrodynamic shape, conformation, and stabilities of active, unwashed ribosomal subunits, as well as their susceptibilities to changes in temperature and ionic strength. Both intrinsic viscosity and sedimentation velocity measurements indicate that the 30 S subunit has a more asymmetric hydrodynamic shape. The intrinsic viscosity of this subunit in reconstitution buffer has been found to be significantly larger than the value reported previously. While the RNA conformation in both subunits may be very similar as suggested by the near uv CD spectra, the average conformation of the protein in the two subunits is drastically different. The 30 S subunit has a lower Tm. The 50 S subunit is rather stable toward changes of ionic strength, whereas the 30 S subunit is quite susceptible to changes in ionic strength.
Relationship between aetiology, LE cell phenomenon and antinuclear antibody in disseminated lupus erythematosus: a hypothesis.

Relationship Between AEtiology, Le Cell Phenomenon and Antinuclear Antibody in Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus: A Hypothesis
Trans-encapsidation of hepatitis C virus subgenomic replicon RNA with viral structure proteins

A trans-packaging system for hepatitis C virus (HCV) subgenomic replicon RNAs was developed. HCV subgenomic replicon was efficiently encapsidated by the HCV structural proteins that were stably expressed in trans under the control of a mammalian promoter. Infectious HCV-like particles (HCV-LPs), established a single-round infection, were produced and released into culture medium in titers of up to 10(3) focus forming units/ml. Expression of NS2 protein with structural proteins (core, E1, E2, and p7) was shown to be critical for the infectivity of HCV-LPs. Anti-CD81 treatment decreased the number of infected cells, suggesting that HCV-LPs infected cells in a CD81-dependent manner. The packaging cell line should be useful both for the production of single-round infectious HCV-LPs to elucidate the mechanisms of HCV assembly, particle formation and infection to host cells, and for the development of HCV replicon-based vaccines.
Synthesis of 4,5,6,7-Tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridines and Comparison with Their Isosteric 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinolines as Inhibitors of Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase

Abstract A series of substituted 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridines (THTPs) was synthesized and evaluated for their human phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (hPNMT) inhibitory potency and affinity for the α2-adrenoceptor. The THTP nucleus was suggested as an isosteric replacement for the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) ring system on the basis that 3-thienylmethylamine (18) was more potent as an inhibitor of hPNMT and more selective toward the α2-adrenoceptor than benzylamine (15). Although the isosterism was confirmed, with similar influence of functional groups and chirality in both systems on hPNMT inhibitory potency and selectivity, the THTP compounds proved, in general, to be less potent as inhibitors of hPNMT than their THIQ counterparts, with the drop in potency being primarily attributed to the electronic properties of the thiophene ring. A hypothesis for the reduced hPNMT inhibitory potency of these compounds has been formed on the basis of molecular modeling and docking studies using the X-ray crystal structures of hPNMT co-crystallized with THIQ-type inhibitors and S-adenosyl- l -homocysteine as a template.
The lubrication of gold

Abstract The friction, wear, and contact resistance of lubricated sliding gold contacts at low energy circuit conditions have been studied with representatives of the major fluid chemical types. An understanding of the basic phenomena of lubricated sliding has been developed, and compared with details of unlubricated sliding. Both boundary properties of the fluid and its viscosity determine performance. Fluids high in halogen content are generally better than other types, while silicon-containing fluids are poorer. Liquids are preferred to greases and solids in multiple-pass sliding, since they can self-heal. Alteration of contact surface by wear profoundly affects subsequent performance if repeated traverses are made. Good lubricants allow sliding with low friction, and little or no wear debris are generated. Surfaces, however, may show extensive cold flow, which increases the possibility of hydrodynamic lift and contact resistance noise associated with such lift. Electrical noise caused by sliding-generated adherent insulating solids has also been identified. Thin films of fluids having good boundary properties and low volatility may have practical applications as electric contact lubricants.
Co-loss of profilin I, II and cofilin with actin from maturing phagosomes in Dictyostelium discoideum

Although it is known that actin polymerizes rapidly at the plasma membrane during the ingestion phase of phagocytosis, not yet fully understood are the mechanisms by which actin is recruited to form a phagoeytic cup and subsequently is dissociated from the phagosome. The aim of this study was to identify actin-binding proteins that mediated actin filament dynamics during phagosome formation and processing. We report that profilins I and II, which promote filament assembly, and cofilin, which stimulates filament disassembly, were constituents of phagosomes isolated fromDictyostelium discoideum fed latex beads, and associated with actin. Biochemical analyses detected one isoform only of cofilin, which bound actin in unstimulated cells as well as in cells engaged in phagocytosis, subjected to various stress treatments, and through development. At membranes of young phagosomes, profilins I and II colocalized with monomeric actin labeled with fluorescent DNase I, and cofilin colocalized with filamentous actin labeled with rhodamine phalloidin. Both immunocytochemical and quantitative immunoblotting data indicated that the kinetic loss of profilins I, II, and cofilin of maturing phagosomes closely followed the falling levels of actin associated with the vesicles. As evidence of vesicle processing,D. discoideum crystal protein (an esterase) was recruited rapidly to phagosomes and its levels increased while those of actin, profilins I, II, and cofilin jointly decreased. The localization data and concurrent losses of profilins and cofilin with actin from phagosomes are consistent with the roles of these actin-binding proteins in filament dynamics and indicated that they were involved in regulating the assembly and disassembly of the actin coat of phagosomes.
Resolution of compact knots in Cassiopeia A

Observations of the young supernova remnant Cassiopeia A at a wavelength of 2 cm have resolved small knots. The flux density of these knots decays on a 1/e time scale of about 14 yr. This is faster than the decay of the smooth features. The pressure in these knots can be estimated at 4 x 10 to the 7th dynes/sq cm. This is somewhat greater than the pressure within the smooth component of the supernova remnant.
Illness specific patterns of psychological adjustment and cognitive adaptational processes in children with cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease

Illness-specific patterns of adjustment and cognitive adaptational process were identified in children (7-12 years of age) with cystic fibrosis (CF, n = 40) or sickle cell disease (SCD, n = 40). Anxiety diagnoses were most frequent for both illness subgroups but children with CF had a higher rate of oppositional disorder (27.5%) than did children with SCD (2.5%). Significant portions of the variance in adjustment were accounted for by stress appraisal (19%), expectations of efficacy (9%) and health locus of control (9%) for children with CF and by stress appraisal (21%) and self-worth (12%) for children with SCD. The interaction of general and specific illness tasks and adaptational process with developmental tasks in delineating intervention opportunities is discussed.
Stem-loop SL4 of the HIV-1 psi RNA packaging signal exhibits weak affinity for the nucleocapsid protein. structural studies and implications for genome recognition.

Encapsidation of the genome of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) during retrovirus assembly is mediated by interactions between the nucleocapsid (NC) domains of assembling Gag polyproteins and a approximately 110 nucleotide segment of the genome known as the Psi-site. The HIV-1 Psi-site contains four stem-loops (SL1 through SL4), all of which are important for genome packaging. Recent isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) studies have demonstrated that SL2 and SL3 are capable of binding NC with high affinity (K(d) approximately 140 nM), consistent with proposals for protein-interactive functions during packaging. To determine if SL4 may have a similar function, NC-interactive studies were conducted by NMR and gel-shift methods. In contrast to previous reports, we find that SL4 binds weakly to NC (K(d)=(+/-14 microM), suggesting an alternative function. NMR studies indicate that the GAGA tetraloop of SL4 adopts a classical GNRA-type fold (R=purine, N=G, C, A or U), a motif that stabilizes RNA tertiary structures in other systems. In combination with previously reported gel mobility studies of Psi-site deletion mutants, these findings suggest that SL4 functions in genome recognition not by binding to Gag, but by stabilizing the structure of the Psi-site. Differences in the affinities of NC for SL2, SL3 and SL4 stem-loops can now be rationalized in terms of the different structural properties of stem loops that contain GGNG (SL2 and SL3) and GNRA (SL4) sequences.
X-linked dystonia ("Lubag") presenting predominantly with parkinsonism: a more benign phenotype?

"Lubag," or Filipino X-linked dystonia, typically presents with either pure dystonia (that inexorably becomes generalized) or combined dystonia-parkinsonism. We report on three cases of Lubag presenting with isolated parkinsonism without dystonia or late-onset dystonia and a slower course.
Diffusion of medical progress: early spinal immobilization in the emergency department.

Objectives: To examine the spread of new techniques of spinal care through one state’s emergency departments (EDs). Methods: This was a telephone survey of all 36 EDs in a single state. One physician from each ED was contacted and given a short structured survey instrument to determine when patients who arrived at the ED on backboards were removed from the backboards. Removal was classified as ‘‘immediate’’ if it was done before clinical or radiographic exclusion of cervical spine injury and ‘‘delayed’’ if it was done only after interpretation of any indicated diagnostic radiologic procedures. Further questions were asked to determine if all physicians in the group used the same technique and how this technique had been adopted. Results: In all but four hospitals, patients were removed from backboards in the same manner by all physicians, using a protocol or standard procedure. Fifteen of these did immediate and seventeen did delayed removal. In all but one case, the approach of immediate removal was initiated at the hospital by a physician trained or recently working at a university facility. Eight respondents stated that transport service requirements influenced their decision. Conclusions: Although logic and the medical literature support removing all patients from a backboard immediately, physicians were unlikely to change their practice after their formal training had been completed until a new member of their group had done so. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2007; 14:1087–1089 a 2007 by the Society for Academic Emergency
The 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of cis-2-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclobutaneethanol

Abstract The 13 C-NMR spectrum of neat cis -2-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclobutaneethanol, a component of the male sex pheromone of the boll weevil, is reported. Both chemical shifts and direct CH coupling constants are tabulated, and their values are compared with corresponding values for model compounds. The measurable long-range CH coupling constants are given.
Fragrance material review on p-anisyl acetate.

Abstract A toxicologic and dermatologic review of p-anisyl acetate when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented. p-Anisyl acetate is a member of the fragrance structural group aryl alkyl alcohol simple acid esters (AAASAE). The AAASAE fragrance ingredients are prepared by reacting an aryl alkyl alcohol with a simple carboxylic acid (a chain of 1–4 carbons) to generate formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate and carbonate esters. This review contains a detailed summary of all available toxicology and dermatology papers that are related to this individual fragrance ingredient and is not intended as a stand-alone document. Available data for p-anisyl acetate were evaluated, then summarized, and includes: physical properties, acute toxicity, skin irritation, mucous membrane (eye) irritation, skin sensitization, and genotoxicity data. A safety assessment of the entire AAASAE will be published simultaneously with this document. Please refer to Belsito et al. (2012) for an overall assessment of the safe use of this material and all AAASAE in fragrances. Belsito, D., Bickers, D., Bruze, M., Calow, P., Dagli, M., Fryer, A.D., Greim, H., Hanifin, J.H., Miyachi, Y., Saurat, J.H., Sipes, I.G., 2012. A toxicologic and dermatologic assessment of aryl alkyl alcohol simple acid esters when used as fragrance ingredients.
Pervaporation for the Separation of Methyl Ethyl Ketone from Binary Process Mixtures

Abstract The separation of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) from binary process mixtures containing water and ethanol has been examined. These studies demonstrate the capability of pervaporation membranes to effectively separate MEK from various process streams in industry. Extensive organic permeation studies were performed using silicone composite membranes to evaluate the effect of temperature, permeate-side pressure, and feed concentration on flux and selectivity. Two organophilic membranes, a high selectivity low flux membrane and a low selectivity high flux membrane, were compared. Dehydration of a MEK-water mixture was also effectively performed with a polyvinyl alcohol composite membrane. MEK was separated only slightly from an ethanol mixture using a silicone membrane.
Quality of life and its impact on hypertensive patients

Noncompliance of hypertensive patients with their therapy is a frequent problem. Although the basis of this noncompliance is multifactorial, it is largely related to deterioration in a patient's quality of life produced by the commonly prescribed antihypertensive agents. Quality of life is a collective term that encompasses multiple components of a person's social and mental status. Simply stated, it is the ability of a person to function normally in society, as perceived by the person. There is increasing evidence that social and behavioral science techniques can be used to quantify the effects of antihypertensive agents on a patient's quality of life. Thus, in determining the most appropriate antihypertensive program for an individual patient, physicians will now be able to add impact of the agent on quality of life as a dimension in addition to the more common triad of efficacy, cost, and serious side effects.
Key difficulties in identifying the effects of ability grouping on student achievement

Abstract The paper presents empirical evidence that earlier research may have overstated the impact of ability grouping and tracking on inequality in student achievement. We list six key difficulties facing research on the effects of grouping on student achievement. Each of these difficulties offers opportunities for further research and for collection of more appropriate data sets. Strong conclusions as to the differential effect of ability grouping on high-achieving and low-achieving students are probably not yet warranted. [JEL I21]
A computational approach to reflective meta-reasoning about languages with bindings

We present a foundation for a computational meta-theory of languages with bindings implemented in a computer-aided formal reasoning environment. Our theory provides the ability to reason abstractly about operators, languages, open-ended languages, classes of languages, etc. The theory is based on the ideas of higher-order abstract syntax, with an appropriate induction principle parameterized over the language i.e. a set of operators) being used. In our approach, both the bound and free variables are treated uniformly and this uniform treatment extends naturally to variable-length bindings. The implementation is reflective, namely there is a natural mapping between the meta-language of the theorem-prover and the object language of our theory. The object language substitution operation is mapped to the meta-language substitution and does not need to be defined recursively. Our approach does not require designing a custom type theory; in this paper we describe the implementation of this foundational theory within a general-purpose type theory. This work is fully implemented in the MetaPRL theorem prover, using the pre-existing NuPRL-like Martin-Lof-style computational type theory. Based on this implementation, we lay out an outline for a framework for programming language experimentation and exploration as well as a general reflective reasoning framework. This paper also includes a short survey of the existing approaches to syntactic reflection.
Object Recognition and Recovery by Skeleton Graph Matching

This paper presents a robust and efficient skeleton-based graph matching method for object recognition and recovery applications. The novel feature is to unify both object recognition and recovery components into an image understanding system architecture, in which a complementary feedback structure can be incorporated to alleviate processing difficulties of each component alone. The idea is firstly to recognize the preliminary extracted object from a set of models using the new skeleton graph matching method, then to apply the a priori shape information of the identified model for accurate object recovery. The output of the system is the recognized and segmented object. The skeleton graph matching method is illustrated by recognizing a set of tool and animal silhouette examples with the presence of geometric transformations (translation, rotation, scaling, reflection), shape deformations and noise. Experiments of object recovery using MR knee images, have shown satisfactory results.
The Role of Multilateral Institutions in International Trade Cooperation

The World Trade Organization (WFO) lacks the power to directly enforce agreements. It is, therefore, important to understand what role the WTO can play to facilitate international cooperation and whether a multilateral institution can offer distinct advantages over a web of bilateral agreements. This paper examines two potential benefits of a multilateral trade institution: first, verifying violations of the agreements and informing third parties, thus facilitating multilateral reputation mechanisms; second, promoting multilateral trade negotiations rather than a web of bilateral negotiations. The model suggests that a multilateral approach is particularly important when there are strong imbalances in bilateral trading relationships.
Single-pass and double-pass propagation through complex paraxial optical systems

A generalized form of spectral representation theory is developed and used with the ABCD formulation of the Huygens–Fresnel integral for studying optical wave propagation through a random medium in the presence of any complex paraxial optical system that can be characterized by an ABCD ray matrix. Formal expressions are developed for the basic optical field moments and various related second-order statistical quantities in terms of three fundamental moments of the first- and second-order complex phase perturbations. Special propagation environments include line-of-sight propagation, single-pass propagation through arbitrary ABCD optical systems, and double-pass propagation through the same random medium in the presence of an ABCD optical system. For illustrative purposes the method is used in the development of expressions for the mean and the normalized variance of the irradiance associated with the Fourier-transform-plane geometry of a lens and the enhanced backscatter effect (EBS) associated with irradiance and phase fluctuations of a reflected Gaussian-beam wave from a Gaussian mirror. The EBS analysis accounts for both finite size and finite focal length of the mirror.
Gender differences in learning style preferences among undergraduate physiology students

Students have individual learning style preferences including visual (V; learning from graphs, charts, and flow diagrams), auditory (A; learning from speech), read-write (R; learning from reading and writing), and kinesthetic (K; learning from touch, hearing, smell, taste, and sight). These preferences can be assessed using the VARK questionnaire. We administered the VARK questionnaire to undergraduate physiology majors enrolled in a capstone physiology laboratory at Michigan State University; 48 of the 86 students (55.8%) who returned the completed questionnaire voluntarily offered gender information. The responses were tallied and assessed for gender difference in learning style preference; 54.2% of females and only 12.5% of males preferred a single mode of information presentation. Among the female students, 4.2% of the students preferred V, 0% of the students preferred A, 16.7% of the students preferred printed words (R), and 33.3% of the students preferred using all their senses (K). In contrast, male students were evenly distributed in preference, with 4.2% of the students preferring A, R, or K, respectively, while 0% of the students preferred V. Furthermore, 45.8% of female and 87.5% of male respondents preferred multiple modes [female: 2 modes (12.5%), 3 modes (12.5%), and 4 modes (20.8%); males: 2 modes (16.7%), 3 modes (12.5%), and 4 modes (58.3%)] of presentation. In summary, a majority of male students preferred multimodal instruction, specifically, four modes (VARK), whereas a majority of female students preferred single-mode instruction with a preference toward K. Thus, male and female students have significantly different learning styles. It is the responsibility of the instructor to address this diversity of learning styles and develop appropriate learning approaches.
Data Compression for Emitter Location Finding in Sensor Networks

Wireless location finding has emerged as a popular issue. As one of its branches, sensor networks perform as a fundamental tool to monitor inaccessible environment. However, the limitation on system bandwidth and energy resources motivates the use of data compression at each sensor. The estimation of time-difference-of arrival (TDOA) is a key step in emitter location finding using sensor network. This paper demonstrates three compression approaches in deriving the TDOA estimation: fisher-information based method, wavelet transform method and a non-conventional monotone increase method. Simulation results are discussed in this paper. It is shown that the wavelet transform method outperforms the other two approaches, while more simulation on the combination of wavelet and fisher-information approach is still under investigation.
Anesthesia can cause sustained hyperglycemia in C57/BL6J mice

Effects of anesthesia on the blood glucose of C57/BL6J mice were evaluated under conditions commonly used for testing retinal sensitivity with electroretinographic (ERG) recordings. We evaluated the effects of four anesthetics: nembutal (50 mg/kg), pentothal (100 mg/kg), avertin (240 mg/kg), and ketamine/xylazine (100 mg/kg) using saline as control. We measured blood glucose (BG) levels from tail vein blood before and 15 and 60 min following intraperitoneal injections. Fifteen minutes postinjection, all four anesthetics and saline elevated BG with ketamine/xylazine and avertin having substantially greater effects than nembutal, pentothal, and saline. Only the effects of ketamine/xylazine and avertin persisted throughout the test period. Sixty minutes after injecting ketamine/xylazine BG remained elevated at 400 +/- 42 mg/dl, a 167% increase over preinjection levels. Sixty minutes after injecting avertin BG was 288 +/- 10 mg/dl, a 59% increase over preinjection levels. No sustained elevation in BG was detected 60 min following injection of nembutal, pentothal, or saline. Because BG can affect the amplitude of the ERG, caution should be exercised in the use of ketamine/xylazine or avertin. The choice of anesthesia may also be important in diabetes and metabolism research where changes in blood glucose could impact physiological processes.
Adenylyl cyclase expression and modulation of cAMP in rat taste cells.

cAMP is a second messenger implicated in sensory transduction for taste. The identity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) in taste cells has not been explored. We have employed RT-PCR to identify the AC isofo...