cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Licensed Nurse Responsibilities in Nursing Homes: A Scope-of-Practice Issue

A mailed survey of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) employed in nursing homes in Minnesota and North Carolina examined their role and responsibilities as well as barriers to and facilitators for working within their scope of practice. The study focused on the nursing practice domains of assessment, care planning, evaluation, delegation, and supervision. The respondents reported they were actively engaged in these domains. Factors that made staying within their legal scope of practice challenging were not having registered nurses (RNs) available to help with direct care, having RNs spend time on administrative work, and having an inadequate number of licensed nurses in the facility. Factors that helped LPNs stay within their scope of practice were having sufficient RNs involved in direct care and having a supportive director of nursing. This study underscores the need for further investigation on the delivery and organization of care by licensed nurses in nursing homes, including the development and testing of RN-LPN practice models that reflect RN and LPN competencies and scopes of practice. Boards of nursing are encouraged to provide guidance to nurses and their nursing home employers who interpret RN and LPN scopes of practice as a means of promoting accountable, safe, quality care for nursing home residents.
Infectious TYMV RNA from cloned cDNA: effects in vitro and in vivo of point substitutions in the initiation codons of two extensively overlapping ORFs

Full-length cDNA of the 6.3 kb turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) genome was placed between a T7 promoter and a unique Hind III site. In vitro transcription of Hind III-linearized DNA of clone pTYMC yielded full-length RNA transcripts. In inoculations of Chinese cabbage protoplasts and plants, capped transcripts and virion RNA had similar specific infectivities and produced similar systemic symptoms. We have used the pTYMC clone in studies of the expression of two overlapping open reading frames (1.9 kb and 5.5 kb ORFs) by making mutants with alterations in the initiation codons. Evidence is presented from in vitro translations of mutant and wild type RNAs that both ORFs are expressed from TYMV RNA. A mutant in the initiation codon of the 5.5 kb ORF did not replicate in protoplasts, while mutants in the initiation codon of the 1.9 kb ORF replicated at low levels. The two groups of mutants were not able to complement each other.
Updating the Criterion for Regression Predictor Variable Selection

Because of several problems which are inherent in the use of traditional algorithms for selecting a subset of predictor variables for a multiple regression equation, an alternate algorithm and computer program are described which use expected cross-validated correlation rather than multiple correlation as the criterion for selecting variables. All usual multiple regression information, as well as regression weights on the subset of variables chosen and the cross-validation correlation to be expected on future applications of these weights, is output. Documentation is provided.
Paradoxical enhancement of conditioned suppression.

Summary Groups of rats were given Pavlovian pairings of tone (CS) and electric shock, followed by 15-sec, 10-min, or no exposure to the CS without shock. In a subsequent test, rats in the 15-sec exposure group showed more suppression of licking behavior in the presence of the CS than other subjects (i.e. greater CER than non-exposed controls). This “paradoxical enhancement” phenomenon suggests that unreinforced presentation of fear stimuli (CS without UCS) cannot uncritically be assumed to reduce response strength.
Conformal irradiation of the prostate: Estimating long-term rectal bleeding risk using dose-volume histograms

Abstract Purpose : Dose-volume histograms (DVHs) may be very useful for estimating probability of normal tissue complications (NTCP), but there is not yet an agreed upon method for their analysis. This study introduces a statistical method of aggregating and analyzing primary data from DVHs and associated outcomes. It explores the dose-volume relationship for NTCP of the rectum, using long-term data on rectal wall bleeding following prostatic irradiation. Methods and Materials : Previously published data were reviewed and updated on 41 patients with Stages T3 and T4 prostatic carcinoma treated with photons followed by perineal proton boost, including dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of each patient's anterior rectal wall and data on the occurrence of postirradiation rectal bleeding (minimum FU > 4 years). Logistic regression was used to test whether some individual combination of dose and volume irradiated might best separate the DVHs into categories of high or low risk for rectal bleeding. Further analysis explored whether a group of such dose-volume combinations might be superior in predicting complication risk. These results were compared with results of the “critical volume model,” a mathematical model based on assumptions of underlying radiobiological interactions. Results : Ten of the 128 tested dose-volume combinations proved to be “statistically significant combinations” (SSCs) ditinguishing between bleeders (14 out of 41) and nonbleeders (27 out of 41), ranging contiguously between 60 CGE (Cobalt Gray Equivalent) to 70% of the anterior rectal wall and 75 CGE to 30%. Calculated odds ratios for each SSC were not significantly different across the individual SSCs; however, analysis combining SSCs allowed segregation of DVHs into three risk groups: low, moderate, and high. Estimates of probabilities of normal tissue complication (NTCPs) based on these risk groups correlated strongly with observed data (p = 0.003) and with biomathematical model-generated NTCPs. Conclusions : There is a dose-volume relationship for rectal mucosal bleeding in the region between 60 and 75 CGE; therefore, efforts to spare rectal wall volume using improved treatment planning and delivery techniques are important. Stratifying dose-volume histograms (DVHs) into risk groups, as done in this study, represents a useful means of analyzing empirical data as a function of hetereogeneous dose distributions. Modeling efforts may extend these results to more heterogeneous treatment techniques. Such analysis of DVH data may allow practicing clinicians to better asses the risk of various treatments, fields, or doses, when caring for an individual patient.
An Expert System for Diagnosing Diseases of Tobacco

An expert system to diagnose flue-cured tobacco diseases was developed with the help of two plant pathologists. The significant points of interaction between the knowledge engineer and the domain experts are highlighted. Interaction with field experts and growers is discussed as a vehicle to make the expert system more widely adopted.
Time-related perturbations of repolarization

It has long been known that T wave inversion can be seen in unmedicated subjects with no organ disease and often with no cardiac symptoms. The inversions are often intermittent. Reviewed by Surawicz, ~ an incomplete list of postulated causes includes neuropsychiatric disorders, hyperventilation, the postprandial state, and asymmetric or inadequate adrenergic stimulation of the myocardium. Intermittent T wave inversion is common in Holter recordings. It has been ignored, partly because of the emphasis on ischemia and the ST-segment rather than the T wave. Additionally, a T wave inversion can be false rather rather than real if it appears in a Holter lead, of which the R/S ratio has undergone companion alteration, whether from a change in posture, cardiac rotation, etc. Finally, the inversion is often shallow and unlikely to have major significance. A common precursor of T wave inversion in regular sinus beats is its sudden appearance following pauses, premature atrial complexes (PACs), or premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). The latter phenomenon--postextrasystol ic T wave invers i o n h a s been repeatedly addressed in the literature and has special features. Time-related or cycle lengthdependent perturbations in repolarization were described by White in 1915, 2 during the 1940s by Ashman et ald and Scherf, 4 in Latin America by Alzamora-Castro et al., s and in France by Meyer and Schmidt? Once such a T wave inversion is present in sinus beats, it almost invariably fails to show in nonaber ran t premature atrial beats (Fig. 1), an exclusion not seen with the T wave inversions of recent or evolving myocardial infarction, or with pericarditis. The underlying mechanism of these pausedependent or bradycardia-related T wave alterations has not been elucidated. Before addressing the subject, it behooves us to ask again why the T wave is normally expected to be upright or concordant in the first place. The theoretical expectation that ventricular repolarization would follow the same sequence as depolarization holds true for cold-blooded animals and some large mammals. 7 In the purest form of such discordancy, the
Model Based Control of Voids and Product Thickness during Autoclave Curing of Carbon/Epoxy Composite Laminates:

In this article we present a novel feedback control strategy for the autoclave curing of carbon/epoxy laminates. The strategy utilizes an on-line model of the process to control the quality by adjusting the cure cycle. On line measurements are used to correct for modeling errors. The quality variables of interest here are the thickness of the product laminate and the maximum void size present in the laminate. Artificial neural networks are utilized to regress past operational data to generate nonlinear models for predicting the product quality. These models utilize properties of the raw material prepreg and secondary measurements taken while the process cycle is in progress. Some results of a control study done using a simulated model of a process for autoclaving a carbon fiber/epoxy resin system are also reported.The main contribution of this paper is the successful demonstration of a neural network model based feedback control strategy for autoclave curing. While discussion in this paper is limited to c...
Über den spezifischen gaschromatographischen Nachweis von halogen- und phosphorhaltigen Verbindungen durch einen 2-Stufen-Flammenionisationsdetektor

Es wird uber einen Tandem-FID zum spezifischen gaschromatographischen Nachweis von halogen- und phosphorhaltigen Verbindungen berichtet. In Erganzung zu bisher bekannten Literaturangaben werden Ergebnisse uber die Leistungsfahigkeit weitgehend durch Zahlenangaben beschrieben.
SUBSTANCE USE AMONGST FEMALE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS RESIDING AT SHELTERS

Purpose: This study examined substance use problems among women residing at a domestic violence shelter in Austin, TX. Prior studies have examined substance abuse among survivors of intimate partner abuse who were in substance abuse treatment programs. There is a shortage of studies on substance abusing women in domestic violence shelters. Methods: Data were collected during structured interviews with eligible women residing at a domestic violence shelter in Austin, Texas. A total of 101 women were interviewed and included in this analysis. Convenience sampling was used to identify women willing to participate in the study. Participants were recruited through their caseworkers at the shelter as well as flyers and posters describing the study. Each participant received a $20 grocery store gift card as compensation for their time. Women were eligible to participate if they were over 18 years of age, understood and spoke English and reported substance use based on their responses to the CAGE-AID. One positive response to a CAGE-AID question qualified the woman to participate in this study. Findings: Preliminary results show high rates of substance abuse and dependence. Nearly 60% of the women interviewed were alcohol dependent and 55% were drug dependent. Marital status, race and age were found to be predictors of alcohol and drug use. Additional analysis showed that the victims’ substance use was not related to the severity or extent of physical and non-physical violence. Conclusions: These results reveal a strong need for substance abuse intervention for women who enter domestic violence shelters.
Influence of acid soil on nodulation and interstrain competitiveness in relation to tannin concentrations in seeds and roots of Phaseolus vulgaris

Abstract The relationship between acid soils and (1) early nodulation in common beans, (2) interstrain competitiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli strains and (3) tannin concentration in roots, were evaluated in two experiments. Ten Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars of different seed tannin content were grown in pots in a greenhouse in soil at pH 4.5 or 5.5, inoculated with equal amounts of strains CIAT 899 and KIM5. At pH 5.5, on all cultivars strain KIM5 occuppied a greater proportion of nodules than strain CIAT 899. This was reversed at pH4.5. Nodule number and nodule weight, 21 days after inoculation, were strongly reduced but root tannin concentrations doubled at pH 4.5. Nodule nmbers were negatively correlated with tannin concentration in roots at both pH values. Seed tannin content was negatively correlated with early nodulation, but this was statistically significant only at pH 5.5. Nodulation of cultivars with high seed tannin contents was generally more acid tolerant than of those with low seed tannin content. In a second experiment, six Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars were planted at two field sites with acid soil and one site with neutral soil. In the field, as in the pots, nodule numbers at early stages of plant development were reduced by 30–50% in the acid soils compared to the neutral soil. In contrast, root tannin content in acid soils was twice that in the neutral soil. There were significant cultivar and cultivar by location effects. Strains of rhizobia were tested for tolerance to bean seed tannin extracts, to seed diffusates and for survival on seed surfaces. The Rhizobium strains were sensitive to tannine extracts, with obvious strain differences. Sensitivity of most strains was greater at acidic pH. Seed diffusates, in contrast, did not inhibit growth of most strains.
Control of human eye movements: II. a model for the extraocular plant mechanism

Abstract Control of eye movements is essential in accomplishing visual or perceptive tasks. The brain and central nervous system process retinal information and send nervous signals to the extraocular muscles, which exert forces that cause the eye to move. A model for the human extraocular plant, which consists of the nervous input signals, the extraocular muscles, the orbit and the globe, is proposed. The derivation is based on anatomical and physiological data as well as experiments concerned with a variety of eye movements under normal and abnormal conditions. The nervous activity controlling eye movements was estimated from electromyography and single unit studies of the extraocular nuclei. The equations describing muscle properties were discussed in a previous paper by the authors; these results were incorporated into the present model. The characteristics of the isolated globe and its visco-elastic interaction with the orbit were computed from length- tension curves and isotonic experiments. Simulations using the resulting representation accurately depicted the isotonic experiments on the isolated globe and on the total extraocular plant, the isometric forces during three different types of eye movements, and the weighted globe experiment. A future paper will show that the model accurately simulates normal eye movements of different types and amplitudes.
Processing-structure-property relationships in ultrafine grain and nanocrystalline materials

This paper will review selected aspects of the processingstructureproperty relationships in ultrafine grained (ufg- grain sizes 100 to 500 nm) and nanocrystalline (nc- grain sizes < 100 nm) materials. Of the various processing methods to obtain fine grain size materials, the two that have provided bulk artifactfree samples are electrodeposition and severe plastic deformation. The processing methods and important variables will be described for these techniques. Since the stability of the nanocrystalline microstructure is important for both processing (e.g. consolidation of powders) and elevated temperature mechanical property studies, the stability of nanocrystalline grain sizes as influenced by solute additions will be discussed. While hardness and strength usually increase with decreasing grain size, ductility is typically poor. There are now, however, a number of examples of nanocrystalline materials which combine high strength with good ductility. An example from the author's laboratory on nanocrystalline Cu with optimized mechanical properties will be presented.
Escherichia coli polyglucose phosphorylases.

Abstract Escherichia coli, K-12, possesses two distinct polyglucose (oligoglucoside) phosphorylases (α-1,4-glucan: orthophosphate glucosyltransferase, E.C. 2.4.1.1). The two enzymes may be separated by ammonium sulfate fractionation or by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. One of the enzymes is a maltodextrin phosphorylase. This enzyme is present in glucose-grown cells but is induced to a 10-fold higher level in maltose-grown cells. The maltodextrin phosphorylase shows a decided preference for short chain dextrins over glycogen as the polyglucose acceptor. The second enzyme is a constitutive glycogen phosphorylase. The level of the glycogen phosphorylase is independent of the carbon source used for growth. The glycogen phosphorylase shows higher activity with glycogen than with dextrin. The maltodextrin phosphorylase is much more heat stable than the glycogen phosphorylase. Both enzymes are stimulated slightly by AMP and strongly inhibited by heavy metals and pCMB. The glycogen phosphorylase shows a 4-fold activation by NaF and a 10-fold activation by Na2SO4. Sulfate activation is sigmoidal. The maltodextrin phosphorylase shows little or no salt activation.
Laser Absorption Spectroscopy of LaF: Analysis of theB1Π–X1Σ+Transition

Abstract Laser absorption spectra for the LaF [16.6]0 + –X 1 Σ + (0,0), B 1 Π–X 1 Σ + (3,0), (2,0), (1,0), (2,1), and (3,2) bands were recorded. Accurate molecular constants and the internuclear distance for the X 1 Σ + state are presented. Rotational perturbations were evident in the B 1 Π ( v = 1, 2, 3) levels. These perturbations were analyzed and assigned to interactions with the c 1 3 Δ 1 and [16.6]0 + states. Equilibrium molecular constants for the B 1 Π, [16.6]0 + and c 1 3 Δ 1 states are reported.
Randomized trial of 2 dosages of prophylactic granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor after induction chemotherapy in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is effective in accelerating neutrophil recovery after intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the optimal G-CSF dosage for patients with AML has not been determined. To the authors' knowledge, G-CSF dosages have not been compared in a randomized AML study. METHODS: Patients who were enrolled on the St. Jude AML97 protocol and remained on study after window therapy were eligible to participate. The effect of the dosage of G-CSF given after induction chemotherapy Courses 1 and 2 was analyzed in 46 patients who were assigned randomly in a double-blinded manner to receive either 5 μg/kg daily or 10 μg/kg daily of G-CSF. The number of days of G-CSF treatment, neutropenia (an absolute neutrophil count <0.5 × 109/L), and hospitalization; the number of episodes of febrile neutropenia, grade 2 through 4 infection, and antimicrobial therapy; transfusion requirements; the cost of supportive care; and survival were compared between the 2 study arms. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 arms in any of the endpoints measured. CONCLUSIONS: The higher G-CSF dosage (10 μg/kg daily) offered no greater benefit than the lower dosage (5 μg/kg daily) in patients who were receiving intensive chemotherapy for AML. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Dicentric (17;20)(p11.2;q11.2): an uncommon cytogenetic abnormality in myeloid malignancies

We report on two patients with myeloid disorders and complex karyotypes including a dicentric chromosome, dic(17;20)(p11.2;q11.2), resulting in the loss of most of 17p and 20q. The presence of the centromeres of chromosomes 17 and 20 in the dic(17;20), as well as the loss of TP53, were confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Deletions of 17p and 20q are recurrent abnormalities in hematologic disorders, particularly myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia). However, a dic(17;20) is an uncommon finding. According to the few reports in the literature, dic(17;20) is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. The key mechanism might be the loss of TP53 as well as other tumor suppressor genes in 20q that may have a critical role in tumor genesis.
Paw-shake responses with joint immobilization: EMG changes with atypical feedback

To determine the effects of atypical motion-related feedback on motor patterns of the paw shake, EMG patterns of selected flexor and extensor muscles were recorded under four conditions of joint immobilization (hip and ankle alone, hip-knee, hip-knee-ankle) and compared to responses evoked in the freely-moving hindlimb of the chronic-spinal cat. With only the ankle joint casted, paw shaking was easily evoked by applying tape to the paw, and cyclic characteristics were not altered. However, under the three conditions with hip-joint immobilization (hip alone, hip-knee, hip-knee-ankle), responses were difficult to obtain, and if elicited, the number of cycles within a response decreased and cycle periods were prolonged. The temporal organization of consecutive cycles, however, was not altered by immobilization of any joint(s). Ankle (LG) and hip (GM) extensor activity was relatively unaffected by conditions of joint immobilization. In contrast, hip flexor (IP) and knee extensor (VL) bursts were often absent under all three conditions of hip-joint immoblization, and if present, VL burst durations decreased under the casted hip-knee-ankle condition, while the onset of IP activity occurred early in the cycle with prolonged bursts under casted ankle and casted hip-knee-ankle conditions. The coactivity of the knee extensor (VL) and ankle flexor (TA) was disrupted by conditions of hip-joint immobilization: VL onset was dissociated from TA onset and coincident with LG onset. These results suggest that motion-related feedback from the hip joint is particularly important in the initiation, cycle frequency, and the number of cycles of paw-shake responses. The presence of atypical motion-dependent feedback from the hip joint altered activity of knee and ankle anterior muscles, while motion-dependent feedback from the ankle joint changed activity of the anterior hip muscle. Moreover, the results suggest a differential control of posterior and anterior muscles of the hindlimb, consistent with paw-shake limb dynamics.
Safeguarding Banks and Containing Property Booms: Cross-Country Evidence on Macroprudential Policies and Lessons from Hong Kong Sar

We assess the effectiveness of macroprudential policies against a number of different indicators of property sector activity and financial stability. At the cross-country level the use of LTV caps decelerates property price growth. Both LTV and DTI caps slow property lending growth. LTV caps also affect a broader range of financial stability indicators in economies with pegged exchange rates and currency boards. For Hong Kong SAR, LTV policy tends to be forward looking, with caps lowered to counter downward movements in mortgage rates, and higher growth in mortgage loan and volumes of transactions. The reduction in caps appears to respond to small and medium size flat price appreciation, and contributes to a decline in high-end volume growth after a year and total transactions volume growth after 1½–2 years. Price growth responds favorably after 2 years. The evidence suggests LTV tightening could affect property activity through the expectations channel rather than through the credit channel.
Sheep fetal haematopoietic cells produce adult haemoglobin when transplanted in the adult animal

DURING the fetal stage of development, the human erythroid cells synthesise mainly fetal haemoglobin (α2γ2) but switch to almost exclusive formation of adult haemoglobin (α2β2) soon after birth. Similar ontogenetic changes in the activity of the closely linked γ- and β-genes are seen in most primates and few other mammals. In goats and sheep over 95% of the haemoglobin synthesised in the fetus is of the fetal type; the switch from fetal to adult haemoglobin formation starts at about 130 gestational days and is completed within a few weeks1. Several hypotheses have been formulated to account for these striking changes in haemoglobin gene activity during ontogeny, but the factors responsible for haemoglobin switching in vivo remain unknown. We report here an experiment which shows that the fetal haematopoietic cells readily switch to adult haemoglobin formation once transplanted to an adult animal. Our findings provide evidence that the switch from fetal to adult haemoglobin formation is not restricted to the perinatal developmental stage, and raise the possibility that the haematopoietic microenvironment determines the programme of haemoglobin formation in the haematopoietic progenitor cells of the fetus or the adult animal.
Self-guided learning environment for undergraduate software engineering

A high qualified software developer should have the ability to develop software systems following good software engineering practices. However, an integrated software engineering tool that can help students to learn the practices is absent. In this paper, we present an IDE that is able to monitor and guide students to develop software following good practices. In addition, the tool offers a set of guidelines for improving the learning process via analyzing learning activities and results.
Effect of Bacterial Endotoxins on Glycogen Synthesis.

SummaryIntraperitoneal injection of Salmonella endotoxin completely inhibited in vivo glycogen synthesis from glucose in the liver of rats. In liver slices of rabbits, there was less glycogen formed in vitro from glucose and pyruvate in the presence of meningococcal endotoxin. The glucose uptake of rat diaphragm in vitro was decreased by Salmonella endotoxin and this inhibition of glucose utilization could be diminished by the addition of insulin.
Tumor-Specific Hypermethylation of Epigenetic Biomarkers, Including SFRP1, Predicts for Poorer Survival in Patients from the TCGA Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC) Project

The recent publication of the TCGA Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC) project has provided an immense wealth and breadth of data providing an invaluable tool for confirmation and expansion upon previous observations in a large data set containing multiple data types including DNA methylation, somatic mutation, and clinical information. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) many genes have been demonstrated to be epigenetically inactivated by promoter hypermethylated and in a small number of cases to be associated with clinical outcome. This study created two cohorts based on the Illumina BeadChip array used to confirm the frequency of tumor-specific hypermethylation of these published hypermethylated genes, assess the impact of somatic mutation or chromosomal loss and provide the most comprehensive assessment to date of the association of this hypermethylation with patient survival. Hypermethylation of the Fibrillin 2 (FBN2) gene was the most consistent epigenetic biomarker for CCRCC across both cohorts in 40.2% or 52.5% of tumors respectively. Hypermethylation of the secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) gene and the basonuclin 1 (BNC1) gene were both statistically associated with poorer survival in both cohorts (SFRP1 - p = <0.0001 or 0.0010 and BNC1 - p = <0.0001 or 0.0380) and represented better independent markers of survival than tumor stage, grade or dimension in one cohort and tumor stage or dimension in the other cohort. Loss of the SFRP1 protein can potentially activate the WNT pathway and this analysis highlighted hypermethylation of several other WNT pathway regulating genes and demonstrated a poorer survival outcome for patients with somatic mutation of these genes. The success of demethylating drugs in hematological malignances and the current trials in solid tumors suggest that the identification of clinically relevant hypermethylated genes combined with therapeutic advances may improve the effectiveness and usefulness of such drugs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
Female adnexal tumor of probable wolffian origin. Evidence for a low grade malignancy

A broad ligament tumor with the histologic features of a female adnexal tumor of probable Wolffian origin, as described by Kariminejad and Scully, is reported. Although previous cases were thought to be benign, in the present case, hepatic metastasis occurred 6 years after resection of the primary. Cytologic features by light microscopy were more anaplastic than in the original cases. Ultrastructural findings were not specific for any normal adult or fetal mesonephric tissue previously studied by electron microscopy.
Generating Agricultural Landscapes for Alternative Futures Analysis: A Multiple Attribute Decision‐Making Model

This paper describes the development of a multi-attribute decision model that generates depictions of the agricultural landscape for use in alternative futures studies. The fundamental assumption of the model is that changes in agricultural land cover are due to rational decisions made by an agricultural producer that are based on the attributes of the producer, the crops, and the field. The model first evaluates any changes in the land base due to conversion of farmland to non-agricultural uses, and then uses field descriptions, crop characteristics, and the decision paradigm of an agricultural producer to determine the preferred crop for each field under a particular policy scenario. By cycling over the fields for each time-step in the simulation, future depictions of the agricultural system that respond to various drivers of change are generated. An example implementation of an alternative futures model is provided to show how this method can be used to examine alternative policy or management options.
Profit-aware overload protection in E-commerce Web sites

Overload protection is critical to E-commerce Web sites. This paper presents a profit-aware admission control mechanism for overload protection in E-commerce Web sites. Motivated by the observation [Measure Twice, Cut Once-Metrics For Online Retailers, 2006, (http://www.techexchange.com/thelibrary/online_retail_metrics.html)] that once a client made an initial purchase, the buy-to-visit ratio of the client escalates from less than 1% to nearly 21%, the proposed mechanism keeps track of the purchase records of clients and utilizes them to make admission control decisions. We build two hash tables with full IP address and network ID prefix, which maintain the purchase records of clients in fine-grain and coarse-grain manners, respectively. We classify those clients who made purchases before as premium customers and those clients without prior purchase behavior as basic customers. Under overload conditions, our mechanism differentiates premium customers from basic customers based on the record hash tables, and admits premium customers with much higher probability than basic customers. In favor of premium customers, our mechanism maximizes the revenues of E-commerce Web sites. We evaluate the efficacy of the profit-aware mechanism using the industry-standard TCP-W workloads. Our experimental results demonstrate that under overload conditions, the profit-aware admission control mechanism not only achieves higher throughput and lower response time, but also dramatically increases the revenue received by E-commerce Web sites.
The Ribosome as an Optimal Decoder: A Lesson in Molecular Recognition

The ribosome is a complex molecular machine that, in order to synthesize proteins, has to decode mRNAs by pairing their codons with matching tRNAs. Decoding is a major determinant of fitness and requires accurate and fast selection of correct tRNAs among many similar competitors. However, it is unclear whether the modern ribosome, and in particular its large conformational changes during decoding, are the outcome of adaptation to its task as a decoder or the result of other constraints. Here, we derive the energy landscape that provides optimal discrimination between competing substrates and thereby optimal tRNA decoding. We show that the measured landscape of the prokaryotic ribosome is sculpted in this way. This model suggests that conformational changes of the ribosome and tRNA during decoding are means to obtain an optimal decoder. Our analysis puts forward a generic mechanism that may be utilized broadly by molecular recognition systems.
Registration of 'Sublette' barley

'Sublette', derived from the cross A517/2*'Harrington', is a two-rowed spring barley developed and released in 2005 by the USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, Idaho, in cooperation with the University of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. It has semi-smooth awns with medium-lax spike. The kernel has long rachilla hairs and white aleurone. Sublette is adapted to both irrigated and dryland conditions of the US Intermountain West. It shows resistance to stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis.
κ-Opioid Potentiation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Anti-HIV-1 Activity in Acutely Infected Human Brain Cell Cultures

Opioids have been postulated to play an immunomodulatory role in the pathogenesis of HIV-1. Synthetic kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) ligands have been found to inhibit HIV-1 expression in acutely infected microglial cell cultures. We recently found that interleukin(IL)-1beta and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-alpha have antiviral effects in acutely infected mixed glial/neuronal cell cultures. In the present study, we investigated whether selective KOR ligands would exert antiviral effects in acutely infected brain cell cultures. While the KOR ligand trans-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N[2-(1-pyrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]benze neaceamide methanesulfonate (U50,488) alone had little anti-HIV-1 activity, this opioid potentiated in a concentration-dependent manner the antiviral activity of TNF-alpha, but not of IL-1beta. The potentiating effect of U50,488 was detected after a 6-hr pretreatment and peaked at 24 hr. The KOR antagonist nor-binaltorphimine completely blocked the potentiating effect of U50,488, suggesting the involvement of a KOR-mediated mechanism. Antibodies to TNF-alpha completely blocked the potentiating effect of U50,488, suggesting a critical role for TNF-alpha. Antibodies to IL-1beta blocked the potentiating effect of U50,488, suggesting that IL-1beta was released following U50,488 treatment, which might contribute to the potentiating effect of U50,488. These in vitro findings support the notion that synthetic kappa-opioids could be considered as potential adjunctive therapeutic agents in HIV-1-related brain disease.
Use of long-period surface waves for rapid determination of earthquake-source parameters

A method for rapid retrieval of earthquake-source parameters from long-period surface waves is developed. With this method, the fault geometry and seismic moment can be determined immediately after the surface wave records have been retrieved. Hence, it may be utilized for warning of tsunamis in real time. The surface wave spectra are inverted to produce either a seismic moment tensor (linear) or a fault model (nonlinear). The method has been tested by using the IDA (International Deployment of Accelerographs) records. With these records the method works well for the events larger than M_s = 6, and is useful for investigating the nature of slow earthquakes. For events deeper than 30 km, all of the five moment tensor elements can be determined. For very shallow events (d ⩽ 30 km) the inversion becomes ill-conditioned and two of the five source moment tensor elements become unresolvable. This difficulty is circumvented by a two-step inversion. In the first step, the unresolvable elements are constrained to be zero to yield a first approximation. In the second step, additional geological and geophysical data are incorporated to improve the first approximation. The effect of the source finiteness is also included.
Onboard Detection of Rail Friction Conditions

A sensor system is proposed that measures sound and vibration close to the interface, mounted to the locomotive while the train is in motion. Through the use of navigation technology, measurement ‘snapshots’ are tagged with time, location and speed information. The data is subsequently analyzed in both the time and frequency domains, coupled to the location where the measurement was taken on the track.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Rab-geranylgeranyl transferase regulates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from pancreatic β cells

A growing body of evidence implicates essential roles for small molecular weight G-proteins (e.g., Cdc42, Rac1, Arf6 and Rab3A and Rab27A) in islet β-cell function including glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). One of the known mechanisms for optimal activation of small G-proteins involves post-translational prenylation, which is mediated by farnesyltransferase (FTase) and geranylgeranyl transferases (GGTases I and II). The FTase catalyzes incorporation of a 15-carbon farnesyl group while the GGTase mediates incorporation of a 20-carbon geranylgeranyl group into the C-terminal cysteines of G-proteins. The FTase, GGTase I and GGTase II prenylate Ras, Cdc42/Rac1, and Rab G-proteins, respectively. While considerable evidence exists on FTase/GGTase I-mediated regulation of GSIS, very little is known about GGTase II (also referred to as Rab GGTase; RGGT) and its regulatory proteins in the cascade of events leading to GSIS. Herein, we provide the first immunological evidence to suggest expression of α- and β-subunits of RGGT in clonal INS 832/13 β-cells, normal rat islets and human islets. Furthermore, Rab escort protein1 (REP1), which has been shown to be critical for prenylation of Rab G-proteins, is also expressed in these cells. Furthermore, evidence is presented to suggest that siRNA-mediated knockdown of α- or β-subunits of RGGT and REP1 markedly attenuates GSIS in INS 832/13 cells. These findings provide the first evidence in support of key roles for RGGT and its regulatory proteins in GSIS.
Properties of an established cell line from the atlantic croaker (Micropogon undulatus).

AbstractA fibroblast-like cell line, CrF, has been developed from muscle tissue of the marine teleost fish Micropogon undulatus (the Atlantic croaker). The line was initiated by subculture of cells from explanted tissue of a single male fish. The growth medium employed contained L-15 basal medium supplemented with 15% fetal calf serum, 1 to 5% human serum, and antibiotic-antimycotic mixture. The line was characterized fully and carried through 85 subcultures. Karyological analysis showed the line to be heteroploid, with a modal chromosome number of 48 at low passage levels and 49 at high levels. All chromosomes are small and telocentric. Growth characteristics were carried out under varying conditions of incubation. Optimal growth occurred at 26 to 32° in growth medium adjusted to a NaCl molarity of 0.147 to 0.177 M (although a wider range was tolerated). A plating efficiency of up to 30% and freeze viability rates of 65 to 70% were observed. The line was shown to be susceptible to lymphocystis virus, but...
Experiences with developing and deploying dynamic BLAST

Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) is a heavily used bioinformatics application that has gotten significant attention from the high performance computing community. The authors have taken BLAST execution a step further and enabled it to execute on grid resources. Adapting BLAST to execute on the grid brings up concerns regarding grid resource heterogeneity, which inevitably cause difficulty with application availability, fault tolerance, interoperability, and variability in performance of individual segments that are being distributed throughout grid resources. In addition difficulties arise because of tools, technologies, and middleware dependencies that an application developer must deal with. This paper describes Dynamic BLAST and experiences with developing and deploying the application on grid resources over a two year period. Dynamic BLAST is a BLAST-specific metascheduler, a multithreaded, master-worker type application that handles all aspects of a BLAST job submission on the grid for the user. It was developed with the goal of bringing the grid closer to a typical scientist by eliminating the initial learning curve necessary for use of many grid applications. Associated research and development have resulted in the authors' extensive experience in dealing with grid related issues with respect to available tools and technologies. Lessons learned and suggestions are also presented in this paper.
Topological Maundering, and Other Uses for the Poem

In the practical surmise of “writing” we encounter questions of scale and utility as a matter of course. Yet we do not generally treat it so, literature being an “escape,” historically speaking, fr...
Overexpression of the Atypical Protein Kinase C ζ Reduces Topoisomerase II Catalytic Activity, Cleavable Complexes Formation, and Drug-induced Cytotoxicity in Monocytic U937 Leukemia Cells

In this study, we evaluated the influence of protein kinase C zeta (PKC zeta) on topoisomerase II inhibitor-induced cytotoxicity in monocytic U937 cells. In U937-zeta J and U937-zeta B cells, enforced PKC zeta expression, conferred by stable transfection of PKC zeta cDNA, resulted in total inhibition of VP-16- and mitoxantrone-induced apoptosis and decreased drug-induced cytotoxicity, compared with U937-neo control cells. In PKC zeta-overexpressing cells, drug resistance correlated with decreased VP-16-induced DNA strand breaks and DNA protein cross-links measured by alkaline elution. Kinetoplast decatenation assay revealed that PKC zeta overexpression resulted in reduced global topoisomerase II activity. Moreover, in PKC zeta-overexpressing cells, we found that PKC zeta interacted with both alpha and beta isoforms of topoisomerase II, and these two enzymes were constitutively phosphorylated. However, when human recombinant PKC zeta (rH-PKC zeta) was incubated with purified topoisomerase II isoforms, rH-PKC zeta interacted with topoisomerase II beta but not with topoisomerase II alpha. PKC zeta/topoisomerase II beta interaction resulted in phosphorylation of this enzyme and in decrease of its catalytic activity. Finally, this report shows for the first time that topoisomerase II beta is a substrate for PKC zeta, and that PKC zeta may significantly influence topoisomerase II inhibitor-induced cytotoxicity by altering topoisomerase II beta activity through its kinase function.
Partial characterization of the adsorbed protein layer on Dirofilaria immitis (Nematoda) cuticle.

Electron microscopy coupled with ferritin-conjugated indirect immunolabeling was used to locate sites of adsorbed host protein on cuticular surfaces of the adult canine heartworm,Dirofilaria immitis. The epicuticle appeared as a trilaminated structure. At high magnifications, the outermost layer of this structure was resolved into a trilaminar layer, which might correspond to the plasma membrane of animal cells. A ruthenium red-positive layer was external to the epicuticle. Ferritin-antibody conjugates showed evidence of adsorbed dog albumin, dog immunoglobulin class G (IgG), and dog complement fraction 3 (C3) on the surface. Ferritin adsorption to control surfaces was minimal. Possible causes and effects of interfacial hostprotein adsorption are discussed in an attempt to bring insight to the hemocompatible nature of the parasitic cuticle.
Neuromuscular determinants of maximum walking speed in well-functioning older adults

Maximum walking speed may offer an advantage over usual walking speed for clinical assessment of age-related declines in mobility function that are due to neuromuscular impairment. The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which maximum walking speed is affected by neuromuscular function of the lower extremities in older adults. We recruited two groups of healthy, well functioning older adults who differed primarily on maximum walking speed. We hypothesized that individuals with slower maximum walking speed would exhibit reduced lower extremity muscle size and impaired plantarflexion force production and neuromuscular activation during a rapid contraction of the triceps surae muscle group (soleus (SO) and gastrocnemius (MG)). All participants were required to have usual 10-meter walking speed of >1.0m/s. If the difference between usual and maximum 10m walking speed was 0.6m/s, the individual was assigned to the "Faster" group (n=12). Peak rate of force development (RFD) and rate of neuromuscular activation (rate of EMG rise) of the triceps surae muscle group were assessed during a rapid plantarflexion movement. Muscle cross sectional area of the right triceps surae, quadriceps and hamstrings muscle groups was determined by magnetic resonance imaging. Across participants, the difference between usual and maximal walking speed was predominantly dictated by maximum walking speed (r=.85). We therefore report maximum walking speed (1.76 and 2.17m/s in Slower and Faster, p<.001) rather than the difference between usual and maximal. Plantarflexion RFD was 38% lower (p=.002) in Slower compared to Faster. MG rate of EMG rise was 34% lower (p=.01) in Slower than Faster, but SO rate of EMG rise did not differ between groups (p=.73). Contrary to our hypothesis, muscle CSA was not lower in Slower than Faster for the muscle groups tested, which included triceps surae (p=.44), quadriceps (p=.76) and hamstrings (p=.98). MG rate of EMG rise was positively associated with RFD and maximum 10m walking speed, but not the usual 10m walking speed. These findings support the conclusion that maximum walking speed is limited by impaired neuromuscular force and activation of the triceps surae muscle group. Future research should further evaluate the utility of maximum walking speed for use in clinical assessment to detect and monitor age-related functional decline.
Safety of remote aortic valve replacement after prior coronary artery bypass grafting

Background A previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure may complicate subsequent aortic valve replacement (AVR). However, the operative risks and long-term outcome of patients who undergo these two procedures remain poorly defined. Methods The medical records of all patients undergoing AVR between February 1986 and September 1995 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients selected for analysis had previously undergone CABG. Results We performed AVR in 23 consecutive patients who had previously undergone CABG (mean number of grafts, 2.8). The AVR was performed an average of 7.6 years after CABG (range, 2 to 17 years). There were 20 men and 3 women, with a mean age of 69 years (range, 56 to 85 years). Twenty patients were operated upon for aortic stenosis (mean gradient 54 mm Hg, mean valve area 0.7 cm2), and 3 patients underwent operation for aortic regurgitation. The average aortic valve gradient at the initial revascularization operation was 8 mm Hg (range, 0 to 29 mm Hg). There was no correlation between the aortic valve gradient at the initial revascularization and the interval between CABG and AVR. At the second operation, AVR was performed alone in 11 patients, combined with repeat CABG in 11 patients (mean number of grafts, 1.4), and with mitral valve replacement in 1 patient. A mechanical prosthesis was selected in 14 patients, and a bioprosthesis was used in 9 patients. There were no perioperative deaths. There were five late deaths at an average follow-up of 44 months. The 5-year actuarial survival was 71%. Conclusions Previous CABG poses added technical challenges at the time of reoperation for AVR. The operation can be performed safely, with the expectation of satisfactory long-term survival.