cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Explicit solvent models in protein pKa calculations

Continuum methods for calculation of protein electrostatics treat buried and ordered water molecules by one of two approximations; either the dielectric constant of regions containing ordered water molecules is equal to the bulk solvent dielectric constant, or it is equal to the protein dielectric constant though no fixed atoms are used to represent water molecules. A method for calculating the titration behavior of individual residues in proteins has been tested on models of hen egg white lysozyme containing various numbers of explicit water molecules. Water molecules were included based on hydrogen bonding, solvent accessibility, and/or proximity to titrating groups in the protein. Inclusion of water molecules significantly alters the calculated titration behavior of individual titrating sites, shifting calculated pKa values by up to 0.5 pH unit. Our results suggest that approximately one water molecule within hydrogen-bonding distance of each charged group should be included in protein electrostatics calculations.
Career Development Practitioners as Advocates for Transgender Individuals: Understanding Gender Transition.

Assisting transgender individuals is a concern for career development practitioners because there is a lack of knowledge on this topic. The complexity of gender reassignment surgery brings challenges and unique needs to this population, throughout gender transition, and requires career development practitioners to understand these challenges and needs to provide appropriate services to transgender individuals. The author conducted a comprehensive review of the literature in the areas of transgender issues in career development and counseling, counseling transgender individuals, gender transition, and multicultural counseling competencies. The role of career development practitioners as advocates for transgender individuals who experience gender transition is discussed.
Vapor Transport of ZnO in Closed Ampoules

Vapor transport of ZnO by PVT and CVT using carbon, carbon monoxide and hydrogen as the transport agents was studied. Theoretical calculations of the mass flux were based on equilibrium thermodynamics and 1D diffusional mass transport. Experimental results were found to be consistent with theoretical predictions. No apparent kinetic limitations to sublimation or CVT processes were observed. Slow reaction of carbon with ZnO source was found.
Pilot study of pegylated interferon-alpha 2b in patients with essential thrombocythemia

Abstract Purpose. Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has been shown to control symptoms, reduce platelet counts, and reduce the bone marrow megakaryocyte mass in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). A semisynthetic protein-polymer conjugate of IFN-alpha 2b (PEG-IFN2b) increases the serum half-life of IFN-alpha 2b. We conducted a pilot study of Peg-IFN2b in patients with ET. Patients and methods Patients with a history of persistent (greater than 2 months) platelet counts >600×109/l, with hyperplasia of bone marrow megakaryocytes in the absence of an alternate identifiable cause of thrombocytosis were eligible. Patients were required to have either thrombohemorrhagic signs and/or symptoms if previously untreated; persistence of thrombohemorrhagic signs and/or symptoms if receiving anagrelide, IFN-alpha, or hydroxyurea; or intolerance to anagrelide, IFN-alpha, or hydroxyurea. The initial PEG-IFN2b dose was from 1.5 to 4.5 µg/kg per week subcutaneously with subsequent dose adjustments as indicated by response and adverse events. Results. Eleven patients (nine female, median age 54 years, range 26–69 years) were treated. PEG-IFN2b rapidly controlled platelet counts and resolved symptoms in all patients. The median duration of PEG-IFN2b therapy on-study was 9 months (range 4–17 months). No patient had signs or symptoms of thrombosis or hemorrhage while on study. After 2 months of therapy, 10 patients (91%) were in complete remission , and 11 (100%) after 4 months. One patient discontinued therapy at 4 months because of persistent grade 3 fatigue and a second at 5 months because of anxiety and depression. Conclusion. PEG-IFN2b has significant activity in patients with ET. Long-term follow-up of a larger cohort of patients is needed to define its role in this disease.
Examining the Liability Factors of Sudden Wrongful Deaths in Police Custody

Use-of-force encounters between the police and violent arrestees have in creased over the past few years. Annually in a small number of these ar rests, the individual suddenly and unexpectedly dies in police custody after a period of intense struggle—frequently in restraints. Such wrongful deaths in custody generate civil lawsuits. This discussion identifies the liability factors associated with these deaths by examining cases filed under tort theories of negligence in state courts and claims filed in federal court un der provision of Title 42 United States Code Section 1983. The analysis addresses standards of using force, medical care and training issues. Rec ommendations for police administrators are also presented.
An analysis of the crack tip fields in a ductile three-point bend specimen subjected to impact loading

Abstract Analyses of an impact fracture test of a precracked, three-point beam of HY100 steel were performed to determine the dynamic fracture toughness. During impact, the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) 100 μm behind the crack tip was measured using an optical measuring device called the interferometric strain/displacement gage. Since fracture initiates when stress wave effects dominate, a numerical simulation of the fracture event was conducted to obtain relevant near crack tip field parameters. The specimen was modeled by a plane stress finite element simulation using a rate sensitive elastoplastic material law. Since the simulated CTOD was to be compared with the measured CTOD in a region of residual strains due to crack closure, this effect was included in the model. The simulation produces a CTOD versus time response within 10% of the observed response, indicating that the other field quantities (such as the J-integral) should also be reliable. The loading rate /.K1 was approximately 8 × 106MPa√m/sec. If the fracture initiation time is assumed to coincide with the time at which the simulated and observed CTOD curves diverge, then the impact fracture toughness is 56% higher than the static fracture toughness.
Purification and photoaffinity labeling of the I-Ak histocompatibility molecule.

Abstract Photoaffinity labeling was used to evaluate optimal conditions for purification of I-Ak histocompatibility molecules in functionally active form. We assessed the biological activity of I-Ak primarily by its binding of the hen egg-white lysozyme (HEL) peptide from residues 46–61. [125I]iodo,4-azidosalicyloly(HEL)46–61 (IASA-46–61)-labeled I-Ak on B cell hybridoma membranes and their detergent solubilisates, at the α chain. Following extensive detergent dialysis, the intensity of this labelling remained unchanged in the case of MEGA 8 and MEGA 9 detergents, but decreased in the case of deoxycholate and n-octylglucoside Conditions for affinity purifications were assessed on one hand by determining the dissociation conditions of I-Ak from various monoclonal antibodies and by determining the denaturation of I-Ak under these conditions. Effective dissociation in the absence of detectable denaturation was observed for 10.3.6.2 and 40.LH monoclonal antibody at pH 3.5 and to a lesser extent at low concentrations of ammonium thiocyanate and guanidine thiocyanate at neutral pH. I-Ak purified from cell membranes using MEGA 8 and MEGA 9 detergent mixtures and acid elution from 10.3.6.2 Sepharose was efficiently labeled by IASA-46-61. Thus, I-Ak was active in antigen presentation to a T cell hybridoma when reconstituted in planar membranes. In contrast to I-Ak on cell membranes, purified I-Ak in detergent showed extensive labelling of the β chain. The overall labelling intensity and the extent of β chain labelling substantially changed upon addition of certain lysophosphatides.
The In Situ Fluorometric Determination of Alkaline Earth Metal Ions Resolved On Paper

Abstract A procedure has been devised whereby three alkaline earth metal ions - magnesium, calcium, and strontium - resolved on paper chromatography can be analyzed by means of in situ fluorometry. The procedure makes it possible to determine the concentration of adsorbed alkaline earth metal at μg level and lower with a precision of about 2%.
Can Web 2.0 Enhance Community Participation in an Institutional Repository? The Case of PocketKnowledge at Teachers College, Columbia University

This project investigates if a Web 2.0 approach to designing an institutional repository can positively impact community participation. To study this, two institutional repositories (one Web 2.0, the other not) are used within the same institution. Results indicate that the use of a Web 2.0 approach significantly enhances community participation.
Hinode XRT observations of a long-lasting coronal sigmoid

Aims. Coronal sigmoids are important sources of eruptions into interplanetary space, and a handful of models have been proposed to explain their characteristic S shape. However, the coronal X-ray images available to date have generally not had sufficient resolution to distinguish between these models. The goal of the present investigation is to determine whether the new observations from Hinode can help us to make such a distinction. Methods. We present the first observations of a persistent coronal sigmoid obtained with the Hinode X-Ray Telescope (XRT). The excellent angular resolution of XRT (1 arcsec per pixel) and the sigmoid’s location near disk center combined to provide an unprecedented view of the formation and eruption of this phenomenon. We compared the observed morphology with expectations inferred from two popular models of sigmoid formation, the bald-patch separatrix surface model and the kinking flux rope model. Results. The images during the pre-eruptive phase show that the overall S shape of the sigmoid comprises two separate J-shaped bundles of many loops. The straight sections of the two J patterns lie anti-parallel to one another in the middle of the S, on opposite sides of the magnetic polarity inversion line. The images during the eruptive phase reveal that, before any soft X-ray flaring begins, a diffuse linear structure almost as long as the sigmoid lifts off from the middle of the S. It shows slight clockwise rotation. The X-ray flare begins with the appearance of a sheared arcade of short loops, in the area centered between the two J-shaped patterns of the sigmoid. Conclusions. Taken together, the observational findings provide strong support for the bald-patch separatrix surface model for this sigmoid.
The Lattice of Convex Sets of an Oriented Matroid

Abstract Using the theory of the anti-exchange closure the structure of the lattice of convex sets of an acyclic oriented matroid is described. A new expression for the characteristic polynomial of the underlying matroid is proven using this analysis.
The performance of multistage cooperation in relay networks

We analyze the performance of multistage cooperation in decode-and-forward relay networks where the transmission between source and destination takes place in T ≥ 2 equal duration and orthogonal time phases with the help of relays. The source transmits only in the first time phase. All relays that can decode the source's transmission forward the source's message to the destination in the second time phase, using a space-time code. During subsequent time phases, the relays that have successfully decoded the source message using information from all previous transmitting relays, transmit the space-time coded symbols for the source's message. The non-decoding relays keep accumulating information and transmit in the later stages when they are able to decode. This process continues for T cooperation phases. We develop and analyze the outage probability of multistage cooperation protocol under orthogonal relaying. Through analytical results, we obtain the near-optimal placement strategy for relays that gives the best performance when compared with most other candidate relay location strategies of interest. For different relay network topologies, we also investigate an interesting tradeoff between an increased SNR and decreased spectral efficiency as the number of cooperation stages is increased. It is also shown that the largest multistage cooperation gain is obtained in the low and moderate SNR regime.
High-performance up-and-downdating via householder-like transformations

We present high-performance algorithms for up-and-downdating a Cholesky factor or QR factorization. The method uses Householder-like transformations, sometimes called hyperbolic Householder transformations, that are accumulated so that most computation can be cast in terms of high-performance matrix-matrix operations. The resulting algorithms can then be used as building blocks for an algorithm-by-blocks that allows computation to be conveniently scheduled to multithreaded architectures like multicore processors. Performance is shown to be similar to that achieved by a blocked QR factorization via Householder transformations.
Localization of endoplasmic reticulum in living and glutaraldehyde-fixed cells with fluorescent dyes

Certain fluorescent dyes, previously reported to localize mitochondria, when used at higher concentrations also localize a continuous net-like structure in both living and glutaraldehyde-fixed cells. A similar reticular structure can be detected by phase-contrast microscopy and whole-mount electron microscopy in potassium permanganate-fixed cells as well. This structure is mostly tubular, with some patch-like areas, and is likely to be the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The organization of the reticular structure is sensitive to colchicine and rotenone but not to cytochalasin B, taxol, monensin, the calcium ionophore A23187, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, or hydrocortisone.
Functional Identification of Histamine H3-Receptors in the Human Heart

Abstract Norepinephrine release contributes to ischemic cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmias. Because activation of histamine H3-receptors inhibits norepinephrine release, we searched for the presence of H3-receptors directly in sympathetic nerve endings (cardiac synaptosomes) isolated from surgical specimens of human atria. Norepinephrine was released by depolarization with K+. The presence of H3-receptors was ascertained because the selective H3-receptor agonists (R)α-methylhistamine and imetit reduced norepinephrine release, and the specific H3-receptor antagonist thioperamide blocked this effect. Norepinephrine release was exocytotic, since it was inhibited by the N-type Ca2+-channel blocker ω-conotoxin and the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro31-8220. Functional relevance of these H3-receptors was obtained by showing that transmural electrical stimulation of sympathetic nerve endings in human atrial tissue increased contractility, an effect blocked by propranolol and attenuated in a concentration-dependen...
TIME INTENSITY PROFILES OF FLAVOR POTENTIATORS (MSG, IMP, GMP)

This research characterized the time-intensity (TI) profiles of monosodium glutamate (MSG), disodium 5′-inosinate (IMP), and disodium 5′-guanylate (GMP). Twenty subjects rated total taste intensity of single solutions of 2.5, 5 and 10 mM MSG, 0.63 and 2.5 mM IMP and GMP, and some of their mixtures, using the TI method. The profiles generated were atypical of other taste modalities. Time to maximum intensity waslong (16–20s), followed by a plateau at maximum intensity, and a persistent aftertaste (50–96s duration). Maximum intensities of the samples varied (p < 0.001), with mixtures of 10 and 5 mM MSG with 2.5 mM IMP or GMP yielding the highest intensities. Similar differences were found for total duration and area under the curve. These results indicate that flavor potentiators may increase total flavor during consumption. Synergism between flavor potentiators was demonstrated.
An FTIR study of the mechanism for the reaction HO + CH3SCH3

Product studies were made using the Fourier transform infrared method in the uv (300–400-nm) photolysis of mixtures containing CH3SCH3, C2H5ONO, and NO in ppm concentrations in 700 torr of O2–N2 diluent. Methyl thionitrite, CH3SNO, arising from the reaction CH3S + NO, was detected as an intermediate product. In addition, the yields of the major sulfur-containing products SO2 and CH3SO3H coincided with those of the oxidation of the CH3S radicals generated directly by the photodissociation of CH3SNO. The formation of CH3S in the HO-initiated oxidation of CH3SCH3 in the presence of NO suggests a reaction scheme involving the H-abstraction reaction HO + CH3SCH3 CH3SCH2 + H2O as the primary step.
CTL recognition of a protective immunodominant influenza a virus nucleoprotein epitope utilizes a highly restricted Vβ but diverse Vα repertoire : Functional and structural implications

To investigate protective immunity conferred by CTL against viral pathogens, we have analyzed CD8(+) T cell responses to the immunodominant nucleoprotein epitope (NP(366-374)) of influenza A virus in B6 mice during primary and secondary infections in vivo. Unlike the highly biased TCR Vbeta repertoire, the associated Valpha repertoire specific for the NP(366-374)/D(b) ligand is quite diverse. Nonetheless, certain public and conserved CDR3alpha clonotypes with distinct molecular signatures were identified. Pairing of public Valpha and Vbeta domains creates an alphabeta TCR heterodimer that binds efficiently to the NP(366-374)/D(b) ligand and stimulates T cell activation. In contrast, private TCRs, each comprising a distinct alpha chain paired with the same public beta chain, interact very differently. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals that the conformation and mobility of the shared Vbeta CDR loops are governed largely by the associated Valpha domains. These results provide insight into molecular principles regarding public versus private TCRs linked to immune surveillance after infection with influenza A virus.
Debugging a Crowdsourced Task with Low Inter-Rater Agreement

In this paper, we describe the process we used to debug a crowdsourced labeling task with low inter-rater agreement. In the labeling task, the workers' subjective judgment was used to detect high-quality social media content-interesting tweets-with the ultimate aim of building a classifier that would automatically curate Twitter content. We describe the effects of varying the genre and recency of the dataset, of testing the reliability of the workers, and of recruiting workers from different crowdsourcing platforms. We also examined the effect of redesigning the work itself, both to make it easier and to potentially improve inter-rater agreement. As a result of the debugging process, we have developed a framework for diagnosing similar efforts and a technique to evaluate worker reliability. The technique for evaluating worker reliability, Human Intelligence Data-Driven Enquiries (HIDDENs), differs from other such schemes, in that it has the potential to produce useful secondary results and enhance performance on the main task. HIDDEN subtasks pivot around the same data as the main task, but ask workers questions with greater expected inter-rater agreement. Both the framework and the HIDDENs are currently in use in a production environment.
DFT Calculations and Spectral Measurements of Charge-Transfer Complexes Formed by Aromatic Amines and Nitrogen Heterocycles with Tetracyanoethylene and Chloranil

Charge-transfer (CT) spectra of the π−π complexes formed by several aromatic amines and nitrogen heterocycles [acting as donors (Ds)] with acceptor A [A = tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), chloranil (CA)]...
Multi-peak electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT)-like transmission from bull’s-eye-shaped metamaterial

We investigate the electromagnetic response of the concentric multi-ring, or the bull's eye, structure as an extension of the dual-ring metamaterial which exhibits electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT)-like transmission characteristics. Our results show that adding inner rings produces additional EIT-like peaks, and widens the metamaterial’s spectral range of operation. Analyses of the dispersion characteristics and induced current distribution further confirmed the peak’s EIT-like nature. Impacts of structural and dielectric parameters are also investigated.
Biosynthesis of a lipid polymer, cutin: The structural component of plant cuticle

Cutin, the lipid polymer of plant cuticle, when treated with LiAlH4 in tetrahydrofuran gave better than 95% conversion into reduced monomers which were separated by thin-layer chromatography into fatty alcohols, alkanediols, alkanetriols and alkanetetraols. The major component from Vicia faba leaf cutin was identified by TLC, GLC, NMR, IR and mass spectrometry to be hexadecan-1,7, 16-triol, most probably derived from 10, 16-dihydroxy palmitic acid of the cutin. Palmitic acid-1-14C was readily incorporated into this component and lesser amounts into monohydroxy acids and fatty acids of the cutin. Experimental evidence suggests the reaction sequence palmitic acid → 16-hydroxy palmitic acid → 10, 16-dihydroxy-palmitic acid → cutin. Palmitoleic acid-10-14C was not incorporated into dihydroxy palmitic acid suggesting the noninvolvement of epoxide intermediate. Acetate-1-14C, oleic acid-1-14C and stearate-1-14C also labeled the cutin.
Studies on Natural Actomyosin: Survey of Experimental Conditions

SUMMARY —Natural actomyosin was prepared from the longissimus dorsi of both bovine and rabbit. Rabbit actomyosin had about two times the ATPase activity of bovine muscle actomyosin. However, both types of natural actomyosin behaved in a similar manner with respect to ionic conditions. They were activated by Mg++ at low KCI (20–50 mM), inhibited by Mg++ at high KCI (100 mM) and activated by Ca++ at high KCI (100 mM). Bovine actomyosin, in contrast to rabbit actomyosin, did not show activation at low Mg++ (0.01 mM) in the alkaline pH range. Maleate, when used as Tris-Maleate buffer, inhibited superprecipitation of natural actomyosin from rabbit and bovine muscle. It was hypothesized that the low ATPase activity and the non-activation at low Mg++ in the alkaline pH range of bovine compared to rabbit actomyosin was a species difference.
Electromagnetic wave propagation in micromorphic elastic solids

This work is concerned with the determination of both macroscopic and microscopic deformations, motions, stresses, as well as electromagnetic fields developed in the material body due to external loads of thermomechanical and electromagnetic origins. The balance laws of mass, microinertia, linear momentum, moment of momentum, energy, and entropy for microcontinuum are integrated with the Maxwell's equations. Linear constitutive equations of specialized micromorphic theory for ferroelectric solids with axis symmetry are deduced. The frequency-wave-vector relations of wave propagating in perovskites parallel and perpendicular to its c-axis are obtained.
CO Adsorption on Ru-Modified Pt(100) Surfaces: Infrared Reflection Absorption Studies in Ultrahigh Vacuum

The mode of bonding of CO to Ru-modified Pt(100) surfaces prepared by chemical vapor deposition was investigated using infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). Spectra recorded in the CO stretching region for freshly prepared Ru(θRu ca. 0.52)/Pt(100) exposed to saturation coverage of CO displayed, in addition to a rather weak peak ascribed to CO bound to bridging sites, a single asymmetric peak centered at ca. 2092 cm-1. Statistical analyses of IRAS spectra recorded in experiments in which a Ru(θRu ca. 0.52)/Pt(100) surface was annealed sequentially to 650 K for ca. 2.5 h prior to a saturation exposure of CO yielded two peaks at 2100 cm-1 and 2092 cm-1 with a clearly identifiable isosbestic point, characteristic of a quantitative conversion of one type of species into the other. This behavior has been attributed to a thermally induced surface incorporation of Ru into Pt, as has been shown with low-energy ion-scattering spectroscopy (LEIS) for other Ru-modified low-inde...
The Role of a Caring-Based Intervention in a Physical Activity Setting.

This preliminary study examined the effect of a caring-based versus a traditionally-focused physical activity intervention on underserved adolescents’ perceptions of the caring climate, the motivational climate, empathetic concern, enjoyment, and future anticipated participation. Multiethnic youth (N = 353) aged 9 to 17 involved in two National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) sites participated in the study. The Caring Group (n = 90) participated in a program infused with themes of caring while the Traditional Group (n = 263) followed prototypical NYSP training, practices, and procedures. Self report assessments were gathered after 5 weeks in either setting. After accounting for demographic differences findings revealed that the Caring Group perceived significantly higher levels of a caring climate, empathetic concern, future expected participation, and lower levels of perceptions of an ego-involving motivational climate. The relevance of these findings with respect to the optimal development of youth is discussed.
Improved photovoltaic energy output for cloudy conditions with a solar tracking system

Abstract This work describes measurements of the solar irradiance made during cloudy periods in order to improve the amount of solar energy captured during such periods. It is well-known that 2-axis tracking, in which solar modules are pointed at the sun, improves the overall capture of solar energy by a given area of modules by 30–50% versus modules with a fixed tilt. On sunny days the direct sunshine accounts for up to 90% of the total solar energy, with the other 10% from diffuse (scattered) solar energy. However, during overcast conditions nearly all of the solar irradiance is diffuse radiation that is isotropically-distributed over the whole sky. An analysis of our data shows that during overcast conditions, tilting a solar module or sensor away from the zenith reduces the irradiance relative to a horizontal configuration, in which the sensor or module is pointed toward the zenith (horizontal module tilt), and thus receives the highest amount of this isotropically-distributed sky radiation. This observation led to an improved tracking algorithm in which a solar array would track the sun during cloud-free periods using 2-axis tracking, when the solar disk is visible, but go to a horizontal configuration when the sky becomes overcast. During cloudy periods we show that a horizontal module orientation increases the solar energy capture by nearly 50% compared to 2-axis solar tracking during the same period. Improving the harvesting of solar energy on cloudy days is important to using solar energy on a daily basis for fueling fuel-cell electric vehicles or charging extended-range electric vehicles because it improves the energy capture on the days with the lowest hydrogen generation, which in turn reduces the system size and cost.
Maximum power from a hot stream

Abstract This paper reports the solution to the fundamental problem of how to maximize the mechanical power extracted from a hot single-phase stream when the total heat transfer area bathed by the stream is constrained. It is shown that the optimization has two degrees of freedom: the shape of the stream temperature distribution as a function of the length ( x ) traveled along the heat transfer surface, and the position of this distribution on the absolute temperature scale. The optimal stream temperature distribution is exponential in x , and so is the temperature distribution along the hot end of the system that converts the heat transfer into mechanical power. At any x , the temperature difference across the heat exchanger is proportional to the local absolute temperature. Similar conclusions are reached for the cold end heat exchanger, when the power system rejects heat to a cold single-phase stream. It is shown that the optimal solution can be implemented in practice by using two counterflow heat exchangers. Each counterflow is imbalanced to a degree recommended by thermodynamic optimization. The effect of the sizes and capacity rates of the two heat exchangers is documented.
Physical properties of blue-green algal virus SM-1 and its DNA

Abstract SM-1, a virus infecting unicellular blue-green algae (recently classified as Synechococcus ), has been characterized. The virion has an icosahedral head capsid (edge-to-edge distance of 670 ± 18 A), a very short collar, and protruding from the collar, a thin appendage that could be a tail. Mature virions contain a dozen proteins, of which two (molecular weight 40,000 and 25,000) contain over 80% of the sulfur atoms. SM-1 DNA is linear, double-stranded, and has a molecular weight of 56 to 62 × 10 6 . The viral DNA has a GC content of 66–67%, identical to that of the host.
Use of a new cytology balloon for diagnosis of symptomatic esophageal disease in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Forty percent to 50% of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have esophageal symptoms during the course of disease.l-3 Infectious esophagitis, most often caused by Candida, is common in such individuals, and upper tract endoscopy with biopsy and directed cytology is usually required for complete and definitive diagnosis.4, 5 Blind esophageal brushing has been proposed as an alternative to these relatively labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive procedures, and studies performed using a modified obturator-tipped cytology brush,6 a sheathed cytology brush passed through a nasogastric tube,7 and a double-sheathed transnasal cytology brush.8 Cytologic brushings are superior to endoscopic biopsy in diagnosing fungal esophagitis,3, 5 and blind brushings yielded a diagnosis of esophageal candidiasis with similar success to that of endoscopic-directed cytology.5, 7, 8
TNA Study of Reclosing Transients on a 765 kV Shunt Compensated Transmission Line

This paper outlines the results of a general transient network analyzer study on a 765 kV circuit to determine the phase-to-ground switching surge overvoltages for a variety of circuit breaker and transmission line conditions. The circuit was modelled after the standard transmission line as specified in ANSI standard C37.071a- 1974. An electronic differential analyzer was used to control the transient network analyzer and to rapidly measure switching surge statistical data. The results are given in terms of curves showing the variation in surge magnitudes with network and circuit breaker parameters including closing span, insertion time, insertion resistance and compensation.
Performance characteristics of a single- wavelength liquid-metal MHD induction generator with end-loss compensation.

Performance characteristics of single wavelength liquid metal MHD induction generator with end loss compensation, determining electrical losses and power production
Liquid phase epitaxial growth kinetics of magnetic garnet films grown by isothermal dipping with axial rotation

Abstract Epitaxial magnetic films of Eu 1.1 Yb 1.9 Fe 5 O 12 have been grown under controlled isothermal conditions on (111) Gd 3 Ga 5 O 12 substrates with and without rotation. The growth kinetics are adequately described by an analytical model involving diffusion (D≅3·10 −5 cm 2 /sec) through a stagnant boundary layer ( δ ≅ 100 μ m) and subsequent integration into the film according to a first order reaction (k ≅ 3·10 −3 cm/sec). These magnetic films support bubbles with a sub-micron diameter under proper bias field conditions.
A Two-Dimensional Shear Spring Element

A new, two-dimensional continuous shear spring element was developed to calculate the stress intensity factors in adhesively bonded structures. The quadratic quadrilateral isoparametric element was adopted to explain the formulation of element stiffness. In contrast to the conventional discrete shear spring element, the new element takes into account the continuous nature of load transfer between cracked and uncracked adherends. The capability of the new element was validated with experimental data from four types of adhesively bonded specimens. The new element is also applicable to modeling the core of honeycomb sandwich structures.
Recurrent corneal ulcerations associated with smokeable methamphetamine abuse.

Purpose: We studied a case of chronic, recurrent, bilateral, corneal ulcerations associated with smokeable methamphetamine abuse, commonly known as “ice,” in an otherwise healthy 31-year-old woman. Methods: Every few months the patient had recurrent corneal ulcerations. Each time, she was hospitalized and treated successfully with topical antibiotics. Results: Even though she had undergone numerous formal attempts at drug rehabilitation, she continued to have relapses, and ulceration recurred only during periods of smokeable methamphetamine abuse. Conclusion: Illicit use of smokeable methamphetamine may result in corneal ulceration.
The isotopic composition of strontium and the age of stone meteorites - I

Abstract New measurements of the Rb and Sr content and Sr isotope composition are reported for four Ca-rich achondrites and five bronzite or hypersthene chondrites. All the achondrites have identical 87 Sr 86 Sr ratios; one chondrite, Beardsley, is very much enriched in Rb relative to the other chondrites. Several alternative interpretations of the data are discussed; all agree on a period of chemical differentiation 4.3 to 4.7 Aeons ago (Aeon = 109 yrs.) in the parent body of the meteorites.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia in extremely preterm neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit: characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes

Objective. To determine the rates, characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in extremely preterm neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods. A prospective cohort study was conducted at the St Louis Children’s Hospital on all patients who had birth weight ≤2000 g and were admitted to the NICU for ≥48 hours from October 2000 to July 2001. Extremely preterm neonates were defined as neonates with estimated gestational age (EGA) Results. A total of 229 patients were enrolled. Sixty-seven (29%) had EGA 30 days (relative risk: 8.0; 95% CI: 1.9–35.0). Patients with VAP also had prolonged NICU LOS (median: 138 vs 82 days). Conclusions. VAP occurred at high rates in extremely preterm neonates and was associated with increased mortality. Additional studies are needed to develop interventions to prevent VAP in NICU patients.
Complications after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures in the elderly

Abstract Background Open reduction with internal fixation for unstable ankle fractures is relatively predictable with excellent outcomes. However, the management of ankle fractures in the elderly remains less predictable secondary to the various co-morbidities associated with advanced age. Methods A retrospective chart review of 216 patients over the age of 60 that sustained an ankle fracture, was performed to determine the incidence of complications after ORIF of ankle fractures in an elderly population in the perioperative course. Secondly, the incidence of complications in patients that had locking plate fixation compared to those that had non-locking plate fixation was determined. Lastly, the effect of early weight bearing on the incidence of complications was analyzed. Results There was not a statistically significant difference in the complication rates between the group with co-morbidities (19.01%) and those without (11.96%). The postoperative complication with the highest incidence was wound dehiscence (9.7%), and only diabetes significantly predicted wound dehiscence. The fixation construct and weight-bearing protocol failed to significantly predict any of the indexed complications. Conclusions Overall, the results suggest that surgical treatment of unstable ankle fractures in the elderly is fairly predictable with an acceptable complication rate. The complication rates are higher with increased age and diabetes, but they failed to reach statistical significance. Conventional plating appears to provide adequate stability without increased risk of hardware failure. In addition patients that were allowed to walk within the first 2 weeks postoperatively did not experience a higher rate of hardware failure.
Improved Hairpin-Line Filters

A new theory is presented for hairpin-line and hybrid hairpin-line/half-wave parallel-coupled-line filters that leads to a better physical understanding of the filter respone. Improved performance is obtained. In particular, the bandwidth can be controlled closely. Results are compared with previous designs.
Adaptive Error Control for Multimedia Data Transfers

In this paper we suggest the need for a new class of transport service to handle the requirements of digital continuous-media data transfers and other applications that may desire to trade of f data completeness for latenc y considerations. Specifically, we define a P artially Error-Controlled Connection service under which the user submits applicationand endsystem-specific parameters to coordinate the protocol’s use of data retransmissions for error reco very with latenc y concerns. We implement a prototype of this service as a lightweight implementation enhancement to an existing protocol, the Xpress T ransfer Protocol. Measurements of our implementation suggest that the PECC approach can pro vide for a service that limits the frequency and duration of data loss, which a non-error-controlled service can not do, while avoiding the delay-insensitivity of traditional error control in a fully reliable connection.
Signal processing for high-speed data modems

Modems for leased telephone lines have in the last few years reached data rates which come close to the theoretical limit given by Shannon's capacity theorem. In this paper an overview of the key signal-processing algorithms used in leased-line modems is presented. The transmission of several bits per symbol with uncoded modulation is reviewed, and the use of trellis-coded modulation (TCM) with two-dimensional signal constellations is discussed. It is shown that the coding gains offered by TCM are vital to reliable operation at 14.4 kb/s and above. Algorithms for compensating intersymbol interference and carrier-phase errors are then presented, and the limitations of conventional equalizers addressed. The adaptation of the receiver to the unknown characteristics of a telephone line is discussed, and rapid-training algorithms allowing very short startup times are given. Attention then focuses on recent work which combines the functions of equalization and symbol decoding. This leads to a modem receiver comprising a whitened-matched filter and a reduced-state maximum-likelihood sequence decoder. The performance of such a receiver in the presence of severe channel distortion is compared with that of a conventional receiver using separate equalization and TCM decoding. >
Measurement properties of a novel survey to assess stages of organizational readiness for evidence-based interventions in community chronic disease prevention settings

Background There is a great deal of variation in the existing capacity of primary prevention programs and policies addressing chronic disease to deliver evidence-based interventions (EBIs). In order to develop and evaluate implementation strategies that are tailored to the appropriate level of capacity, there is a need for an easy-to-administer tool to stage organizational readiness for EBIs.
Multifunctionality in agriculture: externalities and non-traded goods

The multifunctionality nature of agriculture has been used to justify continuing protection for the agricultural sector. The farm sector produces a variety of outputs, some of which are marketable (or tradable) and others not. Protectionism, under the guise of multifunctionality, is then justified to support the non-marketed dimensions of the agricultural sector. We examine the impacts of trade policies on the loss or gain of economic welfare caused by the divergence between social and private marginal cost. Next, we analyse how social and marginal costs are affected by the assignment of property rights and the implications of non-traded goods. Critical in each of these formulations is the magnitude and direction of the divergence between social and private marginal cost. In the USA, agriculture faces increasing regulations, recognising that agriculture produces negative and positive externalities. In this context, we examine the policy implications of multifunctionality.
Synthetic aperture ladar imaging demonstrations and information at very low return levels

We present synthetic aperture ladar (SAL) imaging demonstrations where the return-signal level from the target is near the single-photon level per resolved pixel. Scenes consisting of both specular-point targets and diffuse-reflection, fully speckled targets are studied. Artificial retro-reflector-based phase references and/or phase-gradient-autofocus (PGA) algorithms were utilized for compensation of phase errors during the aperture motion. It was found that SAL images could reliably be formed with both methods even when the final max pixel intensity was at the few photon level, which means the SNR before azimuth compression is below unity. Mutual information-based comparison of SAL images show that average mutual information is reduced when the PGA is utilized for image-based phase compensation. The photon information efficiency of SAL and coherent imaging is discussed.
Rare-Element Geochemistry and Mineral Deposits. Geological Association of Canada Short Course Notes 17.R. L. Linnen and I. M. Samson, Editors. Pp. 341. Geological Association of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 2005. ISBN 1-897095-08-2. Price US$43.00.

This volume of papers from a Geological Association of Canada Short Course, which was held in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 2004, is a valuable resource for petrologists and economic geologists. Most of the volume deals with magmatic processes and mineral deposits that occur in or are related to
On the effect of router buffer sizes on low-rate denial of service attacks

Router queues buffer packets during congestion epochs. A recent result by Appenzeller et al. showed that the size of FIFO queues can be reduced considerably without sacrificing utilization. While Appenzeller showed that link utilization is not affected, the impact of this reduction on other aspects of queue management such as fairness, is unclear. Recently, a new class of low-rate DoS attacks called shrews was shown to throttle TCP connections by causing periodic packet drops. Unfortunately, smaller buffer sizes make shrew attacks more effective and harder to detect since shrews need to overflow a smaller buffer to cause drops. In this paper, we investigate the relation between buffer size and the shrew sending rate required to cause damage. Using a simple mathematical model, we show that a relatively small increase in the buffer size over the value proposed by Appenzeller is sufficient to render the shrew attack ineffective. Intuitively, bigger buffers require the shrews to transmit at much higher rates to fill the router queue. However, by doing so, shrews are no longer low-rate attacks and can be detected by active queue management (AQM) techniques such as RED-PD. We verified our analysis through simulations showing that a moderate increase in the buffer size, coupled with an AQM mechanism is adequate to achieve high link utilization while protecting TCP flows from shrew attacks.
Norm optimal ILC with time-varying weighting matrices

In this paper, we focus on improving performance and robustness in precision motion control (PMC) of multi-axis systems through the use of time-varying weighting matrices. A Norm Optimal (N.O.) framework is used to design optimal learning filters based on design objectives. The general N.O. framework is reformatted to include time-varying weighting matrices which enable the controller to take the trajectory, position-dependent dynamics, and time-varying disturbances into consideration when designing the optimal learning controller. A general approach for designing the different weighting matrices is included. The time-varying weighting approach of this framework enables one to focus on individual components that affect the system at different times throughout the trajectory independently. The performance benefits of time-varying weighting matrices are illustrated through simulation and experimental testing on a multi-axis robotic testbed.
Who stereotypes female candidates? Identifying individual differences in feminine stereotype reliance

Increasing numbers of women are running for political office at the local, state, and national levels. Existing research offers unclear conclusions about whether feminine stereotypes are an electoral constraint for female candidates. An underlying assumption in this scholarship is that all types of individuals rely on similar processes to form electoral assessments of female candidates. This study tests the assumption of equitable stereotype reliance across individuals. I integrate theories from psychology about which types of individuals are most likely to use stereotypes to judge others, and consider how these determinants operate in a political context. I argue that whether an individual relies on feminine stereotypes to evaluate a female candidate depends on characteristics such as attention to politics, partisanship, and other relevant demographic characteristics. An original survey experiment identifies how individual characteristics affect whether a voter turns to feminine stereotypes when a woman ...
Operating SECDED-based caches at ultra-low voltage with FLAIR

Voltage scaling is often limited by bit failures in large on-chip caches. Prior approaches for enabling cache operation at low voltages rely on correcting cache lines with multi-bit failures. Unfortunately, multi-bit Error Correcting Codes (ECC) incur significant storage overhead and complex logic. Our goal is to develop solutions that enable ultra-low voltage operation while incurring minimal changes to existing SECDED-based cache designs. We exploit the observation that only a small percentage of cache lines have multi-bit failures. We propose FLexible And Introspective Replication (FLAIR) that performs two-way replication for part of the cache during testing to maintain robustness, and disables lines with multi-bit failures after testing. FLAIR leverages the correction features of existing SECDED code to greatly improve on simple two-way replication. FLAIR provides a Vmin of 485mv (similar to ECC-8) and maintains robustness to soft-error, while incurring a storage overhead of only one bit per cache line.