cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of polysaccharides in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm development

During the past decade, there has been a renewed interest in using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model system for biofilm development and pathogenesis. Since the biofilm matrix represents a crucial interface between the bacterium and the host or its environment, considerable effort has been expended to acquire a more complete understanding of the matrix composition. Here, we focus on recent developments regarding the roles of alginate, Psl, and Pel polysaccharides in the biofilm matrix.
Method for two dimensional honeypot in a web application

Web applications Security is an ongoing dilemma as hackers and bots are getting more and more innovative bypassing the various defensive tools implemented to enforce security. e-Commerce Applications, such as those used for the check-out process, could be in a position of not providing a fair chance to all consumers. This is especially true when a commerce site offers hot inventory items where many traders are competing to get a limited supply item. What happens is the e-Commerce sites security is compromised when some of the traders utilize preformatted scripts/ spiders to place orders, thus giving them an unfair advantage The problem is: how to eliminate scripts/spiders in a given web application flow by using a solution that is non-practical to crack with no additional actions taken by the end user. Our paper introduces an innovative multilayer approach to honeypots cashing or bypassing it is technically impractical, resulting in well secured web forms.
Clutter locus equation for more general linear array orientation

The clutter locus is an important concept in space-time adaptive processing (STAP) for ground moving target indicator (GMTI) radar systems. The clutter locus defines the expected ground clutter location in the angle-Doppler domain. Typically in literature, the clutter locus is presented as a line, or even a set of ellipsoids, under certain assumptions about the geometry of the array. Most often, the array is assumed to be in the horizontal plane containing the velocity vector. This paper will give a more general 3-dimensional interpretation of the clutter locus for a general linear array orientation.
Peer review in a New York chapter of the ACNM 1987–1994

This article is an overview of peer review in Region 2, Chapter 1 (New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties) of the New York chapter of the American College of Nurse-Midwives from 1987 to 1994. It includes a review of the legal and ethical issues, philosophy, process, standards, and procedure for site review. Problems, findings, and the future of peer review in New York are discussed.
The Complexity of Partnerships in Personalisation

Partnerships working to support special educational needs and disabilities, edited by R. Tutt, 2011, London, Sage, 122 pp. + index, AUS$47.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-85702-148-9 Today’s schools inc...
Effects of Crotalus atrox venom on the permeability of human lung tissues to d-glucose-6-C14☆

Abstract Permeability studies of the action of Crotalus atrox venom have been made. Lung epithelial cells are permeable to d -Glucose-6-C 14 either in the presence of or absence of venom. A decrease in permeability correlated to an increase of venom concentration and incubation time was noted. An enzymatically controlled transport with a phosphorylation mechanism is believed to be involved.
IMISSAR: an intelligent, mobile middleware solution for secure automatic reconfiguration of applications, utilizing a feature model approach

Mobile computing has grown to be one of the most prevalent forms of computing; used by millions of users across the world. Mobile computing has changed the way we interact with computing devices, and each other. However, mobile devices are still resource-scarce; they contain less powerful processors, energy-constraints, low memory, and spotty network connection as compared to dedicated computing terminals such as a Personal Computer. While mobile devices as a whole remain constrained, individual device lines have varying levels of resources and capabilities that make every device line different from the other device lines. With these constraints in mind, this paper attempts to offer a feature-rich, resource-efficient middleware. This middleware, referred to as IMISSAR, offers context-awareness, an intelligent knowledge-base to handle errors, and, most importantly, automatic reconfiguration of applications; which allows the device to switch applications from executing locally, to executing remotely. This paper goes through the operation and design of this middleware, presenting a feature model, and design specifications.
What managers should know about their competitors' patented technologies

Abstract This article examines the structure of technological research and the number of patents granted in a specific technological area. Results indicate that even in a single technological area, the level of research activity is strongly associated with the way research is structured among competing firms. The results can help managers use accessible patent data to better understand the actions of technological competitors.
Differences among Yanomama Indian villages: Do the patterns of allele frequencies, anthropometrics and map locations correspond?

In order to determine the degree of correspondence between sets of multivariate observations based on different kinds of traits, two new methods, derived from fundamentally different notions of “correspondence,” are adopted here and compared. Using networks or trees to represent contemporary relationships, the first method tests the similarity of the cluster or hierarchic structures implicit in two sets of data. The second approach tests the departure from perfect geometric congruence or superimposability. Computer simulation was used to generate the distributions needed for significance tests under the null hypothesis. By the first technique, we find significant correspondence among the cluster structures for geographic, allele frequency, and anthropometric data on 19 Yanomama Indian villages. The results are similar and more precise for a subset consisting of seven villages. Some of these results differ from the conclusions which would be reached with the conventional correlations based upon entries in distance tables. The direct test of congruence, used only for the data on the subset of seven villages, gives results which differ substantially from those based on cluster-structure. There are, however, similarities between the measure of congruence and the simple correlations based on entries in the distance tables. The significant correspondences observed call for some explanation. Cultural and demographic features determine the particular non-random allocation of individuals to village fragments when a village splits. These social phenomena are invoked in tentative explanation of the agreement among historical, biological, and geographic relationships of villages.
The Alzheimer's beta-secretase enzyme BACE1 is required for accurate axon guidance of olfactory sensory neurons and normal glomerulus formation in the olfactory bulb

Background The β-secretase, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), is a prime therapeutic target for lowering cerebral β-amyloid (Aβ) levels in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Clinical development of BACE1 inhibitors is being intensely pursued. However, little is known about the physiological functions of BACE1, and the possibility exists that BACE1 inhibition may cause mechanism-based side effects. Indeed, BACE1-/- mice exhibit a complex neurological phenotype. Interestingly, BACE1 co-localizes with presynaptic neuronal markers, indicating a role in axons and/or terminals. Moreover, recent studies suggest axon guidance molecules are potential BACE1 substrates. Here, we used a genetic approach to investigate the function of BACE1 in axon guidance of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), a well-studied model of axon targeting in vivo.
MR-Guided percutaneous ethanol ablation of liver tissue in a .2-T open MR system: Preliminary study in porcine model

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of MR-guided percutaneous ethanol ablation of liver tissue on a .2-T open MR scanner. Needles were placed by MR guidance first into an ex vivo sheep liver and then into livers of three anesthetized pigs, and injection of 10 ml of 96% alcohol was performed. T1 fast low-angle shot (FLASH), T2 turbo spin echo (TSE), and T1 spin echo (SE) images were obtained after incremental volumes of injection. In one pig, simultaneous injection of saline into normal liver was also performed with subsequent pathological correlation. Ethanol-infiltrated liver was hypointense to liver on all sequences, whereas saline caused no tissue signal changes on T1 SE and either isointense or hyperintense changes on T2 TSE images. Pathological examination confirmed ethanol-induced acute liver changes as compared with the control. MR guidance of needle placement and monitoring of ethanol effects on liver tissue is feasible. This may have implications for potential MR-guided hepatic tumor ablation.
PIKfyve: PARTNERS, SIGNIFICANCE, DEBATES AND PARADOXES

Key components of membrane trafficking and signaling machinery in eukaryotic cells are proteins that bind or synthesize phosphoinositides. PIKfyve, a product of an evolutionarily conserved single-copy gene has both these features. It binds to membrane phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns)3P and synthesizes PtdIns(3,5)P2 and PtdIns5P. Molecular functions of PIKfyve are elusive but recent advances are consistent with a key role in the course of endosomal transport. PIKfyve dysfunction induces endosome enlargement and profound cytoplasmic vacuolation, likely as a result of impaired normal endosome processing and membrane exit out of endosomes. Multicellular organisms with genetically impaired function of PIKfyve or that of the PIKfyve protein partners regulating PtdIns(3,5)P2 homeostasis display severe disorders, including embryonic/perinatal death. This review describes recent advances on PIKfyve functionality in higher eukaryotes, with particular reference to biochemical and genetic insights in PIKfyve protein partners.
Rheology of neck formation in the cold drawing of polymeric fibers

SYNOPSIS An asymptotic formula has been obtained for the axial tension in nonlinear viscoelastic fibers undergoing inhomogeneous stretch. The formula, which is valid to within an error of the fourth order in diameter, expresses the tension per unit cross-sectional area in terms of the history of the local axial stretch and its first two derivatives with respect to distance along the fiber axis. The theory obtained by treating the formula as exact is consistent with thermodynamical principles, and permits computation of the stretch field resulting from a specified tensile loading history. Numerical results for creep under static load show that for an appropriate class of materials with slowly fading memory there is a range of applied loads for which an initially homogeneous deformation evolves into a well-defined neck whose edges, after a period of relatively quiescent incubation, advance rapidly along the fiber and in so doing transform moderately stretched material into highly stretched, i.e., drawn material. The calculated fiber profiles and the predicted dynamics of neck formation are in accord with familiar observations of neck formation in polymeric materials susceptible to cold drawing.
Tracing developmental trends in Ira Gordon's programs for children and families

Abstract Ira Gordon's work in the area of child and family services is traced for six of his programs according to two main trends: (1) perceptions of families through the years and the changing roles of parents in the education of their children; and (2) curriculum changes in activities brought into homes. Gordon's programs, some being initiated as early as 1966, focused upon parents, infants, toddlers, and school-age children and utilized home visitations as a major intervention strategy. Evidence of successes reported for these programs has shown the impact of early intervention upon children as well as their families, school, and community.
Quantitating carbon monoxide production from heme by vascular plant preparations in vitro.

Abstract Heme in animals is mainly degraded enzymatically, producing a predictable amount of carbon monoxide (CO). Under some conditions, alternative sources of CO production are important, such as lipid peroxidation and photo-oxidation. Less is known about CO production in plants as a reflection of enzymatic activity or coupled oxidation, but a sensitive assay for CO production in plants would be a valuable tool to explore the various sources in plants as the conditions of the reactions and mechanisms are defined. Using gas chromatography, we determined the requirements for heme-supported in vitro CO generation by exogenous reactants (NADPH, tissue supernatant, oxygen), optimum reaction conditions (time, temperature, pH, light), and effects of various cofactors and substrates using supernatants from Spinacia oleracea (spinach) leaf and Solanum tuberosa (potato) tuber homogenates. We then determined the CO production rate distribution between organ (root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit) supernatants in a number of commercially available plant species. CO production ranged from 4–65 nmol CO/h/g fresh weight and occurred in all vascular plant tissues examined, with the highest rates in chloroplast-containing tissues. In spinach leaves, CO production was concentrated (>2-fold) in the particulate fraction, whereas in potato tubers, the particulate fraction accounted for
Numerical Investigation of Cavity-Vane Interactions within the Ultra Compact Combustor

Abstract : A numerical analysis and design optimization of the Ultra Compact Combustor (UCC) has been conducted. The UCC is a combustor designed to incorporate high-g loadings to increase flame propagation speed while reducing flame length, thereby helping to significantly reduce the size of a combustor. Since real experimental tests are expensive and construction time is prohibitive to test many different design configurations, CFD modeling of the UCC is used to speed up the design optimization process while reducing the overall costs. The CFD models have been validated by comparison to data from recent experimental tests. The use of periodic sections and grid independence were validated as well. Modifications to the physical configuration were then modeled using CFD. The shortening of the cavity was found to reduce the harmful emissions in the exhaust. Increasing the angle to 45 deg. and 55 deg. of the air inlets further improved the emissions by increasing the residence time of the fuel particles in the cavity. Aerodynamically improving the vane reduced the pressure loss of the combustor by up to 25%. The increased vane height was an initial step in scaling up the UCC to operational configurations. Of the models in this research, the most improved configuration was found to be the 45 deg. air inlet on the shortest cavity.
Variations in aggrecan localization and gene expression patterns characterize increasing stages of human intervertebral disk degeneration.

Abstract During disk degeneration, annulus dehydration and matrix fraying culminate in the formation of tears through which nucleus and annulus disk material may rupture, causing radicular pain. Annular tears are present in more than half of the patients in early adulthood and are almost always present in the elderly. Aggrecan, which provides the disk with a shock absorber function under loading, is a key disk extracellular matrix (ECM) component. The objective of the present study was to assess the immunolocalization of aggrecan in the annulus, and to assess molecular gene expression patterns in the annulus ECM utilizing microarray analysis. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 45 specimens using an anti-human aggrecan antibody. Affymetrix microarray gene expression studies used the extracellular matrix ontology approach to evaluate an additional 6 grade I–II, 9 grade III, and 4 grade IV disks. Grade III/IV disks were compared to healthier grade I/II disks. Healthy and less degenerated disks showed a general uniform aggrecan immunolocalization; more degenerated disks contained regions with little or no identifiable aggrecan localization. In degenerated disks, molecular studies showed a significant downregulation of aggrecan, ADAMTS-like 3, and ADAMTS10. Collagen types III and VIII, fibronectin, decorin, connective tissue growth factor, TIMP-3, latent TGF-β binding protein 2 and TGF-β1 were significantly upregulated with fold changes ranging from 2.4 to 9.8. Findings here help us better understand changes in the immunohistochemical distribution of a key proteoglycan during disk aging. Such information may have application as we work towards biologic therapies to improve the aging/degenerating disk matrix.
A Program for Computing Rank Correlations From Ordered Contingency Tables

Formulas and a FORTRAN program for computing Kendall's tau as well as a generalized Spearman rho coefficient from ordered contingency tables are described. Relative advantages and disadvantages of tau and rho as measures of association are considered. The program can be used for analyzing ranked data from many subjects on two variables or for comparing the responses of one subject with the correct responses to an ordered multicategory item.
Automatic linguistic classification

Many investigators have recognized that sophisticated mechanical translation or other computational linguistic systems will require language learnign capabilities, both in the ability to discover and verify new descriptive rules, and to adapt rules to new situations of use.The work plan of a long-range series of experiments in automatic linguistic classification is described, together with a discussion of the first experiment now in progress. The latter is concerned with category identification. In particular the data resulting from automatic syntactic analysis of English texts will be used to identify syntactic categories which have similar membership.The series of experiments will accordingly combine the use of automatic linguistic analysis and automatic classification techniques. Automatic syntactic analysis, and in later experiments semantic analysis, will be performed within the Linguistics Research System (LRS). Automatic classification will be carried out within the Automatic Classification System (ACS). Both of these computer systems have been developed by the Linguistics Research Center.LRS is a large-capacity system designed especially to support research in computational linguistics. It currently has the capability of performing several types of generalized translation, and of transferring information among any number of languages through the use of interlingual descriptions. This system operates under its own monitor.ACS is a Fortran IV system operating under the IBSYS monitor. It performs a variety of classification operations on large universes of objects having specified properties. Either objects or properties may be classified, and correlations may be computed among resulting classes.A programming interface is being constructed between these two systems so that their combined capabilities can be used for automatic linguistic classification.
Status report on dental anesthetic needles and syringes

The physical characteristics of needles and syringes are reviewed and several cautionary measures are pointed out. The aspiration of blood during intraoral local anesthetic injections is discussed. Sharp, disposable, inexpensive sterile needles; finely engineered syringes; a variety of similar local anesthetic cartridges; and an ever-expanding understanding of biomedical sciences applied to local anesthetics have all blended to enable dentistry to offer patients increasing safety and freedom from pain. This paper reviews local anesthetic needles and syringes. Comments will be made on aspiration of blood during intraoral local anesthetic injections, some of the possible technical misadventures, and recommendations of the councils for future studies and development. Guidelines for accepting syringes for promotion through Association media as formulated by the Council on Dental Materials and Devices follow this report.
Is Foreign Aid Fungible? The Case of Indonesia

This paper considers whether foreign aid given for specific categories of expenditure is fungible among them and whether aid reduces tax effort by the recipient government. Models developed to analyze the fiscal relations among different levels of government in the United States are applied to analysis of the impact of foreign aid. Econometric analysis of data for Indonesia reveals that aid is largely spent as the donors intended, that aid does not lead to a reduction in tax effort, and that aid is not diverted to nondevelopment current expenditures. Copyright 1990 by Royal Economic Society.
DWI convictions linked to a higher risk of alcohol-related aircraft accidents.

This paper assesses whether persons convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI) are at increased risk of alcohol-related general aviation accidents. Past research has shown a clear link between DWI convictions and pilot-error accidents in commercial aviation. However, no study in the literature has addressed whether DWI convictions are associated with an increased risk of alcohol-related aircraft accidents. To evaluate a hypothesis, a total of 308 912 pilot records over a 10-year period were analyzed using logistic regression. After potentially confounding variables were controlled, DWI convictions were found to be associated with alcohol-related aviation accidents. Pilots with DWI convictions were about 3.5 times more likely than pilots without convictions to have alcohol-related general aviation accidents. Actual or potential applications of this research include providing policy makers with data-driven information that is useful in improving decisions related to the medical certification of pilots.
Critical angle and energy of DCS surface for e‐argon scattering

The differential scattering cross-section (DCS) for electrons scattered elastically by Argon atoms is studied using a model potential. In the current study the long-range polarization potential is represented by an energy-dependent function in the form: Vp(E,r) = αd/[r + ξ(a,b,E)]4, and the short-range part is constructed from the nonrelativistic Hartree–Fock wavefunction of the target atom in the form Vs(r) = (2Z/r)ΣnCnexp{−nCor}. Accurate phase shifts have been computed for angular momentum in the range 0 < l < 13 from the Schrodinger equation and for 13 < l < 1000 using the Born approximation. The computed DCS obtained using the approximate effective interaction potential for electrons scattered by the target atoms in their ground state is compared with available published results. In the current study the parameters contained in the energy-dependent polarization potential are determined by the minimization of the DCS with respect to angle θ and the incident energy of E. The critical values of angle and energy (θc, Ec) are found to be (117.8°, 120.8 eV), (64.6°, 43.0 eV), and (141.2°, 40.7 eV). The resulting DCS in the angular range 2° < θ < 178° is found to be an improvement over earlier results and in better agreement with the available experimental data in the intermediate energy range. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Treatment of landfill leachate by the Fenton process

In recent years, studies of leachate treatment by conventional Fenton, photo-Fenton and electro-Fenton processes have indicated that these methods can effectively reduce concentrations of organic contaminants and color. In addition, the process can increase the biodegradable fraction of organic constituents in leachate, particularly in mature or biologically recalcitrant leachate. Oxidation and coagulation both play important roles in the removal of organics. Initial pH, dosages of Fenton reagents, aeration, final pH, reagent addition mode, temperature, and UV irradiation may influence final treatment efficiency. In this paper, current knowledge of performance and economics of Fenton processes for treatment of landfill leachate as reported for laboratory, pilot and full-scale studies is reviewed, with the conclusion that the Fenton process is an important and competitive technology for the treatment or pretreatment of landfill leachate.
Spectroscopy of molecular oxygen in the atmospheres of Venus and Mars

The abundances of molecular oxygen in the atmospheres of Venus and Mars are sensitive to fundamental photochemical processes. A new upper limit is reported for the molecular oxygen mixing ratio (O2/CO2 less than 3 x 10 to the -7th) in the integrated column above the visible cloud tops of Venus, based on spectroscopic observations carried out in early spring, 1982. During the same observing period, an O2 column abundance of 8.5 cm-am for the atmosphere of Mars was measured, slightly below the O2 abundances measured a decade earlier.
The macromolecular nature of bituminous coal

Abstract Considerable insight into the macromolecular state of coal has been obtained by examining the optical anisotropy of untreated solvent-swollen, and chemically derivatized thin sections of coal. From the effect of pressure on the optical anisotropy, and from the rate and degree of recovery after release of pressure, it was found possible to determine whether the coal is in a plastic or rubbery state, whether a rubbery state is cross-linked and how mobile the macromolecular chain segments are. The experimental technique utilized for this work was transmission optical microscopy in polarized light of uncontaminated thin sections of vitrinite from a bituminous coal. The study included in-situ microscopic examination of swollen coal immersed in pyridine, THF, toluene and several other solvents. Some samples were O -methylated to assess the impact of hydrogen bonding. New results and conclusions derived from this study include: (1) the vitrinite of raw bituminous coal is a plastic macromolecular substance; (2) coal swollen in pyridine (and some other ‘specific’ solvents) is a cross-linked rubber and its macromolecular chain segments have substantial mobility; (3) when pyridine-extracted coal dries, it reverts to a plastic; (4) the large discrepancies previously found between values of M c (molecular weight between crosslinks) measured by solvent-swelling and by stress-strain techniques is caused by differences in secondary interactions; (5) various solvents can, by their effect on secondary interactions, create appreciably different macromolecular structures in the coal; (6) different solvents, depending on their effect on secondary interactions in the coal, can be expected to extract chemically different molecules from a coal - rates of extraction and the ability of solvents to extract larger molecules should also differ; (7) O -methylated coal is a plastic, and thus, in addition to hydrogen bonding, other secondary interactions are of great importance; (8) it is likely that in their dry condition, solvent-treated coal and O -alkylated coal, as well as untreated coal, are in glassy states; (9) pyridine by itself appears to relax substantially all secondary interactions which are weakened by O -methylation, only permanent bonds are not relaxed; (10) previous measurements of M c can now be reassessed in view of these results.
Wading through the World of Wikis: An Analysis of Three Wiki Projects.

With the increasing popularity of Web 2.0 tools, it only follows that these technologies are adapted to our foreign language classroom practices. Research shows their numerous advantages as participatory tools that foster communication and collaboration. This study focuses on one such tool, the wiki, and describes the implementation of three different wiki projects (micropedia, branching story, and pre-reading) in three university intermediate foreign language classes (French, Spanish, and German). The objective is two-fold: to investigate (1) the type of collaboration that wikis foster, and (2) students’ perceptions of this collaborative work. Results from a post-experimental questionnaire point to the positive effect of wikis on students’ motivation to use the foreign language, while revealing varying degrees of satisfaction with collaborative work.
Spin-wave turbulence

Abstract A high resolution study is made of spin-wave dynamics above the Suhl threshold in a sphere of yttrium iron garnet driven by microwave ferromagnetic resonance. In different regions of parameter space observed behavior includes: excitation of a single spatial spin-wave mode at threshold; when two modes are excited, low frequency collective oscillations with a period doubling route to chaos; nonperiodic relaxation oscillations when three modes are excited, quasiperiodic route to chaos; abrupt hysteretic onset of wide-band chaos. These results are accounted for in a unified way by numerical iteration of a model: coupled quantum oscillators representing the photons of the cavity and the magnons, including four-magnon scattering processes.
Predictors of the degree of drug treatment coverage for injection drug users in 94 metropolitan areas in the United States of America

Abstract Aims A prior study concluded that drug treatment coverage, defined as the percentage of injection drug users in drug treatment, varied from 1 percent to 39 percent (median 9 percent) in 96 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the United States. Here, we determine which metropolitan area characteristics are associated with drug treatment coverage. Methods We conducted secondary analysis of official data, including the number of injection drug users in treatment and other variables, for 94 large US MSAs. We estimated the number of injection drug users in these metropolitan areas using previously described methods. We used lagged cross-sectional analyses where the independent variables, chosen on the basis of a Theory of Community Action, preceded the dependent variable (drug treatment coverage) in time. Predictors were determined using ordinary least squares multiple regression and confirmed with robust regression. Results Independent predictors of higher drug treatment coverage for injectors were: presence of organisations that support treatment (unstandardized beta=1.64; 95 percent CI .59 to 2.69); education expenditures per capita in the MSA (unstandardized beta=.12; 95 percent CI −.34 to 2.69); lower percentage of drug users in treatment who are non-injection drug users (unstandardized beta=−0.18; 95 percent CI −0.24 to −0.12); higher percentage of the population who are non-Hispanic White (unstandardized beta=.14; 95 percent CI .08 to .20); lower per capita long-term debt of governments in the metropolitan area (unstandardized beta=−0.93; 95 percent CI −1.51 to −0.35). Conclusions In conditions of scarce treatment coverage for drug injectors, an indicator of epidemiologic need (the per capita extent of AIDS among injection drug users) does not predict treatment coverage, and competition for treatment slots by non-injectors may reduce injectors' access to treatment. Metropolitan finances limit treatment coverage. Political variables (racial structures, the presence of organisations that support drug treatment, and budget priorities) may be important determinants of treatment coverage for injectors. Although confidence in these results would be higher if we had used a longitudinal design, these results suggest that further research and action that address structural, political, and other barriers to treatment expansion are sorely needed.
THE VALIDITY OF A SOCIAL INDICATOR APPROACH TO SUBSTANCE MISUSE NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Factors other than the magnitude of a community's drug- or alcohol-use-related problems may play a large role in resource allocation. Needs assessment approaches such as key informant interviews and household surveys can contribute to a more informed process. An additional approach to needs assessment, social indicator modeling, addresses the high cost of surveys and the potential subjectivity of key informant interviews. This paper discusses the history of social indicator approaches to needs assessment and reviews recent equitable distribution approaches. An equitable distribution model of alcohol- and other drug-use-related problems was created and validated. The drug model accounted for close to 50% of the variation in estimates of lifetime diagnosis of drug dependence or misuse. The alcohol model performed less successfully, accounting for 21% of the variation in lifetime diagnosis of alcohol-use-related problems.
The combination of fluoride and chlorhexidine-thymol varnishes prevents progression of root surface lesions in institutionalized elderly people

Abstract Original article Brailsford SR, Fiske J, Gilbert S, Clark D, Beighton D. The effects of the combination of chlorhexidine/thymol- and fluoride-containing varnishes on the severity of root caries lesions in frail institutionalized elderly people. J Dent 2002;30:319-24. Level of evidence 2b Purpose To compare the clinical and microbiological effects of a combined fluoride-containing varnish and chlorhexidine-thymol varnish (test group) with the effects of a combined fluoride-containing varnish and placebo varnish (control group) in institutionalized elderly people with root caries Source of funding The South Thames Regional Health Authority; varnishes were provided by Ivoclair-Vivadent Type of study/design Randomized controlled trial
Synthesis of a photocaged tamoxifen for light-dependent activation of Cre-ER recombinase-driven gene modification

We report the design of a water-soluble, quaternized tamoxifen photoprobe and demonstrate its application in light-controlled induction of green fluorescent protein expression via a Cre-ER recombinase system.
Methodology for Discovering and Teaching Countertransference Toward Elderly Clients

Abstract This article will describe a method that has been effective in helping students, paraprofessional counselors as well as mental health professionals identify countertransference reactions in themselves. It offers instructors and clinical supervisors a way to teach about countertransference toward elderly clients. This technique can be utilized in a variety of work settings such as classrooms, mental health clinics, multi-purpose centers for older adults and private practice.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-induced feeding behavior in female rats: comparison with human NPY ([Met17]NPY), NPY analog ([norLeu4]NPY) and peptide YY

Abstract Porcine neuropeptide Y (pNPY) administered into the third ventricle of the brain is known to elicit a powerful feeding response in steroid-treated ovariectomized and intact male rats. The present study compared the effects of pNPY and 3 structurally related peptides, human NPY (hNPY), an analog of NPY (NPY-A, [norLeu 4 ]NPY) and peptide YY (PYY) on feeding behavior in intact female rats. Intraventricular administration of pNPY, hNPY, NPY-A and PYY over a dose range of 0.5 to 10 μg evoked feeding behavior to a varying extent. Cumulative food intake during 60 and 120 min was increased in a dose-related fashion at 0.5 and 2.0 μg for the 4 peptides. Whereas the 10-μg dose of pNPY evoked a feeding response smaller than that seen after 2 μg, the responses to either 10 μg hNPY or 10 μg PYY were similar to that seen after 2 μg. The effects of these peptides on the time spent eating were quite different: while pNPY increased the time spent eating, this effect was not dose-related, whereas hNPY, NPY-A and PYY produced dose-related increments in the time spent eating. The most dramatic increment in local eating rate was observed after 2.0 μg pNPY, with lesser increments seen after 2.0 μg hNPY and NPY-A. This increased local eating was apparently responsible for the highest cumulative food intake observed. These results demonstrate that (a) 2 μg pNPY is equally effective in stimulating feeding behavior in intact female rats as it is in steroid-primed ovariectomized female and intact male rats; (b) like the other members of the pancreatic polypeptide family, the PYY-stimulated feeding response was smaller than seen after pNPY; (c) in general, the cumulative food intake response, when compared with that evoked by pNPY, is reduced after substitution of either single, as in hNPY and NPY-A, or multiple amino acids as in the case of the members of the pancreatic polypeptide family, including PYY and (d) surprisingly, unlike pNPY, the other peptides tested facilitate the time spent eating response in a dose-related fashion. Further studies are needed to identify those active moieties in pNPY and other polypeptides of the pancreatic polypeptide family that impart differential effects on components of the feeding behavior in rats.
Surface-plasmon mediated near-field light diffraction

The electromagnetic response of an arbitrary array of multiple slits perforated on a metallic film and filled with different slit dielectric materials is studied in an analytical way. As a specific example, we consider a triple-slit structure perforated on a gold film, where the middle slit is used for the surface-plasmon excitation by a narrow Gaussian beam while the other two side slits are used for the detection of a transmitted surface-plasmon wave propagated from the middle opaque slit either at a particular wavelength or at double that wavelength, respectively. For this particular structure, we show that only one of the two side observation slits can be in a passing state for a particular wavelength, but the other blocked slit will change to a passing state at double that wavelength with a specific design for the slit depth, silt dielectric and inter-slit distance in the deep sub-wavelength regime. In this sense, we create a surface-plasmon mediated light diffraction in the near-filed regime.
ALTERATIONS IN CELLULAR PROLIFERATION AND INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC HYPEROXIA IN NEONATAL MICE ♦ 1620

ALTERATIONS IN CELLULAR PROLIFERATION AND INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC HYPEROXIA IN NEONATAL MICE ♦ 1620
The structure and dynamics of the mantle wedge

A large amount of water is brought into the Earth’s mantle at subduction zones. Upon subduction, water is released from the subducting slab in a series of metamorphic reactions. The resulting flux into the mantle wedge modifies its chemical and physical properties by mineral hydration with associated weakening, flux melting and changes in the dynamics and thermal structure of subduction zones. Water guides the formation of volcanoes, earthquakes, continent formation and the long-term chemical evolution of the Earth’s mantle. Recent observational advances include the better documentation of the role of water in causing melting from minor and trace elements in arc lavas, improved structure of the mantle wedge derived from seismic tomography, and documentation of hydration of the mantle wedge from converted phases. High-pressure experiments allow for a quantification of the role of water on seismic velocities and attenuation and rheological changes, which provide essential input into models of subduction zones. Computational models provide additional evidence for the importance of the mantle wedge in subduction zone dynamics.
A simple motor controller for computer-assisted microscopy

Abstract A very simple controller has been built which allows a laboratory computer to drive a stepping motor stage and focus axis motor of a research light microscope. Its cost is minimal; negligible in comparison to the controllers offered by the microscope manufacturers. A subroutine has been written to enable the programmer to control the microscope easily. The controller has been installed in the UNC neuron reconstruction system and functions very well.
Expert and novice performance in solving physics problems

Although a sizable body of knowledge is prerequisite to expert skill, that knowledge must be indexed by large numbers of patterns that, on recognition, guide the expert in a fraction of a second to relevant parts of the knowledge store. The knowledge forms complex schemata that can guide a problem's interpretation and solution and that constitute a large part of what we call physical intuition.
Design-for-Manufacturability Assessment for Integrated Circuits Using RADAR

Design for manufacturability (DFM) is essential because of the formidable challenges encountered in nano-scale integrated circuit (IC) fabrication. Unfortunately, it is difficult for designers to understand the cost-benefit tradeoff when tuning their design through DFM to achieve better manufacturability. This paper attempts to assist the designer in meeting this challenge by providing a methodology, called rule assessment of defect-affected regions (RADAR), which uses failing-IC diagnosis results to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of DFM rules. RADAR is applied to the fail data from a 90 nm Nvidia graphics processing unit to demonstrate its viability. Specifically, evaluation of various DFM rules revealed that via-enclosure rules play a more important role than the density-related rules. The yield impact of resolving violations is also quantified. In addition, comprehensive simulation experiments have shown RADAR to be accurate and effective for performing DFM evaluation.
Extreme genetic risk for type 1A diabetes in the post-genome era.

A series of genes and loci influencing the genetic risk of type 1A (immune-mediated) diabetes are now well characterized. These include genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), polymorphisms 5′ of the insulin gene, and PTPN22, as well as more recently defined loci from genome-wide association studies. By far the major determinants of risk for type 1A diabetes are genes within or linked to the MHC and in particular alleles of class II genes (HLA-DR, DQ, and DP). There is evidence that MHC class I alleles contribute and there are additional MHC-linked influences such that for a major subset of relatives of patients there is a risk as high as 80% for siblings, and for the general population a risk as high as 20% can be defined at birth just by analyzing the MHC. We believe the search for additional MHC loci will require analysis of the remarkable long-range identity (up to 9 million base pairs) of extended MHC haplotypes. Current prediction algorithms will likely be greatly improved for the general population when the additional contributing loci of the MHC are defined.
Rubidium-87 NMR studies of rubidium salts and complexes with 18-crown-6 and cryptand-222 in solutions

Abstract Rubidium-87 NMR measurements were used to study the behavior of the Rb+ ion in water, methanol, and propylene carbonate solutions. In aqueous solutions the 87Rb chemical shift varies linearly with the mean activity of the salt. In methanol and propylene carbonate solutions the relationship is linear only at high salt concentrations. The resonance lines are broad and vary from ∼ 150 Hz (at half height) in water to ∼ 1000 Hz in propylene carbonate. Additions of macrocyclic ligands 18C6 and C222 to Rb+ solutions in the three solvents result in further broadening of the resonance line so that variations in the resonance frequency cannot be measured with a reasonable precision.
Confirming the Kleitman-Winston conjecture on the largest coefficient in a q -Catalan number

Abstract In 1983 Kleitman and Winston conjectured that the largest coefficient in an n th q -Catalan number is of order O (4 n / n 3/2 ). Assuming its truth, they proved that the total number of n -tournament score sequences is O (4 n / n 5/2 ), thus matching their own lower bound. Our purpose is to confirm the conjecture.
Gravity orientation and woven drainage structures in coalescing filters

Coalescing filters are used to remove liquid aerosols from gas streams. The captured liquid typically drains from the filter by action of gravity. The saturation or hold-up of liquid in the filter constricts the gas flow, increases pressure drop, and increases the operating costs of the filter. Filter performance can be improved if the liquid saturation is reduced without reduction in capture efficiency. In this paper filter media are modified with drainage structures to reduce saturation and to reduce drag resistance. The media are tested in horizontal and vertical orientations to determine whether their orientation with gravity influences the performance. The experimental results show that with no-drainage-channels the media oriented with flow vertically downward operates the best whereas with drainage channels the horizontally oriented media had the best performance. The results also show embedded woven drainage channels at 45° downward angles have the overall best performance. These results are limited to glass microfiber media and woven polymer meshes as drainage channels. The results show significant improvements in filter performance and warrant a more extensive study.
Note on Rashevsky's equation for cellular growth

The equation for growth by intussusception involves the product of the internal concentrations ofn metabolites. This products is shown, in general, to satisfy a certain algebraic equation of then-th degree. Approximate solutions are exhibited for a somewhat wider class of cases than are considered by Rashevsky.
Prospects for fertility reduction and projections for future population growth in Kenya

In 1979 Kenya's annual rate of natural population growth was 3.8%. Data from the1989 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey indicate that significant decreases in fertility levels were experienced during the 1980s. Factors associated with conditions supportive of high fertility in Kenya are discussed, and progress toward attaining significant fertility reduction thresholds during the 1980s is assessed. Findings from recent fertility surveys are presented, and 1969–1989 national level family planning data are evaluated. Four population projections for 1985–2025 are presented and analyzed. One projection is based on official government growth targets; two are based on estimates provided by the United Nations and the Population Reference Bureau, and a fourth projection is based on the assumption that Kenya will attain an annual natural population growth rate of less than 1% by the year 2025. Each projection assumes that fertility declines will be experienced. Kenya's prospects for reducing the annual population growth rate to 1% within the next sixty years and a cost-sharing development policy are addressed briefly in the concluding section. Recent data suggest that Kenya will probably not complete the demographic transition before the year 2050, but Kenya should continue to move through the transition stage.
Heparin and the phenotype of adult human vascular smooth muscle cells.

To study mechanisms controlling growth and phenotype in human vascular smooth muscle cells, we established culture conditions under which these cells proliferate rapidly and achieve life-spans of 50–60 population doublings. In medium containing heparin and heparin-binding growth factors, growth rate and life-span of human vascular smooth muscle cells increased more than 50% relative to cultures with neither supplement, and more than 20% compared to cultures supplemented only with heparin-binding growth factors. In contrast to observations made in rat vascular smooth muscle cells, smooth muscle-specific α-actin in the human cells was expressed only in the presence of heparin and colocalized with β/γ nonmuscle actins in stress fibers, not in adhesion plaques. Heparin, in the presence of heparin-binding growth factors, also caused more than 170% stimulation of tracer glucosamine incorporation into hyaluronic acid and a 7.5-fold increase in hyaluronic acid accumulation. In comparison, total sulfate incorporation into sulfated glycosaminoglycans increased by less than 40%. In light of our previous findings that heparin suppresses collagen gene expression, we conclude that heparin induces human vascular smooth muscle cells exposed to heparin-binding growth factors to remodel their extracellular matrix by altering the relative rates of hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen synthesis. The resulting hyaluronic-acid-rich, collagen-poor matrix may enhance infiltration of CD44/hyaluronate-receptor-bearing T-lymphocytes and monocytes into the vascular wall, an early event in atherogenesis.