cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early diagnostic accuracy and pathophysiologic relevance of an autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer's disease peripheral biomarker

Treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the discovery of promising drug candidates depend on early diagnosis. Few currently available diagnostic tests have significantly improved this early uncertainty, while the "gold standard" diagnosis continues to require clinical dementia in life and the presence of pathologic brain lesions of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain at autopsy. Here, the inflammatory agonist bradykinin, a small nano-peptide, that induces PKC-mediated phosphorylation of Erk1 and Erk2 in fibroblasts, was applied to punch-biopsy-obtained human skin fibroblasts. Quantitative imaging of the phosphorylated Erk1 and Erk2 bands was then used in a ratio that is mathematically configured into an AD-Biomarker Index (AD-Index). In the population described here (N=264), there were 64 autopsy examinations. Demented individuals were clinically diagnosed as AD with an overall accuracy of 78%. Among the 42 autopsy-confirmed cases for which there were also AD-Biomarker measurements, the overall accuracy of the AD-Biomarker was 98%. Among both the autopsy-confirmed and the clinically diagnosed patients, the AD-Index values were inversely correlated with the duration of disease, i.e., the time from the onset of dementia symptoms. Among the autopsy-confirmed cases, the AD-Biomarker diagnosis showed remarkably high sensitivity (97%) and specificity (100%) compared to clinical diagnosis (sensitivity: 78% and specificity: 20%). Using autopsy validation, the clinical diagnosis was only accurate at 52% level vs. the AD-Biomarker accuracy of 100% for cases with dementia not larger than 4 years of duration. Finally, application of soluble Abeta(1-42) to the fibroblasts of normal controls induced the abnormal AD-Biomarker phenotype, suggesting the pathophysiologic relevance of this AD-Biomarker measurement. In summary, the AD-Biomarker, as confirmed by autopsy validation, showed significantly higher sensitivity and specificity than did clinical diagnosis, particularly at early stages of disease, and pathophysiological relevance was demonstrated for the mechanistic basis of the AD-Biomarker measurements.
Optical wireless localization

In this paper, we explore the possibility of using directionality of free-space-optical (a.k.a. optical wireless) communications for solving the 3-D localization problem in ad-hoc networking environments. Range-based localization methods either require a higher node density (i.e., at least three other localized neighbors must exist) than required for assuring connectedness or a high-accuracy power-intensive ranging device such as a sonar or laser range finder which exceeds the form factor and power capabilities of a typical ad-hoc node. Our approach exploits the readily available directionality information provided by a physical layer using optical wireless and uses a limited number of GPS-enabled nodes, requiring a very low node density (2-connectedness, independent of the dimension of space) and no ranging technique. We investigate the extent and accuracy of localization with respect to varying node designs (e.g., increased number of transceivers with better directionality) and density of GPS-enabled and ordinary nodes as well as messaging overhead per re-localization. Although denser deployments are desirable for higher accuracy, our method still works well with sparse networks with little message overhead and small number of anchor nodes (as little as 2). We also present a proof-of-concept prototype of our FSO-based localization techniques and show the validity of our approach even with three transceivers per node.
Biocatalytic Carbon Paste Sensors Based on a Mediator Pasting Liquid

The preparation and advantages of a new generation of carbon paste enzyme electrodes where the redox mediator acts also as the pasting liquid are described. The mediator pasting liquid concept is illustrated for amperometric biosensing of glucose in connection with either the tert-pentylferrocene or n-butylferrocene mediator/binder along with the glucose oxidase enzyme. The attractive performance and advantages of the new device is indicated from comparison to a conventional carbon paste biosensor using a mineral oil binder and the dimethylferrocene electron acceptor. The simplified preparation of the biosensor is coupled with a greatly improved sensitivity and an extended linear range. The mediator pasting liquid imparts high thermal stability onto the embedded enzyme and leads to good resistance to oxygen effects. Owing to the huge mediator reservoir, stability problems associated with the leaching of the mediator are greatly reduced. The fundamental aspects of the electrode behavior have been examined ...
13C magnetic resonance evidence for anisotropic molecular motion in collagen fibrils

Abstract Relaxation times and integrated intensities have been obtained from dipolar decoupled 13 C magnetic resonance spectra of reconstituted fibrils of chick calvaria collagen enriched at the glycine C a and C′ positions. The data obtained are consistent with a model in which collagen molecules reorient about the long axis of the helix with a rotational diffusion constant ( R 1 ) of ~10 7 s −1 , a value similar to that expected for the helix in solution. Data obtained from natural abundance 13 C spectra of native (crosslinked) calf achilles tendon and rat tail tendon provide evidence of rapid anisotropic reorientation for at least 75% of the carbons in these tissues. Hence, our preliminary data indicate that, in these materials, the intermolecular interactions in the fibrilar collagen lattice can accommodate rapid reorientation at a majority of carbon sites.
A worldwide study of the impacts of information technology on healthcare costs

Due to skyrocketing healthcare costs, many hope for information technology to bring cost savings. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 earmarked $19 billion for healthcare IT, focusing on electronic health records. Other countries have also invested significantly in IT to reduce healthcare spending. IT’s impact on healthcare spending is thus of great interest to global healthcare policy makers. This paper examines how internet and personal computer use affect country-level healthcare spending for private and public healthcare organisations in 148 countries. We discovered significant differences in the impact of internet and personal computer use on healthcare cost savings in private vs. public healthcare settings. We examine the reasons for these differences and contrast them between developing vs. developed countries. We also find that the relationship between healthcare spending and IT is conditional on country-level institutional features, such as investor protections and corruption; and ...
The Relative Price of Nontraded Goods, Absorption and the Exchange Rate Policy: Chile 1974-1982

This paper examines the empirical effects of exchange rate policy and changes in absorption on the relative price of nontraded goods in Chile. Three alternative theories of relative-price determination in a developing economy are tested. These include purchasing power parity, sector specific factors, and sticky wages. The estimation results, obtained using both classical and Bayesian methods, favor the sticky wages theory. Thus, a devaluation will only have a lasting effect on the relative price of non-traded goods as long as wages are not fully indexed to the price level.
An acetylcholinesterase-inspired biomimetic toxicity sensor.

Abstract This work demonstrates the ability of an acetylcholinesterase-inspired biomimetic sensor to accurately predict the toxicity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. In surface waters used for municipal drinking water supplies, numerous pesticides and other anthropogenic chemicals have been found that inhibit AChE; however, there is currently no portable toxicity assay capable of determining the potential neurotoxicity of water samples and complex mixtures. Biological assays have been developed to determine the toxicity of unknown samples, but the short shelf-life of cells and other biological materials often make them undesirable for use in portable assays. Chemical methods and structure–activity-relationships, on the other hand, require prior knowledge on the compounds of interest that is often unavailable when analyzing environmental samples. In the toxicity assay presented here, the acetylcholinesterase enzyme has been replaced with 1-phenyl-1,2,3-butanetrione 2-oxime (PBO) a biomimetic compound that is structurally similar to the AChE active site. Using a biomimetic compound in place of the native enzyme allows for a longer shelf-life while maintaining the selective and kinetic ability of the enzyme itself. Previous work has shown the success of oxime-based sensors in the selective detection of AChE inhibitors and this work highlights the ability of an AChE-inspired biomimetic sensor to accurately predict the toxicity (LD50 and LC50) for a range of AChE inhibitors. The biomimetic assay shows strong linear correlations to LD50 (oral, rat) and LC50 (fish) values. Using a test set of eight AChE inhibitors, the biomimetic assay accurately predicted the LC50 value for 75% of the inhibitors within one order of magnitude.
Structural differences among methanol clusters (n=1–4) hydrogen-bonded to Coumarin 151

Abstract Clusters of up to four methanol molecules attached to Coumarin 151 exhibit large electronic red shifts ranging up to 3414 cm −1 . Experiments involving infrared–optical double-resonance spectroscopy (3100–3800 cm −1 ) show that different cluster sizes involve different attachment sites on the coumarin molecule. The n =1, 3 and 4 clusters are evidently attached to the NH 2 group, the 3 and 4 species being cyclic, whereas the n =2 species most likely attaches via proton donation to the 〉CO group. The structure assignments are supported by the results of semiempirical calculations.
Pneumococcal Endocarditis: Report of a Series and Review of the Literature

due to Streptococcuspneumoniae, although all three children were younger than 15 months of age. Congenital heart disease was present in two patients, calcific aortic disease in one, and mitral valve prolapse in a fourth. The remaining three patients had previously normal hearts. Meningitis occurred in five (71%7) of the seven patients. Five patients were cured of their infection: four by medical therapy alone (penicillin or vancomycin), and a fifth, by medical therapy plus valvular debridement. Two patients died: one with intractable heart failure, and the second, from the complications of cardiac surgery. Penicillin alone is effective therapy for pneumococcal endocarditis. Patients unable to tolerate penicillin may be treated with vancomycin. The percentage of cases of infective endocarditis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae has decreased from 10%-15% of all cases of endocarditis in the preantibiotic era [1] to 1%-3% today [2, 3]. The decline in incidence of this disease has occurred in spite of the continued prevalence of S. pneumoniae as a cause of bacteremia [4]. Since the last major review of pneumococcal endocarditis in 1966 [5], only sporadic reference to this disease has appeared in the medical literature, either as isolated case reports [6, 7] or in general reviews of endocarditis [8] or pneumococcal disease [9, 10]. Seven cases of pneumococcal endocarditis have been seen at Washington University Medical Center (St. Louis) in the last five years. We report these cases and review the recent literature.
Decoupled Simulation of Two-Arm Robot Systems

A method for the dynamic simulation of two robots coupled via the object is described. The approach taken is to decouple the arms and model the effects of one arm on the other using an interaction force/moment vector which is treated as a part of the forces/moments exerted on the end effector. The result (limited to the case of a rigid-body object) is a closed form expression for the interaction force/moment vector which depends on the current values of the joint variable positions, velocities, and the input generalized forces. The integration of this result with well-known simulation methods is given.
Corticosterone in lymphoma-bearing rats.

SummaryCorticosterone in plasma and urine was determined by spectrofluorometry in sulfuric acid and by direct spectrophotometry in ethanol. Plasma levels and urinary excretion of corticosterone were elevated in rats with subcutaneous lymphomas. The high plasma concentration of corticosterone in these rats may help to explain the reduction in splenic, thymic and lymphoid tissue of lymphoma-bearing rats and certain interactions of exogenous steroids, quantity of lymphoma tissue and tumor-necrotizing effect of K. pneumoniae polysaccharide.
A technique for mapping transfer RNA genes by electron microscopy of hybrids of ferritin-labeled transfer RNA and DNA: The- φ80hpsu+,−III system

Abstract A method for mapping transfer RNA genes on single strands of DNA is described. tRNA is covalently coupled to the electron-opaque label, ferritin. The ferritinlabeled tRNA, Fer-tRNA, is hybridized to a single strand of DNA, or to a single- strand region of a DNA in a heteroduplex. The sites where the Fer-RNA binds to the complementary sequence on the DNA are then mapped by electron microscopy. Several alternative coupling procedures are described (see Fig. 1). In HzI a — COCH 2 Br group is attached to ferritin by acylation. 3'-Oxidized tRNA is joined to HSRCONHNH 2 by hydrazone formation. Ferritin is then coupled to tRNA by reaction of the CBr and SH bonds. In the BI procedure a lysine amino group of ferritin is coupled by Schiff base formation with 3'-oxidized RNA. The conjugate is stabilized by borohydride reduction. In the BII procedure, a —COCH 2 Br group is attached to ferritin. (H 2 NCH 2 CH 2 S—) 2 is coupled to oxidized tRNA by Schiff base formation and borohydride reduction. An SH group is exposed by reduction. This HS-tRNA is coupled to a —COCH 2 Br group attached to ferritin. All the procedures work but BII is recommended. Methods for purifying the Fer-tRNA and the Fer-tRNA-DNA hybrid are described. For the transducing phages, φ80hp su +,− III and φ80hp su − III , the DNA molecules each carry a piece of bacterial DNA of length 0·066±0·007 λ unit (3100 nucleotide pairs; we find the length of λ is 8·99 φX174 units) replacing a piece of phage DNA of φ80h of length 0·045±0·005 λ unit. The left junction of this bacterial DNA with phage DNA (referred to as P-B′ ) is at or close to the att site. The two tandem tyrosine genes of φ80hp su +,− III and the single tRNA gene of φ80hp su − III have been mapped at a position 1100 nucleotides to the right of the left ( P · B ′) junction of phage DNA and bacterial DNA, by hybridizing Escherichia coli Fer-tRNA to φ80hp su III /φ80h heteroduplexes. The separation of the two ferritin labels in φ80hp su +,− III hybrids gives 140±20 nucleotides as the size of a single tyrosine tRNA gene.
Forward photorefractive multibeam mixing in BaTiO3

Multi-beam mixing in diffusion-driven media is presented in this paper as a diagnostic for the study of nonplane wave photorefractive interactions. Coupled, nonlinear differential equations are derived which describe the interactions of the intensities as they couple through the medium. These equations were numerically solved using a Runge-Kutta algorithm to gain insight as to how the beams interact in the medium. Three beam interactions in BaTiO3 at 514.5 nm were studied experimentally to verify the analysis. Results indicate that phase aberrations affect intensity distributions in the enhanced beam.
A New Vehicle for Planetary Surface Exploration: The Mars Tumbleweed

The surface of Mars is currently being explored with a combination of orbiting spacecraft, stationary landers and wheeled rovers. However, only a small portion of the Martian surface has undergone in-situ examination. Landing sites must be chosen to insure the safety of the vehicles (and human explorers) and provide the greatest opportunity for mission success. While wheeled rovers provide the ability to move beyond the landing sites, they are also limited in their ability to traverse rough terrain; therefore, many scientifically interesting sites are inaccessible by current vehicles. In order to access these sites, a capability is needed that can transport scientific instruments across varied Martian terrain. A new "rover" concept for exploring the Martian surface, known as the Mars Tumbleweed, will derive mobility through use of the surface winds on Mars, much like the Tumbleweed plant does here on Earth. Using the winds on Mars, a Tumbleweed rover could conceivably travel great distances and cover broad areas of the planetary surface. Tumbleweed vehicles would be designed to withstand repeated bouncing and rolling on the rock covered Martian surface and may be durable enough to explore areas on Mars such as gullies and canyons that are currently inaccessible by conventional rovers. Achieving Mars wind-driven mobility; however, is not a minor task. The density of the atmosphere on Mars is approximately 60-80 times less than that on Earth and wind speeds are typically around 2-5 m/s during the day, with periodic winds of 10 m/s to 20 m/s (in excess of 25 m/s during seasonal dust storms). However, because of the Martian atmosphere#s low density, even the strongest winds on Mars equate to only a gentle breeze on Earth. Tumbleweed rovers therefore need to be relatively large (4-6 m in diameter), very lightweight (10-20 kg), and equipped with lightweight, low-power instruments. This paper provides an overview of the Tumbleweed concept, presents several notional design concepts, mission scenarios, and highlights recent tests and analyses of Tumbleweed prototypes.
Children's Responses to Gender-Role Stereotyped Advertisements

ABSTRACT Research indicates that adult9s gender-role perceptions can influence their responses toward different types of advertising appeals; however, it is not known whether the same is true for young children. Given that children9s gender-role stereotypes vary across both age and gender, it is possible that their responses toward different types of advertisements might also vary. Accordingly, this study examines whether preadolescent boys and girls differ in their attitudes toward advertisements that incorporate agentic or communal gender-role attributes. The results are managerially relevant. The findings suggest that marketers can target young boys and girls with a common set of advertisements. However, advertisements should convey agentic themes when targeted toward older preadolescent girls, and communal themes when targeted toward younger preadolescent girls. Considering that children represent a large and growing consumer segment this issue deserves greater attention.
Microscale electroporation: challenges and perspectives for clinical applications

Microscale engineering plays a significant role in developing tools for biological applications by miniaturizing devices and providing controllable microenvironments for in vitro cell research. Miniaturized devices offer numerous benefits in comparison to their macroscale counterparts, such as lower use of expensive reagents, biomimetic environments, and the ability to manipulate single cells. Microscale electroporation is one of the main beneficiaries of microscale engineering as it provides spatial and temporal control of various electrical parameters. Microscale electroporation devices can be used to reduce limitations associated with the conventional electroporation approaches such as variations in the local pH, electric field distortion, sample contamination, and the difficulties in transfecting and maintaining the viability of desired cell types. Here, we present an overview of recent advances of the microscale electroporation methods and their applications in biology, as well as current challenges for its use for clinical applications. We categorize microscale electroporation into microchannel and microcapillary electroporation. Microchannel-based electroporation can be used for transfecting cells within microchannels under dynamic flow conditions in a controlled and high-throughput fashion. In contrast, microcapillary-based electroporation can be used for transfecting cells within controlled reaction chambers under static flow conditions. Using these categories we examine the use of microscale electroporation for clinical applications related to HIV-1, stem cells, cancer and other diseases and discuss the challenges in further advancing this technology for use in clinical medicine and biology.
Cross-cultural structural equivalence of RIASEC models and measures

A structural meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the fit of J. L. Holland's (1985a) circular order model, I. Gati's (1982) three-group partition, and an alternative three-class partition on vocational interest correlation matrices drawn from the cross-cultural literature. The randomization test of hypothesized order relations (L. Hubert & P. Arabie, 1987) was used to evaluate the model fit for 20 U.S. ethnic matrices, 76 international matrices (representing 18 countries), and a U.S. benchmark sample of 73 matrices. The cross-culture structural equivalence of Holland's circular order model was not supported. Both Gati's partition and the alternative partition fit the U.S. benchmark and international samples equally well. None of the 3 models were found to be an adequate representation of the structure of vocational interests for U.S. ethnic samples.
Cigarette Smoking in the HIV-Infected Population

As mortality due to AIDS-related causes has decreased with the use of antiretroviral therapy, there has been a rise in deaths related to non–AIDS-defining illnesses. Given the exceedingly high prevalence of cigarette smoking among individuals living with HIV infection, tobacco has been implicated as a major contributor to this paradigm shift. Evidence suggests that smoking-related illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and certain malignancies, contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected persons. In this review, we summarize the adverse health consequences of smoking relevant to HIV-infected individuals and discuss smoking cessation in this unique population, including a discussion of barriers to quitting and a review of studies that have examined smoking cessation interventions.
Mechanism and kinetics of the shock‐tube decomposition of vinylsilane

The shock-induced thermal decompositions of vinylsilane and vinylsilane-d3 (0.2% on argon) have been studied in the temperature range of 1085–1275 K, and at total pressures of about 3100 torr. In systems without silylene traps, some induced decomposition occurs which is attributed to the silylene chain sequence VSiH C2H2 + SiH2, SiH2 + VSiH3 ⇄ VSiH2SiH3 VSiH2SiH + H2, VSiH2SiH VSiH + SiH2. In the presence of silylene traps (butadiene and acetylene), the overall decomposition kinetics are log k(VSiH3, s−1) = 14.95 − 63,268 cal/2.303RT and log k(VSiD3, s−1) = 15.14 − 64,815 cal/2.303RT. Three primary processes contribute to the decomposition: 1,1-H2 elimination, 1,2-H2 elimination, and ethylene elimination. Two mechanisms are proposed, one for exclusive primary process formation of C2H4, and the other for both primary and secondary formation routes. Modeling studies are reported which show that both mechanisms can be made compatible with the rate and product yield data within experimental errors.
Abstraction of Sulfonates and Dodecane by Alumina

The effect of oil on the adsorption of isomerically pure n-Na dodecylbenzene-sulfonate and n-Na decylbenzenesulfonate on alumina and the uptake of oil by the solid were determined as a function of surfactant concentration, ionic strength and temperature. While the oil was found not to affect the sulfonate adsorption appreciably under experimental conditions studied, the uptake of oil as a function of sulfonate exhibited a decrease and in some cases followed by an increase. The results are discussed in terms of surfactant micellization and salting out, co-adsorption of oil at the solid/liquid interfaceand the solubilization of oil in micelle. 15 refs.
The Hawaiian Menehune in Myth and Paleontology

The paleontological evidence forHomo floriensis on the island of Flores in Indonesia provides evidence for a small-bodied hominin proportionately equivalent to a Jamaican child of the current era. Evidence is presented that these hominins coexisted withHomo sapiens for some millennia on the island of Flores. The extensive mythology of the Hawaiian Menehune, or little people, may have its origin traced to this early coexistence on the island of Flores. Hominins such asHomo floriensis may represent sub-species ofHomo sapiens who have undergone endemic dwarfism owing to their formative heritage on isolated island locations.
Modeling the spread of infectious disease in human populations

For the past 20 years, there has been an epidemic associated with the development of mathematical models to describe the spread of disease. This epidemic shows no signs yet of dying out. Four major topics related to this discipline are discussed here, including the following: (1) an introduction to the basic assumptions and general framework common to most epidemic models; (2) a discussion of the major questions addressed by epidemic modelers; (3) a brief outline of several of the approaches used in the development of disease models; and (4) reviews of models that have been developed for influenza, malaria, and AIDS. The utility of these models and suggestions for contributions that anthropologists can make to this field are also discussed.
Can superheavy stable particles be detected in current spectral data

Abstract Technicolor (hypercolor, etc.) theories of the strong and electro-weak interactions predict the existence of stable charged particles with masses greater than 103 GeV/c2. We point out that hydrogenic bound states of such stable particles and electrons may be detectable in current spectral data due to the mass dependence of hydrogenic energy levels.
Comparison of the Impact of Short (<1 Year) and Long-Term (≥1 Year) Clopidogrel Use Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Mortality

The optimal duration of clopidogrel administration after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unknown. Clopidogrel is currently recommended for minimums of 1 and 12 months after bare-metal stent and drug-eluting stent implantation, respectively. To determine the impact of clopidogrel discontinuation 1 year after PCI, the outcomes of 530 consecutive patients who underwent PCI from January 2004 to July 2006, were free of cardiovascular events for 6 months after PCI, and had follow-up available for >12 months were examined. The outcomes of patients who received clopidogrel for ≥1 year were compared with those of patients who received it for
Does radiosurgery have a role in the treatment of acromegaly

Surgical treatment of acromegaly aims to normalize the levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and to control tumor growth; however, not all patients achieve remission. Treatment of residual tumor or recurrent disease, therefore, requires additional modalities, such as somatostatin analogs or radiosurgery. Losa et al. have evaluated the efficacy and safety of radiosurgery in a cohort of 83 patients with acromegaly who had previously undergone surgical debulking. The authors reported a 5-year biochemical remission rate of 52.6% after treatment. Remission was found to correlate with the baseline growth hormone and IGF-I levels, but not with tumor volume. In this Practice Point commentary, we place the findings of Losa et al. into clinical context, discuss the possible limitations of their approach, and comment on the relevance of radiosurgery to the treatment of acromegaly.
Dorsal raphe stimulation reduces responses of parafascicular neurons to noxious stimulation 1

Abstract Spontaneous activity, responses to noxious stimulation and response to electrical stimulation of the dorsal raphe were recorded extracellularly from single units in the parafascicularis (PF) nucleus in the rat. Three types of spontaneous activity were found: ‘slow’ firing units (1–10 spikes/sec), ‘bursting’ units (bursts of 2–5 spikes/10–20 msec, bursts repeat every 1–2 sec), and ‘fast’ firing units (15–40 spikes/sec). Noxious stimulation increased the firing rate of 63% of the slow cells and 87% of the bursting cells, while the fast firing units did not respond. Dorsal raphe (DR) stimulation decreased the firing rates of both the slow and bursting PF cells only. The degree of suppression of PF units was directly related to the frequency and intensity of the DR stimulation. When the noxious stimulus was combined with DR stimulation, DR stimulation inhibited the increase in firing rate caused by the noxious stimulus. The firing rate during combined DR stimulation and noxious stimulation averaged 51 % of that during the noxious stimulation alone. In several units, DR stimulation had no effect on spontaneous activity when applied alone but did decrease the effects of noxious stimulation when applied simultaneously. The results indicate that in addition to other possible mechanisms, the DR may affect responses to noxious stimuli via an ascending modulation pathway to the parafascicularis nucleus in the thalamus.
Utility-driven assessment of data quality

Data consumers assess quality within specific business contexts or decision tasks. The same data resource may have an acceptable level of quality for some contexts but this quality may be unacceptable for other contexts. However, existing data quality metrics are mostly derived impartially, disconnected from the specific contextual characteristics. This study argues for the need to revise data quality metrics and measurement techniques to incorporate and better reflect contextual assessment. It contributes to that end by developing new metrics for assessing data quality along commonly used dimensions - completeness, validity, accuracy, and currency. The metrics are driven by data utility, a conceptual measure of the business value that is associated with the data within a specific usage context. The suggested data quality measurement framework uses utility as a scaling factor for calculating quality measurements at different levels of data hierarchy. Examples are used to demonstrate the use of utility-driven assessment in real-world data management scenarios and the broader implications for data management are discussed
The Ecology of Rural Ethnic Groups and the Spatial Dimensions of Power

What mechanisms influence the locations of rural ethnic groups? Some authors have suggested that such groups are distributed merely in respect to ecological conditions. Political tensions between competing societies, however, also have a dimension that influences spatial locations. To illustrate this, the locations of the rural ethnic groups in a region in central Afghanistan are analyzed. In this case, variations in ecological adaptation do not adequately account for some of the spatial groupings. Effective distance, however—a time-cost measure of the degree of separation and accessibility of different locations—is advanced as the primary factor, for it controls the degree to which the various local groups have been able to interact profitably with each other and the outside. The history of the area is presented to indicate that political alignments manifest locational controls on social relations in this region.
Project scheduling algorithms for re-layout projects

The most common type of facility layout project is re-layout, which involves rearranging existing equipment in a facility. Project schedule development is an often overlooked yet critical portion of a facility re-layout project. When developing a re-layout project schedule, departments cannot be moved into their final locations until all previous occupants have moved. By incurring the cost of moving departments to temporary locations, it is possible to reduce the overall project duration. A two-criteria mixed-integer programming model is developed that finds the schedule minimizing department move costs subject to precedence constraints. An efficient algorithm uses this model to find all non-dominated time and cost solutions to the re-layout problem. Modifications to the basic model and algorithm handle resource constraints and turnaround space constraints. The algorithm and its modifications are demonstrated on an actual re-layout project.
Biliary function studies during multiple time periods in freely moving rats. A useful system and set of marker solutes.

Abstract Biliary output of endogenous and exogenous compounds is altered by anesthesia, depletion of bile salts, and hydrostatic pressure. The described system for bile function studies minimizes these confounding factors by substantially modifying existing methods. Experiments were conducted in freely moving rats which eliminates effects of anesthesia or restraint-induced stress. Depletion of bile salts was prevented by intraduodenal infusion of taurocholate which maintains bile volume. Bile was collected in containers taped to the rat's back which minimizes hydrostatic forces induced by lengthy or elevated biliary cannulas. Animals were prepared for hepatobiliary function studies 1 week before experiments by placement and exteriorization of a jugular cannula and a bile duct to duodenal fistula. Experiments involved monitoring biliary outputs of marker solutes for various pathways of bile formation during three sequential time periods of 120 min, that is, a basal period in the morning and two experimental periods in the afternoon. We found similar patterns of biliary output in each time period for small i.v. doses of conventional exogenous markers [ 3 H-taurocholate, phenolphthalein glucuronide, indocyanine green, and horseradish peroxidase] and for less commonly studied endogenous markers [glucose, inorganic phosphate (P i ), total protein, and leucine aminopeptidase]. This temporal stability indicates a lack of confounding circadian variability for these markers during the course of the biliary function study. Biliary excretion patterns of these marker solutes (e.g., rapid high recoveries of phenolphthalein glucuronide and low concentrations of P i and glucose) demonstrated that our system for bile function studies is associated with intactness of the examined pathways of bile formation. These results validate our system and set of marker solutes for in vivo biliary function studies. A potential application of this system is to examine acute effects of hepatic toxicants.
Operating characteristics of hyperpolarized 3He and arterial spin tagging in MR imaging of ventilation and perfusion in healthy subjects.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The authors tested the feasibility of a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging method combining the use of hyperpolarized helium 3 (3He) for ventilation imaging and an arterial spin-tagging sequence for perfusion imaging in six healthy human subjects. Materials and Methods High-resolution sagittal images depicting 3He distribution were acquired after the subjects' inhalation of 500 mL of laser-hyperpolarized 3He produced by spin-exchange optical pumping. Perfusion MR imaging was performed with a steady-state arterial spin-tagging sequence that enabled the acquisition of three-dimensional images of pulmonary perfusion without the need for subject breath holding. Results The 3He ventilation images display, with high signal intensity and detailed anatomic localization, the airspace of the lung parenchyma. The signal intensity on the perfusion images decreased by 23.2% with the use of arterial spin tagging. Ventilation and perfusion were matched, as is expected in healthy subjects. Conclusion This method may have important applications in the assessment of lung function, enabling the calculation of regional ventilation–perfusion ratios. It may also aid in the selection of candidates for lung volume-reduction surgery.
THE 100TH VOLUME

This issue represents a landmark in the American Geographical Society's long history: It is the centennial number of the Geographical Review. First published in 1859, the venerable journal went through a series of name and format changes through the years. With its most recent, and enduring, name change in 1916 it moved forward into the twentieth century and now stands upon a proud publication record (Wright 1952,194-195). (1) We want to pause in this special volume to highlight some of the journal's traditional strengths, and also to ponder its future. The Geographical Review editors, the members of its Editorial Board, and the AGS Councillors have composed short essays that will appear throughout the year. In this first issue we feature a pair of essays that consider how the Geographical Review has showcased landscape and place and the importance of the long-term perspective. These topics reflect on a few of the journal's more potent contributions to geographical scholarship and allow us to offer a retrospective view as we launch the centennial volume. The first essay showcases prominent publications on place and landscape that appeared in the journal during the past century and introduced some of the intellectual genetic material that runs through the DNA of more recent contributions. Our authors have also demonstrated the value of a longer-term perspective on geographical phenomena, although, as Andrew Sluyter observes, since the 1980s emphasis has shifted toward the recent past. Our Editorial Board has selected articles that proved particularly formative in their careers, and they offer observations on these influential works in a later issue. In the final issue of the year AGS Councillors will consider established geographical concepts and approaches and speculate on their place in future geographical scholarship. We are confident that a journal like the Geographical Review has a leadership role to play in the years ahead. As we begin a new century under this title, it makes sense to build on our established strengths while embracing new approaches and engaging fresh perspectives. At the seventieth anniversary of the Geographical Review, Editor Douglas McManis noted that hallmarks developed by his predecessors showed "highest caliber scholarship, broad-ranging topical coverage, and accessible style of presentation (1976, 1). We seek not only to continue each of those qualities but also to expand the inventory of prominent attributes. In addition, we note the journal's dedication to empirically rich, field-based, and historically deep scholarship. The need for ground-truthed research, with temporal depth and drawn from countries around the globe, remains great. …
Sustainable development: dealing with the concept in the Australian legal framework and suggestions for change to that framework and beyond

Abstract With the publication of the Brundtland Report the words “sustainable development” became well known throughout much of the world. The words were first used in the international context in the World Conservation Strategy published by IUCN in 1980. By its nature the Brundtland Report is a broad document with sweeping recommendations on a wide range of measures. Countries and their governments must devise in detail how concepts such as sustainable development can be implemented. This has involved assessing what sustainable development actually means and considering ways in which it can be implemented at a national level. This discussion paper has sought to raise some of the legal issues which need to be considered if the concept of sustainable development is to be implemented at a national or state level in Australia. It seeks to highlight some of the limits of the legal system, particularly in limiting the discretion of elected representatives who make many of the crucial development decisions. It suggests changes to existing legal mechanisms such as environmental impact assessment to implement sustainable development objectives and refers to some new measures which should be implemented; for example, a Bill of Environmental Rights and a reversal of the onus in favour of development which presently exists. This discussion paper was expressly written to raise points of interest for people with no formal legal training and is not exhaustive of all the possibilities for change.
Gastric adaptation occurs with aspirin administration in man

Endoscopy has become a standard method to evaluate drug-induced damage to the gastroduodenal mucosa; however, studies defining the time course, extent, and duration of the injury in man are unavailable. We report a systematic endoscopic evaluation of the effect of aspirin administration on the gastric mucosa in normal volunteers. Aspirin (2.6 g/day) or placebo was administered for 1 or 7 days. Gastroscopy was performed after 1, 2, 4, and 8 days, and every other day thereafter until the lesions resolved. Submocosal hemorrhages and/or focal erosions were present within 24 hr in all subjects. With continuous aspirin administration, injury was maximal within 3 days and then lessened, ie, damage present after 7 days of aspirin was significantly less than after 1 day of therapy. The time to resolution of the damage was also longer following 1 day than after 7 days of aspirin (median 8 days for 1 day of aspirin vs median 3 days for 7 days of aspirin). Thus, gastric mucosal adaptation occurred and was associated both with less damage and with an accelerated healing process. Acute administration of aspirin produced well-defined areas of submucosal hemorrhages within 2 hr of administration; additional doses increased the area of involvement but not necessarily the severity of involvement.
Beyond Justice : Rousseau Against Rawls

Contrairement a Rousseau qui estime que la liberte est la premiere vertu des institutions sociales, J. Rawls privilegie la justice. L'A. pense que la theorie de Rawls est individualiste et inadequate.
The Inactive pT181 Initiator Heterodimer, RepC/C, Binds but Fails to Induce Melting of the Plasmid Replication Origin

Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pT181 replicates via a rolling circle mechanism. The synthesis of the pT181 initiator protein (RepC) is regulated by antisense RNAs, and RepC is inactivated after usage by the attachment of an oligonucleotide to one of its subunits. The inactivated heterodimeric RepC/C* has been shown be unable to initiate replication in vitro (Rasooly, A., and Novick, R. P. (1993) Science 262, 1048-1050). The inactive RepC/C* has been found to be very stable and constitute about 90-95% of the total RepC antigen inside the cell. We studied the specific interaction of the RepC/C and RepC/C* complex with the pT181 double strand origin. The results indicated that RepC/C and RepC/C* footprint supercoiled DNA differently although their footprints on linear DNA are similar; we also find that RepC/C is able to enhance cruciform extrusion while RepC/C* cannot. RepC/C* binds and bends the double strand origin much more weakly than does RepC/C. These results suggest that the attached oligonucleotide induces a conformational change in the RepC/C* molecule that is responsible for its lack of activity.
Applications of a probability inequality to ranking and selection and other related problems

A probability inequality of conditionally independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables obtained recently by the author is applied to ranking and selection problems. It is shown that under both the indifference-zone and the subset formulations, the probability of a correct selection (PCS) is a cumulative probability of conditionally i.i.d, random variables. Therefore bounds on both the PCS and the sample size required can be obtained from that probability inequality. Applications of that inequality to other multiple decision problems are also considered. It is illustrated that general results concerning conditionally i.i.d. random variables are applicable to many problems in multiple decision theory.
Kinetic and Structural Mechanisms of (5'S)-8,5'-Cyclo-2'-deoxyguanosine-Induced DNA Replication Stalling.

The (5'S)-8,5'-cyclo-2'-deoxyguanosine (S-cdG) lesion is produced from reactions of DNA with hydroxyl radicals generated from ionizing radiation or endogenous oxidative metabolisms. An elevated level of S-cdG has been detected in Xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome, breast cancer patients, and aged mice. S-dG blocks DNA replication and transcription in vitro and in human cells and produces mutant replication and transcription products in vitro and in vivo. Major cellular protection against S-dG includes nucleotide excision repair and translesion DNA synthesis. We used kinetic and crystallographic approaches to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of S-cdG-induced DNA replication stalling using model B-family Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 DNA polymerase B1 (Dpo1) and Y-family S. solfataricus P2 DNA polymerase IV (Dpo4). Dpo1 and Dpo4 inefficiently bypassed S-cdG with dCTP preferably incorporated and dTTP (for Dpo4) or dATP (for Dpo1) misincorporated. Pre-steady-state kinetics and crystallographic data mechanistically explained the low-efficiency bypass. For Dpo1, S-cdG attenuated Kd,dNTP,app and kpol. For Dpo4, the S-cdG-adducted duplex caused a 6-fold decrease in Dpo4:DNA binding affinity and significantly reduced the concentration of the productive Dpo4:DNA:dCTP complex. Consistent with the inefficient bypass, crystal structures of Dpo4:DNA(S-cdG):dCTP (error-free) and Dpo4:DNA(S-cdG):dTTP (error-prone) complexes were catalytically incompetent. In the Dpo4:DNA(S-cdG):dTTP structure, S-cdG induced a loop structure and caused an unusual 5'-template base clustering at the active site, providing the first structural evidence of the previously suggested template loop structure that can be induced by a cyclopurine lesion. Together, our results provided mechanistic insights into S-cdG-induced DNA replication stalling.
Use Of Carbonized Photoresist For Optical Mask Repair

Carbonized novolac photoresist has been demonstrated as a patching material for clear defects in optical masks. The processing is simple and uses commonly available equipment. The patches, though not as tough as chrome, adhere well and survive mask cleaning. Mask materials appear to survive heating up to 1000°C, but distortion testing has only been done up to 500°C. Adhesion of the carbonized resist begins to degrade above 700°C processing temperature.
Optical phase conjugation by non-resonant degeneration four-wave mixing in volume media of DR1-doped PMMA

Optical phase conjugation (PC) by non-resonant degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) in thick media of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with doped disperse red 1 (DR1) is reported. With vertically polarized counterpropagating pump waves, PC reflectivities of 43% and 37% were achieved respectively for a horizontally and vertically polarized probe wave, which is more than 50 times higher than the value reported on resonance. Reflectivities over 30% were achieved over a wide range of intensity for both polarization configurations. Photoinduced modulation of ordering of the DR1 chromophore is the main mechanism of the PC wave generation. Other mechanisms involved in the configuration of all vertical polarization waves are also examined. Influence of the squeezing process in making volume samples on the PC wave efficiency is significant.
Information in Everyday Life: Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Clubs as Sponsors of Literacy, 1900–1920

Building on prior research into the 4-H movement, the role of the agricultural extension service, and rural life and school reform in the United States in the early twentieth century, this article examines the history of the 4-H movement during the Progressive Era, with a particular focus on uncovering the role that records and recordkeeping played in the clubs for rural girls and boys. The research documents the activities and events within the early 4-H movement where written literacy had a role, analyzes the idea of the 4-H movement as an agent and a sponsor of written literacy, and uncovers the view of the world that the 4-H movement was imparting through its early record books. In doing so, the article documents some of the key exogenous and endogenous forces at play during the Progressive Era that had an impact on children's everyday information creation practices.