cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE OMEGA-HYDROXYLATION OF LAURIC ACID : OXIDATION OF 12-HYDROXYLAURIC ACID TO DODECANEDIOIC ACID BY A PURIFIED RECOMBINANT FUSION PROTEIN CONTAINING P450 4A1 AND NADPH-P450 REDUCTASE

The recombinant fusion protein rF450[mRat4Al/mRatOR]L1, containing the heme domain of P450 4A1 and the flavin domains of NADPH-P450 reductase, when incubated with dilaurylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC), Chaps, cytochrome b5, and a 20-fold excess of purified NADPH-P450 reductase, catalyzes the omega- oxidation of lauric acid at a rate of about 300 nmol/min/nmol P450. This is the first report of a mammalian P450 enzyme with such a high turnover number. The resultant 12-hydroxydodecanoic acid [12-hydroxylauric acid (12-OH LA)] is further oxidized by the P450 oxygenase reaction to dodecanedioic acid (decane-1,10-dicarboxylic acid) via 12,12-dihydroxydodecanoic acid. Spectral binding studies show that 12-OH LA inhibits the binding of lauric acid to the active site of P450 with a Ki of about 1.9 microM. The construction and expression of recombinant P450 4A1 containing a six-member polyhistidine domain at the carboxy-terminus of the protein is described. Reconstitution experiments with this purified recombinant P450 4A1, DLPC, Chaps, b5, and purified NADPH-P450 reductase show results similar to those obtained with the purified fusion protein, albeit at lower turnover rates. The requirement for normal-phase HPLC in resolving the metabolites formed during lauric acid metabolism is demonstrated.
Diastolic atrial compression: a sensitive echocardiographic sign of cardiac tamponade.

Nine patients with clinical and hemodynamic evidence of cardiac tamponade underwent M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography. Pericardial effusion was documented in each patient. Four patients demonstrated respiratory variation in ventricular volumes in association with paradoxical pulse. Right ventricular compression was present in seven. In five patients, echocardiography demonstrated diastolic left atrial compression. In all nine patients, the apical four chamber view revealed diastolic right atrial compression. Drainage of 450 to 1,800 cc of pericardial fluid relieved the cardiac tamponade and eliminated the echocardiographic findings associated with this disorder. These observations suggest that the echocardiographic finding of atrial compression is a sensitive sign of cardiac tamponade.
Charge-transfer complexes of nitric oxide, tri or tetravalent halides and aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract Complexes of nitric oxide, some aromatic hydrocarbons and the halides BF 3 , BCl 3 , AlCl 3 , FeCl 3 , SiCl 4 , GeF 4 , SnCl 4 and TiCl 4 have been identified and characterized by spectroscopic measurements.
Optical activity based on macromolecular asymmetry

Optically active isotactic polychloral was prepared in which the optical activity comes exclusively from molecular asymmetry (i.e., helical conformation). Molecular asymmetry requires a high conformational energy barrier for the polymer backbone, and an asymmetric initiator to induce a predominance of one helical screw-sense. Polychloral meets the criteria. Asymmetric initiators used to obtain optically active polychloral include tetramethyl ammonium (+)- or (−)-0-acetylmandelate, tetramethylammonium (+)- or (−)-0-methylmandelate, the lithiumalkoxides of methyl (+)- or (−)-mandelate, lithium cholesten-3β-oxide, lithium cholestan-3β-oxide, and lithium (+)- or (−)-2-octanoxide. Using the above initiators at 0.5 mol %, a maximum specific rotation of [α] D25 = 5000 was obtained for polychloral. Errors in specific rotation were typically ±7%.
Sensitivity, specificity, and vaccine efficacy

We study the effects of imperfect sensitivity and specificity on estimation of vaccine efficacy (VE). We show that a specificity of <1.0 (i.e., some noncases are classified as cases) can reduce the value of the estimate of VE. One may attempt to adjust the estimate by accounting for the values of sensitivity and specificity. This increases the variance of the estimate of VE and leads to larger sample size requirements. Alternatively, one may adopt the diagnosis method as the disease definition.
Credit risk dynamics in response to changes in the federal funds target: The implication for firm short-term debt

article i nfo The recent credit crisis has raised a number of interesting questions regarding the role of the Federal Reserve Bank and the effectiveness of its expected and unexpected interventions in financial markets, especially during the crisis, given its mandate. This paper reviews and evaluates the impact of expected and unexpected changes in the federal funds rate target on credit risk premia. The paper's main innovation is the use of an ACH-VAR (autoregressive conditional hazard VAR) model to generate the Fed's expected and unexpected monetary policy shocks which are then used to determine the effects of a Federal Reserve policy change on counterparty credit risk and more importantly short-term firm debt financing. The findings answer a longstanding question sought by researchers on the effect of policy makers' announcements on firm debt financing. The results clearly show that the Federal Reserve influences short-term debt financing through the credit channel for both expansionary and contractionary monetary policies. In particular, we find that the growth in counterparty risk appears less responsive to anticipated responses in the Fed funds rate that fail to materialize than to an unanticipated increase in the federal funds rate. Finally, we also document that the results appear to validate the Feds interventions in financial markets to stem counterparty risk and to make liquidity more readily available to firms.
The polode synthesis method

The Polode Synthesis method makes use of inversion letting the end point of the coupler of a dyad move on the desired curve keeping the other end joint fixed. The resultant moving centrode and moving polodes yield information about where solutions can be found. The method can be applied towards path generation, timed path generation, function generation, motion generation and timed motion generation. If neither the corresponding centrode nor the polodes intersect then, in general, the resultant coupler curve has only 4 points common with the desired curve. If the polodes intersect then 6-point solutions are obtained etc. The method is applied to straight line mechanisms where the coupler curve is to deviate little from the straight line over the entire range. The same kind of curve is generated so that certain crank positions correspond to certain positions of the coupler point. The method is then applied to a circular arc. The generation of an approximate ellipse is shown for illustrative purposes and the resultant curve is almost identical to the ellipse. The new method approximates the entire curve rather than selecting a few precision points through which the resultant coupler curve is intended to pass. However, only part of the desired curve may be prescribed. The method can be applied to any combination of links and joints.
Unifying relations in polymer photomechanics

Photoresponsive polymers offer novel methods for morphing applications due to its unique ability to control shape spatially and temporally with light. The constitutive behavior of these materials is complicated by the interactions of time-dependent light fields and molecular conformation changes within the polymer network. This requires applications in non-equilibrium thermodynamics, nonlinear photomechanics, and high fidelity numerical simulations using finite difference/finite element methods. The proposed approach utilizes a set of electronic order parameters to represent light driven molecular conformation changes which are coupled to mechanics of a continuum scale polymer network and time-dependent electromagnetics. The model is applied to explain photoisomerization of azobenzene as it deforms a polymer during different types of light excitation. We consider local surface deformation from laser beams including linearly and circularly polarized lights where the azobenzene liquid crystal microstructure couples to affine deformation of the host polymer network. This local deformation from a laser beam is compared to homogeneous polarized light across the surface of a cantilever film. Non-trivial deformation is predicted and the internal mechanisms associated with bending in different directions is discussed.
Structure and function predictions of the Msa protein in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a human pathogen that causes a wide variety of life-threatening infections using a large number of virulence factors. One of the major global regulators used by S. aureus is the staphylococcal accessory regulator (sarA). We have identified and characterized a new gene (modulator of sarA: msa) that modulates the expression of sarA. Genetic and functional analysis shows that msa has a global effect on gene expression in S. aureus. However, the mechanism of Msa function is still unknown. Function predictions of Msa are complicated by the fact that it does not have a homologous partner in any other organism. This work aims at predicting the structure and function of the Msa protein. Preliminary sequence analysis showed that Msa is a putative membrane protein. It would therefore be very difficult to purify and crystallize Msa in order to acquire structure information about this protein. We have used several computational tools to predict the physico-chemical properties, secondary structural features, topology, 3D tertiary structure, binding sites, motifs/patterns/domains and cellular location. We have built a consensus that is derived from analysis using different algorithms to predict several structural features. We confirm that Msa is a putative membrane protein with three transmembrane regions. We also predict that Msa has phosphorylation sites and binding sites suggesting functions in signal transduction. Based on our predictions we hypothesise that Msa is a novel signal transducer that might be involved in the interaction of the S. aureus with its environment.
‘No Vain Glory:’ Militarism, Diplomacy and Art in the American War Cemeteries in France

AbstractBetween 1948 and 1956, the United States government planned an enormous project to build fourteen overseas military cemeteries in Europe. These park-like burial grounds eventually would hold the graves of approximately 80,000 American soldiers and nurses killed during or immediately after World War II. Because much of the fighting took place in France, five cemeteries are located in this single country: two in Normandy; one in Provence; and two in Lorraine. The following article treats the murals of two cemeteries – the Brittany American Cemetery, located in Lower Normandy, and the Epinal American Cemetery, located in Lorraine – as significant contributions to a kind of diplomatic conversation between France and the United States during the postwar era. Upon close examination, it becomes clear that the two sets of murals, which showcase battle maps, prioritize an account of significant and noteworthy American military achievement. Given the polemic Cold War relationship between the patron (the U.S...
Malpractice litigation and nursing home quality of care.

Objective. To assess the potential deterrent effect of nursing home litigation threat on nursing home quality. Data Sources/Study Setting. We use a panel dataset of litigation claims and Nursing Home Online Survey Certification and Reporting (OSCAR) data from 1995 to 2005 in six states: Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Missouri, and Delaware, for a total of 2,245 facilities. Claims data are from Westlaw's Adverse Filings database, a proprietary legal database, on all malpractice, negligence, and personal injury/wrongful death claims filed against nursing facilities. Study Design. A lagged 2-year moving average of the county-level number of malpractice claims is used to represent the threat of litigation. We use facility fixed-effects models to examine the relationship between the threat of litigation and nursing home quality. Principal Findings. We find significant increases in registered nurse-to-total staffing ratios in response to rising malpractice threat, and a reduction in pressure sores among highly staffed facilities. However, the magnitude of the deterrence effect is small. Conclusions. Deterrence in response to the threat of malpractice litigation is unlikely to lead to widespread improvements in nursing home quality. This should be weighed against other benefits and costs of litigation to assess the net benefit of tort reform.
The influence of student experience with word processors on the quality of essays written for a direct writing assessment

Abstract Although prior research has identified general procedural and qualitative differences between word-processed and pen and paper writing, little attention has been directed toward identifying how these differences relate to the prior word processing experiences of individual students. Additionally, few researchers have addressed the issue of fairness when discussing the use of word processors in writing assessment. This study investigates this relationship by comparing essays composed with pen and paper for a direct writing assessment to those composed with a word processor by students having different levels of experience with using word processors for writing. We observed differences between the two composition media similar to differences observed in previous studies of word-processed writing. That is, our results show that, overall, word-processed essays are neater and longer than were pen and paper essays. Word-processed essays also have a more formal tone and a weaker voice than their pen and paper counterparts. No composition medium differences were observed for the number of mechanical errors. In terms of how word processor experience interacts with writing quality, we found that word processors use neither improved nor worsen the quality of essays produced by students who have medium to high levels of experience using computers for writing. On the other hand, the word processor essays produced by students with a low level of experience writing with computers were scored, on a six-point scale, almost an entire point lower than those produced with pen and paper by these same students. Groups with high and medium levels of experience with word processors wrote slightly more words with a word processor than with pen and paper. On the other hand, the group with a low level of experience with using computers for writing wrote over 100 words fewer on word processors than with pen and paper. As for the number of simple sentences, groups with high and medium levels of comfort and experience with computers for writing wrote fewer simple sentences with a word processor than with pen and paper, while the group with a low level of comfort and experience with computers for writing wrote more simple sentences with word processors than with pen and paper. There were no group by media interactions for the number of mechanical errors.
Simulation in Pascal with micro PASSIM

The micro PASSIM package is designed to support combined simulation modeling in Pascal, including the coordinated sequencing of discrete events and the integration of continuous variables. The package features dynamic interaction through user and system menus, resource and queue management, random number streams and generation of statistical distributions, the collection of statistics, report generation, tracing of transactions, dynamic model interaction and character graphics display of model evolution. Event scheduling and process interaction world views are supported. The modeler writes the model in Pascal using the procedures from the simulation library for support. The model and support procedures are compiled together to provide a stand-alone simulation program. Version mP 3.1 using Turbo Pascal supports high resolution graphics. Complete source code is provided for either Turbo or Vax Pascal. Version mp 3.1 M2 in Modula-2 is now available.
From the Buzzard's Roost: Black Movie-going in Durham and Other North Carolina Cities during the Early Period of American Cinema

Relegated to the margins within the hegemony of American culture, African Americans were treated as 'Other'. The beginning of the twentieth century was a period in which racial discrimination was pervasive, extending far beyond the political spectrum. Although entertainment might have been expected to be one arena in which African Americans could escape such marginalization, African Americans felt the constraints under which all
Combining Leakage and Orifice Flows in a Hydraulic Servovalve Model

Experiments indicate that at small servovalve spool displacements, leakage flow between the valve spool and body dominates the orifice flow through the valve. In precision positioning applications, where the servovalve operates within the null region, this flow, if ignored, may severely degrade the performance of a conventional servohydraulic design. We have developed an improved servovalve model that combines both leakage and orifice flow. The model was developed by reviewing experimental leakage flow data and identifying a simple mathematical form that (1) made physical sense and (2) replicated experimental data. When combined with orifice relations, the model extends the accuracy and region of applicability of existing servovalve models. Furthermore, the combined model is easily parameterized using available manufacturer data.
Regulation of Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Normal and Polycythemic Newborn Lambs

In contrast to previous investigations, a recent study of polycythemic lambs suggested that cerebral glucose delivery (concentration x blood flow), not arterial glucose concentration, determined cerebral glucose uptake. In the present study, the independent effects of arterial glucose concentration and delivery on cerebral glucose uptake were examined in two groups of chronically catheterized newborn lambs (control and polycythemic). Arterial glucose concentration was varied by an infusion of insulin. CBF was reduced in one group of lambs (polycythemic) by increasing the hematocrit. At all arterial glucose concentrations, the cerebral glucose delivery of the polycythemic group was 59.6% of the control group. At arterial glucose concentrations of greater than 1.6 mmol/L, cerebral glucose uptake was constant and similar in both groups. At arterial glucose concentrations of less than or equal to 1.6 mmol/L, cerebral glucose uptake was unchanged in the control group, but was significantly decreased in the polycythemic group. In contrast, the cerebral glucose uptake was similar in both groups over a broad range of cerebral glucose delivery values. At cerebral glucose delivery values less than or equal to 83 mumols/min/100 g, there was a significant decrease in cerebral glucose uptake in both groups. During periods of low cerebral glucose delivery and uptake, cerebral oxygen uptake fell in the control group but remained unchanged in the polycythemic group. Maintenance of cerebral oxygen uptake in the polycythemic group was associated with an increased extraction and uptake of lactate and beta-hydroxybutyrate. We conclude that cerebral glucose delivery, not arterial glucose concentration alone, determines cerebral glucose uptake.
Recruiting Vulnerable Populations into Research: A Systematic Review of Recruitment Interventions

Members of vulnerable populations are underrepresented in research studies. To evaluate and synthesize the evidence regarding interventions to enhance enrollment of vulnerable populations into health research studies. Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, the Web of Science database, personal sources, hand searching of related journals, and article references. Studies that contained data on recruitment interventions for vulnerable populations (minority, underserved, poor, rural, urban, or inner city) and for which the parent study (study for which recruitment was taking place) was an intervention study were included. A total of 2,648 study titles were screened and 48 articles met inclusion criteria, representing 56 parent studies. Two investigators extracted data from each study. African Americans were the most frequently targeted population (82% of the studies), while 46% targeted Hispanics/Latinos. Many studies assessed 2 or more interventions, including social marketing (82% of studies), community outreach (80%), health system recruitment (52%), and referrals (28%). The methodologic rigor varied substantially. Only 40 studies (71%) incorporated a control group and 21% used statistical analysis to compare interventions. Social marketing, health system, and referral recruitment were each found to be the most successful intervention about 35–45% of the studies in which they were attempted, while community outreach was the most successful intervention in only 2 of 16 studies (13%) in which it was employed. People contacted as a result of social marketing were no less likely to enroll than people contacted through other mechanisms. Further work with greater methodologic rigor is needed to identify evidence-based strategies for increasing minority enrollment in research studies; community outreach, as an isolated strategy, may be less successful than other strategies.
An Active Cancellation Circuit for Reducing Electrical Noise from Three-Phase AC Motor Drivers

A novel active cancellation circuit for reducing common-mode (CM) noise in vehicular three-phase ac motor drives is described. The cancellation circuit features a feed-forward voltage-detecting-voltage-compensating structure. Unlike other voltage-compensating circuitry employing CM transformers on the thick phase wires, the proposed circuit is compactly integrated on the inverter printed circuit board. A prototype low-voltage space-vector-pulse-width-modulation (SVPWM) inverter employing this active cancellation technique was built and tested. This cost-effective and light-weight circuit significantly reduced the CM noise at the fundamental switching frequency and harmonics up to 2 MHz.
Sequence, structure, and codon preference of the Drosophila ribosomal protein 49 gene

Abstract In this communication, we describe several features of the D. melanogaster gene which codes for ribosomal protein 49 (rp49). Nucleotide sequence analysis in conjunction with primer extension and S1 nuclease protection experiments show that the structure of the rp49 gene consists of a 102 bp 5' exon, a single 59 bp intron, and a 420 bp 3' exon, encoding a total of 132 amino acids. The rp49 gene shares many features with other abundantly expressed Drosophila genes, including codon preference, which are discussed.
The Data Acquisition and Control Systems for ATF:an Overview

A data acquisition and control system is being developed to support the Advanced Toroidal Facility (ATF) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This system has two separate elements: a VAX-based data acquisition and management system and a status and control system that uses programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Although these systems can operate independently, they are intended to cooperate fully and complement one another. This paper presents an overview of the hardware components, software architecture, and operations of these systems.
733-4 Induction of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) mRNA and Protein in the Human Cardiac Allograft is Associated with Increased Myocardial cGMP Levels and Echocardiographic LV Dysfunction

In humans the mechanisms underlying LV contractile dysfunction following cardiac transplantation remain poorly defined. iNOS is expressed in the rat heterotopic cardiac allograft during rejection; the resultant overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) might contribute to cardiac contractile dysfunction via cGMP-mediated negative inotropic actions, or by the cytotoxic actions of NO. We therefore prospectively studied 16 patients at surveillance endomyocardial biopsy during the first year posttransplant — a total of 123 biopsies (4–12 sequential per patient). iNOS mRNA was detected by reverse transcription PCR in biopsy allograft myocardium in every patient, and in 59/123 (48%) biopsies overall. iNOS mRNA expression was episodic and time dependent; expression was most frequent during the first 180 days posttransplant (p = 0.0006). iNOS expression was not related to the ISHLT histologic grade of rejection. iNOS protein was detected by immunofluorescence in the coronary microvasculature and in cardiac myocytes; expression was associated with increased myocardial cGMP levels (p = 0.01) and with systolic (p = 0.024) and diastolic (p = 0.006) left ventricular contractile dysfunction measured by echocardiography and Doppler. Conclusion These data support a causal relationship between iNOS expression and myocardial contractile dysfunction in the human cardiac allograft.
Patterns of Activism on State Supreme Courts

This study examines patterns of judicial conflict and policy activism during 1930-1980 on the supreme courts of California, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. The findings indicate that dramatic shifts from passivity to activism take place over very short periods of time, and that when a shift to judicial activism does occur, it is due mainly to a change in court composition involving the introduction of "maverick" justices. Furthermore, of the four courts in the study that underwent a transition to activism, none have subsequently become non-activist.
Democracies, Disputes, and Third-Party Intermediaries:

The proposition that democracies rarely fight one another has been well-substantiated by empirical research. A prominent explanation for this finding is that shared norms fostered by a democratic political culture promote peaceful conflict resolution. Joint democratic dyads allegedly have a greater propensity than other types of dyads to entrust third parties with judicial competence to settle their disputes. The results from a study of 206 dyadic disputes involving third-party intermediaries support this claim. The presence of joint democracy in dangerous, war-prone dyads has a strong positive effect on the probability of referring interstate disputes to binding third-party settlement, even when controlling for alliance bonds and geographic proximity. In addition, the more a joint democratic dyad is marked by coherent regimes or a rough parity in the distribution of military capabilities, the greater the propensity to refer disputes to binding third-party settlement.
A revised equation relating DNA buoyant density to guanine plus cytosine content

Abstract An equation relating DNA buoyant density of CsCl to G + C content is given which uses the correct density value of Escherichia coli DNA as the reference. This is done to eliminate the current confusion brought about by two references states.
Use of Hyaluronic Acid and Chondroitin Sulfate by Bacterial Isolates from Carious Dentin

Streptococcus isolated from human carious dentin can derive its carbon solely from a medium composed of a salt solution with added chondroitin sulfate or hyaluronic acid. The growth is inhibited by sodium fluoride. It is suggested that carious dentin results from streptococcal hydrolysis of dentin polysaccharides.
Experimental evaluation of barrier walls for risk reduction of unintended hydrogen releases

Hydrogen-jet flames resulting from ignition of unintended releases can be extensive in length and pose hazards associated with radiation and impingement onto objects, combustible materials and people. Depending on the leak diameter and source pressure, the resulting consequence distances can be unacceptably large. One possible mitigation strategy to reduce exposure to jet flames is to incorporate barriers around hydrogen storage and delivery equipment. While reducing the extent of unacceptable consequences, the walls may introduce other hazards if not properly configured. An experimental program has been implemented to better characterize the effectiveness of barrier walls at risk mitigation. This paper describes the experiments and presents results obtained for various barrier configurations. The measurements include flame deflection using standard and infrared video, high-speed movies (500 fps) to study initial flame propagation from the ignition source, overpressure levels due to ignition, wall deflection, radiative heat flux, and gas and wall temperatures. The various barrier designs are evaluated in terms of their mitigation effectiveness for the associated hazards present. The results show that barrier walls are effective at deflecting flames in a desired direction. While barrier walls can result in increased overpressures and radiative heat flux in the vicinity of the wall, they can also attenuate the effects of these hazards in surrounding areas if properly implemented.
Chemical disaggregation of kaolinitic claystones (tonsteins and flint clays)

The coarse, non-clay fraction of many flint-like kaolinitic claystones often contains mineral grains diagnostic of the claystone’s origin and, in the case of tonsteins (altered volcanic ashes), may also provide minerals suitable for radiometric dating. Separation of the non-clay mineral fraction is often difficult because flint clays and flint-like clays resist slaking in water and thus are difficult to disaggregate. Chemical disaggregation of resistant kaolinitic claystones may be achieved by immersion in either hydrazine monohydrate or DMSO for periods ranging from one day to several weeks. Generally, hydrazine monohydrate works more quickly and efficiently than DMSO to disaggregate most kaolinitic claystones and flint clays.
From royal to parliamentary rule without revolution: The economics of constitutional exchange within divided governments

Abstract This paper provides an economic explanation for the tax veto authority of medieval parliament and for the gradual and peaceful shift of policymaking authority from kings to parliaments that occurred in the nineteenth century. The domain of possible power assignments within a divided government is multidimensional and essentially continuous. This allows policymaking authority to be distributed in many ways and also allows constitutional exchange to take place along many margins of power. The consequent internal “market for power” over budgets and public policies allows constitutional and quasi-constitutional reforms to be adopted without threat of civil war or violent revolution. Examples from English history are used to demonstrate the relevance of the analysis.
Evaluating Qualitative Research for Social Work Practitioners

The field of social work expects practitioners remain well informed regarding research advances in their respective areas. Research studies conducted through the lens of qualitative inquiry provide important contributions to the social work knowledge base. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide practitioners some orientation regarding qualitative research methods and to highlight potential strategies researchers may use to enhance the trustworthiness and quality of their research. Specifically, the concept of trustworthiness is defined in the context of qualitative inquiry and questions social work practitioners can ask when evaluating the quality and applicability of a qualitative research study are provided.
What's new in tumor markers for prostate cancer?

Abstract The clinical features of a new prostate tumor marker, prostate-specific antigen (prostate antigen, PA), has been reviewed. Although PA cannot be used in early detection of prostate cancer, simultaneous determination of PA and PAP yields an additive clinical value in immunodiagnosis of prostate cancer. At the present stage of development, PA is most useful as a prognostic marker for monitoring disease recurrence and treatment response. Also, PA is an effective immunohistologic marker for differential diagnosis of metastatic carcinomas with unknown primary, especially in the identification of metastatic prostate tumor in distant metastases and in the differentiation of primary prostate carcinoma from poorly differentiated transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Unequivocal evidence is not yet available on the role of circulating PA-binding globulin as an auto-antibody or an anti-tumor antibody as a result of patient's immune response. This observation is of clinical value for investigation of prostate cancer biology. The intriguing protease activity as detected in PA may provide new avenues for prostate cancer research.
A fully integrated high-efficiency peristaltic 18-stage gas micropump with active microvalves

We report the design, fabrication, and test results of a fully integrated peristaltic 18-stage gas micropump consisting of 18 serially-connected pumping chambers and 19 microvalves. The peristaltic micropump achieves (1) high-pressure differentials by accumulating small pressure differentials that are evenly distributed across the individual stages using a low-compression multi-stage design, (2) high flow rate by operating pumping membranes at fluidic resonance and high frequency (>10 kHz), and (3) gas flow regulation by actively controlling the open/close timing of microvalves for either high flow or high pressure. The 18-stage micropump includes several new innovations, such as checkerboard microvalves, dual drive electrodes, and dual pumping chambers to achieve efficient electrostatic pumping. The fabricated 18-statge pump has produced an air flow rate of ~4.0 seem and maximum pressure differential of-17.5 kPa with a total power of only ~57 mW. It has a total package volume of 25.1 x 19.1 x 1 mm3 and each individual membrane is only 2x2 mm2.
Performance and stability analysis of LP-MPC and QP-MPC cascade control systems

Model predictive control (MPC) is used extensively in industry to optimally control constrained, multivariable processes. For nonsquare systems (with more inputs than outputs), extra degrees of freedom can be used to dynamically drive the process to its economic optimum operating conditions. This is accomplished by cascading a local linear programming (LP) or quadratic programming (QP) controller using steady-state models. Such a cascade control scheme (LP-MPC or QP-MPC) continuously computes and updates the set points used by the lower-level MPC algorithm. While this methodology has been in use by industry for many years, its properties have not been addressed in the literature. The properties of such cascaded MPC systems are analyzed from the point of view of implementation strategies, stability properties, and economic and dynamic performance. Some theoretical results on stability are derived along with a case study involving the Shell control problem.
Circuit-specific coinfection of neurons in the rat central nervous system with two pseudorabies virus recombinants.

Neurotropic alphaherpesviruses have become popular tools for transynaptic analysis of neural circuitry. It has also been demonstrated that coinfection with two viruses expressing unique reporters can be used to define more complicated circuitry. However, the coinfection studies reported to date have employed nonisogenic strains that differ in their invasive properties. In the present investigation we used two antigenically distinct recombinants of the swine pathogen pseudorabies virus (PRV) in single and double infections of the rat central nervous system. Both viruses are derivatives of PRV-Bartha, a strain with reduced virulence that is widely used for circuit analysis. PRV-BaBlu expresses β-galactosidase, and PRV-D expresses the PRV membrane protein gI, the gene for which is deleted in PRV-BaBlu. Antibodies to β-galactosidase identify neurons infected with PRV-BaBlu, and antibodies monospecific for PRV gI identify neurons infected with PRV-D. The ability of these strains to establish coinfections in neurons was evaluated in visual and autonomic circuitry in which the parental virus has previously been characterized. The following conclusions can be drawn from these experiments. First, PRV-D is significantly more neuroinvasive than PRV-Bartha or PRV-BaBlu in the same circuitry. Second, PRV-D is more virulent than either PRV-Bartha or PRV-BaBlu, and PRV-BaBlu is less virulent than PRV-Bartha. Third, in every model examined, PRV-D and PRV-BaBlu coinfect some neurons, but single infections predominate. Fourth, prior infection with one virus renders neurons less permissive to infection by another virus. Fifth, prior infection by PRV-D is more effective than PRV-BaBlu in reducing invasion and spread of the second virus. Collectively, the data define important variables that must be considered in coinfection experiments and suggest that the most successful application of this approach would be accomplished by using isogenic strains of virus with equivalent virulence.
Control and implementation of a new modular matrix converter

Implementation of a new modular AC-AC matrix converter and its control system are described. The converter consists of a matrix connection of capacitor-clamped H-bridge switch cells. The AC output of each switch cell can assume three voltage levels during conduction. Input and output three-phase AC waveforms are synthesized from pulse-width modulation of the DC clamp capacitor voltages. The space-vector modulation approach can be adapted to control this converter. A control algorithm is described that can be reduced to an equivalent DC-link converter. This controller is implemented using programmable logic devices and a flash-memory look-up table. Operational waveforms are presented.
A Clinically Useful Abbreviated Wechsler-Bellevue Scale

(1945). A Clinically Useful Abbreviated Wechsler-Bellevue Scale. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 101-108.
Developmental changes in children's comprehension and explanation of spatial metaphors for time

Time is frequently expressed with spatial motion, using one of three different metaphor types: moving-time, moving-ego, and sequence-as-position. Previous work shows that children can understand and explain moving-time metaphors by age five (Ozcaliskan, 2005). In this study, we focus on all three metaphor types for time, and ask whether metaphor type has an effect on children's metaphor comprehension and explanation abilities. Analysis of the responses of three- to six-year-old children and adults showed that comprehension and explanation of all three metaphor types emerge at an early age. Moreover, children's metaphor comprehension and explanation vary by metaphor type: children perform better in understanding and explaining metaphors that structure time in relation to the observer of time (moving-ego, moving-time) than metaphors that structure time without any relation to the observer of time (sequence-as-position-on-a-path). Our findings suggest that children's bodily experiences might play a role in their developing understanding of the abstract concept of time.
NOTE ON THE PRESERVATION OF STOCK STRAINS OF TREPONEMA PALLIDUM AND ON THE DEMONSTRATION OF INFECTION IN RABBITS

Experiments carried out on rabbits infected with Treponema pallidum showed that there was a constant invasion and localization of the organisms in the superficial lymph nodes, that the infection persisted indefinitely, and that organisms could be recovered at any time from such nodes as the popliteals. Based upon these observations, a method is proposed for the preservation or recovery of stock strains of Treponema pallidum and for the demonstration of infection in rabbits.
Contexts and Corporate Voluntary Environmental Behaviors Examining the EPA's Green Lights Voluntary Program

Why do an increasingly large number of firms choose to spend their own money and resources to protect the environment beyond the extant regulatory requirements? This article addresses this question...
Sleep disturbances in young subjects with visual dysfunction: discussion by

Purpose: To determine whether the type of ophthalmic disease is predictive of sleep and wakefulness disturbances in young subjects with visual dysfunction. Design: Prospective cohort study. Participants and Controls: Twenty-five subjects (ages 12-20) were recruited from the Missouri School for the Blind. Twelve controls with normal sight were recruited from a residential school. Methods: Daily activity was monitored for 14 days using wrist actigraphy. Sleep and wakefulness measures were derived from actigraphy records by automated analysis. Visually impaired subjects were prospectively stratified by presence or absence of optic nerve disease. Main Outcome Measures: Daytime napping and regularity of awakening time (wake-up time instability). Results: Subjects with optic nerve disease napped in the daytime significantly more than other visually impaired children or normal sighted controls: 28.1 ±4.0 minutes per day (mean ± standard error) versus 11.9±2.4 minutes per day in equally visually impaired subjects with intact optic nerve function versus 6.2±2.2 minutes per day in subjects with normal sight (P<0.0001). These subjects also showed significantly more variable awakening times than the other groups. Logistic regression revealed that subjects with optic nerve disease are 9.1 times more likely to demonstrate daily napping of more than 20 minutes per day than equally blind subjects without optic nerve disease (95% confidence interval [Cl] = 1.4-58.7, P = 0.02). Blind subjects with optic nerve disease are 21.3 times more likely than children with normal sight to nap more than 20 minutes on average per day (95% Cl = 1.2-378, P = 0.04). Conclusions: Optic nerve disease is predictive of increased daytime napping in young visually impaired subjects, suggesting that the nature and presence of ophthalmic disease affect the probability of concomitant sleep timing disorders.
Porosity reduction and burial history of siliceous rocks from the Monterey and Sisquoc Formations, Point Pedernales area, California

Porosity, grain density, and composition were determined for different rock types from a 1.2-km-thick Neogene section of the Monterey and Sisquoc Formations in the Point Pedernales area, California. Porosity decreases and dry bulk density increases with burial depth in these predominantly siliceous rocks. Porosity reduction is controlled largely by initial composition and silica diagenesis. There is a positive correlation between porosity and biogenic silica (diatom) content of diatomaceous shales. The porous, incompressible diatom frustule maintains a high porosity relative to detrital, organic, and calcareous components of the rock. Porosity reduction by physical compaction from increasing overburden pressure is much slower at burial depths greater than 0.5 km. Solution of the porous diatom frustule and precipitation of cryptocrystalline opal-CT resulted in a highly variable porosity reduction. Porosity reduction during the opal-A to opal-CT transformation depends on the amount, composition, and texture of the nonsilica grains. A large porosity reduction occurred locally in nodules and beds of pore-filling dolomite and silica. The porosity-depth relation of siliceous sediments and rocks from this and previous studies is used with biostratigraphic age data and estimated paleobathymetry to reconstruct the burial history of the Point Pedernales area. The sedimentation rate, corrected for compaction, quadrupled during deposition of the Sisquoc Formation. Using the constant water depth proposed for the Monterey Formation, and assuming that basin filling occurred during rapid deposition of the Sisquoc Formation, results in a tectonic subsidence curve similar to that observed for cooling oceanic lithosphere. Upwelling of asthenosphere near the surface would have produced a significantly higher paleogeothermal gradient, and the opal-A to opal-CT transformation is predicted to have occurred 3 m.y. earlier than if a constant, presentday geothermal gradient is assumed. Basin subsidence by faulting or flexure, without upwelling of asthenosphere, does not significantly alter the thermal history.
Ecosystem-wide body-size trends in Cambrian–Devonian marine invertebrate lineages

Fossil marine lineages are generally expected to exhibit long-term trends of increasing body size because of inherent fitness advantages or secular changes in environmental conditions. Because empirical documentation of this trend during the Paleozoic has been lacking for most taxonomic groups, the magnitude, timing, and taxonomic breadth of the trend have remained elusive. This study uses the largest existing database of fossil invertebrate sizes from four faunally important phyla to document ecosystem-wide size trends in well-preserved biotas from deep-subtidal, soft-substrate assemblages during the Cambrian through Devonian. Size of type specimens was measured along standard body axes from monographic plates and converted to body volume by using a broadly applicable empirical regression. Results demonstrate that mean body size (herein volume) of individual genera doubles during this interval, especially from the Late Ordovician through Early Devonian. The timing is gradual in spite of major radiations and extinctions, and the increase is primarily attributable to a net increase in the three-dimensionality of genera. The overall increase is not caused by replacement among clades because increases are widespread among arthropods, brachiopods, and echinoderms, at the phylum and class levels; in contrast, mollusks do not display a net size change at either taxonomic level. The increase is also more pronounced in microbivores than in carnivores. Combined with known environmental changes during this interval, and especially records of carbon dioxide, these trends provide support for the claim that primary productivity increased during the early to mid Paleozoic.
Traumatic brain injury history is associated with earlier age of onset of frontotemporal dementia

Objective We retrospectively examined whether a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with an earlier age of symptom onset and diagnosis in a large sample of patients with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Methods Data on patients with bvFTD (n=678) were obtained from the National Alzheimer9s Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set. TBI was categorised based on reported lifetime history of TBI with loss of consciousness (LOC) but no chronic deficits occurring more than 1 year prior to diagnosis of bvFTD. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine if clinician-estimated age of symptom onset and age at diagnosis of bvFTD differed between those who reported a history of TBI with LOC (TBI+) and those who did not (TBI−). Results Controlling for sex, the TBI+ bvFTD group had an age of symptom onset and age of diagnosis that was on average 2.8 and 3.2 years earlier (p Conclusions TBI history with LOC occurring more than 1 year prior to diagnosis is associated with an earlier age of symptom onset and diagnosis in patients with bvFTD. TBI may be related to the underlying neurodegenerative processes in bvFTD, but the implications of age at time of injury, severity and repetitive injuries remain unclear.
Vicarious Liability for Fraud on Securities Markets: Theory and Evidence

This article examines the efficiency of vicarious liability for Fraud on the Market. Standard analysis of vicarious liability argues that this rule is efficient. Professors Arlen and Carney argue, however, that in Fraud on the Market cases vicarious liability does not serve the goals of optimal deterrence or optimal risk spreading, nor does it promote optimal loss spreading.Breaking with traditional vicarious liability literature, the authors examine monitoring costs in detail, and posit a model that predicts that Fraud on the Market generally occurs when agents fear themselves to be in their last period of employment. An empirical study of Fraud on the Market cases demonstrates that these frauds generally are the product of last period agency costs.The article also shows who pays for securities fraud under a rule of vicarious liability. The empirical study shows that an issuer's potential liability for the fraud of its agents is enormous, representing a substantial share of the equity of the firm. Imposing liability on the firm results in a large wealth transfer from one group of innocent investors to another similar group. Because this transfer neither deters fraud nor spreads losses, it performs no useful social function. The authors conclude that a rule of agent liability, supplemented with criminal enforcement, is preferable.