cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solution structure of an A-tract DNA bend.

Abstract The solution structure of a DNA dodecamer d(GGCAAAAAACGG)/d(CCGTTTTTTGCC) containing an A-tract has been determined by NMR spectroscopy with residual dipolar couplings. The structure shows an overall helix axis bend of 19° in a geometry consistent with solution and gel electrophoresis experiments. Fourteen degrees of the bending occurs in the GC regions flanking the A-tract. The remaining 5° is spread evenly over its six AT base-pairs. The A-tract is characterized by decreasing minor groove width from the 5′ to the 3′ direction along the A strand. This is a result of propeller twist in the AT pairs and the increasing negative inclination of the adenine bases at the 3′ side of the run of adenine bases. The four central thymine bases all have negative inclination throughout the A-tract with an average value of −6.1°. Although this negative inclination makes the geometry of the A-tract different from all X-ray structures, the proton on N6 of adenine and the O4 of thymine one step down the helix are within distance to form bifurcated hydrogen bonds. The 5′ bend of 4° occurs at the junction between the GC flank and the A-tract through a combination of tilt and roll. The larger 3′ bend, 10°, occurs in two base steps: the first composed of tilt, −4.1°, and the second a combination of tilt, −4.2°, and roll, 6.0°. This second step is a direct consequence of the change in inclination between an adjacent cytosine base, which has an inclination of −12°, and the next base, a guanine, which has 3° inclination. This bend is a combination of tilt and roll. The large change in inclination allows the formation of a hydrogen bond between the protons of N4 of the 3′ cytosine and the O6 of the next 3′ base, a guanine, stabilizing the roll component in the bend. These structural features differ from existing models for A-tract bends. For comparison, we also determined the structure of the control sequence, d(GGCAAGAAACGG)/d(CCGTTTCTTGCC), with an AT to GC transition in the center of the A-tract. This structure has no negative inclination in most of the bases within the A-tract, resulting in a bend of only 9°. When ligated in phase, the control sequence has nearly normal mobility in gel electrophoresis experiments.
Experimental procedures to evaluate dissolution, metal ion buffering, and catalytic precursor speciation during catalyst preparation

Abstract A method to evaluate the impact of γ-alumina dissolution during catalyst preparation by wet impregnation is proposed. Dissolution is observed to depend on a number of factors, including the acidic properties of the solution and the relative buffering capacities of the catalytic metal and oxide support. As a prototype, low weight loadings of Ni2+ on γ-Al2O3 were studied. This system possesses a strong capacity fur buffering, in addition to moderate speciation over a wide pH range. Ni2+ is the primary catalytic species in a strongly acidic environment. However, as the solution is buffered to a pH of approximately 6, Ni(OH)2(s) forms and its concentration increases with increasing time. For pH values greater than 6.5, this precipitate is the dominant species. Consequently, this observation may be used to demonstrate that nonhomogeneous speciation present in an impregnating system leads to a variety of catalytic precursors on the surface of the support. The presence of these precursors can significantly alter the activity of the finished catalyst.
Comparison views for subtle physeal injury in the pediatric ankle

This study addresses whether physicians should obtain routine comparison views to detect subtle fractures. Twenty-two cases of Salter-Harris I fractures of the fibula and 16 cases of nonfracture ankle injury were viewed by 26 radiology and orthopedic physicians. For each case, participants made a diagnosis and indicated whether they were highly certain, moderately certain, or uncertain in that diagnosis for the injured side alone and then for the injured side by comparison with the uninjured side (comparison view). Overall film reading accuracy was 43 % without comparison views vs 65 % with comparison views; accuracy for nonphyseal injuries was 65 % vs 88 %, accuracy for physeal injuries was 27 % vs 49 % (all p < 0.0001, X2 test). Comparison views increased certainty scores by 0.26 on a 2-point scale (p = 0.0002, t-test). Accuracy and certainty in the diagnosis of ankle injuries improved significantly with comparison views, supporting the opinion that comparison views are valuable for the accurate detection of subtle physeal injury.
From C to Java: a case study in portability, efficiency, and maintenance

The "write once, run anywhere" model for Java-based systems holds great promise for reducing the cost associated with maintaining software systems that must run on multiple hardware platforms and multiple operating systems. The GRASP research project at Auburn University has recently completed a port of its software engineering tool, also called GRASP, from its original implementation in C to Java. This effort has provided an excellent opportunity for the authors to empirically observe the effects on portability, efficiency, and maintainability that such a transformation could have. This case study in reengineering and maintenance suggests that Java has not yet matured to the point that all its potential and promises can be fulfilled. However, as it matures and becomes more stable, Java offers the opportunity to significantly reduce the cost and effort of maintaining multiple host software systems.
Recorded Birth Weights of UK Preterm Babies are Frequently Inaccurate

Aims: Measurement of accurate birth weight is a keystone for fluid management, drug dosing, growth assessment, and classification of preterm babies. Weights measured on admission frequently include various items of attached equipment. Our aim was to determine how birth weights are recorded for preterm babies admitted to UK neonatal units for intensive care. Methods: Telephone survey of all UK neonatal units in October-December 2010. We asked the lead/ senior nurses how babies' birth weights are recorded in their units, and whether allowance was made for any additional equipment attached. Results: We obtained data from 208 (100%) neonatal units contacted. Admission weights are recorded using bedside electronic scales in 144 (69%) units, using in-incubator scales in 47 (22%) units, and by either method in 14 (6%) units. Remarkably, 3 (1%) units (including one level 2 unit) said that for preterm babies who arrive already intubated from the delivery unit, an estimated birth weight is used. Only 54/208 (25%) units take into consideration equipment attached to babies on weighing: 37/208(17%) units have charts available to facilitate accurate deductions from babies' weights measured with equipment attached; 17units routinely weigh separately all items of attached equipment and deduct this figure to obtain a baby's exact birth weight. 154/208 (74%) units do not routinely take into consideration all attached equipment when assigning birth weights. Conclusion: Birth weights assigned by the majority of UK neonatal units are overestimated. These data support the development of a standardised methodology for weighing premature babies at birth requiring intensive care.
Microwave ionization rates of Na Stark states.

Near threshold the microwave ionization rates of Na \ensuremath{\Vert}m\ensuremath{\Vert}=0,1 Rydberg states within a Stark manifold n show a strong dependence on the location of the state within the manifold. In particular, the rate-limiting step for ionization of states with the smallest Stark shifts (\ensuremath{\Vert}k\ensuremath{\Vert}\ensuremath{\ll}n) is different from the field-limited step of making the n\ensuremath{\rightarrow}n+1 transitions at threshold fields ${\mathit{F}}_{\mathit{T}}$\ensuremath{\simeq}1/3${\mathit{n}}^{5}$ (a.u.). This variation in the ionization rates as a function of manifold location or Stark shift may be understood in terms of the variation in the transition probability to the bluest Stark states from the other members of the manifold.
Specific Heat and Elastic Constants of Calcium Fluoride at Low Temperatures

Measurements of specific heat from 3.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and of elastic constants from 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K to 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K have been made on single crystals of calcium fluoride. The Debye theta at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{0}$, as calculated from the specific heat data is 508\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Values of the elastic constants at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K are ${c}_{11}=17.4$, ${c}_{12}=5.6$, and ${c}_{44}=3.593$ in units of ${10}^{11}$ dynes/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{0}$ calculated from elastic constants is 513.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The two ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{0}'\mathrm{s}$ are now in good agreement and are significantly greater than the value calculated from previous specific heat work.
Correlation between magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging and image-guided biopsies: semiquantitative and qualitative histopathological analyses of patients with untreated glioma.

Objective Since intratumoral heterogeneity of gliomas is not adequately reflected in conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we sought to determine a correlation between different proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging ((1)H MRSI) metabolic ratios and the degree of tumor infiltration in diffusely infiltrating gliomas. In this report, we describe the microscopic anatomy of gliomas on imaging. Methods Image-guided biopsies with semiquantitative and qualitative histopathological analyses from a series of 31 untreated patients with low- and high-grade gliomas were correlated with multivoxel (1)H MRSI referenced to the same spatial coordinates. Results This series yielded 247 tissue samples and 307 observations. Choline-containing compounds using contralateral creatine and choline for normalization or ipsilateral N-acetylaspartate appear to correlate best with the degree of tumor infiltration. Similar correlations were present within each grade after stratification. Despite the interpatient overlap of metabolic ratios between normal tissue and mild tumor infiltration, preliminary analyses revealed that (1)H MRSI appears more accurate than conventional MRI in defining the tumor boundary and quantifying the degree of tumor infiltration. Conclusion This is the first study showing histopathological validation of tumor boundaries using (1)H MRSI. These results support the conclusion that (1)H MRSI accurately reflects the extent of the disease in patients with gliomas. This has important diagnostic and therapeutic implications for more accurately assessing the burden of disease as well as for planning and assessing response to therapy.
Protein synthesis in central nervous tissue: studies on retina in vitro.

Rabbit retinas were maintained in vitro in medium that resembled CSF but with leucine varied from 2 to 1000 microM. Both leucine and threonine were isotopically labelled. When leucine in the medium was 100-1000 microM, leucine was incorporated into protein at 2.03 +/- 0.04 (S.E.M.) mumol/g dry wt./h, a turnover per h of 0.55% of the leucine in retinal protein. Incorporation was constant for at least 7 h. It was reduced 34% when the other amino acids were omitted from the medium and 24% when they were increased 15 fold above physiological levels. When medium leucine was reduced to 2 microM with other amino acids constant, 14C-leucine incorporation fell 70% without significant change in 3H-threonine incorporation, indicating a fall in intracellular specific activity of leucine. The intracellular/extracellular concentration ratio of labelled leucine was 4:1 with medium leucine 23 microM. It fell markedly when medium leucine was reduced to 2 microM or increased to 1000 microM. The concentration ratio of labelled threonine was 15:1 with medium leucine at physiological levels but fell to 6:1 when medium leucine was increased to 1000 microM. Decarboxylation removed 1.5% of free intracellular leucine per min and, at physiological concentrations, was 7.7% the rate of protein incorporation. The ratio of protein synthesis/breakdown, estimated from changes in leucine and 7 other essential amino acids in the medium, was nearly unity. The potential of this preparation for study of CNS protein metabolism is discussed.
A note on the relaxation time of two Markov chains on rooted phylogenetic tree spaces

Abstract Phylogenetic trees are commonly used to model the evolutionary relationships among a collection of biological species. Over the past fifteen years, the convergence properties for Markov chains defined on phylogenetic trees have been studied, yielding results about the time required for such chains to converge to their stationary distributions. In this work we derive an upper bound on the relaxation time of two Markov chains on rooted binary trees: one defined by nearest neighbor interchanges (NNI) and the other defined by subtree prune and regraft (SPR) moves.
The Control of Fixation Duration in Visual Search

A study is reported how fixation durations are affected as observers voluntarily use information in the visual environment to direct saccades in search of a target. In experiments with direction-coded displays, search fixation durations for correct and incorrectly directed saccades were comparable during image-driven/bottom-up search. In contrast, for knowledge-driven search, the relationship depended on peripheral preview. With ample access to peripheral preview, search fixation durations preceding correct saccades were shorter than those preceding incorrectly directed saccades. However, they were longer when preview was constrained by a gaze-contingent moving window. Fixation control was modeled as sigmoid functions.
Isotopically labeled oxygen studies of the NOx exchange behavior of La2CuO4 to determine potentiometric sensor response mechanism

Abstract The harmful nature of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) to environmental systems necessitates sensors to detect their presence. One effective means is the use of solid state sensors. These sensors are compact, rugged, and can be inexpensively fashioned, making them a viable option for measuring gas concentration. A non-Nernstian potentiometric sensor can be used to detect low concentrations of NO x gas in multiple regions of oxygen concentration. Understanding the mechanism for this behavior can assist in optimizing the sensor couple for a given application. Previous studies using Temperature Programmed Reaction and Desorption (TPR/TPD), along with IR and XPS analysis, have identified the formation of charge-building compounds that establish voltage on the sensing electrode when exposed to NO x gas. To further elucidate the mechanism, TPR and TPD were performed using isotopically labeled oxygen with simultaneous exposure to NO x . The material was examined under multiple gas conditions of NO x and 16 O 2 / 18 O 2 atmospheres, as well as varied levels of 18 O enrichment in the lattice itself. Through these studies, it was determined that the formation of charged surface complexes occurs solely through the use of lattice oxygen (vs. gas phase O 2 ) with adsorbed NO x .
Diffracted fields in the focal volume of a converging wave

Expressions for the scalar field in the focal volume are derived for the case of a uniform, converging, spherical wave incident upon a circular aperture. The intensity exhibits a reflection asymmetry with respect to the focal plane.
Effect of significant two-vessel versus one-vessel coronary artery stenosis on myocardial contrast defects observed with intermittent harmonic imaging after intravenous contrast injection during dobutamine stress echocardiography.

Abstract Objectives. We sought to determine the effect of multivessel as opposed to single-vessel coronary artery stenosis on myocardial contrast defects observed with intermittent harmonic imaging and intravenous perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin contrast injection. Background. Intermittent harmonic imaging has permitted the detection of myocardial perfusion abnormalities with an intravenous ultrasound contrast agent. The effect of multivessel disease on inducibility of these perfusion abnormalities is unknown. Methods. In 10 dogs, intravenous injections of contrast agent were given at rest and during dobutamine stress echocardiography when a single coronary artery stenosis was present (≥50% diameter by quantitative angiography) and again when a second stenosis (range 44% to 92% diameter) was present in the vessel supplying the adjacent perfusion bed. The peak myocardial contrast was visually and quantitatively assessed in the mid and lateral regions of the perfusion bed of the first stenosis (original stenosis zone) in the presence of one- and two-vessel stenosis. Results. Peak myocardial contrast defects in both the mid and lateral segments of the original stenosis zone during dobutamine stress echocardiography was significantly lower when two-vessel stenosis was present (p = 0.015), especially in the lateral segment. The spatial extent of the perfusion defect in the original stenosis zone risk area increased significantly when two-vessel stenosis was present, and correlated closely with actual risk area (r = 0.99). Previous total occlusion followed by reperfusion of the vessel supplying the original stenosis zone significantly increased the amount of collateral activity between perfusion beds. Conclusions. Collateral flow limits the spatial extent of inducible ischemia within the risk area of single-vessel stenosis. Restoring blood flow to one perfusion bed reduces the extent of a perfusion abnormality that can be induced in an adjacent stenosed bed.
Separable arrowhead microneedles

Hypodermic needles cause pain and bleeding, produce biohazardous sharp waste and require trained personnel. To address these issues, we introduce separable arrowhead microneedles that rapidly and painlessly deliver drugs and vaccines to the skin. These needles are featured by micron-size sharp tips mounted on blunt shafts. Upon insertion in the skin, the sharp-tipped polymer arrowheads encapsulating drug separate from their metal shafts and remain embedded in the skin for subsequent dissolution and drug release. The blunt metal shafts can then be discarded. Due to rapid separation of the arrowhead tips from the shafts within seconds, administration using arrowhead microneedles can be carried out rapidly, while drug release kinetics can be independently controlled based on separable arrowhead formulation. Thus, drug and vaccine delivery using arrowhead microneedles are designed to offer a quick, convenient, safe and potentially self-administered method of drug delivery as an alternative to hypodermic needles.
Prevalence profiling: a judgmental context for evaluating initial sample size projections in the audit context

The basis of the certification audit, in a non-forensic context is a random sample of sufficient size to create the evidence needed to justify the audit opinion. A key variable in executing this Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) best practices sampling requirement is the prevalence of accounts in error and the related error of and in those accounts. In this paper, we present an integrated sampling approach using the COSO-event (the number of accounts in error) and the substantive valued-event (the error in the accounts) perspectives. We focus on creating pre-sample launch decision-making information by examining the false positive and the false negative error indications over various prevalence error-ranges. We have also developed a decision support system (DSS) that we have introduced as part of our academic consulting to a PCAOB certified public accounting LLP and also have used extensively in the delivery of our auditing and assurance course. This DSS is available free as a download and there are no restrictions on its use.
Efficient heuristics for robot acquisition planning for a CIM system

In this paper, a planning model and three efficient heuristics are developed for equipment acquisition planning for a CIM system using multiple-type robots. Our planning model considers selection of a proper mix of multiple-type robots such that operational requirements (i.e., time and space) from a given number of work stations are satisfied at minimal system cost. In specific, each robot is characterized by its fixed charge and subject to two capacity constraints on machine time and work space; and each work station has known demands for both machine time and work space, and is to be served by only one robot. The model is formulated as a pure 0–1 mathematical program and is shown to be harder than two-dimensional bin packing, a well-known NP-hard problem. The three heuristics developed are: a greedy heuristic, tabu thresholding, and simulated annealing. All heuristics are tested by solving 450 randomly generated problems. Computational results indicate that all three heuristics are effective and efficient in solving problems of a practical size (i.e., 50 work stations and a maximum of 20 robots). However, none of the heuristics are overwhelmingly better than the others in terms of both solution time and quality. Future research issues are also discussed.
Improving Preference Assessment: Limiting the Effect of Context Through Pre-exposure to Attribute Levels

This paper introduces a technique for improving preference assessment by reducing the influence of context on preferential choices. We propose that a decision maker who is exposed to relevant attribute levels will form spontaneous valuations, which will then insulate the decision maker from the effects of context during subsequent preference assessment. Results from three studies supported this hypothesis. Pre-exposure to product attribute levels undermined the impact of attribute priming, decision framing, and asymmetric dominance on preferential choices. A fourth study demonstrated that similar results can be obtained by allowing decision makers to pregenerate lists of attribute levels on their own.
The Structure of Dewey's Scientific Ethics

INTRODUCTION As most of us know, Dewey’s writings present multiple challenges. First, the volume of his works makes comprehensive coverage prior to analysis nearly impossible. Second, one must understand Dewey’s pragmatism before the import of his words can become clear. Finally, if one does not take a broad range of his work into consideration, or misses connections between Dewey’s pragmatism and a particular claim or set of claims he makes, one risks mistaking Dewey’s views for something else. In this essay I am concerned to head off several such misunderstandings of Dewey’s ethics, and draw out some of the educational implications of Dewey’s scientific conception of ethics.
Design and implementation of a TCP-friendly transport protocol for ad hoc wireless networks

Transport protocol design for mobile ad hoc networks is challenging because of unique issues, including mobility-induced disconnection, reconnection, and high out-of-order delivery ratios; channel errors; and network congestion. We describe the design and implementation of a TCP-friendly transport protocol for ad hoc networks. Our key design novelty is to perform multi-metric joint identification for packet and connection behaviors based on end-to-end measurements. Our testbed measurements and ns-2 simulations show a significant performance improvement over standard TCP in ad hoc networks.
Modifying the overlay network of Freenet-style peer-to-peer systems after successful request queries

In most peer-to-peer systems, edge resources self-organize into overlay networks. At the core of Freenet-style peer-to-peer systems are insert and request algorithms that dynamically change the overlay network and replicate files on demand. We run simulations to test how effective these algorithms are at improving the performance of subsequent queries. Motivated by the observation that the performance of the original Freenet algorithms improves less rapidly with a (more realistic) ratio of 99 requests to 1 insert than with an equal number of requests and insert, we design and test a wide range of new request algorithms that pass word of success to neighboring nodes and add additional edges to the overlay network. Our results show that performance is sensitive to: (1) where to add edges; and (2) how many edges to add. In comparison to the original request algorithm, our best new algorithm is able to reduce average request pathlength by up to a factor of 22.37.
Scarring alopecia followed by a progressive eruption.

From C Fund Conf no Corre D C J Am 0190 a 20 doi:1 A 58-year-old white man presented with a 10-year history of a progressive eruption that began on his scalp, resulting in widespread alopecic patches, and gradually spread to involve his trunk and extremities. He was otherwise healthy. Fig 1 shows representative lesions on the scalp and flank. Histologic findings from biopsies obtained from lesions on the trunk are shown in Fig 2.
High performance refractory gate self-aligned GaAs MESFETs fabricated by arsine ambient rapid thermal annealing

We have applied arsine ambient rapid thermal annealing (RTA) to the fabrication of high-performance refractory gate self-aligned GaAs MESFETs. This has allowed us to take advantage of some of the strong points of rapid thermal annealing for these devices (reduced dopant movement and gate-channel interaction) without the difficulties of capped RTA (decapping problems, cap thermal-mismatch-stress driven dopant movement and gate-channel interaction) or the uncertain As loss characteristics of uncapped or proximity RTA. Using this technique we have fabricated self-aligned 0.8 micron gate length MESFETs with 50 nm epitaxially-grown channels of 2 × 1018/cm3nominal doping with -0.14 V threshold voltage, k-factor as large as 590 mS/V-mm, maximum transconductance over 550 mS/mm, and over 350 mA/mm current drive capability. We have also fabricated fully-ion-implanted devices using arsine ambient annealing for both the channel and self-aligning n+ implant anneals. For29Si 30 KeV channel implants and29Si 40 KV self-aligning implants we have achieved a k-factor as large as 610 mS/V-mm for a gate length of 0.6 micron. This k-factor is the largest reported for a GaAs MESFET (disregarding anomalous values for devices with hole injection and/or carrier multiplication effects).
Steady-State Wave Propagation in Multilayered Viscoelastic Media Excited by a Moving Dynamic Distributed Load

An analytical solution of steady-state dynamic response of a multilayered viscoelastic medium to a moving distributed load is obtained using a novel approach that combines transfer matrix method with Sun’s convolution representation integrated over impulse response function of the layered medium. The layered media under consideration include elastic and viscoelastic media with four different viscoelastic constitutive models, while the moving load is allowed to have a circular spatial distribution, which is more realistic for mimicking tire footprint than a commonly used point load. Efficient numerical algorithms based on fast evaluation of various integral transformations and their inversions are developed and validated through numerical example. DOI: 10.1115/1.3086586
Clinical insights into the pathogenesis of primary pulmonary hypertension

Because of the lack of adequate animal models, much of our knowledge of the pathogenesis of primary pulmonary hypertension has come from clinical experiences. The clinical response to vasodilators, prostenoids, and anticoagulants as treatments appear to correlate with the pathologic changes of medial hypertrophy, intimal proliferation, and thrombosis. Endothelial dysfunction, as a primary abnormality in primary pulmonary hypertension, provides an explanation for the pathologic and clinical expression of the disease in its various forms. Other clinical features of the disease, such as age of onset and rapidity of progression, may be influenced by triggers of the disease process and underlying individual genetic susceptibility. As we have been able to correlate the spectrum of clinical observations with advances in vascular biology, newer, more focused and effective therapies should begin to emerge.
Target discrimination by the echolocating bat Vampyrum spectrum.

Five specimens of Vampyrum spectrum were trained to discriminate between solid targets differing in shape or size using echolocation alone. A pair of lucite targets, one a sphere, the other a prolate spheroid, were then designed so as to produce echoes of approximately equal overall amplitude at the distance of choice by the bats, but of different frequency composition. This discrimination was successfully performed by four of the animals and the two best performers were studied in detail by photographic analysis to ascertain whether frequency or amplitude cues were actually being utilized. By manipulating the degree of frequency dependence in the echoes, it was shown that one animal seemed to rely on the availability of frequency-dependent cues for successful discrimination while the other did not. Examination of the structure of the pulses used on these flights indicated a consistent pattern of changes as the targets were approached. Some of these changes could be correlated with the kinds of cues the two bats seemed to be using in making the discriminations.
Cisplatin increases TNF-α mRNA stability in kidney proximal tubule cells

Cisplatin induces acute renal injury in part by increasing the production of TNF-α. However, the mechanism by which cisplatin increases renal TNF-α expression is not known. The transcription, translation, and stability of TNF-α mRNA are sites of regulation of TNF-α production. This study investigated the effects of cisplatin on TNF-α mRNA stability and the role of MAP kinases in this process in cultured renal proximal tubule cells. Cisplatin increased the expression of TNF-α mRNA by proximal tubule cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, as well as activated p42/44 ERK kinase, p38 MAP kinase, and JNK in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of these pathways reduced TNF-α expression significantly. Cisplatin also increased the stability of TNF-α mRNA, but this effect was not mediated by MAP kinases and did not require the synthesis of a new protein. The treatment of cells with cisplatin induced the formation of complexes of cytosolic proteins and the AU-rich region of the TNF-α 3′UTR. These results a...
Performance of TCP over wireless networks with the Snoop protocol

Several attempts have been made to assess the performance of TCP over wireless networks and several solutions have been proposed to improve its performance. Even though many different TCP versions and solutions exist, so far they have not been studied together. In this paper we include a simulation-based performance analysis of the most important TCP versions over wireless networks. In addition, we analyze those TCP versions in the same environment but including the Snoop protocol and find that TCP Vegas and SACK present an opposite behavior.
Discrimination of mumps virus small hydrophobic gene deletion effects from gene translation effects on virus virulence.

Deletion of the small hydrophobic (SH) protein of certain paramyxoviruses has been found to result in attenuation, suggesting that the SH protein is a virulence factor. To investigate the role of the mumps virus (MuV) SH protein in virulence, multiple stop codons were introduced into the open reading frame (ORF) of a MuV molecular clone (r88-1961SHstop), preserving genome structure but precluding production of the SH protein. No differences in neurovirulence were seen between the wild-type and the SHstop viruses. In contrast, upon deletion of the SH gene, significant neuroattenuation was observed. These data indicate that the MuV SH protein is not a neurovirulence factor and highlight the importance of distinguishing gene deletion effects from protein-specific effects.
Measuring Language Development in Early Childhood Education: A Case Study of Grammar Checking in Child Language Transcripts

Language sample analysis is an important technique used in measuring language development. At present, measures of grammatical complexity such as the Index of Productive Syntax (Scarborough, 1990) are used to measure language development in early childhood. Although these measures depict the overall competence in the usage of language, they do not provide for an analysis of the grammatical mistakes made by the child. In this paper, we explore the use of existing Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to provide an insight into the processing of child language transcripts and challenges in automatic grammar checking. We explore the automatic detection of 6 types of verb related grammatical errors. We compare rule based systems to statistical systems and investigate the use of different features. We found the statistical systems performed better than the rule based systems for most of the error categories.
Effect of exogenous zinc on insulin secretion in vitro.

The effect of varying exogenous zinc concentrations on insulin secretion by the perfused pancreas and short-term cultured islets was studied. No significant effect was observed at several supraphysiologic concentrations unless islets were cultured with 200 μM added zinc. These results suggest that exposure of the pancreas to non-physiologic zinc levels is necessary in order to influence the insulin secretory process
Epilogue: Macromolecules and Man

We have seen from our discussion of macromolecular structure and properties the features that are common to these substances as well as the diversity of functions they perform and the many uses to which they are put. Their essential nature to life as we know it today, both as a biological necessity as well as to our comfort and well being, is readily apparent. With the fundamental understanding that has evolved regarding this class of molecules we can anticipate, with great confidence, the development of whole new classes of polymeric substances as well as the laboratory synthesis of many biopolymers that are crucial to life processes. The history of science has taught us to expect that much more will yet be coming. The present, as well as the anticipated advances in polymer science, will have a profound impact on our society as it influences our standard of living, our ecology and environment and through molecular biology and molecular biophysics, our control of biological processes. This ever-increasing scientific bounty will bring with it many problems and responsibilities. The solution of these problems and the proper and conscientious assumption of these responsibilities rests with all of society. However, intelligent solutions cannot be devised without a real scientific understanding of the molecular nature of the systems with which we are concerned. If we have accomplished this latter task in this book, then it is appropriate to outline and consider briefly the major problems that are already with us or that can be easily anticipated in the very near future.
Earth conductivity estimates from through-the-Earth electromagnetic transmission tests

Electromagnetic narrowband signals were transmitted through the Earth at 27 coal mines located throughout the United States. From these tests, apparent Earth conductivity values were derived based upon a homogeneous half-space model of the Earth. The derived conductivity values were found to be inversely proportional to the transmitted frequency and mine depth. This result is not consistent with the assumption of a homogeneous half-space Earth. A linear regression model relating the logarithm of the conductivity to the mine depth was formulated. The author found that the apparent Earth conductivity could be estimated from a linear combination of the transmitted frequency and mine depth. >
Energy Efficient Policies for Distributed Target Tracking in Multihop Sensor Networks

We consider the problem of distributed target tracking in a sensor network under communication constraints between the sensor nodes, a problem that has recently received significant attention. The problem requires the dynamic selection of which sensor nodes will communicate their information and the selection of a corresponding fusion center which will process the collected information. Ideally, selection of which sensors will communicate and where will fusion take place will be a dynamic process, adapting to new information, to trade off tracking accuracy versus communications usage. The resulting coupled problem is generally intractable and significant effort has been devoted towards proposing simple strategies under various performance criteria. In this paper, we propose an adaptive dynamic strategy for sensor selection and fusion location using a certainty equivalence approach that seeks to optimize a tradeoff between tracking error and communications cost. We define a certainty equivalent optimization problem for dynamic relocation of the fusion center that uses measures of average multi hop communications cost and average tracking errors, and solve the resulting optimal control problem for classes of tracking problems. The optimal strategy is a hybrid switching strategy, where the fusion center location and reporting sensors are held stationary unless the target estimates move outside of a threshold radius around the sensors. We illustrate the performance of our algorithms on sample tracking experiments with sensor networks.
A pilot randomized trial of an online parenting skills program for pediatric traumatic brain injury: improvements in parenting and child behavior.

This pilot study examined changes in parenting skills and child behavior following participation in an online positive parenting skills program designed for young children with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Thirty-seven families with a child between 3 and 9years of age who sustained a moderate to severe TBI were randomly assigned to one of two interventions: online parenting skills training (n=20) or access to Internet resources on managing brain injury (n=17). Parent-child interaction observations and parent ratings of child behavior were collected pre- and post-treatment. Generalized estimating equations and mixed models were used to examine changes in parenting skills and child behavior problems as well as the moderating role of family income on treatment response. Participants in the parenting skills group displayed significant improvements in observed positive parenting skills relative to participants in the Internet resource group. Income moderated improvements in parent ratings of child behavior, with participants in the low-income parenting skills group and high-income Internet resource group reporting the greatest improvements in behavior. This is the first randomized controlled trial examining online parenting skills training for families of young children with TBI. Improvements in positive parenting skills and child behavior support the utility of this intervention, particularly for families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Language: en
Countercurrent Gaseous Diffusion Model of Oxidation Through a Porous Coating

Abstract A countercurrent gaseous diffusion model was developed to describe oxidation through porous coatings and scales. The specific system modeled involved graphite oxidized through a porous alu...
Identification of new genes regulated by the marRAB operon in Escherichia coli.

Random TnphoA and TnlacZ translational fusions were introduced into an Escherichia coli strain with a deletion of the multiple antibiotic resistance (mar) locus, complemented in trans by a temperature-sensitive plasmid bearing the mar locus with a constitutively expressed mar operon. Five gene fusions (two with lacZ and three with phoA) regulated by the mar operon were identified by increased or decreased marker enzyme activity following loss of the complementary plasmid at the restrictive temperature. Expression of LacZ from both lacZ fusions increased in the presence of the mar operon; expression from the three phoA fusions was represented by the mar operon. The lacZ fusions were mapped at 31.5 and 14 min on the Escherichia coli chromosome. One of the phoA fusions was located at 51.6 min while the two others mapped at 77 min. Cloning and sequencing of a portion of the fused genes showed all of them to be different. The phoA fusions at 77 min were located in a recently identified gene, slp, a lipoprotein of unknown function (D.M. Alexander and A. C. St. John, Mol. Microb. 11:1059-1071, 1994). The others showed no homology with any known genes of E. coli. The insertions caused small but reproducible changes in the antibiotic susceptibility profile. This approach has enabled the identification of new genes in E. coli which are regulated by the marRAB operon and involved in the Mar phenotype.
Analysis of gene flow in North American face fly (Musca autumnalis) populations

Vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to resolve enzymes at ten putative loci in face flies Musca autumnalis De Geer, a colonizing, Palaearctic species established in North America for at least 210 generations. Flies were sampled in 1991 from six locations in Iowa, two in Maryland, two in Minnesota, two in Tennessee, three in New York, and three in Missouri. Nondirectional temporal variation in gene frequencies over a 4-year interval was detected at farms in central Iowa. Heterogeneity in allele frequencies was detected among farms in Iowa, Maryland, New York and Minnesota but not in Tennessee and Missouri. There were no consistent departures from random mating. Partitioning variances in gene frequencies showed that 58% of the variation occurred in populations among states and 43% between populations within states. Mean reproducing immigrants per population per generation was estimated to be eighteen flies. No regional genetic differentiation was detected, and there were no barriers to gene flow within or among diverse populations in the six states. Earlier data bearing on gene flow among and between Nearctic and Palearctic face fly samples were analysed and significant differentiation was not detected.
Skills for Recovery: A Recovery-Oriented Dual Diagnosis Group for Veterans with Serious Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) are at a high risk for abusing alcohol and illicit substances relative to the general population. This use, even in small quantities, can negatively affect mental and physical health. Group therapy is an evidence-based treatment for individuals dually diagnosed with SMI and a substance abuse disorder. The Skills for Recovery group used a recovery-oriented therapy manual for dual diagnoses and was informed by the International Association for Social Work with Groups' Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups throughout the development and implementation of the group.
Toward formalizing control system simulation software

The job of a control engineer is to build controllers for physical systems. Traditionally this has been done by creating a mathematical model of the system using differential equations. With the model the engineer designs a controller and analyzes the new model (original model and the controller) for proper control and stability.
Assessment of rock quality classification based on Principal Coordinates Analysis of conventional petrophysical and NMR data

This paper shows how principal coordinates analysis, PCO, can contribute to asses the correspondence between porosity, permeability and the ratio of moveable fluid over bound fluid volumes data and the rock quality classification of water saturated core plug samples. The rock quality characterization of the samples from El Furrial field in eastern Venezuela is based on the determination of the Winland-Pittman equation of the port size. This characterization, taken from the literature, is based on NMR measurements of water saturated core plugs samples. The results show that a plot of the first and second PCO yields a characteristic horse shoe curve (2D), or a more accurate spiral curve (3D) by taking also the third PCO (3D) into account. The trajectory of these curves follows a continuous variation in the rock quality of the samples, from Megaporosity down to Nanoporosity. This procedure represents an easy, non-destructive way to obtain a rock quality classification based on conventional and NMR derived petrophysical variables and PCO.
HOW PHYSICIANS CAN PREVENT MEDICATION ERRORS : PRACTICAL STRATEGIES

To eliminate and reduce medication errors, health care organizations must develop a consistent approach that allows examination of errors in a supportive atmosphere with a bias toward preventing future errors rather than punishing past ones. Until improved systems are in place, physicians can help prevent many of the most serious medication errors by observing some basic safety practices, such as writing orders whenever possible and limiting verbal orders to urgent or emergency situations, writing clearly and neatly, and avoiding abbreviations.
Subwavelength Confinement and Guiding of Terahertz Waves by Gap Magnetic Plasmon Waveguides

We propose a subwavelength terahertz waveguide using magnetic plasmon polariton modes guided by a narrow gap in a negative permeability metamaterial. Deep subwavelength wave-guiding (<?/10) with modest propagation loss (2.5dB/?) is achieved at terahertz frequencies.
Fermentation process and nutritional analysis of scallop skirt sauce

A fermentation process of scallop skirt sauce was studied to reduce scallop sauce product cost,and to increase added value of shellfish. Scallop skirt and soybean koji(Aspergillus oryzae culture on soybean meal)mixture(4∶ 1 by weight),containing 2000U/g neutral protease and 12% salt,was incubated for 8 days at 40℃,and inoculated with Tetragenococcus halophilus at 1% level. After fermentation at 30℃ for 7 days,and aging at 25℃ for 30 days,the mixture was ground into fine powder. The powder was vacuum packed,sterilized,and named as scallop skirt sauce. Nutritional and amino acid analysis showed that the scallop skirt sauce contains 20. 04g/100g of protein,0. 82g/100g of lipids,1. 76g/100g of amino acid nitrogen,9. 82g/100g of 19 free amino acids,and 4. 16g/100g of free essential amino acids. Except fat content,all other 4 specifications wrer significantly higher than those of scallop soy sauce or scallop flour sauce that were made from scallop with soy meal or flour,respectively. This study provided experimental data to reduce scallop product cost.
Vesical Neck Reconstruction in Patients with Epispadias-Exstrophy Complex

AbstractThe achievement of satisfactory continence in the management of patients with the epispadias-exstrophy complex remains a challenge. Between 1971 and 1989, 22 children underwent vesical neck reconstruction at our hospital. Satisfactory continence was achieved in 17 of the 22 patients (77%), including 8 (36%) who are continent after a single vesical neck reconstruction and 9 of 13 who achieved continence after additional and/or adjunctive procedures. Additions and/or adjunctive procedures included revision of the vesical neck reconstruction, bladder augmentation and/or placement of an artificial urinary sphincter. We conclude that vesical neck reconstruction with or without additional and/or adjunctive procedures can result in an acceptable continence rate in patients with the epispadias-exstrophy complex.