cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Characterization of Mutants of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 Deficient in Acetoacetyl-Coenzyme A:Acetate/Butyrate:Coenzyme A-Transferase (EC 2.8.3.9) and in Other Solvent Pathway Enzymes

Mutants of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 exhibiting resistance to 2-bromobutyrate or rifampin were isolated after nitrosoguanidine treatment. Mutants were screened for solvent production by using an automated alcohol test system. Isolates were analyzed for levels of butanol, ethanol, acetone, butyrate, acetate, and acetoin in stationary-phase batch cultures. The specific activities of NADH- and NADPH-dependent butanol dehydrogenase and butyraldehyde dehydrogenase as well as those of acetoacetyl-coenzyme A:acetate/butyrate:coenzyme A-transferase (butyrate-acetoacetate coenzyme A-transferase [EC 2.8.3.9]) (CoA-transferase), butyrate kinase, and phosphotransbutyrylase were measured at the onset of stationary phase. Rifampin-resistant strain D10 and 2-bromobutyrate mutant R were found to be deficient in only CoA-transferase, while several other mutants exhibited reduced butyraldehyde dehydrogenase and butanol dehydrogenase activities as well. The colony morphology of 2-bromobutyrate mutant R was similar to that of the parent on RCM medium; however, it had about 1/10 the level of CoA-transferase and increased levels of butanol dehydrogenase and butyraldehyde dehydrogenase. A nonsporulating, spontaneously derived degenerated strain exhibited reduced levels of butyraldehyde dehydrogenase, butanol, dehydrogenase, and CoA-transferase compared with those of the original strain. When C. acetobutylicum ATCC 824 was grown on medium containing low levels of 2-bromobutyrate, an altered colony morphology was observed. Not all strains resistant to 2-bromobutyrate (12 mM) were non-solvent-producing strains.
Morphologic alterations induced by methotrexate in the mucosa of human proximal intestine. I. Serial observations by light microscopy.

Summary Samples of mucosa from the small intestine obtained from human subjects before, and at intervals after, intravenous administration of single doses of methotrexate ranging from 2 to 5 mg. per kilogram were studied with the light microscope. The small bowel villous pattern was normal in all biopsies and there was no quantitative reduction in epithelial length after drug. The number of mitoses in the crypts decreased within 3 hours, became negligible in 6 to 48 hours and subsequently returned to at least normal levels by 96 hours after methotrexate. There was an increase in the number of mitoses during the week following methotrexate-induced inhibition. During the period of mitotic reduction, many small, spherical, DNA-containing inclusion bodies appeared in the cytoplasm of the crypt cells. These intracytoplasmic bodies disappeared as the number of mitoses returned to normal. These changes do not seem to be specific for methotrexate but were observed by us after radiation and by others after a variety of noxious agents.
Carbohydrate Accumulation During the Sporulation of Yeast

The sporulation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is characterized by an increase in dry weight without cell division. At least 67% of the dry weight increase is due to the synthesis of cellular carbohydrates consisting of trehalose and insoluble components. The insoluble carbohydrates accumulate only during the period preceding the actual formation of visible ascospores. The trehalose accumulates throughout the sporulation cycle and is specifically localized in the ascospore.
Signal-processing and acquisition challenges in realtime magnetic source imaging systems

As a result of a joint research agreement, we are currently building the data acquisition, visualization, analysis, and archiving systems for two research magnetic source imaging (MSI) systems to be placed at a new biomedical center in Europe. The MSI sensor heads are to be supplied by our partners. MSI is an emerging diagnostic modality which attempts to characterize the spatial and temporal electrical activity within the body (e.g. heart, brain, or spine) by noninvasive measurement of the external magnetic fields created by minute internal electrical currents. This paper briefly summarizes the nature of these signals and of MSI systems. It then develops the system design requirements suitable for clinical applications. The resulting heterogeneous, multiprocessor system based on these requirements is described. >
Hundreds of neurons in the Aplysia abdominal ganglion are active during the gill-withdrawal reflex

A combination of optical and electrode recording methods was used to obtain an overview of the neuron activity in the Aplysia abdominal ganglion in response to a light touch to the siphon skin. Spike activity was detected in up to 150 different neurons. Habituation and sensitization of the gill-withdrawal reflex was accompanied by large changes in the number of activated neurons. It is likely that these recordings are incomplete; the actual number of activated neurons is estimated to be about 300 in the acutely sensitized preparation. While we presume that not all 300 of these neurons are involved in the gill- withdrawal reflex, the number of neurons is so large that it may be difficult to determine the role of each activated neuron with presently available experimental tools.
Compact silicon carbide photoconductive switch for high power applications: experiments and simulation

A novel SiC photoconductive switch designed and packaged for optimal performance under hostile operating conditions is presented. The use of semiinsulating SiC material with inherent defects (trap) sites and triggered by optical energy to be used as a high-power switch for compact pulsed power applications is discussed. The switching operations differs from previous attempts in that the optical source which is also used as the triggering mechanism has photon energy which is less than the band gap energy of SiC. Increase in performance is achieved by using stacked epi layers. Detailed design of the experimental test setup, including high frequency current and voltage measurement, pulse charge system, and optical energy distribution system is presented. The data for DC and pulsed charged switch is compared with the simulation results which include modeling of the recombination times of the defect states that are ionized as a result of carrier transition into the conduction band.
A continuous K a -band beam-scanning reflectarray integrated with BST

In this work, a beam-steerable reflectarray antenna operating at K a band is presented using Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) technology. Reduced parasitic losses and mm-wave frequency operation are possible due to the monolithic integration of BST with the patch elements. A 45-element array is defined on a sapphire substrate using clean room fabrications. Utilizing a simplified biasing scheme, scan angles up to 25° are measured in the E-plane. The proposed array prototype demonstrates a continuous beam scanning reflectarray at K a band using BST technology for the first time.
Copula variability in Gullah

Many researchers have investigated the copula for possible links between African American Vernacular English (aave) and Atlantic Creoles, a connection that has served as the foundation of the Creolist Hypothesis in the on-going debate over the origins of aave. One variety that has been of particular interest in this debate is Gullah, which has been hypothetically linked to aave since some of the earliest statements of the Creolist Hypothesis. To date, however, very little research has been done on copula variability in Gullah itself. This study, therefore, provides an analysis of copula variability in present affirmative contexts in Gullah. Variation is found among full, contracted, and zero forms in 1st person singular, plural/2nd person singular, and 3rd person singular environments. The analysis also reveals some parallels between Gullah and aave that offer support for the theory of an aave/creole connection.I would like to acknowledge the Department of Linguistics and the Center for African Studies at Ohio State University for covering the cost of some of the fieldwork for this study. I would also like to acknowledge the McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina for providing several hours of recordings used for the study. My sincerest thanks to research assistants Jason Sellers and Cherlon Ussery for help with transcriptions and data tabulation and to the following friends and colleagues for their help and support during various stages of this project: Emily Bender, Eugenia Deas, Vennie Deas-Moore, Brian Joseph, Michele Nichols, Terence Odlin, John Paolillo, Donald Winford, and Walt Wolfram. And, finally, my thanks to James Walker and an anonymous LVC reviewer for their helpful suggestions on an earlier draft of this article. I accept full responsibility for any remaining errors.
Prerequisite Characteristics of Nanocarriers Favoring Oral Insulin Delivery: Nanogels as an Opportunity

Extensive research has been carried out for developing nanocarriers to overcome the major barriers preventing success in oral insulin therapy, which includes (a) identification of in vivo barriers, (b) incorporation of prerequisite characteristics into single nanocarrier, and (c) exclusion of the use of additional potentially toxic chemicals as enzyme inhibitors or permeation enhancers. The present review identifies the prerequisite characteristics of single nanocarrier that could avoid major hindrance being faced in oral insulin delivery. An effort is made to discuss the involvement of prerequisite characters to overcome the major hurdles, which prevent the success in oral insulin delivery.
Phase transitions and heterogeneous equilibria in the TaRu homogeneity range

The phase behavior of Ta-Ru alloys in the vicinity of TaRu was studied by high-temperature X-ray diffraction. The temperature-composition behavior of the cubic-to-tetragonal and tetragonal-to-orthorhombic transitions is reported for 0.49 < Ru:Ta < 1.60 and 25 °C < T < 1650 °C.
Selenium in western Atlantic precipitation

The trace element composition of precipitation (rain and snow) provides a way of monitoring anthropogenic and natural emissions to the atmosphere; the subsequent deposition of such emissions (for example, as acid precipitation) can have important effects on aquatic ecosystems. In this regard, the mobilization of selenium by fossil fuel combustion1 and selenium's toxicity2 provide compelling reasons to examine this element's atmospheric transport and removal. Furthermore, recent investigations suggest that atmospheric deposition is an important selenium input to oceanic surface waters3,4. Here we examine data on the concentration and oxidation state of selenium in precipitation over coastal and mid-ocean regions of the western Atlantic Ocean. The results indicate that fossil fuel combustion enriches selenium in wet depositional fluxes to western Atlantic surface waters, and that selenium's oxidation state in precipitation may be a sensitive oxidation–reduction (redox) tracer.
Treatment of childhood germ cell tumors. Review of the St. Jude experience from 1979 to 1988.

Background. The outlook for patients with germ cell tumors was poor before the advent of effective chemotherapy. The authors assessed the outcome of treatment with multiagent chemotherapy (with or without radiation therapy) in children treated for germ cell tumors at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (SJCRH). Methods. Sixty children with germ cell tumors were treated between January 1979 and June 1988. Post-surgical treatment was based on tumor site, stage, and histology. Most patients received chemotherapy with vincristine, actinomycin-D, and cyclophosphamide (VAC), or a modified Einhorn regimen (cisplatin, bleomycin, and vinblastine [PVB]); in the absence of response to initial therapy, patients received alternating courses of VAC and PVB (VAC/PVB regimen). Exceptions were patients with Stage I testicular tumors (observation only) and ovarian germinomas (Stage I tumors measuring less than 10 cm, observation only; tumors larger than 10 cm or Stage II-III disease, radiation only; and Stage IV disease, VAC plus radiation). Results. The estimated 5-year survival is 100% for patients with Stage I disease (n = 18), 87% for patients with Stage II (n = 8), 72% for Stage III (n = 25), and 56% for Stage IV (n = 9). Patients with testicular tumors of any stage or with Stage I-II ovarian tumors had 100% 5-year survival. Extragonadal tumors responded poorly to VAC alone with recurrent or progressive disease in eight of nine patients. Treatment for those tumors was changed to alternating courses of VAC and PVB, which failed in only one of seven patients. Nine of 19 patients with advanced ovarian tumors had disease recurrence with VAC; these patients then received PVB, which was effective in four cases. Conclusions. For patients with advanced germ cell cancers, intensification of therapy or the development of new approaches is necessary. In contrast, future trials in children with limited stage should focus on reducing acute and long-term toxicities.
Output order reflects the cognitive accessibility of goals.

ABSTRACT Goal accessibility—the ease or speed with which a goal is activated— increases the likelihood that it will be acted on. The present studies validate output order as a measure of goal accessibility that can be applied to goal lists in both laboratory and naturalistic settings. In three studies, output order (the order in which goals are listed in a free-response format) was related to self-reported goal value but was not redundant with it. Furthermore, output order was affected by motivational priming whereas value was not, and order associated with typical student goals (e.g., achievement) compared with atypical goals (e.g., power). Output order is well suited to bring the study of accessibility to naturalistic studies of goals and goal pursuit.
N- vs. O-alkylation in the mitsunobu reaction of 2-pyridone

Abstract An N- vs. O-alkylation study of 2-pyridone with various alcohols and solvents under Mitsunobu conditions was carried out.
Optical Delay Line Elements Based on Leaky-Mode Resonance Structures

Leaky-mode resonance bandpass filters are designed with particle swarm optimization. The spectral phase properties of these elements are studied. It is shown that these elements can operate as optical delay lines.
An efficient reliable one-hop broadcast in mobile ad hoc networks

A reliable one-hop broadcast is a fundamental communication primitive in mobile ad hoc networks in which a message from the source node is guaranteed to be delivered to all nodes within the source node's transmission range. Despite the importance of it, reliable one-hop broadcast is not easy to accomplish due to collisions in wireless networks known as Hidden Terminal Problem. This paper presents a MAC protocol that not only guarantees reliable one-hop broadcast but also achieves it efficiently by exploring as many simultaneous executions of the communication as possible. In addition to the data packets, the proposed algorithm utilizes the control packets that prevent packet collisions, and at the same time, make the simultaneous communications possible to improve the network throughput. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Facilitators of prenatal care access in rural Appalachia.

Abstract Background There are many providers and models of prenatal care, some more effective than others. However, quantitative research alone cannot determine the reasons beneficial models of care improve health outcomes. Perspectives of women receiving care from effective clinics can provide valuable insight. Methods We surveyed 29 women receiving care at a rural, Appalachian birth center in the United States with low rates of preterm birth. Semi-structured interviews and demographic questionnaires were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis of manifest content. Findings Insurance was the most common facilitator of prenatal access. Beneficial characteristics of the provider and clinic included: personalized care, unrushed visits, varied appointment times, short waits, and choice in the type and location of care. Conclusion There is a connection between compassionate and personalized care and positive birth outcomes. Women were willing to overcome barriers to access care that met their needs. To facilitate access to prenatal care and decrease health disparities, healthcare planners, and policy makers need to ensure all women can afford to access prenatal care and allow women a choice in their care provider. Clinic administrators should create a welcoming clinic environment with minimal wait time. Unrushed, woman-centered prenatal visits can increase access to and motivation for care and are easily integrated into prenatal care with minimal cost.
Edge barrier pinning for a single superconducting vortex

Thermal depinning of a single vortex trapped in a superconducting thin film has been measured in order to study the Bean-Livingston surface barrier. There are two forces that bias the motion of the vortex in the natural pinning potential of the film. These are the image force pulling the vortex toward the edge of the film and the Lorentz force of the Meissner currents pushing the vortex toward the center of the film. With zero applied magnetic field, a vortex trapped in a clean, well-defined junction will begin to spontaneously move over large distances of 1 {mu}m or more at a temperature where the reduced order parameter is about {Delta}/{Delta}{sub 0}=0.2. When {Delta}/{Delta}{sub 0} has been further reduced to {Delta}/{Delta}{sub 0}=0.15, the vortex exits the film, giving a vortex-free state below T{sub c}. In zero applied field, the data show that the image force clearly causes a trapped vortex to leave the film. When a perpendicular magnetic field is applied, however, results show that new vortices were nucleated for fields higher than 20 mG. At 20 mG, the Meissner current force was only a few percent of the pinning force and this biasing force causes the vortex to exit themore » film at a temperature 0.050 K lower than in zero field. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
Reduced serum content and increased matrix stiffness promote the cardiac myofibroblast transition in 3D collagen matrices

Abstract Introduction The fibroblast–myofibroblast transition is an important event in the development of cardiac fibrosis and scar formation initiated after myocardial ischemia. The goals of the present study were to better understand the contribution of environmental factors to this transition and determine whether myofibroblasts provide equally important feedback to the surrounding environment. Methods The influence of matrix stiffness and serum concentration on the myofibroblast transition was assessed by measuring message levels of a panel of cardiac fibroblast phenotype markers using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Cell-mediated gel compaction measured the influence of environmental factors on cardiac fibroblast contractility. Immunohistochemistry characterized alpha-smooth muscle actin expression and cell morphology, while static and dynamic compression testing evaluated the effect of the cell response on the mechanical properties of the cell-seeded collagen hydrogels. Results Both reduced serum content and increased matrix stiffness contributed to the myofibroblast transition, as indicated by contractile compaction of the gels, increased message levels of col3α1 and alpha-smooth muscle actin, and a less stellate morphology. However, the effects of serum and matrix stiffness were not additive. Mechanical testing indicated that reduced serum content increased the initial elastic modulus of cell-seeded gels and that gels lost their viscous character with time. Conclusions The results suggest that reduced serum and increased matrix stiffness promote the myofibroblast phenotype in the myocardium. This transition both enhances and is promoted by matrix stiffness, indicating the presence of positive feedback that may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis.
An in vitro system for studying the effects of ozone on mammalian cell cultures and viruses.

A unique in vitro system was developed for exposing mammalian cell cultures, viruses, or both to ozone under conditions mimicking those of the respiratory tract. The system used borosilicate glass roller culture bottles equipped with specially designed caps to permit the flow of humidified gas (ozone or filtered air) through the rotating vessels. The system was designed to allow two test cultures and one control culture to be simultaneously exposed to different precisely defined concentrations of ozone. The input and exhaust concentrations of ozone were sequentially monitored with an ultraviolet photometric ozone analyzer. The system was used to determine the reactivity of ozone with several tissue culture media at different flow rates. The reaction rate of ozone with media was shown to be a function of the input concentration and increased as the gas flow rate was increased. Input ozone concentrations measured during 48-hr test exposures remained stable, yielding standard deviations of less than 4%. Exposure of Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells to ozone concentrations of 0.16 and 0.64 ppm for 24 hr resulted in a slight but significant decrease in the synthesis of RNA as measured by the incorporation of [3H]uridine into TCA-precipitable material. The synthesis of protein and DNA was not significantly affected by identical treatments. Vesicular stomatitis virus exposed to ozone at concentrations of 0.16 and 0.64 ppm for 12 hr showed marked loss of biological function when compared to identical controls exposed to filtered air. The feasibility of using enveloped viruses as a model for investigation of ozone-induced damage to cellular membranes and membrane proteins is discussed.
"A Fire in the Blood": metaphors of bipolar disorder in Jamison's An Unquiet Mind.

Content analysis of three chapters of Jamison’s memoir, An Unquiet Mind, shows that depression, mania, and Bipolar Disorder have a common metaphoric core as a sequential process of suffering and adversity that is a form of malevolence and destruction. Depression was down and in, while mania was up, in and distant, circular and zigzag, a powerful force of quickness and motion, fieriness, strangeness, seduction, expansive extravagance, and acuity. Bipolar Disorder is down and away and a sequential and cyclical process that partakes of the metaphors of its component moods. We conclude that metaphors of mood disorders share a number of structural features and are consistent across different authors.
Modeling particle collision processes in high Reynolds number flow

Abstract Shearing and inertial collision frequency functions are derived for spherical particles with motivation to high-speed flows where compressibility effects are present. Orthokinetic collision is considered under laminar flow where the radial component of relative velocity between two colliding particles is a source of collision. For a general laminar movement of flow, contraction and dilatation effects in compressible flow on shearing collision are assessed. The newly derived shearing collision frequency function consists of compressible and incompressible parts and is obtained from first principles using the local strain-rate tensor. It is shown that the contraction and dilatation of a fluid element significantly effects shearing collisions. The new shearing collision frequency function is compared with inertial collision frequency under laminar flow and the laminar total collision frequency is compared with the total collision frequency function for turbulent flow.
Fast algorithms for PDEs in simple and complex geometries

We review some fast and accurate numerical techniques for solving elliptic equations in complicated domains developedby the author and his colleagues in recent past. These are based on a combination of fast algorithms for regular domainsand various domain embedding techniques. The fast algorithms for regular domains are derived from analysis of integralequation approach for solving elliptic equations in two- and three-dimensions. These algorithms are very accurate and easyto implement on serial as well as parallel computers. For an irregular domain, ﬁrst the domain is embedded in a regulardomain and then the problem is solved in the regular domain using either boundary or distributed control techniques and thefast algorithm for the regular domain. There are more additional considerations in these methods that make the method moreefﬁcient and accurate. We do not go into these details in this short paper.Oneofthekeycontributingideasoftheauthorinthisbroadset-upis thewayfastalgorithmsin regulardomainsforvariouselliptic equations are derived. This algorithm was originally conceived during the course of subsonic airfoil design usingcomplex Beltrami equation formulation of subsonic compressible ﬂow equations [1]. We show the basic idea of the algorithmthrough the following simple model problem in the real plane.
Performance of Dust Respirators with Facial Seal Leaks: I. Experimental

The ability of representative half-mask and single-use respirators with facial seal leaks to provide protection against aerosols was evaluated by experimental measurement. Respirators were mounted on a manikin in a test chamber and operated at seven steady flow rates over the range of 2 to 150 L/min. Samples of polydisperse and monodisperse aerosols were taken from inside and outside the respirator and analyzed by a calibrated optical particle counter over the particle-size range 0.1 to 11.3 µm. Measurements were made separately for filter performance as a function of particle size and flow rate, and simulated leak performance (penetration) as a function of particle size, pressure drop, and leak size. Flow rate vs. pressure drop measurements were made for all filters and leaks tested. For a given leak condition the percentage of the total flow traversing the leak varied several fold over the usual range of airflow rates through a respirator. Aerosol penetration was found to depend strongly on particle siz...
A frailty approach for modelling diseases with variable age of onset in families: the NHLBI Family Heart Study.

We use frailty models to analyse the effect of latent genetic and environmental risk factors on hazard functions in nuclear families. The approach expresses latent risk factors (frailties) as functions of the effects of a single major gene and shared familial risk. The latter may result from shared polygenes and/or a common environment. Genetic frailties are modelled using a two-point distribution, and residual frailties (shared environment, polygenes) using a gamma distribution. The two-point distribution follows the laws of Mendelian transmission, under either dominant or recessive gene action. We describe a robust EM approach for the joint estimation of the magnitude of genetic, covariate, gene by covariate interaction effects while allowing residual familial correlation. We illustrate the method on coronary heart disease data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study. In addition, a simulation study shows that ignoring possible residual correlation in disease status due to a shared familial environment leads to an overestimate of the relative risk associated with a latent genotype.
Towards the design of a human-machine interface via disturbance adaptive control: An analogous machine-to-machine system

In this paper, we propose a disturbance adaptive controller for a machine-to-machine system (MMS), with the objective to study the adaptation of the machine to an external disturbance. For this, MMS is built and experiments are conducted. The disturbance is then estimated by an observer, which assists the machine to adapt to the effects of the disturbance via a feedback controller, called the disturbance adaptive controller. Real-time experiment results are presented and discussed. These results form the very first step of our main goal in building a human-machine system where the machine will adapt to the human finger-motion for developing adaptive Braille reading devices.
Predicting the spectral reflectance factor of translucent paints using Kubelka-Munk turbid media theory: Review and evaluation

The use of Kubelka-Munk (K-M) turbid media theory in predicting the spectral reflectance factor of an opaque specimen from the specimen's constituent optical constants is well established in practice and well described in the literature. For translucent samples, there is a paucity of published results and the approaches are disparate. Accordingly, a review of K-M theory and its application for predicting the spectral reflectance factor of translucent samples is presented and tested. Four methods for determining the absorption and scattering coefficients with respect to a certain film thickness are described: the black-white method, the infinite method, the masstone-tint method, and the two-region method. The black-white and infinite methods use the general form of the K-M equation. The masstone-tint method can be used for both the general form and the opaque simplification. The two-region method, combining opaque and translucent approaches, was enhanced in this research and included an opacity calculation to automatically differentiate opaque and translucent spectral regions and a smoothing technique to combine both spectral regions. The two-region method was tested using a set of acrylic-emulsion artist paints and glazes spanning a range of opacities from opaque to nearly transparent. The results were reasonable and provided statistically significant improvement compared with the opaque simplification, commonly used in art conservation science and industrial color matching. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 34, 417–431, 2009
Consumption, growth and evacuation in the Pacific cod, Gadus macrocephalus

Growth of Pacific cod was related to energy consumption (cal g−1 day−1) and was well described by linear equations. Maintenance ration was 11 and 12 cal g−1 day−1 at 4.5 and 6.5° C, respectively. Cod between 200 and 5000 g had similar growth rates when growth was expressed as a function of consumption (cal g−1 day−1). Laboratory consumption of food averaged 0.9 and 1.3% body weight per day at 4.5 and 6.5° C, respectively. At these temperatures growth was 0.34–0.38% body weight day−1. Maximum stomach volumes equated to approximately 4.7% of body weight with shrimp as prey. At this meal size Pacific cod did not feed the next day. A multiple meal evacuation experiment was used to verify the consumption estimates. A return-to-hunger estimate of the meal size evacuated was 1.5% body weight day−1 at 6.5° C, similar to the 1.3% consumption estimate. For Pacific cod fed a single meal of 1% body weight the estimated instantaneous evacuation rate was 0.63 body weight day−1 at 6.5° C. Meal size markedly affected the evacuation rate. Measured consumption and growth rates are similar to those of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua.
Sense making and artifacts: an exploration into the role of tools in knowledge management

The advancement of human knowledge is the result of evolution of human capabilities for absorbing, developing and processing human intelligence, and perhaps just as equally, on the human capability to develop symbols and artifacts for assisting in the creation, diffusion and sharing of knowledge. These artifacts not only have evolved in their sophistication and ability to help human knowledge enterprise, but also they have become embedded in the knowledge networks and the global knowledge enterprises. The universal knowledge architecture today can be best represented as a set of interconnected networks linking the neural networks of our brain with our organizational, institutional, professional and societal networks, and the networks of knowledge artifacts. Within this context the knowledge enterprise is viewed as a sustaining quest for sense making through the human to human process for scaffolding of knowledge where the knowledge artifacts play quintessential and inseparable roles. The effectiveness of our efforts in developing and implementing the knowledge artifacts or management tools depends to a large extent on our ability to refocus the design context of these tools as artifacts, from an information centric paradigm to one of knowledge within the context of a sense‐making paradigm.
X-ray Mask Defect Repair Optimization

ABSTRACT Defect repair is a key component in fabricating a defect-free mask. Focused ion beam repair has been successfully used forX-ray masks. To repair an opaque defect (bridge, extension and spot) the ion beam is used to mill away the excessabsorber while clear defect repair requires beam assisted deposition of Au. Current X-ray mask repair tools specify edgeplacement accuracy of mask nm on the. However, the effects of non-ideal repairs (such as edge errors, side-wallslopes and roughness, over-etch of SiC and re-deposition of Au) on printed resist have not been investigated, and the tolerance of such errors have not been specified. In this study, repaired defect printing was tracked and resist edge placement accuracy was measured to evaluate the non-ideal repair effects. in the opaque defect repair case, we observedinside the "repair box", repaired mask errors such as sloped walls, remaining absorber and re-deposition outside the boxand found that these errors shift the printed resist pattern edge toward the inside of the box. In the clear defect repair case,the deposited gold is typically extended out of the defined box by sloped side-wall and the printed resist pattern edge isshifted toward the outside of the box. These non-ideal repairs systematically affect resist pattern edge placement. An X-raylithography simulation tool (produced by the University of Wisconsin-Madison) was used to analyze these effects.Preliminarily by adjusting the "repair box" size and etch/deposition time, the effects of non-ideal repair can be eliminated.Programmed defects were created on a mask and repairs were performed evaluated and optimized with actual X-rayexposures.Keywords: Clear defect, opaque defect, ion milling, Au deposition, X-ray lithography
Characterization of the bisintercalative DNA binding mode of a bifunctional platinum–acridine agent

The DNA interactions of PT-BIS(ACRAMTU) ([Pt(en)(ACRAMTU)2](NO3)4; ACRAMTU = 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea, en = ethylenediamine), a bifunctional platinum-acridine conjugate, have been studied in native and synthetic double-stranded DNAs and model duplexes using various biophysical techniques. These include ethidium-DNA fluorescence quenching and thermal melting experiments, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and plasmid unwinding assays. In addition, the binding mode was studied in a short octamer by NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with molecular modeling. In alternating copolymers, PT-BIS(ACRAMTU) shows a distinct preference for poly(dA-dT)2, which is approximately 3-fold higher than that of ACRAMTU. In the ligand-oligomer complex, d(GCTATAGC)2.PT-BIS(ACRAMTU) (complex I*), PT-BIS(ACRAMTU) increases the thermal stability of the B-form host duplex by DeltaT(m) > 30 K (CD and UV melting experiments). The agent unwinds pSP73 plasmid DNA by 44(+/-2) degrees per bound molecule, indicating bisintercalative binding. A 2-D NMR study unequivocally demonstrates that PT-BIS(ACRAMTU)'s chromophores deeply bisintercalate into the 5'-TA/TA base pair steps in I*, while the platinum linker lies in the minor groove. An AMBER model reflecting the NMR results shows that bracketing of the central AT base pairs in a classical nearest neighbor excluded fashion is feasible. PT-BIS(ACRAMTU) inhibits DNA hydrolysis by BstZ17 I at the enzyme's restriction site, GTA downward arrowTAC. Possible consequences for other relevant DNA-protein interactions, such as those involved in TATA-box-mediated transcription initiation and the utility of the platinum-intercalator technology for the design of sequence-specific agents are discussed.
Electronics: the fourth element.

Almost four decades since its existence was first proposed, a fourth basic circuit element joins the canonical three. The 'memristor' might herald a step-change in the march towards ever more powerful circuitry.
Stöber Synthesis of Nitric Oxide-Releasing S-Nitrosothiol-Modified Silica Particles.

We report the synthesis of S-nitrosothiol-modified silica particles capable of nitric oxide (NO) release. The thiol precursor modification to form S-nitrosothiol NO donors was introduced into the silica network via co-condensation of mercaptosilane and alkoxysilane precursors. Both the concentration of reactants (i.e., water, ammonia, and silane) and the silane feed rate into the reaction proved important in the yield of monodisperse, spherical particles with tunable diameters ranging from 241−718 nm. Subsequent nitrosation resulted in NO storage approaching ∼4.40 μmol NO mg−1, as determined by total NO release. Behaving similar to low molecular weight S-nitrosothiol NO donors, the NO release from the macromolecular silica vehicles was influenced by light, temperature, and metal ions.
Expected dose for the early failure scenario classes in the 2008 performance assessment for the proposed high-level radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Abstract Extensive work has been carried out by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the development of a proposed geologic repository at Yucca Mountain (YM), Nevada, for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste. In support of this development and an associated license application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the DOE completed an extensive performance assessment (PA) for the proposed YM repository in 2008. This presentation describes the determination of expected dose to the reasonably maximally exposed individual (RMEI) specified in the NRC regulations for the YM repository for the early waste package (WP) failure scenario class and the early drip shield (DS) failure scenario class in the 2008 YM PA. The following topics are addressed: (i) properties of the early failure scenario classes and the determination of dose and expected dose the RMEI, (ii) expected dose and uncertainty in expected dose to the RMEI from the early WP failure scenario class, (iii) expected dose and uncertainty in expected dose to the RMEI from the early DS failure scenario class, (iv) expected dose and uncertainty in expected dose to the RMEI from the combined early WP and early DS failure scenario class with and without the inclusion of failures resulting from nominal processes, and (v) uncertainty in the occurrence of early failure scenario classes. The present article is part of a special issue of Reliability Engineering and System Safety devoted to the 2008 YM PA; additional articles in the issue describe other aspects of the 2008 YM PA.
The role of epilepsy centers in delivering care to patients with intractable epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder that can profoundly influence people9s ability to participate fully in society. To ameliorate the effects of the disorder, the health care system should provide mechanisms that explicitly facilitate consultations among primary-, secondary-, and tertiary-level health care providers. Second, it should develop schedules for compensating for both the less and the more technologically intensive methods of diagnosis and treatment. These should allow improved or complete seizure control in a significant portion of patients with intractable seizures. Although there are costs for such changes, the costs of not making them may be higher.
Porokeratosis and cutaneous malignancy. A review.

BACKGROUND. Porokeratosis is a disorder of epidermal keratinization manifested clinically by a raised border and histologically by a cornoid lamella. While cutaneous malignancy has been reported to arise in porokeratosis, the risk remains unknown. In the past it has been associated with a history of radiation therapy. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to estimate the frequency of cutaneous malignancy arising in porokeratosis and define those patients who are at highest risk. METHODS. All cases in the English language literature in the last 30 years were reviewed. RESULTS. Twenty-one (7.5%) of 281 cases reported revealed a malignancy arising within porokeratosis. Large lesions, those of long-standing duration, and the linear type were at greatest risk. Radiation therapy was an infrequently identified risk factor. CONCLUSION. Porokeratosis is a premalignant condition, with certain groups of patients at greatest risk for malignant transformation.
Increase in Near-Surface Atmospheric Moisture Content due to Land Use Changes: Evidence from the Observed Dewpoint Temperature Data

Abstract Land use change can significantly affect root zone soil moisture, surface energy balance, and near-surface atmospheric temperature and moisture content. During the second half of the twentieth century, portions of the North American Great Plains have experienced extensive introduction of irrigated agriculture. It is expected that land use change from natural grass to irrigated land use would significantly increase near-surface atmospheric moisture content. Modeling studies have already shown an enhanced rate of evapotranspiration from the irrigated areas. The present study analyzes observed dewpoint temperature (Td) to assess the affect of irrigated land use on near-surface atmospheric moisture content. This investigation provides a unique opportunity to use long-term (1982–2003) mesoscale Td data from the Automated Weather Data Network of the high plains. Long-term daily Td data from 6 nonirrigated and 11 irrigated locations have been analyzed. Daily time series were developed from the hourly da...
Optimism and psychosocial functioning in caring for children with Battens and other neurological diseases.

Psychosocial functioning was compared between 32 caregivers of children with Batten's disease, a terminal, neurodegenerative illness, and with 20 caregivers of children with epilepsy or cerebral pa...
SQL extensions for security assertions

Abstract We describe the extensions to the relational query language SQL that are necessary to support multilevel security in database management systems. In a multilevel secure database with data at a variety of sensitivity levels. The data classifications are provided by security assertions. Consequently, the data definition language and the data manipulation language should provide support for incorporating these assertions.
Differential exercise effects of captopril and nadolol in patients with essential hypertension

In a crossover study, 12 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were given placebo, captopril (12.5 to 50 mg three times a day), and nadolol (20 to 160 mg once a day) to control the resting diastolic blood pressure to a nearly identical degree (p < 0.0001) (106.1 ±4 placebo, 89.6 ±8 captopril, 89.8 ±7 nadolol). Both drugs lowered (p < 0.0004) systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest and during exercise. However, systolic blood pressure lowering during exercise was more pronounced (p < 0.05) with nadolol than with captopril (difference of 6 mmHg, 16 mmHg, and 21 mmHg at 5.0, 7.0, and 9.0 metabolic equivalents (METS) respectively). Heart rate was lower (p < 0.05) at rest and during exercise with nadolol as compared with placebo and with captopril. These data imply different mechanisms of action of the two drugs at rest and during exercise and may help in selection of drug therapy in special patient subsets.
Magnetized local supercluster and the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays

A sufficiently magnetized local supercluster can explain the spectrum and angular distribution of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays. We show that the spectrum of extragalactic cosmic rays with energies below $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{20}\mathrm{eV}$ may be due to the diffusive propagation in the local supercluster with fields of $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}--{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}\mathrm{G}.$ Above $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{20}\mathrm{eV},$ cosmic rays propagate in an almost rectilinear way which is evidenced by the change in shape of the spectrum at the highest energies. The fit to the spectrum requires that at least one source be located relatively nearby at $\ensuremath{\sim}10--15\mathrm{Mpc}$ away from the Milky Way. We discuss the origin of magnetic fields in the local supercluster and the observable predictions of this model.
Hemolytic effects of energy dissipation in flowing blood.

Typical extracorporeal circulation systems subject blood to abnormal and severe physical conditions. The local rate of mechanical hemolysis under such conditions is postulated to be a function of the local rate of mechanical energy dissipation. This hypothesis was tested by examining the rates of hemolysis in four types of flow. The average rate of hemolysis is expressed as a power function of the average dissipation rate. In the absence of cavitation, the lysis rate in all four cases depends on the average dissipation rate raised to the 1·2 power. The constant of proportionality in each case, however, depends on the spatial distribution of dissipation. The more non-uniform the dissipation, the greater the hemolysis rate for the same average dissipation rate. No statistical correlation was found between the tendency of a particular blood to lyse osmotically and the tendency to lyse mechanically.
Regulation of the aggregation state of maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase: evidence from dynamic light-scattering measurements.

Abstract The molecular weights of different aggregational states of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase purified from the leaves of Zea mays have been determined by measurement of the molecular diameter using a Malvern dynamic light scattering spectrometer. Using these data to identify the monomer, dimer, tetramer, and larger aggregate(s) the effect of pH and various ligands on the aggregational equilibria of this enzyme have been determined. At neutral pH the enzyme favored the tetrameric form. At both low and high pH the tetramer dissociated, followed by aggregation to a “large” inactive form. The order of dissociation at least at low pH appeared to be two-step: from tetramer to dimers followed by dimer to monomers. The monomers then aggregate to a large aggregate, which is inactive. The presence of EDTA at pH 8 protected the enzyme against both inactivation and large aggregate formation. Dilution of the enzyme at pH 7 at room temperature results in driving the equilibrium from tetramer to dimer. The presence of malate with EDTA stabilizes the dimer as the predominant form at low protein concentrations. The presence of the substrate phosphoenolpyruvate alone and with magnesium and bicarbonate induced formation of the tetramer, and decreased the dissociation constant (Kd) of the tetrameric form. The inhibitor malate, however, induced dissociation of the tetramer as evidenced by an increase in the Kd of the tetramer.
Strengthening Community Involvement: Partnering with Indigenous Faith-Based Organizations to Develop Sustainable Partnerships in Zambia

This article examines the role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in delivering HIV/AIDS services to the population of Zambia. It outlines the causes of HIV transmission, the development of community initiatives to provide services and education programs to underserved families and orphans affected by the disease, and activities of multinational organizations as they partner with FBOs to strengthen education programs, provide for orphans, deliver services, and develop community relationships. The paper suggests strategies for strengthening partnerships, identifies problems that affect the implementation of strategies, and makes recommendations for developing sustainable community relationships.