cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A modification of the differential approximation for radiative transfer.

In radiation-gas dynamics problems, frequent use has been made of the differential approximation, which involves replacing the integral equation of transfer by a differential equation for the flux. This differential approximation may be inaccurate at small optical depths if external radiation sources are present. A procedure that correctly accounts for the external radiation is developed in this paper. The resulting modified differential approximation is first applied to the one-dimensional problem of a medium in radiative equilibrium between two parallel walls held at different temperatures. The calculated flux is superior to that obtained using the unmodified differential approximation, especially in the optically thin limit where the modified differential approximation gives the correct (though small) absorption of the medium. The modified differential approximation is also used to solve the two-dimensional problem of linearized flow of a radiating gas over a wall with a sinusoidal temperature distribution. With a characteristic optical depth defined with respect to the wavelength of the wall temperature variation, it is found that the modified differential approximation gives accurate values for the flow variables over the entire opacity range, yielding the correct values in the optically thin limit. On the other hand, the unmodified differential approximation yields values that become increasingly inaccurate as the characteristic optical depth becomes small.
Evaluation of the mandatory child abuse course for physicians: do we need to repeat it?

INTRODUCTION: Child abuse is one of the most common disorders affecting children of all ages. The objective of this study was to measure and assess the effectiveness of the mandated New York State child abuse and maltreatment course, and to identify and define the need for a refresher course. METHODS: This study was conducted in two parts. Part 1 consisted of a web-based survey among the paediatric members of 'Physicians Online' in New York State, and Part 2 consisted of an anonymous questionnaire survey using conventional US mail among the registered physicians in New York State who took the mandatory 'Recognition of Child Abuse and Maltreatment Course' between January 1988 and December 1998. The questionnaire included demographic information, test questions, and opinions of the physicians regarding the need for a refresher course. RESULTS: The web survey yielded 239/664 (36%) responses in 1 week. Approximately 45% of the respondents agreed that participation in the course produced a significant difference in their knowledge base and recommended that the course should be repeated every 5 years. The response rate for the mail survey was 56% (424/756). Among the respondents, 88% agreed that participation in the course produced an increased source of knowledge and practice (mean score of 3.2 +/- 1.2 using a scale of 1-5; where 1 = disagree and 5 = agree). The time since the course was taken (1-5 years vs >5 years ago) did not significantly influence their responses. Although 84% of the respondents answered the test questions correctly, significant differences were noted across practice specialty (P<0.05). In response to the question regarding the necessity for a refresher course, the mean score was 2.55 +/- 1.6 using a linear scale of 0-5 (where 0 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that practice specialty, not the time since the course was taken, made a significant difference in the knowledge of recognition and reporting of child abuse. Language: en
An electrochemical study of chromium(0) complexes of arenes which have electronegative substituent groups

Using cyclic voltammetry, E12 values were determined for the process Cr(arene)2 ⇄ [Cr(arene)2]+ + e (arene = C6H5R, for R = H, CF3, Cl, F, OCH3; p- and m-C6H4(CF3)2, o- and p-C6H4(CF3)Cl; 1,4(CH3)2-2-ClC6H3) in acetonitrile. Compounds with electron withdrawing groups on the arene ligands have higher E12 values indicating that they are more difficult to oxidize. This is in accord with a simple model in which withdrawal of electron density from the metal to ligands stabilizes the HOMO, a primarily metal orbital, in these systems. Possible correlations between E12 and the Hammett substituent constants, σm and σp for the substituent groups on the ligands, are investigated.
UNAMBIGUOUS EXCHANGE-CORRELATION ENERGY DENSITY FOR HOOKE'S ATOM

Recently, we used Helmholtz's theorem to construct an unambiguous exchange)correlation energy density for use in density functional theory. This energy density requires only knowledge of the density dependence of the exchange)correlation energy functional, E , for its calculation. We calculate this energy density for Hooke's XC . atom in three different regimes: the high-density or weakly correlated limit; a moderate density, comparable to that of the He atom; and a low density, in which the system is strongly correlated. We compare the exact unambiguous energy density with approximate energy densities found from approximate energy functionals. The exchange)correlation energy can be deduced directly from the density in the highly correlated limit and a new formula for the high-density limit of the correlation energy is given. Q 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 70: 583)589, 1998
Mass spectra of permethyl derivatives of glyco-sphingolipids

Abstract Mass spectra of the permethyl derivatives of a series of glycosphingolipids have been recorded. Fragments containing one, two and in some cases three sugar moieties were detected for the polyglycosyl compounds, several of these being of high intensity. The utility of such ions in establishing the position of hexosamine in an oligosaccharide chain was demonstrated. Low molecular weight gangliosides gave peaks corresponding to permethylated sialic acid under certain experimental conditions, permitting identification of N-acetyl- and N-glycoclylneuraminic acids. Glass sample containers appeared to catalyze destruction of these units. Peaks corresponding to the entire ceramide unit were detected but only in a few instances did these reflect the true ceramide composition. Specific fragments derived from the fatty acids and long-chain bases, respectively, were shown to be useful for qualitative identification of these components.
The effect of legalization and public funding of abortion on neonatal mortality: an intervention analysis.

This paper examines the impact of the legalization of abortion on neonatal mortality in the United States. Monthly time series data are used to estimate intervention models separately for the U.S. as a whole and for the States of New York and South Carolina. Legalization of abortion in 1973 is found to have no discernible impact on national neonatal mortality rates. However, results from New York and South Carolina, states in which accessibility and public funding of abortion differed markedly, suggest that abortion is significantly related to declines in neonatal mortality, particularly among nonwhites. The magnitude and timing of such impacts varied between races and states.
Combined pyrolysis and radiochemical gas chromatography for studying the thermal degradation of epoxide resins and polyimides. II. Degradation of polyimides

The thermal degradation of aromatic polyimides in nitrogen at 700°C was studied using pyrolysis gas chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, and radiochemical techniques. Degradation mechanisms were postulated to account for the breakdown products found and to explain variations in the ratio of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
Collagens of Basement Membranes

Recent biochemical and immunohistochemical studies have described several components of basement membranes including heparan sulfate proteoglycan, 2 high molecular weight glycoproteins (fibronectin and laminin), and 2 collagen types (IV and V). These collagens have several properties which distinguish them from other types that are located in the interstitium: (a) type IV forms an amorphous, felt-like matrix, and neither IV nor V is found in large, cross-banded fibrils, (b) both have an increased content of hydrophobic amino acids, (c) the precursor (pro) forms are larger than those of interstitial collagens, (d) type IV contains interruptions within the triple helix, and e) both IV and V are resistant to human skin collagenase but are substrates for selected neutral proteases derived from mast cells, macrophages, and granulocytes. By immunofluorescence staining, type IV collagen has been localized to basement membranes at the dermal-epidermal junction, in capillaries, and beneath endothelial cells in larger vessels. Ultrastructurally it has been shown to be a specific component of the lamina densa. Type V collagen has been localized to the pericellular matrices of several cells types and may be specific for extramembranous structures which are closely associated with basal laminae. Other collagenous proteins have been described which may be associated with the extracellular matrix. One of these is secreted by endothelial cells in culture and by peptide mapping represents a novel collagen type. It is secreted under ascorbate-free conditions and is highly sensitive to proteolytic degradation. It has been proposed that a dynamic reciprocity exists between cells and their extracellular matrix which partially determines cell shape, biosynthesis, migration, and attachment. Examples of phenotypic modulation in several of these phenomena have been shown with endothelial cells grown on different substrates and isolated from different vascular environments.
The treatment of diabetic acidosis: Comparison oftreatment regimes with and without parenteral potassium

Summary 1. The blood chemical determinations and serial electrocardiograms of fifteen juvenile diabetics in moderate to extreme acidosis are reported. 2. These patients were treated according to the Hartmann regime and did not receive added K initially in any instance. The clinical syndrome of hypokaliemia was not observed. 3. No parenteral potassium therapy was necessary since all patients responded rapidly and were taking either liquid or soft diets in the first 24 hours and were ambulatory in 48 hours. 4. A group of seven juvenile diabetics in severe or extreme acidosis received added parenteral K initially and were studied in a similar manner. 5. The serum potassium levels were followed and showed the usual early depressions as in Group I but there seemed to be no correlation with the clinical state of the patient or the serial electrocardiographic findings. 6. No significant differences could be seen in the electrocardiograms of Group I and Group II. 7. There seems to be a reasonabledoubt that the electrocardiographic changes can be attributed solely to hypokaliemia but may be the result of other factors in such a disturbed metabolic state as diabetic acidosis.
Energetics of Folding and DNA Binding of the MATα2 Homeodomain

Homeodomains are a class of DNA-binding protein domains which play an important role in genetic regulation in eukaryotes. We have characterized the thermodynamics of folding and sequence-specific a...
Synthesis and optical properties of an oligothiophene-based liquid crystal

We report on the synthesis and characterization of an asymmetrically substituted oligothiophene, 2-cyano-5-octylquarterthiophene (CN-4T-Oct), which is shown below. The preliminary work to characterize this molecule indicates that it exhibits a complex liquid crystalline behavior which may lead to the ability to modulate the optical and electrical properties as a function of molecular order. Solution based electrochemical and optical characterization indicates that this material is readily doped to form electronic states required for charge carrier formation and modulation of the optical properties.
Evidence for the Utilization of Host tRNA(m5 U)Methylase to Modify tRNA Coded by Phage T4

Abstract Mutants of Escherichia coli defective only in the biosynthesis of 5-methyluridine (ribothymidine) in their transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) were employed to investigate whether phage T4 induces its own tRNA (m 5 U)methylase and whether T4-specific tRNA contains 5-methyluridine. The amounts of other methylated derivatives in the T4-specific tRNA were also determined. The results establish that T4-specific tRNA contains 5-methyluridine, and that there is an absolute requirement for a functional host tRNA(m 5 U)methylase to undertake this modification. Comparison of several physical properties of the host enzyme before and after phage T4 infection did not suggest any phage-directed alteration of the enzyme. The distribution of the methylated constituents in T4-specific tRNA is distinguishable from that in host tRNA. This change, however, may simply reflect a different population of tRNA chains produced by the T4 phage, rather than some change in the tRNA methylase activity of the host.
Effect of face velocity during refrigeration on hot-gas coil-defrosting near-saturated conditions

AbstractThe heat input required to defrost coils within refrigerated spaces is partially removed with the melt, partially warms the coil and refrigerant and partially escapes to the refrigerated space as sensible heat by convection and radiation and as latent heat by evaporation and sublimation. The evaporated and sublimated portions return again both as a refrigeration load and as part of another defrosting cycle. A previous study by the authors showed that the evaporated and sublimated portions are much larger than originally thought relative to the melted portion. While the previous study considered only a coil-face velocity of 3.81 m/s (750ft/min), the focus of this study is to vary the coil-face velocity during the refrigeration portion of the refrigeration/defrost (R/D) cycle and examine their effect on the defrosting process. This study also examines the differences between the types of frost that form at different coil-face velocities during the operation of freezers near saturated or under supers...
Biocompatibility of retrograde filling materials in the ferret canine Amalgam and IRM

Periapical tissue response to retrograde fillings of amalgam and IRM were compared in the mandibular canine of the adult male ferret. Teeth were cleaned and shaped with a standard technique and obturated with gutta-percha. The root apex was then exposed and retrofillings were placed. The animals were grouped according to observation periods of 5, 10, and 15 weeks. At the proper time the animals were killed and the lower canine tooth along with the surrounding bone was removed. The tissue blocks were examined clinically, radiographed, and prepared for histologic examination. The clinical and radiographic examination indicated both materials to be well tolerated by periapical tissues. Microscopic examination of amalgam specimens showed a decrease in inflammation and the formation of a fibrous capsule over the 15-week period. IRM specimens showed persistent inflammation and slower healing potential.
Accuracy of Cardiac Output Estimation With Biplane Transesophageal Echocardiography

To evaluate the accuracy of cardiac output measurements with biplane transesophageal Doppler echocardiography, we examined 26 sets of observations in 14 patients using thermodilution technique as the standard. A mitral inflow method by single-plane combined the time-velocity integral of mitral inflow at the mitral annulus with the area of mitral annulus, assuming it to be a circular shape, by use of either the four- or the two-chamber view. With both views, a mitral inflow method by biplane combined the average of time-velocity integral of mitral inflow from the four- and the two-chamber views with the area of mitral annulus, assuming it to be an ellipsoid shape. The correlation coefficients between thermodilution and single-plane method of cardiac output were 0.81 (SEE = 0.72 L/min) and 0.85 (SEE = 0.79 L/min) for the four- and the two-chamber views, respectively. The correlation coefficient with biplane method was 0.93 (SEE = 0.47 L/min). Thus, biplane transesophageal Doppler echocardiography can be used for more accurate estimation of cardiac output.
Development of Multi-Photon Coherence Domain Molecular Imaging

We have recently developed a high-resolution molecular imaging technique by fusing pump-probe spectroscopy and optical coherence microscopy. Basic concepts and progress toward improving imaging speed and spectral resolution will be discussed.
Industry-wide medical surveillance of California flavor manufacturing workers: Cross-sectional results.

Background Two cases of bronchiolitis obliterans in flavor manufacturing workers prompted California health and labor agencies to initiate industry-wide surveillance. Methods Companies' physicians submitted cross-sectional questionnaire and spirometry data for 467 workers in 16 workplaces. We compared prevalence ratios of respiratory symptoms, diagnoses, and abnormal spirometry to a general population sample. We calculated odds ratios for risk factors for spirometric obstructive abnormality. Results Flavoring workers were 2.7 times more likely than the general population to have severe airways obstruction. Risk factors identified for 18 cases with obstruction from six companies included younger age, Hispanic ethnicity, liquid and powder production work, greater company diacetyl usage, and having a coworker with obstruction. Severity of obstruction was related to tenure. At least 12 workers had probable occupational fixed airways obstruction. Conclusions The flavoring industry risk of severe lung disease justifies lowering flavoring exposures and medical screening for secondary prevention until worker safety is demonstrated. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:857–865, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Categorial discrimination of vowels produced in syllable context and in isolation

An innovative experimental paradigm that avoids certain problems of response bias in speech perception studies is presented. The paradigm was tested in a replication of an important finding in the perception of American English vowels. The problem was the relative identifiability of vowels in different syllable contexts, /t/-vowel-/t (TVT) and isolated vowels (V). The traditional ABX discrimination procedure was converted to a discrimination task by having the three stimuli on each trial spoken by different people. This task requires a match according to vowel category, not acoustic identity. The technique eliminates the response-alternative problems of keyword identification tasks. Although overall error rates were low, the original findings were replicated: Listeners were more accurate when discriminating some vowels in TVT than in V syllables. Results are interpreted as support for a theory that considers dynamic acoustic information important for vowel perception.
High-frequency two-photon ionization of helium and cesium

Calculations of the two-photon ionization of metastable levels of helium and the first three s levels of cesium are presented. The calculations are carried out to second order in a perturbation expansion and are valid for low laser intensities. The behavior of the ionization cross section at high photon frequencies ω is studied, and it is found that the N-photon ionization cross section behaves as σ(N) ∝ ω−(2N+1/2). This analytic asymptotic behavior is verified numerically in the case of two-photon ionization.
Arterial embolism from anatomical variation at the thoracic outlet

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) represents a constellation of symptoms arising from the compression of the neurovascular bundle as it exits the thorax. We report a unique case of multiple rare anatomical anomalies resulting in TOS manifested by distal arterial embolism. These anomalies include the combination of: (1) a unilateral right cervical rib, Gruber's type II (Gruber 1869), (2) nonunion of the first thoracic rib, (3) abnormal fibrous insertions of the anterior scalene muscle onto the epineurium of the brachial plexus and adventitia of the subclavian artery, (4) anterior position of the brachial plexus in relation to the third portion of the subclavian artery, and (5) the bifurcation of a single root of the phrenic nerve at the level of the anterior scalene muscle. This series of findings suggest an underlying developmental abnormality with a delayed onset of symptomatology consisting of the thoracic outlet syndrome.
Response of Captive Skunks to Microencapsulated Tetracycline

A captive striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) study was conducted between Feb- ruary and June 2004 at the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center, Fort Col- lins, Colorado, USA. The main objective was to determine the percentage of adult striped skunks that were marked after consuming placebo oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits con- taining 100 mg of an experimental microen- capsulated (coated microparticle) tetracycline hydrochloride biomarker. Biomarkers were identified in the canine teeth and mandibles of five of five skunks that consumed an ORV bait. A second objective was to determine if the microencapsulated tetracycline was resistant to photochemical conversion from tetracycline to epitetracycline. After 15 days of exposure, conversion from tetracycline to epitetracycline concentration in the microencapsulated prod- uct (mean 1.9% conversion, SD51.24) was significantly less (P50.006) than the pure-grade tetracycline powder (mean 7.5% conversion, SD51.37). Results support the use of micro- encapsulated tetracycline hydrochloride as a biomarker in circumstances where the use of conventional powdered tetracycline hydrochlo- ride is not feasible due to ORV bait design constraints. Oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits typical- ly contain tetracycline hydrochloride as a biomarker (Johnston and Tinline, 2002). The tetracycline biomarker becomes in- corporated into the teeth and bones of animals that consume the ORV baits (Johnston et al., 1999). These permanent marks in the teeth allow ORV program coordinators to evaluate baiting success by trapping animals within an ORV zone, extracting a tooth from each individual for tetracycline analysis, and determining the number of target animals that have consumed one or more baits. Discrepan- cies between biomarker and vaccination levels in the target population allow ORV programs to discover potential problems with a particular vaccine lot, or the ORV bait itself. Biomarker data can also be used to optimize ORV program strategies by comparing bait consumption in the target species to variation in baiting density and flight line intervals (Johnston and Tinline,
Reliability of low-cost wireless sensors for civil infrastructure

The long-term reliability of a prototype, threshold corrosion sensor is demonstrated using data collected during an eighteen-month accelerated corrosion test. The sensors were embedded in reinforced concrete slabs, subjected to alternating wet/dry cycles, and interrogated periodically during the test. The frequency signature of the sensor changes after the steel sensing wire corrodes, providing a convenient and noninvasive technique for determining when a threshold amount of corrosion has occurred. The results indicate that the sensor data are reliable, but that some variability of readings should be expected due to the close tie between the presence of cracks in the concrete and the chloride levels, as the locations of the cracks are not known at the time that the sensors are embedded in the concrete.
Pharmacologic prevention of aspiration pneumonia: a systematic review.

Abstract Background: Aspiration pneumonia is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Several approaches, inclu- ding bed positioning, dietary changes, and oral hygiene, have been proposed to prevent aspiration pneumonia, yet few data are available on the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions in reducing the rate of aspiration. Objective: This study was a systematic literature review of the pharmacologic prevention of aspiration pneumonia. Methods: We searched MEDLINE (1996-2006); EMBASE (1974-2006); Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (1982-2006); Health Services Technology, Administration, and Research (HealthSTAR) (1975-2006); and the Cochrane Library for relevant articles. References of all included articles were reviewed. Studies were included if they had a prospective, controlled design with a primary outcome of prevention of aspiration pneumonia. Surrogate outcomes that had a direct link to decreasing the incidence of aspiration pneu- monia were considered. Selected articles were reviewed independently by 2 authors. Results: Of 1108 studies reviewed, 20 were analyzed. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors may be bene- ficial in selected patients at high risk for aspiration. Capsaicin may be a low-risk approach to stimulate swallowing and cough reflexes. Amantadine, cabergoline, and theophylline may cause serious adverse events, and their routine use for prevention of aspiration pneumonia is not recommended. Cilostazol should not be used because of the increased risk for bleeding. Conclusions: Limited information is available on benefits and risks to guide an evidence-based approach to the pharmacologic prevention of aspiration pneumonia. Considering the high incidence of aspiration pneumonia in older adults, large randomized clinical trials on the effectiveness of pharmacologic interventions are warranted. (Am J Geriatr Pharmacother. 2007;5:352-362) Key words: aspiration pneumonia prevention ACE inhibitors dopamine agonists substance P.
New structure and spin state of iron-rich (Mg,Fe)SiO3 post-perovskite

There was a discrepancy between the seismic tomography and the elastic property of MgSiO3 perovskite at near the D" zone and core boundary. Since a discovery of post-perovskite (ppv) of MgSiO3, many investigations have made to explain the presence of low seismic velocity of the lower mantle and D" zone. However, precise experimental structure analysis of ppv-(Mg1-xFex)SiO3 has never been reported because of the experimental difficulty. Fe and Mg cation distribution and ordering in ppv-(Mg,Fe)SiO3 in consideration of spins states are significant subject in lower mantle electronic and magnetic states. The present experiment aims X-ray emission study and structure analysis by Rietveld profile fitting of ppv-(Mg0.6,Fe0.4)SiO3 by the precise powder diffraction measurement. Monte Carlo calculation proposed the reliable structures of iron-rich phase of ppv-(Mg,Fe)SiO3: Pmmn, Pmma, and Cm2m and Cmcm proposed by. The best-fit structure model with the highest reliability in the Rietveld fitting of ppv-(Mg0.6Fe0.4)SiO3 is the structure of space group Pmma, in which Fe and Mg occupy two different sites of M1 and M2: the site occupancies are (Fe0.25Mg0.75) in the larger M1 site and (Fe0.55, Mg0.45) in the smaller M2 site. The two-site model is consistence with the previous results of X-ray emission and X-ray Mossbauer experiments.
Polymethacrylate-Based Nitric Oxide Donors with Pendant N-Diazeniumdiolated Alkyldiamine Moieties: Synthesis, Characterization, and Preparation of Nitric Oxide Releasing Polymeric Coatings

A series of new nitric oxide (NO) releasing copolymers have been prepared by covalently anchoring alkyldiamine side chains onto a polymethacrylate-based polymer backbone, followed by NO addition to form the desired pendant diazeniumdiolate structures. The resulting diazeniumdiolated copolymers were characterized via UV spectroscopy, and their proton-driven decomposition to release NO was also examined by UV and FTIR as well as chemiluminescence. Polymers with up to 22.1 mol % of incorporated amine sites that can be converted to corresponding diazeniumdiolates could be prepared, and such polymers release up to 0.94 μmol/mg of NO. Further, novel NO releasing polymeric coatings were formulated by doping one of the new polymethacrylate-based NO donors within inert polymeric matrixes. Biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) was employed as a film additive to greatly prolong the NO release of such coatings by continuously generating protons within the organic phase of the polymeric films, thereby driving decom...
Lysozyme crystal growth and nucleation kinetics

Abstract Protein crystallization has found little use as a separation/purification technique in a bioprocess industry despite the high purity levels and good separation factors obtained by crystallization. One of the major drawbacks has been the lack of thermodynamic and kinetic data required for efficient crystallization. Here, the population balance model has been used as a relatively easy but efficient way to obtain the kinetic constants for nucleation and crystal growth. Both nucleation and crystal growth rate constants were obtained as functions of supersaturation by a combination of experimental observations and mathematical modeling at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa) and at three high pressures (34, 68 and 100 MPa). Nucleation and growth rate constants were an order of magnitude lower at the higher pressures. It is hypothesized that the protein molecules are in a state of aggregation under pressure, which is not favorable for both nucleation and crystal growth. Transition state theory was used to evaluate the effects of pressure on nucleation and growth rates. The activation volumes (Δ V *) for nucleation and crystal growth were estimated to be +90 and +40 cm 3 /mol, respectively, though the behavior did not conform well to this model.
Hantavirus GnT Elements Mediate TRAF3 Binding and Inhibit RIG-I/TBK1-Directed Beta Interferon Transcription by Blocking IRF3 Phosphorylation

Hantaviruses successfully replicate in primary human endothelial cells by restricting the early induction of beta interferon (IFN-β) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Gn proteins from NY-1V, ANDV, and TULV, but not PHV, harbor elements in their 142-residue cytoplasmic tails (GnTs) that inhibit RIG-I/MAVS/TBK1-TRAF3-directed IFN-β induction. Here, we define GnT interactions and residues required to inhibit TRAF3-TBK1-directed IFN-β induction and IRF3 phosphorylation. We observed that GnTs bind TRAF3 via residues within the TRAF-N domain (residues 392 to 415) and that binding is independent of the MAVS-interactive TRAF-C domain (residues 415 to 568). We determined that GnT binding to TRAF3 is mediated by C-terminal degrons within NY-1V or ANDV GnTs and that mutations that add degrons to TULV or PHV GnTs confer TRAF3 binding. Further analysis of GnT domains revealed that TRAF3 binding is a discrete GnT function, independent of IFN regulation, and that residues 15 to 42 from the NY-1V GnT C terminus are required for inhibiting TBK1-directed IFN-β transcription. Mutagenesis of the NY-1V GnT revealed that altering tyrosine 627 (Y627A/S/F) abolished GnT regulation of RIG-I/TBK1-directed IRF3 phosphorylation and transcriptional responses of ISRE, κB, and IFN-β promoters. Moreover, GnTs from NY-1V, ANDV, and TULV, but not PHV, inhibited RIG-I-directed IRF3 phosphorylation. Collectively, these findings suggest a novel role for GnTs in regulating RIG-I/TBK1 pathway-directed IRF3 phosphorylation and IFN-β induction and define virulence determinants within GnTs that may permit the attenuation of pathogenic hantaviruses. IMPORTANCE These findings provide a mechanism for selected hantavirus GnT interactions to regulate RIG-I/TBK1 signaling responses required for IFN-β induction by inhibiting TBK1 phosphorylation of IRF3. These studies culminate in showing that a single GnT residue, Y627, is required for the NY-1V GnT to inhibit RIG-I/TBK1-directed IRF3 phosphorylation and IFN-β induction. These findings define a potential virulence determinant within the NY-1V GnT that may permit hantavirus attenuation.
Queueing models of picture archiving and communication systems

At present the management of radiological information is done manually in most hospitals. Images from the digital modalities (e.g. Computer- tomography scanners, X-ray machines) are converted into films and stored in a room. These films are then distributed manually and interpretation is done by reading the films through light boxes. With the advances in semiconductor technology and digital processing techniques it is now possible to automate these operations by using a digital system for archiving and communication of images. A Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), is a digital system for acquiring, storing, moving and displaying picture or image information .These systems are highly dependent on the new technology for mass storage of data on optical disks. In the medical environment, the ultimate goal of using digital images and PACS is tohave a radiology department without filmjackets 2,3 A typical PACS consists of a database of medical images, display stations, acquisition systems and the communications medium. There are two possible architectures for PACS, one is the distributed PACS where all the modules are linked together through a high speed communication medium, and the other is a centralized PACS where the acquisition nodes and the display stations are part of the system which comprises the image database 4. In this paper we present analytical queueing models of distributed PACS used in the medical environments. These models are for the image database, the picture viewing stations, and the communication channels.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Method for Accelerated Determination of GaAs PHEMT Power Slump Reliability

We have overcome difficulties associated with using the Single Device Lifetime Extraction (SDLE) method for analyzing power slump in PHEMTs. This allows rapid on-wafer assessment of power slump. We find that the voltage acceleration factor has the form exp(beta/(Vdg+Vbi)), where beta ~ 200 V is a typical acceleration parameter. We find that Ig is not an accelerator, in that this acceleration factor, which does not explicitly depend on Ig, is accurate over a wide voltage range over which Ig varies by a large factor (e.g., 8). That the acceleration factor in the on-state explicitly depends only on Vdg (and not Ig) has practical utility, since on-state Ig is relatively obscure to the designer.
An iteration-domain filter for controlling transient growth in Iterative Learning Control

Transient growth is a problem in Iterative Learning Control (ILC) in which the tracking error temporarily grows very large during the learning process, before converging to a small value. While some ILC algorithms can guarantee monotonic convergence, there are limitations when the model is uncertain. This paper presents a new algorithm to reduce the transient growth in ILC. An iteration domain filter, which can be applied to any linear ILC system, is proposed. The filter slows the learning process, in a controlled manner, to limit transient growth. Fundamental results relating the learning process convergence rate to explicit bounds on the transient growth are presented. Two examples that demonstrate the effectiveness of the method are presented: one in SISO design and one in network design.
A marine atmospheric spectrum for laser propagation

Most refractive index power spectral models currently used in atmospheric optical propagation studies were developed for terrestrial or high altitude environments. The current paper presents a new atmospheric spectral model for the marine environment. An analytical marine atmospheric spectrum is formulated to fit a numerical spectrum with the help of the downhill simplex algorithm. Theoretical irradiance fluctuation expressions are derived from the new spectrum for plane and spherical waves in weak optical turbulence. Comparisons are made between the existing scintillation theory and the new expressions developed for the marine environment, and the comparative advantage of the model is discussed. The results suggest that the current models are adequate for modeling the marine atmosphere in weak optical turbulence for small values of the inner scale of turbulence.
Anticipatory Grief in Patients With Cancer

Patients and their loved ones often experience anticipatory grief when learning of a diagnosis of advanced or terminal cancer. Anticipatory grief can be a response to threats of loss of ability to function independently, loss of identity, and changes in role definition, which underlie fear of death. Dealing with multiple losses is a primary task that the dying patient must face. When an oncologist delivers bad news, the patient and family members often hear the same discussion through different filters, which can lead to conflict and dysfunction. By providing a supportive and safe environment, oncology nurses can help patients and their loved ones understand that their feelings are common and are experienced by others in similar situations and assist them with developing coping strategies and in redefining their roles within the family and in the outside world. In addition, an important goal at this time is to help the patients reframe "hope" realistically so they may have the opportunity for personal growth as well as reconciliation of primary relationships toward the end of life.
Acknowledgment of victory and defeat: The reciprocal ritual

Acknowledgment of victory and defeat by presidential opponents is a reciprocal ritual that terminates the campaign for the mass audience. It is argued here that situational and substantive rules have evolved that govern these brief messages and that violation of these rules causes disruption in the transition of leadership. Rules are derived from examination of all presidential victory and concession statements from 1952–1976. These rules are then applied to the Carter‐Reagan statements made on election night, 1980.
The Effects of Listening Instructions and Cognitive Style on Music Appreciation

The effects of several different listening instructions on music appreciation were examined with two types of music and among subjects with different cognitive styles—right versus left hemisphere p...
Using the uses and gratifications theory to understand gratifications sought through text messaging practices of male and female undergraduate students

This study focused on the Uses and Gratification (U&G) Theory and analyzed the seven most highly sought gratifications using SMS text messaging and discovered current trends as to which uses and gratifications are most and least popular as well as significant differences between male and female texters when U&G is applied. A total of 513 college students who voluntarily participated in the study revealed that there were sex differences among specific uses and gratifications sought through text messaging.
Contemporary and Historical Rates of Eolian Sand Transport in the Indiana Dunes Area of Southern Lake Michigan

As part of an effort to elucidate the role of eolian processes in the sediment budget of southern Lake Michigan, an 8-yr record of wind data was used to drive a model for simulating eolian sand transport along the southern shoreline. Computer simulations indicated that the potential rate of sand loss from the shore zone is currently between 1.2×103 and 2.7×103 kg per meter of shoreline per year. The sand, which is transported by strong northerly winds across vegetated foredunes and blowout dunes, is deposited in the backdune areas where it cannot be recycled by storm waves. The contemporary (short-term) rate of net sediment loss from the shore zone (ca. 2×103 kg m−1 yr−1 on the basis of the computer simulations) is 40 percent greater than an estimate based on dated eolian accumulates in relict beach ridges (l4×103 kg m−1 yr−1) but an order of magnitude less than the average rate of accretion during the last 3,000 years (ca. 1.7×l04 kg m−1 yr−1). Throughout most of the late-Holocene littoral drift from the northeast and northwest was sufficient to ensure beach growth despite the removal of sand by northerly winds. However, the construction of numerous breakwaters updrift of the Indiana Dunes area has disrupted the natural sediment balance so that eolian transport is contributing to beach erosion. The potential loss of sand from the backshore by net eolian transport is equivalent to about 150 mm of shoreline retreat per year.
Biochemical genetic analysis of pyrimidine biosynthesis in mammalian cells: I. Isolation of a mutant defective in the early steps of de novo pyrimidine synthesis

The isolation and characterization of a new mutant of Chinese hamster ovary cells is described. This mutant, Urd−A, shows an absolute requirement for exogenously added pyrimidines for growth. Complementation analysis indicates that the lesion in this mutant is recessive. Revenants can be isolated at frequencies suggesting that it is a single gene alteration. Biochemical analysis of cellfree extracts of CHO-K1 (Urd+) and Urd−A revealed that Urd−A possesses no more than 10% of wildtype levels of carbamyl phosphate synthetase (EC 2.7.2.9) activity, no more than 1% of wildtype levels of aspartate transcarbamylase (EC 2.1.3.2) activity, and undetectable levels of dihydroorotase (EC 3.5.23) activity. Thus, this mutant appears simultaneously to possess marked or complete deficiencies in the activities of the first three enzymes of pyrimidine biosynthesis. Activities of the other enzymes of the pathway appear normal. The use of this mutant for biochemicalgenetic studies of pyrimidine biosynthesis is discussed.
Binding Modes of CCR5-targetting HIV Entry Inhibitors: Partial and Full Antagonists

Since the CC-chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) was identified as a major co-receptor for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into a host cell, CCR5-targetting HIV entry inhibitors have been developed and some of them are currently in clinical trials. Most of these inhibitors also inhibit the physiological chemokine reaction function of CCR5, which is so far considered to be safe to patients based on the observation that individuals that naturally lack CCR5 do not show apparent health problems. Nevertheless, to minimize the toxicity and side effects, it would be ideal to preserve the chemokine receptor activity. In this work, we simulated the flexible docking of two small molecule inhibitors to CCR5 in a solvated phospholipid bilayer environment. One of the inhibitors, aplaviroc has a unique feature of preserving two of the natural chemokine ligands binding to CCR5 and subsequent activation whereas the other one, SCH-C fully blocks chemokine-CCR5 interactions. Our results revealed significantly different binding modes of these two inhibitors although both established extensive interaction networks with CCR5. Comparison of the different binding modes suggests that avoiding the deep insertion of inhibitors into the transmembrane helix bundle may be able to preserve chemokine-CCR5 interactions. These results could help design HIV co-receptor activity-specific inhibitors.
PARAMETER SENSITIVITIES IN TWO-LAYER ISOSPEED MODELS OF SHALLOW WATER CHANNELS

Sensitivities of relative intensity, interference wavelength, and horizontal wave number predictions to input parameters in two-layer isospeed models of shallow-water, low-frequency (less than 100 Hz) acoustic propagation problems are examined. The investigation is directed toward environmental parameter values corresponding generally to those near the site of a recent New Jersey shelf experiment. Typical parameter uncertainties in the environment of the experiment site are used to determine effects of parameter sensitivities on the accuracy of propagation model predictions. Also, analytic expressions for rates of change of wave numbers with respect to parameters are used to compute wave number and interference wavelength changes caused by parameter variations corresponding to the uncertainties. It is found that channel depth variations cause the largest change in intensity, while water sound speed variations have the greatest effect on wave numbers. Variabilities of the parameter sensitivities in regions about the base parameter sets are also examined, with the rates of change generally staying of the same order of magnitude throughout the regions considered. However, wave numbers which are close to cutoff can produce rates of change which vary by as much as three orders of magnitude.
Investigation of the appearance of supplemental enriched Se-76 using the human nail as a dietary monitor

The principal objective of this study was to determine if the use of a stable enriched tracer of Se-76 could be used to determine the delay time between a dietary intake of selenium and its appearance in fingernails and toenails. Selenium is an essential trace element in human nutrition. It has been studied at the Missouri University Research Reactor (MURR) for the past 15 years using an Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique. The principal route of human exposure to selenium is through the diet. Selenium concentrations of nails, blood, hair, and urine have been used as indicators of dietary selenium intake. In this study, a cohort consisting of seven men and five women ingested three selenium supplements of 150 μg each over a three day period. The selenium was enriched in Se-76 (96.48%) and ingested as selenite in orange juice following an overnight fast. Fingernails and toenails were collected prior to the selenium supplementation and for several months afterward to be used as biochemical indicators. The peak76Se concentration in the fingernails and toenails occurred at 19–23 and 16–32 weeks after supplementation, respectively.
Quantum Optics with Nanocrystal Quantum Dots in Solution: Quantitative Study of Clustering

Applying a combination of traditional fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and antibunching measurements to solutions of nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs), we can reliably establish the regime where only one dot or less is present in the detection volume. Under these conditions, it is possible to probe various photophysical properties of colloidal nanocrystals with single-dot sensitivity in their “native” solution environment. We apply this method to quantitative studies of NQD aggregation. By first measuring dilute Rhodamine 590 solutions that have no aggregation, we find that the clustering parameter, ⟨n⟩ (the average number of quantum emitters per diffusing cluster), can be determined with better than 5% accuracy. We then use this technique to quantify clustering of CdSe NQDs prepared either as toluene or aqueous solutions. On the basis of the correlation data, NQDs exhibit minimal aggregation (⟨n⟩ is less than 1.1−1.2) in fresh as-prepared solutions for both aqueous and nonaqueous systems. On the other...
Hiccups as a migraine aura.

ObjectiveTo report a case series of hiccup as a migraine aura.BackgroundHiccup is a syndrome of inappropriate muscle contraction. To our knowledge, hiccup as a migraine aura has not been reported.Case seriesWe describe series of patients who presented with hiccups as their migraine aura symptom.ConclusionHiccups can present as a primary aura symptom in patients with migraine.
Blindsight, orgasm, and representational overlap

It is argued that there is no fallacy in the reasoning in the example of the thirsty blindsight subject, on one reconstruction of that reasoning. Neither the case of orgasm nor the case of a visual versus an auditory experience as of something overheard shows that phenomenal content is not representational.