cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cognitive and patient-reported outcomes in adults with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis

Background:Little is known about long-term cognitive and patient-reported outcomes of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS).Objective:The objective of this paper is to compare cognitive and patient-reported outcomes in adults with POMS vs. adult-onset MS (AOMS).Methods:We compared standardized patient-reported measures MSQOL54, MFIS, CES-D and SDMT in adult patients with MS onset prior to and after age 18, using data gathered in the Comprehensive Longitudinal Investigations in MS at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (CLIMB) study.Results:Fifty-one POMS and 550 AOMS patients were compared. SDMT scores were significantly lower in POMS after adjusting for age (−7.57 (−11.72, −3.43; p < 0.001), but not after adjusting for disease duration. Estimated group difference demonstrated lower normative z scores in POMS vs. AOMS in unadjusted analysis (−0.74 (95% CI: −1.18, −0.30; p = 0.0009) and after adjusting for disease duration (−0.60; 95%CI: −1.05, −0.15; p = 0.0097). Findings were unchanged in a subset of POMS d...
The Structure of Chromatophore Membranes from Strain R-26 of Rhodopseudomonas Spheroides

The photosynthetic machinery of the purple bacteria is contained in chromatophore membranes which extend into the cytoplasm of the cells. These membranes are released when the cells are broken mechanically and are readily isolated as highly purified preparations of vesicular structures. These vesicles are enclosed by a highly asymmetric membrane and provide experimental material quite suitable for studying the molecular organization in the photosynthetic membrane system.
Multi-image matching for lunar surface reconstruction from orbital images

The last three Apollo lunar missions (15, 16, and 17) carried an integrated photogrammetric mapping system of a Metric Camera (MC), a high-resolution Panoramic Camera, a Star Camera, and a Laser Altimeter. Recently images taken by the MC were scanned by Arizona State University (ASU); these images contain valuable information for scientific exploration, engineering analysis, and visualization of the moon’s surface. Through this article, we took advantage of the large overlaps, the multi viewing, and the high ground resolution of the images taken by the Apollo MC in generating an accurate and trustful surface of the Moon. After computing the positions and orientations of the exposure stations, through rigorous a photogrammetric bundle adjustment techniques, we carried out a two-step matching process that contains hierarchical matching and least squares matching; both steps are implemented in a multi-photo scheme. Our results look very promising and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in accounting for depth discontinuities, occlusions, and noises.
Escherichia coli Mutants Thermosensitive for Deoxyribonucleic Acid Gyrase Subunit A: Effects on Deoxyribonucleic Acid Replication, Transcription, and Bacteriophage Growth

Temperature-sensitive nalA mutants of Escherichia coli have been used to investigate the structure and functions of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) gyrase. Extracts of one such mutant (nalA43) had thermosensitive DNA gyrase subunit A activity but normal gyrase subunit B activity, proving definitively that nalA is the structural gene for subunit A. Extracts of a second nalA (Ts) mutant (nalA45) had a 50-fold deficiency of gyrase subunit A activity. The residual DNA supertwisting was catalyzed by the mutant DNA gyrase rather than by a novel supertwisting enzyme. The nalA45(Ts) extract was also deficient in the nalidixic acid target, which is defined as the protein necessary to confer drug sensitivity to in vitro DNA replication directed by a nalidixic acid-resistant mutant extract. Thus, gyrase subunit A and the nalidixic acid target are one and the same protein, the nalA gene product. Shift of the nalA43(Ts) mutant to a nonpermissive temperature resulted in a precipitous decline in the rate of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, demonstrating an obligatory role of the nalA gene product in DNA replication. The rates of incorporation of [(3)H]uridine pulses and continuously administered [(3)H]uracil were quickly reduced approximately twofold upon temperature shift of the nalA43(Ts) mutant, and therefore some but not all transcription requires the nalA gene product. The thermosensitive growth of bacteriophages phiX174 and T4 in the nalA43(Ts) host shows that these phages depend on the host nalA gene product. In contrast, the growth of phage T7 was strongly inhibited by nalidixic acid but essentially unaffected by the nalA43(Ts) mutation. The inhibition of T7 growth by nalidixic acid was, however, eliminated by temperature inactivation of the nal43 gene product. Therefore, nalidixic acid may block T7 growth by a corruption rather than a simple elimination of the nalidixic acid target. Possible mechanisms for such a corruption are considered, and their relevance to the puzzling dominance of drug sensitivity is discussed.
Atomic data for S IV and solar observations of the 3x/2/3p /2/P-3s3p/2/ /4/P multiplet

High resolution observations of intersystem lines of S IV near 1400 A are available from Skylab. These lines are potentially useful as density diagnostics for the solar atmosphere. Energy levels, transition probabilities and collision strengths have, therefore, been calculated for S IV, including the configurations 3x(2)3p, 3s3p(2), and 3s(2)3d. Line intensities and level populations have been calculated as a function of electron density. The calculated population of the 3s3p(2) (4)P(5/2) level is found to reach a pseudo-Boltzmann equilibrium at a density which is four times higher than is inferred from solar spectra and level population calculations of lighter ions such as O IV.
The Utilization of Information Sources During R& D Proposal Preparation

Information retrieval uses for technological information by recipients of government contracts
Orders of Magnitude and Symmetry in Molecular Spectroscopy

Considerations of the order of magnitude and the symmetry of various intramolecular interactions form the foundation of molecular spectroscopy. They are related and they together make molecular spectroscopy transparent and tidy. In this chapter, they are discussed starting from the very fundamental. The order of magnitude has not been discussed in any previous textbooks of molecular spectroscopy. The symmetry has been discussed in many textbooks and discussions here are limited to the rotational and nuclear spin states and its application to forbidden rotational transitions and the stability of nuclear spin modifications (ortho-, para- etc.). Keywords: molecular spectroscopy; order of magnitude; fine structure constant; Born–Oppenheimer constant; symmetry; permutation–inversion group; parity; molecular rotation; spin modification; forbidden rotational transition
Mitigation of habitat "Take": application to habitat conservation planning

One of the most important provisions of the U.S. Endangered Species Act precludes the “taking” of listed species on both public and private land. In past Endangered Species Act litigation, take has been broadly interpreted to include the destruction or modification of habitats as well as the direct killing of animals. This requirement created an extensive burden on private landowners to provide habitats for listed species. This burden was substantially lessened when the ESA was modified in 1982 to allow incidental takings conditioned on preparation of a satisfactory “habitat conservation plan.” Because the majority of listed species are imperiled due to habitat modification, most habitat conservation plans must demonstrate defensible methods to mitigate against incidental habitat loss. A review of HCPs for the Northern Spotted Owl ( Strix occidentalis), and other species, indicates that mitigation solutions are often arbitrary, lacking an empirical foundation in the species’ life history requirements. Based on data from the Spotted Owl, we illustrate a biologically based method for estimating the areal requirements necessary to mitigate against the take of essential habitats. Toward this goal we adopt the concept of “core area,” that portion of an animal’s home range that receives disproportionate use. We estimated core areas by means of the adaptive kernel density function and tested against a null distribution of animal use that assumes a bivariate, uniform distribution of locations within the home range. The method we illustrate, which is defensible, repeatable, and empirical, is a clear improvement over the ad hoc methods used in many habitat conservation plans. Further, the methods we propose should be applicable to a large number of terrestrial species for which home range is a meaningful concept.
Passive vertical stability of ITER

The passive stability property of the physics phase (PP) operation of the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) device is analyzed. A linearized, rigid-body assumption is used to predict the stability parameter of the proposed passive stabilization structure. The problem is formulated into an eigenvalue problem and the solution predicts the critical stability margin and characteristic growth rate. The proposed stability structure and vacuum vessel (VV) provide 50% margin against Alfven time-scale vertical motion. The growth rate is less than 50 s/sup -1/ for the nominal plasma. The plasma is shown to have low growth rates over a range of plasma internal inductance and poloidal beta. >
Vienna Development Method

The sections in this article are 1 Components of VDM 2 A Case Study 3 Further Reading 4 Appendix. VDM Types and Expressions
Hydrostatic pressure effects on the superconductivity of La1.2−x Eu x Mo6S8 pseudoternary compounds

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the superconductivity of La/sub 1.2-x/Eu/sub x/Mo/sub 6/W/sub 8/ pseudoternary compounds was studied by means of low-frequency ac and dc magnetic susceptibility measurements up to 20 kbar. The superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/ at ambient pressure is a weakfunction of Eu concentration x for 0 0.2 until superconductivity is completely suppressed for x> or =0.95. Pressure was found to decrease T/sub c/ in the La-rich compounds and to increase T/sub c/ in the Eu-rich compounds. Pressure also induces superconductivity in compounds with x>0.95 that are not superconducting at ambient pressure. A La/sub 0.2/Eu/sub 1.0/Mo/sub 6/S/sub 8/ compound revealed a sizeable Meissner effect for pressure larger than 7 kbar.
Scale influences on the remote estimation of evapotranspiration using multiple satellite sensors

Abstract There is considerable interest in using remote sensing to characterize the hydrologic behavior of the land surface on a routine basis. Information on moisture fluxes between the surface and lower atmosphere reveals linkages and land–atmosphere feedback mechanisms, aiding our understanding of energy and water balance cycles. Techniques that combine information on land and atmospheric properties with remotely sensed variables would allow improved prediction for a number of hydrological variables. Over the last few decades, there has been a focus on better determining evapotranspiration and its spatial variability, but for many regions routine prediction is not generally available at a spatial resolution appropriate to the underlying surface heterogeneity. Over agricultural regions, this is particularly critical, since the spatial extent of typical field scales is not regularly resolved within the pixel resolution of satellite sensors. Understanding the role of landscape heterogeneity and its influence on the scaling behavior of surface fluxes as observed by satellite sensors with different spatial resolutions is a critical research need. To attend this task, data from Landsat-ETM (60 m), ASTER (90 m), and MODIS (1020 m) satellite platforms are employed to independently estimate evapotranspiration. The range of the satellite sensor resolutions allows analyses that span scales from (point-scale) in-situ tower measurements to the MODIS kilometer-scale. Evapotranspiration estimates derived at these multiple resolutions were assessed against eddy covariance flux measurements collected during the 2002 Soil Moisture Atmospheric Coupling Experiment (SMACEX) over the Walnut Creek watershed in Iowa. Together, these data allow a comprehensive scale intercomparison of remotely sensed predictions, which include intercomparisons of the evapotranspiration products from the various sensors as well as a statistical analysis for the retrievals at the watershed scale. A high degree of consistency was observed between the retrievals from the higher-resolution satellite platforms (Landsat-ETM and ASTER). The MODIS-based estimates, while unable to discriminate the influence of land surface heterogeneity at the field scale, effectively reproduced the watershed average response, illustrating the utility of this sensor for regional-scale evapotranspiration estimation.
Contribution of CBX4 to cumulus oophorus cell phenotype in mice and attendant effects in cumulus cell cloned embryos

Cumulus oophorus cells play an essential role in oocyte development. They are also widely employed as donor cells for cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer. Our previous studies revealed that Cb...
Patient–Physician Colorectal Cancer Screening Discussions and Screening Use

Background Little is known about patient–physician colorectal cancer (CRC) screening discussions or how discussion content affects screening use. Analyses conducted in 2004–2005 of patient–physician CRC screening discussion content and its association with screening use are described. Methods A mailed survey and retrospective claims data were used to compile information on insured, primary care patients aged 50 to 70 years ( n =4966). The survey collected information on patient–physician CRC screening discussion content (including the 5A's: assess, advise, agree, assist, and arrange). Survey responses were linked with 5-year retrospective claims data (ending December 31, 2003) on CRC screening use. Among patients reporting screening discussions, generalized estimating equation approaches were used to estimate the association of discussion content with screening use. Results Among those reporting discussion information ( n =2463), 80% reported discussing CRC screening with their physician. The content of these discussions varied, and only 54% used CRC screening. Multivariable model results indicated that the likelihood of screening was greater among patients reporting help scheduling an appointment (assist) (odds ratio [OR]=2.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.95–3.72) and those reporting a discussion of results or follow-up (arrange) (OR=1.63, 95% CI=1.18–2.24), and lower among patients offered a choice among screening modalities (agree) (OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.37–0.86) as well as among those who wanted more screening information (OR=0.65, 95% CI=0.43–0.97). Conclusions Not all patient–physician CRC screening discussions result in CRC screening use. It is important to understand which aspects of shared decision making and discussion content are likely to increase informed and value-concordant decisions to participate in recommended evidence-based CRC screening.
Spin fluctuations and the peak-dip-hump feature in the photoemission spectrum of actinides.

We present first-principles multiband spin susceptibility calculations within the random-phase approximation for four isostructural superconducting ${\mathrm{PuCoIn}}_{5}$, ${\mathrm{PuCoGa}}_{5}$, ${\mathrm{PuRhGa}}_{5}$, and nonsuperconducting ${\mathrm{UCoGa}}_{5}$ actinides. The results show that a strong peak in the spin-fluctuation dressed self-energy is present around 0.5 eV in all materials, which is mostly created by $5f$ electrons. These fluctuations couple to the single-particle spectrum and give rise to a peak-dip-hump feature, characteristic of the coexistence of itinerant and localized electronic states. Results are in quantitative agreement with photoemission spectra. Finally, we show that the studied actinides can be understood within the rigid-band filling approach, in which the spin-fluctuation coupling constant follows the same materials dependence as the superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$.
Roles of Glu 349 and Asp 352 in membrane insertion and translocation by diphtheria toxin

Acidic conditions within the endosomal lumen induce the T domain of receptor-bound diphtheria toxin (DT) to insert into the endosomal membrane and mediate translocation of the toxin's catalytic domain to the cytosol. A conformational rearrangement in the toxin occurring near pH5 allows a buried apolar helical hairpin of the native T domain (helices TH8 and TH9) to undergo membrane insertion. If the inserted hairpin spans the bilayer, as hypothesized, then the two acidic residues within the TL5 interhelical loop, Glu 349 and Asp 352, should become exposed at the neutral cytosolic face of the membrane and reionize. To investigate the roles of these residues in toxin action, we characterized mutant toxins in which one or both acidic residues had been replaced with nonionizable ones. Each of two double mutants examined showed a several-fold reduction in cytotoxicity in 24-h Vero cell assays (sixfold for E349A + D352A and fourfold for E349Q + D352N), whereas the individual E349Q and D352N mutations caused smaller reductions in toxicity. The single and double mutations also attenuated the toxin's ability to permeabilize Vero cells to Rb+ at low pH and decreased channel formation by the toxin in artificial planar bilayers. Neither of the double mutations affected the pH-dependence profile of the toxin's conformational rearrangement in solution, as measured by binding of the hydrophobic fluorophore, 2-p-toluidinyl-naphthalene 6-sulfonate. The results demonstrate that, although there is no absolute requirement for an acidic residue within the TL5 loop for toxicity, Glu 349 and Asp 352 do significantly enhance the biological activity of the protein. The data are consistent with a model in which ionization of these residues at the cytosolic face of the endosomal membrane stabilizes the TH8/TH9 hairpin in a transmembrane configuration, thereby facilitating channel formation and translocation of the toxin's catalytic chain.
Internet utilization as a medium for training employees in multi-unit restaurants

Employee turnovers costs for multi-unit restaurant companies amount to millions of dollars each year. A large amount is spent on training new employees. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between multi-unit restaurant companies and their current and perceived future Internet usage for employee training. Multi-unit restaurant companies with different annual revenues were categorized and examined for the extent of Internet usage in training. This research study used secondary data from the Eighth Annual Restaurant Technology Study conducted by the University of Nevada Las Vegas and Hospitality Technology magazine. The multi-unit restaurant companies falling under the maximum revenue category showed a significant relationship between their annual revenues and Internet usage for employee training. Also, a statistically significant relationship was found between multi-unit companies having annual revenues between $50 million and $99 million and perceived future plan of Internet usage fo...
Designing extremely resilient and tough hydrogels via delayed dissipation

While high resilience of a material requires low mechanical dissipation of the material under deformation, high toughness requires significant mechanical dissipation during crack propagation. Here we reconcile this pair of seemingly contradictory properties to design extremely tough and resilient hydrogels. We propose a resilient domain for hydrogels’ deformation, below which hydrogels are deformed with low mechanical dissipation, but above which the deformation is highly dissipative. Therefore, hydrogels will appear resilient under moderate deformation within the resilient domain, but materials around crack tips will be deformed beyond the resilient domain and thus dissipate significantly to toughen the hydrogels. We implement the resilient domain by pre-stretching an interpenetrating-network hydrogel to damage the short-chain network to a controlled degree. The resultant hydrogel is highly resilient if deformed within the pre-stretched range (i.e., resilient domain), but highly dissipative if deformed beyond the resilient domain because of further damage of the short-chain network—achieving both high resilience of 95% and high toughness of 1900 J/m2. To quantitatively explain the experimental results, we further adopt an interpenetrating-network model with network alteration, which can guide the design of future resilient and tough hydrogels.
Nordic Impact: Article Productivity and Citation Patterns in Sixteen Nordic Sociology Departments

The sociology departments in the Nordic countries provide the institutional platform for Nordic Sociology and for the Nordic national sociological associations that form the Scandinavian Sociological Association. This paper focuses on journal articles produced by current (as of 1 January 2001) faculty of 16 of these Nordic Sociology departments in the period 1981-2000. First, we provide a brief overview of article productivity and citations to articles produced in this period by country and department. Second, we estimate a multilevel model of citation patterns by articles published, the academic position and productivity of each author, and the structure and productivity of each department as a whole. Third, we test the extent to which the effects of such factors differ between departments and individuals. In all departments, publications in high-impact journals increase the number of citations to any given article, to other work of the same author, and to the work of other faculty in the department. The...
Notch signaling regulates tumor-induced angiogenesis in SPARC-overexpressed neuroblastoma

Despite existing aggressive treatment modalities, the prognosis for advanced stage neuroblastoma remains poor with significant long-term illness in disease survivors. Advance stage disease features are associated with tumor vascularity, and as such, angiogenesis inhibitors may prove useful along with current therapies. The matricellular protein, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), is known to inhibit proliferation and migration of endothelial cells stimulated by growth factors. Here, we sought to determine the effect of SPARC on neuroblastoma tumor cell-induced angiogenesis and to decipher the molecular mechanisms involved in angiogenesis inhibition. Conditioned medium from SPARC-overexpressed neuroblastoma cells (pSPARC-CM) inhibited endothelial tube formation, cell proliferation, induced programmed cell death and suppressed expression of pro-angiogenic molecules such as VEGF, FGF, PDGF, and MMP-9 in endothelial cells. Further analyses revealed that pSPARC-CM-suppressed expression of growth factors was mediated by inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway, and cells cultured on conditioned medium from tumor cells that overexpress both Notch intracellular domain (NICD-CM) and SPARC resumed the pSPARC-CM-suppressed capillary tube formation and growth factor expression in vitro. Further, SPARC overexpression in neuroblastoma cells inhibited neo-vascularization in vivo in a mouse dorsal air sac model. Furthermore, SPARC overexpression-induced endothelial cell death was observed by co-localization studies with TUNEL assay and an endothelial marker, CD31, in xenograft tumor sections from SPARC-overexpressed mice. Our data collectively suggest that SPARC overexpression induces endothelial cell apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.
Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry of synthetic elements : 99Tc

In the current social climate of growing environmental responsibility and concern, the public interest demands that the nuclear industry effectively monitor the environmental consequences of fuel production, reprocessing, and waste disposal. Furthermore, for protection of worker safety and national security, operational importance is also placed upon controlling production and disposal of synthetic elements. Therefore, the selection of appropriate analytical techniques for environmental surveillance and process control of radionuclides must satisfy these criteria.
UMND2 : SenseClusters Applied to the Sense Induction Task of Senseval-4

SenseClusters is a freely--available open--source system that served as the University of Minnesota, Duluth entry in the Senseval-4 sense induction task. For this task SenseClusters was configured to construct representations of the instances to be clustered using the centroid of word cooccurrence vectors that replace the words in an instance. These instances are then clustered using k--means where the number of clusters is discovered automatically using the Adapted Gap Statistic. In these experiments SenseClusters did not use any information outside of the raw untagged text that was to be clustered, and no tuning of the system was performed using external corpora.
Review and Implementation of Credit Risk Models of the Financial Sector Assessment Program (Fsap)

The paper presents the basic Credit Risk+ model, and proposes some modifications. This model could be useful in the stress-testing financial sector assessments process as a benchmark for credit risk evaluations. First, we present the setting and basic definitions common to all the model specifications used in this paper. Then, we proceed from the simplest model based on Bernoulli-distributed default events and known default probabilities to the fully-fledged Credit Risk+ implementation. The latter is based on the Poisson approximation and uncertain default probabilities determined by mutually independent risk factors. As an extension we present a Credit Risk+ specification with correlated risk factors as in Giese (2003). Finally, we illustrate the characteristics and the results obtained from the different models using a specific portfolio of obligors.
Transcription of multiple copies of the yeast GAL7 gene is limited by specific factors in addition to GAL4.

High levels of the GAL7 gene in the yeast cell appear to titrate regulatory factors and to impair transcription of related sequences. To investigate the role that the GAL regulatory factors GAL4 and GAL80 have in this process we have compared the accumulation of mRNA transcribed from single-copy (plasmid-borne GAL7 and chromosomal GAL10) and high-copy (plasmid-borne GAL7) genes in several GAL regulatory mutants. Our results show that functional GAL4 gene product is required for induction of transcription from the single- and high-copy genes. In a strain containing the GAL4 gene fused to the high expression ADH1 promoter, glucose can replace galactose to induce high levels of transcription of GAL7 and GAL10 genes, although the kinetics of accumulation induced by the two sugars are distinctly different. In the presence of high levels of GAL4, maximum accumulation of mRNA from single and high copy genes is elevated two-fold; disruption of the gal80 gene in combination with high levels of GAL4 results in a further two-fold increase in transcription. In this genetic background, galactose-induced transcription of the high copy GAL7 gene results in a greater than 50-fold increase in the levels of GAL7 mRNA, representing 30%–50% of the total cellular mRNA. Our results are consistent with a cooperative effect of saturation of multiple GAL4 DNA binding sites and with a limiting factor, in addition to GAL4, that is required for transcription of the GAL genes.
Alimentary Tract Biopsy Lesions in the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

The surgical pathology of the alimentary tract complications of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is described and illustrated by a review of one year's material accessioned at a New York Community Hospital. Cytomegalovirus, Cryptosporidium and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare were particularly notable among diverse opportunistic infectious agents. Visceral Kaposi's sarcoma and malignant lymphomas were the principal malignancies recognized, and their occurrence in young men should alert clinicians to the possibility of AIDS.
Cloud motion and stability estimation for intra-hour solar forecasting

Abstract Techniques for estimating cloud motion and stability for intra-hour forecasting using a ground-based sky imaging system are presented. A variational optical flow (VOF) technique was used to determine the sub-pixel accuracy of cloud motion for every pixel. Cloud locations up to 15 min ahead were forecasted by inverse mapping of the cloud map. A month of image data captured by a sky imager at UC San Diego was analyzed to compare the accuracy of VOF forecast with cross-correlation method (CCM) and image persistence method. The VOF forecast with a fixed smoothness parameter was found to be superior to image persistence forecast for all forecast horizons for almost all days and outperform CCM forecast with an average error reduction of 39%, 21%, 19%, and 19% for 0, 5, 10, and 15 min forecasts respectively. Optimum forecasts may be achieved with forecast-horizon-dependent smoothness parameters. In addition, cloud stability and forecast confidence was evaluated by correlating point trajectories with forecast error. Point trajectories were obtained by tracking sub-sampled pixels using optical flow field. Point trajectory length in mintues was shown to increase with decreasing forecast error and provide valuable information for cloud forecast confidence at forecast issue time.
Population dynamics as related to rate of increase per generation

Inflection points in animal population growth curves (expressed as a fraction of equilibrium population levels) are correlated with rates of increase per generation. The inflection point declines with increasing rates of increase per generation. This apparent unifying principle of population dynamics is independent of phenomena related to body size since the rate of increase per generation is not correlated with body size. Species as diverse as whales and bacteria appear to conform to the pattern. More studies of the observed relationships are to be encouraged.
Laser-Based Instrument for Electric Dichroism Spectroscopy of Small Molecules

While the chemical information provided by electric dichroism spectroscopy can be useful for studying the conformation and electronic structures of molecules in solution, the dichroism signals produced at fields approaching the dielectric strength of organic solvents are extremely small and difficult to detect. A double-beam, laser-based instrument for electric dichroism measurements is described which allows detection of dichroism signals corresponding to changes in absorbance of less than 10−6 with only a 1.2-kV high-voltage source.
The cognitive side of essential tremor: what are the therapeutic implications?

While essential tremor (ET) has traditionally been categorized as a pure motor disease, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of cognition in ET have demonstrated that these patients may have co...
Dual Imaging and Photoactivated Nanoprobe for Controlled Cell Tracking

We report a photoactivable nanoprobe for cell labeling and tracking. The nanoprobe enables all targeted cells to be imaged (at 680 nm) as well as specific cells to be photoactivated using 405 nm light. Photoactivated cells can then be tracked (at 525 nm) spatiotemporally in a separate channel over prolonged periods.
Early Pre-Cambrian Onverwacht Microstructures : Possibly the Oldest Fossils on Earth?

Early Precambrian Onverwacht microstructures studied in petrographic thin sections and powdered preparations for possibility of oldest terrestrial fossils
In Situ Fatigue Crack Detection using Piezoelectric Paint Sensor

This article reports the recent development of a surface fatigue crack detection technique based on the use of surface-mount piezoelectric paint sensor. Polymer-based piezoelectric paints that can be directly deposited onto the surface of host structures are being utilized to make the sensor for surface crack detection. Because of its electromechanical coupling properties, voltage signals can be generated by the piezoelectric paint sensor when subjected to mechanical strain in its film plane. Results from recent development of the piezoelectric paint-based surface crack detection technique indicate that piezoelectric paint sensors with a special electrode design can potentially provide an effective method to detect fatigue cracks occurring in structural surfaces. A simple damage index is defined to determine the occurrence of surface cracks in a pre-specified region. However, complex sensor electrode patterns may be necessary in some cases to improve the spatial resolution of surface crack detection. Expe...
Parvovirus B19 and C-reactive protein in blood bank donors: implications for hygiene hypothesis research

Exposure to certain environmental factors during childhood may influence the developing immune system, causing predisposing or protective effects toward development of autoimmune disorders. This study examines the hypothesis that past infection with parvovirus B19, a common childhood infection, is associated with altered levels of subclinical inflammatory activity in presumably healthy adults. Qualitative anti-parvovirus B19 IgG antibody and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were determined in serum samples from adult blood bank donors. C-reactive protein values of B19 IgG-positive and B19 IgG-negative groups were compared. Analysis was performed on 282 blood bank donor serum samples. Among donors aged 17—49 years (n = 152), B19 IgG-positive samples (57.9%) were associated with significantly lower C-reactive protein levels compared with B19 IgG-negative samples (median C-reactive protein: 1.30 mg/l vs. 2.65 mg/l; p = 0.012 unadjusted (Mann—Whitney U-test); p = 0.014 adjusted for gender and age (logistic...
Activated Kras alters epidermal homeostasis of mouse skin, resulting in redundant skin and defective hair cycling.

Germline mutations in the RAS–mitogen-activated protein kinase (RAS/MAPK) pathway are associated with genodermatoses, characterized by cutaneous, cardiac, and craniofacial defects, and cancer predisposition. Whereas activating mutations in HRAS are associated with the vast majority of patients with Costello syndrome, mutations in its paralog, KRAS, are rare. To better understand the disparity among RAS paralogs in human syndromes, we generated mice that activate a gain-of-function Kras allele (Lox-Stop-Lox (LSL)-KrasG12D) in ectodermal tissue using two different Cre transgenic lines. Using Msx2-Cre or ligand-inducible keratin 15 (K15)-CrePR, the embryonic effects of activated Kras were bypassed and the effects of KrasG12D expression from its endogenous promoter were determined. We found that KrasG12D induced redundant skin, papillomas, shortened nails, and hair loss. Redundant skin was associated with basal keratinocyte hyperplasia and an increase in body surface area. Paradoxically, KrasG12D also prevented hair cycle activation. We find that KrasG12D blocks proliferation in the bulge region of the hair follicle, when activated through Msx2-Cre but not through K15-CrePR. These studies reveal that KRAS, although infrequently involved in RAS/MAPK syndromes, is capable of inducing multiple cutaneous features that grossly resemble human RAS/MAPK syndromes.
Decision Making Style and Career Indecision in College Students.

Abstract In an attempt to better understand the process of career indecision in college students, 203 college students enrolled in introductory psychology were given the Career Decision Scale, a measure of career undecidedness, and the Johnson Decision Making Inventory, a measure of typologies regarding decision making styles. The results indicate that one of the four Johnson types is associated with a significantly higher degree of career indecision. Spontaneous external decision making types scored highest on the Career Decision Scale, followed by spontaneous internals, whose scores were not significantly different from systematic externals, followed by systematic internals. The results must be cautiously interpreted because of the relatively small sample size, but do suggest that investigations of decision making typologies may prove to be productive in furthering understanding of the forces associated with career indecision in college students.
Mine-mouth power and process steam generation using fine coal waste fuel

The techno-economic feasibility of mine-mouth power generation using processed fine coal refuse fuel has been evaluated. Fine coal processing studies were conducted on the −100 mesh fine coal refuse of a central Illinois coal mine. On-site column froth flotation testing using a 15-cm diameter (7 kg/h) laboratory Jameson cell produced a 30 175 kJ/kg and 2.85% sulfur product at a combustible recovery of 75%. The mean particle size of the product was 60 μm. The product was dewatered in a Technicas Hidraulicas filter press to a 21% total moisture content filter cake from a 27% solids slurry at 6–10 min cycle times and at 99.5% solids capture efficiency. Material handling tests involving pumpability of the fine coal fuel established the feasibility of pumping this fuel to a fluidized bed boiler. For a 44% moisture content slurry, rheological measurements indicated a yield stress (τ0) value of 275 Pa and viscosity (η) of 0.795 Pa s. Based on these measurements a hydraulically driven piston pump was determined to be appropriate for this application. Bench-scale combustion tests, conducted at Canadian Energy Technology Center, using a 100-mm diameter, 5 m high circulating fluidized bed combustor demonstrated the feasibility of achieving sustained combustion of the fine coal slurry containing up to 51% moisture content. High combustion efficiency and low emission levels were achieved for SO2, NOx, and mercury. CO emissions were high, but in an industrial unit with longer particle residence time and a hotter cyclone, lower emission levels can be expected. Engineering economics for the project indicate feasibility. Conservative estimates of profitability indicate potential to provide a return on investment in the range of 20–25%. A 40% return on investment is projected if the Coal Industrial Park includes production and captive use of process steam.
Library Skills, Study Habits and Attitudes, and Sex as Related to Academic Achievement:

This study investigated the relationship of library skills, study habits and attitudes, and sex to the academic achievement of college freshmen. The multiple regression equation was used to determine the relationships. The Library Orientation Test appeared to be valid for forecasting college success.
MEMS acoustic array embedded in an FPGA based data acquisition and signal processing system

Acoustic arrays are currently utilized in many different applications, ranging from consumer electronics to military systems. Active research on sensors, hardware, algorithms, and system integration specific to acoustic arrays are ongoing on a wide range of engineering fields. Applications such as sound source separation, sound navigation, sound imaging, and speech recognition are few of the many possible applications that benefit acoustic sensor array. Using multiple sensors in arrays has many advantages; however it is also more challenging. As the number of signals increases, the complexity of the electronics to acquire and process the data will grow as well. Such challenge can be quite formidable depending on the number of sensors, processing speed, and complexity of the target application. This paper describes the design and implementation of a 52 microphone MEMS array, embedded in an FPGA platform with real-time processing capabilities. The paper also provides the first results on the use of acoustic array as a source separation system utilizing Independent Component Analysis (ICA) technique.
Discrete-time semi-Markov modeling of human papillomavirus persistence

Multi-state modeling is often employed to describe the progression of a disease process. In epidemiological studies of certain diseases, the disease state is typically only observed at periodic clinical visits, producing incomplete longitudinal data. In this paper we consider fitting semi-Markov models to estimate the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) type-specific infection in studies where the status of HPV type(s) is assessed periodically. Simulation study results are presented indicating the semi-Markov estimator is more accurate than an estimator currently used in the HPV literature. The methods are illustrated using data from the HIV Epidemiology Research Study (HERS).
The spontaneous firing patterns of forebrain neurons. IV. Effects of bilateral and unilateral frontal cortical ablations on firing of caudate, globus pallidus and thalamic neurons.

Abstract To assets the effects of partial deafferentation of the neostriatum on spontaneous neuronal activity in the basal ganglia and related thalamic nuclei, ablations of frontal cortex were carried out in adult cats. Postoperative measures of interspike intervals of single neurons in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus and ventral anterior-ventral lateral complex of the thalamus revealed a slowing of neuronal firing in these structures as compared with non-lesioned controls. The fact that deafferentation by cortical damage produces changes in neuronal firing in target neurons of the striatum (globus pallidus) and in thalamic neurons at least two synapses removed from the striatum is noteworthy. The possible extent to which these results might have been influenced by reduction of cortical inputs to or denervation of the thalamus is discussed.
High-GC primers are useful in RAPD analysis of fungi.

For genetic analysis of fungal DNAs, we have modified the RAPD method to use primers with G+C contents of 80–100%. In RAPD analysis of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici DNAs, these primers generated twice the number of both amplification products per primer and polymorphisms among isolates as compared to the standard 60–70% G+C primers. With respect to segregation and genetic similarity, RAPD markers generated by the high-GC primers behaved as do RAPD markers produced by the standard primers. These high-GC primers also yielded increased numbers of amplification products in RAPDs on the DNAs of a broad range of other fungi.
Yield and Comparison of Nutritive and Energy Values: Selected Variety Pork Products

Eight raw and cooked pork products were compared for yield and physiologic energy values, nutrient composition and protein quality. Cracklings were not cooked. Cooking resulted in some significant changes (wet basis) in parameter values. Knuckles and ham hocks had similar parameter values. All products, except skin, had a cooking loss. Skin had a 15.3 g/kg gain, apparently due to an exceptional moisture increase. The fat composition showed a very low ratio of polyunsaturated to total saturated fats. There were no differences between the calculated PERs of each raw and cooked product. These data indicated that the chemical score and the PER values of these products were generally directly proportional to the total quantity of essential amino acids present.
Ethical issues in DNA testing.

Molecular tests for single gene disorders have become the "gold standard," surpassing in sensitivity and specificity other ancillary tests such as imaging or neurophysiologic tests. Although direct technical problems are rare for DNA tests, few outcomes studies have been reported that examine sensitivity, specificity, and usage of tests outside the setting of academic medical centers. Ethical problems of DNA testing are mainly discussed in a theoretical framework and few published studies or case reports deal with real-life situations. Among neurologists, ethical dilemmas and attempts at their resolution are communicated mainly on a verbal basis, and even then relatively little follow-up is available. The potential use of information obtained through DNA testing by other family members, employers, insurance companies, and governmental agencies deserves scientific investigation and societal discussion. A major educational effort is needed to inform patients, providers, and third parties that the presence of a particular allele in an individual is only one piece in a complex puzzle of environmental and genetic interactions that may ultimately result in disease.
Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Distance Geometry/Simulated Annealing Studies on the Variant-1 Neurotoxin from the New World Scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing

The sequence-specific proton resonance assignments for the variant-1 (CsE-v1) neurotoxin from the venom of the New World scorpion Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing (range Southwestern United States) have been performed by 2D 1H NMR spectroscopy at 600 MHz. The stereospecific assignments for the beta-methylene protons of 19 non-proline residues have been determined. A number of short-, medium-, and long-range NOESY contacts as well as the backbone and the side-chain vicinal coupling constants for several residues have been determined. Slowly exchanging amide hydrogens from a number of residues have been identified. On the basis of the NMR data, the solution structure of this protein has been determined by a hybrid procedure consisting of distance geometry and dynamical simulated annealing refinement calculations. Distance constraints from the NOESY data and torsion angle constraints from proton vicinal coupling constant data were used in the simulated annealing calculations. The three-dimensional structure of CsE-v1 is characterized by a three-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet, a short alpha-helix, a cis-proline, and intervening loops. A comparison with the solution NMR data of a homologous protein (CsE-v3) from the Centruroides venom, shows that the structures are essentially similar, except for some minor differences. Some of the NMR spectral perturbations are felt in regions far removed from sites of amino acid substitutions. The hydrophobic surface in CsE-v1 is slightly more extended than in CsE-v3.
Preparation of high-specific-activity D-[3-3H]pantothenic acid.

Abstract High-specific-activity d -[3- 3 H]pantothenic acid (5 Ci/mmol) was prepared from commercially available β-[3- 3 H]alanine employing Escherichia coli strain DV1 ( panD2 pan F1 ). This strain is defective in β-alanine synthesis and pantothenate uptake, and under appropriate growth conditions converted 85 to 90% of the input β-[3- 3 H]alanine to extracellular d -[3- 3 H]pantothenate. The radiolabeled vitamin was purified from the medium by thin-layer chromatography followed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The overall yield of d -[3- 3 H]pantothenic acid was 30% and radiochemical purity was >99%.
Does Knowledge of the Cost of Cardiovascular Tests Influence Physician Ordering Patterns

AbstractIntroduction: The United States spends a higher percentage of its gross domestic product on health care than any other country. Previous efforts to curtail health care spending have had minimal impact. We hypothesized that informing physicians of the cost of expensive cardiovascular diagnostic tests would change their ordering behavior. Materials and Methods: Hospitalist physicians (n = 38) were randomly assigned to either seeing or not seeing the cost of diagnostic tests, via a computer pop-up screen, at the time of order entry. Patients were inpatients on a general medical service. Cost-aware physicians were shown the cost of the test they ordered as well as the cost of similar tests with different costs. There was a 4-month baseline period prior to randomization followed by a 4-month intervention period. The primary outcome measure was a change in the proportion of imaging stress tests in the study period. Results: Of the total number of stress tests ordered (imaging and nonimaging), cost-aware...
Excited states of 4He at about 30 MeV

Abstract Analysis of the result from the reaction 6Li(π+, 2p)4He shows that there are excited states of 4He at about 30 MeV excitation, which can be best interpreted as having the structure of two deuteron clusters in relative oscillation.