cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters, water and sediment, and bacteriological and environmental indices.

Of 153 samples of oysters, water and sediment tested 94 (61.4%) were positive for V. parahaemolyticus. In 87% of the positive oyster samples the level of V. parahaemolyticus was 3.0 × 107 (mean 2.5 × 106) per g, Aerobic Plate Counts from 3.0 × lo3 to > 3.0 × 107 (mean 1.8 × 106) per g. No seasonal distribution of V. parahaemolyticus was apparent. No statistically significant relationship existed between V. parahaemolyticus count of oysters and bacteriological (Standard Plate Count, Aerobic Plate Count, coliform, fecal coliform and E. coli counts) and environmental parameters (water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved O2, sampling depth, tide, wind and rainfall).
A crystallographic study of alkaline phosphatase at 7.7 Å resolution

Abstract An electron density map of crystalline alkaline phosphatase has been calculated to 7.7 A resolution. The enzyme is present as a dimer on the 2-fold symmetry axis at 0, x, 1 6 in space group P3121. An orthorhombic form briefly examined is able to contain a tetrameric molecule with at least 2-fold symmetry. The location and environment of two zinc(II) ions has been determined in the dimer by an EDTA treatment of the crystalline enzyme. A small region of electron density located 10 A from the zinc shifts by 8 A when the metal is removed. The shift is reversed when zinc is added to the apoenzyme. Hg(II) binds preferentially at the vacant zinc site, and Hg(II) will also exchange with the zinc on the untreated enzyme. The slight 2 A displacement of Hg from the zinc position may be related to the known inactivity of the mercury enzyme. The two Zn(II) ions are equivalent by symmetry. They are 32 A apart and 16 A from the dimer axis. This places them within the molecular envelope, but large channels leading inward from opposite sides of the dimer would allow a substrate molecule to come within 3 A of a zinc ion. Also, there is space available for a substrate to lie on the dimer axis between the two ions, though 10 A of protein density would be between the substrate and each zinc ion. In an inconclusive search for active site regions, the enzyme was exposed to p-iodophenylthiophosphate, 2-hydroxy-3-acetomercuri-5-nitrobenzyl-phosphonate, and arsenate ion.
Ferromagnetism in Mn-doped GaAs due to substitutional-interstitial complexes

While most calculations on the properties of the ferromagnetic semiconductor GaAs:Mn have focused on isolated Mn substituting the Ga site $({\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}),$ we investigate here whether alternate lattice sites are favored and what the magnetic consequences of this might be. Under As-rich (Ga-poor) conditions prevalent at growth, we find that the formation energies are lower for ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}$ over interstitial Mn $({\mathrm{Mn}}_{i}).$ As the Fermi energy is shifted towards the valence band maximum via external p doping, the formation energy of ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{i}$ is reduced relative to ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}.$ Furthermore, under epitaxial growth conditions, the solubility of both substitutional and interstitial Mn are strongly enhanced over what is possible under bulk growth conditions. The high concentration of Mn attained under epitaxial growth of p-type material opens the possibility of Mn atoms forming small clusters. We consider various types of clusters, including the Coulomb-stabilized clusters involving two ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}$ and one ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{i}.$ While isolated ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{i}$ are hole killers (donors), and therefore destroy ferromagnetism, complexes such as $({\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{i}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}})$ are found to be more stable than complexes involving ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}.$ The former complexes exhibit partial or total quenching of holes, yet ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{i}$ in these complexes provide a channel for a ferromagnetic arrangement of the spins on the two ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}$ within the complex. This suggests that ferromagnetism in Mn-doped GaAs arises both from holes due to isolated ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}$ as well as from strongly Coulomb stabilized ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{i}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{Ga}}$ clusters.
Initiation and cancellation of the human heave linear vestibulo-ocular reflex after unilateral vestibular deafferentation

The effect of unilateral vestibular deafferentation (UVD) on the linear vestibulo-ocular reflex (LVOR) was studied in 11 humans an average of 52 months following surgical UVD. Controls consisted of seven healthy age-matched subjects. The LVOR was evoked by directionally random, transient whole body interaural (heave) translation with a peak acceleration of 0.5 g while subjects viewed earth-fixed (LVOR) and head-fixed (cancellation) targets 15, 25, and 200 cm distant. The magnitude of the LVOR slow phase was inversely proportional to target distance for both subject groups. Neither latency nor the magnitude of the LVOR significantly differed in the ipsi- vs contralesional directions (P>0.1) in UVD. When the target disappeared at heave onset, subjects with UVD had LVOR slow phase displacement 100 ms later that was 5% of ideal at 15 cm, 6% at 25 cm, and 16% at 200 cm. This was significantly less than corresponding control values of 41, 43, and 50%. During cancellation the LVOR magnitude 100 ms from heave onset was reduced at all target distances by an average of 40±4%, and the relative reduction did not significantly differ between controls and subjects with UVD (P>0.1). Cancellation latency did not vary significantly among target distances or subject groups. It is concluded that after UVD, the LVOR is bilaterally and symmetrically reduced but remains modulated by viewing distance and cancellation effort.
The child as agent for change in therapy for phonological disorders

All speech and language therapists want to determine which strategies facilitate improvement of their clients' communication skills and to delineate the most efficacious of these. Although laudable...
Enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in the nucleus submedius of the cat and rat thalamus.

In the present study, we employed the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase immunocytochemical technique to study the presence and distribution of enkephalin in the nucleus submedius of both cats and rats at the light- and electron-microscopic levels. The enkephalin-like immunoreactive (ENK-LI) fibers were present in a concentrated, albeit limited, manner in the nucleus submedius of both species. These fibers were located close to the dorsal and caudal edge of the nucleus, and were confined to a small area that never exceeded 350 μm in the rostrocaudal or 250 μm in the dorsoventral direction. Mediolaterally, however, the fibers extended some 700 μm. No ENK-LI cell bodies were seen in the nucleus submedius, even in colchicine-treated animals. At the electron-microscopic level, the ENK-LI terminals were seen to synapse on dendrites. These data indicate a previously unsuspected role of enkephalin in synaptic transmission processes within the nucleus submedius, and provide additional support for the role of this nucleus...
Myofilament Calcium De-sensitization and Contractile Uncoupling with Blebbistatin Prevents Ventricular Tachycardia in Mouse Hearts Four Weeks after Myocardial Infarction

Background We recently demonstrated that pharmacologic Ca 2+ sensitization increased postpause ventricular tachycardia (VT) in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Similarly, chronic infarcted hearts show increased myofilament Ca 2+ sensitivity and high arrhythmogenic activity. We hypothesized that myofilament desensitization may reduce the incidence of pause-induced arrhythmias in a mouse model of chronic MI. Methods Male B6SJLF1/J mice (n = 14) underwent permanent ligation of the left descending coronary artery. Four weeks post MI, cardiac structure, function, and myofilament Ca 2+ sensitivity were evaluated. To measure arrhythmia susceptibility, isolated hearts underwent a ventricular pacing challenge consisting of pacing trains of increasing frequency, followed by a pause and an extrastimulus. Results Coronary ligation resulted in a mean infarct size of 39.6 ± 5.7% LV, and fractional shortening on echocardiography was reduced by 30.6 ± 2.0% compared with noninfarcted controls. Myofilament Ca 2+ sensitivity was significantly increased in post MI hearts (pCa 50 : control=5.66 ± 0.03; MI=5.84 ± 0.05, P 2+ desensitizer/contractile uncoupler blebbistatin (BLEB, 3 μM) drastically reduced the frequency of postpause ectopic beats (MI 0.24 ± 0.08 vs MI+BLEB 0.02 ± 0.01 PVC/pause, P = .02) but had no effect on ectopy during the pacing trains. BLEB also reduced the incidence of VT (Figure). Conclusions Myofilament Ca 2+ desensitization in chronic infarcted hearts reduces the incidence of postpause arrhythmias. Decreasing myofilament Ca 2+ sensitivity may be a new therapeutic strategy to reduce arrhythmia burden after MI.
Invertebrate red blood cell carbonic anhydrase

This is the first report documenting the presence of carbonic anhydrase (CA) for any invertebrate red cells. CA activity was measured in plasma, hemolysates of blood cells, and in hemolymph of selected species of invertebrates. Annelid red blood cells (RBC) and sipunculid pink blood cells both possessed significant levels of CA activity. Molluscan RBC, on the other hand, lacked CA activity. The distribution appears to have fallen along phylogenetic lines, with CA being present only in blood cells of the two more closely related groups. However, the presence of extracellular CA was confirmed in oyster hemolymph. Oyster hemolymph CA showed a similar affinity (Ki) for the sulfonamide inhibitors acetazolamide and ethoxzolamide, as did the vertebrate RBC CA II isozyme, supporting the idea that this isozyme could be the ancestral form of the enzyme.
Genetics of bacteriophage P22. III. The late operon.

Abstract The late genes of the temperate Salmonella phage P22 comprise an operon. The late operon of P22 contains within it a gene ( 9 ) which is separated from the other late genes by a set of genes ( imm I) which are regulated independently of the late genes. These results were obtained by exploiting the orientation-dependent polarity of insertions of the translocatable ampicillin-resistance element Tn1. The data are consistent with a model of P22 late gene regulation in which the positive activator of the late operon, gene 23 , can act as a selective antagonist of transcription termination.
Rpb1 Sumoylation in Response to UV Radiation or Transcriptional Impairment in Yeast

Covalent modifications of proteins by ubiquitin and the Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) have been revealed to be involved in a plethora of cellular processes, including transcription, DNA repair and DNA damage responses. It has been well known that in response to DNA damage that blocks transcription elongation, Rpb1, the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), is ubiquitylated and subsequently degraded in mammalian and yeast cells. However, it is still an enigma regarding how Pol II responds to damaged DNA and conveys signal(s) for DNA damage-related cellular processes. We found that Rpb1 is also sumoylated in yeast cells upon UV radiation or impairment of transcription elongation, and this modification is independent of DNA damage checkpoint activation. Ubc9, an E2 SUMO conjugase, and Siz1, an E3 SUMO ligase, play important roles in Rpb1 sumoylation. K1487, which is located in the acidic linker region between the C-terminal domain and the globular domain of Rpb1, is the major sumoylation site. Rpb1 sumoylation is not affected by its ubiquitylation, and vice versa, indicating that the two processes do not crosstalk. Abolishment of Rpb1 sumoylation at K1487 does not affect transcription elongation or transcription coupled repair (TCR) of UV-induced DNA damage. However, deficiency in TCR enhances UV-induced Rpb1 sumoylation, presumably due to the persistence of transcription-blocking DNA lesions in the transcribed strand of a gene. Remarkably, abolishment of Rpb1 sumoylation at K1487 causes enhanced and prolonged UV-induced phosphorylation of Rad53, especially in TCR-deficient cells, suggesting that the sumoylation plays a role in restraining the DNA damage checkpoint response caused by transcription-blocking lesions. Our results demonstrate a novel covalent modification of Rpb1 in response to UV induced DNA damage or transcriptional impairment, and unravel an important link between the modification and the DNA damage checkpoint response.
Soft matter under osmotic stress

Abstract In this article, we will show that the osmotic stress method can be successfully applied to study the thermodynamics of self-assembly phenomena in soft matter systems, such as biopolymer liquid crystals, surfactant and lipid mesophases, and polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes. We will give two examples to that effect. Firstly, we will present intercolumnar force measurements between cylindrical surfactant micelles in solid-state polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes as a function of ionic strength. Secondly, we will present measurements of the DNA cholesteric spherulite structure and pitch as a function of osmotic pressure in an effort to evaluate the chiral contribution to the interaction between DNA molecules.
Metastable and equilibrium wetting states in the Bi–Sn system

Abstract Sessile drop experiments involving a variety of Bi–Sn alloys on solid Bi substrates were performed. Substrates prepared from small- and large-grained polycrystals and single crystals were used to measure equilibrium and metastable contact angles and estimate the surface tension and equilibrium contact angle of the solid–liquid interface. The substrates were also used to investigate the coupling of the dissolution and wetting processes and to investigate the effect of substrate grain size on wetting. It was determined that the equilibrium wetting geometry is independent of linear scale and that grain size has little influence on wetting or dissolution in the Bi–Sn system.
Analysis of modes effect on signal/power integrity in finite cavity for chip and die level packaging based on a hybrid full wave method

Most of the via modeling methods assumed that only the TEM mode which is the fundamental mode can propagate due to the thickness of substrate being electrically small, and all the higher order waveguide modes and anisotropic modes decay rapidly along the radial direction thus they can be ignored. However, for high speed chip and die level packaging system, due to the interested frequency range is higher and higher, the high order modes can be excited. At the same time, since the size of via holes can be comparable to the size of cavity, the excited modes for the via-plane pair structures may also be different from the cavity modes. These modes effects do contribute to the interactions among adjacent vias and cavity. Ignoring the modes effects may lead to inaccurate network parameters prediction for signal and power integrity analysis. In this paper, we first applied a hybrid full wave method based on Foldy-Lax multiple scattering equations method to model dense via array and multiple vias sharing same antipad, e.g. the case of differential via pair, in finite cavity. Then we investigate the geometric parameters and parasitic modes effects on signal/power integrity. Numerical results comparisons with commercial full wave solver show the hybrid full wave method has great accuracy and efficiency for modeling multiple vertical vias in finite cavity. We also explain the physical roots of the modes effect in order to improve signal link path bandwidth due to the modes effects.
Serving the aftermarket in Japan and the United States

Abstract In this age of international competitiveness, it is not only price and product that are important, but the postsales cycle as well. This aftermarket represents one of the last battle- grounds of the marketer. We examine the importance of the aftermarket to the marketing concept, its double importance in the international sphere, and how both Japanese and American companies use the aftermarket in their marketing philosophies, and make recommendations on what American companies must do to compete effectively in the international aftermarket.
Gonadal steroid receptor mRNA in catecholaminergic nuclei of the canary brainstem

Abstract Steroid actions in the song system may be modulated by ascending inputs from catecholaminergic (CA) brain nuclei; however, whether these nuclei contain steroid receptors is unknown. Here, we compared the distribution of androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α) mRNA with that of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (TH-IR) in the brainstems of male canaries. Areas containing AR and ER-α mRNA overlapped with areas containing TH-IR cell bodies in the locus ceruleus and the area ventralis of Tsai. The substantia nigra and the midbrain central gray contained both TH-IR and AR mRNA. The presence of AR and ER-α within CA cell groups suggests that sex steroid hormones may modulate song production at the site of CA synthesis.
Potential surface and dissociation energies from high-resolution electronic spectroscopy of Ne.OH

Abstract High-resolution electronic spectra have been obtained and analyzed for transitions terminating in levels of the A state of Ne·OH from the vibrationless level to near the dissociation limit. These results are used to construct a potential surface for the stretching motion in the A state and to obtain dissociation energies in both the A and X states.
Compositional and thermal evolution of olivine-hosted melt inclusions in small-volume basaltic eruptions: a “simple” example from Dotsero Volcano, NW Colorado

Olivine-hosted melt inclusions have been analyzed from the young (4,150 ± 300 ybp) Dotsero basaltic (48.2 wt% SiO2) lava flow in Northwest Colorado, USA. Silicate melt-inclusion compositions have a bimodal distribution (41–46 wt% SiO2 and 47–50 wt% SiO2). Low-Si melt inclusions record high pre-eruptive sulfur concentrations (>1,000 ppm S) and variations in their major- and trace-element compositions appears to be related to shallow assimilation of local basement sandstone. Whole-rock compositions are modeled as a contamination of low-Si inclusion compositions with ~10 wt% sandstone. Host olivine crystallization may have accompanied magma injection into a shallow storage chamber. In contrast to the low-Si melt inclusions, the high-Si population is relatively degassed and records late-stage rapid crystallization either during or post-eruption. Hopper or skeletal olivine grains in conjunction with the bimodal inclusion compositions suggest relatively rapid cooling rates at the time of eruption and inclusion entrapment. Inclusion compositions, in conjunction with mineral textures, therefore provide a more complete picture of shallow magma processes, coupling the relative timing of undercooling and crystallization, assimilation and melt compositional evolution. Most of the inclusion and host textural and compositional data indicates late and very shallow petrogenetic processes and does not appear to record deeper (mid-, lower-crustal) processes.
Biosynthesis of dioscorine from trigonelline in Dioscorea hispida

Abstract [6-14C,2-3H]Nicotinic acid, [6-14C,6-3H]nicotinic acid, [methyl-14C,2-2H,3H]trigonelline, and [methyl-14C,6-2H,3H] trigonelline were all incorporated into the isoquinuclidine moiety of the alkaloid dioscorine found in the yam Dioscorea hispida with complete retention of 3H relative to 14C. A chemical degradation] on the dioscorine derived from the labelled trigonellines indicated that all the 14C was located on its N-methyl group.2H NMR spectroscopy established that the samples of dioscorine derived from the [2-2H]- and [6-2H]trigonelline were labelled with deuterium at the 3-pro-R and C-1 positions, respectively. These results are consistent with a new hypothesis for the biosynthesis of dioscorine.
THE TWO ECONOMICS OF VERTICAL RESTRAINTS

This paper reviews the economics of vertical restraints. There are two economics of these restraints where the different explanations follow from different sets of motivating factors. The first economics presumes that these restraints are imposed by manufacturers on their distributors. Free rider arguments fall in this category. In contrast, the second economics presumes that retailers and other distributors have substantial power over their suppliers. One means to exercise this power is to require supplying manufacturers to enforce vertical restraints. In these circumstances, vertical restraints increase prices and restrict outputs, and thereby have the same economic effects as horizontal restraints.
PROTEIN EXTRACTABILITY OF TURKEY BREAST MUSCLE EXHIBITING DIFFERENT RATES OF POST-MORTEM GLYCOLYSIS

SUMMARY– Changes in pH and in protein extractability were determined in turkey breast muscles from anesthetized and nonanesthetized birds from 0–72 hr post-mortem. Shear values were measured on cooked meat after 72 hr post-mortem aging. Total extractable-, total soluble fibrillar protein-, soluble actomyosin-, sarcoplasmic protein-, nonprotein-, and unextracted alkali soluble protein-nitrogen values were determined. These values remained fairly constant during the first hour post-mortem in muscles from anesthetized birds, but began to change immediately in muscles from control birds. Total extractable nitrogen, total soluble fibrillar protein nitrogen and soluble actomyosin nitrogen extracted from muscles of control birds increased during post-mortem aging. These fractions in muscles from other species either remain the same during rigor development or decrease. The muscles of anesthetized birds were more tender (measured by shear value) than those from the control birds.
Robot Motion Planning : A Game-Theoretic Foundation

Analysis techniques and algorithms for basic path planning have become quite valuable in a variety of applications such as robotics, virtual prototyping, computer graphics, and computational biology. Yet, basic path planning represents a very restricted version of general motion planning problems often encountered in robotics. Many problems can involve complications such as sensing and model uncertainties, nonholonomy, dynamics, multiple robots and goals, optimality criteria, unpredictability, and nonstationarity, in addition to standard geometric workspace constraints. This paper proposes a unified, game-theoretic mathematical foundation upon which analysis and algorithms can be developed for this broader class of problems, and is inspired by the similar benefits that were obtained by using unified configuration-space concepts for basic path planning. By taking this approach, a general algorithm has been obtained for computing approximate optimal solutions to a broad class of motion planning problems, including those involving uncertainty in sensing and control, environment uncertainties, and the coordination of multiple robots.
SIGCSE (Paper Session)

This session is concerned with new ideas and experiences in computer science education. The session will focus on the following questions:(1) How effective a tool is computer programming for motivating minority junior high school students toward professional careers in engineering, computer science, and other related areas?(2) Can different learning styles be detected? Can programming courses be designed to take these styles into account?(3) Should we stop teaching long division, and instead supply all elementary school children with calculators?(4) Can a viable computer science program in a business school be designed by examining the professional needs of the local business community?
Toward a Dictatorship Over the Poor? Notes on the Penalization of Poverty in Brazil

Like many countries of the Second World caught in the throes of post-Fordism before they could reap the full benefits of Fordist-style development, Brazil is tempted to import the US-style discourse and policy of ‘zero tolerance’ because, enshrouded in the aura emanating from America as the world’s sole symbolic superpower and global Mecca of crime control, they appear cutting edge, effective and efficient; and because they are the indispensable order-maintenance counterpart to policies of economic deregulation and fiscal austerity adopted by Latin American countries under the press of international financial agencies. But in Brazil, as in neighboring nations, this borrowing promises to produce a social catastrophe of historic proportions because the depth and scale of urban poverty are much greater, violent crime is more prevalent and more entrenched in the history and economy of the country, and because the Brazilian police is not a remedy against violence but a major source of violence in its own right...
A Systematic Review of Male Gender, History of Prior Injury, Full Time Working Status and Farm Owner/Operator Status as Risk Factors for Agricultural Injuries

Rohan Jadhav,1 BAMS, MPH; Lina Lander,2 ScD; Chandran Achutan,1 PhD; Gleb Haynatzki,3 PhD; Shireen Rajaram,4 PhD; Ketki Patel,2 MD, MPH; Risto Rautiainen,1,5 PhD1Department of Environmental, Agricu...
Stabilization of superconductivity by magnetic field in out-of-equilibrium nanowires

A systematic study has been carried out on the previously reported ``magnetic-field-induced superconductivity'' of Zn nanowires. By varying parameters such as magnetic field orientation and wire length, the results provide evidence that the phenomenon is a nonequilibrium effect associated with the boundary electrodes. They also suggest there are two length scales involved, the superconducting coherence length and quasiparticle relaxation length. As wire lengths approach either of these length scales, the effect weakens. We demonstrate that it is appropriate to consider the effect to be a stabilization of superconductivity that has been suppressed by an applied current.
Role of Y94 in Proton and Hydride Transfers Catalyzed by Thymidylate Synthase

Thymidylate synthase (TS) catalyzes the substitution of a carbon-bound proton in a uracil base by a methyl group to yield thymine in the de novo biosynthesis of this DNA base. The enzymatic mechanism involves making and breaking several covalent bonds. Traditionally, a conserved tyrosine (Y94 in Escherichia coli, Y146 in Lactobacillus casei, and Y135 in humans) was assumed to serve as the general base catalyzing the proton abstraction. That assumption was examined here by comparing the nature of the proton abstraction using wild-type (wt) E. coli TS (ecTS) and its Y94F mutant (with a turnover rate reduced by 2 orders of magnitude). A subsequent hydride transfer was also studied using the wt and Y94F. The physical nature of both H-transfer steps was examined by determining intrinsic kinetic isotope effects (KIEs). Surprisingly, the findings did not suggest a direct role for Y94 in the proton abstraction step. The effect of this mutation on the subsequent hydride transfer was examined by a comparison of the temperature dependency of the intrinsic KIE on both the wt and the mutant. The intrinsic KIEs for Y94F at physiological temperatures were slightly smaller than those for wt but, otherwise, were as temperature-independent, suggesting a perfectly preorganized reaction coordinate for both enzymes. At reduced temperatures, however, the KIE for the mutant increased with a decrease in temperature, indicating a poorly preorganized reaction coordinate. Other kinetic and structural properties were also compared, and the findings suggested that Y94 is part of a H-bond network that plays a critical role at a step between the proton and the hydride transfers, presumably the dissociation of H4folate from the covalently bound intermediate. The possibility that no single residue serves as the general base in question but, rather, that the whole network of H-bonds at the active site catalyzes proton abstraction is discussed.
Evaluation of the efficacy of piracetam in treating information processing, reading and writing disorders in dyslexic children

Piracetam, a new class of drug (nootropil) thought to enhance specific cognitive skills, was given in a 3300 mg daily dose to half of a group of fifty-five dyslexic boys aged 8-13 years, in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The other half of the subjects received placebo. All subjects met the following criteria: normal intelligence, normal educational opportunities, no severe emotional problems, no neurological handicaps, good physical health, not taking other psychotropic medication, and scoring at least one and one half years below their mental age equivalent on the Gilmore Oral Reading Test. Non-verbal (auditory and visual) and verbal perceptual, and memory skills were examined, and reading, spelling, language and writing abilities were measured using standardized instruments. Compared to the placebo control group, individuals treated with Piracetam did not show statistically significant improvements above their baseline scores on measures of perception, memory, language, reading accuracy or comprehension, or writing accuracy. However, reading speed and numbers of words written in a timed period were significantly enhanced in subjects treated with Piracetam as compared to placebo. Effective reading and writing ability, taking both rate and accuracy into consideration, were also significantly improved in the Piracetam as compared to the placebo treatment group. The medication was well-tolerated and medical examinations showed no significant adverse reactions. These results encourage further study of Piracetam to determine more precisely the mechanism of action by which specific cognitive skills are affected.
Zostera transplants in Norfolk and Suffolk, Great Britain

Abstract Zostera noltii and Zostera marina var. angustifolia turfs have been transplanted on a pilot trial scale with initial success on sheltered estuarine mudflats in carefully selected areas in Norfolk and Suffolk, Great Britain. Transplanting can be carried out with turfs on suitable mudflats where mud surface changes in level of at least ± 7 cm per year or ± 3 cm per week occur. The results suggest that Z. noltii growth is favoured in areas where a very close balance between the forces of erosion and accretion occures. Field scale transplanting of Z. noltii appears to be feasible in suitable areas approaching 1 ha in size at a cost of about £1 000 per ha (1973 prices). Suitable areas not already colonised by Zostera may be very limited on European coasts and the feasibility and additional costs of creating suitable areas by engineering structures has yet to be explored. Initial results with single turion planting are encouraging. If proved successful, this method could greatly reduce costs of Zostera transplanting.
In vitro fertilization outcome relative to embryo transfer difficulty: a novel approach to the forbidding cervix.

Abstract Objective: To assess the impact of ET difficulty on IVF outcome and to optimize the ET procedure. Design: Retrospective analysis of IVF outcome by ET catheter type and ET difficulty. Prospective treatment and follow-up of patients with a history of extremely difficult cervical passage. Setting: Large university-based IVF program. Patient(s): All patients Intervention(s): Surgical correction of cervical stenosis. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pregnancy and embryo implantation rates. Result(s): Only 0.6% of ETs were "extremely difficult." Pregnancy rates were not statistically significantly different among ETs graded easy, moderate, and difficult. In contrast, no pregnancies occurred in the rare "extremely difficult" ET group. Eight patients with a history of extremely difficult cervical passage underwent surgical correction of their cervical stenosis. Twelve postoperative IVF-ET in these women resulted in eight clinical pregnancies, six of which were multiple gestations. The embryo implantation rate of these cycles was 42.2%. Conclusion(s): Patients with a history of extremely difficult ET may benefit from hysteroscopic evaluation and possible modification of their cervical canal before a future IVF attempt.
Real-Time Inventory Cost Models

(1987). Real-Time Inventory Cost Models. Journal of the Operational Research Society: Vol. 38, No. 11, pp. 1102-1103.
Moderate grade astrocytoma presenting in a 4-month-old child with a family history of von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis spanning four generations: a case report

Intracranial gliomas are found in association with von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. However, few truly neonatal lesions have been identified and studied. This case report concerns a 4-month-old child who was found to have a massive thalamic glioma of moderate grade. Four paternal generations had suffered from different manifestations of this transmissible autosomal-dominant (Ad) phakomatosis.
Comment on "Cerebellar LTD and learning-dependent timing of conditioned eyelid responses".

In a recent report on eyeblink conditioning in mice, Koekkoek et al . ([ 1 ][1]) drew several conclusions that we believe are unsubstantiated and incorrect and fail to cite much of the relevant literature in this field. First, Koekkoek et al . argued that their magnetic method of measuring eyelid
Biological activities of two juvenoids on nymphs of the American bird grasshopper, Schistocerca americana (Drury)

The juvenoids fenoxycarb and methoprene were evaluated for morphogenetic activity on last-instar nymphs of the American bird grasshopper, Schistocerca americana (Drury) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Topical application of fenoxycarb induced supernumerary nymphs, adultoids and adults with curled wings. Methoprene yielded similar morphogenetic effects although at reduced levels of activity. Of particular interest, however, is the discovery that, in addition to its morphogenetic activity, fenoxycarb causes significant mortality in developing fourth-, fifth- and sixth-instar nymphs.
Biological Effects of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin on Androgen-Induced Proliferation and Androgen Metabolism in LNCaP Prostate Cells*

The effects of purified human sex hormonebinding globulin (SHBG) on androgen-sensitive cell proliferation were examined using a human prostatic cell line (LNCaPFGC). Cells were grown for 5 days in medium supplemented with 10% charcoal-dextran-stripped human serum (10% CDHuS) and various concentrations of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In 10% CDHuS, without SHBG, the proliferative response of these cells to androgens was typically biphasic. At low androgen concentrations, cell yields were increased in a dosedependent manner, reaching maximal levels at 0.3 nM DHT. However, at high androgen concentrations, cell proliferation was inhibited. Addition of purified human SHBG to the medium reduced the effectiveness of DHT on both phases of the proliferative response in a dose-dependent manner. These effects of SHBG appeared to be due primarily to the high affinity binding of DHT by SHBG. Proliferative responses induced by the synthetic androgen methyltrienolone (R1881), which binds poorly to SHBG, were not affecte...
Impact of urban stormwater runoff on estuarine environmental quality

Abstract Urban stormwater runoff could contribute to the deterioration of water quality of a receiving water body. In this research, field studies and laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the microbial contamination resulting from urban stormwater runoff into the Lake Pontchartrain estuary. Fecal coliform, Escherichia coli and enterococci were used as indicator organisms. The specific objectives of the research were to examine the distribution of the indicator organisms in different environmental elements (water column, suspended particles and sediment) and to further investigate the mechanisms related to their fate. Results of the research indicated satisfactory water quality at the study sites during dry weather periods. However, a significant increase was observed in the concentrations of the indicator organisms in the water columns and sediment at specific study sites following a given stormwater event. Three to seven days were needed for the elevated indicator organisms to return back to their background levels in the water column and sediment, respectively. The mechanism of sedimentation contributed to a reduction in the microbial concentration in the water column, as the indicator organisms were found to attach to the suspended particles in the stormwater. The percentage of fecal coliform, E. coli and enterococci attached to the suspended particles was found to be within the range of 9.8–27.5%, 21.8–30.4%, and 8.4–11.5% of the total indicator organisms in the stormwater loaded into the estuary, respectively. About 75–80% of the total indicator organisms remained free-floating for some distance in the water column before dying off.
Patterning challenges in the fabrication of 12 nm half-pitch dual damascene copper ultra low-k interconnects

Earlier [1, 2] work highlighted an integrated process for electrically functional 12 nm half-pitch copper interconnects in an ultralow-k interlayer dielectric (ILD). In this paper, we focus on understanding and reducing undesired effects such as pattern asymmetry/distortion, and line undulation/ collapse. Key defect modes and possible solution paths are discussed. Line undulation can occur when the ILD feature changes shape under the stress of the sacrificial hard mask(s) (HM) during patterning, resulting in “wavy” instead of straight features. The amount of undulation is directly related to mechanical properties such as elastic modulus, residual stresses of patterned HMs and the ILD, as well as the dimensions and aspect ratio of the features. Line collapse is observed post wet-clean processing when one or more of the following is true - Insufficient ILD mechanical strength, excessive pattern aspect ratio, or non-uniform drying. Pattern asymmetry , or unequal critical dimensions (CD) of trenches defined by the same backbone, is a typical problem encountered during spacer-based pitch division. In pitch quartering (P/4), three different trench widths result from small variations in backbone lithography, spacer CD and etch bias. Symmetric patterning can be achieved through rigorous control of patterning processes like backbone definition, spacer deposition and downstream etches. Plasma-based ash and energetic metal deposition were also observed to degrade patterning fidelity of ultra low-k film, and also need to be closely managed.
Valuable orientations capture attention.

Visual attention has long been known to be drawn to stimuli that are physically salient or congruent with task-specific goals. Several recent studies have shown that attention is also captured by stimuli that are neither salient nor task relevant, but that are rendered in a colour that has previously been associated with reward. We investigated whether another feature dimension—orientation—can be associated with reward via learning and thereby elicit value-driven attentional capture. In a training phase, participants received a monetary reward for identifying the colour of Gabor patches exhibiting one of two target orientations. A subsequent test phase in which no reward was delivered required participants to search for Gabor patches exhibiting one of two spatial frequencies (orientation was now irrelevant to the task). Previously rewarded orientations robustly captured attention. We conclude that reward learning can imbue features other than colour—in this case, specific orientations—with persistent value.
The validity of the three-component model of organizational commitment in a Chinese context

Abstract This study examined the construct validity of Meyer and Allen’s (1991) three-component model of organizational commitment in a Chinese context and compared levels of OC between the Chinese sample and previously published data from Canada and South Korea. In a study of 226 Chinese employees in six foreign-invested companies, a five-factor oblique model, which included both substantive and method factors, fit the data best. However, the three-component model had a reasonably good fit. The proposed antecedents of each of the three principal OC dimensions tended to associate most strongly with their respective scales. Affective commitment and normative commitment significantly predicted job satisfaction and all three components predicted turnover intention, although associations between continuance commitment and these outcomes were moderated by normative commitment. Finally, we found that normative and affective commitment were significantly higher in the Chinese sample than in previously published samples from Canada and South Korea. Continuance commitment in the Chinese sample was lower than the Canadian and Korean samples. Implications of these findings are discussed in more detail.
Deep Web structure

Our current understanding of Web structure is based on large graphs created by centralized crawlers and indexers. They obtain data almost exclusively from the so-called surface Web, which consists, loosely speaking, of interlinked HTML pages. The deep Web, by contrast, is information that is reachable over the Web, but that resides in databases; it is dynamically available in response to queries, not placed on static pages ahead of time. Recent estimates indicate that the deep Web has hundreds of times more data than the surface Web. The deep Web gives us reason to rethink much of the current doctrine of broad-based link analysis. Instead of looking up pages and finding links on them, Web crawlers would have to produce queries to generate relevant pages. Creating appropriate queries ahead of time is nontrivial without understanding the content of the queried sites. The deep Web's scale would also make it much harder to cache results than to merely index static pages. Whereas a static page presents its links for all to see, a deep Web site can decide whose queries to process and how well. It can, for example, authenticate the querying party before giving it any truly valuable information and links. It can build an understanding of the querying party's context in order to give proper responses, and it can engage in dialogues and negotiate for the information it reveals. The Web site can thus prevent its information from being used by unknown parties. What's more, the querying party can ensure that the information is meant for it.
New industrial electrical safe work practices

This paper shares electrical work practices and recommends additional training and qualifications for industrial electrical workers. It introduces new work methods to safely work with special electrical hazards for power electronics equipment and underground electrical distribution equipment. The paper will be of most interest to industry, outdoor electrical construction workers, manufacturers, and other institutions where a variety of this type of equipment exists. These work methods have recently been placed in practice at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) in Golden CO.
The calculated risk of fatal secondary malignancies from intensity-modulated radiation therapy

Purpose: Out-of-field radiation doses to normal tissues may be associated with an increased risk of secondary malignancies, particularly in long-term survivors. Step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), an increasingly popular treatment modality, yields higher out-of-field doses than do conventional treatments, because of an increase in required monitor units (beam-on time). Methods: We used published risk coefficients (NRCP Report 116) and out-of-field dose equivalents to multiple organ sites to estimate a conservative maximal risk of fatal secondary malignancy associated with 6 IMRT approaches and 1 conventional external-beam approach for prostate cancer. Results: Depending on treatment energy, the IMRT treatments required 3.5–4.9 times as many monitor units to deliver as did the conventional treatment. The conservative maximum risk of fatal second malignancy was 1.7% for conventional radiation, 2.1% for IMRT using 10-MV X-rays, and 5.1% for IMRT using 18-MV X-rays. Intermediate risks were associated with IMRT using 6-MV X-rays: 2.9% for treatment with the Varian accelerator and 3.7% for treatment with the Siemens accelerator, as well as using 15-MV X-rays: 3.4% (Varian) and 4.0% (Siemens). Conclusion: The risk of fatal secondary malignancy differed substantially between IMRT and conventional radiation therapy for prostate cancer, as well as between different IMRT approaches. Perhaps this risk should be considered when choosing the optimal treatment technique and delivery system for patients who will undergo prostate radiation.
Design Of The Apache Point Observatory 3.5m Telescope I. Thermal Control Of The Telescope Enclosure

Five universities are constructing a 3.5 m telescope facility on Apache Point (2800 m above sea level) in southern New Mexico. The telescope enclosure design, in addition to providing protection for the telescope includes thermal control features intended to minimize local seeing effects. The components of the thermal design of the telescope enclosure include minimization of heat and cold production, removal of observer support functions to a detached operations building, control of air flow through the telescope chamber, minimization of thermal mass which is thermally coupled to exposed surfaces, forced ventilation of instruments, telescope and enclosure base, emissivity control of surfaces coupled to the sky, and use of resistive heaters for condensation control in the telescope chamber.
A dual epidural catheter technique to provide analgesia following posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis in children and adolescents.

Background: The authors report their experience with the use of a dual epidural catheter technique in controlling pain following long posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation for scoliosis in children and adolescents. Methods: Following completion of the surgical procedure and prior to wound closure, the upper catheter was inserted with the tip directed cephalad to T1–4 while the tip of the lower catheter was positioned at the L1–4 level. As the surgical wound was being closed, the catheters were dosed with fentanyl and hydromorphone followed by a continuous infusion of ropivacaine plus hydromorphone. Postoperative pain was assessed every 2–4 h using a visual analogue score or an observational behavioural score (0=no pain, 10=worst imaginable pain). There were 14 patients ranging in age from 5–17 years (12.7 ± 3.5) and in weight from 19–68 kg (44.3 ± 17.5). The epidural catheters were left in place until the fifth postoperative day. Results: The mean of the median pain score from each patient was 1.5 ± 1.6, 1.6 ± 1.5, 1.4 ± 1.3, 1.1 ± 1.1 and 0.9 ± 0.9, respectively, on postoperative days 1 through 5. The mean of the maximum pain scores was 3.5 ± 2.3 (range 0–7), 4 ± 1.6 (range 2–6), 3.1 ± 1.7 (range 1–6), 2.4 ± 1.5 (range 0–4) and 2.2 ± 1.4 (range 0–4), respectively, on postoperative days 1 through 5. Conclusions: No adverse effects related to epidural analgesia were noted.
Intersecting loop models on : rigorous results

.We consider a general class of intersecting loop models in d dimensions, including those related to high-temperature expansions of well-known spin models. We find that the loop models exhibit some interesting features ‐ often in the ‘‘unphysical’’ region of parameter space where all connection with the original spin Hamiltonian is apparently lost. For a particular ns 2, ds 2 model, we establish the existence of a phase transition, possibly associated with divergent loops. However, for n4 1 and arbitrary d there is no phase transition marked by the appearance of large . loops. Furthermore, at least for ds 2 and n large we find a phase transition characterised by broken translational symmetry. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.