cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combining ketamine and virtual reality pain control during severe burn wound care: one military and one civilian patient.

Abstract : Background. US soldiers injured in Iraq, and civilian burn trauma patients are treated at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research. Burn patients experience extrem pain during wound care, and they typically receive opioid analgesics and anxiolytics for debridement. Virtual Reality (VR) has been applied as an adjunct to opioid analgesics for procedural pain. We describe the first use of ketamine combined with immersive VR to reduce excessive pain during wound care. Case Report. A 21-year-old male US Army soldier stationed in Iraq, and a 41-year-old civilian male sustained a 13% and 50% total body surface area (TBSA) burn, respectively. Each patient received 40 mg ketamine intraveneous (IV) for wound care. Using a within-subject design, nurses conducted half of a painful segment of wound care treatments with no VR and the other half with immersive VR. Graphic pain rating scores for each of the two treatment conditions served as the dependent variables. Results. Compared to ketamine + no VR, both patients reported less pain during ketamine + VR for all three pain ratings. Both patients rated wound care during no VR as no fun at all , but those same patients rated wound care during virtual reality as either pretty fun or extremely fun , and rated nausea as either mild or none . Conclusions. Results from these first two cases suggest that a moderate dose of ketamine combined with immersive virtual reality distraction may be an effective multimodal analgesic regimen for reducing acute procedural pain during severe burn wound cleanings.
Infusing Solution-Oriented Theory and Techniques into Group Work.

Abstract Trends in the provision of mental health services have generated greater interest in brief group counseling. This article offers one perspective for the integration of solution-oriented theory and techniques into counseling.
Indirect Estimates of Jaw Muscle Tension in Children With Suspected Hypertonia, Children With Suspected Hypotonia, and Matched Controls

Purpose In this study, the authors compared indirect estimates of jaw-muscle tension in children with suspected muscle-tone abnormalities with age- and gender-matched controls. Method Jaw movement ...
The Tropical Ant Mosaic in a Primary Bornean Rain Forest

In primary lowland rain forest in Brunei Darussalam, we studied arboreal ant communities to evaluate whether densities and spacing of spatially territorial taxa along 2.9 km of well-studied trails are consistent with existence of a continuous mosaic of dominant ants. A median intercolony distance of 24.5 m, about twice or less distances over which colonies of most included species regularly ranged, suggested a relatively continuous mosaic. Despite relying on nesting sites in preformed plant cavities, carpenter ants contributed > 70 percent of mapped colonies. Most belonged to the Camponotus (Colobopsis) cylindricus (COCY) complex, including SE Asia's 'exploding' ants. Their lack of aggression against certain Polyrhachis species was associated with interspecific territory sharing by members of the two groups, and with a dominance-discovery trade-off. Experimental approaches yielded evidence for two putative contributors to positive association. Larger-bodied Polyrhachis parasitize food-finding abilities of smaller, more populous Camponotus workers, and the two taxa cooperate in territorial defense. Highly territorial and predatory weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) were an important component of the ant mosaic in primary forest, second only to codominant COCY and Polyrhachis taxa. Members of the genus Crematogaster were significantly associated with Oecophylla in baiting censuses and regularly monopolized near-nest baits to the exclusion of weaver ants. Litter ant abundances differed between territories of Oecophylla and less predatory COCY species, but direction of difference was inconsistent over time. The densely packed mosaic of spatially territorial, and differentially predatory, taxa in Bornean rain forest likely contributes to spatial variation in ant effects on plant and arthropod communities.
Prospects for Doppler cooling of three-electronic-level molecules

Analogous to the extension of laser cooling techniques from two-level to three-level atoms, Doppler cooling of molecules with an intermediate electronic state is considered. In particular, we use a rate-equation approach to simulate cooling of ${\mathrm{SiO}}^{+}$, in which population buildup in the intermediate state is prevented by its short lifetime. We determine that Doppler cooling of ${\mathrm{SiO}}^{+}$ can be accomplished without optically repumping from the intermediate state, at the cost of causing undesirable parity flips and rotational diffusion. Since the necessary repumping would require a large number of continuous-wave lasers, optical pulse shaping of a femtosecond laser is proposed as an attractive alternative. Other candidate three-electron-level molecules are also discussed.
Frequency, characteristics, and risk factors for amiodarone neurotoxicity.

Objective To assess the incidence, severity, and spectrum of neurologic toxic effects associated with administration of amiodarone hydrochloride. Design Retrospective medical record analysis of cardiac patients treated with amiodarone between January 1, 1996, and July 31, 2008. Setting Residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, treated at the Mayo Clinic. Patients The Mayo Clinic medical records of all adult Olmsted County residents prescribed amiodarone between January 1, 1996, and July 31, 2008, were reviewed and all possible neurologic adverse effects that might be attributable to amiodarone were tabulated. Main Outcome Measures Risk factors and clinical characteristics of patients developing neurologic problems were compared with those who did not. Results Over the 151 months of analysis, 707 patients were treated with amiodarone. Among these patients, the cumulative incidence of likely amiodarone neurotoxic effects was 2.8%; 1.6% of all amiodarone-treated patients were referred to Neurology for a neurotoxic reaction. Neurologic problems included tremor, gait ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, and cognitive impairment. The primary risk factor for amiodarone neurotoxic effects was duration of treatment, not age, drug dose, sex, or indication for therapy. Where this could be assessed, the adverse effects were usually but not always reversible. Conclusions Amiodarone infrequently causes clinically significant neurologic toxic effects. Substantially higher estimates of neurotoxic effects in the early amiodarone era may be related to a much higher daily dose.
Response to Letter Regarding Article, “ECG Response: May 20, 2014”

I thank Kordalis et al for their letter in regard to the ECG showing a right ventricular infarction.1 Because V1 through V2 are directly over the right ventricle, ST-segment elevation in these leads is most useful for suggesting a right ventricular infarction when it is associated with an acute inferior wall ST-segment elevation infarction. As Kordalis et al indicated, a progressive decrease in the degree of ST-segment elevation in V2 …
Computation of the solutions of nonlinear polynomial systems

Abstract: A fundamental problem in computer aided design is the efficient computation of all roots of a system of nonlinear polynomial equations inn variables which lie within ann-dimensional @?. We present two techniques designed to solve such problems, which rely on representation of polynomials in the multivariate Bernstein basis and subdivision. In order to isolate all of the roots within the given domain, each method uses a different scheme for constructing a series of bounding @?es; the first method projects control polyhedra onto a set of coordinate planes, and the second employs linear optimization. We also examine in detail the local convergence properties of the two methods, proving that the former is quadratically convergent forn=1 and linearly convergent forn 1, while the latter is quadratically convergent for alln. Worst-case complexity analysis, as well as analysis of actual running times are performed.
Host country and reentry adjustment of student sojourners

Abstract This paper is an examination of student sojourn expectations for and reactions after return from a college level study abroad program. It seeks to expand knowledge on one aspect of sojourn adaptation, namely adjustment/ satisfaction. Selected sojourner characteristics such as gender, age, location of program, and previous transition experience were shown to influence sojourn experience. In addition, the relationship between sojourner adjustment and sojourn communication with host nationals was explored; a high level of interaction yielded a higher degree of satisfaction. Reentry satisfaction was investigated in terms of the same selected sojourner and sojourn characteristics.
Factors affecting the long-term stability of Cu/Al ball bonds subjected to standard and extended high temperature storage

This paper presents the findings of work performed on 20-μm diameter copper wire of five different wire types from three suppliers. Gold wire is the control. The test die was mounted on BT (B (Bismaleimide) and T (Triazine)) resin substrates. The bonding parameters were optimized for each wire used. Part of the optimization process involved monitoring the flatness of the bonded ball and the amount of aluminum remaining under the bond. The crystal structure of each type of interconnect was examined using composite imaging techniques. Visual data such as ball size, thickness, and shape were collected. First and second bonds were subjected to destructive testing, such as ball shear and wire pull, throughout the preparation process. The samples were then subjected to an industry-standard, high temperature stress test to determine the long-term stability of the interface of each wire type. Data for all read points are presented on all tests performed and provide useful information on the material and process set best suited for long term reliability.
Permeation in ion channels: the interplay of structure and theory

Abstract Combined with high-resolution atomic-level crystal structures of channel forming peptides, theory has become a powerful tool for illuminating factors influencing permeation. Here, advantages and limitations of the more familiar continuum and molecular modeling techniques are briefly outlined. These methods are applied to issues of permeation in two different channel families: gramicidin and K + channels. Using structural data, theory provides verifiable atomic-level insights into permeation dynamics, channel conductance and molecular selectivity mechanisms. Not only can theory confirm experimental inference, it can also sometimes provide structural perspectives in advance of experiment.
Structure of human adenosine kinase at 1.5 A resolution.

Adenosine kinase (AK) is a key enzyme in the regulation of extracellular adenosine and intracellular adenylate levels. Inhibitors of adenosine kinase elevate adenosine to levels that activate nearby adenosine receptors and produce a wide variety of therapeutically beneficial activities. Accordingly, AK is a promising target for new analgesic, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective agents. We determined the structure of human adenosine kinase by X-ray crystallography using MAD phasing techniques and refined the structure to 1.5 A resolution. The enzyme structure consisted of one large α/β domain with nine β-strands, eight α-helices, and one small α/β-domain with five β-strands and two α-helices. The active site is formed along the edge of the β-sheet in the large domain while the small domain acts as a lid to cover the upper face of the active site. The overall structure is similar to the recently reported structure of ribokinase from Escherichia coli [Sigrell et al. (1998) Structure 6, 183−193]. The struct...
A Sub-Millimeter Wave Line Scanning Imager

In this paper, the design and implementation of a sub-millimeter line scanning imager using a novel imageforming device is described. The system consists of a coherent illuminator, an optical system, an image plane mask, and a coherent detector. The image plane mask is formed by making a sequence of holes along a constant radius of a metal disk. Spinning the disk scans the holes through the image formed on it. A detector placed behind the spinning disk collects radiation passing through the holes. The holes are arranged in a pseudorandom pattern. At each detector sample time, energy from a different pattern of holes is collected. A rigorous electromagnetic analysis shows that, for a certain minimum size and spacing of holes and certain disk thicknesses, these measurements constitute a linear measurement of the energy in the image formed on the disk. Using techniques reminiscent of those used in compressive sensing, the image is then reconstructed by applying an inverse linear matrix transform to these measurements. We show how simulation can be used to optimize the design of the disk. We demonstrate a laboratory version of this device and discuss future efforts to systematize it. Extensions to full two-dimensional imaging are also discussed.
High-level activation by a duodenum-specific enhancer requires functional GATA binding sites

The purine metabolic gene adenosine deaminase (ADA) is expressed at high levels in a well-defined spatiotemporal pattern in the villous epithelium of proximal small intestine. A duodenum-specific enhancer module responsible for this expression pattern has been identified in the second intron of the human ADA gene. It has previously been shown that binding of the factor PDX-1 is essential for function of this enhancer. The studies presented here examine the proposed roles of GATA factors in the enhancer. Site-directed mutagenesis of the enhancer's GATA binding sites crippled enhancer function in 10 lines of transgenic mice, with 9 of the lines demonstrating <1% of normal activity. Detailed studies along the longitudinal axis of mouse small intestine indicate that GATA-4 and GATA-5 mRNA levels display a reciprocal pattern, with low levels of GATA-6 throughout. Interestingly, gel shift studies with duodenal nuclear extracts showed binding only by GATA-4.
Dislocation Scattering in GaN

A theory of charged-dislocation-line scattering is developed within the framework of the Boltzmann transport equation. A fit of the theory to temperature-dependent Hall-effect data in GaN gives dislocation densities which are in excellent agreement with those measured by transmission electron microscopy. This work shows that threading edge dislocations in GaN indeed are electrically active, in agreement with recent theoretical predictions.
Independent power generation — where is it headed?☆

Abstract The passage of the Public Utilities Policy Act of 1978 (PURPA), has introduced an element of competition in the previously monopolistic electric power industry in the USA. Looking at the impact of PURPA over the past 12 years, it is clear that it has created and catapulted a burgeoning new industry — known as non-utility generation (NUG) — to compete with the existing power industry. NUGs have grown substantially over the past decade and are expected to play a major role in providing future generation in the USA. The future growth and shape of this industry is, however, subject to varying interpretations and projections. PURPA has also had some unexpected and unintended results including more reliance on natural gas for power generation and artificially high prices in some regions.
Specifying the Impact of Conservative Protestantism on Educational Attainment

Recent studies have demonstrated that conservative Protestantism negatively affects educational advancement. However, these studies have treated conservative Protestantism as a monolithic religious bloc that uniformly constrains achieving higher education. Disaggregating conservative Protestantism into fundamentalists, Pentecostals, and evangelicals reveals that the relationship between conservative Protestantism and educational attainment is more complex than recently shown. Findings from a nationally representative sample of Americans show that fundamentalists and Pentecostals are generally less likely to be college educated relative to other religious groups and nonreligious affiliates. The findings also show that not only are evangelicals more likely to be college educated than fundamentalists and Pentecostals, but with the exception of Jews, they are as likely or more likely than other religious groups and nonreligious affiliates to be college educated. This article suggests that different cultural traditions explain the variation in educational attainment among conservative Protestants.
Changes in college student composition and implications for marketing education: revisiting predictors of academic success

Abstract The composition of marketing students has changed in the last few years [J. Mark. Educ. 21(1999) 206; Mark. Educ. Rev. 9 (1999) 1]. Available literature seems to indicate that today's college-bound students are academically ill prepared [Telegram and Gazette. Entrance exam scores hit plateau: ACT student skills test results at same level for third year in a row (August 18) A3, 1999]. This study attempts to identify predictors of academic success and argues that marketing programs need to do a better job of preparing students for academic studies and a career in marketing if the discipline is to grow. Evidence from a sample of college students indicates that American College Testing Assessments (ACT) composite score, achievement striving, and feelings of inferiority significantly correlate with academic performance. Study findings and implications for marketing education are also discussed.
Nitrogen-14 NMR and quadrupole splitting of ammonium ions in the lyotropic mesophase

Abstract NH4+ and ND4+ solubilized in the cationic lyotropic mesophase have been studied by 14N, 2H, and 1H NMR. The observed dipole-dipole and quadrupole splittings of the appropriate nuclei have been interpreted by the distortion model recently proposed by Bailey and co-workers (J. Magn. Resonance 18, 344 (1975)) . From the ratios of the dipole-dipole and quadrupole splittings, the nitrogen-14 quadrupole coupling constant along the bond axis has been estimated to be 3.1 ± 0.3 MHz.
Federalism, Chinese Style: The Political Basis for Economic Success in China

China's remarkable economic success rests on a foundation of political reform providing a considerable degree of credible commitment to markets. This reform reflects a special type of institutionalized decentralization that the authors call “federalism, Chinese style.” This form of decentralization has three consequences. First, it fosters competition, not only in product markets, but also among local governments for labor and foreign capital. This competition, in turn, encourages local government experimentation and learning with new forms of enterprises, regulation, and economic relationships. Second, it provides incentives for local governments to promote local economic prosperity. Finally, it provides a significant amount of protection to local governments and their enterprises from political intrusion by the central government.
Feasibility of a randomized trial of a high‐vegetable diet to prevent breast cancer recurrence

Abstract Epidemiologic evidence supports the concept that diet influences risk for breast cancer and suggests that prognosis after the diagnosis of breast cancer may also be related to modifiable nutritional factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a randomized trial of a high‐vegetable, reduced‐fat, and increased‐fiber diet intervention to reduce risk for recurrence among breast cancer survivors. This major change in dietary pattern was promoted through intensive telephone counseling. Participants were 93 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer (stages I, II, and IIIA) within the previous four years and who had completed their initial treatment. We assessed adherence to the study diet using repeated 24‐hour dietary recalls at 6 and 12 months and measurement of circulating carotenoid concentrations. Six months after randomization, the intervention group had significantly increased their mean intake of vegetables (+4.6 servings/day), fruit (+0.7 servings/day), and fi...
The Return on a Pool of Senior Life Settlements

In this article we illustrate how the yield on an investment in a block of life settlement contracts changes across prices paid for the policies and how the yield for an offered price changes when the actual life of the insured extends beyond life expectancy. The reader will see that earning yields between 7% and 11%, figures that have in the last few years been touted in the life settlement industry, are associated with offers for policies that are relatively high discounts from face value, and that even a six-month extension in life beyond the life expectancy reduces the actual yield an investor will earn, below the 7% to 11% range. Once fees are deducted each period, which is the way the managers and owners of investment funds are compensated, the discount from face value consistent with each yield is reduced even further. Our objective has not been to find the appropriate discount rate for a pool of senior life settlements but more simply to illustrate how the required yield on an actual block of life settlement contracts dictates the price that investors can offer for policies. We also show that as required returns increase, the value that can be offered for life settlement contracts approaches the cash surrender value. TOPICS:MBS and residential mortgage loans, credit risk management
Self-Paced and Error-Free Code Microprocessor Courses

This short note describes two courses that dealt with microprocessors in an electrical engineering curriculum. The first course, taught at the junior level at Notre Dame, was in logic design. Training students in error-free microprocessor realization of logic circuits was a major course objective. The course was unique in that the first half was that of a "standard" logic curriculum, while the second half was devoted to microprocessor realization of combinational and sequential logic circuits. This second half included material on the Intel 8080 microprocessor, structured programming, a high level programming language (PL/M) and the application of skills in these areas to create microprocessor logic circuits. The course was self-paced. It achieved its primary objective and received an enthusiastic response from the students. The second course, taught at a senior/graduate level at the University of Tulsa, was titled "Advanced Microprocessor Systems Design." Its objectives were to introduce students to the 16 bit Intel 8086 microprocessor and associated integrated circuits, to develop student skills in both an assembly language (ASM-86) and a high level language (PL/M-86), and to teach the students the concepts of top-down structured design. Each student designed a small microcomputer based on the 8086 and its associated integrated circuits. In both courses, students learned new microprocessor and programming skills quickly and efficiently. As hoped, use of disciplined techniques such as careful problem statement and structured programming led students in both courses to error-free microprocessor logic circuits.
Bandwidth Enhancement and Polarization Dependence Elimination of Space-filling Curve Artificial Magnetic Conductors

This work examines the use of multiple spacefilling curve inclusions as sub-cells to form the basis of a larger inclusion to provide relatively electrically small and self-resonant inclusions for artificial magnetic conductors with enhanced bandwidth performance as well as polarization independence.
A commandable ingestible temperature monitor

The commandable ingestible temperature monitor (CITM) is based on a 262.252-kHz miniature quartz crystal that has a 9-Hz/ degrees C temperature coefficient. The capsule is 10.7 mm in diameter and 22.6-mm long. A 1.2-V nickel-cadmium cell provides over 100 hours operation in continuous monitoring, and more with intermittent interrogation. Recharging allows extended pill testing as desired and reuse in animal studies. The CITM is specified for 0.1 degrees C accuracy and can be calibrated to better than 0.01 degrees C at any given battery voltage. It can be used for deep body core monitoring with a range of over 1 ft (pickup typically mounted in clothing or harness) for both human and animal studies. The command feature provides extended life and minimum local interference. >
Special Session: Lessons Learned From the L'Aquila Earthquake Case

The verdict and prison sentences, delivered on 22 October 2012, that found six Italian scientists and one government official guilty of manslaughter in connection with the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake shocked the scientific community worldwide. A late-breaking special session co-convened by John Bates, at the National Climatic Data Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Stephen Sparks, University of Bristol, was added to the Fall Meeting schedule to address this case and to discuss the complex process of assessing and communicating the risks associated with natural hazards.
Identification of reactive toxicants: structure-activity relationships for amides

A diverse series of amides were evaluated for aquatic toxicity (IGC50) assessed in the Tetrahymena pyriformis population growth impairment assay and for reactivity (EC50) with the model soft nucleophile thiol in the form of the cysteine residue of the tripeptide glutathione. All alkylamides along with some halo-substituted amides are well predicted by the simple hydrophobicity (log K ow)–electrophilicity (E lumo) response-surface model [log(IGC−1 50) = 0.45(log K ow) − 0.342(E lumo) − 1.11]. However, 2-halo amides with the halogen at the end of the molecule and α,β-unsaturated primary amides are among those derivatives identified as being more toxic than predicted by the model. Amides, which exhibit excess toxicity, were capable of forming covalent bonds through an SN2 displacement or a Michael addition. Moreover, only those amides exhibiting excess toxicity were reactive with thiol, suggesting that the reactivity with model nucleophiles such as the thiol group may provide a means of accurately defining reactive toxicants.
Internet Use, Social Networking, and HIV/AIDS Risk for Homeless Adolescents

Abstract Objective To examine the association between sexual health and internet use, including social networking websites such as MySpace and Facebook, among a sample of homeless adolescents at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Methods In 2009, a survey of internet use among 201 homeless adolescents was carried out. Multivariate logistic regression models assessed how patterns of use were associated with engaging in exchange sex (sex for money, drugs, or housing), recent HIV testing, and online partner-seeking behaviors. Results Among the surveyed adolescents, 96.5% reported internet use. Most youth accessed the internet at public libraries or youth service agencies. Increased time online and recent engagement in exchange sex were both positively associated with online partner-seeking. Youth connected to family members online were less likely to practice exchange sex and more likely to report a recent HIV test. Youth connected to street-based peers online were more likely to practice exchange sex, whereas youth connected to home-based peers online were more likely to report a recent HIV test. Conclusions Although these data are preliminary, homeless youth need more access to the internet, as access facilitates connecting with family and home-based peers whose presence may reduce sexual risk-taking. Access, however, must be carefully monitored to prevent youth soliciting sex online.
Power-area trade-offs in divided word line memory arrays

Since on-chip caches account for a significant portion of the power budget of modern microprocessors, low power caches are needed in microprocessors destined for portable electronic applications. A significant portion of the power consumption of caches comes from accessing the cache memory array and most of the power consumption of the memory array comes from driving the bit line pairs (i.e., the column current). Various memory array architectures have been proposed to improve the word line delay and the column current. For example, in a divided word line memory array memory cells in each row are organized into blocks. Only the memory cells which are in the activated block have their bit line pairs driven, thus both improving the speed (by decreasing the word line delay) and lowering the power consumption (by decreasing the column current). In this paper we analyze the power-area tradeoffs of divided word line memories with different size blocks. We compare the area and power consumption of 16 Kbit and 64 Kbit memory arrays with 2, 4, 8, and 16 memory cells per block. Our experiments show that a divided word line memory array can lower the power consumption by 50% to 90% over a nondivided word line memory array. However, they consume more area; the area of a divided word line memory array can be 15% to 27% larger than the area of a comparable nondivided word line array. Our experiments also showed that divided word line memory arrays with two or four memory cells in a block have better power-area product than those with more than four cells per block.
Selenium Supplementation Restores Innate and Humoral Immune Responses in Footrot-Affected Sheep

Dietary selenium (Se) alters whole-blood Se concentrations in sheep, dependent upon Se source and dosage administered, but little is known about effects on immune function. We used footrot (FR) as a disease model to test the effects of supranutritional Se supplementation on immune function. To determine the effect of Se-source (organic Se-yeast, inorganic Na-selenite or Na-selenate) and Se-dosage (1, 3, 5 times FDA-permitted level) on FR severity, 120 ewes with and 120 ewes without FR were drenched weekly for 62 weeks with different Se sources and dosages (30 ewes/treatment group). Innate immunity was evaluated after 62 weeks of supplementation by measuring neutrophil bacterial killing ability. Adaptive immune function was evaluated by immunizing sheep with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The antibody titer and delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test to KLH were used to assess humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity, respectively. At baseline, FR-affected ewes had lower whole-blood and serum-Se concentrations; this difference was not observed after Se supplementation. Se supplementation increased neutrophil bacterial killing percentages in FR-affected sheep to percentages observed in supplemented and non-supplemented healthy sheep. Similarly, Se supplementation increased KLH antibody titers in FR-affected sheep to titers observed in healthy sheep. FR-affected sheep demonstrated suppressed cell-mediated immunity at 24 hours after intradermal KLH challenge, although there was no improvement with Se supplementation. We did not consistently prevent nor improve recovery from FR over the 62 week Se-treatment period. In conclusion, Se supplementation does not prevent FR, but does restore innate and humoral immune functions negatively affected by FR.
Preparation and stability of oxidized polyamines.

Abstract The products arising from the oxidation of spermidine and spermine by serum amine oxidase have been purified by ion-exchange chromatography on columns of SE-Sephadex. Oxidized spermidine, dioxidized spermine, and mono-oxidized spermine prepared by this procedure were approx. 90 % pure as judged from thin-layer chromatography of the radioactive products. These aminoaldehydes were found to be converted to other products by a previously unknown condensation process, as well as by β-elimination to yield acrolein and the corresponding amine. The condensation products formed from incubation of dioxidized spermine at pH 7 and 37° had higher apparent charge than the parent compound as judged by their elution behavior from SE-Sephadex. These products also contained carbonyl groups. It is suggested that these compounds arise through aldol condensation of the oxidized amines. The β-elimination reactions were also investigated under similar conditions of pH and temperature, but at low concentrations of the oxidized amines so that the condensation process was minimized. Under these conditions, dioxidized spermine, mono-oxidized spermine, and oxidized spermidine appear to decompose with first-order kinetics, showing half-lives of 42, 137, and 137 min, respectively. The instability of oxidized polyamines must be considered when interpreting their physiological effects.
Multilingualism, perceived positive language interaction (PPLI), and learner beliefs: what do Turkish students believe?

This study explores the interface between learner beliefs and multilingualism in the under-researched English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context of Turkey. The study investigates the underlying constructs of a modified Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI) completed by 168 EFL learners in Turkey using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). One-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were run using two different group divisions for the independent variables: one analysis was run using the groups division of bilinguals versus multilinguals and the second analysis was run using the Perceived Positive Language Interaction (PPLI) group division. These analyses reveal significant differences with both categorizations. That is, knowledge of languages other than English, as well as seeing positive interactions between languages studied, can have a significant effect on learners' beliefs. The uniqueness of the study lies in its discussion of multilingualism within the realm of Dynamic Systems Theory (DST) in...
An Integrated Strategy for Evaluation of Metabolic and Oxidative Defects in Neurodegenerative Illness Using Magnetic Resonance Techniques

: The number of physiologic and metabolic phenomena amenable to analysis using magnetic resonance (MR) techniques is increasing every year. MR techniques can now evalutate tissue parameters relevant to TCA cyclemetabolism, anerobic glycolysis, ATP levels, blood-brain barrier permeability, macrophage infiltration, cytotoxic edema, spreading depression, cerebral blood flow and volume, and neurotransmitter function. The paramagnetic nature of certain oxidation states of iron leads to the ability to map out brain function using deoxyhemoglobin as an endogenous contrast agent, and also allows for mapping of local tissue iron concentrations. In addition to these metabolic parameters, the number of ways to generate anatomic contrast using MR is also expanding; and in addition to conventional anatomic scans, mapping of axonal fiber tracts can also be performed using the anisotropy of water diffusion. A strategy for integration of these multifarious parameters in a comprehensive neurofunctional exam in neurodegenerative illness is outlined in this paper. The goals of the integrated exam, as applied to a given neurodegenerative illness, can be subdivided into three categories: etiology, natural history, and therapeutic end points. The consequences of oxidative stress and/or mitochondrial dysfunction are explored in the context of the various parameters that can be measured using the integrated MR exam.
Implementing ICAO Language Proficiency Requirements in the Versant Aviation English Test

This paper discusses the development of an assessment to satisfy the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Language Proficiency Requirements. The Versant Aviation English Test utilizes speech recognition technology and a computerized testing platform, such that test administration and scoring are fully automated. Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, this 25-minute test is delivered via a telephone or computer. Two issues of interest are discussed. The first concerns the practicalities of assessing candidates in each of six separate dimensions of spoken proficiency: Pronunciation, Structure, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension, and Interactions. Although an automated scoring system can objectively segregate these skills, we question whether human raters have the capacity to do this in oral interviews. The second issue discussed is how an automated test can provide a valid assessment of spoken interactions. Tasks were designed to simulate the information exchange between pilots and controllers on which candidates proficiency in Interactions could be measured, for example, by eliciting functions such as correcting miscommunications and providing clarification. It is argued that candidate ability can be probed and estimated in a fair and standardized way by presenting a series of independent items which are targeted in difficulty at the various ICAO levels. Copyright 2009 Alistair Van Moere, Masanori Suzuki, Ryan Downey and Jian Cheng. No part of this article may be reproduced by any means without the written consent of the publisher.
Transformation of Pythium aphanidermatum to geneticin resistance.

Conditions for the production of protoplasts and gene transfer in Pythium aphanidermatum were investigated. Efficient protoplast generation was possible after culture of mycelium in potato dextrose broth followed by digestion with 0.5% (w/v) each of cellulase and β-d-glucanase. Plasmid pHAMT35N/SK encoding the nptII gene under control of the Ham34 promoter from the oomycete Bremia lactucae was used to define electroporation parameters for gene transfer. A square-wave electroporation pulse of 2500 V/cm at 50 μF capacitance reproducibly produced transformants, albeit at low efficiency (0.1–0.4 transformants from ~105 regenerable protoplasts per microgram of DNA). Thirty-two independent transformants exhibited wild-type growth on potato dextrose agar amended with geneticin at 50 μg/ml, a concentration that near completely inhibited the growth of untransformed P. aphanidermatum. Southern blot analysis indicated that transforming DNA was integrated into the oomycete genome and that the DNA was stably inherited through sporogenesis. Growth on geneticin-free media, the ability to form zoospores or oospores, and the ability to cause disease in sugarbeet seedlings in the laboratory were indistinguishable between a subset of the transformed isolates and the progenitor isolate 898B. Co-electroporation of pHAMT35N/SK with plasmid pACT-GUS encoding the Escherichia coli gusA gene controlled by oomycete transcriptional promoter and terminator sequences or with pEGFP encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of the immediate early promoter from the mammalian cytomegalovirus produced, respectively, stable β-glucuronidase and transient expression of blue-green fluorescence. Application of the technique to studies on the biochemical basis for pathogenesis in this agriculturally important group of fungi is discussed.
Understanding Self-Help/Mutual-Aid: Experiential Learning in the Commons

This text provides an examination of self-help/mutual-aid groups from an interdisciplinary perspective. It describes three stages of individual and group evolution that is part of their organizational structure, and it reconceptualizes participants' interactions with professionals.
Ionic conductivity in glasses: Is the window effect statistically relevant?

Abstract Studies of ion motion in glasses are divided between analyses based upon the Kohlrausch description of the electric modulus and the Jonscher power law description of the ac conductivity. It was recently demonstrated that the latter approach suffers from a so-called `window effect': the power law exponent obtained from optimized curve fitting is affected by variations in the accessible frequency range of the experiment. In the present work, a statistical treatment of the curve fitting is conducted which reveals that the changes in the exponent are accompanied by increases in the error in determining the exponent. Although deviations are evident between the data and the fit, the observed change in the exponent generally remains within the error of determination and renders the window effect statistically irrelevant.
A case of female epispadias.

Objective To present a case of unrecognized female epispadias. Design Case report. Setting University-based reproductive endocrinology and fertility clinic. Patient(s) A 16-year-old girl with epispadias, history of mild urinary incontinence, auditory neuropathy, and functional hyperandrogenism. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Peripheral blood array–based comparative genomic hybridization. Result(s) The patient was referred for evaluation of excessive weight gain, secondary amenorrhea, and abnormal external genitalia. Examination under anesthesia revealed bilateral labia minora hypertrophy, bifid clitoris, and a patulous urethra, consistent with female epispadias. Hormonal evaluation showed functional hyperandrogenism, and peripheral blood array–based comparative genomic hybridization showed no chromosomal deletions or duplications. Conclusion(s) Female epispadias is a rare abnormality, not commonly recognized by most practitioners. The diagnosis is supported by a history of urinary incontinence and physical findings of bifid clitoris and patulous urethra. The condition can have serious physical and psychological consequences leading to a gross disruption of social function.
Pulmonary Vascular Impedance in the Dog

Pulmonary vascular hydraulic input impedance was measured in 13 anesthetized openchest dogs with normal sinus rhythm, and 2 dogs with surgically induced atrioventricular block, by means of electromagnetic flowmeters and strain gauge manometers of known frequency response. The linearity of the pulmonary bed was evaluated by measuring impedance while the heart rate, and hence the pulsatile input to the bed, was varied. The pulmonary bed behaved as a quasilinear system, within the limits of accuracy of the methods employed and the range of frequencies tested. The use of input impedance, or oscillatory pressure/flow ratio, to describe some characteristics of the bed is therefore justifiable, and analogies with linear models like the simple transmission line are not unreasonable. The characteristic input impedance averaged 3,094 dyne sec cm-5 kg, or about one-third the magnitude of the pulmonary vascular resistance, and was therefore a significant part of the total opposition that must be overcome in moving bl...
Are there developmental differences in reality-monitoring? ☆

Abstract The question addressed by the present experiment is whether the ability to distinguish between veridical and imaginal memory representations changes with age. Second-grade, fourth-grade, and sixth grade children (8, 10, and 12 years old) and college students were shown pictures of familiar objects. Each picture was presented one, two, or three times and, interspersed with these presentations, subjects were asked to imagine each picture zero, one, or three times. Subsequently they were asked to judge the presentation frequency of each picture. For all groups, imagining the pictures resulted in inflated estimates of event frequency. However, contrary to the idea that children have a particularly difficult time discriminating externally generated from internally generated memories, one analysis indicated adults were actually somewhat more affected than children by the imagination trials.
Mechanisms of selective attention in grasshopper choruses: who listens to whom?

In many rhythmically signaling species of acoustic insects and anurans, males form choruses at typical population densities. Recent findings that females may prefer leading calls indicate that the timing of a male's signals relative to those of neighboring choruses is an important component of mate attraction. Within a chorus, however, males cannot time their calls such that they lead all neighbors. Hence, they are expected to show selective attention toward only a subset of the group. We used field playback experiments to determine the incidence of and mechanism(s) responsible for selective attention in choruses of the territorial grasshoppers Ligurotettix coquilletti and L. planum. Our data revealed significant selective attention in both species and are inconsistent with either fixed-threshold or fixed-number mechanisms. Rather, regulation of selective attention by a sliding-threshold mechanism is supported. We discuss these results in the context of the evolution of chorus structure.
Integrating highly-capable corobots into a computing curriculum

Robots are typically used at the college level either as a pedagogic platform for introductory programming or for more advanced courses in robotics. With robots becoming cheaper and more plentiful, personal interactions with them will become more commonplace. This project therefore takes the position that undergraduate computing students need the opportunity to explore core computing concepts in a robotics context. Specifically, we will give students the ability to work alongside teams of highly capable and easily programmable corobots, a term used to identify robots that work side by side with humans, rather than being completely autonomous and isolated. A modular approach is used to incorporate corobotics into various computer science (CS) courses such as first-year computing, networking, and data management, thus permitting the students to see these corobots in multiple contexts. This work-in-progress paper describes the corobotics infrastructure that has been developed, and outlines how this infrastructure can be used to support diverse courses in the CS curriculum.
Actin crosslinking protein EF-1 a of Dictyostelium discoideum has a unique bonding rule that allows square-packed bundles

Abstract The elongation factor 1a (EF-1a) of Dictyostelium discoideum is an actin crosslinking protein that gives rise to a unique kind of actin bundle. Purified actin and EF-1a were allowed to form bundles and then were characterized by electron microscopy, computed diffraction analysis, and modeling. In these bundles crosslinked actin filaments are rotated by 90° relative to each other, whereas other known crosslinking proteins require filaments to be unrotated. Bundles of actin EF-1a would tend to exclude other actin bundling proteins. EF-1a can thus regulate the state of the actin cytoskeleton as well as regulate protein synthesis.
The Infrared Development of V705 Cassiopeiae

We report 1.2-18.5 μm spectrophotometric measurements of the CO nova V705 Cassiopeiae (Nova Cas 1993). Observations were made over a 2.5 yr period between 7.1 and 929.4 days past outburst. This time frame was marked by all major phases of nova evolution. An optically thick, carbon dust shell formed by day 70.9. Later evolutionary stages of the dust shell are modeled using a combination of emission from carbon, silicate, and hydrocarbon grains. Using this model, we estimate carbon, silicate, and gas abundances in addition to several other calculable physical parameters.
Automatic Detection of Altered Fingerprints

A new algorithm detects changes to fingerprints due to mutilation and other similar measures criminals use to evade identification. This Web extra video features Karl Ricanek of the University of North Carolina Wilmington providing an overview of the 2011 International Joint Conference on Biometrics, and Charles Severance, Computer's multimedia editor, interviewing several conference attendees from around the world.
The Effects of Community Characteristics and Member Retention of Virtual Communities

This paper investigates the antecedents of member retention for virtual communities. This research theorizes the motivating mechanism from both perspectives of the information seekers and providers. Four antecedents-communication breadth, depth, responsiveness, and cross-posting-have a statistically significant influence on member retention. Furthermore, we have found that communication breadth and depth have a diminishing effect on the marginal impact on member retention as well as the interaction between these factors has a negative impact on member retention although each of them separately has a positive impact. The implications of this study help understand the dynamics of knowledge sharing in virtual communities.