cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Poststroke Medical Complications on 30-Day Readmission Rate

Background Some previously identified predictors of 30-day stroke readmission, including age and stroke severity, are nonmodifiable. We assessed the hypothesis that in-hospital medical complications, which are potentially modifiable, after ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) predict 30-day readmission. Methods In a single-center prospective cohort study of IS and TIA patients admitted from August 1, 2012, to July 31, 2013, we identified those who survived to 30-day follow-up or died during a readmission within 30 days. Patients readmitted within 30 days of discharge were identified by telephone assessment and review of hospital records. We evaluated the association between 12 prespecified and prospectively collected poststroke medical complications and 30-day readmission adjusting for baseline characteristics, in-hospital course and treatments, and discharge status using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Results Among 505 patients, 107 (21.2%) patients had at least 1 medical complication during hospitalization. The most common complications were urinary tract infection (8.7%), venous thromboembolism (6.1%), and pneumonia (4.6%). Seventy-eight (15.4%) patients were readmitted within 30 days. On multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, cardioembolic or large-artery atherosclerotic subtype (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-2.83) and any medical complication (adjusted HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.04-2.73) increased the risk of 30-day readmission. Among the 24 readmitted patients who experienced an initial medical complication, 10 (41.6%) were considered potentially preventable. Conclusions The occurrence of medical complications after IS or TIA increased the risk of 30-day all-cause readmission. Stroke patients with medical complications may be suitable for targeted interventions to prevent readmissions.
Gain recovery dynamics: femtosecond time resolved spectral hole burning and carrier capture in a separate confinement QW laser structure

Summary form only given. The dynamics of spectral hole burning, gain saturation and carrier capture in the gain region are important in the design of semiconductor lasers and amplifiers; especially in high-speed applications. Using a femtosecond three-pulse white light pump-probe technique, we have clearly observed spectral hole burning. The relaxation of the spectral hole and the gain recovery limited by carrier capture are directly observable in our spatially and temporally resolved experiment. The data are consistent with Monte Carlo simulations.
May I make a suggestion?: Corporate support for innovation

The development of an innovations award program in a public utility company is described. The program was designed to generate innovative ideas that were implementable and could bring about significant improvements in the company's operations or have significant impact on the company's profitability. The various factors which must be considered when an Organizational Behavior ' Manager (OBM) is selecting components of an innovations award program is described. The process required to operationally define and then evaluate innovative responses within a corporate environmcnt is described. Analysis of the program described indicated that quantity of innovative ideas generated by the new program exceeded those generated by the company's previous program while these levels were less than levels generated by comparable programs in other public utilities.
Catabolite Repression and other Control Mechanisms in Carbohydrate Utilization

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on three devices: catabolite repression, transient repression, and catabolite inhibition, which regulate the utilization of many carbohydrates. Catabolite repression is a reduction in the rate of synthesis of certain enzymes, particularly those of degradative metabolism, in the presence of glucose or other readily metabolized carbon sources. Catabolite inhibition is a control exerted by glucose on enzyme activity rather than on enzyme formation, analogous to feedback inhibition in biosynthetic pathways. Catabolite repression influences many aspects of microbial growth and metabolism. In addition to the well known repressions of carbohydrate utilization and amino-acid degradation in bacteria and yeast, catabolite repression affects the formation of enzymes that function in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, glyoxylate cycle, fatty acid degradation, carbon dioxide fixation, and the respiratory chain. In higher organisms, catabolite repression has been observed in sugar cane, rats, and man. The question of whether catabolite repression acts to inhibit the transcription of DNA into m-RNA or to inhibit translation of messenger into protein has received conflicting answers. Catabolite repression is a control system that usually affects catabolic enzymes. If catabolite repression and transient repression are not mediated by the specific apo-repressor of each operon, there must be another protein that recognizes the low molecular-weight effector. The significance of a control mechanism, which influences the activity as opposed to the concentration of a carbohydrate-metabolizing enzyme is readily appreciated because bacteria have a limited ability to change enzyme concentrations.
Using MPI-2: a problem-based approach

MPI-2 introduced many new capabilities, including dynamic process management, one-sided communication, and parallel I/O. Implementations of these features are becoming widespread. This tutorial shows how to use these features by showing all of the steps involved in designing, coding, and tuning solutions to specific problems. The problems are chosen for their practical use in applications as well as for their ability to illustrate specific MPI-2 topics. Complete examples that illustrate the use of MPI one-sided communication and MPI parallel I/O will be discussed and full source code will be made available to the attendees. Each example will include a hands-on lab session; these sessions will also introduce the use of performance and correctness debugging tools that are available for the MPI environment. Guidance on tuning MPI programs will be included, with examples and data from MPI implementations on a variety of parallel systems, including Sun, IBM, SGI, and clusters. Examples in C, Fortran, and C++ will be included. Familiarity with basic MPI usage will be assumed.
Employee Benefit Changes Under TRA '97

Following is a preliminary summary of the employee benefit changes made by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (TRA '97). The Act was signed into law on August 5, 1997, which is the date of the enactment.
Lower rehospitalization rates among rural Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes.

Purpose: We estimated the 30-day readmission rate of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes, across levels of rurality. Methods: We merged the 2005 Medicare Chronic Conditions 5% sample data with the 2007 Area Resource File. The study population was delimited to those with diabetes and at least 1 hospitalization in the year. Unadjusted readmission rates were estimated across levels of rurality. Multivariate logistic regression estimated the factors associated with readmissions. Findings: Overall, 14.4% had a readmission; this was higher among urban (14.9%) than rural (12.9%) residents. The adjusted odds indicated that remote rural residents were less likely to have a readmission (OR 0.74, 0.57-0.95) than urban residents. Also, those with a 30-day physician follow-up visit were more likely to have a readmission (OR 2.25, 1.96-2.58) than those without a visit. Conclusion: The factors that contribute to hospital readmissions are complex; our findings indicate that access to follow-up care is highly associated with having a readmission. It is possible that residents of remote rural counties may not receive necessary readmissions due to lower availability of such follow-up care. Policy makers should continue to monitor this apparent disparity to determine the impact of these lower rates on both patients and hospitals alike.
Evaluation of Biopolymer-Modified Concrete Systems for Disposal of Cathode Ray Tube Glass

Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from computer monitors and television sets, which contain significantly high percentage of lead (Pb) by weight, represent an enormous and growing hazardous waste problem in the United States and worldwide. As a result, new technologies are needed to cope with current CRT waste stream and increased hazard and build new markets for its recycled components, developing commercially viable concrete composites, as well as minimizing CRT disposal problems. In this study, commercially available biopolymers, such as xanthan gum, guar gum, and chitosan, were used to encapsulate CRT glass waste, reducing the Pb leachability. The biopolymers utilized contain a number of useful functional groups, such as carboxyl (xanthan), hydroxyl (guar), and amino groups (chitosan), which play important roles in binding and stabilizing Pb onto concrete structures. The use of biopolymers in concrete systems can create a stable interpenetrating cross-linking composite that will last for many years. Results from these new composites show 30% higher compressive strength than standard concrete and a sharp decrease in lead leachability from several thousand milligrams per liter initially to an amount of three-tenths milligrams per liter or lower values (much lower than the U.S. Environment Protection Agency standard for hazardous waste of 5 mg/L by the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test), and for some of the composites leachability is below even the standard for drinking water. This efficient and cost-effective CRT-biopolymer-concrete composite is a new class of biopolymer-modified material that can potentially perform a significant role in relieving the current CRT issue.
Mode of action of interleukin-1 in suppression of pituitary LH release in castrated male rats

These studies were undertaken to elucidate the mechanisms whereby the cytokine, Interleukin (IL-1) suppresses pituitary LH release in orchidectomized rats. Since LH secretion is pulsatile in castrated rats, the effects of IL-1 on the components of the LH pulsatility were assessed. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta suppressed LH release, but IL-1 beta was relatively more effective than IL-1 alpha in terms of the onset (IL-1 beta = 30 min; IL-1 alpha = 105 min) as well as the magnitude and duration of LH suppression. Further, the marked suppression of LH secretion in IL-1 beta-treated rats was found to be due to significant reductions both in the frequency and amplitude of LH episodes. We next evaluated whether the IL-1 beta-induced suppression of LH release was mediated by either of the two inhibitory hypothalamic peptidergic systems, corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) and endogenous opioid peptides (EOP). Passive immunoneutralization of CRH by i.c.v. administration of a specific CRH-antibody, either once at 15 min or twice at 75 and 15 min before IL-1 beta injection, failed to block the suppressive effects of IL-1 beta on LH release. Similarly, pharmacological blockade of CRH by i.c.v. injection of the CRH receptor antagonist, alpha-helical CRH9-41 15 min before IL-1 beta was ineffective. However, i.v. infusion of the opiate receptor antagonist, naloxone, which on its own had no effect on LH secretion, counteracted the inhibitory effects of IL-1 beta. To further identify the opiate receptor subtype involved, we utilized specific opiate receptor subtype antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Properties of structural proteins of bovine platelets.

Abstract Bovine platelet ghosts were found to consist largely of protein with a small amount of protein-bound carbohydrate. A full spectrum of amino acids was obtained, and the N-terminal amino acid proved to be serine. Partial solubilization of platelet ghosts was accomplished by a mild basic hydrolysis. The bonds broken in this procedure were found to be ester-like, as shown by a positive hydroxamic acid reaction. A water-soluble DNP-fraction was isolated by mild basic hydrolysis of DNP-platelet ghosts. Ultracentrifugal analysis revealed that this fraction consisted of at least three components.
Combined ventricular hypertrophy in infancy

Abstract The vectorcardiograms and electrocardiograms in 10 infants with congenital malformations of the heart have been described. Each malformation would presumably result in combined ventricular hypertrophy. The results in 7 patients were compared with the previously established vectorcardiographic criteria for combined ventricular hypertrophy, and it was demonstrated that these criteria may be applicable to infants as young as 7 days. Three infants demonstrated vectorcardiographic patterns different from the previously described patients. One patient, Case 8, revealed a pattern which may indicate an additional criterion of biventricular hypertrophy in the newborn. One common denominator in each of the 10 patients was large diphasic QRS complexes observed in the mid-precordial leads of the electrocardiogram. The corresponding vectorcardiograms in each instance, regardless of the direction of inscription, revealed a QRS loop in the horizontal plane oriented in space so that it manifested itself electrically at the midprecordial leads as large diphasic QRS complexes over 50 mm. These tall mid-precordial QRS complexes have been called the Katz-Wachtel phenomenon and presumably reflect combined ventricular hypertrophy. The derivation of this term was traced.
Greasy proteins of the neuron

An analysis of neuronal proteins reveals that many are regulated through covalent attachment of the lipid palmitate. This reversible modification seems to affect the form and function of synaptic junctions.
Strain in Graded Thickness GaAs/Si Heteroepitaxial Structures Grown with a Buffer Layer

The strain in MBE GaAs/Si heterostructures grown with a buffer layer are characterized by Raman scattering and luminescence. A graded thickness sample was produced by slowly moving a shutter in front of the sample during the growth. Raman scattering and luminescence measurements made as a function of distance could be related to the strain in the film as a function of film thickness. The measurements showed tensile strain for all thicknesses. The strain in the overlayer was accounted for by the difference in thermal expansion of GaAs and Si. The buffer layer showed the largest tensile strain, and it is proposed that this strain was due to the presence of vacancies.
Original Intent and the Framers' Constitution

For more than two hundred years a debate has raged between those who believe that jurists should follow the original intentions of the Founding Fathers and those who argue that the Constitution is a living document subject to interpretation by each succeeding generation. The controversy has flared anew in our own time as a facet of the battle between conservatives and liberals. In Original Intent and the Framers' Constitution, the distinguished constitutional scholar Leonard Levy cuts through the Gordian Knot of claim and counterclaim with an argument that is clear, logical, and compelling. Rejecting the views of both left and right, he evaluates the doctrine of "original intent" by examining the sources of constitutional law and landmark cases. Finally, he finds no evidence for grounding the law in original intent. Judicial activism-the constant reinterpretation of the Constitution-he sees as inevitable.
Neuroprotection in neuro-ophthalmic disease

Neuroprotection is a set of therapeutic strategies for the prevention of neuronal death after injury. A wide variety of neuro-ophthalmic disorders are characterized by neuronal death, particularly disorders of the optic nerve. Optic neuropathies irrevocably result in the death of retinal ganglion cells, cells which are unable to divide. Therefore, their loss results in permanent loss of vision. Most optic neuropathies do not have viable treatments at present, and thus there has been great interest in using neuroprotective strategies for the treatments of such disorders. The following review discusses some facets of neuroprotection, particularly with respect to its potential role in treating disorders of the optic nerve.
CONTINUOUS FRACTIONATION OF GLASS MICROSPHERES BY GRAVITATIONAL SEDIMENTATION IN SPLIT-FLOW THIN (SPLITT) CELLS

ABSTRACT Split-flow thin (SPLITT) separation cells, consisting of submillimeter thick rectangular channels having now splitters at both inlet and outlet ends, were operated continuously using the earth's gravitational field as a driving force to prepare narrow fractions from polydisperse micron-size glass bead populations. Equations arc shown that make it possible to achieve a binary fractionation around a specified cutoff particle diameter by the control of inlet and outlet flowrates. Using a single separation cell, each narrow fraction was obtained by a two step fractionation. one dividing the panicle population around the upper desired limit and the other around the lower desired limit of particle diameters. The clean fractionation by SPLITT cell operation was verified by scanning electron microscopy, which also provided the mean particle diameter and the coefficient of variation for each fraction. The consistency of size distribution results was also examined by steric field-flow fractionation.
Internal rotation and thermodynamic properties of hydrogen peroxide and its deuterated species

The molecular structure and internal rotation of hydrogen peroxide are briefly reviewed in terms of recent data. By a statistical method, the thermodynamic properties are evaluated. The partition function for the internal rotation is obtained from the summation of experimental internal rotation energy levels. Based on the selected Δ H ° f (298.15 K) values, Δ H ° f , Δ G f , and log K f in the temperature range 0 to 1500 K are derived. The internal rotation contributions to C ° p and S ° are discussed in terms of earlier calculations.
Class I Composite Resin Restoration

Composite resin materials and methods for their use have improved to the extent that long lasting Class I carious lesions on stress-bearing surfaces can be restored with predictable results. This article demonstrates a step-by-step clinical technique for placement of a Class I composite resin restoration lined with a light-hardened glass-ionomer dentin replacement foundation. Emphasis is placed on tooth isolation, thoughtful handling of the respective materials, and the importance of final sealing of the resin/enamel margins.
Skeletal muscle characteristics of people with multiple sclerosis

Abstract Carroll CC, Gallagher PM, Seidle ME, Trappe SW. Skeletal muscle characteristics of people with multiple sclerosis. Objective To compare the single-fiber characteristics and muscle weakness of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) with that of healthy persons without MS. Design Descriptive. Setting A university-based exercise physiology laboratory. Participants Fourteen subjects (7 controls, 7 people with relapsing-remitting MS; Expanded Disability Status Scale median score, 6.0; range, 2.5–6.5). Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measures Singe muscle fiber myosin heavy chain (MHC) distribution, myosin adenosine triphosphatase fiber type, and single muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA). Results The distribution of MHC I, MHC IIa, MHC IIx, and total hybrid fibers (I/IIa+I/IIa/IIx+IIa/IIx) did not differ between the 2 groups. However, the distribution of MHC I/IIa/IIx fibers was greater ( P P Conclusions These data suggest that, in general, moderately impaired MS subjects with documented muscle weakness have similar MHC and fiber-type characteristics as age-matched sedentary controls. The data indicate that the quality of skeletal muscle, with regard to MHC distribution, is unaffected by MS.
Spectroscopy of Hydrothermal Reactions 15. The pH and Counterion Effects on the Decarboxylation Kinetics of the Malonate System

Malonic acid (HO2CCH2CO2H) and its anions malonate(−1) (HO2CCH2CO2-) and malonate(−2) (-O2CCH2CO2-) are among the more abundant dicarboxylates in natural water. Two variables influencing their behavior are the pH and the counterion. The rate constants for decarboxylation were determined in the pH range of 1.89−7.0 with a flow reactor−FTIR spectroscopy cell operating at 140−240 °C and 275 bar. The relative rates of the first-order reactions are malonic acid > malonate(−1) ≫ malonate(−2). The Arrhenius activation energies are similar for the three species (116−120 kJ/mol), making the rate differences controlled primarily by the pre-exponential factors ln(A, s-1) = 30.2, 28.3, and 23.3, respectively]. These findings are interpreted in terms of the role of entropy in a cyclic intermediate common to all three species. Malonate(−2) is proposed to form this structure by hydration to 1-orthomalonate(−2). The entropy decreases as the negative charge increases due to increased rigidity of the cyclic intermediate an...
NO and OH Spectroscopic Vibrational Temperature Measurements in a Post-Shock Relaxation Region

In this paper, spatial temperature profiles are examined in the nonequilibrium relaxation region behind a stationary shock wave in a hypervelocity air Mach 7.42 freestream. The normal shock wave is established through a Mach reflection from an opposing wedge arrangement in an expansion tube facility. Schlieren images confirm that the shock configuration is steady and the location is repeatable. Emission spectroscopy is used to identify dissociated species and to make vibrational temperature measurements using both the nitric oxide and the hydroxyl radical A-X band sequences. Temperature measurements are presented at selected locations behind the normal shock. LIFBASE is used as the simulation spectrum software for OH temperature-fitting; however, the need to access higher vibrational and rotational levels for NO leads to the use of an in-house developed algorithm. For NO, results demonstrate the contribution of higher vibrational and rotational levels to the spectra at the conditions of this study. Very good agreement is achieved between the experimentally measured NO vibrational temperatures and calculations performed using an existing state-resolved, three-dimensional forced-harmonic oscillator thermochemical model. The measured NO vibrational temperatures are significantly higher than the OH temperatures.
Spectroscopic evidence for β structure in rat adipocyte plasma membrane protein

Abstract Infrared spectra in the Amide I region of fat cell plasma membrane indicates the presence of a significant proportion of β conformation in the membrane proteins. This is noted both in spectra of dried membrane films and membrane suspensions in 2 H 2 O. The effect of various solvents is described. This finding illustrates the diversity in protein conformation in plasma membranes obtained from various mammalian cell types.
Nanoscale wear as a stress-assisted chemical reaction

Wear of sliding contacts leads to energy dissipation and device failure, resulting in massive economic and environmental costs. Typically, wear phenomena are described empirically, because physical and chemical interactions at sliding interfaces are not fully understood at any length scale. Fundamental insights from individual nanoscale contacts are crucial for understanding wear at larger length scales, and to enable reliable nanoscale devices, manufacturing and microscopy. Observable nanoscale wear mechanisms include fracture and plastic deformation, but recent experiments and models propose another mechanism: wear via atom-by-atom removal ('atomic attrition'), which can be modelled using stress-assisted chemical reaction kinetics. Experimental evidence for this has so far been inferential. Here, we quantitatively measure the wear of silicon--a material relevant to small-scale devices--using in situ transmission electron microscopy. We resolve worn volumes as small as 25 ± 5 nm(3), a factor of 10(3) lower than is achievable using alternative techniques. Wear of silicon against diamond is consistent with atomic attrition, and inconsistent with fracture or plastic deformation, as shown using direct imaging. The rate of atom removal depends exponentially on stress in the contact, as predicted by chemical rate kinetics. Measured activation parameters are consistent with an atom-by-atom process. These results, by direct observation, establish atomic attrition as the primary wear mechanism of silicon in vacuum at low loads.
Donor-acceptor pairs to limit Voc-improvement of photo-diodes

Abstract When deep-level centers are inserted near the junction interface, the open-circuit voltage of photo-diodes is reduced. The performance degradation due to the doped layer is sensitively position-dependent; its maximum effect is at a position where n ⋍ p , for similar recombination rates of electrons and holes. In high-efficient solar cells, it is suggested that donor-acceptor pairs that are created by the conventional diffusion process are responsible for the unintentional limitation of the open-circuit voltage. Computation of the solution curves of transport-, continuity-, and Poisson equations for a two-carrier model indicate that the omission of close pairs by insertion of a thin undoped layer (inverse delta-doping), and consequential reduction in the density of distant pairs causes an increase of the open-circuit voltage and fill factor without concomitant decrease of the short-circuit current.
On the potential use of satellite sounder data in forecasting tropical cyclone motion

Although many prediction schemes are available, tropical cyclone track forecast errors are still unacceptably large. A primary difficulty is that tropical cyclones and their environments are poorly observed by conventional data networks. Satellite sounders, however, routinely provide numerous observations near these storms. Mean layer temperatures from the Scanning Microwave Spectrometer (SCAMS) on board the Nimbus-6 satellite are decomposed using empirical orthogonal functions, and the expansion coefficients are related to deviations from persistence track forecasts. Based on multiple correlation coefficients it appears that upper-level (250-100 mb) temperatures contain significant information about the right-angle error of the persistence forecast location. Temperatures from the 1000-500 mb layer seemed to contain little forecast information. Implications of these results for further work are offered.
El Niño/Southern Oscillation and tropical Pacific climate during the last millennium

Any assessment of future climate change requires knowledge of the full range of natural variability in the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Here we splice together fossil-coral oxygen isotopic records from Palmyra Island in the tropical Pacific Ocean to provide 30–150-year windows of tropical Pacific climate variability within the last 1,100 years. The records indicate mean climate conditions in the central tropical Pacific ranging from relatively cool and dry during the tenth century to increasingly warmer and wetter climate in the twentieth century. But the corals also document a broad range of ENSO behaviour that correlates poorly with these estimates of mean climate. The most intense ENSO activity within the reconstruction occurred during the mid-seventeenth century. Taken together, the coral data imply that the majority of ENSO variability over the last millennium may have arisen from dynamics internal to the ENSO system itself.
Characterization of the clinical and anatomical pathological changes associated with Hepatozoon mocassini infections in unnatural reptilian hosts

Laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were employed in the successful transmission of Hepatozoon mocassini from a cotton-mouth moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma) to 3 lizard species (Sceloporus undulatus, Eumeces obsoletus and Sceloporus poinsetti). Marked to severe lethargy and anorexia developed in the S. undulatus, E. obsoletus and S. poinsetti at 15, 38, and 96 days postinfection (PI), respectively. All 3 lizards developed a leukocytosis and had increased plasma aspartate aminotransferase activity (AST) by 14 days PI. Multifocal random hepatocellular necrosis and intrahepatic aggregates of heterophils centered on mature H. mocassini meronts were demonstrated in all 3 lizards. The pulmonary interstitium was multifocally thickened by aggregates of heterophils centered on meronts. No comparable clinical or anatomical pathological changes were demonstrated in naturally infected snakes. The results of this study suggest that H. mocassini is capable of inducing necrotizing inflammatory by lesions in unnatural reptilian hosts.
Transient resonances in the inspirals of point particles into black holes.

We show that transient resonances occur in the two-body problem in general relativity for spinning black holes in close proximity to one another when one black hole is much more massive than the other. These resonances occur when the ratio of polar and radial orbital frequencies, which is slowly evolving under the influence of gravitational radiation reaction, passes through a low order rational number. At such points, the adiabatic approximation to the orbital evolution breaks down, and there is a brief but order unity correction to the inspiral rate. The resonances cause a perturbation to orbital phase of order a few tens of cycles for mass ratios ∼10^(-6), make orbits more sensitive to changes in initial data (though not quite chaotic), and are genuine nonperturbative effects that are not seen at any order in a standard post-Newtonian expansion. Our results apply to an important potential source of gravitational waves, the gradual inspiral of white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes into much more massive black holes. Resonances’ effects will increase the computational challenge of accurately modeling these sources.
Comprehensive modeling of microRNA targets predicts functional non-conserved and non-canonical sites

mirSVR is a new machine learning method for ranking microRNA target sites by a down-regulation score. The algorithm trains a regression model on sequence and contextual features extracted from miRanda-predicted target sites. In a large-scale evaluation, miRanda-mirSVR is competitive with other target prediction methods in identifying target genes and predicting the extent of their downregulation at the mRNA or protein levels. Importantly, the method identifies a significant number of experimentally determined non-canonical and non-conserved sites.
Development of a comprehensive, validated pharmacophore hypothesis for anthrax toxin lethal factor (LF) inhibitors using genetic algorithms, Pareto scoring, and structural biology.

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The anthrax toxin lethal factor (LF), an 89-kDa zinc hydrolase secreted by the bacilli, is the toxin...
Plasmodium berghei: vaccination of mice against malaria with heat inactivated parasitized blood.

Abstract Heat inactivated Plasmodium berghei -infected blood acted as a vaccine against P. berghei infection in mice. The heat inactivated blood was noninfective. Intact or splenectomized vaccine-treated mice, as well as P. berghei susceptible mice inoculated with whole blood or homogenized spleens from vaccine-treated animals, did not become infected. A/J, DDS and Carworth CF 1 mice were all protected against P. berghei challenge after vaccination. A/J and DDS mice developed good immunity after a single vaccination injection. Similar levels of immunity were obtained in CF 1 mice after at least two vaccine injections. Immunized mice responded to P. berghei challenge with mild anemias and low level parasitemias. Resolution of infection occurred between the first and third weeks after challenge. Nonvaccinated mice developed progressive anemia and parasitemia during the same time period. The immunity appears to be caused by P. berghei antigens; it could not be induced by homologous or heterologous noninfected red blood cells, P. gallinaceum -infected blood or Freund's Complete Adjuvant.
Normal and flush irrigation effects on phosphorus leaching from simulated golf greens in the greenhouse

Fertilizer nutrients have the potential to leach from porous golf greens, especially when “flushing” is practiced where 8 or 10 cm of irrigation is applied. A greenhouse experiment was carried out with 52 cm columns (15 cm diameter) made to United States Golf Association green specifications and sodded to ‘Tifdwarf’ bermudagrass to determine the amounts of phosphorus leached for two fertilizer sources (20–20–20 and superphosphate) at three rates (0, 5, and 11 kg ha−1 added every other week for a total of 6 weeks) and two irrigation schemes (normal irrigation at 6.3 mm day−1 and the same irrigation with an additional four flushes of 8 cm each). Weekly leachate collections for 29 weeks were analyzed for soluble P. Flushes resulted in higher P concentrations in the leachate where as much as 40% of the added P was recovered in the leachate. In contrast, normal irrigations resulted in less than 10% of the P applied moving through the columns. The two fertilizer sources gave essentially similar results. The higher P rate caused higher concentrations of P in the leachate, but P concentrations for the low rate for normal irrigation were not different than the control. For flushes, the extractable P in the top 15 cm of the rooting media was lower than for normal irrigation and the extractable P in the columns was higher. Results indicate that low rates of P should be applied to golf greens and, if flushing is practiced, it should be done when little P is in the rooting media.
Evidence for a Slow Tertiary Relaxation in the Reaction of tert-Butyl Isocyanide with Horseradish Peroxidase†

The kinetics of tert-butyl isocyanide binding to the heme protein horseradish peroxidase (HRP) at 22 degrees C was examined on all time scales, from minutes to picoseconds, in aqueous borate buffer at pH 9.08. Unlike myoglobin (Mb) or hemoglobin, HRP shows two bimolecular ligand binding processes. For comparison, binding of the same ligand with Mb was measured under identical conditions. Ligand entry into the protein from the solvent in a mixing experiment is extremely slow in HRP: the bimolecular association constant is 0.04 M-1 s-1, while in Mb it is 4 x 10(3) M-1 s-1. Surprisingly, in view of that difference, picosecond and nanosecond photolyses reveal that once the ligand has reached the iron(II) site there is no difference in cage return or escape from the protein. The rate for the fastest cage return (from the contact pair) is close to 6 x 10(10) s-1 in both proteins. The rates of escape from the contact pair to form a secondary protein-caged pair are also similar: for Mb, 10 x 10(10) s-1, and for HRP, 8.5 x 10(10) s-1. The rate of rebinding from the protein-separated cage is near 4 x 10(6) s-1 in both proteins, and the rate of escape from protein to solvent is close to 3.7 x 10(6) s-1 in both. The difference between the two proteins lies in the low-millisecond time domain. After flash photolysis of HRP, there is a concentration-dependent recombination not seen in mixing experiments. This bimolecular rate constant varies slightly for different HRP preparations, being 2.6 x 10(4) or 4.0 x 10(4) M-1 s-1 in two cases, both of which are much faster than is observed in mixing experiments, namely, 0.04 M-1 s-1. In Mb, photolysis and mixing experiments consistently give the same combination rate, which is somewhat slower than the faster part of the HRP recombination. Similar measurements for the smaller ligand methyl isocyanide revealed no anomalous behavior. The interpretation proposed involves tertiary relaxation after ligand escape, which is significant in blocking the return of the large t-BuNC, but has no apparent effect on smaller ligands. Thus, HRP-t-BuNC reveals in dramatic fashion a phenomenon merely hinted at in earlier work involving the T-state binding kinetics of hemoglobin.
An equilibrium model of irreversible investment

Abstract This paper presents a general equilibrium model of a two-sector production economy with irreversible real investment. Irreversibility of investment is the most prominent feature of the productive sector. It restricts capital accumulation, affecting firms’ investment decisions, which in turn determine properties of asset prices. Thus, this model provides a framework for connecting stock returns to firm characteristics that proxy for real economic activity. The primary focus of this paper is on the analysis of the equilibrium and the effects of irreversibility of investment.
Effects of heavy water (D2O) on the length of the mitotic period in developing sea urchin eggs

The sequence of mitosis in sea urchin eggs was investigated in the presence and absence of D2O. Direct observations of living cells under a polarizing microscope and observations with fixation-staining procedures were used. The duration of mitosis was extended by the presence of D2O. The slight extension of anaphase was due to elongation of the spindle in D2O, but the period from prophase to metaphase was clearly prolonged in the deuterated condition. These results indicate that D2O does not suppress anaphase chromosome movement, but does affect prometaphase and delays the alignment of chromosomes on the equatorial plane of the mitotic spindle at metaphase. The stability of the isolated mitotic apparatus against Ca ions and low temperature also was investigated. There was no difference in the deterioration of isolated spindle birefringence under normal and deuterated conditions. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to the enhancement effect of D2O on the volume and birefringence of the living mitotic spindle.
Absorbable versus nonabsorbable graft: outcome of bone anchored male sling for post-radical prostatectomy incontinence.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determined the outcome of the bone anchored male sling procedure for stress urinary incontinence in men regarding the graft material used.Materials and Methods: A total of 39 me...
Rolling-contact fatigue and wear resistance of hard coatings on bearing-steel substrates

Abstract The ever-increasing need for high-performance ball- and roller-bearing components that endure extreme applications had led to a growing interest in hard coatings for improved fatigue life and wear resistance. In particular, hard TiN and TiC coatings and, quite recently, diamond-like carbon films have attracted much attention from manufacturers that produce bearing systems for both rolling and sliding contact applications. This paper presents an overview that highlights recent incremental progress in achieving improved fatigue and wear resistance in bearing-steels through the use of hard coatings. In general, previous research has shown that hard coatings can effectively prolong the fatigue lives of bearing-steel substrates. In particular, thinner hard coatings, 0.2 to 1 μm thick, were found to provide the best overall performance in rolling-contact fatigue (RCF) tests, whereas, thicker hard coatings, >2 μm, underwent severe delamination and/or fracture and, in most cases, reduced the RCF life of the bearing steels. It was concluded that for these coatings to have any beneficial effect on the RCF life of a bearing steel substrate, it is important that they remain intact on the rolling contact surfaces. Specific references are made to a few mechanistic models that correlate coating thickness and adhesion to improved fatigue life and wear resistance.
Rhodium electrodeposition on nickel electrodes used for urea electrolysis

A procedure for the constant potential electrodeposition of rhodium onto nickel electrodes, the subsequent surface characterizations, and electrochemical evaluation is presented. The resulting Ni/Rh electrodes were evaluated for their activity as anode catalysts for the electro-oxidation of urea. A detailed procedure for the electrodeposition of Rh onto Ni foil is provided. It is shown that the electrocatalytic performance of Ni/Rh electrodes on the oxidation of urea in alkaline medium is primarily influenced by two electrodeposition parameters: the applied electrodeposition potential and the loading of Rh (mg cm−2). An optimization for electrocatalytic performance based on the electrodeposition potential and Rh loading is demonstrated. The effect of these parameters on visual finish, surface morphology, and crystal structure was also studied.
Panel flutter - A review of the aeroelastic stability of plates and shells

Panel flutter theory applied to aeroelastic stability of flat unloaded plates and cylindrical shells
Cyclin D1 down-regulation is essential for DBC2’s tumor suppressor function

The expression of tumor suppressor gene DBC2 causes certain breast cancer cells to stop growing [M. Hamaguchi, J.L. Meth, C. Von Klitzing, W. Wei, D. Esposito, L. Rodgers, T. Walsh, P. Welcsh, M.C. King, M.H. Wigler, DBC2, a candidate for a tumor suppressor gene involved in breast cancer, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99 (2002) 13647-13652]. Recently, DBC2 was found to participate in diverse cellular functions such as protein transport, cytoskeleton regulation, apoptosis, and cell cycle control [V. Siripurapu, J.L. Meth, N. Kobayashi, M. Hamaguchi, DBC2 significantly influences cell cycle, apoptosis, cytoskeleton, and membrane trafficking pathways. J. Mol. Biol. 346 (2005) 83-89]. Its tumor suppression mechanism, however, remains unclear. In this paper, we demonstrate that DBC2 suppresses breast cancer proliferation through down-regulation of Cyclin D1 (CCND1). Additionally, the constitutional overexpression of CCND1 prevented the negative impact of DBC2 expression on their growth. Under a CCND1 promoter, the expression of CCNE1 exhibited the same protective effect. Our results indicate that the down-regulation of CCND1 is an essential step for DBC2's growth suppression of cancer cells. We believe that this discovery contributes to a better understanding of DBC2's tumor suppressor function.
Slip between a layer and a substrate caused by a normal force moving steadily over the surface

Abstract A normal force moves slowly over the surface of a layer which is pressed against a substrate. Two asymmetric slip zones are generated if the force exceeds a friction dependent critical value. The slip is opposite in direction in the two zones, but due to the lack of symmetry, a net tangential shift of the layer is left behind by the passage of the force. This net shift is generally influenced by the coefficient of friction: for high coefficient, the layer shifts in the direction of motion, while for low coefficient, the shift is opposite. The latter result has been observed experimentally.
Review—Axial Compressor Stall Phenomena

Stall in compressors can be associated with the initiation of several types of fluid dynamic instabilities. These instabilities and the different phenomena, surge and rotating stall, which result from them, are discussed in this paper. Assessment is made of the various methods of predicting the onset of compressor and/or compression system instability, such as empirical correlations, linearized stability analyses, and numerical unsteady flow calculation procedures. Factors which affect the compressor stall point, in particular inlet flow distortion, are reviewed, and the techniques which are used to predict the loss in stall margin due to these factors are described. The influence of rotor casing treatment (grooves) on increasing compressor flow range is examined. Compressor and compression system behavior subsequent to the onset of stall is surveyed, with particular reference to the problem of engine recovery from a stalled condition. The distinction between surge and rotating stall is emphasized because of the very different consequences on recoverability. The structure of the compressor flow field during rotating stall is examined, and the prediction of compressor performance in rotating stall, including stall/unstall hysteresis, is described.
Infrared video lock-in imaging at high frequencies

We describe a high-frequency IR lock-in imaging technique which relies on the use of an externally synchronized, snapshot-mode, infrared focal plane array camera.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE

On average, the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is lower in women than in men but whether this translates into higher prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in women is unknown. We evaluated gender differences in the prevalence of PAD in patients referred to the vascular laboratory. A total of
Breakout of squeezed stocks: dispersal of roof fragments, source of extrusive salt and interaction with regional thrust faults

We used seven scaled physical models to explore the near-surface structural evolution of shallowly buried, actively rising salt stocks. The models consisted of dry sand, ceramic microspheres and silicone. Previously dormant stocks rose because of lateral squeezing or pumping of salt from below. The pressure of rising salt created a dynamic bulge in the crest of the diapir, which arched the overlying roof sediments. Eventually this dynamic bulge collapsed and its overlying roof broke into rafts along subradial grabens. The rafts were dispersed outwards by shear traction of spreading salt, surmounting an upturned collar of country rock and eventually grounding at the front of the extrusive flow. Flow of salt around these stranded fragments created a lobate extrusion front, common in submarine salt sheets in the Gulf of Mexico and subaerial salt glaciers in Iran. Stock geometry, regional dip and roof density affected extrusion rates and spreading directions. Stocks leaning seaward extruded salt faster and farther than did upright stocks. Dense roofs foundered and plugged the vent, limiting surface extrusion. In tilted models, broad salt sheets spread asymmetrically downslope. Stock contents were inverted within the extruded salt sheet: successively deeper parts of the stock’s core rose to the surface and overran salt extruded from the shallower parts of the diapir. As shortening continued, salt from the source layer reached the surface after being driven out by thrusting. A central thrust block, or primary indenter, moved ahead of surrounding thrust blocks, impinging against and squeezing the stock into an elliptical planform. After high shortening, secondary indenters converged obliquely into the salt stock, expelling salt from the periphery of the diapir. The models shed light on (1) the origin and fate of large rafts or carapace blocks atop allochthonous salt, (2) cuspate margins of salt sheets and (3) interaction of thrusting, diapir pinch-off and emplacement of allochthonous salt sheets.
The impact of training methods on the performance of programmers

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to test two methods of teaching introductory COBOL to management majors. The problem analysis method trained students to develop structured designs; the grammatical method trained students to develop structured programs. The objective of the study was to determine whether it is possible to focus exclusively on design issues, leaving students to grasp language details on their own. Findings indicate that it is. Analysis of covariance found significant differences in the ability of students to write programs, both in examinations and on assignments. The teaching method alone did not influence performance; rather it acted in combination with prior experience and instructor to produce performance differentials.
Embedding theorems and Kahlerity for 1-convex spaces.

Unless the contrary is explicitly stated, allℂ-analytic spaces considered here are assumed to be non compact, countable at infinity and of bounded Zariski dimension.