cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of FEA Modeling Techniques for Plastic Ball Grid Array Assemblies

The reliability study of solder joints is one of the primary issues in lead free electronic assemblies, and life testing of electronic assemblies is often performed using time consuming thermal cycling life tests. Finite element analysis often provides a more time efficient way to obtain and understanding of the behavior of the assembly solder joints if the material properties have been accurately characterized. Lead free solder joints typically experience yielding and highly nonlinear material behavior when subject to thermal cycling, and the Anand viscoplastic model is widely used to describe the nonlinear behavior of lead free solders. Predictions of the FEA models are typically combined with energy-based fatigue models to obtain reliability predictions. In this paper, we have compared several different FEA approaches for Plastic Ball Grid Array (PBGA) assemblies to compare their advantages and disadvantages, especially in the areas of simulation accuracy and efficiency. The examined approaches included different types of 2D and 3D models (2D plane strain, 3D slice, and 3D quarter model), use of Multi-Point Constraints (MPCs), and use of Submodeling. For the various approaches, models were developed for an example PBGA assembly with 15 × 15 mm body size and 324 area array lead free solder joints on a 0.8 mm pitch. For each model type, the predicted plastic work per cycles was calculated in the critical solder joint, and suggestions were made to improve simulation accuracy and reduce simulation time.
From strong to weak NF bonds: on the design of a new class of fluorinating agents

A set of 50 molecules with NF bonds was investigated to determine the factors that influence the strength of a NF bond, with the aim of designing a new class of fluorinating agents. The intrinsic bond strength of the NF bonds was used as bond strength measure, derived from local stretching NF force constants obtained at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ and ωB97XD/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory. The investigation showed that the NF bond is a tunable covalent bond, with bond strength orders ranging from 2.5 (very strong) to 0.1 (very weak). NF bond strengthening is caused by a combination of different factors and can be achieved by e.g. ionization. Whereas, the NF bond weakening can be achieved by hypervalency on the N atom, using a N→Ch (Ch: O, S, Se) donor-acceptor type bond with different electron-withdrawing groups. These new insights into the nature of the NF bond were used to propose and design a new class of fluorinating agents. Hypervalent amine-chalcogenides turned out as most promising candidates for efficient electrophilic fluorinating agents.
CT imaging history for patients presenting to the ED with renal colic--evidence from a multi-hospital database.

Patients with renal colic have a 7% chance of annual recurrence. Previous studies evaluating cumulative Abbreviations: computed tomography (CT) exposure for renal colic patients were typically from single centers. This was an observational cohort study. Inner-city ED patients with a final diagnosis of renal colic were prospectively identified (1/10/16–10/16/16). Authors conducted structured electronic record reviews from a 6-hospital system encompassing over 192,000 annual ED visits. Categorical data analyzed by chi-square; continuous data by t-tests. Primary outcome measure was the proportion of study group patients with prior history CT abdomen/pelvis CT. Two hundred thirteen patients in the study group; 59% male, age 38+/− 10 years, 67% Hispanic, 62% prior stone history, flank pain (78%), dysuria (22%), UA (+) blood (75%). 60% (95% CI = 53–66%) of patients received an EDCV CT; hydronephrosis seen in 55% (95% CI = 46–63%), stone in 90%(95% CI = 83–94%). No significant differences observed in the proportion of EDCV patients who received CT with respect to: female vs. male (62% vs. 56%; p = 0.4), mean age (37+/− 9 years vs. 39+/− 11 years; p = 0.2), and Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic white (63% vs.63%; p = 0.96). Patients with a prior stone history were more likely than those with no history to receive an EDCV CT (88% vs. 16%; p < 0.001). 118 (55%; 95% CI = 49–62%) of patients had at least one prior CT, 46 (22%; 95% CI = 16–28%) had ≥3 prior CTs; 29 (14%; 95% CI = 10–19%), ≥ 10 prior CTs. Patients who did not receive an EDCV CT had a significantly higher mean prior number of CTs than those who had EDCV CT (5.1+/− 7.7 vs 2.2+/− 4.9; p < 0.001). Patients with prior stone were more likely to receive only U/S during EDCV (33% vs. 15%; p = 0.003). Within our EDCV cohort of renal colic patients, 55% had at least one prior CT. The mean number of prior CTs was lower for patients receiving CT on EDCV, and Ultrasound (US) alone was used more often in patients with prior stone history vs. those with no prior history.
P98 Virtual Notes are an Accurate Alternative to Those Taken In-Person During Cognitive Interviews

Background Cognitive interviews (CIs) are used by nutrition researchers to refine educational materials and ensure they are appropriate for the target population. CIs are facilitated by a trained moderator while a trained scribe takes detailed notes. Traditionally, the scribe is in-person for the CIs, but it can be challenging to align schedules to best meet participant and researcher needs. Technology such as video conferencing that allows virtual notetaking may be an alternative method to collect data while easing the scheduling burden. Objective To determine whether notes taken virtually are as accurate as those taken in-person during CIs. Study Design, Settings, Participants Researchers tested the content of three nutrition lessons (e.g., portions, physical activity, and family meals) using CIs. Each CI was conducted by a moderator and a trained scribe. Each lesson was tested three times by the same scribe. Initially the scribe took notes in-person and then virtually during the next two CIs. A third, trained researcher reviewed and compared notes. Moderators and scribes were interviewed to determine differences in experience. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Notes were analyzed for quality, content, length, interview duration, and indications of non-verbal behavior. Results Moderators and scribes noticed no differences in their ability to conduct or record CIs. Quality was consistent between virtual and in-person notes. Virtual notes for the same lesson ranged from 211 words shorter to 243 words longer than in-person notes. The virtual notes were on average shorter (22.67 ± 236.67SD words/interview) than in-person notes. Indications of non-verbal behaviors (e.g., laughing, looking confused) were made slightly more often in the in-person notes. Virtual and in-person CIs took about the same amount of time to complete with virtual CIs lasting between 13 minutes longer and 10 minutes shorter than in-person CIs. Conclusion Virtual notetaking is an appropriate and accurate method for obtaining detailed notes during a CI. Utilizing current technology can help ease research burdens such as scheduling and travel. Funding NIFA.
Education and Digital Economy: Trends, Opportunities and Challenges

Digital technologies shaping the future of digital economy. The economy has become digital with the help of digital technologies like cloud, AI, Big Data, cybersecurity and quantum commuting. The way of business functions drastically changed and now, we are in new world of digitization. Digitization helps us to integrate digital technologies into the everyday experiences. This integration with the services, technologies and products has created the need for professionals with specialized skills and expertise. The world of education and learning systems are critically important for innovation through the development of skills that nurture new ideas and technologies. In this paper, we discuss the trends, Opportunities and Challenges in Digital Economy and role of education in this digital age.
Relationships between Student Traits and Instructor Feedback Orientations

AbstractThis article reports findings of two studies exploring instructor feedback orientations. Study one examined relationships between Big Five personality traits and student feedback orientatio...
Tuning Metal-Metal Interactions through Reversible Ligand Folding in a Series of Dinuclear Iron Complexes.

A dinucleating macrocyclic ligand with two redox-active, pyridyldiimine components was shown to undergo reversible ligand folding to accommodate various substitution patterns, metal ion spin states, and degrees of Fe-Fe bonding within the cluster. An unfolded-ligand geometry with a rectangular Fe2(μ-Cl)2 core and an Fe-Fe distance of 3.3262(5) A served as a direct precursor to two different folded-ligand complexes. Chemical reduction in the presence of PPh3 resulted in a diamagnetic, folded ligand complex with an Fe-Fe bonding interaction (dFe-Fe = 2.7096(17) A) between two intermediate spin (SFe = 1) Fe(II) centers. Ligand folding was also induced through anion exchange on the unfolded-ligand species, producing a complex with three PhS- ligands and a temperature-dependent Fe-Fe distance. In this latter example, the weak ligand field of the thiolate ligands led to a product with weakly coupled, high-spin Fe(II) ions (SFe = 2; J = -50.1 cm-1) that form a bonding interaction in the ground state and a nonbonding interaction in the excited state(s), as determined by SQUID magnetometry and variable temperature crystallography. Finally, both folded-ligand complexes were shown to reform an unfolded-ligand geometry through convergent syntheses of a complex with an Fe-Fe bonded Fe2(μ-SPh)2 core (dFe-Fe = 2.7320(11) A). Experimentally validated DFT calculations were used to investigate the electronic structures of all species as a way to understand the origin of Fe-Fe bonding interactions, the extent of ligand reduction, and the nature of the spin systems that result from multiple, weakly interacting spin centers.
Early neutrophil infiltration is critical for inflammation-sensitized hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in newborns.

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes and usually the first immune cell-type recruited to a site of infection or tissue damage. In asphyxiated neonates, elevated peripheral neutrophil counts...
The High Stakes of Small Numbers: Flight, Diplomacy, and Refugee Return on the Habsburg-Ottoman Border 1873–74

This article examines the causes and repercussions of the flight of two-dozen Orthodox Christian merchants from Ottoman Bosnia to Habsburg Croatia in 1873. The seemingly minor event quickly escalated from an isolated border incident to a full-blown diplomatic crisis-defused only with the merchants' repatriation, the recall of a Habsburg consul, and the removal of the Ottoman provincial governor and other officials. After outlining the course of events and increasing Ottoman-Habsburg tensions, the article turns to the refugees' efforts to affect the outcome of emerging crisis. Although ultimately of little influence, the refugees' sophisticated invocation of international legal norms reflected a largely conservative trust in the international system's ability to rectify perceived violations of treaty terms-a belief that quickly vanished after the outbreak of the Eastern Crisis in 1875.
Remote sensing tracks daily radial wood growth of evergreen needleleaf trees

Relationships between gross primary productivity (GPP) and the remotely sensed photochemical reflectance index (PRI) suggest that time series of foliar PRI may provide insight into climate change effects on carbon cycling. However, because a large fraction of carbon assimilated via GPP is quickly returned to the atmosphere via respiration, we ask a critical question-can PRI time series provide information about longer term gains in aboveground carbon stocks? Here we study the suitability of PRI time series to understand intra-annual stem-growth dynamics at one of the world's largest terrestrial carbon pools-the boreal forest. We hypothesized that PRI time series can be used to determine the onset (hypothesis 1) and cessation (hypothesis 2) of radial growth and enable tracking of intra-annual tree growth dynamics (hypothesis 3). Tree-level measurements were collected in 2018 and 2019 to link highly temporally resolved PRI observations unambiguously with information on daily radial tree growth collected via point dendrometers. We show that the seasonal onset of photosynthetic activity as determined by PRI time series was significantly earlier (p .05) when derived from PRI and dendrometer time series, respectively, supporting our second hypothesis. Mixed-effects modeling results supported our third hypothesis by showing that the PRI was a statistically significant (p < .0001) predictor of intra-annual radial tree growth dynamics, and tracked these daily radial tree-growth dynamics in remarkable detail with conditional and marginal coefficients of determination of 0.48 and 0.96 (for 2018) and 0.43 and 0.98 (for 2019), respectively. Our findings suggest that PRI could provide novel insights into nuances of carbon cycling dynamics by alleviating important uncertainties associated with intra-annual vegetation response to climate change.
Chapter 74 – Listeria monocytogenes

The Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes survives as a saprophyte in soil but is also a foodborne facultative intracellular pathogen that is capable of causing severe invasive disease in susceptible human populations. While disease in healthy individuals is usually a self-limiting gastroenteritis, susceptible individuals can develop bacteraemia, CNS infections, placental infections, and other forms of disease associated with high mortality rates. Over the years, L. monocytogenes has become a model system of intracellular pathogenesis, and studies of this organism within tissue culture and animal models of infection have revealed diverse aspects of host signalling cascades, cell physiology and immune responses. An additional benefit of L. monocytogenes research has been the development of attenuated strains as vaccine vectors for the delivery of a variety of antigens. This chapter reviews interesting aspects of L. monocytogenes physiology, pathogenesis and disease, and highlights the diversity of cellular processes that can be explored via the interactions of a single bacterium with its mammalian host.
Histotripsy Ablations in a Porcine Liver Model: Feasibility of Respiratory Motion Compensation by Alteration of the Ablation Zone Prescription Shape.

Previous human-scale porcine liver model studies of histotripsy have resulted in ablation zones elongated in the cranial-caudal (CC) dimension due to uninterrupted respiratory motion during the ablation procedure. The purpose of this study is to compensate for elongation of hepatic histotripsy ablation zones in the cranial-caudal (CC) dimension caused by respiratory motion by prescribing ellipsoid-shaped ablations. Six female swine underwent 12 hepatic histotripsy ablations using a prototype clinical histotripsy system under general anesthesia. Each animal received two ablation zones prescribed as either an ellipsoid (2.5 cm (AP) × 2.5 cm (ML) × 1.7 cm (CC), prescribed volume = 5.8 cc) or a sphere (2.5 cm all dimensions, prescribed volume 8.2 cc). Ventilatory tidal volume was held constant at 400 cc for all ablations. Post-procedure MRI was followed by sacrifice and gross and microscopic histology. Ablations on MRI were slightly larger than prescribed in all dimensions. Ellipsoid plan ablations (2.8 × 3.0 × 3.1 cm, volume 13.2 cc, sphericity index 0.987) were closer to prescribed volume than spherical plan ablations (2.9 × 3.1 × 3.7 cm, volume 17.1 cc, sphericity index 0.953). Ellipsoid plan ablations were more spherical than sphere plan ablations, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = .0.06). Pathologic analysis confirmed complete necrosis within the center of each ablation zone with no widening of the zone of partial ablation on the superior and inferior as compared to the lateral borders (p = .0.22). Altering ablation zone prescription shape when performing hepatic histotripsy ablations can partially mitigate respiratory motion effects to achieve the desired ablation shape and volume.
Encoding the odor of cigarette smoke

The encoding of odors is believed to begin as a combinatorial code consisting of distinct patterns of responses from odorant receptors (ORs), trace-amine associated receptors (TAARs), or both. To determine how specific response patterns arise requires detecting patterns in vivo and understanding how the components of an odor, which are nearly always mixtures of odorants, give rise to parts of the pattern. Cigarette smoke, a common and clinically relevant odor consisting of >400 odorants, evokes responses from 144 ORs and 3 TAARs in freely behaving male and female mice, the first example of in vivo responses of both ORs and TAARs to an odor. As expected, a simplified artificial mimic of cigarette smoke odor tested at low concentration to identify highly sensitive receptors evokes responses from four ORs, all also responsive to cigarette smoke. Human subjects of either sex identify 1-pentanethiol as the odorant most critical for perception of the artificial mimic; and in mice the OR response patterns to these two odors are significantly similar. Fifty-eight ORs respond to the headspace above 25% 1-pentanethiol, including 9 ORs responsive to cigarette smoke. The response patterns to both cigarette smoke and 1-pentanethiol have strongly responsive ORs spread widely across OR sequence diversity, consistent with most other combinatorial codes previously measured in vivo The encoding of cigarette smoke is accomplished by a broad receptor response pattern, and 1-pentanethiol is responsible for a small subset of the responsive ORs in this combinatorial code.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Complex odors are usually perceived as distinct odor objects. Cigarette smoke is the first complex odor whose in vivo receptor response pattern has been measured. It is also the first pattern shown to include responses from both odorant receptors and trace-amine associated receptors, confirming that the encoding of complex odors can be enriched by signals coming through both families of receptors. Measures of human perception and mouse receptor physiology agree that 1-pentanethiol is a critical component of a simplified odorant mixture designed to mimic cigarette smoke odor. Its receptor response pattern helps to link those of the artificial mimic and real cigarette smoke, consistent with expectations about perceptual similarity arising from shared elements in receptor response patterns.
Toward Minimal-Sensing Locomotion Mode Recognition for a Powered Knee-Ankle Prosthesis

Objective: Locomotion mode recognition (LMR) enables seamless and natural transitions between low-level control systems in a powered prosthesis. We present a new optimization framework for LMR that eliminates irrelevant or redundant features and measurement signals while still maintaining performance. Methods: We use multi-objective biogeography-based optimization to find a compromise solution between performance and the minimization of feature set size. Experimental data are collected from four transfemoral users walking with a powered knee-ankle prosthesis. We compare the performance of LMR systems trained with the optimal feature subsets and with the full feature set using a deep neural network classifier across six locomotion modes: standing, flat-ground walking, stair up/down, and ramp up/down. Results: Statistical tests indicate that classifier performance using the optimal feature subsets is statistically equal to that using the full feature set. The LMR trained with an optimal subset results in the 1.98% steady-state and 4.09% transitional error rates, while only using approximately 41% and 53% of the available features and sensors, respectively. Conclusion: Results thus indicate the capability of the proposed framework to achieve simultaneously accurate and low-complex LMR systems for transfemoral individuals with powered prostheses. Significance: This framework would potentially lead to less frequent clinical visits needed for sensor replacement and calibrations, which may save health care costs and the prosthesis user's time and energy.
Organophosphate detoxification by membrane-engineered red blood cells.

Abstract Biotherapeutics have achieved global economic success due to their high specificity towards their drug targets, providing exceptional safety and efficiency. The ongoing shift away from small molecule drugs towards biotherapeutics heightens the need to further improve the pharmacokinetics of these biological drugs. Three pervasive obstacles that limit the therapeutic capacity of biotherapeutics are proteolytic degradation, circulating half-life, and the development of anti-drug antibodies. These challenges can culminate in limited efficiency and consequently warrant the need for higher drug doses and more frequent administration. We have explored the coupling of biotherapeutics to long-lived and biocompatible red blood cells (RBCs) to address limited pharmacokinetics. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), for example, provides prophylactic protection against organophosphate nerve agents (OPNAs), yet the short circulation life of the drug requires extraordinary doses. Herein, we report the rapid and tunable chemical engineering of BChE to RBC membranes to create a cell-based delivery system that retains the enzyme activity and enhances stability. In a three-step process that first pre-modifies BChE with a cell-reactive polymer chain, primes the cells for engineering, and then grafts the conjugates to the cells, we attached over 2 million BChE molecules to the surface of each RBC without diminishing the bioscavenging capacity of the enzyme. Critically, this membrane-engineering approach was cell-tolerated with minimal hemolysis observed. These results provide strong evidence for the ability of engineered RBCs to serve as an enhanced biotherapeutic delivery vehicle. Statement of Significance Organophosphate nerve agents (OPNAs) are one of the most lethal forms of chemical warfare. After exposure to OPNAs, a patient is given life-saving therapeutics, such as atropine and oxime. However, these drugs are limited, and the patient can still suffer from irreparable injuries. Given the toxicity of OPNAs, access to a prophylactic is vital. We have created an enhanced delivery system for prophylactic butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) by engineering this biotherapeutic to the red blood cell (RBC) surface. In three simple steps that first pre-modifies BChE with a cell-reactive polymer, primes the cells for engineering, and then grafts the conjugates to the cells, we attached over 2 million BChE molecules to a single RBC while retaining the enzyme's activity and enhancing its stability.
Case 51: Drug Overdose

A 16-year-old girl is admitted to the emergency room (ER) following an overdose of unknown drugs and amount. Her parents tell you that she has been depressed after a breakup with her boyfriend. She is otherwise healthy but has been taking antidepressants for about 4 weeks; the parents cannot recall what they are called. Although she is asymptomatic, gastric lavage is performed in the ER and activated charcoal is instilled into her stomach.
Detection of Penicillium, Aspergillus and Alternaria Species in Fruits and Vegetables

Publisher Summary This chapter briefly discusses the various mold species and mycotoxins of significance in fruits and vegetables, and highlights the conventional and emerging detection methods for molds. The major challenge for the emerging technologies is to demonstrate advantages over the conventional and established techniques for application at various stages of crop and food production. Molds are widely distributed in nature occurring on a large variety of agricultural commodities, including vegetables, fruits, cereals, nuts, and spices. Mold contamination results in quality deterioration of foods and feeds. Moreover, mycotoxins, the secondary metabolites produced by molds, adversely affect human and animal health. Accurate methods for detection and quantitation of molds and mycotoxins are of economic and public health significance. In addition, valid assays for detecting mycotoxigenic molds and myctoxins in foods are required for implementing control and regulatory strategies.
Methods for Measuring Concentration (Mass, Surface Area and Number) of Nanomaterials

Abstract Measuring the concentration of Nanomaterials (NMs) is a key to understanding NM fate, behaviour, exposure and risk. This chapter discusses three most commonly measured particle concentration metrics, namely mass, surface area and number and their environmental/toxicological relevance; methods used to measure these metrics; and sample preparation for selected methods, including microscopy and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Available analytical techniques for mass, surface area and number concentration measurements are systematically evaluated in terms of sensitivity/detection range for NM mass, representing NM surfaces in dispersion, distinguishing NMs in complex medium and minimizing sampling artifacts in number distributions. Based on these criteria, mass concentration is best measured on the highly sensitive ICP-MS. For number concentrations of complex systems, high resolution microscopy techniques are recommended, using validated sample preparation methods. Several methods are available for surface area measurement, like nuclear magnetic resonance but few of these have been validated for NMs in complex media.
To Cross or Not to Cross: Picket Lines and Employee Rights

As the law stands, employees who honor a picket line may be subject to employer discipline even though they lacked full information about the strike's legality when they decided not to cross. After a critical analysis of employee protections afforded by statutes and collective bargaining agree ments, the author proposes that refusals to cross picket lines should be protected unless the employees knew or should have known that the under lying strike was unlawful.
Collaboration and Crowdsourcing: The Cases of Multilingual Digital Libraries

Purpose – This study aims to understand key features of existing multilingual digital libraries and to suggest strategies for building and/or sustaining multilingual information access for digital libraries.Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach was applied to examine four American multilingual digital libraries: Project Gutenberg, Meeting of Frontiers, The International Children's Digital Library, and the Latin American Open Archives Portal. This examination used a framework derived from digital library evaluation practice. The missions, goals, funding, partners, users, collections, services, and technologies of these digital libraries were analyzed to present their key multilingual features. The collaboration and crowdsourcing characteristics were highlighted and discussed.Findings – These four multilingual libraries benefit substantially, both in the creation of the library and in its access, from the collaboration of groups domestic and international with different language expertise. For...
Explaining the Divergence in Asylum Grant Rates among Immigration Judges: An Attitudinal and Cognitive Approach

In seeking to understand the variation in asylum grant rates by immigration judges (IJs), we apply a variation of the attitudinal model that we modify by incorporating a cognitive model of decision making, arguing that some pieces of information before IJs are treated objectively while others are treated subjectively. This model allows us to account for informational cues that influence decisions while assessing the impact of national interests and human rights conditions. We find that IJ policy predispositions play a dominant role, and that liberal IJs respond to applicant characteristics differently than conservatives, but also that the law constrains decision making.
Edges as Outliers: Anisotropic Smoothing Using Local Image Statistics

Edges are viewed as statistical outliers with respect to local image gradient magnitudes. Within local image regions we compute a robust statistical measure of the gradient variation and use this in an anisotropic diffusion framework to determine a spatially varying "edge-stopping" parameter σ. We show how to determine this parameter for two edge-stopping functions described in the literature (Perona-Malik and the Tukey biweight). Smoothing of the image is related the local texture and in regions of low texture, small gradient values may be treated as edges whereas in regions of high texture, large gradient magnitudes are necessary before an edge is preserved. Intuitively these results have similarities with human perceptual phenomena such as masking and "popout". Results are shown on a variety of standard images.
Multi-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography of opioid peptides following pre-column derivatization with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde in the presence of cyanide ion : Preliminary results on the determination of leucine-and methionine-enkephalin-like fluorescence in the striatum region of the rat brain

The reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of three synthetic opioid peptides, 5leucine-enkephalin, 5methionine-enkephalin and [d-2alanine]-5methionine enkephalin, has been studied after their pre-column fluorogenic derivatization with naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde in the presence of cyanide to the corresponding 1-cyanobenz[f]isoindole (CBI) derivatives. The chromatographic properties of the three synthetic CBI-peptides were characterized using three different stationary phases, ODS Hypersil, CPS Hypersil and Spherisorb Phenyl, eluted with mobile phases containing various concentrations of methanol, tetrahydrofuran or acetonitrile in 26 mM trifluoroacetic acid, adjusted to pH 3.5. The data obtained using single chromatographic columns were used to design a multi-dimensional system in which the three synthetic CBI-peptides of interest were transferred as a single fraction from one column to a second. The first column served to separate the peptides from the majority of the material in the samples, and the second column was used to separate the three CBI-peptides from each other. The best separation was achieved in which the first column was Spherisorb Phenyl and the second column was ODS Hypersil. Both columns were eluted with a mobile phase of 45% acetonitrile (v/v) in 26 mM trifluoroacetic acid (pH 3.5) at a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min. The method has been applied to the determination of leucine- and methionine-enkephalin-like fluorescence in the striatum of the rat brain.
Drs. Russo and Gururaj Reply

The involvement of health care providers, whose patient records are to be reviewed, in evolving a set of audit criteria would appear to be an important compliance determinant. And, while its degree of importance remains to be determined, ideally all providers should be involved in creating self-audit criteria. There is, however, an issue of practical importance that arises when large staffs are to be audited, and particularly when a part of this staff is assigned only temporarily to the outpatient service, e.g., house staff officers or medical students.
Fiber hub in a second-generation ethernet system at Taylor University

Fiber hub in a second generation ethernet system at Taylor UniversityPaul RowanTaylor University, Department of Information ServicesUpland, Indiana 46989ABS1'RACTThis paper discusses the strategic and technical aspects of upgrading a point-to-point fiber-opticEthernet link to an active Ethernet hub for the purpose of networking MIS and academic serviceson a 220-acre campus.1. BACKGROUNDIn early 1988 Taylor University implemented a point-to-point fiber optic link to provide access fromadministration facilities to the computer center. The link was established as part of the infrastructureto support a four-year MIS conversion project. In the middle of 1990 the fiber link was upgradedto an active hub to facilitate adding several buildings to the network. The addition of the hub allowsadministrators and faculty members access to the computer center on-line. The use of fiber and thehub is critical in the strategic planning of information access and management on Taylor's campus.Taylor is a Christian liberal arts college located in northern Indiana with a student body of over 1,700.The campus has 30 buildings that contain five DEC minicomputers, 325 PCs, 175 printers and 90terminals. The MIS is more of an information system for all users, rather than just management, andserves 320 faculty and staff. Three networks serve the information needs of the campus: fiber, coaxand twisted pair. The fiber network is the backbone for Ethernet and is used for information in dataform. The coax network is a private CATV system utilized for video and audio programming. Thetwisted pair is basically for telephone transmission, but is also used for some data transmission via adigital PBX or line drivers.One of the strategic visions at Taylor is the accessibility of information throughout the campus. Theentry, storage, processing and updating of information have become critical needs for administratorsand faculty members alike. Even communication in the form of electronic mail has become anexpected service like that of the ubiquitous telephone. As the educational environment becomesmore competitive and business-like, the tools that are utilized will also become more similar to thoseof the commercial business world.The implementation of fiber was driven by several factors. The main factors were the eliminationof lightning caused damage and the wide bandwidth capability that allows for implementation ofFDDI in the future. Before fiber was used as the main data pathway, damage and down time dueto lightning was costing the college tens of thousands of dollars each year. Most of the lightninginduced damage came from the communications media, twisted pair, not the AC power line. Theaddition of semiconductor transient protectors and the implementation of fiber have reduced lightningdamage and loss of productivity to hundreds of dollars per year.Although Taylor had a CATV system already in place that could have been utilized, the reliabilityfactor of fiber was important. Broadband coax Ethernet repeaters could have been utilized to bring
Liouville theorems for harmonic maps

We prove several Liouville theorems for harmonic maps between certain classes of Riemannian manifolds. In particular, the results can be applied to harmonic maps from the Euclidean space (R m ,g 0) to a large class of Riemannian manifolds. Our assumptions on the harmonic maps concern the asymptotic behavior of the maps at ∞.
In vivo diffusion tensor imaging of the rat spinal cord at 9.4T.

Purpose To determine differences in diffusion measurements in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) regions of the rat cervical, thoracic, and cauda equina spinal cord using in vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with a 9.4T MR scanner. Materials and Methods DTI was performed on seven rats in three slices at the cervical, thoracic, and cauda equina regions of the spinal cord using a 9.4T magnet. Axial diffusion weighted images (DWIs) were collected at a b-value of 1000 seconds/mm2 in six directions. Regions of interest were identified via T2-weighted images for the lateral, dorsal, and ventral funiculi, along with GM regions. Results Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results indicated significant differences between every WM funiculus compared to GM for longitudinal apparent diffusion coefficient (lADC), transverse apparent diffusion coefficient (tADC), fractional anisotropy (FA), measured longitudinal anisotropy (MA1), and anisotropy index (AI). A significant difference in mean diffusivity (MD) between regions of the spinal cord was not found. Diffusion measurements were significantly different at each spinal level. In general, GM regions were significantly different than WM regions; however, there were few significant differences between individual WM regions. Conclusion In vivo DTI of the rat spinal cord at 9.4T appears sensitive to the architecture of neural structures in the rat spinal cord and may be a useful tool in studying trauma and pathologies in the spinal cord. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
INBREEDING AND VARIANCE EFFECTIVE POPULATION NUMBERS.

In this paper, a correction and extension of earlier work, we derive expressions for the inbreeding effective number, NeI , and the variance effective number, NeV , with various models. Diploidy, random mating, and discrete generations are assumed and formulas for NeI are given for six situations: isogamous monoecious populations with self-fertilization permitted or excluded; monoecious populations, male and female gametes distinguished, with self-fertilization permitted or excluded; and separate sexes with or without male and female progeny distinguished. NeV is given for monoecious and separate-sexed populations. Most higher animals have separate sexes, and male and female progeny are distinguished. Letting the subscript t represent the generation in which the inbreeding effect is manifest, the inbreeding effective number is [Formula: see text] in which σsm,sf is the covariance of the number of male (m) and female (f) progeny of a parent of sex s (s = m or f), μsm and μsf are the mean numbers of sons and daughters of a parent of sex s, and Ns,t-2 is the number in the grandparental generation. For the variance effective number [Formula: see text] in which [Formula: see text] and σsm2 and σsf2 are the variances in the number of sons and daughters of a parent of sex s. Observations are made at the same age in each generation.
Quorum sensing modulates colony morphology through alkyl quinolones in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Acyl-homoserine lactone (acyl-HSL) and alkyl quinolone (AQ) based quorum-sensing (QS) systems are important for Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence and biofilm formation. The effect of QS on biofilm formation is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. Here, we used a colony biofilm assay to study the effect of the central acyl-HSL QS regulator, LasR, on biofilm formation and structure in the representative clinical P. aeruginosa isolate ZK2870. A lasR mutant exhibited wrinkled colony morphology at 37°C in contrast to the smooth colony morphology of the wild-type. Mutational analysis indicated that wrinkling of the lasR mutant is dependent on pel, encoding a biofilm matrix exopolysaccharide. Suppressor mutagenesis and complementation analysis implicated the AQ signaling pathway as the link between las QS and colony morphology. In this pathway, genes pqsA-D are involved in the synthesis of 4-hydroxyalkyl quinolines ("Series A congeners"), which are converted to 3,4-dihydroxyalkyl quinolines ("Series B congeners", including the well-characterized Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal, PQS) by the product of the LasR-dependent pqsH gene. Measurement of AQ in the wild-type, the lasR pqsA::Tn suppressor mutant as well as the defined lasR, pqsH, and lasR pqsH mutants showed a correlation between 4-hydroxyalkyl quinoline levels and the degree of colony wrinkling. Most importantly, the lasR pqsH double mutant displayed wrinkly morphology without producing any 3,4-dihydroxyalkyl quinolines. Constitutive expression of pqsA-D genes in a lasR pqsR::Tn mutant showed that colony wrinkling does not require the AQ receptor PqsR. Taken together, these results indicate that the las QS system represses Pel and modulates colony morphology through a 4-hydroxyalkyl quinoline in a PqsR-independent manner, ascribing a novel function to an AQ other than PQS in P. aeruginosa.
Sequence and genetic analysis of NHP2: A moderately abundant high mobility group-like nuclear protein with an essential function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In order to determine the biological functions of moderately abundant, high mobility group (HMG)-like nuclear proteins, a genetic approach has been taken. The gene for one such protein, NHP2, has been cloned and characterized from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. NHP2 has been called 'HMG-like' because of the physical/chemical properties it shares with the HMG proteins from higher eukaryotic cells. However, nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that NHP2 could encode a 17.1 kilodalton basic protein which was not significantly homologous to any previously sequenced HMG proteins. Thus NHP2 defines a new member of the HMG class of proteins. A search of protein databases showed that the amino acid sequence of NHP2 shared significant identities with two ribosomal proteins; the acidic ribosomal protein S6 from Halobacterium marismorium and protein L7a from mammals. The biological relevance of these homologies is unclear since previous biochemical results indicated that NHP2 was not a ribosomal protein. S1 nuclease analysis indicated that the gene contained no introns but had multiple transcription initiation sites 20 to 40 bases before the ATG codon. Finally, NHP2 has been shown to have a critical role in the cell; when a diploid yeast strain deleted of one copy of the NHP2 gene was sporulated and dissected, only half of the spores grew into normal colonies. The rest of the spores germinated, but only formed microcolonies containing 12 to 40 cells. None of the spores which grew into normal-sized colonies contained the mutant NHP2 gene, thus demonstrating that the NHP2 protein has an essential physiological function.
EFFECTS OF EPSILON AMINO CAPROIC ACID ON PULMONARY VASCULAR CHANGES PRODUCED BY SNAKE VENOM.

Summary1. The pulmonary vascular effects of edema and hemorrhage produced by C. adamanteus and N. hannah venoms are mediated through a heat labile non-cellular component of blood. 2. Venom of C. adamanteus also produces intravascular thrombosis not seen with venom of N. hannah. 3. The vascular effects of both but not the coagulating property of C. adamanteus are completely prevented by Epsilon Amino Caproic Acid. 4. The best explanation is that this compound prevents activation of an enzyme system which is responsible for the vascular changes.
THE MUNICIPAL POLICE DETECTIVE: AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS

When modern policing in cities developed in the United States, detection was more a private than a public matter. Once public detectives became an integral part of police departments, their role and activities gradually changed. Between the middle of the 19th and 20th centuries, detectives evolved through three phases: secretive rogue, inquisitor, and bureaucrat.
Web presence of universities: Is higher education sending the right message online?

Abstract Web sites of the 3738 U.S.-based colleges and universities were sampled and analyzed to determine how higher education employs the internet to communicate to key publics overall and students in particular. Analyses revealed prospective donors are the most often-targeted public followed by faculty/staff. Prospective and current students followed. In better news to students, the five items students most often seek on the Web were the five most common items linked from university home pages.
Adolescent detainees in an adult prison in Geneva.

UNLABELLED Despite the Convention on the Rights of the Child, some adolescents are still detained in adult prisons in Europe. Little is known about their health status. This cross-sectional study of 67 teenagers detained in an adult prison in Switzerland shows that morbidity in this group is high. CONCLUSION These results highlight the need for developmentally appropriate health services for teenagers in adult prisons. The long-term implications of detention of adolescents in adult detention facilities also need to be discussed.
Effects of wave–particle interactions on the dynamic behavior of the generalized polar wind

Abstract The effects of wave–particle interactions (WPI) on the plasma outflows at high latitudes was the subject of several studies. Previous attempts to address this problem, for the most part, modeled the response of the plasma on a “stationary” field line to certain pre-specified boundary conditions. However, the horizontal plasma drift across the different regions at high latitudes (i.e., the cusp, the polar cap, the nightside aurora, and the subauroral regions) results both in rapid changes in conditions and in a coupling of the different regions. Here, we used a time-dependent macroscopic particle-in-cell (mac-PIC) model to investigate the dynamic behavior of the “generalized” polar wind with horizontal plasma convection taken into account. A representative magnetic flux tube, extending from 2000 km to ∼8RE, was followed as it crossed the different high latitude regions. The lower boundary conditions were adopted from a 3-D time-dependent hydrodynamic model, while the WPI levels were adopted from observations. The behavior of the generalized polar wind both with and without the WPI, and with and without the presence of magnetospheric electrons was investigated. The comparison of the results for these four cases elucidated the effects of WPI, and their relative importance with respect to those of the magnetospheric electrons. It was found that the WPI influence is more pronounced on the ion temperature, and progressively less apparent on the vertical drift, u(H+), and the density, n(H+), respectively. Also, the effect of the WPI was strongest in the cusp region. In contrast, the presence of magnetospheric electrons was the dominant factor for the evolution of n(H+) and u(H+) in the polar cap. It was also found that the n(H+) and u(H+) rates of change during the transition from the subauroral to the cusp regions were higher than the rates of change during the transition from the cusp to the polar cap.
Computerized determination of blood flow in pedicle flaps by the clearance of epicutaneously applied 133Xenon

Abstract Determination of the rate of clearance of 133Xe has been used to calculate skin blood flow in pedicle flaps. The epicutaneous route of application was found particularly suitable in reducing artifact. Computer analysis of data simplified and increased the accuracy of calculation of flow and also confirmed the validity of the biexponential model for washout of 133Xe from skin and subcutaneous tissue. Computer analysis of curve fit aided in assessing the reliability of individual clearance studies. Preliminary findings in patients undergoing flap construction have indicated a good correlation between flow measured in this fashion and the clinical-status of flaps. This method holds potential as a tool for investigating the mechanism of delay as well as for evaluating the effects of plasma volume expanders, anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and other therapeutic modalities employed when skin blood flow is compromised. Additionally, this computerized method of determining skin blood flow from the clearance of epicutaneously applied 133Xe may be useful in designing flaps, as well as in timing the delay and division of flaps. The method could be applied to determination of level of amputation, assessment of revascularization procedures, and measurement of the effectiveness of pharmacological or surgical sympathectomy.
Professionalism, bureaucracy and patriotism: The VA as a health care megasystem

The Veterans Administration supports the largest integrated psychiatry service in the country. As our oldest and largest “megasystem,” this service offers a unique opportunity for examining distinctive features of such large health care delivery systems. Characteristic experiences of mental health professionals in this system are described and the system is analyzed in terms of its organizational tasks, structure and cultures. Psychiatry will be practiced, in the future, in similarly large scale organizations. Understanding the nature and workings of such organizations is likely to become essential to effective and satsifying professional work.
Laboratory characterization of fluid flow parameters in a porous rock containing a discrete fracture

A porous block of volcanic tuff with an embedded fracture was used to perform laboratory-scale water and gas flow experiments for the purpose of obtaining unsaturated fractured rock characterization parameters. Rock matrix properties included porosity, hydraulic diffusivity and the gas-phase diffusion coefficient. Fracture properties included apertures, transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, and air-entry pressure. Gas tracer experiments using argon and helium are presented for estimating fracture hydraulic conductivity, fracture apertures and rock matrix porosities.