cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perspectives on climate change in medical school curricula—A survey of U.S. medical students

Abstract Introduction Although climate change has been identified as one of the greatest threats to health, medical school curricula have very little coverage of its health consequences. While students are key stakeholders in medical school curricula, their perspectives on the inclusion of this content are largely unknown. This study sought to evaluate medical student perceptions on the intersection of climate change and health in medical education. Materials and Methods Authors surveyed students at select U.S. medical schools from April–July 2020 using Likert-scale items, multiple choice questions, and free text responses. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and a regression analysis was performed to assess student characteristics predictive of stronger beliefs in climate health education. Results Of 600 student respondents at 12 medical schools, 83.9% (n=503) believed that climate change and its health effects should be included in the core medical school curriculum, but just 13.0% (n=78) believed that their school currently provides adequate education. Only 6.3% of students (n=38) felt they would be “very prepared” to discuss the question, “How can climate change affect my health?” with a patient. There was no significant association between student beliefs regarding climate change in medical education and age, medical school region or rank, or stage of training, though students with no or low past or present engagement with climate change had significantly lower scores in a composite score assessing belief in climate change's health effects and place in medical education. Discussion The majority of medical students believe that climate change should be a core topic in medical school curricula and current coverage is inadequate. By demonstrating student demand to fill this educational gap, this study functions as a needs assessment in the development of climate health curricula moving forward.
A graph theoretic representation and analysis of zeolite frameworks

Abstract Zeolites are microporous materials with periodic framework structures. Efficient representation of crystal frameworks is important for the design and discovery of new zeolites. We explore a graph-theoretic representation, namely Single Repeating Unit (SRU), which utilizes fewest tetrahedral atoms (T-nodes) and their connectivity graph to describe a zeolite framework. SRUs use topologically distinctive T-nodes, thereby significantly reducing the description space. We also propose several approaches to identify SRUs of large crystallographic frameworks. In the optimization-based approach, SRU identification is formulated as a special instance of traveling salesman problem (TSP). We analyze SRUs of 159 existing and over 10,000 hypothetical zeolites that are all observed to be Hamiltonian cycle graph networks. Considerable reduction in T-nodes is also possible using SRUs. For example, the large Chabazite framework is represented using only 12 T-nodes in the Hamiltonian graph representation. Additionally, SRUs provide a systematic approach to generate Aluminum substituted frameworks for different Si/Al ratios.
Hand position tracking using a depth image from a RGB-d camera

Three algorithms for hand position tracking are presented. These algorithms work in real time, have low computational cost and only use the depth image obtained from a RGB-d camera, therefore they are light and skin color invariant. Despite the fact that there are libraries that perform hand position tracking using RGB-d cameras (Like Microsoft Kinect SDK, and PrimeSense's NITE), these libraries generally do not have their algorithms documented. The algorithms presented in this paper were developed with the purpose of providing a set of well documented algorithms so improves can be proposed. The algorithm with the best performance runs between 7.1ms and 3.4ms, with an error of 17 mm. The algorithms can be used for natural user interfaces, they have been used for the guidance of the end effector of an industrial robot; they were also used for hand segmentation which is commonly the input for full hand pose estimation.
A Review of “Turning the Tide: How a Small Band of Allied Sailors Defeated the U-Boat and Won the Battle of the Atlantic”

Ed Offley's Turning the Tide: How a Small Band of Allied Sailors Defeated the U-Boat and Won the Battle of the Atlantic tells of the British, American, and Allied effort to defeat the German U-boat...
Blogs in american academic libraries: an overview of their present status and possible future use

Academic libraries have embraced a new media tool, the weblog or blog, for various purposes. However, some librarians have raised concerns. Are academic library blogs overly personalized and often opinionated journals? Are they constantly dynamic, challenging, newsworthy, and entertaining? How often can they be updated to add and share new content in a timely manner? How effectively are they used in marketing a library's resources effectively and for promoting when the library updates its resources and services? Who controls the content so that interesting opinions and controversial issues can be presented thoroughly and fairly? What is the next step for academic library blogs? This article summarizes the value of blogs that academic librarians bring to their academic communities. Although it cannot cover all the developments in weblog phenomena, the article aims to discuss the issues that academic library blogs face and their potential future in academic and research libraries.
The Body in Revolt: The Impact and Legacy of Second Wave Corporeal Embodiment

Tensions between second and third wave understandings of the body and embodiment have led to disagreements about whether to situate the body as corporeal and concrete or theoretical, diverse, and complex. Drawing from key tactics of the second wave women's health movement, including cervical viewing, menstrual extraction, genital diversity work, orgasm training, and self-defense classes, I first trace the political framing of the body in second wave feminism, followed by a consideration of third wave pedagogies transmitted through teaching the psychology of women. After analyzing the five most popular textbooks and ten syllabi for the psychology of women, I trace the stories about embodiment that have continued across waves and the stories that have shifted over time. I ultimately argue for a renewed consideration of how to merge the priorities of each wave into a new policy-driven and activist-centered understanding of corporeal embodiment both within and outside of the university.
Laser processing of polycrystalline silicon solar cells

In the formation of p-n junctions in polycrystalline solar cells, any conventional high-temperature treatment will cause adverse effects either because of dopant diffusion along the grain boundaries which may cause shorting of the junction, or because of contamination by undesired impurities. Recently, we have demonstrated that ion implantation and pulsed-laser annealing can be used to produce well-controlled dopant regions in polycrystalline Si. Because of the short duration of the laser radiation and because the near-surface region of the samples melt, grain boundary diffusion and segregation can be eliminated. Solar cells fabricated from cast polycrystalline Si by this technique have resulted in open circuit voltages as high as 566 mv and efficiencies as high as 12.1%.
Predicting Adsorption Affinities of Small Molecules on Carbon Nanotubes Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Computational techniques have the potential to accelerate the design and optimization of nanomaterials for applications such as drug delivery and contaminant removal; however, the success of such techniques requires reliable models of nanomaterial surfaces as well as accurate descriptions of their interactions with relevant solutes. In the present work, we evaluate the ability of selected models of naked and hydroxylated carbon nanotubes to predict adsorption equilibrium constants for about 30 small aromatic compounds with a variety of functional groups. The equilibrium constants determined using molecular dynamics coupled with free-energy calculation techniques are directly compared to those derived from experimental measurements. The calculations are highly predictive of the relative adsorption affinities of the compounds, with excellent correlation (r ≥ 0.9) between calculated and measured values of the logarithm of the adsorption equilibrium constant. Moreover, the agreement in absolute terms is also reasonable, with average errors of less than one decade. We also explore possible effects of surface loading, although we demonstrate that they are negligible for the experimental conditions considered. Given the degree of reliability demonstrated, we move on to employing the in silico techniques in the design of nanomaterials, using the optimization of adsorption affinity for the herbacide atrazine as an example. Our simulations suggest that, compared to other modifications of graphenic carbon, polyvinylpyrrolidone conjugation gives the highest affinity for atrazine-substantially greater than that of graphenic carbon alone-and may be useful as a nanomaterial for delivery or sequestration of atrazine.
Identification of a Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin region required for large complex formation and cytotoxicity by random mutagenesis.

Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE), a single polypeptide of 319 amino acids, has a unique multistep mechanism of action. In the first step, CPE binds to claudin proteins and/or a 50-kDa eukaryotic membrane protein receptor, forming a small (∼90-kDa) complex. This small complex apparently then associates with a 70-kDa eukaryotic membrane protein, resulting in formation of a large complex that induces the onset of membrane permeability alterations. To better define the boundaries of CPE functional regions and to identify specific amino acid residues involved in various steps of CPE action, in this study we subjected the cloned cpe gene to random mutagenesis in XL-1 Red strains of Escherichia coli. Seven CPE random mutants with reduced cytotoxicity for Vero cells were phenotypically characterized for the ability to complete each step in CPE action. Five of these seven recombinant CPE (rCPE) random mutants (G49D, S59L, R116S, R137G, and S167P) exhibited binding characteristics similar to those of rCPE or native CPE, while the Y310C and W226Stop mutants showed reduced binding and no binding, respectively, to brush border membranes. Interestingly, two completely nontoxic mutants (G49D and S59L) were able to bind and form small complex but they did not mediate any detectable large complex formation. Another strongly attenuated mutant, R116S, formed reduced amounts of an anomalously migrating large complex. Collectively, these results provide further support for large complex formation being an essential step in CPE action and also identify the CPE region ranging from residues ∼45 to 116 as important for large complex formation. Finally, we also report that limited removal of extreme N-terminal CPE sequences, which may occur in vivo during disease, stimulates cytotoxic activity by enhancing large complex formation.
Mediation functions in Ecopath with Ecosim: handle with care

Ecosystem models are important tools for addressing complex issues such as the role of habitat in marine resource management. The Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) software can represent several ecological...
Spectral stiffness microplane model for damage and fracture of textile composites

Abstract This contribution proposes a general constitutive model to simulate the orthotropic stiffness, pre-peak nonlinearity, failure envelopes, and the post-peak softening and fracture of textile composites. Following the microplane model framework, the constitutive laws are formulated in terms of stress and strain vectors acting on planes of several orientations within the material meso-structure. The model exploits the spectral decomposition of the orthotropic stiffness tensor to define orthogonal strain modes at the microplane level. These are associated to the various constituents at the mesoscale and to the material response to different types of deformation. Strain-dependent constitutive equations are used to relate the microplane eigenstresses and eigenstrains while a variational principle is applied to relate the microplane stresses at the mesoscale to the continuum tensor at the macroscale. The application of the model to a twill 2 × 2 shows that it can realistically predict its uniaxial as well as multi-axial behavior. Furthermore, the model shows excellent agreement with experiments on the axial crushing of composite tubes, this capability making it a valuable design tool for crashworthiness applications. The formulation is computationally efficient, easy to calibrate and adaptable to other kinds of composite architectures such as 2D and 3D braids or 3D woven textiles.
Recent deep-bar induction motor developments

Deep-bar induction motors have rotor slots approximately one inch deep. Their excellent starting characteristics are due to skin effect. Since skin effect in copper at 60 cycles is approximately 0.4 inch, the copper losses and starting torque are as if the current were confined to a layer 0.4 inch deep. Thus, the rotor resistance of these motors is 2.5 or more times as great when starting as when running. These motors develop 150 per cent or more starting torque and are useful as a general purpose motor.
Inhibition of Ras-induced DNA synthesis by expression of the phosphatase MKP-1

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) are common components of signaling pathways induced by diverse growth stimuli. Although the guanidine nucleotide-binding Ras proteins are known to be upstream activators of MAP kinases, the extent to which MAP kinases directly contribute to the mitogenic effect of Ras is as yet undefined. In this study, inhibition of MAP kinases by the MAP kinase phosphatase MKP-1 blocked the induction of DNA synthesis in quiescent rat embryonic fibroblast REF-52 cells by an activated mutant of Ras, V12Ras. These results suggest an essential role for activation of MAP kinases in the transition from the quiescent to the DNA replication phase of the eukaryotic cell cycle.
Immediate Release of Prolactin and Biphasic Effects on Growth Hormone Release Following Electrical Stimulation of the Median Eminence1

The median eminence (ME) region of the hypothalamus was electrically stimulated through permanently implanted electrodes in 4 unanesthetized sheep. Plasma concentrations of GH and prolactin (PRL) were measured at 10-min intervals before, during and after 30-min periods of electrical stimulation or sham procedures. The onset of ME stimulation decreased plasma GH in all 17 cases in which prestimulation GH levels were 1.0 ng⁄ml or higher. In all 27 cases of ME stimulation, plasma GH never increased during the 30-min stimulation period. However, spontaneous GH increases were noted during sham procedures in 9 of 31 cases. The termination of ME stimulation was followed within 10–20 min by markedly increased GH levels in 24 of 27 cases. All 4 ewes responded to electrical stimulation with comparable biphasic effects on GH release even though electrode locations varied slightly. These results indicate localization and stimulationinduced release of endogenous neurohormones in the ME region with activities inhibitin...
School violence prevention measures: School officials' attitudes about various strategies

Concern about school violence has been escalating in recent years. A variety of strategies are used in efforts to prevent violence in schools. These remedies can be classified as legal, interactionist, and physical remedies. Legal remedies refer to laws, like the reasonable suspicion to search strategy that allows school officials to search and seize contraband. Interactionist remedies refer to practices that encourage students and other school officials to communicate more openly with school officials about possible cases of violence. Physical remedies refer to strategies that involve altering the school environment in an effort to prevent violence. This study considered the way that 138 school officials from the Commonwealth of Virginia defined the usefulness of these strategies. Attention was also given to whether certain factors contribute to the officials' assessments of the efficacy of each prevention strategy. Results of the study showed that the interactionist, and then legal remedies are believed to be the most useful, while physical remedies are perceived as the least useful strategies. The study uncovered differences of opinion based on racial lines. As an example, more Blacks than Whites were more likely to describe metal detectors as a very useful strategy. Implications of the study are provided.
Development of Videotapes for Teaching College Accounting in a Nontraditional Format

Videotapes and a workbook were developed, tested, and implemented to deliver accounting courses in a nontraditional format to students of Southwest Texas State University.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Aryl- and Alkyl-Rhenium(V) Imido−Triflate Compounds: An Unusual Mechanism for Triflate Substitution

Treatment of the d2 rhenium tolylimido complex TpRe(NTol)X2 with RMgX, RLi, or organozinc reagents yields TpRe(NTol)(R)X [R = Ph, Me, Et, i-Pr, n-Bu; X = Cl or I; Tol = p-tolyl; Tp = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate] or TpRe(NTol)R2 (R = Ph, Me). Iodide for triflate metathesis with AgOTf yields TpRe(NTol)(X)OTf [X = Ph, Et, Cl, OTf (=OSO2CF3)]. Reaction of TpRe(NTol)(Et)I with excess rather than stoichiometric AgOTf generates the ethylene hydride cation [TpRe(NTol)(η2-C2H4)(H)][OTf], which slowly rearranges by ethylene insertion to form TpRe(NTol)(Et)OTf. Treatment of TpRe(NTol)(Ph)I with AgPF6 gives not iodide abstraction but rather [{TpRe(NTol)(Ph)I}2Ag][PF6], with two Re−I−Ag linkages. Excess pyridine (py) slowly displaces triflate in TpRe(NTol)Ph(OTf) (11) to give [TpRe(NTol)Ph(py)][OTf]. The reaction is first-order in 11 and first-order in py. Triflate substitution is similarly slow in the oxo-Tp* derivative, Tp*Re(O)Ph(OTf) [Tp* = HB(3,5-Me2pz)3]. These reactions are many orders of magnitude slower than...
An investigation of descriptor oriented architecture

A computer architecture is proposed which uses a hardware implemented descriptor system to provide facilities for explicit data typing, memory relocation, and access protection at the data element level. The problem of having to fetch descriptors for every operand access is overcome by storing descriptors in small fast memories of various types. The resulting machine runs simple languages (such as FORTRAN) as fast as conventional architectures, and offers significant speed improvement for languages using complex data types (such as data management systems). The cost of the descriptor storage hardware is shown to be modest, so this architecture would be suitable for machines as small as a large minicomputer.
Fat-soluble vitamins in infants identified by cystic fibrosis newborn screening.

Fat-soluble vitamin status was assessed in 36 infants diagnosed with cystic fibrosis by newborn screening in the Colorado Program. At the time of diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, 36% of infants were hypoalbuminemic, 21% had vitamin A deficiency, 35% had vitamin D deficiency, and 38% had vitamin E deficiency. None had vitamin K deficiency. Supplementation with pancreatic enzymes, a multiple vitamin preparation, and additional vitamin E was associated with normalization of serum albumin, retinol, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D and negative PIVKA testing at age 6 and 12 months. Several patients remained vitamin E deficient, but this was felt to be due to poor compliance. Biochemical evidence of fat-soluble vitamin deficiency is common before age 3 months in infants with CF and responds to supplementation in the first year of life. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1991; Supp 7: 52–55.
Effective charge and free energy of DNA inside an ion channel

Translocation of a single stranded DNA (ssDNA) through an $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-hemolysin channel in a lipid membrane driven by applied transmembrane voltage $V$ was extensively studied recently. While the bare charge of the ssDNA piece inside the channel is approximately $12$ (in units of electron charge) measurements of different effective charges resulted in values between one and two. We explain these challenging observations by a large self-energy of a charge in the narrow water filled gap between ssDNA and channel walls, related to large difference between dielectric constants of water and lipid, and calculate effective charges of ssDNA. We start from the most fundamental stall charge ${q}_{s}$, which determines the force ${F}_{s}={q}_{s}V∕L$ stalling DNA against the voltage $V$ ($L$ is the length of the channel). We show that the stall charge ${q}_{s}$ is proportional to the ion current blocked by DNA, which is small due to the self-energy barrier. Large voltage $V$ reduces the capture barrier which DNA molecule should overcome in order to enter the channel by $\ensuremath{\mid}{q}_{c}\ensuremath{\mid}V$, where ${q}_{c}$ is the effective capture charge. We expressed it through the stall charge ${q}_{s}$. We also relate the stall charge ${q}_{s}$ to two other effective charges measured for ssDNA with a hairpin in the back end: the charge ${q}_{u}$ responsible for reduction of the barrier for unzipping of the hairpin and the charge ${q}_{e}$ responsible for DNA escape in the direction of hairpin against the voltage. At small $V$ we explain reduction of the capture barrier with the salt concentration.
Joint segmentation and reconstruction of hyperspectral images from a single snapshot

This work describes numerical methods for the joint reconstruction and segmentation of spectral images taken by compressive sensing coded aperture snapshot spectral imagers (CASSI). In a snapshot, a CASSI captures a two-dimensional (2D) array of measurements that is an encoded representation of both spectral information and 2D spatial information of a scene, resulting in significant savings in acquisition time and data storage. The double disperser coded aperture snapshot imager (DD-CASSI) is able to capture a hyperspectral image from which a highly underdetermined inverse problem is solved for the original hyperspectral cube with regularization terms such as total variation minimization. The reconstruction process decodes the 2D measurements to render a three-dimensional spatio-spectral estimate of the scene, and is therefore an indispensable component of the spectral imager. In this study, we seek a particular form of the compressed sensing solution that assumes spectrally homogeneous segments in the two spatial dimensions, and greatly reduces the number of unknowns. The proposed method generalizes popular active contour segmentation algorithms such as the Chan-Vese model and also enables one to jointly estimate both the segmentation membership functions and the spectral signatures of each segment. The results are illustrated on a simulated Hubble Space Satellite hyperspectral dataset, a real urban hyperspectral dataset, and a real DD-CASSI image in microscopy.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN A HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS REGULATORY PROTEIN AND CELLULAR MRNA PROCESSING PATHWAYS

Abstract The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) immediate–early regulatory protein ICP27 performs essential functions during viral lytic infection. Studies with viral mutants have demonstrated that ICP27 affects the shutoff of host protein synthesis, HSV-1 DNA replication, and the expression of viral early and late genes. Mounting evidence has been presented to demonstrate that ICP27 functions predominantly at the posttranscriptional level by affecting mRNA processing. That is, ICP27 alters poly(A) site usage, impairs host cell splicing, and facilitates the export of viral intronless mRNAs. These diverse effects occur by the interaction of ICP27 with viral and host proteins and by binding RNA. To define the precise mechanisms by which ICP27 affects RNA processing pathways, it is necessary to identify all of the molecular interactions of ICP27 in vivo and to determine the functional significance of these interactions. In vivo approaches will be emphasized here. Protein–protein interactions have been analyzed by coimmunoprecipitation studies, followed by immunoblotting to confirm the identity of coprecipitating proteins. Indirect immunofluorescence staining has been performed on cells treated with RNA polymerase II inhibitors to determine the intracellular distribution of ICP27 related to its RNA export function. Finally, in vivo UV irradiation has been used to covalently cross-link ICP27 to mRNAs in direct contact. This was followed with procedures to isolate and analyze the protein–RNA complexes. These studies have revealed several splicing complex proteins with which ICP27 interacts and have identified a number of intronless RNA transcripts to which ICP27 binds in the nucleus and cytoplasm in its role in RNA transport.
Hydrogen isotope ratios of palmitic acid in lacustrine sediments record late Quaternary climate variations

The rich paleoclimate information preserved in lacustrine sedimentary organic matter can be difficult to extract because of the mixed terrestrial and aquatic inputs. Herein we demonstrate that compound-specific hydrogen isotope analysis of palmitic acid, (PA), a ubiquitous compound in lacustrine sediments, captures the δD signals of lake water. Samples collected across a diverse range of 33 North American lakes show a strong correlation between water and δDPA values. At Crooked Pond, Massachusetts, the δDPA changes in a 14 k.y. sediment record parallel temperature trends inferred from fossil pollen. Downcore changes reveal differences between climatic trends in New England and in Greenland that are consistent with important regional differences in climate controls.
Time budget of caged rhesus monkeys exposed to a companion, a PVC perch, and a piece of wood for an extended time.

The present investigation assesses the percentage of time that rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) are kept occupied by a more complex cage environment. Sixty animals were continuously exposed for at least 1.5 years to a compatible companion for social interaction, a suspended plastic pipe for perching, and a branch segment for gnawing. The behavior of the partners of each pair was recorded for 60 minutes when the animals were not distracted by human activities. Individuals spent an average of 23.5% of the time interacting with the companion, but only 10.4% with the plastic pipe and 4.8% with the branch segment. Differences were statistically significant. Females were socially more active than males. Subadult animals (3.5-4 years) used both inanimate objects significantly more than did adult animals (9-30 years). It was concluded that (1) a compatible companion, a suspended plastic pipe, and a loose branch segment remain effective stimuli for caged rhesus monkeys after more than 1 year of exposure and (2) a compatible companion is of greater stimulatory value-particularly for adults-than are inanimate objects.
Use of High Contrast in the Photography of Interference Fringes

IN a recent communication, Hough and Goldsmith1 have described a method of increasing the sharpness of interference fringes by high-contrast photography with controlled exposure. Although the technique does not appear to be widely known and I have no knowledge of any published material on the subject, the method is not new and has been in use here for a number of years.
Isoenzyme variation in Aedes aegypti correlated with Dirofilaria immitis infectability

From the Vero Beach strain of the mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae), substrains were selected for susceptibility (SS) and refractoriness (RR) to the dog heartworm Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy) (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae). These two lines and their reciprocal F1 hybrids were analysed for genetic variation at 14 enzyme loci, using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Six of the enzyme loci showed variation (sample size 48 alleles/locus/line). Three of these were monomorphic in the refractory line but polymorphic in the susceptible, i.e. aconitase hydratase (Acoh), isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (Idh-1) and phosphoglucomutase (Pgm). The other three loci, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (Gpi), hexokinase-1 (Hk-1) and isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (Idh-2), were polymorphic in both SS and RR lines and their hybrids. At two loci (Hk-1, Pgm) three alleles were detected, whereas the other polymorphic loci had only two alleles. For Hk-1, the most frequent allele was Hk-1(80) (0.563) in refractory and Hk-1(100) in the susceptible (0.521) and F1 hybrids. For Pgm the most frequent alleles were Pgm125 in the susceptible line (0.646) and Pgm100 in the F1 hybrids (0.563 and 0.604) and refractory line (1.000). The mean observed heterozygosity (Ho), the mean Hardy-Weinberg expected heterozygosity (He) and the mean number of alleles per locus in the refractory line were lower, but not significantly so, than in the susceptible line and their reciprocal F1 hybrids; the proportion of polymorphic loci was significantly lower in the refractory than in the susceptible line and their F1 hybrids. Within both lines all polymorphisms were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, whereas significant departures from predicted frequencies were observed in SS x RR hybrids at four polymorphic loci (Acoh, Gpi, Hk-1, Pgm) and at three polymorphic loci (Acoh, Hk-1, Pgm) in RR x SS hybrids. The average Nei's and modified Rogers' genetic distances between the lines were 0.024 and 0.139, respectively. These electrophoretic data show that the refractory line (putatively lacking fi allele) can be distinguished from the susceptible line (fi/fi) and their hybrids (heterozygous fi) by isozyme marker frequencies, but it remains to be seen whether this difference is causal or chance linkage. In any case, this model system of Ae. aegypti/D. immitis provides opportunities to better understand and manipulate the molecular biology of filariasis transmission.
Sjögren-Larsson syndrome. Deficient activity of the fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase component of fatty alcohol:NAD+ oxidoreductase in cultured fibroblasts.

Sjogren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is an inherited disorder associated with impaired fatty alcohol oxidation due to deficient activity of fatty alcohol:NAD+ oxidoreductase (FAO). FAO is a complex enzyme which consists of two separate proteins that sequentially catalyze the oxidation of fatty alcohol to fatty aldehyde and fatty acid. To determine which enzymatic component of FAO was deficient in SLS, we assayed fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase (FALDH) and fatty alcohol dehydrogenase in cultured fibroblasts from seven unrelated SLS patients. All SLS cells were selectively deficient in the FALDH component of FAO, and had normal activity of fatty alcohol dehydrogenase. The extent of FALDH deficiency in SLS cells depended on the aliphatic aldehyde used as substrate, ranging from 62% of mean normal activity using propionaldehyde as substrate to 8% of mean normal activity with octadecanal. FALDH activity in obligate SLS heterozygotes was partially decreased to 49 +/- 7% of mean normal activity using octadecanal as substrate. Differential centrifugation studies in fibroblasts indicated that this FALDH enzyme was largely particulate; soluble FALDH activity was normal in SLS cells. Intact SLS fibroblasts oxidized octadecanol to fatty acid at less than 10% of the normal rate, but oxidized free octadecanal normally, suggesting that the FALDH affected in SLS is chiefly involved in the oxidation of fatty alcohol to fatty acid. These results show that the primary enzymatic defect in SLS is the FALDH component of the FAO complex, which leads to deficient oxidation of fatty aldehyde derived from fatty alcohol.
Importance Measures for a Modular Software System (Short Paper)

Importance measures of a system provide a sense of the relative priorities of the components from a system reliability perspective. These measures can thus be used to identify critical components and to guide the allocation of resources so that the system reliability can be improved in a cost effective manner. Importance measures are widely used in many engineered hardware and electro-mechanical systems. Their use in the engineering of software systems, however, is lacking. In this paper we develop an analytical methodology to compute the importance measures of a software system. The analytical treatment facilitates an assessment of the sensitivity of the importance measures of a software system to the uncertainties in its architectural parameters, component reliabilities, and operational profiles. The capability of enabling sensitivity analysis, which is a key strength of our approach, is crucial to the adaptation of importance measures in software because the parameters characterizing a software system are inherently expected to be uncertain, especially in the design phase. We illustrate the potential of our approach to provide valuable information towards resource allocation decisions using an example application from the European Space Agency.
Urolithiasis in the Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex

AbstractPurpose: We sought to determine the incidence of urolithiasis in patients with the exstrophy-epispadias complex, associated risk factors and guidelines for the proper clinical management of this problem.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the chart and x-rays of 530 patients with the exstrophy-epispadias complex treated at our institution.Results: Stones formed in 77 of the 530 patients (15%), including 16% of those with classic exstrophy, 25% of those with cloacal exstrophy and 3% of those with epispadias. White and male individuals were most commonly affected. Most calculi formed in the bladder, whether native or augmented by enterocystoplasty. Standard techniques were successful for stone removal. Most calculi consisted of calcium apatite, calcium oxalate monohydrate or magnesium ammonium phosphate, usually in combination with at least 1 other element. The risk of stone formation was associated with augmentation cystoplasty (p <0.001) and a bladder neck procedure to increase outl...
Factors influencing consumer rankings of alternative retail beef packaging

Ordered probit models were used to identify factors which influenced consumer rankings of vacuum skin packaged steaks and roasts. Variables included selected demographic characteristics and concerns regarding retail beef packaging. Information pertaining to the color of the beef in, and the benefits of, the vacuum package was found to be among the most important factors.
Parallel algorithms for cographs and parity graphs with applications

Abstract Parity graphs are a natural extension of bipartite graphs, and as a subclass, they include cographs. In this paper it is shown that the recognition problem for cographs, transitive orientation, maximum node weighted clique, minimum node coloring, minimum weight domination set, minimum fill-in, isomorphism for cographs are in the class NC. It is noted that the cograph recognition is central to the recognition problem for parity graphs, and a NC algorithm for parity graph recognition is presented based on this fact. The recognition algorithms require O(log2 n) time and use O(mn) processors, where m and n are the number of edges and vertices in the graph respectively. The model of computation used is the CRCW P-RAM (concurrent read concurrent write parallel RAM), where more than one processor can concurrently read from or write into the same memory location. Writing conflicts are resolved in a non-deterministic fashion, i.e., one processor at random succeeds.
Carrion's Disease. V Studies on Phlebotomus as the Possible Vector.

SummarySandflies (P. verrucamm and P. noguchii) fed on patients showing many bartonellae in blood films became infected with a bartonella-like organism not as yet identified. A similar infection was found in only one of the wild sandflies examined.Transmission experiments with sandflies and rhesus monkeys resulted negatively, but were too limited to be conclusive.
The Similarity of Causal Inference in Experimental and Non‐experimental Studies

For nearly as long as the word ‘correlation’ has been part of statistical parlance, students have been warned that correlation does not prove causation, and that only experimental studies, e.g., randomized clinical trials, can establish the existence of a causal relationship. Over the last few decades, somewhat of a consensus has emerged between statisticians, computer scientists, and philosophers on how to represent causal claims and connect them to probabilistic relations. One strand of this work studies the conditions under which evidence accumulated from non‐experimental (observational) studies can be used to infer a causal relationship. In this paper, I compare the typical conditions required to infer that one variable is a direct cause of another in observational and experimental studies. I argue that they are essentially the same.
Reduced Transverse Spinal Area Secondary to Burst Fractures: Is There a Relationship to Neurologic Injury?

ABSTRACT A retrospective case-control study was undertaken to determine the best technique to measure neural canal encroachment at each lumbar level following burst fracture and its relationship to...
Baking and Roasting

Nett, at the start of her comment, charges that we view the production of language "extremely mechanistically ... The functions of the so-called organs of speech are dissected as though they comprised the workings of a 'speaking machine.' " We completely agree with her! Scientific understanding always involves reducing a system to a mechanism whether the mechanism is the DNA chain, the motion of the planets, or human speech production. We think that we have demonstrated that the human
Dynamics of MEMS Microengines Using Optoelectronic Laser Interferometry

We have developed an optoelectronic laser interferometry microscope (OLIM) methodology for rapid characterization of MEMS' motion dynamics. In this study, electrostatic comb drive actuated microengines comprised of a 64 μm diameter drive gear and a 300 μm output gear (load gear) were characterized dynamically. Two different input signals were used: 1) a four-step square wave input and 2) an optimized input signal calculated from an analytical model. Out-ofplane motion on rotating microgears was measured as a function of the input signals. The outof-plane motions for the drive during the four-step input ranged from zero to ±462 nm and from zero to ±514 nm for the drive and output gears, respectively. For the optimum input, the out-ofplane motions ranged from zero to ±1030 nm for the drive gear. However, for the output gear the tilt magnitudes were nearly constant at ±514 rum, and were independent of angular position. The more constant out-of-plane motions of the load gear for the optimized signal are due to improved kinematics and kinetics leading to more continuous rather than impulsive forces (e. g., frictional, inertial) acting on the output gear.
The Aeromechanical Response of an Advanced Transonic Compressor to Inlet Distortion

An advanced transonic compressor was tested in the Compressor Research Facility at the Aero Propulsion Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. This compressor was designed, built, and instrumented by the General Electric Company under Air Force contract. During this test, the compressor was operated with seven different total pressure distortion screens located at the inlet, along with baseline testing of two “clean” inlet configurations. Of particular interest was the forced vibratory response of the compressor first stage integrally bladed disk (blisk) to the various distortions. This paper presents a summary of the blisk vibratory responses to each of the distortion screens. Effects of instrumentation on the dynamic response of the blisk are illustrated. In addition, the measured steady total pressure inlet distortion profiles for each screen are shown with a summary of the instrumentation used to make the various steady and dynamic measurements.Copyright © 1987 by ASME
Using Gröbner bases to reason about geometry problems

The use of Grobner basis computation for reasoning about geometry problems is demonstrated. Two kinds of geometry problems are considered: (i) Given a finite set of geometry relations expressed as polynomial equations, in conjunction with a finite set of subsidiary conditions stated as negations of polynomial equations to rule out certain degenerate eases, check whether another geometry relation expressed as a polynomial equation and given as a conclusion, holds. (ii) Given a finite set of geometry relations expressed as polynomial equations, find a finite set of subsidiary conditions, if any, stated as negations of polynomial equations which rule out certain values of variables, such that another geometry relation expressed as a polynomial equation and given as a conclusion, holds under these conditions. Using a refutational approach for theorem proving, both kinds of problems are converted into reasoning about a finite set of polynomial equations. The first problem is shown to be equivalent to checking whether a set of polynomial equations does not have a solution; this can be decided by computing a Grobner basis of these polynomials and checking whether I is included in such a basis. In addition, it is shown that the second problem can also be solved by computing a Grobner basis and appropriately picking polynomials from it. A number of geometry problems of both kinds have been solved using this approach.
Joint Toxicity of Triazine Herbicides and Organophosphate Insecticides to the Midge Chironomus tentans

A series of recent studies demonstrated that the triazine herbicide atrazine, although not itself acutely toxic, potentiated the toxicity of certain organophosphate insecticides (OPs) to the midge Chironomus tentans. In the current study, a series of triazine herbicides and triazine herbicide degradation products were tested to determine if other triazines potentiate OP toxicity to midges. Chlorpyrifos and diazinon were the OPs tested. Toxicity tests were conducted using a factorial design and analysis of variance to statistically determine if each triazine had an effect on expected toxicity. Log-probit procedures were also used to evaluate the magnitude of change in median effective concentration (EC50) values during coexposure with each triazine. All of the triazine herbicides tested (atrazine, simazine, cyanazine, and hexazinone) were capable of potentiating the toxicity of the OPs, whereas the degradation products (s-triazine, deethylatrazine, and deisopropylatrazine) had less effect. In most cases, a triazine concentration of 100 μg/L was necessary to significantly increase OP toxicity, and higher concentrations of triazine caused a greater degree of potentiation. Changes in EC50 values ranged from no change to a 2.5-fold increase in toxicity. Generally, EC50 values changed by less than a factor of 2, indicating that the effect may be of limited concern in regard to future risk assessments of OPs.
Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection

Fisher's Fundamental Theorem of natural selection is one of the most widely cited theories in evolutionary biology. Yet it has been argued that the standard interpretation of the theorem is very different from what Fisher meant to say. What Fisher really meant can be illustrated by looking in a new way at a recent model for the evolution of clutch size. Why Fisher was misunderstood depends, in part, on the contrasting views of evolution promoted by Fisher and Wright.
Nongenotropic, sex-nonspecific signaling through the estrogen or androgen receptors: dissociation from transcriptional activity.

Abstract The relationship of the classical receptors and their transcriptional activity to nongenotropic effects of steroid hormones is unknown. We demonstrate herein a novel paradigm of sex steroid action on osteoblasts, osteocytes, embryonic fibroblasts, and HeLa cells involving activation of a Src/Shc/ERK signaling pathway and attenuating apoptosis. This action is mediated by the ligand binding domain and eliminated by nuclear targeting of the receptor protein; ERα, ERβ, or AR can transmit it with similar efficiency irrespective of whether the ligand is an estrogen or an androgen. This antiapoptotic action can be dissociated from the transcriptional activity of the receptor with synthetic ligands, providing proof of principle for the development of function-specific—as opposed to tissue-selective—and gender-neutral pharmacotherapeutics.
Analysis and enhancement of bond strength of acrylic sheets to metallic substrates for use in LIGA-type processing

In thick photoresist applications, commercially available acrylic sheets are bonded to a substrate as an alternative to the casting and in-situ polymerization of PMMA. The factors affecting the adhesion of a thick acrylic sheet to different substrates have been studied. In case of copper and titanium substrates and bond-strength can be improved by roughening the surface through chemical oxidation which then provides a mechanical interlocking between the resist and substrate surfaces. Annealing of PMMA sheet before gluing and use of adhesion promoter such as organosilane further improves the bond strength at the resist-substrate interface. The resist adhesion to various substrates is evaluated by measuring the debonded length of the acrylic sheet during a mechanical cleaving test.
The use of surface electromagnetic waves to measure materials properties

Abstract An elementary introduction to surface electromagnetic waves (SEW) is presented. The emphasis is on those features of SEW which make them useful for measuring optical properties of thin layers on metals. The so-called two-prism technique for making such measurements is discussed, some preliminary experimental results are given, and some possible applications are presented.
A rapid method for determination of 4-carboxybenzaldehyde in benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid by square wave voltammetry

Abstract The 4-carboxybenzaldehyde anion is readily reduced while the carboxyl group is difficult to reduce and causes no interference. Thus, square wave voltammetry at a static mercury drop electrode is suitable for determination of traces of 4-carboxybenzaldehyde in the presence of large amounts of benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (terephthalic acid).
Intersystem crossing quantum yield of quinoxaline; evidence for high yield of internal conversion of the first excited singlet state to the ground state

Abstract The intersystem crossing quantum yield of quinoxaline has been directly determined to be 0.18 ± 0.04 at the temperature of boiling nitrogen. The absence of fluorescence indicates a value of 0.82 ± 0.04 for the quantum yield for internal conversion from the first excited singlet.
Epithelial injury, inflammation, and repair in the hamster lung following intratracheal instillation of enzyme-generated oxidants.

Oxidant-induced inflammatory and morphologic changes evoked by intratracheally instilled glucose, active glucose oxidase, and lactoperoxidase in hamsters are described. Similar solutions containing heat-denatured (DE) glucose oxidase served as a control treatment. During the 7-week post-treatment period, animals were sacrificed and lavaged, and their lungs were preserved for later study. Although a neutrophil-rich alveolitis was observed initially in both groups, the leukocytic influx and mild morphologic changes in DE-treated animals resolved within 7 days. In contrast, glucose oxidase mixtures caused necrotic alveolar epithelium, fibrin-like exudate, and significantly higher neutrophil and protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after 1 day. At 4 days, type II cell hyperplasia was extensive and BALF levels of all inflammatory cell types were significantly greater than BALF counts in DE animals. By 7 days, BALF macrophage and lymphocyte levels remained significantly elevated, and epithelial...