cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automethylation of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 8 (PRMT8) Regulates Activity by Impeding S-Adenosylmethionine Sensitivity

Protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) 8 is unique among the PRMTs, as it has a highly restricted tissue expression pattern and an N terminus that contains two automethylation sites and a myristoylation site. PRMTs catalyze the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) to a peptidylarginine on a protein substrate. Currently, the physiological roles, regulation, and cellular substrates of PRMT8 are poorly understood. However, a thorough understanding of PRMT8 kinetics should provide insights into each of these areas, thereby enhancing our understanding of this unique enzyme. In this study, we determined how automethylation regulates the enzymatic activity of PRMT8. We found that preventing automethylation with lysine mutations (preserving the positive charge of the residue) increased the turnover rate and decreased the Km of AdoMet but did not affect the Km of the protein substrate. In contrast, mimicking automethylation with phenylalanine (i.e. mimicking the increased hydrophobicity) decreased the turnover rate. The inhibitory effect of the PRMT8 N terminus could be transferred to PRMT1 by creating a chimeric protein containing the N terminus of PRMT8 fused to PRMT1. Thus, automethylation of the N terminus likely regulates PRMT8 activity by decreasing the affinity of the enzyme for AdoMet.
Automatic document processing system with learning capability

This automatic document processing system proceeds from scanning a given paper-document into the system, automatic recognizing the document layout structure, classifying it as a particular document type, which is characterized in terms of attributes to form a frame template, and extracting the pertinent information from the document to form its corresponding frame instance, which is an effective digital form of the original document. The key attribute of the system is that it is a general-purpose system, which can be adapted easily to any application domains. A segmentation method based on the 'logical closeness' is proposed. A novel and natural representation of document layout structure -- Labeled Directed Weighted Graph (LDWG) and a methodology of transforming document segmentation into LDWG representation are described. To classify a given document, we compare its layout structure with the sample layout structures of various document types prestored in the knowledge base and then use logical structure to verify the initial matching from the first step. There is a weight associated with each component of the layout structure. During the learning stage, the system can adjust the weights automatically based on the human being's correction. Modified Perceptron Learning Algorithm (PLA) is applied.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Integrating epidemiology and genetic association: the challenge of gene-environment interaction.

Recent advances in human genomics have made it possible to better understand the genetic basis of disease. In addition, genetic association studies can also elucidate the mechanisms by which ‘non-genetic’ exogenous and endogenous exposures influence the risk of disease. This is true both of studies that assess the marginal effect of a single gene and studies that look at the joint effect of genes and environmental exposures. For example, gene variants that are known to alter enzyme function or level can serve as surrogates for long-term biomarker levels that are impractical or impossible to measure on many subjects. Evidence that genetic variants modify the effect of an established risk factor may help specify the risk factor's biologically active components. We illustrate these ideas with several examples and discuss design and analysis challenges, particularly for studies of gene–environment interaction. We argue that to increase the power to detect interaction effects and limit the number of false positive results, large sample sizes will be needed, which are currently only available through planned collaborative efforts. Such collaborations also ensure a common approach to measuring variation at a genetic locus, avoiding a problem that has led to difficulties when comparing results from genetic association studies.
Educational vouchers: A viable option for urban settings?

Educational vouchers have been proposed as a way to give parents more choice in their child's education. The economic and social consequences that vouchers will have for education is discussed. From a historical perspective, vouchers have never been fully implemented. Educational vouchers have the potential to drain public education of valuable resources. Educators have suggested that vouchers will not increase choice among parents or improve the quality of education in general. It is likely that vouchers will lead to larger inequalities between children of the middle and poor classes. Alternative approaches are provided that will give parents more choices within the public school system.
A comprehensive study on relating cell-wall components of lignocellulosic biomass to oxygenated species formed during pyrolysis

Abstract This study was conducted to fundamentally understand the relationship between biomass composition and key pyrolysis oxygenates that affect the quality of bio-oil. Unlike many studies where surrogates are used to probe the effect of biomass characteristics on pyrolysis; in this investigation, we used well-characterized biomass feedstocks with different natural varying levels of plant cell-wall components. With this approach, possible interaction effects of the biomass components which are not revealed in model studies are captured. Selected oxygenates from the pyrolysis of debarked sugar maple, poplar, willow, switchgrass, and hot-water extracted sugar maple were correlated with their composition (namely, glucan, xylan, arabinan, mannan, acetyl, lignin, extractives and ash). The pyrolysis was conducted at 550 °C using a bench scale pyroprobe-GC/MS and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to statistically analyze the data. Quantitatively, relationships between the biomass components and oxygenated species such as acetic acid, levoglucosan, hydroxyacetone, methyl pyruvate, furfural, 2-furanone, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, 4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol, coniferyl alcohol, and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol were established. Statistically significant correlation between the acetyl content and acetic acid yield indicate that deacetylation of the lignocellulosic cell wall could help in reducing the acidity of bio-oils. Likewise, other strong correlations suggest that carbonyls could be reduced by lowering the hemicellulose fraction. The data also indicated possible interaction between lignin and polysaccharides on the formation of specific oxygenates. For example, it was found that feedstocks with high lignin content tend to produce high yields of hydroxyacetaldehyde. Similarly, feedstocks with high glucan fraction yield more phenolic aldehydes and ketones. Overall, it can be inferred from the results that both genomic science and pretreatment could be used as tools to modify the heterogeneity of lignocellulosics to reduce the complexity of biomass pyrolysis and improve prospects for producing better quality bio-oils.
Geographic analysis of natural fire rotation in the California Redwood Forest during the suppression era

A geographic information system (GIS) was used to analyze the effects of six physical variables (redwood sub-region, slope, aspect, elevation, distance from the coast, and moisture regime) on the natural fire rotation (NFR) of redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) forests between 1950 and 2003. NFR is defined as the years necessary for fires to burn over an area equal to that of the study area. This analysis relied on a spatial database of forest fire locations cataloged by California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The NFR for the California range of redwood forests was calculated as 778 years. The NFRs for north, central, and southern redwood sub-regions were 1,083, 717, and 551 years, respectively. The NFR of slope classes varied between 3,309 years for flat terrain and 423 years for steep slopes. The NFRs of north and south aspects were 796 years and 763 years, respectively. Elevation classes of 200 m illustrated a consistent decreasing trend in NFR values, 1,841 in the lowest elevation class and 53 years in the highest. Distance from the coast was classed in 5 km increments up to 50 km with NFR values of 648 years in the 5 km class and 1,148 years in the 50 km class. The NFRs of moisture regime classes were 1,183 years in the wettest class and 117 years for the driest class. Drier moisture regime classes were prevalent in the southern redwood range. The NFR calculated for redwood sub-regions, moisture regimes and elevation classes indicated that periodicity of fire in redwood stands decreased along a north-south, west-east gradient. The NFRs observed in these redwood variables substantiate results from previous work concerning the influence of a north-south, ocean-inland gradient on fire frequency in redwood forests.
Changes in Soil Attributes Following Low Phosphorus Swine Slurry Application to No-Tillage Sorghum

Swine (Sus scrofa) slurry can serve as an excellent fertilizer source. Application at rates to meet crop N requirements can result in excess soil P due to low manure N/P ratios. Low phytate corn (LPC) (Zea mays L.) stores a greater proportion of P as phosphate than does traditional corn (TC) increasing bioavailability of P in pig feed grain. Improved utilization of feed P reduces P concentration in manure and soil P accumulation. However, the potential effects of LPC manure on other soil properties are not known. Changes in soil attributes over 3 yr were compared for soils receiving LPC manure, TC manure, inorganic fertilizer, and no nutrients in no-tillage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] on a Sharpsburg clay loam (fine, smectitic, mesic Typic Argiudolls). Soil physical properties exhibited values that should not inhibit crop growth. Several soil chemical properties differed by year and treatment. Particulate organic matter (POM), NO 3 -N, pH, and extractable P increased with manure additions. Extractable P content was greater with addition of TC than LPC manure. Soil chemical properties exhibited values acceptable for crop production, but increasing extractable P increases the potential for environmental contamination. Biological soil properties varied in their response to treatments. Microbial biomass C decreased in the control and increased in manure treatments. The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) was used to conduct a dynamic soil quality assessment. The SMAF index values were similar across years in the control and inorganic fertilizer treatments and increased in both manure treatments. Manure additions improved soil properties affecting crop production, with P accumulation and the potential for environmental contamination being lower with LPC manure. LPC manure applied at rates to meet crop N requirements will have slower soil P accumulation rates and a lower potential for P contamination of the environment.
Multi-criteria decision analysis with probabilistic risk assessment for the management of contaminated ground water

Abstract Traditionally, environmental decision analysis in subsurface contamination scenarios is performed using cost–benefit analysis. In this paper, we discuss some of the limitations associated with cost–benefit analysis, especially its definition of risk, its definition of cost of risk, and its poor ability to communicate risk-related information. This paper presents an integrated approach for management of contaminated ground water resources using health risk assessment and economic analysis through a multi-criteria decision analysis framework. The methodology introduces several important concepts and definitions in decision analysis related to subsurface contamination. These are the trade-off between population risk and individual risk, the trade-off between the residual risk and the cost of risk reduction, and cost-effectiveness as a justification for remediation. The proposed decision analysis framework integrates probabilistic health risk assessment into a comprehensive, yet simple, cost-based multi-criteria decision analysis framework. The methodology focuses on developing decision criteria that provide insight into the common questions of the decision-maker that involve a number of remedial alternatives. The paper then explores three potential approaches for alternative ranking, a structured explicit decision analysis, a heuristic approach of importance of the order of criteria, and a fuzzy logic approach based on fuzzy dominance and similarity analysis. Using formal alternative ranking procedures, the methodology seeks to present a structured decision analysis framework that can be applied consistently across many different and complex remediation settings. A simple numerical example is presented to demonstrate the proposed methodology. The results showed the importance of using an integrated approach for decision-making considering both costs and risks. Future work should focus on the application of the methodology to a variety of complex field conditions to better evaluate the proposed methodology.
Monte Carlo evaluation of Feynman Path Integrals in imaginary time and spherical polar coordinates

Feynman Path Integrals in imaginary time are developed for a particle moving under a central field using spherical polar coordinates. Evaluation of these integrals using a method presented previously is employed to obtain the ground states and energies of some quantum mechanical systems with spherically symmetric potentials of solvable types. In particular, the cases of the isotropic oscillator and the attractive Coulomb potential are discussed.
The Economic Burden of HIV/AIDS and Myocardial Infarction Treatment in Brazil

Objective. To analyze the expenses of HIV/AIDS and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treatment in Brazil. Methods. A search in the Brazilian epidemiological database (DATASUS) on AMI and AIDS hospitalizations and their costs was done from January 1998 to December 2011. The number of HIV/AIDS cases and antiretroviral treatment (ART) costs was obtained from public Brazilian databases. Results. In 5 years, HIV/AIDS cases increased 38.5%, mainly in patients aged 25–49. There were 180,640 patients in ART in 2007 at a cost of R$ 3,920 per patient/year. The hospitalizations due to AIDS were stable over the last 13 years; however, the hospitalizations due to AMI have increased 78%. In 2007, the expenses with hospitalizations for HIV/AIDS and AMI (25–49 years) were approximately 0.12 and 1.52% of the Ministry of Health budget allocated to reimburse inpatient costs. The expenses on ART totaled 1.5% of the total budget (all age groups). Conclusion. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is still increasing in Brazil. There are scientific evidences suggesting an increased incidence of AIM in this population. Considering the high costs for the treatment of both diseases, an economic analysis is important to alert health managers to strengthen the preventive measures to guarantee the financial sustainability of such treatment.
Sensitization of pancreatic carcinoma cells for gamma-irradiation-induced apoptosis by XIAP inhibition.

Resistance of pancreatic cancer to current treatments including radiotherapy remains a major challenge in oncology and may be caused by defects in apoptosis programs. Since ‘inhibitor of apoptosis proteins’ (IAPs) block apoptosis at the core of the apoptotic machinery by inhibiting caspases, therapeutic modulation of IAPs could tackle a key resistance mechanism. Here, we report that targeting X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) by RNA-interference-mediated knockdown or overexpression of second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase significantly enhanced apoptosis and markedly reduced clonogenic growth of pancreatic carcinoma cells upon γ-irradiation. Analysis of signaling pathways revealed that antagonizing XIAP increased activation of caspase-2, -3, -8 and -9 and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential upon γ-irradiation. Interestingly, inhibition of caspases also reduced the cooperative effect of XIAP targeting and γ-irradiation to trigger mitochondrial perturbations, suggesting that XIAP controls a feedback mitochondrial amplification loop by regulating caspase activity. Importantly, our data demonstrate for the first time that small molecule XIAP inhibitors sensitized pancreatic carcinoma cells for γ-irradiation-induced apoptosis, whereas they had no effect on γ-irradiation-mediated apoptosis of non-malignant fibroblasts indicating some tumor specificity. In conclusion, targeting XIAP, for example by small molecules, is a promising novel approach to enhance radiosensitivity of pancreatic cancer that warrants further investigation.
Comparison of outcomes of illicit drug users and nonusers hospitalized with heart failure.

The long-term effects of illicit drug use (IDU) on the clinical outcome of patients with heart failure (HF) are not well described. The objective of the present study was to describe the characteristics of patients with HF who used illicit drugs and to determine the effects of IDU on the clinical outcomes such as in-hospital mortality and hospital readmission for HF. A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included all patients admitted with HF from June 2003 to September 2004 and followed up until 2008 at a university hospital serving an at-risk population. The patients were divided into 2 groups: IDU and non-IDU according to self-reported use or positive laboratory results. The outcome measures were in-hospital mortality, HF readmission rate, interval to readmission for HF, and average brain natriuretic peptide and troponin levels throughout the follow-up period. Of 646 reviewed records, 542, representing 357 patients, were included in the present analysis. Of the 357 patients, 53 patients were in the IDU group and 304 were in the non-IDU group. Kaplan-Meier log-rank analysis and Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that IDU was associated with a shorter interval to readmission for HF (hazard ratio 3.8, 95% confidence interval 2.3 to 10.7, p
PSIM: A processor SIMulator for basic computer architecture and operation education

A Processor SIMulator (PSIM) for a basic stored program computer architecture is described which graphically displays the architecture while showing the detailed operation on a per clock cycle basis. The instruction set consists of twenty-five instructions that can be combined to execute many complex capabilities including conditional branching. The current version of PSIM includes an assembler for compiling assembly language programs to machine language code, the ability to display values in various formats including decimal and hexadecimal, and the ability to display and write to a file the contents of the program memory at any point in the simulation.1
The passacaille in Lully's Armide: phrase structure in the choreography and the music

THE assumption that phrase symmetry in music of the classic style derives from symmetry in the dance may be traced back at least to de Lacepede's La poetique de la musique (1785).' Yet 18th-century choreographic sources show such variety in dance phrasing as to suggest that ballet masters-like composers writing for connoisseurs-toyed with conventions of symmetry. Using the rhetoric of dance movement and shape, they deftly played against expectations of symmetry by creating spatial or temporal asymmetry at odds with the symmetrical impulses of the accompanying music, even by asserting symmetry not implied by the music, or in unexpected rhythmic dimensions. That music and dance were frequently at variance with one another in this respect means, at the very least, that the perception of symmetry in phrasing at a dance performance was a many-layered experience, with the counterpoint of movement and sound creating its own special effect upon perceived phrase symmetry. For several reasons, the passacaille in Act 5 scene 2 of Jean-Baptiste Lully's tragedie lyrique Armide provides a fascinating study in phrase structure. (1) The ostinato element in the musical form, which imposes a certain degree of repetition upon the musical phrase structure, challenges both composer and choreographer not only to create variety, but to superimpose broad structural coherence and rhetorical shape upon what otherwise could be an additive form motivated primarily by virtuoso display. (2) The music exists not only in the full score of Armide published in 1686, but also in a short score arrangement published in 1713, as well as in an embellished keyboard arrangement by D'Anglebert." (3) Three notated choreographies are associated with Lully's melody, their publication dates ranging from 1711 to c.1725-an elaborate female solo dance by Louis P&cour, a female duo by Anthony L'Abb6, and a solo arranged by L'Abb6 from the duo setting.3 This article concentrates upon one of the choreographies-the remarkable solo by Pecour-and its relation to Lully's music, but also includes a general comparison with the duo by L'Abb6. By emphasizing matters of rhythm, metre and accent, rather than the use of space, this choreographic analysis highlights musical qualities in the dancing, describing its rhetoric and expression in terms associated with musical continuity and form. It envisions the dancer as part of the musical ensemble, using the human body as a musical instrument. Like the harpsichordist in a Rameau chamber work, the dancer becomes a captivating, at times dominating personality, sometimes leading, sometimes following, but always remaining an integral part of the ensemble.
Conductive coating films based on low density In2O3 powders and polymer latexes

Several kinds of conductive coating films were prepared from a low-density indium(III) oxide powder (which was employed because it provides a much higher volume for the same weight) and polymer latexes. The low-density In2O3, which is an electrically conductive pigment, was prepared by pyrolysis followed by the combustion of water-swellable polymer microspheres imbibed with In(NO3)3, the precursor of In2O3. Either acrylamide/N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide or poly(vinylalcohol)/glutaricdialdehyde was used to generate spherical hydrogel particles. The polymer latexes with which the In2O3 was mixed had a soft core and a hard shell structure to ensure that the coating film has suitable mechanical properties in addition to conductivity. Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer ABS or acrylonitrile/butylacrylate/styrene copolymer ABAS latexes were used as binders for the conductive pigment. The powder coating followed by hot pressing, the water-borne coating consisting of low-density In2O3 and polymer latexes followed by curing, or the colloidal dispersion coating was used to deposit flexible conductive coating films on polyester sheets. The conductive pigment density and the polymer latexes' size and flowability are the factors that affect the characteristics of the film. We found that the colloidal suspension coating procedure based on ABAS latexes achieves better electrical and mechanical properties for the coating films. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Polynomial relations among the nth roots of one

Abstract Let z denote a primitive n th root of one. This paper examines a special family of polynomials in n variables which vanish at (1, z ,…, z n −1 ). The family of polynomials can be used to generalize a recent Diophantine result of R. Baker and W. Schmidt.
The Effect of Merit Aid on Enrollment: A Regression Discontinuity Analysis of Iowa’s National Scholars Award

The cost of attending college has risen steadily over the past 30 years, making financial aid an important determinant of college choice for many students and a subject of concern for colleges and state governments. In this paper, we estimate the effect of rule-based merit aid assignment on students’ enrollment decisions at the University of Iowa. Iowa evaluates many students using an admissions score comprised of high school grade point average and class rank, core high school courses, and one’s ACT test score. Students from out-of-state who meet a specific threshold score qualify for the National Scholars Award (NSA), presently worth nearly $20,000 over 4 years. We employ a regression discontinuity model to take advantage of award assignment criteria, finding that the award does increase the probability of enrollment at Iowa. This result is robust for several applicant subsamples and passes falsification checks using Iowa residents, who are ineligible for the award. Preliminary analysis of an earlier, tiered version of the currently single-valued award suggests that the NSA may have strong effects on very high-achieving candidates.
Two-year follow-up of quality of life in patients referred for heart transplant

Background Assessment of physical and mental health has become one of the ultimate tests of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for patients with advanced heart failure. Little is known, however, about the comparative effects of surgical or medical treatment on the HRQOL of these chronically ill patients over time. Methods We examined 77 patients (74% of whom were male), aged 56.1 ± 12.7 years who were referred for heart transplant evaluation at a single heart failure center to describe the effects of time and treatment status on changes in HRQOL scores (physical and mental health and depression) using the Short Form-12 and the Beck Depression Inventory at 2 time points during their illness trajectory. The 2 evaluations on average were 2 years apart (mean 24.5 ± 2.8 months). All patients were evaluated at baseline, and 3 groups were identified at the time of the 2-year follow-up: transplant recipients (n = 17), transplant candidates (n = 13), and medically stable patients considered too well to receive a transplant (n = 47). Nonparametric statistics were used to analyze group differences in HRQOL scores. The significance level was set at a P value less than .05. Results Demographic and HRQOL scores were not significantly different among the 3 groups at baseline. During follow-up, physical health and depression scores significantly improved over time in all patients, but changes in mental health were minimal. Group comparisons showed that although all patients continued to have low HRQOL scores at the time of follow-up evaluation, medically stable patients had higher mental health scores and less depressive symptoms than their counterparts. Conclusion Our results support the need for ongoing HRQOL assessment with an emphasis on timely recognition and treatment of psychologic distress throughout the heart failure illness trajectory. Heart transplant recipients and candidates equally need special attention and follow-up because they both seem to have emotional and psychologic repercussions.
Wrinkling of a charged elastic film on a viscous layer

A thin metallic film deposited on a compliant polymeric substrate begins to wrinkle under compression induced in curing process and afterwards cooling of the system. The wrinkle mode depends upon the thin film elasticity, thickness, compressive strain, as well as mechanical properties of the compliant substrate. This paper presents a simple model to study the modulation of the wrinkle mode of thin metallic films bonded on viscous layers in external electric field. During the procedure, linear perturbation analysis was performed for determining the characteristic relation that governs the evolution of the plane-strain wrinkle of the thin films under varying conditions, i.e., the maximally unstable wrinkle mode as a function of the film surface charge, film elasticity and thickness, misfit strain, as well as thickness and viscosity of the viscous layer. It shows that, in proper electric field, thin film may wrinkle subjected to either compression or tension. Therefore, external electric field can be employed to modulate the wrinkle mode of thin films. The present results can be used as the theoretical basis for wrinkling analysis and mode modulation in surface metallic coatings, drying adhesives and paints, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), etc.
Microstructural and biomechanical alterations of the human aorta as a function of age and location

While it is known that the aorta stiffens with location and age, little is known about the underlying mechanisms that govern these alterations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the anisotropic biomechanical behavior and extracellular matrix microstructure of the human aorta and quantify how each changes with location and age. A total of 207 specimens were harvested from 5 locations (ascending n = 33, arch n = 38, descending n = 54, suprarenal n = 52, and abdominal n = 30) of 31 autopsy donor aortas (aged 3 days to 93 years). Each specimen underwent planar biaxial testing in order to derive quantitative biomechanical endpoints of anisotropic stiffness and compliance. Quantitative measures of fiber alignment and degree of fiber alignment were also generated on the same samples using a small-angle light scattering (SALS) technique. Circumferential and axial stiffening occurred with age and increased from the proximal to distal aorta, and the abdominal region was found to be more stiff than all others (p ≤ 0.006). Specimens from donors aged 61 and above were drastically more stiff than younger specimens (p < 0.001) and demonstrated greater circumferential compliance and axial stiffening (p < 0.001). Fiber direction for all ages and locations was predominantly circumferential (p < 0.001), and the degree of fiber alignment was found to increase with age (p < 0.001). Our results demonstrate that the aorta becomes more biomechanically and structurally anisotropic after age 60; with significant changes occurring preferentially in the abdominal aorta, these changes may play an important role in the predisposition of disease formation (e.g., aneurysm) in this region with age.
Studies on the Use of Dioxyline Phosphate in the Treatment of Angina Pectoris

Dioxyline phosphate, on the basis of pharmacologic studies, appeared to be worthy of trial in the treatment of the anginal syndrome. The patients were studied during a control period and during alternate periods of placebo and dioxyline phosphate administration. Exercise tolerance tests were performed during each of the three periods of observation. The dosage of dioxyline phosphate was 800 mg. per day orally. Five of the 12 patients with angina experienced fewer pains while taking dioxyline phosphate than they did during either the control period or the period of placebo administration. The low incidence of serious side reactions was a conspicuous feature of the study.
Infected lumbar dermoid cyst mimicking intramedullary spinal cord tumor: Observations and outcomes

We report two unusual cases of a 17-month-old boy with a previously undiagnosed lumbar dermal sinus tract terminating in an intradural dermoid cyst and holocord edema or syrinx, presenting with paraparesis and sphincter dysfunction secondary to an intramedullary abscess and a 26-month-old boy with a previously undiagnosed lumbar dermal sinus tract terminating in an infected dermoid cyst and intramedullary abscess, presenting with recurrent episodes of meningitis and hydrocephalus. Pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in these patients were initially confused for an intramedullary spinal cord tumor; however, the presence of an associated dermal sinus tract made this diagnosis of neoplasm less likely. Total excision of the dermal sinus tract, debulking of the dermoid cyst and drainage of the intramedullary abscess through an L1-L5 osteoplastic laminoplasty and midline myelotomy, followed by long-term antibiotic therapy resulted in a good functional recovery. Post-operative MRI of the spine showed removal of the dermoid cyst, decreased inflammatory granulation tissue and resolution of the holocord edema or syrinx. We also performed a literature review to determine the cumulative experience of management of intramedullary abscess in this rare clinical setting.
ELECTROPHORETIC STUDY OF SUBSTRATE AND pH DEPENDENCE OF ENDOPROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES IN GREEN MALT

The endoproteolytic enzymes of malt influence several different aspects of malt and beer quality. For this reason, we are extracting and characterizing these enzymes from green malt. The proteolytic activity of a Morex green malt extract was highest at pH 3.8 with haemoglobin substrate but gelatin hydrolysis was maximal from pH 4.7 to 6.0. Endoproteolytic hydrolysis of a 55% isopropanol-soluble reduced hordein fraction was about three times slower than gelatin hydrolysis but was relatively constant over the pH range from 3.8 to 6.5, although the activity did decrease at more acidic (3.0) or basic (7.0) pH values. To study the green malt proteinases in detail, a non-denaturing electrophoretic system was developed in which substrate proteins—either gelatin, edestin or hordein—were incorporated into an electrophoretic gel. After electrophoresis and incubation of the gels at pH 3.8, 4.7, 5.5, or 6.5 to allow enzymatic hydrolysis, the separated activities were determined by using protein staining to determine where the incorporated substrate had been hydrolysed. Using this system, seven proteolytic activity bands were detected. Five of the bands were maximally active at pH 3.8 and their activities dropped quickly as the pH increased. The other two bands, which migrated more slowly, hydrolysed gelatin more rapidly than they did the other substrates tested. Their gelatinolytic activities increased as the pH was raised (by 3- to 6-fold in the pH range tested). The electrophoretic system described has proven very useful for studying the proteinases of germinating barley seeds. The results indicate that much past research on malt proteinases may not be particularly relevant to the malting and brewing industries because it was conducted under pH conditions and with substrates that are likely quite different from those in the seed during the barley germination process. By using electrophoresis to separate proteinases before analysis, we can now study their individual characteristics and thus can conduct studies more relevant to malting and brewing.
Electric materialities and interactive technology

This paper offers new theoretical and design insights into nteractive technology. By initially considering electric technology broadly, our work informs how HCI approaches a range of specific interactive or digital things and materials. Theoretically, we contribute a rigorous analysis of electric technology using the experiential lens of phenomenology. A major result is to characterize electric technology by three forms of materiality: the electric object, its electric materiality, and electric power. In terms of design, we present and analyze novel interactive form prototypes. Our theoretical contributions offer new insight into design artifacts, just as our novel design artifacts help reveal new theoretical insight.
Studies on the differential response to glucagon concentration on gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes containing high and low glycogen

Abstract Rat liver parenchymal cells were isolated with (a) collagenase alone and (b) with both collagenase and hyaluronidase. Addition of hyaluronidase significantly decreased intracellular glycogen content of cells from fed rats. Effects of various concentrations of glucagon on gluconeogenesis were also studied in isolated hepatocytes from fed and fasted rats. Glucagon at the concentration of 10 −12 M to 10 −10 M stimulated gluconeogenesis in fed rats. Higher concentrations (10 −8 M) had no further stimulating effect. In fasted rats, glucagon at the concentrationsof 10 −12 M had no effect whereas at 10 −10 M to 10 −8 M concentrations, it stimulated gluconeogenesis by 2 fold. These studies suggest that glucagon functions in gluconeogenesis both in the fed and fasted state.
Soldering Toward Media Democracy Technical Practice as Symbolic Value in Radio Activism

This article follows radio activists engaged in a combination of policy advocacy and broadening access to technology and skills through hands-on work. In practice, this largely played out as a systematic elevation of “technical” work and downplaying of policy/advocacy expertise, even though both were salient features of their work. The article argues that radio activists cultivated a technical identity that served to mark boundaries between their group and others in the terrain of media democracy work. Technical identity also took on special significance as the group grappled with organizational maturation, mitigating the anxiety felt by workers as they experienced the shift from an inexperienced, though highly driven and successful activist collective, to a more sustainable nonprofit activist organization. The article concludes by naming technological activism as one strategy in the wider spectrum of work to promote media democracy and speculates on the consequences of technical identity within the wider...
Lewis acid–base complexation of polyamide 66 to control hydrogen bonding, extensibility and crystallinity

Abstract Polyamide 66 (PA66) has been complexed with the Lewis acid GaCl 3 for the purpose of disrupting the interchain hydrogen bonded network. FTIR and 13 C-NMR observations indicate that Ga metal cations form a 1:1 complex with the carbonyl oxygens of the PA66 amide groups. PA66–GaCl 3 films are amorphous and rubbery with a single relaxation, attributable to the glass transition temperature, at ∼−32 °C and a structure that appears by X-ray diffraction to be thermally stable to at least 200 °C. The complexed films could be drawn at room temperature to draw ratios (DR) up to ∼30, and could then be decomplexed, or regenerated, by soaking in water. GaCl 3 complexation and subsequent regeneration of PA66 was accomplished without changing its molecular weight, and all but ∼5 mol% of the amide groups in the regenerated PA66 were uncomplexed. The undrawn regenerated films regain levels of crystallinity much lower than possessed by the uncomplexed PA66 reference film. However, up to a DR of 8, drawing prior to regeneration increases the crystallinity, reaching crystallinity levels that are high for PA66, that has not been heat treated, and that are almost twice higher than in the uncomplexed (undrawn) reference film. It is intriguing that, in this DR regime, crystallinity increases quite sharply as the film is extended, despite the fact that molecular orientation does not appear to be increasing. For DR>8, the crystallinity decreases, but remains above that of the reference film. The level of crystallinity in PA66 can be controlled over a much wider range by the complexation-drawing-regeneration process than by conventional drawing processes.
Performance of the CLEO dE/dx system☆

Abstract We describe the performance of the pressurized d E /d x system of the CLEO detector. We show resolution and relativistic rise measurements. The system has been used to identify low momentum hadrons, high momentum electrons and measure the pion fraction at high momentum.
The hydrolytic polymerization of ε-caprolactone by triphenyltin acetate

The polymerization of e-caprolactone (CL) using triphenyltin acetate has been investigated. Polymers with broad MWD were obtained in almost quantitative yield. After an initial induction period, the polymerization showed zero order kinetics with respect to monomer and nearly first order with respect to catalyst. The mechanism of the propagation reaction is proposed to proceed via an ester alcoholysis, with initiation by traces of water. The zero order kinetics are explained as follows: the tin catalyst is coordinated by the cyclic lactone, monomer addition to the polymer chain in the rate-determining step results in formation of an acyclic ester link, which is no longer a strong donor, and leads to a coordinatively unsaturated tin species.
National Weather Service Warning Performance Based on the WSR-88D.

Abstract The National Weather Service (NWS) began operational use of the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) system in March 1991 at Norman, Oklahoma. WSR-88D data have been available to forecasters at five additional offices: Melbourne, Florida, and sterling, Virginia (since January 1992); St. Louis, Missouri, and Dodge City, Kansas (since March 1992); and Houston, Texas (since April 1992). The performance of the severe local storm and flash flood warning programs at the six offices before and after the availability of the WSR-88D was measured quantitatively. The verification procedures and statistical measures used in the quantitative evaluation were those used operationally by the NWS. The statistics show that the warnings improved dramatically when the WSR-88D was in operation. Specifically, the probability of detection of severe weather events increased and the number of false alarms decreased. There was also a marked improvement in the lead time for all severe local storm and flash flo...
A Reexamination of the Relationship of High School Psychology and Natural Science Courses to Performance in a College Introductory Psychology Class

Controlling for possible confoundings in a recent study (Carstms & Beck, 1986), we found that completing a high school psychology class was not related to performance in a college introductory psychology course but a strong background in high school natural science was related to higher grades in the course, especially in the section dealing with topics closely related to natural science. An explanation in terms of the congruence of the scientific-experimental focus of the natural science courses and the college psychology course is suggested.
Problem of computer science education in small colleges

These notes are a summary of views developed by the author during a visit to three small colleges under the auspices of the ACM College Consulting Service. The technological, financial and sociological problems at each of the colleges were remarkably similar, and it is hoped that this report may serve a purpose both in acquainting the computer science profession with the problems of small colleges and in helping small colleges to gain some perspective with regard to the purposes and problems of computer science education.
A frictional interfacial crack under combined shear and compression

Abstract For a center frictional interfacial crack in a bimaterial medium under remote shear loading, one crack tip is `open' and the other closed. Near the closed crack tip, the crack surfaces are in contact over a sizeable region, and the stress singularity is weaker than r −1/2 . At the `open' tip, the crack-tip stress field is well approximated by the classical oscillatory solution obtained by assuming traction-free crack surfaces although theoretically there is still an extremely small contact zone near the tip. Under a combined shear and compression loading, the open crack zone may become small, and the near-tip stress field approaches the characteristic of a field with a singularity stronger than r −1/2 . The strong singularity is obtained from a closed-form solution for a bimaterial medium with a frictional interfacial crack under combined shear and compression loading based on the assumption of a completely closed crack. It is found that the classical definition of strain-energy release rate becomes zero (or unbounded) if the singularity is weaker (or stronger) than r −1/2 and, thus, cannot be used as a fracture criterion. The finite crack-extension strain-energy release rate, which is uniquely related to the generalized mode-II stress-intensity factor, is proposed to establish a fracture criterion for frictional interfacial cracks with weak as well as strong singularities. Finally, a numerical example simulating a fiber pull-out problem is presented to demonstrate the fiber/matrix debonding crack tip behavior during pull-out.
Requirements for RNA polymerase II carboxyl-terminal domain for activated transcription of human retroviruses human T-cell lymphotropic virus I and HIV-1.

The carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase (RNAP) II contains multiple repeats with a heptapeptide consensus: Tyr-Ser-Pro-Thr-Ser-Pro-Ser. It has been proposed that phosphorylation of this CTD facilitates clearance and elongation of transcription complexes initiated at the promoters. However, not all transcribed promoters require RNAP II with full-length CTD. Furthermore, different activators can promote capably the transcriptional activity of polymerase II mutants deleted in the CTD. Thus, the role of the RNAP II CTD in transcription and in response to activators remains incompletely understood. To study the role of CTD in the regulated transcription of human retroviruses human-T cell lymphotropic virus I and human immunodeficiency virus 1, we used an α-amanitin-resistant system developed previously (Gerber, H. P., Hagmann, M., Seipel, K., Georgiev, O., West, M. A., Litingtung, Y., Schaffner, W., and Corden, J. L. (1995) Nature 374, 660-662). We found that transcription directed by the human T-cell lymphotropic virus I activator protein Tax was strongly promoted by CTD-deficient RNA polymerase II. By contrast, the human immunodeficiency virus 1 activator Tat, which is recruited to the promoter by tethering to a nascent leader RNA, requires CTD-containing polymerase II for transcriptional activity. Biochemically, we characterized that Tat associated with a cellular CTD kinase activity, whereas Tax did not. Concordantly, we found that cellular transcription factor Sp1, which can activate CTD-deficient polymerase II with an efficiency similar to Tax, also failed to bind a CTD kinase. Taken together, these observations address mechanistic corollaries between activators with(out) a linked CTD kinase and regulated transcription by RNA polymerase II moieties with(out) a CTD.
Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis

Purpose of review Pediatric sinusitis is prevalent, and the debate continues regarding how best to care for these children. Although acute sinusitis is commonly associated with an upper respiratory infection, the focus of this paper is on chronic rhinosinusitis in children. Research is often more difficult in children than adults, so many times one can learn from the adult literature and determine whether there can be application to the childhood population. Recent findings This paper looks at both medical and surgical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. "Maximal medical management" is often cited in the literature, but what this should consist of has never been clearly proved in the literature. Alternative medicine approaches as well as irrigation as an adjunct to care are discussed. Biomaterials are also be discussed. Recent outcome data are put in perspective. Summary Hopefully the reader will find the presentation stimulating. The paper does not promote surgery as a "cure all," and in the end, analysis will hopefully leave the reader more cautious but with a better understanding of this complex disease.
Estimated daily average per capita water ingestion by child and adult age categories based on USDA's 1994–1996 and 1998 continuing survey of food intakes by individuals

Water ingestion estimates are important for the assessment of risk to human populations of exposure to water-borne pollutants. This paper reports mean and percentile estimates of the distributions of daily average per capita water ingestion for a number of age range groups. The age ranges, based on guidance from the US EPA's Risk Assessment Forum, are narrow for younger ages when development is rapid and wider for older ages when the rate of development decreases. Estimates are based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) 1994-1996 and 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII). Water ingestion estimates include water ingested directly as a beverage and water added to foods and beverages during preparation at home or in local establishments. Water occurring naturally in foods or added by manufacturers to commercial products (beverage or food) is not included. Estimates are reported in milliliters (ml/person/day) and milliliters per kilogram of body weight (ml/kg/day). As a by-product of constructing estimates in terms of body weight of respondents, distributions of self-reported body weights based on the CSFII were estimated and are also reported here.