cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The pur protein family: Genetic and structural features in development and disease†

The Pur proteins are an ancient family of sequence-specific single-stranded nucleic acid-binding proteins. They bind a G-rich element in either single- or double-stranded nucleic acids and are capable of displacing the complementary C-rich strand. Recently several reports have described Pur family member knockouts, mutations, and disease aberrations. Together with a recent crystal structure of Purα, these data reveal conserved structural features of these proteins that have been adapted to serve functions unique to higher eukaryotes. In humans Pur proteins are critical for myeloid cell development, muscle development, and brain development, including trafficking of mRNA to neuronal dendrites. Pur family members have been implicated in diseases as diverse as cancer, premature aging, and fragile-X mental retardation syndrome.
An algorithm for calculating intramolecular angle-dependent forces on vector computers

We describe an approach based on projection methods for the calculation of angle-bending and torsional forces in molecular dynamics simulations. These forces are important in molecular dynamics simulations of systems containing polyatomic molecules. A significant speedup can be achieved using projection methods, because they require fewer high-cost operations than traditional cross-product methods. Initial tests on a Cray X-MP show factors of 7 and 2.5 increase in speed for the calculation of angle-bending and torsional forces, respectively, relative to a comparable cross-product formulation. Our analysis of projection methods for calculating intramolecular angle-dependent forces provides a framework for the development of efficient programming structures. 9 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs.
In vivo growth rates are poorly correlated with phage therapy success in a mouse infection model

Two classes of phages yield profoundly different levels of recovery in mice experimentally infected with an Escherichia coli O18:K1:H7 strain. Phages requiring the K1 capsule for infection (K1-dep) rescue virtually all infected mice, whereas phages not requiring the capsule (K1-ind) rescue modest numbers (∼30%). To rescue infected mice, K1-ind phages require at least a 10(6)-fold-higher inoculum than K1-dep phages. Yet their in vivo growth dynamics are only modestly inferior to those of K1-dep phages, and competition between the two phage types in the same mouse reveals only a slight growth advantage for the K1-dep phage. The in vivo growth rate seems unlikely to be the primary determinant of phage therapy success. An alternative explanation is that the success of K1-dep phages is due substantially to their proteomic composition. They encode an enzyme that degrades the K1 capsule, which has been shown in other work to be sufficient to cure infection in the complete absence of phages.
A Model Predictor for Chemical Laser Combustors

Abstract : This spreadsheet model attempts to replicate many of the empirical features observed in HF chemical laser combustors, or gain generators, from time-start. The model, dubbed HYFLAME, is constructed from control volume analyses of the combustor vessel that are described by modules depicting the simplified combustion thermochemistry, fluid mechanics for one-dimensional steady nozzle flow, chemical kinetics in frozen flow, simplified heat transfer analyses, and a simple thermal-structural model. Model outputs include combustor plenum pressures, combustor stagnation temperatures, combustor core temperatures, and average temperatures of the vessel walls. The model's principal value is to compute a key laser performance parameter, the time dependent F-Atom flow rate mdotF, which cannot be easily measured. Other equally elusive performance variables are the degree of fluorine dissociation and heat flux loss to the vessel. This variable is computed as a function of time for the Alpha Laser HL911-003 case. In principle for the same combustor, the model can predicted the numerous performance variables, given a new set of reagent flow rates as inputs.
Object Oriented Imaging For Visual Workstation Environments

Advances in workstation technology have researchers spending less time building and computing their data sets, and more time experimenting with them. Conventional computer workstations allow researchers to interactively modify images and other data, while the results of these changes are graphically rendered. Software developers are finding it necessary to redesign their applications to be more modular and interactive, taking advantage of the changes in workstation performance and architecture. In an effort to provide some of the tools necessary to assist this software effort, the University of Lowell's Center for Productivity Enhancement has developed an object oriented image processing environment. The Imaging Kernel System (IKS) is a comprehensive environment for image processing and analysis. It is viewed here as one module in an object oriented visualization environment designed to utilize the capabilities of today's visual workstation.
Current Role of Endomyocardial Biopsy in the Management of Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Myocarditis

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a common cause of congestive heart failure. Despite a thorough cardiovascular evaluation, a specific cause is frequently not found, and the disorder then is considered idiopathic. Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) may yield diagnostic and prognostic information in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy; however, the yield of useful information with this procedure among patients with heart failure is low, and the risks of occasional cardiac perforation and death further limit its use. Recent publications in the field of myocarditis and cardiomyopathy have renewed interest in the use of EMB in select patients to diagnose specific and potentially treatable myocarditides; however, the role of EMB in the work-up of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy is not well defined. In this article, we discuss the risks and utility of EMB in the management of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and specific myocarditides.
Location of foreign manufacturers in China: Agglomeration economies and country of origin effects

Using data from China, this article finds that agglomeration economies derived from the clustering of manufacturing and foreign investment activities, combined with better access to markets, influence the location of foreign manufacturers. Foreign enterprises are attracted to cities with investment incentives, but they avoid high labour cost locations. The locational patterns also suggest country of origin effects. American, Hong Kong and Taiwanese manufacturers tend to value access to domestic markets, while Japanese investors favour port cities. Further analysis indicates the presence of origin of country effects at the sectoral level.
Research on Engineering Student Knowing: Trends and Opportunities

What could we know about engineering student knowing? The answer to this question represents a form of scholarship of discovery in engineering education and a valuable complement to scholarship of teaching work in the field. To illustrate the state of this scholarship, we present twelve studies and analyze these studies across aspects of knowledge, level of experience, and research approach. We then use these analyses to identify trends in the existing research and opportunities for future research.
The Second Market Failure Phenomenon in Safety-Net Health Systems: The Case of a Municipal Academic Medical Center from 1980 to 2000

The specific aim of this analysis is to demonstrate how the trade-off between efficiency and equity policy approaches affects the ability of at-risk children to access quality health care services at the King/Drew Medical Center of Los Angeles County from 1980 to 2000. The concept of a second market phenomenon is used as a framework to illustrate how efficiency-seeking behaviors of federal, state, and local government actors affected government intervention efforts initiated to remedy health care access hardships created by market failure in low-income communities. A second market failure occurs when government failure results from the reintroduction of market protocols in an environment where the market had originally failed to facilitate the distribution of basic goods and services. The review suggest that financial austerity at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services in the context of federal, state, and local government policies that emphasized allocative efficiencies, compromised equity ...
Building consensus via iterative voting

In networked systems comprised of many agents, it is often required to reach a common operating point of all agents, termed the network consensus. We consider two iterative methods for reaching a ranking (ordering) consensus over a voter network, where the initial preference of every voter is of the form of a full ranking of candidates. The voters are allowed, one at a time and based on some random scheme, to change their votes to bring them “closer” to the opinions of selected subsets of peers. The first consensus method is based on changing votes one adjacent swap at a time; the second method is based on changing votes via averaging with the votes of peers, potentially leading to many adjacent swaps at a given time. For the first model, we characterize convergence points and conditions for convergence. For the second model, we prove convergence to a global ranking and derive the rate of convergence to this consensus.
Conditioned avoidance responses survive contingency degradation in the garden slug, Lehmannia valentiana

Joint presentations of a conditioned stimulus (CS) and an unconditioned stimulus (US) strengthen the contingency between them, whereas presentations of one stimulus without the other degrade this contingency. For example, the CS can be presented without the US either before conditioning (CS–no US and then CS–US; latent inhibition) or after conditioning (CS–US and then CS–no US; extinction). In vertebrate subjects and several invertebrate species, a time lapse usually results in a return of the conditioned response, or spontaneous recovery. However, in land mollusks, spontaneous recovery from extinction has only recently been reported, and response recovery after latent inhibition has not been reported. In two experiments, using conditioned aversion to a food odor as a measure of learning and memory retention, we observed contingency degradation via latent inhibition (Experiment 1) and extinction (Experiment 2) in the common garden slug, Lehmannia valentiana. In both situations, the contingency degradation procedure successfully attenuated conditioned responding, and delaying testing by several days resulted in recovery of the conditioned response. This suggests that the CS–US association survived the degradation manipulation and was retained over an interval of several days.
Foreign-Owned Firms and Regional—Functional Specialization

It is hypothesized that the subnational, interregional location of foreign direct investment is influenced by the country of origin, the industry, and the specific functions of the investment. The authors studied these characteristics of 1163 foreign-owned business establishments in New York State, comparing them with the location, industry specialization, and occupational structure of five regions of New York State. Foreign-owned businesses take full part in the spatial division of activities across the state. Indeed, in some cases the special needs of foreign-owned business have led the specialization of regions' industry and activity mixes. Where a region's sectoral or activity mix is not greatly reinforced by the foreign-owned activities in the region, it is usually because of the intervening effects of source-country specialization or source-country locational proclivity.
Elastic‐plastic materials as simple materials

A theory including classical elastic-plastic materials is derived as a special case of the theory of simple material under certain hypotheses of smoothness and rate-independence. The concepts of yield functions and flow rules of the classical theories are shown to be defined by the stress functional of a simple material under these smoothness hypotheses. A classical strain-hardening elastic-plastic material is included as an example. Eine Theorie, die klassische elastisch-plastische Materialien einschliest, wird als Sonderfall der Theorie der ein fachen Materialien abgeleitet, und zwar unter gewissen Annahmen, die die Glattheit und die Geschwindigkeitsunabhangigkeit (rate-independence) betreffen. Es wird gezeigt, das unter diesen Glattheitsvoraussetzungen die Fliesfunktionen und die Fliesgesetze der klassischen Theorien durch das Spannungsfunktional eines einfachen Materials-definiert sind. Ein klassisches verfestigendes elastisch-plastisches Material ist als Beispiel aufgefuhrt.
Theory of the drift of asymmetrically-heated lithospheric plates

Abstract An approximate solution to the problem of the drift of a raft formed of two parallel wires, differentially heated, rigidly coupled and floating in a fluid of finite thickness and with linear viscosity, has been obtained and is shown to agree well with experiment up to a multiplicative constant. In addition, the solution to the problem of the drift of a solid raft with a suspended single-wire heater also shows good agreement with experiment up to a multiplicative constant. In both cases, the rafts drift with constant velocity. For small amounts of heat, the drift velocity is proportional to the first power of the heat input; for large amounts of heat, the drift velocity is proportional to the square root of the heat input. Within imponderable factors of an order of magnitude, the drift velocities are appropriate for drift of lithospheric plates containing both an oceanic and a continental part.
The melanocortin system as a central integrator of direct and indirect controls of food intake.

the neural control of food intake and body weight is a complex function in which cognitive and emotional variables, as well as long-term signals of metabolic status and fuel storage, are integrated with short-term signals related to individual meals. Several years ago, Smith ([20][1]) proposed a
Microchromosomes in the American red fox, Vulpes fulva.

Studies of the chromosomes of a domesticated and five wild red foxes, Vulpes fulva, have produced chromosome counts of 35, 36, 37 and 38. Karyotypic analyses revealed that variations in the number of microchromosomes produced this polymorphism; moreover, it is suggested that these microchromosomes may arise from fragmentation of the macrochromosomes. Because it has not been possible to establish a consistent chromosome count for this species, it is further suggested that 2n=34 be used to describe the basic diploid count and that the number of microchromosomes present be added to this figure. Thus, a total chromosome count of 36 would, by the suggested system, be recorded as 2n=34+2m.
Template-directed carbon nanotube network using self-organized Si nanocrystals

We demonstrate a way to direct carbon nanotube growth using Si nanocrystals that are self-ordered via the thermal decomposition of thin silicon-on-insulator substrates. The Si nanocrystals are about 90nm wide and 100–150nm tall, with 200nm spacing. Nanotubes connect the silicon nanocrystals to form a network. Nanotubes selectively appear between tops of the Si nanocrystals. We show that the flow pattern of the carbon feedstock in the chemical vapor deposition growth process is disturbed by the geometric effect of the Si nanocrystals, providing a mechanism for growth between the tops of the Si nanocrystals.
40 Gbit/s return-to-zero transmission over 500 km of standard fibre using chirped fibre Bragg gratings with small group delay ripples

A 40 Gbit/s return-to-zero transmission has been successfully achieved over 500 km using standard fibres (non-dispersion shifted fibre, singlemode fibre) and chirped fibre Bragg gratings (CFBG). CFBGs were fabricated with small group delay ripples, and error-free transmission (BER < 1 × 10-12) was achieved using these CFBGs for dispersion compensation.
An evaluation of class knowledge transfer from synthetic to real hyperspectral imagery

Hyperspectral imagery provides ample signal content to identify and distinguish between spectrally similar, but compositionally unique, materials, but representative training samples for all materials in a given scene are often unavailable in remote sensing applications. We propose a technique which leverages training spectra of materials from one hyperspectral image (the source), for classifying another (target) hyperspectral image, allowing robust target detection of source classes in the target image. By locating spectra of known material species in the source image which are also known in the target image, we derive a transformation that compensates for systematic spectral differences between the images, including atmospheric or seasonal effects, calibration differences, and noise. With this transformation — applied as a similarity measure — we can adapt a classifier trained on spectra from the source image, to classify the target image. We evaluate our technique between a pair of synthetic hyperspectral images with systematic differences in the spectral signatures of corresponding materials. Then we assess the feasibility of using synthetic imagery for training a classifier to identify spectral species in similar, real images, and show knowledge transfer results between a synthetic (HYDICE-type) source image and a real low-altitude AVIRIS target image of a complex urban area.
Large electron—phonon interaction but low‐temperature superconductivity in lab6

Combined experimental and theoretical studies are reported of the Fermi surface, band structure, generalized magnetic susceptibility, electron-phonon enhancement factor λ and superconducting transition temperature TT of LaB6. Whereas the unusually large λ values, ranging from 1.0 to 2.5, are expected to result in high TT values, TT is observed to be only 0.122°K. These results further emphasize the need for appropriate theoretical formulations for these systems.
Chiral separation of nanomole amounts of alprenolol with cITP/NMR

On-line cITP–NMR with chiral selectors separates and concentrates analytes and identifies host–guest interactions of analytes with selectivity enhancers in the electrolyte. An NMR microcoil designed for a 200 μm i.d. capillary creates a high-mass-sensitivity 30 nL NMR cell and is used as an on-line detector for cITP. Using a mixture of 2 nmol racemic alprenolol in acetate buffer with α-cyclodextrin and sulfated β-cyclodextrin at pD 6.0, cITP–NMR successfully separates and concentrates both R- and S-alprenolol. The concentration enhancement for the R isomer is 224-fold and for the S isomer is 200-fold. The estimated concentration at peak maximum for R-alprenolol is ~28 mmol L−1 and a slightly lower concentration, 25 mmol L−1 is achieved for S-alprenolol. These concentrations convert to placing 76% of the injected S-alprenolol and 84% of the R-alprenolol into the 30 nL detection cell at peak maximum. With on-flow cITP–NMR, intermolecular interactions between the cyclodextrins and the alprenolol are observed in the NMR spectra. Aromatic and methyl moieties of R- and S-alprenolol are identified as two important sites that bind with these particular cyclodextrins.
Serum protein leakage in aged human brain and inhibition of ligand binding at alpha2-adrenergic and cholinergic binding sites

Serum proteins are known to extravasate into the brain parenchyma in senile and presenile dementia (Glenner: Hum. Pathol. 16:433-435, 1986; Wisniewski and Kozlowski: Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 396:119-129, 1982). We have recently demonstrated that human serum Cohn fraction IV (alpha-globulin enriched) inhibits ligand binding at putative dopamine and serotonin2 receptors labeled by [3H]spiroperidol in human brain (Andorn, Pappolla, Fox, Klemens, and Martello: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:4572-4575, 1986). We now demonstrate that serum proteins can be identified in the neuropil and in neuronal cell bodies in normal aged brain, that alpha-globulin-enriched fractions inhibit ligand binding at alpha 2-adrenergic and muscarinic binding sites in human brain as well, and that serum proteins can be identified within neuronal cytoplasm and axons.
Post-concussive syndrome in a female basketball player: A case study

The objective of this case study was to identify the signs and symptoms of concussion and post-concussive syndrome in a collegiate, female basketball player, as well as her progress to becoming symptom free. The patient, a previously healthy, 21-year-old with no previous head injuries, experienced a concussion and continued to participate in her sport. Even though the athlete knew the risks of playing while symptomatic, she did not report her symptoms, and continued playing until the season ended. This case highlights that even when patients know the risks, they may be willing to overlook them to continue playing and it emphasizes the importance of further education. In addition, it shows that even when following recommended guidelines, and with normal neurocognitive testing, symptoms may come back upon return to play.
Intraosseous injection during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in dogs

Five mixed breed dogs were used to investigate the feasibility of femoral intraosseous injection during cardiac arrest. The intraosseous route was evaluated in the anaesthetised dogs after induction of cardiac arrest. Fluorescein dye was injected through pre-placed intraosseous catheters during cardiac massage. The dye was detected at the membrana nictitans five to 12 seconds later indicating successful transfer from the femoral marrow cavity to the systemic circulation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The clinical value of intraosseous injection during CPR is discussed and compared with the endotracheal administration of drugs.
Cycloaddition extrusion reactions in the preparation of pyrroles. A DFT-AM1 theoretical study

Abstract The acetylene addition to oxazolium and N -methyloxazolium oxides with subsequent carbon dioxide elimination from the cycloadduct was studied with hybrid Becke3LYP density functional theory (DFT) employing a 6-31G ∗ basis set. An alternative approach using the Becke3LYP/6-31G ∗ energy evaluation on AM1 geometries is offered as a method of choice for the theoretical study. The geometries and energies of the molecules obtained by these two approaches are compared with one another as well as with the experimental results. The applicability of using the Becke3LYP-AM1 approach for studying these reaction types is discussed.
Complications of Porcine Small Intestine Submucosa Graft for Peyronie’s Disease

Purpose: We report outcomes and complications of the use of porcine small intestine submucosa for correcting penile curvature due to Peyronie’s disease.Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed in patients with severe penile curvature (greater than 60 degrees) requiring surgical correction for sexual function. Preoperatively all patients underwent evaluation, including history, physical and penile duplex ultrasound. Of these patients 19 underwent tunical grafting with 1-layer Surgisis® small intestine submucosa. Postoperatively patients were evaluated with clinic visits and telephone interviews to assess results.Results: A total of 19 patients 46 to 69 years old (mean age 54) were treated with tunical incision or excision and grafting with small intestine submucosa between March 2002 and July 2005. Average followup was 15 months (range 3 to 43). Patients reported less penile pain with intercourse after surgery. There was no difference in Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores. Preoperativ...
Engineered synovial joint condyle using demineralized bone matrix

Abstract In an effort to develop tissue-engineered bio-joints, a novel demineralized joint scaffold was achieved by peeling off the cartilage layer of a distal femur joint condyle. Primary chondrocytes were then seeded onto the demineralized joint condyle scaffolds and cultured in vitro for 6 weeks. Histological staining and biochemical assays of the engineered joints showed that after 6 weeks in vitro culture, a cartilaginous layer had formed on the demineralized joint scaffold that was similar to native synovial articular cartilage with respect to palpation and texture. Meanwhile, the engineered joint condyle cartilage demonstrated rudimentary morphological and structural resemblance to native cartilage. Intense and uniform safranin-O red staining was found in engineered joint condyle cartilage. Furthermore, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) assays confirmed that there were no statistical differences in the GAG/DNA ratio between the engineered joint cartilage and native cartilage (p > 0.05). In conclusion, a novel scaffold and a practical method have therefore been developed for total joint tissue engineering based on demineralized bone scaffold. The morphological appearance of the engineered joint and the rudimentary biochemical quantification resemble that of a native articular condyle.
Harmful Algal Bloom Characterization at Ultra-High Spatial and Temporal Resolution Using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) degrade water quality and produce toxins. The spatial distribution of HAbs may change rapidly due to variations wind, water currents, and population dynamics. Risk assessments, based on traditional sampling methods, are hampered by the sparseness of water sample data points, and delays between sampling and the availability of results. There is a need for local risk assessment and risk management at the spatial and temporal resolution relevant to local human and animal interactions at specific sites and times. Small, unmanned aircraft systems can gather color-infrared reflectance data at appropriate spatial and temporal resolutions, with full control over data collection timing, and short intervals between data gathering and result availability. Data can be interpreted qualitatively, or by generating a blue normalized difference vegetation index (BNDVI) that is correlated with cyanobacterial biomass densities at the water surface, as estimated using a buoyant packed cell volume (BPCV). Correlations between BNDVI and BPCV follow a logarithmic model, with r2-values under field conditions from 0.77 to 0.87. These methods provide valuable information that is complimentary to risk assessment data derived from traditional risk assessment methods, and could help to improve risk management at the local level.
SHIP ESCORT RESPONSE VESSEL SYSTEM (SERVS) FISHING VESSEL OIL SPILL RESPONSE TRAINING

ABSTRACT During the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup it became obvious that fishing vessels were a valuable asset. Their value was recognized by the Ship Escort Response Vessel System (SERVS), and they have become an integral part of the SERVS response capability. SERVS is a world leader in oil spill prevention and response and is charged with meeting the requirements of the Prince William Sound Tanker Oil Discharge Prevention and Response Plan. The Prince William Sound response plan and the Nearshore Response Plan both require a trained group of oil spill technicians to operate a fleet of small boats. Fishing vessels and their crews are in an ideal position to fulfill this function. SERVS and Prince William Sound Community College (PWSCC) are in the third year of a fishing vessel crew training program. Prince William Sound Community College, as part of the University of Alaska system, has developed a partnership with SERVS that included the codevelopment of a fishing vessel training program. The three majo...
A critical look at posterior composite restorations

The limited serviceability of posterior composite resins relates not only to the lack of a durable composite material, but also to other factors such as postoperative sensitivity, difficulty in achieving proximal contacts, marginal leakage, and recurrent caries. However, most of the problems can be overcome by attention to materials used, selection of teeth to be restored, and clinical techniques.
Discussion of the finite-element modelling and performance of ring-shell projectors

The paper discusses the finite-element modelling and performance of ring-shell projectors, a particular type of flextensional projector. A ring-shell projector can be used near its resonance frequency as a high-power source, or as a moderate-power broadband source. The most recent design of ring-shell projector has a resonance frequency of 349 Hz, a mechanical Q-factor of 10.6 and a source level of 205 dB relative to 1 μPa at 1 m. Finite-element predictions of the transmitting response and admittance show good agreement with the measured values. Ring-shell projectors that are passively pressure compensated have a maximum operating depth in excess of 300 m and a safe immersion depth of at least 450 m.
Left ventricular ejection fraction determined by radionuclide ventriculography in early stages of first transmural myocardial infarction. Relation to short-term prognosis.

Left ventricular ejection fraction was determined with multiple gated equilibrium cardiac blood pool scintigraphy within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms of a first acute transmural myocardial infarction in 56 patients (23 with anterior and 33 with inferior infarction). A depressed ejection fraction (less than 0.54) was more frequent in patients with anterior (96 percent) than in those with inferior (61 percent) infarction (p The overall data thus indicate that left ventricular ejection fraction is significantly reduced in acute anterior myocardial infarction but not in inferior infarction except in patients with associated precordial S-T segment depression. An ejection fraction of 0.30 or less is of prognostic value in predicting a high risk of hospital morbidity and mortality from pump failure in patients with a first acute transmural infarction.
Microgastria in the Genetic Clinic

Microgastria is a rare developmental anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract that occurs during organogenesis(5th to 9th week of gestation). It could be a solitary malformation or part of multiple anomalies(syndromic microgastria). Prenatally absent/tiny stomach bubble is the sonographic sign. Between January 2, 1982 and April 15, 1999 through the University of South Florida Genetic clinics there were ten probands with suspected/confirmed microgastria. They were part of the 35414 probands/families evaluated. Four were seen through the pediatric genetic clinic. All had microgastria with associated anomalies: JC a Mexican one-year-old boy had it with extensive partial albinism, mixed bilateral hearing loss, blepharophimosis, abnormal nasolacrimal ducts. ASD, pulmonic stenosis, pectus carinarum, asymmetric brachydactyly, mild mental retardation and 46, XY karyotype. JH was a newborn Caucasian girl with polyhydramnios, intrauterine growth retardation, TE fistula, tetralogy of Fallot, partial situs-inversus. second and third toe syndactyly and 46, XX karyotype. CC was a premature newborn Caucasian girl with polyhydramnios. TE fistula, spleen with extraneous lobe, GE reflux that required Nissen fundoplicalion, pectus carinatum and left inguinal hernia. DW was a newborn Caucasian boy with left cleft lip and palate. GE reflux, ectrodactyly including lobster foot, failure to thrive, short stature and 46, XY karyotype. All required frequent small feedings and DW had surgery to create a larger stomach. PS, LM, MM. RC, SS and CS were seen through the prenatal clinic/fetal board registry. On targeted sonograms their fetuses did not show a “stomach bubble”. The male fetus of PS had Trisomy 21 with single umbilical artery and polyhydramnios; a stillbirth took place(PS developed class A1 diabetes mellirus during the gestation). LM had a stillborn girl with anencephaly, sacral spina bifida and cleft lip. Autopsies of the stillborns were declined. The 46, XX fetus of MM showed also single umbilical artery and polyhydramnios. The fetuses of RC, SS and CS did not show other abnormalities but all failed to return to the clinic. Comparing these pediatric/genetic and prenatal patients it is obvious that postnatal genetic evaluations are a must whenever microgastria is suspected. Without them “no stomach bubble” may or may not represent microgastria. The same applies to the stillboms withoutautopsies. The “absent bubble” is a sonographic impression which requires confirmation. Otherwise overdiagnosis of microgastria is taking place.
NEUTRON NONELASTIC CROSS SECTIONS AT 21.0, 25.5, AND 29.2 Mev

Neutron nonelastic collision cross sections for eleven elements were measured in the energy range 21 to 19 Mev. Corrections were applied to the data by means of a UNIVAC calculation. Sinoe no experimental neutron angular distributions are available in this energy region, optical-model calculations were used for the corrosion problem. In general the cross sections it 25 Mev are 10 to 20% lower than at 14 Mev. (auth)
Work patterns and marital status change

The impact of marital status changes on the lives of adults and children has increased importance as marriage, divorce, and remarriage have become more frequent patterns of family composition change. These events can often be predicted by the family members involved so that they may be accompanied by changes in labor market activity prior to the events themselves. The study reported here uses panel data to examine the labor market activity changes that precede marital status changes. Women who become divorced increase hours of work in the year or two before the divorce occurs, and women who become remarried decrease hours of work in the year of the remarriage and thereafter. For men there seems to be little change in labor supply during these years. However, hours of housework for men do seem to change.
Lithium 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidide-Mediated α- and β-Lithiations of Epoxides: Solvent-Dependent Mechanisms

Lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (LiTMP)-mediated alpha- and beta-lithiations of epoxides are described. LiTMP displays a markedly higher reactivity than does lithium diisopropylamide, consistent with literature reports. Detailed rate studies of LiTMP/THF and LiTMP/Me(2)NEt mixtures reveal similar rates but significant mechanistic differences. LiTMP-mediated alpha-lithiation of cis-cyclooctene oxide with subsequent oxacarbenoid formation and transannular C-H insertion proceeds via monosolvated dimers in both THF and Me(2)NEt. LiTMP-mediated beta-lithiation of 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene oxide affords the corresponding allylic alcohol via a monosolvated monomer in THF and a monosolvated dimer in Me(2)NEt. We discuss how the solvent-dependent aggregation of LiTMP markedly influences the rate profile. The reaction transition structures are examined with density functional computations.
33 A NICU PARENT BOOKLET AND ITS EVALUATION

This paper discusses the origins and content of a NICU parent orientation booklet and its evaluation. The booklet (NICU) is given to parents at the time of transport, or birth, of their infant. Its effectiveness was evaluated by questionnaire to 100 parents within two weeks after their neonate's admission. 98 parents read the booklet; 90% of those who read the booklet found it helpful in understanding therapy, routine and special procedures. 74% found it helpful in understanding terms used by the staff. 94% understood visiting and their care-taking roles upon their first visit. 85% found the booklet helpful knowing what to expect and to feel more comfortable during their first visit. 98% felt comfortable in asking questions freely after being prompted to do so by the booklet. Less than 5% felt the pictures made them feel worse. 83% of the transport team, 30% of staff nurses and 20% of housestaff used the booklet to supplement their orientation of families to the NICU. We concluded that a family orientation booklet to a NICU is helpful in preparing families for the events of a NICU admission of their neonate.
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient

Abstract Aspergillosis is the group of diseases caused by the Aspergillus species, which cause a broad spectrum of disease, ranging from hypersensitivity reactions to direct angioinvasion. The major forms of pulmonary aspergillosis range from aspergilloma with a relatively benign course to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, which is uniformly fatal. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis more commonly occurs in immunocompromised patients, with a rapidly progressing course leading to death. We report a case of an immunocompetent patient who developed fatal pneumonia secondary to Aspergillus fumigatus .
Life-threatening anaphylaxis following envenomation by two different species of Crotalidae

Anaphylactic reaction to snake venom occurs rarely but is a risk in those victims with previous exposure to venomous snakes and their venom. We present the case of a herpetologist who suffered acute, life-threatening anaphylaxis on two separate occasions following envenomation by two different species of rattlesnake. On both occasions the patient received treatment for anaphylaxis within minutes of being bitten and responded well. Administration of crotalidae antivenin was unnecessary. Snake venom is a heterologous mixture of proteins and other chemicals and is able to provoke immune sensitization to its components in humans. Antigenic similarities are often present in venoms of different species. IgE and IgG have been demonstrated in sera from patients who have suffered snake venom anaphylaxis. This case testifies to the immunogenicity of rattlesnake venom across species.
A chirped fiber Bragg grating with ripple free group delay and its application in laser ranging

The group delay ripple (< +/−50ps) of a chirped fiber Bragg grating (dispersion = 1651ps/nm) is removed by spectral phase modulation to achieve twofold improvement in the range resolution (∼320μm) of a chirped pulse lidar.
Parallel electric fields as acceleration mechanisms in three-dimensional magnetic reconnection

Abstract An extension to the theory of General Magnetic Reconnection (GMR) is presented. In particular, a new analytical relation between the rate of change of newly connected magnetic flux and the maximum possible value of the parallel component of the electric field integrated along the magnetic field will be derived. Estimates of the maximum value based on three-dimensional MHD simulations will be presented also.
On the tractability of estimating the germ process of certain germ–grain random set models and related problems

Abstract The germ process embedded in a germ–grain random set is often not merely part of a constructive mathematical model, but has physical significance as well, e.g., in the modeling of cell cultures. In such situations, knowledge of the realization of the germ process associated with a particular random set observation is highly desirable. In this paper, it is shown that, for an interesting class of germ–grain models, maximum likelihood estimation of the germ process on the basis of a random set observation is an NP-complete computational problem. Certain additional computational problems associated with the probabilistic specification of morphologically processed random sets are also discussed.
String analysis for Java and Android applications

String analysis is critical for many verification techniques. However, accurately modeling string variables is a challeng- ing problem. Current approaches are generally customized for certain problem domains or have critical limitations in handling loops, providing context-sensitive inter-procedural analysis, and performing efficient analysis on complicated apps. To address these limitations, we propose a general framework, Violist, for string analysis that allows researchers to more flexibly choose how they will address each of these challenges by separating the representation and interpreta- tion of string operations. In our evaluation, we show that our approach can achieve high accuracy on both Java and Android apps in a reasonable amount of time. We also com- pared our approach with a popular and widely used string analyzer and found that our approach has higher precision and shorter execution time while maintaining the same level of recall.
Economic Production Lot Size Model with Variable Production Rate and Imperfect Quality

The classical economic production lot size (EPL) model assumes a constant production rate that is predetermined and inflexible, and perfect quality. Recent models have removed the assumption of perfect quality while maintaining the inflexible production rate assumption. Production rates in many cases, such as orders filled by a machine, can be changed. Moreover, unit production cost and process quality depend on the production rate. In this paper, we extend the EPL model to cases where the production rate is a decision variable. Unit production cost becomes a function of the production rate. Also, the quality of the production process deteriorates with increased production rate. We solve the proposed model for special cost and quality functions and illustrate the results with a numerical example. The results show that, for cases where increases in the production rate lead to a significant deterioration in quality, the optimal production rate may be smaller than the rate that minimizes unit production cost. For cases where quality is largely independent of the production rate, the optimal production rate may be larger than the rate that minimizes unit production cost.
Prazosin alters free and total plasma digoxin levels in dogs

Digoxin has been associated with a variety of drug interactions. Studies in our laboratory indicate that single doses of prazosin may alter plasma steady-state digoxin levels. Adult mongrel dogs were given digoxin tablets orally (0.008 mg/kg, twice daily) until steady-state levels of digoxin were reached. Dogs were then tested in a cross-over study with prazosin and saline. Plasma samples were assayed for both free and total plasma digoxin via radioimmunoassay. Free drug was separated from protein bound drug utilizing a micropartition system. Plasma binding of digoxin as well as nonspecific tissue binding was reduced by prazosin and resulted in an increased fraction of free digoxin in plasma. The increase in free digoxin leads to an increase in the pool of digoxin available for pharmacologic activity. Acute experiments demonstrated such an increased pharmacologic effect of digoxin in the presence of prazosin. Prazosin pretreatment prior to a continuous digoxin infusion significantly increased the positive inotropic effect of digoxin compared to dogs receiving only digoxin.
Measurements and calculations of thermal neutron fluence rate and neutron energy spectra resulting from moderation of 252Cf fast neutrons: applications for neutron capture therapy.

252 Cf is a neutron emitting radioisotope which has promise for both standard brachytherapy and neutron capture enhanced brachytherapy. In this study, experimental measurements and calculations were used to determine the thermal neutron fluence rate, φ th [ n cm −2 s −1 mg −1 ], in the vicinity of 252 Cf applicator tube (AT) type sources. Results of these measurements were confirmed with Monte Carlo calculations performed in a distributed manner on multiple workstations using MCNP. Three studies were executed: (1) relative φ th as a function of distance from a 252 Cf AT source in an A-150 tissue equivalent plastic phantom using thermoluminescent dosimeters(TLDs) of varying 6 Li/Li enrichment, (2) φ th measured with gold foils in a 114 liter water phantom 5 cm from two 252 Cf AT sources, and (3) calculations of the impact of phantom material composition (e.g., A-150, water, brain,muscle) on φ th from moderated 252 Cf fast neutrons.TLD results and Monte Carlo calculations in A-150 of relative φ th typically agreed within 1% and at most differed by 3% for distances from 1 to 6 cm. Foil measurements followed the ASTM E 262-86e protocol, and the ratio of activated plain and Cd encased gold foils (7.31) agreed well with the calculated ratio (7.26). Measured φ th at 5 cm (1.70±0.10×10 7 n cm −2 s −1 mg −1 ) was 10% greater than that determined using MCNP (1.55±0.12×10 7 n cm −2 s −1 mg −1 ), but was within the combined uncertainties. Compared with A-150 at a distance of 1 cm, φ th was 20%, 22%, and 32% less for water, brain, and muscle, respectively; these ratios decreased to 16%, 16%, and 24% less, respectively, at a distance of 5 cm from the source in a 15 cm diameter phantom. Comparisons of these results generally agreed with those in the literature for a value of 2×10 7 n cm −2 s −1 mg −1 in water at 3 cm.
Fabrication of an annealable platinum (111) single crystal ultramicroelectrode

Abstract A technique for fabrication of platinum (111) single crystal ultramicroelectrodes (scumes) of disk shape with diameters from 25 to 50 μm is outlined. The fabricated scumes encapsulated in soft sodium glass can be annealed in a furnace at temperatures up to 700 °C. The current voltage curve of the Pt scume in 0.5 M sulfuric acid shows adsorption/desorption states of hydrogen typical for platinum (111) surfaces in the given region of potentials. This indicates that the surface of the fabricated single crystal ultramicroelectrode is clean and well oriented. The method chosen for growing the platinum single crystals utilizes long annealing of platinum microspheres in a methane flame for several hours. Crystals produced this way developed all eight (111) and six (100) facets. Development of large (100) facets has been observed on all beads annealed for more than 30 min. Depending on the time of annealing this method can also produce crystals with the shape of a truncated octahedron.
Chemical contaminants in water and sediment near fish nesting sites in the Potomac River basin: Determining potential exposures to smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

Abstract The Potomac River basin is an area where a high prevalence of abnormalities such as testicular oocytes (TO), skin lesions, and mortality has been observed in smallmouth bass (SMB, Micropterus dolomieu). Previous research documented a variety of chemicals in regional streams, implicating chemical exposure as one plausible explanation for these biological effects. Six stream sites in the Potomac basin (and one out-of-basin reference site) were sampled to provide an assessment of chemicals in these streams. Potential early life-stage exposure to chemicals detected was assessed by collecting samples in and around SMB nesting areas. Target chemicals included those known to be associated with important agricultural and municipal wastewater sources in the Potomac basin. The prevalence and severity of TO in SMB were also measured to determine potential relations between chemistry and biological effects. A total of 39 chemicals were detected at least once in the discrete-water samples, with atrazine, caffeine, deethylatrazine, simazine, and iso-chlorotetracycline being most frequently detected. Of the most frequently detected chemicals, only caffeine was detected in water from the reference site. No biogenic hormones/sterols were detected in the discrete-water samples. In contrast, 100 chemicals (including six biogenic hormones/sterols) were found in a least one passive-water sample, with 25 being detected at all such samples. In addition, 46 chemicals (including seven biogenic hormones/sterols) were found in the bed-sediment samples, with caffeine, cholesterol, indole, para-cresol, and sitosterol detected in all such samples. The number of herbicides detected in discrete-water samples per site had a significant positive relation to TOrank (a nonparametric indicator of TO), with significant positive relations between TOrank and atrazine concentrations in discrete-water samples and to total hormone/sterol concentration in bed-sediment samples. Such significant correlations do not necessarily imply causation, as these chemical compositions and concentrations likely do not adequately reflect total SMB exposure history, particularly during critical life stages.