cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A high spatiotemporal study of somatic exocytosis with scanning electrochemical microscopy and nanoITIES electrodes

Extra-synaptic exocytosis is an essential component of cellular communication. A knowledge gap exists in the exocytosis of the non-redox active transmitter acetylcholine. Using the nano-interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), a high resolution spatiotemporal study of acetylcholine exocytosis is shown from an individual neuronal soma. The nanoelectrode was positioned ∼140 nm away from the release sites on the soma using an SECM. The quantitative study enables the obtaining of key information related to cellular communication, including extracellular concentration of the neurotransmitter, cellular permeability, Ca2+ dependence on somatic release, vesicle density, number of molecules released and the release dynamics. Measurements were achieved with a high signal to noise ratio of 6-19. The released neurotransmitter with a concentration of 2.7 (±1.0) μM was detected at the nanoelectrodes with radii of 750 nm to 860 nm.
Expression of pokeweed antiviral proteins in creeping bentgrass

Fungal diseases of creeping bentgrass, an important amenity grass used extensively on golf courses, are a serious problem in golf course management. Transgenic approaches to improving disease resistance to fungal diseases are being explored in many species, and in some cases ribosome-inactivating proteins have been found to be effective. We have generated transgenic creeping bentgrass plants expressing three forms of ribosome-inactivating proteins from pokeweed, which are termed pokeweed antiviral proteins (PAP). PAP-Y and PAP-C are nontoxic mutants of PAP; PAPII is the native form of another ribosome-inactivating protein from pokeweed. In creeping bentgrass, PAP-C transformants did not accumulate the protein, suggesting that it is unstable, and in a field test these plants were not protected from infection by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia homoeocarpa, the causal agent of dollar spot disease. PAPII transformants could accumulate stable levels of the protein but had symptoms of toxicity; one low-expressing line exhibited good disease resistance. PAP-Y transformants accumulated stable levels of protein, and under greenhouse conditions they appeared to be phenotypically normal.
Brainstem network disruption: A pathway to sudden unexplained death in epilepsy?

Observations in witnessed Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) suggest that a fatal breakdown of the central autonomic control could play a major role in SUDEP. A previous MR study found volume losses in the mesencephalon in focal epilepsy that were more severe and extended into the lower brainstem in two patients who later died of SUDEP. The aims of this study were to demonstrate an association (1) between brainstem volume loss and impaired autonomic control (reduced heart rate variability [HRV]); (2) between brainstem damage and time to SUDEP in patients who later died of SUDEP. Two populations were studied: (1) Autonomic system function population (ASF, 18 patients with focal epilepsy, 11 controls) with HRV measurements and standardized 3 T MR exams. (2) SUDEP population (26 SUDEP epilepsy patients) with clinical MRI 1-10 years before SUDEP. Deformation-based morphometry of the brainstem was used to generate profile similarity maps from the resulting Jacobian determinant maps that were further characterized by graph analysis to identify regions with excessive expansion indicating significant volume loss or atrophy. The total number of regions with excessive expansion in ASF was negatively correlated with HRV (r = -.37, p = .03), excessive volume loss in periaqueductal gray/medulla oblongata autonomic nuclei explained most of the HRV associated variation (r/r2 = -.82/.67, p < .001). The total number of regions with excessive expansion in SUDEP was negatively correlated with time to SUDEP (r = -.39, p = .03), excessive volume loss in the raphe/medulla oblongata at the obex level explained most of the variation of the time between MRI to SUDEP (r/r2 = -.60/.35,p = .001). Epilepsy is associated with brainstem atrophy that impairs autonomic control and can increase the risk for SUDEP if it expands into the mesencephalon.
3-D Electromagnetic Scattering From Multilayer Dielectric Media With 2-D Random Rough Interfaces Using $T$ -Matrix Approach

The translation matrix ( $T$ -matrix) solution to the 3-D problem of scattering of the electromagnetic waves from a dielectric layered medium with random rough interfaces is presented. The solution is based on the coupled vector integral equation of the electric field using the dyadic periodic Green’s function as a kernel. It is shown that the $T$ -matrix solution conserves energy, the bistatic scattering pattern is regular even in cases, where guided modes within the layered medium are excited, and also that the method’s results coincide with those of the second-order Small Perturbation Method (SPM2) in the small height limit. One of the advantages of the $T$ -matrix method compared to the SPM2 is the wide validity range of the solution, which is also studied.
Nicotine absorption during electronic cigarette use among regular users

Background The capability of electronic cigarette devices (e-cigs) to deliver nicotine is key to their potential to replace combustible cigarettes. We compared nicotine delivery and subjective effects associated with the use of two classes of e-cigarettes and cigarettes.
Do Citizens Enforce Accountability for Public Goods Provision? Evidence from India’s Rural Roads Program

While a vast literature examines the prevalence of ethnic voting and clientelism in low-income contexts, empirical tests of whether elections are being used to hold politicians accountable for public goods provision are few. Leveraging a rare exogenous variation in the World's largest rural roads program, a high visibility Indian program that is unprecedented in using informational devices to raise citizens' awareness about roads provision, this paper examines this question at a scale than has previously been possible. With an original dataset of 180,000 rural roads provided across half a million Indian villages aggregated to various electoral levels, national, state and polling booth, over last 20 years, I find that roads provision fails to boost electoral support for the incumbent party. Exploiting subnational variation in program implementation and Indian politics, I show that quality or corruption concerns, attribution errors, timing of provision or variation in political competition, media access or literacy, cannot explain these results. The findings have implications for democratic governance and suggest that information constraints are unlikely to be a barrier to accountability in low-income contexts.
P-0137 Comparison of the Efficacy Between the Gemcitabine/Cisplatin (GP) and Epirubicin/Cisplatin/5-Fluorouracin (ECF) for the Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer: Retrospective Analysis

ABSTRACT Introduction Patients with biliary tract cancers have a poor prognosis with a median survival of less than 1 year. The combined epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (ECF) regimen had been an upfront regimen for several decades in the patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. However, since 2009, gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP) has become the standard treatment based on the phase III clinical trial. We retrospectively analyze the efficacy and safety of the GP comparing the ECF in advanced biliary tract cancer. Methods All patients, diagnosed as biliary cancer and gall bladder cancer were retrospectively reviewed between May 2008 and December 2011 at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University. In ECF group, chemotherapy was given as follows: Epirubicin 50 mg/m2, cisplatin 60 mg/m2 on day 1 and 5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2 daily as a continuous infusion from day 1 to day 3, and In GP, gemcitabine was treated with 1000 mg/m2 on Day 1, 8 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1. Results There were 28 patients in ECF and 43 patients in GP. Median age was 61 (46-76) in ECF, 62 (41-81) in GP. For response rate, partial response (PR) was achieved in 3 (10.7%) in ECF, and 1 in GP (2.3%). Disease control rate, defined as PR plus stable disease (SD) was similar in both group, 14 (50.0%) in ECF and 21 (48.8%) in GP. Progression free survival (PFS) has no significant difference in both group, 2.0 months in ECF and 2.4 months in GP. Overall survival (OS) also shows no significant difference, 5.1 months in ECF and 4.7 months in GP respectively. As far as toxicities profiles, ECF had more profound grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities than GP: For neutropenia: 20 patients (66.7%) versus 10 patients (23.2%). For anemia: 8 patients (26.7%) versus 4 patients (9.3%). For thrombocytopenia: 13 patients (43.3%) versus 9 patients (20.9%). Febrile neutropenia was observed in 4 patients (13.3%) in ECF and among them, treatment related death was occurred in 1 patient as the result of septic shock. Conclusion The ECF and GP regimen demonstrated similar clinical outcome and there was no difference in PFS and OS, while ECF has more profound hematologic toxicities than GP in the patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. This is limited study with retrospective comparison and small sample size. For better clinical outcome, new trial with other combination should be warranted.
Interfascicular Reentrant Ventricular Tachycardia

Ventricular arrhythmias involving the conduction system include bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia (VT), fascicular VT and uncommonly, interfascicular reentrant VT. We present a case of VT storm due to interfascicular reentrant VT of two distinct, paired morphologies. One utilized the left posterior fascicle for anterograde conduction and the other utilized the left posterior fascicle for retrograde conduction.
234. Cost-effectiveness analysis of teriparatide therapy for the prevention of proximal junctional kyphosis/failure and subsequent revision after adult spinal deformity surgery

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Recent studies have shown teriparatide therapy reduces the risk of proximal junctional kyphosis/failure (PJK/PJF) and subsequent revision after corrective surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD). However, teriparatide usually costs more than other anti-osteoporotic treatments and its cost effectiveness for the prevention of these unfavorable sequelae is unclear. PURPOSE The aim of this study is to investigate the cost effectiveness of preoperative teriparatide therapy for ASD patients utilizing a Markov model of ASD corrective surgery. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING An economic decision-analysis based on a Markov model simulation. PATIENT SAMPLE A thorectical cohort of patients with adult spinal deformity patients who undergo corrective surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES Cost/QALY and the rates of patients who successfully achieved fusion without any correction loss due to PJK/PJF. METHODS A Markov model of ASD surgery was created incorporating the incidences of PJK/PJF and revision rates due to PJK/PJF in the surgically treated ASD patient with or without 12-month teriparatide treatment, revision rates for non-PJK causes, recurrence rates of PJK/PJF, postoperative mortality, and pre-/postoperative quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), obtained from previously published literature. The effectiveness was measured in cost/QALY and the rates of patients who successfully achieved fusion without any correction loss due to PJK/PJF in each group. RESULTS The Markov model simulation showed that the 10-year cumulative cost was higher in the teriparatide group ($131,000 vs $83,000). The percentage of patients without correction loss at 10 years after surgery was also higher in the teriparatide group (86.9% vs 76.7%). The 10-year average QALYs of each group were 0.59 in the no teriparatide group and 0.61 in the teriparatide group. The cost-effectiveness of 12-month teriparatide therapy measured in cost/QALY was $213,000/QALY, which was almost twice as high as the commonly used cost-effectiveness threshold ($100,000/QALY). Teriparatide therapy can be considered as cost-effective only if teriparatide therapy less than 6 months is as effective as 12 months of treatment for PJK/PJF prevention, or teriparatide is administrated only for high-risk patients whose 24-month PJK/PJF incidence rate exceeds approximately 40% without teriparatide ($94000/QALY). CONCLUSIONS The results of our Markov model simulation suggest that teriparatide therapy is associated with lower correction loss, but is not a cost-effective option if it is routinely administered in all ASD patients regardless of bone status. Careful selection of high-risk patients for teriparatide therapy is warranted as a more cost-effective measure. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
p-Curve analysis of the Taylor Aggression Paradigm: Estimating evidentiary value and statistical power across 50 years of research.

The overall reliability or evidentiary value of any body of literature is established in part by ruling out publication bias for any observed effects. Questionable research practices have potentially undermined the evidentiary value of commonly used research paradigms in psychological science. Subsequently, the evidentiary value of these common methodologies remains uncertain. To quantify the severity of these issues in the literature, we selected the Taylor Aggression Paradigm (TAP) as a case study and submitted 170 hypothesis tests spanning over 50 years of research to a preregistered p-curve analysis. The TAP literature (N = 24,685) demonstrated significant evidentiary value but yielded a small average effect size (d = 0.29) and inadequate power (38%). The main effects demonstrated greater evidentiary value, power, and effect sizes than interactions. Studies that tested the effects of measured traits did not differ in evidentiary value or power to those that tested the effects of experimentally manipulated states. Exploratory analyses revealed that evidentiary value, statistical power, and effect sizes have improved over time. We provide recommendations for researchers who seek to maximize the evidentiary value of their psychological measures.
The Bites Eclectic: Critique-Based Conversational Recommendation for Diversity-Focused Meal Planning.

Diet diversification has been shown both to improve nutritional health outcomes and to promote greater enjoyment in food consumption. CBR has a rich history in direct recommendation of recipes and meal planning, as well as conversational exploration of the possibilities for new food items. But more limited attention has been given to incorporating diversity outcomes as a primary factor in conversational critique for exploration. Critiquing as a method of feedback has proven effective for conversational interactions, and diversifying recommended items during exploration can help users broaden their food options, which critiquing alone may not achieve. And all of these aspects together are important elements for recommender applications in the food domain. In this paper, we introduce DiversityBite, a novel CBR approach that brings together critique and diversity to support conversational recommendation in the recipe domain. Our initial user study evaluation shows that DiversityBite is effective in promoting meal plan diversity.
Difference or Delay? Syntax, Semantics, and Verb Vocabulary Development in Typically Developing and Late-talking Toddlers

While semantic and syntactic properties of verb meaning can impact the success of verb learning at a single age, developmental changes in how these factors influence acquisition are largely unexplo...
Sliding energy landscape governs interfacial failure of nanotube-reinforced ceramic nanocomposites

Abstract We report the sliding adhesion of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and graphene on silica using single nanotube pullout force measurements and potential energy landscape calculations by density functional theory (DFT). In contrast to isotropic sliding of graphene on silica, the sliding of hBN on silica exhibits strong directional dependence with unusually high energy barriers formed by stacking of unterminated Si or O atoms on N atoms. Stronger interfacial adhesion energy and shear strength across possible termination structures of silica with hBN versus graphene cumulate in the measured interfacial shear strength of ∼34.7 MPa versus ∼19.2 MPa for the respective nanotube-reinforced composites
Allosteric Inhibition of a Triphosphopyridine Nucleotide-specific Isocitrate Dehydrogenase from Crithidia fasciculata by Nucleoside Triphosphates

Abstract A soluble TPN+-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase has been isolated from Crithidia fasciculata. Although this enzyme obeys classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics, it has been shown to be inhibited by nucleoside triphosphates. A kinetic study, with ATP as a model inhibitor, indicated that the nucleotide acted at a locus separate from the catalytic site of the enzyme. Both the purine or pyrimidine and a β and γ-phosphate group were required for inhibition of the enzyme, since nucleoside mono- and diphosphates were not inhibitory. The nucleotides did not compete with either isocitrate or TPN+ for the active site; the effect of the nucleotide was upon the Vmax for both substrate and coenzyme rather than on their apparent Km. Two molecules of ATP appeared to be required for inhibition. The inhibition was found to be of a cumulative type when all four trinucleotides were used. Studies on the changes in entropy and free energy of the reaction, although not conclusive, indicated that the protein was probably capable of undergoing a physical change during combination with the nucleotide inhibitor. It is suggested that allosteric modification of enzymes which do not exhibit sigmoid rate-substrate relationships may be a more general phenomenon than is realized.
Physical Properties of Nanometer-Scale Magnets

Contemporary needs for increasing information storage and high density magnetic recording have stimulated new research in mesoscopic magnetism. In analogy to semiconductor physics, the process of miniaturizing magnetic materials has revealed a variety of new and unexpected classical and quantum mechanical phenomena. On a small enough length scale the interactions between individual atomic spins cause their magnetic moments to be aligned in the ordered pattern of a single domain, without the complication of domain walls separating regions of varying orientation. For particle sizes at or below that of a single domain, standard theoretical models of dynamical behavior predict simple stable magnets with controllable properties. However, recent experimental studies of micron-scale ferromagnetic particles show them to be far less stable and to switch more easily than expected from traditional classical theories of thermal activation. In even smaller systems, new theoretical predictions and experimental observations suggest that at low enough temperature, quantum mechanical tunneling may ultimately control the particle’s magnetization.
Space plasma physics research progress 1987-1990 - Mars, Venus, and Mercury

Theoretical and observational studies of space plasma physics at the inner planets, Mars, Venus, and Mercury are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the solar wind interactions and aeronomy (upper neutral atmospheres and ionospheres) of these planets. 206 refs.
Resection of carcinoma (carcinoid?) of the infrapapillary portion of the duodenum involving the ampulla of vater

Abstract An instance of a large, slowly growing carcinoma (carcinoid?) of the second portion of the duodenum secondarily involving the ampulla of Vater is recorded. Transduodenal resection and reimplantation of common and main pancreatic ducts were performed. The patient remained free from evidence of recurrence fifteen months after operation. The special clinical feature of the case was that steatorrhea due to obstruction of the pancreatic duct was the outstanding sign and no clinical evidence of common duct obstruction was present.
Raising the Bar for Bird Guides

Birds of North America. by Kenn Kaufman. Houghton Mifflin, New York, 2000. 384 pp. Paper, $20. ISBN 0-395-96464-4. The Sibley Guide to Birds. by David Allen Sibley. Knopf, New York, 2000. 544 pp. Paper, $35, C$53. ISBN 0-679-45122-6. North American Bird Guide. Pica (Helm Information), East Sussex, UK, 2000. 544 pp. Paper, £25. ISBN 1-873403-98-4. Collins Bird Guide. by Lars Svensson, Killian Mullarney, Dan Zetterstrom, and Peter J. Grant. Harper Collins, London, 1999. 399 pp. £24.99. ISBN 0-00-219728-6. Large format, 2000. £29.99. ISBN 0-00-710082-5. Paper, 2001. £16.99. ISBN 0-00-711332-3. Birds of Europe. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2000. 400 pp. Paper, $29.95. ISBN 0-691-05054-6. These three books advance the state-of-the-art in bird guides. Those new to birdwatching will find Kaufman9s digitally edited photographs and concise text an efficient introduction to North American birds. Sibley9s annotated, detailed paintings of flying and perched birds cover sexual, age, and geographic variation, and his book has been enthusiastically received by birders. Svensson et al. combine a comprehensive text on the field identification of European birds and superb artwork in what is the finest field guide to date for any regional avifauna.
A New Formulation of N=8 Supergravity and its Extension to Type II Superstrings

A new extended supergravity theory in ten dimensions is formulated in terms of an unconstrained scalar light-cone super-field. Since this theory describes the massless sector of type II superstring theory, the formalism is then extended to fields that are functionals of strings superspace coordinates. In this way a field theory of superstrings is obtained. The theory is expected to be nonpolynomial, but so far it has only been constructed to order ĸ.
Regulation of synaptic plasticity and synaptic vesicle dynamics by the PDZ protein Scribble.

The Drosophila tumor suppressor Scribble (Scrib) is a PDZ-containing protein required for maintaining epithelial cell polarity. At the larval neuromuscular junction, Scrib colocalizes and indirectly interacts with another tumor suppressor and PDZ protein, Discs-Large (Dlg). Previous studies demonstrate that Dlg is critical for development of normal synapse structure and function, as well as for normal synaptic Scrib localization. Here we show that Scrib is also an important regulator of synaptic architecture and physiology. The most notable ultrastructural defect in scrib mutants is an increase in the number of synaptic vesicles in an area of the synaptic bouton thought to contain the reserve vesicle pool. Additionally, the number of active zones is reduced in scrib mutants. Functionally, the scrib synapse behaves relatively normally at low-frequency stimulation. However, several forms of plasticity at this synapse are drastically altered in the mutants. Specifically, scrib mutants exhibit loss of facilitation and post-tetanic potentiation, and faster synaptic depression. In addition, FM1–43 imaging of recycling synaptic vesicles shows that vesicle dynamics are impaired in scrib mutants. These results identify Scrib as an essential regulator of short-term synaptic plasticity. Taken together, our results are consistent with a model in which Scrib is required to sustain synaptic vesicle concentrations at their sites of release.
In Vitro Culture of the Zygote and Embryo

Scientific investigations during the last three decades have led to the present capability of nurturing the embryonic development from zygote to blastocyst stages in vitro for several mammalian species including cow (Wright et al., 1976b), ferrett (Whittingham, 1975), man (Edwards et al., 1970), mouse (Whitten and Biggers, 1968; Mukherjee and Cohen, 1970), rabbit (Maurer et al., 1969; Kane and Foote, 1971; Ogawa et al., 1971; Kane, 1972), and sheep (Tervit et al., 1972). As ova of several species (man, rabbit, sheep, cow, and ferret) are relatively large and thus have greater endogenous reserves, it was suggested by Biggers (1979) that they might be more independent of the oviductal and uterine environments before implantation than the relatively smaller ova of other species (rat, hamster, and vole). Successful culture to blastocysts of ferret, mouse, rabbit, and human zygotes has followed in vitro fertilization. Various aspects of preimplantational development of mammalian embryos in culture have been well reviewed previously (see Biggers et al., 1971; Whittingham, 1971, 1975; Brinster, 1972, 1973; Seidel, 1977; Anderson, 1978; Maurer, 1978; Biggers, 1979; Brackett, 1979b; Brinster and Troike, 1979).
IMPROVEMENTS ON THE AUTOMATIC DETERMINATION OF MICRO AMOUNTS OF SERUM CALCIUM.

Calcium in 0.2 ml. of blood serum can be titrated automatically in about 10 sec. with a reproducibility of 1-2%. It is not necessary to deproteinize the serum, and the complete procedure requires less than 1 min.
How many processed pseudogenes are accumulated in a gene family

A simple kinetic model is developed that describes the accumulation of processed pseudogenes in a functional gene family. Insertion of new pseudogenes occurs at rate ν per gene and is countered by spontaneous deletion (at rate δ per DNA segment) of segments containing processed pseudogenes. If there are k functional genes in a gene family, the equilibrium number of processed pseudogenes is k(ν/δ), and the percentage of functional genes in the gene family at equilibrium is 1/[1 + (ν/δ)]. ν/δ values estimated for five gene families ranged from 1.7 to 15. This fairly narrow range suggests that the rates of formation and deletion of processed pseudogenes may be positively correlated for these families. If δ is sufficiently large relative to the per nucleotide mutation rate µ (δ > 20µ), processed pseudogenes will show high homology with each other, even in the absence of gene conversion between pseudogenes. We argue that formation of processed pseudogenes may share common pathways with transposable elements and retroviruses, creating the potential for correlated responses in the evolution of processed pseudogenes due to direct selection for control of transposable elements and/or retroviruses. Finally, we discuss the nature of the selective forces that may act directly or indirectly to influence the evolution of processed pseudogenes. Anything produced by evolution is bound to be a bit of a mess—S. Brenner
The Role of Katabatic Winds on the Antarctic Surface Wind Regime

Abstract Antarctica is known for its strong and persistent surface winds that are directed along topographic pathways. Surface winds are especially strong during the winter period. The high directional constancy of the wind and the close relationship of the wind direction to the underlying terrain can be interpreted as evidence of katabatic wind activity. Observations show that the directional constancy of the Antarctic surface wind displays little seasonal variation. Summertime winds cannot be expected to contain a significant katabatic component, owing to enhanced solar heating of the ice slopes. Observations also show that the coastal environs are subjected to wide variation in atmospheric pressure associated with frequent cyclone activity. The robust unidirectional nature of the Antarctic surface wind throughout the year implies that significant topographic influences other than those from katabatic forcing must be acting. Idealized numerical simulations have been performed to illustrate the potential...
The computer as experimenter: New results

In order to investigate the effect of replacing a human experimenter by a computer in a concept formation task, 150 subjects were run in three conditions. One condition was run exclusively by a human experimenter, another was run exclusively by a computer, and a third was run using the experimenter solely as a teletype operator. The task, designed to be difficult for the college level subject, required that all except one of the 30 possible solutions be logically eliminated before the solution was acknowledged. Subjects run by a human performed at a slightly higher level than subjects run by computer. This effect, which occurred only in subjects of below average intellectual ability, was attributed to an experimenter cueing effect. Human administered subjects were also found to be significantly less variable regardless of intellectual level. This was partially attributed to a variance dampening effect exerted by human experimenters on their subjects and which is absent from computer administered procedures. One consequence of this effect is that performance in the computerized condition is more highly related to level of intellectual ability. It was concluded that the effects found in this study will probably occur in any computerized procedure characterized by high task difficulty, low time pressure, and wide response latitude.
A comprehensive review of building deconstruction and salvage: deconstruction benefits and hurdles

Studies showed that nearly 65 million tons of waste is produced in the US every year from Construction and Demolition (C&D). From this waste, almost 45% can be diverted and partially converted into reusable materials. The EPA estimated that about 245,000 houses are destined for demolition in the USA every year. This paper illustrates that deconstruction offers a logical alternative to demolition. Deconstruction is a systematic and planned disassembly of building materials with the ultimate goal of maximising reuse and recycling to decrease C&D waste. Deconstruction offers a number of benefits such as reducing replacement cost of buildings through reuse and recycle, reducing the energy needs for producing new materials, saving valuable landfill space, and creating new jobs. This paper intends to provide an objective overview of the technical, environmental, and socioeconomic issues of deconstruction as greater interest by businesses and governments in this issue is emerging.
Substrate specificity of the electrogenic sodium/bicarbonate cotransporter NBCe1-A (SLC4A4, variant A) from humans and rabbits

In the basolateral membrane of proximal-tubule cells, NBCe1-A (SLC4A4, variant A), operating with an apparent Na+:HCO3− stoichiometry of 1:3, contributes to the reclamation of HCO3− from the glomer...
Palliative Care and Pediatrics

This article reviews the unique challenges of pediatric palliative medicine. These challenges originate from the specific epidemiology of pediatric diseases for which palliative care is indicated and the necessity to provide child-focused, family-oriented, relationship-centered medical care. The emphasis of the ultimate aims of pediatric palliative care is to care for the body, mind, and spirit, to enhance quality of life, and to minimize suffering.
Line-edge roughness in sub-0.18-μm resist patterns

We have characterized line-edge roughness in single-layer, top-surface imaging, bilayer and trilayer resist schemes. The results indicate that in dry developed resists there is inherent line-edge roughness which results from the etch mask, resist (planarizing layer) erosion, and their dependence on plasma etch conditions. In top surface imaging the abruptness of the etch mask, i.e., the silylation contrast, and the silicon content in the silylated areas are the most significant contributors to line-edge roughness. Nevertheless, even in the case of a trilayer, where the SiO2 layer represents the near ideal mask, there is still resist sidewall roughness of the planarizing layer observed which is plasma induced and polymer dependent. The mechanism and magnitude of line-edge roughness are different for different resist schemes, and require specific optimization. Plasma etching of silicon, like O2 dry development, contributes to the final line-edge roughness of patterned features.
Fast feature extraction in hyperspectral imagery via lifting wavelet transforms

Feature extraction from hyperspectral imagery consumes large amounts of memory. Hence the algorithms to do this have high computational complexity and require large amounts of additional computer memory. To address these issues previous work has concentrated on algorithms that are combinations of a fast integer-based hyperspectral discrete wavelet transform (HSDWT) with a specialized implementation of the Haar basis and improved implementations of linear spectral unmixing. Extensions of that previous work are presented here that modify and extend these algorithms to investigate feature extraction of arbitrary shaped spatial regions and incorporate more general biorthogonal bases for processing of spectral signatures. Finally, these wavelet transform implementations have also been used to simulate linear spectral unmixng techniques on spatially unresolved objects such as binary stars and globular star clusters.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Binding and release from cell walls: A unique approach to the purification of autolysins

Abstract Autolysin is purified eleven-fold from 5 M salt extracts of intact cells by adsorption and elution from cell walls.
Progressive inhibition of the catalase-hydrogen peroxide system by acetate, chloride and azide

Abstract The inhibitory effects on catalase of acetate, chloride, and azide have been examined. All three induce a progressive type of inhibition during the catalysis of hydrogen peroxide by the enzyme. The inhibitory reaction follows a reversible first-order equation which, in the case of chloride and azide, has been shown to be proportional to the concentration of the inhibitor. The extent of inhibition is decreased by such factors as an increase in pH or the temperature, removal of the substrate, dialysis, and dilution of the enzyme-substrate system. It is concluded that this progressive inhibition represents a direct inhibition of the enzyme-substrate complex of catalase with hydrogen peroxide. In addition, there is found a significant degree of initial inhibition with chloride and azide which may represent a direct action on the protein moiety and the heme.
Investigations into geriatric psychiatry challenges: AAGP Senior Investigator Award 2000.

The author summarizes the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry Senior Investigator Award presentation delivered at the 13th Annual Meeting March 12–15, 2000, in Miami Beach, Florida, and reviews his research studies that define a trajectory leading to investigations of early detection and prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Themes and critical transitions that fostered the research are emphasized, and effective collaboration, mentoring, and timing are discussed. These studies have combined neuroimaging and genetic methods to identify subjects before they develop AD, so that interventions might delay dementia onset. The eventual goal is to translate the clinical research discoveries into modern clinical practice.
Educational evaluation: The state of the field

Introduction Toward a Definition of Evaluation Differences between Evaluation, Measurement, Research and Learner Appraisal The Role of Evaluation in the Educational Process The Limitations of Evaluation References I I 7 8 10 13 18 19 CHAPTER 2 A FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATION-Richard M. Wolf Abstract Introduction A Framework References 21 21 21 22 29 CHAPTER 3 TWO-PLUS DECADES OF EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES W. James Popham Abstract An Alternative Ancestry The Behavioral Objectives Brouhaha Taxonomic Travails Measurement and Objectives Performance Standards as Separable Guideline Time After All Only Two Decades References 31 31 32 33 34 36 38 39 40 41 CHAPTER 4 DESIGNING EVALUATION STUDIES: A TWENTY-YEAR PERSPECTIVE Jeri Benson and William B. Michael Abstract Purposes of Evaluation Design Four Basic Types of Evaluation Design Sources of Invalidity for Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs Conclusion References 43 43 44 44 52 55 55
X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of Optical Waveguide Glasses

This paper describes the characterization by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of several Ge-doped silica glasses before and after reactive ion etching (RIE) in sulphur hexafluoride (SF 6 ). These glasses have been commonly used in the production of optical waveguides, with varying amounts of GeO 2 dopant. Surface composition modifications as a function of etching conditions and rate were studied, with the modified Auger parameter α' utilized as a tool for detecting small chemical shift changes. Both the Ge LMM energy and values for α' indicated that the RIE process modified the GeO 2 , involving partial reduction to GeO along with a possible associated chemical reaction with residue material. It was observed that in all instances the surface stoichiometry was significantly different to the bulk composition. Material grown using two processes, flame hydrolysis deposition (FHD) and plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD), exhibited very different etching characteristics. The deposition of fluorine reaction products on the glass surface as a result of the etching is also discussed.
Telestroke in South Carolina.

Background The administration of thrombolysis to eligible patients is often limited to centers with expertise. This study was intended to report on the safety and efficacy (in increasing thrombolysis availability) of telemedicine in the acute assessment and treatment of stroke patients presenting to hospitals in distant locations from a designated stroke center. Methods A web-based telestroke tool (remote evaluation of acute ischemic stroke at Medical University of South Carolina [REACH-MUSC]), was implemented to provide acute stroke care 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to 12 community hospitals in South Carolina. Results Nine hundred sixty-five consults were performed. Among the 525 patients with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Score >3, 185 (35.7%) were treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) alone, 15 (2.9%) received combination of intravenous and intra-arterial thrombolysis/thrombectomy, and 11 (2.1%) were treated with intra-arterial therapy alone. Of those who received intravenous t-PA, 119 (64.3%) were transferred to the hub; the medians (interquartile range) for onset to treatment for the intravenous t-PA and the intravenous t-PA and intra-arterial groups were 152 (range 115-193) minutes and 147 (range 107-179) minutes, respectively. Three patients (1.6%) who received intravenous t-PA alone experienced symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. The most common reason for not receiving thrombolysis was patient presentation outside the time window for treatment. Conclusions Telestroke can have a major impact in increasing thrombolysis rates in remote areas from specialized centers, and in particular in areas where t-PA is underutilized.
Mechanism of chalcone synthase. pKa of the catalytic cysteine and the role of the conserved histidine in a plant polyketide synthase.

Polyketide synthases (PKS) assemble structurally diverse natural products using a common mechanistic strategy that relies on a cysteine residue to anchor the polyketide during a series of decarboxylative condensation reactions that build the final reaction product. Crystallographic and functional studies of chalcone synthase (CHS), a plant-specific PKS, indicate that a cysteine-histidine pair (Cys164-His303) forms part of the catalytic machinery. Thiol-specific inactivation and the pH dependence of the malonyl-CoA decarboxylation reaction were used to evaluate the potential interaction between these two residues. Inactivation of CHS by iodoacetamide and iodoacetic acid targets Cys164 in a pH-dependent manner (pKa = 5.50). The acidic pKa of Cys164 suggests that an ionic interaction with His303 stabilizes the thiolate anion. Consistent with this assertion, substitution of a glutamine for His303 maintains catalytic activity but shifts the pKa of the thiol to 6.61. Although the H303A mutant was catalytically inactive, the pH-dependent incorporation of [14C]iodoacetamide into this mutant exhibits a pKa = 7.62. Subsequent analysis of the pH dependence of the malonyl-CoA decarboxylation reaction catalyzed by wild-type CHS and the H303Q and C164A mutants also supports the presence of an ion pair at the CHS active site. Structural and sequence conservation of a cysteine-histidine pair in the active sites of other PKS implies that a thiolate-imidazolium ion pair plays a central role in polyketide biosynthesis.
The positive effect of negative pressure: vacuum-assisted fixation of Integra artificial skin for reconstructive surgery

Abstract Background Integra artificial skin (Integra) (Integra Life Sciences Corporation, Plainsboro, NJ) is increasingly used as a skin substitute in reconstructive surgery. However, reliable fixation to the wound bed, a factor of paramount importance for successful application, is often hard to achieve. The vacuum-assisted closure system (VAC; KCI, Switzerland), a well-established subatmospheric pressure device, might be of interest to overcome these problems because of its ability to conform to almost any surface. The goal of this study was to test whether negative pressure application yields reliable fixation of Integra in children undergoing reconstructive surgery. Methods Between 2001 and 2004, VAC was applied in 18 children (n = 18) aged 7 months to 16.5 years. All required reconstructive surgery with implantation of Integra covering 1% to 12% of the total body surface area. After Integra implantation, VAC was installed for 13 to 30 days. Results The VAC fixation of Integra was successful in 17 patients (94.5%). The only failure (5.5%) occurred in a patient in whom negative pressure could not be maintained because of a lesion site susceptible to both dislodgement and infection (perianal region). Consequently, infection occurred, and Integra had to be removed. Conclusions These results demonstrate that VAC is a valid tool for reliable fixation of Integra in children undergoing even demanding reconstructive surgery.
Radioautographic analysis of 3H-fucose utilization by fibroblasts of the periodontal ligament.

The secretion of 3labeld glycoproteins from periodontal ligament fibroblasts was, studied by light and electron microseopic radioautography. At 5, 10. and 20 minutes after intravenous injection, 3H-fucose was concentrated in Golgi cisternae and saccules. By 35 minutes, the label was dispersed to the cell periphery and extracellular matrix. At 8 hours after injection, almost all of the radioactive label was associated with the cell surface or the adjacent extracellular matrix. Labeled glycoprotein was contained in collagen secretion granules and appeared to be relesasd simultaneousley with the collagen precursors The distribution of 3H-fucose labeled material was uniform across the periodontal ligament.
Interview with Lynn M. Fortney of EBSCO Information Services

This interview with Lynn M. Fortney of EBSCO Information Services describes databases, link resolvers, and subscription services of interest and value to health sciences librarians.
The effects of expansion on the turbulence structure of compressible boundary layers

A fully developed Mach 3 turbulent boundary layer subjected to four expansion regions (centred and gradual expansions of 7° and 14°) was investigated with laser Doppler velocimetry. Measurements were acquired in the incoming flat-plate boundary layer and to s/δ≃20 downstream of the expansions. While mean velocity profiles exhibit significant progress towards recovery by the most downstream measurements, the turbulence structure remains far from equilibrium. Comparisons of computed (method of characteristics) and measured velocity profiles indicate that the post-expansion flow evolution is largely inviscid for approximately 10δ. Turbulence levels decrease across the expansion, and the reductions increase in severity as the wall is approached. Downstream of the 14° expansions, the reductions are more severe and reverse transition is indicated by sharp reductions in turbulent kinetic energy levels and a change in sign of the Reynolds shear stress. Dimensionless parameters such as anisotropy and shear stress correlation coefficient highlight the complex evolution of the post-expansion boundary layer. An examination of the compressible vorticity transport equation and estimates of the perturbation impulses attributable to streamline curvature, acceleration, and dilatation both confirm dilatation to be the primary stabilizer. However, the dilatation impulse increases only slightly for the 14° expansions, so the dramatic differences downstream of the 7° and 14° expansions indicate nonlinear boundary layer response. Differences attributable to the varied radii of surface curvature are fleeting for the 7° expansions, but persist through the spatial extent of the measurements for the 14° expansions.
John Dewey: An “Old-Fashioned” Reformer

When John Dewey entered the Burlington, Vermont school system he found himself in a class that was large, there were 54 students, and heterogeneous, their ages ranged from 7 to 19. This was in 1867, a time when efforts to improve American schools were already under way. The following year, thanks to the efforts of reformers, Dewey found himself in a more centralized system. The newer system aimed at city-wide standards of conformity, a centerpiece of which was the sorting out of students into classes consistent with age levels. Nonetheless, studies prepared at this time indicate the limitations still inherent in educational practice. One such report revealed that, for most students, learning was identified with exercises of repetition and memorization, a “lifeless, monotonous droning of syllables.”1 A widely repeated slogan of the time claimed that “it makes no difference what you teach a boy so long as he doesn’t like it” ([Dewey, 1980], p. 141).
Optical interconnects for multiprocessors in computer backplane

Optical interconnects have potential advantage over electrical methods at the backplane level. In this paper we present a free-space optical connection cube for backplane interconnect applications. The connection cube has a symmetric structure which reduces skew between boards. It can be expanded into a 3-dimensional configuration for parallel communication using vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and receiver arrays. Fan-out and fan-in of propagation beams for the connection cube are realized using volume holographic optical elements formed in dichromated gelatin (DCG) emulsion. A four-port communication system has been demonstrated using the connection cube and tested at 500 MHz. In this paper, advantages and detailed implementation of the free-space optical connection cube are presented. Design considerations for fan-out/in holographic gratings and alignment tolerances for the connection cube are discussed. Characteristics of the connection cube are also presented.
A novel regulatory mechanism for whey acidic protein gene expression.

When primary mouse mammary epithelial cells (PMME) are cultured on a basement membrane type matrix, they undergo extensive morphogenesis leading to the formation of 3-dimensional alveoli-like spher...
Impact of Catalyst Metal−Acid Balance in n-Hexadecane Hydroisomerization and Hydrocracking

The reaction pathways and kinetics of n-hexadecane hydroisomerization and hydrocracking were determined in the presence of each of three platinum-containing dual-function catalysts: (a) Pt on a proprietary zeolite (Pt/Ζ), (b) Pt on silica−alumina (Pt/Si−Al), and (c) Pt on MCM-41 (Pt/MCM-41). The reaction networks were used to interpret differences in isomerization selectivity. The low isomerization selectivity observed in the presence of Pt/Si−Al was shown to be a consequence of changes in both relative isomerization/cracking rates and reaction pathways. Using the classical bifunctional reaction scheme, the changes in pathway were hypothesized to be consistent with changes in the relative concentrations of metal and acid sites (i.e., the metal−acid balance). On the basis of a recently proposed model of dual-function catalysis, the different observed pathways were subsequently shown to be those expected in two limiting case of the metal−acid balance. The simplified quantitative picture given here provides...