cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Analog VLSI Sensors for 2-D Direction of Motion

Optical flow fields are a primary source of information about the visual scene in technical and biological systems. In a step towards a system for real time scene analysis we have developed two new algorithms for the parallel computation of the direction of motion field in 2-D. We have successfully implemented these algorithms in analog VLSI hardware such that all processing is performed in the focal plane of the imager. We present data from 12 × 13 and 15 × 14 test arrays and show that the sensors are reliable for over one order of magnitude in velocity and down to 20% contrast. The algorithms allow for a very small pixel size (110μm × 110μm in a 1.2μm CMOS process) and thus high resolution arrays are feasible.
Politics and Skepticism in Antebellum American Literature

1. Moods and the secret cause of revolution in Emerson 2. Revolutionary time and democracy's cause in Melville's Pierre 3. Hawthorne and the temperatures of secrecy 4. Causes of falling, civil war, and the poetics of survival in Dickinson's 'Fascicle 24'.
Health downturns and predictors of suicidal ideation : An application of the Baumeister model

Suicidal thoughts and attempts have been studied from a number of perspectives, but only recently has an attempt been made to incorporate many different psychological perspectives into one framework. Baumeister (1990) has integrated personality and social psychological perspectives into one sequential model, moving from instigating events to a final stage of suicidal thoughts. Employing a sample of older adult subjects undergoing the stresses of a recent health downturn, this study tested a four-stage model of suicidal ideation based on many of the components proposed by Baumeister. Structural equation modeling achieved a good fit to the data. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of including life events, particularly poor health, and cognitive variables such as confusions in thinking, in understanding suicidal ideation.
Consumption externalities, production externalities, and long-run macroeconomic efficiency

Abstract We analyze the effects of consumption and production externalities on capital accumulation. We show that the importance of consumption externalities depends upon the elasticity of labor supply. If the labor supply is inelastic, consumption externalities cause no long-run distortions. Whether there are distortions along the transitional path depends upon consumer preferences. The effects of production externalities are more pervasive; they exert long-run distortionary effects irrespective of labor supply. The optimal taxation to correct for the distortions created by the externalities is characterized. We analyze both stationary and endogenously growing economies, and while there are many parallels in how externalities impact, there are also important differences.
Three-dimensional disks using photopolymer films

The recording characteristics of DuPont's HRF-150 photopolymer film are described. The application of these films for data storage using the 3-D holographic disk architecture is presented. The required system's bandwidth due to the photopolymer's limited thickness is shown to be the limiting factor of the storage capacity of these thin films and not the material's dynamic range. A new multiplexing method (peristrophic multiplexing) that significantly increases the film's capacity and changes the limiting factor from system bandwidth to material dynamic range is presented.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A small, linear, wide range nuclear radiation detector

Abstract A simple, nuclear radiation detector has been synthesized using a scintillation element and a CdS photoresistive cell which possesses the properties of linearity over a wide energy range, small size, and energy independence. Several scintillation materials including NaI and Pilot B have been tested.
Investigation of genotype by country interactions for growth traits for Charolais populations in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA.

Abstract Evidence of heterogeneity of parameters and genotype by country interactions was investigated for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT) and postweaning gain (PWG) between Australian (AUS), Canadian (CAN), New Zealand (NZ) and USA populations of Charolais cattle. An animal model was fit to data sets for each individual country to compare the within-country parameter estimates for homogeneity. The direct heritability estimates of BWT in AUS (0.34) and NZ (0.31) were less than CAN (0.55) and USA (0.47). Maternal BWT heritabilities (0.13–0.18), direct WWT heritabilities (0.22–0.27), and maternal WWT heritabilities (0.12–0.18) were similar across all four countries. Direct PWG heritability for AUS (0.14) was smaller than the same estimate in the other three countries (0.24–0.31). The phenotypic variances for all three traits were similar across AUS, CAN and USA; however, NZ was higher for BWT and WWT and lower for PWG. A multiple trait animal model that considered each trait as a different trait in each country was also fit to the data for pairs of countries. Direct (maternal) estimated genetic correlations for BWT for AUS–CAN, AUS–USA, USA–CAN, NZ–CAN and NZ–USA were 0.88 (0.86), 0.85 (0.82), 0.88 (0.82), 0.85 (0.83), and 0.84 (0.80), respectively. Direct (maternal) estimated genetic correlations for WWT for AUS–CAN, AUS–USA, USA–CAN, NZ–CAN and NZ–USA were 0.96 (0.91), 0.95 (0.90), 0.95 (0.91), 0.95 (0.92), and 0.95 (0.92), respectively. Direct estimated genetic correlations for PWG for AUS–CAN, AUS–USA, USA–CAN, NZ–CAN and NZ–USA were 0.89, 0.91, 0.94, 0.90, and 0.91, respectively. The magnitude of the across-country genetic correlations indicates that genotype by country interactions were biologically unimportant. However, strong evidence exists for heterogeneity of parameters across the countries for some traits and effects. Therefore, combining these countries into one single analysis to produce a common set of genetic values will depend on the development of methods to adjust for heterogeneous parameters for models containing both direct and maternal effects, and for circumstances where constant variance ratios or heritabilities are not present across populations.
Visual acuities and scotomas after 3 weeks' levodopa administration in adult amblyopia

Background: Previous studies have shown that both a single dose of levodopa and a 1-week administration of levodopa improve visual functions in adult amblyopic patients. In the present study, we investigated the effect of increased dosage and duration of levodopa on amblyopes' visual functions. • Methods: Visual acuity and visual fields were examined before and after 3 weeks of daily administration of levodopa/carbidopa as well as 1 month and 2 months after completion of drug therapy in a double masked-design. • Results: A significant increase in visual acuities and a decrease in fixation point scotomas were found. Changes were of comparable dimension to those found after 1 week of levodopa administration. Improvement of visual functions persisted 2 months after the levodopa/carbidopa administration was completed. • Conclusion: The present study confirms previous findings of improvement in visual function in amblyopia after levodopa/carbidopa administration. However, increasing the dosage and the duration of levodopa did not enhance the effect in adults.
A formal model for verifying stealthy attacks on state estimation in power grids

The power system state estimation is very important for maintaining the power system securely, reliably, and efficiently. An attacker can compromise meters or communication systems and introduce false measurements, which can evade existing bad data detection algorithms and lead to incorrect state estimation. This kind of stealthy attack is well-known as Undetected False Data Injection (UFDI) attack. However, attackers usually have different constraints with respect to knowledge, capabilities, resources, and attack targets. These attack attributes are important to consider in order to know the potential attack vectors. In this paper, we propose a formal model for UFDI attack verification in order to provide security analytics for power grid state estimation. Our model formalizes the grid information and different constraints, particularly with respect to attackers' point of view. The solution to the model provides an attack vector, when it exists, by satisfying the given constraints. We demonstrate our UFDI attack verification model with the help of an example. We evaluated our proposed model by running experiments on different IEEE test systems and we found that our model is very efficient in solving problems with hundreds of buses.
Disjoint random needles

Assume we throw a large stack of needles uniformly at random over a rather large area. What is the cardinality of the largest subset of scattered needles which do not touch each other? We compute the order of magnitude of this cardinal as a function of the density of the needles and their length.
Root length, biomass, tissue chemistry and mycorrhizal colonization following 14 years of CO2 enrichment and 6 years of N fertilization in a warm temperate forest.

Root systems serve important roles in carbon (C) storage and resource acquisition required for the increased photosynthesis expected in CO2-enriched atmospheres. For these reasons, understanding the changes in size, distribution and tissue chemistry of roots is central to predicting the ability of forests to capture anthropogenic CO2. We sampled 8000 cm(3) soil monoliths in a pine forest exposed to 14 years of free-air-CO2-enrichment and 6 years of nitrogen (N) fertilization to determine changes in root length, biomass, tissue C : N and mycorrhizal colonization. CO2 fumigation led to greater root length (98%) in unfertilized plots, but root biomass increases under elevated CO2 were only found for roots <1 mm in diameter in unfertilized plots (59%). Neither fine root [C] nor [N] was significantly affected by increased CO2. There was significantly less root biomass in N-fertilized plots (19%), but fine root [N] and [C] both increased under N fertilization (29 and 2%, respectively). Mycorrhizal root tip biomass responded positively to CO2 fumigation in unfertilized plots, but was unaffected by CO2 under N fertilization. Changes in fine root [N] and [C] call for further study of the effects of N fertilization on fine root function. Here, we show that the stimulation of pine roots by elevated CO2 persisted after 14 years of fumigation, and that trees did not rely exclusively on increased mycorrhizal associations to acquire greater amounts of required N in CO2-enriched plots. Stimulation of root systems by CO2 enrichment was seen primarily for fine root length rather than biomass. This observation indicates that studies measuring only biomass might overlook shifts in root systems that better reflect treatment effects on the potential for soil resource uptake. These results suggest an increase in fine root exploration as a primary means for acquiring additional soil resources under elevated CO2.
Telomere instability in a human tumor cell line expressing a dominant-negative WRN protein

Werner Syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by premature aging and chromosome instability. The protein involved in WS, WRN, is a RecQ-type helicase that also has exonuclease activity. WRN has been demonstrated to bind to a variety of other proteins, including RPA, DNA-PKcs, and TRF2, suggesting that WRN is involved in DNA replication, repair, recombination, and telomere maintenance. In culture, WS cells show premature senescence, which can be overcome by transfection with an expression vector containing the gene for the catalytic subunit of telomerase. However, telomerase expression does not eliminate chromosome instability in WS cells, which led to the proposal that telomere loss is not the cause of the high rate of chromosome rearrangements in WS cells. In the present study, we have investigated how a WRN protein containing a dominant-negative mutation (K577M-WRN) influences the stability of telomeres in a human tumor cell line expressing telomerase. The results demonstrate an increased rate of telomere loss and chromosome fusion in cells expressing K577M-WRN. Expression of K577M-WRN results in reduced levels of telomerase activity, however, the absence of detectable changes in average telomere length demonstrates that WRN-associated telomere loss results from stochastic events involving complete telomere loss or loss of telomere capping function. Thus, telomere loss can contribute to chromosome instability in cells deficient in WRN regardless of the expression of telomerase activity.
Single housing starts and macroeconomic activity: an application of generalized impulse response analysis

Most studies that have examined the relationship between the housing market and the macroeconomy have focused on how changes in housing supply affect real activity and the like. In this paper, the possibility that housing starts respond to sudden changes or shocks to macroeconomic factors is explicitly accounted for. The empirical methodology employs the recently developed technique of generalized impulse response analysis Pesaran and Shin (1998). The results highlight the endogeneity that exists among the housing market and macroeconomic activity.
Social Worker Perceptions of the Portrayal of the Profession in the News and Entertainment Media: An Exploratory Study.

This exploratory study describes social workers' perceptions of the depiction of the social work profession found in the news and entertainment media. A random sample of 665 MSW social workers who were members of the Florida Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers were surveyed regarding how they felt the profession was depicted in the news and entertainment media on a set of paired adjectives comprising 9 semantic differential scales. Findings showed that these social workers perceived the profession to be depicted negatively in both news and entertainment media. Implications for social work educators are discussed.
Integrated Obstetric Curriculum for Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency, Radiology Residency and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship program at an accredited American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Diagnostic Ultrasound Center.

Objective The purpose of this work was to demonstrate the approach to developing an integrated curriculum for obstetric ultrasound training by utilizing an accredited American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine teaching platform Methods During the 1996–98 academic years, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine guidelines for ultrasound performance and training were integrated into a multifaceted training program for obstetric and radiological residents and maternal–fetal medicine fellows consisting of a structured reading program, self study of a 35-mm slide program of normal/abnormal anatomy, a basic ultrasound and fetal echocardiography interactive CD program, hands-on supervised scanning program and practical and certificate-bearing fetal echocardiography courses for fellows. All obstetric residents were given pretests and post-tests to measure learning performance in the program. The results from these tests were analyzed for statistical significance. Results Thirteen obstetric residents completed the training program. The locally developed pretest showed a mean of 16/40 correct questions with an SD of 1.85. After completing the training, the mean obstetric resident scores on the post-test were 32/40 with an SD of 5.9. This difference was statistically significantly different, P < 0.009. Radiology residents showed an improvement from no residents passing the obstetric ultrasound portion on the 1996 Radiology Boards to 100% pass rate in 1997 (four residents per year) after completing the course. Maternal–fetal medicine fellows progressed from inability to perform acceptable fetal echocardiography to full ability to perform fetal echocardiographic examinations. Conclusion An integrated approach to obstetric ultrasound training for obstetric and radiologic residents and maternal–fetal medicine fellows with multifaceted learning methods is easily achieved with available guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Copyright © 2000 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Large-scale atmospheric circulation affects particulate matter levels

Particulate matter in the air, which can come from both natural and anthropogenic sources, can be detrimental to human health. Air quality standards in Europe and elsewhere regulate emission of air pollutants from human sources, but in some locations, particulate matter levels are still high. Among the natural factors that can influence particulate matter concentrations are large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Understanding the relationship between NAO variability and particulate matter can help scientists understand particulate matter trends and potentially predict areas likely to be affected by pollution episodes. This is especially important because climate models suggest that the winter mean state of the NAO is likely to shift in coming years.
The Magna Charta of Environmental Legislation: A historical look at 30 years of NEPA-Forest Service Litigation

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1970 changed the landscape of natural resource management by requiring federal agencies to assess the environmental consequences of their proposed actions and to include the public in their decision-making processes. Of all federal agencies in the United States, the Forest Service prepares the most Environmental Impact Statements under NEPA. The U.S. Forest Service manages the National Forest System, public forestlands comprising approximately 9% of the United States land area. The overall objectives of this study were to (1) determine the litigants, success rates, and management activities disputed for NEPA litigation involving the Forest Service from 1970 to 2001 and (2) examine differences and patterns in cases among the U.S. District, Circuit, and Supreme Courts. Methods include a historical analysis of published court cases and results show an increasing trend in the number of NEPA-Forest Service cases in the federal courts. Environmental groups were the most common litigants in NEPA-Forest Service cases and timber harvesting, management plans, and endangered species were the subject of the majority of cases in both the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Forest Service won a preponderance of cases in which they were involved with success rates of 60% in U.S. District Court, 57% in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and 100% in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Scrape‐Off Layer Turbulence Theory

A review is presented of recent developments in the theory of fluctuations in tokamak scrape-off layers. A brief summary of typical experimental features is presented, followed by derivation of a flute-mode dispersion relation including conducting-wall, curvature, axial E × B shear and radial compression drives. Nonlinear results are reviewed, including arguments for and evidence of inverse cascading, penetration of SOL-generated turbulence into the closed-flux-surface edge plasma, and large-amplitude fluid excursions, comparable to observed SOL widths. Effects of divertor and limiter geometry, including x-point effects, are discussed. The potential importance of atomic physics drives for radiative and gas-target divertors is noted, as is the possibility that SOL turbulence originates in the core plasma. Consequences of SOL turbulence, including broadening of the SOL and dissipating parallel momentum (of potential importance for gas-target divertors) are outlined, and the possibility of actively exciting turbulence to achieve these objectives is discussed.
Features of a separating turbulent boundary layer in the vicinity of separation

Laser anemometer measurements using a directionally sensitive system were obtained for a nominally two-dimensional separating turbulent boundary layer produced by an adverse pressure gradient. An airfoil-type flow was generated in which the flow was accelerated and then decelerated until separation. The results include the skin friction, mean velocity profiles, turbulent shear stresses and intensities, spectra, dissipation rate, turbulent/non-turbulent interfacial intermittency, and eddy speeds.
Politics, culture, and political crime: Covariates of abortion clinic attacks in the United States

This study examined crime and violence against abortion clinics, testing elements of several theories that may help explain the variation of such attacks. The study theoretically and methodologically improved upon the prior research on abortion-related crime and violence. Theoretically, it investigated previously unexamined hypotheses from the social movement literature that may be relevant to this type of behavior. Methodologically, it used more careful measures for several variables, employed unique and heretofore ignored data bases, and examined hundreds of criminal acts across several types of crime (e.g., violence, vandalism, and harassment) directed at abortion clinics. Employing robust logistic regression and correcting for clustering of clinics by state, the study investigated the cross-sectional effects of state-level cultural and structural characteristics on anti-abortion crimes against clinics and staff. Results indicated that some crimes against clinics are more likely in areas where female empowerment is weaker, female victimization is more tolerated, and the anti-abortion movement has failed to reduce abortions.
The influence of the presence of a predator odor on the non-vigilant behaviors of food-deprived house mice (Mus musculus)

In order to avoid predation, prey species must trade off the amount of time they spend on non-vigilant behaviors with being vigilant. We tested whether or not food-deprived male house mice (Mus musculus) spent less time on non-vigilant behaviors (feeding, grooming) when exposed to the odor of a corn snake (Elaphe guttata) compared to control odors (distilled water or deer urine). Although mice exposed to snake odor did not spend less time feeding or grooming, they did respond differently to the odors depending on their percent weight loss during food deprivation. Mice exposed to snake odor and that had a lower percent weight loss engaged in fewer feeding bouts and tended to wait longer to eat than did mice exposed to water. Interestingly, mice that were exposed to snake odor and ate sooner fed at a higher rate per feeding bout than did mice exposed to deer urine. Our results suggest that mice that did not lose as much weight did not take as many risks when exposed to a potential predator. However, if mice...
Neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin and cisplatin for dorsal root ganglion neurons correlates with platinum–DNA binding

Cisplatin has been in use for 40 years, primarily for treatment of ovarian and testicular cancer. Oxaliplatin is the only effective treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer. Neurotoxicity occurs in up to 30% of patients and is dose-limiting for both drugs. The neuropathy is characterized by selective sensory loss in the extremities. Cisplatin treatment is associated with high levels of Pt-DNA binding and apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. In this study, we directly compared the effects of oxaliplatin on DRG in vitro. Compared with cisplatin, oxaliplatin formed fewer Pt-DNA adducts following 6, 12, 24, and 48h (0.007ng Pt/mug DNA, 0.012ng/microg, 0.011ng/microg, 0.011ng/microg versus 0.014ng/microg, 0.022ng/microg, 0.041ng/microg, 0.030ng/microg), respectively. These findings closely correlated with data on cell survival where equimolar concentrations of oxaliplatin induced less cell death than cisplatin. Oxaliplatin-induced DRG death was associated with the morphological characteristics of apoptosis defined by 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and annexin/propidium iodide staining. Death was completely inhibited by the caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. Our results demonstrate that both compounds cause apoptosis of DRG neurons but compared to cisplatin, oxaliplatin forms fewer Pt-DNA adducts and is less neurotoxic to DRG neurons in vitro.
Quantitative and temporal delineation of various parameters of liver dysfunction due to α-naphthylisothiocyanate

Abstract α-Naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) has been found to rapidly produce liver dysfunction, viz., elevation in plasma bilirubin, sulfobromophthalein (BSP) retention, and prolongation of pentobarbital-induced loss of the righting reflex, within a relatively short time following a single oral administration of this hepatotoxic agent to mice. The 24-hour LD50 was 245 mg/kg. The ED50 for hyperbilirubinemia was 40 mg/kg; the ET50 was 21 minutes. The increase in plasma bilirubin was mainly of conjugated bilirubin. The ED50 for BSP retention was 38 mg/kg; the ET50 was 102 minutes. The metabolized form of BSP was present in the blood stream. The ED50 of ANIT for the prolongation of pentobarbital-induced loss of the righting reflex was 43 mg/kg, 2 hours after ANIT. Single doses of ANIT effected persistent liver dysfunction. Hyperbilirubinemia did not subside until 4 days after treatment. BSP retention was significant for 7 days and, in occasional animals, for 26 days. Prolongation of pentobarbital hypnosis was seen for 5–12 days after ANIT. The cholestatic property of ANIT was demonstrated by a direct and an indirect method. The ET50 was 16 hours by either method. On the basis of these studies, ANIT is believed to effect liver dysfunction by a change in hepatocyte activity as well as the previously reported delayed action on bile ductules.
Adverse perinatal outcomes are significantly higher in severe gestational hypertension than in mild preeclampsia

Abstract Objective: The current literature emphasizes increased risk of adverse outcomes in the presence of proteinuria and hypertension. The objective of this study was to compare the frequency of adverse fetal outcomes in women who developed hypertensive disorders with or without proteinuria. Study Design: The study design was a secondary analysis of data from women who had preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy (n = 598) who were enrolled in a multicenter trial of aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia. The women had no history of chronic hypertension or renal disease and were normotensive at study inclusion. The maternal and perinatal outcome variables assessed were preterm delivery at Results: As compared to mild preeclampsia, women who developed severe gestational hypertension (without proteinuria) had higher rates of both preterm delivery at P P =.001) and at P =.0161), and delivery of small-for-gestational-age infants (20.8% vs 6.5%, P =.024) when compared to women who remained normotensive or those who developed mild gestational hypertension. There were no statistically significant differences in perinatal outcomes between the normotensive/mild gestational hypertension and the mild preeclampsia groups. Overall, women who had severe gestational hypertension had increased rates of preterm delivery and delivery of small-for-gestational-age infants than women with mild gestational hypertension or mild preeclampsia. In the presence of severe hypertension, proteinuria did not increase the rates of preterm delivery or delivery of small-for-gestational-age infants. Conclusions: In women who have gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, increased rates of preterm delivery and delivery of small-for-gestational-age infants are present only in those with severe hypertension. In these women, the presence of proteinuria does not influence perinatal outcome. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:66-71.)
Phenotypic consequences of environmentally induced changes in plant DNA

Abstract Rapid genomic changes accompanied by heritable phenotypic changes can be induced in flax by environmental stress. The DNA changes are confined to a specific subset of the genome and may affect the phenotype by virtue of their position in the genome rather than by their specific nucleotide sequence.
Neurological monitoring during carotid artery stenting: the Duck Squeezing Test.

PURPOSE To examine the usefulness of a novel method for neurological monitoring during carotid artery stenting (CAS). METHODS The records of patients who underwent elective CAS between June 1996 and October 1998 were reviewed to identify those who had neurological changes during the procedure. We examined whether the neurological change had been detected by a change in the ability of the patient to respond to predetermined commands involving a small rubber duck placed in the contralateral hand. RESULTS hundred seventy patients (320 vessels) underwent monitoring using the Duck Squeezing Test; 10 suffered neurological events during the procedure. Four of these were transient and temporally related to balloon inflation. Another 6 were tentatively ascribed to distal embolism. All instances were accompanied by a change in the patient's ability to perform the Duck Squeezing Test, which allowed the identification of the abnormal clinical situation. In addition, there were 4 false-positive tests secondary to the patient accidentally dropping the rubber duck. CONCLUSIONS The Duck Squeezing Test is a sensitive and specific method for monitoring patients during elective CAS. Its practical applicability is based on sound neurophysiological concepts, which underscore the clinical importance of the test.
Comparison of Feed Conversion, Dressing Yield, and Muscle Composition for Second- and Third-Year Channel Catfish

Abstract A feeding experiment was conducted with two year-groups of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). These groups were fed a 32% protein practical-type diet in 0.04-hectare production ponds for a 145-d growing period. The younger fish were grown from an average size of 20 g to 462 g by their second year at a stocking density of 13,590 fish/hectare, and the older fish were grown from an average size of 594 g to 1,579 g by their third year at a stocking density of 4,942 fish!hectare. Each year-group was fed once daily to satiation in four replicate ponds. Feed conversion ratio (weight of feed fed: weight gain of fish) was significantly lower for second-year fish (1.38) than for third-year fish (1.78). Dressing yield was significantly higher for third-year fish (66.3%) than for second-year fish (60.8%). Second-year fish had lower muscle fat (6.7%) than third-year fish (9.2%). Moisture in the muscle was higher for second-year fish, and muscle protein was not different between the year-groups. Results fr...
Escherichia coli YrbI is 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate 8-phosphate phosphatase.

Abstract 3-Deoxy-d-manno-octulosonate 8-phosphate (KDO 8-P) phosphatase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of KDO 8-P to KDO and inorganic phosphate, is the last enzyme in the KDO biosynthetic pathway for which the gene has not been identified. Wild-type KDO 8-P phosphatase was purified from Escherichia coli B, and the N-terminal amino acid sequence matched a hypothetical protein encoded by the E. coli open reading frame, yrbI. The yrbI gene, which encodes for a protein of 188 amino acids, was cloned, and the gene product was overexpressed in E. coli. The recombinant enzyme is a tetramer and requires a divalent metal cofactor for activity. Optimal enzymatic activity is observed at pH 5.5. The enzyme is highly specific for KDO 8-P with an apparent K m of 75 μm and a k cat of 175 s−1 in the presence of 1 mm Mg2+. Amino acid sequence analysis indicates that KDO 8-P phosphatase is a member of the haloacid dehalogenase hydrolase superfamily.
Effect of lithium carbonate on zidovudine-associated neutropenia in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This condition causes a profound depression of cellular immunity, rendering the patient susceptible to certain infections. Currently, the only licensed agent shown to be effective in prolonging life in symptomatic patients infected with HIV is zidovudine (azidothymidine, AZT, 3’-azido-3’-deoxythymidine) [l]. Zidovudine is, however, associated with significant side effects. Myelosuppression appears to be the major side effect, and neutropenia, anemia, or thrombocytopenia often requires discontinuation of zidovudine therapy [2,3]. To date, the minimal effective dose of zidovudine has not been determined, although dosage reduction may be necessary when drug toxicity occurs. Lithium carbonate has been shown to cause sustained leukocytosis and neutrophilia in hematologitally normal patients with psychiatric disease [4-71. When given to patients receiving myelosuppressive therapy, lithium partially reverses neutropenia and thrombocytopenia [8,9]. In addition, lithium may help reduce infection and leukopenia during systemic chemotherapy [lo]. We report the effects of lithium on neutropenia associated with zidovudine therapy in five patients with AIDS.
Fine Particles Produced from Automotive Emissions-Control Catalysts

High concentrations of metal-containing condensation nuclei have been thermally induced from stabilized catalysts containing chromium, copper, and nickel under conditions closely resembling those found in automobile exhaust. Commercial and developmental catalyst formulations have been found to emit fine particles under a broad range of controlled conditions at temperatures ranging from 185° to 800°C, in filtered air, in a mixture of 3 percent carbon monoxide in molecular nitrogen, and in the product stream of a pulsed flame combustor.
In-situ observations of crack initiation and growth at notches in cast Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb

Gamma titanium aluminide alloys have recently received a great deal of attention due to their demonstrated potential for application in aircraft engines. Although a number of studies have been conducted on the fracture behavior of these alloys under conditions where relatively long pre-existing cracks are present, there is little information on the early stages of crack initiation and growth. The objective of the study reported here was to observe the initial development of cracks at the scale of the microstructure. To confine the process of interest to well-defined regions, notched specimens were utilized. Observations regarding the initiation, growth and the influence of environment on failure are discussed.
Interaction between tetanolysin and Mycoplasma cell membrane.

1. 1. A partially purified tetanolysin preparation lysed the sterol-requiring Mycoplasma capricolum cells but had no effect on M. capricolum cells adapted to grow with no or very little cholesterol. The sterol-non-requiring Acholeplasma laidlawii cells grown either in a cholesterol-rich or a cholesterol-poor medium were unaffected by the tetanolysin preparation. 2. 2. The lysis of M. capricolum cells by the tetanolysin preparation was temperature dependent, inhibited by cholesterol, sublytic concentrations of lucensomycin, and Mg2+. The sensitivity to lysis was greatly affected by the age of the culture, being highest in cells from the early logarithmic phase of growth and declining sharply thereafter. 3. 3. Isolated M. capricolum membranes were capable of binding large amounts of the tetanolysin activity (up to 30 hemolytic units per μg membrane protein), 20 times as much as membranes of the adapted strain. The binding of tetanolysin activity to membranes was almost the same at 4, 22, or 37°C, and was very little affected by the age of the culture. The binding capacity of the membranes was not affected by the removal of 60–70% of membrane proteins by pronase digestion but markedly decreased with the removal of membrane lipids. 4. 4. Of the five polypeptide bands detected in electrophorograms of the partially purified tetanolysin preparation, two bands (mol. wt. 44 000 and 42 000) were found to bind to the cholesterol-containing mycoplasma membrane preparation. EPR spectrometry revealed that the freedom of motion of fatty acid spin labels in the tetanolysin-treated membranes was markedly higher than that in untreated membranes. 5. 5. The concept that tetanolysin interacts specifically with membrane cholesterol resulting in the shielding of cholesterol from its interaction with membrane phospholipids is discussed.
High-density metallic nanogap arrays for the sensitive detection of single-walled carbon nanotube thin films

We have investigated the extraordinary optical transmission of terahertz waves through an array of nanogaps with varying dimensions and periodicities, and used this platform to demonstrate terahertz sensing of a thin film of single-walled carbon nanotubes. We have used atomic layer lithography to fabricate periodic arrays of nanogap loops that have a gap size of 2 nm and a loop length of 100 μm (aspect ratio of 50000). These sub-mm-scale loops of nanogaps can sustain terahertz electromagnetic resonances along the contour. We have characterized the transmission of terahertz waves through the nanogap arrays and investigated the influence of inter-gap electromagnetic coupling as the array periodicity shrinks from 100 μm to 4 μm. While the gaps occupy only 0.1% of the surface area, we have measured an amplitude (|E|) transmittance of over 50% due to the strong and broadband field enhancement inside the nanogaps. The absolute transmission through the 2 nm gaps along the rectangular loops can be boosted up to 25%, while it is only 1% for annular gaps with the same perimeter. Furthermore, the extremely tight field confinement and strong field enhancement near the 2 nm gap lead to 43% extinction of THz waves in a 10 nm-thick film of single-walled carbon nanotubes over the gaps. On the other hand, THz extinction by the same nanotube film on a bare glass substrate is only 2%. These nanogaps pave the way toward developing sensitive terahertz detectors for biological and chemical targets.
Unusual cause of cellulitis in a patient with hepatitis C and cirrhosis.

CASE REPORT A 61-year-old white woman presented with 4 days of erythema over her mons pubis and labia majora. Her medical history was notable for Child-Pugh C cirrhosis from hepatitis C. On physical examination, her vital signs were normal. She had suprapubic erythema, induration, and allodynia over the mons pubis. White blood cell count was 17,600 with 70% neutrophils. Computed tomographic scan of the pelvis showed swelling of the mons pubis without fluid collections. The patient was treated with vancomycin and ceftriaxone without objective improvement. Culture from the area of cellulitis obtained during incision and drainage grew Cryptococcus neoformans (Figure, A). Her serum cryptococcal antigen titer was positive at 1:16 with negative fungal blood cultures and cerebrospinal fluid studies. Because of her tenuous liver disease she
Replication and further studies of neural mechanisms of spatial mnemonic processing in humans.

Abstract Changes in neuronal firing rates during periods of time when subjects are required to remember information (retention delays) have been reported in non-human primates. In humans, tests for such functional changes using hemodynamic markers of neural activity have typically relied on cognitive subtraction. However, the temporal resolution of fMRI allows a more direct test than that afforded by cognitive subtraction of the idea that certain brain regions may increase their neural activity during retention delays in humans. Using a method that exploits this temporal resolution, increased functional activity attributable to a retention delay for spatial information in regions proximate to/within the right frontal eye field and the right superior parietal lobule were detected (in four out of four and three out of four subjects, respectively; this is an internal replication of the results of [E. Zarahn, G.K. Aguirre, M. D’Esposito, Temporal isolation of the neural correlates of spatial mnemonic processing with fMRI, Cognit. Brain Res., 7 (1999) 255–268.]). Second, a model in which ventral and not dorsal prefrontal cortex in humans is involved in simply maintaining spatial information was tested. The results disputed this model as increases in fMRI signal attributable to the retention delay were detected more frequently in dorsal than ventral prefrontal cortex. Third, a model which posited that the intensity of neural activity is causally related to the accuracy of spatial mnemonic representation was tested by comparing retention delay signal between correct and incorrect trials. The results did not support this model in any of the regions tested.
The Non-Inheritance of Acquired Characters

DR. WALLACE, in a letter which appeared in NATURE on July 20, asks for the opinion of naturalists as to the interpretation of certain facts bearing upon the question of the “Non-inheritance of Acquired Characters,” and as I have given much thought to the subject I venture to offer my opinion.
Gasification as an alternative method for the destruction of sulfur containing waste (ChemChar process)

Abstract The behavior of a non-incinerative reductive thermal cocurrent flow gasification process (ChemChar Process) when used to treat representative sulfur compounds is reported. Gasification of 1,3-benzenedisulfonic acid, thiomorpholine, and sulfuric acid converts the sulfur in these compounds to H 2 S, OCS, and elemental sulfur. The H 2 S and OCS are released in the synthesis with the gas product from which they can be scrubbed, with the elemental sulfur being deposited on the char matrix. No production of sulfur dioxide was detected. Gasified sulfur products recovered amounted to 89–114% of the total sulfur present in the sulfur compounds gasified, although exact mass balances could not be obtained due to the sulfur present in the char.
Lead and Vitamin Effects on Heme Synthesis

When a purified diet was supplemented with 300 ppm lead as the acetate and was fed to weanling rats, significant decreases in feed intake, weight gain, and blood heme were observed. In vitro heme synthesis in blood from these lead-treated animals was increased by a single injection of niacin or vitamins C + B12; pyridoxine, thiamine, or riboflavin had no effect. Exposure to diet lead concentrations of 50, 150, and 300 ppm produced a significant and graded increase of urinary δ-aminolevufinic acid (ALA) within 18 hours, followed by a gradual decrease. A tenfold dietary excess of niacin provided no significant protection against toxic reactions from lead in terms of in vivo blood heme levels, in vitro heme synthesis, or urinary ALA.
CORSIM-based simulation approach to evaluation of direct left turn versus right turn plus U-turn from driveways

Right turn plus U-turn at median openings as an alternative to direct left turn has been considered important issue in access management. The motivation behind using this strategy comes from the consideration of safety as well as from traffic operational performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the operational performances of direct left turn and right turn plus U-turn through simulation. This study attempted to figure out under what traffic conditions replacing a direct left turn with a right turn plus U-turn would be beneficial from an operational point of view. CORSIM, a combination of FRESIM and NETSIM, was selected as the analytical tool in the study due to its strong capability in road network evaluation and its animation display function. A total of six sites were selected to do the field data collection. The delay and travel time were used as the measures of effectiveness (MOE) in evaluating the operational performance of direct left turn (DLT) and right turn plus U-turn (RT+UT). The site-specific simulation models for the six sites were developed using CORSIM. Each model was calibrated based on the field data. The comparisons between DLT and RT+UT in terms of the delay and travel time have been conducted under different levels of traffic volume. The simulation results showed that, with an increase in the through-traffic volume on the major road, the delay as well as the travel time of DLT were higher than those of RT+UT. This information is very useful for decision makers in determining what kind of median opening will be applicable under the given traffic conditions.
Use of medium effects to tune the ΔE1/2 values of bimetallic and oligometallic compounds

The redox potentials of bis(fulvalene)dinickel, 1, and the tetrakis(ferrocenyl)nickel dithiolene complex 2 have been measured in a variety of nonaqueous electrolytes. The difference in E1/2 values of the two successive one-electron oxidations of 1 (i.e., ΔE1/2 values) increased from a low of 212 mV in anisole/[NBu4]Cl to a high of 850 mV in CH2Cl2−Na[B(C6H3(CF3)2)4], reflecting an increase of over 1010 in the comproportionation constant (Kcomp = [1+]2/[1][12+]). Six reversible one-electron processes are possible for compound 2, the four oxidations arising from the ferrocenyl substituents, and the two reductions arising from the Ni dithiolene moiety. The E1/2 spreads of the four oxidation waves and the two reduction waves are both highly sensitive to medium effects. For both 1 and 2, the largest ΔE1/2 values for cationic products are found in solvents of low polarity and donor strength containing electrolyte salts having large anions and small cations. Conversely, the smallest ΔE1/2 values for anionic prod...
Examining the relation between borderline personality features and social support: The mediating role of rejection sensitivity

Abstract Potential mechanisms underlying the pathway between borderline personality features and indices of social support have yet to be elaborated, despite that social difficulties are a hallmark feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). We hypothesized that rejection sensitivity, or the tendency to anxiously anticipate and readily perceive social rejection, might be one mechanism leading to the negative social impact associated with BPD symptoms. To test this hypothesis, a sample of college students (N = 165) completed self-report measures in the laboratory. With rejection sensitivity in the model, borderline features did not directly predict number of social supports. However, borderline features indirectly predicted decreased number of social supports via increased rejection sensitivity. Conversely, borderline features directly predicted social support satisfaction but did not evidence an indirect effect through rejection sensitivity. The results of this research suggest that rejection sensitivity is an important individual difference by which borderline features leads to the lower levels of social support demonstrated in past research. Future directions, such as examining potential mediators of social support perception, are discussed.
Investigation of lifted jet flames stabilization mechanism using RANS simulations

The mean structure, stability and the lift-off heights of lifted methane-air flames in a turbulent round jet are computed using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach coupled with the Eddy-Dissipation Model (EDM) for combustion. The computations are based on a 5-step methane-air reduced mechanism. The simulation results show that the EDM model reproduces a mean partially-premixed flame structure at the leading edge of the lifted flame. The fine-tuning of the main EDM parameter for experimental lifted flames with co-flow also results in very good predictions of the lift-off height for lifted flames without co-flow. Implications of the use of the EDM concept for partially premixed flames are discussed.