cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Classification of South American Languages

With some 108 independent genealogical units, South America is the linguistically most diverse region of our planet and presents a particular challenge to linguists seeking to understand the geneal...
Higher-order corrections to the short-pulse equation

Using renormalization group techniques, we derive an extended short-pulse equation as an approximation to a nonlinear wave equation. We investigate the new equation numerically and show that the new equation captures efficiently higher-order effects on pulse propagation in cubic nonlinear media. We illustrate our findings using one- and two-soliton solutions of the first-order short-pulse equation as initial conditions in the nonlinear wave equation.
Stress Fractures of the Tibia

The anatomy and biomechanics of the tibia play a critical role in the development and management of tibial stress fractures. Posterior calf musculature and the relative anterior tibial avascularity lead to a high rate of nonunion, delayed union, and fracture in “high-risk” tension-sided anterior tibial cortex stress fractures. Fracture location at the compressive side of the tibia and the abundant vasculature are favorable characteristics in “low-risk” posteromedial tibial stress fractures. The differential diagnosis of patients with overuse injuries of the leg includes stress fracture, medial tibial stress syndrome, exertional compartment syndrome, popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, and multiple nerve entrapment syndromes, among others. Risk factors for tibial stress fracture include prior stress fracture, recent increases in training intensity and/or duration, improper training technique or equipment, the female athlete triad, calcium and vitamin D deficiency, and inadequate caloric intake. The history and physical examination of a patient with a tibial stress fracture generally indicates focal point tenderness at the site of the fracture, unremitting pain with weight-bearing activity, and pain with hop and tuning fork testing. Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging modality with the best diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Non-operative treatment is generally successful in low-risk posteromedial tibial stress fractures. Surgical treatment, including reamed intramedullary rodding and anterior tension-band plating, is a successful treatment for chronic anterior mid-diaphyseal tibial fractures that have failed nonsurgical treatment. These procedures have produced high union rates, low complication rates, and early return to sport.
Spreadsheet Procedure for Simulating Setpoint Tracking in SISO by Dynamic Matrix Control

The objective of this work is to present a spreadsheet tool that illustrates an ideal case of dynamic matrix control (DMC) calculations. The ideal case presented in this work is a hypothetical single‐input‐single‐output DMC control system for setpoint tracking, in the absence of disturbance and mismatch between the measured and predicted process variable, at various move suppression coefficients. Students in undergraduate process control class who followed the procedure to build the spreadsheet would gain a good basic understanding of DMC.
Development of a high sensitivity, inductively coupled, miniature magnetic probe array for detailed measurement of time varying magnetic field profiles in plasma flows

A modified B/spl dot/ circuit design has been implemented as part of a miniature magnetic probe array for the Coaxial Plasma Source experiment at the North Carolina State University. This facility is currently being used for the generation of energetic plasma flows to allow laboratory study of magnetogasdynamics with particular emphasis on the importance of the Hall effect to plasma transport in coaxial plasma sources.
Rat cystathionine beta-synthase. Gene organization and alternative splicing.

We elucidated the structure and alternative splicing patterns of the rat cystathionine beta-synthase gene. The gene is 20-25 kilobase pairs long, and its coding region is divided into 17 exons. These are alternatively spliced, forming four distinct mRNAs (types I through IV). The predicted open reading frames encode proteins of 61.5, 39, 60, and 52.5 kDa, respectively. Exons 13 and 16 are used alternatively and mutually exclusively. Exon 13 includes a stop codon and encodes the unique carboxyl-terminal sequence found in types II and IV. Exon 16 is present only in type I. Types I and III, which differ by 42 nucleotides (exon 16), are the predominant synthase mRNA forms in rat liver. Seventeen arginine peptides from pure liver synthase matched the deduced amino acid sequences of types I and III. These two polypeptides are detectable in liver extracts; each exhibits enzymatic activity when expressed in transfected Chinese hamster cells. Synthase shows substantial sequence similarity with pyridoxal 5‘-phosphate dependent enzymes from lower organisms. Similarity of synthase to Escherichia coli O-acetylserine (thiol)-lyase (cysK) is 52%; E. coli tryptophan synthase beta chain (trpB), 36%; yeast serine deaminase, 33%. Lysine 116 in synthase aligns with the established pyridoxyllysine residue of these enzymes suggesting that it is the pyridoxal 5‘-phosphate binding residue.
Probabilistic Lossy Channel Systems

Consider a system of finite state machines communicating with each other over unbounded FIFO buffers. Such a model of computation is, clearly, turing powerful. This model has been used as the backbone of ISO protocol specification languages Estelle and SDL, as it allows one to abstract away from the details, such as errors in communication, that occur at lower levels of the protocol stack. It has recently been shown (in the literature) that realistic models which implicitly model errors in the communication buffers are more tractable than models which assume perfect communication. In this paper, we propose to make the model more realistic by modeling the probability of loss in the buffers. Given specifications in such a model we provide algorithms for the probabilistic reachability problem and the probabilistic model-checking (in linear-time PTL) problem.
Beowulf and Linux: an integrated project course

This paper describes an experimental, integrated project course. The theme of the course is the Beowulf computing cluster, a parallel computing system emphasizing inexpensive hardware and software. Beowulf clusters are thoroughly described in references [1] through [5], and elsewhere. The integrated project involves assembling the cluster hardware, installing and configuring the operating system, networking, and application software, and conducting parallel-programming activities on the completed system.The course syllabus is highly adaptable and flexible. The relative emphases of topics can be tailored to suit curricular aims, student interests, and resource availabilities. As a first-time course offering, the syllabus emphasized the Linux operating system and basics of local area networks. Lab activities focused on assembling and configuring the hardware and software. Besides the hardware setup, projects included initial operating system installations, kernel configurations and compilations, and configuration and use of networking features such as the NFS filesystem. For the final lab activity, trivial parallel programs were successfully compiled and executed to demonstrate "proof of principle". Subsequent sessions of the course will be streamlined to put more emphasis on the parallel programming component. A basic, "beginner's" design for a system is described in some detail. The hardware consisted of retired lab computers and required less than $100 additional expense for cabling and incidental materials. All software was free, open-source material.
Warm Gas at High Redshift

We discuss the effects of gravitational collapse on the shape of absorption line profiles for low column density (N(HI) < 1014 cm-2) Lyman α forest clouds and argue by comparison with cosmological simulations that Lyman α forest observations show the signs of ongoing gravitational structure formation at high redshift. The departures of observed line profiles from thermal Voigt profiles (caused by bulk motion of infalling gas and compressional heating) are evident from the results of profile fitting as a correlation in velocity space among pairs of components with discrepant Doppler parameters. This correlation also allows us to qualitatively understand the meaning of the Doppler parameter — column density (b-N HI ) diagram for intergalactic gas.
Formation of complexes between self-peptides and MHC class II molecules in cells defective for presentation of exogenous protein antigens

A vertebrate immune response is initiated by the presentation of foreign protein Ag to MHC class II-restricted T lymphocytes by specialized APC. Presentation of self-peptides in association with MHC class II molecules is also necessary for the induction of T cell tolerance. It is important to understand whether functionally divergent APC are responsible for delivering these distinct signals to class II-restricted T cells. Here we examine the ability of I-Ad surface molecules expressed in diverse cell types to stimulate I-Ad-restricted T cells. Recipients included J558L myeloma cells and EL4 lymphoma cells expressing barely detectable or undetectable levels of Ii chain mRNA. This allowed us to examine the influence of Ii expression on the presentation of intracellular Ag and thus test the hypothesis that Ii chain is necessary to prevent access of self-peptides to newly synthesized class II molecules. Ii chain expression did not restore the ability of transformants to process and present soluble protein Ag. A striking result was the finding that cells showing a defect in the exogenous class II presentation pathway were capable of functioning as stimulators when they expressed intracellular secreted but not signal-less V-CH3b Ag. Thus, so-called professional APC that can capture and process exogenous protein Ag may express a specialized set of proteins not required for the presentation of self-peptides.
Evaluation of the Effect of the Different Distances between Two Facades Natural Ventilation on Atrium Buildings with DSF and PMV-PPD Comfort☆

Abstract The energy efficiency and thermal performance of double facade glazed buildings are often questioned. However, nowadays especially glazed double skin facades buildings are increasingly being built around the world; the building facade plays an important role in achieving thermal comfort and energy conservation. Due to technological advances, transparency and the use of glass has become an attractive envelope option in architectural design. Building glass facades can provide outdoor views and an excellent level of natural light as well as the potential for natural ventilation. However, with the use of glass, heat loss during the winter and solar gain during the summer will increase energy loads. This study of aim is to determine the effect of thermal comfort in building and performance of surfaces, to determine if a DSF configuration will provide a better thermal comfort through mechanically assisted natural ventilation. By using the CFD program, this study were analysed the thermal comfort statuses of different atrium buildings volumes with double skin facades.
Disruption of P2RY5, an orphan G protein-coupled receptor, underlies autosomal recessive woolly hair

The genetic determinants of hair texture in humans are largely unknown. Several human syndromes exist in which woolly hair comprises a part of the phenotype; however, simple autosomal recessive inheritance of isolated woolly hair has only rarely been reported. To identify a gene involved in controlling hair texture, we performed genetic linkage analysis in six families of Pakistani origin with autosomal recessive woolly hair (ARWH; OMIM 278150). All six families showed linkage to chromosome 13q14.2-14.3 (Z = 17.97). In all cases, we discovered pathogenic mutations in P2RY5, which encodes a G protein-coupled receptor and is a nested gene residing within intron 17 of the retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) gene. P2RY5 is expressed in both Henle's and Huxley's layers of the inner root sheath of the hair follicle. Our findings indicate that disruption of P2RY5 underlies ARWH and, more broadly, uncover a new gene involved in determining hair texture in humans.
Maternal pregravid obesity changes gene expression profiles toward greater inflammation and reduced insulin sensitivity in umbilical cord

Maternal obesity is associated with unfavorable outcomes, which may be reflected in the as yet undiscovered gene expression profiles of the umbilical cord (UC). UCs from 12 lean (pregravid BMI < 24.9) and 10 overweight/obese (pregravid BMI ≥ 25) women without gestational diabetes were collected for gene expression analysis using Human Primeview microarrays. Metabolic parameters were assayed in mother’s plasma and cord blood. Although offspring birth weight and adiposity (at 2 wk) did not differ between groups, expression of 232 transcripts was affected in UC from overweight/obese compared with those of lean mothers. Gene-set enrichment analysis revealed an upregulation of genes related to metabolism, stimulus and defense response, and inhibitory to insulin signaling in the overweight/obese group. We confirmed that EGR1, periostin, and FOSB mRNA expression was induced in UCs from overweight/obese mothers, while endothelin receptor B, KLF10, PEG3, and EGLN3 expression was decreased. Messenger RNA expression of EGR1, FOSB, MEST, and SOCS1 were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with mother’s first-trimester body fat mass (%). Our data suggest a positive association between maternal obesity and changes in UC gene expression profiles favoring inflammation and insulin resistance, potentially predisposing infants to develop metabolic dysfunction later on in life.
Cystic fibrosis gene mutations and pancreatitis risk: Relation to epithelial ion transport and trypsin inhibitor gene mutations

Abstract Background & Aims: Nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis is usually idiopathic and often associated with cystic fibrosis gene ( CFTR ) mutations. It is unknown whether pancreatitis risk correlates with having 1 or 2 CFTR mutations, abnormal epithelial ion transport, or mutations of other genes. Methods: We tested 39 patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (mean age at diagnosis, 33 years) for common mutations of CFTR and of genes encoding a trypsin inhibitor ( PSTI ) and trypsinogen ( PRSS1 ). To exclude hereditary pancreatitis, we initially relied on family history and subsequently tested for PRSS1 mutations. Twenty subjects were tested for rare CFTR mutations (DNA sequencing) and 11 were tested for extrapancreatic CFTR function (clinical and physiologic evaluation). Results: Mutations were identified in 24 of 39 subjects. Nine patients had cystic fibrosis–causing mutations, 8 of whom also had mild-variable mutations. Eight others had only mild-variable mutations. Nine subjects had the N34S PSTI mutation and 1 had hereditary pancreatitis (R122H, PRSS1 ). Pancreatitis risk was increased approximately 40-fold by having 2 CFTR mutations ( P P P CFTR mutations had abnormal nasal epithelial ion transport and clinical findings suggesting residual CFTR function between that in cystic fibrosis and in carriers. By contrast, subjects with only PSTI mutations had normal CFTR function. Conclusions: CFTR-related pancreatitis risk correlates with having 2 CFTR mutations and reduced extrapancreatic CFTR function. The N34S PSTI mutation increased risk separately. Testing for pancreatitis-associated CFTR and PSTI genotypes may be useful in nonalcoholic pancreatitis. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2001;121:1310-1319
The Impact of Institutional Changes on Corporate Governance Mechanisms in Transition Economies

We examine how institutional changes affect corporate governance in transition economies. We develop a transition model that specifies three stages of the transition process including the early, intermediate, and late. We develop a framework for assessing the effectiveness of widely recognized corporate governance mechanisms (CGMs) in and across these stages. Our general proposition is that as transition economies move from early, to intermediate, to late stages, effective CGMs tend to be those that are based on state administrative control power, social networks and private orders, and market forces and formal institutions, respectively. Our study has contributions and implications regarding the transition economies and the impacts of institutions on corporate governance.
Negotiating Accountability within International Contexts: The Role of Bounded Voice

This article suggests that the current preoccupation with increasing organizational accountability with local stakeholders introduces a tyranny of accountability. Drawing upon qualitative data collected from an international nongovernmental organization, this study introduces the concept of “bounded voice” as a tactic for managing competing demands for accountability. Bounded voice describes a dynamic organizational process in which opportunities for voice are strategically and provisionally limited to particular forums. In addition to highlighting the potential of bounded voice for empowerment efforts, the paper illustrates: (1) how problems related to voice and accountability are magnified within globalized contexts requiring governance from afar, and (2) how the ambiguity of the grassroots complicates the process of inventing and monitoring modes of accountability.
Instructional conditions for using dynamic visual displays: a review

A review of research related to the learning effect of dynamic versus static visual displays in media-based instruction is presented. The analysis reveals that the dynamic visual display (DVD) is generally more effective than the static visual display (SVD). However, the research findings do not consistently support the superior effect of DVDs. These conflicting findings seem to be related to the different theoretical rationales and methodological approaches used in various studies and suggest that the use of DVDs should be determined selectively. From the literature review and theoretical discussions about instructional functions of DVDs, we propose six instructional conditions under which DVDs can be effectively used. The conditions are for: (a) demonstrating sequential actions in a procedural task; (b) simulating causal models of complex system behaviors; (c) explicitly representing invisible system functions and behaviors; (d) illustrating a task which is difficult to describe verbally; (e) providing a visual analogy for an abstract and symbolic concept, and (f) obtaining attention focused on specific tasks or presentation displays. Finally, several important considerations for the design and presentation of DVDs are discussed.
Gas-liquid chromatographic studies on the twenty protein amino acids: a single-column separation.

Abstract The results of earlier investigations by Gehrke et al. toward a single column separation of the twenty protein amino acids showed that polar liquid phases decompose the N-trifluoroacetyl (N-TFA) n-butyl ester derivatives of arginine, histidine, and cystine. Therefore, this study was to evaluate a number of non-polar liquid phases with regard to their ability to separate and reproducibly elute the N-TFA n-butyl ester derivatives. In 1971, a chromatographic system was reported by Gehrke et al. which employed dual columns; one of 0.65% ethylene glycol adipate (stabilized grade EGA) as liquid phase on 80–100 mesh acid-washed Chromosorb W for separation of seventeen amino acid derivatives, and a mixed phase column containing 1.0% (w/w) OV-210 and 2.0% (w/w) OV-17 on Gas-Chrom Q was used for the separation of histidine, arginine, and cystine. Both columns of the system were operated under the same thermal conditions, thus allowing simultaneous operation. The complete separation of the twenty amino acids on a single column is ultimately desirable and would aid considerable with respect to speed and cost; yet a dual-column combination is of significant merit in that additional separations are achieved and valuable cross confirmation is obtained on the amino acids in the sample. A careful study of the separation characteristics of the OV series of siloxane liquid phases demonstrated that none of these phases, singly or in combinations would yield complete and reproducible separation of the protein amino acids on a single column. Studies were then made to determine the optimum initial column temperature and hold time for separation of Ala, Thr, Gly, and Ser, and Phe, Lys, and Tyr by measuring the rates of migration of these derivatives under isothermal conditions on non-polar liquid phases. The optimum separation of all twenty amino acid derivatives was achieved with a 2.5 m × 2 mm I.D. glass column of 10% (w/w) Apiezon M on 80–100 mesh HP Chromosorb W with an initial column temperature of 90° for 6–9 min, then a 6°/min program rate to 260°. Analyses of dipeptides containing histidine resulted in no apparent on-column conversion of diacyl histidine to the monoacyl derivative. Apiezon M is a useful liquid phase for the single column separation of the protein amino acid N-TFA n-butyl esters.
Oral complications in a patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia: a report of case

Herpes viruses and Candida albicans are among the most common opportunistic pathogens infecting patients with neoplastic disease, especially those patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. Herpes virus infections have increased as treatment of oncological disease has become more aggressive and immunosuppression disorders have become more prevalent. Herpes simplex virus on the lips and mouth of a patient receiving chemotherapy can progress to multiple lesions in the mouth, larynx, and in rare instances can lead to pneumonitis and widely disseminated infection. The management and dental findings of a 13-year-old patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia are described.
Children's Language of Sexuality in Child Sexual Abuse Investigations: A Brief Report

ABSTRACT The literature on child sexual abuse stresses the importance of assessing the congruence between the child's language and developmental level. However, only anecdotal examples have been cited in the literature to describe children's language of sexuality. In the present study, 90 investigative interviews were randomly selected and content analyzed to identify children's terminology of private body parts and sexual abuse activities. The analyses indicated that 37 different words and phrases were used to describe private body parts. More than one third of the children used the term “private” to represent a vagina, breasts, a penis, and/or an anus. “Touching” was the most frequently used term in describing sexual abuse. Female children were more expressive than male children in describing sexual parts and/or sexual abuse. Younger children used a wider range of words than older children to clarify sexual body parts and sexual activities. In general, children's choice of words can imply various meanin...
Botanical composition and soil characteristics of grasslands in the central Appalachian region.

ABSTRACT Sustainability of grasslands results from complex interactions involving climate, soil, and forage and livestock management. Soils from the central Appalachian region are acidic and thus unlikely to support legume production without substantial soil fertility management. A survey was conducted to determine if the level of legume forages in central Appalachian grasslands was sufficient for sustainable productivity and if the levels of soil nutrients are sufficient to maintain legumes. Results from this survey indicated that the soil in most fields had adequate levels of plant nutrients for satisfactory forage legume production; however, most fields had sub-optimal levels of forage legumes. These results suggest that increases in the abundance of legume forages in the central Appalachian grassland will occur with changes in livestock and forage management rather than increasing soil fertility.
New Energetic Complexes of Copper(II) and the Acetone Carbohydrazide Schiff Base as Potential Flame Colorants for Pyrotechnic Mixtures

The drive to find viable alternatives to common explosives has resulted in increased interest in the development of new transition-metal organometallic energetic materials. To this end we report on the synthesis and characterization of the new energetic compounds, [CuX2(C7H14N4O)2·H2O] (X = ClO4–; NO3–), in addition to a new pathway to synthesizing copper hydrazinium chloride (CuCl3– N2H5+) in a clean facile way. All three complexes were characterized by low temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction, while the two new compounds were also characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Because of the energetic nature of the new compounds, drop hammer and spark ignition tests were performed; Cu(NO3)2(C7H14N4O)2 was insensitive to both and Cu(ClO4)2(C7H14N4O)2 proved to be shock sensitive at high impact forces. It is expected that both of the compounds could be utilized in pyrotechnics as generators of green and blue colors, respectively.
Behavioral risk disparities in a random sample of self-identifying gay and non-gay male university students.

This Internet-based study was designed to compare health risk behaviors of gay and non-gay university students from stratified random cross-sectional samples of undergraduate students. Mean age of the 4,167 male participants was 20.5 (±2.7) years. Of these, 206 (4.9%) self-identified as gay and 3,961 (95.1%) self-identified as heterosexual. After adjusting for selected characteristics and clustering within university, gay men had higher odds of reporting: multiple sexual partners; cigarette smoking; methamphetamine use; gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use; other illicit drug use within the past 30 days and during lifetime; and intimate partner violence (IPV). Understanding the health risk behaviors of gay and heterosexual men is crucial to identifying associated factors and intervening upon them using appropriate and tailored strategies to reduce behavioral risk disparities and improve health outcomes.
Ovarian cancer metastatic to the stomach diagnosed by eus-guided fine needle aspiration

Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women and the leading cause of death among those with gynecological malignancies. Epithelial ovarian cancers commonly spread along intraperitoneal and lymphatic channels. Gastric metastasis of ovarian cancer is extremely rare. In this report we describe the endosonographic appearance of ovarian cancer metastatic to the stomach and demonstrate the utility of EUS-FNA in providing a diagnosis. A 62 year-old woman with a history of ovarian cancer presented with gastrointestinal complaints of belching, reflux and epigastric discomfort. Seven years prior to presentation, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She initally underwent surgical debulking followed by 6 cycles of paclitaxel and cisplatin. After this she was monitored closely, and was thought to be disease-free until one year prior to presentation when her CA-125 started to rise. Chest, abdomen and pelvic CT revealed no recurrence. EGD revealed a submucosal mass with central ulceration in the proximal body of the stomach. Multiple biopsies were obtained showing only mild chronic gastritis. The patient was referred for endosonography of the mass. EUS demonstrated a heterogenous 4-cm mass with irregular borders arising from the muscularis propria. FNA was performed using a 22g needle. The preliminary endosonographic and cytologic diagnoses were gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). However, final pathologic findings were consistent with a poorly differentiated carcinoma. Immunoperoxidase staining was positive for CA-125, and cytokeratins 7 and AE1:3. These findings were consistent with metastatic ovarian cancer and the patient subsequently began another chemotherapeutic regimen. Two previously reported cases of ovarian cancer and intramural gastric metastases presented with gastrointestinal bleeding. The majority of submucosal tumors (SMT), however, do not cause symptoms. The role of EUS in diagnosing SMTs in now well established. By EUS, metastatic deposits in the stomach appear as hypoechoic heterogenous masses which may involve any of the sonographic layers. For gastric SMTs, EUS-FNA is only 60% sensitive in providing diagnostic pathologic material. The patient in our case-report had an unrevealing CT and the only indication of recurrent disease was an increase in serum CA-125. Hence EUS-FNA was key in diagnosing metastatic disease in this patient.
Ambivalence toward Adult Children: Differences between Mothers and Fathers.

The authors examined how ambivalence toward adult children within the same family differs between mothers and fathers and whether patterns of maternal and paternal ambivalence can be explained by the same set of predictors. Using data collected in the Within-Family Differences Study, they compared older married mothers' and fathers' (N = 129) assessments of ambivalence toward each of their adult children (N = 444). Fathers reported higher levels of ambivalence overall. Both mothers and fathers reported lower ambivalence toward children who were married, better educated, and who they perceived to hold similar values; however, the effects of marital status and education were more pronounced for fathers, whereas the effect of children's value congruence was more pronounced for mothers. Fathers reported lower ambivalence toward daughters than sons, whereas mothers reported less ambivalence toward sons than daughters.
Practising What We Preach: The Case of Women in Ministry

This essay celebrates the fortieth anniversary of women's ordination in the Church of Scotland as an occasion to consider the tension between proclamation and practice. Starting with stories of women's ministry as illustrative, it then explores a case within this case—self-sacrifice in women's lives. This examination reveals how deeply embedded Christian theology is within common life. To make changes in the family (e.g., share care of children) or congregation (e.g., include women in leadership) involves one immediately in the thicket of Christian doctrine. The essay concludes by arguing that dealing with this slippage between preaching and practice or word and deed lies at the heart of practical theology.
Electrochemical Water Splitting Coupled with Organic Compound Oxidation: The Role of Active Chlorine Species

The need for alternative energy sources with minimal to no carbon footprint is growing. A solar-powered electrochemical system that produces hydrogen via water splitting using organic pollutants as sacrificial electron donors is a possible solution. The hybridization of a BiO_x−TiO_2/Ti anode with a stainless steel cathode powered by a photovoltaic (PV) array has been shown to achieve this process. The electrochemical degradation kinetics of a variety of organic substrates is investigated as a function of a background electrolyte, NaCl versus Na_2SO_4. The observed substrate (S) degradation kinetics (k_(obs)^S) are found to correlate well with the cell current (I_(cell)) and the H_2 production energy efficiency (EE) in the presence of NaCl as the background electrolyte. In the case of Na_2SO_4, no correlation is observed and the degradation rates are greatly reduced in comparison to NaCl. This suggests that the primary chemical oxidant is electrolyte-dependent. The k_(obs)^S’s are found to be proportional to the bimolecular rate constants of Cl_2^(•−) with the substrate (k_(Cl_2^(•−) + S)) and to substrate-induced ΔEEs (EE with substrate − EE without substrate) in the presence of NaCl. The ΔEE correlation arises from the active chlorine species acting as an electron shuttle, which compete with H_2 production for cathodic electrons. In the presence of the organic substrates, the active chlorine species are quenched, increasing the fraction of electrons utilized for the H_2 production.
Alternative splicing of an rnp-4f mRNA isoform retaining an evolutionarily-conserved 5'-UTR intronic element is developmentally regulated and shown via RNAi to be essential for normal central nervous system development in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Two major mRNA isoforms arise via alternative splicing in the 5′-UTR of Drosophila splicing assembly factor rnp-4f pre-mRNA, designated “long” (unspliced) and “short” (alternatively spliced). The coding potential for the two isoforms is identical, raising interesting questions as to the control mechanism and functional significance of this 5′-UTR intronic splicing decision. Developmental Northerns show that two temporally distinct rnp-4f mRNA degradation episodes occur during embryogenesis. The first occurs at the midblastula transition (MBT) stage and involves degradation of both maternally-derived transcripts, while the second involves only the long mRNA isoform and occurs during late embryo stages. Immunostaining of ovaries and staged embryos combined with results from developmental Westerns shows that maternal RNP-4F protein persists into fertilized eggs at high levels, associated with a burst of long isoform-specific transcription which begins just after the MBT and peaks in mid-embryo stages. These observations are discussed in support of a putative negative feedback control model for modulation of RNP-4F translation. In situ hybridization shows that the long isoform is relatively abundant throughout the developing embryonic germ band and central nervous system (CNS), especially along the dorsal roof of the ventral nerve cord. Long rnp-4f mRNA knockdown via RNAi reveals a variety of CNS abnormalities, which leads us to postulate that this isoform acts upstream of other genes which have been shown to be important for normal CNS development.
Symmetric transcription of simian virus 40 DNA in the nuclei of transformed mouse cells.

Abstract The transcription pattern of SV40 DNA in the transformed mouse 3T3 cell line SV101 has been determined by DNA-RNA hybridization studies using the separated strands of restriction endonuclease derived viral DNA fragments as molecular probes. RNA isolated from the cytoplasm of these cells contained asymmetrically transcribed base sequences complementary to only the early region of the viral genome, while RNA isolated from purified nuclei contained symmetrically transcribed sequences complementary to all regions. The presence of late, anti-early, and anti-late RNA copies in the nuclei of these transformed cells, and their absence from the cytoplasm, suggests that RNA processing and/or transport are significant control mechanisms in the expression of this eukaryotic DNA.
Growth and development of yearling horses fed either alfalfa or coastal bermudagrass: hay and a concentrate formulated for bermudagrass hay

Two experiments were conducted with yearling horses to determine whether the use of a concentrate designed to be fed with Coastal bermudagrass hay would cause growth differences or skeletal abnormalities when fed with western alfalfa hay. In experiment 1, 13 thoroughbred and quarterhorse yearlings, 332.8 ± 8.5 days, of age were assigned at random within breed and gender subgroups to 1 of 2 diets: (1) alfalfa hay plus a 12.7% CP concentrate and (2) coastal bermudagrass hay plus the same concentrate. The horses were housed in drylot paddocks in groups of 3 or 4 animals and group fed the hay at 1 kg/100 kg BW daily. The concentrates were fed individually to appetite for two 1.5-hour feeding periods daily for 112 days. Orts were weighed back daily. The animals were weighed, measured, and blood samples collected at the start of the experiment and at 28-day intervals for 112 days. Radiographs of the third metacarpal were made on day 0, 56, and 112 for estimation of bone mineral content. In experiment 2, 15 thoroughbred and quarterhorse yearlings, 345.6 ± 8.4 days of age, were used to repeat the experiment. The concentrate fed in this experiment contained 12.4% CP. In experiment 1, the hay protein content was less than anticipated, resulting in a protein intake below NRC1 recommendations. In experiment 2, the hay protein was higher and more typical of NRC1 values. In both experiments, feed intake of the 2 diets was not different (P > .10). Weight gain (P = .0136, P = .0330), heart girth gain (P = .0084, P= .0044), and hip height gain (P = .0165, P = .0137) were higher for the alfalfa fed yearlings for experiment 1 and experiment 2, respectively. Withers height gain (P = .0079) and body length gain (P = .0232) were also greater for the alfalfa fed yearlings on experiment 2. Bone mineral content and bone metabolism indicators were not influenced by diet (P > .10).
Enhancement of the chlorpromazine-induced suppression of the conditioned avoidance response by carbonic anhydrase inhibition

Abstract Suppression of a conditioned avoidance response in rats by 2 mg/kg chlorpromazine HCl (CPZ) was enhanced (230%) after treatment with 50 mg/kg acetazolamide. This enhanced pharmacological response in the acetazolamide-treated rats was accompanied by increased brain levels of 35 S after administration of chlorpromazine. In parallel experiments, an analogue of chlorpromazine, CL-13,850. which possesses no carbonic anhydrase inhibitory activity, had no influence on the pharmacological effect or the brain levels of 35 S after administration of chlorpromazine. The data suggest the enhanced pharmacological response following acetazolamide treatment is the result of increased brain levels of chlorpromazine brought about by carbonic anhydrase inhibition.
Cross sections for excitation of the n $sup 1$D states of helium by electron impact and polarization of the resulting radiation in Glauber theory

Recently developed analytic methods, which reduce the Glauber amplitude for charged-particle--neutral-atom collisions to a one-dimensional integral representation involving modified Lommel functions, are used to evaluate the cross sections for the direct excitation of 3 $sup 1$D and 4 $sup 1$D states of helium by electron impact with incident energies from 40 to 1000 eV. It is shown that the Glauber amplitudes can be written in terms of three generating functions: One of these has already been derived by Thomas and Chan; the detailed reduction of the other two is given in this paper. Comparison is made with the Born, Ochkur, and Woollings-McDowell approximations. The polarization fraction of the 6678-A helium line emitted in e$sup -$+He collisions is also calculated in the Glauber approximation. The agreement between theory and experiment is less than satisfactory in the entire energy region.
Study of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) photoresist for CRTs

The properties of the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) photoresist activated by DAS (4,4′-diazidostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid disodium salt) were studied for a period of one week while exposing the photoresist to different lighting conditions. The results from this study showed that white light caused the DAS in the photoresist to degrade and also caused the PVP and DAS to crosslink. The exposure of the photoresist to yellow light and no light caused minimal DAS degradation and crosslinking of the photoresist. Exposure to air caused the DAS degradation rate to increase and inhibited the crosslinking reaction between PVP and DAS. Finally, both unexposed and exposed DAS were determined to be crystalline, each with different structures. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1156–1162, 2003
Assessing the impact of technology on the environment

Abstract This paper is concerned with the methodology of assessing the impact of technology on the environment. It reviews in turn the magnitude of the impact, the form of suitable studies, the need for evaluation of different aspects of the impact and describes some of the problems which exist.
Monitoring toxicity, impact, and adherence of hydroxyurea in children with sickle cell disease

Hydroxyurea (HU) is underutilized in sickle cell disease (SCD). Patient adherence with taking HU and with required drug monitoring is a provider perceived barrier to HU utilization.(1-4) To determine process issues that may contribute to these barriers we sought to: 1) describe how providers monitor and adjust HU dosing in children with SCD in clinical practice and 2) identify providers' methods of assessing HU adherence. A pilot-tested survey was emailed to American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) members. Descriptive statistics were performed. Thirty-one percent (n=350) of 1128 surveys were returned; 63% (220 of 350) of respondents provided care for children with SCD. Most providers (64.7%) follow labs monthly and almost half (41.9%) see patients monthly. The majority (61.9%) adjusted HU dosing using maximum tolerated dose commonly determined using ANC (27.9%), platelets (26.5%), and WBC count (11.2%). Adherence was primarily assessed using patient interview (84.2%), MCV (75.3%), and HbF levels (70.7%). The majority of providers perform monthly monitoring and assess HU adherence using unreliable methods. Determining optimal frequency of monitoring HU and more reliable methods of assessing adherence are essential to balancing safety and the elimination of barriers to promote HU utilization.
Ever vs never smoking among an urban, multiethnic sample of Haitian-, Caribbean-, and U.S.-born blacks.

Background.Despite the high rate of current smoking among blacks in the United States, to date there have been no studies comparing smoking rates or predictors of smoking among adults from different black ethnic groups living in the United States. If cancer control programs are to successfully reduce the risk of smoking-related cancers within black communities, more extensive data on demographics, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices within ethnic groups are needed. Methods.We conducted a structured telephone interview to assess smoking status, alcohol use, cancer-related attitudes and beliefs, and demographic information among Haitian-born (N= 165), Caribbean-born (N= 354), and U.S.-born (N= 402) blacks living in New York City in 1992. Results.Relative to U.S.-born participants, both Caribbean- and Haitian-born participants were significantly less likely to have ever smoked. Although both groups of foreign-born men were much more likely to have ever smoked relative to their female counterparts, U.S.-born men and women were equally likely to have ever smoked. Alcohol use was consistently related to smoking across ethnic and gender groups, and this association was enhanced among older drinkers. The belief that smoking is not related to cancer was associated with an almost twofold increase of ever smoking. Conclusions.The rate of ever smoking among urban, foreign-born blacks is considerably lower than among U.S.-born blacks; among the foreign-born participants, ever smoking was lower among women relative to men. Alcohol use is an important predictor of smoking status, particularly among older drinkers.
Superconductivity in Nb.95Ta.05Se3

Abstract We have measured the resistivity of NbSe 3 doped with 5% Ta from room temperature down to 0.5K and compared our results with similar measurements on pure NbSe 3 . The pure sample remains normal to the lowest temperature (0.5K), whereas the doped sample has a sharp transition to the superconducting state with T c = 1.5 ± 0.2 K . Measurements of the critical magnetic field indicate that the Ta doped samples are homogeneous, anisotropic three dimensional superconductors.
Was the Midcontinent Rift part of a successful seafloor-spreading episode?

The ~1.1 Ga Midcontinent Rift (MCR), the 3000 km long largely buried feature causing the largest gravity and magnetic anomaly within the North American craton, is traditionally considered a failed rift formed by isolated midplate volcanism and extension. We propose instead that the MCR formed as part of the rifting of Amazonia (Precambrian northeast South America) from Laurentia (Precambrian North America) and became inactive once seafloor spreading was established. A cusp in Laurentia's apparent polar wander path near the onset of MCR volcanism, recorded by the MCR's volcanic rocks, likely reflects the rifting. This scenario is suggested by analogy with younger rifts elsewhere and consistent with the MCR's extension to northwest Alabama along the East Continent Gravity High, southern Appalachian rocks having Amazonian affinities, and recent identification of contemporaneous large igneous provinces in Amazonia.
Physiological Effect of Lichen Secondary Metabolites on the Lichen Parasite Marchandiomyces Corallinus

It has been suggested that the host specificity exhibited by some lichenicolous fungi depends on their ability to tolerate the secondary chemistry of potential host lichens. For example, the lichen parasite Marchandiomyces corallinus is able to degrade the tissues of the lichen Flavoparmelia baltimorensis irrespective of the presence or absence of endogenous phenolic compounds. In contrast, the degradation of tissues from the lichen Lasallia papulosa is suppressed when endogenous phenolics are not removed. We have investigated the physiological basis of this inhibition in order to understand more about how lichen chemistry influences host preference in lichenicolous fungi. Results showed that the secondary compounds from L. papulosa inhibit the overall growth of M. corallinus , but not the catalytic activity of its tissue-degrading polysaccharidases. This effect is different from that shown by another lichen parasite, Nectria parmeliae , where lichen compounds specifically inhibited polysaccharidase activity. Compared with the compounds of L. papulosa , the endogenous phenolics of F. baltimorensis inhibited the growth of M. corallinus substantially less and exhibited little or no inhibition of polysaccharidases. For M. corallinus , host preference appears to be associated with physiological adaptation to the chemistry of F. baltimorensis .
Assessing and Adapting the Home Environment to Reduce Falls and Meet the Changing Capacity of Older Adults

Falls in older adults are a serious problem for individuals, their families, and the health care system. This article describes research regarding fall risk assessment, risk reduction interventions, and public policy aimed at reducing the risk of falls for older adults in home settings. Assessments for frail older adults should include observations of not only the physical environment, but also the interactions among the environment, behavior, and physical functioning so that interventions are tailored to the specific situation of the individual. Home modification and technology can prove useful when designing interventions aimed at reducing fall risks. Problems such as cost, reluctance to adopt or implement suggestions, and a lack of knowledge may present barriers to effective home modification. Program and policy options for the future include improved training for service personnel who visit the homes of older adults, increased awareness of and coordination between programs or interventions aimed at re...
On runtime management in multi-core packet processing systems

Computer networks require increasingly complex packet processing in the data path to adapt to new functionality requirements. To meet performance demands, packet processing systems on routers employ multiple processor cores. We investigate the design of an efficient run-time management system that handles the allocation of processing tasks to processor cores. Using run-time profiling information about processing requirements and traffic characteristics, the system is able to adapt to dynamic changes in the workload and balance the utilization of all processing resources to maximize throughput. We present a prototype implementation of our system that is based on the Click modular router. Our results show that our prototype system can adapt to changing workloads and process computationally demanding packets at 1.32 times higher data rates than SMP Click.
Getting a line on pain: is it mediated by dedicated pathways?

Are painful stimuli signaled to the thalamus by distinct pathways? A new finding of structure/function correlations in spinal neurons suggests that the answer is yes.