cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of capsid assembly for an icosahedral plant virus.

Capsids of spherical viruses share a common architecture: an icosahedral arrangement of identical proteins. We suggest that there may be a limited number of common assembly mechanisms for such viruses. Previous assembly mechanisms were proposed on the basis of virion structure but were not rigorously tested. Here we apply a rigorous analysis of assembly to cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV), a typical, small, positive-strand RNA virus. The atomic resolution structure of CCMV revealed an interleaving of subunits around the quasi-sixfold vertices, which suggested that capsid assembly was initiated by a hexamer of dimers (Speir et al., 1995, Structure 3, 63–78). However, we find that the capsid protein readily forms pentamers of dimers in solution, based on polymerization kinetics observed by light scattering. Capsid assembly is nucleated by a pentamer, determined from analysis of the extent of assembly by size-exclusion chromatography. Subsequent assembly likely proceeds by the cooperative addition of dimers, leading to the T = 3 icosahedral capsid. At high protein concentrations, the concentration-dependent nucleation reaction causes an overabundance of five-dimer nuclei that can be identified by classical light scattering. In turn these associate to form incomplete capsids and pseudo-T = 2 capsids, assembled by oligomerization of 12 pentamers of dimers. The experimentally derived assembly mechanisms of T = 3 and pseudo-T = 2 CCMV capsids are directly relevant to interpreting the structure and assembly of other T = 3 viruses such as Norwalk virus and pseudo-T = 2 viruses such as the vp3 core of blue tongue virus.
GAT: A Graph-Theoretical Analysis Toolbox for Analyzing Between-Group Differences in Large-Scale Structural and Functional Brain Networks

In recent years, graph theoretical analyses of neuroimaging data have increased our understanding of the organization of large-scale structural and functional brain networks. However, tools for pipeline application of graph theory for analyzing topology of brain networks is still lacking. In this report, we describe the development of a graph-analysis toolbox (GAT) that facilitates analysis and comparison of structural and functional network brain networks. GAT provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that facilitates construction and analysis of brain networks, comparison of regional and global topological properties between networks, analysis of network hub and modules, and analysis of resilience of the networks to random failure and targeted attacks. Area under a curve (AUC) and functional data analyses (FDA), in conjunction with permutation testing, is employed for testing the differences in network topologies; analyses that are less sensitive to the thresholding process. We demonstrated the capabilities of GAT by investigating the differences in the organization of regional gray-matter correlation networks in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and healthy matched Controls (CON). The results revealed an alteration in small-world characteristics of the brain networks in the ALL survivors; an observation that confirm our hypothesis suggesting widespread neurobiological injury in ALL survivors. Along with demonstration of the capabilities of the GAT, this is the first report of altered large-scale structural brain networks in ALL survivors.
Trypanosome mRNAs share a common 5′ spliced leader sequence

A 5'-terminal leader sequence of 35 nucleotides was found to be present on multiple trypanosome RNAs. Based on its representation in cDNA libraries, we estimate that many, if not all, trypanosome mRNAs contain this leader. This same leader was originally identified on mRNAs encoding the molecules responsible for antigenic variation, variant surface glycoproteins. Studies of selected cDNAs containing this leader sequence revealed that leader-containing transcripts can be stage-specific, stage-regulated, or constitutive. They can be abundant or rare, and transcribed from single or multigene families. No linkage between the genomic leader sequences and the structural gene exons was observed. Possible mechanisms by which the leader sequences are added to trypanosome mRNAs are discussed.
The credit needs of the African trade and the development of the credit economy in England

Abstract The paper is premised on the fact that credit institutions made important contributions to the growth of output in manufacturing and commerce in the decades preceding, and during, the Industrial Revolution. It is argued that the development of the credit economy depended on the size of the market for credit transactions in England. Before the second half of the 17th century, that market was not large enough to justify the establishment of credit institutions. The growth of the slave-based Atlantic system in the 17th and 18th centuries (with its peculiar financial requirements), the capture by the British of a predominant share of the trade and commodity production connected with the system after 1660, and the financial needs of the British state arising from the military struggles by which this share was wrested from European rivals, all expanded the market for credit several times over, while at the same time providing much of the funds for the establishment of credit institutions.
Deoxyribonucleic acid incorporation by transformed bacteria

Abstract From streptomycin resistant pneumococci grown in presence of 32 P phosphate, DNA was recovered having 32 P and the capacity to induce drug resistance in sensitive organisms. Transformable populations were treated with this preparation for short periods, then examined for the extent of transformation and amount of isotope bound. It was found that, for a given 32 P-DNA preparation, the amount of isotope incorporated by the cells is proportional to the fraction of cells transformed to drug resistance. This was true when the frequencies were deliberately altered over a 20-fold range by varying: (1) the duration of cell-DNA exposure, (2) the DNA concentration, (3) the calcium concentration, or (4) the pretreatment of the cells. The amount of isotope taken up per observed transformation varies with the state and quality of the DNA preparation. The most effective fresh preparation provided 2.1·10 −15 grams DNA (or 1.4 times the DNA content found per cell) incorporated by the population when one cell is transformed in a given property. All of the isotope incorporated as DNA, from which a certain fraction gives rise to genetic change, is retained throughout at least the first five subsequent bacterial divisions.
Recent advances in the chemistry of vitamin B 12 and vitamin B 12 model compounds: reductive cobalt-carbon bond cleavage reactions

ABSTRACT The cobalt–carbon bond in alkylcobaloximes and in alkylcobalt derivatives of related chelates is reductively cleaved by thiols in mildly acidic medium, or by carbon monoxide, dithionite and stannite in alkaline solution. The reductants interact initially by trans attack of the cobalt atom, followed by the rate-determining cleavage of the Co–C bond. Cobalt-bound methyl groups are converted into methyl carbanions, or species with the reactivity of methyl carbanions, which react with protons of the medium to form methane. In the presence of CO 2 detectable amounts of acetic acid are formed, in accord with this mechanism. The reductive cleavage of organocobalt complexes, derived from vitamin B 12 or vitamin B 12 model compounds, by thiols is correlated with available enzymological evidence on ribonucleotide reductase of Lactobacillus leichmannii. microbial methane biosynthesis of Methanobacillus omelianskii and acetate biosynthesis by Clostridium thermoaceticum. All three enzymatic processes are envisaged to involve reductive Co–C bond cleavage reactions of coenzyme–substrate intermediates as part of the catalytic cycle.
Multiscale representation and estimation of fractal point processes

Fractal point processes have a potentially important role to play in the modeling of a wide range of natural and man-made phenomena. However, the lack of a suitable framework for their representation has frequently made their application in many problems difficult. We introduce natural multiscale representations for an important class of these processes based on mixtures of Poisson processes. In turn, this framework leads to efficient new algorithms for both the synthesis and the analysis of such processes. These include algorithms for optimal fractal dimension and interarrival time estimation that are of interest in a range of applications. Several aspects of the performance of these algorithms are also addressed.
Welcome Aboard and Homeward Bound: The NICU Family's Journey for a Safe Voyage to Discharge

Newborn Care Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program The purpose of the Birthways Lactation Services program is twofold. We want to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates and thereby improve long-term health for every infant. We also want to increase the lactation consultant’s productivity while decreasing full time equivalents and cost. Most lactation programs have lost state funding in recent years and are now funded by hard-to-find grants, or as in our hospital’s case, by community benefit dollars.
Genetic testing: when to test and when to refer

Abstract Paediatricians care for children with known or suspected genetic conditions and children at risk of genetic disorders based on family history. Paediatricians are expected to help establish the diagnosis of a genetic disorder, coordinate long-term care and serve as a resource for the family. The ever-changing landscape of genetic tests, test methods, and test sensitivity can be daunting to even the most experienced geneticist. Paediatricians need to ask questions addressing the timely use of genetic testing and thereby make decisions about when to test and when to refer.
The rhythm of mating in Paramecium aurelia, syngen 3.

The periodic mating behavior of some stocks of Paramecium aurelia, syngen 3, exhibits features typical of circadian rhythms. In the most extensively studied stock (37p), rhythmicity persists at least four days in continuous darkness, but disappears rapidly in continuous illumination (200 foot-candles). The period of the free-running rhythm is 22.2 hours, and relatively insensitive to ambient temperature. Cycles of illumination and temperature can regulate the mating rhythm. Changes in illumination at specified times in the circadian cycle will induce shifts in the phase of the rhythm. Stock differences with respect to the persistence of the rhythm and the environmental control of its phase have been observed.
Fine tuning support vector machines for short-term wind speed forecasting

Abstract Accurate forecasting of wind speed is critical to the effective harvesting of wind energy and the integration of wind power into the existing electric power grid. Least-squares support vector machines (LS-SVM), a powerful technique that is widely applied in a variety of classification and function estimation problems, carries great potential for the application of short-term wind speed forecasting. In this case, tuning the model parameters for optimal forecasting accuracy is a fundamental issue. This paper, for the first time, presents a systematic study on fine tuning of LS-SVM model parameters for one-step ahead wind speed forecasting. Three SVM kernels, namely linear, Gaussian, and polynomial kernels, are implemented. The SVM parameters considered include the training sample size, SVM order, regularization parameter, and kernel parameters. The results show that (1) the performance of LS-SVM is closely related to the dynamic characteristics of wind speed; (2) all parameters investigated greatly affect the performance of LS-SVM models; (3) under the optimal combination of parameters after fine tuning, the three kernels give comparable forecasting accuracy; (4) the performance of linear kernel is worse than the other two kernels when the training sample size or SVM order is small. In addition, LS-SVMs are compared against the persistence approach, and it is found that they can outperform the persistence model in the majority of cases.
Raman chemical Imaging of tribological surfaces

A Near-Infrared Raman Imaging Microscope (NIRIM) is used to map chemical distributions on solid surfaces. This method combines fiber-bundle image compression (FIC) hardware with advanced multi-variate signal processing software to identify and map chemical species on surfaces. This non-invasive chemical mapping technique is used to study tribological materials containing solid lubricants on a substrate, both before and after tribotesting. The samples studied consist of boron carbide (B4C) and stainless steel substrates, coated with boric acid (H3BO3), and titanium aluminum nitride (TiAIN), respectively. The NIRIM instrument was used to map the distribution of these solid lubricants on tribological surfaces, both inside and outside wear tracks created under different load and lubrication conditions, in order to better characterize the relation between chemical micro-structure and lubricant performance. The NIRIM results are shown to correlate well with the combined SEMIX-ray micro-analysis of the same samp...
Color-Blind Racial Attitudes in White Social Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Focusing on the results of one hypothesis in a larger study, this article examines level of social work education and color-blind racial attitudes in White social workers. Participants (n = 179) who were members of the National Association of Social Workers and self-identified as White, responded to an online survey and completed the Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (CoBRAS). Color-blind racial attitudes have been linked to prejudice in other studies. BSW-level practitioners were found to be less aware of racial privilege and blatant racial issues. The article addresses the findings and explores the implications for social work educators and social work practitioners.
TH‐E‐ValA‐05: Proton Lung Sterotactic Body Radiotherapy Treatment Method

Purpose:Photon Sterotactic body radiotherapy has shown a great advantage over conventional treatment for stage I NSCC. Lung SRT has been limited by targets proximally to critical structures. Proton beam therapy can reduce the dose to the healthy tissue. Use of 4DCT introduces a great advantage in delineating the moving target and account for tissue motion in proton beam path. However, design of compensator is a critical factor for dose coverage in 4DCT. Method: We investigated the use of Free Breathing (FB), Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) and Average CT (ACT) imagedata sets to obtain the best technique for proton beam treatment delivery. The target volume was the union of GTV on all phases contoured on MIP data set. Then MIP‐GTV volume density was set to the average HU of the tumor to account for density variation due to motion on all data sets. The ITV was drawn by expanding 8 mm around the MIPGTV. Apertures were designed by considering only beam penumbra and setup uncertainty. Distal and proximal distances and smearing were added to compensator design as described in reference (1). Compensators were designed on all three data using density corrected MIP‐GTV. Results: The plans were calculated on all data sets. We evaluated compensators that were designed in FB, MIP, and ACT. Dose comparison was done based on the ITV dose coverage. Plans with compensator designed in MIP or ACT produce insufficient dose coverage when calculated in FB. Conclusion: The best coverage is obtained when compensator is designed in the MIP data set and plan is evaluated on ACT data set. The dose coverage was also verified on the inspiration and expiration phases of 4D data set using MIP compensator.
X-ray Absorption Spectroscopic Studies of the Copper(I) Complexes of Crown Ether Appended Bis{(2-pyridyl)ethyl}amines and Their Dioxygen Adducts.

An X-ray absorption spectroscopic study of the Cu complexes of the bis{(2-pyridyl)ethyl}-appended monoaza crown ether 1, diaza crown ether 2, and diphenylglycoluril diaza basket 3 is reported. Following detailed analysis of the spectra of the crystallographically characterized model compound tetrapyridyl Cu(II) bis(nitrato pyridine) (4), the contributions of the ring atoms of the coordinating pyridine to the EXAFS were simulated using a multiple-scattering approach and the final parameters obtained by restrained refinement. Oxygenation of the Cu(I) complexes resulted in a large increase of the intensity of the major peak in the phase-corrected Fourier transform. This was interpreted as evidence for a m-eta(2):eta(2)-peroxo coordination mode of the oxygen between the copper ions, which had changed valence from Cu(I) to Cu(II) as judged from the edge position. This oxygen binding mode is reminiscent of that of hemocyanin, but the Cu-Cu distances are significantly shorter in the model than in the enzyme and vary with solvent. The EXAFS of the oxygenated complexes was simulated in a new approach in which, besides the parameters of the pyridine unit, those of an additional multiple scattering unit describing the geometry of the Cu-O(2)-Cu moiety were also refined.
Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Diabetic Traction Retinal Detachment

One hundred twenty-five consecutive cases of traction macular detachment secondary to diabetic retinopathy are analyzed. Visual results show 72% to have improvement. Long-term follow-up (average 39 months) of the initial 75 cases revealed that 62% of the initially improved cases remained improved. Neovascular glaucoma rate continues to be higher in aphakic eyes as compared to phakic eyes.
When locums can earn as much as partners, general practice is in trouble.

Is general practice in trouble?1 The answer is yes, and the test is the association between earnings for GP practitioner partners and GP locums. Appleby quotes current average GP gross income as £105 000 (€133 000; $164 800) a year. GP locums can usually earn more than …
Recent Climate Changes in the Northern Hemisphere

Abstract The consistency of analyzed changes in surface wind stress, sea level pressures and surface temperatures between 1980–86 and previous periods indicates the reality of statistically significant and substantial climate changes in the Northern Hemisphere, especially over the North Pacific, on decadal time scales. Cooling in North Pacific sea surface temperatures and warming along the west coast of North America and Alaska are ascribed mainly to the changes in thermal advection associated with a deeper and more extensive Aleutian Low.
Interseismic deformation associated with three-dimensional faults in the greater Los Angeles region, California

[1] Existing interseismic models are not well-suited to simulate deformation within the network of finite, intersecting, nonplanar faults observed in the greater Los Angeles region. Instead of applying fault slip rates to a model a priori, we allow three-dimensional fault surfaces to interact and accumulate mechanically viable slip distributions and then use the deep nonseismogenic portion of slip to calculate interseismic deformation. We apply this approach to the Los Angeles region and find that the geologic timescale model results match well geologic slip rate data and the interseismic timescale model results match well the heterogeneous GPS velocity pattern in the Los Angeles region. Model results suggest that localized geodetic convergence in the San Gabriel basin can be achieved with slip on multiple active fault surfaces in the Los Angeles region including relatively fast slip on the Sierra Madre fault and slow slip on the Puente Hills thrusts, in agreement with geologic data. The ability of the three-dimensional model to reproduce well both geologic slip rates and interseismic geodetic velocity patterns suggests that current day contraction rates in the greater Los Angeles region are compatible with long-term geologic deformation rates and disputes suggestions of significant temporal variations in fault slip rates inferred from existing investigations.
Suppression of liver cell proliferation by glucocorticoid hormone: A comparison of normally growing and regenerating tissue in the immature rat

The influence of glucocorticoid hormone on the time-course of liver regeneration in the immature rat has been studied by direct measurement of the rate of DNA accretion after the stimulus of partial hepatectomy. In contrast to hepatocyte proliferation associated with normal growth, which almost completely abolished by small doses of glucocorticoid, it is shown that even enormous amounts of hormone produce, at most, about a halving of the intrinsic cell proliferation rate in regenerating liver. Although deceptively magnified by the exponential growth pattern of the hepatic remnant, the inhibition of cell proliferation is thus considerably less complete than that induced in normally growing liver by much lower doses of hormone, a finding at distinct variance with the conclusions of earlier studies based entirely upon observations of radioactive precursor incorporation rather than direct measurement of DNA accretion. The mechanism by which a regenerative stimulus causes hepatocyte proliferation to lose its normal sensitivity to suppression by glucocorticoid, and thereby to exhibit a steroid insensitivity characteristic of other tissues in which cell proliferation reflects cell replenishment rather than normal growth, remains unknown.
Clifford algebras for algebras with involution of type D

In this paper we shall give a natural generalization of the even (or second) Clifford algebra of a quadratic form so as to apply to any finite dimensional central simple algebra U with involution J of type D. The corresponding even Clifford algebra ℭ+(U, J) has a canonical involution ι. One can distinguish two classes of algebras with involution of type D called type D I and D II (definition in Section I). Besides this, if the dimensionality of U is (2l)2, then one distinguishes the case l even and l odd. Accordingly, one has four possibilities for the structure of (ℭ+(U, J), ι). The most interesting of these is that of type D I , l even. In this case, we obtain a decomposition of ℭ+(U, J) as a direct sum of two ideals (ℭ1 and ℭ2 each of which is invariant under ι. The ℭi are central simple and we show that U ⊗ ℭ1 ⊗ ℭ2 ~ 1 in the Brauer group. The proof of this involves an extension of the classical principle of triality.
A comparison of instrumental reward and avoidance training with classical reinforcement technique in conditioning the eyelid response

Successful conditioning of the human eyelid response is reported, using intrumental reward training. Instrumental reward training of the eyelid appears to lead to more resistance to extinction than that found following classical or avoidance training. When reward training is added to avoidance training resistance to extinction is increased, but no corresponding effect is found when reward training is added to classical reinforcement.
Data Mining the Pdb: Phosphorylation Can Directly Interfere with Drug Binding

As many as 30% of all proteins are phosphorylated. Protein kinases play a central role in controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle progression, and angiogenesis - processes which frequently become dysregulated during carcinogenic transformation. Many experimental therapeutics are developed using purified protein and may be less effective against targets that are post-translationally modified in vivo. To test whether protein phosphorylation may decrease drug binding and increase resistance, we examined 310 unique drug-bound protein structures mapped from the DrugBank database to the Protein Data Bank. We cross-referenced the sites with recorded phosphorylation sites found in the PhosphoSitePlus database. "Hits" are defined as target proteins that have phosphorylated residues within 12 A of their drug binding sites. For these proteins, phosphorylation could directly interfere with drug binding in vivo. The hits fell into two classes. Class I hits are targets for which the drug compound competes with natural substrate in the active site. The phosphorylation site is also in the active site, and phosphorylation results in inactivation of the protein. One would not expect a large reduction in drug efficacy for these proteins, as phosphorylation simultaneously causes drug resistance and inactivates the protein target. For Class II hits, the drug compounds bind to allosteric sites outside the active site of the target protein, and the documented phosphorylation either activates the target or only moderately decreases its activity. We hypothesize that Class II compounds are more likely to encounter resistance when used as therapy, especially in cancer where there are larger populations of aberrantly phosphorylated proteins.
Second-Order Factor Structure Common to Five Personality Questionnaires

The argument is presented that many commercial personality questionnaires occupy a similar common vector space. A data-set was obtained of scores for 204 persons on the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire, the California Personality Inventory, the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, the Omnibus Personality Inventory, and the Adjective Check List. Quasifactor scores were generated from each inventory, based on the results of earlier work, as estimates of five broad variables hypothesized to define the common vector space across instruments. Factor analysis of the correlations among the resultant 23 variables was largely confirmatory of the hypothesized common vector space.
How Individuals Explain Social Problems: The Influences of Media Use

This study examined the role of media use in individuals' explanations of crime and welfare. Attribution theory and the information-processing approach to media effects provided a theoretical framework for this research. Media effects on explanations of social problems are enhanced by individuals' patterns of information processing. Specifically, active processing of national television public affairs content increased while active processing of newspaper public affairs content decreased the likelihood of individualistic explanations. The study also showed that individualistic explanations of crime and welfare are related to support for the death penalty and to opposition toward welfare programs.
Designing a behavior development environment to support the Demo III robotics program

One of the goals of the U.S. Army's Demo III robotics program is to develop individual and group behaviors that allow the robot to contribute to battlefield missions such as reconnaissance. Since experimental time on the actual robotic vehicle-referred to as the experimental unmanned ground vehicle (XUV) - is divided between many organizations, it is essential that we develop a simulation tool that will allow us to develop and test behaviors in simulation before porting them to the actual vehicle. In this work, we will describe a behavior development tool that incorporates robotic planning algorithms developed by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the Modular Semi-Automated Forces (ModSAF) battlefield simulation tool. By combining the NIST planning algorithms with ModSAF, we can exercise the actual vehicle planning algorithms in a dynamic battlefield environment with a variety of entities and conditions to evaluate the behaviors we develop.
The Dependence of Numerically Simulated Convective Storms on Vertical Wind Shear and Buoyancy

Abstract The effects of vertical wind shear and buoyancy on convective storm structure and evolution are investigated with the use of a three-dimensional numerical cloud model. By varying the magnitude of buoyant energy and one-directional vertical shear over a wide range of environmental conditions associated with severe storms, the model is able to produce a spectrum of storm types qualitatively similar to those observed in nature. These include short-lived single cells, certain types of multicells and rotating supercells. The relationship between wind shear and buoyancy is expressed in terms of a nondimensional convective parameter which delineates various regimes of storm structure and, in particular, suggests optimal conditions for the development of supercell type storms. Applications of this parameter to well-documented severe storm cases agree favorably with the model results, suggesting both the value of the model in studying these modes of convection as well as the value of this representation i...
Service representation for capturing and reusing design knowledge in product and service families using object-oriented concepts and an ontology

For mass customisation, companies are increasing their efforts to reduce cost and lead time when developing new products and services while satisfying individual customer needs. By sharing and reusing assets such as components, processes, information, and knowledge across a family of products and services, companies can efficiently develop a set of differentiated economic offerings by improving flexibility and responsiveness of product and service development. Based on extending the concepts from module-based product family design, this article introduces a methodology to develop a service ontology for capturing and reusing design knowledge in a service family by integrating object-oriented concepts and ontologies. Object-oriented concepts provide service analysis tools for describing a business process or a workflow process in a service. A function-process matrix is used to identify the relationships between the service functions and the service processes that are offered as part of a service. In this ar...
A bolus dose of 1.5 mg/kg amrinone effectively improves low cardiac output state following separation from cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgical patients

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 1.5 mg/kg bolus of amrinone on low cardiac output (CO) state following emergence from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in cardiac surgical patients. Methods: Immediately after emergence from CPB, 14 patients with a cardiac index (CI) less than 2.2 l min-1 m-2 despite administration of inotropes and nitroglycerin, received 1.5 mg/ kg amrinone over 3 min without changing catecholamine infusion rates (amrinone group). Hemodynamics and left ventricular short axis views with transesophageal echocardiography were recorded at baseline, 3, 5, and 10 min following amrinone administration. Left ventricular filling volumes were maintained constant by volume reinfusion from the CPB reservoir. We matched the data of the amrinone group with the other 14 patients who did not receive amrinone (non-amrinone group) to evaluate the efficacy of amrinone in low CO state. Results: At baseline, CI (1.8±0.1 1 min-1 m-2) in the amrinone group was significantly lower than CI (3.0±0.2) in the non-amrinone group. Following amrinone administration, CI and velocity of circumferential fibershortening corrected for heart rate (Vcfc) significantly increased, and systemic vascular resistance index and pulmonary vascular resistance index significantly decreased from the baseline within 10 min without changes in heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, or pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, and became equivalent with those of the non-amrinone group. Conclusions: A 1.5 mg/kg amrinone loading dose to patients in a low CO state, despite catecholamine therapy immediately after emergence from CPB, effectively improves ventricular function when loading conditions are maintained constant.
Adenocarcinoma arising in a tailgut cyst with prominent meningothelial proliferation and thyroid tissue: case report and review of the literature

Tailgut cysts (retrorectal cystic hamartomas) are rare lesions occurring in the retrorectal/presacral space of young women, considered to be of developmental origin. In this study, we report the clinicopathological characteristics of an adenocarcinoma developing in an unusual tailgut cyst. A 47-year-old female presented with a 3-month history of an enlarging presacral mass, extending into the gluteal area. The patient underwent surgical resection. Microscopic examination revealed a mucinous adenocarcinoma with intestinal features arising in a tailgut cyst. In addition to the usual components previously described in this lesion (cuboidal, columnar, ciliated or squamous epithelial lining with scattered smooth muscle fibers in the wall), our case was unique in that it was associated with a meningothelial proliferation and benign thyroid tissue with oncocytic changes. These additional features bring into question the proposed hindgut origin of tailgut cysts.
Effect of oxygen uptake rate on ethanol production by a xylose-fermenting yeast mutant,Candida sp. XF217

The fermentation of D-xylose by theCandida sp. mutant XF217 was studied at different oxygen uptake rates by controlling dissolved oxygen tension or agitation rate. The ethanol yield increases as the oxygen uptake rate decreases. The ethanol production rate is maximized at an oxygen uptake rate of 9–12 millimole/L/hour. Xylitol and cell mass production and cell morphology are also affected by oxygen level.
Strategic voting in open primaries: evidence from Rush Limbaugh’s “operation chaos”

Open primaries create the possibility of strategic crossover voting. On his March 3, 2008 program and subsequent broadcasts, radio personality Rush Limbaugh called on his listeners to extend the Democratic presidential contest by crossing over to vote for Sen. Hillary Clinton. Using voter registration data from North Carolina and election return data from Indiana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania (states with open, semi-closed, and closed primaries, respectively), I find no evidence of a Limbaugh-motivated switch in political party registration or of a large or statistically significant Limbaugh-motivated increase in voting for Sen. Clinton.
G-band (140-220 GHz) and W-band (75-110 GHz) InP DHBT medium power amplifiers

We report common-base medium power amplifiers designed for G-band (140-220 GHz) and W-band (75-110 GHz) in InP mesa double HBT technology. The common-base topology is preferred over common-emitter and common-collector topologies due to its superior high-frequency maximum stable gain (MSG). Base feed inductance and collector emitter overlap capacitance, however, reduce the common-base MSG. A single-sided collector contact reduces Cce and, hence, improves the MSG. A single-stage common-base tuned amplifier exhibited 7-dB small-signal gain at 176 GHz. This amplifier demonstrated 8.7-dBm output power with 5-dB associated power gain at 172 GHz. A two-stage common-base amplifier exhibited 8.1-dBm output power with 6.3-dB associated power gain at 176 GHz and demonstrated 9.1-dBm saturated output power. Another two-stage common-base amplifier exhibited 11.6-dBm output power with an associated power gain of 4.5 dB at 148 GHz. In the W-band, different designs of single-stage common-base power amplifiers demonstrated saturated output power of 15.1 dBm at 84 GHz and 13.7 dBm at 93 GHz
Paclitaxel delivered as a 3-hr infusion with cisplatin in patients with gynecologic cancers: unexpected incidence of neurotoxicity.

In an effort to develop a paclitaxel plus cisplatin combination chemotherapy regimen which can be easily employed in the outpatient setting, 38 patients (median age, 59; range, 39–72) with gynecological malignancies (20 ovarian; 6 primary peritoneal; 12 endometrial) seen at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from June 1993 to May 1995 were administered 170 cycles of paclitaxel (135 or 175 mg/m2) over 3 hr followed by cisplatin (starting dose 75 mg/m2). Of the 33 patients with elevated CA-125 levels prior to the initiation of chemotherapy, all experienced >50% decreases in this antigen level, while 23/33 (70%) had >90% reductions. In general, nonneurologic side effects were mild in severity and easily manageable. Unfortunately, 71% of the patients developed neurologic toxicity, with one-fifth of the treated population experiencing severe neurotoxic side effects (grade 3–4). We conclude that paclitaxel administered over 3 hr at a dose of 135 or 175 mg/m2, followed by cisplatin (75 mg/m2), is a highly active regimen in gynecologic malignancies. Unfortunately, in our experience, the incidence and severity of neurotoxicity with this regimen is considerably greater than that reported with paclitaxel administered over 24 hr in combination with cisplatin. As a result of the observed toxicity profile, this drug delivery schedule for cisplatin and paclitaxel cannot be recommended for general clinical use.
An upper hessenberg sparse matrix algorithm for modal identification on minicomputers

The time domain modal identification problem is here reduced to an eigenvalue problem of a sparse upper Hessenberg matrix. Such a matrix has only a number of elements equal to its order (one column), subdiagonal elements of unity and all the other remaining elements are zeros. The one vector elements of this matrix are obtained by using Cholesky decomposition to solve a positive definite system of equations which is constructed by using a structure's free decay or impulse time histories. Any number of measurements may be used, from one or more tests with a single or multiple shaker. The direct use of an upper Hessenberg matrix eliminates the need of transforming a full matrix to such a form and consequently greatly reduces the computational requirements when the QR algorithm is used for the eigensolution. In addition to reducing computer time and storage, the proposed technique has more flexibility than other comparable time domain approaches. It also produces higher identification accuracy especially in the identified damping factors. Sample results are presented with comparisons to those of other time domain algorithms.
The baby boom of the late 1980s: life course of a post-World War II cohort.

This study examines the 1980 surge in birthrates in the context of the life course of women of the post‐World War II baby boom. It attempts to describe in more exact detail the role of these women in the 1980 baby boom. Additionally, the study contends that historical time, social time, and life time all have influence on the timing of their reproductive decisions. The data are compiled from reports issued by the U.S. Bureau of Census, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Population Reference Bureau. Some attitudinal data are obtained from the 1988 General Social Survey.
Incremental Adaptation of Speech-to-Speech Translation

In building practical two-way speech-to-speech translation systems the end user will always wish to use the system in an environment different from the original training data. As with all speech systems, it is important to allow the system to adapt to the actual usage situations. This paper investigates how a speech-to-speech translation system can adapt day-to-day from collected data on day one to improve performance on day two. The platform is the CMU Iraqi-English portable two-way speech-to-speech system as developed under the DARPA TransTac program. We show how machine translation, speech recognition and overall system performance can be improved on day 2 after adapting from day 1 in both a supervised and unsupervised way.
Theoretical analysis of the optical excitation spectra of silver and gold nanowires

The excitation spectra of linear atomic chains of silver and gold with various sizes have been calculated using time-dependent density functional theory. Silver chains show longitudinal and transverse peaks as well as a low-intensity d-band. The longitudinal peak, corresponding to the HOMO–LUMO transition (along the main axis of the chain), shifts linearly to the red as the length of the system increases, consistent with the particle-in-a-box model. The transverse peak remains at approximately constant energy for all systems studied and corresponds to ∑m → Πm transitions in the xy plane perpendicular to the chain. As the chain grows, transitions arising from d orbitals contribute to the transverse peak, which affects its oscillator strength. Contrary to silver, gold chains display a strong d-band that converges to a distinct pattern at a chain length of about twelve atoms. The transitions involved in the d-band originate from localized d-orbitals with a dz2 character since they have the right symmetry to give transitions into the LUMO, LUMO + 1, …, which have ∑ symmetry. Transitions arising from these localized d-orbitals also affect the position of the longitudinal peak and generate a wide transverse band. Although the majority of the transitions involved in the transverse band have a d∑ → Π or dΠ → ∑ character, they are hidden by much stronger excitations of dΠ → Π character in gold nanowires.
Capital flows, macroeconomic management, and the financial system - Turkey, 1989-97

Recent developments in a number of emerging economies have heightened interest in the relationship between macroeconomic management and financial regulation, in an environment of open capital accounts and large-scale movements of private capital. The authors analyze the Turkish experience with capital flows in a macro-economy characterized by chronically high inflation and fiscal deficits. They study the relationship between capital flows, macroeconomic management, and vulnerability in the financial system. Their analysis highlights the importance of fiscal policy in an era of large capital flows. Fiscal imbalances contributed both to real exchange rate appreciation and high real interest rates in Turkey. The high interest rates the government must pay on domestic debt have become one of the key issues of Turkey's macroeconomic management. Only by reducing its interest expenses can fiscal deficits be reduced and greater stability be achieved. The Turkish banking system, in becoming increasingly integrated with international financial markets, has become vulnerable to shifts in market confidence. Banks borrowed abroad in response to macroeconomic imbalances to benefit from high interest rates on domestic loans and government paper. In the process, the banks have exposed themselves to interest rate risk, to foreign-exchange risk, and to large credit risks. To reduce the Turkish economy's vulnerability to external shocks, financial regulation must be strengthened simultaneously with the achievement of macroeconomic stability.
The Absorption Hypothesis: Learning to Hear God in Evangelical Christianity

In this article, we use a combination of ethnographic data and empirical methods to identify a process called"absorption,"whichmaybeinvolvedincontemporaryChristianevangelicalprayerpractice(andinthepractices of other religions). The ethnographer worked with an interdisciplinary team to identify people with a proclivity for "absorption." Those who seemed to have this proclivity were more likely to report sharper mental images, greater focus, and more unusual spiritual experience. The more they prayed, the more likely they were to have these experiences and to embrace fully the local representation of God. Our results emphasize learning, a social process to which individuals respond in variable ways, and they suggest that interpretation, proclivity, and practice are all important in understanding religious experience. This approach builds on but differs from the approach to religion within the culture-and-cognition school.
A convenient preparation of sulfuryl chloride fluoride

Abstract The reaction of either ammonium fluoride or potassium fluoride with sulfuryl chloride in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid at ambient temperature gave sulfuryl chloride fluoride in good to moderate yields.
11 GHz bandwidth GaAs MESFET/MSM OEIC receivers

The authors report state-of-the-art performance of a direct ion implanted GaAs MESFET with a 0.6- mu m gate length and an MSM (metal-semiconductor-metal)-based OEIC (optoelectronic integrated circuit) receiver achieving a -3-dB bandwidth as high as 11 GHz for optical signals at a wavelength of 850 nm. The feedback resistance of the receiver is 1000 Omega , and the effective transimpedance is 565 Omega into a 50- Omega load. The effective transimpedance-bandwidth (TZBW) product is 6.1 THz- Omega for this receiver. >
A chemical study of the blood group-specific substances found in meconium.

Meconium (I), the characteristic first stool of the infant, is a viscid, sticky, odorless, greenish brown to black material, which is regularly seen during the 5th month of fetal development. The amount excreted after birth varies from 60 to 200 gm. It is generally considered to be an accumulation of debris consisting of desquamated cells of the alimentary tract and skin, lanugo, fatty material from the vernix caseosa, amniotic fluid, and various intestinal secretions. It has been shown to contain very large amounts of blood group-specific materials which correspond with the blood type of the individual infant and its ability to secrete blood group materials in its body fluids (2). Most previous studies of blood group-specific substances have been made on those of animal origin, because there are so few sources of the human substances in a concentration sufficient to allow separation and purification. In meconium the specific substances are present in large amounts and in a relatively pure form. Meconium has not been studied by modern chemical methods. Preliminary studies (2) indicated that meconium is for the most part soluble in water and contains little ash and large amounts of hydrolyzable, nonfermentable carbohydrate. The experimental work described in this article was undertaken to elucidate the composition of normal meconium further. It was also of interest to investigate the chemical composition of some of the individual group-specific substances in meconium, to determine whether there were any gross differences between the different types of specific substances and to see whether the substances were comparable in composition to the materials prepared by other workers. The composition of single samples of meconium from a calf’ and a dog was also studied.
Color and Carotenoid Content Changes of Yellow Discolored Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Fillets during Refrigerated Storage

Yellow pigment deposition is a quality defect associated with channel catfish fillets. This study evaluated the relationship between fillet color and carotenoid contents as well as the effect of refrigerated storage on the color and carotenoid content of discolored catfish fillets. The color and carotenoid content of the yellow fillets were analyzed using the L, a, b-color system and high performance liquid chromatography analysis, respectively. A strong linear relationship between visual yellowness (i.e., the b-values) of fresh catfish fillets and the sum of three major carotenoid contents was observed. Yellow discolored catfish fillets became darker and more yellow during 12 d of refrigerated storage. However, the total carotenoid content of yellow fillets decreased or remained unchanged during storage. Results suggest that while the yellow discoloration of fresh catfish fillets is related to carotenoid contents, the intensification of the discoloration during storage appears to be related to another chemical phenomenon.
Recent nutrient intake and fasting plasma glucose in healthy north-american adults

In order to examine the relationship of recent diet to fasting plasma glucose we compared dietary variables with fasting plasma glucose levels in 1204 non-diabetic men and women aged 20-79 years who were residents in a defined community. Total caloric and macronutrient intake (carbohydrate, protein, fat, and alcohol) were determined quantitatively by a history taken by a dietitian. This was determined for the 24 h preceding a 12 h fast. Fasting plasma glucose levels correlated significantly with age and body mass index in both men and women, but showed no clinically significant association with dietary variables by continuous analysis. These data suggest that carbohydrate loading is not needed for valid fasting plasma glucose measurement, in contrast to some recommendations that had been made for performance of the oral glucose tolerance test.