cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantum mechanical approach to the conformational analysis of macromolecules in ground and excited states

Molecular orbital calculations of the extended Huckel type have been used to study the conformations of glycyl and alanyl residues in ground and excited states. The ground-state surfaces show features similar to those obtained with the standard calculational methods in which the total energy is partitioned into components such as torsions, nonbonded and electrostatic interactions. The molecular orbital calculations provide the first independent theoretical check on such calculations. The excited-state surfaces, Uniquely available from the molecular orbital calculations, exhibit a better definition and sharpening of potential minima in the sterically allowed regions.
Social Responsivity: Judging Signals of Young Children with and without Developmental Delays.

This was an experimental study of the ability of adults to detect 1 social signal that is important in social interactions, children's glances or looks at their social partners. Adult judges were either parents of children with developmental delays, parents of nondelayed children, or nonparents with little experience with children. Each participant viewed 120 videotaped episodes in which very young children's looks (of 2 types, either a focus on parent's face or nonface focus) occurred or no looking occurred. Half the episodes featured children with documented developmental delays and half featured nondelayed children. Participants made judgments about the occurrence of a look in each episode and rated their confidence in each judgment. Participants made more accurate and quicker responses to social looks by children without than those with developmental delays. Accuracy effects were qualified by interactions with type of look. Participants were more confident of their judgments of looks for nondelayed toddlers than those with delays. Signal detection statistics indicated that looks of delayed toddlers were harder to identify and that judges set a more stringent criterion for responding to those looks. No effects of judges' level of experience with delayed or nondelayed children were found. Implications of these findings for social interaction involving individuals with developmental delays are discussed.
MODELLING AND SIMULATION OF THE HUNTING OF A THREE-PIECE RAILWAY TRUCK ON NRC CURVED TRACK SIMULATOR.

SUMMARY Generic linear models were developed of a freight car (with a characteristic North American three-piece truck) on tangent track and on NRC's Curved Track Simulator (CTS). The models were developed using the generalized multi body dynamics software MEDYNA. Predictions were made of the theoretical linear model hunting (lateral stability) characteristics of the freight car, i.e., the critical speeds and frequencies, for five different configurations: (a) freight car on track, (b) the freight car's front truck on the CTS and its rear truck on track, (c) freight car on the CTS, (d) a single truck on track, and (e) single truck on the CTS. These were compared with the Association of American Railroads' field test data for an 80-ton hopper car equipped with A-3 ride control trucks. Good agreement was achieved among all the analytical models, with all the models indicating a range of hunting speeds of 2% from the highest to lowest. The largest discrepancy, approximately 6%, was indicated between the model...
Pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma.

A 16-year-old Hispanic male presented with a nontender purple nodule on the right shoulder that had been present for 1 year. There was no personal or family history of skin cancer. He had no significant past medical history. Physical examination revealed a 10 mm × 5 mm, firm, dark purple nodule on the right anterior shoulder (Fig. 1). The surface was not eroded or crusted. The nodule was not attached to underlying structures. A deep shave excision was performed. Figure 1. Clinical photograph of tumor of the right anterior shoulder Microscopic examination showed a polypoid tumor composed of heavily pigmented epithelioid melanocytes and melanophages with collagenous stroma (Figs 2 and 3). Clusters of tumor cells were seen within the papillary dermis to lie in close apposition to the epidermis, which was variably hyperplastic and attenuated, but the lesion was predominantly dermal with only occasional atypical melanocytes disposed singly along the basal layer. The lesion appeared well circumscribed and, although quite thick at 3.42 mm, extended only superficially into the reticular dermis, the thickness being largely the result of protuberant growth. The nuclear detail was obscured by the copious melanin, and a bleached preparation was also examined. These sections revealed only mild cellular atypia, with round nuclear contours, open chromatin with peripheral margination, and a single distinct but small nucleolus; cytoplasm was abundant and no mitotic figures were identified. Ulceration, significant host lymphocyte response, lymphovascular invasion, and microsatellitosis were also absent. The diagnosis of animal (equine)-type melanoma was favored over other pigmented nevomelanocytic lesions, including cellular blue nevus, blue nevus with hypercellularity, and regressive tumoral melanosis. Figure 2. Low-power histopathology of biopsy specimen (hematoxylin and eosin, ×10) Figure 3. High-power histopathology of biopsy specimen (hematoxylin and eosin, ×100) Complete physical examination performed at the next follow-up visit revealed no lymphadenopathy or organomegaly. Serum lactate dehydrogenase and chest radiographs were normal. The patient underwent lymphoscintigraphy (Fig. 4) followed by wide local excision (2 cm margins), intraoperative lymphatic mapping, and sentinel lymph node biopsy (Fig. 5) 3 weeks after the initial biopsy. Three sentinel lymph nodes were identified in the right axilla and excised. All were grossly negative for tumor. Microscopic examination, however, showed two of the nodes to harbor subcapsular and intraparenchymal tumor deposits (Fig. 6), which were immunoreactive for S-100 protein and Mart-1. Computed tomography scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis did not demonstrate metastatic disease. Complete axillary lymph node dissection was recommended, but the patient and his family declined. At 6 months after the patient's initial diagnosis, he was free of any overt metastatic disease. Figure 4. Lymphoscintigraphy Figure 5. Sentinel lymph node (in vivo) Figure 6. Sentinel lymph node (hematoxylin and eosin, ×25)
Estimating relational attributes from snowball samples through simulation

Abstract The difficulty of studying large networks is widely recognized by social network researchers. The fuzzy boundaries of networks and the high cost of data collection often make the exhaustive exploration of a social network impractical. Researchers have applied a variety of alternative procedures for sampling social networks, (such as snowball sampling) and have discussed the adequacy of the statistics for estimating a variety of network population parameters. However, little empirical work has been done on these estimates of social network parameters. With the use of computer simulations, this paper examines estimates of indegree centrality in snowball samples that vary in initial sample size, number of stages, and number of choices. The effects of varying sample parameters on estimated error is discussed.
Signet cell carcinoma of the colon in a 17 year old child

Signet cell carcinomas of the colon are well documented in the adult population, but this cancer incidence is very low in the adolescent population. A 17 year old male child presented with one month of progressive abdominal pain. CT scan of the abdomen showed significant abnormality involving the ascending colon characterized as marked mural thickening. Biopsy results indicated signet ring cell carcinoma. Signet cell carcinoma is presumed to be caused by genetic mutations just like the other colorectal cancers. Treatment for signet cell carcinoma is the same as other colorectal cancer. Surgery is part of the standard management of patients with colon and rectal cancer stages I, II and III. Signet cell cancer has a poor survival with the median survival period of about 9 months. The incidence among adolescence is much lower than that of the adult population.
Interpretation of overall colonic transit in defecation disorders in males and females

Background There is little information regarding gender-specific measurements of colonic transit and anorectal function in patients with defecation disorders (DD). To compare overall colonic transit by gender in DD. Methods In 407 patients with constipation due to DD diagnosed by a single gastroenterologist (1994–2012), DD was characterized by anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion test, and colonic transit by scintigraphy. The primary endpoint was overall colonic transit (geometric center, GC) at 24 h (GC24). Effects of gender in DD on colonic transit, and comparison with transit in 208 healthy controls were assessed by Mann–Whitney rank sum test. Secondary endpoints were maximum anal resting (ARP) and squeeze (ASP) pressures. We also tested association of the physiological endpoints among DD females by pregnancy history and among DD patients by colectomy history. Key Results The DD patients were 67 males (M) and 340 females (F). Significant differences by gender in DD patients were observed in GC24 (median: M: 2.2; F: 1.8; P = 0.01), ARP (median: M: 87.8 mmHg; F: 82.4 mmHg; P = 0.04), and ASP (median: M: 182.4 mmHg; F: 128.7 mmHg; P < 0.001). GC24 was slower in DD compared with same-gender healthy controls. GC24 did not differ among DD females by pregnancy history. Anorectal functions and upper GI transit did not differ among DD patients by colectomy history. Conclusions & Inferences Patients with DD have slower colonic transit compared with gender-matched controls. Among DD patients, males have higher ARP and ASP, and females have slower colonic transit. Although the clinical significance of these differences may be unclear, findings suggest that interpretation of these tests in suspected DD should be based on same-gender control data.
A gas chromatographic screening procedure for the detection of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in horse urine.

UMMARY A gas chromatographic screening procedure for the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory group of drugs is described. The method involves on-column methylation of the carboxylic acid group using trimethylanilinium hydroxide as the methylating reagent. Fifteen such drugs were studied. Eight of these were detected in urine collected from horses that had received these compounds orally and for these drugs, rates of urinary excretion are recorded. Seven other members of this group of drugs were shown to be detectable by this procedure but in these cases the drug was added to urine and not administered to the horse. RESUME Un procede chromatographique au gaz est decrit. On utilise la methylation en colonne de la fonction carboxilique acide a l'aide de l'hydroxyde de trimethylalinine. 15 produits differents ont eteetudies. 8 d'entre eux ont ete deceles dans l'urine de chevaux qui avaient reĉus ces produits par voie orale. Et pour ces produits, une appreciation du taux d'elimination urinaire a pu ětre faite. 7 autres produits ont ete deceles dans l'urine par la měme methode, mais apres y avoir ete simplement ajoutes. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Es wird eine gaschromatographische Screening-Methode zum Nachweis nicht-steroider Entzundungshemmer beschrieben. Die Methode besteht in der Methylierung der Karboxylsauregruppe in der Saule, wobei als methylierendes Reagens Trimethylanilin=hydroxid verwendet wird. Funfzehn nicht-steroide Entzundungs=hemmer wurden untersucht. Acht davon wurden in Urin von Pferden nachgewiesen, die die Medikamente oral erhalten hatten, und fur diese Medikamente konnten die im Harn ausgeschiedenen Mengen festgestellt werden. Sieben andere Entzundungshemmer wurden ebenfalls mit dieser Methode nachgeweisen, aber diese Substanzen wurden dem Harn beigefugt und nicht den Pferden verabreicht.
Dehydrogenation: A previously unreported pathway of lindane metabolism in mammals

Abstract This study presents evidence for the dehydrogenation of lindane by a hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase system. Preliminary investigation established that the incubation of lindane with rat liver homogenates produces a chlorinated, nonpolar compound identified as hexachlorocyclohexene. Differential centrifugation resulted in the sedimentation of most of the dehydrogenase activity in the microsomal fraction. Optimum in vitro assay conditions were established and it was found that the dehydrogenase system required molecular oxygen and reduced pyridine nucleotide coenzyme for maximum activity. Inhibition by SKF 525-A and CO suggested that the enzyme was cytochrome P-450 dependent. Lack of inhibition by cyanide indicated that the cytochrome b5 desaturase system was probably not involved. Pretreatment of rats with DDT, which stimulates lindane metabolism, also induced significantly higher dehydrogenase activity. Both the in vivo and in vitro metabolism of hexachlorocyclohexene produced previously identified lindane metabolites. The existence of a cytochrome P-450 dependent mixed-function oxidase which catalyzes the dehydrogenation of lindane has not previously been reported and may be of importance in the metabolism of other xenobiotics.
Age dependence of ultrasonically induced lung hemorrhage in mice

Abstract Thresholds for ultrasonically induced lung hemorrhage were determined in neonatal mice (24–36 h old), juvenile mice (14 d old) and adult mice (8–10 weeks old) to assess whether or not the threshold for lung hemorrhage is dependent upon age. Ultrasonic exposures were at 1.15 MHz with a pulse length of 10 μs, pulse repetition frequency of 100 Hz and a total exposure duration of 3 min. The threshold for lung hemorrhage occurred at a peak positive acoustic pressure of approximately 1 MPa for mice in all three age groups. Although the thresholds were similar for neonatal, juvenile and adult mice, the sizes of the suprathreshold hemorrhages were significantly larger in adult mice than in neonatal or juvenile mice.
Equal proportions of small and large DRG neurons express opioid receptor mRNAs.

Previous studies have reported that the mRNAs encoding the cloned mu-opioid receptor (MOR1) and the cloned delta-opioid receptor (DOR1) are expressed in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of rats. In the present study, we determined the sizes of DRG neurons expressing DOR1 and MOR1 mRNAs and examined whether or not DRG neurons were likely to be the source of the DOR1 and MOR1 immunoreactivity previously observed in the spinal dorsal horn. DRG neurons were labeled in five male Sprague-Dawley rats by applying Fluoro-Gold (FG) topically to the dorsal root entry zone. Five-micrometer cryostat sections were cut, and in situ hybridization was performed using full-length cRNA probes labeled with 35S-UTP. The distribution of sizes of DRG neuronal profiles (1372 neuronal profiles were evaluated) ranged from 98 to 2081 microm(2) and was similar to those found in previous reports. Of 583 retrogradely labeled neuronal profiles in DRGs, 246 (40 +/- 14%, mean +/- SD, n = 5) expressed MOR1 mRNA. Of 789 DRG cell profiles from sections that were hybridized for DOR1 mRNA, 687 (85 +/- 18%, mean +/- SD, n = 5) were labeled for DOR1. The proportion of DRG cell profiles expressing DOR1 mRNA was significantly higher than that expressing MOR1 mRNA (P 700 microm(2)) FG-labeled neurons in the proportions labeled for either MOR1 mRNA (202/497 vs. 44/86, P > 0.2, chi-square test) or DOR1 mRNA (555/651 vs. 132/138, P > 0.3, chi-square test). Most FG-labeled neurons that expressed either MOR1 mRNA or DOR1 mRNA (82.1 and 80.8%, respectively) were smaller than 700 microm(2). In addition to cells expressing a single opioid receptor, individual DRG neurons were observed that expressed both MOR1 and DOR1. In a sample of 25 DRG neurons expressing MOR1-mRNA, 23 also expressed DOR1 mRNA. Within the spinal cord itself, DOR1 and MOR1 mRNAs had different patterns of expression. Both were expressed in the dorsal horn, but of the two, only MOR1 message was expressed in the superficial dorsal horn. We conclude that both small and large DRG neurons express DOR1 and MOR1 mRNAs, but most cells expressing these mRNAs are small. In addition, some DRG neurons express both MOR1 and DOR1 mRNAs. Finally, both DOR1 and MOR1 in the spinal dorsal horn originate, at least in part, from DRG neurons.
Addressing Equity in Political Debates over Road Pricing: Lessons from Recent Projects

Recent technological advances have made it easier and cheaper to charge vehicles for road use, and indeed electronic roadway tolling applications are gradually increasing worldwide. Although road pricing holds the promise of reducing congestion, emissions, and fuel use while raising needed revenues, the growth in toll programs and projects is halting and falls short of a groundswell. The idea remains generally unpopular with businesses, voters, and the people whom they elect. One of the concerns about road pricing is unfairness. While considerable ink has been spilled on the philosophical and empirical dimensions of road pricing, less has been written on how equity concerns have been addressed in practice. This paper addresses this gap by reviewing the broader road pricing equity literature and examining road pricing case studies in which equity debates played a prominent role. Four strategies have proven important to mitigating equity concerns and overcoming opposition to road pricing: addressing equity issues in planning, building support from the public and interest groups, establishing trust between elected officials and transportation agencies before project development, and enlisting the support of influential constituencies for toll revenues. The politics of transportation finance, especially road pricing, is complex and contentious, making it difficult to separate measurable equity outcomes from perceptions of fairness and beliefs about tolling from tactics to avoid paying them. However, the gradual operational and political success of a growing number of road pricing projects suggests that equity concerns can be satisfactorily addressed.
Multiplicity difference between quark and gluon jets.

We examine the experimental results which have been obtained so far on the ratio of the mean multiplicity between quark and gluon jets, [l angle][ital n][r angle][sub gluon]/[l angle][ital n][r angle][sub quark]. We point out that none of the results yet obtained provide a quantitative test of the QCD prediction for this ratio, because of differences between the experimental and theoretical definitions of the jets or event samples. We propose a technique accessible to the CERN LEP experiments in which the experimental jet definitions correspond to the theoretical ones, allowing a direct test of the QCD result. Using the HERWIG Monte Carlo program, we demonstrate the viability of our proposed technique.
RELATIVE PROTEIN VALUE OF DEFATTED CORN GERM FLOUR

Isocaloric diets containing various levels of protein supplied as commercially prepared defatted corn germ flour (CGF), CGF supplemented with 0.07% methionine and 0.02% leucine (SCGF), casein (C) or lactal-bumin (LA) were compared in this study. Weight gains of weanling rats fed various growth-limiting amounts of protein were used to determine a protein value, defined as the slope of the regression line relating weight gain to protein intake, for each of the protein sources. The PV of CGF was significantly different from that of LA, but did not differ significantly from the PV of SCGF andC. The relative protein value of CGF, the ratio of the PV of CGF to the PV of LA, is 0.62 ± 0.06. These data indicate that the protein in commercially prepared CGF is of good quality and could be a valuable source of protein for human diets.
Managing Supply Chain Execution: Monitoring Timeliness and Correctness via Individualized Trace Data

Improvements in information technologies provide new opportunities to control and improve business processes based on real-time performance data. A class of data we call individualized trace data (ITD) identifies the real-time status of individual entities as they move through execution processes, such as an individual product passing through a supply chain or a uniquely identified mortgage application going through an approval process. We develop a mathematical framework which we call the State-Identity-Time (SIT) Framework to represent and manipulate ITD at multiple levels of aggregation for different managerial purposes. Using this framework, we design a pair of generic quality measures—timeliness and correctness—for the progress of entities through a supply chain. The timeliness and correctness metrics provide behavioral visibility that can help managers to grasp the dynamics of supply chain behavior that is distinct from asset visibility such as inventory. We develop special quality control methods using this framework to address the issue of overreaction that is common among managers faced with a large volume of fast-changing data. The SIT structure and its associated methods inform managers on if, when, and where to react. We illustrate our approach using simulations based on real RFID data from a Walmart RFID pilot project.
A FIELD-ABLE RNA EXTRACTION AND PURIFICATION PROCEDURE

This study describes the use of the ChargeSwitch extraction technique as a method amenable to in-field RNA extraction and purification. The modified ChargeSwitch extractions were performed by lysing cells captured from filtration of 30 mL seawater sample spiked with cultured Karenia brevis and seawater samples from regions around a known red tide event. Extractions were compared to traditional laboratory-based silica spin columns by integration with real-time nucleic acid sequence-based amplification. The ChargeSwitch extraction method was equivalent to or was faster than traditional laboratory analysis whilst having the additional advantages of obtaining consistently higher RNA concentrations and requiring no specialized or powered equipment. This method represents a fast and field-able method for RNA extraction from K. brevis and potentially other organisms of public health significance. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This manuscript describes an RNA extraction method that utilizes ChargeSwitch technology suited for in-field use that can be performed without access to extensive laboratory infrastructure, requiring only magnetic separation equipment and adjustable pipettes. This research is both timely and important as a recent Alliance for Coastal Technologies' workshop on “Genetic Sensors for Environmental Water Quality” (January 5–7, 2005) highlighted in-field sample preparation as one of the major issues facing the advancement of in situ genetic assays. The method uses detection of the harmful, algal bloom-forming dinoflagellate Karenia brevis as a demonstration of the use of ChargeSwitch to extract RNA from complex environmental samples in the field. Combined with previously described portable analytical equipment, these techniques will prove invaluable in the advancement of on-site analysis, leading to faster decision making for public health officials and shellfish managers.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Mediated Perturbations in Gene Expression during Early Stages of CD4+ T-cell Differentiation

Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by its prototypic ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), mediates potent suppression of T-cell dependent immune responses. The suppressive effects of TCDD occur early during CD4+ T-cell differentiation in the absence of effects on proliferation and have recently been associated with the induction of AhR-dependent regulatory T-cells (Treg). Since AhR functions as a ligand-activated transcription factor, changes in gene expression induced by TCDD during the early stages of CD4+ T-cell differentiation are likely to reflect fundamental mechanisms of AhR action. A custom panel of genes associated with T-cell differentiation was used to query changes in gene expression induced by exposure to 1 nM TCDD. CD4+ T-cells from AhR+/+ and AhR-/- mice were cultured with cytokines known to polarize the differentiation of T-cells to various effector lineages. Treatment with TCDD induced expression of Cyp1a1, Cyp1b1 and Ahrr in CD4+ T-cells from AhR+/+ mice under all culture conditions, validating the presence and activation of AhR in these cells. The highest levels of AhR activation occurred under Th17 conditions at 24 hours and Tr1 conditions at 48 hours. Unexpectedly, expression levels of most genes associated with early T-cell differentiation were unaltered by AhR activation, including lineage-specific genes that drive CD4+ T-cell polarization. The major exception was AhR-dependent up-regulation of Il22 that was seen under all culture conditions. Independent of TCDD, AhR down-regulated the expression of Il17a and Rorc based on increased expression of these genes in AhR-deficient cells across culture conditions. These findings are consistent with a role for AhR in down-regulation of inflammatory immune responses and implicate IL-22 as a potential contributor to the immunosuppressive effects of TCDD.
Single And Multiple Pulse Catastrophic Damage In Diamond-Turned Cu And Ag Mirrors At 10.6, 1.06, And 0.532 µm

The results of single and multiple pulse damage studies at 10.6, 1.06, and 0.532 um in diamond-turned bulk Cu and diamond-turned electro-deposits of Ag on Cu are presented. The single pulse damage threshold decreases or remains constant with increasing spot size, as previously reported. On the other hand, the multiple pulse threshold increases with increasing spot size. The difference in their behavior suggests that the two phenomena are the result of different mechanisms. Localized surface defects and impurities appear to be responsible for single pulse damage, while for multiple pulse damage a model is proposed based on the cumulative effect of plastic deformation induced by thermal stresses.
The impact of CAD on architectural practice challenges, benefits and prospects

Architectural practices will need to adapt to realise the full benefits of CAD. Those benefits are summarised, emphasizing modelling techniques, discipline coordination and library use. The various implications of CAD operation are given and the changes forced onto traditional architectural practice in terms of design team relations, role redefinition and work practices. A scenario of practice in the future is given and the paper concludes by suggesting that the challenges of CAD should be taken up if architectural practice is to remain competitive.
Approximate methods for assessing influence and sensitivity in Bayesian analysis

We use asymptotic approximations to posterior expectations in deriving diagnostics for case influence and prior sensitivity. We obtain an easily-interpreted expression for the change in posterior expectation following perturbation of the problem, which also produces a useful interpretation of the likelihood displacement discussed by Cook & Weisberg. In addition, we propose two simple diagnostics of posterior nonnormality. The leukaemia data analysed by Feigl & Zelen are used to illustrate the diagnostic measures we discuss
MicroRNAs in Adult and Embryonic Neurogenesis

Neurogenesis is defined as a process that includes the proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs) and the differentiation of these cells into new neurons that integrate into the existing neuronal circuitry. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a recently discovered class of small non-protein coding RNA molecules implicated in a wide range of diverse gene regulatory mechanisms. More and more data demonstrate that numerous miRNAs are expressed in a spatially and temporally controlled manners in the nervous system, which suggests that miRNAs have important roles in the gene regulatory networks involved in both brain development and adult neural plasticity. This review summarizes the roles of miRNAs-mediated gene regulation in the nervous system with focus on neurogenesis in both embryonic and adult brains.
Preliminary Chloroplast DNA Studies in the Flowering Plant Family Martyniaceae (Order Lamiales)

ABSTRACT Acceptance of the plant group Martyniaceae, which contains the genus Proboscidea (commonly known as devil's claws or unicorn plants), as a distinct family has long been questioned. Previously placed in the family Pedaliaceae, commonly known as the Sesame family, the Martyniaceae have been allied to numerous other families within the order Lamiales. For this study, sequences of chloroplast DNA from the ndhF and rps16 regions were used (1) to demonstrate the monophyly of the Martyniaceae and (2) to identify the closest living relative to the group. Preliminary data suggest that the Martyniaceae are distinct from the Pedaliaceae, and that the Verbenaceae, commonly known as the Verbena or Vervain family, may be the closest living relative to the family Martyniaceae. If the Martyniaceae and Verbenaceae are sister groups and most closely related to each other, then there are interesting biogeographic implications that can be suggested from the results. The Verbenaceae are primarily from arid areas of S...
A group decision support system for multilingual groups

Abstract Communication in multilingual groups is very difficult. Even if all participants in the group know a common language, it may be a first language for some of the group and a second language for others. Communication in such situations is not equal for all group members. A multilingual Group Decision Support System (GDSS) allows all members to communicate in their native languages, eliminating the group's linguistic problems. This paper describes a prototype multilingual GDSS that provides a high degree of translation accuracy while providing other benefits of Group Decision Support Systems, such as anonymity, parallel communication, and automated recording of the discussion.
Host metalloproteinases in Lyme arthritis.

Objective : To assess the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in cartilage and bone erosions in Lyme arthritis Methods We examined synovial fluid from 10 patients with Lyme arthritis for the presence of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and “aggrecanase” activity using gelatinolytic zymography and immunoblot analysis. We developed an in vitro model of Lyme arthritis using cartilage explants and observed changes in cartilage degradation in the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi and/or various protease inhibitors. Results Synovial fluid from patients with Lyme arthritis was found to contain at least 3 MMPs: gelatinase A (MMP-2), stromelysin (MMP-3), and gelatinase B (MMP-9). In addition, there was evidence in 2 patients of “aggrecanase” activity not accounted for by the above enzymes. Infection of cartilage explants with B burgdorferi resulted in induction of MMP-3, MMP-9, and “aggrecanase” activity. Increased induction of these enzymes by B burgdorferi alone was not sufficient to cause cartilage destruction in the explants as measured by glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and hydroxyproline release. However, addition of plasminogen, which can act as an MMP activator, to cultures resulted in significant GAG and hydroxyproline release in the presence of B burgdorferi. The MMP inhibitor batimastat significantly reduced the GAG release and completely inhibited the collagen degradation. Conclusion MMPs are found in synovial fluids from patients with Lyme arthritis and are induced from cartilage tissue by the presence of B burgdorferi. Inhibition of MMP activity prevents B burgdorferi–induced cartilage degradation in vitro.
A case study method for teaching theoretical criminology

We describe a method of introducing students to criminological theory through the use of case histories. This method uses the assumptions of various criminological theories to match theories with cases for illustrating how theories explain real-life events. It was designed to stimulate interest in theory among students and to develop their ability to synthesize explanations. The method has the latent function of encouraging students to use rigorous logic and theory construction methods. It also introduces some ideas usually relegated to methodology courses.
Soil Pollution Due to Irrigation with Arsenic-Contaminated Groundwater: Current State of Science

Food with elevated arsenic concentrations is becoming widely recognized as a global threat to human health. This review describes the current state of knowledge of soil pollution derived from irrigation with arsenic-contaminated groundwater, highlighting processes controlling arsenic cycling in soils and resulting arsenic impacts on crop and human health. Irrigation practices utilized for both flooded and upland crops have the potential to load arsenic to soils, with a host of environmental and anthropogenic factors ultimately determining the fate of arsenic. Continual use of contaminated groundwater for irrigation may result in soils with concentrations sufficient to create dangerous arsenic concentrations in the edible portions of crops. Recent advances in low-cost water and soil management options show promise for mitigating arsenic impacts of polluted soils. Better understanding of arsenic transfer from soil to crops and the controls on long-term soil arsenic accumulation is needed to establish effective arsenic mitigation strategies within vulnerable agronomic systems.
Reconstructive considerations in the surgical management of melanoma.

Surgical excision is the long-standing cornerstone of therapy for most patients with primary and recurrent melanoma. Wide excision is potentially curative for clinically localized melanoma. Although the radical procedures that were practiced decades ago generally have been replaced with more conservative excisions, melanoma excisions remain relatively radical compared with most other cutaneous malignancies. The magnitude of these ablative procedures ranges from small, simple wounds to large, complex wounds with important functional and aesthetic considerations. The surgical margins that are considered appropriate for melanoma excision are generally guided by the risk of loco-regional recurrence. For this reason, recommended surgical margins should not be compromised. A reconstructive procedure is preferred to a potentially suboptimal surgical excision. The timing of reconstruction is also an important consideration. Although reconstruction surgeries have not been shown to impact upon recurrence rates, a premature flap procedure can have a negative impact on management. A flap done before determination of diagnosis or tumor thickness may necessitate a wider re-excision than otherwise would be indicated. Flaps may also disrupt lymphatic drainage patterns of the primary site, causing lymphatic mapping procedures to be less accurate. For these reasons, reconstruction procedures, such as flaps, are best performed in conjunction with excision or lymphatic mapping. In patients with lesions that are too large to permit excisional biopsies without primary reconstruction, limited
One Among Many: Poetic Representation of African Refugees in Sicily

This research poem is a hybrid representation of qualitative methods and poetic inquiry. My work with African refugees in Sicily focuses on their assimilation process on the island and among a population that paradoxically both resent them and to whom they are invisible. Their marginalization notwithstanding, there are several initiatives offered to refugees to acclimatize them and to make them “good citizens” in their new “home.” Civics class is just one. Assimilation is not a mere abstraction for them. Daily life is difficult for them even after they learn the language. For this poem, I used observation of these classes to “concretize emotions, feelings and moods—the most private kinds of feelings, so as to create experience itself to another person” (Richardson, 1993). Furthermore, Richardson speaks of the (lyric) poems task “to represent actual experiences—episodes, epiphanies, misfortunes, pleasures in such a way that others can experience and feel them” (Richardson, 1994). The writing of this poem i...
Malignant hyperthermia and calcium-induced heat production.

The abnormal increase in intracellular Ca++ in malignant hyperthermia (MH) is well documented, but the link between the increased Ca++ concentration and high temperature remains speculative. We investigated the possibility that the Ca++-induced change in the state of cell membranes may contribute to the temperature elevation. Calcium ion transforms phosopholipid membranes from the fluid to solid state. This is analogous to the freezing of water, and liberates latent heat. Differential titration calorimetry (DTC) measures heat production or absorption during ligand binding to macromolecules. When CaCl2 solution was added to anionic dimyristoylphosphatidic acid (DMPA) and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) vesicle membranes in incremental doses, DTC showed that the heat production suddenly increased when the Ca++ concentration exceeded about 120/μM. At this Ca++ concentration range, these lipid membranes underwent phase transition. The latent heat of transition was measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The values were 7.1 ± 0.7 (SD, n = 4) kcal · mol−1 of DMPA and 6.8 ± 0.7 (SD, n = 4) kcal · mol−1 of DMPG. The study shows that Ca++ produces heal when bound to lipid membranes. We are not proposing, however, that this is the sole source of heat. We contend that the lipid phase transition is one of the heat sources and it may trigger a hypermetabolic state by elevating the temperature of cell membranes. Because Ca++ is implicated as the second messenger in signal transduction, multiple systems may be involved. More studies are needed to clarify how Ca++ increases body temperature.
The comparative effects of barbituric acid and phenobarbital on blood glucose and insulin secretion in mice

The effects of barbituric acid and phenobarbital upon carbohydrate metabolism in mice were compared. An intraperitoneal dose of 100 mg/kg of barbituric acid increased blood glucose concentrations during an intravenous glucose tolerance test, but did not alter the rate of glucose disappearance from the blood. Barbituric acid also antagonized the hypoglycemic effect of intravenously administered tolbutamide. The same dose of phenobarbital had no effect. An in vitro concentration of 100 μg/ml of barbituric acid decreased the responsiveness of isolated mouse pancreatic islets to glucose stimulation (3.0 mg/ml D-glucose). Again phenobarbital, 100 μg/ml, was without effect. The structural similarities between barbituric acid, tolbutamide and alloxan suggest that the effects observed in these experiments might reflect a competition for binding to reactive sites on or within the pancreatic B-cell.
STUDIES OF SOUTH AMERICAN PLANTS. XV

ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ACQUISITIONS Of the U. S. National Museum in the botanical field in recent years has been the large collection of plants assembled by more than twenty botanists in South America, during World War II, under the auspices of various U. S. Government Cinchona Missions. These collections were brought together and prepared for study by Dr. W. A. Archer, of the U. S. National Arboretum, and they are now deposited in the U. S. National Herbarium (indicated herein as US). In the present paper seven new species of the families Monimiaceae and Vacciniaceae are described and various other noteworthy plants of the latter family are discussed. The collections mentioned in this paper have principally been made by Messrs. E. L. Core, W. B. Drew, J. A. Ewan, N. C. Fassett, F. R. Fosberg, M. L. Grant, and E. L. Little. These individuals and their associates are to be complimented upon the excellence of their specimens, obtained in little-known regions and often under great difficulties.
Probing possible left‐and right‐handed polynucleotide helical conformations from n‐h plots. Glycosyl and backbone torsional variation on handedness of helix

The helical parameters n (the number of nucleotide residues per turn) and h (the residue height along the helical axis) have been evaluated for single stranded polynucleotide chains and are found to be dependent on the nature of the sugar ring pucker and the nucleotide backbone torsions. The n-h plot reveals that both the familiar right-handed and possible types of left-handed helical conformations fall within the same broad domain, thus conformation "transitions" from right-handed to left-handed helix and vice versa affect only slightly the backbone torsions. The glycosyl angle apparently suffers the greatest change in the reversal of the helix sense. The normal anti (χ ' 0-80°) found in right-handed polynucleotides increases to the "high anti" (χ '125°) as exemplified by the Ikehara polymers: synthetic poly (A s ) and poly (U o ) where the monomeric cyclonucleoside units are fixed in the high anti χ by a covalent linkage between the base C8/C6 and sugar C2' atoms. Conformational energy calculations [Fujii and Tomita, Nucl. Acids Res. 3, 1973 (1976)] on model compounds of Ikehara polymers have shown that the backbone conformations of the left-handed polynucleotides are in silimar conformational domains as the known right-handed polynucleotides, and are in agreement with the work of Yathindra and Sundaralingam [Nucl. Acids Res. 3, 729 (1976)]. These studies indicate that the molecular mechanics of untwisting a helix, leading eventually to a change in helical sense, may involve a combined process of adjusting the glycosyl angle, the pseudorotation phase angle, and the backbone torsions, that is, helix untwisting perhaps involves synchronous rotations around the glycosyl and backbone bonds. In nucleic acids the left-handed helical conformations are as a rule not favored because the high anti χ is not particularly favored. But under certain situations the left-handed base stack and left-handed helical backbone may occur, especially in short segments around the loop and folded regions of the tertiary structure.
Single-Molecule Tracking of Smoothened in the Primary Cilium

The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway plays a key role in cell division and differentiation in embryonic development and adult stem cells. Malfunction in the pathway not only leads to deformities in developing embryos, but has been implicated in a variety of cancer types. The pathway is activated by the binding of SHH ligand to a transmembrane receptor protein, Patched, causing a cascade of translocation events involving the primary cilium, a small microtubule-structured organelle on the cell's surface whose spatial dimensions are on the order of the diffraction limit (∼400 nm in diameter and 2-5 μm long). One pathway intermediary, the transmembrane protein Smoothened (Smo) which accumulates in the ciliary membrane upon pathway activation, has proven to be susceptible to a number of small molecules that activate or disrupt the pathway; however, the detailed mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. By labeling Smo with an organic dye, we have performed single-molecule tracking experiments to elucidate its dynamics and interactions with high spatial resolution (∼30 nm) and high temporal resolution (5-10 ms). We have observed that the primary mechanism for movement of Smo is diffusion with transient lingering in parts of the primary cilium consistent with binding events.
Aggressive therapy of infants with renal failure.

Nine infants, who presented with renal failure within the first 3 months of life, were treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Seven infants survived to an age of 12–15 months, when they received transplants. Two patients died while on CAPD. Six infants are alive with a functioning renal allograft, at an average age of 35.5 months and an average of 22 months post-transplant. Neurological development is normal in four of the six infants tested. The mean current height of the six transplant recipients is just below 2 SD from the mean.
Resolution enhancement of Doppler frequency measurements using a centroid technique

A centroid-based technique for locating peaks in the frequency spectrum is demonstrated to have the potential for substantially enhancing the resolution of Fourier-based laser Doppler velocimetry measurements. The effect of data windowing and signal-to-noise ratio on the potential resolution improvement is also analyzed.
Evaluation of the Performance of Smoothing Functions in Generalized Additive Models for Spatial Variation in Disease

Generalized additive models (GAMs) with bivariate smoothing functions have been applied to estimate spatial variation in risk for many types of cancers. Only a handful of studies have evaluated the performance of smoothing functions applied in GAMs with regard to different geographical areas of elevated risk and different risk levels. This study evaluates the ability of different smoothing functions to detect overall spatial variation of risk and elevated risk in diverse geographical areas at various risk levels using a simulation study. We created five scenarios with different true risk area shapes (circle, triangle, linear) in a square study region. We applied four different smoothing functions in the GAMs, including two types of thin plate regression splines (TPRS) and two versions of locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (loess). We tested the null hypothesis of constant risk and detected areas of elevated risk using analysis of deviance with permutation methods and assessed the performance of the smoothing methods based on the spatial detection rate, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, power, and false-positive rate. The results showed that all methods had a higher sensitivity and a consistently moderate-to-high accuracy rate when the true disease risk was higher. The models generally performed better in detecting elevated risk areas than detecting overall spatial variation. One of the loess methods had the highest precision in detecting overall spatial variation across scenarios and outperformed the other methods in detecting a linear elevated risk area. The TPRS methods outperformed loess in detecting elevated risk in two circular areas.
Facile location of the saphenous vein during endoscopic vessel harvesting

Endoscopic techniques are used more frequently to harvest the saphenous vein for cardiac and peripheral vascular procedures. To identify the saphenous vein through an initial small access incision can be difficult. We describe the use of a portable intraoperative ultrasound system to expeditiously identify the saphenous vein during endoscopic harvesting, particularly in obese patients.
Endogenous ADP-ribosylation in human platelets

Summary We have studied ADP-ribosyltransferase activity in platelet cytosol and electropermeabilized platelets. Cytosolic activity causes ADP-ribosylation or of a 37 kDa protein that is activated by increasing the concentration of potassium phosphate. ADP-ribosylation is inhibited by thiol reagents, an effect partially reversed by cholera toxin. In electropermeabilized platelets incubated with [α-32P]NAD, the 37 kDa protein is also ADP-ribosylated as are other proteins and albumin. Under these conditions, ADP-ribosylation is partially inhibited by nicotinamide. This experimental design could be used to determine the effect of cell agonists on endogenous ADP-ribosylation of proteins.
AFC Tracking Algorithms

The automatic frequency control (AFC) loop is beginning to play an important role in digital data links. There is very little published literature which deals with AFC loop implementations and performance in noise (in contrast to the large body of literature dealing with phase-locked loops). This paper presents a brief discussion of eight different AFC loop implementations, including the block diagram, discriminator characteristic, and loop tracking error in the presence of gaussian noise. Tracking performance of the various loops is compared in the presence of noise for CW, DPSK, and MFSK signaling.