cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analysis of concordance among hospital databases and physician records

Background: Hospital databases contain vital demographic patient information, which is increasingly being used as a basis to dictate care. It is hypothesized that the validity of data administratively generated from such sources is suboptimal, especially for rare subspecialties. The authors examined three databases to determine their concordance in an academic orthopaedic oncology subspecialty practice.
Platelet Factor 4 Regulation of Monocyte KLF4 in Experimental Cerebral Malaria

Cerebral malaria continues to be a difficult to treat complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection in children. We have shown that platelets can have major deleterious immune functions in experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). One of the platelet derived mediators we have identified as particularly important is platelet factor 4/CXCL4. Our prior work demonstrated that PF4−/− mice are protected from ECM, have reduced plasma cytokines, and have reduced T-cell trafficking to the brain. We now show that PF4 drives monocyte cytokine production in a Kruppel like factor 4 (KLF4) dependent manner. Monocyte depleted Plasmodium berghei infected mice have improved survival, and KLF4 is greatly increased in control, but not monocyte depleted mice. PF4−/− mice have less cerebral monocyte trafficking and no change in KLF4 expression. These data indicate that PF4 induction of monocyte KLF4 expression may be an important step in the pathogenesis of ECM.
Factors influencing knowledge, attitudes, and compliance of hypertensive patients

Using a factorial design, four aspects of an educational program for 160 hypertensive patients were manipulated: number of meetings, patient responsibility and participation, directiveness of the intervention, and emphasis on negative consequences of uncontrolled hypertension. Validity checks on the manipulations included content analysis of the nurse-patient interaction and interview-based measures of the patient's responsibility, participation, and awareness of dangers. Outcome variables included repeated measures of patient knowledge, assessment by the nurse of patient attainment of identified goals, and reduction of the patient's mean arterial blood pressure. High indirect interventions tended to lead to higher goal attainment, particularly in the psychosocial area. Emphasis on negative consequences tended to promote learning for patients with long standing diagnoses, but to retard learning for recently diagnosed patients. Additional meetings and emphasis on patient responsibility were not helpful alone, but in combination they tended to lead to greater learning. Although as a whole, patients in the program tended to reduce their blood pressures, there were no statistically significant main effects or interaction effects of the educational approach variables on blood pressure reduction.
Closed-Form Analysis for Elastic Deformations of Multilayered Strands

Closed-form solutions are developed for elastic deformation characteristics of multilayered strands under tensile and torsional loads. These analytical results are successfully applied to obtain expressions for the effective extensional and torsional moduli of rigidity for the strands. Finally, a simple design criterion is established for 'nonrotating' cables.
Constitutive behavior of methionyl-tRNA synthetase compared to repressible behavior of methionine adenosyltransferase in mammalian cells.

Abstract Methionine adenosyltransferase, one of the two major enzymes utilizing methionine, is regulated by the levels of methionine in the growth medium (Jacobsen, S.J., Hoffman, R.M. and Erbe, R.W. (1980) J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 65, 1237–1244, and Caboche, M. and Mulsant, P. (1978) Somatic Cell Genet. 4, 407–421). We report here that methionyl-tRNA synthetase, unlike methionine adenosyltransferase, behaves in a constitutive manner with respect to the concentration of methionine in the culture medium. This behavior is seen in Chinese hamster ovary cells and in normal diploid and SV 40-transformed human fibroblasts. Although the kinetics of regulation of methionine adenosyltransferase and methionyl-tRNA synthetase by exogenous methionine are clearly different, the levels of the two enzymes in the human cell lines are similar.
PRODUCTION OF INTENSE ION BEAMS BY HIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTRIC FIELDS.

We present an experimental investigation of electron cyclotron resonance plasma accelerators as a source of high-intensity, low-energy (keV) ions in which ion current and electron and ion energies are related to r.f. power and gas pressure.
ENZYMIC CONVERSION OF URIDINE NUCLEOTIDE TO CYTIDINE NUCLEOTIDE BY RAT BRAIN

—After in vivo administration of [14C]uridine monophosphate to rats, radioactivity appears in cytidine nucleotides at comparable rates in the brain and the liver. An in vitro assay, on the soluble fraction of rat brain showed that the enzyme required for amination of uridine nucleotide to cytidine nucleotide occurs in the brain.
RNase P: interface of the RNA and protein worlds

Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is an endonuclease involved in processing tRNA. It contains both RNA and protein subunits and occurs in all three domains of life: namely, Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya. The RNase P RNA subunits from bacteria and some archaea are catalytically active in vitro, whereas those from eukaryotes and most archaea require protein subunits for activity. RNase P has been characterized biochemically and genetically in several systems, and detailed structural information is emerging for both RNA and protein subunits from phylogenetically diverse organisms. In vitro reconstitution of activity is providing insight into the role of proteins in the RNase P holoenzyme. Together, these findings are beginning to impart an understanding of the coevolution of the RNA and protein worlds.
Severe Hyponatremia Associated with the Combined Use of Thiazide Diuretics and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Thiazide diuretics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed medications. Each medication has been associated with the development of severe hyponatremia. The mechanisms involved in the development of hyponatremia differ for each medication. Thiazide diuretics induce hyponatremia by impairment of urinary dilution, renal loss of sodium and potassium, stimulation of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), and perhaps from a dipsogenic effect. SSRIs cause hyponatremia through the syndrome of inappropriate ADH release. Two cases of severe hyponatremia in patients taking both a thiazide diuretic and an SSRI highlight the possibility of a synergistic effect in impairment of renal free water clearance when both medications are given. These two cases serve as a cautionary example and should prompt careful monitoring of patients prescribed both an SSRI and a thiazide diuretic (especially in elderly women, who seem to be at increased risk for this complication).
Fatigue growth of small corner cracks in aluminum 6061-T651

Results of an experimental investigation of the fatigue growth of small corner cracks emanating from small flaws are presented. A three-point bending state of loading was used and, by virtue of the orientation of the square cross-section of the specimen, the maximum tensile stress was developed at the middle of the gage section and on a corner edge. A growth-arrest behavior was observed and increases in crack length during growth periods were of the order of the transverse grain size, so it is inferred that grain boundaries act as barriers to continuing growth.
Phosphate Ion Partially Relieves the Cooperativity of Effector Binding in d-3-Phosphoglycerate Dehydrogenase without Altering the Cooperativity of Inhibition†

The binding of l-serine to phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase from E. coli displays elements of both positive and negative cooperativity. In addition, the inhibition of enzymatic activity by l-serine is also cooperative with Hill coefficients greater than 1. However, phosphate buffer significantly reduces the cooperative effects in serine binding without affecting the cooperativity of inhibition of activity. The maximal degree of inhibition and fluorescence quenching in Tris buffer occurs when an average of two serine binding sites out of four are occupied. This value increases to three out of the four sites at maximal levels of inhibition and quenching in phosphate buffer. The increase from two to three sites appears to be due to the ability of phosphate to reduce the site to site cooperative effects and render each ligand binding site less dependent on each other. The correlation between the level of inhibition and the fractional site occupancy indicates that in Tris buffer, one serine is bound to each inte...
Photochemically Reversible Luminescence Lifetime Switching in Metal−Organic Systems

We use a diarylethene with solution-stable open and closed forms (1,2-bis(2-methylbenzo[b]thiophen-3-yl) hexafluorocyclopentene), BTF6, as a photochromic energy transfer quencher of the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) based luminescence in [Ru(dpp)3]2+, dpp = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline. As only the closed form of BTF6 serves as a quencher for the MLCT luminescence, and the read (390 nm), write (λ 500 nm) wavelengths are well-separated, this system potentially represents an economic alternative to covalent systems. For the first time, we demonstrate the concept of using luminescence lifetimes to transduce the photochromic binary state of the quencher as opposed to the intensity-based readout schemes that are traditionally employed. The luminescence quenching process is described in terms of Forster-type resonance energy transfer (RET) enhanced by diffusion.
Cosmic far-ultraviolet background radiation - Probe of a dense hot intergalactic medium

Line and continuum radiation fluxes have been computed for a wide range of enriched intergalactic medium (IGM) models. Observations of the diffuse extragalactic light at optical and far-ultraviolet wavelengths are found to provide a potentially important probe of a dense hot intergalactic medium. If the diffuse X-ray background is produced by this gas, the models constrain the cosmological density parameter (Omega) to be less than 0.4. The associated Compton distortions of the cosmic blackbody background radiation and the optical depths to distant quasars at X-ray wavelengths are also evaluated.
Effect of external jet-flow deflector geometry on OTW aero-acoustic characteristics

The effect of geometry variations in the design of external deflectors for use with over-the-wing (OTW) configurations was studied at model scale and subsonic jet velocities. Included in the variations were deflector size and angle as well as wing size and flap setting. A conical nozzle (5.2-cm diameter) mounted at 0.1 chord above and downstream of the wing leading edges was used. The data indicate that external deflectors provide satisfactory takeoff and approach aerodynamic performance and acoustic characteristics for OTW configurations. These characteristics together with expected good cruise aerodynamics, since external deflectors are storable, may provide optimum OTW design configurations.
Membership functions for a fuzzy group from similarity relations

Abstract We show that the membership function μ(x) of a fuzzy group G satisfies the equation μ(x) = σ(e,x), where σ(x, y) is a similarity relation on G which is invariant under left-translation. We also show that under some natural assumptions one can represent the elements x ϵ G as 1–1, onto transformations Px on a suitable universe Ω such that μ(x) equals the proportion of points in Ω which are fixed-points of Px. These results provide a deeper insight on the impact of group operation on the membership values μ(x).
Compressive evaluation of homogeneous and graded epoxy-glass particulate composites.

Abstract The propagation of stress waves in epoxy–glass particulate composites and graded materials was studied experimentally. Materials tested in this study consisted of an epoxy matrix with various concentrations of spherical glass particles having a mean diameter of 42 μm. Plate impact experiments were performed using a gas gun. Embedded within the specimens were manganin stress gauges used to record propagating compressive longitudinal stress waves through the material. High strain rate experiments using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus were also performed to evaluate the dynamic strength of the specimens, while quasi-static compression tests were undertaken to characterize their quasi-static behavior. Ultrasonic wave speed measurements were carried-out in order to obtain additional material properties and characterize the gradation in functionally graded materials (FGM). It was found that low volume fractions of particles are detrimental to the performance of the material under impact loading, while concentrations in the range of about 30 to 45% by volume exhibit characteristics of higher degrees of scattering. This suggests that materials in this latter range would be more effective in the thwarting of destructive shock waves than the homogeneous matrix material. Impact testing of FGM specimens suggests that impact loading on the stiff (high volume fraction) face results in much higher levels of scattering. Therefore, such materials would be effective for use in light weight armor or as shielding materials due to their effective attenuation of mechanical impulses.
A new kentriodontid dolphin (Cetacea; Delphinoidea) from the middle Miocene Choptank Formation, Maryland

ABSTRACT A new odontocete genus and species, Macrokentriodon morani, is described from the middle Miocene Choptank Formation of Maryland. This specimen consists of the skull, periotic, and teeth of a single individual. It is placed in the Family Kentriodontidae and the Subfamily Kentriodontinae based on the morphology of the cranial vertex, which is unique to kentriodontines, and features of the periotic. The cranial vertex is flat, roughly pentagonal, formed by nasals and frontals, and is not elevated. The nasals are enlarged and each possesses an oblique groove on the rostral border. Macrokentriodon morani is two to three times larger than other described kentriodontine species, and it possesses relatively larger and fewer teeth. It is similar in size to Hadrodelphis calvertense, but has a cranial vertex distinctly different from that lophocetine kentriodontid. The Kentriodontinae are basal delphinoids of late Oligocene to late Miocene age, and are known from the Atlantic and Pacific ocean basins. This ...
Pulmonary and Renal Responses to Furosemide in Infants With Stage III-IV Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

• Pulmonary and renal responses to furosemide were evaluated in ten infants with stage III-IV bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Furosemide was given intravenously for two doses, 1 and 2 mg/kg, at approximately 24-hour intervals. The following indices were evaluated in series before and after entry Into study: clinical respiratory distress syndrome score; blood pH; partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide; alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient; urine output; glomerular filtration rate; fractional excretion of filtered sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium; osmolar clearance; water clearance; and concentrations of serum electrolytes and calcium. A significant decrease in the respiratory distress syndrome score and in the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide was seen only transiently at two hours following each dose. There was no significant improvement in the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient during the study. Furosemide induced diuresis and urinary excretion of sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium. A significant decrease in serum chloride and potassium concentrations was seen at 48 hours after entry intostudy; serum sodium and calcium concentrations remained unchanged. This study has demonstrated that furosemide administration has only a short-term effect in the lung but has a potential for long-term complication on electrolytes and calcium balance in infants with well-established stage III-IV bronchopulmonary dysplasia. ( AJDC 1985;139:917-919)
Insertion element IS1 encodes two structural genes required for its transposition

The nucleotide sequence analysis of insertion element IS1 has shown that IS1 could have as many as six translational reading frames encoding possible proteins. In order to determine which reading frames are actual structural genes responsible for IS1-mediated recombination, we introduced base substitution mutations including nonsense mutations into all of the potential reading frames and examined the ability of these IS1 mutants to mediate cointegration between two plasmids. The results reveal that IS1 has two structural genes (termed insA and insB), which are required for plasmid cointegration mediated by IS1.
Do Community-Level Predictors of Pneumococcal Carriage Continue to Play a Role in the Conjugate Vaccine Era?

This paper examined whether previously identified community-level factors (high proportion of crowded households and/or persons below the poverty level) remained associated with childhood pneumococcal carriage in the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) era. Using logistic regression, individual factors were used to develop base models to which community-level factors were added to evaluate impact on pneumococcal carriage within two paediatric study cohorts from Massachusetts (urban Boston, outside Boston). Six years after introduction of universal childhood PCV7 vaccination, we found no consistent evidence that census tract characteristics (e.g. population size and density, age and race distribution, percent participating in group childcare, parental education, percent lacking in-unit plumbing, poverty, and community stability) affected odds of pneumococcal carriage when added to individual predictors (e.g. younger age, current respiratory tract infections, and attendance in group childcare). How community-level factors influence pneumococcal carriage continues to change in the era of increasing immunization coverage.
Pseudophakia and polypseudophakia in the first year of life

Abstract Purpose: To report a consecutive series of patients undergoing intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the first year of life. A new procedure, referred to as temporary polypseudophakia , is reported. Methods: A retrospective chart analysis was conducted. Ocular growth and refractive change, complications and reoperation rates, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Forty-seven eyes of 33 patients underwent IOL implantation in the first year of life. Average follow-up was 22 months (range, 7 weeks to 5 years). Thirty-two eyes of 22 patients had a single IOL implanted from 12 days to 11 months of age. Fifteen eyes of 11 infants received piggyback IOLs from 16 days to 6.8 months of age. Reoperation for complications within the anterior segment of the eye was needed in 23% of all patients (22% for single IOLs, 26% for piggyback IOLs). The average first postoperative refraction after single IOL was +7.98 D and after piggyback IOL was +1.67 D. The average last postoperative refraction was +1.76 D and −4.48 D, respectively. On average, eyes grew 2.68 mm over 17.5 months of follow-up. Eight patients were old enough for Snellen visual acuity, but each had deprivation amblyopia with visual acuities from 20/85 to 5/200. Of the remaining 25 patients, 17 had central, steady, and maintained fixation in the implanted eyes. Conclusion: IOL implantation in infancy is technically feasible and associated with a reoperation rate of approximately 25% in the first 2 years after implantation. Further follow-up is required before meaningful visual acuity data and long-term results can be reported. (J AAPOS 2001;5:238-45)
The Response of Turkeys to Varying Doses of Live Oral Pasteurella multocida Vaccine

Abstract Groups of 30 turkeys were vaccinated by the drinking water route against fowl cholera with varying doses of the low virulence, CU strain, of Pasteurella multocida. One group (heavy dose) received 1.2 × 107, another (medium dose) 1.5 × 105, and a third (light dose) 1.0 × 103 bacteria per ml. of drinking water. Two (6.7%) vaccine induced cholera deaths occurred in the heavy dose group. No deaths resulted in the other groups. Maximum serum antibody titers per group were; light dose 1:32, medium dose 1:128, and heavy dose 1:256. Three weeks after vaccination all turkeys were challenged with a large dose of virulent P. multocida (P-1059). Mortalities resulting from the challenge were 100% in the light group, 23% in the medium group, 4% in the heavy group, and 100% in the unvaccinated controls.
Hemorrhage into the arterial wall as a cause of peripheral vascular disease

Abstract Three cases of obstructive arteriosclerosis of the iliac and femoral arteries associated with extensive vascularization of the arterial wall have been described. Bleeding had occurred in all three patients and this led either to the formation of a large hematoma with obstruction of the lumen by pressure or to rupture and thrombosis. The identity of these lesions with those which occur in the coronary, pulmonary, cerebral, carotid, and renal arteries and aorta, is stressed and it is pointed out that arteriosclerosis produces similar lesions no matter which artery it affects. Although the incidence of bleeding into the walls of the peripheral arteries of the lower extremities is not known, nevertheless it seems likely that it is common and that it is a frequent cause of thrombosis just as it is in the coronary arteries. In these patients the arterial disease in the lower extremities was but a part of a generalized arteriosclerosis. Serious disease of the vessels of the heart and kidneys was found in all. In some patients arterial disease of the legs may be an indication of more serious vascular lesions elsewhere, especially in the heart.
Divergent mechanisms for enzymatic excision of 5-formylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytosine from DNA.

5-Methylcytosine (mC) is an epigenetic mark that impacts transcription, development, and genome stability, and aberrant DNA methylation contributes to aging and cancer. Active DNA demethylation involves stepwise oxidation of mC to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine (fC), and potentially 5-carboxylcytosine (caC), excision of fC or caC by thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG), and restoration of cytosine via follow-on base excision repair. Here, we investigate the mechanism for TDG excision of fC and caC. We find that 5-carboxyl-2′-deoxycytidine ionizes with pKa values of 4.28 (N3) and 2.45 (carboxyl), confirming that caC exists as a monoanion at physiological pH. Calculations do not support the proposal that G·fC and G·caC base pairs adopt a wobble structure that is recognized by TDG. Previous studies show that N-glycosidic bond hydrolysis follows a stepwise (SN1) mechanism, and that TDG activity increases with pyrimidine N1 acidity, that is, leaving group quality of the target base. Calculations here show ...
Ultrastructural localization of apolipoprotein B in human aortic and coronary atherosclerotic plaques.

Abstract The ultrastructural localization of apolipoprotein B (apo B), the major protein in human plasma low (LDL) and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), was determined in advanced atherosclerotic plaques from human coronary arteries and aorta using an immunoperoxidase procedure. Positive regions were most predominant in the lipid core at the base of the plaque. Apo B was localized on the surface of circular structures, presumably spheres, ranging in size from 250 to 2000 A diameters. These spheres were found either free, attached to collagen and elastic fibers, or bound to extracellular lipid droplets and crystals. Smaller apo B-positive spheres (250 to 1000 A diameters) frequently surrounded the larger spheres (1000 to 2000 A). Saline extracts as well as homogenates of plaques contained particles of 250 to 800 A diameters after negative staining. It is suggested that the smaller spheres are intact LDL and VLDL, whereas the larger ones may either represent lipid-free apo B attached to cell debris, or the ultrastructural morphology of denatured lipoproteins.
Recent change of Arctic tundra ecosystems from a net carbon dioxide sink to a source

ARCTIC tundra has been a net sink for carbon dioxide during historic and recent geological times1–4, and large amounts of carbon are stored in the soils of northern ecosystems. Many regions of the Arctic are warmer now than they have been in the past5–10, and this warming may cause the soil to change from a carbon dioxide sink to a source by lowering the water table11–12, thereby accelerating the rate of soil decomposition (CO2 source)3,13–15 so that this dominates over photosynthesis (CO2 sink). Here we present data indicating that the tundra on the North Slope of Alaska has indeed become a source of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. This change coincides with recent warming in the Arctic, whether this is due to increases in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere or to some other cause. Our results suggest that tundra ecosystems may exert a positive feedback on atmospheric carbon dioxide and greenhouse warming.
Checking array bound violation using segmentation hardware

The ability to check memory references against their associated array/buffer bounds helps programmers to detect programming errors involving address overruns early on and thus avoid many difficult bugs down the line. This paper proposes a novel approach called Cash to the array bound checking problem that exploits the segmentation feature in the virtual memory hardware of the X86 architecture. The Cash approach allocates a separate segment to each static array or dynamically allocated buffer, and generates the instructions for array references in such a way that the segment limit check in X86's virtual memory protection mechanism performs the necessary array bound checking for free. In those cases that hardware bound checking is not possible, it falls back to software bound checking. As a result, Cash does not need to pay per-reference software checking overhead in most cases. However, the Cash approach incurs a fixed set-up overhead for each use of an array, which may involve multiple array references. The existence of this overhead requires compiler writers to judiciously apply the proposed technique to minimize the performance cost of array bound checking. This paper presents the detailed design and implementation of the Cash compiler, and a comprehensive evaluation of various performance tradeoffs associated with the proposed array bound checking technique. For the set of complicated network applications we tested, including Apache, Sendmail, Bind, etc., the latency penalty of Cash's bound checking mechanism is between 2.5% to 9.8% when compared with the baseline case that does not perform any bound checking.
A classification of periodic turtle sequences

A turtle sequence is a word constructed from an alphabet of two letters: F, which represents the forward motion of a turtle in the plane, and L, which represents a counterclockwise turn. In this paper, we investigate such sequences and establish links between the combinatoric properties of words and the geometric properties of the curves they generate. In particular, we classify periodic turtle sequences in terms of their closure (or lack thereof).
Bounds on the a priori index crossover probabilities for trellis-based channel codes

This paper derives truncated union bounds on the a priori index crossover probabilities p(j|i) that result when an n-bit data index i is convolutionally encoded, transmitted over a noisy channel, and decoded with the Viterbi algorithm, giving received index j. The bounds are derived with a modified transfer function technique, using n-stage state transition matrices with symbolic labels. The technique is easily automated with commercial symbolic algebra packages. Bounds are obtained for convolutional and trellis-coded modulation (TCM) codes, over binary symmetric and additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels. A joint source channel coding example demonstrates that the bounds on p(j|i) developed in this paper can give a 13-dB accuracy improvement in end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) predictions, when compared to predictions based on bounds on the delivered bit error probability P/sub b/.
A quantitative comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and histology of atherosclerosis in the carotid artery

Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of human carotid arteries in vitro and the corresponding histological sections are compared both qualitatively and quantitatively. Measurements were made on five planes for two different arteries, one in the early to middle stage of the disease and the other in a late stage. Histology was used as the gold standard for identification of lesions and interpretation of images. The area and center of mass were calculated in each center of interest, and the results from histology and T1- and T2-weighted images were compared using linear regression. The results show that MRI may be useful in characterizing atherosclerotic disease progression. The images contain accurate information about the locations (center of mass) of the lesions within the artery, but yield less reliable information about their sizes and shapes. >
Bridging the gap between structure and kinetics of human SGLT1

The Na+-glucose cotransporter hSGLT1 is a member of a class of membrane proteins that harness Na+ electrochemical gradients to drive uphill solute transport. Although hSGLT1 belongs to one gene fam...
In Between Nations: Ethiopian-Born Eritreans, Liminality, and War

In 1998, seven years after Eritrea's independence from Ethiopia, renewed war between the two countries created rigid borders where fluid boundaries previously existed. This border making was not only an attempt to physically delineate the border between the two countries but was also a symbolic process that attempted to definitively differentiate Ethiopian from Eritrean. However, alternative nationalisms were formed in the spaces that lay in between the two nations by people who inhabited those spaces. The national identities of Eritreans born in Ethiopia, known as Amiches, ran counter to state-produced forms of nationalism in both Ethiopia and Eritrea. Amiches defined their understanding of belonging by imagining attachments to two different national spaces. In this article, I use the concept of liminality to explore the dangers that Amiches experienced when confronted with this border-making process and the sense of community that emerged from their liminal state.
Use of non-Rayleigh statistics for the identification of tumors in ultrasonic B-scans of the breast

A model for the scattering of ultrasound from breast tissue is proposed. The model is based on the use of non-Rayleigh statistics, specifically the K distribution to describe the backscattered echo from the tissue. A multiparameter test based on this model has been designed to characterize the tissue. The data from the B-scan images of the breasts of 6 different patients were analyzed using this model. The results indicate that the non-Rayleigh statistics seem to be useful in characterizing and identifying malignant, benign, and normal tissue regions. >
Mudflow generated by retrogressive slope failure, Santa Barbara Basin, California continental borderland

ABSTRACT The morphology and internal geometry of a mudflow deposit on the mainland slope of the Santa Barbara Basin are defined using high-resolution seismic-reflection data in combination with core samples. Sediment failure occurred on a 4° slope in the uppermost part of late Quaternary well-bedded slope deposits. The failure zone extends from water depths of 374-510 m near the base of slope, occupies an area of 4 km2, and involved the translation of 0.01-0.02 km3 of sediment. Major geomorphic features of the mudflow deposit include a headscarp 6-8 m high, a scar 50-700 m wide, and a main body 1 km long and 12 m thick. The hummocky surface of the mudflow deposits, their chaotic internal structure, and the bulbous toe tapering upslope to a thin tail are consistent wit mass flow involving extensive internal deformation. Sediment failed in stages, ending with upslope retrogressive retreat of the headwall along the east side of the failure zone. Known sedimentation rates of 0.8-1.4 m/k.y., as well as the presence of a thin (0.15-0.5 m thick) sediment cap resting atop the scar surface, indicate that the failure probably occurred within the past few centuries. A geotechnical analysis incorporating the results of both static and dynamic triaxial strength tests shows that the failure was probably caused by a strong (M 7.5) nearby earthquake. The weakened sediment that remained after earthquake shaking continued to flow down the gentle basin slope under the stresses generated by gravity alone. The analysis also shows that much of the slope sediment is marginally stable and that additional mudflows will probably occur during future strong seismic shaking.
William Perkins as Apologist for the Church of England

William Perkins, usually described as an Elizabethan Puritan, was significant in ways that are only beginning to be recognised by historians. His writings, published in numerous editions in England and on the continent and translated into Latin and half a dozen vernacular languages, made him the most prominent English theologian of his day. This article contends that his career was devoted not to bringing about changes in the Established Church but to making that Church's teachings better known and appreciated. Perkins should be seen as a leading apologist for the Elizabethan Church of England.
Predicting the distribution of the air pollution sensitive lichen species Usnea hirta

Usnea hirta, an important member of the lichen family Parmeliaceae, has long been used as a bio-monitor of air pollution, particularly of sulphur dioxide in North America. Although U. hirta has a wide geographical distribution, it is important to be able to identify accurately the optimal habitat conditions for air pollution-sensitive species, thus making it possible to more effectively and efficiently establish air quality bio-monitoring stations. We modelled the distribution of U. hirta as a function of nine variables, five macroclimatic variables: average monthly precipitation, average monthly minimum temperature, average monthly maximum temperature, solar radiation, and inte- grated moisture index, and four topographic variables: elevation, slope, aspect, and land forms and uses for the White River National Forest, Colorado. The response variable was developed based on the presence or absence of U. hirta at each of 72 bio-monitoring baseline sites established in selected portions of four intermountain area states. Our model was developed using Non-Parametric Multi- plicative Regression (NPMR) analysis, a modelling approach that analyzes environmental gradients, or predictor variables, against known locations for individuals of the model species. Finally, we evaluated our model on the basis of log b values and overall improvement over a naive model and the Monte Carlo Permutation Test with 1000 randomized runs. The best model for U. hirta included four variables - solar radiation, average monthly precipitation, and average monthly minimum and maximum temperatures (log b ¼ 3� 68). Among these four variables, average monthly maximum temperature was the most influential predictor (sensitivity ¼ 0� 71) for the distribution of U. hirta. The occurrence rate for U. hirta, based on field validation, was 45� 5%, 65� 4%, and 70� 4% for low, medium, and high probability areas, respectively. This study showed that our model was successful in predicting the distribution of U. hirta in the White River National Forest. Based on these results, the north-eastern and western portions of the forest appear to offer the most favourable conditions for the installation of future air quality bio-monitoring baseline sites.
On the validation of a 3D inflow model for simulating wire array z-pinches, z-pinch energetics, and scaling of radiated power with current

Summary form only given. Development of a predictive computational model for wire array z-pinches has been inhibited by the 3D nature of the dynamics. We have developed a 3D computational model for simulating cylindrical wire array z-pinches. In lieu of trying to simulate individual wires in the array from the beginning of the initiation phase, which is computationally impractical, we have incorporated a steady state model of wire ablation physics into our 3D, radiation MHD code ALEGRA. Results are presented from a validation study using radiation pulses, currents, and density profiles from a variety of experiments with single wire arrays on the Z accelerator. The wire array is modeled using full length, periodic wedges with angles of 1 and 60 degrees, and 1 degree azimuthal cells. Radiation power pulses produced by arrays with different masses are matched by tuning the ablation rate. Results indicate that the mass ablation rate scales with wire diameter to the -0.49 power, slower than the -0.66 power deduced from experiments. While both wedge models produce power pulses in reasonable agreement with measurements, only the 60 degree wedge with uncorrelated perturbations in azimuth produces both the measured density profile and radiated power. The resulting web-like, azimuthal structure that develops in the z-pinch plasma has a significant influence on the current distribution, density profile and power pulse. Simulations show that shock heating and pdV work account for most of the energy radiated by the z-pinch at stagnation, through peak power. Results indicate that the sub quadratic scaling of peak power (P) with peak current (I) observed in experiments on Z4 (P~I1.24plusmn0.18) is correlated with significant precursor mass stagnating on axis before the main pinch. For 2.5 and 6.0 mg arrays, the simulated power scales as P~I1.35 with a stagnating precursor plasma, and P~I1.8 when stagnation of the precursor is precluded by decreasing the implosion time, which is consistent with P~I2 based on energy conservation.
Overcoming Challenges in the Management of Critical Events During Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Critical events during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) can challenge the most experienced perfusionists, anesthesiologists, and surgeons and can potentially lead to devastating outcomes. Much of the challenge of troubleshooting these events requires a key understanding of these situations and a well-defined strategy for early recognition and treatment. Adverse situations may be anticipated prior to going on CPB. Atherosclerosis is pervasive, and a high plaque burden may have implications in surgical technique modification and planning of CPB. Hematologic abnormalities such as cold agglutinins, antithrombin III deficiency, and hemoglobin S have been discussed with emphasis on managing complications arising from their altered pathophysiology. Jehovah’s witness patients require appropriate techniques for cell salvage to minimize blood loss. During initiation of CPB, devastating situations leading to acute hypoperfusion and multiorgan failure may be encountered in patients undergoing surgery for aortic dissectio...
Identification of error-capturing scan cells in scan-BIST with applications to system-on-chip

We present a new partition-based fault-diagnosis technique for identifying error-capturing scan cells in a scan-BIST environment. This approach relies on a two-step scan chain partitioning scheme. In the first step, an interval-based partitioning scheme is used to generate a small number of partitions, where each element of a partition consists of a set of consecutive scan cells. In the second step, additional partitions are created using a previously proposed random-selection partitioning method. Two-step partitioning provides higher diagnostic resolution than previous schemes that rely either on random-selection partitioning or deterministic partitioning. We show via experiments that the proposed method requires only a small amount of additional hardware. The proposed scheme is especially suitable for a system-on-chip (SOC) composed of multiple embedded cores, where test access is provided by means of a TestRail that is threaded through the internal scan chains of the embedded cores. We present analytical results to characterize two-step partitioning, and present experimental results for the six largest ISCAS'89 benchmark circuits and two SOCs crafted from some of the ISCAS'89 circuits.
A Review of Peak Broadening in Gel Chromatography

Gel permeation chromatography peak broadening, discussing liquid dispersion factors and column efficiency
Molecular architecture of a Leu3p-DNA complex in solution: a biochemical approach.

The Leu3 protein (Leu3p) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a pleiotropic transregulator that can function both as an activator and as a repressor of transcription. It binds to upstream promoter elements (UASLEU) with the consensus sequence 5'-GCCGGNNCCGGC-3'. The DNA-binding motif of Leu3p belongs to the family of Zn(II)2-Cys6 clusters. The motif is located between amino acid residues 37 and 67 of the 886-residue protein. In this study, we used a recombinant peptide consisting of residues 17 to 147 to explore the interaction between Leu3p and its cognate DNA. We found that the Leu3p(17-147) peptide is a monomer in the absence of UASLEU but assumes a dimeric structure when the DNA is present. Results of protein-DNA cross-linking and methylation and ethylation interference footprinting experiments show that the Leu3p(17-147) dimer interacts symmetrically with two contact triplets separated by 6 bp and suggest that the peptide approaches its target DNA in such a way that each subunit is positioned closer to one DNA strand than to the other. The binding of Leu3p is strongly affected by the spacing between the contact triplets of the UASLEU and by the type of triplet. Binding occurs when the triplets are 6 bp apart (normal spacing) but fails to occur when the triplets are 0, 5, or 8 bp apart. Weak binding occurs when the triplets are 7 bp apart. Binding does not occur when the UASLEU triplets (GCC....GGC) are replaced with triplets found in the UAS elements for Gal4p, Put3p, and Ppr1p (CGG....CCG). The apparent Kd for the normal Leu3p(17-147)-UASLEU complex is about 3 nM. A mutant form of Leu3p(17-147) in which the histidine at position 50 has been replaced with cysteine binds UASLEU with significantly greater affinity (apparent Kd of about 0.7 nM), even though the interaction between the mutant peptide and target DNA appears to be unchanged. Interestingly, repression of basal-level transcription, which is a hallmark property of the wild-type Leu3p(17-147) peptide, is largely lost with the mutant peptide, indicating that there is no direct correlation between strength of binding and repression.
Simulation based performance analysis of crawfish processing operations

A detailed model of crawfish processing operations was developed using the SLAM II simulation language. the simulation model was used to compare overall plant performance for two crawfish cooking schemes, boiling water and steam infusion, and to evaluate processing parameters for different plant capacities. For all the range of operating levels included in this study (2,400-19,000 lb of live crawfish/day or 360-2,900 lb of tail meat/day), the steam infusion cooking scheme rendered shorter processing times than those required by the boiling water cooking scheme. Moreover, the batch sizes and amount of resources used are smaller for the steam infusion cooking scheme. the simulation model is a valuable tool to analyze the performance of crawfish plants as well as to determine the impact of changes in technology on the overall process.
Evaluation of atpB Nucleotide Sequences for Phylogenetic Studies of Ferns and Other Pteridophytes

Inferring basal relationships among vascular plants poses a major challenge to plant systematists. The divergence events that describe these relationships occurred long ago and considerable homoplasy has since accrued for both molecular and morphological characters. A potential solution is to examine phylogenetic analyses from multiple data sets. Here I present a new source of phylogenetic data for ferns and other pteridophytes. I sequenced the chloroplast gene atpB from 23 pteridophyte taxa and used maximum parsimony to infer relationships. A 588-bp region of the gene appeared to contain a statistically significant amount of phylogenetic signal and the resulting trees were largely congruent with similar analyses of nucleotide sequences from rbcL. However, a combined analysis of atpB plus rbcL produced a better resolved tree than did either data set alone. In the shortest trees, leptosporangiate ferns formed a monophyletic group. Also, I detected a wellsupported clade of Psilotaceae (Psilotum and Tmesipteris) plus Ophioglossaceae (Ophioglossum and Botrychium). The demonstrated utility of atpB suggests that sequences from this gene should play a role in phylogenetic analyses that incorporate data from chloroplast genes, nuclear genes, morphology, and fossil data.
Student Perspectives of Competition: A Qualitative Analysis.

The present study involved action research of appraising business students individual assessments of a classroom competition exercise in which they participated for a university semester. Analysis of in-depth interviews held with each student show four over-arching themes shared by the participants. First, students showed significant self-insight into how they perceive themselves competing. This occurred on both the cognitive and affective domains. Second, with relative consistency, students reported avoiding competitive situations where they did not believe chances were good that they would win. Conversely, they tended to involve themselves in situations where success was perceived as possible or likely. Third, gender differences existed in how the students viewed competition. And fourth, we found that classroom competition affected how the students related to one another on personal levels.
PS3-55: Utilization of High-Technology to Collect Health Risk Assessment Information from Medicare Members: A Feasibility Study of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and an Online Survey Tool.

Background/Aims Kaiser Permanente (KP) has been working to develop a standardized approach to preventive care for Medicare members that includes completion of a Total Health Assessment questionnaire to provide data that the patient’s health care team can use to generate a personal prevention plan as part of an Annual Wellness Visit. In order to minimize the need for clinic staff to enter data into the EMR and to administer the questionnaire orally when the information is needed immediately, we have been evaluating administration using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and online questionnaire administration.
Molecular Mechanism of Tryptophan-Dependent Transcriptional Regulation in Chlamydia trachomatis

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is required for normal development in Chlamydia species, and tryptophan metabolism has been implicated in chlamydial persistence and tissue tropism. The ability to synthesize tryptophan is not universal among the Chlamydiaceae, but species that have a predicted tryptophan biosynthetic pathway also encode an ortholog of TrpR, a regulator of tryptophan metabolism in many gram-negative bacteria. We show that in Chlamydia trachomatis serovar D, TrpR regulates its own gene and trpB and trpA, the genes for the two subunits of tryptophan synthase. These three genes form an operon that is transcribed by the major form of chlamydial RNA polymerase. TrpR acts as a tryptophan-dependent aporepressor that binds specifically to operator sequences upstream of the trpRBA operon. We also found that TrpR repressed in vitro transcription of trpRBA in a promoter-specific manner, and the level of repression was dependent upon the concentrations of TrpR and tryptophan. Our findings provide a mechanism for chlamydiae to sense changes in tryptophan levels and to respond by modulating expression of the tryptophan biosynthesis genes, and we present a unified model that shows how C. trachomatis can combine transcriptional repression and attenuation to regulate intrachlamydial tryptophan levels. In the face of host defense mechanisms that limit tryptophan availability from the infected cell, the ability to maintain homeostatic control of intrachlamydial tryptophan levels is likely to play an important role in chlamydial pathogenesis.