cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Over-expressing a yeast ornithine decarboxylase gene in transgenic roots of Nicotiana rustica can lead to enhanced nicotine accumulation

Transformed root cultures of Nicotiana rustica have been generated in which the gene from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae coding for ornithine decarboxylase has been integrated. The gene, driven by the powerful CaMV35S promoter with an upstream duplicated enhancer sequence, shows constitutive expression throughout the growth cycle of some lines, as demonstrated by the analysis of mRNA and enzyme activity. The presence of the yeast gene and enhanced ornithine decarboxylase activity is associated with an enhanced capacity of cultures to accumulate both putrescine and the putrescine-derived alkaloid, nicotine. Even, however, with the very powerful promoter used in this work the magnitude of the changes seen is typically only in the order of 2-fold, suggesting that regulatory factors exist which limit the potential increase in metabolic flux caused by these manipulations. Nevertheless, it is demonstrated that flux through a pathway to a plant secondary product can be elevated by means of genetic manipulation.
Issue Framing and Engagement: Rhetorical Strategy in Public Policy Debates

Conventional wisdom and scholarly research indicate that to win a policy debate political actors should frame the issue strategically—that is, selectively highlight considerations that mobilize public opinion behind their policy position. Engaging the opponent in a dialogue (i.e., focusing on the same considerations) is portrayed as a suboptimal strategy because political actors forfeit the ability to structure the debate. Using over 40 public opinion polls and a detailed content analysis of news stories, I examine the use of framing and engagement strategies during the 1993–94 debate over health care reform. The analysis shows that engagement was more effective at increasing support for reform than framing. This study is the first to document the role of engagement in a policy debate, and it extends work showing that this strategy is more common in election campaigns than scholars once suspected.
A Controlled Study of Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment of Delinquent Drug Abusing Adolescents: One Year Results

Abstract Seventy-four delinquent drug abusing adolescents were randomly assigned to inpatient or outpatient treatment. One year results on several measures of social functioning as well as MMPI scores are analyzed. At one year, no significant differences in outcome are noted on these measures. Implications of these findings are discussed as well as possible changes which may occur at a subsequent, two year, follow-up.
Effect of User Posture and Device Size on the Performance of Touch-Based Authentication Systems

Touch dynamics is a behavioral biometric that authenticates users by analyzing the characteristics of the touch gestures they execute on devices such as tablets and smartphones. The current research in this field has focused on identifying the best algorithms and the most effective attributes to improve authentication performance. However, a robust touch dynamics based authentication system for mobile devices must also be resilient against environmental variables such as user posture, movement, device size, device manufacturer, etc. In this work, we focus on two critical environmental variables that affect touch based authentication systems. We demonstrate that the user's posture and device size have a significant impact on the performance of touch based authentication systems. Our results indicate that authentication performance is proportional to the device size. Furthermore, we conclude that using a device's 3-D orientation is necessary to attain better authentication performance. Our findings indicate that the features used in state-of-the-art touch-based authentication systems are insufficient to provide constant, reliable performance when either the device size or user posture change. The effect of environmental variables on touch dynamics has not been explored. The results presented in this work are the first of its kind and important in the development of robust touch-based authentication systems. This study has immediate, applicable benefits to develop better authentication approaches touch dynamics.
The propagation of extensional cylindrical pulses in elastic plates

Abstract In this paper an investigation is made into the factors governing the propagation of extensional cylindrical waves. The effects resulting from the presence of free boundaries are considered when propagation takes place in a plate. An elementary solution is first developed using a harmonic analysis for the cases of plane strain and plane stress. The stabilization of pulse shape is discussed in terms of a generalized phase velocity. In the plane stress case, the phase velocity is singular at the origin and falls off to an asymptotic value equal to the Lamb speed for infinite wavelengths in a plate. The result is identical in plane strain except that the asymptotic value is the dilatational speed. The effects of lateral inertia in a plate are discussed first by deducing a modified plane stress equation of motion based on an approximate analysis which accounts for the energy of lateral motion. The resulting dispersion curve appears to be valid over a limited range of the ratio of wavelength to plate thickness. The simple form of the modified equation of motion suggests the use of the exact Lamb dispersion curve (for plane plate waves) to account for the effects of lateral inertia. This is done and it is found that calculated and experimental pulses are in good agreement when the initial displacement curve at the surface of a cylindrical cavity in the plate is chosen in the form of an error function. This step displacement is produced experimentally by the detonation of a lead azide charge in a cylindrical hole drilled in a steel plate. The displacement rises from zero to some maximum and then remains essentially constant because of the plastic deformation around the hole.
Information Literacy “Learning” via Online Tutorials: A Collaboration Between Subject Specialist and Instructional Design Librarian

As the American higher education paradigm shifts from a traditional classroom instruction model to a distributed learning model, academic libraries must update library instruction methods to allow for more flexible delivery of content. Distance students particularly need instructional content that can be accessed anywhere, at any time. This article seeks to explore one approach to creating a flexible online learning environment by studying the design and implementation of online research tutorials for two sections of an Introduction to American Ethnic Studies course at Kansas State University.
From journal articles to computational models: a new automated tool

Automated methods can now extract brain-image coordinates appearing in hundreds of publications in targeted topic areas and then integrate these data to form computational models that classify new brain-image data.
Wireless considerations for video projectors

There are several challenges when transferring time- sensitive, high bandwidth data across a lossy link with limited bandwidth. The current wireless transmission options do not offer the full bandwidth needed for raw video distribution. Thus, system trade-offs must be made between the bandwidth availability, the wireless system performance and the image quality of the video received for display. The user's expectations of image quality are often based on the viewing environment and current experiences with wired options. This paper will explore the end user requirements, wireless transmission options, challenges unique to a wireless environment and system performance issues.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On Austrognatharia strunki nov. spec. from the Florida Keys (Gnathostomulida)

The present paper belongs to a series dealing with Gnathostomulids from the West Atlantic coasts (RIEDL 1970a, b; 1971a, b; STERRER 1970, 1971, 1972). Others will include additional species descriptions, distribution patterns and improved sampling techniques. Organization will generally follow the format of previous Gnathostomulida papers. The following description based on studies of living individuals is the fourth species in the genus Austrognatharia STERRER, 1971 and the second to be described from North America. Primary emphasis is placed on characters of systematic importance; supplementary data including a distribution pattern are mentioned briefly under “Notes and Obersvations.” I am deeply indebted to Dr. WOLFGANG STERRER (Bermuda Biological Station for valuable material and generous assistance. I would also like to thank Dr. REINHARD RIEGER (Chapel Hill) for his helpful suggestions, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for facilities, and Dr. STEVEN WAINWRIGHT (Duke University) for his financial subsidy. Further support: NSF grant No. XA 120 (R. J. RIEDL, principal investigator) and North Carolina Board of Science and Technology grants No. RA 012 and RA 023, University Research Council VF 255.
The endurance of a thrust-loaded, double row radial cylindrical roller bearing

Abstract It is generally recognized that radial cylindrical roller bearings having integral roller guide flanges on inner and outer rings can support thrust loading to some extent; however, the effect of thrust loading on bearing endurance has been overlooked. In this paper, the foregoing effect is evaluated in terms of roller tilting and load distribution among rollers. It is demonstrated that only rollers which carry radial load can effectively support thrust load as well. A comparison of endurance characteristics made with comparable tapered roller bearings further demonstrates that under combined loading with predominant radial load, the cylindrical roller bearing tends to outlive the equivalent tapered roller bearing.
Toward reliable, noninvasive measurement of myocardial function from 4D images

This paper describes efforts aimed at more accurately and objectively determining and quantifying the local, regional, and global function of the left ventricle (LV) of the heart under both normal and ischemic conditions. These measurements and evaluations are made using non-invasive, 3-D, cardiac diagnostic imaging sequences (i.e., 4-D data) and rely on an approach that follows the shape properties of the endocardial and epicardial surfaces of the LV over the entire cardiac cycle. Our efforts involve the development of an acute infarct animal model that permits us to establish the validity of our noninvasive image analysis algorithms, as well as permits us to study the efficacy of using in vivo, image-derived measures of function for predicting regional myocardial viability (immediately post mortem). We first describe the experimental setup for the animal model, including the use of implanted imaging-opaque markers that assist in setting up a gold standard against which image-derived measurements can be evaluated. Next, the imaging techniques are described, and finally the image analysis methods and their comparison to the validation technique are discussed.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Solvent Effects On The Barrier To C-N Bond Rotation In N,N-Dimethylaminoacrylonitrile: Modeling By Reaction Field Theory And By Monte Carlo Simulations

Solvents are known experimentally to influence strongly the barrier to rotation about the conjugated C−N bond of N,N-dimethylaminoacrylonitrile (DMAAN). The barrier increases with overall solvent polarity, but solvent hydrogen-bond donor ability does not have a measurable effect. Two solvation models were explored in an attempt to reproduce the experimental data and obtain insight into the causes of the observed solvent effects. Calculations based on the isodensity polarizable continuum model (IPCM) encoded in Gaussian 94, a representative dielectric continuum-based procedure, yielded fair agreement for aprotic, nonhalogenated, nonaromatic solvents. The model predicts a linear correlation with the Onsager dielectric function, (e − 1)/(2e + 1), which was observed experimentally for this set of solvents. However, the model underestimated the magnitude of the solvent dependence by approximately 30%. As a representative example of an approach based on the use of explicit solvent molecules, Monte Carlo simulat...
Utility of rapid database searching for quality assurance: 'detective work' in uncovering radiology coding and billing errors

When the first quarter of 2010 Department of Radiology statistics were provided to the Section Chiefs, the authors (SH, BC) were alarmed to discover that Ultrasound showed a decrease of 2.5 percent in billed examinations. This seemed to be in direct contradistinction to the experience of the ultrasound faculty members and sonographers. Their experience was that they were far busier than during the same quarter of 2009. The one exception that all acknowledged was the month of February, 2010 when several major winter storms resulted in a much decreased Hospital admission and Emergency Department visit rate. Since these statistics in part help establish priorities for capital budget items, professional and technical staffing levels, and levels of incentive salary, they are taken very seriously. The availability of a desktop, Web-based RIS database search tool developed by two of the authors (WK, WB) and built-in database functions of the ultrasound miniPACS, made it possible for us very rapidly to develop and test hypotheses for why the number of billable examinations was declining in the face of what experience told the authors was an increasing number of examinations being performed. Within a short time, we identified the major cause as errors on the part of the company retained to verify billable Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes against ultrasound reports. This information is being used going forward to recover unbilled examinations and take measures to reduce or eliminate the types of coding errors that resulted in the problem.
Characterization of the LiSr(A1,Cr)F6 solid solution for Cr-laser applications

We have investigated the melting behavior, crystal structure, and laser characteristics of Czochralski grown or zone melted laser crystal materials in the psuedo-binary system LiSr(AI,Cr)F6. Congruent melting behavior and continuously increasing melting temperatures with increasing Cr substitution were determined by differential thermal analysis. X-ray data proved that the fluorides LiSrAl1−xCrxF6 form a continuous solid solution throughout the complete composition range (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), crystallizing in the trigonal LiCaA1F6-type structure (space group P11c, No. 163, z = 2). In this structure type, Cr occupies distorted CrF6 octahedra with a Cr-F distance of about 1.90 A.
An Interview With Dr. David Kroenke, Internationally Acclaimed Author of Numerous Information Technology Texts, Including Database Processing, Using MIS, Experiencing MIS, and Processes, Systems, and Information

A virtual legend in the management information systems (MIS) field, David Kroenke has been writing a spectrum of popular MIS textbooks for the entire life of the discipline. In this interview, Dr. Kroenke recounts his life as an MIS professional and as a textbook author, and also discusses the future of MIS and MIS academic programs in the context of social media.
THE GROWTH OF ASIBI STRAIN YELLOW FEVER VIRUS IN TISSUE CULTURES. I. SENSITIVITY AND CAPACITY OF TISSUE CULTURES.

Abstract : A number of primary and established tissue cultures were examined for their susceptibility to yellow fever virus, with the most intensive study directed to HeLa cells. The following results were obtained: Of those cultures that were susceptible, three different patterns of dose response were obtained that were interpreted as different possible manifestations of interference. HeLa cells, which were among the least sensitive to low infection multiplication, had the greatest capacity (highest yields). Subjecting cultures to wash cycles between 15 minutes and 2 hours post-inoculation increased the sensitivity (detectable virus) of such cultures 100-fold, increased the rate of virus multiplication, and had no effect on the peak titer (capacity). The HeLa cultures were found to be composed of different (morphological) clonal types. Three of these that were studied were all susceptible, comparable in capacity, but varied in their sensitivity.
Time constraints and the opportunity costs of oversight

In a principal–agent relationship, how should principals budget time for oversight when oversight activity is not instantaneous? We develop a formal model of resource allocation by a principal monitoring multiple agents, where the principal faces a dynamic budgeting problem. Our model reveals a tension between the value of holding resources in reserve to maintain the threat of an audit and the direct policy gains of monitoring activity. We show that as the frequency of principal–agent conflict increases, there are some conditions under which the most effective strategy for a principal is to allocate less and less of their total time to monitoring. The model has important implications for the empirical analysis of a monitoring setting where a principal oversees multiple agents.
Analytical Dancoff factor evaluations for reactor designs loaded with TRISO particle fuel

Abstract A new mathematical model, the dual-sphere model, is proposed to analytically evaluate Dancoff factors of TRISO fuel kernels based on the chord method. The accurate evaluation of fuel kernel Dancoff factors is needed when one analyzes nuclear reactors loaded with TRISO particle fuel. In these reactor designs, fuel kernels are randomly distributed and shield each other, causing a shadowing effect. The Dancoff factor is a quantitative measure of this effect and is determined by the spatial distribution of fuel kernels. A TRISO fuel particle usually consists of four layers that form a coating region outside the fuel kernel. When fuel particles are loaded in the reactor, the spatial distribution of fuel kernels can be affected by the thickness of the coating region. Therefore, the coating region should be taken into account in the calculation of Dancoff factors. However, the previous model, the single-sphere model, assumes no coating regions in the Dancoff factor predictions. To address this model deficiency, the dual-sphere model is proposed by deriving a new chord length distribution function between two fuel kernels that explicitly accounts for coating regions. The new model is employed to derive analytical solutions of infinite medium, intra-fuel pebble and intra-fuel compact/pin Dancoff factors over a wide range of volume packing fractions of TRISO fuel particles, varying from 2% to 60%. Comparisons are made with the predictions from the single-sphere model and reference Monte Carlo simulations. A significant improvement of the accuracy, over the ranges of packing fractions under current investigation, has been observed. The new model provides a reliable numerical evaluation of Dancoff factors for TRISO particle fuel and can be used as a routine method for the neutronic design and analysis of reactors loaded with TRISO particle fuel.
State of the Art in Crystal Oscillators, Present and Future

The state of the art of stable crystal oscillators for frequency control and timekeeping is discussed. The results of an oscillator evaluation program show that temperature compensated crystal oscillators (TCXO's) in the 5 ppm stability class are available from several sources. The availability of higher stability TCXO's (1 ppm or less) is limited. System designers planning to use high stability TCXO's are cautioned to specify carefully, plan on a thorough incoming inspection program and plan on a backup position using less stable oscillators. The limitations on the performance and availability of oven controlled crystal oscillators (OCXO's) are also discussed. A summary of recent developments which promise to result in order of magnitude improvements in the stability of both TCXO's and OCXO's is presented. A comparison is made between the best performance that is available today and what is likely to be available by 1990.
Surviving its Own Rhetoric: Building a Conversational Community within the Social Studies

In this article, the authors construct an argument citing the need for a conversational community within the social studies profession. After noting the need for more research to aid in understanding the field of social education, they explore relevant attributes of a conversational community. Seeking to service, in part, the research need and apply the conversational community conception to the social studies profession, the authors develop three researchable questions related to conversational practice. In short, they asked 1) who speaks, 2) what are the topics of discourse, and 3) how is language used? The authors conclude that while a conversational community does exist, certain practices inhibit its full potential.
Resonator mode analysis using linear prolate functions.

The modes of an unstable aligned empty strip resonator are found using the kernel expansion technique with the linear prolate functions as a basis set. Calculations of the modes are used to examine the accuracy of the asymptotic methods at low equivalent Fresnel numbers and to demonstrate the orthogonality of the cavity modes.
Local and global buckling of ultra-lightweight IsoTruss® structures

Abstract The local and global compressive buckling behavior of stability-critical, high-aspect ratio, cantilevered composite IsoTruss ® grid structure columns was examined. The influence of local bay length and number of carbon fiber tows in the longitudinal and helical members on the compressive strength of IsoTruss ® columns was examined. Four 3-m (118.0 in.) long IsoTruss ® specimens were fabricated and tested in axial compression with fixed-free boundary conditions. The test results exhibit the same trend as the finite element predictions, although the error is higher for shorter bay lengths. Local buckling depends on bay length, with higher buckling loads observed for shorter bay lengths. Global buckling, on the other hand, is independent of bay length; although increasing the bay length reduces the weight and thus increases the overall efficiency of an IsoTruss ® structure. The Euler column buckling prediction only considers the overall diameter and the axial stiffness of the longitudinal members; therefore, Euler buckling predictions are accurate only for IsoTruss ® configurations that fail in global buckling.
Heterogeneity, spatial correlations, size effects and dissipated energy in brittle materials

Abstract The present study was inspired by recent experiments performed by the second author and co-workers where heterogeneity in a brittle material was investigated by ultrasonic scanning. The experiments showed an irregular pattern of material heterogeneity even before any external load was applied on the specimens. Under increasing uniaxial compressive load, the initial heterogeneity pattern evolved, and finally a macro crack network formed. In a previous study the finite element method was used in conjunction with a theory for distributed damage to study the effects of material heterogeneity numerically. Both experiments and finite element analysis showed that initially “strong” regions dissipated energy at a much higher rate than “weak” ones. However, the FEM is more suitable and efficient when material response can be homogenized and deformation gradients are not prominent. If this is not the case, or if one is interested in understanding and/or modeling the effects of heterogeneity and crack network formation, a lattice approach may be more suitable. In this study, the predictions of the lattice-based numerical approach are compared to experimental data on crack formation. Recently, a branch of statistical physics has focused on statistical modeling of materials. Here, it is attempted to “connect” this approach to continuum solid mechanics theories. Important connections are believed to be spatial correlations and localization phenomena in materials, as discussed herein. Using random fields to represent initial heterogeneity, the effects of spatial correlations on size effects, dissipated energy and on crack formation are studied. Results from two random field generation algorithms are reported, and, surprisingly, dissipated energy and crack network characteristics were dependent on the algorithm. Both provide a good description of the well-known size effect observed in brittle materials. However, notable differences between the two algorithms with respect to localization of deformation were identified.
Risk Dimensions of HIV-Tested Substance Users

Methadone outpatients (n = 177) and outpatients enrolled in a nonchemotherapy (n = 65) counseling unit requested HIV testing. A HIV risk-related questionnaire elicited information on needle-sharing, drug injecting, sexual behaviors, and other risk activities. Although age and geographical seroprevalence were not significantly related to a positive HIV test result, a significant relationship was found between the patient's self-report of AIDS deaths among personal acquaintances and serostatus. Dimensions of risk concerns were found to be significantly related to gender in the methadone sample but not in the nonchemotherapy sample. Serostatus in the nonchemotherapy sample was significantly related to drug injecting and the sum of a 12-item risk index constructed to predict HIV infection.
Feasibility and utility of infrared thermography to identify acute appendicitis

Study objectives: Illness or injury may manifest with regional heat variations in body surface temperature (BST) that can be detected by infrared thermography (IRT). Although there is some experience described in the literature with IRT in burns and cancer, there is little experience with IRT in other disease states. This study attempts to determine the feasibility and utility of IRT in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis by comparing right-to-left ΔBST differences in patients with and without acute appendicitis. Methods: This is a case-control study of IRT using a ThermaCAM P60 device (FLIR Systems, North Billerica, MA). IRT images were obtained on a consecutive cohort of 20 control patients without appendicitis and a chief complaint of abdominal pain and 2 patients with surgically proven acute appendicitis at a tertiary care emergency department. All IRT images were obtained before any other diagnostic or surgical procedure. The camera has a spatial resolution of 320×240 pixels in focal plane array, scan integration rate of 60 Hz, and thermal sensitivity of 0.08°C per pixel. Focal distance was 1 m, with a set emissivity of 0.98. Images are acquired in JPEG format. BSTs in an area 4 cm 2 over McBurney's point and its left-sided equivalent were analyzed for each patient using specialized software. The median BST difference between right and left-sided temperatures (ΔBST) and interquartile range for patients without acute appendicitis are reported. This is compared with the right-to-left ΔBST in patients with acute appendicitis. The sensitivity and specificity of a right-to-left ΔBST of 0.5°C or greater for acute appendicitis is reported, along with the results of Fisher's exact test. Results: The median ΔBST for patients without appendicitis was 0.0°C (interquartile range −0.30°C to +0.23°C). The 2 patients with acute appendicitis had right-to-left ΔBSTs of +0.60°C and +0.70°C. Only 2 of 20 patients without acute appendicitis had right-to-left ΔBSTs of more than +0.50°C (each 0.8°C) The sensitivity of the test was 1.00, with a specificity of 0.90. Fisher's exact test result was P value equal to .026. Conclusion: Although only 2 patients in this study had acute appendicitis, the right-to-left ΔBSTs appear to be different in patients with acute appendicitis compared with those without. IRT may be useful in the diagnosis and evaluation of an illness that manifests by regional variation in BST, including inflammatory states such as acute appendicitis. IRT is easy and rapidly obtained and poses no risk or radiation to the patient. The further study of larger, prospective patient populations is warranted.
A capstone advanced pharmacy practice experience in research.

Objective. To implement a required capstone experience in research for pharmacy students, assess course outcomes, and solicit mentors' and students' opinions regarding the structure and efficacy of the course. Design. Fourth-year pharmacy students chose a research project, selected a mentor, and completed a 5-week capstone advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE), during which they wrote a research paper and presented their research at a poster session. Assessment. Eighty students completed the capstone experience in 2008–2009 and 56 faculty and non-faculty pharmacists served as mentors. Based on their responses on a course evaluation, the students' experience with their mentor and course instructor were positive. Thirty-one mentors completed a survey on which they indicated their overall support of the capstone project, but wanted their role to be better defined and felt the students needed to have additional training in statistics, survey question design, and the IRB process before completing the AP...
Pediatric mood and anxiety syndromes in primary care: who gets identified?.

Objective:To seek clues to the enhancement of primary care management by (i) Determining how often and in whom primary care clinicians in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada identify pediatric mood or anxiety syndromes; (ii) Determining which clinical and demographic features predict higher rates of identification; (iii) Describing assessment methods used.Methods:This report uses the database of the multi-site Child Behavior Study. This cross-sectional study involved 206 primary care practices in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada; 395 clinicians and 20,861 primary care attenders aged 4–15 years. Clinicians completed a visit questionnaire addressing presence and type of psychosocial problems and how assessed. Parents completed a questionnaire addressing family demographics, child symptoms (Pediatric Symptom Checklist) and functioning, and child service use.Results:Clinicians identified psychosocial problems on 17.9% of visits, but mood or anxiety syndromes on only 3.3%, most commonly in chi...
Intramolecular Electron Transfer between Tyrosyl Radical and Cysteine Residue Inhibits Tyrosine Nitration and Induces Thiyl Radical Formation in Model Peptides Treated with Myeloperoxidase, H2O2, and NO2- EPR SPIN TRAPPING STUDIES

We investigated the effects of a cysteine residue on tyrosine nitration in several model peptides treated with myeloperoxidase (MPO), H(2)O(2), and nitrite anion (NO(2)(-)) and with horseradish peroxidase and H(2)O(2). Sequences of model peptides were acetyl-Tyr-Cys-amide (YC), acetyl-Tyr-Ala-Cys-amide (YAC), acetyl-Tyr-Ala-Ala-Cys-amide (YAAC), and acetyl-Tyr-Ala-Ala-Ala-Ala-Cys-amide (YAAAAC). Results indicate that nitration and oxidation products of tyrosyl residue in YC and other model peptides were barely detectable. A major product detected was the corresponding disulfide (e.g. YCysCysY). Spin trapping experiments with 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) revealed thiyl adduct (e.g. DMPO-SCys-Tyr) formation from peptides (e.g. YC) treated with MPO/H(2)O(2) and MPO/H(2)O(2)/NO(2)(-). The steady-state concentrations of DMPO-thiyl adducts decreased with increasing chain length of model peptides. Blocking the sulfydryl group in YC with methylmethanethiosulfonate (that formed YCSSCH(3)) totally inhibited thiyl radical formation as did substitution of Tyr with Phe (i.e. FC) in the presence of MPO/H(2)O(2)/NO(2)(-). However, increased tyrosine nitration, tyrosine dimerization, and tyrosyl radical formation were detected in the MPO/H(2)O(2)/NO(2)(-)/YCSSCH(3) system. Increased formation of S-nitrosated YC (YCysNO) was detected in the MPO/H(2)O(2)/(*)NO system. We conclude that a rapid intramolecular electron transfer reaction between the tyrosyl radical and the Cys residue impedes tyrosine nitration and induces corresponding thiyl radical and nitrosocysteine product. Implications of this novel intramolecular electron transfer mechanism in protein nitration and nitrosation are discussed.
A surjective-mapping based model for optical shared-buffer cross-connect

A Surjective-Mapping based Model (SMM) is developed to evaluate the performance of a slotted optical shared-buffer cross-connect. The model is simple, accurate, and yet provides comprehensive performance characteristics of the switch. The model also overcomes the limitations of traditional Markovian based models in evaluating moderate to large switches, associated with the explosion of number of states. The model is verified using simulation results for different switch sizes and different numbers of delay lines. The model enables dimensioning the switch architecture to meet the target performance. Performance of optical shared-buffer cross-connect is analyzed in detail, in terms of blocking probability, delay distribution, and delay line utilization.
Endoscopic ultrasonography- guided transmural drainage of pseudocysts

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has emerged as an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in management of gastrointestinal diseases. One of the most common uses of EUS is in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of pancreatic cysts and pseudocysts. EUS allows characterization of pancreatic cysts and safe drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. This chapter will focus on indications, techniques, and outcomes of EUS-guided pseudocyst drainage.
Maturation of cardiac control in full-term and preterm infants during sleep

ECG and respiration were recorded from 13 full-term and 8 preterm infants at 2-5 week intervals during sleep at home in the first year of life. Average pulse interval in both quiet and active sleep was minimum at postnatal ages between 4 and 10 weeks, with the minimum during quiet sleep being significantly smaller for preterm (409 +/- 22 (SE) msec) than for full-term (445 +/- 9 msec) infants. The minimum average pulse interval of preterm infants was smaller than the pulse interval of full-term infants at any post-conceptional age, and a smaller average pulse interval and smaller variations in pulse interval in preterm infants during quiet sleep persisted until a postnatal age of 7 months. The pulse interval variations attributable to respiration varied substantially with age. The results indicate that developmental changes in cardiac rate control are functions of both postnatal and post-conceptional age, with the post-conceptional age at birth setting the mean level of pulse interval, a level which is then altered by development linked to postnatal age.
Few and Far Between? An Environmental Equity Analysis of the Geographic Distribution of Hazardous Waste Generation

Objective. This article examines whether the generation of hazardous waste is concentrated in communities that are disproportionately minority or low income. Whereas much environmental equity research has focused on commercial facilities managing hazardous waste, facilities that generate and manage their own wastes—which account for over 98 percent of hazardous waste volume—have been ignored. Methods. The demographic characteristics were determined of people in geographic concentric rings around hazardous waste generators accounting for most of the country's 1997 hazardous waste volume. Results. My analyses indicate no tendency for disproportionately minority communities to be near these facilities. In fact, relatively few people are near where most hazardous waste is generated. Although a few of these facilities have large numbers of minority people around them, most are in areas with higher than average white populations. There was, however, a tendency for low-income communities to be near these facilities. Conclusions. To the extent that there are potential risks from the presence of hazardous waste at facilities, most of this risk is in relatively unpopulated areas. The presence of hazardous waste is not concentrated in areas that are disproportionately minority or low income.
Diminished responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the rat during exposure to prolonged stress: a pituitary-mediated mechanism.

Intact rats exposed to low or moderate intensity electroshocks for 3-5 h showed a marked increase in plasma ACTH levels 10 min after the beginning of the stress, followed by a decline despite continuous exposure to the stimulus. We have explored the role of steroid feedback, desensitization of the pituitary response to CRF, or changes in pituitary ACTH content in mediating this phenomenon. The following results were obtained. Exposure of adrenalectomized rats to shocks showed that removal of steroid feedback did not restore the ability of the animals to maintain elevated levels of circulating ACTH during electroshocks. To determine whether prolonged stress caused changes in pituitary sensitivity to CRF, intact rats received CRF, epinephrine, vasopressin, or phorbol ester at the end of the 3-h shock session; all secretagogues caused a significantly smaller increase in the plasma ACTH levels in intact rats subjected to low or moderate intensity shocks compared to that of control animals, which suggested tha...
Phase identification of quenched Fe–25at.% Ga

This work presents detailed information of phase identification of a single-crystalline Fe–25at.% Ga quenched from 1000 °C by transmission electron microscopy. The alloy was found to contain A2, B2 and D03 phases. Technical difficulties of the phase identification and their solutions are discussed. The discussion can also be applied to other alloys with similar assemblages of phases.
Characterization of New Gibberellin-Responsive Semidwarf Mutants of Arabidopsis

Chemical mutagenesis of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. yielded four semidwarf mutants, all of which appeared to be gibberellin (GA)-biosynthesis mutants. All four had atypical response profiles to C20-GAs, suggesting that each had impaired 20-oxidation. One mutant, 11.2, was shown to be allelic to ga5 and has been named ga5–2. It had altered metabolism of [14C]GA15 relative to that in wild-type plants and undetectable levels of C19-GAs in young stems, consistent with the known function of GA5 as a stem-expressed GA 20-oxidase. Two mutants (2.1 and 10.3), which had very short inflorescences and siliques, were allelic to each other but not to the known GA-responding mutants, ga1 to ga5. The locus defined by these two mutations is provisionally named GA6 and is purported to encode an inflorescence- and silique-expressed GA 20-oxidase. A double mutant, ga5–2 ga6–2, had an extreme dwarf phenotype with very short siliques. The fourth mutation, 1.1, gave a phenotype like ga5, but was not allelic to any of the known ga mutations. It has not yet been given a gene symbol pending further studies.
An unusual presentation of lymphocytic mastopathy in a diabetic patient.

A 56-year-old insulin drpenden~ diabetic womnn wils noted on routine \creening mammography 10 have predominantly finty replaced brensrs. and ;I circumscribed I .OxO.Ocm right upper inner breast nodule (Fig. lo). Ah lhe nodule was ovoid. circumscribed. and appeared benign. close interv;ll Ibllow-up was recommended. On a repent study obtllined 6 momhs later. the nodule was noted to have increased ~1 1.2x I.Ocm (Fig. I/)). Sonosrqhy revealed D well-~ircumhcrihed. solid. hypoechoic mass. with no distal \hado\r in; Biopsy ~1s recommended. As the nodule xvnh not p;llpahl~ ;md ~hc p;niem dcxircd \urfical cxision. \virc loc;di/a~ion \V;I?I perlimncll prior to esciGonnl biopsy. Palhology revealed lymphocytic nxlsmparhy: ;I l’oc;~l intihrarc of maI1 lymphocy(c\ \urroundiq \m;~ll blood VC’\SCIL. with ccmral denbc smxnal 4enG.
Numerical modeling of large deformations in soil structure interaction problems using FE, EFG, SPH, and MM-ALE formulations

Present design practice for soil structure interaction (SSI) problems most frequently assumes linear elastic properties of the soil and disregards geometrical nonlinearities, treating the displacements as small. However, there are numerous problems that require a more advanced approach. This paper presents an application of such numerical approaches to modeling SSI problems in the presence of large soil deformations. Simulations using Lagrangian finite element, element-free Galerkin, smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH), and multi-material arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (MM-ALE) approaches were performed for two previously conducted experimental tests: (1) large-scale steel pad penetration into silty clay with sand and (2) standard cone penetration test performed on poorly graded sand. In this paper, the usefulness and the efficiency of the methods was assessed in terms of modeling robustness and computational cost. Results show that to some extent each of the utilized methods is able to capture large deformations. However, the most robust turned out to be SPH and MM-ALE methods as the only two that were successful in simulating both experiments.
Lyapunov-Like Conditions for the Existence of Zeno Behavior in Hybrid and Lagrangian Hybrid Systems

Lyapunov-like conditions that utilize generalizations of energy and barrier functions certifying Zeno behavior near Zeno equilibria are presented. To better illustrate these conditions, we will study them in the context of Lagrangian hybrid systems. Through the observation that Lagrangian hybrid systems with isolated Zeno equilibria must have a one- dimensional configuration space, we utilize our Lyapunov-like conditions to obtain easily verifiable necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of Zeno behavior in systems of this form.
Bank-erosion processes in a cool-temperate environment, Orwell Lake, Minnesota

Orwell Lake, in west-central Minnesota, is a flood-control, water-management reservoir first impounded in 1953. Subsequent concern about erosion of the shoreline and a lack of knowledge of slope-erosion processes in this part of the upper Midwest prompted this study to identify and quantify the processes there. The processes were measured at selected sites between June 1980 and June 1983. Erosion of the banks is predominantly by thaw failure and secondarily by rainsplash and sheetwash. In winter, the upland surface adjacent to the lake freezes to a depth of between 1 and 2 m, depending on surface temperature, snow cover, and distance from exposed banks. In late winter, soil aggregates, released by the sublimation of interstitial ice within the banks, begin to accumulate at the base of the slopes, often veneering snowbanks. As soon as thaw begins, slab failure of bank sediment is followed by mudflows and earthflows. Thaw failure at Orwell Lake in the spring of 1982 accounted for 89% of the erosion (824 Mg); the following spring, 78% (746 Mg). Such slope failure is most intense along north-facing banks and considerably less intense on south-facing banks, where more effective desiccation and sublimation reduce soil-moisture content. Summer rainsplash and sheetwash were responsible for 11%–22% of the total erosion, amounting to 102 Mg in 1981 and 208 Mg in 1982. Although rainsplash is the most consistent process during summer, the occasional storm during which rainwash occurs causes greater total erosion. Erosion by rain increased in each of the three summers, largely because of increased precipitation. Infrequent massive deep-slip failures (slumps) have occurred at the east end of the lake where a buried clay-rich unit is stratigraphically and topographically positioned to favor such failures. Drought years followed by heavy spring rains probably will result in additional deep-slip slope failures.
Yield of Contact Investigations in Households of Patients With Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Contact investigations among individuals living with drug-susceptible tuberculosis patients (source cases) have shown a high yield of tuberculosis disease and latent tuberculosis, but the yield of such investigations in households of drug-resistant tuberculosis source cases is unknown. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we found 25 studies that evaluated a median of 111 (interquartile range, 21-302) household contacts of drug-resistant tuberculosis source cases. The pooled yield was 7.8% (95% CI, 5.6%-10.0%) for active tuberculosis and 47.2% (95% CI, 30.0%-61.4%) for latent tuberculosis, although there was significant statistical heterogeneity (P < .0001). More than 50% of secondary cases with drug susceptibility test results were concordant with those of the source case. Among studies that followed household members, the majority of secondary cases were detected within 1 year of the source case's diagnosis. Household contact investigation around drug-resistant tuberculosis patients is a high-yield intervention for detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis and prevention of ongoing transmission.
Anticholinergic-type effects following a pediatric venlafaxine overdose

To the Editor:We describe the case of a 10-year-old male (weight: 43.7 kg) who presented to our hospital who developed anticholinergic-type symptoms secondary to ingestion of Effexor XR® (venlafaxi...
Ensemble approach to predict specificity determinants: benchmarking and validation

It is extremely important and challenging to identify the sites that are responsible for functional specification or diversification in protein families. In this study, a rigorous comparative benchmarking protocol was employed to provide a reliable evaluation of methods which predict the specificity determining sites. Subsequently, three best performing methods were applied to identify new potential specificity determining sites through ensemble approach and common agreement of their prediction results. It was shown that the analysis of structural characteristics of predicted specificity determining sites might provide the means to validate their prediction accuracy. For example, we found that for smaller distances it holds true that the more reliable the prediction method is, the closer predicted specificity determining sites are to each other and to the ligand. We observed certain similarities of structural features between predicted and actual subsites which might point to their functional relevance. We speculate that majority of the identified potential specificity determining sites might be indirectly involved in specific interactions and could be ideal target for mutagenesis experiments.
Unusual marine erosion in San Diego County from a single storm

Abstract Observations of wave-induced geological damage were made along the San Diego coastline to a depth of 25 m, following the storm of 17–18 January, 1988. Massive damage to limestone reefs occurred, including the shearing of individual sections with in-water weights of over 20 tonnes at the remarkable depth of at least 22 m. Large sections of the walls of a submarine canyon were broken off at a depth exceeding 20 m. The drag and inertial forces from the waves in this storm are shown to be about twice those in the largest previous storms of the century, and it appears to be a 200 year event. In addition to the kelp mortality reported in Seymour et al ., 1989 , there was extensive mortality among encrusting algal and animal communities. The apparent age of the mature successional communities in the deeper sites supports the engineering estimates of the rarity of this event. The movement of cobbles and boulders at depths almost twice as great as the previously assumed limits on effective sediment transport may require coastal engineers to revise cross-shore transport models.
A Novel Depletion-IMOS (DIMOS) Device With Improved Reliability and Reduced Operating Voltage

We experimentally demonstrate a novel depletion-IMOS (DIMOS) device with a 12.1-mV/dec subthreshold slope and 5-decade ON/OFF ratio, employing a depletion mode of operation instead of inversion. DIMOS structure improves reliability by reducing hot carrier injection and features 40% lower breakdown voltages with higher ON currents compared to conventional IMOS.