cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glycomic analysis of glycans released from glycoproteins using chemical immobilization and mass spectrometry.

Protein glycosylation is one of most common protein modifications and is involved in many biological activities. N-linked and O-linked glycosylation not only represents abundant glycan modifications, but also are structurally diverse. Mass spectrometry has emerged as a major method for glycomic analysis. However, glycan extraction from proteins and glycan modification are two critical steps in glycomic analysis of glycans using mass spectrometry. In this protocol, we describe a novel and high-throughput method for isolation and modification of glycans from glycoproteins using a chemoenzymatic approach on solid-phase. Proteins are first immobilized to a solid support and unconjugated molecules are washed away; glycans, while still linked to glycoproteins on the solid support, can be treated enzymatically or chemically on solid-phase for glycan derivatization. Glycans are then released from the solid support for analysis by mass spectrometry. The procedures outlined are robust and useful for high-throughput glycomic analysis from complex biological or clinical samples.
Otitis media in the pathogenesis of neonatal meningitis with group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

In this report, a premature black male infant was found at autopsy to have bilateral otitis media, mastoiditis, and suppurative meningitis due to group B beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GB-BHS). The pathogenetic pathway proposed for this early onset meningitis is of importance in late onset meningitis. This patient clearly demonstrates the critical importance of examining middle ear and mastoid, both clinically and at autopsy, in the neonate colonized with this organism.
Homocysteine and cognitive function in a population-based study of older adults.

Objectives: To assess the relations between homocysteine levels and neurobehavioral test scores representing a broad range of cognitive domains in a population-based study of older adults. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of first-visit data of subjects in the Baltimore Memory Study, a longitudinal study. Setting: Specific neighborhoods in Baltimore. Participants: Participants were 1,140 randomly selected residents aged 50 to 70 with a mean age±standard deviation of 59.3±5.9; 65.9% were female, and 54.2% were white and 41.1% African-American. Measurements: Twenty neurobehavioral test scores in eight cognitive domains. Results: Linear regression models revealed that homocysteine was consistently and strongly associated with worse neurobehavioral test performance, in crude analysis and after control for a large set of important covariates. Associations were observed in all eight cognitive domains assessed but were strongest and most consistent in the domains of simple motor and psychomotor speed, eye-hand coordination/manual dexterity, and verbal memory and learning. On average, an increase in homocysteine levels from the 25th to the 75th percentile, all in the generally accepted normal range, was equivalent in its association with neurobehavioral test scores to an increase of 4.2 years of age. Logistic regression models revealed that, on average, for the neurobehavioral tests associated with homocysteine, subjects in the highest quartile of homocysteine levels were more than two times as likely to be in the lowest quartile of neurobehavioral test scores as those in the lowest quartile. Conclusion: Higher homocysteine levels were associated with worse function across a broad range of cognitive domains, and the magnitude of the associations was large. The data suggest that homocysteine may be a potentially important modifiable cause of cognitive dysfunction.
Acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase. IV. Biotinyl prosthetic group-independent malonyl coenzyme A decarboxylation and carbosyl transfer: generalization to other biotin enzymes.

Abstract Liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase, a biotin-enzyme which catalyzes the ATP-dependent carboxylation of acetyl-CoA (acceptor) to form malonyl-CoA (carboxylated acceptor), decarboxylates malonyl-CoA by a biotin-dependent, as well as a biotin-independent mechanism. Neither ADP, Pi, nor divalent metal ion are required for either of these abortive decarboxylations. The biotin-dependent reaction is blocked by avidin and is activated synergistically by acetyl-CoA and citrate, an allosteric effector of the carboxylase. However, the biotin-independent process is unaffected by avidin and citrate, and is inhibited slightly by acetyl-CoA. The occurrence of this abortive reaction indicates that the enzyme promotes the labilization of the free carboxyl group of malonyl-CoA and that insertion of a proton in its place is possible without the participation of the biotinyl prosthetic group. This phenomenon appears to be a property of biotin-dependent carboxylases since pig heart propionyl-CoA carboxylase, the biotin-free carboxyltransferase component of Escherichia coli acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and avian liver pyruvate carboxylase catalyze similar biotin-independent decarboxylations of their respective carboxylated acceptor substrates. Liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase also catalyzes carboxyl transfer from [3-14C]malonyl-CoA to free d-biotin, a model for the second half-reaction in the over-all carboxylation process. The acid-labile radioactive carboxylation product was stabilized by methylation with diazomethane, and the ester formed identified as 1'-N-carboxy-d-biotin dimethyl ester by carrier recrystallization with the authentic compound. The model reaction does not involve the covalently bound biotinyl prosthetic group, since the essentially irreversible complex formation of this group with avidin does not block carboxyl transfer. While the reaction is specific in that l-biotin and imidazolidone-2 are inactive, certain closely related biotin derivatives including d-homobiotin and biocytin (e-N-d-biotinyl-l-lysine) are somewhat better acceptor substrates than d-biotin. The fact that citrate blocks carboxyl transfer to free d-biotin and biocytin with both avidin-complexed and native carboxylase without affecting the rate of malonyl-CoA decarboxylation is compatible with earlier evidence implicating the biotinyl prosthetic group as the focal point of citrate-induced conformational changes.
The Acute Abdomen

Simply stated, the term acute abdomen refers to abdominal pain of short ­duration that requires a decision regarding whether an urgent intervention is necessary. This clinical problem is the most common cause for you to be called to provide a surgical consultation in the emergency room (ER) and serves as a convenient gateway for a discussion of the approach to abdominal surgical emergencies.
Length of Residence and Chinese ESL Students’ English Speaking Comprehensibility and Intelligibility

This study investigates the correlation between length of residence and learners’ comprehensibility and intelligibility (namely “English speaking competence” throughout the paper) in a study abroad context. The investigator also examined the role of essential daily routines as a moderator of these correlations. Ten Chinese students who are currently studying at Northern Arizona University (NAU) were invited to participate in the research. They had different lengths of residence in the United States ranging from one year to five years. Based on Lu’s (2014) study on the same group of students, the length of residence in English immersive environment should be positively correlated to comprehensibility and intelligibility and only slightly correlated to accentedness. The investigator of this study collected the amount of time each spends on nine critical daily life activities in a regular semester. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to demonstrate the relationship between English speaking competence and the time devoted to each of the nine activities. Follow-up interviews were conducted to each participant to qualitatively reinforce and verify the statistical results. The principal investigator (PI) of the study provides a recommended time planning to engage specific activities in an English-as-second-language (ESL) context improve Chinese ESL students’ English speaking in terms of comprehensibility and intelligibility.
Right Heart Failure After Thoracoplasty

SUMMARY 1)We have presented two cases of right heart failure with chronic pulmonary tuberculosis with associated thoracoplasty and permanent phrenic paralysis. 2)While the theoretical considerations for such an association have been given, no definite causal relationship could be postulated. 3)Regular cardiovascular examinations were stressed for patients with increasing dyspnoea who had undergone permanent collapse procedures. Early treatment in cases of right heart failure appeared of definite value in restoring compensation as opposed to late cases.
Circuit modification in electrical field flow fractionation systems generating higher resolution separation of nanoparticles.

Abstract Compared to other sub-techniques of field flow fractionation (FFF), cyclical electrical field flow fractionation (CyElFFF) is a relatively new method with many opportunities remaining for improvement. One of the most important limitations of this method is the separation of particles smaller than 100 nm. For such small particles, the diffusion rate becomes very high, resulting in severe reductions in the CyElFFF separation efficiency. To address this limitation, we modified the electrical circuitry of the ElFFF system. In all earlier ElFFF reports, electrical power sources have been directly connected to the ElFFF channel electrodes, and no alteration has been made in the electrical circuitry of the system. In this work, by using discrete electrical components, such as resistors and diodes, we improved the effective electric field in the system to allow high resolution separations. By modifying the electrical circuitry of the ElFFF system, high resolution separations of 15 and 40 nm gold nanoparticles were achieved. The effects of applying different frequencies, amplitudes and voltage shapes have been investigated and analyzed through experiments.
Worrisome thoughts in children clinically referred for anxiety disorders

Administered a 31-item worry measure, based on criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) for anxiety disorders, to referred children with anxiety disorders (n = 72) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n = 50), and to nonreferred, never psychiatrically ill controls (n = 55). Anxiety and ADHD groups did not differ for self-reported worries. Anxious children did report more "intense" worries about separation and social evaluation than controls. ADHD children reported more intense worries about friends and school than controls. Separation worries were most prevalent in children with separation anxiety disorder, thus distinguishing this subgroup from both control groups. Results suggest that intense worries specific to one's anxiety disorder are more clinically relevant than the overall level of worry. Implications for assessment of worry are discussed.
How and to whom people share: the role of culture in self-disclosure in online communities

The global expansion of the use of online communities, including social networking sites, necessitates a better understanding of how people self-disclose online, particularly in different cultures. In a scenario-based study of 1,064 respondents from the United States and China, we aimed to understand how self-disclosure is affected by communication mode (face-to-face vs. online), type of relationship and national culture. Our findings show that national culture interacts with communication mode and type of relationship to affect the extent of self-disclosure. Our analysis also suggests that peoples' disclosure depends on characteristics of the relationship, e.g., closeness and openness. Our results shed new light on how online communities might be designed for users in different cultures and for intercultural collaboration.
Flexible micro-optics fabrication by direct laser writing toward CMOS compatible 3D optical circuit

We demonstrated a 45 degree micro mirror by a direct laser writing method. A flat, smooth and clearly defined mirror surface has been fabricated despite of the finite size and long tail of the point spread function of the exposure tool.
Ranking alternatives using fuzzy numbers

We investigate the problem of employing expert opinion to rank alternatives across a set of criteria. The experts use fuzzy numbers to express their preferences and we employ fuzzy arithmetic to compute an issue's fuzzy ranking. This leads to a partition of the alternatives into sets H1, H2,… where H1 contains the highest ranked issues, H2 has all the second highest ranked alternatives, etc. The total ranking process is shown to possess a number of important properties. An example is presented to illustrate the method.
Effect of potassium and valinomycin on oxidative phosphorylation in intact beef heart mitochondria and submitochondrial particles

Abstract Beef heart mitochondria and submitochondrial particles have been used to measure parameters of oxidative phosphorylation with respect to varying concentrations of potassium and valinomycin. In the absence of valinomycin, intact mitochondria showed little response to potassium. The presence of valinomycin caused the following response of intact mitochondria to increasing potassium concentrations: lower ADP O ratio, lower rate of phosphorylation, no increase in state-3 respiration, higher respiration rate in state 4, and lower respiratory control. In contrast, the P O ratio of submitochondrial particles was not altered significantly by increasing potassium concentrations in either the absence or the presence of valinomycin. It is suggested that potassium does not interact directly with the oxidative phosphorylation system but may compete with ATP synthesis in intact beef heart mitochondria via an energyrequiring potassium transport system.
Intra-lake Variation in Maturity, Fecundity, and Spawning of Slimy Sculpins (Cottus cognatus) in Southern Lake Ontario

Abstract Knowledge of the spawning cycle and factors affecting fecundity of slimy sculpins (Cottus cognatus) are important in understanding the population dynamics of this species in large lake systems, like Lake Ontario. Fecundity and the spawning cycle of slimy sculpins were described from samples of slimy sculpins and their egg masses collected with bottom trawls during four annual surveys, April to October, 1988 to 1994. Incidence of gravid females and collections of their egg masses indicated that spawning by slimy sculpins likely occurred from late April to mid October in Lake Ontario. Protracted spawning by slimy sculpins in Lake Ontario is probably a function of the annual water temperature cycle at various depths. Mean length of gravid females was inversely related to density of slimy sculpins. Fecundity ranged from 55 to 1,157 eggs among fish 55 to 127 mm long, and for similar-sized fish, fecundity was inversely related to density of slimy sculpins. Fecundity was about 50% higher at Olcott, where population indices of slimy sculpins were low, compared with Nine Mile Point where indices were much higher. Somatic weight or total length were both good predictors of fecundity. Lipid content of slimy sculpins was lower in an area of high sculpin abundance than in an area of low sculpin abundance, suggesting that fecundity was a function of density-dependent food availability. In large aquatic ecosystems, samples from more than one area may be necessary to describe fecundity of a sedentary species like slimy sculpin, especially if fish densities vary considerably among geographic areas. Large geographic variations in fecundity may be an indicator of spatial imbalance of a species with its prey. Low fecundity may be a compensatory response of slimy sculpins to low food supplies, thereby limiting population growth.
Statistical relationships between hailfall and damage to wheat

Abstract Crop-hail damage functions, i.e., statistical relationships between crop damage and hailfall, based on data from networks of hailpads in northeastern Colorado and southwestern Nebraska have been developed for wheat. The hailfall variables considered as predictors of loss in crop yield include kinetic energy, momentum, mass, and number of hailstones greater than 12.7 mm in diameter. Different damage functions are estimated for four stages of development of the wheat crop: just headed or earlier, milk, soft dough, and hard dough. To represent the nonlinear relationship between crop damage and hailfall, logistic functions are used. These statistical models should aid in assessing the economic impact of hail on crop production.
TDDB and Pulse-Breakdown Studies of Si-Rich $ \hbox{SiN}_{x}$ Antifuses and Antifuse-Based ROMs

Antifuses are electronic devices that can be irreversibly converted from a high-resistance state to a low-resistance state. Thus, they are ideal candidates for one-time-programmable many-times-readable nonvolatile memories. In this paper, the reliability and the programming characteristics of Si-rich SiNx, antifuses have been studied using time-dependent dielectric breakdown and pulse-breakdown measurements on both single-device test structures and full read-only memories. Contrary to measurements on thick films in which the Poole-Frenkel barrier lowering dominates breakdown, these measurements on fully processed and integrated antifuses indicate that a Fowler-Nordheim-like mechanism governs both programming and long-term reliability.
A two-pass hybrid system using a low dimensional auditory model for speaker-independent isolated-word recognition

Abstract Including speech knowledge in automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems is a good way to improve the performance of recognizers. In this paper, we propose the orion system which deals with speaker-independent ASR for isolated-words. orion is a two-pass hybrid system which uses several types of knowledge. This knowledge applies to psychoacoustics, physiology and phonetics. During the first pass, an auditory model, the perceptually-based linear prediction analysis (PLP), combines static and dynamic features to provide a set of parameters to the dynamic programming algorithm. After this stage 98% recognition accuracy was obtained for a digit vocabulary and 12 templates per word. In the case of a confusable vocabulary (E-SET), the introduction of phonetic knowledge in the second pass decreases the error rate by more than 60% (compared to the results of the first pass).
Anatomy and biomechanics of the craniovertebral junction

The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) has unique anatomical structures that separate it from the subaxial cervical spine. In addition to housing vital neural and vascular structures, the majority of cranial flexion, extension, and axial rotation is accomplished at the CVJ. A complex combination of osseous and ligamentous supports allow for stability despite a large degree of motion. An understanding of anatomy and biomechanics is essential to effectively evaluate and address the various pathological processes that may affect this region. Therefore, the authors present an up-to-date narrative review of CVJ anatomy, normal and pathological biomechanics, and fixation techniques.
Complete Genomic Sequence of Bacteriophage B3, a Mu-Like Phage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Bacteriophage B3 is a transposable phage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this report, we present the complete DNA sequence and annotation of the B3 genome. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the B3 genome is 38,439 bp long with a G+C content of 63.3%. The genome contains 59 proposed open reading frames (ORFs) organized into at least three operons. Of these ORFs, the predicted proteins from 41 ORFs (68%) display significant similarity to other phage or bacterial proteins. Many of the predicted B3 proteins are homologous to those encoded by the early genes and head genes of Mu and Mu-like prophages found in sequenced bacterial genomes. Only two of the predicted B3 tail proteins are homologous to other well-characterized phage tail proteins; however, several Mu-like prophages and transposable phage D3112 encode approximately 10 highly similar proteins in their predicted tail gene regions. Comparison of the B3 genomic organization with that of Mu revealed evidence of multiple genetic rearrangements, the most notable being the inversion of the proposed B3 immunity/early gene region, the loss of Mu-like tail genes, and an extreme leftward shift of the B3 DNA modification gene cluster. These differences illustrate and support the widely held view that tailed phages are genetic mosaics arising by the exchange of functional modules within a diverse genetic pool.
Hyperthermic responses to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) injected into the third cerebral ventricle of cats

Abstract Intraventricular injections of 10–40 μg VIP in the cat elicited shivering and hyperthermic responses within 2—3 min, with recovery by 45 min. VIP may have a role in the central mediation of thermoregulation, possibly as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in heat production pathways.
To Restore American Democracy: Political Education and the Modern University and Power to the People: Teaching Political Philosophy in Skeptical Times

To Restore American Democracy: Political Education and the Modern University. Edited by Robert E. Calvert. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2006. 288p. 28.95 paper. Power to the People: Teaching Political Philosophy in Skeptical Times. By Avner de-Shalit. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2006. 224p. 29.95 paper. The authors of these two books are concerned with a similar question, namely, how can scholars support their students in becoming engaged citizens? Political theorists and philosophers often wrestle with this question as a personal and professional quandary. Many researchers, particularly those whose scholarship is concerned with political questions, wonder to what extent their ideas relate to political reality in a practical way. Can ideas influence, even alter, the processes or norms of behavior in the actual political domain? If what we do is political theory or philosophy, what is political about it? Both books reviewed here grapple with these questions in the context of teaching in higher education institutions.
Influenza hemagglutinin: kinetic control of protein function

Abstract In response to decreased pH, influenza hemagglutinin changes to a more stable conformation. Such changes, which can be controlled thermodynamically or kinetically, are the method by which many biological ‘switches' are thrown
Normal forms and conservative properties for query languages over collection types

Strong normalization results are obtained for a general language for collection types. An induced normal form for sets and bags is then used to show that the class of functions whose input has height (that is, the maximal depth of nestings of sets/bags/lists in the complex object) at most i and output has height at most o definable in a nested relational query language without powerset operator is independent of the height of intermediate expressions used. Our proof holds regardless of whether the language is used for querying sets, bags, or lists, even in the presence of variant types. Moreover, the normal forms are useful in a general approach to query optimization. Paredaens and Van Gucht proved a similar result for the special case when i = o = 1. Their result is complemented by Hull and Su who demonstrated the failure of independence when powerset operator is present and i = o = 1. The theorem of Hull and Su was generalized to all i and o by Grumbach and Vianu. Our result generalizes Paredaens and Van Gucht's to all i and o, providing a counterpart to the theorem of Grumbach and Vianu.
Effects of a stimulus associated with fixed-ratio postreinforcement pause in the rat

Rats presented with a stimulus paired with the postreinforcement pause (PRP) of fixed-ratio (FR) responding showed a temporary decrease in PRP and pause duration between the first and second responses. This suppression of pausing increased with increased ratio magnitude, and recovery from suppression was slower at the higher requirement. These results are consistent with an interpretation involving acquired punishing properties by the PRP-paired stimulus, and suggest that the PRP represents an avoidance response wherein the FR response requirement itself serves as an aversive condition with increases in its negative properties as the FR magnitude increases.
Microautoradiographic identification of receptor-ligand interactions in bead-supported combinatorial libraries

Abstract We have developed a method for the microautoradiographic screening of bead-supported combinatorial libraries with radiolabeled receptor molecules which allows for the identification of individual radioactive beads under a low-power light microscope. A 14 C-labeled macrobicyclic receptor was assayed against an encoded combinatorial tripeptide library to establish the efficacy of the technique. The described microradiographic scheme promises to be advantageous in cases where the receptors show only modest discrimination between the members of the screened library or in cases where the individual beads provide only very low radioactivity levels after the equilibration with the radiolabeled receptor.
Accumulation of antibacterial isoflavonoids in hypersensitively responding bean leaf tissues inoculated with Pseudomonas phaseolicola

Abstract Red Kidney bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants inoculated with Pseudomonas phaseolicola (isolate HB-36) showed water-soaked infection centers on the inoculated leaf surfaces about 48 h after inoculation. In contrast, resistant bean plants (GN Nebraska 27) inoculated with the same isolate responded by developing a hypersensitive reaction (HR) after roughly the same period after inoculation. High concentrations of phenolic compounds were detected in the ethanolic extracts of leaf tissues showing HR. Among these were identified the isoflavonoid phytoalexins phaseollin (pterocarpan), phaseollinisoflavan (isoflavan), coumestrol (coumestan) and kievitone (isoflavanone). These isoflavonoids were detected in substantial quantities 24 h after inoculation and their concentrations increased further up to 72 h, after which time they began to decrease. In susceptible Red Kidney leaves, isolate HB-36 induced much lower concentrations of these compounds at all stages of disease development. In repeated in vitro bioassays the above four compounds consistently restricted colony formation by P. phaseolicola isolates. However, the race 2 isolates, HB-36 and G-50, were found to be comparatively more tolerant to these compounds than the race 1 isolates, HB-33 and HB-20. Colony formation in race 1 isolates was completely inhibited by phaseollin and phaseollinisoflavan at 42 and 21 μg/ml; colony formation of race 2 isolates was retarded (90 to 98%) but not completely suppressed at 52·5 μg/ml of phaseollin and 52 μg/ml of phaseollinisoflavan. Coumestrol and kievitone at 21 and 33 μg/ml respectively were totally toxic to race 1 isolates but they were relatively less toxic to race 2 isolates even at higher test concentrations. All four phytoalexins also restricted the growth of P. glycinea isolates, R-2 and 724 (Leben). Isolate 724, however, exhibited a greater degree of tolerance than isolate R-2. P. fluorescens , a saprophyte, was relatively insensitive to the phytoalexins and showed only 26 to 30% retardation in colony formation at the maximum test concentrations used. These studies show that the virulent isolates of P. phaseolicola are not as sensitive to bean phytoalexins as the relatively less virulent isolates of P. phaseolicola .
Surgical Outcomes of Abdominoperineal Resection for Low Rectal Cancer in a Nigerian Tertiary Institution

Dr. Alatise and colleagues have presented their experience of performing abdominoperineal resection (APR) in a tertiary referral center in Nigeria [1]. They are to be praised for the extraordinary effort they demonstrate in an area where limited resources prevent optimum treatment of a disease that is increasing in frequency in Africa. These limited resources include minimal access to computerized tomography and other advanced imaging techniques, as well as reduced ability to include chemotherapy and radiation therapy into their treatment algorithm for distal rectal cancer.
Development and Validation of a Model for Estimating Premorbid Verbal Intelligence in the Elderly

In a preliminary effort to improve the early diagnosis of dementia, we developed a regression-based method for estimating premorbid intelligence measured by the ability to read irregular words from the American version of the Nelson Adult Reading Test (AMNART). Using errors on the AMNART and years of education, a model for predicting current verbal intelligence (VIQ) was developed in a sample of nondemented elderly. Double cross validation showed that the model had high accuracy and stability in estimating current VIQ in nondemented subjects. The model was then used to estimate premorbid VIQ in mildly demented subjects. Estimated premorbid IQ exceeded current IQ by at least 10 points and did not differ from that of nondemented subjects. Less than 10% of nondemented elderly had discrepancies that were as large. If intellectual decline predicts future functional loss and can be reliably measured using cross-sectional data, the requirement of functional impairment may be an unnecessary barrier to the early diagnosis of dementia.
Low-energy charge transfer between C 5+ and atomic hydrogen

Charge transfer (CT) with carbon ions has been identified for a long time as important in both magnetic fusion plasma devices and more recently in solar wind interactions with comets, planets, or neutrals in the heliosphere. A merged-beams technique is used to measure the absolute total charge transfer cross section for C5+ and atomic H over four orders of magnitude in collision energy, from 12,000 eV/u to 0.64 eV/u. The present measurements are compared with previous measurements using an atomic hydrogen target and benchmark available classical trajectory Monte-Carlo and molecular-orbital close-coupling calculations. An increasing cross section below 10 eV/u is attributed to trajectory effects due to the ion-induced dipole attraction between reactants.
Antimicrobial activity of rifabutin in combination with two and three other antimicrobial agentsagainst strains of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

The inhibitory and bactericidal, synergistic, and antagonistic activities of rifabutin combined with ciprofloxacin, ethambutol, clofazimine, cefazolin, and amikacin in dual and triple combinations against various human and animal isolates of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis were determined. Synergism was observed when rifabutin was combined with either cefazolin or clofazimine in double combinations. The greatest amount of synergy occurred with the rifabutin-cefazolin combination in which bactericidal synergism was present with all strains. Of the triple combinations examined, only rifabutin in combination with ethambutol and cefazolin or streptomycin and cefazolin showed bactericidal synergism against most of the strains. Although antagonism was not observed in any double combination with rifabutin, antagonism was shown with several of the triple combinations. The rifabutin-cefazolin and rifabutin-streptomycin-cefazolin combinations were found to have the greatest bactericidal synergism at concentrations well within achievable serum and tissue levels and may be appropriate choices for chemotherapeutic use.
Measuring Service Solution Quality in Services Outsourcing Projects Using Value Driver Tree Approach

In this paper, we present a framework to model and measure the quality of an information technology (IT) service solution in services outsourcing domain. Our three main contributions in this paper are as follows. First, we present a systematic method to identify the drivers of Information Technology (IT) service solution quality based on the lifecycle phases of IT services projects; Second, we present ten service quality measurement dimensions and the associated metrics for measuring these dimensions organized as Value Driver Trees (VDTs); Third, we present a qualitative and quantitative analytical approach for modeling IT service quality metrics and for predicting the quality of service solutions using Value Driver Trees (VDTs). To the best of our knowledge our work is the first of its kind for measuring IT service solution quality in services outsourcing projects from IT service provider point-of-view. We are currently implementing these metrics at a large IT services outsourcing services provider.
Due de Chaulnes’ Method for Refractive-Index Determination

Math., an expression for n is derived in terms of known numerical aperture of the objective. The expression takes nonparaxial behavior into account. Uncor. and cor. values of n measured with polarized 589-mmu light for the uniaxial crystal KH 2 PO 4 are tabu lated and agree well with literature values. -- AATA
A nonlinear PLS model

Abstract Frank, I.E., 1990. A nonlinear PLS model. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 8: 109–119. A nonlinear extension of the PLS (partial least squares regression) method is introduced. The algorithm connects the predictor and response latent variables by a smooth but otherwise unrestricted nonlinear function. Similarities and differences between the linear and nonlinear PLS models are discussed. The performance of the new nonlinear PLS method is illustrated on three chemical data sets with different covariance structures.
Better contralateral breast cancer risk estimation and alternative options to contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

The incidence of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) has increased among women with breast cancer, despite uncertain survival benefit and a declining incidence of contralateral breast cancer (CBC). Patient-related reasons for undergoing CPM include an overestimation of the risk of CBC, increased cancer worry, and a desire to improve survival. We summarize the existing literature on CBC risk and outcomes and the clinical benefit of CPM among women with unilateral breast cancer who have a low-to-moderate risk of developing a secondary cancer in the contralateral breast. Published studies were retrieved from the MEDLINE database with the keywords “contralateral breast cancer” and “contralateral prophylactic mastectomy”. These include observational studies, clinical trials, survival analyses, and decision models examining the risk of CBC, the clinical and psychosocial effects of CPM, and other treatment strategies to reduce CBC risk. Studies that have evaluated CBC risk estimate it to be approximately 0.5% annually on average. Patient-related factors associated with an increased risk of CBC include carriers of BRCA1/2 mutations, young age at breast cancer, and strong family history of breast cancer in the absence of a BRCA1/2 mutation. Although CPM reduces the risk of CBC by approximately 94%, it may not provide a significant gain in overall survival and there is conflicting evidence that it improves disease-free survival among women with breast cancer regardless of estrogen receptor (ER) status. Therefore, alternative strategies such as the use of tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, which reduce the risk of CBC by approximately 50%, should be encouraged for eligible women with ER-positive breast cancers. Future research is needed to evaluate the impact of decision and educational tools that can be used for personalized counseling of patients regarding their CBC risk, the uncertain role of CPM, and alternative CBC risk reduction strategies.
HypE-specific nanobodies as tools to modulate HypE-mediated target AMPylation.

The covalent addition of mono-AMP to target proteins (AMPylation) by Fic domain-containing proteins is a poorly understood, yet highly conserved post-translational modification. Here, we describe the generation, evaluation, and application of four HypE-specific nanobodies: three that inhibit HypE-mediated target AMPylation in vitro and one that acts as an activator. All heavy chain-only antibody variable domains bind HypE when expressed as GFP fusions in intact cells. We observed localization of HypE at the nuclear envelope and further identified histones H2–H4, but not H1, as novel in vitro targets of the human Fic protein. Its role in histone modification provides a possible link between AMPylation and regulation of gene expression.
Characterization of a Triboluminescent Optical Sensor for Detecting Particles

Common sub-millimeter particle impact phenomena range from zero to thousands of joules of impact energy. The physics of impacts are associated with a wide variety of physical phenomena, including the generation of heat, light, and sound. Although higher energy impact events may result in vaporization of the impacted material and other easily detectable effects, lower energy level impacts of interest may occur with little obvious physical effect. Preliminary research with capacitative sensors provided encouraging results for detecting low-energy impacts. However, vibration within the sensor mounting structure interfered with the detection of impact events. Research on triboluminescent phosphors indicated that a thin layer of material could be used to form the basis of an optical sensor to detect small particle impacts without interference from structural vibrations. A ZnS:Mn phosphor was used as the basis for developing a triboluminescent fiber optic sensor to detect small particle impact events. Detection of impacts is accomplished by detecting the optical pulse that is generated by the abrupt charge separation caused by the particle impact within the phosphor. Laboratory-based experiments were performed to capture the operational characteristics of the sensor. The data are used to study the characteristic response, sensor repeatability, and spatial homogeneity of the detection surface. Tests were also performed to identify the energy detection boundary and to assess environmental survivability. Results of these tests are reported in this paper.
The effects of intertrial interval duration on short-term retention of a two-choice visual-discrimination task by retarded children.

Abstract The effects of intertrial interval (ITI) duration (the massing and spacing of trials) were assessed in a two-choice visual discrimination task with retarded children of MA 6–8 years. A distinction between two kinds of ITI, inter- and intra-problem, made in terms of like and unlike adjacent responses, allowed for a test of several conflicting theories of memory within a miniature experiment design. The finding of significant retention deficits associated with a longer (20-second) intra-problem ITI indicated that short-term memory was an important factor in performance on this task. The retention loss was related to proactive interference variables. Decay theory received some, but less impressive, support in the interproblem-effects data. The retardate retention function resembled that of normal adults on verbal-learning tasks.
«Vergüenza y ludibrio de las ciudades modernas»: los nacionalistas catalanes ante el flamenco en la Barcelona de 1900-1936

This work situates flamenco, anti-flamenquismo, and national identities in Barcelona during the three decades leading up to the Civil War and unravels what the contested musical spaces meant for Catalan nationalists. Through their attacks on cafes cantantes and their promotion of the sardana and choral societies, Catalan nationalists posited an identity that denied the industrial system that Catalans themselves created and that effaced the problems that came with it. In the end, however, the Catalan nationalists’ attempts to render flamenco performers and their performances obsolete failed because foreigners and profit-seeking Catalans and Andalusians kept stoking the flames of an exoticized Barcelona.
Carbon isotope separation by tunable-laser predissociation of formaldehyde

Abstract Separation of carbon 12 13 isotopes has been achieved by selective predissociation of formaldehyde using a frequency-double dye laser. The enrichment factor for pure formaldehyde samples is less than expected from spectroscopic data but is greatly improved by the addition of NO. Starting from a 1:10 mixture of 12CH2O:13CH2O an eighty-fold enrichment in 12CO has been obtained.
Animal models of focal cortical dysplasia and tuberous sclerosis complex: Recent progress toward clinical applications

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) and related malformations of cortical development (MCDs) represent an increasingly recognized cause of medically intractable epilepsy. However, the underlying mechanisms of epileptogenesis are poorly understood, and treatments for epilepsy due to various cortical malformations are often limited or ineffective. Animal models offer a number of advantages for investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms of epileptogenesis and developing novel, rational therapies for MCD-related epilepsy. This review highlights specific examples of how animal models have been useful in addressing several clinically relevant issues about epilepsy due to FCDs and related cortical malformations, including the pathologic and clinical features, etiologic factors, localization of the epileptogenic zone, neuronal and astrocytic contributions to epileptogenesis, and the development of antiepileptogenic therapies.
Integration of fire safety and building design

A new framework is presented to facilitate better incorporation of building fire safety performance options into the building design process. Based on the building design process and key design decisions undertaken at each phase, a knowledge set is developed to aid building designers to understand better the effects of design decisions on building fire performance. This also minimizes potential competing objectives in later design phases by sharing necessary concerns in advance. Drawing on the knowledge set, a conceptual building fire safety evaluation tool illustrates how primary building designers and fire safety engineers can quantitatively assess fire safety performance for different solutions. It is shown how building fire safety performance attributes can be arranged by building design phase, how various scenarios can be explored, and how appropriately balanced building design and fire safety design solutions can be identified at different phases of the building design process.
Pelvic sexual dimorphism and relative neonatal brain size really are related

Primate species in which the neonatal brain size is large relative to the birth canal tend to have more sexually dimorphic pelves: this is a classic comparative relation, discovered by Schultz and Leutenegger. The original work did not correct for phylogenetic nonindependence of the data points; it only partly corrected for body size; it used ratios in both variables, and the size of the female pubis featured in both x- and y-variables. A recent publication by Tague placed a question mark over the validity of the relation. I therefore retested it, correcting for all four statistical defects. A strongly significant statistical relation exists. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A History of Equine Embryo Transfer and Related Technologies

The first successful equine embryo transfer was reported in 1972, 21 years after the first reported embryo transfer in cattle. Adaptations of embryo transfer and the various related technologies have generally been more rapid in the equine than in cattle, with the exceptions of superovulation, in vitro fertilization and cryopreservation. Recent progress has been achieved in all three of these areas. This paper presents a time line of various events in the history of equine embryo transfer and related technologies. Approximately 25,000 equine embryo transfers are being conducted per year, worldwide.
Phosphorylation of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP)

Abstract The phosphorylation of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), the major soluble (glycolipo) protein of the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) and a putative intercellular retinoid-transport vechicle, has been examined in a crude bovine IPM wash using [γ-32P]ATP. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography, size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ion-exchange HPLC all showed IRBP to be phosphorylated in this system. The phosphorylation probably is of serine and/or threonine residues rather than of tyrosine. Interestingly, phosphorylated IRBP was bound tightly to concanvalin A (Con A)-Sepharose and was not eluted by 50 mM α-methyl- d -mannoside indicating a marked alteration in binding characteristics upon phosphorylation.
Minority group status and the wages of Indian and black males

Abstract Using the 1976 Survey of Income and Education the differences in the wages of Indian, black, and white males are examined. The results indicate that the differences in characteristics between Indians and whites largely account for the difference in the average wage of these two groups. On the other hand, minority status, as well as characteristics, are important in understanding the differences in the average wage of blacks and whites. These findings illustrate the importance of understanding the different historical experiences of minority groups to an understanding of current racial inequality.
Vascular Cav1.2 Expression is Increased in Atherosclerosis

Vascular Ca2+ channels play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, but little is known about their role in atherosclerosis. We studied the expression and function of CaV1.2 in aorta from LDLR -/- mice fed normal or high cholesterol (HC) diet for 26 weeks. HC diet markedly increased serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and phopholipid levels and generated atherosclerotic plaques, but had no significant effect on blood pressure. Immunohistochemistry (Figure) and Western blot analysis (inset) revealed that aortic CaV1.2 expression was significantly upregulated in mice fed HC diet compared to normal (N) diet. The majority of the CaV1.2 expression was in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), rather than atherosclerotic plaques. Despite overexpression of CaV1.2 subunits, aortic rings from the HC mice had a diminished constrictor response to CaV1.2 channel activator FPL64176, perhaps a result of reduced expression of the contractile protein α-actin. Inclusion of 1 mg/kg/d rosuvastatin or amlodipine in the HC diet ameliorated all observed changes. These data suggest that during atherosclerosis: (1) VSMCs develop a phenotype switch involving upregulation of CaV1.2 subunits but downregulation of contractile protein α-actin, and therefore reduced contractility; (2) CaV1.2 channels may be involved in atherosclerosis.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
International Sexual Harassment

This paper on international sexual harassment begins with a presentation of the definitions, models, and consequences of sexual harassment. Following this discussion, a description is given of a nine-country research program that examined reactions to academic sexual harassment. A brief review of incidence studies and international laws related to sexual harassment are also included.
The use of iPocket coach in business education

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a review of an iPad application called iPocket Coach that can be used with a mobile device in business education. Design/methodology/approach – This paper discusses the educational benefits of this application for classroom use and develops a pedagogical exercise by which students can build interpersonal skills. Findings – The iPocket Coach can not only be used to develop skills but learn about common management issues involving conflict resolutions, personal development, providing constructive feedback, interviewing, performance evaluations, promotions, rewards, and terminations. Originality/value – The exercise developed can be used in a consumer behavior or sales management course that teaches students how to handle difficult customers.