cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrogenation of CO2 and CO2/CO mixtures over copper-containing catalysts

Abstract CO 2 hydrogenation was carried out at 473–573 K and 9–17 atm over Cu/SiO 2 , La 2 O 3 /Cu/SiO 2 , Cu/La 2 O 3 , Cu/MnO 2 /La 2 O 3 , and NaO x /Cu powder. The major products were methanol (MeOH) and methane. Methyl formate (MeF) was also produced at temperatures below 523 K. In terms of oxygenate yield (MeOH + MeF), the catalysts ranked in order: La 2 O 3 /Cu/SiO 2 > Cu/SiO 2 ≥ Cu/La 2 O 3 > Cu/MnO 2 /La 2 O 3 ⪢ NaO x /Cu. Lanthana promotion of Cu/SiO 2 increased the formation of methanol but not that of the other products. The selectivity patterns of the lanthana-supported catalysts were similar to that of Cu/SiO 2 . Addition of Mn to Cu/La 2 O 3 decreased the selectivity to methanol. Hydrogenation of CO 2 /CO mixtures was studied over NaO x /Cu, Cu/SiO 2 and Cu/La 2 O 3 . The NaO x /Cu powder displayed higher selectivity to methanol in CO/H 2 than in CO 2 /H 2 . The activity and selectivity to methanol decreased with increasing CO fraction over Cu/SiO 2 . Both activity and oxygenate selectivity increased with CO fraction over Cu/La 2 O 3 . C 2+ alcohols were produced in CO-rich atmospheres. The observed effects of catalyst composition and feed composition on the activity and selectivity of Cu for methanol synthesis are interpreted in terms of the sites required for CO and CO 2 hydrogenation.
Cardiac sarcoidosis: a cause of infiltrative cardiomyopathy.

A 52-year-old man is having frequent episodes of ventricular tachycardia. How should he be treated?
A generalization of imaginary parts of eigenvalues for matrices: Chain rotation numbers

Abstract Rotation numbers and chain rotation numbers may be interpreted as a generalization of the imaginary parts for matrices. In dimension two they measure how the solutions of a linear autonomous differential equation rotate in the phase space, and they reduce to the imaginary parts of the eigenvalues of the system’s matrix. In higher dimensions they measure how a two-frame of vectors rotate under the induced flow in the plane which is spanned by the frame. For their calculation, only special sets in the oriented Grassmann manifold of planes are relevant, and to each of these sets corresponds a compact interval of chain rotation numbers. In this paper we will determine these relevant sets and calculate the corresponding sets of chain rotation numbers.
Spectra and structure of organogermanes. XXII. Microwave, infrared, and Raman spectra of methylgermyl cyanide

The microwave spectra have been recorded from 18.0 to 26.5 GHz for 12CH3GeH212C14N, 13CH3GeH212C14N, 12CH3GeH212C15N, 12CH3GeH213C14N, 12CH3GeD212C14N, and 12CD3GeH212C14N of the four naturally occurring isotopes of germane: 70Ge, 72Ge, 74Ge, and 76Ge. Only a‐type transitions were observed and R‐branch assignments have been made for all the isotopic species in the ground vibrational state from which the rotational constants were determined. From these data the complete structural parameters were determined to be r0(CME–Ge)=1.933±0.002 A, r(Ge–CCN)=1.927±0.004 A, r(C≡N)=1.155±0.004 A, r(Ge–H)=1.521±0.001 A, r(C–Hs)=1.092±0.005 A, r(C–Ha)=1.092±0.005 A, ∢CGeC=107.36°±0.60°, ∢HGeH=111.41°±0.04°, ∢HGeCMe=112.92°±0.08°, ∢HsCGe=109.5°±2.0°, and <HaCGe=109.3°±0.8°, where all of the parameters are rs values except for the carbon–hydrogen distances and angles. The dipole moment components were determined from the Stark effect to be ‖μa‖=4.20±0.14, ‖μb‖=0.39±0.03, and ‖μt‖=4.22±0.14 D. From the microwave splitting ...
The effect of grinding direction on flaw character and strength of single crystal and polycrystalline ceramics

The effect upon the room-temperature strengths and fractures of flexure bars caused by grinding them either parallel or perpendicular to their tensile axis was investigated for selected single- and polycrystalline ceramics. Particular attention was given to the character of the flaws from which failure initiated. It was shown that grinding introduces two basic sets of flaws: one set forms at an average angle of ∼ 0°, and the other at an average angle of ∼ 90°, to the grinding direction. The angles of these flaws varied somewhat due to their formation on preferred fracture planes in single-crystal or larger-grain polycrystalline bodies as well as due to statistical effects. However, overall, the difference in these two sets of flaws was a major factor in the effect of grinding direction on strength. Flaws that formed approximately parallel with the grinding direction were typically more severe, and hence lead to lower strengths for grinding perpendicular to the bar axis, i.e. when the stress was perpendicular, or nearly so, to them.
Semiparametric Inference for Surrogate Endpoints with Bivariate Censored Data

Considerable attention has been recently paid to the use of surrogate endpoints in clinical research. We deal with the situation where the two endpoints are both right censored. While proportional hazards analyses are typically used for this setting, their use leads to several complications. In this article, we propose the use of the accelerated failure time model for analysis of surrogate endpoints. Based on the model, we then describe estimation and inference procedures for several measures of surrogacy. A complication is that potentially both the independent and dependent variable are subject to censoring. We adapt the Theil-Sen estimator to this problem, develop the associated asymptotic results, and propose a novel resampling-based technique for calculating the variances of the proposed estimators. The finite-sample properties of the estimation methodology are assessed using simulation studies, and the proposed procedures are applied to data from an acute myelogenous leukemia clinical trial.
General considerations of the effect of pressure on solubility

The general problem of how the temperature-composition equilibrium-diagrams constructed from observations at atmospheric pressure are to be modified to represent equilibrium-conditions at the high pressures prevailing below the surface of the Earth is a complex one and this paper, essentially a progress-report, deals with one aspect of the question, namely, a survey of the factors which determine whether rise of pressure will increase or decrease the solubility of a solid in a liquid. From thermodynamics it is known that the pressure-coefficient of the solubility of a solid is positive or negative according to whether the volume-change when unit-amount of the solid solute dissolves in the saturated solution is negative or positive. Consideration of the effect of pressure on the melting points of pure substances and the ideas current in the theories of solutions leads one to expect that the solubility of a pure solid in a liquid will be diminished by rise of pressure. A number of cases are known, however, where the opposite effect is found, and it becomes of interest to correlate the properties of the pure components and solutions in chemical systems with the effect of pressure on the solubility of the solids in these systems to the end that one may at least tell from a knowledge of the components whether it is probable that pressure will increase or decrease the solubility of the solid.
Le coup d'œil du spectateur: Spectatorial Function and Stage Space in French Theatre Design, 1760‐1784

The sightlines which architects such as Oppenord and Roubo the Younger drew on their theatre plans demonstrate an attempt to align stage spaces and optical fields. Indeed, the reform-minded architects of the period 1748 to 1784 applied geometrical forms to their plans, and adopted a terminology borrowed from optics, the science of light and vision. In focusing specifically on the theoretical texts and architectural drawings published between 1765 and 1784, we argue that this use of optical space indicates a dislocation between, on the one hand, the spatial representation which the French reformers promoted in their drawings and, on the other, stage perspective, which had, since the previous century, been associated with the influence of the Italian Baroque. In the 1780s, architects gradually abandoned the use of stage perspective, preferring instead a theatrical space modelled after an ostensibly natural optical encounter.
Mild Cognitive Impairment: Diagnosis, Longitudinal Course, and Emerging Treatments

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is widely regarded as the intermediate stage of cognitive impairment between the changes seen in normal cognitive aging and those associated with dementia. Elderly patients with MCI constitute a high-risk population for developing dementia, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the core clinical criteria for MCI have remained largely unchanged, the operational definition of MCI has undergone several revisions over the course of the last decade and remains an evolving diagnosis. Prognostic implications of this diagnosis are becoming clearer with regard to the risk of progressive cognitive deterioration. Although patients with MCI may represent an optimal target population for pharmacological and non-pharmacological in- terventions, results from clinical trials have been mixed and an effective treatment remains elusive. This article provides a brief overview of the evolution of the concept of MCI and reviews current diagnostic criteria, the longitudinal course of the disorder, and current and emerging treatments for MCI.
Role of talectomy in the treatment of rigid talipes equinovarus deformities

The authors provide a review of the principles of talectomy as a surgical treatment option for severe, rigid, and resistant clubfoot deformities. Such deformities are associated with a high recurrence rate and frequently involve a large number of surgical interventions to attain a satisfactory result. Talectomy has been successfully used as both a primary and salvage procedure to treat such deformities, often eliminating the need for subsequent surgeries. A discussion of the operative technique, indications, advantages, and common complications associated with the procedure is presented. In addition, a case report of talectomy used to treat a severe, bilateral clubfoot deformity in a 4-year-old boy is included.
Curriculum Choices of Adult Women in Continuing Education: Situational and Developmental Influences

The major purpose of the study was to identify some of the factors associated with the curriculum choices of adult women. The sample of 84 liberal arts and 48 home economics students was ran domly selected from the 1000 women enrolled in the University of Rhode Island's Adult Daytime Degree Program. The grouping variable was curriculum choice. The predictor variables included situational factors: age, marital and socioeconomic status, parents' educational level, and the work experiences of the mother and the respondent, and developmental factors such as personal values, work values and attitudes toward women's liberation. The hypotheses stated (1) that some of these variables could be used to predict curriculum choice and (2) that the developmental variables would be more effective than the situational variables in predicting curriculum choice. Data were collected from three standardized tests and a questionnaire. Statistical analyses included analysis of vari ance, stepwise multiple discriminant analyses, and pseudo jackknifed classification procedures. The first hypothesis was accepted. The overall “hit” rate of 70.5 percent showed a moderately accurate level of classification for both curricular groups. The second hypothesis was partially accepted as the developmental variables were more effective than the situational variables only in predicting membership in the home economics curriculum.
Primary structure of wild-type and mutant alleles of the PET494 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The product of the yeast nuclear gene PET494 is required specifically for the translation of the mitochondrially encoded subunit III of cytochrome c oxidase. We have determined the DNA sequence of a 1.9 kb fragment carrying PET494. The sequence contains a single long open reading frame of 489 codons. This open reading frame encodes the PET494 protein since the DNA sequence of the corresponding fragment derived from a strain with a known pet494 amber mutation contained an in frame UAG codon. The results of S1 nuclease protection experiments demonstrated that this region is transcribed and that the 5′ ends of the major transcripts lie 30 to 40 base-pairs upstream of the first AUG codon in the PET494 reading frame. The predicted PET494 protein has a highly basic amino-terminal domain of 66 amino acids followed by a stretch of 32 uncharged residues, half of which are hydrophobic. The remainder of the protein is not unusual in amino acid composition or distribution except that the carboxyterminal region is notably basic. The phenotype of mutations generated in vitro around codon 119 by exonuclease digestion and linker insertion indicated that this region is dispensable for function. A mutation caused by deletion of 101 bp of coding sequence behaved like a simple frameshift when inserted into the chromosome: it was partially suppressed by the recessive non-group specific frameshift suppressor suf13 and reverted to Pet+ phenotype by mutations liked to PET494.
The structure of pigeon muscle and its changes due to tenotomy.

The tendon of the pigeon's biventer cervicis was sectioned, and the muscle examined histologically after varying post-operative intervals. Tissues were prepared by routine histological procedures and stained in a number of ways. The results indicate that the fast fibers of the muscle have a faster onset of atrophy than do the slow fibers, but the slow fibers attain the same degree of atrophy in later stages. The onset of atrophic activity is characterized by a swelling of the nuclei and their migration away from the subsarcolemmal position in the twitch fibers. Slow fibers do not show any histological changes at this early stage (6 days). Vacuolization and lipomatosis begin at this stage, as well as some phagocytosis. These characteristics become more prominent as the tenotomy period increases, and connective tissue formation within the fibers can be seen, as well as ring fiber formation and other pathological conditions. The tenotomized muscles demonstrate conditions typical of various human muscle diseases, but differences are noted, and discussed.
Eye-safe 2.1-μm Ho lidar for measuring atmospheric density profiles

An eye-safe 2.1-μm lidar for monitoring atmospheric aerosols has been developed for the first time, to our knowledge, using a Q-switched 20-mJ, 300-nsec pulsed Ho:YSGG laser operating near 2.0875 μm. Range-resolved lidar returns from atmospheric aerosols were observed at ranges of up to 2000 m. The performance of the direct-detection lidar was demonstrated by measuring the temporal variation of the aerosol profile in the atmospheric boundary layer. A preliminary comparison of the atmospheric backscatter return with the hard target lidar return was made, which yielded an estimate of the atmospheric volume backscatter coefficient β of 6 × 10−7 m−1 sr−1.
Molecular Tribology of Fluid Lubrication: Shear Thinning

An investigation of the boundary layer viscosity of films of non-polar liquid lubricants, hexadecane and a silicone oil, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, confined between parallel atomically smooth single crystals of Muscovite mica, is reported. The effective viscosity (ηeff) showed a zone of linear response and a second zone of extreme shear thinning. In the zone of linear response, ηeff increased exponentially with increasing net normal pressure, increasing from 250 to 2200 poises as the pressure was raised from 0.03 to 0.15 MPa. However, very large shear thinning (decay by more than one order of magnitude) was observed as the effective shear rate was varied from 1 sec−1 to 104 sec−1, and the transition to glassy solid response (critical shear stress behavior) was impeded by continuous shear. These experiments show that the rheology of a lubricant within a zone of contact can be strikingly different from that in the bulk. Possible engineering applications of these findings are discussed. Presented as a Soc...
Internet-Based Design Catalogue for the Shaft and Bearing

The Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) are evolving as an important communication technology. This paper examines the development of an Internet-based online catalogue on the WWW. An interactive website is prepared that helps a remote designer to design shafts and bearings based on various input parameters provided. The web site also provides solid models of the shaft to perform CAD and FEM analysis. This permits the user to make further investigations, and helps to modify the design satisfactory.
Recursive forward dynamics for multiple robot arms moving a common task object

Recursive forward dynamics algorithms are developed and presented for an arbitrary number of robot arms moving a commonly held object. The multiarm forward dynamics solutions provide a thorough physical and mathematical understanding of the way several arms behave in response to a set of applied joint moments. The forward dynamics algorithms also provide the necessary analytical foundation for conducting analysis and simulation studies. The multiarm algorithms are based on the filtering and smoothing approach advanced by the author for single-arm dynamics (IEEE Trans. Robots Autom., Dec. 1987, no.6, Dec. 1987 pp.624-39), and they can be built up modularly from the single-arm algorithms. The algorithms compute recursively the joint angle-accelerations, the contact forces, and the task-object accelerations. Algorithms are also developed to evaluate in closed form the linear transformations from the active joint moments to the joint angle accelerations, to the task object accelerations, and to the task-object contact forces. A possible computing architecture is presented as a precursor to a more complete investigation of the computational performance of the dynamics algorithms. >
Scaled position integration areas: accounting for Weber’s law for separation

Perhaps the most basic fact about human visual encoding of relative spatial position is that the length or separation discrimination threshold increases with the mean length or separation being judged. In this study, the cause of this increase was investigated by measuring the effect of a parallel flanking line on the perceived separation of a pair of target lines. A standard separation discrimination paradigm was used with the flanking line placed outside the target pair. Perceived target separation was increased by the presence of the flanking line whenever the distance to the flanking line was less than the mean target separation. Modeling this effect as the product of a Gaussian weighting function times the distance to the flanking line, we inferred the size of the position integration area. The increase in the position integration area with increasing separation was found to be sufficient to account for the concomitant increase in separation discrimination thresholds, i.e., for Weber’s law for separation.
Role of monovalent ions in the reabsorption of fluid by isolated perfused proximal renal tubules of the rabbit

Role of monovalent ions in the reabsorption of fluid by isolated perfused proximal renal tubules of the rabbit. Proximal convoluted tubules were dissected from rabbit kidneys and perfused in vitro in order to determine the effect of monovalent ions on fluid absorption and transepithelial voltage. Replacement of sodium in the perfusate and bath by lithium, tetramethyl ammonium or choline caused the rate of fluid absorption and voltage to fall to near zero. Replacement of potassium in the bath by sodium had the identical effect. Replacement of chloride by nitrate or perchlorate had comparatively little effect. The results are consistent with the generally held view that active sodium transport (mediated by a Na- and K- activated adenosine triphosphatase) is the primary process responsible for the absorption of the fluid and the voltage. Replacement of bicarbonate in the perfusate and bath by chloride caused the rate of fluid absorption to decrease by 33%. The possible relation between sodium transport and bicarbonate is discussed. Role des ions monovalents dans la reabsorption de liquide par les tubes proximaux de lapin isoles et perfuses. Des tubes contournes proximaux de rein de lapin ont ete disseques et perfuses in vitro de facon a determiner l'effet des ions monovalents sur la reabsorption de liquide et sur la difference de potentiel trans-epitheliale. Le remplacement du sodium dans le perfusat et le bain par du lithium, du tetramethyle ammonium ou de la choline amene au voisinage de zero la reabsorption de liquide et la difference de potentiel. Le remplacement du potassium du bain par du sodium a le meme effet. Le remplacement du chlore par du nitrate ou du perchlorate a, comparativement, peu d'effet. Les resultats sont compatibles avec la notion generalement admise que le transport actif de sodium (par l'intermediaire d'une adenosine triphosphatase Na-K activee) est le processus primaire responsable de la reabsorption de liquide et de la difference de potentiel. Le remplacement du bicarbonate dans le perfusat et le bain par du chlore determine une diminution de 33% de la reabsorption de liquide et de 28% de la difference de potentiel. Ainsi le transport actif de sodium depend en partie du bicarbonate, probablement parce qu'il existe, dans la membrane luminale, un echange ionique sodium hydrogene, ce qui est une etape commune dans les transports du sodium et du bicarbonate.
Proteinases in extracts of the storage mite, Aleuroglyphus ovatus.

The magnitude of the occult prescribing of triamcinolone is unkown. Unfortunately, the patients are unaware that ambophyll in contains a steroid. Since the patients derived some amelioration of their chronic illness from ambophyll in , their belief in what they consider a "wonder drug" is understandable. It is difticult to dissuade these patients from continued use of ambophyll in without proof that it is a corticosteroid. These patients are susceptible to addisonian crises during medical or surgical stress. There is no historical data to inform the physician that a patient receiving ambophyll in is taking triamcinolone. Hopefully, this article will alert physicians that the proprietary, officedispensed drug, ambophyll in contains triamcinolone. REFERENCES 1. Orth DN. Differential diagnosis of Cushing'~ syndrome. N Engi J Med 1991:325:957-9. 2. SiggiaS, DishmanRA. Analysis of steroid hormones using high resolution liquid chromatography. Anal Chem 1970;42:!223-9. 3. Hara S, Hayashi S. Correlations of retention behaviour of steroidal pharmaceuticals in polar and bonded reversed-phase liquid column chromatography. J Chromatogr 1977:142:689-703. Rocci ML, Juskow J. Analysis of prednisone, prednisolone, and their 20 13-hydroxylated metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography. J Chromatogr Biomed Appl 198 t :224:22 l-4. 5. Waiters M J, Dunbar WE. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of hydrocortisone drug substance tablets, and enema. J Pharm Sci 1982:71:446-50. 4.
Making processes from best practice frameworks actionable

Best-practice frameworks provide guidance for organizing work in business. They enable reuse of experience within a domain. However, best practice frameworks are general and usually cover broad domains. Their guidance thus is often offered at an abstract level rather than as details of actionable tasks and processes to accomplish work. This paper presents an approach to bridge the gap between the abstractions available in best practice framework and actions that have to be performed by people or systems in a repeatable manner. We identify knowledge from best practices frameworks, categorize it and represent it in the form of reusable, interpretable templates. Template interpretation guides the refinement process from general concepts of best practices frameworks into actionable concepts such as specific tasks to be performed by assigned roles. A prototype implemented to validate the approach is also described.
Investigation of Flying-Height Stability of Thermal Fly-Height Control Sliders in Lubricant or Solid Contact with Roughness

When the magnetic spacing in hard disk drives is reduced to sub-3 nm, contact between the slider and disk becomes inevitable. Stability analysis is used in this study to investigate the head–disk interface (HDI) stability of thermal fly-height control (TFC) sliders in light contact with the disk lubricant or solid roughness. We implement an improved DMT model with sub-boundary lubrication into the CML air bearing program and analyze the stability of equilibrium states of a TFC slider under different thermal actuations. It is found that stability is lost when the slider penetrates deeper into the lubricant layer, due to a fast growth in the adhesion force, and it is restored when the solid roughness contact develops. In addition, the critical point for the onset of this instability and the range of this instability region is found to vary with lubricant thickness and protrusion surface steepness, while keeping the air bearing design the same.
Overview of EPA's wet-weather flow research program

Abstract This paper presents an overview of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) wet-weather flow (WWF) research program. Research priorities for 2001 are presented. In 1996, EPA issued the “Risk Management Research Plan for Wet Weather Flows”, a plan that presents specific WWF problems and anticipated research approaches to solve them. Within each area, the state-of-the-art knowledge is presented and the unknowns cited; research questions to address the unknown are also posed. In the time since November 1996, other organizations, notably the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), have reviewed WWF research programs and developed associated research needs reports.
Protracted bacterial bronchitis: reinventing an old disease

Chronic cough is common in the paediatric population, yet the true prevalence of this condition remains difficult to define. Protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB) is a disease caused by the chronic infection of the conducting airways. In many children the condition appears to be secondary to impaired mucociliary clearance that creates a niche for bacteria to become established, probably in the form of biofilms. In others, immunodeficiencies, which may be subtle, appear to be a factor. PBB causes persistent coughing and disturbed sleep, and affects exercise tolerance, causing significant levels of morbidity. PBB has remained largely unrecognised and is often misdiagnosed as asthma.
A 10-cps periodicity in the precipitation of auroral-zone electrons.

Rocketborne radiation detector observations of 10 cps periodicity in auroral electron precipitation
The pattern of gray matter atrophy in Parkinson’s disease differs in cortical and subcortical regions

Cortical and subcortical gray matter (GM) atrophy may progress differently during the course of Parkinson's disease (PD). We delineated and compared the longitudinal pattern of these PD-related changes. Structural MRIs and clinical measures were obtained from 76 PD with different disease durations and 70 Controls at baseline, 18-, and 36 months. Both cortical and subcortical (putamen, caudate, and globus pallidus) GM volumes were obtained, compared, and associated with PD clinical measures at baseline. Their volumes and rates of change also were compared among Controls, PDs, and PD subgroups based on duration of illness [≤1 year (PD(E)), 1-5 years (PD(M)), and >5 years (PD(L))]. Compared to Controls, PD subjects displayed smaller cortical GM and striatal(putamen, caudate, ps ≤0.001), volumes at baseline. Cortical GM volumes were negatively associated with disease duration at baseline, whereas striatal volumes were not. PD subjects demonstrated accelerated volume loss in cortical GM (p = 0.006), putamen (p = 0.034), and caudate (p = 0.008) compared to Controls. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that accelerated cortical atrophy reached statistical significance in PD subjects with duration of illness 1-5 years (PD(M), ps<0.001) and the trend of accelerated atrophy seemed to persist until later stages, whereas striatal atrophy occurred in PD subjects with PD(E) (p = 0.021 for putamen, p = 0.005 for caudate) and PD(M) (p = 0.002 for putamen, p = 0.001 for caudate) that significantly slowed down in PD(L) (ps for PD(L) vs PD(E) or PD(M): <0.01). The pattern of GM loss in PD differs in cortical and subcortical regions, with striatal atrophy occurring earlier and extra-striatal cortical atrophy later.
Identification of Novel FMR1 Variants by Massively Parallel Sequencing in Developmentally Delayed Males

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited form of developmental delay, is typically caused by CGG-repeat expansion in FMR1. However, little attention has been paid to sequence variants in FMR1. Through the use of pooled-template massively parallel sequencing, we identified 130 novel FMR1 sequence variants in a population of 963 developmentally delayed males without CGG-repeat expansion mutations. Among these, we identified a novel missense change, p.R138Q, which alters a conserved residue in the nuclear localization signal of FMRP. We have also identified three promoter mutations in this population, all of which significantly reduce in vitro levels of FMR1 transcription. Additionally, we identified 10 noncoding variants of possible functional significance in the introns and 3’-untranslated region of FMR1, including two predicted splice site mutations. These findings greatly expand the catalogue of known FMR1 sequence variants and suggest that FMR1 sequence variants may represent an important cause of developmental delay.
Role of glycosylation in cell surface expression and stability of HERG potassium channels

The humanether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) encodes the pore-forming subunit of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel in the heart. We previously showed that HERG channel protei...
Deferring adjuvant therapy for totally resected intracranial ependymoma

Abstract Radical surgery is the most important treatment modality for ependymoma. The benefit of adjuvant radio-therapy and/or chemotherapy following a gross total resection of a low grade intracranial ependymoma is uncertain. Since 1990 we elected to defer adjuvant therapy in 7 pediatric patients with a median age of 7 years (range 3–16 years) who had a radical resection of an intracranial ependymoma and no evidence of central nervous system metastases. The primary tumor site was the cerebral hemisphere (6) and the cerebellum (1). A gross total resection was radiologically confirmed in 5 of the 7 patients. Two of the patients had a blood clot in the resection site on the postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan. All patients are alive after a median follow-up of 44 months and the median progression-free survival is 38+ months. Five of the patients remain in continuous remission. The 2 patients with postoperative blood clots developed subclinical local recurrences, 10 and 11 months, respectively, after diagnosis. They remain in remission for 13+ and 27+ months after subsequent radical surgical procedures. Involved field radiotherapy was administered to 1 patient. After a limited period of follow-up, radical surgery alone appears to be sufficient for the majority of children with low grade ependymomas diagnosed at >3 years of age when postoperative imaging confirms a gross total resection. This is more likely to occur in supratentorial ependymomas arising in older children.
Nuclear Factor I (NFI) Isoforms Differentially Activate Simple versus Complex NFI-responsive Promoters

Promoter-specific differences in the function of transcription factors play a central role in the regulation of gene expression. We have measured the maximal transcriptional activation potentials of nuclear factor I (NFI) proteins encoded by each of the four identified NFI genes (NFI-A, -B, -C, and -X) by transient transfection in JEG-3 cells using two model NFI-dependent promoters: 1) a simple chimeric promoter containing a single NFI-binding site upstream of the adenovirus major late promoter (NFI-Ad), and 2) the more complex mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat promoter. The relative activation potentials for the NFI isoforms differed between the two promoters, with NFI-X being the strongest activator of NFI-Ad and NFI-B being the strongest activator of the MMTV promoter. To determine if these promoter-specific differences in activation potential were due to the presence of glucocorticoid response elements (GREs), we added GREs upstream of the NFI-binding site in NFI-Ad. NFI-X remains the strongest activator of the GRE containing simple promoter, indicating that differences in relative activation potential are not due solely to the presence of GREs. Since NFI proteins bind to DNA as dimers, we assessed the activation potentials of NFI heterodimers. Here, we show that NFI heterodimers have intermediate activation potentials compared with homodimers, demonstrating one potential mechanism by which different NFI proteins can regulate gene expression.
Contact-dependent growth inhibition requires the essential outer membrane protein BamA (YaeT) as the receptor and the inner membrane transport protein AcrB

Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) is a phenomenon by which bacterial cell growth is regulated by direct cell-to-cell contact via the CdiA/CdiB two-partner secretion system. Characterization of mutants resistant to CDI allowed us to identify BamA (YaeT) as the outer membrane receptor for CDI and AcrB as a potential downstream target. Notably, both BamA and AcrB are part of distinct multi-component machines. The Bam machine assembles outer membrane beta-barrel proteins into the outer membrane and the Acr machine exports small molecules into the extracellular milieu. We discovered that a mutation that reduces expression of BamA decreased binding of CDI+ inhibitor cells, measured by flow cytometry with fluorescently labelled bacteria. In addition, alpha-BamA antibodies, which recognized extracellular epitopes of BamA based on immunofluorescence, specifically blocked inhibitor-target cells binding and CDI. A second class of CDI-resistant mutants identified carried null mutations in the acrB gene. AcrB is an inner membrane component of a multidrug efflux pump that normally forms a cell envelope-spanning complex with the membrane fusion protein AcrA and the outer membrane protein TolC. Strikingly, the requirement for the BamA and AcrB proteins in CDI is independent of their multi-component machines, and thus their role in the CDI pathway may reflect novel, import-related functions.
Direct products: a powerful tool for the analysis of balanced data

This paper focuses attention on the use of direct (Kronecker) product techniques in the study of general balanced models. Direct products provide a powerful tool which facilitates the derivation of certain properties of these models. This is clearly demonstrated in determining the distribution of sums of squares in a balanced mixed-effects model under normality assumptions. Further evidence of its usefulness is also indicated.
High-frequency oscillatory ventilation is not superior to conventional mechanical ventilation in surfactant-treated rabbits with lung injury.

The aim of this study was to compare high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) with and without surfactant in the treatment of surfactant-deficient rabbits. A previously described saline lung lavage model of lung injury in adult rabbits was used. The efficacy of each therapy was assessed by evaluating gas exchange, lung deflation stability and lung histopathology. Arterial oxygenation did not improve in the CMV group without surfactant but increased rapidly to prelavage values in the other three study groups. During deflation stability, arterial oxygenation decreased to postlavage values in the group that received HFOV alone, but not in both surfactant-treated groups (HFOV and CMV). The HFOV group without surfactant showed more cellular infiltration and epithelial damage compared with both surfactant-treated groups. There was no difference in gas exchange, lung deflation stability and lung injury between HFOV and CMV after surfactant therapy. It is concluded that the use of surfactant therapy in combination with high-frequency oscillatory ventilation is not superior to conventional mechanical ventilation in improving gas exchange, lung deflation stability and in the prevention of lung injury, if lungs are kept expanded. This indicates that achieving and maintaining alveolar expansion (i.e. open lung) is of more importance than the type of ventilator.
Computer-guided discovery of epigenetics drugs: molecular modeling and identification of inhibitors of DNMT1

DNA methylation is a covalent chemical modification of DNA catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and plays a crucial role in epigenetic modifications. Inhibition of DNMT is a promising strategy for the treatment of various developmental and proliferative diseases, particularly cancers. Molecular docking and other computational approaches are increasingly being used to explore the ligand-binding interactions of DNMT inhibitors [1,2]. In this work we conducted molecular docking of experimentally known active compounds in the catalytic site of the recently published crystal structure of DNMT1 [3]. Prior docking, the conformation of the catalytic site was modelled with molecular dynamics into an active conformation. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular modelling study conducted with the catalytic binding site of this crystal structure. Based on the docking results, we developed a structure-based pharmacophore model. Molecular modelling results were compared with the insights previously obtained with a homology model of the methyltransferase domain of DNMT1 [4]. We also discuss the experimental inhibitory activity and docking of a novel DNMT1 inhibitor recently identified in our group [5]. Results of this work have direct implications in the future computer-based screening and optimization of inhibitors of DNMT1 and show that computational approaches form part of multidisciplinary efforts to further advance epigenetic therapies [1].
FIRST CASE OF MYCOPLASMA GALLISEPTICUM INFECTION IN THE WESTERN RANGE OF THE HOUSE FINCH (CARPODACUS MEXICANUS)

We report the first case of mycoplasmosis in the western range of the House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus). This disease originated in the eastern United States and has been previously documented only in eastern introduced House Finch populations where it reached epizootic proportions causing extensive and widespread mortality. Documentation of this dis- ease in western Montana suggests that previously disjunct eastern and western populations of House Finches are now mixing in the northern part of their range. More importantly, as native House Finches are highly susceptible to this novel pathogen, western populations may now be at risk of high mortality, similar to that experienced by non-native eastern populations. Close monitoring of this disease in the western part of the House Finch range will provide important insight into the dynamics of the emerging disease and evolution of resistance to the pathogen. Received 10 May 2002, accepted 5 February 2003.
Cooperative transactions for multiuser environments

This chapter surveys extended transaction models proposed to support long duration, interactive and/or cooperative activities in the context of multi-user software development and CAD/CAM environments. Many of these are variants of the checkout model, which addresses the long duration and interactive nature of the activities supported by environments but still isolates environment users, making it difficult for them to collaborate while their activities are in progress. However, a few cooperative transaction models have been proposed to facilitate collaboration, usually while maintaining some guarantees of consistency.
The primary prevention of heart disease in women through health behavior change promotion in primary care

Purpose. To summarize recent evidence-based recommendations for physical activity promotion, dietary improvement, and tobacco cessation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the Task Force on Community Preventive Services (CTF), and examine their applicability to the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women through primary care interventions. Methods. For the behaviors cited, USPSTF and CTF recommendations and their associated systematic evidence reviews (SERs) were retrieved. Individual articles from the USPSTF healthy diet and physical activity SERs that met our inclusion criteria were systematically examined to determine the applicability of this research to women. We supplemented findings from these sources with comprehensive federal research summaries and SERs from focused searches of systematic review databases relevant to primary CVD prevention in women through healthy behavior change. Main Findings. The USPSTF strongly recommends primary care interventions for tobacco cessation. Strong CTF recommendations for multicomponent systems supports for clinicians, telephone support for quitters, and reduced patient costs for effective cessation therapies guide complementary approaches to assist clinicians. The USPSTF recommends intensive behavioral dietary counseling by specialists for high-risk CVD patients, but found insufficient evidence to recommend for routine healthy diet or physical activity promotion in primary care. The evidence base for these recommendations generally applies to women. Better reporting of gender and minority subgroup outcomes will assist more in-depth understanding of potential differences in either the processes or outcomes of behavior change interventions. Conclusions. Primary care clinicians, including obstetrician-gynecologists, can contribute to preventing CVD in women through implementing credible evidence-based recommendations for clinical interventions in tobacco and healthy diet. Researchers can further our understanding of gender-specific issues in healthy behavior interventions by reporting process and outcome data for gender and minority subgroups.
Interbank Markets under Currency Boards

This paper analyzes interbank markets under currency boards. Under such an environment, problematic endogeneity issues common to other monetary regimes do not arise. Using daily data from the interbank markets in Bulgaria and Lithuania we show, that contrary to the existing literature, overnight interest rates tend to decrease towards the end of the reserve holding period. Empirical results are supported by a finite horizon heterogeneous agents model showing that interest rates tend to decrease in the case of excess aggregate reserves in the banking system. Results contrast with Quir'os and Mendiz'abal (2006) who find that interest rates should be increasing regardless of the outstanding aggregate liquidity in the market. We also show that responsiveness of banks to interest rate changes diminishes as the end of reserve holding period approaches. Under certain circumstances this could lead to multiple equilibria with increasing or decreasing interest rates.
Ecological dynamics in the subarctic Pacific, a possibly iron-limited ecosystem

It has been suggested that production in offshore waters of the subarctic Pacific is limited by availability of dissolved Fe. Although that is not yet adequately established, the functional consequences of the limitation (if it exists) can be characterized from the results of the Subarctic Pacific Ecosystem Research (SUPER) program. Fe limitation, or something like it, establishes a phytoplankton community dominated by very small cells. These plants are not limited by Fe availability. Rather, their production is limited by their stock and available illumination. Stock is set by microzooplankton grazers with rapid population growth rates and, thus, rapid response to increases in phytoplankton abundance. Micrograzers provide efficient recycling of nitrogen as NH,, and the ready availability of NH, sharply limits the annual utilization of NO,. Persistently high NO, concentrations result. Other possibly Fe-limited, oceanic ecosystems with persistently high, near-surface nutrients require similar, detailed analysis of ecosystem function.
Recreating oscillatory behavior in artificial nerve cells

The recreation of the phenomenon of cyclic inhibition between two artificial nerve cells is discussed. Implemented by means of postinhibitory rebound, it was achieved in a mutually inhibiting pair of identical nerve cell circuits, or neuromimes. Each neuromime is nominally self-excitatory, with a single inhibitory input, derived from the output of its counterpart. Postinhibitory rebound is accomplished by dynamically varying the synaptic weight of that inhibitory input. The neuromime employed is a comprehensive VLSI-based circuit with a host of features attributable to biological nerve cells. It was fabricated in two-micron CMOS technology with a total chip area of 0.6 square millimeters, and requires only a few passive discrete components for support and adjustment. >
An External Memory Interface for FPGA-Based Computing Engines

Commercially available synthesis tools offer limited capabilities when dealing with external memories. This problem is exacerbated by the diversity of each vendor-specific interface. Often vendor interfaces are specified in structural VHDL and where timing and its latency models are not directly exposed to the synthesis tools. As a result designers are faced with the tenuous tasks of manually matching the design specification to the vendor-provided interface.
Thermal analysis of 8-T SRAM for nano-scaled technologies

Different sections of a cache memory may experience different temperature profiles depending on their proximity to other active logic units such as the execution unit. In this paper, we perform thermal analysis of cache memories under the influence of hot-spots. In particular, 8-T SRAM bit cell is chosen because of its robust functionality at nano-scaled technologies. Thermal map of entire 8-T SRAM cache is generated using hierarchical compact thermal models while solving the leakage and temperature self consistently. The impact of spatial temperature variations on 8T-SRAM parameters such as local bitline (LBL) sensing delay, noise robustness and bitcell stability are evaluated for 45nm/32nm/22nm bulk CMOS technology nodes. The effectiveness of variable keeper sizing on LBL sensing delay is analyzed. It is predicted that at 22 nm node, the leakage induced temperature rise has severe effects on the 8-T SRAM characteristics.
A Realistic Program in Energy Processing

A general revision of the undergraduate curriculum in electrical engineering at Case Institute of Technology served as the stimulus and foundation for an updating of the course content in the area previously occupied by rotating machinery. The series of three courses which resulted has now been tested in the classroom for appropriateness, unity, depth of coverage possible, and palatability to the student. This paper reports the content and achievements of this initial trial. Results of the past year indicate that the material presented is pedagogically sound and that the program is realistic for the undergraduate student.
Network of Multi-Agent Traffic Controllers

Driving through streets of an inner city such as a downtown area sometimes can be frustrating. One might have to wait for a traffic light to turn green at an intersection where there is no car on the cross street. Or, there may be a lot of cars on the cross street that must be cleared in order to make the traffic flowing. The objective of this project is to develop an intelligent traffic controller model to coordinate a network of traffic lights such that the flow of the traffic is maximized and the time of the traffic flow is minimized. We proposed to develop a model that implements multi-agents and fuzzy controllers on a network of computers. In the model, we created two types of agents, communication and computation agents for each traffic light at an intersection. In order to validate our model, we created a simulation test bed utilizing a cluster of computers where each node on the cluster represents traffic lights at an intersection. The simulation test bed also allows us to perform comparisons of our model to the other models.