cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transurethral vaporization of the prostate: current techniques.

Electrovaporization has quickly become a popular procedure for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. By using standard transurethral electrosurgical technology, electrovaporization offers standard transurethral loop-like resection and transurethral prostatectomy (TURP)-like efficacy with less morbidity than that associated with TURP. Through a combination of two electrosurgical effects (vaporization and desiccation), electrovaporization ablates significant volumes of prostatic tissue with each passage of the electrode. Newly designed thicker loop electrodes have led to a modification of the original electrovaporization technique. “Vaporizing-resection” adds the advantages of transurethral resection to those of electrovaporization with the use of one electrode. Very large glands can be treated efficiently, and prostatic tissue specimens are produced. Moreover, additional vaporization of tissue occurs with minimized bleeding. This report reviews basic electrosurgical principles, electrode design, and factors that affect vaporizing efficiency. Current long-term data on electrovaporization compared with TURP are summarized, and pilot studies evaluating vaporizingresection have shown promising results. A new technology that has entered the market—bipolar electrovaporization —is also discussed. Finally, combination therapy and Columbia’s 4-year experience with vaporization techniques are discussed.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA Levels in different regions of human brain: Quantification using real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) enters the central nervous system shortly after the infection and becomes localized in different regions of the brain, leading to various neurological abnormalities including motor disorders and neurocognitive deficits. Although HIV-1-associated functional abnormalities of the central nervous system (CNS) can be evaluated during life by using various test batteries, HIV-1 virus concentration in different brain regions can be measured only after death. The tissues obtained at autopsy provide a valuable source for determining the role of various factors, including that of HIV-1 viral load in the CNS, that may contribute to the regional CNS neuropathogenesis. For this study, we obtained from the National Institutes of Health-sponsored National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium (NNTC) the tissues from different brain regions collected at autopsy of HIV-1-positive (N = 38) and HIV-negative (N = 11) individuals, with postmortem intervals of 2 to 29 h, and measured HIV-1 RNA concentration in the frontal cortex, frontal cortex area 4, frontal cortex area 6, basal ganglia, caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, substantia nigra, and cerebrospinal fluid. Because HIV-1+ individuals were infected with the virus for up to 21 years and the majority of them had used highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), we used highly sensitive real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in order to detect a wide dynamic range of HIV-1 RNA with lower detection limit of a single copy. The primers and probes were from the long terminal repeat (LTR) region of HIV genome for achieving higher specificity and sensitivity of detection and amplification. Our results demonstrate a wide variation in the concentration of HIV-1 RNA in different brain regions (5.51 and 8,144,073; log10 0.74 and 6.91 copies/g tissue), and despite the high specificity and sensitivity of this method, viral RNA was not detected in 50% of all the samples, and in 30% to 64% of samples of each region of HIV-1+ individuals. However, the highest concentration of viral RNA was found in the caudate nucleus and the lowest concentration in the frontal cortex and cerebrospinal fluid. The viral RNA was undetectable in all samples of HIV-negative individuals.
Speed and accuracy improvements in FLAASH atmospheric correction of hyperspectral imagery

Remotely sensed spectral imagery of the earth's surface can be used to fullest advantage when the influence of the atmosphere has been removed and the measurements are reduced to units of reflectance. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of the latest version of the Fast Line-of-sight Atmospheric Analysis of Spectral Hypercubes atmospheric correction algorithm. We also report some new code improvements for speed and accuracy. These include the re-working of the original algorithm in C-language code parallelized with message passing interface and containing a new radiative transfer look-up table option, which replaces executions of the MODTRAN® model. With computation times now as low as ~10 s per image per computer processor, automated, real-time, on-board atmospheric correction of hyper- and multi-spectral imagery is within reach.
Physical and sexual abuse in childhood: Relationship with post-traumatic stress disorder

This study describes the reactions of children and adolescents to physical and/or sexual abuse, suggesting two distinct symptom pictures. Findings indicate that a majority (55%) of this clinical population develop symptoms characteristic of post-traumatic stress disorder, whereas abused children and adolescents who do not develop associated post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms exhibit more anxiety, depression, externalizing behaviors, and more problems overall. Significant differences were also found between children and adolescents reacting to single event abuse who display more behavior disorders and victims of ongoing abuse who appear significantly more disturbed, with symptoms ranging from depression to psychosis.
Induction of protein phosphatase type 2A in response to disruption of cell-matrix interactions.

The proliferation of most cells is strictly dependent on cell-matrix interactions, a phenomenon called anchorage dependence. Because tumor cells are often independent of this regulation, it is important to characterize the molecular components that are involved in this control. We therefore investigated a possible role of serine/threonine protein phosphatases in the regulation of anchorage-dependent cell growth. We found that the activity of serine/threonine protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A) and, to a lesser extent, that of type 1 (PP1), was upregulated in response to the disruption of cellular attachment. In the case of PP2A, this induction was due to the transcriptional activation of the gene and increased expression of its protein. The increase in phosphatase activity corresponded with a decrease in the phosphorylation of cellular proteins that occurred in anchorage-dependent cells, but to a much lesser degree in anchorage-independent cells. At the same time, the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases was downregulated in anchorage-dependent, but not in anchorage-independent cells. Thus, our results indicate that the balance of kinase and phosphatase activity in anchorage-dependent cells is tipped in favor of phosphatase activity, which seems to dominate the extent of reversible protein phosphorylations after cellular detachment. In contrast, anchorage-independent cells appear to neutralize elevated phosphatase activity through sustained, strong kinase activity.
The energy gap of carbon clusters studied by scanning tunneling spectroscopy

Abstract Electronic properties of carbon clusters with diameters d between 4 and 1100 A were studied by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). Large-sized clusters all showed the zero band gap of graphite. A gap opening was observed for clusters with diameters less than about 15 A. Energy gaps up to 650 meV were measured. The experimental results were modeled using a finite barrier potential for confined electrons, with consideration of the effective mass.
Development of the DORADO mapping vehicle for multibeam, subbottom, and sidescan science missions

Oceanographic science is frequently hindered by a lack of spatial and temporal resolution for most parameters oceanographic science desires to measure. This paper discusses our effort to advance the current state of bathymetric mapping as part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) charter. MBARI scientists and engineers, in consultation with the external community, have produced a new multibeam mapping autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) system. The system is intended to reduce some of the impediments encountered by science trying to resolve specific portions of the oceans bottom. Starting with the established and in-house developed Dorado AUV technology, MBARI engineering refined the AUV into a full ocean depth capable and now operational multibeam mapping system (MBAUV). The MBAUV system conducts regular multibeam bathymetry, subbottom, and sidescan surveys for oceanographic science. MBAUV is a torpedo-shaped, 6000 m rated vehicle operating the aforementioned sonars simultaneously. The endurance of the MBAUV is approximately 8 h at 3 kn and is designed to support 16 h operations at 3 kn by adding an additional battery section. This paper describes the basics of the MBAUV and our design trades and modifications to the Dorado AUV in support of multibeam mapping missions. The paper also reviews a sampling of the results from a series of missions that demonstrate the performance of various subsystems and the science quality data available from the MBAUV. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Work in Progress: An Integrated Laboratory Experience - A New Environment for Teaching Communications

A new open laboratory environment is being developed to enhance the learning in several important ways: 1) laboratory projects in RF circuits, digital design, and signal processing courses that are typically isolated from each other will become interdependent; 2) students in "lecture-only" courses will utilize laboratory "homework" experiments so that they may more thoroughly understand complex lecture topics; 3) students will have facilities to explore and create new ideas outside the classroom; 4) the open format of the laboratory will foster the development of student learning communities within the department. While giving our current students the experience they need to design and test modern communication systems, this lab will also help in recruitment, retention, and the development of life-long learning.
Multidetector Computed Tomography During Combined Therapy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

By using experimental combined adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients, progress has been made in survival, clinical benefit response, and even downstaging of tumors to allow surgical resection. The use of combined modality approaches in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is associated with increased gastrointestinal toxicity, which may manifest as bowel wall abnormalities and peripancreatic inflammatory changes on multiphasic multidetector computed tomography and affect assessment of the pancreatic tumor. During preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, occult metastatic disease may be given the opportunity to manifest, thus preventing the morbidity of attempted resection or laparotomy. Although advances in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment of patients with pancreatic carcinoma have thus far yielded only a modest impact on prognosis, in the future greater numbers of patients will undergo these treatments in searching for cure. As therapy with targeted agents evolves, the team of gastroenterologists, oncologists, surgeons, and radiologists caring for these complex patients should become familiar with the varied tumor response and host reactions to newer therapies that may be depicted on multiphase multidetector computed tomography.
Assessing Activity and Inhibition of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Papain-Like and 3C-Like Proteases Using Luciferase-Based Biosensors

ABSTRACT Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is associated with an outbreak of more than 90 cases of severe pneumonia with high mortality (greater than 50%). To date, there are no antiviral drugs or specific therapies to treat MERS-CoV. To rapidly identify potential inhibitors of MERS-CoV replication, we expressed the papain-like protease (PLpro) and the 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) from MERS-CoV and developed luciferase-based biosensors to monitor protease activity in cells. We show that the expressed MERS-CoV PLpro recognizes and processes the canonical CoV-PLpro cleavage site RLKGG in the biosensor. However, existing CoV PLpro inhibitors were unable to block MERS-CoV PLpro activity, likely due to the divergence of the amino acid sequence in the drug binding site. To investigate MERS-CoV 3CLpro activity, we expressed the protease in context with flanking nonstructural protein 4 (nsp4) and the amino-terminal portion of nsp6 and detected processing of the luciferase-based biosensors containing the canonical 3CLpro cleavage site VRLQS. Importantly, we found that a small-molecule inhibitor that blocks replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV and murine CoV also inhibits the activity of MERS-CoV 3CLpro. Overall, the protease expression and biosensor assays developed here allow for rapid evaluation of viral protease activity and the identification of protease inhibitors. These biosensor assays can now be used to screen for MERS-CoV-specific or broad-spectrum coronavirus PLpro and 3CLpro inhibitors.
Exploiting flexibly assignable work to improve load balance

In many applications of parallel computing, distribution of the data unambiguously implies distribution of work among processors. But there are exceptions where some tasks can be assigned to one of several processors without altering the total volume of communication. In this paper, we study the problem of exploiting this flexibility in assignment of tasks to improve load balance. We first model the problem in terms of network flow and use combinatorial techniques for its solution. Our parametric search algorithms use maximum flow algorithms for probing on a candidate optimal solution value. We describe two algorithms to solve the assignment problem with $\log W_T$ and $|P|$ probe calls, where $W_T$ and $|P|$, respectively, denote the total workload and number of processors. We also define augmenting paths and cuts for this problem, and show that any algorithm based on augmenting paths can be used to find an optimal solution for the task assignment problem. We then consider a continuous version of the problem, and formulate it as a linearly constrained optimization problem, i.e., $ \min \|Ax\|_\∞,\; \rm s.t.\; Bx=d$. To avoid solving an intractable ∞-norm optimization problem, we show that in this case minimizing the 2-norm is sufficient to minimize the ∞-norm, which reduces the problem to the well-studied linearly-constrained least squares problem. The continuous version of the problem has the advantage of being easily amenable to parallelization.
Water drops on surfaces

We present a physically-based method to enforce contact angles at the intersection of fluid free surfaces and solid objects, allowing us to simulate a variety of small-scale fluid phenomena including water drops on surfaces. The heart of this technique is a virtual surface method, which modifies the level set distance field representing the fluid surface in order to maintain an appropriate contact angle. The surface tension that is calculated on the contact line between the solid surface and liquid surface can then capture all interfacial tensions, including liquid-solid, liquid-air and solid-air tensions. We use a simple dynamic contact angle model to select contact angles according to the solid material property, water history, and the fluid front's motion. Our algorithm robustly and accurately treats various drop shape deformations, and handles both flat and curved solid surfaces. Our results show that our algorithm is capable of realistically simulating several small-scale liquid phenomena such as beading and flattened drops, stretched and separating drops, suspended drops on curved surfaces, and capillary action.
Effects of levetiracetam on sleep in normal volunteers

Abstract Background Epilepsy patients commonly suffer from sleep disturbances, and these can exacerbate memory dysfunction and seizures. Sleep can be affected by seizures, independent sleep disorders, or anticonvulsant drugs. Levetiracetam is a novel anticonvulsant effective for the treatment of partial seizures. We studied the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) on sleep using polysomnography in normal subjects. Methods Subjects (aged 18–40) were screened for freedom from sleep disorders, excessive daytime sleepiness, and depression. Screening overnight polysomnography was performed, followed by baseline polysomnography. Subjects were randomized to placebo or LEV, titrated to 1000 mg twice daily over 9 days. Polysomnography was repeated on Treatment Day 28. Differences between baseline and treatment in the drug and placebo groups were compared using single-factor ANOVA. Results Seventeen subjects were enrolled; 14 completed the study (8 placebo, 6 LEV). All subjects who remained on LEV were able to tolerate the target dose. There were no significant differences between the placebo and drug groups with respect to baseline sleep characteristics. When baseline polysomnography was compared with treatment polysomnography, there were no differences in the change in sleep efficiency, sleep latency, total sleep time, REM latency, or percentages of REM, stage 1, stage 2, or slow wave sleep. There was an increase in the number of awakenings in the drug group that was significant compared with placebo. Conclusion These results suggest that LEV does not have major effects on sleep structure.
Patterns of co-seismic strain computed from southern California focal mechanisms

SUMMARY Geometrical properties of an earthquake population can be described by summation of seismic potency tensors that provide a strain-based description of earthquake focal mechanisms. We apply this method to ∼170 000 potency tensors for 0 <ML ≤ 5 southern California earthquakes recorded between January 1984 and June 2003. We compare summed tensors for populations defined by faulting region and earthquake magnitude to investigate the relation between earthquake characteristics, tectonic domains and fault-related length scales. We investigate spatial scales ranging from ∼1–700 km and use the results to identify systematic differences between seismic behaviour for different faults and different regions. Our results show features that are indicative of both scale-invariant and scale-dependent processes. On the largest scale the overall potency tensor summation for southern California 0 < ML ≤ 5 earthquakes over ∼20 yr corresponds closely to a double-couple (DC) mechanism with slip direction parallel to relative plate motion. The summed tensors and derived quantities for the different regions show clear persistent variations that are related to the dominant tectonic regime of each region. Significant differences between the non-DC components of the summed tensors, which we relate to fault heterogeneity, indicate systematic differences in deformation associated with earthquake populations from different fault zones or different magnitude ranges. We find an increase of heterogeneity for populations of smaller earthquakes and for regions where faulting deviates strongly from the overall sense of deformation, even when corrected for quality. The results imply an overall organization of earthquake characteristics into domains that are controlled to first order by geometrical properties of the largest faults and the plate motion. Smaller scale characteristics are related to local variations in the orientation, complexity and size of faults.
The case for healthcare supply chain management: insights from problem-solving approaches

The US healthcare industry is a large enterprise accounting for over 14.1% of the national economic output in 2001. It has been under pressure for cost containment and providing quality healthcare services to consumers. Its record of investing heavily in the development of sophisticated drugs and diagnostic systems does not match that of technologies to manage its day-to-day operations. In order to achieve improved performance, the healthcare supply chain must be efficient and integrated. The driver for this integration is logistics and supply chain management. This paper describes trends, issues and some solutions for logistics management for the healthcare supply chain with concepts drawn from industrial engineering, and operations research disciplines applied to specific domains. A healthcare supply chain template utilising e-commerce strategy is presented. Use of simulation, optimisation and information-sharing techniques are demonstrated to optimise purchasing and inventory policies.
Demographic review of a captive colony of callitrichids (Callithrix kuhlii).

Although reports on colony demographics for a variety of callitrichid species are available in the literature, to date there has not been a detailed examination of Wied's black tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix kuhlii). The purpose of this study is to present colony demographics for C. kuhlii from the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Callitrichid Research Center from 1991 to 2002. C. kuhlii are currently held in a number of zoological parks in the United States and abroad; however, the University of Nebraska at Omaha held the only breeding colony in North America. Here we report data on lifespan, sex ratio, litter size, and interbirth interval (IBI) for that captive breeding colony. Am. J. Primatol. 69:1–7, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Invasive Kingella kingae Resulting in a Brodie Abscess

Timothy K. Ruttan, Eric Higginbotham, Nicole Higginbotham, Coburn H. Allen, and Sarmistha Hauger Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Austin, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Austin, United States; Departments of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Austin, United States; and Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Austin, United States
Testing hypotheses of Pleistocene population history using coalescent simulations: phylogeography of the pygmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea)

In this paper, we use mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 sequences to test Pleistocene refugial hypotheses for the pygmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea). Pygmy nuthatches are a common resident of long-needle pine forests in western North America and demonstrate a particular affinity with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). Palaeoecological and genetic data indicate that ponderosa pine was isolated in two Pleistocene refugia corresponding to areas in the southern Sierra Nevada in the west and southern Arizona and New Mexico in the east. We use coalescent simulations to test the hypothesis that pygmy nuthatches tracked the Pleistocene history of their preferred habitat and persisted in two refugia during the periods of glacial maxima. Coalescent simulation of population history does not support the hypothesis of two Pleistocene refugia for the pygmy nuthatch. Instead, our data are consistent with a single refuge model. Nucleotide diversity is greatest in the western populations of southern and coastal California. We suggest that the pygmy nuthatch expanded from a far western glacial refuge into its current distribution since the most recent glacial maximum.
Small-scale structure on the poleward edge of a stable auroral red arc

Here we present all-sky images of a stable auroral red arc collocated with the low-density trough. Small-scale, dynamic structure is observed on the poleward edge of the arc that may be caused by a crossed density/temperature gradient or by a collisional Kelvin-Helmholtz shear-flow instability in conjunction with a sufficient density gradient.
Conversion of biliary system to pancreatic tissue: complete plasticity or same organ?

Conversion of biliary system to pancreatic tissue in Hes1-deficient mice. Sumazaki R, Shiojiri N, Isoyama S, Masu M, Keino-Masu K, Osawa M, Nakauchi H, Kageyama R, Matsui A. The biliary system, pancreas and liver all develop from the nearby foregut at almost the same time in mammals. The molecular mechanisms that determine the identity of each organ in this complex area are unknown. Hes1 encodes the basic helix-loop-helix protein Hes1 (ref. 1), which represses positive basic helix-loop-helix genes such as Neurog3 (ref. 3). Expression of Hes1 is controlled by the evolutionarily conserved Notch pathway. Hes1 operates as a general negative regulator of endodermal endocrine differentiation, and defects in Notch signaling lead to accelerated pancreatic endocrine differentiation. Mutations in JAG1, encoding a Notch ligand, cause the Alagille syndrome in humans, characterized by poor development of the biliary system, suggesting that the Notch pathway is also involved in normal biliary development. Here we show that Hes1 is expressed in the extrahepatic biliary epithelium throughout development and that Hes1-deficient mice have gallbladder agenesis and severe hypoplasia of extrahepatic bile ducts. Biliary epithelium in Hes1−/− mice ectopically expresses the proendocrine gene Neurog3 (refs. 12,13), differentiates into endocrine and exocrine cells and forms acini and islet-like structures in the mutant bile ducts. Thus, biliary epithelium has the potential for pancreatic differentiation and Hes1 determines biliary organogenesis by preventing the pancreatic differentiation program, probably by directly repressing transcription of Neurog3. [Abstract reproduced by permission of Nat Genet 2004;36:83–87]
Chlortetracycline staining patterns of frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa treated with β-cyclodextrins, dibutyryl cAMP and progesterone.

Efforts to achieve complete chemical definition of media used for in vitro capacitation of bovine spermatozoa including removal of heparin purified from porcine intestinal mucosa are presented. Fluorescent staining with chlortetracycline (CTC), known to reflect changes coincident with sperm capacitation in certain species, was studied following treatments of frozen-thawed bull spermatozoa with beta-cyclodextrins, dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and progesterone in comparison with heparin. The CTC staining patterns (F, B and AR) were confirmed to correlate with known conditions that effectively prepare cryopreserved bull spermatozoa for fertilisation in vitro. In the absence of glucose, the routinely employed heparin-containing capacitating medium caused an increase in spermatozoa displaying the AR pattern. Both progesterone (100 microM) and dbcAMP (0.01-0.1 mM) were able to increase the proportion of B pattern stained sperm cells more than after exposure to control (mDM) conditions without a significant reduction in motility. Exposure to either dbcAMP or beta-cyclodextrins was accompanied by an increase in proportions of spermatozoa displaying the AR pattern over those seen in controls. Exposure to beta-cyclodextrins did not increase the proportion of B pattern stained spermatozoa. Comparison of spermatozoa from two bulls revealed differential responses of spermatozoa from different males to treatments with heparin and progesterone. In vitro fertilisation results demonstrated that previously cryopreserved bull spermatozoa could be capacitated in chemically defined conditions devoid of heparin or other biological components.
The Process of Developing a Competency-Based Academic Curriculum in Tourism Management

Many tourism academic programs have adopted a competency-based approach in curriculum design to be used in program evaluation. To date, there is significant research on how to identify core and concentration competencies, but there is a lack of investigation into the process of linking competencies to student-learning outcomes or to assessment methods. This study explores the process of creating a competency-based curriculum and suggests a structured procedure for assessing learning outcomes. Detailed steps taken in development of a competency-based curriculum model will be described as will how this process can be used by tourism or other discipline programs.
In vivo, fliC expression by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is heterogeneous, regulated by ClpX, and anatomically restricted.

Summary FliC is a natural antigen recognized by the innate and adaptive immune systems during Salmonella infection in mice and humans; however, the regulatory mechanisms governing its expression in vivo are incompletely understood. Here, we use flow cytometry to quantify fliC gene expression in single bacteria. In vitro, fliC transcription was not uniformly positive; a viable fliC-negative subpopulation was also identified. Intracellular Salmonella repressed transcription of fliC and its positive regulator fliA, but constitutively transcribed the master regulator flhD; fliC repression required ClpXP protease, known to degrade FlhD. In orally infected mice, fliC transcription was anatomically restricted: Salmonella transcribed fliC in the Peyer's Patches (PP) but not in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen. The intracellularly transcribed pagC promoter was upregulated by Salmonella in all tissues, defining the infected PP as a unique environment that initiates expression of intracellularly induced genes and yet permits transcription of fliC. Because a single bacterium can escape the GI tract to colonize deeper tissues, heterogeneous gene expression may have important implications for Salmonella pathogenesis: FliC-positive bacteria in the PP could stimulate inflammation and facilitate the priming of FliC-specific immune responses, while FliC-negative bacteria escape host detection in the gut and spread to systemic sites of replication.
Infrared spectra of some isotopomers of ethylamine and the ethylammonium ion: a theoretical study

Abstract The normal mode frequencies of some isotopomers of trans and gauche ethylamine and the ethylammonium ion are examined theoretically using the GAUSSIAN 94 set of quantum chemistry codes at the MP2 level of theory using a 6-311G** basis set. In particular deuteration of the NH2 and NH+3 hydrogen atoms, as well as the deuteration of the CH2 hydrogen atoms, the CH3 hydrogen atoms, and total deuteration of the ethylamine and ethylammonium ion are examined. The trans conformer of the ethylamine is found to be energetically more stable by 1.16 kJ mol−1. At 25°C the Gibbs free energy change ΔGo for the trans→gauche equilibrium is 1.07 kJ mol−1, but because there are two equivalent gauche conformers the relative population of gauche:trans is 1.30. Correction factors for predominant vibrational motions at each level of theory are reported and compared for the eight molecular species for trans and gauche ethylamine and the ethylammonium ion that are considered.
Large-scale flow in turbulent convection: a mathematical model

A mathematical model of convection, obtained by truncation from the two-dimensional Boussinesq equations, is shown to exhibit a bifurcation from symmetrical cells to tilted non-symmetrical ones. A subsequent bifurcation leads to time-dependent flow with similarly tilted transient plumes and a large-scale Lagrangian mean flow. This change of symmetry is similar to that occurring with the advent of a large-scale flow and transient tilted plumes seen in laboratory experiments on turbulent convection at high Rayleigh number. Though not intended as a description of turbulent convection, the model does bring out in a theoretically tractable context the possibility of the spontaneous change of symmetry suggested by the experiments.Further bifurcations of the model lead to stable chaotic phenomena as well. These are numerically found to occur in association with heteroclinic orbits. Some mathematical results clarifying this association are also presented.
The EOS Prototype Validation Exercise (PROVE) at Jornada: Overview and Lessons Learned

The Earth Observing System (EOS) instrument teams must validate the operational products they produce from the Terra spacecraft data. As a pilot for future validation activities, four EOS teams (MODIS, MISR, ASTER, and Landsat-7) and community experts conducted an 11-day field campaign in May 1997 near Las Cruces, NM. The goals of the Prototype Validation Exercise (PROVE) included (1) gaining experience in the collection and use of field data for EOS product validation; (2) developing coordination, measurement, and data-archiving protocols; and (3) compiling a synoptic land and atmospheric data set for testing algorithms. PROVE was held at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Jornada Experimental Range, an expansive desert plateau hosting a complex mosaic of grasses and shrubs. Most macroscopic variables affecting the radiation environment were measured with ground, air-borne (including AVIRIS and laser altimeter), and space-borne sensors (including AVHRR, Landsat TM, SPOT, POLDER, and GOES). The Oak Ridge Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) then used campaign data sets to prototype Mercury, its Internet-based data harvesting and distribution system. This article provides general information about PROVE and assesses the progress made toward the campaign goals. Primary successes included the rapid campaign formulation and execution, measurement protocol development, and the significant collection, reduction, and sharing of data among participants. However, the PROVE data were used primarily for arid-land research and model validation rather than for validating satellite products, and the data were slow to reach the DAAC and hence public domain. The lessons learned included: (1) validation campaigns can be rapidly organized and implemented if there are focused objectives and on-site facilities and expertise; (2) data needs, organization, storage, and access issues must be addressed at the onset of campaign planning; and (3) the end-to-end data collection, release, and publication environment may need to be readdressed by program managers, funding agencies, and journal editors if rapid and comprehensive validation of operational satellite products is to occur.
On the difference of two sums of independent generalized gamma random variables with applications to error performance analysis and outage probability evaluation

The difference D of two sums of independent generalized gamma random variables is considered. The cumulative distribution function F/sub D/(x) of D could be obtained directly from its PDF. Of particular interest to us is the value of F/sub D/ (0) which could be used to derive the error probability and outage probability of a communication system. In the error probability analysis for a variety of communication systems, the probability of error is given by P[D /spl les/ 0], where D is the decision variable which is a Hermitian quadratic form in complex-valued Gaussian random variables. As another application, we consider a cellular mobile radio system in which the desired and interfering signals are received over independent slowly-varying generalized gamma fading paths and the desired signal is independent of the interfering signals. The outage probability is defined as the probability that the carrier-to-interference power ratio falls below a predetermined threshold. The received desired or interfering signals need not be identically distributed and are not limited to be Rayleigh, Ricean, or Nakagami distributed; rather, each is allowed to be generalized gamma distributed.
On the transient temperatures of ectotherms

Abstract Studies of the heating and cooling rates of ectotherms usually report only a time contant for temperature change. This implies that the transient temperatures of ectotherms behave like a first-order physical system. However, the transient temperatures of ectotherms may behave more like an overdamped second-order system. Reporting only a single time constant ignores half of the information in a temperature transient, and severely limits the predictive power of the results gathered to date.
Public Self-Consciousness, Social Anxiety, and Variability of Social Behavior:

Social anxiety and public self-consciousness are compared as predictors of variability of social behavior by 242 subjects tested prior to entering college. Social anxiety is the stronger of the two...
Improving Academic Self-Efficacy, School Connectedness, and Identity in Struggling Middle School Girls: A Preliminary Study of the "REAL Girls" Program.

Girls struggling to be successful in middle school are often dealing with negative life experiences that affect their ability to achieve academically. Frequently, their academic failures and problem behaviors are associated with feeling overwhelmed by difficult and challenging life circumstances. In the absence of intervention, these patterns may contribute to girls chronically underperforming in school, dropping out of school, and becoming involved in delinquent and high-risk behaviors. This article describes a quasi-experimental, mixed-methods study of the REAL Girls program. REAL Girls was designed to help struggling middle school girls develop resilience--particularly academic self-efficacy, school connectedness, and identity--and achieve successful outcomes in school and life. In this study, using a crossover design, 48 girls identified as experiencing academic failure, school behavior problems, or truancy participated in one of two implementations of this 3-day intervention. Findings based on both quantitative and qualitative data suggest that REAL Girls contributed to positive increases in academic self-efficacy, school connectedness, and identity. Repeated measures analysis of variance and paired t tests suggest significant increases in each outcome variable, both immediately after program delivery and 2 weeks later, and effect size estimates suggest moderate to large program impact. Focus groups conducted 90 days after implementation of the program confirmed the quantitative findings and support the efficacy of the REAL Girls program and approach.
Transcatheter Embolization versus Vasopressin Infusion for the Control of Arteriocapillary Gastrointestinal Bleeding

The transcatheter method appropriate for use in the control of arteriocapillary gastrointestinal bleeding is a point of controversy. Intraarterial vasopressin infusion, which has been performed in more than 500 patients at the Massachusetts General Hospital, has achieved control in 90% of patients actively bleeding from the stomaclj and coloi . In view of the severity of hemorrhage and associated illnesses in these patients, the complication rate associated with this method was low. Intraarterial vasopressin infusions were ineffective in pyloroduodenal and postoperative bleeding sites and hemorrhage from abscesses. While embolization can control bleeding in these areas, complications have been shown despite precise selective catheter placement. Because of catheterization difficulties and the permanency of the vascular occlusion, embolization is reserved for patients in whom surgical intervention would be associated with extreme risks.
A census-based design for the recruitment of a community sample of older adults: efficacy and costs.

Abstract PURPOSE: This is a report of the scientific and cost implications of a census-based design to identify residents aged 55 and over for a community study of the effects of aging on physical function. METHODS: A census of residents in a study community was conducted by the use of a mailed questionnaire. For households that did not complete and return the mailed census questionnaire, contact was attempted first by telephone and then by home visit. A comparison was made of the unit costs and characteristics of subjects identified by the different methods. RESULTS: A total of 3509 age-eligible subjects were identified (78.3% by mailer, 19.5% by telephone, and 2.0% by home visit). Costs per enrolled age-eligible subject were lower for mailing and telephone ($7.76 and $4.72 respectively) than for home visit ($36.25). Subjects identified by home visit were significantly younger than subjects identified either by mail or telephone. After adjustment for age, subjects identified by telephone had less education and income and poorer health and functional status than subjects identified by mail. With the exception of age, there were no significant differences between subjects identified by mailer and home visit. CONCLUSIONS: A mailed questionnaire with telephone recontact is a practical strategy for community-based recruitment. Recontact of subjects by telephone can be expected to identify subjects who are not well-represented in a sample based only on a mailer. In contrast, the home visit is expensive and identifies subjects who do not differ meaningfully from those identified by mailer.
Theory of Enhanced Reversed Shear Mode in Tokamaks

It is shown that toroidal magnetic fleld ripple induced particle ∞ux can drive poloidal E£B speed to bifurcate over the local maximum of the nonlinear poloidal (or parallel) viscosity. Here,E is the electric fleld andB is the magnetic fleld. This mechansim, together with the turbulence suppression due to the radial gradient of the E£B and diamagnetic angular velocity, is employed to explain enhanced reversed shear mode observed in the core region of tokamaks.
The Importance Of The Control Environment: Expense Account Fraud At Blue Grass Airport

COSO’s Internal Control Framework discusses the components of internal control and how the control environment is the most important component. This paper analyzes how a non-existent control environment led to a massive expense account fraud at a regional airport. This fraud eventually led to the resignation and prosecution of the airport’s top four executives. The paper discusses the findings of the State Auditor’s investigation and outlines the red flags that should have been obvious to the external auditors. The paper concludes by discussing the changes made to the airport’s internal controls in the aftermath of the fraud.
Surface Solar Irradiance in the Central Pacific during Tropic Heat: Comparisons between in Situ Measurements and Satellite Estimates

Abstract We present the first results concerning solar radiation at the ocean surface during the Tropic Heat experiment. Using calibrated GOES visible brightness measurements, a simple radiative transfer model calculates hourly and daily surface solar irradiance values. To validate the satellite-estimated solar irradiance, surface solar irradiance measurements are taken from three sources; the Tropic Heat buoy 3, the R/V Weeama, and the small tropical Pacific island of Hiva Oa. The comparison with the limited set of ocean measurements demonstrates that the method's accuracy is about 12 W m−2 on a daily (for the range of observed values: 240 to 310 W m−2), which meets the requirements of the TOGA program. These results, however, am not yet statistically significant. In comparing model estimates to island data, both satellite observations and measurements indicate that the island's topography influences the oceanic environment by causing local, daily arographic cloud formation over the island's highest moun...
Genetic analysis of extracellular toxins of Staphylococcus aureus.

Review article: 1) Epidermolytic toxins; 2) Enterotoxins. 3) Membrane-damaging toxins; 4) Other toxins; 5) Regulation
Public smoking bans are good for the heart.

In this time of health care reform debate in the U.S., it is fashionable to focus on what is wrong. Unmentioned is arguably the most important health triumph in the past 50 years: the steep decrease in deaths from cardiovascular disease ([1–3][1]). Between 1950 and 2005, the age-adjusted, all-age
Altered Neural Processing to Social Exclusion in Young Adult Marijuana Users

Previous studies have reported that peer groups are one of the most important predictors of adolescent and young adult marijuana use, and yet the neural correlates of social processing in marijuana users have not yet been studied. In the current study, marijuana-using young adults (n = 20) and non-using controls (n = 22) participated in a neuroimaging social exclusion task called Cyberball, a computerized ball-tossing game in which the participant is excluded from the game after a pre-determined number of ball tosses. Controls, but not marijuana users, demonstrated significant activation in the insula, a region associated with negative emotion, when being excluded from the game. Both groups demonstrated activation of the ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC), a region associated with affective monitoring, during peer exclusion. Only the marijuana group showed a correlation between vACC activation and scores on a self-report measure of peer conformity. This study indicates that marijuana users show atypical neural processing of social exclusion, which may be either caused by, or the result of, regular marijuana use.
Statistical methods in food research.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses statistical design and techniques in the light of their use in food research; to point out the applications that are considered to be especially effective; to suggest additional techniques that enhance the value of the research; and to explore fields in which further research is needed. The chapter presents examples of some of the statistical techniques commonly employed in food research and comments on the fundamental concepts and outlines briefly the methods of calculation. Other statistical quantities and terms that the researcher encounters are introduced in the development of the discussions. To illustrate the way in which some of the quantities are used, two cases have been considered: a normal distribution and an asymmetric distribution. Analysis of variance is, perhaps, the most powerful statistical technique available to the research worker in view of its wide applicability and ease of application. Therefore, the chapter discusses not only the mechanics of this technique but also the type of problem to which it has legitimately been applied. It discusses two regression techniques: linear regression and nonlinear regression. Another technique that can often be used to advantage by food research workers is known as analysis of covariance. Essentially, this technique is an extension of analysis of variance methods to include cases where measurements are obtained on two or more characteristics from each experimental unit. There are other statistical techniques in addition to those presented in the chapter that can be used to advantage by the food research worker. Many of these are concerned with enumeration data and others are recently developed methods for dealing with measurement data. One application of statistics which is used only infrequently in the food industry is statistical quality control of production processes.
Publication trends and impact factors in the Medical Informatics literature.

We survey the “evolution” of the field of Medical Informatics by describing trends in volume (quantity) of Medical Informatics-indexed publications, identifying major journals of publication and their focus areas and presenting trends in impact factor scores during the 1994–2003 period. Changes in total impact-scores suggest an increasing trend of publication in journals of higher impact.