cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular properties of Streptococcus thermophilus plasmid pER35 encoding a restriction modification system

Bacteriophage attack on lactic fermentation bacteria (LFB) is costly to the dairy industry because it results in product loss. One mechanism used by LFB to protect themselves from bacteriophage attack is restriction of foreign DNA. Three plasmids, pER16, pER35, and pER36, from three different strains of the thermotolerant dairy fermentation bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus were sequenced. One of these plasmids, pER35, isolated from S. thermophilus ST135, encoded a type IC restriction-modification (R-M) system very similar to those encoded on plasmids pIL2614 in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and pND861 in Lactococcus lactis biovar diacetylactis. The high degree of identity between the R-M systems encoded on pER35, pIL2614, and pND861 indicated the potential for horizontal transfer of these genes between different species of lactic fermentation bacteria. Similar to the functional R-M system encoded on pIL2614 that protects the mesophilic L. lactis subsp. lactis against phage attack, the R-M system on pER35 most likely functions in the same role in S. thermophilus ST135. The plasmid pER16 was found to encode the specificity subunit of the R-M system, but not the R or M subunits. In addition, all three plasmids encoded proteins that are present on other S. thermophilus plasmids, including a protein for rolling-circle replication (RepA) and a low-molecular-weight stress protein (Hsp). The presence of a complete R-M system encoded on a plasmid in S. thermophilus, a species that often lacks plasmids, is novel and may be beneficial for protecting S. thermophilus from bacteriophage attack under dairy fermentation conditions.
On rootkit and malware detection in smartphones

Dramatic increase in smartphone sales and third-party applications that users can download has significantly increased the possibility of rootkits and malware targeted for smartphones. This paper discusses the current state of research in detection and mitigation of propagation of malicious code, such as viruses, malware and even rootkits in smartphones. A new strategy is introduced that offers a solution to efficiently detect the presence of rootkits and mal-ware in smartphones. A preliminary prototype based on this strategy has been built for the android dev phone. The paper discusses the design, implementation and preliminary performance of this prototype.
The kinetics of aggregation of poly-glutamic acid based polypeptides

The aggregation of two negatively-charged polypeptides, poly-L-glutamic acid (PE) and a copolymer of poly-glutamic acid and poly-alanine (PEA), has been studied at different peptide and salt concentrations and solution pH conditions. The kinetics of aggregation were based on Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence measurements. The observed lag phase shortened and the aggregation was faster as the pH approached the polypeptides' isoelectric points. While the initial polypeptide structures of PE and PEA appeared identical as determined from circular dichroism spectroscopy, the final aggregate morphology differed; PE assumed large twisted lamellar structures and the PEA formed typical amyloid-like fibrils, although both contained extensive beta-sheet structure. Differences in aggregation behavior were observed for the two polypeptides as a function of salt concentration; aggregation progressed more slowly for PE and more quickly for PEA with increasing salt concentration. Several models of aggregation kinetics were fit to the data. No model yielded consistent rate constants or a critical nucleus size. A modified nucleated polymerization model was developed based on that of Powers and Powers [E.T. Powers, D.L. Powers, The kinetics of nucleated polymerizations at high concentrations: Amyloid fibril formation near and above the "supercritical concentration", Biophys. J. 91 (2006) 122-132], which incorporated the ability of oligomeric species to interact. This provided a best fit to the experimental data.
Measurement of the extent of electron transfer to the bacteriopheophytin in the M-subunit in reaction centers of Rhodopseudomonas viridis

A remarkable feature of the Rhodopseudomonas viridis (1) and Rhodobacter sphaeroides (3–4) reaction centers is that in spite of the structural symmetry, the primary light-initiated electron transfer appears to involve only one set of chromophores*. This photochemical asymmetry is most clearly demonstrated by the two bacteriopheophytins. Only HL is detected to be reduced in transient P+H- states at low temperature (5,6). The absence of detectable formation of HM - in transient states suggests that the ratio of the electron transfer rates from the excited singlet P to each bacteriopheophytin, kL/kM, must exceed 10. The electron transfer time for P* → HL reaction has been measured to be about 1 ps at 90 K (9). This suggests that the electron transfer time to HM must exceed 10 ps.
Thermal performance of a variable capacity direct expansion solar-assisted heat pump

A variable capacity direct expansion solar-assisted heat pump system is developed and operated for domestic hot water application. The proposed system employs a bare solar collector which also acts as the system evaporator. A variable frequency drive modulates the compressor speed to maintain a proper matching between the heat pumping capacity of the compressor and the evaporative capacity of the collector under widely varying ambient conditions. Experimental results indicate that the coefficient of performance of the system can be improved significantly by lowering the compressor speed as ambient temperature rises from winter to summer months. Experimentally measured system COPH and water side heat capacity rate are also in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
A Modified Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale for Use in Long-Term Care Settings

ABSTRACT Terminology in the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale of DSM-IV often is irrelevant to the realities of nursing homes, assisted living centers, and similar facilities in which residents encounter stressors that are unique to their living environment and circumstances. As the mental health needs of long-term care residents are increasingly recognized and addressed, the need for population-congruent assessment becomes more desirable as well. This article suggests revisions to the current GAF that more accurately reflect psychological and social concerns common to the long-term care population. Several indications for the use of the revised scale are also offered.
The metastable dissociation of C3H8+ at long times in a tandem ICR mass spectrometer

Abstract A new technique for the observation of metastable decompositions is applied to the propane molecular ion, C3H8+. The technique involves the use of a tandem mass spectrometer consisting of a magnetic analyzer first stage and an ion cyclotron resonance second stage. A mass selected ion beam is injected into the ICR cavity several microseconds after formation and subsequent decomposition of the ion is followed over a period of about four milliseconds. This results in large metastable intensities for unimolecular rate constants between 102 and 105 s−1. Metastable processes producing C3H7+, C3H6+ and C2H4+ were detected as competing decomposition paths for C3H8+. The product intensities are consistent with those reported from previous studies at much shorter observation times and demonstrate that considerable decomposition occurs throughout the observation period of several milliseconds.
The relationship of added nitrate to pigment formation in native pork-sausage (longaniza)

Abstract The nitrosomyoglobin, residual nitrate and nitrite concentrations of the native pork-sausage (longaniza) were analysed within a ten-day storage period. Several levels of nitrate (50, 100, 300, 500 and 2000, 3500 and 5000 ppm) were employed. These were examined to determine the minimum amount of nitrate that could be added to the curing mixture for the making of longaniza whilst still obtaining acceptable organoleptic properties, especially colour. Pigment formation in longaniza due to the added nitrate occurs from the onset and reaches its maximum on the third or fourth day. The desirable pink to red colour in the cured meat was obtained even with amounts of nitrate as low as 50 ppm. All treated longaniza showed high and similar colour scores compared with the control. However, higher colour stability was obtained with the use of greater than 500 ppm nitrate. The amount of residual nitrate and nitrite is directly proportional to the initial quantity of nitrate added. The use of 50 to 500 ppm nitrate poses no danger to public health while the use of 2000 to 5000 ppm nitrate enhances the possibility of carcinogenic nitrosamine formation and incidence of methemoglobinemia.
Black adolescents seeking prenatal care

This paper reports findings of a recent study regarding Black adolescents' participation in a prenatal care supportive program. The findings provide descriptive information regarding the participants' characteristics, their participation in and perceptions of the program, their support systems, and their plans and aspirations. Implications for social work practice and research are presented.
Fundamental studies in the ICP using a sinusoidally modulated power input

The power input into an inductively coupled plasma has been modulated over the frequency range of 200 to 400 Hz. It was found that the plasma exhibits a nonlinear response to changes in power. In addition, the maximum excitation temperature is correlated to the peak of the modulation waveform, whereas the fluorescence intensity and therefore species number density is related to the valley of the modulation. The measured delays are a function of observation height and studied analyte but are frequency independent. Gas dynamics, energy transfer, or sample decomposition rates are suggested to be responsible for the delays.
Understanding embodied visual attention in child-parent interaction

A key component of the human visual system is our attentional control - the selection of which visual stimuli to pay attention to at any moment in time. Understanding visual attention in children could yield new insight into how the visual system develops during formative years and how their visual attention and selection play a role in development and learning. We use head-mounted cameras to record first-person video from interacting children and parents, giving a good approximation of the contents of their visual fields of view, and collect gaze direction data to record where they look within the visual field. We data-mine this data to study the distributions of gaze patterns within the first-person visual frame for both children and adults. We also study the ability of visual saliency to predict visual attention, as a function of the tasks, actions, and interactions that the participants perform. We find significant differences in the results between children and parents, indicating substantial differences in how their bodily actions are coupled with their visual attention between developing (child) and developed (adult) visual systems.
An anti‐essentialist view of the emotions

Abstract Emotions normally include elements of feeling, motivation, and also intentionality; but the argument of this essay is that there can be emotion without feeling, emotion without corresponding motivation, and emotion without an intentional relation to an object such that the emotion is (among other things) a belief about or construal of it. Many recent writers have claimed that some form of intentionality is essential to emotion, and then have created lines of defence for this thesis. Thus, what look like troublesome cases of emotions can be regarded as having a global intentionality or as being “mood‐like”. Alternatively surges of non‐intentional joy or ecstasy can be regarded as merely feelings rather than as emotions, and what people experience in response to absolute music can be treated similarly. A clear view of how we normally talk about moods, emotions, and feelings however undermines these defences; and in particular we can understand the role of emotions in relation to absolute music once...
The effects of whole body vibration and exercise on fibrinolysis in men

Whole body vibration (WBV) is a novel modality that has been demonstrated to enhance muscular and cardiovascular functions reported to increase fibrinolytic activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the fibrinolytic response to WBV and exercise in men. Twenty healthy males (23.8 ± 0.9 years, 25.6 ± 0.2 kg m−2) participated in the study. Each subject performed three trials in randomized order separated by 1 week: exercise (X), vibration (V) and vibration + exercise (VX). Exercise sessions consisted of 15 min of unloaded squatting at a rate of 20 per minute. Vibration sessions were conducted on a WBV platform vibrating for 15 min. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) were assessed at baseline and immediately after each condition. The increase in tPA activity was significantly greater in VX (0.87 ± 0.35 to 3.21 ± 1.06 IU ml−1) compared to X (0.71 ± 0.36 to 2.4 ± 1.13 IU ml−1) or V (0.83 ± 0.25 to 1.00 ± 0.37 IU ml−1) conditions, and greater in the X condition compared to the V condition. PAI-1 activity decreased significantly more in the VX (6.54 ± 5.53 to 4.89 ± 4.13 IU ml−1) and X (9.76 ± 8.19 to 7.48 ± 7.11 IU ml−1) conditions compared to the V (5.68 ± 3.53 to 5.84 ± 3.52 IU ml−1) condition. WBV does not augment fibrinolytic activity in healthy men. However, WBV combined with squatting exercise increases fibrinolytic activity more than exercise alone.
OA02.02. Effect of MBSR and psychological state on inflammatory markers in HIV positive adults

Author(s): Weston, E; Moran, P; Acree, M; Moskowitz, J; Kemeny, M; Elissa, E; Bacchetti, P; Barrows, K; Deeks, S; Hecht, F
The Diminishing Scope Of The Exclusionary Rule

The exclusionary rule has been the focus of controversy since the United States Supreme Court's decision in Mapp v. Ohio. Over the years the Supreme Court has narrowed both the scope and the applicability of the exclusionary rule in an effort to find an acceptable balance between the deterrence of police misconduct and needs of the law enforcement. However, examination of recent decisions reveals that controversy over the exclusionary rule has not abated. Thus, while the exclusionary has not been abandoned, the future contours of the rule remain uncertain.
Chromosomal abnormalities in undescended testes.

Abstract There is a high incidence of chromosomal abnormalities found in undescended testes. Five of seven patients with unilateral undescended testes had abnormal testicular chromosomes and normal blood chromosomes. Four of six patients with bilateral undescended testes had abnormal testicular chromosomes with normal blood chromosomes. It is postulated that the demonstrated chromosomal abnormalities in these undescended testes is the prime mover in the failure of testes to descend and its increased proclivity to neoplastic degeneration.
A Computed example of nonuniqueness of mean curvature flow in R3

A family of surface (M{sub t}){sub t{element_of}R} in R{sup n} is said to be moving by mean curvature provided. Here H(x) is the mean curvature vector of M{sub t} at x. Is there a smooth hypersurface in some Euclidean space whose mean curvature flow admits nonuniqueness after the onset of singularities? In this note we present compelling numerical evidence for nonuniqueness starting from a certain smooth surface in R{sup 3}. In contrast to other references, we do not have a complete proof for our construction.
Primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the breast

Summary In primary lymphoma of the breast, apparent cure has been reported with simple excision of the lesion as well as with radical mastectomy and irradiation. The role of radiation therapy alone or as an adjuvant to surgery has yet to be determined. Long-term survival has been reported with late irradiation to distant sites. Chemotherapy has been used as palliative treatment. In primary reticulum cell sarcoma of the breast, the majority of the lesions grow rapidly and are usually seen in patients in general good health. Some are multiple discrete masses. Some patients have bilateral disease or it may later develop.
The Effect of a Model Demonstration During Debriefing on Students' Clinical Judgment, Self-confidence, and Satisfaction During a Simulated Learning Experience

Abstract Background Through debriefing, students reflect on their learning and performance during a simulation and accommodate new information into their existing knowledge base. Combining a videotaped model demonstration within a debriefing session provides an opportunity to enhance students' clinical, self-confidence, and satisfaction with the learning experience. Method Students participated in a simulation followed by either the usual structured debriefing or the usual structured debriefing that included a videotaped model demonstration of the simulation scenario. Students participated in a similar simulation 1 week later followed by the usual structured debriefing. Results The use of a model demonstration during debriefing was effective in developing clinical judgment and, to a lesser degree, self-confidence. Conclusions A model demonstration of a simulation scenario can be used to develop clinical judgment and possibly self-confidence during debriefing.
O-linked oligosaccharides of human articular cartilage proteoglycan

Abstract O -linked oligosaccharides and keratan sulphate chains have been isolated from the proteoglycan subunits of human articular cartilage. The oligosaccharides possessed a size and chemical composition similar to the equivalent moieties present in the proteoglycan submits of the Swarm rat chondrosarcoma. Futhermore, the size and chemical composition of th oligosaccharides showed little change with the age of the individual from whom the proteoglycan was obtained. In contrast, the keratan sulphate chains appeared to increase in chain lenght with increased age of the individual. The total number of keratan sulphate and oligosaccharide chains per core protien decreased with age, but it was not clear whether there was any change in the ration of the two components with respect to one another.
On the optimality of chemical balance weighing designs

Abstract In this paper we consider the problem of optimally weighing n objects with N weighings on a chemical balance. Several previously known results are generalized. In particular, the designs shown by Ehlich (1964a) and Payne (1974) to be D-optimal in various classes of weighing designs where N≡2 (mod4) are shown to be optimal with respect to any optimality criterion of Type I as defined in Cheng (1980). Several results on the E-optimality of weighing designs are also given.
High speed wire coating by withdrawal from a bath of viscoelastic liquid

Data are presented for the thickness H∞ of liquid coating entrained by continuous withdrawal at speed U of a wire of radius R from the free surface of a large bath. For Newtonian fluids of viscosity μ, density ρ and surface tension σ, the data are carried out to coating speeds beyond the applicability of current theories, to Capillary numbers of nearly one hundred. In the high speed range the data, which cover several orders of magnitude in viscosity, can be well represented by the equation for Uμ/σ = Nca > 3. All data presented are at an essentially constant Goucher number of 0.08, where NGo ≡ R(ρg/2σ)1/2. Data for viscoelastic fluids show phenomena quite distinct, qualitatively and quantitatively, from Newtonian observations. In particular, strongly elastic fluids show a markedly reduced ability to be entrained onto the wire. Further, the coating thickness appears to become independent of Capillary number at high speed.
Transport to a Rotating Disk in Turbulent Flow at High Prandtl or Schmidt Number

The eddy viscosity distribution near the surface of a rotating disk is determined from an analysis of the basic conservation equations. The results are applied to the high Schmidt number problem and good agreement is obtained with experimental data for the mass flux.
Immunoreactive keratin with foreign body reaction in anencephaly

Keratinous material, in the form of epithelial squames often with foreign body reaction and dense gliosis, was demonstrated in all of ten cases of anencephaly by a sensitive and specific immunohistochemical stain. In some cases keratin was not recognized on routine histological stains.
Sirolimus reduces the risk of significant hepatic fibrosis after liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus: a single-center experience.

Abstract Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence following orthotopic liver transplantation is an expected outcome in all patients transplanted for a primary diagnosis of HCV. HCV recurrence has been shown to be associated with graft fibrosis and graft loss. Recent studies suggest that sirolimus (SRL) therapy may slow or inhibit hepatic fibrosis following liver transplant in patients positive for HCV at the time of transplant. Methods Among 313 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation for HCV between 2000 and 2009, 251 qualified for inclusion in the study. Per protocol liver biopsies were performed on all patients at 1 year following liver transplantation and/or at the time of a clinical diagnosis of HCV recurrence. Biopsies were scored for fibrosis using the Batts-Ludwig staging system (0–4); significant fibrosis was defined as fibrosis ≥ stage 2. Results Overall, there was no difference in overall survival or graft loss in the SRL compared with the control group. Multivariate analysis revealed SRL therapy to be associated with decreased odds of significant hepatic fibrosis at year 1 postoperatively and over the study duration. Conclusions This retrospective, single-center study showed sirolimus-based immunosuppression to be associated with a lower risk of significant graft fibrosis, both at year 1 and throughout the study period, following liver transplantation in HCV-infected recipients.
Front stability in mean-field models of diffusion-limited growth.

We present calculations of the stability of planar fronts in two mean-field models of diffusion-limited growth. The steady state solution for the front can exist for a continuous family of velocities, and we show that the selected velocity is given by marginal stability theory. We find that a naive mean-field theory has no instability to transverse perturbations, while a threshold mean-field theory has a Mullins-Sekerka instability. These results place on firm theoretical ground the observed lack of the dendritic morphology in naive mean-field theory and its presence in threshold models. The existence of a Mullins-Sekerka instability is related to the behavior of the mean-field theories in the zero-undercooling limit. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Which parts of the face give out your identity

We present a Markov Random Field model for the analysis of lattices (e.g., images or 3D meshes) in terms of the discriminative information of their vertices. The proposed method provides a measure field that estimates the probability of each vertex to be “discriminative” or “non-discriminative”. As an application of the proposed framework, we present a method for the selection of compact and robust features for 3D face recognition. The resulting signature consists of 360 coefficients, based on which we are able to build a classifier yielding better recognition rates than currently reported in the literature. The main contribution of this work lies in the development of a novel framework for feature selection in scenarios in which the most discriminative information is known to be concentrated along piece-wise smooth regions of a lattice.
Motor Vehicle Deaths Among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations

In the United States, the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population has the highest motor vehicle death rate, which is significantly greater than that of any other race or ethnic group. To better understand why this significant disparity exists and how to eliminate it, the authors conducted a systematic review of the published scientific literature. Included studies were published between January 1, 1990, and January 31, 2011, and identified risk factors, or implemented and tested interventions, targeting motor vehicle deaths among the AI/AN population. Only 14 papers met the study's inclusion criteria. Most of the epidemiologic studies explored alcohol use as a risk factor for deaths of both motor vehicle occupants and pedestrians; few studies addressed risk factors specifically for pedestrians. All of the intervention studies focused on mitigating risks for motor vehicle occupants. On the basis of the authors' review, injury prevention interventions that are multifaceted and involve partnerships to change policy, the environment, and individual behavior can effectively mitigate motor-vehicle-related deaths among AI/ANs. Priority should be given to implementing interventions that address pedestrian safety and to sound investment in the states with the highest AI/AN motor vehicle death rates because reducing their burden can dramatically reduce the overall disparity. Language: en
On fast recursive algorithms for V-BLAST with optimal ordered SIC detection

A fast recursive algorithm for the vertical Bell Laboratories layered space-time (V-BLAST) with the optimal ordered successive interference cancellation (SIC) detection has been proposed by Benesty-Huang-Chen and two improved algorithms have been also recently introduced by Szczecinski-Massicotte and Zhu-Lei-Chin independently. In this letter, our first contribution is to incorporate the existing improvements into the original fast recursive algorithm to provide the fastest known algorithm for the optimal ordered SIC detection of V-BLAST. Subsequently, we propose two new algorithms that result from one further improvement for the fast recursive algorithm. Compared with the fastest known algorithm built from the existing improvements, one new proposed algorithm has a speedup of 1.3 times in both the number of multiplications and the number of additions, and the other new proposed algorithm requires less intermediate variables and saves memories.
Misdirected Backlash: The Evolving Nature of Academia and the Status of Women in Political Science

cussed by the boys in private than in print. After all, it is not good for one's image to appear to oppose gender concerns" (1998, 57). There are a number of hypotheses as to the origins of this backlash as it pertains to academia. These include perceptions of a decline in academic standards brought about by affirmative action hiring practices (Allen 1997), uneasiness due to the shifting relationship overall between men and women, reactions against sexual harassment lawsuits, and apprehensions that feminist work threatens male academics in a personal way (Smith 1998). Meredith Reid Sarkees is professor and chair of the department of political science at Niagara University. She re-
Optimization of Alkali, Switchgrass, and Extruder Parameters for Maximum Sugar Recovery

The US Department of Energy wants to replace 30 % of transportation fossil fuel with biofuel by 2025. A viable biomass pretreatment method might be found through extrusion. Extrusion pretreatments show a significant improvement on sugar recovery from different biomass feedstocks. However, glucose and combined sugar recovery from extrusion pretreated switchgrass was less than 50 %. Extrusion combined with other pretreatment methods could improve sugar recovery from switchgrass. Low-concentration alkali acts as delignification agent without degrading the carbohydrates. In order to evaluate the combined effect of alkali soaking and extrusion, switchgrass samples of different particle sizes were soaked at different alkali concentrations for 30 min at room temperature and then extruded, using a lab-scale single screw extruder at various barrel temperatures and screw speeds. Statistical analyses confirmed that all the independent variables considered had significant effect on sugar recoveries. The optimum pretreatment conditions resulted in a maximum combined sugar recovery of 88 %.
Supporting dynamic information visualization with VRML and databases

Nowadays, many state-of-the-art user interfaces to complexly structured data collections require appropriate information visualization methods. With the increase in graphics performance available on client systems, methods for three-dimensional visualization can be applied more easily. The conceptual approach presented in this paper dynamically generates threedimensional VRML scenes from information stored in database systems. To achieve this, VRML is extended with new nodes for supporting the server side generation of VRML scenes and for supporting trigger mechanisms. An implementation of the introduced concept is introduced by means of an object relational database system which is extended with a new VRML data type and its related functions. Altogether, these concepts and software components provide a platform for server-based information visualization mechanisms.
A Case of Spontaneous Bladder Rupture Mimicking Diabetic Nephropathy in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Spontaneous rupture of the urinary bladder is a rare clinical entity, with the incidence reported as 1 in 126,000 hospital admissions. It is often associated with malignancy, inflammatory lesions, irradiation, calculus, diverticulum, binge alcohol drinking, continuous bladder irrigation, and neurogenic bladder. In rare instances, bladder rupture occurs without obvious causes. This rare clinical condition is difficult to diagnose because of vague symptoms. High index of suspicion is needed as the mortality rate is high if untreated. A 37-year-old woman with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, was admitted to the emergency room complaining of progressive abdominal distension and discomfort. She had a past history of tubo-ovarian and bladder abscess, and had undergone multiple surgical operations. From ascites fluid study, she was diagnosed as spontaneous bladder rupture. A transurethral catheter was inserted and the symptoms and signs resolved. Bladder rupture, mimicking acute kidney injury of diabetic nephropathy was disclosed without surgery.
The Changing Relationship Between Labor and the State in Contemporary Capitalism

Over the course of the past quarter century, paralleling the decline of organized labor, there has been a marked increase in the role of the state in the industrial relations of advanced capitalist...
Workstyle As a Predictor of Pain and Restricted Work Associated With Upper Extremity Disorders: A Prospective Study

Purpose A patient's reaction to a perceived increase in work demand may be related to his or her upper limb symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a brief measure of a patient's perception of how they respond to perceived increases in demands at work predicts pain levels and work status 6 months after an initial consultation with a hand surgeon. Methods Working patients with diverse upper extremity diagnoses completed a measure of response to job stress at their first clinic visit and were followed for 6 months during their prescribed treatment course. Controlling for age, gender, job type, diagnosis, patient perceptions of work-relatedness, baseline pain, grip strength, and treatment (surgery vs no surgery) analyses were conducted to determine whether self-reported response to perceived job stress was associated with pain and work status 6 months after the initial consultation. Results Higher scores on the patient-reported job stress measure predicted higher levels of pain at 6 months. The measure was also a modest but significant predictor of work status at 6 months. Conclusions Evaluation of a working patient's self-reported cognitive and behavioral response to perceived increases in work demands, or what has been referred to as workstyle , predicts subsequent levels of upper extremity pain and work status. Generalization to other practice settings requires further study. This measure provides a brief evaluation of reaction to job stress that can be an important factor in certain patients with upper extremity symptoms. Future controlled studies addressing this aspect of the clinical picture are indicated. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic IV.
The Home-Sale Exclusion: A Proposal Targeted at Eliminating Speculation

Homeownership has long been considered an integral part of the American Dream, and the Internal Revenue Code certainly treats homeowners with preference.2 The government has generally encouraged homeownership over the past eighty years.3 From 1999 to 2005, the rate of homeownership increased from 66.8% to over 69%, an all-time high.4 After the dramatic rise in home prices and subsequent burst of the housing bubble, which resulted in roughly four million foreclosures across the nation and precipitated the worst recession since the Great Depression, it is clear that the efficacy of homeownership promotion has its limits.5
Anomalous connection of the left upper pulmonary vein to the vertical vein: an uncommon diagnosis unveiled by suprasternal notch imaging

A 34-year-old man came to our adult congenital heart disease centre after duplicate superior vena cava (SVC) was incidentally found on chest computed tomography performed for testicular leiomyosarcoma staging. He was asymptomatic. Examination revealed a grade 1/6 ejection murmur at the left upper sternal border. Electrocardiogram and chest X-ray were normal. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a dilated right atrium (area …
Multiplex and multichannel detection of near-infrared Raman scattering

The last five years have seen the rapid development and utilization of Raman Spectroscopy done with near infrared iasersL23. The major advantage of working in this spectral region is the almost total elimination fluorescence background problems normally encountered in Raman experiments utilizing visible excitation. There is, however a price to be paid. Since the Raman scattering cross-section follows a n4 law, the intensity of the Raman effect in the near infrared is approximately twenty times weaker than in the visible. This fact, coupled with the absence of good, shot noise limited detectors in the near infrared, dictates that spectral sensitivity will be low. In order to compensate for this loss in sensitivity, the obvious approach was to use a multiplexing spectrometer such as a Michelson interferometer. The performance of such a system proved to be superior to that possible using dispersive, single channel methods in the near infrared. The recent introduction of multichannel detectors, with sensitivities at wavelengths beyond one micron has changed this situation
Green's function for the harmonic potential of the three-dimensional wedge transmission problem

The point-source static potential in a wedge geometry consisting of two homogeneous media is solved via the Kontorovich-Lebedev and Fourier transforms. Inverse transforms enable the solution of Laplace's equation to be expressed in terms of image contributions plus residue sums (Fourier series) of toroidal functions. As in previous wave equation solutions for isovelocity wedges, explicit expressions for the poles that are the site of the residues are exploited when the wedge angle is a rational multiple of /spl pi/.
Efficient checkpointing of java software using context-sensitive capture and replay

Checkpointing and replaying is an attractive technique that has been used widely at the operating/runtime system level to provide fault tolerance. Applying such a technique at the application level can benefit a range of software engineering tasks such as testing of long-running programs, automated debugging, and dynamic slicing. We propose a checkpointing/replaying technique for Java that operates purely at the language level, without the need for JVM-level or OS-level support. At the core of our approach are static analyses that select, at certain program points, a safe subset of the program state to capture and replay. Irrelevant statements before the checkpoint are eliminated using control-dependence-based slicing; the remaining statements together with the captured run-time values are used to indirectly recreate the call stack of the original program at the checkpoint. At the checkpoint itself and at certain subsequent program points, the replaying version restores parts of the program state that are necessary for execution of the surrounding method. Our experimental studies indicate that the proposed static and dynamic analyses have the potential to reduce significantly the execution time for replaying, with low run-time overhead for checkpointing.
Scanning Hall Probe Imaging of ErNi2B2C

We report scanning Hall probe imaging of ErNi2B2C in the superconducting, antiferromagnetic, and weakly ferromagnetic regimes in magnetic fields up to 20 Oe, well below Hc1, with two results. First, imaging isolated vortices shows that they spontaneously rearrange on cooling through the antiferromagnetic transition temperature TN = 6 K to pin on twin boundaries, forming a striped pattern. Second, a weak, random magnetic signal appears in the ferromagnetic phase below TWFM= 2.3 K, and no spontaneous vortex lattice is present down to 1.9 K. We conclude that ferromagnetism coexists with superconductivity either by forming small ferromagnetic domains or with oscillatory variation of the magnetization on sub-penetration-depth length scales.
Mean Curvature Motion of Graphs with Constant Contact Angle and Moving Boundaries

We consider the motion by mean curvature of an $n$-dimensional graph over a time-dependent domain in $\mathbb{R}^n$, intersecting $\mathbb{R}^n$ at a constant angle. In the general case, we prove local existence for the corresponding quasilinear parabolic equation with a free boundary, and derive a continuation criterion based on the second fundamental form. If the initial graph is concave, we show this is preserved, and that the solution exists only for finite time. This corresponds to a symmetric version of triple junction motion of hypersurfaces by mean curvature, with constant angles at the junction.
Percutaneous pins versus volar plates for unstable distal radius fractures: a biomechanic study using a cadaver model.

Purpose A biomechanic study using a cadaver model of a dorsally unstable distal radius fracture was used to compare the stability of percutaneous pinning and volar fixed-angle plating. Among the many surgical options for treating distal radius fractures are percutaneous pinning and internal plate fixation. Although percutaneous pin fixation requires less soft-tissue trauma and has low complication rates, plate fixation allows for early active movement with good clinical results. The biomechanic stability of these 2 methods was studied by using a cadaver model of a dorsally unstable intra-articular distal radius fracture. Methods This study was performed on 7 fresh-frozen cadaver arms, in each of which an unstable intra-articular fracture with dorsal comminution was created. The fracture was first fixed with 0.062-mm K-wires inserted in standard crossed fashion and was tested in a pneumatic loading device that indirectly loaded the wrists through the 5 motor tendons 3 times at each level of force in flexion and extension. Testing was then repeated after removal of the pins and fixation with a fixed-angle DVR distal volar radius plate system (Hand Innovations, Inc., Miami, FL). Testing was performed in flexion up to 68 N and in extension up to 100 N, and the distance across the fracture site was measured. Results Volar plating was significantly more stable than pinning, with an average movement across the fracture site of 2.51 mm for pin fixation and 1.07 mm for plate fixation. The pins also showed a substantial degree of slipping after repeated stressing, but the plates remained stable. Conclusions These results show the superior biomechanic stability of internal fixation using plates for dorsally comminuted intra-articular distal radius fractures in this cadaver model. Further clinical correlations are needed.
Invasive Plants: Their Role in Species Extinctions and Economic Losses to Agriculture in the USA

The more than 50,000 species of plants, animals, and microbes introduced into the United States cause more extinction of native species than most any other threats and cause more than $120 billion in damages and control costs each year. An assessment of the invasive plants that have been introduced and their control and damage costs will be estimated.
Renal Tubular Acidosis

The kidney has as one of its major responsibilities the excretion of the daily nonvolatile acid load. On a normal American diet, this amounts to about 1 mEq of nonvolatile acid per kilogram body weight. This acid is excreted in the form of titratable acids (e.g., H2PO4 −) and ammonium (NH4 +). Alkali is usually excreted in much smaller amounts in the form of bicarbonate and organic anions (citrate, etc.). Renal net acid excretion thus equals the sum of the excretion of ammonium plus titratable acid minus bicarbonate and other anions.
Volumetric measurement of rock movement using photogrammetry

NIOSH ground control safety research program at Spokane, Washington, is exploring applications of photogrammetry to rock mass and support monitoring. This paper describes two ways photogrammetric techniques are being used. First, photogrammetric data of laboratory testing is being used to correlate energy input and support deformation. This information can be used to infer remaining support toughness after ground deformation events. This technique is also demonstrated in a field application. Second, field photogrammetric data is compared to crackmeter data from a deep underground mine. Accuracies were found to average 8 mm, but have produced results within 0.2 mm of true displacement, as measured by crackmeters. Application of these techniques consists of monitoring overall fault activity by monitoring multiple points around the crackmeter. A case study is provided in which a crackmeter is clearly shown to have provided insufficient information regarding overall fault ground deformation. Photogrammetry is proving to be a useful ground monitoring tool due to its unobtrusiveness and ease of use.
Bradley's Benzedrine studies on children with behavioral disorders.

In 1937, psychiatrist Charles Bradley administered Benzedrine sulfate, an amphetamine, to “problem” children at the Emma Pendleton Bradley Home in Providence, Rhode Island, in an attempt to alleviate headaches; however, Bradley noticed an unexpected effect upon the behavior of the children: improved school performance, social interactions, and emotional responses. Drawing on Bradley’s published articles on his experiments, this paper explores the historical context of his experiments and the effect this background had on the emerging field of child psychiatry. Bradley’s studies went largely ignored in the field of child psychiatry for nearly 25 years. However, they proved to be an important precursor to studies of amphetamines like Ritalin and their use in conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Bradley’s Benzedrine trials were thus highly influential in shaping modern objective understandings of children with behavior disorders.
Charlottesville-Albemarle Legal Aid Society (B): 1995-96 Update

This case series deals with the situation facing the director of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Legal Aid Society, a federally supported nonprofit organization chartered to provide legal services to low-income people involved in noncriminal cases. Legal Aid has entered a challenging time in its history: Funding is decreasing while demand for services is growing. The director is struggling with how to forge a new strategy for the organization in an environment where resources are stretched thin and stakeholders do not agree about where the organization's efforts should be focused. The B case updates the A case (UVA-BP-0377) to 1995-96. See also the C case (UVA-BP-0517).
Medicolegal Issues and Specimen Collection for Ethanol Testing

Because ethanol is one of the most widely abused substances, blood ethanol testing is the most common toxicology test performed by clinical laboratories. Although many requests for ethanol testing are for medical purposes, some become forensic (medicolegal), posing a dilemma for most clinical laboratories. Specimen types other than whole blood, such as urine or saliva, have been used for screening in the emergency department and in some employee-testing programs. Other approaches, such as breath analysis, have been used by some federal programs for many years. Thus, the laboratory professional and the physician should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each specimen type and the situations that require forensic procedures.
Puberty Onset in Males and Females Fed a High Fat Diet

AbstractBalanopreputial separation and vaginal opening and ovulation were observed in males and females as markers of sexual maturation. Animals fed a high fat diet containing the same protein content as a low fat diet showed normal pubertal onset. Both males and females fed a diet reduced in protein consisting of a mixture of dry chow and Crisco in a ratio of 2:1 showed delayed pubertal onset although their total daily caloric intake was similar to the animals fed a high fat diet with adequate protein. It is concluded that puberty onset in both males and females is sensitive to changes in dietary intake.
Functional Group Transformations in Derivatives of 1,4-Dihydrobenzo[1,2,4]triazinyl Radical

Transformations of functional groups OCOPh, OCH2Ph, I, NO2, and CO2Me in Blatter’s radical derivatives 1–5 were investigated in order to develop synthetic tools for incorporation of the benzo[1,2,4]triazinyl system into complex molecular architectures. Thus, basic hydrolysis of OCOPh or Pd-catalyzed debenzylation of OCH2Ph gave phenol functionality, which was acylated and alkylated. Pd-catalyzed Suzuki, Negishi, Sonogashira, and Heck C–C cross-coupling reactions of iodo derivatives 1c, 1d, and 2d were also successful and efficient. Reduction of NO2 in 1e led to aniline derivative 1t, which was reductively alkylated with hexanal and coupled to l-proline. Selected benzo[1,2,4]triazinyl radicals were characterized by EPR and electronic absorption spectroscopy, and the results were analyzed in tandem with DFT computational methods. Lastly, the mechanism for formation of the 1,4-dihydrobenzo[1,2,4]triazine ring was investigated using the B3LYP/6-31G(2d,p) method.
v-CAPS: a confidential and anonymous routing protocol for content-based publish-subscribe networks

Content-based Publish-Subscribe (CBPS) is a widely used communication paradigm where publishers "publish" messages and a set of subscribers receive these messages through filtering and routing by an intermediate set of brokers based on subscribers' interests. We are interested in using CBPS in healthcare settings to disseminate health-related information (drug interactions, insurance quotes) to large numbers of subscribers in a confidentiality-preserving manner. Condentiality in CBPS requires that the message be hidden from brokers whereas the brokers need the message to compute routing decisions. Previous approaches to achieve these conflicting goals suffer from significant shortcomings---misrouting, lesser expressivity of subscriber interests, high execution time, and high message overhead. Our solution, entitled v-CAPS, achieves the competing goals while avoiding the previous problems. Our experiments show that v-CAPS has much lower end-to-end message latency than existing solutions and with unencrypted routing vectors, has similar latency as in a baseline CBPS system.