cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of bacterial cellulase genes in transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

The genes encoding thermostable cellulases E2 and E3 of Thermomonospora fusca were expressed in plants under the control of the constitutive, hybrid Mac promoter. For both E2 and E3, the genes were modified so as to remove the sequence encoding the bacterial leader peptide. Western blot analysis indicated that expression levels of recombinant cellulase in tobacco lines ranged up to about 0.1% (E2) and 0.02% of soluble protein (E3). No phenotypic effect of cellulase expression was noted. Recombinant E2 expressed in either tobacco or alfalfa was active and retained heat stability. These findings are an important first step in the development of crop plants as a production system for cellulases.
A Marketplace in the Brain

What would you do if faced with the choice of a smaller reward that you could have today versus a larger reward that you would receive after several weeks9 delay? Such questions are explored by Ainslie and Monterosso in their Perspective, which discusses a recent study that uses functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure the brain activity of student volunteers as they are faced with immediate versus delayed monetary rewards ( McClure et al.).
Generalized Quantitative Temporal Reasoning: An Automata Theoretic Approach

This paper proposes an expressive extension to Propositional Linear Temporal Logic dealing with real time correctness properties and gives an automata-theoretic model checking algorithm for the extension. The algorithm has been implemented and applied to examples.
Noninvasive in vivo and in vitro study of the St. Jude mitral valve prosthesis: Evaluation using two dimensional and M mode echocardiography, phonocardiography and cinefluoroscopy

Abstract Fifteen patients with clinically normal function of a St. Jude mitral valve prosthesis were studied with two dimensional and M mode echocardiography, Cinefluoroscopy and phonocardiography 8 to 292 days after valve replacement. The valve was readily imaged from the left sternal edge and cardiac apex in all patients. On two dimensional echocardiography from the long axis and four chamber views, minimal end-diastolic and endsystolic distances between the interventricular septum and prosthetic valve were 18 ± 5 mm and 13 ± 3 mm, respectively (mean ± standard deviation). On M mode echocardiography both leaflets were imaged throughout the cardiac cycle from the left sternal edge and their motion relative to the valve ring and to one another was easily evaluated. The apical transducer position permits quantitative assessment of individual leaflet motion. Maximal individual diastolic leaflet excursion was 8.7 ± 1 mm and the velocity of leaflet opening and closure was 364 ±103 and 678 ±115 mm/s, respectively. Asynchronous early closure of the posterior leaflet was observed during long cardiac cycles in six of seven patients with atrial fibrillation; the seventh patient had a rapid ventricular response and no long cardiac cycles. Diastolic fluttering of one or both leaflets was also seen during atrial fibrillation after rotation of the patient from the supine to the left lateral decubitus position. Three of the six patients with asynchronous leaflet closure underwent Cinefluoroscopy, and similar leaflet behavior was documented in all. An atrial systolic wave was inscribed in the valve echogram in six of eight patients with sinus rhythm. Phonocardiography recorded prosthetic valve opening and closing sounds occurring 60 ± 20 ms after aortic closure and 61 ± 12 ms after the QRS complex, respectively. The prosthetic valve opening and closure sound amplitude ratio was 0.11 ± 0.06. A clear plexiglass water bath phantom was fitted to a pulse duplicator and constructed so as to permit in vitro simulation of valve echograms under a variety of conditions. With this method, it was possible to reproduce or approximate all images obtained in patients from both echocardiographic transducer positions.
A class of adaptive controllers with application to robust adaptive control

This paper deals with discrete time, single-input single-output systems. A parametrization of a general class of adaptive controllers is given. Using this paramtrization it is shown that an adaptive controller based on the l1 optimal design strategy leads to a globally convergent adaptive scheme. The use of adaptive l1 controllers is motivated by the problem of robust adaptive control, and the results of this paper offer an alternative way of handling this problem.
Predictive Workload Models and Multiple-Task Performance:

The goal of the present study was to evaluate three workload models, VACP (Aldrich, Szabo, and Bierbaum, 1988), TLAP (Parks and Boucek, 1988), and WINDEX (North & Riley, 1988), in terms of how well...
Clinical significance of postirradiation dysplasia of the uterine cervix

Abstract The cytologic and histologic characteristics of postirradiation dysplasia are presented and described. Results of an analysis of the records and survival of 84 patients with postirradiation dysplasia encountered in the follow-up after treatment for carcinoma of the uterine cervix are presented. A significant variation in survival was observed in patients with postirradiation dysplasia as compared to patients with identical clinical stage and histologic grade in the absence of this lesion. Postirradiation dysplasia within 3 years after treatment for cervical carcinoma was associated with a poor prognosis.
Improving maintenance procedures-one utility's perspective

The authors address one utility's past and current efforts to improve maintenance procedures in nuclear power stations. This effort has resulted in decreased performance error along with a corresponding increase in unit reliability. Several hundred procedures have been upgraded, obtaining favorable comments from users of those procedures and from a variety of program-independent auditors. Resolution of items identified in performing the upgrade has resulted in the identification of needed training, including equipment training, system training, administrative training, and procedure training. The carrying out of procedure validations has resulted in a number of modifications to plant and equipment reducing the risk of performance errors. >
Normal coordinate treatment and assignment of fundamental vibrations of vinyl fluoride and the seven deuterovinyl fluorides

The results of a unified normal coordinate treatment for vinyl fluoride and the seven deuterated species are presented. Our calculation confirms the out-of-plane assignment of Scherer and Potts. For the in-plane vibrations, we have used a modified valence-force type of potential function and, on the basis of the results, we are presenting a satisfactory assignment for most of the fundamentals. Investigation of the liquid spectra is recommended to resolve the ambiguity of the remaining few undecided in-plane fundamentals.
Axonal transport of nucleosides, nucleotides and 4S RNA in the neonatal rat visual system.

Summary The axonal migration of RNA, the nucleoside uridine and its nucleotide derivatives (NS/NT) were compared in neonatal and young adult rat optic axons. Tritiated uridine was injected into right eyes of developing (1- or 4-day-old) and young adult (40-day-old) rats which were sacrificed at times after injection ranging from 6 h to 20 days. Right and left lateral geniculates were removed and assayed for trichloroacetic acid soluble (NS/NT) and RNA radioactivity. Left minus right geniculate (L-RLG) radioactivity was used as an index of axonally migrating radioactitity. Results showed that uridine and its phosphorylated derivatives were transported along both neonatal and young adult rat optic axons. Greater than 90% of right geniculate (blood-borne) TCA soluble radioactivity was metabolized to volatile substances (probably3H2O) by three days after injection, leaving approximately 3% of the neonatal and approximately 10% of the adult activity as [3H]NS/NT. In left geniculate fractions (containing transported material) approximately 15 % and 40% of total TCA soluble radioactivity was present as [3H]NS/NT in neonates and adults, respectively. Thus, axonal NS/NT appears to be relatively protected from degradation when compared with blood-borne NS/NT. The amount of L-RLG [3H]RNA in the neonates was 10 times higher than in young adults. Peaks of neonatal [3H]RNA occurred at 5 and 10 days after birth, whether injections were made at 1 or 4 days of age indicating that this [3H]RNA may be linked to developmental events. Gel electrophoretic analysis of neonatal geniculate RNA indicated that a small portion of the [3H]RNA in the first peak represented axonally transported 4S RNA. The remainder of the L-RLG [3H]RNA in the neonates was probably due to a rapid and efficient incorporation of axonally transported [3H]NS/NT into extraaxonal geniculate RNA. In contrast, little or no axonal RNA transport could be demonstrated in the young adults.
SU-GG-J-75: Neutron-Induced Electronic Failures around a High-Energy Linear Accelerator

Purpose: After a new in‐vault CT‐on‐rails system repeatedly malfunctioned following use of a high‐energy radiotherapy beam, we investigated the presence and impact of neutronradiation on this electronic system, as well as potential neutron shielding and neutron evaluation options. Methods: We first determined the CT scanner's failure rate as a function of the number of 18 MV monitor units (MUs) delivered. We then reexamined the failure rate with both 2.7‐cm‐thick and 7.6‐cm‐thick borated polyethylene (BPE) covering the linac head for neutron shielding. To further examine shielding options, as well as to explore which neutrons were relevant to the scanner failure, Monte Carlo was used to calculate the neutron fluence and spectrum in the bore of the CTscanner. Simulations included BPE covering the CTscanner itself as well as covering the linac head. Results: We found that the CTscanner had a 57% chance of failure after the delivery of 200 MUs. While the addition of neutron shielding to the accelerator head reduced this risk of failure, the benefit was minimal and even 7.6 cm of BPE was still associated with a 29% chance of failure after the delivery of 200 MU. This shielding benefit was achieved regardless of whether the linac head or CTscanner was shielded. Additionally, it was determined that fast neutrons were primarily responsible for the electronic failures. Conclusions: As illustrated by the CT‐on‐rails system in the current study, physicists should be aware that electronic systems may be highly sensitive to neutronradiation.Physicists should therefore monitor electronic systems that have not been evaluated for potential neutron sensitivity. This is particularly relevant as electronics are increasingly common in the therapy vault and may exhibit increased sensitivity in newer electronic systems.
High-resolution color flat panel head-mounted display design for the Advanced Flat Panel program

The Advanced Flat Panel program is developing high resolution color head mounted display systems for medical and low power applications. The first phase of the program has developed a stereoscopic head-mounted display for arthroscopic and endoscopic surgical applications using high resolution color AMLCDs and 1280 by 1024 spatially colored active matrix electroluminescent image sources. The next phase of the program will target low power color HMD applications with sequentially colored 1280 by 1024 AMEL devices and conclude with the demonstration of a 2560 by 2048 flat panel HMD. The medical HMD design and preliminary user evaluation of the system are discussed here along with a review of the spatially colored AMEL performance and a comparison of system architectures of the three different high resolution color displays that are being demonstrated on this program.
Meeting the Nursing Challenges Intreating Children with 131 I-MIBG:

This article focuses on the role of advanced practice nurses as leaders on a health care team committed to providing a collaborative approach to a unique patient population. It describes the process of implementing a clinical trial for treatment of patients with neuroblastoma with the radioisotope 131I-MIBG. As new clinical trials emerge, staff nurses face challenges in providing care to complex patients and their families. Nurses are often required to acquire new knowledge, interact with other disciplines and departments, and develop new skills in order to provide care for these patients. Advanced practice nurses can provide a critical link between the principal investigator and staff members to meet these challenges. The process used to implement this trial can serve as a model for many other interdisciplinary projects.
Measurement of resistivity and mobility in silicon epitaxial layers on a control wafer

Abstract When resistivity measurements are performed on high sheet resistance layers deposited on substrates of the opposite conductivity type, an apparent dependence of resistivity upon measuring current is observed. A description of this effect is given, and its relation to the accuracy of four-point probe measurements on control wafers is discussed. An explanation is given in terms of the influence of leakage currents on the biasing of the isolating p − n junction. If precautions are taken, the errors for a given sample can be minimized, but often they cannot be eliminated. Hall mobility measurements on epitaxial films are not severely affected by this leakage problem, and the experimental results obtained are in good agreement with published values.
Ovulation inhibition with nafarelin acetate nasal administration for six months.

Abstract A group of 24 women with normal menstrual cycles were treated with nafarelin acetate administered in doses of either 125 ug or 250 ug daily intranasally for 6 months. Each subject was studied for one ovulatory control cycle, six treatment cycles, and post-treatment until the return of ovulation was documented. Once a week progesterone, estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were measured in the serum. Acute hormone responses to nafarelin acetate were determined on-day 1, day 98 and day 186 of treatment. Two subjects failed to complete the treatment phase. One subject using the 250 ug daily dose of nafarelin acetate discontinued treatment on the sixth day because of heavy uterine bleeding. One subject using the 125 ug daily dose of the study drug terminated treatment on day 126 because of a 21-pound weight gain. There were significantly less presumed ovulatory cycles at the higher dose (2 out of 60 cycles) than at the lower dose (10 out of 54 cycles) (p
Quantification of cell death in human fibroblasts by measuring the loss of [14C]thymidine from prelabeled cell monolayers

Abstract The loss of [ 14 C]thymidine from prelabeled cell monolayers may be used to estimate cell death in proliferating cultured fibroblasts. Reuptake of 14 C from labeled DNA or DNA products of dead cells is minimal and may be further reduced by the addition of unlabeled thymidine (10 4 m ). Excision repair processes do not contribute to reincorporation of isotope. In cells exposed to adverse experimental conditions, slight differences in the quantification of cell death by this method and exclusion of erythrosin B occurred. Spontaneous loss of 14 C from the cell layer does not occur, so this approach allows an assessment of cell death over a longer time period than is possible with other radiolabeling techniques (e.g., 51 Cr).
Thinking About the Liquidity Trap

Abstract The phenomenon of the liquidity trap—defined as a situation in which even a zero interest rate is insufficiently low to produce full employment—has taken on new importance with the persistent slump in Japan. This paper restates recent theoretical work on liquidity traps, drawing a link between “intertemporal” models that are mainly concerned with demonstrating the underlying logic, and more ad hoc models that bear directly on policy; it then reexamines policy alternatives, including fiscal stimulus and inflation targeting. J. Japan. Int. Econ. , December 2000, 14 (4), pp. 221–237. Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544-1013 Copyright 2000 Academic Press. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: E52, E58, E31, F31.
Fluorometric assay of sialic acid in the picomole range: A modification of the thiobarbituric acid assay

Abstract Fluorescence of the thiobarbituric acid reaction product of periodate-cleaved sialic acid is readily detected by excitation at 550 nm and analysis of emitted light at 570 nm. A fluorometric microassay is described which is 500-fold more sensitive than the usual spectrophotometric procedures and readily detects 10 ng (32 pmol) of sialic acid. Contamination by 2-deoxyribose from cellular material is easily detected by shifts of excitation maxima below 550 nm.
A Microcomputer-Based Differential Lung Ventilation System

In order to provide a versatile means of delivering differential lung ventilation (DLV), a computer-controlled system was constructed to allow a variety of ventilation protocols as well as to record and monitor relevant physiologic parameters. Two Siemens servo ventilators were modified for synchronous operation and computer control of minute volume and respiratory rate. Twenty-five parameters on the two lungs were collected every breath. Feedback control was used to adjust respiratory rate to maintain PaCO2 = 35 torr and to keep total tidal volume equal to 15 mI/kg. Three differential volume delivery protocols were established. The DLV system was evaluated in a study involving eighteen mongrel dogs (six dogs for each volume delivery protocol), each with a unilateral lung injury caused by an infusion of 0.1 N HOC through the endobronchial tube. This system has proven to be a highly effective and versatile means of providing differential ventilation as well as precise feedback control of essential physiologic parameters such as PaCO2 and tidal volume. The system handles automated data collection of all relevant physiological parameters, making graphical as well as statistical analysis extremely easy.
Wear of metals at high sliding speeds

Abstract High speed sliding wear of AISI 1020 steel, AISI 304 stainless steel and commercially pure titanium (75A) was studied using a pin-on-ring geometry. All the tests were carried out in air without any lubricant. The sliding speed was 0.5–10.0 m s−1 and the normal force was 49.0 N (5 kgf). The friction coefficient of all the materials tested decreased with the sliding speed; this appears to be a consequence of oxide formation. The wear rate of 304 stainless steel increased monotonically with speed, whereas the wear rate of 1020 steel and titanium first decreased and then increased and again decreased, with a maximum occurring at about 5 m s−1. The complex variation of the wear rate as a function of speed is explained in terms of the dependence of the friction coefficient, hardness and toughness of the materials on temperature. Microscope examinations of the wear track, the sub-surface of worn specimens and the wear particles indicate that the wear mode was predominantly by subsurface deformation, crack nucleation and growth processes, i.e. the delamination process, similar to the low speed sliding wear of metals. Oxidative and adhesion theories proposed in the past to explain the high speed sliding wear of metals are found to be incompatible with the experimental observations.
Quantum information and accounting information: Exploring conceptual applications of topology

Abstract Our previous attempt resulted in a paper by the same five authors, “Quantum information and accounting information: their salient features and conceptual applications,” published in the July–August 2006 issue of the Journal of Accounting and Public Policy . We now extend the previous paper to examine topological quantum computation, a remarkably innovative approach to decoherence and imprecise quantum computation. In this approach, exotic topological states are created for a natural medium to store and manipulate quantum information globally throughout the entire system. The process is intrinsically protected against imprecision and decoherence. We also explore conceptual, if not technical, applications of topological quantum computation to accounting. This is done by introducing topology’s inherent emphasis of qualitative characteristics to traditional accounting which has been dominated by quantitative characteristics. Here, financial statements’ monetary amounts may be contrasted to internal controls’ error frequencies. Part I of the paper deals with applications of topology to quantum information, after a brief introduction to basic tools. In particular the use of Fibonacci anyon and its powerful results are explained. Part II deals with applications of topology to accounting information. Part III deals with applications of topology to other potential fields.
Perceived Institutional Stability and Organizational Reputation: The Impact for Firms Traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange

This analysis investigates the link between perceived institutional stability and organizational reputation by investigating firms traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE). Sizeable changes in the overall valuation of the WSE are indicative of changes in the perception of institutional stability. Major stock market advances result in an increased ability to predict reputation with investors. Major stock market declines result in a reduced ability to predict reputation with investors. Thus strong evidence is found that the perceived stability of the institutional environment has a significant effect on the ability of the firm to establish itself as reputable.
Glomerular changes in renal allografts.

The renal allograft is host to a number of injuries and all its structural components are prone to damage. Th glomeruli respond to these varied stimuli in many ways. The fibrinoid necrosis, thrombosis, and polymorphont clear cell exudation that accompany hyperacute or accelerated rejection are well-recognized. The transplant ma also be afflicted by forms of de novo or recurrent glomerulonephritis. Apart from these, there are other patterns ( reaction. The mesangium is often the site of a rapidly reversible change; it expands readily. Arterial change initiate ischemia and collapse of glomerular capillary spaces. Glomerulitis accompanies cases of acute rejectior but when seen as a predominant feature, usually antedates chronic rejection. Heavy proteinuria may be ass( ciated with profound alterations in the peripheral capillary basal lamina including irregular thickening, interpos tion of mesangial cell cytoplasm, and lamellation. Allografts with these glomerular changes eventually fail.
Differential effects of fresh frozen plasma and normal saline on secondary brain damage in a large animal model of polytrauma, hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND We have previously shown that the extent of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in large animal models can be reduced with early infusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), but the precise mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated whether resuscitation with FFP or normal saline differed in their effects on cerebral metabolism and excitotoxic secondary brain injury in a model of polytrauma, TBI, and hemorrhagic shock. METHODS Yorkshire swine (n = 10) underwent Grade III liver injury, rib fracture, standardized TBI, and volume-controlled hemorrhage, (40% ± 5%) and were randomly resuscitated with either FFP or normal saline. Hemodynamic parameters and brain oxygenation were continuously monitored, while microdialysis was used to measure the brain concentrations of pyruvate, lactate, glutamate, and glycerol at baseline; 1 hour and 2 hours after shock; immediate postresuscitation (PR); as well as 2, 4, and 6 hours PR. Cells from the injured hemisphere were separated into mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions and analyzed for activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH). RESULTS There were no baseline differences in cerebral perfusion pressure, brain oxygenation, as well as concentrations of pyruvate, lactate, glutamate, and glycerol between the groups. At 2 hours and 4 hours PR, the FFP group had significantly higher cerebral perfusion pressures (52 [5] mm Hg vs. 43 [2] mm Hg, p = 0.016; and 50 [7] mm Hg vs. 37 [1] mm Hg, p = 0.008, respectively). There was a sustained and significant (p < 0.05) drop in the glutamate and glycerol levels in the FFP group, implying a decrease in excitotoxicity and brain damage, respectively. Mitochondrial PDH activity was significantly higher (2,666.2 [638.2] adjusted volume INT × mm vs. 1,293.4 [88.8] adjusted volume INT × mm, p = 0.008), and cytosolic PDH activity was correspondingly lower (671.4 [209.2] adjusted volume INT × mm vs. 3070.7 [484.3] adjusted volume INT × mm, p < 0.001) in the FFP group, suggesting an attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction and permeability. CONCLUSION In this model of TBI, polytrauma, and hemorrhage, FFP resuscitation confers neuroprotection by improving cerebral perfusion, diminishing glutamate-mediated excitotoxic secondary brain injury and reducing mitochondrial dysfunction.
HIV and highly active antiretroviral therapy: dyslipidemia, metabolic aberrations, and cardiovascular risk.

he morbidity and mortality rates associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syn-drome (AIDS) have been extensively reduced after introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), a combination of protease inhibitors (PIs), nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). HAART, how-ever, has been associated with marked elevations in triglyceride (TG) levels, reduced high-den-sity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, and increased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) choles-terol levels. Further, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with dyslip-idemic features including higher levels of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and TG relative to healthy subjects. In addition, occurrence of impaired glucose tolerance due to insulin resis-tance increased significantly with HAART. These effects indicate a global dysmetabolic pattern during HIV/HAART, suggesting that HIV infec-tion and/or HAART may induce a proathero-genic pattern, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies on CHD surrogate end points as well as increased CHD frequency in observational studies confirm an increased risk of CHD in HIV/HAART.
Electrocardiographic predictors of atrial fibrillation

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia in the United States and accounts for more than 750,000 strokes per year. Noninvasive predictors of AF may help identify patients at risk of developing AF. Our objective was to identify the electrocardiographic characteristics associated with onset of AF. Methods This was a retrospective cohort analysis of 42,751 patients with electrocardiograms (ECGs) ordered by physician's discretion and analyzed using a computerized system. The population was followed for detection of AF on subsequent ECGs. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to test the association between these ECG characteristics and development of AF. Results For a mean follow-up of 5.3 years, 1,050 (2.4%) patients were found to have AF on subsequent ECG recordings. Several ECG characteristics, such as P-wave dispersion (the difference between the widest and narrowest P waves), premature atrial contractions, and an abnormal P axis, were predictive of AF with hazard ratio of approximately 2 after correcting for age and sex. P-wave index, the SD of P-wave duration across all leads, was one of the strongest predictors of AF with a concordance index of 0.62 and a hazard ratio of 2.7 (95% CI 2.1-3.3) for a P-wave index >35. These were among the several independently predictive markers identified on multivariate analysis. Conclusions Several ECG markers are independently predictive of future onset of AF. The P index, a measurement of disorganized atrial depolarization, is one of the strongest predictors of AF. The ECG contains valuable prognostic information that can identify patients at risk of AF.
“Soft” mode and coupled modes in the ferroelectric phase of KDP

Abstract Measurements of the pressure dependence of the Raman spectra in the ferroelectric phase of KDP have allowed us to identify the soft mode of the phase transition and to demonstrate that it is coupled to an optic mode of the lattice in this phase. The measured frequencies are compared with frequencies calculated from the microscopic parameters for the coupled-mode system.
Ability Conceptions in Physical Education: Some Measurement Considerations.

The construct of ability conceptions plays a critical role in children's motivation and achievement behaviors in education, including physical education. Valid and reliable measures of this construct are essential to advance our knowledge of children's ability conceptions and related cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes. From a measurement point of view, this article discusses the construct of ability conceptions from two major theoretical perspectives in terms of differences and commonalities. It also offers insights to further improve the psychometric properties of ability conceptions measures.
Delegation at the macro level: library IT, spheres of influence, and the promise of cloudware

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of budget cuts on libraries' ability to continue to maintain labor‐intensive IT maintenance on multiple systems.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a discussion of the likely impact of the increasing popularity of cloud‐based and hosted information technology solutions.Findings – Library practice, and emerging technology products targeted at library information systems, point to the fact that libraries with limited IT staff may continue to reduce their involvement in enterprise‐level IT projects and focus more on service provision and local enhancements.Research limitations/implications – The change in IT environments towards increasingly hosted solutions creates implications for library IT departments in terms of focus and needed skill‐sets.Practical implications – This paper brings the issue of library IT constraints to the forefront in an effort to engage librarians in a discussion about where IT influence should be directe...
The formation of disilicides from bilayers of Ni/Co and Co/Ni on silicon: Phase separation and solid solution

Abstract Bilayers of Ni/Co and Co/Ni were deposited onto silicon by means of electron beam evaporation. The annealing behavior was investigated as a function of time in the temperature range 475–550 °C by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, Auger electron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray analysis. In this temperature range it is observed that the disilicide (solid solution) nucleates and grows from a film containing both the monosilicide of cobalt and that of nickel. These nearly insoluble monosilicides are separated into layers; the disilicide grows from the interface between the NiSi and the CoSi phase. If there are equal amounts of the two metals this interface is located approximately midway between the upper surface and the silicon substrate. The disilicide grows simultaneously both toward the free surface and toward the silicon substrate. The growth kinetics of the disilicide have been analyzed and are found to be complex. The general behavior of the disilicide formation is found to be similar to that found for Co-Ni alloy films and as for the latter case indicates the primacy of nucleation over diffusion as the controlling mechanism in the disilicide formation. The site of nucleation of the disilicide at the NiSi-CoSi interface is explained by a model based on (a) the phase separation of the two monosilicides and (b) the high entropy of mixing of the mixed disilicide. In agreement with this model the nucleation of the mixed disilicides is shown to occur at temperatures much lower than those for either CoSi 2 or NiSi 2 . Given the common crystal structure and the almost identical lattice parameters, the mutual solubilities of CoSi 2 and NiSi 2 follow from elementary concepts of alloy phase theory. However, the behavior of the monosilicides is more unexpected. The limited solubilities of the monosilicides, CoSi and NiSi, in each other are shown to result from specific features of the electronic band structure of these two compounds, features which are not found for example in the isomorphous disilicides CoSi 2 and NiSi 2 .
Projected Changes in East African Rainy Seasons

AbstractA regional climate model with 90-km horizontal resolution on a large domain is used to predict and analyze precipitation changes over East Africa caused by greenhouse gas increases. A pair of six-member ensembles is used: one representing the late twentieth century and another the mid-twenty-first century under a midline emissions scenario. The twentieth-century simulation uses boundary conditions from reanalysis climatology, and these are modified for the mid-twenty-first-century simulation using output from coupled GCMs. The twentieth-century simulation reproduces the observed climate well. In eastern Ethiopia and Somalia, the boreal spring rains that begin in May are cut short in the mid-twenty-first-century simulation. The cause is an anomalous dry, anticyclonic flow that develops over the Arabian Peninsula and the northern Arabian Sea as mass shifts eastward near 20°N in response to strong warming over the Sahara. In Tanzania and southern Kenya, the boreal spring's long rains are reduced thro...
Idealized model of polar cap currents, fields, and auroras

During periods of northward Bz, the electric field applied to the magnetosphere is generally opposite to that occurring during southward Bz and complicated patterns of convection result, showing some features reversed in comparison with the southward Bz case. A study is conducted of a simple generalization of early work on idealized convection models, which allows for coexistence of sunward convection over the central polar cap and antisunward convection elsewhere in the cap. The present model, valid for By approximately 0, has a four-cell convection pattern and is based on the combination of ionospheric current conservation with a relation between parallel auroral currents and parallel potential drops. Global magnetospheric issues involving, e.g., reconnection are not considered. The central result of this paper is an expression giving the parallel potential drop for polar cap auroras (with By approximately 0) in terms of the polar cap convection field profile.
Stress-coping-support in rural communities: A model for primary prevention

Because of the relatively small and homogeneous population in rural communities, community-wide prevention efforts are often more manageable than in urban areas. Community needs and resources can be identified more easily, and the feasibility of different interventions can be assessed more readily.
Modulation of the NO/CO-cGMP signaling cascade during chronic morphine exposure in mice

The chronic administration of morphine and related opioid drugs results in tolerance and dependence which reduces the clinical utility of these agents. The CO/NO-cGMP signal transduction cascade plays an important role in morphine tolerance. Principal components of this pathway include heme oxygenase (HO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK). We measured and compared the spinal gene expression patterns of these key components using real-time PCR and Western blot analysis after chronic morphine treatment in mice. Our findings indicate that the CO/NO-cGMP signaling pathway is upregulated at multiple points after morphine exposure demonstrating a coordinated molecular and biochemical response. These findings underscore the importance of this signaling pathway in the neuroplastic events occurring during chronic opioid exposure and the value of analyzing the participation of multiple components of a signaling pathway simultaneously rather than individual members in isolation.
Comparative Effects of Salmeterol, Albuterol, and Ipratropium on Normal and Impaired Mucociliary Function in Sheep

Study objective: We measured tracheal mucus velocity (TMV), a marker of mucociliary clearance (MCC), in sheep before and for 12 h after treatment with salmeterol, albuterol, ipratropium, or vehicle to determine the effects on normal MCC. We also determined if these agents could reverse the depression in TMV caused by inhaled human neutrophil elastase (HNE), a model of abnormal MCC. Methods: Study 1: TMV was measured initially and then for 6 h after metered-dose inhaler treatment with salmeterol (42 μg), albuterol (180 μg), ipratropium bromide (36 μg), or vehicle. After 6 h, the sheep in the albuterol and ipratropium treatment arms were administered a second dose of drug, whereas the salmeterol and vehicle treatment arms received vehicle. TMV was measured for another 6 h. Study 2: Six sheep inhaled HNE aerosol, which significantly reduced TMV by 2 h. At this point, the sheep were treated with either salmeterol, albuterol, ipratropium, or vehicle, and the effects on TMV were measured for another 6 h. This experiment was repeated in four sheep using only salmeterol and albuterol, but the posttreatment measurements were extended to 12 h. Results: Study 1: Only salmeterol and albuterol increased TMV (p Conclusion: We conclude that salmeterol and albuterol can stimulate normal MCC and reverse HNE-induced mucociliary dysfunction and that salmeterol has a longer duration of action in these models of normal and abnormal MCC.
Evaluating coronary care units

Abstract A study was undertaken to quantitate the effectiveness of coronary care units in reducing the hospital mortality rate from acute myocardial infarction. Five hospitals supplied data on patients treated before the CCU was opened (prior group) and on patients treated in a CCU. The prior and CCU groups were classified accerding to age and admission severity, and the observed CCU fatality rate was compared with an expected rate based on the prior experience. The effect on mortality ranged from −40 to + 1 per cent among the five hospitals. Additional variation could be shown by classifying data in different ways. The wide variation in effectiveness found in the literature may be due to differences of study design and statistical analysis and to inconsistent definitions and inclusion criteria. Although this study attempted to avoid these difficulties, the data presented still failed to show a consistent pattern of effectiveness within each hospital.
The Role of Amygdalar Mu-Opioid Receptors in Anxiety-Related Responses in Two Rat Models

Amygdala opioids such as enkephalin appear to play some role in the control of anxiety and the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines, although the opioid receptor subtypes mediating such effects are unclear. This study compared the influences of mu-opioid receptor (MOR) activation in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA) on unconditioned fear or anxiety-like responses in two models, the elevated plus maze, and the defensive burying test. The role of MORs in the anxiolytic actions of the benzodiazepine agonist diazepam was also examined using both models. Either the MOR agonist [D-Ala(2), NMe-Phe(4), Gly-ol(5)]-enkephalin (DAMGO), or the MOR antagonists Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH(2) (CTAP) or beta-funaltrexamine (FNA) were bilaterally infused into the CEA of rats before testing. The results show that microinjection of DAMGO in the CEA decreased open-arm time in the plus maze, whereas CTAP increased open-arm behaviors. In contrast, DAMGO injections in the CEA reduced burying behaviors and increased rearing following exposure to a predator odor, suggesting a shift in the behavioral response in this context. Amygdala injections of the MOR agonist DAMGO or the MOR antagonist CTAP failed to change the anxiolytic effects of diazepam in either test. Our results demonstrate that MOR activation in the central amygdala exerts distinctive effects in two different models of unconditioned fear or anxiety-like responses, and suggest that opioids may exert context-specific regulation of amygdalar output circuits and behavioral responses during exposure to potential threats (open arms of the maze) vs discrete threats (predator odor).
Validation of Cyclic Void Growth Model for Fracture Initiation in Blunt Notch and Dogbone Steel Specimens

Tests and finite-element analyses of blunt notch and dogbone specimens are presented to demonstrate the application and validation of the cyclic void growth model (CVGM) to evaluate the initiation of ductile fracture under cyclic loading in steel structures. Modeling concepts and procedures for characterizing the CVGM material parameters using notched bar tests are described. Accuracy of the model is validated through a series of cyclic tests of 14 blunt notch compact fracture specimens and four dogbone specimens. Four types of moderate to high strength structural steels are investigated (two types of A572-Grade 50, A514-Grade 110, HPS70W). The test specimens reflect stress and strain conditions encountered in structural steel components and provide sufficiently strong stress and strain gradients to validate the characteristic length assumptions in the model. Detailed finite-element analyses that employ the CVGM criterion are shown to predict fracture with good accuracy across the specimen geometries, steel types, and loading histories.
Situation of glasshouse pests in Hungary1

The area of protected crops in Hungary is about 5300 ha. Most of it is under plastic, the area under glass being only about 250 ha. Vegetable growing makes up 80%, mostly on private farms. The main crops are capsicum, tomato and cucumber. On relatively small areas, ornamentals, principally cut flowers, are produced: carnation, gerbera, rose and chrysanthemum. The three most important, commonly occurring pests are Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Tetranychus urticae and aphids (Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae, A. nasturtii). Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Liriomyza trifolii and Aculops lycopersici caused considerable economic damage during the eighties. However, in the last few years these pests have not been observed in any crops. Two new glasshouse pests have been described from ornamentals during the last 2 years in Hungary: Frankliniella occidentalis and Bemisia tabaci. Their accidental appearance in vegetable crops could lead to direct economic loss, besides endangering biological control systems.
Singular Perturbation Analysis of the Nonlinear, Flow-Dependent Compressive Stress Relaxation Behavior of Articular Cartilage

The dominant mechanism giving rise to the viscoelastic response of articular cartilage during compression is the nonlinear diffusive interaction of the fluid and solid phases of the tissue as they flow relative to one another. The present study is concerned with the role of this interaction under uniaxial stress relaxation in compression. The model is a biphasic mixture of fluid and solid which incorporates the strain-dependent permeability found earlier from permeation experiments. When a ramp-displacement is imposed on the articular surface, simple, but accurate, asymptotic approximations are derived for the deformation and stress fields in the tissue for slow and moderately fast rates of compression. They are shown to agree very well with experiment and they provide a simple means for determining the material parameters. Moreover, they lead to important insights into the role of the flow-dependent viscoelastic nature of articular cartilage and other hydrated biological tissues.
Fine-needle aspiration of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma found in the liver

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) metastasis to the liver is a rare event and may cause diagnostic dilemmas. In this study, we have reviewed the cytological features of metastatic PTC to the liver, tested the BRAF V600E status of these lesions, and discussed potential diagnostic pitfalls. The pathological archives at the Johns Hopkins Hospital were searched for metastatic PTC. A total of 247 cases were identified; four cases were found to have metastases to the liver. Three of these cases were available for molecular testing to determine BRAF V600E status. All patients were female with ages ranging from 39- to 66-years old. Local lymph node involvement was found in all patients at the time of thyroidectomy. The average time of liver metastasis discovery following thyroidectomy was 16 years. The cytomorphology revealed predominantly microacini or two-dimensional clusters. Tumor cells were small-to-intermediate in size with oval nuclei, fine chromatin, nuclear grooves, rare intranuclear pseudoinclusions, and mitoses. In all cases, immunohistochemical stains for thyroglobulin and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) were positive. All these tested cases were negative for the BRAF V600E mutation. The differential diagnosis includes adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine neoplasms. The most important morphologic features for diagnosing PTC are the presence of pale finely granular chromatin, nuclear grooves, and intranuclear pseudoinclusions. A thorough review of the patient's clinical history and the use of appropriate IHC stains are essential in reaching an accurate diagnosis. Further molecular characterization is necessary to identify the changes most strongly associated with distant metastasis.
A Validation Study of the Inventory of Teacher Knowledge of Reading

The reliability and construct validity of an instrument designed to measure teacher knowledge of reading are examined. The instrument was administered to a sample of 304 elementary school teachers. Results revealed significant differences among teachers grouped by number of years of teaching experience, degree level, number of reading courses, and grade level taught. All differences were interpreted as supporting the construct validity of the instrument. Internal consistency reliability was estimated at .91.
Dynamic grouping of parts in flexible manufacturing systems : a self-organizing neural networks approach

Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) has recently been recognized as a worthwhile tool for supporting manufacturing operations. This paper reviews AI-related approaches to Group Technology (GT) and presents the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) network, a special type of neural networks, as an intelligent tool for grouping parts and machines. SOM can learn from comples, multi-dimensional data and transform them into visually decipherable clusters. What sets this technique apart from others in GT is that SOM offers the flexibility of choosing from multiple grouping alternatives. SOM can be used in a dynamic situation where quick response to changes in part designs, process plans, or manufacturing conditions is essential, and thus it can be more easily integrated into a Flexible Manufacturing System. The paper proposes a framework of an intelligent system that integrates the neural networks approach and a knowledge-based system to provide decision supporting functions.
Earthquake Preparedness: Predictors in a Community Survey1

We measured the relationship between earthquake concern and preparation in a community with high seismic risk. Five samples of approximately 800 people were interviewed by telephone about their earthquake concern, but this study focuses on the last two samples in which respondents reported their preparatory behaviors. The findings were consistent in showing greater likelihood of concern for those who had experienced an earthquake, were female, younger, and non-Anglo and a greater likelihood of preparation for those who had more concern, were married, and had lived longer at their present address. In a nonrecursive causal model, no evidence was found for a reciprocal effect of preparation on concern. These results were discussed in terms of health belief models including the self-efficacy and "stages of change" perspectives. Implications were drawn for interventions to increase preparation in ready-to-change groups and compensate for the resistance of those less willing or able to prepare.