cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the thermal coefficient of the resistance to fluorophore rotation in model membranes

The thermal coefficient of the frictional resistance to fluorophore rotation (b), a parameter related to the change in the local viscosity with temperature, was determined for anthroyloxy-fatty acid probes in micelles and dimyristoyl lecithin (DMPC) and dioleoyl lecithin (DOPC) unilamellar and multilamellar vesicles. The value of b and the percent change in anisotropy with temperature (%dA/dT) remained constant with membrane depth and only depended on composition. These parameters were also the same when either in-plane, or in-plane and out-of-plane fluorophore motions were observed. This result indicates that the membranes expand isotropically. The magnitude of b was found to be primarily dependent on the packing of the hydrocarbon chains with higher b values relating to more closely-packed chains. b was responsive to the gel to liquid crystal phase transition of DMPC and the bilayer to hexagonal phase transition of egg-phosphatidylethanolamine. When the enthalpy values for the fluorophore transfer from one phase to another are calculated, the values are larger than those measured by calorimetry and reflect a discrepancy between the microscopic enthalpy experienced by the fluorophore due to a change in environment versus the macroscopic enthalpy of the system as a whole.
Testing the use of quartz ‘micro-hole’ photon-simulated luminescence for dating sediments from the central Lomonosov Ridge, Arctic Ocean

Abstract In the Arctic Ocean, direct dating methods are needed as an alternative to the radiocarbon (14C) method and to various indirect approaches for a longer stratigraphy. In past attempts to develop a luminescence sediment dating, the use of fine-silt (4–11 μm) mixture of quartz and feldspar grains from core tops has often produced large age overestimates by several ka. A recent application of micro-focused laser (‘micro-hole’) photon-stimulated luminescence (PSL) to medium-silt to fine-sand quartz grains (11–105 μm) from the core tops at the Alaska margin has been usefully accurate. To extend this approach to the central Arctic Ocean and to a larger grain size range, we applied micro-hole PSL dating to >11 μm quartz grains from core tops (0.5–2 cm horizon) from two sites on the central Lomonosov Ridge. We obtain a burial age estimate of ca. 2 ka for 11–62 μm grains at a multicore site 18 MC within a perched intra-ridge basin, in accord with 14C ages obtained on foraminifers. At nearby site 19 MC on the erosive ridge top, the micro-hole PSL dating of >90 μm quartz grains produces a burial age estimate of ∼ca. 25 ka, in accord with a foraminiferal 14C age of ca. 26 ka. However, the 11–90 μm grains from the same sample produce a much younger burial age estimate of ca. 9 ka. Thus, these two size fractions of quartz grains record different burial times and different deposition agents (icebergs vs. sea ice), providing insight into past sedimentary processes. Overall, our results confirm an earlier conclusion from micro-hole PSL dating study at the Alaska margin that medium to coarse silt fractions of quartz grains (11–90 μm or at least 62 μm) is the preferred material for direct dating of the last daylight exposure of detrital sediment in the Arctic Ocean.
Exclusion of APC and VHL gene deletions by array-based comparative hybridization in two patients with microscopically visible chromosomal aberrations.

Abstract Karyotyping is a major component of the genetic work-up of patients with dysmorphism. Cytogenetic aberrations close to a known tumor suppressor gene raise important clinical issues because deletion of that tumor suppressor gene can cause genetic predisposition to cancer. We present two cancer-free dysmorphic patients with karyotypes of 46,XX,del(5)(q15q22.3) and 46,XX,del(3)(p25.2∼pter). These deletions are close to the APC and VHL genes that confer susceptibility to familial Adenomatous polyposis (OMIM #17510) and von-Hippel-Lindau syndrome (OMIM #193300), respectively. The array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) analysis using a custom Agilent 44K oligonucleotide array demonstrated an interstitial 20.7-megabase (Mb) deletion on 5q (chr5: 89,725,638-110,491,345) and a terminal 9.45-Mb deletion on 3p (chr3:pter-9,450,984). According to the March 2006 human reference sequence, the APC gene is located at chr5: 112,101,483-112,209,835 and the VHL gene is located at chr3: 10,158,319-10,168,746. These results indicate that the APC gene is 2,300 kilobases (kb) and the VHL gene is 700 kb away from deleted regions. Southern blot analysis for APC and VHL genes were negative, consistent with array-CGH findings. These results demonstrate the power of array-CCH to assess potential tumor suppressor gene involvement and cancer risk in patients with microscopically visible deletions in areas near tumor suppressors.
Simulation of Flocculation in Stirred Vessels Lagrangian Versus Eulerian

Abstract A study has been performed to evaluate Lagrangian and Eulerian approaches for simulating flocculation in stirred vessels. The prediction of the transient floc size evolution was performed using the quadrature method of moments (QMOM) while flow field characteristics within the turbulent stirred vessel were obtained using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The Eulerian and Lagrangian CFD/QMOM models were applied to a 28 l square tank using either a Rushton turbine or a fluid foil impeller. Simulations were performed with an initial concentration of 100 mg L −1 of 1 μm nominal clay particles for several average characteristic velocity gradients (40-, 70-, 90-, 150-s −1 ). For the Lagrangian approach, the results showed that the average floc size transient evolution curve does not predict a peak followed by a lower steady-state size as observed for higher shear rates with the Eulerian approach. However, the overall good agreement between the Eulerian and Lagrangian CFD/QMOM models, indicates that a Lagrangian approach combined with a QMOM model would be an efficient method to quantify the impact of non-fluid flow experimental conditions on the flocculation process. In addition, the Lagrangian CFD/QMOM approach may be a useful tool to study the dynamics of flocculation and determine appropriate coalescence/breakup kernels when performing an inverse problem technique.
Assessment of Radial Aspheres by the Arc-Step Algorithm as Implemented by the Keratron Keratoscope

Purpose To assess the accuracy with which the Keratron (Optikon 2000, Rome, Italy) measured rotationally symmetric, radially aspheric test surfaces according to an arc-step profile reconstruction algorithm and to discriminate between error caused by the algorithm and error from other sources. Methods Height, local power, and axial power calculated from radius of curvature centered on the instrument's axis were reported by the Keratron for four surfaces that had radial profiles similar to normal corneas. The Keratron profile reconstruction algorithm was simulated by using ray tracing. Keratron measurements were compared with the surfaces' formulas and the ray-traced simulations. Results The heights reported by the Keratron were within 0.25 μm from the four surfaces at less than 3 mm from the keratoscope axis and generally within 1 μm of the height calculated from the surfaces' formulas. The Keratron's axial powers were within ±0.1 diopter of the simulation of the axial solution between 1 and 4 mm of the axis but were greater central to 1 mm and peripheral to 4 mm. The Keratron's local powers were within −0.25 diopters at less than 4 mm from the axis and peripherally were between +1.75 diopters and −0.75 diopter of power calculated from the surface's instantaneous radii of curvature. Height error because of the arc-step algorithm was less than −0.2 μm. Conclusions The Keratron's arc-step profile reconstruction algorithm contributed to its ability to measure height more accurately than keratoscopes that use spherically biased algorithms and provided measurement of local power.
Die Stellung von vier motorischen Variablen in einer Faktorenanalyse und ihre Beziehungen zu Angst und Stress

In einer Faktorenanalyse von 40 Variablen wurde die Stellung von vier motorischen Variablen untersucht, a) Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit, b) Tapping-Geschwindigkeit, c) Tasterdruck beim Tapping, und d) Handstetigkeit bei Mehrfachtatigkeit. Fur diese vier Variablen fanden sich signifikante Ladungen auf drei von 16 in der Gesamtanalyse extrahierten Faktoren. Die Reaktionszeit zeigte eine Ladung auf einem Eigenfaktor „Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit“, die Tapping-Geschwindigkeit auf einem Faktor fur „feinmotorische Geschwindigkeit“, der Tasterdruck beim Tapping auf einem „motorischen Koordinationsfaktor“ und dem Faktor fur „feinmotorische Geschwindigkeit“, die Handstetigkeit ebenfalls auf dem „motorischen Koordinationsfaktor“. Ein allgemeiner Faktor fur „Motorik“ war nicht nachzuweisen. Die Ergebnisse wurden auf Grund zusatzlicher Ladungen anderer Variablen und im Hinblick auf die einschlagige Literatur interpretiert. Das vielfach in der Praxis benutzte Konzept einer allgemeinen „motorischen Begabung“ lies sich — in Ubereinstimmung mit den bisherigen faktorenanalytischen Untersuchungen — nicht bestatigen.
Kinetics of circulating corticosterone in infant rats

ABSTRACT: Corticosterone plays an important role in the regulation of postnatal development in the rat. Basal concentrations of plasma corticosterone increase markedly during the 3rd wk of life. To date, however, the physiologic bases of this increase have remained unclear. To understand the determinants of circulating concentrations of corticosterone during this period, the plasma half-life of disappearance at steady state (t½), the apparent volume of distribution, and metabolic clearance rate were determined after injection of a tracer dose of 3H-corticosterone in rats at 12, 16, and 22 days of age. The t½ for total plasma corticosterone decreased with increasing age. The volume of distribution decreased even more steeply and, consequently, the MCR displayed a highly significant decline between 12 and 22 days of age. As plasma concentrations of corticosteroid-binding globulin are known to increase markedly during this period, the t½ of protein-bound corticosterone was measured and that of free corticosterone was computed. At all ages the t½ of bound corticosterone was less than that of free corticosterone. Protein binding of the injected 3H-corticosterone increased significantly with development. Thus, increased binding of corticosterone is associated with decreased t½. The increasing association of corticosterone with corticosteroid-binding globulin during this developmental period is the most likely explanation for the steep decline of volume of distribution and thus of the metabolic clearance rate for corticosterone. The latter provides, for the first time, an understanding of the basis of the developmental increase in plasma concentrations of corticosterone.
BINDING OF 3H-SERT0LI CELL FACTOR TO RAT ANTERIOR PITUITARY IN VITRO1,2

The binding character is tics of Sertoli Cell Factor (SCF) to the anterior pituitaries were examined using tissue homogenates and cultured cells. Tritium-labeled SCF (3H-SCF), synthesized by rat Sertoli cells invitro in the presence of 3H-leucine and partly purified by Sephadex gel chromatography, was used as the ligand. The binding of H-SCF to the pituitary homogenates or cultured cells was considerably greater (3–6X) compared to homogenates of brain, kidney, liver, spleen and test is. The pituitary binding was saturable, temperature and time-dependent, and directly related to the receptor concentration. Maximum binding at 37 C occurred after 60 min of incubation. Over 90% of the bound 3H-SCF was competitively inhibited by an excess of unlabeled SCF, but not by other substances. There was a good correlation between the binding of H-SCF and its biological activity, as evidenced by a selective suppression of basal FSH release in pituitary cell cultures. These data indicate that, in analogy to other protein...
Hydration of plutonium oxide and process salts, NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2: effect of calcination on residual water and rehydration

Abstract The Department of Energy has issued a standard (DOE-STD-3013-96) that establishes the criteria for packaging of plutonium metal and stabilized oxides for an anticipated storage period of 50 years. The basis for the standard comes from data collected from relatively pure plutonium metal and oxide. However, much of the material in the Department of Energy complex currently awaiting packaging for long-term storage is not pure metal or oxide but also contains chloride salts, including NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2, which must be taken into consideration when making decisions regarding pre-packaging processing. The DOE-STD-3013-96 standard is currently undergoing revisions to include these considerations, specifically a lowering of the temperature of pre-packaging calcination from 950 to 800°C. Calcining impure plutonium residues at 800°C may or may not be sufficient to reduce the water content of the residue to below 0.5 wt%, a criteria deemed important to prevent the over-pressurization of long-term storage containers. This paper summarizes the literature describing the dehydration and rehydration of PuO2, NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2 and experimental results from impure oxides containing chloride salts, and applies this information to the direct problem of stabilizing impure plutonium oxide residues for long-term storage. Overall, the literature data available is not sufficient to unequivocally guarantee the stabilization processing and packaging conditions necessary to meet the 0.5 wt% water content criteria of DOE-STD-3013-96. It can be concluded that studies and measurements performed on individual components are not an adequate indication of overall hydration behavior of mixtures. In order to minimize the amount of water adsorbed for samples containing chloride salts, we recommend salt residues be calcined at 850°C for at least 2 h, they be sealed in an approved storage container as soon as possible after calcination, and the moisture content of the glovebox atmosphere not exceed 35% relative humidity.
Clinical and echocardiographic comparison of patients with the carcinoid syndrome with and without carcinoid heart disease

Abstract To correlate clinical and laboratory variables in carcinoid heart disease, clinical data, echocardiograms, 24-hour urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels and liver function tests were evaluated in 30 patients with the carcinoid syndrome. The dominant cardiac lesion of carcinoid heart disease by echocardiography and Doppler was severe tricuspid regurgitation with right ventricular volume overload. A characteristic finding was thickened, retracted tricuspid valve leaflets that were fixed in a partially open position. Carcinoid heart disease was progressive and often fatal. The 17 patients with echocardiographic evidence of carcinoid heart disease had higher peak levels of urinary 5-hydroxyin-doleacetic acid (331 ± 231 vs 58 ± 78 mg, p 0.1), survival after echocardiography was shorter for those with carcinoid heart disease (1.9 ± 1.4 vs 3.8 ± 2.9 years, p = 0.05). The findings support the concept that long-term exposure of the endocardium to serotonin in the right side of the heart leads to the development of heart lesions; in addition, progressive hepatic dysfunction may allow more serotonin to bypass liver enzymes and reach the right side of the heart.
Observations of Thermal and Precipitation Structure in a Tropical Cyclone by Means of Passive Microwave Imagery near 118 GHZ

Abstract An imaging microwave radiometer with eight double-sideband channels centered on the 118-GHz oxygen resonance was flown on a high-altitude aircraft over a tropical cyclone in the Coral Sea. The measurements clearly resolved an eyewall of strong convection and a warm core within the eye. Brightness temperatures observed within the eye were approximately 10 K warmer than those observed in clear air 100 km or more away. This warming extended somewhat beyond the eyewall in the highest (most opaque) channel. The temperature profile in the eye, central pressure, and convective cell-top altitudes are inferred from the data.
Evaluating index Morganagus: Indexing and providing access to library‐related serials using harvest

This article describes Index Morganagus, a full‐text index of library‐related electronic serials. It describes why the Index was created and then gives an overview of Harvest, the technology that collects, indexes, and provides access to the serials. The article outlines how the process was automated using the combination of a database application (FileMaker Pro) and various ‘glue’ scripts (both AppleScript and Perl). It provides an analysis of the service's log files which shed light on usage patterns and librarian search behaviour. While the Index may not be satisfying a large need in the library profession, it demonstrates the feasibility of creating similar indexes for other professions where there may be greater need. It also demonstrates how computer technology can empower librarians and provide better, in‐house developed solutions, and in doing so expand the horizon of library services.1
Adversity and Korean/Japanese Passives: Constructional Analogy

In past studies of the Korean and Japanese morphological passives (KMP and JMP, respectively), emphasis has been put on their similarities. To explain their differences (e.g., only the JMP has a subvariety called indirect passive), several authors have attempted to capture the relation between the KMP and JMP on a continuous scale, where the KMP is more “restricted” than the JMP. The “continuity” approach to the KMP/JMP is, however, hard to maintain for two reasons. First, under the continuity hypothesis it is hard to explain the link between the KMP/JMP and their related constructions, i.e., the causative for the former and the spontaneous, potential, and honorific for the latter. Second, the continuity hypothesis cannot explain why the two constructions invoke an adversity implicature under different conditions. I argue that the KMP and JMP have substantially different core syntax/semantics and examine the sources of adversity implicatures associated with them. The KMP is semantically monostratal and is associated with a construction-specific adversative meaning (conventional implicature). By contrast, the JMP encodes the triadic relation of “lack of control” among an agent, an undergoer, and an event; the adversative meaning of the indirect passive is derived as a conversational implicature.
Memory effect in thin films of insulating polymer and C60 nanocomposites

We describe the use of C60 fullerene molecules as the charge storage medium in an insulating poly-vinyl-phenol (PVP) polymer. The simple metal?organic?metal (MOM) sandwich structure devices deposited from solution exhibit distinct high and low conduction states, which can be used to program read, write and erase memory operations. The charge transfer and retention in C60 molecules at room temperature has been confirmed by capacitance?voltage and Raman spectroscopy measurements. Conducting atomic force microscopy has been used to demonstrate that high and low conductance states persist even at the nanoscale.
Trade policy subtleties with multinational firms

Abstract Regional trade blocks must specify domestic-content rules that define the conditions under which a good qualifies as ‘domestic’ and so may be freely traded within the block. This paper analyzes such rules, focussing on oligopolistic industries in which foreign multinationals rely much more on imported intermediate inputs that do domestic firms. In such a situation, we argue that domestic content provisions are anti-competitive, reducing overall final output of the industry, and shifting rents to domestic firms. These ideas are examined analytically and then numerically using an applied general-equilibrium model of the North American auto industry.
High-titanium lunar basalts: a possible source in the Allende meteorite.

The high content of titanium and many refractory trace elements is a remarkable feature of many lunar basalts, and its origin is imperfectly understood. A unique titanium-rich pyroxene in the Allende meteorite shows an abundance pattern for Ti, Ba, Sr, rare earth elements, Y, Zr, Hf, and Nb paralleling that for the high-titanium lunar basalts. Its probable origin as a high-temperature condensate from the primitive solar nebula indicates that it may have been an important phase in the original accretion of the Moon. A small degree of partial melting of material containing this phase would give a magma with abundance patterns for these elements comparable to those measured in basalts collected on the Apollo 11 and 17 missions; the younger and less Ti-rich basalts of other missions can plausibly be explained by a greater degree of partial melting and dilution with other phases.
Engineered lanthanide-binding metallohomeodomains : Designing folded chimeras by modular turn substitution

A series of chimeric metallohomeodomains are described, engineered by rational design of a flexible Ca/Ln binding site into a DNA-binding scaffold. A modular turn-substitution approach was used to create proteins that both bind DNA and lanthanide ions, while retaining the secondary structure of the full homeodomain (determined by circular dichroism [CD]). Four similar metallohomeodomains were designed (C1–C4), their structural stability predicted by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of loop-mutations into the known homeodomain structure, and each designed protein cloned, expressed, and purified using standard molecular biology techniques. Two of the four loop insertions resulted in folded, metal- and DNA-binding proteins (EuC2 Kd = 2.1 ± 0.4 μM; EuC4 Kd = 3.2 ± 1.0 μM). These results show the successful incorporation of a metal site into a full protein domain, without compromising long-range structure. This is an important achievement in biomolecular design, as it provides a critical starting point for exploring metallonuclease function and substrate accessibility in a well-organized chimeric protein domain (rather than only in small HTH peptide systems).
Effect of adrenocorticotropic hormone on appetitive discrimination learning in the rat.

Abstract ACTH has been shown to have the effect of prolonging the extinction of avoidance behavior in animals. It has been established that this is an extraadrenal action of the hormone, most likely on central nervous system sites. One hypothesis suggested by these data gathered in aversive situations is that ACTH affects the storage and/or retrieval of learned responses. This experiment tested the generality of this view by administering ACTH to rats during acquisition and reversal of a black-white discrimination with food reward. ACTH had no effect of any kind on acquisition or reversal learning. Since these data do not support the memory hypothesis of the action of ACTH. some alternative explanation for the effects of the hormone on avoidance behavior must be sought.
Instrumental determination of elasticity of marshmallow

Marshmallows of a national and supermarket brand were subjected to four successive compression-decompression cycles using a computer interfaced Universal testing machine and the total and recoverable work in each cycle determined. The two brands were significantly different. Differences were maintained irrespective of the deformation rate (10 and 20 mm.min–1), the magnitude of imposed strain in the range of 15–40% and the time between the cycles (0, 30 and 60 s). It appears that the discriminatory power of the test decreases as the magnitude of the imposed strain increases.
Prostaglandin E2 enhances aortic permeability to injected patent blue violet dye and [C14]-cholesterol in the rat: A potential role for PGE2 in atherogenesis

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) markedly enhanced aortic permeability to injected patent blue violet dye and increased the aortic uptake of [C14]-cholesterol. It is hypothesized that increased aortic synthesis of PGE2 might influence atherogenesis by altering aortic permeability to plasma components.
Protecting Critical Data

TrustZone technology provides a defense against malicious software attempting to tamper with critical data such as digital-rights management (DRM) counters. The basic premise of our solution is that the state of the flash can serve as a point of reference to detect when rollback has occurred. Our solution is embodied in a trusted software application that needs the protection provided by the TrustZone Secure World. This application represents the flash's state by generating a hash over a 32-byte sample of contiguous flash content, starting at a randomly selected address. The reference hash of the critical data is retrieved by decrypting the stored items just described and reversing the process. Next, the critical data itself is decrypted, and a new hash is generated from it. The new hash is compared with the reference hash to determine the critical data's integrity.
Histopathologic Correlative Study of Kelman-Style Flexible Anterior Chamber Intraocular Lenses

Three of 16 eyes in which Kelman flexible anterior chamber lenses were implanted were obtained for postmortem examination, and the lenses and globes were analyzed histopathologically. Thirteen additional lenses, removed surgically secondary to various complications, were studied by scanning electron microscopy. All of the lenses ere well finished and none showed evidence of degradation or cracking of the polymethylmethacrylate optics or foot plates. Some of the lenses showed deposition of inflammatory debris or erythrocytes, reflecting a clinical history of uveitis. In some cases, the problems seemed to be related to variations in surgical technique or improper sizing.
Biodegradability of Free Monomeric and Cell‐Wall‐Bound Phenolic Acids in Maize Stover by Two Strains of White‐Rot Fungi

Development of fungal bioconversion technology to upgrade feeding value of fibrous crop residues into animal feed requires the understanding of the impact of fungal treatments on cell wall phenolic acids. This study investigated the capacity of two strains of white-rot fungi, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Phlebia brevispora, in degrading cell wall-bound phenolic acids in maize (Zea maize L) stover and the free phenolic monomers in a liquid culture medium. In the study, 150 mg litre -1 of p-coumaric acid (PCA), ferulic acid (FA), syringic acid (SYA), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), vanillic acid (VA), and 200 mg litre -1 of caffeic acid (CA) were added to a liquid nutrient medium and incubated with each of the fungi for 28 days. The results indicated that within 21 days the fungal treatments completely removed the added PCA and FA from the medium, and over 94% of SYA was degraded after 28 days. During the incubation periods, VA and PHBA were also extensively removed by P chrysosporium, but resistant to degradation by P brevispora. Disappearance of caffeic acid from the medium was related to both fungal degradation and abiotic hydrolysis. In the culture media, P chrysosporium was superior to P brevispora in removing the phenolic acids. Solid incubation of maize stover with the selected fungi for 28 days resulted in extensive degradation of cell-wall-bound FA and PCA. However, complete degradation of cell wall FA and PCA did not occur in maize stover. In contrast to results in pure liquid medium, P chrysosporium degraded only 20% of the initial concentration of cell wall PCA, and was less effective in degrading cell wall FA compared to P brevispora. These results indicate that the white-rot fungi were able to degrade phenolic acids both in pure culture medium and in cell wall matrix of maize stover. Furthermore, P brevispora exhibited stronger ability to degrade cell-wall-bound phenolic acids. Thus, this fungus can be more effective for the enhancement of fibre digestibility.
Linear theory of hereditary micropolar materials

Abstract A theory of hereditary micropolar materials is presented for polar materials. The relaxation and creep behaviour of three simple micropolar viscoelastic models are presented and compared to the nonpolar case. The micropolar-elastic and viscoelastic analogy is formulated and applied to the problem of stress concentration in a plate.
The role of general cognitive ability and job performance: Why there cannot be a debate.

Given the overwhelming research evidence showing the strong link between general cognitive ability (GCA) and job performance, it is not logically possible for industrial -organizational (I/O) psychologists to have a serious debate over whether GCA is important for job performance. However, even if none of this evidence existed in I/O psychology, research findings in differential psychology on the nature and correlates of GCA provide a sufficient basis for the conclusion that GCA is strongly related to job performance. In I/O psychology, the theoretical basis for the empirical evidence linking GCA and job performance is rarely presented, but is critical to understanding and acceptance of these findings. The theory explains the why behind the empirical findings. From the viewpoint of the kind of world we would like to live in-and would like to believe we live in-the research findings on GCA are not what most people would hope for and are not welcome. However, if we want to remain a science-based field, we c...
Alcohol and Other Drug Use, Partner Violence, and Mental Health Problems Among Female Sex Workers in Southwest China

In this study we investigated the association between mental health problems and negative experiences among female sex workers (FSWs) in China. A total of 1,022 FSWs completed a self-administered survey on their demographic characteristics, mental health status, substance use behaviors, and experiences of partner violence. We found that alcohol use was independently predictive of mental health problems when both partner violence and illicit drug use were accounted for in the multivariate logistic regression models. The findings underscore the urgent need for effective alcohol reduction interventions and mental health promotion programs among FSWs in China and other developing countries.
Childhood Amnesia: A Conceptualization in Cognitive-Psychological Terms

Childhood amnesia is defined operationally as the forgetting of early life events to a significantly greater degree than is accounted for by “normal” forgetting, which is an increasing recall decrement as time since occurrence increases. Three cognitive processes and their developmental changes are discussed which, when considered with psychodynamic factors, may broaden the understanding of childhood amnesia. It is argued that psychoanalytic theory and technique can benefit from the research and methods of cognitive psychology.
Patent Piriform Sinus Fistula in a Third Branchial Cleft Cyst

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a patent branchial cleft fistula is identifiable and treatable via direct laryngoscopy. BACKGROUND: Third branchial cleft cyst fistula tracts are rare. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice; however complications can include recurrent abscess and fistula tract formation. RESULTS: This report illustrates the use of suction cautery to close a patent fistula found within the piriform sinus after multiple resections. CONCLUSION: We believe thorough endoscopy should be performed with every surgical excision of branchial cleft cyst. Case Continued: The decision was made at that time to take the patient to the OR for cauterization of the fistula. The patient was taken to the OR on 7/28/09 where she underwent general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation without difficulty. A Dedo laryngoscope was inserted into the left piriform sinus and using a zero degree Hopkin’s rod a patent fistula was identified (Figure 2). A probe was inserted into the fistula and under direct visualization suction electrocautery was used to scar the fistula tract closed (Figure 3 and 4). The patient tolerated this procedure well and was admitted overnight for airway observation. She was discharged home on post operative day one with a soft diet for two weeks. The patient returned to clinic for follow up and underwent indirect laryngoscopy which demonstrated a well healed left piriform sinus and normal true vocal cord mobility. The patient is currently four months post operative without any complications.
Balloon expandable stents for systemic venous pathway stenosis late after Mustard’s operation

Objectives—Description and evaluation of current experience with the use of balloon expandable stents for the relief of systemic venous pathway stenosis late after Mustard's operation. Design—Retrospective observational study of technical procedures, angiographic, and haemodynamic findings. Patients—Twenty long term survivors of Mustard's operation for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with angiographic evidence of systemic venous pathway narrowing. Intervention—Systemic venous pathway stenoses were stented using balloon expandable Palmaz stents. Results—Twenty seven stents were deployed across 24 stenoses. Seventeen stents were placed in the inferior baffle (16 patients), with an increase in mean (range) minimum diameter from 9.6 (4.5-15.9) to 16.5 (11.9-22.2) mm (p = 0.007), and a reduction in mean pressure gradient from 3.1 (0-8) to 0.67 (0-3) mm Hg (p = 0.002). Eight stents were placed in the superior pathways of eight patients, with diameters widened from 9.1 (3.5-14.1) to 15.2 (8.7-19.2) mm (p = 0.018), and gradients reduced from 6.4 (2-11) to 0.9 (0-2) mm Hg (p = 0.02). Two badly deployed stents were safely withdrawn from their intracardiac positions and redeployed in the iliac vein. Transvenous pacemaker insertion was facilitated by prior stent insertion. Conclusions—The use of balloon expandable stents for late systemic pathway narrowing after Mustard's operation is safe and effective. The beneficial effects of stenting are likely to be more durable than those of balloon angioplasty alone, but longer term follow up is required. Keywords: stents; Mustard procedure; systemic venous baffle stenosis; adult congenital heart disease
Justifying Integrity Using a Virtual Machine Verifier

Emerging distributed computing architectures, such as grid and cloud computing, depend on the high integrity execution of each system in the computation. While integrity measurement enables systems to generate proofs of their integrity to remote parties, we find that current integrity measurement approaches are insufficient to prove runtime integrity for systems in these architectures. Integrity measurement approaches that are flexible enough have an incomplete view of runtime integrity, possibly leading to false integrity claims, and approaches that provide comprehensive integrity do so only for computing environments that are too restrictive. In this paper, we propose an architecture for building comprehensive runtime integrity proofs for general purpose systems in distributed computing architectures. In this architecture, we strive for classical integrity, using an approximation of the Clark-Wilson integrity model as our target. Key to building such integrity proofs is a carefully crafted host system whose long-term integrity can be justified easily using current techniques and a new component, called a VM verifier, which comprehensively enforces our integrity target on VMs. We have built a prototype based on the Xen virtual machine system for SELinux VMs, and find that distributed compilation can be implemented, providing accurate proofs of our integrity target with less than 4% overhead.
A 1.8-GHz monolithic LC voltage-controlled oscillator

The authors describe a monolithic LC VCO (voltage-controlled oscillator) for use in the microwave frequency range. The circuit does not require any external components, but instead relies on characteristics inherent in the circuit configuration for frequency tuning. A simplified circuit schematic of the LC VCO is shown. A monolithic LC VCO achieves a measured tuning range of 200 MHz, extending from 1.68 GHz to 1.86 GHz. >
Rapid 3D track reconstruction with the BABAR trigger upgrade

A new hardware trigger system based on tracks detected by a stereo drift chamber has been developed for the BABAR experiment at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The z0 pT Discriminator (ZPD) is capable of fast, 3-dimensional reconstruction of charged particle tracks, and provides rejection of background events due to beam particles interacting with the beam pipe at the first-level trigger. Over 1 gigabyte of data is processed per second by each ZPD module. Rapid track reconstruction has been realized by the use of the latest-generation FPGAs.
Almost instant time inference for hybrid partially dynamic Bayesian networks

A Bayesian network (BN) is a compact representation for probabilistic models and inference. They have been used successfully for many military and civilian applications. It is well known that, in general, the inference algorithms to compute the exact a posterior probability of a target node given observed evidence are either computationally infeasible for dense networks or impossible for general hybrid networks. In those cases, one either computes the approximate results using stochastic simulation methods or approximates the model using discretization or a Gaussian mixture model before applying an exact inference algorithm. This paper combines the concept of simulation and model approximation to propose an efficient algorithm for those cases. The main contribution here is a unified treatment of arbitrary (nonlinear non-Gaussian) hybrid (discrete and continuous) BN inference having both computation and accuracy scalability. The key idea is to precompile the high-dimensional hybrid distribution using a hypercube representation and apply it for both static and dynamic BN inference. Since the inference process essentially becomes a combination of table look-up and some simple operations, the method is shown to be extremely efficient. It can also he scaled to achieve any desirable accuracy given sufficient preprocessing time and memory for the cases where exact inference is not possible
Genetic influences on craniofacial outcome in an avian model of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Background: Understanding the basis for ethanol's teratogenic effects may inform the etiology of fetal alcohol syndrome. Here we investigate how genetic background and susceptibility to ethanol-induced neural crest apoptosis contribute to the distinctive craniofacial phenotype observed after prenatal alcohol exposure. Methods: Nine different chick strains were exposed to ethanol at gastrulation. The sensitivity of these embryos to ethanol-induced neural crest apoptosis was reported elsewhere (Debelak and Smith, 2000). Here, these embryos were permitted to develop until embryonic day 10, when facial morphogenesis was largely complete, and cephalometric measurements were made on cleared skulls. Shifts in facial growth were correlated against the severity of ethanol-induced apoptosis in facial precursors. Results: The facial shape produced by ethanol exposure was a function of the embryos' genetic strain. Three general responses were observed: apparent midfacial flattening (Babcock B300 x Hampshire Red, ISA-Babcock, HyLine W98, and HyLine W36 strains), overall facial expansion (Spafas and Babcock B300 strains), or overall facial hypoplasia (DeKalb strains). When dose and timing of exposure were held constant, the embryo's genetic background predicted the facial outcome. For ethanol-sensitive strains, apoptosis of facial precursor populations was required to produce the facial defects. That some strains had essentially normal faces despite extensive cell death indicated a capacity to recover from the earlier neural crest losses. Conclusions: We propose that ethanol's effects on craniofacial development are multifactoral, and these influences may include susceptibility to apoptosis, regenerative capacity, and compensatory outgrowth of the facial primordia. The embryo's genetic background may modulate these events. The high and low responder chick strains are useful tools to dissect these contributions.
A survey of light‐scattering techniques used in the remote monitoring of atmospheric aerosols

A critical survey of the literature on the use of light-scattering mechanisms in the remote monitoring of atmospheric aerosols, their geographical and spatial distribution, and temporal variations was undertaken to aid in the choice of future operational systems, both ground based and air or space borne. An evaluation, mainly qualitative and subjective, of various techniques and systems is carried out. No single system is found to be adequate for operational purposes. A combination of earth surface and space-borne systems based mainly on passive techniques involving solar radiation with active (lidar) systems to provide auxiliary or backup information is tentatively recommended.
Noise characteristics and statistics of picosecond Stokes pulses generated in optical fibers through stimulated Raman scattering

The growth of the Stokes pulse from spontaneous noise during stimulated Raman scattering of picosecond pump pulses in optical fibers, is investigated by using a Langevin-noise term in the coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equations, which include pump depletion, group-velocity mismatch, fiber dispersion, and self- and cross-phase modulation. The model makes use of the actual Raman-gain spectrum of optical fibers. Numerical simulations are used to examine the average behavior of the Stokes pulse, and shot-to-shot fluctuations that are likely to occur in practice. It is shown that the Raman-induced energy transfer is significantly affected by group-velocity dispersion for pump-pulse widths shorter than 5 ps. Examination of the average temporal width shows that the Stokes pulse is initially as wide as the pump pulse, undergoes a gain induced compression and then rebroadens for distances longer than a walk-off length. The effect of varying pump and fiber parameters is to change the minimum value of the Stokes-pulse width, and the distance at which the minimum occurs. The shot-to-shot energy and pulse-width fluctuations initially increase before being reduced at fiber lengths longer than the walk-off length. The primary effect of dispersive and nonlinear effects is to change the distance beyond which fluctuations decrease. >
Isolation and Characterization of Beneficial Bacteria Associated with Citrus Roots in Florida

Cultivable diversity of bacteria associated with citrus was investigated as part of a larger study to understand the roles of beneficial bacteria and utilize them to increase the productive capacity and sustainability of agro-ecosystems. Citrus roots from Huanglongbing (HLB) diseased symptomatic and asymptomatic citrus were used in this study. A total of 227 and 125 morphologically distinct colonies were isolated and characterized from HLB asymptomatic and symptomatic trees, respectively. We observed that the frequency of bacterial isolates possessing various plant beneficial properties was significantly higher in the asymptomatic samples. A total of 39 bacterial isolates showing a minimum of five beneficial traits related to mineral nutrition [phosphate (P) solubilization, siderophore production, nitrogen (N) fixation], development [indole acetic acid (IAA) synthesis], health [production of antibiotic and lytic enzymes (chitinase)], induction of systemic resistance [salicylic acid (SA) production], stress relief [production of 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase] and production of quorum sensing [N-acyl homoserine lactones] signals were characterized. A bioassay using ethidium monoazide (EMA)-qPCR was developed to select bacteria antagonistic to Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. Using the modified EMA-qPCR assay, we found six bacterial isolates showing maximum similarity to Paenibacillus validus, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas putida, Microbacterium oleivorans, and Serratia plymutica could significantly reduce the population of viable Ca. L. asiaticus in HLB symptomatic leaf samples. In conclusion, we have isolated and characterized multiple beneficial bacterial strains from citrus roots which have the potential to enhance plant growth and suppress diseases.
Locus architecture affects mRNA expression levels in Drosophila embryos

Structural variation in the genome is common due to insertions, deletions, duplications and rearrangements. However, little is known about the ways structural variants impact gene expression. Developmental genes are controlled by multiple regulatory sequence elements scattered over thousands of bases; developmental loci are therefore a good model to test the functional impact of structural variation on gene expression. Here, we measured the effect of rearranging two developmental enhancers from the even-skipped (eve) locus in Drosophila melanogaster blastoderm embryos. We systematically varied orientation, order, and spacing of the enhancers in transgenic reporter constructs and measured expression quantitatively at single cell resolution in whole embryos to detect changes in both level and position of expression. We found that the position of expression was robust to changes in locus organization, but levels of expression were highly sensitive to the spacing between enhancers and order relative to the promoter. Our data demonstrate that changes in locus architecture can dramatically impact levels of gene expression. To quantitatively predict gene expression from sequence, we must therefore consider how information is integrated both within enhancers and across gene loci.
The scope and trends of pediatric hospitalizations in Texas, 2004-2010

OBJECTIVE: To examine demographics and trends of financial cost and prominent diseases/conditions resulting in inpatient hospitalizations for infants, children, and adolescents in Texas between 2004 and 2010. METHODS: Longitudinal retrospective cross-sectional study using the Texas Hospital Inpatient Discharge Database, including all pediatric hospitalizations in the state of Texas, 2004 to 2010. RESULTS: Texas has an average of 591 571 pediatric hospitalizations per year. Birth was the most common reason for hospitalization, representing 64% of all pediatric hospitalization annually in Texas. Respiratory illnesses were the most common discharge diagnosis for hospitalized children ages 1 month to 9 years and demonstrated a 2% decrease over the study period. The rate of hospitalizations for digestive conditions and childbirth also demonstrated a decrease over this time frame: 4.7% and 3.0%, respectively. The rate of mental illness diagnoses increased 2.5% over the time frame and represented the most common discharge diagnosis for children aged 10 to 14. Childbirth was the most common reason for hospitalization for adolescents aged 15 to 17 years. There was no increase in total cost of pediatric hospitalizations over the time period under study. CONCLUSIONS: After birth, respiratory illnesses represent the most common reason for hospitalization for children (between 1 month and 10 years of age) in Texas. Mental health conditions and childbirth represent the most common reason for hospitalization for young adolescents (10–14 years) and older adolescents (15–17 years), respectively.
Dose-Dependent Cellular and Systemic Pharmacokinetics of Cytosine Arabinoside

The proper selection of dose for any desired therapeutic effect must consider the drug’s systemic and cellular pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics, the measurement of drug concentration over time, is essential to the attainment of a desired pharmacodynamic effect. Correlation of cellular pharmacokinetics with systemic pharmacokinetics offers opportunities for optimal dosage and schedule selection so as to achieve the optimal therapeutic index.