cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neomycin Inhibition of the Hammerhead Ribozyme Involves Ionic Interactions

To investigate the properties of the neomycin-hammerhead interaction, inhibition of hammerhead activity was measured as a function of magnesium concentration and pH. The data are consistent with a simple competition between magnesium and neomycin with about five magnesium ions required to displace neomycin from the hammerhead. The pH dependence of the inhibition of hammerhead cleavage by neomycin and two related aminoglycosides was also determined. The data indicate that at least three of the five positively charged ammonium ions present on neomycin are critical for inhibiting hammerhead function. Taken together, these results suggest that the neomycin-hammerhead interaction is mostly ionic in character.
Materials challenges for nuclear systems

The safe and economical operation of any nuclear power system relies to a great extent, on the success of the fuel and the materials of construction. During the lifetime of a nuclear power system which currently can be as long as 60 years, the materials are subject to high temperature, a corrosive environment, and damage from high-energy particles released during fission. The fuel which provides the power for the reactor has a much shorter life but is subject to the same types of harsh environments. This article reviews the environments in which fuels and materials from current and proposed nuclear systems operate and then describes how the creation of the Advanced Test Reactor National Scientific User Facility is allowing researchers from across the United States to test their ideas for improved fuels and materials.
Hydrodynamic resistance of a pseudo-fluidized bed containing particles of many different sizes

The results of an investigation into the hydrodynamic resistance of a pseudo-fluidized bed containing irregularly-shaped particles of many different sizes are presented. An equation is derived for calculating the critical velocity of pseudo-fluidized behavior in highly dispersed mixtures of various building materials.
DIRECT FILE OF YOUTH TO CRIMINAL COURT: UNDERSTANDING THE PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL IMPLICATIONS

When teaching my undergraduate course on juvenile delinquency, I spend a class session discussing the US Supreme Court decisions since the 1960s that reshaped juvenile justice. I begin this discussion by covering the courts 1966 decision, Kent V US, In which the court required juvenile courts to hold a hearing before transferring any use from juvenile to criminal court. During the following class sessions, we discuss the prosecution of June incremental courts, and in the three methods by which you can be transferred. These are, judicial transfer, legislative exclusion, and direct file or prosecutorial's certification as it is called in the state of Virginia. Inevitably, the third of these transfer mechanisms confuses some of the more observant students. Why, they ask, can prosecutors directly file cases in criminal court, with the Supreme Court mandates to hearing for any youth who is judicially transferred? The answer is that access to the juvenile court is not right for any youth, so legislators and prosecutors can selectively deny its protections, so long as it is done fairly. But the presence in recent growth of direct file statutes begs the question of whether it is good policy or a fair policy that helps achieve desired ends. Given the Supreme Court ruling that each youth must have here's our her day in court prior to transfer, how do we understand the fairness and desirability of prosecutors directly filing selected youth in criminal court prior to any hearing in juvenile court? Keywords: Juvenile justice; Language: en
A Holistic Model for Wellness and Prevention Over the Life Span

A small percentage of our resources for health and human services is devoted to wellness and prevention of illness and social problems. An integrated paradigm for wellness and prevention over the life span is presented for the purpose of theory building, research, clinical application, education, advocacy, and consciousness raising. The model includes 11 characteristics desirable for optimal health and functioning. These characteristics are expressed through the five life tasks of spirituality, self-regulation, work, friendship, and love. Life forces external to the person are noted to understand the interaction between the individual and societal institutions.
Sources of corn for ethanol production in the United States: a decomposition analysis of the empirical data

The use of corn for ethanol production in the United States quintupled between 2001 and 2009, generating concerns that this could lead to the conversion of forests and grasslands around the globe, known as indirect land-use change (iLUC). Estimates of iLUC and related food versus fuel concerns rest on the assumption that the corn used for ethanol production in the United States would come primarily from displacing corn exports and land previously used for other crops. A number of modeling efforts based on these assumptions have projected significant iLUC from the increases in the use of corn for ethanol production. The current study tests the veracity of these assumptions through a systematic decomposition analysis of the empirical data from 2001 to 2009. The logarithmic mean divisia index decomposition method (Type I) was used to estimate contributions of different factors to meeting the corn demand for ethanol production. Results show that about 79% of the change in corn used for ethanol production can be attributed to changes in the distribution of domestic corn consumption among different uses. Increases in the domestic consumption share of corn supply contributed only about 5%. The remaining contributions were 19% from added corn production, and 2%more » from stock changes. Yield change accounted for about two-thirds of the contributions from production changes. Thus, the results of this study provide little support for large land-use changes or diversion of corn exports because of ethanol production in the United States during the past decade.« less
Silent myocardial ischemia: dimensions of the problem in patients with and without angina☆

Because of its possible relation to sudden cardiac death, silent myocardial ischemia is an important public health issue, especially with regard to persons who are totally asymptomatic. However, this syndrome is not confined to individuals without prior histories of angina or myocardial infarction; it is also being reported with increasing frequency in patients with clinical evidence of coronary artery disease. Although prognostic studies of silent myocardial ischemia in patients with angina are currently in progress, it appears that patients with extensive disease and left ventricular dysfunction are at highest risk for subsequent cardiac events.
Geographically disjunct populations and widespread genets in an endangered halophilic plant, the Amargosa niterwort ( Nitrophila mohavensis )

Nitrophila mohavensis, commonly known as Amargosa niterwort, is a perennial forb classified in the family Chenopodiaceae. The species is restricted to moist alkaline soils of the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and nearby localities within the Amargosa River basin and is currently listed as endangered. We isolated several polymorphic microsatellite loci and characterized genotypes from individuals spanning the range of the species as a means of inferring reproductive mode and population structure for the species. Out of 178 plants sampled from 35 different sample sites, there were 78 different multilocus genotypes. Most individuals had unique genotypes; however, there were many genotypes that were found in more than one individual and the most common genotype was sampled from 13 individuals. In addition, three genotypes were sampled from individuals across the range of the species, a maximum distance of more than 50 km. The results suggest that N. mohavensis reproduces clonally and by outcrossing. The relative frequency of the two reproductive strategies appears to vary among localities. There is not strong genetic differentiation among geographically separated clusters of plants. While the species is locally abundant and does not appear to suffer from inbreeding due to a small number of genets, continued local groundwater extraction coupled with forecasts of increasing regional desiccation due to accelerated climate change may combine to cause future population declines of N. mohavensis across its range.
Successful use of Etanercept for the treatment of Reiter’s syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

The treatment of severe and refractory cases of reactive arthritis is not well defined. There is a limited data about the use of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) blockers in reactive arthritis. Herein is a description of a patient with severe case of Chlamydia trachomatis-related reactive arthritis that was refractory to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfasalazine, prednisone, and methotrexate and was successfully treated with etanercept.
Secondary Marriage and Tribal Solidarity in Irigwe, Nigeria

This paper endeavors to do two things. The first section describes how co-husband relationships enjoyed by the traditional Irigwe system of secondary marriage helped in former days to keep the tribe's twenty-five ritual units at peace with one another. The second section examines an instance of legislated social change clearly related to the development of an Irigwe tribal administration in recent decades, and to its continuing effectiveness today. In 1968 both the traditionalist “pagan” majority and the change oriented Christian minority on the Irigwe Tribal Council voted to outlaw all future secondary marriages. The paper considers both political and underlying structural factors which may have led to this action.
The effect of safe experience on a warnings’ impact: Sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll

Abstract In many contexts we are warned against engaging in risky behavior only after having past safe experience. We examine the effect of safe experience on a warning’s impact by comparing warnings received after having safe personal experience with those received before people start making choices. A series of five experiments studies this question with a paradigm that combines both descriptive information (i.e. the warning) and experiential information (safe outcomes). The results demonstrate two separate advantages to an early warning that go beyond the warning’s mere informational content. When an early warning coincides with the beginning of a decision-making process, the warning is both weighted more heavily in future decisions (the Primacy Effect) and induces safer behavior that becomes the status quo for future choices (the Initial History Effect). While both effects operate indirectly through choice inertia, the primacy effect also operates directly on choices. This pattern of behavior is inconsistent with the “ideal” Bayesian for whom the order of information revelation does not influence subsequent behavior. The effect was robust across settings with and without forgone payoffs and when the consequences for risk taking are delayed until the end of the experiment. The results imply that, even after being adequately warned, some people may continue to take risks simply because they incurred good outcomes from the same choice in the past. Implications for policy and theory are discussed.
Regional Differences in Rates and Rateable Values in England and Wales, 1921–1936

Purpose and scope of the study; reasons for excluding Scottish data, 624. — The four composite areas, 627.— The averages used, 628.— Conclusions apparent when data are graphed, 628.— Implications of these characteristics, 634.— The significance of underassessment, 636.— Revaluation in 1929 left much to be done, 638.— Organization employed, 641.— Distribution of government grants, 642.— Revaluation in 1934 brought some improvement, 646. — Derating of industrial properties, 648.— Opposition to derating, 651.— seq="a" General conclusions concerning the significance of underassessment, 653.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibition and myelinogenesis in vitro

Abstract A long-acting, reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, ambenonium chloride (Mytelase), was added to developing cultures of neonatal mouse cerebellum to study its effect on myelin sheath formation. Myelinogenesis was inhibited completely in some cultures, retarded in others or apparently unaffected. The numbers of myelin sheaths per culture were also significantly reduced. Withdrawal of the compound resulted in the (re)initiation of myelinogenesis after 48 hr. The pattern of inhibition suggests that the acetylcholinesterase-containing neurons are the ones affected and supports the concept that the neuron may play an active role in the myelinogenetic process.
Tabu search algorithm for chemical process optimization

This paper presents a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm, Tabu Search (TS), and describes how it can be used to solve a wide variety of chemical engineering problems. Modifications to the original algorithm and constraint handling techniques are described and integrated to extend its applicability. All components of TS are described in detail. Initial values for each key parameter of TS are provided. In addition, guidelines for adjusting these parameters are provided to relieve a significant amount of time-consuming trial-and-error experiments that are typically required with stochastic optimization. Several small NLP and MINLP test cases and three small- to middle-scale chemical process synthesis problems demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the techniques with recommended parameters.
Finding strongly connected components in parallel in particle transport sweeps

Discrete ordinates methods are commonly used to simulate radiation transport for fire or weapons modeling. The computation proceeds by sweeping the flux across a grid. A particular cell cannot be computed until all the cells immediately upwind of it are finished. If the directed dependence graph for the grid cells contains a cycle then sweeping methods will deadlock. This can happen in unstructured grids and time stepped problems where the grid is allowed to deform. In this paper we present a parallel algorithm to detect cycles in the dependence graphs present in these grids as well as an implementation and experimental results on shared and distributed memory machines.
Structural stability and conductivity of cubic (WO3)x - (Dy2O3)y-(Bi2O3)1−x−y

Isovalent rare earth oxide cubic stabilized bismuth oxides undergo an order-disorder transition of the oxygen sublattice ∼600 °C. Annealing below this temperature leads to a decay in conductivity due to ordering. We recently discovered a high conductivity Bi2O3 electrolyte doped with both Dy2O3 and WO3 (DyWSB). The dopants were selected based on their polarizability and its effect on both structural stability and conductivity. Electrical conductivity results of the stabilized bismuth oxide system as function of temperature and time are presented. By manipulating the composition ratio of the dopants, the structural stability was enhanced resulting in a more stable conductivity.
Hypothermia and abnormalities in thermoregulation in patients with anorexia nervosa

Hypothermia and other persisting disturbances in thermoregulation among weight-recovered anorexia nervosa patients are reviewed. Possible neurobiological mechanisms that might explain these clinical features are presented along with evidence supporting the hypothesis that an increase in nonshivering thermogenesis and an underlying autonomic nervous system imbalance may contribute to the persistence of certain abnormal thermo-regulatory responses to cold in anorectics.
Thermal resistivity of layered 4He films on ZYX graphite below 2 K

Abstract Thermal resistance and vapor pressure isotherms were taken near superfluid onset for ultra-thin helium films adsorbed on a ZYX graphite wafer between 1–2 K and 3–7 atomic layers. Our data are consistent with previous graphite onsets and are compatible with a current model of film droplet formation. Overlap of thermal resistance curves at 1.19 and 139 K is believed to be associated with discrete layering effects of 2D superfluid film properties.
Preliminary report: effects of high dose methylprednisolone on delayed cerebral ischemia in patients at high risk for vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Mounting evidence suggests that chronic cerebral vasospasm may be linked to the inflammatory response that follows subarachnoid hemorrhage. Twenty-one patients judged to be at high risk for vasospasm because of either poor admitting grade or a large amount of subarachnoid blood shown by computed tom
Electronic Structure and Light-Induced Conductivity of a Transparent Refractory Oxide

Combined first-principles and experimental investigations reveal the underlying mechanism responsible for a drastic change of the conductivity (by 10 orders of magnitude) following hydrogen annealing and UV irradiation in a transparent oxide, $12\mathrm{C}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{O}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}7{\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, found by Hayashi et al. [Nature (London) 419, 462 (2002).] The charge transport associated with photoexcitation of an electron from ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ occurs by electron hopping. We identify the atoms participating in the hops, determine the exact paths for the carrier migration, estimate the temperature behavior of the hopping transport, and predict a way to enhance the conductivity by specific doping.
Finite element analysis of electromagnetically driven flow in sub-mold stirring of steel billets and slabs

This paper describes a new method for solving coupled three-dimensional electromagnetic and fluid flow equations in induction systems and its application to electromagnetic stirring in continuous casting of steel. This method is based on the differential-integral potential formulation of the electromagnetic field, and is capable of computing the field for any given stirrer configuration without solving the magnetic field in free space. The turbulent flow in the melt is represented by time averaged Navier–Stokes equation together with k-e turbulent model. The finite element formulation of the governing equations is also presented. Computed results were presented for the electromagnetic force distribution, velocity and turbulent parameters in rotary stirring of billets and linear stirring of slabs during continuous casting of steel. For rotary stirring, it was found that the electromagnetic forces are confined to the region surrounded by the stirrer, and the effective flow region is about twice the length of the stirrer and the flow exhibits weak axial velocity component. It was also found that the flow is turbulent with a maximum intensity of about 15% of the mean velocity, and decays rapidly above the edges of the inductor. For linear stirring of slabs, the spatial variation of the force field along and across the slab was found to generate a more complex flow pattern than predicted by two-dimensional analysis. The turbulent intensity was found to increase monotonically in the direction of the traveling force field.
Edge effects in mixed conifer group selection openings: tree height response to resource gradients

Replicated circular openings ranging in size from 0.1 to 1 ha were cleared on a Sierran mixed conifer forest in 1996 at the Blodgett Forest Research Station, California and planted with seedlings of six native species. After 3 years of growth, heights of all trees were measured and analyzed according to species, opening size, and location within the opening. To determine the cause of the edge influence on height, we measured differences along north‐south transects in extension growth, pre-dawn water potential, and light availability for three species of trees: giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), and Douglas-fir (Ptseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii). The sequence of mean height from tallest to shortest based on species was: giant sequoia > incense cedar > Douglas-fir > ponderosa pine > white fir > sugar pine. For all species combined, a ten-fold increase in the area of the opening corresponded to a 34% increase in mean height. Trees were tallest on average in the north rows and shortest in the south rows. There was no difference in height between trees in the east and west rows. As expected, resource availability was greatest near the center and least near the edges with north edges receiving significantly more light than southern edges. In general, observed edge effects on sapling height growth were correlated with light and water supply. However there were important differences between species in the nature of the co-limitation. Giant sequoia growth was most sensitive to light and water availability. Together they explained more than 47% of the observed variation in giant sequoia height. In contrast, only light was a significant predictor of ponderosa pine performance. Douglas-fir heights were significantly related to both light and water but there was more unexplained variability in the Douglas-fir model compared to the other species. These highly controlled experimental group openings provide a standard reference for silviculturalists using the group selection method of regeneration. # 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The Use of Seven Simulation Games in a College Economics Course

This study investigated the impact of four student characteristics and the instructors on the relative abilities of a simulation-gaming method and the lecture-discussion method to increase the economic knowledge, retention of economic knowledge, and interest toward economics of college students enrolled in an introductory economics course. The study indicated that the relative effectiveness of the methods of instruction was influenced by the students’ pre-course economic knowledge, previous economic training, and scholastic abilities. While the limitations of the study should be considered, it was suggested that a student’s economic knowledge, previous training, and scholastic ability could be used to place the student in the appropriate introductory economics course section.
Measurements of Waveguide Component and Joint Mixing Products in 6-GHz Frequency Diversity Systems

A measuring procedure and circuit are described for power-level determination of odd order "mixing products" generated in waveguide components of 6-GHz FM diversity communication systems. Measured results at several carrier frequencies and diversity separations are presented for typical components used (joints, flexible sections, and ferrite components).
Activity of gatifloxacin against Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis, including susceptibility test development, E-test comparisons, and quality control guidelines for H. influenzae.

In vitro antimicrobial activity and susceptibility testing interpretation criteria and quality control were studied for gatifloxacin, a new 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone, tested against Haemophilus influenzae. Moraxella catarrhalis (600 strains) and H. influenzae (1,400 strains) from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program in North America (Canada and the United States) were also tested against gatifloxacin and 12 other antimicrobial agents. Gatifloxacin (MIC at which 90% of the isolates are inhibited [MIC90], ≤0.03 μg/ml; 100.0% of strains inhibited at ≤2 μg/ml) was the most active agent tested against H. influenzae and was similar to four comparison fluoroquinolones (MICs, ≤0.03 to 2 μg/ml) against M. catarrhalis. A subset of 300 recent clinical isolates of H. influenzae were tested by using media (Haemophilus Test Medium agar and broth) and procedures recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) and with the E-test (AB BIODISK, Solna, Sweden). Gatifloxacin (MIC50, 0.008 μg/ml) was slightly more active than levofloxacin, and E-test results were generally elevated by 0.5 log2 dilution step compared to reference MICs. The gatifloxacin 5-μg disk test produced zone diameters that were routinely above 30 mm for H. influenzae strains, corresponding to gatifloxacin MICs of 0.008 or 0.016 μg/ml. The gatifloxacin susceptibility breakpoint proposed for nonfastidious species (≤2 μg/ml; ≥18 mm) was also suggested for H. influenzae testing. No interpretive errors were observed. Quality control guidelines for H. influenzae ATCC 49247 were determined by using the NCCLS M23-T3 (1998) study design. The results from the nine-laboratory protocol suggested the following control ranges: for broth microdilution tests, 0.004 to 0.03 μg/ml; for disk diffusion testing, 33 to 41 mm. Gatifloxacin appears to be a potent anti-Haemophilus fluoroquinolone compound with in vitro testing interpretive criteria that will produce accurate results (disk diffusion, broth microdilution, and E-test).
Exploring the transport of plant metabolites using positron emitting radiotracers.

Short‐lived positron‐emitting radiotracer techniques provide time‐dependent data that are critical for developing models of metabolite transport and resource distribution in plants and their microenvironments. Until recently these techniques were applied to measure radiotracer accumulation in coarse regions along transport pathways. The recent application of positron emission tomography (PET) techniques to plant research allows for detailed quantification of real‐time metabolite dynamics on previously unexplored spatial scales. PET provides dynamic information with millimeter‐scale resolution on labeled carbon, nitrogen, and water transport over a small plant‐size field of view. Because details at the millimeter scale may not be required for all regions of interest, hybrid detection systems that combine high‐resolution imaging with other radiotracer counting technologies offer the versatility needed to pursue wide‐ranging plant physiological and ecological research. In this perspective we describe a recen...
Development of a method for evaluating accessibility of medical equipment for patients with disabilities

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a method for evaluating accessibility of medical equipment for patients with disabilities. Methods: The researchers reviewed videotapes of patient-participants with various physical and sensory disabilities using different types of medical equipment. For each of 11 videotapes, four observers independently identified and documented access and safety barriers, such as physical, sensory, cognitive, and environmental barriers. Inter-observer variability for identifying barrier presence was assessed with kappa statistics for pairs of observers. Results: A list of 10 access and safety barriers was developed through an iterative consensus process, which identified design features of medical equipment that presented difficulties for participants with disabilities. The list is useful for identifying and categorizing accessibility problems found in equipment. While reliability of barrier identification was substantial or moderate for some barriers, reconciliation of barrier events identified by multiple video observers is recommended for optimal results.
Dynamic nuclear polarization of 13C in aqueous solutions under ambient conditions.

The direct enhancement of the 13 C NMR signal of small molecules in solution through Overhauser-mediated dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) has the potential to enable studies of systems where enhanced signal is needed but the current dissolution DNP approach is not suitable, for instance if the sample does not tolerate a freeze-thaw process or if continuous flow or rapid re-polarization of the molecules is desired. We present systematic studies of the 13 C DNP enhancement of 13 C-labeled small molecules in aqueous solution under ambient conditions, where we observe both dipolar and scalar-mediated enhancement. We show the role of the three-spin effects from enhanced protons on 13
Relationships between the Renal Handling of DMPS and DMSA and the Renal Handling of Mercury

Within the body of this review, we provide updates on the mechanisms involved in the renal handling mercury (Hg) and the vicinal dithiol complexing/chelating agents, 2,3-bis(sulfanyl)propane-1-sulfonate (known formerly as 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1- sulfonate, DMPS) and meso-2,3-bis(sulfanyl)succinate (known formerly as meso-2,3- dimercaptosuccinate, DMSA), with a focus on the therapeutic effects of these dithiols following exposure to different chemical forms of Hg. We begin by reviewing briefly some of the chemical properties of Hg, with an emphasis on the high bonding affinity between mercuric ions and reduced sulfur atoms, principally those contained in protein and nonprotein thiols. A discussion is provided on the current body of knowledge pertaining to the handling of various mercuric species within the kidneys, focusing on the primary cellular targets that take up and are affected adversely by these species of Hg, namely, proximal tubular epithelial cells. Subsequently, we provide a brief update on the current knowledge on the handling of DMPS and DMSA in the kidneys. In particular, parallels are drawn between the mechanisms participating in the uptake of various thiol S-conjugates of Hg in proximal tubular cells and mechanisms by which DMPS and DMSA gain entry into these target epithelial cells. Finally, we discuss factors that permit DMPS and DMSA to bind intracellular mercuric ions and mechanisms transporting DMPS and DMSA S-conjugates of Hg out of proximal tubular epithelial cells into the luminal compartment of the nephron, and promoting urinary excretion.
Peer Support Among Adults With Serious Mental Illness: A Report From the Field

Peer support is based on the belief that people who have faced, endured, and overcome adversity can offer useful support, encouragement, hope, and perhaps mentorship to others facing similar situations. While this belief is well accepted for many conditions, such as addiction, trauma, or cancer, stigma and stereotypes about mental illness have impeded attempts on the part of people in recovery to offer such supports within the mental health system. Beginning in the early 1990s with programs that deployed people with mental illness to provide conventional services such as case management, opportunities for the provision and receipt of peer support within the mental health system have proliferated rapidly across the country as part of the emerging recovery movement. This article defines peer support as a form of mental health care and reviews data from 4 randomized controlled trials, which demonstrated few differences between the outcomes of conventional care when provided by peers versus non-peers. We then consider what, if any, unique contributions can be made by virtue of a person's history of serious mental illness and recovery and review beginning efforts to identify and evaluate these potential valued-added components of care. We conclude by suggesting that peer support is still early in its development as a form of mental health service provision and encourage further exploration and evaluation of this promising, if yet unproven, practice.
Work-Related Communication Technology Use Outside of Regular Work Hours and Work Life Conflict The Influence of Communication Technologies on Perceived Work Life Conflict, Burnout, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intentions

The purpose of this study was to investigate employee perceptions of the influence of communication technology use outside of regular work hours on perceptions of work life conflict, burnout, turno...
Brief Report: Initial Testing of Scales Measuring Parent and Adolescent Perceptions of Adolescents’ Assumption of Diabetes Management

Objective This study tested parallel adolescent and parent versions of the Perceptions of Adolescents' Assumption of Diabetes Management scales. Methods First, 78 items developed from interview data were reviewed by a panel of adolescent and diabetes experts. Next, the scales were piloted with 43 adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their parents and, finally, tested with 100 dyads. Item and principal component analyses were performed. Results Following content validity and item analyses, five and four items remained in the advantages and disadvantages scales, respectively. One factor accounted for between 54 and 63% of variance, and internal consistency reliability ranged between .78 and .84 for the various versions of the scales. Conclusions The Perceptions of Adolescents' Assumption of Diabetes Management scales show promise as parsimonious and reliable tools for use in research and practice related to parent-adolescent relationships in regard to adolescents' assumption of diabetes management.
Functionality of Six Nonmeat Proteins in Meat Emulsion Systems

The emulsion stabilizing and textural effects of six nonmeat proteins, identified by brand name and manufacturers were investigated. Included were: Soy protein isolate (SPI), soy protein concentrate (SPC), soy flour (SF), milk protein hydrolysate (MPH), autolyzed yeast (AY), and spray dried nonfat dry milk (NFDM). SPI and NFDM were most effective, while SF and AY were least effective in emulsion stabilization. Bind value constants (Saffle system) were developed for each nonmeat protein. Mean compression values for all the nonmeat proteins except SPI decreased with increasing levels of the additives. The functional values derived in this study are specific for these nonmeat proteins and may not be applicable to other nonmeat proteins of a similar nature.
Evaluating a new urbanist neighborhood

New Urbanist neighborhoods aim to improve sustainability by reducing au- tomobile use, increasing walking and cycling, increasing the diversity of land uses and people, and increasing social capital, through strengthened personal and civic bonds. With more New Urbanist communities being constructed, it is now more feasible and necessary to evaluate their success. Much of the existing research uses older, traditional neighborhoods as a proxy for New Urbanism. This research compares a New Urbanist development with two conventional subdivisions and finds that some of the objectives are being fulfilled, in both direct and indirect ways. While New Urbanist residents are walking more, they may not be driving less as a direct result of the New Urbanist design features. Demographic factors appear to explain much of the differences in overall driving.
Reconfigurable parallel inner product processor architectures

This paper presents a novel approach for low-power high-performance inner product processor design. The processor is dynamically reconfigurable for computing inner products of input arrays with four or more combinations of array dimensions and precision. The processor mainly consists of an array of 8/spl times/8 or 4/spl times/4 small multipliers plus two or three arrays of adders. It requires very simple reconfigurable components. The whole network may be reconfigured by using a few control bits for the desired computations, and the reconfiguration can be done dynamically. The design is regular, modular, and can easily be pipelined, and most parts of the network are symmetric and repeatable. A set of low-power high-performance parallel counters is also proposed for the implementation of the design, which could lead to a significant reduction in worst case power dissipation compared with traditional binary-logic based architectures, while showing superiority in speed, VLSI area, and layout simplicity.
Feynman-Kac formula for switching diffusions: connections of systems of partial differential equations and stochastic differential equations

This work develops Feynman-Kac formulae for switching diffusion processes. It first recalls the basic notion of a switching diffusion. Then the desired stochastic representations are obtained for boundary value problems, initial boundary value problems, and the initial value problems, respectively. Some examples are also provided.
Robust velocity estimates, stream functions, and simulated Lagrangian drifters from sequential spacecraft data

The maximum cross-correlation (MCC) method has been used to compute both oceanic and cloud velocity vectors from sequences of satellite data [e.g., advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR), coastal zone color scanner (CZCS), geostationary observing earth satellite (GOES)]. Unfortunately, the two-dimensional cross-correlation functions used in the computation often contain saddlepoints, which can give rise to large magnitude and direction uncertainties in the derived velocity estimates. This paper develops a numerical iterative procedure that combines image analysis methods and dynamical constraints to minimize these difficulties. The resultant velocities are both physically realistic and numerically stable. Thus, it is also possible to compute stream functions and simulated Lagrangian drifters. The validity of these results are confirmed with independent oceanic observations. Finally, the advective-diffusive equation is solved for a few oceanic applications (e.g., prediction of sea-surface temperature, dispersal of anchovy eggs and larvae) using the derived velocities. >
“You Have to Hold Your Own”: Investigating the Social Networks of a Diverse Group of Disenfranchised Urban Male Youth

This ethnographic case study investigates social networks and forms of social capital accessed by a group of five urban male youth (ages 15–19), from diverse racial backgrounds, who were disenfranchised economically. We refer to the youth as “disenfranchised” because they were disconnected from forms of institutional support, especially families and schools. Findings indicate that, in the absence of adult mediated social networks, youth create their own. The participants in this study banded together and create networks that offered financial support as well as education about life on the streets.
Adaptive vector quantizer for image compression using self-organization approach

A self-organization neural network architecture is used to implement the vector quantizer for image compression. A modified self-organization algorithm, which is based on the frequency upper-threshold and centroid learning rule, is utilized for constructing the codebooks. The performances of the self-organization network and the conventional algorithm for vector quantization are compared. This algorithm yields near-optimal results and is computationally efficient. The self-organization network approach is suitable for adaptive vector quantizers. The self-organization network approach uses massively parallel computing structures and is very promising for VLSI implementation. >
West Nile disease and its control

Donald R. Barnard from the USDA-Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology at Gainesville in Florida, USA, describes West Nile virus, an emerging mosquito-borne disease agent in North America where it threatens human and animal health. Historically, it has caused encephalitis and death in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, west and central Asia, and Oceania. Preventing future outbreaks of WN fever requires effective virus surveillance and mosquito control technology.
COMPARISON BETWEEN OBSERVED AND MODEL PREDICTED PARTICULATE METAL TRANSPORT IN A MINING-IMPACTED STREAM (NORTH FORK CLEAR CREEK, COLORADO) 1

Acid-mine drainage (AMD) is an important source of metals to aquatic ecosystems. Once these metals are input to oxygenated stream water of neutral pH, there may be oxidation of metal ions, precipitation of metal oxyhydroxides, and co-precipitation and/or sorption of metals. Understanding the fate and transport of these metals requires knowledge of the distribution of metals between the suspended solid and dissolved phases. Models exist for the prediction of sorption of metals to oxyhydroxides phases, primarily for hydrous iron oxide (HFO). Visual-MINTEQ now includes a database for a second hydrous oxide phase: hydrous manganese oxide (HMO), which may prove to be an important sorbent for some metals in mining-impacted systems. This paper discusses the comparison between model predicted and observed percentage particulate copper and zinc in stream water collected over a two-year study of the North Fork of Clear Creek, Colorado. It was found that the model over-estimated the percentage of particulate copper actually observed, using HFO as the sole sorbent phase, but that the comparison was within a factor of two. Inclusion of HMO for modeling of the zinc improved the prediction of percentage particulate zinc; however, results indicate that there may be another process controlling particulate zinc in the stream.
Political and Monetary Uncertainty During the Greenback Era: Evidence From Gold Options

This paper presents unique evidence on financial market expectations during the monetary regime uncertainty of the 1870s. The analysis incorporates quantitative evidence from the option market as well as qualitative evidence from the contemporary financial press. Credibility of monetary policy fluctuated dramatically during this period. Contrary to the impressions given by historians, I find that Grant's 1874 veto of the Inflation Bill did not eliminate fears of inflation. I also conclude that the Resumption Act had significant impact on the expectations of market participants. The evolution of political uncertainty explains market expectations better than standard economic variables do.
Influence of leaf removal and reflective mulch on phenolic composition of white wines

Aim: The aim of this research was to evaluate if leaf removal and red geotextile reflective mulch “Vitexsol” could affect phenolic composition of wines from three white cultivars, Riesling italico, Traminer, and Manzoni bianco.Methods and results: A two-year study was conducted to evaluate the effects of leaf removal and reflective mulch on the phenolic composition of white wines from Zagreb vineyards in northwestern Croatia. Leaf removal (LR) and reflective mulch (RM) “Vitexsol”, made from weave of aluminum platelets protected by a transparent film and sewn together with red polypropylene threads, were tested separately and combined (LR+RM) on vines of Traminer, Riesling italico and Manzoni bianco in 2008 and 2009. LR and RM had no consistent effect on must sugar content and titratable acidity. All treatments resulted in higher total phenol and flavan-3-ol content in wines of all cultivars, but in different years. LR+RM generally resulted in the highest phenolic acid and individual flavan-3-ol content in all wines except Traminer. RM treatment had the least effect on phenolic composition of wines.Conclusion: LR+RM generally resulted in the highest content of most phenolic compounds, especially when compared to control wines.Significance and impact of the study: This work provides some useful informations for adjusting vineyard practices and thus optimizing phenolic quality of white wines.
Vesicoanal, urethroanal, and urethrovesical reflexes initiated by lower urinary tract irritation in the rat.

Irritation of the urinary bladder causes activation of normally “silent” nociceptive primary afferent fibers. In the present study, it is reported that irritation of the urinary bladder or urethra ...
Production and Characterization of Recombinant Canine Interferon-γ from Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT We have used the recently cloned cDNA for canine interferon-γ (IFN-γ) to engineer bacteria to produce large amounts of the recombinant cytokine. The resulting protein can be recognized by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies largely species specific for canine IFN-γ. The purified recombinant IFN-γ (rIFN-γ) also had biological activity in vitro in three assay systems: (i) vesicular stomatitis virus plaque inhibition, (ii) class II major histocompatibility complex antigen upregulation on canine kidney parenchymal cells, and (iii) amplification of in vitro tissue-associated lymphoproliferation, all known to be effected by native IFN-γ (nIFN-γ). The availability of large amounts of active canine rIFN-γ will be an important tool in studies of the role of this cytokine in the widely used experimental canine organ transplant model and also will be of diagnostic and therapeutic veterinary interest.
Reverse Foldovers for Blocked 2 m−k Fractional Factorial Designs

Two-level regular fractional factorial designs are often used in industry as screening designs to help identify early on in an experimental process those experimental or system variables which have significant effects on the process being studied. When the experimental material to be used in the experiment is heterogenous or the experiment must be performed over several well-defined time periods, blocking is often used as a means to improve experimental efficiency by removing the possible effects of heterogenous experimental material or possible time period effects. In a recent article, Li and Jacroux (2007) suggested a strategy for constructing optimal follow-up designs for blocked fractional factorial designs using the well-known foldover technique in conjunction with several optimality criteria. In this article, we consider the reverse foldover problem for blocked fractional factorial designs. In particular, given a 2(m+p)−(p+k) blocked fractional factorial design D, we derive simple sufficient conditi...
Single Filament Behavior of Microtubules in the Presence of Added Divalent Counterions

Microtubules (MTs) are hollow biopolymeric filaments that function to define the shape of eukaryotic cells, serve as a platform for intracellular vesicular transport, and separate chromosomes during mitosis. One means of physiological regulation of MT mechanics and dynamics, critical to their adaptability in such processes, is through electrostatics due to the strong polyelectrolyte nature of MTs. Here, we show that in the presence of physiologically relevant amounts of divalent salts, MTs experience a dramatic increase in persistence length or stiffness, which is counter to theoretical expectations and experimental observations in similar systems (e.g., DNA). Divalent salt-dependent effects on MT dynamics were also observed with respect to suppressing depolymerization as well as reducing dispersion in kinesin-driven molecular motor transport assays. These results establish a novel mechanism by which MT dynamics, mechanics, and interaction with molecular motors may be regulated by physiologically relevant...
Beyond Phenomenology as a Decisive Break

Knox Peden has written an excellent and productive book. The title nods to Gillian Rose's classic Hegel Contra Sociology, and she appears at different points in the notes. We can take this as evide...
Rare-Earth Doping by Ion Implantation and Related Techniques

Some metal plasma techniques have been developed that provide a convenient means for the doping of semiconductor hosts with rare-earths. These plasma and ion beam tools are based on the application of vacuum arc discharges for the formation of dense rare-earth plasmas which then can be used in a number of ways for doping and otherwise introducing the rare-earths into substrate materials. At the low energy end of the spectrum, the streaming metal plasma can be used for the deposition of thin films, and if more than one plasma source is used then of multilayer structures also. Or by building the vacuum-arc rare-earth plasma generator into an ion source configuration, high current ion beams can be produced for doing high energy ion implantation; alternatively the substrate can be immersed in the streaming rare-earth plasma and by using appropriately phased high voltage substrate pulsing and pulsed plasma generation, plasma immersion ion implantation can be done. Between these two limiting techniques – low energy plasma deposition and high energy ion implantation – a spectrum of hybrid methods can be utilized for rare earth doping. We've made a number of plasma and ion sources of this kind, and we've doped a wide range of substrates with a wide range of rare-earths. For example we've implanted species including Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er and Yb into host materials including Si, GaAs, InP and more. The implantation dose can range from a low of about 1013 cm−2 up to as high as about 1017 cm−2, and the ion energy can be varied from a few tens of eV up to about 200 keV. Here we review these vacuum-arc-based plasma methods for rare-earth doping, describing both the tools and techniques that are available and the applications to which we've put the methods in our laboratory.