cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agenda Setting in the U.S. Senate: Costly Consideration and Majority Party Advantage

Proposes a new theory of Senate agenda setting that reconciles a divide in literature between the conventional wisdom – in which party power is thought to be mostly undermined by Senate procedures and norms – and the apparent partisan bias in Senate decisions noted in recent empirical studies. Chris Den Hartog and Nathan W. Monroe's theory revolves around a 'costly consideration' framework for thinking about agenda setting, where moving proposals forward through the legislative process is seen as requiring scarce resources. To establish that the majority party pays lower agenda consideration costs through various procedural advantages, the book features a number of chapters examining partisan influence at several stages of the legislative process, including committee reports, filibusters and cloture, floor scheduling and floor amendments. Not only do the results support the book's theoretical assumption and key hypotheses, but they shed new light on virtually every major step in the Senate's legislative process.
Non-Extensive Statistical Analysis of Acoustic Emissions: The Variability of Entropic Index q during Loading of Brittle Materials until Fracture.

Non-extensive statistical mechanics (NESM), introduced by Tsallis based on the principle of non-additive entropy, is a generalisation of the Boltzmann–Gibbs statistics. NESM has been shown to provide the necessary theoretical and analytical implementation for studying complex systems such as the fracture mechanisms and crack evolution processes that occur in mechanically loaded specimens of brittle materials. In the current work, acoustic emission (AE) data recorded when marble and cement mortar specimens were subjected to three distinct loading protocols until fracture, are discussed in the context of NESM. The NESM analysis showed that the cumulative distribution functions of the AE interevent times (i.e., the time interval between successive AE hits) follow a q-exponential function. For each examined specimen, the corresponding Tsallis entropic q-indices and the parameters βq and τq were calculated. The entropic index q shows a systematic behaviour strongly related to the various stages of the implemented loading protocols for all the examined specimens. Results seem to support the idea of using the entropic index q as a potential pre-failure indicator for the impending catastrophic fracture of the mechanically loaded specimens.
Should I irradiate with computed tomography or sedate for magnetic resonance imaging

In the context of pediatric cross-sectional imaging, the risk of ionizing radiation for CT and the potential adverse effects associated with sedation/anesthesia for MRI continue to provoke lively discussions in the pediatric literature and lay press. This is particularly true for issues relating to the risks of ionizing radiation for CT, which has been a topic of discussion for nearly two decades. In addition to understanding these potential risks and the importance of minimizing individual pediatric patient exposure to ionizing radiation, it is equally important for radiologists to be able to frame these risks with respect to the potential for adverse outcomes associated with the use of anesthesia for cross-sectional imaging in the pediatric population. Notably, before such risks can be estimated and compared, one should always consider the potential utility of each imaging modality for a given diagnosis. If one cross-sectional imaging modality is likely to be far superior to the other for a specific clinical question, every effort must be made to safely image the child, even if sedation/anesthesia is required.
Gender-Based Affirmative Action and Reverse Gender Bias: Beyond Gratz, Parents Involved, and Ricci

The blockbuster race discrimination cases in recent years have all involved affirmative action and reverse discrimination. The Supreme Court has made it clear that race classifications, whether benign or invidious, will trigger rigid strict scrutiny analysis. In contrast, gender discrimination, whether benign or invidious, has never triggered strict scrutiny, but, rather, only the less rigorous intermediate scrutiny test. However, the Supreme Court has not directly confronted an equal protection challenge to a gender-based affirmative action plan since the 1980s, nor has it addressed the anomaly that, under current doctrine, affirmative action for women is easier to justify than race-based affirmative action. Not surprisingly, this has led to a circuit split as to whether strict or intermediate scrutiny should govern challenges to gender-based preferences. This Article explicates the development of the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence on gender discrimination and the resulting race/gender anomaly. It examines the arguments for and against race-based affirmative action and reverse discrimination and their applicability to gender bias. It also compares how the European Union and other non-EU countries have used and validated gender-based affirmative action, particularly in the areas of corporate governance and political representation. Finally, it concludes that, because the Court’s gender jurisprudence recognizes the transformative potential of affirmative action and best advances the antisubordination goal of the equal protection guarantee, it should provide the framework for assessing the constitutionality of race-based affirmative action.
Quantitative Sound Speed Imaging of Cortical Bone and Soft Tissue: Results from Observational Data Sets.

This work presents the first quantitative ultrasonic sound speed images of ex vivo limb cross-sections containing both soft tissue and bone using Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) with level set (LS) and travel time regularization. The estimated bulk sound speed of bone and soft tissue are within 10% and 1%, respectively, of ground truth estimates. The sound speed imagery shows muscle, connective tissue and bone features. Typically, ultrasound tomography (UST) using FWI is applied to imaging breast tissue properties (e.g. sound speed and density) that correlate with cancer. With further development, UST systems have the potential to deliver volumetric operator independent tissue property images of limbs with non-ionizing and portable hardware platforms. This work addresses the algorithmic challenges of imaging the sound speed of bone and soft tissue by combining FWI with LS regularization and travel time methods to recover soft tissue and bone sound speed with improved accuracy and reduced soft tissue artifacts when compared to conventional FWI. The value of leveraging LS and travel time methods is realized by evidence of improved bone geometry estimates as well as promising convergence properties and reduced risk of final model errors due to un-modeled shear wave propagation. Ex vivo bulk measurements of sound speed and MRI cross-sections validates the final inversion results.
Redox-active secondary metabolites act as interspecies modulators of antibiotic resilience

Bacterial opportunistic pathogens make a wide range of secondary metabolites both in the natural environment and when causing infections, yet how these molecules mediate microbial interactions and their consequences for antibiotic treatment are still poorly understood. Here, we explore the role of two redox-active secondary metabolites, pyocyanin and toxoflavin, as interspecies modulators of antibiotic resilience. We find that these molecules dramatically change susceptibility levels of diverse bacteria to clinical antibiotics. Pyocyanin is made by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while toxoflavin is made by Burkholderia gladioli, organisms that infect cystic fibrosis and other immunocompromised patients. Both molecules alter the susceptibility profile of pathogenic species within the Burkholderia cepacia complex to different antibiotics, either antagonizing or potentiating their effects, depending on the drug9s class. Defense responses regulated by the redox-sensitive transcription factor SoxR potentiate the antagonistic effects these metabolites have against fluoroquinolones, and the presence of genes encoding SoxR and the efflux systems it regulates can be used to predict how these metabolites will affect antibiotic susceptibility of different bacteria. Finally, we demonstrate that inclusion of secondary metabolites in standard protocols used to assess antibiotic resistance can dramatically alter the results, motivating the development of new tests for more accurate clinical assessment.
Archaeomagnetic anomalies of midcontinental North American archaeological sites

Where the magnetizations of artifacts and their soil environment contrast sufficiently, magnetic mapping can provide a rapid overview of their distribution which will help optimize the time consuming and expensive effort of excavation. Magnetic artifacts frequently encountered at midcontinental archaeological sites include iron objects, baked-clay features, wells, pits, and structural trenches. Iron objects and baked-clay features normally yield strong and readily detectable anomalies in the near-surface geomagnetic field. Hence, magnetometry is routinely warranted when the location and distribution of these artifacts are of archaeological interest. Magnetic detectability of such soil artifacts as wells, pits, and trenches, however, is ultimately a direct function of the iron oxide content of the site’s soil environment. Thus, the glaciated terrain of the midcontinent generally is most suited to magnetic exploration for soil artifacts, because these soils normally exhibit relatively high iron oxide fractions. However, little more is known currently about the magnetic properties of soil features for midcontinental sites, so that the feasibility of the magnetic method for archaeological exploration of these features is never really certain until an actual survey is carried out. Several examples from a magnetic survey of the Fort Ouiatenon archaeological site (12T9) in northern Indiana are given to illustrate these generalizations.
Prehospital Factors Associated with Stroke Misdiagnosis by EMS Providers (S35.006)

Objective: To identify prehospital patient characteristics which are associated with misdiagnosis of stroke. Background: Prehospital identification of stroke with hospital prenotification results in shorter door to needle times and increased thrombolysis rates. Provider accuracy for stroke identification varies. Methods: Clinical data were extracted from electronic prehospital care reports of all patients brought to Long Island College Hospital (LICH) by LICH Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011. LICH is a New York State Designated Stroke Center and teaching hospital of SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Accuracy of prehospital providers’ diagnosis of stroke was determined by comparing provider impressions with gold standard - Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) Stroke database. Results: Of 10,384 EMS transports (50% males, mean age 49.3 ± 19.4 years), 75 were GWTG-confirmed strokes of which 44 (59%) were correctly identified by EMS. Fifty-one patients were misdiagnosed as stroke. LICH EMS providers had a sensitivity of 59% [95% confidence interval (CI) 47-69], specificity of 99.5% (95%CI 99.4-99.6) with positive and negative likelihood ratios of 119 (95% CI 85-165) and 0.41 (95% CI 0.32-0.54), respectively. Overall, the risk of having a stroke increased 83% with higher prehospital systolic blood pressure quartiles (p=0.04). Of all patients deemed non-strokes by EMS, patients with a dispatch call type of stroke [age adjusted odds ratio (AAOR) 9.8 (95% CI 2.2-43.7), p=0.003], history of diabetes [AAOR 2.2 (95% CI 1.1-4.6), p=0.026] or stroke [AAOR 4.1 (95% CI 1.7-9.83), p=0.002] and those documented as unconscious [AAOR 4.4 (95% CI 1.3-15), p=0.017] were more likely to have had an actual stroke. Conclusions: LICH EMS providers missed 41% of strokes and our findings suggest that greater clinical suspicion for stroke should be exercised in patients who have a higher prehospital systolic blood pressure, who have a dispatch call of stroke, past medical history of diabetes or stroke and in those who are unconscious. Study support: NIH grants 1U01NS044364, R01 HL096944, 1U10NS077378 and 1U10NS080377. Disclosure: Dr. Brandler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sharma has nothing to disclose. Dr. Helzner has nothing to disclose. Dr. Levine has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for MedLink. Dr. Levine has received royalty payments as editor of a book.
A new algorithm for independent component analysis with or without constraints

A new algorithm is developed for independent component analysis (ICA) with or without constraints on the mixing matrix or sources. The algorithm is based on the criterion of Joint Approximate Diagonalization of Eigen-matrices (JADE). We propose a column-wise processing approach to perform joint diagonalization of the cumulant (eigen-) matrices. We utilize the unitary property of diagonalizing matrix U and achieve decoupling of its columns via orthogonal projections. We propose a method called Alternating Eigen-search (AE) to maximize the JADE criterion with respect to one column of U at a time. The method is extended to the case in which there are application-dependent quadratic constraints imposed on the mixing matrix or sources, resulting in the so-called constrained ICA. Example results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the algorithm.
PeerNet: a peer-to-peer framework for service and application deployment in MANETs

Ad-hoc networks are an emerging technology with immense potential. Providing support for large-scale service and application deployment in these networks, however is crucial to make them a viable alternative. The lack of infrastructure, coupled with the time-varying characteristics of ad-hoc networks, brings about new challenges to the design and deployment of applications on a large-scale. This paper addresses these challenges and presents PeerNet, a unified, overlay-based service architecture to support large-scale service and application deployment in MANETs. We discuss the main functionalities of PeerNet, describe the algorithms for resource registration and discovery, and present PILOT, a novel power-aware, location-driven traffic forwarding algorithm to enable node interaction. We conclude the paper by comparing PILOT to LAR and AODV for a network of mobile nodes.
NVCache: Increasing the Effectiveness of Disk Spin-Down Algorithms with Caching

Being one of the few mechanical components in a typical computer system, hard drives consume a significant amount of the overall power used by a computer. Spinning down a hard drive reduces its power consumption, but only works when no disk accesses occur, limiting overall effectiveness. We have designed and implemented a technique to extend disk spin-down times using a small non-volatile storage cache called NVCache, which contains a combination of caching techniques to service reads and writes while the hard disk is in low-power mode. We show that combining NVCache with an adaptive disk spin-down algorithm, a hard disks power consumption can be reduced by up to 90%.
Student-centered learning in online and blended education on computer information systems

The effectiveness of learning and training in many ways depends on increased demand for student's convenience, including his/her time, pace and place of learning. Pedagogical strategies that are based on total use of state-of-the-art technologies such as Internet and the World Wide Web (Web) correspond to the highest level of student's convenience. As a part of the National Science Foundation's grant # 0196015 (2000-2004), Bradley University (BU) and its InterLabs Research Institute (IRI) develop innovative teaching and learning technologies based on four founding principles: 1) student-centered principles of education, 2) Web-lecturing based on streaming multimedia technologies, 3) modularity of learning content based on reusable learning objects (RLO) approach, and 4) equivalence of learning content delivery using traditional in-classroom face-to-face (F2F) education, online education, and blended education. This paper summarizes author's findings on student-centered learning in online and blended education of the BU academic course on computer information systems.
Laparoscopic appendectomy in a pediatric patient with type 1 Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

A pediatric patient with type 1 Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease—a disorder associated with a demyelinating polyneuropathy—presented for laparoscopic appendectomy in the setting of acute appendicitis. Induction and maintenance of anesthesia were successfully managed without the use of any depolarizing or nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents. The patient was successfully extubated at the completion of the procedure without any respiratory or neuromuscular sequelae, with excellent pain control and no postoperative nausea or vomiting.
Issues Unique to Psychotherapy with Adolescent Girls

In a discussion of current studies and case reports the application of new information about adolescent girls to their successful treatment with psychotherapy is considered. Advances in our understanding of biological social psychological and cultural development (including gender discrimination and conflict around social roles) can all be used to help therapists in their work. Data on family relationships are also invaluable as is information about the therapeutic alliance which makes possible the appropriate choice of a therapist and a therapeutic method. This article also considers 1) the components of a model for individual psychotherapy with adolescent girls 2) how the therapist educates girls about choices and compromise 3) how the therapist acts as a validator of change and interpreter of conflict 4) exploring societal expectations and 5) addressing risk-taking behavior.
Pyelonephritogenic Escherichia coli and killing of cultured human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells: role of hemolysin in some strains.

Acute pyelonephritis, a complication of Escherichia coli bacteriuria, must represent a bacterial invasion through the kidney epithelium. To study this process, we overlaid bacterial suspensions onto monolayers of cultured human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells and measured cytotoxicity by release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Thirty-four isolates cultured from patients with acute pyelonephritis were screened for the ability to cause pyelonephritis in CBA mice by transurethral challenge. The eight most virulent strains (greater than or equal to 70% of mice challenged developed greater than or equal to 10(3) CFU/g of kidney after 48 h) were selected for study. Each strain displayed mannose-resistant hemagglutination of human O erythrocytes; three strains were phenotypically and genotypically hemolytic. Pyelonephritogenic strains were significantly more cytotoxic (30.1 +/- 9.5% LDH release after 18 h) than eight fecal control strains (13.5 +/- 11.5% LDH release; P = 0.0068). We selected the most cytotoxic strain, CFT073, for further study. Sterile filtrate from this hemolytic strain was significantly more cytotoxic than was the filtrate of the fecal control strain, FN414. Transposon mutagenesis of CFT073 with TnphoA abolished hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity by both whole cells and sterile filtrate. Southern blot analysis revealed that the Tnphoa insertion mapped to the E. coli chromosomal hly determinant within a 12-kilobase SalI restriction fragment. Transformation of a nonhemolytic strain, CPZ005 with plasmid pSF4000, which carries a cloned hemolysin determinant, resulted in highly elevated cytotoxicity. Light micrographs of proximal tubular epithelial cell cultures demonstrated cell damage by pyelonephritogenic strains that was not induced by a fecal strain or the hemolysin-deficient mutant. Results indicate that pyelonephritogenic E. coli strains are more frequently cytotoxic for a putative target, that is, human renal tubular epithelium, than are fecal isolates. Hemolysin, in some strains, is apparently responsible for this cytotoxicity. Images
Combining Mental Health Treatment with Education for Preschool Children with Severe Emotional and Behavioral Problems

With increasing poverty among families with young children, increasing violence in cities, and increasing stress in families, the needs of preschool children with emotional and behavioral problems are growing more complex. Although policy mandates services for these children, their needs are not adequately met. Well-integrated, collaborative, interdisciplinary, child- and family-centered programs are required. This article reviews the characteristics of preschool children with emotional and behavioral problems, discusses existing models of service delivery, and presents a collaborative model for services that integrates mental health treatment and education. Combined mental health and education service models can lead to improved outcomes for at-risk preschool children.
A PCR assay for the quantification of growth of the oomycete pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Summary The accurate quantification of disease severity is important for the assessment of host–pathogen interactions in laboratory or field settings. The interaction between Arabidopsis thaliana and its naturally occurring downy mildew pathogen, Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Hpa), is a widely used reference pathosystem for plant–oomycete interactions. Current methods for the assessment of disease severity in the Arabidopsis–Hpa interaction rely on measurements at the terminal stage of pathogen development; namely, visual counts of spore-producing structures or the quantification of spore production with a haemocytometer. These assays are useful, but do not offer sensitivity for the robust quantification of small changes in virulence or the accurate quantification of pathogen growth prior to the reproductive stage. Here, we describe a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for the monitoring of Hpa growth in planta. The protocol is rapid, inexpensive and can robustly distinguish small changes in virulence. We used this assay to investigate the dynamics of early Hpa mycelial growth and to demonstrate the proof of concept that this assay could be used in screens for novel oomycete growth inhibitors.
Effects of sample geometry on the uniaxial tensile stress state at the nanoscale

Uniaxial compression of micro- and nanopillars is frequently used to elicit plastic size effects in single crystals. Uniaxial tensile experiments on nanoscale materials have the potential to enhance the understanding of the experimentally widely observed strength increase. Furthermore, these experiments allow for investigations into the in-strength and to help to study tension-compression asymmetry. The sample geometry might influence mechanical proper- ties, and to investigate this dependence, we demonstrate two methods of uniaxial nanotensile sample fabrication. We compare the experimentally obtained tensile stress-strain response for cylindrical and square nanopillars and provide finite element method simulation results and discuss the initiation of plastic yielding in these nanosamples.
Characterization of the fracture toughness property (G1c) of composite laminates using the double cantilever beam specimen

The results of a study on the interlaminar fracture toughness properties (G1c) of four unidirectional carbon fiber epoxy materials are presented. The selected materials included Narmco 5245C, Hexcel F584, and American Cyanamid 1806 resins reinforced with Hercules IM6 fibers and for a baseline material Narmco 5208 reinforced with T300 fibers. The G1c values determined on Double Cantilever Beam specimens were found to range from 93 to 370 J/m2. The higher values may partly result from fiber bridging during fracture. This paper discusses specimen configuration, test procedure, and the Scanning Electron Microscope results.
Rules for pronominalization

Rigorous interpretation of pronouns in possible when syntax, semantics, and pragmatics of a discourse can be reasonably controlled. Interaction with a database provides such an environment. In the framework of the User Specialty Languages system and Discourse Representation Theory, we formulate strict and preferential rules for pronominalization and outline a procedure to find proper assignments of referents to pronouns.
The von Neumann paradox in weak shock reflection

We present a numerical solution of the Euler equations of gas dynamics for a weak-shock Mach reflection in a half-space. In our numerical solutions, the incident, reflected, and Mach shocks meet at a triple point, and there is a supersonic patch behind the triple point, as proposed by Guderley. A theoretical analysis supports the existence of an expansion fan at the triple point, in addition to the three shocks. This solution is in complete agreement with the numerical solution of the unsteady transonic small-disturbance equations obtained by Hunter & Brio (2000), which provides an asymptotic description of a weak-shock Mach reflection. The supersonic patch is extremely small, and this work is the first time it has been resolved in a numerical solution of the Euler equations. The numerical solution uses six levels of grid refinement around the triple point. A delicate combination of numerical techniques is required to minimize both the effects of numerical diffusion and the generation of numerical oscillations at grid interfaces and shocks.
Periductal and matrix glycosaminoglycans in rat Mullerian duct development and regression.

Abstract Gonadal ridges containing Mullerian and Wolffian ducts were removed from rat embryos from Days 14 through 16 of gestation and their production of glycoprotein, hyaluronate, and sulfated glycosaminoglycans examined. Autoradiographic, histochemical, and biochemical studies indicate that the periductal zone contains hyaluronate and sulfated glycosaminoglycans, that these matrix constituents are degraded during development, and that the proportions of glycosaminoglycans accumulated by isolated female gonadal ridges in vitro can be altered by the addition of Mullerian inhibiting substance to the culture medium. When the Mullerian duct regressed there was an unexpected persistence of labeled glucosamine derivatives in cells in the mesenchymal cell space suggesting that some such cells are dissociated ductal epithelial cells which have transformed into mesenchyme.
Current Dynamics over the Northern California Inner Shelf

Abstract Subtidal current dynamics at a northern California inner-shelf site are analysed using moored current observations in 30 m of water, in conjunction with wind and bottom pressure measurements acquired during the summer of 1981 as part of the first Coastal Ocean Dynamics Experiment. The subtidal flow is driven locally by both an alongshelf wind stress and an alongshelf pressure gradient, which tend to be similar in magnitude but opposite in direction. Model depth-average alongshelf currents are about twice as large as observed. Analyses suggest that this discrepancy is due to a larger drag on the inner-shelf currents than suggested by bottom tripod measurements at the site, due to the presence of large rock outcrops over the inner shelf in this region. A notable characteristic of the observations is the weakness of the alongshelf flow over the inner shelf; alongshelf current standard deviations are a factor of 4 smaller than at midshelf. Analyses suggest this is due to a decrease in the wind stress...
Extraction of nucleic acids from lyophilized plant material

Four methods for extracting nucleic acids from lyophilized cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Stoneville 62) leaves and roots were compared. They were based on the use of: (I) HC104; (II) KOH; (III) a mixture of 90% phenol, Tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane buffer, and sodium lauryl sulfate; and (IV) NaCl. (I) extracted large amounts of RNA but little DNA and extracted much carbohydrate and protein contaminants. (II) gave a good yield of both RNA and DNA but extracted such large amounts of contaminating material that purification of RNA on an anion exchange column was necessary. (III) extracted only part of the RNA and practically no DNA, but extracted contaminating materials. (IV) resulted in high yields of both RNA and DNA when modified to omit preliminary acid extraction of impurities. The use of cold trichloroacetic acid instead of ethanol, to precipitate NaCl-extracted nucleic acids, separated the nucleic acids from most of the carbohydrate and acid-soluble phosphate contaminants and resulted in good agreement among results by ultraviolet absorbance, pentose tests, and phosphate analysis. This method also resulted in lower protein contents and better ultraviolet absorption spectra than the other methods tested. Nucleic acids were extracted from leaves of 14 other species of plants, in addition to cotton, by this modified NaCl procedure.
Just Deserts, The Severity Of Punishment And Judicial Sentencing Decisions

Just deserts, as a philosophy of punishment, argues that criminal sanctions should be commensurate with the seriousness of the offense. This paper analyzes the severity of punishment meted out to f...
Buchnera aphidicola (a prokaryotic endosymbiont of aphids) contains a putative 16S rRNA operon unlinked to the 23S rRNA-encoding gene: sequence determination, and promoter and terminator analysis.

Abstract The aphid Schizaphis graminum is dependent on an association with Buchnera aphidicola , an eubacterial endosymbiont located in specialized host cells. Past studies have indicated that Escherichia coli is the closest known relative of the endosymbiont which has many genetic attributes of free-living bacteria. In order to obtain information on the properties of highly expressed genes, we have chosen for study the single-copy rrs (gene encoding 16S rRNA) of B. aphidicola . A 4.4-kb DNA fragment was cloned into E. coli and the nucleotide (nt) sequence determined. Several ORFs were identified; the order of genes was argS-rrs-ORF1-rnh-dnaQ . ArgS, RNase H and DnaQ had 36–57% amino acid (aa) identity to the homologous proteins of E. coli. B. aphidicola rrs appears to be part of an operon consisting of a putative promoter, rrs and two inverted repeats resembling Rho-independent terminators. Comparisons of the sequences of argS-rrn DNA fragments from endosymbionts of six additional aphid species indicated conservation of sequences corresponding to a single −35 (TTGACA) and −10 (TGTAAT) promoter region, as well as boxA (sequence involved in antitermination) and boxC . The B. aphidicola argS-rrn DNA fragments from endosymbionts from seven species of aphids had promoter activities in E. coli which ranged from 6 to 135% of that observed with a comparable DNA fragment of E. coli rrnB . Similarly, the putative B. aphidicola terminator was functional in E. coli . In most eubacteria, the rRNA-encoding genes are arranged in the order, 16S, 23S, 5S, and are part of a single operon. B. aphidicola differs from these organisms in that the gene encoding 16S rRNA is on a transcription unit distinct from that for 23S and 5S rRNA.
Expression of I-region-associated antigen (Ia) and interleukin 1 by subcultured human endothelial cells

Abstract Activation of T cells requires three signals from an antigen-presenting cell: antigen, Ia determinants ( HLA-D region determinants in man), and interleukin 1 (IL-1). Recent evidence has suggested that macrophages, dendritic cells, epidermal Langerhan's cells, and endothelial cells can each function as antigen-presenting cells (APC). If these cell types can independently function as APC, they should synthesize Ia determinants and secrete IL-1. To determine if endothelial cells fulfill these requirements, we have propagated human umbilical vein endothelial cells by serial subculture for extended periods of time and assessed Ia expression and IL-1 secretion. The endothelial cells were subcultured for 8 months (approximately 20 subcultures) and were found to display classic morphology and immunofluorescent staining for the endothelial cell-specific marker Factor VIII-related antigen. In a separate paper we have shown that these subcultured endothelial cells can present antigen to T cells in a HLA - D region-restricted fashion (C. R. Wagner, R. M. Vetto, and D. R. Burger, Subcultured human endothelial cells can independently function as fully competent antigen-presenting cells, accepted for publication, Hum. Immunol ). In this paper we present evidence demonstrating that extensively subcultured endothelial cells biosynthesize both HLA-DR and HLA-DS molecules after exposure to T cells and antigen or to a supernatant from antigen-activated T cells. Evidence is also presented that when endothelial cells are cultured in the presence of lipopolysaccharide they secrete a molecule(s) with IL-1 activity as assayed by LBRM-33-IA5 cell line production of interleukin 2.
Strontium inhibition of vitamin D3-induced calcium-binding protein (CaBP) and calcium absorption in chick intestine.

SummarySupplementation of a low calcium, vitamin D3-replete diet with strontium, to the extent of the molar equivalent of 1.2% calcium, induced rickets and completely inhibited CaBP production and ...
Early Detection and Treatment of Postoperative Pharyngocutaneous Fistula

Fever during the early postoperative period traditionally has not been considered an indication of a postoperative wound infection or breakdown. Atelectasis is considered the most likely source for these early fevers. We studied 200 consecutive patients who underwent major head and neck surgery that involved reconstruction with a pharyngeal suture line. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who had preoperative irradiation and those who did not. All patients had prophylactic antibiotic coverage, and all patients had identical suture material for closure. We showed a high correlation between fever (>101.5°F) that developed in the first 48 hours and eventual fistula formation and wound infection. We also studied length of hospitalization and number of days until decannulation and resumption of oral feedings. Our data indicate that in those patients in whom fistulas developed, early detection led to earlier healing and rehabilitation.
Muir-Torre syndrome: Facts and controversies

The cutaneous presentation of a tumor sometimes has implications for a patient and his or her family, and Muir-Torre syndrome is an example of this. Because a single skin lesion can have broad consequences, it is important for clinicians to be aware of Muir-Torre syndrome. The definition, potential clues, the role of ancillary testing (microsatellite, immunohistochemical, and genetic), and screening recommendations are reviewed.
Synthesis of Ultralong and High Percentage of Semiconducting Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes

Two main results are reported here for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) synthesized from well-controlled isolated catalytic Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The first is patterned growth of ultralong SWNTs (lengths up to 0.6 millimeters) by using a mixed methane and ethylene carbon source in chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Interesting loop and closed ring structures similar to those of fullerene “crop circles” are observed on these as-grown ultralong tubes. Second, surveying the electronic properties of individual SWNTs by transport measurements reveals that approximately 70% of individual SWNTs grown from isolated nanoparticles are semiconductors exhibiting field effect transistor (FET) characteristics. The distribution of CVD-grown SWNT chirality is elucidated for the first time, and implications to array-based nanotube electronics and sensors are discussed.
¿Son los estimulantes efectivos en el tratamiento de los déficits de funciones ejecutivas? Resultados de un estudio aleatorizado doble ciego sobre tratamiento con metilfenidato OROS en adultos con trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio fue valorar la asociacion entre los deficits de la funcion ejecutiva (DFE) y la respuesta al tratamiento con metilfenidato en adultos con trastorno por deficit de atencion con hiperactividad (TDAH). Efectuamos un estudio aleatorizado, controlado con placebo, con un diseno de grupos paralelos y de 6 semanas de duracion entre adultos con TDAH diagnosticados segun los criterios del DSM-IV. Para el indice psicometrico de la funcion ejecutiva se utilizaron examenes neuropsicologicos estandarizados. Evaluamos las conductas reflejas de DFE utilizando el cuestionario Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function , version para el adulto (BRIEF-A). Se incluyeron para el analisis los individuos con parametros disponibles del funcionamiento ejecutivo (tratados con MPH OROS, n = 40; tratados con placebo n = 47). No hubo una diferencia en el porcentaje de individuos que completaron la fase i del ensayo sobre eficacia aguda, de 6 semanas de duracion (100% [n = 40] frente al 98% [n = 46]; p = 0,4). Al concluir el periodo de observacion de la fase i la dosis diaria media de MPH OROS era de 84,6 ± 31,6 mg (1,04 ± 0,29 mg/kg) y la de placebo de 100,5 ± 21,9 mg (1,20 ± 0,11 mg/kg) (p = 0,0007). En funcion de los examenes neuropsicologicos realizados en la valoracion basal, se considero que el 40% de individuos con TDAH (n = 35/87) experimentaba DFE pero, en la escala clinica BRIEF-A, en el 93% de individuos (n = 81) se identificaron ≥ 2 puntuaciones T > 65. Sin embargo, con independencia de la definicion utilizada, los DFE no tuvieron una influencia en la respuesta clinica al tratamiento con MPH OROS. El presente ensayo clinico aleatorizado revelo que los deficit de la funcion ejecutiva no moderan la respuesta al metilfenidato y los parametros de los deficit de la funcion ejecutiva no se asocian a la respuesta al tratamiento con MPH OROS.
Some dynamic aspects of extended pollution episodes

Abstract A boundary layer trajectory model was used to compute the residence time of air parcels within transient high-pressure systems of Canadian origin traversing the eastern Ohio River Valley. A strong correlation was noted among the presence of a transient anticyclone, elevated pollution levels, deteriorating horizontal visibility, and the length of time an air parcel entering the boundary layer of the high-pressure system had been entrained.
Body sway during long-term standing and as affected by pure tones

Sixty students, male and female, were used as Ss to test the effect of a 1, 000-Hz, 5-sec tone at 0, 70, and 90 dB, on standing sway. In general, antero-posterior sway was greater than lateral, and males swayed more than females in both directions. In addition, males increased their sway in time, whereas females did not. Only lateral sway in the 5-sec interval after the presentation of the tone increased, and only after 10, 15, and 20 min of standing, with a maximum at 15 min. Amplitude of lateral sway appeared independent of bodily characteristics, and is suggested as being more useful for comparing Ss than is antero-posterior sway.
Naloxone reduces amphetamine-induced stimulation of locomotor activity and in vivo dopamine release in the striatum and nucleus accumbens

Abstract This study tested the possibility that naloxone (NX), an opioid antagonist, reduces the behavioral effects of amphetamine (AMPH) in rats by attenuating the dopaminergic response to AMPH. In the first experiment, adult, male rats were injected SC with either NX (5.0 mg/kg) or saline and 30 min later received doses of AMPH (0.0, 0.1, 0.4, 1.6, and 6.4 mg/kg) cumulatively at 30-min intervals. Gross locomotor counts following AMPH administration were significantly lower for rats pretreated with NX than for rats pretreated with saline. In the secon experiment, the same drug treatments were given while performing microdialysis in either the striatum (STR) or nucleus accumbens (NACC). STR rats treated with vehicle showed a larger percentage increase in DA levels following AMPH treatment than did NACC rats treated with vehicle. NX pretreatment did not affect dopamine concentrations in either brain region. However, compared to pretreatment with saline pretreatment with NX significantly decreased the dopaminergic response to AMPH in the STR. There was no difference between the two groups in the peak dopaminergic response to AMPH in the NACC, but there was a significant AMPH × treatment × time interaction due to differences between the roups during the later portion of the response to mg/kg AMPH. There was also a difference in locomotor activity following AMPH treatment between NX-and saline-treated subjects during dialysis. These findings suggest that a decrease in the dopaminergic response to AMPH is the mechanism by which NX attenuates behavioral stimulant effects of AMPH. In addition, there is a difference between the STR and NACC in dopaminergic responsiveness to AMPH.
High level accumulation of α-glucan in maize kernels by expressing the gtfD gene from Streptococcus mutans

Glucosyltransferases (GTFs, EC.2.4.1.5) are bacterial enzymes that catalyze the polymerization of glucose residues from sucrose, leading to the production of high molecular weight glucan with α-1,3 /α-1,6 linkages. Such glucans, with many potential food and industrial applications, do not normally exist in higher plants. We fused a mutant form of the gtfD gene from Sreptococcus mutans with the maize (Zea mays L.) chloroplastic Brittle 1 transit peptide for amyloplast targeting. This construct, driven by the ubiquitin promoter, was introduced into maize by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. We developed a novel HPLC-based method that enabled us differentially to distinguish transgene glucan from other endogenous polysaccharides in maize kernels. Using this method, we screened over 100 transgenic plants for the presence of GTF-produced glucan whose content varied between 0.8 and 14% of dry weight in the mature transgenic seeds. The mature transgenic plants were indistinguishable from wildtype plants in growth rate and morphology. Furthermore, starch granule size in the transgenic maize kernel was unaffected by the accumulation of the foreign polysaccharide. Mutation in Sh2, which encodes a subunit of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, had no effect on glucan accumulation caused by gtfD expression. Our results indicated that high levels of novel carbohydrate polymer can be accumulated in crop plants through transgene technology.
The Fonseca-Redish-Shanley solvable model for a molecular three-body system and the efimov effect in two dimensions

We have applied the Fonseca-Redish-Shanley solvable model for three bodies, two heavy and one light, in two dimensions for two types of Yamaguchi form factors in order to determine if the Efimov Effect exists there. The long-range effective heavy-heavy interaction which we extract in each case does not support an infinite number of bound states. Our results therefore indicate that the effect does not manifest itself in two dimensions.
Thermal transport due to material and gas flow in a furnace for drawing an optical fiber

The transport processes involved in the neck-down region for optical fiber drawing are numerically investigated. In this manufacturing process, a moving glass rod is heated in a furnace containing an inert gas environment and drawn into a thin optical fiber. The conjugate problem is solved considering both radiation and convection, with focus on the latter. Two different flow configurations, involving inert gas flow in the same as well as in the opposite direction as the moving preform/fiber, are considered in this study. A coordinate transformation is used to change the complicated computational domains in the gas and the fiber to cylindrical ones. The transport in the fiber is coupled with that in the gas through the boundary conditions. The radiative thermal transport is calculated using an enclosure model developed in an earlier study. The numerical results on convective flow and transport are validated by comparing with results available in the literaturefor simpler configurations. The effects of several important parameters such as fiber draw speed, inert gas velocity, furnace dimensions, and gas properties on the flow and temperature distributions are investigated. For the aiding flow case, in which the inert gases flow in the same direction as the fiber, heat transfer to the fiber increases as the gas velocity increases. For opposing flow, a recirculating region appears in the gas, close to the moving fiber surface, causing reduction in heat transfer as compared to the aiding case. The thickness of this recirculating zone decreases with increasing inert gas velocity. Radiation is found to be the dominant mode of heat transfer in the overall heating of the preform/fiber, with nitrogen as the inert gas. However, near the edges of the furnace, radiation heat transfer is relatively small and convection becomes very important. Also, the convective transfer rate is relatively large near the flow entrance because of the large temperature difference between the gas and the fiber. However, away from the entrance, the gas heats up and the temperature difference relative to the fiber decreases, resulting in a smaller convective heat transfer rate. The relevance of the results to various aspects of the fiber-drawing process is discussed.
Academic accountants: A study of faculty characteristics and career activities

Abstract Promotion and tenure are the rewards for faculty who successfully allocate their time among their various areas of responsibility. Conflicting pressures for publication, good teaching, service to the university and to the non-university community, and demands of personal lives limit the time that any one area receives. To help identify how accounting faculty address this problem, this study reports on the activities and attitudes of accounting academics, focusing on teaching, research, service, administration, and consulting. The study examines actual effort allocation and perceptions of what the allocations should be to maximize career benefits. Differences are reported on the basis of academic rank, type of degree held, type of institution, and faculty tenure status.
Copolymeric cyclodextrin polysiloxane stationary phases prepared from 6A,6C- and 6A,6D-dialkenyl-substituted β-cyclodextrin

The syntheses of four new β-cyclodextrin-hexasiloxane copolymers from heptakis(2,3-di-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (2) by multi-step processes are described. 6A,6C-Di-O-[p,p'-methylenebis(benzenesulfonyl)]hetakis(2,3-di-O-methyl)β-cyclodextrin (3), which was prepared by the reaction of 2 with p,p'-methylenebis-(benzenesulfonyl chloride), is a key intermediate for the preparation of permethylated 6A,6C-bisalkenyl-β-cyclodextrins 5, 6, and 9. Permethylated 6A,6C-bissulfonate ester 4, which was obtained from 3 by a methylation reaction under mild conditions, was reacted with sodium allyloxide or sodium ω-undecenyloxide to produce permethylated 6A,6C-bisallyl- (or bis-ω-undecenyl)-β-cyclodextrin 5 or 6 or was hydrolyzed with 2% sodium amalgam in methanol to yield diol 7. Compound 7 was oxidized with periodinane, followed by Wittig's reaction with methyltriphenylphosphonium iodide to give permethylated 6A,6C-dideoxy-6A,6C-dimethylene-β-cyclodextrin (9). Treatment of 2 with p,p'-methylenebis(benzenesulfonyl chloride) or p,p'-biphenyldisulfonyl chloride gave bissulfonate esters 10 or 11, respectively. Both of them were treated with sodium p-allyloxy-phenoxide in DMF, followed by methylation, to form permethylated 6A,6D-di-O-(p-allyloxyphenyl)-β-cyclo-dextrin (16). Bisalkenes 5, 6, 9 and 16 were copolymerized with α,ω-dioctyldecamethylhexasiloxane by a hydrosilylation process to give the cyclodextrin-containing copolymers 17–20.