cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Creating demand: influencing information technology diffusion in rural communities

Abstract In the 21 st century, access to information technologies will be necessary for rural communities to attract and retain businesses and, therefore, remain economically viable. However, low population density makes it difficult for rural areas to support expensive technology investments such as are required for broadband. In addition, history shows rural adoption timelines significantly lag those in urban areas, which slows development of the demand economically necessary to support infrastructure construction. This study examined variables that influenced rural residents’ comparatively early adoption of information technologies at a time when the rural-urban digital divide in the use of basic online services was still growing. The study found employment by a company that was using specific information technologies was the strongest predictor of individual adoption. The effect was particularly strong among those with less formal education. The findings suggest rural development specialists should focus on encouraging locally owned rural businesses to adopt information technologies as a means of maximizing local diffusion and increasing demand levels.
“SMART” Drug Delivery Systems: Double-Targeted pH-Responsive Pharmaceutical Nanocarriers

To develop targeted pharmaceutical carriers additionally capable of responding to certain local stimuli, such as decreased pH values in tumors or infarcts, targeted long-circulating PEGylated liposomes and PEG-phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-PE)-based micelles have been prepared with several functions. First, they are capable of targeting a specific cell or organ by attaching the monoclonal antimyosin antibody 2G4 to their surface via pNP-PEG-PE moieties. Second, these liposomes and micelles were additionally modified with biotin or TAT peptide (TATp) moieties attached to the surface of the nanocarrier by using biotin-PE or TATp-PE or TATp-short PEG-PE derivatives. PEG-PE used for liposome surface modification or for micelle preparation was made degradable by inserting the pH-sensitive hydrazone bond between PEG and PE (PEG-Hz-PE). Under normal pH values, biotin and TATp functions on the surface of nanocarriers were "shielded" by long protecting PEG chains (pH-degradable PEG(2000)-PE or PEG(5000)-PE) or by even longer pNP-PEG-PE moieties used to attach antibodies to the nanocarrier (non-pH-degradable PEG(3400)-PE or PEG(5000)-PE). At pH 7.4-8.0, both liposomes and micelles demonstrated high specific binding with 2G4 antibody substrate, myosin, but very limited binding on an avidin column (biotin-containing nanocarriers) or internalization by NIH/3T3 or U-87 cells (TATp-containing nanocarriers). However, upon brief incubation (15-30 min) at lower pH values (pH 5.0-6.0), nanocarriers lost their protective PEG shell because of acidic hydrolysis of PEG-Hz-PE and acquired the ability to become strongly retained on an avidin column (biotin-containing nanocarriers) or effectively internalized by cells via TATp moieties (TATp-containing nanocarriers). We consider this result as the first step in the development of multifunctional stimuli-sensitive pharmaceutical nanocarriers.
Enzymatic reactions at termini of DNA.

A number of reactions which lead to the removal of 3′-phosphate and 5′-phosphate ends of DNA have been detected in extracts of E. coli. Two new enzymes which attack the ends of DNA chains have been purified from phage-infected cells. One enzyme removes only 3′-phosphate termini specifically from DNA, whereas the other removes only 5′-phosphate ends from both DNA and RNA. Synthetic reactions occurring at ends of DNA have also been detected. In phage-infected extracts, 5′-hydroxyl polynucleotide kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of 5′-hydroxyl-terminated polynucleotides. Another phage-induced enzyme, in the presence of ATP and deoxynucleoside triphosphates, leads to the conversion of 5′-32P-labeled DNA to a form resistant to alkaline phosphatase. This enzyme preparation also catalyzes the conversion of the Hershey circle form of lambda DNA to a covalent form. Enzyme fractions purified from E. coli K12 also catalyze the latter reaction.
Small cell carcinoma of the ovary: A rapidly lethal tumor occurring in the young

Two patients with metastatic small cell carcinoma of the ovary managed by the Clinical Gynecologic Oncology Service at Roswell Park Memorial Institute are presented. Despite intensive multimodal therapy after extensive cytoreductive surgery, both patients expired from this rare tumor within 6 months of diagnosis. Neither tumor was associated with hypercalcemia, previously reported in the only existing review of the tumor in the world literature. Because of the highly aggressive nature of this cancer, effective combination chemotherapy must be found if the natural history of this tumor is to be altered.
Exposure to potential occupational asthmogens: Prevalence data from the National Occupational Exposure Survey

Few data are available about the prevalence of occupational exposures to agents which can cause occupational asthma or aggravate preexisting asthma (asthmogens). Using potential occupational exposure data from the National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) of 1980–1983, we investigated the number of asthmogen exposures, asthmogen-exposure(s) per production worker, and unprotected occupational asthmogen exposures in different industries and occupations. Data for the entire United States were used to generate estimates of occupational exposure at two selected state and local levels. It was estimated that 7,864,000 workers in the surveyed industries were potentially exposed to one or more occupational asthmogen(s) in the United States. The average number of observed potential exposures per asthmogen-exposed worker was 4.4, and varied from 11.9, in the Water Transportation industry, to 1.2 in Local and Suburban transportation. The largest number of observed potential exposures was recorded in the Apparel and Other Finished Products (garment) industry. This work and further analyses using this approach are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of occupational asthma, and to serve as a guide to target future occupational asthma surveillance efforts. Am. J. Ind. Med. 31:195–201 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Real-time feedback and booking behavior in the hospitality industry: Moderating the balance between imperfect judgment and imperfect prescription

Abstract Revenue management (RM) systems now have an established role in the hospitality industry. Nevertheless, use of the systems varies. The price points that these systems generate through the analysis of demand forecasts are, by their very nature, imperfect prescriptions. Given the risk of forecast error in certain reservation contexts, hotel agents are often given the latitude to accept rate bids below the pricing prescriptions of these systems. The frequency and extent of such deviation is dependent in large part on the judgment of reservation agents, who in turn are influenced by their perceptions of how their actions will be viewed by higher levels of management. In this study, we use a laboratory experiment to investigate how different forms of continuous performance feedback influence agent decisions. More specifically, we consider both a revenue-focused metric as well as a metric framed around pricing-curve adherence as the basis of two feedback mechanisms of interest. In an attempt to provide additional insight, we also monitored physiological markers of stress and arousal to determine the emotional state of subjects. The purpose is to use such observations in support of theory regarding the impact of performance measure orientation on decision making. The results suggest implications for the practical use of continuous feedback in these settings.
Transpleural Resection of the First Rib for Repair of Subclavian Artery Injury

A technique is described for obtaining exposure of all three parts of the injured subclavian artery through a standard posterolateral thoracotomy and transpleural subperiosteal excision of the first rib. This technique should be considered for repairing injuries of the subclavian artery, especially when the injury is discovered at emergency thoracotomy done because of bleeding.
DO-RE-MI: A program that recognizes music notation

MUSIC, because many of its basic parameters are readily adaptable to computer description, is probably the area of the humanities best suited to computer-implemented research. However, a major obstacle to advancement in this field is the absence of a convenient method for transforming large amounts of music data into computer-usable form. Music researchers have attempted to solve this problem by developing alphanumeric languages in which to code music notation for computer input, e.g., the Ford-Columbia Music Representation (DARMS) of Stefan Bauer-Mengelberg. In addition to general languages, many researchers have devised their own special languages, tailored to their particular projects. Music-representational languages are convenient for the handling of music data in the computer. It is very laborious, however, to produce the representation of music data in such a language from the original score and to enter it into a computer, especially when large quantities of music data are to be used. Since translation from a sample of music notation to the alphanumeric code of a musicrepresentational language requires a significant amount of time and some skill, music researchers who have utilized a computer either have devoted a good deal of time to the coding of the music data or have used a small data base. Even when much time has been devoted to hand-
Trigonometry of Quantum States

Recently the geometry of quantum states has been under considerable development. Every good geometry deserves, if possible, an accompanying trigonometry. I will here introduce such a trigonometry to accompany the geometry of quantum states.
The in vitro induction of differentiation of putative human stem cells by thymosin and agents that affect cyclic AMP.

Abstract The in vitro effect of thymosin and agents that alter intracellular cyclic nucleotides on human T-cell differentiation was investigated. In individuals with T-cell defects the number of E-rosette-forming lymphocytes was significantly increased by incubation with thymosin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP. These agents also induced increased responsiveness to PHA in a child with a significant B- and T-cell defect. In addition, putative stem cell fractions from normal peripheral blood were induced to form E-rosettes and to display T-cell functional responses (proliferation following PHA or allogeneic cell stimulation) following incubation with thymosin or agents that increase cellular cAMP.
Migration Patterns of Minorities in the United States

As is well known, the migration pattern of the black population of the United States has had two main features: an exceptionally strong ruralto-urban movement, in the course of which most of the movement has also been from the South to the North and West. During the 1950's, an estimated net outmigration of 1,568,000 Negroes and persons of other nonwhite races took place from the nonmetropolitan parts of the South (Table 1). At least 98 percent of this number consisted of blacks. In the 1960's, this net outmovement dropped somewhat to about 1,346,000, a decline of 14 percent. But, the remarkable point is that between the same two decades, white net outmigration from the same nonmetro counties of the South fell from 2,686,000 to 123,000, a drop of 95 percent. Thus, whereas a majority of the South's net movement from rural areas and small towns was white in the 1950's, the overwhelming majority of it was black in the 1960's.
Determination of volatile amines in air by on-line solid-phase derivatization and high-performance liquid chromatography with ultrviolet and fluorescence detction

Dosage par cette methode des amines suivantes dans des echantillons d'air: la methylamine, la dimethylamine, la butylamine et la cadaverine
Shotgun deposit: granite porphyry-hosted gold-arsenic mineralization in southwestern Alaska, USA

The Shotgun deposit (30 tonnes gold; inferred resource using 0.5 ppm cutoff) consists of stockwork Au-As mineralization in a Late-Cretaceous (69.7±0.3 Ma, 40Ar/39Ar) granite porphyry stock located approximately 150 km north of Dillingham, SW Alaska. Preliminary metallurgical results indicate >90% gold is recoverable by cyanide leaching. With average estimated concentrations of 1.4 ppm Au, 6.1 ppm Ag, 0.5% As, 0.07% Cu, 40 ppm Mo, and 8 ppm Bi, Shotgun is a low-fO2 porphyry Au-As deposit that shares characteristics with both intrusion-related gold and porphyry copper deposits. The bulk of gold occurs in intense quartz stockwork and breccias. It is texturally identical to Cu-Mo porphyries, but has different mineralization and alteration assemblages. Shotgun contains arsenopyrite>>pyrite>pyrrhotite>chalcopyrite, lacks K alteration and, instead, contains vein and pervasive albite-quartz±sericite±carbonate. As temperature decreased, early high-temperature, low-fS2 mineralization (arsenopyrite-loellingite±pyrrhotite) evolved to later, lower-temperature, moderately high fS2 conditions (pyrite-bornite-chalcopyrite). In addition, ores at Shotgun contain primary native gold, native bismuth, Bi-Te sulfides, cubanite, maldonite, scheelite, and sphalerite, as well as supergene covellite, chalcocite, marcasite, and native copper. Arsenopyrite geothermometry yields deposition temperatures of 470 to 630 °C. Fluid inclusion microthermometry and laser Raman spectroscopy indicate that vapor-rich inclusions (H2O>>CO2>CH4) homogenize to vapor at ~360 °C, and saline aqueous inclusions contain 40 to >60 wt% NaCl equiv. (probably NaCl-KCl) and homogenize to liquid at 280 to >600 °C. Coexisting vapor- and liquid-rich fluid inclusions in quartz suggest 'boiling' occurred. Stable-isotope data include δ18O of 16.4 to 17.1‰ (quartz), δD of –124 to –105‰ (sericite), and δ34S of –5.5 to –5.0‰ (asp, cpy). At 380 °C, fluid compositions of δ18O of 10.4 to 11.1‰, and δD of –95 to –74‰ are compatible with a magmatic fluid source. Gold correlates fairly well (r>0.60) with Ag, Bi, Mo, and Te. When combined with the evidence for high-temperature fluids, the fragmental morphology of the intrusion, stockwork veining, and exsolution of vapor-rich and aqueous saline-rich fluid inclusions indicate a direct relationship between early mineralization and magmatism. The Shotgun deposit shares similarities with porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposits (stockwork, breccia) and reduced, nonporphyry intrusion-related Au-As-Bi deposits (sulfide mineralogy, geochemistry, and oxidation state). They appear to be products of the same style of magmatic-hydrothermal systems and differ only in depth and thus volatile-release history. The Shotgun deposit is essentially an intrusion-related Au-As-Bi deposit emplaced at pressures and temperatures typical of a porphyry system.
Mystic: Implementation of the Static Dynamic Optimal Control Algorithm for High-Fidelity, Low-Thrust Trajectory Design

Mystic software is designed to compute, analyze, and visualize optimal high-fidelity, low-thrust trajectories, The software can be used to analyze inter-planetary, planetocentric, and combination trajectories, Mystic also provides utilities to assist in the operation and navigation of low-thrust spacecraft. Mystic will be used to design and navigate the NASA's Dawn Discovery mission to orbit the two largest asteroids, The underlying optimization algorithm used in the Mystic software is called Static/Dynamic Optimal Control (SDC). SDC is a nonlinear optimal control method designed to optimize both 'static variables' (parameters) and dynamic variables (functions of time) simultaneously. SDC is a general nonlinear optimal control algorithm based on Bellman's principal.
A molecular dynamics study of the thermodynamics of liquid ethane

Abstract Molecular dynamics (MD) calculations are reported in which ethane was simulated along four isochores spanning the entire liquid region. The molecules interact through a two-center Lennard-Jones (2CLJ) pair potential derived previously in a calculation based on the thermodynamic perturbation theory due to Kohler. Pressures, residual internal energies, and the fluctuation quantities as the residual specific heat and the thermal pressure coefficient obtained from this model agree with values given by an empirical equation of state within the combined uncertainty of both methods for all state points. This suggests that the 2CLJ potential used here is an excellent effective pair potential for fluid ethane.
Thermodynamic Equivalence of Hydration and Osmotic Stress in Membrane Deformation

Membrane deformation and tension potentially affect the conformational energetics of membrane proteins such as rhodopsin though non-specific lipid-protein interactions [1]. The question arises how membrane deformation can alter these protein-lipid interactions and thus affect membrane protein function. Through usage of osmolytes and dehydration we observe deformation in DMPC-d54 membranes via solid-state 2H NMR [2]. Measured order parameters allow deformations to be accessed at the molecular level. Stresses from dehydration and osmotic pressure are thermodynamically equivalent because the change in chemical potential when transferring water from the interlamellar space to the bulk water phase corresponds to an induced pressure. Due to equivalence of the two stresses, we directly relate membrane hydration to an applied osmotic pressure via the order parameters. A unified theoretical framework predicts an equation of state for the membrane system that depends inversely on the number waters per lipid as confirmed by experimental data [2]. We extend this thermodynamic framework via a mean-torque model [3] to analyze the compressibilities of the lipid and water components. Increases in osmotic pressure and dehydration reduce the compressibility of the water space so that greater work is required to remove water from the membranes at low hydration. The cross-sectional area per lipid decreases and thickness increases non-linearly with an increase of osmotic pressure and dehydration. Changes in membrane thickness can result in hydrophobic mismatch which directly affects protein-lipid interactions and thereby affect membrane protein function. Our findings demonstrate the ability to change membrane structure in a controlled manner for the investigation of pressure and hydration sensitivity of membrane proteins. [1] A.V. Botelho et al. (2006) Biophys. J. 91, 4464-4477. [2] K.J. Mallikarjunaiah et al. Biophys. J. (in press). [3] H.I. Petrache et al. (2000) Biophys. J. 79, 3172-3192.
The effects of hemispheric differences on feature perturbations

Hemispheric differences for feature perturbations were investigated in two experiments. Stimulus displays consisting of five small squares arranged in a single row were presented tachistoscopically, with the subject instructed to state in which square a horizontal tick mark was located. Ticks could occur in any of the three middle squares, with half of the ticks presented on the inside and half presented on the outside of the square in relation to the fovea. Experiment 1 presented each array of five squares to the right or left of fixation at one of three distances from the fovea. Experiment 2 manipulated the distance between the squares and kept foveal distance constant. In each experiment, fewer errors were made when stimuli were presented to the left visual field/right hemisphere than when they were presented to the right visual field/left hemisphere, when ticks migrated toward the fovea. Experiment 1 found that increasing the distance from the fovea increased the error rate, but did not change the hemispheric differences. Experiment 2 found that increasing the distance between the squares did not change hemispheric effects reliably. The data imply that hemispheric differences for perceptual processing begin very early during sensory analysis.
Gender bias in the sixteen-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index: An application of polytomous differential item functioning

Gender differences in measures of anxiety sensitivity (AS) are similar to gender differences across anxiety disorders; females exhibit higher levels of AS and a greater prevalence of anxiety disorders than males. The current study confirms higher scores on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) in females. Further analysis reveals, however, that gender differences on the ASI may arise from a single item's bias against women. Four different statistics examining differential item functioning (DIF) indicate that women are more likely to endorse the item, "It scares me when I feel faint", even if they score no higher on the ASI than males. Removing this biased item does not alter internal consistency of the scale, but eliminates the significant gender difference. The results suggest that differences on the ASI require careful interpretation as item bias may artificially inflate ASI scores in females.
Decision of Union Workers to Participate in Employee Involvement: an Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test the ability of the theory of planned behaviour to predict worker intent towards an employee involvement (EI) programme, and the impact of union identification on workers’ decision making.Design/methodology/approach – Union workers at a small manufacturing company in the Midwestern United States completed two questionnaires. The first questionnaire provided measures of the attitudinal, normative, and behavioural control components of the theory of planned behaviour and the degree to which they identified with their labour union. In the second questionnaire, the same respondents answered questions to measure their intention to support or oppose an employee involvement (EI) programme.Findings – Intentions to support EI were accurately predicted from attitudes, normative support, and perceived behavioural control (0.05 level). Level of union identification moderated the impact of attitudes on intention to support EI for workers that did not identify heavily with ...
Teaching and Learning in "Second Life": Using the Community of Inquiry (CoI) Model to Support Online Instruction with Graduate Students in Instructional Technology

As virtual worlds become more widely utilized in education to deliver instruction, the need to measure learning in this environment will continue to grow. Building upon McKerlich and Anderson's (2008) exploratory study, the researchers of this study utilized the Community of Inquiry's (CoI) Multi-User Virtual Environment Education Evaluation Tool (MUVEEET), and the CoI Survey to measure observational and perceptual data in the multi-user virtual environment (MUVE), Second Life (SL), among instructional technology graduate students. Specifically examined in this study was the existence of the three CoI constructs — cognitive presence, social presence, and teaching presence. Results indicated that the CoI model served as a promising framework to measure all three constructs within MUVEs. Specifically, both the CoI survey and MUVEEET results indicated that the participants and coders experienced a developed community of inquiry during two SL classes.
A practical comparison between Java and Ada in implementing a real-time embedded system

This paper presents a student's observations from an undergraduate research project that explored using Java to implement the software for a real-time embedded system that was originally implemented in a university-level real-time systems course using Ada 95. It briefly gives an overview of the project, the decision made concerning which Java virtual machine to use, and how that virtual machine performed in the real-time environment. It then goes into detail about the merits and drawbacks of using Java to implement real-time and embedded systems such as this one and how using Java to implement them compares with using Ada.
Curriculum theory: Meaning, development, and use

(1982). Curriculum theory: Meaning, development, and use. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 21, Curriculum Theory, pp. 23-27.
A p53 Amino-Terminal Nuclear Export Signal Inhibited by DNA Damage-Induced Phosphorylation

The p53 protein is present in low amounts in normally growing cells and is activated in response to physiological insults. MDM2 regulates p53 either through inhibiting p539s transactivating function in the nucleus or by targeting p53 degradation in the cytoplasm. We identified a previously unknown nuclear export signal (NES) in the amino terminus of p53, spanning residues 11 to 27 and containing two serine residues phosphorylated after DNA damage, which was required for p53 nuclear export in colloboration with the carboxyl-terminal NES. Serine-15–phosphorylated p53 induced by ultraviolet irradiation was not exported. Thus, DNA damage–induced phosphorylation may achieve optimal p53 activation by inhibiting both MDM2 binding to, and the nuclear export of, p53.
Studies on Salting and Drying Fish. I. Equilibrium Considerations in Salting

SUMMARY— The following variables were determined at equilibrium between fish muscle and brine, all as functions of the salt concentration in the brine: salt concentration in the muscle, based on the volume of the muscle; salt concentration in the tissue water of the muscle; distribution coefficient of salt between muscle volume and brine; distribution coefficient of salt between muscle tissue water and brine. Secondary variables which further described the salting equilibria were also found as functions of salt concentration in the brine as follows, all based on unit weight of non-salt solids in the salted muscle: weight of salt (S/NSS), weight of water (W/NSS), and volume (V/NSS). The salt concentration based on the muscle volume was found to increase continually with increasing brine concentration, as did the salt concentration in the tissue water and the salt content expressed as S/NSS. The distribution coefficient based on the muscle volume and the water and volume contents (W/NSS) and (V/NSS) were found to increase at first, pass through a maximum, and then decrease, all with increasing brine concentration. Within the limits of experimental error, the salt concentration in the tissue water was found to equal the salt concentration in the brine, so that the distribution coefficient calculated on this basis was always equal to unity and was independent of the salt concentration in the brine. The volume per unit weight of non-salt solids (V/NSS) was found to be a direct linear function of the water content per weight of non-salt solids (W/NSS) at all temperatures studied. Little difference was found between the equilibrium salting variables when salting was carried out at 5 and at 25°C; on the other hand, possibly due to “cooking” or heat denaturation of the muscle with consequent loss of water at that temperature, all variables were considerably lower when salting was carried out at 37°C. The “mean molar activity coefficient” of sodium chloride in fish muscle was determined as a function of salt concentration in the muscle. It was found to be always greater, and to vary more sharply with salt concentration, than the corresponding activity coefficient of salt in aqueous solution.
A Task-Based Stepping Behavior Model for Digital Human Models

Cyclical stepping (gait) has been studied extensively. Some of these results are reflected in the straight and curved path step-following algorithms in commercial digital human modeling (DHM) implementations. With the aid of these algorithms, DHM users define start, intermediate, and end path points and the software generates a walking-like motion along the path. Most of these algorithms have substantial limitations, among them that the figures exhibit "foot skate," meaning that the kinematic constraint of foot contact with the ground is not respected. Turning is accomplished by pivoting the entire figure, rather than through realistic lower-extremity motions. The simulation of the non-cyclical stepping motions accompanying manual material handling pickup and delivery tasks requires manual manikin manipulation. This paper proposes a paradigm for the simulation of stepping behavior in digital human models based on a model of foot placements and motions. Cyclical and non-cyclical transition stepping behaviors are handled with the same structure, allowing for smooth transitions between gait and non-cyclical behaviors. The model is based on a laboratory experiment in which participants used one or both hands to move heavy and light loads between shelves located in various positions one to five steps apart. The data were used to develop a model of the transition stepping that occurs at load pickup and delivery.
The Threat of Terrorism and the Changing Public Discourse on Immigration after September 11

This article uses articles from the opinion-leading press to investigate how the news media's repertoire of negative portrayals changed after the September 11 terrorist attacks. It is based on a systematic random sample of 360 articles from two, opinion-leading newspapers—one known for its liberal slant (New York Times) and one known for its conservative slant (Wall Street Journal). The sample is drawn from a large population of articles published over a six-year period (1998–2004). The findings show that the percentage of negative frames involving not only terrorism but also other non-terrorist threats increased significantly after September 11. The elevated frequency of negative frames was found in both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, but the increase was significantly greater in the conservative periodical. Immigrants from non-European countries were also significantly more likely to be associated with negative frames than European immigrants. These three variables—national origin, news...
Evaluation of Proposed New LLW Disposal Activity: Disposal of PCB Waste Containing Unanalyzed Radionuclides

A number of low-level waste containers that also have PCBs in them contain radionuclides that have not been analyzed in a Performance Assessment. A simple bounding analysis (i.e.,assigning the most restrictive of the trench radionuclide limits to each of the unanalyzed radionuclides and adjusting for differences in Maximum Contaminant Level for selected radionuclides) shows that disposal of these radionuclides will not compromise performance objectives. One intent as expressed in the performance assessment/composite analysis guidance is to ensure that proposed or discovered changes in wasteforms, containers, radionuclide inventories, facility design, and operations are reviewed to ensure that the assumptions, results, and conclusions of the approved Performance Assessment (PA), and Composite Analysis (CA), as well as any Special Analyses (SA) that might have been performed, remain valid (i.e., that the proposed change is bounded by the PA and CA) and the changes are within the bounds of the Disposal Authorization Statement (DAS). The goal is to provide flexibility in day-to-day operation and to require those issues with a significant impact on the PA's conclusions, and therefore the projected compliance with performance objectives/measures, to be identified and brought to the proper level of attention. It should be noted that the term performance measuremore » is used to describe site specific adaptations of the DOE Order 435 Performance Objectives and requirements (e.g., performance measures such as applying drinking water standards to the groundwater impacts assessment). The intent of this document is to provide an evaluation to determine if disposal of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) waste containers with unanalyzed radionuclides in trenches (or, for one container, in the Low Activity Waste Vault) is within the assumptions, parameters, and bases of the approved PA and CA. If it is, then this document serves as the technical basis for authorizing the proposed action. If no t, then, according to the SRS Disposal Authorization Statement, the PA and CA would need to be updated as appropriate and DOE approval sought of the update (i.e., SA or revision of the PA or CA).« less
Organ and Metabolic Complications: Trace Elements

A number of trace element disturbances have been recognized in uremic patients. This has been noted especially in patients receiving long term hemodialysis. There are a number of reasons that the patient with end-stage renal disease is at risk of developing trace element toxicity, as well as deficiency. As a direct result of loss of renal function, elements which are normally eliminated from the body through the kidney are retained. In proteinuric states metal binding proteins are also lost which can result in deficiencies of the elements being transported. With advanced renal failure the normal intestinal barriers, which exclude potentially toxic elements from being absorbed, are compromised. The artificial means by which patients are maintained following the development of endstage renal disease can contribute further to elemental disturbances. Certain elements filtered, but normally retained by tubule function, may be lost across the dialyzing membrane. The body burden of other elements can be enriched from dialysis fluid contaminants, and transported to the patient during the procedure. Some of the elemental alteration from these various mechanisms have been associated with major clinical consequences
Effect of intranasal budesonide irrigations on intraocular pressure

Background Intranasal and oral corticosteroids are widely used in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Higher-dose topical nasal steroids (HDTNS) such as budesonide irrigations are increasingly used for long-term maintenance in these patients. Oral steroids have the potential to cause increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma. It is unclear whether HDTNS have the same potential. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of intranasal budesonide irrigations on IOP. Methods Two groups of patients with CRSwNP treated with budesonide irrigations were prospectively enrolled. Patients with history of elevated IOP or glaucoma were excluded. Patients in group 1 had been using budesonide for at least 1 month and had IOP measured once at the time of enrollment. Group 2 consisted of patients who were placed on budesonide at the time of enrollment and had IOP measured both before and after at least 4 weeks of therapy. Results Ten patients in group 1 and 8 patients in group 2 completed the study. In group 1, the average duration of therapy at enrollment was 6.3 months (1–22 months). Only 1 patient had a single eye pressure above 21 mmHg. None of the patients in group 2 had a significant change in IOP or IOP over 21 mmHg. Conclusion Intranasal budesonide irrigations given for a period of at least 1 month do not appear to increase IOP.
Oral Bioavailability and First-Pass Effects

Existing experimental strategies for the in vivo evaluation of factors affecting oral bioavailability have been reviewed. Based on concepts that have evolved, an integrated set of strategies emerges that appears capable of providing estimates of the individual contributions attributable to absorption, losses in the gut lumen, and first-pass elimination in the gut wall and the liver. The only assumptions are linear pharmacokinetics and constant clearance between treatments. These methods are also suitable for the assessment of metabolite bioavailability after drug administration and the quantitative determination of sites of biotransformation and metabolite formation in vivo.
SOLUTION STRUCTURE OF A CYANOBACTERIAL PHYTOCHROME GAF DOMAIN IN THE RED LIGHT-ABSORBING GROUND STATE

Abstract The unique photochromic absorption behavior of phytochromes (Phys) depends on numerous reversible interactions between the bilin chromophore and the associated polypeptide. To help define these dynamic interactions, we determined by NMR spectroscopy the first solution structure of the chromophore-binding cGMP phosphodiesterase/adenylcyclase/FhlA (GAF) domain from a cyanobacterial Phy assembled with phycocyanobilin (PCB). The three-dimensional NMR structure of Synechococcus OS-B′ cyanobacterial Phy 1 in the red-light-absorbing state of Phy (Pr) revealed that PCB is bound to Cys138 of the GAF domain via the A-ring ethylidene side chain and is buried within the GAF domain in a ZZZsyn , syn , anti configuration. The D ring of the chromophore sits within a hydrophobic pocket and is tilted by approximately 80° relative to the B/C rings by contacts with Lys52 and His169. The solution structure revealed remarkable flexibility for PCB and several adjacent amino acids, indicating that the Pr chromophore has more freedom in the binding pocket than anticipated. The propionic acid side chains of rings B and C and Arg101 and Arg133 nearby are especially mobile and can assume several distinct and energetically favorable conformations. Mutagenic studies on these arginines, which are conserved within the Phy superfamily, revealed that they have opposing roles, with Arg101 and Arg133 helping stabilize and destabilize the far-red-light-absorbing state of Phy (Pfr), respectively. Given the fact that the Synechococcus OS-B′ GAF domain can, by itself, complete the Pr → Pfr photocycle, it should now be possible to determine the solution structure of the Pfr chromophore and surrounding pocket using this Pr structure as a framework.
Urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis.

Urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis are different manifestations of immediate hypersensitivity. Immediate hypersensitivity is an untoward, immunologically mediated reaction that occurs within minutes to a few hours of the introduction of antigen into an immune individual and that is mediated by antibodies; thus, these reactions also have been called antibody-mediated hypersensitivity. Approximately 20% of the population manifests these symptoms, particularly urticaria, at some time during life. Definitions Urticaria (or hives) is an intensely itchy rash consisting of a raised, irregularly shaped wheal with a blanched center surrounded by a red flare. Urticaria is caused by histamine release from the mast cells of the dermis. Although chemical and physical agents such as detergents or ultraviolet light can release histamine from mast cells, histamine release is most commonly due to an immunologic reaction between antigens and IgE antibodies bound to the membranes of mast cells. The release of histamine-containing granules from mast cells is calcium-dependent and requires energy. In addition to histamine, other mediators, such as leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and platelet activating factor, also are released from immunologically stimulated mast cells. The binding of histamine to H1 receptors causes smooth muscle contraction and increased vascular permeability. Angioedema is an area of circumscribed swelling of any part of the body.
Effect of retinal impulse blockage on cytochrome oxidase-rich zones in the macaque striate cortex: II. Quantitative electron-microscopic (EM) analysis of neuropil.

Our previous light-microscopic study indicates that unilateral retinal impulse blockage with tetrodotoxin (TTX) causes a reversible decrease of cytochrome oxidase (CO) in alternating rows of metabolically active zones (puffs) in the adult macaque striate cortex (Wong-Riley & Carroll, 1984b). The goal of the present study was to determine if TTX blockade adversely affects all neurons or only a subpopulation of neurons within the puffs. Three major neuronal types were identified based on mitochondrial CO activities and morphological characteristics. Type A neurons were the most prevalent, consisting of small pyramidal and nonpyramidal neurons that received only symmetrical axosomatic synapses. They had little cytoplasm and relatively low levels of CO activity, and showed the least change with TTX treatment. Type B cells were medium-to-large pyramidal neurons that received exclusively symmetrical axosomatic synapses and were moderately reactive for CO. Impulse blockage caused a decrease in mitochondrial size and packing density, but somal size remained within the control range. Type C cells were medium-sized nonpyramidal neurons contacted by both asymmetrical and symmetrical axosomatic synapses. They contained abundant darkly reactive mitochondria and presumably are metabolically the most active. This cell type suffered the greatest decrease in somal size and packing density of mitochondria, particularly the darkly reactive ones. A rare fourth cell type, type D, was a small, darkly reactive nonpyramidal variety that gave rise to somatodendritic synapses. Their low occurrence prevented statistical analysis under normal and TTX-treated conditions. These data indicate that retinal impulse blockade is most detrimental to the metabolically most active neurons in the adult primate cortical puffs. The alterations are not permanent, because the effects of TTX are fully reversible (Carroll & Wong-Riley, 1987).
Rhodococcal abortion and pneumonia in an equine fetus

Infection with Rhodococcus equi has been recognized as an important cause of foal pneumonia for many years. Less frequently, R. equi has been associated with foal colitis and uncommonly isolated from adult horses and various other animal species. 2,6 Although R. equi has been previously isolated from various tissues of aborted equine fetuses, this is the first description of the pathology in a case of rhodococcal abortion and pneumonia in an equine fetus. 3,7,10 A 35.2-kg female Standardbred fetus was aborted at approximately 7 months gestation and was submitted to the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University, for diagnostic evaluation; the placenta was not submitted with the fetus. Upon gross necropsy, the principal lesions were hundreds of 2-10-mm-diame ter irregular, pale foci covering the subpleural surface of both lungs and extending into the underlying parenchyma (Fig. 1). The lungs were diffusely firm and failed to float in 10% buffered formalin. An initial diagnosis of infectious pneumonia, possibly due to the virus of equine rhinopneumonitis, was made and samples were collected for additional studies. Tissues submitted for microbiologic evaluation included lung, liver, and stomach contents. A pure growth of > 1,000 colony-forming units of Rhodococcus equi was obtained on aerobic culture from each of the 3 tissues. Identification was based on colony morphology (pink colonies with copious amounts of mucoid material), cellular morphology (grampositive bacilli), and biochemical profile using a commercial test kit a,2,9 Lung, liver, and spleen tissues were negative for the herpesvirus of equine rhinopneumonitis by direct fluorescent antibody testing and virus isolation. Brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, adrenal gland, spleen, small intestine, tongue, and skeletal muscle were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and routinely processed for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The only significant microscopic lesions were present in the lung. There was moderate, multifocal necrosis of bronchioles and alveolar septa, with aggregates of neutrophils, histiocytes, and fibrin filling degenerate airways and alveolar spaces (Fig. 2). The histiocytes had plentiful foamy cytoplasm, which contained numerous small coccobacilli (Fig. 3). The intracytoplasmic bacteria stained with a variety of special stains, including Twort’s Gram (gram-positive), Warthin-Starry silver, Gomori’s methenamine silver, and periodic acid-Schiff. The suppurative and histiocytic bronchopneumonia with gram-positive intracellular bacilli was consistent with rhodococcal pneumonia. 6
Rapid Automated Polygonal Image Decomposition

We present RaveGrid, a software that efficiently converts a raster image to a scalable vector image comprised of polygons whose boundaries conform to the edges in the image. The resulting vector image has good visual quality and fidelity and can be displayed at various sizes and on various display screen resolutions. The software can render vector images in the SVG (scalable vector graphics) format or in EPS (Encapsulated Postscript). The ubiquity of image data in graphics, on the Web, and in communications, as well as the wide range of devices, from big screen TVs to hand-held cellular phones that support image display, calls for a scalable and more manipulable representation of imagery. Moreover, with the growing need for automating image-based search, object recognition, and image understanding, it is desirable to represent image content at a semantically higher level by means of tokens that support computer vision tasks.
Parallel global routing algorithms for standard cells

In this paper, we propose three different parallel algorithms based on a state-of-the-art global router called TimberWolfSC. The parallel algorithms have been implemented by using the Message Passing Interface (MPI), and have been evaluated on a wide range of parallel platforms such as the Sun SparcCenter 1000 and the Intel Paragon. Our experimental results show good speedups and qualities from two of these parallel algorithms. We have been able to reduce runtimes of some circuits from half an hour to 5 minutes, obtained speedups of about 4.0 to 5.0 on 8 processors, with less than 2-3% degradation of quality of the solutions.
Timing of tillage is an important filter on the assembly of weed communities

A trait-based community assembly approach to weed management may enhance our understanding of how weed communities respond to specific management practices and increase the utility of weed management based on ecological principles. Therefore, identifying management practices that operate as assembly filters and the species traits upon which they act is an important first step in developing a more predictive weed science. Here, I report results from a 3-yr investigation of the effects of timing of annual tillage (spring vs. fall) on the annual assembly of arable weed communities. The timing of tillage had consistent and dramatic effects on the composition of weed communities; spring tillage led to weed communities dominated by early emerging spring annual forbs and C4 grasses, and fall tillage led to communities dominated by later-emerging forbs and C3 grasses. Traits determining a species' susceptibility to tillage time likely include germination syndrome and life cycle, both of which influence how species respond to changes in soil resource levels and light availability driven by seasonal disturbance regime. Manipulating the timing of tillage and other major soil disturbances may therefore be an important tool for managers interested in influencing community composition or targeting species with similar germination and life-history traits.
Effects of telephone versus face-to-face survey modes on reports of alcohol-related attitudes, harms and alcohol consumption

AbstractAims: To assess the effect of telephone vs. face-to-face interview modes on reports of alcohol-related attitudes, harms and alcohol consumption. Methods: Two simple random samples of persons aged 15–69 were drawn for the Finnish Drinking Habits Survey with sample sizes of 800 for the telephone interviews and 3750 for the face-to-face interviews. Results: There was an estimated mode effect for the whole population in 4 out of 28 descriptive measures. They did not show a consistent pattern, but some support was found for a lower level of reported alcohol-related harm in telephone interviews than in face-to-face interviews. In the subgroup analysis, our results showed differences in 9 out of 68 comparisons. The most consistent ones of these differences were between the age groups. Conclusion: The results of the alcohol-related measures in the telephone interviews were reasonably well in line with the results of the face-to-face interviews.