cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Applying Relative Distribution Methods in R

Relative distribution methods are a nonparametric statistical approach to the comparison of distributions. These methods combine the graphical tools of exploratory data analysis with statistical summaries, decomposition, and inference.This report demonstrates software for implementing relative distribution methods within the R statistical package. It describes how to download and install the software, and use it to redo the analysis in the paper "Relative Distribution Methods" by Mark S. Handcock and Martina Morris, Sociological Methodology, Vol 28, July 1998. The full code, references and links to further resources are provided.
Constructing Communities in the Late Roman Countryside

This book is the first comprehensive treatment of the 'small politics' of rural communities in the Late Roman world. It places the diverse fates of those communities within a generalized model for exploring rural social systems. Fundamentally, social interactions in rural contexts in the period revolved around the desire of individual households to insure themselves against catastrophic subsistence failure and the need of the communities in which they lived to manage the attendant social tensions, inequalities and conflicts. A focus upon the politics of reputation in those communities provides a striking contrast to the picture painted by the legislation and the writings of Rome's literate elite: when viewed from the point of view of the peasantry, issues such as the Christianization of the countryside, the emergence of new types of patronage relations, and the effects of the new system of taxation upon rural social structures take on a different aspect.
Monitoring, modeling, and control strategies for expanded-bed adsorption processes

Expanded-bed adsorption (EBA) is a technique for the purification of proteins from cellular debris in downstream processing. An expanded bed presents the possibility of protein recovery in a single step, eliminating the often costly clarification processing steps such as ultrafiltration, centrifugation, and precipitation. An obstacle to the successful commercialization of this technology is the inability to accurately monitor and control the bed height in these systems.
Plant Gravity Sensing

This review of plant gravity sensing examines sensing in organ gravitropism, sensing in single-cell gravitropism, and nongravitropic sensing. Topics related to sensing in organ gravitropism are (1) identification of the gravitropic susceptors, including intracellular asymmetry in equilibrium position and after reorientation, susceptor signal-to-noise ratio, signal integration over threshold stimulation periods, intracellular asymmetry and gravitropic competence, and starch deficiency and gravitropic competence; (2) possible root statocytes and receptors, including identification of presumptive statocytes, cytology, and possible receptors and models of sensing; and (3) negatively gravitropic organs, including identification and distribution of presumptive statocytes and cytology and possible receptors. Topics related to nongravitropic sensing include gravitaxis, reaction wood, gravimorphogenesis, other gravity-influenced organ movements, and cytoplasmic streaming.
Prefrontal Cortex in Learning to Overcome Generalized Fear.

Normal brain functioning relies critically on the ability to control appropriate behavioral responses to fearful stimuli. Overgeneralized fear is the major symptom of anxiety disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder. This review describes recent data demonstrating that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a critical role in the refining of cues that drive the acquisition of fear response. Recent studies on molecular mechanisms that underlie the role of mPFC in fear discrimination learning are discussed. These studies suggest that prefrontal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors expressed in excitatory neurons govern fear discrimination learning via a mechanism involving cAMP response element-binding protein–dependent engagement of acetyltransferase.
Molecular probe of the BCS/BEC crossover in /sup 6/Li

We have produced a molecular Bose-Einstein condensate from fermionic /sup 6/Li atoms. Optical molecular spectroscopy is used to probe the many-body state in the BCS/BEC crossover region. Preliminary results indicate that the molecular contribution is much larger than expected.
Applying the intentional forgetting process to forgiveness

Abstract The current research tests the hypothesis that the cognitive process of intentional forgetting can be applied to promote forgiveness. In three experiments, participants read stories set in second person point of view sentence by sentence. Each story included a target conflict sentence. After each sentence, participants saw a cue indicating forget or remember (Experiment 1, n = 89) or important or not important (Experiment 2, n = 123) or control cue (Experiment 3, n = 198). Findings revealed that, among participants who remembered the transgression, being told to intentionally forget the transgression led to increased forgiveness (Experiments 1 & 3). However, being told that the transgression was not important had no effect on forgiveness (Experiment 2). Overall, results are consistent with the hypothesis that an active process of intentional forgetting (as opposed to a passive process of disregarding unimportant information) can promote forgiveness. The interpersonal and clinical applications of these findings are discussed.
Improvement of solder joint reliability between multilayer ceramic package and printed wiring board by new ceramic material

Ball grid array (BGA) packages for MPU semiconductor device are considered as replacements of pin grid array packages. This is driven by the requirements for smaller size, thinner thickness, higher wiring density and higher performance. A thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) mismatch between an Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ ceramic BGA and a printed wiring board (PWB) causes a large stress in solder joints during a thermal fatigue test. Stress due to the TCE differences is also large in a leadless chip carrier (LCC) package, since this is the same surface mounting type package as BGA. By a finite element method (FEM) simulation, we found that a minimum stress value was obtained when the target TCE value was 9/spl sim/14ppm./spl deg/C. We developed a new ceramic material. The TCE and the Young's Modulus of this material are 11.5ppm//spl deg/C and 114GPa, respectively. By temperature cycling tests of BGA and LCC, we have confirmed that a relaxation of the thermal stress drastically increased solder joint reliabilities by using the high TCE new ceramic material.
Biomolecular self-assembly: stacks of viruses.

Self-assembly of soft materials has achieved structural periodicity of tens of nanometres. Layered superlattices prepared from viruses and lipid membranes could now be used as templates for organising macromolecules.
Toward a Sociology of Public Transit

Short trips on public transit frequently exhibit stressful sociological characteristics. Passengers tend to view the vehicles as mono-instrumental conveyances and to evince a pronounced exit-orientation; but transit arrangements rarely facilitate an equitable order in departing. Severe limits on what one can see and whom one can look at further reduce the joy of riding. The folklore of public transit reinforces its situational deficiencies. Some unusual modes of transit do escape these difficulties; in the main, though, transit riders engage in various small conflicts and in low-level, but persistent and focused, games of anticipation.
Growth and body composition in intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) before and during human growth hormone administration

Abstract The influence of exogenous HGH upon the size and number of muscle cells, nitrogen retention on a nitrogen balance study, and linear growth were evaluated in eight children with intrauterine growth retardation. Before treatment, these patients were all significantly short and had decreased muscle nuclear number for age. On HGH treatment, linear growth increased significantly over previous growth rates, nitrogen retention occurred, and the muscle cells responded with an increase in cell multiplication but without an increase in cell size. These children, therefore, were capable of response to HGH, since cell multiplication but not cytoplasmic growth are ascribed to HGH.
Manipulations that influence stereotypes of the weight-gain potential of foods

Abstract The present study examined the impact of two manipulations on beliefs of the weight-gain potential of foods. Respondents ( n = 230) compared foods that are often perceived to be unhealthy to similar- or higher-calorie foods that are often perceived to be healthy in terms of their capacity to promote weight gain. A portion of the respondents were provided information about energy amounts of the foods while the remaining respondents were not. Also, an experimental manipulation examined whether holding the total daily energy intake at 2000 kcal had any impact on the findings. The caloric information presented had at best a modest effect on respondents’ ratings of the foods. However, generally regardless of the information provided the respondents viewed “unhealthy” foods as weight promoters (compared to “healthy” foods) and only fat content (not energy density or kcal, fiber and sugar content) predicted which foods would be judged to promote weight gain. A simple and handy stereotype appears to be the most convenient method for most people to evaluate the weight-gain potential of food names even when more accurate information (energy content) is available.
Experimental manipulation of the cost of thermal acclimation in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract Acclimation to environmental change can impose costs on organisms. One potential cost is the energy and nutrients consumed by a physiological response, e.g. the resources required for expression of heat-shock proteins (Hsps). We examined the significance of this cost by genetic manipulation. We isolated four isofemale lines from aDrosophila melanogasterpopulation previously transformed with ahsp70-lacZfusion. Lines were similar in Hsp70 expression but differed in β-galactosidase expression upon heat shock, and replicates of each line were reared on a high quantity and low quantity medium. Multiple heat shock reduced survival in all lines, but did not increase developmental time. Variation in expression of β-galactosidase among lines, which differed more than 4-fold in response to heat treatment, was unrelated to the decreased survival. Thus the predicted effects of β-galactosidase expression on components of fitness were not evident. The superimposition of costs upon those normal for acclimation had no effect on mortality or developmental time, even when resources were especially limiting.
New Goals for New Rural Policies

The basic question is whether rural America is sustainable in its present form. America’s hegemonic position in world agricultural commodity trade is eroding. The lessons from urban America suggest that structural transformation is both painful and necessary. Improving rural infrastructure will be an important objective, but the benefits may be smaller than similar investments in metropolitan areas. Expanding agricultural opportunities will be important, through value-added processing and new specialized crops. Lifting rural human capital will be an essential ingredient in spurring new rural business formation. Finally, improving rural economic networks will be an important step in harnessing the potential of small businesses that typify the rural economic landscape. There will not be one way to address the myriad problems in rural America, but any new rural policies must recognize that not all rural communities may be viable in the future.
Determination of the concentration of metals in animal feeds : Cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, nickel, lead, and zinc in dairy cattle feed, manure, and processed manure.

The concentrations of eight metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the following related materials: three products obtained by processing cattle manure—a cellulosic material resembling silage (CI), a water soluble protein-rich powder (CII), and a soil amendment product (CIII)—as well as dairy cattle feed rations containing CII and the resultant fresh feces; and the manure composites used to prepare the processed products. The concentrations of these metals generally increased in samples in the order feed, feces, CI, CII, and CIII. The metal concentrations in CI were comparable to literature values for silage; the metals in CII were present at higher concentrations, but not sufficient to limit its use as a feed ingredient. The potential health effects of feeding cattle rations containing CI or CII are discussed in the context of these results.
Fast Euclidean distance transformation in two scans using a 3 × 3 neighborhood

Cuisenaire and Macq [Comp. Vis. Image Understand., 76(2) (1999) 163] proposed a fast Euclidean distance transformation (EDT) by propagation using multiple neighborhoods and bucket sorting. To save the time for bucket sorting and to reduce the complexity of multiple neighborhoods, we propose a new, simple and fast EDT in two scans using a 3 × 3 neighborhood. By recording the relative x- and y-coordinates, an optimal two-scan algorithm can be developed to achieve the EDT correctly and efficiently in a constant time without iterations.
The cytogenetics of fourteen types derived from a single X-rayed sex cell ofNicotiana Tabacum

From the progeny of a single X-rayed female gamete ofNicotiana Tabacum, seven pure-breeding derivative types and seven other types not as yet established in a pure-breeding condition have been obtained. These types differ from one another and from the control in habit, form of leaf, flower and capsule, and in the colour of leaf and flower. At least five of the twenty-four chromosomes of the haploid set ofN. Tabacum have been altered. In the production of the fourteen types transgenations, homozygous deficiencies, duplications and presumably translocations are involved.
Regularities in x‐ray scattering patterns from amorphous polymers

It is known that the x-ray scattering pattern of an amorphous polymer may contain one or more halos corresponding to van der Waals spacings or larger. In this work we found that (i) the halo positions (and equivalent Bragg spacings) vary systematically with the cross-sectional area of the polymer chain in the crystal and (ii) there are at least two families of such halos with spacings larger than that of van der Waals contacts of atoms. From the wide variety and nature of the polymers considered, this behavior is believed to be representative of the amorphous state existing in polymeric samples. This work indicates that there is a degree of packing regularity in amorphous polymers that should be considered in models and theories of polymer chain conformation.
Influenza-like illness as an atypical presentation of falciparum malaria in a traveler from Africa.

Abstract Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of fatal malaria in non-endemic countries can be reduced greatly if physicians are alert to the atypical presenting features of malaria. Case Report: A patient arrived in the United States from Nigeria 2 days before presenting to an emergency department (ED) with sore throat, dry cough, fever (without chills), headache, and severe lethargy. A presumptive diagnosis of influenza-like illness was made. The patient improved after symptomatic treatment and was therefore discharged from the ED; she continued with her travel. After 24 h, the patient presented to our ED with symptoms suggestive of meningitis. The analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid was normal. A peripheral blood smear was diagnostic of falciparum malaria (parasitic index of 1). Because the disease was acquired from a chloroquine-resistant endemic area, the patient was treated with quinine and doxycycline, and she responded well. Conclusion: In this era of heightened influenza alert, differentiating between influenza-like illness and malaria can be challenging. Patients with a history of travel to a malaria-endemic area in the preceding year should undergo a complete blood count (CBC), hepatic panel, and blood smear. Due to logistic reasons, the result of a blood smear may not be available immediately. Thrombocytopenia and hyperbilirubinemia each has a positive predictive value of 95% in the presumptive diagnosis of malaria. Patients who do not appear sick, and those who have a normal CBC and hepatic panel, may be treated symptomatically and discharged (with follow-up advised). Those with a presumptive diagnosis of malaria or unclear speciation should be admitted for anti-malarial therapy.
Numerical implementation and solution strategies for a thermo-elastoplastic-viscoplastic model for cohesive soils

Abstract Thermal-mechanical analyses of soils are complicated by the porous nature of the material. Macroscopically soils exhibit an anisotropic, inelastic, hardening (and softening), time- and temperature-dependent behavior. To further complicate matters, the thermal properties of soils are not as well known as those for other materials such as metals. Several important problems have recently arisen that necessitate the realistic prediction of thermal-mechanical behavior of soils. The analysis of such problems requires a general but practical methodology that accounts for not only material non-linearities and thermo-mechanical coupling, but also for time-dependent characteristics of soils. This objective has been realized by extending a generalized bounding surface model, originally developed for isothermal analyses of saturated cohesive soils, to consider temperature effects. Besides accounting for thermal-mechanical coupling and for the inelastic nature of soils, this model includes time-dependent behavior. This latter aspect appears to be a novel proposition in thermo-mechanical modeling of soils. The emphasis of the present paper is on the numerical implementation and solution of the aforementioned model for thermo-mechanical analysis of saturated cohesive soils. It is shown that the consideration of time effects in the analysis introduces no additional complexity into potential algorithms used in the solution of coupled three-field problems.
Distribution of rare earth elements in sediment cores of Sabine-Neches Estuary

Abstract Vertical profiles of several rare earth elements (REEs) were precisely measured in four dated sediment cores from the Sabine-Neches Estuary. From the extensive use of light rare earth elements (LREEs)—enriched zeolites during catalytic cracking process in nearby oil refineries, a significant enrichment of LREEs such as Lanthanum (La) was expected in sediment layers deposited in the estuary in the 1960s and 1970s. The measured concentrations of LREEs, and Fe normalized enrichment factors indicate that sediments are not enriched with light rare earth elements derived from effluents of oil refineries. The lack of strong enrichment of REEs and other trace metals and radionuclides are attributed to the strong binding of these constituents with dissolved organic matter found in high concentrations, and short hydraulic residence time, and/or due to the dilution of these metals by riverine soil particles.
Evaluation of "norpeptides" as potential inhibitors of HIV-proteases.

Abstract Peptide mimics of substrates for HIV-proteases were prepared. These “norpeptides” are identical to a fragment of the HIV-polyprotein except that a crucial scissile bond was deleted, and an α,β-disubstituted amino acid spans the P 1 and P 1 ′ site. Thus all four stereoisomers of LeuΨ[]Ala (i.e. H 2 NCH(CH 2 i Pr)CH(Me)CO 2 H, 1 ) were incorporated into Ac-Ala-Arg-Val- LeuΨ[]Ala -Glu-Ala-NH 2 (all other residues being l -amino acids), and tested with respect to inhibition of HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases.
Access Denied: The Relationship between Alcohol Prohibition and Driving under the Influence

Alcohol prohibition continues to be a policy pursued by more than 10 percent of the counties in the United States. However, many questions exist about the effectiveness of prohibition policies for controlling social maladies such as accidents and fatal injuries related to driving under the influence (DUI). In this research, a situational crime prevention framework is used to evaluate the hypothetical relationship between countywide alcohol prohibition and incidents of DUI. We focus specifically on county-level comparisons of DUI arrests in Arkansas where slightly more than half of the counties are “dry” (sale of alcohol to the general public is prohibited). Utilizing police reports of DUI arrests we examine whether the dry county distinction is indeed associated with fewer DUI arrests than found in wet counties. Findings indicate that the dry county distinction does not result in significantly lower rates of DUI arrest when law enforcement variables are considered. These findings are analyzed and implications for future research are discussed.
Pazopanib and anti-VEGF therapy

Pazopanib (Votrient™, GlaxoSmithKline), a multi-kinase inhibitor with activity against VEGFR and other receptors, was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, we review the history of its development, together with an overview of VEGF and its receptors and co-receptors. Results from selected clinical trial data in RCC and other malignant diseases are presented. Based on available evidence, pazopanib is an effective VEGFR inhibitor with demonstrable clinical activity in metastatic RCC and promising activity in other diseases. Like most kinase inhibitors, its activity is not restricted to VEGF receptors, which is reflected in its side-effect profile.
Olfactory ensheathing cell-neurite alignment enhances neurite outgrowth in scar-like cultures.

Abstract The regenerative capacity of adult CNS neurons after injury is strongly inhibited by the spinal cord lesion site environment that is composed primarily of the reactive astroglial scar and invading meningeal fibroblasts. Olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation facilitates neuronal survival and functional recovery after a complete spinal cord transection, yet the mechanisms by which this recovery occurs remain unclear. We used a unique multicellular scar-like culture model to test if OECs promote neurite outgrowth in growth-inhibitory areas. Astrocytes were mechanically injured and challenged by meningeal fibroblasts to produce key inhibitory elements of a spinal cord lesion. Neurite outgrowth of postnatal cerebral cortical neurons was assessed on three substrates: quiescent astrocyte control cultures, reactive astrocyte scar-like cultures, and scar-like cultures with OECs. Initial results showed that OECs enhanced total neurite outgrowth of cortical neurons in a scar-like environment by 60%. We then asked if the neurite growth-promoting properties of OECs depended on direct alignment between neuronal and OEC processes. Neurites that aligned with OECs were nearly three times longer when they grew on inhibitory meningeal fibroblast areas and twice as long on reactive astrocyte zones compared to neurites not associated with OECs. Our results show that OECs can independently enhance neurite elongation and that direct OEC–neurite cell contact can provide a permissive substrate that overcomes the inhibitory nature of the reactive astrocyte scar border and the fibroblast-rich spinal cord lesion core.
Electron microscopical techniques

Electron Microscopy and Cytochemistry of Plant Cells. By J.L. Hall. Pp.444. (Elsevier/North Holland: Amsterdam and New York, 1979.) $46.25; Dfl.95.
Wave Functions for the Excited States of Neutral Helium

Excited states of neutral He, obtaining wave functions from minimum principle by configuration interaction procedure
Trimethoprim In Vitro Antibacterial Activity is Not Increased by Adding Sulfamethoxazole for Pediatric Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection

Purpose: The combination of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is often used to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections in children. The rationale for combining trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole is that they may act synergistically to increase antibacterial activity. However, approximately 3% of patients show allergic reactions to sulfamethoxazole, of which some are serious (liver failure and Stevens-Johnson syndrome). We determined whether adding sulfamethoxazole is necessary to increase in vitro antibacterial activity for pediatric urinary tract infection compared to that of trimethoprim alone.Materials and Methods: We prospectively identified 1,298 children with urinary tract infection (greater than 100,000 cfu/ml Escherichia coli) from a total of 4 American regions. In vitro susceptibility of bacterial isolates to sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was determined using disk diffusion. Ampicillin susceptibility was tested at 2 sites. At 1 site all uropathogens from consecu...
Update on implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. New, safer devices have led to changes in indications.

PREVIEWSudden cardiac arrest continues to exact a heavy toll among Americans, with most deaths related to ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardias requiring electrical countershock. Advances in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) technology are expanding the applications for these devices. Therefore, it is important that primary care physicians know when this therapy is indicated and how ICDs work. The authors discuss who should be considered for implantation of such a device and explain the technology involved.
Chi-B: Sample Size Calculation for Chi-Square Tests

A computer program for calculating the sample size necessary to control for both Type I and Type II errors in chi-square tests for hypotheses concerning multinomial probabilities is described. Based on numerical analysis, this program evaluates any noncentral chi-square distribution formed by considering a specific alternative hypothesis. Two unique features of the program are its interactive/ tutorial mode and the calculation of the chi-square noncentrality factor (X) and Cohen's "effect size" index (w).
Kinematic modeling and calibration of a flexure based hexapod nanopositioner

Abstract This paper covers the kinematic modeling of a flexure-based, hexapod nanopositioner and a new method of calibration for this type of nanopositioner. This six degrees of freedom tri-stage nanopositioner can generate small displacement, high-resolution motions with high accuracy by actuating three inexpensive, high quality planar stages. Each stage is equipped with linear actuators. In this paper, we discuss the calibration of the nanopositioner and methods to improve its accuracy. First, we derive the kinematic model of the nanopositioner that is a Stewart platform with spherical joints. Based on this kinematic model, we then calculate the actuation data for a set of commands for decoupled and coupled motions. We use an interferometer and an autocollimator to measure the actual displacement and rotation of the platform. Finally, we obtain the Jacobian matrix of the moving platform for the controller. Experiments showed that with the calibration-corrected parameters, the maximum error is approximately 0.002° in rotations and 3.3 μm in translation for a workspace of ± 0.2° and ±200 μm in x, y and z direction.
A gradient theory for single-crystal plasticity

This study develops a continuum theory of small-deformation single crystal plasticity that includes 'strain gradients' and 'strain rate gradients' in the spirit of our recent papers (Gurtin and Anand 2005a, 2005b) for isotropic plasticity. Specifically, we develop a constitutive theory that allows for energetic microscopic stresses that arise as a consequence of an assumed dependence of the free energy on edge and screw dislocations densities induced by slip gradients; and dissipative microscopic stresses that depend on slip-rate gradients. Our theory is based on a system of microscopic force balances?one balance for each slip system?with derivation based on the principle of virtual power. When augmented by constitutive relations for the microscopic stresses these force balances result in non-local flow rules in the form of second-order partial differential equations for the slips.
Kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of chlorine atoms with ethane, propane, and n‐butane

Absolute (flash photolysis) and relative (FTIR-smog chamber and GC) rate techniques were used to study the gas-phase reactions of Cl atoms with C2H6 (k1), C3H8 (k3), and n-C4H10 (k2). At 297 ± 1 K the results from the two relative rate techniques can be combined to give k2/k1 = (3.76 ± 0.20) and k3/k1 = (2.42 ± 0.10). Experiments performed at 298–540 K give k2/k1 = (2.0 ± 0.1)exp((183 ± 20)/T). At 296 K the reaction of Cl atoms with C3H8 produces yields of 43 ± 3% 1-propyl and 57 ± 3% 2-propyl radicals, while the reaction of Cl atoms with n-C4H10 produces 29 ± 2% 1-butyl and 71 ± 2% 2-butyl radicals. At 298 K and 10–700 torr of N2 diluent, 1- and 2-butyl radicals were found to react with Cl2 with rate coefficients which are 3.1 ± 0.2 and 2.8 ± 0.1 times greater than the corresponding reactions with O2. A flash-photolysis technique was used to measure k1 = (5.75 ± 0.45) × 10−11 and k2 = (2.15 ± 0.15) × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 298 K, giving a rate coefficient ratio k2/k1 = 3.74 ± 0.40, in excellent agreement with the relative rate studies. The present results are used to put other, relative rate measurements of the reactions of chlorine atoms with alkanes on an absolute basis. It is found that the rate of hydrogen abstraction from a methyl group is not influenced by neighboring groups. The results are used to refine empirical approaches to predicting the reactivity of Cl atoms towards hydrocarbons. Finally, relative rate methods were used to measure rate coefficients at 298 K for the reaction of Cl atoms with 1- and 2-chloropropane and 1- and 2-chlorobutane of (4.8 ± 0.3) × 10−11, (2.0 ± 0.1) × 10−10, (1.1 ± 0.2) &times 10−10, and (7.0 ± 0.8) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 43–55, 1997.
Child welfare: the phantom of the health care system.

Sir.—The problem of infants requiring prolonged hospitalization for lack of appropriate discharge placements has resulted in a new population of children receiving medical care. These children have been called "boarder babies," and their numbers are steadily increasing. On a given day in Philadelphia, Pa, 70 boarder babies are in hospitals awaiting discharge. They limit access to medical care for other children by occupying beds and increasing the hospitals' operating costs. This is one of the most insidious side effects of the current crack cocaine epidemic, resulting in the abandonment of numerous infants in hospitals. It has resulted in what one author describes as "the youngest of the homeless."1 A June 1989 survey1by the Child Welfare League of America of hospitals in five American cities identified 304 boarder babies in the 54 hospitals reporting cases. At least 69% of the identified babies showed signs of impairment due
Re-engineering the polymerase domain of Klenow fragment and evaluation of overproduction and purification strategies

We describe experiments to produce large quantities of the polymerase domain of E. coli DNA polymerase I for biochemical and biophysical studies. The polymerase domain derivative used in previous studies was insoluble when overproduced and tended to aggregate during purification. These problems were solved by a combination of two distinct strategies. By changing the expression system, we were able to obtain the overproduced protein in a soluble form, a necessary first step since attempts to purify the polymerase domain from the insoluble pellet were unsuccessful. The tendency of the polymerase domain to aggregate was eliminated by re-engineering the protein so as to remove both a solvent-exposed hydrophobic patch and a potentially unstructured region at the extreme N-terminus. Unlike the original construct, the re-engineered derivatives chromatographed as a single species and could be purified to homogeneity in good yield. Our experience in this study emphasizes the level of ignorance of the factors that influence protein overproduction and the need, in difficult cases, to evaluate many strategies in a semi-empirical manner.
A new 3-D neutral framework coordination polymer constructed via square pyramidal binuclear Cu(II) and nicotinato ligand

Abstract A new 3-D neutral metal–organic framework polymer, [Cu(NA)2] 1, has been synthesized under hydrothermal reaction conditions. The structure of 1 is self-assembled from binuclear square pyramidal copper(II) coordinated by multidentate nicotinato ligands.
Covalent attachment of lysozyme to cotton/cellulose materials: protein verses solid support activation

Covalent attachment of enzymes to cellulosic materials like cotton is of interest where either release or loss of enzyme activity over time needs to be avoided. The covalent attachment of an enzyme to a cellulosic substrate requires either activation of a protein side chain or an organic functional group on the cellulosic substrate. Use of a water soluble carbodiimide to create an amide linkage as the covalent attachment between the enzyme and substrate represents an aqueous-based alternative which may be preferred for textile processes. Here we describe an amide bond-mediated lysozyme immobilization applied to cotton where either the carboxylate side chains of the protein or pendant carboxylates in a citrate, cross-linked cotton support are activated as the O-acyl-isourea intermediate, and the reactive amino nucleophiles are derived from amino-silanized cotton and the protein’s amino side chains, respectively. A comparison is made of the two activation approaches to covalently link lysozyme to two different cotton fabrics using the water soluble carbodiimide 1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl)-carbodiimide-metho-p-toluene sulfonate. A comparison of the resulting enzyme activities of lysozyme on two different cotton supports showed that linking lysozyme to citrate crosslinked cotton gave higher activity than on aminosilanized cotton. The lysozyme-cellulose conjugate formed on the citrate crosslinked nonwoven cotton fabric gave the highest yield and antimicrobial activity.
Advancement in polarimetric glucose sensing: simulation and measurement of birefringence properties of cornea

Clinical guidelines dictate that frequent blood glucose monitoring in diabetic patients is critical towards proper management of the disease. Although, several different types of glucose monitors are now commercially available, most of these devices are invasive, thereby adversely affecting patient compliance. To this end, optical polarimetric glucose sensing through the eye has been proposed as a potential noninvasive means to aid in the control of diabetes. Arguably, the most critical and limiting factor towards successful application of such a technique is the time varying corneal birefringence due to eye motion artifact. We present a spatially variant uniaxial eye model to serve as a tool towards better understanding of the cornea's birefringence properties. The simulations show that index-unmatched coupling of light is spatially limited to a smaller range when compared to the index-matched situation. Polarimetric measurements on rabbits' eyes indicate relative agreement between the modeled and experimental values of corneal birefringence. In addition, the observed rotation in the plane of polarized light for multiple wavelengths demonstrates the potential for using a dual-wavelength polarimetric approach to overcome the noise due to timevarying corneal birefringence. These results will ultimately aid us in the development of an appropriate eye coupling mechanism for in vivo polarimetric glucose measurements.
Unitary-JAFE: A high accuracy and resolution algorithm for joint angle and frequency estimation

ESPRIT is a high-resolution parameter estimation techniques based on the translational invariance structure of a sensor array, which has recently been applied to the problem of determining the directions and center frequencies of a number of narrowband sources in a band of interest. Here, we present a simple and efficient method for the joint angle-frequency estimation (JAFE), named as unitary-JAFE algorithm. In the final stage of the proposed algorithm, the real and imaginary parts of the ith eigenvalue of a matrix are one-to-one related to the frequency and direction of arrival of the ith source. Unitary-JAFE offers a number of advantages over other recently proposed ESPRIT based closed-form JAFE estimation techniques, such as except for the final eigenvalue decomposition of dimension equal to the number of sources, it is efficiently formulated in terms of real-valued computation throughout. Finally, Simulation results are presented verifying the efficacy of the method.
Rapid release and unusual stability of immunodominant peptide 45-89 from citrullinated myelin basic protein.

Myelin basic protein (MBP) exists in a population of isoforms and isomers. The 18.5 kDa MBP-C1, the main human adult isoform, has 170 residues and is relatively unmodified, whereas the same isoform can be citrullinated on six arginine residues to create the MBP-C8 (MBP Cit6) isomer. MBP Cit6 dominates in MS brain, accounting for 45% rather than 25% of the population of MBP isomers. In the fulminant form of MS, known as Marburg's Disease, 18 of the 19 arginines in MBP are citrullinated (MBP Cit18). Citrullination of MBP could lead to instability of myelin or limited remyelination. In this investigation, the susceptibilities to degradation by cathepsin D of MBP Cit6 and MBP-C1, both from normal and MS brain tissue, and Marburg MBP Cit18 were compared. The pattern of digestion was similar, and no differences of corresponding isomers in normal and MS brain were noted. However, normal MBP Cit6 was degraded 10-fold more rapidly than MBP-C1, and MBP Cit18 was degraded even more rapidly. MBP peptide 45−89 was pre...
Chemistry and structure-activity relationship of HIV-1 integrase inhibitor integracide B and related natural products.

Integracides, 4,4-dimethylergostane triterpenoids, are inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase, a critical enzyme in replication of HIV-1. The chemistry and structure-activity relationship of integracide B and related natural products are described. A charged group, e.g., a sulfate, carboxyl, or amino, is required for the HIV-1 integrase activity. These compounds showed HIV-1 integrase activity with IC(50) values in the range 4.8-15 muM and exhibited antiviral activity in a viral spread assay, but with only a small or no therapeutic window.
The Endo-β-Mannanase gene families in Arabidopsis , rice, and poplar

Mannans are widespread hemicellulosic polysaccharides in plant cell walls. Hydrolysis of the internal β-1,4-d-mannopyranosyl linkage in the backbone of mannans is catalyzed by endo-β-mannanase. Plant endo-β-mannanase has been well studied for its function in seed germination. Its involvement in other plant biological processes, however, remains poorly characterized or elusive. The completed genome sequences of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), rice (Oryza sativa), and poplar (Populus trichocarpa) provide an opportunity to conduct comparative genomic analysis of endo-β-mannanase genes in these three species. In silico sequence analysis led to the identification of eight, nine and 11 endo-β-mannanase genes in the genomes of Arabidopsis, rice, and poplar, respectively. Sequence comparisons revealed the conserved amino acids and motifs that are critical for the active site of endo-β-mannanases. Intron/exon structure analysis in conjunction with phylogenetic analysis implied that both intron gain and intron loss has played roles in the evolution of endo-β-mannanase genes. The phylogenetic analysis that included the endo-β-mannanases from plants and other organisms implied that plant endo-β-mannanases have an ancient evolutionary origin. Comprehensive expression analysis of all Arabidopsis and rice endo-β-mannanase genes showed divergent expression patterns of individual genes, suggesting that the enzymes encoded by these genes, while carrying out the same biochemical reaction, are involved in diverse biological processes.
Sampling Opinion, Attitudes, and Consumer Wants

* Reprinted with minor revisions from Items, published by the Social Science Research Council, Vol. 1, No. 2, June, 1947.
Impact of a Hospitalwide Increase in Empiric Pediatric Vancomycin Dosing on Initial Trough Concentrations

Study Objective. To evaluate the impact of a hospitalwide increase in the recommended vancomycin starting dose from 45 to 60 mg/kg/day on initial vancomycin trough concentrations in children suspected of having an invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Design. Retrospective medical record review. Setting. Dedicated children's hospital located in a tertiary care, academic medical center. Patients. A total of 182 children aged 1 month-12 years with normal renal function who had suspected MRSA infections treated with vancomycin during two different starting dose recommendation periods: 45 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours during July 2006-June 2007 (low-dose group [88 children]) and 60 mg/kg/day divided every 6 hours during July 2008-June 2009 (high-dose group [94 children]). Measurement and Main Results. Data on patient demographics, vancomycin doses, and initial vancomycin trough concentrations were collected. No significant demographic differences were noted between patients in the low-dose and high-dose groups. The mean ± SD initial vancomycin trough level increased from 7 ± 5 μg/ml in the low-dose group to 9 ± 5 μg/ml in the high-dose group (p 20 μg/ml) did not change between the two groups (2% vs 2%, p=0.9). Less than 14% (13/94 children) achieved a trough level in the range of 15–20 μg/ml in the high-dose group. Conclusion. An increase in the recommended vancomycin starting dose to 60 mg/kg/day decreased the likelihood of an initial low vancomycin trough level (< 5 μg/ml), with no increase in the proportion of patients with trough levels in a potentially toxic range. The 60-mg/kg/day dose did not consistently achieve a vancomycin trough of 15–20 μg/ml, a goal suggested by some experts for adults. Comparative effectiveness studies are needed to directly evaluate vancomycin dosing regimens and clinical outcomes for children with invasive MRSA infections.
Interspecific variation in assimilation of (14)CO 2 into C 4 acids by leaves of C 3, C 4 and C 3-C 4 intermediate Flaveria species near the CO 2 compensation concentration.

The assimilation of 14CO2 into the C4 acids malate and aspartate by leaves of C3, C4 and C3−C4 intermediate Flaveria species was investigated near the CO2 compensation concentration Γ* in order to determine the potential role of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) in reducing photorespiration in the intermediates. Relative to air concentrations of CO2, the proportion of CO2 fixed by PEP carboxylase at Γ* increased in all six C3−C4 intermediate species examined. However, F. floridana J.R. Johnston and F. ramosissima Klatt were shown to be markedly less responsive to reduced external CO2, with only about a 1.6-fold enhancement of CO2 assimilation by PEP carboxylase, as compared to a 3.0- to 3.7-fold increase for the other C3−C4 species examined, namely, F. linearis Lag., F. anomala B.L. Robinson, F. chloraefolia A. Gray and F. pubescens Rydb. The C3 species F. pringlei Gandoger and F. cronquistii A.M. Powell exhibited a 1.5- and 2.9-fold increase in labeled malate and aspartate, respectively, at Γ*. Assimilation of CO2 by PEP carboxylase in the C4 species F. trinervia (Spreng.) C. Mohr, F. australasica Hook., and the C4-like species F. brownii A.M. Powell was relatively insensitive to subatmospheric levels of CO2. The interspecific variation among the intermediate Flaverias may signify that F. floridana and F. ramosissima possess a more C4-like compartmentation of PEP carboxylase and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39) between the mesophyll and bundle-sheath cells. Chasing recently labeled malate and aspartate with 12CO2 for 5 min at Γ* resulted in an apparent turnover of 25% and 30% of the radiocarbon in these C4 acids for F. ramosissima and F. floridana, respectively. No substantial turnover was detected for F. linearis, F. anomala, F. chloraefolia or F. pubescens. With the exception of F. floridana and F. ramosissima, it is unlikely that enhanced CO2 fixation by PEP carboxylase at the CO2 compensation concentration is a major mechanism for reducing photorespiration in the intermediate Flaveria species. Moreover, these findings support previous related 14CO2-labeling studies at air-levels of CO2 which indicated that F. floridana and F. ramosissima were more C4-like intermediate species. This is further substantiated by the demonstration that F. floridana PEP carboxylase, like the enzyme in C4 plants, undergoes a substantial activation (2.2-fold) upon illuminating dark-adapted green leaves. In contrast, light activation was not observed for the enzyme in F. linearis or F. chloraefolia.
Real-time treatment light dose guidance of Pleural PDT: an update.

The goal of this study was to develop and improve an infrared (IR) navigation system to deliver light dose uniformly during intracavitory PDT by tracking the movement of the light source and providing real-time feedback on the light fluence rate on the entire cavity surface area. In the current intrapleural PDT protocol, several detectors placed in selected locations in the pleural cavity monitor the light doses. To improve the delivery of light dose uniformity, an IR camera system is used to track the motion of the light source as well as the surface contour of the pleural cavity. Monte- Carlo simulation is used to improve the calculation algorithm for the effect of light that undergoes multiple scattering along the surface in addition to an improvement of the direct light calculation using an improved model that accounts for the anisotropy of the light from the light source.
Interaction of N-methyl-D-aspartate and group 5 metabotropic glutamate receptors on behavioral flexibility using a novel operant set-shift paradigm.

Behavioral flexibility or ‘set-shifting’ refers to the ability to modify ongoing behavior in response to changing goals or environmental contingencies. Impaired behavioral flexibility is associated with disorders such as schizophrenia and addiction. Hypofunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors has been implicated in these impairments. Metabotropic glutamate 5 (mGlu5) receptors closely interact with NMDA receptors and may provide a feasible pharmacological target for indirect manipulation of NMDA receptor function in disease states. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of NMDA and mGlu5 receptors on set-shifting ability. We developed a computer-controlled, operant-based set-shifting task that requires rats to learn sequential discrimination rules based on two distinct perceptual dimensions. Using this task, we found that administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist MK801, both systemically and intracortically, significantly impaired task performance, whereas stimulation or inhibition of mGlu5 receptors did not impair task performance. However, when administered after MK801, potentiation of mGlu5 receptor function reduced the performance impairments observed with MK801 alone. These results suggest an interaction between NMDA and mGlu5 receptors in cognitive flexibility and may provide a novel therapeutic approach for treating disorders associated with aberrant NMDA function.