cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel resource optimization approach for yield learning

In this paper, we describe a new integrated framework for yield learning, based on linking traditional inspection sampling, and current ADC classification procedures. The elements of a yield learning cycle, and the drivers, are identified. We then review results concerning integrated inspection-classification/review procedures that reduce yield loss detection; these incorporate new optimized control charts that incorporate killer and non-killer defect types, with classification errors, as well as integrated queuing-hypothesis testing approaches combining resource management and excursion detection. We briefly touch upon tactical approaches for achieving source isolation and prioritizing source isolation and root cause analysis.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Isolation of crystalline nicotinamide from bovine blood.

SummaryCrystalline nicotinamide was isolated from cow blood under conditions which suggest that the compound was circulating in that chemical form. The concentration was estimated to be greater than 245 μg/ml of whole blood. From the work of others it seems probable that nicotinamide in circulation can serve as a precursor for synthesis of pyridine nucleotides in various tissues.
Case Based Instruction Strategies in Architecture

Abstract This paper is about case-based instruction (CBI) and not about computer-implemented case-based reasoning systems, as some readers tend to assume. CBI is a very old method of teaching, particularly in the studio setting. Usually it takes the form of precedent analysis. An empirical study was conducted in order to better understand how experienced designers use cases in the course of a brief design session. Based on this experience a computer-based case tool, electronic design assistance tool (EDAT), was developed and used in studio instruction. Finally, our experience with case-based instruction in non-design courses is described.
Molecular dynamics simulation of ion selectivity process in nanopores

The behaviour of cations in nanopores plays an important role in transport processes in the biological and industrial membranes, porous electrodes, ion channels, and nanomaterials in general. Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out to study the selectivity mechanism of nanopores by studying the ion permeation events through non-charged carbon nanotubes (10,0) which have an effective diameter of 0.4374 nm. We have investigated pure NaCl, pure KCl and equimolar mixture of NaCl and KCl (50/50) aqueous solutions. Our results show that a membrane of uncharged nanotubes of the appropriate diameter can select K+ against Na+ without the presence of external electric field or surface charges. The key to the ion selectivity is that Na+-H2O clusters are more stable than K+-H2O clusters, and Na+ ions have higher desolvation energy than K+ ions. When both Na+ and K+ are present in the same solution, there is a competition between the two types of cations and the nanotubes select K+ over Na+.We also studie...
Overexpression of Plasma Membrane Annexin II In NO2-Exposed Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells

Because exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) alters plasma membrane structure and function in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC), we examined whether NO2 exposure is associated with upregulation of plasma membrane-specific proteins in PAEC. Exposure to 5 ppm NO2 for 24 h had no significant effect on total protein synthesis. However, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of isolated plasma membranes from [35S]-methionine pulse-labeled PAEC exposed to NO2 for 24 h demonstrated 3- to 9-fold increases in the synthesis of several proteins with molecular masses of 36, 39, and 40 kDa compared with controls. N-terminal amino acid sequencing and immunodetection analysis identified the 36kDa plasma membrane protein as annexin II (lipocortin II). Northern blotting analysis demonstrated that the mRNA expression for annexin II in NO2-exposed cells was also increased. These results suggest that exposure to NO2 results in induction of plasma membrane annexin II, an important multifunctional calcium- and phospholipid-binding protein in PAEC.
The role of left prefrontal cortex in language and memory

This article reviews attempts to characterize the mental operations mediated by left inferior prefrontal cortex, especially the anterior and inferior portion of the gyrus, with the functional neuroimaging techniques of positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Activations in this region occur during semantic, relative to nonsemantic, tasks for the generation of words to semantic cues or the classification of words or pictures into semantic categories. This activation appears in the right prefrontal cortex of people known to be atypically right-hemisphere dominant for language. In this region, activations are associated with meaningful encoding that leads to superior explicit memory for stimuli and deactivations with implicit semantic memory (repetition priming) for words and pictures. New findings are reported showing that patients with global amnesia show deactivations in the same region associated with repetition priming, that activation in this region reflects selection of a response from among numerous relative to few alternatives, and that activations in a portion of this region are associated specifically with semantic relative to phonological processing. It is hypothesized that activations in left inferior prefrontal cortex reflect a domain-specific semantic working memory capacity that is invoked more for semantic than nonsemantic analyses regardless of stimulus modality, more for initial than for repeated semantic analysis of a word or picture, more when a response must be selected from among many than few legitimate alternatives, and that yields superior later explicit memory for experiences.
Acute ethanol withdrawal (hangover) and social behavior in adolescent and adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Abstract: Background: The extensive use of alcohol during adolescence may be facilitated by an age-specific attenuation in sensitivity to adverse effects of ethanol. Adolescent rats are less sensitive than adults to some delayed effects of acute ethanol, including hangover-related anxiety on an elevated plus maze. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adolescent rats are also less sensitive than adults to hangover-related anxiogenesis when indexed in terms of social inhibition. Methods: Anxiety during ethanol hangover was indexed in adolescent and adult Sprague-Dawley rats of both genders by assessing the suppression in social behavior during a social interaction test. Animals were tested 18 hr after intraperitoneal administration of 0 g/kg (saline) or 4 g/kg ethanol (experiment 1) or at test intervals chosen on the basis of assessments of ethanol clearance time (experiment 2) to equate clearance-to-test intervals across age and gender (experiments 3–5). Results: Adults showed more hangover-related social suppression and slower postclearance recovery than adolescents. Sex differences were more pronounced in adults than adolescents, with males being more affected than females. Ethanol clearance time was considerably longer in adult males than in adolescent animals and adult females. In contrast to the modest decreases in social activity observed in adolescent animals shortly after ethanol clearance, adolescents showed a surprising increase in play fighting later in the recovery period— a hangover-related social facilitation that was not evident in adults. Conclusions: The attenuated anxiety and increase in social interactions seen in adolescents during hangover are less likely to serve as deterrents for further drinking than the aversive increase in anxiety seen in adults. A facilitation of social interactions not only during a drinking episode, but also during the postalcohol recovery period, could help to establish a persisting cycle of drinking in at-risk adolescents, leading to dependency and a lifelong history of alcohol-related problems.
Contacts between mammalian mitochondrial translational initiation factor 3 and ribosomal proteins in the small subunit.

Mammalian mitochondrial translational initiation factor 3 (IF3mt) binds to the small subunit of the ribosome displacing the large subunit during the initiation of protein biosynthesis. About half of the proteins in mitochondrial ribosomes have homologs in bacteria while the remainder are unique to the mitochondrion. To obtain information on the ribosomal proteins located near the IF3mt binding site, cross-linking studies were carried out followed by identification of the cross-linked proteins by mass spectrometry. IF3mt cross-links to mammalian mitochondrial homologs of the bacterial ribosomal proteins S5, S9, S10, and S18-2 and to unique mitochondrial ribosomal proteins MRPS29, MRPS32, MRPS36 and PTCD3 (Pet309) which has now been identified as a small subunit ribosomal protein. IF3mt has extensions on both the N- and C-termini compared to the bacterial factors. Cross-linking of a truncated derivative lacking these extensions gives the same hits as the full length IF3mt except that no cross-links were observed to MRPS36. IF3 consists of two domains separated by a flexible linker. Cross-linking of the isolated N- and C-domains was observed to a range of ribosomal proteins particularly with the C-domain carrying the linker which showed significant cross-linking to several ribosomal proteins not found in prokaryotes.
Work Domain Analysis for Air Traffic Controller Weather Displays

Introduction: Adverse weather conditions have a major impact on National Airspace System (NAS) operations. They create safety hazards for pilots, constrain the usable airspace for air traffic control (ATC), and reduce the overall capacity of the NAS. A system-wide dissemination of weather information to controllers could theoretically improve safety and efficiency. Problem: However, it is currently unclear what weather information would be beneficial for tactical operations. Furthermore, no previous research has empirically evaluated optimal presentation designs for ATC weather displays. Ill-designed weather displays can cause safety hazards by presenting redundant information (i.e., by increasing the cognitive load) and display clutter (e.g., by interfering with the visual extraction of traffic data). Method: In the present paper, we outline our use of cognitive work analysis (CWA) techniques for the assessment of weather information needs for terminal controllers. Results: Specifically, we describe how the CWA modeling tools helped us reveal instances in the terminal domain where weather information is lacking or insufficiently disseminated. We used our CWA results to drive the development of weather display concepts and to set up a high-fidelity simulation capability. Impact on Industry: By means of high-fidelity simulations, we can empirically evaluate controller weather information needs in order to propose weather displays for increased aircraft safety and efficiency of terminal operations.
On the magnetic configuration of sunspot groups which produce solar proton flares

Abstract The configuration of sunspot magnetic fields is deduced by using the observational data on the development of type IV radio bursts and Hα-brightening areas over the umbrae of sunspot groups. Since both polarity areas are existent together within the same umbrae, the magnetically neutral regions are usually produced along the areas separating the one polarity area from the other. In the eastern portion of the preceding sunspots, the gradient of sunspot magnetic fields is much steeper compared to all other portions and thus solar proton flares are triggered within or very near this portion. Hα-brightening areas develop mainly above the preceding sunspots and their eastern portion of sunspot groups. This tendency seems to be closely related to the configuration of sunspot magnetic fields and the mechanism of solar proton flares.
A New Approach to Free Surface Euler Flows with Capillarity

This article attempts to elucidate the underlying mathematical connection between the well-known exact solutions for the deep water capillary wave problem [G.D. CRAPPER, J. Fluid Mech., 2:532-540 (1957)] and the recent discovery of a very special polar decomposition of solutions for a steadily translating bubble with surface tension [S. TANVEER, Proc. Roy, Soc. A, 452:1397-1410 (1996)]. This is achieved by describing a new and unified mathematical approach to the two separate physical problems. Using the new approach, Crapper's capillary wave solutions are retrieved in a novel and simplified fashion, while additional analytical insight into the nature of solutions for a steadily-translating bubble is obtained. The new approach is quite general and can also be used to obtain new exact results to other related free surface problems.
Partial purification of pisatin demethylase, a cytochrome P-450 from the pathogenic fungus Nectria haematococca

The plant pathogen Nectria haematococca can demethylate pisatin, a phytoalexin from pea. Demethylation is apparently necessary for virulence on pea and is catalyzed by a microsomal cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system. The cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase of this system were solubilized with sodium cholate and partially purified by chromatography on blue A-agarose and ω-aminohexyl-agarose. The reductase was further purified by chromatography on 2′,5′-ADP-agarose to a specific activity of about 16 μmoles cytochrome c reduced per min per mg protein. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the reductase fraction contained one major band of molecular weight 84,000. The partially purified cytochrome P-450 fraction contained a number of minor bands and three major bands of molecular weights 52,000, 56,000 and 58,000. This fraction lost all demethylase activity during concentration after ω-aminohexyl-agarose chromatography, so it could not be purified further. The purified reductase could reconstitute demethylase activity of cytochrome P-450 fractions and appeared to be rate-limiting for demethylase activity in microsomal extracts.
Growth Inhibition of Broilers by Diammonium Citrate

Abstract In two experiments with young chicks, weight gains were never increased by diammonium citrate (DAC) added to low-protein, amino-acid-supplemented, semipurified diets. Added vitamin B6 seemed effective in slightly reducing the growth-inhibition caused by DAC and in improving weight gains per gram of nitrogen retained from DAC diets.
Variation of sugars and acids during ripening of pears and in the production and storage of pear concentrate

Major sugars (fructose, sorbitol, glucose, and sucrose) and acids (malic, citric, phosphoric, and quinic) of pears were isolated by ion exchange and quantitated by gas chromatography (Cc) of their trimethylsilyl derivatives (TMS) during ripening and in the production and storage of pear concentrate. Ripening pears attained maximum sugar content (13.5%) and acidity (6 meq) at a flesh firmness of 6 lb. Apart from a small loss of sucrose at depectinization and concentration stages little change occurred during pear concentrate production. Accelerated storage (16 wk, 36°C) of the concentrate resulted in brown color development and 6% sugar loss. Sucrose hydrolysis and Maillard browning of reducing sugar account for this sugar loss.
School nurses' role in identifying and referring children at risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

Young people are likely to experience noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), as the use of personal listening devices and other damaging factors (e.g., video games) increases. Little research has examined the role of school health personnel in the prevention and early identification of hearing impairment. A 32-item, valid and reliable survey was developed regarding elementary and middle school nurses’ practices concerning hearing loss screening and prevention. The survey instrument was based on the Stages of Change theory and the Health Belief Model. A random sample of 800 nurses was obtained from The National Association of School Nurses. A two-wave mailing was used to achieve a 58% response rate. Forty eight percent indicated there were not many educational programs that addressed NIHL in students. Performing hearing screenings routinely can help identify those students at risk. School nurses need to become advocates for policies and programs that mandate hearing screenings and educational programs to help reduce hearing loss.
Effects of inductance on the propagation delay and repeater insertion in VLSI circuits: A summary

The importance of on-chip inductance is continuously increasing with higher operating frequen- cies and technology scaling trends. However, industry currently uses primarily RC models to characterize the interconnect. This paper describes the effects of on-chip inductance on the speed of integrated circuits as well as on commonly used design methodologies such as repeater insertion. A closed form expression for the propagation delay of a CMOS gate driving a distributed RLC line is introduced that is within 5% of dynamic cir- cuit simulations for a wide range of RLC loads. It is shown that the error in the propagation delay if induc- tance is neglected and the interconnect is treated as a distributed RC line can be over 35% for current on-chip interconnect. It is also shown that the traditional quad- ratic dependence of the propagation delay on the length of the interconnect for RC lines approaches a linear dependence as inductance effects increase. On-chip inductance is therefore expected to have a profound effect on traditional high performance IC design method- ologies. The closed form delay model is applied to the problem of repeater insertion in RLC interconnect. Closed form solutions are presented for inserting repeaters into RLC lines that are highly accurate with respect to numerical solutions. RC models can create errors of up to 30% in the total propagation delay of a repeater system as compared to the optimal delay if inductance is considered. The error between the RC and RLC models increases as the gate parasitic impedances decrease with technology scaling. Thus, the importance of inductance in high performance VLSI design method- ologies will increase as technologies scale. Summary
Supercritical fluid extraction of limonoids and naringin from grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) seeds

Abstract Limonoids and naringin were extracted from grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) seeds by a supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction technique. Prominent limonoids such as limonin and limonin-17-β- d -glucopyranoside (LG) and flavonoid naringin were quantified for process optimization. Extraction was completed in two stages. In stage one less polar limonin was extracted using SC-CO2 while in stage two extraction of high polar LG and naringin were completed using SC-CO2 modified by ethanol as co-solvent. Extraction parameters were studied using Box–Behnken experiment design. Response surface analysis (RSA) of the data was completed to determine effects of variables on extraction efficiency. Highest yield of limonin (6.3 mg/g seeds) was achieved at 48.3 MPa pressure, 50 °C temperature and 60 min of extraction time where as highest yield of LG (0.62 mg/g seeds) was achieved at 41.4 MPa pressure, 60 °C temperature and 30% ethanol concentration in 40 min. Highest yield of naringin (0.2 mg/g seeds) was achieved at 41.4 MPa pressure, 50 °C temperature and 20% ethanol concentration in 40 min. In all the experiments, mobile phase flow rate was kept constant at 5.0 L/min. The results demonstrated environmentally friendly, practical application of supercritical CO2 extraction of limonoids and flavonoids from grapefruit seeds.
The Beginning of a New Journal

Look with favor upon a bold beginning. —Virgil, Georgics As you know, the Red Journal that you’re reading is the premier clinical journal in radiation oncology. In the past decade, under the leadership of Dr. James D. Cox, the quality of scientific papers in the Red Journal has increased, and the impact factor has risen steadily as a result. The increasing number of manuscripts submitted has forced the editors at the Red Journal to reduce word limits and reject many papers of value. Given this situation, the ASTRO Board of Directors (BOD) spent several years deliberating and recently concluded that the discipline of radiation oncology would benefit from a new journal that focuses on the practice of radiation oncology. In late 2009, ASTRO announced an editor selection search and named an Editor Selection Task Force made up of private-practice and academic practitioners. The Task Force reviewed all applications (more than 20) and interviewed a small group of candidates. After a rigorous, deliberative process, the Task Force nominated me for this position, and in early 2010, the BOD confirmed the nomination. I am humbled, honored, and excited to be the first editorin-chief of this new journal. In the following paragraphs, I briefly describe the structure and content of the new journal and update you on the progress made to date. The new journal will be titled Practical Radiation Oncology (PRO) and will be owned by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in the same way that American Society of Clinical Oncology owns the Journal of Clinical Oncology. I will be joined by a group of approximately 12 radiation oncologists and physicists who will act as senior editors for PRO. I am happy to report that this group has been assembled, and work on the journal has already begun in earnest. I want to thank publicly the senior editors in advance for their work on behalf of PRO. The group has significant experience in radiation oncology and related disciplines and is quite diverse with respect to disease expertise, radiation techniques, and geographic location. The senior editors will assist with soliciting and refereeing
Nonuniform expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms along the length of cat intrafusal muscle fibers.

The expression of four myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms, avian slow-tonic (ATO) or neonatal-twitch (ANT) and mammalian slow-twitch (MST) or fast-twitch (MFT) in intrafusal fibers was examined by immunocytochemistry of spindles in the tenuissimus muscle of adult eats. The predominant MHCs expressed by nuclear bag fibers were ATO and MST, whereas the MHCs prevalent in nuclear chain fibers were ANT and MFT. The expression of these isoforms of MHC was not uniform along the length of intrafusal fibers. In general, both bag and chain fibers expressed avian MHC in the intracapsular region and mammalian MHC in the extracapsular region. The nonuniform expression of MHCs observed along the length of bag and chain fibers implies that different genes are activated in myonuclei located in the intracapsular and extracapsular regions of the same muscle fiber. Regional differences in gene activation might result from a greater effect of afferents on myonuclei located near the equator of intrafusal fibers then on myonuclei outside the spindle capsule.
Feedback Induction of a Photoreceptor-specific Isoform of Retinoid-related Orphan Nuclear Receptor β by the Rod Transcription Factor NRL

Vision requires the generation of cone and rod photoreceptors that function in daylight and dim light, respectively. The neural retina leucine zipper factor (NRL) transcription factor critically controls photoreceptor fates as it stimulates rod differentiation and suppresses cone differentiation. However, the controls over NRL induction that balance rod and cone fates remain unclear. We have reported previously that the retinoid-related orphan receptor β gene (Rorb) is required for Nrl expression and other retinal functions. We show that Rorb differentially expresses two isoforms: RORβ2 in photoreceptors and RORβ1 in photoreceptors, progenitor cells, and other cell types. Deletion of RORβ2 or RORβ1 increased the cone:rod ratio ∼2-fold, whereas deletion of both isoforms in Rorb−/− mice produced almost exclusively cone-like cells at the expense of rods, suggesting that both isoforms induce Nrl. Electroporation of either RORβ isoform into retinal explants from Rorb−/− neonates reactivated Nrl and rod genes but, in Nrl−/− explants, failed to reactivate rod genes, indicating that NRL is the effector for both RORβ isoforms in rod differentiation. Unexpectedly, RORβ2 expression was lost in Nrl−/− mice. Moreover, NRL activated the RORβ2-specific promoter of Rorb, indicating that NRL activates Rorb, its own inducer gene. We suggest that feedback activation between Nrl and Rorb genes reinforces the commitment to rod differentiation.
Evidence for single electron transfer in metal-halogen exchange. The reaction of organolithium compounds with alkyl halides.

Abstract The reaction of t -BuLi with cyclizable 1° and 2° alkyl halide radical probes at low temperature produced stab]e cyclized and uncyclized organolithium products as well as cyclized hydrocarbons which clearly indicate the presence of radical intermediates during the course of these reactions.
From Noncompliance to Columbine: Capturing Student Perspectives to Understand Noncompliance and Violence in Public Schools

The paper reviews a number of ethnographic studies of students in U.S. secondary schools to help understand the causes of a range of student behaviors from minor non-compliance to lethal violence. Based on these studies, as well personal experience, the authors suggest that educators and educational researchers approach and understand student perspectives on school life. Such perspectives often reveal the logic of non-compliance, and show that aspects of school structure and practice can exacerbate or contribute to violence. Student non-compliance and alienation can escalate into violence if the student view is not regularly consulted in schools.
Eosinophilic granuloma of the atlas presenting as torticollis in a child.

Study design This report describes a case of successful surgical treatment of eosinophilic granuloma of the atlas in a 3.5-year-old boy who presented with torticollis. Objective The purpose of this report was to illustrate the rare clinical presentation of eosinophilic granuloma in the atlas. Summary of background data Eosinophilic granuloma, a benign solitary lesion that commonly affects children, has a variable clinical course. Although eosinophilic granuloma has been reported to occur in the cervical spine, there have been only five reported cases of eosinophilic granuloma affecting the atlas. The management of eosinophilic granuloma ranges from observation and immobilization of the cervical spine to surgical excision. Methods The tumor was located on the left lateral mass of the atlas. Biopsy and curettage were performed through an oblique incision through the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. A histopathologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma. Results The patient tolerated the procedure with no complications, and his torticollis has completely resolved. Conclusion Eosinophilic granuloma of the atlas initially presented in this patient as torticollis. Biopsy for confirmation of diagnosis and curettage for treatment provided a successful outcome in this patient. We suggest biopsy of the lesion and histopathologic evaluation to confirm the diagnosis in atypical cases.
A concentric arc crack in a circular disk

Abstract A circular disk containing a concentric arc crack is studied in this paper using dislocation pile-up and singular integral equation techniques. Related algorithms for computing mode I and mode II stress intensity factors of the curvilinear crack are obtained. Numerical results for several loading cases and various crack geometries are also presented.
Effects of thiols and disulfides on glucose utilization and insulin action in the isolated rat diaphragm

Abstract The actions of 2,2′-dithiodipyridine (DTP) and dithiothreitol (DTT) on glucose utilization and lactate formation by rat diaphragm were studied in vitro . The disulfide DTP had no significant effect on glucose utilization in the absence of insulin but inhibited the effect of insulin on glucose utilization and increased lactate formation and breakdown of glycogen by the tissue. The interference by DTP with the action of insulin could be reversed by the sulfhydryl compound DTT. DTT stimulated glucose utilization and net lactate formation by rat diaphragm. This effect of the sulfhydryl compound was different from that of insulin in that it commenced not immediately but only after about 30 min of incubation. In contrast to insulin, DTT decreased rather than increased glycogen synthesis. When the muscle was under the influence of both insulin and a high concentration of DTT, the initial insulin effect was not abolished. However, after about 30 min of incubation, the rate of glucose utilization was the same with DTT alone as with DTT plus insulin, and the muscle appeared to be under the influence mainly of DTT.
Melt processed multiphase ceramic waste forms for nuclear waste immobilization

Abstract Ceramic waste forms are promising hosts for nuclear waste immobilization as they have the potential for increased durability and waste loading compared with conventional borosilicate glass waste forms. Ceramics are generally processed using hot pressing, spark plasma sintering, and conventional solid-state reaction, however such methods can be prohibitively expensive or impractical at production scales. Recently, melt processing has been investigated as an alternative to solid-state sintering methods. Given that melter technology is currently in use for High Level Waste (HLW) vitrification in several countries, the technology readiness of melt processing appears to be advantageous over sintering methods. This work reports the development of candidate multi-phase ceramic compositions processed from a melt. Cr additions, developed to promote the formation and stability of a Cs containing hollandite phase were successfully incorporated into melt processed multi-phase ceramics. Control of the reduction–oxidation (Redox) conditions suppressed undesirable Cs–Mo containing phases, and additions of Al and Fe reduced the melting temperature.
Control of neuronal gene expression

Some 30,000 genes are expressed exclusively in the rat brain, many of which contain a genetic element called an identifier sequence located in at least one of their introns. The identifier sequences are transcribed by RNA polymerase III exclusively in neurons to produce two RNA species, BC1 and BC2, of 160 and 100 to 110 nucleotides. This transcriptional event may define regions of chromatin that contain neuronal-specific genes and may poise these genes for transcription by polymerase II by rendering the gene promoters accessible to soluble trans-acting molecules.
Nuclear-magnetic-double-resonance investigation of the dopant microstructure in hydrogenated amorphous silicon.

Information on the local environment of dopants in compensated and singly doped amorphous Si has been obtained using NMR spin-echo double-resonance spectroscopy, a technique that is very sensitive to interatomic distance. It is found that there is a nonrandom local configuration around the dopants in these materials. In the compensated samples, almost half of the boron atoms have a phosphorus atom in the first-neighbor shell. This is higher than the value for a random distribution and indicates that there is significant clustering of the dopants in compensated material. In addition, the hydrogen atom is not directly bonded to either of these dopants. For the singly doped materials, the H-dopant structure is similar to that of the compensated samples for the P-doped samples but different for the B-doped material. For these, almost half of the B atoms have a hydrogen atom in the first-neighbor shell. This is to be contrasted with the P-doped samples where the H atoms are in second- or further-neighbor shells. Aspects of this local structure of P and B in hydrogenated amorphous Si are similar to those proposed for the dopant-H structures in hydrogen-passivated crystalline Si.
A comparison of nitrogen-fixing ability of peanut, cowpea and siratro plants nodulated by different strains of Rhizobium

Acetylene reduction activity and nitrogen accumulation in the plant top per unit nodule mass were compared among peanut, cowpea and siratro plants nodulated by six different strains of Rhizobium. Peanut was found to have several fold higher values than cowpea and siratro for both parameters for all strains of Rhizobium which nodulated it effectively, but the bacteroid content of the peanut nodules was similar to those of cowpea and siratro.
Is Grade Inflation Related to Faculty Status

The authors performed a statistical analysis to investigate whether grade inflation existed in the business school at a small private college in the northeast region of the United States. The results showed that grade inflation existed and exhibited a linear trend over a 20-year period. The authors found that grade inflation was related to faculty status with significant differences seen between mean grade point averages of students being taught by tenured and adjunct faculty and between those students taught by nontenured and adjunct faculty. They also found that average grades given by adjunct faculty were higher than those of either tenured or nontenured faculty. Thus, the results indicate the increased use of adjunct faculty exacerbates grade inflation in higher education.
Treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with a dental orthosis.

A dental orthosis, designed to increase the size of the upper airway by advancing the mandible, was used in 68 patients to treat snoring and varying degrees of obstructive sleep apnea. The orthosis increased the posterior airway space, as assessed by lateral cephalograms. Seven months (range 2 to 25) after begininng use, 75 percent of patients were using the orthosis regularly. Snoring, by report, was improved in all patients but one (p
Branching ratios in reactive collisions: Theory versus experiment

Recent experimental and theoretical studies of branching ratios in elementary bimolecular reactions are reviewed. Examples include both direct- and complex-mode reactions of neutral reagents yielding alternative sets of products (neutral or ionic as the case may be). The information-theoretic approach to branching ratios (and intramolecular isotope effects) for direct, exoergic reactions is illustrated. Recent molecular beam experiments on the energy dependence of the branching ratio for the decay of alkali halide-alkali collision complexes are discussed.
Effects of Increased Auto Safety Belt Use Levels on Fatalities

To reduce the annual toll of highway deaths, more than 30 states have passed laws mandating the use of safety belts. All have been effective at raising safety belt use; equipped with different provisions and enforced with unequal care, however, they have done so to different degrees. The article estimates the relationship between attained belt use and fatalities averted. Monthly 1982-1986 fatality, collision, belt use, and other data from 64 areas in nine states were collected, then analyzed using a Poisson multiple regression model. The analysis indicates that an increase in belt use from 14-40% averts about 13% of fatalities; a more pronounced increase to 50% averts about 18%. An increase from 50-75% averts about 16% of remaining fatalities. Three significant conclusions emerge. First, previous estimates appear to have understated, in general, the overall effectiveness of belt use laws. Second, the benefits of programs to boost safety belt use in this country from its current level of about 50% to up to 75%, estimated on the basis of more direct evidence from U.S. data than previously available, appear to be very large. Third, Poisson and other multiple regression models including explicit allowance for other causal factors can usefully complement other statistical approaches in traffic safety studies.
One-trial backward fear conditioning in rats as a function of US intensity

In a one-trial backward conditioning procedure, four groups of seven rats each received a 4-sec white noise conditioned stimulus (CS) immediately following a 4-sec electric grid shock unconditioned stimulus (US). For different groups the US intensity was.5, 1.0, 1.6, or 2.0 mA. A fifth group served as a sensitization control and received a single 4-sec, 2.0-mA US presentation, but no noise CS. All the rats were later presented the CS while licking a drinking tube for water, and CS-elicited suppression of licking was taken as an index of excitatory conditioning. The magnitude of this suppression was found to increase as a function of US intensity.
NICU Bereavement Breast Milk Donation (756)

Background. One of the most challenging and stressful tasks that clinicians must perform regularly is the communication of bad news with distressed patients. In spite of the importance of this clinical skill, very few doctors receive formal training in this area. Physicians and residents generally report both a lack of confidence and feelings of incompetence when asked to self-assess their communication skills. Research has shown that effective communication is a skill that can be learned. Recently, there have been studies done to explore various methods of communication skills training for adult-learners in medical school and residency programs. Second Life technology is a virtual computer world that has shown promise for providing a positive training experience by allowing trainees to act out a bad news communication experience through the use of ‘‘avatars’’ which are on-line graphical self-representations.
Validation of an algorithm for predicting cardiac events in renal transplant candidates.

Abstract A 2-tiered noninvasive cardiac risk stratification algorithm was first evaluated in a test population with planar thallium myocardial perfusion imaging and subsequently in a validation population using single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) thallium myocardial perfusion imaging. This study examines if SPECT imaging was as predictive of cardiac death as planar imaging and also if SPECT imaging predicted nonfatal cardiac events in the patient population. Renal transplant candidates were evaluated using a 2-tiered noninvasive cardiac risk stratification algorithm. The first tier of risk assessment utilized 5 variables: age >50 years, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, abnormal electrocardiogram, and a history of either angina or congestive heart failure. Patients without risk factors were considered low risk and underwent no further cardiac evaluation. Patients with ≥1 risk factor were considered high risk and underwent a second tier of risk assessment with planar (n = 95) or SPECT (n = 112) imaging. In the test population, 13 of 16 cardiac deaths (81%) occurred in high-risk patients with abnormal planar studies. In the validation group, all cardiac deaths (5 of 60) and nonfatal cardiac events (13 of 60) occurred in high-risk patients with abnormal SPECT studies. SPECT imaging was at least as predictive as planar imaging and also predicted nonfatal as well as fatal cardiac events. Pretransplant risk stratification by clinical variables identified low-risk patients who may not require further cardiac evaluation and high-risk patients with normal SPECT imaging who may not require angiography.
Meta-modeling knowledge: comparing model construction and model interaction in bifocal modeling

In this paper we will examine students' meta-modeling knowledge in the context of their participation in a Bifocal Modeling activity. Bifocal Modeling is an inquiry-based approach for science learning, which incorporates both physical experimentation and virtual modeling. The current study combines three separate case studies of students participating in different implementation modes of the Bifocal Modeling process. Different implementation methods require different modeling practices, and we will examine the consequences of these practices for students' meta-modeling knowledge. The concern of our investigation will be the ways that students critically evaluate scientific models and their understanding of the limitations of those models. Data suggest that model construction (as opposed to simple interaction) lead to deeper meta-modeling knowledge.
An alternative to conventional shielding for megavoltage therapy rooms.

Dry silica sand as an ‘‘in‐wall’’ shielding medium for megavoltage teletherapy rooms is discussed. Shielding considerations, construction techniques, and survey results are presented for a 6‐MV facility using sand shielding for both primary and secondary barriers.
Adiponectin acts in the brain to decrease body weight

Adiponectin (ADP) is an adipocyte hormone involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. We detected a rise in ADP in cerebrospinal fluid after intravenous (i.v.) injection, consistent with brain transport. In contrast to leptin, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of ADP decreased body weight mainly by stimulating energy expenditure. Full-length ADP, mutant ADP with Cys39 replaced with serine, and globular ADP were effective, whereas the collagenous tail fragment was not. Lep(ob/ob) mice were especially sensitive to i.c.v. and systemic ADP, which resulted in increased thermogenesis, weight loss and reduction in serum glucose and lipid levels. ADP also potentiated the effect of leptin on thermogenesis and lipid levels. While both hormones increased expression of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), ADP had no substantial effect on other neuropeptide targets of leptin. In addition, ADP induced distinct Fos immunoreactivity. Agouti (A(y)/a) mice did not respond to ADP or leptin, indicating the melanocortin pathway may be a common target. These results show that ADP has unique central effects on energy homeostasis.
Intermittent convection: confirmation of a model for mass transfer into stratified fluid layers

A series of nonsteady mass transfer experiments has been performed with sulfur dioxide being absorbed into deep water layers. For this system the layer is subject to density-driven instabilities, and the rate of absorption is controlled by the resulting convective motion. The time course of the mass transfer rate was monitored from the initiation of absorption up to times approaching total saturation of the layer, a period several times greater than that corresponding to onset of first motion. These rate data were used to reveal features of the convective motion. The mass transfer results are shown to be consistent with an intermittent convection model based on the concept of a periodically erupting boundary layer, a model first proposed by Howard [14]. Interestingly, the predicted mass transfer behavior has features of conventional surface renewal theory, but with the additional facet that the renewal rate is directly relatable to the instability of the boundary layer. The combined effects of buoyancy and mechanically induced convection were explored in one series of experiments. In addition, we have resolved some inconsistencies which have appeared in recent publications concerning the stability criterion for the SO2/water system.
Tax Clienteles, Arbitrage, and the Pricing of Total Return Equity Swaps

The “swap” technology that originated with interest rates is rapidly being extended in many directions. One of the most interesting is toward “total return” swaps between equities and fixed income instruments. Chance and Rich have developed valuation formulas for equity swaps under standard assumptions, including the absence of taxes. But the U.S. tax code treats the two components of total equity return, dividends and capital gains, differently, while a swap payment is taxed at a single rate. As Laatsch shows in this article, the difference gives rise a kind of tax arbitrage, by which the relative attractiveness after taxes of the long versus the short side of an equity swap will vary, depending on the holder9s tax status. Specifically, other things equal, a tax-exampt investor will prefer the receive-equity-pay-fixed side of the swap, while a taxable investor will prefer the receive-fixed-pay-equity side. This diparity may be expected to lead to clientele effects in this market.
Delayed sternal closure following open-heart operation.

Abstract Between June, 1976, and December, 1980, 29 patients underwent delayed sternal closure at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. The indications were enlarged heart with tamponade when the mediastinum was closed, poor lung compliance, hemodynamic instability due to intractable arrhythmias or coagulopathy, and presence of a mediastinal assist device. Following an open-heart procedure, the retrosternal space may no longer accommodate the heart and approximation of the sternum will produce hypotension and elevation of right and left end-diastolic pressures. In such instances, only the skin is closed and between one to four days later, the wound is closed in a routine manner. There are several advantages of the procedure: hemodynamic stability; quick access to the heart for massage or evacuation of clots; and possibility of removing an intraaortic balloon in the ascending aorta without leaving a large Dacron tube. Of the 29 patients treated, 19 were long-term survivors and only 1 patient had a minor superficial wound infection. Although it is not recommended that this procedure be utilized routinely or indiscriminately, its judicious use will add flexibility in the management of selected and difficult cases.
Children's Depression Inventory: Investigation of Procedures and Correlates

The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) is a widely cited self-report measure of depressive symptoms in children. Normative and psychometric data on the CDI have been collected using two types of forms (number/unnumbered) and two types of administration (Group/Individual). Fifty-seven boys and 54 girls in second through seventh grades were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 − 2 (Form − Administration) design. In addition, all students completed the Peer Nomination Inventory of Depression (PNID). Results indicated no significant differences between CDI scores of children with numbered versus unnumbered forms and no differences between CDI scores of children taking the inventory individually versus in a group ( p > 0.05). CDI correlations with grade level and the PNID are also discussed.
Effects of ddC and AZT on Locomotion and Acoustic Startle I: Acute Effects in Female Rats1

Abstract Several synthetic nucleoside analogues, including AZT(RETROVIR), ddC (HIVID), ddI (VIDEX), and d4T (ZERIT), are currently being used in the treatment of HIV infection. Unfortunately, in clinical use the appearance of severe and sometimes debilitating peripheral neuropathy and pain has been associated with the long-term use of several of these drugs (i.e., ddC, ddI and d4T), although not with AZT. To date, standard pre-clinical animal toxicity studies have failed to reveal any adverse neurologic effects of these compounds. However, previously reported preliminary findings suggest that ddC may alter several neuro-behavioral parameters (including locomotor activity, acoustic startle responding, and aggression) in rats and mice following presentation in the animals' drinking water for 7 days. The current series of experiments examined effects of acutely administered ddC and AZT on spontaneous locomotor activity and acoustic startle responses (with and without pre-pulse) in female Sprague–Dawley rats. Following intragastric administration, ddC reduced locomotion at all but the highest dose, whereas AZT had no significant effect on locomotor activity. Acutely administered ddC had no effect on ASR, whereas AZT increased ASR at the highest stimulus intensity. These data support the use of behavioral testing in the development of the antiviral nucleoside analogues, as behavioral testing may be more effective in identifying the neurologically active agents than is standard toxicity testing. Published by Elsevier Science Inc., 1997
Resolution of arterial stenosis in a patient with periarterial neurocysticercosis treated with oral prednisone.

Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. Neurovascular complications have been recognized as a frequent complication, with up to 10% of strokes in en...