cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agroterrorism workshop: engaging community preparedness.

Introduction: Agroterrorism is the deliberate tampering with and/or contamination of the food supply with the intent of adversely affecting the social, economic, physical, and psychological well-being of society. Testimony before the Government Affairs Committee of the U.S. Senate has suggested that agriculture is an area that has received comparatively little attention with regard to terrorism. Methods: In February of 2004, the NIOSH Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education developed a workshop on agroterrorism designed to engage local community leaders in a process to prepare for and respond to a terrorist event involving the food supply. The workshop was an effective collaboration between NIOSH Ag Centers, the state department of health (Texas), a school of public health, and the Texas Agricultural Research and Extension Centers in five urban and rural locations with substantial agricultural production. In order to reach a diverse and geographically widespread audience, the workshop was conducted by synchronous two-way interactive televideo (9 geographic sites). The audience of 155 participants was comprised of numerous stakeholders. The workshop format involved separate modules addressing food and fiber, livestock and poultry, food distribution, and emergency preparedness, with participants developing priorities for future consideration within their communities to address all phases of an event from preparedness to follow-up debriefing. There were 13 additional individuals (for a total of 168) who participated in the workshop subsequently through use of a video. Results: Workshop evaluation components included pre- and post-workshop objective assessment of factual information presented (tests), and follow-up for implementation of priorities developed by conference participants. Statistically significant improvement was noted in knowledge acquisition. The six-month follow-up demonstrated implementation of preparedness planning priorities. Conclusions: This is an effective method of reaching a geographically widespread and diverse audience of community members who will be on the front lines of an agroterrorism event. An attempt was made to enhance communication and collaboration among involved groups for effectively detecting and addressing such an event. This workshop can serve as a model for use in other communities.
Carbonic anhydrase in the face fly, Musca autumnalis (degeer) (Diptera: Muscidae)

Abstract Carbonic anhydrase was detected in the face fly, Musca autumnalis , and the development profile of the enzyme showed that maximum enzymatic activity occurred in the post-feeding larva. By comparison, little carbonic anhydrase activity was observed in post-feeding larvae of the house fly, Musca domestica . The enzyme was localized in the haemolymph, salivary glands, midgut and brain of post-feeding face fly larvae using an electrometric assay and Hansson's histochemical technique. No enzymatic activity was detected in the anterior Malpighian tubules, posterior Malpighian tubules, fat body, tracheae and carcass. These findings suggest that carbonic anhydrase has no function in the formation of the calcospherites located in the anterior Malpighian tubules of post-feeding larvae, but may be important in the ecdysial elimination of minerals during pupariation.
1113 SACCADIC EYE MOVEMENTS DURING VISUAL PURSUIT AND FIXATION IN HYPERACTIVE AND NORMAL BOYS

20 normal and 14 hyperactive (HA) boys were tested on a visual pursuit task. They tracked a 1° dot that moved back and forth in the horizontal plane over 30° at a constant velocity. The number and mean amplitude of saccades made during pursuit were determined for 2 trials given 30 min. apart. Irregular pursuit occurred more frequently in HA's than in normals. HA's made more saccades, their average saccades were larger, and they looked away from the pursuit path more frequently than normals. Both HA's and normals made fewer saccades when they were tested repeatedly, but the differences between the groups were maintained. The mean size of saccades did not change across repeated trials. Significant differences between normal and HA's in number and amplitude of saccades during visual pursuit were maintained over a 3 year period. The children were also tested for ability to maintain fixation for periods of one minute. HA's broke fixation before normals, with younger HA's having more difficulty holding fixation than older HA's. Faulty attention to stimuli as well as hypermobility could have contributed to the differences between normals and HA's on both fixation and visual pursuit. The data show that examination of the oculomotor system can be useful tool for study of hyperactivity. It may also provide an objective technique for differentiating HA's and normals. Supported by NIMH Grant #MH 29853
Local excision of rectal cancer without adjuvant therapy: a word of caution

Objective To evaluate the results of local excision alone for the treatment of rectal cancer, applying strict selection criteria.
The “grands and greats” of very old black grandmothers

Abstract This paper examines the grandparent role among 96 black women 85 years of age and older, living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Just over one half have grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most often, grandchildren were referred to generically and not singled out by name and personal characteristics. Some had at least one grandchild with whom they were particularly close. Here, we explore what factors contribute to closeness and what conditions create constraints. Aside from the physical limitations of those in advanced old age, impediments to intergenerational relationships include social changes such as age segregation, entitlement programs for the aged, and the generation gap. Despite these constraints, most grandmothers experienced social and emotional rewards from their children's children. Close relationships are enhanced by proximity, frequency of contact, mutual support, and a past history of surrogate parenting.
Experimental computational physics using an inexpensive microcomputer

The laboratory for the computational physics course at Texas Tech University has been designed around the Radio Shack TRS‐80 Color Computer. The nominal price of about $100 and the flexibility of its Motorola components make this microcomputer well suited to pedagogical experiments involving data acquisition and processing. An impressive amount of real time computing can be performed using the machine’s internal clock. An example laboratory case is described in which period and amplitude of a simple pendulum are measured sequentially using a machine language timing routine. During the time interval between measurements, a BASIC routine corrects the period of the pendulum for amplitude departure from isochronism. This ‘‘zero amplitude’’ period is printed between measurements, and a ‘‘running’’ estimate of its mean value is maintained and printed after the last measurement.
Endoscopic Management of Anastomotic Esophageal Leaks

Esophageal anastomotic leak is one of the most feared complications of esophagectomy and is associated with a prolonged hospitalization and a high mortality. Until recently, the management options included either surgical re-exploration and repair or aggressive medical management (antibiotics, percutaneous drainage, nutritional support, and nil-by-mouth). Repair of esophageal leaks can now also be accomplished endoscopically without surgical thoracotomy using endoscopic clip closure of the leak, bypass of the leak with the insertion of a stent, and plugging of the hole with tissue sealants. These novel endoluminal therapeutic options are certainly worthy of further exploration to manage these patients better. We have attempted to summarize these recent developments in the endoluminal therapy of anastomotic leaks.
The effect of retinal isomers on the VER and ERG of vitamin A deprived rats.

Abstract Male weanling Long-Evans and Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a vitamin A deficient diet and the electroretinogram (ERG) and/or visual evoked response (VER) were recorded weekly. After 6–10 weeks, when the animal showed a greatly decreased VER and ERG, the animal was injected intraperitoneally with a retinal isomer. Following dark adaptation for 18 hr, the ERG and VER were recorded. The rat was then sacrificed and the retina dissected. The retina was used for either solubilizing the visual pigment in 2% Ammonyx LO or extracting the retinals in methylene chloride. The visual pigments were characterized by the absorbance spectra and the retinal isomers were identified by high pressure liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The physiologically occurring isomers of retinal (11- cis and all- trans) are incorporated in the retina of deprived animals and the VER and ERG amplitudes for a given light intensity, diminished as a result of vitamin A deprivation, are restored to their normal values. 9- cis retinal is also incorporated into the retina, as shown by extraction of the retina with organic solvent and identification of the isomers by HPLC; a pigment is formed which has a λmax blue-shifted from that of rhodopsin. The ERG and VER amplitudes of deprived rats injected with 9- cis retinal are restored to normal. No incorporation of 13- cis retinal into the retina is observed and the ERG and VER amplitudes are not significantly affected.
Fast response with magnetic amplifiers

FOR MANY years the use of magnetic amplifiers was confined to those applications where extreme reliability was required, but where speed of response was not particularly important. Under the pressure of greater reliability and weight-saving requirements in higher power installations, important advances have been made in magnetic amplifier circuitry and components to achieve higher gain-to-time-constant ratios. It was not until the work of R. A. Ramey,1 however, that attention was focussed on the fact that magnetic amplifiers could be made with extremely fast response (i.e., one-half cycle of the power frequency) more or less independently of the power gain.
Maximum-likelihood surface reconstruction with Viterbi algorithm for volume holographic profilometry

We use maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation to clean up the depth-variant image blur in volume holographic profilometry and to reconstruct the surface with high accuracy. Viterbi algorithm is used in ML estimation to reduce computational complexity and bit error rate.
Prospective identification by two-dimensional echocardiography of anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right sinus of valsalva

Abstract Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) from the right (anterior) sinus of Valsalva has been the coronary anomaly most frequently associated with sudden catastrophes in youthful athletes.1–3 This malformation is rarely identified during life and usually is initially recognized only at autopsy. Recently, there has been interest in the usefulness of echocardiography in the preparticipation screening of competitive athletic populations.4,5 We report on a young athletic man in whom a potentially lethal coronary arterial anomaly was recognized prospectively by echocardiography, permitting elective surgical intervention.
Cu K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals differential copper coordination within amyloid-β oligomers compared to amyloid-β monomers

The fatal neurological disorder Alzheimer's disease has been linked to soluble neurotoxic oligomers of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides. Herein we demonstrate that Cu1+ ligated within Aβ(42) oligomers (Aβ sequence: DAEFRHDSGYEVHHQKLVFFAEDVGSNKGAIIGLMVGGVVIA) possesses a highly dioxygen sensitive tetrahedral coordination geometry. The biological implications of these findings are discussed.
Pediatric Hearing Loss

On the basis of strong research, universal newborn screening should be performed before age 1 month with repeat or follow-up testing for those who do not pass performed before age 3 months and intervention started before age 6 months. On the basis of strong research and consensus statement, tympanostomy tubes should be considered for individuals with bilateral persistent middle ear effusion for 3 months or greater and a documented conductive hearing loss. On the basis of consensus statement, all children with suspected hearing loss should have an age appropriate hearing test. On the basis of strong research, the most common form of congenital hearing loss is genetic. Most of this is nonsyndromic hearing loss.
Numerical modeling of diffusive-convective physical vapor transport in cylindrical vertical ampoules

Diffusive-convective physical vapor transport (PVT) in cylindrical, vertical ampoules of aspect ratio (length/radius) between 0.5 and 10 was modeled numerically. The transport of a crystal forming component through an inert component that undergoes zero net transport was considered. Systems were treated in which: (1) with unequal molecular weight of the components and with temperature gradients typically employed in PVT, convective flow arises dominantly from solutal density gradients; and (2) with equal molecular weight of the components, convective flow can arise only from thermal expansion. It was found that, due to the diffusion-induced horizontal density gradients, buoyancy-driven convective flows are superimposed on the diffusive-advective fluxes without threshold. Net recirculation sets in adjacent to the growing interface, in contrast to the corresponding monocomponent situation where marginally stable convective modes fill the whole fluid space. Depending on the orientation of the main transport direction with respect to gravity, convection can either reduce or enhance the diffusion-induced radial concentration gradients. Significant enhancement of the net transport rate was found to occur only when the whole vapor space between source and growing crystal is filled by a convective recirculation roll. Solutal and thermal convection results are similar; yet for quantitative discussions, thermal and solutal Rayleigh numbers are not interchangeable in contrast to convective situations that lack net mass transport across the fluid space.
Effect of long-term treatment on personality change of high-risk alcoholics.

The Differential Personality Inventory was administered 6 wk. after admission to 40 male high-risk alcoholics. Participants in a long-term special treatment program were characterized by a high recidivism rate. Retests were obtained 16 wk. later and Ss scored significantly lower on 5 of the 27 clinical scales. The reliability coefficient of the individual scales ranged from 0.57 to 0.92. Data show that high-risk alcoholics change relatively little over a 16-wk. period. It was suggested that certain alcoholics needed long-term treatment because they repeatedly failed to respond to treatment and were unable to control their drinking. It was also hypothesized that repeated, uncontrolled drinking might be due to a lack of social stability.
Differential gas-liquid chromatography method for determination of uronic acids in carbohydrate mixtures

Abstract An integrated gas-liquid chromatography method is described for the quantitation of mixtures containing simple monosaccharides in addition to mannuronic, glucuronic, and/or galacturonic acids. A hydrolyzed sample is divided into two portions. One portion is analyzed by the standard aldononitrile method. Glucuronic, galacturonic, and mannuronic acids are converted into compounds that do not chromatograph in the region of the standard aldononitrile acetates. Thus, this analysis gives an accurate estimation of the neutral monosaccharide content. The second portion is analyzed by a modified alditol acetate procedure. The reduction step is repeated three times to convert mannuronic, galacturonic, and glucuronic acids to their corresponding alditols via their intermediate lactones. The results of this gas-liquid chromatography analysis reflect the sum of the monosaccharides present plus their corresponding uronic acids. The difference between the values obtained by the aldononitrile acetate method and the modified alditol acetate method, therefore, is a measure of the uronic acid(s) present.
Physical and Linkage Mapping of the Human and Murine Genes for the α1 Chain of Type IX Collagen (COL9A1)

Abstract Type IX collagen, a member of the FACIT family of extracellular matrix proteins, is a heterotrimer composed of three genetically distinct α chains. The cDNAs for the human and mouse α(IX) chains have been cloned. In this paper we confirm the mapping of the human COL9A1 gene to chromosome 6q12-q13 by fluorescence in situ hybridization utilizing two genomic clones which also contain short tandem repeat polymorphisms. We also report the characterization of these repeats and their incorporation into the chromosome 6 linkage map. The COL9A1 locus shows no recombination with the marker D6Z1 (Z = 27.61 at θ = 0) and identifies the most likely locus order of KRASIP-[D6Z1-COL9A1]-D6S30. In addition, using an interspecific backcross panel, we have mapped murine Col9a1 to mouse chromosome 1. Together with other comparative mapping results, these data suggest that the pericentric region of human chromosome 6 is homologous to the most proximal segment of mouse chromosome 1. These data may facilitate linkage studies with COL9A1 (or Col9a1 ) as a candidate gene for hereditary chondrodysplasias and osteoarthritis.
Retinoids and renal development.

Although it has long been appreciated that retinoids play an essential role in kidney organogenesis, it has only recently been recognized that even mild fetal vitamin A deficiency syndromes can result
Rat optic nerve: Disruption of gliogenesis with 5-azacytidine during early postnatal development

The normal sequence of gliogenesis in the rat optic nerve was disrupted by neonatal treatment with the mitotic inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-AZ). This protocol caused a marked reduction in the number of glial cells, especially oligodendrocytes, seen in 11- and 14-day-old animals. Myelin formation was also greatly reduced in animals of this age compared to controls, but optic nerve axons appeared to be well preserved. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated similar excitability properties and activity-evoked [K+] changes in normal and 5-AZ-treated nerves prior to 5 days of age. However, in older nerves there were striking changes in the compound action potential and activity-dependent K+ accumulation in 5-AZ-treated nerves compared to controls. This simple model of disrupted central nervous system gliogenesis should prove useful in analyzing a variety of questions regarding neuroglial interactions including the role of glial cells in ionic homeostasis of brain extracellular space.
Supervision transcripts: II—problems of a novice

Abstract The first transcript in this series was presented in isolated fashion because the issues were contained within it. Since the present transcript deals with a difficulty of orientation that is commonly encountered in students who are new to behavior therapy an outline of the case precedes the transcript. It was presented by “1st Student”.
Activation of NMDA and non-NMDA receptors in the caudal ventrolateral medulla dilates the airways

The caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) participates in the central control of airway caliber. For example, both electrical and chemical stimulation of the CVLM decrease total lung resistance by withdrawing cholinergic input to airway smooth muscle. Although cell bodies in the CVLM have been shown to play an important role in mediating the central control of airway caliber, the pharmacological mechanism in this brainstem region responsible for causing this airway dilation is unknown. We, therefore, examined the role played by ionotropic excitatory amino acid receptors in the CVLM in the control of airway caliber in chloralose-anesthetized dogs. We found that microinjection of 3.9 pmol of NMDA or AMPA or quisqualate into 12 sites in the CVLM decreased total lung resistance by 1.5 +/- 0.2 cm H2O l(-1) s(-1) (p 0.05) while that evoked by kainic acid was significantly smaller. Additionally, microinjection of NMDA or AMPA or quisqualate caused a small but significant decrease in mean arterial pressure and heart rate (p < 0.05). These experiments demonstrate that the airway dilation evoked by stimulation of excitatory amino acid receptors in the CVLM is mediated by both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors.
Two iron-regulated putative ferric siderophore receptor genes in Bordetella bronchiseptica and Bordetella pertussis

Two iron-regulated genes with deduced homology to TonB-dependent ferric siderophore receptors were cloned from Bordetella bronchiseptica by screening a library of TnphoA insertion mutants. bfrB and bfrC were iron-repressed in B. bronchiseptica by a Fur-dependent mechanism, and were expressed from promoters overlapped by potential Fur-binding sites. Both genes were highly conserved among Bordetella species and were also iron-regulated in Bordetella pertussis. bfrB and bfrC mutants of both species and a bfrB-bfrC double mutant of B. bronchiseptica had no discernible defects in utilization of known iron sources for Bordetella.
An Isentropic Mesoα-Scale Analysis System and Its Sensitivity to Aircraft and Surface Observations

Abstract An objective analysis scheme for meteorological variables on constant potential temperature surfaces is presented. The analysis uses a form of multivariate statistical interpolation and is designed th retain mesoscale detail in disparate observations including rawinsonde, surface, aircraft, satellite, and wind profiler data while combining them with a forecast background (first guess) field. The wind and mass field analyses are interdependent. The horizontal correlation of forecast error on isentropic surfaces is modeled with an analytical function from statistics collected for this study; the vertical correlation of forecast error is modeled as a function of potential temperature separation. These correlations determine the weights applied to observed-minus-forecast increments in the analysis. The analysis is two-dimensional except with respect to single-level data where it is three-dimensional. Comparisons of isentropic and isobaric analysts are shown, and examples of the effects of single-leve...
Evaluating health care work settings: A holistic conceptual framework

Abstract After offering a systems perspective that considers a diversity of job-related and personal factors, we discuss the determinants and impacts of health care work climates and how staff morale and performance can influence the treatment milieu and quality of patient care. We also describe the physical features, organizational structure and policies, and suprapersonal and task factors that help to shape health care work climates. We then review research on the connections between work climate and staff morale and performance, the interplay of work climate factors, and the role of personal factors in these relationships. Finally, we orovide some ideas about how to improve health care work settings and focus on some promising new research directions.
Methods for handling competition in dynamic market models

Reviews various methods for handling competition in dynamic market models. Proposes a research strategy which considers the method in relation to quantitative considerations of market validity and behavioural factors of implementation. Gives a case study where this research strategy is applied.
Trypanosomal nucleoside hydrolase. A novel mechanism from the structure with a transition-state inhibitor.

Nucleoside N-ribohydrolases are targets for disruption of purine salvage in the protozoan parasites. The structure of a trypanosomal N-ribohydrolase in complex with a transition-state inhibitor is reported at 2.3 A resolution. The nonspecific nucleoside hydrolase from Crithidia fasciculata cocrystallized with p-aminophenyliminoribitol reveals tightly bound Ca2+ as a catalytic site ligand. The complex with the transition-state inhibitor is characterized by (1) large protein conformational changes to create a hydrophobic leaving group site (2) C3‘-exo geometry for the inhibitor, typical of a ribooxocarbenium ion (3) stabilization of the ribooxocarbenium analogue between the neighboring group 5‘-hydroxyl and bidentate hydrogen bonds to Asn168; and (4) octacoordinate Ca2+ orients a catalytic site water and is liganded to two hydroxyls of the inhibitor. The mechanism is ribooxocarbenium stabilization with weak leaving group activation and is a departure from glucohydrolases which use paired carboxylates to ach...
Effects of food preferences on token exchange and behavioural responses to inequality in tufted capuchin monkeys, Cebus apella

We examined the extent to which female capuchin monkeys show an ‘aversion to inequitable work effort’ by providing the monkeys with the opportunity to engage in token exchange tasks to earn either a preferred (grape) or nonpreferred (oat cereal) food item. In experiment 1, monkeys were paired with partners such that both were required to exchange a token (work effort) for either a preferred or nonpreferred food reward. The subject's exchange behaviour was then compared to conditions in which the partner received the food reward for no work effort. We found no evidence that differential work effort influenced the percentage of incomplete exchanges. Furthermore, capuchins completed exchanges more rapidly for the preferred food item, regardless of the work effort of the partner. In experiment 2, we evaluated, in the absence of differential work effort, behavioural responses of monkeys to receipt of a preferred or nonpreferred food in conditions where their partner received either the same or different food. These conditions were compared to control conditions where either the same or different food was placed in an adjacent empty cage. Capuchins were less likely to accept nonpreferred food and consumed it more slowly than preferred food. We found no evidence that the presence of a partner influenced acceptance or consumption of the nonpreferred food under inequitable conditions. Overall, we found no indication that capuchins are able to evaluate either the relative work effort of a partner or the inequity of a food reward and are thus unlikely to possess an ‘aversion to inequity’.
An assessment of the methodological quality of research published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine.

BackgroundEvidence-based medicine has become a popular topic in academic medicine during the past several decades and more recently in orthopaedics and sports medicine.HypothesisArticles published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine have shown an improvement in methodological quality in 2001-2003, compared with 1991-1993.Study DesignSystematic review.MethodsAll articles published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine during the periods 1991-1993 and 2001-2003 were reviewed and classified by type of study. The use of pertinent methodologies such as prospective data collection, randomization, blinding, and controlled studies was noted for each article. The frequency of each article type and the use of evidence-based techniques were compared across study periods.ResultsCase series and descriptive studies decreased during the study period, from 27.4% to 15.3% (P=. 00003) and from 11.9% to 5.6% (P=. 001), respectively, of articles published. Prospective cohort studies increased from 4.7% to 14.1% (...
Can meat and protein really increase, while vegetables and fruits decrease the risk of inflammatory bowel disease? How?

Dear Sir, Multiple studies revealed that meat and protein increased the risk,1–3 while vegetables and fruits reduced the risk1,4,5 of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Elucidating the role of diet in IBD would have great etiological and clinical significances. Despite …
Multimodal transportation planning tool for rural areas in Georgia

A process under development at the Georgia Institute of Technology to standardize, enhance, and automate planning and project evaluation for transportation projects in rural Georgia is described. The process will incorporate current statewide planning techniques in use at the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and additional sketch planning techniques that will use existing GDOT data. The purpose of this multimodal transportation planning tool (MMTPT) is to aid GDOT and local agencies in evaluating transportation requirements of rural areas and potential implementation constraints early in the planning process. The tool will include a system-level component to develop a prioritized list of projects by mode for a county and a project-level component to perform more detailed evaluations of roadway project alternatives and multimodal enhancements. The MMTPT will operate in a computerized hybrid system that uses expert system and conventional algorithmic programming techniques. Although organizational, management, and funding constraints that discourage multimodal planning are not overcome, the tool addresses the shortage of analytical planning techniques.
Diabetes and reactivity of isolated human saphenous vein.

Summary. Helical strips of saphenous veins from diabetic (n=8) and non-diabetic (n=18) humans were studied in vivo for their responsiveness to several vasoactive agents. Following application of passive force (-20.0 mN), venous strips from non-diabetic humans often developed spontaneous phasic contractile activity (12 out of 18 patients; 2-5 contractions/min). These intrinsic changes in force were seen in venous strips from only one diabetic patient. The phasic contractions were not altered by treatment with phentolamine, whereas the calcium channel blocker, D-600, and calcium-free solution (1 .O mM EGTA) inhibited the phasic contractions. Saphenous veins from diabetic patients developed less maximal, active tension in response to norepinephrine than those from non-diabetic patients. Contractile responses to serotonin, angiotensin 11, and elevated potassium concentration in saphenous veins from diabetic patients were not different from those in veins from non-diabetic patients. These observations demonstrate attenuated development of active tension in response to alpha-adrenergic receptor activation and reduced spontaneous contractile activity in venous smooth muscle from diabetic patients.
SPIN TRAPPING ARTIFACTS DUE TO THE REDUCTION OF NITROSO SPIN TRAPS

The use of nitroso compounds as spin traps in chemical and biological systems has become widespread, and many interesting, unstable radicals have been trapped in this manner [l-4]. However, as we will show, extreme caution must be taken when trapping radicals in a reducing medium. The technique of spin trapping involves producing the unstable free radical of interest and allowing it to react with a diamagnetic compound (the spin trap, usually a nitroso compound or a nitrone) to form a relatively stable free radical (the spin adduct) which can be observed by electron spin resonance (ESR). Observation of a stable free radical, however, is no guarantee that the radical of interest has been trapped. Spectral artifacts can arise due to nitroxide impurities or nucleophilic addition to nitroso compounds followed by oxidation to the nitroxide [5]. We report another way in which spin trapping artifacts may arise, that of direct reduction of anitroso spin trap to a nitroxide free radical. Though nitrose spin traps have been used extensively [l-4], apparently not much attention has been given to the possibility of this reduction, though reduction of the spin adduct has been proposed as a ‘decay process [3,6]. The reduction of the spin trap itself is particularly important in biological systems because of the presence of endogenous reducing agents such as ascorbate.
Rehabilitation of Elderly Fallers: Pilot Study of a Low to Moderate Intensity Exercise Program

Abstract Objective: The role of exercise in the prevention of falls and fall-related injuries among elderly persons is unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the response to an exercise-based rehabilitation program intended to improve balance and mobility and reduce or prevent falls. Design: Pretest-posttest experimental design with repeated measures at baseline, immediately postintervention, and 6 months postintervention. To assess the effect of repeated exposure to our main outcome measure (the obstacle course), half of the participants (randomly selected) were allowed to practice on the obstacle course. Setting: A veterans affairs medical center. Participants: Elderly, ambulatory, community-dwelling volunteers recruited from among local outpatients at our medical center. Intervention: Sixty-five volunteers completed a 6-week supervised low to moderate intensity program of stretching, postural control, endurance walking, and coordination exercises designed to improve balance and mobility. Participants were divided into 2 groups: 34 participants who did not practice on the obstacle course during their exercise program and 31 participants who practiced on the obstacle course in addition to their otherwise identical exercise program. Main Outcome Measures: Performance on a functionally oriented obstacle course and self-reported falls and fall-related injuries. Results No significant performance differences were found between the two groups. After intervention, mean qualitative obstacle course scores improved modestly (5%) and mean obstacle course completion time decreased by 15% from baseline. These postintervention pairwise performance differences were clinically important but not statistically significant. Relative to baseline levels, postintervention falls and injuries did not change significantly. Conclusions: Our exercise intervention may have the potential to improve functional performance. However, some modifications are necessary to enhance efficacy. The obstacle course may be a useful tool in the evaluation of elderly persons with balance and mobility impairment in the rehabilitation setting.
An Isotopic Calibration Study of Precipitation, Cave Dripwater, and Climate In West-Central Florida

A calibration study of oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition from precipitation and cave dripwater was conducted in west-central Florida at Legend Cave during 2007–2008. This study was performed to better understand how modern precipitation patterns can be discerned through examination of cave dripwater and speleothem calcite for paleoclimate reconstruction. The ‘amount effect’ was shown to be a dominant control on the oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation for the study area. A meteoric water line with a slope of 6·7 suggests evaporative effects occur either during precipitation or subsequent hydrological processes. However, δ18O values of cave dripwater averaged near the mean annual amount-weighted average of precipitation, suggesting that the isotopic composition of dripwater tracks the long-term average of rainfall. An observed weak seasonal influence occurred in the d-excess values, with summer precipitation being more enriched due to increased evaporative effects. Comparison of precipitation δ18O values to synoptic weather data shows the dominant amount effect influence occurs due to strong convective storms producing highly 18O-depleted rainfall at greater amounts during the year. Constant δ18O values of the dripwater indicate that paleoclimate reconstructions using speleothems from this area would record changes in annual to interannual shifts in precipitation amount above the cave. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of changing requirements: a tracking mechanism for the analysis workflow

Managing the effects of changing requirements remains one of the greatest challenges of enterprise software development. The iterative and incremental model provides an expedient framework for addressing such concerns. This paper presents a set of metrics - Mutation Index, Component Set, Dependency Index - and a methodology to measure the effects of requirement changes in the analysis workflow from one iteration to another. Results from a sample case study are included to highlight a usage scenario. Future directions of our work based on this mechanism are also discussed.
Dynamic Glycosylation of Nuclear and Cytosolic Proteins CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A UNIQUE O-GlcNAc TRANSFERASE WITH MULTIPLE TETRATRICOPEPTIDE REPEATS

O-Linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) glycosylation is a dynamic modification of eukaryotic nuclear and cytosolic proteins analogous to protein phosphorylation. We have cloned and characterized a novel gene for an O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) that shares no sequence homology or structural similarities with other glycosyltransferases. The OGT gene is highly conserved (up to 80% identity) in all eukaryotes examined. Unlike previously described glycosyltransferases, OGT is localized to the cytosol and nucleus. The OGT protein contains multiple tandem repeats of the tetratricopeptide repeat motif. The presence of tetratricopeptide repeats, which can mediate protein-protein interactions, suggests that OGT may be regulated by protein interactions that are independent of the enzyme's catalytic site. The OGT is also modified by tyrosine phosphorylation, indicating that tyrosine kinase signal transduction cascades may play a role in modulating OGT activity.
Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: case series and review of the literature

Objective and importance We report on four cases of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), a relatively newly described clinicopathological entity of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. SNUC tends to present with advanced-stage disease, often with intracranial invasion, and requires an aggressive treatment approach that includes surgical resection. A review of the literature identified several reports of SNUC in pathology and otolaryngology journals since its initial description in 1986, but no report has yet appeared in the neurosurgery literature. Clinical presentation Four patients presented with various symptoms related to the nose and/or orbit, including one or more of the following: obstruction, epistaxis, decreased visual acuity, diplopia, and pain. All patients were noted to have masses in the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses, with or without intracranial extension. Intervention All four patients underwent multimodal treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy (60-65 Gy), and aggressive surgical resection via a combined bifrontal craniotomy and a subcranial approach to the anterior cranial fossa. Three of four patients died as a result of their disease, an average of 15 months after diagnosis. Only one patient remains alive, although with metastatic intracranial disease, at 24 months after diagnosis. Conclusion SNUC is a rare neoplasm with a poor prognosis despite an aggressive multimodal approach to treatment. On the basis of our experience, we advocate radical resection as part of the initial combined therapy for patients who present with locally advanced, nonmetastatic disease but we suggest reserving surgery for patients with early brain invasion until there has been a radiographically proven central nervous system response to adjuvant therapy.
Novel oxytocin gene expression in the hindbrain is induced by alcohol exposure: transgenic zebrafish enable visualization of sensitive neurons.

Background: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are a collection of disorders resulting from fetal ethanol exposure, which causes a wide range of physical, neurological and behavioral deficits including heightened susceptibility for alcoholism and addictive disorders. While a number of mechanisms have been proposed for how ethanol exposure disrupts brain development, with selective groups of neurons undergoing reduced proliferation, dysfunction and death, the induction of a new neurotransmitter phenotype by ethanol exposure has not yet been reported. Principal Findings: The effects of embryonic and larval ethanol exposure on brain development were visually monitored using transgenic zebrafish expressing cell-specific green fluorescent protein (GFP) marker genes. Specific subsets of GFPexpressing neurons were highly sensitive to ethanol exposure, but only during defined developmental windows. In the med12 mutant, which affects the Mediator co-activator complex component Med12, exposure to lower concentrations of ethanol was sufficient to reduce GFP expression in transgenic embryos. In transgenic embryos and larva containing GFP driven by an oxytocin-like (oxtl) promoter, ethanol exposure dramatically up-regulated GFP expression in a small group of hindbrain neurons, while having no effect on expression in the neuroendocrine preoptic area. Conclusions: Alcohol exposure during limited embryonic periods impedes the development of specific, identifiable groups of neurons, and the med12 mutation sensitizes these neurons to the deleterious effects of ethanol. In contrast, ethanol exposure induces oxtl expression in the hindbrain, a finding with profound implications for understanding alcoholism and other addictive disorders.
Student perceptions and instructional evaluations: A multivariate analysis of online and face-to-face classroom settings

This study examined students' evaluations of faculty performance in traditional and online classes. The study design builds upon prior research that addressed socially relevant factors such as classroom environments, students' learning goals, expected, and received grades, and more importantly, students' ratings of instructors' performance. The sample consists of data from a population of humanities and social sciences faculty from a medium-sized southwest undergraduate university who taught both online and traditional classes during the semester periods Fall 2010 to Spring 2012. In a traditional setting, the evaluation factors (develops rapport with students, stimulates students, challenges student learning, provides timely feedback, and teaches fundamentals), and the external factors--(course level taught and gender)--were found to significantly contribute to faculty summary scores. In an online class, students consistently rank female instructors better. However, the evaluation criteria--develops student rapport, stimulates students, provides timely feedback, and teaches fundamentals (though not `challenges and involves students in their learning')--mirrored the same affects observed in the traditional classroom evaluations. The finding that "teaches fundamentals" received the largest standardized beta-coefficient in both classrooms further confirms earlier research that university students perceive course mastery as a major indicator of instructor performance regardless of gender or rank. However, the results indicate that students' perceptions are different when attending a traditional versus online classroom setting. This infers that synchronous and asynchronous settings require different teaching styles and different evaluation criteria.
Shape-Controlled Catalysis by Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide Terminated Gold Nanospheres, Nanorods, and Nanoprisms

Shape-controlled Au nanospheres, nanorods, and nanoprisms have been utilized for the first time for selective chemical reduction of different aromatic nitro compounds to the corresponding amino derivatives at room temperature. Careful observation reveals that the reaction was fastest with nanospheres and slowest with nanorods, whereas the rate was intermediate with nanoprisms when keeping the numbers of particles approximately the same. Controlled experiments revealed that our reaction followed the nitroso and hydroxylamine pathway. The yield of the product was very high, and the method should be applicable for very fast catalysis reaction of other nitro compounds.
Metabolism of acridine by rat-liver enzymes.

Abstract Metabolism of acridine by S10 fractions from control adult male Sprague-Dawley rats produces mainly 9-acridone, apparently catalyzed by aldehyde oxidase (ED1.2.3.1). In contrast, the predominant metabolic product produced by the corresponding S10 fraction of PCB-induced liver enzymes is a dihydrodiol (either the 2,3- or 3,4-isomer) presumably derived from an epoxide. Several minor metabolites of unknown structure are also formed. During in vitro reactions aldehyde oxidase requires neither atmospheric oxygen nor NADPH. Acridine has been reported to be mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium, but only in the absence of PCB-induced activating enzymes. It also has been reported to produce chromosomal aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster cells both with and without enzymatic activation. While a connection between aldehyde oxidase catalysis and mutagenic action of acridine has not been established, the extensive metabolic potential of this compound implies that complete description of mutagenicity will be difficult.
Extrusion-enzyme liquefaction as a method for producing sorghum protein concentrates

Abstract A novel method was developed for concentrating proteins from sorghum flour utilizing a combination of extrusion and α-amylase treatment for starch liquefaction. A central composite design was used to optimize in-barrel moisture content (MC), enzyme concentration during extrusion (E1) and post-extrusion enzyme concentration (E2) in order to produce sorghum protein concentrates with high protein content (PC) and in vitro protein digestibility (D). Extrusion-enzyme liquefaction yielded concentrates with higher protein yield (82 db%) and digestibility (66%) than batch liquefaction alone because extrusion promoted starch and protein degradation. The optimum conditions for developing a sorghum protein concentrate with both high yield and digestibility were 32% MC, no E1, and 2.5% E2. The sorghum protein concentrate developed in this study can augment the nutritional value of gluten-free foods for individuals suffering from celiac disease and other forms of gluten and wheat intolerance.
Message from the President, VLSI Society of India

The 26th International Conference on VLSI Design and the 12th International Conference on Embedded Systems was held in Pune, India. The theme for this years' conference is Green Technologies - a new era for Electronics. This theme is very appropriate for the times. With the explosion of connected devices driving higher network traffic and massive cloud computing, the electronics industry is the fastest growing consumer of energy. If left unchecked, the electronics industry could potentially be one of the worst offenders of our environment, perhaps even more than transportation or heavy industry. Alternate energy sources and efficient use of energy in both electronics as well as other sectors is no longer a nice to have, it is an imperative. I look forward to paper presentations, invited talks and keynotes that provided insight into latest technology research on how to tackle this growing challenge. Further like each year in the past, the VLSI Society of India is delighted to be able to continue our highly successful student and academic Fellowship Program that funds the participation of several deserving students and academicians from across the country to further our goal for excellence in education in VLSI Design and related areas.
On Generalized Integral Means and Euler Type Vector Fields

Formulas for the Euler vector fields, the Neumann derivatives, and the Euler as well as Dirichlet product are derived. Extensions to a Riemann domain of the Gauss operator, the Gauss’ lemma and the related jump formulas are given, and the Gauss–Helmholtz representation with ramifications proved. Examples of elementary solutions to certain modified Laplace operators, applications to pseudospherical harmonics, and characterizations of pseudoradial, pseudospherical, nearly holomorphic, and holomorphic functions, are obtained, and constancy criterion for locally Lipschitz, semiharmonic, respectively, weakly holomorphic functions are given.