cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism-based inhibitor discrimination in the acyl-CoA dehydrogenases.

The catalytically essential glutamate base in the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase family is found either on the loop between J and K helices (e.g., in short-chain, medium-chain, and glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenases) or on the G helix (long-chain and isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenases). While active-site bases at either position are functionally equivalent with respect to alpha-proton abstraction, reactions that require removal of a gamma-proton show marked differences between the two enzyme classes. Thus short-chain, medium-chain, and glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase are rapidly inactivated by 2-pentynoyl-CoA with abstraction of a gamma-proton, whereas isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase is not significantly inhibited. This resistance is not due to weak binding: the complex between isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase and 2-pentynoyl-CoA shows a Kd of 1.8 microM at pH 7.6. Migration of the catalytic base to the loop between J and K helices (using the Glu254Gly/Ala375Glu double mutant) makes isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase sensitive to irreversible inhibition by 2-pentynoyl-CoA. Molecular modeling suggests that this mutation brings the catalytic base close enough to abstract a gamma-proton from the bound inhibitor. Experiments with two mechanism-based inactivators that target the FAD of the medium- and short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenases support this conclusion. 3-Methyl-3-butenoyl-CoA requires activation by alpha-proton abstraction and rapidly yields a reduced flavin adduct with wild-type isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase. In contrast, the isomeric 3-methyl-2-butenoyl-CoA is inert toward this enzyme because it cannot be activated by gamma-proton abstraction. Molecular modeling supports these observations. This unusual selectivity toward mechanism-based inactivators provides additional discrimination between members of the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase family.
A high-order implicit finite element method for integrating the two-fluid magnetohydrodynamic equations in two dimensions

We describe a new method for solving the time-dependent two-fluid magnetohydrodynamic (2F-MHD) equations in two dimensions that has significant advantages over other methods. The stream-function/potential representation of the velocity and magnetic field vectors, while fully general, allows accurate description of nearly incompressible fluid motions and manifestly satisfies the divergence condition on the magnetic field. Through analytic manipulation, the split semi-implicit method breaks the full matrix time advance into four sequential time advances, each involving smaller matrices. The use of a high-order triangular element with continuous first derivatives (C1 continuity) allows the Galerkin method to be applied without introduction of new auxiliary variables (such as the vorticity or the current density). These features, along with the manifestly compact nature of the fully node-based C1 finite elements, lead to minimum size matrices for an unconditionally stable method with order of accuracy h4. The resulting matrices are compatible with direct factorization using SuperLU_dist. We demonstrate the accuracy of the method by presenting examples of two-fluid linear wave propagation, two-fluid linear eigenmodes of a tilting cylinder, and of a challenging nonlinear problem in two-fluid magnetic reconnection.
A theory for the ultimate strength of a brittle-matrix composite

Abstract A theory for calculating the ultimate strength of an infinite, brittle-matrix fiber composite is presented. At some stress level which is less than the ultimate strength, the composite is presumed to undergo multiple matrix cracking; this results in intact fibers spanning a series of roughly equally spaced matrix cracks. Subsequent damage in the form of fiber breaks is assumed to occur with the fiber strength being statistically distributed. With the use of some plausible assumptions, the spatial distribution of fiber breaks is computed and their effect on the subsequent load-carrying capacity of the composite is determined. The variables which most affect the ultimate strength are the interfacial shear stresses, which control load transfer near the matrix cracks and near the fiber breaks, and the fiber strength variability. A comparison with data in the literature indicates that a reliance upon simple rule-of-mixtures-type estimates of composite strength can be misleading.
Systems engineering approach to chemical biological and radiological detection system design

The ability to design effective detection systems is critical to the development of systems to protect against and respond to chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) attacks. Unfortunately, there are numerous examples of CBR detection systems being designed “in a vacuum,” without full consideration of threat and vulnerability assessments, or the proposed protection strategy and response plans that the detection system must support. The potential negative effects of this approach include systems that are excessively costly in the best case, and systems that fail to deliver the required detection performance while providing a false sense of security in the worst case. The solution to this problem is the application of systems engineering principles. As with any system, the critical foundation for the system design is requirements development. Requirements for CBR detection systems include, but are not limited to, the spectrum of threats to be detected, the required sensitivity and speed of detection for each threat, the allowable false alarm and false negative rates, and operations and maintenance (O&M) needs. The requirements form the basis of system architecture and component selection, and allow trade studies that support an optimal system design. The process continues through detailed system design and integration, and culminates with system commissioning, verification and validation, and O&M planning. This paper presents Battelle's systems engineering approach to CBR detection system design and discusses several aspects of detection systems including: • Similarities and differences between chemical, biological, and radiological detection systems • Difference in requirements for “detect to warn”, “detect to protect”, and “detect to treat” strategies • Detector selection options • Architecture options such as sampling systems to cost-effectively increase coverage or response speed, and use of “orthogonal” detectors or trigger and confirmatory detectors for false alarm reduction Also discussed are the role of modeling in requirements development and system design, as well as the importance of commissioning and testing to effective detection system performance.
Cholecystokinin, but not bombesin, has interoceptive sensory consequences like 1-h food deprivation

Abstract A comparison of the interoceptive sensory consequences of cholecystokinin, bombesin, and 1-h food deprivation was conducted in rats. In two experiments, rats were first trained to use stimuli arising from different degrees of food deprivation (1 and 24 h or 1 and 4 h) as discriminative signals for shock, and were then tested for generalized control of discriminative responding (i.e., conditioned freezing) by cues arising from injection of 4 μg/kg (Experiment 1 only) and 8 μg/kg cholecystokinin (Experiment 1A only), 12 μg/kg bombesin (BBS), and isotonic saline, respectively. The effects of these peptides on food intake were also assessed. In both experiments, BBS and cholecystokinin (CCK) each suppressed feeding relative to saline; however, generalization of discriminative responding was obtained only following CCK. Generalization depended on prior learning about food deprivation cues—CCK had little effect on freezing in rats that showed weak discrimination performance (i.e., rats trained with 1- and 4-h deprivation cues). The results indicated that CCK but not BBS produces interoceptive cues like those occurring under 1-h food deprivation.
The articulation of derived affrication in American English

Affrication of coronal stops before /ɹ/ is commonly observed in English. For instance, /t/ in “tree” and /d/ in “dream”, in which coronal stops precede /ɹ/, are often realized as affricated stops (i.e., [ɹi] instead of [tɹi]; [ɹim] instead of [dɹim]). Given that morphological structures and frequency of words play a critical role in many coarticulatory processes (Bush, 2001; Ernestus et al., 2006; Myers and Li, 2009), the present study investigates whether the degree of derived affrication before /ɹ/ is influenced by different morphological structures and frequency of words and phrases. This study uses ultrasound imaging and audio recordings of seven native speakers of American English to examine the articulatory aspect of derived affrication. Comparisons of the degree of affrication show significant differences among words in various environments, in which tautomorphemic words and high-frequency words and phrases lead to greater degree of affrication. Furthermore, the gestural patterns of various morphol...
Mechanisms of amino acid transport in Trypanosoma lewisi

Abstract 1. 1. Mechanisms of amino acid transport have been studied in blood stream forms of Trypanosoma lewisi . 2. 2. The kinetic data indicate that valine and phenylalanine are transported by mediated processes through the same locus on the membrane as evidenced by complete inhibition of one by the other. 3. 3. The locus for arginine transport is different from valine and phenylalanine. Two modes of transport are observed with arginine. At low substrate concentrations T. lewisi absorbs arginine by a mediated process; at high substrate concentrations diffusion appears to be the main mode of entry. 4. 4. Aspartic acid is not taken up by these hemoflagellates during the time periods studied.
Effects of drugs and alcohol on behavior, job performance, and workplace safety

A study of records for 1 large U.S. company revealed that employees with positive drug screens were fired, whereas workers who self-disclosed drug/alcohol problems remained employed. Both groups were offered substance abuse intervention, and some previously fired workers were rehired after they received treatment. Accident results showed that drug-test positive employees, as compared with self-referred workers, had a significantly higher accident rate in all categories. Treatment data revealed that drug-test positive workers had significantly higher accident rates before and after treatment than self-referred employees. Posttreatment results showed that drug-test positive employees had a significant decrease in accidents after services, whereas the self-referred group showed no change.
PHOSPHOTRANSFER SITE OF THE CHEMOTAXIS-SPECIFIC PROTEIN KINASE CHEA AS REVEALED BY NMR

Bacterial chemotaxis involves autophosphorylation of a histidine kinase and transfer of the phosphoryl group to response regulators to control flagellar rotation and receptor adaptation. The phosphotransfer domain, CheA1-134, of the chemotaxis-specific histidine autokinase CheA from Escherichia coli contains the site of phosphorylation, His48, and two other histidine residues, His26 and His67. Two-dimensional 1H−15N NMR techniques were applied to characterize the protonation states of these histidine residues and to evaluate the structural changes in the domain that occur upon phosphorylation of His48. The pKa of His48 was determined to be 7.8 (in 50 mM NaPO4 buffer at 30 °C). At high pH, its imidazole ring exists primarily as the normally unfavored Nδ1H tautomer, suggesting hydrogen bond formation to the ring nitrogen atom(s) to stabilize this state. The pKa values and predominant tautomeric states of the imidazole rings of His26 (pKa ∼ 7.1, Ne2H tautomer) and His67 (pKa ∼ 6.5, Nδ1H tautomer) were also d...
Is there An Anthropology for everyone

Richard W. Casteel and George I. Quimby, eds. Maritime Adaptations of the Pacific. The Hague and Paris: Mouton Publishers, 1975. Distributed in North America by Aldine Publishing Company, x + 319 pp. Tables, figures, biographical notes, and index. $28.50.
A Simple Solution to the Strong CP Problem with a Harmless Axion

We describe a simple generalization of the Peccei-Quinn mechanism which eliminates the strong CP problem at the cost of a very light, very weakly coupled axion. The mechanism requires no new fermions and is easily implemented in grand unified theories.
Recognition of oral spelling is diagnostic of the central reading processes

The task of recognition of oral spelling (stimulus: “C-A-T”, response: “cat”) is often administered to individuals with acquired written language disorders, yet there is no consensus about the underlying cognitive processes. We adjudicate between two existing hypotheses: Recognition of oral spelling uses central reading processes, or recognition of oral spelling uses central spelling processes in reverse. We tested the recognition of oral spelling and spelling to dictation abilities of a single individual with acquired dyslexia and dysgraphia. She was impaired relative to matched controls in spelling to dictation but unimpaired in recognition of oral spelling. Recognition of oral spelling for exception words (e.g., colonel) and pronounceable nonwords (e.g., larth) was intact. Our results were predicted by the hypothesis that recognition of oral spelling involves the central reading processes. We conclude that recognition of oral spelling is a useful tool for probing the integrity of the central reading pr...
Event correlation for operations management of largescale IT systems

In large scale systems IT systems, for the purpose of management, we have what are known as "Networked Operations Centers" or NOCs. These NOCs are manned by support staff, known as operators. Data in the form of events from various sub-systems in the larger system is sent to the central event console so that the NOC operators can work on problems in the infrastructure before they have a significant impact on the availability and performance of business applications. The challenge for these NOC operators is that of managing the large number of incoming events. In this work, we address the problem of scale by proposing a data mining technique for automatic event correlation for large scale operations management systems.
Some convolutional codes whose free distances are maximal

The free distance of a convolutional code of rate 1/n is bounded by n times the constant length of its encoder. Two classes of convolutional codes whose free distances meet this bound are studied. A technique of constructing convolutional codes that meet this bound for all sufficiently large n is given. >
183 “RESPIRATOR PARADOX” IN PREMATURE INFANTS WITH RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

Eleven premature infants (28-32 wks gestation; 900-1400 grams) had echocardiograms performed during the first week of life. Left ventricular (LV) pre-ejection periods (PEP) and ejection times (ET) were measured for at least 6 cardiac cycles, and their mean changes from expiration to inspiration were analyzed using the paired T test. In 4 infants breathing spontaneously, PEP increased from 60.3 msec to 65.2 msec for an 8.1% increase (SD = 2.2 msec; p < .05). LVET decreased from 184.4 msec to 178.9 msec for a 2.9% decrease (SD = 1.7 msec; p < .01). In 7 infants on positive pressure ventilation (inspired time ≃ 0.6 sec) for respiratory distress syndrome, PEP decreased from 59.5 msec to 57.6 msec for a 3.2% decrease (SD = 0.9 msec; p < .01). LVET increased from 163.2 msec to 168.8 msec for a 3.4% increase (SD = 3.8 msec; p < .01). The increased LPEP/LVET ratio from expiration to inspiration during spontaneous breathing is consistent with the reduced stroke volume seen in physiologic pulsus paradoxus. Conversely, the decreased LPEP/LVET ratio during positive pressure ventilation would be consistent with increased stroke volume. This increase could represent enhanced pulmonary venous return (pre-load) and/or reduction of afterload secondary to increased transpleural pressure. Thus, this study supports the concept of respirator paradox in premature infants.
Logarithmic distribution functions for particle size

Abstract We have seen that Ref. (1) does not present different orders of logarithmic distributions, as it has been thought, but rather that it analyzes the meanings of the various moments of a logarithmic normal distribution.
Identity: A data center network fabric to enable co-existence of identical addresses

Seamless virtual machine (VM) mobility within and across data centers brings its own set of problems. One of these problems is enabling co-existence of identical or overlapping layer-2 and layer-3 addresses in a single data center network. The motivation for this problem comes from a number of compelling scenarios. These include the need to backup and restore or replicate multi-tier applications that comprise of multiple VMs from one data center to another or within the same data center. This requires significant network reconfiguration costs as IP addresses of replicated VMs may clash with other existing IP addresses in the data center or with other replicas of the same VMs. Similarly, when multiple data centers need to be consolidated through a single data center interconnect, their address ranges may overlap. Lastly, cloud providers need to ensure that various customers can backup and restore their VMs which can have potentially conflicting addresses with other customers' VMs without requiring time consuming network reconfiguration efforts. In this paper, we present Identity - a data center network fabric that enables co-existence of hosts or VMs with identical layer 2 and layer 3 addresses. We use pseudo addresses to uniquely identify each host or VM and employ address resolution and duplicate detection techniques to enable co-existence of hosts and VMs with identical addresses. We leverage the centralized programmable control plane offered by OpenFlow and present the design and implementation of our scheme in Mininet. We provide an experimental evaluation of our scheme and validate that its average latency and throughput performance is as good as a default setup.
Electrodermal fluctuation as a function of verbal incentive

This study was to determine if verbal incentive is an effective variable in the development of the control of electrodermal fluctuations (EDFs); and if body movement and respiratory artifacts are confounding variables in the feedback control of EDFs. Nonlabiles encouraged to increase EDFs by “thinking emotional thoughts” demonstrated significant increases in both EDFs and body movement and respiratory artifacts. However, persons with few, if any, artifacts showed an almost identical pattern of EDFs as compared to persons with relatively more artifacts in their recordings. Incentive as compared to control groups reported an increased ability to sustain their thinking about emotional events. All groups indicated decreased anxiety from pre- to post-feedback conditions. The findings were related to contemporary theory on cognition.
METHYLATED C-TERMINAL LEUCINE RESIDUE OF PP2A CATALYTIC SUBUNIT IS IMPORTANT FOR BINDING OF REGULATORY BALPHA SUBUNIT

Methylation of the C-terminal leucine residue (Leu309) of protein serine/threonine phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit (PP2AC) is known to regulate catalytic activity in vitro, but the functional consequence(s) of this post-translational modification in the context of the cell remain unclear. Alkali-induced demethylation of PP2AC in purified PP2A heterotrimer (ABalphaC), but not in purified PP2A heterodimer (AC), indicated that a larger fraction of PP2AC is carboxymethylated in ABalphaC than in AC. To explore the role of Leu309 in PP2A holoenzyme assembly, epitope-tagged PP2A catalytic subunit (HA-PP2A) and a mutant of HA-PP2A containing an alanine residue in place of Leu309 (HA-PP2A-L309A) were transiently expressed in COS cells. Both recombinant proteins exhibited serine/threonine phosphatase activity when immunoisolated from COS cell extracts. HA-PP2A, but not HA-PP2A-L309A, was carboxymethylated in vitro. A chromatographic analysis of cell extracts indicated that most endogenous PP2AC and HA-PP2A were co-eluted with the A and Balpha regulatory subunits of PP2A, whereas most HA-PP2A-L309A seemed to elute with the A subunit as a smaller complex or, alternatively, as free catalytic (C) subunit. The A subunit co-immunoisolated with both tagged proteins; however, substantially less Balpha subunit co-immunoisolated with HA-PP2A-L309A than with HA-PP2A. These results demonstrate that the reversibly methylated C-terminal leucine residue of PP2AC is important for Balpha regulatory subunit binding. Furthermore, the results provide evidence for an interrelationship between PP2AC carboxymethylation and PP2A holoenzyme assembly.
Renal pathology in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism secondary to an adrenal cortical adenoma.

Abstract Objectives The cause of persistent hypertension following the removal of an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this occurrence is due to existing renal histopathologic damage. Methods Thirty-two patients with primary hyperaldosteronism due to an aldosterone-secreting adrenal cortical adenoma underwent open renal biopsy at the time of unilateral adrenalectomy. Biopsy results were correlated with the duration and severity of hypertension before and after surgery. Results Nineteen patients were cured of their hypertension postoperatively, whereas 13 patients had persistent diastolic hypertension. Statistical analysis of these two groups revealed no difference when renal histopathologic variables, preoperative severity of hypertension, or preoperative duration of hypertension were compared. Conclusions Persistent hypertension in these patients does not appear to be due to renal histopathologic changes; coexisting essential hypertension is a more likely cause.
Role of different dietary fatty acids in the pathogenesis of experimental alcoholic liver disease

Both dietary fatty acids and alcohol play an important role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. Findings of studies in rats show a steatogenic role for dietary fat. A role for polyunsaturated fatty acids in alcoholic liver disease is supported by results of studies, which show that pathologic changes occur only in rats fed ethanol with polyunsaturated fatty acids. The mechanisms through which the fatty acids promote alcoholic liver disease include enhanced oxidative stress, production of endotoxin, and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines.
Association of GAP-43 with Detergent-resistant Membranes Requires Two Palmitoylated Cysteine Residues

Abstract GAP-43 is an abundant protein in axonal growth cones of developing and regenerating neurons. We found that GAP-43 was enriched in detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) isolated by Triton X-100 extraction from PC12 pheochromocytoma cells and could be detected in detergent-insoluble plasma membrane remnants after extraction of cells in situ. GAP-43 is palmitoylated at Cys-3 and Cys-4. Mutation of either Cys residue prevented association with DRMs. A hybrid protein containing the first 20 amino acid residues of GAP-43 fused to β-galactosidase was targeted to DRMs even more efficiently than GAP-43 itself. We conclude that tandem palmitoylated Cys residues can target GAP-43 to DRMs, defining a new signal for DRM targeting. We propose that tandem or closely spaced saturated fatty acyl chains partition into domains or “rafts” in the liquid-ordered phase, or a phase with similar properties, in cell membranes. These rafts are isolated as DRMs after detergent extraction. The brain-specific heterotrimeric G protein Go, which may be regulated by GAP-43 in vitro, was also enriched in DRMs from PC12 cells. Targeting of GAP-43 to rafts may function to facilitate signaling through Go. In addition, raft association may aid in sorting of GAP-43 into axonally directed vesicles in the trans-Golgi network.
Genetic variation in phospholipid transfer protein modulates lipoprotein profiles in hyperalphalipoproteinemia

We previously demonstrated the role of a phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) gene variation (rs2294213) in determining levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in hypoalphalipoproteinemia (HypoA). We have now explored the role of PLTP in hyperalphalipoproteinemia (HyperA). The human PLTP gene was screened for sequence anomalies by DNA melting in 107 subjects with HyperA. The association with plasma lipoprotein levels was evaluated. We detected 7 sequence variations: 1 previously reported variation (rs2294213) and 5 novel mutations including 1 missense mutation (L106F). The PLTP activity was unchanged in the p.L106F mutation. The frequency of the rs2294213 minor allele was markedly increased in the HyperA group (7.0%) in comparison with a control group (4.3%) and the hypoalphalipoproteinemia group (2.2%). Moreover, rs2294213 was strongly associated with HDL-C levels. Linear regression models predict that possession of the rs2294213 minor allele increases HDL-C independent of triglycerides. These findings extend the association of rs2294213 with HDL-C levels into the extremes of the HDL distribution.
INFLUENCE, ELECTIONS, AND THE VALUE OF A VOTE IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

This paper investigates the extent to which interest groups use their campaign contributions to affect election outcomes as opposed to influencing candidate policy choices directly. It also reveals how much value interest groups place on gaining one more favorable vote in the House of Representatives. The empirical estimates suggest that gaining influence dominates helping favored candidates win the election as a means to affect defense spending policies. Political action committees differ in interesting ways, however, with the more ideological peace groups placing greater emphasis on changing electoral outcomes than do investor lobbies representing the defense industry. INTEREST GROUPS that donate money to politicians can alter the outcome of legislation either by gaining influence over how representatives act while they are in office or by affecting which candidates win election to the legislature. Gene Grossman and Elhanan Helpman (1996) refer to these two reasons why political action committees (PACs) give campaign contributions as ‘‘influence’’ and ‘‘electoral’’ motives. While a number of authors have studied the issue, no consensus has emerged about whether PACs give campaign contributions to candidates in order to influence how legislators vote on particular issues or in order to help favored candidates win the election. A few papers find evidence that is consistent with PACs following an electoral strategy. Stephan Bronars and John Lott (1997) show that retiring legislators do not change their voting patterns despite a large decline in the contributions they receive from PACs. They conclude from this result that PAC contributions were not used to pull representatives away from voting positions they would otherwise have adopted. Keith Poole and Thomas Romer (1985) also note that PACs claim in interviews that they rarely give to both candidates in an election. 1 Poole et al. (1987) find that interest groups give more money to incumbents when they vote in the group’s interests and when they are involved in close races. Steven Levitt (1998) shows that the contribution decisions of PACs are consistent with a strong motivation to affect
Capsaicin and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor interact to evoke a hypothermic synergy.

Abstract The present study investigated the effect of a drug combination of capsaicin and l -NAME on hypothermia in rats. Capsaicin administration (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg, i.m.) caused a significant hypothermia. l -NAME (50 mg/kg, i.p.), a nonspecific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, was ineffective. For combined administration, progressively increasing doses of capsaicin (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg, i.p.) were given with a non-hypothermic dose of l -NAME (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Experiments revealed that l -NAME (50 mg/kg, i.p.) enhanced the hypothermic response to capsaicin (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg, i.m.). Comparison of the graded dose–effect curves for capsaicin alone and capsaicin plus l -NAME revealed a significant difference ( P l -NAME acted centrally, a fixed dose of l -NAME (1 mg/rat, i.c.v.) was given with graded doses of capsaicin (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg, i.m.). l -NAME (1 mg/rat, i.c.v.) only enhanced the hypothermia at a single dose of capsaicin (0.5 mg/kg, i.m.). The super-additive hypothermia produced by the concurrent administration of capsaicin and l -NAME (50 mg/kg, i.p.) is the first evidence of synergy for a drug combination of capsaicin and a NOS inhibitor. The synergy is apparent only when l -NAME is given systemically, thus indicating that the inhibition of peripheral NO production enhances the hypothermic response to capsaicin.
Routine Chest Radiographs Following Repositioning of Endotracheal Tubes Are Necessary to Assess Correct Position in Pediatric Patients

Attempts to correctly reposition endotracheal tubes (ETTs) are not always successful in pediatric patients, even when chest radiographs (CXRs) are measured to determine the distance that the ETT deviates from the correct position. We determined the frequency of continued ETT malposition after repositioning in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Forty children with malpositioned ETTs were identified during a 4-month period. After repositioning, ten (25 percent) continued to be malpositioned on the next CXR. Of 47 children with correctly positioned ETTs, only one ETT (2 percent) was found to be incorrectly positioned on the next routine CXR obtained 24 h later. The difference in frequency of ETT malposition between these two groups of children is significant (p
Autosomal dominant stapes ankylosis with broad thumbs and toes, hyperopia, and skeletal anomalies is caused by heterozygous nonsense and frameshift mutations in NOG, the gene encoding noggin.

Although fixation of the stapes is usually progressive and secondary to otosclerosis, it may present congenitally, with other skeletal manifestations, as an autosomal dominant syndrome—such as proximal symphalangism (SYM1) or multiple-synostoses syndrome (SYNS1), both of which are caused by mutations in NOG, the gene encoding noggin. We describe a family that was ascertained to have nonsyndromic otosclerosis but was subsequently found to have a congenital stapes ankylosis syndrome that included hyperopia, a hemicylindrical nose, broad thumbs and great toes, and other minor skeletal anomalies but lacked symphalangism. A heterozygous nonsense NOG mutation—c.328C→T (Q110X), predicted to truncate the latter half of the protein—was identified, and a heterozygous insertion in NOG—c.252-253insC, in which the frameshift is predicted to result in 96 novel amino acids before premature truncation—was identified in a previously described second family with a similar phenotype. In contrast to most NOG mutations that have been reported in kindreds with SYM1 and SYNS1, the mutations observed in these families with stapes ankylosis without symphalangism are predicted to disrupt the cysteine-rich C-terminal domain. These clinical and molecular findings suggest that (1) a broader range of conductive hearing-loss phenotypes are associated with NOG mutations than had previously been recognized, (2) patients with sporadic or familial nonsyndromic otosclerosis should be evaluated for mild features of this syndrome, and (3) NOG alterations should be considered in conductive hearing loss with subtle clinical and skeletal features, even in the absence of symphalangism.
Is catenation beneficial for hydrogen storage in metal–organic frameworks?

Grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations demonstrate that catenation can be beneficial for improving hydrogen storage in metal-organic frameworks at cryogenic temperatures and low pressures but not necessarily at room temperature.
Personalized Exercises for Students of Elementary Russian

months of instruction. At that time a change takes place in the students' attitude toward their work. Many are no longer "with it"; their interest has greatly declined, and this slump in interest is accompanied only too often by indifferent class performance. Gone are the eagerness, curiosity and sense of novelty with which they began their Russian, and they have not yet progressed to a point where their mastery of structure and vocabulary make it possible for them to express themselves correctly in an "uncontrolled" situation. By this critical period of study, furthermore, resistance sets in when the class is fed a straight diet of the standard drills-be they the old-fashioned type or the more recent structural drills which are de-
Simulation of Contaminant Dispersal in an Apartment Building

Bio-terrorism events (like the 2001 anthrax attacks) accentuate the importance of countering these incidents. In order to develop reliable countermeasures for these events, it is essential to understand the associated transport processes. The transport processes involved pose challenges as they occur over wide ranges of spatial and temporal scales. CONTAMW, a multi zone indoor air quality and ventilation analysis program is used to predict the contaminant dispersal in an apartment building. Detailed simulation results and analysis of controlled release of propylene within a generic apartment building is presented. A zonal analysis is carried out for the entire apartment building (using CONTAMW) to obtain time histories of propylene concentration in different zones. The simulations provide the dispersion, transport and contaminant concentration within each zone of the apartment. This study also considers the effect of flow obstructions and ventilation rates on contaminant dispersal. The results are validated with the experimental results reported in Cybyk et al. (1999). We have also simulated propylene transport in the apartment with FDS, a large eddy simulation model.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The biology and clinical impact of genetic lesions in myeloid malignancies

A longstanding endeavor to define the genetic lesions that drive myeloid malignances has stimulated a period of remarkable discovery. Enabled by technological advances that have sharply decreased the cost of DNA sequencing, the full compendium of common, recurrent somatic mutations in the coding genome of myeloid malignancies is nearly complete. As the focus of genetic discovery shifts to the noncoding genome, renewed attention is being applied to the clinical and biological implications of recent genomic advances. Although the potential for this newfound knowledge to influence the care of patients has not yet been realized, broad genetic surveys of patient samples are now being used to improve the accuracy of disease diagnosis, define a molecular taxonomy of myeloid malignancies, refine prognostic and predictive models, and identify novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we will review recent advances in the genetics of myeloid malignancies and discuss their potential impact on clinical practice.
Platinum functionalized titania nanotube array sensor for detection of Trichloroethylene in water

A sensor using platinum functionalized titania nanotubes for the detection of Trichloroethylene (TCE) in water samples has been developed. The titania nanotubes were synthesized using an electrochemical anodization technique and platinum was photocatalytically deposited on the nanotubes. The sensor exhibits a good response to TCE concentrations in the range of 10 to 1000 ppm.
Estimation of monocrystal elastic constants for an alloy composed of a cubic solvent and a hexagonal solute

Abstract An empirical method is suggested to calculate the monocrystal elastic constants of a binary alloy which is composed of a cubic solvent and a hexagonal solute. This calculation is in good agreement with experimental results for “normal” alloys but does not apply to alloys that have anomalous phonon properties (such as those involved in martensitic transformations) or anomalous behavior of their elastic constants. Thus, this calculation might also be useful in predicting anomalies such as phonon softening or large differences in solute-solvent electronic wavefunctions.
Long-term land-use effects on soil invertebrate communities in Southern Piedmont soils, USA

Abstract Historically, a large percentage of land area in the Piedmont of the southeastern USA was under intensive agricultural management for the production of cotton. This intensive farming resulted in massive erosion, and general degradation of soil resources until insect pests and poor economic conditions forced large-scale abandonment of farmland around the 1930s. In subsequent decades, there have been four predominant land-uses in the region, and we sampled soil macroinvertebrates from three replicate sites of cultivated fields, grass-dominated fields, loblolly pine stands, and remnant hardwood stands for a period of 2 years, with the objective of examining soil invertebrate community composition in relation to these long-term land-uses. At each site we dug three or four soil pits that were 30 × 30 cm to a depth of 15 cm, and sorted the soil volume by hand for a time not more than 1 person h, collecting all invertebrates ~5 mm in length or larger. We recorded abundance data for all invertebrate taxa collected, and we calculated community indices including diversity, evenness, rank abundance and percent similarity in order to identify patterns of community assemblage within each land-use type. Results suggest that soils in hardwood stands support the most taxonomically diverse macroinvertebrate communities followed by pine stands, pastures, and cultivated fields in order of decreasing diversity. For earthworms, Diplocardia spp. (North American megascolecids) were most abundant in the hardwood stands, but sometimes made up a substantial fraction of the community in other land-uses; whereas lumbricid earthworms (primarily introduced Apporectodea spp.) were most abundant in the cultivated and pasture soils, or showed no consistent habitat preference (native Bimastos spp.). Scarab beetles (larvae and adults) were common in all four systems, but reached the highest densities in cultivated and grass sites. Carabid beetle larvae were collected most often from cultivated soils. Several taxa were collected either exclusively or predominantly from forested sites, including diplopods, chilopods, gastropods, and several taxa of Diptera. These results indicate that long-term soil disturbance and the attendant differences in vegetation structure have profoundly influenced the community composition of invertebrates in Southern Piedmont soils, and that more intense disturbance results in a less diverse invertebrate community composed of a few, frequently non-native, disturbance-tolerant taxa.
Introducing GIS for Business in Higher Education

Schools of business can benefit from adoption of geographic information systems (GIS). A brief overview of GIS technology is presented along with an example showcasing how it can be presented in a business school. GIS benefits for business schools, their students, and faculty are discussed. A comprehensive approach for promoting such spatial thinking is presented. The goal is to empower faculty to adopt GIS for their research and teaching, producing a large number of business school graduates that can promote spatial thinking in their organizations.
On the Stability of a Class of Isothermal, Magnetostatic Atmospheres

The stability of a class of isothermal magnetostatic atmospheres with one ignorable coordinate corresponding to a uniform gravitational field in a plane geometry is explored. Special attention is given to the stability of nonpotential equilibria that have the same magnetic field geometry as the potential equilibrium of the solution family. It is found that equilibria in which the source currents for the potential field are buried at large distances below the photospheric base are stable. Also considered is the stability of configurations in which the source currents for the potential field are located at a finite depth below the base.
Implementation of a phase-only spatial-light modulator for an atmospheric turbulence simulator at the short wavelength infrared regime

Modeling and simulating the atmosphere in a controlled environment has been a study of interest to scientists for decades. The development of new technologies allows scientists to perform this task in a more realistic and controlled environment and provides a powerful tool for the study and better understanding of the propagation of light through the atmosphere. Technologies like Free-space laser communications (FSLC) and/or studies on light propagation through the atmosphere are areas which constantly benefit from breakthroughs in the development of atmospheric turbulence simulators. In this paper we present the results of the implementation of a phase only spatial light modulator (SLM) as an atmospheric turbulence simulator at the Short-Wave Infra-Red (SWIR) regime and its use with a FSLC system.
Pollination Dynamics and Gene Flow in Cucumis melo (Cucurbitaceae)

through a 0.23 pim filter, the concentration of primary amines in the filtrate did not decline appreciably, suggesting that the primary amines we have measured are dissolved in water, and are not within bacterial cells. Third was the crabs. The potential exists for leakage of amino acids across the arthrodial membranes. This possibility seemed particularly attractive since the intracellular concentration of amino acids in cells bordering the arthrodial membranes (as in most cells of marine crustaceans) is very high-on the order of 0.5 M. We tested the possibility that such leakage could occur across the arthrodial membrane by excising the membranes and recording fluxes of amino acids across them in a miniature two-celled Ussing chamber. These experiments showed that the membranes show surprisingly high permeability to low molecular weight amino acids, so high, in fact, that we strongly suspect that this leakage constitutes the primary nutritional source for the juvenile worms.
The role of factors from the head in the regulation of egg development in the mosquito Aedes aegypti

The relationships between the release of factors from the head after blood-feeding, subsequent levels of ecdysteroids and vitellin, and the ultimate maturation of eggs in Aedes aegypti were investigated. Females were decapitated at various times after a blood meal, at 20 or 48 h after feeding the animals were dissected and divided into two groups, those with arrested oocytes (yolk length 100 μm). These yolk lengths correspond with the levels of oocyte growth believed to accompany the proposed initiation and promotion phases of egg development. Animals dissected at 20 h were assayed for ecdysteroid by radioimmunoassay; those dissected at 48 h were assayed for vitellin by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Non-blood-fed unoperated females contained 8% as much ecdysteroid as blood-fed controls and no measurable vitellin. Females with arrested oocytes (< 100 μm) were obtained only if decapitations were performed before 8 h; these females had about 20% of the ecdysteroids and 8% of the vitellogenin normally found in blood-fed animals. Females decapitated between 2 and 8 h with maturing oocytes contained 50–60% as much ecdysteroid and vitellin as blood-fed unoperated controls. Normal ecdysteroid and vitellin levels were reached only when decapitations were delayed for 12 and 24 h, respectively. The number of developing oocytes was also decreased by early decapitation and was closely correlated with vitellin levels. We conclude that the egg development neurosecretory hormone is released twice, once before 8 h and once after 8 h, to control ecdysteroid levels. We also suggest the presence of other factors from the head that control vitellin levels, the number of developing oocytes, and the early growth of the oocyte (initiation).
Effect of Contact Ratio on Spur Gear Dynamic Load With No Tooth Profile Modifications

This paper presents a computer simulation showing how the gear contact ratio affects the dynamic load on a spur gear transmission. The contact ratio can be affected by the tooth addendum, the pressure angle, the tooth size (diametral pitch), and the center distance. The analysis presented in this paper was performed by using the NASA gear dynamics code DANST. In the analysis, the contact ratio was varied over the range 1.20 to 2.40 by changing the length of the tooth addendum. In order to simplify the analysis, other parameters related to contact ratio were held constant. The contact ratio was found to have a significant influence on gear dynamics. Over a wide range of operating speeds, a contact ratio close to 2.0 minimized dynamic load. For low-contact-ratio gears (contact ratio less than two), increasing the contact ratio reduced gear dynamic load. For high-contact-ratio gears (contact ratio equal to or greater than 2.0), the selection of contact ratio should take into consideration the intended operating speeds. In general, high-contact-ratio gears minimized dynamic load better than low-contact-ratio gears.
Comparative Criminal Justice in the Era of Modernity: A Template for Inquiry and the Ottoman Empire as Case Study

AbstractThis article lays out the broad transformations within the Ottoman criminal justice system over the course of the nineteenth century in order to demonstrate how the empire transformed its long-standing methods and approaches to criminal justice by adapting “modern” concepts and practices. In the end, it created an integrated system of justice that included new penal codes, police, courts, and corrections, thus demonstrating both its unique characteristics and its comparability with contemporary states. This article first discusses the problematic, but indispensable concept of modernity and how it has hindered comparative empire studies for the long nineteenth century. It then argues for an eclectic approach to comparative empire that adopts the concept of “improvisational blending” to understanding modernity and utilizes intermediate units of analysis in promoting the study of comparative empires. Finally, this article takes the transformation of the Ottoman criminal justice system during the late...
Evaluating Special Education Programs: Shifting the Professional Mandate from Process to Outcome

A number of program evaluation approaches have traditionally been employed by administrators to obtain information regarding program functioning for decision-making purposes. The most widely cited evaluation concepts and approaches are reviewed within this article. Frequently, the application of these models has centered on monitoring program compliance with regulatory expectations. Unique aspects of special education programs which challenge the adequacy of these models are described, and an example of a conceptual map specifically designed to organize longitudinal, systematic evaluation of special education programs is presented. In addition to addressing compliance concerns, this model emphasizes the evaluation of program effectiveness via examination of program coordination and outcome measures.
Hybrid Green's function for SH motion in a low velocity layer

Abstract Wave motion in an elastic layer has been analyzed conventionally either in terms of normal (discrete and continuous) mode spectra or in terms of ordinary or generalized ray fields. Either of these representations is inconvenient for describing the motion over the entire range of observations from early to late arrivals. A recently developed hybrid formulation, wherein modal fields, ray fields and a remainder are combined according to specified criteria within a single rigorous framework, overcomes these difficulties, Combinations may be chosen that ensure smooth passage from the ray phase at early times to the modal phase at later times. The method is illustrated here on the two-dimensional time-dependent SH Green's function for a homogeneous sediment layer above a higher velocity homogeneous semi-infinite bedrock, with the source located in the sediment. The hybrid fields may include various combinations of trapped modes, leaky modes, trapped rays, leaky rays, and lateral rays (head waves). This study complements an earlier investigation wherein the source was located in the bedrock.