cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The changing ecology of temperate coastal waters during a warming trend

In the temperate North Atlantic Ocean the ecological changes in coastal waters associated with a warming period in the 1930s were compared with the past couple of decades when the North Atlantic Oscillation was also positive. Long-term monitoring data sets from Rhode Island and nearby coastal waters were used to identify trends in the recent warming period. During both events winter water temperatures warmed above a mean value of 2.9°C from 1°C to 3°C. There was no apparent trend in the annual salinity cycle correlated with the increased temperature. During both periods boreal species declined, southern species increased, and widespread declines in eelgrass occurred. Estuaries on the western Atlantic Ocean during the recent warming period had phytoplankton biomass during the winter-spring bloom decrease, zooplankton number increase, and nutrients remain elevated due to enhanced zooplankton grazing. Zooplankton numbers decreased in summer due to enhanced ctenophore predation. In these waters the loss of boreal demersal fish has been compensated by an increase in demersal decapods. The very large ecological changes caused by small increases in seasonal temperature provide an insight to the large alterations that may be associated with global warming.
Membrane flow in plants: preparation and kinetics of labelling of plasma membranes from growing pollen tubes of tobacco

Growing pollen tubes of tobacco germinated in suspension culture, were labelled with [3H]leucine and after varying times of chase with unlabelled leucine at 23, 16, or 4°C, were separated into plasma membrane-enriched and plasma membrane-depleted fractions by aqueous two-phase partition. At 23°C, the specific radioactivity of the plasma membrane increased with time to a maximum at 60 min. At 16°C and 4°C, labelling of the plasma membrane was respectively 40% and 10% that at 23°C. However, if labelling was at 23°C and subsequent transfer was at 4°C, plasma membrane labelling was much less affected and labelling of the plasma membrane was 60% that at 23°C. Additionally, quantitation of various morphological parameters revealed no accumulations of 50–70 nm transition vesicles in the space between endoplasmic reticulum and cis Golgi apparatus that might suggest formation of a low temperature compartment similar to those described for mammalian cells and tissues. Similarly, growth of pollen tubes was reduced but not blocked even at temperatures of 12°C. The results suggest that tube elongation is accompanied by a steady state flow of membranes to the cell surface that is relatively insensitive to interruption by low temperatures. Whereas leucine incorporation is reduced by low temperature even at 16°C, the flow pathway to the cell surface, including the endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus transfer step, as well as elongation growth does not exhibit a pronounced low temperature block in this tip growing system.
Fructose-induced breath hydrogen in patients with fruit intolerance.

GoalsTo measure bloating score, flatus passage, and hydrogen production after oral fructose in patients with history of fruit intolerance and compare these parameters with those in normal controls.BackgroundSome patients complain of abdominal distention and excessive flatus after ingesting certain f
The quest for upper-quartile performance at Banner Health

In 2001, executives at Banner Health (a large hospital system with corporate offices based in Phoenix, AZ) proactively responded to external forces, emphasizing improvement in the quality and safety of patient care in hospitals. Organized under the umbrella of care management, 11 functional teams, ranging from process improvement and patient safety to clinical innovation and population health management, were created to achieve this goal. Initially focused on improvement with core measure metrics, these teams and their related work groups (focused on more task-specific work) initiated their plan in 20 facilities in seven states and supported local implementation of recommended changes that were grounded in evidence-based medicine. With 2 years of experience with this process, Banner Health began a 3-year journey from 2004 to 2006 to reach upper-quartile performance in select clinical quality metrics. A retrospective account of the experience follows.
The role of capsular antigens in Staphylococcus aureus immunity

Most clinical blood isolates of Staphylococcus aureus have been shown to be encapsulated. Techniques are now available for the preparation of type-specific capsular antisera and to provide reliable serologic methods for the identification of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Epidemiologic studies in the U.S.A. and Europe indicated the prevalence of capsular types 5 and 8 among clinical isolates from human, bovine, and poultry. Encapsulated types 5 and 8 resisted in vitro phagocytosis and specific anti-capsular serum facilitated type-specific opsonization of S. aureus by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). The structure of the prevalent types 5 and 8 capsular polysaccharides (CP) have been elucidated. Vaccines of CP conjugated to exotoxin A of Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been prepared and have been injected into animals and human volunteers. Antibodies elicated by these conjugates facilitated opsonization of specific S. aureus types by human PMN.
Decreased amygdala–insula resting state connectivity in behaviorally and emotionally dysregulated youth

The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) adopts a dimensional approach for examining pathophysiological processes underlying categorically defined psychiatric diagnoses. We used this framework to examine relationships among symptom dimensions, diagnostic categories, and resting state connectivity in behaviorally and emotionally dysregulated youth selected from the Longitudinal Assessment of Manic Symptoms study (n=42) and healthy control youth (n=18). Region of interest analyses examined relationships among resting state connectivity, symptom dimensions (behavioral and emotional dysregulation measured with the Parent General Behavior Inventory-10 Item Mania Scale [PGBI-10M]; dimensional severity measures of mania, depression, anxiety), and diagnostic categories (Bipolar Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, and Disruptive Behavior Disorders). After adjusting for demographic variables, two dimensional measures showed significant inverse relationships with resting state connectivity, regardless of diagnosis: 1) PGBI-10M with amygdala-left posterior insula/bilateral putamen; and 2) depressive symptoms with amygdala-right posterior insula connectivity. Diagnostic categories showed no significant relationships with resting state connectivity. Resting state connectivity between amygdala and posterior insula decreased with increasing severity of behavioral and emotional dysregulation and depression; this suggests an intrinsic functional uncoupling of key neural regions supporting emotion processing and regulation. These findings support the RDoC dimensional approach for characterizing pathophysiologic processes that cut across different psychiatric disorders.
Cross-cultural communities of practice for college readiness

College readiness is a social construct requiring both student and adult preparedness. This paper used a case study methodology to explore how teaching in an early college program might promote adult college readiness in the instructors. A community of practice, enhanced by a co-teaching model, in two separate high school settings under one early college program, was the unit of analysis. The communities of practice provided a safe place for risk-taking, experimentation and innovation. Semi-structured interviews revealed growth in cross-cultural understanding, content knowledge and contextual skills and knowledge as well as general teaching skills, all of which would contribute to student success in the secondary/postsecondary transition. Self-discovery and self-expression flourished, but concrete changes in identity were minimal and institutional learning was marginal.
Power supplies for electrostatic precipitation

Industry has found a multitude of diverse applications for electrostatic precipitation. This article describes the functions of the various types of electrostatic precipitators in use today and points out their common characteristics, and in particular the similarities of their electric power requirements.
Radioimmunoassay for nanogram quantities of DNA.

Abstract A direct competitive binding radioimmunoassay for DNA has been developed, using 125I-iododeoxyuridine-labelled DNA as the antigen and the serum from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. The assay is sensitive in the range of 25 to 1000 ng/ml of DNA. The sensitivity is determined by the affinity of the antibody: this SLE serum contains a component with an association constant of 9.6 × 10−5 l/mol active at high dilution (1/10,000). Any biological material, such as serum, synovial fluid or tissue extracts can be tested directly. No interference has been found by DNAse in normal serum, or inhibition by mononucleotides or RNA. Native or denatured DNA from different sources (Escherichia coli, salmon sperm, calf thymus and human placenta) either purified or not, competes equally well for the antibody in this system.
Keystroke Biometric Studies on Password and Numeric Keypad Input

The keystroke biometric classification system described in this study was evaluated on two types of short input - passwords and numeric keypad input. On the password input, the system outperforms 14 other systems evaluated in a previous study using the same raw input data. The three top performing systems in that study had equal error rates between 9.6% and 10.2%. With the classification system developed in this study, equal error rates of 8.7% were achieved on both the features from the previous study and on a new set of features. On the numeric keypad input, the system achieved an equal error rate of 10.5% on the features from the previous study and 6.1% on a new set of features.
A Combined ab Initio MO−MM Study on Isotacticity Control in Propylene Polymerization with Silylene-Bridged Group 4 Metallocenes. C2 Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Catalysts

The isotactic control capabilities in propylene polymerization of various substituted ansa-metallocenes are evaluated with a combined ab initio MO−MM method. Steric energy controlling the isotactic...
Measurements in the Wake of a Ventilated Hydrofoil

The purpose of this study is to develop the necessary algorithms to determine the bubble size distribution and velocity in the wake of a ventilated or cavitating hydrofoil utilizing background illumination. A simplified experiment was carried out to validate the automatic bubble detection algorithm at Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) of the University of Minnesota. The experiment was conducted in the high-speed water tunnel. First, particle shadow velocimetry (PSV) images of a bubbly flow were collected. All parts of the image that are above the global threshold are segmented by an edge detection method based on the Canny algorithm. The utilized algorithm was made to detect partly overlapping bubbles and reconstruct missing parts. After all images have been analyzed, the bubble velocity can be determined by applying a tracking algorithm. This study has shown that the algorithm enables reliable analysis of irregularly shaped bubbles even when bubbles are highly overlapped in the wake of the ventilated hydrofoil. It is expected that this technique can be used to determine the bubble velocity field as well as the bubble size distributions.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Some physical and crystallographic properties of the ouabain hydrates

Different hydrates of ouabain have been isolated. The physical and crystallographic properties of the hydrates as well as the X-ray powder diagrams are reported and discussed. The solubility of ouabain is reported for two different water-alkanol systems.
Serial passage of Heliothis zea singly embedded nuclear polyhedrosis virus in a homologous cell line

Abstract This paper describes the replication and serial passage of Heliothis zea nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) in a H. zea cell line. It was demonstrated that long-term serial passages of the H. zea NPV in homologous host cell culture decreased both the total number of polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIBs) produced and the infectivity of the supernatant as measured by TCID 50 . The growth curve indicated that infectious material was released from cells 24 hr postinfection (p.i.) and approached a maximal titer 3 days p.i. The kinetics of H. zea NPV decay at 4°, 27°, and 37°C were determined. Infectivity was not detected after 3 weeks at 37°C, but approximately 10 3.5 TCID 50 /ml activity was still present after 3 and 8 weeks storage at 27° and 4°C, respectively. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of single embedded virions in the inoculated cells.
Experiments with hydrodynamic journal bearings of various materials and designs in sodium at temperatures to 800 deg F

Hydrodynamic journal bearings in liquid sodium, discussing stability characteristics of different geometries and wear at high temperatures
Phosphofructokinase isozymes of Morris hepatomas

Abstract In this paper we demonstrate by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, agarose gel electrophoresis, and immunological techniques that at least three phosphofructokinase (PFK) isozymes exist in Morris hepatomas regardless of their state of differentiation. The major PFK isozyme in Morris hepatomas was found to be the major liver PFK isozyme (PFK-L 2 ) which varied from approximately 4.7 units/g in poorly differentiated hepatomas to approximately 2.5 units/g in liver, as well as highly and well-differentiated hepatomas. One of the minor isozymes, the hepatoma type PFK (PFK-H), was not present in liver and was found by resolution of DEAE-cellulose chromatography and immunological studies to be greater in the poorly differentiated hepatomas (approximately 30%) compared to the well and highly differentiated hepatomas (5–10%). Further, immunological studies indicated that in the poorly differentiated hepatomas 25–30% of the total PFK activity could be precipitated by both PFK-L 2 and muscle type PFK (PFK-M) antisera. In order to examine this observation more closely, supernates from the poorly differentiated hepatoma 3924A were incubated with each type of antiserum. As shown by agarose gel electrophoresis, incubation with PFK-L 2 antiserum resulted in the loss of PFK-L 2 and PFK-H isozymes, whereas incubation with PFK-M antiserum resulted in the loss of PFK-H, and the other minor hepatoma PFK isozyme. These data indicate that PFK-M is one of the minor hepatoma isozymes and that the other, PFK-H, has common antigenic determinants with PFK-M and PFK-L 2 .
COLLAGEN INJECTION THERAPY FOR POST-PROSTATECTOMY INCONTINENCE

Purpose: Post-prostatectomy incontinence has an incidence of 5 to 12% and greatly affects quality of life. Since the approval of glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen there is a renewed interest in injectable urethral bulking agents. We investigated the long-term efficacy and prognostic criteria for transurethral collagen injection therapy for men with post-prostatectomy incontinence. Materials and Methods: From November 1993 to May 1995, 62 men with post-prostatectomy incontinence (54 after radical prostatectomy and 8 after transurethral resection of the prostate) were treated with collagen via a transurethral approach. Median followup was 29.0 months from the date of the last injection procedure. Results: Social continence was defined as dry or minimal leakage requiring at most 1 pad daily with activity. Of 62 patients 38.7% achieved social continence and 8.1% became totally dry. The success rate was 35.2 for radical prostatectomy versus 62.5% for transurethral prostatic resection patients. Of the patients who achieved social continence with at least 1-year followup 23 (60.9%) remained so with no further treatment. At 2-year followup 21 patients (42.8%) maintained social continence. The success rate was 27.3% for those who wore a penile clamp or condom catheter before treatment (3 of 11 patients), and only 21.4% for those who underwent transurethral incision of a bladder neck contracture (3 of 14). A median of 4 injection procedures and 20.0 ml. collagen were required to achieve social continence. Conclusions: Transurethral collagen injection therapy is a reasonable treatment option for post-prostatectomy incontinence in select patients in whom more conservative therapy has failed. However, patients who have required a penile clamp, experienced continuous leakage or undergone transurethral incision of a bladder neck contracture are unlikely to respond well to this treatment.
Measuring and modeling the frequency response of infrared detectors

It is shown that a light-emitting diode is a simple way of characterizing the frequency response of an infrared detector over several decades of frequency, since the diode has a linear relationship between input current and output radiant power. By normalizing a detector's output voltage to the diode input current, the detector frequency response can be measured as simply as one measures the transfer function of an electrical filter. This is advantageous in studying higher-order effects in a thermal-type detector response, where the detector deviates from the Lorentzian behavior predicted by a simple model of a lumped heat capacity connected to a thermal bath by a lumped thermal conductance path. An example is given of a thermoelectric detector with marked non-Lorentzian behavior.
Where There's Life, There's Hope, And Where There Is Hope, There Is

Using the Hearth Hope Index, we describe the level of hopefulness among hospital patients and compare it to that reported by community persons and family members in a surgical waiting room. We also correlate these results with depression and self-esteem scores. As measured by these selected instruments, the results suggest that the level of hopefulness is not significantly different among the three samples, that it is positively correlated with self-esteem and negatively associated with depression, and that, among the demographic variables, only the respondent's age and frequency of attendance at worship significantly influence hope scores. The results suggest that pastoral caregivers can encourage hopefulness among those under their care by bolstering self-esteem and giving attention to depressive symptoms. They also suggest that those who need the most pastoral support are younger adults with limited education. Pastoral caregivers can use these results, we think, to inform their work in giving pastoral care.
Effects of Metalloproteinase Inhibition in a Murine Model of Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a leading cause of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and delayed graft function in transplanted organs. Up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) propagates the microinflammatory response that drives IRI. This study sought to determine the specific effects of Marimastat (Vernalis, BB-2516), a broad spectrum MMP and TNF-α-converting enzyme inhibitor, on IRI-induced ATN. Mice were pretreated with Marimastat or methylcellulose vehicle for 4 d before surgery. Renal pedicles were bilaterally occluded for 30 min and allowed to reperfuse for 24 h. Baseline creatinine levels were consistent between experimental groups; however, post-IRI creatinine levels were 4-fold higher in control mice (p < 0.0001). The mean difference between the post-IRI histology grades of Marimastat-treated and control kidneys was 1.57 (p = 0.003), demonstrating more severe damage to control kidneys. Post-IRI mean (±SEM) MMP-2 activity rose from baseline levels in control mice (3.62 ± 0.99); however, pretreated mice presented only a slight increase in mean MMP-2 activity (1.57 ± 0.72) (p < 0.001). In conclusion, these data demonstrate that MMP inhibition is associated with a reduction of IRI in a murine model.
Quark model for Baryons based on quantum chromodynamics

SU(3) flux-tube dynamics and asymptotic freedom are incorporated into a semirelativistic quark model of baryons and mesons. Good agreement with the energy levels of spin-averaged multiplets of mesons and baryons is obtained using conventional values for the strong-interaction coupling constant ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$, the string tension $\sqrt{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$, and the constituent quark mass $m$. We calculate meson energy levels with angular momentum $L=0, 1, 2, 3, \mathrm{and} 4$ and baryon levels with $L=0, 1, \mathrm{and} 2$ to within 3% of their experimental values. Baryon radial excitations are also considered and the Roper resonance is calculated with \ensuremath{\sim}5% error. The three-body wave equation for the baryons is solved approximately using variational Monte Carlo methods which have been developed previously for nuclear-physics problems.
On an excluded-minor class of matroids

Abstract A result of Walton and the author establishes that every 3-connected matroid of rank and corank at least three has one of five 6-element rank-3 self-dual matroids as a minor. One of these matroids is the rank-3 whirl W 3 . Another is the rank-3 matroid P 6 that consists of a single 3-point line together with three points off the line. This paper determines the structure of the class of matroids that is obtained by excluding as minors both W 3 and P 6 . As a consequence of this result, we deduce a characterization of the class of GF(4)-representable matroids with no W 3 -minor.
Spatial Models of Salmonine Growth Rates in Lake Ontario

Abstract Salmonine growth rate potential, a bioenergetic measure of environmental quality, was modeled for chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in Lake Ontario. Spatial distributions of predator and prey were measured along a cross-lake transect during spring, summer, and fall with a 120-kHz, dual-beam acoustic system. A geographic information system provided the platform to create high-resolution maps of observed acoustic (prey and predator biomass densities), biological (energetic parameters), and physical (temperature) variables, and to model salmonine growth rate potential in a spatially explicit context. Predators and prey occupied only a small percentage of the available habitat: 0.3–14.7% and 8.7–25.9%, respectively. A range of 3% to 27% of the habitat sampled, depending on the species and season, was able to support positive salmonine growth. Predator distributional overlap with regions of positive growth potential was nearly 50% in summer, 72% in fall, and 7...
Reviewing Faculty Competency and Educational Outcomes: The Case of Doctor of Ministry Education

. This research report interprets data from a 1902 survey of directors of Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) programs regarding the competency of faculty members viewed through the interpretive lens of peer review. According to directors, faculty members are more competent in teaching theological reflection than in teaching social science methods, despite the expectation that such methods are part of D.Min. education. The article discusses implications of the data for improving faculty performance, and suggests how the concept of critical friendship might assist those who teach in religious studies to give and receive criticism from peers. The article concludes with suggestions for further research in D.Min. education.
Brugia pahangi: infections and their effect on the lymphatic system of Mongolian jirds (Meriones unguiculatus).

Abstract Brugia pahangi has been found to be primarily a lymphatic-dwelling parasite in jirds when infections are induced by the subcutaneous injection of infective larvae or by allowing infected Aedes aegypti to feed. Migration to the regional lymphatics occurred as early as 1–4 days. Although some injected larvae remained in the skin for as long as 30 days and some became localized in the heart, lungs, pleural cavity, or peritoneal cavity, about three-fourths of the recovered filariae were found in the regional lymphatics. In contrast, when larvae were injected peritoneally they remained largely in the peritoneal cavity for at least 30 days. The relevant lymphatics and their drainage patterns in jirds have been described. The major pathological changes noted in jirds involved the regional lymphatic vessels and nodes, which were severely affected when they contained dead worms. Pulmonary granulomas due to dead microfilariae and occasionally to dead larvae or adult worms were noted. Observations are included on the susceptibility and course of B. pahangi infections in jirds.
NMR solution structure of the lead-dependent ribozyme: evidence for dynamics in RNA catalysis

The NMR solution structure of a lead-dependent ribozyme, known as the leadzyme, is presented. This ribozyme is among the smallest of the known catalytic RNAs, with an active site consisting of a six-nucleotide asymmetric internal loop. This loop has a roughly double-helical structure, including a protonated adenine-cytosine wobble base-pair, that positions the cytosine base 5' to the cleavage site in a double-helical conformation. The deviations from helical structure consist of two bulged guanosine residues, G7 and G9, where G7 is the residue 3' to the cleavage site. The scissile phosphate group of the leadzyme is not positioned for in-line nucleophilic attack. Therefore, a conformational rearrangement in the active site is required to reach the proposed transition state for this ribozyme. This is similar to previous observations in X-ray studies of the hammerhead ribozyme, and emphasizes the necessity for dynamic structural fluctuations in the catalytic mechanism of small ribozymes. A model for metal-binding in the leadzyme is proposed in which a lead ion binds to a bulged guanine base that is critical for leadzyme function.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of the Metabolites of the Potato Glycoalkaloids, α-Chaconine and α-Solanine, in Potato Tubers and Potato Products

Abstract A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed to separate and quantify the metabolites, γ-chaconine, β1-and β2-chaconine, γ-solanine and β2-solanine, of the potato gly-coalkaloids α-chaconine and α-solanine in potatoes and potato products. A carbohydrate analysis column and a solvent system of tetrahydrofuran-water-acetonitrile (55:8:37) were employed for the separation. Flow rate was 1.1 ml/min and the compounds were monitored at 215 nm. β2-chaconine (0.63 mg to 29.75 mg/100 g dried weight) was present in all samples whereas the other glycosides of α-chaconine were only detectable in the animal feed products. It appears that some of the animal feeds may contain trace amounts of γ-solanine and an unknown which maybe β1-solanine. Limit of detection for all glycosides was 0.05 μg/μl. Elution time for all the lower glycosides of α-chaconine was 8 min versus 16 min for the α-solanine group. These metabolic compounds were confirmed using thin-layer chromatography.
Siderophore-promoted dissolution of chromium from hydroxide minerals

Biomolecules have significant impacts on the fate and transport of contaminant metals in soils and natural waters. Siderophores, Fe(III)-binding agents that are exuded by microbes and plants, may form strong complexes with and promote the dissolution of contaminant metal ions, such as Co(III), U(IV), or Pu(IV). Although aqueous Cr(III)-siderophore complexes have been recognized in the laboratory setting for almost 40 years, few studies have explored interactions of siderophores with Cr-bearing minerals or considered their impacts on environmental chemistry. To better understand the possible effects of siderophores on chromium mobility, we conducted a series of dissolution experiments to quantify the dissolution rates of Cr(III)(OH)3 in the presence of hydroxamate, catecholate, and α-hydroxycarboxylate siderophores over a range of environmentally relevant pH values. At pH = 5, dissolution rates in the presence of siderophores are similar to control experiments, suggesting a predominantly proton-promoted dissolution mechanism. At pH = 8, the sorption of the siderophores desferrioxamine B and rhizoferrin can be modeled by using Langmuir isotherms. The dissolution rates for these siderophores are proportional to the surface concentrations of sorbed siderophore, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra of dissolution products indicates the formation of Cr(III)HDFOB+ and Cr(III)rhizoferrin3− complexes, suggesting a ligand-promoted dissolution mechanism at alkaline pH. Because siderophores promote Cr(III)(OH)3 dissolution at rates similar in magnitude to those of iron hydroxides and the resulting Cr(III)-siderophore complexes may be persistent in solution, siderophores could potentially contribute to the mobilization of Cr in soils and sediments where it is abundant due to geological or anthropogenic sources.
Recurrent Wound Botulism Among Injection Drug Users in California

Background. Botulism is an acute neurologic illness characterized by cranial nerve palsies and descending flaccid paralysis. Botulism is a rare disease and recurrent botulism even more rare. We review cases of recurrent wound botulism (WB) among injection drug users (IDUs) in California from 1993 through 2006 and describe 2 case patients. Methods. From botulism surveillance data for 1993‐2006, we identified patients with .1 episode of clinical WB, defined as acute descending paralysis with a visible wound or recent history of injection drug use. For each patient, >1 of their WB episodes was laboratory confirmed. We extracted demographic, clinical, and laboratory information from case and laboratory reports and compared clinical characteristic frequency of initial and second WB episodes. Results. During 1993‐2006, 17 IDUs had recurrent WB, 14 with 1 recurrence and 3 with 2 recurrences. Of 25 laboratory-confirmed episodes, 22 were confirmed through serum testing and 3 through wound testing. Patients were 32‐61 years old, and 94% were male. All patients reported heroin injections; 88% specified black tar heroin use and 76% reported subcutaneous injection. The most common presentations were having a visible wound, speech difficulty, double vision, respiratory difficulty, and trouble swallowing. There were no significant differences in clinical presentation between initial and second episodes. Conclusions. As the California epidemic of WB among IDUs continues, WB episodes are recurring. Both clinicians and IDUs should be aware of the potential for WB to recur among IDUs to enable timely diagnosis and early botulinum antitoxin administration and supportive care.
Dissociable brain signatures of choice conflict and immediate reward preferences in alcohol use disorders.

Impulsive delayed reward discounting (DRD) is an important behavioral process in alcohol use disorders (AUDs), reflecting incapacity to delay gratification. Recent work in neuroeconomics has begun to unravel the neural mechanisms supporting DRD, but applications of neuroeconomics in relation to AUDs have been limited. This study examined the neural mechanisms of DRD preferences in AUDs, with emphasis on dissociating activation patterns based on DRD choice type and level of cognitive conflict. Heavy drinking adult men with (n = 13) and without (n = 12) a diagnosis of an AUD completed a monetary DRD task during a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Participant responses were coded based on choice type (impulsive versus restrained) and level of cognitive conflict (easy versus hard). AUD+ participants exhibited significantly more impulsive DRD decision-making. Significant activation during DRD was found in several decision-making regions, including dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), insula, posterior parietal cortex (PPC), and posterior cingulate. An axis of cognitive conflict was also observed, with hard choices associated with anterior cingulate cortex and easy choices associated with activation in supplementary motor area. AUD+ individuals exhibited significant hyperactivity in regions associated with cognitive control (DLPFC) and prospective thought (PPC) and exhibited less task-related deactivation of areas associated with the brain's default network during DRD decisions. This study provides further clarification of the brain systems supporting DRD in general and in relation to AUDs.
We Who Are Sexy: Christine Jorgensen's transsexual whiteness in the postcolonial Philippines

This article offers a close reading of the little-known 1962 Filipino feature film Kaming Mga Talyada (aka. We Who Are Sexy), an ostensibly comic popular entertainment that revolves around the appearance of transsexual celebrity Christine Jorgensen at a Manila nightclub. The film stages substantive questions about the effects of the Eurocentric medico-juridical discourse of transsexuality on the densely layered colonial histories of local Filipino constructions of sex/gender/sexuality – particularly the intertwined categories of talyada and bakla. Transsexual embodiment and gender identity are interpreted as anatamo-political somatechnologies that enmesh individual bodies with the biopolitical project of the state-based sovereignty; thus, the micro-political agonistics of transsexual/talyada interactions within the film enact a complementary narrative, played out on the macro-political scale, about the construction of the heteronormative Christian nationalist genders that sustain and reproduce Filipino so...
Race and Career Opportunities in Major League Baseball: 1960-1980

The issue of racial discrimination in sport has generated a solid body of literature. In the professional baseball industry two forms of discrimination have been apparent: "marginality" - the tendency to exclude blacks of marginal ability in favor of whites, and "centrality"-the tendency to exclude qualified black players from positions which involve interaction with and control of the action of teammates. Data from 1960 to 1980 reveal a diminution of marginality, but an increase in centrality.That is, centralityas aform of racial discrimination has increased during the past twenty years. A methodological improvement over prior studies-the use of slugging percentage to measure offensive productivity-is also discussed.
The Gravitational Perturbations of the Kerr Black Hole. III. Further Amplifications

The present paper is devoted to an amplification of the solution of the Newman-Penrose equations considered in the two earlier papers of this series. The principal amplification consists in showing that the function $\Psi $, in terms of which the metric perturbations are most simply expressed (and which was thought to require quadratures), besides being separable in its variables, is expressible directly in terms of the Teukolsky functions (and eliminates the need for quadratures). It is further shown that the completion of the solution for the metric perturbations requires the consideration of four additional equations which follow from four Ricci identities (not hitherto considered); and the solution of these equations is found. It is also pointed out that while the perturbation in the Weyl scalar, $\Psi _{2}$, can be set equal to zero, it cannot be deduced to be zero. (The contrary statement in the earlier paper arose from an error of a factor 2 in one of the equations.) Numerical verification of some of the principal equations and identities of the theory is provided. An important aspect of the analysis contained in this paper is the emergence of several crucial identities among the Teukolsky functions which one might despair of verifying directly.
An Approach for Real-Time Database Modeling and Performance Management

It is challenging to manage the performance of real-time databases (RTDBs) that are often used in data-intensive real-time applications such as agile manufacturing and target tracking. Feedback control has recently been considered a promising approach to enabling reliable real-time data service. However, most existing work on feedback control of RTDB performance is not based on a RTDB-specific control model, which is critical for closed-loop system design. To address this problem, we design a novel RTDB model that can capture RTDB dynamics by modeling the relation between the total arrival rate (sum of the transaction arrival rate and restart rate) and utilization via a difference equation. Based on the model, we design and tune a utilization controller to compute the total arrival rate adjustment needed to support the desired average/transient utilization. We also design a QoS management scheme and admission control technique that can judiciously adapt the transaction QoS and arrival rate in a RTDB, if necessary, to support the desired utilization, while enhancing the success ratio. In a simulation study, we show that our approach can support the desired average/transient utilization for a range of transaction arrival rates under severe data contention, while considerably improving the success ratio compared to the tested baselines
Multiplication free vector quantization using L/sub 1/ distortion measure and its variants

The author considers vector quantization that uses the L/sub 1/ distortion measure for its implementation. A gradient-based approach for codebook design that does not require any multiplications or median computation is proposed. Convergence of this method is proved rigorously under very mild conditions. Simulation examples comparing the performance of this technique with the LBG algorithm show that the gradient-based method, in spite of its simplicity, produces codebooks with average distortions that are comparable to the LBG algorithm. The codebook design algorithm is then extended to a distortion measure that has piecewise-linear characteristics. Once again, by appropriate selection of the parameters of the distortion measure, the encoding as well as the codebook design can be implemented with zero multiplications. The author applies the techniques in predictive vector quantization of images and demonstrates the viability of multiplication-free predictive vector quantization of image data. >
High-K Nanocomposites with Core-Shell Structured Nanoparticles for Decoupling Applications

High-k materials with manufacturing processes capable of achieving continually high density for decoupling applications are believed to be one of the key issues to enable the extendibility of Cu/Low-k technology. Filled polymer nanocomposites are potentially one of such high-k materials because this approach can combine the low-temperature (<250degC) processibility of the organic polymer matrix with the desirable dielectric properties of the filler. In previous studies, we reported the development of a novel low-loss high-k composite by using self-passivated aluminum as the filler for polymer nanocomposites. A self-passivated aluminum particle has a core-shell structure. The core is metallic aluminum, and the shell is insulating aluminum oxide. Such core-shell structured aluminum particles give their composite a high dielectric constant but a low loss comparable with that of neat epoxy. Polymer/aluminum nanocomposites have the combined characteristics of polymer-ceramic (due to the ceramic shell) and polymer-metal (due to the metal core) systems. Because filler surface treatment is a vital factor to optimize the electrical and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites, to further enhance the dielectric properties and processibility of polymer/aluminum composites, an aluminum particle surface modification was performed with an epoxide-functionalized silane coupling agent. The nanoaluminum particle surface chemistry before/after coupling agent treatment was studied using a Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) was used to characterize the thermal degradation behavior of untreated/treated aluminum particles. From FTIR and TGA studies, it was found that the silane coupling agent was successfully grafted on the aluminum particle surface. Rheology properties of polymer/aluminum composites were studied with a stress rheometer. It was found that the coupling agent treatment could significantly reduce the viscosity of the aluminum composites, which indicates coupling agent treatment can improve the processibility of aluminum composites at high filler loading levels. Dielectric properties of the coupling agent treated aluminum composites were studied as well. At the same filler loading level, composites with coupling agent-treated aluminum particles showed a higher dielectric constant. The frequency responses and temperature coefficient of capacitance of the aluminum composites were studied with a dielectric analyzer (DEA). The microstructures of aluminum composites were studied with a scanning electron microscope (SEM)
Roles and regulation of Wnt signaling and β-catenin in prostate cancer

The Wnt signaling pathway and its key component β-catenin play critical roles in embryonic development as well as in human diseases, including various malignancies. Accumulated evidence has demonstrated a significant role for the Wnt pathway in the development and progression of human prostate cancer. The recent discovery of an interaction between β-catenin and the androgen receptor (AR) suggests a possible mechanism of cross talk between Wnt and androgen signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize the recent progresses in this interesting and growing field. Particularly, we focus on the observation that the activation of the Wnt-mediated signal occurs in a different manner in prostate cancer than in colorectal cancer or other human malignancies. Since mutations in Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), β-catenin, and other components of the β-catenin destruction complex are rare in prostate cancer cells, other regulatory mechanisms appear to play dominant roles in the activation of β-catenin, such as loss or reduction of E-cadherin, a component of cell adhesion complex, and abnormal expression of Wnt ligands, receptors, inhibitors, and other co-regulators. Understanding the role and regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway in prostate cancer cells may help identify new targets for the prostate cancer therapy.
A 2.4-GHz monolithic fractional-N frequency synthesizer with robust phase-switching prescaler and loop capacitance multiplier

The design of a 2.4-GHz fully integrated /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ fractional-N frequency synthesizer in a 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS process is presented. The design focuses on the prescaler and the loop filter, which are often the speed and the integration bottlenecks of the phase-locked loop (PLL), respectively. A 1.5-V 3-mW inherently glitch-free phase-switching prescaler is proposed. It is based on eight lower frequency 45/spl deg/-spaced phases and a reversed phase-switching sequence. The large integrating capacitor in the loop filter was integrated on chip via a simple capacitance multiplier that saves silicon area, consumes only 0.2 mW, and introduces negligible noise. The synthesizer has a 9.4% frequency tuning range from 2.23 to 2.45 GHz. It dissipates 16 mW and takes an active area of 0.35 mm/sup 2/ excluding the 0.5-mm/sup 2/ digital /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator.
Two dimensional echocardiographic detection of intraatrial masses.

Abstract With two dimensional echocardiography, a left atrial mass was detected in 19 patients. Of these, 10 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis had a left atrial thrombus. The distinctive two dimensional echocardiographic features of left atrial thrombus included a mass of irregular nonmobile laminated echoes within an enlarged atrial cavity, usually with a broad base of attachment to the posterior left atrial wall. Seven patients had a left atrial myxoma. Usually, the myxoma appeared as a mottled ovoid, sharply demarcated mobile mass attached to the interatrial septum. One patient had a right atrial angiosarcoma that appeared as a nonmobile mass extending from the inferior vena caval-right atrial junction into the right atrial cavity. One patient had a left atrial leiomyosarcoma producing a highly mobile mass attached to the lateral wall of the left atrium. M mode echocardiography detected six of the seven myxomas, one thrombus and neither of the other tumors. Thus, two dimensional echocardiography appears to be the technique of choice in the detection, localization and differentiation of intraatrial masses.
Toward the semisynthesis of multidomain transmembrane receptors : Modification of Eph tyrosine kinases

Expressed protein ligation (EPL) is a protein engineering approach that allows the modification or assembly of a target protein from multiple recombinant and synthetic polypeptides. EPL has been previously used to modify intracellular proteins and small integral membrane proteins for structural and functional studies. Here we describe the semisynthetic site-specific modification of the complete, multidomain extracellular regions of both A and B classes of Eph receptor tyrosine kinases. We show that the ectodomains of these receptors can be ligated to different peptides under carefully established experimental conditions, while their biological activity is retained. This work extends the boundaries of the EPL technique for semisynthesis of multidomain, extracellular, disulfide-bonded, and glycosylated proteins and highlights its potential application for reconstituting entire single-pass transmembrane proteins.
RF-CMOS-MEMS based frequency-reconfigurable amplifiers

Chips from a foundry RF process are post-processed to release MEMS passive devices and enable single-chip reconfigurable circuits. A MEMS variable capacitor, capable of 7∶1 tuning ratio, reconfigures a narrow-band low-noise amplifier and a power amplifier over a 1 GHz frequency range. A suspended MEMS inductor, with ≫ 50% improvement in Q, lowers amplifier power consumption.
School-Based Mentoring: A Study of Volunteer Motivations and Benefits.

While research has been conducted concerning the effects of school-based mentoring on atrisk students, limited work has focused on the volunteer mentors. This study examined the motivations of adult volunteers and the benefits of their participation in a six-month, school-based mentoring program. A total of 31 volunteers completed adapted versions of the Volunteer Functions Inventory and a post-survey as part of a program in which they mentored at-risk elementary school students. Volunteers were more satisfied with their mentoring experience when their perceived benefits matched their initial motivations, though this did not seem to impact their intentions to mentor again in the future. Volunteers’ motivations tended toward expressing important values or gaining greater understanding, though some younger volunteers were also motivated to gain career-related experience. Implications for school-based mentoring programs are addressed.
Endoplasmic reticulum microenvironment and conserved histidines govern ELOVL4 fatty acid elongase activity

Autosomal dominant Stargardt-like macular dystrophy (STGD3) in humans results from mutations in elongation of very long chain FAs-like 4 (ELOVL4), which leads to vision loss in young adults. ELOVL4 is an integral endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein that mediates the elongation of very long chain (VLC) FAs. Mutations in ELOVL4 lead to truncation and mislocalization of the translated protein from the ER, the site of FA elongation. Little is known about the enzymatic elongation of VLC-FAs by ELOVL4. We over-expressed full-length mouse ELOVL4, an N-glycosylation-deficient mutant, an ER-retention mutant, and mutants of active site histidines to parse their individual roles in VLC-FA elongation. ELOVL4 elongated appropriate precursors to the corresponding VLC-FA species ≥28 carbons. Active site histidine mutants of ELOVL4 did not elongate appropriate precursors, establishing ELOVL4 as the elongase. Displacing ELOVL4 from the ER was sufficient to cause loss of condensation activity, while absence of N-glycosylation was irrelevant for enzyme function. This study shows that ELOVL4 enzymatic activity is governed by individual histidines in its active site and the ER microenvironment, both of which are essential for elongation of VLC-FAs.