cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of radiation quality on interactions between oxidative stress, protein and DNA damage in Deinococcus radiodurans

Ionizing radiation damages DNA and also induces oxidative stress, which can affect the function of proteins involved in DNA repair, thereby causing repair of DNA damage to become less efficient. We previously developed a mathematical model of this potentially synergistic relationship and applied it to γ-ray exposure data on the radiation-resistant prokaryote Deinococcus radiodurans. Here, we investigate the effects of radiation quality on these processes by applying the model to data on exposures of D. radiodurans to heavy ions with linear energy transfer (LET) of 18.5-11,300 keV/μm. The model adequately describes these data using three parameters combinations: radiogenic DNA damage induction, repair protein inactivation and cellular repair capacity. Although statistical uncertainties around best-fit parameter estimates are substantial, the behaviors of model parameters are consistent with current knowledge of LET effects: inactivation cross-sections for both DNA and proteins increase with increasing LET; DNA damage yield per unit of radiation dose also increases with LET; protein damage per unit dose tends to decrease with LET; DNA and especially protein damage yields are reduced when cells are irradiated in the dry state. These results suggest that synergism between oxidative stress and DNA damage may play an important role not only during γ-ray exposure, but during high-LET radiation exposure as well.
The X-ray coronae of solitary late-type stars

Recent observations of the motion of the footpoints of the bipolar magnetic fields of active X-ray regions of the Sun establish that the footpoints are intermixed on the same characteristic time and scale as the granule motions. It follows that the bipolar magnetic fields have an internally interlaced topology creating magnetic free energy. It follows from the basic theorem of magnetostatics that the topology creates internal surfaces of tangential discontinuity which effectively dissipate the magnetic free energy into heat. This process appears to be the cause of the X-ray coronae of solitary late Main-Sequence stars like the Sun.
Bio-nano complexes : DNA/surfactant/single-walled carbon nanotube interactions in electric field

Bio-nano complexes of calf-thymus DNA with a cationic surfactant (DNA/DTAB) and with surfactant wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes (DNA/SD) were prepared and investigated. The focus of this study was on the molecular interactions, dynamics and binding characteristics as evaluated by a battery of experimental techniques. The major binding sites on DNA and their binding affinities toward the surfactant (DTAB) are identified by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy. DTAB molecules display higher binding affinity toward DNA when hydrophobically attached to the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) surface. Dielectric spectroscopy of the neat DNA and the two complexes revealed the presence of a process assigned to the motions of counterions distributed along the DNA backbone. The time scale of this process is a function of the composition of the complex and is shortest at a particular DNA/DTAB or DNA/SD ratio. The effect of SWNT on the zeta potential and the hydrodynamic diameter is manifested by the speed-up of charge reversal and a large complex size at the iso-electric point (IEP). The secondary structure of DNA is altered by the presence of SWNTs; however, there is no evidence of the transition of DNA in either complex from type B to other forms.
Nuclear Imaging in the Evaluation of Clinical Restorative Cardiac Therapies

Gene- and cell-based therapeutic procedures have entered the cardiovascular field. Many of these novel interventions aim at cardiac regeneration and the initial experimental groundwork has been promising. But early clinical experience did not always confirm the experimental findings and it is felt that the full potential of cardiac gene and cell therapy has, by far, not been exploited. Conflicting clinical results emphasise the need for powerful non-invasive tools to monitor the success of therapy and identify most suitable candidates. As reviewed here, established clinical cardiac imaging tools, together with novel molecular-targeted approaches, are expected to advance the field of myocardial regeneration and to expedite progress and clinical translation.
The site of origin and route and rate of migration of neurons to the hippocampal region of the rhesus monkey

The site of origin and route and rate of migration of neurons in the developing hippocampal region of the rhesus monkey were studied with tritiated thymidine (3H-TdR) autoradiography. Analysis of specimens sacrificed approximately 1 hour after exposure to 3H-TdR shows that the neurons destined for the hippocampus and subiculum are generated exclusively in the ventricular zone lining the medial wall of the lateral cerebral ventricle. In contrast, neurons of the parahippocampal formation are generated in two proliferative zones: The majority of neurons destined for the lamina principalis interna arise from the ventricular zone, whereas most of those destined for the lamina principalis externa originate from the subventricular zone. The neurons of the dentate gyrus are also generated in two locations: in the ventricular zone (between E38 and E85) and within the prospective hilus of the dentate gyrus (from E58 up to approximately 3 months after birth). Analysis of specimens sacrificed at progressively longer intervals after exposure to 3H-TdR indicates that neurons destined for all of the subdivisions of the hippocampal region (except those cells generated in the hilus of the dentate gyrus) migrate through the intermediate zone, bypassing previously generated neurons on their way to the superficial limits of the developing cortical plate. Estimated migration rates are approximately 15 micrometer/day in the sector of the hippocampal formation, about 100 micrometer/day in the parahippocampal formation, and about 15 micrometer/day in the region of adjacent neocortex. Thus simultaneously generated neurons destined for three distinct cytoarchitectonic areas have significantly different rates of cell migration. These differences are unrelated to the length of cell trajectories and may depend on the mechanism of cell translocation and/or the timing of signals that initiate cell movement. The differential rate of migration indicates that the fate of postmitotic cells may be determined before they have reached their final destination.
Central city crime and suburban economic growth

This paper explores the relationship between inner-city crime patterns and suburban income growth, analysing data on 318 US counties for selected metropolitan statistical areas of 32 states within the United States from 1982 to 1997. The findings suggest that violent crime does seem to have a negative impact on close-in suburbs, with a less negative impact farther away from the central city (becoming positive at some point). While results are not as robust as we had hoped they are consistent with flight to further-out suburbs rather than migration to different metropolitan areas in response to urban crime.
Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy and Aging on Cognition: Evidence for Executive Dysfunction

The present study was designed to explore whether the frontal lobe hypothesis of cognitive aging may be extended to describe the cognitive effects associated with estrogen use in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal estrogen-only users, estrogen + progesterone users, and non-users (60-80 years old), as well as young, regularly cycling women (18-30 years old) completed an item and source memory task. Since source memory is thought to rely more on executive processes than item memory, we hypothesized that aging and estrogen effects would be greater for source memory than for item memory. Neuropsychological tests explored whether the effects of aging and estrogen use were revealed on other tests of frontal lobe function. Results from the experimental task revealed greater aging and estrogen effects for source memory than for item memory, and neuropsychological results revealed aging and estrogen effects on a subset of tests of executive function. Women on estrogen + progesterone therapy did not outperform non-users, suggesting that the addition of progesterone to hormone therapy may mitigate the benefits induced by estrogen use alone. Overall, findings support the hypothesis that estrogen use may temper age-related cognitive decline by helping to maintain functions subserved by the frontal lobes.
Shared Memory Versus Message Passing for Iterative Solution of Sparse, Irregular Problems

The benefits of hardware support for shared memory versus those formessage passing are difficult to evaluate without an in-depth study ofreal applications on a common platform. We evaluate the communicationmechanisms of the MIT Alewife machine, a multiprocessor which providesintegrated cache-coherent shared memory, message passing, and DMA. Weperform this evaluation with ``best-effort'''' implementations whichsolve several sparse, irregular benchmark problems with apreconditioned conjugate gradient sparse matrix solver (ICCG). We find that machines with fast global memory operations do not needmessage passing or bulk transfer to support our irregular problems.This is primarily due to three reasons. First, a 5-to-1 ratio betweenglobal and local cache misses makes memory copies in bulkcommunication expensive relative to communication via shared memory.Second, although message passing has synchronization semanticssuperior to shared memory for data-driven computation, efficientshared memory can overcome this handicap by using globalread-modify-writes to change from the traditional owner-computes modelto a producer-computes model. Third, bulk transfers can resultin high processor idle times in irregular applications.
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy in postoperative treatment of oral cavity cancers.

Purpose To present our single-institution experience of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for oral cavity cancer. Methods and Materials Between September 2000 and December 2006, 35 patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity underwent surgery followed by postoperative IMRT. The sites included were buccal mucosa in 8, oral tongue in 11, floor of the mouth in 9, gingiva in 4, hard palate in 2, and retromolar trigone in 1. Most patients had Stage III-IV disease (80%). Ten patients (29%) also received concurrent postoperative chemotherapy with IMRT. The median prescribed radiation dose was 60 Gy. Results The median follow-up for surviving patients was 28.1 months (range, 11.9–85.1). Treatment failure occurred in 11 cases as follows: local in 4, regional in 2, and distant metastases in 5. Of the 5 patients with distant metastases, 2 presented with dermal metastases. The 2- and 3-year estimates of locoregional progression-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival, and overall survival were 84% and 77%, 85% and 85%, 70% and 64%, and 74% and 74%, respectively. Acute Grade 2 or greater dermatitis, mucositis, and esophageal reactions were experienced by 54%, 66%, and 40% of the patients, respectively. Documented late complications included trismus (17%) and osteoradionecrosis (5%). Conclusion IMRT as an adjuvant treatment after surgical resection for oral cavity tumors is feasible and effective, with promising results and acceptable toxicity.
Occupational therapy using a sensory integrative approach for children with developmental disabilities

This article provides an introduction and overview of sensory integration theory as it is used in occupational therapy practice for children with developmental disabilities. This review of the theoretical tenets of the theory, its historical foundations, and early research provides the reader with a basis for exploring current uses and applications. The key principles of the sensory integrative approach, including concepts such as “the just right challenge” and “the adaptive response” as conceptualized by A. Jean Ayres, the theory's founder, are presented to familiarize the reader with the approach. The state of research in this area is presented, including studies underway to further delineate the subtypes of sensory integrative dysfunction, the neurobiological mechanisms of poor sensory processing, advances in theory development, and the development of a fidelity measure for use in intervention studies. Finally, this article reviews the current state of the evidence to support this approach and suggests that consensual knowledge and empirical research are needed to further elucidate the theory and its utility for a variety of children with developmental disabilities. This is especially critical given the public pressure by parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities to obtain services and who have anecdotally noted the utility of sensory integration therapy for helping their children function more independently. Key limiting factors to research include lack of funding, paucity of doctorate trained clinicians and researchers in occupational therapy, and the inherent heterogeneity of the population of children affected by sensory integrative dysfunction. A call to action for occupational therapy researchers, funding agencies, and other professions is made to support ongoing efforts and to develop initiatives that will lead to better diagnoses and effective intervention for sensory integrative dysfunction, which will improve the lives of children and their families. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MRDD Research Reviews 2005;11:143–148.
Role of EUS-FNA-based cytology in the diagnosis of mucinous pancreatic cystic lesions: A systematic review and Meta-Analysis

Background Preoperative diagnosis of malignancy in pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) remains challenging. Most non-mucinous cystic lesions (NMCLs) are benign, but mucinous cystic lesions (MCLs) are more likely to be premalignant or malignant.
Organization of motor pools in the chick lumbar lateral motor column

Motor pool positions for individual leg muscles were mapped in hatched chicks using intramuscular injections of HRP. Several leg muscles were also mapped in stage 38 (12-day) embryos. The results indicate that an adult map is formed by stage 38. The adult motor pool map can be viewed as being composed of two maps, one for muscles derived from the embryonic ventral muscle mass, the other for muscles derived from the dorsal mass. Each of these maps is a continuous, although distorted, representation of muscle precursor position on the original sheets of dorsal and ventral muscle mass. The developmental implications of these findings are discussed.
A thermophilic amyloglucosidase fromHalobacterium sodomense, a halophilic bacterium from the Dead Sea

Halobacterium sodomense, a halophilic bacterium from the Dead Sea, degraded starch to glucose by means of an extracellular amyloglucosidase with a temperature optimum of around 65°C in the presence of 1.4 M NaCl, and around 75°C in the presence of 3.9 M NaCl. The enzyme required salt concentrations higher than 1 M for optimal activity, NaCl, KCl, and MgCl2 being equally suitable as activators. The optimum pH was 7.5.H. sodomense culture supernatants showed only a very low maltose degrading activity. H. sodomense excreted amyloglucosidase constitutively, and relatively high activities were found in cultures grown in the absence of starch; when glucose was added to the growth medium, the amount of enzyme excreted into the medium decreased.
Metastable Optical Absorption and Paramagnetism in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon

After rapid cooling from 210°C a characteristic electron spin resonance (ESR) and a characteristic below-gap optical absorption have been observed to grow with time at room temperature in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). Both the increased ESR and the increased optical absorption anneal at temperatures above about 100°C. These unexpected results may have important consequences for our understanding of the electronic properties of a-Si:H.
Study of a Heavy Rain Vortex Formed over the Eastern Flank of the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract A case of the heavy rain vortex which occurred during the period 14–15 July 1979 is studied using a limited-area mesoscale numerical model. This is a representative example of a group of warm southwest vortices that often form over the eastern flank of the Tibetan Plateau after the onset of the summer Indian monsoon. Some common features of the dynamic structures exhibited both by the simulation and by observations are discussed. The developing vortex is noticeably detached from the polar frontal zone. A 180° phase shift exists between the upper and lower layer vorticity fields. In the boundary layer, a pronounced northward transport of mass and moisture is connected with an intense upward motion near and to the east of the 700-mb vortex center, whole the southward cold advection is insignificant. The vortex originated and rapidly developed in a stagnation region on the lee side of the plateau. The presence of the stagnation region not only removes local dynamical energy sources from the environm...
Raw Milk Composition and Cheese Yields in California: 1987 and 1988

Abstract Milk composition and cheese yield data from four California plants producing Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese were collected and analyzed The composition of the milk received at the four plants during the 2 yr studied averaged 3.83% fat, 3.29% protein, and 8.78% SNF. The mean actual yields of Cheddar and Monterey Jack, weighted for the amount of cheese produced at each plant, were 9.95lb (4.51kg) and 10.60lb (4.81kg) per 100lb (45.4kg) of milk set, respectively. The average recovery of cheese (uncorrected for added salt) from the cheese milk was 98.8% for Cheddar and 99.7% for Monterey Jack of the theoretical yield based on Van Slyke's equation.
Risk of complication and revision total hip arthroplasty among Medicare patients with different bearing surfaces.

To address the long-term problems of bearing surface wear and osteolysis associated with conventional metal-polyethylene (M-PE) total hip arthroplasty (THA), metal-metal (M-M), and ceramic-ceramic (C-C) bearings have been introduced. These bearing surfaces are associated with unique risks and benefits and higher costs. However the relative risks of these three bearings in an older population is unknown. We compared the short-term risk of complication and revision THA among Medicare patients having a primary THA with metal-polyethylene (M-PE), metal-metal (M-M), and ceramic-ceramic (C-C) bearings. We used the 2005 to 2007 100% Medicare inpatient claim files to perform a matched cohort analysis in three separate cohorts of THA patients (M-PE, M-M, and C-C) who were matched by age, gender, and US census region. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models were constructed to compare complication and revision THA risk among cohorts, adjusting for medical comorbidities, race, socioeconomic status, and hospital factors. After adjusting for patient and hospital factors, M-M bearings were associated with a higher risk of periprosthetic joint infection (hazard ratio, 3.03; confidence interval, 1.02–9.09) when compared with C-C bearings (0.59% versus 0.32%, respectively). There were no other differences among bearing cohorts in the adjusted risk of revision THA or any other complication. The risk of short-term complication (including dislocation) and revision THA were similar among appropriately matched Medicare THA patients regardless of bearing surface. Hard-on-hard THA bearings are of questionable value in Medicare patients, given the higher cost associated with their use and uncertain long-term benefits in older patients. Level II, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Developments in the management of wastes from coal-fired power plants

Abstract The past two decades have seen an extremely active period in the development and implementation of technology for the management of a wide range of waste streams from coal-fired electric power plants in the United States. Control of flue gas emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and gas-borne particulates has received a majority of the effort, but considerable work has gone into managing large volume solid wastes such as fly and bottom ash and flue gas desulfurization scrubber sludges, low volume wastes such as boiler blowdown and coal pile runoff, as well as thousands of chemicals and materials used in the operation of these complex plants. The Environmental Control Systems department of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has played a key and unique role in this work because of its position as manager of a collaborative R&D program on behalf of EPRI's 700 member utility companies. It attributes its considerable success to its close working relationships with many of the thousands of utility people needing its products. This paper reviews some major products from this work in order to provide a view of the breadth of waste management issues affecting coal-fired power plants.
Realism Redux: Investigating the Causes and Effects of Sino-US Rapprochement

Constructing the U.S. Rapprochement with China, 1961–1974, Evelyn Goh, Nanyang Technological University, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005, Mao's China and the Cold War, Chen Jian, Chapel...
High-level feature recognition using feature relationship graphs

In this paper, we present a method to extract user-specific features from common features. This contrasts with other approaches which work directly off B-rep geometric models. Here, user-specific features are called high-level features which are a set of common features combined in a user-specific manner. A feature relationship graph is used to organize common features in a part and to define high-level feature patterns. The research presented in this paper focuses mainly on feature relationship graph construction and high-level feature recognition using subgraph isomorphic techniques.
Lipase catalysed synthesis of peptides: Preparation of a penicillin G precursor and other peptides

Practical procedures have been developed for synthesis of peptides using lipase as catalyst.
Accessibility of nano-crossbar arrays of resistive switching devices

This paper discusses the accessibility of nano-crossbar arrays of resistive switching devices, using both analytical approaches and statistical simulations. Voltage configurations of the wordlines and bitlines in crossbar arrays play a critical role on sensing margin, disturbance, and power efficiency. Access resistance to the array affects the actual line voltage and degrades the sensing margin. Nonlinearity in switching device characteristics may improve accessibility of crossbar arrays.
The organization and projections of the paleostriatal complex in the pigeon (columba livia)

The paleostriatal complex (PC) of the pigeon lies in the basolateral wall of telencephalon, and consists of three major subdivisions: the paleostriatum augmentatum (PA), paleostriatum primitivum (PP), and nucleus intrapeduncularis (INP). The lobus parolfactorius (LPO) lies on the medial aspect of PA and has often been considered to be part of PA. The present study of afferent and efferent connections of the paleostriatal complex supports earlier previous suggestions that the PC is directly comparable to the basal ganglia of mammalia. High concentrations of acetylcholinesterase were found in the PA, LPO and INP. Intense yellowish green fluorescence, probably dopamine, was confined to the PA and LPO. Stereotaxic lesions were placed in either the dorsal ventricular ridge structures above the PC (neo- and hyperstriatum), PA, LPO or PP-INP, and animals sacrificed from one to six days postoperatively. The brains were stained with the Fink-Heimer methods for the demonstration of degenerating axons and terminals. The region of the neo- and hyperstriatum was found to project upon the PA, in a seemingly topographic manner. PA was found to project topographically upon the PP and INP. In contrast, the LPO contributed to the medial forebrain bundle, terminating in the rostral lateral hypothalamus. LPO does not appear to project to the PP or INP. Lesions of PP-INP resulted in massive degeneration of a descending tract, the ansa lenticularis. Terminal degeneration was found in the anterior and posterior nuclei of the ansa lenticularis of the ventral diencephalon, nucleus dorsalis intermedius posterior and nucleus spiriformis lateralis of the dorsal thalamus, and the nucleus tegmenti pedunculopontinus pars compacta et disseminata of the isthmic tegmentum. In these several features of histochemical and hodological organization the PC alone appears similar to the caudate-putamen and globus pallidus complex of mammalian brains. More specifically, the PA resembles the caudate-putamen, whereas PP and INP resemble the external and internal divisions of the globus pallidus, respectively. Similarities and differences between avian and mammalian brains, and the relationship of the present study of the PC and previous studies of the dorsal ventricular ridge structures are discussed (Karten, '69; Nauta and Karten, '70).
Design with brittle materials

Abstract Refractory ceramics are rapidly emerging as viable candidates for high temperature turbine structures. Their application to a vehicular turbine and the design and development of selected components will be discussed. More specifically, the general design philosophy and the methods used in the design of ceramic turbine stators and rotors will be presented and evaluated against test results.
Functional characterization of cis- and trans-regulatory elements involved in expression of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase.

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (phGPx) is a member of the seleno glutathione peroxidase family that is comprised of five selenoproteins capable of reducing hydroperoxy lipids to the corresponding alcohols. The enzyme has been implicated in antioxidative defense, but its high expression level in testicular tissue suggests a more specific function during sperm maturation. The phGPx is encoded for by a joint sperm nucleus/phGPx gene (sn/phGPx) and can be expressed as a mitochondrial or cytosolic isoform. Although sn/phGPx genes have been cloned from various mammalian species expression regulation of the enzyme has not been studied in detail. We investigated the 5′-flanking region of the murine sn/phGPx gene and observed basic promoter activity in a 200 bp region localized immediately upstream of the translational initiation site of the cytosolic isoform (3′-ATG). DNase protection assays indicated the presence of five distinct protein-binding regions and electrophoretic mobility shift assays and supershift experiments revealed binding of stimulating protein 1 (SP1), nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) and members of the SMAD family. Site-directed mutagenesis of the consensus binding sequences abolished in vitro transcription factor binding. Expression of reporter genes was most effectively impaired when SP1/SP3 and NF-Y binding site-deficient constructs were tested. Chromatin immunoprecipitation suggested the in vivo relevance of these transcription factors. Our data indicate that the basic phGPx promoter constitutes a 200 bp oligonucleotide, which is localized immediately upstream of the 3′-ATG and involves functional SP1/SP3, NF-Y and SMAD binding sites. The corresponding trans-regulatory proteins may contribute to differential expression regulation of the mitochondrial and cytosolic phGPx isoforms.
Nucleoside transport in choroid plexus: mechanism and specificity.

Abstract In vitro the transport into and release of [ 3 H]thymidine, [ 3 H]deoxyuridine, and [ 3 H]nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI) from the isolated choroid plexus, the anatomical locus of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, were studied separately. Using the ability of NBTI to inhibit nucleoside efflux from the choroid plexus, the transport of [ 3 H]thymidine and [ 3 H]deoxyuridine into the choroid plexus at 37 °C was measured. Like thymidine, deoxyuridine was transported into the choroid plexus against a concentration gradient by a saturable process that depended on intracellular energy production but not intracellular binding or metabolism. The Michaelis-Menten constants ( K T ) for the active transport of thymidine and deoxyuridine into the choroid plexus were 13.6 and 7.2 μM, respectively. Deoxyuridine and adenosine were competitive inhibitors of thymidine transport into the choroid plexus with inhibitor constants ( K I ) of 6.8 and 14.5 μM, respectively. [ 3 H]NBTI was also transported into the choroid plexus at 37 °C; unlike [ 3 H]thymidine and [ 3 H]deoxyuridine, the release of [ 3 H]NBTI was not inhibited by NBTI itself. These studies provide evidence that the choroid plexus contains an active nucleoside transport system of low specificity for nucleosides, and a separate, saturable efflux system for nucleosides that is very sensitive to inhibition by NBTI. In vivo these systems transport nucleosides from blood into cerebrospinal fluid.
Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome: mutation analysis of the receptor tyrosine kinase RET.

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) usually occurs as an isolated phenotype. However, 16% of the index cases are also affected with Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). Complex segregation analysis suggests that CCHS is familial and has the same inheritance pattern with or without HSCR. We postulate that alteration of normal function of the receptor tyrosine kinase, RET, may contribute to CCHS based on RET's expression pattern and the identification of RET mutations in HSCR patients. To further explore the nature of the inheritance of CCHS, we have undertaken two main routes of investigation: cytogenetic analysis and mutation detection. Cytogenetic analysis of metaphase chromosomes showed normal karyotypes in 13 of the 14 evaluated index cases; one index case carried a familial pericentric inversion on chromosome 2. Mutation analysis showed no sequence changes unique to index cases, as compared to control individuals, and as studied by single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of the coding region of RET. We conclude that point mutations in the RET coding region cannot account for a substantial fraction of CCHS in this patient population, and that other candidate genes involved in neural crest cell differentiation and development must be considered. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Decoherence in a Landau Quantized Two Dimensional Electron Gas

We have studied the dynamics of a high mobility two-dimensional electron gas as a function of temperature. The presence of satellite reflections in the sample and magnet can be modeled in the time-domain.
Formulation of Corn Zein Chewing Gum and Evaluation of Sensory Properties by the Time‐Intensity Method

: This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of using corn zein as a natural gum base to be an alternative to the currently used synthetic gum base. The objectives were to (1) develop a corn zein chewing gum and (2) evaluate the taste, texture, and aroma qualities compared with synthetic gum base using a time-intensity (T-I) method. Four corn zein gum samples, each made with a different plasticizer (oleic acid, glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1 without any plasticizer), were included in the study along with 2 synthetic gum-base samples. Nine panelists participated in the T-I study. Thirteen attributes were evaluated. Maximum intensity, time to maximum intensity, and duration were parameters extracted from the T-I curve. The synthetic gum-base samples were rated higher for the maximum intensity of sweet taste and cinnamon aroma-by-mouth and lower for the maximum intensity of bitter taste. The propylene glycol corn zein sample was rated the highest for cinnamon aroma and the lowest for stale, rancid, and cheesy aromas. Out of the corn zein gums, the oleic acid sample was rated the lowest for the maximum intensity of hardness. It was also rated highest for the maximum intensity of bitter taste and the lowest for sweet taste. This study showed that it is feasible to use corn zein as a gum base, but future work is needed to develop an acceptable product for consumers.
The US demand for cocoa:explaining the apparent insignificance of income growth

(1989). The US demand for cocoa:explaining the apparent insignificance of income growth. Applied Economics: Vol. 21, No. 11, pp. 1421-1432.
An interview with Eric M. Pillmore: Hitting the CSR bull's‐eye in a shifting corporate environment

Eric M. Pillmore served as the senior vice president of corporate governance for Tyco International Ltd. from 2002 to 2007. Working with the board of directors and the Tyco leadership team, Pillmore helped transform Tyco from an image of poor governance to a role as a leader in corporate governance. These efforts resulted in Tyco being named by GMI as the most improved U.S. company in the governance area from 2002 to 2005. Prior to Tyco, he served as senior vice president and CFO for Multilink Technology. Pillmore worked for General Instrument Corp (GI) from 1996 to 2000 and served as senior vice president and CFO from December 1997 to January 2000, leading up to the sale of GI to Motorola. In addition, he served for 17 years in a variety of senior finance roles for General Electric from 1979 to 1996, including roles as CFO for GE Plastics Americas and GE Medical Systems Asia. He also served as a US Navy officer from 1975 to 1979, aboard the USS Robison in the western Pacific, and as an auditor with the Naval Audit Service in Washington, D.C. Pillmore has a master's in business administration from the Villanova School of Business and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Anderson School of Business at the University of New Mexico. He currently serves on the boards of the CEO Forum, Focus on the Family, the Ken Blanchard School of Business, the Anderson Schools of Management, and the Pillmore Family Foundation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
AFRICAN American Family Dynamics as Perceived by Family Members

The need to study culture-specific family patterns is becoming well recognized among family therapists (Fullilove, Carter, & Eversley, 1986; Kazak, McCannell, Adkins, Himmelberg, & Grace, 1989; McGoldrick, Pearce, & Giordano, 1982; Spaights, 1990). Although cognizant of the risk that any attempt to identify general patterns may be misused in the form of stereotypes, therapists also recognize that a prerequisite to understanding a particular family is consideration of the context in which the family operates. Culture is one aspect of that context. There is likewise a need to identify common patterns among African American families (Boyd-Franklin, 1989a; Brinson, 1992; Jones, 1983; Littlejohn-Blake & Darling, 1993; Spaights, 1990). Without minimizing the individual differences and variations among African American families, recognition of predominant patterns provides therapists with a frame of reference, a set of hypotheses, from which to understand a particular family. Criticisms of the greater part of current research on African American families include the lack of empirical data (Boles & Curtis-Boles, 1986) and the tendency to compare African American families with European American families, implying that the latter provide the norms for measurement. This comparison is further compromised by the lack of controls for socioeconomic levels (Fine, Schwebel, & Myers, 1987; Julian, McKenry, & McKelvey, 1994; Lyles & Carter, 1982; Wilson, 1984).
Qualitative and Visualization Methodologies for Modeling Social‐Ecological Dimensions of Regional Water Planning on the Rio Chama

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Gonzales, M., Rivera, J. A., Garcia, J. J. and Markwell, S. (2013), Qualitative and Visualization Methodologies for Modeling Social-Ecological Dimensions of Regional Water Planning on the Rio Chama. Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education, 152: 55–68. doi:10.1111/j.1936-704X.2013.03168.x, which has been published in final form at DOI: 10.1111/j.1936-704X.2013.03168.x. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Race Differences in Mental Health Service Access in a Secure Male Juvenile Justice Facility

This study examined whether African American and Caucasian male youths had similar rates of referral to mental health services in a juvenile justice secure facility when controlling for differences obtained in the initial screening and assessment process. Data from the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-2 (MAYSI-2), Initial Health Care Screening and Youth Level of Services/Case Management Inventory were analyzed from 937 male youths (12–18 years old) admitted to a secure care facility. There were few differences between African American and Caucasian youths on MAYSI-2 scales and no difference on the YLS total score. However, Caucasian youth reported higher frequencies of mental health treatment history than African American youth. Even when controlling for differences in MAYSI-2 elevations and history of receiving mental health treatment, Caucasian youths were provided access to mental health services at a greater rate than African American youth. This study indicates that race is a potential factor...
Hartree-Fock Theory: Slater Determinants of Minimum Energy

A theorem is proved (on the basis of physically reasonable assumptions) to the effect that in Hartree-Fock (HF) theory an electron can always be added to an $N$-electron system without raising its energy. The theorem is applied to show that the conventional HF wave function is unstable for certain negative atomic ions (${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ${\mathrm{B}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\mathrm{N}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{---}}$, ${\mathrm{O}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\mathrm{O}}^{\mathrm{---}}$, ${\mathrm{Na}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\mathrm{P}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$), and that the typical extent of the instability is chemically significant. A consequence of the instability is that the lowest level in HF theory does not have the symmetry of the exact ground level. This is the case, in particular, for the closed-shell ions ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\mathrm{O}}^{\mathrm{---}}$, and ${\mathrm{Na}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$---a result contrary to some earlier expectations. The two-electron one-center system with fixed nuclear charge $\mathrm{Ze}$ ($Z$ not restricted to integer values) is investigated in detail on the basis of a simplified model defined by specifying restrictions which the allowable determinantal wave functions must satisfy. The orbitals of the determinantal wave functions of the model are of the form ${\ensuremath{\psi}}_{i}={v}_{i}{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{i}$, $i=1,2$, where ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{i}$ is a spin function and ${v}_{i}$ is essentially of $1s$ hydrogenic form. As $Z$ decreases, the model shows explicitly the onset of the instability described above. It further shows that for $Zg1$, any true minimum-energy determinant ${D}_{g}$ is bound (although the interesting question of whether ${D}_{g}$ is bound for $Zl~1$, apparently raised here for the first time, remains unanswered). A precise analogy between the electron problem and certain spin problems is defined. This analogy sheds light on the HF approximation. It leads to examples which show strikingly that it is important not to always impose symmetry restrictions on an otherwise restricted wave function; the analogy also makes clear, in a simple way, certain points fundamental to an understanding of HF theory. Some possible implications of the results of this paper for solid-state calculations are discussed.
Effect of ethanol on the central oscillator in essential tremor

We investigated the effects of ethanol and diazepam on the central, mechanical, and mechanical reflex components of tremor in patients with essential tremor (ET). A double-blind crossover study (ethanol or diazepam) was conducted on 2 separate days. Dose of ethanol or diazepam was calculated in each individual according to height, weight, and age in 10 patients with ET. The postural tremor amplitude at the wrist was recorded using a three-dimensional accelerometer placed on the dorsum of the hand. Electromyogram (EMG) was recorded with surface electrodes placed on the forearm extensors and flexors. To separate central and mechanical (reflex) components, a 500-g weight was placed on the dorsum of the hand during a second tremor measurement. Tremor recordings were done at baseline and 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after drug ingestion. Ethanol and diazepam blood levels were measured at baseline and after 20, 40, 80, and 120 minutes. Blood ethanol and diazepam levels were highest after 40 and 80 minutes. The amplitude of the central component 60 minutes after ingestion of ethanol was decreased significantly (P = 0.029) compared with diazepam. Our findings suggest that the improvement in tremor after ethanol ingestion was due, at least in part, to an effect on a central oscillator.
Change in the stimulus produced by nonreward as a function of time

For all rats half the daily acquisition intertriai intervals (ITI) were 8 min., half 30 sec. Reward followed nonreward at the 8 min. ITI in one group and at the 30 sec. ITI in the other. In extinction, trials occurred at a constant 8 min. ITI for half of each group, and at a constant 30 sec. ITI for the remaining half. Only the interaction between the acquisition nonreward-reward ITI and the extinction ITI was significant. These results suggest that the nonrewarded stimulus changes over time but that its response evoking power is neither increased nor decreased by the change.
The educational resources information center (ERIC): A system faces its future

A 1987 study of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) proposed several key improvements to ERIC's acquisition, synthesis, and dissemination activities, including a recommendation that ERIC products and services should be more widely available to diverse audiences. Achieving significant improvements in ERIC hinges on three factors: receiving additional resources, applying new technologies, and adapting systemwide management policies. Future system improvement options—such as expanding database and journal coverage, developing the capability to store and retrieve full-text documents, creating expert search systems, enhancing electronic dissemination, developing new publication series, and marketing ERIC products and services in ways that better reach practicing educators—also are discussed.
Comparative sensitivity of rat cerebellar neurons to dysregulation of divalent cation homeostasis and cytotoxicity caused by methylmercury

The objective of the present study was to determine the relative effectiveness of methylmercury (MeHg) to alter divalent cation homeostasis and cause cell death in MeHg-resistant cerebellar Purkinje and MeHg-sensitive granule neurons. Application of 0.5-5 microM MeHg to Purkinje and granule cells grown in culture caused a concentration- and time-dependent biphasic increase in fura-2 fluorescence. At 0.5 and 1 microM MeHg, the elevations of fura-2 fluorescence induced by MeHg were biphasic in both cell types, but significantly delayed in Purkinje as compared to granule cells. Application of the heavy-metal chelator, TPEN, to Purkinje cells caused a precipitous decline in a proportion of the fura-2 fluorescence signal, indicating that MeHg causes release of Ca(2+) and non-Ca(2+) divalent cations. Purkinje cells were also more resistant than granule cells to the neurotoxic effects of MeHg. At 24.5 h after-application of 5 microM MeHg, 97.7% of Purkinje cells were viable. At 3 microM MeHg there was no detectable loss of Purkinje cell viability. In contrast, only 40.6% of cerebellar granule cells were alive 24.5 h after application of 3 microM MeHg. In conclusion, Purkinje neurons in primary cultures appear to be more resistant to MeHg-induced dysregulation of divalent cation homeostasis and subsequent cell death when compared to cerebellar granule cells. There is a significant component of non-Ca(2+) divalent cation released by MeHg in Purkinje neurons.
Modes of cladded guides of arbitrary cross-sectional shape

An integral representation technique is described for calculating the modal properties of multilayered guides. Its equations are tested by comparison with results that can be derived by an alternative method for the special case of a thin ring guide. Numerical results are presented for general multilayered guides as a function of cladding thickness and of core and cladding shapes.
Use of a Modified POGIL Exercise to Teach Bacterial Transformation in a Microbiology Course

Assignments incorporating student collaborations to hone critical thinking skills in higher education have been proven to enhance student learning. Abstract concepts, such as bacterial transformation are challenging for students to understand. One way to overcome this learning obstacle is to provide students with collaborative learning activities during class. A modified process-oriented guided-inquiry learning exercise (POGIL) was used to facilitate learning of bacterial transformation in a microbiology course for allied health majors at a community college. This class activity involved small groups working together on short background test, and a series of questions pertaining to the background and experimental data. Students were given a summary diagram to assist them in completing this collaborative exercise.
Understanding user behavior at scale in a mobile video chat application

Online video chat services such as Chatroulette and Omegle randomly match users in video chat sessions and have become increasingly popular, with tens of thousands of users online at anytime during a day. Our interest is in examining user behavior in the growing domain of mobile video, and in particular how users behave in such video chat services as they are extended onto mobile clients. To date, over four thousand people have downloaded and used our Android-based mobile client, which was developed to be compatible with an existing video chat service. The paper provides a first-ever detailed large scale study of mobile user behavior in a random video chat service over a three week period. This study identifies major characteristics such as mobile user session durations, time of use, demographic distribution and the large number of brief sessions that users click through to find good matches. Through content analysis of video and audio, as well as analysis of texting and clicking behavior, we discover key correlations among these characteristics, e.g., normal mobile users are highly correlated with using the front camera and with the presence of a face, whereas misbehaving mobile users have a high negative correlation with the presence of a face.
Effect of Mechanical Compression on Chemical Degradation of Nafion Membranes

The effect of compression on the chemical degradation of Nafion is investigated. Results indicate a nonlinear dependence of chemical degradation on compression level, with a slight decrease at 1 MPa and then increase up to 10 MPa. The results confirm the synergistic nature of mechanical effects on chemical fuel-cell membrane degradation, which are expected to occur in operando. The impact of compression is also shown to change the nano-domain structure, consistent with the increase in chemical decomposition. Thus, deformation energy accumulated in the membrane due to mechanical loads seemingly accelerates the chemical reactions driving the decomposition of the polymer membrane.