cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extraordinary fossorial adaptations in the oligocene palaeanodonts Epoicotherium and Xenocranium (Mammalia)

New fossils of the rare Oligocene mammals Xenocranium and Epoicotherium add information on their skulls and provide the first information on their postcranial skeletons. These epoicotheres, the latest surviving palaeanodonts, have numerous fossorial adaptations and must have been predominantly subterranean. Their skeletal specializations are similar to, and equal or surpass in degree of development, those of most living fossorial mammals. Principal modifications of the skull are the expanded, domed occiput with broad lambdoid crests, hypertrophy of the malleus-incus and related changes in other ear components, reduced eyes, and (in Xenocranium) a flaring, upturned, spatulate snout. The neck was strengthened by synostosis of the 2nd through 5th cervical vertebrae. The forelimb elements have exaggerated crests, processes, and fossae for muscles used in digging or in stabilizing certain joints. The scapula has a high, stout spine with bifid acromion, a "secondary spine," and an expanded postscapular fossa for attachment of the teres major muscle. The humerus has an elongate pectoral crest, large lesser tuberosity, long entepicondyle, and large hooklike supinator crest. The enormous incurved olecranon process of the ulna provided insertion for the massive triceps and origin for the carpal and digital flexors, and the latter gained mechanical advantage by incorporating in its tendon a large carpal sesamoid. In the greatly shortened hand, digit three is largest, with its metacarpal and proximal phalanx fused and its claw-bearing ungual-phalanx very large. These traits indicate that Xenocranium and Epoicotherium were among the most specialized "rapid-scratch" diggers ever to evolve. Their remarkable convergence to chrysochlorids reflects a similar mode of digging, with extensive use of the snout for loosening and lifting soil when making shallow foraging burrows. For deeper burrowing, the forelimbs probably loosened the soil while the rear limbs moved it behind. Like many extant subterranean mammals, Xenocranium and Epoicotherium were essentially sightless, but they were specialized for low frequency sound reception. Their extinction may have been due to a combination of environmental change and competition with other fossorial animals, such as proscalopine insectivores and rhineurid amphisbaenians.
Identification of an ion channel-forming motif in the primary structure of CFTR, the cystic fibrosis chloride channel.

Abstract Synthetic peptides with sequences representing putative transmembrane (M) segments of CFTR (the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) were used as tools to identify the involvement of such segments in forming the ionic pore of the CFTR Cl- channel. Peptides with sequences corresponding to M2 and M6 form anion-selective channels after reconstitution in lipid bilayers. In contrast, peptides with the sequences of M1, M3, M4, and M5, or peptides of the same amino acid composition as M2 and M6 but with scrambled sequences, do not form channels. Conductive heterooligomers of M2 and M6 exhibit a single channel conductance of 8 pS (in 0.15 M KCl) and a 95% selectivity for anions over cations, properties that emulate both the conductance and the selectivity of the authentic CFTR channel. The identification of sequence-specific motifs that account for key functional attributes of the CFTR channel suggests that such modules may represent fundamental units of function and are plausible constituents of the pore-forming structure of the CFTR Cl- channel.
Civic education: the overlooked narrative of 9/11 intelligence community reorganization

Two narratives dominate the literature on the history of post-9/11 US intelligence community reorganization. The first narrative centers on how to improve the performance of the intelligence community. The second narrative centers on placing blame. Overlooked in the histories and evaluations of post-9/11, intelligence reorganization is a civic education narrative. In this narrative, intelligence community reorganization arguments serve as a vehicle for engendering public support for the political system and bolstering the long-term health of the political system. It is argued here that developing a full understanding of post-9/11 intelligence reorganization in the US requires incorporating this civic education narrative into histories and analyses of this reorganization effort.
Chinese chestnut production in the United States: Practice, problems, and possible solutions

There are fewer than 162 ha of commercial Chinese chestnut orchards in the United States, with approximately half of these in the Southeast. Large numbers of Chinese chestnut seedlings are planted annually in the United States for home and game food production; however, knowledge about chestnut propagation, fertilization, pests, harvest, storage and marketing is not adequate. There is little commercial marketing of U.S.-grown Chinese chestnuts through roadside markets and local farmers’ markets as the supply is low and unpredictable. However, we yearly import 4.5 mill kg of European chestnuts to satisfy the U.S. market. Successful chestnut orchards will require vegetatively propagated selections, intensive management, mechanical harvesting, and control of insect and disease pests.
Studies on the reproducibility of glass bead antibody affinity columns

Abstract Rabbit antibovine spleen DNase II and antihuman parotid arnylase IgG were coupled to zirconium-clad (MAO, Corning) or plain (GAO, Corning) glass beads. These were challenged with DNase II or arnylase (human parotid or pancreatic), respectively. Although columns of the beads bound the enzymes whereas control columns did not, recoveries from the immune adsorbents were not only not quantitative but extremely variable. The columns also shed material absorbing in the ultraviolet. The antiamylase IgG-MAO column bound arnylase so firmly, yet without inactivating it, that an insoluble enzyme reactor was formed. For these experiments, arnylase was labeled with 14C in vitro without loss of activity.
Models for the sorption of volatile organic compounds by diesel soot and atmospheric aerosols.

The solvation parameter model is used to characterize interactions responsible for the sorption of varied organic compounds by diesel soot and atmospheric aerosols at 15 °C and 50% relative humidity. Individual models are obtained for eight aerosol samples characterized as urban, suburban, rural and coastal. Combining the individual aerosol models resulted in a general aerosol model with only a minor loss of modeling power for alkanecarboxylic acids and low-molecular weight alcohols compared with the individual models. A second group of compounds identified as weak nitrogen-containing bases were consistent outliers to all models most likely due to participation in ion-exchange interactions not considered by the models. The diesel soot and atmospheric aerosols exhibit similar characteristics with respect to their sorption interactions although differences in relative magnitude allow the two particle types to be easily distinguished. Sorption interactions are favored by strong dispersion interactions for both particle types. Of note is the strong hydrogen-bond basicity and relatively weak hydrogen-bond acidity of these materials. The particles are quite dipolar/polarizable and slightly electron lone pair repulsive. The sorption properties of the atmospheric aerosols are influenced by the relative humidity, in particular, the aerosols become significantly more hydrogen-bond acidic at high relative humidity most likely due to incorporation of increasing amounts of condensed or film water in the aerosol phase. Dividing the data into training and test sets suggests that the proposed models are capable of estimating distribution constants (log K) to about 0.20 log units for diesel soot (n = 84) and 0.14 log units for the general atmospheric aerosol model (n = 385) where n indicates the number of compounds included in the model.
Coagulase-negative Staphylococcal Bacteremia in Newborns

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (C-NS) recently have been identified as common causes of septicemia in high-risk newborns. In this review of the incidence and clinical significance of C- NS blood culture isolates from infants with suspected septicemia in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU), 2.2 percent of blood cultures in an 18-month period yielded C-NS. Based on the criterion of growth in multiple blood cultures as evidence of bacteremia, six of 30 infants (20%) were bacteremic, 17 (57%) represented probable contaminants (on the basis of growth in only one of two paired blood cultures with CN-S), and seven cases (23%) were indeterminant (only one culture was obtained). In those infants considered bacteremic, onset occurred between 12 and 51 days of age. In those with probable contaminants, all but three occurred in the first week of life. All infants had manifestations of suspected sepsis and survived the clinical episode. These findings indicate that C-NS growth can be due to nosocomial bacteremia bu...
A quantitative model to estimate rail surface failure

Abstract This paper is concerned with the formulation of an approximate analytical model describing the total wear on both high and low rails as a function of the angle of attack ψ. The rail life γ(ψ) is obtained in this model as follows as: γ ( ψ ) = l ( ψ − m ) 2 + n ψ ⩽ 0.0058 rad γ ( ψ )= Pψ + q ψ ⩾ 0.0058 rad where l , m , n , p and q are constants which can be determined for a specific set of boundary conditions. The results of applying this equation to various values of ψ are compared with field data and good agreement is observed.
A study of phonetic changes in edentulous patients following complete denture treatment

lh b e a sence of teeth creates difficulties in the articulation of certain speech sounds. Some patients do not exhibit any speech problem, because it appears that the tongue makes compensatory adjustments for the absence of the teeth. Allen1 has stated that a patient fitted with complete dentures generally adjusts his speech pattern to the new appliance and thus improves. Martone reported that older patients when fitted with complete dentures show a resistance to speech improvement. Conflicting data exist regarding the type of speech improvement and whether the improvement, if any, is associated with specific sounds or with a general over-all quality of the voice. Kaire? and YlppG and Sovij%vi4 reported that, in the absence of dentures, the concentration of the higher frequencies in the over-all acoustic spectrum of speech was reduced. During speech production, formant regions were found to be lowered when dentures were not present. These formant regions rose when dentures were inserted. The primary aim of this study was to assess speech changes in complete denture patients ( 1) in the edentulous state, (2) immediately following denture insertion, (3) two weeks following the insertion of the dentures, and (4) twelve weeks following the insertion of the dentures. A secondary aim was to relate the assessment of speech samples to spectrographic portrayal. The phonemes /s/, /sh/, /t/, and the voiced /th/ were examined by trained speech therapists using the method of paired comparison.
Field investigations of the response of cotton to water deficits

Abstract Field investigations of plant water stress on photosynthesis (leaf CO 2 exchange rates), stomatal activity, vegetative and reproductive growth, and yield of cotton ( Gossyppium hirsutum L.) were conducted at Stoneville, MS, in 1976 and 1977, and under mobile rainsheltered plots at Mississippi State, MS, in 1977. A sever drought occurred throughout much of the 1976 growing season and from the day of planting to 70 days after planting at the Mississippi State site. Net photosynthesis was significantly reduced as plant water stress increased at Stoneville in 1976. The rate of decrease was linear from a −20 to −22 bar threshold to the lowest recorded plant water potential of −36 bar. Subsequently stomatal diffusion resistances increased as plant water stress developed with threshold potentials of −20 to −25 bar for the more sensitive upper surfaces and −25 to −30 bar for lower surfaces. Stomatal closure was also observed at plant water potentials of −30 to −36 bar. Calculations of stomatal conductances and diffusion resistances to CO 2 revealed a linear relationship between conductance and calculated rates of photosynthesis. The calculated photosynthetic rates agreed with observed values and supported the contention that at lower plant water potentials reductions in photosynthesis rates can be attributed, for the most part, to stomatal closure caused by more rapid induction of plant water deficits. Several weeks of induced drought at Mississippi State reduced rates of leaf extension, height increase, and vegetative node production as much as 50% at mean daily water potential values of −11 bar. Stomatal conductance was reduced 50% at −27 bar. Flowering was apparently unaffected by the treatments. However, boll periods were shortened by several days by the dry treatments. Boll size was not significantly reduced. Total yields were significantly reduced, however, by either no irrigation with total fruit production. primarily limiting yields, or by rapid stress induction during the peak bloom stage, with square and young boll abscission primarily limiting yields. Yield components, such as the number and weight of seeds was also reduced with no irrigation.
Cleavage of head and tail proteins during bacteriophage T5 assembly: selective host involvement in the cleavage of a tail protein.

Abstract Electrophoresis studies showed that at least three phage-specified proteins undergo proteolytic cleavage during the development of bacteriophage T5. One of these proteins has a molecular weight of about 135,000 and the product of this cleavage reaction is a minor component of the T5 tail, having a molecular weight of about 128,000. All of the tail-defective T5 mutants studied in this report failed to induce this cleavage reaction under restrictive conditions. This reaction also failed to occur in Escherichia coli groE A639 and groE A36 infected with wild type T5. Examination of lysates of infected groE cells in the electron microscope revealed the presence of filled and empty heads as well as tubular head structures, but no tails were detected. The filled heads were able to combine with separately prepared T5 tails in vitro to form infectious phage particles. Therefore, propagation of T5 in these groE mutants is prevented primarily by a specific block in tail assembly. A T5 mutant, T5ϵ6, was isolated, which has the capacity to propagate in these groE hosts. The gene locus in T5ϵ6 was mapped. The second T5 protein which is cleaved has a molecular weight of 50,000 and is related to head morphogenesis. Treatment of infected cells with l -canavanine (50 μg/ml) inhibited cleavage of this polypeptide. Only small quantities of the major head protein (32,000 mol. wt) were produced in these treated cells. Treatment with canavanine lead to production of tubular heads. The major protein component of partially purified tubular heads has a molecular weight of 50,000. Cells infected with T5 amber H30b, a mutant defective in head gene D20 , does not produce the 50,000 and 32,000 molecular weight proteins. These findings suggest that the 50,000 molecular weight protein undergoes cleavage to form the major head polypeptide. A third T5 protein is cleaved to form a minor head component with a molecular weight of 43,000 and its cleavage is linked to that involving the major head protein.
A Generalized Chinese Remainder Theorem for Two Integers

A generalized Chinese remainder theorem (CRT) for the determination of two integers is studied in this letter, where the correspondence between the remainders and the two integers in each residue set is not known. A better range than the existing known ones of two integers that can be uniquely determined from their residue sets is first obtained. Then, a closed-form and simple determination algorithm is proposed. Finally, a better sufficient condition on the range of determinable two integers is obtained when the number of erroneous residue sets is given. The study is motivated and has applications in the determination of multiple frequencies from multiple undersampled waveforms.
Case report 541

A 15-year-old girl was transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital from another institution for evaluation and treatment of a pathological fracture of the upper segment of her right femur. The clinical history revealed that she had pain in the right hip for at least 2 months. The pain was constant and could only be temporarily relieved by Motrin. Two weeks prior to admission she fell and fractured her right femur. On physical examination the right hip was exquisitely tender and painful
Theoretical Study of the Bis-Silylation Reaction of Ethylene Catalyzed by Titanium Dichloride

Titanium dichloride was investigated as a potential catalyst for the bis-silylation reaction of ethylene with hexachlorodisilane. Ab initio electronic structure calculations at the restricted Hartree−Fock (RHF), density functional (DFT), second-order perturbation (MP2), and couple cluster (CCSD) levels of theory were used to find optimized structures, saddle points, and minimum-energy paths that connect them. The reaction was found to have a net zero barrier at the DFT, MP2, and CCSD levels of theory. Dynamic correlation is found to be important for this reaction.
Statistical modeling of metal-gate work-function variability in emerging device technologies and implications for circuit design

For the first time, a new source of random threshold voltage (Vth) fluctuation in emerging metal-gate transistors is identified, analytically modeled and investigated for its device and circuit-level implications. The new source of variability, christened work-function variation (WFV), is caused by the dependency of metal work-function on the orientation of its grains. A statistical framework is developed, which enables estimation of the key parameters of work-function distribution by identifying the physical dimensions of the devices and properties of materials used in the fabrication. This paper offers three major contributions for process, device and circuit designers. First, the proposed model can be employed to identify suitable materials and fabrication processes that can reduce the impact of Vth fluctuation due to WFV. For instance, four types of metal nitride gate materials (TiN and TaN for NMOS and WN and MoN for PMOS devices) are studied and it is shown that TiN and WN result in lower Vth fluctuation. Second, device engineers can benefit from the result of this work by evaluating the WFV level of various types of classical or non-classical metal-gate CMOS transistors. As an example, it is shown that FinFET transistors are less affected by WFV compared to FD-SOI and bulk-Si devices due to their larger gate area. Third, circuit designers can utilize this model to investigate the impact of such a variation on the key performance and reliability parameters of the circuits. For instance, an SRAM cell is analyzed in the presence of Vth fluctuations due to WFV and it is shown that such variations can result in considerable performance and reliability degradation.
A Decision Analysis Technique for Ranking Sources of Groundwater Pollution

Abstract In order to prioritize potential sources of groundwater pollution in Idaho, water quality planners in that state developed a decision analysis technique which numerically identified the most important pollution sources. The results of this process were subsequently used as a starting point to develop and implement the state's groundwater protection programs. Three aspects of groundwater contamination risk were evaluated in the ranking model. The first factor was a measure of the ability of any existing regulatory and/or groundwater quality monitoring programs to prevent or remedy groundwater contamination. Second, the severity of the potential impact of a particular pollutant source on public health was ranked. Consideration was given to each pollutant's prevalence, toxicity, environmental persistence and mobility, and the size of the population that could potentially be affected if contamination of drinking water supplies were to occur. Lastly, the vulnerability of individual aquifers to become polluted was considered based on hydrogeological characteristics. Application of this methodology yielded a list of 16 potential groundwater contamination sources in order of priority of risk.
Neodymium–Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser Lysis of Retained Cortex After Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery

Purpose To describe the use of the neodymium–yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser to lyse residual cortex after phacoemulsification cataract surgery and report the complications and outcomes of treatment. Design Interventional, retrospective case series. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent Nd:YAG laser treatment for residual cortex at the Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan were identified by review of laser logs from 2005 to 2011. The medical records were reviewed, and the course and complications of treatment were recorded. The main outcome measures were improvement in subjective vision and corrected distance visual acuity. Results Eighteen eyes of 18 patients, mean age 66 ± 11 years, were included. Eight eyes (44%) had intraoperative posterior capsule rupture. Before treatment with the Nd:YAG laser, all patients had subjective visual complaints, with 6 patients reporting counting fingers or worse visual acuity. Eleven patients (61%) were successfully treated with 1 session of cortical lysis, while 5 patients underwent 2 and 2 patients underwent 3 or more treatments. Five patients (28%) had elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) within 1 day of treatment, and 1 patient developed cystoid macular edema. All patients had resolution of subjective visual symptoms, and at final follow-up corrected distance acuity was 20/25 or better in 13 patients (72%). Conclusions The Nd:YAG laser can be used to lyse residual cortex after uncomplicated cataract surgery or cases with intraoperative posterior capsular rupture, and results in an improvement in subjective and corrected distance visual acuity. Elevated IOP is a common complication.
Urban legends of thermal moderator design

Abstract Neutron scattering has been an important tool for many areas of science for more than 50 years. Even though the theory of neutron scattering was developed in large part in the 1950s and 1960s, it is still to this day a challenge to design neutron sources. This is largely due to the fact that in order to achieve the necessary fluxes, it is necessary to construct either a fission reactor or a spallation source. These facilities are so complex that designers frequently rely on the experiences gained from previously designed facilities. Over the years these rules were often passed on more in form of an art than as science. The goal of this paper is to re-evaluate these rules and to establish if they are still valid today or if they have become urban legends.
Dynamic linear dichroism in chromoproteins

— The time-dependent polarized fluorescence and optical density transients arising from electronic excitation transport are derived for solutions of randomly oriented chromoproteins in which the chromophore transition moments have well-defined orientations with respect to the protein. The treatment is extended to oriented monolayers of chromoproteins, in which the molecules are aligned with a particular protein-fixed axis perpendicular to the surface plane and with random azimuthal angles about the surface normal. The initial ratio of parallel to perpendicular transients is invariably 3:1, irrespective of system dimensionality and chromophore organization. The residual anisotropy observed at long times is directly related to the relative orientations of the donor and acceptor chromophores. These calculations form a basis for detailed interpretation of ultrafast fluoresence and pump-probe linear dichroism studies in photosynthetic systems, for which 3-dimensional structures are becoming increasingly available.
The international marketing strategies of New England high-technology firms

This paper examines the relationship between international marketing strategy, foreign sales performance and overall corporate performance for a small sample of 39 New England high technology firms. The results show that existence of an international marketing commitment is beneficial to overall corporate performance; however, no incremental contribution to corporate performance is evident from the use of foreign manufacturing operations over foreign sales subsidiaries.
2-Aminopyrimidine as a novel scaffold for biofilm modulation

An efficient synthetic route to a series of substituted 2-aminopyrimidine (2-AP) derivatives has been developed. Subsequent biofilm screening has allowed comparison between the biological activity of these new derivatives and that of the 2-aminoimidazole class of anti-biofilm compounds. Several derivatives displayed the ability to modulate bacterial biofilm formation, exhibiting greater activity against Gram-positive strains than Gram-negative strains. Additionally some 2-aminopyrmidines were able to suppress MRSA resistance to conventional antibiotics.
The Social Context of Smoking Among African-American and White Adolescents in Baltimore City

Objective To describe and understand variations in social influences on smoking behavior among African-American and white male and female adolescents in Baltimore City, USA . Design A qualitative study where adolescents, both smokers and non-smokers, were interviewed individually (n = 21) and participated in focus groups (n = 18 focus groups, 3-10 participants per group). Results Social contexts emerged as most relevant and salient themes related to smoking behavior. White females perceived the most permissive parental messages around smoking, while males, especially African-American males, reported receiving the strictest parental sanctions. Females' need to fit in with peers contrasted with males' being coerced to smoke. Possible reasons for African-Americans' non-use of cigarettes include a desire not to disrespect parents and being turned off by parental addiction to nicotine. All adolescents cited the school's lax anti-smoking policy as a reason teens smoke at school. Conclusion Interventions targete...
Characterization of Six Linked Open Reading Frames Necessary for pIP501-Mediated Conjugation

Abstract pIP501 is a broad-host-range gram-positive conjugative plasmid. Previous transposon mutagenesis of a pIP501 derivative, pVA1702, identified two regions, A and B, that were involved in conjugation proficiency. Recently, we reported that the A region contained a functionaloriTsite similar to those found on plasmids of gram-negative origin (Wang and Macrina, 1995). We report here the nucleotide sequence of the complete A region. Analysis of this DNA sequence (8121 bp) revealed six contiguous open reading frames (orf1–6) immediately downstream from theoriTsite. ORF1 was similar to gram-negative plasmid nickase proteins known to play a role in the initiation of conjugal transfer. The remaining ORF proteins (2–6) were unique. Complementation studies suggested that the gene products of ORFs 3–6 were able to functionin trans.A single available insertion mutant inorf2could not be complementedin trans.Thus, although the conjugative apparatus that initiates transfer (oriTand nickase) appears to be conserved between this class of gram-positive plasmid and gram-negative plasmids, most of the A region genes of pIP501 involved in transfer appear unique and their cellular and molecular roles are undefined.
Directive Yagi-Uda Dielectric Resonator Antennas

Single-mode dielectric resonator antennas (DRA) can achieve around 5-dB gain. To achieve a more directive pattern, a Yagi–Uda arrangement is proposed. To avoid using many DRA elements, the elements are made of one piece and the elements are connected through a small nick comprised of the same materials. The antenna is placed on a ground plane and excited by a coaxial probe. The radiation patterns shows that the radiation patterns become more directive and the antenna gain is increased, as compared to the single-disc resonator. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 451–453, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20664
Configuration of Autonomous Walkers for Extreme Terrain

Robots that can competently, efficiently, and autonomously operate in extreme terrain do not exist. Although walking locomotion offers unique advantages, existing walking mech anisms are not suited...
Physicians' Approaches to Recommending Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Qualitative Study

Little is known about strategies that physicians use to encourage receipt of colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). This study conducted focus groups with physicians. Twenty-seven physicians participated in four focus groups. Physicians described four categories of approaches: (1) why screening is important, (2) providing test information, (3) motivational strategies, and (4) tailoring strategies. Participants reported tailoring based on their relationship with a patient, as well as to patient gender, education, and language. Tailoring to cultural background or ethnicity was not prominent. Most physicians reported a typical approach to CRCS and reported some tailoring based on gender, education, and language, but not on ethnicity.
Incidence and mortality of generalized convulsive status epilepticus in California

Background: Few population-based studies of status epilepticus have been performed in the United States. Objective: To determine the incidence, case fatality, and demographics of generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) in the state of California. Methods: Using a state-wide hospital discharge database, the authors identified all hospitalizations from 1991 through 1998 with a discharge diagnosis of convulsive status epilepticus. They identified the first admission for each individual to estimate the incidence of GCSE. In-hospital case fatality rates were calculated, and multivariate analysis was performed to determine predictors of death during hospitalization. Secondary diagnoses were analyzed by retrieving all discharge diagnoses accompanying the diagnosis of GCSE. Results: The incidence rate of GCSE was 6.2/100,000 population and fell by 42% between the years 1991 and 1998 from 8.5 to 4.9/100,000. The rate of GCSE was highest among children under the age of 5 (7.5/100,000) and among the elderly (22.3/100,000). Blacks also demonstrated a relatively high incidence of GCSE (13.4/100,000). The case fatality for incident admissions was 10.7%, with increasing age being the only significant predictor in multivariate analysis. Case fatality was highest in patients who also carried a diagnosis of anoxia, CNS infection, or stroke. Conclusions: The incidence of GCSE requiring hospitalization has fallen over the last decade and is lower than that reported in previous studies. The case fatality is also lower than that reported previously. Further studies are needed to determine the cause of this decline in incidence and mortality of GCSE.
e Volver: an optimization engine for evolving protein sequences to stabilize the respective structures

Background Many structural bioinformatics approaches employ sequence profile-based threading techniques. To improve fold recognition rates, homology searching may include artificially evolved amino acid sequences, which were demonstrated to enhance the sensitivity of protein threading in targeting midnight zone templates.
Markov chain models for analyzing memory interference in multiprocessor computer systems

This paper discusses various analytical techniques for studying the extent of memory interference in a multiprocessor system with a crosspoint switch for processor-memory communication. Processor behavior is simplified to an ordered sequence of a memory request followed by an interval of processing time. The system is assumed to be bus bound; in other words, by the time the processor-memory bus completes servicing a processor's request the processor is ready to initiate another request and the memory module is ready to accept another request. The techniques discussed include discrete and continuous time Markov chain models as well as several approximate analytic methods.
Investigations of a Magnetically Enhanced Grimm-Type Glow Discharge Source:

The application of a magnetic field to the Grimm glow discharge lamp in order to enhance its sputtering rate and emission characteristics for optical emission spectrometry was investigated. A Nd-Fe-B magnet was placed behind samples of copper and Monel 400 (a Cu-Ni-Fe alloy) having thicknesses of 1.0-1.5 mm. The sputtering rates (at 1000 V in argon at 4 Torr) for copper could be increased from 100 to 200 μg/min under the influence of the magnetic field. The noise behavior of the atomic emission was found to be influenced slightly by the application of the magnetic field. For the nonresonance Cu(I) line emission at 282.4 nm, an increase in intensity occurred in accordance with the increase in sputtering rate, whereas for resonance lines [Cu(I) 324.7 nm in the case of copper samples and Cr(I) 425.7 nm for Monel 400 containing 0.06% (w:w) Cr], a drop in the atomic emission was found upon application of the magnetic field. This result is thought to be due to self-absorption, which has been shown to occur in a Grimm-type glow discharge source.
Neurotransmitter Release: The Last Millisecond in the Life of a Synaptic Vesicle

During an action potential, Ca2+ entering a presynaptic terminal triggers synaptic vesicle exocytosis and neurotransmitter release in less than a millisecond. How does Ca2+ stimulate release so rapidly and precisely? Work over the last decades revealed that Ca2+ binding to synaptotagmin triggers release by stimulating synaptotagmin binding to a core fusion machinery composed of SNARE and SM proteins that mediates membrane fusion during exocytosis. Complexin adaptor proteins assist synaptotagmin by activating and clamping this core fusion machinery. Synaptic vesicles containing synaptotagmin are positioned at the active zone, the site of vesicle fusion, by a protein complex containing RIM proteins. RIM proteins activate docking and priming of synaptic vesicles and simultaneously recruit Ca2+ channels to active zones, thereby connecting in a single complex primed synaptic vesicles to Ca2+ channels. This architecture allows direct flow of Ca2+ ions from Ca2+ channels to synaptotagmin, which then triggers fusion, thus mediating tight millisecond coupling of an action potential to neurotransmitter release.
Mechanisms of recoil ejection of Ni+ ions from a Ni(100) surface.

A Ni(100) single-crystal surface was bombarded by 5-keV ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{+}$ ions along [100] and [110] azimuths at an incident angle of 15\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. The energy distribution of fast recoil ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{+}$ ions was measured as a function of various exit angles. The important features in the energy spectra caused by direct knock-on and blocking processes are identified by computer simulation of binary collisions involving different collision sequences, inelastic energy loss, thermal vibrations of surface atoms, initial charge state of recoil, and subsequent neutralization during exit from surface. Good agreement is obtained between experiment and computer simulation.
Rational Design and 3D-Pharmacophore Mapping of 5′-Thiourea-Substituted α-Thymidine Analogues as Mycobacterial TMPK Inhibitors

Thymidine monophosphate kinase (TMPK) has emerged as an attractive target for developing inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. In this study the receptor-independent (RI) 4D-QSAR formalism has been used to develop QSAR models and corresponding 3D-pharmacophores for a set of 5′-thiourea-substituted α-thymidine inhibitors. Models were developed for the entire training set and for a subset of the training set consisting of the most potent inhibitors. The optimized (RI) 4D-QSAR models are statistically significant (r2 = 0.90, q2 = 0.83 entire set, r2 = 0.86, q2 = 0.80 high potency subset) and also possess good predictivity based on test set predictions. The most and least potent inhibitors, in their respective postulated active conformations derived from the models, were docked in the active site of the TMPK crystallographic structure. There is a solid consistency between the 3D-pharmacophore sites defined by the QSAR models and interactions with binding site residues. This model identifies new reg...
Influence of dynamic strain aging on the transition of creep characteristics of a solid solution alloy at various temperatures

Abstract In this paper the temperature dependence of creep rates of Al1Mg alloy is examined in order to test the concept of dynamic strain aging with respect to temperature. The change in the stress exponent is attributed to dynamic strain aging. The equations for the creep rates at various temperatures are in good agreement with the published data available. A reasonably good fit to a straight line with a slope of 4.76 is obtained if the temperature-compensated creep rate is plotted against the normalized effective stress. The dynamic strain-aging model of this study is in good agreement with the computer simulation result of Takeuchi and Argon. The validity of the viscous glide model as the dynamic strain-aging mechanism for the high temperature creep of AlMg alloys is also discussed.
MATERNAL IMPACT ON EGG DEVELOPMENT IN LYMNAEA STAGNALIS : A GROWTH FACTOR IS PRODUCED BY THE ALBUMEN GLAND IN THE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT

Summary In the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis, perivitellin fluid is the main source of nutrition for developing embryos; it contains predominantly galactogen and proteins. The fluid is produced by the albumen gland, a large exocrine organ in the female reproductive tract. To further define the protein products of this gland and provide more information about the maternal contribution to egg development, albumen glands were extracted and the extracts purified by reversed-phase HPLC. One major HPLC peak fraction exhibited neurotrophic activity when bioassayed on identified Lymnaea neurons in vitro; it has been partially sequenced and has the highest degree of sequence identity with epidermal growth factor (EGF). These results demonstrate that a growth factor with neurotrophic activity is produced by the albumen gland, and is packaged along with the eggs to serve a growth-promoting function in the embryo.
Catheters, Microbes, Time, and Gold Standards

The study by Raad and colleagues in this issue suggests that a shorter time to positivity in blood cultures drawn from a vascular catheter is a useful diagnostic approach for catheter-related blood...
Analysis of IL-2 functional structure by multiple cysteine substitutions

IL-2 has three cysteine residues. The cysteines at positions 58 and 105 of active IL-2 form an intramolecular disulfide bond while that at position 125 remains as a free form. To evaluate the importance of correct disulfide bond, mutant proteins (muteins) that have triple and double substitutions of cysteines with alanines, namely A58/105/125 and A58/125, were made by polymerase chain reaction method respectively. Thymidine incorporation assay on CTLL-2 cells showed that although these two muteins were only 0.5-2.0% as potent as that of wild type IL-2, they were 50-200 fold more active than A58, a mutein that has substitution of cysteine at position 58 with alanine. Binding inhibition study showed that the relative affinity of muteins A58/125 and A58/105/125 for high affinity IL-2 receptors was 5-25 fold higher than that of A58. These results suggest that the dramatic decrease in the activity of mutein A58 may result from the formation of an incorrect disulfide bond between the cysteines at positions 105 and 125.
Differential expression of genes in soybean in response to the causal agent of Asian soybean rust ( Phakopsora pachyrhizi Sydow) is soybean growth stage-specific

Understanding plant host response to a pathogen such as Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the causal agent of Asian soybean rust (ASR), under different environmental conditions and growth stages is crucial for developing a resistant plant variety. The main objective of this study was to perform global transcriptome profiling of P. pachyrhizi-exposed soybean (Glycine max) with susceptible reaction to the pathogen from two distinct developmental growth stages using whole genome Affymetrix microarrays of soybean followed by confirmation using a resistant genotype. Soybean cv. 5601T (susceptible to ASR) at the V4 and R1 growth stages and Glycine tomentella (resistant to ASR) plants were inoculated with P. pachyrhizi and leaf samples were collected after 72 h of inoculation for microarray analysis. Upon analyzing the data using Array Assist software at 5% false discovery rate (FDR), a total of 5,056 genes were found significantly differentially expressed at V4 growth stage, of which 2,401 were up-regulated, whereas 579 were found differentially expressed at R1 growth stage, of which 264 were up-regulated. There were 333 differentially expressed common genes between the V4 and R1 growth stages, of which 125 were up-regulated. A large difference in number of differentially expressed genes between the two growth stages indicates that the gene expression is growth-stage-specific. We performed real-time RT-PCR analysis on nine of these genes from both growth stages and both plant species and found results to be congruent with those from the microarray analysis.
The prolonged effects of a single ECS on behavior related to hippocampal function

Spontaneous alternation, a response highly and specifically related to hippocampal function, was greatly reduced in rate for a prolonged period after a single electroconvulsive shock. The effect was delayed in that performance on a test given one-half hour after ECS was entirely normal. Between 1 and 72 hr after ECS, however, alternation occurred at a stable rate not reliably above a chance level of 50%. Considerable recovery was evident 5 days after ECS, but it was not until Day 7 that the rate equaled or exceeded the 84% recorded on 25 pretests. These results, and several others in the literature, support the hypothesis that ECS produces a prolonged but reversible malfunction of the hippocampus. The 30 rats used in this study differed greatly in the degree to which alternation was reduced and in the duration of the effect. The only variable found related to these individual differences was the weight of the adrenals divided by body weight. This adrenal index correlated 0.7 with the reduction in rate after ECS. Profound changes in emotionality or arousal were also observed in many rats, but it was shown that these probably could not account for the alternation results.
Pauses at positions of secondary structure during in vitro replication of single-stranded fd bacteriophage DNA by T4 DNA polymerase.

Abstract Since bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase is unable to use duplex DNA molecules as templates ( B. Alberts, J. Barry, M. Brittner, M. Davies, H. Hama-Inaba, C. C. Liu, D. Mace, L. Moran, C. F. Morris, J. Piperno, and N. Sinha, 1977 , in Nucleic Acids and Protein Recognition, Vogel, H. J., ed., pp. 31–63, Academic Press, New York), a technique involving synchronous and uniquely primed synthesis of DNA on the single-stranded fd DNA by the T4 DNA polymerase has been developed to probe regions exhibiting secondary structure on this genome. As the polymerase proceeds, the template secondary structure acts as a kinetic barrier to delay the continuous chain extension catalyzed by this enzyme. These kinetic pause sites can be mapped by denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis of replication intermediates and used to generate a secondary structure map. Using this method, we are able to establish a list including at least seven plausible stable helical regions in fd DNA. Two of the most stable secondary structures have been mapped near fd sequence positions 3350 and 5650, respectively. The latter has been reported to be the region where fd DNA replication begins ( C. P. Gray, R. Sommer, C. Polke, E. Beck, and H. Schaller, 1978 , Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 75, 50–53). However, the biological function associated with the former has yet to be investigated. Following a two-state model, we estimate the first-order rate constant for progression through the duplex regions near position 5650 in fd DNA to be about 0.042 min−1 for fd DNA synthesis by the T4 DNA polymerase under our reaction conditions. A 7.5-fold increase in this rate constant is obtained upon the addition of the T4 DNA helix destabilizing protein (i.e., gene 32 protein). The general pattern of our secondary structure map agrees well with a computer search for duplex regions on the fd genome. Both the stability and the size of a stable secondary structure at a particular position on the fd template determine the time that the newly made DNA molecules spend at that site. A structure with a stem of less than 8 base pairs does not interrupt significantly the procession of the T4 DNA polymerase during the process of fd DNA synthesis.
Overlap between borderline and schizotypal personality disorders

Borderline personality was split into two diagnostic categories in DSM-III: borderline personality disorder (BPD) and schizotypal personality disorder (SPD). There remains a great deal of diagnostic overlap between these two categories despite modifications in DSM-III-R. This report discusses four possible hypotheses for this overlap: (1) an independent, random association; (2) artifactual overlap due to imperfections in the criteria sets; (3) a synergistic association of the two personality disorders; and (4) a manifestation of dimensional psychopathology. Empirical evidence for each of the first three hypotheses is weak and contradictory. Recent biologic and treatment studies appear to most strongly support the use of dimensional models of "borderline" and "schizotypal" personality traits.
A Highly Efficient In Vitro Cranberry Regeneration System Using Leaf Explants

A very efficient adventitious regeneration (shoot organogenesis) system for cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) leaves was developed. A basal medium consisting of Anderson's rhododendron salts and Murashige and Skoog's (MS) organics, supplemented with 10.0 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 5.0 μM 2ip, was effective for adventitious regeneration from leaves for the five cranberry cultivars tested: Early Black', Pilgrim', Stevens', Ben Lear', and No.35'. Parameters examined included: 1) varying combinations of three plant growth regulators (TDZ, 2ip, and NAA); 2) explant orientation (adaxial vs. abaxial side in contact with the medium); and 3) leaf position relative to the apical meristem from the source plant. Cultivars varied in regeneration frequency, but cultivar x growth regulator interaction was nonsignificant. With optimal treatment conditions, regeneration occurred on more than 95% ofthe explants, with 'Early Black' and 'Pilgrim' producing as many as 100 shoot meristems per explant. At all concentrations tested, NAA (as low as 0.1 μM) increased callus formation and significantly reduced regeneration. Emerging adventitious shoots were always observed on the adaxial side of the leaves regardless of explant orientation on the medium. Regeneration was much greater when the abaxial side was in contact with the medium, and was not related to leaf position on the source plants. Elongation of adventitious shoots began =2 weeks after transfer to the basal medium without growth regulators. Cuttings of elongated shoots rooted 100% both in vitro in the basal medium and ex vitro in shredded sphagnum moss. The high regeneration efficiency achieved by using this system will be very useful in the application of techniques, such as Agrobacterium- and particle bombardment-mediated transformation. Chemical names used: 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl) urea (thidiazuron, TDZ); N 6 -(γ-γ-dimethyallylamino) purine (2ip); α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA).