cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparing for professional practice: course evaluation and implications

One goal of engineering schools is to prepare students to become engineering practitioners. At the University of Washington, we have been conducting a variety of research projects devoted to the concurrent goals of (a) articulating what it means to prepare students to become engineering practitioners, (b) assessing students' preparedness for being engineering practitioners, and (c) designing and evaluating activities that promote student preparation in areas that are potentially overlooked in traditional curricula. In this paper, we focus on the evaluation of a two-credit course designed during the summer of 1999 and taught during the fall of 1999. In particular, we describe the motivations behind the course design, the primary components of the course design, and the outcome of an empirical and extensive student-based evaluation of the course. In addition, we discuss the possible implications of the evaluation results.
Genetic requirements for local and systemic movement of tomato golden mosaic virus in infected plants.

Abstract Tomato golden mosaic geminivirus (TGMV) has two DNA components, A and B. Replication of DNA A can be detected in inoculated leaves, but DNA B is additionally required for virus movementin planta.Using viral DNA accumulation as an indication of the number of infected cells, we show here that both theBL1andBR1genes are necessary for local TGMV movement. We also demonstrate that transient expression ofBL1andBR1together allows wild-type TGMV DNA A to move systemically. When the transient movement assay was used to analyze various A component mutants, all were found to move locally in inoculated leaves, and only anar1(coat protein) mutant was unable to move systemically. In addition, we confirm that a TGMVal2(AR1andBR1 trans-activator) mutant has a defect in local movement which can be rescued by provision of exogenous BR1, but not BL1. Finally, we show that the ability of TGMV coat protein mutants to accumulate single-stranded (ss) DNA is dependent on BR1. These results provide experimental evidence obtainedin plantawhich supports three predictions of published models for bipartite geminivirus movement: (i) BL1 and BR1 have distinct and essential roles in cell-to-cell movement as well as systemic movement; (ii) BR1 may interact with viral ssDNAin vivo;and (iii) AL2 is indirectly required for movement through its effect onBR1expression. In addition, our data suggest that specific models of bipartite geminivirus systemic movement should accommodate a role for the coat protein.
Rearrangement Collisions at Very High Energies

The energy dependence of the charge-exchange cross section in proton\char22{}hydrogen-atom collisions at very high energies, within the framework of the Schr\"odinger equation, has long been a subject of controversy. We attempt to determine the energy dependence of the forward-scattering cross section at very high energies in an arbitrary rearrangement collision involving two heavy particles of masses ${M}_{a}$ and ${M}_{b}$ and a light particle of mass $m$, with $m$ initially bound to ${M}_{a}$ and finally bound to ${M}_{b}$. In the limits $\frac{m}{{M}_{a}}$, $\frac{m}{{M}_{b}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ the scattering is entirely in the forward direction and the cross section $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ for forward capture is given exactly by the impact-parameter treatment. A Born-type expansion is developed in the impact-parameter treatment for the forward-capture amplitude $A$. Thus, $A$ is written as a sum of a finite number of Born terms plus a remainder $R$. The Schwarz inequality can be used to bound $R$ since there are no non-normalizable plane-wave functions\char22{}the motion of ${M}_{a}$ and ${M}_{b}$ is treated classically. We can thereby show that for a certain class of nonsingular interactions the second Born term provides the dominant contribution to $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ at high energies, whether or not the Born series converges. (This may be the first example for which it has been shown that the second Born term dominates.) This result makes plausible the dominance of the second Born term in $p\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{H}$ forward charge exchange.
Enhancement of Undergraduate Electric Power Courses via Commercial Electromagnetic Simulation Software

The electric power courses at Western Kentucky University emphasize proficiency in both electric machines and the integration of these machines into complex systems via transmission lines. The electric machines considered are electromagnetic devices governed by abstract principles. Recently, the courses have been enhanced by the use of commercial finite element method (FEM) software, which calculates approximate solutions to the governing differential equations and permits visualization and animation to assist in the understanding and design of the devices. This paper will describe how the technology is being used to improve an evolving project- based electric power curriculum.
Adaptive sun tracking algorithm for incident energy maximization and efficiency improvement of PV panels

Abstract In recent times, sun tracking systems are being increasingly employed to enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic panels by constantly tracking the elevation and azimuth angles of the sun. In this paper, a novel adaptive digital signal processing and control algorithm is presented that optimizes the overall PV system output power by adjusting the position angles of the solar panel on both the elevation and azimuth axes. Since the proposed approach is adaptive in nature, the optimal position angles for the solar panel are iteratively computed using the adaptive gradient ascent method, until the incident solar radiation, and hence the output power is maximized. Furthermore, a Taylor’s series approximation is employed for generating a unique optimal position angle increment/decrement at each iteration. Simulation results show that the proposed technique demonstrates fast convergence and excellent tracking accuracy at all times of the day.
Promoter Recognition by a Complex of Spx and the C-Terminal Domain of the RNA Polymerase α Subunit

Background Spx, an ArsC (arsenate reductase) family member, is a global transcriptional regulator of the microbial stress response and is highly conserved amongst Gram-positive bacteria. Bacillus subtilis Spx protein exerts positive and negative control of transcription through its interaction with the C-terminal domain of the RNA polymerase (RNAP) α subunit (αCTD). Spx activates trxA (thioredoxin) and trxB (thioredoxin reductase) in response to thiol stress, and bears an N-terminal C10XXC13 redox disulfide center that is oxidized in active Spx. Methodology/Principal Findings The structure of mutant SpxC10S showed a change in the conformation of helix α4. Amino acid substitutions R60E and K62E within and adjacent to helix α4 conferred defects in Spx-activated transcription but not Spx-dependent repression. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays showed αCTD interaction with trxB promoter DNA, but addition of Spx generated a supershifted complex that was disrupted in the presence of reductant (DTT). Interaction of αCTD/Spx complex with promoter DNA required the cis-acting elements -45AGCA-42 and -34AGCG-31 of the trxB promoter. The SpxG52R mutant, defective in αCTD binding, did not interact with the αCTD-trxB complex. SpxR60E not only failed to complex with αCTD-trxB, but also disrupted αCTD-trxB DNA interaction. Conclusions/Significance The results show that Spx and αCTD form a complex that recognizes the promoter DNA of an Spx-controlled gene. A conformational change during oxidation of Spx to the disulfide form likely alters the structure of Spx α helix α4, which contains residues that function in transcriptional activation and αCTD/Spx-promoter interaction. The results suggest that one of these residues, R60 of the α4 region of oxidized Spx, functions in αCTD/Spx-promoter contact but not in αCTD interaction.
The incidence of repeated mating in the superspecies, Drosophila paulistorum.

Trois series d'experiences ont ete fait pour verifier la possibilite d'accouplements repetes chez leDrosophila paulistorum. A l'aide de marqueur morphologiques et de marqueur a enzyme, nous avons demontre que l'accouplement double se pratique frequemment parmi cette espece, meme pour une population vivant en cage. Les femelles qui se sont accouplees deux fois utilisent le sperme des deux mâles pour fertiliser une seule couvee d'œufs.
Angiocidin inhibitory peptides decrease tumor burden in a murine colon cancer model.

Introduction We have recently developed two inhibitory peptides that target angiocidin, a key mediator of tumor progression and angiogenesis. In this study, we investigate the expression of angiocidin in human colon cancer specimens and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of our angiocidin inhibitory peptides. Methods We created a colon cancer tissue array containing primary tumor, normal colon, negative and positive lymph nodes, and liver metastases (when available) from 159 consecutive colon cancer specimens. Angiocidin expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. The efficacy of 6-mer and 25-mer angiocidin inhibitory peptides was determined in a murine model of human colon cancer. Treatment efficacy was based on primary tumor volume and measures of tumor burden, including internal disease score and health score. Western blots were used to determine angiocidin expression in xenografts. Results Eighty-nine percent of primary tumors and 91% of positive lymph nodes expressed angiocidin. Normal colon was negative in 94% of specimens, and normal lymph nodes were negative or weakly positive in 79% of specimens. All liver metastases were positive for angiocidin. Animals in both peptide treatment groups showed improvement in health score and internal disease score compared with control animals (P = 0.001). Treatment with 6-mer and 25-mer peptide resulted in 3-fold and 16-fold reductions, respectively, in primary tumor volume (P = 0.001). Angiocidin expression in primary tumors of peptide-treated mice correlated with tumor burden (P Conclusions Angiocidin is overexpressed in human colon cancer specimens. Angiocidin-inhibitory peptides are well tolerated in vivo and effectively reduce primary tumor volume and tumor burden in human colon cancer xenografts.
Internal validity of the physical activity index over 26 years in middle-aged and older men.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the internal validity of the physical activity index (PAI). DESIGN: Three time periods over a 26-year period (1965/68 examination, n = 7911; 1980/82 examination, n = 2054; 1991/93 examination, n = 3425). SETTING: Honolulu, Hawaii. PARTICIPANTS: Middle-aged to older Japanese-American men. MEASUREMENTS: PAI, other physical activity measures, body mass index (BMI), tricep skinfold thickness, subscapular skinfold thickness, and HDL cholesterol. RESULTS: PAI level was associated significantly with levels of other physical activity measures at all time periods. Higher PAI level was associated with lower BMI at the baseline examination (1965/68), lower subscapular skinfold thickness at the 1965/68 and 1980/82 examinations, lower tricep skinfold thickness at all examinations, and higher HDL cholesterol at the 1980/82 examination. Change in PAI level from 1965/68 to 1980/82 was associated with change in BMI, subscapular, and tricep skinfold thickness levels, but there were no significant associations between change in PAI level and change in BMI, skinfold thicknesses, or HDL cholesterol levels from 1980/82 to 1991/93. CONCLUSION: PAI level is a relatively valid estimate of overall daily energy expenditure that may be an acceptable general measure across the middle-to-late stages of life. The PAI may also be sensitive enough to discern a shift toward less physical demanding activities as a population becomes older, although further studies should be conducted to better determine its validity in older populations.
Recording System for Monitoring Automaticity of Heart Cells in Culture

IN recent studies with cultured beating heart cells1–5 data have usually been acquired by intermittent microscopic observations of the contractions of the cells. The more laborious method involving measurement of intracellular electrical depolarization is too expensive for routine use6. We therefore set out to develop simplified culture techniques and an automated system for monitoring both the chronotropic and inotropic effects of chemical and physical agents.
Phonon scattering by crystal surfaces

Abstract A calculation of the inverse relaxation time for the scattering of phonons by the [001] free surfaces of a simple cubic crystal slab is presented for phonons propagating normal to the surfaces of the slab. The result for the inverse relaxation time of the normal mode labeled by the wave vector k and branch index j , has the form τ −1 k j = v z ( k j)/ La o , where v z ( k j) is the z -component of the group velocity of the mode, and La o is the thickness of the slab.
Magnetization by rotation: The barnett effect in a superconductor

The magnetic field due to the rotation of a superconductor has been measured for a number of hollow and solid tin cylinders of varying purity. The field generated within a hollow cylinder agrees with the predictions of the London theory:B=−(2mc/e)ω. The value of−2mc/e determined from the experiments was 1.17 × 10−7 G-sec, which agrees with the theoretical value of 1.137 × 10−7 G-sec within the experimental error of ±5%. The reversibility of the production of the field was investigated for both hollow and solid cylinders. In the case of the hollow cylinder, effects analogous to flux trapping were observed: If the specimen is cooled belowTc while in rotation, then the “London field” appeared only when the rotation speed was changed. In the case of the solid cylinder, effects analogous to those associated with “frozen in flux” were observed: the London field appeared reversibly only in those specimens sufficiently pure to exhibit a Meissner effect at fields of the order of 10−5 G. In one run a ferrite cylinder was substituted for the superconductor. A Barnett effect was observed; the magnitude of the field generated by rotation was consistent with the permeability measured at audio frequencies by conventional means. A novel heat-transfer effect connected with the rotation of the sample was also observed during the course of measurements on the hollow cylinders. A discussion of the electrodynamics of the rotating superconductor is given in an appendix.
Novel heparin-activated protein kinase activity in rabbit skeletal muscle.

Abstract A heparin-activated protein kinase has been identified in rabbit skeletal muscle. The enzyme, which had a native molecular mass of 70 kDa as judged by gel filtration, was stimulated 3- to 5-fold by heparin, halfmaximally at 3 μg ml heparin. The stimulation by heparin was not reproduced by other polyanions such as polyaspartate and polyglutamate. The protein kinase was detected by its ability to phosphorylate glycogen synthase; it was ineffective in phosphorylating caseins, phosvitin, histone, or phosphorylase. Glycogen synthase was phosphorylated to a stoichiometry of 0.7–0.8 phosphates/subunit, exclusively at serine residues located in the COOH-terminal CNBr-fragment of the subunit, with a corresponding reduction in the -/+ glucose-6P activity ratio from 0.96 to 0.43. The activity of the protein kinase was unaffected by the presence of Ca2+ and/or phospholipid, cyclic AMP or heat-stable inhibitor protein of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The enzyme was inhibited about 60% by the presence of glycogen, half-maximal effect at 25 μg ml . The heparin-activated protein kinase is clearly distinguishable from other known glycogen synthase kinases.
A mechanism of repression by acute myeloid leukemia-1, the target of multiple chromosomal translocations in acute leukemia.

AML1 is one of the most frequently translocated genes in human leukemia. Here we demonstrate that acute myeloid leukemia-1 (AML-1) (Runx-1) represses transcription from a native promoter, p21 Waf1/Cip1 . Unexpectedly, this repression did not require interactions with the Groucho co-repressor. To define the mechanism of repression, we asked whether other co-repressors could interact with AML-1. We demonstrate that AML-1 interacts with the mSin3 co-repressors. Moreover, endogenous AML-1 associated with endogenous mSin3A in mammalian cells. A deletion mutant of AML-1 that did not interact with mSin3A failed to repress transcription. The AML-1/mSin3 association suggests a mechanism of repression for the chromosomal translocation fusion proteins that disrupt AML-1.
Acquired hypocupremia after gastric surgery

Background & Aims: Copper absorption in humans probably occurs in the stomach and duodenum. Copper is essential for the structure and function of the nervous system and acquired copper deficiency in humans has been recognized to cause a myelopathy that resembles vitamin B 12 deficiency. Acquired copper deficiency is not a well-recognized complication of gastric surgery. In Menkes' disease a defect in enterocyte transport of absorbed copper results in increased copper content in the duodenal mucosa and hypocupremia. Methods: We report 2 patients who developed neurologic deficits with copper deficiency many years after gastric surgery. In 2 other patients with hypocupremic myelopathy but no history of gastric surgery, colonic copper was measured to determine if an absorptive defect similar to that seen in Menkes' disease may be responsible for hypocupremia. Results: In all 4 patients copper deficiency was identified as the cause of the myelopathy. In 2 patients the copper deficiency occurred after gastric surgery. Eight additional patients with copper deficiency after gastric surgery were identified from the literature. Six of these 8 patients also had neurologic manifestations. Colonic mucosa copper content was increased in the 2 patients with hypocupremia without prior gastric surgery. Conclusions: Acquired copper deficiency may be a delayed complication of gastric surgery and may result in a myelopathy similar to that seen with vitamin B 12 deficiency. In some patients with acquired copper deficiency no cause for the hypocupremia may be evident and a primary absorptive defect should be considered.
Templated Photonic Crystal Fabrication of Stoichiometrically Complex Nanoparticles for Resonance Raman Solid Cross Section Determinations

Development of methods to fabricate nanopar- ticles is of great interest for many applications. In this paper, we developed a facile method to fabricate complex stoichiometric- ally defined nanoparticles by ultilizing the defined volume interstices of close-packed photonic crystals. Fabrication of small defined size nanoparticles enables measurements of resonance Raman cross sections of solid materials. We success- fully ultilized this method to fabricate mixed NaNO3/Na2SO4 nanoparticles with a defined stoichiometry on the surface of the photonic crystal spherical particles. We used these stoichiomet- rically defined NaNO3/Na2SO4 nanoparticles to determine the solid UV resonance Raman cross section of the NO3 ν1 symmetric stretching band (229 nm excitation wavelength) by monitoring the Raman spectrum of Na2SO4 as an internal standard. These are the first resonance Raman cross section measurements of solids that avoid the biasing of self-absorption. These NaNO3/Na2SO4 nanoparticles appear to show a more facile photolysis than is observed for normal solid NaNO3 samples. This templated photonic crystal fabrication of complex nanoparticle method will be important for many applications.
Fragmented malware through RFID and its defenses

Malware, in essence, is an infiltration to one’s computer system. Malware is created to wreak havoc once it gets in through weakness in a computer’s barricade. Anti-virus companies and operating system companies are working to patch weakness in systems and to detect infiltrators. However, with the advance of fragmentation, detection might even prove to be more difficult. Malware detection relies on signatures to identify malware of certain shapes. With fragmentation, functionality and size can change depending on how many fragments are used and how the fragments are created. In this paper we present a robust malware detection technique, with emphasis on detecting fragmentation malware attacks in RFID systems that can be extended to detect complex obfuscated and mutated malware. After a particular fragmented malware has been first identified, it can be analyzed to extract the signature, which provides a basis for detecting variants and mutants of similar types of malware in the future. Encouraging experimental results on a limited set of recent malware are presented.
Capillary electrophoretic analysis reveals subcellular binding between individual mitochondria and cytoskeleton

Interactions between the cytoskeleton and mitochondria are essential for normal cellular function. An assessment of such interactions is commonly based on bulk analysis of mitochondrial and cytoskeletal markers present in a given sample, which assumes complete binding between these two organelle types. Such measurements are biased because they rarely account for non-bound ‘free’ subcellular species. Here we report on the use of capillary electrophoresis with dual laser induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) to identify, classify, count and quantify properties of individual binding events of mitochondria and cytoskeleton. Mitochondria were fluorescently labeled with DsRed2 while F-actin, a major cytoskeletal component, was fluorescently labeled with Alexa488-phalloidin. In a typical subcellular fraction of L6 myoblasts, 79% of mitochondrial events did not have detectable levels of F-actin, while the rest had on average ~2 zeptomole F-actin, which theoretically represents a ~ 2.5-μm long network of actin filaments per event. Trypsin treatment of L6 subcellular fractions prior to analysis decreased the fraction of mitochondrial events with detectable levels of F-actin, which is expected from digestion of cytoskeletal proteins on the surface of mitochondria. The electrophoretic mobility distributions of the individual events were also used to further distinguish between cytoskeleton-bound from cytoskeleton-free mitochondrial events. The CE-LIF approach described here could be further developed to explore cytoskeleton interactions with other subcellular structures, the effects of cytoskeleton destabilizing drugs, and the progression of viral infections.
Acute lung injury in a neurosciences critical care unit

Acute lung injury (ALI) may complicate neurological illness, but the mechanisms and outcomes of ALI in this setting are poorly understood. We hypothesized that ALI is linked to severity of neurological illness, mechanical ventilation (MV) parameters, and outcomes in brain-injured patients.
Variable osteology of the sixth cervical vertebra in relation to stellate ganglion block.

Background and Objectives Stellate ganglion block is often carried out using palpation of surface landmarks to guide needle placement. However, anatomic variation of the surface landmarks used is common and block failure has been reported in as many as 30% of patients, even when the surface landmarks that guide needle placement can be easily identified. Methods Computed tomography (CT) images of the cervical spine of 70 adult patients were examined to measure the distances in the coronal and sagittal planes between various points on the cricoid cartilage, anterior tubercle, posterior tubercle, and nadir of the vertebral gutter. The width of the tubercle in the caudal and cephalad plane was determined through multiplanar reformatted CT images in 6 randomly chosen patients. Results The mean distance from the lateral margin of the cricoid cartilage laterally to the anterior tubercle was 13 ± 5 mm (range 3-22 mm) in men and 12 ± 3 mm (range 6-22 mm) in women. The mean depth of the anterior tubercle as measured posteriorly from the midpoint of the trachea was 20 ± 4 (range 10-33 mm) in men and 19 ± 4 mm (range 9-33 mm) in women. The maximal and minimal cephalad-caudad dimensions of the transverse process of C6 were 9.3 ± 0.3 mm, and 6.7 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. Conclusions Large variability was observed in the size and location of the landmarks used for needle placement during stellate ganglion block. Placement of the needle medially where the transverse process joins the lateral margin of the vertebral body provides a larger bony target that may potentially provide a safer, more reliable block.
Regioselective Mannosylation Routes to the Antigenic myo-Inositol Component of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract A differentially protected derivative of myo -inositol with free hydroxyl groups at C6 and C2 is regioselectively mannosylated at C2, and subsequently at C6 with the same or a different donor to give the dimannosylated inositol antigenic core of Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Deacetylation now frees C1 for phosphorylation.
Damping criteria for thermal acoustic oscillations in slush and liquid hydrogen systems

Abstract Thermal acoustic oscillations in cryogenic systems are generally highly undesirable since large amounts of heat can be transferred into these systems during such oscillations. Further, the vibrations in these systems due to thermal oscillations can cause measurement and even structural difficulties. Considerable effort has been devoted in developing techniques for damping such oscillations by attaching resonators, inserting wires, etc. A theoretical analysis of these damping techniques has recently been completed. In this study a number of the damping criteria were investigated. These damping criteria were developed by investigating the stability characteristics obtained in an earlier analysis. This study indicates that thermal acoustic oscillations can be damped effectively by a number of approaches such as changing the tube radius, adjusting the length ratio of the warm section to the cold section and varying the temperature ratio or temperature profile along the tube.
Carbon supported Ag nanoparticles with different particle size as cathode catalysts for anion exchange membrane direct glycerol fuel cells

Abstract The effect of Ag particle size on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode was investigated in anion exchange membrane direct glycerol fuel cells (AEM-DGFC) with oxygen as an oxidant. At the anode, high purity glycerol (99.8 wt%) or crude glycerol (88 wt%, from soybean biodiesel) was used as fuel, and commercial Pt/C served as the anode catalyst. A solution phase-based nanocapsule synthesis method was successfully developed to prepare the non-precious Ag/C cathode catalyst, with LiBEt3H as a reducing agent. XRD and TEM characterizations show that as-synthesized Ag nanoparticles (NP) with a size of 2–9 nm are well dispersed on the Vulcan XC-72 carbon black support. Commercial Ag nanoparticles with a size of 20–40 nm were also supported on carbon black as a control sample. The results show that higher peak power density was obtained in AEM-DGFC employing an Ag-NP catalyst with smaller particle size: nanocapsule made Ag-NP > commercial Ag-NP (Alfa Aesar, 99.9%). With the nanocapsule Ag-NP cathode catalyst, the peak power density and open circuit voltage (OCV) of AEM-DGFC with high-purity glycerol at 80 °C are 86 mW cm−2 and 0.73 V, respectively. These are much higher than 45 mW cm−2 and 0.68 V for the AEM-DGFC with the commercial Ag/C cathode catalyst, which can be attributed to the enhanced kinetics and reduced internal resistance. Directly fed with crude glycerol, the AEM-DGFC with the nanocapsule Ag-NP cathode catalyst shows an encouraging peak power density of 66 mW cm−2, which shows great potential of direct use of biodiesel waste fuel for electricity generation.
Spin and Molecular Dynamics in Acyl-Containing Biradicals: Time-Resolved Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Laser Flash Photolysis Study

A combination of time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) and laser flash photolysis (LFP) studies of flexible acyl-containing biradicals over a wide temperature range is reported. In contrast to previous reports, it is shown that the main channel of intersystem crossing in these biradicals is the electron spin relaxation of the acyl moiety rather than spin-orbit interaction in the biradical. This relaxation determines the decay rate of the electron spin polarization at low temperatures and the biradical lifetime at high temperatures. The relaxation mechanism is attributed to the spin-rotation interaction, associated with the rotation of the carbonyl group about the neighboring C-C bond axis. From a model simulation of the time profile of the spin-polarized TREPR signal based on the numerical solution of the stochastic Liouville equation of the spin density matrix in frame of realistic model of biradical, the Arrhenius parameters for correlation times of spin rotation interaction and activation energies for molecular and spin dynamics were determined in two solvents, 2-propanol and hexane.
Salient issues in choosing a new doctor.

Abstract In this paper we argue that selecting a new doctor is one of three phases in the overall, iterative process of patient-practitioner encounters. Further, we assume that the factors which impact on individuals' decisions to seek and to use health services should also influence their choices of new physicians. Accordingly, we assess the extent to which traditional predictors of health services utilization (i.e. the predisposing, enabling, illness-morbidity, and consumer satisfaction characteristics) are directly associated with individuals' identifications of the important factors in their choices of new doctors. Discriminant function and multivariate contingency analyses of data from a national survey of 1530 adults reveal five major patterns of typical behavior. First, individuals with lower socioeconomic status and poorer access to medical care choose the psychosocial aspects of the patient-practitioner relationship as most important in selecting a new doctors. Second, individuals with lower socioeconomic status but better access to medical care focus on the cost of an office visit. Third, individuals with higher socioeconomic status but poorer access to medical care focus on the hospital affiliation of the physician. Fourth, individuals with higher socioeconomic status and better access to medical care focus on the physician's affiliation with a medical group. Fifth, individuals with higher socioeconomic status and moderate access to medical care focus on the recommendations of friends. Finally, we discuss the implications of these behavioral patterns for models of health services utilization, consumer satisfaction, the sick role, and medical school curricula and recruitment policies.
Active Air Control System to Reduce Two-Stroke Cycle Engine Pollutant Emissions: Validation and Laboratory Testing

This paper presents results from Phase 2 of the development of an Active Air Control (AAC) system to balance air flow into each cylinder of a turbocharged engine system, a PRCI-funded emissions reduction project. Imbalance in air flow creates a discontinuity in trapped equivalence ratio from cylinder to cylinder. Trapped equivalence ratio is directly proportional to NOX production and a function of the fuel flow rate, air flow rate, and, in a two-stroke cycle engine, the scavenging efficiency. Only when these three characteristics are balanced cylinder to cylinder will the combustion and the NOX production in each cylinder be equal. The engine NOX production will be disproportionately high if even one cylinder operates less lean relative to the other cylinders. This paper reports on the testing of an AAC system on a two-cylinder air flow bench at the National Gas Machinery Laboratory at Kansas State University. The results from these tests were then used to further validate the comprehensive, variable geometry, multi-cylinder flow model referred to as the Charge Air Integrated Manifold Engine Numerical Simulation (CAIMENS). CAIMENS is a manifold flow model coupled with the T-RECS engine processor that uses an integrated set of fundamental principles to determine the crank angle-resolved pressure, temperature, burned and unburned mass fractions, and gas exchange rates for the cylinder. CAIMENS has been validated with data from the NGML multi-cylinder flow bench. This information has allowed the research team to (1) quantify the impact of air flow imbalance and (2) provide detailed information leading to the specification of the active air flow control system. The end point of this project is an AAC system that can, with some engineering effort, be applied to field engines.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Prostate cancer prevention and finasteride.

Purpose: We assessed whether the association between the larger changes in prostate specific antigen and high grade prostate cancer observed in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial can explain the increased detection of high grade prostate cancer in men randomized to finasteride vs placebo.Materials and Methods: A literature review was performed to obtain evidence to develop a hypothesis that may explain the results of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial.Results: On average finasteride halved prostate specific antigen. As shown by the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms study and Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, it also decreased the annual median increase in prostate specific antigen from benign prostatic hyperplasia. Therefore, despite doubling prostate specific antigen during the first 3 years of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, to have prostate specific antigen exceed 4 ng/ml and have a prostate biopsy recommended men receiving finasteride vs placebo required greater increases in prostate spe...
Liking of personal names, self-esteem, and the Big Five Inventory.

Sz~mmay.-76 university students responded to the Big Five Inventory, the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory, and rated how much hey liked their first and middle names. Self-esteem positively correlated with scores on Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion and negatively with Neuroticism. Liking of one's first name correlated positively with scores on Conscientiousness only. Previous research (Strunk, 1958; Boshler, 1968; Striimpfer, 1978; Joubert, 1991a) yielded a positive relation between hg for one's personal names and self-esteem. This is important, since Allport (1937) asserted that an indvidual's personal name was one of the most important symbols of selfhood. The present purpose was to extend what is known about the relation between self-esteem and individuals' attitudes toward their personal names by examining whether any of the Big Five personahty traits, i.e., Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness, correlated with self-esteem and personal name lilung. The Five-Factor theory (McCrae & Costa, 1985; Costa & McCrae, 1992; John & Donahue, 1998) has acquired prominence in personality research since its introduction. Only one earlier study (Joubert, 1999) compared preferences for many different names with scores on the five factors but using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992). In it, he found that people who scored higher on Agreeableness and Extraversion tended to rate more favorably names from lists of 60 male and 60 female names which had been equally portioned into common, less common, dated, and rare names. This research, instead of concerning individuals' attitudes toward names in general as was the focus of the earlier study, instead was concerned with how persons' attitudes toward their own names related to scores on the Big Five factors and self-esteem. Several predctions were made: self-esteem would be associated with lower scores on Neuroticism and higher scores on Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. It was also predcted that persons who had higher self-esteem would tend to have more positive attitudes toward their first and middle names. Further, scores on
Atomic and molecular fluorescence from laser excited diatomic cesium and rubidium

Abstract It has been found that several argon laser lines and the 6328 A helium-neon laser line cause excitation of diatomic rubidium and cesium in the vapor phase to excited electronic states. The excitation of only a few, well separated rotation levels in the upper state, and the resulting simple line fluorescence spectra will allow determination of molecular constants not available by other methods. Atomic fluorescence was also present. Twenty-seven atomic cesium lines were observed between 3611 and 8946 A under illumination at 4880 A. The intensities of several atomic lines were found to have a quadratic dependence upon laser intensity, and are therefore attributed to excitation processes involving two photons.
The health sector's share of the gross national product

Between 1947 and 1987 expenditures for health care in the United States grew 2.5 percent per annum faster than expenditures for other goods and services. The health sector's share of the gross national product rose from well under 5 percent in the late 1940s to more than 11 percent in the late 1980s. The expenditures gap has two components: health care prices rose 1.6 percent per annum more rapidly than other prices, while the quantity of health care grew 0.9 percent per annum faster than other quantities. Many factors, including wages, productivity, technology, and insurance contributed to these trends. No single explanation suffices, and no simple solution is apparent.
Extrachromosomal Recombination Substrates Recapitulate beyond 12/23 Restricted V(D)J Recombination in Nonlymphoid Cells

V(D)J recombination occurs efficiently only between gene segments flanked by recombination signals (RSs) containing 12 and 23 base pair spacers (the 12/23 rule). A further limitation "beyond the 12/23 rule" (B12/23) exists at the TCRbeta locus and ensures Dbeta usage. Herein, we show that extrachromosomal V(D)J recombination substrates recapitulate B12/23 restriction in nonlymphoid cells. We further demonstrate that the Vbeta coding flank, the 12-RS heptamer/nonamer, and the 23-RS spacer each can significantly influence B12/23 restriction. Finally, purified core RAG1 and RAG2 proteins (together with HMG2) also reproduce B12/23 restriction in a cell-free system. Our findings indicate that B12/23 restriction of V(D)J recombination is cemented at the level of interactions between the RAG proteins and TCRbeta RS sequences.
Discrimination of G2 and mitotic cells by flow cytometry based on different expression of cyclins A and B1

Cyclins, the regulatory subunits of their respective cyclin-dependent kinases, are the key components of the cell-cycle progression machinery. Some cyclins are expressed discontinuously during the cell cycle, their synthesis and degradation being strictly scheduled. The presence of these cyclins in the cell, therefore, provides landmarks of the cell cycle, in addition to DNA replication and mitosis. Cyclin A is expressed in late S and G2 phase and degraded during mitosis just prior to metaphase. Degradation of another "mitotic" cyclin, cyclin B1, occurs later, at the transition from metaphase to anaphase. Based on the difference in time of degradation of cyclin A versus cyclin B1 it was possible, in the present study, to discriminate between G2 and mitotic (postprophase) MOLT-4 leukemic cells, by multiparameter (cellular DNA content versus cyclin expression) flow cytometry. The cells arrested in metaphase by Vinblastine were cyclin A negative and had an elevated level of cyclin B1. The cells arrested in G2 by the DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor m-AMSA had a very high level of cyclin B1 expression and unchanged expression of cyclin A. During stathmokinesis induced by Vinblastine the percentage of mitotic cells estimated by analysis of cellular DNA content and cyclin A expression was identical to that estimated by the alternative method based on in situ DNA denaturation followed by staining with acridine orange. Thus, differences in expression of cyclins A and B1 make it possible to discriminate cells that have the same DNA content but reside in different phases of the cycle, such as DNA diploid cells in G2 versus tetraploid G1 cells or mitotic versus G2 cells.
A microassay for heme oxygenase activity using thin-layer chromatography☆

A sensitive and facile assay for heme oxygenase (HO) has been developed. The basis of the assay is the detection of [14C]bilirubin formation in a coupled enzyme assay involving HO and biliverdin reductase actions, respectively. Separation of substrate from product is accomplished by thin-layer chromatography with subsequent quantitation by liquid scintillation counting of radioactive material present on chromatograms. As little as 20 micrograms of total cellular protein derived from cells growing in a standard 25-cm2 culture flask is sufficient for detection of HO enzyme activity using this assay. The reaction is inhibited by tin-protoporphyrin (10 microM final concentration), a specific inhibitor of HO. The linearity of the enzyme reaction with respect to incubation time and amount of protein used was established. Comparison of the new HO assay with a spectrophotometric assay was made, and good agreement of the results from both methods was found. The assay described here should facilitate measurements of this important heme-degrading enzyme in tissue culture studies and cases where limited amounts of material are available.
Protein-directed reduction of graphene oxide and intracellular imaging

We demonstrate a facile, one-step, protein-directed approach to preparing a new functional reduced graphene oxide via simultaneous reduction and surface functionalization of graphene oxide sheets with herceptin and show its potential application as a novel biological imaging agent.
Is end-tidal CO2 an accurate measure of arterial CO2 during laparoscopic procedures in children and neonates with cyanotic congenital heart disease?

Abstract Background/Purpose: Children with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) may require laparoscopic procedures. There are no data on the ability of capnography to predict arterial carbon dioxide concentrations (PaCO 2 ) in patients with CCHD during pneumoperitoneum. Methods: Seven patients (age 1 to 35 months) with CCHD undergoing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication are presented. Standard general endotracheal anesthesia was administered. The operations were performed either by or in consultation with the cardiac anesthesia team. During each case, concomitant PaCO 2 and end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO 2 ) measurements were made via an arterial line and capnograph before and after insufflation of the abdomen. The PaCO 2 -ETCO 2 gradients before and during pneumoperitoneum were then compared using a paired Student's t test. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the PaCO 2 -ETCO 2 gradient (5.7 v 13.4) after insufflation compared with baseline ( P Conclusions: These preliminary results show that ETCO 2 is not a reliable monitor of PaCO 2 in patients with CCHD undergoing laparoscopic procedures. The authors feel that close monitoring, including arterial blood gas measurements, and an experienced anesthesia team are necessary to perform laparoscopic procedures in patients with CCHD. J Pediatr Surg 36:1234-1236. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
From Crown Ethers to Zeolites: Reaction of EtAlCl2 with Crown Ethers

In contrast to aluminum alkyls, alkyl aluminum halides such as EtAlCl2 react with crown ethers to form cation-anion pairs which exhibit the liquid clathrate effect. Specifically, [12-C-4-·AlCl2][AlCl3Et] and [18-C-6·AlCl2][AlCl3Et] have been isolated and characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques. The cations show aluminum in an octahedral environment made up of four of the oxygen atoms from the crown and two chlorine atoms. The 12-C-4 derivative crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with cell constants of a = 7.497(4), b = 22.121(8), c = 12.339(5) A, β = 94.99(3)°, and Z = 4 for ρ = 1.43 g cm-3. Least-squares refinement based on 1413 observed reflections led to a final conventional R value of 0.093. The 18-C-6 complex belongs to the triclinic space group \(P\bar 1\) with a = 8.414(4), b = 12.193(6), c = 12.394(6) A, α = 73.14(4), β = 86.07(4), γ = 81.52(4)°, and Z = 2 for ρ = 1.45 g cm-3. Refinement based on 2605 observed reflections led to R = 0.063. The complex aluminum-containing species are related to a class of compounds called aluminoxanes.
Isocoumarin-based inhibitors of pancreatic cholesterol esterase.

Pancreatic cholesterol esterase (CEase), which is secreted from the exocrine pancreas, is a serine hydrolase that aids in the bile salt-dependent hydrolysis of dietary cholesteryl esters and contributes to the hydrolysis of triglycerides and phospholipids. Additional roles for CEase in intestinal micelle formation and in transport of free cholesterol to the enterocyte have been suggested. There also are studies that point to a pathological role(s) for CEase in the circulation where CEase accumulates in atherosclerotic lesions and triggers proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Thus, there is interest in CEase as a potential drug target. 4-Chloro-3-alkoxyisocoumarins are a class of haloenol lactones that inhibit serine hydrolases and serine proteases and have the potential to be suicide inhibitors. In the present study, we have developed 3-alkoxychloroisocoumarins that are potent inhibitors of CEase. These inhibitors were designed to have a saturated cycloalkane ring incorporated into a 3-alkoxy substituent. The size of the ring as well as the length of the tether holding the ring was found to be important contributors to binding to CEase. 4-Chloro-3-(4-cyclohexylbutoxy)isocoumarin and 4-chloro-3-(3-cyclopentylpropoxy)isocoumarin were demonstrated to be potent reversible inhibitors of CEase, with dissociation constants of 11 nM and 19 nM, respectively. The kinetic results are consistent with predictions from molecular modeling.
Indices of brain beta-adrenergic receptor signal transduction in the learned helplessness animal model of depression

Both stress response and antidepressant drug action may be mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors (βAR). Since learned helplessness is a stress-induced animal model of depression, βAR are relevant to investigate in this model. To date, studies have measured changes in total receptor density (RT), but have not examined more detailed aspects of signal transduction mechanisms such as coupling of the receptor to GS protein. We have investigated brain βAR coupling in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus of rats exposed to inescapable shock and then tested for learned helplessness, and in both tested and naive controls using [125I]-iodocyanopindolol (ICYP)as the ligand. Both antagonist-saturation and agonist-displacement experiments were conducted, and the specificity for the βAR was optimized by excluding ICYP binding to 5HT1B receptors. The percentage receptor density in the high-conformational state (%RH) and the ratio of agonist (isoproterenol) dissociation constant from the receptor in the low-/high-conformational states (KL/KH) were used as indices of coupling to GS protein. No significant differences were found between rats developing learned helplessness and non-helpless rats after inescapable stress in any parameter measured in any brain region. In the frontal cortex, exposure to inescapable shock induced βAR uncoupling from GS protein as suggested by a low KL/KH ratio both in helpless and non-helpless rats but not in either control group. In the hypothalamus, there were trends for higher RL, RT and KL/KH ratio in helpless rats and stressed controls compared to naive controls. These findings suggest that βAR binding parameters in frontal cortex, hippocampus or hypothalamus did not differentiate between helpless and non-helpless rats. Changes in βAR coupling observed in these brain regions may reflect effects of stress, which appeared to be region-specific, rather than stress-induced behavioral depression.