cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of DNA−Protamine Interactions by Optical Detection of Magnetic Resonance†

Optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) has been used to identify the binding site of a synthetic protamine subdomain to the major groove of DNA. A 14 amino acid peptide (R6WGR6) analog of the central DNA binding domain of bull protamine was synthesized with phenylalanine replaced by tryptophan (Trp). The peptide was bound to double-stranded poly(dABrdU) and to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) and the complexes characterized as "wet" solids using ODMR techniques. The appearance of the D + E transition in the slow passage ODMR and of short-lived components in the phosphorescence decay of the complex of R6WGR6 with poly(dABrdU) is diagnostic of a heavy atom effect. This can only occur if the peptide binds in the major groove of poly(dABrdU). The microenvironment of Trp in the nucleoprotein complex was characterized by phosphorescence, radiative decay lifetimes, and low-temperature ODMR measurements before and after binding to DNA. Bathochromic shifts in the phosphorescence emission upon exciting to the red in CT DNA-peptide suggest that the Trp is in a polar environment, while the red-shifted position of the 0, 0-band emission points to a more polarizable environment. The heavy atom effect strongly suggests a Trp location within the major groove of DNA. A partial stacking of Trp with the polarizable nucleobases and simultaneous interactions with the phosphate-guanidinium ion pairs and/or water molecules in the major groove of DNA which might not be totally displaced upon binding of the peptide could explain this conflicting evidence. Extrapolation of results from the system studied to protamine binding in sperm chromatin strongly suggests that the predominant binding site of protamine is the major groove of DNA.
Operator formalisms of reactive molecular scattering

The many-body and coupled-channel approaches to molecular collisions are discussed with emphasis on their relative advantages for constructing physical models and for numerical calculations. Some numerical results obtained within the Hilbert--Schmidt expansion are presented for the two-body T operators of H/sub 2/ in the lowest /sup 1/..sigma.. and /sup 3/..sigma.. states. An outline is also given of two recently developed approaches to electronic interactions in molecular collisions.
Using a Before or After Tax Discount Rate in the Lease-Buy Decision

(1980). Using a Before or After Tax Discount Rate in the Lease-Buy Decision. The Engineering Economist: Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 263-274.
Measuring risk in end-stage renal disease: Is N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide a useful marker?

Natriuretic peptides are important in the maintenance of body volume homeostasis. There has been interest in utilizing the levels of these peptides to diagnose and prognosticate cardiovascular disease. In end-stage renal disease, the diagnostic utility of these peptides is limited. Madsen et al. report that levels of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels offer important information on the risk of mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Comparative immunological study of albumins of Anolis lizards of the Caribbean islands

Abstract 1. 1. The immunological diversity of albumins of Anolis shows that a wide variety of structures are capable of carrying out the function of this protein. 2. 2. Groupings of Anolis species based upon albumin divergence are concordant largely with classifications derived from more traditional criteria. 3. 3. The albumin evidence, however, does not support the division of the genus into Alpha- and Beta-sections. 4. 4. Immunological distances between albumins suggest that species of Anolis of at least three evolutionary lines, divergent since about the mid-Oligocene presently occupy the Caribbean Islands.
Bartonella henselae neuroretinitis in cat scratch disease. Diagnosis, management, and sequelae.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to report the long-term outcomes of patients treated with an antibiotic drug combination for Bartonella henselae neuroretinitis. Design The study design was a retrospective case series. Participants Seven consecutive patients with neuroretinitis and cat scratch disease participated. Interventions Patients underwent medical and ophthalmic evaluations. Blood cultures were obtained, and B. henselae antibody titers were measured. Tuberculosis, Lyme, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, and sarcoidosis were excluded. Patients received oral doxycycline 100 mg and rifampin 300 mg twice daily for 4 to 6 weeks and were observed for an average of 16 months (range, 10–24 months). Formal electrophysiologic testing was performed in three patients after resolution of neuroretinitis. Main outcome measures The changes in ocular inflammation and visual function associated with treatment were recorded. Follow-up examinations and electrophysiologic testing documented sequelae. Results Patients presented following cat exposure with fever, malaise, and blurred vision. Decreased visual acuity (ranging from 20/40 to counting fingers) frequently was associated with dyschromatopsia and afferent pupillary defects. Ophthalmoscopic analysis showed signs of neuroretinitis, including nerve fiber layer hemorrhages, cottonwool spots, multiple discrete lesions in the deep retina, and stellate macular exudates. B. henselae infection was confirmed with positive blood cultures or elevated immunofluorescent antibody titers or both. Therapy appeared to promote resolution of neuroretinitis, restoration of visual acuity, and clearance of bacteremia. After 1 to 2 years, two eyes had residual disc pallor, afferent pupillary defects, retinal pigmentary changes, and mildly decreased visual acuity. Electrophysiologic studies showed that when compared to the fellow eye, affected eyes had subnormal contrast sensitivity, abnormal color vision, and abnormal visually evoked potentials. Conversely, electroretinograms were normal in all subjects. Conclusions B. henselae is a cause of neuroretinitis in cat scratch disease. Compared to historic cases, doxycycline and rifampin appeared to shorten the course of disease and hasten visual recovery. Long-term prognosis is good, but some individuals may acquire a mild postinfectious optic neuropathy.
A phase II study of the immunotoxin N901-blocked ricin in small-cell lung cancer.

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the immunotoxin N901-blocked ricin (bR) in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) who achieved a complete or near-complete response following chemotherapy and/or radiation. Treatment consisted of a 7-day continuous infusion of N901-bR at a dose of 30 μg/kg/day followed by patient evaluation with repeat scans. Serum immunotoxin levels, human antimurine antibodies, and antiricin antibodies were determined during the course of the infusion. Nine patients enrolled in the study before it closed following a treatment-related death. Seven patients had extensivestage disease and entered the study with a more than 90% reduction of their original tumor. Two patients with limited-stage SCLC had no evidence of disease at study entry. Maximum plasma levels of N901-bR ranged from 72-371 ng/mL. Laboratory toxicity consisted of transient transaminitis in 8 patients and creatine kinase elevation in 3 patients, 1 of whom developed premature ventricular contractions. One patient experienced progressive capillary leak syndrome following immunotoxin infusion, which proved fatal. All patients developed antibodies to the infused murine antibody as well as to the toxin. Six patients died of progressive SCLC and 1 patient died of presumed radiation pneumonitis. One patient with limited-stage disease is still alive more than 6 years after therapy. N901-bR therapy was associated with a fatal incident of capillary leak syndrome and a nearly universal development of human antimouse and antiricin antibodies, which limited its further clinical development.
A structural pore development model for calcination

A structural pore development model has been developed to describe microscopic pore evolution from the thermal decomposition reaction of a single calcium carbonate sphere, this model depicts a uniform distribution of equal sized pores growing from the surface of the sphere toward its center while CO2 is evolved from the pore bottom. The chemical reaction at the interface, as well as heat transfer from the surroundings to the decomposing sphere and transport of CO2 from the pore bottom to the bulk gas, are included in the model. The model shows good agreement with experimental data for CaCO3, and limestone particles of size ranging from 10 μm to 1.1 cm in diameter at various background CO2, pressures and temperatures The simulation of the calcination reaction confirms the experimental observations indicating slower calcination rates at higher background CO2 pressures, mainly due to internal unsteady-state buildup of CO2 in the pore. The effect of the background2 pressure is significantly more prominent in ...
LINE ADMITTANCE AT THE JUNCTION OF TWO PLATES WITH AND WITHOUT FLUID LOADING

Abstract A time harmonic line force or moment is applied at the junction of two plates in welded contact, with or without unilateral fluid loading. The objective is the 2 x 2 matrix of admittances relating the applied force and moment to the deflection and rotation at the load. The structural asymmetry leads to coupling between force and rotation, and between moment and deflection, even in the absence of fluid loading. The impedance matrix is derived for sources with linear phase variation of the form e ik , y for real k y . The dry plate problem is addressed first, and displays the possibility of a resonance when the drive is in phase with a flexural Stoneley wave, which is defined here. The fluid-loaded problem is attacked by expressing the vibration of either plate and the acoustic response in the fluid as transforms, the integrands of which are derived using the Wiener-Hopf technique. It is found that the wet response shows the same general behaviour as for the dry plates, but without possibility of a structural resonance. Numerical examples are presented showing the frequency dependence of the admittance matrix for joined steel plates in water. The general theory for distinct plates under fluid loading also provides a new formula for the line admittance of a uniform plate in a fluid.
Functional Synergism between Multiple Thyroid Hormone Response Elements Regulates Hepatic Expression of the Rat S14 Gene

Hepatic expression of the rat S14 gene is markedly and rapidly induced in response to T3. Previously, three contiguous restriction fragments of the S14 gene with thyroid hormone response activity were mapped to a region 2.5-3.0 kilobases upstream from the start of transcription [Far Upstream Regulatory region (FUR)]. To further investigate the molecular basis of the thyroid hormonal control of S14 gene expression, we have mapped the functional TRE sequences in the FUR region of the S14 gene. In vitro translated thyroid hormone receptor (TR) and retinoid X receptor were used in the gel retardation assays to map receptor binding sites in the S14 gene. Three TR-binding sequences were identified in the FUR region of the S14 gene and designated: FUR10 (from -2718 to -2694), FUR11 (from -2632 to -2595), and FUR12 (from -2582 to -2558). Each binding site contains two or more elements related to the consensus monomer binding motif 5'-Pu-GGTCA. In FUR10 and FUR12, these motifs were arranged as direct repeats with ...
Pointing and tracking subsystem design for optical communications link between the International Space Station and ground

We present a preliminary design for a tracking and pointing subsystem for the optical communication link between the International Space Station and a ground receiver at Table Mountain Facility. The link is intended to demonstrate high rate downlink capability of rates up to 2.5 Gbps. The design objective of tracking and pointing subsystem is to limit the pointing loss to within 4 dB to ensure the maximum downlink capability with 3 dB link margin. We will show the underlying tracking and pointing subsystem design and present analysis that shows the allocated error budget can be met.
Optimal CMOS cell transistor placement: a relaxation approach

A relaxation approach for producing a placement of transistors in a CMOS cell in a grid layout style from the circuit schematic diagram is described. For a given objective function, the approach leads to optimal results in most of the cases attempted. Unlike previous constructive approaches, this approach is iterative. It is also quite flexible. It can be used for unrestricted circuit types and can handle a variety of other important parameters affecting the wireability of the layout. The procedure is targeted for use in the automatic generation of custom and gate-array cell libraries. >
The role of ligands in determining the exciton relaxation dynamics in semiconductor quantum dots

This article reviews the mechanisms through which molecules adsorbed to the surfaces of semiconductor nanocrystals, quantum dots (QDs), influence the pathways for and dynamics of intra- and interband exciton relaxation in these nanostructures. In many cases, the surface chemistry of the QDs determines the competition between Auger relaxation and electronic-to-vibrational energy transfer in the intraband cooling of hot carriers, and between electron or hole-trapping processes and radiative recombination in relaxation of band-edge excitons. The latter competition determines the photoluminescence quantum yield of the nanocrystals, which is predictable through a set of mostly phenomenological models that link the surface coverage of ligands with specific chemical properties to the rate constants for nonradiative exciton decay.
PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF AN OBSERVATION SYSTEM FOR RECORDING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN

Although mechanical means of measuring physical activity are available, they cannot provide information about the context in which such activity occurs. Therefore, direct-observation systems remain essential tools for studying physical activity. The Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children (OSRAC) is a direct-observation system for recording physical activity and associated environmental variables. We evaluated the concurrent validity of the OSRAC physical activity codes with two types of mechanical measures of physical activity: pedometers and heart-rate monitors. The results indicate that heart rates and step totals generally covaried with the OSRAC activity-level codes, suggesting that these codes are valid measures of physical activity in preschool children. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spread of Novel Aminoglycoside Resistance Gene aac(6′)-Iad among Acinetobacter Clinical Isolates in Japan

ABSTRACT A novel aminoglycoside resistance gene, aac(6′)-Iad, encoding aminoglycoside 6′-N-acetyltransferase, was identified in Acinetobacter genospecies 3 strain A-51. The gene encoded a 144-amino-acid protein, which shared modest identity (up to 36.7%) with some of the aminoglycoside 6′-N-acetyltransferases. The results of high-pressure liquid chromatography assays confirmed that the protein is a functional aminoglycoside 6′-N-acetyltransferase. The enzyme conferred resistance to amikacin, tobramycin, sisomicin, and isepamicin but not to gentamicin. The prevalence of this gene among Acinetobacter clinical isolates in Japan was then investigated. Of 264 Acinetobacter sp. strains isolated from geographically diverse areas in Japan in 2002, 16 were not susceptible to amikacin, and aac(6′)-Iad was detected in 7. Five of the producers of aminoglycoside 6′-N-acetyltransferase type Iad were identified as Acinetobacter baumannii, and two were identified as Acinetobacter genospecies 3. These results suggest that aac(6′)-Iad plays a substantial role in amikacin resistance among Acinetobacter spp. in Japan.
Social groups that elicit disgust are differentially processed in mPFC

Social neuroscience suggests medial pre-frontal cortex (mPFC) as necessary for social cognition. However, the mPFC activates less to members of extreme outgroups that elicit disgust, an emotion directed toward both people and objects. This study aimed to counteract that effect. Participants made either superficial categorical age estimations or individuating food-preference judgments about people, while fMRI recorded neural activity. Besides replicating the reduced mPFC activity to extreme outgroups that elicit disgust, this study demonstrates that the same type of judgment for these individuals is processed in a region anatomically distinct from social groups that elicit exclusively social emotions (pity, envy, pride). Finally, inferring individuating information (food preferences) increases mPFC activation above superficial categorical judgments. This evidence fits differentiated mPFC processing of extreme outgroups, which activate mPFC less than other groups, but suggests that individuation increases activation.
Higher Desolvation Energy Reduces Molecular Recognition in Multi-Drug Resistant HIV-1 Protease

Designing HIV-1 protease inhibitors that overcome drug-resistance is still a challenging task. In this study, four clinical isolates of multi-drug resistant HIV-1 proteases that exhibit resistance to all the US FDA-approved HIV-1 protease inhibitors and also reduce the substrate recognition ability were examined. A multi-drug resistant HIV-1 protease isolate, MDR 769, was co-crystallized with the p2/NC substrate and the mutated CA/p2 substrate, CA/p2 P1’F. Both substrates display different levels of molecular recognition by the wild-type and multi-drug resistant HIV-1 protease. From the crystal structures, only limited differences can be identified between the wild-type and multi-drug resistant protease. Therefore, a wild-type HIV-1 protease and four multi-drug resistant HIV-1 proteases in complex with the two peptides were modeled based on the crystal structures and examined during a 10 ns-molecular dynamics simulation. The simulation results reveal that the multi-drug resistant HIV-1 proteases require higher desolvation energy to form complexes with the peptides. This result suggests that the desolvation of the HIV-1 protease active site is an important step of protease-ligand complex formation as well as drug resistance. Therefore, desolvation energy could be considered as a parameter in the evaluation of future HIV-1 protease inhibitor candidates.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism in a Case of Metastatic Thyroid Cancer

Subclinical hypothyroidism in a case of papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid with lung metastases is reported. The patient at first seemed to be euthyroid with normal concentrations of serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine and thyrotropin (TSH). However, TSH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone was above the normal range before thyroidectomy. These data suggested that the patient was in mild hypothyroidism and under prolonged stimulation of TSH. This observation may be the first to be reported in childhood thyroid cancer.
Stomach Capacities of Six Freshwater Fishes

ABSTRACT We investigated the relationship between stomach capacity and total body length in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus), white crappie (Pornoxis annularis), black crappie (Pornoxis nigrornaculatus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and white bass (Morone chrysops). The rate of change in stomach capacity for a given change in fish length was greatest for spotted bass and channel catfish, which may indicate greater ontogenetic shifts in feeding strategies. Fish with larger stomach capacities should have more plastic diets because they are capable of consuming a wider range of prey sizes, particularly when they already have prey present in their stomach, compared to fish with smaller stomach capacities and similar feeding strategies.
Fundamentals of the Theory of Elasticity

Before broaching the very subject of this chapter, we shall review briefly the basic elements of vector and tensor calculus that are necessary in the present work. This will also allow the reader to become familiar with the system of notation used in the following.
Estimating the actual cost of transmission system congestion

This paper describes a methodology that could be used by a utility to estimate the actual cost of congestion on its transmission system using limited, non-state estimator data. The assumed problem inputs are a power flow model of an entire interconnected grid (i.e., the eastern interconnect), costs for the utility's generators, and then hourly values of the utility's generation, load and tie-line flows over the study time period. Due to the common lack by most utilities of external measurements, the system is first equivalenced to retain only the utility's own internal buses and a small subset of the external buses. Then, for each hour, the utility's load and generation is set to match their historical values, while the external generation is adjusted to match the tie-line flows. Next, an economic dispatch is performed to determine the unconstrained cost. Finally, a security constrained OPF (SCOPF) is solved to take into account base case and contingent constraints. The methodology uses a complete ac power flow formulation to accurately estimate the impact of voltage constraints and the incremental impact of system losses. The inclusion of hydro generation is also considered. For illustrative purposes only, the methodology demonstrated on the TVA system using publicly available data transmission system data.
TEXTILES AND THE MAYA ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD: Gender, power, and status in Classic Period Caracol, Belize

Textiles formed a major part of any ancient Mesoamerican economy. Based on ethnohistory and iconography, the Maya were great producers of cloth for both internal and external use. However, the archaeological identification of textile production is difficult in any tropical area because of issues of preservation. This paper examines the evidence for the production and distribution of cloth that is found in the pre-Columbian Maya area and then focuses on archaeological data relative to textiles from the ancient Maya city of Caracol, Belize. Archaeology at Caracol has been carried out annually from 1985 to the present and has resulted in the collection of data that permits insight into the economic production and social distribution of cloth at the site. This is accomplished through examining the contexts and distributions of spindle whorls, bone needles, bone pins and hairpins, bone awls, and limestone bars. All of these artifacts can be related to weaving, netting, or cloth in some way. Importantly, perforated ceramic disks are not included in this grouping because of contextual information from the archaeological record that these artifacts likely functioned as backings for ear assemblages. Spindle whorls are the artifacts most clearly associated with textile production and 57 of these have been recovered at Caracol, 38 of them in 20 different burials. Several of these interments are of high-status women placed in the most important architectural constructions at the site. The contextual placement of these burials stresses not only the link between women and weaving, but also the high status associated with such an activity, thus signaling the importance of cloth and spinning in ancient Maya society. The prevalence of female interments in the major ritual buildings at Caracol also reflects the importance of women to Maya social structure during the Classic period (a.d. 250–900), pointing to difficulties in hieroglyphically based interpretations of ancient Maya social organization and suggesting that the traditional focus on males in the sociopolitical organization of the Classic Maya is incorrect.
NUMERICAL MODELING OF RECIPROCATING FLUID POWER SEALS

A numerical model of reciprocating fluid power seals has been developed. It has been applied to a variety of hydraulic rod seals, although it could also be used to simulate hydraulic piston seals as well as pneumatic seals. The model is soft elastohydrodynamic and consists of coupled fluid mechanics, contact mechanics, deformation mechanics and thermal analyses. Results for typical rod seals show that these seals operate with mixed lubrication between the rod and seal surfaces, and that the roughness of the seal plays a major role in determining the leakage characteristics of the seal. For a given seal design and set of operating conditions there is a critical seal roughness, below which there will be zero net leakage per cycle and above which the seal will leak.
The observers' paradox: apparent computational complexity in physical systems

Abstract Many researchers in AI and cognitive science believe that the complexity of a behavioural description reflects the underlying information processing complexity of the mechanism producing the behaviour. This paper explores the foundations of this complexity assumption. We first distinguish two types of complexity judgements that can be applied to these descriptions and then argue that neither type can be an intrinsic property of the underlying physical system. In short, we demonstrate how changes in the method of observation can radically alter both the number of apparent states and the apparent generative class of a system's behavioural description. From these examples we conclude that the act of observation can suggest frivolous computational explanations of physical phenomena, up to and including cognition.
Deficiency of Cartilage-Associated Protein in Recessive Lethal Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Classic osteogenesis imperfecta, an autosomal dominant disorder associated with osteoporosis and bone fragility, is caused by mutations in the genes for type I collagen. A recessive form of the disorder has long been suspected. Since the loss of cartilage-associated protein (CRTAP), which is required for post-translational prolyl 3-hydroxylation of collagen, causes severe osteoporosis in mice, we investigated whether CRTAP deficiency is associated with recessive osteogenesis imperfecta. Three of 10 children with lethal or severe osteogenesis imperfecta, who did not have a primary collagen defect yet had excess post-translational modification of collagen, were found to have a recessive condition resulting in CRTAP deficiency, suggesting that prolyl 3-hydroxylation of type I collagen is important for bone formation.
Linear Learning: Landscapes and Algorithms

What follows extends some of our results of [1] on learning from examples in layered feed-forward networks of linear units. In particular we examine what happens when the ntunber of layers is large or when the connectivity between layers is local and investigate some of the properties of an autoassociative algorithm. Notation will be as in [1] where additional motivations and references can be found. It is usual to criticize linear networks because "linear functions do not compute" and because several layers can always be reduced to one by the proper multiplication of matrices. However this is not the point of view adopted here. It is assumed that the architecture of the network is given (and could perhaps depend on external constraints) and the purpose is to understand what happens during the learning phase, what strategies are adopted by a synaptic weights modifying algorithm, ... [see also Cottrell et al. (1988) for an example of an application and the work of Linsker (1988) on the emergence of feature detecting units in linear networks}.
Doped rhodium sulfide and thiospinels hydrogen evolution and oxidation electrocatalysts in strong acid electrolytes

Hydrogen evolution and oxidation activity of several carbon-supported rhodium thiospinels (CuRh2S4, CoRh2S4, FeRh2S4, and NiRh2S4) are evaluated in sulfuric acid and compared with Ir, Ru, and Pd-doped and undoped Rh17S15 on carbon. The metal sulfides are synthesized on carbon by reacting metal chlorides with hydrogen sulfide at 350 °C. Mixtures of Cu, Co, Fe, and Ni salts with RhCl3 formed thiospinels. The minority metals, Pd, Ru, or Ir, incorporate into the Rh17S15 structure at low concentrations (1 %). The hydrogen evolution and oxidation activities of the thiospinels in sulfuric acid are lower than pure Rh17S15/C, with NiRh2S4/C showing the highest activity of the thiospinels, and CuRh2S4/C seen to be unstable in sulfuric acid, even for short times (1 min). The hydrogen evolution and oxidation activities normalized to an estimate of the electrocatalyst area for the 1 % Pd, Ru, and Ir in Rh17S15/C are slightly lower than pure Rh17S15/C and all metal sulfides have a lower hydrogen evolution activity than platinum, even when normalizing to surface area.
Roles of sport and cause involvement in determining employees’ beliefs about cause-related sport sponsorship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the roles of employees’ involvement with the sponsored sport and cause in determining their beliefs about cause-related sport sponsorship. Design/methodology/approach – Respondents completed a survey that included the measures of sport involvement, cause involvement, and sponsorship beliefs adapted from previous studies. The final sample included 131 attendees who identified themselves as employees of sponsors of a cause-related sport event in a web-based post-event survey. A multiple regression analysis was performed to test hypotheses. Findings – Despite the prevailing logic that companies can enhance the perception of goodwill by sponsoring sport that is important to their employees, employees’ sport involvement was found to have no effect on their sponsorship beliefs. In contrast, cause involvement alone explained a large amount of the variance in those beliefs. Originality/value – The findings contribute to the literature by indicating that how em...
Perspectives on the Field of Physics of Earthquakes

This article reports on the state of physics governing the behavior of earthquakes and faults, based on discussions held during a workshop of the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) suggested by Tom Henyey and convened by Yehuda Ben-Zion and Charles Sammis at Snowbird, Utah, June 21-23, 1998. The objective of the workshop was to assess the current state of understanding of earthquake processes including event nucleation, propagation and arrest of ruptures, spatiotemporal seismicity patterns, interactions between faults, and evolution of fault systems. A better understanding of the earthquake process should enable scientists to develop seismic hazard assessment tools based upon improved estimates of the locations and sizes of future earthquakes and the time-dependent probabilities of their occurrence. It will allow incorporation of realistic simulations of dynamic rupture and wave propagation into hazard models so that time histories of strong ground-shaking from scenario earthquakes needed in performance-based seismic design of structures...
Prevalence and Detection of Prescription Opioid Misuse and Prescription Opioid Use Disorder Among Emergency Department Patients 50 Years of Age and Older: Performance of the Prescription Drug Use Questionnaire, Patient Version.

Background Despite increased concern about prescription opioid misuse among older adults, there is limited work examining the best means to identify misuse by older adults. The goal of this investigation was to examine the performance the Prescription Drug Use Questionnaire Patient Version (PDUQp), in detecting prescription opioid misuse and prescription opioid use disorders among adult emergency department (ED) patients aged 50 years and older. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of a random sample of adult ED patients, aged 50 years and older. All participants were without cognitive impairment and reported prescription opioid use within the past 30 days. We evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and receiver operating characteristics of the PDUQp against a standard definition of opioid misuse and DSM-5 criteria for prescription opioid use disorder. Results Overall, 112 participants completed the study; 74 were aged 50–64 years and 38 were aged 65 years and older. Over half of the participants satisfied DSM-5 criteria for prescription opioid use disorder, with slightly less participants reporting misuse. Overall, the respective sensitivity and specificity of the PDUQp was: 44% and 79% (Receiver Operating Characteristic [ROC] area under the curve: 0.61) for prescription opioid misuse, 38% and 81% (ROC area under the curve: 0.64) for the presence of any prescription opioid use disorder, and 56% and 75% (ROC area under the curve: 0.71) for moderate to severe prescription opioid use disorder. Conclusions Based on this preliminary work, the PDUQp may be a viable instrument to screen for prescription opioid misuse and prescription opioid use disorder, but it likely requires modifications to optimize its predictive ability in adults over age 50 years.
Maximizing the dielectric response of molecular thin films via quantum chemical design.

Developing high-capacitance organic gate dielectrics is critical for advances in electronic circuitry based on unconventional semiconductors. While high-dielectric constant molecular substances are known, the mechanism of dielectric response and the fundamental chemical design principles are not well understood. Using a plane-wave density functional theory formalism, we show that it is possible to map the atomic-scale dielectric profiles of molecule-based materials while capturing important bulk characteristics. For molecular films, this approach reveals how basic materials properties such as surface coverage density, molecular tilt angle, and π-system planarity can dramatically influence dielectric response. Additionally, relatively modest molecular backbone and substituent variations can be employed to substantially enhance film dielectric response. For dense surface coverages and proper molecular alignment, conjugated hydrocarbon chains can achieve dielectric constants of >8.0, more than 3 times that o...
Plasma Viremia in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

To determine which markers of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) replication correlate most closely with progressive disease, we compared the following: (1) the frequency of isolation of HIV from peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), (2) the frequency of isolation of the virus from cell-free plasma (plasma viremia), (3) the presence and titer of p24 antigen in plasma, and (4) the presence and titer of antibody to p24 antigen. We studied 213 persons who were positive for HIV antibody and 71 who were negative. HIV was isolated from PBMC from 207 of the 213 antibody-positive patients (97 percent), regardless of the clinical stage of the infection. Plasma viremia, in contrast, was correlated with the clinical stage of the infection. It was detected in 11 of 48 patients (23 percent) with asymptomatic infection, 32 of 71 (45 percent) in Class IVa of the Centers for Disease Control (those with AIDS-related complex), and 75 of 92 (82 percent) in Class IVc (those with AIDS) (P less than 0.01). Plasma HIV titers ranged from 10(0) to 10(4.3) and rose from a mean of 10(1.4) in asymptomatic patients to 10(2.5) in those with AIDS (P less than 0.02). Only 45 percent of patients with plasma viremia had HIV p24 antigen in either serum or plasma, and no correlation was found between the amount of p24 antigen in plasma and the plasma HIV titers. Follow-up tests indicated that plasma viremia was associated with a more marked decline in the CD4-lymphocyte cell count and the development of symptomatic disease (P = 0.034). We conclude that plasma viremia is a more sensitive virologic marker of the clinical stage of HIV infection and viral replication than the presence of p24 antigen or antibody in plasma. Not only whole blood but cell-free plasma from HIV-infected patients should be considered potentially infectious.
Artificial Infestation of the Tomato with Eggs of the Tomato Fruitworm

Field-grown tomatoes were artificially infested with Heliothis zea (Boddie) by applying a suspension of eggs in a 0.2% agar solution to the top surface of randomly located leaves. The degree of infestation depended largely upon the number of eggs applied. Fruit damage due to natural H. zea populations ranged from 6 to 10% and that due to the natural populations plus the maximal numbers of eggs tested, 3000–3200 eggs/plant, ranged from 51 to 54%. There was a curvilinear relationship between number of eggs and degree of fruit damage; damage increased as egg dosage increased but at a decreasing rate. Application of eggs was most effective ca. 1 mo before 1st harvest. Multiple or repeated applications were no more efficient than a single application of an equivalent number of eggs. Practical aspects of the choice of an appropriate damage rating criterion are discussed. The method seems satisfactory for use in screening tomatoes for resistance to H. zea .
Life event categories differentially predict psychopathology symptom levels.

ABSTRACT The present study used a prospective design to investigate whether eight categories of daily negative life events or “hassles” differentially predict psychopathology levels, and/or changes in psychopathology levels over 1 month in a mixed-sex, nonclinical sample of undergraduate subjects. Hassles were assessed using the Revised Hassles Scale (HS-R; DeLongis, 1985); psychopathology was assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90; Derogatis, Lipman, & Covi, 1973) on two occasions, separated by 1 month. Scores on all eight HS-R subscales predicted Time 2 scores on most or all of the SCL-90 psychopathology scales. However, the magnitudes of these correlations varied widely, indicating that these subscales may be substantially different in their abilities to predict psychopathology levels.
Clinical effect observation of ceftriaxone sodium in the treatment of HIV antibody positive mixed infection of syphilis

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of ceftriaxone sodium in the treatment of HIV antibody positive mixed infection of syphilis. Methods 109 patients with infection of syphilis in drug rehabilitation center were selected,52 patients with HIV antibody positive mixed infection of syphilis as observation group,57 patients with HIV antibody negative mixed infection of syphilis as control group.Ceftriaxone sodium was applied in two groups.Treatment effect in two groups was compared and analyzed. Results Total effective rate in control group was 61.4%,higher than that in observation group(40.4%),with statistical difference(P0.05).Incidence rate of adverse reaction between two groups was compared,with no statistical difference(P 0.05). Conclusion Clinical effect of ceftriaxone sodium in the treatment of HIV antibody positive mixed infection of syphilis is poor.
A cross-sectional study on risk factors in 946 high risk persons of stroke in Daxing district,Beijing

Objective To find out exposure level and distribution characteristics of risk factors in 946 high-risk persons of stroke in Daxing district.Methods Three communities of different areas were selected through cluster sampling method.1000 local registered permanent residents aged more than 45 years old were enrolled in the study.All participants were investigated by a questionnaire which included general information and common risk factors of stroke.Participants were grouped by age and gender.Exposure rate of risk factors and its population distributive characteristics were described according to cross-sectional study.Results 946 individuals met the inclusion criteria and enlisted into data analysis.The exposure rate of hypertension,heart disease,diabetes,family history of stroke,obesity,cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking were 34.5%,7.5%,13.7%,26.5%,37.1%,23.3% and 31.9%,respectively.There were significant differences in heart disease,diabetes,cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in male groups (P0.05) and in hypertension,heart disease,family history of stroke,obesity in female groups(P0.05).There were significant differences in obesity,smoking and drinking between male and female(P0.05).The significant differences were also found in systolic and diastolic blood pressure level and BMI among age and gender groups(P0.05).Conclusion The level of exposure rate of stroke risk factors in 946 persons in Daxing district was high and closely relevant to age and gender.
Secondary Kathode Rays

IN a letter to NATURE of April 2, 1908 (vol. lxxvii., p. 509), I described some experiments of mine which showed that for the corpuscular rays produced in metals by Rontgen rays there was a lack of symmetry between those coming from the side of the metals on which the primary rays were incident and those coming from the side from which the primary rays emerged. The ionisation produced by the emergence secondary corpuscles was, in general, greater than that produced by the incidence corpuscles. This was in accordance with Prof. Bragg's results for the corpuscular rays produced by γ rays (NATURE, January 23, 1908, p. 270).
Safety of adenosine pharmacologic stress testing in subjects with low systolic arterial pressure

Purpose. Adenosine can be used as a pharmacologic stress agent in conjunction with radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Adenosine is known to cause a drop in systolic arterial pressure and atrioventricular block. The data regarding the safety of adenosine stress testing in subjects with low systolic arterial pressure are incomplete. We evaluated the safety of adenosine stress testing in subjects with systolic arterial pressure of <100 mm Hg who had no symptoms of low systolic arterial pressure. Results. Thirty-one subjects had a supine systolic arterial pressure of <100 mm Hg at baseline, with no symptoms. The systolic arterial pressure was 95-99 mm Hg in 14 subjects and ≤94 mm Hg in 17 (range, 78-94 mm Hg). There was a mean drop in systolic arterial pressure of 5 and 10 mm Hg in the two groups, respectively. The drop was transient, occurred during or immediately after adenosine infusion, and was not associated with any specific symptoms. Only one subject in the group with systolic arterial pressure of < 94 mm Hg had symptomatic hypotension (systolic arterial pressure of 76 mm Hg), which began 5 minutes after the start of adenosine infusion and responded to saline infusion; the pressure returned to baseline at 2 minutes post-infusion. Only one subject (7%) in the group with systolic arterial pressure of 95-99 mm Hg had a transient, second degree atrioventricular block, while three subjects (17%) in the group with systolic arterial pressure of < 94 mm Hg developed transient, second or third degree atrioventricular block. No subject required specific treatment or termination of adenosine infusion due to a drop in systolic arterial pressure or second or third degree atrioventricular block. The baseline systolic arterial pressure had no relationship with either its percentage of decrease with adenosine infusion or the results of radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging. Conclusion. Adenosine pharmacologic stress testing in conjunction with radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging can be used safely for diagnosis and assessment of coronary artery disease in subjects with asymptomatic low systolic arterial pressure.
Translational Correlation: Migraine

Abstract Migraine is an episodic, unilateral or bilateral, moderate to severe throbbing headache, generally associated with nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, or sound sensitivity. Migraine can be broadly divided into migraine with and without aura. There is no unified mechanism that can explain pathogenesis of migraine. The treatment for migraine consists of acute or abortive treatment and preventive treatment.
Human-computer interaction: The effect of application domain knowledge on icon visualization

Iconic interfaces are now the de facto interface for most computer systems. Despite the popularity of iconic interfaces and the widespread belief that iconic interfaces are easier to comprehend than non-iconic interfaces, we have not come across any published study that has examined the effect of application domain knowledge on end users' interpretation of icons. An understanding of the relationship between application domain knowledge and its effect on interpretation will enable us to design better iconic interface to not only facilitate end users' interpretation, but to also reduce the misinterpretations of icons. This paper reports on an experimental study that investigates the effect of application domain knowledge on icons interpretation. The hypotheses for this study are derived from theories in cognitive psychology and are empirically tested in a laboratory experiment. The results indicate that application domain knowledge has no significant effect on the accuracy of interpretation. Application dom...
B-cell lymphoma presenting as multiple nerve sheath tumors.

Background Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), accounting for 25-30 percent of cases in the United States.1 Extranodal sites are involved in approximately 40% of cases of DLBCL. Case description In this report, we discuss the case of a patient with extranodal DLBCL within the cervical nerve roots that underwent surgical intervention due to the presence of cervical radiculopathy. Conclusion The diagnosis of DLBCL was surprising given the appearance of the masses on MRI being similar to that of a neurofibroma or schwannoma. Surgical decompression provided a tissue sample for biopsy as well as an opportunity for decompression of the nerve roots and restoration of function of the patient's left upper extremity.
THE IMPACT OF LEFT ATRIAL FUNCTION AND SINUS RHYTHM ON EXERCISE HEMODYNAMICS IN HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and left atrial (LA) dysfunction are common in HFpEF, but it is unclear how they impact exercise hemodynamics. Consecutive HFpEF patients (n=277) and sinus controls (n=142) underwent exercise cath and echo assessment of LA strain and volumes to assess reservoir and booster
G113(P) Creating a mentoring programme for paediatric trainees in the local deanery

Aims Mentoring is recognised by the RCPCH as a process which can provide valuable support to Paediatricians throughout their careers and is a process which is being introduced more widely in Paediatric training. The aim of this Quality Improvement Project was to Introduce a Mentoring Programme into our local tertiary Children’s Hospital to ensure supportive and pastoral care for Junior Colleagues was available To implement a Mentoring Programme Deanery Wide for all trainees to access Methods A pilot scheme to mentor foundation year doctors/GP trainees was undertaken in December 2016. All paediatric trainees rotating into the Children’s hospital were contacted asking to express interest in mentoring. They were then matched with interested mentees. During induction week, information was provided to both mentors and mentees to explain the programme in further detail. Feedback was collected at two time periods during the 4 month process. A further programme has been rolled-out and we are currently creating a deanery wide scheme for all Paediatric trainees to access. Results A total of 18 mentoring partnerships were matched in the pilot scheme. Feedback for mentees was 4/18 and for mentors 5/15. This did not improve in the follow-up programme where feedback was 4/13 and 6/13 for mentors and mentees respectively. The feedback received included both positive and negative comments which have been acted upon to improve and develop the mentoring process. Conclusion The main barrier we have encountered has been in relation to feedback which has been significantly suboptimal on both programmes. The feedback we have received has provided us with recommendations for improvement which we have attempted to integrate. Currently, we are creating a wider mentoring programme for all Paediatric trainees to access in the local Deanery. This will be rolled out in March 2018. There will be more active participation from mentees, including having a mentee-driven matching process. There will be a dedicated website for mentoring and we hope to provide local mentoring skills training. Our aim will be to seek permission to include compulsory (but anonymous) provision of feedback as part of the trainee’s responsibilities.