cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scheduling with conflicts, and applications to traffic signal control

In this paper, we consider the scheduling of jobs that may be competing for mutually exclusive resources. We model the conflicts between jobs with a conflict graph, so that all concurrently running jobs must form an independent set in the graph. We believe that this model is natural and general enough to have applications in a variety of settings; however, we are motivated by the following two specific applications: traffic intersection control and session scheduling in high speed local area networks with spatial reuse. In both of these applications, guaranteeing the best turnaround time to any job entering the system is important. Our results focus on two special classes of graphs motivated by our applications: bipartite graphs and interval graphs. Although the algorithms for bipartite and intervals graphs are quite different, the bounds they achieve are the same: we prove that for any sequence of jobs in which the maximum completion time of a job in the optimal schedule is bounded by A, the algorithm can complete every job in time O(n{sup 3} A{sup 2}). n is the number of nodes in the conflict graph. We also show that the best competitive ratio achievable by any online algorithm for themore » maximum completion time on interval or bipartite graphs is {Omega}(n).« less
EXPRESSION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MUTATIONS IN HUMAN VERY LONG-CHAIN ACYL-COA DEHYDROGENASE USING A PROKARYOTIC SYSTEM

Abstract Very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) catalyzes the first enzymatic step in the mitochondrial β-oxidation of fatty acids 14–20 carbons in length. More than 100 cases of VLCAD deficiency have been reported with the disease varying from a severe, often fatal neonatal form to a mild adult-onset form. VLCAD is distinguished from matrix-soluble acyl-CoA dehydrogenases by its unique C-terminal domain, homodimeric structure, and localization to the inner mitochondrial membrane. We have for the first time expressed and purified VLCAD using a bacterial system. Recombinant VLCAD had similar biochemical properties to those reported for native VLCAD and the bacterial system was used to study six previously described disease-causing missense mutations including the two most common mild mutations (T220M, V243A), a mutation leading to the severe disease phenotype (R429W), and three mutations in the C-terminal domain (A450P, L462P, and R573W). Of particular interest was the finding that the A450P and L462P bacterial extracts had normal or increased amounts of VLCAD antigen and activity. In the pure form L462P had roughly 30% of wild-type activity while A450P was normal. Using computer modeling both mutations were mapped to a predicted charged surface of VLCAD that we postulate interacts with the mitochondrial membrane. In a membrane pull down assay both mutants showed greatly reduced mitochondrial membrane association, suggesting a mechanism for the disease in these patients. In summary, the bacterial expression system developed here will significantly advance our understanding of both the clinical aspects of VLCAD deficiency and the basic biochemistry of the enzyme.
Rat hepatic glucokinase: Improved purification and some properties

Abstract Rat hepatic glucokinase has been purified 2940-fold by means of (NH4)SO4 fractionation, DEAE-Sephadex, DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-100, and elution from starch gels. The purified enzyme displays one principal band on polyacrylamide electrophoresis and is judged to be 80% pure at this stage. This is nearly four times the purity achieved previously. The Km for glucose of the purified enzyme is 12 m m . Glucose and various sulfhydryl reagents protect the enzyme against inactivation. If the enzyme is diluted in the absence of glucose of K+ ion there is an inactivation of dilution. Potassium prevents this activity loss. The hexokinases of liver which have low Km values for glucose do not lose activity under these same conditions and do not require potassium. The effect of trypsin and urea on hexokinase activity has also been studied. The molecular weight of the native glucokinase molecule has been estimated to be 68,000 by Sephadex G-100, Bio Gel P-100, and sucrose gradient-density centrifugation. Similar estimations for the low Km hexokinases yield an apparent molecular weight of 96,000. On Sephadex G-100, in the presence of KCl, glucokinase and commercial yeast hexokinase have apparent molecular weights of 48,000. It is postulated that glucokinase has a distinctly looser quaternary structure than the typical low Km animal hexokinases.
Vicarious moral licensing: The influence of others' past moral actions on moral behavior.

This article investigates the effect of others' prior nonprejudiced behavior on an individual's subsequent behavior. Five studies supported the hypothesis that people are more willing to express prejudiced attitudes when their group members' past behavior has established nonprejudiced credentials. Study 1a showed that participants who were told that their group was more moral than similar other groups were more willing to describe a job as better suited for Whites than for African Americans. In Study 1b, when given information on group members' prior nondiscriminatory behavior (selecting a Hispanic applicant in a prior task), participants subsequently gave more discriminatory ratings to the Hispanic applicant for a position stereotypically suited for majority members (Whites). In Study 2, moral self-concept mediated the effect of others' prior nonprejudiced actions on a participant's subsequent prejudiced behavior such that others' past nonprejudiced actions enhanced the participant's moral self-concept, and this inflated moral self-concept subsequently drove the participant's prejudiced ratings of a Hispanic applicant. In Study 3, the moderating role of identification with the credentialing group was tested. Results showed that participants expressed more prejudiced attitudes toward a Hispanic applicant when they highly identified with the group members behaving in nonprejudiced manner. In Study 4, the credentialing task was dissociated from the participants' own judgmental task, and, in addition, identification with the credentialing group was manipulated rather than measured. Consistent with prior studies, the results showed that participants who first had the opportunity to view an in-group member's nonprejudiced hiring decision were more likely to reject an African American man for a job stereotypically suited for majority members. These studies suggest a vicarious moral licensing effect.
Effects of Peripheral Cytokine Injections on Multiple Unit Activity in the Anterior Hypothalamic Area of the Mouse

Abstract The brain and the immune system interact in a bidirectional manner. This study on neuroimmune circuitry investigated the hypothesis that circulating cytokines act as messengers in the communication from the immune system to the brain and that the anterior hypothalamus is an integral part of this pathway. It was predicted that, following tail vein injections in mice, the cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) would alter electrical activity in the anterior hypothalamus. Differential electrodes were used to record multiple unit activity, at 5-min intervals, immediately before and for 60 min following injections. IL-1β and IL-2 decreased activity in the lateral margin of the anterior hypothalamus. IL-2-responsive neurons seemed to be localized to this area, while IL-1β-sensitive neurons showed a larger area of distribution. A significant response following IL-6 administration was not demonstrated. The observed changes in electrical activity support the concept of the hypothalamus as a sensory integration site for the immune system. Alternative models for the mechanism of cytokine signaling are discussed.
High performance compressive sensing reconstruction hardware with QRD process

This paper presents a high performance architecture for the reconstruction of compressive sampled signals using Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) algorithm. Q-R decomposition (QRD) process is used for the matrix inverse core and a new algorithm for finding fast inverse square root of a fixed point number is also implemented to support the QRD process. The optimized architecture takes 256-length input vector and 64 measurement data, and reconstructs a signal of sparsity 8. The design is implemented in 65 nm CMOS which runs at 165 MHz and occupies 0.69 mm2, total reconstruction takes 13.7 µs. The implementation on Xilinx FPGA Virtex-5 takes 27.12 µs to reconstruct a 256-length signal of sparsity 8. The same architecture for 128-length signal of sparsity 5 on Virtex-5 is 2.4 times faster than the state-of-the-art implementation.
Different Discrete Wavelet Transforms Applied to Denoising Analytical Data

Discrete wavelet transform (DWT) denoising contains three steps: forward transformation of the signal to the wavelet domain, reduction of the wavelet coefficients, and inverse transformation to the native domain. Three aspects that should be considered for DWT denoising include selecting the wavelet type, selecting the threshold, and applying the threshold to the wavelet coefficients. Although there exists an infinite variety of wavelet transformations, 22 orthonormal wavelet transforms that are typically used, which include Haar, 9 daublets, 5 coiflets, and 7 symmlets, were evaluated. Four threshold selection methods have been studied: universal, minimax, Stein's unbiased estimate of risk (SURE), and minimum description length (MDL) criteria. The application of the threshold to the wavelet coefficients includes global (hard, soft, garrote, and firm), level-dependent, data-dependent, translation invariant (TI), and wavelet package transform (WPT) thresholding methods. The different DWT-based denoising m...
High performance spiral wound microbial fuel cell with hydraulic characterization

Abstract The understanding and development of functioning systems are crucial steps for microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology advancement. In this study, a compact spiral wound MFC (swMFC) was developed and hydraulic residence time distribution (RTD) tests were conducted to investigate the flow characteristics in the systems. Results show that two-chamber swMFCs have high surface area to volume ratios of 350–700 m2/m3, and by using oxygen cathode without metal-catalysts, the maximum power densities were 42 W/m3 based on total volume and 170 W/m3 based on effective volume. The hydraulic step-input tracer study identified 20–67% of anodic flow dead space, which presents new opportunities for system improvement. Electrochemical tools revealed very low ohmic resistance but high charge transfer and diffusion resistance due to catalyst-free oxygen reduction. The spiral wound configuration combined with RTD tool offers a holistic approach for MFC development and optimization.
The Role of Parent and Peer Support in Predicting Adolescent Depression: A Longitudinal Community Study

This study examines whether perceived parent support, peer support, and the interaction between them predict depression symptoms and depression diagnosis 2 years later in a community sample of 389 adolescents. Controlling for Time 1 depression, parent support and anticipated peer support were not independently related to Time 2 depression in either linear or logistic regression analyses. However, there was a significant interaction between the two support variables, suggesting that parent support moderates the relationship between anticipated peer support and depression symptoms and diagnosis. Anticipated peer support is protective among adolescents with high parental support, but may act as a risk factor for adolescents with low parental support. Regarding developmental differences, low anticipated peer support at Time 1 was a stronger predictor of Time 2 depression symptoms among older, compared with younger, adolescents. These findings highlight the importance of parent and peer support in predicting future depression among community adolescents.
Evidence that translation of smooth muscle alpha-actin mRNA is delayed in the chick promyocardium until fusion of the bilateral heart-forming regions.

Heart development in the chick embryo proceeds from bilateral mesodermal primordia established during gastrulation. These primordia migrate to the midline and fuse into a single heart trough. During their migration as a cohesive sheet, the cells of the paired heart fields become epithelial and undergo cardiac differentiation, exhibiting organized myofibrils and rhythmic contractions near the time of their fusion. Between the stages of cardiomyoblast commitment and overt differentiation of cardiomyocytes, a significant time interval exists. Using a new riboprobe (usmaar) for whole-mount in situ hybridization in chick embryos, we report the earliest phases of smooth muscle alpha-actin (smaa) mRNA distribution during the precontractile developmental window. We show that ingressed heart-forming regions express smaa by the head-process stage (Hamburger and Hamilton stage 5). In addition, we used usmaar to study the formation and early morphogenesis of the heart. Consistent with fate mapping studies (Garcia-Martinez and Schoenwolf [1993] Dev. Biol. 159:706-719; Schoenwolf and Garcia-Martinez [1995] Cell Mol. Biol. Res. 41:233-240; Garcia-Martinez et al., in preparation), our results with this probe, combined with detailed histological and SEM analyses of the so-called cardiac crescent, demonstrate unequivocally that the heart arises from separated and paired heart rudiments, rather than from a single crescent-shaped rudiment (that is, prior to fusion of the paired heart rudiments to establish the straight-heart tube, the rostral midline of the cardiac crescent lacks mesodermal cells and consequently fails to label with usmaar). Smaa is also expressed in the splanchnic and somatic mesoderm, marking the earliest step in coelom formation. Consequently, we also used usmaar to describe formation of the pericardium. Finally, we provide evidence of a post-transcriptional level of control of smaa gene expression in the heart fields. Our results suggest that the expression of smaa may mark a primitive mesodermal state from which definitive cell types can be derived through inductive events.
Abnormal rat brain monoamine metabolism in iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency in rats produces numerous alterations in brain metabolism as assessed by in vitro techniques. We used a new method of in vivo microdialysis to study the effect of acute iron deficiency anemia on rat brain monoamine metabolism. This method was used to sample extracellular fluid from an implanted microdialysis probe in the caudate putamen from freely moving animals. Method validation experiments showed that steady-state levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and their metabolites were obtained only after 5 to 7 days of surgical recovery and with prior perfusion of the brain region. Caudate putamen dopamine was significantly increased 30% and 40% in fasted light-exposed and 2-hr-fed dark-exposed iron deficient anemic rats (hemoglobin in vitro demonstrations of down-regulation of dopamine D 2 receptors, they also suggest that uptake and processing of monoamines is significantly perturbed by iron deficiency.
THE SYNTHESIS AND STEREOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE FIVE ISOMERIC 1,3-DIPHENYL-1,3-DIMETHYL-2,4-DINEOPENTYL-1,3-DISILACYCLOBUTANES

Summary The reaction of t-butyllithium with phenylmethylvinylchlorosilane at low temperature in hexane solvent gave a 48% yield of a mixture of the five isomers of the 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-dimethyl-2,4-dineopentyl-1,3-disilacyclobutanes, along with an acyclic isomer. The separation and determination of the stereochemistry of the diasteromeric 1,3-disilacyclobutanes by means of carbon-13 NMR is described.
Computer science: a conceptual framework for curriculum planning

Two views of computer science are considered: a global view which attempts to capture broad characteristics of the field and its relationships to other fields, and a local view which focuses on the inner structure of the field. This structure is presented in terms of the kinds of knowledge, problems, and activities that exist within the discipline, as well as the relations between them. An approach to curriculum planning in computer science is presented which is guided by the structure of the field, by the fact that change is an important feature of the situation, and by the expectation that computer science will continue to increase its working contacts with other disciplines.
21st century microelectronic technology trends

The Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), now entering its thirteenth year, is implementing an innovative form of industry—university cooperation in research that is directed to integrated circuits. SRC's mission is to plan, promote, coordinate and sponsor research that will result in: (1) new knowledge of semiconductor materials and phenomenon, and of related scientific and engineering subjects that are required for the useful applications of semiconductor I.C.'s; (2) the development of new and more efficient design and manufacturing technologies for semiconductor devices; (3) timely and efficient transfer of the results of the research to its industrial members; (4) an increase in the number of scientists and engineers who are proficient in all aspects of semiconductor technology, design and manufacture. The era of microelectronics started with the invention of transistors in the 1940's; but the revolution was really ignited with the invention of the integrated circuit in the 1950's. Since that time, the product development has been characterized by explosive world-wide growth. The SRC is a natural derivative of this global growth.
Substitution Policies for a Hybrid System

As a consequence of environmental necessities, reuse of products has recently become an important issue for production and planning. Many companies are involved in retrieving used products, where they repair, refurbish and upgrade the products in order to sell them for profit. However, the regulations for many markets do not allow manufacturers to sell remanufactured products under the same pretence as new products. Therefore, companies are forced to differentiate both the recovery and the sales activities for the remanufactured products from that of the new products. In this paper, we study the impact of this differentiation. We particularly look at the feasibility of substituting one version of the product with the other in order to satisfy the demand. In the first phase of the study, we try to find optimal switching functions for substitution decisions using a Markov decision process. In the second phase, we define several control policies and compare them with respect to the expected total cost function of the system.
Identification of a transferable two-amino-acid motif (GT) present in the C-terminal tail of the human lutropin receptor that redirects internalized G protein-coupled receptors from a degradation to a recycling pathway.

Although highly homologous in amino acid sequence, the agonist-receptor complexes formed by the human lutropin receptor (hLHR) and rat (r) LHR follow different intracellular routes. The agonist-rLHR complex is routed mostly to a lysosomal degradation pathway whereas a substantial portion of the agonist-hLHR complex is routed to a recycling pathway. In a previous study, we showed that grafting a five-residue sequence (GTALL) present in the C-terminal tail of the hLHR into the equivalent position of the rLHR redirects a substantial portion of the internalized agonist-rLHR complex to a recycling pathway. Using a number of mutations of the GTALL motif, we now show that only the first two residues (GT) of this motif are necessary and sufficient to induce recycling of the internalized agonist-rLHR complex. Phosphoamino acid analysis and mutations of the GT motif show that phosphorylation of the threonine residue is not necessary for recycling. Lastly, we show that addition of portions of the C-terminal tail of the hLHR that include the GT motif to the C-terminal tails of the rat follitropin or murine delta-opioid receptors promotes the post-endocytotic recycling of these G protein-coupled receptors.We conclude that the GT motif present in the C-terminal tail of the hLHR is a transferable motif that promotes the postendocytotic recycling of several G protein-coupled receptors and that the GT-induced recycling does not require the phosphorylation of the threonine residue.
Oogenesis in a thelytokous wasp, Nemeritis canescens (Grav.)

In the fifty generations of reared Nemeritis, males have been totally lacking. Oogenesis is atypical in (1) the occurrence of a pronounced and lengthy prochromosome stage, (2) the partial fusion of the eleven tetrads at early first anaphase, (3) following first anaphase, a return of all dyads from both poles to form a common second metaphase plate consisting of twenty-two separate dyads, (4) a second division which forms a single polar nucleus and an egg nucleus, each with twenty-two chromosomes, (5) the parthenogenetic development of the egg nucleus with twenty-two chromosomes. Oviposition, which occurs at first anaphase, is followed by a pronounced swelling of the egg through osmosis. Oogonia, follicle cells, cleavage nuclei and somatic cells in later embryogeny all show twenty-two metaphase chromosomes, while pupai tissue shows also tetraploid and octoploid complexes.
Caspase-mediated apoptosis and cell death of rhesus macaque CD4+ T-cells due to cryopreservation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells can be rescued by cytokine treatment after thawing.

Cryopreservation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from animal model studies and clinical trials is utilized as a primary method for long-term storage of PBMC for future in vitro and in vivo applications. The objective of this study was to define the mechanistic pathways involved in cryopreservation-induced apoptosis of CD4+ T-cells in PBMC, and to evaluate a cytokine treatment of the cryopreserved samples to rescue apoptosis for the potential future use of the cryopreserved PBMC. Using cryopreserved PBMC samples isolated from naive and Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected rhesus macaques as a model, frozen PBMC showed significantly increased levels of apoptosis-induced CD4+ T-cell death compared to fresh PBMC over a 5-day culture period as detected by Annexin V/PI and trypan blue staining. Mechanistic studies using a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor z-VAD demonstrated a crucial involvement of caspases in cryopreservation-induced apoptosis of CD4+ T-cells. Furthermore, the ability of z-VAD to inhibit both mitochondrial membrane perturbation and apoptotic cell death implicated the involvement of caspase-mediated mitochondrial membrane damage in cryopreservation-induced apoptosis of CD4+ T-cells. Due to their known properties to promote T-cell survival and inhibit apoptosis, we evaluated the ability of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-7 combination cytokine treatment of the cryopreserved cells to rescue apoptosis of the CD4+ T-cells. The cytokine treatment resulted in a significant inhibition (p<0.01) of apoptosis-induced cell death and rescued CD4+ T-cell survival (p<0.01) in the cryopreserved cells. Efficient rescue of cryopreserved CD4+ T-cells has clinical significance in immune function analysis of longitudinal samples and in various long-term protocols requiring cryopreservation, including bone marrow and stem cell transplantation.
Rest-exercise radionuclide angiographic assessment of left ventricular function in chronic aortic regurgitation: Significance of serial studies in medically versus surgically treated groups

Forty consecutive asymptomatic patients with chronic aortic regurgitation who underwent three serial yearly rest and postexercise radionuclide angiograms were compared with 27 consecutive patients with chronic aortic regurgitation and aortic valve replacement who were studied preoperatively, 3 and 15 months postoperatively. Patients were divided into four subgroups based upon the resting left ventricular ejection fraction and the functional reserve on the initial study. Of the 40 medically treated patients, 19 (47.5%) and 24 (60%) demonstrated a response at least one type lower at 12 months and 24 months, respectively. Initial functional reserve, initial duration of exercise, and the change in exercise duration during the 24 months was not associated with changes in resting or postexercise left ventricular ejection fraction. A seesaw pattern was observed between the resting and the postexercise left ventricular ejection fraction as ventricular function deteriorated. We observed in the surgical groups a reversal of the seesaw interaction between the resting and postexercise ejection fraction seen in the medical patients. In the surgical groups the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, initial functional reserve, initial duration of exercise, and change in exercise duration postoperatively were not predictors of improvement in left ventricular function at 15 months. Comparing medical and surgical serial data, we suggest yearly radionuclide angiographic determination of rest left ventricular ejection fraction in asymptomatic patients with chronic aortic regurgitation. When the rest ejection fraction is less than 50%, exercise angiography should be performed to determine functional reserve. When functional reserve is also abnormal, surgery should be recommended.
Characterization and catalytic function of Re0 and Re4+ in Re/Al2O3 and PtRe/Al2O3 catalysts

Abstract Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and CO adsorption measurements have shown that Re0 and Re4+ species coexist on the surface of reduced 0.2 wt% Re Al 2 O 3 and 0.3−0.2 wt% Pt  Re Al 2 O 3 catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation with metallic salt precursors, calcined in air at 500 °C, and dried in He at 500 °C prior to reduction. The Re4+ species, which is stabilized by the Al2O3 and resists reduction up to 500 °C, yields an ESR signal which exhibits hyperfine splitting and accounts for less than 20% of the total Re in Re Al 2 O 3 and less than 10% of the Re in PtRe Al 2 O 3 . This species does not chemisorb CO but interacts weakly with O2. The Re0 does not give rise to a resonance signal, but adsorbs CO strongly. The double bond shift (DBS) of 1-pentene, hydrogenation of 1-pentene, and the skeletal isomerization (SI) of 3,3-dimethyl-l-butene were tested using mild reaction conditions. The results indicate that Re4+ slightly enhances the Bronsted acidity in Re Al 2 O 3 , although this effect is negligible in comparison with the acidity induced by Cl− ions. The Re0 sites are very active for olefin hydrogenation; however, after presulfiding the Re Al 2 O 3 , this hydrogenation activity is drastically lowered, but the DBS activity is still high which indicates that surface ReS species are active for the DBS at the Conditions employed.
Moderate doses of hGH (0.64 mg/d) improve lipids but not cardiovascular function in GH-deficient adults with normal baseline cardiac function.

Context: Data regarding effects of lower-dose GH on cardiopulmonary function in GH-deficient (GHD) adults are limited. Objectives: The objective was to assess effects of lower-dose GH on exercise capacity and echocardiographic parameters in GHD adults. Design: The study was a 6-month double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Setting: The study was conducted at the General Clinical Research Center. Participants: Thirty hypopituitary adults with GHD were studied. Intervention: Subjects were randomized to recombinant human GH or placebo for 6 months, followed by open-label recombinant human GH for 12 months. Main Outcome Measures: Primary endpoints were exercise duration, maximal oxygen consumption, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Secondary endpoints were echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic function, left ventricular mass, lipids, and body composition. Results: In the 6-month double-blind phase, mean GH dose was 0.64 mg/d. Mean IGF-I sd score increased from −4.5 to −1.0. Exer...
Environmental geochemistry in development planning: an example from the Nile delta, Egypt

Abstract Geochemists and geologists working with environmental assessment teams have multiple missions: (1) to predict potential pollution problems that could occur; (2) to resolve newly identified or suddenly high profile short- or long-term contamination problems to minimize the impact on the living ecosystem; and (3) to evaluate remediation that might be proposed in light of the practical and future impacts on the environment. Manzalah lagoon, northeast Nile delta, Egypt, has an area of ⪢ 1000 km2, an average depth of 1 m, and yields ⪢ 35% of Egypt's aquacultural production (40 000 metric tons). Half of this is from the 40 km2 Ginka sub-basin. The upper 20 cm of Ginka sub-basin clay-size sediment, deposited after the 1964 closure of the Aswan High Dam, is a sink with significant metal loading (e.g. Hg to 822 ppb; Pb to 110 ppm; plus Zn, Cu, Sn, and Ag). The metals originate from industrial wastes discharged with sewage into Bahr El-Baqar drain which empties into the Ginka sub-basin. Food fish cultivated here can bioaccumulate the metals and pass them up the food web to humans. Bioremediation as part of a managed, engineered wetlands has been proposed as an economic alternative to investment in costly waste treatment facilities and maintenance to abate the heavy metals input to Manzalah lagoon. This approach requires geochemical input for the safe use or secure disposal of the heavy-metal-bearing products of bioremediation. For example, it may be economically feasible to recover and sell the metals. However, a geochemist would warn against using the products of bioremediation in feed for food animal production, as fuel briquets, or as an additive to soils lest their heavy metals recycle to the ecosystem via an atmospheric, hydrospheric or food pool.
Metabolic Fate of Hexobarbital (HBj

(1972). Metabolic Fate of Hexobarbital (HBj. Drug Metabolism Reviews: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 249-290.
Review of "Systems Analysis and Design: A Structured Approach, by Davis, William S.", Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1983

About ten years ago, the structured concepts hit programming, and books were published with "structured" in the title but little in the material. The structured programs concept was easy to see but adapting it by programmers was difficult. Structured for systems is now becoming popular, and in the same fashion, "structured" is somewhere in the title. In addition, the structured systems concepts have several methodologies and few examples have been available without high costs to an organization. The above noted book seems to have met the challenge of content and examples better than others I have examined or reviewed. While some books have been strong in content, the examples have been weak. Also some books have emphasized more real methodology or skimmed several.
A hand-held near-infrared slit spectrograph for Earth observations

We describe the optical and mechanical design of a simple hand-held near infrared spectrograph constructed to produce observations of the spectrum of scrambled light from the Earth from aboard the International Space Station. Observing the Earth in this manner simulates the changing perspective on an extra-solar terrestrial planet observed as a point source by the Terrestrial Planet Finder. A Sensors Unlimited, Inc. SU320-M InGaAs(0.86 - 1.72μm ) camera detects the dispersed spectrum and outputs NTSC video to be recorded and also permits frame grabbing. One of the three copies of the instrument is currently aboard the International Space Station. The optical and mechanical design was conceived and executed by graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Virginia.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Complemented zero-divisor graphs and Boolean rings

Abstract For a commutative ring R, the zero-divisor graph of R is the graph whose vertices are the nonzero zero-divisors of R such that the vertices x and y are adjacent if and only if x y = 0 . In this paper, we classify the zero-divisor graphs of Boolean rings, as well as those of Boolean rings that are rationally complete. We also provide a complete list of those rings whose zero-divisor graphs have the property that every vertex is either an end or adjacent to an end.
Cancer ‘survivor-care’: II. Disruption of prefrontal brain activation top-down control of working memory capacity as possible mechanism for chemo-fog/brain (chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairment)

Summary What is known and Objective Cancer chemotherapy-associated cognitive impairments (termed ‘chemo-fog’ or ‘chemo-brain’), particularly in memory, have been self-reported or identified in cancer survivors previously treated with chemotherapy. Although a variety of deficits have been detected, a consistent theme is a detriment in visuospatial working memory. The parietal cortex, a major site of storage of such memory, is implicated in chemotherapy-induced damage. However, if the findings of two recent publications are combined, the (pre)frontal cortex might be an equally viable target. Two recent studies, one postulating a mechanism for ‘top-down control’ of working memory capacity and another visualizing chemotherapy-induced alterations in brain activation during working memory processing, are reviewed and integrated. Comment A computational model and the proposal that the prefrontal cortex plays a role in working memory via top-down control of parietal working memory capacity is consistent with a recent demonstration of decreased frontal hyperactivation following chemotherapy. What is new and Conclusion Chemotherapy-associated impairment of visuospatial working memory might include the (pre)frontal cortex in addition to the parietal cortex. This provides new opportunity for basic science and clinical investigation.
Monte Carlo estimation of chance performance for the radial arm maze

The radial arm maze is now widely used to assess spatial control of behavior. Determination of chance performance on the maze may be made difficult, however, because of response biases. Simulation of arm selection under various biases was used to provide several estimates of chance accuracy of arm selection. These estimates emphasize the type and degree of the problem in characterizing chance accuracy and may be useful to others in arriving at a relevant estimate.
Meiotic effects of DNA-defective cell division cycle mutations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The meiotic effects of several cell division cycle (cdc) mutations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been investigated by electron microscopy and by genetic and biochemical methods. Diploid strains homozygous for cdc mutations known to confer defects on vegetative DNA synthesis were subjected to restrictive conditions during meiosis. Electron microscopy revealed that all four mutants were conditionally arrested in meiosis after duplication of the spindle pole bodies but before spindle formation for the first meiotic division. None of these mutants became committed to recombination or contained synaptonemal complex at the meiotic arrest. — The mutants differed in their ability to undergo premeiotic DNA synthesis under restrictive conditions. Both cdc8 and cdc21, which are defective in the propagation of vegetative DNA synthesis, also failed to undergo premeiotic DNA synthesis. The arrest of these mutants at the stage before meiosis I spindle formation could be attributed to the failure of DNA synthesis because inhibition of synthesis by hydroxyurea also caused arrest at this stage. — Premeiotic DNA synthesis occurred before the arrest of cdc7, which is defective in the initiation of vegetative DNA synthesis, and of cdc2, which synthesizes vegetative DNA but does so defectively. The meiotic arrest of cdc7 homozygotes was partially reversible. Even if further semiconservative DNA replication was inhibited by the addition of hydroxyurea, released cells rapidly underwent commitment to recombination and formation of synaptonemal complexes. The cdc7 homozygote is therefore reversibly arrested in meiosis after DNA replication, whereas vegetative cultures have previously been shown to be defective only in the initiation of DNA synthesis.
U.S. District Court Decision-Making in USA PATRIOT Act Cases after September 11

Our analysis of federal district court decisions in USA PATRIOT Act cases after September 11 shows that while district courts exhibit great deference to the executive during times of war, especially in terrorism threat and immigration cases, they are not inclined to protect civil rights and liberties during times of domestic or international conflict. While judicial ideology does not influence case outcomes, the presence of a civil-libertarian interest group decreases the chance of a deferential decision, and a more conservative Senate and president increases the chance of judicial deference.
Leadership in a New Era: Comment on “Planning Leadership in a New Era”

More than half of the built environment of the United States we will see in 2025 did not exist in 2000, giving planners an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the landscape. The Federal Housing Ac...
Determination of the optical purity of indacrinone by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy using chiral lanthanide chelates.

Abstract A simple, specific and reliable 1 H-NMR spectroscopic method for the quantitative determination of the optical purity of indacrinone is described. After conversion of the S (+)- and R (−)-enantiomers to their methyl ester derivatives, they were coordinated with chiral europium(III) or praseodymium(III) shift reagents in CCl 4 /C 2 HCl 3 (2:1). The optical purity was calculated from the relative intensities of the enantiomeric resonance signals for the protons of the methyl groups at position C(2) of the indanone ring. Mean ±SD ( n = 6) recoveries of S(+)-indacrinone from synthetic enantiomeric mixtures amounted to 99.75 ± 0.63% when using europium(III) and 100.01 ± 0.55% when using praseodymium(III).
Integrins in lens development and disease.

Integrins are the major cell surface receptors for proteins in the extracellular matrix. These receptors form major cell signaling centers that are bidirectional, communicating messages between the cell and its environment. They are a large receptor family, with members well-known to regulate cellular processes essential to both development and disease. In this review we examine the literature regarding integrins in the lens. Here we cover integrin function in lens cell differentiation, in the development of the lens and in protection of the lens epithelial cell phenotype. In addition, we analyze the role of integrins in the progression of lens fibrotic diseases, focusing particularly on integrin regulation of TGFβ signaling pathways in posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC).
Emergence ofKeiferia lycopersicella [Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae], andApanteles sp. [Hymenoptera: Braconidae] from pupae and soil treated with insect growth regulators

Two insect growth regulators (IGR's), ZR-619 (ethylin-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-(2E, 4E)-2,4-dodecadienethiolate), and ZR-777 (Prop-2 ynyl 3,7,11-trimethyl-(2E, 4E)-dodecadienoate) were tested for potential use against the tomato pinworm,Keiferia lycopersicella (Walsh.) The IGR's were applied to cocoons and to soil where cocoons were formed. Both IGR's, alone and in combination, suppressed pinworn adult emergence from 23 to 7% when applied direct but were ineffective when applied to the soil. All treatments of IGR's in both methods of application reduced emergence of the parasitoApanteles sp. to 0% from levels as high as 61%. Use of the IGR's in this situation resulted in greater harm to potential biological control agents than in benefit to pest control.
CT demonstration of pancreatic transection: A case report and comparison with other diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of blunt pancreatic trauma

A case of prevertebral pancreatic transection demonstrated by pre-operative computed tomography is presented. The dramatic demonstration of pancreatic transection in this case suggests that CT scanning should be considered among the first-line modalities in the evaluation of suspected pancreatic injuries. In addition, the value of other diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of this disorder is reviewed.
The case for iron chelation and/or antioxidant therapy in Alzheimer's disease

Iron is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by multiple mechanisms. We discuss the role of iron in catalysis of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, protein physical chemistry, and inflammation. Strategies to deal with iron and its effects have a place in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Therapies utilizing these strategies include iron chelators and antioxidants. Drug Dev. Res. 56:526-530, 2002. � c 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Designed Bithiophene-Based Interfacial Layer for High-Efficiency Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaic Cells. Importance of Interfacial Energy Level Matching

This contribution describes the design, synthesis, characterization, and organic photovoltaic (OPV) device implementation of a novel interfacial layer (IFL) for insertion between the anode and active layer of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) bulk-heterojunction solar cells. The IFL precursor, 5,5′-bis[(p-trichlorosilylpropylphenyl)phenylamino]-2,2′-bithiophene (PABTSi2), covalently anchors to the Sn-doped In2O3 (ITO) surface via the −SiCl3 groups and incorporates a bithiophene unit to align the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy with that of P3HT (5.0 eV). The synthesis and subsequent electrochemical analysis of PABTSi2 indicates a HOMO energy of 4.9 eV, while the lowest uoccupied molecular orbital level remains sufficiently high, at 2.2 eV, to effectively block electron leakage to the OPV ITO anode. For the P3HT:PCBM OPV fabrication, PABTSi2 is used as a spin-coated cross-linked (via −SiCl3 hydrolysis and condensation) 1:2 blend with poly[9,9-d...
Percutaneous Trans-Superior Orbital Fissure Embolizationof Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas: Technique and Preliminary Results

PURPOSE To describe the technique of percutaneous, infraocular embolization of indirect carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) and analyze the results in a small clinical series. METHODS A retrospective case series of 4 patients treated at Emory University Hospital. RESULTS Four patients with indirect CCFs and limited transvenous access were successfully treated with transcutaneous, infraocular embolization of the recipient cavernous sinus via the ipsilateral superior orbital fissure. Main outcome measures were clinical examination findings and cerebral angiography. All patients had either preservation or improvement in final visual outcome. One patient required early retreatment because of clot lysis and reopening of a secondary, iatrogenic direct CCF. Two patients suffered early postprocedural orbital hemorrhage requiring treatment with lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis. CONCLUSIONS Based these findings, percutaneous, infraocular, trans-superior orbital fissure embolization of CCFs is a viable alternative in patients with refractory fistulas failing management with more conventional techniques. Orbital hemorrhage is a significant risk, and availability of an ophthalmologist skilled in the management of this complication is imperative.
Axoplasmic flow rates during nerve regeneration.

Small volumes (6 mm3) of radioactive phosphorous (P32) were injected into the ventral horns of either the seventh lumbar or first sacral segments of the spinal cord of cats on both sides after previously crushing the sciatic nerve on one side on different days preceding injection. The P32 activity was then determined in proximal and distal portions of the ventral roots 3 days after injection. The rate of axoplasmic flow was determined by the ratio of the activity in the distal over that of the proximal portion of the ventral roots. In the period of 3 to 15 days after nerve crush, the rate of axoplasmic flow was decreased below normal on the crushed side as well as on the opposite side. During the period of 15 to 27 days, the rate was unchanged in some cases, and in others increased on the crushed side. No correlation of axoplasmic flow rate with the degree of chromatolysis was found.
Intrinsic variational equations in three dimensions

The variational equations along an orbit in a conservative dynamic system with three degrees of freedom may be separated into (i) a linear system of order four involving only the normal and binormal displacements and (ii) a quadrature to produce the tangential displacement.
Workforce Supply and Training in Antimicrobial Stewardship

To improve the quality and safety of antimicrobial prescribing while minimizing unnecessary cost, antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) require the unique services of a variety of healthcare and ancillary personnel with varied skill sets. At the center of such teams are pharmacists and physicians with specialty training in infectious diseases (ID). The potential implementation of regulations and accreditation standards requiring institutions to have antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP)s, along with growing evidence to their effectiveness and their increasing presence in different practice settings, are likely to increase the demand for such programs. An assessment of present and potential future antimicrobial stewardship (AS) operations is required to ensure the supply of trained clinicians to meet the growing demand. Presently, the majority of training is achieved either through private study or as part of experiential postgraduate programs. While postgraduate ID-focused programs for pharmacists generally incorporate antimicrobial AS training, such experiences are rarely part of the formalized experience for ID-trained physicians. Although some professional organizations are addressing the perceived lack of individuals with formal postgraduate ID training through certification programs, there are currently no formal regulations or guidelines for such training. It is unlikely the present supply of ID-trained pharmacists will meet the future demands in this area. Therefore, novel strategies (such as access to AS networks, the expanded use of communication and/or information technology, use of alternate personnel, and/or intermittent programs) may increase access to AS-trained clinicians.
Self-Efficacy and Performance in Mathematics: Reciprocal Determinism in 33 Nations.

Reciprocal determinism is a central premise of Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory. Studies of the relationship between self-beliefs and performance tend to draw on this or related theories and usually endorse the notion of reciprocal determinism at a substantive-theoretical level. However, attempts to model this postulated mutual influence of self-beliefs and performance are few and are focused on the relationship between self-concept and performance. The reciprocal determinism of self-efficacy and performance seems to be without direct empirical support, probably because the longitudinal, repeated-measures data often considered necessary for this purpose are not available. It is possible, though, to model reciprocal effects with cross-sectional data. In the analyses reported in this article, the authors achieved this using a structural equation model in which the mutual influence of self-efficacy and performance in mathematics is represented as a feedback loop. This model was estimated in each of 33 nations on the basis of data on the mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics achievement of 15-year-olds. The model was a good fit to the data in 30 nations and was supportive of reciprocal determinism in 24 of these, suggesting a fundamental psychological process that transcends national and cultural boundaries.
The Irish American Contribution to Surgery

Churchill once stated, Everything that needs to be said has already been said but not yet by everyone. So today I would like to give a talk that is a little different from that usually heard at the Pacific Coast Surgical Association [PCSA] and that hopefully will be both instructional as well as entertaining.