cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reconfigurable high-speed platform: shifting the paradigm in education, research and engineering

Keeping students acclimatized with the increasingly rapid advancement in technology requires major changes in the manner in which education is designed and conducted. With the utilization of more sophisticated equipment in the classroom and laboratory, students are better exposed to real-world design techniques and multidisciplinary problem-solving, providing a positive link between education and industry. Much of the impetus for this change is the availability of more affordable and easy to use microcontrollers and embedded systems, including reconfigurable multipurpose hardware platforms. At the heart of this paradigm shift is the proliferation of Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs), and the growth of system-on-a-chip (SOC) design. SOC designs facilitate innovation by incorporating the speed of dedicated hardware and memory with the flexibility of general purpose processors on a single chip. The use of this reprogrammable high-speed platform helps students reach a stage of true emancipation, combining their coursework knowledge in a more holistic engineering approach. In this article, we discuss the benefits of the reconfigurable highspeed platform in academia. By enhancing information sharing and collaboration between research and education, undergraduate students can gain more exposure to cutting edge research. In addition, the use of this platform for research prototyping serves to enhance the visibility of research projects to the industrial community. We illustrate how this platform can be co-opted into current practices via several case studies and the associated benefits that can be gained.
Silica membranes by the sol—gel process

Silica membranes were formed by floating a solution of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)—water—ethanol on sym-tetrabromoethane. The solution reacted with atmospheric moisture and gelled to a flexible sheet. One-tenth millimeter sheets were lifted from the sym-tetrabromoethane and dried in air. Ethanol escaping during hydrolysis produced bubbles which intersected the gel surface and left hemispherical pores in a close-packed arrangement.
Fire effects on perennial vegetation in the Western Colorado Desert, USA.

The impacts of fire on creosote bush scrub vegetation have received attention recently as fire has become locally common throughout the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. One area of particular concern is western Coachella Valley, which forms the northwestern extent of the Colorado Desert. This is a major wildland-urban interface area that has been significantly impacted by atmospheric nitrogen deposition concomitant with fuel alterations from invasive annual grasses and increased ignition frequencies from human activities. Creosote bush scrub takes much longer than more mesic vegetation types to re-establish after fire, and the majority of desert species lack traits associated with resiliency to fire disturbance. Previous research in this area has only investigated once-burned stands for up to five years since fire. This study documents perennial vegetation from seven sites that represent a 2- to 28-year-old fire chronosequence. Our surveys revealed that fire significantly reduced shrub richness and diversity regardless of time since fire. Total shrub cover and density returned to or exceeded unburned levels at least 20 years after fire, although species composition was almost entirely brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), a shortlived shrub. Longer-lived shrubs indicative of unburned vegetation, such as creosote (Larrea tridentata), white bursage (Ambrosia dumosa), and white ratany (Krameria grayi), failed to recover. Shrub plus cacti richness and diversity were lower in burned stands regardless of time since fire. Encelia shrublands may form an alternate stable state following fire in this region.
Characterization of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity in the larval brain of Manduca sexta

Soluble cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-PK) activity in the brains of day 5 last instar larvae of Manduca sexta was quantified and the cAMP-PK characterized. Histones f2b and f2a were the preferred exogenous substrates for the enzyme whereas protamine and bovine serum albumin were poorly phosphorylated. Maximal enzyme activity was obtained in the presence of 5–10 mM Mg2+ while Ca2+ and NaCl were inhibitory with IC50 values of 1.0 mM and 0.15 M, respectively. The apparent Km for ATP was not altered in the presence of maximally stimulatory concentrations of cAMP. The protein inhibitor of cAMP-PK from bovine heart was an effective inhibitor of the larval brain cAMP-PK (IC50 = 7.7 μg). Two peaks of cAMP-PK activity were separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, corresponding to mammalian type I and II cAMP-PK. Type II predominates in the larval brain comprising 93% of the total cAMP-PK activity in the soluble fraction. Both types are stimulated 3–5-fold and inhibited (>85%) by the protein kinase inhibitor. The percentage of total cAMP-PK present in the soluble fraction depends on the ionic strength of the homogenization buffer with approx. 80% of the cAMP-PK activity recovered in the 12,000 g supernatant fraction in the presence of 0.5 M NaCl. Particulate associated cAMP-PK can be solubilized completely by treatment with Triton X-100.
Scattering below the sol-gel transition

Solutions of tetramethoxysilicon are reacted until very near the sol-gel transition. At this point the sol is diluted and elastic and quasielastic light scattering measurements are made at intermediate momentum transfer. The static scattering exponent for the diluted sol is found to be in good agreement with the percolation prediction of 1.6, and the quasielastic scattering measurements demonstrate the flexibility of the sol clusters.
The influence of projectile electron-target electron interactions on electron emission in fast ionizing collisions

Abstract The influence of projectile-electron-target-electron (e-e) interactions leading to ionization is examined, both theoretically and experimentally, for various collision systems. Among our conclusions, we find that e-e interactions dominate the low energy electron emission in fast collisions between neutral atoms. This results in a linear, as opposed to a quadratic, projectile nuclear charge dependence for the total target ionization cross sections.
Crystal chemistry of basic lead carbonates. III. Crystal structures of Pb3O2(CO3) and NaPb2(OH)(CO3)2

The crystal structures of synthetic Pb3O2(CO3) and NaPb2(OH)(CO3)2, have been solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.062 and 0.024, respectively. Pb3O2(CO3) is orthorhombic, Pnma , a = 22.194(3), b = 9.108(1), c = 5.7405(8) A, V = 1160.4(3) A3, Z = 8. There are four symmetrically distinct Pb2+ cations in irregular coordination polyhedra due to the effect of stereoactive s 2 lone-electron pairs. The structure is based upon double [O2Pb3] chains of [O(1)Pb4] and [O(2)Pb4] oxocentred tetrahedra and CO3 groups. The [O2Pb3] chains are parallel to the c axis, whereas the CO3 groups are parallel to the (010) plane. NaPb2(OH)(CO3)2 is hexagonal, P 63 mc , a = 5.276(1), c = 13.474(4) A, V = 324.8(1) A3, Z = 2 and has been solved by direct methods. There are two symmetrically distinct Pb2+ cations in asymmetric coordination polyhedra due to the effect of stereoactive s 2 lone-electron pairs. The single symmetrically unique Na+ cation is in trigonal prismatic coordination. The structure is based on hexagonal sheets of Pb atoms. Within these sheets, Pb atoms are located at vertices of a 36 net, such that each Pb atom has six adjacent Pb atoms that are ~5.3 Aaway. Two sheets are stacked in a close-packing arrangement, forming layers that contain the (CO3) groups. The layers are linked by OH groups that are linearly coordinated by two Pb2+ cations. Na+ cations are located between the layers. The structure is closely related to the structures of other lead hydroxide carbonates (leadhillite, macphersonite, susannite, hydrocerussite, ‘plumbonacrite’).
Direct measurement of large-strain deformation fields by particle tracking

A hybrid particle image velocimetry/particle tracking velocimetry (PIV/PTV) method is described for direct measurement of large-strain deformation fields using plane-strain machining as the model system. PIV/PTV is shown to accurately measure displacements and velocities with a spatial resolution of ~1/10th of a pixel, which is an order of magnitude improvement over a comparable PIV-based method. For the configuration studied here, this translates to about ~400 nm in terms of displacement and ~80 ?m s?1 in terms of velocity. Furthermore, the method is shown to be able to capture steep gradients in velocity, which are typical of deformation zones in machining. This enables accurate estimation of associated strain rates. Implications of the technique for measuring large-strain fields in deformation processes and indentation tests, and velocity gradients due to friction at sliding interfaces, are briefly discussed.
Participation of Women and Sex Analyses in Late-Phase Clinical Trials of New Molecular Entity Drugs and Biologics Approved by the FDA in 2007–2009

Abstract Background: Biological sex differences may contribute to differential treatment outcomes for therapeutic products. This study tracks women's participation in late-phase clinical trials (LPCTs), where efficacy and safety of drugs and biologics are evaluated, of new molecular entity (NME) drugs and biologics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007–2009. Furthermore, presentations of sex-based analyses were assessed from the FDA reviews. Methods: New drug applications (NDAs) and biologics license applications (BLAs) were accessed from the U.S. FDA database and evaluated for women's participation in LPCTs. Sex-based analyses for efficacy and safety contained in FDA reviews were surveyed. Ratios for women's LPCT participation (PROPORTION OF STUDY SUBJECTS) to their proportion in the disease population were calculated for each approved therapeutic product and grouped into therapeutic categories. Results: Sex-specific (n=5) and pediatric (n=3) drug applications were excluded. Wom...
Trends and Patterns of Tobacco Use in the United States

This review summarizes recent trends and current patterns of tobacco use in the United States. Although adult smoking dropped between 1965 and 1990, from 50% to 28% of men and from 35% to 23% of women, the past decade has seen little further progress. In 2000, 25.7% of US men and 21.0% of women were smokers. Adolescent smoking has been declining since the late 1990s, but nearly 30% of high school seniors still smoke. In 2000, 4.4% of US men and 0.3% of women used snuff or chewing tobacco. Although adolescent smokeless tobacco use has declined in recent years, 14.8% of male high school students were current users in 2001. In 2001, 22.1% of male high school students and 8.5% of women students were current cigar smokers. Bidis and kreteks may be gaining popularity among young people, and more than 15% of adolescent smokers use these tobacco products. Despite recent progress, tobacco use remains prevalent in the United States. State and local governments need to invest adequate resources in the full range of tobacco control activities.
Anisotropic hp-Adaptation Framework for Functional Prediction

This paper presents a method for concurrent mesh and polynomial-order adaptation with the objective of direct minimization of output error using a selection process for choosing the optimal refinement option from a discrete set of choices that includes directional spatial resolution and approximation order increment. The scheme is geared toward compressible viscous aerodynamic flows, in which various solution features make certain refinement options more efficient than others. No attempt is made, however, to measure the solution anisotropy or smoothness directly or to incorporate it into the scheme. Rather, mesh anisotropy and approximation order distribution arise naturally from the optimization of a merit function that incorporates both an output sensitivity and a measure of solution cost on the new mesh. The method is applied to output-based adaptive simulations of laminar and Reynolds-averaged compressible Navier-Stokes equations on body-fitted meshes in two and three dimensions. Two-dimensional resul...
Computational modeling of factors that modulate the unique FeNO bonding in {FeNO}6 heme–thiolate model complexes

A density functional theory account of the changes in FeNO bonding that occur in response to both bonded and nonbonded structural perturbations is reported for a series of {FeNO}(6) heme-thiolate model complexes. Using [Fe(porphine)(SCH(3))NO] as the reference complex, we constructed models to mimic equatorial (cis), distal, and proximal influences of protein environments. Overall, the results from these calculations reveal that the Fe-NO and N-O bond strengths change in the same direction upon variations in structure and environment. These bonding changes are manifested in unique direct correlations between the Fe-NO and N-O vibrational frequencies and bond lengths, as evidenced by their positive slopes (slopes of the familiar inverse or backbonding correlations are negative). The electronic origin of the direct correlations appears to derive from the electron density distribution in high-energy molecular orbitals. This variability modulates the FeNO antibonding character throughout the triatomic FeNO moiety. The results of this study suggest that the stabilities and reactivities of {FeNO}(6) centers in heme-thiolate enzymes can be modulated over a significant range through a variety of bonded and nonbonded means.
Exploring Drivers' Situation Awareness in a Dynamic Traffic Environment

The change detection paradigm was used in a single-monitor driving simulator to study drivers' awareness of other vehicles on the roadway. While driving, a moving or parked vehicle ahead (30 or 60 m) would occasionally change location (30% or 60% nearer or farther away), color, or identity during a 150 ms blank-out period. The results showed that only for moving vehicles with a very large location displacement (60%) can the participants detect changes as well as with the color or identity change. We also examined how the driving task itself influences the formation of this representation; overall, the detection performance was better in the non-driving condition. We argue that vehicle location is coarsely represented in drivers' memory, and that this, together with vehicle features, is used to visually monitor more finegrained location information. This helps explain why drivers often fail to notice a decreasing distance to the car ahead, resulting in rear-end collisions.
Use of the variational technique in the solution of biofluid mechanics systems.

Abstract The use of a variational technique is suggested for the solution of biofluid mechanics problems. An application of the method to the laminar entrance region flow of a flexible tube under steady flow is shown to give good agreement with an exact solution.
Aggregation of pairs of particles on electrodes during electrophoretic deposition

During electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of colloidal particles, the particles that have been deposited on the electrode surface move laterally along the electrode and form larger clusters. Models based on fluid convection have been advanced to explain this phenomenon. The models fall into two categories: (1) electrokinetic — electroosmotic flow is generated by the interaction between the applied electric field and the charged double layer on the surface of each particle, and (2) polarization — flow is generated by nonuniform current densities on the electrode. The electrokinetic model predicts that the aggregation rate is proportional to the applied electric field E∞ and the zeta potential of the particles, while the polarization model predicts that the rate goes as E∞2 and is independent of the zeta potential. We report experimental data for the dynamics of interactions between two deposited particles in a steady electric field in the range 20–100 V/m. The particles were polystyrene latex and their size was between 2.5 and 10 μm diameter. The direction of the electric field was also changed, and two different concentrations of supporting electrolyte were used. The aggregation trajectories of sets of two deposited particles from an initial separation of about a particle diameter were recorded using optical microscopy, and the video frames were analyzed to compute separation vs. time for each set of particles. The data show that the relative velocity between the particles is proportional to the electric field and the zeta potential of the particles, and scale with the particle size as predicted by the electrokinetic theory.
Kinetics of Sucrose Crystallization in Whey Protein Films

The kinetics of sucrose crystallization in whey protein isolate (WPI) films was studied at 25 degrees C in four different relative humidity environments: 23, 33, 44, and 53%. The effects of protein matrix, crystallization inhibitors, and storage environment on the rate constants of sucrose crystallization were determined using the Avrami model of crystallization. It was found that a cross-linked, denatured whey protein (WP) matrix more effectively hindered sucrose crystallization than a protein matrix of native WP. The crystallization inhibitors tested were lactose, raffinose, modified starch (Purity 69), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (Plasdone C15). Raffinose and modified starch were determined to be the more effective inhibitors of sucrose crystallization. At lower relative humidities (23, 33, and 44%), the cross-linked protein matrix played a more important role in sucrose crystallization than the inhibitors. As relative humidity increased (53%), the crystallization inhibitors were more central to controlling sucrose crystallization in WPI films.
Model for off-shell form factors and application to NN scattering

A model is presented which describes any hadronic form factor with one, two, or three particles off shell. The model is based on the salient most successful features of the dual and Regge models, and its unitarization can be achieved in a straightforward manner. Some of the effects of taking the nucleons off shell in the $\ensuremath{\pi}\mathrm{NN}$ vertex are discussed. Finally, it is argued that this form factor together with a $\ensuremath{\pi}+2\ensuremath{\pi}+\ensuremath{\omega}$ dispersion-theoretical nucleon-nucleon model can explain the long standing puzzle of the triplet $D$-wave phase shifts.
Continuous enrichment culturing of thermophiles under sulfate and nitrate-reducing conditions and at deep-sea hydrostatic pressures

A continuous culture bioreactor was developed to enrich for nitrate and sulfate reducing thermophiles under in situ deep-sea pressures. The ultimate objective of this experimental design was to be able to study microbial activities at chemical and physical conditions relevant to seafloor hydrothermal vents. Sulfide, sulfate and oxide minerals from sampled seafloor vent-chimney structures [East Pacific Rise (9 degrees 46'N)] served as source mineral and microbial inoculum for enrichment culturing using nitrate and sulfate-enriched media at 70 and 90 degrees C and 250 bars. Changes in microbial diversity during the continuous reaction flow were monitored using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments. Time series changes in fluid chemistry were also monitored throughout the experiment to assess the feedback between mineral-fluid reaction and metabolic processes. Data indicate a shift from the dominance of epsilon Proteobacteria in the initial inoculum to the several Aquificales-like phylotypes in nitrate-reducing enrichment media and Thermodesulfobacteriales in the sulfate-reducing enrichment media. Methanogens were detected in the original sulfide sample and grew in selected sulfate-enriched experiments. Microbial interactions with anhydrite and pyrrhotite in the chimney material resulted in measurable changes in fluid chemistry despite a fluid residence time only 75 min in the reactor. Changes in temperature rather than source material resulted in greater differences in microbial enrichments and mediated geochemical reactions.
Theoretical analysis of the effect of imperfect slice profiles on tagging schemes for pulsed arterial spin labeling MRI

Pulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques provide a noninvasive method of obtaining qualitative and quantitative perfusion images with MRI. ASL techniques employ inversion recovery and/or saturation recovery to induce perfusion weighting, and thus the performance of these techniques is dependent on the slice profiles of the inversion or saturation pulses. This article systematically examines through simulations the effects of slice profile imperfections on the perfusion signal for nine labeling schemes, including FAIR, FAIRER, and EST (UNFAIR). Each sequence is evaluated for quantitative accuracy, suppression of stationary signal, and magnitude of perfusion signal. Perfusion effects are modeled from a modified Bloch equation and experimentally determined slice profiles. The results show that FAIR, FAIRER, and EST have excellent tissue suppression. The magnitude of the perfusion signal is comparable for FAIR and FAIRER, with EST providing a slightly weaker signal. For quantitative measurements, all three methods underestimate the perfusion signal by more than 20%. Of the additional six ASL techniques examined, only one performed well in this model. This method, which combines inversion and saturation recovery, yields improved signal accuracy (<15% difference from the theoretical value) and tissue suppression similar to that of FAIR and its variants, but has only half the signal. Magn Reson Med 46:141–148, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Naloxazone and pain-inhibitory systems: evidence for a collateral inhibition model.

Abstract The analgesic responses following morphine and cold-water swims (CWS) can be dissociated from each other. Indeed, certain manipulations in rats such as hypophysectomy or D-phenylalanine injections decrease CWS analgesia while increasing morphine analgesia. The present study examined the reciprocal notion, namely whether a manipulation that decreases morphine analgesia would increase CWS analgesia. Naloxazone, an opiate antagonist which selectively inhibits the high affinity binding site in a long-acting manner, was administered intracerebroventricularly and assessed for its effects upon morphine analgesia and CWS analgesia as measured by the jump test. While intracerebroventricular injections of naloxazone reduced morphine analgesia at 0.5 and 24 hr following microinjection, the same 50 μg dose significantly increased CWS analgesia at 0.5 hr after injection, suggesting a mechanism of collateral inhibition between opioid and non-opioid pain-inhibitory systems.
Aromatic substitution via organoboranes 3. simultaneous regiospecific functionalization of the indole nucleus at the 2- and 3-positions

Abstract Reaction of 1-methyl-2-lithioindole with trialkylboranes leads to a borate salt. Treatment with carbon electrophiles leads to regiospecifically substituted 2,3-dialkylindoles.
Longitudinal examination of the behavioral, language, and social changes in a population of adolescents and young adults with autistic disorder

Abstract This follow-up study evaluates the behavioral, language, and social outcomes in a population of autistic patients initially examined in childhood. We evaluated 102 (63%) of the 163 eligible subjects, including 54 adolescents (12–17 years of age) and 45 adults (≥18 years of age). Three patients had died in the interim. Behavior difficulties continued to be a problem in 69% of adolescents and adults. Thirty-five percent of adolescents and 49% of adults engaged in self-injurious behavior, and slightly more than 50% of adolescents and adults exhibited some stereotypic behaviors. Over 90% of both adolescents and adults had persisting social deficits. Language improved with age, although only 35% achieved normal or near-normal fluency. Comprehension also improved, although only 29% of subjects had achieved normal or near-normal comprehension of oral language. At the time of last follow-up, 28% of all patients and 53% of adults were living in residential placement. Only 11% of adults were employed on the open market, all in menial jobs; an additional 16% were employed in sheltered workshops. The social, behavioral, and language deficits identified in early life in autistic children tend to persist into adolescence and young adulthood.
Effects of 2-butoxyethanol on hepatic oxidative damage.

Abstract 2-Butoxyethanol has been reported to induce an increase in liver tumors in male B6C3F1 mice following chronic inhalation while rats, similarly treated, showed no increase in liver tumors. The mechanism for the selective induction of cancer in mouse liver is unknown, however, 2-butoxyethanol has been shown to induce hemolysis in mice, resulting in an accumulation of hemosiderin (iron) in the liver. Previous studies by our group and others have shown that mouse liver compared to other rodent species has a lower antioxidant capacity and appears to be more susceptible to chemically-induced oxidative damage. Since iron is known to produce hydroxyl radicals (through the Fenton reaction), we have proposed that the 2-butoxyethanol-induced iron overload (through hemolysis) may contribute to the induction of liver neoplasia in the mouse. In the present studies, 2-butoxyethanol induced oxidative stress in the liver of mice following 7-day treatment by gavage. These studies also examined whether 2-butoxyethanol, 2-butoxy acetic acid (a major metabolite of 2-butoxyethanol) or iron (FeSO4) produced oxidative stress in mouse and rat hepatocytes. Oxidative stress was examined by measuring oxidative DNA damage (OH8dG), lipid peroxidation (MDA formation) and cellular vitamin E concentrations. Neither 2-butoxyethanol or 2-butoxyacetic acid induced changes in the oxidative stress parameters examined in either rat or mouse hepatocytes. In contrast, FeSO4 produced a dose-related increase in OH8dG and MDA and a decrease in vitamin E levels following 24 h treatment. Mouse hepatocytes were more sensitive than rat hepatocytes to the oxidative damage induced by the FeSO4. FeSO4-induced oxidative stress was not increased by co-treatment of FeSO4 with either 2-butoxyethanol or 2-butoxy acetic acid. These results support the proposal that the induction of hepatic oxidative stress by 2-butoxyethanol in vivo occurs secondary to induction of hemolysis and iron deposition in the liver rather than as a direct action of 2-butoxyethanol or its main metabolite, 2-butoxy acetic acid.
EGF receptor expression in the developing tooth is altered by exogenous retinoic acid and EGF

Abstract Retinoic acid (RA) is a teratogen producing a variety of malformations including clefts of the secondary palate and malformations of the teeth. Recent studies in our laboratory investigating the effects of RA and EGF on the medial epithelium of the palatal shelf have also provided some information on the effects of these agents on the development of the tooth. In the control, toothbud epithelial cells expressed the EGF receptor, bound EGF, and proliferated. The majority of bud stage teeth exposed to RA either in vivo or in organ culture did not detectably bind EGF, express the EGF receptor, or proliferate in the epithelial or mesenchymal components. Toothbuds exposed to exogenous EGF in organ culture also did not bind EGF, express the receptor, or proliferate. EGF has been reported to inhibit morphogenesis of toothbuds in culture and when EGF was given to neonates the size of the tooth was reduced. Regulation of EGF receptor expression appears to be important in the development of the toothbud and exposure to RA or EGF disrupts this process and could contribute to the decreased tooth size, agenesis, and malformations observed in the teeth. While limited in scope, these experiments present previously unreported effects of RA and EGF on the toothbud epithelium. These observations should be of interest to those studying tooth development, and warrant further and more detailed studies.
Profiting through teamwork: the role of the revenue management and sales functions in group revenue management.

Revenue management and sales staffs collaborate substantially in making decisions regarding rate setting, accepting group business, and forecasting. However, according to a survey of 82 sales and revenue management executives at three hotel chains (47 revenue managers and 35 sales executives), hotels could foster even better coordination between revenue management and sales by educating each group regarding the other group’s responsibilities. This might reduce sales staff frustrations about the way revenue managers make rate recommendations, and it might help revenue managers understand the importance that sales executives place on maintaining a relationship with a group, even when room rates do not meet targets. Forecasting is a major function for revenue managers, who take numerous factors into account, and some sales executives also are responsible for forecasting, primarily using one data source. Thus, the two groups focus on the data in different ways. Respondents suggest several ways to strengthen t...
Organizational Dysfunction: A Conflict of Trust and Control

The objective of our article is to examine organizational dysfunction as a consequence of misfit between organizational controls and levels of workforce trust within nations. By examining three elements of trust, we suggest that trust varies among national workforces. This relationship provides a basis for a theoretical framework which posits that a negative relationship between trust and control can produce organizational dysfunctions when there is a misfit between organizational control and societal trust. We propose that financial accounting practices serve as an important indicator of inherent societal trust which should fit controls implemented at the managerial accounting level. The paper concludes with a discussion of contributions and implications for future research.
Androgen Stimulation of Nucleotide Pyrophosphatase during Mullerian Duct Regression

Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) causes regression of the embryonic Mullerian duct. In the fetal rat urogenital ridge, extracellular nucleotide pyrophosphatase (NPPase) can be detected by histochemical staining on the regressing male Mullerian duct, with no corresponding enzyme localization on developing female Mullerian ducts. In vivo results in male embryos can be confirmed in vitro by incubating 14.5-day-gestation female urogenital ridges with MIS and testosterone for 72 h before enzyme localization. Since the addition of testosterone to MIS is obligatory to detect NPPase activity in vitro, and certain steroids enhance Mullerian duct regression, additional steroids were tested in vitro alone or in combination with MIS for their abilities to stimulate NPPase. NPPase induction occurred only with the combinations of MIS and testosterone or MIS and medroxyprogesterone acetate. Neither MIS alone nor any steroid used alone stimulated NPPase activity. The effect of exogenous NPPase added alone to the deve...
School based scoliosis screening: an analysis of socio-demographics, compliance, efficacy and a proposed role for physical therapists in a state mandated program

The incidence of scoliosis was 0.55%, or 1489 studentsfrom 1989 to 2005. The program's positive predictivevalue was low, at .50%, or 1 confirmed diagnosis per 200students screened. Children in lower socioeconomicstrata were more likely to be identified for possible scolio-sis than other students. Girls were identified and diag-nosed with scoliosis increasingly over time. Compared toother programs, fewer students per thousand were posi-tively screened for scoliosis in MA, though follow up eval-uation was incomplete for 72% of those students.
Effects of Turn Angle and Pivot Foot on Lower Extremity Kinetics during Walk and Turn Actions

This study examined lower extremity joint moments during walk and turn with different turn angles and pivot feet. Seven young adults (age 21+/-1.3 yrs) were asked to walk at a self-selected speed (1.35+/-0.15 m/s) and to turn to the right using right (spin turn) and left (step turn) pivot feet at turn angles of 0 degrees (walking straight), 45 degrees, and 90 degrees. Video and forceplate systems were employed for kinematic and kinetic data collection. Inverse dynamics approach was used to compute joint moments using segmental kinematics, ground reaction forces, and moments. The participants decreased their forward speed by increasing the ankle plantar flexion moment as the turn angle increased. The peak ankle plantar flexion moment during the braking phase increased with increasing turn angle for both spin and step turns. Ankle invertor moments were observed only in spin turns, suggesting that more ankle muscles are involved in spin turns than in step turns. The turn angle had a significant effect on the transverse plane moment profiles at the different lower extremity joints. The results suggest that the loading patterns of different anatomical structures in the lower extremity are affected by both turn angle and pivot foot during walk and turn actions.
Rapid Differentiation of Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus by Flow Cytometry after Brief Antibiotic Exposure

We noticed that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates yielded side-scatter (SSC) and fluorescence intensity (FI) differences on flow cytometry (FCM) following incubation in oxacillin broth. The purpose of this study was to determine whether MRSA and MSSA could be reliably differentiated by FCM. S. aureus isolates were incubated in oxacillin-containing Mueller-Hinton broth, stained using the FASTEST total viable organisms kit, and analyzed by FCM in the MicroPRO instrument. SSC versus FI were examined, and gates 1 and 2 were defined to encompass the majority of MSSA and MRSA signal events, respectively. A count ratio (CR) was defined as the ratio of counts in gate 2 to those in gate 1. Initially, 33 isolates were tested after 4 h of incubation for proof-of-concept. Twenty others were then tested after incubation intervals ranging from 30 min to 4 h to determine the earliest possible time for differentiation. Next, 100 separate isolates were tested to determine the best CR cutoff value. Finally, the CR was validated by using an independent cohort of 121 isolates. We noted that MRSA isolates had higher SSC and FI readings than did MSSA isolates after 2 h of incubation. The receiver-operator characteristics curve showed that a CR cutoff of 0.0445 reliably differentiated MRSA from MSSA. In the validation cohort, this cutoff had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98.7% for identifying MRSA from among S. aureus isolates, following 2 h of incubation. This study demonstrates that MRSA and MSSA can be accurately differentiated by FCM after 2 h of incubation in an oxacillin-containing liquid culture medium.
RSA 2004: combined basic research satellite symposium - session three: alcohol and mitochondrial metabolism: at the crossroads of life and death.

Summary In summary, the studies reported during this session ofthe symposium emphasize the diverse and complex mech-anisms by which ethanol acutely or chronically can affectcell functions involving mitochondria. These functions in-volve cellular energy metabolism, the regulation of Ca 2 homeostasis, and the response to oxidative stress and hyp-oxia. Session Three: Fig. 1 summarizes some of the mech-anisms by which the actions of ethanol on mitochondrialfunction may be mediated. Current evidence suggests thatthese involve a variety of cell signaling mechanisms, includ-ing PKC , nitric oxide radicals and reactive oxygen species,Ca 2 , and probably stress signaling pathways that regulatecell survival. The mitochondrial targets of these signalingpathways include components of the electron transportchain and the energy conservation system, the complexes ofthe mitochondrial permeability transition (in which theBzrp protein is thought to be involved) and, remarkably,ALDH2. As a result of these interactions, ethanol alsoimpacts on the signaling pathways that control mitochon-drial biogenesis and the regulation of cell death, with im-plications for fetal development, cardiac and liver function,and other actions. Much more work will be required tounderstand the detailed mechanisms by which these pro-cesses are interconnected, providing novel perspectives onthe underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms by whichacute and chronic ethanol intake exerts damaging, or some-times protective effects.Brookes et al., 2002 Shiva et al., 2003 Clerk et al., 2003
Anaerobic bacteremia: incidence, patient characteristics, and clinical significance.

Abstract purpose: In the 1970s, blood culture for obligate anaerobic bacteria became routine in most United States hospitals. Since then, various authorities have reported isolation of obligate anaerobes in 5% to 25% of blood cultures. Our experience suggests a much lower frequency, therefore, we retrospectively assessed the occurrence and significance of these cultures at our institutions. patients and methods: Sixty-six patients at the University of Michigan Hospitals (UMH) and nine patients at the Ann Arbor Veteran's Administration Medical Center (AAVAMC) had one or more blood cultures positive for an obligate anaerobe between July 1, 1987, and December 31, 1988. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. results: The proportion of positive blood cultures yielding obligate anaerobes was 3.2% at the UMH and 1.8% at the AAVAMC. The incidences of clinically significant anaerobic bacteremia at the two hospitals were 0.68 and 0.54 cases per 1,000 patient admissions. Among the 40 patients from whom significant isolates were obtained, 15 (38%) had a fatal outcome. Bacteroides and Clostridium species accounted for 90% of the isolates and all of the fatal cases. The source for anaerobic bacteremia was usually obvious; 30 of the 40 patients were given empiric antibiotic therapy for anaerobes. The gastrointestinal tract was the source in two thirds of the cases and was clearly implicated as the source of 80% of the fatal bacteremias. conclusions: The frequency of anaerobic bacteremia in our hospitals is much lower than was suggested in several large studies during the 1970s, probably reflecting a real decline in the incidence. The clinical features of our cases are similar to those of previous studies, and the mortality is still high despite the use of antibiotics effective against anaerobes. Since most patients were thought to have anaerobic infections at the time that cultures were obtained, they were usually treated empirically. Subsequent blood cultures positive for anaerobes infrequently influenced clinical management.
Shared antigenicity and immunogenicity of type 4 pilins expressed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Moraxella bovis, Neisseria gonorrhoaea, Dichelobacter nodosus, and Vibrio cholerae.

Abstract Immunoblotting with polyclonal rabbit antibodies raised against pilins expressed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Moraxella bovis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Dichelobacter nodosus, and Vibrio cholerae was used to demonstrate that these polypeptides display conserved antigenic and, in most cases, immunogenic determinants. These determinants appear to be localized to the highly homologous amino-terminal domains (residues 1 to 25).
Neural-network-based adaptive matched filtering for QRS detection

The authors have developed an adaptive matched filtering algorithm based upon an artificial neural network (ANN) for QRS detection. They use an ANN adaptive whitening filter to model the lower frequencies of the electrocardiogram (ECG) which are inherently nonlinear and nonstationary. The residual signal which contains mostly higher frequency QRS complex energy is then passed through a linear matched filter to detect the location of the QRS complex. The authors developed an algorithm to adaptively update the matched filter template from the detected QRS complex in the ECG signal itself so that the template can be customized to an individual subject. This ANN whitening filter is very effective at removing the time-varying, nonlinear noise characteristic of ECG signals. The detection rate for a very noisy patient record in the MIT/BIH arrhythmia database is 99.5% with this approach, which compares favorably to the 97.5% obtained using a linear adaptive whitening filter and the 96.5% achieved with a bandpass filtering method. >
Vitamin D deficiency, self-reported physical activity and health-related quality of life: the Comprehensive Dialysis Study

Background. As research has identified a wide array of biological functions of vitamin D, the consequences of vitamin D deficiency in persons with chronic kidney disease has attracted increased attention. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vitamin D) deficiency and its associations with self-reported physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among participants of the Comprehensive Dialysis Study (CDS). Methods. The nutrition substudy of the CDS enrolled patients new to dialysis from 68 dialysis units throughout the USA. Baseline 25-OH vitamin D concentration was measured using the Direct Enzyme Immunoassay (Immunodiagnostic Systems Inc.). Physical activity was measured with the Human Activity Profile (HAP); the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 (SF-12) was employed to measure HRQoL. Results. Mean age of the participants (n = 192) was 62 years. There were 124 participants (65%) with 25-OH vitamin D concentrations < 15 ng/mL, indicating deficiency, and 64 (33%) with 25-OH vitamin D≥ 15 to <30 ng/mL, indicating insufficiency. After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, diabetes, season and center, lower 25-OH vitamin D concentrations were independently associated with lower scores on the HAP and on the Mental Component Summary of the SF-12 (P < 0.05 for both), but not with the Physical Component Summary of the SF-12. Conclusion. In a well-characterized cohort of incident dialysis patients, lower 25-OH vitamin D concentrations were associated with lower self-reported physical activity and poorer self-reported mental health.
RECOVERY PLAN REVISIONS: PROGRESS OR DUE PROCESS?

Revisions allow the recovery planning process for threatened and endangered species to be flexible and responsive to new information or changes in the status of a species. However, the Endangered Species Act defines neither firm criteria that trigger revision of recovery plans nor clear guidelines about how plans should be revised. Consequently, the effect of revisions in the recovery planning process is unknown. We examined how species and recovery plan attributes influenced the likelihood that a plan would be revised and how the content of plans changed with revision. Vertebrate species with designated critical habitat were nearly four times more likely to have their recovery plans revised than were invertebrates or plants without designated critical habitat. Nonetheless, recovery priorities assigned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) did not influence the likelihood of plan revision. Paired comparisons between original and revised versions suggested that knowledge of species biology and status had improved, and that recognition of threats had increased since the original plans were written. However, these improvements did not lead to recovery criteria or monitoring actions that were more clearly justified. We recommend that recovery plan authors strive to maximize benefits from improved biological information by defining management actions and goals that are more biologically justified. We also urge the USFWS to establish a consistent priority system for recovery plan revisions that affords consideration to listed species of all taxa and emphasizes revisions for those species most likely to benefit.
Tolerance and autoimmunity in TCR transgenic mice specific for myelin basic protein

Summary: T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice provide the ability to follow the maturation and fate of T cells specific for self-antigens in vivo. This technology represents a major breakthrough in the study of autoimmune diseases in which specific antigens have been implicated. Proteins expressed within the central nervous system are believed to be important autoantigens in multiple sclerosis, TCR transgenic models specific for myelin basic protein (MBP) allowed us to assess the role of tolerance in providing protection from T cells with this specificity Our studies demonstrate that T cells specific for the immunodominant epitope of MBP do not undergo tolerance in vivo and that TCR transgenic mice are susceptible to spontaneous autoimmune disease. The susceptibility to spontaneous disease is dependent on exposure to microbial antigens, MBP TCR transgenic models expressing TCRs specific for the same epitope of MBP but utilizing different Vα genes exhibit differing susceptibilities to, spontaneous disease. These data support the idea that genetic and environmental differences play a role in susceptibility to autoimmunity MBP TCR transgenic models are playing an important role in defining mechanisms by which infectious agents trigger autoimmune disease as well as defining mechanisms by which tolerance is induced to distinct epitopes within self-antigens.
Guided Retrieval Practice of Educational Materials Using Automated Scoring

Retrieval practice is a powerful way to promote long-term retention and meaningful learning. However, students do not frequently practice retrieval on their own, and when they do, they have difficulty evaluating the correctness of their responses and making effective study choices. To address these problems, we have developed a guided retrieval practice program that uses an automated scoring algorithm, called QuickScore, to evaluate responses during retrieval practice and make study choices based on student performance. In Experiments 1A and 1B, students learned human anatomy materials in either repeated retrieval or repeated study conditions. Repeated retrieval in the computer-based program produced large gains in retention on a delayed test. In Experiment 2, we examined the accuracy of QuickScore’s scoring relative to students’ self-scoring of their own responses. Students exhibited a dramatic bias to give partial or full credit to completely incorrect responses, while QuickScore was far less likely to score incorrect responses as correct. These results support the efficacy of computer guided retrieval practice for promoting long-term learning.
Epigenetic regulation of cytokine expression in systemic lupus erythematosus with special focus on T cells

Epigenetic events play a central role in the priming, differentiation and subset determination of T lymphocytes. Through their influence on chromatin conformation and DNA-accessibility to transcription factors and RNA polymerases, epigenetic marks allow or prevent gene expression and control cellular functions including cytokine expression. CpG-DNA methylation and post-translational modifications to histone tails are the two most well accepted epigenetic mechanisms. The involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been suggested by the development of lupus-like symptoms by individuals who received procainamide or hydralazine treatment resulting in a reduction of CpG-DNA methylation. To date, a growing body of literature indicates that the deregulation of cytokine expression through epigenetic disturbances can result in altered immune responses and autoimmune reactions. Over the past decade, various global and regional epigenetic alterations have been reported in immune cells from patients with SLE and other autoimmune disorders. More recently, the molecular mechanisms that result in epigenetic disturbances have been addressed, and deregulated transcription factor networks have been demonstrated to mediate epigenetic alterations in B and T lymphocytes from SLE patients. A better understanding of the molecular events that contribute to epigenetic alterations and subsequent immune imbalance is essential for the establishment of disease biomarkers and identification of potential therapeutic targets.