cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Processing of the N termini of nascent polypeptide chains requires deformylation prior to methionine removal.

Abstract N-formyl-methionine termini are formed in the initiation reaction of bacterial protein synthesis and processed during elongation of the nascent polypeptide chain. We report that the formyl group must be removed before the methionine residue can be cleaved by methionine aminopeptidase. This has long been implicity assumed, but that assumption was based on inconclusive data and was in apparent conflict with more recently published data. We demonstrate that the Salmonella typhimurium methionine aminopeptidase is totally inactive on an N-formyl-methionyl peptide in vitro, and present a detailed characterization of the substrate specificity of this key enzyme by use of a very sensitive and quantitative assay. Finally, a reporter protein expresssed in a strain lacking peptide deformylase was shown to retain the formyl group confirming the physiological role of the deformylase.
An analysis of the effects of miss clustering on the cost of a cache miss

In this paper we describe a new technique, called pipeline spectroscopy, and use it to measure the cost of each cache miss. The cost of a miss is displayed (graphed) as a histogram, which represents a precise readout showing a detailed visualization of the cost of each cache miss throughout all levels of the memory hierarchy. We call the graphs 'spectrograms' because they reveal certain signature features of the processor's memory hierarchy, the pipeline, and the miss pattern itself. Next we provide two examples that use spectroscopy to optimize the processor's hardware or application's software. The first example demonstrates how a miss spectrogram can aid software designers in analyzing the performance of an application. The second example uses a miss spectrogram to analyze bus queueing. Our experiments show that performance gains of up to 8% are possible. Detailed analysis of a spectrogram leads to much greater insight in pipeline dynamics, including effects due to miss cluster, miss overlap, prefetching, and miss queueing delays.
Arachidonic acid metabolites as mediators of somatostatin-induced increase of neuronal M-current

The M-current (IM) is a time- and voltage-dependent K+ current that persists at slightly depolarized membrane potentials. IM is reduced by muscarinic cholinergic agonists and certain peptides, and is thought to be responsible in part for the slow and late slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials in sympathetic neurons. Recently, we reported that IM in hippocampal neurons was also augmented by somatostatin-14 and -28 suggesting that two different receptors reciprocally regulate one neuronal channel type. Muscarinic effects on IM may be mediated by various components of the phosphatidylinositol phosphate pathway. We now report the involvement of a different second messenger pathway, that generated by phospholipase A2, in the somatostatin-induced augmentation of IM in hippocampal cells. This pathway generates arachidonic acid from which leukotrienes can be produced by lipoxygenases. We find that the IM-augmenting effects of somatostatin are abolished by two substances that can inhibit phospholipase A2, quinacrine and 4-bromophenacyl bromide, and that both arachidonic acid and leukotriene C4 mimic the effects of somatostatin-14 on hippocampal pyramidal neurons in vitro. Arachidonic and somatostatin effects are blocked by a lipoxygenase inhibitor, implicating an arachidonic acid metabolite, perhaps a leukotriene, in the somatostatin effect.
The tricarboxylic acid cycle as a pathway for transfer of carbon from acetate to amino acids in the intact cow.

Abstract Results are presented on the 14 C distribution revealed by the decarboxylation and complete degradation of amino acids recovered from casein after injecting intact cows with acetate-1- 14 C and acetate-2- 14 C. The labeling pattern in the amino acids provides strong evidence for the theory that the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle is the pathway for transfer of carbon from acetate to amino acids of casein and to lactose. Our studies with acetate- 14 C support the idea that the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle functions as a pathway of terminal oxidation and also supplies intermediates for the synthesis of milk constituents.
Receptive and Expressive Wh-Question Performance by Language-Delayed Children.

Abstract The receptive and expressive wh interrogative performance of language-delayed children was investigated. Results indicated a series of response strategies and expressive performance strikingly similar to normal children in the early stages of language acquisition. These results suggest that the delayed children develop the same order of acquisition and rules for questioning as normal children. but at a slower rate. Therapeutic activities should therefore follow the order of interrogative development presented in the normative research.
Locus of control as a predictor of outcome in treatment of obesity

In a treatment program for obesity utilizing hypnosis, internal Rotter I-E scores correlated (r = .60, p < .025) with measures of weight loss. The depth of hypnotic trance did not correlate with outcome, so was not considered an important aspect of the treatment. Externally focused obese patients appear to be at highest risk as treatment failures. Suitable treatments for this group would require greater control over situational eating cues or exploration of the issues underlying their inability to feel in control. Locus of control measures might potentially serve as a screening tool for selecting a suitable treatment plan for obese individuals if these findings can be replicated.
Federal reserve operating strategy: exploiting “pressure” on bank reserves

Abstract In this study, we propose a measure of “pressure on bank reserves” that, in addition to the target federal funds rate itself, includes the spread between it and the discount rate and the spread between it and the instantaneous market rate of interest on Treasury securities. We find that these spreads help to explain the magnitudes of target funds rate changes in the years when FOMC directives were phrased in terms of desired pressure. Federal Reserve attention to all components of pressure, including the target-short rate spread, can induce stabilizing expectations on the part of the public and public responses that further Fed aims.
Analysis of chlorothalonil and degradation products in soil and water by GC/MS and LC/MS

We present a method using gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to a mass selective detector to measure concentrations of the fungicide chlorothalonil and several of its metabolites in soil and water. The methods employed solid-phase extraction using a hydrophobic polymeric phase for the isolation of analytes. In lake water, average analyte recoveries ranged from 70% to 110%, with exception of pentachloronitrobenzene that gave low recoveries (23%). The method detection limits were determined to be in the range of 1 and 0.1microg l(-1) for the LC and GC methods, respectively. In soil samples, recoveries ranged from 80% to 95% for 4-hydroxy-2,5,6-trichloroisophthalonitrile (metabolite II) and 1,3-dicarbamoyl-2,4,5,6-tetrachlorobenzene (metabolite III). Limits of detection (LOD) were 0.05 and 0.02microg g(-1), respectively. Chlorothalonil and other metabolites were analyzed by GC giving recoveries ranging from 54% to 130% with LOD of 0.001-0.005microg g(-1).
Define and align: Advancing the public agenda

Northern Kentucky University shapes internal and external accountability efforts around its mission to meet the needs of the region.
Small-angle X-ray scattering studies of crystallization in crosslinked linear polyethylene

Abstract The results of a comprehensive small-angle X-ray scattering study of linear polyethylene crosslinked using a peroxide have been combined with a study of the crystallization kinetics to obtain a generalized picture of the effects of limited mobility and comonomer content on crystallization. It is shown that there are three regions of behaviour: (i) an initial region in which the crosslinks are soluble in the crystal to a certain limiting composition; (ii) a region in which the lamellar thickness decreases in a continuous manner with increasing crosslink density; and (iii) a region where the lamellar thickness is virtually independent of crosslink density. The results are interpreted using the Sanchez-Eby theory, the Andrews theory and regime theory to generate a comprehensive description of the behaviour.
Carbon−Carbon Bond-Forming Reductive Elimination from Arylpalladium Complexes Containing Functionalized Alkyl Groups. Influence of Ligand Steric and Electronic Properties on Structure, Stability, and Reactivity

A series of arylpalladium alkyl complexes of the formula [(DPPBz)Pd(Ar)(R)] (DPPBz = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene; R = methyl, benzyl, enolate, cyanoalkyl, trifluoroalkyl, or malonate) has been prepared to reveal the influence of steric and electronic parameters on structure, stability, and reactivity. Arylpalladium enolate and cyanoalkyl complexes ligated by EtPh2P, 1,1‘-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ferrocene (DiPrPF), and BINAP were prepared to evaluate the effect of the ancillary ligand. The coordination modes of the enolate and cyanoalkyl complexes were determined by spectroscopic methods, in combination with X-ray crystallography. In the absence of steric effects, the C-bound isomer was favored electronically if the enolate or cyanoalkyl group was located trans to a phosphine, and the O-bound isomer was favored if the enolate was located trans to an aryl group. The thermodynamic stability of the enolate and cyanoalkyl complexes was controlled by the steric properties of the enolate or cyanoalkyl gro...
Health Impairments in Preterm Infants With Cystic Periventricular Leukomalacia (CPVL). † 1241

Preterm (PT) infants with CPVL are known to be at risk for significant neurodevelopmental disabilities. Our experience suggests that infants with extensive CPVL have high rates of health impairments (HI). Measures of the extent of CPVL and associated health outcomes were analyzed in all PT infants≤ 32 weeks gestation admitted to one tertiary intensive care nursery between 1988 and 1993. Cranial ultrasounds were performed within 72 hours of birth, at 1 week, at 2 to 3 weeks and thereafter as needed. CPVL was diagnosed by a single neurosonographer using explicit diagnostic criteria. Parasagittal and coronal views were used to measure the anterior-posterior (AP), cranial-caudal (CC), and medial-lateral (ML) extent of CPVL. 46 of 51 infants survived (90%). Growth and developmental outcome data was available on 41 of 46 (89%) survivors. The population included 28 (68%) whites and 27 (66%) males. HI was defined by presence of tri/quadriplegia (53%), or growth failure(44%), or dysphagia (59%), or epilepsy (15%). 39 of 41 (95%) had cerebral palsy.
On the life strategies of plants and animals

There is a renaissance of interest in the genetics of higher plants fueled in part by the likelihood of improvements in crop species through genetic engineering. This has emphasized the need for modern biologists to know more about the life history and organization of plants. This brief essay highlights some of the profound differences between higher plants and animals and addresses questions about the relationship between the generation of genomic variation and the developmental plan of higher plants.
Bipedal locomotion stabilized by impact and switching: I. Two-and three-dimensional, three-element models

Two mathematical models are developed to study the effect of impact and switching on the stability of bipedal locomotion systems. The stability of the systems is analysed by perturbation method and studying the phase-plane portraits of the generalized coordinates.
The Dynamics of the Ceo-Board Relationship: An Evolutionary Perspective

This note addresses both CEO leadership development and the control of managerial opportunism in the CEO-board relationship through an evolutionary perspective. Based on the analysis of the evolution of CEOs' leadership and power, I propose that boards need to focus on CEO leadership development in early CEO tenure, but to shift toward the control of managerial opportunism as CEOs prove their leadership on the job. I also discuss measures that may influence CEO leadership development in early CEO tenure and/or the control of managerial opportunism in later CEO tenure.
The argument for passenger restraints in automobiles

In 1975, 46,000 persons died in motor vehicle accidents, a decrease from 1973 when 55,511 people died. This reflects the decreased speed l imit of 55 mph for highway travel imposed as a result of the oil embargo and the introduction of the starterinterlock system that required the use of seat belts. By 1976, the annua l death toll had risen to 47,000, but this increase was mostly due to increased highway travel since the rate of 3.4 deaths per 100 mil l ion miles driven was the lowest since 1923, when the Nat ional Safety Council began keeping records. 1 It is projected tha t careful packaging of drivers and passengers in better designed automobiles could reduce this a n n u a l death toll by 9-10,000 persons since occupants would be protected in accidents at speeds up to 50 miles per hour.2,3 Recently, the Env i ronmen ta l Protection Agency has vigorously moved to reduce the air pollution by the automobile engine. A t the same time, the Depa r tmen t of Energy has been pushing hard to force manufac turers to increase the number of miles of t ravel each gallon of gasoline will deliver. Yet, the only way to achieve more miles per gallon is to reduce the weight of the vehicle and/or provide fewer accessories to be driven by the engine. Now, statistics are being compiled that show tha t the fatal i ty rate is higher for occupants of subcompact vehicles when they collide wi th s tandard automobiles. Studies in a number of states 4 have demonstrated tha t the chance of death or injury is almost twice as great when subcompact cars impact as compared to s tandard vehicles. While we should reduce our dependency upon foreign sources of oil and reduce the hazard to our lungs from air pollution, unless the automobile is bet ter designed, these goals will be achieved at an increased risk of death and injury.
An Implicit integration scheme for generalized viscoplasticity with dynamic recovery

This paper is concerned with the development of a general implicit time-stepping integrator for the flow and evolution equations in a recent representative class of generalized viscoplastic models, involving both hardening and dynamic recovery mechanisms. To this end, the computational framework is developed on the basis of the unconditionally stable, backward Euler difference scheme. Its mathematical structure is of sufficient generality to allow a systematic treatment of several internal variables of the tensorial and scalar types. The matrix forms developed are directly applicable in general (three-dimensional) situations as well as subspace applications (i.e., plane stress/strain, axisymmetric, generalized plane stress in shells). The closed-form expressions for residual vectors and the algorithmic, (consistent) material tangent stiffness array are given explicitly, with the maximum matrix sizes “optimized” to depend only on the number of independent stress components, but not the number of internal state variables involved. Several numerical simulations are given to assess the performance of the developed schemes.
Etomidate Inhibits Antipyrine Metabolism in Mice

The anesthetic induction agent etomidate has been shown to suppress adrenocortical function in humans and to cause a concentration-dependent inhibition of rat adrenal mitochondrial cytochrome P-450-dependent enzymes. The effect of etomidate on hepatic drug-metabolizing capacity was investigated. Etomidate caused a dose-dependent inhibition of antipyrine half-life, assessed by analysis of 14CO2 exhalation rates following 14C-antipyrine administration. When etomidate was given as single daily doses (25 mg/kg/day for 3 days), the half-life of antipyrine increased by a mean of 65% (from 18.8 to 31.0 minutes) and overall elimination rate constant for antipyrine metabolism decreased by a mean of 35% (0.037 to 0.024 min− 1) after the first dose. After 3 days of etomidate treatment, the antipyrine half-life was still prolonged by a mean of 48.5% (from 18.8 to 27.8 minutes). Upon discontinuation of treatment, the antipyrine half-life returned to baseline in 24 hours and remained at baseline 1 week later. Examination of the effect of etomidate on the demethylase pathway and deduction of the effect on the nondemethylase pathway of metabolism of antipyrine revealed the former to be inhibited by a mean of 29% and the latter to be inhibited by a mean of 43%. A second group of mice, treated with 12.8 mg/kg/day etomidate, showed a 45% increase in antipyrine half-life. Etomidate can significantly inhibit hepatic metabolic activity. This effect is dose-dependent and readily reversible upon discontinuation of the drug.
Life in the E-Sphere

De la facon dont nous repondrons aux gigantesques defis du Troisieme Millenaire dependra la survie de l'espece humaine. L'echec viendra de ce que nous aurons utilise les technologies de pointe non pour developper l'espece mais pour developper la production economique. La sphere electronique qui nous permet de penser et d'interagir en commun doit servir d'outil de survie. L'application des technologies electroniques a l'education et a la sante constitue en ce sens une etape critique. L'A. prone une philosophie fondee sur la survie plutot que sur la croissance, sur la sagesse et la connaissance plutot que sur l'information, sur des systemes mondiaux et sur la qualite plutot que sur la technologie. Car la reponse est dans l'equilibre et non dans l'acceleration du progres technologique.
Prenatal growth retardation, microcephaly, and eye coloboma in infant with multiple congenital anomalies: Further delineation of presumed new dysmorphic syndrome

BACKGROUND: Ten years ago an unusual association of prenatal growth retardation, microcephaly, coloboma of the iris/eye anomalies, congenital heart defects, and urogenital anomalies was reported for the first time in three siblings. Autosomal recessive inheritance was presumed. This finding has been included in London Winter-Baraitser Dysmorphology Database as a separate entity, but still has not been classified as a distinct syndrome. CASE: We report an infant with an association of prenatal growth retardation, microcephaly, facial dysmorphism, eye anomalies, congenital heart defects, and testis retention. Mild craniofacial dysmorphism consists of sloped forehead, bulbous nose tip, and micrognathia. Eye anomalies include coloboma of the iris, choroidea, and optic nerve as well as lens dislocation. The patient also presents with ventricular and atrial septal defects, hypoplastic mitral valve, persistent left superior vena cava, accessory spleen, and club foot. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the second family and the fourth case with this pattern of birth defects reported worldwide so far. We presume that this combination of multiple congenital anomalies and growth retardation constitutes a newly recognized syndrome of likely autosomal recessive inheritance. So far no data suggest etiological impact of consanguinity, parental age, or environmental factors. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A stochastic programming model for sustainable capacity expansion

Sustainable manufacturing can be expressed as the consideration of economical, environmental, and societal impact during product design for the entire life cycle. Although interest in nanomaterials and nanodevices has been growing rapidly, the uncertainty about human health and environmental impact of the nanomaterials still exits. Moreover, current nanomanufacturing techniques have negative environmental and human health impacts [1]. Therefore, engineers have been working on green design of nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing processes to achieve sustainable manufacturing goals. Companies that compete in the nanotechnology market have to develop a balance among the economic growth, environment protection, and positive social impact to achieve some measure of sustainable manufacturing.
Detection of 2-mercaptoethanol using gold-coated micromachined cantilevers

Abstract We have measured the response of gold-coated silicon nitride microcantilevers to 2-mercaptoethanol (HS–CH 2 –CH 2 –OH) vapors and found that they respond rather sensitively to 2-mercaptoethanol vapors. Such microcantilevers can be used to develop sensitive micromechanical chemical sensors for detecting sulfur-containing compounds. Microcantilevers with a gold coating on one side respond to adsorption of molecules by changes in their resonance frequency and/or bending. The bending induced from adsorption of 2-mercaptoethanol molecules on microcantilevers is at least an order of magnitude more sensitive than any corresponding resonance frequency changes resulting from mass loading. In the present studies, we used the adsorption-induced bending and placed a lower limit in the minimum detectable concentration of mercaptan vapor at
Effects of different temperatures, velocities and loads on the gliding resistance of flexor digitorum profundus tendons in a human cadaver model

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of temperature, velocity and load on the gliding resistance (GR) of flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons in a human cadaver model. A total of 40 FDP tendons from the index through small digits of ten human cadavers were tested to assess the effect of temperature (4, 23 or 36 °C), velocity (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 mm/s) and load (250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250 and 1500 g) on GR. The mean GR at 4 °C was significantly higher than the mean GR at 36 °C (p<0.0066). There was no significant difference in the mean GR of the tested velocities. The mean GR was proportional to load, with each successive load having significantly higher GR than the loads before it (all p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean GR by digit. In this in vitro model, we have demonstrated that tendon gliding resistance is proportional to load, independent of velocity and somewhat affected by temperature. We conclude that it is important to specify these conditions when reporting gliding resistance, especially load and temperature.
The Problem of Assessing Executive Functions

Abstract The capacities for formulating goals, planning, and carrying out plans effectively - the executive functions - are essential for independent, creative, and socially constructive behavior. Although they tend to be vulnerable to brain impairment, they are often overlooked in neuropsychological and neurological examinations. Reasons why there are few formalized examination procedures for evaluating executive functions are suggested. Prefrontal contributions and the importance of other brain areas (e.g., subcortical, right hemisphere) to executive functions are discussed. Assessment techniques are presented for evaluating four categories of executive capacities: (1) goal formulation, (2) planning, (3) carrying out goal-directed plans, and (4) effective performance. The Tinkertoy Test, which can provide information about these capacities, is described in some detail. Need for further exploration in this area is emphasized.
Feedback stabilization of MHD instabilities

The transient operating performance of magnetic confinement devices is often limited by one or two unstable MHD modes. The feedback stabilization of MHD instabilities is an area of research that is critical for improving the steady state performance and economic attractiveness of magnetic confinement devices. This growing realization motivated a Workshop dedicated to feedback stabilization of MHD instabilities, which was held from 11 to 13 December 1996 at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. The resulting presentations, conclusions and recommendations are summarized.
The prognosis of complete left bundle branch block

Abstract In a study of 146 patients with complete left bundle branch block the average duration of survival after the conduction disturbance had been diagnosed was 36 months.
Hydration and dynamic fatigue of dentin

An experimental investigation on the dynamic fatigue response of dentin was conducted to examine the influence of stress rate on the strength and energy to fracture. Rectangular beams were prepared from the coronal dentin of bovine maxillary molars and subjected to four-point flexure to failure. The dentin beams were examined in the fully hydrated and dehydrated condition at stress rates (sigma) ranging from 0.01 to 100 MPa/s. Results for the hydrated dentin showed that the flexure strength, energy to fracture, and flexure modulus all increased with increasing stress rate; the flexure strength increased from 100 MPa ((sigma) = 0.01 MPa/s) to 250 MPa ((sigma) = 100 MPa/s). In contrast, the elastic modulus and strength of the dehydrated dentin decreased with increasing stress rate; the flexural strength of the dehydrated dentin deceased from 170 MPa ((sigma) = 0.01 MPa/s) to 100 MPa ((sigma) = 100 MPa/s). While the hydrated dentin behaved more like a brittle material at low stress rates, the strain to fracture was found to be nearly independent of (sigma). According to the experimental results, restorative conditions that cause development of static stresses within the tooth could promote a decrease in the damage tolerance of dentin.
L ∞ -optimal sensitivity vs. stability margin

The L∞ optimization problem is critically evaluated in terms of its ability to address the "real issues" in robust multivariable feedback control system design. It is concluded that the L∞ norm formulation of robustness issues is too crude. Some refinements of the theory are suggested and several key research issues are identified.
Wave localization as position-dependent diffusion: analytical results

We obtain an analytical expression for position-dependent diffusion coefficient which adequately describes wave transport through 1D random medium in localized regime.
Effect of garment style on the perception of personal traits

The personal traits formed by perceivers of a stranger clothed in two sets of polar garment styles, daring-conservative and dressy-casual, were investigated in this study. The relationship between clothing interest ratings of subject and personal trait ratings of each garment style was also explored. The cues conveyed by four garment styles on the judgment of 18 personal traits evaluated on 1-7 semantic differential ratings revealed that a stranger dressed in conservative and casual styles was perceived to be more self-controlled, understanding, and reliable, whereas a person dressed in daring style was regarded as more attractive and individualistic than a person clothed in other clothing styles. On the other hand, a stranger clothed in dressy style conveyed social unease and dependency on others.Significant positive correlations were found between the clothing interest ratings of subjects and several personal traits of daring garment style, while significant negative correlations were disclosed between ...
Number symbolism in the prologue to Chaucer's Parson's Tale

(1967). Number symbolism in the prologue to Chaucer's Parson's Tale. English Studies: Vol. 48, No. 1-6, pp. 205-215.
AGU Chapman Conference on El Niño

The AGU Chapman Conference on El Nino was convened by David Enfield (Oregon State University, Corvallis) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, during October 27–31, 1986. This meeting brought together about 130 marine and atmospheric scientists from many developed and developing nations and from widely varied disciplinary backgrounds who share a common interest in the variegated aspects of El Nino research. The conference was organized by AGU under a grant from the National Science Foundation, which funded the U.S.-based organizational and travel costs for participants from the developed nations. These researchers were mostly from the United States, with a number of others from Europe and Australia. The conference could not possibly have succeeded, however, without the joint sponsorship of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and the South Pacific Permanent Commission (SPPC). These groups financed the local hosting expenses as well as the travel costs for the participants from the developing nations, most of whom came from Latin America. The Instituto Nacional de Pesca, under the able direction of Roberto Jimenez, hosted the meeting and provided local organization, including the invaluable assistance of simultaneous translation in Spanish and English. (About half the participants had Spanish as their primary language, while the other half were more fluent in English).
Ten-year results of preoperative radiation followed by sphincter preservation for rectal cancer: increased local failure rate in nonresponders.

Abstract Background The primary objective of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of sphincter preservation with preoperative radiation therapy (RT) and surgical resection in the treatment of distal rectal adenocarcinoma. Patients and Methods Between April 1988 and December 1996, 36 (cT2, n = 9; cT3, n = 27) patients with rectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled on a phase I/II trial of preoperative RT followed by surgical resection. All patients had distal tumors that were clinically judged to require an abdominoperineal resection and received preoperative RT (50.4 Gy) followed by surgery. The median follow-up was 94.5 months (range, 4-187 months). Results Of the 35 patients in this study who underwent resection, 77% were able to undergo sphincter preservation after preoperative RT. The pathologic complete response rate for these patients was 14%. The 10-year rates of overall survival and local failure for patients undergoing sphincter preservation were 54% and 21%, respectively. The 10-year local failure was 26% in patients with cT3 disease who underwent sphincter preservation. All local failures in this study occurred in patients with cT3 disease undergoing sphincter preservation;however, none of the patients with cT3 disease that was downstaged by preoperative RT experienced local failure. In contrast, 10-year local failure was 67% in the patients with cT3 disease that was not downstaged by RT. Sphincter function was good or excellent in 85% of patients at the time of last follow-up. Conclusion This approach provides excellent long-term results in all patients with cT2 disease and those with cT3 disease that is downstaged by RT. However, patients with cT3 disease that is not downstaged by RT have an increased risk of local failure. These data underscore the impact of tumor response to radiation on long-term oncologic outcome.
Flood and salinity stress of wetland woody species, buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica var.biflora)

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica var.biflora) seedlings were exposed to flooding and salinity conditions simulating the chronic exposure of sea-level rise and the acute exposure of hurricane storm surge. Chronically exposed seedlings were either watered or flooded with 0, 2, or 10 ppt salinity. Those in the acute experiment were watered or flooded with freshwater until exposed to a 21-ppt salinity surge for 48 hours. Freshwater flooding reduced photosynthesis (A), water pressure potential (Ψ), height, and stem and root biomass for swamp tupelo while biomass of buttonbush roots decreased and stem increased. Chronic watering with 2 ppt salinity reduced height, basal diameter, and stem and root biomass for swamp tupelo but did not significantly affect buttonbush. Both species were negatively affected by watering with 10 ppt salinity, with total mortality of swamp tupelo. Flooding with 2 ppt salinity also caused a 100% mortality for swamp tupelo. All buttonbush seedlings survived with reducedA, Ψ, and stem and root biomass. Plants chronically flooded with 10 ppt salinity were more affected, with drastically decreasedA, stomatal conductance (g s ), and Ψ within the first day of treatment and all dying within three weeks. Watering with 21 ppt salinity reducedA andg, of both species during the second day of the surge, but buttonbush recovered within the next 20 days. Flooding with 21-ppt saline water also greatly impacted buttonbush, which did not recover as when watered with 21 ppt salinity. Swamp tupelo was already stressed due to flooding and showed no further reduction in A org s due to the 21-ppt salinity flood surge. Buttonbush seedlings were more tolerant of salinity and flooding conditions than swamp tupelo seedlings, although it is unlikely that either species could survive long-term exposure to 10-ppt salinity flooding.
Topographic maps: developing roles of synaptic plasticity

Recent studies have provided convincing evidence that cellular forms of synaptic plasticity that are thought to represent the building blocks of learning and memory are also used during development to establish organized sensory projections within the brain.
Optimal transient simulation of transmission lines

This paper presents an attempt to formulate a high-level description of the optimal transmission line simulation method. To formulate the optimal approach, most significant aspects of the problem are identified, and alternative approaches in each of the aspects are analyzed and compared to find the combination that results in the maximum efficiency, accuracy and applicability for the transient analysis of digital circuits. The practical implementation of the optimal method for uniform multiconductor lossy frequency-dependent lines characterized by samples of their responses is outlined. It is shown on an extensive set of runtime data that, based on the optimal approach, the accurate line modeling in a circuit simulator is as efficient as the simple replacement of interconnects with lumped resistors.
Significance of a basal melanin layer to production of non-iridescent structural plumage color: evidence from an amelanotic Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri).

Non-iridescent structural plumage color is typically produced by coherent scattering of light within a matrix of keratin and air (a 'spongy layer') in feather barbs. It remains unclear what role, if any, the basal melanin layer underlying this spongy layer plays in the production of coloration. Amelanism in birds with structural color is a 'natural experiment' in which melanin pigmentation is lost, allowing us to identify the effects of the loss of melanin on structural color production. Here we use full-spectrum spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier analysis to compare the color and nanostructure of an amelanotic Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri Gmelin) feather with a normal blue Steller's jay feather. As a control, we also examined a white domestic chicken (Gallus gallus Linnaeus) feather. The pale amelanotic jay feather had a broad reflectance curve with a blue/green peak, while the typical blue feather had a typical distinct bell-shaped blue curve with a UV/violet peak. The white chicken feather had a typical white reflectance curve with no discrete peaks. Electron microscopy revealed that both the amelanotic and blue feather barbs contained well-formed spongy layers that were of the correct size and arrangement to produce their measured peak reflectance values, whereas the chicken feather had no spongy layer. The washed-out color of the amelanotic jay feather was thus most probably caused by the loss of the basal melanin layer, suggesting that melanin functions to absorb incoherently scattered white light from the feather barb thereby increasing the purity of the color produced by the spongy layer.
National cultural values, social capital and micro-enterprise success

The success or failure of a micro-enterprise can be influenced by the social capital of the micro-entrepreneur, as well as by the societal and cultural milieu. Social capital refers to the aggregate sum of actual and potential resources derived from the micro-entrepreneur's networks of relationships. Because variations in cultural values across societies can result in configurations of social capital and networking styles that differ from each other, socio-cultural differences can differentially influence micro-enterprise success. This paper presents a conceptual model that examines the influence of a macro-level environmental variable (national cultural values) and a micro-level individual variable (social capital) on the collaborative exchange process and on micro-enterprise success. The model proposes that there may be differences in the way that micro-entrepreneurs across countries accumulate social capital, and in their motivation and opportunity to engage in collaborative exchange.
A Case of Mandrake Poisoning

(1982). A Case of Mandrake Poisoning. Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology: Vol. 19, No. 5, pp. 521-522.
Categorizing Queries by Topic Directory

The categorization of a Web user query by topic or category can be used to select useful Web sources that contain the required information. In pursuit of this goal, we explore methods for mapping user queries to category hierarchies under which deep Web resources are also assumed to be classified. Our sources for these category hierarchies, or directories, are Yahoo! Directory and Wikipedia. Forwarding an unrefined query (in our case a typical fact finding query sent to a question answering system) directly to these directory resources usually returns no directories or incorrect ones. Instead, we develop techniques to generate more specific directory finding queries from an unrefined query and use these to retrieve better directories. Despite these engineered queries, our two resources often return multiple directories that include many incorrect results, i.e., directories whose categories are not related to the query, and thus Web resources for these categories are unlikely to contain the required information. We develop methods for selecting the most useful ones. We consider a directory to be useful if Web sources for any of its narrow categories are likely to contain the searched for information. We evaluate our mapping system on a set of 250 TREC questions and obtain precision and recall in the 0.8 to 1.0 range.
Nonpublication in the United States District Courts: Official Criteria Versus Inferences from Appellate Review

r he past two decades have witnessed an increasing number of empirical analyses of the votes of judges in the lower federal courts (e.g., Richardson and Vines, 1970; Carp and Rowland, 1983; Atkins, 1972; Goldman, 1966; Goldman, 1975; Vines, 1964; Dolbeare, 1969; Johnson, 1979; Kritzer, 1978; Howard, 1981; Songer, 1982; Walker, 1972). Although great variety in the methods employed may be found in these empirical studies, virtually all of them share one approach common to Supreme Court studies: their analysis of judges' decisions and votes is restricted to data obtained from the published opinions of the courts. While the focus of empirical analysis has been on the published opinions of courts, a large number of cases are decided without an accompanying published opinion. The phenomenon is most evident in the district courts where fewer than 10% of cases terminated by court action have published opinions (Vestal, 1970). A vast body of data on the outputs of the federal courts therefore remains largely unexplored by public law scholars. As Carp and Rowland suggest, "We know very little about the contents or impact of these many unreported opinions" (1983, p. 17). The present study attempts to shed some light on the similarities and differences between published and unpublished district judge decisions by analyzing the treatment of each on appeal. The primary outlet for the publication of federal trial court opinions is the Federal Supplement compiled by West Publishing Company. The rates of opinion publication vary widely among judges. A study of opinion writing in 1968 uncovered one district judge who had 36 opinions published during the year, while at the other extreme 30 judges published four or fewer opinions (Vestal, 1970, pp. 676-77). The criterion for publication decisions of federal judges was stated succinctly by the Judicial Conference in 1964: "The judges of the courts of appeals and the district courts authorize the publication of only those opinions which are of general precedential value." It is assumed that district and appeals court judges are called upon to decide many cases that require only the
Convergence Research - A Study of Multidisciplinary Research into the Detection and Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Universities have been organized into Schools and Departments focused on specific disciplines. This has led to a "silo" type of research. There is a new model for research known as "convergence" that merges the disciplined design approach and technical tools of hard science into the research process in other sciences. This model, put forth by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2000, calls for rethinking how research is conducted in order to achieve an integrated approach contributing the advancement of several different fields. It applies the technical tools of engineering to life science research. Convergence research can promote innovation by enabling the intersection of scientific disciplines and promoting a cross-disciplinary expertise in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).A current STEM project requires the expertise dispersed among multiple Schools within Coppin State University (CSU). These include the School of Business, the School of Nursing, the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) and the School of Natural Sciences. Convergence research is being used create a knowledge base that includes constructs from medical practice, computer science, system analysis and design, and other fields.
Utilizing a handheld electrode array for localized muscle impedance measurements

Introduction Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a non-invasive technique used for assessment of muscle health in which a high-frequency, low-amplitude electric current is applied to the skin overlying a muscle, and the resulting surface voltage is measured. We have previously used adhesive electrodes, application of which is inconvenient. We present data using a handheld electrode array (HEA) that we devised to expedite the EIM procedure in a clinical setting.
Biology Without Walls: The Novel Endocrinology of Bone

Classical studies of vertebrate physiology have usually been confined to a given organ or cell type. The use of mouse genetics has changed this approach and has rejuvenated the concept of a whole-body study of physiology. One physiological system that has been profoundly influenced by mouse genetics is skeletal physiology. Indeed, genetic approaches have identified several unexpected organs that affect bone physiology. These new links have begun to provide a plausible explanation for the evolutionary involvement of hormones such as leptin with bone physiology. These genetic approaches have also revealed bone as a true endocrine organ capable of regulating energy metabolism and reproduction. Collectively, the body of work discussed below illustrates a new and unconventional role for bone in mammalian physiology.
What to Do with an Abnormal PSA Test

For more than a decade, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been used for prostate cancer screening. Over the years, this screening has been continually refined, including investigation into the use of lower total PSA thresholds, PSA isoforms, and PSA kinetics. This review describes the evolution of prostate cancer screening and provides clinical insights into the informed use of PSA and its adjunctive measurements.
Design of Graphical User Interfaces for the Synthesis of Planar RR Dyads

This article discusses the design and implementation of two Matlab graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for mechanism synthesis. The first GUI addresses the four location Burmester synthesis problem. The designer specifies the 4 locations that are used to generate the Burmester curves for these prescribed locations. The GUI enables the designer to interact with these curves and choose a pair of moving and fixed pivots forming an RR dyad. The second GUI addresses dimensional synthesis of RR dyads for hybrid motion generation tasks. Given a hybrid motion generation task, the designer can either pick the fixed or moving pivots and the corresponding pivots of an RR dyad is determined. In both the interfaces, the designer is provided with tools to specify tasks. The GUIs were designed with an objective to provide the designer with a simple workflow. Design case studies that illustrate the features and capabilities of each GUI are included.
Update to Eller et al.'s "Local Extinction and Recolonization, Species Effective Population Size, and Modern Human Origins" (2004)

Humans have about the level of genetic diversity that you would expect from a Wright-Fisher population model with 10,000 individuals. That sentence opens a labyrinth of interpretation. Why do we have the genetic variation that we do? Is 10,000 the number of our ancestors, or are we inbred for other reasons? Haigh and Maynard Smith, writing in 1972 about /?-globin polymorphism, first proposed a population bottleneck. At the time, few human biologists recognized that such a hypothesis would cut the Neanderthals and other archaic humans from our ancestry. A relationship between population size and protein diversity across a large sample of animal species was documented by Soule (1976). Nei and Graur (1984) showed low protein polymorphism in dozens of species, from wolves to flies, suggesting that Pleistocene bottlenecks may have affected most species. When human mtDNA sequence data showed low worldwide nucleotide diversity in humans (Cann et al. 1987), a population bottleneck entered the human genetics mainstream. But long before this, the interpretation of polymorphisms became a focus of the antagonists in the neutralist/selectionist controversy (Gillespie 1991). Neutral evolution in a Wright-Fisher population model is algebraically simple, but natural populations depart from the assumptions of this model in many ways. Some population structures radically increase the chance of inbreeding, thereby lowering genetic variation even in large populations. Motoo Kimura and his students explored the consequences of many such models. One is the subject of our 2004 paper (Eller et al. 2004). Maruyama and Kimura (1980) initially developed the model of extinction and recolonization, showing that the right combination of parameters could generate strong inbreeding. The model was interesting because of its application to a famous model species: E. coli. This species may be a ponderous swarm of quadrillions of cells, but it behaves genetically like a nimble population of a few billion. When its colonic hosts die, they take whole communities of gut flora with them.
HTLV-I Tax inhibits innate antiviral signaling via NF-κB-dependent induction of SOCS1

The human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) inhibits host antiviral signaling pathways although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here we found that the HTLV-I Tax oncoprotein induced the expression of SOCS1, an inhibitor of interferon signaling. Tax required NF-κB, but not CREB, to induce the expression of SOCS1 in T cells. Furthermore, Tax interacted with SOCS1 in both transfected cells and in HTLV-I transformed cell lines. Although SOCS1 is normally a short-lived protein, in the presence of Tax, the stability of SOCS1 was greatly increased. Accordingly, Tax enhanced the replication of a heterologous virus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), in a SOCS1-dependent manner. Surprisingly, Tax required SOCS1 to inhibit RIG-dependent antiviral signaling, but not the interferon-induced JAK/STAT pathway. Inhibition of SOCS1 by RNA-mediated interference in the HTLV-I transformed cell line MT-2 reduced HTLV-I replication and p19Gag levels. Taken together, our results reveal that Tax inhibits antiviral signaling, in part, by hijacking an interferon regulatory protein.