cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early Development of a New Curriculum Design

The CRC decided to focus its major efforts on redesigning the core curriculum. This decision emerged in part as the result of work by the School Divisions and External Constituencies Subcommittees that suggested the core curriculum had significant problems, and in part because committee members had greater confidence in the quality of the School’s elective course offerings.
Generation of Dynamically Configured Check Lists for Intra-Operative Problems: Using a Set Covering Algorithm

We present a prototype of a decision support system for anesthesia that applies set covering theory. The system is designed to generate dynamically configured check-lists for intra-operative problems. These lists have the potential to help anesthesiologists detect and manage problems in a timely manner. The items in the lists consist of major complications that should be considered for a particular case. A set covering algorithm that accommodates multiple problem sets was used to implement the prototype. A simulated case and the system behavior are presented. The ultimate goals of a system such as the one presented are to function as an intelligent alarm module for electronic monitors and to facilitate the task of correcting intra-operative problems.
Exploring Issues of Disability in Children's Literature Discussions

In this qualitative study, the author uses the theoretical lens of disability studies to examine how children in two multiage classrooms examine issues of disability through conversations during read-aloud and literature circle discussions. In this study, the author looks at how children build positive understandings of disability from children’s literature but also how societal attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes might play into their interpretations of literature. Student’s talk before, during, and after literature discussions was audio- and videorecorded. Several themes emerged from a discourse analysis of the transcriptions, including: defining disabilities, questioning and critiquing notions of normalcy; idealizing disabilities; identifying with characters; developing an advocacy stance; and using imagination to open up perspectives towards people in the real world. Through exploring characters in books, children not only learned about various disabilities, but they came to understand characters with disabilities as full and complex beings, similar in many ways to themselves. Keywords: children's literature, literature discussions, disability studies, elementary education, qualitative research
Creatively) Teaching the Meanings of Statistics

Hawkins (1986) appropriately uses the onion as a metaphor to describe the layers of essential knowledge necessary to savor the flavor of statistics. Unfortunately many teachers of statistics, from elementary schools through the collegiate level, continue to insist on the manual computation of statistics--"the computational peel," in the words of Hawkins-apparently on the presumption that students can grasp statistical concepts only after experiencing the tedium of routine calculations and lengthy manipulation of data by hand (no calculators and no computers!). Other educators, such as Gordon and Hunt (1986), point out that many students are capable of the perfect computation of data, yet never develop a "grasp of what these measures represent, nor any understanding of the distribution itself as a model of an actual situation" (66). What is needed in the teaching of statistics is to decrease the amount of instructional time devoted to the routine and repetitive calculations of statistics so that students can concentrate on the "application (and applicability) of the derived statistic" (Hawkins 1986, 14). The use of calculators, microcomputers, and mainframe computers is often suggested as the way to free students' instructional, learning, and study time and provide them with greater academic learning time to consider statistical hypotheses and problems. Gordon and Hunt (1986) assert that even when students are provided with problems for consideration, such problems are "frequently contrived and rarely open-ended enough to encourage students to develop their own ideas." They suggest that teachers employ the microcomputer to conduct graphic experiments and simulations and to provide students with problem situations in which they must demonstrate the following skills: (a) apply known techniques to novel and practical situations, (b) ask pertinent questions about unfamiliar problems, (c) relate statistical models to physical situations and have suffi-
Magnetoencephalographic analysis of alpha frequency light entrainment of brain activity in dementia patients

We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to analyze the power spectrum and light entrainment in patients with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease ( AD; n = 5 ) or cerebrovascular dementia (CV; n = 1 ). A 160-channel MEG and an electroencephalogram (EEG) were recorded simultaneously in each patient while they were at rest with their eyes open and stimulated by pulses of light ( 8-10.5 Hz at 0.5-Hz intervals). A spectral analysis was carried out and the amplitude of each frequency determined. The results show that the AD patients did not entrain at some frequencies, whereas the CV patients exhibited entrainment of the alpha wave, although the amplitude was smaller than in normal subjects.
What It Will Take to Create New Internet Initiatives in Health Care

Today's Internet cannot fulfill the anticipated future needs of health care organizations. To address growing administrative, clinical, and research communication networking requirements and to serve as a test bed for future technology, two separate initiatives, the Next Generation Internet (NGI—federally funded by the NIH/NLM) and Internet2 (a consortium of academic partners), are establishing project partnerships that will create new and improved opportunities for health care applications and interactions such as telemedicine, medical imaging, virtual medicine, home health care, public health, consumer medicine, medical education, and medical research, among other uses. In addition to creating and improving large-scale health care networking, it is also expected that much of the technology developed and tested for NGI/Internet2 will filter down to improve the mainstream Internet.
Using Tort Litigation to Enhance Regulatory Policy Making: Evaluating Climate-Change Litigation in Light of Lessons from Gun-Industry and Clergy-Sexual-Abuse Lawsuits

Like any policy tool, litigation has strengths and weaknesses, and it performs better in some contexts than in others. This article offers a theoretical framework for evaluating the influence of tort litigation on regulatory policy making. The framework has three parts. First, using two examples - gun-industry and clergy-sexual-abuse litigation - the article highlights six distinct ways in which litigation influences policy making: (1) framing issues in terms of institutional failure and the need for institutional reform, (2) generating policy-relevant information, (3) placing issues on the agendas of policy-making institutions, (4) filling gaps in statutory or administrative regulatory schemes, (5) encouraging self-regulation, and (6) allowing for diverse regulatory approaches in different jurisdictions. Second, the article suggests empirical measures for assessing the extent to which litigation influences policy making in these six ways. Third, the article compares the relative success of gun-industry and clergy-sexual-abuse litigation to identify conditions that favor the use of litigation as a policy tool. This framework can be applied more generally to other examples of regulation through litigation. In this article, I use it to suggest how we might evaluate lawsuits against producers of greenhouse-gas emissions as a means of addressing climate change. Proponents of climate-change litigation assert that it enhances policy making in all of the ways suggested above. They claim that it frames the issue of climate change in ways that favor policy reforms, generates policy-relevant information, places the issue on the agendas of policy-making institutions, fills a regulatory gap created by federal resistance to addressing the issue, encourages voluntary self-regulation by industry, and allows for diverse regulatory approaches in different regions. Critics argue that climate-change litigation is doctrinally unsound, costly, unlikely to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and may even be counterproductive. The framework presented in this article offers tools with which to advance this debate. The framework suggests how to define and measure success and how to explain the litigation's degree of success or failure by reference to the larger context in which it is situated. The framework offers guidance for evaluating both the achievements and shortcomings of climate-change litigation so far, as well as its future prospects.
Mathematical Modeling of Hepatitis C Prevalence Reduction with Antiviral Treatment Scale-Up in Persons Who Inject Drugs in Metropolitan Chicago.

Background/Aim New direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) provide an opportunity to combat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in persons who inject drugs (PWID). Here we use a mathematical model to predict the impact of a DAA-treatment scale-up on HCV prevalence among PWID and the estimated cost in metropolitan Chicago.
Ten Years and Counting: Moving Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Inhibitors to the Clinic

The burden that Parkinson's disease (PD) exacts on the population continues to increase year after year. Though refinement of symptomatic treatments continues at a reasonable pace, no accepted therapies are available to slow or prevent disease progression. The leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene was identified in PD genetic studies and offers new hope for novel therapeutic approaches. The evidence linking LRRK2 kinase activity to PD susceptibility is presented, as well as seminal discoveries relevant to the prosecution of LRRK2 kinase inhibition. Finally, suggestions are made for predictive preclinical modeling and successful first-in-human trials. © 2014 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
On determinants of joint action in industrial distributor–supplier relationships: Beyond economic efficiency

Abstract Despite a recent surge of interest in relationship marketing, knowledge of the behavioral element of relational exchange in downstream channels remains tenuous. The author suggests that relational exchange involves both an attitudinal and a behavioral shift and maintains that joint action, a behavioral element of relational exchange, is driven not only by economizing motives to save transaction cost, but also by strategizing motives to serve customer needs better than competitors do. In particular, specialized investment is proposed as a common motive that has both economizing and strategizing aspects. Results of the hypothesis tests based on the survey of industrial distributors suggest that both economizing considerations and strategizing considerations motivate joint action in marketing channels. The dual motives of specialized investment are also supported. The author suggests that further research should clarify the link between relational exchange and channel performance.
Evidence that histamine is involved as a mediator of endothelium-dependent contraction induced by A23187 in bovine intrapulmonary vein.

Abstract This study was initiated to test the hypothesis that histamine can act as an endothelium-derived contracting factor in bovine isolated intrapulmonary vein. The effects of calcium ionophore, calcimycin (A23187), on isometric tension were compared in unstimulated rings of intrapulmonary vein with and without endothelium. A23187 (0.1−10 μM) induced concentration-related contraction when endothelium was present. Destruction of endothelium markedly inhibited A23187-induced contraction. Methylene blue, hemoglobin or N G - methyl - L - arginine significantly enhanced A23187-induced contraction only in venous rings with endothelium consistent with attenuation of the contraction by the concomitant release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (nitric oxide) [EDRF(NO)]. Histamine H1 receptor antagonists inhibited, and iproniazid enhanced, contraction elicited by A23187. A23187 induced release of greater amounts of histamine from venous rings with than without endothelium. A23187-induced contraction was not mimicked by the mast cell activator, compound 48/80, and was not inhibited by preexposure to compound 48/80 or in the presence of cromolyn or doxantrazole. A23187-induced contraction was not inhibited by pretreatment with indomethacin, phentolamine, lipoxygenase inhibitors or superoxide dismutase. The results indicate that A23187 induces endothelium-dependent contraction in bovine intrapulmonary vein and support histamine as one major mediator involved. The association of destruction of endothelium with an inhibition of both A23187-induced contraction and histamine release is consistent with the endothelium as a source for histamine which can exert a local vasoconstrictor effect in bovine intrapulmonary vein.
Cholesteric liquid crystal/polymer gel dispersion for flat-panel displays

Optimum concentrations of gel monomer and chiral material are explored to maximize the contrast and reduce the drive voltage of light shutter from cholesteric liquid crystal/polymer gel dispersion. The results indicate that these materials are excellent candidates for use with the active matrix. Their performance is superior in some regards to PDLC materials from isotropic polymers.
Parallel, sharp interface Eulerian approach to high-speed multi-material flows

Abstract This paper describes the challenges in developing a parallel implementation of a sharp interface high-speed multi-material dynamics solver. To facilitate large scale computations the algorithm is designed to retain strict data localization on processors. A high-order conservative ENO scheme is used for calculating the numerical fluxes and level sets are used to define the objects immersed in the flow field. A modified ghost fluid method is used for interface treatment of embedded objects. The issues involved in parallelization of the moving boundary flow solver are presented with emphasis on strong shocks interacting with embedded interfaces (solid–fluid and solid–solid) in a three-dimensional compressible flow framework. The handling of moving boundaries tracked using a narrow-band level set technique leads to issues peculiar to the multi-processor environment. The solution to object passage between sub-domains and treatment of ghost regions for inter-processor communication are addressed in the current work. Example calculations for three-dimensional impact-penetration problems and shocked particulate flows are presented.
Sexual Signaling: Climatic Carry-Over

A long term study of warblers in the Himalayas reveals a surprising contrast in the effects of warm springs as opposed to warm summers on a signaling trait, emphasizing the need to consider year-round influences of the environment on morphological variation.
A Quantitative Analysis of Experimentwise Error Rates in Applied Behavioral Science Research

This article discusses theproblem of Type I error in behavioral science research and describes three measures of error rate: experimentwise, per-experiment, andpercentage error rates. The author computes error rates for a sample of behavioral science literature using these three procedures, with the sample comprising seven articles published in The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science. The results of the analysis suggest the presence of a substantial incidence of Type I error in the research. The author presents possible solutions to these problems.
Applied behavior analysis in the treatment of mealtime tantrums and delay in self feeding in a multi‐handicapped child

Abstract Applied behavior analysis was used to treat the feeding problem of mealtime tantrums (crying and self‐injurious behavior) and delay in self feeding in a moderately retarded 6‐year‐old girl with microcephaly and microphthalmia. Treatment was conducted by a second year medical student without previous experience with this approach and subsequently by family members. The case and treatment procedures are discussed in terms of design considerations and the continuing efforts to delineate feeding problems in children and to treat these with a behavioral approach.
What Form of Business Regulation is Workable

We are reeling from daily accounts of corporate financial fraud, malfeasance and skullduggery. Enron, Parmalat, MCIWorldCom, Qwest, HealthSouth, Dynegy?the list goes on and on. While many of us may not have bought stock directly in these companies, we likely have retirement monies in mutual fund companies. Now we learn that the mutual funds have been involved in market timing, late trading, and churning. Investors recently pulled $4.4 billion from Putnam, the fifth-largest fund complex (measured by assets under management).1 Suspecting similar market timing in annuities, authorities have begun to investigate trading in the annuities held by very cautious investors who have been led to believe that annuities are safe investments.2 For more than a decade, US administrations have pushed the idea that businesses should be allowed to regulate themselves. However, there are reasons to doubt whether corporations are able or willing to regulate them selves in a responsible way. Consider the problems at the supposedly self regulating corporation, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Richard Grasso was forced to resign because of the size of his compensation package, the terms of which some of the NYSE board claimed not to know. John Reed, the newly installed NYSE chairman, set about reforming the exchange. He initially thought he could refine the NYSE corporate board membership, improving its oversight while keeping it close to those whom
Personal space: user defined gesture space for GUI interaction

Reality-Based Interaction (RBI) [14] theorizes that realistic user interactions(UIs)are effective because they exploit users' pre-existing knowledge about their bodies and objects in the world. Gesture based interaction allows users to relay information to a computer through body movement without physical contact with additional hardware such as a mouse or trackball. However, this interaction style requires the users to interact in a manner that is tailored for the system to recognize with very strict rules for bodily interaction, not toward a gesture space that is more natural for the user. In this paper we propose a natural method of gestural input through a user-defined 3-dimensional space. We conducted two pilot studies to assess the performance and usability of these augmented gestural pointing methods for cursor manipulation as compared to a standard mouse interaction as well as the current standard approach used in gestural input.
Detection of odorant molecules via surface acoustic wave biosensor array based on odorant-binding proteins.

Abstract In this paper, we present an array of biosensors for vapour phase detection of odorant molecules based on surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators coated with odorant-binding proteins (OBPs). For the first time, the sensing capabilities of three different OBPs, as sensitive layers for SAW devices, are studied and compared. The SAW biosensor array is composed of three SAW devices coated by the droplet method with the wild-type OBP from cow (wtbOBP), a double mutant of the OBP from cow (dmbOBP) and the wild-type OBP from pig (wtpOBP). An uncoated device is used to compensate the variations of the environmental parameters. The SAW devices consist of two-port resonators fabricated on quartz (ST-cut, x propagation) with electrodes made of aluminium covered with a thin gold film (2 nm thick). The obtained surface densities of OBP layers are between 1.18×10−6 kg/m2 and 2.31×10−6 kg/m2 and were calculated measuring the resonant frequency shift of the SAW devices after the coating. The SAW biosensor array was tested in nitrogen upon exposure to vapours of R-(–)-1-octen-3-ol (octenol), in the range of concentration between 13 and 61 ppm, and R-(–)-carvone (carvone), in the range between 9 and 80 ppm. The highest sensitivity for detection of octenol (25.9 Hz/ppm) was obtained using the wtpOBP-based SAW biosensor, while the highest sensitivity for detection of carvone (9.2 Hz/ppm) was obtained using the dmbOBP-based SAW biosensor.
How to increase teamwork in organizations

Gives a basic understanding of what could be done to increase teamwork to benefit an organization. In researching the significance of teamwork and the problems teams confront in the business arena, provides a better understanding of how team building fits into the future of successful businesses. By focusing on different tools and techniques, develops an insight on the approaches that can be taken to reach this important cohesion. Through corporate examples, examines the results of the variety of approaches discussed. Through these day‐to‐day business events, provides a visual perception of the important contribution that increased teamwork can provide. Contends that, as we move through the present business climate, efficient and effective teamwork is the recommended approach to achieve and maintain a successful business.
Coulomb forces and doping in organic semiconductors

A heuristic approach to describing excitonic processes, doping, and transport is developed for all organic semiconductors but with an emphasis on crystalline molecular semiconductors. A simple equation is proposed that semiquantitatively defines “excitonic” semiconductors, XSCs, a classification that includes most organic semiconductors and some inorganic materials. The same electrostatic and spatial factors that cause exciton formation upon light absorption in XSCs, as opposed to the formation of free electron−hole pairs, also control the doping process and carrier transport. Doping studies of XSCs are reviewed with an emphasis on the more recent, quantitative investigations. One conclusion is that most added charge carriers in doped XSCs are not free but rather are electrostatically bound to their conjugate dopant counterions. A superlinear increase in conductivity with doping density is thus expected to be, and apparently is, a universal attribute of XSCs. The interactions between the crystal structure...
Virtual companions and friends

For those of us who live alone, or have lived alone before, I'm sure you are familiar with the emptiness that can come with being home. With today's electronics, we are able to fill some of that void with at least the noise of company; however who do we share our day with? Where can we find new and stimulating news that is geared towards our own interests?My research proposes a solution for these folks - an application that would allow you to go home to a virtual human that would greet you when you got there. The virtual human could have stories to tell you about their day. This companion could be your new best friend. They would know your interests, likes and dislikes; they could interpret your mood and respond in kind and present information/news feeds pertinent to you.
Metaconversations: Ongoing discussions about teaching research writing

Abstract This article is a follow up to an earlier publication that developed the rationale for using conversation as a metaphor to teach research writing. We presented this proposed teaching approach at several conferences, including WILU in May 2005 at Guelph, Canada. The discussions with participants in these presentations validated the tenets of the conversational metaphor for research writing. Here we provide a description of the research activities in the presentations, the subsequent responses by participants, and our thoughts on these responses. This dialogue between participants and the authors/presenters constitutes the metaconversation about teaching research writing.
Amphiphilic membranes crosslinked and reinforced by POSS

This article concerns the synthesis and characterization of novel tricomponent amphiphilic membranes consisting of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) segments cocrosslinked and reinforced by octasilane polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (octasilane-POSS) cages. Rapid and efficient network synthesis was effected by cocrosslinking diallyl-telechelic PEG (A-PEG-A) and divinyl-telechelic PDMS (V-PDMS-V) with pentamethylpentacyclosiloxane (D5H), using Karstedt's catalyst in conjunction with Et3N cocatalyst and water. Films were prepared by pouring charges in molds and crosslinking by heating at 60 °C for several hours. The films were characterized by sol fractions and equilibrium swelling both in hexane and water, extent of crosslinking, contact angle hysteresis, oxygen permeability, thermogravimetric analysis, and mechanical properties. The crosslinking of octasilane-POSS achieved by the same catalyst system was studied in separate experiments. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4337–4352, 2004
cRGD Peptide-Conjugated Icosahedral closo-B122- Core Carrying Multiple Gd3+-DOTA Chelates for αvβ3 Integrin-Targeted Tumor Imaging (MRI)

A vertex-differentiated icosahedral closo-B(12)(2-) core was utilized to construct a α(v)β(3) integrin receptor-targeted (via cRGD peptide) high payload MRI contrast agent (CA-12) carrying 11 copies of Gd(3+)-DOTA chelates attached to the closo-B(12)(2-) surface via suitable linkers. The resulting polyfunctional MRI contrast agent possessed a higher relaxivity value per-Gd compared to Omniscan, a small molecular contrast agent commonly used in clinical settings. The α(v)β(3) integrin receptor specificity of CA-12 was confirmed via in vitro cellular binding experiments and in vivo MRI of mice bearing human PC-3 prostate cancer xenografts. Integrin α(v)β(3)-positive MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited 300% higher uptake of CA-12 than α(v)β(3)-negative T47D cells. Serial T1-weighted MRI showed superior contrast enhancement of tumors by CA-12 compared to both a nontargeted 12-fold Gd(3+)-DOTA closomer control (CA-7) and Omniscan. Contrast enhancement by CA-12 persisted for 4 h postinjection, and subsequent enhancement of kidney tissue indicated a renal elimination route similar to Omniscan. No toxic effects of CA-12 were apparent in any mice for up to 24 h postinjection. Post-mortem ICP-OES analysis at 24 h detected no residual Gd in any of the tissue samples analyzed.
Integration theory for Hammerstein operators

Abstract We develop in this article a strong nonlinear integral and obtain a Riesz-type theorem (utilizing this integral) for the class of (nonlinear) Hammerstein operators. The integral is extended to the class M E( B ) of E-valued totally B -measurable functions and convergence theorems are studied. Then an exchange of information is carried out between the operators and the corresponding set functions; for example, the implication of the operator being compact or unconditionally summing is drawn. In the latter case it is shown that the representing set function is analogous to strongly bounded set functions. A vast body of literature exists for both of these concepts.
Broadening the Knowledge of the LPN Long-Term Care Provider: A Pilot Study

There are little data regarding Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) roles in long-term care settings and how the roles might be expanded or changed to meet the unique needs of the elderly. The purpose of this quantitative descriptive study was to determine if an increase in knowledge occurred in LPN care providers after implementation of a 32-hour education program. The program was delivered in 8 self-contained learning modules to a convenience sample of 15 LPNs working in 2 rural long-term care settings. There were significant statistical differences in pre- and post-test scores for 3 of the learning modules. Written comments on an evaluation survey of participants indicated knowledge had been broadened. An open-ended questionnaire completed by the 2 directors of nursing 6 weeks postcompletion of the program indicated improvement in the participant's basic leadership and management skills.
Alexithymia in somatizing patients.

Abstract Alexithymia is a clinical concept referring to the difficulty some people have in verbalizing their feeling states. It is prevalent in patients suffering from a variety of psychosomatic illnesses. The authors conducted a controlled study to investigate the presence of this trait among patients attending a psychosomatic clinic and those attending a traditional outpatient psychiatric clinic in a county general hospital. The results indicate that, in this lower socioeconomic population, alexithymia is equally present in both clinics. The discrepancy between these results and those previously reported are discussed, as are the ramifications of the findings.
Some characteristics of tropospheric scattering

Three problems are considered in this paper viiieh are important in determining the effect of scattering on distant radio fields. The first problen is the attenuation of radio signals caused by scatterin1. Booker and Gordon2 supposed secondary scattering to be negligible, and proceeded to develop the general equation for scattering without including this component. This paper shows their assumption to be vdid by detemining the total power scattered per unit macroscopic element of volume relative to the power incidenton the volume. The second problem is a volume integration to determine the total scattered signal reaching axceiver point3. An equation is developed in terms of the propagation parameters vrhich will give this total signal. The third problem is that of cross polarization4 in the scattered wave. In working on the second problem, it was noted that a difference in polarization existed in the scattered signal which came from different elements of the scattering volume. A system of dipoles at right angles to each other was then assumed, and equations developed for determining the scattered signal received on each of these dipoles. Nmerical examples were coaputed and are coqared with field measwements of the cross polarized signal.
Rate of Recovery from Acute Hypocalcemia as a Measure of Calcium Homeostatic Efficiency in the Dog

The rate of recovery from acute hypocalcemia, induced by an intravenous infusion of trisodium hydrogen ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid, was determined in 4 young and 10 mature mongrel dogs. This rate closely approximated a first order exponential function, was reproducible in the same animal under similar conditions, but varied considerably from dog to dog. It was accelerated in young dogs and by pharmacological doses of parathyroid hormone and reduced by pretreatment with imidazole. The response after thyroparathyroidectomy was variable, a rapid recovery rate being observed only during the period of profound hypocalcemia rather than until eucalcemia had been achieved, as in normal animals. This suggested that absence of parathyroid hormone decreased the sensitivity to hypocalcemia rather than affecting the magnitude ofthe response. These and other data lead to the conclusions that the rate of recovery from acute hypocalcemia is determined by the responsiveness to hypocalcemia of the cells that resorb b...
Cobalt(II) and zinc(II) binding to a ferredoxin maquette

Abstract We have examined the Co(II) and Zn(II) affinity of the prototype ferredoxin maquette ligand, NH2–KLCEGG · CIACGAC · GGW–CONH2 (IAA), which was originally designed to bind a [4Fe–4S] cluster. UV–Vis spectroscopy demonstrates tight 1:1 complex formation between Co(II) and IAA. The intensity of the S → Co(II) charge transfer bands at 304 and 340 nm and the ligand field bands between 630 and 728 nm indicate Co(II) coordination by the four cysteine thiolates of IAA in a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry. A dissociation constant value of 5.3 μM was determined for the Co(II)–IAA complex at pH 6.5. Zn(II) readily displaces Co(II) from IAA as evinced by loss of the Co(II) spectral features. The dissociation constant for Zn(II), 20 pM at pH 6.5, was determined be competition experiments with Co(II)–IAA. These results demonstrate that the ferredoxin maquette ligand is an excellent ligand for Zn(II).
Business Driven Consolidation of SOA Implementations

Changes are continuously happening in enterprises and they impact the IT landscape. The most drastic among them are mergers and acquisitions, but recent trends like globalization and recession also lead companies to adopt new business consolidation strategies. Today, very limited support is provided to companies undergoing consolidation: the business to IT alignment is implicit, the task of identifying major IT changes compared to minor ones is pain-staking, and the ability to provide insights of the IT system as result of one strategy over another is impossible. In this paper, we are interested in precise methods that can characterize the impact of business consolidations on the companies’ SOA based IT implementation, wherein the service interfaces are explicitly exposed. Our solution is to model the business to SOA dependencies and use the model to analyze IT consolidation choices when triggered by business consolidation decisions.
American Pediatric Society Presidential Address 2003: The Failure of Ockham's Razor in 21st Century Pediatrics

American Pediatric Society Presidential Address 2003: The Failure of Ockham's Razor in 21st Century Pediatrics
Zwitterionic Moieties from the Huisgen Reaction: A Case Study with Amphiphilic Dendritic Assemblies

Supramolecular nano-assemblies that reduce non-specific interactions with biological macromolecules, such as proteins, are of great importance for various biological applications. Recently, zwitterionic materials have been shown to reduce non-specific interactions with biomolecules, owing both to their charge neutrality and their ability to form strong hydration layer around zwitterions via electrostatic interactions. In this article, we present new triazole-based zwitterionic moieties that are incorporated as the hydrophilic functionalities in facially amphiphilic dendrons. The amphiphilic zwitterionic dendrons spontaneously self-assemble in aqueous solutions forming micelle-type aggregates, which are confirmed by DLS, TEM, and fluorescence techniques. We also compare the structural and functional characteristics of the zwitterionic dendrons with the corresponding charge-neutral PEG-based dendrons and anionic carboxylate-based dendrons. Surface charge measurements, temperature sensitivity and evaluation of interactions of these assemblies with proteins form the bases for these comparisons.
Using multiple cause of death coding in occupational mortality studies

Conventional occupational mortality analysis, using underlying cause of death coding, underestimates the contribution of those chronic diseases which are mentioned on the death certificate but which usually do not appear as underlying cause of death. Proportionate occupational mortality analysis, using all the mentioned causes on the Washington State male death records 1968-1984, identified an excess of rheumatoid arthritis in farmers, and asbestosis in plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.
Factors in blood influencing the determination of thyrotropin releasing hormone

Abstract This study demonstrates that when thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) is incubated in normal human serum or heparinized plasma there is 100% loss of immunoreactivity. When either high (2.4 γ/ml) or low (50 ng/ml) concentrations of TRH are incubated in EDTA anticoagulated plasma for 90 min at 37° there is 75–85% loss of immunoreactivity. When British-anti-Lewisite (BAL) or 8-hydroxy-quinoline sulfate are added to serum prior to incubation with TRH, 48 and 29% remains after 90 min, respectively. When BAL and 8-hydroxyquinoline are added to EDTA anticoagulated plasma in combination, 88% of TRH immunoreactivity is recovered after 90 min incubation at 37°. The addition of enzyme inhibitors to urine was found to be unnecessary for urinary TRH measurement since 100% of TRH was recovered from urine after 2-h incubation at 37°.
Melatonin and Abnormal Movements Induced by L-Dopa in Mice

Melatonin has blocked adventitious movements induced by L-dopa in intact mice. It has reversed the adventitious turning to the right, and it has induced running to the left in mice receiving L-dopa after a lesion in the right caudate nucleus.
Prediction of vortex breakdown and longitudinal characteristics of swept slender planforms

A method is presented to predict high-angle-of-attack, longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of slender wing planforms in incompressible e ow. A semiempirical approach is used to predict the location of vortex breakdown and its variation with incidence. Breakdown predictions are then coupled to vortex lift expressions based on the leading-edge suction analogy. A correction is used to account for the attenuation of vortex suction after vortex breakdown, allowing prediction of lift, drag, and pitching moment at high angles of attack. Comparisons are made with a variety of planforms, with encouraging agreement between theory and experiment being demonstrated.
T-cell dynamics of immunodeficiency

The recent descriptions of T-cell dynamics in HIV disease have refocused efforts to understand the normal homeostatic processes that maintain T-cell populations (pages 674–680).
Closed-Form Modeling of Fluid-Structure Interaction with Nonlinear Sloshing: Potential Flow

Closed-form modeling of the dynamics of a structure coupled to a rigid container carrying a fluid with a free surface is addressed. The coupling of the fluid's equations of motion with the structure's equations of motion is accomplished by building a boundary-value problem for the instantaneous interaction pressure. All nonlinearities are taken into account, and large-displacement nonlinear sloshing effects are considered; no simplifications are made in field equations and boundary conditions. This is a complementary study to a previous work presented by the authors. The boundary conditions for the interaction pressure when the container has curved walls are developed. The fluid is modeled as potential flow with modified Rayleigh damping. The end result of the analysis is a set of first-order differential equations for the motion of both the structure and the fluid. Numerical examples with circular containers are presented.
Nonadiabatic effects induced by the coupling between vibrational modes via Raman fields

We study the effect of coupling between molecular vibrational modes attendant the excitation of Raman transitions using ultrafast chirped laser pulses. We model Raman-active vibrational modes by two-level systems (TLSs) with nondegenerate ground states and a predetermined initial relative phase. Chirp of the pump and Stokes pulses is the same in magnitude and opposite in sign for the whole pulse duration. To reveal the nonadiabatic effects induced by the coupling between the vibrational modes, we compare the model of two uncoupled TLSs with the one of two TLSs coupled by the external fields. The first model shows population inversion. Within the second model, the coupling induces nonadiabatic effects leading to a mixed population distribution. By introducing the time delay between the Stokes and pump pulses, nearly complete population transfer is realized in both coupled TLSs.
Polarizability and inductive effect contributions to solvent–cation binding observed in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) has been used in conjunction with computer modeling to investigate binding tendencies of alkali metal cations to low molecular weight solvents. Intensities of peaks in ESI mass spectra corresponding to solvent-bound alkali metal cations were found to decrease with increasing ionic radii (Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Cs+) in either dimethylacetamide (DMAc) or dimethylformamide (DMF). When a lithium or sodium salt was added to an equimolar mixture of DMF, DMAc, and dimethylpropionamide (DMP), the intensities of gas-phase [solvent + alkali cation]+ peaks observed in ESI mass spectra decreased in the order DMP > DMAc ≫ DMF. A parallel ranking was obtained for alkali metal cation affinities in ESI-MS/MS experiments employing the kinetic method. These trends have been attributed to a combination of at least three factors. An inductive effect exhibited by the alkyl group adjacent to the carbonyl function on each solvent contributes through-bond electron donation to stabilize the alkali metal cation attached to the carbonyl oxygen. The shift in the partial negative charge at the oxygen binding site with increasing n-alkyl chain length (evaluated via computer modeling), however, cannot fully account for the mass spectrometric data. The increasing polarizability and the augmented ability to dissipate thermal energy with increasing size of the solvent molecule are postulated to act in conjunction with the inductive effect. Further evidence of these contributions to solvent–cation binding in ESI-MS is given by the relative intensities of [solvent + Li]+ peaks in mixtures containing equimolar quantities of alcohols, indicating preferential solvation of Li+ in the order n-propanol > ethanol > methanol. These experiments suggest a combined role of polarizability, the inductive effect, and solvent molecule size in determining relative intensities of solvated cation peaks in ESI mass spectra of equimolar mixtures of homologous solvents.
Neutral amino acid transport properties of cerebral endothelial cells in vitro.

An A and L system of neutral amino acid transport has been demonstrated previously in cerebral microvcssels in vivo and in isolated microvessels in vitro . This report describes the neutral amino acid transport properties of cultured cerebral endothelial cells and investigates the influence of astroglia on the transport process. These studies confirm the presence of a sodium-dependent A-system and a sodium-independent L-system of neutral amino acid transport in cultured cerebral endothelial cells. The A-system transport is slower than L-system transport and each is variably inhibited by other amino acids. Transport is enhanced in log phase cells as compared to stationary phase contact-inhibited cells. Contact with glial cells or exposure to glial-conditioned media enhances neutral amino acid transport. These in vitro studies indicate that the A- and L-systems of neutral amino acid transport are in a dynamic state and are influenced by the phase of cell growth and contact with astroglia.
Onset, natural history and outcome in idiopathic adult motor neuron disease

Cases of adult-onset idiopathic motor neuron disease (MND) identified from January 1970 through December 1986 were studied in a defined area of California. The patients were followed prospectively throughout the illness in 99% of cases. Among 708 cases aged 25-74 years at onset, the most common type (86%) was typical, sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SporALS). The risk of bulbar onset and shorter survival times increased with age in both men and women. About 4%, mainly younger men, experienced unusually long courses with milder paralysis, but could not be identified early in the illness. They probably represent one extreme of the ALS spectrum rather than a distinct subtype. Familial ALS (FamALS) was diagnosed in 7%. It developed earlier in life but ran a slightly longer course, which suggests a different disease process. Overall there was a statistically significant predominance of males, especially in 17 cases (2%) of progressive muscular atrophy (PMA). There were 26 cases (4%) classified as primary lateral sclerosis (PLS). Progressive bulbar palsy was not found; that diagnosis usually denotes merely the bulbar onset of ALS.
Electronic fetal monitor paced by maternal implanted pacemaker

An implanted maternal pacemaker was found to produce a stronger fetal scalp signal than did the fetal R wave, thus causing the fetal electronic intrapartum monitor to record maternal heart rate. The newborn infant was healthy and well.
Periodic nanostructures fabricated by Talbot extreme ultraviolet lithography

A table top nanofabrication system which combines the classic Talbot imaging effect and a compact table top soft-x ray laser is described in this paper. Periodic nanostructures on millimeter square are fabricated using this robust, simple and defect tolerant fabrication method. Talbot lithography allows for a complete coherent extreme ultraviolet lithography process in a compact table top system. Double exposure allowed for the reduction of the feature sizes.
A case of hypercalcemia associated with Castleman disease.

Objective: To present a case of hypercalcemia associated with Castleman disease.Methods: The details of case presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment are reviewed in a 25-year-old woman w...
Evacuation of gas from globular clusters by winds from millisecond pulsars

WHY is so little gas observed within globular clusters? A typical globular cluster contains ∼103 post-turn off stars, each of which will lose ∼0.2M⊙ before its asymptotic giant branch phase of evolution, and ∼0.1M⊙ during this phase1, and so should accumu-late 102∼103M⊙ of gas in the 108-year interval between passages of the globular cluster through the galactic disk. (At each disk passage, gas ram pressure will remove the accumulated material2,3.) But observational searches show that there is scant intracluster gas; in many clusters, there is less than 1M⊙ of gas, orders of magnitude less than theoretical predictions3. The recent discovery4,5 of multiple millisecond pulsars in globular clusters may resolve this long-standing problem: the relativistic wind from these pulsars is enough to drive gas from stellar mass loss out of the globular cluster.
Characterization of the bombesin receptor on mouse pancreatic acini by chemical cross-linking

Abstract Bombesin (BN), gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and GRP(18–27) (neuromedin C) were equipotent and 30-fold more potent than neuromedin B (NMB) in inhibiting binding of 125 I-GRP to and in stimulating amylase release from mouse pancreatic acini. In the present study we used 125 I-GRP and chemical cross-linking techniques to characterized the mouse pancreatic BN receptor. After binding of 125 I-GRP to membranes, and incubation with various chemical cross-linking agents, cross-linked radioactivity was analyzed by SDS-PAG electrophoresis and autoradiography. With each of 4 different chemical cross-linking agents, there was a single broad polypeptide band of Mr 80,000. Cross-linking did not occur in the absence of the cross-linking agent. Cross-linking was inhibited only by peptides that interact with the BN receptor such as GRP, NMB, GRP(18–27) or BN. Dose-inhibition curves for the ability of BN or NMB to inhibit binding of 125 I-GRP to membranes or cross-linking to the 80,000 polypeptide demonstrated for both that BN was 15-fold more potent than NMB. The apparent molecular weight of the cross-linked polypeptide was unchanged by adding dithiothreitol. N-Glycanase treatment reduced the molecular weight of the cross-linked peptide to 40,000. The present results indicate that the BN receptor on mouse pancreatic acinar cell membranes resembles that recently described on various tumor cells in being a single glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 76,000. Because dithiothreitol had no effect, this glycoprotein is not a subunit of a larger disulfide-linked structure.