cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae causing meningitis and report of gonococcal meningitis in a patient with C8 deficiency.

We studied a previously healthy 20-year-old woman who presented with gonococcal meningitis. The gonococcal isolate, HT-1, was prototrophic by auxotyping, was protein I serovar IB-1, and agglutinated with wheat germ lectin. This isolate differed from the proline-requiring, serovar IA-1 and IB-4, wheat germ-agglutination-negative gonococcal isolates recovered from three patients during a recent outbreak of gonococcal meningitis in Philadelphia. HT-1 was killed by normal pooled human sera (greater than or equal to 98% at 30 min) but not effectively killed by the convalescent-phase sera of the patient (greater than 30% survival at 30 min). Similar results were obtained when mucosal and cerebrospinal fluid isolates from a Philadelphia patient were exposed to these sera, but mucosal and blood isolates from another Philadelphia case showed increased resistance to killing by normal pooled human sera. Further characterization revealed multiple differences in outer membrane and cellular proteins and lipopolysaccharide between case isolates. Absence of the L8 lipopolysaccharide epitope was noted for all isolates. Sera of our patient were found to have low total hemolytic complement (CH100 = 21 U/ml; normal = 55 to 100 U/ml) due to deficiency of C8 (C8 less than 1,000 CH50 U/ml; normal = greater than or equal to 16,000 CH50 U/ml). This is the first reported case of gonococcal meningitis occurring in a patient with a terminal-complement deficiency. Gonococcal meningitis is a rare complication of gonococcal bacteremia. Both defects in host defenses (e.g., terminal-complement deficiency) and organisms with unusual virulence appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of this complication of gonococcal bacteremia.
Herpes encephalitis presenting as mild aphasia: Case report

Background Encephalitis presenting as a change in mental status can be challenging to recognize in the primary care setting. However, early detection via a low threshold of suspicion can be useful, leading in turn to early treatment and improved survival.
In defense of the Genetic Virtue Program: A rejoinder

The target paper of this invited forum has a vaulting ambition: to convince readers that we ought to attempt to reduce evil in our world by constructing an interdisciplinary program, which I call the Genetic Virtue Program (GVP), to enhance the biological aspects of virtue. Most of the contributors to this forum are not sympathetic to the project—to put it mildly. Yet, one of the surprising things, at least to this author, is that comparatively little is said about the paper's overall ambition. Jamie Bronstein offers the idea that better socialization may be key: “No one would argue that there have not also been great evils; but the historical record doesn't support the level of improbability for further moral improvement through socialization that Walker would like to assign.” However, nowhere do I claim that there is no prospect for further moral improvement through socialization. Indeed, in recently published work I specifically recommend that we improve socialization efforts to enhance virtue by tracking prosocialization efforts.
Ketene Bis(trimethylsilyl) Acetal

(R = Me) [24697-35-6] C8H20O2Si2 (MW 204.46) InChI = 1S/C8H20O2Si2/c1-8(9-11(2,3)4)10-12(5,6)7/h1H2,2-7H3 InChIKey = QTLOQPVMBORRRD-UHFFFAOYSA-N (R = Et) [24697-36-7] C14H32O2Si2 (MW 288.64) InChI = 1S/C14H32O2Si2/c1-8-17(9-2,10-3)15-14(7)16-18(11-4,12-5)13-6/h7-13H2,1-6H3 InChIKey = IVPWPUPOTCEGRU-UHFFFAOYSA-N (stable equivalent of acetic acid dianion; enolate surrogate useful for aldol reactions6 and similar Mukaiyama reactions; ‘inverse-electron-demand’ dienophile for Diels–Alder reactions8) Alternate Name: 1,1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)ethylene. Physical Data: R = Me, bp 50 °C/10 mmHg; R = Et, bp 77 °C/1 mmHg. Solubility: freely sol organic solvents. Form Supplied in: clear colorless liquid. Analysis of Reagent Purity: NMR in dry (molecular sieves) solvent (data in Ainsworth and Kuo3). Likely impurities are trimethylsilyl (trimethylsilyl)acetate (bp 61 °C/10 mmHg) and α-trimethylsilylacetic acid. Preparative Methods: disilylation of acetic acid dianion and silylation of the enolate of trimethylsilyl acetate are problematic because a mixture of O- and C-silyl compounds is generated in roughly equal proportions (eq 1)3 and these isomers are nearly inseparable. (1) The reaction conditions can be modified to produce either of these compounds in good yields (eqs 2 and 3).2 Rapid generation, and the subsequent quenching of the highly dissociated sodium enolate, at low temperature, is important for the preponderant formation of the O-silyl product.4 In a related reaction, trimethylsilyl acetate upon reaction with excess of Triethylamine and Trimethylsilyl Trifluoromethanesulfonate gives a mixture of two bis-silylated isomers (eq 4).5 (2) (3) (4) The first synthesis of the ketene bis(triethylsilyl) acetal involved the treatment of triethylsilyl α-(triethylstannyl)acetate (3 in eq 6) with triethylsilyl iodide.1 The intermediate 3 in turn was prepared from ketene and triethylsilyloxytriethylstannane (eq 5). (5) (6) Handling, Storage, and Precautions: flammable; extremely moisture-sensitive. Use in a fume hood.
Two-dimensional concentrated-stress low-frequency piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters

Vibration-based energy harvesters using piezoelectric materials have long made use of the cantilever beam structure. Surmounting the deficiencies in one-dimensional cantilever-based energy harvesters has been a major focus in the literature. In this work, we demonstrate a strategy of using two-dimensional beam shapes to harvest energy from low frequency excitations. A characteristic Zigzag-shaped beam is created to compare against the two proposed two-dimensional beam shapes, all of which occupy a 25.4 × 25.4 mm2 area. In addition to maintaining the low-resonance bending frequency, the proposed beam shapes are designed with the goal of realizing a concentrated stress structure, whereby stress in the beam is concentrated in a single area where a piezoelectric layer may be placed, rather than being distributed throughout the beam. It is shown analytically, numerically, and experimentally that one of the proposed harvesters is able to provide significant increase in power production, when the base acceleration is set equal to 0.1 g, with only a minimal change in the resonant frequency compared to the current state-of-the-art Zigzag shape. This is accomplished by eliminating torsional effects, producing a more pure bending motion that is necessary for high electromechanical coupling. In addition, the proposed harvesters have a large effective beam tip whereby large tip mass may be placed while retaining a low-profile, resulting in a low volume harvester and subsequently large power density.
Incorporation and test of diffusion and strain effects in the two-dimensional vortex blob technique

Vorticity diffusion as well as small scale strain effects in a rotational fluid layer are incorporated in the vortex blob technique by changing the blob size. While the strain effect is computed by approximating the derivative of the normal velocity component across the layer, the vorticity diffusion is accounted for on the basis of the similarity solution for a diffusively spreading vortex sheet. This approach, which presents an alternative to the random walk method, allows us to track vorticity fronts in flows that do not conserve circulation such as miscible multiphase Hele-Shaw flows. We test the numerical method by comparing numerically obtained linear growth rates for an inviscid parallel shear layer and a miscible displacement process in a porous medium to exact results obtained from linear stability theory. When compared to the constant size vortex blob technique, the present extensions yield greatly improved results for the inviscid shear layer. For the diffusively spreading rotational layer arising in the miscible displacement process, the numerically obtained time-dependent growth rates show good quantitative agreement with exact results.
Terrestrial Oil Spills in Alaska: Environmental Effects and Recovery

ABSTRACT Damage and natural recovery of terrestrial ecosystems affected by refined petroleum spills along the Haines to Fairbanks military pipeline in Alaska have been investigated. Since the 20-cm-diameter, 1007-km-long pipeline was opened in 1956, there have been 40 reported ruptures along it. Mosses and trees were completely killed, and vegetation is now sparse in the drier portions of the spill areas. Some new vegetation is growing in drainage pathways. The dead organic mat has provided adequate insulation, and only a few instances of slope instability, where slopes exceed 20 percent, have occurred. Through laboratory studies on the rates of microbial respiration in Fairbanks silt containing 15 percent Prudhoe crude, it has been determined that microbial activity is increased by inoculation with mixed-culture oil-degrading microorganisms, increased pH, and phosphorus additions. Microbial activity also responds positively to nitrogen addition after an initial negative response. The negative response va...
Increased reactivity in rats caused by septal lesions.

Abstract Lesions in the septal areas of rats were produced both mechanically, using a burred hypodermic needle, and electrolytically using a monopolar electrode and an R.F. lesion maker. Sham-operated animals had either the burred needle or electrode lowered to within 2 mm of the area in which the real lesions were made. Lesions in the ventral portion of the septum produced a state of increased reactivity in rats. Histologie examination of the brain sections confirmed the location of the lesions. Damage to the structures lying dorsal to the septum, as produced in the sham-operated animals, did not cause this hyper-reactive state. The results obtained on ablation of the ventro-medial and ventro-lateral septal nuclei are compatible with the function of the septum as it affects behavioral systems.
Nucleophilic Catalysis with π-Bound Nitrogen Heterocycles: Synthesis of the First Ruthenium Catalysts and Comparison of the Reactivity and the Enantioselectivity of Ruthenium and Iron Complexes

Three ruthenium complexes that bear π-bound nitrogen heterocycles have been synthesized. It is established that these complexes serve as effective nucleophilic catalysts for a range of processes, including the acylation of alcohols with diketene, the ring opening of azlactones, and the addition of alcohols to ketenes; their activity is comparable to or somewhat greater than the corresponding iron catalysts. The relative efficiency of the ruthenium complexes as asymmetric catalysts is also evaluated: in the kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols, ruthenium is markedly less effective than iron, but in the deracemization/ring opening of azlactones, ruthenium is slightly more enantioselective. This study documents for the first time the impact of the metal on the reactivity and on the enantioselectivity of nucleophilic catalysts based on π-bound nitrogen heterocycles.
Classification Trees for Multiple Binary Responses

Abstract Multiple binary responses arise from many applications for which an array of health related symptoms are of primary interest. These symptoms are usually correlated. I generalize the tree-based methodology for a single response to the case involving multiple binary responses. In particular, I apply the method to analyze building-related occupant complaint syndrome based on a recently collected large database. Using the same database, I compare the performance of several node-splitting criteria for trees.
Re-examination of Eulerian-Lagrangian turbulence relationships

Abstract Eulerian-Lagrangian relationships calculated from Monte Carlo simulation of particle movements are compared with estimates from analytical approximations based on Lagrangian kinematic relationships. Results of a one-dimensional numerical simulation and a three-dimensional analytical approximation for isotropic homogeneous turbulence are discussed. The Monte Carlo simulation is mathematically and physically similar to the analytical approximation despite the fact that the numerical simulation is fundamentally incorrect for three-dimensional turbulence.
Patient-Centered Communication, Ratings of Care, and Concordance of Patient and Physician Race

When patients and physicians are of the same race, patients are more satisfied with care in the office setting. The authors found that having the same race did not affect patient-centered communica...
Inhibition of glycoprotein synthesis by cycloheximide in liver and Ehrlich tumor cells.

Abstract Cycloheximide caused a rapid inhibition of [14C]glucosamine incorporation into liver and plasma glycoproteins in rats and mice with a concomitant accumulation of UDP-N-acetyl hexosamine. In rat liver only a very small amount of radioactivity was present in lipid components but in mouse liver the lipid labeling was more substantial. The formation of a glucosamine-phospholipid, the main product in experiments in vitro and assumed to participate in glycosylation of proteins, could be demonstrated in vivo too. Cycloheximide had no significant effect on lipid labeling in these systems. When cycloheximide treatment of rats was made 30 min after the administration of [14C]glucosamine the radioactivity of liver microsomal and ribosomal proteins decreased due to completion and discharge of glycoproteins into the plasma. Treatment of [14C]glucosamine labeled purified ribosomes with puromycin resulted in the release of [14C]glucosamine labeled nascent protein. In the ribosomes of cycloheximide treated rats much less nascent proteins was present then in the controls. These observations were consistent with one of the proposed pathways of glycoprotein synthesis. Cycloheximide, under conditions inhibitory to protein synthesis, had no effect on [14C]glucosamine incorporation into proteins of Ehrlich cells in vitro. But if mice were treated with the drug and subsequently cells were isolated and tested for [14C]-glucosamine uptake a decrease in the rate of incorporation was observed which was more pronounced as the duration of drug treatment increased. These observations could be attributed to the depletion of sugar-acceptor proteins prior to isolation of the cells. Using high concentrations of cycloheximide (1–5 mg/ml) caused strong inhibition of [14C]glucosamine incorporation in vitro. Under such conditions a rapid loss of cytoplasmic nucleotides and radioactive components was observed. These results were due to the strong inhibitory action of cycloheximide on oxygen utilization. Supplementing the system with glucose, under conditions where glucose did not inhibit glucosamine incorporation, prevented the leakage of nucleotides from the cells and decreased the inhibitory effect of cycloheximide on glucosamine incorporation. In spite of extensive loss of nucleotides the cells retained viability in vivo.
FISSION-PRODUCT ANALYSIS OF FAST-REACTOR PLUTONIUM FUELS

Summary For the purpose of evaluating the pyrometallurgy program at Los Alamos for the reprocessing of fuels from fast reactors, it was necessary to determine fission products in the presence of large amounts of plutonium, especially when low-burnup fuels were to be analyzed. From results of a testing program in which classical analytical methods originally developed for uranium fuels were used to determine fission products, it was shown that adequate decontamination from plutonium and americium was not achieved in a number of cases. New or modified methods were developed for zirconium, niobium, ruthenium, rhodium, cerium, neodymium and praseodymium. All procedures were designed to utilize sample aliquots containing as much as 50 mg of plutonium and to give α-decontamination factors of not less than 105 and as high as 109, when from 10–50 mg of carrier were added. Ion-exchange methods proved to be the most effective for removing plutonium and americium, in those cases where these elements caused interference. Up to this time, methods for fourteen fission products have been tested or devised for use in the analysis of plutonium fuels.
The Social Basis of Conflict between Blind People and Agents of Rehabilitation

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the sources of conflict between professionals and organizations providing services and consumer-oriented self-help organizations of blind people. It reviews major developments within this profession and the rejection of the resulting professional ideologies by a new social movement. We demonstrate that there is not a unity of interest between agencies and the recipients of rehabilitation efforts. Professional and organizational self-interests are opposed to consumer efforts to redefine the nature of blindness. As consumer political effectiveness continues to grow, the threat to the funding and public legitimacy of existing programs may result in a change in attitudes toward consumer participation and definitions of blindness.
Developmental changes of cholesterol ester hydrolases localized in myelin and microsomes of rat brain.

We Previously demonstrated two distinct cholesterol ester hydrolases in rat brain (Eto and Suzuki, 1971). One of the two hydrolases had a pH optimum of 6·6 and showed a bimodal subcellular distribution, in microsomes and myelin. A substantial activity of this enzyme was present in newborn rat brain. The activity remained relatively unchanged during the first 12 days and then increased sharply, concomitant with the period of active myelination (Eto and Suzuki, 1972a). The more recent investigation, however, clearly demonstrated that this pH 6·6 cholesterol ester hydrolase actually consists of two distinct cholesterol ester hydrolases, one primarily localized in microsomes and the other almost exclusively localized in the myelin sheath (Eto and Suzuki, 1972b, 1973). The microsomal hydrolase had a pH optimum of 6·0 and was activated by sodium taurocholate and Triton X-100, particularly by the latter. The myelin enzyme had a pH optimum of 7·2. It was activated by sodium taurocholate but slightly inhibited by Triton X-100. These new findings suggested that the previously reported developmental curve of the pH 6·6 cholesterol ester hydrolase was probably a composite of developmental changes of these two distinct cholesterol ester hydrolases. We report here the findings which confirm the above prediction and update the information regarding the developmental changes of the enzymes involved in cholesterol ester metabolism in rat brain.
Isolated dorsal root ganglion neurons in culture: cytological maturation and extension of electrically active processes.

Dissociated chick embryo dorsal root ganglion cells were maintained in vitro for long periods (up to 7 weeks) in cultures essentially free of nonneuronal cells. The cultured neurons attained an advanced stage of cytological maturity and extended long, highly branched processes which formed elaborate networks. Electrical activity was evoked and recorded extracellularly from these processes. Responses obtained from the processes of young (19–20 hr), fully isolated cells indicate that the ability to propagate action potentials is present very early in newly extended fibers and can be developed by neurons deprived of contact with any other cells. Complex responses evoked by single stimulus pulses suggest that many processes, especially in older cultures, contained more than a single active fiber.
T1ρ relaxation can assess longitudinal proteoglycan loss from articular cartilage in vitro

Objective To assess the correlation between changes in spin-lattice relaxation in the rotating frame (T(1rho)) and proteoglycan (PG) loss from bovine articular cartilage and to demonstrate the feasibility of performing T(1rho) MR imaging on a 1.5T clinical scanner. Design MR relaxation times (T(1rho), T(2) and T(1)) were measured from excised cartilage plugs (N=3) before and after two sequential digestions with trypsin on a 2T whole-body magnet. Proteoglycan and collagen loss induced by the trypsin digestion was measured using standard biochemical techniques. The correlation between changes in relaxation times and PG loss were tested with regression analysis. T(1rho) MRI was also performed on a clinical 1.5T MRI system to determine whether the spatial distribution of PG loss could be detected. The MRI results were compared with histology sections of native and PG-depleted tissue. Results Increase in T(1rho) relaxation times correlated with PG loss (R(2)=0.81). T(1rho) measurements alone were indicative of PG loss (R(2)=0.8), the addition of T1 and T2 data into the statistical model did not improve the correlation substantially (R(2)=0.83). T(1rho)-weighted imaging demonstrated a hyperintense lamina at the articular surface of the digested tissue, which was subjected to trypsin digestion that correlated with a superficial zone of PG loss observed on histological sections. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that T(1rho) relaxation changes are correlated with PG loss in vitro. Furthermore, T(1rho) measurements alone can be used to indicate PG loss data. T(1rho) MRI may thus be developed into a useful adjunct to existing techniques for the evaluation of cartilage disease.
Mapping the frontiers of evaluation of public-sector R&D programs

Evident in recent requests by policy-makers for evid ence about the effectiveness and impacts of public-sector RD how to effectively and equitably choose among competing performers and proposals; and how to aggregate and integrate findi ngs relating to specific policies and programs into an overarching national innovation systems framework.
Dapagliflozin efficacy and safety: a perspective review:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a prevalent, progressive disease with a need for innovative therapeutic agents to continue to advance disease management. Dapagliflozin is the second agent in a new class of oral antihyperglycemic drugs: sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. SGLT2 is responsible for the majority of renal glucose reuptake; inhibition of the cotransporter allows for increased renal glucose excretion that consequently leads to reduced plasma glucose levels. Because this mechanism does not require the action of insulin, dapagliflozin rarely causes hypoglycemia and is effective in patients both early and late in the course of their disease. Studies of dapagliflozin have demonstrated efficacy both as monotherapy and in combination with oral antihyperglycemic agents and insulin. Dapagliflozin has been shown to decrease hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values 6 mmol/mol (0.5%) to 8 mmol/mol (0.7%). The most common adverse reactions observed with dapagliflozin in clinical trials were female genital mycotic infections, urinary tract infections, and nasopharyngitis. Dapagliflozin is a new oral agent for type 2 diabetes with short-term efficacy similar to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors; its long-term safety and efficacy are unknown.
Political Empowerment, Rule of Law, and Women's Entry into Entrepreneurship

Women's political leadership may contribute to women's entrepreneurship by removing existing constraints on the economic behavior of women, assuming these changes are then enforced. We examine the ...
The electronic medical record as a tool for infection surveillance: Successful automation of device-days

Background Manual collection of central venous catheter, ventilator, and indwelling urinary catheter device-days is time-consuming, often restricted to intensive care units (ICU) and prone to error. Methods We describe the use of an electronic medical record to extract existing clinical documentation of invasive devices. This allowed automated device-days calculations for device-associated infection surveillance in an acute care setting. Results The automated system had high sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (>0.90) compared with chart review. The system is not restricted to ICUs and reduces surveillance efforts by a conservative estimate of over 3.5 work-weeks per year in our setting. Eighty percent of urinary catheter days and 50% of central venous catheter-days occurred outside the ICU. Conclusion Device-days may be automatically extracted from an existing electronic medical record with a higher degree of accuracy than manual collection while saving valuable personnel resources.
Serpentine low loss trapezoidal silica waveguides on silicon

We report the fabrication and characterization of straight and serpentine low loss trapezoidal silica waveguides integrated on a silicon substrate. The waveguide channel was defined using a dual photo-lithography and buffered HF etching and isolated from the silicon substrate using an isotropic silicon etchant. The waveguide is air-clad and thus has a core-cladding effective index contrast of approximately 25%. Measured at 658, 980 and 1550 nm, the propagation loss was found to be 0.69, 0.59, and 0.41 dB/cm respectively, with a critical bending radius less than 375 μm. The waveguide's polarization behavior was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Additionally, the output power shows a linear response with input power up to 200 mW.
Cyber-physical specification mismatch identification with dynamic analysis

Embedded systems use increasingly complex software and are evolving into cyber-physical systems (CPS) with sophisticated interaction and coupling between physical and computational processes. Many CPS operate in safety-critical environments and have stringent certification, reliability, and correctness requirements. These systems undergo changes throughout their lifetimes, where either the software or physical hardware is updated in subsequent design iterations. One source of failure in safety-critical CPS is when there are unstated assumptions in either the physical or cyber parts of the system, and new components do not match those assumptions. In this work, we present an automated method towards identifying unstated assumptions in CPS. Dynamic specifications in the form of candidate invariants of both the software and physical components are identified using dynamic analysis (executing and/or simulating the system implementation or model thereof). A prototype tool called Hynger (for HYbrid iNvariant GEneratoR) was developed that instruments Simulink/Stateflow (SLSF) model diagrams to generate traces in the input format compatible with the Daikon invariant inference tool, which has been extensively applied to software systems. Hynger, in conjunction with Daikon, is able to detect candidate invariants of several CPS case studies. We use the running example of a DC-to-DC power converter, and demonstrate that Hynger can detect a specification mismatch where a tolerance assumed by the software is violated due to a plant change.
Knowledge coordination in open source software project teams: a transactive memory system perspective

Although a large number of high-quality open source software (OSS) has been successfully produced, little is known about knowledge coordination in the OSS setting. Therefore, this dissertation investigates how the members of an OSS project team coordinate their knowledge of different domains to bear on software development tasks. From the transactive memory system (TMS) perspective, this dissertation particularly examines antecedents of TMS and the relations among TMS, knowledge coordination behaviors of OSS developers, and their communication quality; furthermore, the study looks into the effects of knowledge coordination and communication quality on team performance. By surveying 97 OSS project teams from Sourceforge.net, one of the largest OSS project hosting sites, the results of this dissertation demonstrate the importance of TMS for knowledge coordination behaviors and communication quality of the OSS developers. Moreover, communication quality shows the positive influence on team performance. These results contribute to the current literature as well as management practice.
A large-scale genetic screen for mutants with altered salicylic acid accumulation in Arabidopsis

Salicylic acid (SA) is a key defense signal molecule against biotrophic and hemibiotrophic pathogens in plants, but how SA is synthesized in plant cells still remains elusive. Identification of new components involved in pathogen-induced SA accumulation would help address this question. To this end, we performed a large-scale genetic screen for mutants with altered SA accumulation during pathogen infection in Arabidopsis using a bacterial biosensor Acinetobacter sp. ADPWH_lux-based SA quantification method. A total of 35,000 M2 plants in the npr1-3 mutant background have been individually analyzed for the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola (Psm) ES4326-induced SA accumulation. Among the mutants isolated, 19 had SA levels lower than npr1 (sln) and two exhibited increased SA accumulation in npr1 (isn). Complementation tests revealed that seven of the sln mutants are new alleles of eds5/sid1, two are sid2/eds16 alleles, one is allelic to pad4, and the remaining seven sln and two isn mutants are new non-allelic SA accumulation mutants. Interestingly, a large group of mutants (in the npr1-3 background), in which Psm ES4326-induced SA levels were similar to those in the wild-type Columbia plants, were identified, suggesting that the signaling network fine-tuning pathogen-induced SA accumulation is complex. We further characterized the sln1 single mutant and found that Psm ES4326-induced defense responses were compromised in this mutant. These defense response defects could be rescued by exogenous SA, suggesting that SLN1 functions upstream of SA. The sln1 mutation was mapped to a region on the north arm of chromosome I, which contains no known genes regulating pathogen-induced SA accumulation, indicating that SLN1 likely encodes a new regulator of SA biosynthesis. Thus, the new sln and isn mutants identified in this genetic screen are valuable for dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogen-induced SA accumulation in plants.
Synthesis of Some Substituted Pyrroline-1-Oxides by Catalytic Hydrogenation of Aliphatic Gamma-Nitrocarbonyi Compounds

Abstract Various pyrroline-1-oxides were prepared by the catalytic hydrogenation of appropriately substituted gamma-nitrocarbonyl compounds. Initially the reaction affords a mixture of the nitrone and the corresponding hydroxylamine, but copper(II)-catalyzed aerial oxidation readily converts the hydroxylamine to the desired cyclic nitrone. This method was found to be more convenient than the zine-ammonium chloride reduction and the corresponding yields were comparable.
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey and large-scale structure

Abstract The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) will produce a 3D map of the universe of galaxies over a volume ∼4×10 7 h −3 Mpc 3 . Covering 1/4 of the sky, it will comprise a photometric imaging survey of 10 8 objects in 5 wavebands and a magnitude-limited spectroscopic (redshift) survey of 10 6 galaxies and 10 5 quasars. The SDSS will probe the structure of the universe to large scales with great precision and should shed light on the role of dark matter in the process of structure formation.
Symmetry dependence of phonon line shapes in superconductors with anisotropic gaps

The temperature dependence below ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ of the line shape of optical phonons of different symmetry as seen in Raman scattering is investigated for superconductors with anisotropic energy gaps. It is shown that the symmetry of the electron-phonon vertex produces nontrivial couplings to an anisotropic energy gap which leads to unique changes in the phonon line shape for phonons of different symmetry. The phonon line shape is calculated in detail for ${\mathit{B}}_{1\mathit{g}}$ and ${\mathit{A}}_{1\mathit{g}}$ phonons in a superconductor with ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{x}}^{2}$-${\mathit{y}}^{2}$ pairing symmetry. The role of satellites peaks generated by the electron-phonon coupling are also addressed. The theory accounts for the substantial phonon narrowing of the ${\mathit{B}}_{1\mathit{g}}$ phonon, while narrowing of the ${\mathit{A}}_{1\mathit{g}}$ phonon which is indistinguishable from the normal state is shown, in agreement with recent measurements on ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ and ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$.
A Pilot Study of Criminal Captive-takers’ Modus Operandi

Captive-taking is an extensive international and domestic problem that faces law enforcement, as well as the military and intelligence communities. To date, a modicum of research has been done to understand these offenders and the methods they employ in the commission of their crimes. Understanding the tactics, techniques, and procedures that perpetrators use to execute a captive-taking event will better prepare law enforcement agencies and others to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from captive-taking incidents. The current research is drawn from a pilot study consisting of interviews of seven captive-takers. Consensual qualitative analysis was utilized to draw conclusions from the interview transcripts about the modus operandi of these perpetrators. Sixty-one domains of M.O. were yielded, grouped into 35 core ideas, and cross analyzed with weighted labels identifying the frequency each particular domain/core idea arose. The results presented are unique because they are derived directly from the perspective of the captive-takers themselves and the data were gathered using a systematic methodological approach (Perpetrator-Motive Research Design). Limitations, strengths and future research directions are also discussed.
Smoke-plume distributions above large-scale fires: implications for simulations of nuclear winter

Abstract Smoke from raging fires produced in the aftermath of a major nuclear exchange has been predicted to cause large decreases in surface temperatures. However, the extent of the decrease and even the sign of the temperature change depend on how the smoke is distributed with altitude. We present a model capable of evaluating the initial distribution of lofted smoke above a massive fire. Calculations are shown for a two-dimensional slab version of the model and a full three-dimensional version. The model has been evaluated by simulating smoke heights for the Hamburg firestorm of 1943, and a smaller-scale oil fire which occurred in Long Beach in 1958. Our plume heights for these fires are compared to those predicted by the classical Morton-Taylor-Turner theory for weakly buoyant plumes. We consider the effect of the added buoyancy caused by condensation of water-laden ground level air being carried to high altitude with the convection column, as well as the effects of background wind on the calculated s...
Podocyte depletion and glomerulosclerosis have a direct relationship in the PAN-treated rat

Podocyte depletion and glomerulosclerosis have a direct relationship in the PAN-treated rat. Background Podocytes are highly differentiated glomerular epithelial cells with limited potential to divide. They are responsible for maintaining and supporting the glomerular basement membrane so as to facilitate efficient filtration. The hypothesis tested was whether the development of glomerulosclerosis in the puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-treated rat could be attributed to podocyte depletion. Methods PAN was injected in Sprague-Dawley rats once, twice, or three times at 30-day intervals. Podocytes were counted in glomeruli using immunoperoxidase histochemistry and antibodies to both GLEPP1 (PTPRO) and WT-1. Podocytes were assayed in urine using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR). Glomerular areas were measured by computerized morphometry. Results In a preliminary experiment, a single injection of PAN caused a reduction in the glomerular podocyte count by 25%. Additional independent confirmation that podocytes were lost from glomeruli after PAN injection was obtained identifying detached podocytes in Bowman's space, measurement of nephrin and GLEPP1 mRNAs in urine, ultrastructural analysis of glomeruli, and identification of TUNEL-positive apoptotic podocytes in glomeruli. In a second experiment, sequential podocyte depletion by 15, 31, and 53% was achieved by the administration of one, two, or three injections of PAN at 30-day intervals. The region of the glomerulus devoid of podocytes developed glomerulosclerosis, and this area progressively increased as podocytes were progressively depleted. The correlation coefficient (r 2 ) value for the relationship between percent podocyte depletion and glomerulosclerotic area was 0.99. The Y intercept of this plot showed that glomerulosclerosis was initiated when only 10 to 20% of podocytes were lost. Conclusion This report supports the growing body of data linking glomerulosclerosis directly to a reduction in relative podocyte number [increased glomerular area per podocyte (GAPP)]. It raises important questions related to the mechanisms of podocyte loss, strategies for prevention of podocyte depletion, and the prevention of progression of glomerular diseases.
Yeast HIS3 expression in Escherichia coli depends upon fortuitous homology between eukaryotic and prokaryotic promoter elements

The yeast imidazoleglycerolphosphate dehydratase gene HIS3, when introduced into Escherichia coli, is transcribed and translated with sufficient fidelity to produce functional enzyme. The following lines of evidence indicate that E. coli RNA polymerase recognizes a particular region of HIS3 DNA as a promoter sequence. First, this promoter contains nucleotide sequences that resemble the canonical prokaryotic promoter elements, the -10 and -35 regions. Second, HIS3 transcription in vitro by E. coli RNA polymerase is initiated at the predicted site downstream from the conserved sequences. Third, deletion mutations that successively encroach upon the 5' end of the HIS3 gene indicate that the promoter is necessary and sufficient for expression in E. coli. Fourth, a single base-pair change that behaves as an "up-promoter" mutation alters the -35 region such that it becomes identical with the consensus sequence. Because the -10 region of this promoter coincides with the TATA promoter element that is necessary for expression in yeast cells, it is possible directly to compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic promoter function. Analysis of 51 deletion and substitution mutations indicates that the patterns of mutant phenotypes are quite different for each organism. Therefore, although prokaryotic -10 regions are similar in sequence to eukaryotic TATA elements and although the same his3 region serves both functions, it appears that this represents an evolutionary coincidence whose current functional basis is minimal. The evolutionary significance of the homology between prokaryotic and eukaryotic promoter elements is discussed.
The macroeconomic determinants of academic salaries in Australia

Nominal and real salaries at Australian universities are significantly affected by the behaviour of inflation and unemployment. Australian academics are not fully compensated for inflation. High unemployment has a marked negative effect on real salaries. Predicted changes in real salaries for various combinations of inflation and unemployment, calculated from the econometric model, yield pessimistic conclusions about the future outlook for real academic salaries.
Living Donor Lobar Lung Transplantation: A Longstanding Concept Being Revisited with the Same Old Nemesis

Introduction Living donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT) has been successfully used in select patient populations.
Trends in Ankle Arthroscopy and Its Use in the Management of Pathologic Conditions of the Lateral Ankle in the United States: A National Database Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate current trends in ankle arthroscopy across time, sex, age, and region of the United States as well as the use of ankle arthroscopy in the management of lateral ankle instability. Methods: Patients who underwent ankle arthroscopy and those who underwent ankle arthroscopy and lateral ankle ligament repair or peroneal retinacular repair from 2007 through 2011 were identified using the PearlDiver national database. These searches yielded volumes of unique patients, sex and age distribution, and regional volumes of patients. X-square linearby-linear association analysis was used for comparisons, with P < .05 considered significant. Results: We identified 15,366 ankle arthroscopy procedures in the database from 2007 to 2011. Over the 5-year study period, there was a significant increase in the overall number of ankle arthroscopies being performed, from 2,814 in 2007 to 3,314 in 2011 (P < .0001). Female patients had ankle arthroscopy more frequently than did male patients (P ¼ .027). The majority of patients who had ankle arthroscopy were between the ages of 30 and 49 years. The use of ankle arthroscopy during lateral ligament repair procedures increased from 37.2% in 2007 to 43.7% in 2011 (P < .0001). The incidence of combined ankle arthroscopy and peroneal tendon retinacular repair increased 50%, from 2.8/100 ankle arthroscopies in 2007 to 4.2/100 ankle arthroscopies in 2011 (P < .0001). Conclusions: The incidence of ankle arthroscopy increased significantly from 2007 to 2011, outpacing shoulder, knee, and elbow arthroscopy. Ankle arthroscopy was performed more frequently in female patients and most commonly in patients younger than 50 years. The use of ankle arthroscopy in the surgical management of lateral ankle instability also increased significantly. The incidence of concomitant ankle arthroscopy and lateral ligament repair increased significantly, as did the incidence of concomitant ankle arthroscopy and repair of peroneal tendon subluxation. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.
De novo biosynthesis of prostaglandins by the Australian field cricket, Teleogryllus commodus.

Abstract 1. The accumulation and metabolism of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids by testes from the Australian field cricket, Teleogryllus commodus , are described. Testes accumulated a substantial proportion (about 16%) of label from radioactive C20:3n6 that was injected into the haemocoel. Fifty percent of the label accumulated by testes was associated with the phospholipid fraction, whereas in the remainder of the body 30% was incorporated into the phospholipid fraction. 2. Prostaglandins (PG) E 1 , E 2 and F 2α were quantified in extracts of the testes of adult insects by radioimmunoassay. 3. Label from injected radioactive C18:2n6, C20:3n6 and C20:4n6 was recovered as prostaglandins PGE and PGF. The radioactivity from C18:2n6 that was recovered as PGE 1 and PGF 1α indicated elongation/desaturation to C20:3n6 followed by conversion to PG. 4. Since C18:2n6 is readily formed from acetate in T. commodus , these findings indicate the de novo biosynthesis of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids and prostaglandins by this species.
ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SIGNAL PREEMPTION PROJECTS

Preemption techniques are designed to provide preferential treatments to buses at signalized intersections. A preemption strategy, if properly designed, can provide continuous green phases to buses at successive intersections, thereby reducing delays and travel times along the bus-street. It can also potentially increase delays and travel times along the cross street. A procedure for economic evaluation of preemption projects is presented in this paper, followed by a case study demonstration. It is a variation of benefit-cost analysis that provides an estimate of the maximum investment that can be justified in a signal preemption project by way of savings in delay, fuel consumption, and emissions. The TRAF-NETSIM model was used to assess the operational consequences of signal preemption. The procedure is found viable and the case study results appear to be reasonable, and sensitive to changes in interest rates and project lives.
IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENTS AT THE EARDRUM AS AN AID TO DIAGNOSIS.

The clinical measurement of acoustic impedance at the eardrum is described. Significant modifications of the traditional Schuster bridge by Zwislocki led to the development of an acoustic impedance...
How I Kicked the Lecture Habit: Inquiry Teaching in Psychology

Inquiry teaching is an alternative to lecturing and is designed to involve students more actively and deeply in course material. It aspires to create an attitude of open-minded curiosity while engaging the highest cognitive skills. Inquiry teaching is based on a five-step approximation of the traditional scientific method, which includes forming hypotheses, collecting data, evaluating hypotheses, drawing conclusions, and testing conclusions against new data. In this article the inquiry method is illustrated by examples from a general psychology class. Successful results include increased class participation and higher student evaluations.
Book Review: A physical-design picture book

This is a review of Practical Problems in VLSI Physical Design Automation (by Sung Kyu Lim). The book, which grew out of a graduate-level course, focuses on helping readers grasp the essence of each algorithm presented and then to develop relevant algorithmic skills. Numerous illustrations make the examples fun and help readily convey the intracies of fairly sophisticated algorithms.
Force Transducer Through Total Internal Reflection and Frustrated Total Internal Reflection for a Three-Axis Anemometer

This paper introduces a method for measuring forces applied in a normal direction to the device using frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) and infrared technology. Using FTIR for measuring force is not a new concept, but the past systems have used this principle by changing the material at the surface to change the refractive index at the point of contact. The design we propose causes a physical deformation to the waveguide, which causes changes in the output of the transducer. The transducer is designed to be implemented in a low cost three-axis anemometer for use in high-spatial resolution data gathering for wind generation stabilization. Our data supports the design of our transducer as it shows a correlation between the force and deformation of the upper surface of the waveguide and the output of the infrared phototransistor. The final section of the paper suggests a new design for a three-axis anemometer using the newly developed transducer.
Experimental study of velocity-scalar filtered joint density function for LES of turbulent combustion

Abstract The velocity-scalar filtered joint density function (FJDF) used in large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent combustion is experimentally studied. Measurements are made in the fully developed region of an axisymmetric turbulent jet using an array consisting of three X-wires and resistance-wire temperature sensors. Filtering in the cross-stream and streamwise directions is realized by using the array and by invoking Taylor’s hypothesis, respectively. The means of the FJDF conditional on the subgrid-scale (SGS) turbulent kinetic energy and the SGS scalar variance at a given location range from close to joint normal to bimodal with the peaks separated in both velocity and scalar spaces, which correspond to qualitatively different mixing regimes. For close to joint normal FJDFs, the SGS fields are well mixed. For bimodal FJDFs, the conditionally filtered scalar diffusion and dissipation strongly depend on the SGS velocity and scalar, consistent with a combination of diffusion layers and plane strain in the SGS fields, which is similar to the counter-flow model for laminar flamelets. The results suggest that in LES, both mixing regimes could potentially be modeled accurately. The velocity field affects the SGS variance and the filtered scalar dissipation rate primarily by changing the degree of nonequilibrium of the SGS scalar and the SGS time scale, respectively. This study further demonstrates the importance of including velocity in mixing models.