cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pretranslational regulation of type I 5'-deiodinase by thyroid hormones and in fasted and diabetic rats

In both humans and experimental animals, nutritional deprivation and systemic illness are associated with decreases in circulating T3 levels, T3 production, and type I 5'-deiodinase (5'DI) activity. In order to assess the regulation of 5'DI messenger RNA (mRNA) in these conditions, a solution hybridization assay was developed which utilized a complementary (cDNA) encompassing 92% of the 5'DI coding region. The administration of T3 to hypothyroid rats induced a 50-fold increase in 5'DI mRNA levels that preceded by 12 h a similar increase in 5'DI activity. Fasting for 48-72 h, but not 24 h, was associated with an approximate 50% decrease in 5'DI mRNA levels in liver, which preceded a decrease of similar magnitude in 5'DI activity. Fasting in hyperthyroid rats did not lower hepatic 5'DI mRNA levels or activity, nor did fasting attenuate the stimulatory effects of T3 administration on these parameters. In diabetic animals 5'DI mRNA levels and activity were markedly reduced. These results demonstrate that regu...
Application of Immunosignatures for Diagnosis of Valley Fever

Valley fever (VF) is difficult to diagnose, partly because the symptoms of VF are confounded with those of other community-acquired pneumonias. Confirmatory diagnostics detect IgM and IgG antibodies against coccidioidal antigens via immunodiffusion (ID). The false-negative rate can be as high as 50% to 70%, with 5% of symptomatic patients never showing detectable antibody levels. In this study, we tested whether the immunosignature diagnostic can resolve VF false negatives. An immunosignature is the pattern of antibody binding to random-sequence peptides on a peptide microarray. A 10,000-peptide microarray was first used to determine whether valley fever patients can be distinguished from 3 other cohorts with similar infections. After determining the VF-specific peptides, a small 96-peptide diagnostic array was created and tested. The performances of the 10,000-peptide array and the 96-peptide diagnostic array were compared to that of the ID diagnostic standard. The 10,000-peptide microarray classified the VF samples from the other 3 infections with 98% accuracy. It also classified VF false-negative patients with 100% sensitivity in a blinded test set versus 28% sensitivity for ID. The immunosignature microarray has potential for simultaneously distinguishing valley fever patients from those with other fungal or bacterial infections. The same 10,000-peptide array can diagnose VF false-negative patients with 100% sensitivity. The smaller 96-peptide diagnostic array was less specific for diagnosing false negatives. We conclude that the performance of the immunosignature diagnostic exceeds that of the existing standard, and the immunosignature can distinguish related infections and might be used in lieu of existing diagnostics.
Chloride interference in total nitrogen analysis by the Kjeldahl method

Abstract Very low recovery of NH4+‐N was observed in total N determination of (NH4)2SO4 in KC1 solutions by a semimicro Kjeldahl method using permanganate and reduced iron to recover NO3‐ and NO2‐, whereas complete recovery was obtained in analysis of NH4+‐N in water, and of NO3 −‐N or NO2 −‐N in either water or KC1 solutions. The loss of NH4 +‐N observed with KC1 was attributed to the formation of NCl3 upon reaction of NH4 + with Cl2 generated during oxidation of Cl− by MnO4 −. This difficulty is avoided by using K2SO4 instead of KC1 for extraction of inorganic N from soil. Complete recovery was obtained by adding 15N‐labeled NH4+, NO3‐, or NO2‐ to 0.5 M K2SO4 soil extracts, and total 15N analyses of the labeled extracts were in good agreement with values calculated from the additions of 15N and the total N contents of the soil extracts.
Effects of Particulate Debris Morphology on the Rolling Wear Behavior of All-Steel and Si(Sub 3)N(Sub 4)-Steel Bearing Element Couples

Rolling contact fatigue experiments were performed on all-steel and hybrid Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}-M50 steel rolling bearing systems using particulate contaminated lubricants. The particulate contaminants used were glycothermally synthesized {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} platelets or Arizona test dust. The effects of contaminant composition and morphology on rolling contact fatigue and wear behavior were explored. The effects of bearing element material properties on fatigue and wear behavior were also examined. Rolling wear behavior is related to bearing component material configuration and the type of particulate contaminant present in the lubricant. Component and particulate material properties such as hardness and elastic modulus are observed to affect rolling wear behavior. Wear mechanisms such as contact stress fatigue, indenting, cutting and plowing are observed.
The tertiary structure and backbone dynamics of human prolactin.

Abstract Human prolactin is a 199-residue (23 kDa) protein closely related to growth hormone and placental lactogen with properties and functions resembling both a hormone and a cytokine. As a traditional hormone, prolactin is produced by lactotrophic cells in the pituitary and secreted into the bloodstream where it acts distally to regulate reproduction and promote lactation. Pituitary cells store prolactin in secretory granules organized around large prolactin aggregates, which are produced within the trans layer of the Golgi complex. Extrapituitary prolactin is synthesized by a wide variety of cells but is not stored in secretory granules. Extrapituitary prolactin displays immunomodulatory activities and acts as a growth factor for cancers of the breast, prostate and tissues of the female reproductive system. We have determined the tertiary structure of human prolactin using three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. As expected, prolactin adopts an “up-up-down-down” four-helical bundle topology and resembles other members of the family of hematopoietic cytokines. Prolactin displays three discrete structural differences from growth hormone: (1) a structured N-terminal loop in contact with the first helix, (2) a missing mini-helix in the loop between the first and second helices, and (3) a shorter loop between the second and third helices lacking the perpendicular mini-helix observed in growth hormone. Residues necessary for functional binding to the prolactin receptor are clustered on the prolactin surface in a position similar to growth hormone. The backbone dynamics of prolactin were investigated by analysis of 15 N NMR relaxation phenomena and demonstrated a rigid four-helical bundle with relatively mobile interconnecting loops. Comparison of global macromolecular tumbling at 0.1 mM and 1.0 mM prolactin revealed reversible oligomerization, which was correlated to dynamic light scattering experiments. The existence of a reversible oligomerization reaction in solution provides insight into previous results describing the in vitro and in vivo aggregation properties of human prolactin.
Cold-Inducible Zfp516 Activates UCP1 Transcription to Promote Browning of White Fat and Development of Brown Fat

Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) mediates nonshivering thermogenesis and, upon cold exposure, is induced in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (iWAT). Here, by high-throughput screening using the UCP1 promoter, we identify Zfp516 as a transcriptional activator of UCP1 as well as PGC1α, thereby promoting a BAT program. Zfp516 itself is induced by cold and sympathetic stimulation through the cAMP-CREB/ATF2 pathway. Zfp516 directly binds to the proximal region of the UCP1 promoter, not to the enhancer region where other transcription factors bind, and interacts with PRDM16 to activate the UCP1 promoter. Although ablation of Zfp516 causes embryonic lethality, knockout embryos still show drastically reduced BAT mass. Overexpression of Zfp516 in adipose tissue promotes browning of iWAT even at room temperature, increasing body temperature and energy expenditure and preventing diet-induced obesity. Zfp516 may represent a future target for obesity therapeutics.
Criminal Prosecution of Domestic Violence Offenses An Investigation of Factors Predictive of Court Outcomes

Whereas significant research has been conducted to identify the legal and extralegal factors that influence police decisions concerning the arrest of domestic violence (DV) offenders, significantly fewer studies have examined prosecutorial and judicial decision making with regard to this offense. Among the few studies available in the extant literature, none have looked at the full range of decisions made during the adjudication process (i.e., pretrial release, prosecution, disposition, and sentencing). Similarly, few of the available studies have included female defendants, despite recent increases in the number of women charged for this offense. Using a sample of 4,178 defendants arrested for a misdemeanor or felony domestic violence offense, this research identified the suspect and offense characteristics that had the greatest effect on court decisions. Explanations for the resulting findings and recommendations for further research are discussed.
Lectin histochemical identification of carbohydrate moieties in opossum chemosensory systems during development, with special emphasis on VVA‐identified subdivisions in the accessory olfactory bulb

Lectins, sugar-binding molecules of nonimmune origin, were used in this study to describe the development of the main olfactory and vomeronasal systems in the Brazilian gray short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica. A battery of seven lectins of the N-acetylgalactosamine/galactose-binding group was used. Of the seven lectins, only two, Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA) and Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia lectin I-isolectin B4 (GS I-B4), were specific to the vomeronasal system. The other five lectins recognized carbohydrates in both chemosensory systems, although the binding was more intense in the accessory olfactory system. Furthermore, whereas six of the lectins stained the adult opossum accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) homogeneously, the VVA lectin distinguished two regions of the AOB. Similar to the expression of olfactory marker protein (OMP) (Shnayder et al. [1993] Neuroreport 5:193-196), the rostral half of the AOB stained much darker with VVA than the caudal half, and the onset of the restricted pattern of staining at age 45 days also coincided. We conclude that 1) GS I-B4 and VVA recognize cell surface carbohydrate moieties specific to the vomeronasal, but not to the main olfactory, system, and 2) the carbohydrate moiety that is recognized by the VVA lectin, presumably terminal N-acetyl-galactosamine, is both temporally and spatially restricted in the opossum AOB. These results are discussed in the framework of other known spatially restricted molecules of the two major nasal chemosensory systems.
Hydraulic gradient control for groundwater contaminant removal

Abstract The Rocky Mountain Arsenal near Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., is used as a realistic setting for a hypothetical test of a procedure that plans the hydraulic stabilization and removal of a groundwater contaminant plume. A two-stage planning procedure successfully selects the best wells and their optimal pumping/recharge schedules to contain the plume while a well or system of wells within the plume removes the contaminated water. In stage I, a combined groundwater flow and solute transport model is used to simulate contaminant removal under an assumed velocity field. The result is the approximated plume boundary location as a function of time. In stage II, a linear program, which includes a groundwater flow model as part of the set of constraints, determines the optimal well selection and their optimal pumping/recharge schedules by minimizing total pumping and recharge. The simulation—management model eliminates wells far from the plume perimeter and activates wells near the perimeter as the plume decreases in size. This successfully stablizes the hydraulic gradient during aquifer cleanup.
Fluorescence imaging of GABAA receptor-mediated intracellular [Cl−] in P19-N cells reveals unique pharmacological properties

This study describes the pharmacological properties of GABAA receptors expressed in P19-N cells using fluorescence imaging of intracellular chloride with 6-methoxy-N-ethylquinolinium iodide (MEQ). We show that application of the GABA agonist, muscimol (10-200 microM), produces time- and concentration-dependent increases in intracellular [Cl-] that are blocked by bicuculline. Diazepam (10 microM) and pentobarbital (1 mM) potentiate muscimol-stimulation. These receptors exhibit novel pharmacological properties. The neurosteroid, 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnane-20-one (1-10 microM) exhibited weak potency in enhancement of muscimol-stimulation. Ethanol (50 and 100 mM) exhibited high efficacy on muscimol responses, a 4- to 5-fold potentiation, respectively, of muscimol (10 microM) alone. GABA and muscimol allosterically modulated specific binding of [3H]flunitrazepam to differentiated P19 cells. Modulation of GABAA receptor mediated increases in intracellular [Cl-] demonstrated stability in response magnitude from 7 to 15 days following removal of retinoic acid. In concert, GABAA receptor subunit mRNA and protein expression patterns in these neuron-like cells were stable over the same period. Using RT-PCR we determined that differentiated P19 cells lack gamma1, gamma2L, alpha6 and delta subunit mRNAs while expressing alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, beta1, beta2, beta3, gamma2S and gamma3. Furthermore, subunit specific antibody immunocytochemical labeling of cells with a neuronal morphology indicated the presence of alpha1, alpha2, alpha4, and gamma2 subunits (the only subunits tested). Therefore, P19-N cells should prove useful to researchers in need of a model cell culture system in which to study function and regulation of neuronal GABAA receptors.
Interface adhesion: effects of plasticity and segregation

Abstract The adhesion at interfaces between dissimilar materials is strongly affected by both segregation and the extent of plasticity in the adjoining material, particularly when one of these is a metal (or thermoplastic). It will be shown that these interfaces when clean, are generally strong and tough, such that failure occurs in one of the adjoining materials, rather than at the interface. However, segregrants and contaminants often embrittle and weaken the interface, especially in combination with ambient moisture. The embrittlement is obviated either by alloying with elements that “getter” the contaminants or by using an “adhesion layer” that has essentially the same effect: Cr and Ti are particularly effective gettering elements. Models that relate these effects to fundamental material parameters through non-dimensional indices are described. They comprise linkages between atomistic and continuum, enabled by implementation of a plasticity length scale, within the context of a crack growth simulation routine. Comparison with the experimental results is conducted, leading to suggestions for development of a predictive scheme.
Time and depth dependent fluxes due to 14 MeV neutrons impinging soil

A spectroscopy system measuring inelastic neutron scattering and thermal neutron capture induced gamma-rays is being developed for in-situ soil analysis. Because a pulsed fast D-T neutron source is utilized, fast neutron induced inelastic neutron scattering reactions are separated in time from thermal neutron capture events. Models utilizing the MCNPX code have been developed to study the time and energy variations of the neutrons in the soil matrix.
Two-dimensional finite element charge-sheet model of a short-channel MOS transistor

A two-dimensional charge-sheet model for short-channel MOS transistors has been developed. The unique feature of the model is that the effect of channel inversion layer charge is included as a nonlinear integral boundary condition on the two-dimensional electrostatic field in the transistor. The average inversion layer charge density and source-drain current are obtained directly from the model rather than from the electron density or electron quasi-Fermi level. The model retains all of the physical detail of more complex two-dimensional models such as sensitivity to source-drain profile shape, channel profile, and oxide field shape. This allows the model to represent the changes in drain current associated with short-channel effects while still allowing simple comparison with long-channel models. For long-channel transistors, the results of this model are identical to Brews' long-channel charge-sheet model. The accuracy of this model is verified by modeling a sequence of transistors with channel lengths between 4.6 and 1.1 μm. In short-channel transistors, effects previously attributed to high field mobility are explained by simple two-dimensional electrostatics. The simulations produced using this model have been compared to experimental measurements on an array of n-channel MOSFETs; the model is in good agreement for transistors with channel lengths as short as 1.1 μm. In this verification process, the model represented accurately the onset of subthreshold current, channel-length-induced threshold voltage offset, and drain-field-induced output conductance changes. From studies of numerical accuracy, we conclude that the charge-sheet model can easily simulate drain current with an accuracy which exceeds that required for most applications. To obtain 5% accuracy for drain current, a 146 element mesh is sufficient. Refinement of the 146 element mesh to a 455 element mesh gives a current which is accurate to 0.16%. Average computer time for a high current solution is 2.5 min on a DEC-20. The numerical solutions were obtained using general-purpose software for solving elliptic partial differential equations. We have been able to solve problems with exact solutions to test the correctness and accuracy of our codes. We also can easily change the physics included in our model and the geometry of the transistor. The finite element method used allows refinement of oblique triangles which is important in achieving computational efficiency. The program is portable and has been run on a DEC-20, a VAX 11780, a Cyber 175 and a Univac 1108.
Are our president learning? Unpacking the enthymematic connections in the speech mistakes of President George W. Bush

The purpose of this paper is to explore public interpretations of President George W. Bush's speaking errors. One interpretation of Bush's speech mistakes offered in the media is that he may have dyslexia. Therefore, we explore how an enthymeme using markers of dyslexia as a sign of bad leadership has been used to frame Bush's speaking errors. We provide an analysis of an exemplar of how Bush's speech errors are represented in the media. Our exemplar is the desktop calendar George W. Bushisms: The Accidental Wit and Wisdom of Our 43rd President. We demonstrate that this text focused on common indicators of dyslexia, that is, speaking errors, to position Bush as a ‘bad’ and ‘stupid’ leader. Finally, we offer conclusions and implications that this study has for our understanding of politics and disabilities.
Effect of local ultraviolet irradiation on infections of mice with Candida albicans, Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and Schistosoma mansoni.

In this study, we investigated whether mice given ultraviolet (UV)-B (280-320 nm) radiation in doses sufficient to alter cutaneous immune cells and impair the induction of contact hypersensitivity would also have impaired resistance to infectious agents administered at the site of UV irradiation. C3H mice were exposed to 400 J/m2 UVR from FS40 sunlamps on four consecutive days. Immediately after the last UV treatment, groups of mice were injected subcutaneously with Candida albicans, injected intradermally (ID) with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), or infected Percutaneously with Schistosoma mansoni in UV-irradiated skin. The induction of the delayed hypersensitivity response to C. albicans and BCG, as assessed by footpad swelling, was unaffected by UV irradiation. However, the number of viable mycobacteria recovered from the lymphoid organs of BCG-infected mice was increased significantly in the UV-irradiated animals for a period of more than 2 months. Low-dose UV irradiation of the skin at the site of infection did not influence the number of S. mansoni parasites recoverable from the internal organs of mice that had been infected with cercariae percutaneously 6 weeks earlier. We conclude that the ability of UV radiation to impair the development of cell-mediated immunity to antigens introduced in a UV-irradiated site is not universal and depends on the particular antigen administered. We hypothesize that the involvement of epidermal Langerhans cells as the primary antigen-presenting cells in the induction of cell-mediated immunity may be the critical factor in determining whether a particular immune response will be affected by local UV irradiation.
Student Engagement and Examination Performance in a Team-Based Learning Course

With calls for innovation in nursing education from national bodies of nursing, nurse educators must determine the best teaching strategies to meet educational standards. Team-based learning (TBL), an innovative teaching strategy, offers educators a structured, student-centered learning environment. The purpose of this study was to compare TBL and traditional lecture (a commonly used teaching method) in regard to student engagement and performance on examinations. In addition, the relationship between student engagement and examination scores was examined. Findings showed significant differences in student engagement (p < 0.001). Analysis of examination scores indicated a significant effect within participants (p < 0.001). Mixed findings were found regarding the relationship between student engagement and examination scores. This research contributes to the body of knowledge related to TBL and suggests this teaching strategy is, at minimum, equally as effective as traditional lecture.
Mixture modeling of progression pathways of heterogeneous breast tumors

Uncovering pathways of tumor progression is an important topic in cancer research that has led to numerous studies, including several pathway models proposed and investigated by Sontag and Axelrod [Progression of heterogeneous breast tumors. J. Theoret. Biol. 210, 107-119, 2005]. In their comparative studies, the authors focused on relative goodness of fits of the various pathways, but a simple test revealed that even the "best" model did not provide an adequate explanation for the observed breast tumor data. The heterogeneous nature of breast tumors leads to the question of whether more than one (i.e., a combination of) pathway models are needed in order to explain the observed data. In the current paper, we address this question based on the finite mixture modeling framework and utilizing the four pathways proposed in Sontag and Axelrod as our individual pathway models. The expectation-maximization algorithm was used to derive estimates for the mixing proportions of the mixture models. Indeed, a two-pathway mixture provides a dramatic improvement over any of the single pathway models for explaining the data derived under either the Van Nuys or the Holland system. In particular, for data graded under the Van Nuys system, the mixture model was shown to be consistent with the observed data at the 1% significant level.
How many joints in the hands and wrists should be included in a score of radiologic abnormalities used to assess rheumatoid arthritis

Numerous methods for reading abnormalities of rheumatoid arthritis in hand and wrist radiographs have been proposed over the past several decades. There are many differences among these methods, one of the more striking of which is the variation in the number of joints that are scored. In this study, we tested the number of joints that need to be read in order to represent abnormalities accurately and reproducibly, using the scores of multiple observers. Thirteen rheumatologists and radiologists each read a set of 41 hand and wrist films from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Ten of 13 readers scored 27 joints in each hand and wrist; the other 3 readers scored fewer areas. Fourteen combinations of joints were selected based on the frequency of involvement and the technical adequacy of routine films in assessing a given area. After testing these 14 different combinations, 1 scheme, which included 17 areas read for erosions and 18 areas read for joint space narrowing, was tested further. The correlation coefficients for 10 intraobserver scores derived from this modified scheme compared with the original scores were between 0.981 and 0.997. Seventy-one of 78 interobserver comparisons were better using the new scheme than using the original scheme. These data indicate that the simplified scheme, using a combination of 17 joints to score erosions and 18 to score joint space narrowing, more accurately reflects the extent of abnormalities perceived by a panel of experts than does the original scheme. This abbreviated number of joints shortens the amount of time required to read a set of films and simplifies the scoring of films, since a number of areas that are difficult to read are eliminated from radiographic assessment.
Infectious Agent from a Free-Living Soil Amoeba, Naegleria gruberi

A subcellular infectious material has been found in a strain of the amoeba Naegleria gruberi, strain EG, which is capable of infecting chick embryo cells and causing them to undergo cytopathic changes with the release of more infectious material. The material is present in two lines of the amoeba which were separated shortly after the isolation of the strain and subsequently maintained in separate laboratories.
Image understanding algorithms for remote visual inspection of aircraft surfaces

Visual inspection is, by far, the most widely used method in aircraft surface inspection. We are currently developing a prototype remote visual inspection system, designed to facilitate testing the hypothesized feasibility and advantages of remote visual inspection of aircraft surfaces. In this paper, we describe several experiments with image understanding algorithms that were developed to aid remote visual inspection, in enhancing and recognizing surface cracks and corrosion from the live imagery of an aircraft surface. Also described in this paper are the supporting mobile robot platform that delivers the live imagery, and the inspection console through which the inspector accesses the imagery for remote inspection. We discuss preliminary results of the image understanding algorithms and speculate on their future use in aircraft surface inspection.
P5.092 Evaluation of a Laboratory Developed Test For the Detection of Trichomonas Vaginalis Using a Modification of the Abbott M 2000 Realtime System

Background Assays for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) are available on certain commercial platforms. The objective of this study was to assess the performance characteristics of a new laboratory developed test (LDT) for the detection of TV from urine, and swab samples, when tested on the Abbott m 2000 platform; a platform widely used for the detection of C. trachomatis (CT) and N. gonorrhoeae (NG). Methods Residual swab samples that had been previously eluted into CT transport medium and urine were placed into Abbott transport tubes. Testing for CT/NG was performed on the m 2000 platform per package insert; the remaining residual extracted DNA was used for TV testing on the m 2000 platform. TV specific primers, probe, and thermal cycling conditions were optimised in our laboratory. Residual DNA from each sample was manually transferred to an amplification plate containing master mix. Real-time PCR was performed on the m 2000 platform in open mode with the TV LDT results being compared to an LDT for TV that has been validated and used in our laboratory for more than a decade. Assay agreement was assessed using Kappa statistics. Results A total of 49 urine specimens, 50 vaginal and 33 endocervical swabs were evaluated. Positive percent agreement was 92.0 for urine, and 100%, for both of the swab specimen types compared to the routine assay. Negative percent agreement between the two assays was 100% for all three specimen types. Kappa scores between the two assays were 0.918, 1.000, and 1.000 for urine, vaginal, and endocervical swabs, respectively. Conclusions The TV LDT assay, performed on the Abbott m 2000 platform, has excellent agreement with a molecular assay for TV being used in our laboratory. Advantages to using the m 2000 for TV testing include automation and the use of residual DNA from the CT/NG assay for TV detection.
Managed traffic evacuation using distributed sensor processing

This paper presents an integrated sensor network and distributed event processing architecture for managed in-building traffic evacuation during natural and human-caused disasters, including earthquakes, fire and biological/chemical terrorist attacks. The proposed wireless sensor network protocols and distributed event processing mechanisms offer a new distributed paradigm for improving reliability in building evacuation and disaster management. The networking component of the system is constructed using distributed wireless sensors for measuring environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and detecting unusual events such as smoke, structural failures, vibration, biological/chemical or nuclear agents. Distributed event processing algorithms will be executed by these sensor nodes to detect the propagation pattern of the disaster and to measure the concentration and activity of human traffic in different parts of the building. Based on this information, dynamic evacuation decisions are taken for maximizing the evacuation speed and minimizing unwanted incidents such as human exposure to harmful agents and stampedes near exits. A set of audio-visual indicators and actuators are used for aiding the automated evacuation process. In this paper we develop integrated protocols, algorithms and their simulation models for the proposed sensor networking and the distributed event processing framework. Also, efficient harnessing of the individually low, but collectively massive, processing abilities of the sensor nodes is a powerful concept behind our proposed distributed event processing algorithms. Results obtained through simulation in this paper are used for a detailed characterization of the proposed evacuation management system and its associated algorithmic components.
Factors Considered in Evaluating Staff Performance

What are the reactions from using a formal teacher evaluation system~ On one campus we used a formal system for two years. About six months af ter we used it the second time the other deans on campus did not even know it had been used in our college, indicating that our faculty certainly was not against the system. From the students we get quiet appreciation. I t is not overt, but they will ask if Professor X is happy in his new job or they will say how glad they are that Dr. Y is now teaching more of the courses, etc. I dislike to make public our personnel problems, but want to be sure that students know we recognize them and take remedial action, and that we reward good teaching. How do administrators react to a teacher evaluation? Our systems have been handled by the Dean's office. One reaction from some depar tment heads is "please Iet me do it." This may be a valid request but there are several problems. ThQ department head may be so very close to his staff members that he has difficulty believing the data. He may remember the real nice job Professor Twenty did on the staff barbecue and this over-shadows the negative information he gets about what has happened in the classroom. Or the excellent teaching of Dr. Rebellious is overshadowed by the administrative problems he causes his department head. Secondly, the department head often does not have as much access to the large student population, like the dean of the college or the dean of academic affairs, especially including the students in another department or in another college taking service courses in his department. On the other hand, the department head can more conveniently and proper ly attend lectures, monitor course outlines, examinations, etc., or visit with graduat ing seniors. I have a letter on my desk from a department head who consulted with his graduate students concerning all their courses. Three courses were significant problems, one in his department, two in other departments within the college. The department head got information that I would never receive. He was close enough to graduate students that they would freely discuss their academic problems.
Development of olfactory nerve glia defined by a monoclonal antibody specific for Schwann cells

Although there is considerable interest in the possible role of olfactory glia in the pathfinding abilities of olfactory nerve axons, the complete development of these glia in vivo has not been described. Using a specific Schwann cell marker, the 1E8 antibody, we have found that olfactory nerve glia can be identified throughout development. These glia appear to originate in the olfactory placode and migrate initially into the periphery of the olfactory nerve, and later into the center of the nerve. Olfactory nerve glia enter the presumptive olfactory bulb with the olfactory receptor neuron axons and distribute themselves along the edge of the olfactory nerve layer. The fact that olfactory nerve glia are specifically immunostained by the 1E8 monoclonal antibody, which recognizes the Schwann cell-specific protein P0, suggests that these cells more closely resemble Schwann cells than astrocytes or enteric glia. These results support and extend previous findings suggesting that olfactory nerve glia have distinctive developmental and anatomical features which may be important to the regenerative capacity of the olfactory system.
The Tallahassee BeanCounters: A Problem‐Based Learning Case in Forensic Auditing

You are auditing the books of the Tallahassee BeanCounters (TBC), a minor league baseball team in Tallahassee, Florida. During your audit the team's owner, Franklin Kennedy, approaches you and offers an additional fee if you will quietly investigate the possibility of fraud within the firm. Mr. Kennedy reports that he received an anonymous tip and, based on that information, believes that someone within the firm could be perpetrating fraud. Your task is to use the information given here (the financial books and back‐up documents) as a starting point for your investigation. From that starting point, use creativity and investigative skills to determine what other information you need. After obtaining requested information, use all the material you have gathered to determine whether fraud was committed. To completely solve a fraud, you must show the following: who committed the fraud, how it was committed, that it was intentional (not error), the economic impact of the fraud, and that it was your suspect who...
Episodic ventricular pacing with intact atrioventricular nodal function in a DDDR device: what is the rhythm and how can it be prevented?

m A b a t t c v i u. ase summary 67-year-old woman with a history of sick sinus syndrome nderwent placement of a dual-chamber pacemaker in 1993 nd generator change in 2001 (Integrity AFx DR 5342, St. ude Medical, Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA). Pacing was prorammed to DDDR mode with a lower rate limit of 70 ppm, pper rate limit of 120 ppm, and AV delay of 300 ms. While ospitalized for other reasons, she complained of palpitaions that correlated to periods of ventricular pacing. The nset is shown in Figure 1, and the termination is shown in igure 2. What is the explanation for the ventricular pacing? s the pacemaker malfunctioning? What reprogramming can e performed to prevent this rhythm, which is causing the alpitations?
Anatomical evidence for interactions between somatostatin neurites in lamina II of the rat spinal cord.

Abstract Light microscopic analysis of adult and 10–14-day-old rat spinal cords suggested that somatostatin-immunoreactive (SOM-I) fibers apposed SOM-I cell bodies in lamina (L) II. Electron microscopic analysis of these relationships at both ages showed the presence of direct appositions between SOM-I fibers and SOM-I cells. However, synapse formation between SOM-I fibers and cells was observed only in the young rat. Similarly, synapses between SOM-I fibers and SOM negative cell bodies were only found in the young animal. Adjacent SOM-I perikarya directly contacted each other, but, again, membrane specializations were evident only in the young rat. Within L I of the adult dorsal horn, a SOM-I fiber directly apposed an unlabeled cell body. Despite analysis of serial sections through the apposition, no synaptic contacts were observed.
Liver transplantation in children younger than 1 year—the Cincinnati experience

Abstract Background/Purpose The success of pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTxp) has improved greatly since its widespread application in the 1980s. No group has benefited more from this than infants younger than 1 year. The authors reviewed their experience in the management and outcome of children who underwent OLTxp when they were younger than 1 year. Methods A retrospective review of the medical records of patients who at the time of OLTxp were younger than 1 year was performed. Patients were stratified according to the period when transplanted. Results Eighty-one infants younger than 1 year underwent OLTxp. End-stage liver disease secondary to biliary atresia was the most common indication for transplantation. The overall survival was 77%. One-year patient and graft survival improved from 58% and 50% in the period 1986-1989, respectively, to 88% and 81% in the period 2000-2003, respectively. Technical complications such as hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 5) and portal vein thrombosis (n = 8) occurred, and although 4 patients required retransplantation, all but one survived. Complications associated with immunosuppression, sepsis/multisystem organ failure (MSOF) (n = 11), and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) (n = 1) were the most common cause of poor outcome. Conclusions Successful OLTxp in infants is possible with improved posttransplant survival during the study period. Technical complications (hepatic artery thrombosis/portal vein thrombosis) may require retransplantation but were uncommon causes of patient loss. Multisystem organ failure was the most significant adverse complication. The consequences of immunosuppression (MSOF/PTLD) were the most common cause of patient loss. Further improvement in overall survival will require better immunosuppressive strategies.
The Rationale for Revising the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute Vancomycin Minimal Inhibitory Concentration Interpretive Criteria for Staphylococcus aureus

The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (formerly, the NCCLS) established the susceptibility and resistance breakpoints for minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disk diffusion testing of vancomycin against isolates of Staphylococcus aureus > 20 years ago. The disk diffusion breakpoints were modified in 1998 when it was recognized that vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus strains were not detected by this method. In 2006, the vancomycin MIC breakpoints for S. aureus were lowered (from or = 32 microg/mL to > or = 16 microg/mL for "resistant") to increase detection of heterogeneously resistant isolates of S. aureus. This decision reflected a growing amount of microbiological and clinical data indicating that isolates of S. aureus are less likely to respond to vancomycin therapy when the vancomycin MICs are > or = 4 microg/mL.
Immersive audio-augmented environments: the LISTEN project

The author reports on the LISTEN project, a research project funded by the European Commission in the context of the Information Society Technology (IST) program. LISTEN, which started in January 2001, will provide users with intuitive access to personalized and situated audio information spaces while they naturally explore everyday environments. A new form of multisensory content is proposed to enhance the sensual impact of a broad spectrum of applications ranging from art installations to entertainment events. This is achieved by augmenting the physical environment through a dynamic soundscape, which users experience over motion-tracked wireless headphones. Immersive audio-augmented environments are created by combining high-definition spatial audio rendering technology with advanced user modeling methods. These allow for adapting the content to the users' individual spatial behavior. The project will produce several prototypes and a virtual reality based authoring tool. Technological innovations will be validated under laboratory conditions, whilst the prototypes will be evaluated in public exhibitions.
Partner report of paternal depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-Partner

Similar to maternal depression, paternal depression may have adverse effects on the family environment (e.g., partner mental health, child behavior). Detection of paternal depression is rare because the maternal–child health care system usually only screens for maternal depression. The scarcity of paternal depression screening and detection is due to fathers not usually being involved in the maternal–child health care system and, therefore, unavailable for depression screening. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric characteristics of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale-Partner Version (EPDS-P) in detecting paternal depression through maternal report. The EPDS-P, rated by the mother, was found to be a reliable and valid measure of paternal depression when compared to other well-validated measures of depression. The EPDS-P has clinical utility in the maternal–child health care system by making it possible to screen for paternal depression without the father being present. Proxy screening for paternal depression can be beneficial for early detection and treatment of paternal depression both in the perinatal period and through a child’s early life. Detection and treatment of paternal depression reduces the risk of long-term depression in fathers.
Piezoelectric and mechanical properties in bovine cornea.

The piezoelectric coefficient (d(31)) and Young's modulus (E) were investigated as a function of degree of hydration for bovine cornea. The piezoelectric and mechanical responses observed were anisotropic, and d(31) decreased, whereas E increased with decreasing the degree of hydration. The anisotropic mechanical and electromechanical properties observed seem to be caused by oriented crystalline collagen fibrils. In addition, the loss of water molecules appears to decrease crystallinity (of the collagen) in the cornea. With dehydration of the cornea, a reduction in crystallinity and changes in hydrogen bonding were observed by wide-angle X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared measurements. The decrease of piezoelectricity in cornea during dehydration is most likely caused by the increase in modulus and the loss of order to a nonpiezoelectric phase in the collagen.
Estimation of vocal tract steadiness in speakers of Mandarin-accented English

Vocal tract steadiness reflected by measurement of fluctuation of the second formant frequency is reported for vowel production of Mandarin-accented English (MAE). Fluctuations of the second formant frequency for the 11 English vowels (/i i e e ae Λ u u o Ɔ a/) were examined in the syllable-level productions of 40 Mandarin speakers compared to 40 American English (AE) speakers. Results of the comparative analysis indicate that the pattern of vocal tract steadiness of MAE speakers is generally different in comparison to AE speakers. The discrepancy of vocal tract steadiness between MAE and AE speakers are interpreted as the probable outcome of brain reorganization in adult L2 learning. In addition, discussions of likely gender dimorphism in brain reorganization in L2 learning are provided in view of the opposite patterns of vocal tract steadiness demonstrated by MAE females and males, in comparison to their AE counterparts.
AI applications in distributed system design issues

The design of distributed systems using object-oriented techniques that support local area networking and distributed processing is proposed. The focus is on how these artificial intelligence techniques can enhance the design of the front-end subsystem of each host in a distributed environment. The functions of the front-end subsystem addressed are user interface management, interconnection in the case of heterogeneous systems, and security. It is contended that AI techniques will circumvent the problems that have beset traditional approaches. >
Positron annihilation in rare-earth metals☆

Abstract The electronic structure of three rare-earth metals has been studied by measuring the angular correlations of the photons emitted when positrons annihilate with the electrons in the metal. From the results it is deduced that gadolinium and cerium at room temperature each has approximately three conduction electrons per atom, while ytterbium has approximately two as expected from the localized f -electron model. Qualitative information is obtained about the distortion of the Fermi surfaces of these three metals and it is concluded that the polarization of the conduction electrons in the magnetically ordered state of gadolinium is small. Annihilations with ion core electrons comprise a significant proportion of the total in each metal, the number relative to the conduction electron annihilations decreasing with increasing atomic number.
Accelerative Strategies: How Effective are they for the Gifted?

Accelerative strategies offer gifted students the opportunity to participate in educational programs suited to their particular needs and interests. Yet, fear of possible negative effects of acceleration prevents many educators from advocating these options. The Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth (SMPY) has evaluated the long-term effects of a variety of accelerative options for a group of highly gifted students. Academic achievements, extracurricular activities, goals and aspirations, and social and emotional adjustment were considered, and no discernible negative effects of various accelerative strategies were found.
Plasma Aldosterone Is Related to Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Subjects With Resistant Hypertension

Abstract Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and primary aldosteronism are common in subjects with resistant hypertension; it is unknown, however, if the two disorders are causally related. This study relates plasma aldosterone and renin levels to OSA severity in subjects with resistant hypertension, and in those with equally severe OSA but without resistant hypertension serving as control subjects. Methods: Seventy-one consecutive subjects referred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) for resistant hypertension (BP uncontrolled on three medications) and 29 control subjects referred to UAB Sleep Disorders Center for suspected OSA were prospectively evaluated by an early morning plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and renin level, and by overnight, attended polysomnography. Results: OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 5/h) was present in 85% of subjects with resistant hypertension. In these subjects, PAC correlated with AHI (ρ = 0.44, p = 0.0002) but not renin concentration. Median PAC was significantly lower in control subjects compared to subjects with resistant hypertension (5.5 ng/dL vs 11.0 ng/dL, p Conclusion: OSA is extremely common in subjects with resistant hypertension. A significant correlation between PAC and OSA severity is observed in subjects with resistant hypertension but not in control subjects. While cause and effect cannot be inferred, the data suggest that aldosterone excess may contribute to OSA severity.