cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prolonged Recovery from Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Due to Disseminated Cytomegalovirus Infection

Partial atrioventricular septal defect is usually followed by an uncomplicated postoperative course. We present an infant with unexplained persistent respiratory failure following partial a trioventricular septal defect repair. Extensive evaluation including bronchoalveolar lavage subsequently led to the diagnosis of disseminated cytomegalovirus. This is the first reported case to our knowledge of disseminated cytomegalovirus following surgical repair of congenital heart disease excluding orthotopic heart transplant.
Outcomes of thyroidectomy from a large California state database.

Abstract Background Thyroidectomy is an operation with infrequent but potentially significant complications. This study aimed to determine risk factors for complication after thyroidectomy in California. Methods The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database was retrospectively analyzed from 1995 to 2010. Main outcome measures were complications including death. Logistic regression identified risk factors for complications. Results There were 106,773 patients; 61% were women and 44% Caucasian; 16,287 (15%) thyroidectomies were performed at high-volume centers. Complication rates included voice change (.5%), vocal cord dysfunction (1.1%), hypocalcemia (4.5%), tracheostomy (1.62%), hematoma (1.75%), and death (.3%). There was significantly increased risk of complications for patients older than 65 compared with those younger than 40 years (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 2.3; P P = .026). Conclusions Older age was a significant risk factor for complication after thyroidectomy. High-volume hospitals had lower risk. This information is useful in counseling patients about the risks of thyroid surgery.
The Genetics of Pediatric Obesity

Obesity among children and adults has notably escalated over recent decades and represents a global major health problem. We now know that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its complex etiology. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed compelling genetic signals influencing obesity risk in adults. Recent reports for childhood obesity revealed that many adult loci also play a role in the pediatric setting. Childhood GWAS have uncovered novel loci below the detection range in adult studies, suggesting that obesity genes may be more easily uncovered in the pediatric setting. Shedding light on the genetic architecture of childhood obesity will facilitate the prevention and treatment of pediatric cases, and will have fundamental implications for diseases that present later in life.
Control of fluid flows by micro transducers

Emerging micromachining technology enables us to fabricate micron size mechanical parts which provide us with sensors and actuators with very small time constants and fine spatial resolution. Furthermore, these miniature transducers can be integrated with microelectronics to form a system which will be able to carry out sensing, information processing and actuation. This type of system enables us to perform real-time control of time varying events which are common in fluid dynamics. For example, the flow structures responsible for viscous shear stress increase in wall-bounded shear flow are very small in size, typically several hundred microns in width and several mm in length. Their life time is short, in the millisecond range or less. Great difficulties arise by the fact that they are randomly distributed in time and space. In the past, direct manipulation of these structures was very difficult because the traditional transducers are typically one order of magnitude larger than the structures. The miniature size of the micro transducers and the real-time information process capability of the micro system make this task possible, though still very challenging.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Fluroral and Uranine in Milk

Summary To render antibiotic-containing milk easily recognizable, it has been suggested that a dye marker be added to veterinary antibiotic preparations which are to be infused into the udder. Ideally, the dye would be eliminated from the udder at the same rate as the antibiotic, and the milk should be discarded as long as a trace of dye was detected. A mixture of two fluorescein dyes, (Fluroral and Uranine), has shown promise for this purpose. To properly evaluate such a procedure, quantitative methods for measuring the marker content of milk were needed. Therefore, simple and rapid spectrophotometric methods have been devised for the quantitative determination of fat-soluble fluorescein (fluroral) and water-soluble fluorescein (uranine) in milk. Reproducibility values ranged from 92 to 100%, and recovery values from 94 to 103%.
Wheat Flour Protein Concentrate Characterization by Biochemical, Physicochemical and Baking Tests

Protein concentrates before and after defatting from hard and soft wheat flours by water and 1% NaCl solution were characterized by lipid, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) sedimentation, solubility, and breadmaking. Sedimentation values were higher for hard wheat flours than for soft, and in both about three times higher than in separated glutens. Solubility of proteins in SDS was reduced from ∼23 to 31% in flours to ∼3 to 19% in gluten concentrates. Defatting did not affect electrophoretic patterns but indicated lowered protein extractability. Gliadins and HMW glutenins were lower in extracts of separated glutens than in the extracts of doughs. Protein concentrates from fractionation with 1% salt solution, differed widely from those separated with water. This especially affected water absorption, dough development, and baking performance.
Properties of the protein subunit of central-pair and outer-doublet microtubules of sea urchin flagella.

The subunit protein has been isolated from the central-pair and outer-doublet microtubules of sea urchin sperm tails. Both proteins have a sedimentation constant of 6S and a molecular weight of 120,000. Both are converted to a 60,000 molecular weight species by denaturation in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride and reduction with mercaptoethanol. The reduced-alkylated proteins have the same Rf on disc electrophoresis, and the same amino acid composition, which is very similar to that of muscle actin. The central-pair protein has one binding site for colchicine per 120,000 g. Both proteins appear to have a guanine nucleotide binding site, but the ability to bind GTP in solution has been demonstrated only for the central-pair protein. Although 1 mole of guanine nucleotide is bound per 60,000 g to outer-doublet tubules, the protein obtained by dissolving the doublets at pH 10.5 has lost the guanine nucleotide-binding site and also shows little or no colchicine-binding activity. Comparison of the properties of the isolated protein with electron microscopic evidence on structure of microtubules suggests that the chemical subunit (M = 120,000) consists of two of the 40 A morphological subunits.
Factors Influencing Implementation of Mandated Policy Change: Proposition 227 in Seven Northern California School Districts

Abstract Proposition 227 limits instructional use of students' primary languages but allows bilingual programs if adequate numbers of parents request an alternative to English-only instruction. Researchers interviewed district and school personnel at seven sites to determine influences on policy responses to Proposition 227 and observed the impact of these policies on classroom practice. The history of support for bilingual programs, disposition of district staff toward primary language instruction, and community attitude and involvement, influenced district policy. Researchers concluded that district decisions largely determined school policy; policy responses varied to a surprising extent; change occurred at all sites and was most evident in the classroom; and Proposition 227 policy contributed to the existing inconsistency in programs for English learners.
Conditions and techniques for thin layer chromatography of aflatoxins

Satisfactory resolution of the four common aflatoxins, B1, B2, G1 and G2, on thin layer chromatograms has been a recurring problem. The most frequently observed cause of poor resolution and tailing of spots in the chromatograms was the variable properties of the commercial silica gel-calcium sulfate adsorbent preparations. Variations in quality were observed even from one container to the next within single lots produced by individual manufacturers. Other variables which affected the chromatography to some degree included adsorbent particle size, concentration and nature of the calcium sulfate binder, silica gel layer thickness and moisture content, vapor phase composition in the developing chamber and the solvent used for development.
Using versioned trees, change detection and node identity for three-way XML merging

XML has become the standard document representation for many popular tools in various domains. When multiple authors collaborate to produce a document, they must be able to work in parallel and periodically merge their efforts into a single work. While there exist a small number of three-way XML merging tools, their performance could be improved in several areas. We present a three-way XML merge algorithm that is faster, uses less memory and is more precise than previous algorithms. It uses a specialized versioning tree data structure that supports node identity and change detection. The algorithm applies the traditional three-way merge found in GNU diff3 to the children of changed nodes. The editing operations it supports are addition, deletion, update, and move. The algorithm is evaluated by comparing its performance to that of the previous algorithms, using synthetically generated XML documents of a range of sizes and modified by varying numbers of random editing operations. The prototype merge tool used in these tests also includes a simple graphical interface for visualizing and resolving conflicts.
The chemical effects of neutron capture in cis- and trans-dichlorobis(ethylenediamine)-chromium(III) nitrate

Abstract The chemical effects of the 50Cr(n, γ)51Cr reaction in polycrystalline cis- and trans-[Cr(en)2-Cl2]NO3 have been studied, together with the isothermal annealing of the 51Cr(27·8 days) recoil species. After irradiation of a given isomer, 1–2 per cent of the total 51Cr radioactivity was retained in the parent isomer, increasing to 7–13 per cent on annealing for 5 days at 110°C;
Non-coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-induced immunotoxicity is coincident with alterations in the serotonergic system.

Attention to non-coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in immunotoxicological research is increasing. However, the exact mechanism by which these congeners may induce immune dysfunction is still undefined. Because the serotonergic nervous system has been shown to be involved in the regulation of some immune responses, and also serves as a sensitive target for PCBs, the relationship (if any) between non-coplanar PCB exposure, immune responsiveness and the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) was examined. Using bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) as a model, changes in brain 5-HT levels, 5-HT synthesis and metabolism, and innate and cell-mediated immune parameters were evaluated following a single intraperitoneal injection of PCB 153 (5.0 or 50 μg/g body weight). Results revealed that 3 d following administration, PCB exposure decreased brain 5-HT levels (in the absence of effects on some enzymes involved in 5-HT synthesis and metabolism), increased oxyradical production by kidney phagocytes, a...
Separation of ions in acidic solution by capillary electrophoresis

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is an effective method for separating ionic species according to differences in their electrophoretic mobilities. CE separations of amino acids by direct detection are difficult due to their similar electrophoretic mobilities and low absorbances. However, native amino acids can be separated by CE as cations at a low pH by adding an alkanesulfonic acid to the electrolyte carrier which imparts selectivity to the system. Derivatization is unnecessary when direct UV detection is used at 185 nm. Simultaneous speciation of metal cations such as vanadium (IV) and vanadium (V) can easily be performed without complexation prior to analysis. An indirect UV detection scheme for acidic conditions was also developed using guanidine as the background carrier electrolyte (BCE) for the indirect detection of metal cations. Three chapters have been removed for separate processing. This report contains introductory material, references, and general conclusions. 80 refs.
Length of Time After Death: Effect on Attraction and Oviposition or Larviposition of Midsummer Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and Flesh Flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of Medicolegal Importance in Missouri

A midsummer field study, conducted over two seasons, involved replicate samples of chickens killed at the same time. Hens were exposed to insect activity during the periods 0–24, 24–48, 48–72 and 72–96 h after death, being protected in the meantime by fine-mesh screening. In total, 10,551 adult flies were trapped over the hens and comprised mainly Sarcophaga spp. (Sarcophagidae) and greenbottle blow flies (Calliphoridae). Time after death affected the assemblage of species attracted, with Phaenicia coeruleiviridis (Macquart) a consistent early arriver and Cochliomyia macellaria (F.) delayed by ≈1 d. Sarcophaga spp. arrived early at such carrion, and Phormia regina (Meigen) and Phaenicia sericata (Meigen) were recovered from trap catches and reared from samples of immatures collected from hens at all time periods after death.
Intracellular localization and properties of glycerokinase and glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in Neurospora crassa

Abstract Glycerokinase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activities have been examined in cell extracts obtained from Neurospora crassa after growth in media containing glycerol. The glycerokinase is located in the cytosol and has been partially purified by ion exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. The molecular weight of the enzyme has been estimated by sucrose density centrifugation to be approximately 120,000. No effect of either fructose-1,6-bisphosphate or other sugar phosphates on enzyme activity was observed. The G3P dehydrogenase activity in cell extracts is apparently catalyzed by a flavin-linked enzyme as no dependence for either NAD+ or NADP+ could be demonstrated. The enzyme is located primarily in the mitochondria and is not removed from mitochondrial membranes by treatment with digitonin. Separation of digitonin-treated mitochondria on discontinuous sucrose gradients indicated that the enzyme is located on the mitochondrial inner membrane. The synthesis of both enzymes is under some form of catabolite repression since increased specific activities could only be observed in cells grown on acetate, but not glucose, sucrose, or xylose.
Quantum bits: Better than excellent

Nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond are very promising candidates for quantum information processing in the solid state. However, a search to find defects with even more potential has now been launched.
764-6 Effect of a New Phase Shift Echo Contrast Agent on Myocardial Blood Flow and Hemodynamics

We have demonstrated the accuracy of myocardial area at risk and infarct size determinations with an emulsion of dodecafluoropentane (EchoGen = EG) which is liquid at room temperature and a gas at body temperature (AHA meeting). To determine the effect of EG on myocardial blood flow (MBF), 10 fully anesthetized dogs received 4 (30 min apart) or 8 (10 min apart) peripheral intravenous injections of EG 0.5 ml/kg. HR, BP, T, PAP, PCWP, and CO were monitored. MBF was assessed with radiolabeled microspheres. Echo images were recorded with TEE. MBF (ml/min/g, ± SEM) was determined in four slices of the left ventricle (LV). Serial assessments of LV wall motion were performed. MBF base MBF final Anterior wall 1.4 ± 0.05 1.2 ± 0.2 Septal wall 1.2 ± 02 1.2 ± 0.2 Lateral wall 1.5 ± 0.1 1.2 ± 0.2 Posterior wall 1.5 ± 0.2 1.2 ± 0.2 PCWP, CO, and MBF were unchanged following 4 doses of EG. Systemic hypotension was seen, similar to that observed during administration of other perfluorochemicals in dogs. Pulmonary hypertension and deterioration in LV function were seen with 8 doses at 10 min intervals (cumulative dose: 4.0 ml/kg). Conclusion Administration of EG at frequent intervals can lead to a significant increase in PAP and myocardial dysfunction. However, EG does not produce significant alteration of MBF or PAP when administered at 30 min intervals at dosages that permit determination of myocardial area at risk and infarct size in our canine preparation.
Plasma F2-isoprostane levels are elevated in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Aims: Cardiovascular mortality has been reported to be 10- to 20-fold higher in chronic dialysis patients than in the age-matched general population. It has been suggested that increased oxidant stress and resulting vascular wall injury due to uremia and the hemodialysis procedure may be one of the mechanisms predisposing to these cardiovascular complications. Further, hemodialysis membrane bioincompatibility can contribute to increased oxidative stress and prevalence of inflammation. Materials: We studied 18 chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients (age 62.8 ± 14.7 years, 39% male, 61% African-American, 44% insulin-dependent diabetic, 61% smokers, 61% with documented coronary artery disease) during hemodialysis with 2 membranes with different flux and complement activating properties. Methods: We have measured free and phospholipid-bound F 2 -isoprostane (F 2 -IsoP) levels, a sensitive marker of oxidative stress, in CHD patients and compared them to levels in healthy subjects. We have also examined the acute effects of the hemodialysis procedure using both biocompatible and bioincompatible membranes on F 2 -IsoP levels. Results: The results indicated that, compared to controls, both free (96.2 ± 48.8 pg/ml versus 37.6 ± 17.2 pg/ml) and bound F 2 -IsoP (220.4 ± 154.8 pg/ml versus 146.8 ± 58.4 pg/ml) levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05 for both). There was a statistically significant decrease in free F 2 -IsoP concentrations at 15 and 30 minutes of HD, which rebounded to baseline levels at the completion of the procedure. There were no significant differences in F 2 -IsoP concentrations between the 2 study dialyzers at any time point. Age, smoking status, diabetes mellitus and presence of cardiovascular disease were also not correlated with F 2 -IsoP levels in this patient population. There was a significant association between predialysis F 2 -IsoP and C-reactive protein concentrations. Conclusion: Using a sensitive and specific assay for the measurement of F 2 -IsoP, we demonstrated that CHD patients are under increased oxidative stress. During a single hemodialysis treatment, the hemodialysis membrane appears to have no discernable effect on oxidative stress status. Measurement of F 2 -isoprostanes may be a useful biomarker of oxidative stress status as well as in developing new therapeutic strategies to ameliorate inflammatory and oxidative injury in this patient population.
Antibody-Based Therapies in Multiple Myeloma

The unmet need for improved multiple myeloma (MM) therapy has stimulated clinical development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting either MM cells or cells of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. In contrast to small-molecule inhibitors, therapeutic mAbs present the potential to specifically target tumor cells and directly induce an immune response to lyse tumor cells. Unique immune-effector mechanisms are only triggered by therapeutic mAbs but not by small molecule targeting agents. Although therapeutic murine mAbs or chimeric mAbs can cause immunogenicity, the advancement of genetic recombination for humanizing rodent mAbs has allowed large-scale production and designation of mAbs with better affinities, efficient selection, decreasing immunogenicity, and improved effector functions. These advancements of antibody engineering technologies have largely overcome the critical obstacle of antibody immunogenicity and enabled the development and subsequent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of therapeutic Abs for cancer and other diseases.
Abstract 3271: The association between germline genetic variants in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and breast cancer disease free survival

Background: PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway activation in breast tumors is associated with poorer breast cancer disease-free survival and decreased responsiveness to tamoxifen and trastuzumab. However, the role of germline variation in this pathway and breast cancer outcomes has not been previously evaluated. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes affecting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway may act as genetic modifiers of breast cancer specific outcomes in patients diagnosed with early stage disease. Methods: We genotyped 106 SNPs in 13 genes (ADIPOQ, IGF1, INS, IRS1, LEP, LEPR, LEPROT, PIK3CA, PIK3R5, PTEN, TSC1, TSC2, and AKT1) in the P13K-AKT-mTOR pathway in a sample of 1020 women with stages I-II breast cancer treated at the MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1985 and 1999 and for whom long term follow-up on recurrence and death were available. The relationship between SNPs and breast cancer disease free survival (DFS) was assessed using Cox regression analysis. After correcting for false discovery rate (0.10) SNPs significantly associated with DFS in any genetic model (additive, dominant or recessive) were included in multivariable analysis. Results: After adjusting for race, age at diagnosis, tumor stage and treatment, rs1063539 in ADIPOQ (Hazard ratio [HR] 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19 - 0.86), rs11585329 in LEPROT (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53 - 0.98), and rs2519757 in TSC1 (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.09 - 0.91) were associated with improved DFS and rs1520220 in IGF1 (HR 1.56, 95% CI 1.21 - 2.00) and rs2677760 in PIK3CA (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.70 - 1.92) were associated with worse DFS. The associations were not modified by type of systemic treatment received. The SNPs were not associated with tumor characteristics such as tumor size, lymph node status, nuclear grade, or hormone receptor status. Conclusion: In this study, germline allelic variation inthe PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway appears to modify breast cancer patient outcomes. Future studies are needed to replicate our results and to evaluate the relationship between these polymorphisms and activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway in breast tumors. Citation Format: Mala Pande, Melissa Bondy, Kim-Anh Do, Aysegul A. Sahin, Jun Ying, Gordon B. Mills, Patricia Thompson, Abenaa Brewster. The association between germline genetic variants in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and breast cancer disease free survival. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3271. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3271
Sensitivity of indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblotting for the detection of intercellular antibodies in endemic pemphigus foliaceus (fogo selvagem).

Background Two assays are available to detect anti-skin antibodies in patients with fogo selvagem (FS): indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and immunoblotting (IB). This study was conducted to compare the sensitivity of these assays in detecting FS antibodies. Design Eighty-nine serum samples of 48 patients with FS and control serum from 15 normal individuals were tested concurrently for the presence of FS antibodies by IIF and IB. IIF studies were conducted using four different substrates: human skin, monkey and guinea pig esophagus, and bovine tongue. Results FS antibodies were detected much more commonly by IIF than by IB, i.e. in 71% vs. 28% of serum samples respectively. By IIF, the antibodies reacted most strongly against human skin. Conclusions IIF is a more sensitive assay than IB for detecting antibodies associated with FS. The sensitivity of the test is maximized by using human skin as a substrate.
Pituitary origin of persistently elevated human chorionic gonadotropin in a patient with gonadal failure

Objective To report a case of persistently elevated low levels of hCG to increase awareness of pituitary origin of persistently elevated hCG in patients with gonadal failure. Design Case report and literature review. Setting Large university-affiliated infertility practice. Patient(s) A 16-year-old patient with primary amenorrhea, normal secondary sex characteristics, ovarian failure, and a 46,XY karyotype. Her past medical history was significant for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, leading to a diagnosis of Frasier syndrome. Intervention(s) At age 31 years, she desired pregnancy by oocyte donation and was found to have persistently elevated low levels of hCG (>35 mIU/mL). Main Outcome Measure(s) Pituitary hCG. Result(s) Both serum free β-hCG and hyperglycosylated hCG were undetectable. Total serum hCG diluted appropriately was not blocked by blocking agent and was detected in the urine. Subsequent treatment with exogenous E2, in preparation of a donor oocyte cycle, suppressed her hCG levels (down to 8 mIU/mL). These results indicated a pituitary source of the serum hCG. Conclusion(s) This report reinforces the need to consider pituitary hCG as the origin of persistently elevated hCG levels in patients with gonadal failure. Although levels of hCG
Current strategies in the search for novel antiparasitic agents

The market for antiparasitic products comprises the largest segment for sales of livestock and companion-animal healthcare agents. Despite the availability of highly effective, broad-spectrum agents, there remains a need for safer, more convenient and more environmentally friendly products that will overcome the ever-present threat of resistance development. The very high cost of discovering and developing a new drug, especially for use in livestock, is reflected in the limited number of new classes of antiparasitic agent launched on the market. New strategies are being adopted to minimise the cost of discovering potential drug candidates by maximising the chance of identifying a useful target mechanism of action and by speeding the time to discover and optimise a lead structure. These rely heavily on new technologies in target identification, screen development and lead optimisation. Examples of these will be discussed and speculation made about the possible factors that could influence the future shape of antiparasitic control.
Reliable management of dual-boot labs using radmind

In a dual-boot (Mac OS/Windows) lab environment, management of system and application software for the non-preferred operating system (OS) can be a real pain. Our Mac OS was maintained nightly, but our Windows system often went unbooted for weeks at a time. The goal was to make both OSes easily maintainable, providing a consistent user experience from machine to machine.Utilizing an NTFS driver to allow read/write access to the Windows partition, I've developed a strategy for pushing out changes to the Windows environment via Mac OS Radmind tools. Additional machine-specific changes are applied to Windows upon first boot.This paper will illustrate the generalities of how we are now managing our dual-boot computers at Reed College, as well as identify some specific challenges we are currently facing.
Living with tableau machine: a longitudinal investigation of a curious domestic intelligence

We present a longitudinal investigation of Tableau Machine, an intelligent entity that interprets and reflects the lives of occupants in the home. We created Tableau Machine (TM) to explore the parts of home life that are unrelated to accomplishing tasks. Task support for "smart homes" has inspired many researchers in the community. We consider design for experience, an orthogonal dimension to task-centric home life. TM produces abstract visualizations on a large LCD every few minutes, driven by a set of four overhead cameras that capture a sense of the social life of a domestic space. The openness and ambiguity of TM allow for a cycle of co-interpretation with householders. We report on three longitudinal deployments of TM for a period of six weeks. Participant families engaged with TM at the outset to understand how their behaviors were influencing the machine, and, while TM remained puzzling, householders interacted richly with TM and its images. We extract some key design implications for an experience-focused smart home.
Evaluation of Bridge Abutment Capacity and Stiffness during Earthquakes

Abstract The “actual” capacity and stiffness values of the abutment‐soil systems at the US 101/Painter Street Overpass, determined from its earthquake motions, are used to investigate how abutment stiffness varies during earthquakes and to evaluate current modeling procedures. It is found that the “actual” abutment stiffness may be significantly different during different phases of the shaking and decreases significantly as the abutment deformation increases. The CALTRANS modeling procedure leads to a good estimate of the transverse abutment stiffness and capacity. However, this procedure may overestimate the normal abutment stiffness and capacity by a factor of over two, indicating that the assumed value of 7.7 ksf for the ultimate passive resistance of the soil, used in the CALTRANS procedure, may be too high. The AASHTO‐83 and ATC‐6 procedures lead to an initial estimate of the abutment stiffness that is too high in both directions.
Developing global competence in graduate engineering and science students through an IGERT international internship program

In this increasingly interconnected world, global competence is gaining increasing attention in higher education across many disciplines and in many countries. Graduates are increasingly expected to be able to work with collaborators and customers from different cultures. In this paper, we describe the experiences of fellows in one IGERT program who have each completed an international internship designed to address some of these issues. As part of program requirements for the EIGER IGERT at Virginia Tech, funded doctoral students in participating disciplines complete an international internship. These internships lasted for a varied period of time and in countries across Europe and Asia. Most were completed in academic or government laboratories, and most commonly students relied on their advisors' contacts to find placements. Based on thematic analysis of interviews with seven recent participants in this program, we present evidence of learning outcomes achieved and evidence-based recommendations for similar programs.
Resistance associated with FET gate metallization

The resistance of the metallization of a FET gate stripe has the effect of placing a non-linear resistance R(I) in series with the gate junction. A simple means of calculating R(I) is developed, and a curve of the drop across R(1) at milliampere forward biases is given.
Super-Resolution Study of the Dynamics and Spatial Distribution of Ribosomes in Live E. Coli Cells

Little is known about the spatial organization and dynamics of the translational machinery in bacteria. We have examined the distribution and diffusion of ribosomes in live E. coli cells by localizing and tracking single ribosomes labeled by an S2-eYFP construct expressed from the chromosome. Fast reversible photobleaching of eYFP was used to image single ribosome molecules and obtain the time-averaged spatial distribution of ribosomes with ∼30-nm resolution. In medium growth conditions (doubling time 62 minutes) the ribosomes are highly segregated from the nucleoid. In DNA rich regions the concentrations of ribosomes is less than 20% of that in the ribosome-rich regions in the end caps and space between the two nucleoid lobes. This is in reasonable agreement with a Monte Carlo model using realistic parameters for the number of ribosomes and the amount of plectonemic DNA. We have studied dynamics of single ribosomes by using time lapse imaging. The mean diffusion constant is Dribo = 0.04 μm2/s. Halting of transcription with Rifampicin resulted in about 10 fold increase in the diffusion constant and a homogeneous distribution of labels throughout the cytoplasm. The drastic change in dynamics can be explained in part by conversion of polysomes to monomeric ribosomes and 30S subunits in the absence of new mRNA synthesis. Expansion of the nucleoid after rifampicin treatment might be responsible for eliminating ribosome/DNA segregation and may further enhance diffusion. Halting of translation by Chloramphenicol treatment increased the ribosome-DNA segregation as the DNA compacted. The diffusion constant remained the same. Studies of the spatial distribution of different size fluorescent proteins in the presence and absence of drugs suggest that the degree of segregation from DNA is largely size dependent.
Interpretation of anomalous layers at GaAs n + -n - step junctions

Anomalous interfacial layers at GaAs n+−n− step junctions have been widely interpreted from capacitance-voltage (CV) measurements as 2–4 micro thick high resistivity regions with a net donor impurity density on ND −NA ∼1013 −1014 cm−3. We present evidence that these impurity layers are in fact ≈ 0.2−2 microns thick with a net acceptor density ranging from 1014−1016 cm−3. The carrier density due to these layers is strongly voltage dependent and accounts for the anomalous CV characteristics observed.
Design of a sliding mode algebraic speed and rotor position observer for the PMSM drive

The paper presents a method to estimate the speed and the rotor position of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive. The development is done using sliding mode theory. The method proposed is based on the model of the PMSM in the stationary reference frame and uses two sliding mode (SM) observers to estimate the variables of interest: the states, the rotor position and the motor speed. A distinct advantage of the proposed approach is that speed is obtained algebraically - some previous speed estimation methods described in the state of the art use adaptation theory; however, this is usually not reliable. In the development, the motor voltages and currents are measured. A first SM observer estimates the EMFs of the PMSM model. Then, these are fed into a second SM observer which estimates the derivatives of the EMFs. The equivalent controls of the two observers are used to compute the speed. The paper discusses some of the approaches available to estimate the speed with known EMFs. The theoretical developments are supported with simulations.
Bioactive and Therapeutic ROMP Polymers

This review summarizes the developments in the area of ROMP‐based polymer carriers as well as side‐chain and main‐chain polymer therapeutics during the period of 1993–2007. The promising emergence of ROMP‐derived amphiphilic block copolymers containing therapeutic agents, their assembly into polymer nanoparticles, together with their modification for the targeting group attachment is outlined. Recent application of ROMP‐based side‐chain polymer therapeutics as multivalent scaffolds and the synthesis of DIVEMA‐type main‐chain polymers from ROMP‐active monomers are also discussed. Finally, an outlook on the opportunities and the future directions in the use of ROMP towards the development of the next generation of polymer therapeutics is provided.
Aiding and opposing mixed convection in a vertical porous layer with a finite wall heat source

Two-dimensional, steady mixed convection in a vertical porous layer has been numerically studied for the case when a finite isothermal heat source is located on one vertical wall which is otherwise adiabatic and the other vertical wall is isothermally cooled. In the case of aiding mixed convection flow, the main flow separates from the cold wall and a recirculatory secondary flow exists in a region away from the heat source. However, when the main flow opposes buoyancy, the separation takes place on the heated wall, and the secondary flow is produced on the heated segment. Although the heat transfer rate increases with the aiding velocity, the effect is small at lower Peclet numbers (Pe). For the aiding flow, the slope of the Nusselt number curve increases with Peclet number unless the flow has approached the forced convection regime. For opposing flow, the heat transfer rate first decreases with an increase in Pe beyond zero and reaches a minimum before it starts increasing again. Under certain circumstances, the Nusselt number for a lower Rayleigh number may exceed that for a higher Ra.
Exciton transitions in crystalline anthracene with κ perpendicular to the (010) plane

Abstract The energy and intensity of exciton transitions with κ parallel to the (010) direction have been calculated using boson theory and intermolecular interactions obatained by rescaling the lattice sums of Silbey, Jortner and Rice. Comparison with the reflection experiments of Koch and Otto shows substantially better agreement than given by dipole theory.
Impact of high speed rail on housing values: an observation from the Beijing–Shanghai line☆

This study investigates the ex post impact of the Beijing–Shanghai high speed rail (BJHSR) on housing values. A dataset including 1016 housing communities from the 22 cities along the BJHSR line are analyzed in the tradition of the hedonic pricing model using three estimation procedures: a robust ordinary-least square regression, a Box-Cox transformation technique and a spatial econometric model. After controlling for physical characteristics of housing property, neighboring environment and locational accessibility, the study finds that the establishment of the BJHSR service has a considerable regional impact (including local effects and spillover effects) on housing values in medium and small cities but a negligible impact in larger capital cities. This may be the results of the competitive nature of housing market in Chinese capital cities.
Pain coping and the pain experience during mammography: a preliminary study.

This study examined how pain coping efficacy and pain coping strategies were related to reports of pain during mammography. Subjects were 125 women over the age of 50 undergoing screening mammograms. Prior to their mammogram, all subjects completed the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) to assess how they cope with day-to-day pain experiences. Ratings of pain during the mammogram were collected using a 6-point pain/discomfort scale, a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale, the adjective checklist of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the Brief Pain Inventory. Up to 93% of the women reported the mammogram examination was painful. On average, women rated the mammography pain in the low to moderate range. Considerable variability in pain ratings was found, however, with some women reporting severe pain and others reporting little or no pain. Correlational analyses were conducted to examine how coping efficacy (CSQ ratings of ability to decrease pain and ability to control pain) and coping strategies (CSQ pain coping strategy subscales) related to variations in pain report. There was a pattern for ratings of ability to decrease pain to be related to lower ratings of current mammography pain. Women who rated their ability to decrease pain as high reported lower average levels of mammography pain, lower ratings on the mammography pain/discomfort scale, and were much more likely to report having had lower levels of pain during their last mammogram. These findings suggest that women who rate their coping efficacy in decreasing day-to-day pain as low may be at higher risk for having a painful mammogram. Individual pain coping strategies were not generally correlated with pain ratings. Behavioral interventions (e.g., patient controlled breast compression) and cognitive therapy interventions (e.g., training in the use of calming self-statements or distraction techniques) designed to increase coping efficacy potentially could be useful in reducing pain in women who are at risk for pain during mammography.
Over the Rainbow: Advancing Child Health in the New Millennium

Research studies presented at the annual Pediatric Academic Societies meeting provide continued evidence of the impact of the environment on child health, the prevalence of mental health problems in children and adolescents, and the benefits of comprehensive health care coverage. Other studies report on the efficacy of new formats for delivering pediatric health care and the content of health supervision visits, and identify potential solutions for existing deficits and disparities in health care delivery. Despite this abundance of positive studies, the United States continues to lag behind many developed countries in its broader adoption of effective strategies such as universal health coverage. Child health care professionals must continue to speak out on behalf of the needs of infants, children, and adolescents and work for systemic change in health care delivery.
Essential oil of Conyza canadensis

Abstract GC/MS of the essential oil from horseweed (Conyza canadensis) was used to identify three matricaria ester isomers, lachnophylum ester, and two rela
Diffusion of the New Video Delivery Technology: Is There Redlining in the Internet Protocol TV Service Market?

This study examines the current status of the entry behavior of Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) into the video programming service market, with a particular focus on income redlining and local competition. Analyzing previously unavailable data on telecommunication companies' introduction of IPTV services into Indiana, this study found that although IPTV's entry into the state increased the local competition between cable and IPTV, this local competition was mostly confined to higher income areas due to the income redlining tendency associated with IPTV's entry. These empirical findings raise the issue of the recent deregulation policy reforming cable franchising rules, whose goal was to promote local competition but which might insufficiently reflect the public interest, especially for low-income households.
941 PREVALENCE OF VITAMIN K DEFICIENCY IN NEWBORN INFANTS: INFLUENCE OF PERINATAL RISK FACTORS

Measurement of noncarboxylated prothrombin (PIVKA-II assay) was used to study 559 infants for vitamin K (vit K) deficiency. This test, performed by immunoelectrophoresis of plasma before and after BaCO3 precipitation, is sensitive to 0.03 u/ml PIVKA-II, has an intra- and inter-test coefficient of variation of 3-5%, and is negative in liver disease. Catagories of infants studied and results are as follows. As part of an ongoing study of 1,000 cord bloods, 534 cords were assayed and 2.6% were PIVKA-II positive (0.03-0.15 u/ml). The PT of the PIVKA-II positive samples ranged from 11.5-23 seconds and correlated inversely with prothrombin activities of 10-55%. SGA infants were at increased risk for K deficiency (14%); however, other groups were not (preterm, post-term, infants with fetal distress, and infants of mothers with hypertension or third trimester infection), Interestingly, of 16 infants born to mothers on chronic anticonvulsant therapy, only one showed PIVKA-II. Eight breast-fed infants who were given neonatal vit K did not develop a deficiency by two months of age. A K deficient infant given 1 mg vit K and then fed entirely by parenteral nutrition without supplemental vit K showed absence of PIVKA-II for five weeks. In summary, 2.6% of all newborns may be vit K deficient at birth. While most K deficient infants were born of normal pregnancies and deliveries, SGA infants were more likely to be PIVKA positive. Vit K is stored in newborns to an appreciable degree.
Challenges facing information technology to support world class manufacturing

Abstract The authors pose three challenges to information technology researchers in order to meet modern manufacturing requirements of higher-quality products at a lower cost, and with shorter delivery times. The first challenge is to specify standard data structures and functional requirements for common manufacturing information applications. The second challenge is for the organizational structures of information technologists to evolve to a design-build team structure. The third is to develop software engineering tools that assess world class metrics of performance such as cost, quality, and cycle time.
202 Contrast-Enhanced MRI for high yield detection of left ventricular thrombus – predictors of improved thrombus detection versus echocardiography

Introduction Identification of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) affects clinical management of at risk patients. Contrastenhanced MRI (CE-MRI) identifies LVT based on tissue characteristics and has been validated as a highly sensitive technique that improves LVT detection vs non-contrast echocardiography. However, prior comparative studies were performed without echo contrast agents, which facilitate LVT detection by improving LV cavity delineation.
Effects of Density on the Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding, Tail-Tail Cyclization, and Mean-Free Tail-to-Tail Distances of Pyrene End-Labeled Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Oligomers Dissolved in Supercritical CO2

We report on the steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence from poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomers that have been end-labeled with pyrene (Py-PDMS-Py) when it is dissolved in supercritical CO2 between a reduced density (ρr = ρexperiment/ρcritical) of 0.7 and 2.3. In a good solvent like liquid toluene, the Py-PDMS-Py excimer formation follows a classic Birks scheme with a homogeneous ground state. In supercritical CO2 there are at least two forms of Py-PDMS-Py (constrained and unconstrained) in the ground state prior to photoexcitation. The constrained species arises from intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the opposing peptide segments within the Py-PDMS-Py terminal region that were introduced during labeling. This ground-state, hydrogen-bonded species precludes normal excimer formation. The unconstrained species leads to classic excimer formation. The constrained/intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded species dominates at lower CO2 densities (86 ± 2% contribution at ρr = 1.40); however, its dominance wanes...
Magnetic field induced enhancements in energy transfer within dimers in SrF2:Er3+

Abstract The energy transfer rate between the two ions in the K dimer of SrF 2 :Er 3+ is measured as a function of magnetic field. A large enhancement is observed in the energy transfer rate because of the field. The previously identified resonant two-phonon-assisted energy transfer mechanism does not predict the large enhancement that was observed because of averaging among all of the processes arising from the magnetically split levels.
Healthy brands: establishing brand credibility, commitment and connection among consumers

Purpose – With a segment of consumers growing more health conscious, food manufacturers are feeding consumers' desire for more healthy products by “reformulating” their products to create healthier versions as well as positioning complete product lines as “healthier alternatives.” The present research aims to examine variables crucial in the brand‐building process for brands that are perceived as “healthy.”Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual model with a theoretical basis in the branding literature is developed and tested on consumers using structural equation modeling.Findings – Results indicate that brand credibility, commitment and connection are essential in developing branding strategies for “healthy brands.” A credible brand minimizes risk and increases consumer confidence. When consumers believe that a brand is credible and repeatedly purchase it, a commitment to the brand can develop. Finally, the brand can imbue such meaning that the consumer uses the brand to help construct and cultivate ...