cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self Assembly Pathways of Surface-Layer Proteins

Surface layer (S-layer) proteins form a highly ordered crystalline, yet porous, layer on the outmost cell surface of most species of bacteria and archae. S-layers not only provide the cell a layer for protection, they mediate several functions such as cell adhesion, drug resistance and providing a scaffold for mineralization. In order to accomplish these functions on growing cells, newly synthesized S-layer proteins must assemble into crystalline lattices on the cell surface as it changes shape and size. Thus, S-layers provide a robust in vitro model system to test our understanding of the dynamics of self-assembly pathways, as well as a biological scaffold for hierarchical assembly of nanomaterials. The SbpA protein from Lysinibacillus sphaericus is a well characterized S-layer protein that forms Ca2+ dependent, 2D crystals in solution with square symmetry. Until recently, however, the kinetic pathways of self-assembly have not been identified for this protein. Here we use ensemble techniques to study self-assembly in solution using fluorescence and light scattering. In addition, fluorescence microscopy on lipid bilayers has allowed us to follow assembly of individual crystals in real time. We find that varying protein or Ca2+ concentration results in different kinetics of assembly in solution. On lipid bilayers we are able to visualize S-layer protein assemblies, and observe that the rate of self assembly changes with the concentration of Ca2+. Our results, paired with coarse-grained simulations, may provide the first predictive framework for controlling protein self-assembly pathways.
Utility of dansyl derivatization to the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of 2-phenylethylamine drugs

Abstract This paper describes the utility of dansyl derivatization in the high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of a number of 2-phenylethylamines of pharmaceutical interest. The derivatives were formed in an alkaline acetone—aqueous sodium carbonate solution, and injected into the chromatograph without the need for their extraction from the reaction mixture. Separations were accomplished on an octadecylsilane column using methanol—water—acetic acid—triethylamine mobile phases and photometric detection at 249 or 335 nm. Comparison of the retention data for the non-dansylated and dansylated 2-phenylethylamines indicated the achievement of favorable alterations in the elution orders. The applicability of dansyl derivatization to the detection of an impurity was demonstrated with a sample of epinephrine containing norepinephrine at the 2% level.
Clinical and bone density outcomes of tumor-induced osteomalacia after treatment.

ABSTRACT Objective To report the outcomes of tumor-induced osteomalacia after treatment, particularly related to recovery of bone mass. Methods We review the clinical course of a 61-year-old man extremely debilitated from multiple fractures and neuromuscular weakness due to tumor-induced osteomalacia and report the changes in biochemical markers and bone density after removal of the causative neoplasm. Results At the time of diagnosis, the patient’s serum phosphorus and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D levels were depressed, and his fibroblast growth factor-23 level was markedly elevated. These values normalized 2 days after surgery and remained within their respective reference ranges 4 and 12 months after resection of a mesenchymal tumor. Lumbar bone density values (T-scores) were 0.445 g/cm2 (-5.9) preoperatively, 0.939 g/cm2 (–1.4) 4 months after surgery, and 1.152 g/cm2 (0.7) 12 months after surgery. Left femoral neck values at the same time points were 0.525 g/cm2 (-3.0), 1.035 g/cm2 (-0.8), and 1.184 g/cm2 (1.9). Ultra-distal radius values at the same time points were 0.128 g/cm2 (-7.0), 0.191 g/cm2 (-5.9), and 0.259 g/cm2 (-4.8). In addition, he recovered neuromuscular function and was able to leave his wheelchair. Conclusion Tumor-induced osteomalacia can be an extremely debilitating disease. With successful localization, identification, and resection of the neoplasm, bone mass and physical function can recover. (Endocr Pract. 2007;13:458-462)
Influence of pH and NaCl on monolaurin inactivation of Streptococcus iniae

Abstract Streptococcus iniae, a Gram-positive bacterium, has been recognized as a cause of human and fish streptococcosis. Aquacultured fish are susceptible to infection and have been epidemiologically linked with wound infections of fish handlers. Therefore, there is a need to develop methods of prevention and/or control of this pathogen. This study determined the minimum inhibitory concentration of monolaurin (glycerol monolaurate) against S. iniae strains PW and BU and utilized gradient plates at 37°C to determine the combined influence of pH and NaCl on monolaurin inactivation of S. iniae. The minimum inhibitory concentration of monolaurin against strain PW was 12.4±0.3 μg ml−1 and against strain BU was 12.1±0 μg ml−1. Compared to growth in the absence of monolaurin, the incorporation of 6 μg ml−1 monolaurin into the salt (1.12–6.95%)–pH (4.26–8.88) gradient plates prevented growth of strain PW at pH values
A result on hypothesis testing for a multivariate normal distribution when some observations are missing

Abstract Let U i = ( X i , Y i ), i = 1, 2,…, n , be a random sample from a bivariate normal distribution with mean μ = ( μ x , μ y ) and covariance matrix . Let X i , i = n + 1,…, N represent additional independent observations on the X population. Consider the hypothesis testing problem H 0 : μ = 0 vs. H 1 : μ ≠ 0. We prove that Hotelling's T 2 test, which uses ( X i , Y i ), i = 1, 2,…, n (and discards X i , i = n + 1,…, N ) is an admissible test. In addition, and from a practical point of view, the proof will enable us to identify the region of the parameter space where the T 2 -test cannot be beaten. A similar result is also proved for the problem of testing μ x − μ y = 0. A Bayes test and other competitors which are similar tests are discussed.
The Harlequin Nail: A Marker for Smoking Cessation

Changes in the human nail frequently serve as an indicator of local and systemic disease. Alterations in the morphology, structure and growth characteristics of the nail accompany chronic cigarette smoking; yellow pigmentation of the nail plate--referred to as the "nicotine sign"--is common. The clubbed yellow nail may indicate the presence of lung cancer. In contrast to the ominous nature of the clubbed yellow nail, we describe a sign that is more propitious: the sudden cessation of smoking due to an intercurrent disease, often a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), leads to the development of a distinct line of demarcation between the distal pigmented nail and the newly emerging proximal nonpigmented nail. We propose the term "harlequin nail" for this curious physical sign. By measurement of the distance between the proximal nail base fold and the line of demarcation, we can deduce the date smoking ceased (and, by inference, the approximate date of a CVA in a patient unable to volunteer this information). This sign also serves as a reminder that the "nicotine nail" remains discolored only because of dynamic restaining of the nail with tobacco by-products.
Integration of monitoring for intelligent alarms in anesthesia: Neural networks—Can they help?

Although there has been a decrease in the number of anesthesia-related critical incidents, there are still opportunities for further improvement. We discuss the potential of integrated monitoring and artificial neural networks as a means of vigilantly watching for patterns in multiple variables to detect incidents and reduce false alarms. We estimate that half the anesthesia-related events could be detected with integrated monitoring using only 5 variables. A review of research using artificial intelligence/expert systems indicates limited potential for success using these tools alone for integrated monitoring in the operating room. We present artificial neural networks as an approach that is more suited to the type of multivariable monitoring and pattern recognition required. Along with rule-based artificial intelligence, these now have the potential to help develop innovative monitoring in the operating room.
Evolution of the Monkey Crouch

T. Pfau et al. (“Modern riding style improves horse racing times,” Brevia, 17 July, p. [289][1]) nicely document the effectiveness of the “monkey crouch” riding style on race times and horse-jockey biomechanics. This style produced measurable speed benefits to winning race times at the English Epsom Derby Stakes (1900–1910). The change in riding style across a decade of different jockeys prompts the question: How did the monkey crouch originate? Many authors credit two American jockeys—Willie Simms and Tod Sloan—with bringing this style to England in 1895 and 1897, respectively. However, English rider Harding Cox claimed to have adopted the monkey crouch still earlier. Cox even described how he developed the style and what benefits it conferred: “When hunting, I rode very short, and leant well forward in my seat. When racing, I found that by so doing I avoided, to a certain extent, wind pressure , which … is very obvious to the rider. By accentuating this position, I discovered that my mount had the advantage of freer hind leverage ” (original italics) ([ 1 ][2]). Measurements taken by Pfau et al. support Cox's impressions. Did Cox intend to design his new riding position? Did he purposefully reposition himself on his horse after painstaking mathematical calculations? Did he record wind pressure scores or take biomechanical readings to assess his new riding style? Probably not. It is more likely that he merely proceeded by trial and error, much as did Olympic champion Dick Fosbury when he invented his famous high jumping “flop” ([ 2 ][3]). ![Figure][4] CREDIT: ISTOCK Inventive behavior is often attributed to creativity or to genius when a simpler explanation suffices. The origin of the monkey crouch perfectly fits the Law of Effect: Successful behavioral variations are retained and unsuccessful variations are not. This positively Darwinian process works for human inventions just as it does for earthly organisms—mechanically and without design or purpose. 1. [↵][5] 1. H. Cox , Chasing and Racing (John Lane, London, 1922), p. 212. 2. [↵][6] 1. E. A. Wasserman, 2. M. S. Blumberg , Assoc. Psych. Sci. Observ. 19, 25 (2006); ([www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/getArticle.cfm?id=2072][7]). [OpenUrl][8] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1174605 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: pending:yes [5]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [7]: http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/getArticle.cfm?id=2072 [8]: {openurl}?query=rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx
Multivariate curve resolution in liquid chromatography—resolving two-way multi-component data using a Varimax extended rotation

The Varimax extended rotations (VER) have been proposed as a new method to mathematically resolve severely overlapped peaks in chromatographic experiments that produce bilinear data. VER employs a four-step procedure to determine the relative concentration and identity of the components that comprise a severely overlapped chromatographic peak. In the first step, the data are pre-processed to ensure that they are in a form suitable for multivariate curve resolution. The second step involves principal component analysis, which reduces the dimensionality of the data matrix while simultaneously retaining the information present in the data. In the third step, a new coordinate system is developed for the data using a Varimax rotation followed by a so-called extended rotation, which assists in identifying the so-called pure regions in the peak. Identifying these regions is crucial to rotating the concentration and spectral matrices towards a solution. The fourth step utilizes alternating least squares (ALS) to improve the estimates of the concentration and spectral profiles of each component. Results from real and simulated data are used to illustrate the efficacy and simplicity of the proposed method.
Law as affiliation: “Foreign” law, democratic federalism, and the sovereigntism of the nation-state

This essay explores the role that law plays in marking the identity of a nation-state and the concerns—which I gather under the term sovereigntism—that animate interest in dictating what position “foreign” law ought to play as a domestic resource in adjudication. In some countries such as the United States, opposition to “foreign” law has a long pedigree, exemplifying an exclusivist form of sovereigntism. In contrast, South Africa's Constitution is also sovereigntist but inclusively so, directing its jurists—as an expression of that nation's identity—to consider international law. After showing why exclusivist sovereigntism cannot succeed as a practice in barring law's migration and how it is wrong as a theory of democracy, I commend engaging in important questions raised by sovereigntism: whether the import and export of law ought to be regulated by national law, what legal actors ought to be active in the trade in law, and how sovereigntism illuminates human aspirations to use law to make distinctive identities for nation-states.
Target recognition via 3D object reconstruction from image sequence and contour matching

Abstract This paper proposes an automatic target recognition (ATR) system based on the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the target from an image sequence. The main contribution of this work is twofold: (1) we present a modified voxel coloring reconstruction algorithm and (2) we employ the 3D reconstructed target model to generate the front and side target templates at zero depression angle to be used in the target recognition process. Target recognition is performed by matching the generated templates to a library using a subpixel contour matching algorithm. Experimental results on simulated scenes show the accuracy of the approach presented in this paper.
Statistical script independent word spotting in offline handwritten documents

We propose a statistical script independent line based word spotting framework for offline handwritten documents based on Hidden Markov Models. We propose and compare an exhaustive study of filler models and background models for better representation of background or non-keyword text. The candidate keywords are pruned in a two stage spotting framework using the character based and lexicon based background models. The system deals with large vocabulary without the need for word or character segmentation. The script independent word spotting system is evaluated on a mixed corpus of public dataset from several scripts such as IAM for English, AMA for Arabic and LAW for Devanagari. HighlightsLine model allows one or more occurrences of keywords surrounded by filler models.We investigate five different filler models. CFMs provide the best results.The optimum number of character filler models varies for different scripts.Two background models are investigated to prune candidate keyword regions.Proposed framework is quicker and more accurate than current state of the art.
Simplified model and measurement of specific absorption rate distribution in a culture flask within a transverse electromagnetic mode exposure system.

In vitro experiments in bioelectromagnetics frequently require the determination of specific absorption rate (SAR) within a layer of cells on the bottom of a culture flask when the SAR has rapid spatial variation both horizontally within the cell layer and vertically in the medium bathing the cells. This problem has only recently been treated in the literature; and it is here approached differently for another irradiation system. It is shown that a simple two-dimensional frequency-domain guided-wave treatment yields results qualitatively comparable to those of more computationally intensive three-dimensional time-domain free-field scattering treatments. The problem of inferring local SARs from temperature-vs.-time curves is shown to be seriously confounded by thermal diffusion; and specific analytic and numerical results are presented to aid in understanding this effect. A novel experimental technique is introduced for measuring millikelvin temperature offsets with subsecond resolution, and illustrative experimental data are presented. Finally, present experimental and theoretical uncertainties are considered; and it is pessimistically asserted that, in a culture flask where spatial SAR variation is rapid, point SAR measurements by thermal methods may be in error by as much as ±3 dB. More reliable thermal determinations will require extreme care, challenging technological innovations, or both. Bioelectromagnetics 20:183–193, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Evidence for differences in the energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei.

THE existence of differences in the energy spectra of the various cosmic ray nuclei at energies ≳ 1 GeV nucleon−1 would have important implications for the method of acceleration of the cosmic rays and their propagation in interstellar space. But only recently has it been possible to isolate and compare the spectra of particular charges or charge groups with the requisite statistical accuracy over a broad enough energy range.
Computing ability of a developmental model for filamentous organisms

An automata-theoretical model is investigated for the development of filamentous organisms (due to Lindenmayer) from the point of view of its computing ability. It is found that, provided information is allowed to pass in the filaments in both directions, this model is general enough to realize any effective procedure. In particular it is proved that it is capable of simulating any given Turing machine. This results in the unsolvability of certain problems relating to the mortality and other properties of filaments and we discuss some of these. Finally, it is shown that allowing information to pass only in one direction within the filaments does not restrict the computing ability of the model, but further restrictions on the information flow results in a reduced computing power and in the solvability of mortality problems.
Dimensions of decision-making behavior.

Most laboratory research on decision making has been derived from normative theories, whose purpose is to advise the decision maker on what he should do. The present study, however, approached the ...
Preparation of in-situ superconducting YBCO thin films by single target magnetron sputtering

Abstract In-situ superconducting YBCO thin films have been grown on (100)MgO substrates using RF planar magnetron sputtering from single, sintered, stoichiometric, targets. The films are c-axis oriented with Tc(onset) = 90 K and Tc(zero = 40–75 K. Processing variables and target characteristics strongly affect the composition and quality of these films. Control of variables such as substrate temperature, target-substrate orientation, oxygen and Argon partial pressures, target composition, target density, and target age is essential to achieve reproducibly the growth of high-quality superconducting thin films.
Paedomorphosis, Secondary Woodiness, and Insular Woodiness in Plants

The related concepts of paedomorphosis in the secondary xylem, insular woodiness, and secondary woodiness are reviewed and evaluated in order to clearly distinguish the phenomenon involved, and provide a firm foundation for future research in this area. The theory of paedomorphosis refers to the occurrence of certain juvenile xylem characteristics, such as scalariform perforation plates and lateral wall pitting, in the secondary xylem of shrubby, suffrutescent, pachycaulous, and lianoid growth forms. Paedomorphic characteristics are often found in insular woody species, a fact that has caused paedomorphosis to be associated with secondary woodiness. The anatomy of the secondary xylem in Xanthorhiza simplicissima (Ranunculaceae), Coreopsis gigantea (Asteraceae), and Mahonia bealei (Berberidaceae) is described in order to provide specific data for discussion. These species serve as test cases for the presence of paedomorphosis, and the evolution of secondary woodiness. The secondary xylem of all three species was found to have a degree of paedomorphosis, with Coreopsis having the greatest number of paedomorphic characteristics, Xanthorhiza having an intermediate number, and Mahonia possessing only a single characteristic. Plotting the occurrence of the character states woody and nonwoody on phylogenetic trees containing these taxa shows that Coreopsis is secondarily woody, while the ancestry of the other two species cannot be unambiguously established. These results must, however, be considered preliminary as the occurrence of secondary growth in many “herbaceous” plants often goes unreported. Although paedomorphosis is often associated with secondary woodiness, there are examples of paedomorphic wood in primitively woody taxa. One conclusion is that the degree of paedomorphosis may be a better indicator of the mechanical requirements of the shoot then of its evolutionary history.
SU-C-213AB-06: Validation Study of the Accuracy of the Transform Method for Clinically Intuitive Quality Assurance

Purpose: Per‐beam quality‐assurance (QA) methods (e.g. portal dosimetry) have been shown to be inadequate for reporting the clinical significance of delivery errors or deviations. Recently we presented a novel ‘transform’ method which can solve this problem utilizing 3D dosimetry techniques. Here, we evaluate the accuracy of this method under various conditions. Methods: A range of known mechanical and delivery errors were introduced on three stereotactic IMRT head‐and‐neck patient treatment plans (e.g. gantry, collimator, and couch +/−5°, Dose normalization +/−5%). Verification plans were then created where the error plans were recomputed onto an RPC head‐phantom containing a 3D dosimeter. The phantom dose distribution was then transformed back to the patient CT data using the new transform method. The accuracy of the transform method was evaluated in 3D by comparison of this transformed distribution with a direct calculation from the original patient plan but incorporating the error. Comparison metrics included DVH, gEUD, and gamma. Results: Gamma passing rates were calculated with 2% dose difference/ 2mm distance‐to‐agreement criteria. Comparing the transformed dose distribution estimate with the true error dose distribution, global gamma passing rates were above 97% for all plans with an average passing rate of 99.33%. The passing rates were above 99% for all organ and target structures. A gEUD was calculated for each structure, and the average percent difference was found to be less than 4%. Conclusions: Even when presented with substantial errors, the new transform method robustly predicted the clinical significance of these errors through DVH, gamma, and other clinical metrics (e.g. gEUD). These promising verification results are an important step toward validating a new approach to QA which enables the clinical significance of QA data to be evaluated.
Biomarkers in Nephrology: Core Curriculum 2013

The clinical assessment and management of patients with known or suspected kidney disease has been aided for decades by biomarkers, a term defined by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) working group as “A characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention.” The characteristics of an ideal biomarker are given in Box 1. Historically, the first biomarker of kidney disease was the finding on physical examination of interstitial edema or ascites, a condition termed dropsy, that was not specific to what eventually became recognized as kidney failure but that rather encompassed a number of clinical conditions including congestive heart failure and cirrhosis. More objective biomarkers in the early days of nephrology included the examination of the urine sediment, followed by measurement of the blood urea nitrogen concentration and the serum creatinine concentration.
Rapid and quantitative assessment of KSHV LANA-mediated DNA replication

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) mediates DNA replication of terminal repeat (TR) DNA to enable viral episome persistence in latently infected cells. Southern blotting is routinely used to detect LANA-replicated DNA. We developed and validated a real-time PCR assay for TR-associated DNA and compared it with Southern blot analysis. Both PCR and Southern blot detected LANA-replicated DNA, but the PCR assay was more rapid and did not require radioisotope. PCR detection at 24 and 72 hours post-transfection demonstrated rapid loss of transfected TR DNA. LANA, and to a lesser extent a moderately deficient LANA mutant, reduced the rate of DNA loss through addition of replicated TR DNA and reduction in the loss of non-replicated DNA, the latter of which is consistent with LANA’s nuclear segregation function. Therefore, this work develops a rapid, sensitive, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to detect KSHV LANA-replicated DNA and demonstrates that LANA reduces TR DNA loss after transfection through replication and nuclear partitioning of TR DNA.
Firearm cartridge case comparison by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrochemical determination of nickel, iron and lead

Abstract Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of nickel, iron, and lead in 26 different production lots of Winchester-Western cartridge case brass. In most cases, the measured elemental concentrations were found to be normally distributed within a lot, and the variables lacked any strong association. It was found that the concentrations of these three elements could be used as a basis for the comparison of individual cartridge cases to determine their provenance. Using the T-test with a significance level of 0.01, the frequency of obtaining a ‘true match’ and a ‘false match’ were found to be 98.1% and 0.43%, respectively. Additionally, a likelihood ratio was used to evaluate the extent to which provenance, or “common origin” among brass cartridge cases can be established.
Quantitative assessment of the multiple processes responsible for bilirubin homeostasis in health and disease.

Serum bilirubin measurements are commonly obtained for the evaluation of ill patients and to screen for liver disease in routine physical exams. An enormous research effort has identified the multiple mechanisms involved in the production and metabolism of conjugated (CB) and unconjugated bilirubin (UB). While the qualitative effects of these mechanisms are well understood, their expected quantitative influence on serum bilirubin homeostasis has received less attention. In this review, each of the steps involved in bilirubin production, metabolism, hepatic cell uptake, and excretion is quantitatively examined. We then attempt to predict the expected effect of normal and defective function on serum UB and CB levels in health and disease states including hemolysis, extra- and intrahepatic cholestasis, hepatocellular diseases (eg, cirrhosis, hepatitis), and various congenital defects in bilirubin conjugation and secretion (eg, Gilbert’s, Dubin–Johnson, Crigler–Najjar, Rotor syndromes). Novel aspects of this review include: 1) quantitative estimates of the free and total UB and CB in the plasma, hepatocyte, and bile; 2) detailed discussion of the important implications of the recently recognized role of the hepatic OATP transporters in the maintenance of CB homeostasis; 3) discussion of the differences between the standard diazo assay versus chromatographic measurement of CB and UB; 4) pharmacokinetic implications of the extremely high-affinity albumin binding of UB; 5) role of the enterohepatic circulation in physiologic jaundice of newborn and fasting hyperbilirubinemia; and 6) insights concerning the clinical interpretation of bilirubin measurements.
Regulation of human argininosuccinate synthetase gene: induction by positive-acting nuclear mechanism in canavanine-resistant cell variants.

Nonhepatic human cell variants resistant to the arginine analog, canavanine, express argininosuccinate synthetase (AS) mRNA at levels 200-fold higher than parental cells without amplification of AS gene sequences. In this report we show that this regulation occurs in the nucleus prior to polyadenylation of AS precursor RNA and occurs through a positive-acting mechanism operating in canavanine-resistant cells. The half-life of cytoplasmic AS mRNA was estimated by blocking cellular transcription with actinomycin D. In both parental and canavanine-resistant variants of RPMI 2650 cells, the AS mRNA decayed with a half-life of 12–24 h, showing that cytoplasmic mRNA stabilization was not involved in this regulation. Quantification of AS RNA following cell fractionation showed that AS precursor RNA was present at greatly elevated amounts in the nuclei of canavanine-resistant cells. Similar results were obtained when nonpolyadenylated RNA was examined. Thus, the mechanism underlying high expression of AS mRNA in canavanine-resistant cells is an early nuclear event, and the processes of polyadenylation and transport of RNA to the cytoplasm are not involved. Intraspecific somatic cell hybrids were constructed to test whether the induction of AS mRNA was due to a gain of a function in canavanine-resistant cells or to a loss of a function in parental cells. Quantification of AS mRNA in hybrid cell lines showed that such cells contained high levels similar to those found in the canavanine-resistant parent. These findings show that the induction of AS mRNA is due to a positive-acting mechanism operating in the nucleus of canavanine-resistant cells.
Evaluating the perception and articulation of phonemes of children, ages 5 to 8

Abstract The Ohio Tests of Articulation and Perception of Sounds, OTAPS, is a clinical and research tool for assertaining speech status, planning therapy, and evaluating progress of children with misarticulations. This eight part test, evaluated for reliability and validity, was standardized on a sample of 200 children, ages 5 to 8, selected to represent an urban population. Sixty-seven sounds as produced in varying linguistic units and as represented in words, phrases, nonsense words in sentences, and nonsense words were evaluated. Perception of these 67 sounds in words was analyzed as affected by stimuli spoken by someone else and by the subject himself. Significant critical growth occured between ages 5 and 5 1 2 for all four speech subtests, between 5 1 2 and 6 for sounds in phrases and in nonsense words, and between 6 and 8 for all tests except stimulability. No significant growth took place between 7 and 8 for any speech test. The phrase test produced more inaccurate productions than the traditional word test. Significant critical differences occured between ages 5 and 7 in the growth of auditory perception for all four listening tests. How the child perceived his own articulatory productions was highly correlated with sounds produced in words or phrases.
Privatization and Public Employee Pension Rights Treading in Unexplored Territory

What rights do public employees have to the same level of pension benefits when their positions are privatized? The literature on privatization does not deal with its impact on public employee pensions In 1997 the United States Supreme Court, in the Inter-Modal case, ruled that a private company cannot contract with another private company for the purposes of lowering the benefit costs of their employees Since there is no public counterpart to ERISA, however, the courts have had to look to state constitutions and state and local law to resolve the question of pension rights The courts have relied upon contract law to handle disputes over this issue While it appears that in some states Privatized employees do have a right to the same level of benefits as public employees, in other states the answer is not as clear Issues which make the answer complex include (a) the definition of vesting and, (b) the comparability of defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans For the wary government official, s...
Ethics and equity in U.S. health care: the data.

Access to and equality in health care has deteriorated in the 1980s, as shown by the data on racial differences in reducing infant mortality rates, in life expectancy, and in the incidence and economic burden of AIDS. Various health status measures indicate significant declines with decreasing income, and the use of medical care services is higher for low-income groups. The growing number of uninsured and underinsured persons has exacerbated the problem. A consensus is emerging among diverse groups that health care should be extended to those who do not have access to it and that providing universal and affordable health care is a major national health priority.
MOLECULAR PROPERTIES AND DIFFERENTIATION OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE IN SEA URCHIN EMBRYOS

The two molecular forms of acethylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) in sea urchin embryos were characterized by several physical methods. The sedimentation coefficients determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation are 7.6S and 10.6S. The Stokes radii determined by gel filtration are 65 A and 91 A. From these parameters, molecular weights were estimated as 190,000 and 380,000; the one is twice as large as the other. Both forms have similar electric property and buoyant density in a CsCl gradient. When the enzyme solution was concentrated, the 10.6S form became predominant. These results suggest that the two forms are monomer and dimer. The sea urchin enzymes resemble globular forms of acetylcholinesterase of the electric organ of fishes. The activity of the enzyme abruptly increases in post-gastrulation embryos. Inhibition of concomitant protein synthesis by a specific inhibitor, emetine, does not affect the increase in enzyme activity. The result suggests that post-translational processes may be involved in the differentiation of this enzyme in sea urchin development. The following sea urchins were used in the study: Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, and Dendraster excentricus.
High-Order Navier-Stokes Simulations using a Sparse Line-Based Discontinuous Galerkin Method

We study some of the properties of a line-based discontinuous Galerkin (DG) scheme for the compressible Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. The scheme is based on fully unstructured meshes of quadrilateral or hexahedral elements, and it is closely related to the standard nodal DG scheme as well as several of its variants such as the collocation-based DG spectral element method (DGSEM) or the spectral dierence (SD) method. However, our motivation is to maximize the sparsity of the Jacobian matrices, since this directly translates into higher performance in particular for implicit solvers. The scheme is based on applying one-dimensional DG solvers along each coordinate direction in a reference element, which reduces the number of connectivities drastically in a line-wise fashion. The resulting scheme is similar to the DGSEM and the SD methods, but it uses fully consistent integration along each 1-D coordinate direction. This gives the method almost the same accuracy and nonlinear stability properties as the standard nodal DG method, at a cost similar to that of the collocation-based methods. Also, the scheme uses solution points along each element face, which further reduces the number of connections with the neighboring elements. Second-order terms are handled by an LDG-type approach, with an upwind/downwind ux function based on a switch function at each element face. We demonstrate the accuracy of the method and compare it to the standard nodal DG method for model problems of an inviscid vortex problem, ow over a cylinder, and laminar ow around an airfoil. We also show how to use Newton-Krylov solvers without impairing the high sparsity of the matrices, by a splitting of the matrix-vector products and a block-Jacobi preconditioner. We integrate in time using a high-order diagonally implicit Runge-Kutta (DIRK) scheme, and apply it on a problem of transient laminar ow around an airfoil. Using a quasi-Newton approach, the leads to an implicit scheme with a computational cost comparable to that of an explicit one, without stability-based timestep restrictions.
Behavior and development in offspring from interspecies embryo transfer: Theoretical issues

Abstract The use of embryo transfer for the reproduction of endangered animal species is being employed with increasing success in zoological parks. The technique has been used with a variety of species and usually involves the utilization of host mothers from closely related species. This research may lead to considerable latitude in the propagation of endangered wildlife. It presents, however, issues relevant to the behavioral and social development of host-mother-reared offspring. Of importance are questions which concern the formation of the host-mother-infant attachment bonds and species identity in the offspring. Additional problems may occur later in development and involve the introduction and behavioral integration of these host-mother-reared animals to social groups of their own biological species. These theoretical issues are reviewed and discussed. Further emphasis is devoted to the development of an integrative research protocol which would identify problems relevant to the offsprings' physiological, social and psychological growth.
Experiments in the Hypnotic Production of Crime

(1941). Experiments in the Hypnotic Production of Crime. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 63-102.
Simulation of Multiple Isotropic Spin-Trap EPR Spectra

A computer program has been developed for fitting EPR data with multiple free radicals as formed in biochemical and chemical spin-trapping systems. Simulation of these spectra requires as many as 40 independent parameters, creating a chaotic analysis environment. Accurate simulation of these systems is essential for correct identification of the free radicals, which often show only slight differences in spin-Hamiltonian parameters. This method consists of rule-based perturbations with trial and error calculations and has proven successful in several applications. Details of the algorithm, example data, and a discussion of the difficulties of this analysis are presented in this report.
Medroxyprogesterone, immunosuppression, and conceptus size in Peromyscus

Effects of exogenous medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on skin transplant retention and conceptus size were studied in the deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus, and the oldfield mouse Peromyscus polionotus. Daily injections of 2 mg MPA significantly prolonged survival of allografts in P. maniculatus and transspecific grafts between P. maniculatus and P. polionotus. Allografts were retained significantly longer than transspecific grafts (17.2 vs 12.4 days) on MPA-treated P. maniculatus. Near-term fetal and placental sizes and weights were not detectably influenced by daily 1-mg MPA injections given to the mother from the 5th through the 19th day of pregnancy. The data are discussed relative to the possible immunosuppressive role of progestins in protecting the allogeneic conceptus from maternal immune rejection.
Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a marker of acute kidney injury after kidney surgery.

Purpose: We evaluated urine NGAL as a marker of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy. We sought to identify the preoperative clinical features and surgical factors during partial nephrectomy that are associated with renal injury, as measured by increased urine NGAL vs controls.Materials and Methods: Using patients treated with radical nephrectomy or thoracic surgery as controls, we prospectively collected and analyzed urine and serum samples from patients treated with partial or radical nephrectomy, or thoracic surgery between April 2010 and April 2012. Urine was collected preoperatively and at multiple time points postoperatively. Differences in urine NGAL levels were analyzed among the 3 surgical groups using a generalized estimating equation model. The partial nephrectomy group was subdivided based on a preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 60, or 60 ml/minute/1.73 m2 or greater.Results: Of 162 patients included in final analysis more than 65% had card...
Maria Stehle. Ghetto Voices in Contemporary German Culture: Textscapes, Filmscapes, Soundscapes. Rochester: Camden House, 2012. 205 pp.

Review of Maria Stehle. Ghetto Voices in Contemporary German Culture: Textscapes, Filmscapes, Soundscapes. Rochester: Camden House, 2012. 205 pp.
Visual Improvement in a Patient Taking Ginkgo Biloba Extract: A Case Study

J S O N M J F J J F F F NTRODUCTION laucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by a pecific pattern of optic nerve head and visual field damage, the auses of which are multifold. Elevated intraocular pressure IOP) is the most important known risk factor for glaucoma, but s not the disease itself. The many non–IOP-dependent risk facors that have been associated with glaucoma and may induce amage by decreasing vascular perfusion at the level of the optic erve head include cardiovascular disease, vasospasm, autommune disease, and cerebral microvascular ischemia. Other otential risk factors for decreased optic nerve head perfusion nclude low blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, nocturnal ypotension, migraine, Raynaud’s phenomenon, autoimmune henomena, and hemorheologic abnormalities. With the discovery of these risk factors, a new focus has been laced on alternative treatments for glaucoma, those that depart rom the traditional IOP-lowering effect of drug, laser, and oprative therapies. Glaucoma often progresses despite lowering of OP to normal levels, or develops at normal or even low IOP. herefore, a need exists for therapies that prevent or limit the amage due to glaucoma—independent of therapies that simply ower IOP. Neuroprotection, the protection of undamaged neuons from secondary degeneration and subsequent apoptosis, is n important but still unachieved goal for the treatment of glauoma. There are many compounds, both natural and synthetic, eported to have neuroprotective effects, including antioxidants, -methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists, inhibitors of glutaate release, polyamine antagonists, and nitric oxide synthase nhibitors, cannabinoids, aspirin, melatonin, and vitamin B12. alcium channel blockers, although improving ocular blood ow, are also believed to have neuroprotective properties. heir use in normal-tension glaucoma has been limited, howver, due to a reported increase in morbidity. The lack of availability of specific neuroprotectant comounds and the lack of clinical trials examining the benefits of europrotective agents for glaucoma limit the current use of
Photographic Sequence Exposure Experiment

An instrument is described which has been built for the automatic recording of sequence exposures on 4-by-10-in. photographic plates. Twelve shutter slides are independently timed so that on one plate up to 384 4-by-5-mm rectangles can be uniformly exposed to high and low intensity radiation. The present design is for an intensity ratio of 100:1, where both intensities are below optimum. With minor modifications the instrument can be converted to operate at other intensity ratios. The densitometer readings are checked from calibration strip data placed adjacent to the sequence exposures. The corrected data, following conversion to Seidel values, are plotted as families of characteristic curves, with the sequence exposure ratio as the constant parameter. Isodense loop data are read from the curves at the intersection with a line drawn parallel to the exposure axis.A theoretical discussion of isodense loops is presented which is based on the hypothesis that for isodense exposures the probability of rendering the last grains developable must be equal. It is shown how this method should yield the limiting slope of the low intensity failure curve and the minimum number of quanta absorbed by the average grain to become developable. Preliminary results presented here for Eastman Kodak Emulsion Type 33 are within expectation.
Design of a thermoelectric cooling unit for non-ideal operating conditions

Abstract The highest coefficient of performance of a thermoelectric cooling unit is reached when the size of the unit becomes infinite. Economy of material, however, usually requires that the lengths of the thermoelements be no more than a few millimetres. This can lead to a reduction in the coefficient of performance due to electrical resistance at the contacts but a more important factor is the increasing effect of thermal resistance between the unit and the source and sink. It is shown that the optimum design for a cooling unit of short length requires that the thermoelements be quite widely separated, the intervening space being filled with a good thermal insulator. The design curves are derived for a typical set of practical conditions.
Detecting abnormal credit union performance

Abstract Credit unions are an important financial intermediary, but little credit union research is done. A primary reason for the lack of research is the cooperative nature of the industry, making traditional methods of detecting abnormal performance inappropriate. This paper proposes two methods of detecting abnormal performance, one parametric, the other non-parametric. Instead of testing the efficiency of the institution, this paper proposes testing the return vector, as indicated in the theoretical objective function of the member. Simulations demonstrate that both methods are correctly specified and powerful.
Optical properties of DNA-CTMA biopolymers and applications in metal-biopolymer-metal photodetectors

The potential of using a DNA biopolymer in an electro-optic device is presented. A complex of DNA with the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium-chloride (CTMA) was used to obtain an organic-soluble DNA material (DNA-CTMA). Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was added to the DNACTMA to increase the electrical conductivity of the biopolymer. The CW absorbance and time-resolved photoluminescence of the resulting DNA-CTMA and DNA-CTMA-PEDOT:PSS were investigated. Both DNA materials have absorbance peaks at ~260 nm and a broad, Stokes shifted, photoluminescence peak around 470nm. The photoluminescence lifetime of the materials was observed to decrease with increasing UV excitation. Specifically, excitation with a high power ultrafast (~150fs) UV (266nm) laser pulse resulted in a drastic decrease in the photoluminescence lifetime decreases after a few minutes. Moreover, the observed decrease was faster in an air ambient than in a nitrogen ambient. This is most likely due to photo-oxidation that degrades the polymer surface resulting in an increase in the non-radiative recombination. In order to investigate the photoconductivity of these two materials, metal-biopolymer-metal (MBM) ultraviolet photodetectors with interdigitated electrodes were fabricated and characterized. The photoresponsivity of these devices was limited by the transport dynamics within the film. The prospects for the use of these materials in optical devices will be discussed.