cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between a comprehensive social determinants of health screening and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Social determinants of health are conditions that influence an individual’s health. Investigators explored associations between social needs and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) diagnoses through retrospective chart review (October 2017-Septemeber 2018) and statistical analyses of an 11-domain social needs questionnaire routinely administered in a large health system in Kansas City, Kansas (n = 26,093, temporal relationship between diagnoses and screening undetermined). Except for childcare needs, all social needs were more commonly reported in patients with a T2DM diagnosis. Domains with the strongest associations were prescription cost, transportation, and health literacy. These findings may inform health system and social service provider partnerships to offer assistance in specific domains.
MOND and Methodology

In Logik der Forschung (1934) and later works, Karl Popper proposed a set of methodological rules for scientists. Among these were requirements that theories should evolve in the direction of increasing content, and that new theories should only be accepted if some of their novel predictions are experimentally confirmed. There are currently two, viable theories of cosmology: the standard cosmological model, and a theory due to Mordehai Milgrom called MOND. Both theories can point to successes and failures, but only MOND has repeatedly made novel predictions that were subsequently found to be correct. Standard-model cosmologists, by contrast, have almost always responded to new observations in a post-hoc manner, adjusting or augmenting their theory as needed to obtain correspondence with the facts. I argue that these methodological differences render a comparison of the two theories in terms of their ‘truthlikeness’ or ‘verisimilitude’ essentially impossible since the two groups of scientists achieve correspondence with the facts in fundamentally different ways, and I suggest that a better guide to the theories’ progress toward the truth might be the methodologies themselves.
Suspension and Expulsion: Early Educators’ Perspectives

The purpose of this exploratory interview study was to examine the perceptions and experiences of 12 teachers related to the suspension and expulsion of preschoolers in private early childhood programs. Thematic and constant comparative methods were used for data analysis. Results indicated that teachers had a range of experiences with suspension, from children being sent out in the hallway temporarily to out-of-school suspensions lasting up to a week. Most participants also had expelled a student because of challenging behavior. Themes that emerged regarding factors that influenced suspension and expulsion decisions were inadequate supports, safety concerns, perceptions of a child’s needs, and discipline policies and procedures. Teachers also discussed supports they had in place, supports that were lacking, and the effect that suspensions and expulsions had on their students and themselves. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Photophysics of the Tryptophan Residue in RNaseTl and RNase Tl-2′GMP Complex

The photophysics of a single tryptophan residue in RNaseTl was studied by time correlated single photon counting. A pH dependent transition in the fluorescence decay was observed, centered at pH 6.5-7.0. At pH values above this transition, tryptophan fluorescence decay can be described in terms of a double exponential, with τ1 3.9 ns and τ2 1.6 ns. Fluorescence was quenched with acrylamide, which quenches the short lifetime component five times faster than it does the long lifetime component. These results were interpreted with a two state model. At pH′s below the transition, the fluorescence decay of tryptophan in RNaseTl is a single exponential with τ1 4.0 ns. Binding of 2′GMP, an enzyme inhibitor, to RNaseTl caused a change in average fluorescence lifetime and in the conformation distribution of the tryptophan residue in the protein. The fluorescence anisotropy of RNaseTl showed an apparent hydration volume at pH 7.4 which corresponds to a single layer of water molecules bound on the surface of the protein, whereas at pH 5.5, the fluorescence anisotropy did not follow the normal Stokes-Einstein hydrodynamic law.
Principles of Gas–Solid Flows: Hopper and Standpipe Flows

Introduction Granular materials in the food, pharmaceutical, chemical, and fuel industries are routinely processed through hoppers and standpipes. When the solids flow in a vertical or inclined pipe is dominated by gravity and the solids are in a nearly packed condition, the flow is known as a standpipe flow or downcomer flow. In a standpipe flow, the cross-sectional area of the standpipe is unchanged and the gas pressure at the bottom is higher than that at the top. The downward transport may also be achieved with higher pressure at the top. In this case, the solids transport is referred to as a discharged flow. The discussion of discharged flow is, however, beyond the scope of this chapter; readers interested in discharged flow may refer to the work of Berg (1954), and Knowlton et al . (1986, 1989). Hoppers can be classified into two categories, namely, mass flow hoppers and core (or funnel) flow hoppers. A mass flow hopper is characterized by the simultaneous movement of every particle of the material during the discharge process, as shown in Fig. 8.1(a). On the other hand, in a core flow hopper, there exist stagnation zones in the material discharge process, as shown in Fig. 8.1(b). Advantages of mass flow hoppers are overwhelming compared to those of core flow hoppers. Problems like flooding, segregation, inconsistent flow rate, arching, and piping are less likely to occur in mass flow hoppers.
Indeterminacies of Fitting Parameters in Molecular Spectroscopy

Analyses of molecular spectra often use the idea of an effective Hamiltonian, in which the dynamical variables are the degrees of freedom involved in the spectrum, and the effects of the other degrees of freedom are represented by the values of various parameters. However, it may not be possible to determine all these parameters by empirical fits of the spectra because different parameters may make indistinguishable contributions to the eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian. This article reviews a number of examples of such indeterminacies, including applications to vibration–rotation spectra of diatomic molecules, without or with corrections for the breakdown of the Born–Oppenheimer approximations; electron-spin structure in diatomic molecules; centrifugal distortion in asymmetric-top molecules; vibration–rotation resonances in polyatomic molecules; vibration–rotation interactions in degenerate vibrational states; and internal rotation. The discussion of these indeterminacies involves unitary transformations that are expanded as infinite series. This procedure may break down if the convergence of the series is slow. The study of near-singularities of least-squares matrices associated with the presence of indeterminacies is also discussed. Keywords: Analyses of spectra; effective Hamiltonians; parameters; indeterminacies; reduced Hamiltonians; least-square fitting
A laboratory experiment for transformer modeling in the presence of harmonic distortion

The authors investigate the variation of transformer parameters (self and mutual) with frequency by performing a laboratory experiment. The test measures a hybrid set of parameters on a single-phase and a three-phase transformer. This test investigates not only the variation of short-circuit parameters with frequency, but also the variation of open-circuit parameters with frequency. The authors extend the study to include the transformer load test. In this test, the load terminal voltages at different harmonic frequencies are measured. >
Free products in linear groups

Let R be a commutative integral domain of characteristic 0, and let G be a finite subgroup of PGL n (R), the projective general linear group of degree n over R. In this note, we show that if n > 2, then PGL n (R) also contains the free product G * T, where T is the infinite cyclic group generated by the image of a suitable transvection.
Dermatoses of the breast in lactation

Dermatoses of the breast during lactation can be difficult to diagnose because of their overlapping clinical appearances. It is important to properly diagnose and treat nipple dermatitis since it can be a significant source of pain when nursing. Poorly controlled nipple pain in nursing mothers is one of the primary reasons for breastfeeding to be discontinued earlier than is recommended. Therefore, it is relevant for practicing dermatologists to be aware of certain facts in a patient's history, specific physical exam findings, and the most appropriate laboratory tests used to diagnose these conditions. In addition, the therapeutic approach should be effective and safe for the mother and infant. This review article provides dermatologists with a detailed discussion on the clinical features and management of various breast dermatoses seen in lactation, including atopic dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, bacterial infections, yeast infections and herpes simplex virus infections.
Beyond the Usual Suspects: ACUS, Rulemaking 2.0 and a Vision for Broader, More Informed and More Transparent Rulemaking

In an ideal world, administrative agencies would develop regulations in an informal rulemaking process that was transparent, efficient, and included broad input from the public, or an entity advocating for the public, as well as the regulated community. Instead, critics assert that the informal rulemaking process is opaque and is dominated by regulated entities and industry groups, rather than public interest groups. The process does not encourage a dialogue among the commenters or between the commenters and agency. Although the Administrative Procedures Act only imposes minimal public participation requirements on the informal rulemaking process, broader, more informed and more transparent public participation in rulemaking could provide significant benefits to agencies, as well as the public. Such participation is not, however, costless. Reforms are likely to make the rulemaking process more expensive and less efficient for agencies. This article examines two avenues of rulemaking reform that could yield broader, more informed and more transparent rulemaking. First, the article focuses on “e-rulemaking” efforts and the migration of the informal rulemaking process to the Internet. So far, those efforts have been slow and have provided marginal improvements in public participation. The next generation e-rulemaking proposals (Rulemaking 2.0), such as the Regulation Room Project developed by the Cornell eRulemaking Initiative with the Department of Transportation, are more ambitious, but may result in significant costs and delays in the rulemaking process if implemented on a wide scale. At the same time that agencies are implementing technological changes in the rulemaking process, a resurrected Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) has issued recommendations for structural changes to the informal rulemaking process, including encouraging agencies to provide adequate time for public comments, to post comments on the Internet in a timely manner, to use reply comment periods, where appropriate, and to provide the public with guidance regarding effective commenting. ACUS has also issued recommendations regarding e-rulemaking that are designed to reduce resource demands on agencies when adopting rules through electronic means. ACUS does not recommend any changes to the APA, though, and, on the whole, the Conference’s recommendations are modest. It is likely, therefore, that the benefits that they produce will be similarly modest. More significant reforms are necessary to achieve broader, more informed and more transparent public participation, so this article also focuses on some of the other reforms that have been suggested by academics and policymakers.
Preventing Pressure Ulcers in Hospitals: A Systematic Review of Nurse-Focused Quality Improvement Interventions

Article-at-a-Glance Background A systematic review of the literature on nurse-focused interventions conducted in the hospital setting informs the evidence base for implementation of pressure ulcer (PU) prevention programs. Despite the availability of published guidelines, there is little evidence about which interventions can be successfully integrated into routine care through quality improvement (QI). The two previous literature syntheses on PU prevention have included articles from multiple settings but have not focused specifically on QI. Methods A search of six electronic databases for publications from January 1990 to September 2009 was conducted. Trial registries and bibliographies of retrieved studies and reviews, and Internet sites of funding agencies were also searched. Using standardized forms, two independent reviewers screened publications for eligibility into the sample; data were abstracted and study quality was assessed for those that passed screening. Findings Thirty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of them used a before-and-after study design in a single site. Intervention strategies included PU-specific changes in combination with educational and/or QI strategies. Most studies reported patient outcome measures, while fewer reported nursing process of care measures. For nearly all the studies, the authors concluded that the intervention had a positive effect. The pooled risk difference for developing PUs was –.07 (95% confidence interval [CI]: –0.0976, –0.0418) comparing the pre- and postintervention status. Conclusion Future research can build the evidence base for implementation through an increased emphasis on understanding the mechanisms by which improved outcomes are achieved and describing the conditions under which specific intervention strategies are likely to succeed or fail.
PharmGKB: an integrated resource of pharmacogenomic data and knowledge.

The PharmGKB is a publicly available online resource that aims to facilitate understanding how genetic variation contributes to variation in drug response. It is not only a repository of pharmacogenomics primary data, but it also provides fully curated knowledge including drug pathways, annotated pharmacogene summaries, and relationships among genes, drugs, and diseases. This unit describes how to navigate the PharmGKB Web site to retrieve detailed information on genes and important variants, as well as their relationship to drugs and diseases. It also includes protocols on our drug-centered pathway, annotated pharmacogene summaries, and our Web services for downloading the underlying data. Workflow on how to use PharmGKB to facilitate design of the pharmacogenomic study is also described in this unit. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 23:14.7.1-14.7.17. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: database; pharmacogenomics; pharmacogenetics; drug response; genetic variation; pathway analysis; SNP; polymorphisms; study design
Investigating the transcription initiation mechanism of E. coli RNAP by FRET (743.1)

E. coli RNA Polymerase (RNAP) recognizes the -10 and -35 upstream elements of the promoter DNA, which bends and wraps around RNAP on the back of the β subunit of the RNAP core. The recognition between RNAP and DNA promoter initiates the melting of about 13bp of DNA duplex surrounding the transcription start site in the active site of RNAP to form a promoter-RNAP open complex (RPo). Even though transcription of DNA plays a critical role in gene expression and regulation, many important questions about the transcription initiation mechanism remains unanswered. To study the wrapping of DNA around RNAP, we have performed equilibrium FRET experiments on a strong promoter, λPr with Cy3 and Cy5 fluorophores on the upstream and downstream ends of the promoter DNA. We find that wrapping is present in closed complexes, as seen from complexes at 2°C and it persists in open complexes at 19°C. We further confirmed that the fluorophore-labeled DNA complexed with RNAP is transcriptionally competent. Single-labeled const...
Is Teaching Fractions a Waste of Time

My recent investigation of the reasons given for the necessity of teaching fractions in this fashion (Groff 1994) revealed the extent of this pressure on teachers by partisans of this instruction. It was common for popular middle grade mathematics texts, I discovered, to devote from 15 to 25 percent of their pages to fractions study. Furthermore, standardized tests of mathematics are loaded with items that
The Unitary Group and the Many-Body Problem

Publisher Summary The unitary group formulation of many-body theory is an alternative to the conventional second-quantized formulation for particle-conserving problems. It differs from the latter by its replacement of products of creation and annihilation operators with infinitesimal generators of the unitary group that generate orbital transformations and by imposing statistics with a selection of invariant subspaces rather than by selection of Lie algebras. This chapter discusses only a small fraction of the many-body theory but is representative enough to show how the unitary group formulation is applied. Some of the features are (1) the employment of finite Hilbert subspaces, (2) the use of generators as operators that are bounded on these subspaces, and (3) time-independent matrix evaluation and derivation of the (– 1) H+L rule. The chapter also employs the superoperator formulation, which is particularly well suited to the unitary group, permitting a straightforward development of the random-phase approximation and hence a time-independent development of the time-independent Green's function.
Depletion of B Cells in Murine Lupus: Efficacy and Resistance

In mice, genetic deletion of B cells strongly suppresses systemic autoimmunity, providing a rationale for depleting B cells to treat autoimmunity. In fact, B cell depletion with rituximab is approved for rhematoid arthritis patients, and clinical trials are underway for systemic lupus erythematosus. Yet, basic questions concerning mechanism, pathologic effect, and extent of B cell depletion cannot be easily studied in humans. To better understand how B cell depletion affects autoimmunity, we have generated a transgenic mouse expressing human CD20 on B cells in an autoimmune-prone MRL/MpJ- Fas lpr (MRL/ lpr ) background. Using high doses of a murine anti-human CD20 mAb, we were able to achieve significant depletion of B cells, which in turn markedly ameliorated clinical and histologic disease as well as antinuclear Ab and serum autoantibody levels. However, we also found that B cells were quite refractory to depletion in autoimmune-prone strains compared with nonautoimmune-prone strains. This was true with multiple anti-CD20 Abs, including a new anti-mouse CD20 Ab, and in several different autoimmune-prone strains. Thus, whereas successful B cell depletion is a promising therapy for lupus, at least some patients might be resistant to the therapy as a byproduct of the autoimmune condition itself.
Impedance control of underwater vehicle-manipulator systems (UVMS)

An impedance control scheme for an autonomous underwater robotic system is proposed. This robotic system is composed of a six degree-of-freedom autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and a robotic arm that is mounted on the AUV. First, a dynamic model for the whole underwater vehicle-manipulator system (UVMS) considering various hydrodynamic effects is derived using a quasi-Langrange method. This model is later used to implement the proposed impedance controller. The impedance controller is designed considering the whole UVMS as one dynamic system. Extensive computer simulations are performed to verify the efficacy of the proposed control scheme and the results are presented in the paper.
Interpretation and inversion of low-frequency head observations

[1] An asymptotic expression for transient head variations, valid at low-frequencies, forms the basis for an efficient scheme for estimating hydraulic conductivity. The critical computational step is equivalent to solving the governing equation for steady state head. Thus, model parameter sensitivities, relating changes in head to changes in hydraulic conductivity, of the fully transient problem can be computed with the equivalent of four steady state head computations. A comparison of model parameter sensitivities computed using the low-frequency asymptotic approach and sensitivities computed using a purely numerical approach indicates good agreement. An inversion of synthetic hydraulic tomography data indicates that it is possible to estimate overall permeability variations using the technique. In an actual application to truncated crosswell pressure tests from the Raymond field site, we image two high permeability fracture zones, in agreement with a conceptual model of the region. The location of the two fracture zones correlates with the position of transmissive fractures, as measured by borehole conductivity logs.
Western immunoblot analysis and serologic characterization of Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast form extracellular antigens.

A major 98-kDa extracellular protein antigen of Blastomyces dermatitidis was shown in Western blot (immunoblot) analysis to be highly reactive with serum antibodies from patients with blastomycosis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of yeast form B. dermatitidis culture filtrates and cell extracts demonstrated over 50 proteins, only 24 of which were immunoreactive. Of these, a 98-kDa protein was found to be the most specific and was isolated. This protein was found in both broth culture filtrates and extracts of yeast forms. Western blot tests with this antigen detected serum antibodies in 91% of 32 patients with clinically proven blastomycosis, in contrast to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with DEAE-purified antigen, which detected 88% of the cases. The Western blot test also exhibited lower reactivity with a panel of sera from patients with heterologous fungal infections that were cross-reactive in the ELISA with DEAE-purified B. dermatitidis antigen. The 98-kDa protein electroeluted from polyacrylamide gels was identical to the diagnostic A antigen used in the blastomycosis immunodiffusion test. Comparison of the 98-kDa antigen with a previously described 120-kDa yeast form cell wall protein antigen of B. dermatitidis showed that these two antigens are almost identical. Images
Elliptocytosis with hemolytic anemia: the effects of splenectomy.

An intrinsic erythrocytic anomaly associated with a severe hemolytic disorder is described in an infant believed to be homozygous for the dominant elliptocytic trait. The mother and father, second cousins of Italian descent, are both carriers as are her mother and sister and his father. No other intrinsic cellular defect was demonstrable in family members. Of the 6 elliptocytics, only the infant was anemic with evidence of hemolysis and bizarre cell shape and activity. This is the second reported instance of probable homozygosity. The previous case was studied prior to the recent development of more specific laboratory techniques. The trait is known to occur in .02 to .04 per cent of the population. Of greatest importance is recognition that this entity exists in 3 arbitrarily divided states: (1) Asymptomatic elliptocytic carrier. (Normal cell survival.) (2) Asymptomatic elliptocytic with compensated hemolysis. (Cell survival somewhat shortened.) (3) Elliptocytic hemolytic anemia. (May be heterozygous, homozygous or possibly associated with another abnormal gene. Cell survival markedly shortened.) Cell survival studies in this case verified an intrinsic defect and neither these nor agglutination procedures demonstrated any extracorpuscular factor. Because of persistent uncompensated hemolysis, a splenectomy was done which resulted in marked improvement. Well compensated but very minimal destruction persists as do the morphological changes of the erythrocytes and the marked increases in osmotic and mechanical fragilities. Alkali resistant hemoglobin and electrophoretic studies were within normal limits. The presence of many microspherocytes and particularly microelliptocytes was confirmed by accurate measurement. Observations related to the possible modes of production of these cells and their relationship to other findings in this unusual disorder are described. Problems in the diagnosis of elliptocytosis and aspects related to analogous genetically determined erythrocytic anomalies are also discussed.
The effects of anxiety on motoric expression of the startle response

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of anxiety on a motor output system through the use of the startle response paradigm. Most of the research dealing with anxiety to date has examined the effects of anxiety on the higher central nervous system, while little attention has been given to the possible detrimental effects of anxiety on motor output systems. Startle stimuli, 85 and 60 dB SPL noise bursts, were presented with and without a 50 dB SPL prepulse to college students who were low or high in state or trait anxiety. Integrated periorbital electromyographic activity (EMG) was used to assess the latency, amplitude and probability of startle eyeblink responding. An analysis of response latency revealed that Ss low in state anxiety responded more quickly to the 85 than to the 60 dB stimulus, whereas Ss high in state anxiety responded with equal latency to both levels of stimulus intensity. Given that response latency is the most sensitive indicator of the efferent (motor) component of the startle response, these results indicate that a high state of anxiety may result in indiscriminate motoneuronal firing to stimuli of different intensities. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of motoneural insensitivity on behavior, and in terms of the relevance of the findings to past and future research in the area of anxiety.
Ultrafast Carrier Relaxation Dynamics in Hetero-Nanostructures

Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in the visible-to-infrared range is used to capture the relaxation dynamics of electrons and holes in colloidal hetero-nanostructures with 100 fs time resolution.
The effects of sequential presentation and spatial arrangements on the free classification of multidimensional stimuli

Subjects classified sets of eight stimuli, constructed from three binary dimensions, into discrete groups in any way they wished. The stimuli were presented either simultaneously (all atonce) or sequentially (one at a time). When stimuli were presented simultaneously, different spatial arrangements did not produce different classifications. When stimuli were presented sequentially, in some sequential orders the level of each dimension varied at a different position in the sequence. For these orders, Ss tended to use the two levels of the first dimension that varied to classify the stimuli into two groups. But, other orders in which the levels of all dimensions varied on the second stimulus did not influence Ss’ classification. A comparison of sequential and simultaneous presentation showed for sequential presentation: (a) a smaller number of classifications was made using the dimensional structure to classify the stimuli, and (b)of those classifications that were dimensional, fewer dimensions were used to classify the stimuli into groups.
On the autapomorphic traits of Homo erectus

Abstract An investigation was carried out on 12 character states often said to be autapomorphic of the neurocranium of H. erectus . The African pongids were used as the outgroup. The majority of these traits were qualitative (i.e., present or absent) and could thus be treated using the classic Hennigian method. Of these, none was autapomorphic in H. erectus . However, the occipital torus was apomorphic for H. erectus and anatomically modern H. sapiens ; the neandertals and the “ante-neandertals” appear to demonstrate an autapomorphic pattern in their occipital torus. The remainder of the traits were quantitative; a Student's t with a level of significance of 0·05 was used as the point of discrimination between primitive and derived character states, although problems with this technique were noted. Of these metric character states, none was autapomorphic in H. erectus . However, one included metric trait, increased cranial vault thickness, was found to show significant statistical discrimination of H. erectus from the outgroups, the australopithecines and anatomically modern Homo sapiens . However, thickened cranial vault bone was also found in the neandertals and in most other non-modern hominids although it was generally less in these groups relative to H. erectus . The presence of thickened vault bone in these groups prevents the trait from being a H. erectus autapomorph. It was hypothesized here that cranial thickness in hominoids occurs in two ways. Increased superior vault thickness is derived for H. erectus and most other non-modern hominids. Thickness of the inferior cranium, on the other hand, reflects retained pneumatodiploic bone and is symplesiomorphic, being shared by the outgroups, the australopithecines and H. erectus . Inferior vault expansion has decreased (relative to H. erectus , the australopithecines and the outgroups) in the neandertals and most other non-modern hominids. Several hypotheses concerning the relationship of H. erectus to other hominids were tested. Among the conclusions are that on the basis of the included traits H. erectus , as presently defined and using the methodology of phylogenetic systematics, cannot be considered a valid species. It was argued, however, that the challenge to the taxon H. erectus rests less with the biological reality of such a group than with the present taxonomic configuration of middle and early upper Pleistocene hominids. It was also suggested that the neandertals, who appear to have a number of autapomorphs, should not be included within the modern species, Homo sapiens .
The influence of pulse duration on the bond strength of dentin to composite after Er:YAG laser irradiation

Last year we demonstrated that thermal damage to dentin could be minimized by using Q-switched Er:YSGG laser pulses shorter than the thermal relaxation time of the deposited laser energy in conjunction with a layer of water added to the tissue surface before ablation. This resulted in significantly higher bond strengths of composite resin to laser treated dentin surfaces. Unfortunately, Q-switched erbium laser pulses cause strong acoustic effects and sound waves that are potentially irritating to the clinician and patient. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of slightly longer Er:YAG laser pulses that avoid the undesirable acoustic effects on the bond strength of composite to laser prepared dentin surfaces. The surfaces of human dentin samples were irradiated by Er:YAG lasers operating with pulse durations of 0.5-μs, 20-μs, and 200-μs. A motion control system and a pressurized spray system incorporating a microprocessor controlled pulsed nozzle for water delivery, were used to ensure uniform treatment of the entire surface. Shear bond testing was used to evaluate the adhesive strength in order to assess the suitability of laser treated surfaces for bonding. High bond strengths with minimal peripheral thermal damage were achieved using 20-30μs Er:YAG laser pulses.
The many faces of sequence alignment

Starting with the sequencing of the mouse genome in 2002, we have entered a period where the main focus of genomics will be to compare multiple genomes in order to learn about human biology and evolution at the DNA level. Alignment methods are the main computational component of this endeavour. This short review aims to summarise the current status of research in alignments, emphasising large-scale genomic comparisons and suggesting possible directions that will be explored in the near future.
Results of Surgical Treatment for Congenital Aortic Stenosis

Open operation by means of extracorporeal circulation has been used on 47 patients with congenital aortic stenosis at the Mayo Clinic between April 1955 and July 1, 1960; 33 patients had valvular stenosis, 11 had subvalvular stenosis, and three had supravalvular stenosis. The over-all operative mortality rate was 13 per cent; 6 per cent of patients with valvular aortic stenosis died in the hospital. Severe aortic insufficiency did not develop in any patient operated on for valvular aortic stenosis although a diastolic murmur was present after operation in some. Rarely, however, was the transvalvular gradient completely eliminated by operation although 90 per cent of the surviving patients were either asymptomatic or had definite clinical improvement. Late follow-up hemodynamic studies suggest that a persistent transvalvular gradient may regress in time. Relief of obstruction caused by subvalvular variety of aortic stenosis is difficult whether stenosis is localized or diffuse. Even in this gruop, however,...
Sub-fF nanophotodetector for efficient waveguide integration

We simulate a 33% quantum efficiency, 240 aF germanium photodiode coupled directly to a silicon waveguide. The variation of geometric parameters barely degrades the performance, showing promise for future fabrication.
Transfer of Amide and 2-Methoxyethoxy Groups and Sodium Encapsulation in the Reaction of TaCl3[N(TMS)2]2 with Sodium Bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum Hydride: X-ray Structure of [NaAl{N(TMS)2}(OCH2CH2OMe)3]2

The reaction between the tantalum compound TaCl3[N(TMS)2]2 and the hydridic reducing agent sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride (Vitride) has been investigated in toluene solution at room temperature and found to afford the dimeric aluminate complex [NaAl{N(TMS)2}(OCH2CH2OMe)3]2 as the sole isolable product. The molecular structure of the product establishes the existence of a four-coordinate aluminum atom and the formal transfer of the 2-methoxyethoxy and bis(trimethylsilyl)amide groups to the aluminate product. The aggregation of two NaAl{N(TMS)2}(OCH2CH2OMe)3 units serves to bind the two sodium cations in a crown-ether fashion through six ancillary oxygen atoms. The reaction between TaCl3[N(TMS)2]2 and the reducing agent Vitride has been examined and found to furnish the dimeric aluminate complex [NaAl{N(TMS)2}(OCH2CH2OMe)3]2 in low yields. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the attendant transfer of the 2-methoxyethoxy and bis(trimethylsilyl)amide groups to the aluminate product, which exists as a dimer that encapsulates two sodium counter ions via the 2-methoxyethoxy appendages.
Solidification and solidification cracking in nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steels

The solidification behavior of three heats of nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel was examined and was correlated with solidification mode predictions and with hot cracking resistance. The heat of NITRONIC* 50 solidified by the austenitic-ferrite mode, and the NITRONIC 50W and NITRONIC 50W - Nb heats solidified by the ferritic-austenitic mode. This behavior was in good agreement with predictions based on Espy’s formulas for Cr and Ni equivalents. Both the NITRONIC 50W and NITRONIC 50W + Nb welds contained primary delta-ferrite, with the latter weld and the NITRONIC 50 weld also containing some eutectic ferrite. Solute profiles in austenite near the eutectic ferrite showed decreasing Fe and increasing Cr, Ni, Mn, and Mo relative to austenite in the dendrite cores. Numerous Nb-rich precipitates were found on the eutectic ferrite/austenite interfaces and within the eutectic ferrite. The precipitates were mainly Nb(C, N), with some Z-phase, a Nb-rich nitride, also detected. One instance of the transformation of eutectic ferrite to sigma-phase was observed to have occurred during cooling of the NITRONIC 50 weld. Hot cracking was seen in the NITRONIC 50 and NITRONIC 50W + Nb welds and resulted from the formation of a niobium carbonitride eutectic in the interdendritic regions. In the absence of Nb, the NITRONIC 50W heat formed no observable eutectic constituents and did not hot crack. The presence of hot cracks in the NITRONIC 50W + Nb weld indicates that solidification by the ferritic-austenitic mode did not counteract the effects of small Nb additions.
Biomass boiler conversion potential in the eastern United States

Abstract The U.S. is the world's leading consumer of primary energy. A large fraction of this energy is used in boiler installations to generate steam and hot water for heating applications. It is estimated there are total 163,000 industrial and commercial boilers in use in the United States of all sizes. This paper characterizes the commercial and industrial boilers in the 37 states of the Midwest, Northeast, and Southern regions of the U.S. in term of number of units, unit capacity, aggregate capacity, and fuel type. A methodology is developed for evaluating and ranking the potential for converting from existing fossil-fuel boilers to biomass boilers in these states. In total, 3495 oil and coal boiler units in industrial and commercial buildings, and 1067 major wood energy facilities in the 37 eastern states were identified. These represent a subset of existing and potential conversions from fossil fuels to woody biomass. Based on this sample and energy consumption data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), we estimate that there are currently 31,776 oil, coal, and propane boiler units over 0.5 MMBtus/hour capacity in these 37 states, representing a total energy consumption of 1.7 quadrillion Btus, or roughly the equivalent of 287 million barrels of oil. Were these units all converted to woody biomass fuel, they would consume a total of 121 million dry tons of wood per year, about three times the most recent US DOE estimates of woody biomass availability in those regions. Since only the most economical conversions typically occur, the reality of woody biomass market availability combined with thermal fossil-fuel consumption patterns suggests that roughly one-third of all potential projects could be achieved under sustainable utilization of existing biomass feedstocks in the three regions. Analysis of the results indicates that a targeted response to wood-conversion initiatives will yield the most successful program of fossil-fuel replacement in thermal applications. A ranking index developed in this study through analysis of existing boiler installations and availability of wood feedstocks suggests that the top ten states in the eastern United States on which to focus future messaging, feasibility studies, and policy development for potential woody biomass conversions are: 1. Maine, 2. Texas, 3. New York, 4. Florida, 5. Georgia, 6. Alabama, 7. South Carolina, 8. North Carolina, 9. Arkansas, 10. Pennsylvania.
Transcriptional "silencer" element in rat repetitive sequences associated with the rat insulin 1 gene locus.

Abstract The enhancer elements from either simian virus 40 or murine sarcoma virus activate the expression of a transfected rat insulin 1 (rI1) gene when placed within 2.0 kilobases or less of the rI1 gene cap site. Inclusion of 4.0 kilobases of upstream rI1 sequence, however, results in a substantial reduction in the enhancer-dependent insulin gene expression. These observations suggested that a negative transcriptional regulatory element was present between 2.0 and 4.0 kilobases of the rI1 sequence. To test this notion, we employed a heterologous enhancer-dependent transcription assay in which the simian virus 40 72-base-pair repeat is linked to a human beta-globin gene. Addition of the upstream rI1 element to this system decreased the level of enhancer-dependent beta-globin transcription by a factor of 5 to 15. This rI1 "silencer" element functions in a manner relatively independent of position and orientation and requires a cis-dependent relationship to the transcription unit on which it acts. Thus, the silencer sequence seems to have a number of the characteristics of enhancer elements, and we suggest that it may function by the converse of the enhancer mechanism. The rI1 silencer sequence was identified as a member of a long interspersed rat repetitive family. Thus, a potential role for certain repetitive sequences interspersed throughout the eukaryotic genome may be to regulate gene expression by retaining transcriptional activity within defined domains.
Assessment of environmental impacts of a colony of free-ranging rhesus monkeys (Macca mulatta) on Morgan Island, South Carolina.

Morgan Island, located within the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve in South Carolina, is home to the only free-ranging colony of rhesus monkeys (Macca mulatta) in the continental United States. The purpose of this study was to assess environmental impacts of the monkey colony on water quality in adjacent tidal creeks and on island vegetation. Three tidal creeks were sampled: Morgan Creek, adjacent to the monkey colony; Back Creek, on Morgan Island not adjacent to the colony; and Rock Creek, on a nearby island unoccupied by monkeys. Temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrients and fecal coliform bacteria were measured six times at three sites in each of these creeks, and vegetation change analysis was conducted in a geographic information system using satellite imagery. Results showed elevated fecal coliform concentrations in the Morgan Creek site immediately adjacent to the colony, though no samples exceeded the standard set for recreational water use. Ribotyping reconnaissance matched four Escherichia coli isolates from Morgan and Back Creeks to the monkeys, identifying the colony as one source of fecal coliform bacteria, though relative source loadings could not be quantified. Significant differences were not observed between ammonia or orthophosphate levels in Morgan Creek relative to the other creeks tested; and vegetation change analysis showed a 35% increase in canopy cover between 1979 and 1999. Overall, these results suggest that the rhesus colony’s environmental impacts are localized and minimal. Results from this study provide baseline data on Morgan Island and may be useful in management decisions regarding the future of the monkey colony.
A simple device for the preparation of embedded materials science specimens for ultramicrotomy.

A simple hand-held grinding fixture is discussed which can produce microtome mounts of hard materials, oriented interfaces, and powders embedded in a 5/16-in plastic rod. The device has been used for the ultramicrotomy of meteorite samples, 10-50 micron interplanetary dust particles, and thin films on plastic. Results are presented for a layer lattice silicate from the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite, illustrating the resolution and structural detail that can be obtained with the method.
An abused psychotic preadolescent at risk for Huntington's disease

An abused 10-year-old girl with a family history of Huntington's disease developed incapacitating abdominal pain with concomitant behavioral symptomatology suggestive of dementia. The pseudoneurologic nature of her symptoms was clarified through exhaustive evaluation and did not appear to be that of early-onset Huntington's disease. Assessment included pediatric, psychiatric, neurologic, and gynecologic examination; extensive radiologic and laboratory tests; and chronobiology studies. Successful treatment necessitated the integration of numerous therapeutic modalities including dynamically oriented psychotherapy, psychopharmacologic intervention, physical therapy, behavior modification, and electroconvulsive therapy.
Lack of a heritable reproductive defect in the offspring of male rainbow trout exposed to the environmental estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol

Endocrine disruptors, including environmental estrogens, have been shown to induce heritable effects through both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in mammals. Despite this information and the wealth of knowledge regarding the significant reproductive impacts endocrine disruptors impose on fishes, no studies have reported whether the observed effects are heritable. Without this information it is difficult to establish the long-term consequences for exposed populations. To determine potential consequences of long-term effects we must consider the possibility that induced reproductive defects in fishes may be heritable. Using rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a model this study aims to determine whether a specific reproductive defect observed in 17α-ethynylestradiol exposed male parents, diminished progeny survival, is heritable in the unexposed surviving F1 males. Semen was collected from anesthetized males of the F1 generation upon sexual maturation at two time-points, one year old precocious males and two years old males. In vitro fertilization was used to produce an F2 generation. F2 embryos were then analyzed for survival at 19 days post-fertilization (eye pigmentation) and the different treatment groups statistically compared to the controls. Analysis indicated that F2 offspring survival from F1 males propagated from both exposed and unexposed parents survive normally and no heritable effect was observed in males from the F1 generation for this specific reproductive defect. These results provide scope for the recovery of fish populations exposed to environmental estrogens should the contaminant be removed.
Weight and salinity effects on zinc uptake and accumulation for the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica Gmelin).

Abstract The power relationships of short-term net uptake and of in-situ body burden with body weight were examined. The accumulation of soft tissue zinc in the American oyster ( Crassostrea virginica ) was related to time integration of uptake. Short term uptake of 65 Zn was measured in the laboratory. It was (i) a function of the (dry soft-tissue) weight of the oyster, (ii) inversely related to the salinity of the ambient water, and (iii) increased linearly with ambient concentrations. When in-situ soft-tissue zinc body burdens of oysters from the James River and the Rappahannock River were fit to power functions of body weights ( y = aW b ), the values of b for all sites were larger by 1 than the powers for 65 Zn uptake when b was adjusted for the oyster-bed salinities. The soft-tissue zinc concentration ( y/W ) of an oyster increased continuously, but the rate of the increase was reduced as the oyster grows larger. Both short-term uptake and in-situ body burden varied with salinity. The soft-tissue zinc concentrations of hooked mussels ( Ischadium recurvum ) from the Rappahannock River oyster beds, contrary to the oysters, appeared to be in equilibrium with ambient concentrations.
Age-Related Changes in Expectation-Based Modulation of Motion Detectability

Expecting motion in some particular direction biases sensitivity to that direction, which speeds detection of motion. However, the neural processes underlying this effect remain underexplored, especially in the context of normal aging. To address this, we examined younger and older adults' performance in a motion detection task. In separate conditions, the probability was either 50% or 100% that a field of dots would move coherently in the direction a participant expected (either vertically or horizontally). Expectation and aging effects were assessed via response times (RT) to detect motion and electroencephalography (EEG). In both age groups, RTs were fastest when motion was similar to the expected direction of motion. RT tuning curves exhibited a characteristic U-shape such that detection time increased with an increasing deviation from the participant's expected direction. Strikingly, EEG results showed an analogous, hyperbolic curve for N1 amplitude, reflecting neural biasing. Though the form of behavioral and EEG curves did not vary with age, older adults displayed a clear decline in the speed of detection and a corresponding reduction in EEG N1 amplitude when horizontal (but not vertical) motion was expected. Our results suggest that expectation-based detection ability varies with age and, for older adults, also with axis of motion.
Hedonistic Persons. The Good Man Argument in Plato's Philebus

It seems an odd claim that knowing could be itself of intrinsic worth. Knowledge appears heavily, perhaps entirely reliant for its worth on the value of the objects known and the value of the ends ...