cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrophoretic and hydrodynamic properties of duplex ribonucleic acid molecules transcribed in vitro: evidence that A-tracts do not generate curvature in RNA.

We have developed a T7 RNA polymerase based transcription system for the production of fully complementary RNA molecules (i.e., molecules capable of forming blunt-ended duplex species) as the direct products of transcription, thus rendering unnecessary the enzymatic removal of single-stranded ends. A combined gel electrophoretic and hydrodynamic analysis of a 180 bp double-stranded (ds) RNA molecule containing four A5-tracts in approximate phase coherence with the helix repeat provides no indication that the helix axis is curved, in sharp contrast to DNA molecules containing phased A-tracts. The electrophoretic behavior of dsRNA molecules reveals that their mobilities in nondenaturing acrylamide gels are approximately 10-20% lower than the corresponding mobilities of duplex DNA, in accord with earlier observations in the literature. Furthermore, the relative mobilities are only slightly modulated by gel concentration, the concentration of monovalent salt, or the presence of spermidine and/or Mg2+. The reduced mobilities are not caused by increased contour length, since direct hydrodynamic measurements using transient electric birefringence indicate that the average helix rise, h, of the dsRNA molecules examined in the current study is 2.8 +/- 0.1 A/bp. The reduced electrophoretic mobilities, extrapolated to zero acrylamide concentration, are consistent with the lower residual charge predicted for dsRNA by counterion condensation theory. Finally, birefringence measurements indicate that dsRNA is only marginally stiffer than DNA, with a persistence length of ca. 500-700 A.
Quantitative assessment of relationship between sequence similarity and function similarity.

Comparative sequence analysis is considered as the first step towards annotating new proteins in genome annotation. However, sequence comparison may lead to creation and propagation of function assignment errors. Thus, it is important to perform a thorough analysis for the quality of sequence-based function assignment using large-scale data in a systematic way. We present an analysis of the relationship between sequence similarity and function similarity for the proteins in four model organisms, i.e., Arabidopsis thaliana, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorrhabditis elegans, and Drosophila melanogaster. Using a measure of functional similarity based on the three categories of Gene Ontology (GO) classifications (biological process, molecular function, and cellular component), we quantified the correlation between functional similarity and sequence similarity measured by sequence identity or statistical significance of the alignment and compared such a correlation against randomly chosen protein pairs. Various sequence-function relationships were identified from BLAST versus PSI-BLAST, sequence identity versus Expectation Value, GO indices versus semantic similarity approaches, and within genome versus between genome comparisons, for the three GO categories. Our study provides a benchmark to estimate the confidence in assignment of functions purely based on sequence similarity.
Subsidence of San Francisco Bay: Blame it on Salinia

The San Francisco Bay basin in central coastal California has formed in response to the capture by and emplacement onto the Pacific plate of the Salinian terrane during the past 4 m.y. The addition of mass (the Salinian terrane) onto the Pacific plate caused the flexural downwarp of the Pacific plate and the formation and subsidence of the San Francisco Bay basin. As a result of continued plate-boundary evolution, sedimentary basins that previously formed in this way along the San Andreas fault may be ephemeral. Much of the basin may be removed during crustal capture by the Pacific plate and translation through Santa Cruz Mountain–like fault geometries. Remnants of such flexural downwarp basins may be preserved within the nearshore basins on the Pacific plate.
The wall‐shear‐stress contribution to boundary‐layer noise

The effect of viscosity on the wall‐pressure spectrum of a slightly compressible, turbulent boundary layer is studied. Apart the resolving the singularities of the inviscid spectrum, the viscous shear‐stress dipole sources also partake in sound generation. The dominant viscous contribution to the low‐wavenumber part of the spectrum is evaluated in terms of the flow Mach and Reynolds numbers. It is concluded that, in typical applications, the viscous contribution is small compared with the inviscid one.
Prevalence and Consequences of Alcohol, Cigarette, and Drug Use Among Hispanics

SUMMARY This paper presents an overview of the prevalence of alcohol, heavy alcohol, cigarette, cocaine, and marijuana use in the Hispanic population living in the mainland United States and their attitudes and perceptions regarding the availability in alcohol and other drugs in their neighborhood. In addition, this paper will describe the major consequences of drug use and make recommendations for future research.
Regulation of Cardiac Specific nkx2.5 Gene Activity by Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier

The cardiac specific homeobox gene nkx2.5, a member of the nk-2 class family, plays a central role in cardiogenesis and is a target of the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO). Nkx2.5 was modified by SUMO on its 51st amino acid, a lysine residue conserved across species but absent in other nk-2 members. Conversion of this lysine to an arginine (K51R) substantially reduced Nkx2.5 DNA binding and also its transcriptional activity. Unexpectedly, mutant K51R was targeted by ubiquitin. E3 ligase PIAS proteins PIAS1, PIASx, and PIASy, but not PIAS3, enhanced SUMO-1 attachment to Nkx2.5 on the primary SUMO acceptor site. SUMO-2 linkage to Nkx2.5 was catalyzed only by PIASx and not by other PIAS proteins. SUMO conjugation stabilized the formation of Nkx2.5-containing complexes that led to robust transcriptional activation. Thus, SUMO modification serves as a positive regulator for Nkx2.5 transcriptional activity.
UV Nitride Semiconductor Lasers

Nitride semiconductors offer the potential to realize a compact UV laser source. Three approaches will be described: (1) InGaN VECSEL for frequency doubling, (2) photo-pumped AlGaN lasers (to 237 nm), and (3) AlGaN laser diodes. 150-word Biography: Dr. Noble Johnson is Research Fellow and Manager of the Optoelectronic Materials and Devices Group at the Palo Alto Research Center (a Xerox Company). He received his Ph.D. degree from Princeton University under a National Defense Graduate Fellowship and has been at PARC since 1976. He has conducted experimental research in the general area of electronic materials and devices, has published over 415 research papers in technical journals and conference proceedings, and is a co-inventor on over fifty patents. As Manager of the Optoelectronic Materials and Devices program he has guided the activities of a world-class R&D team that has successfully developed visible and ultraviolet lasers and LEDs and which has made major contributions to the fundamental understanding of the materials and devices. Dr. Johnson is a fellow of the American Physical Society and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Article not available.
A characterization of spaces that are the continuous image of an arc

Abstract It has been shown earlier by Mardesic that there exists an example of a locally connected Hausdorff continuum which is not the continuous image of an arc (ordered continuum). In this paper the author gives a generalization of the Hahn-Mazurkiewicz Theorem to certain locally connected Hausdorff continua by answering a 1963 question of Mardesic and Papic.
TREM2 variants and Alzheimer’s disease

Evaluation of: Guerreiro R, Wojtas A, Bras J et al.TREM2 variants in Alzheimer’s disease. N. Engl. J. Med. 368(2), 117–127 (2013); Jonsson T, Stefansson H, Steinberg S et al. Variant of TREM2 associated with the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. N. Engl. J. Med. 368(2), 107–116 (2013). The articles by Guerreiro et al. and Jonsson et al. report the association between a specific exonic variant in the TREM2 gene, a cell surface receptor involved in immune system regulation, and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The observations of these studies are relevant as they further disentangle the genetic causes underlying AD by identifying a disease-associated rare variant in the TREM2 gene exhibiting an effect size comparable to that of the APOEe4 allele (i.e., increasing the risk approximately twofold) thereby strengthening the link between AD and the immune system. All other AD-associated genes described to date have shown smaller effect sizes with increases in risk of 10–20%. The two articles also underline the r...
The role of retrograde urethrography in the planning of prostate cancer radiotherapy

Abstract This analysis was performed to examine the role of retrograde urethography in the planning of prostate cancer irradiation. Retrograde urethrograms were performed in 91 patients at the time of simulation. The abrupt narrowing of the contrast column in the urethra was visualized in each case. The distance between the abrupt narrowing of the contrast column and a line connecting the lower poles of the ischial tuberosities was measured in each patient. This distance ranged from 2 to 33 mm with a mean and median of 14 mm. A review of the literature revealed that the abrupt narrowing of the contrast column lies between 5–13 mm inferior to the prostate apex as determined by computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasonography. The prostate apex will be adequately covered by placing the inferior edge of the treatment field 15 mm below the abrupt narrowing of the contrast column. This technique will result in at least 20 mm between the prostate apex and the inferior field edge. Performing a retrograde urethrogram at the time of simulation can help prevent geographic misses of the prostate gland when delivering radiation for prostate cancer.
Correlates of medical and legal help seeking among women reporting intimate partner violence.

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) type, severity, and duration and abused women's use of medical and legal services. Methods: Participants were 1509 randomly sampled women from a large health plan who were interviewed by telephone to assess (1) self-reported lifetime exposure to IPV type (physical, sexual, and psychological), severity, and duration and (2) women's use of medical and legal services (civil protection orders). Results: Compared with women who experienced psychological abuse only, sexually abused women were 1.3 times as likely to seek medical care, and women exposed to physical IPV or sexual IPV were 3.2 times and 1.6 times as likely, respectively, to seek legal services. Rates of medical and legal help seeking increased with increasing abuse severity among physically abused women, and rates of legal help seeking increased with abuse severity among sexually and psychologically abused women. Longer duration of physical and sexual IPV was al...
Women's Bisexuality as a Category in Social Research, Revisited

This reconsideration of a previous study, “Bisexuality as a Category in Social Research,” examines recent abstracts of social scientific, scholarly articles to see how common is the practice of merging lesbian and bisexual women subjects in social scientific research and, in studies that do distinguish between lesbian and bisexual women, how often that distinction is a useful one. Reviewing 292 abstracts of social scientific articles published in 2010, the study found that bisexual women are being treated as a category in social research by a growing number of researchers. This separate treatment yields results; bisexual women have been found to have distinct experiences regarding health, discrimination and substance abuse. It is likely that bi women possess instructive experiences in many other regards, if only more researchers would include them as a category of their own.
Crystal Structure of the Extracellular Protein Secretion NTPase EpsE of Vibrio cholerae

Type II secretion systems consist of an assembly of 12-15 Gsp proteins responsible for transporting a variety of virulence factors across the outer membrane in several pathogenic bacteria. In Vibrio cholerae, the major virulence factor cholera toxin is secreted by the Eps Type II secretion apparatus consisting of 14 Eps proteins. One of these, EpsE, is a cytoplasmic putative NTPase essential for the functioning of the Eps system and member of the GspE subfamily of Type II secretion ATPases. The crystal structure of a truncated form of EpsE in nucleotide-liganded and unliganded state has been determined, and reveals a two-domain architecture with the four characteristic sequence "boxes" of the GspE subfamily clustering around the nucleotide-binding site of the C-domain. This domain contains two C-terminal subdomains not reported before in this superfamily of NTPases. One of these subdomains contains a four-cysteine motif that appears to be involved in metal binding as revealed by anomalous difference density. The EpsE subunits form a right-handed helical arrangement in the crystal with extensive and conserved contacts between the C and N domains of neighboring subunits. Combining the most conserved interface with the quaternary structure of the C domain in a distant homolog, a hexameric model for EpsE is proposed which may reflect the assembly of this critical protein in the Type II secretion system. The nucleotide ligand contacts both domains in this model. The N2-domain-containing surface of the hexamer appears to be highly conserved in the GspE family and most likely faces the inner membrane interacting with other members of the Eps system.
The heliocentric evolution of cometary infrared spectra: results from an organic grain model.

An emission feature peaking near 3.4 microns that is typical of C-H stretching in hydrocarbons and which fits a simple, two-component thermal emission model for dust in the cometary coma, has been noted in observations of Comets Halley and Wilson. A noteworthy consequence of this modeling is that, at about 1 AU, emission features at wavelengths longer than 3.4 microns come to be 'diluted' by continuum emission. A quantitative development of the model shows it to agree with observational data for Comet Halley for certain, plausible values of the optical constants; the observed heliocentric evolution of the 3.4-micron feature thereby furnishes information on the composition of the comet's organic grains.
Hall Mobility of Electrons in Anthracene Crystals

The Hall mobility for electrons has been measured in anthracene along different crystallographic axes. The electrons were injected into the crystals with solid electrodes containing anthracene negative ions (Na-anthracene). To avoid any magnetic effects arising from photoconductivity, all experiments were performed in the dark and great care was taken to avoid double injection. The Hall mobilities for electrons at room temperature are ≈ 9 cm2 V−1s−1 (a-axes), ≈ 7 cm2V−1s−1 (b-axes), and < 2 cm2V−1s−1 (c′-axes; no sign could be determined). The anomalous Hall mobilities predicted by the narrow band description of carrier transport in anthracene were not found. Die Hallbeweglichkeit von Elektronen in Anthrazen wurde entlang den verschiedenen Achsen des Kristalles gemessen. Feste Kontakte aus negativen Anthrazenionen (Na-Anthrazen) dienten zur Injektion der Elektronen in den Kristall. Um Storeffekte durch Photoleitung auszuschliesen, wurden die Messungen unter Lichtausschlus durchgefuhrt und grose Sorgfalt darauf verwendet, jegliche Doppelinjektion zu verhindern. Die gemessenen Hallbeweglichkeiten fur Elektronen bei Zimmertemperatur sind ≈ 9 cm2V−1s−1 (entlang der a-Achse), ≈ 7 cm2V−1s−1 (entlang der b-Achse) und < 2 cm2V−1s−1 (entlang der c′-Achse; das Vorzeichen konnte nicht bestimmt werden). Ein anomaler Halleffekt, wie er nach der Bandertheorie fur schmale Bander zu erwarten ist, wurde nicht gefunden. Die Messungen zeigen, das eine derartige Bandbeschreibung in Anthrazen nicht zulassig ist.
Distillation control configuration selection based on product variability prediction

A novel technique is presented to evaluate control configuration selection for distillation columns. The technique uses process disturbance data and applies signal-processing techniques to extract its amplitude and frequency information. This information is combined with the closed-loop Bode plot of the process to predict the closed-loop product variability for the column. The closed-loop Bode plot is developed using a linear dynamic tray-to-tray model of the process. The approach is demonstrated using two distinctly different distillation columns by identifying the best control configurations from among nine potential configurations for each column. The limits of this approach for control configuration selection are also analyzed.
Ultra-small water-dispersible fluorescent chitosan nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and specific targeting

A robust water-in-oil microemulsion method of making water-dispersible ultra-small (<30 nm) size fluorescent chitosan nanoparticles is reported for the first time and specific targeting of these FCNPs to human leukemia cells via aptamer recognition is demonstrated.
Simple procedure for correcting equations of evolution: Application to Markov processes

A general procedure is proposed for correcting evolution equations, arising in different branches of science. Its application to Markov processes shows that the coefficients of the third- and higher-order derivatives in the Kramers-Moyal expansion are, in general, not small; nevertheless, the macroscopic-time evolution of the process is completely described by a differential equation of second order. For Brownian motion, this equation is Galilean invariant, while the Fokker-Planck equation is not. Finally, a correction is derived for the master equation.
The error in satellite retrieved temperature profiles due to the effects of atmospheric aerosol particles

Abstract Radiances were computed for the eight temperature sounding infrared channels of the SIRS-B instrument for a clear model and for two very hazy models of the atmosphere. Temperature profiles were retrieved from these radiances using the minimum-information technique. For the retrieval, it was assumed that the computed radiances were measured by a noise-free instrument and the atmosphere was clear. Also, the true model temperature profile was used as the initial profile. As a result, deviations of the retrieved profile from the true one occurred only for haze models and were due solely to the neglect of aerosol-particle absorption and scattering in the retrieval process. Temperature errors were greatest for the haze model with large stratospheric aerosol-particle concentration. The rms temperature error between 100 and 1000 mbar for this model was 0.7°C. The largest deviations occurred at 966 mbar (1.5°C warmer) and 673 mbar (1.2°C cooler). Since the atmosphere is typically much less hazy than these models represent, we have concluded that the error caused by the neglect of aerosol effects is a small part of the rms error computed from radiosonde intercomparison analyses ( ≈2.5° C ).
Nuclear and electromagnetic fragmentation of 2.25-TeV 197 Au nuclei

We report the first measurement of the total charge-loss cross section σtot=σem+σnuc and partial cross sections (for ΔZ=1, 2, ..., 9) of 11.4 A GeV197Au nuclei in various targets. The large Coulomb barrier for Au reduces the electromagnetic contribution σem in a Pb target to only 18% of σnuc, compared with ∼ 70% for 14.5 A GeV28Si and 120% for 200 A GeV32S. With σem taken to be ∝Z T 1.8 , σnuc can be fitted with σnuc=α(A P 1/3 +A T 1/3 −b)2, with b=0.83 and α=59 mb, essentially the same as found at energies of 1 to 2 A GeV. Electromagnetic partial cross sections for ΔZ=1 exceed ∼ 40 mb in the Pb, Sn, Cu, and Fe targets and are substantial for larger values ofΔZ in the heavier targets.
Cosmological constraints on f(R) acceleration models

Models which accelerate the expansion of the universe through the addition of a function of the Ricci scalar f(R) leave a characteristic signature in the large-scale structure of the universe at the Compton wavelength scale of the extra scalar degree of freedom. We search for such a signature in current cosmological data sets: the WMAP cosmic microwave background (CMB) power spectrum, Supernovae Legacy Survey supernovae distance measures, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey luminous red galaxy power spectrum, and galaxy-CMB angular correlations. Because of theoretical uncertainties in the nonlinear evolution of f(R) models, the galaxy power spectrum conservatively yields only weak constraints on the models despite the strong predicted signature in the linear matter power spectrum. Currently the tightest constraints involve the modification to the integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect from growth of gravitational potentials during the acceleration epoch. This effect is manifest for large Compton wavelengths in enhanced low multipole power in the CMB and anticorrelation between the CMB and tracers of the potential. They place a bound on the Compton wavelength of the field to be less than of order the Hubble scale.
In vitro and in vivo effects of ipriflavone on bone formation and bone biomechanics.

Ipriflavone (IP) positively affects bone density in postmenopausal osteoporosis, primarily by inhibiting bone resorption. Using in vitro models of human osteoblast differentiation, we have observed that IP and some of its metabolites stimulate the expression of bone sialoprotein, decorin, and type I collagen, and facilitate the deposition of mineralized matrix. This suggests that IP may stimulate bone formation in addition to its antiresorptive activity. To assess whether these effects translate into an improved bone “quality” in vivo, we measured biomechanical properties, mineral composition, and crystallinity of femurs of 12-week-old, male, Sprague-Dawley rats treated with IP for 1 month. IP significantly decreased vibration damping, an index of strain energy loss. Because vibration damping increases as bone porosity increases, the results indicate that IP-treated bones acquired a higher capacity to withstand dynamic stress. In fact, 1.5-fold higher energy was required to fracture femurs of IP-treated rats after a single supramaximal impact. IP also increased BMD, assessed by both volume displacement and ash analysis, whereas the relative contents of Ca, P, and Mg in the ashes were not affected. Thus, no gross abnormalities in mineral composition of bone occurred after IP administration. As a measure of bone crystallinity, X-ray diffraction analysis was performed. The broadening parameter β1/2 for the (310) and (002) reflections was not significantly different between IP-treated and control animals. Similarly, there were no differences in serum levels of Ca, Mg, alkaline phosphatase, and type I collagen telopeptides between treated and control animals at the end of the study. Therefore, 1-month treatment with IP increased bone density and improved the biomechanical properties of adult male rat bones without altering mineral composition or bone crystallinity.
Taking Pictures in the City

Planners, and teachers and students of planning, ought systematically to document ordinary urban phenomena: store-front churches, vernacular visual merchandising, industry,... Careful archiving and indexing is crucial. For long-lasting records, photographic film still provides the best medium for still photographs; digital video and audio are probably best for motion pictures and sound.
Acute cardiogenic shock in a 62-year-old man.

(Chest 1993; 103:1237-38) A 62-year old man presented with hypotension and cardiorespiratory failure. Seven years previously, he was found to have severe mitral valve regurgitation due to myxomatous degeneration and underwent valve replacement with a 31-mm Bjork-Shiley prosthesis. Chronic anticoagnlation therapy was begun, and the patient did well over the next several years with normal valve function and only occasional palpitations. On the day of admission, the patient suddenly developed a burning chest sensation followed by severe dyspnea. When an ambulance team arrived, he collapsed, became hypotensive, and was intubated. On arrival to the emergency room he was unresponsive with a blood pressure of 72140 mm Hg and a pulse of 130 beats per minute. Examination revealed cool, clammy extremities, prominent crackles over all lung
Democratic Experiments in Africa: Regime Transitions in Comparative Perspective

Between 1989 and 1994, 41 out of 47 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa underwent significant political reform, including in many cases the first competitive elections in a generation. How can this wave of political liberalization be explained? Why did some countries complete a democratic transition, while others could not sustain more than limited political reform and others still suffered authoritarian reversals? What are the long term prospects for democracy in Africa? This study constitutes the first comprehensive analysis of democratic transitions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using an original data set they assembled, the authors demonstrate that economic and international forces often provided the context in which political liberalization occurred, but cannot by themselves explain the observed outcomes. Instead, the authors develop a political-institutional theoretical framework in which the distinctive political traditions of Africa's neopatrimonial states are shown to have powerfully shaped the regime transitions.
DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in C6 glioma and primary glial cells exposed to a 836.55 MHz modulated radiofrequency field

We have tested the hypothesis that modulated radiofrequency (RF) fields may act as a tumor-promoting agent by altering DNA synthesis, leading to increased cell proliferation. In vitro tissue cultures of transformed and normal rat glial cells were exposed to an 836.55 MHz, packet-modulated RF field at three power densities: 0.09, 0.9, and 9 mW/cm2, resulting in specific absorption rates (SARs) ranging from 0.15 to 59 μW/g. TEM-mode transmission-line cells were powered by a prototype time-domain multiple-access (TDMA) transmitter that conforms to the North American digital cellular telephone standard. One sham and one energized TEM cell were placed in standard incubators maintained at 37 °C and 5% CO2. DNA synthesis experiments at 0.59–59 μW/g SAR were performed on log-phase and serum-starved semiquiescent cultures after 24 h exposure. Cell growth at 0.15–15 μW/g SAR was determined by cell counts of log-phase cultures on days 0, 1, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14 of a 2 week protocol. Results from the DNA synthesis assays differed for the two cell types. Sham-exposed and RF-exposed cultures of primary rat glial cells showed no significant differences for either log-phase or serum-starved condition. C6 glioma cells exposed to RF at 5.9 μW/g SAR (0.9 mW/cm2) exhibited small (20–40%) significant increases in 38% of [3H]thymidine incorporation experiments. Growth curves of sham and RF-exposed cultures showed no differences in either normal or transformed glial cells at any of the power densities tested. Cell doubling times of C6 glioma cells [sham (21.9 ± 1.4 h) vs. field (22.7 ± 3.2 h)] also demonstrated no significant differences that could be attributed to altered DNA synthesis rates. Under these conditions, this modulated RF field did not increase cell proliferation of normal or transformed cultures of glial origin. Bioelectromagnetics 18:230–236, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of Secondary Conditions Among People With Disabilities

We analyzed data from 2075 respondents to the disability supplement of the 2001 Washington State Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey to describe population prevalence of secondary conditions among adults with disabilities. Eighty-seven percent of respondents with disabilities and 49% without disabilities reported at least 1 secondary condition. Adjusted odds ratios for disability for 14 of 16 conditions were positive and significant. The association of disability with substantial disparities in common conditions shows a need for increased access to general and targeted prevention interventions to improve health.
Automatic 3-D reconstruction of vascular geometry from two orthogonal angiographic image sequences

A method is presented to automatically determine the three-dimensional geometry of a stationary vessel tree from orthogonal biplanar digital angiographic image sequences, without a priori knowledge or user interaction. Vessels are identified unambiguously by their position in each projection and by comparison of time-density curves. Single-plane angiographic sequences are used to illustrate the technique, simulating a single slice of three-dimensional data. Projections are taken in each direction, yielding one row and one column of data which are used to reconstruct the vessel geometry. It is demonstrated that overlapping vascular regions can be resolved by temporal processing of angiographic image sequences, although high-quality reconstruction has not yet been achieved.
Evaluation of Biochemical Validation Measures in Determination of Smoking Status

This study was designed to evaluate the use of salivary cotinine, salivary thiocyanate, and expired-air carbon monoxide as biochemical validation measures for assessing the smoking status of adults. The participants were 20 known non-smokers plus 216 admitted smokers and 102 proclaimed quitters participating in a clinical trial of approaches to facilitate smoking cessation. Conventional analytical procedures were utilized. By use of data from known non-smokers and admitted smokers, the sensitivity and specificity of the validation measures were as follows: salivary cotinine, 99% and 100%; expired-air carbon monoxide, 96% and 100%; and salivary thiocyanate, 67% and 95%, respectively. The salivary cotinine and expired-air carbon monoxide tests confirmed smoking cessation for 55% and 74%, respectively, of the proclaimed quitters. The length of time since quitting was significantly related to the results observed with the latter measures. Consideration of these observations along with various practical factors suggests that expired-air carbon monoxide assays may be the validation measure of choice for most clinical trials.
A Response to Clark Pinnock’s ‘Recovery of the Holy Spirit in Evangelical Theology’

This is a response to the paper by Clark Pinnock (JPT 13.1), in which he makes a case for the importance of pneumatology in evangelical theology. The response applauds Pinnock’s effort. It goes on to lift up areas where further development in pneumatology is needed—particularly in relation to liberation theologies and in dialogue with African-American church theologians and Pentecostal theologians.
Regional cardiac function assessment in 4D CT: Comparison between SQUEEZ and ejection fraction

Recent advances in computed tomography (CT) imaging technology allow fine anatomical structures such as endocardial trabeculae to be resolved. We have developed a method to detect and track such features on the endocardium to extract a measure that reflects local myocardial contraction with minimal human operator interaction. The relative motion of these surface features were used to represent the local contraction of the endocardial surface with a metric we termed “stretch quantifier of endocardial engraved zones” (SQUEEZ). The results were compared against CT function analysis software available through the scanner vendor. SQUEEZ showed significant difference between infarct and remote regions (p&#60;0.0001) as verified by delayed enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The vendor software showed inferior spatial resolution and stair-step artifacts in regional function maps.
Comparative biochemical studies of the callus matrix in immobilized and non-immobilized fractures

Fracture healing in both non-immobilized and immobilized rat fracture callus, though different radiographically and histologically; is characterized by similar biochemical changes in the ground substance. Although the callus formed in the immobilized model is appreciably smaller than that formed when the fracture is not immobilized, the chemical composition of the organic matrix of the existing callus undergoes similar modifications regardless of fixation and histological response. Previous studies of endochondral fracture repair have demonstrated an elevation in fracture callus hexosamine content during the early stages of healing of the non-immobilized fracture. This corresponded histologically to a predominance of cartilaginous tissue in the callus matrix. In the present study, the biochemistry, histology, and roentgenographic features of stabilized and non-stabilized rat fractures are compared. Similar elevations in hexosamine are noted at two weeks in both models. These elevations are attributed to changes in proteoglycan rather than glycoprotein concentration of the tissue.
Taxes as a Substitute for Regulation

Taxes are suggested to be a more direct and efficient means to a desired end than regulation. The pros and cons of using taxes are applied to two regulatory problems, income redistribution and behavior modification. The first is applied to a tax on excess profits of owners of scarce, low-cost energy supplies or housing. The second is applied to pollution taxes as an incentive to change production methods. While both are found to raise the same problems of public acceptability, Congressional jurisdiction, and distribution of income, they are also shown to be more efficient and more managable. A comment by Dennis B. Drapkin suggests that this approach might simply shift the regulatory function to the Internal Revenue Service.
Technology in Postwar America: A History – By Carroll Pursell

This book is written for students, general readers, and other nonspecialists. Carroll Pursell, author of numerous works on the history of technology, here synthesizes recent scholarship to explain ...
An energy basis for response matrix methods based on the Karhunen–Loéve Transform

Abstract A new energy expansion technique based on the Karhunen–Loeve Transform (KLT) is developed for use in the eigenvalue response matrix method (ERMM). ERMM is a spatial domain decomposition method that links nodes using truncated expansions of boundary fluxes in each phase-space variable. Energy bases constructed using KLT can capture a comparatively large amount of spectral information in the first several basis functions, thus permitting low-order expansions with less error than expansions based on the more traditional Discrete Legendre Polynomials (DLP) or modified DLP’s. The KLT basis functions are generated from representative energy spectra (called snapshots) for either the entire core model or various smaller models (called snapshot models) representing core components, e.g., pins or assemblies. Energy bases using KLT are compared to alternative bases using two test problems in either a 44-group or 238-group format. The results indicate that the performance of the KLT bases is not strongly dependent on the number of groups, and, hence, many-group fidelity can be captured in the first few basis functions. Using snapshots from the full model of interest to generate the basis functions can yield sub- 0.1 % relative error in the pin fission density in less than 10 energy degrees of freedom with a 238-group library. Using more practical snapshot models, e.g., assembly models for a full core problem, the same error can be reached with as few as 15 energy degrees of freedom.
Beamforming: a versatile approach to spatial filtering

An overview of beamforming from a signal-processing perspective is provided, with an emphasis on recent research. Data-independent, statistically optimum, adaptive, and partially adaptive beamforming are discussed. Basic notation, terminology, and concepts are included. Several beamformer implementations are briefly described. >
Use of natural diamonds to monitor 14C AMS instrument backgrounds

To examine one component of the instrument-based background in the University of California Keck Carbon Cycle AMS spectrometer, we have obtained measurements on a set of natural diamonds pressed into sample holders. Natural diamond samples (N = 14) from different sources within rock formations with geological ages greatly in excess of 100 Ma yielded a range of currents (∼110–250 μA 12C− where filamentous graphite typically yields ∼150 μA 12C−) and apparent 14C ages (64.9 ± 0.4 ka BP [0.00031 ± 0.00002 fm] to 80.0 ± 1.1 ka BP [0.00005 ± 0.00001 fm]). Six fragments cut from a single diamond exhibited essentially identical 14C values – 69.3 ± 0.5 ka–70.6 ± 0.5 ka BP. The oldest 14C age equivalents were measured on natural diamonds which exhibited the highest current yields.
Statistical mechanics of two-dimensional domain walls

The statistical mechanics of two classes of two-dimensional domain walls including the honeycomb structure is discussed. Particular attention is focused on their structure factors, free energies, and phonon dispersion relationships. Relevance of these to recent developments on the commensurate-incommensurate transition is pointed out. The possibility of a dislocation unbinding transition in the incommensurate phase close to the commensurate-incommensurate transition is discussed.
High incidence of upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis with dual-lumen venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Venovenous extracorporealmembrane oxygenation (ECMO) has emerged as an important intervention for patients with acute respiratory failure, as well as as a bridge to lung transplantation for end-stage lung disease. A recently introduced bicaval, dual-lumen cannula appears to be a promising technologic advancement for venovenous ECMO support. Introduced percutaneously through the right internal jugular or left subclavian vein, the Avalon Elite cannula (Avalon Laboratories, Rancho Dominguez, Calif) selectively drains venous blood from the inferior and superior venae cavae and infuses oxygenated blood directly into the right atrium. Advantages of this cannula include a single insertion and upper body placement, which can allow ambulation to maintain patient conditioning.Although the cannula is available inmultiple sizes (23-31F), clinical experience has shown that larger cannula sizes are required to generate adequate flow for respiratory support in adults (>4.0 L/min). Larger cannulas used for extended durations, however, probably predispose the patient toward upper-extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT). We evaluated the incidence and subsequent clinical implications of upper extremity DVT in patients who were supported with venovenous ECMO by means of the Avalon dual-lumen cannula.
Highly VOC-selective hollow fiber membranes for separation by vapor permeation

Abstract A thin layer of silicone oil was immobilized in part of the micropores of the polypropylene hollow fiber substrate beneath the plasma-polymerized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) skin on the outer surface of the hollow fiber. Such a liquid in the hollow fiber membrane was used to study the separation properties for the following volatile organic compound (VOC)-containing systems: toluene–N2, methanol–N2, acetone–N2. The observed benefits of having the thin immobilized liquid membrane (ILM) incorporated in the microporous structure were, 2–5 times more VOC-enriched permeate since the nitrogen flux was drastically reduced and the separation factor was 5–20 times increased depending on the type of the VOC and the feed gas flow rate. The stability of such a thin ILM-based hollow fibers membrane was studied over an extended period of time (six months to two years). The stable results demonstrated the potential utility of such an ILM-based hollow fiber device for VOC–N2/air separation. A mathematical model was also developed for VOC–N2 permeation–separation in a hollow fiber permeator having this special type of membrane containing a thin ILM. Experimental results were compared with the results obtained by numerically simulating the mathematical model of the permeator. The values of various parameters used for the simulations were experimentally determined. The VOC outlet concentrations for all VOC–N2 systems were well anticipated by the model simulations.
Performance of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS) in multicenter clinical trials

The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS) is a 10-item functional inventory which was devised for use in therapeutic trials in ALS. Each item is rated on a 0-4 scale by the patient and/or caregiver, yielding a maximum score of 40 points. The ALSFRS assesses patients' levels of self-sufficiency in areas of feeding, grooming, ambulation and communication. Rotated factor analysis of the ALSFRS found that the rating items group logically and consistently into four categories. The ALSFRS has been validated both cross-sectionally and longitudinally against muscle strength testing, the Schwab and England ADL rating scale, the Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGIC) scale, and independent assessments of patient's functional status. In this report, we use the data provided by the placebo patients who participated in the ALS CNTF Treatment Study (ACTS) to demonstrate the robustness, test-retest reliability and consistency of the ALSFRS as employed in a large, multicenter clinical trial.
A nuclear target for interleukin-1α: Interaction with the growth suppressor necdin modulates proliferation and collagen expression

Abstract There is growing evidence for the intracellular role of cytokines and growth factors, but the pathways by which these activities occur remain largely obscure. Previous work from our laboratory identified the constitutive, aberrant expression of the 31-kDa IL-1α precursor (pre-IL-1α) in the nuclei of fibroblasts from the lesional skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We established that pre-IL-1α expression was associated with increased fibroblast proliferation and collagen production. Further investigation has led to the identification of a mechanism by which nuclear expression of pre-IL-1α affects fibroblast growth and matrix production. By using a yeast two-hybrid method, we found that pre-IL-1α binds necdin, a nuclear protein with growth suppressor activity. We mapped the region of pre-IL-1α responsible for necdin binding and found it to be localized near the N terminus, a region that is present on pre-IL-1α, but not the mature 17-kDa cytokine. Expression studies demonstrated that pre-IL-1α associates with necdin in the nuclei of mammalian cell lines and regulates cell growth and collagen expression. Our results provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, of a nuclear target for pre-IL-1α. Based on these findings, we propose that the constitutively up-regulated expression of pre-IL-1α in the nuclei of SSc fibroblasts up-regulates proliferation and matrix production of SSc fibroblasts through binding necdin, and by counteracting its effects on cell growth and collagen production.
Selective inhibition of amino-terminal methionine processing by TNP-470 and ovalicin in endothelial cells

Abstract Background: The angiogenesis inhibitors TNP-470 and ovalicin potently suppress endothelial cell growth. Both drugs also specifically inhibit methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) in vitro . Inhibition of MetAP2 and changes in initiator methionine removal in drug-treated endothelial cells have not been demonstrated, however. Results: Concentrations of TNP-470 sufficient to inactivate MetAP2 in intact endothelial cells were comparable to those that inhibited cell proliferation, suggesting that MetAP2 inhibition by TNP-470 underlies the ability of the drug to inhibit cell growth. Both drug-sensitive and drug-insensitive cell lines express MetAP1 and MetAP2, indicating that drug sensitivity in mammalian cells is not simply due to the absence of compensating MetAP activity. With a single exception, detectable protein N-myristoylation is unaffected in sensitive endothelial cells treated with TNP-470, so MetAP1 activity can generally compensate when MetAP2 is inactive. Analysis of total protein extracts from cells pulse-labeled with [ 35 S]-methionine following TNP-470 treatment revealed changes in the migration of several newly synthesized proteins. Two of these proteins were identified as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and cyclophilin A. Purification and amino-terminal sequencing of GAPDH from TNP-470-treated cells revealed partial retention of its initiator methionine, indicating that methionine removal from some, but not all, proteins is affected by MetAP2 inactivation. Conclusions: Amino-terminal processing defects occur in cells treated with TNP-470, indicating that inhibition of MetAP2 by the drug occurs in intact cells. This work renders plausible a mechanism for growth inhibition by TNP-470 as a consequence of initiator methionine retention, leading to the inactivation of as yet unidentified proteins essential for endothelial cell growth.
Morphology, Deformation, and Defect Structures of TiCr 2 in Ti-Cr Alloys

The morphologies and defect structures of TiCr2 in several Ti-Cr alloys have been examined by optical metallography, x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in order to explore the room-temperature deformability of the Laves phase TiCr2. The morphology of the Laves phase was found to be dependent upon alloy composition and annealing temperature. Samples deformed by compression have also been studied using TEM. Comparisons of microstructures before and after deformation suggest an increase in twin, stacking fault, and dislocation density within the Laves phase, indicating some but not extensive room-temperature deformability.
Resonance of Moral Shocks in Abolitionist Animal Rights Advocacy: Overcoming Contextual Constraints

Jasper and Poulsen (1995) have long argued that moral shocks are critical for recruitment in the nonhuman animal rights movement. Building on this, Decoux (2009) argues that the abolitionist faction of the nonhuman animal rights movement fails to recruit members because it does not effectively utilize descriptions of suffering. However, the effectiveness of moral shocks and subsequent emotional reactions has been questioned. This article reviews the literature surrounding the use of moral shocks in social movements. Based on this review, it is suggested that the exploitation of emotional reactions to depictions of suffering can sometimes prove beneficial to recruitment, but successful use is contextually rooted in preexisting frameworks, ideology, and identity. It is concluded that a reliance on images and narratives might be misconstrued in a society dominated by nonhuman animal welfare ideology.
The apsidal motion of the eccentric eclipsing binary DI Herculis - An apparent discrepancy with general relativity

The apsidal motion of the eccentric eclipsing binary DI Herculis (HD 175227) is determined from an analysis of the available observations and eclipse timings from 1959 to 1984. Least squares solutions to the primary and secondary minima extending over an 84-yr interval yielded a small advance of periastron omega dot of 0.65 deg/100 yr + or - 0.18/100 yr. The observed advance of the periastron is about one seventh of the theoretical value of 4.27 deg/100 yr that is expected from the combined relativistic and classical effects. The discrepancy is about -3.62 deg/100 yr, or a magnitude of about 20 sigma. Classical mechanisms which explain the discrepancy are discussed, together with the possibility that there may be problems with general relativity itself.
Competitive Advantage, Economic Development, and the Effective Use of Local Public Dollars

Communities continue to offer subsidies to improve their comparative advantages while areas with high-cost labor offset this disadvantage with technology that increases productivity. Access to natu...