cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers with potent and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity from the marine sponge Dysidea.

Abstract Three polybrominated diphenyl ethers, 2-(2′,4′-dibromophenoxy)-3,5-dibromophenol (1) and 2-(2′,4′-dibromophenoxy)-3,4,5-tribromophenol (2) were isolated from the marine sponge Dysidea granulosa; and 2-(2′,4′-dibromophenoxy)-4,6-dibromophenol (3) from Dysidea spp. They exhibited potent and broad spectrum in vitro antibacterial activity, especially against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated against 12 clinical and standard strains of Gram positive and negative bacteria. The observed MIC range was 0.1–4.0 mg/L against all the Gram positive bacteria and 0.1–16.0 mg/L against Gram negative bacteria. 2-(2′,4″-Dibromophenoxy)-3,5-dibromophenol showed stronger broad spectrum antibacterial activity than other two compounds. 2-(2′,4″-Dibromophenoxy)-3,5-dibromophenol and 2-(2′,4′-dibromophenoxy)-4,6-dibromophenol are thermo-stable. The results suggest that 2-(2′,4′-dibromophenoxy)-3,5-dibromophenol could be used as a potential lead molecule for anti-MRSA, anti-E. coli O157:H7, and anti-Salmonella for drug development.
Characterization of Recombinant Yeast Dolichyl Mannosyl Phosphate Synthase and Site‐Directed Mutagenesis of Its Cysteine Residues

Dolichyl mannosyl phosphate synthase is associated with membranes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and catalyzes mannosyl transfer from GDP-mannose to the hydrophobic long-chain acceptor dolichyl-phosphate. The gene for the yeast enzyme encodes a protein with a molecular mass of 30.36 kDa containing three cysteine residues, at positions 93, 172 and 259 [Orlean, P., Albright, C. & Robbins, P. W. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 17499–17507]. Inhibition of the synthase by thiol-specific reagents, including N-ethylmaleimide, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (Nbs2), and lucifer yellow iodoacetamide (LYI), suggests that sulfhydryl groups might play a role in the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme. Titration of the synthase with Nbs2 or LYI indicated that 1 mol sulfhydryl/mol protein was accessible to these reagents, and that saturation of this site completely inhibited enzyme activity. To ascertain the reactive group and its possible function in enzyme catalysis, each of the cysteine residues was replaced individually by site-directed mutagenesis. The mutant enzymes had specific activities comparable to that of the wild-type enzyme, demonstrating that none of the cysteine residues were essential for catalytic activity. All of the mutant proteins except those containing a substitution at Cys93 were inhibited by thiol-blocking reagents, indicating that Cys93 might be physically located near the catalytic site of the enzyme. GDP-mannose, dolichyl phosphate and substrate analogs were found to protect against Nbs2 inactivation, further suggesting that Cys93 was physically near, or within, the substrate-binding site of the enzyme.
Histomorphologic Changes of the Long Head of the Biceps Tendon in Common Shoulder Pathologies

Purpose To assess molecular and histologic differences between the proximal (intra-articular) and distal (extra-articular) portions of the long head of the biceps (LHB) tendon in 3 different disease states (biceps instability, tendinosis, and degenerative joint disease [DJD]) compared with a healthy tendon (fresh frozen). Methods We used 32 LHB tendons of patients undergoing tenodesis (mean age, 54.7 ± 10.1 years) and 9 harvested tissue donors. Tendons were divided according to 4 diagnostic groups: (1) biceps instability, (2) tendinosis, (3) DJD, and (4) normal control. After sectioning, tendons were fixed in formalin and stained with HE tendinosis, P = .005; DJD, P = .008; control, P = .011). When compared with the nonpathologic control tendons, a significant increase in alcian blue staining for the proximal region was seen in all 3 groups. Total polarized light analysis showed that the distal tendon had a significantly higher intensity (organization) compared with the proximal tendon ( P P = .010; tendinosis, P = .013; DJD, P = .07; control, P = .028). Conclusions This study showed a greater degree of degeneration of the proximal (intra-articular) regions of the LHB tendon when compared with the distal regions in all pathologic groups. However, no major differences at the cellular level were found among groups. Clinical Relevance The pathomechanisms of the various forms of known LHB diagnoses are not yet fully understood and basic science studies may help in understanding their etiology and therefore optimizing treatment options.
Evolution of non-uniform cellular automata using a genetic algorithm: diversity and computation

We used a genetic algorithm to evaluate the cost / benefit of diversity in evolving sets of rules for non-uniform cellular automata solving the density classification problem.
VOLTAMMETRY OF Ce(IV), Mn(VII), Cr(VI), AND V(V) WITH THE PYROLYTIC GRAPHITE ELECTRODE

Voltammetry of Ce(IV), Cr(VI), and V(V) in either sulfuric acid or sulfuric acid-phosphoric acid medium is feasible with the pyrolytic graphite electrode (P.G.E.). In these media, the usable potential range extends to +1.5 v vs S.C.E. Data taken from repetitive current-- voltage curves are reproducible, the relative standard deviation ranges from 4--8%. No intervening treatment of the electrode is required. The Ce(IV)-- Ce(III) electrode reaction at the P.G.E. is reversible. Results of the voltammetry of Mn(VII) are not reproducible. (auth)
Buffer Standards for the Physiological pH of N-[2-hydroxy-1,1-bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]glycine (TRICINE) from T = (278.15 to 328.15) K

Abstract The pH values of two buffer solutions without NaCl and seven buffer solutions with added NaCl, having ionic strengths (I = 0.16 mol · kg−1) similar to those of physiological fluids, have been evaluated at 12 temperatures from T = (278.15 to 328.15) K by way of the extended form of the Debye–Huckel equation of the Bates–Guggenheim convention. The residual liquid junction potentials (δEj) between the buffer solutions of TRICINE and saturated KCl solution of the calomel electrode at T = (298.15 and 310.15) K have been estimated by measurement with a flowing junction cell. For the buffer solutions with the molality of TRICINE(m1) = 0.06 mol · kg−1, NaTRICINE(m2) = 0.02 mol · kg−1, and NaCl(m3) = 0.14 mol · kg−1, the pH values at T = 310.15 K obtained from the extended Debye–Huckel equation and the inclusion of the liquid junction correction are 7.342 and 7.342, respectively. These are in excellent agreement. The zwitterionic buffer TRICINE is recommended as a secondary pH standard in the region for clinical application.
Comparative hazard evaluation of near-infrared diode lasers.

Hazard evaluation methods from various laser protection standards differ when applied to extended-source, near-infrared lasers. By way of example, various hazard analyses are applied to laser training systems, which incorporate diode lasers, specifically those that assist in training military or law enforcement personnel in the proper use of weapons by simulating actual firing by the substitution of a beam of near-infrared energy for bullets. A correct hazard evaluation of these lasers is necessary since simulators are designed to be directed toward personnel during normal use. The differences among laser standards are most apparent when determining the hazard class of a laser. Hazard classification is based on a comparison of the potential exposures with the maximum permissible exposures in the 1986 and 1993 versions of the American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers, Z136.1, and the accessible emission limits of the federal laser product performance standard. Necessary safety design features of a particular system depend on the hazard class. The ANSI Z136.1-1993 standard provides a simpler and more accurate hazard assessment of low-power, near-infrared, diode laser systems than the 1986 ANSI standard. Although a specific system is evaluated, the techniques described can be readily applied to other near-infrared lasers or laser training systems. Language: en
Effective mass and collision time of (100) Si surface electrons

The effective mass of electrons in (100) Si inversion and accumulation layers was measured by the temperature broadening of oscillatory magnetoconductance technique for a wide range of substrate doping level, geometry, and interface charge as well as various field-strength and substrate biases. It is shown that the apparent effective mass values are very sensitive to these parameters. Measurements were made at constant magnetic field but for varying oxide charge so that for a given magnetic field the effect of oxide-charge scattering could be eliminated by extrapolating to zero oxide charge. The result was remarkably a carrier-concentration independent mass of about 0.21. Collision broadening of the oscillations was studied to determine the scattering time $\ensuremath{\tau}$. The values of $\ensuremath{\tau}$ were found to be sensitive to the preexponential damping factor in H. The results are in fair agreement with the zero-field conductivity and average magnetoconductance measurements.
DNA—Protein Cross-Links (DPX) and Cell Proliferation in B6C3F1 Mice but Not Syrian Golden Hamsters Exposed to Dichloromethane: Pharmacokinetics and Risk Assessment with DPX as Dosimeter

Abstract Dichloromethane (DCM) (methylene chloride; CH 2 Cl 2 ) is metabolized via a glutathione S -transferase-mediated pathway to formaldehyde (HCHO), a mutagenic compound that could play a role in the carcinogenic effects of DCM observed in the liver and lungs of B6C3F 1 mice at 2000 and 4000 ppm. Mice but not hamsters formed DNA–protein cross-links (DPX) in the liver at DCM concentrations ranging from approximately 500 to 4000 ppm. The formation of DPX was a nonlinear function of the airborne concentration of DCM. In addition, mice exposed to DCM (6 hr/day, 3 days) at concentrations ranging from approximately 1500 to 4000 ppm showed an increased rate of DNA synthesis in the lung indicating cell proliferation, but increased cell turnover was not detected in mouse lung at exposure concentrations of 150 or 500 ppm. Hamsters showed no evidence of cell proliferation in the lung at any concentration, and cell proliferation was not apparent in the livers of either mice or hamsters. An extended physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for DPX formation in mouse liver was developed, based on a published PBPK model for DCM (Andersen, M. E., Clewell, H. J., III, Gargas, M. L., Smith, F. A., and Reitz, R. H. (1987). Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 87, 185–205). The extended PBPK model was fitted to the DPX data using the PBPK model-estimated area under the curve for DCM in mouse liver as the independent variable. Parameter estimates for HCHO disposition in the livers of mice exposed to dichloromethane were similar to previously published estimates for HCHO disposition in the nasal mucosa of rats exposed to formaldehyde. Using the extended PBPK model, estimates were made of the yields of DPX presumably formed in mouse liver at the DCM concentrations used in a bioassay (Mennear, J. H., McConnell, E. E., Huff, J. E., Renne, R. A., and Giddens, E. (1988). Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 534, 343–351). The tumor incidence data in mice were fitted to the DPX yields and to the airborne concentration of DCM as alternative measures of exposure using the linearized multistage (LMS) model. The two dose measures yielded similar maximum likelihood estimates for the cancer risk at concentrations from 10 to 100 ppm, but the upper 95% confidence limit on the risk was reduced by two orders of magnitude when DPX rather than the airborne concentration was used as the measure of exposure. The results demonstrate that an internal dosimeter such as DPX can markedly improve the precision of low-dose risk estimates, while having only a minor effect on the maximum likelihood estimates calculated with the LMS model.
Guided Imagery and Relaxation for Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer.

Abstract Fifty-two women with Stage I and Stage II breast cancer agreed to participate in a study to determine the effectiveness of two interventions, guided imagery and relaxation, to enhance psychological well-being. Participants were randomly assigned to either a guided imagery or relaxation group. Forty women completed the study. A student's t-test was used to analyze the quantitative results. Depression, anxiety and fatigue were significantly improved for the guided imagery group. There were no changes reported by the relaxation group. Women in both groups reportedly enjoyed the experience, found it helpful, and would recommend it to others. The majority of the women in both groups perceived that the treatment helped them to relax.
Do mutations causing low HDL-C promote increased carotid intima-media thickness?

Background Although observational data support an inverse relationship between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and coronary heart disease (CHD), genetic HDL deficiency states often do not correlate with premature CHD.
Combinatorics of Polytopes with a Group of Linear Symmetries of Prime Power Order

Generalizing a result of Stanley on centrally symmetric polytopes, Adin has derived tight lower bounds for the face numbers of a rational simplical polytope equipped with a fixed-point-free linear action of a cyclic group G of prime power order. The main goal of this paper is to extend these results further by replacing Adin’s fixed-point-free condition with the assumption that the action of G is proper. As corollaries, we obtain a generalization of Adin’s equivariant lower bound theorem and of a condition by Stanley implying combinatorial isomorphism with a minimal polytope. Finally, we prove sufficiency of an equivariant version of the McMullen and Walkup generalized lower bound conjecture.
SLA-aware placement of multi-virtual machine elastic services in compute clouds

Elastic services comprise multiple virtualized resources that can be added and deleted on demand to match variability in the workload. A Service owner profiles the service to determine its most appropriate sizing under different workload conditions. This variable sizing is formalized through a service level agreement (SLA) between the service owner and the cloud provider. The Cloud provider obtains maximum benefit when it succeeds to fully allocate the resource set demanded by the elastic service subject to its SLA. Failure to do so may result in SLA breach and financial losses to the provider. We define a novel combinatorial optimization problem called elastic services placement problem (ESPP) to maximize the provider's benefit from SLA compliant placement. We observe that ESPP extends the generalized assignment problem (GAP), which is a well studied combinatorial optimization problem. However, ESPP turns out to be considerably harder to solve as it does not admit a constant factor approximation. We show that using a simple transformation, ESPP can be presented as a multi-unit combinatorial auction. We further present a column generation method to obtain near optimal solutions for ESPP for large data centers where exact solutions cannot be obtained in a reasonable amount of time using a direct integer programming formulation. We demonstrate the feasibility of our approach through an extensive simulation study. Our results show that we are capable of consistently obtaining good solutions in a time efficient manner. Moreover, if one is willing to trade precision to gain in computation time, our method allows to explicitly manage this tradeoff.
Scalar field quantum inequalities in static spacetimes

We discuss quantum inequalities for minimally coupled scalar fields in static spacetimes. These are inequalities which place limits on the magnitude and duration of negative energy densities. We derive a general expression for the quantum inequality for a static observer in terms of a Euclidean two-point function. In a short sampling time limit, the quantum inequality can be written as the flat space form plus subdominant correction terms dependent upon the geometric properties of the spacetime. This supports the use of flat space quantum inequalities to constrain negative energy effects in curved spacetime. Using the exact Euclidean two-point function method, we develop the quantum inequalities for perfectly reflecting planar mirrors in flat spacetime. We then look at the quantum inequalities in static de Sitter spacetime, Rindler spacetime and two- and four-dimensional black holes. In the case of a four-dimensional Schwarzschild black hole, explicit forms of the inequality are found for static observers near the horizon and at large distances. It is shown that there is a quantum averaged weak energy condition (QAWEC), which states that the energy density averaged over the entire worldline of a static observer is bounded below by the vacuum energy of the spacetime. In particular, for an observer at a fixed radial distance away from a black hole, the QAWEC says that the averaged energy density can never be less than the Boulware vacuum energy density.
Fisher information, disorder, and the equilibrium distributions of physics

Consider an isolated statistical system specified by a coordinate x and its probability density p(x). A functional of p(x) called ``Fisher information'' can be used to measure the degree of disorder of the system due to the spread in p(x). Fisher information may be minimized, subject to a physical constraint, to attain a temporal equilibrium solution p(x). When the constraint is linear in the mean kinetic energy of the system, the equilibrium solution p(x) often obeys the correct differential equation for the system. In this way, the Schr\"odinger (energy) wave equation, Klein-Gordon equation, Helmholtz wave equation, diffusion equation, Boltzmann law, and Maxwell-Boltzmann law may be derived from one classical principle of disorder. The convergence rate for Fisher information is about that for alternative use of maximum entropy (in problems where both have the same equilibrium solution). This suggests that Fisher information defines an arrow of time. The arrow points in the direction of decreasing accuracy for the determination of the mean, or ideal, value of a parameter.
Mapping QTL for the traits associated with heat tolerance in wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)

High temperature (heat) stress during grain filling is a major problem in most of the wheat growing areas. Developing heat tolerant cultivars has become a principal breeding goal in the Southern and Central Great Plain areas of the USA. Traits associated with high temperature tolerance can be used to develop heat tolerant cultivars in wheat. The present study was conducted to identify chromosomal regions associated with thylakoid membrane damage (TMD), plasmamembrane damage (PMD), and SPAD chlorophyll content (SCC), which are indicative of high temperature tolerance. In this study we have reported one of the first linkage maps in wheat using genotype by sequencing SNP (GBS-SNP) markers to extreme response to post anthesis heat stress conditions. The linkage map was comprised of 972 molecular markers (538 Bin, 258 AFLPs, 175 SSRs, and an EST). The genotypes of the RIL population showed strong variation for TMD, SCC and PMD in both generations (F10 and F9). Composite interval mapping identified five QTL regions significantly associated with response to heat stress. Associations were identified for PMD on chromosomes 7A, 2B and 1D, SCC on 6A, 7A, 1B and 1D and TMD on 6A, 7A and 1D. The variability (R2) explained by these QTL ranged from 11.9 to 30.6% for TMD, 11.4 to 30.8% for SCC, and 10.5 to 33.5% for PMD. Molecular markers Xbarc113 and AFLP AGCTCG-347 on chromosome 6A, Xbarc121 and Xbarc49 on 7A, gwm18 and Bin1130 on 1B, Bin178 and Bin81 on 2B and Bin747 and Bin1546 on 1D were associated with these QTL. The identified QTL can be used for marker assisted selection in breeding wheat for improved heat tolerance in Ventnor or Karl 92 genetic background.
SEQUENCE GENERATING FUNCTIONS AND THE MULTIFRACTAL FORMALISM: APPLICATIONS TO BIOPOLYMERS

Helix-coil configurations in biopolymers can be represented as a symbolic sequence of helix and coil units. A given configuration can be generated by progressing down the branches of a binary tree. The probability weighting of the branches in the tree will depend on the specific model under consideration. The multifractal nature of this binary tree can be described by an adaptation of a statistical mechanical formalism that uses sequence generating functions. It is seen that the sequence generating function approach is equivalent to transfer matrix methods for processes involving one-step memory. However, this new approach can have advantages over the transfer matrix for processes involving long term memory. Using this approach, the multifractal character of helix-coil transitions in two biopolymer models is explored. The Bragg-Zimm model of the alpha helix is analyzed and is seen to be equivalent in the transfer matrix approach to a 2×2 P model with one-step memory. The perfect matched double helix model...
Cerebral asymmetry in word-object matching by appearance and by function

Subjects were asked to say whether a word presented monaurally to the right or left ear matched a presented object. Analysis of vocal response latencies indicated that words relating to the function of the object were responded to more quickly when presented to the left ear and, by inference, the right hemisphere. Words relating to a physical characteristic of the object (e.g. color) were responded to more quickly when presented to the right ear and, by inference, the left hemisphere.
A domain decomposition strategy for alignment of multiple biological sequences on multiprocessor platforms

Multiple Sequences Alignment (MSA) of biological sequences is a fundamental problem in computational biology due to its critical significance in wide ranging applications including haplotype reconstruction, sequence homology, phylogenetic analysis, and prediction of evolutionary origins. The MSA problem is considered NP-hard and known heuristics for the problem do not scale well with increasing numbers of sequences. On the other hand, with the advent of a new breed of fast sequencing techniques it is now possible to generate thousands of sequences very quickly. For rapid sequence analysis, it is therefore desirable to develop fast MSA algorithms that scale well with an increase in the dataset size. In this paper, we present a novel domain decomposition based technique to solve the MSA problem on multiprocessing platforms. The domain decomposition based technique, in addition to yielding better quality, gives enormous advantages in terms of execution time and memory requirements. The proposed strategy allows one to decrease the time complexity of any known heuristic of O(N)^x complexity by a factor of O(1/p)^x, where N is the number of sequences, x depends on the underlying heuristic approach, and p is the number of processing nodes. In particular, we propose a highly scalable algorithm, Sample-Align-D, for aligning biological sequences using Muscle system as the underlying heuristic. The proposed algorithm has been implemented on a cluster of workstations using the MPI library. Experimental results for different problem sizes are analyzed in terms of quality of alignment, execution time and speed-up.
Immunoassay to measure staphylococcal protein A in the presence of murine immunoglobulins

Immunoassays designed to measure low concentrations of staphylococcal protein A are subject to varying degrees of interference by excess IgG. We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that overcomes this problem by analyzing IgG-containing protein A samples in solutions buffered at pH 3.5. Under these carefully selected conditions, protein A is absorbed efficiently by solid-phase chicken anti-protein A antibodies, but protein A-IgG complexes are largely dissociated. The assay has a protein A detection limit of 0.1 ng/ml, and the response is unaffected by 0.25 mg/ml murine IgG. The method should be useful for determining protein A contamination levels in antibodies purified by affinity chromatography on immobilized protein A resins.
Asymptotics of trajectories for cone potentials

Abstract We study the asymptotics of trajectories of the classical Hamiltonian dynamics. For Hamiltonians with cone potentials we have shown earlier that all trajectories are asymptotically free [5], i.e. the asymptotic velocities exist. Here we show that the generic trajectories are asymptotically uniform, i.e. the asymptotic phases exist.
Phosphorylation of Steroid Hormone Receptors

Many observations with intact cells as well as cell-free systems suggest that receptors of the steroid hormone superfamily, along with other transcription factors, are regulated by phosphorylation. All receptors that have been analyzed carefully so far have turned out to be phosphoproteins. They are basally phosphorylated in the absence of ligand, and in many cases become hyperphosphorylated in the presence of hormone or other agonists, and sometimes of antagonists. Several studies indicate that hyperphosphorylation of receptors follows activation, and may require nuclear binding of the receptor. Serines are the predominant phosphorylated residues detected in receptors, with minor amounts of threonine. Tyrosine phosphorylation of the estrogen receptor is a subject of controversy. With various receptors, evidence has been found for phosphorylation in vivo of the N-terminal, hormone-binding, and DNA-binding domains, as well as of the hinge region. All but one of the phosphorylated sites identified in progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors by phosphopeptide mapping and sequencing are in the N-terminal domain; one is in the hinge region. Even after hormone treatment most of those sites are only partly phosphorylated, which means that several subpopulations of receptors, characterized by different states of phosphorylation and potentially different biological activities, must coexist. The majority of identified phosphorylated sites lie in consensus sequences for the PDPK. Many parallels can be discerned between phosphorylation of receptors and of other transcription factors. For example, several transcription factors become hyperphosphorylated on stimulation, and much indirect evidence points to regulation of both receptors and transcription factors by kinases and phosphatases, with cycling between different phosphorylated states. Functions of receptors that are regulated by phosphorylation are only beginning to be investigated. With transcription factors a substantial body of information is already available, and functions that appear to be thus regulated include dimerization, interactions with other proteins, binding to DNA, nuclear-cytoplasmic localization, and transcriptional activity. These and other functions may be found to be regulated by phosphorylation of receptors.
Russian politics, policy-making and American missile defence

The American decision to deploy missile defence in Poland endangered the central myth of Putin's regime (Russia's rebirth as a Great Power), challenged the status of Putin as Russia's strongman, and introduced an additional uncertainty into the carefully scripted campaign for succession to Putin. It also hit the raw nerve of Russia's reliance on nuclear weapons. The character of Russian policy-making has guaranteed the worst-case scenario evaluation of the American programme. The Russian elite's world view has magnified the problems resulting from the deployment into fears of a window of vulnerability.
The effect of chloride on the point of zero charge of γ-Al2O3

A convenient and simplistic index to determine the capacity for adsorption of negative or positive species onto oxides is the point of zero charge (pzc). It corresponds to that pH value at which there exists no net charge on the oxide surface. The pzc is the average of the pKs of the two intrinsic acidity constants and, therefore, its value depends on the sample used. As a measure of the adsorption capacity, the pzc value provides a measure of the range of pH values that can be used to prepare metal-supported catalyst precursors by adsorption. Recently, it was shown that by either changing the temperature of the supporting electrolyte or adding dopants, the pzc of {gamma}-alumina could be shifted so as to expand the range of pH values that can be used to prepare metal-supported catalytic precursors. The dopants considered to date have been electropositive elements: lithium, sodium, magnesium, and electronegative fluorine. Less work has been done to learn the effects of chlorine as a dopant, but such information is valuable since the chloride concentration on typical reforming catalysts is an important consideration in the performance of these catalysts. The objective of this report is to present their findings onmore » the effect of varying low levels of chloride additions on the pzc of a commercial alumina typically used as a support for preparing reforming catalysts. The highest level of Cl{sup {minus}} studied corresponds to that value found on a 0.3% by weight Pt/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalyst.« less
Quadratic Diophantine Inequalities

We consider systems of quadratic diophantine inequlities. For example, suppose that Q1 and Q2 are real diagonal quadratic forms in s variables, where one has s⩾10. Suppose also that every form αQ1+βQ2 with (α, β)∈R2\{0} has at least 5 nonzero coefficients, one irrational coefficient, at least one negative coefficient, and at least one positive coefficient. Then for any e>0, there exists a nonzero integral vector x∈Zs such that |Q1(x)|<e and |Q2(x)|<e. We also prove a result on systems of R quadratic diophantine inequalities under more complicated restrictions.
Structure and evolution of tidal starting jet vortices at idealized barotropic inlets

[1] We present laboratory experiments for tidal starting jet vortices forming at idealized barotropic inlets using dye visualization and particle image velocimetry (PIV) of the surface velocity field. Vortices are identified in the PIV data using the local swirl strength, and metrics are calculated for each identified vortex, including position, equivalent circular diameter, maximum vorticity, circulation, and upwelling potential. These quantitative metrics are presented for four different inlet layouts, including narrow and wide barrier islands and short and long jetties. In each case, starting jet eddies initially form attached to the inlet mouth, with a rapid increase in vorticity, circulation, and size as water exiting the inlet flows directly into the starting jet dipole. Once the vortices reach a critical size, they are entrained into the tidal jet and detach from the inlet. As they advect away from the inlet, their size remains steady while the maximum vorticity and circulation gradually decrease because of the effect of bottom friction and the reduction of input to the vortices from the tidal flow as a result of their advection within the tidal jet. Secondary vortices shed from the inlet during the quasi-steady tidal jet are also entrained into the starting jet vortices, decreasing the overall rate at which their vorticity and circulation decay downstream of the inlet. The quantitative results indicate that the starting jet eddies grow, detach from the inlet mouth, and decay at predictable non-dimensional rates and times.
The New Calculus of Bedouin Pastoralism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Recent debates have challenged the very foundation of political ecology. One important critique, stemming from the work of Vayda and his associates, promotes a problem-specific, ecological, and positivistic approach to the analysis of the causes of environmental change. Their focus on the “event,” however, is seemingly at odds with earlier concerns with process. Utilizing a case study of the Bedouin people in Saudi Arabia, I argue that the key ecological events upon which this research focuses, the Kuwaiti oil fires and the ongoing process of desertification, provide poor isolates of the human-environment relationship. If we accept the Kuwaiti oil fires as an environmental event, or better, as a point of departure for working backward in time and outward in space, it becomes evident that these events are best comprehended as nodes in a complex web of determination, or nodes in a web of interlinked processes. It is a web that reaches outward to the ebb and flow of the global economy, one that remains insep...
VALIDATION OF HEATING CONDITIONS IN PRODUCTION OF DIRECT ACIDIFIED BEEF SUMMER SAUSAGE FOR ELIMINATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7

The effectiveness of a typical production process for eliminating Escherichia coli O157:H7 in directly acidified all-beef summer sausage was evaluated for formulations of different fat contents (approximately 8 and 17%) and types of direct acidulant (encapsulated citric or lactic acid). Raw batter inoculated with E. coli 0157:H7 to an initial level of ca. 7.4 log cfu/g was stuffed into 64-mm casings and processed according to a thermal processing schedule used by a small commercial processor for directly acidified summer sausage products (maximum internal product temperature of 70C, followed by cold showering). For all-beef summer sausage, log reductions ranged from 5.3 to 5.5 cfu/g when product reached 64.4C (148F) internal temperature (IT) and 70C (158F) IT, and from 6.3 to 6.5 log cfu/g reductions when product reached 37.8C (100F) IT after thermal processing and cold showering. No differences in E. coli O157:H7 counts were observed for products with different fat or acid contents.
Knowledge transfer between minority and majority world settings and its application to the World Report on Disability

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to provide commentary on the article entitled Changing practice: Implications of the World Report on Disability for responding to communication disability in underserved populations (). It discusses the need to develop innovative ways to provide more services to the populations in need. Further, it offers two examples that demonstrate knowledge transfer and exchange between Minority and Majority World settings and one example of using technology for service delivery and training that might shed some light on possible solutions.
Synergy Across the Curriculum: Simulating the Institution of Postwar Iraqi Government

ABSTRACT This article describes an undergraduate simulation that formulates Iraqi regimes following the removal of Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime. This exercise reinforces student comprehension and awareness for a range of legal and political topics—including group decision making, international law, diplomacy, and human rights—by actively engaging the students in policy formulation and group to group negotiations. In addition to presenting individual course concepts, this activity presents the advantages of multidisciplinary approaches by integrating related disciplines at the United States Air Force Academy. Contemporary social problems, foreign or domestic, require multifaceted solutions presented by particular specializations. Concerning the question of postwar Iraqi justice, political science students use their class expertise to design political institutions and legal studies. Students design the main legal apparatus as students from these respective disciplines then join together to execute the s...
Playing a role in secondary prevention in the ED: longitudinal study of patients with asymptomatic elevated blood pressures following a brief education intervention: a pilot study.

Uncontrolled hypertension contributes significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and is more frequently encountered among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED).1,2 Approximately 50% of patients with previously undiagnosed hypertension who present with elevated blood pressures in the ED will continue to have BP elevations one week after being discharged to home.3 Hypertensive patients presenting to the ED are a particularly high-risk group with >50% with stage II or higher hypertension (SBP ≥160 or DBP ≥100).1 Significant percentages of elevated blood pressures in the ED are incidental findings and not related to the patient's chief complaints. Incidental hypertension represents a quandary for the emergency physician who cannot guarantee follow-up treatment.4,5 Several studies have found that only 7–25% of ED patients with elevated BP are given instructions for outpatient BP follow-up.3–5 Currently, there is no risk assessment or stratification based upon blood pressure assessment performed on hypertensive patients prior to discharge from the emergency department. The emergency medicine literature does not provide definitive recommendations on screening tests for patients with asymptomatic elevated blood pressures.6 Published guidelines regarding the management of these patients only recommend referral of these patients for close primary care follow-up within 48–72 h.6 These same guidelines also urge future research related to the optimal screening for this patient population in the ED.6 The purpose of this study was to determine the progression of subclinical heart disease in an urban ED population with asymptomatic elevated blood pressure and examine the correlation with blood pressure changes after a brief ED hypertension education intervention.
Impact of Urban Effects on Precipitation in High Latitudes

Abstract This numerical study examines the impact of urban growth and release of aerosols, moisture, and heat on precipitation for Fairbanks, Alaska, a remote city at high latitude. The remote location allows atmospheric changes to be attributed to the city and permits examination of their regional-scale impact. The fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) with three nested, interacting domains was run over Alaska. An analysis of variance separates the variance in precipitation ascribable to one urban causal factor from variance ascribable to other urban factors. Statistical analysis using an unreplicated 24-factorial design detected significant precipitation modification by individual urban effects, plus interactions among effects. Release of aerosols, release of moisture, and concurrent urban growth and aerosol release statistically significantly affect downwind precipitation with 95% confidence. The significant response to urban aerosol release results from directly cau...
Plant products affect growth and digestive efficiency of cultured Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) fed compounded diets.

Costs of compounded diets containing fish meal as a primary protein source can be expected to rise as fish meal prices increase in response to static supply and growing demand. Alternatives to fish meal are needed to reduce production costs in many aquaculture enterprises. Some plant proteins are potential replacements for fish meal because of their amino acid composition, lower cost and wide availability. In this study, we measured utilization of soybean meal (SBM) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) by Florida pompano fed compounded diets, to determine the efficacy of these products as fish meal replacements. We also calculated apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) for canola meal (CM), corn gluten meal (CGM), and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), following typical methods for digestibility trials. Juvenile Florida pompano were fed fish-meal-free diets containing graded levels of SBM and SPC, and weight gain was compared to a control diet that contained SBM, SPC, and fish meal. Fish fed diets that contained 25–30 percent SBM in combination with 43–39 percent SPC had weight gain equivalent to fish fed the control diet with fish meal, while weight gain of fish fed other soy combinations was significantly less than that of the control group. Apparent crude protein digestibility of CGM was significantly higher than that of DDGS but not significantly different from CM. Apparent energy digestibility of DDGS was significantly lower than CGM but significantly higher than CM. Findings suggested that composition of the reference diet used in a digestibility trial affects the values of calculated ADCs, in addition to the chemical and physical attributes of the test ingredient.
Early infiltration of arterial intima by activated dendritic γ/δ T-cells in ligated human arteries: An ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study

To clarify the role of immune mechanisms in the vascular response to injury in humans, the sequence, subset and activation status of lymphocytes infiltrating acutely ischemic arteries were studied. Thirty-five branches of mesenteric arteries removed from 8 men during surgery—22 of which were ligated for 0.5–4 hours—were examined ultrastructurally and immunocytochemically. The ligated arteries showed early intimal infiltration by activated T-cells, the predominant subset of which was dendritic, γ/δ T-cell receptor (TCR)-bearing and phenotyped CD3+, CD4-, and CD8-. Their activated status is shown by strong HLA-DR positivity, expression of interleukin-2 receptors, increased expression of lymphocyte function antigen-1, and frequent lymphocyte-macrophage interactions. Intimal macrophage infiltration consisted of single cells in the earlier biopsy specimens and clusters of cells in the later ones. These findings suggest that an early immune mechanism initiated by activated γ/δ dendritic T-cells, and amplified later by macrophages, may play a pivotal role in the inflammatory response after acute arterial injury.
A Cathode Follower Power Amplifier

In circular accelerators and particularly in storage rings it is essential that the total impedance, as seen by the beam, be kept below some critical value. A model of the accelerating system was built using a single ended cathode follower amplifier driving a ferrite loaded cavity. The system operated at 234.5 KHz with a peak output voltage of ± 10 kV on the gap. The dynamic output impedance, as measured on the gap, was < 15 ohms.
Listening to youth: Woodstock, music, america, and kurt cobain’s suicide

This article explores the relationship between popular music and the formation of values among American teenagers.
Thyroid hormones correlate with symptoms of hyperactivity but not inattention in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The diagnostic validity of dividing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) into two distinct subgroups, one with and one without hyperactivity, is controversial since there have been no physiological differences demonstrated between these two subgroups. In this study, the relationship between thyroid hormones and symptoms of hyperactivity was examined in subjects with resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) and their unaffected family members. Clinical data were collected on 152 subjects; 75 subjects with RTH and 77 family members without RTH. Each subject was assessed using DSM-III-R criterion based, structured psychiatric interviews, and Total T3 (TT3), Total T4 (TT4) and TSH concentrations were measured. The total number of ADHD symptoms were assigned to either inattention or hyperactivity subgroups using DSM-III-R criteria. The total number of ADHD symptoms were then reassigned to inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity subgroups using DSM-IV criteria. Pearson R correlation coefficients were calculated separately for the RTH and unaffected family members groups in order to determine the relationships between TSH, TT3 and TT4 concentrations, and the DSM-III-R and DSM-IV symptom categories of ADHD in both groups. TSH concentrations were not significantly correlated with any of the symptom categories in either group. However, in the RTH group, both TT3 and TT4 concentrations were significantly and positively correlated with total symptoms of ADHD (DSM-III-R) as well as symptoms of inattention (DSM-III-R) and symptoms of hyperactivity (DSM-III-R). When DSM-IV criteria were used, which reassigns symptoms of impulsivity from the inattention to the hyperactivity category, only the positive correlation between TT3 and TT4 concentrations and symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity (DSM-IV) remained significant. In the group of unaffected family members, the relationship between TT3 concentrations and symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity (DSM-IV) was the only significant correlation. The data support the hypothesis that thyroid hormones may provide a physiological basis for the dichotomy between symptoms of inattention and symptoms of hyperactivity, particularly when DSM-IV criteria are applied.
Influence of Ductility on Creep Rupture Under Multiaxial Stresses

Creep-rupture times at 1200 and 1400 deg F were compared for notched versus unnotched bars and for thin-walled tubes in uniaxial tension versus combined tension and internal pressure to give a 1:1 ratio of longitudinal and transverse principal stresses. Relative response to multiaxial stresses of cast DCM alloy with low ductility was not essentially different from that of Rene 41 alloy with higher ductility. Creep rupture times of the tubular specimens under combined stresses correlated better in terms of the shear stress invariant than of maximum principal stress.
A signed binary addition circuit based on an alternative class of addition tables

Abstract Redundant signed digit number systems have been used as a basis for the construction of fast arithmetic circuits for several years. In particular, addition circuits with no carry-ripple effects have been developed using signed binary arithmetic systems. This paper presents a general class of signed binary addition tables and provides a framework for constructing various tables. The existence of an entire class of tables provides a circuit designer with an additional degree of freedom while developing addition circuitry. The choice of the exact form of the addition table can be based on the dominant desired characteristics of the resultant circuit. An example of a circuit derived for area minimization is presented and compared to another signed binary addition circuit that was previously published. Both circuits were optimized and mapped to 20 different CMOS cell libraries. The experimental results indicate an average decrease in area of 26% and an average decrease in dynamic power consumption of 29% with an average increase in delay of only 4.4%.
Long-term gain after team-based learning experience in a pediatric clerkship.

Background: Team-based learning (TBL) increases student engagement, value of teamwork, and performance on standardized evaluations. Purpose: The authors implemented a 3rd-year pediatric TBL curriculum, evaluating its effect on satisfaction, engagement, value of teamwork, and short-term and long-term academic performance. Method: Students evaluated the TBL curriculum and core lectures through satisfaction, engagement and value of team surveys. Scores on short-term and long-term examinations were compared to historical data. Results: The first implementation year, students were less likely to enjoy TBL sessions compared to lectures. The 2nd year, this difference lessened. Through both years, students reported dramatic increases in classroom engagement during TBL compared to lecture. Students developed a greater value for teams after participating in TBL. Short-term and long-term examination scores improved significantly. Conclusions: Both short-term and long-term performance improved with implementation of ...