cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of key amino acids in a conserved cGMP-binding site of cGMP-binding phosphodiesterases. A putative NKXnD motif for cGMP binding.

cGMP-binding phosphodiesterases contain two kinetically distinct cGMP-binding sites (a and b), and each site contains a conserved N(K/R)XnFX3DE sequence. N276A, K277A, K277R, D289A, and E290A mutants in the N276KX7FX3DE290 sequence of site a (higher affinity site) of bovine cGMP-binding, cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (cGB-PDE or PDE5A) were expressed in High Five cells and purified. The cGMP-binding affinities of three mutants [K277A (Kd ≈ 12 µM), D289A (Kd ≈ 24 µM), and N276A (Kd ≈ 60 µM)] were decreased in comparison with wild-type enzyme (Kd = 1.3 µM), which suggested an important role for Asn276, Lys277, and Asp289 in cGMP binding. These residues could be presented as a putative NKXnD motif, and their functions were predicted based on analogy with the canonical NKXD motif in GTP-binding proteins. No marked differences in catalytic functions such as specific activity, Km for cGMP, and IC50 for zaprinast or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine were found among wild-type and mutant cGB-PDEs. This suggested that cGMP binding to site a does not influence the catalytic properties of cGB-PDE.
Modal decoupling using the method of weighted residuals for the nonlinear elastic dynamics of a clamped laminated composite.

We develop an approach to reduce the governing equation of motion for the nonlinear vibration of a clamped laminated composite to the Duffing equation in a decoupled modal form. The method of weighted residuals enables such a reduction for laminates with clamped boundary conditions. Both rigidly clamped and loosely clamped boundary conditions are analyzed using this method. The reduction method conserves the total energy of the system. The decoupled modal form Duffing equation has constant modal parameters in terms of the laminated composite material's properties and geometries. The numerical computations illustrate the individual modal response with an emphasis of the transitional phenomena to chaos caused by the large load.
Biogenesis of Pore Architecture in Voltage-Gated K+ Channels

Although formation of the mature conducting pore of Kv channels necessitates tetramerization of individual subunits, it is possible that the first stages of pore formation occur early in biogenesis, prior to oligomerization of the transmembrane core. Our studies explore this hypothesis, specifically with respect to acquisition of secondary and tertiary structure. Using biogenic intermediates, a mass-tagging strategy, namely pegylation, and a molecular tape measure (Lu and Deutsch, 2005), we probed the pore domain of Kv1.3. The pore helix appears to form a compact secondary structure inside the ribosomal exit tunnel when located in the terminal 20A of the tunnel whereas the turret is extended. Tertiary folding of the re-entrant pore loop was assessed by estimating pegylation rates of select cysteines engineered throughout the turret, the pore helix, and the loop preceding S6 in two monomeric constructs in the presence of ER membranes. The fastest rates were observed for turret and loop residues, whereas pore helix residues were 5-10 fold slower. To help interpret these observations, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of a single monomer of the Kv1.2 channel pore domain were generated in a fully solvated lipid membrane. The two transmembrane helices S5 and S6 as well as the pore helix remain stable along the trajectory. These results are consistent with a tertiary re-entrant pore architecture being acquired at the monomer stage of Kv biogenesis, perhaps coincident with integration of transmembrane segments into the bilayer. [Supported by NIH grant GM 52302 and GM062342].Reference: Lu and Deutsch, Biochemistry 44: 8230, 2005.
Measures of self-efficacy and norms for low-fat milk consumption are reliable and related to beverage consumption among 5th graders at school lunch.

Baylor College of Medicine,USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX, USASubmitted 12 December 2006: Accepted 4 May 2007: First published online 1 August 2007AbstractObjective: To determine the reliability and validity of scales measuring low-fatmilk consumption self-efﬁcacy and norms during school lunch among a cohort of5th graders.Design: Two hundred and seventy-ﬁve students completed lunch food recordsand a psychosocial questionnaire measuring self-efﬁcacy and norms for schoollunch low-fat milk consumption during the fall and spring semesters of the1998–1999 academic year. Test–retest reliability was assessed in participants whoalso completed the questionnaire in the spring semester (n5262). Principalcomponent analyses identiﬁed and conﬁrmatory factor analyses conﬁrmed latentvariables. Bivariate correlations measured construct validity.Setting: Houston-area middle school.Subjects: Fifth graders (n5275) from one middle school in southeast Texas.Results: Two scales measuring psychosocial inﬂuences of low-fat milk consump-tion were identiﬁed and proved reliable in this population: milk self-efﬁcacy andmilk norms. Milk self-efﬁcacy and norms were positively correlated with milkconsumption and negatively correlated with consumption of sweetened beverages.Conclusions: These questionnaires can be used in similar interventions tomeasure the impact of self-efﬁcacy and norms for drinking low-fat milk duringschool lunch.KeywordsMilkSelf-efﬁcacyNormsSweetened beveragesAdolescentsReliabilityValidityMilk is a major dietary source of calcium in the USA andits consumption throughout childhood and adolescenceis important to support growth and the development ofoptimal bone mass
Growth, characterization and application of CdS thin films deposited by chemical bath deposition

The recent advance in soft solution processing of inorganic materials offers an exciting opportunity to develop large-area manufacturing technologies for inorganic thin-film transistors (TFTs). In this paper, we report our recent progress in fabricating CdS TFTs using chemical bath deposition (CBD) to deposit CdS channel layers. Device analysis of an enhancement-mode CdS metal-insulator-semiconductor field effect transistor (MISFET) with a field-effect mobility of ∼1.5 cm 2 V -1 s -1 and a threshold voltage of v T ∼ 14 V is reported here. An on-to-off ratio of ∼10 6 is achieved. This rather large drain current on-to-off ratio indicates that this device will function well as a switch. An examination of the CdS film morphology by scanning electron microscopy indicates that the films deposited by CBD and used for our current device fabrication are dominated by a particle sticking growth mechanism. This is supported by a real-time quartz crystal microbalance growth curve and atomic force microscopy characterizations of the particles formed in the CBD solution. A different bath condition for CBD was tested to obtain a dense CdS layer. A selected-area electron diffraction pattern indicates that the CdS thin film deposited by CBD has a hexagonal structure with an optical bandgap of 2.4 eV as determined by UV-Vis absorption.
COMPARISON OF THREE NON-PARAMETRIC TESTS FOR BIVARIATE INTERCHANGEABILITY1

Given a random sample(X1, Y1), …,(Xn, Yn) from a bivariate (BV) absolutely continuous c.d.f. H (x, y), we consider rank tests for the null hypothesis of interchangeability H0: H(x, y). Three linear rank test statistics, Wilcoxon (WN), sum of squared ranks (SSRN) and Savage (SN), are described in Section 1. In Section 2, asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE) comparisons of the three types of tests are made for Morgenstern (Plackett, 1965) and Moran (1969)BV alternatives with marginal distributions satisfying G(x) = F(x/θ) for some θ≠ 1. Both gamma and lognormal marginal distributions are used.
Minimally invasive approach for aortic valve operations

A minimally invasive procedure for performing repair or replacement of the aortic valve has been developed that simplifies the technique and reduces surgical trauma.
Differential Transcriptional Effects of EGFR Inhibitors

EGF and its receptor EGFR serve as a paradigm for signaling in cell, molecular and tumor biology. EGFR inhibitors, drugs targeting the intracellular kinase activity and antibodies targeting the extracellular ligand binding, are used to treat breast, lung, colon and other cancers. Nominally affecting the same target, inhibitors have different effects, suggesting that use of inhibitor combinations may provide beneficial in cancer treatment. To explore the specific and the common transcriptional effects of EGFR inhibitors, we present metaanalysis of 20 individual studies comprising 346 microarrays. We identified specific gene subsets regulated by kinase inhibitors, those regulated using antibodies and by suppressing EGFR expression using miR-7. Unreported before, the inhibitors prominently induce lysosome components. All inhibitors rely on related sets of transcription factors and protein kinases, both for transcriptional induction and suppression. However, we find that Gefitinib suppresses apoptosis inhibitors, while inducing cell-cycle inhibitors; conversely, Erlotinib suppresses cell-cycle and cell migration genes, while inducing proapoptotic genes. EGFR-targeting antibodies specifically suppress cell motility, developmental and differentiation processes, while inducing the contractile apparatus. miR-7, distinctively, suppresses cell-cycle genes, while inducing transcription machinery. These metaanalysis results suggest that different inhibitors have overlapping but quite distinct effects in target cells. Judicial use of EGFR-targeting combinations, i.e., simultaneous use of antibodies and multiple kinase inhibitors, may provide more effective cancer treatments with fewer side-effects and avoid development of resistance. We expect, moreover, that specific drug combination treatments can be fine-tuned to achieve specific, personalized results.
Temperature-dependent cubic-lattice-model simulation of polymer-chain dynamics

Motion of a single nonintersecting chain with nearest-neighbor attractive interactions is simulated on a three-dimensional cubic lattice using a Monte Carlo method. The free-draining exponent of the terminal relation time is $\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\approx}{N}^{2.17}$ in the strong excluded-volume region and tends to $\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\approx}{N}^{2}$ at the $\ensuremath{\Theta}$ point. The translational diffusion constant scales as $D\ensuremath{\approx}{N}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at all temperatures. Results are in agreement with theoretical dynamical exponents in the free-draining limit.
Transcranial magnetic evoked potentials used to monitor the spinal cord during neuroradiologic angiography of the spine

A current topic in intraoperative monitoring of the spinal cord is the inability of the somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) to adequately document anterior spinal cord function. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the cortex for assessing corticospinal (efferent) pathways is a developing modality. The authors demonstrate a potential application of TMS as a monitoring medium for use in the neuroradiology suite. Limitations of intraoperative applications of cortical magnetic stimulation associated with cortical suppression are caused by anesthetics and neuromuscular blockers. These limitations generally are not an issue in the neuroradiology suite. In this report, motor improvement was correctly predicted by magnetic evoked potential amplitudes, whereas an SSEP remained unchanged during neuroradiologic angiography.
An evaluation of the detergency value of a series of alkylbenzene sulfonates by ultrasonic technique

The soil removal efficiency of 17 sodium alkylbenzene sulfonates having alkyl residues ranging from six- to 18-carbon atoms, which have been synthesized and purified especially for this work, has been described. Evaluation has been accomplished by means of an ultrasonic cone transducer capable of producing mechanical action of a very highly reproducible character and at a measurable rate of expenditure of energy. Compounds having straight-chain alkyl residues produce generally greater detergency efficiency than the branch chain homolog. Detergent character becomes pronounced at about 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl residue, but detergency is diminished above about 14 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl group because of reduced solubility.
Infrared Characterization and Determination of Self-Association Equilibrium Constants for Methacrylic Acid Copolymers

The synthesis of essentially random methacrylic acid (MAA) copolymers is reported. Precursor copolymers of styrene (ST) or 2,3-dimethylbutadiene (DMB) and a tert-butyldimethylsilylmethacrylate comonomer were synthesized initially by free-radical solution polymerization, followed by silyl deprotection to yield the desired amorphous MAA copolymers. The infrared characterization of these copolymers is discussed with particular emphasis placed on the effect of temperature and composition on hydrogen bonding, the formation of anhydrides at elevated temperatures, and quantitative measurements, leading to an estimation of the dimensionless equilibrium constant describing the self-association of MAA moieties. Comparisons are made to low molecular weight analogues and previous studies on ethylene-co-methacrylic acid copolymers. An important experimental finding is that the number of hydrogen-bonded carboxylic acid dimers that are formed at equilibrium is a strong function of chain stiffness.
Professional attitudes toward denture adhesives: A Delphi Technique survey of academic prosthodontists

Abstract Statement of problem. The use of denture adhesives and their role in prosthodontics has been an intriguing and conflicted topic, both in clinical practice and dental education. Purpose. This study generated discussion, and if possible, obtained a consensus on a series of issues related to denture adhesives among a group of leading academic prosthodontists. Material and methods. The Delphi Technique survey method was used. It consists of a series of survey questionnaire rounds to a panel of experts to either develop a consensus (>70% agreement) or to clarify the reasons for multiple schools of thought on a topic. A 24-item Delphi questionnaire was sent to an expert panel that consisted of a 33% regionally stratified random sample of program directors of undergraduate complete denture courses in US dental schools. The 5 major topic areas on denture adhesives addressed by the questionnaire items were (1) general perceptions, (2) specific clinical uses/misuses, (3) patient education, (4) inclusion in dental curriculums, and (5) overall opinions of utility. Results. Of the 18 randomly selected panelists, 94% (n = 17) agreed to participate, with either 16 or 17 fully participating in each of the 3 survey rounds. The panel achieved consensus and clearly concluded that denture adhesives: (1) are a useful adjunct in denture prosthesis services, having specific roles in both the fabrication and postinsertion phases; (2) had the potential for misuse, both by dentists and by patients; and (3) should be an integral part of patient education for all denture patients and of the undergraduate dental curriculum. However, the panel was unable to achieve consensus on whether denture adhesives should be used at the postinsertion phase for immediate denture patients and whether, on the whole, they were a beneficial adjunct in denture patient management (59% agreed they were). The panelists also clearly expressed their concerns that neither dentists nor patients should use denture adhesives as a substitute for either good clinical practices or proper denture maintenance routines. Conclusions. This panel of leading academic prosthodontists concluded that denture adhesives are a useful adjunct in denture prosthesis services, with specific roles in both fabrication and postinsertion phases. They also indicated that only through education, for dentists and patients, would the dual goals of maximizing the beneficial aspects of denture adhesive use while minimizing the misuse of denture adhesives be achieved. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;82:80-9.)
Supercapacitor energy storage systems for voltage and power flow stabilization

The variable output of renewables such as wind and solar causes fluctuations of power flow that can adversely affect power system operation, especially at high levels of penetration. The coordination of multiple energy storage solutions can mitigate integration challenges by providing a buffer from variable renewables. This paper presents the integration of supercapacitor energy storage through a grid-tied inverter system that can then be used in combination with other energy storage solutions such as batteries to enhance the overall grid-tied energy storage solution. Control algorithms are developed for the supercapacitors to enhance the stability of the power system. In addition, a key parameter that is analyzed is the effective supercapacitor energy rating and state of charge (SOC). This paper includes both simulation and experimental validation of the rapid bidirectional power flow of supercapacitor energy storage systems, as well as the model implementation of these devices through an in-lab grid to smooth high ramp rate events seen in solar data.
The time required to prepare for a rotated stimulus

Average time required to determine whether an alphanumeric character was presented in its normal version or as its mirror image increased from 500 msec to 1,000 msec as its angular departure from upright increased from 0 to 180 deg. However, when Ss already knew the identity of the upcoming character and when advance information as to its orientation was available for 1,000 msec, this reaction time was reduced to about 400 msec regardless of the orientation of the test stimulus. In this case, Ss claimed that they could prepare for the rotated stimulus by imagining the normal version of the designated character rotated into the indicated orientation and that they could then rapidly test for a match against the ensuing stimulus.
Training Analogical Reasoning Skills in the Gifted.

This article describes a training program in analogical reasoning skills based on Sternberg's componential processes research. Students are first taught how to apply the processes of encoding, inferring, mapping and applying in the solution of linguistic and nonlinguistic analogies of the A:B::C:D type. Then, they apply these components in the processing of extended linguistic analogies developed in sentence, paragraph, and story form. Finally, several weeks are spent teaching students the utility of these same components and analogical reasoning to their performance in the content areas.
The value and role of Citizen Review Panels in child welfare: perceptions of citizens review panel members and child protection workers.

. . . although citizens sporadically become engaged with, not to say infuriated at, child welfare agencies, in the last decades there has been remarkably little regular week-to-week engagement by lay people. . . Perhaps child welfare administrators or the officials to whom they report are too busy or too defensive to engage lay people in a true partnership. It is a mistake. Lay people need to be drawn in—given authority and candid information—if child welfare is not to be isolated in the face of what is coming (p. 130).
Geography and Multiple Abilities Program: Innovations in Teacher Education--Reconnecting Teaching to Students' Needs.

Abstract The University of Alabama is now offering a new and innovative, five-semester program that provides preservice teachers with both knowledge of and skill in using strategies and teaching methods associated with general and special education. The goal of the Multiple Abilities Program (MAP) is to enable teachers to accommodate the wide range of learning styles and developmental readiness for instruction of all learners in a given classroom, regardless of the labels with which the children are identified. This article describes MAP in light of the geography strand of the MAP curriculum. MAP students work with five topics in geography, which they use to develop a greater understanding of how authentic teaching and learning of geography are mediated by cognitive, affective, and social needs of children. MAP students take a particular topic in geography and design and implement instruction for it by creating authentic learning activities that offer elementary school students an opportunity to explore t...
Cerebral arterial spasm after penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds: transcranial Doppler and cerebral blood flow findings

OBJECTIVE: The goals of the study were to determine the incidence and time course of cerebral arterial spasm in patients with penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds, to study the relationship between vasospasm and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in these patients, and to evaluate the effects of vasospasm on outcome. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with craniocerebral gunshot wounds underwent computed tomography at admission and then underwent transcranial doppler ultrasonography (TCD). Velocities in the middle cerebral artery and the extracranial internal carotid artery were measured. Vasospasm was defined as a middle cerebral artery velocity greater than 120 cm per second and a hemispheric index (ratio of middle cerebral artery to internal carotid artery velocity) greater than 3. Intravenous xenon-133 cerebral blood flow (CBF) studies were performed for 10 patients. RESULTS: TCD was initiated, on average, 1.1 days after injury; 205 studies (mean, 6.3 studies/patient) were performed 0 to 33 days after injury. TCD showed vasospasm in 14 patients (42.4%). Xenon-133 studies performed within 24 hours of TCD measurements indicating spasm demonstrated normal or low CBF in three of five patients with spasm, ruling out hyperemia as the cause of elevated flow velocities in these three patients. Seven patients had unilateral vasospasm, and seven had bilateral spasm. Vasospasm was most prominent from Days 5 through 11. Vasospasm was distributed across all levels of injury severity, as defined by the Glasgow Coma Scale. Initial computed tomographic scans demonstrated SAH in all 14 patients with vasospasm but in only 9 of 19 without spasm (100 versus 47%, P < 0.0001, binomial distribution probability test). Outcomes for patients with vasospasm were slightly worse than for those without spasm (35.7 versus 47.4% good outcomes, respectively); however, this difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.12). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that delayed cerebral arterial spasm is a frequent complication in patients with craniocerebral gunshot wounds and is strongly associated with SAH. The frequency, time course, and severity of spasm are comparable with those observed with aneurysmal SAH and traumatic SAH caused by closed head injury. This study offers new insights into the hemodynamic pathophysiology after gunshot wounds to the brain and suggests that increased vigilance for vasospasm may be of benefit.
Biochemical and Physiological Function of Thiamine in Nervous Tissue

A CONSIDERABLE amount of evidence has been accumulated, primarily as a result of studies by von Muralt et al.1, to suggest that thiamine may play a vital part in peripheral neurophysiology that is independent of its classical role as a coenzyme. Experiments in our laboratory suggest that thiamine may function as a neurohumour in the central nervous system, and, in addition, may be involved with sodium transport.
Longitudinal waves in a plasma half-space

Electric field in plasma half space determined by longitudinal wave normal mode analysis, using BKG particle conserving collision model
Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase activity by small doses of α-difluoromethylornithine

Abstract The induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) appears to be an important aspect of carcinogenesis. Agents which inhibit ODC have been shown to preclude cancer formation in many organ systems. We studied the dose and dose schedule of α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a suicide inhibitor of ODC, needed to effectively inhibit ODC activity in mice. Our data demonstrate that doses many-fold lower than comparable maximal tolerated doses in humans can inhibit ODC activity in mice. In addition, a simplified, once daily dosage of DFMO appears adequate.
New results in the theory of differential games with information time lag

The results contained herein provide a rigorous formulation of a broad class of differential games with information time lag and present a theoretical analysis for treating such games. This analysis extends the so-called Hamilton-Jacobi theory of optimal control and the main equation analysis developed by Isaacs to treat differential games with information time lag. Necessary and sufficient conditions satisfied by thepotential value function are developed to indicate the strategy-synthesis procedure for differential games with information time lag.
Kinetics of the hot water soluble boron soil test

Abstract A first order reversible reaction rate equation was modified to fit the conditions of the hot water soluble boron soil test. This equation was fitted to a boiling time study on one soil fertilized to three different boron levels. The common S‐minute boiling time did not remove enough boron to reach the plateau region of the fitted curve for any sample. It was also found that boiling for too short a time causes more error than excessive boiling. For these samples a boiling time could be more than a minute too short before a 10% error was introduced in the amount of boron extracted. A 10‐minute boiling time would reduce the timing error for these samples by removing enough boron to reach the plateau region of the extraction curve.
Energy expenditure is obligatory for the downhill transport of galactosides.

Abstract Galactoside permease-containing cells of Escherichia coli have been depleted of energy reserves to such a low level that uptake of α-methyl-glucoside and cellular hydrolysis of o -nitrophenyl-β- d -galactopyranoside (ONPG) no longer take place. In all previous studies these transport processes had been found to be resistant to energy poisons and starvation. The cells' energy supplies can be sufficiently depleted by inducing the glucose permease and then making the cells pump α-methyl-glucoside to exhaustion in the absence of a utilizable energy source and in the presence of azide. Such cells recover their measured transport capabilities when a utilizable energy source is added back. The recovery is sufficiently fast and takes place in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors which eliminates the possibility that protein synthesis is needed for recovery. Since the cellular hydrolysis assay of ONPG is dependent on permease, but constitutes a transport process from the outside region of high concentration to the inside where the concentration is very low, transport even down a thermodynamic electrochemical potential requires energy expenditure. I must therefore retract the concepts previously proposed (Koch, 1964); I now conclude that permease-mediated transport per se is dependent on energy and that energy coupling to transport, even down a gradient, is obligatory.
Placental transfer of essential fatty acids in humans: venous-arterial difference for docosahexaenoic acid in fetal umbilical erythrocytes.

Abstract Docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3); 22:6(4,-7,10,13,16,19) (DHA)] is required in quantity by the developing nervous system of the fetus. This need could be met through synthesis of DHA from linolenic acid in the fetus or through placental transfer of DHA directly. To study the placental transfer of n-3 fatty acids, we obtained umbilical and maternal blood samples from 26 healthy women and infants at parturition and measured the fatty acid composition and content of both plasma and erythrocytes. A striking finding was a considerable venous-arterial difference for DHA in the umbilical erythrocytes as a proportion of total fatty acids and in absolute concentration. This difference of 2.2 micrograms per billion erythrocytes was 6 times larger than the difference in fetal plasma, when the plasma and erythrocyte concentrations were normalized to whole blood. Most other erythrocyte fatty acids showed a similar trend. In umbilical plasma, significant venous-arterial differences were found for 16:0, 16:1, 18:2, and total saturated fatty acids. There was a similar trend for most other plasma fatty acids. Compared with maternal blood, fetal plasma and erythrocytes had higher levels of 20:4 and DHA and lower levels of 18:2 and 18:3(n - 3) fatty acids as a proportion of total fatty acids. These results suggest that erythrocytes play a major role in the necessary transport of the essential fatty acid DHA into the fetus.
A Scale to Measure Impairment in Severe Dementia and Similar Conditions

The authors describe an 11-item, 22-point scale that measures cognitive capacity in severely cognitively impaired individuals. The Severe Impairment Rating Scale (SIRS) has acceptable interrater reliability ( r = 0.992; P r = 0.97; P r = 0.866; P r = 0.770; P
Jewish disappearing acts and the construction of gender.

SUMMARY In this essay I propose to investigate the interarticulation of race/ethnicity and gender at two fin de siecle moments: the conceptualization of the Oedipus complex at the turn of the twentieth century and the conceptualization of gender as performative in contemporary queer theory. Though these gender constructions contrast strikingly with one anotherqueer theory opposes and calls into question the heteronormativity of the Oedipal itineraryboth theories are produced through the displacement of racial/ethnic difference onto sexual and gender difference. One line of investigation in this essay is to relate their difference to the distinct situations of ethnic in-betweenness in which they were produced. Freud's situation as a Jew undergoing assimilation to Western European customs has been compared to that of the post-colonial subject. Judith Butler's and Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's theories of queer performativity have been located in a post-assimilationist situation in the U.S. of the 1990s. At both m...
When is “enough” enough? Modeling the information-seeking and stopping behavior of senior arts administrators

Among managers, those who are responsible for nonprofit organizations in general and arts organizations in particular have been an understudied group. These managers have much in common with their for-profit counterparts, but their environment also differs in significant ways. The goal of this exploratory research effort was to identify how senior administrators in fine arts museums and symphony orchestras go about identifying and acquiring the information they want to complete a range of management tasks. Deciding when and where to look for information, obtaining the “right” information at the time it is needed, evaluating its credibility and utility, and determining when “enough” information has been collected are challenges facing this group of information users every day. A multiple-case studies design involving a replication strategy was selected to structure the research process. Data were collected from 12 arts administrators using a pretested interview protocol that included the Critical Incident Technique. Patterns in the data were identified, and the data were further reviewed for disconfirming evidence. The study resulted in a list of the types and sources of information that arts administrators use as well as a list of the factors or “stopping criteria” that influence them to end their informationseeking process. A model describing the way in which arts administrators go about acquiring the information they want was also developed. The main findings of the study are (a) arts administrators do not consider information seeking to be a discrete management task, (b) they rely heavily on direct personal experience to fill their information-seeking needs, and (c) they are “satisficers” when it comes to seeking information. Based on Simon’s alternative to rational choice theory, satisficers are people who are willing to pursue a “good enough” option rather than the best possible option (maximizers) (Simon, 1956). Since arts administrators have not been studied in the context of LIS research before, understanding more about where they go for information, what factors influence the level of effort they are willing to invest in seeking information, and how they decide when they have “enough” information provides insights into the information-seeking behavior of a new user group. Furthermore, although this research effort is focused on specific users in a specific field, the results from this study may be compared to what we already know about other user groups to confirm and expand existing models of information-seeking behavior.
Image sequence coding at 64 kbps using vector quantization and block matching

The authors propose algorithms for compressing monochrome and color image sequences depicting videotelephone/videoconference scenery down to 64 kb/s. This rate is of interest as it is one of the primary rates within the ISDN (integrated services digital network) network architecture. Emphasis is given to synchronous transmission strategies in which successive frames are updated at a fixed bit rate determined by the frame rate and the channel rate. The basic structure of the underlying video coder is that of a temporal vector-based DPCM (differential pulse code modulation) coupled with conditional replenishment. The algorithms feature vector quantization in the residual domain and motion-compensated (using block matching), as well as previous-frame, prediction. Simulation results, using a 15-s-long color sequence, are given. These results include photographs of encoded frames and signal/noise ratio plots. Encoded frames of good visual quality were obtained using motion-compensated prediction. It is shown that median filtering can be useful in improving the perceptual quality of encoded frames. >
The role of liquid mixing and gas-phase dispersion in a submerged, sparged root reactor

An Agrobacterium-transformed root culture of Solanum tuberosum was grown in a 15-1 bubble column. The specific respiration rate decreased by a factor of ten as the tissue grew over a 25-day culture period. On days 5, 8, 13, and 21, respiration was shown to be independent of aeration rate over a range of 0.05-0.4 vvm (volume of air per volume of liquid min-1). Gas dispersion measured from argon tracer residence time distributions increased fourfold due to increased stagnation and channeling of gas through the bed of growing roots; however, introduction of an antifoam surfactant on day 20 greatly reduced dispersion with no accompanying change in respiration. Taken together, the gas dispersion and respiration studies suggest that the gas-liquid interface is not the dominant resistance to oxygen mass transfer. Liquid mixing time measured with a dye tracer increased from 1.45 +/- 0.45 min with no root tissue to 40.2 +/- 1.6 min with 180 g FW l-1 of roots in the column. In addition, the oxygen uptake rate of growing tips (5.2 +/- 0.2 mm) of individual root segments of S. tuberosum measured in a stirred microcell (600 microliters) increased with the oxygen tension of the medium. Based on these results, the role of liquid mixing, gas-phase dispersion, and diffusion in the tissue in the scaleup of root culture is discussed.
THE SURFACE CHARGE OF PARTICULATE MATTER IN SEAWATER

The surface charge of particulate matter in seawater from estuarine and coastal sources was investigated by microelectrophoresis. Seston consisting mostly of bacteria, small algae, and detritus exhibited a considerable range of mobilities but all were negatively charged; the mean mobility and the range of mobilities increased when the salinity of the media was reduced. The surface charge of model particles of glass, anion exchange resin, bentonite, calcium carbonate, wax, and a polysaccharide were also studied after equilibration in both natural seawater (freed of natural particulates) and an artificial seawater containing only major ions. The considerable range of mean mobilitics for these particles in artificial seawater, -1.5 to +1.2 (,um/sec) (V/cm)-l, converged to -1.1 to -0.1 (,um/sec) ( V/cm ) -’ in seawater. The surface adsorption of minor constituents in seawater is the most likely cause of these changes. Dialysis experiments indicated that both high and low molecular weight materials were responsible. The macromolecular component could be removed from limited amounts of seawater by a column of porous glass. Adsorbable constituents of seawater which might produce the observed surface effects are considered.
Atrial Fibrillation Susceptibility in Metabolic Syndrome: Simply the Sum of Its Parts?

In this issue of Circulation , Watanabe et al1 demonstrate an apparent correlation between the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and increased susceptibility to atrial fibrillation (AF) in a relatively large (>28 000 subjects) community-based cohort in Japan. The study’s strength, apart from the size of the population, lies in its prospective assessment of free-living individuals without evidence of AF on entry into the study. As such, this report provides new insight into the prevalence of MS in Japan, and in addition, highlights an underappreciated health risk (ie, AF susceptibility) associated with the syndrome. On the other hand, applicability of the findings in the report from Watanabe et al1 is importantly constrained by several key methodologic limitations. First, both the study population as a whole and the subsets with MS features incorporated a high proportion of females (66%). The basis for the make up of the cohort, which was ≈34% male, is unclear, but the sex imbalance suggests that men in the community were less compliant with the voluntary health screening process offered by the prefecture. Second, the prevalence of MS in the study population (13% to 16% depending on the MS definition used) was substantially higher than the approximate 6% previously reported from Japan.2 The basis for this seemingly substantial difference is unknown, but it may reflect selection bias due to less healthy individuals electing to come for screening. Finally, the study protocol did not include a comprehensive effort to document AF by long-term ambulatory ECG monitoring. This failing raises concern that the frequency with which AF was identified, both at baseline and during follow-up, was imprecise. Self-reporting of arrhythmias is notoriously unreliable. Even well-intentioned patients are known to both underreport and overreport symptoms, often with poor correlation between symptoms and the presence or absence of …
Microscale Quantification of the Absorption by Dissolved and Particulate Material in Coastal Waters with an ac-9

Abstract Measuring coastal and oceanic absorption coefficients of dissolved and particulate matter in the visible domain usually requires a methodology for amplifying the natural signal because conventional spectrophotometers lack the necessary sensitivity. The WET Labs ac-9 is a recently developed in situ absorption and attenuation meter with a precision better than ±0.001 m−1 in the raw signal, which is sufficient to make these measurements in pristine samples. Whereas the superior sensitivity of the ac-9 has been well documented, the accuracy of in situ measurements for bio-optical applications has not been rigorously evaluated. Obtaining accurate results with an ac-9 requires careful attention to calibration procedures because baselines drift as a result of the changing optical properties of several ac-9 components. To correct in situ measurements for instrument drift, a pressurized flow procedure was developed for calibrating an ac-9 with optically clean water. In situ, micro- (cm) to fine- (m) scale...
Whole body and splanchnic leucine, phenylalanine, and glucose kinetics during endotoxemia in humans

To examine the whole body and splanchnic tissue substrate handling during endotoxemia, an intravenous bolus of endotoxin was given to six healthy volunteers during primed, continuous infusions of [1-13C]leucine, [ring-2H5]phenylalanine, and [6,6-2H2]glucose. Whole body protein breakdown, based on whole body Leu and Phe appearance rates (Ra), increased in response to endotoxin given at time 0 (RaLeu 77 +/- 2 mol.kg-1 x h-1, t = 0 h; 88 +/- 6, t = 4 h; P < 0.05) (RaPhe 39 +/- 2 mol.kg-1 x h-1, t = 0; 46 +/- 3, t = 4 h; P < 0.05). Splanchnic amino acid balance (Bal) increased (BalLeu 7 +/- 4 mol.kg-1 x h-1, t = 0; 21 +/- 5, t = 2 h; P < 0.05) (BalPhe 3 +/- 2 mol.kg-1 x h-1, t = 0; 16 +/- 4, t = 2 h; P < 0.05) and can be accounted for by increased splanchnic uptake (Rd) of Phe and Leu (RdLeu 21 +/- 3 mol.kg-1 x h -1, t = 0; 37 +/- 7, t = 120 min; P < 0.05) (RdPhe 10 +/- 3 mol.kg-1 x h-1, t = 0; 24 +/- 5, t = 120 min; P < 0.05). Splanchnic conversion of Leu to ketoisocaproate increased with endotoxin administration (0.7 +/- 0.6 mol.kg-1 x h-1, t = 0; 8 +/- 3, t = 360 min; P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The myth of the deficient communicator

The basic argument of this paper is that multiple language use in learner output is not always and exclusively indicative of the deficient nature (V. Cook, 1999; Firth and Wagner, 1997; Kramsch, 1997, 1998) of the language learner with respect toan idealized monolingual second language (L2) linguistic norm. Multilingual written learner texts and learners’ explications of these texts are examined in detail. These data suggest that learners conceptualize themselves as multicompetent (V. Cook, 1991, 1992, 1999) speakers who regularly, playfully and creatively decouple conventionalized L2 form-meaning pairings in order to produce and use their own locally relevant L2 signs. Within mainstream Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research practices and correctness-oriented Foreign Language Teaching (FLT) methodologies, this departure from norm approximation may be interpreted to indicate the reduced (Harder, 1980) or deficient nature of the learner. Within a Vygotskian approach to the psychology of mind and language learning (e.g., Lantolf, 2000a; Lantolf and Appel, 1994; Vygotsky, 1978, 1986), however, the learner’s playful use of multiple linguistic codes may index resourceful, creative and pleasurable displays of multicompetence (V. Cook, 1991,1992).
Glycopeptides of the membrane glycoprotein of Sindbis virus.

The membrane of the Sindbis virus (an arbovirus) is structurally simple; it is composed of lipids and a single glycoprotein of molecular weight estimated at 53,000 daltons. Digestion of the membrane glycoprotein with pronase yields a set of glycopeptides (largely polysaccharide) that can be characterized by molecular sieving. From virus grown in chick fibroblasts, three principal glycopeptide peaks were identified, with molecular weights of 3200, 2800 and 1800 daltons. The smallest glycopeptide, estimated to contain nine sugar residues, contains only mannose and glucosamine, while the larger glycopeptides are composed of mannose, glucosamine, galactose, fucose and, presumably, sialic acid. There are 3 or 4 moles of glycopeptide per mole of membrane protein. Glycopeptides from virus grown in hamster cells have a somewhat different size distribution, but seem grossly similar to the glycopeptides of chick-grown Sindbis virus. In the infected cell, 75% of newly synthesized glycopeptide material is found in a membrane fraction; these glycopeptides are of the same range of molecular weights as those found in virus particles, but are shifted to a smaller average molecular weight. It is not yet possible to determine whether synthesis of the carbohydrate moiety of the virus membrane glycoprotein is specified by viral enzymes, host enzymes or some combination of the two.
HAMR Adjacent Track Stability in the Presence of a Medium Curie Temperature Distribution

Evidence of a Curie temperature distribution has been observed in longitudinal media. These results were explained in terms of grain-to-grain variations in composition. Additives are under consideration for FePt HAMR media that may introduce such a distribution into HAMR media. Simple calculations are used to argue that a Curie temperature distribution is unlikely to affect adjacent track aging, but may widen transitions during the write process.
Nonenzymatic Degradation of Citrus Pectin and Pectate during Prolonged Heating: Effects of pH, Temperature, and Degree of Methyl Esterification

The underlying mechanisms governing nonenzymatic pectin and pectate degradation during thermal treatment have not yet been fully elucidated. This study determined the extent of nonenzymatic degradation due to beta-elimination, acid hydrolysis, and demethylation during prolonged heating of citrus pectins and its influence on physicochemical properties. Solutions of citrus pectins, buffered from pH 4.0 to 8.5, were heated at 75, 85, 95, and 110 degrees C for 0-300 min. Evolution of methanol and formation of reducing groups and unsaturated uronides were monitored during heating. Molecular weight and viscosity changes were determined through size exclusion chromatography and capillary viscometry, respectively. Results showed that at pH 4.5, the activation energies of acid hydrolysis, beta-elimination, and demethylation are 95, 136, and 98 kJ/mol, respectively. This means that at this pH, acid hydrolysis occurs more rapidly than beta-elimination. Furthermore, the rate of acid hydrolysis is diminished by higher levels of methyl esterification. Also, citrus pectin (93% esterified) degrades primarily via beta-elimination even under acidic conditions. Acid hydrolysis and beta-elimination caused significant reduction in relative viscosity and molecular weight.
Predicting the future and reconstructing the past: A Bayesian characterization of the utility of subjective fluency

The subjective sense of fluency with which an item can be perceived or remembered is proposed to be a vital cue in making decisions about the future memorability and the nature of our past experience with that stimulus. We first outline a number of cases in which such perceptual or retrieval fluency influences judgments both about our own future performance and our likely past experience, and then present a Bayesian analysis of how judgments of recognition ‐ deciding whether or not a currently viewed item was studied at a particular point in the past ‐ may incorporate information about the perceptual fluency of that item. Using a simple mathematical model, we then provide an interpretation of certain enigmatic phenomena in recognition memory. ” 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PsycINFO classification: 2343
The Effect of Percuatneous Lead Placement on Drive Line Exit Site Infections in HeartMate II Patients

Purpose It has been suggested that aligning the junction of the silicon exterior of the HeartMate II drive line and the flocked portion of the lead with skin level, “Buried”, as opposed to leaving 2-3 inches of the flocking exposed above the skin, “Unburied” reduced DLES infections. Thus, we examined DLES infection rates and causes in a single center, retrospective, non-randomized review. Methods and Materials We compared DLES infection incidence, cause of infection (poor wound healing vs. trauma), time to 1st infection, requirement for advanced measures with the 2 DLES placements in Thoratec HeartMate II recipients. Statistical comparisons were performed using Statica (Statsoft). For this study, we defined a DLES infection as at least one positive wound culture. Results Figure 1 shows the freedom from DLES infections for the 2 approaches. Significantly more, 33% (16/48)) of Unburied had DLES infections than 18% (17/94) of Buried, and the infection duration was longer, 500 vs. 175 days, respectively. The average time to 1st infection was significantly longer, 13 months, for the Unburied vs 7 months for the Buried, related to cause of infection: poor wound healing in 59% of the Buried DLES infections (10/17) vs. 38% (6/16) for the Unburied. Of the 16 Unburied DLES infections, 11 required wound vac, 7 surgical revision, and 3 pump replacements, vs. 9, 7, and 0 respectively for the Buried approach. Conclusions Using the Buried approach may reduce the incidence, severity, and duration of DLES infection, yet, a portion of patients still develop DLES due to poor wound healing and trauma. Alternative approaches to the drive line are likely needed to eliminate this pernicious source of LVAD infections.