cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of the hemolymph lipoproteins of the American silkmoth, Hyalophora cecropia.

Abstract Three classes of lipoproteins were isolated from the pupal hemolymph of Hyalophora cecropia by ultracentrifugal fractionation. They are the low density lipoproteins (LDL; d = 1.046–1.063), high density lipoproteins (HDL; d = 1.156–1.170) and very high density lipoproteins (VHDL; d = 1.26). All three classes float as single peaks in the analytical ultracentrifuge, but the HDL sedimentation profile reveals a major and minor peak. Electrophoresis demonstrated that each class was composed of several lipoprotein species. About 75% of the lipid in the total hemolymph lipoproteins is associated with the HDL class and diglyceride is the major neutral lipid component in all three classes. The predominant phospholipid in all classes is phosphatidylcholine, but a substantial amount of phosphatidylethanolamine is also present. It is believed that these lipoproteins are the primary vehicle by which phospholipids, glycerides and sterols are transported in this insect.
Implications Of Cis Interactions Between Expanded Polyglutamine and the Proline Rich C-Terminal Domain of Huntingtin Exon 1 For the Loss- Versus Gain-Of-Function Models of Huntington's Disease

At least nine neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's disease (HD), have been associated with expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts. Proteolytic products of these proteins form neuronal intranuclear inclusions. There is growing interest in the role of naturally occurring flanking sequences and persistent controversy regarding their role as gatekeepers against or enhancers of polyQ aggregation. In particular, previous studies have shown that the 17-residue N-terminal segment (N17) of huntingtin (htt) exon 1 acts as gatekeepers, although controversy lingers with regards to this finding. Here, we focus on the interactions in cis between polyQ and the proline rich C-terminal domain (C38) of htt exon 1. This domain possesses two polyproline stretches (polyP) that appear to interact with profilin, which inhibits htt aggregation in cell culture studies.Through the use of atomistic Monte Carlo simulations utilizing the ABSINTH implicit solvation model, we show evidence for long-range interactions between polyQ tracts and both polyP regions. The polyQ segments promote the formation of cis peptide bonds within the polyP segment directly C-terminal to polyQ. This in turn will have important changes to the heterotypic interactions of htt through its polyP regions. A detailed comparative analysis of the monomer ensembles of N17-polyQ, polyQ-C38 and N17-polyQ-C38 constructs will be presented and the implications of our findings for loss- versus gain-of-function models for the onset and progression of disease will be discussed.This work was supported by grant 5R01NS056114 from the National Institutes of Health
Digital control of focal distances.

A method is described whereby the focal distance of a lens can be varied digitally using electrooptics or other means without changing the magnification or spot size. The device is limited to lenses with half-angles less than 15°. Pairs of polarization switches and passive birefringent elements are used. A total of 2N equally spaced focal positions can be achieved with N switches. If a total length L of birefringent material (indices of refraction n and n + Δn) is used, the total shift in focal distance can be as high as LΔn/n2. A ten-stage (1024-position) device falls within the limitations set by material and depth-of-field considerations. The shift in focal distance can be magnified optically to arbitrary distances, but the image or spot size is also magnified in the process. Several practical applications of this device are discussed.
Knowledge Management at Americas Conference on Information Systems

The Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) has consistently encouraged dissemination of research on Knowledge Management (KM) over the past several years. The research presentations in the AMCIS mini-track on KM have showcased recent developments in Frameworks & Theory, Systems & Methods, Case Studies, and Evaluation & Assessment aspects of KM. We briefly describe some of the noteworthy papers presented at AMCIS 2004 in each of the above aspects. Contribution and acceptance data from the past three years clearly indicate that both the scope and the depth of issues researched in KM continue to grow in the Information Systems discipline.
California Desert and Coastal Populations of Flying Aphids and the Spread of Lettuce-Mosaic

The population of efficient vectors, mainly the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulz.), during the growing season deter- mined the rate of spread of the lettuce-mosaic virus. A high population of the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, did not cause measurable spread, even though this insect was shown to he a fairly good vector of lettuce-mosaic virus in the laboratory. The lettuce seed-stem aphid, Macrosiphum barri Essig, was shown to be an efficient vector in the laboratory.
Gendered representations of parents behind bars: An analysis of newspaper reports

Scholars have devoted significant attention to the issue of incarcerated parents, and a separate body of research has examined the representation of crime and offenders in the media. In this study, I contribute to research on incarcerated parents and on media portrayals of offenders by examining the role of gender in US newspaper representations of incarcerated parents over the past three decades. The findings suggest that the difficulties of parenting behind bars and the intergenerational consequences of incarceration are common themes in newspaper accounts of both mothers and fathers in prison. Findings also reveal evidence of a 'mothering discourse' that emphasizes the importance of the mother-child relationship in accounts of inmate mothers in particular. These findings are interpreted by drawing on theoretical literature regarding family ideology, parenting discourses, and the ideological nature of the media. Language: en
The present status of endosteal oral implants.

This paper presents a review of 338 metallic endosteal oral implants of six designs that had been in situ for periods of up to seven years as observed by members of the Brookdale Group. Of the 338 impervious alloplastic endosteal implants studied, none but the endodontic endosteal implant demonstrated positive long range findings. It would appear that the eventual demise of endosteal implants is predictable on a basis of time.
Epidermal arachidonate lipoxygenase

Abstract Guinea pig skin was found to display a high lipoxygenase activity, evidenced by the formation of a hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) from exogenous [ 14 C]arachidonic acid. The lipoxygenase activity was localized to the epidemal layer of the skin, was completely inhibited by eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) and slightly enhanced by indomethacin. Susceptibility to inactivation by sulfhydryl-directed reagents indicated that an essential sulfhydryl is present in a hydrophobic region of the molecule. The enzyme exhibited a broad pH activity optimum and a K m of 2.48—10 −5 M. The cytosolic enzyme has been partly purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and two steps of of column chromatography and exhibited an apparent high molecular weight. The lipoxygenase and hydroperoxidase activities were resolvable from one another. The physiological and pathophysiological roles of the enzyme remain to be elucidated.
Membrane Interactions of an Acylated and Non-Acylated Lactoferricin Peptide by Solid-State NMR and Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

LfB6 (RRWQWR-NH2) is a tryptophan- and arginine-rich cationic antimicrobial peptide, derived from bovine lactoferrin, with broad spectrum activity that can be enhanced by N-terminal acylation (CH3(CH2)4CO-RRWQWR-NH2; C6-LfB6). The arginines promote selective interaction with negative charges present in bacterial cell membranes, while the tryptophans prefer the membrane-water interface. We have combined solid-state 2H and 31P NMR and fluorescence experiments with all-atom and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interactions of LfB6 and C6-LfB6 peptides in bilayers composed of two distinct compositions: 3:1 POPE:POPG (anionic) and POPC (zwitterionic). Previously we reported that the arginines of C6-LfB6 are first to associate with POPE:POPG; whereas in POPC the C6 tail associates first. Solid-state 2H NMR experimental results confirmed that the lipid order parameters are not significantly changed when C6-LfB6 is bound to negatively-charged membranes, while a slight decrease in order is observed for zwitterionic membranes (Romo, et al. 2011. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1808(8):2019-30). We now compare these results with those for non-acylated LfB6 peptide. Solid-state 2H NMR spectra of mechanically aligned samples reveal that the order of POPC and of POPG is reduced in the presence of 1 mol% LfB6. By contrast, POPE shows an increase in order and some line broadening. 31P NMR spectra indicate little effect on the lipid head group for either peptide. The Trp fluorescence emission maxima are blue-shifted for LfB6 (340 nm) and C6-LfB6 (336 nm) in POPE:POPG, compared to POPC (353 nm LfB6 and 348 nm C6-LfB6), suggesting that the Trp residues are less water-exposed in the anionic lipid membranes and when the C6 acyl chain is present.
Flying low with Maglev

A new transportation system is on the horizon--the first in the history of man in which electrical and electronics engineering seems destined to play the dominant role. Successful magnetic-levitation (Maglev) high-speed ground transportation now appears almost certain for a variety of reasons. There is no fundamental flaw in using magnetic forces for both suspension and propulsion, and various technological options are available for optimizing system design. The system can operate with a relatively "soft" large-clearance suspension that has no contact with the ground, not even for power pickup. Energy consumption can be less than that for jet aircraft, even at Maglev speeds of 500 km/h (311 mi/h).
An Evaluation of Object-Oriented Image Analysis Techniques to Identify Motorized Vehicle Effects in Semi-arid to Arid Ecosystems of the American West

Human disturbance is a leading ecosystem stressor. Human-induced modifications include transportation networks, areal disturbances due to resource extraction, and recreation activities. High-resolution imagery and object-oriented classification rather than pixel-based techniques have successfully identified roads, buildings, and other anthropogenic features. Three commercial, automated feature-extraction software packages (Visual Learning Systems' Feature Analyst, ENVI Feature Extraction, and Definiens Developer) were evaluated by comparing their ability to effectively detect the disturbed surface patterns from motorized vehicle traffic. Each package achieved overall accuracies in the 70% range, demonstrating the potential to map the surface patterns. The Definiens classification was more consistent and statistically valid.
Neutron Diffraction Studies of Fluid Bilayers with Transmembrane Proteins: Structural Consequences of the Achondroplasia Mutation

Achondroplasia, the most common form of human dwarfism, is due to a G380R mutation in the transmembrane domain of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) in >97% of the studied cases. While the molecular mechanism of pathology induction is under debate, the structural consequences of the mutation have not been studied. Here we use neutron diffraction to determine the disposition of FGFR3 transmembrane domain in fluid lipid bilayers, and investigate whether the G380R mutation affects the topology of the protein in the bilayer. Our results demonstrate that, in a model system, the G380R mutation induces a shift in the segment that is embedded in the membrane. The center of the hydrocarbon core-embedded segment in the mutant is close to the midpoint between R380 and R397, supporting previous measurements of arginine insertion energetics into the endoplasmic reticulum. The presented results further our knowledge about basic amino-acid insertion into bilayers, and may lead to new insights into the mechanism of pathogenesis in achondroplasia.
AN ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY OF UGANDA: FROM THE GUN TO THE BALLOT, A ‘POLITICS OF SUCCESS’ OR LEGITIMIZATION?

Abstract Most recent elections in African countries have been characterized by external persuasion by donor countries. The push for democracy has been tied to foreign aid. The election process in such cases often favors and/or legitimizes the incumbent. Uganda's 1996 election is a good case study to test this hypothesis, and explain the election within the global context. Uganda experienced political instability in the 1970s and 1980s. Since its independence in 1962, the country has been ruled by nine different governments, of which three were elected. Using the results from the recent presidential elections in Uganda, this paper examines the nature and implication of the elections. Did the election process uphold democracy, or peace? Did the process legitimize a rule? What factors influenced voting behavior patterns? The 1996 elections gave President Museveni a second term in office. His elected government is the ninth government, and legitimates the continuation of his non-elected first term of ten year...
Postoperative adynamic ileus: An experimental evaluation of the role of d-pantothenyl alcohol

Summary 1 Following stress there may be an increased utilization of pantothenic acid in the production of acetylcholine. Relative deficiencies of pantothenic acid could result in intestinal atony under such circumstances. 2 A significant period of adynamic ileus was readily produced in dogs by a combination of exposure and manipulative trauma to the gut and peritoneum. 3 The duration of ileus produced by this method was significantly reduced in 21 dogs by the administration of d -pantothenyl alcohol. 4 These findings suggest that d -pantothenyl alcohol may prove to be of use in paralytic ileus following surgery.
Effects of dietary polyunsaturated fats and vitamin E on aging and peroxidative damage to DNA

Peroxidative damage to DNA was studied in rats fed either a diet with 10% tocopherol-stripped corn oil and 30 IU DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg (group A), the same diet without vitamin E (group B), a diet with 24% corn oil without vitamin E (group C), or the diet of group A for 10 months and then the diet of group C for 4 months (group D). After 3, 6, 9, and 14 months of feeding the diets, body weights, motoric activities, testicular weights, and lipid-soluble fluorophores in testes were measured. Groups A and B had higher hepatic DNA template activities at 9 and 14 months than group C, and group A had higher testicular DNA template activities than groups B and C at 6, 9, and 14 months. Hepatic DNA template activity of group C decreased from 6 to 9 and from 9 to 14 months. Group C hepatic DNA transcribed less long RNA than that of groups B and D, and more short RNA than groups B and D. Group A testicular DNA transcribed more medium-length RNA than that of groups B and D, and less short RNA than that of groups B, C, and D. DNA-bound tryptophan and DNA crosslinking were inversely related to DNA template activities. DNA damage correlated with other biochemical and physiological changes that are characteristic of cellular impairment in aging and disease.
THE SOCIAL FORMATION OF CHILDBIRTH

A Review of Recent Research: The First Birth: A Family Turning Point. Doris R. Entwisle and Susan G. Doering. A Review of Recent Research: Anthropology of Human Birth. Margarita Artschwager Kay, ed. A Review of Recent Research: Ethnography of Fertility and Birth. Carol P. MacCormack, ed. A Review of Recent Research: Childbirth: Alternatives to Medical Control. Shelly Romalis, ed.
ALS users' Association Eleventh Annual Meeting

(1996). ALS users’ association eighth annual meeting. Synchrotron Radiation News: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 8-10.
Evidence for the control of respiration by DNA in ultraviolet-irradiated Escherichia coli B-r cells.

Abstract UV irradiation of Escherichia coli B/r cells causes a temporary inhibition of respiration. This inhibition begins about 60 min after irradiation. The duration of the inhibition depends, in part, upon the carbon source on which the cells were grown and its presence or absence at the time of irradiation. In cells grown on a mineral salts and glycerol medium, irradiation with 520 erg/mm 2 at 254 nm almost completely inhibits respiration for 4 h; the addition of exogenous amino acids to the growth medium favors early recovery of respiration. Experiments with caffeine show that excision of pyrimidine dimers is not necessary for the delayed inhibition of respiration, but is necessary for the subsequent recovery of respiration. If chloramphenicol, 5-fluorouracil, or an amber mutant of phage T4 is added to cells immediately after UV, the turnoff of respiration is prevented, but none of these agents reverses the inhibition once it has set in. These results indicate that UV-damaged DNA is transcribed and a protein important for the turnoff of respiration is formed.
An Improved Flange Bolt-Up Procedure Using Experimentally Determined Elastic Interaction Coefficients

Uniform bolt stress (±2 percent) was obtained in a one-pass, tension-controlled, bolt-up procedure. This was done by experimentally determining elastic interaction coefficients. The coefficients were then used to solve for the required initial bolt loads that gave the desired final stresses. The procedure worked on two similar pairs of 16-in. class 300 flanges. Each flange set had different interaction, apparently due to surface gaps and misalignment. The procedure was repeated several times with a flat sheet gasket and without a gasket. The procedure and experimental results are described in detail.
The Effects of Supply Pressure on the Operating Characteristics of Two-Axial-Groove Journal Bearings

The effects of variations in lubricant supply pressure on the characteristics of two-lobe non-preloaded bearings are examined. The bearing solutions are obtained by an approximate method developed earlier that includes viscosity variation due to thermal effects. Theoretical results are presented in nondimensional form and dimensional examples are given, including a comparison with published experimental data. The magnitude of the supply pressure is seen to have significant effects on the operating eccentricity, lubricant flowrate, temperature rise, stiffness and damping coefficients, and rigid rotor stability threshold over a wide range of speed conditions. Presented at the 39th Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, May 7–10, 1984
Immune and nonimmune effector functions of IgG3 mouse monoclonal antibody R24 detecting the disialoganglioside GD3 on the surface of melanoma cells

Abstract R24, an IgG3 mouse monoclonal antibody reactive with the disialoganglioside GD3, was found to be a potent mediator of human complement cytotoxicity and human effector cell cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity correlated with the degree of antibody binding (GD3 cell surface expression) for each of the melanoma cell lines and melanocyte cell cultures tested. Melanoma cell lines binding low amounts of R24 (low GD3 cell surface expressors) were not lysed in R24-directed immune reactions, suggesting that a threshold number of R24 molecules bound per cell is necessary to initiate these cytotoxic mechanisms. Since both complement- and cell-mediated reactions lysed the same subpopulations of cells in each cell line, both mechanisms appeared to depend on similar threshold quantities of bound R24 molecules. However, due to the heterogeneity of R24 binding in each cell line, the numerical value for this threshold could not be determined. Only in cell lines binding >10 7 R24 molecules per cell were >90% of the cells lysed. Normal melanocytes in culture were not lysed by R24-directed immune mechanisms, due to their low GD3 expression, indicating that monoclonal antibodies such as R24 may show tumor specificity with regard to effector functions even though normal cells express the relevant antigen. In contrast to the potent in vitro activity of R24, treatment of nu nu mice bearing human melanoma grafts resulted in tumor inhibition only when started within 3 days of tumor cell inoculation. No effect was seen on established tumors. Thus, this in vivo mouse model failed to predict the clinical and pathological findings observed in treatment trials of R24 in human melanoma patients—urticaria involving skin metastases, cellular infiltration of tumor tissue, and tumor regression. In addition to activating immunologic effector functions, R24 had direct effects on melanoma cells, blocking their ability to attach to surfaces and causing tumor cell aggregation. These effects were again related to the number of R24 molecules bound to the cell surface; no aggregation was seen with cell lines binding less than 4 × 10 5 molecules per cell. Both immune and nonimmune effector functions may be involved in the tumor inhibitory activity of R24 in humans.
Compensated optimal response under uncertainty in agricultural household models

Abstract This study derives the qualitative properties of a household's optimal consumption, family labour, hired labour and non-labour input choices under price and/or output risk through a Slutsky-type compensation without imposing any restriction on risk preference structure or production technology. These compensated responses provide the underpinning for welfare analysis in agricultural household models under risk. The framework for the evaluation of welfare effects of product and factor price interventions in a setting of output and price risk is developed. The paper also outlines an empirical model for estimation of the compensated demand and supply responses and for validation of the paper's analytical results.
Combined use of sirolimus and voriconazole in renal transplantation: A report of two cases

Voriconazole is currently contraindicated for use with sirolimus. We report our experience with voriconazole/sirolimus in two renal transplant recipients. To our knowledge, this is the first experience with voriconazole/sirolimus. An interaction requiring a 75% to 87.5% sirolimus dose reduction was noted, but goal trough levels and clinical tolerability were achieved.
Studying spirituality scientifically: reflections, considerations, recommendations

Spirituality has become the focus of growing attention by scholars over the past few decades in a variety of disciplines including psychology, nursing, medicine, social work, counseling, and business. Despite this attention, confusion and controversy exists regarding what spirituality is and whether or not it is even worthy of being considered a scientific construct. In this essay, the author provides an overview of the methodology and philosophy of science issues that accompany the study of spirituality. Thereafter, he proffers an empirically derived descriptive taxonomic model of spirituality for use in research and theory development. The essay ends with recommendations for future investigations on spirituality.
Wafer-scale fabrication of penetrating neural microelectrode arrays

The success achieved with implantable neural interfaces has motivated the development of novel architectures of electrode arrays and the improvement of device performance. The Utah electrode array (UEA) is one example of such a device. The unique architecture of the UEA enables single-unit recording with high spatial and temporal resolution. Although the UEA has been commercialized and been used extensively in neuroscience and clinical research, the current processes used to fabricate UEA’s impose limitations in the tolerances of the electrode array geometry. Further, existing fabrication costs have led to the need to develop less costly but higher precision batch fabrication processes. This paper presents a wafer-scale fabrication method for the UEA that enables both lower costs and faster production. More importantly, the wafer-scale fabrication significantly improves the quality and tolerances of the electrode array and allow better controllability in the electrode geometry. A comparison between the geometrical and electrical characteristics of the wafer-scale and conventional array-scale processed UEA’s is presented.
Untersuchungen zur älteren nordischen und germanischen Sprachgeschichte. By Ottar Grønvik. (Osloer Beiträge zur Germanistik, 18.) Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 1998. Pp. 178. Paper. $37.50.

The book is divided into three major sections with some excursuses. The first section is on runic inscriptions as a source for early Norse, the second is on syllable division and i -umlaut in Germanic, and the third is on the earliest distinctions among Germanic languages.
The Space-time structure of hard scattering processes

Recent studies of exclusive electroproduction of vector mesons at JLab make it possible for the first time to play with two independent hard scales: the virtuality ${Q}^{2}$ of the photon, which sets the observation scale, and the momentum transfer $t$ to the hadronic system, which sets the interaction scale. They reinforce the description of hard-scattering processes in terms of few effective degrees of freedom relevant to the JLab-Hermes energy range.
Large aperture kinoform phase plates in fused silica for spatial beam smoothing on Nova and the Beamlet Lasers

It is now widely recognized that spatial beam smoothing (homogenization) is essential in coupling the laser energy to the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets. For the indirect drive approach to ICF, it is desirable to distribute the laser energy into a uniformly speckled profile that has a flat-top super-Gaussian envelope (8th power or higher) and contains greater than 95% of the energy inside the super-Gaussian profile. Spatial smoothing is easily achieved by introducing a binary random phase plate (RPP) in the beam. This produces a homogenized far-field pattern which consists of an overall envelope function determined by the RPP element superimposed with a fine scale speckle pattern arising due to the interference among the various RPP elements. Although easy to fabricate and currently in routine use in many fusion laboratories, the binary RPPs do not meet the ICF requirements stated above since the far-field intensity profile is restricted to essentially an Airy function containing only 84% (an upper limit) of the energy inside the central spot. Approaches using lenslet arrays (refractive or diffractive) have limited use since they operate in the quasi-far-field and have a short depth of focus. The limitations of the RPPs can be overcome by relaxing the binary phase constraint. We have recently presented 5 continuously varying phase screens for tailoring the focal plane irradiance profiles. Called kinoform phase plates (KPPs), these phase screens offer complete flexibility in tailoring the focal plane envelope and, at the same time, increasing the energy efficiency inside the focal spot. In this paper we discuss the design and fabrication of such kinoform phase plates in fused silica for spatial beam smoothing on the Nova and the Beamlet lasers. Since the phase plates are used at the end of the laser chain, KPPs on Nova and Beamlet have to be fabricated on large aperture optics (65-cm diameter and 40-cm square substrates respectively). The following section presents a brief review of process for designing the KPPs. In section 3, we discuss the fabrication of large aperture KPPs in fused silica substrates. The optical performance of these KPPs is discussed in section 4 which is followed by a summary.
Cultural Evolution and Long-Term Song Stability in a Dialect Population of Brown-Headed Cowbirds

Abstract. Knowing the extent to which the acoustic structure of songs is temporally stable is essential to understanding how cultural evolution affects song dialects in oscines. The acoustic structure of the most prevalent variant of the flight-whistle song recorded from male Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in the Mammoth dialect (Mammoth Lakes, California) from 2005 to 2009 differed significantly and consistently from whistles recorded in 1989 and 1978–1985. The most common whistle variant in the 2005–2009 sample had structural features absent from whistles described in the earlier studies and overall was produced at a consistently lower acoustic frequency. Besides the emergence of this new variant sometime between 1989 and 2005, the prevalence of other variants of the whistle also changed from 1978 to 2009. Changes reported in other studies of cultural evolution in oscines have been based on lower-level structural elements (notes and syllables), whereas we found that entire songs appear to have e...
Prenatal and neonatal diagnosis and treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Background: Clinical management of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) involves treating hormonal deficiencies, addressing issues related to genital ambiguity, avoiding morbidities and communicating with the family about risk of CAH in other members. This article briefly reviews the prenatal and neonatal diagnosis of CAH caused by steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency, as well as treatment options and neonatal screening approaches. Conclusions: Screening for CAH can reduce adrenal crises, avoid incorrect sex assignments, lower mortality (especially in males) and avoid inappropriate somatic growth and precocious puberty.
Rationale for the tinnitus retraining therapy trial

The Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Trial (TRTT) is a National Institutes of Health-sponsored, multi-centered, placebo-controlled, randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) and its component parts, directive counseling and sound therapy, as treatments for subjective debilitating tinnitus in the military. The TRTT will enroll 228 individuals at an allocation ratio of 1:1:1 to: (1) directive counseling and sound therapy using conventional sound generators; (2) directive counseling and placebo sound generators; or (3) standard of care as administered in the military. Study centers include a Study Chair's Office, a Data Coordinating Center, and six Military Clinical Centers with treatment and data collection standardized across all clinics. The primary outcome is change in Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ) score assessed longitudinally at 3, 6, 12, and 18-month follow-up visits. Secondary outcomes include: Change in TQ sub-scales, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Functional Index, and TRT interview visual analog scale; audiometric and psychoacoustic measures; and change in quality of life. The TRTT will evaluate TRT efficacy by comparing TRT (directive counseling and conventional sound generators) with standard of care; directive counseling by comparing directive counseling plus placebo sound generators versus standard of care; and sound therapy by comparing conventional versus placebo sound generators. We hypothesize that full TRT will be more efficacious than standard of care, directive counseling and placebo sound generators more efficacious than standard of care, and conventional more efficacious than placebo sound generators in habituating the tinnitus awareness, annoyance, and impact on the study participant's life.
Multiple-marker screening in pregnancies with hydropic and nonhydropic Turner syndrome

Abstract OBJECTIVE : The combination of maternal serum αfetoprotein, unconjugated estriol, and human chorionic gonadotropin levels and maternal age has been used to increase the sensitivity of screening for fetal Down syndrome and trisomy 18 in early-second-trimester pregnancies. We hypothesized that a unique pattern of these analytes also may be characteristic of fetal Turner syndrome, with or without hydrops. STUDY DESIGN : We studied preamniocentesis, second-trimester maternal serum specimens from seven hydropic and eight nonhydropic cases of fetal Turner syndrome. Clinical and pathologic records were reviewed. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by the rank sum test. RESULTS : In both hydropic and nonhydropic cases, α-fetoprotein levels were slightly reduced, and unconjugated estriol levels were markedly reduced. In hydropic pregnancies human chorionic gonadotropin levels were elevated, and nonhydropic pregnancies had low human chorionic gonadotropin levels ( p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS : The results suggest that the morphologic defect of hydrops, rather than the aneuploidy itself, is responsible for the elevation in human chorionic gonadotropin. In conjunction with the low unconjugated estriol levels, the elevation in human chorionic gonadotropin levels will result in the prenatal identification of hydropic fetal Turner syndrome pregnancies as being at increased risk for fetal Down syndrome. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992;167:1021–4.)
Topology selection for medium-voltage three-phase SiC solid-state transformer

The first stage in the structure of a three-phase solid state transformer (SST) is a medium voltage active rectifier. Due to its relatively high voltage operating conditions, this rectifier requires careful topology selection for empirical implementation. In this paper, different topologies of active rectifiers are studied as candidates for the first stage in SSTs. The selected topologies are narrowed down to three most suitable topologies. Three selected topologies are the current source buck rectifier, the diode-clamped rectifier, and the series active filter. For comparison purposes, loss analysis of these three rectifiers is carried out using simulations and experimental implementation. In this study, for the sake of practicality and simplicity, 10 kV Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs and diodes are utilized to reduce the number of components in the multilevel structure of the rectifiers. Other than loss analysis, a new technique for capacitor voltage regulation for the series active filter topology is also proposed and experimentally verified. Considering the loss data and other issues such as line current total harmonic distortion (THD), it is concluded that the series active filter topology is the most suitable one for this application.
A new glass-forming ability criterion for bulk metallic glasses

A new indicator of glass-forming ability (GFA) for bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) is proposed based on crystallization processes during cooling and reheating of the supercooled liquid. The interrelationship between this new parameter and the critical cooling rate or critical section thickness is elaborated and discussed in comparison with two other representatives, i.e. reduced glass transition temperature Trg (=Tg/Tl, where Tg and Tl are the glass transition temperature and liquidus temperature, respectively) and supercooled liquid range ΔTxg (=Tx−Tg, where Tx is the onset crystallization temperature and Tg the glass transition temperature). Our results have shown that ΔTxg alone cannot infer relative GFA for BMGs while the new parameter γ, defined as Tx/(Tg+Tl), has a much better interrelationship with GFA than Trg. An approximation of the critical cooling rate and critical section thickness for glass formation in bulk metallic glasses is also formulated and evaluated.
Evaluating Added Benefits of Assimilating GOES Imager Radiance Data in GSI for Coastal QPFs

AbstractThe Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) provide high-resolution, temporally continuous imager radiance data over the West Coast (GOES-West currently known as GOES-11) and East Coast (GOES-East currently GOES-12) of the United States. Through a real case study, benefits of adding GOES-11/12 imager radiances to the satellite data streams in NWP systems for improved coastal precipitation forecasts are examined. The Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) is employed for GOES imager radiance simulations in the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) gridpoint statistical interpolation (GSI) analysis system. The GOES imager radiances are added to conventional data for coastal quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) experiments near the northern Gulf of Mexico and the derived precipitation threat score was compared with those from six other satellite instruments. It is found that the GOES imager radiance produced better precipitation forecasts than those from any o...
Regulated formation of Golgi secretory vesicles containing Alzheimer beta-amyloid precursor protein

Phorbol esters, activators of protein kinase C (PKC), regulate the relative utilization of alternative processing pathways for the Alzheimer beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP) in intact cells, increasing the production of nonamyloidogenic soluble beta-APP (s beta-APP) and decreasing that of neurotoxic beta-amyloid (A beta) peptide. The molecular and cellular bases of PKC-regulated beta-APP cleavage are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate in a reconstituted cell-free system that activation of endogenous PKC increases formation from the trans-Golgi network of secretory vesicles containing beta-APP and that this effect can be mimicked by purified PKC. The results demonstrate directly that PKC is involved in regulation of secretory vesicle formation and provide a mechanism by which PKC may reduce the formation of the A beta peptide characteristic of Alzheimer disease.
Modulation of the Diurnal Cycle of Warm-Season Precipitation by Short-Wave Troughs

AbstractTraveling deep tropospheric disturbances of wavelengths ~1500 km (short waves) have long been known to play an important role in the initiation and maintenance of warm-season convection. To date, relatively few studies have formally documented the climatology of short waves and their relationship to the diurnal heating cycle, the topography, and the diurnal cycle of precipitation. Those that did had to rely on low-resolution global analyses and often could not track short waves across mountain barriers. In this study, 10 yr of the (32 km) NCEP North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) are used to objectively identify and track short waves in the North American domain. Statistics of short-wave span, duration, phase speed, latitudinal extent, and locations of preferred intensification/decay are presented. Some of the key findings from the climatology include that the lee (windward) of mountain barriers are preferred regions of intensification (decay) and short waves show little evidence of a diurnal...
Integrated infrared intensities in HCCH, DCCD and HCCD

Abstract The integrated intensities of all active fundamental modes in HCCH, DCCD and HCCD have been measured by the Wilson—Wells—Penner—Weber method. The values of the two independent hydrogen atom polar tensor components derived from these data are P ZZ H = +0.183 ± 0.006 e, from the intensities of the Σ stretching fundamentals, and P XX H = P YY H = +0.205 ± 0.003 e, from the intensities of the degenerate Π bending modes. With these values, the intensities of the fundamentals of HCCH and DCCD are reproduced within a 0.5% error, and the fundamentals of HCCD within a 2.5% error.
The natural abundance of L-canavanine, an active anticancer agent, in alfalfa, medicago sativa (L.).

L-Canavanine, a potentially toxic antimetabolite of L-arginine that is stored by many leguminous plants, has demonstrative antineoplastic activity against a number of animal-bearing carcinomas and cancer cell lines. This investigation evaluated the natural abundance of this anti-cancer compound in commercially available sprouts, and in ten varieties of the seed of alfalfa, Medicago Sativa (L.). Canavanine abundance in commercially grown sprouts varied according to the source; the young plant stored appreciable canavanine that ranged from 1.3 to 2.4% of the dry matter. Alfalfa seeds were also rich in this nonprotein amino acid as the canavanine content varied from 1.4 to 1.8% of the dry matter. On average, the tested seeds contained 1.54 ± 0.03% canavanine. Alfalfa seed canavanine content was comparable to the levels found in the seeds of representative members of the genus Canavalia , which are amongst the more abundance sources of this antimetabolite.
Vacuum breakdown from electroluminescent impurities on metallic cathode surfaces

Electroluminescent spots have been observed on the surface of OFHC and high purity copper, molybdenum, stainless steel type EN58B and HS15 duraluminium electrodes. The intensity of the light obeys the Alfrey-Taylor relationship for electroluminescence and discharges have been observed from within the light emitting regions. A positive correlation was found to exist between the occurrence of a discharge flare and breakdown of the gap. It is suggested that breakdown was initiated by a trigger discharge at an impurity that had become charged by electron emission from its surface.
Synthesis of the New Quaternary Sulfides K2Y4Sn2S11 and BaLnAgS3 (Ln = Er, Y, Gd) and the Structures of K2Y4Sn2S11 and BaErAgS3

Several new quarternary sulfides, K[sub 2]Y[sub 4]Sn[sub 2]S[sub 11] and BaLnAgS[sub 3] (Ln = Er, Y, Gd), have been synthesized by the reaction of the constituent binary chalcogenides and elements at 1000[degrees]C. The crystal structures of K[sub 2]Y[sub 4]Sn[sub 2]S[sub 11] and BaErAgS[sub 3] have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Crystal data: K[sub 2]Y[sub 4]Sn[sub 2]S[sub 11]-space group D[sup 8][sub 4h] - P4/ncc, M = 1023.88, Z = 4, a = 8.587(1), c = 27.892(4) [angstrom] (T = 115 K), V = 2056.7(4) [angstrom][sup 3], R[sub W](F[sup 2]) = 0.093 for 1965 observations having F[sup 2][sub 0] > 2[sigma](F[sup 2][sub 0]); BaEr AgS[sub 3]-space group C[sup 3][sub 2H] - C2/m, M = 508.65, Z = 4, a = 17.340(4), b = 4.014(1), x = 8.509(2) [angstrom], [beta] = 103.23(3)[degrees], (T = 115 K), V = 576.5(2) [angstrom][sup 3], R[sub W](F[sup 2]) = 0.049 for 1404 observations and 48 variables, R(F) = 0.018 for 1299 observations having F[sup 2][sub 0] > 2[sigma](F[sup 2][sub 0]). In both structures, the rare-earth atoms have octahedral coordination and the octahedra form slabs through edge- and corner-sharing. These slabs are separated by K[sup +] Ba[sup 2+] cations, and are crosslinked into three-dimensional frameworks bymore » Sn[sub 2]S[sub 6] units as edge-sharing SnS[sub 4] tetrahedral pairs in K[sub 2]Y[sub 4]Sn[sub 2]S[sub 11], and by Ag[sub 2]S[sub 9] units as corner-sharing trigonal-bipyramidal AgS[sub 5] pairs in BaEr AgS[sub 3]. From their powder diffraction patterns, BaYAgS[sub 3] and Ba GdAgS[sub 3] appear to be isostructural with BaErAgS[sub 3].« less
Autonomous coordination of imaging and tumor manipulation for robot assisted breast biopsy

Breast biopsy guided by imaging techniques such as ultrasound is widely used to evaluate suspicious masses within the breast. During percutaneous needle biopsy, large tissue deformation will likely displace the tumor from its original position necessitating multiple insertions, causing surgeonspsila fatigue, patientpsilas discomfort, and compromising integrity of the tissue specimen. Tumor mobility also poses significant difficulty in imaging the target and the needle using an ultrasound probe. In addition, simultaneous coordination of freehand ultrasound imaging, needle insertion, target localization and breast stabilization is a challenging task for the surgeon. In this work, we present a new concept for coordinated real-time tumor manipulation and ultrasound imaging using a hybrid control architecture. The idea here is to demonstrate that it is possible to (1) manipulate a tumor in real-time by applying controlled external force (2) control the position of the ultrasound probe for tracking out-of-plane target movement and maintaining surface contact (3) coordinate the above systems in an autonomous manner such that the tumor does not deviate from the path of the needle. Experiments are performed on phantoms to demonstrate essence of this technique. The success of this approach has the potential to reduce the number of attempts a surgeon makes to capture the desired tissue specimen, minimize tissue damage, improve speed of biopsy, and reduce patient discomfort.
Trace metal concentrations in shallow ground water.

Trace metal clean sampling and analysis techniques were used to examine the temporal patterns of Hg, Cu, and Zn concentrations in shallow ground water, and the relationships between metal concentrations in ground water and in a hydrologically connected river. Hg, Cu, and Zn concentrations in ground water ranged from 0.07 to 4.6 ng L−1, 0.07 to 3.10 μg L−1, and 0.17 to 2.18 μg L−1, respectively. There was no apparent seasonal pattern in any of the metal concentrations. Filtrable Hg, Cu, and Zn concentrations in the North Branch of the Milwaukee River ranged from below the detection limit to 2.65 ng Hg L−1,0.51 to 4.30 μg Cu L−1, and 0.34 to 2.33 μg Zn L−1. Thus, metal concentrations in ground water were sufficiently high to account for a substantial fraction of the filtrable trace metal concentration in the river. Metal concentrations in the soil ranged from 8 to 86 ng Hg g−1, 10 to 39 μg Cu g−1, and 15 to 84 μg Zn g−1. Distribution coefficients, KD, in the aquifer were 7900,22,000, and 23,000 L kg−1 for Hg, Cu, and Zn, respectively. These values were three to 40 times smaller than KD values observed in the Milwaukee River for suspended particulate matter.
Bluetooth: carrying voice over ACL links

Bluetooth technology will enable users to connect a wide range of electronic devices. Bluetooth devices can connect to form a piconet. Two types of connections can be established in a piconet: the synchronous connection-oriented (SCO) link, and the asynchronous connectionless (ACL) link. SCO links provide a circuit-oriented service with constant bandwidth based on a fixed and periodic allocation of slots. They require a pair of slots once every two, four or six slots, depending upon the SCO packet used. ACL connections, on the other hand, provide a packet-oriented service and span over 1, 3 or 5 slots. The master of the piconet uses a polling mechanism to divide the piconet bandwidth among the ACL links. Since SCO links require a periodic allocation of a pair of slots, they leave very little of the piconet bandwidth available to ACL links. Moreover, the controlled access of Bluetooth ensures that no ACL link gets starved. Under such an access mechanism, ACL links may be sufficient to carry high-quality voice and SCO links may not be needed. Though the voice quality is affected slightly by using ACL instead of SCO links for voice, TCP connections perform much better if SCO links are not used. This paper, thus, makes a case for using ACL in place of SCO links for carrying voice. This renders SCO links redundant.
Energy absorption in polymer crazing

During the past thirty years, a tremendous amount of research was done on the development of crazing in polymers. The phenomenon of crazing was recognized as an unusual deformation behavior associated with a process of molecular orientation in a solid to resist failure. The craze absorbs a fairly large amount of energy during the crazing process. When a craze does occur the surrounding bulk material is usually stretched to several hundred percent of its original dimension and creates a new phase. The total energy absorbed by a craze during the crazing process in creep was calculated analytically with the help of some experimental measurements. A comparison of the energy absorption by the new phase and that by the original bulk uncrazed medium is made.