cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How to evolve a silk purse from a sow's ear

The enzyme γ-humulene synthase normally generates a mixture of more than 50 sesquiterpene products from a single substrate. Targeted evolution allowed the design of new mutants with greatly enhanced product specificity. The results provide a model for the divergent evolution of enzyme specificity from ancestral proteins of promiscuous function.
A description of factors affecting hazardous waste workers' use of respiratory protective equipment

This article describes the first phase of a study that was designed to gain an understanding of hazardous waste workers' attitudes and beliefs about the use of respiratory protective equipment. Exploratory, open-ended interviews were conducted among 28 respirator users at a US Department of Energy facility. Subjects were asked to describe their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about their risks to hazards at their worksites and to discuss their use of respiratory protective equipment. A detailed content analysis of the interviews resulted in the generation of a taxonomy of issues and concerns which fell into three general categories: 1) Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes, 2) Physical and Psychological Effects, and 3) External Influences. Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes included Training, Fit Testing, Medical Clearance, Work Exposures, Respirator Use, and Vulnerability to Disease. Physical and Psychological Effects included Somatic/Health Effects, Personal Comfort, Visual Effects, Fatigue, Communication,...
Estimation of historical annual PM2.5 exposures for health effects assessment

Abstract Epidemiological studies have generally found fine particle metrics such as PM2.5 (PM mass less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter) to be more strongly related to adverse health effects than PM metrics that are not size-fractionated, such as total suspended particulate matter (TSP). The latency of long-term PM exposure effects on health could potentially be investigated using the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study II cohort and other nationwide cohorts. Unfortunately, historical PM2.5 data are not available for many past years in most of the US. With the recent introduction of a PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), fine particulate data is now available through the Environmental Protection Agency's (EAP's) Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS) database from 1999 onwards. Using this nationwide PM2.5 data, we have estimated ratios of PM2.5–PM10 (PM mass less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter) for more than 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the US Similarly, using TSP and PM10 data from the late 1980's, when both metric were measured, we have derived PM10/TSP ratios for hundreds of US MSAs. These MSA-specific PM ratios allow the estimation of historical annual fine particulate concentrations, for as far back as 1972, using available annual TSP or PM10 data. We found mean ratios of PM2.5/PM10=0.54±0.14, and PM2.5/TSP=0.30±0.11. The Inhalable Particle Network (IPN), a database independent of the AIRS database, monitored TSP and PM2.5 between 1979–1982. Using a subset of MSAs common to both databases, this dataset has been used to test our hypothesis that MSA-specific mass ratios could be used to estimate PM2.5 from PM10 and TSP. Raw IPN TSP–PM2.5 concentration correlations for MSAs were non-significant ( R 2 = 0.00 ). Using the IPN TSP and our PM2.5/TSP ratios, mean PM2.5 estimates for 26 MSA were found to correlate with the measured IPN PM2.5 at R 2 = 0.43 . These results indicate that it is possible to use MSA-specific PM mass ratios to predict historical annual mean PM2.5 exposure levels from past TSP and PM10 measurements. In addition, the MSA-specific ratios were used to estimate nationwide PM2.5 concentrations for 1972–2000. These results indicate that considerable progress has been made in reducing U.S. PM2.5 levels over the 30 years.
Exercise effects on lipids in persons with varying dietary patterns—does diet matter if they exercise? Responses in Studies of a Targeted Risk Reduction Intervention through Defined Exercise I

Background The standard clinical approach for reducing cardiovascular disease risk due to dyslipidemia is to prescribe changes in diet and physical activity. The purpose of the current study was to determine if, across a range of dietary patterns, there were variable lipoprotein responses to an aerobic exercise training intervention. Methods Subjects were participants in the STRRIDE I, a supervised exercise program in sedentary, overweight subjects randomized to 6 months of inactivity or 1 of 3 aerobic exercise programs. To characterize diet patterns observed during the study, we calculated a modified z-score that included intakes of total fat, saturated fat, trans fatty acids, cholesterol, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber as compared with the 2006 American Heart Association diet recommendations. Linear models were used to evaluate relationships between diet patterns and exercise effects on lipoproteins/lipids. Results Independent of diet, exercise had beneficial effects on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol particle number, lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol size, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol size, and triglycerides (P b .05 for all). However, having a diet pattern that closely adhered to American Heart Association recommendations was not related to changes in these or any other serum lipids or lipoproteins in any of the exercise groups. Conclusions We found that even in sedentary individuals whose habitual diets vary in the extent of adherence to AHA dietary recommendations, a rigorous, supervised exercise intervention can achieve significant beneficial lipid effects. (Am Heart J 2012;164:117-24.)
Pillared and open-framework uranyl diphosphonates

Abstract The hydrothermal reactions of uranium trioxide, uranyl acetate, or uranyl nitrate with 1,4-benzenebisphosphonic acid in the presence of very small amount of HF at 200 °C results in the formation of three different uranyl diphosphonate compounds, [H3O]2{(UO2)6[C6H4(PO3)(PO2OH)]2[C6H4(PO2OH)2]2[C6H4(PO3)2]}(H2O)2 (Ubbp-1), [H3O]4{(UO2)4[C6H4(PO3)2]2F4}·H2O (Ubbp-2), and {(UO2)[C6H2F2(PO2OH)2(H2O)}2·H2O (Ubbp-3). The crystal structures of these compounds were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Ubbp-1 consists of UO7 pentagonal bipyramids that are bridged by the phosphonate moieties to form a three-dimensional pillared structure. Ubbp-2 is composed of UO5F2 pentagonal bipyramids that are bridged through the phosphonate oxygen atoms into one-dimensional chains that are cross-linked by the phenyl spacers into a pillared structure. The structure of Ubbp-3 is a three-dimensional open-framework with large channels containing water molecules with internal dimensions of approximately 10.9×10.9 A. Ubbp-1 and Ubbp-2 fluoresce at room temperature.
Public Memory and Penn State On the “Legacy” of Joe Paterno

In the wake of the child abuse scandal at Penn State, much attention was given to the role of Joe Paterno, who had spent 46 years as the university’s head football coach. Paterno’s subsequent death, just months after he had been fired by the Board of Trustees, provoked numerous efforts in sports media to determine his “legacy.“ Such attempts to make sense of Paterno’s legacy, and to do so immediately, spotlight our collective anxieties and prompt the symbolic contests that are symptomatic of public memory. This essay reflects on the choices we make and the opportunities we miss when memorializing a figure of Paterno’s stature.
Locally compact groups: maximal compact subgroups and N-groups

If G is a locally compact group such that G/G0 contains a uniform compactly generated nilpotent subgroup, then G has a maximal compact normal subgroup K such that G/G is a Lie group. A topological group G is an N-group if, for each neighbourhood U of the identity and each compact set C ⊂G, there is a neighbourhood V of the identity such that for each g∈G. Several results on N-groups are obtained and it is shown that a related weaker condition is equivalent to local finiteness for certain totally disconnected groups.
Interacting topological phases and modular invariance

We discuss (2+1)-dimensional topological superconductors with ${N}_{f}$ left- and right-moving Majorana edge modes and a ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ symmetry. In the absence of interactions, these phases are distinguished by an integral topological invariant ${N}_{f}$. With interactions, the edge state in the case of ${N}_{f}=8$ is unstable against interactions, and a ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ invariant mass gap can be generated dynamically. We show that this phenomenon is closely related to the modular invariance of type II superstring theory. More generally, we show that the global gravitational anomaly of the nonchiral Majorana edge states is the physical manifestation of the bulk topological superconductors classified by ${\mathbb{Z}}_{8}$.
Verbal transformation as a function of boredom susceptibility, attention maintenance, and exposure time

Sixteen high-boredom-susceptible (HBS) and 16 low-boredom-susceptible (LBS) college students recorded word distortions on a structured data sheet (i.e., numbered) or on a nonstructured data sheet, resulting in groups of 8 college students who were presented with six neutral words for 6 min each. In the structured situation, the LBS subjects produced significantly more verbal transformations (i.e., word distortions) than HBS subjects, but in the nonstructured situation, there was a trend for HBS subjects to produce a higher verbal transformation rate than that shown by LBS subjects. In addition, all subjects produced significantly more verbal transformations in the last 3 min as compared to the first 3 min of exposure time. Attention and arousal notions were considered to interpret these findings.
Heavy-mineral variability in bottom sediments of the lower Chesapeake Bay, Virginia

Abstract Heavy minerals in bottom-sediment samples of the lower Chesapeake Bay show distribution patterns and interrelationships that denote characteristic mineral suites associated with defined geographic provinces. The Baymouth province has a garnet—hornblende—pyroxene suite, which is largely attributed to the influx of littoral and shelf sediments; the Eastern Shore province has a similar suite, derived largely from coastal erosion of the Eastern Shore peninsula. The Northern and Combined River provinces have a zircon—tourmaline—staurolite assemblage, which reflects derivation from an Appalachian Piedmont—Atlantic Coastal Plain sourceland. The Western Shore province is associated with a zircon—epidote—staurolite assemblage, apparently derived jointly from tributary influx and coastal erosion of the western shore. Factor analysis identified two major factors that account for 63% of the total variation in the relative amounts of the seven most common heavy minerals. The dominant factor (44%) is based on a zircon—hornblende—staurolite—pyroxene relationship, which indicates that mineral stability, as influenced by sediment maturity, is a major contributing factor. The second factor (19%) based on a tourmaline—epidote—staurolite—garnet relationship indicates that provenance is another major cause of heavy-mineral variability within the lower bay.
HgCdTe Charge-Coupled Detectors (CCD)

CCD shift registers have been investigated in 4.4 pm HgCdTe for time delay and integrate (TDI) enhancement of responsivity and signal to noise ratio and for multiplexing a number of TDI shift registers. CCD linear arrays and area arrays have been operated from 77K to 140K cooling and from 50 kHz to above 1 MHz. Charge transfer efficiency (CTE) has been measured to 0.9999 on a 32 stage four phase p channel device. Infrared sensitivity measure-ments show, D* values above 1012 cmHz1/2/W for full TDI enhancement of32. TDI has been demonstrated utilizing focused laser illumination scanned synchronously with the clocked charge. Sensitivity and noise analyses have been made to show limits of detection for multiplexed arrays.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Insertion Reactions of Dimethylsilylene Into SiliconSulfur and SulfurSulfur Single Bonds

Abstract Dimethylsilylene inserts into siliconsulfur single bonds of alkyl trimethylsilyl sulfides RSi(CH 3 ) 3 and into siliconsulfur single bonds ofhexamethyldisilthiane (CH 3 ) 3 SiSSi(CH 3 ) 3 to yield alkyl pentamethyldisilyl sulfides and pentamethyldisilyl trimethylsilyl sulfide, respectively. Dimethylsilylene also inserts into sulfursulfur single bonds of dialkyl disulfides to yield bis(alkylmercapto)dimethylsilanes.
GONADAL STEROIDS ARE CAPABLE OF ACTING WITHIN THE HYPOTHAIAMUS TO MODULATE SOMATOSTATIN (SS) GENE EXPRESSION IN PUBERTAL AGED RATS

Due to the highly complex nature of neuroendocrine-target organ “feedback” relationships, the primary site(s) at which gonadal steroids exert effects on the GH axis remain largely unknown. Therefore, we sought to test the hypotheses that testosterone (T) and estrudiol (E2) can exert direct cell-specific regulatory effects in vivo on hypothalamic neurons which control GH secretion. 7 male rats were castrated at 25d (prepubertally). On day 40, T or E2 was stereotaxically placed into the hypothalamus lateral to the periventricular nucleus (PeN) at the level of the paraventricular n. (PvN). Vehicle (cholesterol) was placed at the identical conicalateral location. Preliminary studies using peroxidase-conjugated E2 demonstrated no crossover of test steroid to the control side. This model allowed exposure of only one side of the hypothalamus to a change in gonadal steroid milieu during a developmental period within which the systemic rise in gonadal steroios occurs naturally in vivo. Using in situ hybridization, we then compared the level ofSS gene expression in PeN neurons of the treatment (TX) vs control (CON) sides. In all 7 brains, the level of SS gene expression was lower (p<.05) in neurons of the TX vs. CON side (86.7±0.3% of CON for T and 80.4 ± 3.6% for E2). Furthermore, the TX effect was anatomically discrete with the dominant effect in the mid PeN region (level of the PvN) and either absent or minor toward the rostral-caudal extremes. These data demonstrate direct in vivo intrahypothalamic regulatory effects of T and E2 on one neuronal subpopulation critical tor control of pituitary GH secretion. This finding strongly indicates that at least one important site for the modulatory effects of T and E2 on the GH axis is within the hypothalamus. This technical approach of highly localized delivery of putative regulatory substances followed by subsequent assessment of gene expression within discrete neuronal subpopulations carries great potential to provide insight toward answering numerous remaining questions regarding neuroendocrine control of GH and other hypothalamic pituitary hormone systems.
Androgen regulation of prostatic binding protein messenger RNA studied by using cloned complementary DNA

The construction of a double-stranded cDNA library using rat prostatic poly(A)RNA and pBR322/Ξ1776 system and the isolation of three prostatic binding protein (PBP) cDNA clones are described. These cDNA clones were characterized and identified by in situ hybridization, mRNA selection-translation and immunoprecipitation as coding for the three subunit components, C1, C2, and C3, of PBP. These clones were used in hybridization experiments with prostatic poly(A)RNA to determine the effect of testosterone on the levels of PBP-mRNA. The results showed that synthesis of these mRNAs varied in response to either androgen withdrawal or replacement. Accumulation of PBP-mRNAs coding for C2 and C3 components occurred 1 hr after androgen administration to castrated rat, whereas the mRNA coding for the Cl component did not appear until 4 hr after androgen replacement. Quantitation of PBP-mRNA sequences in nuclear and polysomal poly(A)RNAs showed that they did not vary coordinately in response to androgen withdrawal. These results indicate differential regulation of PBP genes and suggest possible multiple levels of androgen control of PBP synthesis.
Plasmonic structure and electromagnetic field enhancements in the metallic nanoparticle-film system

We investigate the plasmonic structure of a metallic nanoparticle near a metallic thin film. We show that in the thin film limit, a virtual plasmon resonance composed of delocalized thin film plasmons is induced. We investigate how the physical properties of the virtual state depend on polarization, film thickness and nanoparticle-film separation. We show that the electromagnetic field enhancements associated with the virtual plasmon resonance are large, suggesting applications of metallic nanoparticle/thin film systems as substrates for surface enhanced spectroscopies and surface enhanced scanning probe microscopies.
Conformations of N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in ruthenium complexes relevant to olefin metathesis.

The structure of ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalyst 3 and model π-complex 5 in solution and in the solid state are reported. The N-tolyl ligands, due to their lower symmetry than the traditional N-mesityl substituents, complicate this analysis, but ultimately provide explanation for the enhanced reactivity of 3 relative to standard catalyst 2. The tilt of the N-tolyl ring provides additional space near the ruthenium center, which is consistent with the enhanced reactivity of 3 toward sterically demanding substrates. Due to this tilt, the more sterically accessible face bears the two methyl substituents of the N-aryl rings. These experimental studies are supported by computational studies of these complexes by DFT. The experimental data provides a means to validate the accuracy of the B3LYP and M06 functionals. B3LYP provides geometries that match X-ray crystal structural data more closely, though it leads to slightly less (∼0.5 kcal mol−1) accuracy than M06 most likely because it underestimates at...
Water flowing north of the border: export agriculture and water politics in a rural community in Baja California

Favored by neoliberal agrarian policies, the production of fresh crops for international markets has become a common strategy for economic development in Mexico and other Latin American countries. But as some scholars have argued, the global fresh produce industry in developing countries in which fresh crops are produced for consumer markets in affluent nations implies “virtual water flows,” the transfer of high volumes of water embedded in these crops across international borders. This article examines the local effects of the production of fresh produce in the San Quintin Valley in northwestern Mexico for markets in the United States. Although export agriculture has fostered economic growth and employment opportunities for indigenous farm laborers, it has also led to the overexploitation of underground finite water resources, and an alarming decline of the quantity and quality of water available for residents’ domestic use. I discuss how neoliberal water policies have further contributed to water inequalities along class and ethnic lines, the hardships settlers endure to secure access to water for their basic needs, and the political protests and social tensions water scarcity has triggered in the region. Although the production of fresh crops for international markets is promoted by organizations such as the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank as a model for economic development, I argue that it often produces water insecurity for the poorest, threatening the UN goal of ensuring access to clean water as a universal human right.
Role of the superior labrum after biceps tenodesis in glenohumeral stability

Background Little is known about the role that a torn superior labrum (SLAP) plays in glenohumeral stability after biceps tenodesis. This biomechanical study evaluated the contribution of a type II SLAP lesion to glenohumeral translation in the presence of biceps tenodesis. The authors hypothesize that subsequent to biceps tenodesis, a torn superior labrum does not affect glenohumeral stability and therefore does not require anatomic repair in an overhead throwing athlete. Methods Baseline anterior, posterior, and abduction and maximal external rotation glenohumeral translation data were collected from 20 cadaveric shoulders. Translation testing was repeated after the creation of anterior (n = 10) and posterior (n = 10) type II SLAP lesions. Translation re-evaluation after biceps tenodesis was performed for each specimen. Finally, anatomic SLAP lesion repair and testing were performed. Results Anterior and posterior SLAP lesions led to significant increases in glenohumeral translation in all directions ( P P > .0125). Arthroscopic repair of anterior SLAP lesions did not restore anterior translation compared with the baseline state ( P = .0011) but did restore posterior ( P = .823) and abduction and maximal external rotation ( P = .806) translations. Repair of posterior SLAP lesions demonstrated no statistical difference compared with the baseline state ( P > .0125). Conclusions With no detrimental effect on glenohumeral stability in the presence of a SLAP lesion, biceps tenodesis may be considered a valid primary or revision surgery for patients suffering from symptomatic type II SLAP tears. However, biceps tenodesis should be considered with caution as the primary treatment of SLAP lesions in overhead throwing athletes secondary to its inability to completely restore translational stability.
Symmetry recognition hypothesis model for tRNA binding to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase.

THE fidelity of the transfer of the genetic information at the translational level depends largely on the accuracy with which each transfer RNA (tRNA) is aminoacylated by its cognate synthetase. The search for the common sites on tRNA which the enzyme recognises has resulted so far in a rather confusing picture. Practically all parts of the tRNA molecule have been implicated as the possible recognition site(s)1,2.
Structure of vortex lines in pure superconductors

A method is given for solving the Bogoliubov equations for quasiparticle excitations in superconductors in the WKBJ approximation. It is applied to calculate the excitation spectrum and the scattering states of an isolated vortex line in a type-II superconductor. The pair potential and magnetic field in the vicinity of the core are determined by a variational method. For values of the Ginzburg-Landau parameter $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ near 1, the energy so calculated is about 10% too high and the critical $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ for type-II superconductivity about 25% too high, indicating that the variational functions used are only approximately of the correct form. The energy of the bound states depends on the magnetic quantum number like a Landau energy; the effective magnetic field is of the order of the upper critical field ${H}_{c2}$ for all values of $\ensuremath{\kappa}$.
Area-efficient three-axis micromechanical magnetic sensor

Demonstrated here is a 3-axis Lorentz force magnetic sensor based on a 0.24×0.4 mm2 MEMS resonator that is the smallest Lorentz force magnetic sensor reported to date. Using a single MEMS structure the sensor can detect magnetic field in two axes. By placing two of these sensors perpendicularly in a single die, three axis field measurement can be performed. The sensor is a MEMS resonator and sensing is performed using excitation current at the device's in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical natural frequencies which are 40.5 kHz and 107.4 kHz respectively. Die-level vacuum packaging results in in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical quality factors of 117 and 220, respectively. With a drive power of 2 mW, the sensor's noise is equivalent to 285 nT/√Hz for z-axis magnetic field inputs and 344 nT/√Hz for x- and y-axis fields, comparable to the performance of 3-axis Hall-effect sensors currently used in smart phones.
Angiotensin II and angiotensin (1-7) excite neurons in the canine medulla in vitro.

Abstract Our group showed previously that the heptapeptide angiotensin (1–7) [Ang-(1–7)] is a bioactive product of the renin-angiotensin system, and produces dose-dependent cardiovascular effects similar to those evoked by Ang II when microinjected into the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) of the rat. The effects of Ang II were compared with those of Ang-(1–7) on single neuron activity recorded from the medial nTS or dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (dmnX) in perifused horizontal slices of the canine dorsomedial medulla. Ang II excited 48% of 31 medial nTS neurons, but only activated 14% of 22 dmnX cells. Ang-(1–7) also excited half of the medial nTS cells and 14% of the dmnX neurons. Although most medial nTS neurons excited by Ang II were also activated by Ang-(1–7), two cells were excited by Ang II but not by Ang-(1–7), and one cell was excited by Ang-(1–7) but not by Ang II. Because Ang-(1–7) lacks direct vasoconstrictor effects, neurons in the dorsomedial medulla may have different receptor characteristics than peripheral tissues. The observation of a few medial nTS neurons excited by only one Ang peptide suggests that there may be a separate Ang-(1–7) receptor that participates in the physiological effects of Ang peptides mediated by the brain.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND THE LIMITS OF LAW

This article examines the relationship between persistent demands for “access to justice” and the relatively low yield of court-oriented social reform strategies. Access to justice has a symbolic attraction which is impossible to deny. Access may not insure justice or social reform, but it is an important political resource from which strategic bargaining advantages may flow. But the importance of the right to participate may be inversely related to its utilization. Beyond a certain level, expanded access may be costly. Its deterrent qualities may be diminished, and the legal system, when overloaded, may be unable to insure delivery of justice.
Thyroid Follicular Carcinoma with Pulmonary Metastases in a Beaver (Castor canadensis)

An 11-yr-old female beaver (Castor canadensis) died after a 3½ mo course of intermittent diarrhea, lethargy and anorexia. A postmortem examination revealed both a necrotizing ulcerative colitis and bilaterally enlarged thyroid glands. Histologically, the necrotizing colitis was similar to that caused by canine or feline parvovirus. Thyroid glands were multilobulated. Lobules were composed of irregularly arranged, variably sized follicles, some of which contained colloid. Follicles were lined by a pleomorphic population of tall cuboidal to columnar epithelial cells. Capsular invasion was present. Similar cells, forming follicles were present within the pulmonary parenchyma. This is the first documented case of a thyroid follicular carcinoma with pulmonary metastases in a beaver.
A model for localized physical adsorption on ionic solids

Abstract Physical adsorption of gases on solids at preferred sites is generally considered to be possible at low enough temperatures. With this concept, and with the assumption that adsorption occurs directly on top of one of the ionic species present in an ionic solid with a uniform surface, a model is developed for the adsorption of nonpolar, spherically symmetric molecules. The isotherms and isosteric heats predicated by this model exhibit the same qualitative behavior that is presently attributed to heterogeneous surfaces. The existence of a strong electric field-electric field induced dipole interaction makes localized adsorption possible at higher temperatures than previously believed. With the model developed, the average electric field influencing an adsorbed molecule can be calculated from the observed isotherm. Comparison of these electric fields with those calculated from geometrical considerations are in good agreement, and the calculated electrostatic contribution to the isosteric heat at zero coverage is found to account for a large part of the observed isosteric heat in the cases of argon and krypton adsorbed on magnesium oxide and calcium oxide near liquid nitrogen temperature.
Trinucleotide repeats in neurogenetic disorders

Trinucleotide repeat expansion is increasingly recognized as a cause of neurogenetic diseases. To date, seven diseases have been identified as expanded repeat disorders: the fragile X syndrome of mental retardation both FRAXA and FRAXE loci), myotonic dystrophy, X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia type I, dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy, and Machado-Joseph disease. All are neurologic disorders, affecting one or more regions of the neuraxis. Moreover, five of the seven (the last five above) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders whose strikingly similar mutations suggest a common mechanism of neuronal degeneration. In this article we discuss specific characteristics of each trinucleotide repeat disease, review their shared clinical and genetic features, and address possible molecular mechanisms underlying the neuropathology in each disease. Particular attention is paid to the neurodegenerative diseases, all of which are caused by CAG repeats encoding polyglutamine tracts in the disease gene protein.
Neutron Stars Before 1967 and my debt to Chandra

At least in his later years, Chandra was particularly famous for General Relativity, and throughout his brilliant career he was a model of mathematical rigor and elegance. I have never had a strong interest in General Relativity, I am mathematically about as sloppy as one can get away with and I have spent little time in Chicago. Because of this orthogonality, I have probably had less overlap with Chandrasekhar than most theoretical astrophysicists, and yet even in my case he has had a strong influence. I will illustrate this with a purely personal essay on my own work on equations of state and compact objects, especially neutron stars. It is interesting to speculate on why some topics are studied when they are, and I have put “neutron stars before 1967” in the title, because the reasons for ‘why’ are clear after 1967: Pulsars were discovered (Hewish et al. 1968), it became clear that they are rotating neutron stars (Gold 1968) and radiation mechanisms were discussed even just before the discovery (Pacini 1967). In the 40 years before this, on the other hand, there were few practical reasons to study neutron stars, except for the prescient suggestion of neutron stars in supernova remnants (Baade & Zwicky 1934). When I was a graduate student in the 1940s I was unaware of this paper, but my interest was aroused in a very indirect way by the earlier controversy between Chandrasekhar and Eddington on the equation of state for relativistic white dwarf stars. In astrophysics circles this controversy is usually described in terms of Eddington as a great man with deep philosophical beliefs and unorthodox views on how the laws of science might change — i.e., it was not clear whether he was morally right in “putting down” a young man so thoroughly and consistently, but it was not clear either till much later that he was scientifically wrong. However, in 1946 I was a graduate student in physics, not in astrophysics, my thesis advisor was Rudolf Peierls and it was clear that Eddington was wrong right from the start! At least this was the situation with two very specific papers of Eddington’s. These two papers (Eddington 1935a and 1935b) were mainly concerned with the laws of physics in existence at the time, especially quantum mechanics and special relativity, not with philosophy or the future (in one of them there was one delightful digression into the “magic numbers” in astronomy and physics which was vintage Eddington, but this did not impinge on the main text). There were two aspects to these papers: (i) they pointed out genuine difficulties that would be faced if one wanted to carry out very rigorous and very accurate calculations, and (ii) an explicit calculation of the equation of state for relativistic electrons as Fermi-Dirac particles which not only gave the wrong result but consisted of sheer nonsense or double-talk or both! An example of (i) was how to treat Dirac electrons under high pressure,
Comparision of transient plasma parameters in multi-source pulsed RF CCP configurations

Low pressure plasmas driven by RF power sources driven in the MHz range of frequencies where applied power is pulsed on the millisecond time scale can provide very unique conditions for materials processing not easily achievable with comparable power densities using continuous wavelength power application. The electrical transients generated by these rapid pulses present unique challenges for efficient power delivery and control; these challenges are compounded further in systems with multiple power sources, particularly in operating conditions were either the pulse cycles are not synchronized or only a subset of the operating generators are pulsed. The transient response of these pulsed plasmas, specifically the differences between “traditional” pulsed systems where no power is applied for a given timeframe versus conditions where a subset of RF power delivery is continuously delivered throughout the pulse cycle is of particular interest to plasma equipment manufacturers.
Diamond film synthesis in low pressure premixed flames of different fuel types

Abstract Various aspects of diamond film growth in low pressure flames are presented. Experiments are performed in a low pressure flat flame facility and diamond films are deposited on molybdenum substrates over areas of at least 2 cm 2 or 5.5 cm 2 . Pure acetylene-oxygen (C 2 H 2 -O 2 ), ethylene-oxygen (C 2 H 4 -O 2 ), and methane-oxygen (CH 4 -O 2 ) premixed flames are studied and compared for their use in depositing high quality diamond films. It is found that uniformity and quality are very sensitive to substrate temperatures T s and flame equivalence ratios φ and vary between flames of different fuel types. The growth behavior in response to changes in fuel types is interpreted in terms of burning velocities, which determines the residence times of intermediate species in the post-flame region and strongly influences the flux of reactants to the substrate surface. These results can be used to project alternative, perhaps more cost-effective flame synthesis strategies to deposit diamond coatings.
Quantification of human performance through the use of nuclear-power-plant experience

There is wide agreement throughout the commercial nuclear industry that there is a severe shortage of data on man-machine success or failure rates. At the same time, the need to adequately integrate human performance and systems analysis in the evaluation of nuclear power plant availability and safety is recognized as a dominant need. Therefore, if we are to address successfully the industry’s current requirements, we must optimize the use of all existing data. This paper discusses the problem and suggests useful ways of utilizing available nuclear data and presents a conceptual format to better collect actuarial data on the most critical, from a safety perspective, aspects of the man-machine interface in a nuclear power plant.
OSIRIX: open source multimodality image navigation software

The goal of our project is to develop a completely new software platform that will allow users to efficiently and conveniently navigate through large sets of multidimensional data without the need of high-end expensive hardware or software. We also elected to develop our system on new open source software libraries allowing other institutions and developers to contribute to this project. OsiriX is a free and open-source imaging software designed manipulate and visualize large sets of medical images: http://homepage.mac.com/rossetantoine/osirix/© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Priority-based error correction using turbo codes for compressed AIRS data

Errors due to wireless transmission can have an arbitrarily large impact on a compressed file. A single bit error appearing in the compressed file can propagate during a decompression procedure and destroy the entire granule. Such a loss is unacceptable since this data is critical for a range of applications, including weather prediction and emergency response planning. The impact of a bit error in the compressed granule is very sensitive to the error's location in the file. There is a natural hierarchy of compressed data in terms of impact on the final retrieval products. For the considered compression scheme, errors in some parts of the data yield no noticeable degradation in the final products. We formulate a priority scheme for the compressed data and present an error correction approach based on minimizing impact on the retrieval products. Forward error correction codes (e.g., turbo, LDPC) allow the tradeoff between error correction strength and file inflation (bandwidth expansion). We propose segmenting the compressed data based on its priority and applying different-strength FEC codes to different segments. In this paper we demonstrate that this approach can achieve negligible product degradation while maintaining an overall 3-to-1 compression ratio on the final file. We apply this to AIRS sounder data to demonstrate viability for the sounder on the next-generation GOES-R platform.
Controlling the epidemic of cardiovascular disease in chronic renal disease: where do we start?

CARDIOVASCULAR disease (CVD) is the major cause of death in patients with endstage renal disease (ESRD). In the general population, CVD morbidity and mortality have declined substantially over the past three decades through risk factor identification and reduction. In 1997, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) convened a Task Force, consisting of experts in CVD epidemiology, clinical trials, clinical cardiology, and nephrology, to consider whether strategies for prevention and treatment of CVD in the general population are applicable to patients with chronic renal disease (CRD). This month’s issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases contains a summary of the report of the Task Force, including a description of the process used to answer this question, as well as recommendations for clinical practice and clinical research. The recommendations are based on published recommendations for the general population, a systematic review of the nephrology literature, and a consensus of the members of the Task Force. The Task Force report was circulated to a large number of professional organizations and societies for review and after appropriate revisions was approved by the NKF in August 1998. This supplement to the American Journal of Kidney Diseases contains the detailed reports and references on which the summary is based. The supplement is divided into five sections. Section 1 is an introduction by Garabed Eknoyan, MD, President of the National Kidney Foundation (1996-1998). Section 2 is the executive summary, including a statement of the goal of the Task Force, the definition of the target conditions and target populations, principles of CVD risk assessment in the general population, a review of recommendations for treatment in the general population, the Task Force’s synthesis of evidence in CRD, and a summary of the Task Force’s clinical and research recommendations in CRD. Section 3 contains a description of the process used by the Task Force and the bibliography reviewed by the Task Force. Section 4 contains a review of cardiovascular disease epidemiology and interventions in the general population. Section 5 contains a review of risk factors and interventions for CVD in CRD.
Self-Observation and Completion of School Assignments: The Influence of a Physical Recording Device and Expectancy Characteristics.

This study investigated the effects of the presence or absence of a self-monitoring form and twice-weekly meetings with a psychologist on a third-grade student's school work completion. The results indicated that the physical presence of the recording device was necessary to influence completion of school assignments. The twice-weekly sessions with the psychologist without self-monitoring demonstrated minimal influence on the targeted behavior.
Nonphonon mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity in cuprates

ABSTRACT Superconductivity and the metal-insulator phase transition in a layered two—dimensional (2D) electron liquid, taking into account electron-electron correlation effects and spin density fluctuations, have been considered by means of the Fermi-liquid approach. It is shown that the electron-electron interaction mediated by the virtual charge density excitations in a layered 2D correlated Fermi liquid has the short-rangeattractive character at the intermediate electron density. It is found that such interaction leads to bothsuperconductivity at the intermediate density of carriers and the phase transition to the insulating state withthe decrease of the density. The dependence of transition temperature T on the doping density, interlayer spacing and dielectric constant of the cuprate under investigation is also shown. A optimum T for a single-layercuprate and the possibility to reach room temperature superconductivity are predicted as well. This indicates adirection to synthesize the compounds with superconductivity at higher temperature.
Ontogeny of cephalic insulin release by the rat.

Abstract Developmental aspects of cephalic insulin release in rats were evaluated by examining insulin secretion in response to the sweet taste of saccharin at different ages. A cephalic insulin response was present at the time of normal weaning (21–22 days) and by 34 days of age its magnitude was indistinguishable from that of adults. The early appearance of cephalic insulin release prompted a second study examining whether this response is present at birth; i.e., prior to any suckling experience. In newborn rat pups, no increase in plasma insulin was seen as a result of introduction of saccharin into the oral cavity. It was concluded that maturational and/or learning changes responsible for cephalic insulin release occur during the suckling period. The discussion concerned whether these changes involve maturation of the afferent loop, the efferent loop and/or learning as a consequence of the suckling experience.
Emerging technologies for point-of-care CD4 T-lymphocyte counting

A CD4 T-lymphocyte count determines eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in patients recently diagnosed with HIV and also monitors the efficacy of ART treatment thereafter. ART slows the progression of HIV to AIDS. In the developing world, CD4 tests are often performed in centralized laboratories, typically in urban areas. The expansion of ART programs into rural areas has created a need for rapid CD4 counting because logistical barriers can delay the timely dissemination of test results and affect patient care through delay in intervention or loss of follow-up care. CD4 measurement at the point-of-care (POC) in rural areas could help the facilitation of ART and monitoring of treatment. This review highlights recent technology developments with applications towards determining CD4 counts at the POC.
A biopsychosocial approach to AIDS

Abstract The severe and devastating illnesses that comprise acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) undermine coping capacities and increase the sense of alienation and expendability. A comprehensive program proved necessary to coordinate services and educate staff members, and has been organized in the form of a Multidisciplinary AIDS Progam (MAP). The goal of the program is to improve care of the person with biopsychosocial approach.
Adolescent and young adult health in the United States in the past decade: little improvement and young adults remain worse off than adolescents

Adolescence and young adulthood are unique developmental periods that present opportunities and challenges for improving health. Health at this age can affect health throughout the lifespan. This review has two aims: (1) to examine trends in key indicators in outcomes, behaviors, and health care over the past decade for U.S. adolescents and young adults; and (2) to compare U.S. adolescents and young adults on these indicators. The review also assesses sociodemographic differences in trends and current indicators. Guided by our aims, previous reviews, and national priorities, the present review identified 21 sources of nationally representative data to examine trends in 53 areas and comparisons of adolescents and young adults in 42 areas. Most health and health care indicators have changed little over the past decade. Encouraging exceptions were found for adolescents and young adults in unintentional injury, assault, and tobacco use, and, for adolescents, in sexual/reproductive health. Trends in violence and chronic disease and related behaviors were mixed. Review of current indicators demonstrates that young adulthood continues to entail greater risk and worse outcomes than adolescence. Young adults fared worse on about two-thirds of the indicators examined. Differences among sociodemographic subgroups persisted for both trends and current indicators.
Ion-pair chromatographic separation of water-soluble gold monolayer-protected clusters.

We demonstrate the efficacy of ion-pair chromatography for separations of samples of charged, polydisperse, water-soluble gold nanoparticles protected by monolayers of N-acetyl-l-cysteine and of tiopronin ligands. These nanoparticle mixtures have 1−2-nm-diameter Au core sizes as estimated from UV−visible spectra of the separated components. This size range encompasses the transition from bulk metal to molecular properties. The nanoparticle mixtures were resolved, the smallest nanoparticles eluting first, on an octadecylsilyl (C18) column using isocratic elution with a methanol/water mobile phase containing tetrabutylammonium fluoride (Bu4N+F-) and phosphate buffer. The column retention increases with Bu4N+F- concentration, lowered pH, and decreasing methanol volume fraction. The retention mechanism is dominated by ion-pairing in either the mobile phase or at the stationary/mobile-phase interface. Size exclusion effects, used in many previous nanoparticle separations, are insignificant.
Commitment to use of automobile seat belts: An experiential analysis

Abstract Experiential factors involved in use or non-use of automobile seat belts were investigated. Intensive interviews were conducted with 30 participants (ten for each of three self-proclaimed categories, viz. non-user, variable-user and committed-user) drawn from 103 respondents of the 160 potential participants who were sent a preliminary questionnaire. The main findings include the following: (1) committed users maintain usage through imagining accidents, fear of personal injury, memories of accidents involving significant others, perception of accidents as dependent on external circumstances, and desire to be a responsible citizen or good role model for children; (2) non-users distance themselves from an accident and/or injury by perceiving themselves as in control to avoid accidents and by psychologically minimizing the risks of personal injury; (3) variable-users have some of each of the characteristics of the other groups, with seat belt use largely dependent on situation specific variables.