cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A sensitive fluorometric assay for amino acid oxidases.

Abstract An assay for amino acid oxidases is described which is capable of measuring 0.005 μg of enzyme or the oxidation of 0.5 nmole of amino acid. It involves the coupled oxidation of scopoletin by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by peroxidase and the fluorometric determination of the scopoletin remaining. By the use of this method, it is shown that glycine is a substrate of l -amino acid oxidase.
Tribology of silica nanoparticle-reinforced, hydrophobic sol–gel composite coatings

Abstract Hydrophobically functional coatings can be used to protect surfaces and therefore improve the performance and lifetime of a broad range of applications such as optoelectronics and touchscreens. Organic–inorganic hybrid materials such as silica sol–gel coatings are particularly effective for this purpose, but the functional molecules in these coatings are susceptible to abrasive wear and thus lose their performance over time in the harsh environments typically encountered. To combat these problems, a silica nanoparticle-reinforced matrix was developed to increase hardness and wear resistance of the overall coating. This study involved the abrasive wear analysis of fluorinated composite silica particle reinforced sol–gel silica coatings dip-coated on glass substrates. Varying amounts of silica nanoparticles from 0.5 to 10 wt.% of the precursor weight were added to examine the structural dependence of abrasive wear mechanisms to elucidate strengthening mechanisms that could lead to improvements of coating properties. Abrasion was conducted using an in-house built reciprocating polishing wear apparatus. Characterization of the water contact angle of the coating was conducted to determine the hydrophobic functionality after wear cycles. Atomic force microscopy, lateral force microscopy, nanoindentation, nano-scratch, contact angle goniometry, and optical microscopy were performed at intervals of abrasive wear testing to characterize these wear mechanisms and the functional degradation of the coating. It was generally found that, among other possible factors, the increased indentation hardness of coatings led to a decreased wear rate. Additionally, an optimal amount of added colloidal silica of 1–2 wt.% of the precursors provided the best overall mechanical, tribological, and functional performance.
Interactions of dietary fibre and omega-3-rich oil with protein in surimi gels developed with salt substitute

Abstract Most Western populations have insufficient intake of fibre and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), while sodium intake greatly exceeds the recommended maximum. Surimi seafood is not currently fortified with these nutraceutical ingredients. Alaska pollock surimi seafood was developed with salt substitute and fortified with either 6 g/100 g of fibre or 10 g/100 g of ω-3 oil (flax:algae:menhaden, 8:1:1) or fibre + ω-3 oil (6 g/100 g of fibre + 10 g/100 g of ω-3 oil). The objective was to determine effects of the dietary fortification on physicochemical properties of surimi. Fortification with either dietary fibre or ω-3 oil alone or in combination enhanced ( P P
Impact of Simultaneous Diaphragm Resection During Hepatectomy for Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Introduction For colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases involving the hepatic dome or invading the diaphragm, a concomitant diaphragm resection is often required to achieve negative surgical margins. The purpose of this study is to determine whether diaphragm resection during partial hepatectomy for metastatic colorectal cancer influences short-term perioperative outcomes and overall survival.
Biochemical Evidence for Interaction between the Two Nucleotide Binding Domains of ArsA INSIGHTS FROM MUTANTS AND ATP ANALOGS

ArsA, the peripheral membrane component of the anion-translocating ATPase ArsAB, consists of two nucleotide binding domains (A1 and A2), which are connected by a linker sequence. Previous studies on ArsA have focused on the function of each nucleotide binding domain and the role of the linker, whereas the present study looks at the interactions between the binding domains and their interactions with the linker. It has previously been shown that the A1 domain of ArsA carries out unisite catalysis in the absence of antimonite, while A2 is recruited in multisite catalysis by antimonite in the presence of a functional A1 domain. Multisite catalysis thus seems to result from an interaction between A1 and A2 brought about by antimonite. In the present study, we provide direct biochemical evidence for interaction between the two nucleotide binding domains and show that the linker region acts as a transducer of the conformational changes between them. We find that nucleotide binding to the A2 domain results in a significant, detectable change in the conformation of the A1 domain. Two ATP analogs, FSBA and ATPγS, used in this study, were both found to bind preferentially to the A2 domain, and their binding resulted in changing the otherwise compact A1 domain into an open conformation. Point mutations in the A2 domain and the linker region also produced a similar effect on the conformation of A1, thus suggesting that events at A2 are relayed to A1 via the linker. We propose that nucleotide binding to A2 produces a two-tiered conformational change. The significance of these changes in the mechanism of ArsA is discussed.
Existence of efficient solutions for vector maximization problems

The vector maximization problem arises when more than one objective function is to be maximized over a given feasibility region. The concept of efficiency has played a useful role in analyzing this problem. In order to exclude efficient solutions of a certain anomalous type, the concept of proper efficiency has also been utilized. In this paper, an examination of the existence of efficient and properly efficient solutions for the vector maximization problem is undertaken. Given a feasible solution for the vector maximization problem, a related single-objective mathematical programming problem is investigated. Any optimal solution to this program, if one exists, yields an efficient solution for the vector maximization problem. In many cases, the unboundedness of this problem shows that no properly efficient solutions exist. Conditions are pointed out under which the latter conclusion implies that the set of efficient solutions is null. As a byproduct of our results, conditions are derived which guarantee that the outcome of any improperly efficient point is the limit of the outcomes of some sequence of properly efficient points. Examples are provided to illustrate these results.
Does teaching presence transfer between MBA teaching environments? A comparative investigation of instructional design practices associated with teaching presence

Abstract As demand for online course delivery in management education continues to grow, it is imperative that individual instructors transition their teaching skills from traditional classroom settings to this new teaching environment. This study examined the ability of the instructor to achieve consistent levels of teaching presence in both the classroom and online, and investigated the extent to which instructors engaged in transfer activities related to teaching practices associated with this phenomenon. Three findings are of interest. First, instructors who emphasized the tailoring of teaching practices from the classroom achieved greater levels of teaching presence online than in the classroom. Second, instructors spent more effort tailoring teaching practices for use online than in integrating practices used online back in the classroom. Finally, providing words of encouragement, affirmation, or validation of student contributions had a positive impact on teaching presence. Practical implications for improving the instructional design of online courses are discussed.
Enhanced cell cycle progression and down regulation of p21Cip1/Waf1 by PRL tyrosine phosphatases

Abstract Human PRL-1, PRL-2, and PRL-3 tyrosine phosphatases induce the malignant transformation of epithelial cells. We tested the hypothesis that the oncogenic effects of PRL occur by increasing cellular proliferation. Cells stably transfected with PRL-1 or PRL-2 exhibited 2.7–3.3-fold increases over control cells in the rate of DNA synthesis and the proportion of cells in S-phase, and they progressed more rapidly from G1 into S. In addition, cells overexpressing either PRL-1 or PRL-2 exhibited enhanced cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) activity and significantly lower p21Cip1/Waf1 protein levels, and PRL-1 overexpressing cells had higher cyclin A protein levels than control cells. We conclude that PRL phosphatases increase cell proliferation by stimulating progression from G1 into S phase, and this process may be dependent on the down regulation of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip1/Waf1.
Predictors of hospital charges for children admitted with asthma.

Objectives To examine patient and hospital characteristics associated with varying hospital charges for children admitted with asthma. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children (1–18 years old) hospitalized with asthma using data from the 2000 Kids' Inpatient Database (KID; n=54,029). Predictors of interest included hospital type (teaching and children's hospitals) and patient characteristics (insurance type and race). Results After adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics, hospital charges were similar at teaching and nonteaching hospitals. Charges at children's hospitals were higher by $440 or 10% (95% CI, 352–528) compared with nonchildren's hospitals. Children with Medicaid had higher charges by $132 or 3% (95% CI, 57–264) compared to those with private insurance. Compared to White children, Black children had higher charges by $396 or 10% (95% CI, 352–484), Hispanic children by $924 or 21% (95% CI, 880–1012), and Asian children by $572 or 13% ($572; 95% CI, 352–792). Conclusions Important differences exist in the charges incurred by children with asthma based on patient and hospital characteristics. Efforts to understand the reasons behind the differences may help eliminate unnecessary variation in costs for asthma care.
The magnetic circular dichroism spectrum of formaldehyde-d2 vapor

Abstract The vapor-phase MCD spectrum of formaldehyde- d 2 is reported. Several new triplet bands are identified and a partial analysis of the singlet system is given.
Record of complex scoria cone eruptive activity at Red Mountain, Arizona, USA, and implications for monogenetic mafic volcanoes

Abstract Scoria cone eruptions are generally modeled as a simple succession from explosive eruption to form the cone to passive effusion of lava, generally from the base of the cone. Sector collapse of scoria cones, wherein parts of the cone are rafted on a lava flow, is increasingly recognized as common, but the reasons that a cone may not be rebuilt are poorly understood. Red Mountain volcano is a Pleistocene scoria cone in the San Francisco Volcanic Field of northern Arizona, USA. The cone lies along the trace of a major steeply dipping normal fault that originated during Proterozoic tectonism and was reactivated in Tertiary time. The earliest phase of eruption at Red Mountain was typical “Strombolian”, forming a cone that was followed by or possibly synchronous with lava effusion, toward the west from the base of the cone. Rafting then ensued as the west side of the cone collapsed; approximately 15% of the cone is preserved in mounds as much as 30 m high. Rafting was extensive enough to remove most of the cone over the vent area, which effectively reduced the pressure cap on the magma conduit. Resultant low fountaining fed clastogenic lava flows and minor scoria fallback. Clastogenic flows traveled as far as 4 km and now form a cliff 30–40 m high at the edge of the lava platform. Although several possibilities explain the change in vent dynamics and eruptive style, we favor the interpretation that an increase in magma-rise rate caused collapse of the cone. The abrupt removal of 300 m of material over the vent removed a conduit “cork” and low fountaining began. Magma that had erupted effusively suddenly became explosive. This aspect of scoria cone rafting at Red Mountain is broadly similar to sector collapse followed by explosive eruption in larger systems. A steep-walled, 150-m-high amphitheatre on the northeast side of Red Mountain exposes weakly to strongly altered scoria cemented by calcite, iron, and zeolites. We suggest that vapor-phase alteration was responsible for sealing fine-grained ash beds in the cone, and a pressurized system developed. Residual heat from a dike that was emplaced as part of the magmatic activity provided heat that drove groundwater along the regional fault up into the cone. Eventually the overpressurized system exploded in a phreatic eruption that created the amphitheatre, which has subsequently been enlarged by water and wind erosion. The combined sequence of events at Red Mountain illustrates some of the complexities in monogenetic scoria cone eruptions that have received little attention to date.
Immunohistochemical analysis of prostate specific antigen in breast cancer

The presence of immunoreactive prostate-specific antigen (IR-PSA) has been reported in breast cancers and has been suggested to confer a positive prognosis. However, recent large, well-controlled studies have found no significant prognostic value when IR-PSA positivity is examined as an independent variable, even when ultrasensitive immunofluorometric techniques are utilized. The present study, using indirect immunohistochemistry on 75 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast cancers shows PSA immunoreactivity in only seven of 75 cases (9%), suggesting that PSA positivity in breast carcinoma is not useful as a prognostic or tumor marker with hospital-based methods.
Fluorescence Studies Of Jet-Cooled Solvent Complexes Of Tryptophan

Tryptophan has been complexed with polar and non-polar solvent molecules using supersonic gas expansion techniques. The ensuing complexes were studied by various laser fluorescence methods (laser scanned excitation, dispersed emission, lifetime measurement). Addition of proton donating solvents always results in the appearance of a new band somewhat blueshifted from the bare molecule conformer origin transitions, near 34960 cm-1. This solvent induced band is similar to one induced in tryptamine and probably arises from analogous interactions. Unlike the case of tryptamine, however, other solvent site interaction possibilities bring about additional redshifted solvent bands as well.
CD8+ T cell contributions to allergen induced pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperreactivity.

The pathogenesis of asthma has been linked to the production of type 2 cytokines, which can be expressed by several cell types in the lung. These studies investigated CD8+ T cell responses in a murine cockroach antigen (CRA) model of asthma. The results from these present studies show that depletion of CD8+ T cells after allergen sensitization to CRA significantly reduces airway hyperreactivity, airway eosinophilia and pulmonary type 2 cytokine levels. The data demonstrate that CD8+ T cells from CRA-sensitized mice can produce type 2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 upon antigen challenge, and that the transfer of these cells into naive mice will cause airway hyperreactivity when exposed to CRA. We found that the transferred airway response is dependent on both IL-4 and IL-13 from CD8+ T cells using cytokine knockout mice. Compared to CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells were not as numerous in the lungs of sensitized and challenged mice, but were as efficacious in the transfer of airway disease. The most severe airway response was observed when both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were transferred at the same time. Altogether, these studies highlight a role for CD8+ T lymphocytes in the development of allergen-induced airway responses.
Saccades and the quick phase of nystagmus.

Abstract Quick phases of vestibular nystagmus and saccades were compared on the basis of the shape of their time courses and their amplitude-duration relationships in the alert intact monkey. Both rapid movements are almost identical when nystagmus is induced naturally by rotation. Visual field structure, illumination and darkness affect the speed of both types of movements similarly. This indicates that the same pre-motor neural circuit probably creates both saccades and quick phases. When nystagmus is created artificially (e.g. caloric or electrical stimulation) the quick phases are quite abnormal; their speed being reduced by a factor of two to three.
Kainate-activated currents in the ventral tegmental area of neonatal rats are modulated by interleukin-2.

Abstract Interleukin (IL)-2 is a potent modulator of neurotransmission and neuronal development in the mesolimbic and mesostriatal systems. It is also implicated in pathologies (including schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, autism, cognitive disorders) that are linked with abnormalities in these systems. Since the kainate receptor plays an essential role in mesolimbic neuronal development and excitability, we examined the effects of physiologically relevant concentrations of IL-2 on kainate-activated current ( I KA ) in voltage-clamped neurons freshly isolated from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of 3- to 14-day-old rats. IL-2 (0.01–10 ng/ml) alone had no effect on membrane conductance. When co-applied with kainate, IL-2 significantly decreased I KA . IL-2 (2 ng/ml) shifted the kainate concentration–response curve to the right in a parallel manner, significantly increasing the EC 50 without changing the maximal I KA . IL-2 inhibition of I KA was voltage-dependent, being greater at negative potentials. IL-2 did not alter the reversal potential. These findings suggest that IL-2 potently modulates kainate receptors of developing mesolimbic neurons. We suggest that IL-2 plays a role in the excitability of developing neurons in the mesolimbic system. Inasmuch as increased I KA is associated with excitotoxicity, coupled with the present observation that IL-2 inhibits I KA , we suggest an adaptive role for IL-2 in limiting excitotoxicity in the developing brain. IL-2 might thus be required for normal cell development in the mesolimbic and mesostriatal systems.
The search for synthetic penicillin during World War II.

In the past thirty or forty years scientists, historians, and others have written many histories of the wonder drug, penicillin. However, almost all of these works fail to develop an important part of the history of penicillin: the attempt to synthesize the drug during the Second World War. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore this largely unexamined episode in the history of science, and to answer some relevant questions. For example, why was there a need for synthetic penicillin? What organizational plans had to be made in order to accommodate this massive endeavor? What was the effect of the search for a synthesis on the natural production of this drug? And finally, did chemists ever devise a successful synthesis? Before attempting to answer these and other questions, a brief introduction to 1) the discovery and development of penicillin as a therapeutic agent, and 2) the general organization of wartime medical research in the United States and Great Britain, is necessary.
The physical properties of the Jovian atmosphere inferred from eclipses of the Galilean satellites. II - 1971 apparition.

Further simultaneous two-color photoelectric photometry of Ganymede was carried out at blue (4500 A) and yellow (5790 A) wavelengths during its eclipse by Jupiter on Mar. 10, 1971. In both colors, the shape of the ingress light curve was again reliably determined for extinctions up to 9 mag. Neither curve showed any evidence of a refraction tail. The observations have been interpreted in terms of the local optical transmission properties of the Jovian atmosphere. At gas number densities of about 5 x 10 to the 18th power per cu cm the maximum photon scattering mean free path at visual wavelengths was 47 km atm. Evidence indicates that neither a simple reflecting-layer model or a semiinfinite homogeneous scattering model provides an adequate physical description of the atmosphere.
Large-eddy simulation of a dispersed particle-laden turbulent round jet

The numerical results obtained by large-eddy simulation (LES) of a particle-laden axisymmetric turbulent jet are compared with the available experimental data. The results indicate that with a new stochastic subgrid-scale (SGS) closure, the effects of the particles on the carrier gas and those of the carrier gas on the particles are correctly captured by the LES. Additional numerical experiments are conducted and used to investigate the effects of particle size, mass-loading ratio, and other flow/particle parameters on the statistics of both the carrier gas phase and the particle dispersed phase.
Making the diagnosis: metopic ridge versus metopic craniosynostosis.

IntroductionThe metopic suture is the only calvarial suture which normally closes during infancy. Upon closure, a palpable and visible ridge often forms which can be confused with metopic craniosynostosis. Metopic ridging (MR) is treated nonsurgically while metopic craniosynostosis (MCS) is treated
A Comparison of Classification Methods for Use in Predicting School-Based Outcomes

There is growing evidence that current classification methods are not consistent with current empirical knowledge of childhood psychopathology and the optimal way to classify school-age children remains controversial. The current study investigated three classification methods (categorical, dimensional, person-oriented) for use in predicting school-based outcomes. Children (grades 1–5; N=558) were administered the Behavior Assessment System for Children — Teacher Rating Scale and results were used to form three classification systems. Educational outcome variables were collected seven months later and the predictive validity of the three classification systems was compared using regression analyses. Findings indicated that all three methods for predicting educational outcomes were modest and were best able to predict later grade point averages. Results indicate the relative superiority of person-oriented and dimensional methods of classification; however these classification methods warrant further investigation.
Reactions of 3-ethylcatechol and 3-(methylthio)catechol with catechol dioxygenases.

Abstract The reactions of 3-ethylcatechol and 3-(methylthio)catechol with catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase from Pseudomonas putida were examined. Both 3-substituted catechols are oxidized by catechol 2,3-dioxygenase at approximately 30% of the rate observed for catechol oxidation by this enzyme. Analysis of the products of the reactions showed that ring cleavage occurs in a normal fashion between carbons 2 and 3 of the alternate substrates. 3-Ethylcatechol is oxidized by catechol 1,2-dioxygenase at about 6% of the rate of catechol oxidation; ring cleavage occurs between carbons 1 and 2 to give 2-ethyl- cis,cis -muconic acid. However, 3-(methylthio)catechol is a very poor substrate for catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (0.8% of the rate of catechol), but it is a potent competitive inhibitor ( K i = 0.6 μ M). The effects of 3-(methylthio)catechol and 3-ethylcatechol on the visible and EPR spectra of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase are also reported.
Orbital atomic oxygen effects on thermal control and optical materials - STS-8 results

The effects of exposing 23 specimens of optical and thermal control materials to space at 120 km altitude for over 40 hrs during the STS-8 mission are discussed. Ten samples of paint targeted for the Space Telescope (ST) and the Tethered Satellite were exposed, and included polyurethane, oxide, silicone, and glossy black and white samples which were scanned for alterations in the optical properties after being retrieved. Nine mirror-type materials were also investigated, along with silver specimens typical of solar cell interconnects. The oxygen flow at the orbital altitude was 3.5 x 10 to the 20th atoms/cu cm. The exposures caused no degradation of the magnesium fluoride mirror coatings, while the Kapton coating for the ST solar cell panels showed evidence of losing thickness. The Ag solar cell contacts will require coatings to extend their lifetimes. Overcoatings were also proven necessary for inhibiting degradation of painted surfaces.
Natural Gradient Tracer Test to Evaluate Natural Attenuation of MTBE Under Anaerobic Conditions

A natural gradient tracer test using perdeuterated MTBE was conducted in an anaerobic aquifer to determine the relative importance of dispersion and degradation in reducing MTBE concentrations in ground water. Preliminary ground water chemistry and hydraulic conductivity data were used to place the tracer within an existing dissolved MTBE plume at Port Hueneme, California. Following one year of transport, the tracer plume was characterized in detail. Longitudinal dispersion was identified as the dominant mechanism for lowering the perdeuterated MTBE concentrations. The method of moments was used to determine the longitudinal and lateral dispersion coefficients (0.85 m2/day and 0.08 m2/day, respectively). A mass-balance analysis, carried out after one year of transport, accounted for 110% of the injected mass and indicated that no significant mass loss occurred. The plume structure created by zones of higher and lower hydraulic conductivity at the site was complex, consisting of several localized areas of high tracer concentration in a lower concentration plume. This is important because the aquifer has generally been characterized as exhibiting fairly minor heterogeneity. In addition, the tracer plume followed a curved flowpath that deviated from the more macroscopic direction of ground water flow inferred from local ground water elevation measurements and the behavior of the existing plume. Understanding the mass balance, plume structure, curvature of the tracer plume, and consequently natural attenuation behavior required the detailed sampling approach employed in this study. These data imply that a detailed understanding of site hydrogeology and an extensive sampling network may be critical for the correct interpretation of monitored natural attenuation of MTBE.
Effects of Salts Added After Cooking on the Texture of Canned Snap Beans

Soaking bean pods in NaCl solutions caused decreases in firmness and increases in Ca++ solubilization as the NaCl concentration increased. CaCl2 soak solutions increased firmness of pods previously softened by soaking in KCl solutions. Chlorides of Na+, K+, Li+, NH4+, and Mg++, and Na acetate caused softening. LiCl caused the most softening, while MgCl2 caused the greatest solubilization of Ca++. Salt-induced softening was accompanied by Ca++ displacement. Firmness of salt-softened pods was further decreased by subsequent removal of the salt, indicating an electrostatic component as a minor factor in pod texture.
Evaluating and Intervention in Developmental Research

This article presents and illustrates a set of quantitative and qualitative procedures for evaluatin a specific intervention within a developmental research context. These procedures were used to assess the Family Problem Solving Sequence, one of the interventions tested in an ongoing developmental research project on task-centered family practice. Findings relating to characteristics of use of the intervention, its achievement of intermediate goals, its contribution to final outcome, and to practitioner and client appraisals provided a basis for suggesting next steps in the development process.
Interplanetary magnetic field enhancements: Further evidence for an association with Asteroid 2201 Oljato

In 1980 and 1983 the asteroid 2201 Oljato passed inside the orbit of Venus, respectively 65 and 21 days prior to the passage of Venus, apparently causing disturbances in the interplanetary magnetic field, possibly through the interaction of its debris trail with the solar wind. In July 1986 the asteroid passed through the inner solar system 25 days after Venus and it is expected to find similar disturbances if the debris trail extended in front of the asteroid. The expected disturbances were observed. All data from the longitude range of the disturbances have been examined for all Venus years as well as from a control period over the same solar longitudes but at different ecliptic longitudes. No enhancements in the rate of occurrence of events were seen in the control periods during 1980, 1983 and 1986, and the rate was uniformly low at all other times. The new data reaffirm the association of solar wind disturbances with the asteroidal passage and imply a debris trail that extends perhaps 1 AU both in front of and behind the asteroid.
Intimations from Life: The Dance of Religious Education and Social Justice

For us, the relationship of Religious Education (RE) and the social gospel were bred in the bone. Ours are familiar stories of immigrant families bringing the Catholic faith from Ireland and Italy ...
Risk Patterns Among College Youth Identification and Implications for Prevention and Treatment

Purpose. This study identified underlying subgroups among college students in terms of lifestyle characteristics and health risk behaviors and then investigated how demographic factors were associated with the underlying risk patterns to bolster health promotion efforts and interventions. Method. College students (N = 996) enrolled at Indiana University during 2009-2010 participated in a multidimensional online survey. Latent class analysis was used to identify underlying risk patterns based on seven lifestyle and health behaviors, including frequent alcohol use, binge drinking, smoking, low physical activity, low vegetable intake, low fruit intake, and poor sleep. Results. Four distinct risk behavior patterns were identified for both males and females including a “healthy” class, “low substance use but poor other health behaviors” class, “high substance use” (males)/“high alcohol use” (females) class, and a risk class characterized by elevated probability of all seven indicators. The highest risk class i...
Asymmetrically Banked Value-Aware Register Files

Designing high-performance low-power register files is of critical importance to the continuation of current performance advances in wide-issue and deeply-pipelined superscalar microprocessors. In this paper, we propose a new microarchitecture, the asymmetrically-banked value-aware register file (AB-VARF), to exploit the prevailing narrow-width register values for low-latency and power-efficient register file designs. The register bit-widths of different banks in our AB-VARF register files are specifically customized to capture different narrow-width values. Augmented with a value width predictor, the register renaming logic is slightly tuned to rename predicted narrow-width registers to the corresponding narrow-width banks. Our experimental evaluation with SPEC CINT2000 benchmark suites shows that AB-VARF reduces the energy consumption by 92.6% over a conventional register file, on the average, at the cost of a 6.6% performance loss to an ideal 1-cycle monolithic register file.
Is there a role for recombinant insulin-like growth factor-I in the treatment of idiopathic short stature?

Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (rhIGF-I) has been used during the past decade for the treatment of severe IGF-I defi ciency resulting from growth-hormone receptor defi ciency (Laron syndrome), and for growth-hormone gene deletion in which inactivating antibodies to exogenous recombinant human growth hormone have developed. In total, about 150 patients have been treated with rhIGF-I for these conditions. Data for 61 of these patients were used for US Food and Drug Administration approval of rhIGF-I (mecasermin; Increlex, Tercica, Brisbane, CA, USA) and data for another 25 patients in approval of the binary protein complex of rhIGF-I and IGF-I binding protein-3 (mecasermin rinfabate; iPlex, Insmed, Glen Allen, VA, USA), as orphan drugs. The manufacturers refer to these conditions, in which severe IGF-I defi ciency is secondary to growth-hormone insensitivity, as severe primary IGF-I defi ciency (IGFD), an imprecise and inaccurate designation that permits inclusion of a large group of children with idiopathic short stature. The singularity of this terminology is shown by a Medline search for “primary IGF-I defi ciency” or “primary IGFD”, which yielded only fi ve items—three review articles by a company offi cer and consultants for each of the manufacturers, a review by Laron, and another paper from his group that refers to Laron syndrome both as primary growth-hormone resistance and as primary IGF-I defi ciency. A review in 2004 of emerging medical ventures suggested possible reasons for promoting such imprecise and relatively obscure terminology:
How information technologies have improved both productivity and quality of health care.

(2005). How information technologies have improved both productivity and quality of health care. Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology: Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 38-41.
An Explicit Quality Indicator Set for Measurement of Quality of Care in Patients With Cirrhosis

Background & Aims Cirrhosis is a prevalent and expensive condition. With an increasing emphasis on quality in health care and recognition of inconsistencies in the management of patients with cirrhosis, we established a set of explicit quality indicators (QIs) for their treatment. Methods We organized an 11-member, multidisciplinary expert panel and followed modified Delphi methods to systematically identify a set of QIs for cirrhosis. We provided the panel with a report that summarized the results of a comprehensive literature review of data linking candidate QIs to outcomes. The panel performed independent ratings of each candidate QI by using a standard 9-point RAND appropriateness scale (RAS) (ranging from 1=not appropriate to 9=most appropriate). The panel members then met, reviewed the ratings, and voted again by using an iterative process of discussion. The final set of QIs was selected; QIs had a median RAS >7, and panel members agreed on those selected. Results Among 169 candidate QIs, the panel rated 41 QIs as valid measures of quality care. The selected QIs cover 6 domains of care including ascites (13 QIs), variceal bleeding (18 QIs), hepatic encephalopathy (4 QIs), hepatocellular cancer (1 QI), liver transplantation (2 QIs), and general cirrhosis care (3 QIs). Content coverage included prevention, diagnosis, treatment, timeliness, and follow-up. Conclusions We developed an explicit set of evidence-based QIs for treatment of cirrhosis. These provide physicians and institutions with a tool to identify processes amenable to quality improvement. This tool is intended to be applicable in any setting where care for patients with cirrhosis is provided.
Element content of Pseudomonas fluorescens varies with growth rate and temperature: A replicated chemostat study addressing ecological stoichiometry

Ecological stoichiometry is emerging as a central organizing framework upon which our perceptions of aquatic trophic dynamics are being reshaped. The microbial component of aquatic systems is crucial to overall nutrient dynamics, yet little data are available addressing the ecological stoichiometry of microorganisms. Pseudomonas fluorescens, a commonly encountered bacterium, was used as a model organism to investigate the relationships among temperature, growth rate, and element stoichiometry. P. fluorescens was grown in chemostats at low dilution rates (ranging between 0.03 and 0.13 h21) and realistic environmental temperatures (ranging between 14uC and 28uC). Cells accumulated elements as an interactive function of temperature and growth rate. The highest element concentrations corresponded to cells growing slowly under low temperatures and to cells growing rapidly under warm conditions. Additionally, small cells had higher concentrations of elements than did large cells. Element ratios (C : N, C : P, and N : P) varied more as a function of growth rate than of temperature. The same dissolved resource pool could conceivably yield bacteria of differing element content simply as an interactive function of growth rate and temperature.
Capturing ion channel gating: a little salt on the tail does the trick.

This is a golden age for ion channels: a time when chemistry, molecular biology, and electrophysiology have come together with structural biology to provide glimpses into some truly amazing membrane proteins. And yet, as usual, the answers yield more questions. Is a new structure the structure of an
Level-raising for Saito–Kurokawa forms

This paper provides congruences between unstable and stable automorphic forms for the symplectic similitude group GSp(4). More precisely, we raise the level of certain CAP representations Π arising from classical modular forms. We first transfer Π to π on a suitable inner form G; this is achieved by θ-lifting. For π, we prove a precise level-raising result that is inspired by the work of Bellaiche and Clozel and which relies on computations of Schmidt. We thus obtain a congruent to π, with a local component that is irreducibly induced from an unramified twist of the Steinberg representation of the Klingen parabolic. To transfer back to GSp(4), we use Arthur’s stable trace formula. Since has a local component of the above type, all endoscopic error terms vanish. Indeed, by results due to Weissauer, we only need to show that such a component does not participate in the θ-correspondence with any GO(4); this is an exercise in using Kudla’s filtration of the Jacquet modules of the Weil representation. We therefore obtain a cuspidal automorphic representation of GSp(4), congruent to Π, which is neither CAP nor endoscopic. It is crucial for our application that we can arrange for to have vectors fixed by the non-special maximal compact subgroups at all primes dividing N. Since G is necessarily ramified at some prime r, we have to show a non-special analogue of the fundamental lemma at r. Finally, we give an application of our main result to the Bloch–Kato conjecture, assuming a conjecture of Skinner and Urban on the rank of the monodromy operators at the primes dividing N.
Periplasmic maltose- and glucose-binding protein activities in cell-free extracts of Thermotoga maritima

In this study, high-affinity maltose- and glucose-binding activities in cell-free extracts of Thermotoga maritima were detected; these activities were distinct and specific. At the gross level, the expression of binding-protein activities was repressed by growth of T. maritima in the presence of the cognate sugar. Growth of the organism in the presence of maltose reduced maltose-binding activity but not glucose-binding activity, while growth in the presence of glucose reduced glucose-binding activity but not maltose-binding activity. In competition assays, these binding activities showed distinct patterns of substrate specificity: whereas the maltose-binding activity showed specificity for α-linked glucosides, the glucose-binding activity showed a broader specificity. All maltose- and glucose-binding activity was found in the supernatant retrieved following centrifugation (100000 g ) of the cell-free extracts prepared by French-pressure-cell treatment; no activity was found in an octyl-glucoside-treated extract of the membrane fraction. The maltose-binding-protein activity was recovered from the periplasmic fraction by selective release of the periplasmic contents of T. maritima cells using a newly developed freeze–thaw procedure. Annotation of the complete genome sequence of T. maritima suggests that there may be at least two maltose-binding proteins, MalE1 and MalE2, encoded in the genome. The maltose-binding activity corresponded to a protein of 43 kDa, which was consistent in size with either of the putative proteins. These data demonstrate that the hyperthermophilic bacterium T. maritima possesses separate maltose- and glucose-binding-protein activities that are freely soluble in its periplasm, in contrast to the membrane-bound sugar-binding proteins found in archaeal hyperthermophiles.
Characterization of a Dietary Ethanol Protocol for Cyp2e1 Induction in the CD-1 Mouse without Evident Hepatic Toxicity or Genotoxicity:

Although the CD-1 mouse strain has been used to investigate the toxicity of numerous substrates of Cyp2e1, limited information is available about responses of this strain to ethanol, a potent and clinically relevant inducer of this cytochrome P450 isozyme. Our goal was to characterize a dietary ethanol protocol for greater than threefold induction of hepatic Cyp2e1 in CD-1 mice without confounding alterations to other biotransformation enzymes or injury to known target tissues. Female CD-1 mice were fed the Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet containing 1.4 to 6.4% ethanol (v/v) for time periods of 1 to 12 weeks. A series of range-finding experiments indicated that the stock 6.4% ethanol diet caused rapid weight loss, whereas dietary ethanol concentrations less than or equal to 3.2% produced inadequate (i.e., less than threefold) induction of hepatic Cyp2e1. Suitable responses were observed in mice fed a 4.1% ethanol diet, namely, body weight gain equivalent to both pair-fed or rodent chow control groups plus cons...
Processing and quality characteristics of apple slices processed under simultaneous infrared dry-blanching and dehydration with intermittent heating

This study investigated the effects of three processing parameters, e.g. product surface temperature, slice thickness and processing time, on blanching and dehydration characteristics of apple slices exposed to simultaneous infrared dry-blanching and dehydration (SIRDBD) with intermittent heating. A three-factor factorial experiment design was conducted to determine the influence of processing parameters on product temperature, moisture reduction, drying rate, residual polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities and surface color change. Slice thickness had a significant effect on product quality and processing characteristics, as faster inactivation of enzymes and quicker moisture reduction took place in thinner slices. A Page model performed well for describing drying behavior during the treatment, and first-order kinetics and a biphasic model fit well for PPO and POD inactivation, respectively. Surface color changes ( DE) of apple slices during prolonged heating resulted from non-enzymatic browning with an increase in b value was observed. In order to achieve a 1 log reduction in POD activity, the process resulted in a reduction in moisture from 20% to 59% and in DE from 2.27 to 5.59. It is suggested that SIRDBD with intermittent heating could be used as an alternative to manufacture high quality blanched and partially dehydrated fruits and vegetables. 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Radio Telemetering from within the Body

In the article "Radio telemetering from within the body" by R. Stuart Mackay [ Science 134, 1196 (20 Oct. 1961)] one line was omitted and another line was printed twice in the paragraph beginning just above the middle of column 1, page 1199. The first line of the paragraph is repeated in the fourth line. The first two sentences should have read: "The permissible radio-frequency deviation is limited to the bandwidth of the receiver if loss of signal is never to occur. Receivers can record higher-deviation signals by tracking them with a standard automatic frequency-control circuit, the frequency-discriminator signal then being the useful output (8)"(italicized words omitted).
High purity GaAs prepared from trimethylgallium and arsine

A study of the sources and control of residual impurities in GaAs grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is presented. The effects of source purity, growth temperature, and reactor pressure upon residual impurities incorporation are detailed. Far infrared photoconductivity and photoluminescence indicate that C, Si and Zn are the dominant residual impurities in undoped material. It is demonstrated that GaAs with total impurity concentrations as low as 5 × 1014 cm-3, μ(77 K) = 125,000 cm2/V · s, can be grown by MOCVD. The conditions for growing such material are detailed.
Finding the Largest Empty Rectangle on a Grated Surface

Suppose we are given a two-dimensional rectangular surface upon which is placed a grating of size n by m square elements. The (n+1) × (m+1) intersection points of this grid are either empty or occupied. We describe an O(n × m) algorithm for finding the largest, in area, empty subrectangle of the original rectangle. The algorithm was inspired by the dynamic programming [1] and plane-sweep [5] paradigms.
Growth Without Growth: An Analysis of the Stateof Minority-Owned Businesses in the United States

Abstract This study seeks to explore the impact, if any, of the 1990s economic boom on minority-owned businesses in the United States. Did these businesses share in this prosperity or were they left behind? If they shared in the prosperity, to what extent did they prosper in relation to majority-owned businesses? Analyzing data from U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, and U.S.Small Business Administration, and focusing on the period from 1987–97, we ascertained that, rather than gain ground during this extraordinary period of prosperity, minority-owned businesses actually lost ground in practically every industry at both the federal and state levels.
On the Clinical Significance of Serotonin and 5-HIAA in Body Fluids

Changes in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) metabolism have been postulated in several psychiatric disorders. The main research efforts, however, have been focussed on the serotonin hypotheses of manic-depressive illness and schizophrenia.
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of cerebral lactate and other metabolites in stroke patients.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy can measure in vivo brain lactate and other metabolites noninvasively. We measured the biochemical changes accompanying stroke in 16 human subjects with corti...
Was the role of statins in slowing the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms underestimated

The recent article by Ferguson et al represents the largest published observational study evaluating the potential benefit of statins in reducing the rate of growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). In contrast to smaller studies, the authors report the growth rates of AAA to be similar in patients who were and were not prescribed statins. However, the median AAA growth for all patients in Ferguson et al was 1.1 mm/y (interquartile range, 0.5-2.0), which is significantly smaller than the expected AAA growth rate of 2.6 to 3.2 mm/y. It can be extrapolated from Figure 1 that this low growth rate was maintained throughout the 5-year follow-up period. We propose that the negative findings (type II error) of this study may result from the smaller than expected annual growth rate observed in this particular patient cohort.
Intracranial Study of Speech-Elicited Activity on the Human Posterolateral Superior Temporal Gyrus

To clarify speech-elicited response patterns within auditory-responsive cortex of the posterolateral superior temporal (PLST) gyrus, time–frequency analyses of event-related band power in the high gamma frequency range (75–175 Hz) were performed on the electrocorticograms recorded from high-density subdural grid electrodes in 8 patients undergoing evaluation for medically intractable epilepsy. Stimuli were 6 stop consonant–vowel (CV) syllables that varied in their consonant place of articulation (POA) and voice onset time (VOT). Initial augmentation was maximal over several centimeters of PLST, lasted about 400 ms, and was often followed by suppression and a local outward expansion of activation. Maximal gamma power overlapped either the Nα or Pβ deflections of the average evoked potential (AEP). Correlations were observed between the relative magnitudes of gamma band responses elicited by unvoiced stop CV syllables (/pa/, /ka/, /ta/) and their corresponding voiced stop CV syllables (/ba/, /ga/, /da/), as well as by the VOT of the stimuli. VOT was also represented in the temporal patterns of the AEP. These findings, obtained in the passive awake state, indicate that PLST discriminates acoustic features associated with POA and VOT and serve as a benchmark upon which task-related speech activity can be compared.