cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 12964: Over Expression of miR1 Leads to EAD Development in Cardiomyocytes by Increasing CaMKII and Calcium Current

Introduction: miR1 has been shown to induce cardiac arrhythmias in animal models but the mechanism is unclear. We overexpress miR1in rat cardiomyocytes and investigated the cellular mechanism of arrhythmia development. Methods: Rat cultured ventricular cardiomyocytes were infected with adenovirus-miR1 and adenovirus-GFP (control). Voltage and current clamp were used to record calcium current and action potentials at 35°C. Cells were loaded with Fura2-AM for measurement of calcium transients. Results: Action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD 90 ) was 542.4% longer in ad-miR1 cardiomyocytes compared to control (377.1±137.2 ms vs. 58.7±7.2 ms vs., n=7, p 90 was due, in part, to a 174% increase in the incidence of early afterdepolarizations (EADs) in ad-miR1 cardiomyocytes (22±2 EADs/100 beats vs. 8±1 EADs/100 beats, n=25, P 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CamKII) activation, we blocked CamKII with KN93 (1μ M) in ad-miR1 cardiomyocytes. Calcium current decreased from 18.7±0.7 pA/pF to 10.0±1.0 pA/pF, (n=11, p 90 (377.1±137.2 ms to 73.4±13.7 ms, n=11, p 90 decreased in ad-miR1 cells, but remained longer than in control cells (67.3±1.7 ms vs 18.8±1.6 ms, n=16 and 13, p 90 and that other currents may also involved in this prolongation in ad-miR1 infected cardiomyocytes. Conclusions: Overexpression of miR1 induced EADs in rat cardiomyocytes, in part, by increasing calcium current and CaMKII, which may be a mechanism of arrhythmias by miR1 overexpression in animal models.
The interaction of a nonionic detergent with protein. II. Effects on a bovine plasma albumin-azomercurial complex.

The titration curve of bovine plasma albumin showed a slight shift in the acidity constants of the carboxyl groups to higher values in the presence of the polyxyethylene nonionic detergent, Triton X-100. The p K a of the dimethylamino group of an azomercurial linked to protein is lowered by addition of Triton X-100 to the solvent. This change is accompanied by a blue shift in the absorption peak of the dye, a shift similar to that observed when such dyes are transferred from an aqueous to a non-aqueous solvent. The changes in p K a and absorption spectrum of the albumin-dye complex are reversed, in part, by the further addition of 8 M urea. These data are consistent with the view that the detergent interacts with the protein reinforcing and enlarging the envelope of structured water around the protein.
Lipopolysaccharide activates specific populations of hypothalamic and brainstem neurons that project to the spinal cord.

Sympathetic preganglionic neurons receive direct, monosynaptic input from a series of well defined nuclei in the brainstem and the hypothalamus. These premotor cell groups coordinate sympathetic control with ongoing endocrine and behavioral response. However, it is not known precisely which populations of sympathetic premotor neurons are activated during specific responses, such as fever after intravenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We used the activation of c-fos protein expression in spinally projecting neurons during intravenous LPS fever as a model for examining the functional organization of this system. Intravenous LPS (5 μg/kg) induced Fos-like immunoreactivity in sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord as well as several sympathetic premotor nuclei, including the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, rostral and caudal levels of the ventrolateral medulla, and the nucleus of the solitary tract. After injecting Fluorogold into the intermediolateral column at the T1–L1 spinal levels, neurons that were both Fos immunoreactive and retrogradely labeled were found only in the dorsal parvicellular division of the paraventricular nucleus in the hypothalamus, the rostral ventrolateral medulla (C1 adrenergic cell group), and the A5 noradrenergic cell group in the brainstem. The same pattern of double-labeling was seen from injections at each spinal cord level. These findings suggest that only a limited pool of hypothalamo-sympathetic neurons contribute to the fever response and that they may do so by contacting specific populations of preganglionic neurons that are distributed across a wide range of spinal levels. The anatomical specificity of the paraventriculo-spinal projection is thus functional rather than topographic.
Study of the roles of folic acid and vitamin B12 in pregnancy. II.

Abstract 1.1. A preliminary study of the simultaneous estimation of the serum and urine levels of folic acid and vitamin B 12 in three aspects of pregnancy is presented. 2.2. The first part consists of the comparison of serum and urine levels of B 12 and folic acid ante partum and one week post partum in 13 normal pregnant patients. There is a relative decrease in the levels of folic acid and B 12 in the first week post partum; this does not provide enough time for the B 12 levels to rise. 3.3. The second part consists of the comparison of hemoglobin levels with B 12 and folic acid blood levels in 14 of the pregnant patients, who showed a hemoglobin of less than 10 Gm. at some time in their pregnancy. There seems to be no relation between the levels of hemoglobin and the levels of folic acid and vitamin B 12 , marked variety being present in all three factors. 4.4. The third part concerns the estimations of folic acid and vitamin B 12 serum and urine levels in 10 bleeding pregnant patients. There were 7 abortions and stillbirths and 3 healthy babies. The levels of folic acid in blood and urine show either high, or low normal, values. B 12 urine and serum levels fluctuate widely.
The Association for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities 1996– 2009: Building a Community of Practice

This article provides a history of the founding and maturation of the Association for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASACCU). It is the story of a group of lay and ordained student affairs professionals from Catholic colleges and universities who were inspired by the vision of Gaudium et spes and Ex corde Ecclesiae to take the initiative to create a community of practice among their peers. In 2014, ASACCU celebrated its fi fteenth anniversary as a national organization. Utilizing archival material and interviews with the founders, this article provides a history of ASACCU’s founding and first ten years.
Integrating a reduced-order model server into the engineering design process

A reduced-order model server is incorporated into the engineering design process.Proper orthogonal decomposition is used for the reduced-order model.The reduced-order model server stores all data for a particular model.The proposed engineering workflow is compared with a common workflow.The reduced-order model server provides more efficient information exchange. Engineering design is a complex and iterative process that involves multiple engineering teams sharing and communicating information during the design process. One aspect of engineering design involves the development of physics-based models and their analysis via numerical simulations that are computationally expensive. To overcome the time constraints due to the complexity of numerical simulations, reduced-order models (ROM) such as proper orthogonal decomposition are being increasingly used. Decreasing the simulation time, however, does not address the inefficiencies in communicating engineering models and analysis during the design process. This paper proposes developing and incorporating a ROM server into the design workflow. The ROM server stores all data associated with a given engineering model and automatically constructs a ROM every time a model is created or updated, thus maintaining a consistent version of information across multiple engineering teams. A common engineering workflow is compared with one using a ROM server. A cost of synchronization metric has been defined based on the parameters of data size, size of the engineering team and design iterations. This metric has been evaluated and compared for the cases with and without a ROM server and it was found that the cost of synchronization is lower when a ROM server is used in the design workflow. It is shown that as the team size increases, the ROM server helps with more efficient information storage and transfer. Finally, an example problem of a heat-exchanger fin shape design is used to demonstrate the ROM server framework.
Defining Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases: Implications of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration-Based Screening Versus Clavulanate Confirmation Testing

Introduction While the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommends against routine screening for extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), knowledge of these data can provide valuable insights regarding epidemiology and drug therapy decisions. The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)-based screening versus phenotypic confirmatory testing of ESBLs on the susceptibility profile of selected antimicrobials.
The influence of local and regional sources on the concentration of inhalable particulate matter in southeastern Michigan

During June, July and August 1981, General Motors Research Laboratories collected daily fine (FPM = diameter < 2.5 μm) and coarse (CPM = ⩾ 2.5 μm, ⩽ 15 μm) particulate samples at four sites in southeastern Michigan. Dichotomous air samplers were located at a downtown Detroit site (DSC), a heavily industrialized site in Dearborn (RR), a suburban downwind site in Warren (TC), and an upwind site in Ann Arbor (AA) which behaved like a rural site. Analyses of the spatial variations of the various particulate components revealed the following results. (1) At all four sites the FPM was dominated by regional influences rather than local sources. The site in the industrial sector, RR, had the largest impact of local sources, but even at this site the local influences appeared to be smaller than the regional ones. (2) The regional influences were most pronounced on the sulfate (SO2−4) levels which accounted for the largest fraction (40–50 %) of the FPM. Evidence suggests that much of the observed SO2−4 was transported into the southeastern Michigan study area and was formed primarily via photochemically initiated reactions. (3) Organic carbon (OC) compounds were the second most abundant FPM species accounting for 20–40 % of the mass. OC seems to be controlled by both local and regional organic carbon influences. Vehicular emissions and possibly secondary reactions appear to affect the OC concentrations at the four sites. (4) Elemental carbon (EC), a relatively minor FPM species, appears to be dominated at DSC, RR and TC by local emissions. The EC levels at AA appear to be representative of the regional background as they were similar to the levels observed in rural areas far removed from local sources. (5) The CPM was dominated by local sources. At RR, however, the crustal-like material could only account for 18% of the CPM. This indicates that other local, noncrustal sources dominated the CPM levels at RR.
Gene alteration of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes with administration of total parenteral nutrition.

Abstract Background Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is associated with sepsis and loss of immune reactivity. The authors previously have shown that changes in the intestinal mucosal immune system—ie, intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL)—lead to a loss of epithelial barrier function. This may be a mechanism by which bacteria and toxins endanger individuals receiving TPN. To identify altered IEL gene expression during TPN administration, microarray assays were used. Methods Mice received oral feeding (control) or TPN for 7 days. Small bowel IEL were separated and retained, RNA purified, and microarray assays performed (Affymetrix system, 12,491 genes). Results were expressed as quantile-normalized trimmed-means. Significance equals a greater than 2-fold change (TPN v control), P P Results In the TPN group 88, IEL genes were significantly up regulated and 114 downregulated ( v control). Of these genes, 4 were identified to have highest degree of upregulation (FK506-binding protein 5; mannose-binding lectin, metallothionein 1 and 2), 2 were highly downregulated (microsomal epoxide hydrolase 1 and cytochrome P450 1a1). These genes were found to have high potential for immune-modulatory effects. Conclusions The observed alterations in IEL gene expression may have an important role in the altered immune response with TPN and may relate to the increase in sepsis with TPN administration.
Experimental modification of the "tertiary structure" of chromosomes in human lymphocytes: the effects of polyanionic substances and hypertonic salt solutions.

Abstract The chromosomes in G0 lymphocytes in freshly drawn human blood react to radiation as though they were single-stranded: chromosome, rather than chromatid, aberrations are induced. Treatment of the cells with glycerol or urea has previously been found to change this response. The present experiments show that treatment with the polyanionic substances spermine or spermidine can cause loosening of chromosomal subunits in G1, but not G0, lymphocytes. Cleland's reagent, which breaks disulfide bonds, and EDTA, which chelates divalent metal ions, do not affect the structure. The response of chromosomes in very late G1 cells can also be modified. At this point in the cell cycle the subunits separate spontaneously to react to radiation by forming chromatid aberrations. Treatment with hypertonic salt solutions to induce plasmolysis tightens the tertiary structure so that now fewer chromatid aberrations can be induced.
The IBM history of memory management technology

The history of memory management technology in IBM during the period between the 1950s and the early 70s is discussed in this paper. The paper concentrates on the programming and operating system aspects of the problem, rather than the hardware technology involved.
Phase II study of CHIP chemotherapy in advanced adenocarcinomas of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Iproplatin (CHIP) is a second generation cisplatin analogue which has completed its Phase I trials. We studied the efficacy and toxicity of CHIP in 36 previously untreated patients with advanced upper gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas (GE junction, cardia, antrum and body of the stomach). The starting dose was 275 mg/m2; course were repeated on an every four week schedule. Thirty-five patients were evaluable for response. Three partial remissions (8.5%) [95% confidence limits 2.5–15%] were seen. Toxicity was tolerable and included mild myelosuppression and mild nausea and vomiting. Although well tolerated, in patients with gastric and GE junction adenocarcinomas, CHIP chemotherapy was not more and probably slightly less, effective than the parent analogue cisplatin.
Nonstandard Work Schedules and Child Care Decisions: Evidence from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care.

Abstract Using a longitudinal dataset collected by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Early Child Care Research Network, this paper investigates the association between work schedules and child care decisions among mothers with children under 3 years of age. Separate analyses were conducted on a sample of married mothers to examine the influence of fathers’ as well as mothers’ employment characteristics on child care decisions. Descriptive statistics reveal that changes in mothers’ work schedules are accompanied by changes in child care arrangements, with a higher percentage of families in which the mother changed to working nonstandard hours having switched to care by the father and a higher percentage of families in which the mother changed to working standard hours having switched to center care. The regression results further indicate that the father’s work schedule is an important factor contributing to child care decisions, with the probability of paternal care highest in families where both parents work nonstandard hours. Results in this paper shed new light on understanding the question of whether families change child care arrangements when parents move into or out of nonstandard employment schedules.
Act Versus Sat in Predicting First Semester GPA

Previous research has suggested that although ACT and SAT are equally capable of predicting first semester college grades, ACT seems to predict first semester GPA more accurately at highly selective institutions. The present study found, instead, that SAT was the more valid predictor at a highly selective midwestern university. In addition, comparisons were made between the long and short form results of the SAT to determine equivalency of the tests as well as to determine equivalency of the results under different testing conditions.
Human Voice Recognition Depends on Language Ability

The ability to recognize people by their voice is an important social behavior. Individuals differ in how they pronounce words, and listeners may take advantage of language-specific knowledge of speech phonology to facilitate recognizing voices. Impaired phonological processing is characteristic of dyslexia and thought to be a basis for difficulty in learning to read. We tested voice-recognition abilities of dyslexic and control listeners for voices speaking listeners' native language or an unfamiliar language. Individuals with dyslexia exhibited impaired voice-recognition abilities compared with controls only for voices speaking their native language. These results demonstrate the importance of linguistic representations for voice recognition. Humans appear to identify voices by making comparisons between talkers' pronunciations of words and listeners' stored abstract representations of the sounds in those words.
Efficient computation of optimal navigation functions for nonholonomic planning

We present a fast, numerical approach to computing optimal feedback motion strategies for a nonholonomic robot in a cluttered environment. Although many techniques exist to compute navigation functions that can incorporate feedback, none of these methods is directly able to determine optimal strategies for general nonholonomic systems. Our approach builds on previous techniques in numerical optimal control, and on our previous efforts in developing algorithms that compute feedback strategies for problems that involve nondeterministic and stochastic uncertainties in prediction. The proposed approach efficiently computes an optimal navigation function for nonholonomic systems by exploiting two ideas: 1) the principle of Dijkstra's algorithm can be generalized to continuous configuration spaces and nonholonomic systems; and 2) a simplicial mesh representation can be used to reduce the complexity of numerical interpolation.
Analysis of lipophilic pigments from a phototrophic microbial mat community by high performance liquid chromatography

As assay for lipophilic pigments in phototrophic microbial mat communities using reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography was developed which allows the separation of 15 carotenoids and chloropigments in a single 30 min program. Lipophilic pigments in a laminated mat from a commercial salina near Laguna Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur, Mexico reflected their source organisms. Myxoxanthophyll, echinenone, canthaxanthin, and zeaxanthin were derived from cyanobacteria; chlorophyll c, and fucoxanthin from diatoms; chlorophyll a from cyanobacteria and diatoms; bacteriochlorophylls a and c, bacteriophaeophytin a, and gamma-carotene from Chloroflexus spp.; and beta-carotene from a variety of phototrophs. Sensitivity of detection was 0.6-6.1 ng for carotenoids and 1.7-12 ng for most chloropigments. This assay represents a significant improvement over previous analyses of lipophilic pigments in microbial mats and promises to have a wider application to other types of phototrophic communities.
Interrater Agreement Evaluation A Latent Variable Modeling Approach

A latent variable modeling method for evaluation of interrater agreement is outlined. The procedure is useful for point and interval estimation of the degree of agreement among a given set of judges evaluating a group of targets. In addition, the approach allows one to test for identity in underlying thresholds across raters as well as to identify possibly aberrantly evaluating judges. A measure of interrater agreement is proposed, which is related to popular indexes of interrater reliability for observed variables and composite reliability. The outlined method also permits the examina- tion of underlying common sources of ratings variability, provides a useful comple- ment to the literature on interrater agreement with manifest measures, and relaxes some of its assumptions. The procedure is illustrated with numerical data.
Effect of homologous blood components and heterologous lysed red blood cells on dog renal dynamics.

SummaryThe renal vasoconstriction associated with peripheral intravenous infusion of homologous lysed red blood cells in dogs is primarily caused by hemoglobin although the red blood cell stroma appears to have an additive effect. Peripheral intravenous infusion of heterologous lysed red blood cells of human, cow, horse, and sheep origin cause a significant decrease in GFR and ERPF in dogs. Portal vein infusion of heterologous lysed red blood cells through the liver causes a significant decrease in GFR and ERPF in dogs and is frequently associated with moderate decrease in arterial blood pressure. These experiments suggest that the protection afforded the kidney by initial passage of homologous red cell lysates through the liver is due to specific modification of the hemoglobin, a process the liver is unable to perform with heterologous red cell lysates.
In vivo production of a macrophage growth factor.

Summary Ascites fluid from mice carrying an Ehrlich ascites tumor or injected with complete Freund's adjuvant stimulates mouse peritoneal macrophages into DNA synthesis. The ascites fluid can stimulate non-activated macrophages and does not require dialysable serum factor(s) for its activity. The stimulating factor (MGF) in the ascites fluid is probably identical to the MGF produced in vitro by Ehrlich or L cells.
MARio: mobility-adaptive routing using route lifetime abstractions in mobile ad hoc networks

Mobile Ad hoc NETworks (MANETs) often have fast-changing and unpredictable mobility. This is especially true for recently emerging mobile sensor networks [7] and delay tolerant networks [2], where extreme network conditions are prevalent. To better adjust to such network conditions, we propose to deconstruct the underlying node mobility into a set of abstractions that can be readily leveraged for driving dynamic routing decisions. In particular, we investigate the feasibility of using route lifetime to abstract mobility. Through extensive simulations on DSR, we demonstrate up to 31% improvement in packet delivery rate and 53% improvement in average end-to-end packet latency, using our proposed route prefetch and decay techniques that leverage knowledge of route lifetimes.
Comparing Cardiovascular Disease Related Nutrient Sources among Popular Convenience Foods by Dietary-Pattern Category: Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian

CVD related nutrient data 39 Popular non-vegetarian convenience foods This cross-sectional study explores how popular convenience foods deviate from heart healthy recommendations grouped by dietary pattern category: vegetarian items vs. nonvegetarian items. 97 popular convenience foods selected from the USDA sodium monitoring project or excellent amounts of cardiovascular disease related nutrients according to FDA criteria5.
Selection of RNA-binding peptides in vivo

MANY principles of sequence-specific DNA recognition have been established over the past decade, largely from structural studies of protein–DNA and drug–DNA complexes. On the basis of these principles, it has been possible to design or select variants of known structural motifs, including zinc-fingers1–3 and minor groove-binding drugs4, that bind desired sequences. Here we describe a strategy, based on transcriptional termination in bacteria, to identify specific RNA-binding peptides using the arginine-rich RNA-binding motif5 as a framework. Peptides were isolated from two combinatorial libraries that bind tightly and specifically to the Rev response element of HIV. It appears that α-helical peptides resembling Rev were selected from one library whereas new peptides that probably do not form helices were selected from the other, suggesting that the arginine-rich motif may be a particularly versatile framework for recognizing RNA structures.
A national look at carbon capture and storage—National carbon sequestration database and geographical information system (NatCarb)

Abstract The US Department of Energy’s Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships (RCSPs) are responsible for generating geospatial data for the maps displayed in the Carbon Sequestration Atlas of the United States and Canada . Key geospatial data (carbon sources, potential storage sites, transportation, land use, etc.) are required for the Atlas, and for efficient implementation of carbon sequestration on a national and regional scale. The National Carbon Sequestration Database and Geographical Information System (NatCarb) is a relational database and geographic information system (GIS) that integrates carbon storage data generated and maintained by the RCSPs and various other sources. The purpose of NatCarb is to provide a national view of the carbon capture and storage potential in the U.S. and Canada. The digital spatial database allows users to estimate the amount of CO 2 emitted by sources (such as power plants, refineries and other fossil-fuel-consuming industries) in relation to geologic formations that can provide safe, secure storage sites over long periods of time. The NatCarb project is working to provide all stakeholders with improved online tools for the display and analysis of CO 2 carbon capture and storage data. NatCarb is organizing and enhancing the critical information about CO 2 sources and developing the technology needed to access, query, model, analyze, display, and distribute natural resource data related to carbon management. Data are generated, maintained and enhanced locally at the RCSP level, or at specialized data warehouses, and assembled, accessed, and analyzed in real-time through a single geoportal. NatCarb is a functional demonstration of distributed data-management systems that cross the boundaries between institutions and geographic areas. It forms the first step toward a functioning National Carbon Cyberinfrastructure (NCCI). NatCarb provides access to first-order information to evaluate the costs, economic potential and societal issues of CO 2 capture and storage, including public perception and regulatory aspects. NatCarb online access has been modified to address the broad needs of a spectrum of users. NatCarb includes not only GIS and database query tools for high-end user, but simplified display for the general public using readily available web tools such as Google Earth™and Google Maps™. Not only is NatCarb connected to all the RCSPs, but data are also pulled from public servers including the U.S. Geological Survey-EROS Data Center and from the Geography Network. Data for major CO 2 sources have been obtained from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) databases, and data on major coal basins and coalbed methane wells were obtained from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
An efficient algorithm for solution of a scattering problem

An object can always be subdivided into N subobjects. Hence, the scattering solution of an arbitrary-shape inhomogeneous scatter can be formulated as a scattering solution of N scatterers, each of whose scattered field is approximated by M harmonics. This results in an NM unknown problem. A previously developed recursive operator algorithm, now adapted for wave scattering problems, can be used to solve this N scatterer problem. It is shown that the computational time of such an algorithm scales N2M2P where P is the number of harmonics used in the translation formulas. The scattered field from the same arbitrary shape scatterer can also be conventionally solved by the method of moments, casting it into an N linear algebraic equation. The solution of the linear algebraic equation via Gauss' elimination will involve order N3 floating-point operations. Hence, the complexity of the recursive operator algorithm is of lower order than the method of moments. It is shown that the recursive operator algorithm is more efficient than the method of moments when the number of unknowns is large.
Adjuvant techniques in punch graft hair transplantation.

. The authors present a study of 150 patients treated for male pattern alopecia by autograft punch transplantation. Factors found to improve results were diminished epinephrine concentration, use of a template spacing device, tunnelling, lack of fat trimming, saline instillation for harvesting donor grafts, injection of long-acting anesthetics, and blend grafting.
Demonstration of a Leptin Binding Factor in Human Serum

Serum leptin levels are elevated in subjects with exogenous obesity, indicating that obesity is associated with leptin resistance. Since in man no abnormalities have yet been found in either the genes for leptin or its receptor, the mechanism of leptin resistance in obesity remains unknown. To determine if resistance might be related to leptin binding by a serum component, we assessed the carrier status of leptin in serum. The presence of a specific leptin binding factor in human serum has been established by (1) demonstrating [125I]leptin binding to a serum component that is saturable and specifically displaceable only by unlabeled leptin and not by human growth hormone, pork insulin, insulin-like growth factors I and II, luteinizing or follicle stimulating hormones, transforming growth factor-β1, interleukin-6, or leukemia inhibiting factor; (2) fractionating the leptin bound serum complex and the serum leptin binding component on a molecular sieving column revealing a mass of approximately 450 kDa; and (3) identifying an inverse correlation between the concentration of serum leptin and the quantity of the leptin binding component. It is suggested that binding of leptin by this serum component may influence the physiologic response to leptin.
Long period stacking order in Au-Mg Alloys near Au3Mg

Abstract The mechanism of the stabilization of structures with long period stacking order based on an M = 2 long period superlattice (LPS) (DO 23 ) has been investigated as a further step towards understanding the origin of the formation of specific crystal structures. Examples are found in the Au-Mg alloys, as discussed in detail here, and recently in Au-Cd alloys. The primary cause is found to be due to the effort of alloys to create appropriate Brillouin zone boundaries at the Fermi surface, in much the same way as found for the case of stacking variants of the M = 1 LPS (DO 22 ). Here, however, the important contribution of secondary Brillouin zone boundaries to the stability of the structures is clearly recognized.
Body mass index does not influence pharmacokinetics or outcome of treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

There is conflicting information about the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and outcome of chemotherapy. We compared pharmacokinetics, outcome, and toxicity data across 4 BMI groups (underweight, BMI ≤ 10th percentile; normal; at risk of overweight, BMI ≥ 85th and .3). We conclude that BMI does not affect the outcome or toxicity of chemotherapy in this patient population with ALL.
STIS SPECTRAL IMAGERY OF THE OB STARS IN NGC 604. I. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTRACTION TECHNIQUE FOR A CROWDED STELLAR FIELD

We have developed a data reduction procedure to extract multiple spectra from a single two-dimensional Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) image of a crowded stellar field. This paper provides a description of our new technique, utilizing a STIS ultraviolet spectral image, acquired with the G140L grating and the 52'' × 2'' aperture, sampling a concentration of O and B stars in the central region of the NGC 604 starburst in M33. The software routines can disentangle and produce reliable ultraviolet spectra of stars with angular separations as small as 0055. Use of the extraction slit, based on our model of the spectral cross-dispersion profile, generates spectra with slightly higher resolution than the STScI standard processing. Our results clearly show that the spectral imaging capability of STIS represents a powerful tool for studying luminous stars in the star-forming regions of the Local Group.
The effectiveness of inpatient case management. Fact or fiction

Production processes and service delivery in acute care hospitals can be fragmented. Inpatient case management has the potential to improve both processes and outcomes of hospital care. The author reports on 18 research studies that used inpatient case management as the treatment variable. These outcome studies, using case management, did not provide the evidence needed to address deficiencies in inpatient settings. However, these studies do provide clear direction for nurse administrators and nurse researchers to take concerning the next steps needed to address this critical issue.
Wolbachia infection and incompatibility dynamics in experimental selection lines

High and low levels of Wolbachia-induced cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) were selected for in the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis, in the single-infected strain Ti277. After nine generations of selection, males from lines selected for high incompatibility level (HI lines) were significantly more incompatible with uninfected females (AsymC) than the maternal strain. The reverse response, a full compatibility with AsymC, was observed in eight out of 12 lines selected for low incompatibility (LO lines), correlated with loss of Wolbachia infection. Bacterial density estimates in the eggs of some HI lines increased significantly. The procedure for line maintenance resulted in introgression of AsymC nuclear genome into the Ti277 background. Significant changes of CI level and bacterial density due to the introgression were also observed in the control lines, possibly reflecting an effect of host genotype on bacterial density and CI. After selection had been relaxed for six generations, bacterial density in the five high-infected HI lines declined back to a level comparable to the other lines. The data are consistent with the ‘bacterial dosage’ model, but with an upper threshold of bacterial infection above which there is no correlation between infection level and CI level. We further investigate the maternal transmission of bacterial density by a mother–daughter regression on bacterial density. The pattern observed is consistent with a density dependent regulation of bacterial numbers around an ‘equilibrium’ density, independent of any effects of CI. The equilibrium value is likely to be determined by both bacterial strain and host genotype.
A unique polysaccharide- and glycoside-degrading enzyme complex from the wood-decay fungus Poria placenta.

Summary A multifunctional enzyme, active on both polysaccharides and glycosides, has been isolated from the wood-decay fungus P. placenta. A molecular weight of 185,000 Dalton was determined with lower molecular weight subunits characterized on dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An unusual isoelectric point of 1.8 was established for this protein.
Fox-Kemper and Willis receive Ocean Sciences Early Career Awards: Response from Josh K. Willis

Baylor Fox-Kemper and Josh K. Willis each received the 2011 Ocean Sciences Early Career Award at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting, held 5–9 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “significant contributions to and promise in the ocean sciences.”
Language provisions under the voting rights act : How effective are they?

Objectives. As the Voting Rights Act (VRA) comes up for renewal in 2007, its effects on the political incorporation of groups other than African Americans will be of key importance in any debate. Among the questions in any such discussion will be whether the language provisions of the VRA have helped enfranchise “linguistic minorities” in the United States, or whether their effect has been largely symbolic. Second, if the Voting Rights Act has had a positive impact on the participation rates of Asian Americans and Latinos, have these effects been tilted toward first-generation immigrants—who were not the intended beneficiaries of the Act—rather than native-born minorities? Methods. This article looks at registration and voting data from the November 1996 and 2000 Census Current Population Supplemental Voting Surveys to explore the differential impact of the Act among immigrants and the native born, and among Latinos and Asian Americans. Results. The analysis finds evidence that the language provisions of the Voting Rights Act have significant and positive effects on the voting rates of covered linguistic minorities. Conclusions. Because the voting rates of Asian and Hispanic Americans in the United States still lag behind those of the population as a whole, the effects of the VRA with respect to these groups are important considerations as Congress weighs the Act's renewal.
Counterillumination and the upper depth limits of midwater animals

Abstract The maximum counterillumination intensities of three species of mesopelagic squids and one species of mesopelagic fish were determined in a shipboard laboratory. The values were compared with the intensity of downwelling irradiance in the ocean measured off Oahu, Hawaii. The upper depth limits of the mesepelagic fauna were determined by mid-day and moonlit-night trawling. The data support the hypothesis that limits on concealment from predation through counterillumination determine the upper depth limits of this fauna during the day. At night near full moon, however, animals may be found at light levels higher than those at which counterillumination seems to be an effective strategy.
Catalytic cracking of n-hexadecane. VI: Carbon-14 tracer studies of secondary reactions over amorphous silica-alumina and zeolite catalysts

Abstract The importance of some secondary reactions during the catalytic cracking of n-hexadecane over an amorphous silica-alumina catalyst and a zeolite-containing catalyst at 372 °C were investigated using carbon-14 tracers. 1-Butene and 1-heptene tracers were used to determine the importance of the four butene isomers and 1-heptene as intermediates in secondary reactions over the amorphous silica-alumina. The butenes had a significant role in the formation of most products via secondary reactions, while 1-heptene was much less important. 1-Butene and toluene tracers were used to investigate their importance as intermediates in product formation over the zeolite catalyst. Although 1-butene was involved in the formation of a larger amount of the products than toluene, 1-butene was much less important as an intermediate over the zeolite catalyst than over the amorphous silica-alumina catalyst.
Increased protection in the 1980s: Exchange rates and institutions

The strong appreciation of the U.S. dollar between 1980 and 1985 encouraged the substitution of imports for domestically produced goods for a variety of products. This, in turn, increased the demand for trade protection. Many of these demands were satisfied via “apolitical” U.S. antidumping and countervail regulations, yieldingad valorem tariffs well above current average statutory duties. The supply of trade protection is developed via a principal-agent model that describes the potential gains to both the regulatory agency and the legislator. Empirical results support the model specification, finding both exchange rate and political cycles in the use of “apolitical” trade protection.
SU-FF-J-57: A Phantom Study On the 3-D Target Localization Accuracy Using CBCT of An On-Board Imager

Purpose: To evaluate the three‐dimensional target localization accuracy using CBCT of an On‐Board Imager (OBI) system by determining the detection error and residual error associated with image registration and patient repositioning. Method and Materials: An anthropomorphic pelvis phantom was used to simulate a range of shifts in the three translational directions and rotations around each of the three axes. First a simulated shift or rotation was applied. Then a CBCT scan was followed by 3D3D matching between the CBCT 3D volumetric image with the planning CTimage. The detected shift vector was compared to the actual shift vector to calculate the detection error. Next the phantom was automatically realigned to the planned position by the OBI system. Subsequently, a second CBCT scan and 3D3D matching was performed to verify the re‐positioning accuracy (residual error). In each of the three translational direction, simulated shifts of 1, 2, 5 and 10 mm were evaluated. In the longitudinal direction large shifts of 20 and 50 mm were evaluated to see whether accuracy was dependant on shift magnitude. Simulated rotations of 1, 3 and 5 degrees around the three axes were also evaluated. Results: On the average, the detection error for translational shifts is 0.4+/−0.3 mm. The average of the corresponding residual error is 0.6+/−0.4 mm. For simulated rotations the average detection error is 0.2+/−0.1 degrees. The average of the corresponding residual error is 0.4+/−0.5 mm. Conclusion: The results indicate that CBCT is capable of detecting target shifts and patient rotation to within 1 mm and 0.5 degree respectively. The shifted target could be realigned to the planned isocenter to within 1mm accuracy when correcting for translational shifts and within 1.8 mm when correcting for rotations. This study is partially supported by a Varian research grant.
Multisensor monitoring of gear tooth fatigue for predictive diagnostics

Abstract : Successful machine diagnostics is critically dependent on the collection and processing of prognostic features that relate back to failure precursors. Since the significance of gear tooth failure is recognized as a critical component to the overall condition of drive train mechanical systems, single gear tooth failure has been examined. By employing a special jig to orient and constrain the gear samples, Hertzian loading was applied along a single contact line on the gear tooth to simulate the conditions seen during operation. Optical, ultrasonic and mechanical sensors measured a variety of observables including load, deflection, and acoustic emission. After monitoring the fatigue test with these three noncommensurate sensors, features of the data could consistently be related to crack growth phenomena. Data collection, analysis, and interpretation are discussed for spur gear samples that show both the absence and presence of cracks and support the validity of the extracted features as failure precursors. Cyclostationary analysis, an advanced signal processing techniques, was used to promote earlier indication and sharper resolution of these measures. The results demonstrate the potential for using nontraditional sensors and techniques, which are more amenable to commercial use, for an in situ monitoring system.
A motor-controlled device for slow motion cutting with the ultramicrotome.

The preparation of ultrathin sections of high quality with a Porter-Blum microtome requires that the drive wheel be rotated at a slow, uniform rate during actual cutting. A mechanical device to control the motion of the microtome drive wheel consists of a synchronous motor connected to a drive shaft (4 rev/min), which can be intermittently coupled to the rim of the microtome wheel by a friction drive of 1/2-inch diameter. The microtome drive wheel is rotated manually at a rapid rate until the specimen is about to come into contact with the knife; then the mechanical drive is engaged for slow movement during cutting. When the section has been cut, the drive is disengaged by a lever operated with the left hand; after which, the microtome wheel is turned quickly back to the cutting position with the right hand.
Photochemistry of benzotricyclo[3.2.0.02,7]heptene: Singlet excited state reactions derived from cyclopropane ring clevage

Abstract Direct irradiation of the title hydrocarbon in cyclohexane affords 2-vinylindene and benzonorcaradiene as major primary photoproducts. Deuterium labeling is used to determine reaction mechanisms
Release of lactate by the liver in metabolic acidosis in vivo

Chronic metabolic acidosis was induced in dogs by HCl. Pyruvate and lactate production and extractions were studied by arteriovenous sampling and electromagnetic flow probe measurements of gut and hepatic blood flows. The following results were obtained: (1) In control, overnight-fasted dogs, no net lactate or pyruvate was extracted by the liver. (2) In chronic acidosis, large amounts of lactate were produced. (3) Reduced tissue pyruvate levels and reduced activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase were found in the liver of these dogs compared with normal. These results demonstrate an unexpected effect of acidosis on hepatic lactate metabolism.
Lay theories and intergroup relations: A social-developmental perspective

Abundant research suggests that the study of lay theories helps to explain intergroup relations. Building on this work as well as “interactionist” theories for understanding social behaviour from developmental and social psychology, we propose an integrative social-developmental perspective examining how lay perceivers' characteristics (e.g., age, race, psychological motivations) interact with the environments in which they are nested to impact lay theory use over time and during life transitions. Using this perspective to guide our investigation of the Protestant work ethic (PWE) and colourblind theory, we show that a single lay theory can have a socially tolerant or intolerant meaning. We review work with US children and adults (Asians, Blacks, Latinos, Whites) as well as research with Colombian children and adults (Mestizos), showing similarities and differences in perceivers' uses of PWE and the colourblind theory. Even when both meanings are prevalent in a given culture, they are not necessarily equa...
Oculomotor adjustments in darkness and the specific distance tendency

Two experiments were performed to investigate the relationship between the oculomotor adjustments assumed in total darkness and perceived distance under reduced visual conditions. Experiment I compared the dark focus of accommodation with the perceived distance of a monocular light point presented in a dark environment. Experiment II compared the convergence angle assumed in darkness (dark convergence) with the perceived distance of the light point. Both accommodation and convergence were found to assume intermediate values in darkness. Perceived distance of the monocular light point was significantly correlated with dark convergence and unrelated to the dark focus of accommodation. It was suggested that ocular vergence is a major determinant of perceived distance under reduced visual conditions, and thus provides a possible mechanism for the specific distance tendency.
Longitudinal Study of Student Dropout From a Business School

In this study, the authors identified variables that predict college student dropout from a business school. In the 1st phase of the study, they collected information from students (N = 403) in the 2nd semester of their freshman year. Then they collected dropout data from the same students 4 semesters after the first phase. The authors used point-biserial correlations to determine the relationship of each independent variable to dropout. Three factors showed a significant correlation with future dropout: 1stsemester GPA, 1st-semester average course evaluation, and perception of financial difficulties.
A mechanism of Alpine lee cyclogenesis as revealed by a quasigeostrophic variational filter

Mechanisms associated with Alpine lee cyclogenesis during the early phase of their generation are investigated using a variational quasigeostrophic filter technique. It was possible to extract the quasigeostrophic signal from the available analyzed real data set.