cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Life Cycle Approach to Management by Objectives

In this article the authors examine the management practice known as management by objectives (MBO) and discuss how the process is designed to work. They note that many companies abandon MBO strategies prematurely due to their concern for immediate results. They compare the MBO process to the introduction of a new technology, a process that takes time. The process begins with the introduction phase, moves through a growth phase and eventually reaches a phase where the MBO plan is effective. They assert that this developmental process is seen in a variety of organizational change processes. They discuss the necessity of this process and note that all strategies must be given time in order to reach maturity and optimal effectiveness.
Effect of a Nonrebreathing Exhalation Valve on Long-term Nasal Ventilation Using a Bilevel Device

Study objective: To determine whether an exhalation valve designed to minimize rebreathing improves daytime or nocturnal gas exchange or improves symptoms compared with a traditional valve during nocturnal nasal ventilation delivered using a bilevel pressure ventilation device. Design: Prospective direct comparison trial with each patient sequentially using both valves, during a 2-week run-in period with a traditional valve, a 2-week trial with the nonrebreathing valve, and a 2-week washout period with the traditional valve. Setting: Outpatient pulmonary function laboratory and home nocturnal monitoring. Patients: Seven patients who received long-term (> 1 year) nocturnal nasal bilevel pressure ventilation with an expiratory pressure of < 4c m H 2O. Intervention: Symptoms, pulmonary function, and arterial blood gas levels were assessed at each of three daytime sessions after the sequential 2-week periods using the different valves. Nocturnal studies used a multichannel recorder that measured heart rate, chest wall impedance, nasal airflow, and oximetry. End-tidal PCO2 (PetCO2) from the mask and transcutaneous PCO2 (PtcCO2) were also monitored nocturnally. Results: Seven patients with a variety of neuromuscular, chest wall, and obstructive defects were enrolled. No mean differences in daytime arterial blood gas levels, pulmonary functions, nocturnal vital signs or oximetry, or PtcCO2 were apparent regardless of the exhalation valve used. The multichannel recording was indicative of an air leak at least one third of the time, and the PetCO2 tracing detected a blunted signal or no signal from the mask during the majority of the recording time. Conclusion: The use of an exhalation valve designed to minimize rebreathing did not improve daytime or nocturnal gas exchange or symptoms in patients receiving long-term nasal bilevel pressure ventilation in comparison with a traditional exhalation valve, most likely because of air leakage and escape of CO2 via other routes. (CHEST 2002; 122:84 –91)
Peripheral arterial disease affects ground reaction forces during walking

Objective Claudication is the most common manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), producing significant ambulatory compromise. The gait of claudicating patients has been evaluated using primarily temporal and spatial parameters. With the present study, we used advanced biomechanical measures to further delineate the ambulatory impairment of claudicating patients. We hypothesized that the claudicating legs of PAD patients have an altered kinetic gait pattern compared with normal legs from control subjects. Methods Ambulation kinetics (ground reaction forces) were evaluated in claudicating patients and compared with age-matched healthy controls. Forces were analyzed in the vertical, anterior–posterior, and medial–lateral directions. Time from heel touch-down to toe-off (stance time) and time spent in double-limb support were also evaluated. Results The study recruited 14 PAD patients (age, 58 ± 3.4 years; weight, 80.99 ± 15.64 kg) with femoropopliteal occlusive disease (ankle-brachial index [ABI], 0.56 ± 0.03) and five controls (age, 53 ± 3.4 years; weight, 87.38 ± 12.75 kg; ABI, ≥1.00). Vertical force curve evaluation demonstrated significant flattening in claudicating patients resulting in a lower and less fluctuant center of mass when ambulating. In the anterior–posterior direction, claudicating patients demonstrated significantly decreased propulsion forces. In the medial–lateral direction, they had significantly increased forces consistent with wider steps and an inability to swing their legs straight through. Claudicating patients demonstrated a greater stance time and time in double limb support compared with healthy controls. Most importantly, gait abnormalities were present before the onset of claudication, with gait worsening after the onset of claudication. Conclusion Claudicating patients demonstrate significant gait impairments that are present even before they experience any limb discomfort. These alterations may make them feel more stable and secure while attempting to minimize use of the affected limb. Advanced biomechanical analysis, using ambulation kinetics, permits objective and quantitative evaluation of the gaits of claudicating patients. Such evaluation may point to new rehabilitation strategies and provide objective measurement of functional outcomes after medical and surgical therapy.
Snapshots of our journey to thoughtful literacy

The staff at one elementary school embarked on a journey to ensure that each student would reach high levels of thoughtful literacy. When they examined a variety of data, they realized that they were able to meet the literacy needs of most students but could not help a particular type of student—the word caller. Six word callers were identified in the fourth and fifth grades who were able to decode words relatively fluently but seemed unable to comprehend. By consulting the research, staff members developed an intervention program that synthesized ideas from three areas: metacognitive awareness, reciprocal teaching, and peer-led discussions. These areas formed the foundation for three phases of the program. First, the teachers made the basic idea of reading as thinking explicit before moving to the direct instruction of comprehension strategies following the reciprocal teaching framework. In the final phase, students were supported in peer-led discussions. Instructional dialogue provides examples of how each phase was explicitly modeled and how teacher support gradually faded. No formal data collection occurred. However, the teachers did note changes in behavior, performance, and attitude that not only occurred within the group but also transferred to the classroom.
Early treatment of multiple sclerosis to prevent neurologic damage

Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves ongoing accumulating CNS damage. Precisely which environmental factors trigger onset and progression of the disease are not known. However, clinical trials indicate benefits from early use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). All the completed clinically isolated syndrome trials (CHAMPS, ETOMS, BENEFIT, PRECISE) reported significant suppression of subsequent relapse and MRI lesion formation from use of DMT at the first relapse. This article reviews data on early treatment. Such an approach requires the ability to recognize clinically isolated syndrome features that indicate a diagnosis of MS.
A Miniature Implanted Inverted-F Antenna for GPS Application

A miniature implanted Hilbert inverted-F antenna design at the 1.575 GHz global positioning system (GPS) frequency is proposed, which can be used to track the location of its user, e.g., the elderly with declining mental capacity (Alzheimer's disease). A detailed parametric study of the antenna design is performed by considering it to be implanted within a human muscle model. The effects of the substrate, superstrate, and the nearby muscle tissue on antenna performance are carefully investigated. A laboratory prototype of the antenna was built and tested within a muscle equivalent fluid indicating good VSWR performance. Finally the said antenna when placed within the tissue equivalent fluid was also tested to track GPS satellites with the help of a low noise amplifier (LNA). Such field measurements demonstrate that the antenna can easily lock into six or more satellites which are more than enough to determine the location of a person.
Focus Issue: Uncovering Immunological Secrets

This Focus Issue of Science ’s STKE complements a Special Issue of Science , which features a collection of Perspectives that describe obstacles to attaining a more complete understanding of the immune system. Taking stock of where the field now stands, the authors identify areas that warrant further investigation and speculate on the likely clinical benefits of achieving a deeper understanding of immune function. Articles in Science ’s STKE highlight molecular challenges that immunologists have overcome, new questions that have arisen from their studies, and cutting-edge techniques that will enable immunologists to tackle these problems.
Verification of Nyquist data converters using behavioral simulation

A behavioral representation of Nyquist data converters is presented. The representation captures the static behavior of a memoryless Nyquist data converter including statistical variations. The variations are classified into noise and process variations according to how these nonidealities affect the converter behavior. To describe noise effects, a joint probability density function is used. To describe behavioral effects due to process variations, a Gaussian model is used. Using the behavioral representation, a novel strategy to calculate system performance is developed. The performance specifications of a converter, including offset error, full scale gain error, integral nonlinearity, differential nonlinearity, harmonic distortion, and signal-to-noise ratio, are calculated in two steps. First, the converter model parameters are extracted from the circuit. Then, the converter performance is computed using only the model parameters since the model captures the converter behavior. Experimental results agree well with SPICE simulations and confirm the validity of the model. >
Etiology of Anovulation in the Immature Alloxan-Diabetic Rat Treated with Pregnant Mare’s Serum Gonadotropin: Absence of the Preovulatory Luteinizing Hormone Surge*

The effects of alloxan-induced diabetes on ovulation and other ovarian responses were investigated in immature rats injected with PMS gonadotropin (PMSG, 15 IU/100 g) on day 30 of age. Rats were killed on day 32 (presumed proestrus) or on day 33, at which time the oviducts were examined for ova. Ovarian weight gain was similar in control and diabetic rats and Graafian follicles were present in both groups on day 32. None of the diabetic rats ovulated while 96% of the control rats ovulated. Anovulation in diabetic rats could not be attributed to a drug side-effect of alloxan or to a lack of ovarian responsiveness, as 90% of the animals ovulated after treatment with insulin or with hCG (5 IU). Measurements of serum estradiol and LH on the morning of presumed proestrus revealed that concentrations of these hormones were not different in control and diabetic rats. However, measurements of LH in blood samples taken in the afternoon from control rats showed an LH surge, whereas no LH surge was found in diabetic...
Adenosine A1 receptors are located predominantly on axons in the rat hippocampal formation.

The nucleoside adenosine exerts potent biological effects via specific receptors, including the inhibitory Al adenosine receptor (A1AR). In the hippocampus A1ARs play an important role in regulating neuronal activity. However, the cellular sites of hippocampal A1ARs are undefined. Using in situ hybridization, receptor autoradiography, and single- and double-label immunocytochemistry techniques, we have characterized the cellular sites of A1AR expression in the rat hippocampus. In situ hybridization and receptor autoradiography studies revealed strikingly different patterns of labeling. In situ hybridization studies revealed heaviest labeling of cell bodies in the granular layer of the dentate gyrus and the pyramidal layers of Ammon's horn. In contrast, using [3H] we observed heavy specific labeling over the neuropil in the dentate hilus stratum moleculare, stratum lacunosum-inoleculare, stratum radiatum, and stratum oriens, and little labeling over cell bodies. Using single-label immunocytochemistry, A1AR immunoreactivity was found to be heaviest over fibers in regions corresponding with heavy [3H] labeling. Double-label florescent confocal microscopy was then used to determine the identity of labeled fibers. A1AR immunoreactivity was found to co-localize with SMI-31 that labels axons, but not with MAP2a, b that labels cell bodies and dendrites, orwith synaptophysin that labels synapses. These data identify axons as the predominant site of A1AR expression in hippocampus. Activation of A1ARs may be a powerful mechanism by which adenosine alters axonal transmission to inhibit neurotransmitter release. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Millenarianism in England, Holland and America: Jewish-Christian relations in Amsterdam, London and Newport, Rhode Island

Jewish-Christian intellectual relations during the Middle Ages were often quite bitter, taking the form of disputations about whether the Messiah had come and denunciations of Judaism, and were often followed by grim consequences for the Jewish participants. In the late medieval period Christian interest arose concerning Jewish modes of interpreting Scripture. Starting with Nicolaus of Lyra, who was probably a convert, Christians started wading into the Jewish sources, the Mishna, the Talmud, Midrashim, Response, etc. As interest rose about the actual original text of Scripture, rabbis were consulted by figures such as Luther, by Papal authorities, and Henry VIII. Converted Jews became professors of Hebrew in England, France, The Lowlands, Germany, Italy and even New England.
Computing phagocytosis index for high-throughput applications

Phagocytes defend us against infection by ingesting invading microorganisms. This process is called phagocytosis. Specific assays have been developed to monitor, for example, the effect of immunomodulatory drugs on phagocytosis. High-throughput microscopy is used to analyze entire studies. As it is simply infeasible to evaluate such large data sets, as usually produced by high-throughput microscopes, robust image analysis algorithms are needed. The proposed method is used to compute the phagocytosis index, a quantitative measurement which allows to analyze entire concentration studies. The focus of this paper is the development of an automatic approach that does not require any user-interactive parameter settings. In addition the method is capable of dealing with a wide range of image contrasts since the quality of the assay itself can vary. Both manual scoring and consistency with biological data are used to validate the results.
Analysis and Testing of Archaic Floor Construction

Concrete and steel framed floors with brick, clay tile, and concrete decking constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s are described. Methods of documenting existing construction and condition of the structure are discussed. Procedures for calculating structural capacity and confirmatory load tests are presented. These types of floor systems have been found to have strength and stiffness greater than predicted by simplified calculation due to compposite action, connection fixity, and two-way action. A case study of in situ load testing of a flat clay-tile arch floor system and discussion of the measured behaviour demonstrates these principles.
Yolk protein immunoassays (YP-ELISA) to assess diet and reproductive quality of mass-reared Orius insidiosus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae).

A yolk protein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (YP-ELISA) was developed for the predator Orius insidiosus (Say). The YP-ELISA is intended to assess reproductive response to dietary and other rearing conditions, and to assist in quality control and diet development for mass rearing. Hybridomas and monoclonal antibodies were produced against homogenates of eggs dissected from females. Hybridomas were selected for secretion of IgG that reacted with extracts of both females and their eggs, and that did not react with male extracts. Each cloned hybridoma produced a monoclonal antibody that specifically reacted on western blots against one of the two major yolk polypeptides, apoVn-I (180,000 molecular weight) or apoVn-II (40,000). Yolk protein ELISAs were developed with these antibodies to assess yolk protein content of female O. insidiosus as a measure of reproductive fitness and as a potential predictor of fecundity. Protocols for an indirect antigen ELISA and double antibody sandwich ELISA were developed to assess yolk protein contents of eggs and total contents in whole body homogenates. ELISA standards consisted of homogenates of eggs collected 0–24 h following oviposition. As determined with the sandwich ELISA, yolk protein contents of eggs declined with age before hatch, with a half-life of 32–34 h. Results were similar whether the detecting antibody-enzyme conjugate was anti-apoVn-I or anti-apoVn-II. Optimal conditions and sampling parameters were developed for the sandwich ELISA, which demonstrated minimal nonspecific interference in whole-insect extracts. In an initial application of the YP-ELISA, oviposition rates over a 10-d period were compared with yolk protein contents at the end of that period, dependent on diets of differing nutritional composition and quality. High and low yolk protein contents correlated with oviposition rates on respective diets, though oviposition showed more graded response to diets than did yolk protein. Improvements in sampling methods are discussed.
Geodesic Regression and Its Application to Shape Analysis

In this chapter, I present a regression method for modeling the relationship between a manifold-valued random variable and a real-valued independent parameter. The principle is to fit a geodesic curve, parameterized by the independent parameter, that best fits the data. Error in the model is evaluated as the sum-of-squared geodesic distances from the model to the data, and this provides an intrinsic least squares criterion. Geodesic regression is, in some sense, the simplest parametric model that one could choose, and it provides a direct generalization of linear regression to the manifold setting. A generalization of the coefficient of determination and a resulting hypothesis test for determining the significance of the estimated trend is developed. Also, a diagnostic test for the quality of the fit of the estimated geodesic is demonstrated. While the method can be generally applied to data on any manifold, specific examples are given for a set of synthetically generated rotation data and an application to analyzing shape changes in the corpus callosum due to age.
Patterns of Human Exocrine Pancreatic Secretion and Fate of Human Pancreatic Enzymes During Aboral Transit

The two easily recognized patterns of human exocrine pancreatic secretion are the interdigestive and postprandial (digestive) patterns. Interspersed between these patterns may be a short cephalic phase of secretion. The interdigestive pattern occurs when the upper gastrointestinal tract is devoid of nutrients and is interrupted and converted to the digestive pattern by eating, hormones, and neural influences. The digestive pattern continues as long as food is in the stomach.
The total artificial heart in pediatrics: Expanding the repertoire.

From the Department of Surgery, Rady Children’s Hospital–San Diego, San Diego, Calif. Disclosures: Author has nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support. Received for publication Dec 18, 2015; accepted for publication Dec 19, 2015; available a 2016. Address for reprints: Eric J. Devaney, MD, Department of Surgery, Rady Children’s 3030 Children’s Way, MOB #202, San Diego, CA 92123 (E-mail: edevaney@ucsd.edu J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2016;151:e73-4 0022-5223/$36.00 Copyright 2016 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2015.12.039
Sutton, Alaska, earthquake of 1984: Evidence for activity on the Talkeetna segment of the Castle Mountain fault system

A magnitude 5.7 mb (5.2 Ms ) earthquake occurred on 14 August 1984, 14 km north of Sutton, in the vicinity of the mapped trace of the Talkeetna segment of the Castle Mountain fault system. The focal mechanism of the earthquake and the spatial distribution of well-controlled aftershock hypocenters indicate that the shock involved dextral slip at 13- to 20-km depth on the Talkeetna fault segment. The depth of the shocks is consistent with the lack of observed surface breakage. The Sutton earthquake sequence, plus recent small shocks recorded by the southern Alaska seismograph network, provide definitive evidence that the Talkeetna segment of the fault system is active.
OPTIMAL NUMBERS OF VARIOUS PHENOMENA: NATIONS, PEOPLE, LANGUAGES, RACES, MARRIAGE PARTNERS

What are the optimal numbers or quantities of nations, people, languages, races, marriage partners, wealth, monies, criminals and other such phenomenon? This depends, of course, on the goals of the people answering this question. Two different perspectives will be employed in the present paper in order to wrestle with this question: the libertarian political philosophy, and what I shall categorize as prudential judgment, or economic welfare. For example, it would be unwieldy in the extreme, and unwise, to have a different monetary system for each of the some 7 billion inhabitants of earth; this would amount to no monetary system at all, or barter. Similarly, 7 billion different languages would mean communication would be impossible, surely not an ideal state of affairs from just about any perspective. But can we pin the numbers better down than this? That is the burden of the present paper.
Negative Pressure Dependence of High Pressure Burning Rates of H 2 /O 2 Flames at Lean Conditions

Experimental measurements of burning rates rates and modeling comparisons were performed for lean H2/ O2/diluent flames spanning a wide range of conditions: equivalence ratios from 0.30 to 1.0, flame temperatures from 1400 to 1800K, pressures from 1 to 25 atm. The experimental data show negative pressure dependence of burning rate at high pressure, low flame temperature conditions for all equivalence ratios. The models of Davis et al. and O’Connaire et al. predict the experimental data within ~30% for the conditions studied. In general, substantial differences are observed between literature model predictions and the experimental data as well as among model predictions themselves – up to a factor of four at high pressures.
‘You know how tough I am?’ Discourse analysis of US Midwestern congresswomen’s self-presentation:

Drawing on gender-role theories and considering the potential new media environments brought to the dynamics of strategic political communication, this study explores the nature of US Midwestern congresswomen’s strategic online self-presentations in comparison to those of congressmen. The discourse analysis presented in this study shows that in their official online biographies, that is, as given on websites provided by the US government, congresswomen devoted more space to describing their own personal traits than did congressmen. In particular, women tended to stress the masculine aspects of their personalities by using so-called masculine words such as tough and fighter much more than their male counterparts did. Such masculine terminology was scarcely evident in the biographies of male House members in the same states and committees as the female members. These findings imply that female politicians are more active in strategically presenting themselves as tough leaders in what appears to be a self-co...
A Method for Estimating Surface Pressure Forces and Far-Field Acoustics

The field of aeroacoustics is one of growing importance in the modern world, from noise pollution by commercial airplanes to quieter automobiles on the highway. With an apparent gap between theoretical predictions of acoustic sources and those measured in practice, the need arises for a method to estimate the acoustics while incorporating experimentally measurable quantities to bridge the two. The present study describes a method for calculating the surface pressure forces from global velocity measurements and discrete surface pressure measurements by solving Poisson’s equation for fluctuating pressure. The integrated fluctuating surface pressure force is then used as a source in Curle’s acoustic analogy to obtain an estimate of the far-field acoustics. These analysis tools are first studied using data obtained from DNS of flow over a cylinder with ReD = 150 to verify their accuracy and highlight the effects of experimental error in each stage of analysis. A turbulent wall jet with ReH = 25,500 is then examined with the analysis tools, using synchronized particle image velocimetry and surface mounted pressure transducers. The results show the tool’s ability to predict far-field acoustics but highlight that care must be taken to limit the effects of measurement noise.
Nonlinear Optical Properties of Silicon Nanocrystallites: Effects of Passivation

Degenerate four-wave mixing with picosecond pulses at 532 nm has been used to study the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ(3)) for a series of passivated thin films of silicon nanocrystallites. A pulsed laser ablation supersonic expansion source of isolated silicon nanocrystallites was used to deposit thin films onto inert substrates. These films were subsequently passivated using chemical etches or oxidation steps. We observe a strong dependence of the measured χ(3) as a function of the degree of passivation, indicating the fundamental importance of the surface of the nanocrystallite in enabling the nonlinear optical behavior. Systems providing more complete passivation were found to have greatly enhanced χ(3) behavior when compared to poorly passivated systems. Surface passivation is also shown to be critical to the visible photoluminescence behavior of the thin films, as poorly passivated nanocrystallites exhibit very weak light emission, while well passivated systems show efficient emission. In both cases, the passivation controls the recombination pathways of excited carriers and determines the material’s optical properties.
Investigation of drinking water quality in villages and small towns

Objective:Be that the all together style water supply knowing the rural area and town that our county establishes over the past 2003 already burns when in the dry season and abundant water scheduled time,Whose source of water water,leaves the factory water,pipe network water water quality condition,the drinking water supplying safe reliable life to the resident.Methods:Use of GB5750-2006 《drinking water standard testing methods》 the provisions of the water samples tested,then GB5749-2006 "drinking water health standards" for health evaluation.Results:Towns and villages centralized water supply point of the total pass rate of 27.08%,dry season water quality with a pass rate of 34.72%,the water quality of the wet period with a pass rate of 19.44%,water source,water factory,the network of qualified water rates were 31.25%,27.09%,22.92%.Rural water quality with a pass rate of 25% of the dry season and the wet period in the pass rates were 31.25% and 18.75%;the town water quality yield is 31.25%,the water quality yield that the dry season and abundant water expect is 41.67% and 20.83% respectively.t 144 portion of water-like item is inferior yield amount to 90.84%,among them high microorganism index item is inferior yield is 44.21%.And 144 portion of water-like item is inferior yield height amounts to 90.84%,microorganism indices among them item is inferior yield is 44.21%.Conclusion:The water quality of life of rural drinking water passing rate is extremely low,especially microbial indicators over the serious to be solved in time.
DNA restriction profiles of nontypable group B streptococcal clinical isolates.

Group B streptococci (GBS) have been antigenically characterized by the capsular polysaccharide or “type” polysaccharide, and these have been designated Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII. Other antigenic constituents of GBS are surface localized proteins. The major ones for human GBS isolates are the β protein, which is IgA binding, the α protein, which is trypsin-resistant, and the R family of trypsin-resistant proteins.2, 3, 4 The major species of R proteins that we have identified in GBS are the R1 and R4 proteins, as recently reported.3, 4 Of 1586 total GBS isolates examined in our laboratory from recent clinical epidemiologic studies from five American cities (Houston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh and Seattle), 67 or 4.2% were nontypable for capsular polysaccharide, using antisera to the established nine serotypes plus an antiserum to a proposed new type, courtesy of J. Henrichsen. This report describes further molecular characterization of these nontypable GBS clinical isolates.
Glacier Runoff Observations at Sholes Glacier

Glacier runoff is a major source of streamflow during the summer low-flow season and mitigates both low flow and high water temperatures. Measurement of ablation and discharge immediately below Sholes Glacier quantifies the volume of glacier runoff to the North Fork Nooksack River, which provided more than 40 % of total river runoff on 21 days in August and September, 2014, peaking at 80 % of total flow on Sept. 15th. The ameliorating role of glacier runoff on discharge and water temperature will be reduced as glacier area declines.
The effects of salt ions on the dynamics and thermodynamics of lysozyme unfolding

ABSTRACTClassical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations coupled with metadynamics (MTD) simulations were used to investigate lysozyme unfolding in physiological 0.154 M NaCl salt concentration as well as in 0.5 and 1 M NaCl salt solutions. It was found that lysozyme unfolding dynamics is strongly dependent on the salt concentration. Moreover, the stable low energy denatured states are also different in different salt concentrations. Salt ion−protein interaction seems to stabilize both the native and denatured states, but their relative stability depends on salt concentration. Our simulation results and complementary experimental measurements demonstrate that salt ion−protein interactions facilitate lysozyme unfolding.
Pseudouridine in the Anticodon of Escherichia coli tRNATyr(QΨA) is Catalyzed by the Dual Specificity Enzyme RluF.

Pseudouridine is found in almost all cellular ribonucleic acids (RNAs). Of the multiple characteristics attributed to pseudouridine, making messenger RNAs (mRNAs) highly translatable and non-immunogenic is one such feature that directly implicates this modification in protein synthesis. We report the existence of pseudouridine in the anticodon of Escherichia coli tyrosine transfer RNAs (tRNAs) at position 35. Pseudouridine was verified by multiple detection methods, which include pseudouridine-specific chemical derivatization and gas phase dissociation of RNA during liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Analysis of total tRNA isolated from E. coli pseudouridine synthase knock-out mutants identified RluF as the enzyme responsible for this modification. Furthermore, the absence of this modification compromises the translational ability of a luciferase reporter gene coding sequence when it is preceded by multiple tyrosine codons. This effect has implications for the translation of mRNAs that are rich in tyrosine codons in bacterial expression systems.
Analyzing User Password Selection Behavior for Reduction of Password Space

This paper presents a comprehensive survey of recent literature on the topic of password dictionaries for alphanumeric and graphical user authentication approaches including some password schemas proposed by the author. After different methods used for reduction of password space are introduced, they are analyzed and compared with the intent of finding a common flaw of user authentication mechanisms, which allows for the development of such password dictionaries by hackers. Our conclusion is that any user authentication system, which allows users to exercise choice in selection of their passwords, is vulnerable to the password space reduction methods presented in this paper and so should not be utilized.
AKT Activity Regulates Sensitivity of Multiple Myeloma Cells to mTor Inhibitors.

Inhibitors of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), such as rapamycin and CCI-779, have potential as anti-tumor agents against multiple myeloma (MM). In a murine xenograft model, CCI-779 demonstrated efficacy against in vivo growth of OPM-2 and 8226 MM cells. In this model, OPM-2 tumors (ED50=2 mg/kg) were considerably more sensitive than 8226 (ED50=20 mg/kg) tumors. CCI-779-induced anti-tumor responses were associated with significant inhibition of proliferation and angiogenesis and concomitant upregulation of apoptosis. OPM-2 cells were also significantly more sensitive to these CCI-779-mediated effects. Other tumor models have demonstrated that heightened AKT activity induces hypersensitivity to mTOR inhibitors. As OPM-2 cells express high levels of activated AKT (due to PTEN mutations) and 8226 cells contain predominantly quiescent AKT, this regulatory role for AKT may be present in MM cells as well. To further test this, we stably expressed an activated AKT allele in U266 (U266myr-AKT) MM cells. The in vivo growth of U266myr-AKT cells was considerably more sensitive than control U266 cells to the anti-tumor effects of CCI-779. The differential sensitivity induced by AKT activation was mirrored in an enhanced sensitivity to CCI-779-mediated apoptosis and inhibition of angiogenesis. Since previous studies demonstrated the ability of AKT/mTOR to regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), we hypothesized that MM cells with heightened AKT activity may be more sensitive to the CCI-779-mediated inhibition of this critical angiogenic factor. In vitro , mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, was markedly more effective at inhibiting VEGF secretion from U266myr-AKT than control cells. Our results demonstrate that AKT regulates the sensitivity of MM cells to the anti-tumor effects of mTOR inhibitors and that this may be mediated through the inhibition of AKT-dependent survival and growth factors.
Injection Locked Laser Sensor for Ultrasonic Sensing

Optical ultrasonic sensors have been commonly used in research laboratories long before Monchalin’s classic review paper entitled “Optical Detection of Ultrasound” [1] in 1986 and yet, optical ultrasonic sensors have not made a successful transition from the laboratory to industry. This sensing technology has had plenty of time to mature. In fact, the components which comprise the optical sensors have been significantly enhanced during this time period. Despite the large gains in gas laser, solid state laser, diode laser, photodiode, fiber optic, non-linear optic, electronic design, data acquisition, and general sensing technology since 1986, optical ultrasonic sensors have not made it out of the laboratory and into industry.
Targeting Functional Impairments in the Treatment of Children and Adolescents with ADHD

The diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) require both symptoms and impairment to be present. Impairment in functioning is commonly the primary reason for referral, and is also a better predictor of long-term outcomes than ADHD symptoms. And yet, only recently has research begun to examine the impact of ADHD treatments on functional impairment using efficient and psychometrically sound outcome measures. In this article, we identify several noteworthy multidimensional measures of functional impairment (ADHD FX, Barkley Functional Impairment Scale [BFIS], Impairment Rating Scale [IRS], Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale [WFIRS]) utilized in recent clinical trials for ADHD, and describe their psychometric properties and clinical utility. We also review existing evidence on the impact of pharmacological and behavioral treatments on different domains of functional impairment in ADHD youth as measured by these specific measures. Further research is needed to evaluate longitudinal effects of ADHD treatments on functional impairment, and the use of these measures in adaptive treatment designs.
Controlling quantum-beating signals in 2D electronic spectra by packing synthetic heterodimers on single-walled carbon nanotubes

In multidimensional spectroscopy, dynamics of coherences between excited states report on the interactions between electronic states and their environment. The prolonged coherence lifetimes revealed through beating signals in the spectra of some systems may result from vibronic coupling between nearly degenerate excited states, and recent observations confirm the existence of such coupling in both model systems and photosynthetic complexes. Understanding the origin of beating signals in the spectra of photosynthetic complexes has been given considerable attention; however, strategies to generate them in artificial systems that would allow us to test the hypotheses in detail are still lacking. Here we demonstrate control over the presence of quantum-beating signals by packing structurally flexible synthetic heterodimers on single-walled carbon nanotubes, and thereby restrict the motions of chromophores. Using two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, we find that both limiting the relative rotation of chromophores and tuning the energy difference between the two electronic transitions in the dimer to match a vibrational mode of the lower-energy monomer are necessary to enhance the observed quantum-beating signals.
Symbioses and their Consequences for Community and Applied Ecology

Species interactions are frequently variable in time and space, and symbiotic relationships are certainly no exception. Empirically derived rules of host specificity and interspecific interactions may apply locally under some conditions, but we must exercise care when we extrapolate results across species’ ranges or when local conditions change. In the words of the ecologist Larry Slobodkin (1987), “the study of symbiosis should remain elegant natural history, combined with the full spectrum of modern biology at all levels.” The level of community ecology has historically been somewhat lacking! An interdisciplinary mix of approaches and insights will be necessary as conservation biologists, population and community ecologists, resource managers, epidemiologists, and symbiosis researchers tackle basic and applied problems in habitats as diverse as old growth forests, coral reefs, and agroecosystems. A marriage of the data and methods of field ecology with laboratory analysis of the physiological and biochemical details of symbiosis, and increasing interactions among community ecologists and symbiologists, will nudge biological science and its applications farther along this necessary path.
The effect of social anxiety, generalized anxiety, depression and substance abuse on child support payment compliance among non-custodial parents

Abstract Millions of children live with custodial parents (CPs) who have child support court orders for the non-custodial parent (NCP) to provide payments to the CP for care of the children. Unfortunately, less than half of CPs receives full child support. A key issue influencing the failure to pay child support is NCP unemployment. Despite a clear association between unemployment and several mental disorders, the nature and prevalence of mental disorders has not been investigated in the NCP population. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between mental health and substance use problems among non-custodial parents and their payment of child support. The study also investigated whether unemployment mediated the relationship between these variables. Surveys that included validated screening instruments to assess for generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders were administered to a convenience sample of 633 NCPs. Survey respondents were matched with state support payment information. The results indicated that depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety and substance use problems were present at a much higher rate than 12-month rates of these conditions found in the general population. This study also confirmed the strong association between child support payments and employment. Employment mediated the relationship between mental health problems and child support payments. The findings suggest that non-compliant NCPs, particularly those who are also unemployed, may experience clinically significant mental health conditions that contribute to unemployment and potentially, payment non-compliance. Future studies could explore if providing mental health assessment and employment-focused treatment for mental health-related barriers to employment may increase employment and child support compliance for NCPs, thereby improving children's economic stability and well-being.
Physiological Actions of Atrial Natriuretic Factor

atrial natriuretic (ANF) is a recently discovered polypeptide hormone that is synthesized and stored in atrial muscle cells (9, 21, 31, 32, 71, 79). There is evidence that lower levels of ANF are synthesized in several other tissues, including ventricle and brain, but it is presumed that the atrium is the principal source of circulating ANF in mammals. It has been known for nearly 30 years that atrial muscle cells contain secretory granules and a well-developed Golgi apparatus, as found in other hormone-secreting cells (59, 63); such granules are not present in the mammalian ventricle but are present in ventricle and atrium in lower vertebrates (12). Work done in the 1970s suggested that alterations in fluid and electrolyte balance were associated with changes in the density of the atrial granules (29, 75). In 1981 de Bold and coworkers (32) demonstrated that extracts of rat atrium contained a factor that induces a marked increase in sodium excretion when administered to intact rats; subsequent, work showed that this factor is associated with the atrial granules (22, 30, 44). More recently it has been shown that ANF comprises a number of structurally related small peptides derived from a 126—amino acid residue precursor (10, 28, 42, 61, 62, 73, 76, 82, 99, 100, 123). The numerous peptides isolated from atrium, ranging between 21 and 35 amino acid residues, probably resulted in large part from nonspecific proteolysis of the precursor during extraction and purification procedures. Although the precursor is the major storage form in atrium (41), it appears that a 28-residue peptide is the major circulating form (38, 42, 61, 98, 110, 122). Plasma levels of immunoreactive ANF under basal conditions are reported to be on the order of 10−1210−11 M in unanesthetized animals and humans (25, 38, 68, 70, 102, 109, 122).
Comparison of Internal Medicine and General Surgery Residents' Assessments of Risk of Postsurgical Complications in Surgically Complex Patients.

Importance Anticipating postsurgical complications is a vital physician skill, particularly when counseling surgically complex patients on their risks of intervention. Although internists and surgeons both counsel patients on surgical risks, it is uncertain who is better equipped to accurately anticipate surgical complications. Objective To examine how internal medicine and general surgery trainees compare in their assessment of risk of surgically complex patients. Design, Setting, and Participants General surgery and internal medicine residents (urban, tertiary, and academic medical center) answered an anonymous, online assessment of 7 real-life, complex clinical scenarios. Participants estimated the chance of any morbidity, mortality, surgical site infection, pneumonia, and cardiac complications. Scenarios represented a diverse general surgery practice, including colectomy, duodenal ulcer repair, inguinal hernia repair, perforated viscus exploration, small-bowel resection, cholecystectomy, and mastectomy in surgically complex patients likely to be comanaged by surgical and internal medicine services. Main Outcomes and Measures Responses were compared with risk-adjusted outcomes reported by the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) online calculator. Results A total of 76 general surgery residents (50 [65.8%] male and 26 [34.2%] female) and 76 internal medicine residents (36 [47.4%] male and 40 [52.6%] female) participated (64% overall response rate). General surgery residents were significantly more confident with their responses (general surgery residents’ mean response, 3.6 [95% CI, 3.4-2.8]; internal medicine residents’ mean response, 2.8 [95% CI, 2.6-3.0];P Conclusions and Relevance General surgery and internal medicine residents demonstrated similar estimates of postoperative complications and death. Both groups overestimated risks in surgically complex patient scenarios compared with NSQIP risk calculator estimates. This near-universal overestimation of risk underscores the importance of developing risk-estimation resources for internists and surgeons.
Chronic Health Conditions and Work Identity from a Lifespan Development Frame

In the workplace, chronic health conditions bring significant challenges to both individuals and organisations. For individuals, chronic health conditions are a ‘biographical disruption’ (Bury in Sociol Health Illn 4:167–182, 1982) that can prompt identity change. In this chapter, we apply concepts from lifespan psychology and identity process theory to explore how individuals respond and adapt their identities to chronic health conditions. The goals of adult development models are growth, resilience, and regulation of loss. We propose processes of identity assimilation, a resilience response in which individuals are able to incorporate their health condition into their existing self-schemata, and identity accommodation, which requires a more significant shift to regulate their loss. We discuss the implications and directions for future research.