cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alternative Tacrolimus and Sirolimus Regimen Associated With Rapid Resolution of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome After Lung Transplantation

BACKGROUND: Neurotoxicity is a significant complication of calcineurin inhibitor use, and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome has been reported. Limited data exist on the use of alternative immunosuppression regimens in the management of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in transplant recipients. METHODS: We present the immunosuppression management strategy of a girl who underwent bilateral lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis 6 months earlier, then suddenly developed a grand mal seizure due to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. In an effort to reduce her tacrolimus dose, an alternative immunosuppressant regimen combining tacrolimus and sirolimus was used. RESULTS: After the modification of her immunosuppressant regimen, there was rapid clinical improvement with no further seizures. Her brain findings had resolved on magnetic resonance imaging 2 months later. Over the next 6 months, allograft function remained stable and surveillance transbronchial biopsies found no allograft rejection on the combined sirolimus and tacrolimus therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Tacrolimus-associated neurotoxicity resolved in a lung transplant recipient with a combined tacrolimus and sirolimus regimen. This combined therapy appears to be an effective alternative for lung transplant recipients that allow them to receive the benefits of both drugs but at lower doses, which reduces the risk for adverse effects.
Rethinking Psychometricians’ Beliefs About Learning

A recent article by Shepard (1991) described psychometricians’ beliefs about learning. Shepard’ s work provided many defensible recommendations for improving testing practice. However, Shepard’ s model of the ways in which curriculum, teaching, and testing interact is misspecified and promotes several false conceptions about the relationship between psychometrics and testing practice. The errors have the potential to do great harm if educational reform efforts are unintentionally misdirected. In the following article, some of the mistakes in analysis and conclusions are explicated. I evaluate the positive contribution of Shepard’s work to educational practice, examine errors introduced in Shepard’s model, and suggest an alternative model that may provide a more fruitful research agenda.
DB2: a probabilistic approach for accurate detection of tandem duplication breakpoints using paired-end reads.

With the advent of paired-end high throughput sequencing, it is now possible to identify various types of structural variation on a genome-wide scale. Although many methods have been proposed for structural variation detection, most do not provide precise boundaries for identified variants. In this paper, we propose a new method, Distribution Based detection of Duplication Boundaries (DB2), for accurate detection of tandem duplication breakpoints, an important class of structural variation, with high precision and recall. Our computational experiments on simulated data show that DB2 outperforms state-of-the-art methods in terms of finding breakpoints of tandem duplications, with a higher positive predictive value (precision) in calling the duplications’ presence. In particular, DB2’s prediction of tandem duplications is correct 99% of the time even for very noisy data, while narrowing down the space of possible breakpoints within a margin of 15 to 20 bps on the average. Most of the existing methods provide boundaries in ranges that extend to hundreds of bases with lower precision values. Our method is also highly robust to varying properties of the sequencing library and to the sizes of the tandem duplications, as shown by its stable precision, recall and mean boundary mismatch performance. We demonstrate our method’s efficacy using both simulated paired-end reads, and those generated from a melanoma sample and two ovarian cancer samples. Newly discovered tandem duplications are validated using PCR and Sanger sequencing. Our method, DB2, uses discordantly aligned reads, taking into account the distribution of fragment length to predict tandem duplications along with their breakpoints on a donor genome. The proposed method fine tunes the breakpoint calls by applying a novel probabilistic framework that incorporates the empirical fragment length distribution to score each feasible breakpoint. DB2 is implemented in Java programming language and is freely available at http://mendel.gene.cwru.edu/laframboiselab/software.php .
Molecular mechanics studies of model polysilanes

A molecular mechanics study of a homologous series of di-substituted polysilane model compounds investigates the effect ofn-alkyl side-chain substituent length on overall polymer conformation. Using the recently released MM3 program to probe backbone and side-chain energetics, the results suggest that an off-trans (160°) backbone structure is optimal in both longer-side chain (i.e., di-n-hexyl) and shorter-side chain (di-ethyl) polysilanes. Also a “chair-like” conformation for side-chain dihedral angles is preferred.
The Man with Stars Inside

Public opinion polls show that a large percentage of persons in the United States currently favor the legalization of professionally assisted death.This support reflects wide-spread fear and confus...
The force acting on a polymer partially confined in a tube

We consider the force acting on a polymer part of whose length is configurationally confined in a tube and the rest of which is free. This situation arises in many different physical contexts, including a flexible synthetic polymer partially confined in a nanopore and a stiff viral genome partially ejected from its capsid. In both cases the force acting to pull the chain molecule out of its confinement is argued to be constant once a few persistence lengths are "free"/"outside". We present Brownian dynamics simulations that confirm the constancy of the force for different chain lengths and illustrate the dependence of the force on the strength of tube confinement. Experimental results are reported for genome ejection from viral capsids, from which we estimate the pulling force to be a few tenths of a piconewton.
Magnetron-sputtered aluminum films for integrated circuit interconnections

Abstract Aluminum films for integrated circuit (IC) contacts and interconnections are routinely deposited by thermal evaporation from resistance-heated, induction-heated and electron-beam-heated sources. Sputtering has not been used until recent advances produced magnetron sputter deposition equipment capable of depositing aluminum films compatible with IC requirements. This paper describes results of a study on magnetron-sputtered aluminum films for IC interconnections. A circular planar magnetron 20.3 cm in diameter was employed for film deposition on silicon substrates 7.6 cm in diameter moving on a circular path above the cathode. Metal coverage was better than 50% for oxides steps with 70° step angles and was equivalent to or better than that observed with other deposition techniques. Aluminum films typically 1 μm thick, having resistivities within 10% of the bulk value of 2.71 μΩ cm, were routinely deposited in this system. Film conductors 12 μm wide and 1.14 mm long, patterned on oxidized silicon substrates and coated with plasma-deposited SiO2 were used for resistivity ratio RR(=ρRT/ρ4.2K) measurements; the RRs lie in the range 35–50. The microstructure of magnetron-sputtered aluminum films is similar to that of conventionally deposited films. MOS capacitor structures fabricated on p-type silicon substrates with sputter-deposited aluminum films showed C-V characteristics comparable with those obtained by using aluminum films deposited from electron-beam-heated or induction-heated sources. Magnetron sputtering appears to produce films as suitable for IC contacts and interconnection applications as any other physical vapor deposition process and offers solutions to problems generated by the requirements of advanced device technology.
INFLUENCE OF OCTOPINE, CALCIUM AND COMPOUNDS THAT AFFECT CALCIUM TRANSPORT ON ZEATIN‐INDUCED BUD FORMATION BY PYLAISIELLA SELWYNII

Decreasing the calcium chloride content of the medium for the moss, Pylaisiella selwynii (Kindb.) Steere and Anderson, reduces the number of developed buds obtained in the presence of zeatin (1 MM), whereas similar changes in magnesium sulfate concentration have no effiect. Cobalt (10 gM), lanthanum (lO gM), zinc (10 MM) and cadmium (0.01 MM) chlorides inhibit zeatin-induced bud formation even in the presence of 680 MM calcium, the normal concentration in the medium. Chlorpromazine (0.1 MM), cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (lO0 MM), and glutamate ( l O0 MM) also inhibit zeatin-induced bud initiation. Ethylene glycol-bis(d-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (l HM), the antibiotic A23187 (100 MM) and octopine (100 MM) each act synergistically with zeatin in promoting bud development and are generally more effective at calcium concentrations of 6.8 MM or less. The combination of either ethylene glycolbis(:-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, A238 17 or octopine with zeatin plus any of the inhibitory metals or compounds results in more buds than are obtained with zeatin alone and these combinations are more effiective relative to zeatin response at calcium concentrations lower than 6.8 MM. Experiments with Funaria hygrometrica (L.) Sibth. indicate a similar response to calcium, octopine and glutamate. These results appear to be related through changes in
Modeling and simulation of two inverted pendulums coupled by a spring under networks

A method based on modeling and simulation of a nonlinear system under a networked control system structure was proposed according to the nonlinear systems with uncertainties, complex structure, modeling difficulty and hard simulation study under networks. On the basis of Matlab/Simulink modularization modeling of two inverted pendulums coupled by a spring and communication networks, the uncertainties of the plant system and network-induced delays were disposed by a robust controller synthetically. The simulation results show that the proposed method not only reduces the complexity of nonlinear system modeling, but also provides the basis for the research of a nonlinear system having a networked control system structure.
Preliminary Mach-scale hover testing of an integral twist-actuated rotor blade

An active blade designed for the control of rotor vibrations and noise has been developed. Active fiber composites have been integrated within the composite rotorblade spar to induced shear stresses. These shear stresses result in a distributed twisting moment along the blade. The design of an active blade model based on a 1/6th Mach-scale Chinook CH-47D is reviewed. The design goals included +/- 2 degree(s) of blade tip twist with a maximum of 20% added blade mass. Details of the requirements for the active fiber composites subjected to 160 kt, 3g maneuver loads and the experimentally determined actuator capabilities are reviewed. The testing of a half-span active blade test article is described. Twist actuation performance is compared with model predictions. Preliminary results from bench testing and full Mach-scale hover testing of the integral blade are presented.
A single amino acid of the human and rat neurotensin receptors (subtype 1) determining the pharmacological profile of a species-selective neurotensin agonist

The neurotensin (NT) receptor, subtype 1 (NTR1), is a 7-transmembrane-spanning receptor, forming 3 extracellular and 3 intracellular loops. Previously, we showed that the third outer loop (E3) is the binding site for NT and its analogs, several of which bind with higher affinity to rat NTR1 (rNTR1) than to human NTR1 (hNTR1). In particular, NT34 [3,1'-naphthyl-l-Ala(11)]NT(8-13) has greater than 60-fold higher affinity for rNTR1 (46 and 60 pM for transiently- and stably-transfected cells, respectively) than for hNTR1 (2.8 and 5.8 nM for transiently- and stably-transfected cells, respectively) isolated from transfected cell membranes. Previously, our molecular modeling studies of rNTR1 and hNTR1 showed that the binding pocket in the human receptor for NT34 is smaller in volume from the bulky residue Tyr(339) in the pocket center, as compared with the corresponding residue Phe(344) in the rat binding pocket. Therefore, with site-directed mutagenesis, we derived mutant forms of rNTR1(F344Y) and hNTR1(Y339F). Examination of the mutant receptors from membranal preparations of transfected cells in radioligand binding assays and with intact cells in functional assays (phosphatidyl-4,5-bisphosphate turnover) showed that the human-like rat receptor and the rat-like human receptor bound NT34 with a predicted reverse of binding compared with its binding to the wild-type receptors. These results strongly affirm our molecular modeling studies and demonstrate the importance of the study of even minor structural variations in proteins to determine the basis of significantly different drug responses, an area of focus for pharmacological research in the 21st century.
Migration and Population Change in the Irish Republic

Romans did not conquer the island but Saint Patrick did. From the 5th to the 9th centuries it was a seat of religious learning, from which missionaries went to all parts of Western Europe. It was then that the hermits who lived on the islands of the lakes or of the western coast became renowned. Celebrated schools were founded, of which that of Armagh numbered more than 7,000 students, many of whom came from foreign lands. Irish clan chieftains fought among themselves for a thousand years, and only quit to fight against the Danes from the end of the 8th century to 1014. Then the Irish could and did go back to fighting each other again till the Normans came in 1170. But the battles got really bitter under Henry VIII-who took the title of King of Ireland in 1541-when religious fervor gave added zest to throat-slitting on both sides.
Duodenal histology in patients with celiac disease after treatment with a gluten-free diet

Background The diagnosis of celiac disease requires characteristic histopathologic changes in an intestinal biopsy with clinical improvement in response to a gluten-free diet. Endoscopy with procurement of biopsy specimens is often performed to document response to the diet, but there are little data on the appearance of treated celiac disease. This study examined the endoscopic and histopathologic appearance of the duodenum of patients with celiac disease whose diet was gluten-free. Methods : A cohort of 39 adult patients (mean age 52 years, range 20–74 years) with biopsy-proven celiac disease was retrospectively reviewed. All had responded clinically to a gluten-free diet that they had maintained for a mean of 8.5 years (range 1–45 years). The endoscopic and histopathologic appearances of the duodenal mucosa were reviewed. Blinded review of the diagnostic (initial) and post-treatment biopsy specimens was also performed to assess response of individual patients to the diet. Results : The endoscopic appearance was normal in 23%, reduced duodenal folds were present in 46%, scalloping of folds in 33%, mucosal fissures in 44%, and nodularity in 33%. There was more than 1 abnormality present in 46%. Histology was normal in only 21%. The remainder had villous atrophy (69% partial, 10% total). Paired (diagnostic and follow-up) biopsy specimens were reviewed blindly for 12 patients. The mean (SD) intraepithelial lymphocyte count fell from 61 (22) to 38 (17) (normal Conclusions : Despite a good clinical response, abnormal endoscopic and histopathologic appearances persist in the majority of patients with celiac disease treated with a gluten-free diet.
Indium-labeled macrocyclic conjugates of naltrindole : High-affinity radioligands for in vivo studies of peripheral δ opioid receptors

We have identified a series of hydrophilic indium-labeled DOTA and DO3A conjugates of naltrindole (NTI) that are suited to in vivo studies of peripheral δ opioid receptors. Indium(III) complexes, linked to the indole nitrogen of NTI by six- to nine-atom spacers, display high affinities (0.1−0.2 nM) and excellent selectivities for binding to δ sites in vitro. The [111In]-labeled complexes can be prepared in good isolated yields (∼65%) with high specific radioactivities (>3300 mCi/μmol). The spacers serve as pharmacokinetic modifiers, and log D7.4 values range from −2.74 to −1.79. These radioligands exhibit a high level of specific binding (75−94%) to δ opioid receptors in mouse gut, heart, spleen, and pancreas in vivo. Uptakes of radioactivity are saturable by the non-radioactive complexes, inhibited by naltrexone, and blocked by NTI. Thus, these radiometal-labeled NTI analogues warrant further study by single-photon emission computed tomography.
Equivalent continuum for dynamically deforming atomistic particle systems

Abstract An equivalent continuum is defined for dynamically deforming atomistic particle systems treated with concepts of molecular dynamics. The discrete particle systems considered exhibit micropolar interatomic interactions which involve both central interatomic forces and interatomic moments. The equivalence of the continuum to discrete atomic systems includes, firstly, preservation of linear and angular momenta, secondly, conservation of internal, external and inertial work rates and, thirdly, conservation of mass. This equivalence is achieved through the definition of, firstly, continuum stress and couple stress fields that make the same contribution to motion and deformation as internal interatomic forces and couples, secondly, continuum fields of body force, body moment, surface traction and surface moment that make the same contribution to motion and deformation as external forces and moments on the atoms, thirdly, a continuum deformation field that is work conjugate to the continuum kinetic fiel...
Organoditelluride-mediated catalytic S-nitrosothiol decomposition

An organoditelluride (5,5′-ditelluro-2,2′-dithiophenecarboxylic acid) and a polymeric derivative thereof are shown to exhibit catalytic decomposition of S-nitrosothiols such as S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and S-nitrosocysteine (CySNO).
A nonsense mutation within the act88f actin gene disrupts myofibril formation in Drosophila indirect flight muscles

Abstract We have investigated the molecular basis of muscle abnormalities in the flightless Drosophila mutant Ifm(3)7. This EMS-induced, semi-dominant allele was isolated by Mogami and Hotta 1981 and was shown to disrupt the organization of myofibrils in indirect flight muscles. Here we demonstrate that Ifm(3)7 contains a nonsense mutation within codon 355 of the act88F actin gene. A single G>A transition converts a tryptophan (TGG) codon to an opal (TGA) terminator, thus deleting the carboxy-terminal 20 amino acids of an actin isoform that accumulates only in thoracic flight muscles. The truncated actin polypeptide is stable, and retains antigenicity to at least two anti-Drosophila actin monoclonal antibodies. We suggest that abnormalities in Ifm(3)7 flight muscles result from incorporation of the mutant actin isoform into assembling myofibrils.
Feasibility study of wood-fired cogeneration at a wood products Industrial Park, Belington, West Virginia

Abstract A feasibility study was conducted to determine if a wood-fired cogeneration system is a cost effective source of electricity for 12 companies located within and near a wood products industrial park in Belington, WV. Data were collected from each company regarding the amount and characteristic of residue generated, and quantity and cost of electricity and natural gas usage. The amount of residue generated by all companies included in the study was estimated at 161 tons day−1, of which approximately 97% is above 40% moisture content (wet basis). Size of facility was based upon amount of residue generated and determined to be 2.5 MW. Capital cost was estimated to be $4.3 million; $1720 per kW. Annual operation/maintenance cost was estimated to be $422,000 for the first 5 yr, and $502,000 thereafter. Savings of electricity and natural gas was estimated at $179,513 and $381,163, respectively. Based on a 20 yr investment horizon at a 10% minimum acceptable rate of return and a $0.05023 avoided cost rate, a net present value analysis produced a $5,439,203 return and a 4 yr discounted payback period.
WEANING OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSION IN LONG-TERM LIVER TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Seventy-two long-surviving liver transplant recipients were evaluated prospectively, including a baseline allograft biopsy for weaning off of immunosuppression. Thirteen were removed from candidacy because of chronic rejection (n = 4), hepatitis (n = 2), patient anxiety (n = 5), or lack of cooperation by the local physician (n = 2). The other 59, aged 12-68 years, had stepwise drug weaning with weekly or biweekly monitoring of liver function tests. Their original diagnoses were PBC (n = 9), HCC (n = 1), Wilson's disease (n = 4), hepatitides (n = 15), Laennec's cirrhosis (n = 1), biliary atresia (n = 16), cystic fibrosis (n = 1), hemochromatosis (n = 1), hepatic trauma (n = 1), alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (n = 9), and secondary biliary cirrhosis (n = 1). Most of the patients had complications of long-term immunosuppression, of which the most significant were renal dysfunction (n = 8), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 2) or verruca vulgaris of skin (n = 9), osteoporosis and/or arthritis (n = 12), obesity (n = 3), hypertension (n = 11), and opportunistic infections (n = 2). When azathioprine was a third drug, it was stopped first. Otherwise, weaning began with prednisone, using the results of corticotropin stimulation testing as a guide. If adrenal insufficiency was diagnosed, patients reduced to < 5 mg/day prednisone were considered off of steroids. The baseline agents (azathioprine, cyclosporine, or FK506) were then gradually reduced in monthly decrements. Complete weaning was accomplished in 16 patients (27.1%) with 3-19 months drug-free follow-up, is progressing in 28 (47.4%), and failed in 15 (25.4%) without graft losses or demonstrable loss of graft function from the rejections. This and our previous experience with self-weaned and other patients off of immunosuppression indicate that a significant percentage of appropriately selected long-surviving liver recipients can unknowingly achieve drug-free graft acceptance. Such attempts should not be contemplated until 5-10 years posttransplantation and then only with careful case selection, close monitoring, and prompt reinstitution of immunosuppression when necessary.
Radiation from a Traveling-Wave Current Sheet at the Interface between a Conventional Material and a Metamaterial with Negative Permittivity and Permeability

In this paper, we present an analysis for the radiation from a traveling-wave infinitely-extent sheet of monochromatic electric current that is placed at the interface between a conventional lossless dielectric and a lossless material possessing negative real permittivity and permeability. The field distributions and the direction of the Poynting vectors in both half spaces are discussed, and some physical remarks are provided. A brief note about launching Zenneck waves by a line current along this interface is also mentioned. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 35: 460–463, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10638
Effect of temperature on suppressor cells in chicken spleen cell cultures.

AbstractThe plaque forming cell (PFC) response of in vivo primed chicken spleen cells to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) at 37°C in vitro was much higher when antigen was added on Day 2 of culture than on Day 0, at the initiation of the incubation period. No such difference was observed when the cells were cultured at 40°C, in which case both responses were low. As shown previously the effect of delayed exposure to SRBC at 37°C was due to a disappearance of suppressor T cells in the absence of antigen, which did not occur at 40°C. Addition of concanavalin A on Day 0 could, even in the absence of SRBC, maintain the suppressor cell activity at 37°C. The results suggest that suppressor cell activity is very temperature dependent.
Android Malware Static Analysis Techniques

During 2014, Business Insider announced that there are over a billion users of Android worldwide. Government officials are also trending towards acquiring Android mobile devices. Google's application architecture is already ubiquitous and will keep expanding. The beauty of an application-based architecture is the flexibility, interoperability and customizability it provides users. This same flexibility, however, also allows and attracts malware development. This paper provides a horizontal research analysis of techniques used for Android application malware analysis. The paper explores techniques used by Android malware static analysis methodologies. It examines the key analysis efforts used by examining applications for permission leakage and privacy concerns. The paper concludes with a discussion of some gaps of current malware static analysis research.
Lipase activity in normal and dystrophic human muscle.

Abstract Lipase activity was determined in skeletal muscle of control subjects and of patients with Duchenne dystrophy, other major forms of muscular dystrophies, and certain neuromuscular disorders. The lipase activity was normal in all diseases examined, except in Duchenne dystrophy where it showed a significant moderate increase. The results were discussed in relation to lipid accumulation in muscle in Duchenne dystrophy.
On Introducing Approximate Solution Methods in Theory of Elasticity

This work presents how approximate solution methods were introduced in a graduate level course of Theory of Elasticity. The three methods introduced are the finite difference method, the finite element method, and the boundary element method. All methods are exemplified by the problem of a thick-walled cylinder subject to internal pressure with an axisymmetric response. Choosing a single problem to introduce the three methods demonstrates accuracy and efficacy of each method. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 14: 120–134, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20070
Angiogenesis of the ovary

We present current data pertaining to angiogenesis of the ovary throughout the follicular and luteal phases of the ovarian cycle, in various ovarian pathologic conditions and in benign and neoplastic diseases. MEDLINE, Current Contents, and Index Medicus were searched for studies published between January 1966 and October 1998. All studies that incorporated human and animal models of angiogenesis of the normal ovarian physiologic state and pathologic conditions including both benign and neoplastic ovarian diseases were reviewed. Current literature supports that angiogenesis is an important component of both follicular and luteal phases of the ovarian cycle that correlates well with maturation of secretory endometrium. Angiogenesis also participates in various pathologic processes of the ovary, including follicular cyst formation, polycystic ovary, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and both benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms. In the future a knowledge of specific angiogenic patterns of various pathologic processes may assist in the application of antiangiogenic medications in targeted therapy of benign and neoplastic diseases of the ovary.
Composition, structure and phase transition in yeast fatty acid auxotroph membranes: spin labels and freeze-fracture.

1 Fatty acid desaturase mutant yeast cells have been enriched with 2 fatty acids having substantially different physical properties. 2 Differences in fatty acid composition are reflected in the ESR determined phase transitions and the freeze-fracture morphology of the tonoplast. 3 In these cells, fatty acid composition, rather than the position of the phase transition relative to growth temperature, appears to be the more important variable in determining membrane morphology. 4 The freezing process used in the freeze-fracture technique does not appear to cause a demixing of the lipid components of the membrane.
A laboratory based multi-instrument computer system

Design of computer system for assistance in the operation of experiments contains certain factors unique to a particular laboratory. Details are given on the procedure that was used to generate design criteria and to implement such a design for a computer system in the Analytical Chemistry Division, NBS. The system is currently servicing ten instruments (ranging from spectrophotometers to mass spectrometers) with a projected capacity exceeding sixty depending upon the type of instruments connected.
Richard Zaner's "troubled" voice in Troubled Voices: poseur, posing, possibilizing?

This essay considers Richard Zaner’s storytelling in Troubled Voices as a form of possibilizing which uses the stories to exemplify important moral themes such as contingency and freedom. Distinguishing between activities of moral discovery through the telling of a story and “posing” in the sense of writing to tell the “moral” of the story, I suggest that something crucial goes on for Zaner in his own tellings. Several of the more insistent implications Zaner reveals about the moral relationships encountered in the activity of clinical ethics consultation are examined in that light, especially regarding this question: is it more beneficial, or harmful, to articulate elements of core meanings and values that are entailed in individual viewpoints, which, prior to an ethics consultant’s participation, may have remained unspoken and possibly unacknowledged?
To welcome or affirm: Black clergy views about homosexuality, inclusivity, and church leadership.

When the subject of the Black Church and homosexuality is broached, research often focuses on homophobia and correlates with HIV/AIDS. Fewer studies examine other problematic issues germane to gay and lesbian involvement in Black congregations. In this analysis, Black clergy dialogue during focus groups about inclusivity and church leadership by gays and lesbians. Informed by Cultural Theory, of equal interest is whether discourses are influenced by Black Church cultural tools, as well as cultural dynamics, from the broader Black community. As anticipated, findings suggest the tendency for clergy to promote welcoming church spaces, but to be reticent about affirming homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle. Furthermore, although clergy are generally supportive of involvement by closeted gays and lesbians as lay leaders, most do not support their involvement in the clergy, particularly as pastors. However, views vary based on denomination and gender, and are informed by Black Church cultural components suc...
The linkage of heparin to protein

Abstract The presence of residual amino acids in heparin isolated under mild conditions (Lindahl et al ., 1964) suggests that heparin may exist in the native state as a covalently-linked complex with protein. In certain heparin preparations, serine was the only amino acid found In significant amounts. Since chondroitin 4-sulfate is linked to protein through serine ( Muir, 1958; ; Roden et al ., 1963 ; Gregory et al ., 1964), these findings indicate that both polysaccharides are bound to protein in a similar manner. That heparin (Lindahl and Roden, 1964), as well as glycopeptides isolated from the chondroitin 4-sulfate-protein complex (Gregory et al ., 1964), contains galactose and xylose, indicates that these sugars may be involved in the carbohydrate-protein linkage. In order to gain more information concerning the nature of this linkage, attempts were made to obtain carbohydrate-serine compounds from heparin by mild acid hydrolysis. This communication describes the results of these experiments.
Marine Fog and Its Dissipation over Warm Water

Abstract A long aircraft flight in fog at altitude 60 m was conducted on 25 September 1981, due west from San Francisco, California, until clear air was reached. The fog began near the coast and the air remained foggy until the boundary with the warmer seawater. This sea surface temperature transition provides a sudden 3° to 4°C temperature increase between two regions of relative uniform surface temperature water. In fog the random vertical motion (turbulence) is extremely low, the foggy air essentially being still, but on encountering warmer water convection starts, the air becomes turbulent, and rapid drying results due to the now warmer cloud parcels penetrating the inversion so the drier overlying air is mixed down. The fog average drop diameters are close to 11 μm, but the concentration ranges from 10 to 250 drops mg−1. This corresponds to slow entity-type entrainment mixing. It seems that the fog formed near the coast and then drifted westward, but whether any entrainment is still active at the fog...
GRASS: an efficient gate re-assignment algorithm for inverter minimisation in post technology mapping

Technology mapping is an important task transforming a multi-level onto a set of library gates. Its primary goal is to achieve a realisable circuit which meets design constraints. Inverter pairs are generally inserted to all internal nodes of a network to increase the flexibility of mapping the subject network onto the library gates, but introducing inverter pairs may also increase the number of unwanted inverters in the mapped network. Thus, inverter minimisation is used during or after technology mapping to reduce the unwanted inverters and to further improve the quality of the mapped network. An efficient gate reassignment algorithm GRASS is presented for minimisation in post technology. Minimisation is achieved by reassigning a gate to one of its NPN-equivalent gates to reduce the number of inverters and/or to use a smaller gate. Simulation results show that GRASS achieves 5.1% area improvement and 5.6% delay improvement for the recommended MCNC benchmark circuits. GRASS also achieves more than 25% inverter reduction over that in a former system.
Residual strength after liquefaction : A rheological approach

The motion of a sphere pulled through liquefied sand of low relative density has been observed. Long triaxial specimens were prepared around a 12.7 mm-diameter sphere loaded by a wire/deadweight system. Velocities and drag forces were measured over a large range of shear strains and strain rates. Typical behavior involved a rapid drop to a non-zero minimum drag resistance followed by an increase in resistance with velocity. These results suggest that residual strength of sand after liquefaction is rate-dependent, and that the Bingham Plastic model seems a reasonable fit to the observed behavior over a large range of sliding velocities. Shear stresses calculated from the hydrodynamics of the sphere are of the same order as those inferred from field case histories.
Judging attractiveness: Biases due to raters’ own attractiveness and intelligence

AbstractTennis and Dabbs (1975) reported that physically attractive males showed a positivity bias when rating the attractiveness of others. The opposite pattern was observed for females. We attempted to replicate and extend these findings by: (1) using self-assessed attractiveness rather than the experimentally derived attractiveness measure used in previous research, (2) using face-to-face interactions with targets as opposed to using photographs, and (3) examining the effect of another ego-involving attribute: intelligence. Consistent with previous research, attractiveness judgments made by men, but not women, correlated positively with their own self-perceived level of attractiveness (r = .51, p < .001). Attractiveness judgments made by women, but not men, correlated negatively with their intelligence (r = −.32, p = .001). Judgments of attractiveness are thus biased by a rater’s own attributes (e.g. attractiveness and intelligence), but these effects are not generalizable across men and women raters, ...
ABC transporters: the power to change

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters constitute a ubiquitous superfamily of integral membrane proteins that are responsible for the ATP-powered translocation of many substrates across membranes. The highly conserved ABC domains of ABC transporters provide the nucleotide-dependent engine that drives transport. By contrast, the transmembrane domains that create the translocation pathway are more variable. Recent structural advances with prokaryotic ABC transporters have provided a qualitative molecular framework for deciphering the transport cycle. An important goal is to develop quantitative models that detail the kinetic and molecular mechanisms by which ABC transporters couple the binding and hydrolysis of ATP to substrate translocation.
Synthesis of 6-O-(6-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-d-galactopyranose by use of 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-6-O-(chloroacetyl)-α-d-galactopyranosyl bromide, a key intermediate for the solid-phase synthesis of β-(1→6)-linked d-galactopyranans

Abstract 2,3,4-Tri- O -acetyl-6- O -(chloroacetyl)-α- d -galactopyranosyl bromide ( 5 ) has been prepared. When condensed with 1,2,3,4-tetra- O -acetyl- d -galactopyranose, it yielded 1,2,3,4-tetra- O -acetyl-6- O -[2,3,4-tri- O -acetyl-6- O -(chloroacetyl)-β- d -galactosyl]- d -galactopyranose ( 6 ). The O -chloroacetyl group could be selectively removed from 6 by treatment with thiourea, and the resulting product was again condensed with 5 , to yield, after deprotection, the trisaccharide title-compound.
Sensitivity of human granulosa cell tumor cells to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is implicated in the progression of many human cancers, but its significance in ovarian granulosa cell tumor (GCT) pathobiology remains poorly understood. We assessed the EGFR gene copy number, surveyed the mRNA and protein expression patterns of EGFR in 90 adult GCTs, and assessed the in vitro sensitivity of GCT cells to EGFR inhibition. Low-level amplification of EGFR gene was observed in five GCTs and high-level amplification in one sample. EGFR mRNA was robustly expressed in GCTs. Most tumors expressed both unphosphorylated and phosphorylated EGFR protein, but the protein expression did not correlate with clinical parameters, including the risk of recurrence. Small-molecule EGFR inhibitors reduced the EGF-induced activation of EGFR and its downstream signaling molecules at nanomolar doses, but cell viability was reduced, and caspase-3/7 was activated in GCT cells only at micromolar doses. Based on the present results, EGFR is active and abundantly expressed in the majority of GCTs, but probably has only minor contribution to GCT cell growth. Given the high doses of EGFR inhibitors required to reduce GCT cell viability in vitro, they are not likely to be effective for GCT treatment as single agents; they should rather be tested as part of combination therapies for these malignancies.
Eye Manifestations of Intrauterine Infections and Their Impact on Childhood Blindness

Intrauterine infections are important causes of childhood blindness in both developed and developing countries. Chorioretinal scars are the most characteristic eye manifestation of a congenital or prenatal infection. The various ocular manifestations of congenital infections, summarized by the mnemonic TORCH, and recent additions to the "other" category (lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and West Nile virus) are discussed.
Experimental investigations on the impedance behavior of a cylindrical antenna in a collisional magnetoplasma

An experimental study of the input impedance of a short cylindrical antenna immersed in a laboratory magnetoplasma is reported. The antenna is fixed in length and is aligned with its axis parallel to the dc magnetic field. Of particular interest is its impedance behavior in the vicinity of the resonance and cut-off conditions of the magnetoionic medium. Independent measurements are made to determine the electron density from the ion-current characteristics of a spherical Langmuir probe and the strength of the applied magnetic field with a Hall-effect probe. Measured impedances are compared with Balmain's theory. Essential features observed experimentally are a peak in the antenna input resistance near the upper hybrid resonance frequency and a peak in the antenna conductance near the cyclotron frequency. An additional small increase in the input resistance is observed near the plasma frequency when the plasma frequency is not close to either the upper hybrid resonance frequency or the cyclotron frequency. These results suggest the possibility of using a short cylindrical antenna as a diagnostic probe for measuring properties of a magnetoplasma such as the electron density and collision frequency.
Psychological stress associated with cardiogenetic conditions

Aim: Genetic testing now makes it possible to identify specific mutations that may lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. This article presents data from a qualitative research study that explored the subjective experiences of individuals and families with cardiogenetic conditions. We focus on describing patients’ experiences of psychological stresses associated with having a cardiogenetic condition, illustrating the importance of integrating psychological and medical care. This integration of care is particularly important as personalized genomic medicine continues to evolve and the implications of genetic testing have a profound effect on individuals and families. Methods: The researchers interviewed 50 participants from 32 families. The research team used a systematic, grounded theory procedure to code and analyze interview and focus group transcripts, incorporating multiple coders at several stages of the data analysis process. Results: Three major themes emerged: a bereavement trajectory assoc...
Waveform and RF power amplifier interdependencies in battery-powered tactical High Frequency radio applications

This paper will examine the subtle interdependencies of physical layer waveforms and RF power amplifiers when applied to a battery-powered High Frequency (HF) tactical radio system. Traditional physical layer analysis usually compares the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) required to achieve a desired bit error rate (BER) but does not consider how the peak-power to average-power ratio (PAPR) of the waveform will affect the design and performance of the power amplifier. This paper will address both the BER performance of physical layer waveforms and the class/efficiency/power constraints of power amplifiers for use in a battery-powered tactical HF environment.
Abnormal Sweat Chloride in Auto-immune Hypothyroidism

A case of an 11-year-old girl with autoimmune hypothyroidism and a positive sweat test is presented. When the hypothyroidism was corrected the sweat test reverted to normal.
Amoeboflagellate Transformations and the Gibbs‐Donnan Ratio*

SYNOPSIS. A number of protozoa may have amoeboid, flagellated, or intergrade forms. At the present time several mechanisms have been proposed for inducing the formation of each of the above forms, but a definite triggering mechanism has not been elucidated. However, some change in the environment precedes the transformation of the cell from one form to another. Jahn (1962) and Czarska (1964), respectively, correlated ciliary reversal and water expulsion vesicle activity with alterations in the ionic environment. In both cases the processes involved are correlated with changes in the Gibbs-Donnan (G-D) relationship rather than direct ratios or molarities. It seems reasonable to assume that additional environmentally induced phenomena may also be based on changes in the relationship. The assumption is here made that an amoeboid cell, possessing the necessary genetic and physiologic potentials, can respond to certain changes in its environment by enflagellation. The following hypothesis is being considered: a change in the environment that increases the relative concentration of associated divalent cations is perhaps one of the main triggers for amoeba-to-flagellate transformations. Thus, in accordance with the G-D theory, this transformation would be expected to occur when a given ionic environment is diluted. In addition, the transformation is discussed in relation to pH, population density, and other environmental parameters that alter the Gibbs-Donnan ratio.
Nursing students' clinical judgment regarding rapid response: the influence of a clinical simulation education intervention.

Aim The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a novel educational intervention on student nurses' clinical judgment regarding the management of patients experiencing rapid clinical deterioration. Method A randomized sample of baccalaureate nursing students enrolled in the final semester of their program at a midwestern public university participated. All students (N = 79) were pretested; the control group (n = 39) was posttested after receiving traditional code blue and rapid response education. The intervention group (n = 40) was posttested after receiving a novel education intervention. Results An independent t-test revealed that nursing students who received the innovative education intervention had significantly higher posttest scores (M = 90.91, standard deviation [SD] = 8.73) than did the nursing students who had not received the intervention (M = 64.80, SD = 19.69), t(77) = 7.65, p <.001). Conclusions The findings demonstrate that clinical simulation is effective in improving students' knowledge and clinical judgment, specifically concerning rapid response systems.
Patterns of Heterotypic Continuity Associated With the Cross-Sectional Correlational Structure of Prevalent Mental Disorders in Adults

Importance Mental disorders predict future occurrences of both the same disorder (homotypic continuity) and other disorders (heterotypic continuity). Heterotypic continuity is inconsistent with a view of mental disorders as fixed entities. In contrast, hierarchical-dimensional conceptualizations of psychopathology, in which each form of psychopathology is hypothesized to have both unique and broadly shared etiologies and mechanisms, predict both homotypic and heterotypic continuity. Objective To test predictions derived from a hierarchical-dimensional model of psychopathology that (1) heterotypic continuity is widespread, even controlling for homotypic continuity, and that (2) the relative magnitudes of heterotypic continuities recapitulate the relative magnitudes of cross-sectional correlations among diagnoses at baseline. Design, Setting, and Participants Ten prevalent diagnoses were assessed in the same person twice (ie, in 2 waves separated by 3 years). We used a representative sample of adults in the United States (ie, 28 958 participants 18-64 years of age in the National Epidemiologic Study of Alcohol and Related Conditions who were assessed in both waves). Main Outcomes and Measures Diagnoses from reliable and valid structured interviews. Results Adjusting for sex and age, we found that bivariate associations of all pairs of diagnoses from wave 1 to wave 2 exceeded chance levels ( P P Conclusions and Relevance For these prevalent mental disorders, heterotypic continuity was nearly universal and not an artifact of failure to control for homotypic continuity. Furthermore, the relative magnitudes of heterotypic continuity closely mirrored the relative magnitudes of cross-sectional associations among these disorders, consistent with the hypothesis that both sets of associations reflect the same factors. Mental disorders are not fixed and independent entities. Rather, each diagnosis is robustly related to other diagnoses in a correlational structure that is manifested both concurrently and in patterns of heterotypic continuity across time.