cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imaging of Vertebral Trauma: Mechanisms of injury and their “fingerprints”

Many classifications are used to define vertebral injuries. Some surgeons believe that using a classification system based on mechanisms is beneficial in planning surgical reduction and stabilization. Two of the earliest classifications were by Whitley and Forsyth [1] and Holdsworth [2], who emphasized mechanisms of injury. Roaf [3] made a plea to classify vertebral injuries according to the principles of classic dynamics. Unfortunately, this scholarly approach is not useful to radiologists. Gehweiler and coworkers [4] addressed the needs of radiologists by stressing the radiographic features of the Holdsworth classification. In 1982, Allen and associates [5] reviewed a series of their own cases and observed a spectrum of injuries in the cervical vertebral column that they called phylogenies . They expanded the existing classifications along mechanistic lines and defined six common groups: compressive flexion vertical compression (pure axial loading) distractive flexion lateral flexion compressive extension distractive extension. These investigators also proposed that the probability of an associated neurologic lesion was directly related to the type and severity of the lesion [5]. Ferguson and Allen [6] applied a similar mechanistic classification to thoracolumbar fractures and established the following categories: compressive flexion, comprising three subcategories: anterior wedge fracture anterior wedge with posterior distraction, with facet fracture or dislocation, or with both burst with middle element failure and retropulsion of bone fragments (classic burst fracture) distraction flexion injuries, in which the abnormalities are primarily posterior (Chance-type fractures) lateral flexion torsional flexion (rotary “grinding”) translational (shearing) vertical compression (pure axial loading).
Effects of Seawater Cations and Temperature on Manganese Dioxide-Reductase Activity in a Marine Bacillus

The seawater cations, Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+), each stimulated MnO(2)-reductase activity of whole cells and cell extracts of Bacillus 29. Concentrations of Na(+) and K(+) which stimulated whole cells and cell extracts maximally were equivalent to those in two- to fivefold diluted seawater. Cell-extract activity was strongly stimulated by Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) up to a concentration of 0.01 M Mg(2+) and 0.002 M Ca(2+), with little additional stimulation above these concentrations. Whole-cell activity was stimulated biphasically with increasing concentrations of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+). Comparison of the effects of individual cations or mixtures of them at concentrations equivalent to their concentration in fivefold diluted seawater showed that more activity was obtained with 0.01 M Mg(2+) or 0.002 M Ca(2+) than with 0.1 M Na(+), and more with 0.1 M Na(+) than with 0.0022 M K(+). Fivefold diluted seawater permitted as much or more activity as solutions of individual or synthetic mixtures of the cations. Pre-exposure experiments showed that the ionic history of whole cells was important to their ultimate activity. The MnO(2)-reductase activity of induced whole cells exhibited a temperature optimum near 40 C. Cell extracts had different temperature optima (T(opt)), depending on whether induced glucose-linked activity (T(opt) = 25 C), uninduced glucose-linked, ferricyanide-dependent activity (T(opt) = 30 C), or uninduced ferrocyanide-linked activity (T(opt) = 40 C) were being measured. Some of these optima are higher than previously reported.
MO-AB-BRA-01: A Novel Method to Objectively Quantify Normal Tissue Toxicity in the Esophagus

Purpose: Inconsistency between NTCP models for esophagitis prediction leads to reduced treatment efficacy, and arises from using subjective endpoints. We investigate esophageal swelling as an objective endpoint for NTCP modeling. Methods: A novel voxel-based method was developed to quantify expansion in the esophagus. Utilizing deformable image registration (DIR) between a plan and serial CT image set, this technique calculates esophageal volume change from the Jacobian Map. This voxel-volume change quantifies esophageal swelling. Next, a technique was developed to reduce uncertainty in esophageal volume change calculations due to physiological variation (i.e. swallowing, esophageal air pockets, etc.). The technique’s effectiveness was evaluated by comparing expansion calculations on week01 CTs with and without corrections for 65 patients. This methodology was tested on sixty-five patients with NSCLC that had esophagitis scoring (CTCAE3.0, 15 Grade3, 31 Grade2, 19 Grade0) and 6–8 weekly 4DCTs during treatment (IMRT). Esophageal swelling was analyzed for the treatment week of highest response. Dose was accumulated weekly using DIR. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between expansion and grade3 esophagitis, and used to determine optimal binary endpoints of expansion. The relationship between dose and esophageal expansion as the endpoint was compared with dose to grade NTCP models. Performance of models was quantified with area under the curve (AUC) from ROC analysis. Results: Uncertainty in esophageal expansion calculations were reduced from 14.3% to 6.9%. The following expansion metrics were the most significantly correlated to grade3 esophagitis: maximum expansion (AUC=0.87,pval 20% (LExp20%) (AUC=0.88,pval 1.4 and LExp20%>50mm. Multivariate NTCP model with expansion endpoints outperformed NTCP model with grade endpoints: dose-to-expansion endpoint AUC=0.91, dose-to-grade endpoint AUC=0.81. Conclusion: Esophageal swelling is a continuous, objective, and in-vivo metric of esophageal toxicity. Esophageal swelling endpoints can increase the performance of NTCP models.
Photoluminescence of natural type I and type IIb diamonds

Abstract A new luminescence spectrum of natural Type I diamond occuring in the 1.50–1.83 eV region is reported. Also, a line coincident with the zero phonon line of the GR 1 spectrum accompanied by a weaker line has been observed in unirradiated semiconducting Type IIb diamonds.
Widespread genetic epistasis among cancer genes

Quantitative genetic epistasis has been hypothesized to be an important factor in the development and progression of complex diseases. Cancers in particular are driven by the accumulation of mutations that may act epistatically during the course of the disease. However, as cancer mutations are uncovered at an unprecedented rate, determining which combinations of genetic alterations interact to produce cancer phenotypes remains a challenge. Here we show that by using combinatorial RNAi screening in cell culture, dense and often previously undetermined interactions among cancer genes were revealed by assessing gene pairs that are frequently co-altered in primary breast cancers. These interacting gene pairs are significantly associated with survival time when co-altered in patients, indicating that genetic interaction mapping may be leveraged to improve risk assessment. As many of these interacting gene pairs involve known drug targets, personalized treatment regimens may be improved by overlaying genetic interactions with mutational profiling.
Piezoelectronics: a novel, high-performance, low-power computer switching technology

Current switching speeds in CMOS technology have saturated since 2003 due to power constraints arising from the inability of line voltage to be further lowered in CMOS below about 1V. We are developing a novel switching technology based on piezoelectrically transducing the input or gate voltage into an acoustic wave which compresses a piezoresistive (PR) material forming the device channel. Under pressure the PR undergoes an insulator-to-metal transition which makes the channel conducting, turning on the device. A piezoelectric (PE) transducer material with a high piezoelectric coefficient, e.g. a domain-engineered relaxor piezoelectric, is needed to achieve low voltage operation. Suitable channel materials manifesting a pressure-induced metal-insulator transition can be found amongst rare earth chalcogenides, transition metal oxides, etc.. Mechanical requirements include a high PE/PR area ratio to step up pressure, a rigid surround material to constrain the PE and PR external boundaries normal to the strain axis, and a void space to enable free motion of the component side walls. Using static mechanical modeling and dynamic electroacoustic simulations, we optimize device structure and materials and predict performance. The device, termed a PiezoElectronic Transistor (PET) can be used to build complete logic circuits including inverters, flip-flops, and gates. This "Piezotronic" logic is predicted to have a combination of low power and high speed operation.
Current Deflections in the Vicinity of Multiple Seamounts

Abstract A laboratory study has been conducted on the deflection of steady and oscillatory free stream currents impinging on two model seamounts of identical shape. The laboratory model includes the effects of background rotation (f-plane) and stratification (linear). The flows are generated by towing obstacles through a fluid medium that is otherwise at rest with respect to an observer fixed with the rotating frame. The system behavior is investigated as a function of the normalized obstacle separation distance, G = G*/D, and angle, θ between the line connecting the obstacle centers and the free-stream direction; here G* is the obstacle center-to-center separation distance and D is the base width of one of the obstacles. The temporal Rossby (for oscillatory cases), Burger, and Ekman numbers and the remaining geometrical parameters are fixed for all of the experiments; characteristic flow variations with the Rossby number, R0, are investigated. For the ranges of parameters considered, two characteristic f...
Effect of oxyanions of sulfur onThiobacillus ferrooxidans: Ferrous ion oxidation, oxygen uptake, and cytochrome reduction

Ferrous ion oxidation byThiobacillus ferrooxidans was completely inhibited by 10 mM each of thiosulfate, sulfite, metabisulfite, bisulfite, and tetrathionate. The inhibition was enhanced in a low pH medium (pH 1.5 versus pH 2.5). Oxygen uptake measurements with Fe2+ as the electron donor confirmed the toxicity of thiosulfate, but also indicated its dependency on the concentration of Fe2+. Cytochrome spectra of intact cells ofT. ferrooxidans showed that metabisulfite, and thiosulfate to a lesser extent, directly reduced electron transport components, in contrast to no direct reduction of cytochromes by tetrathionate and sulfite.
Synthesis, crystal and molecular strucure of bis(2-neopentyl-π-allyl palladium chloride)·2CHCl3

Abstract Bis(2-neopentyl-π-allyl palladium chloride)·CHCl3, C18H32Pd2Cl8, MW 744.89, has been synthesized by a novel method involving a hexane/water/2-propanol detergentless microemulsion. The material has been characterized by IR, NMR, and single crystal X-ray diffractometry, (space group P 1 , a = 5.686(9), b = 12.591(7), c = 10.56(3) A, α = 86.4(1), β = 82.9(2), γ = 77.8(2)°, Z = 1, Dcalc. = 1.685 g cm−1, final R factor 7.7% for 1993 observed data.) The two Pd atoms are bridged by two chlorides at 2.422(7) and 2.426(5) A with PdPd intramolecular distance of 3.487(5) A. Each Pd atom is further coordinated to the π-allyl group of a 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene molecule. The planer Pd2Cl2 group forms a dihedral angle of 112° with the coordinated allyl group. The dimers are packed in linear arrays with PdPd intermolecular distance of 4.075(5) A. Crystal formation and integrity appear dependent upon the inclusion of two well ordered molecules of chloroform per dimer.
Complement Structures in the Language of Deaf Students

Four hundred and twenty-seven deaf students (age 10 to 19 years) and 60 hearing children (age eight to 10 years) judged the grammaticality of sample sentences which contained infinitival or gerundi...
A direct compression stimulator for articular cartilage and meniscal explants.

This paper describes the development and use of a direct compression stimulator for culturing explants from the meniscus of the knee and articular cartilage. Following design and fabrication of the instrument along with its data acquisition system, the function of the machine was verified by both mechanical means and tissue effect. The loading chamber can hold up to 45 5 mm diameter samples. While designed to stimulate samples up to 4 mm thick, axial displacements as little as 0.127 μm are within the theoretical capacity of the stimulator. In gene expression studies, collagen II and aggrecan expression were examined in explants from articular cartilage as well as medial and lateral menisci subjected to dynamic stimulation and static compression. These results were then compared to free swelling samples. It was found that static compression to cut thickness down-regulated aggrecan and collagen II expression in articular cartilage explants compared to free swelling controls by 94% and 90%, respectively. The application of a dynamic, intermittent, 2% oscillation around the cut thickness returned expression levels to those of free swelling controls at 4 h but not at 76 h. In medial meniscus samples, dynamic compression up-regulated aggrecan expression by 108%, but not collagen II expression, at 4 and 76 h compared to static controls. No difference in gene expression was observed for lateral meniscal explants. Thus, effects of direct compression seen in articular cartilage may not necessarily translate to the knee meniscus. The design of this stimulator will allow a variety of tissues and loading regimens to be examined. It is hoped that regimens can be found that not only return samples to the production levels of free swelling controls, but also surpass them in terms of gene expression, protein synthesis, and functional properties.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae attachment to glutaraldehyde-treated human WiDr cell cultures.

AbstractAttachment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae to host cells initiates disease, and the attachment components may represent important protective immunogens for preventing disease. We have studied the mechanisms of attachment using in vitro cell culture systems and selected pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of M. pneumoniae. Attachment of the pathogenic strains M129 and PI-1428 was several fold greater than attachment of the nonpathogenic strain, and attachment of strains M129 and PI-1428 was reduced by 21 to 63% when human WiDr cell monolayers were exposed to neuraminidase, supporting the concept that M. pneumoniae attaches to mammalian cells by a neuraminidase-sensitive glycoconjugate. While attachment of the two pathogenic strains was markedly reduced by treating the WiDr cells with glutaraldehyde, glutar-aldehyde treatment produced minimal effects on the attachment of the nonpathogenic strain B176. Glutaraldehyde treatment also altered the temperature dependence of attachment by the pathogenic strains....
Biochemical characterization of Tetrahymena pyriformis catalase

Abstract 1. 1. Catalase of Tetrahymena pyriformis . strains GL and WH-6, was isolated from the soluble cell fraction and purified by gel filtration. 2. 2. The highest catalase activity was observed at 1 hour after the synchronizing heat treatment, and the lowest activity in the stationary phase. 3. 3. The p H optimum for catalase activity was 5–95 for strain GL and 7.0 for strain WH-6. 4. 4. The T 50 for catalase activity was 44.3° C. for strain GL and 58.0° C. for strain WH-6.
Corneal Absorption Reinforcement of Certain Mydriatics

By using a prebuffer technique or by adding buffer and/or viscolizer to certain dilute mydriatic solutions, similar physiological effects were obtained as were given by unbuffered solutions that were 10 times more concentrated. Isotonic, sterile, 2.6% sodium borate solution was found to be an effective buffer for the following solutions: 0.1% homatropine HBr, and 1% phenylephrine HCl plus 0.1% cyclopentolate HCl. These concentrations provided adequate dilation for routine eye examinations. The addition of 0.5% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 4000 cps., to buffered mydriatic solutions did not show any further increase in pupil size of Caucasians compared to the same buffered solutions without viscolizer. However, when used similarly in the eyes of Orientals, the viscous solutions produced a more marked dilating effect. No eye irritation was reported by any of the human test subjects for any of the dilute experimental eye drops tested. The results of the animal experimentation indicated that the several biological buffers tested [tromethamine, 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid, and N, N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine] were not as effective as sodium borate for increasing the corneal absorption of the medicinal agents used. The pKa value of cyclopentolate HCl, determined by titration, was found to be 7.93.
Oxytocin action in the ventral tegmental area affects sucrose intake

Brain oxytocin is known to play a role in the control of food intake, and recent studies suggest that stimulation of central oxytocin receptors selectively suppresses carbohydrate intake. The specific oxytocin projection sites and receptor populations involved in this response are as yet unidentified. We hypothesized that oxytocin receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) may play a role in limiting sucrose intake, because the VTA is known to influence palatable food intake. We first performed a dose response study in which we observed that intra-VTA oxytocin injection significantly suppressed intake of a 10% sucrose solution during a 30-min test session by 13.35-20.5% relative to vehicle treatment. Doses of intra-VTA oxytocin that suppressed sucrose intake had no effect on water intake. Next we examined the effects of two oxytocin receptor antagonists, (d(CH2)5(1),Tyr(Me)(2),Orn(8))-Oxytocin (OVT) and L-368,899. Each of these antagonists significantly increased 10% sucrose intake by 17-20.5% relative to vehicle when delivered directly into the VTA, at doses subthreshold for effect if injected into the cerebral ventricles. Finally, we observed that the effect of intra-VTA oxytocin to suppress 10% sucrose intake was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with L-368,899, supporting the suggestion that the VTA oxytocin treatment suppresses intake through action at oxytocin receptors. These findings support the suggestion that endogenous oxytocin action within the VTA suppresses sucrose intake. We conclude that oxytocin receptors in the VTA play a physiologic role in the control of sucrose ingestion.
Chromogranin A: localization and stoichiometry in large dense core catecholamine storage vesicles from sympathetic nerve.

Abstract Chromogranin A is present in both adrenal medullary chromaffin granules and sympathetic nerve large dense core catecholamine storage vesicles (LDVs), yet selective stimulation of sympathetic axons provokes only minor changes in chromogranin A in the circulation. We therefore examined the stoichiometry of chromogranin A storage in purified LDVs as compared to chromaffin granules. Chromogranin A was found in LDVs on immunocytochemical sections of sympathetic axons. Sedimentation of sympathetic axon homogenates on sucrose-D 2 O gradients localized chromogranin A, norepinephrine, enkephalins and dopamine-β-hydroxylase to the same gradient particulate fractions, suggesting that they inhabit a particle of the same buoyant density, the LDV. Chromogranin A was identified in LDV by radioimmunoassay, immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Purified LDVs contained 17.8 ±4.8% of cell total chromogranin A, at 27.9 ± 3.5-fold enrichment over the original axon homogenate. When LDVs were lysed, all of the chromogranin A immunoreactivity originated from the soluble vesicle core rather than the LDV membrane. Although chromogranin A/catecholamine ratios were similar in LDVs and adrenal chromaffin granules, chromogranin A was a quantitatively minor protein in LDVs, accounting for only 0.16 ± 0.015% of total LDV protein, as compared to 35.2 ± 1.4% of total chromaffin granule protein. Each LDV particle contained approximately 0.94 ± 0.09 chromogranin A molecules. Immunocytochemical data suggested that chromogranin A is costored in large dense core noradrenergic vesicles in subpopulations of sympathetic axons, analogous to enkephalins and neuropeptide Y. Thus, only profound changes in exocytotic catecholamine release from sympathetic axon LDVs would be expected to perturb circulating chromogranin A concentrations. Since chromogranin A-derived peptides also seem to modulate catecholamine release, these results may have functional consequences for secretory control in sympathetic axons.
Oxygen and nitrate reduction kinetics of a nonflocculating strain of Zoogloea ramigera.

The oxygen and nitrate reduction kinetics of a nonflocculating strain of Zoogloea ramigera were determined. Axenic, nitrate-reducing bacterial suspensions were acclimated to various oxygen levels in a chemostat while measuring nitrate reduction in the presence of high ammonium nitrogen concentrations. Significant nitrate reduction was observed at oxygen concentrations up to 8 mg L−1. Oxygen consumption was inhibited by oxygen concentrations in excess of 2 mg L−1.
The Bicycle, Women s Rights, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton

(2002). The Bicycle, Women s Rights, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Women's Studies: Vol. 31, No. 5, pp. 609-626.
Comparative odor control performance of activated carbon and permanganated alumina

Abstract Activated carbon and permanganated alumina were compared with regard to their effectiveness in reducing the odor levels of air streams containing olefin. ester, aldehyde, ketone, amine, sulfide, mercaptan, decomposed crustacean shell vapor, or state tobacco vapor. In all cases, the odor-reducing effect of the activated carbon was much faster than that of the permanganated alumina. For the odors of stale tobacco and decomposed crustacean shells, the permanganated alumina, after it was reduced to MnO2, gave evidence of prolonged partial odor reduction, probably by serving as a catalyst for oxidation by air.
Dynamics of an electron in a lattice of linearly varying δ -function potentials

The Wannier functions for the lowest-lying band of a one-dimensional crystal with $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function potential wells are derived analytically for the tight-binding limit. These functions are used as a basis set in the determination of the motion of electrons in a lattice whose potential changes linearly with position.
Clinical gait and balance scale (GABS): Validation and utilization

Gait and Balance Scale (GABS) consists of historical information and examination of 14 different gait and balance parameters designed to assess the severity of these functional domains. Thirty-five patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3, were tested during their "off" period. GABS items were compared to quantitative data from two computerized gait analysis instruments, GAITRite and Pro Balance Master. Intra-class correlation coefficients were calculated to establish reliability. Intra-rater test-retest reliability was determined using Cohen's Kappa statistic. Concurrent validity was derived using the Spearman's rho test with the items from GABS, GAITRite and Balance Master. Intra-rater reliability was high with k>0.41 (k=kappa statistic) for 17 items, 6 had k>0.61. When performing validity measurements, a number of items on the GABS had a correlation coefficient significant at p<0.01 (2-tailed). Posture, pull test, balance during stance, single limb stance, tandem stance, turning, toe walking and functional reach had significant correlation with Balance Master data (R=0.46-1). Gait, arm swing, gait speed, steps/5 m, 'up-and-go test', modified performance oriented assessment of gait scale and provocative testing had significant correlation with the GAITRite items (R=0.51-0.83). GABS is an easy-to-use comprehensive clinical scale with high intra-rater and internal item reliability. We have shown concurrent validity with two computerized gait analysis instruments. We expect GABS to have a particular utility in clinical trials designed to modify functional impairment associated with abnormalities in gait and balance.
Mechanical damping at high temperatures in aluminides

Mesures de frottement interne et de module d'Young pour des materiaux destines a un service a haute temperature. Ces quantites sont mesurees en fonction de la temperature et de l'amplitude de deformation pour FeAl ordonne
BALLISTIC ELECTRON TRANSPORT THROUGH AU(111)/SI(111) AND AU(111)/SI(100) INTERFACES

Ballistic electron emission microscopy (BEEM) measurements have been made, as a function of Au thickness, of Au(111)/Si(111) and Au(111)/Si(100) interfaces, fabricated and studied in ultrahigh vacuum. The measured ballistic electron attenuation length for Au is in excess of 230 \AA{} for both Si orientations. In accord with metal band-structure considerations, the BEEM current is consistently more than 50% higher for Si(111) than for Si(100) substrates. Surface electron states have been observed on atomically flat surfaces of the Au grains, and their presence correlated with a spatially varying BEEM current.
Metabolomics Analysis of Metabolic Effects of Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) Inhibition on Human Cancer Cells

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) plays an important role in cellular bioenergetics. It is responsible for converting nicotinamide to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, an essential molecule in cellular metabolism. NAMPT has been extensively studied over the past decade due to its role as a key regulator of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide–consuming enzymes. NAMPT is also known as a potential target for therapeutic intervention due to its involvement in disease. In the current study, we used a global mass spectrometry–based metabolomic approach to investigate the effects of FK866, a small molecule inhibitor of NAMPT currently in clinical trials, on metabolic perturbations in human cancer cells. We treated A2780 (ovarian cancer) and HCT-116 (colorectal cancer) cell lines with FK866 in the presence and absence of nicotinic acid. Significant changes were observed in the amino acids metabolism and the purine and pyrimidine metabolism. We also observed metabolic alterations in glycolysis, the citric acid cycle (TCA), and the pentose phosphate pathway. To expand the range of the detected polar metabolites and improve data confidence, we applied a global metabolomics profiling platform by using both non-targeted and targeted hydrophilic (HILIC)-LC-MS and GC-MS analysis. We used Ingenuity Knowledge Base to facilitate the projection of metabolomics data onto metabolic pathways. Several metabolic pathways showed differential responses to FK866 based on several matches to the list of annotated metabolites. This study suggests that global metabolomics can be a useful tool in pharmacological studies of the mechanism of action of drugs at a cellular level.
Bovine brain gangliosides in the treatment of human sensory and motor neuronal degenerations

Report of an open trial on the effect of bovine brain gangliosides on patients with sensorimotor neuronal degeneration. The results were encouraging and stress the need for well controlled trials.
Mental health of workers and volunteers responding to events of 9/11: review of the literature.

Background Disaster workers responding to the events of September 11th were exposed to traumatic events. No study has systematically investigated the diverse mental health status and needs of the heterogeneous population of disaster workers responding to the events of September 11th. Methods Using PubMed and Medline and the search terms of "September 11, 2001" or "September 11" or "9/11"or "WTC" or "World Trade Center", the authors reviewed all articles that examined the mental health outcomes of workers at one of the three September 11th crash sites or the Fresh Kills landfill in New York City. Results In total, 25 articles met study inclusion criteria, often using different methodologies. The articles described varying degrees of mental health symptomatology, risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes, and utilization of mental health services. Conclusions The mental health needs of workers exposed to the events of September 11th ranged from little to no care to pharmacotherapy. A range of risk factors, including exposures at the WTC site and occupational activities, impacted on these needs but the role of specific mental health interventions was less clear. These findings suggest the need for a future program for disaster workers consisting of an accessible mental health treatment service supported by comprehensive postdisaster surveillance and emphasis on pre-disaster mental wellness. A number of areas for further consideration and study were identified, including the need for a more diverse exploration of involved responder populations as well as investigation of potential mental health outcomes beyond post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Age, period, and cohort size effects on self-reported alcohol, marijuana, and polydrug use: Results from the National Youth Survey☆

Abstract Age, period, and cohort size effects are calculated for alcohol, marijuana, and polydrug use for seven cohorts of youth, aged 11–17 in 1976 and 18–24 in 1983. Data are taken from the National Youth Survey, a longitudinal prospective probability sample. Use of cohort size, rather than year of birth, is based on existing theory (the Easterlin hypothesis) and allows parameter estimation by ordinary least-squares regression. The results confirm the existence of a nonlinear age effect with a peak at about age 20, a finding consistent with the hypothesis of maturational reform. The Easterlin cohort size hypothesis also receives support, with larger birth cohorts having higher rates of substance use for most of the dependent variables. Period effects are also present and appear to be nonlinear with a peak at 1980 for marijuana use; they are monotonically positive for alcohol and polydrug use. In several respects, these results for alcohol and illicit substance use differ from those for other types of illegal behavior with respect to age, period, and cohort size effects.
Convergent Evolution of a 2-Methylbutyryl-CoA Dehydrogenase from Isovaleryl-CoA Dehydrogenase in Solanum tuberosum

The potato cDNAs Solanum tuberosum isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenases 1 and 2 (St-IVD1 and St-IVD2) encode proteins that are 84% identical to each other and 65 and 64% identical to human IVD, respectively. St-IVD2 protein was previously partially purified from potato tubers and confirmed to be an IVD. The function of St-IVD1 is unknown. In these experiments, both proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified as intact homotetramers. The substrate preference profile of the St-IVD2 protein was similar to that of human IVD. However, recombinant St-IVD1 had maximal activity with 2-methylbutyryl-CoA, which in humans is dehydrogenated by short/branched-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SBCAD). Whereas molecular modeling predicts that the 2-methylbutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (2MBCD) and IVD substrate binding pockets are nearly identical, 2MBCD has amino acid substitutions at five residues that are invariant among all of the known and putative IVDs. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to match the human IVD active site with that of potato 2MBCD. The resulting mutant IVD had detectable activity with 2-methylbutyryl-CoA and no activity with isovaleryl-CoA. The 2MBCD active site was compared with that of human SBCAD using molecular modeling. Residues Met-361 and Ala-365 of 2MBCD appear to partially substitute for the function of Tyr-380 in human SBCAD, binding the methyl branch linked to C2 of 2-methylbutyryl-CoA, whereas residues Val-88, Val-92, and Val-96 appear to bind the distal C4 methyl group. The presence of a 2MBCD in potato that is highly homologous to IVD is an example of convergent evolution within the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase family, leading to the independent occurrence of two enzymes (SBCAD and 2MBCD) specific for 2-methylbutyryl-CoA.
Ignition characteristics of cracked JP-7 fuel

The ignition characteristics of cracked JP-7 fuel with both oxygen and air is studied over a wide range of pressures (1-20 atm), temperatures (1200-2000 K), and equivalence ratios (0.5-1.5). Correlations of ignition delay times, of the form t=Aexp(E/RT)[F]a[O2]b, are established using the Chemkin-II package and least-squares analysis. The effect of C3 hydrocarbons in cracked JP-7 fuel is examined by comparing ignition delay times for two different cracked compositions.
Development of EXITE2: a large-area imaging phoswich detector/telescope for hard x-ray astronomy

We review design considerations and present preliminary details of the performance of a new imaging system for hard X-ray astronomy in the 20 - 600 keV energy range. The detector is a 40 cm X 40 cm NaI(Tl)/CsI(Na) phoswich module, read out by a 7 X 7 array of square PMTs. The detector comprises the main part of the next generation Energetic X-ray Imaging Telescope Experiment (EXITE2), which had its first flight on 13 June 1993 from Palestine, Texas. Imaging is accomplished via the coded-aperture mask technique. The mask consists of 16 mm square lead/tin/copper pixels arranged in a cyclically repeated 13 X 11 uniformly redundant array pattern at a focal length of 2.5 m, giving 22 arcmin resolution. The field of view, determined by the lead/brass collimator (16 mm pitch) is 4.65 degrees FWHM. We anticipate a 3 sigma sensitivity of 1 X 10-5 photons cm-2 s-1 keV-1 at 100 keV in a 104 sec balloon observation. The electronics incorporate two on-board computers, providing a future capability to record the full data stream and telemeter compressed data. The design of the current detector and electronics allows an upgrade to EXITE3, which adds a proportional counter front-end to achieve lower background and better spatial and spectral resolution below approximately 100 keV.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia arising within a posteroinferior cerebellar artery aneurysm: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is an atypical proliferation of endothelium that results in abnormal organization for thrombus formation. Intracranial IPEH is a rare entity and has not been reported to arise from within an intracranial aneurysm. Furthermore, the elapsed time during which acquired intracranial IPEH develops has not been previously documented. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: In this case report, a patient with facial and neck pain was noted to have an enhancing mass lesion lateral to the medulla in magnetic resonance imaging scans. Angiography revealed a vascular mass adjacent to the posteroinferior cerebellar artery. Normal magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiographic findings had been obtained for the patient 29 months earlier. INTERVENTION: During surgery, a thrombosed, 2.5-cm, posteroinferior cerebellar artery aneurysm was resected and noted to contain florid IPEH. There has been no evidence of recurrence in 1 year of follow-up monitoring. A literature search revealed 13 cases of intracranial IPEH, in which recurrence was observed for incompletely resected lesions. CONCLUSION: IPEH can develop in a relatively short time, can present as a hypervascular mass lesion or within an intracranial aneurysm, and should be completely resected to prevent recurrence.
Clinical evaluation of CR versus plain film for neonatal ICU applications

The clinical utility of computed radiography (CR) versus screen-film for neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) applications is investigated. The latest versions of standard ST-V and high- resolution HR-V CR imaging plates were compared via measurements of image contrast, spatial resolution and signal-to-noise. The ST-V imaging plate was found to have equivalent spatial resolution and object detectability at a lower required dose than the HR-V, and was therefore chosen as the CR plate to use in clinical trials in which a modified film cassette containing the CR imaging plate, a conventional screen and film was utilized. For 50 portable neonatal chest examinations, plain film was subjectively compared to the perfectly matched, simultaneously obtained CR hardcopy and softcopy images. Grading of overall image quality was on a scale of one (poor) to five (excellent). Readers rated the visualization of various structures in the chest (i.e., lung parenchyma, pulmonary vasculature, tubes/lines) as well as the visualization of pathologic findings. Preliminary results indicate that the image quality of both CR soft and hardcopy are comparable to plain film and that CR may be a suitable alternative to screen-film imaging for portable neonatal chest x rays.
Cover Crop Effects on Corn Yield Response to Nitrogen on an Irrigated Sandy Soil

Nonlegume winter cover crops are extensively grown to control wind erosion in the Central Sands region of Wisconsin. Subsequent corn (Zea mays L.) yield benefits following winter cover crops can occur on these coarse-textured soils even though cover crop biomass and residual N recovery are minimal due to the limited time period for cover crop growth. A 3-yr study was conducted to determine cover crop species and management effects on subsequent corn grain yield responses to N fertilizer. Cover crops were planted in late summer following sweet corn harvest and included oat (Arena sativa L.), winter triticale (×Triticosecale), winter rye (Secale cereale L.) with and without the top growth removed, and fallow. Cover crop treatments were plowed in the spring, and corn was grown with six N fertilizer rates (0 to 280 kg ha -1 ). In 2 of 3 yr, economic optimum N rates (EONR) for corn were lower (32 ± 8 kg N ha -1 ), and corn grain yields at the EONR were higher (1.4 ± 0.3 Mg ha -1 ) where cover crops were grown compared with fallow. These results were similar following all cover crops, including winter-killed oat and rye with top growth removed, indicating that beneficial cover crop effects were primarily the result of a rotation effect rather than direct N contributions from the cover crop. The yield enhancement provided by cover crops probably offers the greatest practical benefit to growers since lowering N rates on these soils may increase the risk of N deficiency in years with high leaching potential.
A classifier system for the diagnosis of disease from routine laboratory values

LAB VALUES is an expert system that diagnoses the likelihood of various diseases, given the results of routine blood tests. Its knowledge structure employs bit maps. The similarity between a new case and a bit map in the knowledge base is calculated via a similarity score. The system was tested against published cases with definite diagnostic endpoints, and was found to perform well when compared to these published cases. System performance was not improved by incorporating disease frequency into the results.
High-resolution fiber-coupled spectrograph of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope

A high-resolution spectrograph (HRS) is taking shape for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET). HRS will be mounted on a Newport bench in an insulated chamber in the 'basement' of the HET building, internal to the pier, and will be linked to the corrected prime focus of the HET through its Fiber Instrument Feed. Spectra will be recorded on a 4096 X 4096 Orbit CCD mosaic at resolving powers of 30,000 to 120,000, using a mosaic of two R-4 echelle gratings replicated on a single blank at Spectronic Instruments and a selection of two cross- dispersing gratings. This paper will describe the design and report on the current construction status, and will describe innovative aspects, in particular a new all-refractive camera designed by Epps. The HRS design incorporates Barranne's white-pupil concept as adapted for ESO's VLT by Delabre and Dekker. Predicted performance from ray-trace analysis will be demonstrated. With the 316-gr/mm cross-dispenser the full 420 - 1,100 nm spectral range can be recorded in two exposures at any resolving power up to 120,000. Greater order separation can be had with the 600-gr/mm grating, requiring four exposures if the full range is needed. Designed for remote, queue-scheduled operation, HRS will be capable of rapid response to discoveries of transient phenomena. It will be directed toward discoveries of extra-solar planetary systems and studies of long-period variable stars and absorption line systems in QSOs as well as stellar nucleosynthesis and chemical compositions.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dopant Redistribution during Thermal Oxidation of Monocrystalline Beta ‐ SiC Thin Films

The redistribution of common electrical dopants during thermal oxidation thin films at 1473 K in dry was characterized by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Experimental segregation coefficients and interfacial concentration ratios were determined for each dopant. Boron and aluminum depleted from the , with the boron depletion being much more pronounced. Nitrogen and phosphorus were found to pile up in the , with the former being much more pronounced. While the boron profile followed redistribution theory in the oxide, the aluminum and nitrogen profiles in the oxide were affected by the periodic distribution of the dopant in the , and by N contamination of the initial surface, respectively. The behavior of the phosphorus in the oxide is unclear due to the low concentration of the dopant.
The whistle blower and the whistle-blowing profession

A recent whistle-blowing incident in a public child welfare service generated considerable political fallout, widespread press converage, and surfaced a number of critical ethical issues. The case history of the incident provides a substantive base for exploring these ethical issues in light of current ethical assessment alternatives. Guidelines are suggested for professional social workers in whistle-blowing situations.
On the surface chemistry of molybdena-alumina catalysts prepared from Mo(CO)6

Catalysts were prepared by subliming Mo(CO)6 onto partially dehydroxylated (PDA) and exhaustively dehydroxylated (DA) alumina made from the same parent preparation (American Cyanamid Aero 100PHF). The chemisorption of NO and CO on these materials was studied using volumetric, Chromatographic, and spectroscopic techniques. ESCA data indicated that metallic Mo crystals formed on Mo(CO)6DA whereas on PDA both Mo4+ and some lower valence state, Mo2+ or Mo0, were present. NO chemisorbed on both preparations at 195 K without releasing either N2O or N2. The chemisorption on the PDA preparations was over tenfold higher than that on the DA-supported catalysts under these conditions, but on raising the temperature to 300 K the difference was reduced to a factor of 2. Moreover, redox chemistry occurred at this higher temperature as evidenced by the release of N2O and N2; this was quantified. The amounts of NO actually chemisorbed under these conditions correlated well with the integrated IR band intensities. These data suggest that lower valence states are oxidized to Mo4+ at 300 K and that the observed IR bands stem from Mo4+(NO)2, irrespective of the initial catalyst. Infrared spectra from residual CO remaining on decomposition of Mo(CO)6 on DA and PDA at increasing temperatures up to 473 K showed bands which could be attributed to residual Mo(CO)6 and/or to subcarbonyl species formed during decomposition. By 573 K, no residual bands could be observed. On adding-back CO at 300 K to the PDA preparation, bands at 1989 and 2170 cmt−1 appeared, suggesting the presence of Mo4+ and residual Mo0. Spectra from similar experiments with the DA preparation demonstrated that chemisorbed Mo(CO)6 was reforming and possibly some subcarbonyl species; there was scant evidence for any higher valence states. The results are discussed in terms of the current literature.
Stronium Mobility in Germinating Seeds and Plants

The uptake of strontium in the bean plant ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) was linear for the first 34 hr during continuous exposure to radiostrontium. After 35 hr there was a sharp increase in the rate of uptake to 48 hr. Radioactivity could be detected in the plant as early as 1 hr after addition of radiostrontium to the growth medium. Seventy-five percent of the radiostrontium was located in the seed coat immediately after soaking bean seed in an 89 Sr solution. This radioactivity in the seed coat decreased rapidly up to the tenth day, while the proportion of strontium in the cotyledons increased, after which time the proportion of radiostrontium in the cotyledons began to decrease. The amount of radioactivity of the seedling axis increased constantly, as did the activity of the first and second leaves after their appearance on about the seventh day. The radioactivity in the developing third and fourth leaves of cotton plants ( Gossypium hirsutum ) increased at the expense of the radioactivity in the first 2 leaves and stems. This represents a movement into certain parts and then a retranslocation out of these parts as other tissue begins to develop.
Flow equation analysis of the anisotropic Kondo model

We use the method of infinitesimal unitary transformations to calculate zero-temperature correlation functions in the strong-coupling phase of the anisotropic Kondo model. We find the dynamics on all energy scales including the crossover behavior from weak to strong coupling. The integrable structure of the Hamiltonian is not used in our approach. Our method should also be useful in other strong-coupling models since few other analytical methods allow the evaluation of their correlation functions on all energy scales.
Interictal changes in behavior and cerebral metabolism in the rat: Opioid involvement

Interictal changes in locomotor and shock-response behaviors were examined in rats that were kindled unilaterally or bilaterally in the amygdala. 2-Deoxyglucose and naloxone were used to test whether alterations in cerebral glucose metabolism or opioid functioning, respectively, correlated with changes in these behaviors. Bilaterally kindled rats, at 14 to 28 days after their last seizure, displayed increased locomotion (square crossing) in an open field compared with unilaterally kindled or control rats. Bilaterally kindled rats also showed elevated thresholds for the elicitation of a multiple squeak response to tail shocks. Single squeak or tail withdrawal responses to tail shock were not affected by bilateral kindling. Likewise, unilaterally kindled rats did not differ from controls on any of the behavioral measures. Naloxone (10 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed the increase in locomotion and elevation of multiple squeak thresholds in the bilaterally kindled rats. By itself, naloxone did not influence any of the behaviors. Finally, cerebral glucose metabolism was decreased, globally, in the forebrain of the bilaterally kindled rats, and naloxone normalized this change. Cerebral metabolism was not altered in unilaterally kindled rats compared with controls. Thus, changes in cerebral metabolism and opioid functioning may be involved in the mediation of interictal changes in locomotor and emotional behavior in rats.
Sources of real exchange rate movements in Saudi Arabia

The paper investigates the sources of real exchange rate movements in Saudi Arabia by decomposing real exchange rate movements into those attributable to real and nominal shocks. Using a popular structural VAR model and assuming long-run neutrality of nominal shocks, we find that real shocks play a significant role in explaining real exchange rate movements in Saudi Arabia. Using a more disaggregated model, we also find that oil production shocks rather than real oil price shocks are responsible for real exchange rate movements. In order to stabilize the real exchange rate, Saudi Arabia should focus on stabilizing oil production.(JEL F3, C5)