cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1H, 13C and 15N NMR assignments of cyclophilin LRT2 (OsCYP2) from rice.

Cyclophilins are enzymes that catalyze the isomerization of a prolyl–peptide bond and are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. LRT2 (also known as OsCYP2) is a cyclophilin in rice (Oryza sativa), that has importance in lateral root development and stress tolerance. LRT2 is 172 amino acids long and has a molecular weight of 18.3 kDa. Here, we report the backbone and sidechain resonance assignments of 1H, 13C, 15N in the LRT2 protein using several 2D and 3D heteronuclear NMR experiments at pH 6.7 and 298 K. Our chemical shift data analysis predicts a secondary structure like the cytosolic wheat cyclophilin TaCypA-1 with 87.7% sequence identity. These assignments will be useful for further analysis in the NMR studies for function and structure of this enzyme.
Two uncertainties in simulating spatially varying seismic ground motions: incoherency coefficient and apparent propagation velocity

The main focus of this paper is on uncertainties associated with the selection of the incoherency coefficient and apparent propagation velocity in the simulation of asynchronous seismic excitations based on the provisions of CEN [Comite Europeen de Normalisation] (Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance—part 2: bridges, BS EN 1998-2:2005, Brussels, Belgium 2005). To this effect, the importance of utilizing appropriate values of these two parameters in the simulation of spatially varying seismic excitations is highlighted, and practice-oriented recommendations are provided for their selection. In addition, preliminary probability distributions are proposed for the consideration of the effect of uncertainty in the selection of the apparent propagation velocity for reliability (fragility) analyses. The effect of multi-support input motions on the seismic response of bridges is also discussed.
Redirected Scene Rotation for Immersive Movie Experiences

Virtual reality (VR) allows for immersive and natural viewing experiences; however, these often expect users to be standing and able to physically turn and move easily. Seated VR applications, specifically immersive 360 degree movies, must be appropriately designed to facilitate user comfort and prevent sickness. Our research explores a scene rotation-based method for redirecting a viewer's gaze and its effectiveness given three parameter adjustments: rotation delay, rotation speed, and angle threshold. The technique may be useful in the development of future immersive movie or VR experiences. From the research, we expect to discover which parameters prove most effective at redirecting a viewer's gaze in an immersive movie experience. We present preliminary developments and an informal usability evaluation to collect participant feedback about preference, comfort, and sickness.
A more exact linear FMCW radar signal model for simultaneous range-velocity estimation

A Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave radar signal model is presented. The model demonstrates the underlying principle for the simultaneous measurement of range and velocity typically employed in automotive applications. Model validation against radar measurements are presented. The model is used to demonstrate phenomena such as the influence of target velocity on radar backscatter and the range-velocity uncertainty principle.
Ruminant Adaptation to Negative Energy Balance: Influences on the Etiology of Ketosis and Fatty Liver

Ketosis and fatty liver occur when physiologic mechanisms for the adaptation to negative energy balance fail. Failure of hepatic gluconeogenesis to supply adequate glucose for lactation and body needs may be one cause of ketosis; however, poor feedback control of nonesterified fatty acid release from adipose tissue is another likely cause of ketosis and fatty liver. The types of ketosis resulting from these two metabolic lesions may require different therapeutic and prophylactic approaches.
The Influence of Tech-Savvyness and Clicker Use on Student Learning

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of technology proficiency and clicker use on students’ perceptions of clickers, engagement and class grade point average. Four hundred five students completed a questionnaire that measured Student Technology Proficiency (STP; Garcia and Zapf, in press), and participated in the validation of two new dependent measures: perception of clickers and student engagement. Class GPA was collected after the semester ended. A 2x2 MANOVA experiment was conducted and yielded no differences between students enrolled in a clicker class versus not, but there were several findings between STP groups. Students high in STP had a favorable view of clickers compared to students low in STP, but students low in STP had higher engagement and earned higher grades than students high in STP. We speculate that clickers continue to fill a pedagogical niche, but only in conjunction with effective teaching practices. Implications for teaching and learning are discussed.
RMAC: Runtime Configurable Floating Point Multiplier for Approximate Computing

Approximate computing is a way to build fast and energy efficient systems, which provides responses of good enough quality tailored for different purposes. In this paper, we propose a novel approximate floating point multiplier which efficiently multiplies two floating numbers and yields a high precision product. RMAC approximates the costly mantissa multiplication to a simple addition between the mantissa of input operands. To tune the level of accuracy, RMAC looks at the first bit of the input mantissas as well as the first N bits of the result of addition to dynamically estimate the maximum multiplication error rate. Then, RMAC decides to either accept the approximate result or re-execute the exact multiplication. Depending on the value of N, the proposed RMAC can be configured to achieve different levels of accuracy. We integrate the proposed RMAC in AMD southern Island GPU, by replacing RMAC with the existing floating point units. We test the efficiency and accuracy of the enhanced GPU on a wide range of applications including multimedia and machine learning applications. Our evaluations show that a GPU enhanced by the proposed RMAC can achieve 5.2x energydelay product improvement as opposed to GPU using conventional FPUs while ensuring less than 2% quality loss. Comparing our approach with other state-of-the-art approximate multipliers shows that RMAC can achieve 3.1x faster and 1.8x more energy efficient computations while providing the same quality of service.
Implementation and Impact of a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Telemedicine Program.

Objective The increase in maternal morbidity has resulted in higher need for maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) subspecialty care. To meet the rising demand, particularly in rural areas, the use of MFM telemedicine services has increased. This study describes the structure, implementation, and patient and child health outcomes associated with a large health system's MFM telemedicine program. Study Design Observational electronic health record data are used to compare maternal and childbirth outcomes between patients receiving care via telemedicine or in-person visits through regression analysis. Average patient time and resources saved are calculated, and patient satisfaction scores are reported. Results The telemedicine patients experienced similar outcomes to the in-person group, indicating that MFM telemedicine can serve as an effective substitute for in-person care. MFM telemedicine patients saved $90.28 per consult in travel and work-related expenses. An overwhelming majority of MFM telemedicine patients were satisfied with their visit and indicated that they would be interested in receiving care via telemedicine in the future. Conclusion The results indicate that the patients may benefit financially and experience similar outcomes when telemedicine programs are appropriately designed to eliminate access barriers and provide high-quality care.
Current Strategies to Inhibit High Affinity FcεRI-Mediated Signaling for the Treatment of Allergic Disease.

Allergies and asthma are a major cause of chronic disease whose prevalence has been on the rise. Allergic disease including seasonal rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, anaphylaxis, and asthma, are associated with activation of tissue-resident mast cells and circulating basophils. Although these cells can be activated in different ways, allergic reactions are normally associated with the crosslinking of the high affinity Fc receptor for Immunoglobulin E, FceRI, with multivalent antigen. Inflammatory mediators released from cytoplasmic granules, or biosynthesized de novo, following FceRI crosslinking induce immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis, and contribute to prolonged inflammation leading to chronic diseases like asthma. Thus, inappropriate or unregulated activation of mast cells and basophils through antigenic crosslinking of FceRI can have deleterious, sometimes deadly, consequences. Accordingly, FceRI has emerged as a viable target for the development of biologics that act to inhibit or attenuate the activation of mast cells and basophils. At the forefront of these strategies are (1) Anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, namely omalizumab, which has the secondary effect of reducing FceRI surface expression, (2) Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins (DARPins), which take advantage of the most common structural motifs in nature involved in protein-protein interactions, to inhibit FceRI-IgE interactions, and (3) Fusion proteins to co-aggregate FceRI with the inhibitory FcγRIIb. This review presents the published research studies that support omalizumab, DARPins, and fusion proteins as, arguably, the three most currently viable strategies for inhibiting the expression and activation of the high affinity FceRI on mast cells and basophils.
Vicarious Experience to Affect Physical Activity in Women: A Randomized Control Trial

People compare themselves to others for self-evaluation, practical information, and motivation for healthy behaviors. The effect of active peer models on comparative thinking is unknown. The purpose of this 12-week, randomized, two-group pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a workplace peer modeling intervention on self-efficacy, motivation, and comparative thinking. The attention control group (ACG; n = 24) received general health information. The intervention group (n = 26) met with active peer models, received an exercise prescription and information. No significant group by time interaction effects were found. Comparisons on ability (how well am I doing), opinions (what should I think or believe), future self (think about my future), and modeling (be like someone else) all increased in the intervention group (n = 21) but decreased in the ACG (n = 22). Active peer models may support physical activity behavior change through specific lines of comparative thinking.
Analysis of a Five-Phase Dual Mechanical Port Machine with Harmonic Current Injection for Torque Capability Improvement

The dual mechanical port machine is a new class of AC machine for hybrid electric vehicle applications. This paper presents a novel five-phase rare-earth-free reluctance rotor-based dual mechanical port machine and the effect of third harmonic current component will be evaluated. The system configuration and operational principle will be illustrated firstly. Comparative analysis of different rotor structure will be carried out in five-phase synchronous reluctance machines. Finally, the torque capability and effect of third harmonic current of proposed five-phase dual mechanical port machine will be verified by using finite element method.
Acute effects of ambient PM 2.5 on lung function among schoolchildren

Previous studies have found that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is associated with decreased lung function. However, most current research focuses on children with asthma, leading to small sample sizes and limited generalization of results. The current study aimed to measure the short-term and lag effects of PM2.5 among school-aged children using repeated measurements of lung function.This prospective panel study included 848 schoolchildren in Zhejiang Province, China. Each year from 2014–2017, two lung function tests were conducted from November 15th to December 31st. Daily air pollution data were derived from the monitoring stations nearest to the schools. A mixed-effects regression model was used to investigate the relationship between PM2.5 and lung function. The effect of PM2.5 on lung function reached its greatest at 1-day moving average PM2.5 exposure. For every 10 μg/m3 increase in the 1-day moving average PM2.5 concentration, Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) of children decreased by 33.74 mL (95% CI: 22.52, 44.96), 1-s Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) decreased by 32.56 mL (95% CI: 21.41, 43.70), and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) decreased by 67.45 mL/s (95% CI: 45.64, 89.25). Stronger associations were found in children living in homes with smokers. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with reductions in schoolchildren’s lung function. This finding indicates that short-term exposure to PM2.5 is harmful to children’s respiratory health, and appropriate protective measures should be taken to reduce the adverse effects of air pollution on children’s health.
Witnessing the Pandemic with Foucault: Power, Politics, and COVID-19

Drawing heavily on the works of Michel Foucault, I examine the different political responses to the pandemic of COVID-19. In the first part of this article, I examine the Chinese government’s response to COVID-19 and expose the relationship between biopower and the political ideal of societies, arguing that technology also entered into the realm of biopolitics and helped society accomplish its political ideal of mobility, productivity, and security. In the second part of this article, I suggest that COVID-19 reshaped and rearranged the power mechanism in societies, arguing that new forms of power might emerge in the future. Synthesizing these two cases, I challenge the reader to reflect critically upon the relationship between the pandemic and the power architecture of societies and suggest that the pandemic might lead to the emergence of new power relations in societies.
Malicious Bot Detection in Online Social Networks: Arming Handcrafted Features with Deep Learning.

Online social networks (OSNs) have long been suffering from various types of malicious bots (e.g., spammers, fake followers, social bots, and content polluters). Recent studies show that they have also been actively involved in delivering hate speeches and disseminating misinformation. Over several years, researchers have proposed multiple approaches to identify some types of them to lower their impact on the OSNs. However, their strategies mostly focused on handcrafted features to capture characteristics of malicious users, or their deep learning approaches may only work under certain situations (e.g., under the dense retweets/sharing behavior). To overcome the limitation of the prior work, in this paper, we propose a novel framework that incorporates handcrafted features and automatically learned features by deep learning methods from various perspectives. It automatically makes the balance between them to make the final prediction toward detecting malicious bots. In particular, we (i) combine publicly available 15 Twitter user datasets and categorize these accounts into two groups (i.e., legitimate accounts and malicious bot accounts); and (ii) propose a deep learning framework that jointly learns various features and detects malicious accounts. Our experimental results show that our proposed model outperforms 7 state-of-the-art methods, achieving 0.901 accuracy. Our ablation study shows that all types of our features positively contribute to enhancing the model performance.
Efficient Simulation of Generalized SABR and Stochastic Local Volatility Models based on Markov Chain Approximations

We propose a novel Monte Carlo simulation method for two-dimensional stochastic differential equation (SDE) systems based on approximation through continuous-time Markov chains (CTMCs). Specifically, we propose an efficient simulation framework for asset prices under general stochastic local volatility (SLV) models arising in finance, which includes the Heston and the stochastic alpha beta rho (SABR) models as special cases. Our simulation algorithm is constructed based on approximating the latent stochastic variance process by a CTMC. Compared with time-discretization schemes, our method exhibits several advantages, including flexible boundary condition treatment, weak continuity conditions imposed on coefficients, and a second order convergence rate in the spatial grids of the approximating CTMC under suitable regularity conditions. Replacing the stochastic variance process with a discrete-state approximation greatly simplifies the direct sampling of the integrated variance, thus enabling a highly efficient simulation scheme. Extensive numerical examples illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of our estimator, which outperforms both biased and unbiased simulation estimators in the literature in terms of root mean squared error (RMSE) and computational time. This paper is focused primarily on the simulation of SDEs which arise in finance, but this new simulation approach has potential for applications in other contextual areas in operations research, such as queuing theory.
Crystal structure prediction of energetic materials and a twisted arene with Genarris and GAtor

A molecular crystal structure prediction (CSP) workflow, based on the random structure generator, Genarris, and the genetic algorithm (GA), GAtor, is applied to the energetic materials 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene-1,3,5-triamine (TATB) and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene-1,3-diamine (DATB), and the chiral arene, 4,5-dimethylphenanthrene. The experimental structures of all three materials are successfully generated multiple times by both Genarris and GAtor, and ranked as the most stable structures by dispersion-inclusive density functional theory (DFT) methods. For 4,5-dimethylphenanthrene the evolutionary niching feature of GAtor helps find the experimental structure by penalizing the fitness of over-sampled regions and steering the GA to an under-explored basin. For DATB, a putative structure with a sheet packing motif, which is associated with reduced sensitivity, is found to be very close in energy to the experimental structure and could be a viable polymorph. Principal component analysis of atom-centered symmetry functions is used to compare the crystal structure landscapes of TATB and DATB. Genarris and GAtor exhibit robust performance for diverse targets with varied intermolecular interactions. This work demonstrates the potential of including CSP as a part of the energetic materials development process.
Intimate partner aggression during the COVID-19 pandemic: Associations with stress and heavy drinking

Objective: This study aimed to test empirically whether (a) the local impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with increases in intimate partner aggression (IPA) and heavy drinking and (b) heavy drinking moderated the association between COVID-19 stress and IPA perpetration. Method: Participants were 510 individuals (approximately 50% who endorsed a sexual or gender minority identity) recruited via Qualtrics Research Services in April 2020, during the height of shelter-in-place (SiP) restrictions across the United States. They completed a questionnaire battery that included measures of COVID-19 stressors, physical and psychological IPA perpetration, and heavy drinking. Results: Rates of physical and psychological IPA perpetration significantly increased after implementation of SiP restrictions which aimed to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. COVID-19 stress was significantly and positively associated with physical and psychological IPA perpetration;however, COVID-19 stress was positively associated with physical IPA perpetration among nonheavy drinking, but not heavy drinking, participants. Conclusions: Drawn from a large sample of participants of diverse sexual identities, findings tentatively implicate COVID-19 stress as a critical correlate of IPA perpetration and suggest that "low-risk" individuals (i.e., nonheavy drinkers) should not be overlooked. These data provide preliminary support for the usefulness of public health polices and individual-level interventions that target stress, heavy drinking, and their antecedents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
The differential impacts of blinded online reviews: Comparing socio-emotional features of guest and host reviews on Airbnb

Abstract This paper investigates the effect of blinding—a policy on certain sharing-economy platforms to suppress online review reciprocation—on the content of reviews from both vendors and customers. While previous studies often focus on customer review or overlook the difference between the two types of reviews, we call attention to their distinct relational nature. We argue that the blinding policy has different impacts on the two types of reviews, and such differences are detectable in a review’s linguistic features. We test this logic with mutual reviews (N = 191,526) between Airbnb guests and hosts in New York City during July 10th, 2013 to July 10th, 2015. Using interrupted timeseries analysis, we find that Airbnb’s blinding policy on July 10th, 2014 made guest-to-host reviews more objective by reducing prosocial language and positive emotion. In contrast, blinding increased these features in host-to-guest reviews. We also found that this opposite impact of blinding on host-to-guest reviews was stronger when there were fewer opportunities for face-to-face interactions between hosts and guests. We theorize such opposing effects in terms of the ways that blinding alters, rather than eliminates, the relational nature of hosts’ behaviors toward guests. We argue for a broader appreciation of relational dynamics in the theoretical and practical understanding of online sharing-economy platforms.
Dynamics of an Information-Filtering Economy

Our overall goal is to characterize and understand the dynamic behavior of information economies: very large open economies of automated information agents that are likely to come into existence on the Internet. Here we model a simple information-filtering economy in which broker agents sell selected articles to a subscribed set of consumers. Analysis and simulation of this model reveal the existence of both desirable and undesirable phenomena, and give some insight into their nature and the conditions under which they occur. In particular, efficient self-organization of the broker population into specialized niches can occur when communication and processing costs are neither too high nor too low, but endless price wars can undermine this desirable state of affairs.
Low side lobes in pencil-beam antennas

This paper describes an investigation of the radiation properties of two perfectly focussing devices: the paraboloid reflector and the hyperboloid dielectric lens excited at their focii by a short electric dipole and a short magnetic dipole and a plane wave source. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the radiation characteristics of these antennas which, at least in the limit of infinitesimal wavelengths t have no phase aberrations in the aperture field. The analysis is divided into two parts: (1) the aperture field: of the two antennas are first computed, and (2) the far-zone diffraction patterns are then determined. The power gain of the systems is obtained as a by-product of the diffraction pattern computation. Some experimental results are also discussed.
Genetics Correlations among Sex-Limited Traits in Beef Cattle

Data from a comprehensive germ plasm evaluation program were used to estimate genetic correlations of reproductive and maternal traits of beef females with growth and carcass traits of their steer paternal half-sibs. The data set consisted of 187 sires with approximately four female and five male progeny each. Heritability estimates for age at puberty, weight at puberty, conceptions/service, gestation length, calving difficulty, progeny birth weight, progeny preweaning daily gain and mature weight measured on females were .613 +/- .177, .700 +/- .114, .026 +/- .126, .298 +/- .175, .217 +/- .175, .374 +/- .174, .094 +/- .161, and .540 +/- .150, respectively. Postweaning daily gain, carcass weight, fat trim weight and retail product weight measured on male half-sibs had estimated heritabilities of .363 +/- .090, .441 +/- .093, .502 +/- .093 and .451 +/- .093, respectively. The estimated genetic correlations suggest that selection for postweaning daily gain would result in increased age and weight at puberty, increased mature weight, improved fertility, reduced maternal gestation length, reduced maternal calving difficulty, increased maternal birth weight and reduced maternal preweaning gain. Predicted correlated responses to selection for reduced fat trim at a constant age were increased age and weight at puberty, increased mature weight, reduced maternal fertility, reduced maternal preweaning gain and increased maternal gestation length, birth weight and calving difficulty. Consequences of selection for increased age constant retail product weight or carcass weight appear to be increased age and weight at puberty, increased mature weight, improved fertility, increased maternal gestation length and maternal birth weight but reduced maternal difficulty and reduced maternal preweaning gain.
Effects of insulin on carbohydrate and protein metabolism in voluntary running rats

The goal of this study was to assess the effects of voluntary running activity in rats on various aspects of carbohydrate and protein metabolism. After 6 wk of exercise training, rats (ET) were res...
Developing Software Requirements Supporting Open Architecture Performance Goals in Critical DoD System-of-Systems

Abstract : To implement the capabilities conceptualized in the National Military Strategy complex secure networks of weapon systems intelligence platforms and command-and-control mechanisms must be seamlessly integrated and maintained over time. Accurate and timely information will enable National Military Strategy key tenets to be realized. These networks are central warfighting platforms in the information age. As these capabilities are developed over time in an evolutionary manner interoperability on the Net-Centric Warfare (NCW) networks is essential and both hardware and software systems must be designed in an Open-systems Architecture (QA) fashion to accommodate the vast number of changes anticipated. Professional Program Management will be needed to successfully develop these key warfighting platforms. Materiel Developers will need to recognize the relatively immature nature of the software engineering domains and actively compensate for this immaturity. System software performance capabilities must be much more detailed than typical hardware-centric systems as the current state of software engineering disciplines is unlikely to satisfy implied yet critical performance requirements. Essential QA performance characteristics including Maintainability Upgradability lnterfaces/lnteroperability Reliability Safety and Security (MUIRSS) must be fully analyzed and clearly communicated to the software developer to ensure the DoD obtains the flexibility and longevity desired from NCW systems.
Investigation of a photoconductive closing and opening bulk GaAs semiconductor switch

This paper describes recent results with the Bulk Optically-controlled Semiconductor Switch (BOSS) concept. The BOSS concept involves the excitation of electrons or holes from selected deep centers in the band gap of silicon doped, copper compensated gallium arsenide. The conductivity of the switch can be increased or decreased on command by irradiating the switch with laser light at different wavelengths in the infrared. Recent switch closing results are reported in which current densities as high as 10 kA/cm/sup 2/ were switched and fields as high as 20 kV/cm were held off. Lock on was observed at the higher fields (10 kV/cm). Strong optical quenching of the induced photoconductivity has been observed that demonstrates the feasibility of using the BOSS as a nanosecond opening switch.
Effects of supine and lateral positions on cardiac output and intracardiac pressures.

Abstract In the hospitalized patient and during cardiac catheterization, cardiac output and intracardiac pressures are almost always measured with the subject in the supine position. There are limited and sometimes conflicting data on the effects of the left and right lateral positions on these variables. In nonpregnant human beings, some studies have shown the cardiac output to be higher in the supine than in the right or left lateral positions.1,2 Others3 have reported that cardiac output is higher in the left lateral than in the supine or right lateral positions, whereas others have demonstrated no difference in output among these various positions.4 Recent studies in animals have shown that cardiac output is higher in the left and right lateral positions than when the animals are supine.5 There are no published studies in man reporting the effects of the supine and lateral positions on micromanometer-measured intracardiac pressures. In experimental animals, Nakao et al5 used micromanometer-tipped catheters and demonstrated that left and right ventricular peak systolic and end-diastolic pressures are higher in the left and right lateral positions than in the supine. No previously published study has examined left and right ventricular pressures in these various positions in man. Therefore, the present study was performed to assess the influence of the 90 ° left and right lateral positions on cardiac output and intracardiac pressures (measured with micromanometer-tipped catheters) in patients referred for elective cardiac catheterization.
Auditory Electrophysiology: A Clinical Guide

Auditory Electrophysiology: A Clinical Guide is a newly edited textbook with a heavily orientated clinical perspective on auditory electrophysiology. The compilation offers a synopsis of the histor...
Molecular silicate and aluminate species in anhydrous and hydrated cements.

The compositions and molecular structures of anhydrous and hydrated cements are established by using advanced solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy methods to distinguish among different molecular species and changes that occur as a result of cement hydration and setting. One- and two-dimensional (2D) solid-state 29Si and 27Al magic-angle spinning NMR methodologies, including T1-relaxation-time- and chemical-shift-anisotropy-filtered measurements and the use of very high magnetic fields (19 T), allow resonances from different silicate and aluminate moieties to be resolved and assigned in complicated spectra. Single-pulse 29Si and 27Al NMR spectra are correlated with X-ray fluorescence results to quantify the different crystalline and disordered silicate and aluminate species in anhydrous and hydrated cements. 2D 29Si{1H} and 27Al{1H} heteronuclear correlation NMR spectra of hydrated cements establish interactions between water and hydroxyl moieties with distinct 27Al and 29Si species. ...
CT enterography of Crohn’s disease

CT enterography (CTE) is a technique using neutral oral contrast, intravenous contrast and thin cut, multiplanar CT acquisitions to optimize small bowel imaging. One of the primary indications for CTE is the detection and evaluation of Crohn’s disease. This article summarizes the advantages/disadvantages, scanning technique, imaging findings, performance and pitfalls of CTE for the evaluation of Crohn’s disease.
Measuring Faith Maturity: Reassessing Valuegenesis and Development of a Denomination-Specific Scale

The Valuegenesis Faith-Maturity Scale and two related short-form scales developed for mainline Protestant use were evaluated for validity for Seventh-day Adventists. Inappropriate items were identified using statistical procedures and results from a survey of Adventist educators and pastors. New long- and short-form faith-maturity scales were developed. Different findings from adult/youth and grade-level comparisons using the five scales suggested that denomination-specific scale construction and validation are needed. The new long-form scale was very similar to one of the short-form scales constructed for mainline Protestant use and may be appropriate for other denominations.
Characterization of Yeast Translation Initiation Factor 1A and Cloning of Its Essential Gene

Abstract Translation initiation factor eIF1A is required in vitro for maximal rates of protein synthesis in mammalian systems. It functions primarily by dissociating ribosomes and stabilizing 40 S preinitiation complexes. To better elucidate its precise role in promoting the translation initiation process, the yeast form of eIF1A has been identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and purified to homogenity on the basis of its cross-reaction with antibodies prepared against mammalian eIF1A. The apparent mass of yeast eIF1A (22 kDa) resembles that of the mammalian homolog (20 kDa), and the yeast factor is active in stimulating methionyl-puromycin synthesis in an assay composed of mammalian components. The gene encoding yeast eIF1A, named TIF11, was cloned and shown to be single copy. TIF11 encodes a protein comprising 153 amino acids (17.4 kDa); the deduced amino acid sequence exhibits 65% identity with the sequence of human eIF1A. Both human and yeast eIF1A contain clusters of positive residues at the N terminus and negative residues at the C terminus. Deletion/disruption of TIF11 demonstrates that eIF1A is essential for cell growth. Expression of human eIF1A cDNA rescues the growth defect of TIF11-disrupted cells, indicating that the structure/function of yeast and mammalian eIF1A is highly conserved.
Estimation of error in finite element acoustic analysis

Application of error estimation in acoustical analysis employing the finite element method is shown. Based on the Zienkiewicz-Zhu error estimator for stress analysis, a procedure for predicting the error in pressure distribution computed from a frequency domain analysis of acoustic cavities is outlined. Examples are presented to illustrate the usefulness of the error estimator in adaptively meshing the acoustic domain to minimize the error at different excitation frequencies.
MINIMAL-TIME SHIP ROUTING

Abstract A recent theory of minimal-time ship routing through time-dependent ocean wave height and direction fields is put to a numerical test by using a series of semidaily analyses furnished by the U.S. Navy Fleet Numerical Weather Facility. The interpolations and integrations required are found to be feasible. A resume of the theory is given.
Still more complexity in mammalian basement membranes.

At the epithelial/mesenchymal interface of most tissues lies the basement membrane (BM). These thin sheets of highly specialized extracellular matrix vary in composition in a tissue-specific manner...
Bloodless Cannulation of the Ascending Aorta

Bloodless cannulation of the aorta can be accomplished easily. A full thickness stab wound prior to insertion of the cannula is unnecessary as the aorta's inner layers have little strength. (J Card Surg 1998;13:79–80)
Some effects of tentoxin on mature and developing chloroplasts

Tentoxin affected chloroplasts of all stages of development; it caused chlorosis of expanded and developing bean and lettuce leaves when introduced through the stem or roots and inhibited greening of etiolated lettuce seedlings. Cotyledons from 6-day-old lettuce seedlings grown in 10ug/ml tentoxin bad 50–68% of the monogalactosyldiglyceride and digalactosyldiglyceride content of healthy tissue whereas the sulfolipid, phospatidyl-glycerol, -ethanolamine, -choline and -inosrtol levels were unchanged. Toxin-treated tissue also showed selective increases in C-16 and C-18 saturated fatty acids.
R&D expenditures and U.S. economic growth: A disaggregated approach

Abstract Based on U.S. data for the 48-year-period 1953–2000, this study makes a contribution on the R&D-growth relation along five dimensions. First, we note several descriptive patterns that may be regarded as stylized facts relative to R&D outlays in the U.S. during the half-century period. These include (a) a dramatic increase in the share of non-federal R&D outlays, (b) a corresponding decline in the share of federally funded R&D expenditure, and (c) an even more dramatic decline in the share of defense R&D spending. Second, in a departure from most of the literature on the topic, we study the R&D-growth nexus at a disaggregated level by considering the roles of federal, non-federal, and defense R&D outlays. Third, we use the relatively new bounds-testing and ARDL (autoregressive distributed lag) procedures of Pesaran et al. [Pesaran, M. H., Shin, Y., & Smith, R. J. (2001). Bounds testing approaches to the analysis of level relationships. Journal of Applied Econometrics, 16, 289–326] to estimate the (long run) relation between R&D outlays and growth in a fairly standard model. Fourth, contrary to the almost universal belief, our estimates indicate a larger role of federal R&D relative to non-federal R&D in growth, and also a stronger role of defense R&D than of non-defense (federal) R&D. Last, to the extent our estimates are reasonable, the above-noted temporal movements in the shares of federal, non-federal, and defense R&D outlays seem to reflect socially perverse trends in the context of economic growth and well-being, and indicate the need for appropriate policy interventions for a substantial enhancement of federal defense R&D and non-defense R&D outlays.
Oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination defects in OMgp null mice

Abstract OMgp is selectively expressed in CNS by oligodendrocyte. However, its potential role(s) in oligodendrocyte development and myelination remain unclear. We show that OMgp null mice are hypomyelinated in their spinal cords, resulting in slower ascending and descending conduction velocities compared to wild-type mice. Consistent with the hypomyelination, in the MOG induced EAE model, OMgp null mice show a more severe EAE clinical disease and slower nerve conduction velocity compared to WT animals. The contribution of OMgp to oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination was verified using cultured oligodendrocytes from null mice. Oligodendrocytes isolated from OMgp null mice show a significant decrease in the number of MBP+ cells and in myelination compared to wild-type mice. The dramatic effects of the OMgp KO in oligodendrocyte maturation in vivo and in vitro reveal a new and important function for OMgp in regulating CNS myelination.
Distribution of Wettability of Coal

The distribution of the wettability of coals of different rank was determined by measurements of contact angles for individual particles. The contact angle was estimated from the equilibrium partitioning of a particle at the water/air interface. Using this technique contact angles were determined for a larger number of particles from a given sample and a frequency distribution of contact angle was obtained. The contact angle distribution was broad for all the coals tested with included an anthracite, a hvA bituminous and a sub-bituminous coal. In comparison, spherical particles of polymethylmethacrylate gave a much narrower distribution. The distribution for irregular polyethylene particles was somewhat broader than that for the polymethylmethacrylate spheres but broader than that for the polymethylmethacrylate spheres but considerably narrower than that for coal. The broader wetting distribution for coal was attributed to differences in surface chemical properties.
Binaural summation of loudness: noise and two-tone complexes.

A series of six experiments used the method of magnitude estimation to assess how the two ears sum the loudness of stimuli with various spectra. The results showed that the binaural system sums loudnesses by at least two distinct sets of rules, one applicable to narrow-band stimuli (complete loudness summation), another to wide-band noises (partial summation, dependent on level). The main findings were: (1) Narrow-band noise (Vi-octave bands at 1,000 Hz) showed complete binaural loudness summation, like that previously reported for pure tones (Marks, 1978a). At all but low SPL, a monaural stimulus must be 10 dB greater than a binaural stimulus to be equally loud; a stimulus ratio of 10 dB corresponds to a loudness ratio of 2:1 on Stevens’ sone scale. (2) Wide-band noise (300-4,800 Hz) showed only partial summation, the subadditivity being confined largely to levels below about 60 dB SPL. This result obtained both with bands of white noise (flat spectrum) and pink noise (—3 dB/ octave). (3) Binaural summation of two-tone complexes depended slightly on frequency spacing. Narrow spacing (860 and 1,160 Hz) gave summation equal to about 10 dB, like that of narrowband noises and single tones, whereas wider spacing (675 and 1,475 Hz) gave less summation, equal to about 9 dB, and more like wide-band noise; however, a very wide spacing (300 and 4,800 Hz) gave summation like that of narrow-band noises and single pure tones.
Anisotropic surface impedance cloak

The applicability of coordinate transformation methods are investigated for surface structures. It is shown that in-surface transformation implementations cannot perform the full range of applications achieved with volume media. Anisotropic impedance surfaces are used to split a surface wave beam and then recombine it in phase. An interior region is cloaked from the incident surface beam so that minimal energy enters. The beam shifting and combining is performed by using a linear coordinate transformation method.
Antigenic composition of heart tissue.

Abstract Analysis of the antigenic composition of heart tissue is essential for assessing the role of immune mechanisms in cardiac disease, and, in addition, provides an approach to the further definition of the structural properties of heart tissue. Immunologic procedures for differentiation of cardiac antigens have depended on the use of (1) antisera prepared in animals to extractable and insoluble components of heart, (2) autoimmune sera derived from patients with cardiac disease, and (3) antisera to the group A streptococcus which are cross-reactive with myocardial tissue. Technical methods have included complement fixation, tanned cell hemagglutination, antiglobulin consumption, immunofluorescence and precipitin reaction. In addition to the antigens common to all organs, heart tissue contains antigens with distribution either limited to heart alone or limited to the heart and a few other tissues. These include: (1) heart-specific antigens, including a particulate antigen localized to sites between myofibrils, and two or three saline-soluble constituents; (2) antigens found only in heart and skeletal muscle, including insoluble components of sarcolemma extractable in acid, antigens of cross-striations of myofibers and at least one saline-soluble component, identified as myoglobin; (3) insoluble antigens common to cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle; and (4) a soluble antigen which has been found in heart and kidney and possibly liver tissues. The cardiac antigen crossreactive with the group A streptococcus has been identified in sarcolemma and is extractable in acid. Further progress in the definition of these antigens and in evaluating their possible relation to cardiac disease will depend on their isolation and chemical characterization.
Preparation of La1-xSrxCoO3 (x=0,0.3) by two solution routes

La i xSrxCoO3 (0, 0.3) were prepared by two solution methods using water and hexanoic acid as solvents, respectively. The single phase of LaCoO3 was obtained at 600CC the case of hexanoic acid route, which was about 300'C lower than in the other case with water alone. It was possible to make thin films of the perovskite compounds by controlling the viscosity of the hexanoic acid solutions. These perovskite materials are expected to have applications as oxidizing catalysts in automobiles, as electrodes for zirconia heaters and as cathode materials for C02 lasers.
Long-term effects of drug prevention on risky sexual behavior among young adults.

Abstract Objective This study assesses the impact of a school-based drug prevention program, called Project ALERT, on risky sexual behavior among 1901 nonmarried, sexually active young adults who participated in one of two program variations as adolescents. It also tests for differences in program effect depending on program duration (middle school only vs. a combined middle school and high school program) and participants' gender. Methods Using survey data from a randomized controlled experiment conducted in 45 midwestern communities (55 schools), we assessed program effects on risky sexual behavior at age 21 with three measures—having unprotected sex because of drug use plus engaging in inconsistent condom use and having sex with multiple partners. Results Compared to control, Project ALERT reduced the likelihood of all risky sex outcomes except inconsistent condom use among these sexually active young adults, effects that occurred 5 and 7 years after program exposure. Program effects were partially mediated by reductions in alcohol and drug abuse. There were no significant differences in program effects by gender or by program duration compared to control. Implications for future prevention programs and research are discussed.
Liposarcoma in patients younger than or equal to 22 years of age

Background. There have been few reported series of liposarcomas in patients younger than or equal to 22 years of age. Methods. A retrospective analysis of all patients presenting with liposarcoma between 1949–1990 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center with age at diagnosis younger than or equal to 22 years was performed. Variables evaluated for their predictive effect on survival included anatomic location of the primary, size, and completeness of surgical resection. Results. Eighteen patients were identified. Only 1 patient (6%) presented with a high-grade lesion, and in 13 patients (72%), the myxoid subtype was observed. All but one patient undergoing complete resection remain disease-free 1.3–29.1 years after treatment, while all patients with gross residual tumor have died from disease. Two of three patients with microscopic residual at resection are disease-free 2 and 11.8 years after diagnosis with the addition of external beam radiation therapy. Conclusions. The authors conclude that complete surgical resection is crucial for survival in young patients with liposarcoma and that external beam radiation therapy may be effective against microscopic residual.
Exact time evolution of a classical harmonic-oscillator chain

We investigate the dynamical behavior of a classical harmonic-oscillator chain with periodic and fixed-end boundary conditions. The displacement and velocity autocorrelation functions are obtained by a recurrence relations method. We show that the finite diffusion constant and the divergence in the mean-square displacement of a tagged oscillator arise from the zero-frequency mode present in the chain with periodic boundary conditions. For the chain with fixed-end boundary conditions, the diffusion constant vanishes and there is no divergence in the mean-square displacement. These results should hold for the harmonic-oscillator model in higher dimensions.
Multiple subpial transections in language cortex: Effects on language functions

Multiple subpial transections (MST) were made in language cortex in 13 patients with medically refractory partial epilepsy. Transections were made in posterior language cortex in 12 patients and in both anterior and posterior language areas in 1. Eleven patients had additional resective surgery in the anterior temporal (n = 10) or anterior temporal and frontopolar (n = 1) regions. Eleven of the 13 patients had at least 90% reduction in seizure frequency. Dysnomia was present >6 months postoperatively in 9 patients (mild, 6; moderate, 3). Other deficits included impaired memory (mild, 3; moderate, 1) and reading (mild, 2). We compared the postoperative neuropsychologic findings in 7 patients with MST and temporal lobectomy with those in 14 patients who underwent only dominant temporal lobectomy. MST patients had significantly ( p 1 year postoperatively