cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cocoonases of silkworm moths: Catalytic properties and biological function

Abstract The cocoonases from several silkmoths and bovine trypsin have similar reactivities towards several small-molecule substrates and inhibitors. These include ester and amide substrates, a substrate analogue (TLCK), and a phosphate ester inhibitor (DFP). Trypsin-like substrate activation was also observed with one cocoonase. The enzymes from Antheraea polyphemus and Bombyx mori react with labelled DFP and give, on acid hydrolysis, patterns of labelled peptides similar to those from labelled DIP trypsin and chymotrypsin, thus indicating considerable homology in the active site region of the cocoonases and the pancreatic proteinases. Trypsin and A. polyphemus cocoonase have qualitatively similar but quantitatively different action on polypeptides, with trypsin being more effective. Cocoonase is necessary for effective escape of silkmoths from the cocoon, which can be accomplished from the anterior end with ease and, in a few instances, from the posterior end with difficulty.
Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 alpha and beta in healthy elderly subjects

To determine the age-related changes in monokine secretion, the serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were measured in 31 young healthy subjects (21–35 years old) and 19 healthy elderly subjects (65–83 years old). There were no differences between the two groups with respect to serum concentrations of these cytokines. We also measured in a subgroup of young (n=8–11) and elderly (n=8–10) subjects the in vitro secretion of TNF and IL-1β in response to adding to the medium lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2 ng/ml), interferon gamma (50 U/ml) or advanced glycosylation endproduct of bovine serum albumin (250 ug/ml). Only LPS-stimulated IL-1β production was significantly reduced in elderly subjects (456.7 ± 229.9 vs 1118.8 ± 494.8 pg/ml). It is concluded that with the possible exception of LPS-stimulated IL-1β production, monokine secretion measured in this study is well preserved in elderly subjects.
Cultural embeddedness in vernacular architecture

Built to Meet Needs – Cultural Issues in Vernacular Architecture Paul Oliver Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 2006; ISBN 13: 978 0 7506 6657 2 Paul Oliver's book is a compendium of 24 essays r...
Evaluation of a process-of-care model for open intravesical ureteral reimplantation in children from a contemporary health care perspective.

AbstractIntroduction: Surgical management of patients with vesicoureteral reflux consists of both open and minimally invasive approaches. Open approaches are associated with postoperative hospitalization and stays of 2 to 3 days, dependent on the type of procedure; alternately, when endoscopic correction is performed, it is a same-day procedure. Changes in health care policy emphasize reduction in cost while maintaining and improving quality of care. We sought to evaluate the impact of a “1-night cost-saving process-of-care” model for open surgical correction of vesicoureteral reflux in children on quality of care, which was defined as a return to the emergency room (ER)/office or readmission to the hospital within 2 days of discharge. Materials and Methods: An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review of all open ureteral reimplantations for uncomplicated vesicoureteral reflux from January 2009 through January 2013 was performed. Children who underwent ureteral stent placement and th...
Multispectral scleral patterns for ocular biometric recognition

Biometrics is the science of recognizing people based on their physical or behavioral traits such as face, fingerprints, iris, and voice. Among these characteristics, ocular biometrics has gained popularity due to the significant progress made in iris recognition. However, iris recognition is unfavorably influenced by the non-frontal gaze direction of the eye with respect to the acquisition device. In such scenarios, additional parts of the eye, such as the sclera (the white of the eye) may be of significance. In this article, we investigate the use of the sclera texture and vasculature patterns evident in the sclera as a potential biometric. Iris patterns are better discerned in the near infrared spectrum (NIR) while vasculature patterns are better discerned in the visible spectrum (RGB). Therefore, multispectral images of the eye, consisting of both NIR and RGB channels, are used in this work in order to ensure that both the iris and the vasculature patterns are imaged. The contributions of this work include: (a) the assembling of a multispectral eye database to initiate research on this topic; (b) the design of a novel algorithm for sclera segmentation based on a normalized sclera index measure; and (c) the evaluation of three different feature extraction and matching schemes on the assembled database in order to examine the potential of utilizing the sclera and the accompanying vasculature pattern as biometric cues. Experimental results convey the potential of this biometric in an ocular-based recognition system.
Molting fluid chitinase: a homotropic allosteric enzyme.

Abstract The molting fluid of the tobacco hornworm has chitinase activity which shows allosteric behavior with chitin. A parabolic curve is obtained on a double reciprocal plot of 1 v vs. 1 [S] , and a sigmoid curve results when v (N-acetylglucosamine produced) is plotted against [S] (chitin concentration in terms of N-acetylglucosamine concentration). The Hill coefficient with insect chitin is 1.95 ± 0.08. Allostery of the chitinase enables the insect to exert additional control over the integrity of structure of its cuticle.
Deformation of doubly oriented polyethylene, nylon 66 and poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Abstract Doubly oriented specimens of high density polyethylene (HDPE), nylon 66 and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were re-stretched along a direction perpendicular to the molecular chain axis at temperatures ranging between room temperature and the respective polymer melting points. Brittle failure was observed for PE samples at all the test temperatures with no significant amount of plastic deformation; whereas, for both PET and nylon 66 samples, ductile deformation was observed at elevated temperatures with plastic strain of >400%. The ductile deformation of nylon 66 and PET occurred with an anisotropic change in the cross-sectional dimensions of the specimen, the reduction taking place predominantly in only one lateral direction. The morphological change accompanying the drawing of the doubly oriented PET and nylon 66 material was examined by using X-ray and optical methods. The implications of the difference in deformation behaviour with respect to the morphological differences among oriented PE, PET and nylon 66 materials are discussed.
Electrical properties of lead‐zirconate–lead‐titanate ferroelectric thin films and their composition analysis by Auger electron spectroscopy

Lead‐zirconate–lead‐titanate (PZT) thin films with perovskite and pyrochlore structures were successfully fabricated on several kinds of substrates by rf diode sputtering. Semiquantitative compositional analysis of the deposited thin films were made with Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The films were deposited from targets consisting of mixed powder oxides. One target had a composition corresponding to 10 mol% PbO‐modified PZT 52/48 (Zr to Ti ratio in the PZT, target A), while the other had the composition corresponding to 10 mol% PbO‐modified PZT 42/58 (target B). The films in the perovskite structure had ferroelectricity, while the films in pyrochlore had none. The perovskite films deposited from target A had a dielectric constant of 751, a remanent polarization of 20.4 μC/cm2, and a coercive field of 23.3 kV/cm. The films deposited from target B had a dielectric constant of 654, a remanent polarization of 6.37 μC/cm2, and a coercive field of 12.2 kV/cm. The composition of the former film was PZT 60/...
Type VI secretion requires a dynamic contractile phage tail-like structure

Type VI secretion systems are bacterial virulence-associated nanomachines composed of proteins that are evolutionarily related to components of bacteriophage tails. Here we show that protein secretion by the type VI secretion system of Vibrio cholerae requires the action of a dynamic intracellular tubular structure that is structurally and functionally homologous to contractile phage tail sheath. Time-lapse fluorescence light microscopy reveals that sheaths of the type VI secretion system cycle between assembly, quick contraction, disassembly and re-assembly. Whole-cell electron cryotomography further shows that the sheaths appear as long tubular structures in either extended or contracted conformations that are connected to the inner membrane by a distinct basal structure. These data support a model in which the contraction of the type VI secretion system sheath provides the energy needed to translocate proteins out of effector cells and into adjacent target cells.
Reversal of retinal ganglion cell dysfunction after surgical reduction of intraocular pressure.

Purpose The pattern electroretinogram optimized for glaucoma screening (PERGLA) is a noninvasive method of objectively measuring retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function. This study was undertaken to quantify the RGC response to intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after glaucoma surgery. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants Forty-seven eyes of 47 patients with uncontrolled IOP or progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy receiving maximal medical therapy requiring trabeculectomy or aqueous drainage device implantation who met eligibility criteria. Methods Eyes with visual acuity less than 20/30, corneal or retinal pathologic features, or unreliable standard automated perimetry (SAP) results were excluded. All patients underwent complete ocular examination, arterial blood pressure, SAP, and PERGLA at 2 sessions before surgery and at 3 months after surgery. Mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP) was calculated. Each measure of PERGLA amplitude and phase was an average of 600 artifact-free signal registrations. Main Outcome Measures Intraocular pressure and PERGLA amplitude and phase. Results Forty-seven eyes of 47 patients (mean age±standard deviation [SD], 69.9±11.3 years) were enrolled. Thirty-four eyes (72%) underwent trabeculectomy with antifibrosis therapy; 13 eyes (28%) underwent glaucoma drainage implant surgery. Mean±SD postoperative IOP (10.4±4.6 mmHg) was significantly ( P P = 0.001) increased compared with preoperative PERGLA amplitude (0.37±0.18 μV). Mean±SD postoperative PERGLA phase (1.72±0.20 π-radian) was significantly ( P = 0.01) reduced compared with preoperative PERGLA phase (1.81±0.22 π-radian). Mean±SD postoperative MOPP (53.1±6.4 mmHg) was significantly ( P P >0.05) was identified between change in PERGLA amplitude and change in IOP or MOPP. Conclusions Reversal of RGC dysfunction occurs after surgical reduction of IOP and may be quantified using PERGLA. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
Environmental divergence: Air pollution in the USSR

Abstract The similarities between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. which arise out of the shared commitment to rapid development are not presumptive evidence of environmental convergence. We present evidence which casts doubt on the convergence argument, but stress the more fundamental error involved in failure to distinguish between the amount of environmental disruption produced by an economy and the environmental efficiency of an economic system. This analysis suggests either a relatively high degree of environmental efficiency for the Soviet economy or particular emphasis on pollution avoidance. Claims that air pollution in the U.S.S.R. is as extensive and severe as in the U.S. are both unfounded and unfortunate.
Ozonation pretreatment for stabilized landfill leachate high-pressure membrane treatment

Abstract Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of ozonation as a pretreatment option for treating stabilized landfill leachate using reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes. Leachate from three different landfills was collected and characterized as stabilized leachate with a ratio of biochemical oxygen demand to chemical oxygen demand in the range of 0.02 to 0.12. Batch ozonation experiments were conducted by using an ozonation dose of 66.7 g m − 3 for duration of 5 to 30 min. A maximum reduction of 78% UV-254 absorbing compounds and 23% dissolved organic carbon was observed for all three leachates. An effective ozonation time of 10 min at an ozone dose of 66.7 g m − 3 was selected for leachate pretreatment before membrane operation. Even though the ozone-treated leachate contained approximately 50% fewer UV-254 absorbing compounds than raw leachate, ozonation of leachate prior to membrane treatment resulted in a greater reduction in permeate flux as compared to raw leachate. The cause of increased permeate flux reduction with the ozonated leachate was assessed by using a flux decline analysis alongside Hermia's crossflow filtration model. Hermia's crossflow filtration model indicated that each fouling mechanism occurred. The flux decline analysis suggested that distinct stages of fouling did not develop. While the cause of the increased fouling is suspected to be the coagulation of calcium and natural organic matter, further investigation is needed to determine the primary source of fouling.
Breast Reconstruction with Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery Flaps: A Prospective Comparison with Tram and Diep Flaps

Breast reconstruction using the lower abdominal free superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap has the potential to virtually eliminate abdominal donor-site morbidity because the rectus abdominis fascia and muscle are not incised or excised. However, despite its advantages, the free SIEA flap for breast reconstruction is rarely used. A prospective study was conducted of the reliability and outcomes of the use of SIEA flaps for breast reconstruction compared with transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) and deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. Breast reconstruction with an SIEA flap was attempted in 47 consecutive free autologous tissue breast reconstructions between August of 2001 and November of 2002. The average patient age was 49 years, and the average body mass index was 27 kg/m. The SIEA flap was used in 14 (30 percent) of these breast reconstructions in 12 patients. An SIEA flap was not used in the remaining 33 cases because the SIEA was absent or was deemed too small. The mean superficial inferior epigastric vessel pedicle length was approximately 7 cm. The internal mammary vessels were used as recipients in all SIEA flap cases so that the flap could be positioned sufficiently medially on the chest wall. The average hospital stay was significantly shorter for patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction with SIEA flaps than it was for those who underwent reconstruction with TRAM or DIEP flaps. Of the 47 free flaps, one SIEA flap was lost because of arterial thrombosis. Medium-size and large breasts were reconstructed with hemi-lower abdominal SIEA flaps, with aesthetic results similar to those obtained with TRAM and DIEP flaps. The free SIEA flap is an attractive option for autologous tissue breast reconstruction. Harvest of this flap does not injure the anterior rectus fascia or underlying rectus abdominis muscle. This can potentially eliminate abdominal donor-site complications such as bulge and hernia formation, and decrease weakness, discomfort, and hospital stay compared with TRAM and DIEP flaps. The disadvantages of an SIEA flap are a smaller pedicle diameter and shorter pedicle length than TRAM and DIEP flaps and the absence or inadequacy of an arterial pedicle in most patients. Nevertheless, in selected patients, the SIEA flap offers advantages over the TRAM and DIEP flaps for breast reconstruction.
Longitudinal myelitis, aseptic meningitis, and conus medullaris infarction as presenting manifestations of pediatric sysemic lupus erythematosus

A healthy boy developed subacutely progressive quadriparesis, complicated by sudden paraplegia, fever, and meningeal signs, diagnosed as longitudinal myelitis, aseptic meningitis, and conus medullaris infarction and identified as the presenting manifestations of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Rapid expansion of the conus on serial neuroimaging led to emergent decompressive laminectomy and cord biopsy showing vasculitis and cord infarction. The patient had partial recovery after treatment with high-dose steroids. Increased vigilance is required when pediatric patients develop a similar subacute presentation on the ground of active systemic lupus erythematosus because it may herald the onset of a catastrophic neurological syndrome.
Modifying Preschool Teaching Behavior Through Telecommunications and Graphic Feedback

Three undergraduate students (trainees) were observed and trained through a two-way audio-video telecommunications system to use prescribed teaching tactics with preschool-aged handicapped children in a trial-by-trial teaching format. A multiple baseline across subjects design was used to assess the effects of graphed performance feedback procedures on the acquisition of several teaching tactics. Results suggested that televised graphic feedback alone was insufficient to produce desired changes in teacher behavior, but televised graphic feedback plus televised verbal explanation of graphed behavior categories did produce such changes. The implications and efficacy of indirect, remote means of conducting teacher training are discussed.
Gamma-ray measurements with a bent-crystal spectrometer

Abstract A two-meter bent-crystal spectrometer has been used to obtain high-precision γ-ray energy and relative intensity values. Low-energy transitions following the decay of 128 I, 152 Eu, 155 Sm, 155 Eu, 175 Yb and 180m Hf were investigated. From the relative intensities of the 175 Yb γ-rays and the Lu K X-rays a value of 1.90 ± 0.08 was obtained for the K conversion coefficient for the 113.8 keV transition in 175 Lu. The 180 Hf level energies of 93.332 ± 0.006 keV (2 + ), 308.583 ± 0.014 keV (4 + ), 640.89 ± 0.04 keV (6 + ) and 1084.07 ± 0.06 keV (8 + ) are compared with several models. The decay of 155 Eu to 155 Gd is discussed.
Managing the Perceptions of Patient Wait Time

Patients' perception of waiting time in the dental office can greatly affect their satisfaction of service. Traditional approaches to managing patient perceptions of wait time are discussed, and some new strategies are explored.
Penalty Factors From Newton's Method

The penalty factors calculated by the classical B-coefficients method are shown to be proportional (but not equal) to the penalty factors calculated directly from the transposed acobian. It is also shown that the economic operating point is independent of the load and generation distribution factors Z. Expected computational times in examples with up to 5873 buses and 943 generators are given. The evidence presented supports conclusions also reached by others indicating that the transposed Jacobian approach is superior to classical B-coefficients based on its computational speed.
Ellipsometric-Electrolyte Electroreflectance Study Of The Si/SiO 2 Interface

Ellipsometry and electrolyte-electroreflectance have been combined as a destructive probe of the Si/Si02/KOH system. Optical measurements were made in the 3-4 eV photon energy range. The optical and electrical properties of the substrate/oxide interface of anodic and thermal oxides have been studied during the oxide etching. Changes in the ellipsometric parameters and the electroreflectance response of the substrate have been interpreted in terms of stoichiometric changes and the presence of surface states in the connective region between the Si semiconductor and its oxide.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Uranyl Incorporation in Natural Calcite

The occurrence of trace amounts of uranyl in natural calcite has posed a long-standing problem in crystal chemistry because of speculation that the size and shape of the uranyl ion may preclude its incorporation in a stable lattice position in calcite. This also defines an important environmental problem because of its bearing on the transport and sequestration of uranyl released from nuclear facilities and uranium mining operations. Calcite is a nearly ubiquitous mineral in soils and groundwater aquifers. X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence microprobe studies of uranium in relatively U-rich ∼13 700-year-old calcite from a speleothem in northernmost Italy indicate substitution of uranyl for a calcium and two adjacent carbonate ions in calcite. These new data imply that uranyl has a stable lattice position in natural calcite, indicating that it may be reliably sequestered in calcite over long time scales.
Syntheses of meta-[18F]fluorobenzaldehyde and meta-[18F]fluorobenzylbromide from phenyl(3-Formylphenyl) iodonium salt precursors†

18F-labeled fluorobenzaldehydes and fluorobenzylbromides are useful synthons for the preparation of positron emission tomography radiopharmaceuticals. Although ortho- and para-[18F]fluorobenzaldehydes can easily be prepared with high yields, the corresponding meta-derivatives are more problematic. In order to improve the yield of meta-[18F]fluorobenzaldehyde, we used the corresponding diaryliodonium salt precursors, since diaryliodonium salts had already been used as precursors in the preparations of 18F-labeled electron-rich, as well as electron-deficient, aromatic rings. Diaryliodonium salts with different counter ions [PhIPhCHO]X (X = Cl, Br, OTs, OTf) were synthesized. 18F radiolabeling was performed using different bases at different temperatures in the presence of a radical scavenger, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO). The best conversion (∼80%) to meta-[18F]fluorobenzaldehyde was obtained using CsHCO3 base at a reaction temperature of 110°C. To study iodonium salt counter ion effects on radiofluorination, each precursor was separately treated with Cs[18F]F/CsHCO3 in DMF at 110°C for 5 min in the presence of TEMPO. Our observed reactivity order was OTs<Cl<OTf<Br. Meta-[18F]fluorobenzaldehyde thus obtained was reduced to the corresponding alcohol with aqueous NaBH4 at room temperature and then converted to meta-[18F]fluorobenzylbromide using triphenylphosphine dibromide. Formation of meta-[18F]fluorobenzylbromide was confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography and the desired product was purified on a silica Sep-Pak® plus cartridge. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Observations on the statistical iteration of matrices

Monte Carlo calculations which rely on the statistical iteration of some operator can sometimes lead to results in which the variance grows as the iterations proceed. Alternatively the variance can be stable but the result incorrect. The effects are demonstrated by the Monte Carlo iteration of a 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 2 matrix and analyzed in detail for this simple case. In addition an algebraic formulation of a full Monte Carlo calculation with many simultaneous configurations including a method for keeping the number of configurations constant is given. With this formulation it is shown that the naive sampling of the wave function and naive estimate of the eigenvalue based on the growth in the number of configurations will be stable but biased. It is made plausible that for a sufficiently large number ($M$) of simultaneous configurations the naive method leads to a result which approaches the correct one as $M\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$. It is shown that the correct average eigenvalue and eigenvector is a certain weighted average defined so that it avoids the problem of the growing variance and thus becomes more accurate as the chain is extended.
Thermospheric resistance to “greenhouse cooling”: Effect of the collisional excitation rate by atomic oxygen on the thermal response to CO2 forcing

[1] Infrared radiation in the 15-μm band of carbon dioxide is the major cooling mechanism of the middle and upper atmosphere. Increasing amounts of atmospheric CO2 impose anthropogenic influence (“greenhouse cooling”) all the way through the mesosphere and thermosphere. Collisions with atomic oxygen are the primary excitation mechanism of CO2 molecules in the thermosphere. Negative radiative forcing due to the CO2 increase is roughly proportional to the rate of collisional excitation which in turn is proportional to the rate constant of collisional deactivation. The rate constant is still somewhat uncertain at present with various measurements and estimates varying within about a factor of 4. In light of recent laboratory measurements, two sets of numerical simulations have been performed to estimate the thermospheric response to doubling and a 15% increase of CO2 for two values of the rate constant that differ by a factor of 2. Surprisingly, the temperature and density changes due to the CO2 increases are practically independent of the rate constant. Simple diagnostics show that two physical mechanisms are primarily responsible: the strong temperature dependence of the radiative forcing itself in a combination with a temperature dependence of molecular heat conduction. Since the scenarios considered for the higher rate constant generally correspond to colder temperatures, the two physical mechanisms combined provide sufficiently strong negative feedbacks to entirely offset the initially stronger radiative forcing.
The origin of oriented lakes in the Andean foreland, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine (Chilean Patagonia)

Abstract The Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine and surrounding area in the Magallanes foreland basin in Chilean Patagonia is the site for numerous lakes fed by glaciers and rivers in the Andean highlands to the west. The lakes are elongate and have conspicuously systematic orientations. We hypothesize that the origin of the oriented lakes lies in the fault system, composed of a right-lateral strike-slip fault set oriented 58° from north, a left-lateral strike-slip set oriented 87°, and a thrust fault set oriented 167°, that exists within the underlying rocks. To test this hypothesis quantitatively, we determined the shape and orientation of the lakes by fitting each lake with an ellipse of appropriate aspect ratio, and later with multiple ellipses consistent with the composite geometry of some lakes. We then examined the faults in the area in terms of their kinematics, orientation and distribution. The distribution of lake orientations showed three distinct groups which appear to correspond to the three main fault groups. For lakes fitted with multiple ellipses, the difference in means between the right-lateral, left-lateral, and thrust faults and their corresponding groups of lakes are 3.05°, 1.57°, and 5.17°. Using a Kolmogorov–Smirnov (K–S) statistical test to compare the orientations of faults with respect to the lakes suggests that there is not a strongly significant difference between the fault orientations and the corresponding lake groups. These results indicate that the faults have a profound control on the orientation, shape, and distribution of the lakes. We attribute this to faults and their damage zones being weaker and therefore prone to a faster rate of erosion, and to stress perturbations associated with discontinuous faults resulting in localized high density fracturing and surface subsidence. These results have implications for lake and drainage system morphologies in other foreland basins along the Andes and other similar settings.
The Effect of Folic Acid Fortification on Folate Intake in Rural Women

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fortification on dietary folate intake in a sample of rural women. The 289 subjects were recruited at 2 community health screenings. Most were white (88%), college educated (51%), and middle income (60% with incomes $30K+). Average age was 47.7 years. Dietary assessment data were collected with a quantitative food frequency (Block) using the Nutrition DISCovery™ program. Fortification was simulated using the fortification standard, i.e., 140μg folic acid/100g flour. Mean dietary intake of folate increased significantly with fortification (320 vs 489μg, P P =.003). On the other hand, the upper quartile women consumed significantly more servings of fruits ( P P =.037) than women in the lowest quartile; food groups contributing to folate intake, but unaffected by fortification. The proportion of women consuming the dietary reference intake (DRI) of 400ug from food increased by 40% after fortification. From food alone, 35% of the women were still not meeting the DRI; this decreased to 20% when taking folic acid supplements into account. Concerns have been expressed that fortification may elevate folate intakes to unsafe levels (≥1000μg). Of the 10% of women meeting this criterion after fortification, their intakes ranged from 1009-1300 μg or levels that would preclude undue concern. Most of these women were taking a daily supplement of 400ug. The improvements in folate intake in this sample may not apply to groups with limited resources. Based on this sample of highly educated, adult women, the current level of fortification will improve the intakes of a large proportion of women especially when accompanied with folic acid supplements. However, some women still did not meet current recommendations.
Foldable versus rigid intraocular lenses in conjunction with pars plana vitrectomy and other vitreoretinal procedures.

Abstract Purpose: To compare the results of foldable acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation through a clear corneal incision with those of rigid IOL implantation in eyes having pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Setting: Tertiary referral-based university institute. Methods: A consecutive retrospective comparative chart review was performed in all eyes that had PPV and foldable IOL implantation between May 15, 1999, and November 1, 2000 (n = 30), and all eyes that had PPV and rigid IOL implantation between April 1, 1996, and May 14, 1999 (n = 30). Preoperative baseline data and postoperative outcome data were recorded. Pars plana vitrectomy and associated vitreoretinal procedures were performed as indicated according to individual circumstances. A minimum of 1 week of follow-up information was available for all eyes. Results: Baseline characteristics in both groups of patients, including age, sex, eye involved, and phakic state, were similar. The preoperative visual acuities were also similar, ranging from 20/30 to hand motions; the mean visual acuity was 20/200. The IOL was implanted in all eyes uneventfully and did not restrict fundoscopy. The mean follow-up was significantly longer in the rigid IOL group (20 months) than in the foldable IOL group (7 months) (P Conclusion: Acrylic IOLs can be safely implanted in conjunction with PPV in selected cases.
Adolescent Siblings’ Looking Glass Self-Orientations: Patterns of Liabilities and Associations with Parenting

A looking glass self-orientation refers to the tendency to incorporate the opinions of social partners to form a self-representation and approve of one’s self. These orientations were assessed for two adolescent siblings in 438 families with surveys accessed on-line. Younger (M = 11.6 years, SD = 1.8) and older (M = 14.3, SD = 2.1) siblings and their mothers (82.7% European-American) participated. The siblings shared similar orientations in relying on either classmates or the other sibling for approval, prior to self approval. Relying on classmate approval was significantly associated with adjustment and academic performance as reported by both the self and mothers. Siblings were also identified as sources of approval with implications for adjustment, but the magnitude of the associations with adjustment were lower. Comparisons of the older and younger siblings revealed that both groups were equally as liable to poor outcomes when reflecting the opinions of classmates or siblings. The results of SEM analyses implicate parenting characterized as coercive, rejecting, and chaotic in association with the tendency to rely on others for approval. A mediating role for looking glass self-orientations in associations between parenting and depressive symptoms, anxiety or academic performance was also found.
Scan-BIST based on transition probabilities for circuits with single and multiple scan chains

It is demonstrated that it is possible to generate a deterministic test set that detects all the detectable single stuck-at faults in a full-scan circuit such that each test vector contains a small number of transitions from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0 when considering consecutive input values. Using this result, it is shown that built-in test-pattern generation for scan circuits can be based on transition probabilities, instead of probabilities of specific bits in the test set being 0 or 1. The resulting approach associates only two parameters with every set of test vectors: an initial value and a transition probability. It is demonstrated that this approach is effective in detecting all the detectable single stuck-at faults in benchmark circuits. The case where the circuit has a single scan chain, and the case where the circuit has multiple scan chains are considered.
HyBrow: a prototype system for computer-aided hypothesis evaluation

Motivation: Experimental design, hypothesis-testing and model-building in the current data-rich environment require the biologists' to collect, evaluate and integrate large amounts of information of many disparate kinds. Developing a unified framework for the representation and conceptual integration of biological data and processes is a major challenge in bioinformatics because of the variety of available data and the different levels of detail at which biological processes can be considered. Results: We have developed the HyBrow (Hypothesis Browser) system as a prototype bioinformatics tool for designing hypotheses and evaluating them for consistency with existing knowledge. HyBrow consists of a modeling framework with the ability to accommodate diverse biological information sources, an event-based ontology for representing biological processes at different levels of detail, a database to query information in the ontology and programs to perform hypothesis design and evaluation. We demonstrate the HyBrow prototype using the galactose gene network in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as our test system, and evaluate alternative hypotheses for consistency with stored information. Availability: www.hybrow.org
Desirable Difference: The Shadow of Racial Stereotypes in Creating Transracial Families through Transnational Adoption

The article analyzes how parents decide to adopt a child transnationally by detailing how the meaning of race is articulated in the formation of family. Drawing from my interviews with adoptive parents, I examine how they internalize ideas about different racial groups. For example, I investigate how what they have learned from the adoption agencies, their own perceptions of racial stereotypes, and their perceptions of the communities in which they reside influence their understanding of race. The article suggests that adoptive parents, when considering whether to adopt children from the U.S. or overseas, use a criteria dictated by racial stereotypes in understanding Asian Americans as the model minority, African-Americans as a deficient group, and Latinos occupying an intermediary position.
Juvenile Justice A System Divided

An increasing public focus on the effects of juvenile crime on society has dramatically impacted juvenile justice policy decisions in recent years. Historically, juvenile justice policy makers have...
Re-engineering an Anticancer Drug to Make It Safer: Modifying Imatinib to Curb Its Side Effects

As indicated in the previous chapter, molecular therapeutic approaches to cancer are often geared at interfering with signaling pathways that govern cell fate or proliferation. These strategies target kinases, the quintessential signal transducers in the cell. This approach remains challenging because kinases are evolutionarily and therefore structurally related and thus kinase inhibitors often lack specificity or possess uncontrolled cross-reactivities, which may lead to toxic side effects. This chapter illustrates the power of the wrapping concept in developing safer kinase inhibitors, thus unraveling a rational approach to fulfill this therapeutic imperative. The focus of this chapter is the redesign of the anticancer drug imatinib (Gleevec) used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, where its primary target is the chimeric Bcr-Abl kinase, as well as certain solid tumors based on its impact on the C-Kit kinase.
An intelligent dynamic programming for unit commitment application

A heuristic improvement of the truncated window dynamic programming has been studied for the unit commitment application. The proposed method employs a variable window size according to load demand increments, and corresponding experimental results indicate a substantial saving in the computation time without sacrificing the quality of the solution. An iterative process for the number of strategies saved in every stage is incorporated to fine tune the optimal solution. >
Viscosity and Finite Strength of the Mantle as Determined from Water and Ice Loads

Summary Some recent examples of transient Earth loads (Lake Bonneville, Utah; Glacier Bay, Alaska; northeast Greenland) indicate that both the viscosity and finite strength of the mantle are lower than is commonly presumed. A time constant (1/e) of 4000 years is estimated for Lake Bonneville, and of 1000 years for northeast Greenland. A strain rate of 10-14 is typical. These figures imply viscosities in a homogeneous half space ranging from 1020 to 1021 poises. An upper limit of finite strength is set by Lake Bonneville at a few times 106 dyn/cm2. If mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada or Himalaya are regarded as dynamically supported rather than static systems, this low value is not incompatible with other geologic observations.
A mixed methods study of secondary traumatic stress in labor and delivery nurses.

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the prevalence and severity of secondary traumatic stress in labor and delivery (L&D) nurses and to explore nurses' descriptions of their experiences attending traumatic births. Design A mixed methods convergent parallel design was used. Setting/Participants A random sample of 464 L&D nurses obtained from the membership list of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) participated in this mail survey. Methods In the quantitative approach of this mixed methods study, participants completed the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. For the qualitative approach, the nurses were asked to describe their experiences being present at a traumatic childbirth. Results In this sample, 35% of the L&D nurses reported moderate to severe levels of secondary traumatic stress. Content analysis of the participants' descriptions of being present at traumatic births revealed six themes: (a) magnifying the exposure to traumatic births, (b) struggling to maintain a professional role while with traumatized patients, (c) agonizing over what should have been, (d) mitigating the aftermath of exposure to traumatic births, (e) haunted by secondary traumatic stress symptoms, and (f) considering foregoing careers in L&D to survive. Conclusion With 35% of this sample of L&D nurses reporting at least moderate secondary traumatic stress, nurses need to consider the possible impact their work may be having on them and take preventative measures to address their current symptoms.
Multimode fiber link equalization by mode filtering via a multisegment photodetector

For short-haul optical networks, multimode fiber is ideal in regards to ease of use and cost-effectiveness. Unfortunately, modal dispersion in the fiber, can lead to severe intersymbol interference. A multisegment photodetector is used to perform spatially resolved equalization of the channel response. We demonstrate, through measured impulse response and bit error rate, robust performance to variations in channel condition.
Building Rome in a day

We present a system that can reconstruct 3D geometry from large, unorganized collections of photographs such as those found by searching for a given city (e.g., Rome) on Internet photo-sharing sites. Our system is built on a set of new, distributed computer vision algorithms for image matching and 3D reconstruction, designed to maximize parallelism at each stage of the pipeline and to scale gracefully with both the size of the problem and the amount of available computation. Our experimental results demonstrate that it is now possible to reconstruct city-scale image collections with more than a hundred thousand images in less than a day.
Cardiac Markers. Alan H.B. Wu, ed. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press, 1998, 300 pp., $99.50. ISBN 0-89603-434-8.

The first serum marker [serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), also known as aspartate transaminase (AST)] to facilitate the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) was described in 1954. It took 20 years before the next significant development was documented in the form of creatine kinase (CK)-MB measurement. However, the pace of discovery of new markers of MI has since accelerated. We have seen the emergence of completely new, nonenzymatic MI markers, such as the cardiac troponins, during the past 10 years. Descriptions of experimental immunoassays for measuring other structural proteins of the myocardium are published almost daily. “Old” markers have been given new life in the form of CK-MB isoforms, and we are looking for biochemical markers that will predict imminent MI instead of documenting the fact that the myocardium has suffered an ischemic injury. Additionally, the new markers have redefined our understanding of the ischemic syndromes and are changing traditional …
Factors Affecting the Outcomes of Hospitalized Dementia Patients: From Home to Hospital to Discharge

This study examined factors associated with willingness to continue in the caregiving role after the hospitalization of a relative with dementia. Interviews were conducted with 179 caregivers of hospitalized patients to determine the influences of predisposing, enabling, and need factors in the discharge decision. Logistic regression was used to identify variables predictive of caregivers taking patients home for those who were originally planning on doing so and for those who were originally undecided. For the first group, only a prolonged hospital stay significantly influenced the discharge disposition. The undecided caregivers were likely to seek placement for patients with more severe cognitive impairment, although having formal assistance with specific tasks increased the probability of a discharge home.
Development of next-generation respiratory virus vaccines through targeted modifications to viral immunomodulatory genes

Vaccines represent one of the greatest contributions of the scientific community to global health. Yet, many pathogens remain either unchallenged or inadequately hindered by commercially available vaccines. Respiratory viruses pose distinct and difficult challenges due to their ability to rapidly spread, adapt, and modify the host immune response. Considerable research has been directed to understand the role of respiratory virus immunomodulatory proteins and how they influence the host immune response. We review here efforts to develop next-generation vaccines through targeting these key immunomodulatory genes in influenza virus, coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, measles virus, and mumps virus.
N2-time-dependent SCF scheme

Proposition d'une nouvelle procedure pour la construction de l'operation de la matrice de Fock. Application a des calculs RHF sur des molecules diatomiques avec des ensembles de base d'orbitales de Slater. Temps de calcul proportionnel au carre de la dimension de l'ensemble de base
A New Legal Framework for Online Anonymity: California's Privacy-Based Approach

The Internet might never have developed into a free and open forum in the US countries and many other democracies if users weren't guaranteed at least some level of anonymity. However, under the current legal framework used by most courts, that anonymity is elusive for many types of online behavior. California's new approach to anonymity recognizes the longstanding need for privacy that's fundamental to online life. Courts in the US and other nations can and should learn from California's approach and recognize anonymity as a fundamental right to privacy.
VIABILITY SELECTION ON SEASONALLY POLYPHENIC TRAITS: WING MELANIN PATTERN IN WESTERN WHITE BUTTERFLIES.

Wing melanin pattern varies seasonally among generations in many populations of the butterfly Pontia occidentalis, leading to distinctly different wing phenotypes during spring and summer generations. Estimates of directional selection on wing pattern can therefore quantify the imperfection of this phenotypically plastic (polyphenic) response in generating "optimal" phenotypes for each seasonal generation. Mark-release-recapture (MRR) studies were used to estimate directional selection on six wing traits in a natural population of P. occidentalis during both spring and summer weather conditions. Estimated survival and recapture probabilities varied substantially among the four MRR studies. When differences between males and females were detected, the survival and recapture probabilities were higher for males than for females. Estimated selection coefficients suggested that the direction of selection on one wing trait important for thermoregulation, melanin on the base of the dorsal hindwings (trait hb), fluctuated seasonally; there was evidence of directional selection for increased hb in the spring studies and for decreased hb in the summer studies. Such fluctuating seasonal selection on hb implies that the seasonal polyphenic response may not be sufficient to eliminate selection on this trait; the slope of the reaction-norm mapping hb onto seasonal environmental cues is too shallow, resulting in further selection on the reaction norm. Adaptive evolution of the reaction norm may be constrained by phenotypic and genetic correlations with other wing traits that experience different patterns of selection and by variable weather conditions within seasons and among years.
A Generalized General Associative Law

(2001). A Generalized General Associative Law. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 74, No. 3, pp. 230-233.
Adsorption stress changes the elasticity of liquid argon confined in a nanopore.

Knowledge of the elastic properties of a fluid is crucial for predicting its flow under high pressure, particularly in porous media. However, when a fluid is confined to a nanopore, many of its thermodynamic properties change as compared to bulk. Here we study the effect of confinement on the bulk modulus of liquid argon adsorbed in mesopores using classical density functional theory. We show that, at pressures lower than the saturation pressure, high adsorption stress in the pore causes the lowering of the fluid bulk modulus, a phenomenon which was recently observed experimentally [Schappert, K.; Pelster, R. Europhys. Lett. 2014, 105, 5600]. Furthermore, we find that the pore size has a strong effect on the fluid bulk modulus, so that even at saturation, the elastic properties of nanoconfined fluid differ from the bulk values. We show that this difference is also due to the adsorption stress. Our results provide a basis for a new method for characterization of porous materials and have implications for m...
Defining the Threshold for Too Sick for Transplant

Purpose of reviewThe most difficult, and perhaps, most important decision that a clinician makes for a patient on the liver transplant wait-list is when ‘not’ to proceed with liver transplant. Although an individual may be suitable for transplant surgery at listing, he/she may become too sick while