cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Young Adult Gay and Bisexual Men in the United States.

Objectives. We examined human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among gay and bisexual men, a population with high rates of HPV infection and HPV-related disease.Methods. A national sample of gay and bisexual men aged 18 to 26 years (n = 428) completed online surveys in fall 2013. We identified correlates of HPV vaccination using multivariate logistic regression.Results. Overall, 13% of participants had received any doses of the HPV vaccine. About 83% who had received a health care provider recommendation for vaccination were vaccinated, compared with only 5% without a recommendation (P < .001). Vaccination was lower among participants who perceived greater barriers to getting vaccinated (odds ratio [OR] = 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.27, 0.78). Vaccination was higher among participants with higher levels of worry about getting HPV-related disease (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.05, 2.27) or perceived positive social norms of HPV vaccination (OR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.02, 2.43).Conclusions. HPV vaccine cove...
Structure of passive films on iron using a new surface-EXAFS technique

Abstract There exists considerable controversy about the structure, the bonding, and the composition of the passive films that form on iron surfaces in aqueous electrolytes. A major problem is that most of the surface analytical techniques used to characterize the passive film require exposure to vacua, which can alter the structure of the passive film. This study seeks to overcome this problem through the application of a new surface-EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) technique that is both extremely sensitive to structural and bonding changes in the 2 to 3 nm passive film and does not require the use of a vacuum environment. Near edge and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra from passive films on iron were measured and compared with those from pure iron and a polycrystalline iron oxide of known structure. The EXAFS data provide a measure of the structures of the passive films, and they were used to derive bond lengths for the iron-to-oxygen and the iron-to-iron coordination shells. It was found that there was greater local disorder in a chromate formed film than in a nitrite formed film. The iron-to-oxygen bond lengths were within the usual range for the crystalline iron oxides but the preliminary iron-to-iron distances corresponded to none of the known structures. The near-edge data reveal differences in the electronic configurations of passive film samples formed in different aqueous electrolytes.
Reducing intra-sample variability of muscle lipid analysis

Intra-sample variability of intramyocellular triacylglycerols (imcTG) in skeletal muscle has been examined using two different tissue processing sequences assisted by tracer and solvent extraction techniques. Aliquoting after homogenization of muscle biopsies significantly reduced intra-sample variability compared to the aliquoting before homogenization approach. The results suggested that skeletal muscle samples be homogenized before aliquoting, if necessary, in order to reduce variability in imcTG measurements. Intramyocellular non-esterified fatty acids have a lower variability than triacylglycerols.
Aminopeptidase activity of Capnocytophaga

Studies have shown that Capnocytophaga species are unique among the periodonlal microorganisms so far tested in that they produce marked leucine aminopeptidase, valine aminopeptidase, and cystine aminopeptidase activities. In this paper, we used the expanded API ZYMAP (API-System, La Balme les Grottes, France) system to survey 18 Capnocytophaga strains for their ability to hydrolyze 57 synthetic substrates of β-naphthylamide derivalives of amino acids, dipeplides, tripeptides, tetrapeptides, and pentapeptides. In general, the study strains exhibited marked hydroiylic activity against all test β-naphthylamides bearing a free N-terminal α-amino group, The hydrolytic activity varied little among the strains. Since aminopeptidases can be involved in bradykinin formation and degradation of collagen fragments and other events ofthe inflammatory process, the Capnocytophaga aminopeptidases may be important virulence factors in Capnocytophaga-associated periodonial diseases.
Preventing alcohol, marijuana, and cigarette use among adolescents: peer pressure resistance training versus establishing conservative norms.

Abstract Background . Two strategies for preventing the onset of alcohol abuse, and marijuana and cigarette use were tested in junior high schools in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California. The first strategy taught skills to refuse substance use offers. The second strategy corrected erroneous normative perceptions about prevalence and acceptability of use among peers and established conservative groups norms regarding use. Methods . Four experimental conditions were created by randomly assigning schools to receive (a) neither of the experimental curricula (placebo comparison), (b) resistance skill training alone, (c) normative education alone, or (d) both resistance skill training and normative education. Students were pretested prior to the program and post-tested 1 year following delivery of the program. Results . There were main effects of normative education for summary measures of alcohol ( P = 0.0011), marijuana ( P = 0.0096), and cigarette smoking ( P = 0.0311). All individual dichotomous measures of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use indicated significant reductions in onset attributable to normative education. There were no significant main effects of resistance skill training. Conclusion . These results suggest that establishing conservative norms is an effective strategy for preventing substance use.
Differentiation of Monocytes into Dendritic Cells in a Model of Transendothelial Trafficking

Essential to the dendritic cell system of antigen-presenting cells are the veiled dendritic cells that traverse afferent lymph to enter lymph nodes, where they initiate immune responses. The origin of veiled cells, which were discovered 20 years ago, is unclear. Monocytes cultured with endothelium differentiated into dendritic cells within 2 days, particularly after phagocytosing particles in subendothelial collagen. These nascent dendritic cells migrated across the endothelium in the ablumenal-to-lumenal direction, as would occur during entry into lymphatics. Monocytes that remained in the subendothelial matrix became macrophages. Therefore, monocytes have two potential fates associated with distinct patterns of migration.
Muscle matters in Kennedy's disease.

Polyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor causes Kennedy's disease. Two recent reports, Cortes et al. (2014) in this issue of Neuron and Lieberman et al. (2014) in Cell Reports, raise the possibility that targeting expression of the mutant protein in skeletal muscle, instead of the nervous system, may mitigate manifestations of this disorder.
High-Density Vertically Aligned ZnO Rods with a Multistage Terrace Structure and Their Improved Solar Cell Efficiency

This work reports a solution-based approach to grow high-density vertically aligned ZnO rod arrays with a multistage terrace structure (HDVAMT) on Au nanoparticle covered glass substrates. The solar cell performance of HDVAMT is 10 times better than that of the disordered ZnO due to the much higher short circuit current (Jsc). This significant improvement of Jsc is attributed to two factors: the vertically aligned structure, which provides smoother electron transport channels, and the high density of the rods with the multistage terrace structure, which provides a higher surface area for the dye adsorption. A tentative growth mechanism is proposed.
Impact Properties of Yarns Made from Different Fibers

Yarns ranging from low tenacity and high elongation to high tenacity and low elongation were broken by impact loading and by static loading. The energy required to break each yarn under impact loading, "impact energy," and under static loading, "static energy" ; the elonga tion at break; and the tenacity were measured or calculated.The results show that the impact energy to rupture can, in general, be estimated from the static energy. The impact energy greatly exceeded the static value for yarns of low elonga tion. For yarns breaking above an elongation of about 50%, the impact energy was about equal to the static energy, except for two yarns having an elongation of over 500%, where it was less than the static value.Yarns having a very high elongation when tested at 70°F and 65% relative humidity had greatly reduced elongation when dried for 120 hrs. at 190°F and tested immediately. The elongation was still further reduced when the dried yarns were cooled for 1 hr. at — 40°F and tested immediately.These f...
Inhibition of Bone Resorption by Acetazolamide in the Rat1

The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolamide, has been found to elicit a hypocalcemic response in acutely nephrectomized rats. This effect cannot be attributed to changes in pCO2, pH citrate, phosphate or protein. Administration of acetazolamide to parathyroidectomized- nephrectomized rats has been shown to inhibit the hypercalcemic response to parathyroid extract and dibutyryl cyclic 3',5'- AMP. The hypercalcemic response to epinephrine was not inhibited in the same preparation. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that cyclic 3',5'-AMP is the second messenger of parathyroid hormone in its action on bone, and that carbonic acid production may be a later, or possibly the final, messenger of the hormone.(Endocrinology 87: 1129, 1970)
Theory and Tests of the Counterpoise

Different theories have been advanced as to the behavior of the counterpoise in the protection of power transmission lines against lightning. In an attempt to learn more about the counterpoise and to check the theories of its behavior, a series of basic field tests was conducted. The results of these tests, made on both the parallel insulated counterpoise and the buried counterpoise, are reported in this paper. The data obtained are analyzed, and conclusions are drawn.
Echogenic Liposome Compositions for Increased Retention of Ultrasound Reflectivity at Physiologic Temperature

Targetable echogenic liposomes (ELIP) for ultrasound enhancement of atheroma have recently been developed; however, their retention of echogenicity at physiological temperature is less than desirable. The purpose of this study was to improve ELIP stability and increase clinical potential. The approach utilized the original procedures but involved manipulation of the lipid composition by reducing the level of unsaturation of the phospholipids components to minimize the rate of loss of echogenicity. Echogenicity was measured using a 20 MHz intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter and quantified (as mean gray scale values) using computer-assisted videodensitometry. The optimal preparation for retention of echogenicity stability at physiologic temperature was egg phosphatidylcholine/dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/dipalmitoylphos-phatidylethanolamine/dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol/cholesterol (27:42:8:8:15, molar percent). This preparation retained 51 +/- 3.5% of its echogenicity after 1 h at 37 degrees C, more than 5x that retained by the previously descried preparation. In this composition nearly 2/3 of the phosphosphatidylcholine is fully saturated. Such an increase in saturation is anticipated to stiffen the lipid acyl chains. The air pockets that are responsible for reflection of ultrasound waves can be assumed to be stabilized by a lipid monolayer at the interface between the air and bulk water. The increased rigidity of that monolayer is presumed to be responsible for reducing the loss of air and extending the duration of echogenic activity. The stability of this improved formulation now appears to be more than adequate for clinical applications.
Disentanglement and reptation during dissolution of rubbery polymers

The dissolution mechanism of rubbery polymers was analyzed by dividing the penetrant concentration field into three regimes that delineate three distinctly different transport processes. The solvent penetration into the rubbery polymer was assumed to be Fickian. The mode of mobility of the polymer chains was shown to undergo a change at a critical penetrant concentration expressed as a change in the diffusion coefficient of the polymer. It was assumed that beyond the critical penetrant concentration, reptation was the dominant mode of diffusion. Molecular arguments were invoked to derive expressions for the radius of gyration, the plateau modulus, and the reptation time, thus leading to an expression for the reptation diffusivity. The disentanglement rate was defined as the ratio between the radius of gyration of the polymer and the reptation time. Transport in the second penetrant concentration regime was modeled to occur in a diffusion boundary layer adjacent to the polymer-solvent interface, where a Smoluchowski type diffusion equation was obtained. The model equations were numerically solved using a fully implicit finite difference technique. The results of the simulation were analyzed to ascertain the effect of the polymer molecular weight and its diffusivity on the dissolution process. The results show that the dissolution can be either disentanglement or diffusion controlled depending on the polymer molecular weight and the thickness of the diffusion boundary layer. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Length‐specific growth rates in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae): extreme longevity or generalized growth cessation?

SUMMARY 1. North American lacustrine freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) are one of the world’s most imperilled groups of organisms. Knowledge of their age structure and longevity is needed for the understanding and management of mussels. Current methods for age estimation in freshwater mussels are insufficient and may have resulted in an erroneous view of the ages of lacustrine freshwater mussels. 2. We collected growth data through mark-recapture in Minnesota and Rhode Island, U.S.A., examining four lentic populations of three of the most common species of freshwater mussels, Elliptio complanata, Lampsilis siliquoidea, and Pyganodon grandis. Using an inversion of the von Bertalanffy growth equation, we estimated age at length from length-specific growth relationships. 3. In some populations, lacustrine mussels may be much older than previously predicted. Ages predicted from actual growth rates suggest that individuals in some populations frequently reach ages in excess of a century, placing unionid mussels among the Earth’s longest-lived animals. Alternatively, if growth has only recently slowed in these populations, generalized growth cessation may be occurring over a broad distributional range of some common North American lacustrine mussels.
Real Time Bayesian Estimation of the Epidemic Potential of Emerging Infectious Diseases

Background Fast changes in human demographics worldwide, coupled with increased mobility, and modified land uses make the threat of emerging infectious diseases increasingly important. Currently there is worldwide alert for H5N1 avian influenza becoming as transmissible in humans as seasonal influenza, and potentially causing a pandemic of unprecedented proportions. Here we show how epidemiological surveillance data for emerging infectious diseases can be interpreted in real time to assess changes in transmissibility with quantified uncertainty, and to perform running time predictions of new cases and guide logistics allocations. Methodology/Principal Findings We develop an extension of standard epidemiological models, appropriate for emerging infectious diseases, that describes the probabilistic progression of case numbers due to the concurrent effects of (incipient) human transmission and multiple introductions from a reservoir. The model is cast in terms of surveillance observables and immediately suggests a simple graphical estimation procedure for the effective reproductive number R (mean number of cases generated by an infectious individual) of standard epidemics. For emerging infectious diseases, which typically show large relative case number fluctuations over time, we develop a Bayesian scheme for real time estimation of the probability distribution of the effective reproduction number and show how to use such inferences to formulate significance tests on future epidemiological observations. Conclusions/Significance Violations of these significance tests define statistical anomalies that may signal changes in the epidemiology of emerging diseases and should trigger further field investigation. We apply the methodology to case data from World Health Organization reports to place bounds on the current transmissibility of H5N1 influenza in humans and establish a statistical basis for monitoring its evolution in real time.
Spin-flipping polarized electrons

We recently used a prototype rf dipole magnet to study the spin flipping of a 669 MeV horizontally polarized electron beam stored in the presence of a nearly full Siberian snake in the new MIT-Bates storage ring. We flipped the spin by ramping the rf dipole's frequency through an rf-induced depolarizing resonance. After optimizing the frequency ramp parameters, we used multiple spin flipping to measure a spin-flip efficiency of $94.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.5%$. The spin-flip efficiency was apparently limited by the field strength in the air-core prototype rf dipole magnet. This unexpectedly high efficiency indicates that very efficient spin flipping of the ring's stored polarized electron beam should be possible using the much stronger ferrite spin flipper, which is now being built by the University of Michigan's Spin Physics Center.
Liver carcinogenesis associated with feeding of ethionine in a choline‐free diet: Evidence against a role of oval cells in the emergence of hepatocellular carcinoma

In an attempt to clarify the role of oval cells in the emergence of hepatocellular carcinoma, we fed rats a choline-free diet containing 0%, 0.05% or 0.1% ethionine. The incidence and nature of premalignant and malignant hepatic lesions were then related to the degree of oval cell proliferation. Intake of choline-free diet alone for up to 12 mo was associated with minimal oval cell proliferation; cholangiofibrosis, hepatocellular nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma were observed in 55%, 23% and 14% of the animals, respectively. When rats were given the choline-free diet with 0.05% ethionine, proliferation of oval cells was more pronounced; after a 6- to 12 mo feeding period, cholangiofibrosis (57%) was again observed. However, hepatocellular nodules (91%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (74%) were the most common lesions seen with this feeding regimen. Finally, rats fed the choline-free diet with 0.1% ethionine had massive oval cell proliferation and progressive loss of parenchymal liver tissue. Most of these animals died before they had consumed the choline-free diet with 0.1% ethionine for 12 mo. Rats in this group (96%) exhibited large and numerous cholangiofibrotic lesions, but hepatocellular nodules and carcinoma were not detected. In all animals of each experimental group, hyperplastic bile duct cells in areas of cholangiofibrosis and oval cells were positive for cytokeratin 19, an intermediate filament protein present only in bile duct cells in normal liver. Hepatocellular nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma were invariably negative for cytokeratin 19. We interpret these findings to suggest that oval cells are not involved in the histogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Viscous Glass Crack Bridging Forces in a Sintered Glassy Alumina at Elevated Temperatures

Time-dependent crack bridging forces were measured at temperatures from 1150° to 1275°C in a vitreous bonded alumina using the rear-notched, short double cantilever beam technique. Glassy ligaments were observed to bridge the crack even after the crack entered the rear notch. The crack bridging force exhibited both a temperature and displacement rate dependency. A model was developed that describes this temperature and time dependence of the bridging forces that result from the viscous glass bridges.
Weight distribution approach to the theory of random depolymerization of heterogeneous chains

The random depolymerization model of Montroll and Simha for originally homogeneous polymers is derived analytically by utilizing a weight distribution function approach not requiring the use of any approximations. The model is then extended to consider heterogeneous initial chains having an arbitrary chain length distribution. The probabilities for breakage are assumed to be identical for all bonds joining monomeric elements in the system and to be independent of chain length and position in the chain, assumptions also used in the model of Montroll and Simha. An expression is found for estimating the probability of bond breakage.
TeV-scale stringy signatures at the electron-positron collider

We investigate the TeV-scale stringy signals of the four-fermion scattering at the electron-positron collider with the center-of-mass energy 500--1000 GeV. The nature of the stringy couplings leads to distinguishable asymmetries comparing to the other new physics models. Specifically, the stringy states in the four-fermion scattering at the leading-order corrections are of spin-1 and 2 with the chiral couplings inherited from the gauge bosons identified as the zeroth-mode string states. The angular left-right, forward-backward, center-edge asymmetries, and the corresponding polarized-beam asymmetries are investigated. The low-energy stringy corrections are compared to the ones induced by the Kaluza-Klein (KK) gravitons. The angular left-right asymmetry of the scattering with the final states of $u$ and $d$-type quarks, namely $c$ and $b$, shows significant deviations from the standard model values. The center-edge and forward-backward asymmetries for all final-states fermions also show significant deviations from the corresponding standard model values. The differences between the signatures induced by the stringy corrections and the KK gravitons are appreciable in both angular left-right and forward-backward asymmetries.
Are herbals as safe as their advocates believe

The dramatic growth of the pharmaceutical industry over the past 50–60 years has resulted in the development and marketing of an ever-increasing number of drugs. In the United States, medical drugs, both overthe-counter and those dispensed by prescription, are widely advertised on television, in the popular press, and on the worldwide web. The result is that the general public, especially in western countries, are accustomed to hearing about drugs and have come to expect their availability for all ailments, regardless of their severities. While most conventional drugs are designed to be beneficial, they can also cause undesired adverse effects that may range from trivial to death-dealing injury. Numerous epidemiologic surveys indicate that adverse reactions from conventional drugs account for between 3% and over 8% of all hospital admissions [1–4], and are responsible for a significant number of deaths [1,5,6]. Adverse reactions can affect all organ systems including the liver, the focus of this editorial. Herbals and dietary supplements also now play an important role in the ‘‘therapeutic armamentarium.” Herbals have been utilized by indigenous peoples and certain cultures for centuries, but interest in their use among western populations is a relatively recent phenomenon, although their frequency of use is growing exponentially and is beginning to parallel and even exceed that of conventional medications. In early telephone surveys conducted in the United States, the use
Another Lane on the Information Highway? A Case Study of Experimenting with Text Message Reference

This article examines the process of researching, adapting, and implementing a text message reference service and the conclusions reached after nearly 10 months of continuous service. This experiment involved a single BlackBerry passed in a rotating schedule among librarians to gauge student interest in a text reference service. Although implementing this service allowed the library to be at the technological forefront, this is a service that would be better provided via a software interface. Furthermore, the text message reference service needed a stronger marketing campaign to make students aware of this option.
Hobbes on the reality of time

Hobbes insists that motion, which plays numerous important roles in his natural philosophy, presupposes time. But he seems to advance a reductionist, even idealist, conception of time itself. For example, he denies that time itself can measure motion; rather motion measures time. Indeed, time is ‘imaginary’ and only the present is strictly real. In various ways, these views of time threaten to undermine the ‘motionalist’ foundations of Hobbes’s mechanical philosophy. This paper aims to block these threats by developing a realist interpretation of Hobbesian time, analogous to his conception of ‘real space’. This real time serves as an objective framework for motion in Hobbes’s natural philosophy.
From Fireplace to Cookstove: Technology and the Domestic Ideal in America

An examination of the development of the first American appliance - the cast iron stove. The stove created a quiet but culturally contested transform of domestic life and sparked important debates about women, industrialization, the definition of social class and the consumer economy.
Synthesis of Taiwaniaquinoids via Nazarov Triflation

A unified approach toward the taiwaniaquinoids that has yielded four natural products is described. A new variant of the Nazarov reaction with concomitant formation of an enol triflate serves as one of the key steps, considerably shortening the synthetic scheme and providing a general entry into this class of bioactive natural products.
Influence of container shape, partitions, frequency, distance, and height level on the maximum acceptable amount of liquid carried by males

The problems associated with liquid carriage (moving e.g., sloshing, and force unbalance) were investigated experimentally and the effect of several task variables on the maximum acceptable amount of liquid carried by males was determined. Five different task variables were studied: shape of non-collapsible containers (rectangular, cylindrical, barrel), height of carry (knuckle height, elbow height), frequency of carry (once/minute, once/4 minutes), distance of carry (3.05 m, 9.14 m), and presence and absence of partitions in a container. Thirteen male college students voluntarily participated in the experiment. The psychophysical methodology was employed and ‘the maximum acceptable amount of liquid carried’ was determined. Each subject performed 48 treatment combinations. Statistical analysis showed that the liquid carrying capacity of males is not influenced by the shape of the non-collapsible, as opposed to collapsible type, containers. The maximum acceptable amount of liquid carried, however, is incre...
Assisted living issues for nursing practice.

Abstract Assisted living has become a popular setting for older people and their families. Although health care services in these settings are limited, many residents require some level of medication management. In some states, unlicensed assistive personnel can perform medication management, suggesting delegation of nursing activities. However, confusion may arise between the licensing requirement for settings and the nurse practice act on this issue. This report discusses assisted living, nurse delegation with regard to medication management, and recommendations for nursing practice for both delegator and delegate. (GERIATR Nurs 2003;24:99-105)
Regulation of cell differentiation by the DNA damage response

When faced with DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), vertebrate cells activate DNA damage response (DDR) programs that preserve genome integrity and suppress malignant transformation. Three established outcomes of the DDR include transient cell cycle arrest coupled with DNA repair, apoptosis, or senescence. However, recent studies in normal and cancer precursor or stem cells suggest that a fourth potential outcome, cell differentiation, is under the influence of DDR programs. Here we review and discuss the emerging evidence that supports the linkage of signaling from DSBs to the regulation of differentiation, including some of the molecular mechanisms driving this under-appreciated DDR outcome. We also consider the physiologic and pathologic consequences of defects in DDR signaling on cell differentiation and malignant transformation.
Detection Of Discrete Faults With Very Low Reflectivity Along Optical Fibers

Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer (OFDR) has shown certain advantages over the Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) for the detection of discrete faults along optical fibers (1-4). An OFDR usually employs a cw optical carrier modulated by a constant amplitude rf signal with a periodic linear frequency sweep (shown in Fig. 1). The detected optical echoes are delayed by propagation in the fiber to produce a delay in the sweep phase of the modulation. In this paper, OFDR has been employed for the detection of discrete faults with very low reflectivity along optical fibers by taking Fourier transform of the complex envelope of the echoes.
Bacterial synthesis of d -amino acids

Recent work has shed light on the abundance and diversity of D-amino acids in bacterial extracellular/periplasmic molecules, bacterial cell culture, and bacteria-rich environments. Within the extracellular/periplasmic space, D-amino acids are necessary components of peptidoglycan, and disruption of their synthesis leads to cell death. As such, enzymes responsible for D-amino acid synthesis are promising targets for antibacterial compounds. Further, bacteria are shown to incorporate a diverse collection of D-amino acids into their peptidoglycan, and differences in D-amino acid incorporation may occur in response to differences in growth conditions. Certain D-amino acids can accumulate to millimolar levels in cell culture, and their synthesis is proposed to foretell movement from exponential growth phase into stationary phase. While enzymes responsible for synthesis of D-amino acids necessary for peptidoglycan (D-alanine and D-glutamate) have been characterized from a number of different bacteria, the D-amino acid synthesis enzymes characterized to date cannot account for the diversity of D-amino acids identified in bacteria or bacteria-rich environments. Free D-amino acids are synthesized by racemization or epimerization at the α-carbon of the corresponding L-amino acid by amino acid racemase or amino acid epimerase enzymes. Additionally, D-amino acids can be synthesized by stereospecific amination of α-ketoacids. Below, we review the roles of D-amino acids in bacterial physiology and biotechnology, and we describe the known mechanisms by which they are synthesized by bacteria.
Integration of equation- and signal-based models in transient analysis of electric energy systems

The paper addresses analytical and practical aspects of integration of equation-based (classical) and signal-derived [artificial neural network (ANN)] dynamic models for transient analysis of large-scale dynamical systems. Our signal-based part is based on two ANNs, and is derived from measurements at boundary points. In this paper, we describe this hybrid modeling technique, and focus on: 1) a least square-based mechanism for on-line correction of dynamic variable predictions that is based on actual operating conditions; 2) the resilience of the algorithm to missing measurements due to failed communication links; and 3) a complete two-way interaction between the differential-algebraic equation based subsystem and the ANN-based subsystem. The paper demonstrates the feasibility of implementing our approach in standard power system software by integrating the ANN-based model with the transient analysis toolbox from Matlab. We illustrate capabilities of the proposed approach for transient analysis on a benchmark multi-machine example derived from the New England/New-York interconnected power system.
Abiotic Reduction of Nitroaromatic Compounds by Aqueous Iron(II)−Catechol Complexes

Complexation of iron(II) by catechol and thiol ligands leads to the formation of aqueous species that are capable of reducing substituted nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) to the corresponding anilines. No reactions of NACs are observed in FeII-only or ligand-only solutions. In solutions containing FeII and tiron, a model catechol, rates of NAC reduction are heavily dependent on pH, ligand concentration, and ionic strength. Observed pseudo-first-order rate constants (kobs) for 4-chloronitrobenzene reduction vary by more than 6 orders of magnitude, and the variability is well described by the expression kobs = kFeL26− [FeL26- ], where [FeL26-] is the concentration of the 1:2 FeII−tiron complex and kFeL26− is the bimolecular rate constant for 4-chloronitrobenzene reaction with this species. The high reactivity of this FeII species is attributed to the low standard one-electron reduction potential of the correspond ing FeIII/FeII redox couple (EH0 = −0.509 V vs NHE). The relative reactivity of different NACs ca...
Effect of maternal administration of the antiestrogen ethamoxy triphetol throughout the last third of baboon gestation upon neonatal corticoid production

The present study determined in baboon neonates whether corticoid production, which is markedly different in preterm baboon neonates, newborns and adult baboons is regulated by estrogen, and therefore, altered by maternal administration of the antiestrogen ethamoxytriphetol (MER-25) throughout the final third of baboon gestation. The metabolic clearance rate (MCR), transfer constant (ρ), production (PR) and secretion (SR) rates of cortisol (F) and cortisone (E) were determined by continuous infusion of [3H] F and[14C]E in baboon neonates delivered spontaneously to untreated mothers and to mothers, which had received MER-25 p.o. (15 mg/kg BW) daily throughout the final third of baboon gestation. MCR-E exceeded (P < 0.05) MCR-F in both groups. The ρ F→E was greater than ρ E→F in neonates of untreated (3.5 fold, P < 0.005) and MER-25-treated (1.8 fold, P < 0.025) mothers. Mean (±SE) ρ F→E was lower (P < 0.01) in neonates delivered to mothers, which had received antiestrogen (29.2±4.4%) than in untreated mothers (59.7±8.9%). Mean (±SE) conversion ratio of F→E (F→E — E→F) was lower (P < 0.05) in neonates of antiestrogen-treated (13.7±5.5) than of untreated (41.9±10.9) mothers. Since ρ is the proportion of blood PR of precursor converted to product (i.e. F to E) it is evident that neonatal F and E production in baboons are influenced by maternal administration of antiestrogen. Thus, mean (±SE) PR-E was greater (P < 0.05) than PR-F in controls (6.79±1.23 (E), 3.69± 0.55 (F) μg/min/kg BW), but not in neonates of antiestrogen-treated mothers (4.51±1.12 (E), 3.56±0.98 (F) μg/min/kg BW). Assuming that MER-25 interfered with the action of estrogen in the fetus, our results suggest that estrogen, which is produced in increasing amounts into the maternal and fetal circulation with advancing baboon gestation, regulates the pattern of baboon fetal corticosteroidogenesis, a pattern which is distinct from that in newborns and adults and presumably represents maturational events leading to extrauterine self sufficiency.
Wheat P requirements on calcareous moroccan soils: I. A comparison of olsen, soltanpour and CaCl2soil tests∗

Abstract Wheat [Triticum aestivum(L.)] is the major cereal crop of the Chaouia (dryland) region of Morocco. Efforts for self‐sufficiency in wheat will require improved fertility management on the calcareous soils of this region. This research was undertaken to evaluate the suitability of five soil P extractors for predicting the need for P fertilization on 15 important soils in this region. The Olsen (0.5MNaHCO3), the Soltanpour (1.0MNH4HCO3+ 0.005MDTPA) and their dilution modifications, and CaCl2solution P method were evaluated in laboratory and greenhouse experiments. Ten of the 15 soils responded to P fertilization. The five soils for which a significant P response was not measured were from the P plateau of the Chaouia region. The P extractors performed equally to predict the need for P fertilization. The critical levels below which a response would be highly probably and above which no response would be anticipated varied by extractor and method used to interpret the soil test values. A graphic metho...
Offshoring of routine tasks and (de)industrialisation: Threat or opportunity—And for whom?

Abstract Offshoring, or overseas sourcing of routine tasks, generates efficiency gains that benefit consumers and workers with skills similar to those whose very jobs are threatened by offshoring. Essentially, the interaction between offshoring, footloose capital and agglomeration economies locks the comparative advantage of advanced nations in complex or strategic functions while labour services in ‘routine’ tasks, the coordination of which is easily codified, are provided by low-wage developing nations through the fibre optic cable. In this framework, the partial-equilibrium view that offshoring is necessarily detrimental to workers in advanced nations is misguided because the implicit counterfactual—that keeping the off-shored jobs would have no macroeconomic impact on the economy—is not warranted. In addition, inasmuch as routine tasks create few positive feedbacks, trade in tasks can be an impediment to income convergence, unlike trade in goods. In short, this paper qualifies the views that offshoring hurts workers in the North and accelerates income convergence between the North and the South.
The effects of food deprivation and palatability on the latency to eat of normal and hyperphagic rats.

Abstract Lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus in female rats produced hyperphagia and obesity and decreased their latency to eat sweet cereal in a novel environment following a 0 hr fast. The lesions did not alter the latencies to eat cereal or Purina pellets in a novel environment following 24 hr, 48 hr, or 72 hr fasts. The results suggested that ventromedial damage may enhance an appetite drive, but not directly change hunger drive.
The Myriad Uses of Botulinum Toxin

In this issue, Wong and colleagues report that botulinum toxin (BTx) was significantly more effective than placebo for reducing pain in lateral epicondylitis. Their findings also implied that pain ...
A New Vector Sensor Receiver for Underwater Acoustic Communication

In this paper we have shown that by taking advantage of the acoustic particle velocity, in addition to the acoustic pressure, multichannel reception can be accomplished in underwater channels. Theoretical formulation and Monte Carlo simulations are provided for a vector sensor equalizer that measures the pressure and the velocity at a single point in space. These results demonstrate the usefulness of a compact vector sensor as a multichannel equalizer.
Functional monolayers for improved resistance to protein adsorption: oligo(ethylene glycol)-modified silicon and diamond surfaces.

The interaction of proteins with semiconductors such as silicon and diamond is of great interest for applications such as electronic biosensing. We have investigated the use of covalently bound oligo(ethylene glycol), EG, monolayers on diamond and silicon to minimize nonspecific protein adsorption. Protein adsorption was monitored by fluorescence scanning as a function of the length of the ethylene glycol chain (EG3 through EG6) and the terminal functional group (methyl- versus hydroxyl-terminated EG3 monolayer). More quantitative measurements were made by eluting adsorbed avidin from the surface and measuring the intensity of fluorescence in the solution. The attachment chemistry of the tri(ethylene glycol) molecules and monolayer orientation was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Improvement in the selectivity of surfaces modified with EG functionality was demonstrated in two model biosensing assays. We find that high-quality EG monolayers are formed on silicon and diamond and that these EG3 m...
A Different View of Smallpox and Vaccination

According to federal,1 academic,2 and lay3 observers, smallpox might be used as a weapon of terrorism. Variola virus is presumed to be available,4 and a terrorist could introduce it, leading to secondary spread and deaths. Current policy is to promote vaccination, initally to 1/2 million hospital-selected health care providers5 and subsequently to as many as 10 million others.6 This policy should be compared with alternatives in the light of the likely outcome of an introduction of variola virus into this country. Three decades ago, I was among those who investigated the dynamics of smallpox transmission by direct observation in Pakistan. . . .
Impact of Deficit Irrigation on Tuber Yield and Quality of Potato Cultivars

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber yield and quality are impacted by irrigation and nitrogen (N) management. This study was conducted in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of United States to evaluate the effects of deficit irrigation (DI) and rates of pre-plant and in-season N applications on Ranger Russet and Umatilla Russet cultivars. In 2004, with Ranger Russet only, DI with 20% lower total irrigation for the entire growing period resulted in 28% tuber yield reduction compared to that of plants irrigated to replenishment full evapotranspiration (ET), i.e., full irrigation (FI). A subsequent study in 2006 and 2007 with DI (14% to 17% deficit) resulted in tuber yield reduction of 7% to 10% in both cultivars compared to full ET irrigation. Yield reduction in DI was generally attributed to reduction in large weight tubers, >0.227 kg/tuber, in both cultivars across three years. Petiole NO3-N concentrations were greater in plants grown under DI as compared to those of plants in full ET irrigation across al...
Imaging spectroscopy with a multi-aperture camera

A new type of spectroscopic sensitive camera was used in a clinical trial at the National Rehabilitation Hospital aimed at monitoring the healing process of several types of skin wounds. Results showed signi oxygen saturation related to a decrease in wound size.
Effects of Dopamine D1 Ligands on Eye Blinking in Monkeys: Efficacy, Antagonism, and D1/D2 Interactions

Dopamine D1 ligands have been classified and ordered according to efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo studies. In the present experiments, dopamine D1 ligands reported to differ in in vitro efficacy were evaluated for efficacy-related effects on eye blinking in squirrel monkeys. Additional comparisons were made with the effects of D2 receptor agonists and indirect dopamine agonists. The results show that D1 agonists increased eye blinking in an efficacy-related manner, whereas the D1 receptor blocker SCH 39166 [(-)-trans-6,7,7alpha,8,9,13beta-hexahydro-3-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-methyl-5H-benzo[d]naphtho[2,1-b]azepine] only decreased rates of eye blinking. D1 high-efficacy agonists induced rates of eye blinking that were 2- to 3-fold greater than observed with dopamine D2 agonists and indirect agonists. In drug combination experiments, increases in eye blinking induced by the D1 high-efficacy agonist R-(+)-6-Br-APB [R-(+)-6-bromo-7,8-dihydroxy-3-allyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrobromide] were antagonized by both the D1 antagonist SCH 39166 and the lower efficacy agonist SKF 83959 [6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-1-(3-methylphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrobromide], consistent with dopamine D1 receptor mediation of these behavioral effects. The dopamine D2 agonist (+)-PHNO [(+)-N-propyl-hydroxynaphthoxazine], which selectively activates dopamine D2 receptors, also attenuated D1 agonist-induced increase in eye blinking, suggesting that D2 receptor actions may inhibit D1-mediated increases in eye blinking. Overall, eye blink rate appears to be a robust behavioral measure that can be used to measure changes in dopaminergic D1 signaling and as a functional assay of agonist efficacy at dopamine D1 receptors.
The association of cardioprotective medications with pneumonia-related outcomes

Introduction: Little research has examined whether cardiovascular medications, other than statins, are associated with improved outcomes after pneumonia. Our aim was to examine the association between the use of beta-blockers, statins, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) with pneumonia-related outcomes. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based study on male patients $65 years of age hospitalized with pneumonia and who did not have pre-existing cardiac disease. Our primary analyses were multilevel regression models that examined the association between cardiovascular medication classes and either mortality or cardiovascular events. Results: Our cohort included 21,985 patients: 22% died within 90 days of admission, and 22% had a cardiac event within 90 days. The cardiovascular medications studied that were associated with decreased 90-day mortality included: statins (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.63–0.77), ACE inhibitors (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74–0.91), and ARBs (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.44–0.77). However, none of the medications were significantly associated with decreased cardiovascular events. Discussion: While statins, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs, were associated with decreased mortality, there was no significant association with decreased CV events. These results indicate that this decreased mortality is unlikely due to their potential cardioprotective effects.
Enhancing the in-classroom teaching/learning experience using wireless technology

The widespread use of wireless technologies in our everyday lives has made their application to electronic-learning (e-learning) environments, such as the classroom, imminent. However, there are several security and authentication issues that must be addressed before wireless devices can be used in any teaching scenarios including those requiring examination/testing. This paper addresses some of the issues that currently hinder (and complicate) the introduction of such devices to the classroom. We discuss and propose solutions to the challenges of providing a secure, nondistracting, web-based wireless environment suitable for both class lectures and quizzing scenarios. We present a novel system which, regardless of class size, authoritatively determines who is logging on to utilize an e-learning application and whether a student is accessing the application from the classroom or otherwise. The system also allows for the instructor to monitor the ways students use their wireless devices, an issue critical to maintaining integrity especially in quizzing situations. In addition to being secure, we propose a system flexible enough to allow an instructor to selectively control Internet, intranet or virtual LAN (VLAN) resources students have access to. Our proposed system provides a secure and easily adaptable environment that allows for tie development of secure e-learning applications which will significantly enhance the classroom experience for both instructors and students.