cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P378: Risk Factors for Incident Venous Thrombosis and their Associations with Recurrence

Background: Risk factors for incident venous thrombosis (VT) have been studied extensively, yet less is known about risk factors for recurrent VT in population-based settings. Objective: To evaluate whether established risk factors for incident VT are associated with recurrent VT in women. Methods: In a population-based, case-control study, we identified 1575 incident VT cases in 2002-2010 among women aged 18-89 and 3254 matched controls. Incident VT cases were followed for VT recurrence, defined by physician diagnosis with clinical and/or imaging evidence of a new or expanded clot. We used separate Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the association of risk factors, assessed at the time of the incident VT, with the hazard of VT recurrence. Established risk factors for incident VT included: age, race, body mass index (BMI), hospitalization or inpatient surgery ≤30 days prior to event, recent cancer diagnosis or treatment, history of cardiovascular disease, and current estrogen use (oral contraceptive or hormone therapy). Incident VT characteristics (distal vs. proximal deep vein thrombosis [DVT] and pulmonary embolism [PE] with or without DVT) were also evaluated. Models were adjusted for all factors simultaneously and were run with and without adjustment for time-dependent oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT). Risk factors were assessed by chart review, telephone interview, and computerized pharmacy records. Results: For these interim analyses, follow-up data were available for 1285 women who were followed for a mean of 39.6 months with a 13% probability of a recurrent VT at 3 years. Higher BMI and recent cancer were associated with an increased risk of recurrent VT. When time-dependent OAT was included in the models, estimates were essentially unchanged. Conclusions: In our population-based study, most risk factors for incident VT were poor predictors of recurrence. However, we provide further evidence that BMI and recent cancers are associated with modestly increased hazards of VT recurrence in women. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Driver Perceptual Adaptation to Nonplanar Rearview Mirrors

This study examined perceptual adaptation to nonplanar (spherical convex and aspheric) rearview mirrors. Subjects made magnitude estimates of the distance to a car seen in a rearview mirror. Three different mirrors were used: plane, aspheric (with a large spherical section having a radius of 1400 mm), and simple convex (with a radius of 1000 mm). Previous research relevant to perceptual adaptation to nonplanar mirrors was reviewed. It was argued that, in spite of some cases of explicit interest in the process of learning to use nonplanar mirrors, previous research has not adequately addressed the possibility of perceptual adaptation. The present experiment involved three phases: (1) a pretest phase in which subjects made distance judgments but received no feedback, (2) a training phase in which they made judgments and did receive feedback, and (3) a posttest phase with the same procedure as the pretest phase. Initially subjects showed substantial overestimation of distance with the convex mirror relative to the aspheric mirror, and with the aspheric mirror relative to the plane mirror. At the beginning of the training phase, overestimation with the convex mirror quickly diminished, but after about one hour of experience the convex and aspheric mirrors still showed significant overestimation relative to the plane mirror. The present results demonstrate the existence of a rapid, but incomplete, form of adaptation. Whether there is a further mechanism that might operate over a longer time, but lead to more complete adaptation, is an open question that should be addressed by further research. Future research should also address the question of what forms of experience or training are most conducive to adaptation. If substantial adaptation is indeed possible, the use of nonplanar rearview mirrors would be strongly encouraged.
Irreconcilable Differences: The Ninth Circuit's Conflicting Case Law Regarding Mutually Exclusive Defenses of Criminal Codefendants

This article notes the existence of two mutually contradictory and irreconcilable lines of authority within the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding mutually exclusive defenses in criminal cases: one, reflected in U.S. v. Tootick, that specifically holds that there is no mandatory severance rule for mutually exclusive defenses in the Ninth Circuit; and the other, reflected in cases such as U.S. v. Sherlock, U.S. v. Throckmorton, and U.S. v. Mayfield, holding that there is such a mandatory severance rule. The article traces the evolution of the two lines of authority to discover how and why they evolved, including the origin of the mutually exclusive defenses doctrine in the federal Fifth and Seventh Circuits and its importation to the Ninth. The article concludes by calling for clarification of the issue and suggesting that following Tootick would be more efficient and more in keeping with the United States Supreme Court's 1993 holding in Zafiro v. United States.[NOTE: This article tried to make sense of mutually exclusive defenses within the narrow context of Ninth Circuit case law. It came before a later (2006) article that explored the origins and development of the doctrines of mutually exclusive defenses, mutually antagonistic defenses, irreconcilable defenses, and antagonistic defenses in all the federal circuit courts of appeals and found that the doctrines had tainted origins in every circuit, such that it is impossible to make sense of it in any circuit.]
Splenic Rupture: A Rare Presentation of Pancreatic Carcinoma

Abstract Context.—Splenic rupture secondary to solid malignancy is an infrequent complication that usually occurs late in the progression of a previously diagnosed cancer. In rare instances, splenic rupture precipitates the discovery of an unsuspected pancreatic carcinoma. We report 2 cases of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in which the patients presented with splenic rupture. Objectives.—To review the clinicopathologic features of splenic rupture due to pancreatic carcinoma and to increase awareness of malignancy as a possible etiology for atraumatic splenic rupture. Design.—We reviewed the clinical and pathologic data from 2 patients. A literature search was conducted to identify previous reports of splenic rupture associated with pancreatic cancer. We summarized the characteristics of the earlier cases and compared them with those of our patients. Results.—We found only 4 previous reports of splenic rupture preceding the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. In 3 of these cases, the pancreatic carcinoma gros...
A theory of clock synchronization

We consider the problem of clock synchronization in a system with uncertain message delays and clocks with bounded drift. To analyze this classical problem, we introduce the concept of synchronization graphs, and show that the tightest achievable synchronization at any given execution is characterized by the distances in the synchronization graph for that execution. Synchronization graphs are derived from information which is locally available for computation at the processors (local time of events and system specification), and can therefore be used by distributed algorithms. Using synchronization graphs, we obtain the first optimal on-line distributed algorithms for external clock synchronization, where the task of all processors is to estimate the reading of the local clock of a distinguished processor. The algorithms are optimal for all executions, rather than only for worst cases. The algorithm for systems with arbitrarily drifting clocks has high overhead; we prove that this phenomenon is unavoidable, namely any optimal general algorithm for external synchronization has unbounded space complexity. For systems with drift-free clocks (i.e., clocks that run at the rate of real time), we present a particularly simple and efficient algorithm. We also present results for internal synchronization, where the task of the processors in the system is to generate a synchronized "tick." Our approach is robust in the sense it encompasses various system models, such as point-to-point or broadcast channels, communication links that may lose, duplicate and re-order messages, and crashing processors. In addition, synchronization graphs can be used to detect corrupted information. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Single and multi-family residential central all-air HVAC system operational characteristics in cooling-dominated climate

Abstract 189 conditioned residential single-family and multi-family homes in the cooling-dominated climate of Texas were instrumented with home energy management systems (HEMS) to collect sub-metered data on HVAC operations. This study analyses the HVAC operation from these homes over a 1-year period to determine the duty cycles of the HVAC systems. This includes annual, monthly, and hourly HVAC ON-OFF operation patterns. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship to HVAC energy use and whole-home energy use, and the influence of building and occupant characteristics. HVAC runtimes are found to be approximately 20% per year, but vary, depending on the season and time of day. Daily and monthly runtime fractions are lowest (10%) at average outdoor temperatures of 15°C, and increase with increasing or decreasing temperature. Hourly runtime peaks at 7 pm in the cooling season, while in the heating and transition seasons, it peaks at 7 am. The number of occupants and the indoor cooling set point temperature were found to most strongly influence the HVAC runtime. The results are formatted to be used in various building and indoor air quality applications where the studied phenomena are influenced by HVAC operation.
Infrared spectrum of isocyanic acid between 465 and 1100 cm−1

Abstract The high resolution infrared spectrum between 465 and 1100 cm −1 of HNCO, a quasilinear slightly asymmetric-top molecule is presented. An identification consistent with the microwave and far-infrared data is made for the ground state and the first excited states of the three angle-bending vibrations. The analysis confirms the assignment of the out-of-plane vibration ν 6 as the band with band origin at about 600 cm −1 , in agreement with the original assignment of Herzberg and Reid.
A Lung Clamp for Use with Mechanical Staplers

A special lung clamp has been developed for use with mechanical stapling devices. These stapling instruments have been adopted widely for pulmonary operations. A variety of clamps has been used to grasp the pulmonary tissue. The present instrument was designed with vertical grooves and fine tapered spikes with opposing holes in the jaws of the clamp. This particular lung clamp overcomes the problem of slippage previously encountered when performing pulmonary resections with stapling devices.
A positron annihilation lifetime study of protein hydration - evidence for a glass transition

Positron annihilation lifetimes have been determined for lysozyme at 298 K over the hydration range 0.007-0.395 h (g water/g Protein) and at hydration levels of 0.15 h and 0.19 h over the temperature range 120-350 K. The results indicate that lysozyme undergoes a glass-like, dynamical transition with a transition temperature which decreases with increasing hydration. This behavior is similar to that found with TSDC techniques and suggests that the transitions previously observed at low hydration (0.07-0.2 h) at 298 K and those observed at 180 -220 K in fully hydrated proteins are related. A second transition is observed at 160-170 K which may be due to protein-bound water
Karst aquatic ecosystems of the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas, USA: A consideration of their importance, threats to their existence, and efforts for their conservation

1.This paper discusses the karst aquatic ecosystems of the Edwards Plateau, Texas, including a synopsis of those systems that are threatened or endangered by anthropogenic disturbances. Thousands of springs issue from aquifers on the Edwards Plateau, including the largest springs in the state. 2.The endemic and unique aquatic biota of the Edwards Plateau are presented, including taxa faced with extinction. Ninety-one species and/or sub-species are identified as being endemic to aquatic ecosystems of the Edwards Plateau. 3.Threats to aquatic ecosystems are overpumping of aquifers associated with an expanding human population in the region, agricultural practices, urbanization and development, pollution, recreational activities, introductions of exotic species, and changes in regional and global climatic patterns. 4.The means for possible protection and remediation of these threatened aquatic systems include public education on water conservation issues, development of water conservation plans, use and development of alternative sources of water, lawsuits, and land management and stewardship programmes.
Dynorphin A (1-13) and responsiveness of the newborn rat to a surrogate nipple: immediate behavioral consequences and reinforcement effects in conditioning.

Abstract The role of endogenous opioid system in learning (Pavlovian conditioning) and reinforcement was studied in newborn rats by pairing central injection of dynorphin A (1–13), an endogenous ligand with high affinity for kappa opioid receptors, with a surrogate nipple. For conditioning, the nipple served as the conditioned stimulus and dynorphin as the unconditioned stimulus. Dynorphin was found to elicit an immediate unconditioned, dose-dependent increase in the neonatal responsiveness to a surrogate nipple providing water, an effect apparently mediated through the kappa opioid receptors. This immediate effect of dynorphin was evident in the context of suckling behavior but not in the context of adult-like drinking when water was delivered through an intra-oral cannula. One hour after injection, the unconditioned stimulatory effect of dynorphin had dissipated and no longer affected responsiveness to the nipple. However, pairing of centrally injected dynorphin and suckling on a nipple delivering water substantially enhanced responsiveness to a nipple 1 h later. This suggested conditioning, and hence reinforcement, by the centrally injected dynorphin. The conditioned sustained nipple attachment was mediated through both kappa and mu opioid receptors. These experiments confirm a central role for the brain opioid systems in reinforcement of neonatal behavior on the nipple.
VARIETIES OF GIBBERELLA FUJIKUROI WITH ANAMORPHS IN FUSARIUM SECTION LISEOLA

Four varieties of Gibberella fujikuroi are described on the basis of mating groups, variation in ascospore and perithecial size, phialide type, and microconidial formation. The varietal type, G. fu...
Determination of the linkages in some methylated, sialic acid-containing, meningococcal polysaccharides by mass spectrometry.

Abstract The application of gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric (g.l.c.-m.s.) analysis to a number of sialic acid-containing polysaccharides of meningococcal origin has been studied. Methylation of these polysaccharides by the Hakomori conditions resulted in both O - and N -methylation. Methanolysis of the methylated polysaccharides from serogroup C [(2→9)-linked], colominic acid [(2→8)-linked], and serogroups Y and W-135 [both (1→4)-linked], yielded the respective 4,7,8,4,7,9-, and 7,8,9-tri- O -methyl derivatives of methyl N -acetyl- N -methyl-β- D -neuraminate methyl glycoside. As model compounds, methyl N -acetyl-4,7,8,9-tetra- O -methyl-α- D -neuraminate methyl glycoside and its N -methyl derivative were also synthesized. All of the methylated derivatives could be identified on the basis of their typical fragmentation-patterns, indicating that this method is applicable to the determination of the position of linkages to sialic acid residues in biopolymers.
Developing a Process to Enhance Customer Relationship Management for Small Entrepreneurial Businesses in the Service Sector

The words in the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) have become short‐hand buzz words for describing how firms foster a 360‐degree review of the customer lifecycle. The primary goal of this study is to provide a synopsis of innovative CRM concepts that can assist entrepreneurial small firms develop a process to effectively communicate with their customers, such as an e‐newsletter and CD‐ROM direct mail campaign. A practitioner‐oriented model is developed that depicts the CRM process of using multiple communication channels, building loyalty, establishing customer retention tactics, and changing service offers to foster the customer experience.
Comparison of Changes in Blood Pressure and Dipsogenic Responsiveness to Angiotensin II in Male and Female Rats Chronically Exposed to Cold

In most forms of experimentally induced hypertension in rats, females develop a less severe form of the disease than males. The objective of the present study was to compare the two genders with respect to the development of cold-induced hypertension. The results of the study indicate that both males and females develop comparable elevations of blood pressure and at approximately the same rate. Thus, the blood pressures of both groups increased significantly within 2 weeks of exposure to cold and reached similar maximal levels by the seventh week. The dipsogenic responsiveness of both groups of cold-exposed rats to acute administration of the peptide hormone, angiotensin II (AngII), was increased to approximately the same extent above that of warm-adapted counterparts, suggesting an increase in the responsiveness to AngII in the brain. To assess this possibility, the induction of the oncogene, cFos, was studied in brain following IV infusion of AngII (333 ng/kg/min). Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) was greater (p < 0.01) in subfornical organ, supraoptic and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei of both cold-exposed groups compared to warm-adapted controls. Thus, both male and female rats have similar elevations of blood pressure as well as increased dipsogenic and FLI responsiveness to administration of AngII during chronic exposure to cold.
Implementing the Crossover Youth Practice Model in diverse contexts: child welfare and juvenile justice professionals' experiences of multisystem collaborations

Abstract This study takes advantage of a unique opportunity to observe structural and psychosocial processes of multisystem collaborations primarily from the perspectives of professionals attempting to bring about change in practice with crossover youth. The involvement of maltreated youth in the juvenile justice system is a persistent problem that can compound vulnerable youths' risks for problematic developmental outcomes. Youth outcomes may be improved when professionals in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems communicate and collaborate more effectively in case assessment, planning and management. The Crossover Youth Practice Model (CYPM) is an attempt to translate these and other research findings into practice largely through multisystem collaborations. This study presents an approximately two year-long, ethnographic inquiry into professionals' experiences of CYPM implementation in five diverse counties in a Midwestern state. During individual interviews, participants consistently described structural changes involving improved service provision to youth and families, and procedures and legal mandates for sharing information across departments. They also discussed psychosocial changes including improved professional support, strengthened relationships with other professionals and positive shifts in their ways of thinking and feeling about youth and their families. Participants also experienced implementation challenges including inadequate support and training of front line workers, distinguishing core features of the multifaceted model, and some issues in engaging families and key community stakeholders. Comparative case analyses across five counties suggest that systems change processes vary across and within local contexts. Implications for the implementation of systems change practice models in diverse contexts with professionals serving in various roles are discussed.
Direct assembly of photoresponsive C(60)-gold nanoparticle hybrid films.

The C60−gold nanoparticle hybrid films prepared by the in situ cross-linking assembly have smoother and more featureless surfaces than the films generated by the layer-by-layer assembly. The electrical properties of these novel nanostructures are also strongly dependent upon the film assembly methods. The hybrid films prepared by the in situ cross-linking assembly are found to be very sensitive to UV illumination. The films responded with a decrease in the current upon exposure, followed by a recovery of the current upon removal of the UV lights.
Homeosis: the first 100 years.

In 1894, William Bateson1 coined the word ‘homeosis’ in his monumental work Materials for the Study of Variation, Treated with Especial Regard to Discontinuity in the Origin of Species. He gave a surprisingly broad definition of the term as a type of variation in which ‘something has been changed into the likeness of something else’. Goethe2 had already described the phenomenon some 104 years previously in his treatise The Metamorphosis of Plants, and indeed Masters3 made more extensive studies in plants and termed it ‘metamorphy’. However, as metamorphy had quite different meanings in other branches of biology, Bateson proposed ‘homeosis’ as a more specific and useful term, and this name has certainly stood the test of time.
Carboxylic Acid Chemistry at the Ge(100)-2 × 1 Interface: Bidentate Bridging Structure Formation on a Semiconductor Surface

The reactions of acetic acid, acetic-d3 acid-d, and formic acid with the Ge(100)-2 × 1 surface have been investigated using multiple internal reflection Fourier transform infrared (MIR−FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The infrared and photoelectron data provide experimental evidence for an O−H dissociation product at 310 K. DFT calculations indicate that the O−H dissociation pathway is significantly favored, both kinetically and thermodynamically, over other potential reaction pathways. All of the carboxylic acids studied exhibit unexpected vibrational modes between 1400 and 1525 cm-1, which are attributed to the presence of a bidentate bridging structure where both oxygen atoms interact directly with the surface.
Relationship between some chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides and lactic culture organisms in milk.

Abstract Portions of sterile milk containing 1ppm of aldrin, DDT, or lindane were inoculated with strains of Streptococcus lactis, Streptococcus cremoris, Streptococcus diacetilactis, and Lactobacillus casei and incubated at 32C for 14 days. When the insecticides were extracted from the milks and the extracts analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography there was no perceptible evidence of degradation or chemical alteration of the insecticides by the lactic culture organisms. L. casei cells grown in trpyticase soy broth containing 0.01 and 0.02ppm of 14 C-dieldrin showed 353 and 830%, respectively, higher radioactive counts than corresponding cells grown in the absence of 14 C-dieldrin, suggesting that a small amount of dieldrin was either adsorbed or incorporated by the cells.
Novel elution strategy for monitoring DNA counter-migration in the presence of electroosmotic flow.

The migration behavior of native (i.e., unlabelled) DNA in the presence of electroosmotic flow (EOF) was investigated in bare fused-silica capillaries. Employing a novel elution strategy, the influence of EOF on the net mobility of DNA was assessed by collecting the DNA that migrated anodically (i.e., against EOF) and out of the capillary inlet. Various conditions of pH and buffer-zone continuity were employed to characterize this phenomenon. Tris acid (TA, pH 5.14) and Tris base (TB, pH 9.36) were used as buffers in continuous systems, in which the capillary and the inlet reservoir contain the same buffer, and discontinuous systems, in which the capillary contains either TA or TB, and the inlet reservoir contains water. DNA that was ejected into the inlet vial was subsequently analyzed by capillary electrophoresis–laser-induced fluorescence. Both ΦX174/HaeIII DNA and the β-actin product of single-cell reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were used as DNA samples in this study. The mechanism of elution was found to depend on bulk flow, in the case of continuous solutions. However, with the discontinuous system, a localized decrease in EOF generated in the capillary tip appeared to impact elution. These findings serve to introduce an alternative approach for characterizing the mobility of highly charged species.
Dr fimbriae coding region associated hemolytic activity of Escherichia coli

We investigated the hemolytic activity of Escherichia coli strain EC901 carrying plasmid pBJN406 containing genes draA-E involved in expression of the mannose-resistant Dr hemagglutinin, and in its isogenic insertion mutants devised with Tn5, Tn3, and TnphoA. While E. coli BN406 displayed rapid hemolytic activity against equine erythrocytes, insertion mutations in draD and draE, but not in draA, draB, and draC, abolished all hemolytic activity. These data suggest a role for draD and draE in the expression of hemolysis.
Chapter 13: Mining electronic health records in the genomics era.

Abstract: The combination of improved genomic analysis methods, decreasing genotyping costs, and increasing computing resources has led to an explosion of clinical genomic knowledge in the last decade. Similarly, healthcare systems are increasingly adopting robust electronic health record (EHR) systems that not only can improve health care, but also contain a vast repository of disease and treatment data that could be mined for genomic research. Indeed, institutions are creating EHR-linked DNA biobanks to enable genomic and pharmacogenomic research, using EHR data for phenotypic information. However, EHRs are designed primarily for clinical care, not research, so reuse of clinical EHR data for research purposes can be challenging. Difficulties in use of EHR data include: data availability, missing data, incorrect data, and vast quantities of unstructured narrative text data. Structured information includes billing codes, most laboratory reports, and other variables such as physiologic measurements and demographic information. Significant information, however, remains locked within EHR narrative text documents, including clinical notes and certain categories of test results, such as pathology and radiology reports. For relatively rare observations, combinations of simple free-text searches and billing codes may prove adequate when followed by manual chart review. However, to extract the large cohorts necessary for genome-wide association studies, natural language processing methods to process narrative text data may be needed. Combinations of structured and unstructured textual data can be mined to generate high-validity collections of cases and controls for a given condition. Once high-quality cases and controls are identified, EHR-derived cases can be used for genomic discovery and validation. Since EHR data includes a broad sampling of clinically-relevant phenotypic information, it may enable multiple genomic investigations upon a single set of genotyped individuals. This chapter reviews several examples of phenotype extraction and their application to genetic research, demonstrating a viable future for genomic discovery using EHR-linked data.
SU-E-T-351: Dosimetric Impact of Periodic and Random Motion on Proton Double-Scattering and Uniform-Scanning Deliveries

Purpose: To experimentally investigate target motion impact on protondosimetry and the spatiotemporal interplay in double scattering (DS) and uniform scanning (US) deliveries using 3D polymergel dosimeters and a programmable motion platform. Methods: A one beam proton plan with 16cm range and 6cm modulation (total 13 energy layers) in both DS and US modes was generated in the Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS) to be used for gel irradiation in static, periodic and random motion. The periodic motion was a single sinusoidal trace along the SI direction with 2‐cm peak‐to‐peak amplitude and 0.25Hz frequency. The random motion trace was an actual patient prostate trajectory from a treatment fraction. All irradiated gel dosimeters were setup on the platform in an identical fashion. The dose distribution of static gel dosimeter was compared to those of treatment plan. Dose distributions were compared between DS and US in both periodic and prostate motion conditions. 3D gamma analysis (4%, 4mm criterion) was calculated against planned dose distribution for all the gel dosimeters. Results: There was an overall good agreement in dose distributions between stationary DS delivery and TPS plan. 93% of voxels has gamma less than 1. 3D gamma failure maps were significantly different between DS and US periodic motiongels. There were 88% and 91% of voxels has gamma less than 1 for DS and US, respectively. In prostate motion cases, even though about 70% voxels has gamma larger than 1 for both DS and US deliveries, significant gamma failure map difference was still observed. Conclusion: Good dose agreement between TPS plan and stationary gel dosimeter demonstrated the validity of using gel dosimeter study target motion effect and its spatiotemporal interplay with proton irradiation. Isodose and 3D gamma comparisons between DS and US for both periodic and prostate motion confirmed their dosimetric impact.
Activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase isoenzymes: Studies using specific antisera

Abstract A novel method for rapidly determining the amount and degree of association-dissociation of the Type I and Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinases has been developed and validated. Antibodies directed against the regulatory subunits of Type I and Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinases were used. The antibodies formed complexes with holoenzymes and regulatory subunits which were precipitated by goat anti-rabbit IgG (immunoglobulin G). These complexes bound [ 3 H]cAMP with an apparent K b of 20 n m for protein kinase I and 80 n m for protein kinase II. Immunoprecipitated protein kinases I and II were catalytically active when incubated with cAMP, [γ- 32 P]ATP, and histone H2B. When mixtures of the two kinase isoenzymes or cytosol were incubated with various amounts of [ 3 H]cAMP and the isoenzymes were separated by precipitation with antisera specific for each isoenzyme, the amount of [ 3 H]cAMP associated with immunoprecipitates was proportional to the concentration of [ 3 H]cAMP. In contrast, the catalytic activity that was immunoprecipitated varied inversely with the concentration of [ 3 H]cAMP, showing that the activation of protein kinase could be assessed by the disappearance of catalytic activity from the immunoprecipitates. In the absence of MgATP protein kinase I was activated by a 10-fold lower concentration of cAMP than protein kinase II. However, when MgATP was added to the incubation, there was no significant difference in the binding of [ 3 H]cAMP or dissociation of catalytic subunits of the two isoenzymes. The anti-R antibodies were also used to rapidly quantitate the concentration of regulatory subunits and the relative ratio of protein kinases I and II in tissue cytosols.
The functional role of excitatory and inhibitory interactions in chopper cells of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus

Chopper cells in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus of the cat maintain a robust rate-place representation of vowel spectra over a broad range of stimulus levels. This representation resembles that of low threshold, high spontaneous rate primary auditory nerve fibers at low stimulus levels, and that of high threshold, low spontaneous rate auditory-nerve fibers at high stimulus levels. This has led to the hypothesis that chopper cells in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus selectively process inputs from different spontaneous rate populations of primary auditory-nerve fibers at different stimulus levels. We present a computational model, making use of shunting inhibition, for how this level dependent processing may be performed within the chopper cell dendritic tree. We show that this model (1) implements level-dependent selective processing, (2) reproduces detailed features of real chopper cell post-stimulus-time histograms, and (3) reproduces nonmonotonic rate versus level functions in response to single tones measured.
Harnessing CRISPR–Cas systems for bacterial genome editing

Manipulation of genomic sequences facilitates the identification and characterization of key genetic determinants in the investigation of biological processes. Genome editing via clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)–CRISPR-associated (Cas) constitutes a next-generation method for programmable and high-throughput functional genomics. CRISPR–Cas systems are readily reprogrammed to induce sequence-specific DNA breaks at target loci, resulting in fixed mutations via host-dependent DNA repair mechanisms. Although bacterial genome editing is a relatively unexplored and underrepresented application of CRISPR–Cas systems, recent studies provide valuable insights for the widespread future implementation of this technology. This review summarizes recent progress in bacterial genome editing and identifies fundamental genetic and phenotypic outcomes of CRISPR targeting in bacteria, in the context of tool development, genome homeostasis, and DNA repair.
Quasiperiodic features in the atomic structure of long-period grain boundaries

Abstract Atomic relaxations in grain boundaries (GBs) can assume quasiperiodic character even in periodic GBs, as we show for a Σ = 41 GB in gold, which is analyzed by transmission-, high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) and atomistic computer simulations. We find that misfit localization within a large planar GB unit cell can generate densely spaced regions of structural disorder, akin to misfit dislocations. The observations illustrate that atomic relaxations are typically dominated by short-range interactions and the tendency of the solid to assume a local atomic environment similar to the bulk.
Notes on subfossil Anatidae from New Zealand, including a new species of Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus

A new species of pink-eared duck, Malacorhynchus scarletti, is described from subfossil deposits at Pyramid Valley, South Island, NZ, and is characterized by larger size. Preliminary observations indicate that subfossil specimens of Biziura from New Zealand are larger and differ qualitatively from B. lobata; for the present, the name Biziura delautouri Forbes, 1892, ought to be retained for the New Zealand form. An erroneous record of Mergus australis is corrected.
Comment on Gelvin's Essay on Al-Qaeda and Anarchism

What are the strategic consequences of adopting a fuzzy Western political-theoretical concept rather than adopting a typical Islamic conceptual schema? Professor Gelvin's expository references to a...
Proliferation of Lacrimal Gland Acinar Cells in Primary Culture. Stimulation by Extracellular Matrix, EGF, and DHT

The study of lacrimal dysfunction and insufficiency, a major cause of dry eye, has been hampered by the inability to induce the proliferation of primary lacrimal acinar cells in vitro. Particularly in light of observations that androgens are able to support the overall size and functional status of the lacrimal glands as well as certain specific lacrimal functions, an in vitro culture system that is permissive for cell proliferation would be most beneficial to study the molecular basis for these processes. Here, we report on the successful establishment of such a system. Using a culture system containing Hepato Stim Medium and Matrigel, we were able to induce the efficient proliferation of primary rabbit lacrimal gland acinar cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The generation of this in vitro cell culture system should greatly facilitate study of the regulation of acinar cell function at the molecular and cellular levels.
Comparison of the Effects of ATP, Mg2+, and MgATP on the Release of Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone from Isolated Hypothalamic Granules

The effect of ATP, Mg2+, or MgATP on the release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) from hypothalamic granules was examined under in vitro conditions. Granules, isolated from adult make hypothalami, were incubated at 37 degrees C in a buffered (pH 7.8) medium containing 0.15 M-KCl. The addition of ATP to the incubation mixture did not stimulate the release of LH-RH. In contrast, the addition of MgATP stimulated the release of LH-RH, the release being 62% greater than control. The addition of Mg2+ to the incubated granules also stimulated the release of LH-RH. However, the magnitude of this Mg2+-stimulated release of LH-RH was significantly (P less than 0.01) lower than that of the MgATP-stimulated release, indicating that ATP stimulates LH-RH release in a Mg2+-dependent manner. As both MgATP and Mg2+ alone stimulated LH-RH release, we characterized further these two release processes by incubating the granules under one of the following conditions: incubation at 4 degrees C in a buffered medium containing 0.15 M-KCl or incubation at 37 degrees C in a medium that does not contain KCl. Under these two incubation conditions, the MgATP-stimulated release of LH-RH was not manifested, whereas the Mg2+-stimulated release of LH-RH was manifested. On the basis of these differences, we propose that two different processes can lead to the release of LH-RH from isolated hypothalamic granules: one process involves ATP and Mg2+ (MgATP) and another process involves Mg2+ alone.
Fast Fourier transform in the analysis of biomedical data.

The fast Fourier transform (f.f.t.) is a powerful technique which facilitates analysis of signals in the frequency domain. This paper reviews some of the important features of the fast Fourier transform which are relevant to its increasing application to biomedical data. A distinction is made between the power spectrum of ergodic signals, computed from the autocorrelation function, and the frequency spectrum of nonstationary biomedical signals. The major practical pitfalls that are encountered in applying the f.f.t. technique to biomedical data are discussed, and practical hints for avoiding such pitfalls are suggested.
Contextual Factors Associated With the Validity of SAT Scores and High School GPA for Predicting First-Year College Grades

Prior research has shown that there is substantial variability in the degree to which the SAT and high school grade point average (HSGPA) predict 1st-year college performance at different institutions. This article demonstrates the usefulness of multilevel modeling as a tool to uncover institutional characteristics that are associated with this variability. The results revealed that the predictive validity of HSGPA decreased as mean total SAT (i.e., sum of the three SAT sections) score at an institution increased and as the proportion of White freshmen increased. The predictive validity of the three SAT sections (critical reading, mathematics, and writing) varied differently as a function of different institution-level variables. These results suggest that the estimates of validity obtained and aggregated from multiple institutions may not accurately reflect the unique contextual factors that influence the predictive validity of HSGPA and SAT scores at a particular institution.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide relaxes pulmonary artery by an endothelium-independent mechanism

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a potent endogenous vasodilator. VIP-induced vasodilation is independent of adrenergic or cholinergic receptors and, for the most part, of arachidonate metabolites, but its mechanism is still unknown. In view of the recently demonstrated essential role of endothelium in the relaxant effect of numerous vasodilators, we have investigated the importance of endothelium in the vascular relaxation induced by VIP. Vascular smooth muscle preparations were circular strips of the pulmonary artery of guinea pig, rat and rabbit, and rat thoracic aorta, previously contracted by a synthetic prostaglandin endoperoxide analog. VIP relaxed pulmonary artery of all species by an endothelium-independent mechanism, but relaxed rat thoracic aorta only in the presence of intact endothelium.
The crystal structure of the high temperature form of Ta2O5

Abstract The structure of the high temperature form of Ta2O5 can be stabilized by doping with 2 mole % Sc2O3 and single crystals have been prepared from a Ta2O5Sc2O3 (98:2) composition by the Czochralski technique. The crystal system which at first appeared to be body-centered tetragonal has been determined to be face-centered monoclinic, space group C2 with a = 35.966 A , b = 3.810 A , c = 3.810 A , β = 96°7′. Least-squares refinement cycles reduced the reliability index R to 0.089. The structure consists of αUO3-type blocks in which each tantalum atom is surrounded by a pentagonal bipyramid of oxygen atoms. These blocks are infinite in two directions and are separated from similar blocks along a third direction by shear planes. In the vicinity of these shear planes the tantalum atoms are surrounded by distorted octahedral coordination polyhedra. It is believed that the stabilizing effect of the Sc2O3 impurity is due to an increase in the concentration of shear planes. Random shear planes (Wadsley defects) are introduced at approximately 300 A intervals along the large axis by doping with a substance (Sc2O3) which has cations (Sc) large enough to substitute for the host (Ta) but a lower oxygen:metal ratio than the host compound (Ta2O5).
A comparison in the progression of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C between persistently normal and elevated transaminase

Abstract Background : Detectable serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in HCV patients with persistently normal alanine transaminase (PNALT) has been found to be associated with significant liver damage. Aims : The primary outcome of this study was to compare the histological progression of fibrosis in patients with PNALT and elevated alanine transaminase (ALT). Methods : Forty patients with PNALT (Group 1) and 41 patients with elevated ALT (Group 2) were recruited into this study. Only patients with fibrosis of F0 to F2 were recruited into this study. Results : The median time to second liver biopsies was 6.3 (range 2.0–11.1) years. Nine patients (22.5%) in Group 1 and 17 patients (41.5%) from Group 2 had progression of fibrosis. There was a trend towards a significantly higher cumulative probability of fibrosis progression in Group 2 ( P =0.06). In patients with an initial F0 to F1 fibrosis, there was a significant difference in cumulative probability of fibrosis progression between Groups 1 and 2 (22.6% (7/31) vs. 43.3% (13/31), respectively, P =0.02). Conclusions : Anti-HCV patients with PNALT with an initial fibrosis of F0 or F1 were less likely to develop progression of fibrosis than those with elevated ALT, although patients with PNALT may have histologically and clinically progressive disease.
Lipids of potato tubers. Effects of storage temperature on total, polar and sterol lipid content and fatty acid composition of potato tubers†

Potato tubers (Majestic and Bintje varieties) were stored at 5 and 20 °C for up to 24 weeks. Only minor differences were observed in lipid composition of tubers stored at the two temperatures. Linolenic acid levels were slightly lower in the 10 °C stored tubers, although no significant differences were found in the proportions of the total polyunsaturated fatty acids of tubers at 5 and 20 °C. The effects on the fatty acid composition of Pentland Crown potatoes of short term storage at 30 °C are reported. It is concluded from this and from previous papers in this series that neither the choice of potato variety, nor of storage temperature for a given variety, is likely to reduce the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of potato sufficiently to avoid the problems experienced commercially in the oxidative degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids to produce off-flavours in potato products. The large changes in the proportions of the different classes of sterol lipids which have been reported to occur in potatoes during storage were not confirmed by the present studies.
Real-time implementation of the Newton-Euler equations of motion on the NEC mu PD77230 DSP

A methodology for implementing the Newton-Euler (NE) equations of motion on the mu PD77230 signal processor is presented. The targeted application is the control of robot arms, with a dual emphasis on performance and flexibility. The controller interprets high-level control commands and performs required computations without host intervention. The design objective was a relatively inexpensive host computer to control multiple robot arms without substantial programming or computational overhead. An option is provided for dividing torque computation into parallel tasks for improved speed. >
The epidemiology of HIV among men who have sex with men in countries with generalized HIV epidemics.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Key populations at high risk for HIV acquisition and transmission such as MSM have long been identified as essential subpopulations for epidemiological surveillance of the HIV epidemic. However surveillance systems in the context of generalized and widespread HIV epidemics have traditionally excluded these men. RECENT FINDINGS: Emerging and consistent data highlight the disproportionate burden of HIV among MSM that exists when compared with other men of reproductive age across countries with generalized epidemics. Correlates of prevalent HIV infection include individual-level determinants of HIV acquisition and transmission similar to that found in concentrated HIV epidemics and community-level structural factors such as stigma being blackmailed and history of homophobic abuse. HIV incidence was only available from two countries (Kenya Thailand) with generalized HIV epidemics but in both settings was an order of magnitude higher than that of other populations. SUMMARY: The data presented here suggest that the dynamics of HIV infection among men are more similar across the world than they are different. Many HIV epidemics among average-risk reproductive age adults are slowing across both generalized and concentrated settings. It is in this context that high HIV incidence is observed among MSM especially young MSM. This trend suggests a change in the trajectory of these HIV epidemics a change that we may miss if we continue to understudy these populations based on unproved and dated assumptions.