cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
n-3 Fatty Acids from Fish and Plants

Key Points Animal studies, epidemiological studies, and clinical trials have shown that fish and fish oil may reduce sudden death by preventing cardiac arrhythmias. n-3 fatty acids have an antithrombotic effect through the diminution of thromboxane A2 that produces platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction. Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids have been shown to inhibit atherosclerosis, probably because of their suppression of cellular growth factors that inhibit the proliferation of smooth muscle cells. n-3 fatty acids lower very low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride through depression of synthesis of triglyceride in the liver. n-3 fatty acids also suppress postprandial lipemia, which reduces chylomicron remnants that are considered atherogenic. Fish oil does not adversely affect glucose control in patients with diabetes. n-3 fatty acids have been uniformly associated with a mild decrease in systolic blood pressure and, at times, a decrease in diastolic blood pressure. The intake of n-3 fatty acids should be increased to prevent coronary heart disease.
Describing School Effects with Residual Terms Modeling the Interaction Between School Practice and Student Background

This study attempts to make more accessible an approach that can be used to rank the performance of individual schools using residual terms from a hierarchical linear model. Specifically, the study describes procedures that can be used to summarize the effect of schools when interactions between school practice and student background exist and applies them to a fairly realistic school effects data set. This article also serves as a reminder of the importance of considering differential school effectiveness by illustrating problems that can occur when the school effect is summarized by a single quantitative indicator.
Corrosion in geothermal brines of the Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area

Corrosion research is being conducted by the Bureau of Mines to determine suitable construction materialls for geothermal resource recovery plants. High chromium-molybdenum iron-base alloys, nickel- and titanium-base alloys, and titanium-zirconium-molybdenum alloy exhibited good resistance to general, crevice, pitting, and weld corrosion and stress corrosion cracking in laboratory tests in deaerated brines of the Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA) type at 232/sup 0/C and in brine containing dissolved carbon dioxide and methane. Only titanium-base alloys were resistant to corrosion in oxygenated Salton Sea KGRA-type brine. Copper adversely affected the resistance to general corrosion of low-alloy steels in deaerated brine, whereas chromium, nickel, silicon, and titanium improved it. Carbon steel, type 4130 steel, and types 410 and 430 stainless steels exhibited poor corrosion resistance in field tests in five brine and steam process streams produced from geothermal well Magmamax 1. These alloys were highly susceptible to pitting and crevice corrosion. General corrosion rates were high for carbon and type 4130 steels.
Effect of real-time cortical feedback in motor imagery-based mental practice training.

METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. Both groups participated in a five-visit motor imagery-based mental practice training program managed over a period of two months. The intervention group received mental practice training with real-time feedback of movement-associated cortical activity—beta band (16–28 Hz) event-related desynchronization (ERD) in electroencephalography (EEG), using a novel custom-made brain-computer interface (BCI) system. The control group received the mental practice training program without EEG cortical feedback. Motor excitability was assessed by measuring the frequency power magnitude of the EEG rhythmic activity associated with physical execution of wrist extension before and after the motor imagery-based mental practice training. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 RESULTS: The EEG frequency power magnitude associated with the physical execution of wrist extension was significantly lower (i.e. more desynchronized) after the mental practice training in the intervention group that received real-time cortical feedback (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference in EEG frequency power magnitude associated with the physical execution of wrist extension was observed before and after mental practice training in the control group who did not receive feedback. 20 21 22 23 CONCLUSIONS: The mental practice training program with motor imagery-associated cortical feedback facilitated motor excitability during the production of voluntary motor control. Motor imagery-based mental practice training with movementassociated cortical activity feedback may provide an effective strategy to facilitate motor recovery in brain injury patients, particularly during the early rehabilitation stage when full participation in physical and occupational therapy programs may not be possible due to excessive motor weakness. 24 25 26 27 28
Sulphydryl groups in the template-primer-binding domain of murine leukaemia virus reverse transcriptase. Identification and functional analysis of cysteine-90.

Treatment of murine leukaemia virus reverse transcriptase with benzophenone 4-maleimide inactivates DNA polymerase activity, but has no effect on the RNAase H function. Kinetic measurements indicated that benzophenone 4-maleimide is a competitive inhibitor with respect to template-primer binding, but is non-competitive with respect to dNTP binding. Enzyme modified with benzophenone 4-maleimide cannot bind template-primer or primer alone, as judged by u.v.-mediated cross-linking of radiolabelled substrates. Of the eight cysteine residues in murine leukaemia virus reverse transcriptase, only two were modified by benzophenone 4-maleimide, which were identified as Cys-90 and Cys-310 by comparative tryptic-peptide mapping and amino acid composition analysis. Inclusion of template-primer or primer alone in the modification mixture protected only Cys-90 from modification by benzophenone 4-maleimide. To investigate the role of Cys-90 in detail, we converted it to alanine by site-directed mutagenesis. The mutant enzyme, however, exhibited no loss either of DNA polymerase or of RNAase H activity. These results indicate that Cys-90 is located in a domain of murine leukaemia virus reverse transcriptase that binds template-primer, but may not have a direct role in the enzymic function of the enzyme. Ala-90 mutant murine leukaemia virus reverse transcriptase is at least 10-fold more susceptible to heat inactivation than is the wild-type enzyme, which suggests that Cys-90 in murine leukaemia virus reverse transcriptase may play a role in maintaining structural integrity.
Real-Time Hand Detection and Gesture Tracking with GMM and Model Adaptation

Hand gestures are an efficient manner for human computer interaction (HCI). They can also be used for the development of a non-intrusive biometrics system. In this paper, we address the issues of hand detection and gesture tracking using a single camera. A simple yet effective approach is proposed for applications with complex backgrounds and minimal constraints on the subject. A hand detection approach is presented using a Bayesian classifier based on Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM) for identifying pixels of skin color. A connected component based region-growing algorithm is included for forming areas of skin pixels into areas of likely hand candidates. Given the detected hand region, we further detect the hand features using a deformable model for hand gesture estimation. We propose a novel method, a 3D physics-based dynamic mesh adaptation approach, to estimate and track hand shape and finger directions. The physics-based hand model adaptation algorithm allows us to model hand shape and orientation at the same time, thereby improving the robustness and speed for hand gesture tracking and regeneration.
Sensitive RIA for the Specific Determination of Insulin Lispro

Insulin lispro is an insulin analog in which the primary sequence has been altered by the inversion of amino acids B28 and B29. To date, it has not been possible to specifically measure insulin lispro in the presence of endogenous insulin because of the high degree of homology between these peptides. However, the specific determination of insulin lispro offers advantages over quantifying total concentrations of immunoreactive insulin. We therefore immunized guinea pigs and screened for antibodies with increased affinity and selectivity for insulin lispro. We prepared a monospecific antiserum by a novel immunoadsorption strategy using despentapeptide insulin. The antiserum was used to develop a competitive RIA for insulin lispro. The RIA has a low limit of quantification (17.2 pmol/L); has no interference from insulin, proinsulin, or C-peptide; and has interassay CVs of 2.6-13.4%. The new RIA is useful for measuring serum concentrations of insulin lispro.
Comparison of Single-Point and Continuous Sampling Methods for Estimating Residential Indoor Temperature and Humidity

Residential temperature and humidity are associated with multiple health effects. Studies commonly use single-point measures to estimate indoor temperature and humidity exposures, but there is little evidence to support this sampling strategy. This study evaluated the relationship between single-point and continuous monitoring of air temperature, apparent temperature, relative humidity, and absolute humidity over four exposure intervals (5-min, 30-min, 24-hr, and 12-days) in 9 northern Utah homes, from March-June 2012. Three homes were sampled twice, for a total of 12 observation periods. Continuous data-logged sampling was conducted in homes for 2–3 wks, and simultaneous single-point measures (n = 114) were collected using handheld thermo-hygrometers. Time-centered single-point measures were moderately correlated with short-term (30-min) data logger mean air temperature (r = 0.76, β = 0.74), apparent temperature (r = 0.79, β = 0.79), relative humidity (r = 0.70, β = 0.63), and absolute humidity (r = 0.80...
Detection of a [3Fe-4S] cluster intermediate of cytosolic aconitase in yeast expressing iron regulatory protein 1. Insights into the mechanism of Fe-S cluster cycling.

Interconversion of iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) with cytosolic aconitase (c-aconitase) occurs via assembly/disassembly of a [4Fe-4S] cluster. Recent evidence implicates oxidants in cluster disassembly. We investigated H2O2-initiated Fe-S cluster disassembly in c-aconitase expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A signal for [3Fe-4S] c-aconitase was detected by whole-cell EPR of aerobically grown, aco1 yeast expressing wild-type IRP1 or a S138A-IRP1 mutant (IRP1S138A), providing the first direct evidence of a 3Fe intermediate in vivo. Exposure of yeast to H2O2 increased this 3Fe c-aconitase signal up to 5-fold, coincident with inhibition of c-aconitase activity. Untreated yeast expressing IRP1S138D or IRP1S138E, which mimic phosphorylated IRP1, failed to give a 3Fe signal. H2O2 produced a weak 3Fe signal in yeast expressing IRP1S138D. Yeast expressing IRP1S138D or IRP1S138E were the most sensitive to inhibition of aconitase-dependent growth by H2O2 and were more responsive to changes in media iron status. Ferricyanide oxidation of anaerobically reconstituted c-aconitase yielded a strong 3Fe EPR signal with wild-type and S138A c-aconitases. Only a weak 3Fe signal was obtained with S138D c-aconitase, and no signal was obtained with S138E c-aconitase. This, paired with loss of c-aconitase activity, strongly argues that the Fe-S clusters of these phosphomimetic c-aconitase mutants undergo more complete disassembly upon oxidation. Our results demonstrate that 3Fe c-aconitase is an intermediate in H2O2-initiated Fe-S cluster disassemblyin vivo and suggest that cluster assembly/disassembly in IRP1 is a dynamic process in aerobically growing yeast. Further, our results support the view that phosphorylation of IRP1 can modulate its response to iron through effects on Fe-S cluster stability and turnover.
GNSS-based passive airborne radar: hybrid-aperture sensing and airborne test plans

The past two decades has witnessed a renaissance in passive radar research. One of the areas of research in passive radar that has received recent attention is the use of reflected GNSS signals as the signal-of-opportunity for bistatic synthetic aperture radar (BSAR), known as space-surface BSAR (SS-BSAR) [1-7]. SS-BSAR is unique because it uses GNSS signals, which, in the case of the US owned and operated Global Positioning System (GPS), provide almost constant coverage to almost the entire earth [8-10]. Furthermore, the GPS satellites transmit left and right-hand circularly polarized signals combined during transmission to form a right-hand circularly polarized (RHCP) signal; the benefits being, when compared to horizontal or vertical polarized waveforms, is the signal reflection re-radiates in the opposite, or left-hand circularly polarized (LHCP), polarization with signal loss ranging from 15 to 20 dB [5, 10]. One major drawback to using GPS as the signal-of-opportunity is that the received signal level is extremely low, and lower when reflected (see Table 1).
Spontaneous Penetration of an Antireflux Prosthesis into the Stomach

The Angelchik antireflux prosthesis is a ringlike device used in the surgical treatment of sliding hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux. This article describes an unusual postoperative complication whereby the prosthesis had migrated into the lumen of the stomach.
Band Musicians' Performance and Eye Contact as Influenced by Loss of a Visual and/or Aural Stimulus

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of losing a visual (conductor) and/or aural (ensemble) stimulus on the ability of band members to perform a piece of music with an ensemble. Subjects were 120 undergraduate band members who individually played their instrument while viewing a videotape of a conductor and listening to a band via headphones. After the first 16 measures, experimental groups lost the sound of the band, the picture of the conductor, or both. The control group continued to view and hear the full stimulus tape and received the highest accuracy ratings. Subjects in the group that could only see the conductor were rated almost identically with those who could only hear the ensemble, and both were rated higher than the group that lost the entire stimulus. Videotapes of control-group subjects were analyzed for instances of eye contact with the conductor. These subjects looked up at the conductor nearly 28 % of the time, with glances that averaged just under 1 second each.
Adaptively timed conditioned responses and the cerebellum: A neural network approach

Conditioned responses often reflect knowledge about the timing of a US. This knowledge is manifested in the dependance of response topography on the CS-US interval employed in training. A neural network model and set of learning rules capable of simulating temporally adaptive features of conditioned responses is reviewed, and simulations are presented. In addition, we present a neural network implementation of the model which is designed to reconcile empirical studies of long-term synaptic depression in the cerebellum with neurobiological evidence from studies of the classically conditioned nictitating membrane response of the rabbit.
Chief Academic Officers' Demographics and Educational Backgrounds.

The impending retirements of many community college leaders creates a need to better understand who the chief academic officers (CAOs) are and the paths they followed to become CAOs. Nonetheless, researchers have paid relatively little attention to this important leadership position. To address this gap in the literature, the authors undertook a national study of 300 randomly selected community college CAOs. The intent was to determine the educational backgrounds and demographic characteristics of public 2-year college academic deans or vice presidents and compare these findings to those of previous studies to determine trends.
Discrete-time, mixed-norm control synthesis applied to aircraft terrain following

A fixed-order, mixed-norm control synthesis technique for discrete-time linear systems is demonstrated. The method allows the control-system designer to combine the H2, /i, and //oo norms of dissimilar transfer functions into a single constrained optimization problem. Any number or combination of constraints can be added to the problem, and the method constrains the norms directly without reliance on upper bounds to the norms. The method is applied to a terrain-following problem involving a multi-input multi-output model of a fighter aircraft. An H2-l\ problem is formulated and solved to provide altitude and flight-path angle tracking in the presence of wind gusts and sensor noise. Finally, an H^ constraint on output complementary sensitivity is added to improve robust stability.
Statistical Analysis and Design in Marketing Journal Articles

The use of statistical analysis in 922 articles from the 1980 through 1985 issues of the Journal of The Academy of Marketing Science (JAMS), the Journal of Marketing (JM), the Journal of Marketing Research (JMR), and the Journal of Consumer Research (JCR) was analyzed. A reader with no statistical background can understand 31, 56, 9, and 21 percent of the articles respectively in these four journals. Knowledge of regression and analysis of variance is important in comprehending many of the articles. Thirty-eight percent of the JAMS articles and 25, 57 and 56 percent, respectively, of the other three journals make use of these statistical techniques. Knowledge of any other single statistical method, except for factor analysis used in the JMR, provides only a marginal increase in the understanding of the literature. JAMS, JMR and JCR report extensive use of experimental designs, while the JM focuses on archival and survey types of designs. The tabulations in this paper should prove useful to marketing practitioners planning self-development and to faculty who teach undergraduates, graduates, and professional development courses. Several suggestions for increasing the accessibility of journal articles are proposed.
Diffusive mixing in continuous laminar flow systems

Abstract If the amount of mixing required at a local position of a system is measured by the absolute value of the excess concentration in that area, then it is shown that in a batch mixer, the local efficiency of mixing, described by the fractional decrease in the amount of mixing required per unit time is given by C3D/δ2, while for a continuous mixer the local efficiency of mixing, described by the fractional decrease in the amount of mixing required per unit length, is given by C3D/δ2ux. In both cases C3 is an approximately constant factor describing the shape of the concentration distribution and of order π2, D is the appropriate chemical diffusion coefficient, δ is the local striation thickness and ux is the velocity component along the direct line from the entrance to exit. It is also shown that the relative rate of reduction of striation thickness is given by when ul is the velocity component along a striation segment of length, dl. Application of this relation to several simple types of flow is carried out and a brief discussion of the utility of the principles to continuous laminar flow mixer design is included.
Short-term reduction in intrinsic heart rate during biventricular pacing after cardiac surgery: A substudy of a randomized clinical trial

Background The Biventricular Pacing After Cardiac Surgery trial investigates hemodynamics of temporary pacing in selected patients at risk of left ventricular dysfunction. This trial demonstrates improved hemodynamics during optimized biventricular pacing compared with atrial pacing at the same heart rate 1 and 2 hours after bypass and reduced vasoactive-inotropic score over the first 4 hours after bypass. However, this advantage of biventricular versus atrial pacing disappears 12 to 24 hours later. We hypothesized that changes in intrinsic heart rate can explain variable effects of atrial pacing in this setting. Methods Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, and medications depressing heart rate were analyzed in patients randomized to continuous biventricular pacing (n = 16) or standard of care (n = 18). Results During 30-second testing periods without pacing, intrinsic heart rate was lower in the paced group 12 to 24 hours after bypass (76.5 ± 17.5 vs 91.7 ± 13.0 beats per minute; P = .040) but not 1 or 2 hours after bypass. Cardiac output (4.4 ± 1.2 vs 3.6 ± 1.9 L/min; P = .054) and stroke volume (53 ± 2 vs 42 ± 2 mL; P = .051) increased overnight in the paced group. Vasoactive medication doses were not different between groups, whereas dexmedetomidine administration was prolonged over postoperative hours 12 to 24 in the paced group (793 ± 528 vs 478 ± 295 minutes; P = .013). Conclusions These observations suggest that hemodynamic benefits of biventricular pacing 12 to 24 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass lead to withdrawal of sympathetic drive and decreased intrinsic heart rate. Depression of intrinsic rate increases the apparent benefit of atrial pacing in the chronically paced group but not in the control group. Additional study is needed to define clinical benefits of these effects.
A quantitative comparison of Soil Development in four climatic regimes

A new quantitative Soil Development Index based on field data has been applied to chronosequences formed under different climatic regimes. The four soil chronosequences, developed primarily on sandy deposits, have some numeric age control and are located in xeric-inland (Merced, Calif.), xeric-coastal (Ventura, Calif.), aridic (Las Cruces, N. Mex.), and udic (Susquehanna Valley, Pa.) soil-moisture regimes. To quantify field properties, points are assigned for developmental increases in soil properties in comparison to the parent material. Currently ten soil-field properties are quantified and normalized for each horizon in a given chronosequence, including two new properties for carbonate-rich soils in addition to the eight properties previously defined. When individual properties or the combined indexes are plotted as a function of numeric age, rates of soil development can be compared in different climates. The results demonstrate that (1) the Soil Development Index can be applied to very different soil types, (2) many field properties develop systematically in different climatic regimes, (3) certain properties appear to have similar rates of development in different climates, and (4) the Profile Index that combines different field properties increases significantly with age and appears to develop at similar rates in different climates. The Soil Development Index can serve as a preliminary guide to soil age where other age control is lacking and can be used to correlate deposits of different geographical and climatic regions.
A mechanistic model of transport processes in porous membranes generated by osmotic and hydrostatic pressure

Abstract This work presents a simple molecular model of membrane transport processes generated by hydrostatic (Δ P ) and osmotic (Δ Π ) pressure. We postulate that the porous membrane permeability is determined by the size and distribution of its pores. From this postulate and a mechanistic interpretation of the flows we obtain equations for the volume flux J v , the solute volume flux J vs , and the solvent volume flux J vw : J v =L p Δ P−L p σ Δ Π J vs =(1−σ) c v s L p ( Δ Π+ Δ P) J vw =J v −(1−σ) c v s L p ( Δ Π+ Δ P) We also observe that the porous membrane properties are described by two phenomenological parameters ( L p and σ ), as opposed to three parameters ( L p , σ , and ω ) in the standard Kedem–Katchalsky formalism. The extra parameter was eliminated using the correlation relation for the transport parameters found previously and modified in this work. It has a form: ω=(1−σ) c L p
Chaos based key expansion function for block ciphers

The Key Expansion Function is a vital constituent component of any block cipher. Many of Key Expansion Functions generate subkeys through the algorithms which are based on Feistel or Substitution Permutation Network (SPN) structures against which cryptanalytic methods have been well researched. In this very paper, an efficient method for generating subkeys based on chaotic maps has been suggested. The phenomenon behind the proposed Key Expansion Function is the mixing property of Tent Map. Using chaotic binary sequences, the proposed Key Expansion Function satisfies the specific statistical and cryptographic properties of chaotic generators. A new Bit Extraction Technique based on IEEE-754 Floating-point Standard (binary32) is used to extract the bits of subkeys from the chaotic binary sequences. The generated subkeys are then analyzed. The results show that the given Chaos-based Key Expansion Function is well protected and fully strengthened in all respects.
Bridging oncology and immunology: expanding horizons with innovative peptide vaccines and peptidomimetics.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 410 W 10th Avenue N729, Columbus, OH 43210, USA and The Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 300 W 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA Tel.: +1 614 292 7028 Fax: +1 614 688 8586 kaumaya.1@osu.edu Bridging oncology and immunology: expanding horizons with innovative peptide vaccines and peptidomimetics
High-resolution optical measurements of atmospheric winds from space. 1: Lower atmosphere molecular absorption.

A high-resolution spectroscopic technique, analogous to that used in the thermosphere to measure the vector wind fields in the upper troposphere and stratosphere, is described which uses narrow features in the spectrum of light scattered from the earth's lower atmosphere to provide Doppler information on atmospheric scattering and absorption. It is demonstrated that vector winds can be measured from a satellite throughout the lower atmosphere, using a multiple-etalon Fabry-Perot interferometer of modest aperture. It is found that molecular oxygen and water vapor absorption lines in the spectrum of sunlight scattered by the atmosphere are Doppler-shifted by the line of sight wind, so that they may be used to monitor the global wind systems in the upper troposphere and stratosphere.
Generation of an AraC-araBAD promoter-regulated T7 expression system.

An alternative and facile delivery system for T7 RNA polymerase has been devised and constructed. T7 gene 1 has been placed under control of the araBAD promoter element regulated by the AraC protein. Cotransformation of the resultant plasmid, pTara, with one containing a target gene under T7 promoter-regulated expression potentially allows repression by glucose and induction by arabinose in the range of 0.5 to 20 mM sugar concentration. To demonstrate the efficacy of this expression system, the p53 gene under T7 promoter control in two different plasmids was expressed in Escherichia coli using pTara as the source of T7 RNA polymerase. Repression and induction of p53 were achieved in both a lower and higher copy number plasmid, although the levels of induction were higher with the lower copy number expression vector. Cotransformation of an expression plasmid with pTara provides a low-cost method of T7 RNA polymerase-regulated expression that can be fine-tuned using glucose and arabinose concentrations to balance protein expression with potential solubility or toxicity problems.
The Emergence of Adolescent Substance Use.

This longitudinal study examines patterns of emerging substance use among sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in two New England towns. The results show substantial levels of experimentation and use extending down to the sixth grade and variations in use level depending on the students' community, sex, race, and parents' marital status. This study also examines rates at which students were offered various substances and, by comparing use and offer rates, charts rejection/acceptance rates for the gateway substances across the three grades. The findings suggest the notion of critical periods for substance use initiation and underscore the importance of understanding these early use patterns as the first step in the design and implementation of primary prevention programs.
Genetic and biochemical evidence of sucrose fermentation by maltase in yeast.

Strain 1403-7A, which carries the MAL4 gene responsible for constitutive maltase synthesis, can ferment sucrose in the absence of sucrose genes. Sucrose fermentation cannot be separated from maltose fermentation either by genetic recombination or by mutation. Crude extracts of strain 1403-7A also lack the classical invertase, and fractionation of such extracts by gel filtration results in a peak of maltase activity which corresponds exactly to the activity with respect to sucrose hydrolysis. Moreover, in vitro, both of these disaccharides are hydrolyzed maximally at pH 6.4 to 6.8. It is suggested that, as long as sucrose can penetrate the cell, maltase, if present at high level in any strain, should be able to hydrolyze sucrose and therefore permit its fermentation. We have, however, identified in one of our yeast stocks a single recessive gene (ssf gene) which specifically interferes with sucrose fermentation in strain 1403-7A, probably by limiting the penetration of sucrose.
Development of a group-specific 16S rRNA-targeted probe set for the identification of Marinobacter by fluorescence in situ hybridization

Abstract Members of the Marinobacter genus play an important role in hydrocarbon degradation in the ocean – a topic of special significance in light of the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010. The Marinobacter group has thus far lacked a genus level phylogenetic probe that would allow in situ identification of representative members. Here, we developed two new 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes (Mrb-0625-a and Mrb-0625-b) to enumerate Marinobacter species by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In silico analysis of this probe set demonstrated 80% coverage of the Marinobacter genus. A competitor probe was developed to block hybridization by Mrb-0625-a to six Halomonas species with which it shared a one base pair mismatch. The probe set was optimized using pure cultures, and then used in an enrichment experiment with a deep sea oil plume water sample collected from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Marinobacter cells rapidly increased as a significant fraction of total microbial abundance in all incubations of original contaminated seawater as well as those amended with n -hexadecane, suggesting this group may be among the first microbial responders to oil pollution in the marine environment. The new probe set will provide a reliable tool for quantifying Marinobacter in the marine environment, particularly at contaminated sites where these organisms can play an important role in the biodegradation of oil pollutants.
Flumazenil and precipitated benzodiazepine withdrawal reaction

Abstract Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist with valuable clinical applications in reversing the benzodiazepine-induced central nervous system depressant effects after diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and as an adjunct in the management of benzodiazepine overdose. Extensive clinical trials in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere have documented that flumazenil can safely, effectively, and reliably reverse the sedative effects of benzodiazepines. It should be noted that flumazenil can precipitate a withdrawal reaction in patients with even limited prior use of benzodiazepines. Although these reactions have generally been mild and transient, careful patient selection and dosage titration can minimize the likelihood of such reactions in at-risk patients.
The Relationship between Smoking and Depression Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome.

The purpose of the current article is to review research on the relationship between smoking cessation and depressed mood post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS; myocardial infarction or unstable angina). Emerging evidence regarding the effect of anhedonia—a specific subcomponent of mood disturbance characterized by reduced pleasure—on post-ACS outcomes is also discussed. There is strong evidence that depression prospectively predicts post-ACS relapse to smoking. Weaker evidence suggests that smoking at the time of ACS is related to post-ACS depression. Bupropion is a particularly promising treatment for this population because of its smoking cessation and anti-depressant effects. Future research should focus on the relative risk of using nicotine replacement therapies post-ACS, the efficacy of bupropion for smoking cessation and depression reduction in post-ACS patients, the role of anhedonia in post-ACS smoking cessation, and the development and testing of integrated behavioral treatments (smoking cessation plus interventions targeting mood management) for ACS patients.
DNA2 Encodes a DNA Helicase Essential for Replication of Eukaryotic Chromosomes

Although a number of eukaryotic DNA helicases have been identified biochemically and still more have been inferred from the amino acid sequences of the products of cloned genes, none of the cellular helicases or putative helicases has to date been implicated in eukaryotic chromosomal DNA replication. By the same token, numerous eukaryotic replication proteins have been identified, but none of these is a helicase. We have recently identified and characterized a temperature-sensitive yeast mutant, dna2ts, defective in DNA replication, and have cloned the corresponding gene (Kuo, C.-L., Huang, C.-H., and Campbell, J. L.(1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 30, 6465-6469; Budd, M. E., and Campbell, J. L.(1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 92, 7642-7646). The DNA2 gene is essential and encodes a 172-kDa protein with DNA helicase motifs in its C-terminal half and an N-terminal half with no similarity to any previously described protein (Budd, M. E., and Campbell, J. L.(1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 92, 7642-7646). Here we show that the helicase domain is required in vivo and that a 3′ to 5′ DNA helicase activity specific for forked substrates is intrinsic to the Dna2p. The N terminus is also essential for DNA replication. Thus, the structure of this new helicase is different from all previously characterized replicative helicases, which is consistent with the complex organization of eukaryotic replication forks, where the activities of not one but three essential DNA polymerases must be coordinated.
Quality assurance and instrumentation

The quality process for commercial analytical equipment starts with the selection of the vendor. It is recommended that vendors be selected who are recognized as having quality processes in place for instrument design, development, manufacturing, testing, service, and support, for example, ISO 9001 registration. When the instrument arrives in the laboratory, the installation process should follow well-documented procedures. This includes a visual inspection that the instrument is not damaged and checking that the instrument, documentation and accessories such as cables and tubings are complete. Before the instrument is used it should be verified that it meets functional and performance specification. During operation the instruments should be periodically inspected and tested, verified to meet performance, and calibrated. The instrument should be labeled with the calibration status, indicating the dates of the last successful and the next performance verification and calibration. Defective instruments should be removed from the testing area or should at least be labeled as being "out of order."
Carotid endarterectomy versus carotid angioplasty cui bono.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the current status of carotid angioplasty (CAS) versus carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the management of patients with carotid bifurcation disease. Design Retrospective review of published and presented prospective randomized trials to date, regarding comparative results of CAS versus CEA. Materials Review of six published prospective randomized trials, one trial presented in press, and one trial completed and being analyzed. Large population based studies and a comparative registry study are also included. Methods Retrospective literature review. Results The results today favor CEA over CAS with respect to stroke morbidity, mortality, freedom from recurrence, and cost. Conclusions At the present time, CEA remains the intervention of choice in the management of carotid bifurcation disease.
Data-Driven Approach to Generating Achievable Dose–Volume Histogram Objectives in Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Planning

Purpose To propose a method of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) planning that generates achievable dose–volume histogram (DVH) objectives using a database containing geometric and dosimetric information of previous patients. Methods and Materials The overlap volume histogram (OVH) is used to compare the spatial relationships between the organs at risk and targets of a new patient with those of previous patients in a database. From the OVH analysis, the DVH objectives of the new patient were generated from the database and used as the initial planning goals. In a retrospective OVH-assisted planning demonstration, 15 patients were randomly selected from a database containing clinical plans (CPs) of 91 previous head-and-neck patients treated by a three-level IMRT-simultaneous integrated boost technique. OVH-assisted plans (OPs) were planned in a leave-one-out manner by a planner who had no knowledge of CPs. Thus, DVH objectives of an OP were generated from a subdatabase containing the information of the other 90 patients. Those DVH objectives were then used as the initial planning goals in IMRT optimization. Planning efficiency was evaluated by the number of clicks of the "Start Optimization" button in the course of planning. Although the Pinnacle 3 treatment planning system allows planners to interactively adjust the DVH parameters during optimization, planners in our institution have never used this function in planning. Results The average clicks required for completing the CP and OP was 27.6 and 1.9, respectively ( p D 0.1cc p D 0.1cc represents the dose corresponding to 0.1 cc. For planning target volume uniformity, conformity, and other organ at risk sparing, the OPs were at least comparable with the CPs. Additionally, the averages of D 0.1cc to the cord + 4 mm decreased by 6.9 Gy ( p D 0.1cc to the brainstem decreased by 7.7 Gy ( p V (30 Gy) to the contralateral parotid decreased by 8.7% ( p V (30 Gy) represents the percentage volume corresponding to 30 Gy. Conclusion The method heralds the possibility of automated IMRT planning.
Cerebellar long-term depression requires PKC-regulated interactions between GluR2/3 and PDZ domain-containing proteins.

Abstract Cerebellar LTD requires activation of PKC and is expressed, at least in part, as postsynaptic AMPA receptor internalization. Recently, it was shown that AMPA receptor internalization requires clathrin-mediated endocytosis and depends upon the carboxy-terminal region of GluR2/3. Phosphorylation of Ser-880 in this region by PKC differentially regulates the binding of the PDZ domain–containing proteins GRIP/ABP and PICK1. Peptides, corresponding to the phosphorylated and dephosphorylated GluR2 carboxy-terminal PDZ binding motif, were perfused in cerebellar Purkinje cells grown in culture. Both the dephospho form (which blocks binding of GRIP/ABP and PICK1) and the phospho form (which selectively blocks PICK1) attenuated LTD induction by glutamate/depolarization pairing, as did antibodies directed against the PDZ domain of PICK1. These findings indicate that expression of cerebellar LTD requires PKC-regulated interactions between the carboxy-terminal of GluR2/3 and PDZ domain–containing proteins.
Resonance Raman scattering studies of composition-modulated GaP/InP short-period superlattices

Resonance Raman scattering and electroreflection measurements on laterally composition modulated GaP/InP short-period superlattices are presented. The electroreflectance spectra give the fundamental band-gap energy of the lateral superlattice at 1.69{plus_minus} 0.05eV, which is about 210 meV lower than the band-gap energy of a GaInP random alloy with the same overall composition. In resonance Raman spectra measured with the polarization of both excitation and scattered photons along the composition modulation direction, the GaP-like longitudinal optical phonon redshifts by 4.0{plus_minus} 0.5cm{sup {minus}1} near the resonance with the fundamental energy gap. A comparison of the experimental data with a model calculation gives the average In composition in the In-rich region as 0.70{plus_minus} 0.02, and the average Ga composition in the Ga-rich region as 0.68{plus_minus}0.02. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Protheroe's statistic and continuous distributions

Abstract Protheroe's statistic was originally presented as an algorithm, requiring extensive Monte Carlo calculations for estimation of critical values. I show that the statistic can be defined for continuous distributions. As a result, values of the statistic for uniform distributions and distributions with narrow peaks are easily calculated, as are critical values.
Elder abuse at end of life.

Context: Advances in health care and changing demographics have led to an aging population whose care at the end of life has become complex. Patients at the end of life, by the nature of their clinical and social circumstances, are at high risk for elder abuse. Underreporting of elder abuse is a growing concern. The clinical presentation of abuse may overlap with the natural dying process, further compounding the problem. Evidence acquisition: Articles were obtained through a PubMed search using the terms "elder abuse" and "elder mistreatment" and from the University of California, Irvine's Elder Abuse Forensic Center library. Additional references were followed through these first set of articles and also from colleagues expert in this field. Evidence synthesis: Multidisciplinary teams have been shown to be the most effective intervention for the assessment and prevention of abuse. Most abuse occurs at home by family members; the hospice team may be the only outside professionals coming into the home. Ca...
Decay of 55Cr

Abstract The beta decay of 55 Cr has been found to be followed by gamma rays with energies of 1.521±0.006 MeV0 and 2.240±0.012 MeV. The intensities of these gamma rays were measured, with an error of about 50%, to be 5.8×10 −5 photons/dis and 4.6×10 −6 photons/dis, respectively. It is inferred from these and associated coincidence measurements that beta decay transitions proceed to states in 55 Mn at 1.521 MeV and 2.240 MeV with log ft values of 7.5±0.3 and 6.6±0.3, respectively.
Crystal and molecular structures of tin(IV) dithiocarbamates: II. Tris (N,N-diethyldithiocarbamato) methyltin(IV), a seven-coordinated pentagonal bipyramidal complex

The crystal structure of the title compound has been determined from 2919 independent reflections measured by scintillation methods. The crystals are monoclinic, space groupP21/n, with cell parametersa = 10.041(3),b = 10.712(4),c = 24.295(7) A, β = 93.17(5), andZ = 4. The structure was solved by Patterson and Fourier techniques, and refined by full-matrix least-squares methods toR = 0.058. The crystal structure consists of discrete, neutral, mononuclear, seven coordinated tin complexes. The geometry around the tin is a distorted pentagonal bipyramid with the methyl group axial, two dithiocarbamate ligands equatorial, and one dithiocarbamate bridging axial-equitorial. For the equatorial dithiocarbamates, each ligand has a short Sn-S distance [2.618(2) A] and a longer Sn-S distance [2.761(12) A]. For the other dithiocarbamate ligand there is a short axial Sn-S distance [2.481(2) A] and a long equatorial Sn-S distance[2.817(2) A]. The Sn-C distance has a rather normal value of 2.148(8) A.
Mobilizing Political Support For U.S. National Security

This article discusses how the U.S. constitutional system affects the formulation of American national security policy. Recent writing on this subject emphasizes two ideas: (1) American institutions make it difficult to develop a coherent policy, and (2) a breakdown in national security policy consensus exacerbates the difficulties created by a system of divided powers. The notion of coherence, however, typically is used as a euphemism for presidential monopoly of national security policy-making. While there are now more actors who also are more intensely involved in influencing national security policy, the constitutional system of divided power often is overemphasized as an impediment to the promotion and implementation of policies that lack sufficient political support. Despite the argument also of a previous "golden era" of consensus in national security policy, it is not clear that one ever existed—at least for long. The role of the United States as a world power, with the commitments this entails, m...
Induction into the workplace: The impact of internships

Abstract Some form of work experience or internship ranks high on the list of criteria used by recruiters of college graduates for positions as management trainees. While internships are discussed positively by students, faculty, and recruiters, their evaluation has been faulted as being highly subjective and lacking in the use of controls and psychometric sophistication. This study used an Institutional Cycle design to investigate changes occurring after participation in internships with three cohorts of college age students. Changes were noted in both terminal and instrumental values and in work-specific needs. In the former, changes moved the profiles of the students closer to those of campus recruiters. In the latter, changes moved the students' needs in the direction of characteristics of the job, away from environmental characteristics.
UNIVERSAL COVERS OF EDGE-LABELED DIGRAPHS:ISOMORPHISM TO DEPTH n - 1 IMPLIES ISOMORPHISM TO ALL DEPTHS

Edge-labeled digraphs have been used to model computer networks, and the universal covers of such graphs to describe what a processor in an anonymous network ``knows'''' about the network. If G is a connected edge-labeled directed graph with n vertices, write U^k_v for the universal cover of G, rooted at a vertex v and truncated at depth k . In this note we consider the smallest depth m for which isomorphism between U^m_v and U^m_w guarantees that U^k_v and U^k_w are isomorphic to all depths, k, for v, w vertices in the universal cover of G. We show that this m equals n - 1 . Isomorphism to a depth smaller than n - 1 does not insure isomorphism to all depths. Our result is an improvement over the previous result of n^2 due to Yamashita and Kameda. It applies immediately to graphs without edge-labels.
The Most Critical Path in a PERT Network

The classical PERT approach uses the path with the largest expected duration as the critical path to estimate the probability of completing a project by a given deadline. However, in general, such a path is not the ‘most critical’ path and does not provide the smallest estimate for the probability of completion time. This paper studies the ‘most critical path’ problem and formulates it as an optimal path problem in a deterministic network with a two-attribute fractional objective function. An exact solution approach is presented for the optimal path problem which also gives the solution to the most critical path problem. The illustrative examples as well as our computational results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm provides estimates for the probabilities of completion time that are much more accurate than those of the classical approach.
Procreative Compounds: Popular Eugenics, Artificial Insemination and the Rise of the American Sperm Banking Industry

This article traces the origins of arrangements for artificial insemination in the United States and their evolution into the current array of sperm banks. The article simultaneously analyzes the assumptions about donor selection, that developed initially in relation to popular eugenic concepts and that have displayed strong continuities in more recent decades. By the end of the 20th century consumer beliefs, initially stimulated by physicians but now operating as an independent factor, strongly shaped sperm bank practices on the basis of misguided but deeply-rooted beliefs about heredity.