cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
697 Sleep Quality After COVID-19 Infection

Introduction: COVID-19 has proven to be a novel virus with significant complications to an expanding number of body systems. Hallmark characteristics of COVID-19 include substantial inflammatory response which has been linked to sleep dysregulation in previous studies. We examined the change in sleep quality after acute COVID- 19 infections requiring hospitalization. Methods: We performed a retrospective, single-center observational study of 20 patients with acute COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalization. Eligible patients were contacted and completed telephone surveys of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) prior to and 1 month after hospital discharge. A score of ≥5 was indicative of poor sleep quality. Secondary data were collected from EMR. Results: The mean PSQI prior to COVID-19 infection was 6.1, worsening to 10.3 one month after acute infection, denoting a delta- PSQI of 4.2 (p = 0.0004). There were noted statistically significant differences in certain components of the PSQI including: subjective sleep quality 0.8 to 1.7 (delta 0.9, p = 0.0003), sleep latency 1.25 to 1.85 (delta 0.6, p = 0.03), sleep disturbance 1.05 to 1.5 (delta 0.45, p = 0.0009), and daytime dysfunction 0.3 to 1.45 (delta 1.15, p = 0.0005). Sleep latency and daytime dysfunction accounted for the most change. Two groups declared themselves with 6 of the 20 patients having improvement/no change in PSQI, and 14 having worsening. Between these groups certain differences were seen including: Preinfection PSQI 9.67 vs 4.57 (p = 0.009), delta global PSQI -0.83 vs 6.36 (p < 0.001), delta subjective sleep quality 0.17 vs 1.2 (p = 0.002), delta sleep latency -0.3 vs 1 (p = 0.01), delta sleep duration -0.3 vs 0.93 (p = 0.02), delta sleep efficiency -0.3 vs 0.71 (p = 0.02), and delta daytime dysfunction 0.17 vs 1.57 (p = 0.006). Conclusion: In our study of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection specific components of sleep were different following infection. Sleep latency and daytime dysfunction contributed the most to PSQI change. Two groups declared themselves based on PSQI improvement vs worsening. Those with poor sleep prior to infection continued to have poor sleep, while those without prior sleep troubles developed worsened sleep quality.
Why Accessible Solar Energy Models are Critical to the Success of the Renewable Energy Movement

In this paper I will analyze how inclusivity and accessibility affect the potential of the renewable energy movement in the United States. In its failures to reach diverse communities, it has stunted its own growth rendering everyone farther from a clean energy future and environmental justice. I will ask how low-income communities and communities of color participate in the renewable energy movement. What has blocked these groups from participating in the past and what is at stake if this is ignored? My research rests heavily on solar energy as it is far more difficult to encompass the specificities of all popular renewable energy options but the majority of the data is grounded in policy and organization which can be applicable to other renewable industries with adaptations. Geographically, this research is situated primarily in the two poles of the country, New York and California.
International Law and the Death Penalty in the United States

The United States claims to be the global leader in international human rights, but it continues to impose the death penalty and criticizes other countries for violating international human rights. The U.S. death penalty system allows racial disparities and executes the mentally ill and innocent people. The U.S. also permits ineffective assistance of counsel to the accused and tolerates infliction of suffering by physicians onto the prisoner. What this country does with respect to the death penalty affects the attitudes of other countries toward the United States as well as their willingness to respect human rights. Part One of the article describes the international laws governing the death penalty and how the U.S. is obligated to abide by these rules. Part Two explains the flaws in the application of the death penalty. Part Three proposes that the International Court of Justice enforce good faith immunity for prosecutors and provide adequate compensation for appointed counsel, so their duties can be fulfilled diligently. Also, law officials should understand the United States, as a defender of human rights law, should accept and obey customary international law to support the principles it promotes and continue to educate the public. Part Four of the article exposes the potential consequences of not abiding by the laws governing the international community.
Abdominal hysterectomy and high frailty score are associated with complications among older patients.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of frailty and hysterectomy route on 30-day postoperative morbidity for older hysterectomy patients. METHODS Participants included patients in the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database aged 60 years or older and undergoing simple hysterectomy from 2014 to 2018. The Five-Factor Modified Frailty Index approximated frailty: women with scores of 3 or more, indicating more severe comorbidities, were considered frail. Logistic regression multivariable models with and without an interaction term were used to study the independent and interactive effects of frailty and route on postoperative complications. RESULTS Of 19 888 hysterectomies, 4356 (21.9%) were abdominal, 13 382 (67%) were laparoscopic, and 2150 (10.8%) were vaginal, with 251 (1.3%) frail patients. Frailty (odds ratio [OR] 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-2.70, P = 0.001) and abdominal versus laparoscopic hysterectomy (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.88-2.45, P < 0.001) increased complication odds. Assessing interaction, complication odds for abdominal versus laparoscopic hysterectomy were higher for frail patients (OR 4.12, 95% CI 1.96-8.67, P < 0.001) versus non-frail patients (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.84-2.40). CONCLUSION Frail older patients have increased risk for hysterectomy complications, especially with abdominal hysterectomy versus laparoscopic hysterectomy. A frailty index can be a useful preoperative tool to guide counseling and route choice.
The effect of nanocrystal reaction time on Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells from nanocrystal inks

Abstract The sintering of nanocrystals to form a bulk film is a promising route for the production of low cost Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells. However, very little is known about how the synthesis of the nanocrystals impacts the properties of the sintered film or the performance of the resulting photovoltaic device. Here, we present a study in which devices were made from NC inks with different reaction times. Variation in reaction time produces inks with different average size, composition, and compositional heterogeneity. Accounting for the influence of composition, we find that longer NC reaction times result in improved current collection, larger quasi-Fermi level splitting, lower defect concentrations, and higher power conversion efficiency in the selenized devices. The improvements correlate well with the breadth of the x-ray diffraction peaks, suggesting that the longer reaction times result in larger crystalline domain sizes, and that grain boundaries may act as non-radiative recombination sites. Further, the crystalline domain size in the sintered film is proportional to the mean NC size in the ink, suggesting that some interparticle sintering occurs but that the ultimate grain size in the film is dependent on the starting NC size.
A Systematic Study of Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete T-beam Structures Using Externally Bonded FRP Composites

This paper describes a synthesis of findings pertaining to rehabilitation of concrete T-beam bridges with externally bonded FRP composites from a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 3 (PennDOT D3) project, with the purpose of answering common questions of concern mainly by state Department of Transportation (DOT) engineers and officials. A method for selecting applicable candidate bridges for suitability of repair with externally bonded FRP composites is described. With this classification, a candidate bridge was selected for a contract repair project. Field and laboratory testing of existing and repaired bridge materials is described. Structural analysis was based on AASHTO specifications. Finite Element (FE) model-ing was performed. Current ACI 440.2R-08 design guidelines were used. Supporting full-scale lab studies were conducted. Results were used to develop draft PennDOT design standards and construction specifica-tions and to apply “lessons learned” to the design and constructability of nearly 1,000 concrete T-beam bridges in Pennsylvania, USA.
Compressed-Domain Content-Based Image and Video Retrieval

With more and more visual material produced and stored in visual information systems (VIS) (i.e., image databases or video servers), the need for efficient, effective methods for indexing, searching, and retrieving images and videos from large collections has become critical. Users of large VIS will desire a more powerful method for searching images than just traditional text-based query (e.g., keywords). Manual creation of keywords for a huge collection of visual materials is too time-consuming for many practical applications. Subjective descriptions based on users’ input will be neither consistent nor complete. Also, the vocabulary used in describing visual contents is usually domain specific.
A Global Cartesian Space Obstacle Avoidance Scheme for Redundant Manipulator

Optimal control of kinematically redundant manipulators involves the use of extra degrees of freedom to improve th performance by energy minimization, singularity avoidance, obstacl avoidance, higher dexterity and flexibility, etc.. Ability to avoid obstacles is important for a manipulator to be able to work in a cluttered environment. Using the extra degrees of freedom, we can control the redundant manipulator such that it avoids workspace obstacles and at the same time tracks the specified end-effector path. Some instantaneous optimzation schemes for obstacle avoidance have been presented in the literature, which show instability, and are unable to avoid obstacles over long trajectories. In this paper we deal with the obstacle avoidance problem by using modern control theory and choosing an integral type performance index which results in a global optimization scheme. Obstacles are expressed as Cartesian space constraints. The state constraint function and control effort are minimized globally as a performance index. The control effort which maximizes the Hamiltonian and minimizes the performance index is used to find the self motion of the manipulator. A simulation for a three degrees of freedom planar robot is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme.
Steroids for improving recovery following tonsillectomy in children

BACKGROUND This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in The Cochrane Library in Issue 1, 2003.Tonsillectomy continues to be one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. Despite advances in anesthetic and surgical techniques, post-tonsillectomy morbidity remains a significant clinical problem. OBJECTIVES To assess the clinical efficacy of a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone in reducing post-tonsillectomy morbidity. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; BIOSIS Previews; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts; ISRCTN; and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the most recent search was 29 October 2010, following a previous search in September 2002. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of a single dose of intravenous, intraoperative corticosteroid for pediatric patients (age < 18 years) who underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The first author extracted data regarding the primary outcome measures and measurement tools from the published studies. The first author also recorded data regarding study design, patient ages, procedures performed, dose of corticosteroid and method of delivery, as well as methodological quality. When data were missing from the original publications, we contacted the authors for more information. We performed data analysis with a random-effects model, using the RevMan 5.1 software developed by the Cochrane Collaboration. MAIN RESULTS We included 19 studies (1756 participants). We selected only randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded studies to minimize inclusion of poor quality studies. However, the risk of bias in the included studies was not formally assessed. Children receiving a single intraoperative dose of dexamethasone (dose range = 0.15 to 1.0 mg/kg) were half as likely to vomit in the first 24 hours compared to children receiving placebo (risk ratio (RR) 0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41 to 0.58; P < 0.00001). Routine use in five children would be expected to result in one less patient experiencing post-tonsillectomy emesis (risk difference (RD) -0.24; 95% CI -0.32 to -0.15; P < 0.00001). Children receiving dexamethasone were also more likely to advance to a soft/solid diet on post-tonsillectomy day one (RR 1.45; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.83; P = 0.001) than those receiving placebo. Finally, postoperative pain was improved in children receiving dexamethasone as measured by a visual analog scale (VAS, 0 to 10) (MD -1.07; 95% CI -1.73 to -0.41; P = 0.001), which correlates clinically to a reduction in pain (on a VAS of 0 to 10) from 4.72 to 3.65. No adverse events were noted in the included studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The evidence suggests that a single intravenous dose of dexamethasone is an effective, safe and inexpensive treatment for reducing morbidity from pediatric tonsillectomy.
g-FACTOR MEASUREMENTS OF FISSION ISOMERS

The current status of g-factor measurements of fission isomers is reviewed. In particular, we concentrate on magnetic and electric extranuclear perturbations affecting the fission isomers in solid environments. Recent results for isomers in237Pu and239Am are summarized and the single particle nature of these states is discussed.
Hemispheric Spectral Statistics of Available Potential Energy

Abstract Analysis of hemispheric temperature variance data on five isobaric surfaces in terms of two-dimensional spectral decomposition shows that the available potential energy distributes with a slope in the neighborhood of −3 for the scale range 14≤n≤25. Although this slope varies with pressure, indications are that the observations substantiate the expectations of geostrophic turbulence theory. The noted deviations from −3 are discussed in terms of the distribution of energy in vertical modes which are not in the range in which −3 statistics should be expected. Vertical scales necessary for a three-dimensional spectral representation are considered with regard to the Brunt-Vaisala frequency distribution.
Paired associate learning in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type

• A study was conducted to examine the potential explicit learning ability in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) as a function of (1) the difficulty of the to-be-remembered material and (2) the severity of the dementia. The Associate Learning task from the Wechsler Memory Scale was administered to healthy older adults and individuals with questionable, mild, and moderate SDAT. Individuals with SDAT showed poorer learning performance across trials than healthy older adults. Individuals with questionable and mild SDAT did show evidence for learning across trials for highly related paired associates. For unrelated-paired associates, however, only individuals with questionable SDAT showed some evidence for increased learning across trials.
A fuzzy multiple objective linear programming approach to forest planning under uncertainty

Abstract Describes the use of Fuzzy Multiple Objective Linear Programming (FMOLP) in forest planning where imprecise objective function coefficients are present. An extended formulation is also described for planning situations where uncertainties occur in the constraint set. A sample problem is presented to illustrate the approach.
Von Willebrand factor antigen levels in Kaposi's sarcoma

Consistent elevations of plasma von Willebrand factor antigen were observed in otherwise healthy elderly patients with Kaposi's sarcoma. The elevations were predominantly of the endothelial cell-derived antigen, as opposed to the factor VIII procoagulant, with resultant elevations in the antigen/procoagulant ratios. Lesser elevations were seen in a group of age-matched control subjects who did not have Kaposi's sarcoma or intercurrent illness. The greater elevations in plasma von Willebrand factor antigen therefore appear to be the direct consequence of the presence of Kaposi's sarcoma cells. Our findings also suggest that there is a direct relationship between tumor load and degree of von Willebrand factor antigen elevation.
Archaeological evidence and non-evidence for climatic change

disturbance may be obvious in the archaeological record, and it may be synchronous with a climatic event, a cause and effect relation should be demonstrated before one can say with any degree of confidence that the evidence is secure. Only when a number of separate lines of investigation agree on the same thing are we safe in positing true climatic 'effect' or 'change'. This paper focuses on several instances in Mediterranean and Aegean archaeology where more or less satisfactory evidence for climatic change may be sought among a number of disciplines.
Exile, Allegory, and the Totality of the Nation: Miguel Ángel Asturias After the Guatemalan Revolution

There is little direct engagement with a discourse of exile in Asturias's essays or interviews, yet in the years following the end of the Guatemalan Revolution, which left him exiled in South America and Europe, Asturias consistently treats the loss of the nation as paramount. In the major works from this period, including Week-end en Guatemala, El Alhajadito, and Mulata de Tal, Asturias engages the crisis of national and social breakdown indirectly through allegorical modes as a response to the fall of Jacobo Arbenz, which likewise brought to a close the land reforms of the Guatemalan Revolution. For as much as the political breakdown of Guatemala emerges through the Central Intelligence Agency–sponsored Castillo Armas coup, the nation in Asturias's writings is also severed by the displacement of its citizens through exile and threatens the possibility of totality within the national sphere. In these works, Asturias recognizes this threat to the totality of the nation as he attempts to mediate the breakd...
Extended Huckel calculations on the Pi system of polyaniline

Abstract The pi molecular orbitals of aniline are used in a tight-binding calculation, within the extended Huckel methodology, to find the energy band structure of head-to-tall polyaniline. The highest occupied band, the 3b1, is also the widest band with width=1.7eV. This band can be depopulated either by oxidation or protonation to give a metal-like conductive state. Alternately, oxidation can lead to quinoid-like defect sites along the polymer chain that give midgap states that could be responsible for conductivity. The lowest unoccupied state is the localized 2a2 orbital positioned 3.0eV above the top of the 3b1 band. Because of the localized nature of this state, reductive doping should not be an effective method for improving the conductivity of polyaniline.
Optimizing Gas-Lift Systems

The most profitable distribution of gas to wells in a continuous flow gas-lift system can be determined by an analytical procedure. The procedure utilizes well test information and calculations of vertical 2-phase flow behavior to predict individual well producing rate responses to changes in gas input rate. The optimum distribution of the available gas can be calculated based on each well's contribution to the profit for the system. A computer program was developed to perform the calculations for the procedure. This program has been used in a Venezuela field with 1,500 gas-lift wells. A modified version of the program has been used in a Texas field containing 150 gas-lift wells.
A Comparison of Developmental Gains for Preschool Children with Disabilities in Inclusive and Self-Contained Classrooms.

Two studies examined developmental outcomes associated with services in inclusive and self-contained preschool classrooms. In Study 1, the effects of classroom inclusion on the developmental and social growth of preschool children with disabilities were investigated on 15 pairs of children (N = 30) matched for chronological age, gender, initial level of functioning, related services received, and attendance schedules. Progress was measured with the Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Early Development-Revised using a pre-post design. Results indicated that children functioning at a lower level of social and emotional functioning performed equally well in inclusive and specialized settings, while children functioning at a relatively higher level performed better in inclusive settings than in specialized settings. In Study 2, the relationships between developmental progress and the length of the school day and the amount of related services received per week were investigated on 66 participants. Children in fu...
What Makes the History of Software Hard

Creating software for work in the world has meant translating into computational models the knowledge and practices of the people who have been doing that work without computers. What people know and do reflects their particular historical experience, which also shapes decisions about what can be automated and how. Software thus involves many histories and a variety of sources to be read in new ways.
Adaptation and optimal chemotactic strategy for E. coli

Extending the classic works of Berg and Purcell on the biophysics of bacterial chemotaxis, we find the optimal chemotactic strategy for the peritrichous bacterium {ital E. coli} in the high and low signal to noise ratio limits. The optimal strategy depends on properties of the environment and properties of the individual bacterium, and is therefore highly adaptive. We review experiments relevant to testing both the form of the proposed strategy and its adaptability, and propose extensions of them which could test the limits of the adaptability in this simplest sensory processing system. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Effects of Long-Term High-Altitude Hypoxia on Ioslated Fetal Ovine Coronary Arteries

To examine the effects of long-term high-altitude hypoxia on the contractile properties of isolated fetal coronary arteries. Maximal contractile responses (Tmax) to 90 mmol/L KCl and the thromboxane A2 mimetic U46619 were measured in proximal (PLCx) and distal left circumflex (DLCx), left anterior descending (LAD), and right coronary arterial (RCA) rings from high-altitude and control fetuses. Paired studies were conducted with and without nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, Nω-nitro-l-arginine and Nω-nitro-l-arginine ester. In high-altitude fetuses, 90 mmol/L KCl Tmax responses in both intact and NOS-blocked rings decreased by ∼62% in PLCx, ∼59% in DLCx, ∼57% in LAD, and ∼47% in RCA (n = 9–18/group; P > .05). High-altitude vessels also exhibited decreased sensitivity to U46619. NOS blockade potentiated Tmax to U46619 in the high-altitude RCA segments and augmented Tmax to U46619 in high-altitude RCA compared with its treated control counterpart (P > .05). These results suggest that nitric oxide influences the pharmacologic responsiveness of the RCA to U46619. Furthermore, long-term high-altitude hypoxia significantly alters the contractile capabilities of fetal coronary arteries. These observations may partiall explain the maintained redistribution of cardiac output to the fetal heart during exposure to long-term high-altitude hypoxia.
Ultrametricity and memory in a solvable model of self-organized criticality

Slowly driven dissipative systems may evolve to a critical state where long periods of apparent equilibrium are punctuated by intermittent avalanches of activity. We present a self-organized critical model of punctuated equilibrium behavior in the context of biological evolution, and solve it in the limit that the number of independent traits for each species diverges. We derive an exact equation of motion for the avalanche dynamics from the microscopic rules. In the continuum limit, avalanches propagate via a diffusion equation with a nonlocal, history dependent potential representing memory. This nonlocal potential gives rise to a non-Gaussian (fat) tail for the subdiffusive spreading of activity. The probability for the activity to spread beyond a distance r in time s decays as \ensuremath{\surd}(24/\ensuremath{\pi})${\mathit{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3/2}$${\mathit{x}}^{1/3}$exp[-3/4${\mathit{x}}^{1/3}$] for x=${\mathit{r}}^{4}$/s\ensuremath{\gg}1. The potential represents a hierarchy of time scales that is dynamically generated by the ultrametric structure of avalanches, which can be quantified in terms of ``backward'' avalanches. In addition, a number of other correlation functions characterizing the punctuated equilibrium dynamics are determined exactly.
Computer Assisted Diagnosis and Computer Consultation in Neurology: Preliminary Testing of Diagnostic Accuracy for the Neurologist System

The Neurologist system is a computer program for consultation in clinical neurology which employs human-like reasoning in diagnosis, covers a broad diagnostic domain, has the capacity to explain strategies and conclusions and is readily expandable. Neurologist employs the strategy of first localizing a neurologic disease, then uses these data as well as mode of disease onset, rapidly to focus on a limited number of diagnostic possibilities which are then sequentially investigated. This paper presents the results of the preliminary assessment of Neurologist's diagnostic accuracy. For a set of 30 test cases, the system's leading diagnosis was correct in 77%, and separation of correct and incorrect diagnostic hypotheses was excellent. Further evaluations of the system are in progress.
Is There a Role for the Incretin System in Blood Pressure Regulation

Incretin-based therapies are now well established for diabetes management and are among the frontline agents for control of hyperglycemia. In addition to their antihyperglycemic effects, evidence is emerging on the role of these agents on blood pressure regulation, cardioprotective and renoprotective properties. Because of the pleiotropic nature of these affects, these agents could offer significant benefits with regards to the cardiorenal metabolic complications that are part of the diabetes and obesity epidemic in the United States and worldwide. We review the various known mechanisms or pathways by which incretin based therapy exerts its regulation of blood pressure with emphasis on novel mechanisms such as inflammation/immunomodulation and oxidative stress.
Host Specificity of Aphthona abdominalis Duftschmid (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a Biological Control Agent for Euphorbia esula L. (leafy spurge, Euphorbiaceae) in North America

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine the host specificity of Aphthona abdominalis both in the field and in the laboratory, using field-collected adults and their overwintering progeny. A. abdominalis has four or more generations per year in Italy and occupies a well-defined ecological niche on Euphorbia esula L., leafy spurge. Therefore, it can effectively complement the impact of damage caused by other natural enemies of leafy spurge; the other species of Aphthona previously released are univoltine. The main damage by A. abdominalis is caused by the larvae feeding on the roots and the underground portions of shoots throughout the generations of this multivoltine flea beetle. Experiments were conducted on its host specificity using 56 plant species in 21 families, in addition to the control species. Tests with larvae and adults, conducted in the laboratory and in the field, under no-choice and free-choice conditions, demonstrated that this flea beetle has a high level of specificity. In the field, under free-choice conditions, A. abdominalis attacked and developed only on leafy spurge. This flea beetle has a good potential for being effective in humid habitats, where other flea beetles previously released did not perform well.
Proline biosynthesis: Multiple defects in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Abstract The biochemical basis for the proline requirement of Chinese hamster ovary cells has been investigated. The results indicate an absence of conversion of glutamate to proline and a 90% reduction in ornithine transaminase, the first enzyme in the pathway converting ornithine to proline. Possible explanations for this double defect are discussed.
Non-Equilibrium Solute Partitioning and Microstructure Formation in Rapidly Solidified Al-Sm Alloys

A critical issue, central to microstructural selection in highly driven systems, is the role of nonequilibrium solute partitioning and the formation of metastable phases. When local chemical equilibrium breaks down at very high undercoolings, solidification dynamics are influenced by limitations to atomic attachment kinetics, decreasing solute diffusivities, changing thermodynamic driving forces, and the energetics of ordering or clustering in the liquid phase. The scope of the current study is to employ free-jet melt spinning along with advanced e-beam, x-ray diffraction techniques to investigate the degree of solute partitioning and metastable phase formation during rapid solidification of Al-Sm alloys with compositions at or near the Al-rich eutectic (15wt.% or 3 at.%). At all melt spinning rates employed (10-40m/s), solidification morphologies consist of the Al (fcc) and Al 11 Sm 3 (tetragonal) phases. Certain morphological transitions occur through the thickness of the ribbon, indicating a change in the prevailing cooling conditions as solidification proceeds. In addition, x-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the Sm content in the fcc Al phase is well above that given by local two-phase (fcc+liquid) equilibrium.
Effect of Acetylsalicylic Acid on Fatty Acid |[omega]|-Hydroxylation in Rat Liver

The effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the cytochrome P-450-mediated fatty acid omega-hydroxylation system was assessed in male Sprague-Dawley rats after they were fed a diet containing 1% (w/w) acetylsalicylic acid. A 3-fold increase in the specific activity of laurate omega-hydroxylation was observed in the acetylsalicylic acid fed rats in comparison to control rats. This effect of acetylsalicylic acid was unique as the specific activities of other cytochrome P-450-mediated reactions were not increased. The induction of the laurate omega-hydroxylation system was also manifested in a rapid formation of its dicarboxylic acid derivative, dodecanedioic acid, as the omega-hydroxy derivative was further oxidized by alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases. These results suggest the acetylsalicylic acid is similar to other peroxisomal proliferating agents in that it also induces the microsomal fatty acid omega-hydroxylation system and may account for the appearance of unique dicarboxylic acids in Reye's syndrome patients.
Continuous perfusion of mammalian cells embedded in agarose gel threads

A method for perfusing cells by embedding them in fine agarose gel threads is described and characterized. The rate of diffusion of a metabolite into the gel threads is determined by 31P-NMR spectroscopy. This perfusion method is shown to enable Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CHLF) to remain in a metabolically active state with high levels of intracellular ATP for many hours.
Nontraumatic brain hemorrhage in children: etiology and presentation.

The clinical and radiographic findings of 68 children and adolescents with nontraumatic intraparenchymal brain hemorrhage were analyzed retrospectively. There were 43 boys and 25 girls, and the average age was 7.1 years (range, 3 months to 18 years). The most common presenting symptom was a combination of headache or vomiting (40 cases, or 58.8%). Hemiparesis was the major presenting sign in 11 (16.2%) of the children, seizures occurred in 25 (36.8%) patients, and 6 (8.8%) children were irritable. Only 2 (2.9%) children were comatose at presentation. One or more risk factors for hemorrhage were found in 61 (89.7%) of 68 children. A third (23 cases, or 33.8%) had an arteriovenous malformation or fistula; altogether 29 (42.6%) children had some type of congenital vascular anomaly. Hematologic or coagulation disorders were present in 22 (32.4%) patients, and 9 (13.2%) patients had brain tumors. Hemorrhage could not be attributed to systemic hypertension in any child. The likelihood of establishing the cause ...
Distribution of the Time Through a Directed, Acyclic Network

Let there be associated with each arc of a directed, acyclic network a random variable, conveniently referred to as the arc passage time. It is assumed that the arc passage times are independent and have a finite range. A method is presented for the efficient computation of the density function of the passage time from source to sink of this network, under the restriction that the arc density functions are polynomials. In particular, an algorithm is described that reduces a series-parallel network to a single arc whose density function is that of the time through the original network. The specialization of this algorithm to the class of polynomial density functions leads to a detailed examination of the convolution operation for polynomials. Finally, a method is presented whereby any directed, acyclic network can be transformed to series-parallel form, permitting application of a modified version of the series-parallel algorithm. These techniques are used to find the probability that an arc is on the critical path and a numerical example is presented.
Rank-sparsity constrained atlas construction and phenotyping

Atlas construction is of great interest in the medical imaging community as a tool to visually and quantitatively characterize anatomic variability within a population. Because such atlases generally exhibit superior data fidelity relative to the individual data sets from which they are constructed, they have also proven invaluable in numerous informatics applications such as automated segmentation and classification, regularization of individual-specific reconstructions from undersampled data, and for characterizing physiologically relevant functional metrics. Perhaps the most valuable role of an anatomic atlas is not to define what is “normal,” but, in fact, to recognize what is “abnormal.” Here, we propose and demonstrate a novel anatomic atlas construction strategy that simultaneously recovers the average anatomy and the deviation from average in a visually meaningful way. The proposed approach treats the problem of atlas construction within the context of robust principal component analysis (RPCA) in which the redundant portion of the data (i.e. the low rank atlas) is separated from the spatially and gradient sparse portion of the data unique to each individual (i.e. the sparse variation). In this paper, we demonstrate the application of RPCA to the Shepp-Logan phantom, including several forms of variability encountered with in vivo data: population variability, class variability, contrast variability, and individual variability. We then present preliminary results produced by applying the proposed approach to in vivo, murine cardiac micro-CT data acquired in a model of right ventricle hypertrophy induced by pulmonary arteriole hypertension.
An Examination of Text Complexity as Characterized by Readability and Cohesion

To better understand dimensions of text complexity and their effect on the comprehension of adolescents, 103 high school seniors were randomly assigned to 4 groups. Each group read versions of the same 2 informational passages and answered comprehension test items targeting factual recall and inferences of causal content. Group A passages had a challenging readability level and high cohesion; Group B passages had an easier readability and low cohesion; Group C passages had a challenging readability level and low cohesion; and Group D passages had an easier readability and high cohesion. Students in Group D significantly outperformed students in Group C (g = 0.78). Although the effect sizes of comparisons among all groups ranged from g = 0.13 to 0.73, no other comparisons were statistically significant. Results indicate that adolescents’ reading comprehension is dually influenced by a text's readability and cohesion. Implications for matching readers to instructional text are discussed.
Complete sequence of the gene encoding a chorionic gonadotropin-like protein from Xanthomonas maltophilia

Abstract Our laboratory has previously reported that: (i) Xanthomonas maltophilia (Xm) produces a protein which has immunological resemblance to the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and (ii) possesses a high-affinity receptor which binds holo hCG, and the endogenous ligand, Xm chorionic gonadotropin (xCG), but does not bind human luteinizing hormone (hLH). We have also previously published a 492-bp partial nucleotide sequence of the gene ( xcg ) coding for xCG. We report herein the entire xcg sequence of 1362 bp, which codes for a 48-kDa protein. This sequence confirmed the 492-bp sequence, as well as two partial amino acid (aa) sequences which we have previously reported. The sequence has a region which is homologous to aa 56–139 of the β-subunit of hCG, and a second region homologous to the C-terminal tail of hCG. This is the first report of a prokaryotic gene homologous to the hCG β-subunit-encoding gene.
Factors influencing the genetic structure of Phacelia dubia , a species with a seed bank and large fluctuations in population size

The potential factors that may influence the genetic structure of the gynodioecious annual Phacelia dubia were assessed using electrophoretic and ecological information at a locality in which the population size changed by about three orders of magnitude. Fluctuations in population size appeared to have little influence on the allelic composition, heterozygosity and mixed mating system of the population. Despite wide fluctuations in total population size, the estimated effective population size during (Ne = 20) and after the bottleneck (Ne = 28) was little changed. Also, a significant spatial substructuring, evidenced by a cline in MDH and by the F-statistics, was observed before and after the bottleneck. The recovery of the population and the preservation of genetic diversity was attributable in part to the seed bank in the soil. Spatial gene flow via seeds was small compared with pollen flow and both were restricted. Nevertheless, substructuring contributes to a small portion of the total inbreeding. Also, the rate of apparent selfing of male steriles did not provide evidence of biparental inbreeding. Most of the inbreeding, however, was within subpopulations and autogamy appears to be the major contributor. It was concluded that the mating system is the leading factor determining the genetic structure and that the seed bank ensures genetic constancy in time in the face of large fluctuations in population size.
A causal role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the homeostatic regulation of sleep

Slow-wave activity (SWA), the EEG power between 0.5 and 4 Hz during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, is one of the best characterized markers of sleep need, because it increases as a function of preceding waking duration and decreases during sleep, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We hypothesized that SWA is high at sleep onset because it reflects the occurrence, during the previous waking period, of widespread synaptic potentiation in cortical and subcortical areas. Consistent with this hypothesis, we recently showed that the more rats explore, the stronger is the cortical expression of BDNF during wakefulness, and the larger is the increase in SWA during the subsequent sleep period. There is compelling evidence that BDNF plays a causal role in synaptic potentiation, and exogenous application of BDNF in vivo is sufficient to induce long-term increases in synaptic strength. We therefore performed cortical unilateral microinjections of BDNF in awake rats and measured SWA during the subsequent sleep period. SWA during NREM sleep was higher in the injected hemisphere relative to the contralateral one. The effect was reversible within 2 h, and did not occur during wakefulness or rapid eye movement sleep. Asymmetries in NREM SWA did not occur after vehicle injections. Furthermore, microinjections, during wakefulness, of a polyclonal anti-BDNF antibody or K252a, an inhibitor of BDNF TrkB receptors, led to a local SWA decrease during the following sleep period. These effects were also reversible and specific for NREM sleep. These results show a causal link between BDNF expression during wakefulness and subsequent sleep regulation.
Heat shock induction of HSP 89 is regulated in cellular aging.

Abstract Induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) was evaluated as a function of age of the IMR-90 human diploid fibroblasts. Heat shock (42°C) markedly increased the synthesis of proteins with apparent molecular weights of 98, 89, 72, 50, 42 and 25 KDa, with HSP 89 and 72 being most prominent. This heat shock induction of HSPs was inversely correlated to the population doubling level (PDL) of the cell cultures used. For example, the synthesis rate of HSP 89 increased from a basal level of 1% of total protein synthesis to a maximum of 8–10% at 6–8 hrs after heat shock of young cells (PDL 18); in the old cells (PDL 51), the increase was from 1% to a maximum of 4% at 10–12 hrs after initiation of the heat shock. Western blot analysis showed that HSP 89 constituted approximately 2 and 10% of total cellular proteins in control and heat shocked (42°C, 12–24 hrs) young cells; corresponding values for the old cells were 2 and 4.5%, respectively. Northern blot quantitation of the amount of mRNA hybridizable to cDNA probes of HSP 89 provided evidence that this age-dependent decrease in induction of HSP 89 in IMR-90 cells was attributable to a transcriptional/pre-translational mechanism.
Metabolic Capabilities of Escherichia coli II. Optimal Growth Patterns

Abstract A modeling formalism has been developed recently, based on stoichiometry and linear optimization, that enables determination of the capabilities of metabolic networks. Both single and multiple simultaneous metabolic demands can be studied within this formalism. Here, we use this approach to determine the ability of Escherichia coli's fueling reactions to meet growth demands. "Growth" within this context is defined as a drain of biosynthetic precursors in an appropriate ratio required to produce cellular components. Maximizing biomass yield on glucose in the absence of maintenance requirements, we obtain a yield of 0·588 g DW g-1 glucose, which is higher than experimentally reported values. Inclusion of ATP maintenance costs significantly influences the maximal biomass yield. A maintenance cost of 4-6 ATP molecules per glucose consumed gives maximal biomass yields of 0·4-0·45 g DW g-1 glucose, which correspond to experimental observations of biomass yields. The corresponding metabolic flux distribution shows a remarkable consistency with experimental observations of pathway utilization, including the fraction of glucose metabolized through the pentose pathway, use of the anaplerotic reactions and redox metabolism. A sensitivity analysis demonstrates a robustness of the optimal biomass yield and pathway utilization to changes in metabolic demands. This result is important considering the diversity of metabolic demands that the cell can experience under different growth and environmental conditions. The optimal biomass yield varies significantly, approximately 20%, over the range of P/O ratios found in energy-transducing membranes. A new metric that is based on shadow prices is formulated to measure the relative importance of the biosynthetic precursors to biomass generation. Interestingly, it identifies the sugar monophosphates as the best utilized biosynthetic precursors for growth in the absence of maintenance energy, although they are needed in relatively small amounts. With maintenance costs, ATP assumes a similar importance. With acetate as the sole substrate we show numerical comparisons of the optimal flux distribution with experimental determinations reported in the literature. We find the optimal solution to be in close agreement with experimentally determined pathway utilizations, the measured metabolic flux levels and biomass yields. Taken together, the results presented here argue for the hypothesis that observed metabolic behavior is consistent with stoichiometric optimality of growth and that regulation of metabolism strives to achieve this stoichiometric optimality.
Tear osmolarity and dry eye symptoms in diabetics.

Purpose To assess the relationship between tear osmolarity and dry eye symptoms in patients with diabetes.
Allele frequencies for 70 autosomal SNP loci with U.S. Caucasian, African-American, and Hispanic samples.

Abstract 189 samples from 3 different U.S. sample groups Caucasian (74), African American (71) and Hispanic (44) were typed for 70 autosomal genetic markers. These 70 markers are bi-allelic (C/T) short nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). For each sample, the 70 SNP markers were typed in 11 unique 6-plexes and a single 4-plex PCR. A total of 10 of the 210 tests (70 loci × 3 populations) for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium indicated a statistically significant result. In order to evaluate the minimum number of SNP loci needed to distinguish all 189 samples from one another, we ranked the loci according to their levels of observed heterozygosity and p-values obtained upon testing for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The top 12 loci according to these ranking criteria were tabulated along with the number of unique genotypes observed when combining subsequent SNP markers. The 12 selected SNPs possessed an observed heterozygosity of >0.45 in all three populations examined and thus would be expected to exhibit more differences between samples. All of the 189 samples in this study were individualized with a subset of 12 SNP loci. However, it is likely that the addition of more than 12 SNP loci will be required to resolve larger sets of unrelated individuals from one another. By way of comparison, in these same 189 individuals all but one pair is resolved from one another with three of the traditional short tandem repeat (STR) loci possessing the highest heterozygosity values (D2S1338, D18S51, and FGA) run with the Identifiler kit. The final pair of unrelated samples could be resolved with the combination of 4 STR loci: D2S1338, D18S51, FGA, and VWA.
G-protein subunit mRNA levels in rat heart, liver, and adipose tissues: analysis by DNA-excess solution hybridization.

Abstract The steady-state levels of mRNAs for the G-proteins G iα2 , G oα , and the G β -subunits common to each were established in rat adipose, heart and liver. Uniformly-radiolabeled, single-stranded antisense probes were constructed from cDNAs or assembled from oligonucleotides. Direct comparison of the steady-state levels of the G-protein mRNAs was performed under identical assay conditions, and on a molar basis. In adipose, liver and heart, G sα mRNA was more abundant than mRNA for G oα , G iα , and G β . In adipose tissue, mRNA levels were as follows: 19.4, 7.6, 7.0, and 2.3 amol mRNA per μg total cellular RNA for G sα , G β , G iα2 , and G oα , respectively. In heart G sα mRNA was less abundant than in adipose, but the relative trend among the G-protein subunits was the same. In liver, G β mRNA was more abundant than either G oα or G iα2 . G oα mRNA levels ranged from 1.2 to 2.3 amol/μg total RNA in liver and adipose, respectively. The present work demonstrates the many advantages of this strategy when applied to the study of a family of homologous, low-abundance proteins and establishes for the first time the molar levels of G iα2 , G sα , G oα , and G β -subunit mRNAs in several mammalian tissues.