cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A branching-process model for the evolution of transposable elements incorporating selection.

We have formulated a very general mathematical model to analyze the evolution of transposable genetic elements in prokaryotic populations. Transposable genetic elements are DNA sequences able to replicate and insert copies of themselves at new locations in the genome. This work characterizes the equilibrium distribution of copy number under the influence of copy number-dependent selection, transposition and deletion. Our principal results concern the equilibrium distribution of copy number in response to various selective regimes. For particular transposition patterns (e.g. unregulated transposition or copy number-dependent transposition), equilibrium distributions are calculated numerically for a variety of specific selection patterns. Selection is quantified through specification of the expected number of offspring for individuals of each type, which is generally a non-increasing function of copy number, in accord with the usual evolutionary speculations.
Evaluation of NAD(H) Analogues as Selective Inhibitors for Trypanosoma Cruzi S-Adenosylhomocysteine Hydrolase

S-Adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolases (SAHHs) from human sources (Hs-SAHHs) bind the cofactor NAD+ more tightly than several parasitic SAHHs by around 1000-fold. This property suggests the cofactor binding site of this essential enzyme as a potential anti-parasitic drug target, e.g., against SAHH from Trypansoma cruzi (Tc-SAHH). The on-rate and off-rate constants and the equilibrium dissociation constants were determined for NAD+/NADH analogues and suggested that NADH analogues were the most promising for selective inhibition of Tc-SAHH. None significantly inhibited Hs-SAHH while S-NADH and H-NADH (see Figure 1) reduced the catalytic activity of Tc-SAHH to < 10% in six minutes of exposure.
Structure and meaning in medical sociology

The point of all this, one made by others as well (e.g., Cook and Reichhardt 1979), is to emphasize the potential for a synergistic exchange between structuralists who do surveys and meaning-oriented workers who do qualitative work. The ways in which survey researchers come to understand the social worlds of people can and should be influenced by the ways in which people understand and interpret their own worlds. Correspondingly, our efforts to capture the social life of people through their eyes can be advanced by an understanding of the structures in which their lives are embedded and the effects of these structures. Each orientation benefits from drawing on the other. In this way, sociology is the ultimate beneficiary. I see nothing to be gained from intellectual antagonism and the distancing of one side from the other. I do not claim that there is more similarity and less difference between the two than meets the eye. The substance of interests and the styles of inquiry are really quite different. That's as it should be. Indeed, their differences permit each to give something to the other. Both should be nurtured and developed. However, in the training of new medical sociologists and in the research of old ones, we should have enough appreciation and knowledge of both orientations so that even if we are planted firmly in one, we are at least prepared to dip into the other. Those searching for structural effects and those searching for meaning are potentially natural partners, a relationship much superior to being unnatural antagonists.
Fluorescence lifetime imaging and reflectance confocal microscopy for multiscale imaging of oral precancer

Optical imaging techniques using a variety of contrast mechanisms are under evaluation for early detection of epithelial precancer; however, tradeoffs in field of view (FOV) and resolution may limit their application. Therefore, we present a multiscale multimodal optical imaging system combining macroscopic biochemical imaging of fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) with subcellular morphologic imaging of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). The FLIM module images a 16×16 mm2 tissue area with 62.5 μm lateral and 320 ps temporal resolution to guide cellular imaging of suspicious regions. Subsequently, coregistered RCM images are acquired at 7 Hz with 400 μm diameter FOV, <1 μm lateral and 3.5 μm axial resolution. FLIM-RCM imaging was performed on a tissue phantom, normal porcine buccal mucosa, and a hamster cheek pouch model of oral carcinogenesis. While FLIM is sensitive to biochemical and macroscopic architectural changes in tissue, RCM provides images of cell nuclear morphology, all key indicators of precancer progression.
The Dementia Rating Scale-Initiation/Perseveration Subtest in MMSE-Intact Demented Patients

ABSTRACT In this descriptive database study, we examine 19 male patients who showed significant deficits in the initiation and persevera-tion subtest of the dementia rating scale yet scored a 25 or greater on the mini-mental state examination. We compared this I/P impaired group to 42 patients scoring well on the same dementia rating scale subtest, and found no significant differences in demographics, medical burden, agitation or degree of psychosis on hospital admission between the groups. Functioning as assessed by activities of daily living and independent activities of daily living questionnaires was also similar between the two groups on admission. We concluded that executive dysfunction as measured by the I/P subtest of the Dementia Rating Scale, does not impair patients' ability to function independently. Perhaps, the subtleties of executive function are not adequately addressed with the I/P subtest and more detailed instruments may be more useful in predicting independent functioning.
Surface reconstruction of abdominal organs using laparoscopic structured light for augmented reality

Creation of accurate surface models of abdominal organs is essential for many developing technologies in medicine and surgery. One application we are working towards is augmented reality (AR) visualization for laparoscopic surgery. Our current system meets some, but not all, of the requirements. We use two custom built laparoscopes, a custom built miniature projector, a standard camera, and a standard video capture and processing card to implement a laparoscopic structured light range acquisition system. We will briefly show the custom hardware but will emphasize the structured light depth extraction techniques used for the unique properties of surfaces inside the body, particularly dealing with specular reflections. In early experiments, we studied the effectiveness of our algorithm in highly specular environments by creating range images acquired from fresh animal organs. These experiments used a large projector, open abdomens, and offline image processing. We report the results of experiments using our miniature projector, and on line processing.
Formability of textile preforms for composite applications. Part 1: Characterization experiments

Abstract Forming of textile composites is a newly developed fabrication technique which can handle complex geometry with relatively high productivity. The behaviour of textile preforms in the forming process is different from that of metallic materials. In addition to the material properties and part geometry parameters, fibre architecture plays a substantial role in determining the performance of textile preforms. In order to evaluate the formability of various textile fabric preforms, experiments characterizing the deformation behaviour of textile preforms were conducted. These tests included in-plane tension, transverse compression, in-plane shear and out-of-plane bending. Fabric preforms used in the study were plain weave, five-harness satin, eight-harness satin and angle-lock interweave. The deformation behaviour of these textile fabric preforms is directional, and strongly dependent on the fibre distribution within the fabric. Therefore fibre architecture is the dominant parameter in determining the deformation behaviour of preforms. Experimental results are useful in the evaluation of formability of textile preforms in forming processes.
Longitudinal diffusion coefficients and test of the generalized Einstein relation for Br - -Ne, Br - -Ar, Br - -Kr, and Br - -Xe

The generalized Einstein relation has been tested experimentally for Br− ions in Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe. The Br− ion mobilities are used to calculate the diffusion coefficients of the Br− ions. (AIP)
Successful Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in a Patient with Mitral Valve Endocarditis

A critically-ill 73-year-old man was admitted with simultaneous mitral valve endocarditis and aortic stenosis. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty was performed successfully and without complications and was followed by prompt clinical improvement. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty should be considered in patients with aortic stenosis and nonaortic valve endocarditis.
Bulk orientational anisotropy without spatial anisotropy due to powder compaction in Al–Ti–B compacts

Powder processing of materials typically uses uniaxial compression in the powder-compaction step and might thereby make anisotropic compacts out of initially isotropic powders. Our objective in this study was to ascertain and quantitatively characterize this possible anisotropy in green compacts of Al–Ti–B powder mixtures of three compositions, prepared from elemental powders (having irregular particle shapes), with a view to identifying pitfalls and commercial exploitability. The compacts unexceptionally showed negligible bulk spatial anisotropy but significant anisotropy due to particle reorientation.
Two novel types of l-glutamate receptors with affinities for NMDA and l-cysteine in the olfactory organ of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus

A subset of olfactory receptor neurons of the Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus possesses receptors for L-glutamate that can mediate both excitatory and inhibitory responses (P.C. Daniel, M.F. Burgess, C.D. Derby, Responses of olfactory receptor neurons in the spiny lobster to binary mixtures are predictable using a non-competitive model that incorporates excitatory and inhibitory transduction pathways, J. Comp. Physiol. A 178 (1992) 523-536). In this study, we have used biochemical and electrophysiological techniques to understand the role of these receptors in olfactory transduction, and to compare these olfactory glutamate receptors with peripheral and central L-glutamate receptors in other animals. Using a radioligand-binding assay with a membrane-rich preparation from the dendrites of olfactory receptor neurons, we have identified two types of binding sites for L-glutamate. Both sites showed rapid, reversible, and saturable association with radiolabeled L-glutamate, and their Kd values (1 nM and 3 microM) are effective in physiological studies of glutamate-sensitive olfactory neurons, suggesting these binding sites are receptors involved in olfactory transduction. Both sites were completely inhibited by high concentrations of NMDA and L-cysteine, and only partially inhibited by other L-glutamate analogs and odorants. Electrophysiological recordings from L-glutamate-best olfactory receptor neurons showed that NMDA and L-cysteine are both partial agonists and antagonists of glutamate receptors. Together, these results suggest the olfactory L-glutamate receptors of spiny lobsters are novel types of L-glutamate receptors that are functionally important in mediating olfactory responses.
The stories of social entrepreneurs: Narrative discourse and social venture resource acquisition

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to focus on how narratives are used to acquire social venture resources. Social entrepreneurship is a phenomenon of increasing significance. A key challenge for social ventures is resource acquisition. However, how social entrepreneurs gather the resources necessary to grow their organizations is not clear. Design/methodology/approach – This topic is examined using a multi-study, inductive, theory-building design based on 121 interviews, observation and archival data. In Study 1, 75 entrepreneurs, investors and ancillary participants were interviewed in the social enterprise sector. In Study 2, case studies of eight technology-focused social ventures were constructed. Findings – The result of this study is a framework explaining how differences in entrepreneurs’ narrative tactics and characteristics are associated with differences in their resource acquisition success. Specifically, from Study 1, this paper develops a typology of social enterprise narratives, identif...
Optical viscosity sensor using bend loss of fiber

A fluid viscosity sensor using bend loss theory is presented. The sensing principle makes use of the damping characteristic of a vibrating optical fiber probe with fix-free end configuration. By measuring the frequency response of the fiber probe, the viscosity can be determined from the displacement of the fiber. Experimental results are presented for sucrose solutions of different concentrations with a viscosity varying from 1 to 15 cP.
Influence of personality on travel-related consumer-generated media creation

While a growing number of travelers engages in consumer-generated media (CGM) use and creation, the gap between the number of users and the number of actual content creators remains large. It is important to find out what drives this minority of creators and what makes them different from those who only use CGM. Personality has been found to be a particularly influential trait that predicts behavior. The influence of personality on travel CGM creation was investigated and the results indicate that travelers' personality traits significantly influence perceived barriers to content creation, motivations to engage in CGM creation, and specific creation behaviors. Contributions and implications are discussed from both a theoretical and a practical perspective.
Optical and mechanical parameter detection of calcified plaque for laser angioplasty

Three potential guidance mechanisms for pulsed laser angioplasty were tested for their ability to discriminate between different tissue types. Holmium:YAG laser energy (wavelength=2.1 um, 100 mJ/pulse, 12.7 J/mm2 fluence) was delivered through a 100 um fiber into normal artery, fibrous plaque, and calcified plaque, as well as saline and blood. Plasma emission, mechanical fiber recoil, and acoustic shock wave were all measured during laser irradiation of these different substances. Plasma emission was detected by a photodiode at the proximal end of the fiber. Mechanical fiber recoil was detected using a phono cartridge mechanically coupled to the fiber 60 cm from the distal end. Acoustic sound waves were detected with a hydrophone in close proximity to the target site. The probability of generating plasma emission and the relative magnitudes (1-4) of the mechanical recoil and acoustic signal are as follows: Signal Blood Normal Aorta White Plaque Calcified Plaque plasma 0% 0% 0% 99% acoustic 4 1 1 4 recoil 1 2 2.5 4 A Fourier transform of the acoustic signal showed differences between blood, normal artery or non-calcified plaque, and calcified plaque. Mechanical recoil does not provide additional information. These techniques do not differentiate normal tissue from fibrous plaque but will discriminate calcified plaque from blood, normal artery, and non-calcified plaque. These techniques are relatively easy to implement and provide potentially useful feedback to guide laser ablation. Conclusion: The presence of plasma is a good indicator of calcified plaque; when used in conjunction with the acoustic signal it could indicate whether the fiber catheter is on calcified plaque, non-calcified tissue, or in blood.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Monoclonal antibody defined-human melanoma-associated antigens: Molecular and phylogenetic studies in normal serum

Normal human sera were analyzed for the presence and molecular form of two human melanoma-associated antigens (MAAs), the 250 "melanoma-specific" glycoprotein and the 100 K "common tumor antigen". The 250 K MAA was not synthesized by any cultures other than human melanoma and was not detectable in normal human serum. In contrast, the 100 K MAA, which is present in spent medium of cultured human melanoma, carcinoma and fetal melanocytes but not of adult normal cells, was found in normal human serum in nanogram quantities. This serum form of the 100 K MAA was also found in pooled sera of higher apes but not of lower species. The cell-derived form of the 100 K MAA, present in spent culture medium, had a similar phylogenetic distribution. The molecule was produced by cultured brain glia from gorilla, but not by melanoma cells from miniature swine or dog. The 100 K MAA from gorilla glia had a mol. wt identical to the molecule produced by human melanoma cells. Molecular characterization of this MAA in normal human serum showed that it was heterogeneous in size and was present in fractions greater than 100 kd after analytical HPLC gel sieving under non-denaturing conditions. In contrast, MAA from spent culture medium of melanoma cells was 100 kd or less in chemically defined medium (CDM) with no protein supplement, but had a higher mol. wt in CDM with BSA or fetal calf serum supplement, similar to the serum form of the molecule. An association of the 100 K MAA with albumin was demonstrated by analytical HPLC gel sieving and SDS-PAGE analysis of monoclonal antibody immunoprecipitates. The 100 K MAA was dissociated from albumin in normal human serum by treatment with SDS and fractionation by gel sieving. Under these conditions 100 K MAA from serum co-migrated with similarly treated 100 K from melanoma cells. These results indicate that the 100 K MAA is a normal serum constituent which forms a strong, non-covalent association with albumin and is evolutionarily restricted to higher apes or humans.
Theoretical evolution of a hydrogen-helium star of 3M⊙ from the pre-Main Sequence to the core helium-exhaustion phase

The evolution of a first-generation 3M⊙ star from the threshold of stability through the stage of helium exhaustion in the core has been studied. The total time elapsed is 4.174×108 yr and most of this time is spent in the blue-giant region of theH-R diagram. Hydrogen-burning near the Main Sequence occurs at a high central temperature via the proton-proton chain until the triplealpha reactions generate a small amount of C12 toward the end of the hydrogen-burning phase. The corresponding evolution time is longer than that of a normal population I star with the same mass. The ignition of the triple-alpha processes begins in a mildly degenerate, small convective core while the star still has a high surface temperature. Helium-burning in the core, coupled with hydrogenburning in the shell, occupies a period of about 1.8×107 yr, which is only one-third that of a normal star. The mass of the star interior to the hydrogen shell source has increased to a value of 0.50M⊙ near the end of core helium exhaustion. This region maintains an inhomogenous composition composed of helium, carbon and oxygen.
Circuit-oriented modeling of nonlinear device capacitances in switched mode power converters

The existence of parasitic capacitances surrounding switching devices has been well established in the field. These capacitances are capable of having significant impact on the analysis, design, and performance of switched mode power supplies through increased switching loss or altered converter dynamics in the soft-switched case. As power converters continue to move to higher frequency, these effects become more pronounced and must be taken into account in converter design and analysis. This paper examines the nonlinear voltage-dependence of switching device capacitances and proposes a circuit-oriented analysis technique that allows the parasitic capacitances to be replaced with linear equivalents. The developed linear equivalents are then used with traditional circuit analysis to experimentally confirm their ability to accurately model converter operation of an example converter which exhibits significant loss and dynamic effects from device capacitances.
Polymorphisms in the transcribed 3' untranslated region of eukaryotic genes.

Abstract In this review we present preliminary evidence for a new class of polymorphism that may be used in a systematic way to map cDNAs efficiently and to expedite the construction of a high-resolution genetic map of the human genome. Ultimately, transcribed 3′ untranslated polymorphisms will warrant further study because they should be widely distributed throughout the genome within transcribed sequences, and they can be readily identified as a result of cDNA cloning and sequencing. Furthermore, these markers should be universally available on the basis of the sequence data and highly useful in linkage analyses.
Combined flavor symmetry violation and lepton number violation in neutrino physics

Heavy singlet neutrinos admit Majorana masses which are not possible for the Standard Model particles. This suggest new possibilities for generating the masses and mixing angles of light neutrinos. We present a model of neutrino physics which combines the source of lepton-number violation with the flavor symmetry responsible for the hierarchy in the charged lepton and quark sector. This is accomplished by giving the scalar field effecting the lepton-number violation a nonzero charge under the horizontal flavor symmetry. We find an economical model which is consistent with the measured values of the atmospheric and solar neutrino mass-squares and mixing angles.
Development and Evaluation of a 4-year Communication Curriculum in Motivational Interviewing Techniques for Behavioral Change

Nearly 40 % of premature deaths can be attributed to preventable behavioral factors; therefore, physicians and medical students need skills to influence patient behavior through a process such as motivational interviewing (MI). MI is an evidence-based approach to behavior change counseling that is patient centered and focuses on empathy and strong reflective listening. This manuscript describes how one academic center integrated MI into its 4-year medical education curriculum, which is the first longitudinal use of MI in curricula. The basis of the plan was to review patient-centered communication skills as an impetus for more effective behavioral change counseling. After completion of the MI training, a capstone project focused on using MI in smoking cessation reported a mean confidence of 7.06 ± 1.48 (scale, 1–10) in regard to helping a patient quit smoking (n = 143). Future research should determine the effectiveness of teaching the MI technique in other 4-year medical education curriculum throughout the USA.
Iron deficiency in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

scintigraphy demonstrated segmental perfusion abnormalities in 38.5% of the patients. 7 Unfortunately, nuclear studies cannot be used to define the precise cardiac abnormality, because they cannot differentiate large vessel from small vessel disease. To our knowledge, only one other patient with SLE has been reported to have had a myocardial infarction at such a young age. 8 That patient had a 2-year history of SLE and steroid therapy, as well as autopsy findings that revealed severe coronary atherosclerosis and hypertriglyceridemia. In our patient, specific evidence of coronary vasculitis, such as the presence of coronary aneurysms, was not established. However, atherosclerotic heart disease is an unlikely pathogenic mechanism, because blood pressure and serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride values were within normal limits; moreover, active disease and steroid use were limited to 1 month. In the context of a clinical presentation that included evidence of cutaneous and cerebral vasculitis, and in the absence of risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease, coronary arteritis is the most likely mechanism of myocardial infarction in this patient. Regardless of the mechanism, we conclude that even with short duration of disease, young patients with SLE are subject to cardiac complications, including myocardial infarction. We thank Veronica Schmer, MD, and the pediatric house staff, who provided excellent care to this patient.
Hydrographic and mixed layer depth variability on the shelf in the northern Gulf of Alaska, 1974–1998 ☆

Abstract A time series of hydrographic measurements, temperature and salinity versus depth, on the shelf in the northern Gulf of Alaska (GAK 1) is used to determine the seasonal and interannual variability of the hydrography and mixed layer depth from 1974 through mid-1998. This is one of the first opportunities to incorporate salinity into the mixed layer depth (MLD) determination in this region where the density is highly dependent on salinity. The MLD changes seasonally from about 40 m in summer to more than 160 m in winter. This has potential implications for vertical fluxes of nutrients via winter MLD, leading to their annual replenishment. Spectral analysis of MLDs show that the time series have similar periodicities to the hydrography (decadal and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)). The MLD trend during 1974–1998 has a slight increase in the deepest winter MLD that is, however, not statistically significant at the 90% level. This is in contrast to previous studies which found a significant shoaling of the winter MLD in the offshelf region of the Gulf of Alaska at Ocean Station P (OSP) [Freeland, H., Denman, K., Wong, C.S., Whitney, F., Jacques, R., 1997. Evidence of change in the winter mixed layer in the northeast Pacific Ocean. Deep Sea Research 44, 2117–2129]. This difference in the response of the marine system is consistent with an increase in the circulation of the Alaskan Gyre with enhanced upwelling in the central gulf (OSP) and enhanced downwelling along the coast (GAK 1).
A NEW DRY DIET WITH ALTERNATIVE OIL SOURCES FOR PACIFIC SALMON

A dry diet utilizing two oil sources that are less expensive and easier to obtain than marine fish oils was developed and found acceptable to salmon. Chinook salmon fry (initial wt = 0.5 g) were fed the dry diet with either cod liver oil, linseed oil, or a linseed oil-tallow mixture as the dietary oil source. A commercial moist pellet and a commercial dry pellet were also fed. Growth and feed conversions were monitored throughout the 12-week experiment and the proximate composition of the fish were determined at the end of the experiment along with the fatty acid compositions of the diets and total body lipids of the fish. Fish fed the experimental dry diets were significantly larger than those on the moist pellets. The commercial dry pellet was discontinued after six weeks due to poor growth. Among groups of fish fed the dry diet, those given the formulation containing cod liver oil were slightly heavier than those receiving either the linseed oil or linseed oil plus tallow formulations. Feed conversion was similar among fish fed the experimental dry diets and lower than the feed conversion of fish given the moist pellets. Fish receiving the moist pellets had less carcass fat and more carcass protein than did fish on the experimental dry diets. The difference reflected the level of protein in the diets. The fatty acid composition of the total body lipids varied with the fatty acid composition of the diets.
Transforming Growth Factor-β, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor and C-Reactive Protein Levels Correlate with CD14highCD16+ Monocyte Induction and Activation in Trauma Patients

Severe injury remains a leading cause of death and morbidity in patients under 40, with the number of annual trauma-related deaths approaching 160,000 in the United States. Patients who survive the initial trauma and post-traumatic resuscitation are at risk for immune dysregulation, which contributes to late mortality and accounts for approximately 20% of deaths after traumatic injury. This post-traumatic immunosuppressed state has been attributed to over-expression of anti-inflammatory mediators in an effort to restore host homeostasis. We measured a panel of monocyte markers and cytokines in 50 severely injured trauma patients for 3 days following admission. We made the novel observation that the subpopulation of monocytes expressing high levels of CD14 and CD16 was expanded in the majority of patients. These cells also expressed CD163 consistent with differentiation into alternatively activated macrophages with potential regulatory or wound-healing activity. We examined factors in trauma plasma that may contribute to the generation and activation of these cells. The percentage of CD14highCD16+ monocytes after trauma correlated strongly with plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) levels. We demonstrate a role for TGF-β and M-CSF, but not CRP in generating these cells using monocytes from healthy volunteers incubated with plasma from trauma patients. CD16 is a receptor for CRP and IgG, and we showed that monocytes differentiated to the CD14highCD16+ phenotype produced anti-inflammatory cytokines in response to acute phase concentrations of CRP. The role of these cells in immunosuppression following trauma is an area of ongoing investigation.
Influence of initial emulsifier type on microstructural changes occurring in emulsified lipids during in vitro digestion

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of emulsifier type on the micro-structural changes that occur to emulsified lipids as they pass through a model gastrointestinal system. Lipid droplets initially coated by different kinds of emulsifiers (lecithin, Tween 20, whey protein isolate and sodium caseinate) were prepared using a high speed blender. The emulsified lipids were then passed through an in vitro digestion model that simulated the composition (pH, minerals, surface active components, and enzymes) of mouth, stomach and small intestine juices. The change in structure and properties of the lipid droplets were monitored by laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy, conventional optical microscopy, light scattering, and micro-electrophoresis. In general, there was a decrease in mean droplet diameter (d32) as the droplets moved from mouth to stomach to small intestine. The electrical charge on the droplets stabilized by lecithin, Tween 20 and sodium caseinate were negative throughout the model GI system, while those stabilized by whey protein were positive in the stomach. This suggests that at least some of this globular protein remained attached to the droplet surfaces. The data was interpreted in terms of the competitive adsorption of phospholipids/bile salts with the adsorbed emulsifiers, as well as the enzymatic digestion of proteins and lipids. These results enhance our understanding of the physicochemical and structural changes that may occur to emulsified lipids within the gastrointestinal tract, which may have important consequences for the design of functional foods that alter lipid bioavailability. Nevertheless, there were appreciable differences between the behavior of emulsions within the in vitro model used in this study and literature reports of their behavior within in vivo studies, which highlights the need for more realistic in vitro digestion models.
Full identification of a linear-nonlinear system via cross-correlation analysis

A statistical model used extensively in vision research consists of a cascade of a linear operator followed by a static (mem- oryless) nonlinearity. Common applications include the measurement of simple-cell receptive fields in primary visual cortex and the modeling of human performance in various psychophysical tasks. It is well known that the front-end linear filter of the model can readily be recovered, up to a multiplicative constant, using reverse-correlation techniques. However, a full identification of the model also requires an estimation of the output nonlinearity. Here, we show that for a large class of stat- ic nonlinearities, one can obtain analytical expressions for the estimates. The technique works with both Gaussian and binary noise stimuli. The applicability of the method in physiology and psychophysics is demonstrated. Finally, the proposed technique is shown to converge much faster than the currently used linear-reconstruction method.
A Coastal Ocean Prediction System for Tampa Bay, Florida

The USF College of Marine Science has developed a Coastal Ocean Prediction System for Tampa Bay based on an integrated observing system and circulation model as a sub-regional component of the US Integrated Ocean Observing System. The model system ingests real-time observations of the physical forcing functions for Tampa Bay to produce three-dimensional fields of circulation, temperature, salinity, and water level. The hydrodynamic model, based on the ECOM-3D code, is fully operational in either a nowcast-forecast mode or a hindcast mode and is described on our web site (http://ompl.marine.usf.edu/TBmodel). Water level, temperature, salinity, surface heat and moisture fluxes, and winds come from the Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (TB-PORTS; http://ompl.marine.usf.edu/ports/ or http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tbports/tbports. shtml?port=tb) augmented with observations from the USF Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMPS; http://comps.marine.usf.edu/). Daily river discharge is obtained from the USGS National Water Information System. Precipitation is derived from several gauges operated by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, USGS, and NOAA. The raw observational data undergoes an automated QA/QC procedure before being input into the model. A water quality module has been developed that produces fields of chlorophyll, nutrients, and dissolved oxygen from time- varying estimates of nutrient and fresh water loading. A wave module provides directional wave spectra and bottom stresses based on the SWAN code. The integrated observing and modeling system provides a decision support tool that is used to enhance security, safety, and efficiency of maritime transportation, to guide search and rescue efforts, and to evaluate the bay ecosystem response to environmental stressors. Such stressors include severe storms, seasonal and interannual changes in fresh water input, as well as human impacts, such as hazardous material spills, river withdrawals, nutrient loading, changing land use patterns, and alterations in bay bathymetry. In addition to its routine use by the Tampa Bay Pilots and the US Coast Guard, the Coastal Ocean Prediction System has been used to support management decisions in several environmental issues affecting the bay. For example, the model has been used to investigate the effects of concentrate discharge from a seawater desalination facility recently built on Tampa Bay for the regional water supply authority; to simulate the trajectory of wastewater discharges and hazardous material spills for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; to predict trajectories of raw sewage spills into the bay for the Pinellas County Health Department; to investigate transport and fate of human pathogens in the bay, and to evaluate changes in salinity and estuarine residence time due to natural variability and to anthropogenic alterations in fresh water input and bathymetry of the bay for the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Effects of photoperiod, beta-endorphin, and naloxone on in vitro secretion of testosterone in white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) testes.

The effects of the pro-opiomelanocortin-derived beta-endorphin (B-EP) and the opioid antagonist naloxone on in vitro secretion (accumulation of testosterone (T) in the medium) of T by testicular cells were assessed in adult white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). Animals were housed under long days (1 6L:8D) to maintain testicular function or under short days (8L:16D) to induce gonadal regression. In vitro treatment with B-EP or naloxone did not affect basal secretion of Tin dispersed cells from active or regressed testes. However, B-EP caused a dose-dependent reduction in secretion of T from cells stimulated maximally with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or dibutyrl cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (dbcAMP). Conversely, naloxone enhanced maximal hCG- and dbcAMP-stimulated secretion of T in testicular incubates from both long- (1.5-fold) and short-day (3.5-fold)-exposed mice. The finding that the addition of naloxone to maximally stimulated cells increased further the secretion of T is evidence that €3-EP may act to inhibit gonadotropin-stimulated secretion of T. Also, the stimulatory effect of naloxone on cells from regressed testes indicates that R-EP may be involved in suppressing production of T during the gonadally regressed state. Testicular B-EP-like immunostaining is present within the cytoplasm of interstitial cells and is not apparent in the seminiferous tubules. Together, these results support the idea that in P. leucopus endogenous opioid peptides in the testes may aid in the regulation of testicular function throughout the yearly breeding cycle.
FMD vs. pharmacological approaches for endothelial function.

This letter is in response to the Point:Counterpoint series “Flow-mediated dilation does/does not reflect nitric oxide-mediated endothelial function” that appeared in the September issue (vol. 99: ...
Theoretically Based Correlating Equations for the Local Characteristics of Fully Turbulent Flow in Round Tubes and between Parallel Plates

Comprehensive correlating equations that incorporate all of the known theoretical structure, namely, the asymptotic behavior near the wall, the asymptotic behavior near the center line, and the speculative intermediate behavior, have been devised for the local time-averaged velocity and the local time-averaged turbulent shear stress in smooth round tubes. These expressions are postulated to apply directly for parallel plates on the basis of the analogy of MacLeod. The expression for the local time-averaged velocity for smooth surfaces is extended for naturally rough surfaces on the basis of the analogy of Colebrook for the friction factor, while that for the local turbulent shear stress is directly applicable without modification. Separate correlating equations for the time-averaged velocity and the turbulent shear stress are suggested on grounds of convenience and accuracy despite the one-to-one correspondence of these quantities. Correlating equations for the eddy viscosity and the mixing length follow directly but are shown to be redundant
Acid-Labile, Chain-Scission Polymer Systems Used as Positive-Tone Photoresists Developable in Supercritical CO2

A new type of acid-catalyzed, chain-scission polymeric system is reported based on main-chain acetal linkages and designed for solubility selectivity in supercritical (sc) CO2. These low-molecular-weight polymer segments, formed by the stepwise polymerization of divinyl ethers and dihydroxy-based monomers, are linked together to render these individually soluble components insoluble in scCO2. Upon exposure to an acid, the linkages are cleaved and result in a system soluble in both aqueous base and scCO2, two widely disparate solvents. This fact is utilized to make a positive-tone photoresist system developable in scCO2 as well as aqueous developer. This represents to the best of our knowledge the first known report of an intrinsically positive-tone photoresist developable in pure scCO2. Excellent solubility contrasts are shown and feature sizes below 200 nm can be obtained with this system.
Characteristics of permanent and transitory returns in oil-sensitive emerging stock markets: The case of GCC countries

Abstract The estimates suggest that for both return components there exists a statistically significant high volatility regime for all the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stock markets and the oil market. On the other hand, the results for the low volatility state of both components are mixed. The individual GCC markets vary in terms of sensitivity to volatility and its duration; with Saudi Arabia and Oman having the highest overall return volatility. All the GCC markets are much less volatile than that of the more open, crisis-ridden, oil-exporting Mexico. All GCC returns move in the same direction, whether in terms of total return, fundamentals or fads under both volatility regimes. The correlations between themselves and with Mexico, the oil price and the Morgan Stanley Capital International Index (MSCI) returns are weak compared to the correlations among stock returns of Germany, Japan UK and the US [Bhar, R., Hamori, S., 2004. Empirical characteristics of the permanent and transitory components of stock returns: analysis in a Markov-switching heteroscedasticity framework. Economics Letters 82, 157–165]. Mexico has considerably higher correlation with both MSCI and the oil price than all the GCC countries.
Toughness, minimum degree, and the existence of 2-factors

Degree conditions on the vertices of a t-tough graph G(1 ≦ t ≦ 2) that ensure the existence of a 2-factor in G are presented. These conditions are asymptotically best possible for every t ϵ [1, 3/2] and for infinitely many t ϵ [3/2, 2].
Experimental Acquisition of Wh-Questions in Language-Disordered Children

Twenty-four language-disordered children were trained, through modeling with a problem-solving set, to produce a question form involving a wh- word—who, what, or where—in a structure requiring eith...
Accurate statistical performance modeling and validation of out-of-order processors using Monte Carlo methods

Although simulation is an indispensable tool in computer architecture research and development, there is a pressing need for new modeling techniques to improve simulation speeds while maintaining accuracy and robustness. It is no longer practical to use only cycle-accurate processor simulation (the dominant simulation method) for design space and performance studies due to its extremely slow speed. To address this and other problems of cycle-accurate simulation, we propose a fast and accurate statistical modeling methodology based on Monte Carlo methods to model the performance of modern out-of-order processors. Using these statistical models, simulation and performance prediction can be achieved in seconds regardless of the modeled application's size. This paper presents the proposed methodology and its first application to model a modern out-of-order execution processor. We present a statistical model for the Opteron (Magny-Cours) processor and validate it against real hardware. Using SPEC CPU2006 and Mantevo benchmarks, the model can predict performance in terms of cycles-per-instruction within 4.79% of actual on average. We also present a novel method for generating CPI stacks which are CPI representations that quantify the contribution of individual performance components to the total CPI. To further validate these CPI stacks, we use a detailed processor simulator, build a statistical model of the simulator architecture, validate the model against the simulator, and then proceed to validate the CPI stacks predicted by our statistical model. The average CPI prediction error is 5.6%, and the average difference between the predicted and measured CPI components is 1.3% with a maximum difference of 5.4%.
Archaeomagnetic intensity results from California and Ecuador: evaluation of regional data

We present new archaeointensity data for southeastern California (V33‡N, V115‡W, 50^1500 yr BP) and northwestern South America (Ecuador, 2.4‡S, 80.7‡W, 4000^5000 yr BP). These results represent the only data from California, as well as the oldest archaeointensity data now available in northwestern South America. In comparing our results to previously published data for the southwestern United States and northwestern South America, we note that significant scatter in the existing data makes comparisons and interpretations difficult. We undertake an analysis of the sources of data scatter (including age uncertainty, experimental errors, cooling rate differences, magnetic anisotropy, and field distortion) and evaluate the effects of scatter and error on the smoothed archaeointensity record. By making corrections where possible and eliminating questionable data, scatter is significantly reduced, especially in South America, but is far from eliminated. However, we believe the long-period fluctuations in intensity can be resolved, and differences between the Southwestern and South American records can be identified. The Southwest data are distinguished from the South American data by much higher virtual axial dipole moment values from V0^ 600 yr BP and by a broad low between V1000^1500 yr BP. Comparisons to global paleofield models reveal disagreements between the models and the archaeointensity data in these two regions, underscoring the need for additional intensity data to constrain the models in much of the world. = 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Expressed Emotion in Mothers of Currently Depressed, Remitted, High-Risk, and Low-Risk Youth: Links to Child Depression Status and Longitudinal Course.

This study examined expressed emotion in the families of children and adolescents who were (a) in a current episode of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), (b) in remission from a past episode of MDD, (c) at high familial risk for developing MDD, and (d) low-risk controls. Participants were 109 mother–child dyads (children ages 8–19). Expressed emotion was assessed using the Five Minute Speech Sample, and psychiatric follow-ups were conducted annually. Mothers of children with a current or remitted episode of MDD and at high risk for MDD were more likely to be rated high on criticism than mothers of controls. There were no differences in critical expressed emotion among mothers of children in the current, remitted, or high-risk for depression groups. Higher initial critical expressed emotion was associated with a greater likelihood of having a future onset of a depressive episode in high-risk and depressed participants. Diagnostic groups did not differ in Emotional Overinvolvement.
Quantification of Epicardial Adipose Tissue: Correlation of Surface Area and Volume Measurements

Objectives Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an important structure both as an active secretor of hormones and cytokines that play a role in the development of atherosclerosis, as well as its potential as a cardiac risk marker. The purpose of this article was to determine an easy but accurate quantification of EAT for routine clinical use. Methods and Results We randomly selected coronary computed tomography angiographies of 60 patients (20 lean, 20 overweight, and 20 obese) derived from a larger study. Systolic and diastolic surface areas (SAs) were measured at two axial levels: a) fat pocket (FP) between right atrium and right ventricular outflow tract at origin of right coronary artery (RCA-FP) and b) FP anterior to right ventricular free wall (RVFW-FP) at coronary sinus ostium level. Maximum RVFW-FP thickness and total diastolic EAT volume were measured. EAT SA and thickness measurements were correlated to EAT volume and compared. Both interobserver and intraobserver reliability were assessed for SA and thickness with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) as well as mean relative difference ± standard deviation (SD). Differences between systolic and diastolic SA measurements were also evaluated. Diastolic RCA-FP showed the highest SA correlation with volume (ρ = 0.92) and compared to the correlation of EAT thickness with volume (ρ=0.59) demonstrated the largest difference in correlation (+ 0.33, P P = .8), but significantly higher for the RVFW-FP (relative difference ± SD=17 ± 35%, P 0.95). However, for EAT thickness, the inter-observer reliability was comparatively low (ICC = 0.66). Conclusion Diastolic RCA-FP SA is a quick, reproducible estimate of total EAT and compared to EAT thickness demonstrates a significantly better correlation with EAT volume.