cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reply to Sharma and Zeki: Does Vaping Increase Susceptibility to COVID-19?

The article presents reply to Sharma and Zeki, which includes cigarette smokers may play a role in the increased susceptibility to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, exposure to electronic cigarettes with or without nicotine may influence ACE2 expression in the airways and subjects were documented to be never-smokers on the basis of their self-reported smoking history and by the absence of urine tobacco metabolites
Deep brain optogenetics without intracranial surgery.

Achieving temporally precise, noninvasive control over specific neural cell types in the deep brain would advance the study of nervous system function. Here we use the potent channelrhodopsin ChRmine to achieve transcranial photoactivation of defined neural circuits, including midbrain and brainstem structures, at unprecedented depths of up to 7 mm with millisecond precision. Using systemic viral delivery of ChRmine, we demonstrate behavioral modulation without surgery, enabling implant-free deep brain optogenetics. Optogenetic control of neural activity in the deep brain is achieved without intracranial surgery using ChRmine.
Risk factors and time trends for isolated craniosynostosis.

Background We sought to investigate associations between maternal/infant characteristics and isolated craniosynostosis as well as its subtypes sagittal, metopic, and coronal synostosis, and assess trends in the prevalence of these conditions. Methods We identified cases in the Texas Birth Defects Registry from 1999 to 2014. We used Poisson regression to identify associations between maternal/infant characteristics and craniosynostosis. We used joinpoint regression and unadjusted Poisson regression to evaluate temporal trends. Finally, we computed adjusted Poisson models to evaluate whether temporal trends were evident after accounting for changes in the population distributions of maternal/infant characteristics over time. Results Relative to all live births in the general population, cases were more frequently male or preterm. Mothers of cases were more frequently non-Hispanic white and more frequently obese. Non-Hispanic black or Hispanic maternal race/ethnicity was associated with a lower prevalence of all craniosynostosis subtypes. Previous live births were associated with sagittal synostosis; residence on the U.S.-Mexico border was associated with sagittal and coronal synostosis. The prevalence of any isolated craniosynostosis increased (average annual percent change estimated from joinpoint regression [AAPC]: 2.9%), as did the prevalences of sagittal (AAPC: 3.3%) and metopic synostosis (AAPC: 5.4%). In crude Poisson models, the same temporal trends were observed, however these were attenuated after adjusting for maternal/infant characteristics. Conclusions Prevalence of isolated craniosynostosis increased from 1999 to 2014. The largest AAPC was observed for metopic synostosis. Changes in the population distribution of associated maternal/infant characteristics may explain these trends.
"You eat with your eyes first": Optimizing Yelp Image Advertising.

A business's online, photographic representation can play a crucial role in its success or failure. We use Yelp's image dataset and star-based review system as a measurement of an image's effectiveness in promoting a business. After preprocessing the Yelp dataset, we use transfer learning to train a classifier which accepts Yelp images and predicts star-ratings. Additionally, we then train a GAN to qualitatively investigate the common properties of highly effective images. We achieve 90-98% accuracy in classifying simplified star ratings for various image categories and observe that images containing blue skies, open surroundings, and many windows are correlated with higher Yelp reviews.
Expanding and Remixing the Metadata Landscape

Genomic data sharing accelerates research. Data are most valuable when they are accompanied by detailed metadata. To date, metadata are often human-annotated descriptions of samples and their handling. We discuss how machine learning-derived elements complement such descriptions to enhance the research ecosystem around genomic data.
Clarifying the Role of the Modern General Surgeon: The Effect of Specialization on Inpatient Practice Patterns in General Surgery.

Objective The growing concentration of fellowship-trained and integrated residency-trained subspecialty surgeons has encroached on the breadth and volume of a so-called “true” general surgery practice, leaving the role of new general surgeons in flux. We aimed to describe the surgical practice of new general surgeons with and without subspecialty fellowship training. Design In this retrospective cohort study, state discharge data was linked to American Medical Association Masterfile and American Hospital Association annual survey data. New-to-practice general surgeons with and without subspecialty board-certification in colorectal surgery (CRS) or cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) were identified in 2008, and followed over 10 years. Surgeon overall inpatient case volume, colorectal resection case volume, and thoracic lobectomy case volume were compared between surgeons with and without related subspecialty training. Setting NY and FL (2008-2017). Participants The study population included 276 new-to-practice surgeons with mean age of 36.9 years. New-to-practice surgeons were defined as those with zero to three years of experience in 2008. Results Of all surgeons, 11.2% were subspecialty board-certified in CRS and 11.6% were subspecialty board-certified in CTS. Board-certified CRS surgeons performed more colorectal resections than the non-CRS general surgeons each year (p-value Conclusions On average, new subspecialty surgeons perform significantly more specialty operations than non-subspecialty new general surgeons. However, as a group, new non-colorectal general surgeons perform the majority of colorectal resections. In contrast, new non-cardiothoracic general surgeons perform less than two percent of the thoracic lobectomies. This may have implications for a shift in the training paradigm going forward.
Microfluidic Investigation of Salinity-Induced Oil Recovery in Porous Media during Chemical Flooding

High and low salinity water flooding are common oil recovery processes performed in the oil fields for extracting crude oil from the reservoir. These processes are often performed sequentially, nat...
Jugular Bulb Anomalies Involving the Internal Auditory Canal: A Case Series.

Objective:Jugular bulb abnormalities (JBA) such as high riding jugular bulb and jugular bulb diverticulum can extend or erode into the middle and inner ear. In this report, we report on a series of...
Menopausal symptoms in the Southwest United States: A cross-sectional survey of women from areas with different socioeconomic resources.

Abstract Objective Menopausal symptoms may differ by geography and ethnicity, but the impact of socioeconomic factors is less clear. The purpose of this study was to compare menopausal symptoms in women from areas of Arizona with different socioeconomic resources. Study design Women aged 40–65 years in two cohorts were surveyed: (1) Phoenix women attending either a clinic for patients who are uninsured or a clinic for people experiencing homelessness; and (2) Scottsdale women living in zip codes with higher average income and neighborhood advantage (surveyed by mail). Surveys included the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) and demographic questions. Main outcome measures GCS score by domain and subdomain, corrected for age, race, menopause stage and menopausal hormone therapy (HT). Results Phoenix participants (N = 104) were 51.2 years old (SD 6.45), Hispanic (54.4%), White (28.2%) or African American (8.7%), and uninsured (53.0%). Scottsdale participants (N = 151) were 52.6 years old (SD 5.52), mostly White (94.7%) and insured (100%). Three percent of Phoenix women were on HT vs. 23.3% in Scottsdale (p Conclusion In a group of women living in Arizona from distinct socioeconomic areas, significant differences were demonstrated in menopausal symptom bother specifically with higher psychological and somatic symptoms in women who were uninsured or experiencing homelessness independent of age, race, menopause stage and HT use. Future studies controlling for co-morbidities associated with lower socioeconomic status such as depression would provide further insight into this population of midlife women.
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) cell entry: structural insights

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is the leading vector in emerging treatments of inherited diseases. Higher transduction efficiencies and cellular specificity are required for broader clinical application, motivating investigations of virus–host molecular interactions during cell entry. High-throughput methods are identifying host proteins more comprehensively, with subsequent molecular studies revealing unanticipated complexity and serotype specificity. Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) provides a path towards structural details of these sometimes heterogeneous virus–host complexes, and is poised to illuminate more fully the steps in entry. Here presented, is progress in understanding the distinct steps of glycan attachment, and receptor-mediated entry/trafficking. Comparison with structures of antibody complexes provides new insights on immune neutralization with implications for the design of improved gene therapy vectors.
Effects of Short-Term and Long-Term Exposures to Varying CO2 Concentrations on Soybean Photosynthesis

Under high light conditions, photosynthetic rates of C3 plants increase with increasing CO2 concentration. This is a well documented response (1), however, much of the data is from short-term response studies. The long-term effects of CO2 concentration on photosynthetic rates and biochemistry have received less attention. In studies where long-term CO2 effects were examined, diverse results were obtained with different species (2). To investigate the effects of short-term and long-term exposure to varying CO2 concentrations, studies with soybean were undertaken focussing on leaf photosynthetic rate response, ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) levels, and RuBP carboxylase (RuBPCase) activity. A summary of the results of these studies are presented in this paper.
Bone ingrowth into porous-coated tibial components implanted with autograft bone chips. Analysis of ten consecutively retrieved implants.

Abstract Ten asymmetric porous-coated tibial knee components were consecutively retrieved from nine patients with implantation times ranging from 1 week to 48 months. Morselized autograft bone chips were applied to the resected surface of the tibia prior to component implantation. Microradiographic analysis showed bone in contact with 64±10% of the porous-coated interface. Backscattered electron imaging of the bone-implant interface revealed bone within 8–22% of the porous coating. Although bone in the form of autograft bone chips was observed in the porous coating of the 1 and 3 week specimens, it was not connected to the host bone. By 3 and 6 months, the bone chips were integrated and connected to the host bone providing osseous continuity from the porous coating to the skeleton. This study shows that reproducible bone ingrowth into porous-coated tibial components is achievable using autograft bone chips to promote bone fixation
Offshore oil development and the demise of NEPA

It is concluded that the Second Circuit's Divisibility approach in Suffolk County is unsound from several perspectives. As a legal matter, the court has overstated the degree of control the Secretary maintains over an outer continental shelf (OCS) project and has developed a two-part test which results in the erroneous conclusion that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) does not require speculation. From a jurisprudential point of view the court has acted in a quasi-legislative fashion, usurping an issue which should have clearly been left with Congress. Whether other courts will follow such an approach in additional OCS oil and gas development projects or in other energy areas, only time will tell. It is hoped that they will not, and will enforce NEPA according to its mandate, leaving any changes to be made in the hands of Congress.
Reactive power measurement in the presence of distorted waveforms

The authors present a comparison of reactive power measurement techniques. The voltage and current waveforms used in testing these techniques are actual recorded waveforms taken at local substations and simulated using a harmonic generator. Both odd and even harmonics were present. An extensive comparison between the calculated and measured values for reactive power is performed. Many cases are studied involving single harmonic and multiple harmonic content. These cases are related as percent error between the calculated value and the measured value where patterns are observed depending on the harmonic, its power factor angle, and the fundamental power factor angle. >
VII Quantum Detection Theory

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the quantum detection theory. It provides an outline of the detection theory appropriate for classical physics and shows the way it is modified to take the laws of quantum mechanics into account. The chapter also proposes a model of an ideal quantum receiver and discusses it analysis to determine the detectabilities of both coherent laser light and incoherent natural light. A telescope is used not only to discover a star, but to measure its location and radiant power, and a spectrometer measures the wavelengths and radiant fluxes of spectral lines. A laser radar determines the distance to a target by measuring the time elapsed until the arrival of a reflected coherent light pulse. Each of these instruments can be regarded as estimating certain parameters of the light field at its aperture and its results are liable to error because of the random nature of that field, subject to quantum fluctuations and corrupted by background light. As the primary field becomes weaker, error increases. The chapter also shows the way the attendant limitations on the measuring power of an optical instrument can be evaluated.
Prospective associations of eating behaviors with weight gain in infants.

Objective To examine whether maternal reports of infant eating behaviors are stable over time and whether eating behaviors are prospectively associated with weight gain.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Glycoprotein Processing by the Endoprotease SKI-1/S1P Is Critical for Virus Infectivity

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) causes severe human disease. The CCHFV medium RNA encodes a polyprotein which is proteolytically processed to yield the glycoprotein precursors PreGn and PreGc, followed by structural glycoproteins Gn and Gc. Subtilisin kexin isozyme-1/site-1 protease (SKI-1/S1P) plays a central role in Gn processing. Here we show that CCHFV-infected cells deficient in SKI-1/S1P produce no infectious virus, although PreGn and PreGc accumulated normally in the Golgi apparatus, the site of virus assembly. Only nucleoprotein-containing particles which lacked virus glycoproteins (Gn/Gc or PreGn/PreGc) were secreted. Complementation of SKI-1/S1P-deficient cells with a SKI-1/S1P expression vector restored release of infectious virus (>10 6 PFU/ml), confirming that SKI-1/S1P processing is required for incorporation of viral glycoproteins. SKI-1/S1P may represent a promising antiviral target.
Varying modulation of HIV-1 LTR activity by Baf complexes.

Abstract The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat is present on both ends of the integrated viral genome and contains regulatory elements needed for transcriptional initiation and elongation. Post-integration, a highly ordered chromatin structure consisting of at least five nucleosomes, is found at the 5′ long terminal repeat, the location and modification state of which control the state of active viral replication as well as silencing of the latent HIV-1 provirus. In this context, the chromatin remodeling field rapidly emerges as having a critical role in the control of viral gene expression. In the current study, we focused on unique Baf subunits that are common to the most highly recognized of chromatin remodeling proteins, the SWI/SNF ( swi tching-defective– s ucrose n on- f ermenting) complexes. We find that at least two Baf proteins, Baf53 and Baf170, are highly regulated in HIV-1-infected cells. Previously, studies have shown that the depletion of Baf53 in uninfected cells leads to the expansion of chromosomal territories and the decompaction of the chromatin. Baf53, in the presence of HIV-1 infection, co-elutes off of a chromatographic column as a different-sized complex when compared to uninfected cells and appears to be predominantly phosphorylated. The innate function of Baf53-containing complexes appears to be transcriptionally suppressive, in that knocking down Baf53 increases viral gene expression from cells both transiently and chronically infected with HIV-1. Additionally, cdk9/cyclin T in the presence of Tat is able to phosphorylate Baf53 in vitro , implying that this posttranslationally modified form relieves the suppressive effect and allows for viral transcription to proceed.
The search for the curvature of space

Being an account of the early history of observational cosmology and of later relevant developments in stellar evolution, in the age-dating of the universe, and in the escatology of the system.
Arthroscopic Stabilization of Posterior Shoulder Instability Is Successful in American Football Players

Purpose To evaluate subjective and objective clinical outcomes of arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair for the treatment of symptomatic unidirectional posterior shoulder instability in American football players. Methods Fifty-six consecutive American football players with unidirectional posterior shoulder instability underwent an arthroscopic posterior capsulolabral repair with or without suture anchors. Patients were evaluated, with return to play as the primary outcome measure supplemented with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scoring system. Stability, range of motion, strength, pain, and function were also assessed with subjective scales. Results At a mean follow-up of 44.7 months postoperatively, 93% returned to sport and 79% returned to sport at the same level. Significant improvements ( P 60; stability Conclusions Arthroscopic capsulolabral repair for unidirectional posterior shoulder instability is effective in American football players because it improves stability, pain, and joint function, which optimizes the likelihood of successful return to play. Level of Evidence Case series; Level of evidence, IV.
Adenosquamous Versus Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas: A Population-Based Outcomes Analysis

Background Pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma has historically been characterized as having a more aggressive clinical course than ductal adenocarcinoma. The natural history of this disease, however, is essentially unknown.
Handling of L-[35S]cystine by cysteamine-pretreated cystinotic and normal fibroblasts.

Abstract In short incubations with 0.1 m m l -[ 35 S]cystine in phosphate-buffered saline medium, and long incubations with label in complete minimum Eagle's medium with Earle salts, cystine-depleted cystinotic cells reaccumulate labeled cystine more rapidly than pretreated normal cells. Cysteamine pretreatment of both normal and cystinotic cells resulted in an initial increased conversion of exogenous cystine to intracellular cysteine. In 24-h incubations in complete medium, cysteamine-pretreated cells showed enhanced conversion of 0.1 m ml -[ 35 S]cystine to cysteine and reduced glutathione. Addition of cycloheximide to the incubation media decreased the incorporation of 35 S into cellular protein by more than 90% but did not affect the accumulation of intracellular labeled cystine in cystinotic cells. Therefore, the incorporation and release of cystine from protein is not an obligatory source of accumulated cystine and we speculate that there may be early extralysosomal entrapment of cystine in cystinotic cells.
Prolyl isomerization: How significant for in vivo protein folding?

Suggestive but not decisive evidence indicates that in vivo peptide chain folding is completed in a time not much longer than that required for covalent peptide synthesis. Extrapolation of model peptide rates of the cis–trans prolyl isomerization leads to the prediction tht protein folding should be much slower than the apparent in vivo rates. On the assumption that rapid protein folding in vivo is the rule, three routes are suggested by which a protein undergoing biosynthesis can avoid a strongly slowed folding rate: (1) by a peptide chain-elongation process that adds only trans peptide bonds, follwed by a rapid folding process that incorporates them into a three-dimensional structure, raising the energy barrier to isomerization; (2) by folding to produce three dimensional structures that position prolyl residues largely in chain turns on the protein surface, where the residue may be either cis or trans without large effects on the protein structure and function; (3) prolyl cis–trans isomerization may be speeded by the formation of peptide loops.
A simple pupil function for OTF synthesis in transaxial tomography applications

Abstract It is shown that a two-channel incoherent optical system with a Ronchi ruling in one pupil performs the appropriate high-pass filtering operation for transaxial tomography.
Binding of cesalin, an antitumor protein, to cultured mammalian cells

125-I-labelled cesalin binds to KB cells and plasma membranes in a specific and saturable manner. At 0 degrees C the cesalin specifically bound to cells is completely displaceable by excess unlabelled cesalin, but at 37 degrees C only 50% can be removed after incubation for 2 h. The extent of binding to plasma membranes has the following characteristics: it is increased following treatment of membranes with cholate; treatment with trypsin has no effect on binding and neither is the bound 125-I-labelled cesalin removed following digestion with trypsin; binding is not inhibited by several carbohydrates but is decreased to about one half by concanavalin A. In addition it is found that some degradation of cesalin occurs with KB cells, the specific binding to which is not enhanced by chloroquine, a lysosomotropic agent. No loss of binding in cells is seen after 4 h exposure to cesalin, suggesting no reduction in the receptors by internalization. The data are consistent with a mechanism in which 125I-labelled cesalin is rapidly bound at 37 degrees C to a receptor on cell membranes through which the biological activity is effected. Slowly, some change in the bound cesalin occurs that prevents its complete displacement from the cells.
Effects of the Valsalva Maneuver on Cerebral Circulation in Healthy Adults A Transcranial Doppler Study

Background and Purpose Knowledge is limited about the effects of the Valsalva maneuver on cerebral circulation because of the poor temporal resolution of traditional cerebral blood flow measurements. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in cerebral blood flow during the Valsalva maneuver and to explore its potential use for the evaluation of cerebral autoregulation. Methods Using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, we simultaneously recorded systemic arterial blood pressure in the radial artery and flow velocities in both middle cerebral arteries in 10 healthy adults during the Valsalva maneuver. Gosling’s pulsatility index was calculated for all phases of the Valsalva maneuver. Autoregulatory capacities were estimated from the change in cerebrovascular resistance (flow velocity in relationship to blood pressure) during phase II and changes in the velocity-pressure relationship in phase IV relative to phase I. Results The characteristic changes in blood pressure (phases I to IV) were see...
Hierarchical modeling of regional total water resources systems

The importance of modeling for the planning and management of regional total water resources systems is discussed. Due to the complexity and the high dimensionality of the resulting regional planning and management problem, hierarchical modeling is proposed where a decomposition and multilevel optimization approach is utilized. Four major water resource systems descriptions (decompositions) are discussed, namely: temporal, physical-hydrological, political-geographical, and goal or functional description. These four decompositions are demonstrated in two hierarchical structures. The first hierarchical structure is composed of a three-level dynamic programming model aimed at the planning and management of agriculture systems. The second two-layer hierarchical structure is aimed at the management of water and related land resources for pollution control and ecolibrium. Higher level coordination procedures are presented and analyzed. In particular, the applications of the Surrogate Worth Trade-off (SWT) method, which is capable of analyzing multiple non-commensurable objective functions, as a higher level co-ordinator is discussed. This paper also presents a tutorial summary of water resource problems where hierarchical modeling can be utilized for the analysis and solution of complex water resources systems.
Robust quantile estimation and prediction for spatial processes

In this paper, we present a statistical framework for modeling conditional quantiles of spatial processes assumed to be strongly mixing in space. We establish the $L_1$ consistency and the asymptotic normality of the kernel conditional quantile estimator in the case of random fields. We also define a nonparametric spatial predictor and illustrate the methodology used with some simulations.
Ultradrawing and crystallization of isotactic polystyrene and blends with atactic polystyrene

Pure isotactic polystyrene (iPS, Mw = 8.89 × 104, Mw/Mn = 4.89) and its blends with an atactic polystyrene (aPS, Mw = 3.9 × 105, Mw/Mn < 1.13) were subjected to draw by solid state coextrusion at 127°C within polyethylene. The content of amorphous iPS in these blends was varied from 100 to 24.4 wt %. The extent of draw-induced crystallization was found to depend on the draw ratio and on iPS concentration. The blend with 24.4% iPS was coextruded in two stages. The highest effective draw ratio (EDR) was 7.6 and 13.7 for one- and two-stage draw, respectively. The highest crystallinity of 33.2% was obtained for pure iPS at the maximum EDR of 7.6. Considerable crystallinity was induced in blends, requiring successively higher draw ratio to reach similar crystallinity with increased aPS content. The tensile modulus increased from 1.5 to 3.2 GPa, independent of iPS concentration. Thermal shrinkage results indicate that the elastic recovery of draw in the blends is near quantitative for an EDR < 8. For pure iPS, extrudate elastic recovery was dramatically altered by the draw-induced crystallinity.
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis subgingival presence, species-specific serum immunoglobulin G antibody levels, and periodontitis disease recurrence.

Background and Objective: The biological and clinical effects of antibody against periodontal pathogenic bacteria are incompletely understood. This study evaluated the inter-relationships among periodontal levels of cultivable Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, species-specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels, and periodontitis disease activity. Material and Methods: Forty-three adults who had previously been treated for periodontitis and who also harbored cultivable A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis were evaluated semiannually for clinical disease recurrence over a 36-month period. Each patient provided subgingival microbial samples, for the recovery of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis, from the two deepest pockets in each dentition sextant. A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis serum IgG antibody levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), together with whole-cell sonicate extracts from A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes a–c and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277. Data were analyzed using the Mantel–Haenszel chi-square and Fisher exact two-tailed tests. Results: Eighteen (60.0%) of 30 A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive subjects, and 10 (76.9%) of 13 P. gingivalis-positive subjects, exhibited recurrent periodontal breakdown within 36 months of periodontal therapy. Nineteen (67.9%) of the 28 patients with active periodontitis had A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis serum antibody levels below designated threshold values. In comparison, 10 (66.7%) of 15 culture-positive clinically stable subjects showed A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis serum antibody levels above threshold values. The difference between specific antibody levels in periodontitis-active and periodontitis-stable patients was statistically significant (p = 0.032). Conclusions: Serum levels of IgG antibodies against A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis in periodontitis-stable patients were higher than those in patients with active periodontitis. The results suggest that elevated levels of IgG antibody against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis have a detectable protective effect against periodontal infections with these microorganisms.
New trends in X-ray standing waves

Abstract A review of three new methods for generating X-ray standing waves is given, namely Bragg diffraction from layered synthetic microstructures, specular reflection from mirror surfaces, and Bragg diffraction in the backscattering geometry. Unlike conventional X-ray standing wave measurements which use dynamical Bragg diffraction from perfect single crystals (such as silicon and germanium), these new methods provide angular reflection widths measured in milliradians instead of microradians and are therefore applicable to a more general class of solid substrates. Emphasis will be given to the application of these new methods for the study of surface and interface structures.
Effects of homograft blood type and anatomic type on stenosis, regurgitation and calcium in homografts in the pulmonary position.

The use of both aortic and pulmonary homografts in the pulmonary position for treatment of right ventricular or pulmonary outflow tract obstruction has gained widespread popularity.1–3 Although this homograft tissue presents a potential allogeneic stimulus to the recipient, little is known about the effects of blood-type (ABO) compatibility or incompatibility on homograft function.4 This study retrospectively reviews the outcome of homografts in the pulmonary position in 39 consecutive children who had placement of an aortic or pulmonary homograft in the pulmonary position for treatment of pulmonary outflow tract obstruction.
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY AND PHOTOSENSITIVITY OF THE RHODOPSIN ⇌ METARHODOPSIN CONVERSION IN CRAYFISH PHOTORECEPTORS

Photosensitivity (Kλ) of a visual pigment is the product of the molecular absorption coefficient (αλ) and the quantum efficiency for photoconversion (γ). Among the invertebrates, many visual pigments are stable not only in the rhodopsin (R) conformation but also as the photoproduct, metarhodopsin (M), We here employ a method for determining the photosensitivities of the two stable pigments of a rhodopsin-metarhodopsin pair, using kinetic analysis of fluorescence from metarhodopsin combined with measurements of spectral absorption made before and after saturation at the isosbestic wavelength of the pigment pair. A curve fitting technique, in which a theoretical function is scaled for best fit to the measured absorption spectrum of the photosteady-state mixture, yields values for the photosensitivity of rhodopsin at λ.max, the ratio of quantum efficiencies for rhodopsin—metarhodopsin interconversion, and the fractional composition of the steady-state mixture. With knowledge of the molecular extinction coefficient, the absolute values of quantum efficiency can be calculated. For crayfish (Orconectes, Procambarus) rhodopsin, measured in isolated rhabdoms, Kmax= 1.05 x 10-16 cm2 at 535 nm with >7λRM0.69. These values are similar to the photosensitivity and quantum efficiency of bleaching of vertebrate rhodopsins in digitonin solution (Dartnall, 1972). For the metarhodopsin, Kmax= 1.02 x 10-16 cm2 at 510 nm, and λM-R= 0.49.
Reactions of Nitric Oxide with Sulfur Species. Infrared Spectra and Density Functional Theory Calculations for SNO, SNO+, SSNO, and SNNO in Solid Argon

Nitrogen oxide sulfide species were produced by codeposition of argon/nitric oxide with sulfur species from an argon/sulfur vapor microwave discharge or by deposition of an argon/nitrogen/oxygen/sulfur vapor discharge mixture on a 12 K CsI window. These two new synthetic routes confirmed the identification of the SNO radical and produced the linear SNO+ cation and the higher sulfur-containing nitric oxide complex species SSNO at 1772.5 and 670.9 cm-1. Codeposition of nitric oxide with an argon/nitrogen/sulfur vapor discharge produced a new band at 1815.2 cm-1, which is assigned to the N−O stretching vibration in the mixed dimer ONNS species. Reaction of superheated sulfur vapor with argon/nitric oxide gave only the 1772.5 and 670.9 cm-1 bands for SSNO with no SNO. In contrast codeposition of Ar/O2 and Ar/NO produced a trace of NO2, but the analogous dioxygen−nitric oxide complex was not observed. Density functional theory was used to calculate structures and frequencies for these product species.
Oxidation of the hydrogenated diamond (100) surface

Abstract The surface composition and structure of natural diamond (100) surfaces subsequently oxidized with activated oxygen at T sub ≤35°C were investigated with high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), Auger electron spectroscopy, electron loss spectroscopy (ELS) and low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). Complete surface oxidation (oxygen coverage θ =1 ML) required doses of hundreds of kilolangmuirs of O 2 . HREELS vibrational spectra permitted identification of the specific surface oxygen species, and also provided information about the diamond surface states. Most surface sites lost their hydrogen at least once before becoming oxidized. The oxygen coverage θ increased quickly at first, and then more slowly as saturation was approached; different mechanisms or sites may have accounted for the decreased rate. The relative distribution of oxygen species varied with the oxidation conditions. Ether, carbonyl and hydroxyl groups appeared during the initial stages of oxidation, but the hydroxyl groups disappeared at higher coverages. Bridge-bonded ether groups dominated at saturation coverage, although smaller amounts of carbonyl and hydroxyl were still observed. The carbonyl and CH stretch frequencies increased with oxygen dose due to formation of higher oxidation states and/or hydrogen bonding between adjacent groups. ELS revealed only a low concentration of CC dimers on the oxidized surfaces, and no evidence of graphitization. Surfaces generated by oxygen addition and then desorption were more reactive than surfaces generated by hydrogen desorption. Oxidized surfaces that were heated in vacuum and then rehydrogenated did not recover the sharp LEED patterns and HREELS spectra of the original plasma-smoothed surface. This effect was presumably due to surface roughening caused by oxygen desorption as CO and CO 2 , and creation of reactive high-energy sites that quickly bonded to available background gases and prevented large areas of organized surface reconstruction.
The mantle response of Diodora aspera

Abstract Diodora aspera , the common keyhole limpet of the North American Pacific coast, displays a characteristic response to seven species of forcipulate seastars, Pisaster ochraceus, Pisaster brevispinus, Pisaster giganteus, Leptasterias aequalis, Evasterias troschelii, Orthasterias Koehleri , and Pycnopodia helianthoides , to one seastar of the order Phanerozonia, Hippasteria spinosa , to one seastar of the order Spinulosa, Patiria miniata , to one ophiuroid, Gorgonocephala eucnemis , and to one echinoid, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus . The typical reaction consists of a protrusion of the siphon from the “keyhole”, and an extension and reflexing of the middle mantle fold over the shell margin, with a movement of the mantle fold dorsomedially to cover most of the shell. Observations made on ten individuals of D. aspera kept in an aquarium with two P. ochraceus seastars for six days indicated that the reaction was effective in protecting the limpet from being eaten by this seastar, which is possibly one of its predators. The reaction was evoked by actual contact with the seastar, and also as a result of proximity without contact. The limpet reacted in a similar manner to seawater in which a seastar of a stimulating species had previously been kept; this water proved no longer effective after it was boiled for three minutes, or after standing for ten hours at 12 °C. It is assumed that the seastar produces a stimulating substance which is soluble in seawater, heat-labile, and which tests indicated did not act through a dialyzing membrane. Repeated stimulation of the same limpet, at regularly timed intervals alternating with timed rest periods in running seawater, resulted in a drop in starting reaction time for the second and third stimulation, and complete cessation of resonse after 320 to 390 minutes. The behaviour of D. aspera kept in the aquarium with P. ochraceus for six days suggested some kind and degree of adaptation.
Correlating low energy neutron SER with broad beam neutron and 200 MeV proton SER for 22nm CMOS Tri-Gate devices

For terrestrial single event upset (SEU) characterization, JEDEC JESD89A requires using either broad beam neutron sources or at least four single neutron/proton particle energy sources. While computing ambient upset rates from broad beam neutron sources, such as the ICE House at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), is simple and direct, their availability, cost, and particle fluxes are very limited. Several authors in the open literature therefore have considered alternatives, such as high energy (e.g., 200 MeV) proton beams or low energy (e.g., 14MeV) neutron beams. In this paper, we address the questions of accuracy and correlation when these alternative facilities are employed. SEU data were collected on 22nm Tri-Gate bulk CMOS devices at Boeing (BREL), Los Alamos (LANSCE/WNR) and IUCF (RERP and LENS) and the corresponding upset rates are compared.
Effects of ethanol, lovastatin and Coenzyme Q10 treatment on antioxidants and TBA reactive material in liver of rats

Alcohol metabolism may result in oxidant stress and free radical injury through a variety of mechanisms. Lovastatin may also produce oxidant stress by reducing levels of an endogenous antioxidant, coenzyme Q (CoQ). The separate and combined effects of ethanol, 20 EN% in a total liquid diet, and lovastatin, 67 mg/kg diet, on alpha-tocopherol, retinol palmitate, CoQ9 and thiobarbituric acid reactive (TBAR) material in liver from rats were determined. The effect of exogenous CoQ10 on these treatment groups was also determined. Food consumption, weight gain, liver lipid and TBAR material were similar between treatment groups. Compared to control animals, ethanol reduced retinol palmitate significantly, from 143 to 90 micrograms/g wet weight. Lovastatin had no effect on retinal palmitate nor did it act additively with ethanol. Ethanol decreased liver alpha-tocopherol from 28 to 12 micrograms/g wet weight and lovastatin diminished it to 12 micrograms; no additive effect was evident. Ethanol had no effect, but lovastatin decreased CoQ9 from 83 to 55 micrograms/g wet weight. Supplementation with CoQ10 did not modulate the effect of ethanol on retinal palmitate, but it did reverse the effect of lovastatin on CoQ9. Supplementary CoQ10 did not alter control levels of alpha-tocopherol, but it appeared to reverse most of the decrease in alpha-tocopherol attributable to ethanol or lovastatin separately. It only partially reversed the effect of ethanol and lovastatin combined on alpha-tocopherol, however. As expected, lovastatin had no effect on CoQ10 levels in supplemented animals. Ethanol, either separately or in combination with lovastatin, diminished liver stores of CoQ10 by almost 40%. We conclude that 20 EN% ethanol given in a liquid diet for 5 weeks is sufficient to lower retinol palmitate and that lovastatin reduces CoQ9. Both diminish alpha-tocopherol, an effect largely overcome by CoQ10 supplementation with either drug alone, but not with the combination. Since many individuals chronically consume the levels of ethanol represented by this experiment, and since a certain number of those also take lovastatin, further research into the possible clinical significance of these observations is warranted.
Augmented responses to morphine and cocaine in mice with a 12-lipoxygenase gene disruption.

Recent studies have shown that pharmacological inhibition of the 12-lipoxygenase pathway selectively blocks opioid inhibition of GABAergic synaptic currents. A similar mechanism has been shown for the regulation of glutamate release in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) during acute withdrawal from morphine, although the functional significance of these effects in vivo are not known. We have utilized mice with a disruption of the "leukocyte-type" 12-lipoxygenase gene (12-LO−/− mice) to examine a variety of general behavioral responses as well as several specific responses to morphine and cocaine. Behavioral responses to morphine include sensitivity to thermal stimuli and withdrawal from chronic morphine treatment. Responses to cocaine were measured through locomotor activity. General behavioral responses in 12-LO−/− mice are not different from their wild-type controls. However, these mutant mice showed enhanced morphine-induced analgesia. However, this effect is eliminated following chronic morphine treatment. In addition, 12-LO−/− mice demonstrated enhanced somatic signs of opiate withdrawal relative to littermate controls. Lastly, cocaine-mediated increases in locomotor activity was augmented acutely but not chronically in 12-LO−/− mice. Together, these results suggest a role for metabolites of arachidonic acid metabolism in morphine- and cocaine-induced behavioral responses and may reflect a utilization of this pathway following acute but not chronic drug administration.
Free Energy Dependence of Intermolecular Triplet Energy Transfer: Observation of the Inverted Region

The bimolecular rate constants for triplet energy transfer between biacetyl (2,3-butanedione) encapsulated within a hemicarcerand and a series of triplet energy acceptors are reported. Because all of the rate constants for energy transfer involving 1·biacetyl are well below the diffusion-limited value, they can be interpreted as reflecting differences in the rates of energy transfer. There is a significant spread in the rate constants of energy transfer for 1·biacetyl with the slowest acceptor, molecular oxygen, 3 orders of magnitude slower than the fastest acceptor, pyrene. The large decrease in the values of the rate constants can be accounted for by a model in which the increase in intervening distance decreases the electronic coupling between the donor−acceptor pair. The variation in energy transfer rate constants can be explained by a Marcus dependence on the thermodynamic driving force that places exothermic energy transfer into the inverted region.
The Influence of Repeated Teaching and Reflection on Preservice Teachers’ Views of Inquiry and Nature of Science

This study describes the influence of a secondary science methods program on secondary science preservice teachers’ views and enactment of nature of science and inquiry-based instructional practices. Built into the structure of this program were three cycles of practice teaching and reflection in which the preservice teachers focused on key pedagogical ideas in classroom settings with middle and high school students. The nine secondary preservice teachers improved both their understanding and enactment of inquiry and nature of science throughout the program period. This study provides evidence of the importance of incorporating multiple low-stakes practicum experiences that are closely tied to methods course goals that are highly scaffolded through both methods instructor and cooperating teacher support and tied to analytic self-reflection.
Hadronic quantum numbers beyond charm as a possible source of v induced trimuons

Abstract Characteristics of trimuons emerging from cascade decay of two new hadronic quantum numbers are compared with experiments. The possibility that the lower (spinless) member decays preferentially into Perl's sequential heavy lepton τ via τ + ν τ is incorporated.
Existential sentences in Tagalog: commentary on the paper by Joseph Sabbagh

In his article in this volume, Joseph Sabbagh treats existential there sentences (henceforth, ET sentences) as a type of structure whose expression in different languages may vary. Taking the first step in constructing a typology of ET sentences, he claims that ET sentences in the Western Austronesian language Tagalog are built from an unaccusative predicate, whereas ET sentences in English, according to the proposals he cites, are constructed from small clauses. Both analyses have also been proposed for ET sentences in other Western Austronesian languages. For instance, in Malagasy, a Western Austronesian language spoken in Madagascar, Pearson (1996) and Paul (2000) defend a small clause analysis of ET sentences, whereas Polinsky (2008) argues persuasively for an analysis involving an unaccusative predicate. At various points in this commentary, I try to push the typology of ET further by suggesting possible typological correlates of their form.
Photovoltaic converter module configurations for maximum power point operation

This paper examines a variety of configurations using photovoltaic (PV) boost converter modules for maximum power point operation. The modules are locally controlled with maximum power point tracking. The PV modules are connected in parallel, series, and series with a buck converter. Although the PV modules operate autonomously based on PV parameters, the system converges to maximum output power operation. This provides a scalable solution with simple control of the PV converter module. The three configurations that use the PV boost convert modules are simulated under three loads. The characteristics, advantages, and limitations of each configuration are examined.