cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discrete breathers in nonlinear Schrödinger hypercubic lattices with arbitrary power nonlinearity

We study two specific features of onsite breathers in Nonlinear Schrodinger systems on d-dimensional cubic lattices with arbitrary power nonlinearity (i.e., arbitrary nonlinear exponent, n): their wavefunctions and energies close to the anti-continuum limit–small hopping limit–and their excitation thresholds. Exact results are systematically compared to the predictions of the so-called exponential ansatz (EA) and to the solution of the single nonlinear impurity model (SNI), where all nonlinearities of the lattice but the central one, where the breather is located, have been removed. In 1D, the exponential ansatz is more accurate than the SNI solution close to the anti-continuum limit, while the opposite result holds in higher dimensions. The excitation thresholds predicted by the SNI solution are in excellent agreement with the exact results but cannot be obtained analytically except in 1D. An EA approach to the SNI problem provides an approximate analytical solution that is asymptotically exact as n tends to infinity. But the EA result degrades as the dimension, d, increases. This is in contrast to the exact SNI solution which improves as n and/or d increase. Finally, in our investigation of the SNI problem we also prove a conjecture by Bustamante and Molina [C.A. Bustamante, M.I. Molina, Phys. Rev. B 62 (23) (2000) 15287] that the limiting value of the bound state energy is universal when n tends to infinity.
Sequence of the argF gene encoding ornithine transcarbamoylase from Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Abstract The gonococcal argF gene encoding ornithine transcarbamoylase (OTCase) contains an open reading frame of 993 nucleotides which starts with a GUG codon and encodes a peptide with a deduced M r of 36731. We compared the predicted amino acid (aa) sequence to OTCase sequences previously determined for Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and found that highly conserved regions in the genes from these organisms were also conserved in Neisseria gonorrhoeae , including those aa known to be important for carbamoyl phosphate and ornithine binding. In the flanking regions of the gene were found 15-bp inverted repeats that may serve as transcriptional termination signals, and which contain the neisserial DNA-uptake sequence.
Genetic and mutational tools for investigating the genetics and molecular biology of trichothecene production in Gibberella pulicaris (Fusarium sambucinum).

Gibberella pulicaris (Fusarium sambucinum) is a promising organism for studying the genetics and regulation of trichothecene biosynthesis; conditions for obtaining fertile crosses have been defined (Desjardins & Beremand, 1987) and crosses between natural variants have provided some information about the number, location, arrangement, and role of genes which determine trichothecene production (Desjardins & Beremand, 1987; Beremand & Desjardins, 1988). The development of some additional experimental tools and methodologies required for the further genetic analysis of trichothecene production inG. pulicaris are described in the present study. A highly fertile, isogenic line was constructed forG. pulicaris strain R-6380. The ability to readily generate mutants in this strain was also demonstrated. Both biochemical and morphological mutants were obtained following UV-mutagenesis. The inheritance of some of these mutations through meiosis indicated that they will be useful genetic markers for crosses and mapping studies. Since strain R-6380 is also transformable (Salch & Beremand, 1988), it is an excellent choice for transmission and molecular genetic studies involving trichothecene production.
Hepatitis B and vaccination in emergency physicians.

Abstract The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers in emergency physicians has been shown to be approximately 13%, roughly three times the prevalence in the general population. Frequent contact with blood and body secretions of potentially infectious patients undoubtedly is a major factor in the increased seroprevalence and risk of hepatitis B. The potential sequelae of HBV infection include chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, primary hepatocellular carcinoma, and development of the chronic carrier state, any of which may have a devastating impect on the personal health and professional career of the emergency physician. A vaccine against hepatitis B has been available since 1982 and has been found to be effective in approximately 90% of vaccinees. The vaccine is generally well tolerated; the most common side effects are reactions at the injection site, although systemic side effects may occur. The risk of serious illness due to the vaccine is very low. Using a risk/benefit analysis to assess the risks of hepatitis B and the risks and benefits of HBV vaccination, it is clear that HBV vaccination should be accepted by the emergency physician to minimize the risk of contracting hepatitis B.
Envoi: Developing Nonprofit Theory:

The essays in this volume point to the need for reconstruction and further develop ment of theories about the role of nonprofit institutions in the contemporary welfare state. This epilogue reflect...
K-12 Science and Mathematics Teachers' Beliefs about and Use of Inquiry in the Classroom.

A survey instrument was developed and administered to 1,222 K-12 mathematics and science teachers to measure their beliefs about and use of inquiry in the classroom. Four variables (grade level taught, content area taught, level of support received, and self-efficacy for teaching inquiry) were significantly correlated to two dependent variables, percentage of time that students are engaged in inquiry during a typical lesson and the perceived ideal percentage of instructional time that should be devoted to inquiry. Specifically, elementary school teachers reported using inquiry-based practices more than either middle-school or high-school teachers; similarly, elementary-school teachers believed such practices should be used more often. All groups, however, reported believing in an ideal percentage of time devoted to inquiry instruction that was significantly greater than their reported percentage of time actually spent on inquiry instruction. A disordinal effect was found between grade level taught and content area taught; at the elementary level, science teachers reported both an ideal and actual percentage of time on inquiry higher than those reported by the math teachers, while at the high school level math teachers reported both an ideal and actual percentage of time on inquiry higher than those reported by the science teachers. No correlations were found between typical and ideal percentage of time devoted to inquiry and subject matter content knowledge training, gender, years of teaching experience, or maximum degree earned.
Synthetic 5′-phosphorylated oligodeoxynucleotide purification through catching full-length sequences by polymerization

The readily scalable catching by polymerization purification technology has been further advanced to purify 5′-phosphorylated synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). The new technology utilizes a phosphoramidite that contains a fluoride-cleavable diisopropylsilyl acetal linker and a polymerizable methacrylamide group, and is capable of phosphorylation of ODN. For purification, the phosphoramidite was coupled to the 5′-end of full-length ODN on a synthesizer. Because failure sequences were capped in each synthetic cycle, only the full-length sequences were phosphinylated and acrylated. After cleavage and deprotection, the crude ODN was subjected to polymerization under typical acrylamide gel formation conditions. The full-length ODN was incorporated into polymer. The failure sequences and other impurities were simply removed by washing with water. Pure full-length ODN that contained a 5′-phosphate group was cleaved from the polymer with HF–pyridine. Reversed-phase (RP) HPLC showed that the ODN was pure, and the recovery yield was higher than that of typical preparative HPLC purification.
Urban service pricing and land use: Some preliminary results.

The use of public policy variables to control urban land use has been suggested or implied by a number of authors. This paper presents a conceptual foundation for doing so and the results of some empirical analyses based on this conceptual foundation. The method developed appears to constitute an alternative to more expensive approaches to the analysis of the relation between policy variables and land use. The empirical results tend to support earlier suggestions advanced by other researchers.
A Hierarchical Algorithm for Clustering Extremist Web Pages

Extremist political movements have proliferated on the web in recent years due to the advent of minimal publication costs coupled with near universal access, resulting in what appears to be an abundance of groups that hover on the fringe of many socially divisive issues. Whether white-supremacist, neo- Nazi, anti-abortion, black separatist, radical Christian, animal rights, or violent environmentalists, all have found a home (and voice) on the Web. These groups form social networks whose ties are predicated primarily on shared political goals. Little is known about these groups, their interconnections, their animosities, and most importantly, their growth and development and studies such as the Dark Web Project, while considering domestic extremists, have focused primarily on international terrorist groups. Yet here in the US, there has been a complex social dynamic unfolding as well. While left-wing radicalism declined throughout the 80s and 90s, right wing hate groups began to flourish. Today, the web offers a place for any brand of extremism, but little is understood about their current growth and development. While there is much to gain from in-depth studies of the content provided by these sites, there is also a surprising amount of information contained in their online network structure as manifested in links between and among these web sites. Our research follows the idea that much can be known about you by the company you keep. In this paper, we propose an approach to measure the intrinsic relationships (i.e., similarities) of a set of extremist web pages. In this model, the web presence of a group is thought of as a node in a social network and the links between these pages are the ties between groups. This approach takes the bi-directional hyperlink structure of web pages and, based on similarity scores, applies an effective multi-membership clustering algorithm known as the quasi clique merger method to cluster these web pages using a derived hierarchical tree. The experimental results show that this new similarity measurement and hierarchical clustering algorithm gives an improvement over traditional link based clustering methods.
Combining Cognitive and Behavioral Approaches to Suicidal Depression: A 42-Month Follow-up

Until recently, few attempts have been made to combine cognitive (Beck, 1963, 1970, 1974; Mzhoney, 1971) and behavioral (Lewinsohn, 1973, 1974) approaches to the treatment of severe depression (Rush, Khatami, & Beck, 1975; Taylor & Marshall, 1977; Wilcoxin, Schrader, & Nelson, 1976). The case presented below was followed for 42 mo. after termination of a combined program designed to focus upon the client's learning to control his cognitions as mediated by his environment.
Seasonal Metabolic Compensation in Sympatric Seatrout: Adaptation to the Estuary

Abstract The standard metabolic rates of spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus and sand seatrout Cynoscion arenarius were compared at different seasonal temperatures. During early summer at 25 C, when spatial overlap of the two species in Texas estuaries is greatest, their metabolic ratees were similar. At 15 C in winter, the metabolic rate of spotted seatrout was twice that of sand seatrout: 50 and 25 mg O2˙kg−1 hour−1, respectively. At peak summer temperatures of 30 C, the metabolic rate of spotted seatrout was less than that of sand seatrout: 124 and 170 mg O2˙kg−1 hour−1, Spotted seatrout are permanent residents of estuaries, but sand seatrout migrate out to the Gulf of Mexico in late summer and overwinter there. Greater metabolic compensation on the part of spotted seatrout may be an adaptation to year-round exploitation of the estuarine habitat, which has more extreme temperatures than offshore waters.
Can machine vision be helped from insights into human vision

Machine vision has exhibited rather slow progress over the last 25 years compared to other areas of Computer Technology and an interesting question is whether more progress will be made by continuing intensively the current approaches in research or instead by searching for new directions. I will present a thesis that more research along some of the prevailing lines will lead to best to marginal advances. For example, current edge detectors are very good at finding step edges. The problem is that their major objective, finding object outlines, is not equivalent to step edge finding. It seems that people find object outlines by a process of simultaneous interpretation and low level processing of the image. Such integration should be contrasted to one of the prevailing models in machine vision which assumes a linear sequence of a few distinct processes from low level to high level vision. (When researches talk about 'interpretation guide segmentation' they usually refer to the labeling of already obtained features using high level models of the scene.) If the levels interact strongly, then optimizing the processing techniques for each level separately (for example edge detection for low level vision) is not going to be fruitful. Since human vision is the reason that we believe that machine vision is even possible, a deeper examination of the human or animal vision recognition process is essential to the further progress of machine vision.
Uranium polarizability measured by light-force technique.

We report the measurement of the scalar [alpha][sub 0] and tensor [alpha][sub 2] polarizabilities of uranium using a light-force technique, the first accurate measurement of the polarizabilities of a refractory element. At the fundamental wavelength of a Nd:YAG laser (1.064 [mu]m) we measure [alpha][sub 0]=24.9[plus minus]1.5 A[sup 3] and [alpha][sub 2]=0.7[plus minus]1.7 A[sup 3]. From these values we determine the dc polarizabilities to be [alpha][sub 0]=20.3[plus minus]1.4 A[sup 3] and [alpha][sub 2]=0.7[plus minus]1.8 A[sup 3]. Calculations of [alpha][sub 0](dc) are within 30% of this measurement.
PHOTON DENSITY AND THE GAMMA-RAY FLUX AT A POINT IN AN EXPANDING UNIVERSE

The investigation deals with certain cosmological questions involved in the interpretation of the gamma-ray flux measurements made by the satellite Explorer XI. An expanding universe filled with similar sources of optical radiation is considered and the photon density in the neighborhood of an observer is obtained. Numerical values are given for the density of 1-eV photons when the sources are regarded as blackbodies at a temperature of 5000\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The necessity of specifying the bandwidth, the model of the universe, and the scale of distance before a density can be stated, is emphasized. The models of the universe considered are those of general relativity and that of the steady-state theory. It is concluded that a photon density can be specified, in the present state of astronomical knowledge, only as lying within wide limits.The gamma-ray flux observed can be interpreted theoretically by the use of general relativity models in which the density of matter is rather high. An equally satisfactory interpretation is possible by the use of the steady-state theory. It is argued that the objections to the second theory, based on the Explorer XI data, refer only to the hypothesis of the creation of antiprotons and not to the theory itself.
A random flight chain model for the tether of the Shaker K+ channel inactivation domain

Rapid inactivation of Shaker K+ channels occurs when a domain in the amino terminal region of the channel protein blocks the pore. Some part of the sequence between the inactivating domain and the first transmembrane segment may form a flexible tether. We consider the possibility that the tether has no secondary structure, but is rather a polypeptide random coil. The local concentration of the tethered inactivation domain and the dependence of the inactivation rate on chain length can then be calculated by using the Jacobson-Stockmayer equation. A chain of 30–100 amino acids is consistent with the sensitivity of the inactivation rate to chain length mutations.
Transmissibility of adenovirus-induced adiposity in a chicken model.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that human adenovirus Ad-36 induces adiposity and paradoxically lower levels of serum cholesterol (CHOL) and triglycerides (TG) in animals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the transmissibility of Ad-36 and Ad-36 induced adiposity using a chicken model. DESIGN: Experiment 1—four chickens were housed (two per cage) and one from each cage was inoculated with Ad-36. Duration of presence of Ad-36 DNA in the blood of all chickens was monitored. Experiment 2—two groups of chickens were intranasally inoculated with Ad-36 (infected donors, I-D) or media (control donors, C-D). Blood drawn 36 h later from I-D and C-D groups was inoculated into wing veins of recipient chickens (infected receivers, I-R, and control receivers, C-R, respectively). On sacrifice, 5 weeks post-inoculation, blood was drawn, body weight noted and visceral fat was separated and weighed. RESULTS: Experiment 1—Ad-36 DNA appeared in the blood of the inoculated chickens and that of uninoculated chickens (cage mates) within 12 h of inoculation and the viral DNA persisted up to 25 days in the blood. Experiment 2—compared with C-D, visceral and total body fat were significantly greater and CHOL significantly lower for the I-D and I-R. TG were significantly lower for the I-D. Ad-36 was isolated from 12 out of 16 blood samples of the I-D that were used for inoculating I-R chickens. Ad-36 DNA was present in the blood and the adipose tissue of the I-D and I-R but not in the skeletal muscles of animals selected randomly for testing. CONCLUSION: As seen in experiment 1, Ad-36 infection can be transmitted horizontally from an infected chicken to another chicken sharing the cage. Additionally, experiment 2 demonstrated blood-borne transmission of Ad-36-induced adiposity in chickens. Transmissibility of Ad-36-induced adiposity in chicken model raises serious concerns about such a possibility in humans that needs further investigation.
A host–microparasite model with a resistant host

Abstract The theory of heterozygote advantage is often used to explain the genetic variation found in natural populations. If a large population randomly mates and the various genotypes have the same growth and death rates, the evolution of the genotypes follows Hardy–Weinberg proportions and polymorphism results. When other environmental stresses, like predators, prey and diseases, are present, polymorphism may or may not occur depending on how the various genotypes are affected by the stress. In this paper, we use a basic host–microparasite model to demonstrate that polymorphism can occur even if one genotype suffers a higher death rate than the others in the absence of the parasite if the heterozygote has resistance or immunity to the parasite.
PSYCHOSOCIAL NURSING CARE FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH CANCER

Psychosocial care for adolescents who have cancer acknowledges the growth and developmental tasks they are mastering within the context of the experience of cancer. This article discusses developmentally focused approaches to providing care for adolescents with cancer. These include establishing trust, understanding, being present, setting mutual goals, and providing social support. Pediatric oncology nurses who practice in inpatient and outpatient care settings are in an ideal position to support continued psychosocial growth and development of adolescents with cancer because of the intimate and sustained contact they have with them.
Abstract 5490: Mice deficient in uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG) display increased sensitivity to the antifolate pemetrexed

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Pemetrexed, a multi-target antifolate, causes genomic uracil incorporation through inhibition of the enzymes thymidylate synthetase (TS) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Base excision repair (BER), initiated by uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG), actively recognizes and removes misincorporated uracil from the genome. Mice deficient in UDG have been described and display increased genomic uracil accumulation, elevated spontaneous mutation frequency, and higher incidence of B-cell lymphoma. We have previously reported the in vitro induction of UDG in H460 human lung cancer cells after pemetrexed exposure and have illustrated hypersensitivity to pemetrexed in human colon cancer cell lines lacking UDG expression (DLD1 UDG-/-). Here, we have investigated the role of UDG expression on pemetrexed sensitivity in vivo using gene-targeted UDG-/- mice. Mice received either a single 150mg/kg dose of pemetrexed on day 1 or received 3 consecutive 150 mg/kg doses of pemetrexed on days 1-3 and were sacrificed on day 4 or 5, respectively. Compared to UDG+/+ and UDG+/- littermates, UDG-/- mice were markedly myelosuppressed following pemetrexed treatment, as evidenced by a ∼50% reduction in bone marrow cell numbers and a ∼70% reduction in total colony forming units (CFU). Moreover, marrow from pemetrexed-treated UDG-/- mice expressed higher levels of DNA damage markers γ-H2AX and cleaved-PARP than control samples suggesting the formation of DNA double strand breaks and activation of apoptosis in UDG-/- marrow following pemetrexed exposure. Western blot analysis further evinced Chk-1 phosphorylation (p-Chk1, Ser345) in marrow from UDG-/- mice but not UDG+/+ or UDG+/- samples, suggesting inadequate removal of pemetrexed-induced genomic uracil may stall DNA replication and contribute to the cytotoxicity observed. These data in addition with our novel observations of enhanced pemetrexed sensitivity in UDG-/- mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEFs), UDG mutant human lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), and DLD1 UDG-/- cells, strongly suggest that UDG deficiency potentiates pemetrexed cytotoxicity in in vitro as well as in in vivo models. Additionally, our findings indicate a role for genomic uracil accumulation in the mechanism of cytotoxicity for pemetrexed. Furthermore, our data illustrate a synthetic lethal interaction between TS/DHFR inhibition and UDG deficiency and promote UDG as a target for improving pemetrexed efficacy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5490. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5490
The Association of Left Ventricular Lead Position Related to Regional Scar by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography with Clinical Outcomes in Patients Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Background Response to cardiac resynchronization therapy is variable. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that left ventricular (LV) lead position in proximity to myocardial scar is associated with less favorable outcomes. Methods A total of 149 patients were included in this substudy of the Speckle Tracking Assisted Resynchronization Therapy for Electrode Region trial using echocardiographic radial strain for basal and middle LV segments and transverse strain for apical segments to estimate scar. Sixty-four patients with high-dose rest 99m Tc sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomographic imaging were used for validation in 508 LV free-wall segments. The relationship of LV lead position to segments estimated as scar was defined as concordant, adjacent, or remote. The prespecified primary end point was heart failure hospitalization or death over 2 years. Results Wall thickening 99m Tc sestamibi uptake indicative of scar with 77% sensitivity and 89% specificity and strain P = .004). Preserved wall thickening at the LV lead site was independently associated with favorable outcome and additive to pacing at the site of latest mechanical activation ( P = .001) and remained significant after adjusting for scar burden. Conclusions Echocardiographic speckle-tracking strain has the potential to estimate free wall scar in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and influence LV lead positioning away from scar to improve clinical outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Provider communication and patient participation in diabetes self-care.

Abstract Objective To determine the effect size of provider communication about self-care and the provider's following treatment guidelines on the self-care behaviors of people with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods Data were from the TRIAD telephone surveys of Michigan patients in managed care with T2DM (n = 1438). The survey asked about the patients’ self-care and provider communication about blood glucose monitoring, exercise, foot care, flu vaccination and annual retina screening. Results After controlling for patient socio-demographics and disease severity, remembering having received provider information on these activities more than doubled the odds of performing blood glucose monitoring, and performing foot examinations. It also significantly increased the amount of exercise the patient performed. Provider modeling had a strong association with foot care. Counseling by a diabetes educator was positively and significantly associated with having an annual retina examination and receiving an influenza vaccination. Conclusions Remembering self-care information is associated with increased home based self-care by patients and their families. Consulting with a diabetes educator can substantially improve patient self-care. Practice implications Health care providers should encourage patient education. However, physician time is costly and most nurses do not specialize in patient education; one solution is to refer patients to a diabetes educator.
1996 EERI Student Paper Award Modeling of the Nonlinear Seismic Behavior of Gravity Load Designed Frames

Abstract Evaluating and, if necessary, retrofitting seismically loaded Gravity Load Designed (GLD) infilled frames requires accurate analytical models. This paper gives an overview of experimental and analytical investigations conducted on GLD steel frames infilled with unreinforced concrete block masonry walls. The presented analytical models can reasonably predict the seismic response of such structures. The experimental study adopts both quasi‐static and pseudo‐dynamic methods. Detailed finite element models and a more practical compression‐only strut model for the infills are the analytical tools considered in the present study.
L-Glutamate toxicity in Huntington's Disease fibroblasts

Abstract Brain degeneration in Huntington's Disease is thought to occur primarily in the regions of high L-glutamate concentrations. Huntington's Disease fibroblast cultures have a sensitivity to these high concentrations of L-glutamate. These cells show degeneration and loss of viability, within 12 hrs, following treatment with 30 mM L-glutamate. This effect appears to be specific for L-glutamate, can be prevented by glutamine, and is not observed in matched control cultures. The observed glutamate sensitivity may serve as a biochemical genetic marker and the excessive effect of glutamate on neuronal membranes could initiate the characteristic neuronal degeneration observed in Huntington's Disease brains.
Chemical modification of enzymes I. Two-step cross-linking of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease

Abstract A new procedure for the statistical cross-linking of enzymes is described. In the first step the enzyme polythiolated with N -acetylhomocysteine thiolactone, whilst in the second step the mercapto functions are intramolecularly cross-linked with different bifunctional reagents or by oxidation. With bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A, eight mercapto groups were introduced. After cross-linking with bis-iodoacetamides of different length, RNase with an optimum relative activity (c-CMP) of 144% was obtained. In addition, the pH optimum was shifted upwards by 0.8 pH units.
Behavior and brain contents of catecholamines in mice during chronic administration of methyldopa.

Abstract The behavioral effects of methyldopa were examined after the addition of this drug to the diet of mice. During the first 24 hr of the methyldopa diet, continuous night-time motor activity was reduced, but neither exploratory activity nor amphetamine-stimulated activity was altered. Norepinephrine was almost totally depleted from the brain whereas the brain content of dopamine was only slightly reduced; substantial amounts of α-methylnorepinephrine but relatively little α-methyldopamine accumulated in the brain. Tolerance developed to the depression of continuous activity after 2–4 days of methyldopa diet. Aggressive behavior and enhanced amphetamine stimulation accompanied the tolerance development, but neither exploratory activity nor pipradrol-stimulated activity was increased. Tolerance to the depression of continuous activity and the onset of aggression and enhanced amphetamine stimulation were not accompanied by changes in brain levels of catecholamines; the contents of norepinephrine, dopamine, α-methylnorepinephrine and α-methyldopamine on day 1 and on day 4 of the diet were the same.
Changes in isometric function following rhythmic exercise.

Seven male subjects exercised for 1, 3, 10 and 20 min on a cycle ergometer at 20, 60 and 80% $$\dot V_{O_{2\max } } $$ , and then held to fatigue a sustained contraction of the quadriceps at 40% maximal voluntary contraction in order to determine what influence various levels of dynamic exercise would have on isometric function of the same group of muscles. Muscle temperature was measured before and within 15 s of the completion of the cycling to determine whether changes in muscle temperature might influence the subsequent isometric perormance. Isometric endurance was shorter as the severity of the cycling increased beyond 20% $$\dot V_{O_{2\max } } $$ , and as the duration of cycling increased up to 10 min. There were discrete linear relationships between muscle temperature and isometric endurance associated with cycling at 60% and 80% $$\dot V_{O_{2\max } } $$ . There was a direct inverse relationship between quadriceps strength after cycling and muscle temperature, yet a significant reduction in strength occurred only after cycling at 80% $$\dot V_{O_{2\max } } $$ . These results suggest that the encroachment on endurance and strength are controlled by different mechanisms. The heart rates during the isometric contractions were dependent on the preceding rhythmic exercise and decreased after exercise at 60 or 80% $$\dot V_{O_{2\max } } $$ . In contrast, the blood pressure always increased during the isometric contractions, reaching similar values at the point of fatigue, regardless of the severity of the previous rhythmic exercise. These data provide additional evidence that separate mechanisms control changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
The dominant negative effect of thyroid hormone receptor splicing variant alpha 2 does not require binding to a thyroid response element.

The functionally inactive thyroid hormone receptor splicing variant-alpha 2 (TRv alpha 2) can inhibit transcriptional activation by TR alpha 1 or beta 1, demonstrating a dominant negative effect (DNE). We examine here the three commonly proposed mechanisms, namely, competition for binding to thyroid hormone response elements (TREs), formation of inactive heterodimers, and squelching. A mutation introduced into the DNA-binding domain (DBD) of the TRv alpha 2 was designed to prevent its binding to TREs. In transient cotransfection studies, the DBD mutant has nearly the same DNE as does TRv alpha 2 on three different TRE-containing reporter genes. The DNE of TRv alpha 2 is also not reversed by cotransfection with excess retinoid X receptor-alpha. Extracts of COS cells cotransfected with TR alpha 1 and either TRv alpha 2 or DBD mutant at different ratios were analyzed by gel shift assays. Neither TRv alpha 2 or the mutant altered binding of TR alpha 1 to four radiolabeled TREs. TRv alpha 2 itself can inhibit ...
A comprehensive assessment of the cost of multiple sclerosis in the United States

Comprehensive data on the costs of multiple sclerosis is sparse. We conducted a survey of 606 persons with MS who were members of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to obtain data on their cost of personal health services, other services, equipment, and earnings. Compensation of such cost in the form of health insurance, income support, and other subsidies was measured. Survey data and data from several secondary sources was used to measure costs incurred by comparable persons without MS. Based on the 1994 data, the annual cost of MS was estimated at over $34,000 per person, translating into a conservative estimate of national annual cost of $6.8 billion, and a total lifetime cost per case of $2.2 million. Major components of cost were earnings loss and informal care. Virtually all persons with MS had health insurance, mostly Medicare/Medicaid. Health insurance covered 51 per cent of costs for services, excluding informal care. On average, compensation for earnings loss was 27 per cent. MS is very costly to the individual, health care system, and society. Much of the cost (57 per cent) is in the form of burdens other than personal health care, including earnings loss, equipment and alternations, and formal and informal care. These costs often are not calculated.
Morphine and ethanol as discriminative stimuli: absence of antagonism by p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester, cinanserin, or BC-105.

It is well established that the effects of morphine and ethanol can function as discriminative stimuli in the rat. The present investigation sought to determine whether discriminated responding mediated by morphine and ethanol is affected by (a) p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (p-CPA) an inhibitor of the synthesis of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and (b) antagonists of 5-HT. The blocking agents employed were cinanserin, in ethanol-trained subjects, and BC-105, in morphine-trained subjects. No evidence of antagonism was obtained with either BC-105 or cinanserin. Results with p-CPA were somewhat variable but no consistent or statistically significant reduction in the efficacy of morphine or ethanol as discriminative stimuli was observed.
Perceived Similarity to Parents as Related to Responsivity to Social Reinforcement.

In order to test the hypothesis that perceived similarity to parents is a function of one's responsivity to social reinforcement, 31 male college students were given the Role Construct Repertory Te...
On Approximating the Null and Nonnull Distributions of the F Ratio in Unbalanced Random-Effect Models from Nonnormal Universes

Abstract In this article we consider the unbalanced random-effects model as given in (1.1) with random variables from nonormal universes. Assuming that the αi 's are independently distributed of the eij 's, an approximation to the joint distribution of the mean squares (and hence the F ratio) by using Laguerre polynomials is derived. These results are then used to examine the effects of departure from normality on the traditional F-ratio distribution.
Photooxidation of unsaturated oils: Effects of singlet oxygen quenchers

The photooxidative deterioration of unsaturated food oils by near UV and visible light was found to be retarded by nickel (II) chelates well known to quench singlet oxygen (1O2). The rates of hydroperoxide formation during light exposure were unaffected by efficient peroxy radical scavengers such as hindered phenols. α-Tocopherol (vitamin E) underwent a relatively rapid oxidation itself when exposed to1O2 in oil solutions, despite being able to deactivate1O2 quite efficiently. From a comparison of the rates of scavenging by stabilizers and attack on allyl groups,1O2 initiated deterioration is appreciably more difficult to retard than peroxy radical processes.
Cognitive Characteristics of Delinquents Four Subgroups of Male Subjects

Based on parents' ratings, 53 male delinquents were classified as either psychopathic, neurotic, immature, or socialized-aggressive. The relationships of several cognitive characteristics derived from the Role Construct Repertory Test to membership in the above groups were investigated. Few differences between groups emerged on the variables measured. However, an analysis of group differences in perceived similarities among other people was fruitful. Implications for differential treatment were derived.
Disrupting Intergenerational Continuity in Harsh and Abusive Parenting: The Importance of a Nurturing Relationship With a Romantic Partner

Abstract Purpose Harsh, abusive, and rejecting behavior by parents toward their children is associated with increased risk for many developmental problems for youth. Earlier research also shows that children raised by harsh parents are more likely to treat their own children harshly. The present study evaluated nurturing and supportive behaviors of spouses or cohabiting romantic partners hypothesized to strengthen co-parent relationships and help break this intergenerational cycle of harsh parenting. Methods Data come from the Family Transitions Project, a 22-year, 3-generation study of a cohort of over 500 early adolescents (G2) grown to adulthood. During adolescence, observers rated G1 (parent of G2) harsh parenting to G2. Several years later, observers rated G2 harsh parenting toward their oldest child (G3). In addition, G2's romantic partner (spouse or cohabiting partner) was rated by observers on a range of behaviors expected to affect G2 harsh parenting. Results Romantic partner warmth and positive communication with G2 were associated with less G2 harsh parenting toward G3 (a compensatory or main effect) and when these partner behaviors were high, there was no evidence of intergenerational continuity from G1 to G2 harsh parenting (a moderating or protective effect). G1 harsh parenting slightly decreased the likelihood that G2 would select a supportive spouse or romantic partner (evidence of cumulative continuity). Conclusions Romantic partner warmth and positive communication appear to disrupt continuity in harsh and abusive parenting. As appropriate, preventive interventions designed to reduce risk for child maltreatment should include a focus on spousal or partner behaviors in their educational or treatment programs.
Children's Literature on Recycling: What Does it Contribute to Environmental Literacy?

This article addresses the content and use of children's literature to teach about recycling. Twenty children's books were examined using a coding system created to compare and generalize about the content of the books. It was found that although the books can be useful for providing basic information they fall short in asking children to think critically about recycling.
A quantitative methodology for analyzing the performance of detection algorithms

The authors present a methodology for designing experiments to characterize detection algorithms. The usual method is to vary parameters of the input images or parameters of the algorithms and then construct operating curves that relate the probability of misdetection and false alarm for each parameter setting. Such an analysis does not integrate the performance of the numerous operating curves. A methodology is outlined for summarizing many operating curves into a few performance curves. This methodology is adapted from the human psychophysics literature and is general to any detection algorithm. The central concept is to measure the effect of variables in terms of the equivalent effect of a critical signal variable. The methodology is demonstrated by comparing the performance of two line detection algorithms. >
Influence of Dietary Fat Source and Vitamin E on Market Stability of Turkeys

Abstract Wrolstad Small White turkeys were fed corn-soybean diets containing no added dietary fat, 8% hydrolyzed animal-vegetable fat, 8% animal fat, or 8% soybean oil. Within each fat source, diets were varied with respect to vitamin E content so that unsupplemented, 10 IU/kg (usual) and 300 IU/kg resulted. Birds were maintained on these diets until they were sacrificed at 14 weeks of age. All fats resulted in comparable improvement in feed efficiency. At the end of the growing period the carcasses were divided in half with one half held at 3 C for 3 weeks while the other half was frozen and held 6 months at −20 C. Animal fat or animal-vegetable fat resulted in elevated muscle thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values over those produced in corn-soybean meal diet following 3 weeks of refrigeration. The usual vitamin E level added a small degree of protection in terms of stability, while the high level of vitamin E resulted in substantial protection against onset of oxidative rancidity. Frozen carcasses were subjected to similar TBA analyses; in no case was there any significant build up of TBA reactive substances in the tissues. Following frozen storage, samples of meat were cooked, held 48 hr at 4 C, and then subjected to TBA analysis. These samples showed significant build up at TBA reactive substances which had virtually no relationship to source of dietary fat. High levels of vitamin E offered some protection against the “warmed-over” type of rancidity.
The uniform structure of Banach spaces

We explore the existence of uniformly continuous sections for quotient maps. Using this approach we are able to give a number of new examples in the theory of the uniform structure of Banach spaces. We show for example that there are two non-isomorphic separable \({\mathcal L_1}\)-subspaces of l1 which are uniformly homeomorphic. We also prove the existence of two coarsely homeomorphic Banach spaces (i.e. with Lipschitz isomorphic nets) which are not uniformly homeomorphic (answering a question of Johnson, Lindenstrauss and Schechtman). We construct a closed subspace of L1 whose unit ball is not an absolute uniform retract (answering a question of the author).
Evolution of Adaptive Population Control in Multi-agent Systems

Dynamic population management is an important aspect of multi-agent systems. In artificial immune systems, for example, a shortage of agents can lead to undetected threats, while an overabundance of agents can degrade quality of service and if unchecked, even create new vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, designing an effective strategy for population management is complicated by the myriad of possible circumstances and environmental conditions the agents may face after deployment. In this paper, we present the results of a study in applying digital evolution to the population management problem. In digital evolution, populations of self-replicating computer programs evolve in a user-defined computational environment, where they are subject to mutations and natural selection. Our results demonstrate that populations of digital organisms are capable of evolving self-adaptive replication behaviors that respond to attack fluctuations, as well as clever strategies for cooperating to mitigate attacks. This study provides evidence that digital evolution may be a useful tool in the design of self-organizing and self-adaptive agent-based systems.
Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with langasite pure shear horizontal surface acoustic wave sensors

The toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacterium has been connected with hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which may be characterized by diarrhea, kidney failure and death. On average, O157:H7 causes 73,000 illnesses, 2100 hospitalizations and 60 deaths annually in the United States alone. There is the need for sensors capable of rapidly detecting dangerous microbes in food and water supplies to limit the exposure of human and animal populations. Previous work by the authors used shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH SAW) devices fabricated on langasite (LGS) Euler angles (0°, 22°, 90°) to successfully detect macromolecular protein assemblies. The devices also demonstrated favorable temperature stability, biocompatibility and low attenuation in liquid environments, suggesting their applicability to bacterial detection. In this paper, a biosensor test setup utilizing a small volume fluid injection system, stable temperature control and high frequency phase measurement was applied to validate LGS SH SAW biosensors for bacterial detection. The LGS SH SAW delay lines were fabricated and derivatized with a rabbit polyclonal IgG antibody, which selectively binds to E. coli O157:H7, in this case a non-toxigenic test strain. To quantify the effect of non-specific binding (negative control), an antibody directed against the trinitrophenyl hapten (TNP) was used as a binding layer. Test E. coli bacteria were cultured, fixed with formaldehyde, stained with cell-permeant nucleic acid stain, suspended in phosphate buffered saline and applied to the antibody-coated sensing surfaces. The biosensor transmission coefficient phase was monitored using a network analyzer. Phase responses of about 14° were measured for the E. coli detection, as compared to 2° due to non-specific anti-TNP binding. A 30:1 preference for E. coli binding to the anti-O157:H7 layer when compared to the anti-TNP layer was observed with fluorescence microscopy, thus confirming the selectivity of the antibody surface to E. coli.
Neurofibromatosis type 1-associated hypertension secondary to coarctation of the thoracic aorta

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), also known as von Recklinghausen's disease, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. NF-I vasculopathy has been used to describe various vascular malformations associated with NF-1. Secondary hypertension related to NF-1 vasculopathy has been reported because of renal artery stenosis, coarctation of the abdominal aorta and other vascular lesions; however, coarctation of the thoracic aorta has seldom been reported. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of isolated coarctation of thoracic aorta in a pregnant female with NF-1. Healthcare providers caring for patients with NF-1 should be aware of associated vascular complications.
Self-sensing as an integration focus for motor drives and power devices

Self-sensing (sensorless or fully integrated sensing) methods in motor drives and power devices is a major opportunity to extend the early generations of fully integrated sensing to become central to the next generation of motor drive and power device design. To achieve the next level of integration, solutions that cross technology boundaries and are intrinsically multi-functional will be required, whereby the design-for-self- sensing in all actively controlled devices will be the norm. This paper and presentation will focus on the critical elements of the new multi-disciplinary self-sensing paradigm as it applies to both machine and power devices used in motor drives and all forms of power conversion equipment.
Postoperative Blood Pressure Changes Associated with Cervical Block versus General Anesthesia following Carotid Endarterectomy

The purpose of this report was to determine if cervical block anesthesia (CBA) was associated with fewer hypertensive and hypotensive episodes and decreased need for ICU monitoring following carotid endarterectomy, compared with general anesthesia (GA). A retrospective review of carotid endarterectomies performed using GA (n = 118) versus CBA (n = 116) was carried out and perioperative blood pressure changes and morbidity and mortality rates were analyzed. With increasing emphasis in today's health care market concerning cost containment without sacrificing safety, our results suggest that CBA should be considered preferable to GA for patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Fewer significant postoperative hemodynamic changes occurred and costly intensive care monitoring may be avoided.