cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hiatal hernia size affects lower esophageal sphincter function, esophageal acid exposure, and the degree of mucosal injury

Background Since the role of a hiatal hernia in the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has not been fully elucidated, we studied the effects of hiatal hernias on the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and esophageal acid clearance. Patients and methods Ninety-five consecutive patients with GERD diagnosed by 24-hour pH monitoring underwent upper gastrointestinal series (UGI), endoscopy, and esophageal manometry. Based on the presence (H+) or absence (H-) of a hiatal hernia on UGI series, they were divided into two groups: H+ (n = 51) and H- (n = 44). Then, using the size of the hiatal hernia, the H+ group was divided into three subgroups: I, H 5 cm (n = 6). Results Esophageal manometry showed that patients with larger hiatal hernias (groups II and III) had a weaker and shorter LES and less effective peristalsis compared to patients with a small or no hiatal hernia. Prolonged pH monitoring showed that patients with larger hiatal hernias were exposed to more refluxed acid and had more severely abnormal acid clearance. Endoscopy showed more severe esophagltis among patients with GERD and hiatal hernia compared with GERD patients without hiatal hernia, and the degree of esophagitis was proportionate to the size of the hernia. Conclusions Among patients with proven GERD, those with a small hiatal hernia and those with no hiatal hernia had similar abnormalities of LES function and acid clearance. In patients with larger hiatal hernias, however, the LES was shorter and weaker, the amount of reflux was greater, and acid clearance was less efficient. Consequently, the degree of esophagitis was worse in the presence of a large hiatal hernia.
Structural Violence and Women's Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in India: Understanding Through a “Grief Model” Framework

HIV/AIDS remains one of India's major health concerns today, with 2.27 million people affected by the disease. Ineffective/inappropriate policy stances at the incipient stages of the epidemic are p...
Trapped organic compounds and aromatic units in coals

Abstract Some insight into the chemical nature of coals and the coalification process was obtained by detailed analyses of the organic constituents of three coals — a lignite, a bituminous, and an anthracite coal. Organic compounds trapped in the coal matrix, residuals and products of the original coalification process, were isolated by vacuum distillation and solvent extraction. The macromolecular material which constitutes the bulk of coals was degraded by a series of selective oxidations to smaller units which could be identified and measured. The essential aromatic character of coals was demonstrated, with condensation of aromatic rings increasing with increasing rank.
Electrical injury from tasering and miscarriage

A case report is presented of a woman who was “Tasered”® by law enforcement personnel while 12 weeks pregnant. The Taser® (Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle) is an electronic immobilization and defense weapon that has been commercially available since 1974. The Taser® was developed as an alternative to the 38 special handgun. The patient was hit with Taser® probes in the abdomen and the leg. She began to spontaneously miscarry 7 days later and received a dilatation and curettage procedure 14 days later for incomplete abortion. The world's literature on electrical and lightning injury to pregnant women is reviewed, and the mechanism of action of Taser® injury is discussed. As use of the Taser® becomes more common, obstetrical clinicians may encounter complications from the Taser® more often
Current indications for left thoracotomy in coronary revascularization and valvular procedures.

Abstract Background . Left thoracotomy is infrequently used for cardiac procedures, but its application in reoperative and minimally invasive coronary revascularization and in valvular procedures has been reported recently. Methods . Three case reports and a review of the current literature illustrate the unique benefits of this approach for myocardial revascularization and valve replacement. Results . Reoperative coronary revascularization of the left anterior descending and circumflex coronary arteries was performed off-pump via a left posterolateral thoracotomy. For the second case, this approach was used for coronary artery bypass grafting of the right coronary and left anterior descending arteries with femoral-femoral cardiopulmonary bypass in a patient with congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease who also required closure of a patent ductus arteriosus. In the third case, mitral valve replacement using femoral venous and aortic cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass was performed via a left thoracotomy to avoid a retrosternal gastric conduit in a patient with severe mitral stenosis and congestive heart failure. All patients returned to normal activity and are asymptomatic. Conclusions . These case reports and a comprehensive review of the literature demonstrate the utility of left thoracotomy as an alternative approach to standard median sternotomy in selected cases of revascularization and valvular procedures.
DRIFT OF 2,4-D DMA AND CONTROL OF EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL IN LAKE OSOYOOS

ABSTRACT The effectiveness of the control on Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and drift of 2,4-D DMA was determined for two plots in Lake Osoyoos, Wash. Herbicide drift was rapid enough in the case of one test plot to reduce the effectiveness of the 2,4-D DMA applications. In the other test plot less drift of 2,4-D DMA occurred, and good control of Eurasian watermilfoil was achieved. The drift of the herbicide was caused by release of the 2,4-D DMA by the polymer, above water application, improper mixing of 2,4-D DMA with the polymer, and velocity of the water currents.
Crystallisation of fine- and coarse-grained A-type granite sheets of the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen, U.S.A.

A-type felsic magmatism associated with the Cambrian Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen began with eruption of voluminous rhyolite to form a thick volcanic carapace on top of an eroded layered mafic complex. This angular unconformity became a crustal magma trap and was the locus for emplacement of later subvolcanic plutons. Rising felsic magma batches ponding along this crustal magma trap crystallised first as fine-grained granite sheets and then subsequently as coarser-grained granite sheets. Aplite dykes, pegmatite dykes and porphyries are common within the younger coarser-grained granite sheets but rare to absent within the older fine-grained granite sheets. The older fine-grained granite sheets typically contain abundant granophyre. The differences between fine-grained and coarse-grained granite sheets can largely be attributed to a progressive increase in the depth of the crustal magma trap as the aulacogen evolved. At low pressures (<200MPa) a small increase in the depth of emplacement results in a dramatic increase in the solubility of H2O in felsic magmas. This is a direct consequence of the shape of the H2O-saturated granite solidus. The effect of this slight increase in total pressure on the crystallisation of felsic magmas is to delay vapour saturation, increase the H2O content of the residual melt fractions and further depress the solidus temperature. Higher melt H2O contents, and an extended temperature range over which crystallisation can proceed, both favour crystallisation of coarser-grained granites. In addition, the potential for the development of late, H2O-rich, melt fractions is significantly enhanced. Upon reaching vapour saturation, these late melt fractions are likely to form porphyries, aplite dykes and pegmatite dykes. For the Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen, the progressive increase in the depth of the crustal magma trap at the base of the volcanic pile appears to reflect thickening of the volcanic pile during rifting, but may also reflect emplacement of earlier granite sheets. Thus, the change in textural characteristics of granite sheets of the Wichita Granite Group may hold considerable promise as an avenue for further investigation in interpreting the history of this rifting event.
Creative performance, expertise acquisition, individual differences, and developmental antecedents: An integrative research agenda

Abstract This article sketches an integrative research agenda for creative achievement that combines the expertise-acquisition framework with individual differences in cognitive abilities and dispositional traits as well as the genetic and environmental factors underlying the development of those same individual-difference variables. The treatment begins with a discussion of domain-specific creative expertise and performance, a discussion that indicates the added complexities in assessing both variables. The analysis then shifts to substantial individual variation in both expertise acquisition and creative performance, variation that does not sit easily with a simple single-cause conception, particularly when performance appears inversely related to the amount of time taken to attain the requisite expertise. This leads to the question of whether individual-difference variables can account for otherwise inexplicable “faster better” and “more bang for the buck” effects. If so, then the obvious last inquiry concerns the developmental antecedents of those variables, where these antecedents can be both genetic and environmental. The upshot of the suggested analysis should be complex structural equation models that fully accommodate both nature and nurture in explaining exceptional creative performance.
Thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters of poly(butylene terephthalate) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid

Abstract The PBT/PHB copolyesters were prepared by reacting poly (butylene terephthalate) with p -acetoxybenzoic acid. The liquid crystalline properties, thermal properties and solubility in phenol/TCE of PBT/PHB copolyesters were different to those of PET/PHB copolyesters to some extent. The PBT/PHB copolyesters exhibited considerably lower solubility in phenol/TCE. The PBT/PHB copolyesters with PHB content ranging from 20 to 60 mol% showed melt birefringence, while the PET/PHB copolyesters with 40–80 mol% PHB content exhibited liquid crystalline behaviour.
Segmentation of inversion recovery MR images using neural networks: a study on aging

Clinicians have long desired early detection of neurological abnormality for treatment of brain malignancies. In attempts to address this concern, there are numerous reports publishing normative databases of age-related changes of the brain in healthy controls, many using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, most of the method used to access tissue volumes were subject to observer variability. We developed a Kohonen self-organizing map to automatically segment MR images for reproducible and accurate identification of tissues. The developed method was applied to quantitatively assess subtle volume differences in normal controls due to maturational and degenerative changes. The volumes calculated in the test population of 73 controls agreed with current hypothesizes concerning age-related changes of the brain as determined by linear regression analysis of segmented tissue to age. Percent gray matter and percent white matter, as well as the ratio of gray matter to white matter were all found to be significantly correlated with age. Percent gray matter and the ratio of gray matter to white matter were inversely proportional to age while percent white matter was directly proportional to age. These results suggest the utility of the developed segmentation technique, as well as the clinical application it may hold.
Middle Proterozoic uplift events in the Dunbar dome of northeastern Wisconsin, USA

Isotopic ages of granitic and metamorphic rocks exposed in the Dunbar structural dome of northeastern Wisconsin identify a protracted series of tectonic and “hydrothermal” events that culminated in major regional uplift during Middle Proterozoic (Keweenawan; ca 1,100 Ma) continental rifting and volcanism. The major rock-forming events and the structural development of the dome occurred during the interval 1,862+/−4 Ma to 1,836+/−6 Ma. Whole-rock Rb-Sr ages are partly reset in response to a widely recognized but cryptic event in Wisconsin and Michigan at about 1,630 Ma. The scale and systematic character of the whole-rock resetting strongly suggests the presence of a fluid phase derived in situ from water dissolved in the silicates or externally from a subthrust plate of low-grade metamorphic rocks. The regional nature of the 1,630-Ma disturbance possibly indicates that it is related to a major tectonic event such as an active plate margin far to the south. Rb-Sr biotite ages for the Dunbar dome (this study), the southern complex of the Marquette district (Van Schmus and Woolsey 1975) and the Felch trough area (Aldrich and others 1965) provide a remarkably coherent pattern that reflects multiple episodes of differential uplift. Younger events superimposed on a regional 1,630-Ma imprint are recorded at 1,330 Ma and 1,140 Ma. The 1,330 Ma disturbance could reflect stabilization following intrusion of the Wolf River batholith at 1,485 Ma. The 1,140-Ma uplift event occurred during Keweenawan rifting and volcanism as a result of stresses imposed on a mosaic of fault-bounded blocks with possible subcrustal influence. The remarkably small variance in the 1,140-Ma biotite age peak argues for rapid uplift and cooling, and hence rapid erosion. Detritus from the uplift probably was being shed into nearby tectonic basins most of which did not survive subsequent uplift and erosion.
Morphology of a hereditary cataract in the rat.

Abstract Eyes of a strain of Wistar rats with an X-ray-induced cataract mutation were subjected to clinical and histological investigation, beginning postnatally. Anterior polar cataract formation and anterior displacement of the lens nucleus were the earliest clinical indications of the disease, which eventually affected the entire lens and may have been initiated by an inflammation of the anterior ocular segment. The polar cataracts, first seen in newborn animals, were manifestations of an epithelial overgrowth which, by 3 weeks postpartum, was accompanied by overproduction of the capsule. In 3-week-old animals, suture-associated vacuoles were observed in the posterior lens cortex. These vacuoles, which appeared to have originated primarily by a widening of the intercellular space, tended to disappear. They were soon replaced by others which were caused largely by swelling and rupture of the outer cortical fibers. With swelling of the lens, the posterior capsule became thinner, and, in some cases, ruptured. In most lenses, however, the capsule remained intact. In these, cortical vacuolization and clouding was followed by opacification at the nuclear periphery which rapidly intensified and spread outward. The anomalies described here resembled certain developmental lens abnormalities reported in humans and other animals.
Single-mode lasing from top-down fabricated gallium nitride nanowires

We study lasing in individual top-down fabricated GaN nanowires by optical pumping. We observe single mode emission with a side mode suppression of 15 dB, linewidths of less than 1 nm and thresholds as low as 250 kW/cm2.
Orographic Modification of Convection and Flow Kinematics by the Oregon Coast Range and Cascades during IMPROVE-2

Abstract This paper describes the kinematic and precipitation evolution accompanying the passage of a cold baroclinic trough over the Central Oregon Coast Range and Cascades during 4–5 December 2001 of the second Improvement of Microphysical Parameterization through Observational Verification Experiment (IMPROVE-2) field project. In contrast to previously documented IMPROVE-2 cases, the 4–5 December event featured weaker cross-barrier winds (15–20 m s−1), weaker moist static stability (Nm < 0.006 s−1), and convective cells that preferentially intensified over Oregon’s modest coastal mountain range. These cells propagated eastward and became embedded within the larger orographic precipitation shield over the windward slopes of the Cascades. The Weather Research and Forecasting Model (version 2.2) at 1.33-km grid spacing was able to accurately replicate the observed evolution of the precipitation across western Oregon. As a result of the convective cell development, the precipitation enhancement over the Co...
Mule/ARF-BP1, a BH3-Only E3 Ubiquitin Ligase, Catalyzes the Polyubiquitination of Mcl-1 and Regulates Apoptosis

The elimination of Mcl-1, an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, is an early and required step for DNA damage-induced apoptosis. The degradation of Mcl-1 can be blocked by proteasome inhibitors, suggesting a role for the ubiquitin proteasome pathway in apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that Mcl-1 is ubiquinated at five lysines. Biochemical fractionation of cell extracts allowed us to identify a 482 kDa HECT-domain-containing ubiquitin ligase named Mule (Mcl-1 ubiquitin ligase E3) that is both required and sufficient for the polyubiquitination of Mcl-1. Mule also contains a region similar to the Bcl-2 homology region 3 (BH3) domain that allows Mule to specifically interact with Mcl-1. Elimination of Mule expression by RNA interference stabilizes Mcl-1 protein, resulting in an attenuation of the apoptosis induced by DNA-damage agents. Thus, Mule is a unique BH3-containing E3 ubiquitin ligase apical to Bcl-2 family proteins during DNA damage-induced apoptosis.
Correlation between grain boundary corrosion and grain boundary energy in niobium bicrystals

Abstract Grain-boundary hardening of oriented niobium bicrystals with symmetric tilt boundaries has been determined using microhardness measurements. The boundary hardening was found to be misorientation-dependent and related to the boundary energy. For bicrystals with low-angle boundaries, the hardening varies with misorientation with a linear relationship of the Read-Shockley type. For bicrystals with high-angle boundaries, hardening cusps (minima) were observed near the coincidence-site-lattice boundaries.
An Improved Model of the Chip Thickness in Milling

A new class of comprehensive models proposed in this paper integrates and expands essential features of previously developed analytical and numerical models. The employed systematic modeling methodology facilitates a stepwise and orderly increase of the model's sophistication until the desirable level of performance is achieved. Application of the developed class of models can lead to substantial improvement of the speed, accuracy and reliability of monitoring and control applied to the machine, tool and cutting process. The accuracy of representative models is compared under realistic machining conditions.
MEK inhibitors block BDNF-dependent and -independent expression of GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs in cultured mouse cerebellar granule neurons

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can regulate the maturation of developing cerebellar granule neurons. Within 1-2 days of culture, BDNF induces the expression of granule neuron terminal differentiation markers, particularly GABA(A) receptor alpha6 subunit (GABA(A)alpha6) mRNA. Other trophic factors including insulin-like growth factor, the neurotrophin NT-3, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and fetal bovine serum failed to induce this early expression. The expression of other GABA(A) receptor subunits, including alpha1 and gamma2, was also enhanced by exposure of developing granule neurons to BDNF. This BDNF-dependent expression of GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNAs could be effectively blocked by treatment with the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors, PD98059 or U0126. In the absence of BDNF, GABA(A)alpha6 expression occurs but not until 3-4 days of culture. This BDNF-independent expression of GABA(A)alpha6 was also inhibited by PD98059. Further studies showed that the BDNF-dependent expression GABA(A)alpha6 could also be reduced by LY294002, an inhibitor of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, or depolarizing concentrations of KCl. These results thus suggest that both BDNF-dependent and -independent expressions of GABA(A) receptor subunits require the activation of MEK and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. However, it is also likely that other signaling pathways modulate this maturation process.
Cobalamin-enhanced anaerobic biotransformation of carbon tetrachloride

Biotransformation of carbon tetrachloride (CT) was examined with an anaerobic enrichment culture grown on dichloromethane as the sole organic carbon and energy source. The principal products from [ 14 C]-CT included chloroform (17%), carbon disulfide (21%), and CO 2 (21%). When cyanocobalamin was added along with CT, the percentage converted to CO 2 increased almost 3-fold (59%), while CS 2 decreased somewhat (11%), and virtually none of the CT (<1%) was reduced to chloroform. Carbon monoxide was a major transformation product (12-27%) in autoclaved cultures and in live cultures that received high levels of CT (up to 52 mg/L). Adding cyanocobalamin also increased the rate of CT transformation in live cultures by at least 10-fold, but had a minor effect on the rate of CT use in autoclaved cultures. Accelerated rates of transformation by live cultures were sustained for as long as 200 days, with hydrogen serving as the electron donor. Cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, and methylcobalamin were equally effective, while a 3-week lag period was required before adenosylcobalamin started to enhance CT transformation. Because of their high cost, the feasibility of using cobalaminswill depend on the amount required. We observed significant enhancement in CT transformation at concentrations up to 340 μM, with cobalamin levels as low as 10 μM.
Remnants of Albunex® nucleate acoustic cavitation

Mice were injected with 0.1 mL Albunex® and exposed to 200 pulses from a piezoelectric lithotripter at times ranging from 5 min to 24 h following injection. Each pulse was approximately 1.5 sinusoidal oscillations at a fundamental frequency of ∼ 0.1 MHz with pressure amplitude of ∼ 2 MPa. Although the contrast agent ceases to be an effective scatterer of diagnostic ultrasound after a few minutes in the circulation, the modest lithotripter exposures caused significant hemorrhaging in bladder, mesentery and intestine for periods of up to 4 h after injection. The results demonstrate either that highly stable bubbles much smaller than resonance size or air-containing fragments of the shells of Albunex® serve as effective nuclei for acoustic cavitation.
Mobilization Strategies of the Democrats and Republicans, 1956-2000:

Although democracies offer citizens the opportunity to participate in their own governance, not all individuals do so. As intermediaries between elected officials and the public, one of the primary functions of political parties is to mobilize support for their candidates. Using NES data, I examine the strategic nature of party contacting over the 1956-2000 period. I find that both parties target individuals whose personal characteristics make them more predisposed to be politically active, individuals likely to support the party’s candidates, individuals more capable of influencing others, and individuals in areas with competitive elections. However, these general tendencies exhibit variation across time and party. Most notably, party contacting behavior has adapted to developments in the political/party system including the upheavals in American politics during the 1960s.
Coreless vortices in superfluid /sup 3/He-A:Topological structure, nucleation, and the screening effect

Two simple relations connecting the superfluid circulation around any contour C enclosing a simply connected surface ..sigma.. and the texture in ..sigma.. are established. They are applied to discuss the topological structures and the nucleation of coreless vortices in superfluid /sup 3/He-A. It is shown that the latter is a very different phenomenon from the nucleation of singular vortices. A vortex ring of finite size, or a pair of antiparallel vortex lines separated by a finite distance, can be formed continuously out of a uniform order parameter. Their activation energy is connected intimately with the stability of superflow recently discussed. It vanishes near T = 0 but happens to be nonzero near T/sub c/. It is also suggested that at any temperature T < T/sub c/ the absolute minimum of the free energy of /sup 3/He-A in a container with a large surface circulation is given by a configuration with many coreless vortices confined in a tiny surface layer, so that in the bulk, the order parameter is a constant. This ''screening effect,'' which affects strongly the amount of angular momentum carried by the fluid, is a special property of /sup 3/He-A.
Evaluation of African-American and white racial classification in a surveillance, epidemiology, and end results cancer registry.

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the validity of registry-reported race for individuals who participated in research studies conducted since 1980 through the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System (MDCSS), a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program registry. METHODS 5329 individuals who self-identified as African American or White and were classified in the MDCSS registry as African American or White were included. Self-identified and registry-reported race were compared, and associations between demographics and racial misclassification were examined. RESULTS Most self-identified African Americans and Whites were correctly classified (sensitivity=98.5%, specificity=99.7%). Males were two times more likely to be misclassified than females [odds ratio (OR)=2.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-4.29]. Individuals diagnosed with cancer after 1990 were two times more likely to be misclassified than those diagnosed before 1990 (OR= 2.17, 95% CI: 1.07-4.42). African Americans were four times more likely to be misclassified than Whites (OR=4.39, 95% CI: 2.24-8.60). CONCLUSIONS Misclassification in the MDCSS registry of African Americans as Whites, and vice versa, is relatively low. Additional studies should evaluate misclassification of African Americans and Whites as other races and/or ethnicities in the SEER registry.
Scheidegger's rivers, Takayasu's aggregates and continued fractions

Abstract A discrete model of (1+1)-dimensional aggregation, equivalent to Scheidegger's 1967 river model, is tackled with continued fractions. An exact expression for the power-law distribution of aggregate masses is found.
Regional Metabolic Alterations in Alzheimer's Disease: An in vitro 1H NMR Study of the Hippocampus and Cerebellum

The concentrations of selected metabolites in the hippocampus and cerebellum of 13 Alzheimer's diseased (AD) and four nondemented postmortem brains were measured using high resolution 'H NMR spectroscopy. For both the hippocampal region and the cerebellum, the putative neuronal marker N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) was significantly lower in AD brains relative to the nondemented brains. For the hippocampal region, the NAA concentration correlated inversely with semiquantitative assessments of neuronal loss and neurofibrillary tangles. The yaminobutyric acid levels in both hippocampus and cerebellum of an age- and a postmortem interval-matched subset of AD brains were lower than those of the controls. Because the cerebellum is generally thought to be unaffected by AD, the NAA decrease in the Alzheimer cerebellum may be due to lesions of either the Alzheimer or non-Alzheimer type in contralateral cerebrum. ^TEUROPATHOLOGIC changes that occur in Alzhei-L^ mer's disease (AD) include brain atrophy, regional shrinkage and loss of neurons, alterations in the fine struc
Resistance to TNF-α cytotoxicity can be achieved through different signaling pathways in rat mesangial cells

We reported previously that Ro-318220 blocked expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and subsequently caused apopotosis in m...
Dermoscopy: not just for dermatologists

SUMMARY Use of dermoscopy has been proven to increase diagnostic accuracy for melanoma. It is frequently used by dermatologists and other healthcare providers during skin cancer screening and in the evaluation of concerning skin lesions. Studies have shown that it is useful in the diagnosis of many nononcologic cutaneous diseases as well as in the monitoring of disease progression and treatment response. Furthermore, dermoscopy has the potential to aid in pathology specimen sectioning, translational research and medical technology development. Its broad applications and ease of use will make it an increasingly influential tool in healthcare. In this article, we review the established uses of dermoscopy by different healthcare providers and its potential future applications.
Subset selection from biased dictionaries for impact acoustic classification

In this paper we study a sparse signal representation approach for the classification of impact acoustic signals obtained from empty and full hazelnuts. In particular, two custom dictionaries are designed for each class with a vector quantization algorithm by using the training data for each. In the following step each individual dictionary or their combination is used for representing the test acoustic signals with the belief that the representation will be biased. Two different subset selection (SS) techniques, matching pursuit (MP) and a bounded error subset selection algorithm (BESS) were investigated to approximate given signals by using the code vectors in these biased dictionaries. The approximation error and the number of code vectors selected from dictionaries were used as input features for the final classification step. We observe that this biased dictionary design allows one to distinguish between classes while representing them with a small number of codevectors. In particular the classification performance of the BESS algorithm by using the codevectors constructed from empty hazelnut acoustics was the best and outperforms that of using the MP algorithm. The combination of BESS algorithm, the dictionary derived from empty hazelnut acoustics and a decision tree yields classification accuracies of 94.8% and 100% for empty and full hazelnuts respectively. Our results indicate that subset selection from biased dictionaries can be used as a new approach for classification.
Relation of the atrial input sites to the dual atrioventricular nodal pathways : crossing of conduction curves generated with posterior and anterior pacing.

Dual AV Nodal Pathways. Introduction: The usually accepted definition of the dual pathway electrophysiology requires the presence of conduction curves with a discontinuity (“Jump”). However, AV nodal reentrant tachycardia has been ohserved in patients with “smooth” conduction curves, whereas discontinuity of the conduction curve does not guarantee induction of stable reentry. We hypothesize that the duality of AV nodal conduction can be revealed by careful choice of stimulation sites during the generation of AV nodal conduction curves. Methods and Results: In 21 rabbit heart atrial-AV nodal preparations, programmed electrical stimulation with S1-S2-S3 pacing protocol was applied eitber posteriorly at the crista terminalis input site (CrT) or anteriorly at the lower interatrial septum input site (IAS), or (in 8 preparations with surgically divided input sites) at both. We found tbat in intact preparations with “smooth” conduction curves, pacing at long coupling intervals produced shorter AV nodal conductiim times from the IAS (56 ± 9.8 msec vs 69 ± I 0.1 msec; P < 0.01). At short coupling intervals, in contrast, shorter conduction times were obtained from the CrT (173 ± 21.8 msec vs 188 ± 22.8 msec; P < 0.01). This resulted in a characteristic crossing of the superimposed IAS and CrT conduction curves. After division of the inputs, the IAS site had rapid conduction to the His bundle but a longer refractory period, whereas the CrT site bad long conduction times and sborter refractory periods. Wavefronts entering the AV node from these two inputs can summate, resulting in improved conduction. Conclusion: Pacing protocols designed to accentuate tbe asymmetry between tbe AV nodal inputs can belp to reveal tbe functional difference between tbe dual pathways and thus to better assess the properties of AV nodal conduction.
Twice Labeled: The Effect of Psychiatric Labeling on the Sentencing of Sex Offenders*

This study explores the effects of a psychiatric referral on the sentencing of sex offenders. Data come from an examination of all felony sexual assault cases in a metropolitan Ohio county between 1978 and 1984 (N = 431). All sex offenders who were referred for psychiatric evaluation were given a label indicative of some sort of pathology. After adjusting for the effects of crime seriousness and prior record, referred/labeled offenders were just over twice as likely to be incarcerated as sex offenders who were not referred/labeled. This was not a function of punitive psychiatric recommendations; psychiatrists recommended probation for the individuals they tested significantly more often than did probation officers who processed the same individuals. It was also found that only crime seriousness, prior record, and treatment prognosis significantly affected psychiatric recommendations. Other extralegal variables—acceptance of blame, IQ, race, and SES, did not independently affect sentencing. Further, only crime seriousness and prior record significantly affected prognosis. Only labeling significantly affects sentencing after the effects of the legally relevant variables are taken into account.
Screening for Drug Abuse Among Medical and Nonmedical Users of Prescription Drugs in a Probability Sample of College Students

Objectives To determine the prevalence of medical and nonmedical use of 4 classes of prescription drugs (opioid, stimulant, sleeping, and sedative or anxiety) and to assess probable drug abuse among 4 mutually exclusive groups of medical and nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Design In 2005, a Web survey was self-administered by a probability sample of 3639 college students (68% response rate). Setting A large, midwestern 4-year university. Participants The sample had a mean age of 19.9 years, and respondents were 53.6% female, 67.4% white, 12.1% Asian, 6.0% African American, 4.2% Hispanic, and 10.2% other racial categories. Main Outcome Measures Medical and nonmedical use of prescription drugs was measured. Probable drug abuse was assessed using a modified version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test, Short Form. Results A total of 40.1% of respondents reported no lifetime use of at least 1 of 4 classes of prescription drugs, 39.7% reported medical use only, 15.8% reported both medical and nonmedical use, and 4.4% reported nonmedical use only. The odds of a positive screening result for drug abuse were greater among medical and nonmedical users (adjusted odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 3.4-7.3) and nonmedical users only (adjusted odds ratio, 6.5; 95% confidence interval, 4.0-10.6) compared with nonusers. The odds of a positive screening result for drug abuse did not differ between medical users only and nonusers. Conclusions Nonmedical users of prescription drugs are at heightened risk for drug abuse, whereas medical users without a history of nonmedical use are generally not at increased risk. Drug abuse screening should be routine for college students, especially among individuals with any history of nonmedical use of prescription drugs.
Polypeptide Receptor Mechanisms: Influence of pH

This study was undertaken to ascertain the influence of pH on the effects of various pharmacologically active peptides. We believed that such a study would shed light upon polypeptide receptor mechanisms and hoped it would provide evidence regarding peptide-receptor interactions. In addition, information would be found that may indicate whether the peptide bearing an anionic or cationic charge would be more apt to combine with cationic or anionic receptors respectively. It is well known that conformational changes in proteins can be induced by changes in pH (Bernal, 1962). It may be that the conformation of the peptide and/or receptor would be optimal at certain pH values.
A Bioassay Investigation of Calcium Nutrition and Tomato Shoulder Check Cracking Defect

Abstract Fruit physiological disorders such as shoulder check crack defects in tomato fruits are frequently inconsistent in appearance. This poses a challenge to researchers and growers. The severity and incidence of crack defects depends largely on weather conditions and may vary from almost nondetectable to causing severe yields losses. A bioassay was developed to consistently induce fruit cracking and to evaluate the effect of calcium (Ca) treatments. Detached vine ripe and mature green fruits were either waxed or not waxed with paraffin on the stem end (calyx scar) and immersed into water and 90 mM CaCl2 solutions for 4–l6 days at 25°C incubation conditions. Mature green fruit was a more sensitive indicator than red ripe fruit, showing rapid water uptake within 2 h of treatment and having a consistent cracking response. Large cracks occurred on unwaxed fruits immersed in water. Unwaxed fruit took up water rapidly, as shown by gain in fresh weight. Fruits with wax on the stem end either did not show in...
Role of Inducible Cyclooxygenase and Prostaglandins in Clostridium difficile Toxin A-Induced Secretion and Inflammation in an Animal Model

Cyclooxygenase (Cox)–2 expression and inhibition were investigated in a rabbit ileal loop model of Clostridium difficile colitis and diarrhea. Intestinal tissue stimulated with C. difficile toxin A showed up-regulation of Cox-2 expression in lamina propria macrophages and elevated prostaglandin levels. Toxin A–stimulated loops exhibited severe inflammation and increased secretory volume. Celecoxib, a specific Cox-2 inhibitor, significantly reduced toxin A–induced prostaglandin production. Furthermore, celecoxib (0.02 mg/mL) blocked both histologic damage (mean histologic grade, 1.25 vs. 3.44 in rabbits receiving toxin A alone; ) and secretion (volume:length ratio, 0.18 vs. 0.72 in those receiving toxin A alone; P ! .0005 ) in toxin A–stimulated loops in a dose-related manner. Thus, toxin A induced exP p .002 pression of Cox-2 in the host, and prostaglandins produced through Cox-2 were involved in the mediation of the increased secretion of electrolytes and water and the inflammatory response induced by toxin A. Clostridium difficile is the major cause of nosocomial diarrhea, accounting for up to 25% of all antibiotic-associated diarrhea and for most cases of pseudomembranous colitis. C. difficile produces intestinal damage by releasing 2 exotoxins, toxins A and B. Toxin A, a 308-kDa heat-labile, protease-sensitive protein, elicits secretion of fluid in rabbit ileal loops [1]. The fluid released is an inflammatory exudate containing lymphocytes, neutrophils, and serum proteins. The induction of fluid secretion and inflammation by toxin A is thought to be the major mechanism of diarrhea in C. difficile colitis. Toxin A induces epithelial cell necrosis and an inflammatory response in the lamina propria. Toxin B is typically “cytotoxic” to a wide variety of cells in tissue culture. Toxin B is a 250-kDa protein with considerable homology to toxin A and a common intracellular mechanism of action [2]. Both toxins induce the glucosylation of a threonine residue in rho proteins, which are small GTP-binding proteins that regulate cell shape through modulation of the actin cytoskeleton [3, 4]. The mechanism by which glucosylation of rho proteins induces fluid secretion is not known.
The Fourier entropy-influence conjecture for certain classes of Boolean functions

In 1996, Friedgut and Kalai made the Fourier Entropy-Influence Conjecture: For every Boolean function f : {-1, 1}n → {-1, 1} it holds that H[f2] = C ċ I[f], where H[f2] is the spectral entropy of f, I[f] is the total influence of f, and C is a universal constant. In this work we verify the conjecture for symmetric functions. More generally, we verify it for functions with symmetry group Sn1 × ... × Snd where d is constant. We also verify the conjecture for functions computable by read-once decision trees.
Radar transmitter geolocation via novel observation technique and particle swarm optimization

The ability to precisely determine the location of radar transmitters can be crucially important in maintaining domain awareness. This, however, may be problematic with traditional methods when used with a distributed network of disparate sensors. A novel geolocation technique for circularly scanning radar transmitters is introduced. This technique uses the differenced central times of arrival (DCTOA) of the main beam as an observable. The solution for the transmitter's position and scan rate are given using a weighted least squares approach as well as a particle swarm optimizer. Experimental results show this technique is able to locate a radar transmitter within 11 meters, while maintaining minimal complexity. This technique has the advantage of requiring orders of magnitude less timing synchronization among receivers, an order of magnitude less data transfer, and it does not require simultaneous illumination of receivers.
Contrasting landscape effects on species diversity and invasion success within a predator community.

Aim The role of landscape variation in shaping invasion success remains unclear, particularly for exotic predators. We examined whether native and exotic predators responded similarly or differently to ecological change at the landscape scale. Location Vineyards and surrounding natural habitat in the Napa Valley, California, USA. Methods We surveyed spider communities in vineyards throughout the Napa Valley and used regression analysis to examine the effects of landscape context (proportion of vineyard monoculture and proportion of developed land surrounding vineyards) on spider species richness and on numbers and proportions of exotic spiders. We also compared spider composition and dominance of exotic spiders between vineyards and surrounding natural habitat using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Results The success of the dominant exotic spider Cheiracanthium mildei was contingent on landscape context, and increased with proportions of vineyard and developed land in the surrounding landscape. Spider species richness and native spider abundance followed an opposing pattern. Cheiracanthium mildei was relatively unsuccessful near and in oak woodland, the primary type of natural habitat surrounding vineyards. Main Conclusions Results show that anthropogenic landscape change can have contrasting effects on native and exotic predators and that landscape context can influence the relationship between habitat modification and invasion success. Results suggest that it may be possible to limit the spread of invasions by increasing the availability of habitat for native species.
Photochemical formation rates of organic aerosols through time-resolved in situ laboratory measurements

[1] The fundamental kinetics of photochemical particle formation and the mechanism(s) for polymerization of hydrocarbons to form condensable species under anoxic conditions have yet to be determined experimentally. Thus these processes remain highly parameterized in models of planetary atmospheres. We have developed instrumentation for simultaneously measuring the net production rates of complex gas-phase hydrocarbons and of organic aerosols formed from irradiating mixtures of simple precursor gases through online quadrupole mass spectrometry measurements of stable gas-phase species and in situ optical scattering detection of the particulates at 633 nm. The new technique and results for the generation of hydrocarbon aerosol from the irradiation of pure, gas-phase CH4 at a pressure of 70 Torr with 8.8 ± 0.8 × 1015 photons s−1 of vacuum ultraviolet light (120–300nm) are reported. The net production rates for the following gaseous species are measured: H2 = 9.9 ± 2.2 · 1011, C2H2 = 2.8 ± 0.5 · 1010, C2H4 = 5.5 ± 9.4 · 109, C2H6 = 8.6 ± 2.5 · 1010, C3H4 = 2.5 ± 1.2 · 109, C4H2 = 6.6 ± 5.0 · 108, C4H10 = 1.3 ± 0.5 · 1010 cm−3 s−1. The production of hydrocarbon particulates is detected by optical scattering, and the condensed phase C-C bond formation rate is inferred to be 7.5 ± 3.1 · 1011 cm−3 s−1. Applications of this technique to the atmospheres of Titan and terrestrial-like planets, such as the early Earth before the rise of molecular oxygen, are discussed.
Rare but Lethal Hepatopathy-Sickle Cell Intrahepatic Cholestasis and Management Strategies.

Background Sickle cell disease can affect the liver by way of the disease process, including sickling in hepatic sinusoids, as well as its treatment, including repeated blood transfusions leading to hemosiderosis and hepatitis. Sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis (SCIC) is an extreme variant of sickle cell hepatopathy, and is associated with high fatality. Case report We present the case of a 31-year-old man with past medical history of sickle cell disease and cholecystectomy who was admitted with uncomplicated vaso occlusive crisis and during the hospital stay developed fever, upper abdominal pain, and jaundice. There was an accelerated rise in total bilirubin to 50 mg/dL, direct bilirubin 38 mg/dL, and Cr 3.0 mg/dL. Hb was 6.4 g/dL, reticulocyte count 16%, ALT 40 IU/L, AST 155 IU/L, ALP 320 IU/L, and LDH 475 IU/L. Hepatitis panel was negative and MRCP showed normal caliber of the common bile duct, with no obstruction. Exchange transfusion of 9 units of packed red blood cells led to great improvement in his condition. Conclusions SCIC, unlike the other sickle cell hepatopathies, requires urgent and vigorous exchange transfusion. Renal impairment in SCIC has not been well studied but usually is reversible with the hepatic impairment, as in this case. Unresolved renal impairment requires dialysis and is associated with poor outcome. There is limited data on use of hydroxyurea to prevent SCIC, and liver transplant is associated with high mortality. A timely diagnosis of SCIC and appropriate management is life-saving.
Blood Pressure in Sleep-Related Disordered Breathing: A Hypothesis

A review of the literature suggests that sleep-related disordered breathing is less likely to lead to daytime systemic hypertension in elderly males. In contrast, such disordered breathing is likely to lead to hypertension in younger (<50 years of age) males. We hypothesize that this results from an age-related reduction in sympathetic responsiveness to the effects of sleep-related disordered breathing. We also have previously reported that sleep-related disordered breathing is associated with hypotension during sleep in elderly males. We hypothesize that diminished sympathetic responsiveness also contributes to this hypotension. This hypotension may contribute to the known increase in thrombotic strokes in persons who snore.
Increased Capillary Segment Length in Cerebral Cortical Microvessels of Rats Exposed to 3 Weeks of Hypobaric Hypoxia

The common mammalian physiological response to moderate hypoxia, such as experienced with exposure to altitude up to about 5000m, initially includes increased ventilation and increased cerebral blood flow, followed by elevated hemoglobin concentration (Dempsey and Forster, 1982). We have previously shown that rats follow this usual pattern (Shockley and LaManna, 1988; LaManna et al., 1984; LaManna et al., 1989; LaManna et al., 1992; LaManna, in press). Rats adapt to moderate hypoxia by increased ventilation, increased blood hemoglobin and failure to gain weight (LaManna et al., 1992). For the brain, the most dramatic response to continued hypoxia was an increase in capillary density, resulting in decreased intercapillary distance achieved through angiogenesis that allows brain tissue oxygen diffusion flux to remain adequate. This structural plasticity is accompanied by functional changes as indicated by the increased glucose transporter density observed in the hypoxic adapted rat brain (Harik et al., 1991). The purpose of this present study was to begin to characterize any changes in the geometry of the microvascular capillary network resulting from hypoxic induced angiogenesis.