cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure for pectus excavatum: I. Development, design, and simulations for feasibility and safety

Abstract Background/Purpose Correction of pectus excavatum (PE) results in measurable improvement in lung capacity and cardiac performance as well as improved appearance and self-image. The Nuss and modified Ravitch approaches attempt to correct the chest wall deformity by forcing the sternum forward in 1 step and holding it in place using a metal strut. The initial operation requires extensive manipulation under general anesthesia and results in postoperative pain, requiring hospitalization and regional anesthesia. Pain and disability may last for weeks. Both procedures are expensive. A better principle would be a gradual bit-by-bit repair via small increments of pressure applied over many months. We developed the Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure and applied this strategy to correct PE. Methods The Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure uses magnetic force to pull the sternum forward. An internal magnet implanted on the sternum and an external magnet in a nonobtrusive custom-fitted anterior chest wall orthosis produce an adjustable outward force on the sternum. Outward force is maintained until the abnormal costal cartilages are remodeled and the pectus deformity is corrected. Results We implanted a magnet in human skeletons and measured the force applied to the sternum when the distance between the internal and external magnets was varied in increments. With the 2 magnets 1 cm apart, the outward force was adequate to move the sternum at least 1 cm. We also mapped the magentic field in the two-magnet configuration and found that maximum field strengths at the surface of the heart and at the outer surface of the orthosis were at safe levels. Conclusions The Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure allows correction of PE by applying magnetic force over a period of months. Crucial questions raised during our design, redesign, and simulation testing have been satisfactorily answered, and we have received a Food and Drug Administration Investigation Device Exemption (G050196/A002) to proceed with a phase I to II clinical trial.
Considering correlation between variables to improve spatiotemporal forecasting

The importance of forecasting cannot be overemphasized in modern environment surveillance applications, including flood control, rainfall analysis, pollution study, nuclear leakage prevention and so on. That is why we proposed STIFF (SpatioTemporal Integrated Forecasting Framework) in previous work [11], trying to answer such a challenging problem of doing forecasting in natural environment with both spatial and temporal characteristics involved. However, despite its promising performance on univariate-based data, STIFF is not sophisticated enough for more complicated environmental data derived from multiple correlated variables. Therefore in this paper we add multivariate analysis to the solution, take the correlation between different variables into account and further extend STIFF to address spatiotemporal forecasting involving multiple variables. Our experiments show that this introduction and integration of multivariate correlation not only has a more reasonable and rational interpretation of the data itself, but also produces a higher accuracy and slightly more balanced behavior.
Measurement and projection of acoustic fields

The 3-D reconstruction of an acoustic field provides extensive information which can be applied to the study of radiation and scattering problems, and the information obtained provides a comprehensive analysis of the acoustic vibrator under study. Emphasis is mainly on the inverse aspects of the problem, that is, the backwards propagation of the pressure field from the measurement contour to the surface of the source. A survey of the various approaches which allow the extension of measured data into three dimensions is given. In the simplest approaches, the 2-D measurement contour is planar or cylindrical, best suited for vibrators which conform closely to these geometries. The measurement contour can be generalised to arbitrarily shaped bodies, expanding considerably the types of sources which can be studied with near-field acoustic holography techniques. >
The effect of caudal vs intravenous morphine on early extubation and postoperative analgesic requirements for stage 2 and 3 single‐ventricle palliation: a double blind randomized trial

Summary Background: High-dose single-shot caudal morphine has been postulated to facilitate early extubation and to lower initial analgesic requirements after staged single-ventricle (SV) palliation. Methods: With Institutional Review Board approval and written informed parental consent, 64 SV children aged 75–1667 days were randomized to pre-incisional caudal morphine–bupivacaine (100 μg·kg−1 morphine (concentration 0.1%), mixed with 0.25% bupivacaine with 1 : 200 000 epinephrine, total 1 ml·kg−1) and postcardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) intravenous (IV) droperidol (75 μg·kg−1) (‘active caudal group’) or pre-incisional caudal saline (1 ml·kg−1) and post-CPB IV morphine (150 μg·kg−1) with droperidol (75 μg·kg−1) (‘active IV group’). Assignment remained concealed from families and the care teams throughout the trial. Early extubation failure rates (primary or reintubation within 24 h), time to first postoperative rescue morphine analgesia, and 12-h postoperative morphine requirements were assessed for extubated patients. Results: Thirty-one (12 stage 2) SV patients received caudal morphine and 32 (15 stage 2) received IV morphine. Extubation failure rates were 6/31 (19%) for caudal and 5/32 (16%) for IV morphine. For successfully extubated patients (n = 54), active caudal treatment significantly delayed the need for postoperative rescue morphine in stage 3 patients (P = 0.02) but not in stage 2 patients (P = 0.189) (Kaplan–Meier survival analysis with LogRank test). The reduction in 12-h postoperative morphine requirements with active caudal treatment did not reach significance (P = 0.085) but morphine requirements were significantly higher for stage 2 compared with stage 3 patients (P < 0.001) (two-way anova in n = 50 extubated patients). Conclusions: High-dose caudal morphine with bupivacaine delayed the need for rescue morphine analgesia in stage 3 patients. All stage 2 patients required early rescue morphine and had significantly higher postoperative 12-h morphine requirements than stage 3 patients. Early extubation is feasible for the majority of stage 2 and 3 SV patients regardless of analgesic regimen. The study was underpowered to assess differences in extubation failure rates.
Anarchist Terrorism and Global Diasporas, 1878–1914

During the quarter century before the First World War, anarchist terrorism was often blamed on the impact of anarchist agitators on naive immigrants. This article seeks to investigate the truth of this claim, focusing particularly on Italian emigrants, but also looking at some examples of Spanish, French, and Russian emigrants. My conclusion is that, with a few exceptions, radicals emigrated, but emigration did not create radical terrorists. A particularly good example of this can be found by examining the large Italian emigration to Argentina. At most, the emigrant experience may have heightened a pre-existing radicalism or given more precise configuration to its violent expression.
Abstract P364: Genetic Susceptibility to Particulate Matter-Associated QT Prolongation in a Trans-Ethnic Genome-Wide Association Study

Background: QT prolongation_an electrocardiographic risk factor for ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death_has both a genetic and environmental etiology. However, genetic susceptibility to particulate matter-associated QT interval (QT) prolongation has not been characterized. Methods: To characterize such susceptibility in a genome-wide association study, we conducted cohort-, race/ethnicity-, and sex-stratified longitudinal analyses of eight Women’s Health Initiative clinical trials (WHI CT) and Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (ARIC) subpopulations (total n: 20,595; mean age: 63.4 yrs; 77% female; 28% black; mean visits/person: 3.0). In each subpopulation, we used generalized estimating equation (GEE) methods adapted for small sample size to estimate interactive effects of dichotomized daily mean concentrations of ambient particulate matter subpopulation-specific 90th percentiles) and approximately 2.5 million imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), while adjusting for age, geographic region or center, season, calendar year, RR(ms) and ancestral admixture. Subpopulation-specific SNP-PM10 interaction effects were meta-analyzed using fixed-effects, inverse variance-weighted, meta-analysis with genomic control. Results: A common variant (rs1619661; minor allele frequency range: 9% - 20%) was associated with QT prolongation in seven (88%) of the eight subpopulations (overall P = 8.2 x 10-8). The variant is on chromosome 10, 150 kb downstream from CXCL12 , which encodes a chemokine stromal-cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) that is expressed in cardiac myocytes, affects calcium homeostasis, and has an established role in both diabetogenesis and atherosclerosis. QT increased 2.6 and 0.0 ms per unit increase in dosage of the variant at PM10 concentrations > and ≤ the 90th percentile, respectively. Conclusions: The preliminary findings from this longitudinal genome-wide association study suggest that biologically plausible genetic factors may affect susceptibility to PM10-associated QT prolongation in racially, geographically and environmentally diverse populations protected by U.S. EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards.has both a genetic and environmental etiology. However, genetic susceptibility to particulate matter-associated QT interval (QT) prolongation has not been characterized.
Estimation and Control of Construction Labor Costs

This paper outlines basic principles for estimating and controlling field labor costs on construction projects. It divides labor costs into two main categories. The first deals with the strictly financial aspects. These include basic wages, fringe benefits, insurance, taxes, and wage premiums. Most of these are readily quantifiable. The second category introduces factors related to productivity. These include regional variations in skill and work rules; environmental effects ranging from weather and topography to the immediate working conditions of individual craftsmen; learning curve relationships; project work schedule; and interrelationships of labor and management. Productivity factors are difficult to quantify and require much experience and judgment to do so. However, they also offer the contractor the greatest opportunity for control. In both the financial and productivity categories, several of the more subtle cost implications of the various factors are explained. Brief precautionary reference is also made to the many published sources of labor cost data.
Methods for Locating the Tibio-Femoral Contact Pathway in Total Knee Replacements Using Marker-Based Gait Analysis and Standard Radiography

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to develop and test techniques for tracking the path of contact between the tibial and femoral total knee replacement components during level over-ground walking. The tibio-femoral path of contact could be an indicator of the in vivo performance of a total knee replacement as an estimator of areas of contact between the implant components. A longer contact path, indicative of more sliding between the implant components during walking, could indicate an implant at risk for increased wear. In addition, the tibio-femoral contact path determines the position and length of the muscle and ligament lever arms about the knee, and can subsequently influence knee contact force calculations. METHODS Two methods were developed to predict the tibio-femoral contact pathways for total knee replacement devices. Both methods used patient-specific knee kinematics obtained during gait analysis, standard radiographs obtained during clinical follow-ups, and point-clouds of the tibial and femoral bearing surfaces. The validity of the techniques was evaluated with knee wear simulator tests and comparisons to wear scars on postmortem retrieved tibial components. RESULTS The average total anterior-posterior distance covered by the contact path for ten patients implanted with a total knee replacement was 29.01 mm on the lateral side, and 21.80 mm on the medial side. Both methods for predicting the tibiofemoral contact pathways yielded similar results, and fell within the wear scars of simulator-tested and postmortem retrieved implants. CONCLUSIONS The methods for predicting the tibio-femoral contact pathway using marker-based gait analysis and standard clinical radiographs are computationally simple, and reliably predict contact path characteristics as evaluated against wear scars from knee wear simulator tests and postmortem retrieved implants.
Alterations in collagen fiber crimp morphology with accelerated cyclic loading and transvalvular pressure fixation in porcine aortic valves

It is known that changes in the collagen fiber orientation of porcine bioprosthetic heart valves (PBHV) occur with (i) cyclic loading and (ii) fixation pressure. These changes correlate to alterations in biaxial extensibility, as reported by Wells et al. (2002). It is hypothesized that the increased collagen fiber alignment detected by small angle light scattering in (i) and (ii) is either due to the gross fiber splay, or a decrease in the colllagen fiber crimp (i.e. increase in crimp period). To address this hypothesis, we examined the changes in collagen fiber crimp morphology of PBHVs fixed at 0, 1, 2, and 4 mmHg transvalvular pressure, as well as 0 and 4 mmHg fixed PBHV following 0, 1/spl times/10/sup 6/, 50/spl times/10/sup 6/, 200/spl times/10/sup 6/, and 500/spl times/10/sup 6/ in vitro accelerated test cycles. Fast Fourier transform analysis of polarized light micrographs was used to calculate the collagen fiber crimp period. As PBHVs were fixed at increasing pressures, it was found that the crimp period increases from 15.2 /spl mu/m at 0 mmHg to 21.4 /spl mu/m at 4 mmHg. Additionally, a 65% increase in crimp period was observed between 0-50/spl times/10/sup 6/ cycles in the 0 mmHg fixed valves, while only an 18% increase in the 4 mmHg fixed valves over the same cycle duration. We conclude that decreasing collagen crimp is a primary mechanism contributing to PBHV cyclic fatigue damage.
Retained fetal bones in chronic tubal pregnancy.

In a small number of ectopic gestations, the fallopian tube is able to expand sufficiently to contain an enlarging fetus, and escaping the hazard of first-trimester rupture, pregnancy advances into the second and third trimesters.’ Although the literature contains several descriptions of retained products of conception following abdominal pregnancies, very little has been written about such retention in fallopian tube gestations. The following case report describes an example of a f’allopian tube pregnancy with retention of fetal bones.
Effects of Heavy Water on Poliovirus Multiplication: Results and Speculations on Mechanism.

Effects of Heavy Water on Poliovirus Multiplication : Results and Speculations on Mechanism
One-kilowatt average-power diode-pumped Nd:YAG folded zigzag slab laser

High average power Nd:YAG lasers are increasingly interesting for industrial applications such as drilling and machining. Diode pumping of this solid state medium offers longer services intervals, reduced thermal optical distortions, higher system efficiency and more compact packaging than lamp pumping. The zigzag slab geometry is well suited for applications where the average power exceeds a few hundred watts and a good beam quality is desired, particularly if the laser pumping level is to be varied. We present the status of our latest upgrade to our (originally 300 watt 1 ) diode pumped slab laser. In what follows we first describe the diode pump source. We then discuss the zigzag slab laser design and its present performance.
The interaction of water with the phospholipid head group and its relationship to the lipid electrical conductivity

Abstract We have studied the interaction of water with the lipid head group by gravimetrically measuring the lipid water adsorption and the lateral dc electrical conductivity increase resulting from this hydration. We have done this for dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) having protonated or deuterated hydrocarbon chains. These studies were also done for two cationic lipids having rather different polar head groups. All three lipids behave as strong water adsorbers and all three display a steep, logarithmic increase in the conductivity as the first 1–3 waters per lipid are adsorbed. This increase is usually 5–6 orders of magnitude. After the initial 1–3 waters are adsorbed, the conductivity increases much more gradually, upon additional water adsorption. This electrical behavior is also found for weak water adsorbers and appears to be independent of the head group composition. The conductivity behavior suggests two types of water interacting with the head group. Our studies also indicate that a choline-like component is responsible for the strong water binding nature of the lipids, although, both phosphate and choline make significant contributions to the total amount of adsorbed water. The conductivity behavior, however, does not depend on the presence of both these head group components.
The Entrance of Women to the U.S. Congress: The Widow Effect

This article explores what is perhaps the single most important method of entrance into Congress for women—replacing a deceased husband. As was evident with the death of Governor Mel Carnahan (D-MO) and his wife, Jean Carnahan (D-MO), who subsequently served in the Senate, the succession of dead congressmen by their widows has been treated popularly by the news media, but has not received too much scholarly attention. In this study we examine the dramatic differences between widows and non-widow females and find that the groups differ in statistically significant ways in terms of their characteristics, their length in office, and their manner of leaving office. We also look at the difference between southern widows and non-southern widows and find support for the theory that widows from the South are more likely to serve short terms—act as stand-ins—until the party can determine who the more traditional candidate ought to be. We theorize that widows are apt to run for these seats because they enjoy high n...
Parkour: Adventure, Risk, and Safety in the Urban Environment

Parkour is a new sport based on athletically and artistically overcoming urban obstacles (e.g., climbing up and vaulting over walls). In this paper, I position parkour as a form of urban adventurism allowing for tests of individual character. This involves what I call rites of risk and rituals of symbolic safety. Together these rites and rituals allow individuals to seek out exciting and dangerous activities while couching their risk-taking in discourses and practices that affirm the value of the self. Thus, although parkour can be dangerous, practitioners use symbolic forms of safety to give their actions meaning and emphasize their ability to handle the risks involved.
Mindfulness, Self-Esteem, and Unconditional Self-Acceptance

Ellis (Ellis, A. (1996), Psychotherapy, 22(1), 149–151) has been a longstanding critic of the concept of self-esteem and has offered the notion of unconditional self-acceptance as an alternative. Other researchers have suggested that cultivating mindfulness––attention directed towards one’s immediate experiences with an attitude of non-judgment––also offers a healthier alternative to self-esteem (Ryan, R. M., & Brown, K. W. (2003) Psychological Inquiry, 14(1), 71–76). This study examined the relationship between mindfulness, self-esteem, and unconditional self-acceptance. A sample of 167 university students completed two measures of everyday mindfulness, and measures of self-esteem and unconditional self-acceptance. Positive correlations were found between mindfulness, self-esteem, and unconditional self-acceptance. Mindfulness skills may offer a means to cultivate unconditional self-acceptance and to shift from an emphasis on self-esteem as a measure of worth.
Enhancing Student Performance by Promoting Self-Regulated Learning

Self-regulated Learning (SRL) focuses on the use of self-evaluation and self-motivation to aid the student in developing the correct habits, techniques, and tools necessary for success in a learning environment. With self-regulated learning, students can evaluate their study and learning strategies. Training programs that promote self-regulated learning have been found to be beneficial for students’ learning. SRL is currently viewed as a vital prerequisite for the successful acquisition of knowledge in school and beyond. However, SRL is not well known and utilized by the Engineering and Technology education community for facilitating student learning. Self-regulated learning is an important but difficult concept to present to students. The application of self-regulation to learning is a complicated process involving not only the awareness and application of learning strategies but also extensive reflection and self-awareness. This paper describes the design and development of the SRL instructional strategies, their implementation, and the evaluation of their effectiveness. The outcomes are provided and recommendations are discussed.© 2011 ASME
A flow experiment on a curved-porous-wall gas- core reactor geometry.

Gas core reactor curved porous walls geometry tested with clear and smoky air injection, noting mass flow ratio in reactor cavity
Infectious disease 2000: drug resistance and new drugs.

Abstract 40th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) was held in Toronto on 17–20 September 2000. It attracted thousands of delegates from industry and academia and covered, in over 2300 oral and poster presentations, topics ranging from microbial pathogenesis to infection control, vaccines, antibiotic resistance and new antimicrobial agents. Summarized here are highlights on microbial resistance and agents in clinical and preclinical development.
Generalized degree conditions for graphs with bounded independence number

We consider a generalized degree condition based on the cardinality of the neighborhood union of arbitrary sets of r vertices. We show that a Dirac-type bound on this degree in conjunction with a bound on the independence number of a graph is sufficient to imply certain hamiltonian properties in graphs. For K1,m-free grphs we obtain generalizations of known results. In particular we show: Theorem. Let r ≥ 1 and m ≥ 3 be integers. Then for each nonnegative function f(r, m) there exists a constant C = C(r, m, f(r, m)) such that if G is a graph of order n (n ≥ r, n > m) with δr(G) ≥ (n/3) + C and β (G) ≥ f(r, m), then (a) G is traceable if δ(G) ≥ r and G is connected; (b) G is hamiltonian if δ(G) ≥ r + 1 and G is 2-connected; (c) G is hamiltonian-connected if δ(G) ≥ r + 2 and G is 3-connected. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isolation and partial characterization of an elastase-associated acidic endopeptidase and its interaction with elastase at low ionic strength

Abstract An acidic endopeptidase has been isolated from dried preparations of swine pancrease by column chromatography on DEAE cellulose. The yield of acidic endopeptidase from 100 g of pancreas powder was 210 mg. The product was found to be electrophoretically homogeneous and produced a single peak in the analytical ultracentrifuge. The sedimentation coefficient (s 0 20,w ) , diffusion coefficient (D 20,w ) , apparent molecular weight, electrophoretic mobility, E 1 cm 1% at 280 mμ and pH optimum were respectively, 3.13, 8.7 · 10 −7 cm 2 · sec −1 , 35 300, −5.9 · 10 −5 cm 2 · V −1 · sec −1 , 14.6 and 10.7. The enzyme was inhibited by diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate, by swine serum and to a lesser extent by human serum. It was not “activated” by 1 · 10 −3 M FeCl 2 , MnCl2, MgCl2, CaCl2 or CoCl2 or by 1 · 10 −3 M ZnSO 4 ; however, the activity of the enzyme was increased by 1 · 10 −3 M cysteine. The similarity of the acidic endopeptidase to proteolytic enzymes described by other investigators is discussed. Gradient elution ion-exchange chromatography of water insoluble elastase euglobulin produces two major water soluble components, elastase and the acidic endopeptidase. When distilled water solutions of the purified enzymes were mixed complex formation occurred (precipitation) between the basic protein elastase and the acidic endopeptidase. The formation of the euglobulin when acid extracts of swine pancreas are dialyzed against distilled water is thus explained. Complex formation was maximal at low ionic strength when the enzymes were oppositely charged and was minimal below the isoelectric point of the acidic endopeptidase (∼ pH 4.1) or above the isoelectric point of elastase (pH 9.5). The reaction was essentially abolished at I 0.011. The equivalence point for the reaction was 2.8 mg of elastase  1 mg of acidic endopeptidase. One mole of acidic endopeptidase is capable of binding approximately four moles of elastase. Although trypsin, another basic protein, was precipitated by the acidic endopeptidase the data suggest a preferential reaction of the latter enzyme with elastase.
Broken Rail Detection: Practical Application of New Technology or Risk Mitigation Approaches

There has been a long debate among train control professionals related to broken rail detection: where it is required and how it is achieved. Despite this ongoing discussion, there has been little research in terms of the actual practical application of new technology or risk mitigation approaches since conventional track circuits have been applied to detect broken rails.
AGE, SIDE HEIGHT, AND SPINDLE SHAPE OF THE CRIB IN CLIMBING OVER THE SIDE'

The crib is the only infant product in which a consumer, such as a parent or caretaker, is encouraged to leave the infant unattended, usually alone in the bedroom, while the infant is sleeping or going to sleep or waking. Given frequent falls from the crib, federal crib regulations have set the minimum distance between the top of the mattress support and top of the crib side rail as 26 in. and this height must include a 6-in. thick mattress. When a mattress is used with the crib, the actual height of the crib side as a barrier is 20 in. These crib regulations also require instructions for the caretaker to discontinue using the crib when the child's height is 35 inches. These federal crib regulations attempt to create an escape-resistant sleeping environment for all children who are less than 35 in. tall. Of 144 children between the ages of 12.5 and 36.5 mo. observed while attempting to climb out of a crib, who also had standing heights of less than 35 in., many were able to climb from cribs with side rail heights of 26 in. When the crib side-rail height was raised beyond the minimum of 26 in., the frequency of children climbing over the crib rails decreased.
Novel synthesis of optically active γ-carboxyglutamic acid and its derivatives

Abstract A novel synthesis of optically active L-γ-carboxyglutamic acid (GLA), found in prothrombin and other vitamin K-dependent factors, is described. This method involves the formation of γ-carbanion of the protected glutamic acid esters by means of a non-nucleophilic base, followed by the treatment with benzyl chloroformate or other electrophilic agents, and deprotection by hydrogenation or hydrolysis. This convenient technique is potentially useful for preparation of not only the γ-carboxyglutamic acid itself, but also of the mixed protected ester and amino functions for further peptide syntheses containing this amino acid.
Knowledge-based search tactics for an intelligent intermediary system

Research on the nature of knowledge-based systems for bibliographic information retrieval is summarized. Knowledge-based search tactics are then considered in terms of their role in the functioning of a semantically based search system for bibliographic information retrieval, EP-X. This system uses such tactics to actively assist users in defining or refining their topics of interest. It does so by applying these tactics to a knowledge base describing topics in a particular domain and to a database describing the contents of individual documents in terms of these topics. This paper, then, focuses on the two central concepts behind EP-X: semantically based search and knowledge-based search tactics.
Cloning of the rat M3, M4 and M5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor genes by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the pharmacological characterization of the expressed genes.

Abstract The coding sequence of the rat m3, m4 and m5 subtypes of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) genes was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloned, and expressed in the murine fibroblast (B82) cell line. Sequencing of the cloned genes revealed some nucleotide differences when compared with the DNA sequence published in the literature. When the different sequence appeared in only one clone obtained by PCR, it was considered an error of the polymerase. The overall error frequency in the 25 cycles of PCR with either Taq polymerase or Replinase was 1 nucleotide in 1,692 base pairs. In order to evaluate the different nucleotide sequence from a PCR product as an error or as an allelic variant, at least three different clones were sequenced. The cloned genes were each stably expressed in a B82 cell line and pharmacologically evaluated. The affinity of the different antagonists to the muscarinic receptor subtypes was determined by [3H](−)MQNB/ligand inhibition experiments. In the m3, m4 and m5 transfected cells, carbachol appeared to stimulate [3H]inositol monophosphate (IP1) accumulation. Carbachol, at 3 μM, appeared to suppress the forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation in the m4 transfected cells. These findings suggest these mAChRs amplified by PCR, cloned, and expressed in the B82 cell lines exhibit the pharmacological characteristics of the muscarinic receptor subtypes.
The relationship of body fat to metabolic disease: Influence of sex and ethnicity

Clinical investigations designed to determine risk profiles for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are usually performed in homogenous populations and often focus on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and fasting triglyceride (TG) levels. However, there are major ethnic differences in the relationship of these risk factors to outcomes. For example, the BMI risk threshold may be higher in blacks than in whites and higher in women than in men. Furthermore, a WC that predicts an obese BMI in white women only predicts a BMI in the overweight category in black women. In addition, overweight black men have a greater risk of developing type 2 DM than do overweight black women. Although TG levels are excellent predictors of insulin resistance in whites, they are not effective markers of insulin resistance in blacks. Among the criteria sets currently available to predict the development of CVD and type 2 DM, the most well known is the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome has 5 criteria: central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, fasting hyperglycemia, and hypertension. To make the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome, 3 of the 5 factors must be present. For central obesity and low HDL, the metabolic syndrome guidelines are sex specific. Diagnostic guidelines should also take ethnic differences into account, particularly in the diagnosis of central obesity and hypertriglyceridemia.
THE EFFECT OF Pd-OVERLAYERS ON THE MAGNETIZATION OF CHROMIUM FILMS

Measurements with a high vacuum torque magnetometer showed that the magnetic moment of thin Cr-films with Pd- or Ag-overlayers deposited on mica sheets was smaller than the magnetic moment of the mica sheet, similar to results found previously for pure Cr-films. This may mean that the average susceptibilities of the films are negative, and of the order of or that small permanent moments form pointing perpendicular to the surface.
Resonance Raman scattering from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides reaction centers absorbed on a silver electrode

The reaction center complex from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides carotenoidless mutant R-26 has been well characterized as to its protein, pigment (4 bacteriochlorophylls (BChl) and 2 bacteriopheophytins (BPh)) and quinone content [ 11. The function of 3 or 4 of the pigment molecules as well as the quinones in the reaction center primary photochemistry is also becoming better understood [2,3]. Two of the BChls, the special pair, are believed to function as the primary electron donor on photoexcitation and transfer an electron to a ubiquinone molecule via one of the BPhs, which has been termed the intermediate electron acceptor. In addition, there is evidence that one of the remaining BChls is involved in the initial electron transfer from the special pair to BPh [3]. New spectroscopic methods are needed which can provide additional support to the picosecond optical absorption data, as well as structural information about the bonding interactions of BChl and BPh in the reaction center. finitive method for identifying the proposed transient intermediates in reaction center photochemistry. The vibrational spectrum of the BChl cation radical differs substantially from the neutral species [7,8]. We have undertaken a RR study of isolated Rps. sphaeroides reaction centers spontaneously adsorbed onto a Ag electrode: The advantages of studying the adsorbed complex include increased RR scattering intensity as a result of the surface enhanced effect on Ag [9], quenching of background fluorescence [lo], and the possibility of changing the redox state of the reaction center by varying the electrode potential.
Cell projection EB exposure for Giga DRAM device mask

We have developed a new method to make cell projection aperture with high degree of accuracy which provides stable and accurate pattern fidelity on wafer and could be adaptable to mask process. As an electron beam mask, deep and vertical silicon pattern is made by MERIE poly etcher. Trench pattern profile can be optimized by etching chemistry. And to obtain fine pattern with cell projection exposure, various techniques are used such as pattern fracturing, modified cell aperture layout and shot shift. As a feasibility of cell projection EB exposure, 0.2μm feature were defined with VSB (variable shaped beam) and CPB (cell projection beam) on wafer and evaluated.
Control of Collagen Stability and Heterotrimer Specificity through Repulsive Electrostatic Interactions.

Charge-pair interactions between acidic and basic residues on the surface of collagen can promote stability as well as control specificity of molecular recognition. Heterotrimeric collagen peptides have been engineered de novo using either rational or computational methods, which in both cases optimize networks of favorable charge-pair interactions in the target structure. Less understood is the role of electrostatic repulsion between groups of like charge in destabilizing structure or directing molecular recognition. To study this, we apply a “charge crowding” approach, where repulsive interactions between multiple aspartate side chains are found to destabilize the homotrimer states in triple helical peptide system and can be utilized to promote the formation of heterotrimers. Neutralizing surface charge by increasing salt concentration or decreasing pH can enhance homotrimer stability, confirming the role of charge crowding on the destabilization of homotrimers via electrostatic repulsion. Charge crowding may be used in conjunction with other approaches to create specific collagen heterotrimers.
Instability of uniform micro-organism suspensions revisited

Uniform suspensions of bottom-heavy, upswimming (gyrotactic) micro-organisms that are denser than water are unstable, through a gravitational mechanism first described by Pedley, Hill & Kessler ( J. Fluid Mech ., vol. 195, 1988, p. 223). Suspensions of downswimming, head-heavy cells do not experience this instability. In the absence of gravity, a uniform suspension of swimming micro-organisms may be unstable because of the ‘particle stresses’ generated by the swimming cells themselves, each of which acts as a force-dipole or stresslet (Simha & Ramaswamy, Phys. Rev. Lett ., vol. 89, 2002, p. 058101). The stresslet strength S is positive for ‘pullers’ such as algae and negative for ‘pushers’ such as bacteria or spermatozoa. In this paper, the combined problem is investigated, with attention being paid also to the effect of rotational diffusivity and to whether the probability density function f ( e ) for the cells' swimming direction e can be approximated as quasi-steady in calculations of the mean swimming direction, which arises in the cell conservation equation, and the particle stress tensor, which appears in the momentum equation. The existence of both the previous instabilities is confirmed at long wavelength. However, the non-quasi-steadiness of the orientation distribution means that the particle-stress-driven instability no longer arises for arbitrarily small | S |, in the Stokes limit, but requires that the dimensionless stresslet strength (proportional to the product of S and the basic state cell volume fraction n o ) exceed a critical value involving both viscosity and rotational diffusivity. In addition, a new mode of gravitational instability is found for ‘head-heavy’ cells, even when they exert no particle stresses ( S = 0), in the form of weakly growing waves. This is a consequence of unsteadiness in the mean swimming direction, together with non-zero fluid inertia. For realistic parameter values, however, viscosity is expected to suppress this instability.
Rotation‐vibration excitation using the infinite order sudden approximation for rotational transitions: Li+–N2

The rotational transitions in a collision of Li+ with N2 at 4.23 eV (center of mass) have been treated in the infinite order sudden approximation while treating the vibrational transitions in close coupling. A number of new problems were encountered and solved. The solution of the close coupling equations for the long range ion–molecule interaction was facilitated by use of an asymptotic ending technique. Due to the high energy of the collision and the extent of the potential, as many as 10 000 relative angular momentum states were required. Solutions for the high angular momentum states were obtained by means of a Born‐like approximation. Intermediate angular momentum states were treated in the WKB approximation. Many low angular momentum states were obtained by solving the vibrationally close coupled equations, and a technique was developed by which it was possible to interpolate the magnitude and phase of the S‐matrix elements between relative angular momentum states, permitting the solution of the clo...
Comparative Evaluation of Body Composition in Medically Stable Elderly

Abstract Objective Accurate assessment is needed to identify the nutritional status of elderly persons. Anthropometric data were collected to describe body composition of the sample, including blacks and whites aged 55 to 89 years, and to explore the usefulness of several methods of body composition measurement. Design Baseline measurements were made as part of a longitudinal study. Body composition variables, particularly lean and lean-to-height measures, were used. Subjects/setting One hundred twenty-nine free-living medically stable elderly at senior community centers were self-selected into the study. Statistical analysis Descriptive statistics were generated for all variable by gender, race, and age ( Results White women, black women, and white men made up 54%, 23%, and 23% of the sample, respectively. Most gender differences were expected. Black women had greater weight, body mass index, arm muscle circumference, and ratio of lean to height but lower percent lean body mass than white women. Subjects over 75 years old were shorter, lighter, and had lower ratio of lean to height. Gender and age had the greatest effect on ratio of lean to height. Conclusions/applications A lean-to-height index appears to be a useful tool for tracking the status of lean mass in the elderly. Knee height may be especially useful because it, unlike stature, does not decrease with age. Furthermore, some published equations for estimating stature from knee height need adjustment, specifically for elderly black women. J Am Diet Assoc. 1997;97:1105–1109.
Can Magnetoencephalography Aid Epilepsy Surgery

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has a long history of development for the application of epilepsy. Technical and clinical validation of spike source estimation has been demonstrated in most partial epilepsies. The question that needs to be clarified concerns clinical value: Do identification and localization of epileptiform discharges play an important role in the determination of epilepsy localization for surgery? EEG is the mainstay in the investigation of seizure disorders and will remain so because it alone possesses the attribute of long-term recordings that can capture seizures. In contrast, MEG has the unique capability of nearly instantaneous high-resolution recording, with detection sensitivity and spike localization precision beyond that of EEG. Do these distinctions matter from a clinical standpoint?
31P nmr study on the binding of 3′-cytidine monophosphate to ribonuclease A. Part I

Abstract An nmr chemical exchange method has been used to determine the pH dependence of the 31 P chemical shifts of the 3′-cytidine monophosphate·RNase A complex. The results are in conflict with a related 31 P nmr study by Lee and Chan and we suggest that these differences may be attributed to extraneous heavy metal ion impurities in their samples. The 31 P nmr titration data confirm that the dianionic phosphate inhibitor binds to a diprotonated active site and two ionizations have been observed with pK 1 = 4.4 and pK 2 = 6.2. A detailed description of the ionic states involved in the binding process is presented.
SWIFT-MRI imaging and quantitative assessment of IONPs in murine tumors following intra-tumor and systemic delivery

Although preliminary clinical trials are ongoing, successful the use of iron-oxide magnetic nanoparticles (IONP) for heatbased cancer treatments will depend on advancements in: 1) nanoparticle platforms, 2) delivery of a safe and effective alternating magnetic field (AMF) to the tumor, and 3) development of non-invasive, spatially accurate IONP imaging and quantification technique. This imaging technique must be able to assess tumor and normal tissue anatomy as well as IONP levels and biodistribution. Conventional CT imaging is capable of detecting and quantifying IONPs at tissue levels above 10 mg/gram; unfortunately this level is not clinically achievable in most situations. Conventional MRI is capable of imaging IONPs at tissue levels of 0.05 mg/gm or less, however this level is considered to be below the therapeutic threshold. We present here preliminary in vivo data demonstrating the ability of a novel MRI technique, Sweep Imaging with Fourier Transformation (SWIFT), to accurately image and quantify IONPs in tumor tissue in the therapeutic concentration range (0.1-1.0 mg/gm tissue). This ultra–short, T2 MRI method provides a positive Fe contrast enhancement with a reduced signal to noise ratio. Additional IONP signal enhancement techniques such as inversion recovery spectroscopy and variable flip angle (VFA) are also being studied for potential optimization of SWIFT IONP imaging. Our study demonstrates the use of SWIFT to assess IONP levels and biodistribution, in murine flank tumors, following intra-tumoral and systemic IONP administration. ICP-MS and quantitative histological techniques are used to validate the accuracy and sensitivity of SWIFT-based IONP imaging and quantification.
Comparison of CRF-immunoreactive neurons distribution in mouse and rat brains and selective induction of Fos in rat hypothalamic CRF neurons by abdominal surgery.

Mice and rats are widely used in stress-related behavioral studies while little is known about the distribution of the stress hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in the mouse brain. We developed and characterized a novel rat/mouse CRF polyclonal antibody (CURE ab 200101) that was used to detect and compare the brain distributions of CRF immunoreactivity in naive and colchicine-treated rats and mice. We also assessed whether the visceral stressor of abdominal surgery activated brain CRF neurons using double labeling of Fos/CRF in naive rats. CRF-ir neurons were visualized in the cortex, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, central amygdala, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), Barrington's nucleus and dorsolateral tegmental area in naive rats. CRF-immunoreactive (ir) neurons in the mouse brain were detected only after colchicine. The pattern shows fundamental similarity compared to the colchicine-treated rat brain, however, there were differences with a lesser distribution in both areas and density except in the lateral septum and external subnucleus of the lateral parabrachial nucleus which contained more CRF-ir neurons in mice, and CRF-ir neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus were found only in mice. Abdominal surgery in naive rats induced Fos-ir in 30% of total CRF-ir neurons in the PVN compared with control (anesthesia alone) while Fos was not co-localized with CRF in other brain nuclei. These data indicate that CRF-ir distribution in the brain displays similarity as well as distinct features in mice compared to rats that may underlie some differential stress responses. Abdominal surgery activates CRF-ir neurons selectively in the PVN of rats without colchicine treatment.
The Semantic Deficit Hypothesis of Autistic Children's Language

This paper presents a review of research on verbal autistic children's processing of semantic information. Earlier studies demonstrated that autistic children did not use meaning to facilitate memory, learning, or comprehension. Some recent experiments are summarized which show that autistic children do represent, organize, and encode meaning effectively, however they appear to be deficient in spontaneously using semantic knowledge in the retrieval of stored information. The implications of such a deficit for language acquisition are discussed. Specifically, it is proposed that this semantic deficit will impede the acquisition of syntax and morphology because autistic children will be less able to use semantic information to facilitate the acquisition of grammatical rules in the way that normal children do.
Adoptive transfer of natural killer cell activity in B6D2F1 mice challenged with Salmonella typhimurium.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to extend our previous findings as to the role of murine NK cells in host protection to a challenge infection with virulent Salmonella typhimurium SR-11. B6D2F1 mice were depleted of NK cells with anti-asialo GM1 or a monoclonal antibody, anti-NK 1.1, followed by a salmonellae challenge. Significantly decreased numbers of splenic bacteria ( P S. typhimurium .
Recombinant gamma interferon enhances natural killer cell activity similar to natural gama interferon

Abstract The enhancement of human natural killing activity by recombinant human gamma interferon (IFNγ) and natural human IFNγ were similar over a wide concentration range. Enhancement of natural killing activity by both interferons was neutralizable by antibody to natural IFNγ, as well as by antibody to a synthetic peptide representing the first 20 N-terminal amino acids of IFNγ provide conclusive evidence that IFNγ is responsible for the enhanced natural killing activity seen in IFNγ preparations.