cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature dependence of the self-broadening coefficients for the fundamental band of carbon monoxide

The exponent η for the temperature dependence of the self-broadening coefficient of carbon monoxide has been measured directly using a tunable diode laser spectrometer. For lines of 12C16O between P(25) and P(31), the exponent has a value of 0.66 ± 0.05. For the P(13) and P(16) lines of 13C16O, the exponent appears to be the same. These results show that the value of η is less than the generally accepted value of 0.75 for temperatures between ambient and 180°C.
Same modality nerve reconstruction for accessory nerve injuries

The standard repair of a nerve gap under tension is to use a sensory autograft, such as the medial antebrachial cutaneous or the sural nerve. The practice of using sensory grafts to repair motor nerve defects is challenged by the discovery of preferential motor reinnervation and modality specific nerve regeneration. In this article, two clinical cases are presented where accessory nerve injuries are repaired with either a motor nerve transfer (a branch of C7) or a motor autograft (obturator nerve), and excellent functional results are reported. These cases provide a stimulus to consider the use of motor nerve grafts or transfers in the repair of motor nerve deficits.
Do Improvements in Balance Relate to Improvements in Long-Distance Walking Function after Stroke?

Stroke survivors identify a reduced capacity to walk farther distances as a factor limiting their engagement at home and in community. Previous observational studies have shown that measures of balance ability and balance self-efficacy are strong predictors of long-distance walking function after stroke. Consequently, recommendations to target balance during rehabilitation have been put forth. The purpose of this study was to determine if the changes in balance and long-distance walking function observed following a 12-week poststroke walking rehabilitation program were related. For thirty-one subjects with hemiparesis after stroke, this investigation explored the cross-sectional (i.e., before training) and longitudinal (i.e., changes due to intervention) relationships between measures of standing balance, walking balance, and balance self-efficacy versus long-distance walking function as measured via the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). A regression model containing all three balance variables accounted for 60.8% of the variance in 6MWT performance (adj R (2) = .584; F(3,27) = 13.931; P .05). For persons after stroke similar to those studied, improving balance may not be sufficient to improve long-distance walking function.
Cloning and characterization of the promoter for murine 84-kDa heat-shock protein.

Abstract The 90-kDa heat-shock (HS) proteins (HSP90) are members of the HSP family. Their synthesis is inducible by HS and a variety of stress signals. HSP90 is also abundant under normal physiological conditions and its synthesis can be regulated during growth and differentiation. Therefore, HSP90 is speculated to have important biological functions, in addition to its role in mediating stress responses. However, the mechanism(s) regulating hsp90 gene expression in non-stressed cells is poorly understood. As a prerequisite towards understanding the basis for hsp90 regulation, we have cloned and characterized the 5' flanking region of murine hsp84, one of two genes which code for HSP90 proteins. Full basal promoter activity of hsp84 was found to be associated with a 627-bp region immediately upstream from the transcription start point (tsp). Sequence analysis revealed several putative regulatory elements, including a HS element (HSE), an AP1-binding site (AP1), a cyclic AMP response element (CRE), and four stimulatory protein-1-binding sites (SP1). HS inducibility required the HSE which was bound by HS transcription factor-1(HSF-1) present in extracts prepared from cells exposed to HS. The HSE was not required for basal (non-HS) expression, but, interestingly, two protein-HSE complexes, devoid of HSF-1 and HSF-2, were formed under these conditions. The potential significance of these findings to the expression of hsp84 under normal physiological conditions is discussed.
Recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis in cystic fibrosis: an emerging problem

Abstract Objective To examine the incidence of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), including patients who had undergone lung transplantation, and review clinical findings in hospitalized patients with C. difficile colitis. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed to examine the clinical presentation and management of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who received care at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (UWHC) from 1994 to 2011 and were prospectively identified with C. difficile colitis. Results Ten cases of C. difficile associated disease (CDAD) occurred in patients with CF followed by our Adult CF Center over a period of 17years, and 4 patients were bilateral lung transplant recipients. Two of the lung transplant recipients had recurrent CDAD that lead to fulminant pancolitis, surgical intervention, and shock. Two patients in the non-transplant group experienced recurrent C. difficile infection that led to fulminant pancolitis with associated systemic inflammatory response syndrome and required colectomy. Conclusions C. difficile colitis can cause life threatening illness in patients with CF, and symptoms may be subtle and/or atypical and lead to significant delay in diagnosis. Patients with recurrent C. difficile colitis are at high risk of fatal outcome, and empiric therapy should be considered for patients with previous C. difficile colitis even in the absence of disease when broad-spectrum antibiotics are given to treat bacterial infection.
The morphology and pathogenesis of magnesium deficiency-induced nephrocalcinosis☆

Abstract Renal calcification is rapidly and consistently produced in rats following consumption of a diet low in magnesium and normal in calcium and phosphate. The majority of the calcium increase is in the form of intranephronic or lumenal calculi but the pathogenesis of this process has not yet been established. This morphological study supports the conclusion that a heterogenous spontaneous precipitation of calcium phosphate precedes the appearance of the larger lumenal calculi. The loss of the stabilizing influence of magnesium ion within the glomerular filtrate appears to be the initial disturbance rather than a cellular lesion.
Massively parallel sequencing for diagnosing clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders

Massively parallel sequencing technology has great potential to identify the precise molecular causes of human disorders, which were once considered difficult to diagnose for either inherited Mendelian or oncological diseases. Besides being a valuable tool for gene discovery, this technology has also gained tremendous momentum in clinical molecular diagnostic laboratories. There are a wide variety of clinical applications recently developed to meet the clinical demands for personalized medicine. This article discusses these up-to-date massively parallel sequencing clinical applications and emphasizes various disorders that can be targeted, as well as some challenges faced in the process of implementing these assays in the clinical setting.
US Army portable power programs

This paper describes the recent US Army battery and charger programs aimed at providing lighter, large-size communications-type primary and rechargeable batteries that operate over a wide temperature range. It also discusses recent programs aimed at providing for forward charging of batteries, both in vehicles and with systems suitable for a foot soldier.
Novel Aspergillus hemicellulases enhance performance of commercial cellulases in lignocellulose hydrolysis

A novel hemicellulase-producing fungal strain was isolated from a local soil sample. The organism is identified as Aspergillus fumigatus based on ribosomal RNA analyses. The Aspergillus strain, designated as 2NB, produces both enzymes acting on xylan backbone (xylanase and β-xylosidase), and those acting on side chains (or accessory enzymes) notably α-arabinofuranosidase and acetyl-xylan esterase. The Asperigillus hemicellulases are characterized as having relatively low xylanase and β-xylosidase activities but high side chain removal activities. The activity ratio of side-chain acting enzymes to xylanase is higher than that of the Multifect enzyme, a commercial hemicellulase product. The potential of the novel hemicellulases in lignocelluloses bioprocessing was demonstrated with alkaline-pretreated switchgrass as lignocellulose substrate with hemicellulase supplemented with a ratio of xylanase activity to filter paper unit of 2:1. Supplement of Aspergillus hemicellulases to commercial cellulases significantly enhanced the hydrolysis of lignocellulose, achieving a 94% hydrolysis yield based on reducing sugar measurement, compared to 60% when no hemicellulase or 75% when Multifect enzyme was used under otherwise identical conditions. The significant improvement resulting from supplementing a hemicellulase mix with high side-chain removal activities suggests the importance of accessory hemicellulases in lignocellulose processing.
Poly[triaquahexa-μ-cyanido-terbium(III)trisilver(I)]: a 4f–4dbimetallic coordination polymer

The title compound, [Ag3Tb(CN)6(H2O)3]n, consists of hydrated Tb3+ cations that are linked with dicyano­argentate anions into a three-dimensional network. The resultant TbN6O3 coordination polyhedra have a tricapped trigonal prismatic geometry. Six N atoms from the dicyano­argentate groups form the corners of the trigonal prisms, while the O atoms of three water mol­ecules reside in the capping positions to complete the coordination environment around terbium. Argentophilic inter­actions give rise to a two-dimensional network of Ag atoms. All of the atoms in the structure are located on special crystallographic positions. Only one unique atom of each type is found in the structure. The site symmetry of each is: Tb (\overline{6}2m), Ag (2/m), C (m), N (m), O (m2m) and H (m).
Quantitative microwave-induced thermoacoustic tomography

Purpose: Microwave-induced thermoacoustictomography (MI-TAT) is an imaging modality that exploits dielectric contrast while producing images with high ultrasound resolution. Existing reconstruction algorithms for MI-TAT are qualitative and can image only the distribution of the absorbed microwave energy or power loss density. Here the authors describe a method for quantitative MI-TAT and obtain the distribution of dielectric property which directly correlates with tissue structural and functional information. Methods: The authors implement the quantitative MI-TAT method based on the finite-element (FE) solution to the Helmholtz equation for electromagnetic field coupled with the thermoacoustic wave equation. Regularization techniques are also used in the FE-based reconstruction algorithm. Results: Simulation results are obtained under various practical scenarios including different noise levels, different contrast levels between the heterogeneity and background region, and multiple targets with various sizes and shapes. Conclusions: The quantitative MI-TAT method described can provide accurate recovery of conductivity distribution in heterogeneous media and is insensitive to noise effect.
The philosophy of codes of ethics

The engineer's role in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the productive process may seem so obvious a goal as not to require special representation by any profession. At the same time the engineer must be aware of the hidden subtleties of his mission and of its relationship to that of other callings.
Successful use of ReFacto continuous infusion in two paediatric patients with severe haemophilia A undergoing orthopaedic surgery

Summary. In this report we describe the successful use of B-domain-deleted recombinant factor VIII (ReFacto) administered by continuous infusion during orthopaedic procedures in two children with severe haemophilia A. Both patients underwent ankle synovectomy and in patient 2, a medial patello-femoral ligament repair was performed in the same operative session. Patient 2 developed septic arthritis A in his knee joint and arthroscopic joint irrigation and debridement was performed 2 weeks after the initial procedure. Surgical cover was initiated with a bolus dose of ReFacto 50 IU kg−1 followed by continuous infusion at 3.3–4.8 IU kg−1 h−1 which was maintained for up to 9 days postoperatively. Patient 2 received an additional bolus dose of 15 IU kg−1 during the infusion period. All procedures were performed without haemostatic complications and long-term orthopaedic outcomes were good in both patients.
Abstract B85: Comparison of three oxidative stress biomarkers in a sample of healthy adults

Abstracts: Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research 2008 B85 Oxidative stress is a potentially important etiologic factor for many chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, and cancer, yet studies often find inconsistent results. Three of the most widely-used biomarkers of oxidative stress are F2-isoprostanes for lipid peroxidation and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) and the comet assay with FPG for oxidative DNA damage. The aim of this study was to examine associations among three biomarkers of oxidative stress, F2-isoprostanes, 8-oxo-dG, and the comet assay with FPG, in a sample of 135 healthy African American and White adults. The strongest associations were observed between F2-isoprostanes and the Comet tail moment (r=0.22, p=0.01). There were non-statistically significant weak correlations between 8-oxo-dG and the comet assay ( r = -0.09), as well as F2-IsoP ( r = -0.04). There were also significant differences between the oxidative stress assessment methods by several participant characteristics, including sex, race, physical activity, and passive cigarette smoke exposure. The results of our study are informative, particularly for researchers seeking to compare results pertaining to oxidative stress across studies and/or assessment methods. The development and use of oxidative stress biomarkers is an exciting and promising field, however additional validation studies are necessary to establish accuracy and comparability across studies and oxidative stress assessment markers. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B85.
Discrimination gradients in human eyelid conditioning

Human Ss were given five 360 differential conditioning trial sessions with one CS+ and six CS-s. The independent variable was left-most, center, or right-most light in a seven-light array as the CS+. Individual gradients were stable and changed little following the first session. Sequential reinforcement and nonreinforcement effects were observed for the CS-s, but not the CS+. Also, there was no evidence that closer physical proximity of CS-s depressed CS+ performance.
The Effect of Spatial Variations in Voltage and Temperature in Emitter Coupled Logic Systems

A set of equations is developed which predicts the effect of both spatial and temporal variations in power supply voltage and temperature. An example is given of how the equations can be used to determine the resistance ratios and power supply voltages needed to obtain the desired voltage margins for given tolerances on the resistance ratios and transistor current gain. A set of simple equations is also derived from which a zeroth order estimate of circuit performance can be easily obtained. Examples are also given of improvements that can be made in the circuit, but no analysis of the improved circuits is presented,
The Relationship of Optic Disk Cupping to Retinal Vein Occlusion: The Beaver Dam Eye Study

Purpose To examine the association between optic disk cupping and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Design Prospective epidemiologic study. Methods setting: Population-based prospective study in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. study population: Adults aged 43 to 86 years at baseline (n = 4926). observation procedures: Optic disk cupping and RVO were determined from retinal photographs. A standardized medical examination and questionnaire were administered. main outcome measure: Ten-year cumulative incidence of RVO. Results There were 58 persons who developed incident RVO at 5 (n = 31) or 10 (n = 27) years after the baseline examination. Those sustaining RVO were older, had higher intraocular pressure (IOP), and were more likely to have definite or probable glaucoma at the baseline examination. The odds of having an incident RVO increased with increasing cup-to-disk ratio at baseline (odds ratio [OR] = 1.29/0.1 increase in cup-to-disk ratio, 95% confidence interval 1.07, 1.56), while controlling for age, systolic blood pressure, current smoking, diabetes status, and IOP. A similar OR was found after excluding those with glaucoma. Excluding persons with central (as opposed to branch) vein occlusion did not have a significant effect on the OR. Conclusion Cup-to-disk ratio is a significant predictor of risk of incident RVO.
Evolution of myelin sheaths: both lamprey and hagfish lack myelin

Abstract Modern views of agnathan phylogeny consider Petromyzoniformes and Myxiniformes to belong to distinct classes that diverged from a common ancestor at a remote period, perhaps in the lower Cambrian, >600 million years ago. Both are more primitive than elasmobranchs, holocephalans and bony fishes. Myelin is well developed in elasmobranchs and other fishes but was reported to be lacking in the spinal cord of lampreys [22]. In order to search further for possible early myelin in some part of the nervous system of one of the agnathan stems, or for further evidence that it first appeared in chondrichthians, we extended the sampling to many parts of the brain and cord of hagfish. Transmission electron microscopy was used as a nearly ideal criterion. We find no trace or forerunner of the spiral, multilaminate glial wrapping. Many axons are embedded within one or more glial cells, like unmyelinated fibers in other vertebrates, or lie contiguously in bundles without an obviously complete glial investment. True myelin must be presumed to have been invented within the vertebrates, in ancestors of the living cartilaginous fishes after the agnathans branched from the vertebrate stem.
The Relation of Temperature to Preleptotene Chromosome Contraction in Lilium

Preleptotene chromosome contraction was observed in individuals of Lilium longiflorum “Ace” grown at high temperatures in a glasshouse and at moderate or cool temperatures in a lathhouse. The lathhouse plants exhibited an extremely high degree of preleptotene contraction and the glasshouse plants an extremely low degree of preleptotene contraction. It is known that high temperature increases and low temperature decreases the rate of meiosis. Therefore it is proposed that the amounts of preleptotene contraction observed in lathhouse and glasshouse plants reflect the relative durations of the preleptotene contraction stages in these individuals. Differences in degree of chromosome contraction among microsporocytes in different regions of the anther may be attributed to the effects of axial and transverse gradients of metabolism on duration of the preleptotene contraction state. Any genotype that increases or decreases microsporocyte sensitivity to temperature, or otherwise alters the duration of the preleptotene spiralization period, should influence the degree of preleptotene contraction.
Are anharmonicity corrections needed for temperature-profile calculations of interiors of terrestrial planets?

Abstract It is shown that there is linearity between the thermal pressure P TH and T between the Debye temperature θ and some high temperature T ∗ . T ∗ has been measured at 1 atm and is reported for several minerals including, for example, MgO (1300 K) and forsterite (1200 K). The change in thermal pressure from room temperature for five solids, so far measured, indicate striking linearity with T at high temperatures. It is further shown that the value of T ∗ increases greatly as the pressure increases. It is therefore concluded that P TH is probably linear with T for mantle minerals under mantle conditions. The proportionality constant is derived from the measurements of thermal expansivity and bulk modulus at high temperature and zero pressure. The argument is then reversed. Assuming that the thermal pressure is in fact linear with T for the various shells in a planet, the resulting density and temperature profile of the planet is derived. The resulting density profile of the Earth compares favorably with corresponding values of recent seismic profiles.
Precipitable water estimation from high-resolution split window radiance measurements

A technique that uses the spatial variance of image brightness temperature to derive total column precipitable water is applied to high-resolution multispectral aircraft scanner data for the June 19, 1986 COHMEX day. The technique has several advantages over other approaches in that it requires only relative calibration accuracy, is less susceptible to instrument error, and does not directly use a priori information. Results indicate significant horizontal variability of precipitable water at the mesoscale. Precipitable water gradients of 6 mm per 10 km are not uncommon. The results verify well against special rawinsonde measurements and the ensuing cloud field development. While only applied to this specialized aircraft data, the applicability of the technique to operational AVHRR and VAS data is discussed.
Migration and Economic Opportunity in the 1910s: New Evidence on African-American Occupational Mobility in the North

Abstract This paper examines occupational mobility among African-American workers in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the late 1910s. New longitudinal evidence on this issue is developed using census manuscripts, census public use samples, and World War I Selective Service registration records. While African Americans as a whole experienced less upward occupational mobility than did whites in Cincinnati, Southern-born blacks moved up about as frequently as Northern-born blacks did.
Comparison of absorption measurements of DNA stain content by utilizing video and scanning image cytometers.

After staining with the Feulgen reaction, the DNA stain contents of 155 mouse bone marrow cells and 22 adjacent chicken erythrocytes were measured by absorption image cytometry by utilizing two different systems—a scanning cytometer and a video cytometer. In the scanning cytometer (M85 microdensitometer, Vickers Instruments, Malden, MA), a spot of light was scanned across the cell. In the video cytometer (TAS Plus, E. Leitz, Rockleigh, NJ), the microscope field, which may contain several nuclei, was imaged onto a Plumbicon video camera. With each system, cells were scanned, digitized into their elementary pixels, and analyzed to determine their intergrated absorbance. Comparison of the DNA stain contents of the same G0/G1 bone marrow cells and chicken erythrocytes, as measured by video and scanning cytometry, showed that both techniques gave comparable results; scanning cytometry is more precise. The coefficients of variation of the measurements for the G0/G1 bone marrow cells and for the chicken erythrocytes were 5.9% and 7.0%, respectively, when measured by video cytometry at the absorption peak (584 nm), compared to 4.1% and 3.5%, respectively, for the same cells when measured by scanning cytometry off the absorption peak (615 nm). The video-based measurements were relatively lower than the scanning measurements for darkly stained cells; this suggests that glare and other optical errors which increase with stain darkness caused greater systematic errors in the video cytometer than they did in the scanning cytometer.
PERCEPTUAL NORMALIZATION FOR SPEAKING RATE : EFFECTS OF TEMPORAL DISTANCE

A series of studies was undertaken to examine how rate normalization in speech perception would be influenced by the similarity, duration, and phonotactics of phonemes that were adjacent or distal from the initial, target phoneme. The duration of the adjacent (following) phoneme always had an effect on perception of the initial target. Neither phonotactics nor acoustic similarity seemed to have any influence on this rate normalization effect. However, effects of the duration of the nonadjacent (distal) phoneme were only found when that phoneme was temporally close to the target. These results suggest that there is a temporal window over which rate normalization occurs. In most cases, only the adjacent phoneme or adjacent two phonemes will fall within this window and thus influence perception of a phoneme distinction.
Is Borderline a Distinct Entity

There is no agreement in American psychiatry as to whether borderline should be regarded as a distinct entity. A review of the major viewpoints in the field reveals that borderline is variously used to designate: (1) a clinical disorder distinguishable by behavioral criteria; (2) a milder form of schizophrenia ; (3) a nonspecific term encompassing several atypical affective disorders; (4) a psychostructural distinction. When the St. Louis approach to diagnostic validity is used as a guideline, the conclusion reached is that available data do not weigh conclusively for or against borderline's status as an independent entity. In particular, borderline, as defined by several investigators, appears distinct from schizophrenia, but requires further delimitation from the affective disorders.
Frequentist Performance of Bayesian Confidence Intervals for Comparing Proportions in 2 × 2 Contingency Tables

This article investigates the performance, in a frequentist sense, of Bayesian confidence intervals (CIs) for the difference of proportions, relative risk, and odds ratio in 2 x 2 contingency tables. We consider beta priors, logit-normal priors, and related correlated priors for the two binomial parameters. The goal was to analyze whether certain settings for prior parameters tend to provide good coverage performance regardless of the true association parameter values. For the relative risk and odds ratio, we recommend tail intervals over highest posterior density (HPD) intervals, for invariance reasons. To protect against potentially very poor coverage probabilities when the effect is large, it is best to use a diffuse prior, and we recommend the Jeffreys prior. Otherwise, with relatively small samples, Bayesian CIs using more informative (even uniform) priors tend to have poorer performance than the frequentist CIs based on inverting score tests, which perform uniformly quite well for these parameters.
Observation of hydrodynamic expansion of a strongly-interacting Fermi gas: signature of superfluidity?

Summary form only given. We observe dramatic anisotropic expansion of a strongly-interacting Fermi gas upon release from an optical trap. The observed hydrodynamic behavior is a possible first signature of the onset of a new type of high-temperature superfluidity.
Managed Mental Health Care: Reflections in a Time of Turmoil

This article reviews the history, growth, and evolution of managed care in mental health and substance abuse treatment. Specific issues described are stigma, the important social dimensions and chronicity of some types of mental illness and chemical dependency, and reliance on the public sector for care. Opportunities and challenges for occupational therapists in the rapidly changing mental health system are discussed, including the use of interdisciplinary teams, the importance of measuring functional outcomes of interventions, the need to develop clinical guidelines, the importance of the community setting and a continuum of services, ethical dilemmas, and the importance of assertive occupational therapy advocacy and involvement in health care reform.
Discovering functional formulas through changing representation base

This paper deals with computer generation of numerical functional formulas describing results of scientific experiments (measurements). It describes the methodology for generating functional physical laws called COPER (Kokar 1985a). This method generates only so called "meaningful functions", i.e., such that fulfill some syntactic conditions. In the case of physical laws these conditions are described in the theory of dimensional analysis, which provides rules for grouping arguments of a function into a (smaller) number of dimensionless monomials. These monomials constitute new arguments for which a functional formula is generated. COPER takes advantage of the fact that the grouping is not unique since it depends on which of the initial arguments are chosen as so called "dimensional base" (representation base). For a given functional formula the final result depends on the base. In its search for a functional formula COPER first performs a search through different representation bases for a fixed form of the function before going into more complex functional formulas. It appears that for most of the physical laws only two classes of functional formulas - linear functions and second degree polynomials - need to be considered to generate a formula exactly matching the law under consideration.
A study of misalignment effects of the ANL-APS electron linac focusing system

An analytical treatment of quadrupole misalignment effects are presented for the Argonne Advanced Photon Source (APS) 200-MeV electron linac. The results of numerical modeling with TRANSPORT are discussed. It is shown that the capture of the positrons into the pulsed solenoid located after the positron production target depends on how well the electron beam is centered on that target. If the electron beam spot is displaced from the center of the target by delta p, in order to have a 90% capture, delta p should be approximately 0.1 d (d=beam diameter). >
Hormone Replacement Therapy Improves Cardiovascular Risk by Lowering Plasma Viscosity in Postmenopausal Women

Hormone replacement therapy may protect against cardiovascular disease through several mechanisms that have variable actions on the major determinants of plasma viscosity. Plasma viscosity is an important predictor of incident and recurrent cardiovascular events and mortality in coronary heart disease patients. The effect of estrogen alone or in combination with progestin on plasma viscosity is not known. Using a randomized, double-blind design, we examined the impact of the following daily hormone regimens on plasma viscosity in 23 women: (1) 1 mg estradiol and 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone (n=7); (2) 1 mg estradiol alone (n=8); and (3) placebo (n=8). Plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, and standard lipoprotein levels were determined at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. Plasma viscosity was measured at 37 degreesC with a coaxial microviscometer. Fibrinogen was measured by the Clauss method. Significant changes in plasma viscosity (mPa.s) levels occurred among treatment groups (P<0.01) after the intervention. Plasma viscosity was significantly reduced with estrogen replacement therapy (P<0.01). These data demonstrate that estrogen replacement therapy lowers plasma viscosity. This study suggests an additional mechanism for the cardiovascular protection conferred to postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement therapy.
Statistical Evaluation of BMP Effectiveness in Reducing Fecal Coliform Impairment in Mermentau River Basin

This paper presents a statistical method for determining pathogen sources and for evaluating the effectiveness of conventional Best Management Practices (BMPs) in reducing fecal coliform bacterial impairment using water quality data monitored from 1980 – 2006 in the Mermentau River Basin. The statistical method mainly involves (1) determination of seasonal variations in the mean of flow and fecal coliform count in order to identify critical months of pathogen pollution, (2) establishment of multiple correlations between fecal coliform count and rainfall and other solid or sediment-related water quality parameters, (3) detection of temporal variation trends in the median of fecal coliform count in different watersheds within the basin, and (4) evaluation of the effectiveness of BMPs in reducing fecal coliform bacterial impairment based on the trend analysis and water quality criteria. Results of the statistical evaluation show that (1) February – May are the critical months of the highest fecal coliform count; (2) The main pollution in February – March is caused by wet weather runoff; (3) The severe pollution in April and May is related to the releases of muddy rice_field water; (4) Since the implementation of BMPs in 1990, water quality in most watersheds in the Mermentau River Basin has shown an improving trend in terms of fecal coliform count while it was worsening from 1980 – 1990. In terms of pathogen impairment the most polluted areas in the basin are the two watersheds Bayou Queue de Tortue and Bayou Plaquemine Brule, followed by the Bayou Nezpique watershed; and (5) BMPs need to be enhanced in the basin to meet water quality standards.
THE ROLE OF COMPONENTIAL AND INTEGRATIVE KNOWLEDGE IN ACCOUNTING EDUCATION

: This study examines the role of componential knowledge, i.e., generally accepted accounting principles, and integrative knowledge, i.e., performing LIFO and FIFO inventory analysis, in solving complex accounting problems. This study predicts a dynamic, interactive process among componentiai knowledge, integrative knowledge and problem solution. Accounting students were given training in inventory methods, and then they were given inventory problems. The results support the prediction that there is a dynamic, interactive process between componential knowledge, integrative knowledge, and problem solving. The results provide several useful new directions for accounting pedagogy research and practice.
Microchannels Affect Runoff and Sediment Yield From a Shortgrass Prairie

Abstract Runoff and sediment yield from rangelands are extremely important variables that affect productivity, but are difficult to quantify. Studies have been conducted to assess erosion on rangelands, but very little has been done to determine if microchannels (rills) affect runoff and sediment yield. Rainfall simulations were used to quantify the effects of microchannels on runoff and sediment loss on a shortgrass prairie with two types of range conditions (good and fair). Natural flow paths within plots in the two range conditions were defined and then enhanced with an ellipse-shaped hoe to create microchannels. Soil from plots was removed at two rates (11.2 t· ha −1 and 22.4 t· ha −1 ) to create three soil surface configurations. Soil was removed by vacuuming to create either a single microchannel or multiple microchannels down the plot, and the third treatment was uniform soil removal over the entire plot (sheet). Results showed significantly greater total runoff from both single and multiple microchannel treatments compared with sheet soil removal. The microchannels resulted in significantly less sediment yield per unit of runoff compared with the sheet soil removal treatment. Both runoff and sediment yield were affected by range condition. Plots that were in fair range condition, dominated by buffalo grass ( Buchloe dactyloides [Nutt.] Engleman), had a greater amount of total runoff (double) but less sediment yield (75%) than plots in good range condition that were dominated by blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis [H.B.K.] Lag. ex Stued.). The dense buffalo grass sod protected the soil surface from erosion, but water flowed freely across the sod. This study has provided a greater understanding of how microchannels affect runoff and sediment yield under different rangeland conditions, and has illustrated how plant species composition and soil surface features relate to several hydrologic functions.
I/O pad assignment based on the circuit structure

An algorithm is presented for assigning off-chip I/O pads for a logic circuit. The technique, which is based on the analysis of the circuit structure and path delay constraints, uses linear placement, goal-programming, linear-sum assignment and I/O pad clustering to assign locations to I/O pads. The I/O pad assignment is then used by placement tools. Experimental data show that as a result of using the I/O pad assignment procedure, the total interconnection length and circuit delay (after placement and routing) are reduced by 8-15% and 3-4%, respectively. This technique is general and can handle I/O pad assignment prior to logic synthesis or detailed placement procedures. >
MetaSockets: design and operation of runtime reconfigurable communication services

This paper describes the internal architecture and operation of an adaptable communication component called the MetaSocket. MetaSockets are created using Adaptive Java, a reflective extension to Java that enables a component's internal architecture and behavior to be adapted at runtime in response to external stimuli. This paper describes how adaptive behavior is implemented in MetaSockets, as well as how MetaSockets interact with other adaptive components, such as decision makers and event mediators. Results of experiments on a mobile computing testbed demonstrate how MetaSockets respond to dynamic wireless channel conditions in order to improve the quality of interactive audio streams delivered to iPAQ handheld computers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reconstitution and partial characterization of phospholipid flippase activity from detergent extracts of the Bacillus subtilis cell membrane.

ABSTRACT In bacteria, phospholipids are synthesized on the inner leaflet of the cytoplasmic membrane and must translocate to the outer leaflet to propagate a bilayer. Transbilayer movement of phospholipids has been shown to be fast and independent of metabolic energy, and it is predicted to be facilitated by membrane proteins (flippases) since transport across protein-free membranes is negligible. However, it remains unclear as to whether proteins are required at all and, if so, whether specific proteins are needed. To determine whether bacteria contain specific proteins capable of translocating phospholipids across the cytoplasmic membrane, we reconstituted a detergent extract ofBacillus subtilis into proteoliposomes and measured import of a water-soluble phospholipid analog. We found that the proteoliposomes were capable of transporting the analog and that transport was inhibited by protease treatment. Active proteoliposome populations were also able to translocate a long-chain phospholipid, as judged by a phospholipase A2-based assay. Protein-free liposomes were inactive. We show that manipulation of the reconstitution mixture by prior chromatographic fractionation of the detergent extract, or by varying the protein/phospholipid ratio, results in populations of vesicles with different specific activities. Glycerol gradient analysis showed that the majority of the transport activity sedimented at ∼4S, correlating with the presence of specific proteins. Recovery of activity in other gradient fractions was low despite the presence of a complex mixture of proteins. We conclude that bacteria contain specific proteins capable of facilitating transbilayer translocation of phospholipids. The reconstitution methodology that we describe provides the basis for purifying a facilitator of transbilayer phospholipid translocation in bacteria.
Depolymerizable polymers: preparation, applications, and future outlook

Depolymerizable polymers are stimuli-responsive materials triggered to depolymerize rapidly and completely into their constituent monomers on command. Applications include triggerable vehicles for controlled release, restructurable materials, disappearing or sacrificial composites, and lithographic resists. Owing to their widespread utility, significant efforts have aimed to prepare and explore depolymerizable polymers and their corresponding triggers. This “Prospective” highlights advances since their discovery over a half-century ago, discusses methods in their preparation, and presents recent developments in triggered depolymerization. It also surveys applications that harness these polymers’ unique properties, while offering insights into research directions that may contribute to progress in this dynamic field.
The B12/23 restriction is critically dependent on recombination signal nonamer and spacer sequences.

Ag receptor variable region gene assembly is initiated through the formation of a synaptic complex which minimally includes the recombination-activating gene (RAG) 1/2 proteins and a pair of recombination signals (RSs) flanking the recombining gene segments. RSs are composed of conserved heptamer and nonamer sequences flanking relatively nonconserved spacers of 12 or 23 bp. RSs regulate variable region gene assembly within the context of the 12/23 rule which mandates that recombination only occurs between RSs of dissimilar spacer length. RSs can exert additional constraints on variable region gene assembly beyond imposing spacer length requirements. At a minimum this restriction, termed B12/23, is imposed on the Vβ to DJβ rearrangement step by the 5′ Dβ RS and is enforced at or before the DNA cleavage step of the V(D)J recombination reaction. In this study, the components of the 5′ Dβ RS required for enforcing the B12/23 rule are assessed on chromosomal substrates in vivo in the context of normal murine thymocyte development and on extrachromosomal substrates induced to undergo recombination in nonlymphoid cell lines. These analyses reveal that the integrity of the nonamer sequence as well as the highly conserved spacer nucleotides of the 5′ Dβ1 RS are critical for enforcing the B12/23 restriction. These findings have important implications for understanding the B12/23 restriction and the manner in which RS synaptic complexes are assembled in vivo.
Structure and ligand binding determinants of the recombinant kringle 5 domain of human plasminogen.

The X-ray crystal structure of the recombinant (r) kringle 5 domain of human plasminogen (K5HPg) has been solved by molecular replacement methods using K1HPg as a model and refined at 1.7 A resolut...
Respiration of gamma irradiated Brucella abortus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Lyophilized Br. abortus 19 and M. tuberculosis H37RV were exposed to various doses of gamma irradiation from a cobalt-60 source and tested for oxygen uptake on suitable substrates. Cells exposed from 750,000 to 800,000 r failed to grow on appropriate culture media, yet continued to respire at a rate from 40 to 50% of that of the non-irradiated cells. (auth)
Determinants of Functional Capacity in Chronic Mitral Regurgitation Unassociated With Coronary Artery Disease or Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Impaired functional capacity is common in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR), but the determinants of functional capacity in patients with normal left ventricular (LV) function are unclear. Forty patients with chronic, isolated, nonrheumatic MR with no coronary artery disease underwent exercise echocardiography with continuous expired gas analysis. Cardiac output and regurgitant stroke volume were measured at rest and immediately after exercise by pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography. For controls, 17 healthy volunteers without MR were also studied. Patients achieved a significantly lower VO2max compared with controls (25.6 ± 7.7 vs 31.7 ± 7.7 ml/kg/min, p = 0.008). VO2max showed better correlations with exercise cardiac output than with cardiac output at rest in both patients and controls. Multiple linear regression identified exercise cardiac output (partial r = 0.65), patient age (partial r = −0.56), and gender as independent determinants of VO2max (multiple R = 0.85, p <0.001). Cardiac output at rest, LV ejection fraction, regurgitant stroke volume, and fraction were not significant determinants. With exercise, the regurgitant stroke volume increased in 13 patients and decreased in 27 patients. The former 13 patients had a significantly lower exercise cardiac output (7.4 ± 2.5 vs 9.4 ± 2.6 L/min, p = 0.026). Patients who stopped exercise due to dyspnea (n = 7) had a significantly lower exercise cardiac output and VO2max compared with those who stopped due to fatigue (n = 33), with no differences in resting or exercise regurgitant volume. Patients with an increase in LV end-systolic volume with exercise (n = 8) also had a significantly lower exercise cardiac output (6.9 ± 1.9 vs 9.2 ± 2.7 L/min, p = 0.037) and showed a trend toward a lower VO2max (21 ± 7.5 vs 26 ± 6.4 ml/kg/min, p = 0.07). In patients with chronic MR, exercise cardiac output is the major determinant of VO2max. Regurgitant volume and fraction are not related to functional capacity. Limitations in functional capacity in these patients may be more related to a diminished cardiac reserve than to a large regurgitant volume. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) showed better correlations with exercise cardiac output than with cardiac output at rest in both patients with chronic mitral regurgitation and controls. Multiple linear regression identified only exercise cardiac output (partial r = 0.65), patient age (partial r = −0.56), and gender as independent determinants of VO2max (multiple R = 0.85, p <0.001). Severity of regurgitation was not related to VO2max.
The effects of clearcutting and wildfire on grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera) in an intermountain forest ecosystem

Abstract Members of 3 families of Orthoptera (Acrididae, Gryllacrididae, Tettigoniidae) were sampled in clearcuts, burned forest, and undisturbed forest in a coniferous forest ecosystem in northern Utah, USA. Sampling was conducted during July and August, 1995 to 1997, by use of pitfall traps. The camel cricket Ceuthophilus fusiformis (Gryllacrididae: Rhaphidophorinae) was the most commonly trapped species in forested plots, where otherwise very few orthopterans were collected. Many more orthopterans were taken in clearcuts and burns and these had equal species richness and total orthopteran abundance. However, the orthopteran assemblages differed between these two treatments. Band-winged grasshoppers (Acrididae: Oedopodinae) tended to be trapped more frequently in clearcuts, especially Camnula pellucida. Burned plots provided greater numbers of Ceuthophilus fusiformis and Steiroxys pallidipalpus (Tettigoniidae: Decticinae).
Spatial and Diurnal Variability of Monsoon Systems Assessed by TRMM Rain Rate Over Indus Basin

The spatiotemporal characteristics of the Asian monsoon over the Indus River basin are studied using the latest near real-time satellite precipitation estimates from the tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM) multisatellite precipitation analysis (TMPA). The TMPA data product (3B42RT V7) is used to analyze diurnal variability of the Asian monsoon over the study domain during January 2005 to December 2010. First, the spatiotemporal uncertainty of satellite estimates is systematically characterized by comparison to rain gauge observations using four standard error metrics, i.e., the Pearson correlation coefficient (CC), root-mean-square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and relative bias (BIAS). Second, diurnal rainfall variability over selected regions is investigated by comparing rainfall patterns during premonsoon and monsoon seasons. The comparison and evaluation of satellite-based estimates and rain gauge data revealed significant correlation of 0.87 for the stations in the southwest and 0.63 in the northeast monsoon region. The results indicated TMPA underestimates over the intense monsoon region from $- \bf{8}\% $ to $- \bf{25}\% $ , while there is an overestimation over the southern region from 7% to 35%. This study improves understanding on the rainfall diurnal variations captured by the three hourly TMPA products during the April–June (premonsoon) and June–August (monsoon) over the extreme monsoon year 2010 versus the regular periods of 2005–2009 by investigating precipitation mean, frequency, and intensity, as well as the diurnal and semidiurnal cycles. A noticeable bimodal variation during the 2010 season showed an increase in rainfall associated with anomalous atmospheric conditions, causing catastrophic floods in Pakistan.