cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple Imputation of Missing or Faulty Values Under Linear Constraints

Many statistical agencies, survey organizations, and research centers collect data that suffer from item nonresponse and erroneous or inconsistent values. These data may be required to satisfy linear constraints, for example, bounds on individual variables and inequalities for ratios or sums of variables. Often these constraints are designed to identify faulty values, which then are blanked and imputed. The data also may exhibit complex distributional features, including nonlinear relationships and highly nonnormal distributions. We present a fully Bayesian, joint model for modeling or imputing data with missing/blanked values under linear constraints that (i) automatically incorporates the constraints in inferences and imputations, and (ii) uses a flexible Dirichlet process mixture of multivariate normal distributions to reflect complex distributional features. Our strategy for estimation is to augment the observed data with draws from a hypothetical population in which the constraints are not present, t...
Surfactant dysfunction develops in BALB/c mice infected with respiratory syncytial virus.

Recent reports suggest an important role for pulmonary surfactant in maintaining the patency of narrow conducting airways. The hypothesis that surfactant dysfunction is an important factor in respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) infection was tested in a mouse model. Mice, inoculated with either a low or a high dose of RSV, were subjected to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and the fluids were analyzed for percentage of inflammatory cells and concentrations of proteins and phospholipids. After concentration of the surfactant by centrifugation, its function was analyzed with a capillary surfactometer. RSV infection resulted in a dose-dependent disruption of surfactant function (p < 0.0001). BAL fluid supernatants were added to calf lung surfactant extract (CLSE) to examine whether surfactant inhibiting agents were present. Indeed, BAL fluid supernatants of RSV-infected mice disrupted the normal function of calf lung surfactant extract in a dose dependent way (p < 0.0001), indicating the presence of inhibitors. Protein concentrations were increased in BAL fluids of RSV-infected mice versus control mice (p < 0.0001), and were inversely related to surfactant function (r = -0.44,p = 0.0004), suggesting an inhibitory effect of proteins. Protein concentration also correlated with the percentage of inflammatory cells(r = 0.51, p = 0.004). Phospholipid concentrations were not affected by the RSV infection. The results of these studies strongly suggest that a disruption of pulmonary surfactant function, most likely due to inhibition from inflammatory proteins, is important for the pathophysiology of RSV infection.
Molecular cavity flow

Using molecular mechanics, cavity flow is studied in a basin of 4235 water molecules at 15°C. Primary vortices are generated with wall speeds V = −20,−40,−100,−250 A/ps. The vortex motions agree with experimental results in the large. Fully turbulent flow is generated with wall speed V = −3000 A/ps. The mechanisms for primary vortex generation are clearly delineated, as are those for turbulent flow.
Castleman's disease in poems syndrome with elevated interleukin-6

POEMS syndrome is a rare multisystem affliction known for its signs, from which it also takes its acronym name "peripheral neuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal (M) protein, and skin lesions." Our study chronicles the course of this syndrome in a young woman with Castleman's disease (angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were abnormally elevated at various times during a 9-month period. The authors conclude that the plasma cell dyscrasia associated with the POEMS syndrome of this patient was Castleman's disease. Elevation of serum IL-6 levels might contribute to the pathogenesis of the POEMS syndrome.
Virtual machining operation: a concept and an example

Virtual manufacturing is a new and emerging concept to integrate different areas of manufacturing by using computer technology for creation and execution of virtual models. Virtual manufacturing is defined as a computer-based system, which consists of evolving models of manufacturing systems and processes, and exercised to enhance one or more attributes of the real system. Manufacturing as a whole is a very complex system consisting of various interacting, interrelated and interdependent subsystems and processes. Construction, validation and calibration of an all-inclusive virtual manufacturing system is difficult and sometimes impossible. The object-oriented approach suggested will help to simplify this task. The entire virtual system is now constructed using smaller blocks or objects. Each object is a sub-model, which is created, validated and calibrated independently. Various objects are integrated at different levels to form higher-level subsystems which in turn create the whole system. The concept is illustrated with the example of a virtual machining operation, representing one of the smallest building blocks in the comprehensive virtual manufacturing system. Results from real experiments were used to validate and calibrate the virtual machining operation and to prove its adequacy.
Reply to "Phenotypic identification of Staphylococcus intermedius may be inaccurate".

We appreciate Dr. Weese's comments. We acknowledge the possibility that, were we to perform molecular typing of our patient's isolates today, the species identification might well be Staphylococcus pseudintermedius rather than S. intermedius. Our case, and our laboratory identification method ([1][1
ELECTROSPRAY IONIZATION MASS SPECTROMETRY : A PROMISING NEW TECHNIQUE IN THE STUDY OF PROTEIN/DNA NONCOVALENT COMPLEXES

With the emergence of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), mass spectrometry is no longer restricted to the study of small, stable molecules, but has become a viable technique to study large biomolecules as well as noncovalent biomolecular complexes. ESI-MS has been used to study noncovalent interactions involving proteins with metals, ligands, peptides, oligonucleotides, and other proteins. An area where ESI-MS holds significant promise is in the study of protein/DNA interactions. The most common technique employed to study protein/DNA interactions is the electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA). Although this technique has and will continue to provide excellent results, ESI-MS has shown the ability to provide detailed results not easily obtainable by EMSA. In this review I will discuss some of the protein/DNA noncovalent interactions that have been measured using ESI-MS, and contrast the results obtained by ESI-MS to those obtained by EMSA.
Cystic duodenal duplication: Staged management in a premature infant

Cystic duplication of the duodenum is a rare anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Patients may present in early childhood with symptoms of upper intestinal obstruction. Successful, staged management of a cystic duodenal duplication in an 880-g infant is described.
Pharmacokinetic profile of lmipenem/cilastatin in normal volunteers

Imipenem is a new carbapenem antibiotic. It is coadministered with an equal amount of cilastatin, a dehydropeptidase-I inhibitor. Both drugs achieve similar serum concentrations in normal volunteers. Half-lives for both drugs are on the order of one hour and are excreted in the main into the urine. Cilastatin has been documented to have a metabolite, N-acetyl cilastatin, which can be recovered in the urine in an amount equivalent to approximately 12 percent of the administered dose of the parent compound. Less than 1 percent of a radiolabeled dose of either compound can be recovered in the feces, making clinically significant alterations of the fecal flora unlikely with the imipenem/cilastatin combination. Although probenecid causes only a minor effect on imipenem pharmacology, it increases the area under the curve and half-life of imipenem and decreases the renal clearance of cilastatin significantly. In view of the pharmacokinetic profile of imipenem/cilastatin, the microbiologic activity of imipenem, and the post-antibiotic effect of imipenem against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, imipenem/cilastatin has the potential to control the majority of bacteremic nosocomial pathogens.
Plate Vibration and Geometry Study of Impact-Control ABS

Acrylonitrile-Butadine-Styrene (ABS) has been receiving much attention as a cushion against impact and vibration, on account of its very favorable mechanical properties, including elevated impact strength, stiffness and tensile strength, as well as outstanding formability. The geometry of deployed samples does influence dynamic performance. In this work, the methods of analysis, experiment and numerical computation have been applied to explore different modal parameters of rectangular ABS specimens with completely free boundary conditions. Experimentally, Pulse 15.1 software was used to investigate the modal parameters while the specimens were numerically modeled in Abaqus/Standard 3D using C3D20R (second order 20-node quadratic brick) element types with the Lancsoz Eigensolver method. Parametric explorations over the geometry space enabled useful trends to be identified with respect to vibration and impact applications. Experimental and numerical results were found to compare very favorably.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Zinc Finger 280B Regulates sGCα1 and p53 in Prostate Cancer Cells

The Zinc Finger (ZNF) 280B protein was identified as an unexpected target of an shRNA designed for sGCα1. Further analysis showed that these two proteins are connected in another way, with 280B up-regulation of sGCα1 expression. Knock-down and over-expression experiments showed that 280B serves pro-growth and pro-survival functions in prostate cancer. Surprisingly however, these pro-cancer functions of 280B are not mediated by sGCα1, which itself has similar functions in prostate cancer, but by down-regulated p53. The p53 protein is a second target of 280B in prostate cancer, but unlike sGCα1, p53 is down-regulated by 280B. 280B induces p53 nuclear export, leading to subsequent proteasomal degradation. The protein responsible for p53 regulation by 280B is Mdm2, the E3 ubiquitin ligase that promotes p53 degradation by inducing its nuclear export. We show here that 280B up-regulates expression of Mdm2 in prostate cancer cells, and this regulation is via the Mdm2 promoter. To demonstrate an in vivo relevance to this interaction, expression studies show that 280B protein levels are up-regulated in prostate cancer and these levels correspond to reduced levels of p53. Thus, by enhancing the expression of Mdm2, the uncharacterized 280B protein provides a novel mechanism of p53 suppression in prostate cancer.
Crowd synthesis: extracting categories and clusters from complex data

Analysts synthesize complex, qualitative data to uncover themes and concepts, but the process is time-consuming, cognitively taxing, and automated techniques show mixed success. Crowdsourcing could help this process through on-demand harnessing of flexible and powerful human cognition, but incurs other challenges including limited attention and expertise. Further, text data can be complex, high-dimensional, and ill-structured. We address two major challenges unsolved in prior crowd clustering work: scaffolding expertise for novice crowd workers, and creating consistent and accurate categories when each worker only sees a small portion of the data. To address these challenges we present an empirical study of a two-stage approach to enable crowds to create an accurate and useful overview of a dataset: A) we draw on cognitive theory to assess how re-representing data can shorten and focus the data on salient dimensions; and B) introduce an iterative clustering approach that provides workers a global overview of data. We demonstrate a classification-plus-context approach elicits the most accurate categories at the most useful level of abstraction.
Polycentric networks and resilience in urban systems: A comparison of Baltimore and Seattle

Numerous studies have demonstrated that successful resource management requires collaboration among many groups. While most research has been conducted on rural resource management, collaborative management is now recognized as an important strategy in densely settled urban areas. Cities generally consist of many fragmented land parcels under different types of use and ownership, which produces a large and diverse group of stakeholders with an interest in resource management decisions. Past research has shown that 1) natural resource stewardship organizations play an important role in both managing natural resources and building social capital; 2) successful outcomes often rely on effective collaborations through organizational networks; 3) there are different types of network structures; and 4) the effectiveness of a network can depend on its structure. However, missing from the field is empirical research analyzing how natural resource stewardship networks impact social and ecological outcomes, both spatially and temporally.Building on pioneering work on urban environmental groups in New York City and developing efforts in Chicago, this research will assess the stewardship networks in Seattle and Baltimore. More specifically, it will examine whether the network structure affects social and ecological outcomes; and conversely, whether variation in social and ecological conditions affects the resulting social network. Through a mixed methodological approach employing interviews, organizational surveys, spatial mapping, and social network analysis, this research examines:• What network relationships exist between environmental stewardship groups in Baltimore? In Seattle?• What is the spatial structure of these stewardship networks?• Does network structure affect social and ecological outcomes?• Does variation in social and ecological conditions predict the resulting network?• How do the stewardship networks in Baltimore and Seattle compare?Results from this study will contribute to the growing body of research on polycentric governance networks. The need for longitudinal and comparative studies in this area is evident, as many cities are looking to adaptive management strategies to respond to the needs of an rapidly changing population and landscape. In Baltimore, this data can be compared to organizational network data collected 10 years ago. In Seattle, the study will establish baseline network data, which provides a foundation for future studies. Similarities and differences between cities may provide implications for whether environmental stewardship programs and other sustainability initiatives can be applied from one city to another.
"Weighing" a closed system and the time-energy uncertainty principle

A gedanken experiment is proposed for "weighing" the total mass of a closed system from within the system. We prove that for an internal observer the time tau, required to measure the total energy with accuracy DeltaE, is bounded according to tauDeltaE>Planck's over 2pi. This time-energy uncertainty principle for a closed system follows from the measurement backreaction on the system. We generally examine what other conserved observables are in principle measurable within a closed system and what are the corresponding uncertainty relations.
Volume regulatory activity of the Ehrlich ascites tumor cell and its relationship to ion transport.

The volume regulatory response of the Ehrlich ascites tumor was studied in KCl-depleted, Na+-enriched cells. Subsequent incubation in K+-containing NaCl medium results in the reaccumulation of K+, Cl−, water and the extrusion of Na+. The establishment of the physiological steady state is due primarily to the activity of 2 transport systems. One is the Na/K pump (KM for K0+=3.5mm;Jmax=30.1 mEq/kg dry min), which in these experiments was coupled 1K+/1 Na+. The second is the Cl−-dependent (Na++K+) cotransport system (KM for K0+=6.8mm;Jmax=20.8 mEq/kg dry min) which mediates, in addition to net ion uptake in the ratio of 1K+∶1Na+∶2Cl−, the exchange of Ki+ for K0+. The net passive driving force on the cotransport system is initially inwardly directed but does not decrease to zero at the steady state. This raises the possibility of the involvement of an additional source of energy. Although cell volume increases concomitant with net ion uptake, this change does not appear to be a major factor regulating the activity of the cotransport system.
STUDIES IN THE BLOOD CYTOLOGY OF THE RABBIT: V. CONSECUTIVE LYMPHOCYTE AND MONOCYTE OBSERVATIONS ON GROUPS OF NORMAL RABBITS

Consecutive weekly observations on the lymphocyte and monocyte counts of the peripheral blood were made on 5 groups of normal rabbits, a total of 45 animals, during a period of 20 months from October, 1927 to July, 1929. Individual groups were examined 8 to 35 weeks. The results are analyzed on the basis of the mean group values of each week. In the case of the 4 groups followed 13 to 35 weeks, there was a general tendency for the lymphocyte mean values to become increased; with the group observed 8 weeks, the level of mean values showed little change. The general trend of the monocyte mean values was also in the direction of higher levels but it was less pronounced than that of the lymphocytes. The period of greatest irregularity in the mean values of the lymphocytes was in the late winter and spring months of both years. With the monocytes, periods of fluctuating values occurred in the fall of 1927, the spring and early summer of 1928, and in the late winter, spring, and early summer of 1929. There was a certain degree of parallelism in the case of two groups examined during the same months with respect to the direction and time of occurrence of a change in the level of lymphocyte and monocyte mean values. The general levels of lymphocyte and monocyte mean values in the groups examined during 1927–28 were higher than in the groups of 1928–29. The results based upon the trends of mean group values obtained from consecutive weekly observations showed no evidence of a consistent numerical relationship between lymphocytes and monocytes.
Natural Disasters and Myocardial Infarction: The Six Years After Hurricane Katrina

Abstract Objective To determine the prolonged effect of Hurricane Katrina on the incidence and timing of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the city of New Orleans. Patients and Methods Our study population consisted of 1476 patients with AMI before (August 29, 1999, to August 28, 2005) and after (February 14, 2006, to February 13, 2012) Hurricane Katrina at Tulane University Health Sciences Center to determine post-Katrina alterations in the occurrence and timing of AMI. Results Compared with pre-Katrina values, there was a more than 3-fold increase in the percentage of admissions for AMI during the 6 years after Hurricane Katrina ( P P P P P P P =.01), smoking ( P P P Conclusion These results indicate that the effect of natural disasters on the occurrence of AMI may persist for at least a 6-year period and may be related to various factors including population shifts, alterations in the health care system, and the effects of chronic stress and associated behaviors.
Flavonol methyl ethers from Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus

Abstract Two new flavonols, 5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3,6,8,3′-tetramethoxyflavone and quercetagetin 3,5,6,3′-tetramethyl ether, were identified in leaves of Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus . Eight known methyl ethers based on kaempferol, quercetin or their 6-hydroxy derivatives were also detected.
Determination of guaifenesin in human plasma by liquid chromatography in the presence of pseudoephedrine

Abstract A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography (LC) procedure was developed and validated for the determination of guaifenesin in human plasma in the presence of pseudoephedrine. Guaifenesin was extracted from plasma at pH 6.9–7.1 using methanol—methylene chloride (5:95, v/v) containing the internal standard mephenesin and pseudoephedrine. The organic layer was separated and evaporated to dryness and the residue reconstituted with the mobile phase containing methanol—acetonitrile—phosphate buffer (0.05 M) (11:11:78, v/v/v) containing 4 mM heptane sulphonic acid and 1% glacial acetic acid. The separation was performed on a μBondapak C 18 column. The flow rate was 1.0 ml min −1 . The retention times for guaifenesin and mephenesin were 7.9 and 15.7 min, respectively. Linearity of response was observed in the concentration ranges of 50–1000 ng ml −1 and 1–4 μg ml −1 . Accuracy was within 15.4% of the true value for the inter-day and intra-day analysis. The precision, as measured by the RSD, ranged from 4.8 to 8.7% for intra-day. The reproducibility of inter-day ranged from 5.0 to 8.4%. The percent recovery from plasma ranged from 88.6 to 97.6. Data are presented to illustrate the practicality of the method for the evaluation of guaifenesin plasma levels in the presence of pseudoephedrine after multiple oral administration of two sustained release tablets containing 600 mg of guaifenesin per tablet to six male healthy volunteers. The mean half-life of guaifenesin in human subjects was found to be 2.88 h and ranged from 1.36 to 5.25 h.
MONOVACANCY DIFFUSION ON AG(100), CU(100), AND NI(100) : PREFACTORS AND ACTIVATION BARRIERS

Our calculated activation barriers and preexponential factors show that monovacancy diffusion is an important constituent of mass transport on Ag(100), Cu(100), and Ni(100) and competes well with adatom diffusion. The contribution of lattice vibrations to the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient is incorporated through activation functions calculated in the harmonic approximation, invoking transition state theory and many-body interaction potentials from the embedded-atom method. On all three surfaces activation barriers are found to increase with the inclusion of lattice thermal expansion.
Rigidity as a function of task complexity

Four groups of Ss were tested on hidden-word tasks consisting of 12 set-inducing items followed by 13 test items. One group, the simple-task group, received 7-letter items having a 4-letter word embedded in each. The other group, the complex-task group, received 10-letter items with each again having a 4-letter word embedded in it. The “set” response consisted of choosing alternate letters that formed a word, while the direct solution consisted of simply choosing 4 consecutive letters that formed a word. Direct solutions were possible only on the 13 test items. It was found that the complex experimental group produced significantly more direct solutions (“broke” the set more often) than did the simple experimental group. Results supported a behavioral model of rigidity based on the principles of Hull-Spence behavior theory.
Quasiparticle effective mass and enhanced g factor for a two-dimensional electron gas at intermediate magnetic fields

The single-particle self-energy in a Landau quantized two-dimensional electron gas has been evaluated in magnetic fields corresponding to arbitrarily large integer filling factors using the random-phase approximation. Quasiparticle energy separations have been determined for Landau levels near the Fermi level and comparisons are made with values determined from recent activation energy measurements on integral quantum Hall plateaus. Conclusions are drawn concerning the field strengths required for the validity of commonly adopted strong-field approximations. A series of transitions characterized by jumps in the spin polarization is predicted to occur near odd filling factors for sufficiently low densities.
Sex behavior and the sexually dimorphic hypothalamic nucleus in male zucker rats

To determine whether or not impaired male sex behavior in obese male Zucker rats is accompanied by any anatomical alterations in a hypothalamic area implicated in the control of sex behavior, 6 lean and 5 obese male Zucker rats were studied behaviorally and anatomically at 14 months of age. Obese males showed markedly decreased male sex behavior relative to lean males, in spite of serum levels of testosterone and testicular weights comparable to those of lean rats. Obese rats had significant decreases in brain weight and volumes of sexually dimorphic nuclei per g of brain, relative to lean rats; volumes per g brain of other structures (paraventricular and suprachiasmatic nuclei) were not different between groups. It is suggested that an incomplete expression of sexually dimorphic features of the preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus, due perhaps to an impaired process of perinatal brain androgenization, may contribute to decreased male sex behavior in adult obese rats.
New Risk-Management Strategies for Agricultural Cooperatives

challenging agricultural cooperatives: farmers who are members of cooperatives are doubly exposed to economic losses due to catastrophic events. With a regional crop failure, farmers may lose a portion of their profits from lower sales as well as a portion of their patronage refunds, since the co-op may also experience economic losses due to decreased throughput. This issue, which is most significant for value-added processing cooperatives, has largely been ignored, in part because solutions to the problem have previously not been feasible. Ironically, a primary incentive for farmers to invest in and supply to a cooperative is the co-op's ability to mitigate some of the farmers' risk (Sporleder and Goldsmith). The cooperative helps mitigate farm price risk by selling either raw farm products-into markets where and when prices are less variable-or processed products characterized by market prices more stable than commodity prices. However, farm members often fail to recognize the substantial risks to which their cooperative, and thus their invested equity, may be exposed. This has become more of a salient issue with the creation of new-generation cooperatives (NGCs), closed-membership cooperatives that typically require a substantial initial equity investment from farmer members.'
Aeble 150 Performance In A Mix And Match Environment

As lithographic requirements drive minimum feature dimensions into the 0.5-micron range, the use of conventional optical tools gives way to other, less conventional methods during the pattern processing. The most serious contenders in a production environment are high-throughput, E-beam, direct-write tools. These systems can generate features as small as 0.25 μm, but cannot yet match the throughput of optical equipment. A method of achieving submicron patterning is to use E-beam direct-write lithography for critical levels of the fabrication and optical lithography for the remainder. For this strategy to work, the ability of the various tools to overlay correctly is required. AEBLE 150 is designed not only to meet such requirements but, of equal importance, to facilitate the use of such strategy. The ability of this system to modify the placement of geometries in real time is the basis by which overlay with other equipment can be achieved. This requires characterizing the previous level or levels by measuring some sort of reference marks. The challenges present in the implementation of such a scheme are the ability to match the various distortion characteristics of the optical tools being used, to acquire a variety of pre-existing alignment marks, and to acquire these marks under non-optimal conditions due to previous processing steps. Finally, for a production system, this must be accomplished using methods that will not compromise its throughput or ease of use. This paper covers the design philosophy and implementation of the system to allow interfacing to other tools; the user's perspective from the definition of alignment mark types, structure and their location in the substrate; and finally the results achieved with a test that simulates matching a distorted wafer.
Effects of catastrophic flooding on stream biogeochemistry in a headwater stream in Shenandoah National Park, USA

This study examined the stream chemistry changes in Staunton River (a second-order headwater stream with an average annual discharge 704 m3 ha−1 yr−1, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia) resulting from a catastrophic flood in June 1995. This flood, which followed after 800 mm of rain in a 4-day period, caused large-scale debris flows and complete scouring of riparian soils down to bedrock in the lower 2 km of the stream, and has been estimated to be a 1000-year flood. The flood affected stream chemistry on both short- and long-term time scales. The primary short-term response was elevations in stream concentration of Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ by 59%, 87%, and 49%, respectively, for 6 months immediately following the flood. The long-term impact of decreased concentration of all base cations and SiO2 during summer months (8% average) lasted about 2 years. At the episodic time scale, Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ flushed from soil sources during pre-flood storms while Na+ and SiO2 diluted; these trends generally reversed during post-flood storms for 2 years. Short-term effects are attributed to the leaching of unconsolidated soil and upturned organic matter that clogged the streambed after the flood. The long-term and superimposed episodic impacts may have resulted from the loss of riparian soils and vegetation in the flood. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermally Induced Unfolding of Acanthamoeba Myosin II and Skeletal Muscle Myosin: Nucleotide Effects

Abstract The thermal unfolding of monomeric Acanthamoeba myosin II and rabbit skeletal muscle myosin at pH 7.5 in 0.6 M KCl has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and circular dichroism, A single endotherm (∼40 to 45°C) with a maximum at 41.7 ± 0.1°C and Δ H ≍ 1080 ± 180 kcal/mol is observed for both dephospho- and phospho-myosin II, Skeletal muscle myosin unfolds with less cooperativity over a wider temperature range (∼40 to 60°C) with Δ H ≍ 2500 kcal/mol. The thermal unfolding of either myosin results in a loss of ∼70% of α-helical structures. Saturation of dephospho- or phospho-myosin II with 5′-adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMPPNP) in the presence of Mg 2+ produces a second endotherm with a maximum at ∼49°C. The latter observation is attributed to a stabilization of head regions by nucleotide binding. Indeed, a purified N-terminal myosin II head fragment has been found to unfold with T max ∼41 and ∼48°C in the absence and presence of AMPPNP, respectively. The stabilization of the head regions is less with ADP + P i and still smaller with ADP alone, In summary, thermally induced unfolding of myosin II is affected by nucleotide binding to heads, but not by phosphorylation or even removal of a 66-amino-acid tailpiece containing phosphorylation sites. The observed differences in the cooperativity of unfolding myosin II and skeletal muscle myosin relate to differences between rod structures and possibly also head-rod interactions.
Challenges in treating oppositional defiant disorder in a pediatric medical setting: a case study

The following case study is presented to highlight the importance of consistency in identifying and treating oppositional defiant disorder in a pediatric patient with a life-threatening medical illness. A pediatric transplant patient's oppositional behaviors are described, as well as the educational behavioral training program provided to the patient's caregivers and medical staff. As a result of the training, the patient engaged in less oppositional behavior, was more cooperative and pleasant with staff, and was more compliant with her treatment. Subjective reports from caregivers indicated that the training with its emphasis on consistency effectively reduced the patient's symptoms and enhanced the caregivers' ability to care for the patient.
Picosecond pulsed diode ring-laser gyroscope.

We have demonstrated a novel solid-state ring-laser gyroscope, which utilizes as the gain media a pair of semiconductor diodes in an external ring cavity. The use of homogeneously broadened gain media is made possible by actively mode locking the laser. We observe no evidence of frequency locking between the counterpropagating optical pulse trains generated in the cavity to within the limit of our experimental resolution.
Effects of the Na+/H+ exchanger monensin on intracellular pH in astroglia

Abstract Stimulation of astroglial glucose utilization by the Na+/H+ exchanger monensin is only partially blocked by ouabain. The present studies show that monensin also raises intracellular pH in astroglia. Because increased pH stimulates phosphofructokinase activity, the ouabain-insensitive portion of the stimulation of cerebral glucose utilization (CMRglc) appears to be due to stimulation of glycolysis by intracellular alkalinization.
Estimation of the Distribution Function of a Continuous Type Random Variable through Randomized Response

Abstract In 1965 Stanley Warner [8] illustrated a technique whereby one could estimate from a sample the proportion of persons in a population possessing some characteristic X, without pointedly asking the question, “Do you possess characteristic X?”. The present article uses a variation of these ideas suggested by Warner in a later paper [7] to estimate the distribution function of a continuous-type random variable. The technique is illustrated by estimating an income distribution from the responses of a sample of 500 individuals. The potential use of devices of this type in maintaining confidentiality of existing data files is apparent.
Challenges in Preventing Heart Disease in Hispanics: Early Lessons Learned from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

The challenge of preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in US Hispanics depends upon being able to understand and communicate about the diversity within this population in terms of environmental exposures, health behaviors, socio-cultural experiences and genetic background to CVD risk factor profiles and disease burdens. Recent publications from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) launched by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have begun to accomplish this task. In this article we review some of the HCHS/SOL findings concerning cardiometabolic and other CVD risk factors and relate them to the need for increased access to health care and attention to lifestyle variables including nutrition. A major challenge that needs to be accomplished is to alert our lawmakers, public health officials, health care providers and the Hispanic population at large about how to lighten the CVD risk factor and disease burdens now carried by our Hispanic population.
Antigen and helper T lymphocytes activate B lymphocytes by distinct signaling pathways

Resting murine B lymphocytes can be induced to proliferate by cross-linking membrane immunoglobulin, the antigen receptor, or by contact with activated helper T lymphocytes in the absence of a signal through membrane immunoglobulin. Little is known about the molecular nature of contact-dependent T cell help. To determine whether helper T cells activate B cells through different signal transduction and second messenger pathways from those used by membrane immunoglobulin, the effects of drugs which block activation of B cells through membrane immunoglobulin were measured on B cell activation by contact with anti-CD3-activated and fixed T helper cells. Cyclosporin A, phorbol esters added at the time of activation, and cAMP agonists all block activation of B cells through membrane immunoglobulin at concentrations at least 100-fold lower than those necessary to block B cell activation by contact with activated Th1 or Th2 helper T cells. Depletion of protein kinase C by pretreatment of B cells with phorbol ester inhibits the proliferative response to anti-immunoglobulin but not the response to contact with activated T cells. The B cell response to lipopolysaccharide is intermediate in sensitivity to cyclosporin A and cAMP agonists, and resembles the response to activated T cells in resistance to phorbol esters and protein kinase C depletion. Various protein kinase inhibitors did not distinguish among these B cell activation pathways, except for the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, herbimycin A, which inhibited anti-immunoglobulin responses at 3- to 5-fold lower concentrations.
Prospective Reimbursement and Diabetes Mellitus Impact upon Glycemic Control and Utilization of Health Services

In order to curb spiraling health care costs, the federal government implemented prospective reimbursement to hospitals for inpatient services for all Medicare admissions. Beginning in the 1983 fiscal year, hospitals were paid a single rate for each Medicare admission, regardless of the cost involved in the care of any particular patient. This rate was determined by the diagnosisrelated group (DRG) into which the admitting diagnosis is classified."'2 In theory, DRGs should reduce unnecessary inpatient laboratory testing, procedures and services; discourage physicians from keeping patients in the hospital beyond what is medically justifiable; and encourage the use of the less expensive ambulatory setting for delivering health care.
A method for probing the affinity of peptides for amphiphilic surfaces

Abstract We have developed a rapid method for probing the affinity of peptides toward an amphiphilic surface. Hydrophobic polystyrene-divinylbenzene beads of 5.7 ± 1.5 μm diameter are coated with a monomolecular film of egg lecithin to achieve the equilibrium spreading density of the phospholipid, 6 × 10 −3 molecule/A 2 . The coated beads are ideally suited for assessing the affinity of peptides for phospholipid surfaces: (i) Large quantities of lipid-coated beads of known surface area can be prepared easily and rapidly. (ii) Within the pH range 2.0 to 9.0, the adsorbed phospholipids are relatively resistant to hydrolysis and remain bound indefinitely. (iii) Following incubation with peptide ligands, beads can be separated from the reaction mixture by centrifugation. (iv) Peptides, such as melittin, which destroy or cause fusion of single bilayer phospholipid vesicles, cannot disrupt lecithin-coated beads in a comparable way, and do not displace lecithin from the surface of beads. After incubating these beads in solutions of peptides and proteins, we have determined the parameters for the binding of several ligands to the phospholipid surface. The binding of many amphiphilic peptides obeys a Langmuir adsorption isotherm, i.e., saturable reversible binding to independent and equivalent sites on the bead. That the binding is a true reversible equilibrium is shown by desorption of the ligand upon dilution. From the isotherm, the surface areas occupied by the ligand molecules were calculated, and were observed to be similar to those observed in monolayers at the air-water interface. In comparing the binding of amphiphilic peptides to that of completely hydrophilic peptides, we observed that only the former bind at levels measurable by our techniques. Thus, this method can serve as a rapid assay for detecting amphiphilicity in peptides of putative amphiphilic character.
Broader Autism Phenotype and Nonverbal Sensitivity: Evidence for an Association in the General Population

This study examined the relationship between characteristics of the Broader Autism Phenotype (BAP) and nonverbal sensitivity, the ability to interpret nonverbal aspects of communication, in a non-clinical sample of college students. One hundred and two participants completed a self-report measure of the BAP, the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), and two tests of nonverbal sensitivity, the Test of Nonverbal Cue Knowledge (TONCK), and the Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy 2 (DANVA2). AQ score was correlated with TONCK performance and number of errors on the adult faces subtest of the DANVA2, but not adult paralanguage or postures. These findings suggest that characteristics of ASD in the general population are associated with differences in both explicit and implicit knowledge of nonverbal cues.
Comparative Gametogenesis of Spisula solidissima solidissima and Spisula solidissima similis Cultured in Coastal Georgia

— The reproductive cycle of two subspecies of surfclams, Spisula solidissimu solidissima and Spisulu solidissimu similis, cultured under similar nursery and field conditions were examined. Monthly gonadal examination showed that S. s. similis initiated gametogenesis, achieved mature status, and spawned earlier than S. s. solidissimu. S. s. similis spawned from January to June, while S. s. solidissimu spawned in May. S. s. similis exhibited an equal sex ratio; whereas, S. s. solidissima had significantly more males than females (1.00 M: 0.32 F). Implications for aquaculture development of surfclams are discussed.
Home care concerns for the normal newborn

Four of the most common problems encountered with newborns in the home include feeding difficulties, jaundice, gastrointestinal problems, and inconsolable crying. This article suggests assessment measures and intervention strategies to deal with these problems and evaluate the home environment for safety. This article also includes suggestions to promote safe infant feeding, bathing, sleeping arrangements, car safety seats, firearm and poison storage, fall prevention, concerns about pets, pest control, heating and cooling, and a nonsmoking environment.
A chlorofluorocarbon section in the eastern North Atlantic

Abstract We present the distributions of two chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) CFC-11 and CFC-12, measured as part of a hydrographic section between Iceland and the equator during July and August 1988. CFC-tagged water has filled the entire subpolar water column and subtropical thermocline in the eastern North Atlantic. Measurable CFC concentrations are observed at the ocean bottom as far south as 35°N, and the CFC penetration depth shoals to ≈750 m in the tropics. Specific features in the CFC distributions include a clear signal of Labrador Sea mid-depth ventilation, a CFC-enriched overflow water boundary current along the Iceland slope, and a mid-depth, equatorial plume of upper North Atlantic Water. The CFC data are used, in conjuction with the hydrographic data from the cruise, to illustrate the ventilation time-scales and pathways for the water masses in the eastern basin. A subsurface CFC maximum at about 100–200 m depth in the subtropics is shown to be a by-product of the heating and degassing of the seasonal thermocline and of the temperature sensitivity of CFC solubility. The CFC concentrations in the subpolar mode water are undersaturated by 15–18% relative to the atmosphere, reflecting the age of the mode waters and the very deep winter mixed layers in the eastern subpolar gyre. The CFC concentrations in the oxygen minimum off tropical Africa are much lower than the concentrations in the subtropical gyre, supporting previous work that suggests that isolation and enhanced productivity both contribute to the formation of the tropical oxygen minimum. In addition, the CFC inventories at the tropical stations have increased between 1982 and 1983 (TTO/TAS) and the summer of 1988 at a slower rate relative to the subtropical inventories over the same period. Thermocline oxygen utilization rates calculated from the CFC concentration data range from 5 to 10 μmol kg −1 y −1 and are in line with previous estimates for the eastern subtropical thermocline. The low CFC concentrations in Mediterranean Water, about one-quarter those in the Labrador Sea Water, are shown to result from entrainment near the Straits of Gibraltar of a large component of low CFC, lower Atlantic thermocline water. Based on the CFC and other transient tracer distributions, the deep eastern basin can be divided into two regions: the Iceland Basin and surrounding area influenced by Iceland-Scotland Overflow Water that is ventilated on a decadal time-scale, and the area south of ≈50°N that has little or no CFC and is ventilated from a southern source on a much longer time-scale. A northward flowing boundary current of low CFC, modified Eastern Basin Bottom Water is also found along the Rockall Plateau and in the Iceland Basin.
Enhanced nonlinear interactions in optical slow wave structures and the limiting role of disorder

We describe the waveguiding principles of optical slow-wave structures that lead to the tight-binding form of the dispersion relation. In the presence of the optical Kerr effect, we show that soliton-like non-propagating envelopes ("frozen light") can be expected, but the presence of disorder e.g., in the coupling coefficients between neighboring unit cells, creates a band-tail at the edges of the dispersion relation and causes non-zero propagation velocity of such pulses.
Regulation of Na+,K+-ATPase activity in MDCK kidney epithelial cell cultures: role of growth state, cyclic AMP, and chemical inducers of dome formation and differentiation

Na+,K+-ATPase activity was monitored in MDCK kidney epithelial cell monolayers and in cell extracts as a function of cell density, cAMP elevation, and exposure to hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) and dimethylsulfoxide (Me2SO). Ouabain-sensitive Na+,K+-ATPase and 86Rb+ uptake activities, and the number of [3H]-ouabain binding sites were maximal in subconfluent cultures and decreased accompanying the development of a confluent monolayer. A sodium pump density of 8 X 10(7) pumps/cell was estimated for subconfluent cultures, declining to 9 X 10(5) pumps/cell at confluence. Previous studies have shown that dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP), 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (IBMX), or the differentiation inducers HMBA and Me2SO, which also caused cAMP elevation, all stimulated dome formation, a visible manifestation of active transepithelial Na+ and water transport (Lever, 1979). In the present study, all of these inducers were found to elevate intracellular Na+ content, implicating this variable in control of induction of dome formation. Operationally, inducers could be divided into two classes. HMBA and Me2SO partially inhibited ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ influx. Ouabain, at a concentration that caused partial sodium pump inhibition and increased intracellular Na+ content, was also effective as an inducer. The second class, exemplified by IBMX and Bt2cAMP caused a furosemide-sensitive increase in intracellular Na+ content. This class of inducers stimulated ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake, presumably by substrate effects due to increased Na+ levels. The Na+ or ATP activation of Na+,K+-ATPase activity assayed in cell-free extracts, the affinity of the transport system for Rb+ in intact cells and intracellular ATP levels were unchanged by inducer treatment. Elevation of intracellular Na+ concentration, either by cAMP-stimulated, furosemide-sensitive mechanisms or by partial inhibition of the sodium pump may stimulate the induction of dome formation in MDCK cells.
Vibrational circular dichroism studies of epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor.

Abstract Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) studies are reported for two unrelated recombinant growth factor proteins: epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). NMR, electronic CD, and bFGF X-ray studies indicate that these two proteins are primarily composed of β-sheet and loop secondary structure elements with no detectable α-helices. Two reports on solution conformation of these proteins using FTIR absorption spectroscopy with subsequent resolution enhancement confirmed the presence of a large fraction of a β-sheet conformation but in addition indicated the presence of large absorption bands in the 1650–1656 cm −1 region, which are typically assigned to α-helices. The VCD spectra of both proteins have band shapes that strongly resemble those of other high β-sheet fraction proteins, such as the trypsin family of proteins. Quantitative analysis of the VCD spectra also indicates that these proteins are predominantly in β-sheet and extended (“other”) conformations with very little α-helix fraction. These results agree with the CD interpretation and affirm that the FTIR peaks in the region 1650–1656 cm −1 can be assigned to loops. This study provides an example of the limitations of using FTIR frequencies alone for examination of protein secondary structure.