cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Project

Context Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been recognized as a management option for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), although limited research exists to substantiate its effectiveness. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of OMT in the management of CTS. Methods This single-blinded quasi-controlled trial was conducted at an academic institution. Participants with CTS underwent weekly OMT sessions for 6 consecutive weeks. The main outcome measures were the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ), a sensory symptom diagram (SSD), patient estimate of overall change, electrophysiologic testing of the median nerve (trans-carpal tunnel motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity and amplitude ratio), and carpal tunnel ultrasound imaging of the cross-sectional area of the median nerve and transverse carpal ligament length and bowing. All outcome measures were administered to participants before the first OMT session. Immediately after the first session, electrophysiologic testing of the median nerve and ultrasound imaging of the carpal tunnel were repeated. After 6 weeks of OMT, all outcome measures were readministered. Results Results of the BCTQ revealed statistically significant improvements in symptoms and function after 6 weeks of OMT (F=11.0; P=.004), and the improvements tended to be more pronounced on the treated side. The drop in SSD scores after 6 weeks of treatment was statistically significant (F=4.19; P=.0002). Patient estimate of overall improvement of symptoms was statistically significant for the treated side. No statistically significant changes in electrophysiologic function of the median nerve, cross-sectional area of the median nerve, or transverse carpal ligament bowing were observed. After treatment, the increase in transverse carpal ligament length was statistically significant, but no side-to-side difference was detected. Conclusion Osteopathic manipulative treatment resulted in patient-perceived improvement in symptoms and function associated with CTS. However, median nerve function and morphology at the carpal tunnel did not change, possibly indicating a different mechanism by which OMT acted, such as central nervous system processes.
An evaluation of commercial expert system building tools

Abstract The Force Requirements Expert System (FRESH) is the first phase of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Navy Battle Management Program, part of the Strategic Computing Initiative. To encourage long term maintainability of the delivered system, DARPA required the use of a commercial Expert System Building Tool. The selection of a tool required the establishment of an evaluation methodology: Analyze the problem domain in terms of AI theory, examine the previous research solutions to the problem and determine their requirements, solve the problem with each tool, compare the results and make the selection. This methodology was followed for three tools that run on Lisp Machines: KEE™ from the IntelliCorp, ART™ from Inference Corporation, and Knowledge Craft™ from Carnegie Group Incorporated. The determining factors in our choice were the size and complexity of the domain and the fact that long term maintenance will be performed by people other than the original knowledge engineers. For these reasons the selection of expert system building tool for FRESH was Knowledge Craft™. This paper presents the application of this evaluation methodology, the results obtained from the tests, and selection decision given the results. Use of this methodology produces comprehensive and functionally accurate information with which to make a selection.
The $C^m$ Norm of a Function with Prescribed Jets I

We prove a variant of the classical Whitney extension theorem, in which the $C^m$-norm of the extending function is controlled up to a given, small percentage error.
Lewis and related tumor-associated determinants on ovarian carcinoma.

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies that defined blood group and related determinants bind to sections of fixed tissues from epithelial ovarian carcinoma in immunoperoxidase assays. Seventy-eight carcinomas and 27 normal tube and ovarian tissues were examined. Lewis (Le) a and Le b determinants were expressed on 58% of the serous carcinomas, on 60% of the endometrioid tumors, and on 78% of the mucinous carcinomas. Sialylated Le a , a gastrointestinal cancer-associated antigen (GICA), and lacto- N -fucopentaose (LNF) III, another Le-related determinant, have a similar distribution pattern. Of 10 normal ovaries and fallopian tubes tested from patients without cancer, one reacted wih anti-Le a , anti-Le b , or anti-LNF III monoclonal antibodies. Anti-GICA antibodies reacted with tissue from one patient. Le and Le-related antigenic determinants could be useful markers for ovarian cancer.
Vibrational spectra of C2v deuterium substituted pyridines. 2—Pyridine, pyridine-4-d, pyridine-2,6-d2 and pyridine-2,4,6-d3†

Pyridine-4-d, pyridine-2,6-d2 and pyridine 2,4,6-d3 have been prepared. The isotopic composition and label specificity of each of several preparations were verified by mass spectroscopy and proton NMR. The liquid phase Raman and the liquid and vapor phase infrared spectra are reported for these materials and for pyridine at room temperature. A new vibrational assignment consistent with frequency sum and product rule constraints is proposed. Thermodynamic functions calculated from the pyridine assignment are found to be in good agreement with published experimental values.
Cultural Context, Health and Health Care Decision Making:

Decisions about health promotion and illness prevention occur within a cultural context that is influenced by the contemporary context of community and family in addition to the ethnohistorical and language contexts, worldview and sociocultural factors of the particular culture and the available folk and professional health care resources. Using information about the health and care beliefs and values and health care decision making process in negotiating culturally congruent nursing and health care interventions is imperative, especially in a world with limited health care resources and an increasing demand for recognition of cultural diversity. This article uses data on health and health care decision-making from an ethnonursing study of the Old Order Amish to demonstrate the role of cultural context in health care practices and decision making. Leininger's cultural care theory and Hall's conceptualization of high context culture were used to investigate these phenomena. High context features of the Old...
Moderating effects of investor experience on the signaling value of private equity placements

Abstract We contend that young start-up firms requiring external capital are able to differentiate themselves from competitors through their choices of investors and financing mechanisms. Private placements of equity convey efficient signals to markets for several reasons. They are (short-term) irreversible, occur after a more rigorous analysis than public offerings provide, contain governance mechanisms, and are generally observable by outsiders. The disclosure that investors possess a superior reputation for evaluative ability conveys an additional, endorsing signal of the firm's prospects. This proves especially valuable for younger firms, less capitalized firms, and firms that have more recently received private equity from an experienced investor. Using an event history analysis on a sample of 329 publicly held biotechnology firms, we find firms that are perceived to be more uncertain and that disclose the presence of more prominent investors are better able to attract subsequent financing.
Human Body Parts Tracking Using Torso Tracking: Applications to Activity Recognition

This paper proposed an approach for human body part tracking which is based on torso tracking. The main goal in this paper is tracking main human body parts such as torso, head and hands. In the proposed method for human body part tracking, we are using connected components to improve the detected silhouette (i.e. detected foreground using background subtraction) in order to detect the body parts with respect to torso location and size. We are also using a blob tracking module which is composed of foreground detection, blob detection and blob tracking in order to find the approximate location and size of torso in each frame (i.e. torso tracking). By tracking torso, we will be able to track other body parts based on their location with respect to the torso. Having found torso size and location, the region of certain body parts on the silhouette will be modeled by an Gaussian ellipse using Gaussian blob modeling in each frame with different color in order to show its location, size and pose. The proposed HBPT approach helps us robustly identify and track human body parts in real-time for further use in Human Activity Recognition in vision-based HCI.
Current concepts in cranioplasty

A review of the methods of cranioplasty has been presented. A method of prefabrication of an alloplastic cranial implant has been described as well as a review of 40 patients with whom this technique was used.
The photometric roughness of Ariel is not unusual

Voyager 2 images of the Uranian satellite Ariel are reanalyzed, with a focus on the large-scale roughness parameter theta-bar. The techniques used to reduce the data and fit the Hapke parameters are described, and the results are presented in tables and graphs. Using the whole-disk phase curve, theta-bar of 27 + or - 1 deg is obtained, somewhat higher than but in good general agreement with the values for the other Uranian satellites. The anomalously high value (42 deg) found by Helfenstein et al. (1988) is attributed to miscalibration of the clear-filter image for phase angle 144.7 deg.
Mercury inputs and outputs at a small lake in northern Minnesota

Storages and cycling of total mercury (HgT), methylmercury (MeHg), and Hg0 are described for Spring Lake, a small bog lake in the Marcell Experimental Forest in north-central Minnesota. We quantified photoredox transformations, MeHg photolysis, burial to the sediments, and internal and external loadings of HgT and MeHg. Atmospheric deposition was the main input of HgT; MeHg was supplied by a combination of atmospheric, near-shore wetland, and biotic (methylation) sources. HgT outputs were dominated by burial (67%), and Hg0 evasion accounted for 26% of HgT outputs. The watershed of Spring Lake is small (3.7× lake surface area), and accordingly, bog and upland runoff were minor contributors to both HgT and MeHg inputs. Wet deposition was ∼9% of total MeHg input, and other external inputs (runoff, sediment porewater) provided only an additional 7%, indicating that internal production of MeHg was occurring in the lake. Photolysis of MeHg, measured in the field and laboratory, removed ∼3× the lake mass of MeHg (20 mg) annually, and was the dominant sink for MeHg. Residence times of MeHg and HgT in the lake were 48 and 61 days, respectively, during the open-water season, compared with only 8 days for the residence time of MeHg on settling particles (seston). Photoreduction of Hg2+ to Hg0 was greater than the reverse reaction (Hg0 photooxidation), and the residence time of Hg0 in the photic zone was short (hours). Data from this study show active cycling of all the measured species of mercury (HgT, MeHg, and Hg0) and the importance of MeHg photolysis and photo-redox processes.
Microstructure of amorphous 304 stainless steel-carbon alloys synthesized by magnetron sputter deposition

Abstract The results of a study of the effect of increasing carbon concentration on the crystalline-to-amorphous transition in high rate sputter-deposited 304 SS-carbon alloys are reported. Characterization using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis and differential thermal analysis showed that the amorphous state was formed at carbon concentrations greater than 5 at.%. Stabilization of the amorphous state at this low carbon concentration indicates that the rapid deposition process is a powerful technique for the synthesis of amorphous alloys.
Determining brittle extension and shear strain using fault-length and displacement systematics: Part I: Theory

We derive the exact equations by which the continuum approximation to the extensional and shear strains can be determined from measurements of fault-lengths or fault-displacement in a faulted domain. We develop the theory by which we can infer the extensional and shear strain in a volume of brittlely deformed crust from an incomplete inventory of the faults. To that end, we use empirical power-law relationships between fault-length and fault-displacement, and the power-law cumulative frequency distribution for each of these variables, for sampling domains of one, two, and three dimensions. The theory 1) defines the relationships among the parameters in these power-laws, which allows the self-consistency of results from fault-length and fault-displacement studies in domains of one, two, and three dimensions to be evaluated; 2) defines constraints on the relative sizes of the sampling domain and the largest fault that can be included in an analysis using fault systematics; 3) shows that extensional and shear strains in faulted crust can be inferred knowing only an independent set of the parameters defining the population systematics plus the magnitude of either the displacement or the length for the largest fault in the domain; and 4) defines the constraints on the three-dimensional strain imposed by sampling in one- and two-dimensional domains.
Small bandgap lasers and their uses in spectroscopy

Abstract Tunable infrared diode lasers fabricated from single crystals of Pb 1− x Sn x Te and PbS 1− y Se y have been used for a wide variety of high resolution spectroscopy measurements in the wavelength range from 4 to 11 μm. Typical laser threshold current densities range from 50 to 100 A/cm 2 at 4.2°K and from 1000 to 2000 A/cm 2 at 77°K. CW operation is readily obtained at 4.2°K for diode lasers of these alloys and was also observed for PbS at 110°K. The diode laser cw output is typically 10–100 μ watt with an incremental external quantum efficiency of about 1 × 10 -3 . In a few cases, output powers of several milliwatts have been observed. Diode lasers have been made from Pb 1− x Ge x Te and Pb 1− x Cd x S alloys which show promise of extending the emission range of tunable lead-salt lasers to shorter wavelengths. Tuning of the laser emission frequency has been achieved by varying the diode current and temperature and by applying a magnetic field or pressure to the diode. The tuning rates of individual modes were measured using a Fabry-Perot interferometer and ranged from 10 to 1000 MHz/mA for current tuning and approximately 1 MHz/Gauss for magnetic field tuning. These diode lasers have been extensively used in high resolution molecular spectroscopy. Absorption measurements have been made in sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ), ammonia (NH 3 ), ethylene (C 2 H 4 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ). Several other experiments have been performed such as the observation of lambda-doubling, Zeeman splitting and nuclear hyperfine structure of (NO) and the direct observation of lineshape and of the gain (or loss) of several vibration-rotation lines of a CO gas laser. This paper describes the details of the physical properties of lead salt diode lasers as well as the current and potential uses of these devices.
SmartParks for short term power flow control in smart grids

Among other functions, the smart grid is a vehicle to maximize the penetration of wind power by exploiting the use of energy storage devices in order to maximize the utilization of renewable energy and bring about maximum reduction in emissions. Large number of electric vehicles in a parking lot enabled to carry out vehicle-to-grid (V2G) transactions has been termed as a ‘SmartPark’ by the author. The use of vehicle-to-grid technology, information technology and advanced computational methods can provide short term real and reactive power support to overcome the drawback of the intermittent nature of renewable sources of electricity. This paper presents the intelligent control of SmartParks to enhance a smart grid's capability to compensate and mitigate active and reactive power fluctuations caused by the variability in wind power penetration in selected transmission lines and network buses.
A Compilation of Physical, Spectroscopic and Photophysical Properties of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH),t also known as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons or polyarenes, constitute a large class of organic compounds. They are formed and released into the environment through natural and man-made sources. Natural sources include volcanoes and forest fire, while the man-made sources come from wood burning, automobile exhaust, industrial power generators, incinerators, production of coal tar, coke, asphalt and petroleum, incomplete combustion of coal, oil, gas, garbage, tobacco and charbroiled meat. Polycyclic aromatic heterocyclic analogs containing one or more nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atoms are also present in substantial quantities in coal tar and petroleum residues produced during the refining process. In the atmosphere, they are principally generated from the combustion of fossil fuels, wood or forest burning, refuse burning and coal tar. Although anthropogenic sources account for the major portion of atmospheric PAH pollution (l), vehicle emissions are believed to be responsible for 35% of the total PAH emission in highly populated and industrialized urban areas of the United States (2). Deposition of PAH in surface and ground waters can take place from a variety of sources such as airborne PAH, municipal wastewater discharge, effluents from wood treatment plants and other industries, oil spills and petroleum pressing. Accumulation of PAH in soils is believed to result from atmospheric deposition after long-range transport. The concentration of PAH found in soil around urban and industrialized areas are sometimes up to two orders of magnitude higher than those in less-developed areas (derived from forest fires and airborne pollution). Once released into the environment, PAH can partition between air, water, soil or sediments. An extensive body of work on this subject has appeared in the literature in recent years. Representative examples include partitioning of PAH between the gas and suspended particle phase (3,4), aidwater
Pathology of the olfactory epithelium: smoking and ethanol exposure.

Objective: To investigate the effects of tobacco smoke on the olfactory epithelium. Cigarette smoking has been associated with hyposmia; however, the pathophysiology is poorly understood. The sense of smell is mediated by olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) exposed to the nasal airway, rendering them vulnerable to environmental injury and death. As a consequence, a baseline level of apoptotic OSN death has been demonstrated even in the absence of obvious disease. Dead OSNs are replaced by the mitosis and maturation of progenitors to maintain sufficient numbers of neurons into adult life. Disruption of this balance has been suggested as a common cause for clinical smell loss. This current study will evaluate the effects of tobacco smoke on the olfactory mucosa, with emphasis on changes in the degree of OSN apoptosis. Study Design: A rat model was used to assess the olfactory epithelium after exposure to tobacco smoke. Methods: Rats were exposed to tobacco smoke alone (for 12 weeks), smoke plus dietary ethanol (for the final 5 weeks), or to neither (control). Immunohistochemical analysis of the olfactory epithelium was performed using an antibody to the active form of caspase-3. Positive staining for this form of the caspase-3 enzyme indicates a cell undergoing apoptotic proteolysis. Results: Control rats demonstrated a low baseline level of caspase-3 activity in the olfactory epithelium. In contrast, tobacco smoke exposure triggered a dramatic increase in the degree of OSN apoptosis that affected all stages of the neuronal lineage. Conclusions: These results support the following hypothesis: smell loss in smokers is triggered by increased OSN death, which eventually overwhelms the regenerative capacity of the epithelium.
Radiative impact of mineral dust on monsoon precipitation variability over West Africa

The radiative forcing of dust and its impact on precipitation over the West Africa monsoon (WAM) region is simulated using a coupled meteorology and aerosol/chemistry model (WRF-Chem). During the mon- soon season, dust is a dominant contributor to aerosol optical depth (AOD) over West Africa. In the control simulation, on 24-h domain average, dust has a cool- ing effect ( 6.11 W m 2 ) at the surface, a warming effect (6.94 W m 2 ) in the atmosphere, and a relatively small TOA forcing (0.83 W m 2 ). Dust modifies the surface energy bud- get and atmospheric diabatic heating. As a result, atmo- spheric stability is increased in the daytime and reduced in the nighttime, leading to a reduction of late afternoon pre- cipitation by up to 0.14 mm/h (25%) and an increase of noc- turnal and early morning precipitation by up to 0.04 mm/h (45%) over the WAM region. Dust-induced reduction of diurnal precipitation variation improves the simulated diur- nal cycle of precipitation when compared to measurements. However, daily precipitation is only changed by a relatively small amount ( 0.17 mm/day or 4%). The dust-induced change of WAM precipitation is not sensitive to interannual monsoon variability. On the other hand, sensitivity simula- tions with weaker to stronger absorbing dust (in order to rep- resent the uncertainty in dust solar absorptivity) show that, at the lower atmosphere, dust longwave warming effect in the nighttime surpasses its shortwave cooling effect in the daytime; this leads to a less stable atmosphere associated with more convective precipitation in the nighttime. As a result, the dust-induced change of daily WAM precipitation varies from a significant reduction of 0.52 mm/day ( 12%, weaker absorbing dust) to a small increase of 0.03 mm/day (1%, stronger absorbing dust). This variation originates from the competition between dust impact on daytime and night-
Multifractal radiographic analysis of osteoporosis

An important complication of osteoporosis is fracture. Alteration in bone structure, as well as decreased bone mass, contribute to the tendency to fracture in osteoporosis. Current methods that measure bone mass alone show substantial overlap of the measurements of osteoporotic patients who fracture with those that do not. Our aim is to develop noninvasive methods of evaluating bone structure on plain film radiographs to better predict fracture risk in osteoporosis. Regions of interest (ROIs) were selected from digitized lateral lumbar spine radiographs of 43 patients being seen in an osteoporosis clinic. The fractal dimension of these ROIs was estimated using a surface area method. The ability of fractal dimension to distinguish between cases that had fracture elsewhere in the spine from those that did not, was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. These results were compared with ROC analysis for these same patients using bone mineral density (BMD) measurements (bone mass). Significantly larger Az (area under ROC curve) values were obtained using fractal dimension (0.87) than from using BMD (0.58), indicating a better test performance using fractal dimension. Therefore, computerized radiographic methods to evaluate bone structure, such as fractal analysis, may be helpful in better determining fracture risk in osteoporosis.
A robust version of the KPSS test based on indicators

Abstract This paper proposes a test of the null hypothesis of stationarity that is robust to the presence of fat-tailed errors. The test statistic is a modified version of the so-called KPSS statistic. The modified statistic uses the “sign” of the data minus the sample median, whereas KPSS used deviations from means. This “indicator” KPSS statistic has the same limit distribution as the standard KPSS statistic under the null, without relying on assumptions about moments, but a different limit distribution under unit root alternatives. The indicator test has lower power than standard KPSS when tails are thin, but higher power when tails are fat.
A statistical analysis of the order of certain amino acids in the protein of Escherichia coli.

Abstract Methods have been developed for measuring the frequency of occurrence of methionine and cysteine in various positions in a collection of proteins from E. coli. Data have been obtained on these frequencies in the N-terminal positions, and the positions following arginine and lysine in the chains. These frequencies have been compared to expected frequencies based on a random model. The differences indicate statistical constraints in ordering the amino acids.
Congenital Heart Disease Affects Cerebral Size but Not Brain Growth

Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) have delayed brain maturation and alterations in brain volume. Brain metrics is a simple measurement technique that can be used to evaluate brain growth. This study used brain metrics to test the hypothesis that alterations in brain size persist at 3 months of age and that infants with CHD have slower rates of brain growth than control infants. Fifty-seven infants with CHD underwent serial brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To evaluate brain growth across the first 3 months of life, brain metrics were undertaken using 19 tissue and fluid spaces shown on MRIs performed before surgery and again at 3 months of age. Before surgery, infants with CHD have smaller frontal, parietal, cerebellar, and brain stem measures (p < 0.001). At 3 months of age, alterations persisted in all measures except the cerebellum. There was no difference between control and CHD infants in brain growth. However, the cerebellum trended toward greater growth in infants with CHD. Somatic growth was the primary factor that related to brain growth. Presence of focal white matter lesions before and after surgery did not relate to alterations in brain size or growth. Although infants with CHD have persistent alterations in brain size at 3 months of age, rates of brain growth are similar to that of healthy term infants. Somatic growth was the primary predictor of brain growth, emphasizing the importance of optimal weight gain in this population.
Immunomodulatory agents in myelofibrosis.

Introduction: The treatment options for patients with myelofibrosis (MF) remain limited. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, extramedullary hematopoiesis, constitutional symptoms, and disease progression are the primary causes of morbidity and mortality. Traditional non-transplant therapies remain non-curative. Moreover, in the JAK2 inhibitor era, no single pharmacologic agent has been shown to improve all MF-related clinical manifestations. Immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs), such as thalidomide and lenalidomide, have been useful in the treatment of some MF patients while newer IMiDs such as pomalidomide are showing promise in MF. Areas covered: This review focuses on the biologic rationales of IMiDs and the clinical results supporting their use in MF. It includes data on the new IMiD, pomalidomide and also explores the possible utility of combining IMiDs with other agents. A PubMed search of articles related to IMiDs and myelofibrosis were conducted. Relevant studies and clinical studies with sample size of > 15 wer...
Purification and properties of mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from liver of Squalus acanthias.

Abstract Liver from Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish), a representative elasmobranch, contains ≈1.4 units (μmol/ min) of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity per gram and ≈90% of the total units of activity are localized in the mitochondria. The mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was isolated and characterized. The purified enzyme has properties generally similar to those found in mammalian and avian species. The enzyme has a molecular weight of ≈70,000 and exists in a functional state as a monomer. The isolated enzyme displays a dual cation requirement (e.g., 6 m m Mg2+ and 10 μ m Mn2+) for maximal activity; very little activity is observed when Mg2+ is present alone, and the maximal activity attained with Mn2+ alone (millimolar concentrations required) is significantly less than that observed under optimal conditions with both cations present. When assayed in the direction of oxalacetate formation there is a lag in product formation with time; the lag can be eliminated by the presence of 50 μ m GTP (product). The Km for substrates is not affected by Mn2+ concentration, suggesting that the role of Mn2+ may not be related to substrate binding. The apparent Km for phosphoenolpyruvate (≈1 m m ) is substantially higher than that reported for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from other species. The activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is increased 70% by physiological concentrations of urea. Maximal velocity of the reaction in the direction of oxalacetate formation is approximately half that of the reverse reaction.
Spectral and kinetic studies on the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide.

The soluble form of guanylate cyclase (sGC) is the only definitive receptor for the signaling agent nitric oxide (·NO). The enzyme is a heterodimer of homologous subunits in which each subunit binds 1 equiv of 5-coordinate high-spin heme. ·NO increases the Vmax of sGC up to 400-fold and has previously been shown to bind to the heme to form a 5-coordinate complex. Using stopped-flow spectrophotometry, it is demonstrated that the binding of ·NO to the heme of sGC is a complex process. ·NO first binds to the heme to form a 6-coordinate nitrosyl complex, which then converts to a 5-coordinate nitrosyl complex through one of two ways. For 28 ± 4% of the heme, the 6-coordinate nitrosyl complex rapidly (∼20 s-1) converts to the 5-coordinate complex. For the remaining 72 ± 4% of the heme, the conversion of the 6-coordinate nitrosyl complex to a 5-coordinate nitrosyl complex is slow (0.1−1.0 s-1) and is dependent upon the interaction of ·NO with an unidentified non-heme site on the protein. The heme (200 nM) was co...
A study of premixed hydrocarbon-fluorine flames

Spectra of premixed flames of fluorine with methane, ethane and propane were studied at pressures between 3 and 8 Torr. Three continua were observed: the C3 continuum: a continuum in the 250 to 340 nm region, very likely due to the recombination of fluorine atoms; and a continuous emission due to solid carbon (Cs). The bands observed include those of C3 (Swings bands), CH, C2 and OH, the latter being due to oxygen impurities in the fluorine supply. In addition, four new bands at 543.2, 516.8, 492.5 and 470.0 nm were identified as belonging to the rotation-vibration spectra of HF. Measurements of the spectral radiances of CH, C2, C3 and Cs emissions, as a function of mixture strength, revealed the following correlations: the C2 band emission intensity is proportional to the 1.6 power of that of CH for methane flames and to its first power for ethane and propane flames; for all flames the emission intensity of C3 is proportional to that of Cs. The sequence in which these radiations make their appearance in the flame lead us to postulate the following mechanism for the methane flame: i) The formation of C2⊙ involves two hydrocarbon fragments; the possible reactions appear to be: CH + CH = C 2 • + H 2 CH + C = C 2 • + H ii) C3 is formed from the evaporation of solid carbon iii) CH, which is a product of the fuel molecule from successive hydrogen abstraction by fluorine atoms, serves as nuclei for the formation of solid carbon. The reaction mechanisms in the more complex ethane and propane flames are further discussed in light of the spectroscopic evidence. The corresponding hydrocarbon flames supported by oxygen were also investigated. The similarities and differences of hydrocarbon combustion with fluorine and with oxygen are discussed.
Sexual differences in species recognition of avian song

Studies of species recognition in male birds have often identified features that are distinctive, invariant markers of a species song but which can be altered without altering male response1–4. Such results raise the question of why natural selection has favoured the retention of these features in the song. We propose that such features are favoured by selection because females use them in species recognition even though males do not. There are excellent theoretical grounds for expecting that males and females of the same species would differ in their means of species recognition, as required by this hypothesis. We report here that female red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) discriminate against abnormal songs previously shown to be acceptable to males of this species. Similar sexual differences in species recognition may be expected in animals other than birds, and in recognition systems based on cues other than vocalizations.
SUPERCONVERGENCE AND ALGEBRAIC REALIZATIONS OF CHIRAL SYMMETRY.

The consequences of assuming that there is no isospin $T=2$ part in the commutator [${\stackrel{\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}}{Q}}_{5}^{a},{\stackrel{\ifmmode\ddot\else\textasciidieresis\fi{}}{Q}}_{5}^{b}$] of time derivatives of the axial charges ${Q}_{5}^{a}$ and ${Q}_{5}^{b}$ have been investigated. The superconvergence condition derived from this assumption provides constraints on Weinberg's mass matrix. The mixing angles introduced by Weinberg for the $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}{A}_{1}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\sigma}$ system of mesons and for the nucleon resonances belonging to the (1, \textonehalf{}) and (\textonehalf{}, 0) representations of the chiral group are now determined. When only $\ensuremath{\rho}$-wave pion interactions are considered, it is shown that the new constraints on the mass matrix lead to mass degeneracy for the symmetric representations of $\mathrm{SU}(2)\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\mathrm{SU}(4)$. The constraints on the spin spectrum derivable from the superconvergence conditions are briefly mentioned.
A class-G dual-supply switched-capacitor power amplifier in 65nm CMOS

A digitally-controlled switched-capacitor RF power amplifier (SCPA) that uses a dual-supply voltage, class-G architecture is implemented in 65nm CMOS. It implements signal envelope digital-to-analog conversion using switching functions controlled by digital logic to achieve superior efficiency and linearity at output power backoff. The SCPA delivers a peak (average) output power of 24.3 (16.8) dBm with a peak (average) PAE of 44% (33%) for an IEEE 802.11g signal (64 QAM OFDM) with a measured EVM of 2.9 % in the 2.4 GHz band. No digital predistortion was necessary because of the superior linearity.
Frontal Cortical Connectivity and Lateralisation of Joint Attention Experience Using near Infrared Spectroscopy

Autism is a socio-communication brain development disorder. It is marked by degeneration in the ability to respond to joint attention skill tasks, from as early as 12 to 18 months of age. This trait is used to distinguish autistic from typically developing populations. In this study, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was used for the first time to study brain connectivity and lateralisation in response to joint attention experience in normal adults. The pre- and anterior frontal regions of the brain were non-invasively imaged using a frequency-domains based NIR system. The imaging studies were performed on 11 normal right-handed adults and optical measurements were acquired in response to joint-attention based video clips. Functional connectivity analysis was performed using intensity and relative phase shift data of the frequency-domain optical signals. Functional connectivity was computed using zero-order correlations and the cortical lateralisation analyses was also performed. Strong functional connectivity (in terms of HbO (oxy-haemoglobin), HbT (total haemoglobin) and relative phase shift data) in the pre-frontal cortex, was observed, irrespective of the stimuli (joint-attention (J), non-joint attention (NJ), and baseline rest (R); J, NJ or R). However, in the anterior frontal cortex, although the connectivity (based on HbO and HbT) demonstrated a strong correlation between the left and right regions, the connectivity (based on relative phase shift data) demonstrated a weaker correlation. The cortical lateralisation study demonstrated a right pre-frontal dominance during NJ and R stimuli, and not so in the J stimulus. The lateralisation study complemented the connectivity study by revealing that, although both the volume and pathlengths of the left and right pre-frontal cortex are similar, the dominance can vary with respect to stimuli. The high temporal resolution of NIR spectroscopy enabled study of the neural pathway associated with the socio-communicative skills, and hence the results have potential to elucidate the neural pathways associated with autism. Future NIR studies on autistic and typically developing children in response to the socio-communicative tasks (e.g. joint attention experience), may have a significant impact in early stage diagnostic intervention of autism in much younger children (< three years of age).
Denatured state effects and the origin of nonclassical phi values in protein folding.

Analysis of the φ value is one of the most powerful tools to understand the transition state for protein folding. In principle, φ values are expected to fall in the range of 0 to 1. However, a noticeable number of φ values have been observed which are either less than 0 or greater than 1. The origin of such φ values, sometimes referred to as noncanonical or nonclassical φ values, has been controversial. Here we show that mutational effects upon denatured state energetics can lead to nonclassical φ values.
A New Enantiornithine Bird from the Upper Cretaceous La Colonia Formation of Patagonia, Argentina

ABSTRACT Enantiornithes is a diverse clade of Mesozoic birds first recognized from the Upper Cretaceous sediments of a South American locality in northern Argentina. Extensive discoveries of Mesozoic birds have since been made globally, and three other South American localities have subsequently produced enantiornithine material. Here, we report an enantiornithine specimen from a new locality in the Upper Cretaceous La Colonia Formation of Patagonia, Argentina. Although mammals and other vertebrate fossils have been reported from the site, this new specimen is the first bird. The specimen, from deposits assessed to be Maastrichtian in age, is the uncrushed distal end of a right humerus with well-preserved muscle scars. The following characters support its referral to Enantiornithes: (1) weakly developed distal condyles; (2) anteroposterior distal compression and transverse expansion of the humerus; and (3) distal projection of the ventral epicondyle. The specimen is differentiated from most other Enantior...
Action potential duration increases as body temperature decreases during hibernation

The effect of temperature on the duration of both population spikes and action potentials of single neurons has been investigated in a variety of in vitro preparations. A few studies have examined the influence of temperature on spike potentials from spinal motoneurons of intact, anesthetized mammals. In all cases, the duration of the action potential or population spike increased as temperature decreased. A similar increase in the duration of action potentials accompanied hibernation in the ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis). Oscilloscope traces of 2 brainstem reticular formations, and 8 posterior thalamic single units were photographed at a body temperature (Tb) of 34-36 degrees C during euthermia prior to entrance into hibernation and at Tb's ranging from 10 to 27 degrees C during hibernation. There was a significant increase in the duration of the second component of the diphasic action potential at the lower Tb (P less than 0.01). This temperature effect was reversible, i.e. action potential durations returned to preentrance euthermic values following arousal from hibernation (Tb = 34-36 degrees C). This study is the first to use behaving animals to demonstrate that changes in biophysical characteristics of central nervous system neurons occur at low Tb. These changes in membrane characteristics probably result in alterations in neuronal functioning and information processing during hibernation.
Restriction map of the region surrounding the EcoRI site in the pCR1 plasmid and analysis of an inserted ovalbumin gene.

Abstract We have determined a restriction map of a 1650 base pair region surrounding the Eco RI site of the bacterial plasmid, pCR1. We have used pCR1 as a vector in cloning synthetic ovalbumin double-stranded cDNA. Using the pCR1 restriction map, we have characterized the ovalbumin sequences inserted in one recombinant plasmid, pOvE12. pOvE12 appears to contain all, or nearly all, of the sequences found in full length, double-stranded cDNA synthesized in vitro.
cDNA cloning and structural analysis of the human limbic-system-associated membrane protein (LAMP).

Abstract The limbic-system-associated membrane protein (LAMP) is a 64–68-kDa neuronal surface glycoprotein distributed in cortical and subcortical regions of the limbic system. The human LAMP gene was cloned by RT-PCR using human cerebral cortex mRNA and oligodeoxyribonucleotide (oligo) primers derived from the rat lamp cDNA sequence. The human and rat LAMP cDNAs showed 94% identity at the nucleotide (nt) level, and the encoded 338-amino-acid (aa) polypeptides shared 99% sequence identity. All the important features of LAMP were conserved: (i) the deduced aa sequence reflecting a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor, ( ii ) eight putative N -linked glycosylation sites, and ( iii ) conserved pairs of Cys forming three internal repeats characteristic of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). Northern blot analysis indicated the presence of two mRNA transcripts in the human brain of a size identical to those identified in adult rat brain. These data indicate that LAMP is a highly conserved new member of the IgSF which, together with the opioid-binding cell adhesion molecule (OBCAM) and neurotrimin, comprises a new subfamily that has been designated as IgLONs. With a unique distribution in limbic structures, LAMP may play an important role in limbic system development and function, as suggested by previous in vitro and in vivo functional studies.
Numerical Solution Of The Multi-Dimensional Buckley-Leveret Equation By A Sampling Method

A method developed earlier for solving numerically the one-dimensional Buckley-Leverett equation for 2-phase immiscible flow in a porous medium is extended to the case of nonuniform flow in 2-space dimensions. The method has the feature of tracking solution discontinuities sharply for purely hyperbolic problems, without requiring devices such as the introduction of artificial dissipation. It is found that the method is computationally efficient for solving a numerical example for the 5-spot configuration of waterflooding of a petroleum reservoir.
Gleichenia chaloneri-a New Fossil Fern from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian) of England

A new fossil fern is described from the early Albian age (early Cretaceous) Silty Beds of Bedfordshire, England, and assigned to the extant genus Gleichenia of the Gleicheniaceae. The pinnules and ...
How Cognitive Processes Affect Unethical Behavior: The Role of Decision Frame and Construal Level

Many models of ethical decision-making have argued that unethical behavior is affected by decision frame. This paper further explores the link between decision frames and unethical behavior in thre...
The role of organizational trust in safety climate's influence on organizational outcomes

Based on elements of social exchange theory and other conceptualizations of trust, a model was developed situating organizational trust as a central component to the relationship that safety climate has with organizational outcomes. Specifically, the model specified that two facets of safety climate--upward safety communication and management attitudes toward safety--would be positively related to organizational trust. Increased levels of trust would then predict increased motivation to engage in safe job-related behaviors, increased job satisfaction, and decreased turnover intentions. Another hypothesis investigated whether job safety relevance would moderate the relationship between safety climate and trust. Online survey research was conducted with 599 employees from 97 work groups across a New England grocery store chain. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated support for trust mediating the relationship between safety climate and organizational outcomes; further, the relationship between safety climate and trust was stronger within work groups where safety was more relevant.
Refinement of high-resolution X-ray diffraction data in characterizing epitaxial layers and multiple-quantum wells by the peak separation technique

The process of determining the strain and composition in epitaxial layers by the X-ray rocking curve technique involves the measurement of peak separations between the substrate and the epilayer for specific reflections. The resulting interplanar spacings are combined and solved for the in-plane and perpendicular lattice parameters and hence for the strain. However, lattice parameters computed from different combinations of reflections often differ by amounts as large as several hundred parts per million, whereas much smaller errors of near ten parts per million are expected. This leads to an ambiguity in separating discrepancies from true experimental errors. To remove this ambiguity, a simple, analytical, and versatile method is proposed, which forces the X-ray reflection equations towards internal consistency by making small adjustments to each measurement. A least-squares version of the method is described, and applied to several common systems of interest, although any other assumed relationship among the adjustments may also be utilized. The concepts of inconsistency and experimental error are distinguished, and an index of consistency is defined. This definition does not absolve the requirement of repeated measurements for determining the experimental error, but gives a quantitative gauge of fit among individual measurements from various diffracting planes.
Kinin formation in hereditary angioedema plasma: evidence against kinin derivation from C2 and in support of "spontaneous" formation of bradykinin.

Abstract Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is due to a functional deficiency of the inhibitor of the activated first component of complement (C1 INH). This abnormality is thought to be responsible for the generation of a kininlike peptide in HAE plasma that is derived from the second component of complement (C2). Specifically, a combination of C2 cleavage by C1s and C2 fragment cleavage by plasmin has been reported to generate a kinin that is distinguishable from bradykinin. We have attempted to generate this peptide by activating the classical complement pathway by incubation of plasma with immune complexes and then adding plasmin or by incubating purified C1s with C4 and C2 and then adding either plasmin or trypsin. We performed a total of 13 experiments, and in no case was a kininlike molecule generated as assessed by contraction of the estrus rat uterus. However, incubation of EDTA-treated HAE plasma at 37 °C for time intervals up to 1 hr progressively generated a smooth muscle-contracting activity. This activity was resistant to tryptic digestion but was destroyed after incubation with carboxypeptidase B, an inhibition profile consistent with that of bradykinin. We therefore propose that bradykinin alone, or in combination with other factors heretofore unrecognized, might be responsible for the swelling that is characteristic of hereditary angioedema.