cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture Expectancy Scale: Development and Preliminary Validation in China

Objective Expectancy has been shown to affect the response to psychological and medical interventions; however, the lack of validated measure of expectancy in the setting of acupuncture limits the quantitative evaluation of the effects of expectancy on clinical response to acupuncture therapy. We seek to develop and validate an instrument that measures patients' expected response from acupuncture. Setting/design We developed the acupuncture expectancy scale by eliciting items from patients and then conducted a survey study in two phases to test the reliability and validity of the instrument among 200 subjects at six outpatient acupuncture clinics in Beijing, China. Results Our final scale consisted of four items measuring the expectation of improvement of illness, enhanced coping, increased vitality, and symptom alleviation as a result of acupuncture therapy. Scores of acupuncture expectancy scales ranged from four to 20, with a median of 17, and 21% at the maximum score. No item had over 5% missing data. Internal consistency (Cronbach's α coefficient) was .82. Principal components analysis revealed one general component accounting for 64% of the variance. Expectancy of response was positively correlated with selected questions of perceived efficacy (0.44), satisfaction (0.49), and confidence in prescribed acupuncture therapy (0.51), all with P Conclusion We developed a simple four-item instrument with valid and reliable score that measures expectancy about acupuncture therapy and correlates to subject reported response. The reliability and validity of acupuncture expectancy scale score needs to be tested in other types of populations. Incorporating this instrument in clinical trials can evaluate the role of expectancy as part of the complex social-behavioral component of acupuncture therapy.
Time-trends in necropsy prevalence and birth prevalence of lung hypoplasia.

Summary. Congenital lung hypoplasia (LH) has been identified with increasing frequency in perinatal and neonatal necropsy reviews. The available prevalence figures have been derived using various diagnostic criteria in different populations and at various times. We therefore reviewed our experience in 15 years of consecutive early neonatal necropsies using one constant set of diagnostic criteria for LH and looked for a time-trend. We determined the necropsy prevalence (no. of cases of LH/no. of necropsies) and the birth prevalence (no. of cases of LH documented at necropsy per 1000 livebirths for inborn patients, and per 1000 referrals for outborn patients) between 1971 and 1985. We then divided this 15-year period into five consecutive 3-year periods to determine if a time-trend was discernible. Whereas early neonatal mortality for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions progressively decreased from 11.4% to 4.0% between the first and the last 3-year periods, the number of cases of LH per 3-year period did not vary appreciably. As a result, the prevalence of LH at necropsy showed a slight upward trend with time. The overall prevalence was 18%; it was 13% during the first and 23% during the last 3-year period. We found no time-trend in birth or referral prevalence for this lesion, which averaged 1.1 per 1000 livebirths and 9.8 per 1000 referrals. We conclude that lung hypoplasia appears to be emerging as an increasingly prevalent necropsy finding as a result of a shift in proportionate mortality, with the number of patients dying of other causes (denominator) decreasing, and the number of patients dying with lung hypoplasia remaining constant.
Phase I-II trial of intramuscularly administered bleomycin.

Abstract Bleomycin was administered intramuscularly on one of four schedules in a phase I–II trial conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. A total of 168 evaluable patients received either bleomycin 5 mg/m 2 daily, 5 mg/m 2 weekly, 20 mg/m 2 weekly or 40 mg/m 2 weekly. The latter dose proved to be toxic and was discontinued. Comparable toxicity was seen with the other three schedules. The toxicity was qualitatively and quantitatively similar to that reported with other bleomycin doses, schedules and routes of administration except that no radiographic evidence of pulmonary toxicity was seen. Patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors responded equally well to the low dose and high dose bleomycin schedules. The highest response rates were seen in patients with testicular tumors and lymphomas. The median duration of response was 1–2 months.
Estimation of meiosis and sporulation efficiencies in the fission yeast by ascus analysis.

Populations of linear asci are classified according to the number of spores in an ascus. The resultant five numerical classes are further classified into ten spatial classes according to the arrangement of the spores in an ascus and, by inference, into ten historical classes according to the number and origins of failures during the developmental process. An analysis of the observed frequencies of numerical classes allows derivation of the efficiencies of the first meiotic division, the second meiotic division and sporulation in a fission yeast. The analytical method may be useful in locating the site of action of sporulation inhibitors and in identifying meiosis mutants from sporulation mutants.
Structural basis for monoubiquitin recognition by the Ede1 UBA domain.

Monoubiquitination is a general mechanism for downregulating the activity of cell surface receptors by consigning these proteins for lysosome-mediated degradation through the endocytic pathway. The yeast Ede1 protein functions at the internalization step of endocytosis and binds monoubiquitinated proteins through a ubiquitin associated (UBA) domain. UBA domains are found in a broad range of cellular proteins but previous studies have suggested that the mode of ubiquitin recognition might not be universally conserved. Here we present the solution structure of the Ede1 UBA domain in complex with monoubiquitin. The Ede1 UBA domain forms a three-helix bundle structure and binds ubiquitin through a largely hydrophobic surface in a manner reminiscent of the Dsk2 UBA and the remotely homologous Cue2 CUE domains, for which high-resolution structures have been described. However, the interaction is dissimilar to the molecular models proposed for the hHR23A UBA domains bound to either monoubiquitin or Lys48-linked diubiquitin. Our mutational analyses of the Ede1 UBA domain–ubiquitin interaction reveal several key affinity determinants and, unexpectedly, a negative affinity determinant in the wild-type Ede1 protein, implying that high-affinity interactions may not be the sole criterion for optimal function of monoubiquitin-binding endocytic proteins.
Pressure dependence of the CO + OH rate constant in O2 + N2 mixtures

Abstract The rates of production of CO 2 in the reactions, CO + OH and CO + OH + iso-C 4 H 10 , have been used to determine the pressure dependence of the CO + OH rate constant at 31.5°C. Total reaction pressures of 100–600 torr were used with O 2 + N 2 mixtures for the “make up gas”. Photolysis of H 2 O 2 provided the hydroxyl radical source. CO 2 production was measured by gas chromatography. A high pressure ( P ⩾ 300 torr) value for k (OH + CO) = (2.69 ± 0.40) × 10 −13 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 was determined. The change from the low to the high pressure rate constant occurs in the region 100 torr P k (OH + iso-C 4 H 10 ) = (1.59 ± 0.18) × 10 −12 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 was obtained at 100 torr relative to the low pressure value of k (OH + CO) = 1.50 × 10 −13 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 .
Estimating occupational radiation doses when individual dosimetry information is not available: a job exposure matrix.

Background A job exposure matrix (JEM) was developed for a population based case control study to assess the possible association between occupational radiation and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Methods Using published radiation monitoring data, we developed a radiation JEM composed of estimated annual dose distributions, categorized by time period, for a broad range of occupational and industrial groups. Results When information is available to correctly assess an individual's exposure status, the annual dose distributions in the JEM can be used in conjunction with job histories to estimate the distribution of possible cumulative doses for individuals. The median of the cumulative dose distribution can then be used in standard epidemiologic analysis. In addition, methods can be applied that incorporate the uncertainty about each individual's true dose into risk estimates and associated confidence intervals. Conclusions The JEM can be useful in estimating occupational radiation exposures in other studies, particularly population based case control studies which include detailed occupational histories. Am. J. Ind. Med. 36:348–359, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The status of reference data, reference materials and reference procedures in surface analysis

A brief synopsis is given of recent developments and current needs for reference data, reference materials and reference procedures in surface analysis. This assessment is based largely on three presentations and related discussion at the Second Topical Conference on Quantitative Surface Analysis held at Monterey, California on 30–31 October, 1987. While a reasonable start has been made in recent years in providing needed data, materials, and procedures, many important needs remain.
The quantum hall effect: Relation to quasi one dimensional conductors

Abstract Many features of quasi one dimensional conductors, such as (CH) x and the fractional quantum Hall effect in two dimensional layers, are shared in common. These include quantization of the electron density, i.e. , for certain densities, incompressibility of the electron gas, a gap in the quasi particle spectrum and fractionally charged quasi particles. The underlying physics relating these apparently distinct systems is discussed.
Identification of functional voltage-gated Na+ channels in cultured human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Electrical excitability, which plays an important role in excitation–contraction coupling in the pulmonary vasculature, is regulated by transmembrane ion flux in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC). This study aimed to characterize the electrophysiological properties and molecular identities of voltage-gated Na+ channels in cultured human PASMC. We recorded tetrodotoxin (TTX) sensitive and rapidly inactivating Na+ currents with properties similar to those described in cardiac myocytes. Using RT-PCR, we detected transcripts of seven Na+ channel α genes (SCN2A, 3A, 4A, 7A, 8A, 9A, and 11A), and two β subunit genes (SCN1B and 2B). Our results demonstrate that human PASMC express TTX-sensitive voltage-gated Na+ channels. Their physiological functions remain unresolved, although our data suggest that Na+ channel activity does not directly influence membrane potential, intracellular Ca2+ release, or proliferation in normal human PASMC. Whether their expression and/or activity are heightened in the pathological state is discussed.
Implementation of school‐based wellness centers

This article describes the planning, implementation, and evaluation of school-based Wellness Centers operated by the Riverside Unified School District in Riverside, CA, as part of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). We describe the program as planned in terms of the theoretical model for the intervention and the evaluation design, and discuss the actual implementation including accomplishments and challenges. The program was designed to promote positive development and wellness for individual students via self- and teacher-referrals for personal and mental health problems handled through a case management and referral process, support groups, and other activities such as after-school programs, mentoring, tutoring, and parent training. An effort was also made to promote wellness at the school level by providing wellness campaigns, information, and compatible policies and procedures designed to enhance healthy development. Our observations are based on a qualitative assessment that was a component of the evaluation. A more detailed evaluation examining the impact of school-wide and student-focused activities on academic and behavioral outcomes is currently underway. However, we do include comments from students suggesting that the Wellness Center concept holds much promise for school-based mental health and violence prevention services. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 473–487, 2003.
Effects of Using Metallic Wires to Mechanically Clean and Shorten Scoured Wool Fibers to Produce Cotton/Wool Blended Yarns

A carding cleaner that simultaneously cleans and shortens scoured wool fibers was investigated with various combinations of fine, medium and coarse metallic wires on the cylinders, four cylinder velocity differentials, and six spacings between cylinders. The optimum velocity differential and cylinder spacing for each wire was determined by measuring average fiber length, fiber length distribution, and percent of removed trash. Using the optimum factors for each wire, scoured wool was cleaned and short ened, blended with cotton, and processed into ring and open-end spun yarns using the conventional cotton processing system. Control lots of identical cotton/wool yarns were spun with wool produced using conventional wool processing methods. The results show it is possible to clean and shorten scoured wool with metallic wire cylinders, blend the wool with cotton fibers, and produce quality blended yams. Processing with the coarse wire produced the best fiber length distribution. The strength and uniformity of...
Effectiveness of THAM in Preventing Cellular Damage Resulting From Oxygen Lack.

Summary and conclusionsThe effects of oxygen lack on rat liver were studied in order to: (a) compare the results of a variety of methods of producing oxygen lack; (b) evaluate the role of increased intracellular acidity in production of anoxic cell damage; (c) determine if buffering with an intracellular hydrogen ion acceptor reduces the damaging effects of anoxia on cellular metabolism.The criteria used to establish the severity of cellular damage included; (a) reduction in the activities of 2 mitochondrial enzymes (succinic dehydrogenase and malic dehydro-genase) and of one microsomal enzyme (glu-cose-6-phosphatase); (b) the labilization of 2 lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase and cathepsin); (c) the degradation of protein.Oxygen lack of equivalent duration produced by ischemia in vivo, autolysis in vitro, pump ventilation with a 5% oxygen mixture, and incubation of liver slices in a nitrogen atmosphere caused approximately the same degree of cellular damage: (a) oxygen lack resulted in an early and pr...
Effect of several parameters on low cycle fatigue behavior

Abstract Syracuse University has recently been engaged in studies pertaining to the low-cycle controlled strain fatigue behavior of steel and aluminum alloys. Axial tension-compression and bend cycling fatigue tests were utilized to investigate the effects of a number of parameters including mean strain, stress biaxiality, superimposed stresses, test temperature and type of loading. Also, studies pertaining to accumulated damage were undertaken in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the nature of strain cycling fatigue and the damage mechanisms that are operative during the life of a strain-cycled specimen. These studies have shown that low cycle fatigue phenomena are best analyzed from strain-controlled rather than stress controlled test data. The following are also indicated as a result of these studies: 1. (1) The relationship proposed independently by both Manson and Coffin predicts the failure life of strain controlled specimens, but only for mean strain equal to zero. A modified equation is proposed which accounts for the effect of mean strain. 2. (2) The effect of both stress biaxiality and superimposed stresses is to reduce specimen life at a given strain cycling level. The effect of test temperature can be regarded as a reflection of the effect of temperature on uniaxial fracture ductility. 3. (3) Damage studies indicate that the accumulation of fatigue damage in a strain cycled specimen is not predictable by the same equations that predict failure life. Rather, it appears that “accumulated damage” is governed by at least two, possibly interdependent processes, namely: a loss in available ductility due to strain hardening, and the formation and growth of cracks which finally determines failure.
Microscopically inhomogeneous nature of the stern layer

The microscopic environment between the surface of a metal electrode and the diffuse region in an electrolyte is examined. This layer, approximately one monolayer thick, consists of water molecules and adsorbed ions. The dipole moments of water molecules are not ordered under laboratory bias potential at room temperature, and this gives rise to a sizeable inhomogeneous electric field at the metal surface. Two manifestations of this effect have been reported: the large than expected level widths of surface states on single crystal surfaces of Ag as seen in electroreflectance measurements, and the lack of kII conservation in photoemission from single crystal metal surfaces into electrolytes. Across the layer the electric field is also nonuniform as a result of the molecular nature of ions and water dipoles. This has been seen in electroreflectance measurements on Ag surfaces as an anomalously strong dependence of the surface state contribution on the bias potential. Thus, optical measurements coupled with microscopic modeling have opened ways to probe the molecular nature of the Stern layer.
RESEARCH METHODS EDUCATION FOR PUBLIC SECTOR CAREERS: THE CHALLENGE OF UTILIZATION

As the world rapidly becomes more complex, there is a greater need for tools of research and data analysis to assist the public administrator. While many university programs recognize this need and include several methodology courses in their curriculum, there is little evidence that students are taking this knowledge into the field. In this article, the need for usable methodology courses are stressed. The first section of this article is dedicated to identifying those factors that make methods classes more practical. The remaining portion concentrates on two approaches to teaching that the author asserts will help students to use in the field what they have learned in the classroom.
The interaction of light intensity and DDT concentration upon the marine diatom, Nitzschia delicatissima cleve

The effects of p, p′-DDT were determined on photosynthesis and chlorophyll a content in the marine diatom Nitzschia delicatissima Cleve at four light intensities. A consistent reduction in carbon fixation and chlorophyll a per cell over controls in a 24-hour period was observed with increasing DDT concentration between 9.4 ppb and 1000 ppb. The maximum reductions of carbon uptake, chlorophyll a and carbon/chlorophyll a uptake per cell occurred at the highest light intensities. Carbon fixation per cell was reduced by as much as 94% in water containing an initial DDT concentration of 100 ppb, and chlorophyll a per cell by as much as 86% in 220 ppb DDT. Above 100 ppb, further decreases of carbon fixation and chlorophyll a per cell were not observed. Distortion of the chloroplasts in the cells exposed to DDT was also observed at the lowest concentration of DDT used. At 1000 ppb, chloroplasts were totally destroyed within 24 hours.
THE EFFECT OF AGAR ON THE INHIBITORY ACTIVITIES OF FATTY AMINES.

It has been shown that Difco Bacto agar contains at least two factors which produce a 27 to 93% reduction in the inhibitory activities of 11 fatty amines. One of these factors can be extracted from the agar by treatment with distilled water.
On Conflict in Nontraditional Families: A Clinical Perspective

This commentary focuses on the clinical implications of the Family Styles Project research findings. While the data are abundant and useful, they are not able to identify a life style most conducive to the development of happy, healthy, competent children.
Driving Change in Special Education

Gallagher, J. J.; Baltimore, MD: Brookes; Publication Date: April 2006; Price: $39.95; ISBN-10: 1-557-66703-9. All teachers, whether they teach special education or not, need to know as much as the...
Sequence specific fluorescence detection of double strand DNA.

Methods for the fluorescent detection of specific sequences of double strand DNA in homogeneous solution may be useful in the field of human genetics. A series of hairpin polyamides with tetramethyl rhodamine (TMR) attached to an internal pyrrole ring were synthesized, and the fluorescence properties of the polyamide-fluorophore conjugates in the presence and absence of duplex DNA were examined. We observe weak TMR fluorescence in the absence of DNA. Addition of >/=1:1 match DNA affords a significant fluorescence increase over equimolar mismatch DNA for each polyamide-TMR conjugate. Polyamide-fluorophore conjugates offer a new class of sensors for the detection of specific DNA sequences without the need for denaturation. The polyamide-dye fluorescence-based method can be used to screen in parallel the interactions between aromatic ring pairs and the minor groove of DNA even when the binding site contains a non-Watson-Crick DNA base pair. A ranking of the specificity of three polyamide ring pairs-Py/Py, Im/Py, and Im/Im-was established for all 16 possible base pairs of A, T, G, and C in the minor groove. We find that Im/Im is an energetically favorable ring pair for minor groove recognition of the T.G base pair.
Application of Computational Intelligence and Knowledge-Based System in Predicting Flow Stress of AISI 4340

Prediction of flow stress of any engineering material is vital for modeling its plastic deformation process and for having estimate of force and power requirements in various manufacturing processes. The paper focuses on the application of two most important tools of artificial intelligence: computational intelligence and knowledge-based system, in predicting flow stress of a common high-strength low-alloy steel type, AISI 4340. The estimation process is based on different settings of material’s microstructure (quantified by hardness), applied temperature, strain, and strain rate. The simulation results of both tools show a great deal of agreement with the experimental data. The prediction results are also compared with the estimations made by a commonly used empirical model.
Genetic differentiation between spatially-disjunct populations of the deep-sea, hydrothermal vent-endemic amphipod Ventiella sulfuris

Species endemic to deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems have disjunct distributions imposed by the island-like arrangement of their specialized habitats. Using allozyme electrophoresis, we examined genetic population structure of the hydrothermal vent amphipod Ventiella sulfuris Barnard and Ingram, 1990. Samples from five sites along the East Pacific Rise (EPR) and two along the Galapagos Rift were collected in 1990 and 1988, respectively. Variability, based on 12 enzyme loci, was relatively high $$\bar P$$ (proportion of polymorphic loci whose most common allele not greater than 0.95 in frequency) =41.6%; $$\bar H$$ (mean heterozygosity) =0.158] compared with shallow-water marine and freshwater amphipods, and similar to the deep-sea lysianassid Eurythenes gryllus. Genetic divergence among populations spread along a contiguous rift axis (i.e., EPR) was low [Nei's genetic distance (D) ranged from <0.001 to 0.018]. Genetic tructure analysis suggests that along a contiguous ridge axis migration occurs in a stepping stone manner and is unconstrained by distances as great as 1200 km (migration rate, $$\bar M$$ , ranged from 1.9 to 67.8 ind. generation−1). However, genetic divergence between populations on disjunct ridge axes was extremely high (D ranged from 0.438 to 0.476). Most of the variance in gene frequencies was due to the differences between the major subpopulations inhabiting the two distinct ridge axes, EPR and Galapagos Rift. Apparently, very little migration and gene flow occur between these major subpopulations (M≪1). This level of genetic divergence may be sufficient to justity separation of EPR and Galapagos Rift populations at the species level. Futher analyses of morphological characters is required before taxonomic status can be assigned.
In vitro prolactin release from pituitaries of ovariectomized, estradiol-treated holtzman rats: A direct comparison of dispersed cells and tissue explants

In this study we compared prolactin (PRL) release from pituitary explants with that from dispersed cells from two regions of anterior pituitaries obtained from ovariectomized rats treated for 7 days with estradiol. Pituitaries were cut horizontally into dorsal (or inner) and ventral (or outer) zones. One half of each these regions was enzymatically dispersed to cells; the other half was bisected and examined as tissue explants. The dispersed cells and explants were perifused in parallel over a 2 hour period with dopamine (1 microM) present for the first hour and absent during the second hour. Prolactin released into the perifusion medium was measured by radioimmunoassay. Tissue explants secreted more total prolactin than did cells in the presence or absence of dopamine and the pattern of release was sustained compared to the more transient release observed in dispersed cells. However, the response to dopamine withdrawal was not different between cells and explants when expressed as a percent change from respective controls. The results suggest that organization and architecture of the rat anterior pituitary may be important factors for overall prolactin production, but in terms of relative responsiveness to dopamine and its withdrawal, dispersed cells and tissue explants appear equivalent.
Children of Immigrants: Family and Socioeconomic Indicators for Affluent Countries

Affluent countries around the world are experiencing an unprecedented demographic shift that involves rapid change in the ethnic composition of the population, due to large scale immigration from low and middle income countries, combined with the rapid aging of the non-immigrant population. Because these immigrants and their children often differ from the non-immigrant population in physical appearance, language, religion, and culture, increasing attention is focusing on the integration and inclusion of these groups. To provide a framework for interpreting the new indicators presented in this article, we draw on ideas recently set forth by the European Union. These efforts provide a broad and comprehensive framework for discussing indicators in this article pertaining to the demographic circumstances of children in immigrant families, and to various aspects of their integration, including language, civic participation, education, employment, and housing. While indicators presented here do not directly measure integration and inclusion, they do portray the lives of children in immigrant families compared with the lives of children in native-born families along civic, social, and economic dimensions that are relevant to the assessment of integration and inclusion, shedding light on the extent to which children in immigrant families in the eight settlement countries covered in this study have access to the resources necessary to participate fully in the societies of their adopted homelands. The eight countries included in this study are Australia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
High- and low-threshold calcium currents in neurons acutely isolated from rat sensorimotor cortex

Abstract Neurons were isolated by papain treatment and trituration of the frontoparietal cortex of 14 to 28-day-old rats. Whole cell voltage clamp revealed a slowly inactivating high-threshold Ca 2+ current, activated positive to −45 mV, and a transient low-threshold Ca 2+ current, activated positive to −65 mV. The high-threshold current was more sensitive to block by Cd 2+ and the low-threshold current was more sensitive to block by Ni 2+ . Replacement of Ca 2+ by Ba 2+ increased the high-threshold current and reduced the low-threshold current. The high-threshold current was enhanced by Bay K 8644 and reduced by nimodipine and ω-conotoxin. The low-threshold current was also reduced by nimodipine but was insensitive to Bay K 8644 and ω-conotoxin. The properties of the currents were consistent with different underlying Ca 2+ channel types.
Application of hot isostatic pressing for consolidation of n-type silicon–germanium alloys prepared by mechanical alloying

Abstract Improvements to state-of-the-art Si80Ge20 thermoelectric alloys have been observed in laboratory-scale samples prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) and consolidated by hot pressing. This paper discusses consolidation of large-scale quantities of mechanically alloyed powders into production size compacts. Differences in thermoelectric properties have been observed between compacts prepared by conventional hot uniaxial pressing (HUP) and those prepared by hot isostatic pressing (HIP), due primarily to a difference in carrier concentration between alloys consolidated by the two techniques.
Pulmonary autograft in children: realized growth potential.

Abstract Pulmonary autograft replacement of the aortic valve has the potential to remain viable and grow in proportion to the somatic growth of the child. Changes in aortic annulus and sinotubular dimensions were compared early and late postoperatively, and related to normal. Eighty-six children, 0.9 to 21 years, were operated on between 1986 and 1993:42 had a root replacement, 24 an inclusion cylinder, and 20 a scalloped subcoronary implant. Actuarial survival at 7 years was 96.5% ± 2.0%. Freedom from reoperation for the pulmonary autograft or the homograft reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract was 92% ± 4%. Freedom from reoperation on the autograft in root replacements was 96% ± 4%, in the inclusion cylinder was 100%, and in the scalloped subcoronary was 90% ± 7% (not significant). Aortic annulus and sinotubular junction diameters were compared with normal values predicted by body surface area. In 22 intraaortic implants, early and late postoperative annulus diameter mean Z values are in the normal range. In the 23 root replacements, early annulus diameter was within the normal range, but late Z values were larger than normal ( p
Advanced Detector Development for Electron Microscopy Enables New Insight into the Study of the Virus Life Cycle in Cells and Alzheimers Disease

into the Study of the Virus Life Cycle in Cells and Alzheimer’s Disease. Anna-Clare Milazzo, Jason Lanman*, James C. Bouwer, Liang Jin, Steven T. Peltier, John E. Johnson*, Stuart Kleinfelder, Nguyen-huu Xuong, Mark H. Ellisman. National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, Center for Research in Biological Systems, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 * Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037 # EECS Department, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 Contact e-mail: mark@ncmir.ucsd.edu
Computer Vision for Nanoscale Imaging

The main goal of Nanotechnology is to analyze and understand the properties of matter at the atomic and molecular level. Computer vision is rapidly expanding into this new and exciting field of application, and considerable research efforts are currently being spent on developing new image-based characterization techniques to analyze nanoscale images. Nanoscale characterization requires algorithms to perform image analysis under extremely challenging conditions such as low signal-to-noise ratio and low resolution. To achieve this, nanotechnology researchers require imaging tools that are able to enhance images, detect objects and features, reconstruct 3D geometry, and tracking. This paper reviews current advances in computer vision and related areas applied to imaging nanoscale objects. We categorize the algorithms, describe their representative methods, and conclude with several promising directions of future investigation.
Identification and validation of effective instructional practices for children from impoverished backgrounds and those with learning and developmental disabilities using ecobehavioural analysis

ABSTRACT Bijou, Peterson and Ault suggested the synergy of descriptive and experimental studies to produce functional relationships between a problem behaviour and its environment. In this paper, the use of ecobehavioural analysis to identify and subsequently validate effective instructional practices for students from impoverished backgrounds and those with learning and developmental disabilities is presented. Ecobehavioural analysis within descriptive designs can provide useful ideas about interventions that can be subsequently used in experimental investigations to remediate the learning deficits of at‐risk students. This appears to be the major contribution of ecobehavioural analysis to the field of applied behaviour analysis.
PubChem BioAssays as a data source for predictive models.

Abstract Predictive models are widely used in computer-aided drug discovery, particularly for identifying potentially biologically active molecules based on training sets of compounds with known activity or inactivity. The use of these models (amongst others) has enabled “virtual screens” to be used to identify compounds in large data sets that are predicted to be active, and which would thus be good candidates for experimental testing. The PubChem BioAssay database contains an increasing amount of experimental data from biological screens that has the potential to be used to train predictive models for a wide range of assays and targets, yet there has been little work carried out on using this data to build models. In this paper, we take an initial look at this by investigating the quality of naive Bayesian predictive models built using BioAssay data, and find that overall the predictive quality of such models is good, indicating that they could have utility in virtual screening.
Reproductive issues in adults with cystic fibrosis: Implications for genetic counseling

This article reviews reproductive issues faced by the growing number of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) who reach adulthood. Approximately 97–98% of males with CF are infertile and they may have an increased risk for genitourinary anomalies. Females with CF may experience delayed puberty, irregular menstrual cycles, and decreased fertility. Women with CF who have good clinical scores, good nutritional status, and normal lung volumes with mild to moderate airway obstruction, have a better chance for successful pregnancies. The role of the genetic counselor in counseling adults with CF is discussed and resources for CF adults are provided.
Graph graphics: Theory and practice

Abstract Many graph drawing problems are NP-complete. Most of the problems described in this expository survey have constraints that relate to either minimizing the number of crossings or minimizing some function of the edge lengths. Nevertheless, these problems are sufficiently common in some areas that polynomial-time algorithms for special cases and heuristics for more general cases have been developed. A graph-theoretic characterization of some of these problems is given, followed by a discussion of their complexity. Finally, several algorithms and heuristics for graph layout [some with applications to very large scale integration (VLSI)] will be discussed.
Review : vortex shedding lock-on and flow control in bluff body wakes

The results of recent experiments demonstrate that the phenomenon of vortex shedding resonance or lock-on is observed also when a bluff body is placed in an incident mean flow with a periodic component superimposed upon it. This form of vortex shedding and lock-on exhibits a particularly strong resonance between the flow perturbations and the vortices, and provides one of several promising means for modification and control of the basic formulation and stability mechanisms in the near-wake of a bluff body. Examples are given of recent direct numerical simulations of the vortex lock-on in the periodic flow. These agree well with the results of experiments. A discussion also is given of vortex lock-on due to body oscillations both normal to and in-line with the incident mean flow, rotational oscillations of the body, and of the effect of sound on lock-on. The lock-on phenomenon is discussed in the overall context of active and passive wake control, on the basis of these and other recent and related results, with particular emphasis placed on active control of the circular cylinder wake.
New Fresnel CGHs For Lensless Optical Systems And Their Applications

New computer generated hologram (CGH) recording techniques are discussed and initial demonstrations provided. CGHs are advantageous in fabricating lensless optical systems (with the lens elements recorded on the CGH). Applications include the lensless optical Hough transform (HT) and matched spatial filter (MSF) correlators. These new CGHs allow binary recording of complex functions with a reduced space bandwidth product (SBWP) compared to other techniques.
095 Comparison of Collagen Nodules and Mast Cells Between Human Hypertrophic Scar and Thick Scar of the Female Red Duroc Pig

Introduction: There are several proposed animal models of hypertrophic scarring. However, most are quite dissimilar from the actual human event. It has been shown that wounds on the female, red Duroc pig heal with thick scars. We are attempting to fully validate this model. A fourfold increase in mast cells and formation of collagen nodules have been described as characteristics of human hypertrophic scar. We hypothesized the occurrence of nodules and mast cells in Duroc scars is similar. Methods: For nodules, we biopsied human hypertrophic scars (47 cases) taken 5 to 67 months from injury and Duroc scars (six animals) taken 0 to 5 months from injury. For mast cells, we biopsied human hypertrophic scar (five cases) taken 24 to 30 months from injury and Duroc scars (five animals) taken 5 months from injury. We stained the sections with hematoxylin and eosin (nodules) and Giemsa (mast cells) and counted intact mast cells in the upper papillary dermis in 20 and recorded nodules as present or absent. Results: The results are included the table below. Tissue Month n Nodules mean ± SD P Duroc Scar 0–3 10 0 4–5 6 50% NODULES Human Hypertrophic 5–12 9 33% 12–24 22 36% 24–67 16 81% MAST CELLS Duroc Scar 4–5 5 41 ± 26 <.05 Duroc Uninjured 5 18 ± 9 Human Hypertrophic 24–30 5 251 ± 139 <.01 Human Uninjured 5 60 ± 24 Conclusion: Collagen nodules and increased numbers of mast cells are present in Duroc scar giving further validity to the female, red Duroc pig as an animal model of hypertrophic scarring.
Synchrotron protein footprinting: A technique to investigate protein-protein interactions

Traditional approaches for macromolecular structure elucidation, including NMR, crystallography and cryo-EM have made significant progress in defining the structures of protein-protein complexes. A substantial number of macromolecular structures, however, have not been examined with atomic detail due to sample size and heterogeneity, or resolution limitations of the technique; therefore, the general applicability of each method is greatly reduced. Synchrotron footprinting attempts to bridge the gap in these methods by monitoring changes in accessible surface areas of discrete macromolecular moieties. As evidenced by our previous studies on RNA folding and DNA-protein interactions, the three-dimensional structure is probed by examining the reactions of these moieties with hydroxyl radicals generated by synchrotron X-rays. Here we report the application of synchrotron footprinting to the investigation of protein- protein interactions, as the novel technique has been utilized to successfully map the contact sites of gelsolin segment-1 in the gelsolin segment 1/actin complex. Footprinting results demonstrate that phenylalanine 104, located on the actin binding helix of gelsolin segment 1, is protected from hydroxyl radical modification in the presence of actin. This change in reactivity results from the specific protection of gelsolin segment-1, consistent with the substantial decrease in solvent accessibility of F104 upon actin binding, as calculated from the crystal structural of the gelsolin segment 1/actin complex. The results presented here establish synchrotron footprinting as a broadly applicable method to probe structural features of macromolecular complexes that are not amenable to conventional approaches.
Study of the Corrosion Behavior of Electroplated Iron−Zinc Alloys Using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

The corrosive behavior of iron−zinc alloys that have been electroplated on mild steel in both aerated and deaerated quadruply distilled water has been studied using core and valence band X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Three alloys were electroplated for comparative purposes with a 17%, 41%, and 83% iron composition. Three alloys of each type were either left untreated or exposed to either detreated or aerated water. No oxidation above that for the untreated samples was found for the samples immersed in deaerated water. As expected, the 83% iron alloy was oxidized in aerated water. However, the 17% iron alloy showed decreased oxidation in aerated water with respect to the untreated alloy. The 41% iron alloy in deaerated water showed no increased oxidation above that of the untreated sample, but it did show increased oxidation in aerated water. The valence band region proved valuable for diagnostic purposes, and had features that could be understood by comparing the experimental data with spectra calcula...
Oral low-carbohydrate alcohol liquid diet induces experimental steatohepatitis in the rat.

The intragastric tube feeding model of alcoholic liver disease in the rat induces significant liver histopathology, including steatohepatitis and fibrosis. The question is, if the same low-carbohydrate diet is fed ad lib, will the same pathology develop? Rats were fed a liquid diet with ethanol ad lib that was low in calories derived from carbohydrates for 2 months. The urinary ethanol levels (UALs) were monitored at hourly, daily, and weekly intervals, and the growth of the rats was charted. The liver histopathology and blood transaminase levels were determined. Rats fed ethanol grew 1 g/day, which was 2 g/day less than when they were fed the same diet intragastrically. UALs varied hourly between 150 and 500 mg%, daily between 120 and 360 mg%, and weekly between 0 and 500 mg%. Individual rat UALs showed no predictable pattern. The pair-fed controls ate all of their daily ration within 12 h, then fasted until the next day. The histopathology and blood alanine aminotransferase were similar to those seen with the intragastric tube feeding of the same diet, except that necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis did not develop. The conclusion was that the oral feeding of a low-carbohydrate diet produces less liver injury than that produced by the same diet fed intragastrically. The UALs varied hourly, daily, and weekly in individual rats, making it difficult to synchronize UALs at the time of sacrifice.
The Audience for Aristotle's Rhetoric

Abstract Although there is general consensus that knowledge of Aristotle9s intended audience is important for understanding the Rhetoric , there is no consensus about who that audience is. In this essay, four of the most widely accepted theories are investigated: that Aristotle is writing for the legislator of an ideal city; that Aristotle is writing for the Athenian public or an elite subset of that public; that Aristotle is writing for his students; and that the Rhetoric was written for multiple audiences over an extended period of time. Ultimately, the most plausible of these explanations is that he is writing for his students.
Coupled convection and tidal dissipation in Europa's ice shell

Abstract We performed 2D numerical simulations of oscillatory tidal flexing to study the interrelationship between tidal dissipation (calculated using the Maxwell model) and a heterogeneous temperature structure in Europa’s ice shell. Our 2D simulations show that, if the temperature is spatially uniform, the tidal dissipation rate peaks when the Maxwell time is close to the tidal period, consistent with previous studies. The tidal dissipation rate in a convective plume encased in a different background temperature depends on both the plume and background temperature. At a fixed background temperature, the dissipation increases strongly with plume temperature at low temperatures, peaks, and then decreases with temperature near the melting point when a melting-temperature viscosity of 10 13 Pa s is used; however, the peak occurs at significantly higher temperature in this heterogeneous case than in a homogeneous medium for equivalent rheology. For constant plume temperature, the dissipation rate in a plume decreases as the surrounding temperature increases; plumes that are warmer than their surroundings can exhibit enhanced heating not only relative to their surroundings but relative to the Maxwell-model prediction for a homogeneous medium at the plume temperature. These results have important implications for thermal feedbacks in Europa’s ice shell. To self-consistently determine how convection interacts with tidal heating that is correctly calculated from the time-evolving heterogeneous temperature field, we coupled viscoelastic simulations of oscillatory tidal flexing (using Tekton) to long-term simulations of the convective evolution (using ConMan). Our simulations show that the tidal dissipation rate resulting from heterogeneous temperature can have a strong impact on thermal convection in Europa’s ice shell. Temperatures within upwelling plumes are greatly enhanced and can reach the melting temperature under plausible tidal-flexing amplitude for Europa. A pre-existing fracture zone (at least 6 km deep) promotes the concentration of tidal dissipation (up to ∼20 times more than that in the surroundings), leading to lithospheric thinning. This supports the idea that spatially variable tidal dissipation could lead locally to high temperatures, partial melting, and play an important role in the formation of ridges, chaos, or other features.
Experimental Evidence for the Selective Dissolution and Overgrowth of Calcareous Nannofossils During Diagenesis

Well-preserved samples of upper Pliocene calcareous nannofossil ooze were subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures in order to simulate diagenetic effects. The samples were then studied and compared to an untreated control sample using both a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The order of alterations, progressing from the original sample to the sample exposed to highest temperatures and pressures, was observed to be (1) minor etching and overgrowth formation; (2) continued etching and secondary overgrowth formation, and the disaggregation of the elements of smaller coccoliths; and (3) dominant overgrowth on whole coccoliths with particularly massive overgrowth formation on the discoasters. Diversity of the nannofossil assemblage decreased under increasingly severe conditions.
CARDIAC PERFORMANCE DURING PROLONGED HALOTHANE ANAESTHESIA IN THE CAT: Isolated heart muscle study

The contractile response of papillary muscles, isolated from normal cats, to prolonged administration of halothane at minimum alveolar anaesthetic concentration (MAC) was studied. Average values of maximal velocity of shortening (Vmax) and maximal developed force (Fm) obtained in 12 muscles during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd hour of exposure to halothane anaesthesia were significantly less than those obtained during the control period and after recovery from halothane. There were no significant differences in values over a 3-h period. When post-extra-systolic potentiation was induced by paired electric stimulation, average values of Vmax and Fm increased significantly. We conclude that prolonged administration of halothane at a constant concentration resulted in a sustained depression of myocardial contractility without tissue tolerance. The myocardium depressed by halothane, however, still retains the ability to respond to additional inotropic stimulation.