cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IN VITRO INVESTIGATION OF THE ST. JUDE MEDICAL ISOFLOW CENTRIFUGAL PUMP : FLOW VISUALIZATION AND HEMOLYSIS STUDIES

Centrifugal blood pumps have become valuable therapeutic tools for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. In addition, surgeons have used them as temporary ventricular assist devices, and this type of pump is also being developed for use as a permanent assist device and total artificial heart. However, centrifugal pumps create flow patterns that are significantly different from those the blood experiences physiologically. The St. Jude Medical Isoflow centrifugal pump has been used clinically during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, yet no experimental results have been reported that describe the flow patterns within this pump or that quantify the hemolysis generated over a range of operating conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the flow patterns and hemolysis during 4 operating conditions. The experimental operating conditions included the design condition (6 L/min, 2,500 rpm, 350 mm Hg), a high flow condition (10 L/min, 2,500 rpm, 330 mm Hg), a low flow condition (2 L/min, 2,500 rpm, 370 mm Hg), and a near surge condition (2 L/min, 3,000 rpm, 550 mm Hg). The flow visualization results demonstrated that the flow within the impeller was well aligned with the impeller blades except near the inlet at the high flow condition. In contrast, the flow through the outlet was well aligned at the high flow condition while there was evidence of particle impact at the design condition, and the flow was disturbed at the low flow and near surge conditions. The indices of hemolysis (IH) for the 3 operating conditions at 2,500 rpm were 0.0082 +/- 0.0026 (mean +/- SD) for the design condition, 0.0035 +/- 0.0014 for the high flow condition, and 0.0326 +/- 0.0050 for the low flow condition. The indices for high and low flow were significantly different from that for the design condition (p < 0.05). The IH for the near surge condition (0.0748 +/- 0.0039) was significantly higher than that for all other conditions (p < 0.05). In addition to describing the flow patterns within the Isoflow, this study independently validated St. Jude Medical's reported IH at the design condition and showed how that IH significantly changed based on operating conditions.
Cancer prevention by protease inhibitors.

Abstract Background . There is now compelling evidence that certain protease inhibitors havestrong anticarcinogenic activity. A particular protease inhibitor derived from soybeans, theBowman-Birk inhibitor, appears to be highly promising as a cancer chemopreventive agent.In this article, studies performed to characterize an extract of soybeans containing theBowman-Birk inhibitor, termed Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate, are described. Methods . A number of different methods have been utilized to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate as a cancer chemopreventive agent in cells and animals. Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate has been studied extensively in animal carcinogenesis model systems and in vitro transformation systems. Results . Bowman-Birk inhibitor has been shown to prevent animal carcinogenesis in the absence of adverse side effects in several different systems. The dose proposed for human trials is approximately two orders of magnitude below doses shown to have no adverse effects in animal studies. At high doses, Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate has been shown to have a life-lengthening effect in mice. The intermediate marker endpoints known to be affected by Bowman-Birk inhibitor/Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate in in vitro and in vivo models systems include levels of oncogene expression and proteolytic activity. These intermediate marker endpoints, as well as histopathology, have been proposed for use in projected human trials which will be performed to evaluate Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate as an anticarcinogenic agent. Conclusions . Bowman-Birk inhibitor concentrate is now ready for human trials and is likely to emerge as a powerful chemopreventive agent for human cancer.
Generalized Mulliken−Hush Analysis of Electronic Coupling Interactions in Compressed π-Stacked Porphyrin−Bridge−Quinone Systems

Donor−acceptor interactions were investigated in a series of unusually rigid, cofacially compressed π-stacked porphyrin−bridge−quinone systems. The two-state generalized Mulliken−Hush (GMH) approach was used to compute the coupling matrix elements. The theoretical coupling values evaluated with the GMH method were obtained from configuration interaction calculations using the INDO/S method. The results of this analysis are consistent with the comparatively soft distance dependences observed for both the charge separation and charge recombination reactions. Theoretical studies of model structures indicate that the phenyl units dominate the mediation of the donor−acceptor coupling and that the relatively weak exponential decay of rate with distance arises from the compression of this π-electron stack.
Your Teaching Portfolio: Strategies for Initiating and Documenting Growth and Development

An introduction to the concept of the teaching portfolio, this article provides several short- and long-term strategies related to documenting teaching-development efforts. In particular, it provides a persuasive rationale for why one should consider dedicating precious time and resources documenting teaching goals and development and how the activity itself can make one a better instructor.
Delta screw versus RetroScrew tibial fixation for ACL reconstruction.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether the RetroScrew tibial fixation system offers a biomechanical advantage over the Delta screw for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in cadaveric tibias with low bone mineral density (BMD).
Effects of nuclear isolation on psoralen affinity for chromatin.

Abstract We have tested the effects of nuclear isolation on intercalation of TMP (a psoralen) at specific sequences and in total DNA of cultured human cells. DNA in nuclei photobound about 20% more TMP than in cells and about 10% as much as purified DNA. In contrast, a transcribed rat gene and a randomly selected polymorphic sequence each bound about 20% more TMP than total DNA in cells. However, in nuclei, as in purified DNA, both sequences were just as sensitive as total DNA. Apparently, chromatin in cells exists within diverse TMP-binding environments and some of this diversity was lost upon nuclear isolation.
The compositional classification of chondrites: VII. The R chondrite group

Bulk compositional and petrographic data clearly define the new R (Rumuruti) group of chondrites consisting of Rumuruti (the only fall), ALH85151, Acfer 217, Carlisle Lakes, Dar al Gani 013, PCA91002, PCA91241, Y-75302, Y-793575, and Y-82002. Compositional, petrographic, rare-gas, and 0-isotopic data strongly suggest that PCA91002 and PCA91241 are paired. The Yamato specimens are probably not paired. The matrices of the known R chondrites have experienced similar, minor degrees of metamorphism; petrographic types are 3.8-3.9 with the exception of ALH85151, 3.6. All except Carlisle Lakes contain equilibrated (R5-R6) clasts. Petrographically, the R chondrites are characterized by a low chondrule/matrix modal abundance ratio, high states of oxidation (reflected by abundant NiO-bearing olivine with Fa37-40), relatively small chondrules (mean apparent diameters of ∼400 μ) abundant (up to ∼11 wt%) sulfides (mainly pyrrhotite and pentlandite), and negligible amounts of metallic Fe-Ni. Refractory lithophile abundances are ∼0.95 X Cl, intermediate between those in ordinary chondrites (OC) and CI chondrites. Abundances of the volatile elements Se and Zn are greatly enhanced relative to OC. The R chondrites are clearly distinguished from other chondrite groups on the basis of Al/Mn and Zn/Mn abundance ratios. The oxygen isotopic data plot roughly along a slope-12 line, with whole-rock Δ17O values higher than for any other chondrite group. Rumuruti, Acfer 217, ALH85151, PCA91002, and PCA91241 have light/ dark structures and solar-wind-implanted rare gases indicating that they are regolith breccias. The Yamato specimens also have light/dark structures and are inferred to be regolith breccias. Carlisle Lakes lacks solar rare gases and is unbrecciated. Based on similarities in refractory lithophile abundances 00.95 X CI), oxygen isotope compositions (Δ17O ≥ 0), and refractory inclusion abundances (<0.1 vol%;none have been reported), the R chondrites probably belong to a noncarbonaceous superclan of chondrites that also includes ordinary and enstatite chondrites. The high oxidation state, high matrix /chondrule modal abundance ratio, relatively low abundance of droplet chondrules, and high Δ 17O composition suggest that the R chondrites formed at greater heliocentric distances than the OC.
Cecal Volatile Fatty Acids and Broiler Chick Susceptibility to Salmonella typhimurium Colonization as Affected by Aflatoxins and T-2 Toxin

Four experiments were conducted using day-of-hatch, mixed-sex broiler chicks to evaluate the effects of aflatoxins and T-2 toxin on cecal volatile fatty acids (VFA) and the susceptibility to Salmonella colonization. All chicks in these experiments were challenged orally with 10(4) cfu of Salmonella typhimurium (ST) on Day 3. In Experiments 1 and 2, chicks were fed diets containing 0, 2.5, or 7.5 mg aflatoxins/kg of diet and were allowed to develop their microflora naturally. In Experiment 3, all chicks were orally gavaged on the day of hatch with a competitive exclusion (CE) culture (PREEMPT) and were fed diets containing 0, 2.5, or 7.5 mg T-2 toxin/kg. In Experiment 4, the chicks were fed diets containing 0, 7.5, or 15.0 mg T-2 toxin/kg and one-half of the chicks were orally gavaged on the day of hatch with the CE culture. In Experiments 1 and 2, with the exception of increased total VFA at 5 d in chicks fed the 7.5 mg T-2 aflatoxins/kg diet, there were no treatment effects on cecal propionic acid, total VFA, or incidence or severity of ST colonization. In Experiment 3, the only alteration in concentration of cecal propionic acid or total VFA was a significant reduction in total VFA at 5 d in chicks fed the 2.5 mg T-2 toxin/kg diet. No significant treatment differences were observed for numbers of Salmonella cecal culture-positive chicks or for numbers of ST in the cecal contents. In Experiment 4, with minor exceptions, the chicks treated with the CE culture had higher cecal concentrations of propionic acid and were less susceptible to Salmonella colonization than the non-CE-treated chicks. In the non-CE-treated chicks, T-2 toxin had no effect on any of the parameters, and 85 to 90% of the chicks were Salmonella cecal culture-positive. In the CE-treated chicks, there was a decrease in propionic acid concentration at 3 and 11 d and an increase in susceptibility to Salmonella colonization of the chicks fed the 15.0 mg T-2 toxin/kg diet. These results indicate that cecal concentrations of VFA can be affected by toxins, such as high concentrations of T-2 toxin, and that resistance to Salmonella colonization may be reduced. Further research is necessary to determine the biological significance of these changes.
Corrosion of metallic interconnects for SOFC in fuel gases

High-temperature alloys can be used to fabricate interconnects for reduced temperature solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC). These alloys should be neither oxidized nor attacked by carbonaceous gases. Fourteen high-temperature alloys were tested in fuel gases. These alloys were exposed to a simulated SOFC environment. Alloys were attacked by metal dusting in carbonaceous gases of high carbon activity. Pits formed on the alloy surface and grew to large holes through the alloy plate, with subsequent disintegration into a powdery mixture composed of carbon, fine particles of metal, and carbide. The oxide scales on the alloy surface were found to prevent metal dusting corrosion. If the major phase in the oxide scale was chromic oxide, the alloys had good resistance to metal dusting corrosion. However, the alloys were easily attacked if the major phase was spinel. High chromium content in the alloy was helpful to resist metal dusting. The content of spinel in the oxide scales of Ni-base alloys was much less than that in Fe-base alloys. Therefore, the metal dusting rate of Ni-base alloys was lower than that of Fe-base alloys. Alloys were more readily attacked by metal dusting in the high-pressure environment. High humidity retarded metal dusting.
T-cell receptor repertoires utilized in response to linear peptides representing an immunodominant MHC class II restricted T-cell epitope are far more diverse than that utilized in response to the same epitope in the nominal antigen

Abstract Previous analyses of the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire utilized in response to the 1–102 fragment of the λ cI repressor protein and specific for the immunodominant amino acid 12–26 region in the context of I-E k , have shown this repertoire to be extremely restricted. In contrast, here we show that the TCR repertoires utilized in two strains of I-E k expressing mice in response to two linear peptides representing this immunodominant region are diverse. Despite their extensive diversity, these repertoires are somewhat overlapping. In addition, structural similarities were observed between the full λ cI fragment (1–102) and peptide elicited TCR repertoires, including frequent use of the V α 2 family of gene segments, particularly among peptide (12–26) elicited TCRs cross-reactive with 1–102\I-E k . Nevertheless, these data indicate that it may be difficult to mimic the immune response to an immunodominant epitope of a protein antigen via immunization with linear peptides containing the amino acid sequence of that epitope. Possible explanations for differences in the levels of TCR diversity among T cells responding to an epitope present in a nominal antigen, as compared to T cells responding to linear peptide antigens containing this same epitope are discussed.
Discrimination learning, the peak shift, and behavioral contrast.

Abstract A discrimination between two successively alternating stimuli was trained under conditions that maintained equal frequencies of reinforcement in the presence of each of the discriminative stimuli (S1 and S2) but that also reduced the rate of responding to S2. These conditions included a multiple variable-interval differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate schedule and a multiple variable-interval variable-interval schedule in which responses to S2 were punished. Whenever the rate of responding to S2 was reduced, rate of responding to S1 (behavioral contrast) increased, and the peak of a subsequently obtained generalization gradient did not occur at the expected location (between S1 and S2) but was displaced away from S2, below S1. Discrimination training in which the frequencies of reinforcement earned in S1 and S2 were not equal (variable-interval 1-min variable-interval 5-min training) produced contrast and the peak shift only if the rate of responding to S2 had been reduced, as after non-differential reinforcement in which variable-interval 1-min schedules were correlated with S1 and with S2. It was concluded that a sufficient condition for the occurrence of behavioral contrast and the peak shift was reduction of the rate of responding to one of two alternating discriminative stimuli and that a peak shift will occur only if contrast had occurred during discrimination training.
Transcription Initiation Sites of the Leucine Operons of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli

Evidence for a transcription attenuation site downstream from the leu promoter was obtained by transcription experiments in vitro. Most transcription initiated in vitro from leuP is terminated prematurely, resulting in the synthesis of a 160 nucleotide leader RNA. We define here the point at which transcription is initiated in vitro and in vivo and demonstrate that the site of premature termination is between the promoter and the first structural gene (leuA). Additional nucleotide sequences are presented that extend the known sequence 200 base-pairs upstream and 300 base-pairs downstream from leuP. The location of the promoter-proximal end of cistron leuA was deduced by comparing nucleotide sequence data with the sequence of the ten amino acids at the N-terminus of alpha-isopropylmalate synthase. To facilitate the isolation of quantities of material for sequencing experiments, the enzyme was isolated from a plasmid-containing strain, CV605, grown under conditions of leucine limitation. Under such conditions, about 20% of the total soluble protein of strain CV605 is alpha-isopropylmalate synthase and another 20% is beta-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (leuB product).
Photocontrol of organelle and cell type specific changes in the polypeptide composition of Euglena and sorghum.

Two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis has been used to follow changes in cell type specific and organelle localized polypeptides upon exposure of etiolated sorghum shoots and dark-grown resting Euglena to light. Total protein extracted from isolated bundle sheath strands and mesophyll protoplasts was resolved by 2-D gel electrophoresis. The cell type specific polypeptides were localized on the whole shoot 2-D gel map in order to determine changes in the levels of these polypeptides upon light exposure. An image analyzer was used to analyze fluorographs of 2-D gels of total Euglena protein pulse-labeled with [35S]sulfate in the dark, immediately upon light exposure and 1, 4, 14, 24, 48 and 72 h after light exposure. The subset of polypeptides whose relative rats of synthesis changes more than threefold immediately upon light exposure was i dentified. The different patterns of changes in the rate of synthesis of this subset of polypeptides were followed.
Trans Fatty Acids, Blood Lipids, and Cardiovascular Risk: Where Do We Stand?

According to conventional wisdom, dietary substitution of vegetable fats for animal fats reduces the risk of cardiovascular heart disease (CHD). However, all forms of vegetable fat are not alike, and new research indicates that consumption of hydrogenated rather than unhydrogenated vegetable oils may negatively influence plasma lipids and risk of CHD.
Gender and asthma

The preponderance of epidemiologic evidence demonstrates disparities in asthma burden when comparing females and males. Males develop asthma at a younger age than do females [1], and the incidence of asthma generally is reported to be higher in boys throughout preadolescence, resulting in a 2:1 male predominance in childhood [2,3]. The increased risk for asthma and wheeze among boys reverses at puberty, however, after which the incidence rate of asthma in girls increases, resulting in a 2:1 female predominance among adults [4–6]. These findings are demonstrated by De Marco and colleagues in a retrospective analysis of data from the European Respiratory Health Survey (Fig. 1). In infancy, girls have a lower risk for developing asthma than do boys, with a rate ratio (RR) for girls compared with boys ranging from 0.74 to 0.56 among children 10 years old or younger. At the time of puberty, the risk equalizes in both sexes (RR, 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66–1.12), and after puberty the risk is significantly higher in women than in men, ranging from 1.38 to 5.91 [7]. Among adults aged 25 to 74, being female has been shown to be the strongest predictor of incident cases of asthma [8]. There is evidence for a disparate increase in the prevalence of asthma between men and women. Between 1982 and 1992, the prevalence among US women increased 82% (from 2.9% to 5.4%) compared with an increase of 29% among men (4.0% to 5.1%) [9]. Other investigators suggest that the reversal in the prevalence rates of asthma among young adults is caused by a higher remission rate among boys and a higher incidence rate among girls [10–14].
Feminist Reading of the Hebrew Bible: Affirmation, Resistance and Transformation:

L'A. compare les lectures de l'AT faites par Phyllis Trible et Esther Fuchs. La premiere decouvre des traits feministes sous le discours patriarcal, la seconde ne voit que des affirmations patriarcales. L'A. montre que les points de vue des ecrivains bibliques sont tres divers, et souvent s'opposent. Elle plaide pour une vision sexuellement holistique de l'experience humaine, a travers tous les textes bibliques
Determinants of feeding territory size in the corallivorous butterflyfish, Chaetodon multicinctus

Abstract Both sexes of the monogamous coral-feeding butterflyfish, Chaetodon multicinctus , forage as energy maximizers, are constrained by the time available for feeding, and vigorously defend their feeding territories from intrusions by conspecific competitors. Territory area was positively correlated with coral abundance when data were pooled from coral-poor and coral-rich habitats. In contrast, male lenght and total food were correlated with territory area within the coral-rich habitat. When food supply was increased, fish attempted to defend all food within original borders but were limited by aggressive interactions with conspecifics attracted to supplemental food. When coral abundance was reduced, residents expanded their territories. In comparison, territories were adjusted as an inverse function of competitor abundance and related costs of defence. Although these experiments support competitor-mediated models of territory size, food resources are also important in that they set a lower limit for minimum territory area and, when possible, are defended in surplus by this species.
The oxidation of reduced pyridine nucleotides by peroxyacyl nitrates.

Abstract TPNH und DPNH are oxidized by peroxyacyl nitrates. The oxidation products are TPN and DPN, respectively, as judged by the formation of cyanide complexes, and reaction with appropriate substrates in the presence ot glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase. The rate of oxidation of reduced pyridine nucleotides is increased by raising the pH from 7.4 to 8.8 in Tris buffer, and by increasing the buffer molarity at any one pH. The oxidizing power of peroxyacyl nitrates in solution dissipates regardless of the presence of oxidizable compound, and the rate of dissipation is more rapid as the pH is raised. At pH 8.0, the half-life of the oxidizing power is approximately 4 min. The rate and amount of pyridine nucleotide oxidation is independent of the initial concentration of reduced pyridine nucleotide over the range 3.7 × 10−5-1.1 × 10−4M at pH 8.0. PAN prevents the incorporation of acetate into long-chain fatty acids by spinach chloroplasts, but does not inhibit the incorporation into citrate and glutamate.
Is the benefit of retrieval practice modulated by motivation

Abstract Retrieval practice tends to produce better long-term learning than rereading, but laboratory studies have typically used arbitrary material that subjects may not care to learn. The observed advantage of retrieval practice may be exaggerated because low motivation may result in deficient processing during (usually passive) rereading. Thus, when subjects are motivated to learn the material, the type of study strategy (whether retrieval practice or rereading) might be less important. To test this hypothesis, we conducted 3 experiments in which we manipulated the incentives (using monetary bonuses or time savings) for learning Swahili–English word pairs. Items that had undergone retrieval practice were better recalled than reread items on a final test 2 days later, but this effect did not interact with incentive level. These results provide some reassurance that lab findings from the testing effects literature likely generalize to real-world situations in which motivation to learn may be greater.
Enhancing complement control on endothelial barrier reduces renal post-ischemia dysfunction.

Background Excessive complement activation is an integral part of ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury (IRI) of organs. In kidney transplantation, the pathologic consequence of IRI and complement activation can lead to delayed graft function, which in turn is associated with acute rejection. Previous strategies to reduce complement-induced IRI required systemic administration of agents, which can lead to increased susceptibility to infections/immune diseases. The objective of this study was to determine whether an increase in complement control defenses of rat kidney endothelium reduces IRI. We hypothesized that increased complement control on the endothelial barrier reduces IR-mediated complement activation and reduces kidney dysfunction. Materials and Methods Fischer 344 rats underwent left kidney ischemia for 45 min and treatment with a novel fusogenic lipid vesicle (FLVs) delivery system to decorate endothelial cells with vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP), followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Assessment included renal function by serum creatinine and urea, myeloperoxidase assay for neutrophil infiltration, histopathology, and quantification of C3 production in kidneys. Results Animals in which the kidney endothelium was bolstered by FLVs+VCP treatment had better renal function with a significant reduction in serum creatinine compared with vehicle controls ( P P Conclusion Increasing complement control at the endothelial barrier with FLVs+VCP modulates complement activation/production during the first 24 h, reducing renal dysfunction following IRI.
Consumer Debt and the Measurement of Poverty and Inequality in the US

Abstract This paper argues that interest on consumer debt must be taken into account when measuring poverty and inequality. These interest payments cannot be used to support household living standards. This makes middle- and low-income households worse off. Recent increases in consumer debt means that this deterioration in living standards is not captured by conventional government statistics. Using the Survey of Consumer Finances, we make estimates of poverty and inequality that take into account rising interest payments on consumer debt and discuss some of the implications of these estimates.
Total Quality Improvement Method for Reduction of Delays Between Emergency Department Admission and Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective: To develop an approach for reducing time between emergency department (ED) admission and treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke to meet the challenge of providing tissue plasminogen activator treatment within 180 minutes. Design: An observational study. Setting: Forty trial-affiliated hospitals, including 30 community hospitals. Participants: A total of 17324 consecutive patients admitted to trial-affiliated hospital EDs within 24 hours of possible stroke, from January 1991 through October 1994. Intervention: Appraisal of the process of triage, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment by means of total quality improvement techniques in each hospital. Staff participating in the process identified sources of variation and modifications by flow charting the process. Main Outcome Measure: Time between ED admission and treatment with study medication. Results: Total quality improvement methods identified hospital-specific process improvements. Many improvements were administrative, requiring no additional resources. More than 50% of screened patients arrived too late to be treated. Only 1268 patients were admitted between 0 and 125 minutes from stroke onset with no other trial exclusion criteria; 48% were treated. Of 243 patients admitted between 126 and 170 minutes from stroke onset with no exclusion criteria, 4% were treated. Mean time from ED admission to treatment was similar in teaching and community hospitals. Conclusions: Total quality improvement methods identified ED-specific sources of process variability and reduced time between ED admission and treatment. Therefore, these methods should be considered in developing and monitoring emergent stroke treatment protocols.
Genetic Loci Associated With Plasma Concentration of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Apolipoprotein A1, and Apolipoprotein B Among 6382 White Women in Genome-Wide Analysis With Replication

Background— Genome-wide genetic association analysis represents an opportunity for a comprehensive survey of the genes governing lipid metabolism, potentially revealing new insights or even therape...
Religious Identification as a Moderator of Evolved Sexual Strategies of Men and Women

Buss and Schmitt (1993) found empirical support for their Sexual Strategies Theory hypothesis of evolved sex differences in mating attitudes. This study hypothesized that religiosity would moderate those sex differences. Specifically, it was predicted that men high and low in religiosity would differ in mating attitudes, but it was expected that there would be fewer differences between women high and low in religiosity because of evolved preferences for longer term, more committed relationships. In Study 1, 219 college students completed questionnaires that included a single-item indicator of religiosity and short-term and long-term mating desires. Religiosity moderated sex differences in some mating preferences. In Study 2, 234 college student participants (mean age, 19.1 years) completed measures from Study 1 plus a measure of three types of religiosity: intrinsic (religion as a valuable end in itself), extrinsic (religion as a means to an end), and quest (religion as a means of questioning and doubting...
Efficacy of an injection of dinoprost tromethamine when given subcutaneously on luteal regression in lactating Holstein cows

The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the efficacy of a PGF(2alpha) (PGF) analog given through different routes on causing luteal regression in lactating dairy cows. In Experiment 1, lactating Holstein cows (n=118) at random stages of lactation were blocked by parity and days in milk (DIM) and, within each block, randomly assigned to receive PGF as an intra-muscular (IM) injection in the semimembranous/semitendinous muscle (CON), subcutaneous (SC) injection in the cervical area (SCN), or SC injection in the ischio-rectal fossa (IRF). Blood was sampled at 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after treatment for assessment of progesterone concentration. In Experiment 2, a total of 379 lactating Holstein cows, 46+/-7 DIM, were blocked by DIM and, within each block, randomly assigned to receive treatment similar to CON or IRF groups from Experiment 1. Blood was sampled 0 and 48 h after treatment for assessment of progesterone concentration. Cows were classified as experiencing luteal regression when progesterone concentration was <1.0 ng/mL or <40% of initial concentration (0 h=100%). In Experiment 1, there was no effect of route of PGF treatment on decline in progesterone concentration and on the proportion of cows experiencing luteal regression by 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after treatment. Similarly, in Experiment 2, route of treatment did not affect either the decline in progesterone concentration or the proportion of cows that had luteal regression by 48 h after treatment. Treatment of lactating dairy cows with 25mg of PGF given SC in the ischio-rectal fossa did not affect either the decline in progesterone concentration or the proportion of cows that experienced luteal regression by 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after PGF treatment.
A method to calculate the one-electron reduction potentials for nitroaromatic compounds based on gas-phase quantum mechanics

Nitroaromatic compounds (NACs) are widespread environmental contaminants, and the one-electron reduction potential (E oH) is an important parameter used in modeling their environmental fate. We have identified a method that is both accurate and efficient to predict E oH values for NACs, using gas-phase quantum mechanics (QM) calculations combined with empirical correlations. First, the adiabatic electron affinity (EA) at 0 K is calculated using the B98/MG3S method, and the predictions are scaled by a factor of 0.802 to account for systematic errors in the density functional calculations. Second, the E oH values are predicted from a linear correlation between E oH and EA. Using this method, E oH values were predicted with a mean absolute deviation from measured values of 0.021 V for the 14 NACs used to obtain the correlation and 0.029 V for six additional NACs. This represents a substantial improvement in accuracy over predictions by other QM methods, which are affected by large errors in solvation or aqueous-phase calculations for some compounds.
An Early Stage of Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus Budding Is Regulated by the Hydrophobicity of the Gag Matrix Domain Core

Intracellular capsid transport and release of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus are dependent on myristylation of the Gag matrix domain (MA). A myristylated MA mutant, in which Thr41 and Thr78 are replaced with isoleucines, assembles capsids that are transported to the plasma membrane but are blocked in an early budding step. Since the nuclear magnetic resonance structure of MA showed that these Thr residues point into the hydrophobic core of the protein, it was hypothesized that the T41I/T78I mutant was defective in release of myristic acid from the more hydrophobic core. In order to further investigate whether an increase in the hydrophobicity of the MA core modulates capsid-membrane interactions and viral budding, three tyrosine residues (11, 28, and 67), oriented toward the MA core, were replaced individually or in a pair-wise combination with the more hydrophobic phenylalanine residue(s). As a control, Tyr82, oriented toward the outer surface of MA, was also replaced with phenylalanine. These Tyr-to-Phe substitutions did not alter capsid assembly compared to wild type in a capsid assembly assay. Pulse-chase, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy studies demonstrated that single substitutions of Tyr11, Tyr28, and Tyr67 recapitulated the T41I/T78I mutant phenotype of decreased budding kinetics and accumulation of capsids at the plasma membrane. MA double mutants with a combination of these Tyr substitutions exhibited a phenotype that was even more defective in budding. In contrast, MA mutants with Tyr82 replaced by Phe resulted in a transport-defective phenotype. These results strongly support the hypothesis that myristic acid is sequestered inside MA prior to capsid-membrane interactions.
Mappin class group actions on quantum doubles

We study representations of the mapping class group of the punctured torus on the double of a finite dimensional possibly non-semisimple Hopf algebra that arise in the construction of universal, extended topological field theories. We discuss how for doubles the degeneracy problem of TQFT's is circumvented. We find compact formulae for theS±1-matrices using the canonical, non-degenerate forms of Hopf algebras and the bicrossed structure of doubles rather than monodromy matrices. A rigorous proof of the modular relations and the computation of the projective phases is supplied using Radford's relations between the canonical forms and the moduli of integrals. We analyze the projectiveSL(2, Z)-action on the center ofUq(sl2) forq anl=2m+1st root of unity. It appears that the 3m+1-dimensional representation decomposes into anm+1-dimensional finite representation and a2m-dimensional, irreducible representation. The latter is the tensor product of the two dimensional, standard representation ofSL(2, Z) and the finite,m-dimensional representation, obtained from the truncated TQFT of the semisimplified representation category ofUq(sl2).
Reply by Author to W. Schneider

T HE first two sentences in the abstract of the paper1 by myself and E. Sogamef state quite clearly that our objectives were to contribute to an understanding of the new features introduced by radiative-flu id mechanical coupling in the low Reynolds number, blunt-body problem at hypersonic speeds and to illustrate how to circumvent the radiatively coupled shock layer and shock-transition zone. The last sentence of our paper1 suggests that our considerations provide the framework for which further refinements of this problem could be carried out. W. Schneider apparently misunderstood the significance of the exposition of new fluid mechanical phenomena within very simple, understandingenhancing situations as was done by myself and E. Sogame for this problem; he apparently has, a priori, also misunderstood the significance of the essential new fluid mechanical phenomena. The low Reynolds number blunt-body problem at hypersonic speeds is characterized by a shock-transition zone whose thickness is comparable with the shock-layer thickness and viscous stresses and heat conduction are important in both layers, as elucidated by Cheng 2 for the radiationless thin-layer problem; fortunately, the shock-transition zone can be bridged by the modified Rankine-Hugoniot jump conditions thus enabling the independent solution of the shock layer possible, the shock-transition zone is subsequently solvable through using the now known properties of the outer edge of the shock layer as initial conditions. When radiative transfer effects become important they are important simultaneously in both the shock layer and the shock-transition zone. This observation can be arrived at even before solving the problem. In the vicinity of the (cold) wall and of the freestream, radiative emission is relatively unimportant compared with the relatively high-temperature region near the shock interface. For density-dependent emission, radiative emission is rendered even relatively less important in the outer region of the shock transition zone where v = 0(1) and p = 0(1)4 However, near the shock interface v = 0(e) and p =
Describable Visual Attributes for Face Verification and Image Search

We introduce the use of describable visual attributes for face verification and image search. Describable visual attributes are labels that can be given to an image to describe its appearance. This paper focuses on images of faces and the attributes used to describe them, although the concepts also apply to other domains. Examples of face attributes include gender, age, jaw shape, nose size, etc. The advantages of an attribute-based representation for vision tasks are manifold: They can be composed to create descriptions at various levels of specificity; they are generalizable, as they can be learned once and then applied to recognize new objects or categories without any further training; and they are efficient, possibly requiring exponentially fewer attributes (and training data) than explicitly naming each category. We show how one can create and label large data sets of real-world images to train classifiers which measure the presence, absence, or degree to which an attribute is expressed in images. These classifiers can then automatically label new images. We demonstrate the current effectiveness-and explore the future potential-of using attributes for face verification and image search via human and computational experiments. Finally, we introduce two new face data sets, named FaceTracer and PubFig, with labeled attributes and identities, respectively.
Impact of oral simvastatin therapy on acute lung injury in mice during pneumococcal pneumonia

Recent studies suggest that the reported protective effects of statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) against community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and sepsis in humans may be due to confounders and a healthy user-effect. To directly test whether statins are protective against Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of CAP, we examined the impact of prolonged oral simvastatin therapy at physiologically relevant doses in a mouse model of pneumococcal pneumonia. BALB/c mice were placed on rodent chow containing 0 mg/kg (control), 12 mg/kg (low simvastatin diet [LSD]; corresponds to 1.0 mg/kg/day), or 120 mg/kg (high simvastatin diet [HSD]; corresponds to 10 mg/kg/day) simvastatin for four weeks, infected intratracheally with S. pneumoniae serotype 4 strain TIGR4, and sacrificed at 24, 36, or 42 h post-infection for assessment of lung histology, cytokine production, vascular leakage and edema, bacterial burden and bloodstream dissemination. Some mice received ampicillin at 12-h intervals beginning at 48 h post-infection and were monitored for survival. Immunoblots of homogenized lung samples was used to assess ICAM-1 production. Mice receiving HSD had reduced lung consolidation characterized by less macrophage and neutrophil infiltration and a significant reduction in the chemokines MCP-1 (P = 0.03) and KC (P = 0.02) and ICAM-1 in the lungs compared to control mice. HSD mice also had significantly lower bacterial titers in the blood at 36 (P = 0.007) and 42 (P = 0.03) hours post-infection versus controls. LSD had a more modest effect against S. pneumoniae but also resulted in reduced bacterial titers in the lungs and blood of mice after 42 h and a reduced number of infiltrated neutrophils. Neither LSD nor HSD mice had reduced mortality in a pneumonia model where mice received ampicillin 48 h after challenge. Prolonged oral simvastatin therapy had a strong dose-dependent effect on protection against S. pneumoniae as evidenced by reduced neutrophil infiltration, maintenance of vascular integrity, and lowered chemokine production in the lungs of mice on HSD. Statin therapy also protected through reduced bacterial burden in the lungs. Despite these protective correlates, mortality in the simvastatin-receiving cohorts was equivalent to controls. Thus, oral simvastatin at physiologically relevant doses only modestly protects against pneumococcal pneumonia.
Management of a large intraoperative type IIIb endoleak in a bifurcated endograft-a case report.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the intraoperative management of a type IIIb endoleak after deployment of a bifurcated endograft in a patient with narrow iliac access vessels. A 62-year-old man underwent elective endovascular repair (EVAR) of a 53 mm abdominal aortic aneurysm. After device deployment, a large IIIb endoleak, arising from the main body of the device, was visualized. Narrow iliac vessels precluded deployment of a second bifurcated graft, and the endoleak was successfully excluded with an aortomonoiliac device, followed by contralateral iliac occlusion and subsequent creation of a femorofemoral bypass. At 1-year follow-up, the aneurysm remains excluded and is decreasing in size. Type III endoleaks are a known complication of EVAR, requiring immediate treatment through their association with aneurysm enlargement and rupture. If an additional bifurcated graft cannot be used, aortomonoiliac conversion represents a feasible endovascular alternative treatment for type III endoleaks, other...
A Sequential Method for Selecting the Best of Three Binomial Populations

Abstract The Sobel-Weiss play-the-winner rule [5] for choosing the best of three binomial populations is modified by introducing the opportunity for early partial or complete elimination of inferior populations. The new procedure neither dominates nor is dominated by other k = 3 schemes discussed by Hoel and Sobel [3], and it may offer a reasonable alternative under certain prior assumptions concerning the parameter space.
Validation of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire to assess energy and macronutrient intakes of Cuban Americans

ObjectiveTo assess the validity of a 131-item semiquantative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) by comparison with multiple food records in Cuban Americans.DesignThe Willet FFQ was administered and...
The W620 Polymorphism in PTPN22 Disrupts Its Interaction With Peptidylarginine Deiminase Type 4 and Enhances Citrullination and NETosis

Objective A C-to-T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located at position 1858 of human protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN22 complementary DNA carries the highest risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among all non-HLA genetic variants. This C1858T SNP converts an arginine (R620) to a tryptophan (W620), but it is unclear why it has such a strong impact on RA, a disease characterized by anti–citrullinated protein antibodies. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that PTPN22 regulates protein citrullination. Methods The level of citrullinated proteins in immune cells was quantified by Western blotting. The physical interaction between PTPN22 and peptidyl arginine deiminase type 4 (PAD-4), which is one of the enzymes that catalyzes protein citrullination, was examined by coimmunoprecipitation. Neutrophils were collected from healthy donors carrying the C1858T SNP and healthy donors not carrying this SNP. The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was examined by immunocytochemistry. Results PTPN22 physically interacted with PAD-4, and a deficiency in PTPN22 enhanced protein citrullination. This abnormality was reversed by exogenous wild-type PTPN22 or catalytically dead mutant PTPN22. The R-to-W conversion rendered PTPN22 unable to interact with PAD-4 and suppress citrullination. The C1858T SNP was associated with hypercitrullination in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and a heightened propensity for spontaneous formation of NETs, which is a PAD-4–dependent process. Conclusion PTPN22 is an inhibitor of PAD-4 and protein citrullination. This function of PTPN22 is independent of its phosphatase activity but requires R620. Our data not only establish a molecular link between PTPN22 and PAD-4, but also suggest that the C1858T SNP increases the risk of RA by enhancing protein citrullination and spontaneous formation of NETs.
Colonial re‐characterization and the discourse surrounding the Eyre controversy

This essay provides a case study of the legal and public discourse surrounding the Governor Eyre controversy. Using newspaper articles, Parliamentary addresses, diary entries, and historical commentaries, the essay illustrates the ways that the symbolic figures involved in the “Morant Bay Rebellion” of 1865 were used by radicals, conservatives, and liberals in their re‐characterizations of both the colonizer and the colonized during the post‐emancipation period. The author argues that the debates over the imposition of martial law by Governor Eyre helped influence the imperialist rhetorics that were used to marginalize colonial subjects throughout the British Empire.
Associative Memory in a Network of `Biological' Neurons

The Hopfield network (Hopfield, 1982, 1984) provides a simple model of an associative memory in a neuronal structure. This model, however, is based on highly artificial assumptions, especially the use of formal-two state neurons (Hopfield, 1982) or graded-response neurons (Hopfield, 1984). What happens if we replace the formal neurons by 'real' biological neurons? We address this question in two steps. First, we show that a simple model of a neuron can capture all relevant features of neuron spiking, i.e., a wide range of spiking frequencies and a realistic distribution of interspike intervals. Second, we construct an associative memory by linking these neurons together. The analytical solution for a large and fully connected network shows that the Hopfield solution is valid only for neurons with a short refractory period. If the refractory period is longer than a critical duration γc, the solutions are qualitatively different. The associative character of the solutions, however, is preserved.