cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mother-infant interaction, life events and prenatal and postpartum depressive symptoms among urban minority women in primary care.

Objectives: Prenatal and postpartum depression are significant mental health problems that can have negative effects on mother-infant interactions. We examined the relationships among mother-infant interactions, depressive symptoms, life events, and breastfeeding of low-income urban African American and Hispanic women in primary care settings. Methods: Participants were 89 African American and Hispanic women who were part of a larger mental health intervention study conducted in community health centers. Questionnaire data on depression, as well as negative and positive life events, were collected during pregnancy and at three-months postpartum, while mother-infant interaction observations and breastfeeding practice were only collected at three-months postpartum. Results: The ratings of maternal behavior for ‘depressed’ mothers did not differ from ‘nondepressed’ mothers. Except for gaze aversion behavior, infants' behavior while interacting with their mothers did not differ by maternal depression level. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that maternal positive life events positively predicted infant interactional summary ratings, while maternal negative life events were inversely associated with maternal interactional summary ratings. Conclusions: To improve services in primary care, perinatal screenings for depression can help identify those women most at risk. When follow-up use of structured diagnostic instruments is not possible or cost-effective, clinician assessment of severity of depression will determine women with clinical levels of depression. Reducing negative life events is beyond the control of women or clinicians but cognitive interventions to help women focus on positive life events can reduce the deleterious effects of depression on mothers and their infants.
Combination therapy with fluvastatin and niacin in hypercholesterolemia: a preliminary report on safety.

A double-blind, randomized study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fluvastatin as monotherapy and as combination therapy with niacin in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia refractory to diet. Seventy-four patients with plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels > or = 160 mg/dL were treated with fluvastatin, 20 mg/d, or placebo for 6 weeks. Thereafter, immediate-release niacin, at a dosage titrated to a maximum of 3 g/d, was added to both regimens for another 9 weeks. All adverse events were monitored, with particular attention to the evaluation of liver and muscle enzymes. Initial analysis of the data shows that fluvastatin and its combination with niacin was well tolerated and was not associated with any serious adverse events. Small, transient, asymptomatic rises in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) occurred in 28.9% of fluvastatin-niacin treated patients compared to 8.3% in the niacin-placebo control arm (p 3 times the upper limit of normal occurred. No evidence of myopathy, creatine kinase levels exceeding 10 times the upper limit of normal, myositis, or rhabdomyolysis were demonstrated in this short-term trial. The majority of adverse events resulting in patient withdrawals were ascribed to niacin therapy and included cutaneous vasodilatation, flushing, itching, and rash. These preliminary results suggest that fluvastatin, both alone and combined with niacin, is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for hypercholesterolemia.
The stability of helical polynucleotides: base contributions.

Estimates have been made of the main contributions of the heterocyclic bases of DNA to the free energies of the two configurations in solution, the two-stranded helix and the single-strand random coil. The magnitude and directions of the dipole moments of the adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine base groups have been calculated by a semi-empirical molecular orbital treatment. Dipole—dipole, dipole—induced-dipole and London force interactions among the bases in the helix are large, and make the free energy of the helix depend on the base composition and sequence. The helix stability (helix negative free energy) is proportional to the guanine + cytosine content. A comparison of calculated base-pair interactions with the nearest-neighbor base frequency data of Josse, Kaiser & Kornberg (1961) suggests that the base sequence in natural DNA may be influenced by the free energy. The free energy of the coil is difficult to estimate ; it tends to be more negative from base—solvent interactions for a greater guanine—cytosine content. The choice of solvent determines the magnitude of these interactions and thus determines how the melting temperature of the helix will depend on the base composition. In a solvent such as water, in which significant base—base interactions exist in the coil, the coil free energy depends on the base sequence and London forces may cause stacking of the bases into ordered arrays. The hydrogen bond energy of the bases and the strain energy in the helix probably contribute little to the enthalpy change of the helix—coil transition, although they ensure specific base-pairing in the helix. The net contribution of configurational and solvent entropy changes to the free energy change of the helix—coil transition is also probably small.
Phase Separation Kinetics of Rod/Coil Mixtures

Equations of motion are presented that describe the kinetics of phase separation of mixtures of rods and coils into an isotropic phase rich in coils and a nematic phase rich in rods. The equations were derived using dynamical mean field theory and contain only a few pure-component parameters, such as the self-diffusion coefficients and molecular weights of the rods and coils. In such a system, both composition and orientation density evolve with time in a coupled fashion, so the presence of orientational order has a pronounced effect on the domain morphology at all but the latest stages of phase separation. The formalism presented here will provide insights into the control of domain morphology and properties of bicontinuous polymeric structures produced by quenching spinodal decomposition processes.
Effect of gestational sex steroid exposure on limb development and endochondral ossification in the pregnant C57BI/6J mouse: I. Medroxyprogesterone acetate

Although data supporting the teratogenic potential of intrauterine progestin exposure is lacking, concern persists among some individuals within the scientific community that these drugs have the potential for nongenital teratogenesis, especially with regard to limb reduction defects. Our laboratory has been interested in the ontogeny of steroid receptors in the developing embryo and in the role of steroid-receptor interactions in limb development, particularly the process of endochondral ossification. Since limb reduction defects can be produced from abnormal processes that are operative during organogenesis or during midgestation (vascular disruption) we have designed an animal study whereby embryos were exposed to sex steroids throughout organogenesis and fetal development. The present study assesses the effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on intrauterine endochrondral bone development specifically, as well as overall embryo-fetal development. Primagravid C57Bl/6J mice were treated via subdermal pellets which deliver MPA at dosages of 5.0, 50.0, and 500.0 mg/kg/day on gestational days 7 through 19. These doses were 25-, 250-, and 2,500-fold higher on a mg/kg basis than the human dose equivalent (HDE). No increases in nongenital malformations were noted at any evaluated MPA dosage level. At 25 X the HDE, MPA did not influence endochondral bone development as evidenced by a lack of significant effects on assessed bone growth parameters. In the 250- and 2,500-fold HDE dosage groups, MPA was shown to exert an embryotoxic effect inducing 48 and 100% resorptions respectively. Mean embryo weights/litter were significantly reduced by MPA exposure at 250 X the HDE. Intrauterine exposure to 250 X the MPA HDE induced reductions in humeral and femoral diaphyseal length in proportion to a reduction in overall growth. The data demonstrate that MPA, administered at dosages of up to several orders of magnitude in excess of the HDE and which permitted embryo survival, did not induce increases in the frequency of nongenital teratogenesis at any dose or gestational stage. Importantly, limb reduction defects were not noted even in instances where the dosage of MPA induced an inhibition of endochondral bone growth.
GROWTH ANALYSIS AND SUCCESSIONAL STATUS OF COSTA RICAN RAIN FOREST TREES

SUMMARY The growth of seedlings of six species of tropical trees ranging from pioneer to shade-tolerant canopy species was compared using sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a reference. Plants were grown in containers in a large clearing in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica. Unit leaf rates of Ochroma lagopus Swartz, a pioneer species, were slightly lower but not significantly different from those of sunflower. With one exception, unit leaf rates increased from late- to earlysuccessional rank. Unit leaf rates of late-successional species were 30 to 40 % of that of sunflower. Relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, specific leaf weight, and root-to-shoot ratios also showed definite trends from early- to late-successional rank. Multivariate analysis of these characteristics supported a priori rankings of these species.
Characterization of the divergent eosinophil ribonuclease, mEar 6, and its expression in response to Schistosoma mansoni infection in vivo.

The eosinophil-associated ribonucleases (Ears) are rapidly evolving proteins found in multigene clusters that are unique to each rodent species. Of the 15 independent genes in the Mus musculus cluster, only mEars 1 and 2 are expressed at significant levels at homeostasis. Here we characterize the expression of mEar 6 in the liver and spleen in mice in response to infection with the helminthic parasite, Schistosoma mansoni. Interestingly, expression of mEar 6 is not directly related to the elevated levels of serum IL-5 or tissue eosinophilia characteristic of this disease, as no mEar 6 transcripts were detected in the liver or the spleen from uninfected IL-5-transgenic mice. The coding sequence of mEar 6 has diverged under positive selection pressure (Ka/Ks>1.0) and has a unique unpaired cysteine near the carboxy-terminus of the protein. The high catalytic efficiency of recombinant mEar 6 (kcat/Km=0.9 × 106/M/s) is similar to that of the cluster's closest human ortholog, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN/RNase 2). In summary, we have identified mEar 6 as one of only two RNase A superfamily ribonucleases known to be expressed specifically in response to pathophysiologic stress in vivo.
S-Nitrosylation signaling regulates cellular protein interactions

Abstract Background S-Nitrosothiols are made by nitric oxide synthases and other metalloproteins. Unlike nitric oxide, S-nitrosothiols are involved in localized, covalent signaling reactions in specific cellular compartments. These reactions are enzymatically regulated. Scope S-Nitrosylation affects interactions involved in virtually every aspect of normal cell biology. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Regulation of Cellular Processes by S-nitrosylation. Major Conclusions and Significance S-Nitrosylation is a regulated signaling reaction.
Ethnic and genetic determinants of omeprazole disposition and effect

Objectives To compare the pharmacokinetics and dynamics of omeprazole in white and Chinese subjects. Methods This double-blind two-stage study, performed in the clinical research center of a university hospital, evaluated 15 healthy nonsmoking men (eight white subjects and seven Chinese extensive metabolizers of mephenytoin). Blood samples were obtained over 24 hours after the eighth omeprazole dose (40 mg/day). Omeprazole, omeprazole sulfone, and hydroxyomeprazole pharmacokinetics were calculated from the respective plasma concentration-time curves. Twelve- and 24-hour integrated plasma gastrin (AUCgas12 and AUCgas24) were calculated from the respective plasma gastrin concentrations. A week before the initiation of omeprazole the activities of CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 were determined by previously established methods. Results Omeprazole concentrations were significantly lower (mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity [AUC0-∞] ± SEM; 7.53 ± 1.21 versus 12.80 ± 2.13 μmol · hr · L−1, respectively; p < 0.05) and its oral clearance greater (319 ± 60 versus 183 ± 35 ml/min, respectively; p < 0.05) in the white subjects than in the Chinese subjects. Omeprazole and omeprazole sulfone AUC0-∞ values were well correlated with the SR mephenytoin ratio (r = 0.82 and r = 0.84, respectively; p < 0.001) and with urinary 4′-hydroxymephenytoin (r = −0.58 [p < 0.03] and r = −0.52 [p < 0.02], respectively). Fasting gastrin, AUCgas12, and AUCgas24 were significantly greater in the Chinese subjects than in the white subjects (30.0 ± 6.4 versus 14.4 ± 1.2 pmol, respectively [p < 0.02]; 661 ± 114 versus 334 ± 38 pmol · hr · L−1, respectively [p < 0.002]; and 1414 ± 228 versus 747 ± 99 pmol · hr · L−1, respectively [p < 0.004]). In addition, the S/R mephenytoin ratio and omeprazole AUC0-∞ correlated with the extent of omeprazole induced hypergastrinemia. Conclusion The metabolism of omeprazole and the rise in gastrin concentration after its administration is genetically determined and ethnically dependent. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1996) 60, 157–167; doi:
Implementing a Practicum in a Required Content Area Reading Course.

Abstract Instructors of required undergraduate content area reading courses often find it difficult to motivate interest among students in some teaching majors and worry that even the motivated students may never put into practice what is taught in class. As a partial solution to this problem, this article describes one university's tutoring practicum which is an integral part of such a course. The discussion focuses on tasks for building the capabilities needed in tutoring and techniques for insuring that those capabilities are used. Informal and formal evidence of the effectiveness of that practicum is cited.
Investigating Human Performance in a Virtual Reality Haptic Simulator as Influenced by Fidelity and System Latency

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the utility of an established model of human motor behavior for assessing the fidelity of a virtual reality (VR) and haptic-based simulation for fine motor task performance. This study was also to serve as a basis for formulating general performance-based simulator-design guidelines toward balancing perceived realism with simulator limitations, such as latency resulting from graphic and haptic renderings. A low-fidelity surgical simulator was developed as an example VR for study, and user performance was tested in a simplified tissue-cutting task using a virtual scalpel. The observed aspect of the simulation included a discrete-movement task under different system-lag conditions and settings of task difficulty. Results revealed user performance in the VR to conform with Fitts' law of motor behavior and for performance to degrade with increasing task difficulty and system time lag. In general, the findings of this work support predictions on human performance under various simulator-design conditions using an established model of motor-control behavior and formulation of human-performance-based simulator-design principles.
Paper: Asymptotic stability of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems using higher order corrections

This paper examines a methodology for investigating the asymptotic stability properties of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems. This is achieved by constructing the so-called zeroth order model (uncorrected model). Based on this model a weighted scalar sum of the Lyapunov functions for two lower order subsystems is obtained. The estimates of the region of attraction and the upper bound on the perturbed parameter are established. It is shown that by extending this methodology to higher order corrected models, less conservative results are obtained. These considerable improvements are facilitated by introducing a new fast variable in both uncorrected and corrected models.
Lateral control of an articulated bus for lane guidance and curbside precision docking

This paper presents the design, implementation, and field testing of a lane assist system that provides lane guidance and curbside precision docking functions for a 60 ft articulated bus. The challenges in this lateral control design include the extra lightly-damped mode from the articulated section, the relatively large disturbance due to the sharp S-curves for precision docking, and the uncertainties introduced by public roads and live traffic. To tackle these challenges, the control problem is formulated as a mixed H 2 /H ∞ synthesis problem and solved by LMI optimization. Extensive field tests were conducted in live traffic and the results show adequate and consistent performances.
Evaluating business process‐integrated information technology investment

Because of increasing competition and limited capital budgets, firms need to carefully assess every information technology (IT) opportunity to ensure that their resources are spent judiciously. Conventional wisdom holds that IT has enormous potential. However, organizations continue to question the benefits of IT in conjunction with new corporate initiatives such as business process re‐engineering, e‐commerce, and enterprise resource planning. Despite the potential benefits derived from IT investment, traditional capital budgeting models have failed to estimate true IT values due to their inability to measure complex interactions between IT and organizational performance. This paper presents a business process integrated IT evaluation methodology that integrates business strategy, business process design, and supporting IT investment. The evaluation methodology consists of four phases: strategic analysis; business process design; IT configuration; and performance evaluation. The empirical evidence and computational study strongly suggest that measuring cycle time impact on customers' repurchasing decisions is critical in evaluating the potential value of business‐process‐driven information technology investment.
Postural strategy changes with fatigue of the lumbar extensor muscles

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of lumbar extensor fatigue on postural strategy in response to a balance perturbation. Anteriorly-directed force perturbations were applied to the upper back with a padded pendulum and attempted to challenge the postural control system without eliciting a stepping response. In three separate sessions, subjects were perturbed both before and after a fatiguing protocol that induced lumbar extensor fatigue to one of three different fatigue levels. Postural strategy was quantified using center of pressure position along with joint angles and joint torques for the ankle, knee, hip, and "low back" joints. Results showed both proactive and reactive changes in postural strategy. Proactive changes involved a slight anterior lean prior to the perturbation, and reactive changes were consistent with a shift toward more of a hip strategy with fatigue. In addition, results suggested that subjects classified as moving mostly at the hip prior to fatigue were more affected by fatigue compared to subjects classified as moving roughly equal amounts at the ankle and hip prior to fatigue. Increasing fatigue level exaggerated some, but not all, of the changes in postural strategy with fatigue. These findings illustrate that neuromuscular fatigue can influence postural strategy in response to a balance perturbation.
An error analysis of profile flux, stability, and roughness length measurements made in the marine atmospheric surface layer

An analytical error analysis of profile-derived fluxes of heat, moisture, and momentum, along with stability and roughness length, is performed using the accuracies of the constituent temperature, humidity, and wind speed measurements. Five experiments, representing more than two thirds of the existing marine profile data presently contained in the literature, are compared. Much of the profile data examined was used to develop the transfer coefficients presently employed by a large number of competing bulk aerodynamic flux schemes. Depending upon the experiment, typical profile-method measurement errors were found to range from 15 to 35% for a sensible heat flux of ± 10 W m-2, from 15 to 105% for a latent heat flux of ± 100 W m-2, from 10 to 40% for a stress of 0.05 N m-2, from 15 to 60% for a Monin-Obukhov stability of ± 0.05, and from 25 to 100% for a roughness length of 2 × 10-4 m. Smaller magnitude flux values were found to contain typical errors as large as 100% for sensible heat flux, 300% for latent heat flux, and 60% for stress.
Ethylene Mediates Response and Tolerance to Potassium Deprivation in Arabidopsis

Potassium deprivation leads to large reductions in plant growth and yields. How plants sense and transduce the stress signals initiated by potassium deprivation is poorly understood. Both ethylene production and the transcription of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis increase when plants are deprived of potassium. To elucidate the role of ethylene in low potassium signaling pathways, we used both genetic and chemical approaches. Our results showed that ethylene is important in tolerance to low potassium and for changes in both root hair and primary root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana . We show that ethylene acts upstream of reactive oxygen species in response to potassium deprivation. The expression of High-Affinity K + Transporter5 was used as a marker of potassium deprivation and was found to be dependent on ethylene signaling. In the ethylene insensitive2-1 ( ein2-1 ) mutant, the ethylene-mediated low potassium responses were not completely eliminated, suggesting that some potassium deprivation–induced responses are either ethylene independent or EIN2 independent. Ethylene signaling is a component of the plant9s response to low potassium that stimulates the production of reactive oxygen species and is important for changes in root morphology and whole plant tolerance to low potassium conditions.
Mathematical meaning-making in whole-class conversation: Functional-grammatical analysis of a paradigmatic text

This paper focuses on a brief whole-group conversation captured in a sixth grade classroom taught by an experienced teacher. Drawing upon systemic functional linguistics, we treat the conversation as a multi-semiotic text of the genre of teacher-guided mathematics problem framing. After describing the generic structure of the text and its context of situation, we analyze the ideational, interpersonal, and textual meanings students and teacher contributed to its conjoined making. Our analysis shows how the text means as it does and, in so doing, underlines those features that make it a paradigmatic instantiation of its genre. We conclude by highlighting the contribution of systemic functional linguistics to current conversations about thought and language, dialogue and representation, and context and text.
Methane activation on clean and oxidized Ni(100)

The activation of methane was investigated on a clean and oxidized Ni(100) surface in the pressure range of 0.05–1.0 Torr. The results are most consistent with a precursor mediated mechanism being primarily responsible for the reactive sticking of methane on the clean Ni(100) surface. This contrasts with the Ni(111) surface where dissociative adsorption has been determined to occur predominantly through the direct mechanism. The reaction probability of methane on the NiO films was significantly lower than that observed for the clean Ni(100) surface and exhibited an apparent activation energy of 8.8±1.1 kcal/mol. The results suggest that methane activation on NiO occurs on defect metallic nickel sites.
Three-trophic-level interactions in cattail hybrid zones

Plant-herbivore and herbivore-parasitoid wasp interactions were examined in three hybrid zones of the cattails Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia in south-eastern Michigan over a 2-year period. Patterns of resource use by two lepidopteran species of seed-eating herbivores were studied and herbivore densities sustained by the hybrid cattail T. x glauca and its parental species were determined. Densities of the commoner seed-eating lepidopteran, Lymnaecia phragmitella, were found to be highest in seed heads of both parental species and lowest in hybrid seed heads in zones of hybridization, thus supporting the hybrid resistance hypothesis of Fritz et al. (1994). Densities of the second herbivore, Dicymolomia julianalis, on the hybrid were lower than on the parental T. latifolia, but did not differ from the mean of the combined herbivore densities of the two parental species. D. julianalis in cattails appears to fit the additive hypothesis (Fritz et al. 1994). Parasitism of L. phragmitella by four species of parasitoid wasp, Itoplectis conquisitor (Ichneumonidae), Scambus hispae (Ichneumonidae), Macrocentrus delicatus (Braconidae), and Temelucha gracilipes (Ichneumonidae), was studied to determine if rates of parasitization by these natural enemics on the different cattails were similar to the patterns of plant exploitation exhibited by their hosts. Parasitism rates of L. phragmitella were significantly higher in larvae reared on hybrid cattails. This study reveals two different patterns of hybrid utilization by two very similar herbivores. Opposite patterns of plant utilization were found for the parasitoids compared with their host (L. phragmitella) in cattail hybrid zones.
Nonanalyticity in scale in the planar limit of QCD.

Using methods of numerical lattice gauge theory we show that, in the limit of a large number of colors, properly regularized Wilson loops have an eigenvalue distribution which changes nonanalytically as the overall size of the loop is increased. This establishes a large-$N$ phase transition in continuum planar gauge theory, a fact whose precise implications remain to be worked out.
Giant Cell Tumor of the Spine

Giant cell tumors are benign but locally aggressive neoplasms that typically affect the extremities. When involving the spine, the tumors occur predominantly in the sacrum. Gross total resection of the tumor with wide margins yields good results in terms of survival. However, it carries a significant potential for morbidity and disability. Subtotal resection with adjuvant radiation carries a risk for recurrence or, more concerning, sarcomatous malignant transformation. Endovascular tumor embolizations have also been attempted to control unresectable tumors, and have been performed with moderate degrees of success. Outcomes are analyzed outcomes following surgery, radiation therapy, and tumor embolization.
Motility of Lyme Disease Spirochetes in Fluids as Viscous as the Extracellular Matrix

When properties of extracellular fluids that might regulate the ability of the Lyme disease spirochete to locomote were investigated, the rate of progression correlated with viscoelasticity. Such spirochetes flexed and rotated but did not progress in relatively nonviscous fluids and migrated increasingly rapidly as the viscous characteristics of the medium increased. The viscoelastic properties of various kinds of hyaluronic acid resembled those of a methylcellulose standard. The maximum velocity that spirochetes achieved in such solutions related directly to viscoelasticity rather than to chemical composition. Spirochetes remained motile during 3 h of observation despite 100-fold dilution of the standard nutrient medium. The immobility of Lyme disease spirochetes in media less viscous in character than fixed tissue suggests dissemination via the intercellular ground substance of skin.
Botulinum toxin: helpful adjunct to early resolution of laryngeal granulomas

Treating laryngopharyngeal reflux is the most accepted treatment for laryngeal granulomas. However, response to this treatment is prolonged and in some cases persistent. the authors hypothesize that this is due to the continuous trauma to the mucoperichondrium from adduction of the vocal folds thus preventing regeneration of healthy mucosa. A prospective study was performed on six patients with laryngeal granulomas failing prolonged laryngopharyngeal reflux treatment, speech therapy, and surgical excisions. Botulinum toxin A was injected into the affected thyroarytenoid to reduce adduction trauma. Video-stroboscopy was used to assess response. A 50 per cent reduction in the size of the granulomas was noted within two weeks with a complete and permanent response within two to eight weeks in five out of six patients. One patient had an obstructing pyogenic granuloma that required excision and recurred after excision but responded to a repeated injection. The addition of a single injection of botulinum toxin A to the standard treatment expeditiously eliminated persistent and recurrent laryngeal granulomas.
Anesthesia effects: auditory brain-stem response

Auditory brain-stem responses (ABRs) were measured in the awake state and with ketamine and xylazine anesthesia in adult gerbils. Surface recorded vertex-positive components of the ABR were analyzed with respect to the awake and anesthetized states as a function of stimulus frequency. ABR thresholds were not altered with ketamine/xylazine. Small increases in peak latency were associated with anesthesia for all components except wave P1. Increases in absolute latency were progressively greater for successive peaks, reaching an average shift of 0.41 msec for wave P6. Amplitude changes with anesthesia were more variable, with increases generally seen for waves P4 and P6. Significant anesthesia effects on peak latency and amplitude were independent of stimulus frequency. These data confirm previously reported ABR sensitivity to non-barbiturate anesthesia. Direct comparisons of ABR interpeak intervals or amplitude ratios from awake versus anesthetized animals must account for the effects of barbiturate and non-barbiturate agents. However, the stability of response threshold and the small magnitude of latency and amplitude changes with a ketamine and xylazine regimen demonstrate that accurate electrophysiological measures of hearing sensitivity and auditory brain-stem activity can be obtained in anesthetized animals, provided that temperature and other parameters are maintained within normal physiological limits.
Actuator Gain Distributions in Serial Robotic Manipulators to Meet Specified Task Requirements

A serial robotic manipulator arm is a complex electro-mechanical system whose performance is highly characterized by its actuators. The actuator itself is a complex nonlinear system whose performance can be represented by the speed and torque capabilities of its motor and its accuracy depends on the resolution of the encoder as well as its ability to resist deformations under load. The mechanical gain associated with the transmission is critical to the overall performance of the actuator since it amplifies the motor torque thus improving the force capability of the manipulator housing it, reduces the motor speed to a suitable output speed operating range, enables an improvement in responsiveness (acceleration) and amplifies the stiffness improving the precision under load of the overall system. In this work, a basic analytic process that can be used to manage the actuator gain parameters to obtain an improved arm design based on a set of desired/required performance specifications will be laid out. Key to this analytic process is the mapping of the actuator parameters (speed, torque, stiffness and encoder resolution) to their effective values at the system output via the mechanical gains of the actuators as well as the effective mechanical gains of the manipulator. This forward mapping of the actuator parameters allows the designer to determine how each of the parameters influences the functional capacity of the serial manipulator arm. The actuator gains are then distributed along the effective length of the manipulator to determine the distribution effects on the performance capabilities of the system. The analytic formulation is used to address the issue of configuration management of serial robotic manipulators where the goal is to assemble a system from a finite set of components that meets some required performance specifications. To this end, two examples demonstrating a solution of the configuration management problem are presented. In the first, a manipulator is configured that is intended for light-duty applications while in the second, several manipulators intended for medium and heavy-duty applications are configured. The analytic process developed in this work can reduce the effort in the initial phases of the design process and the total number of design iterations can be reduced.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Improvement in exercise performance after unsuccessful myocardial revascularization

Abstract To assess the status of patients with all grafts occluded after aortocoronary bypass surgery, the clinical, angiographic and exercise testing data of all patients within the Seattle Heart Watch who had no patent grafts at follow-up angiography were analyzed. From this subset 23 patients with complete pre- and postoperative evaluations were found. Postoperatively, 12 of 23 patients (52 percent) related improvement of at least one functional class, and 5 were asymptomatic. Comparison of pre- and postoperative exercise performance revealed a mean increase in exercise duration, maximal pressure-rate product and maximal heart rate, but only the latter increase was statistically significant. Analysis of the individual data revealed significant postoperative improvement in exercise capacity in 13 patients (57 percent); and in maximal pressure-rate product in 9 patients (39 percent); 5 of 13 patients with an ischemic S-T response preoperatively no longer had this response postoperatively. Neither preoperative ejection fraction, number of vessels diseased, number of grafts attempted, interval to follow-up study, deterioration in the native coronary circulation, appearance of collateral circulation, control of risk factors nor medical therapy appeared to separate the patients who did and did not show improvement. However, 11 patients (48 percent) demonstrated angiographic or clinical evidence, or both, of interim myocardial infarction. This group manifested a mean increase in exercise duration, maximal pressure-rate product and maximal heart rate postoperatively. It appears that improvement after unsuccessful myocardial revascularization is not uncommon and that in some, but not all cases, the improvement is related to myocardial infarction. Increased myocardial blood flow is not the only mechanism of subjective and objective clinical improvement after aortocoronary bypass surgery.
Protein simulation below the glass-transition temperature. Dependence on cooling protocol

Abstract To examine the discrepancy between experimentally observed and computer-simulated low-temperature protein motion, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of hydrated and dry carboxymyoglobin (MbCO) were performed at 100 K following cooling at different rates and from different temperatures. Simulations were also performed at nine temperatures, from 100 to 300 K, after cooling both systems from 300 K at 0.2 K/ps. ‘Slow’ cooling resulted in low-energy structures that exhibited atomic fluctuation 25% closer to experimental levels than those employed in previous simulations. The additional electrostatic interactions accompanying hydration increased the need to cool slowly. Cooling hydrated MbCO from 400 K at 2 K/ps balanced realism and efficiency.
An assessment of the extent of child maltreatment using administrative databases

This study examined the extent of violence toward children and factors associated with child maltreatment in Florida using a cohort of children (N=499,330) who were adjudged to be victims of maltreatment between July 1, 1996, and June 30, 2003. To assess the extent of maltreatment, five indicators were proposed and examined. Multivariate analyses found that prior referral, having more than one type of maltreatment during an initial incident, and caregiver absence best predicted the recurrence of maltreatment. Caregivers' alcohol and substance use were strong predictors of neglect and threatened harm but not of abuse. Finally, multilevel analyses found that older, nonminority girls with histories of prior referrals were significantly (psuedo-zs>2.00) more likely to experience high degrees of incident severity. Caregivers' substance use, excluding alcohol, also was significantly linked to incident severity. Implications of the findings are discussed.
A crystallographic investigation of citrate synthase from pig and chicken heart muscle.

Abstract Citrate synthase (EC 4. 1. 3. 7.) from pig heart and chicken heart muscle can be crystallized from 10 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7. 0–7. 5) and 10–15% PEG4000 solution. The space group is P4 1 2 1 2 with one subunit/asymmetric unit for the pig heart enzyme. The chicken heart citrate synthase purified from Blue-dextran as well as ATP-Sepharose affinity chromatography both crystallize in space group P2 1 2 1 2 with one molecule/asymmetric unit, but they have different unit cell dimensions. The a-axis differs by about 17 A between these two crystal forms, while b- and c-axis dimensions are virtually identical.
Visual acuity norms in young children

There are no universally accepted standards for visual acuity tests or norms in young (3-6-year-old) children, although acuity measurement is important in both clinical and screening settings. This review outlines the requirements for such standards. Although more research is needed, available data suggest that a standard test should meet the following requirements. It should utilize a letter optotype (tumbling E, Landolt C, or HOTV variant of the STYCAR), and single optotype with contour interaction bar surround. It should permit nonverbal pointing responses in younger children and verbal responses in older children. If an orientation-specifying method is followed, as with the E or Landolt C, the test should use a three-alternative choice--up, down, and sideways with a nondifferentiated left-right--rather than the traditional four alternative choice. A C-like O pseudo-optotype should be considered in a paired-comparison test format when the Landolt C is utilized, with a similar format for the tumbling E if a suitable pseudo-optotype can be derived. The optical grating test, which is widely used in infant testing, may underestimate acuity deficits and so is not a test of choice for determination of Snellen-equivalent acuity. A letter-based variant of the grating test may hold promise. Reduction in testing distance from 6 to 3 or 4 meters is recommended.
Acute effects of marijuana smoking on aggressive, escape and point-maintained responding of male drug users

Aggressive, escape and point-maintained operant responding of male marijuana smokers were measured during six 25-min sessions conducted over an 8-h experimental day. Aggressive responding ostensibly subtracted points exchangeable for money from another subject. Escape responding protected the subject's counter from point subtractions initiated by the other subject for some period of time. Aggressive and escape responding were engendered by subtracting points from the subjects and maintained by initiation of intervals free of point subtractions. Point subtractions presented to the subjects were attributed to other persons. Subjects earned points exchangeable for money on a third response option. Subjects participated in one session prior to smoking and five sessions after smoking. Subjects smoked placebo or three different potencies of active marijuana cigarettes. Marijuana smoking effects on escape responding were not significant and depended upon the frequency of provocation. Point-maintained responding was decreased after marijuana smoking. Aggressive responding was increased for the first hour after smoking and returned to placebo levels later in the day. These effects of marijuana smoking on aggressive responding are discussed in terms of subject characteristics, particularly drug use history.
Behavioral Issues and Implications with Pediatric Feeding Disorders

Behavioral and interactional aspects of feeding problems are considered within a "total" child approach. Basic principles and guidelines for optimal feeding relationships are presented within a developmental framework. Factors that can underlie behavioral components are discussed. Children with limited appetites and food refusal typically demonstrate poor weight gain, or even weight loss, and are diagnosed as failure to thrive (FTT). Management of their food avoidance is designed to make the eating process enjoyable and nutritionally adequate.
Multiscale modeling of fracture of MgO: Sensitivity of interatomic potentials

Abstract Three different interatomic potentials, namely, B-G I Model, B-G II Model and L-C Model, are used in multiscale modeling and simulation of a center-cracked specimen made of magnesia subjected to monotonically increasing loading. The specimen is decomposed into a far field, a near field and a crack-tip region. The analytical solution in the far field from linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) is utilized. The solution of the near field is based on a multiscale field theory. In the crack-tip region, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is employed. These methodologies are integrated to simulate mixed mode fracture of magnesia (MgO). Three different interatomic potentials are examined and the interatomic potential and interatomic force between Mg–Mg, Mg–O and O–O are shown. The numerical results of crack propagation demonstrate that (1) crack closure is witnessed in B-G I Model but not in B-G II Model and L-C Model, (2) B-G II Model and L-C Model diverge in the early stage. The cause of instability and the remedy are also discussed.
Antimicrobial peptides derived from hemoglobin are expressed in epithelium of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, Rafinesque)

The β-chain of the respiratory protein hemoglobin (Hbβ), has recently been identified in novel sites, including mammalian macrophages and alveolar epithelium, as well as in gill microsomes of fish. However, the functional significance of extra-erythrocytically expressed hemoglobin has been unclear. Here we show inducible expression and upregulation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) homologous to Hbβ in the gill epithelium of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in response to parasitic (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, ich) infection. One peptide (HbβP-1), while having activity against some fish bacterial pathogens (e.g., Aeromonas hydrophila), had especially potent antiparasitic activity that was specifically lethal (lytic) to the feeding (trophont) stage of ich and also appeared to accelerate the differentiation of trophonts. However, it had no apparent effect on either the disseminative (theront) or reproductive (tomont) stages, nor was it lytic to channel catfish erythrocytes. Fish experimentally challenged with ich confirmed that the HbβP-1 sequence was both transcribed and translated in skin and gill epithelium, the target tissues for ich. The Hb AMP concentration expressed in vivo appeared to be well within the antiparasitic concentrations measured in vitro. Our findings suggest that hemoglobin-derived AMPs might play a significant role in the non-specific immune response.
Thyroxine-serum protein complexes: single dimension gel and paper electrophoresis studies.

The thyroxine-serum protein complexes have been studied by means of electrophoresis at pH 8.6 using starch gel and paper as a supporting medium. Borate buffer was used in the gel experiments and barbital or ammonium carbonate in the paper experiments. On gel electrophoresis, most humans bind thyroxine in and near the albumin zone. Band 1 corresponds to the fastest moving prealbumin, Band 2 is at the leading edge of the broad albumin zone, band 3 is diffuse and located in the slowest half of the albumin zone and Band 4 travels immediately behind the albumin. Monkeys have a pattern similar to humans but there is a variation in the position of Band 1 and in the fastest moving prealbumin protein which may constitute a polymorphic system. Concomitant variation was found in the mobility of the prealbumin thyroxine complex (TBPA) in paper electrophoresis in ammonium carbonate. In the cow, both Band 1 and TBPA appear to be absent, and other thjTOxine-protein bands in starch gel electrophoresis are found which hav...
Influence of Chemical Exchange among Homonuclear Spins in Heteronuclear Coherence-Transfer Experiments in Liquids

Abstract An analysis is presented of the effects of chemical exchange on the coherence-transfer efficiencies of two different types of solution-state NMR methodologies, represented by the heteronuclear single-quantum coherence (HSQC) experiment and the heteronuclear cross-polarization technique. The cross-polarization experiment is demonstrated both experimentally and theoretically to have significant advantages over the free-precession-type sequences such as HSQC in the presence of chemical reorganization processes. Special emphasis is given to a I 1 I 2 S spin system in which the two I spins are undergoing mutual exchange.
A weak existence theorem and weak permanence properties for strong liftings

On a locally compact space with a first-uncountable basis for its topology every positive Radon measure is majorized by an upper integral which admits a strong lifting. The set of B-continuous measures on any space that are majorized by an upper integral with strong lifting forms a band.
Swami Vivekananda's Rhetoric of Spiritual Masculinity: Transforming Effeminate Bengalis into Virile Men

We explain how Swami [Master] Vivekananda's rhetoric used cultural stereotypes to create a binary division between India as a center of spiritual power as compared to the West as a seat of material progress and martial power. We also argue that this emphasis on spiritual power contributed to Vivekananda's efforts to resist the British colonial representation of Hindus as effete by constructing a version of Hindu manhood that is a unique combination of Western manliness and Hindu ideals of spiritual power. Notably, this rhetoric of remasculinization was not without its internal tensions and apparent contradictions, particularly with regard to the role of violence in nationalist politics as seen in Vivekananda's rejection of absolute nonviolence. Finally, Vivekananda's emphasis on Hindu masculinity is examined in relation not only to Western masculinity but also to Indian femininity. Vivekananda's position on the role of women in Hindu nationalism also was marked by contradictions and ambivalence and ultima...
Testing of Full-Scale Inflatable Plug for Flood Mitigation in Tunnels

The protection of high-risk underwater and underground assets, such as rail and road tunnels, is a high priority. Disasters and extraordinary events can significantly disrupt the functionality of such critical civil infrastructure. Events such as the 2012 flooding of New York City, when Hurricane Sandy caused seven subway tunnels and three vehicular tunnels to flood and remain inoperable for several days, have demonstrated the need for methods to mitigate vulnerabilities to or, at least, minimize the consequences of those events. Conventional emergency sealing systems are not always installed or operational during extraordinary events; this situation has prompted the investigation of alternative solutions, such as inflatable plugs capable of sealing off and protecting an underground system by stopping hazards. The development and testing of confined inflatable structures was performed at West Virginia University to verify the viability of flood containment with an inflatable plug in a tunnel section. The ...