cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Basins of attraction in driven dynamical systems.

The organization of multiple coexisting basins of attraction in two-dimensional driven dynamical systems is studied. This study is carried out, in particular, for the laser with modulated parameter and the H\'enon map. Basin organization is governed primarily by the ordering of heteroclinic and homoclinic connections of regular saddles. This organization is complex yet systematic, with accumulation structures governed by the order of saddle connections. We study the evolution of a basin in the presence of multiple coexisting basins, from (before) birth to (beyond) death. Many of the processes that occur are canonical. These include the reorganization of existing basins in preparation for the creation of a new basin by saddle-node bifurcation, the increased intertwining, in Poincar\'e section, of the components of a basin, and the increased wrinkling of each component as the basin evolves from birth to death. These also include the processes that mark disintegration and the ultimate demise of the basin, beginning at homoclinic tangency and terminating in its disappearance or enlargement in a crisis.
Left-right Symmetric Gauge Theory and Its Prediction for Parity Violation in Atoms

Abstract We have evaluated radiatively induced parity violating effects in atoms in a manifestly left-right symmetric SU(2) L x SU(2) R x U(1) gauge theory that forbids them at the tree level. Our results indicate possible large enhancements due to the contribution of the physical Higgs scalars.
Effect of increased icu capacity on length of stay in the emergency department

Study objectives: The lack of inpatient bed availability has been identified as a major contributor to emergency department (ED) crowding. The objective of this study is to determine the change in ED length of stay that occurred in an urban, academic medical center following an increase in adult ICU beds. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of hospital administrative data on 74,641 patients who visited the ED between July 1, 2001, and December 31, 2003. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the change in length of stay for patients admitted to the ICU, patients admitted to ward units, and patients discharged home. Our analysis adjusted for patient demographics and acuity, time of visit, total patient load within the ED, and ICU and ward occupancy rates. Results: Before August 7, 2002, the hospital had 47 adult ICU beds and 411 total inpatient beds. The median occupancy rate for ICU beds was 90%. On August 7, 2002, the number of adult ICU beds increased from 47 to 67, increasing total hospital beds from 411 to 431. Median ICU daily occupancy rates decreased to 75% between August 7, 2002, and January 31, 2002. Excluding transfers and patients admitted to observation units, 1,834 patients were admitted to the ICU, 8,073 were admitted to the ward, and 64,734 patients were discharged home. ED length of stay for patients admitted to the ICU decreased from 177.4 minutes to 153.9 minutes, a reduction of 23.5 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI] −33.6 to −15.1). ED length of stay for patients admitted to the ward decreased from 366.9 minutes to 351.4 minutes, a reduction of 15.5 minutes (95% CI −22.1 to −8.9). ED length of stay for patients discharged home increased slightly, from 154.2 minutes to 156.6, an increase of 2.4 minutes (95% CI 3.4 to 1.7). Reductions in ED length of stay for admitted patients were almost entirely caused by decreases in the length of time required for bed assignment after a bed request was made and not a result of changes in triage time or clinical evaluation time. Conclusion: Increased ICU bed capacity led to reduced occupancy rates for ICU beds. Reduced occupancy contributed to substantial reductions in ED length of stay for patients admitted to the ICU and ward units. Improving inpatient bed availability may be useful in alleviating ED crowding and reducing ED length of stay.
Progressive-search algorithms for large-vocabulary speech recognition

We describe a technique we call Progressive Search which is useful for developing and implementing speech recognition systems with high computational requirements. The scheme iteratively uses more and more complex recognition schemes, where each iteration constrains the search space of the next. An algorithm, the Forward-Backward Word-Life Algorithm, is described. It can generate a word lattice in a progressive search that would be used as a language model embedded in a succeeding recognition pass to reduce computation requirements. We show that speed-ups of more than an order of magnitude are achievable with only minor costs in accuracy.
Force and moment generation of fiber-reinforced pneumatic soft actuators

Soft actuators are found throughout nature from elephant trunks to round worms, demonstrating large specific forces without the need for sliding components. These actuators offer impact resilience, human-safe interaction, versatility of motion, and scalability in size. Biological structures often use a fiber-reinforcement around a fluid filled elastomeric enclosure, in which the elastomeric material will capture the distributed pressure and transfer it to the fibers, which will in turn direct the forces to the ends. We previously discovered an entire domain of fiber-reinforced elastomeric enclosures (FREEs), of which McKibben actuators are a small subset. The range of forces and moments possible with FREEs has not been previously investigated. 45 FREE actuators across the span of fiber angle configurations were fabricated and tested. The reaction force and moment of each actuator was determined across a gamut of pressures. Analytical models were generated using a variety of simplifying assumptions. These models were created to provide a closed form expression that models the force and moment data. The models were compared to the experimental values to determine their fit; this provides an understanding of which simplifying kinematic assumptions best represent the experimental results. Interpolated experimental results and the analytical models are all graphically represented for use as an intuitive design tool.
Biologically directed environmental monitoring, fate, and transport of estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds in water: A review

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are contaminants that may be hormonally active at low concentrations and are emerging as a major concern for water quality. Estrogenic EDCs (e-EDCs) are a subclass of EDCs that, when organisms are exposed to them, function as estrogens. Given that there are numerous e-EDCs that can negatively affect humans and wildlife, general screening techniques like biologically based assays (BBAs) may provide major advantages by estimating the total estrogenic effects of many e-EDCs in the environment. These techniques may potentially be adapted for field portable biologically directed sampling and analyses. This article summarizes available BBAs used to measure estrogenic e-EDCs in the environmental samples and also presents results relating to fate and transport of e-EDCs. Estrogenic EDCs appear to be almost ubiquitous in the environment, despite low solubility and high affinity of organic matter. Potential transport mechanisms may include: (1) transport of more soluble precursors, (2) colloid facilitated transport, (3) enhanced solubility through elevated pH, and (4) the formation of micelles by longer-chain ethoxylates. Due to their persistent and ubiquitous nature, source control strategies for e-EDCs may reduce influent concentration to wastewater treatment plants so that the post treatment effluent will decrease concentrations to estrogenically inactive levels. Alternatively if source reduction is not possible, then more testing is needed on tertiary treatment technologies and treatment efficiencies for e-EDCs. There is still a need for research on remediation and restoration approaches for habitats disturbed by elevated e-EDC concentrations.
Myosin individualized: single nucleotide polymorphisms in energy transduction

Myosin performs ATP free energy transduction into mechanical work in the motor domain of the myosin heavy chain (MHC). Energy transduction is the definitive systemic feature of the myosin motor performed by coordinating in a time ordered sequence: ATP hydrolysis at the active site, actin affinity modulation at the actin binding site, and the lever-arm rotation of the power stroke. These functions are carried out by several conserved sub-domains within the motor domain. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affect the MHC sequence of many isoforms expressed in striated muscle, smooth muscle, and non-muscle tissue. The purpose of this work is to provide a rationale for using SNPs as a functional genomics tool to investigate structurefunction relationships in myosin. In particular, to discover SNP distribution over the conserved sub-domains and surmise what it implies about sub-domain stability and criticality in the energy transduction mechanism. An automated routine identifying human nonsynonymous SNP amino acid missense substitutions for any MHC gene mined the NCBI SNP data base. The routine tested 22 MHC genes coding muscle and non-muscle isoforms and identified 89 missense mutation positions in the motor domain with 10 already implicated in heart disease and another 8 lacking sequence homology with a skeletal MHC isoform for which a crystallographic model is available. The remaining 71 SNP substitutions were found to be distributed over MHC with 22 falling outside identified functional sub-domains and 49 in or very near to myosin sub-domains assigned specific crucial functions in energy transduction. The latter includes the active site, the actin binding site, the rigid lever-arm, and regions facilitating their communication. Most MHC isoforms contained SNPs somewhere in the motor domain. Several functional-crucial sub-domains are infiltrated by a large number of SNP substitution sites suggesting these domains are engineered by evolution to be too-robust to be disturbed by otherwise intrusive sequence changes. Two functional sub-domains are SNP-free or relatively SNP-deficient but contain many disease implicated mutants. These sub-domains are apparently highly sensitive to any missense substitution suggesting they have failed to evolve a robust sequence paradigm for performing their function.
Prostate cancer progression after therapy of primary curative intent : A review of data from the prostate-specific antigen era

BACKGROUND Radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy (RT), both radical therapies, are the standard treatments of curative intent for early prostate cancer. However, these therapies are not curative in all patients and, consequently, a substantial proportion of treated patients remain at risk of disease progression and/or cancer-related death. METHODS This article presents contemporary data on the incidence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and clinical disease progression after primary therapy of curative intent in relation to commonly assessed pretreatment or pathologic disease characteristics. RESULTS The data highlight the substantial risk of progression for certain patient groups, such as those with Gleason score 8–10, cT3 disease, lymph node metastases, and/or pretreatment PSA levels > 20 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS Improved and/or additional treatment options are needed for these patient groups. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Water balance in the land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis, during the intermolt cycle.

Synopsis. Gecarcinus lateralis can take moisture from a damp substratum in amounts adequate for the needs of the entire intermolt cycle. It can also rehydrate in this way, even after severe dehydration. This crab is able to survive for many months when free water of a wide range of salinities (0-30%0; %0 ?=. parts per thousand) is made available in a shallow dish. The crab dies within seven weeks when the salinity of this water is Vo%0. During proecdysis the pericardial sacs of eyestalkless crabs become most swollen when the salinity of the available water is 15%0 or 23%0, and survival during and after ecdysis is greatest with water of \$%0. A crab in proecdysis shows no increase in the rate at which water enters following dehydration. Yet large amounts of water are retained, particularly at the intermediate salinities. Maximal swelling of the pericardial sacs just prior to ecdysis is essentially equivalent in crabs with eyestalks, in eyestalkless crabs, and in eyestalkless crabs that have received an implant of central nervous tissue. Hence, we conclude that a hormone causing the retention of water exists, but not in the eyestalks, in the brain, or in the thoracic ganglionic mass. At ecdysis eyestalkless crabs show large increases in the dimensions of the carapace, while crabs with eyestalks and eyestalkless crabs that have received an implant of cer? tain central nervous tissues show much less increase and may even show a decrease. Thus, we conclude that a hormone causing a release of water at ecdysis is produced in the central nervous system. The advantages to the crab of a dual hormonal control of its water balance are dis? cussed. Approximately four decades have passed since Olmsted and Baumberger (1923) and Baumberger and Olmsted (1928) showed that in certain decapod crustaceans the in? crease in size accompanying ecdysis is due to an uptake of water. Somewhat later, Drach (1939) reported that in at least two species of marine crabs the entry of water at ecdysis occurs by way of the digestive tract and that storage of this water takes place within the pericardial sacs. In the land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis, we have found that the pericardial sacs are organs for the storage of water, especially just prior to ecdysis, and that they may also be the actual sites of water uptake (Bliss, 1956, 1963; Bliss and Boyer, 1964). The present studies were undertaken to learn more about water balance in Gecar? cinus lateralis during the intermolt cycle and to clarify the role played by the neuro?
Thrombin's effects on osteoblastic cells I. Cytosolic calcium and phosphoinositides

Abstract Thrombin, a blood coagulation factor, has been shown to be a very effective in vitro bone resorbing agent whose mechanism of action on osteoblastic cells remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the effects of highly purified human thrombin on Saos-2 and G292 cells, two human osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell lines, were investigated. Thrombin (0.6–16 U/ml) caused a significant, dose-dependent increase in osteoblastic cell proliferation. Thrombin also elicited a dose-dependent increase in cytosolic calcium concentration in both Saos-2 and G292 cells (maximal increases were 38% and 200% over baseline, respectively). Addition of thrombin to the osteoblast-like cells resulted in significant time- and dose-dependent changes in phosphoinositide levels: the percentage of inositol monophosphate levels were decreased, whereas the percentage of inositol bisphosphate, inositol trisphosphate and inositol tetrakisphosphate levels were increased. The relative magnitude of the changes in phosphoinositide levels was similar to the changes in cytosolic calcium concentration. These results suggest that thrombin's mechanism of action on bone cells may involve increases in cytosolic calcium levels and in phosphoinositide metabolism.
Daily Variations in Oligosaccharides of Human Milk Determined by Microfluidic Chips and Mass Spectrometry

Human milk is a complex biological fluid that provides not only primary nourishment for infants but also protection against pathogens and influences their metabolic, immunologic, and even cognitive development. The presence of oligosaccharides in remarkable abundance in human milk has been associated to provide diverse biological functions including directing the development of an infant’s intestinal microflora and immune system. Recent advances in analytical tools offer invaluable insights in understanding the specific functions and health benefits these biomolecules impart to infants. Oligosaccharides in human milk samples obtained from five different individual donors over the course of a 3 month lactation period were isolated and analyzed using HPLC-Chip/TOF-MS technology. The levels and compositions of oligosaccharides in human milk were investigated from five individual donors. Comparison of HPLC-Chip/TOF-MS oligosaccharides profiles revealed heterogeneity among multiple individuals with no signific...
Effects of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in the Rabbit Corpus Luteum: Loss of Estrogen Receptor and Decreased Steroidogenic Response to Estradiol

The effects of hCG on luteal estrogen receptor and steroidogenesis were examined in 9-day-pseudopregnant rabbits. Twenty-four hours after the injection of ovulatory dosages of hCG (10–100 IU), a dose-related loss of luteal estrogen receptor and in vitro progesterone production was observed. The declining progesterone production was not due to the increased conversion of progesterone to the major metabolite, 20αdihydroprogesterone. The loss of steroidogenesis induced by hCG was not permanent and could be reversed by estradiol treatment started within 24 h of hCG injection. In those animals with a higher luteal estrogen receptor content at the start of the estrogen treatment, the steroidogenic response was greater. These findings indicate that hCG-induced loss of steroidogenesis is associated with the loss of luteal estrogen receptor. The degree of restoration of progesterone synthesis induced by a 24-h period of estradiol treatment may be related to the content of unoccupied cytoplasmic estrogen receptor i...
Disproportionation of (Mg,Fe)SiO3 perovskite in Earth’s deep lower mantle

The mineralogical constitution of the Earth’s mantle dictates the geophysical and geochemical properties of this region. Previous models of a perovskite-dominant lower mantle have been built on the assumption that the entire lower mantle down to the top of the D″ layer contains ferromagnesian silicate [(Mg,Fe)SiO3] with nominally 10 mole percent Fe. On the basis of experiments in laser-heated diamond anvil cells, at pressures of 95 to 101 gigapascals and temperatures of 2200 to 2400 kelvin, we found that such perovskite is unstable; it loses its Fe and disproportionates to a nearly Fe-free MgSiO3 perovskite phase and an Fe-rich phase with a hexagonal structure. This observation has implications for enigmatic seismic features beyond ~2000 kilometers depth and suggests that the lower mantle may contain previously unidentified major phases.
Theory of the quantum size effect in simple metals

Using the self-consistent pseudopotential technique and planarly averaged one-dimensional potential (quantum well) we provide a rigorous basis for understanding the quantum size effect and dimensionality of thin metal films. The density of states, work function, surface energy, and vertical surface relaxations, subband energies, and surface charge density are found to vary as a function of film thickness. The density of states has a ladder-type structure (characteristic of a two-dimensional electron system); its value at the Fermi level changes in quantized steps with film thickness, L. The relative position of the Fermi level between subbands, which changes with L, provides an interesting explanation for the variation in physical properties.
Error Analysis of the Double-Integral Method for Calculating Brain Blood Perfusion from Inert Gas Clearance Data:

A single-photon dynamic computer-assisted tomograph (DSPECT) has been built and is currently being used to evaluate regional cerebral blood perfusion in patients and volunteers. A computer simulation of the system was created to analyze the effects of data collection, Poisson noise, attenuation compensation, and the reconstruction technique now employed in the DSPECT. Several methods of attenuation compensation were used to generate perfusion images from both ideal and noisy data. The results indicate that the mean perfusion is calculated to within 10.4% accuracy for all perfusion rates in a region of interest if attenuation correction is used. Without attenuation correction, perfusions are underestimated by as much as 27%. The three correctors tested have different effects on the calculated perfusion value, depending on the location of the region of interest in the picture. The algorithm introduces random noise that is proportional to both the random error in the input data and the perfusion rate. Air-curve delay errors result in inaccuracies in the final perfusion picture that are proportional to perfusion rate. Physiological values (0.8-1.5) of the partition coefficient cause overestimation of both gray (0-34%) and white (7-67%) matter perfusion values. Compton scatter and collimator effects were not addressed in this study.
Assembling gas-phase reaction mechanisms for high temperature inorganic systems based on quantum chemistry calculations and reaction rate theories

Detailed chemical kinetic modeling based on computational quantum chemistry has been quite successful in making quantitative predictions about some systems, particularly the combustion of small hydrocarbons and certain areas of atmospheric chemistry. The gas phase chemistry of many processes in high-temperature inorganic systems, from materials synthesis to propulsion to waste incineration, could in principle be modeled with equal or greater success using detailed chemical kinetic modeling. This contribution provides examples from our own work of how computational quantum chemistry can be used in developing gas phase reaction mechanisms for modeling of high temperature materials processing. In the context of CVD of silicon from dichlorosilane, CVD of alumina from AlCl3/H2/CO2 mixtures, and particle nucleation from silane, this detailed chemical kinetic modeling has given us insight into gas phase reaction pathways that we would not likely have gained by other means. q 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Attachment therapy using deliberate restraint: an object lesson on the identification of unvalidated treatments.

TOPIC An unusual and potentially dangerous intervention called attachment therapy, used for children and adolescence. PURPOSE To help clinicians understand the nature of attachment therapy and the ways in which it exemplifies unvalidated treatment approaches. SOURCES Internet and published articles on evaluation of treatments. CONCLUSIONS Attachment therapy has many characteristics associated with warning signals of an unvalidated treatment. Mental health professionals have responsibilities to educate individuals and the community about unvalidated treatments such as attachment therapy and to work toward legislation and policy change to make such treatments unavailable.
Mucolipidosis type IV: An update

Mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV) is a neurodevelopmental as well as neurodegenerative disorder with severe psychomotor developmental delay, progressive visual impairment, and achlorydria. It is characterized by the presence of lysosomal inclusions in many cell types in patients. MLIV is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in MCOLN1, which encodes for mucolipin-1, a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel family. Although approximately 70-80% of patients identified are Ashkenazi Jewish, MLIV is a pan-ethnic disorder. Importantly, while MLIV is thought to be a rare disease, its frequency may be greater than currently appreciated, for its common presentation as a cerebral palsy-like encephalopathy can lead to misdiagnosis. Moreover, patients with milder variants are often not recognized as having MLIV. This review provides an update on the ethnic distribution, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, methods of diagnosis, molecular genetics, differential diagnosis, and treatment of patients with MLIV. An enhanced awareness of the manifestations of this disorder may help to elucidate the true frequency and range of symptoms associated with MLIV, providing insight into the pathogenesis of this multi-system disease.
Coma in fulminant pneumococcal meningitis: New MRI observations

We report a 45-year-old man with fulminant pneumococcal meningitis. Fluid attenuated inverse ratio MR images showed the ravaging consequences of occlusive vasculopathy and a transient purulent basal exudate. Bilateral thalamic lesions may have explained the failure to awaken despite appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Global "eclipse" bifurcation in a twinkling oscillator

This work regards the use of cubic springs with intervals of negative stiffness, in other words “snap-through” elements, in order to convert low-frequency ambient vibrations into high-frequency oscillations, referred to as “twinkling”. The focus of this paper is on a global bifurcation of a two-mass chain which, in the symmetric system, involves infinitely many equilibria at the bifurcation point. The structure of this “eclipse” bifurcation is uncovered, and perturbations of the bifurcation are studied. The energies associated with the equilibria are examined.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Statistical mechanics of φ 4 snoidal kinks: Renormalization effects

The statistical mechanics of snoidal kinks in a ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}^{4}$ field system in one space and one time dimension has been extended to include lowest-order interaction effects. These effects remove the phase transition suggested by our earlier work and by computer-simulation studies.
Documenting and evaluating herbal remedies

Ethnobotanists are frequently involved in the initial documentation of plant remedies used in traditional and popular domestic medicine. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of herbal medicine as actually practiced requires the recording of the variables that can influence the therapeutic outcome. For pharmacological and toxicological testing, the factors controlling the final amount of active compound(s) taken by the patient are especially critical. Since most ethnobotanical studies omit such information, a framework for reporting the major factors is given. Topics discussed, including problems of the literature and suggested formats, are: 1) the plant: common name, scientific name, infraspecific variation, the voucher specimen; 2) preparation of the medicine: plant part, collection, storage, preparation; 3) therapy: general and adjunct, disorder treated, kind of practitioner, dosage regimen, route of administration, response to therapy, status of use; 4) the patient.
The collapse of an anti-de sitter bubble

Abstract We prove that the ultimate fate of a bubble of negative energy density which forms in a metastable universe of zero energy density is gravitational collapse. We improve on previous treatments in that we allow for departures from O(3, 1) symmetry in the initial state, so long as they are not too great.
Transmission of Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) nonoccluded baculovirus (Baculoviridae: Subgroup C)

Transmission of Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) nonoccluded baculovirus (Mc-NOBV) within and among individual Microplitis croceipes wasps was studied by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Systemic transmission by way of hemolymph may represent the major route of transmission of this virus in a host. Rupture of Mc-NOBV-infected alimentary canal cells into the gut lumen suggested transmission to permissive cells and into excreta. Both sexes contributed to vertical transmission, and the percentages of virus-infected F 1 progeny from 4 combinations of healthy and infected parents. Virions were detected in the thin sections of 4 male and 7 female reproductive systems out of 10 that were examined. The percentage of horizontal transmission by female parasitization on virus injected tobacco budworms, Heliothis virescens (F.), 4 d after parasitization was 88.0%, whereas the percentage of viral infected males by feeding on 50% honey water contaminated with 1 μg/ml of virus 4 d after exposure was 92.0%.
Studies of thyroid-stimulating hormone binding to bovine thyroid plasma membranes☆

131I-TSH prepared by the lactoperoxidase method was used to study the binding of hormone to bovine thyroid plasma membrane. Specific binding was obtained using as little as 0.12 mU/ml 131I-TSH. Half-maximal binding occurred with 17.1 plus or minus 3.5 mU/ml and saturation at approximately 40 mU/ml. Scatchard plot analysis revealed two classes of binding sites, with association constants of 1.1 plus or minus 0.06 x 10(8) M(-1) and 1.4 x 10(7) M(-1) for the high- and low-affinity sites, respectively. Binding of 131I-TSH was linearly related to the amount of thyroid plasma membrane protein. Other polypeptide hormones and prostaglandin E1 did not inhibit specific TSH binding. Identical results were obtained using two TSH preparations of different biologic specific activity. 12.5 mU/ml unlabeled TSH decreased 131I-TSH binding 50%, and 156 mU/ml caused complete inhibition. After equilibrium of 131I-TSH binding was established, maximal displacement was achieved by 120 min using about 300 mU/ml TSH. However, only about one-half of the 131I-TSH was displaced. Although GTP potentiated the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by TSH, it inhibited binding of 131I-TSH. Binding of TSH correlated very well with activation of adenylate cyclase.
Hypogonadism on admission to acute rehabilitation is correlated with lower functional status at admission and discharge.

Primary objective: To investigate the association between hormone levels and functional status during acute TBI rehabilitation.Research design: Retrospective cohort study of 43 men with moderate-to-severe TBI admitted to an acute rehabilitation unit during a 1 year period.Methods and procedures: Labs were drawn on admission, including total and free testosterone (T), prolactin, adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), cortisol, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were obtained at admission and discharge.Main outcome and results: Associations between admission hormone levels and the main outcomes, admission and discharge FIM scores, were assessed using linear regression. Lower total and free T-levels at admission were associated with lower total FIM scores at admission (p < 0.038) and discharge (p < 0.046). Higher cortisol levels at admission were significantly associated with lower admission (p = 0.012) and...
Single amino acid substitutions globally suppress the folding defects of temperature-sensitive folding mutants of phage P22 coat protein.

The amino acid sequence of a polypeptide defines both the folding pathway and the final three-dimensional structure of a protein. Eighteen amino acid substitutions have been identified in bacteriophage P22 coat protein that are defective in folding and cause their folding intermediates to be substrates for GroEL and GroES. These temperature-sensitive folding (tsf) substitutions identify amino acids that are critical for directing the folding of coat protein. Additional amino acid residues that are critical to the folding process of P22 coat protein were identified by isolating second site suppressors of the tsf coat proteins. Suppressor substitutions isolated from the phage carrying the tsf coat protein substitutions included global suppressors, which are substitutions capable of alleviating the folding defects of numerous tsf coat protein mutants. In addition, potential global and site-specific suppressors were isolated, as well as a group of same site amino acid substitutions that had a less severe phenotype than the tsf parent. The global suppressors were located at positions 163, 166, and 170 in the coat protein sequence and were 8–190 amino acid residues away from the tsf parent. Although the folding of coat proteins with tsf amino acid substitutions was improved by the global suppressor substitutions, GroEL remained necessary for folding. Therefore, we believe that the global suppressor sites identify a region that is critical to the folding of coat protein.
A simple expected running time analysis for randomized divide and conquer algorithms

There are many randomized "divide and conquer" algorithms, such as randomized Quicksort, whose operation involves partitioning a problem of size n uniformly at random into two subproblems of size k and n - k that are solved recursively. We present a simple combinatorial method for analyzing the expected running time of such algorithms, and prove that under very weak assumptions this expected running time will be asymptotically equivalent to the running time obtained when problems are always split evenly into two subproblems of size n/2.
Plant allocation and the multiple limitation hypothesis

Although optimal foraging theory applied to plant expenditure on resource uptake predicts that plant morphology and physiology should be adjusted to make all resources simultaneously limiting, two considerations make it unlikely that resource enrichment experiments will show strong responses to all nutrient additions. First, growth response to enrichment is strongly dependent on costs and demand, and detectable growth responses are only likely for "expensive" resources in high demand. Second, many resources are acquired simultaneously as a result of allocation to a single structure (e.g., various soil resources obtained by roots). This can cause the growth of an optimally foraging plant to be limited by a single resource. Altering the model to allow for more than one allocation currency (such as nitrogen and carbon) has the effect of making plant composition (and therefore demand) dependent on the supply rates of resources. This assumption can sometimes qualitatively change the above predictions, but the ...
Activation-Inactivation of HIV-1 in the Lung

The lung is prominently afflicted during the course of HIV-1 disease by both infectious and noninfectious complications. Direct or indirect effects of HIV-1 are likely central to the pathogenesis of these complications. Thus, any changes in viral load locally would negatively impact on the lung. This review focuses on the endogenous influences (immune effector cells, surfactant) and the exogenous factors (including infections such as tuberculosis and noninfectious exposures like cigarette smoke) that may contribute to activation or inactivation of HIV-1 in the lung.
Some problems for Tomistic incarnationists

It is widely held that religion, including religious doctrine, is beyond the range of reason. How one could discover this were it true we are told less often. If all religious doctrines were self-contradictory, what would follow is that all religious doctrines are necessarily false, not that religious doctrine was beyond reason. Sometimes what is meant is that there are religious doctrines that have these features: (i) they are true; (ii) it is important that we know them (iii) no amount of reflection on our part will elicit them; (iv) they have been revealed to us. There need be nothing rationally despicable in this so long as it is not added that these claims themselves are beyond rational assessment. We could not think up P does not entail We cannot test P once P is provided to us. Whether there are any doctrinal propositions that satisfy (i-iv) is not something that I will investigate here. Here I want only to consider one religious doctrine the claim that Jesus Christ was God incarnate in one respect: is it self-contradictory? It is crucial that one realize that in one sense there is, and in another sense there is not, any such thing as the doctrine of the incarnation. There are constraints that anything that self-respectingly calls itself a Christian doctrine of the incarnation must meet. There is no reason to think that
Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study further evaluates the efficacy of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP). A diagnostically heterogeneous clinical sample of 37 patients with a principal anxiety disorder diagnosis was enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving up to 18 sessions of treatment and a 6-month follow-up period. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either immediate treatment with the UP (n=26) or delayed treatment, following a 16-week wait-list control period (WLC; n=11). The UP resulted in significant improvement on measures of clinical severity, general symptoms of depression and anxiety, levels of negative and positive affect, and a measure of symptom interference in daily functioning across diagnoses. In comparison, participants in the WLC condition exhibited little to no change following the 16-week wait-list period. The effects of UP treatment were maintained over the 6-month follow-up period. Results from this RCT provide additional evidence for the efficacy of the UP in the treatment of anxiety and comorbid depressive disorders, and provide additional support for a transdiagnostic approach to the treatment of emotional disorders.
An alternative approach to the analysis of finite semi-markov and related processes

Let J(t) be a finite semi-Markov process associated with the age process X(t) and the reward process Z(t). Bystudying the probabilistic flow of the trivariate process in its state space, new transform results are obtained. Some known results are then derived directly from these transform results, thereby providing an alternative approach for analysis of semi-Markov and related processes. Some new results are also obtained regarding the reward process Z(t) and its first passage times.
Localization of the Human Estrogen-Responsive Finger Protein (EFP) Gene (ZNF147) within a YAC Contig Containing the Myeloperoxidase (MPO) Gene

The estrogen-responsive finger protein (EFP) gene (ZNF-147) belongs to a family of putative transcription factors that contain RING finger, B-box, and coiled-coil domains. Among this family are three genes, PML, RET, and T18, that play defined roles in carcinogenesis. EFP expression is induced by estrogen via an estrogen-responsive element (ERE) in the 3{prime}-untranslated region of the gene. The association between estradiol levels and breast/ovarian cancer risk makes an estrogen-responsive transcription factor such as EFP an attractive candidate for mediating this correlation. The chromosomal localization of EFP is also consistent with such a role. EFP previously was localized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to human 17q21.3-q22 and mouse 11C, consistent with known linkage conservation between these regions. Recently, the human gene localization was refined to 17q23.1. This coincides with a region of chromosomal deletion identified by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis in breast and ovarian tumors. To facilitate analysis of EFP involvement in breast and ovarian tumorigenesis, we isolated yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) and bacteriophage P1 clones encompassing the human and mouse EFP loci and developed a series of PCR primer pairs that amplify DNA encoding EFP functional domains. 15 refs., 1 fig.
Microwave absorption by folded DNA chains.

Absorption of radiation by DNA polymer is calculated for the case of bent polymer chains. The molecule is assumed to be straight except for localized bends. The region between two bends is studied in particular. The vibrational properties of the bends are parameterized by a transmission and a reflection coefficient. A general Green function expression for absorption is studied for various values of the damping rate, as well as the transmission/reflection coefficients. Curves of absorption vs frequency are shown for a number of cases.
Serine Protease Cathepsin G Regulates Adhesion-Dependent Neutrophil Effector Functions by Modulating Integrin Clustering

The polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-derived serine proteases play a key role in immune complex (IC)-mediated inflammation. However, the mechanisms by which these proteases regulate inflammatory response remain largely undefined. Here, we show that IC-activated cathepsin G- and neutrophil elastase-deficient (CG/NE) PMNs adhered normally to IC-coated surfaces but did not undergo CD11b clustering and failed to initiate cytoskeletal reorganization and cell spreading. As a result, CG/NE-deficient PMNs exhibited severe defects in MIP-2 secretion and reactive oxygen intermediates production. Exogenously added CG, but not proteolytically inactive CG, was sufficient to restore these defects. These findings identify an important role for CG in integrin-dependent PMN effector functions that are separate from and downstream of integrin-dependent adhesion.
Ischemic cardiac events and other adverse events following ACAM2000(®) smallpox vaccine in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

Background The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a passive reporting system, used for monitoring the safety of all US licensed vaccines. In March 2008, ACAM2000® replaced Dryvax® as the only licensed smallpox vaccine and is administered to all persons entering military service and certain civilian researchers. In 2011, routine data mining of VAERS identified a vaccine safety concern resulting in acute ischemic cardiac events (ICE) following ACAM2000®.
Is lurking an anxiety-masking strategy on social media sites? The effects of lurking and computer anxiety on explaining information privacy concern on social media platforms

As users' lurking tendency increases their CFSMIP (concern for social media information privacy) decreases.As users' computer anxiety increases, their tendency to lurk increases.As users' computer anxiety increases, their CFSMIP increases.CFSMIP mediated the relationship between lurking and behavioral intentions.CFSMIP mediated the relationship between computer anxiety and behavioral intentions. The aggressive collection and tracking of personal information on social media continues to raise information privacy concerns, which is gaining the interest of lawmakers, organizations, researchers, and consumers. While information privacy research is mature and extensive, research on information privacy concern in the social media context is lacking. To contribute to the literature, this article presents findings from a study conducted to explain social media users' concern for information privacy (CFSMIP). Using social penetration theory, this study explores the role of lurking, a common social media participation strategy, and computer anxiety in explaining CFSMIP. Drawing on a sample of 250 avid social media users, covariance based structural equation modeling analysis revealed a strong relationship between both lurking and computer anxiety and CFSMIP. Consistent with prior research, CFSMIP mediated the relationship between both lurking and computer anxiety and users' future intentions to provide their personal information to online merchants. Insights from the research findings for theory and practice are discussed.
A Spatial Access-Oriented Implementation of a 3-D GIS Topological Data Model for Urban Entities

3-D analysis in GIS is still one of the most challenging topics for research. With the goal being to model possible movement within the built environment, this paper, therefore, proposes a new approach to handling connectivity relationships among 3-D objects in urban environments in order to implement spatial access analyses in 3-D space. To achieve this goal, this paper introduces a 3-D network data model called the geometric network model (GNM), which has been developed by transforming the combinatorial data model (CDM), representing a connectivity relationship among 3-D objects using a dual graph. For the transformation, this paper presents (1) an O(n2) algorithm for computing a straight medial axis transformation (MAT), (2) the processes for transforming phenomena from 3-D CDM to 3-D GNM, and (3) spatial access algorithms for the 3-D geometric network based upon the Dijkstra algorithm. Using the reconstructed geometric network generated from the transformations, spatial queries based upon the complex connectivity relationships between 3-D urban entities are implemented using Dijkstra algorithm. Finally, the paper presents the results of an experimental implementation of a 3-D network data model (GNM) using GIS data of an area in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
Relationships between circulating and intracellular thyroid hormones: physiological and clinical implications.

THYROXINE (T4), measured as protein-bound iodine, was the first hormone to be quantitated in human serum. As a consequence, it was possible to demonstrate clear relationships between circulating T4 concentrations and many of the physiological manifestations of thyroid hormone excess or deficiency. In 1952, 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) was identified in human plasma and metabolic studies in man soon led to the realization that this hormone was 3–4 times as potent metabolically as T4 (1–4). At that time, the question was first raised as to whether T4 or T3 was the “active” thyroid hormone (3). This question became even more pertinent when it was suggested first in 1955 (5) and shown conclusively in 1970 that T4 could be converted to T3 by peripheral human tissues (6, 7). These studies were made possible by the development of methods for quantitating T3 in human serum, initially by competitive protein binding techniques, followed soon thereafter by specific and sensitive RIAs.
Hairy cell leukemia in a patient with situs inversus totalis: an extremely rare combination.

Hairy cell leukemia is a rare cancer of the blood. The occurrence of hairy cell leukemia with another very rare genetic disorder makes us question whether it is just a coincidence. This article reports the first case of hairy cell leukemia in a patient with situs inversus totalis in western literature. There have been studies into the pathogenesis of situs inversus totalis that suggest it is caused by the failure of embryonic cells to properly rotate during embryogenesis. On the molecular level, the nodal cilia, which are responsible for embryonic rotation, are built by transport through the KIF3 complex – a kinesin superfamily of molecular motors. The KIF3 complex is also responsible for N-cadherin movement in cells. Furthermore, it is well known that these cell adhesion molecules play an important role in carcinogenesis and its progression. This report attempts to link the rare conditions and propose a possible genetic relationship between the two.
Serum calcium levels are elevated among women with untreated postmenopausal breast cancer

Reports of an association between primary hyperparathyroidism in women and risk of breast cancer suggest an etiologic role for high serum calcium. However, data on the association between serum calcium levels and breast cancer in women without clinical hyperparathyroidism are limited. We conducted a hospital-based case–control study among postmenopausal women in Fargo, ND. Cases were women aged 65 and older with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed breast cancer. Controls were aged 65 and older without clinical cancer who were seen at the same hospital. We obtained data on 190 white cases and 172 white controls. Primary hyperparathyroidism (an abnormally high calcium level confirmed by an abnormally high serum PTH) was found in 3/190 cases and in 0/172 controls (p = 0.25). After excluding the women with primary hyperparathyroidism, the mean calcium levels among cases was 9.6 mg/dL (range, 7.5–11.0, SD = 0.47) vs. 9.4 mg/dL (7.7–10.5, 0.43) among the controls (p < 0.0001). Comparing women in the top with women in the bottom tertile of serum calcium, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for breast cancer was 5.21 (95% CI: 2.59–10.48). There was no relationship between serum calcium and tumor size or stage. The distribution of serum calcium levels among postmenopausal women with incident breast cancer was shifted significantly toward the right. These findings are consistent with an effect of early breast tumors on calcium homeostasis. However, the lack of association between serum calcium levels and tumor size or stage supports the hypothesis that subclinical hyperparathyroidism may increase the risk for breast cancer.