cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survival of Laboratory-Reared Pocket Mice, Perognathus longimembris

The relationship of death and age in pocket mice ( Perognathus longimembris ) was determined in a cohort of 216 animals derived from breeding experiments with field trapped animals. A maximum life span of 8.3 years was found. The pattern of mortality as revealed by a comparison of its qx curve with other rodents seems to be distinctly different. There is a prolongation of moderate mortality at a time when mortality rates of other mammals are tending toward a logarithmic increase. The ramifications of torpor on longevity and ecological strategy are discussed.
Prepulse effects on magnitude estimation of startle-eliciting stimuli and startle responses

The present studies investigated the relationship between prepulse effects on the modification of the brainstem startle reflex and magnitude estimates of startle-eliciting stimuli. In Experiment 1, startle eyeblink responses were elicited in 24 students, half of whom were instructed to estimate the loudness of the startle stimulus (actual intensities of 80, 90, and 100 dB) and half of whom were instructed to estimate the magnitude of their eyeblink. When weak acoustic prepulses preceded the startle-eliciting stimulus, eyeblink amplitude was inhibited, and estimates of response magnitude decreased, but estimates of startle stimulus magnitude decreased only when 100-dB startle stimuli were presented. In Experiment 2, the same startle stimuli were preceded on some trials by a vibrotactile prepulse to the hand. In conditions in which startle amplitude was inhibited, startle stimulus magnitude estimates were not affected. This suggests that the effect of acoustic prepulses on 100-dB startle stimuli in Experiment 1 may have been due to loudness assimilation, an effect independent of the prepulse inhibition of startle responding.
A simple experiment to study electromagnetic field effects: protection induced by short-term exposures to 60 Hz magnetic fields.

Stress proteins are important in protection during cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (cessation and return of blood flow) and are reportedly induced by electromagnetic (EM) fields. This suggests a possible ischemia protection role for EM exposures. To test this, chick embryos (96 h) were exposed to 60 Hz magnetic fields prior to being placed into anoxia. Survival was 39.6% (control), and 68.7% (field-exposed). As a positive control, embryos were heated prior to anoxia (57.6% survival). We conclude that: 1) 60 Hz magnetic field exposures reduce anoxia-induced mortality in chick embryos, comparable to reductions observed following heat stress, and 2) this is a simple and rapid experiment to demonstrate the existence of weak EM field effects. Bioelectromagnetics 19:498–500, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Discrete random set models for shape synthesis and analysis

The main objective of this paper is to discuss a relatively new approach to the synthesis and analysis of shape. Specifically, we propose to characterize shape by means of random sets. The proposed approach may allow us to develop new shape synthesis and analysis procedures by combining probability theory with mathematical morphology. This combination has the potential of allowing modeling and analysis of shapes of both geometric and random structure.
Social capital and risk for chronic illnesses.

Objectives: This study used an ecological model of social capital to examine the relationship between social capital and chronic illness. The model hypothesizes that personal social support and collective social capital are related to risk for chronic illnesses.Methods: Data were taken from the American Changing Lives public use database. Seven hundred and sixty-nine persons meeting inclusion criteria were included. Dependent variables were the reported presence of hypertension and diabetes. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify correlates of these chronic illnesses, including demographic variables, and social capital and social support variables measured at both the personal and collective levels.Results: Significant results were usually consistent with model hypotheses; that is, measures of social capital and social support were related to the presence of diabetes and hypertension in expected ways. However, in other cases, the hypothesized relationships were not statistically significant, du...
Bayes and minimax controllers for a linear system with stochastic jump parameters

A procedure is given for determining an optimal zero-memory regulator for a linear stochastic plant with an incomplete probabilistic description. For situations in which the initial ambiguity is modeled probabilistically, the equations characterizing the appropriate Bayes control are derived. If no prior distribution is available, a minimax controller is sought and an algorithm for obtaining it is described.
Observations on underwater locomotion and flipper movement of the humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) were observed and photographed during winter, 1974 near the West Indies and summer, 1976 near Newfoundland. Prior investigations on whale locomotion based on anatomical inference or surface observations did not describe any specific underwater use of the humpbacks' uniquely long flippers. Our results show that humpbacks achieve a high degree of maneuverability underwater through the active coordinated use of their flippers. Three-dimensional active movements including protraction-retraction, abduction-adduction, and lateral-medial rotations, were observed. The whales could move themselves in all directions independent from fluke-generated forward motion by thrusting with their resilient flippers. At higher swimming speeds (>4 knots) the flippers were used to effect sharply executed ascending or descending banked turns. Analysis of filmed sequences from three adult-calf encounters indicated a reduction of the amplitude and frequency of tailbeats by the adults; calves made tailbeats 4 to 7 times more frequently than adults when maintaining the same speed. The tail and flukes are forcefully moved other than vertically during maneuvering. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to our knowledge of larger whales.
Paper chromatographic identification of some N-substituted amino acids.

SummaryN-substituted amino acid can be separated by paper chromatographic method. Also, N-substitution leads to the extinction of fluorescence of amino acids.
Psychiatric Comorbidity Among Hospitalized AIDS Patients vs. Non-AIDS Patients Referred for Psychiatric Consultation

Data were collected on 3,420 psychiatric consultations from July 1, 1989, to January 1, 1994, of which 675 were for patients identified as infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Comparisons of psychiatric comorbidity among persons with AIDS (PWAs), HIV + asymptomatic patients, and non-HIV patients were made. Dementia was a significantly frequent comorbid diagnosis among the referred PW As compared with the general consultation population and was related to older age. Psychiatric comorbidity among the referred HIV + asymptomatic patients more closely resembled the generai consultation population. Major depression was relatively rare among the PWAs. The authors believe that the large sample size of this study allows for an accurate representation of the psychiatric disorders found among medically ill HIV patients in an urban hospital who are referred for psychiatric consultation.
How to analyze electron micrographs of rafts of actin filaments crosslinked by actin-binding proteins.

Actin bundles are common cytoskeletal structures but ones which are usually polymorphic, varying from bundle to bundle. Two-dimensional arrays of actin filaments crosslinked by actin-bundling proteins are more tractable structures to analyze than are the three-dimensional bundles found in cells. The first step in analyzing these two-dimensional "rafts" is to determine the spatial relationships between neighboring filaments. It is difficult to discern such relationships by inspection of the electron micrographs of rafts, but easy by examination of the Fourier transforms. We provide theory and examples of the analysis of transforms of rafts, and show that different bundling proteins give rise to different kinds of rafts.
Domain Structure in Model Membrane Bilayers Investigated by Simultaneous Atomic Force Microscopy and Fluorescence Imaging

Simultaneous atomic force microscope (AFM) and submicron confocal fluorescence imaging of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) lipid domain structures in 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) is presented. Lipids labeled by fluorescent probes either at the headgroups or tailgroups enable domain contrast in fluorescence imaging on the basis of partitioning between the gel (DPPC) and disordered liquid (DOPC) phases. However, correlation with AFM topographic information reveals that they do not always faithfully report exact gel domain size or shape. Furthermore, we find that the fluorescence contrast decreases significantly with domain size, such that small domains observed with AFM are not observed in fluorescence images despite adequate optical resolution. We attribute these effects in part to broadened partitioning of the probe lipids across the domain boundaries. Binding of fluorescent Alexa 488-conjugated cholera toxin B subunits to GM1 gangliosides in DPPC domains correlates we...
The Sodium Channel Accessory Subunit Navβ1 Regulates Neuronal Excitability through Modulation of Repolarizing Voltage-Gated K+ Channels

The channel pore-forming α subunit Kv4.2 is a major constituent of A-type (I(A)) potassium currents and a key regulator of neuronal membrane excitability. Multiple mechanisms regulate the properties, subcellular targeting, and cell-surface expression of Kv4.2-encoded channels. In the present study, shotgun proteomic analyses of immunoprecipitated mouse brain Kv4.2 channel complexes unexpectedly identified the voltage-gated Na⁺ channel accessory subunit Navβ1. Voltage-clamp and current-clamp recordings revealed that knockdown of Navβ1 decreases I(A) densities in isolated cortical neurons and that action potential waveforms are prolonged and repetitive firing is increased in Scn1b-null cortical pyramidal neurons lacking Navβ1. Biochemical and voltage-clamp experiments further demonstrated that Navβ1 interacts with and increases the stability of the heterologously expressed Kv4.2 protein, resulting in greater total and cell-surface Kv4.2 protein expression and in larger Kv4.2-encoded current densities. Together, the results presented here identify Navβ1 as a component of native neuronal Kv4.2-encoded I(A) channel complexes and a novel regulator of I(A) channel densities and neuronal excitability.
Ultrasonic transmission at solid-liquid interfaces

New non-invasive solid-liquid interface sensing technologies are a key element in the development of improved Bridman growth techniques for synthesizing single crystal semiconductor materials. Laser generated and optically detect ultrasonic techniques have the potential to satisfy this need. Using an anisotropic 3D ray tracing methodology combined with elastic constant data measured near the melting point, ultrasonic propagation in cylindrical single crystal bodies containing either a convex, flat, or concave solid-liquid interface has been simulated. Ray paths, wavefronts and the time-of-flight (TOF) of rays that travel from a source to an arbitrarily positioned receiver have all been calculated. Experimentally measured TOF data have been collected using laser generated, optically detected ultrasound on model systems with independently known interface shapes. Both numerically simulated and experimental data have shown that the solidification region can be easily identified from transmission TOF measurements because the velocity of the liquid is much smaller than that of the solid. Since convex and concave solid-liquid interfaces result in distinctively different TOF data profiles, the interface shape can also be readily determined from the TOF data. When TOF data collected in the diametral plane is used in conjunction with a nonlinear least squares algorithm, the interface geometry has been successfully reconstructed and ultrasonic velocities of both the solid and liquid obtained with reconstruction errors less than 5 percent.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Use of GPS radio occultation observations to improve numerical weather prediction forecast skill at NOAA

The U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NOAA/NCEP) have been using GPS Radio Occultation observations (RO) in their Global Data Assimilation System since May 2007. The first set of RO retrievals to be used operationally was from the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission. At the present, NCEP is using operational data from the following additional satellites: GRAS on MetOp-A and MetOp-B, TerraSAR-X, GRACE-A, and C/NOFS. Retrievals from other missions are planned to be assimilated once the data become available in real-time and their accuracy is fully evaluated.
Mining patterns in disease classification forests

Multiple biological pathways often work together to determine a given disease phenotype. Understanding what these pathways are and how they cooperate in disease-relevant biological processes is critical to our understanding of diseases. Using microarray gene expression data, researchers have developed several methods to rank pathways by their disease relevance. However, the exact set of pathways involved and how they are involved under given disease conditions remain unclear. In this paper, we propose a novel method to first select a robust set of pathways that together best classify a given disease, and then investigate how genes in these pathways interact to determine the phenotype. By applying our method to several disease related microarray gene expression datasets, we detected many disease-relevant interaction patterns supported by evidence from the literature. Our algorithm also achieves higher accuracy in terms of identification of a robust set of disease-relevant pathways when compared with alternative strategies.
Chemical state study of palladium powder and ceria-supported palladium during low-temperature CO oxidation.

The chemical state of Pd at the surfaces of two sizes of Pd powders and ceria-supported Pd during low-temperature CO oxidation has been studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). During oxidation in O2, metallic Pd powder is converted into PdO, and the thickness of the PdO layer increases with increasing reaction temperature. A similar Pd oxidation process occurs during the catalytic CO oxidation reaction, but the extent of the Pd oxidation is less due to the presence of CO which is a reducing agent. The reaction rate data indicate that the larger size Pd powder is about three times more active than the smaller size Pd powder on a surface area basis at 160 °C. Catalytic CO oxidation data obtained from 10 wt % Pd supported on nanocrystalline ceria powder indicate that there is a strong chemical interaction between the ceria and the supported Pd. The Pd is present as PdO on the fresh catalyst. During reaction, small amounts of Pd metal and PdO2 are formed at 50 °C while less Pd metal and only a s...
Communication Cost of Simulating Bell Correlations

What classical resources are required to simulate quantum correlations? For the simplest and most important case of local projective measurements on an entangled Bell pair state, we show that exact simulation is possible using local hidden variables augmented by just one bit of classical communication. Certain quantum teleportation experiments, which teleport a single qubit, therefore admit a local hidden variables model.
Anticoagulant therapy of pregnant patients with prosthetic heart valves: rationale for a clinical trial of low molecular weight heparin.

The management of anticoagulant therapy for the prevention of thromboembolism from prosthetic heart valves in the pregnant patient is far from ideal and deserves more clinical research. Warfarin therapy given alone throughout pregnancy poses high risks to the fetus because it crosses the placental barrier. Heparin alone throughout pregnancy poses high risks to the mother, which might be lessened somewhat by more inten sive therapeutic regimens and careful monitoring of the heparin level or anticoagulated state of the blood. Because of the major risk of embryopathy in the fetus during the first trimester and latter half of the third trimester, heparin therapy during those times has been recommended. In the opinion of some experts, high-risk cases may benefit from low-dose aspirin in addition to anticoagulant therapy. The fact that warfarin is contraindi cated during pregnancy (according to the pharmaceutical com pany that markets it) poses some problems for the physician who prescribes it. For the above re...
Could We Speed This Up? Accelerating Progress in Research on Mechanisms of Change in Cognitive Therapy of Depression

Garratt, Ingram, Rand, and Sawalani (2007) comprehensively reviewed research on the specificity of effects of cognitive therapy on depression, as well as the mediating mechanisms of these effects. Comparing their findings with those of a similar review by Whisman (1993), it seems that progress in this area has been slow. Several suggestions are made for accelerating progress in understanding mechanisms of change in cognitive therapy: (a) more work on measurement development; (b) more efficient use of the existing database; (c) disaggregation of complex treatment packages; and (d) more consistent simultaneous consideration of multiple hypotheses.
Bioinformatics training programs are hot but the labor market is not

Based on a survey of academic training programs and an analysis of advertised job openings, we conclude that the labor market in bioinformatics has changed dramatically from the 1990s to the early 2000s. The number of academic training programs, as well as enrollment in these programs, expanded rapidly during this period. The expansion has created a sizeable pipeline of students who will matriculate from these programs in the near future. Yet, at the same time that this expansion in training programs occurred, demand in the bioinformatics market declined and its origins have shifted largely from industry to academe. Unless conditions in industry change dramatically in the next few years, it is likely that trainees from these programs will have difficulty finding the expected jobs in industry.
Comparison of the free amino acid composition in the hemolymph of healthy and Nosema-infected female honey bees

Abstract Nineteen amino acids or related compounds were identified in the hemolymph of Nosema -infected and healthy 5- and 10-day-old worker honey bees ( Apis mellifera ), and 29 free amino acids and their derivatives were identified in hemolymph from both diseased and healthy queen and worker honey bees of different ages. Phosphoethanolamine, citrulline, cystathionine, hydroxylysine, ethanolamine, and l -methylhistidine were found for the first time in honey-bee hemolymph. In general, higher amounts of amino acids were found in the hemolymph of healthy female bees than in that of infected bees. This may be an indication that the metabolic activites of Nosema -infected bees were less than those of healthy bees of the same age. Also, “hypoaminoacidemia” might result from the pathogen's “need” for amino acids. The death of the diseased females might not be the result of nutritional starvation. No pattern of amino acids was apparent in the hemolymph of either worker or queen honey bees that might indicate a nutritional balance that could be used to overcome nosema infection.
T cell uptake for the use of boron neutron capture as an immunologic research tool.

Abstract An immunologic tool based on manipulation of the boron neutron capture reaction was previously proposed in the context of heart transplantation research to examine the temporal relationship between parenchymal rejection (representing immune cell infiltration) and transplantation-associated arteriosclerosis (characterized by progressive vascular occlusion). Critical to the development of this method is the uptake of boron by specific cells of the immune system, namely T cells, without adverse effects on cell function, which may be assessed by the ability of boron-loaded cells to produce IFN γ , a protein with substantial impact on rejection. This work presents the evaluation of two carboranyl thymidine analogs. Advantages of this type of boron compound are reduced risk of leakage and effective dose delivery based on their incorporation into cellular nuclear material. Results indicate that uptake of these boronated nucleosides is high with no adverse effects on cell function, thereby warranting the continued development of this technique that has potentially wide applicability in immunological models.
Sensitivity Enhancement of Lorentz Force MEMS Resonant Magnetometers via Internal Thermal-Piezoresistive Amplification

This letter presents sensitivity enhancement of MEMS resonant magnetometers using the thermal-piezoresistive internal amplification effect in silicon microstructures. Preliminary results show up to ~15 X improvement in sensitivity per bias current for a resonator operated as a Lorentz force magnetometer. Magnetometer sensitivity figure-of-merit, defined as sensitivity (mV/T) over sensor dc bias current, has increased from 0.29 Ω/T(mV/Tesla/mA) to 4.22 Ω/T via internal thermal-piezoresistive amplification that also led to resonator effective quality factor (Q) increasing from its intrinsic value of 1140 to 16900 (in air). Previous work on the thermal-piezoresistive amplification effect suggests that amplification factors up to 3-4 orders of magnitude can be achieved using optimally designed structures, which can lead to ultra-high sensitivities for the presented sensors. It should be noted that the main focus of this letter is not to demonstrate a highly sensitive magnetometer, but rather to demonstrate the ability to improve magnetometer sensitivity as the resonator internal Q-amplification kicks-in. Although the resonant structure in this letter has not been optimized to operate as a magnetometer, sensitivities as high as 262 mV/T in air (minimum detectable field in the μT range) have been achieved.
A Nonconservative β-Spiral Determination of the Deep Circulation in the Eastern South Pacific

Abstract The horizontal mean circulation and diapycnal flux divergence field in the South Pacific between Tahiti and the East Pacific Rise are obtained from a nonconservative β-spiral inverse method applied to high quality hydrographic data. The diapycnal flux divergence term is found to be an essential part of the deep vorticity balance and proper resolution of this term is critical to the success of the β-spiral calculation. The subthermocline circulation in this region of the South Pacific consists of three vertical regimes. Between the thermocline and approximately 1800–2000 m a cyclonic circulation pattern exists. A zone of minimum motion is found between 1800 and 2000 m. Below this zone, northward flow along the rise and westward flow in the north indicate an anticyclonic gyre, centered on 15°S, that extends approximately 1000–2000 km to the west of the East Pacific Rise. The deep vorticity balance associated with this flow system is primarily between meridional advection of planetary vorticity and ...
Recent Advances in Bioscience Information—Entomology's Role

The complex nature of living things necessarily gives rise to a complex methodology for studying them and thus generates a host of complex problems that make it difficult to retrieve information about them. The recording of the information a scientist obtains as he studies a given problem probably does not present a great difficulty, but the investigator who tries to uncover for himself what someone else has already discovered about a living thing, a methodology, or a principle often finds his task virtually insurmountable. He is usually forced to depend upon whatever sources of information are readily available to him – he reads the primary literature; he tries to keep abreast of the flood of titles, abstracts, indexes, reports, and reviews; and he makes personal contacts through correspondence, by attendance at professional meetings, and by individual interviews. Often this hit-or-miss approach leaves large gaps in his information and most certainly leads to a discouraging duplication of effort. He continually enlarges his personal library and files in an effort – many times a vain one – to construct a body of standard references for his particular activity. However, such acquisition of information can consume more of his time than his own original research, and the tradeoff point in time available for these two activities falls far short of being enough to provide the literature coverage that will adequately meet his needs.
Receptor assays in the clinical laboratory

Abstract Objective: To review the relative advantages/disadvantages of receptor assays versus immunoassays. Review of current literature results: The history of immunoassays is evaluated. Current shortcomings are emphasized. The present and future role of receptor assays is assessed. Conclusion: The author predicts a shift away from immunoassays to receptor assays for certain analytes such as Vitamin B12, folic acid and drugs that undergo extensive metabolism.
Political socialization and policy evaluation: The case of youth employment and training program

Abstract The detection and assessment of side effects or unintended consequences in policy evaluation are seldom conducted in other than a casual manner. This paper investigates the unintended impact of an employment and training program on the political orientations of participants. Applying a political socialization framework, this study compared the postprogram attitudes toward citizenship of 286 CETA-eligible youth with a randomly assigned control group of 161 youth. Entering minority status and gender as factors and preprogram attitudes toward citizenship as the covariate, the ANCOVA results indicate that political orientations of experimentais, especially program completers, are significantly higher compared with control group members.
Isomerization of 1-hexene on Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst at subcritical and supercritical reaction conditions: Pressure and temperature effects on catalyst activity

Abstract The feasibility of maintaining the activity of porous catalysts by supercritical fluid extraction of the coking compounds is assessed through experimental investigations of the Pt/γ-Al 2 O 3 catalyzed isomerization of 1-hexene in a continuous stirred tank reactor. Employing 1-hexene/product isomer reaction mixtures as solvent media to extract the coking compounds, temporal changes in 1-hexene conversion are presented at several subcritical and supercritical reactor pressures (0.87 – 8.7 P c ) at two different reactor temperatures, 1.01 and 1.10 T c . At subcritical densities, there is virtually no coke extraction and hence 1-hexene conversion decays with time. At low to moderate supercritical densities, coke formation rates increase without any appreciable increase in coke extraction. This leads to rapid pore plugging and therefore to a faster decay of 1-hexene conversion. At relatively high densities (>1.7 ϱ c ), the enhanced solubilities of the coking compounds in the reaction mixture delays pore plugging, and thus the interior of pores is more accessible to the reactants, resulting in increased conversions and a longer sustainment of catalyst activity. By introducing carbon dioxide as a co-solvent, it is shown that a combination of lower coking rates and dense supercritical reaction mixtures favors continuous maintenance of catalyst activity.
Real‐time equalization of region‐of‐interest fluoroscopic images using binary masks

In region-of-interest (ROI) radiologic imaging, the x-ray beam is attenuated peripherally to the region of interest to reduce patient exposure. This attenuation reduces the peripheral image brightness which may cause contrast in the periphery to also be reduced due to video chain nonlinearity. For optimal viewing, it is necessary that the image brightness and contrast in the periphery be brought back to the levels in the ROI. Previously, digital subtraction angiography roadmapping equipment has been used for this equalization; however, the procedure is not independent of patient and gantry motion. A new motion independent method to achieve this equalization involves dividing the real-time video signal into two digital streams one of which is brightness and contrast enhanced. A pre-acquired binary mask image is created by thresholding the image of a uniform object obtained with the ROI filter in place. This binary mask is used to control the recombination of the two image streams in a digital pipeline processor in order to select the ROI from the unprocessed stream and the periphery from the enhanced stream. This system provides image equalization at 30 frame/s for real-time ROI imaging display. Images from this method demonstrate excellent image quality even for peripheral exposure reduction factors exceeding 10.
Anterior Approach to the Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Spine

The anterior approach to the thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral spine is an invaluable tool in the treatment of the adult with spinal pathology. In the setting of adult deformity the anterior approach allows the surgeon to perform an anterior release, increasing the surface area for healing and/or instrumenting the spine. Surgical technique to this versatile approach is presented as well as indications, technical pearls, and complications.
Karl Marx in love: The enlightenment, romanticism and hegelian theory in the young Marx

(1986). Karl Marx in love: The enlightenment, romanticism and hegelian theory in the young Marx. History of European Ideas: Vol. 7, No. 5, pp. 489-507.
Identification of a new dust‐stratocumulus indirect effect over the tropical North Atlantic

Over the tropical North Atlantic, during boreal summer, both stratocumulus clouds and mineral aerosols are ubiquitous. We find that low cloud fraction increases in response to high mineral aerosols loadings by 3% to 10% over much of the tropical North Atlantic, in International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISSCP) and Pathfinder Atmosphere Extended (PATMOSx) observations. Using the single-column mode of the Community Earth System Model (CESM), we estimate that this indirect effect nets a surface cooling of approximately −3 Wm−2 to −12 Wm−2 per unit of dust optical depth (DAOD) increase in mineral aerosols, similar to observed radiative forcings of −4 Wm−2 to −6 Wm−2 per unit of DAOD in ISSCP and PATMOSx. Increases in stratocumulus clouds are linked to increases in atmospheric stability, reductions in boundary layer height, and moistening of the lower atmosphere in response to increased dust load. Mineral dust is shown to behave similarly to other absorbing aerosols in indirectly forcing a response in stratocumulus clouds.
Correlates of Patient Satisfaction and Provider Trust After Breast-conserving Surgery

BACKGROUND Although breast-conserving therapy (BCS) is considered the standard of care for early-stage breast cancer, up to 20% of patients are dissatisfied. The effect of treatment-related factors on patient satisfaction with their healthcare experiences is unclear. METHODS All BCS patients at the University of Michigan Medical Center who were treated between January 2002 and May 2006 were surveyed (n = 714; response rate, 79.5%). Patients were queried regarding 4 aspects of their decision for surgery: satisfaction with the decision, decision regret, decisional conflict, and trust in surgeons. Independent variables included the number of re-excisions, the occurrence of postoperative complications, and postoperative breast appearance, which was assessed by using the Breast Cancer Treatment and Outcomes scale. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the effect of the independent variables on each outcome controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS Breast asymmetry after BCS was correlated significantly with patient satisfaction with their treatment experiences and patient distrust in surgeons. Women who reported pronounced asymmetry were significantly less likely to be satisfied with the decision for surgery compared with women who reported minimal asymmetry (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.21–0.89). Women with pronounced asymmetry were less likely to be certain about their surgical decision (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.21–0.60) and to believe that they were prepared to make the decision for surgery (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14–0.43). Increasing breast asymmetry was associated with higher surgeon distrust scores (2.14 vs 2.30 vs 2.35; P = .04) and with the occurrence of postoperative complications (distrust score: 2.23 vs 2.35; P = .03). Reoperation after BCS was not associated with patient satisfaction or trust in providers. CONCLUSIONS Esthetic result after BCS was associated more profoundly with aspects of satisfaction than either surgical therapy or the occurrence of postoperative complications. The current findings indicated that surgeons who care for patients with breast cancer should identify the women at an increased risk for breast asymmetry preoperatively to effectively address their expectations of treatment outcomes. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Discrimination of melodies from the first and fifth serials of the pentatonic scale

A basic aspect of music is the scale or set of tones that is used to generate melodic and rhythmic patterns. There is one scale that has a prominent place in the music of many cultures. This scale, the pentatonic, dates back as far as 1300 B.C. and extends to the present. Data are presented on the discrimination of melodies randomly generated from the first and fifth serials of the pentatonic scale. The question is: does the part of the scale used to generate a melody give a distinct quality to the melody? The results show that such melodies can be discriminated independently of melodic line, rhythm, frequency range, and tone color. This suggests that melodies can be heard as being from two different serials, indicating that each of these serials possesses a quality, a tonality, that yields perceptually different melodies. The results are related to Orff’s theory of musical development.
On the birefringence of bovine cornea.

Abstract The topographical distribution of local opitcal retardation of bovine cornea was measured. It was found that the birefringence decreases as one proceeds from the periphery toward the center, although the minimal values were found in the lower inner quadrant. These are due to a local preferential orientation of collagen fibrils, which is symmetrically distributed in the cornea, in agreement with previous light scattering measurements. The preferential orientation of collagen fibrils is changed when the cornea is under unidirectional stress.
Residential Energy Analysis: Regression Analysis of Heating Degree Days With Temperature Setback for Selected ASHRAE Climate Zones

Heating Degree Days (HDDs), calculated from hourly weather data, are often used to estimate energy savings for a variety of energy efficiency measures (EEMs) to be applied to conditioned spaces in buildings. More specifically, application of HDDs is useful for estimating savings from weather-dependent EEMs. For first order estimation, it is often problematic to calculate HDDs for a given base temperature, when temperature setbacks are used in the conditioned spaces. This paper provides a set of correlations to characterize HDDs for selected ASHRAE Climate Zones as functions of three key parameters including the base temperature, setback temperature level (delta-T), and setback duration. In addition to the well-documented pattern of decreasing HDDs for decreasing base temperature, it was also shown that HDDs are inversely proportional to both setback duration and temperature setback differential levels. In the analysis presented in this paper, corrections to estimate HDDs when temperature setbacks are used for typical residential space heating schedules during unoccupied periods which occurred from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. In particular, regression correlations using two- and three-parameter models have been developed to estimate HDDs for multiple US locations that account for the impact of temperature setbacks on the heating requirements of residential buildings. For the two-parameter model, the input variables for the regression correlations are setback hours and delta T; for the three-parameter model, the input variables for the correlations include setback hours, delta T, and base temperature. The prediction accuracy for the energy savings, due to a set of EEMs, obtained from the HDD method —using the developed correlations— is tested against whole-building detailed energy simulation analysis for two single family homes. Detailed energy audits including utility data analysis have been carried out for both homes to calibrate the detailed simulation model and evaluate the effectiveness of the EEMs in reducing building energy use. The results from the detailed simulation analysis are then compared to those obtained from the HDD with temperature setbacks.© 2011 ASME
Central Processing of Communication Sounds in the Anuran Auditory System

Synopsis. The social behavior of anurans (frogs and toads) is mediated by a number of acoustic signals, or calls, that show both inter- and intraspecific differences in temporal pattern and spectral content. These dif? ferences provide cues useful for call recognition. Neural mechanisms responsible for detecting and analyzing the temporal and spectral cues of the species vocalizations have been the subject of investigation for almost three decades. Here, I summarize the results of studies conducted in the northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens. These results demonstrate that (1) sound analysis is performed in the central auditory system of anurans by an array of neural filters operating in the time and frequency domain, (2) behaviorally relevant sounds are represented by stimulus-dependent spatio-temporal patterns of excitation among differentially tuned filter neu? rons, and (3) the time and frequency selectivity of these neurons is deter? mined, in part, by GABA-mediated inhibitory interactions that shape their excitatory input.
Hydroxyamphetamine mydriasis in normal subjects.

Hydroxyamphetamine eyedrops are used to help localize the lesion in Horner's syndrome. Because normal variability in the response to the eyedrops may influence the interpretation of test results in patients with Horner's syndrome, we studied both the interocular variability of the drug's mydriatic effect within each normal subject and the variation between individuals. We used photographs to document the variability among 26 normal subjects. Hydroxyamphetamine hydrobromide 1% eyedrops (Paredrine) were placed in both eyes of normal subjects in the same way that patients with Horner's syndrome are tested. The drug produced a mean increase in pupil size of 1.96 mm (± 0.61 S.D.) in the 52 eyes tested. In normal subjects, the mydriatic effect of hydroxyamphetamine was symmetric in each pair of eyes. The mean interocular asymmetry of mydriasis as measured by the difference in dilation (right eye dilation minus left eye dilation) was -0.087 mm (± 0.29 S.D.). Thus, the variability of hydroxyamphetamine mydriasis from one eye to the other in a single subject was much lower than the variability between subjects.
Toll-like receptor 2 agonists inhibit human fibrocyte differentiation

Background In healing wounds, some monocytes enter the wound and differentiate into fibroblast-like cells called fibrocytes. Since Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are present on monocytes, and pathogens that can infect a wound have and/or release TLR agonists, we examined whether TLR agonists affect fibrocyte differentiation.
Engineering the Performance Recording Engineers, Tacit Knowledge and the Art of Controlling Sound

At the dawn of sound recording, recordists were mechanical engineers whose only training was on the job. As the recording industry grew more sophisticated, so did the technology used to make record...
Management of coronary heart disease : Stable angina, acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction

Stable angina should first be treated medically, particularly with aspirin and beta-blockers. Diagnostic stress tests are used in patients who have intermediate probability of CHD to further assess the likelihood of disease,with catheterization reserved for patients who have symptoms despite optimal medical therapy or are at risk for multivessel CHD. The work-up for low-risk unstable angina can involve medical management followed by stress testing. Moderate-to-high risk unstable angina and NSTEMI should be treated with an integrated approach, using medical therapy, cardiac catheterization, and revascularization. Patients who have STEMI require urgent reperfusion either with thrombolytic agents or primary angioplasty. Follow-ing a diagnosis of CHD, patients should undergo intense coronary risk-fac-tor modification to reduce the risk of future events.
Direct comparison of arbutamine and dobutamine stress testing with myocardial perfusion imaging and echocardiography in patients with coronary artery disease

Arbutamine, a new sympathomimetic compound, appears to elicit a more balanced inotropic and chronotropic response than dobutamine, currently used as a pharmacologic stress agent. The present study was performed to compare standard dobutamine stress testing with arbutamine for the detection of myocardial ischemia with technetium (Tc)-99m sestamibi tomographic imaging and 2-dimensional echocardiography in patients with coronary artery disease. Twenty-six patients with evidence of coronary artery disease underwent dobutamine infusion of 5 to 40 μg/kg/min in 3-minute stages. On a separate day, arbutamine was administered by an automated, computerized, closed-loop device monitoring both heart rate and blood pressure. Both infusions were terminated upon achievement of target heart rate, completion of maximal infusion dose (dobutamine), heart rate saturation (arbutamine), or standard clinical end points. Tc-99m sestamibi was injected before termination of both infusions followed by tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging, whereas echocardiography was performed at baseline and throughout the infusions. There were no significant differences in maximal heart rate, blood pressure, and rate-pressure product as well as in the development of anginal symptoms or electrocardiographic changes during both infusions. The location and severity of myocardial perfusion defects and echocardiographic wall motion abnormalities were similar between both agents. It is concluded that arbutamine produces similar imaging results compared with standard dobutamine stress with both Tc-99m sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging and 2-dimensional echocardiography.
An Improved Technique for Isolated Perfusion of Rat Livers and an Evaluation of Perfusates

We have modified the apparatus for isolated rat liver perfusion (IPRL) in order to be able to perform two perfusions simultaneously. In addition, we studied the quality and stability of livers by comparison of five different perfusates: Blood (Group A), Original Krebs Henseleit buffer (Group B), Krebs buffer with glucose (Group C) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) added, (Group D). In a last group (E) albumin, glucose, and taurocholic acid were added to Krebs. After 180 min of perfusion, livers perfused with solutions including 2% albumin (Group D, E) had a significantly higher release of hepatocellular and endothelial cell (purine nucleoside phosphorylase) enzymes and lower bile production as compared to Groups A, B, and C (P < 0.0001). Increasing levels of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), a reflection of damage to the microvascular endothelium preceded the increases in hepatocellular enzymes. Histologically, damages of sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes are appreciated moderate to severe in Groups D and E, slight to mild in Groups A and B, and not significant in Group C. These results suggest that BSA may have toxic effects to the perfused rat liver. These data also confirm that the IPRL modified for simultaneous perfusion of two livers is efficient, and that with this technique the rat liver can be optimally perfused for up to 3 hr with oxygenated Krebs Henseleit buffer without additives (Group B) and without blood. These two improvements should allow those performing studies with perfused rat livers to obtain data in a more efficient, accurate, and inexpensive fashion.
Antimutagenic and Antioxidant Properties of Phenolic Fractions from Andean Purple Corn ( Zea mays L.)

The antimutagenic and antioxidant properties of various phenolic fractions obtained from Andean purple corn were examined by the Ames test and the DPPH antiradical assay. An anthocyanin-rich water fraction (WF) and an ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) showed a dose-dependent antimutagenic behavior against the food mutagen Trp-P-1 with IC50 values of 321.7 ± 21.36 and 95.2 ± 10.95 μg of chlorogenic acid equiv/plate, respectively, indicating that EAF was a more potent antimutagen. The antioxidant activities for WF and EAF were 1.019 ± 0.05 and 0.838 ± 0.11 μg of Trolox equiv/μg of phenolics, respectively. Further fractionation of WF and EAF revealed an ethyl acetate subfraction, EA-IV, with high antimutagen potency that contained a quercetin derivative. The mechanism of antimutagenic action of the WF is predominantly a blocking effect on the S-9 Mix activation system of the mutagen, whereas for the EAF, it is a dual mechanism involving blocking of the S-9 Mix and a scavenging action on Trp-P-1 electrophiles. Key...
Formaldehyde transfer in residential energy recovery ventilators

Abstract The rotary enthalpy wheel design used in many energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) is designed to transfer heat and moisture between supply and exhaust air streams. The wheel, however, can also transfer formaldehyde and other indoor contaminants from the exhaust stream to the supply stream through air leakage, entrainment in the porous wheel, and adsorption/desorption to the filter medium. This contaminant transfer reduces the benefit of the mechanical ventilation provided by the device. Field and chamber experiments were used to quantify the formaldehyde transfer efficacy (the fraction of formaldehyde transferred from the exhaust stream to the supply stream) in a common ERV model under varied conditions. In field experiments, the transfer efficacy was approximately 29%. Chamber tests showed formaldehyde transfer efficacy between 10 and 29%. The bulk of the transfer was due to air leakage and entrainment within the wheel, with up to 30% of the transfer attributed adsorption/desorption from the filter medium. The transfer efficacy decreased with increasing air exchange rate and supply air temperature. The transfer efficacy increased as the supply and exhaust streams were unbalanced in flow rate. Overall, the air leakage through the device substantially exceeded the product rating of 10%, with 27–28% air leakage measured in field experiments and 12–19% air leakage in chamber experiments.
A Hypercube-Graph Model for n-Tone Rows and Relations

We investigate the representation of n-tone rows as paths on an n-dimensional hypercube graph with vertices labeled in the power set of the aggregate. These paths run from the vertex labeled by the null set to the one labeled by the full set, passing through vertices whose labels gradually accumulate members of the aggregate. Row relations are then given as hypercube symmetries. Such a model is more sensitive to the musical process of chromatic completion than those that deal more exclusively with n-tone rows and their relations as permutations of an underlying set. Our results lead to a graph-theoretical representation of the duality inherent in the pitch-class/order-number isomorphism of serial theory.
Difficulty, Consequence, and Effort in Academic Task Performance

This study extends previous research on the expectancy construct of the expectancy-value theory of motivation developed by Pintrich. In addition to value and expectancy for success, it is proposed ...