cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequencing by hybridization using direct and reverse cooperating spectra

DNA sequencing by hybridization, proposed about a decade ago as an alternative to standard electrophoresis-based sequencing techniques, is relevant not only to sequencing per se but also to diagnostics and therapeutics. The inherent structural inadequacy of traditional probe patterns and well-known hybridization shortcomings had for some time deflated the interest in this approach. Renewed interest for this topic has been generated by our recent discovery of a novel probing scheme whose performance for the first time asymptotically meets the information theory bound. After settling the question of asymptotic performance, due to the sizable volume of potential applications, the research focus has naturally shifted to issues of algorithmic fine tunings aimed at improving the performance "constants". In this paper, we introduce as a figure of merit the nucleotide-per-feature ratio (for a given confidence level), i.e., the length of a reliabily reconstructible (random) sequence divided by the number of probes placed on the sequencing array, regardless of the fabrication technology, and we explore the capabilities offered by the joint use of multiple different arrays in sequencing the same DNA sequence. In particular we consider a probing scheme based on the use of the spectra pertaining to a given probing pattern and to its reversal (referred to here as tandem spectra), and we show analytically and experimentally a performance improvement per unit of microarray area of about 4/3 (in a representative instance) over the conventional single-spectrum approach. The proposed tandem-spectrum reconstruction, in conjunction with a "voting provision" discussed elsewhere (whereby one of two competing alternatives is chosen if the corresponding probes are less numerous in the current prefix of the reconstructive sequence), is the best known technique for sequencing by hybridization.
Consequences of rem-predominant and rem-exclusive sleep apnea on motor memory consolidation during sleep

Introduction The clinical importance of sleep apnea during REM sleep is unclear. We have previously observed that sleep fragmentation from mild obstructive sleep apnea can impair motor memory consolidation as assessed by the motor sequence task (MST). Some sleep apnea patients experience respiratory events exclusively during REM sleep (REM-exclusive) whereas others have REM-predominance of events (ratio of REM:NREM AHI >2) and others have repetitive apneas throughout NREM and REM sleep. We sought to test the hypothesis that OSA during REM sleep does not impair motor memory consolidation and that observed abnormalities would be a function of disrupted NREM sleep. Materials and methods We assessed performance on the MST in 4 groups who had been referred to a sleep clinic for polysomnographic evaluation [healthy controls – HC ( n =13), REM-exclusive OSA ( n =13), REM-predominant OSA ( n =14) and those with respiratory events throughout sleep – REM/NREM OSA ( n =15)]. We also gave subjects the psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) to control for attentiveness in the evening and in the morning after sleep. In addition, we administered a Profile of Mood State (POMS) survey. Results As expected, performance on the MST improved overnight in the healthy control group. An improvement which was similar in magnitude was also observed in the REM-exclusive OSA group. In contrast, patients with REM-predominant OSA and REM/NREM OSA had impaired overnight memory consolidation. PVT baseline average reaction time at night and the average reaction time in the morning showed no significant difference between the four subject groups. As for the POMS, REM-exclusive people felt the most negative emotion; they had the highest Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score, with particularly low vigor. REM/NREM OSA patients had the next highest average TMD, but it was not significantly higher than that of REM- predominant OSA patients. Conclusion These findings suggest that NREM sleep fragmentation is detrimental to overnight motor memory consolidation, but that REM sleep fragmentation (and related OSA) is less critical. Furthermore, our study provided evidence that sleep apnea has a causal link to memory impairment, rather than poor MST performance being caused by general OSA-induced sleepiness. Our results also provide evidence that while apneas occurring only during REM sleep do not have an effect on the encoding and stabilization of motor memories they are deleterious for emotional health. Acknowledgements This work was supported by K23 HL103850-01 and American Board of Sleep Medicine Junior Faculty Research Award# 54-JF-1–10.
Who Decides? Coalition Governance and Ministerial Discretion

Who decides policy in a coalition government? Specifically, does the party occupying a ministerial portfolio control policy in that jurisdiction? This question is central to the study of coalitions but is rarely tested because of the problems in identifying and measuring policy. This paper sidesteps these obstacles using an empirical strategy based on rational partisan theory. The theory establishes expectations of changes in monetary policy and macro-economic outcomes following changes in policy-maker. By testing for partisan effects following portfolio changes we can infer which changes are relevant and to what degree the Minister of Finance is the autonomous monetary policy-maker. The application of the test, looking at 16 parliamentary democracies in a period of
The assassins revisited: Claire sterling and the politics of intelligence

Claire Sterling, The Time of the Assassins: Anatomy of an Investigation (New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1983, new edition 1985), pp. 295, $4.95 (paperback).
Anesthetic Methods in Reoperative Carotid Surgery

It has been suggested that general anesthesia is the preferred method for reoperative carotid surgery for several reasons, including: the difficulty of the reoperative dissection; the disease may extend unusually high into the internal carotid artery; and the reconstruction required may be more complex than a typical endarterectomy. The purpose of this study is to show that reoperative carotid surgery can be performed safety under regional anesthesia. The records of 109 reoperative carotid operations performed on 96 patients over the past 25 years were reviewed. Procedures performed under regional anesthesia were compared to those performed under general anesthesia with respect to patient characteristics, intraoperative courses, and perioperative results. Regional anesthesia was utilized in 79 operations (72.5%); 30 operations were performed with general anesthesia (27.5%). The two patient groups were essentially equivalent with regard to atherosclerotic risk factors, preoperative neurologic symptoms, and the prevalence of contralateral total occlusion. The etiologies for recurrent disease included recurrent atherosclerosis (50.4%), intimal hyperplasia (30.3%), and vein patch aneurysm (9.2%). The methods of reconstruction employed included saphenous vein patch (47.7%), vein interposition graft (11.9%), prosthetic patch (20.2%), and prosthetic graft (20.2%). Perioperative strokes occurred in one case performed under regional anesthesia (1.3%), and in two cases under general anesthesia (6.6%); this difference was not statistically significant. Reoperative carotid artery surgery can be performed under regional anesthesia safely in the majority of instances. The aforementioned theoretical factors in favor of general anesthesia could also lead to technical difficulties with intraarterial shunt insertion. Having the patient awake, even if just long enough to prove that the patient will tolerate carotid artery clamping, might simplify many of these operations by avoiding shunt insertion. Regional anesthesia should therefore be considered an acceptable option in cases of reoperative carotid surgery.
Effect of nitric oxide on the colonic smooth muscle of patients with Hirschsprung's disease.

Abstract Hirschsprung's disease results in bowel obstruction because of a failure of smooth muscle relaxation in both the aganglionic segment of bowel and the internal anal sphincter (IAS). Nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) nerves, which use nitric oxide (NO) as their chemical messenger, are responsible for relaxing smooth muscle in normal bowel and the IAS. Previous work indicates that the cause of the aganglionic colon's inability to relax may be a lack of NANC nerves. To test this hypothesis, the authors compared the effect of an exogenous source of NO, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), on the isometric tension of smooth muscle strips taken from the ganglionic colon, aganglionic colon, and IAS of patients with Hirschsprung's disease. Exposure of ganglionic and aganglionic colon specimens to SNAP (10 −3 to 10 −5 mol/L) resulted in up to 70% reduction of resting tension. This relaxation occurred in a dose-dependent fashion and could be promptly reversed by the addition of the NO antagonist methylene blue. However, SNAP had no demonstrable effect on the smooth muscle strips taken from the IAS of patients with Hirschsprung's disease. This finding suggests that, in the aganglionic colon, a deficiency of NANC nerves contributes to the development of bowel obstruction. However, the failure of the IAS to relax in Hirschsprung's disease appears to be unrelated to NO and the NANC nervous system.
Calcium and 2-oxoglutarate-mediated control of aspartate formation by rat heart mitochondria

Studies of the influence of calcium on the metabolism of cardiac mitochondria have indicated that calcium activates key enzymes involved in the citric acid cycle. Calcium-mediated activation of one of these enzymes, 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase, has been shown to cause a marked decrease in the steady-state concentration of 2-oxoglutarate in both heart and liver mitochondria. In liver, 2-oxoglutarate is a potent inhibitor of oxalacetate transamination to aspartate and activation of this enzyme by calcium-mobilizing hormones leads to a stimulation of aspartate formation and gluconeogenesis. Since mitochondrial aspartate formation is a key step in the malate/aspartate shuttle, we investigated the control of aspartate formation by cardiac mitochondria. In mitochondria incubated with glutamate and malate, activation of 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase by calcium led to an inhibition of aspartate formation. However, calcium caused a stimulation of aspartate production when incubations were supplemented with pyruvate as an additional substrate. Estimates of the mitochondrial redox potential (NADH/NAD+) indicated that both calcium and pyruvate increased the redox potential. The observed influence of calcium on aspartate formation was found to be due to a balance between its inhibitory effect, caused by an increased redox potential, and its stimulatory effect, caused by a decreased 2-oxoglutarate concentration. Under conditions in which the redox component was held constant, a kinetic analysis indicated that the apparent Ki for 2-oxoglutarate inhibition of aspartate formation is 0.2 mM. The data suggest that activation of cardiac 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase by calcium could lead to stimulation of the mitochondrial oxidation of cytosolic NADH via the malate/aspartate cycle.
FLUORESCENCE OF THYMINE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION AT 300° K

— –Fluorescence of thymine in neutral aqueous solution at room temperature has been detected using the multiscaling operation of a multichannel analyzer. The emission maximum (2.96 μm-1) and 0-0 transition energy (3.37-3.45 μm-1) are close to those determined at liquid nitrogen temperature in mixed solvents. The quantum efficiency of fluorescence excited at 3.77 μm-1 is calculated to be 1.04 × 10-4. The corrected relative excitation spectrum shows significant differences from the absorption spectrum when both are determined under identical conditions of concentration and spectral bandwidth on the same instrument. The quantum yield of fluorescence decreases about 2-fold as the energy of excitation is increased beyond the 0-0' transition and follows the relation 1/φ°αEexcit.. This behavior is discussed in terms of (a) nπ* and ππ* states, (b) emission from a minor tautomer and (c) kinetics of competing deactivation processes.
A learning program that ensures prompt and versatile vocal imitation

Here we show how a migratory songbird, the chipping sparrow (Spizella passerina), achieves prompt and precise vocal imitation. Juvenile chipping sparrow males develop five to seven potential precursor songs; the normal development of these songs requires intact hearing but not imitation from external models. The potential precursor songs conform with general species-typical song parameters but differ from the song of wild, adult territorial males. As chipping sparrow males return from migration to start their first breeding season, they settle close to an older adult. The young male then stops producing all but one of its precursor songs, retaining the one that most resembles that of its neighbor. This single song then becomes more variable and, in a matter of days, is altered to closely match the neighbor's song. This elegant solution ensures species specificity and promptness of imitation.
DOSE AND INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF PRENATAL COCAINE, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO USE ON BIRTH OUTCOME. 1564

To determine the effects of prenatal cocaine use on the medical and neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants from a rural, public health population, we interviewed over 2,000 women prenatally, identified 154 cocaine users and matched 154 controls on location/level of prenatal care, race, parity, and SES. Drug screening was done at the first prenatal visit and at delivery; detailed psychosocial/drug histories were taken at each trimester and follow-up visit. The cocaine group had significantly less prenatal care (92% vs. 97%), begun later (15 vs. 12 weeks), and were more likely to drink (76% vs. 31%), smoke (79% vs. 24%) and use marijuana (43% vs. 7%). There was no other illicit drug use in either group and marijuana was not related to any birth outcomes. There were no differences in fetal/perinatal deaths between groups but more preterms among cocaine users (17% vs. 9%). Ponderal Index did not differ between cocaine users and controls, but after controlling for alcohol and tobacco use, there remained a significant decrease in birthweight due to prenatal cocaine use. Head and chest circumference and length were significantly lower in cocaine users who also smoked tobacco. The average cocaine use per day for trimesters 1, 3 and overall pregnancy was significantly negatively related to birth length; and amount used in trimesters 2 and 3 was negatively related to head circumference. There were no significant group differences on any Brazelton cluster scores (by blinded certified examiners), but amount of alcohol used in the 2nd trimester was significantly negatively related to Brazelton motor scores. There were also dose-response effects of prenatal alcohol and tobacco use on birthweight, length, head and chest circumference. Because of the complexity of effects of cocaine exposure on birth outcome, evaluation of growth and development of infants should also consider the interactive effects as well as the amount and timing of drug exposure.
Influence of size and brightness parameters on the differential sensitivity of the central retina to photic flicker.

Differential thresholds for rate of photic intermittence were measured for 10 interruption rates between 2.5 and 32.5 interruptions per second, five luminance levels, and five visual angles in the central retina of the human eye. The differential threshold was found to increase as a function of interruption rate to a maximum at 15.0 interruptions per sec for low levels of luminance and 22.5 interruptions per sec for high levels of luminance, following which it decreased throughout the range of interruption rates investigated. A slight but consistent decrease in differential threshold was associated with an increase in the size of the stimulus from 0.73° to 2.83°. Further size increases yielded no measurable gains.
NOISE POLLUTION IN NEONATAL UNITS: A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD

Abstract. Anagnostakis, D., Petmezakis, J., Messaritakis, J. and Matsaniotis, N. (First Department of Pediatrics of Athens University, Athens, Greece). Noise pollution in neonatal units: a potential health hazard. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69:771, 1980.—Hospital noise levels were measured for four consecutive days every two hours throughout the day in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a normal nursery room and inside infant incubators when the latter were associated with different types of life-support equipment. There was a difference in the noise level between normal nursery and NICU, whereas a considerable increase of noise was recorded when the infant received supplemental oxygen, was under ventilator or when an air compressor was in operation. High noise levels were equally the same both in a.m. and p.m. hours in the NICU. As many high risk infants spend a long time in a NICU, there is an urgent need for further evaluation of noise levels and their effect on the outcome of infants.
Spine-Tingling Excitement from Glutamate Receptors

Ionotropic glutamate receptors excite nerve cells by forming cation-selective pores in the membrane. Recent work, however, provides evidence that atypical signaling by glutamate receptors regulates the production and maintenance of dendritic spines, the short outgrowths that receive most central excitatory synapses. The control of spine formation involves the amino-terminal extracellular domain of the GluR2 subunit of AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid) receptors. How interactions with this domain elicit signals to downstream effectors remains to be elucidated, but ion flux through the channel may not be required. This Perspective discusses the possibility that regulation of spines by GluR2 may be one of a growing collection of cases in which ionotropic glutamate receptors can elicit biochemical changes that are conventionally attributed to metabotropic receptors. It is suggested that proteins in contact with specific glutamate receptor subunits may directly sense the conformational changes produced by agonist binding.
NATURAL RHETORIC AND THE PRAXIS OF UNDERSTANDING

Although rhetoric might be thought of as nothing more than an archaic art of manipulation, its ability to bring about action—particularly as the intellect and will engage in acts of persuasion amid the operations of the practical intellect-is a possibility that has gone largely unnoticed among philosophers of human nature. In this paper I explore the possibility that natural rhetoric, much as it serves the practical intellect in precipitating action, serves the speculative intellect as it stimulates acts of cognizing and understanding, thus leading to the acquisition of knowledge.
The amplitude of local angular motion of purines in DNA in solution

Nuclear magnetic resonance and optical experiments are combined to determine the rms amplitude of local angular motion of purines in DNA in solution. A 12 base-pair duplex DNA with the sequence d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 is deuterated at the H8 positions of adenine and guanine by exchange with solvent at 55 degrees C. The deuterium nmr spectrum of this DNA is measured at 30 mg/mL at 30 degrees C in an 11.76 Tesla magnet (76.75 MHz). The time-resolved fluorescence polarization anisotropies (FPA) of this same sample and also a greatly diluted sample (0.215 mg/mL) were measured after addition of ethidium. FPA measurements of the dilute sample yield the hydrodynamic radius, RH = 9.94 +/- 0.2 A, while those at the nmr concentration are employed to characterize the collective motions in terms of either an enhanced viscosity or dimer formation. The rms amplitude of local angular motion was determined by analyzing the 2H-nmr spectrum, in particular the line width, using recently developed theory for the transverse relaxation rate (RQ2) together with essential information about the collective motions from these and other optical studies. When the principal-axis frame of the electric field gradient tensor is assumed to undergo overdamped libration around each of its three body-fixed axes in an isotropic deflection potential, then the rms amplitude of local angular motion around any single axis is found to lie in the range 10 degrees-11 degrees, provided the high DNA concentration acts to enhance the viscosity, and is about 9 degrees-11 degrees, if it acts to produce end-to-end dimers. The proton nmr relaxation data of Eimer et al. are reanalyzed and shown to yield an rms amplitude of angular motion of the cytosine H5-H6 internuclear vector of 9 degrees-10 degrees, depending upon its orientation with respect to the helix axis. In all of these analyses, full account is taken of the collective twisting and bending deformations, which have a small but significant effect on the results. It is shown that the rms amplitudes of local angular motion do not depend strongly on the model (potential), provided that isotropic rotation around the same number of axes is allowed and that one compares rms angles of the same dimensionality. The rms amplitudes of local angular motion in solution are comparable to those observed for the same sequence at low levels of hydration in the solid state.
Chromaffin-cell tumours. A review of 10 cases.

Experiences with 10 cases of phaeochromocytoma are recorded. Seven of them were located in the suprarenals, and 3 were in a rare ectopic location. We feel that there are lessons to be learnt from this series and that it should be reported, in spite of the Acient Athenian proverb which says: 'Do not bring mother owl to the City, there are already too many….
Why iron? A spin-polarized conceptual density functional theory study on metal-binding specificity of porphyrin.

Heme is a key cofactor of hemoproteins in which porphyrin is often found to be preferentially metalated by the iron cation. In our previous work [Feng, X. T.; Yu, J. G.; Lei, M.; Fang, W. H.; Liu, ...
Solving Inverse ODE Using Bezier Functions

The simplest inverse boundary value problem is to identify the differential equation and the boundary conditions from a given set of discrete data points. For an ordinary differential equation, it would involve finding a function, which when expressed through some function of itself and its derivatives, and integrated using particular boundary conditions would generate the given data. Parametric Bezier functions are excellent candidates for these functions. They allow efficient approximation of data and its derivative content. The Bezier function is smooth and continuous to a high degree. In this paper the best Bezier function to fit the data represents this function which is being sought. This Bezier approximation also determines the boundary conditions. Next, a generic form of the differential equation is assumed. The Bezier function and its derivatives are then used in this generic form to establish the exponents and coefficients of the various terms in the actual differential equation. The paper looks at homogeneous ordinary differential equations and shows it can recover the exact form of both linear and nonlinear differential equations. Two examples are presented. The first example uses data from the Bessel equation, representing a linear equation. The second example uses the data from the Blassius equation which is nonlinear. In both cases the exact form of the equation is identified from the given discrete data.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Contribution of body mass index to postoperative outcome in minority patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to examine the association of body mass index (BMI) category with short-term outcomes in minority surgical patients—a relationship that previously has not been well characterized. METHODS: Data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program were used to calculate the BMI of minority patients undergoing surgery from 2005 to 2008. Patients were stratified into 5 BMI classes. Stepwise logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios for mortality after controlling for known clinically relevant covariates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity and mortality at 30 days, across all 5 BMI classes. RESULTS: Among 119,619 minority patients studied, 50% were African American, 36% Hispanic, 10% Asian and Pacific Islanders, and 4% American Indian and Alaskan natives. Seventy percent were overweight or obese. Women were more likely to be obese or severely obese. The overall mortality rate was 1.5%, and this varied significantly by BMI class. Distribution of 30-day mortality demonstrated a progressive decrease, with the highest risk of death in the underweight class, and the lowest risk of death in the severely obese class. This relationship was maintained, even in patients with at least 1 major postoperative complication. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of being overweight or obese was high in this nationally representative cohort of minority surgical patients. Although BMI class is a significant predictor of 30-day mortality, the effect appeared paradoxical. The poorest outcomes were in the underweight and normal BMI patients. Severely obese patients had the lowest risk of mortality, even after experiencing a major postoperative complication. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012; © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Non-Preemptive Min-Sum Scheduling with Resource Augmentation

We give the first O(l)-speed O(l) approximation polynomial-time algorithms for several nonpreemptive min-sum scheduling problems where jobs arrive over time and must be processed on one machine. More precisely, we give the first O(l)-speed O(l)-approximations for the non-preemptive scheduling problems; l|rj| SigmawjFj (weighted flow time), l |rj| SigmaTj (total tardiness), the broadcast version of 1 |rj| SigmawjFj , an O(I)-speed, 1-approximation for l |rj| Sigma U macrj (throughput maximization), and an O(l)-machine, O(l)-speed O(1)-approximation for l |rj| SigmawjTj (weighted tardiness). Our main contribution is an integer programming formulation whose relaxation is sufficiently close to the integer optimum, and which can be transformed to a schedule on a faster machine.
Postsplenectomy Infection in Cooley's Anemia*

IN an earlier paper1 19 cases of severe and fulminating infections, 6 terminating fatally, were reported in children after splenectomy for hematologic disorders. These observations confirmed previous experience2 3 4 that splenectomy in childhood appeared to influence susceptibility to infection. It was emphasized, however, that the incidence was small in comparison with the large number of splenectomies in children. The clinical types of infection were usually meningitis and sepsis. In a recent review Finland5 reached similar conclusions — namely, that infants and children splenectomized for serious hematologic disorders experienced a higher incidence and severity of bacterial infections than normal persons in at . . .
Cloning and characterization of a core histone gene tandem repeat in Urechis caupo.

Abstract A Urechis caupo histone gene tandem repeat has been isolated from a 5.0-kilobase EcoRI genomic library in lambda gtWES.lambda B. Genomic reconstruction experiments indicate that the cloned sequence is repeated approximately 100 times per haploid genome. Unique restriction fragments from the cloned sequence hybridize with individual core histone genes from a histone gene tandem repeat of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. No hybridization is detected when restriction digests are probed with a sea urchin H1 histone gene. Hybrid selection and in vitro translation of embryo mRNAs demonstrate that the clone contains sequences complementary to all four core histones; however, no H1 histone is detected among the translation products. Based on a restriction site map of the clone and the subcloned sequences which hybridize to the histone mRNAs, the order of the core histone genes in the clone is shown to be H3 H2A H2B H4. S1 nuclease hybrid protection mapping is used to locate the coding regions and to determine the transcript lengths of the core histone mRNAs. The transcript lengths of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 mRNAs are approximately 464, 438, 494, and 397 bases, respectively. The S1 nuclease mapping also demonstrates that H2A and H4 are transcribed from one DNA strand while H2B and H3 are transcribed from the other strand. In the tandem repeat, the genes are organized so that transcription of the H2A-H2B and H3-H4 gene pairs is divergent.
Role of Actin Microfilaments in Black Creek Canal Virus Morphogenesis

We have investigated the involvement of cytoskeletal proteins in the morphogenesis of Black Creek Canal virus (BCCV), a New World hantavirus. Immunofluorescent staining of BCCV-infected cells revealed a filamentous pattern of virus antigen, the appearance of which was sensitive to treatment with cytochalasin D, an actin microfilament-depolymerizing drug. Double immunofluorescence staining of BCCV-infected Vero cells with anti-BCCV nucleocapsid (N) monoclonal antibody and phalloidin revealed a colocalization of the BCCV N protein with actin microfilaments. A similar, though less prominent, filamentous pattern was observed in BHK21 cells transiently expressing the BCCV N protein alone but not in cells expressing the BCCV G1 and G2 glycoproteins. Moreover, the association of the N protein with actin microfilaments was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation with β-actin-specific antibody. Treatment of the BCCV-infected Vero cells at 3 days postinfection with cytochalasin D decreased the yield of released BCCV by 94% relative to the yield from untreated cells. Pretreatment of Vero cells with cytochalasin D prior to and during BCCV adsorption and entry had no effect on the outcome of virus production. These results indicate that actin filaments may play an important role in hantavirus assembly and/or release.
Removal of Actinides from Acidic Solution via Carrier‐Mediated Facilitated Transport Across Mesoporous Substrates with Nanoengineered Surfaces: Thiol Self‐Assembled Monolayers with D(tBu)ΦD(iBu)CMPO Ligands

Abstract The surface engineering of polycarbonate track‐etched (PCTE) membranes was performed to create a permselective membrane for the removal of trace levels of fission products and transuranic metals from acidic streams. Electroless gold deposition was used to place a gold coating on the PCTE substrates. The gold coating was subsequently functionalized through the formation of a self‐assembled monolayer of dodecanethiol, which was further functionalized with di‐(4‐t‐butylphenyl)‐N,N‐diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide. Transport characteristics of metal ions, 137Cs, 85Sr, 241Am, and 239Pu, were obtained using a two‐compartment diffusion apparatus. Transport studies showed that the functionalized membranes enhance the transport rates of 241Am and 239Pu and inhibit the transport of 137Cs and 85Sr. Diffusion studies over an extended time revealed that the facilitated transport characteristics of 239Pu through the ligand‐coated membranes are dependent on nitrate anion concentrations in the feed and s...
Human Studies of Calcium Supplementation and Colorectal Epithelial Cell Proliferation

The kinetics of colorectal epithelial cell proliferation (CECP) have been found to be altered in patients at increased risk for colon cancer. Altered CECP kinetics include an increase within the colon crypts of the overall proportion of proliferating cells (labeling index; LI) and the proportion of proliferating cells that are in the upper 40% of the crypts (phi h). Use of CECP as a biomarker to measure effects of calcium interventions on the colon has been reported in five small uncontrolled clinical trials, nine small randomized placebo-controlled trials, and three full-scale randomized placebo-controlled trials. All five uncontrolled trials indicated substantial and significant decreases in proliferation. Of the nine small controlled trials, three found statistically significant decreases in the LI, and the remainder were inconclusive because of insufficient sample size. Of the three full-scale trials, one found a decrease in, or normalization of, the phi h but no effect on the LI; a second found an increase in the phi h but no effect on the LI; and the third, which did not measure the phi h, also found no effect on the LI. Differences between the two full-scale trials that measured the phi h were that the negative trial was multicentered, used multiple types of bowel-cleansing preparations, had no baseline measurements of CECP, and had low intrareader reliability for CECP scoring. The positive trial was single centered, used no bowel-cleansing preparations, measured CECP prior to, and at three precise intervals after, randomization, and had high intrareader reliability for CECP scoring. The current literature indicates that in humans, it is unlikely that calcium supplementation can substantially lower CECP rates, but it may normalize the distribution of proliferating cells within colon crypts.
Electrophysiology of the facial nerve in hemifacial spasm: Ectopic/ephaptic excitation

Pathologic and pathophysiologic findings in hemifacial spasm are reviewed in connection with recent theoretical and experimental studies of ectopic/ephaptic excitation. The intracranial segment of the normal facial nerve is ensheathed by an arachnoid membrane only and shows no fascicular organization. In hemifacial spasm, this segment shows signs of demyelination. Several electrical phenomena relating to ectopic excitation, ephaptic transmission between facial nerve fibers, and autoexcitation can be reproduced in clinical electrophysiologic studies of hemifacial spasm. These abnormalities gradually disappear after facial nerve decompression in the cerebellopontine recess. It is concluded that the normal facial nerve is vulnerable to minor compression, the primary pathophysiologic mechanism in hemifacial spasm is ectopic/ephaptic excitation due to compression and demyelination of the intracranial segment of the facial nerve, and the facial nerve in hemifacial spasm is a useful model for the study of ephaptic transmission, which has provided new information about the resolution of abnormal electrical events after decompression.
Inherited Levels of A and B Types of Monoamine Oxidase Activity

In establishing the role of inherited variations in levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in neuropsychiatric diseases, it is important to measure levels of both A and B types of activity as they appear to be under separate genetic control. Levels of A and B types of activity can be evaluated in fibroblasts and platelets, respectively. A number of genes could be involved in determining levels of activity, including those coding for the catalytic and noncatalytic subunits of the enzyme, as well as those coding for enzymes involved in covalent attachment of the flavin cofactor, other processing steps, degradation of MAO, and lipid metabolism. Different genes may be critical in controlling activity levels in various cell types depending on differential expression of the genome. In order to establish the molecular basis of variation in activity, techniques should be employed to assess the structure and conformation of the enzyme, as well as the number of enzyme molecules and their interaction with other cellular components. Only by understanding the genetic and environmental factors controlling levels of A and B types of MAO activity can we hope to evaluate and manipulate the role of MAO in human neurophysiology.
A Contractualist Defense of Democratic Authority

. This paper provides a defense of the following thesis: When there is reasonable disagreement over the design of morally necessary collective action schemes, it would not be reasonable to reject the authority of a democratic decision procedure to settle these disputes. My first argument is a straightforward application of contractualist reasoning, and mirrors T. M. Scanlon's defense of a principle of fairness for the distribution of benefits produced by a cooperative scheme. My second argument develops and defends the intuition that treating others morally requires respecting their exercise of moral judgment, or a sense of justice. I conclude by addressing the problem of disagreement over the design of the democratic decision procedure itself, and rebutting Jeremy Waldron's claim that democratic authority is incompatible with judicial review.
On flows in bidirected graphs

Bouchet conjectured that every bidirected graph which admits a nowhere-zero bidirected flow will admit a nowhere-zero bidirected 6-flow [A. Bouchet, Nowhere-zero integer flows on a bidirected graph, J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 34 (1983) 279-292]. He proved that this conjecture is true with 6 replaced by 216. Zyka proved in his Ph.D dissertation that it is true with 6 replaced by 30. Khelladi proved it is true with 6 replaced with 18 for 4-connected graphs [A. Khelladi, Nowhere-zero integer chains and flows in bidirected graphs, J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 43 (1987) 95-115]. In this paper, we prove that Bouchet's conjecture is true for 6-edge connected bidirected graphs.
Authors' response [to comments on "On the self-generation of electrical soliton pulses"]

For the authors' original paper see ibid., vol.42, no.8, p.1657-1668, (2007). For comments by G.J.Ballantyne see ibid., p.1491 (2008).
Demodex injai: a new species of hair follicle mite (Acari: Demodecidae) from the domestic dog (Canidae).

Demodex injai sp. nov. is described from the hair follicles of a domestic dog in Columbus, OH in October 1996. The mites occupy follicles from the orifice down to and into the sebaceous glands. The individual host may harbor both this new species and D. canis. A comparison of these two species is provided for identification purposes.
The orbital surgeon.

While the number of orbital surgeons is limited, it is hoped these can be recognized and patients referred to them by ophthalmologists not interested or trained in that specialty. Let the orbital surgeon determine whether he can handle the problem in 1 to 2 days, or whether a neurosurgeon should do the procedure or make it a joint effort. It may well involve other specialty team effort approaches. It is essential to have an understanding of x-rays, CT, angiography, and MRI techniques and films. Sit with these specialists to learn more and help to avoid negative, misdiagnosis reports in the interest of the patient. Use judgement in helping the patient decide on ophthalmic or the more extensive neurosurgical approach after careful study and what is in their best interest. The team approach is used in well established medical centers with the ophthalmologist and neurosurgeon (or other specialist) working together in the best interest of the patient. This is more interesting and keeps the ophthalmologist in the mainstream of medicine.
Regulation of glucose transporters GLUT-4 and GLUT-1 gene transcription in denervated skeletal muscle

Because GLUT-4 expression is decreased whereas GLUT-1 expression is increased in denervated skeletal muscle, we examined the effects of denervation on GLUT-4 and GLUT-1 gene transcription. The right hindlimb skeletal muscle of male transgenic mice containing sequential truncations (2,400, 1,639, 1,154, and 730 bp) of the human GLUT-4 promoter linked to the chloramphenacol acyl transferase (CAT) gene was denervated, and the contralateral hindlimb was sham operated. RNase protection analysis revealed that after 72 h denervation decreased CAT mRNA and GLUT-4 mRNA levels 64-85%, respectively (P < 0.05), in the gastrocnemius muscles. In contrast, denervation of the right hindlimb of male rats increased GLUT-1 gene transcription and GLUT-1 mRNA levels by 94 and 213%, respectively (P < 0.05). In conclusion, GLUT-4 transcription is decreased but GLUT-1 transcription is increased in denervated skeletal muscle, suggesting that the effects of denervation on GLUT-4 and GLUT-1 expression are, in part, transcriptionally mediated. Furthermore, these data indicate that a DNA sequence regulated by denervation is located within 730 bp of the 5'-flanking promoter region of the human GLUT-4 gene.
Status of Radioactive Waste Disposal in U.S.A.

The main emphasis in research studies of liquid radioactive management has been: (1) Demonstration of the effectiveness and economic feasibility of conversion to solids of the higher level liquid wastes; (2) conversion to solids in place and in the ground for low and intermediate level waste; and (3) determination of the fate and hazard of the minor quantities of liquid waste discharged to the environment. For gaseous wastes, the emphasis has been on the removal of the various forms of iodine in the off-gas systems and the development of new methods for noble gas removal. For solid waste disposal, better containment has been sought, and private burial operations have been transferred to commercial burial grounds. The management of radioactive wastes has not proven to be a deterent to a nuclear power economy. The major problems remaining are methods of the removal of noble gases and tritium, development of methods of fuel reprocessing, and understanding of the movements of radionuclides in the environment.
Pursuing sinus rhythm in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: when is it too late?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a progressive disease. In patients with paroxysmal AF at initial clinical evaluation, progression to persistent forms is documented in approximately 10% at 1 year, 25% to 30% at 5 years, and >50% beyond 10 years despite pharmacologic therapy ([1–6][1]). Once AF becomes
Z-pinch-driven fast ignition fusion studies at sandia national laboratories

AbstractPulsed-power machines can deliver large electrical energies to Z-pinches, which efficiently convert this energy into X-rays that can indirectly drive capsule implosions to obtain high-fusion fuel (D-T) densities. Presently, the Z machine generates 1.0 to 1.8 MJ of soft X-rays radiated from various Z-pinch loads. This output should be roughly doubled when Z is upgraded to ZR in 2006, making ZR an excellent machine to compress materials for fast ignition studies. The Z-Beamlet Laser (ZBL) has been installed adjacent to Z and is currently being used for X-ray backlighting. Presently, ZBL delivers up to 2 TW of 2ω (526-nm-wavelength) light in pulses up to 1 ns long. Chirped-pulsed amplification is being added to the ZBL, which will increase the power a thousandfold enabling integrated fast ignitor experiments to be performed on the ZR facility beginning in 2007. Numerical simulations and analytic scaling, which have been performed to design such experiments, are presented in this paper.
The Justification Gap: Exploring the Interactive Effects of Context and Accountability in Accounting Decisions

In this paper, we examine the effects of accountability and context on perceptions regarding the justifiability of a decision and on the tendency to compromise. We predict that the interaction of accountability and the context in which choices are presented will lead to a “justification gap” - a difference between the accountant’s perception and a third party’s perception regarding the justifiability of a decision. We also predict that the gap will be largest when the need for justification is high. We test our predictions using an experimental task that required subjects (graduate tax students and tax professionals) to make a judgment about the appropriate tax treatment of costs associated with the expansion of a business. Under conditions of low accountability, a compromise effect is observed, consistent with our theoretical predictions. However, with high accountability, most subjects exhibit a non-normative preference for extreme positions, while subjects who compromise behave in a manner consistent with the proposed justification gap.
An Essential Guide to Demand

Following Johnson (1913) we construct value elasticities from marginal rates of substitution and show four properties are one and the same at the lower bound of demand: The value elasticity is greater than or equal to one. Demand is inelastic. The cross price elasticity is negative. Positive indifference curves require positive amounts of the good. For general demand functions we show that if demand has a lower bound greater than zero then at this lower bound, demand is inelastic and cross price elasticities are on average negative. These results demonstrate that necessity is the essential guide to demand.
Spontaneous skin temperature oscillations in normal human subjects.

A noninvasive method based on high-resolution measurements and bandpass filtering of spontaneous skin temperature oscillations (approximately 4.0 x 10(-2) degrees C) in the low-frequency range (0.0...
Preparedness of practicing pediatricians in Louisiana to manage emergencies.

BACKGROUND: Surveys in recent years show that office emergencies are likely to occur in pediatric offices and that most offices are not equipped to deal with these situations. METHODS: To determine the pediatrician's preparedness to manage emergencies, we surveyed a randomly selected sample of 240 office-based pediatricians in Louisiana. We asked for information about basic and advanced cardiac life support training of the physicians and staff, availability of office equipment and medications, prearranged emergency plans, and staff preparedness. RESULTS: Only 73% of pediatricians were trained in pediatric advanced life support (PALS). Of all support staff, only 48% were trained in basic life support, and 30% were trained in PALS. The most common deficiencies in equipment included intraosseous needles (62%), endotracheal tubes (54%), oxygen tanks (39%), intravenous catheters (29%), and nebulizers (22%). Availability of medications ranged from 75% for epinephrine 1:1,000 to 22% for calcium chloride. Although two thirds of the pediatricians had designed emergency plans for their offices, only 20% were conducting mock drills. CONCLUSIONS: Deficiencies exist among pediatricians and office staff regarding appropriate levels of preparedness to handle pediatric emergencies. Recommendations are made to attain appropriate levels of preparedness. Language: en
Humans confront the Last Glacial Maximum in Western Europe: Reflections on the Solutrean weaponry phenomenon in the broader contexts of technological change and cultural adaptation

Abstract Lithic weapon tips have existed at least since the Middle Paleolithic. Beginning in the Early Upper Paleolithic of Europe, bladelet (a.k.a. microblade) elements used as edges, barbs or tips were added to the repertoire of weapon technology. Various forms thereof are present in Aurignacian, Gravettian, Solutrean and Magdalenian assemblages. In the Solutrean, they are found together with large stone points (foliate, shouldered, stemmed), presumably used on different kinds of weapons (thrusting spears, hand-thrown javelins, atl-atl darts and perhaps even bow-propelled arrows). These different kinds of weapon systems existed throughout the Upper Paleolithic under both stadial and interstadial conditions and, once invented (or re-invented) seem to have been variations on the same classes of projectiles whose functional distinctions remain to be identified. Nonetheless, in the Solutrean context during the Last Glacial Maximum (c. 25–20 cal ka), developments in weaponry (including the use of bladelets along with the better-known Solutrean points) were parts of a suite of adaptations to extreme environmental conditions ranging from territorial contraction into refugia in SW Europe to subsistence intensification.
DISTRIBUTION OF MUTAROTASE IN SUBFRACTIONS OF RAT INTESTINAL MUCOSA AND RAT KIDNEY.

Summary1. A method for assaying the enzyme mutarotase in rat kidney and rat intestine was developed. 2. Kidney contains considerably more enzyme than intestine and the activity appears to be concentrated in the tubules. 3. Intestinal mucosa was fractionated into brush border and supernatant fractions by the method of Crane. Brush border membrane contained most of the mucosal invertase but little of the mutarotase. Ninety per cent of the mutarotase remained in a supernatant fraction after removal of brush border. 4. The possible implications of these findings in connection with mechanism of sugar transport are discussed.