cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Circuits of Visibility: Gender and Transnational Media Cultures

The chapters in Circuits of Visibility: Gender and Transnational Media Cultures, edited by Radha Sarma Hegde, address a variety of media and mediated environments such as the representations of vio...
Nonpoint source water pollution abatement and the feasibility of voluntary programs

This article details a case study of a voluntary, decentralized institutional arrangement for nonpint source water pollution control used in the Root River watershed in southeastern Wisconsin. This watershed was chosen because of its mix of urban, agricultural, and urbanizing land uses. The project objectives were to monitor and draw conclusions about the effectiveness of a voluntary, decentralized institutional system, to specify deficiencies of the approach and suggest means to correct them, and to use the conclusions to speculate about the need for regulations regarding nonpoint source pollution control or the appropriateness of financial incentives for nonpoint source control. Institutional factors considered include diversity of land uses in the watershed, educational needs, economic conditions, personality, water quality, number of agencies involved, definition of authority, and bureaucratic requirements
S68-02 The involvement of BDNF in pathogenesis and treatment of depression

Aims Data suggest the involvement of monoaminergic and neurotrophic systems in the pathogenesis and treatment major depressive disorder (MDD). We are particularly interested in their interaction, and therefore studied monoaminergic mechanisms in a series of functional imaging studies using positron emission tomography (PET). Methods Patients with a history of severe trauma and a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with and without a co-morbid diagnosis of MDD, patients with a diagnosis of MDD and PTSD alone and healthy control with and without a history of severe trauma were studied. Selective radiotracers for the serotonin 1B receptor subtype, the serotonin transporter and the norepinephrine transporter were synthesized using GE's FXC module and/or Bioscan's AutoLoop by methylation with C-11 methyl triflate or C-11 methyl iodide, respectively. Following a transmission scan, the radiotracers were injected by pump over one min and high resolution research tomography (HRRT) list mode data were acquired for 120 min on a HRRT. A summed image was created and registered to the subject's T1-weighted MR images, which, in turn, were registered to an MR template. Results We found evidence for distinctly different neurobiological mechanisms in patients with MDD and PTSD relative to patients with only one diagnosis. Conclusions Our data suggest biological endophentotypes for co-morbid PTSD and MDD which will not only support further research on the neurobiological systems that implement the psychopathology, but may stimulate translational research to develop preventive or treatment interventions for co-morbid patients.
Screening college students for alcohol problems: psychometric assessment of the SASSI-2. Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory.

Objective: This study examined the psychometric properties of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI-2) with college students. Method: The first part of the study examined the test-retest reliability of the SASSI-2 at 2-week (n = 55) and 4-week (n = 47) intervals with students recruited from introductory psychology courses. The second part used a new sample of 164 college students to assess the internal consistency of the SASSI-2 subscales, the relationship of the SASSI-2 with other common alcohol screening instruments, and its reactivity to response biases. Participants completed the SASSI-2 under standard instructions, or instructions to minimize any alcohol problems they might have (fake good), or to exaggerate any alcohol problems they might have (fake bad). They then completed the CAGE, MAC and MAST under those measures' standard instructions. Results: The 2-week and 4-week test-retest reliability of the SASSI-2 subscales was moderate to high, but the test-retest reliability for overal...
Automated trinocular stereo imaging system for three-dimensional surface wave measurements

Abstract A novel automated trinocular stereo imaging system (ATSIS) is developed for non-intrusively measuring the temporal evolution of three-dimensional wave characteristics. The system consists of three progressive digital cameras to provide three independent stereo-pairs, i.e. left–right, left–center, and center–right, for accurately estimating depth of a scene. A third camera assists to resolve correspondence problems due to specular reflection on the water surface and provides additional constraints on image matching, dramatically reducing the chance of a mismatch. An oblique configuration for the trinocular system effectively increases spatial coverage, allowing observations of wave phenomena over a broad range of spatial scales. The height resolution is increased with the optical axes of the cameras pointed at an oblique angle with respect to vertical surface wave displacements. A new exterior calibration procedure is developed in this paper to determine the orientation of cameras in the field. Field experiments demonstrate that ATSIS can robustly measure hundreds of matched image points in seconds, allowing fast extraction of the temporal evolution of a three-dimensional surface wave field.
Squamous acanthoma of the oral mucosa

Abstract Eight cases of a heretofore unreported pathologic entity termed squamous acanthoma are described. The lesion, which has no distinctive clinical appearance by which it can be identified, may occur virtually anywhere on the oral mucosa. It is seen predominantly in older men. The lesion is histologically distinct and consists of a well-delineated elevated and/or umbilicated epithelial proliferation with a markedly thickened layer of orthokeratin. It is postulated that the lesion is caused by trauma and develops its characteristic morphology by a series of epithelial alterations, beginning with pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia.
1068. Plasmid DNA Sequences Present in Conventional HSV Amplicon Vectors Cause and Rapid Transgene Silencing by Inactive Chromatin Formation

The HSV-based amplicon vector, a bacteria-virus-mammalian cell shuttle system, holds promise as a versatile gene delivery vehicle because of its large transgene capacity. However, amplicon-mediated transgene expression is often transient. We hypothesized that the presence of prokaryotic DNA sequences within the packaged vector genome can trigger transcriptional silencing of the entire vector sequence. To test this, we constructed a novel amplicon vector devoid of bacterial sequences (minicircle amplicon). Although the same dose of the minicircle (MC) amplicon vector in normal human fibroblasts resulted in expression of luciferase approximately 20 times higher than that produced by the conventional amplicon vector, no significant difference was observed in copy numbers of luciferase DNA between MC amplicon- and control-transduced cells. Quantitative analyses of levels of luciferase mRNA revealed that differential expression of luciferase was controlled at the transcriptional level. Chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR analyses of several regions of vector genomes revealed that the bacterial sequences found in the conventional amplicon DNA were associated with an inactive form of chromatin immediately after infection. The presence of bacterial sequences also affected the remaining vector sequences in the conventional amplicon vector. Similar results were obtained with nondividing normal human astrocytes in culture, precluding the possibility that this phenomenon is fibroblast specific. Finally, nude mice injected with MC amplicon exhibited higher and more sustained expression of luciferase than those injected with conventional amplicon, confirming the usefulness of the MC amplicon devoid of bacterial sequences. These findings are a significant first step towards developing a novel herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicon vector that can achieve enhanced long-term transgene expression.
Fractionation of sialyl oligosaccharides of human milk by ion-exchange chromatography

Abstract The sialyl oligosaccharides of human milk are partially separated by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose in acetic acid-pyridine buffers, pH 5.4. One neutral and seven sialyl oligosaccharide fractions are obtained in essentially quantitative yields. The method permits the large-scale preparation of sialyl oligosaccharide fractions from which individual sialyl oligosaccharides may be purified without the necessity of preparative high-voltage paper electrophoresis.
Quantum derivation of K-distributed noise for finite 〈N〉

Semiclassical derivations of the fluctuations of light beams have relied on limiting procedures in which the average number, 〈N〉, of scattering elements, photons, or superposed wave packets approaches infinity. We show that the fluctuations of thermal light having a Bose–Einstein photon distribution and of light with an amplitude distribution based on the modified Bessel functions, Kα−1, which has been found useful in describing light scattered from or through turbulent media, may be derived with a quantum-mechanical analysis as the superposition of a random number, N, of single-photon eigenstates with finite 〈N〉. The analysis also provides the P representation for K-distributed noise. Generalizations of K noise are proposed. The factor-of-2 increase in the photon-number second factorial moment related to photon clumping in the Hanbury Brown–Twiss effect for thermal (Gaussian) fields is shown to arise generally in these random superposition models, even for non-Gaussian fields.
Contracts, livestock, and the Bernoulli process: an application of statistics to B. Traven's ‘Cattle Drive’

Abstract One of the pivotal devices B. Traven employs in his short story ‘The Cattle Drive’ is a contract between the cattle owner and the trail boss who brings the livestock to market. By specifying a per-diem rate, the contract appears to encourage a wage-maximizing trail boss to delay the delivery of the cattle. However, a statistical model of the contract demonstrates that a rational trail boss has an incentive to maintain a rapid rate of travel. The article concludes that statistics can be applied in non-traditional ways such as to the analysis of the plot of a fictional story. The statistical model suggests plausible alternative endings to the story based on various parameter assumptions. Finally, it demonstrates that a well-crafted story can provide an excellent case study of how contracts create incentives and influence decision-making.
Intersection of parametric surfaces by means of look-up tables

When primitive parametric surfaces are combined and modified inferactively to form complex intersecting surfaces, it becomes important to find the curves of intersection. One must distinguish between finding the shape of the intersection curve, which might only be useful for display, and finding an accurate mathematical representation of the curve. The latter is important for any meaningful geometric modeling, analysis, design, or manufacture involving the intersection. The intersection curve between parametric surfaces is important in such computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) functions as shape design, analysis of groins, design of fillets, and computation of numerically controlled tooling paths. The algorithm presented here provides an adequately accurate mathematical representation of the intersection curve. It also provides a database to simplify such operations as hidden-surface removal, surface rendering, profile identification, and interference or clearance computations. Further, the algorithm facilitates creating and changing a finite element mesh in the intersection region.
Critical Illness and Low Testosterone: Effects of Human Serum on Testosterone Transport into Rat Brain and Liver*

Patients with acute illness, e.g. general surgery, burns, or respiratory failure, are known to manifest a marked decrease of their plasma testosterone level which is corrected after the initial insult is eliminated. Since nonthyroidal illness is associated with an inhibition of thyroid hormone-binding plasma proteins, the present study was undertaken to examine the effects of acute illness on testosterone-binding plasma proteins. Serum was obtained from 10 patients (mean age, 43 yr) hospitalized in the intensive care unit and from 9 male controls (mean age, 31 yr). The patient sera were characterized by the following changes, compared with the control sera: total serum testosterone was decreased 66% from 441 ± 68 to 151 ± 34 ng/100 ml; serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was increased 35%, and albumin was decreased 24%; and the free (dialyzable) testosterone fraction was not significantly changed, but the non-SHBG-bound fraction was decreased 35%. The effects of patient and control sera on the unidi...
Variable Frequency Microwave Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles based on a polyol process and variable frequency microwave (VFM) was investigated. Comparing to a thermal method, the reaction by VFM radiation was much faster. The effects of silver nitrate concentration, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature were studied. It was found that the higher concentration of silver nitrate, longer reaction time and higher temperature increased the particle size while the higher concentration of PVP decreased the particle size.
HIV-1 Integration in the Human Genome Favors Active Genes and Local Hotspots

A defining feature of HIV replication is integration of the proviral cDNA into human DNA. The selection of chromosomal targets for integration is crucial for efficient viral replication, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Here we describe mapping of 524 sites of HIV cDNA integration on the human genome sequence. Genes were found to be strongly favored as integration acceptor sites. Global analysis of cellular transcription indicated that active genes were preferential integration targets, particularly genes that were activated in cells after infection by HIV-1. Regional hotspots for integration were also found, including a 2.4 kb region containing 1% of sites. These data document unexpectedly strong biases in integration site selection and suggest how selective targeting promotes aggressive HIV replication.
Terahertz harmonic generation from Bloch oscillating superlattices in quasi-optical arrays

We explored harmonic generation by Bloch oscillation in miniband superlattices driven by intense THz radiation from the UCSB free electron lasers, as a function of both THz intensity and applied DC bias. To accomplish this we integrated micrometers size superlattice mesas in a quasi-optical array which amplified a plane wave incident normal to the array and coupled it into the growth direction of the superlattice. We were able to successfully measure both second and third harmonic generation quantitatively. The harmonics are compared to a quasi-classical picture of Bloch oscillation.
Application of the Weibull density function to describe the δ′ (Al3Li) particle size distribution in binary AlLi alloys

Abstract In this paper the results of a quantitative transmission electron microscopy investigation of the shape of the δ′ (Al3Li) particle size distribution (PSD) in a series of binary AlLi alloys containing between 2.4 and 4.5 wt. % Li are described. The isothermal aging times were varied from 12 h to 10 days at 200 and 225°C. PSDs were determined for the various aging conditions. The shape of the PSDs was found to be a function of lithium content. Alloys containing 2.4 wt. % Li tended to have a long tail on the left side of the distribution curve (a coefficient of skewness of less than zero), and alloys with more than 4 wt.% Li tended to have a long tail on the right side of the distribution curve (a coefficient of skewness greater than zero). The PSDs were modeled using the Weibull density function which has the form p(x) = abx b−1 exp ( − ax b ) Both the a and the b parameters systematically decreased with increasing lithium content. The changes in a and b resulted in a series of distributions in which the shape of the PSD changed progressively from a negatively to a positively skewed distribution with increasing lithium content. The linear regression equations relating lithium content [Li] in weight per cent to the value of the respective parameters were determined to be a = 0.94 − 0.03[ Li ] b = 5.80 − 0.52[ Li ] The above expressions were found to be independent of aging time and temperature over the ranges investigated. With these expressions the shape of the δ PSD can be predicted, simply by knowing the composition.
Improved solvent systems for liquid scintillation counting of body fluids and tissues

Abstract Several systems capable of incorporating body fluids or tissues in a liquid scintillation counting solvent have been compared. Body fluids and water are counted most efficiently in a Hyamine-10X-methanol-toluene system. Moist tissues are readily ground in a Triton-X-100- toluene mixture and the counting efficiency approaches that of toluene.
Carotenoid synthesis and pleiotropic effects in carotenoid-deficient seedlings of maize

Plastid-envelope membranes from seedlings ofZea mays L. made carotenoid-deficient by either norflurazon treatment or mutation lack an activity permitting conversion of phytoene to β-carotene. This activity in membrane fractions was measured by coincubation in vitro with a soluble system from spinach chloroplasts capable of converting [(14)C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate into phytoene. When grown in light, the carotenoid-deficient seedlings lack many soluble chloroplast proteins, including NADP-dependent malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40), pyruvate phosphate dikinase (EC 2.7.9.1), and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.39), but apparently still contain the soluble activities permitting synthesis of phytoene.
Atlas injury mechanisms during head-first impact.

Study Design. An in vitro biomechanical study.Objectives. To investigate atlas injury mechanisms due to horizontally-aligned head-first impacts of a cadaveric neck model and to document atlas fracture patterns and associated injuries.Summary of Background Data. Experimental atlas injuries have been created by applying compression or radial forces to isolated C1 vertebrae, dropping weight or applying sagittal moments to upper cervical spine segments, or vertical drop testing of head-neck specimens or whole cadavers. Atlas injuries that commonly occur due to horizontally-aligned head-first impacts have not been previously investigated.Methods. Horizontally-aligned head-first impacts into a padded barrier were simulated at 4.1 m/s using a human cadaver neck model mounted horizontally to a torso-equivalent mass on a sled and carrying a surrogate head. Atlantal radial force was computed using head and neck load cell data. Post-impact dissection documented atlas and associated injuries. Average atlantal radial force peaks and their occurrence times were statistically compared (P Language: en
Broadband Microresonator-Based Parametric Frequency Comb near Visible Wavelengths

We demonstrate broadband frequency comb generation spanning over 700 nm from 830 to 1540 nm in a dispersion-engineered Si3N4 microresonator. To our knowledge, this is the broadest parametric comb generated near the visible wavelength range.
A self-dual Yang-Mills hierarchy and its reductions to integrable systems in 1+1 and 2+1 dimensions

The self-dual Yang-Mills equations play a central role in the study of integrable systems. In this paper we develop a formalism for deriving a four dimensional integrable hierarchy of commuting nonlinear flows containing the self-dual Yang-Mills flow as the first member. We show that upon appropriate reduction and suitable choice of gauge group it produces virtually all well known hierarchies of soliton equations in 1+1 and 2+1 dimensions and can be considered as a “universal” integrable hierarchy. Prototypical examples of reductions to classical soliton equations are presented and related issues such as recursion operators, symmetries, and conservation laws are discussed.
Confirmation of thin surface residual compressive stress in silica glass fiber by FTIR reflection spectroscopy

Abstract Recently, a new method of glass strengthening for silica glass fibers was proposed and demonstrated. The method involves the process of surface stress relaxation while the glass fiber is subjected to a tensile stress. Upon release of the applied tensile stress, the glass fiber acquires a residual surface compressive stress which can make the glass fiber stronger. The presence and magnitude of residual surface stress in the fibers were evaluated by observing the permanent bending of 1) fibers that were bent, heat-treated, and released, as well as 2) fibers that were heated while held under a uniaxial tensile stress, released, and then sliced. Direct observation of birefringence due to surface residual stress in the treated fibers was not possible due to the extremely thin surface layer of the residual stress. In this work, the previously evaluated magnitude of residual surface stress formed in silica fibers was confirmed by observing a shift of an IR reflection silica structural band after both bending and uniaxial tensile treatments at a temperature far below the glass transition temperature.
Computational matrix representation modules for linear operators with explicit constructions for a class of Lie operators

A linear mapping from a finite-dimensional linear space to another has a matrix representation. Certain multilinear functions are also matrix-representable. Using these representations, symbolic computations can be done numerically and hence more efficiently. This paper presents an organized procedure for constructing matrix representations for a class of linear operators on finite-dimensional spaces. First we present serial number functions for locating basis monomials in the linear space of homogeneous polynomials of fixed degree, ordered under structured lexicographies. Next basic lemmas describing the modular structure of matrix representations for operators constructed canonically from elementary operators are presented. Using these results, explicit matrix representations are then given for the Lie derivative and Lie-Poisson bracket operators defined on spaces of homogeneous polynomials. In particular, they are comprised of blocks obtained as Kronecker sums of modular components, each corresponding to specific Jordan blocks. At an implementation level, recursive programming is applied to construct these modular components explicitly. The results are also applied to computing power series approximations for the center manifold of a dynamical system. In this setting, the linear operator of interest is parameterized by two matrices, a generalization of the Lie-Poission bracket.
Circadian rhythms of Per2::Luc in individual primary mouse hepatocytes and cultures.

Background Hepatocytes, the parenchymal cells of the liver, express core clock genes, such as Period2 and Cryptochrome2, which are involved in the transcriptional/translational feedback loop of the circadian clock. Whether or not the liver is capable of sustaining rhythms independent of a central pacemaker is controversial. Whether and how circadian information may be shared among cells in the liver in order to sustain oscillations is currently unknown.
Collection and Characterization of Samples for Establishment of a Serum Repository for Lyme Disease Diagnostic Test Development and Evaluation

Serological assays and a two-tiered test algorithm are recommended for laboratory confirmation of Lyme disease. In the United States, the sensitivity of two-tiered testing using commercially available serology-based assays is dependent on the stage of infection and ranges from 30% in the early localized disease stage to near 100% in late-stage disease. Other variables, including subjectivity in reading Western blots, compliance with two-tiered recommendations, use of different first- and second-tier test combinations, and use of different test samples, all contribute to variation in two-tiered test performance. The availability and use of sample sets from well-characterized Lyme disease patients and controls are needed to better assess the performance of existing tests and for development of improved assays. To address this need, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health prospectively collected sera from patients at all stages of Lyme disease, as well as healthy donors and patients with look-alike diseases. Patients and healthy controls were recruited using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Samples from all included patients were retrospectively characterized by two-tiered testing. The results from two-tiered testing corroborated the need for novel and improved diagnostics, particularly for laboratory diagnosis of earlier stages of infection. Furthermore, the two-tiered results provide a baseline with samples from well-characterized patients that can be used in comparing the sensitivity and specificity of novel diagnostics. Panels of sera and accompanying clinical and laboratory testing results are now available to Lyme disease serological test users and researchers developing novel tests.
Functional and Evolutionary Dynamics of Polymorphic Esterases in Catostomid Fishes

Abstract Functional and evolutionary dynamics of polymorphic esterases in catostomid fishes are discussed using Catostomus clarki from the Colorado River to develop a consideration of patterns of variation. Since esterase phenotypes among other closely related species provide support for some of the hypotheses formulated from investigations of C. clarki, brief mention is made of C. santaanae, C. platyrhynchus, C. discobolus, C. columbianus, C. plebeius, and C. insignis. A model is presented which allows conceptualization of the relationship existing between functional characteristics of the Es-I esterases in catostomid fishes and their geographic pattern of gene frequency variation.
FlowGraph: A compound hierarchical graph for flow field exploration

Visual exploration of large and complex 3D flow fields is critically important for understanding many aero- and hydro-dynamical systems that dominate various physical and natural phenomena in the world. In this paper, we introduce the FlowGraph, a novel compound graph representation that organizes streamline clusters and spatial regions hierarchically for occlusion-free and controllable visual exploration. Our approach works with any seeding strategies as long as the domain is well covered and important flow features are captured. By transforming a flow field to a graph representation, we enable observation and exploration of the relationships among streamline clusters, spatial regions and their interconnection in the transformed space. The FlowGraph not only provides a visual mapping that abstracts streamline clusters and spatial regions in various levels of detail, but also serves as a navigation tool that guides flow field exploration and understanding. Through brushing and linking in conjunction with the spatial streamline view, we demonstrate the effectiveness of FlowGraph with several visual exploration and comparison tasks that can not be well accomplished using the streamline view alone. As occlusion and clutter are almost ubiquitous in 3D flows, the FlowGraph represents a promising direction for enhancing our ability to understand large and complex flow field data.
Reply to ’’Comment on ’Simulation of high‐field transport in GaAs using a Monte Carlo method and pseudopotential band structures’ and on ’Band‐structure dependent transport and impact ionization in GaAs’ ’’

Using semiclassical Monte Carlo simulations and the band structure as calculated by the empirical pseudopotential method, we show that the electron‐phonon scattering rate in GaAs exceeds 1014 s−1. As a consequence, impact ionization of ballistic (lucky) electrons becomes extremely unlikely. The objections of Capasso et al. to our treatment are discussed in detail and shown to be physically of minor importance.
Automatic synthesis of crank driven four-bar mechanisms for two, three, or four-position motion generation

The synthesis of motion generation of crank driven four-bar mechanisms designed to go through two, three, or four precision positions based on optimization theory and rectified synthesis are discussed. The techniques for automatic synthesis presented have been implemented in the interactive synthesis package RECSYN.
Basic rest-activity cycle rhythms in the human auditory evoked response ☆

Abstract Two experiments are reported in this study. In the first, the N 2 latency and P 2 N 2 amplitude of the vertex-recorded averaged auditory evoked response (AER) to click stimuli were studied in 14 normal children for a total of 23 nights. Changes in amplitude and latency measurements were studied as a function of elapsed time during REM sleep, and during Stage 2 sleep as a function of proximity to an episode of REM sleep. While no significant group changes were noted, it was observed that in many cases there were regular increases or decreases in AER latency or amplitude during episodes of REM sleep or during Stage 2 sleep as a function of proximity to REM sleep. It was hypothesized that regular changes might be occurring in the amplitude and latency characteristics of the AER independent of stage of sleep. The second experiment was designed to test this hypothesis. One normal infant aged 3 months, 8 normal children aged 35–56 months, and 1 normal adult aged 34 years, were studied. Infant and child subjects were continuously studied during 7–9 h of the night and the adult subject was studied for a 24 h period. AERs were continuously recorded throughout each experiment and tagged as to their time in relation to the beginning of the experiment and as to the state of the subject at the time they were recorded. N 2 latency and P 2 N 2 amplitude were measured in each AER. The data were ordered as a function of time and regressed on to a series of sine-cosine wave forms whose periods ranged from 10 to 280 min. The percent of the variance in latency or amplitude measurements accounted for by each sine-cosine pair was calculated and graphed. The results showed that the amplitude and latency characteristics of the AER oscillated rhythmically throughout each experiment, the period of the oscillations matching that of the basic rest-activity cycle (BRAC) previously described as characteristic of nervous system function by Kleitman. The period of the BRAC varies from 40–60 min in infants to 90–110 min in adults. F values generated by the regression analyses were used to estimate the probability that cyclical increases and decreases had occurred in the AER measurements. Such increases and decreases in amplitude and latency were found in all 10 cases at a significant level. The "latency cycle" accounted for 17.6–39.3% of the latency variance in each case, while the "amplitude cycle" accounted for 7.2–30.0% of the variance in amplitude measurements.
Nostalgia for the Family Holiday Vacation

Are We There Yet? The Golden Age of American Family Vacations Susan Sessions Rugh Lawrence, Kansas, University of Kansas Press, 2008, ISBN 978-0-7006-1588-9 Theme Park Scott A. Lukas London, Reakti...
Chronic radium intoxication: clinical and autopsy findings in long-term New Jersey survivors.

Several cases of chronic radium intoxication are presented. The cases include clinical, radiological, and autopsy findings. All of the cases are characterized as long-term survivors. Case material is derived from New Jersey medical records. (ERB)
Glomerular filtration rate during the period of adaptation to extrauterine life.

Summary: Inulin clearance (Cin) was measured in 20 infants of 27–43 weeks of gestation during the First 24 hr of their extrauterine life. Cin ranged from 0.7–4.7 ml/min and correlated with gestational age (P < 0.05). In 18 infants of similar gestational ages studied after 2–3 days of extrauterine adaptation, the Cin ranged from 1.1–17.9 ml/min and also correlated with gestational age (P < 0.01). By day 2–3, the infants of near term gestational age achieved a greater increase in Cin than did the markedly preterm infants, as reflected by a significantly different slope of the regression line for Cin and gestational age for the infants studied at 1 vs. 2–3 days of age (P < 0.001). Speculation: Although gestational age does affect glomerular fitration rate (GFR) in the first day of life, additional factors influencing glomerular filtration rate during this period may be adjustments in extratenal hemodynamics, renal blood flow, and extracellular volume. We have shown previously that high rates of infusion of fluid result in an increase in glomerular filtration rate in the preterm infant. It is possible that the limitation noted in glomerular filtration rate during the first few days of life is partly related to decreasing extracellular fluid.
Bartonella spp. in a Puerto Rican bat community.

We captured and sampled 68 bats of six species from a shared roosting site in Puerto Rico in April 2012. Bats were screened for Bartonella spp. by culture and confirmed by PCR and sequencing for the gltA gene. Bartonella cultures were obtained from blood specimens of 9/51 (18%) individuals from three species (Artibeus jamaicensis, Brachyphylla cavernarum, and Monophyllus redmani). Phy- logenetic analysis of the gltA sequences showed that M. redmani was infected with multiple, diverse Bartonella strains, and A. jamaicensis was infected with a strain related to a strain from a congeneric host. Ectoparasite load could possibly explain observed differences in Bar- tonella diversity and prevalence between bat species in this community, and we suggest future research to substantiate these prelimi- nary findings.
Micro SMES magnet configurations for reduced stray field applications

Reduced field coil configurations offer an attractive design alternative for small superconductive magnetic energy storage (/spl mu/SMES) systems. These commercially available systems are currently being used for improving the power quality in power conditioning sensitive processes. A reduced field design of /spl mu/SMES would allow its use in high-field sensitive environment. In this paper, proposed multiple parallel solenoids enclosed in one container with alternating field directions is presented and compared to a single solenoid. The parametric study covers stored energy, conductor volume, and overall magnet system dimensions. The efficiency of stray field reduction compared with the conventional single solenoid is also presented. >
The grafted hippocampus: an epileptic focus.

Field potentials and unitary activity were investigated in the grafted and the host hippocampi in freely moving rats and in vitro. The subcortical afferents and efferents of the hippocampus (fimbria-fornix, FF) were removed by aspiration. Solid pieces of hippocampal grafts derived from 15- to 16-day-old fetuses were placed in the lesion cavity in rats with unilateral FF lesions, and cell suspensions prepared from fetal hippocampi were grafted directly into the host hippocampi in animals with bilateral FF lesions. Reciprocal communication between the grafted and the host hippocampi was monitored with a 16-microelectrode probe from 7 to 10 months after grafting. The fluorescent retrograde tracer, Fluorogold, was used to examine graft-host projections and acetylcholinesterase staining to reveal host-derived fibers in the graft. The most typical neuronal pattern of the hippocampal graft was a highly synchronous population burst with concurrent EEG spike. The speed of propagation of the EEG spike within the graft and across the graft-host interface was either fast (>3 m/s) or slow (<0.5 m/s). Large amplitude, short duration EEG spikes usually propagated with a high speed, while smaller amplitude, wider spikes with broad population bursts spread at a lower velocity. The direction of propagation was usually uniform indicating that the population burst was triggered by a localized subgroup of highly excitable neurons (“focus”). Spontaneous seizures were also present in the solid graft which frequently invaded the host hippocampus. The incidence of EEG spikes was three times higher in rats with bilateral suspension grafts than in animals with FF lesion only. In about half of the grafted rats spontaneous behavioral seizures were also observed. Intracellular recordings from putative pyramidal cells in the graft and in the host revealed large amplitude (10–12 mV), spontaneously occurring EPSPs. IPSPs were difficult to detect even during depolarizations of up to 20 mV from rest. We suggest that the increased excitability of the hippocampal graft is due to the high incidence of recurrent excitatory collaterals terminating on or close to the somata of pyramidal neurons. Population bursts may spread fast via extensively arborizing axon collaterals or slowly by successively activating new sets of neighboring neurons. Spontaneous behavioral convulsions are explained by assuming that the grafted hippocampus serves as an epileptic focus which is capable of kindling the host brain by repeated seizure induction. These findings also draw attention to the need for chronic physiological studies of the transplanted neuronal tissue before possible application of the method in clinical settings for promoting recovery from disease or brain damage.
Mapping global angular transitions of proteins in assemblies using multiple extrinsic reporter groups.

The fluorescence polarization intensities from fluorescent probes and the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra from spin probes, specifically modifying elements of a biological assembly such as myosin sulfhydryl 1 (SH1) in muscle fibers, are interpreted in terms of probe order parameters using a model-independent method. The probe order parameters are related to each other by an Euler rotation of coordinates. We use this relationship to link the sets of order parameters from the different probes and in so doing create a system of equations that can be solved using only the information available from the experimental data. The solution yields the Euler angles relating the different probe coordinate frames and a larger set of probe order parameters than can be directly detected experimentally. The Euler angles are used to display the relative orientation of the probe molecular frames. The order parameters give rise to probe angular distributions that are at the theoretical limit of resolution. We demonstrate the utility of this analytical method by investigating the rotation of myosin SH1 from its orientation in rigor upon the binding of the nucleotide MgADP to the myosin cross-bridge. Our findings, discussed in the accompanying paper, suggest that the rigor-to-MgADP cross-bridge angular transition consists predominantly of a rotation about the hydrodynamic axis of symmetry of the cross-bridge, i.e., its torsional degree of freedom [Ajtai, K., Ringler, A., & Burghardt, T. P. (1992) Biochemistry (following paper in this issue)].
Laboratory study of line thermals

Abstract Laboratory experiments on line thermals are performed. Richards' earlier experimental findings are examined. Better experimental constants for the governing equations of a thermal are obtained. Quantitative comparison between the theoretical flow pattern obtained by Csanady's theory and the experimental flow pattern of a line thermal is made. Comparison is also made between the flow pattern of a line thermal and a two-dimensional starting plume. The flow in the ambient region of a line thermal is found to be approximated by a doublet flow. The distribution of velocity components and vorticity in the flow field of a line thermal is shown. Inviscid flow approximation is used to obtain the governing equation of a line thermal without restricting the manner of distribution of vorticity.
Distinct ADHD Symptom Clusters Differentially Associated With Personality Traits

Objective: ADHD has been linked to various constructs, yet there is a lack of focus on how its symptom clusters differentially associate with personality, which this study addresses. Method: The cu...
Thermodynamics of the DNA structural selectivity of the Pol I DNA polymerases from Escherichia coli and Thermus aquaticus.

Understanding the thermodynamics of substrate selection by DNA polymerase I is important for characterizing the balance between replication and repair for this enzyme in vivo. Due to their sequence and structural similarities, Klenow and Klentaq, the large fragments of the Pol I DNA polymerases from Escherichia coli and Thermus aquaticus, are considered functional homologs. Klentaq, however, does not have a functional proofreading site. Examination of the DNA binding thermodynamics of Klenow and Klentaq to different DNA structures: single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA), primer-template DNA (pt-DNA), and blunt-end double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) show that the binding selectivity pattern is similar when examined across a wide range of salt concentration, but can significantly differ at any individual salt concentration. For both proteins, binding of single-stranded DNA shifts from weakest to tightest binding of the three structures as the salt concentration increases. Both Klenow and Klentaq release two to three more ions when binding to pt-DNA and ds-DNA than when binding to ss-DNA. Klenow exhibits significant differences in the ΔCp of binding to pt-DNA versus ds-DNA, and a difference in pI for these two complexes, whereas Klentaq does not, suggesting that Klenow and Klentaq discriminate between these two structures differently. Taken together, the data suggest that the two polymerases bind ds-DNA very differently, but that both bind pt-DNA and ss-DNA similarly, despite the absence of a proofreading site in Klentaq.
Core Multiplication in Childhood

A dedicated, non-symbolic, system yielding imprecise representations of large quantities (approximate number system, or ANS) has been shown to support arithmetic calculations of addition and subtraction. In the present study, 5-7-year-old children without formal schooling in multiplication and division were given a task requiring a scalar transformation of large approximate numerosities, presented as arrays of objects. In different conditions, the required calculation was doubling, quadrupling, or increasing by a fractional factor (2.5). In all conditions, participants were able to represent the outcome of the transformation at above-chance levels, even on the earliest training trials. Their performance could not be explained by processes of repeated addition, and it showed the critical ratio signature of the ANS. These findings provide evidence for an untrained, intuitive process of calculating multiplicative numerical relationships, providing a further foundation for formal arithmetic instruction.
Cardiac output measured by thermodilution in infants and children.

To determine the accuracy and reproducibility of cardiac output determinations by thermodilution (CO T ) in children, simultaneous outputs were measured by the Fick technique (CO F ) (using measured oxygen consumption) and thermodilution in 26 children, ranging in age from 8 to 86 months, who were undergoing cardiac catheterization. There was excellent correlation between mean output by thermodilution and by the Fick technique: CO T =1.10 CO F −0.2 l/minute, r=0.91. In three-quarters of the patients the CO T differed by 15% or less and in none differed by more than 25%. Serial values of thermodilution outputs were reproducible in each patient with a SD of 5.5%. Our observations indicate that CO T is accurate, reproducible, and valuable in the care of critically ill infants and children.
The evolution of eukaryotic ribosomal DNA.

Abstract Mutations occur randomly throughout the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence. Molecular drive (unequal crossing-over, gene conversion, and transposition) spreads these variations through the multiple copies of rDNA. Forces of selection act upon the variants to favor and fix them or disfavor and eliminate them. Selection has not permitted changes in regions within rRNA vital for its function; these sequences are evolutionarily conserved between diverse species. Possible functions for some of these conserved sequences are discussed. The secondary structure of rRNA is also highly conserved during evolution. However, eukaryotic rRNA is larger than prokaryotic rRNA due to blocks of “expansion segments”. Arguments are put forward that expansion segments might not play any functional role. Other examples are reviewed of rDNA sequence insertion or deletion, including introns and the internal transcribed spacer 2.
Robust fingerprinting codes and applications

We discuss the notion of fingerprinting systems for digital objects. We focus on the two-layered concatenating approach in the design of such systems that relies on a suitable notion of equivalence between vector objects. We point to the fact that the primitive of robust fingerprinting codes put forth recently by Boneh and Naor can be useful in the design of general fingerprinting systems as it can be employed over a relaxed notion of object equivalence. We then present a complete analysis that demonstrates that the original Tardos' codes distribution coupled with a suitable tracing algorithm possesses some level of robustness for sufficiently small rates of adversarial signal loss.
Clostridium difficile infection rates and spectrum of disease among peripartum women at one hospital from 2003 to 2007 with molecular typing analysis of recovered Clostridium difficile isolates

Background Peripartum women are at risk for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), but the risk magnitude and clinical disease spectrum are unknown. We determined the incidence and clinical features of CDI in peripartum women in the Loyola University Medical Center system and describe typing of C difficile isolates by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA). Methods A retrospective chart review of peripartum CDI from 2003 to 2007 was performed after identifying patients from the clinical laboratory log of positive C difficile toxin assays. Available stool samples were cultured and isolates typed using REA. Results We found 12 CDI cases over 5 years for an incidence of 0.7 cases/1,000 obstetrics ward admissions. Prior antibiotic use was documented in 11 (92%) cases, and 8 (67%) were health care facility associated. The rate of CDI following cesarean section was 2.2 per 1,000 live births compared with 0.2 per 1,000 following vaginal delivery (relative risk, 11.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.39-96.23). Typing revealed 4 different REA strain groups; 6 of the 7 REA types were toxin variants. Conclusion CDI in peripartum women is similar to CDI in other groups except for age. CDI was caused by multiple REA types. Cesarean section may be a particular risk for CDI that develops in the postpartum period.
The minimally invasive management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in horseshoe kidneys.

Purpose Data regarding the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in horseshoe kidneys are limited. We performed a retrospective analysis of our experience with minimally invasive treatment of UPJO in patients with this anomaly.
Facial erythromelalgia: A rare entity to consider in the differential diagnosis of connective tissue diseases

To the Editor: A 53-year-old man presented to an outside dermatologist with an erythematous facial eruption of 4 years' duration. The eruption was associated with burning and swelling, which the patient reported worsened with sun exposure. These symptoms were debilitating, preventing the patient from working and maintaining daily activities. Initially, the eruption was thought to be rosacea and actinic damage; however, it was unresponsive to standard therapies. Given the refractory nature of the facial erythema and reported photosensitivity, a diagnosis of connective tissue disease (CTD) was considered. Antinuclear, anti-Ro/SSA, and anti-La/SSB