cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intelligent humans, intelligent systems, and intelligent human-systems

The author examines some notions of what it means to control a system. Within this context, he examines some of the competing concerns relative to intelligence in systems. He examines why information and communications are irretrievably linked to successful use of intelligent systems by humans. This leads to an examination of the system design needs for intelligent human systems. Some implications of this for engineering education are discussed. >
VFF-Monte Carlo framework for phonon transport in nanostructures

Accurate modeling of non-equilibrium heat transport in nanostructures demands an appropriate description of phonon dispersion relation and proper treatment of various anharmonic effects. In this work, we develop and employ a coupled VFF molecular mechanics-Monte Carlo (VFF-MC) platform to solve the phonon Boltzmann Transport Equation (BTE) for modeling thermal conductivity in nanostructures having specified geometry.
Tolerance to Anesthesia Depends on Synaptic Proteins

The hypnotic effects of anesthetics are caused by their interactions with neuronal components vital for proper signaling. An understanding of the adaptive mechanisms that lead to the development of anesthetic tolerance can offer insight into the regulation of neuroexcitability and plasticity that alter behavioral output. Here we use genetic and pharmacological manipulation of Drosophila to investigate the mechanisms of tolerance to benzyl alcohol. The mutants tested were temperature-sensitive paralytics that interfere with neuronal signaling: two mutations in dynamin that affect vesicle recycling, shi ts1 and shi ts2, and one that affects the voltage-activated Na+ channel, para ts1. We also used N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) to pharmacologically interfere with synaptic function. We found that blocking the generation of action potentials using a temperature-sensitive paralytic mutation does not induce nor prevent the development of functional tolerance to benzyl alcohol, but that disruption of synaptic signaling using mutations in the dynamin gene or by NEM treatment inhibits the induction of tolerance.
Ethanol enhances de novo synthesis of high density lipoprotein cholesterol

Male squirrel monkeys fed ethanol at variable doses were used to assess whether alcohol enhances de novo synthesis of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in vivo. Monkeys were divided into three groups: 1) controls fed isocaloric liquid diet; 2) low ethanol monkeys fed liquid diet with vodka substituted isocalorically for carbohydrate at 12% of calories; and 3) High Ethanol animals fed diet plus vodka at 24% of calories. High Ethanol primates had significantly higher levels of HDL nonesterified cholesterol than Control and Low Ethanol animals while serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase was similar for the three treatments. There were no significant differences between the groups in HDL cholesteryl ester mass or specific activity following intravenous injection of labeled mevalonolactone. By contrast, High Ethanol monkeys had significantly greater HDL nonesterified cholesterol specific activity with approximately 60% of the radioactivity distributed in the HDL/sub 3/ subfraction. This report provides the first experimental evidence that ethanol at 24% of calories induces elevations in HDL cholesterol in primates through enhanced de novo synthesis without adverse effects on liver function.
Staff involvement in patient teaching: making it happen.

Abstract Motivating patient care staff to teach is a continuing concern of patient education managers particularly as hospitalized patient acuity levels increase and personnel are busier than ever. This article covers strategies to promote staff involvement in patient teaching in four areas: (1) expectations, (2) knowledge base, (3) visibility and recognition, and (4) program planning involvement. Practical suggestions with examples are provided.
Migraine and tension headache: is there a physiological difference?

SYNOPSIS The purpose of this study was to conduct a controlled comparison of tension and migraine headache under several experimental conditions. Ten subjects from each of the following diagnostic groups - tension headache, migraine headache, and healthy controls - were observed under conditions of unstructured relaxation, mild stress, and recovery from stress. Forearm and forehead muscle potential, peripheral temperature, electrodermal response, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were monitored during these sessions. In addition, ratings of pain were obtained, and booklets II and III of the Edwards Personality Inventory were completed by each subject. The hypotheses that tension headache is associated with increased frontalis muscle tension and that migraine headache is associated with increased vasomotor activity were not supported with respect to resting levels, response to physical or psychological stress, or in relationship to pain. Personality differences between the three groups were observed. Migraine subjects appeared to be more perfectionistic and success-oriented than the other groups: and tension headache subjects, more anxious and insecure. It was suggested that although personality differences indicate the existence of two distinct disorders, physiological variables that were believed to be basic to the pathophysiology of these headaches (e.g. frontalis EMG in tension headache) do not distinguish these two types of headache.
Chronic ethanol feeding enhances miR-21 induction during liver regeneration while inhibiting proliferation in rats

Liver regeneration is an important repair response to liver injury. Chronic ethanol consumption inhibits and delays liver regeneration in experimental animals. We studied the effects of chronic ethanol treatment on messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles during the first 24 h after two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) and found an increase in hepatic miR-21 expression in both ethanol-fed and pair-fed control rats after PHx. We demonstrate that the increase of miR-21 expression during liver regeneration is more robust in ethanol-fed rats. Peak miR-21 expression occurs at 24 h after PHx in both ethanol-fed and control rats, corresponding to the peak of hepatocyte S phase in control rats, but not in ethanol-exposed livers in which cell cycle is delayed. The induction of miR-21 24 h after PHx in control rats is not greater than the increase in expression of miR-21 due to sham surgery. However, in the ethanol-fed rat, miR-21 is induced to a greater extent by PHx than by sham surgery. To elucidate the implications of increased miR-21 expression during liver regeneration, we employed unbiased global target analysis using gene expression data compiled by our group. Our analyses suggest that miR-21 may play a greater role in regulating gene expression during regeneration in the ethanol-fed rat than in the control rat. Our analysis of potential targets of miR-21 suggests that miR-21 affects a broad range of target processes and may have a widespread regulatory role under conditions of suppressed liver regeneration in ethanol-treated animals.
Gas-assisted displacement of viscoelastic fluids: flow dynamics at the bubble front

Abstract The penetration of a long inviscid bubble through ideal elastic fluids in a capillary tube geometry is studied using Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV). Experiments are performed to characterize the fluid kinematics around the bubble tip. A plane of polarized light from a 10 mW HeNe laser source is used to illuminate the center of the capillary tube. The recording camera (CCD) and the laser optics are mounted on a hydraulic translating stage to track the penetrating bubble. PTV is used to quantitatively describe the flow field with an emphasis on the tip region. Streamlines and contour plots of constant shear rates and extension rates are presented for both the Newtonian and Boger fluids in the recirculation and complete bypass flow regimes. The residual coating thickness for Newtonian fluids is a function only of the Capillary number. At a Deborah number of De= γ ≈1, the coating thickness deviates from Newtonian behavior. The maximum local shear rates in the flow increased from 0.25 s−1 at De=0.023 to 8.0 s−1 at De=2.56 and the local extension rates increased from 0.09 s−1 at De=0.023 to 4.5 s−1 at De=2.56. Since the fluid extensionally thickens at e ≈l, this suggests that the extensionally thickening response of the Boger fluids has a significant effect on the fractional coverage. Flow field simulations for the Newtonian fluids are conducted using POLYFLOW. A comparison of the results from experiments and simulations is presented in order to validate experimental techniques.
The Relationship of Asperger’s Characteristics and Schizotypal Personality Traits in a Non-clinical Adult Sample

The study examines the relationship between Asperger's Disorder (AD) and Schizotypal Personality Disorder (SPD), mutually exclusive but similar diagnoses [DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Washington, DC: Author]. The literature and comparison of diagnostic criteria suggest that the two disorders may overlap: AD social impairment with SPD interpersonal problems and AD communication deficits with SPD disorganized features. Questionnaire measures of AD and SPD were administered to a large non-clinical adult sample. Consistent with expectations, the Asperger's and Schizotypal questionnaires were positively correlated. Further, the social-interpersonal and communication-disorganized areas were positively correlated, though the relationship between social-interpersonal areas is particularly strong. Future research should continue to explore the relationship between AD and schizotypy to confirm current findings and improve understanding of distinctions between the disorders.
Models for granular superconductivity: The effect of quantum fluctuations

Abstract We develop two models for the onset of superconductivity in granular superconductors. The inclusion of a parallel shunt resistor between the grains constitutes the ohmic model, while the quasiparticle tunneling is the source of dissipation in the second. Both of them provide a phase transition in quantitative agreement with the experiments.
Isolation and partial characterization of fix− mutants from Rhizobium strain 32H1

Eight ineffective mutant strains were isolated from N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine mutagenized cultures of cowpea Rhizobium strain 32H1. Strains CR1, CR2, CR3, CR4, CR5 and CR6 induced more, but smaller, nodules than the wild type. With the exception of strain CR2, these mutant strains reduced less than 1% of the amount of acetylene reduced by the wild type, in both the free-living and symbiotic assays. Strain CR2 reduced acetylene in the free-living assay but not in the symbiotic assay. Strains CR7 and CR8 responded variably (5–20% of the wild type) in free-living and symbiotic acetylene reduction assays. Nodules also varied from small white to normal-sized pink nodules. The phenotypic characteristics of the mutant strains were consistant with all leguminous plants tested and were stable upon reisolation from nodules. Fully effective revertants were selected from 4 of the ineffective mutant strains by the use of the leguminous plant,Macroptilium lathyroides. Serology, patterns of resistance to anti-bacterial agents, phage-typing, and antibiotic resistance markers were used to confirm strain identification.
Abstract 5018: Adherence to free breast cancer screening among uninsured black and Hispanic women

Background: Studies have shown that blacks have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer. However, it is unclear if this can be mainly attributed to their different biological susceptibilities or lower health care access or lack of adherence to scheduled procedures such as screenings and treatments or a combination of everything. Aim: We sought to examine the extent to which uninsured black and Hispanic women adhere to free breast cancer screening appointments. Methods: This study included a cohort of 410 participants from a monthly program in Howard University Cancer Center that offers free breast cancer screening (clinical breast examination and mammogram) for uninsured women who are aged 40 and older in the Washington DC area. These participants were referred from community health organizations in Maryland, District of Columbia and Maryland. Data was extracted from July 2009 to June 2010. The participants were categorized as non-adherent (no shows) if they did not cancel their appointments and did not show up for the breast cancer screening. We used Poisson regression models to evaluate the association of race with adherence to the scheduled breast cancer screening and adjusted for potential confounders. We calculated Relative Risks (RR) for no shows and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Results: There were 195 (47.6%) Hispanic and 215 (52.4%) black women. A total of 314 (76.6%) women showed up for screening but 96 (23.4%) were non-adherent. When compared with Hispanic women, black women were older (mean age = 50.7 years vs 48.4 years; P = 0.0005), and more likely to be born in the United States (29% vs 2%; P Conclusions: There is a high rate of non-adherence to scheduled free breast cancer screening among underserved black and Hispanic women. Increased outreach effort and community education about this potentially preventable cancer is needed. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5018. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5018
A GPU-accelerated Direct-sum Boundary Integral Poisson-Boltzmann Solver

Abstract In this paper, we present a GPU-accelerated direct-sum boundary integral method to solve the linear Poisson–Boltzmann (PB) equation. In our method, a well-posed boundary integral formulation is used to ensure the fast convergence of Krylov subspace based linear algebraic solver such as the GMRES. The molecular surfaces are discretized with flat triangles and centroid collocation. To speed up our method, we take advantage of the parallel nature of the boundary integral formulation and parallelize the schemes within CUDA shared memory architecture on GPU. The schemes use only 11 N + 6 N c size-of-double device memory for a biomolecule with N triangular surface elements and N c partial charges. Numerical tests of these schemes show well-maintained accuracy and fast convergence. The GPU implementation using one GPU card (Nvidia Tesla M2070) achieves 120–150X speed-up to the implementation using one CPU (Intel L5640 2.27 GHz). With our approach, solving PB equations on well-discretized molecular surfaces with up to 300,000 boundary elements will take less than about 10 min, hence our approach is particularly suitable for fast electrostatics computations on small to medium biomolecules.
SU-E-T-206: A Patient Dose Monitor for a Proton Uniform Scanning Gantry

Purpose: Discontinuation by the manufacturer of construction materials and several known design imperfections of the existing patient dose monitor (PDM) in our gantry nozzle prompted a redesign of the PDM. We fabricated and tested a replacement prototype detector with an improved design that uses widely available materials and new fabrication techniques. For continuity of clinical operations, the prototype detector's output factor and beam range attenuation are kept virtually unchanged. Methods: After fabrication, the prototype's performance was tested for stability as a function of humidity. Contribution to signal from electrodeleads (stem effect) was studied. Total detector thickness was measured by the beam range attenuation and detector response as a function of gantry angle was studied. The prototype PDM linearity in dose rate, charge collection efficiency, reproducibility of response, and output stability over the week were also measured. Results: After temperature correction, the response of the redesigned PDM is constant within +/− 2 % in the 20 % – 80 % relative humidity range. The stem effect is less than 1 %. The total water‐equivalent thickness of the new detector is 0.5 mm, reducing beam range by only 0.15 mm compared with the original PDM. The new detector's output as a function of gantry angle is constant within +/− 0.5 % and the response is linear with dose rate in the 0.25 — 25 Gy/s range while charge collection efficiency is 0.999 +/− 0.002. Stability of the detector output throughout the week is 0.7 % and reproducibility for ten consecutive measurements is 0.16 %. Conclusions: The redesigned patient dose monitor has been tested to meet design goals, has improved performance characteristics, and can be used in a proton gantry uniform scanning nozzle.
Rare Variants in Hypermutable Genes Underlie Common Morphology and Growth Traits in Wild Saccharomyces paradoxus

Understanding the molecular basis of common traits is a primary challenge of modern genetics. One model holds that rare mutations in many genetic backgrounds may often phenocopy one another, together explaining the prevalence of the resulting trait in the population. For the vast majority of phenotypes, the role of rare variants and the evolutionary forces that underlie them are unknown. In this work, we use a population of Saccharomyces paradoxus yeast as a model system for the study of common trait variation. We observed an unusual, flocculation and invasive-growth phenotype in one-third of S. paradoxus strains, which were otherwise unrelated. In crosses with each strain in turn, these morphologies segregated as a recessive Mendelian phenotype, mapping either to IRA1 or to IRA2, yeast homologs of the hypermutable human neurofibromatosis gene NF1. The causal IRA1 and IRA2 haplotypes were of distinct evolutionary origin and, in addition to their morphological effects, associated with hundreds of stress-resistance and growth traits, both beneficial and disadvantageous, across S. paradoxus. Single-gene molecular genetic analyses confirmed variant IRA1 and IRA2 haplotypes as causal for these growth characteristics, many of which were independent of morphology. Our data make clear that common growth and morphology traits in yeast result from a suite of variants in master regulators, which function as a mutation-driven switch between phenotypic states.
Between Memory and Différance: (radically) understanding the other

(1999). Between Memory and Differance: (radically) understanding the other. Educational Philosophy and Theory: Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 225-229.
Tyrosinase-based ruthenium dispersed carbon paste biosensor for phenols

Highly sensitive biosensors for phenolic compounds, based on the incorporation of the enzyme tyrosinase within metal-dispersed carbon paste matrices are described. In particular, ruthenium-doped carbon pastes display excellent electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of the enzymatically generated quinone species. Hence, convenient quantitation of micromolar concentrations is feasible at 0.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl reference), with a greatly enhanced response compared to conventional carbon-paste tyrosinase biosensors. The influence of various experimental variables is explored. Fast, sensitive and reproducible flow injection detection of phenolic compounds is illustrated. Analogous improvements are reported for tyrosinase-rich plant tissue electrodes.
Examination of the Structure/Function Relationship in the Exchangeable Apolipoprotein, Apolipophorin-III

Exchangeable apolipoproteins are proteins that reversibly bind lipoprotein particles to facilitate their transport in vivo. The structure/function relationship of apolipophorin-III (apo-III), the only insect exchangeable apolipoprotein, has been investigated by examining the association of this protein with lipid vesicles. The importance of a conserved leucine residue, reported to be essential for apo-III binding to lipids, has been evaluated through site-directed mutagenesis. A unique cysteine replaces the conserved leucine at position 30 in recombinant apo-III (L30C protein). This substitution results in the covalent dimerization of the apo-III mutant via a disulfide bond. The cysteine mutation causes no difference in surface hydrophobicity of the L30C proteins when compared to the wild type apo-III. Wild type apo-III, L30C monomer, and L30C dimer associate with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMAC) vesicles in a similar manner, resulting in a reduction of turbidity of a phospholipid vesicle suspension. Analysis with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals disk-like complexes identical to those previously reported with the wild type apo-III. Because the mutation of the conserved leucine seems to affect the solution behavior and surface hydrophobicity of apo-III, this residue is likely to be exposed to the aqueous environment. However, the similar behaviors of the wild type protein, the L30C monomer, and L30C dimer with respect to the binding of phospholipid vesicles suggest that this residue is not absolutely required for the protein binding to hydrophobic or amphiphilic interfaces.
The Dilemma of Arab Nationalism

As nationalism gathered force in the Arab World during the last several decades, its only discernible aims had been to achieve political freedom and unification for Arab peoples who objected to existing political divisions separating them. In more recent years certain Arab leaders such as President Nasser of the United Arab Republic have begun to associate economic and social progress with the ends of Arab nationalism.
Powder processing of intermetallic matrix composites

ABSTRACT Composites based upon the intermetallic compounds NiAl, Ni3AI and Al3Ta have been consolidated by several novel techniques incorporating, at least in part, reactive sintering or hot isostatic pressing of elemental powders. This paper discusses the resulting microstructures and mechanical properties, including hardness and tensile or compressive strengths as a function of test temperature. The properties of the composites are compared to those of the respective matrix materials, also prepared from powders by identical techniques. The. limitations as well as advantages of such processing techniques are discussed.
An automated, high-throughput, 384 well Cytochrome P450 cocktail IC50 assay using a rapid resolution LC–MS/MS end-point

The current study focused on the development of an automated IC50 cocktail assay in a miniaturized 384 well assay format. This was developed in combination with a significantly shorter high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) run-time; than those currently reported in the literature. The 384-well assay used human liver microsomes in conjunction with a cocktail of probe substrates metabolized by the five major CYPs (tacrine for CYP1A2, diclofenac for CYP2C9, (S)-mephenytoin for CYP2C19, dextromethorphan for CYP2D6 and midazolam for CYP3A4). To validate the usefulness of the automated and analytical methodologies, IC50 determinations were performed for a series of test compounds known to exhibit inhibition across these five major P450s. Eight compounds (sertraline, disulfuram, ticlopidine fluconazole, fluvoxamine, ketoconazole, miconazole, paroxetine, flunitrazepam) were studied as part of a cocktail assay, and against each CYPs individually. The data showed that the IC50s generated with cocktail incubations did not differ to a great extent from those obtained in the single probe experiments and hence unlikely to significantly influence the predicted clinical DDI risk. In addition the present method offered a significant advantage over some of the existing cocktail analytical methodology in that separation can be achieved with run times as short as 1 min without compromising data integrity. Although numerous studies have been reported to measure CYP inhibition in a cocktail format the need to support growing discovery libraries not only relies on higher throughput assays but quicker analytical run times. The current study reports a miniaturized high-throughput cocktail IC50 assay, in conjunction with a robust, rapid resolution LC-MS/MS end-point offered increased sample throughput without compromising analytical sensitivity or analyte resolution.
Interjudge agreement of draw-a-person diagnostic impressions.

Summary The interjudge agreement of Draw-A-Person (DAP)-based diagnostic impressions was assessed. Twenty-four psychologists were asked to categorize 48 DAP protocols as being the productions of organics, paranoid schizophrenics, non-paranoid schizophrenics or normal controls. The mean between-judges proportion of agreement was only .41 and the mean proportion correct was a mere .28. (A proportion of .25 could be anticipated in each case by chance.) Strength of interjudge agreement did not vary with the extent to which judges utilized the test but did seem dependent upon the subjects' diagnoses. The results indicated that diagnostic impressions based on the DAP alone seem to be neither usefully valid nor impressively consistent across psychologists. It is suggested that the profession is due for a re-evaluation of its DAP training techniques and its use of the test.
Effect of formic acid on recovery, intake, digestibility, and growth from unwilted silage.

Abstract Each of four experiments compared a common source of forage prepared as unwilted silage with no treatment or 0.5% formic acid at ensiling. Two first growth alfalfas and two sudan-sorghum hybrids were used. In each experiment digestibility was determined in 4 × 4 Latin-square trials, and ad libitum feed intake and growth were measured concurrently in continuous trials with dairy heifers. Animals fed formic silage gained more (P
Interpretation of high-temperature creep of type 304 stainless steel

The elevated-temperature creep behavior of Type 304 stainless steel is examined in terms of the measured effective and internal stresses. Results show that the mean effective stress is related to the applied stress by a power law of the form σ* = α(σ)β, where the constants α and β are functions of temperature. The dependence of creep rate on applied stress follows a power law, and the stress exponent is dependent on temperature. The latter behavior arises from the variation in the mean effective stress with applied stress and temperature. The creep rates are also described as a function of effective stress. The dislocation velocity-stress exponent obtained from stresschange tests is higher than the effective stress exponent evaluated from creep data. The dependence of creep rate on temperature at various values of effective stress yields a total activation energy of approximately the same magnitude as self-diffusion.
Variation and its causation in earthworm regeneration.

The coefficient of variation for the number of segments regenerated posteriorly by earthworms (Eisenia foetida) rarely exceeds 10 but the range may be over 100% of the mean. The manner of wound healing after transection (open or enteroparietal vs. closed or cicatricial) can not be responsible for the variation since under the conditions of these experiments all worms healed in the open manner. The angle of transection can be varied widely without any measurable effect on the number of segments regenerated. However, when the cut leaves a piece of ventral body wall and nerve cord extending posteriorly, the mortality is greatly increased and the number of segments formed by the survivors greatly reduced. Three successive regenerations in the same individuals revealed statistically highly significant consistencies indicating a genetic factor behind variation in segment number. Data from wild populations in similar but widely separated sites and also the large number of segments regenerated by individuals with initially very large numbers of segments all support the view that these worms are genetically heterogeneous regarding segment number. However, the effect of these genetic factors cannot be great. Bilateral asymmetry in number of segments regenerated indicates that the counting mechanism underlying variation can hardly be humoral because both blood and coelomic fluid are common to both sides of the body.
A sensitive method for localization of disulfide containing peptides in column effluents

Abstract A sensitive method is reported to localize cystine-containing peptides in column effluents. The method depends on reduction of disulfide bonds by sodium borohydride in guanidine followed by destruction of excess of sodium borohydride by acid and acetone. The liberated sulfhydryl groups are quantitated by 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid).
Effects of the plant growth regulator abscisic acid and high osmoticum on the developmental expression of the maize catalase genes

The effects of abscisic acid (ABA) and high osmoticum on catalase (Cat) gene expression in maize have been examined. Each Cat gene responds differently to ABA and osmotic stress at different developmental stages and in different tissues. Cat1 transcript accumulates to high levels in developing and germinating embryos, and in leaves. In embryos, Cat2 and Cat3 transcripts are up-regulated only at very high ABA concentrations during late embryogenesis and in response to various concentrations of ABA in germinating embryos. Cat3 transcript is down-regulated by ABA and osmotic stress in leaves. Accumulation of Cat1 transcript in response to osmotic stress is a consequence of increased endogenous ABA levels. Our data suggest that two separate pathways might be involved in the ABA-mediated induction of Cat1. The Vp1 trans-acting factor is required for maximum induction of Cat1 transcript in wild-type (Vp1/—) and in W64A developing embryos; however, Vp1 is not required for inducing the Cat1 transcript in vp1 mutant developing embryos, nor in W64A germinating embryos or in leaves. Given the fact that the Cat genes have a known function, we hypothesize that the increase in Cat gene products in response to ABA is due, in part, to ABA-mediated metabolic changes leading to changes in oxygen free radical levels, which in turn, lead to the induction of the antioxidant defense system.
Perinatal morbidity: a comparison of diabetic and nondiabetic women

Objective: To compare perinatal complications in diabetic women (DW) and nondiabetic women (NDW). Methods: We analyzed data obtained from our perinatal database for DW delivered at our center between 1990 and 1999 and frequency-matched to a group of NDW of the same ethnicity and parity delivering within 28 days. Results: Data were analyzed for 2,978 DW and 2,567 NDW. The ethnic distribution was nearly identical in both groups; the overall distribution was 23% African Americans, 23% whites, 35% Hispanics, 15% Haitians, and 4% other. Compared with NDW, DW were slightly older (mean ± SD: 30.8 ± 6.3 years versus 29.7 ± 6.4 years, P <0.001), delivered heavier babies (3,441 ± 825 g versus 3,169 ± 798 g, P <0.001) at comparable mean gestational age (GA) (38.0 ± 3.2 weeks versus 38.0 ± 4.2 weeks, P = 0.825). Also, DW were twice as likely to have a cesarean delivery (OR [95%CI] = 2.0 [1.9,2.3]), almost five times more likely to have a shoulder dystocia (OR = 4.6 [2.6,7.7]), and as likely to have an episiotomy (EP) (OR = 1.2 [1.0,1.4]). No significant difference was seen in the risk of lacerations. When excluding EP, DW were 30% more likely to have any lacerations (OR = 1.3 [1.1,1.5]). Comparisons with respect to birth weight were made within separate strata of GA. The odds of delivering a baby greater than 4,000 g were 11 times higher for DW delivering at 34–36 weeks (OR = 11.2 [2.5,33.4]), and 3 times higher at 37–41 weeks (OR = 3.0 [2.5,3.5]). Term babies born to DW were 40% more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (OR = 1.4 [1.2,1.6]). Conclusion: Despite increased glucose control over the past decade, perinatal morbidity (mother and child) remains high.
New results for neutral-type delayed projection neural network to solve linear variational inequalities

Recently, a neutral-type delayed projection neural network (NDPNN) was developed for solving variational inequality problems. This paper addresses the global stability and convergence of the NDPNN and presents new results for it to solve linear variational inequality (LVI). Compared with existing convergence results for neural networks to solve LVI, our results do not require the LVI that is monotone so as to guarantee the NDPNN that can solve a class of non-monotone LVI. All the results are expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which can be easily checked. Simulation examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
The Final state interaction phases of the two-body B decay: The Bounds from the updated data

The updated experimental data are used to analyze the final-state interaction phases of the two-body decay amplitudes of the B mesons, $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{B}\overline{D}\ensuremath{\pi},\overline{D}\ensuremath{\rho},{D}^{*}\ensuremath{\pi},$ and ${D}^{*}\ensuremath{\rho}.$ Combining the upper bounds on the branching fractions of the color-suppressed neutral modes with those of the charged modes, we have set constraints on the relative phases between the amplitudes ${A(B}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{X}^{\ensuremath{-}}{Y}^{+})$ and ${A(B}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{X}^{0}{Y}^{+})$ where $X=\overline{D}$ or ${D}^{*}$ and $Y=\ensuremath{\pi}$ or $\ensuremath{\rho}.$ The numbers that we have obtained point to small final-state interactions. When these relative phases are expressed in those of the isospin amplitudes, the bounds become less tight, since the experimental errors accumulate. In the decay where many multibody channels are open, however, there is little advantage in breaking up the observed amplitudes into the isospin eigenchannels for analysis of the final-state interactions.
High-throughput SNP detection by using DNA pooling and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC)

One of the critical steps in the positional cloning of a complex disease gene involves association analysis between a phenotype and a set of densely spaced diallelic markers, typically single nucleotide repeats (SNPs), covering the region of interest. However, the effort and cost of detecting sufficient numbers of SNPs across relatively large physical distances represents a significant rate-limiting step. We have explored DNA pooling, in conjunction with denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), as a possible strategy for augmenting the efficiency, economy, and throughput of SNP detection. DHPLC is traditionally used to detect variants in polymerase chain reaction products containing both allelic forms of a polymorphism (e.g., heterozygotes or a 1:1 mix of both alleles) via heteroduplex separation and thereby requires separate analyses of multiple individual test samples. We have adapted this technology to identify variants in pooled DNA. To evaluate the utility and sensitivity of this approach, we constructed DNA pools comprised of 20 previously genotyped individuals with a frequency representation of 0%-50% for the variant allele. Mutation detection was performed by using temperature-modulated heteroduplex formation/DHPLC and dye-terminator sequencing. Using DHPLC, we could consistently detect SNPs at lower than 5% frequency, corresponding to the detection of one variant allele in a pool of 20 alleles. In contrast, fluorescent sequencing detected variants in the same pools only if the frequency of the less common allele was at least 10%. We conclude that DNA pooling of samples for DHPLC analysis is an effective way to increase throughput efficiency of SNP detection.
New visual phenomenon: the greenish-yellow blotch.

A new phenomenon of color vision is described. An observer, viewing only a uniform physical field, finds that his perceptual field suddenly becomes broken up into areas (called pattern and background) that exhibit two very different colors. The pattern arises suddenly, and lasts only a few sec. It has an irregular, blotchy shape and may be 45° or more in width (becoming smaller in successive experiments and finally remaining absent entirely).The creation of the pattern depends on the spectral energy distribution (not the color!) of the physical field. Wavelengths near 570 mµ and 470 mµ play crucial and antithetical roles.The color of the pattern depends on the spectral distribution of the physical field being viewed currently. The color is neither similar to nor complementary to that of the background or any preceding field.To tie together the wealth of observations as to color, duration, and sequence effects of the patterns, one may postulate that the perceptual field-of-view is governed (as regards yellowness/blueness ratio only) by hundreds of radiation-actuated switches arranged in parallel. Each switch is of three-position type, and can produce normal yellowness/blueness ratio, extremely high (anomalous) ratio, or extremely low (anomalous) ratio. By referring to the postulated design of the switch, an investigator can predict the results of nearly any pertinent experiment.
Modeling Stream Channel Characteristics From Drainage-Enforced DEMs in Puget Sound, Washington, USA

Mapping stream channels and their geomorphic attributes is an important step in many watershed research and management projects. Often insufficient field data exist to map hydromorphologic attributes across entire drainage basins, necessitating the application of hydrologic modeling tools to digital elevation models (DEMs) via a geographic information system (GIS). In this article, we demonstrate methods for deriving synthetic stream networks via GIS across large and diverse basins using drainage-enforced DEMs, along with techniques for estimating channel widths and gradient on the reach scale. The two-step drainage enforcement method we used produced synthetic stream networks that displayed a high degree of positional accuracy relative to the input streams. The accuracies of our estimated channel parameters were assessed with field data, and predictions of bankfull width, wetted width and gradient were strongly correlated with measured values (r 2 = 0.92, r 2 = 0.95, r 2 = 0.88, respectively). Classification accuracies of binned channel attributes were also high. Our methodology allows for the relatively rapid mapping of stream channels and associated morphological attributes across large geographic areas. Although initially developed to provide salmon recovery planners with important salmon habitat information, we suggest these methodologies are relevant to a variety of research and management questions.
Borna disease virus and neuropsychiatric disease – a reappraisal

Abstract Despite progress in understanding the molecular biology and pathobiology of Borna disease virus, its epidemiology and role in human disease remain controversial. The challenges encountered in this field are a paradigm for the investigation of diseases potentially linked to complex host–microorganism interactions.
Adult Plasticity in Hormone-Sensitive Motoneuron Morphology: Methodological/Behavioral Confounds

Changes in androgen levels can alter the structure of motoneurons in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB), a motor nucleus that innervates perineal muscles involved in copulatory behavior. While sexual activity can alter androgen levels in normal males, it has no effect on SNB motoneuron soma size or dendritic morphology (Beversdorf, Kurz, and Sengelaub, 1990). However, Breedlove (1997) reported reductions in the size of SNB somata, nuclei, and target muscles of copulating versus noncopulating castrated rats maintained on subphysiological testosterone. To reconcile the results obtained using intact versus implant paradigms, we tested the hypothesis that the implant/behavior paradigm could produce differences in hormone levels, potentially confounding sexual behavior effects on the morphology of this androgen-sensitive neuromuscular system. Young adult male rats were castrated and immediately given 5-mm Silastic implants containing crystalline testosterone. One week later, blood samples were drawn and the males were housed with receptive females (copulators) or nonreceptive females (noncopulators) or housed alone (singles). After 27 days, blood samples were drawn again, and SNB target muscles and spinal cords removed. No differences in target muscle weight or SNB somata and nuclei size were observed between copulators, noncopulators, or singles; as expected, all measures were significantly reduced relative to intact males. Radioimmunoassay showed that testosterone declined differentially over the course of the behavioral manipulation across groups, being greatest in copulators and least pronounced in single males. These data indicate that differences in sexual or housing experience can alter testosterone titers under these implant conditions, potentially confounding hormone-sensitive measures of morphology.
Age and APOE-ε4 genotype influence the effect of physostigmine infusion on the in-vivo distribution volume of the muscarinic-2-receptor dependent tracer [18F]FP-TZTP

The apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 allele (APOE-epsilon4) confers greater susceptibility to age-related memory disorders. Abnormalities in the cholinergic system are likely contributors to these disorders with both age and APOE-epsilon4 genotype modifying behavioral and physiological responses to drugs that alter cholinergic pathway function. Recently, we reported a greater in vivo distribution volume of the F-18 labeled muscarinic-2 (M2) selective agonist, 3-(3-(3-[18F]Flouropropyl)thio)-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylpyridine ([18F]FP-TZTP), in aging healthy subjects with an APOE-epsilon4 allele. To examine the effects of aging and the APOE-epsilon4 allele on the response of the muscarinic component of cholinergic pathway to pharmacologic augmentation, two [18F]FP-TZTP PET scans were conducted in 19 subjects varying in age from 22 to 74 years, the first served as baseline for the second scan that was performed while the subjects were either infused with saline (n = 6) or with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine (6 with an APOE-epsilon4 allele and 7 without an APOE-epsilon4 allele). Using a multiple regression analysis, both AGE (beta = 0.621 +/- 0.135, B = 0.353 +/- 0.077, t(10) = 4.61, P < 0.001) and APOE-epsilon4 genotype (beta = 0.742, B = 14.8 +/- 2.69, t(10) = 5.51, P < 0.0003) were found to be significant contributors to subject response to physostigmine. The adjusted R2 for the model as a whole was 0.786 (F(2,10) = 23.00, P < 0.0002) with both increasing age and the presence of the APOE-epsilon4 allele modifying the response to physostigmine in the direction of larger decreases in [18F]FP-TZTP distribution volumes in all brain regions examined. The findings, particularly the absence of an interaction between AGE and APOE-epsilon4 genotype, contribute to the growing body of evidence that suggests that the APOE-epsilon4 genotype is likely to contribute to brain structure and function prior to aging.
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES 2F5 AND 4G10 AGAINST PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA) COMPLEXED TO alpha 1-ANTICHYMOTRYPSIN

AbstractObjectives: We have shown that an immunoassay (Chugai) for the PSA-ACT complex in serum has 2 to 3 times better specificity than total PSA at sensitivities of 85 to 97% in distinguishing biopsy positive men from biopsy negative men undergoing transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) examination. To increase the specificity of PSA immunoassay for prostate cancer, we produced specific antibodies exclusively against our purified PSA-ACT complex for development of assay kits for PSA-ACT complex.Methods: PSA-ACT complex was used as antigen to immunize BALB/c mice. PSA-ACT complex, free PSA, and ACT were used for hybridoma screening. To characterize the new monoclonal antibodies, we used Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and an in house immunoassay.Results: Two monoclonal antibodies, 2F5 and 4G10 were produced exclusively against PSA-ACT complex without any immunoreactivity to ACT or PSA alone. Western blot analysis indicated that 2F5 and 4G10 recognize conformation-dependent epitopes on PSA-ACT complex. Immunoh...
Hurricane prediction: progress and problem areas.

The subjective approach to hurricane prediction of yesteryear has given way to the automation of many facets of prediction, leaving the forecaster with more time to reason dynamically in making the final adjustments to the official track derived from a hierarchy of computer-generated guidances. The most important task immediately ahead is to develop and apply better diagnostic procedures to help the forecaster identify the guidance sources which are most likely to contain the truth, and to help assure that his final decision will either succeed or fail safely. The ultimate prediction method for both hurricane development and movement will probably need to simulate not only the circulation of the hurricane but the interaction of the cloud clusters in its vortex with the largescale environment. Assuming that this can be effectively done, the most important further handicap will be the problem of describing the initial conditions. The development of a model which will dependably simulate the behavior of the three hurricanes in ten that turn out to be bad actors will not likely become operational in the near future. The most troubling problem in applying such a model—and it would have to be tested for years over a range of many storm types and conditions before becoming fully operational—is that the more complex the model is the more inscrutable the results are and the more difficult it becomes to identify the condition in which computational failure is probable. It would appear, therefore, that engineering approache to prediction and diagnostic procedures of evaluation will dominate the methodology of hurricane forecasting for a number of years to come.
Direct current electroshock in the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias.

Summary Electrical reversion of supraventricular arrhythmias has been successfully accomplished in seven patients varying in age from 2 months to 18 years. This experience suggests that synchronized DC electroshock can be used safely and effectively in children with congenital and acquired heart disease. Furthermore, it suggests that electroshock should be used before drug toxicity becomes apparent.
Performance of leader-follower networks in directed trees and lattices

We study the performance of externally forced leader-follower networks in directed trees and lattices. By exploiting the lower triangular structure of Laplacian matrices of both classes of graphs, we derive explicit formulae for the transfer function from disturbances to the states of the nodes. For directed trees, we show that the worst-case componentwise amplification of disturbances is achieved at zero temporal frequency and that it is a convex function of edge weights. For directed 1D and 2D lattices, we study the steady-state variance distribution in networks with leaders placed on the boundary. We show that as one moves away from leaders, the variance of the followers scales as a square-root function of node indices in 1D lattices and as a logarithmic function along the diagonal nodes in 2D lattices.
Absorption of sulphur dioxide by aqueous solutions

Abstract Air containing a few ppm of sulphur dioxide was brought into contact with water in the low-velocity impinger. The water contained either different concentrations H of hydrogen ion, or different concentrations P of hydrogen peroxide at a fixed low pH. In both cases the collection efficiency of the system changed from low to high depending on P or H. From the plots of the results it is estimated that 50 per cent of the gas was collected at pH 2.8 in the absence of peroxide, or at a peroxide concentration of 0.4 mM at pH 1.