cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlative ultrastructural and electrophysiological studies of sperm-egg interactions of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus☆

Abstract The sequence of ultrastructural events following the onset of the sperm-induced conductance increase in eggs of the sea urchin, Lytechinus variegatus, was investigated. Eggs voltage clamped at −20 mV were fixed 1 to 20 sec after onset of the conductance increase caused by single sperm. Continuity between the plasma membranes of the sperm and egg was first detected 5 sec after onset of the conductance increase. The earliest stages of formation of the fertilization cone coincided with the establishment of continuity of the gamete plasma membranes. At 6 to 8 sec after the initial conductance increase cortical granule dehiscence was first observed in the immediate vicinity where continuity of the gamete plasma membranes had occurred. These observations are consistent with the conclusion that opening of ion channels at fertilization precedes fusion of the sperm and egg plasma membranes, while exocytosis of cortical granules is initiated following fusion of the sperm and egg plasma membranes.
Proteins and glycoproteins in plasma membrane fractions of avian leukosis-sarcoma virus susceptible and resistant chicken embryo fibroblasts

Abstract 3 H- or 14 C-labeled proteins and glycoproteins from plasma membrane-enriched fractions of avian leukosis virus susceptible and resistant chick embryo fibroblasts were solubilized with sodium dodecyl sulfate and compared after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 9.0. No apparent differences in electrophoretic patterns were observed when both phenotypes were cultured in the presence of radioactive leucine or glucosamine. A major leucine-rich polypeptide of apparent mol. wt 42000 was common to both cell types whereas most of the glycoproteins components were found in the mol. wt range 82000–110000. Leucine, glucosamine and fucose were present in a major low molecular weight component which migrated near bromophenol blue. Limited studies comparing fucose-labeled proteins suggested that phenotypic differences may occur in plasma membrane fucoproteins.
Synthesis of boron dipyrromethene fluorescent probes for bioorthogonal labeling

Seven 5-substituted 3-hydrazinyl derivatives of 3a, 4a-diaza-4,4-difluoro-8-phenyl boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) were prepared for use as bioorthogonal fluorescent labels of aldehydes and ketones. The absorption energies can be tuned to absorb visible light over a large span of wavelengths by changing the nature of the 5-substituent. Optical properties of hydrazones formed with the 5-chloro derivative are affected by the nature of the electrophile such that aliphatic and aromatic hydrazones can be differentiated from each other and from unreacted fluorophore.
HISTOLOGICAL AND QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF AGE CHANGES IN THE THYROID OF THE MOUSE1

THE PURPOSE of this study was to establish the normal variations that occur at different ages in the thyroid gland of the mouse with a view toward providing a basis upon which to evaluate experimentally induced conditions. Few such chronological studies of thyroid changes have been made. Cooper (1) and Rice (2) have studied the human thyroid and agreed that this gland presents several different pictures from birth to death. They described the histology of the gland in several major age groups and pointed out the important characteristics of each group. A more detailed picture of the condition of the thyroid in old dogs was given by Dog-liotte and Nizsi Nuti (3). These papers will serve as a basis for comparison of the present observations on similar changes occurring in the mouse. The albino mice used for these observations were of the Hygenie Strain, bred and raised in our laboratory.
On the distribution of sunspot cycle periods

A comparison is made between the observed distribution of sunspot cycle periods and distributions based on uniform, normal, and bimodal distributions. The bimodal distribution, composed of short-period and long-period cycles, is found to best describe the observed distribution. Compared to the normal distribution for the most reliably determined cycles (cycles 8-20), the bimodal distribution has a residual (sum of squares of differences) that is about 86 percent smaller. Means for short-period and long-period cycles are estimated to be 122 + or - 4 months and 140 + or - 5 months, respectively.
Potassium toxicity and acid-base balance from large oral doses of potassium to young calves.

Potassium chloride and sodium chloride were infused into the reticulorumen of male Holstein calves, approximately 6 mo of age and 260 kg, at .29, .58, 1.15, 1.73, 2.31, or 2.88 g potassium per kilogram body weight or 1.35, 2.12, or 2.16 g sodium per kilogram in equal volumes of water. Paired controls were infused with water. Calves were monitored for physiological changes for 6 h at 15, 30, or 60-min intervals. Potassium and total solids of plasma and packed cell volume were increased at potassium doses greater than .29 g of potassium per kilogram body weight within 1 h after dosing. At the higher doses of potassium, sodium content of plasma increased about 1 h after the increase in plasma potassium. Respiration rates within a potassium treatment varied with respect to time after dosing, but generally they increased, and associated variables of carbon dioxide pressure, pH, and bicarbonate in blood were decreased accordingly. Clinical toxicity signs, including excess salivation, muscular tremors of legs, and excitability were observed with potassium doses greater than .58 g of potassium per kilogram body weight. Three of five calves given 1.73 g of potassium per kilogram, three of four calves given 2.31 g of potassium per kilogram, and one calf given 2.88 g of potassium per kilogram body weight died. With a small number of calves, oral sodium infusions increased plasma sodium in proportion to the dose, but plasma potassium remained relatively constant. Sodium infusions of 2.12 and 2.16 g of sodium per kilogram body weight were fatal.
Layer assignment for crosstalk risk minimization

In ultra-deep submicron technology, crosstalk noise is so severe that crosstalk avoidance merely in detailed routing is not adequate and it has to be considered in earlier design stages. In this paper, we propose two heuristics for crosstalk mitigation in layer assignment, which is a stage between global routing and detailed routing, so that subsequent crosstalk avoidance in detailed routing can be more attainable. The pre-detailed-routing crosstalk is estimated through a probabilistic model. The constraint on the amount of vias is also considered. Experimental results on benchmark circuits confirm the effectiveness of the proposed heuristics.
Lower bounds for nonlinear assignment problems using many body interactions

Abstract This paper concerns lower bounding techniques for the general α-adic assignment problem. The nonlinear objective function is linearized by the introduction of additional variables and constraints, thus yielding a mixed integer linear programming formulation of the problem. The concept of many body interactions is introduced to strengthen this formulation and incorporated in a modified formulation obtained by lifting the original representation to a higher dimensional space. This process involves two steps — (i) addition of new variables and constraints and (ii) incorporation of the new variables in the objective function. If this lifting process is repeated β times on an α-adic assignment problem along with the incorporation of higher order interactions, it results in the mixed-integer formulation of an equivalent (α + β)-adic assignment problem. The incorporation of many body interactions in the higher dimensional formulation improves its degeneracy properties and is also critical to the derivation of decomposition methods for the solution of these large scale mathematical programs in the higher dimensional space. It is shown that a lower bound to the optimal solution of the corresponding linear programming relaxation can be obtained by dualizing a subset of constraints in this formulation and solving O ( N 2( α + β −1) ) linear assignment problems, whose coefficients depend on the dual values. Moreover, it is proved that the optimal solution to the LP relaxation is obtained if we use the optimal duals for the solution of the linear assignment problems. This concept of many body interactions could be applied in designing algorithms for the solution of formulations obtained by lifting general MILP's. We illustrate all these concepts on the quadratic assignment problems With these decomposition bounds, we have found the provably optimal solutions of two unsolved QAP's of size 32 and have also improved upon existing lower bounds for other QAP's.
The Changing Face of Disorders of Fatty Acid Oxidation

Objective To review the current understanding of the rapidly changing field of disorders of fatty acid metabolism and to discuss the future directions for research. Design A literature review of the basic biochemistry of the β-oxidation pathway and clinical cases of defects of fatty acid metabolism are presented, and the diagnosis and treatment of such defects are discussed. Material and Methods In many cases, a correct diagnosis will be made only if these disorders are specifically considered and appropriate tests are obtained, because results of screening tests for other organic acidemias are often normal in these entities. Results The first disorder of fatty acid metabolism was described only 20 years ago. Since then, at least 15 different inborn errors of metabolism that affect β-oxidation have been identified, most in the past 10 years. Within the past 5 years, investigators have realized that a deficiency of one of these enzymes, medium-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase, may be one of the most common inborn errors of metabolism. This disorder may have a frequency equal to that of phenylketonuria in some populations in the United States and northern Europe. Approximately 1 to 3% of all unexplained deaths during infancy and childhood are probably related to disorders of β-oxidation. Diagnosis of these disorders can be difficult because of the intermittent nature of the excretion of characteristic compounds. The mainstay of therapy for defects of β-oxidation is avoidance of fasting. Conclusion All patients with a suspected defect of fatty acid metabolism should be assessed and monitored by a specialist trained in the care of such patients. Continued improvements in the ability to diagnose and treat these disorders will be directly linked to new advances in the basic research on these enzymes. Movements to screen newborns for medium-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase are under way in some medical centers. Proposed tests include metabolite analysis or direct mutation analysis (or both) from blood spots from newborn screening cards already obtained for every newborn in the United States.
Conservation of bactericidal activity in ultrasound-exposed murine peritoneal phagocytic cells.

Abstract Murine peritoneal exudate cells (PEC), predominantly macrophages, were insonated in vitro with burst-mode ultrasound and assayed for their ability to phagocytose and kill Staphylococcus aureus . PEC were exposed at 37°C in rotating tubes to 1-MHz, burst-mode (10 ms on, 10 ms off) ultrasound at 3.7 ± 0.2 W/cm 2 I SPTA (7.4 ± 0.4 W/cm 2 I SPBA ) for 150 s. Bactericidal activity was assayed at 1, 2, and 3 h after exposure and subsequent 37°C incubation with the bacteria for 20 min. In these experiments, which comprised 17 treated and 7 sham-treated control samples, there was no significant difference in results between treated and control samples ( p > 0.29).
Develocracy vs democracy

Abstract In a sequence of contributions in Developmental Review, (Moshman, 1990a , Moshman 1990b; Commons & Rodriguez, 1990) , researchers have recently applied a developmental approach to constitutional policy. In particular, they discussed whether student religious groups in public schools should be permitted in light of the potentially conflicting constitutional principles of religious freedom on the one hand and of the ban against the establishment of a religion by the government on the other hand. Although they differed in important respects, Moshman as well as Commons and Rodriguez made the permissibility of student religious groups fully or partly contingent on the students' developmental stage. Because newer developmental theories differentiate several stages of adult development, such linkage of constitutional rights with developmental stages raises the specter of “develocracy.” Develocracy is a term I suggest to characterize a constitutional system in which a substantial number of rights and duties of adults depends on their developmental stage.
The microevolution of modern human cranial variation: implications for hominin and primate evolution

AbstractContext: Reconstructing the evolutionary history of fossil human taxa is heavily reliant on the ability to extract phylogenetic information from patterns of morphological variability. However, attempts to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships from craniodental data in extant primates have yielded inconsistent and inconclusive results.Objective: To critically evaluate a recent body of research, conducted within an explicitly quantitative genetics framework, which investigates the extent to which human cranial variation reflects past population history. Possible ways in which to extrapolate these human-specific insights to higher taxonomic levels will also be assessed.Results: A consensus is emerging confirming a largely neutral model for the human cranium, although specific instances of climatic and dietary adaptation have also been uncovered. Also, specific regions of the cranium, delineated according to particular criteria, differ in their relative genetic congruence. However, the genetic congru...
Secondary hyperparathyroidism and anemia in children treated by hemodialysis.

Background Many patients treated using hemodialysis remain anemic despite exogenous erythropoietin therapy, suggesting that the anemia experienced by these patients is multifactorial in cause. Iron deficiency, infection, inflammation, and malnutrition have been implicated in this process. Additionally, secondary hyperparathyroidism has been associated with anemia in adults, but few data exist about this topic in children. Study Design Cross-sectional retrospective. Setting & Participants Children treated in hemodialysis centers (N = 588) within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' 2002 Clinical Performance Measures Project. Predictor Intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels assessed in October, November, and December 2001 and categorized as quintiles. Outcomes & Measurements Achievement of serum hemoglobin level ≥ 11 g/dL was assessed using Poisson regression adjusting for sex, age, race, dialysis vintage, vascular access type, single-pool Kt/V, serum albumin level, normalized protein catabolic rate, calcium-phosphorus product, and erythropoietin alfa dose. Results Using the second quintile (iPTH, 103-224 pg/mL) as the reference quintile, there was no association between iPTH quintile and achievement of the hemoglobin goal: quintile 1 prevalence ratio, 1.0 (95% CI, 0.9-1.2); quintile 3, 0.95 (95% CI, 0.8-1.1); quintile 4, 0.99 (95% CI, 0.8-1.2); and quintile 5, 0.97 (95% CI, 0.8-1.1). Only serum albumin level ≥ 3.5 g/dL (bromocresol green assay method) or ≥ 3.2 g/dL (bromocresol purple assay method) was significantly associated with meeting the hemoglobin goal: 1.4 (95% CI, 1.2-1.6). Limitations The simultaneous collection of iPTH and hemoglobin limits causal inference. Iron stores and iron therapy are potential confounders not accounted for in this study. Conclusions In the largest study of this topic in children, no association was found between iPTH level and achievement of a hemoglobin level ≥ 11 g/dL. Serum albumin level was associated strongly with achievement of the hemoglobin goal.
Effect of temperature on the transverse cracking behavior of cross-ply composite laminates

Abstract This paper investigates temperature-dependent transverse cracking in cross-ply composite laminates over a wide range of service temperatures. The graphite-reinforced polymer-matrix composites considered are bismaleimide X5260/G40-800 (BASF) and Avimid K3B/IM7 (DuPont) materials. Fracture toughness is measured over a range of temperatures from − 50°C to 175°C and is found to be temperature dependent. Matrix cracking initiation is quantified experimentally using acoustic emission polar backscattering, ultrasonic inspection, and edge replication. Various modeling approaches are correlated with experimental results. It is found that the shearlag model and the energy release rate model provide upper and lower bounds on experimental results. The significance of including temperature-dependent properties is demonstrated.
Average plaquette of SU(2) gauge theory on a body-centered hypercubic lattice

Monte Carlo techniques are used to calculate the average plaquette on a body-centered hypercubic lattice. Results are qualitatively similar to those previously obtained on the standard lattice but important quantitative differences are noted.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in porcine immune cells.

Abstract Porcine immune cells were examined for the ability to produce inducible nitric oxide synthase following in vitro or in vivo stimulation. Enzyme activity and product formation were not detected following stimulation of porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), splenocytes, or alveolar macrophages with a combination of ConA and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or recombinant porcine interferon γ and LPS. In vitro engulfment of Haemophilus parasuis by macrophages also failed to induce inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity or nitrite formation. Swine Herpes Virus infection led to a small but significant increase in level of nitrite detected in lung lavage fluid, whereas the infection of pigs with Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome Virus did not alter the lavage fluid nitrite levels. iNOS mRNA was detected in both stimulated and unstimulated porcine immune cells and in macrophages from both control and infected animals suggesting that it is constitutively expressed with little or no upregulation following cellular stimulation. The results presented in this paper indicate that the reactive nitrogen intermediate pathway is not an vital innate immune response in the pig.
A progress report on speech understanding at SRI

SRI is one of a number of organizations engaged in a major program of research on the analysis of continuous speech by computer (cf. Newell et al., 1971). The goal is the development of a speech understanding system capable of engaging a human operator in a natural conversation about a specific problem domain. The SRI project involves the actions of a simulated robot manipulating blocks in a simulated three-dimensional environment. A person speaking to the computer will be able to ask questions about this environment, to give commands that will modify it, and to add information to augment its structure. The procedures being developed to provide these capabilities integrate pragmatic, semantic, syntactic, lexical, phonological, phonetic, and acoustic analyses.
Nonmalignant hyperthermia on induction of anesthesia in a pediatric patient undergoing bi-directional Glenn procedure

We report a case of severe hyperthermia in a 6-month-old boy with a single ventricle, dextrocardia, asplenia, and transposition of the great arteries, during induction of anesthesia on three separate occasions. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of repeated intraoperative hyperthermia not related to malignant hyperthermia, infection, neuroendocrine tumor, or iatrogenic causes (e.g., anticholinergic blockade or warming devices). The severe hyperthermia may be secondary to the medications given before and during induction and/or the stress of the induction. Among the induction medications given during the three episodes, fentanyl is the most likely contributing drug. Human data indicate that opioids increase the sweating threshold and decrease the vasoconstriction and shivering thresholds. The medications could cause a widening in the thermoregulation interthreshold and the stress could induce nonshivering thermogenesis.
Realistic triaxial density–potential–force profiles for stellar systems and dark matter haloes

Popular models for describing the luminosity-density profiles of dynamically hot stellar systems (e.g. Jaffe, Hernquist, Dehnen) were constructed to match the deprojected form of de Vaucouleurs' R 1/4 light-profile. However, we now know that elliptical galaxies and bulges display a mass-dependent range of structural profiles. To compensate this, the model in Terzic & Graham was designed to closely match the deprojected form of Sersic R 1/n light-profiles, including deprojected exponential light-profiles and galaxies with partially depleted cores. It is thus applicable for describing bulges in spiral galaxies, dwarf elliptical galaxies, both 'power-law' and 'core' elliptical galaxies, also dark matter haloes formed from A cold dark matter cosmological simulations. In this paper, we present a new family of triaxial density-potential-force triplets, which generalizes the spherical model reported in Terzic & Graham to three dimensions. If the (optional) power-law core is present, it is a five-parameter family, while in the absence of the core it reduces to three parameters. The isodensity contours in the new family are stratified on confocal ellipsoids and the potential and forces are expressed in terms of integrals which are easy to evaluate numerically. We provide the community with a suite of numerical routines for orbit integration, which feature: optimized computations of potential and forces for this family; the ability to run simulations on parallel platforms; and modular and easily editable design.
Gendered Arrests or Gendered Sentencing: Explaining the Narrowing of the Gender Gap in Imprisonment over Time: 1970–2008

Since 1970 the percentage of women incarcerated in U.S. prisons has risen from nearly 3 percent to almost 7 percent—more than doubling in less than 40 years. This article examines explanations for this phenomenon—concentrating on two: Changes in the relative rates of arrest for females and males and sentencing reforms that were instituted during this period. The authors examine trends in female to male imprisonment rates from 1970 to 2008 across all fifty states using panel analysis. The only robust relationship they find is between the ratio of female to male incarceration rates and the ratio of female to male arrest rates for drug crimes. Sentencing reforms designed to limit the discretion of judges and those designed to limit the discretion of parole boards (the elimination of parole boards or truth in sentencing) are not related to changes in the ratio of female to male incarceration rates.
Array-Based Whole-Genome Survey of Dog Saliva DNA Yields High Quality SNP Data

Background Genome-wide association scans for genetic loci underlying both Mendelian and complex traits are increasingly common in canine genetics research. However, the demand for high-quality DNA for use on such platforms creates challenges for traditional blood sample ascertainment. Though the use of saliva as a means of collecting DNA is common in human studies, alternate means of DNA collection for canine research have instead been limited to buccal swabs, from which dog DNA is of insufficient quality and yield for use on most high-throughput array-based systems. We thus investigated an animal-based saliva collection method for ease of use and quality of DNA obtained and tested the performance of saliva-extracted canine DNA on genome-wide genotyping arrays. Methodology/principal findings Overall, we found that saliva sample collection using this method was efficient. Extractions yielded high concentrations ( approximately 125 ng/ul) of high-quality DNA that performed equally well as blood-extracted DNA on the Illumina Infinium canine genotyping platform, with average call rates >99%. Concordance rates between genotype calls of saliva- versus blood-extracted DNA samples from the same individual were also >99%. Additionally, in silico calling of copy number variants was successfully performed and verified by PCR. Conclusions/significance Our findings validate the use of saliva-obtained samples for genome-wide association studies in canines, highlighting an alternative means of collecting samples in a convenient and non-invasive manner.
Centrifugation and spin-coating method for fabrication of three-dimensional opal and inverse-opal structures as photonic crystal devices

We describe a simple and effective method, based on a combination of centrifugation and spin coating, developed for the fabrication by self-assembly of photonic crystal structures. The process produces compact 3-D arrays of polystyrene microspheres (opals) that are organized into crystalline lattices with single-crystal regions up to several hundred micrometers in size. These arrays are subsequently used as templates for infiltration with polyurethane. The resulting inverse opals are characterized by Fourier transform IR reflection spectroscopy and exhibit strong reflectivity for a band of wavelengths in excellent agreement with band structure calculations. This process offers the ability to rapidly form 3-D photonic crystals using inexpensive instrumentation, which makes it attractive for an array of applications. Process parameters, fabricated structures, and their experimental characterization are presented.
Oxidant-induced S-glutathiolation inactivates protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha): a potential mechanism of PKC isozyme regulation.

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes are subject to inactivation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) through as yet undefined oxidative modifications of the isozyme structure. We previously reported that Cys-containing, Arg-rich peptide-substrate analogues spontaneously form disulfide-linked complexes with PKC isozymes, resulting in isozyme inactivation. This suggested that PKC might be inactivated by oxidant-induced S-glutathiolation, i.e., disulfide linkage of the endogenous molecule glutathione (GSH) to PKC. Protein S-glutathiolation is a reversible oxidative modification that has profound effects on the activity of certain enzymes and binding proteins. To directly examine whether PKC could be inactivated by S-glutathiolation, we used the thiol-specific oxidant diamide because its oxidant activity is restricted to induction of disulfide bridge formation. Diamide weakly inactivated purified recombinant cPKC-alpha, and this was markedly potentiated to nearly full inactivation by 100 microM GSH, which by itself was without effect on cPKC-alpha activity. Diamide inactivation of cPKC-alpha and its potentiation by GSH were both fully reversed by DTT. Likewise, GSH markedly potentiated diamide inactivation of a PKC isozyme mixture purified from rat brain (alpha, beta, gamma, epsilon, zeta) in a DTT-reversible manner. GSH potentiation of diamide-induced cPKC-alpha inactivation was associated with S-glutathiolation of the isozyme. cPKC-alpha S-glutathiolation was demonstrated by the DTT-reversible incorporation of [(35)S]GSH into the isozyme structure and by an associated change in the migration position of cPKC-alpha in nonreducing SDS-PAGE. Diamide treatment of NIH3T3 cells likewise induced potent, DTT-reversible inactivation of cPKC-alpha in association with [(35)S] S-thiolation of the isozyme. Taken together, the results indicate that PKC isozymes can be oxidatively inactivated by S-thiolation reactions involving endogenous thiols such as GSH.
Bearing Condition Monitoring Methods for Electric Machines: A General Review

Bearing faults account for approximately half of all electric machine failures. Bearing condition monitoring is of practical importance. In this paper, up to seven different bearing condition monitoring methods in terms of the measuring medium are reviewed, with an emphasis on their implementation considerations. The major advantages and disadvantages of those methods are also summarized. This paper attempts to provide a general guide for choosing proper bearing condition monitoring strategies in practice for electric machines.
Stability of a Method of Smoothing in a Digital Control Computer

In a certain operation a digital computer was used as an element of a control system to smooth consecutive observational data. The method of smoothing consisted of predicting from past smoothed values and then combining the prediction with the next observation. In this paper an analysis of the stability of this useful method is made, and an explicit formula of the range of the parameters for which the method is stable is derived. Also, the statistical variance of the smoothed variable is calculated.
Built to Order: Molecular Tinkertoys from the [Re6(μ3-Se)8]2+ Clusters

Ligand substitution of [Re6(μ3-Se)8(PEt3)5(CH3CN)](SbF6)2 (1) with pyridyl-based ligands, 2,4,6-tri-4-pyridyl-1,3,5-triazine (L1) and 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine (L2), produced respectively the star-shaped tricluster (T1) and tetracluster (T2) arrays, wherein three (T1) and four (T2) units of the [Re6(μ3-Se)8]2+ core-containing clusters are interconnected by the corresponding bridging ligands. These novel supramolecular assemblies were characterized by a combination of NMR (1H and 31P) spectroscopy, ESI-MS, and microanalysis. The molecular and solid-state structures of T1 have also been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Heart failure symptom monitoring and response training

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a heart failure (HF) training program on patients' ability to recognize and respond to changes in HF symptoms. The primary aim was to compare event-free survival at 90 days. Methods A total of 99 HF patients randomized to the HF symptom training intervention or usual care completed instruments about self-care (Self-Care of HF Index) and at baseline and 3 months. Demographic, clinical, and comorbidity data were collected by interview and chart review. Time to first event (death or a HF-related hospitalization) was tracked by electronic records and patient interview. Results The sample was predominately male (67.7%), elderly (67.7 yrs ± 12.1) and Caucasian (88.9%). The intervention group reported more events but the difference was not significantly different ( χ 2 = 1.18, p = 0.26). There was no difference in survival time between groups ( χ 2 = 1.53, p = 0.216). In paired t -tests, the intervention group had significantly improved self-care maintenance, management and confidence scores (all p p Conclusions HF symptom awareness training appeared to have an early but not sustained benefit resulting in no difference in 90-day event-free survival. However, larger improvement in self-care maintenance and confidence scores in the intervention group compared to usual care is promising. Embedding meaningful symptom monitoring strategies in self-care maintenance interventions requires further investigation.
The Effect of Nonspecific Binding of Lambda Repressor on DNA Looping Dynamics

The λ repressor (CI) protein-induced DNA loop maintains stable lysogeny, yet allows efficient switching to lysis. Herein, the kinetics of loop formation and breakdown has been characterized at various concentrations of protein using tethered particle microscopy and a novel, to our knowledge, method of analysis. Our results show that a broad distribution of rate constants and complex kinetics underlie loop formation and breakdown. In addition, comparison of the kinetics of looping in wild-type DNA and DNA with mutated o3 operators showed that these sites may trigger nucleation of nonspecific binding at the closure of the loop. The average activation energy calculated from the rate constant distribution is consistent with a model in which nonspecific binding of CI between the operators shortens their effective separation, thereby lowering the energy barrier for loop formation and broadening the rate constant distribution for looping. Similarly, nonspecific binding affects the kinetics of loop breakdown by increasing the number of loop-securing protein interactions, and broadens the rate constant distribution for this reaction. Therefore, simultaneous increase of the rate constant for loop formation and reduction of that for loop breakdown stabilizes lysogeny. Given these simultaneous changes, the frequency of transitions between the looped and the unlooped state remains nearly constant. Although the loop becomes more stable thermodynamically with increasing CI concentration, it still opens periodically, conferring sensitivity to environmental changes, which may require switching to lytic conditions.
Modification of Glass Surfaces by p -Nitrobenzyl Bromide

IN the course of a study on the nature of the surface hydroxyl group of silicate glasses, it has been found that glass surfaces become permanently hydrophobic after being treated for 1 hr. with a dry, 30 per cent toluene solution of p-nitrobenzyl bromide at a temperature of 100° C. The effect was found with vitreous silica, borosilicate glasses and glasses of other composition. The most pronounced results were obtained with glass surfaces which had been freshly cleaved under distilled water and vacuum-dried before treatment with the above solution. The treated surfaces remained hydrophobic after prolonged exposure to common organic solvents and water.
Survey of robot safety in industry

A questionnaire was mailed to 55 industrial robot users in the United States to determine what safety measures were used in the field. Nineteen companies using a total of over 580 robots responded to the survey. The questionnaire investigated types of robots, types of safety devices, optimal work range, ability to enclose, and response to error condition. Only 20% of robots were found to be completely enclosed, while 60% had a limited barrier or no barrier. Active safety measures such as light curtains and floor mats were found to be the most widely used safety devices at 67% and 59%, respectively. In addition, industrial users demonstrated poor conformance to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and to the American National Standards Institute/Robot Industries Association (ANSI/RIA) standards.
Rate dependent drug effects: Possible state dependency

Of 6 rats given extensive experience responding on a fixed-interval reinforcement schedule after injections of 1 mg/kg d-amphetamine, 3 showed significant rate dependent changes in responding when presession saline was substituted for d-amphetamine. Low rates were increased and high rates decreased by the change from d-amphetamine to saline, a result commonly found when d-amphetamine is first introduced. This indicates that rate dependent changes in fixed-interval responding may be state dependent phenomena.
The relationship between beam transmission and concentration of suspended particulate material in the Neuse River estuary, North Carolina

Monthly measurements made at 15 stations along the axis of the upper Neuse River estuary show a highly variable degree of correlation between concentration of suspended particulate material (SPM) and attenuation of light (c) as measured by transmissometer. Coefficients of determination along transect lines ranged from 0.12 to 0.93 and calibration slopes ranged from 0.50 to 5.63. When examined on a station-by-station basis, coefficients of determination ranged from 0.21 to 0.96 and calibration slopes ranged from 1.04 to 4.94. Surface calibrations made at individual stations over the full 13-month period were the most consistent of all observations and were considerably better than calibrations made using all of the stations on a given day. Organic content, which can dominate the suspended sediment load during some months, does not appear to explain the variations in reliability of the calibrations. However, an abundance of large aggregates with time-varying size and shape distributions may be partly responsible for variations in optical properties of the sediments, and thus may confound the relationship between SPM and c in the Neuse River estuary. Time-varying calibrations to account for non-negligible changes in optical properties may not suffice in complex estuarine environments where the in situ particle dynamics are poorly understood.
Degradation mechanisms of natural fiber in the matrix of cement composites

The degradation mechanisms of natural fiber in the alkaline and mineral-rich environment of cement matrix are investigated. Cement hydration is presented to be a crucial factor in understanding fiber degradation behavior by designing a contrast test to embed sisal fibers in pure and metakaolin modified cement matrices. In addition to durability of sisal fiber-reinforced cement composites determined by means of flexural properties, degradation degree of the embedded fibers is directly evaluated by proposing a novel separation approach. The results indicate that, by reducing alkalinity of pore solution, metakaolin effectively mitigates the deterioration of natural fiber. By combining results of thermogravimetric analysis and microstructure, the alkali degradation process of natural fiber, which consists of hydrolysis of lignin and hemicellulose, stripping of cellulose microfibrils and deterioration of amorphous regions in cellulose chains, is visually presented. Two new concepts of mineralization mechanism, calcium hydroxide (CH)-mineralization and self-mineralization, are also proposed and quantitatively characterized.
Interface evaluations of overlay-concrete bi-layer composites by a direct shear test method

Abstract Interface evaluations of four high-performance concrete overlays cast on top of one type of normal concrete substrate were made by a new direct shear test method. Two different surface preparations such as mechanical abrasion and chemical etching were followed to manufacture 64 overlay–substrate bi-layer specimens. This paper discusses the material properties and fabrication and evaluations of bi-layer specimens. Results show that successful interface bond characterization was possible through this direct shear apparatus. The test method seems to be suitable for screening and selection of various overlays for their compatibility with substrate concrete. However, some modification in the tool is needed for assessing the high-bond capacity interface. Effects of bonding slurry also needs further study.
Balancing localization and globalization:exploring the impact of firm internationalization on a regional cluster

This paper explores the impact of firm internationalization on regional industrial clusters. The past decade has witnessed the popularization of two intertwined trends in geographic competitiveness: globalization and localization. While previous research has sought to understand and analyse how multinational enterprises pursue strategies to capture critical expertise and resources in dynamic regional environments, to date only limited efforts have sought to explore how internationalization affects ‘cluster’ relationships among locally founded, rapidly growing firms. Specifically, this paper explores whether the internationalization of local firms weakens the local relationships associated with industrial clusters. It reports the findings of research conducted on the internationalization of a cluster of companies in the photonics industry. Twenty-three senior executives were interviewed, face-to-face. Grounded theory methodology was applied to the data to create a new conceptual framework to explore how in...
The Larval Development of Palaemonetes Paludosus (Gibbes, 1850) (Decapoda, Palaemonidae), Reared in the Laboratory 1 )

Die Larven der Susswassergarnele Palaemonetes paludosus (Gibbes) wurden im Laboratorium gezuchtet. Die Larvalentwicklung ist verkurzt. Sie umschliesst 3 Stadien. Bei Temperaturen zwischen 15° und 31°C tritt die Metamorphose nach 5 bis 10 Tagen ein. Die Variationsbreite der Entwicklung ist gering, nur eines der 263 Individuen erreichte das Stadium der ersten Postlarve, und zwar nach 4 Larvenstadien. Hungertiere metamorphosieren ebenso schnell und mit ebenso geringer Sterblichkeit wie gefutterte. Dieser Umstand ist auf den internen Vorrat an Larvendotter zuruckzufuhren. Die drei Zoea Stadien und die erste Postlarve werden beschrieben und abgebildet.
Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2/ABCC2) haplotypes significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in kidney transplant recipients

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug used for the prevention of the allograft rejection in kidney transplant recipients. It exhibits a narrow therapeutic index and large pharmacokinetic variability. Tacrolimus is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 and 3A5 and effluxed via ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), encoded by ABCB1 gene. The influence of CYP3A5*3 on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus has been well characterized. On the other hand, the contribution of polymorphisms in other genes is controversial. In addition, the involvement of other efflux transporters than P-gp in tacrolimus disposition is uncertain. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of genetic polymorphisms of CYP3As and efflux transporters on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus. A total of 500 blood concentrations of tacrolimus from 102 adult stable kidney transplant recipients were included in the analyses. Genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genes were determined. In addition, the genes of efflux transporters including P-gp (ABCB1), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP2/ABCC2) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) were genotyped. For ABCC2 gene, haplotypes were determined as follows: H1 (wild type), H2 (1249G>A), H9 (3972C>T) and H12 (−24C>T and 3972C>T). Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using nonlinear mixed effects modeling. Analyses revealed that the CYP3A5 expressers (CYP3A5*1 carriers) and MRP2 high-activity group (ABCC2 H2/H2 and H1/H2) showed a decreased dose-normalized trough concentration of tacrolimus by 2.3-fold (p < 0.001) and 1.5-fold (p = 0.007), respectively. The pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus were best described using a two-compartment model with first order absorption and an absorption lag time. In the population pharmacokinetic analysis, CYP3A5 expressers and MRP2 high-activity groups were identified as the significant covariates for tacrolimus apparent clearance expressed as 20.7 × (age/50)−0.78 × 2.03 (CYP3A5 expressers) × 1.40 (MRP2 high-activity group). No other CYP3A4, ABCB1 or ABCG2 polymorphisms were associated with the apparent clearance of tacrolimus. This is the first report showing that MRP2/ABCC2 has a crucial impact on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in a haplotype-specific manner. Determination of the ABCC2 as well as CYP3A5 genotype may be useful for more accurate tacrolimus dosage adjustment.
Prevalence and Implications of Uncontrolled Systolic Hypertension

Risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases incrementally with blood pressure, even within the high-normal range. In the general population, 27% of CVD in women and 37% in men is attributable to hypertension. A high percentage of these hypertension-related events occur in those with high-normal blood pressure and mild hypertension; about one-fourth of CVD events in elderly women and one-third in elderly men in the Framingham Study occured in persons who had blood pressures of 140–159mm Hg systolic and/or 90–95mm Hg diastolic. The average systolic blood pressure (SBP) at which coronary heart disease occurs is rather modest (141mm Hg), as is the pulse pressure (59–63mm Hg). Of the CVD events in elderly participants in the Framingham Study, 24% in men and 36% in women occurred in persons receiving treatment for hypertension. There is a growing recognition of the importance of the systolic component of blood pressure. About 65% of hypertension in the elderly is isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), and CVD risk increases with pulse pressure. Pulse pressure is not simply a marker for stiff diseased arteries; treatment of ISH in trials promptly reduces the CVD risk, indicating that the pulse pressure generated by the stiff artery is the culprit. Analysis of data from clinical trials indicates that greater reliance should be placed on systolic pressure in evaluating the CVD potential of hypertension. Hypertension, including ISH, seldom occurs in isolation from other risk factors and overt CVD. Risk varies widely depending on the burden of accompanying risk factors. This makes global risk assessment mandatory for evaluating risk and the urgency and nature of treatment required. Evidence incriminating systolic pressure as the dominant blood pressure determinant of CVD has not been translated into clinical practice. Most of the uncontrolled hypertension observed in the Framingham Study is concentrated in those with ISH. This also extends to African-Americans, people with diabetes mellitus and the elderly. When should SBP be considered controlled? Substantial evidence supports the value of treating ISH with SBP exceeding 160mm Hg. Trial data are not yet available to support recommendations to treat lesser elevations of ISH or pulse pressure per se, but since one-half of patients with mild ISH have two or more additional risk factors, most are candidates for treatment. In such patients, ISH should be considered controlled when their global CVD risk is reduced to below the average for their age.
Hybrid of (ID3 extension + backpropagation) hybrid and (case-based reasoner + Grossberg net) hybrid with economics modeling controlled by genetic algorithm

A feed-forward neural net with backpropagation has proved to be a better predictor of economic forecasts than traditional statistics-based systems. A market price of a stock can be predicted by training the net on its price data in the past several months along with relevant economic parameters. ID3 extension, trained on the same data, can give explanations, based on the classifications it makes. The latter of the two similarity-based reasoners, i.e., case- based reasoner and Grossberg net, if adapting its vigilance parameter appropriately, can adequately classify a newly coming data in a dynamically changing environment, keeping a history of stock price transition. However, the economic world is undergoing neverending changes, under the competition of several antagonistic factors, which are modeled using rules that form a subset of rule-based subcomponent of the case-based reasoner, which are triggered when the system judges that the arriving case is not in the past experience. By reviewing predictions and realization the genetic algorithm system, applying its reproduction, crossover, and mutation operators, adapts the configuration of backprop/ID3 and that of Grossberg net along with its vigilance parameter, and evolves the economic rules, so that the CBR can do as much stable work as possible for some time, based on its past experience into which the newly arrived cases have just been integrated. CBR can give various sorts of useful explanations and can be used to construct extended works, such as portfolio organization, for example, on top of the prediction and history the system has experienced.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Patient With Mental Retardation and Possible Panic Disorder

The limited communication skills and varying behavior patterns of people with mental retardation make the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders a challenging task. The authors present the case of a patient with mild mental retardation and possible panic disorder whose panic symptoms were missed by clinicians until a structured questionnaire to screen for those symptoms was administered. In assessing people with mental retardation for psychiatric disorder, clinicians should be alert to the possibility of panic disorder if patients show avoidant behaviors and report vague somatic complaints. A simplified structured format for assessment may lead to more accurate diagnosis.