cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative studies on fatty acid synthesis, glycogen metabolism, and gluconeogenesis by hepatocytes isolated from lean and obese Zucker rats

Hepatocytes isolated from genetically obese female Zucker rats and lean female Zucker rats were compared. Hepatocytes from fed obese rats exhibited greater rates of fatty acid synthesis, more extensive accumulation of lactate and pyruvate from their glycogen stores, increased rates of net glucose utilization but produced less ketone bodies from exogenous fatty acids and had lower citrate levels than hepatocytes from lean rats. Lipogenesis was not as sensitive to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP) inhibition in hepatocytes from obese rats but glycogenolysis was stimulated to the same extent by this nucleotide in both preparations. Ketogenesis was less sensitive to stimulation by DBcAMP in hepatocytes from obese rats. A difference in sensitivity of lipogenesis to DBcAMP was not found when lactate plus pyruvate was added to the incubation medium, suggesting that a greater rate of glycolysis by hepatocytes from obese rats accounts for their relative insensitivity to DBcAMP. Citrate levels were elevated by DBcAMP to a greater extent in hepatocytes from obese rats. Hepatocytes prepared from lean rats starved for 48 hr were glycogen depleted and lacked significant capacity for lipogenesis and glycogen synthesis. In contrast, hepatocytes isolated from starved obese rats retained considerable amounts of liver glycogen and exhibited detectable rates of lipogenesis and glycogen synthesis. Hepatocytes prepared from starved lean rats gave faster apparent rates of lactate gluconeogenesis than hepatocytes prepared from starved obese rats. Thus, hepatocytes prepared from obese Zucker rats are more glycogenic, glycolytic, and lipogenic but less ketogenic and glucogenic than hepatocytes prepared from lean rats.
IMPACT OF AGE-DEPENDENT RELAPSE AND IMMUNITY ON MALARIA DYNAMICS

An age-structured mathematical model for malaria is presented. The model explicitly includes the human and mosquito populations, structured by chronological age of humans. The infected human population is divided into symptomatic infectious, asymptomatic infectious and asymptomatic chronic infected individuals. The original partial differential equation (PDE) model is reduced to an ordinary differential equation (ODE) model with multiple age groups coupled by aging. The basic reproduction number ${\mathcal{R}}_0$ is derived for the PDE model and the age group model in the case of general n age groups. We assume that infectiousness of chronic infected individuals gets triggered by bites of even susceptible mosquitoes. Our analysis points out that this assumption contributes greatly to the ${\mathcal{R}}_0$ expression and therefore needs to be further studied and understood. Numerical simulations for n = 2 age groups and a sensitivity/uncertainty analysis are presented. Results suggest that it is important ...
Syntheses and spectroscopic characterizations of oxidative metabolites of 4‐lsopropylbiphenyl

Several derivatives of 4‐isopropylbiphenyl were prepared and characterized spectro‐scopically for use as standards in toxicological studies of the oxidative metabolism of the parent hydrocarbon.
Dose-effect and concentration-effect relationships of pinacidil and hydrochlorothiazide in hypertension.

To determine dose-effect and concentration-effect relationships in hypertension for pinacidil and hydrochlorothiazide when given alone and together, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, 4 X 3 factorial, modified fixed-dose multicenter trial. Three hundred and eighty-four patients with essential hypertension (supine diastolic blood pressure, 95 to 110 mm Hg) were assigned to one of 12 groups that received all combinations of four doses of pinacidil (0, 12.5, 25, and 37.5 mg, b.i.d.) with three doses of hydrochlorothiazide (0, 12.5, and 25 mg, b.i.d.). Significant dose- and concentration-effect relationships were seen for pinacidil and hydrochlorothiazide on diastolic blood pressure. For pinacidil, dose- and concentration-effect relationships were steeper after the dose than before the dose. A significant interaction with hydrochlorothiazide was noted such that, when combined with 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide, 12.5 mg pinacidil had near-maximal effects on blood pressure at both peak and trough. Edema occurred in 47% of those who received 37.5 mg pinacidil monotherapy (19% discontinued). The administration of 12.5 mg pinacidil with 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide appears to be optimal for efficacy and safety.
Feature selection in human auditory perception

Abstract The human ability to organize and make sense out of complex arrays of information is the best example of flexible pattern recognition. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the processes which underlie these organizational abilities. A model is proposed which describes the organizational rules or criteria employed by human listeners when comparing members of a set of complex sounds. The model assumes that feature selection is based on a Karhunen Loeve expansion of the low-level representations of sound samples. Theoretical and psychophysical analyses were performed on a set of sixteen complex sounds, revealing similar feature representations. It was concluded that the proposed model provides a reasonable first approximation to the organizational rules employed by listeners in a signal comparison task.
The Southern Ute Tribe as a Fixed Membership Group

This report bears upon the nature of the Southern Ute tribe and the relationships between certain features of that particular structural unit and marked propensities for cultural variability and cultural change within its bounds. In this report my approach will be selective, synthetic, and interpretative. I will not discuss at any length the extent and content of Southern Ute cultural variability except by way of illustration, for these matters are properly the subject of other Tri-Ethnic Project reports. I will, however, use various sources of data to advance a central argument. This argument proposes that the acceptance of the provisions of the Indian Reorganization Act, together with other acculturative influences, made possible the development of a type of structural unit which, in terms of Ute aboriginal precedents, is an organizational novelty and which makes possible the acceptance of internal cultural diversity and the adaptation to externally imposed change. I will, therefore, characterize the mo...
Impact of data center cooling strategies on component reliability

In a data center environment, the temperature that a chip experiences is an important parameter determining its reliability. A high operating temperature can cause it to wearout prematurely. A low temperature results in additional cooling costs to operate the data center. In typical data center operation, there arises a distribution of component temperatures that are sensitive to the specific cooling strategies being used. This paper evaluates the impact of various data center cooling strategies on component reliability focusing on the gate oxide time dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) mechanism on a 32nm chipset component.
To Be or Never to Have Been: Anti-Natalism and a Life Worth Living

David Benatar argues that being brought into existence is always a net harm and never a benefit. I disagree. I argue that if you bring someone into existence who lives a life worth living (LWL), then you have not all things considered wronged her. Lives are worth living if they are high in various objective goods and low in objective bads. These lives constitute a net benefit. In contrast, lives worth avoiding (LWA) constitute a net harm. Lives worth avoiding are net high in objective bads and low in objective goods. It is the prospect of a LWA that gives us good reason to not bring someone into existence. Happily, many lives are not worth avoiding. Contra Benatar, many are indeed worth living. Even if we grant Benatar his controversial asymmetry thesis, we have no reason to think that coming into existence is always a net harm.
Falsification and the protective belt surrounding entity-postulating theories

Abstract Meehl’s article is a contradiction. In every area, he recognizes some of what is wrong and then advocates a course that will produce more of the same. He sees the problem with falsification and in essence advocates for its alternative, verification, but falsely claims this strategy is still falsification and is useful when there is a loose link between theories and their auxiliaries and conditions. He acknowledges the proven value of tightening the link between theories and their auxiliaries and conditions, but rejects that course because it does not apply to his preferred theories. Twenty-five years later there is even more “slow progress” to ponder. It is time to dismantle the protective belt surrounding entity-postulating theories that Meehl’s reasoning has helped to create.
Los emigrantes españoles en París afínales del siglo XIX y en el primer tercio del siglo XX. La Sociedad de Socorros Mutuos el Hogar de los Españoles

This article analyses the situation of Spanish emigrants in Paris from the end of the nineteenth century and in the first third of the twentieth century. The study of the Sociedad Catolica de Socorros Mutuos el Hogar de los Espanoles allows reflection on the associations formed by emigrants in France and their transformation. The reasons for the creation of this particular Society, its functions, and its limitations are examined. The example chosen represents only one form of association, since in terms of origins there are two other forms: that promoted by the state, and that arising from the spontaneous self-organisation of emigrants.
Prospect theory: Implications for information evaluation

Abstract The foundation of formal models of information evaluation is expected utility theory. Although generally accepted as a normative model, expected utility theory is an inadequate descriptor of behavior in many settings, leading to the development of prospect theory to o explain various “paradoxes” which yield empirical violations of expected utility maximization. The implications of this theory are explored in a simple example, contrasting the effects of expected utility and prospect theory on choices between alternative information systems. Since accounting information can be ranked differently by prospect theory vis-a-vis expected utility theory, academicians, practitioners, and policymakers, in their roles as information evaluators and decision makers, are particularly affected by this alternative decision model.
The behaviour of iron and other trace elements during the IronEx-I and PlumEx experiments in the Equatorial Pacific

Abstract Dissolved ( 5 μm, leachable and refractory) trace elements were measured during the IronEx I and PlumEx experiments in October and November 1993 near the Galapagos Islands. Iron was measured in the enriched patch and at control stations over a 9 day period following fertilization. The dissolved iron was initially depleted at a rate that gave an iron half-life of 28–40 h. The loss rate gradually decreased, and dissolved iron concentrations did not decrease below about 0.25 nmol kg-1 throughout the experiment. These results were most consistent with a kinetic model that was second order in iron concentration for the scavenging removal of each iron fraction. Other trace elements measured did not change significantly either in concentration or partitioning during the IronEx I experiment. Biological production tracked iron concentrations over time, which suggests that productivity within the fertilized patch was regulated by the availability of iron. The PlumEx study consisted primarily of two transects, a meridional course to the east of the Galapagos Islands and a zonal section to the west. Surface dissolved iron was very low at all stations except those near the Galapagos Islands. Sections of trace metal and other properties distinctly confirm the upwelling of the Equatorial Undercurrent as it intersects the islands. This upwelling has a great effect on the surface distributions of the trace metals on the west side of the islands. Productivity within the mixed layer of this region is highly correlated with iron and nitrate. West of the islands highest productivity is found at stations with the highest iron. North of the Equatorial front, in nitrate-depleted waters, elevated iron concentrations do not enhance productivity.
On the Saint—Venant torsion of elastic diatomic bars

Abstract Basic equations of the theory of elastic diatomic media, each particle of which includes two different atoms, are given. Upon using the semi-inverse method of Saint—Venant, the shearing stresses in a cylindrical bar undergoing pure torsion are derived. Satisfaction of the balance equations and of the boundary conditions leads to a pair of Neumann problems of the potential theory solved by appeal to the classical Saint—Venant procedure. A numerical example involving an elliptic cross-section is solved and illustrated by a graph.
The attribute selection process in pattern perception: The effect of constraint redundancy and stimulus exposure time on the classification of spatially represented Markov patterns.

A transfer paradigm was used to study the effect of constraint redundancy (Rc) and stimulus exposure time (ET) on the “same-different” classifications of pairs of spatially represented Markov patterns (Vargus 7 stimuli; Evans & Mueller, 1966). In the training phase, each S classified, without feedback, pairs of Vargus 7 stimuli generated as deviations from three prototypes (i.e., most probable sequences). Each S received stimuli generated at one of three levels of Rc and exposed for one of three durations. In the test phase, all Ss classified different deviations from the same three prototypes at a single Rc level and a single ET level. Unsupervised classification performance was above chance in both training and transfer and increased slightly over trials. Significant Rc and ET effects were found. These results supported two models of attribute selection and utilization; discussions of these models and their relationships to the findings were directed toward the analysis of the “schema plus correction” hypothesis.
A Self-Consistent Method for the Analysis of Protein Secondary Structure from Circular Dichroism

A self-consistent procedure for estimating the secondary structure content from circular dichroism spectra of proteins is presented. In this method the spectrum of the protein to be analyzed is included in the basis set and an initial guess is made for the unknown structure as a first approximation. The resulting matrix equation is solved using the singular value decomposition algorithm and the initial guess is replaced by the solution. The process is repeated until self-consistency is attained. The best features of the variable selection and the locally linearized methods are incorporated in this procedure. We have applied this method to examine the inconsistencies in the CD data, to compare the predictions with different ranges and resolutions of the CD data, and to compare different assignments of secondary structures from X-ray structure analyses in the context of secondary structure predictions. The results are compared using the root mean square differences and correlation coefficients. The results obtained are as good as or better than the previous analyses. For most of the proteins considered the self-consistent solutions obtained with different initial guesses were similar. We find the Kabsch and Sander protein crystal structure analysis to be most suitable for our prediction method.
RADIOBROMINATED m-TYROSINE ANALOG AS POTENTIAL CNS L-DOPA PET TRACER

Radiobrominated 6-bromo-m-tyrosine (6-BMT) was prepared and the time course of its localization in selected cerebral and peripheral organs in the mouse was determined. Since m-tyrosine is known to have L-dopa-like properties in vivo, our goal was to assess the utility of a radiolabeled analog as a tracer for cerebral L-dopa. Our preliminary results showed that substantial amounts of 6-BMT is extracted by the mouse brain and that the regional distribution and time course of the radiotracer is consistent with uptake in regions rich in dopamine neurons. Although a more thorough biochemical characterization of 6-BMT is necessary, this or other positron emitting analogs of m-tyrosine, such as an 18F labelled analog, may be useful PET tracers for the non-invasive study of dopamine turnover in humans.
Orthographic and phonological coding during visual word matching as related to reading and spelling abilities in college students

College students, scoring average to above-average on WRAT-R subscales for reading and spelling, made match/nonmatch judgments on word pairs either on the basis of phonological similarity (a rhyme match) or orthographic similarity (a visual match). Word pairs rhymed and looked similar, rhymed but looked dissimilar, or looked similar but did not rhyme. Word pairs for which a nonmatch decision had to be made, despite similarity in the irrelevant dimension, produced significantly more errors and longer response latencies. Poorer readers were less vulnerable to phonological interference when making visual discriminations, and poorer readers and spellers were more vulnerable to orthographic interference when making rhyme matches. Results showed that a deficiency in phonological coding and an over-reliance upon orthographic coding, often observed in dyslexic children, can also be seen in relatively poor readers and spellers within a normal adult population.
Extended scenario analysis

Scenario analysis, as proposed by Rockafellar and Wets, is a stochastic programming technique employing discrete scenarios with known probabilities, usually covering several time periods. The requirement of nonaticipativity (not using future information to make present decisions) is enforced during the computational solution by using Spingarn's method of partial inverses. The scenario analysis method as proposed relies on separability (with respect to scenarios) of all problem elements except the nonanticipativity constraint.
Sound generated by fan wakes and validation with experiments

This paper presents a validation of the rotor-wake/stator interaction code, CAAT-S, with NASA Source Diagnostic Test (SDT) experiments. CAAT-S is a computationally efficient three-dimensional code based on the Euler equations linearized about a nonlinear rotational mean flow. It accounts for the flow swirl, the blade and fan 3D geometry and loading, and yields directly the radiated sound in terms of the duct acoustic modes. Two exit guide vane configurations, three power levels, and three blade passing frequencies (BPF) are considered. The power levels presented are taken at approach, cutback, and takeoff conditions for (a) the SDT low vane count (LVC) stator and (b) the SDT low noise (LN) stator. The mean flow and wake profiles are taken from the SDT experiments and exhibit strong radial dependencies. The reduced frequencies, based on the blade tip and speed of sound, associated with SDT data range from 15 for the 1BPF at approach power to 72 for 3 BPF at takeoff power. This produces a large number of pr...
Technical communique: Stability assessment for cautious iterative controller tuning

This document presents new mechanisms for stability assessment in iterative controller tuning. Contrary to the usual approach adopted in robust model identification, the new mechanisms do not rely on plant models, but utilize information from the current closed-loop system to test if a newly designed controller will maintain loop stability. All controllers that satisfy the test are guaranteed to stabilize the actual plant.
The lipids of the female monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, during fall migration

Abstract Fat constitutes about 20 per cent of the total body-wet-weight of the female monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus , during fall migration. Triglycerides comprise about 56 per cent of the total lipid, with total cholesterol about 31 per cent. The neutral lipid fatty acids are composed essentially of only two acids, oleic acid (about 60 per cent of total) and palmitic acid (about 30 per cent of total). These observations support the possibility that endogenous fat stored during the fall supplies the metabolic fuel required for the northward spring migration of the female monarch butterfly.
Use of the new IntraStent for treatment of transverse arch hypoplasia/coarctation of the aorta

We report the use of a new biliary stent (IntraStent Double Strut LD) adapted for use in a 16-year-old young man with moderate-severe transverse arch hypoplasia/coarctation of the aorta following two surgical attempts at correction/relief of the coarctation. The stent implantation procedure resulted in complete relief of the coarctation.
Role of the LIM Domains in DNA Recognition by the Lhx3 Neuroendocrine Transcription Factor

LIM homeodomain transcription factors regulate many aspects of development in multicellular organisms. Such factors contain two LIM domains in their amino terminus and a DNA-binding homeodomain. To better understand the mechanism of gene regulation by these proteins, we studied the role of the LIM domains in DNA interaction by Lhx3, a protein that is essential for pituitary development and motor neuron specification in mammals. By site selection, we demonstrate that Lhx3 binds at high affinity to an AT-rich consensus DNA sequence that is similar to sequences located within the promoters of some pituitary hormone genes. The LIM domains reduce the affinity of DNA binding by Lhx3, but do not affect the specificity. Lhx3 preferentially binds to the consensus site as a monomer with minor groove contacts. The Lhx3 binding consensus site confers Lhx3-dependent transcriptional activation to heterologous promoters. Further, DNA molecules containing the consensus Lhx3 binding site are bent to similar angles in complexes containing either wild type Lhx3 or Lhx3 lacking LIM domains. These data are consistent with Lhx3 having the properties of an architectural transcription factor. We also propose that there are distinct classes of LIM homeodomain transcription factors in which the LIM domains play different roles in modulating interactions with DNA sites in target genes.
Acetolatate synthase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. II. Evidence for the presence of two nonodentical subunits

Abstract Homogeneous preparations of acetolactate synthase (acetolactate pyruvatelyase (carboxylating), EC 4.1.3.18 formerly also known as acetohydroxy acid synthelase) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa gave rise to two protein peaks when subjected to gel filtration in the presence of 6 M guanidien·HCl, indicating the presence of two nonidentical subunits. The ratio protein in the two peak was 4.6 to 1. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate confirmed this finding. Estimates of the molecular weights of the subunits yielded values of 60 000 and 15 000. Summation of these two molecular weight values yields a value which is about one-eighth the molecular weight of the native enzyme.
Proton permeability and the regulation of potassium permeability in mitochondria by uncoupling agents.

The addition of agents that uncouple electron transfer from energy conservation (uncouplers) to state 4 mitochondria causes the following ion movements: K+ is extruded from the mitochondria in association with phosphate and possibly other anions, but not H+. Endogenous Ca++ is extruded from the mitochondria, and H+ moves in to counter-balance the Ca++ movement; some phosphate movement may be associated with Ca++ extrusion. The rate and extent of K+ extrusion induced by uncoupler is dependent on the concentrations of external phosphate and divalent ions. Phosphate induces K+ extrusion, while Mg++ and Mn++ inhibit it. TheVmax of K+ transport is 300 μmoles K+/g protein per min. The Km for FCCP-induced potassium extrusion is 0.25 μM at pH 7.4. The inhibitory effect of Mg++ is noncompetitive with respect to uncoupler concentration but competitive with respect to phosphate concentration. The experimental evidence does not support the existence of high H+ permeability in the presence of uncoupler. A correlation is observed between the rate of K+ extrusion and the energy reserves supplied from the high energy intermediate. The action of uncoupler in inducing K+ permeability is considered to arise through its action in depleting the energy reserves of mitochondria rather than through a specific activating effect of permeability by the uncoupler itself. The relationship of membrane potential to regulation of K+ permeability is discussed.
Toxic Metal Sensing through Novel Use of Hybrid Inorganic and Polymeric Ion-Exchangers

Abstract A new sorption-based technique for sensing trace toxic metals (e.g., lead, copper, zinc) in water is described in the article. The methodology uses a novel, environmentally benign, inorganic hybrid sorbent material (HSM) and the pH is the sole surrogate parameter for the detection of toxic metals. HSM is a granular composite of calcium magnesium silicate (Ca2MgSi2O7), sparingly soluble, and maintains a near-constant alkaline pH in contact with water due to steady release of hydroxyl ions (OH−) caused by slow hydrolysis of HSM. When water containing common electrolytes (Na+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO4 2−) is passed through the HSM bed in a mini-column, the exiting pH consistently remains around 9.0. In contrast, in the presence of trace concentration of toxic metals (say lead or zinc) in water, there is a significant drop in pH (>2 units) under otherwise identical conditions. The drop in pH and breakthrough of toxic metal at the column exit occur concurrently. Since the pH is the sole indicating parameter, th...
Potassium (4-carboxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato)Dioxidovanadate(V) Monohydrate

The title complex, K[V(C8H3NO6)O2]·H2O, was synthesized by reacting 4-carboxy­pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (contaminated as a potassium salt) with NH4VO3 in aqueous solution. The title complex, with a vanadium(V) metal center, is a distorted square-based pyramid. Its structure consists of chains of the anionic complexes in the direction of the b axis connected by potassium–oxygen inter­actions which range from 2.5981 (18) to 3.0909 (18) A. These chains are linked to each other by hydrogen bonding between the O atoms of the complex and the water mol­ecules.
The effects of interstitial elements on the phase stability and mechanical behavior of selected intermetallics

Abstract The possibility of stabilizing by interstitial element alloying a crystal structure more favorable for mechanical behavior was explored in a number of high temperature intermetallics. The base intermetallics A3B were mainly of the Cr3Si (A15) structure type and alloying with interstitials A3BXx, where X ≡ C, O or N, in many cases resulted in the ordered f.c.c. Cu3Au (Ll2) or perovskite (L′l2) structures. At least 16 alloy systems exhibit this effect, as determined from our research and from the literature. The V3AuX (X ≡ O, C,) and V3PtO systems were selected for quantitative study of the mechanical behavior. The fracture toughness KIC, as estimated by both microhardness indentation cracking methods and fractal geometry measurements of fractured surfaces, indicated that the interstitial-stabilized L′l2 phase had KIC values two to three times greater than those of the base A15 compound, although the absolute values were still low.
Space fillers of higher genus

Tiling problems for the euclidean space or other spaces have a long history. While the theory of plane tilings has been systematically studied in recent years [13], relatively little is known about tilings in 3 or higher dimensions, let alone tilings with non-spherical tiles. In this note we describe constructions of symmetric tilings in spherical, euclidean or hyperbolic 3-space by polyhedral handlebodies of genus at least 1. These tilings J- are intimately related to certain spherical, euclidean or hyper- bolic regular skew polyhedra ~ whose "holes" are in one-to-one corre- spondence with the holes of the tiles in Y [2]. The symmetry groups S(Y) of 57- and S(~/) of d" are the same and act transitively on the tiles of 2-.
Mixed monolayers of straight-chain/branched-chain phospholipids. I. Mixed monolayers of distearoyl phosphatidylcholine and diisoeicosanoyl phosphatidylcholine

Abstract The temperature dependence of the force/area isotherms of monolayer of distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC), diisoicosanoyl phosphatidylcholine (DIEPC) and a complete mixed compositional range of these two lecithins are reported. The isotherms for DSPC closely resemble those previously reported for dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine but are shifted to higher temperatures by 16°C. The isotherms of DIEPC, an iso-branched lecithin, show differences from these obtained for similar straight-chain lecithins in that the full condensed isotherms are more expanded, the fully expanded isotherms are more condensed and therefore the liquid expanded (LE)/liquid condensed (LC) intermediate region is significantly reduced. This means that the condensed state is more disordered and the expanded state is less disordered than the corresponding states in straight-chain lecithins Data for the mixed films are interpreted in terms of surface pressure/mole fraction phase diagrams and both energies and entropies of compression associated with the LE/LC transition. The phase diagrams at 34.1°C, 35.8°C and 38.5°C are all of the negative azotropic type with the surface pressure minimum point shifting with temperature. The thermodynamic analysis indicates that from 34.1°C to 38.5°C the driving force for mixing changes from the entropy to the energy of the transition. It would seem that at the lower temperature the packing of the distearoyl lecithin is perturbed by the diisoeicosanyl lecithin, while at higher temperatures the very high entropy of pure or nearly pure diisoeicosanoyl lecithin results in other mixtures having less entropy than would be expected on an ideal mixing basis.
The relationship between thermocline depth and SST anomalies in the eastern equatorial Pacific: Seasonality and decadal variations

Even though the vital role of thermocline fluctuation in El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle has been established previously, the direct relationship between the thermocline depth and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the equatorial Pacific is yet to be fully understood, especially its seasonality. Thermocline depth anomalies have been found to lead SST anomalies in time with a longitude-dependent delay, but our study also suggests that the relationship shows considerable seasonal dependency and is strongest (weakest) during the boreal spring (summer). Over the eastern equatorial Pacific where there is least delay (compared to that in the western and central Pacific), the connection between thermocline and SST is the weakest during the boreal spring. This feature may be one of causes for ENSO spring persistence barrier. Furthermore, the thermocline-SST connections exhibit significant decadal variations, which are remarkably consistent with the decadal changes in the persistence barrier of SST anomalies over the eastern Pacific. It is also found that the decadal shift in the timing of the thermocline-SST connection barrier is caused by the changes in the seasonal cycle of tropical trade winds and thermocline depths.
Contextual Information and Prose Comprehension

One hundred forty-four high school students read four 70-word passages describing fictitious scenes. A partial or complete, verbal or graphic context was presented before or after each passage. The...
Couples and Addiction Three Effective Theories

Despite the value of couples-based treatment for addiction disorders, couples therapy continues to be a rare treatment modality in mental health/addiction agencies. This article reviews and provides case illustrations for three established theories for working with addicted couples.
Priming and Retrieval from Short-Term Memory: A Speed Accuracy Trade-Off Analysis

Subjects saw 16 consonants presented serially at a .5-second rate. Then following a .7-second blank interval, a test consonant was presented which subjects judged to be present or not in the preceding list. A tapping speed accuracy trade-off method was employed in which subjects pressed both “yes” and “no” keys every .4 seconds, beginning during the blank interval. Both keys are pressed simultaneously at first in this method, but as soon as possible the chosen response is to lead the other by a time interval that reflects confidence in the decision. Memory strength in storage declined over a 6-second interval containing 12 items, but priming of retrieval dynamics was found only for the last item in the memory set. Active (primary) memory under these conditions appears to be limited to the very last thought.
Healthcare provider smoking cessation advice among US worker groups

Objective: Among workers in dusty occupations, tobacco use is particularly detrimental to health because of the potential synergistic effects of occupational exposures (for example, asbestos) in causing disease. This study explored the prevalence of smoking and the reported smoking cessation discussion with a primary healthcare provider (HCP) among a representative sample of currently employed US worker groups. Methods: Pooled data from the 1997–2003 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were used to estimate occupation specific smoking rates (n = 135 412). The 2000 NHIS Cancer Control Module was used to determine (among employed smokers with HCP visits) the prevalence of being advised to quit smoking by occupation (n = 3454). Results: The average annual prevalence of current smoking was 25% in all workers. In 2000, 84% of smokers reported visiting an HCP during the past 12 months; 53% reported being advised by their physician to quit smoking (range 42%–66% among 30 occupations). However, an estimated 10.5 million smokers were not advised to quit smoking by their HCP. Workers with potentially increased occupational exposure to dusty work environments (including asbestos, silica, particulates, etc), at high risk for occupational lung disease and with high smoking prevalence, had relatively low reported discussions with an HCP about smoking cessation, including farm workers (30% overall smoking prevalence; 42% told to quit), construction and extractive trades (39%; 46%), and machine operators/tenderers (34%; 44%). Conclusion: The relatively low reported prevalence of HCP initiated smoking cessation discussion, particularly among currently employed workers with potentially synergistic occupational exposures and high current smoking prevalence, needs to be addressed through educational campaigns targeting physicians and other HCPs.
Survey of clinical nutrition training programs for physicians.

Clinical nutrition training programs for physicians were surveyed to determine their number, demographic characteristics, primary teaching focuses, number of available trainee positions, funding bases, trainee numbers, backgrounds, and career positions taken. Twenty-two active programs were identified, compared with 38 programs in 1993. Thirteen of the programs were primarily focused on adult nutrition and 7 were focused on pediatric nutrition. Twelve programs appeared to have nutrition as their sole subspecialty focus, 8 were housed within gastroenterology fellowships, and 2 were within endocrinology fellowships. Most programs included training in research, which is conducted during a second or third year, or both.The decrease in numbers of programs appears to have resulted not only from relocation, retirement of key faculty members, and loss of training grants, but also because of the clearer definition of clinical nutrition training programs in this survey. The changes also reflect a national trend toward decreasing subspecialization. Within this climate, it is apparent that a new model for the training and career activities of physician nutrition specialists is needed that will attract more physicians into the discipline of nutrition. Intersociety efforts are underway to address this need and to develop a unified voice that can guide clinical nutrition training for physicians into the 21st century. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;68:1174-9.
Educating Entrepreneurship Students About Emotion and Learning From Failure

As theory develops and increases our understanding of the role of emotion in learning from failure, entrepreneurship educators have the opportunity to reflect these advancements in their pedagogies. This requires a focus on how students “feel” rather than on how, or what, they “think.” I offer suggested changes to pedagogy to help students manage the emotions of learning from failure and discuss some of the challenges associated with measuring the implications of these proposed changes. I then expand my scope to explore possibilities of educating students on how to manage their emotions to avoid failure and, more generally, improve their emotional intelligence and for organizations to improve their ability to help individuals regulate their emotions.
Increasing the focused response of impulse radiating antennas through polarization control of aperture fields

Wide-band, focused aperture antennas like impulse radiating antennas (IRAs) can see improved aperture efficiency through control of the aperture shape and aperture field distribution. The shape of the aperture fields is largely dictated by the transverse electromagnetic mode distribution on the nondispersive feed of the IRA. In this paper we consider reshaping the aperture field by controlling the polarization of the fields reflected or transmitted by the focusing optic. In reflector IRAs, this polarization control is obtained by making the reflector out of uniaxially conducting filaments or wires. In lens IRAs, the polarization control is obtained by using a spatially varying wire grid polarizer. Optimum configurations are derived, and the expression for the far-zone radiated fields are given and compared with experimental measurements. For common antenna configurations and impedances, the aperture height can be increased by amounts ranging from 7% to 67%. An experimental prototype of a 200 /spl Omega/ reflector IRA demonstrated a 23% improvement in aperture height, and agreed almost exactly with the numerical predictions.
Presenilin complexes with the C-terminal fragments of amyloid precursor protein at the sites of amyloid β-protein generation

An unusual intramembranous cleavage of the β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) by γ-secretase is the final step in the generation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ). Two conserved aspartates in transmembrane (TM) domains 6 and 7 of presenilin (PS) 1 are required for Aβ production by γ-secretase. Here we report that the APP C-terminal fragments, C83 and C99, which are the direct substrates of γ-secretase, can be coimmunoprecipitated with both PS1 and PS2. PS/C83 complexes were detected in cells expressing endogenous levels of PS. The complexes accumulate when γ-secretase is inactivated either pharmacologically or by mutating the PS aspartates. PS1/C83 and PS1/C99 complexes were detected in Golgi-rich and trans-Golgi network-rich vesicle fractions. In contrast, complexes of PS1 with APP holoprotein, which is not the immediate substrate of γ-secretase, occurred earlier in endoplasmic reticulum-rich vesicles. The major portion of intracellular Aβ at steady state was found in the same Golgi/trans-Golgi network-rich vesicles, and Aβ levels in these fractions were markedly reduced when either PS1 TM aspartate was mutated to alanine. Furthermore, de novo generation of Aβ in a cell-free microsomal reaction occurred specifically in these same vesicle fractions and was markedly inhibited by mutating either TM aspartate. Thus, PSs are complexed with the γ-secretase substrates C83 and C99 in the subcellular locations where Aβ is generated, indicating that PSs are directly involved in the pathogenically critical intramembranous proteolysis of APP.
Definition of Membrane Topology and Identification of Residues Important for Transport in Subunit a of the Vacuolar ATPase

Subunit a of the vacuolar H+-ATPases plays an important role in proton transport. This membrane-integral 100-kDa subunit is thought to form or contribute to proton-conducting hemichannels that allow protons to gain access to and leave buried carboxyl groups on the proteolipid subunits (c, c′, and c″) during proton translocation. We previously demonstrated that subunit a contains a large N-terminal cytoplasmic domain followed by a C-terminal domain containing eight transmembrane (TM) helices. TM7 contains a buried arginine residue (Arg-735) that is essential for proton transport and is located on a helical face that interacts with the proteolipid ring. To further define the topology of the C-terminal domain, the accessibility of 30 unique cysteine residues to the membrane-permeant reagent N-ethylmaleimide and the membrane-impermeant reagent polyethyleneglycol maleimide was determined. The results further define the borders of transmembrane segments in subunit a. To identify additional buried polar and charged residues important in proton transport, 25 sites were individually mutated to hydrophobic amino acids, and the effect on proton transport was determined. These and previous results identify a set of residues important for proton transport located on the cytoplasmic half of TM7 and TM8 and the lumenal half of TM3, TM4, and TM7. Based upon these data, we propose a tentative model in which the cytoplasmic hemichannel is located at the interface of TM7 and TM8 of subunit a and the proteolipid ring, whereas the lumenal hemichannel is located within subunit a at the interface of TM3, TM4, and TM7.
Effects of Recurrent Lateral Ankle Sprains on Active and Passive Judgments of Joint Position

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of recurrent lateral ankle sprains on subjects' active and passive judgments of joint position. Fourteen subjects with recurrent unilateral ankle sprains contributed data to two groups: 1) In Group 1, the subjects' 14 sprained ankles were tested and 2) in Group 2, the same 14 subjects' contralateral nonsprained ankles were tested. An additional seven subjects with no history of injury to either ankle comprised Group 3 with 14 nonsprained control ankles. The experimenter tested all blindfolded subjects with active and passive attempts at replicating predetermined ankle joint positions in the inversion-eversion range of motion. An isokinetic dynamometer measured joint position. A two-way analysis of variance indicated no significant effect caused by ankle injury or noninjury. Passive judgments were significantly better than active judgments of joint position ( p < .01) in the nonsprained control group. The results suggest that joint receptors play a dominant role in joint angle detection and that muscle receptors are more valuable in the perception of joint movement.
The contribution of gliosis to diffusion tensor anisotropy and tractography following traumatic brain injury: validation in the rat using Fourier analysis of stained tissue sections

Diffusion tensor imaging is highly sensitive to the microstructural integrity of the brain and has uncovered significant abnormalities following traumatic brain injury not appreciated through other methods. It is hoped that this increased sensitivity will aid in the detection and prognostication in patients with traumatic injury. However, the pathological substrates of such changes are poorly understood. Specifically, decreases in fractional anisotropy derived from diffusion tensor imaging are consistent with axonal injury, myelin injury or both in white matter fibres. In contrast, in both humans and animal models, increases in fractional anisotropy have been suggested to reflect axonal regeneration and plasticity, but the direct histological evidence for such changes remains tenuous. We developed a method to quantify the anisotropy of stained histological sections using Fourier analysis, and applied the method to a rat controlled cortical impact model to identify the specific pathological features that give rise to the diffusion tensor imaging changes in subacute to chronic traumatic brain injury. A multiple linear regression was performed to relate the histological measurements to the measured diffusion tensor changes. The results show that anisotropy was significantly increased ( P < 0.001) in the perilesioned cortex following injury. Cortical anisotropy was independently associated (standardized β = 0.62, P = 0.04) with the coherent organization of reactive astrocytes (i.e. gliosis) and was not attributed to axons. By comparison, a decrease in white matter anisotropy ( P < 0.001) was significantly related to demyelination ( β = 0.75, P = 0.0015) and to a lesser extent, axonal degeneration ( β = −0.48, P = 0.043). Gliosis within the lesioned cortex also influenced diffusion tensor tractography, highlighting the fact that spurious tracts in the injured brain may not necessarily reflect continuous axons and may instead depict glial scarring. The current study demonstrates a novel method to relate pathology to diffusion tensor imaging findings, elucidates the underlying mechanisms of anisotropy changes following traumatic brain injury and significantly impacts the clinical interpretation of diffusion tensor imaging findings in the injured brain. * Abbreviations : A er : anisotropy index eigenvalue ratio DiI : 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate DTI : diffusion tensor imaging MAP2 : microtubule-associated protein 2 SMI : Sternberger monoclonal antibody
Breath Holding Spells in Children with Long QT Syndrome.

Background Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetic heart rhythm disorder that may present with syncope, seizures, or sudden cardiac death. Breath holding spells (BHS) occur in 5% of all children and have been noted in children with LQTS anecdotally. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of BHS in children diagnosed with LQTS at ≤5 years of age. Design A retrospective review was performed to identify children diagnosed with LQTS who were ≤5 years old at initial presentation to our LQTS clinic from August 1999 to November 2013. The mean length of follow-up was 6.4 ± 2.8 years. The electronic medical records were reviewed for clinical presentation of BHS, as well as LQTS-associated symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment. Results The study cohort consisted of 115 children with LQTS (58% male; median age at diagnosis, 11 months [range, birth to 5 years]; mean corrected QT interval (QTc), 478 ± 60 milliseconds). At presentation, 80% of patients were asymptomatic. Genetic testing revealed type 1 LQTS (LQT1) in 48%. Overall, 5 of 115 patients (4.3%) had BHS (2 of 5 [40%] male, mean QTc: 492 ± 14 milliseconds, 4 [80%] with family history of LQTS). BHS were the presenting symptom in 1 of 23 symptomatic patients (4.3%). All BHS occurred in patients with LQT1 (P = .02). Conclusions Although BHS among children with LQTS are relatively rare and occur at similar frequency as the general population, they can be the presenting symptom for a heart rhythm disorder. Careful attention to BHS is important to distinguish an innocent BHS from a potential LQTS-triggered cardiac event so that proper treatment is initiated.
Combined circuit/device modeling and simulation of integrated microfluidic systems

A combined circuit/device model for the analysis of integrated microfluidic systems is presented. The complete model of an integrated microfluidic device incorporates modeling of fluidic transport, chemical reaction, reagent mixing, and separation. The fluidic flow is generated by an applied electrical field or by a combined electrical field and pressure gradient. In the proposed circuit/device model, the fluidic network has been represented by a circuit model and the functional units of the /spl mu/-TAS (micro Total Analysis System) have been represented by appropriate device models. We demonstrate the integration of the circuit and the device models by using an example, where the output from the fluidic transport module serves as the input for the other modules such as mixing, chemical reaction and separation. The combined circuit/device model can be used for analysis and design of entire microfluidic systems with very little computational expense, while maintaining the desired level of accuracy.