cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
C4-4: Prevalence of Hazardous and Harmful Drinking Patterns Among Older US Adults: Data from the 2005–2008 NHANES

Background/Aims While heavy drinking and alcohol abuse pose clear health risks, even moderate alcohol consumption may be risky or frankly harmful in older adults with certain co-morbidities, medication use, symptoms, and functional limitations. However, national estimates of the prevalence of risky alcohol use by older adults are presently unavailable. Methods In 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey respondents 65 years and older, reported alcohol consumption was considered alone and in the context of the individual's co-morbidities, medication use, and physical and psychological functional status to classify their consumption as Harmful (already experiencing alcohol-related health problems), Hazardous (at risk of alcohol-related health problems), or Healthwise, using the classification algorithm of the Alcohol-Related Problems Survey (ARPS), a screening tool for older adults. Weighted national prevalence estimates and adjusted prevalence odds ratios in subgroups defined by sex, age, and race/ ethnicity were calculated using survey statistical procedures. Results Among older adult drinkers, 85.5% (14,341,531 of 16,771,716; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 83.2%, 87.9%) consumed alcohol within recommended limits, but 37.4% (6,280,569 of 16,771,716; 95% CI: 34.9%, 40.0%) had Harmful consumption and more than half (53.3%; 8,946,997 of 16,771,716; 95% CI: 50.1%, 56.6%) had either Hazardous/Harmful consumption. Men had significantly greater odds of having Hazardous/ Harmful consumption than women (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.14 [95% CI: 1.77, 2.6]). Blacks had significantly greater odds of having Hazardous/Harmful consumption than whites (OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.17) despite having lower sex-specific rates of heavy drinking. The health status indicators most prevalent among Harmful drinkers were anti-hypertensive medication use, hypertension, quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, and symptoms of depression/anxiety. Conclusions Most Americans 65 years and older drink less than the current recommended maxima for their age, yet in the context of their co-morbidities, medication use, functional status, and recent symptoms, the alcohol consumption of a substantial proportion compromises or places their health at risk. Issues of medication safety and effectiveness, chronic disease management, and prevention and wellness are critical issues for this population. Language: en
Evaluation of Daily Reference Evapotranspiration Methods as Compared with the ASCE-EWRI Penman-Monteith Equation Using Limited Weather Data in Northeast Louisiana

AbstractThe ASCE-EWRI Penman-Monteith (ASCE PM) combination equation was recommended by the American Society of Civil Engineers–Environmental and Water Resources Institute as the standard equation for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ETo). The standardized model was intended to simplify and clarify the presentation and application of the method; however, it requires numerous inputs that frequently are not available at most weather stations. In this study, comparisons were made between daily ETo estimates from five different ETo approaches using limited data to those computed with the full-form ASCE PM equation during the growing season in northeast Louisiana. Procedures to estimate missing data were followed when limited weather inputs were available. The results revealed that the differences between ETo obtained with complete and limited data were influenced by the underlying surface, the weather conditions during the study, and the application of empirical methods to determine missing inputs. Th...
Model reference adaptive control for exponentially convergent systems with input and output constraints

This paper shows that the standard stochastic model reference adaptive control algorithm can be applied without change to the time-varying systems whose parameters converge exponentially. Moreover, it is shown that a system with constraints on amplitude as well as on the rate of change of input and output signals can be implemented by using a time-varying reference model. The resulting closed-loop system is globally asymptotically stable, provided that the reference model remains stable. An example that demonstrates the performance of this algorithm is the biological control system for blood pressure stabilization.
Analysis of the thermal environment and thermal response associated with thermal-acoustic testing

A method is developed for predicting the radiant heat flux distribution produced by a bank of quartz radiant heaters which accounts for the specular and diffuse effects of a flat reflector or the diffuse effects of individual parabolic reflectors. This analysis is experimentally verified for a single unreflected lamp and a single lamp with a flat reflector. Observations on the further development of this analysis and experimental validation are discussed.
WE-B-201B-01: NCI Initiatives to Create Public Resources to Evaluate CAD Methods: Progress to Date

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has developed several initiatives supporting the creation of reference databases as public resources to facilitate the evaluation of CAD or image processing methods. They include the combined LungImageDatabase Consortium (LIDC) and ImageDatabase Resource Initiative (IDRI) which include both X‐ray CT and plain film or digital images of the lung, which are annotated to permit the evaluation of the performance of software tools for lungcancer detection. A second public resource is the Reference ImageDatabase to Evaluate the Response to Therapy (RIDER) that is designed to assist researchers in the evaluation of image processing methods to measure responses to therapy. This data base includes both repeat and longitudinal images of phantom s and patients for a range of organ systems and imaging modalities. Finally NCI has recently funded the Quantitative Imaging Network (QIN), the goals of which are to facilitate clinical decision making through development and validation of quantitative imaging methods, including testing of new imaging protocols and methods in early phase trials. Cooperative group members agree to share their data. These initiatives will be reviewed, along with options for AAPM members to participate and take advantage of the public resources as potential international reference standards to evaluate software tools. Specific details about the importance of the initial efforts to create the LIDC and IDRI initiative will be addressed.
Water Permeability of Bacterial Spores and the Concept of a Contractile Cortex

Assumption of a water-impermeable coat on bacterial spores is inconsistent with known permeabilities of organic materials. A low water content may arise through compressive contraction of the cortex during spore maturation.
The Equivalence of Pantothenic Acid and p-Aminobenzoic Acid for Growth of Bacterium Linens

Summary B. linens , strain 456, grows in a semi-synthetic medium supplemented with either pantothenic acid or p-aminobenzoic acid. Biotin is not required for growth, but greatly increases the rate and amount of growth in the presence of PA or PAB.
Electrical properties and resonance scattering in heavily doped semiconductors

Abstract New resistivity vs. temperature data for heavily doped single crystal p-type InSb, Ge, GaAs, and GaSb and n-type GaAs are reported, which establish the generality among many semiconductors of the characteristic curve shapes published earlier for n- and p-type Si. The observed resistivity maxima near the degeneracy temperature are believed to be caused by resonance impurity scattering, of which the temperature dependences in the degenerate range are an additional consequence.
The Organization for Flora Neotropica

The Organization for Flora Neotropica (OFN) is a UNESCO Category B organization with the mission of, among other things, providing published information about the plants and fungi of the New World tropics (Neotropics). OFN was established in 1964, largely through the efforts of Drs. Jose Cuatrecasas and F. Raymond Fosberg. Beginning with the first Flora Neotropica monograph (a treatment ofSwartzia by R. S. Cowan in 1968), 67 volumes treating 905 species of fungi, 18 species of lichens, 228 species of bryophytes, and 5971 species of flowering plants have been published. Despite this impressive record of accomplishment, it is apparent that the rate of monograph production is neither sufficient to supply the need for information about the plants of the Neotropics nor fast enough to keep ahead of the rapid destruction of Neotropical habitats. Recommendations are made for improving the productivity of OFN.
The effects of dantrolene sodium on excretory function in the isolated perfused rat liver

Abstract Perfusion of the isolated rat liver with dantrolene sodium led to inhibition of bile secretion and of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) excretion. The [ 14 C]erythritol clearance and bile acid excretion data suggested that the inhibitory effect of dantrolene was on the bile acid-independent rather than the bile acid-dependent fraction of bile. Inhibition by the drug of excretion of both indocyanine green and BSP suggests that interference with hepatic conjugative processes was not the mechanism for the reduction in organic anion excretion. Analysis of the BSP ‘transfer rates’ suggested that dantrolene exerted its effects on hepatic dye clearance at the excretory level. Pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital but not 3-methylcholanthrene enhanced the adverse effects of dantrolene, suggesting that a cytochrome P -450-mediated metabolite led to the impairment of hepatic function.
Posttraumatic Maladaptive Beliefs Scale Evolution of the Personal Beliefs and Reactions Scale

The posttraumatic maladaptive beliefs scale (PMBS) was developed to measure maladaptive beliefs about current life circumstances that may occur following trauma exposure. This scale assesses maladaptive beliefs within three domains: (a) threat of harm, (b) self-worth and judgment, and (c) reliability and trustworthiness of others. Items for the PMBS were drawn from a larger preexisting measure that assesses a wide range of personal beliefs and reactions associated with trauma exposure. The construct validity of the PMBS was assessed in two independent samples of interpersonal trauma survivors. This article provides data to support the reliability and validity of the PMBS as an instrument to assess general, rather than trauma-specific, maladaptive beliefs that have relevance for functioning in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Moreover, the measure is sensitive to changes that occur in treatment, and the length of the measure (15 items) is practical for use in clinical settings.
Examining the effects of prestorage incubation of turkey breeder eggs on embryonic development and hatchability of eggs stored for four or fourteen days.

Abstract Thirty-six hundred British United Turkey hatching eggs were used in two separate trials to test whether prestorage incubation (PRESI) treatments of 0, 6, and 12 h (Trial 1) or 0, 7, and 14 h (Trial 2) could improve the hatchability of eggs stored (17 C) for 14 versus 4 d. The development of the embryos (n = 30) was staged before and after exposing eggs to the various PRESI treatments. Embryonic development was also established after storage to ascertain whether embryonic development was occurring during storage. The remaining eggs in each trial were split into three groups (n = 500) and incubated for 28 d to examine embryonic mortality and hatchability. No changes were observed in embryonic development due to egg storage. Embryos were significantly more developed as the number of PRESI h increased; therefore, embryos from different PRESI treatments were placed in storage at different stages of development. Early mortality (1 to 7 d of incubation), mortality at internal and external pipping, and hatchability of fertile eggs were significantly reduced in eggs stored for 14 versus 4 d. The various PRESI treatments did not significantly affect the mortality or hatchability of eggs stored for 4 d. However, the hatchability of eggs incubated prior to storage for 12 h and then stored for 14 d was restored to the levels reported for eggs subjected to the treatment that represents the industry norm (0 h of PRESI and 4 d storage). These results indicate that embryos of eggs stored for 14 d, which have developmentally advanced to the stage of complete hypoblast formation (PRESI for 12 h), have a survival advantage over eggs stored for 14 d that have not been subjected to any PRESI.
Rapid Annealing of Temperature-Compensated, Precision Voltage References Following Fast Neutron Irradiation

Substantial, short-term voltage variations have been observed during the rapid annealing of twin-junction, temperature-compensated, precision voltage references (TC PVRs) immediately following exposure to fast-neutron bursts of up to 4 × 1014 n/cm2. The short term recovery has been found to be dominated by minority carrier lifetime reduction in the forward biased junction of this composite junction device. The annealing response has been measured and found to be roughly independent of neutron fluence in the range from 1 - 4 × 1014 n/cm2.
Visibility of children behind 2010–2013 model year passenger vehicles using glances, mirrors, and backup cameras and parking sensors

This study identified the areas behind vehicles where younger and older children are not visible and measured the extent to which vehicle technologies improve visibility. Rear visibility of targets simulating the heights of a 12–15-month-old, a 30–36-month-old, and a 60–72-month-old child was assessed in 21 2010–2013 model year passenger vehicles with a backup camera or a backup camera plus parking sensor system. The average blind zone for a 12–15-month-old was twice as large as it was for a 60–72-month-old. Large SUVs had the worst rear visibility and small cars had the best. Increases in rear visibility provided by backup cameras were larger than the non-visible areas detected by parking sensors, but parking sensors detected objects in areas near the rear of the vehicle that were not visible in the camera or other fields of view. Overall, backup cameras and backup cameras plus parking sensors reduced the blind zone by around 90 percent on average and have the potential to prevent backover crashes if drivers use the technology appropriately.
Development of a Model to Predict Runoff Water Headloss Through Compost Filter Berms

As a part of a larger study designed to develop compost filter berms i.e., an unsupported mound of compost that intercepts surface runoff from a site, suitable for removing nutrients and sediment from agricultural operations, we evaluated the hydraulic behavior of compost buffers with different masses and particle size distributions subjected to varying water flow rates using flume experiments. For each berm combination, the maximum flow rate the compost berm could sustain before a structural failure occurs was determined for different compost particle sizes. These data were used to develop models to predict headloss through a compost berm as a function of the flow rate per unit width, the median particle size of the compost media, and the buffer dimensions. The developed models perform well with R2 values ranging from 0.64 to 0.97 with the majority of values greater than 0.9. The effect of presence of sediments in the flow was also quantified. The results show that headloss increased by 1–2 cm as a resul...
Distribution function inequalities for singular integrals.

Abstract This paper describes some distribution function inequalities between maximal functions and singular integral operators.
Following boundaries of discrete binary objects in space

Abstract Two algorithms for finding and following the boundaries of a set of discrete objects in n -dimensional space are described; they are compared in three dimensions. In three dimensions, the new method is found to be about three times as fast as the straightforward approach. It operates on the boundary (surface) of the object rather than the whole object (i.e. the set of volume elements). The boundary, in turn, is found very rapidly using logical operations on the bit patterns by which the discrete object is stored. Applications to three dimensional shape recognition and display problems are discussed.
Ventilation coefficients for falling ice crystals in the atmosphere at low-intermediate Reynolds numbers

Abstract The ventilation coefficients for columnar, hexagonal plate, and broad branch ice crystals falling in air are computed by first solving numerically the convective diffusion equation for water vapor density to obtain its profile around these ice crystals and then determining the total vapor flux on the surface of the crystal. The ratio of this flux to the flux on a stationary crystal gives the ventilation coefficient. The local flow velocity profiles around the falling crystals necessary for specifying the convective term in the convective diffusion equation were obtained previously by numerically solving the unsteady Navier–Stokes equations subject to appropriate crystal-shaped boundary conditions. Ventilation coefficients obtained in this way are illustrated as a function of the Schmidt and Reynolds numbers and are also fitted by empirical expressions. Applications of these ventilation coefficients are discussed.
Capillary electrophoresis of illicit drug seizures

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is well suited for the analysis of illicit drug seizures. CE techniques can separate a wide variety of solutes, including compounds that are highly polar, thermally labile and/or nonvolatile, with high efficiency and selectivity. Micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MECC), which can separate basic, acidic and neutral solutes, is an excellent technique for general drug screening and the analysis of heroin, opium, cocaine, LSD, anabolic steroids, and the diastereomers formed from derivatized optical isomers of phenethylamines. Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has been used for the analysis of small ions (cations and anions) in illicit heroin. Cyclodextrin (CD)-modified CZE (i.e. CZE using run buffers containing either charged and/or neutral CDs) has proven successful for both chiral and achiral analyses. Chiral applications include khat, phenethylamines, cocaine, propoxyphene and methorphan, while achiral applications include the analysis of naturally occurring impurities present in illicit cocaine, including truxilline diastereomers and hydroxycocaine endo and exo diastereomers. Capillary electrochromatography (CEC), which is a hybrid between high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and CE, also shows great promise for forensic drug analysis.
Safety of daily oral vitamin A supplementation for individuals with retinitis pigmentosa

Many patients with retinitis pigmentosa take 15,000 IU of vitamin A daily, but the safety of supplementation has not been well characterized. A review of the published literature shows that vitamin A supplementation at this level is safe in healthy adult men and nonpregnant women who eat a diet without excessive intake of food high in vitamin A. Annual monitoring of liver enzyme and triglyceride levels is recommended for patients receiving supplementation.
Quantifying parametric uncertainty in the Rothermel model

The purpose of the present work is to quantify parametric uncertainty in the Rothermel wildland fire spread model (implemented in software such as BehavePlus3 and FARSITE), which is undoubtedly among the most widely used fire spread models in the United States. This model consists of a non-linear system of equations that relates environmental variables (input parameter groups) such as fuel type, fuel moisture, terrain, and wind to describe the fire environment. This model predicts important fire quantities (output parameters) such as the head rate of spread, spread direction, effective wind speed, and fireline intensity. The proposed method, which we call sensitivity derivative enhanced sampling, exploits sensitivity derivative information to accelerate the convergence of the classical Monte Carlo method. Coupled with traditional variance reduction procedures, it offers up to two orders of magnitude acceleration in convergence, which implies that two orders of magnitude fewer samples are required for a given level of accuracy. Thus, it provides an efficient method to quantify the impact of input uncertainties on the output parameters.
Reoptimization and Self-Adjusting Price Control for Network Revenue Management

We consider a standard dynamic pricing problem with finite inventories, finite selling horizon, and stochastic demands, where the objective of the seller is to maximize total expected revenue. We introduce a simple improvement of the popular static price control known in the literature. The proposed heuristic only requires a single optimization at the beginning of the selling horizon and does not require any reoptimization at all. This provides an advantage over the potentially heavy computational burden of reoptimization, especially for very large applications with frequent price adjustments. In addition, our heuristic can be implemented in combination with a few reoptimizations to achieve a high-level revenue performance. This hybrid of real-time adjustment and reoptimization allows the seller to enjoy the benefit of reoptimization without overdoing it.
Metabolic and mitochondrial effects of antiretroviral drug exposure in pregnancy and postpartum: Implications for fetal and future health.

Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are indispensable in the treatment and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Although their use before, during and after pregnancy is considered safe for mother and child, there are still lingering concerns about their long-term health consequences and the ramifications of their effects on lipid, glucose, intermediary and mitochondrial metabolism. This article reviews the known effects of ARVs on macromolecular and mitochondrial metabolism as well as the potential maternal, fetal, neonatal and adult health risks associated with abnormal energy metabolism during gestation. Recommendations about enhanced monitoring for these risks in affected populations are being provided.
Patterns of Swallowing Failure Following Medialization in Unilateral Vocal Fold Immobility

Objective To quantify the incidence of penetration and aspiration following medialization for unilateral vocal cord immobility (UVCI) and determine patterns of failure. Study Design Blinded analysis consecutive case series. Methods Prospective blinded analysis of videofluoroscopic swallowing studies of patients who had received a medialization procedure was conducted, determining the incidence of penetration and aspiration by using the Penetration-Aspiration Scale. Pharyngeal transport measures were also assessed. Associations between clinical factors and penetration-aspiration were statistically determined. Results Sixty-seven videofluoroscopic swallowing studies were reviewed in patients (mean age, 63.3 y) who had undergone vocal fold medialization (14 laryngoplasties and 53 vocal cord injections) for UVCI. Unilateral vocal cord immobility was left-sided in 56 patients (83.6%), and 50 patients (74.6%) had a postsurgical etiologic factor for their immobility. Thirty (44.8%) and 16 (23.9%) patients demonstrated penetration and aspiration, respectively. Penetration most often occurred during the swallow, but aspiration was equally likely to occur during or after the swallow. No differences in the incidence of penetration or aspiration were noted according to the side of vocal fold paralysis (P = .20, χ2 test) or etiologic factor (P = .69). Further analysis found that swallow factors significantly associated with penetration and aspiration were swallow delay (P = .001, Wilcoxon ranked pairs test) and reduced laryngeal elevation (P = .001), as well as bolus residues in the valleculae (P = .002), piriform sinus (P = .001), or posterior pharynx (P = .008). Conclusions Many patients demonstrate significant radiographic aspiration even after medialization procedures for UVCI. Although glottal incompetence is a known risk factor for aspiration, other factors including pharyngeal bolus transport are important in determining an effective swallow in UVCI.
Neurological pupillary noise in narcolepsy

SUMMARY Pupillometry has a long but inconclusive history as a means of measuring human alertness. Spontaneous pupillary oscillations in narcoleptics and the sleep deprived are a recognized but quantitatively elusive indication of alertness. Stimulation of the pupillary light reflex (PLR) has provided contradictory or confusing indications of alertness levels. Results from 10 diagnosed narcoleptics and 10 control subjects in which the PLR system was stimulated and a reliable (90%) discriminator derived for classifying narcoleptics and controls was reported. Random pupillary oscillations, which is called pupillary noise to distinguish these oscillations from spontaneous ones, were estimated from continuous pupil diameter recordings using a recursive least squares method applied to a subject–specific PLR system model. Pupillary noise sum of squares indicate that narcoleptics have significantly (P < 0.005) less PLR noise than controls. This difference was attributed to supranuclear inhibition of randomly active Edinger-Westphal neurons long hypothesized to be the source of random papillary oscillations. This inhibition also has been suggested as a cause of PLR sensitivity to nocturnal sleep quality so it may be that these findings apply to the sleep deprived and not just specifically to narcoleptics.
Does a multi-disciplinary health degree provide a satisfactory post-registration course for nurses? A follow-up survey of health science studies graduates

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to find out if nurses who had chosen to take a particular post-registration health science studies degree (rather than a nursing degree) were satisfied, retrospectively, with the usefulness of this type of degree to their professional development and career progress. The investigation also examined if these graduates were remaining in nursing, if they were active in nursing research, and the role of their employers in the choice of degree course. Questionnaires were sent to 10 cohorts of nurse graduates from one health science studies course. The idea to study for a degree had usually come from the nurses themselves, and most employers had taken little interest in the course content. The nurses showed a high level of satisfaction with their chosen course and considered that it had significantly improved their job performance. Almost all the graduates had remained in nursing; many had been involved in carrying out research, or hoped to be research-active in future. More than half the respondents had gained a post-graduate qualification or were in the process of studying for one. It is suggested from the evidence gathered that in this case a broad health degree seems to have provided a useful and satisfactory educational experience for nurses.
Targeting angiogenesis from multiple pathways simultaneously: BIBF 1120, an investigational novel triple angiokinase inhibitor

Angiogenesis is considered one of the major components of tumor progression and metastasis. Interfering with the formation and stabilization of tumor blood vessels could increase tumor response rates and may translate into improved clinical outcomes in cancer patients. The clinical efficacy demonstrated in phase III trials with bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor ligand, suggests that targeting angiogenesis is a rational approach to cancer management. Agents that target additional proangiogenic intracellular signaling pathways also have the potential to contribute to our anticancer armamentarium. Novel targeted agents that have antiangiogenic properties have been developed in recent years such as sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib, and others. Many of them inhibit additional pathways beyond vascular endothelial growth factor signaling. One of these investigational targeted agents is a triple angiokinase inhibitor known as BIBF 1120. This compound targets not only vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, but also fibroblast growth factor receptors, and platelet-derived growth factor receptors. The preliminary clinical efficacy of BIBF 1120 is discussed in the context of the most relevant clinical data in several malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer.
Estimates for the approximate characteristics of the classes B_{p,\theta }^\Omega of periodic functions of two variables with given majorant of mixed moduli of continuity

Order estimates are obtained for the approximations of the classes $$ B_{p,\theta }^\Omega $$ of periodic functions of two variables in the space L q by operators of orthogonal projection and by linear operators satisfying certain conditions.
Secondary Structure Composition and pH-dependent Conformational Changes of Soluble Recombinant HLA-DM

HLA-DM catalyzes the release of invariant chain fragments from newly synthesized major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, stabilizes empty class II molecules, and edits class II-associated peptides by preferentially releasing those that are loosely bound. The ability of HLA-DM to carry out these functions in vitro is pH dependent, with an optimum at pH 4.5-5.5 and poor activity at pH 7. The structural basis for these properties of HLA-DM is unknown. Sequence homology suggests that HLA-DM resembles classical, peptide-binding MHC class II molecules. In this study, we examined whether HLA-DM has a secondary structure composition consistent with an MHC fold and whether HLA-DM changes conformation between pH 5 and pH 7. Far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectra of recombinant soluble HLA-DM (sDM) indicate that HLA-DM belongs to the alpha/beta class of proteins and structurally resembles both MHC class I and class II molecules. The CD peak around 198 nm increases upon going from neutral to endosomal pH and drops sharply upon denaturation below pH 3.5, distinguishing at least three states of sDM: the denatured state and two highly similar folded states. Fluorescence emission spectra show a slight blue-shift and a approximately 20% drop in intensity at pH 5 compared with pH 7. Unfolding experiments using guanidinium chloride show that the stability of sDM is somewhat reduced but not lost at pH 5. These results indicate that sDM undergoes a pH-dependent conformational change between neutral and endosomal pH. The change seems to involve both hydrogen bonding patterns and the hydrophobic core of sDM and may contribute to the pH dependence of DM activity.
Computational study of the dynamics of mannose disaccharides free in solution and bound to the potent anti-HIV virucidal protein cyanovirin.

In this paper, we present a computational study of the dynamics of the potent anti-HIV virucidal protein cyanovirin in complex with mannose disaccharides. Recently, it has been experimentally demonstrated that cyanovirin binds mannose oligomers on the surface of glycoprotein gp120. gp120, a protein on the surface of the HIV virus, is key in the process of viral docking and transfer of genetic material into human cells. Cyanovirin prevents the transfer of viral RNA into human cells. In this study, we found that, among all residues that show nuclear Overhauser effects in the solution NMR experiments, residues Glu41 and Arg76 appear to interact with the sugar at the high-affinity binding site through stronger Coulombic interactions. In particular, Arg76 participates in a dynamical mechanism that caps and locks the sugar once it is bound to the protein. We also studied the distribution of glycosidic torsional angles of mannose disaccharides in solution and compared it with those when bound at the high- and lo...
CURRENT-VOLTAGE RELATIONS FOR MOBILITY-CONTROLLED SHEATHS A SIMPLE METHOD FOR DETERMINING ION MOBILITY

A method is described for determining ion mobility that is based on current-voltage relations for mobilitycontrolled sheaths. The theory was applied, together with data on a cylindrical Xe discharge, to measure the mobility of Xe ions. (C.H.)
A microfluidic aptasensor integrated with nanodrop generator for MALDI-TOF MS analysis in clinical applications

This paper presents an aptamer-based microchip for sensitive and quantitative detection of biomolecules using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The device is capable of both isolating analyte from samples and dispensing purified samples onto a probe plate for a following MS analysis. Aptamers selectively captured and released target molecules for isocratic elution. An integrated nanodrop generator produced small sample spots (300 μm diameter), significantly minimizing spatial intensity variations. Repeated sample deposition on the same spot (50 times) induced on-spot analyte concentration improving the detection sensitivity. We also demonstrated that our integrated device coupled to MALDI MS analysis successfully performs the biomolecular quantification by calibrating relative intensities of analyte peak to its internal standard.
Emerging technology: applications of Raman spectroscopy for prostate cancer

There is a need in prostate cancer diagnostics and research for a label-free imaging methodology that is nondestructive, rapid, objective, and uninfluenced by water. Raman spectroscopy provides a molecular signature, which can be scaled from micron-level regions of interest in cells to macroscopic areas of tissue. It can be used for applications ranging from in vivo or in vitro diagnostics to basic science laboratory testing. This work describes the fundamentals of Raman spectroscopy and complementary techniques including surface enhanced Raman scattering, resonance Raman spectroscopy, coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, confocal Raman spectroscopy, stimulated Raman scattering, and spatially offset Raman spectroscopy. Clinical applications of Raman spectroscopy to prostate cancer will be discussed, including screening, biopsy, margin assessment, and monitoring of treatment efficacy. Laboratory applications including cell identification, culture monitoring, therapeutics development, and live imaging of cellular processes are discussed. Potential future avenues of research are described, with emphasis on multiplexing Raman spectroscopy with other modalities.
Ambient temperature effects on energetic relations in growing chicks

The effects of different ambient temperature conditions on the diet selection, intake, growth, body temperature, and activity of immature domestic chicks were assessed in two experiments. In Experiment 1, the ambient temperature either remained warm during both the light and dark phases of the photoperiod, as is characteristic in laboratory settings, or was warm during the light phase and cold during the dark phase. The latter condition reflects the daily temperature pattern in natural settings. Chicks exposed to low nocturnal ambient temperatures had lower body temperatures in both phases of the photoperiod, were less active, ate more, selected a higher percentage of carbohydrate in their diets, and grew faster but were less feed-efficient than warm-reared controls. In Experiment 2, the ambient temperature was either cool in both phases of the photoperiod or cool in the light phase and warm in the dark phase. Chicks reared continuously in the cold had lower body temperatures, selected a high-carbohydrate diet, and grew faster, but both rearing groups were relatively inactive. These results show that an animal's body temperature, diet composition, food intake, feed efficiency, and activity reflect its 24-hr energy requirements and are a part of a general strategy of maximizing energy income and minimizing energy expenditure in response to energetic challenges to growth.
Respiratory sensitivity to acute hypoxia in goat kids born at high altitude.

In human infants, chronic hypoxia irreversibly desensitizes the peripheral chemoreceptor respiratory response to acute hypoxia. We attempted to desensitize 2 goat kids conceived at sea level, delivered after 1 to 3 weeks at 3100 m altitude, and transferred to 3800 m at 6 weeks of age. The kids were brought to sea level when 14 weeks old. The respiratory response to GO, at two levels of oxygen tension was determined 6 to 8 weeks later. The slope of the CO2-response curve at high PO2 (200 mm Hg) and the change in slope and fall in PCO2 intercept produced by hypoxia (PAO2= 40 mm Hg) resembled those of normal adult goats, indicating no permanent desensitization.
Accuracy of self-assessed Spanish fluency in medical students.

Background: Non-English language fluency is increasingly important in patient care. Fluency self-assessment is easily obtained, but its accuracy is unknown. Purposes: The purpose is to determine accuracy of medical students' self-assessed Spanish fluency. Methods: Four matriculating classes assessed their own oral fluency as (“none”:“novice”;“intermediate”;“advanced”;“native-speaker”). Participants who rated themselves greater than “novice” and who expressed interest in medical Spanish coursework took a standardized fluency test (Spoken Language Evaluation, scaled 1–12). Using predetermined test categories (1–5 = novice, 6–8 = intermediate, 9–12 = advanced/native), we determined the predictive value of self-assessment for predicting the same or greater fluency on the test. Results: Of 102 participants, 12 (12%) tested below their self-assessed level, 77 (75%) tested at their self-assessed level, and 13 (13%) tested above. The predictive value of self-assessment for having at least that fluency level was 8...
Pregnant and Moving: Understanding Residential Mobility during Pregnancy and in the First Year of Life using a Prospective Birth Cohort

To examine residential mobility (i.e., moving) during pregnancy and in the first year of an infant's life using a large, prospective birth cohort in Rhode Island. Participants were recruited from Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island between January 5, 2009 and March 19, 2009. Residential histories were collected from mothers in-person immediately post-partum and by phone at 7 months and at 13 months post-partum. Of 1,040 mothers interviewed at birth, 71% (n = 740) completed the 13 month follow-up interview. Forty-one percent of mothers (n = 300) moved at least once between conception and 1 year post-partum, with the number of moves ranging from 0 to 8. Among movers, 69.0% moved once, 21.0% moved twice, and 10.0% moved three or more times. Mothers who moved tended to be younger, have fewer children, were not White, and had lower household incomes than those who did not move. Mothers who moved during pregnancy had 2.05 (95% CI: 1.40-2.98) times the odds of moving post-partum than mothers who had not moved in the antenatal period. There were statistical differences across socio-demographic groups with regard to when, where, and why mothers moved. Forty percent of movers during pregnancy (n = 61) moved for at least one negative reason, while 32.2% of movers during infancy (n = 64) relocated under negative circumstances. A substantial proportion of mothers moved pre- and post-partum, frequently under negative circumstances. Study findings have important implications for obstetric and pediatric providers who seek to understand, retain, and improve the health of their patient populations.
Carbon monoxide binding by copper(I) complexes supported on polystyrene

Preparation et caracterisation d'une serie de complexes de Cu(I) consistant en coordinats lies par covalence a du polystyrene reticule. Liaison reversible de CO a ces complexes
Differentiation between visually evoked F and V potentials.

Abstract A frontal dominant wave (F wave), evoked by single photic stimuli presented at intervals of several seconds, and made evident by computer averaging technique, has been described in man and differentiated from the evoked vertex dominant wave (V wave) on the basis of its distribution and latency. The F wave typically culminated between 150 and 200 msec as compared with 110 to 160 msec for the V wave. Amplitude was ordinarily below 20 μV. Normative data have been presented for a group of ninety subjects, in which the wave could be positively identified, in regard to range of latencies, mean latency, range of amplitudes, mean amplitude, range of wave duration, mean duration, frequency of spread to central regions and left-right wave symmetry.
Optimization and Multihazard Structural Design

There is a growing interest in the development of procedures for the design of structures exposed to multiple hazards. The goal is to achieve safer and/or more economical designs than would be the case if the structures were analyzed independently for each hazard and an envelope of the demands induced by each of the hazards were used for member sizing. We describe an optimization approach to multihazard design that achieves the greatest possible economy while satisfying specified safety-related and other constraints. We then present an application to illustrate our approach.
American Negro Protest Movement: From Black Nationalism to Black Power

(1970). American Negro Protest Movement: From Black Nationalism to Black Power. Sociological Focus: Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 53-62.
The Need for an Integrated Theory: Connecting Modules

While second language acquisition research has been broad in scope, the approach has been largely modular. Findings and the theories used to account for findings have addressed only small, isolated parts of the total language learning picture. We argue that it is time to begin integrating modules in our research, to develop and test integrated models for second language data, and to develop integrated explanatory theories to explain these data. The result should be theories that cover a much broader scope, that are neurally plausible, and that allow us to integrate theories of teaching with theories of learning.
In situ SEM testing for crack closure investigation and virtual crack annealing model development

Abstract In this paper, an in situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) fatigue testing approach is proposed to investigate the crack closure phenomenon within one cyclic loading under plane stress conditions. One objective of this experimental study is to verify the existence and significance of crack closure by directly measuring the variation of crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) and evaluating the crack opening stress levels. During the testing, the loading cycle is divided into a certain number of levels. At each level, high resolution images are taken around the crack tip region by SEM. Following this, imaging analysis is used to process these images in order to quantify the crack tip behavior at any time instant. Four constant amplitude loading cases with different stress ratios are investigated. Crack closure phenomenon is directly observed and measured. A simple mechanical model (named virtual crack annealing model) is developed based on the in situ SEM testing observations. The calculated crack opening stress level is compared with experimental observations. A detailed discussion is given based on the current investigation to explain some well-known issues in the classical fatigue theory.
Controlling the Morphology of Cross β-Sheet Assemblies by Rational Design

Low molecular weight peptidomimetics with simple amphiphilic sequences can help to elucidate the structures of cross β-sheet assemblies, such as amyloid fibrils. The peptidomimetics described herei...
Competition, Monopoly, and Differentils of Profit Rates: Theoretical Considerations and Empirical Evidence

This paper discusses the theoretical background and the empirical evidence for the post-Marxian theory of monopoly. Special attention is given to the theory of monopoly capital and the hypothesis t...
P-LOCI: a computer program for choosing the most efficient set of loci for parentage assignment

Determining how many and which codominant marker loci are required for accurate parentage assignment is not straightforward because levels of marker polymorphism, linkage, allelic distributions among potential parents and other factors produce differences in the discriminatory power of individual markers and sets of markers. p-loci software identifies the most efficient set of codominant markers for assigning parentage at a user-defined level of success, using either simulated or actual offspring genotypes of known parentage. Simulations can incorporate linkage among markers, mating design and frequencies of null alleles and/or genotyping errors. p-loci is available for windows systems at http://marineresearch.oregonstate.edu/genetics/ploci.htm.
Does estimating volumetric bone density of the femoral neck improve the prediction of hip fracture? A prospective study

Standard projectional bone density of the femoral neck (BMD), defined as bone mineral content divided by the projected area of the neck, predicts hip fractures but may not accurately estimate the true volumetric bone density of the femoral neck. To determine whether an estimate of the volumetric bone density of the neck, "bone mineral apparent density" (BMAD), would be a better predictor of hip fracture, we analyzed dual x-ray absorptiometry scans obtained prospectively from 7963 older white women, of whom 83 suffered a hip fracture during follow-up. Both BMD and BMAD were stronger predictors than bone mineral content (BMC) of the femoral neck. However, BMD and BMAD had very similar predictive values for hip fracture: each standard deviation decrease in either BMD or BMAD of the femoral neck increased the age-adjusted risk of hip fracture 2.6- to 2.7-fold. We conclude that BMD and BMAD of the femoral neck have a similarly strong predictive value for hip fracture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Angioplasty Versus Bypass Surgery for Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a disease caused by “hardening” (termed atherosclerosis) of the coronary arteries on the surface of the heart (Figure 1). CAD is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Figure 1. Normal coronary artery anatomy. The heart’s left ventricle pumps blood to the aorta, the body’s main artery. At the beginning of the aorta, the left and right coronary arteries emerge. The coronary arteries travel on the outer surface of the heart and divide into smaller branches that penetrate into the heart muscle. Reprinted with permission ©2000 StayWell - www.krames.com. The inside walls of arteries are normally smooth and flexible, allowing blood to flow through them easily. Fatty deposits, or plaques, may build up inside the arterial wall. These plaques narrow the artery and can reduce or even completely stop the flow of blood. When blood flow is reduced in the coronary arteries, patients may develop angina. Angina is a discomfort in the chest, arms, or lower jaw that occurs when insufficient blood flows to the heart muscle. Angina typically develops during physical exertion or emotional stress, when the heart muscle needs more oxygen and is working harder. Angina usually lasts several minutes, and goes away with rest. Patients with coronary atherosclerosis are at risk for suffering a heart attack. A heart attack can occur when a coronary artery becomes blocked, usually by a blood clot. The region of the heart muscle fed by the blocked artery loses its ability to function and eventually turns into scar tissue. Unlike anginal pain, the pain from a heart attack usually lasts more than 20 minutes and does not go away with rest. Your physician will obtain a medical history and perform a complete physical examination. An electrocardiogram (ECG) may show evidence …
Relationship of scores on the Escapism Scale of the MMPI to escape from minimum security federal custody.

Investigated the ability of the Escapism (Ec) scale of the MMPI to differentiate between escape and non-escape minimum security federal prisoners. At the .05 level there was no difference between the scores of the two groups on the Ec scale or on comparisons of other correctional data, age, and ethnic composition. It appears that the Ec scale alone or in combination with other data will be a poor predictor of escape. Also, the rate of escape was so low as to make accurate prediction from any criteria extremely unlikely.