cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Post-hurricane recovery and long-term viability of the Alabama beach mouse

The spatial configuration of habitat and the frequency of disturbances through time could have interacting effects on population viability. With this in mind, we assessed the rate of post-hurricane recovery and long term viability of the Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates). We collected detection/nondetection data across the range of the Alabama beach mouse for four years subsequent to hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, and then fit a dynamic patch occupancy model to these data using hierarchical Bayesian methods. We converted remotely sensed data into habitat classes, and then mapped site survival probability over the entire range of the species. These estimates were then used to parameterize a spatially-explicit population viability analysis. Our occupancy modeling demonstrates that the probability of patch occupancy increased from 0.16 to 0.67, with occupancy in the surveyed patches approaching an asymptote by the third post-hurricane summer. The viability analysis suggests that extinction probability increases nonlinearly with monotonic increases in both habitat loss and hurricane frequency. Extinction risk is sensitive to the regularity of catastrophic hurricanes; consecutive hurricanes dramatically increase extinction risk, further suggesting that the effect of global climate change on hurricane regimes may have a large effect on the probability of long-term persistence. A mild interaction between habitat loss and hurricane frequency occurs when extinction probability is relatively low, but disappears as extinction probability increases. Our results indicate that extinction risk is a complex function of multiple interacting drivers.
Determination of the Porphyrin Orientation Distribution in Langmuir Monolayers by Polarized Epifluorescence

A new technique for the determination of the orientation distribution of a porphyrin within a Langmuir monolayer, in terms of the mean tilt angle relative to the monolayer normal and the width, is described. The technique utilizes the measurement of polarized fluorescence, excited with the electric field both parallel and perpendicular to the monolayer plane. The main difference between this technique and the existing ones [Fraaije et al., Biophys. J. 1990, 57, 965; Edmiston et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 560; Bos et al., Biophys. J. 1995, 68, 2573.] is that the fluorophores are excited directly by the incident beam rather than an evanescent field, which greatly facilitates its application to Langmuir monolayers at the air−water interface. The technique was applied to the study of two systems with different porphyrin orientations: a Langmuir monolayer of a dihelical synthetic peptide BBC16 containing Zn(II)protoporphyrinIX and a monolayer of tetrakis (N-methyl-4-pyridil) porphyne electrostatically ...
Autophosphorylation-activated protein kinase phosphorylates and inactivates protein phosphatase 2A

Abstract Purified preparations of a distinct autophosphorylation-activated protein kinase from bovine kidney phosphorylated and inactivated purified preparations of protein phosphatase 2A2 (PP2A2) by about 80% with the autophosphorylation-activated protein kinase, protamine kinase, and 32P-labeled myelin basic protein as substrates. Analysis of incubations performed in the presence of 0.2 mM [gamma-32P]ATP by autoradiography following SDS/PAGE and by FPLC gel permeation chromatography on Superose 12 demonstrated that the catalytic subunit of PP2A2 was phosphorylated in the incubation mixtures containing the kinase and phosphatase. Up to 0.3 mol of phosphate groups was incorporated per mol of the catalytic subunit of PP2A2 following incubation with the kinase. This phosphorylation was enhanced about 5-fold in the presence of 0.4 microM microcystin-LR. In addition, up to 1 mol of phosphate groups was incorporated per mol of the PP2A2 subunit of apparent M(r) approximately 60,000 when microcystin-LR was included. Analysis by thin-layer chromatography indicated that PP2A2 catalyzed an autodephosphorylation reaction which was inhibited by microcystin-LR. Phospho amino acid analysis showed that the catalytic subunit of PP2A2 was phosphorylated on threonine residues by the autophosphorylation-activated protein kinase. Together with previous observations, the results suggest that inactivation of PP2A by phosphorylation catalyzed by the autophosphorylation-activated protein kinase could contribute to the marked increase in the phosphorylation of cellular proteins in response to insulin and other mitogens.
Race disparities in low birth weight in the U.S. south and the rest of the nation

There are well-documented and as yet unexplained disparities in birth outcomes by race in the USA. This paper examines the sources of disparities in low birth weight between blacks and whites in the US, by focusing on differences in disparities between two very distinct geographic areas, the Deep South and the rest of the country. Two findings from prior research drive the analyses: first, health overall is worse in the Deep South states; second, race disparities are smaller in the Deep South than in the rest of the nation. A number of potential explanations for these findings are examined using nationally representative data on approximately 8,000 children born in the US in 2001. Results suggest that, first, almost all of the increased burden of low birth weight in the Deep South states may be explained by differences in race composition and socioeconomic status between the Deep South and rest of the nation. Second, the slightly lower race disparities found in the Deep South states are being driven not by better outcomes for black mothers, but by two other factors: higher returns to socioeconomic status for black mothers and much worse outcomes for poor white mothers in the Deep South compared with the rest of the country.
Introduction to Experimental Nonlinear Dynamics: A Case Study in Mechanical Vibration

Nonlinear behavior can be found in such highly disparate areas as population biology and aircraft wing flutter. Largely because of this extensive reach, nonlinear dynamics and chaos have become very active fields of study and research. This book uses an extended case study - an experiment in mechanical vibration - to introduce and explore the subject of nonlinear behavior and chaos. Beginning with a review of basic principles, the text then describes a cart-on-a-track oscillator and shows what happens when it is gradually subjected to greater excitation, thereby encountering the full spectrum of nonlinear behavior, from simple free decay to chaos. Experimental mechanical vibration is the unifying theme as the narrative evolves from a local, linear, largely analytical foundation toward the rich and often unpredictable world of nonlinearity. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as practising engineers, will find this book a lively, accessible introduction to the complex world of nonlinear dynamics.
The A & P Case: A Study in Applied Economic Theory

Introduction, 238. — I. Selling Policy, 239. — II. Integration, 244. — III. Buying Policy, 247. — IV. Conclusions, 255.
Acute systemic administration of morphine selectively increases mu opioid receptor binding in the rat brain

Abstract Opioid receptor binding, including the mu, delta, and kappa receptor subtypes, was compared in morphine-injected and control rats. Brain tissues were homogenized and centrifuged either one or two times prior to receptor binding assay. In brain membranes from morphine-injected rats centrifuged once, there was a decrease in mu, but not delta or kappa, binding compared to controls, perhaps indicating occupation of these sites by morphine. By contrast, homogenates from morphine-injected rats centrifuged twice manifested an increase inmu, but not delta or kappa, binding sites. These results suggest that pharmacological stimulation of central opioid receptors with morphine causes a rapid, selective increase in the number of available mu binding sites.
Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of nerve growth factor receptor-like proteins identified with monoclonal antibodies

Human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH-SY5Y (SY5Y) and rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells are model cell lines used in the study of nerve growth factor (NGF) effect. The effects of NGF are initiated by binding to cell surface receptors (NGFR). The amino acid sequence for NGFR has been deduced based on the identification of a single gene for NGFR. However, there are two kinds of NGF binding activities and several reported molecular weights of NGFR. We report here on the demonstration of NGFR-like proteins from PC12 and SY5Y cells by sequential lectin chromatography, reverse-phase HPLC, and SDS-PAGE analysis of immunoprecipitates obtained with NGFR-specific monoclonal antibodies. For both human and rodent NGFR, there was a tendency for the higher molecular-weight species of NGFR-like proteins to be eluted in more hydrophobic fractions. Also, the expression of different species of NGFR could be modified by treatment with retinoic acid (RA). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the different molecular species of NGFR may result from the generation of a truncated form of NGFR, the presence of sugar residues on the NGFR protein, dimer formation between NGFR, or the association of NGFR with a receptor-associated protein.
Environmentally assisted fatigue crack propagation in steel

The influence of various gasenous environments on fatigue crack propagation has been determined for three quenched and tempered steels with yield strength levels of 800 to 1400 MN/m2. The crack growth rate was increased by an order of magnitude in low pressure (13 KPa) hydrogen, and by a factor of two in most mildly aggressive environments relative to the growth rate in vacuum. The gases oxygen, acetylene, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide were dominant in a combined environment with hydrogen while methane and carbon dioxide had only a small effect on crack propagation when added to hydrogen. The crack propagation in acetylene was intermediate between that in hydrogen and the mildly aggressive environments. The increase in fatigue crack propagation rate in the hydrogen environment was dependent on the temperature and the cyclic stress intensity. The fracture mode was transgranular for all conditions except the hydrogen influenced HP-9-4-20 fractures. These results are discussed relative to various stages of the hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms. In pacticular, the results are discussed with respect to the adsorption-dissociation of the environment, transport of the gaseous specie within the plasticly deformed zone by mobile dislocations and interaction with segregated impurities within the metal.
Direct Coherent Raman Temperature Imaging and Wideband Chemical Detection in a Hydrocarbon Flat Flame

A single-shot coherent Raman imaging technique has been developed for spatially correlated one-dimensional high-fidelity gas-phase thermometry and multiplex chemical detection in flames. The technique utilizes two-beam phase matching, operating a single ultrashort pump/Stokes excitation pulse (7 fs) and a narrowband picosecond probe pulse (70 ps), interrogating a Raman active window of ∼4200 cm(-1) with ∼0.3 cm(-1) spectral resolution. The measurement geometry is formed intersecting the two beams shaped as laser-sheets and the one-coordinate spatial information is retrieved with a linespread function of <40 μm. The advance provides the possibility for the multiplexed measurement of all combustion relevant major species simultaneously with gaseous temperature monitored over a several millimeter field of view. The current technique is optimized in a premixed hydrocarbon flat-flame. At the flame-front, it is shown that direct imaging renders the temperature profile within ∼1% inaccuracy, whereas typical point-wise raster scanning may have relative systematic deviations up to 15% due to spatial averaging effects.
A survey of short sea shipping and its prospects in the USA

The continuing growth of international container trade has created capacity problems at major US ports, and the truck-based freight transportation has caused a deterioration of traffic congestion on important US transportation corridors. Using inland and coastal waterways, short sea shipping (SSS) can provide an improvement to these problems. Furthermore, SSS offers many additional benefits for the environment, the economy and society as a whole. Both the US Department of Transportation and the European Commission actively support SSS as an alternative, environmentally friendly mode of transportation. However, there are obstacles, administrative barriers and challenges that should be addressed. Several successful operations on both sides of the Atlantic make a strong case in favour of SSS. SSS can develop customized and technologically advanced solutions that will further integrate it into the intermodal transportation chain and will improve its image among shippers as a mode that can provide reliable doo...
Targeting in Medicaid: The costs and enrollment effects of Medicaid's citizenship documentation requirement

Abstract The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 imposed a federal requirement that all individuals provide citizenship documentation when applying for or renewing Medicaid coverage. This represented a change in policy for 46 states. Using differences-in-differences to analyze data from the Current Population Survey (2004–2008), this paper shows that the policy reduced Medicaid enrollment among non-citizens, as intended, and did not significantly affect citizens. One-in-four adult non-citizens in Medicaid (390,000 total) and one-in-eight child non-citizens (81,000) were screened out by the policy annually. Child non-citizens were more likely to become uninsured afterwards, while adult non-citizens appeared to shift from Medicaid to other coverage. Overall, the citizenship documentation requirement reduced Medicaid participation among non-citizens in an appropriately targeted way. Nonetheless, a cost-benefit analysis indicates that the policy was a net loss to society of $600 million, through increased state administrative spending and compliance costs imposed on U.S. citizens applying for Medicaid.
Studies on the identity of the heme-binding cysteinyl residue in rabbit liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 isozyme 2.

Abstract The reaction of purified rabbit liver microsomal P-450 isozyme 2 with 4,4′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) (DTNB) exhibits first order kinetics and results in the modification of a single thiol, but causes no net loss of the native ferrous-carbonyl spectrum. Inclusion of both phospholipid and a tight-binding nitrogenous ligand, 1-benzylimidazole, in the reaction medium produces a burst-phase of DTNB modification, but the stoichiometry remains one thiol modified per polypeptide chain. The site of isozyme 2 rapidly labeled by DTNB and by monobromobimane, a fluorescent reagent for thiol groups, was shown to be Cys 152 . Results obtained strongly suggest that Cys 152 does not provide the proximal thiolate ligand to the heme iron atom. Since Cys 152 represents one of the two highly conserved cysteine-containing regions in the P-450 cytochromes, it appears likely that the other region, containing Cys 436 in this rabbit cytochrome (corresponding to Cys 355 in bacterial P-450 cam, Cys 436 in rat P-450 b or e, Cys 461 in rat P-450 c, Cys 456 in rat P-450 d or mouse isozyme 3, and Cys 458 in mouse isozyme 1) is the source of the thiolate ligand to the heme.
Fault interaction may generate multiple slip vectors on a single fault surface

Slip vectors of multiple orientations on a single fault surface may be explained by the interaction of crustal-scale faults in response to nearby earthquakes. Field observations of at least five sets of striae on a single planar fault surface can be reproduced in numerical experiments. These experimental results suggest that slip vectors having variable orientations may reflect a highly transient local stress state in an otherwise constant regional stress field. Our results suggest that stress-inversion techniques should be applied with caution to areas with complex regional-scale fault patterns.
In vitro effects of intravesical dimethylsulfoxide

The mainstay of therapy for interstitial cystitis (IC) is intravesical instillation of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Although numerous clinical studies have documented symptomatic improvement in up to 70% of patients, the mechanism of action, and effect on objective parameters of bladder function have not been adequately studied. In this study we have used the in vitro whole bladder model to determine the effect of DMSO on several parameters of bladder function, including in vitro cystometry, pressure generation, and ability to empty in response to both field stimulation and bethanechol. All parameters measured were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. Bladder capacity was reduced by a mean of 18.71%. Compliance was markedly decreased after instillation of DMSO. The magnitude of pressure generated in response to field stimulation was decreased from a mean of 8.93 cm H2O to a mean of 5.55 cm H2O. In response to bethanechol, the magnitude of pressure generation was decreased from a mean of 9.85 cm H2O to a mean of 7.07 cm H2O after treatment with DMSO. The rate of pressure generation in response to field stimulation was substantially reduced by 46.6%. In response to field stimulation and bethanechol, control bladders emptied 86% and 92%, respectively. After treatment with DMSO, these values were reduced by an average of 33.24% and 14.92%, respectively. This in vitro study has shown that DMSO has a negative effect on multiple parameters of bladder function, including compliance, capacity, and contractile and functional responses to field stimulation and bethanechol.
Enhanced low frequency content of THz sources with line source excitation

We report enhanced low frequency content of line source excited THz photoconductive sources. These high efficiency sources, exhibit near uniform spectral content with increasing optical power, and are well suited for spectroscopy in the < 1THz regime.
The large-scale blast score ratio (LS-BSR) pipeline: a method to rapidly compare genetic content between bacterial genomes

Background. As whole genome sequence data from bacterial isolates becomes cheaper to generate, computational methods are needed to correlate sequence data with biological observations. Here we present the large-scale BLAST score ratio (LS-BSR) pipeline, which rapidly compares the genetic content of hundreds to thousands of bacterial genomes, and returns a matrix that describes the relatedness of all coding sequences (CDSs) in all genomes surveyed. This matrix can be easily parsed in order to identify genetic relationships between bacterial genomes. Although pipelines have been published that group peptides by sequence similarity, no other software performs the rapid, large-scale, full-genome comparative analyses carried out by LS-BSR. Results. To demonstrate the utility of the method, the LS-BSR pipeline was tested on 96 Escherichia coli and Shigella genomes; the pipeline ran in 163 min using 16 processors, which is a greater than 7-fold speedup compared to using a single processor. The BSR values for each CDS, which indicate a relative level of relatedness, were then mapped to each genome on an independent core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based phylogeny. Comparisons were then used to identify clade specific CDS markers and validate the LS-BSR pipeline based on molecular markers that delineate between classical E. coli pathogenic variant (pathovar) designations. Scalability tests demonstrated that the LS-BSR pipeline can process 1,000 E. coli genomes in 27-57 h, depending upon the alignment method, using 16 processors. Conclusions. LS-BSR is an open-source, parallel implementation of the BSR algorithm, enabling rapid comparison of the genetic content of large numbers of genomes. The results of the pipeline can be used to identify specific markers between user-defined phylogenetic groups, and to identify the loss and/or acquisition of genetic information between bacterial isolates. Taxa-specific genetic markers can then be translated into clinical diagnostics, or can be used to identify broadly conserved putative therapeutic candidates.
Displacement-Based Seismic Design for Reinforced Masonry Shear-Wall Structures, Part 2: Validation with Shake-Table Tests

This paper provides a comprehensive validation of a displacement-based seismic design procedure proposed in a companion paper for reinforced masonry shear-wall structures. For this purpose, a full-...
Studies on opioid receptor selectivity of β-endorphin antagonists

Opioid receptor selectivity of several beta-endorphin (beta-EP) analogs which antagonize beta-EP-induced analgesia has been assessed using partially selective binding assays. Although the apparent affinity dissociation constant of beta-EP in these assays varies from 0.2 to 360 nm, the potency of beta-EP antagonists relative to beta-EP remains largely unchanged. It is unlikely that differences in receptor affinities can account for the antagonist properties of these analogs in vivo.
Emergency department pelvic examination and Pap testing: addressing patient misperceptions.

Objectives: Failure to obtain cervical cancer screening can be precipitated by limited knowledge. This study describes understanding of Papanicolaou (Pap) smear testing among women undergoing emergency department (ED) pelvic examination and tests the feasibility of educating patients in the ED. Methods: Patients undergoing pelvic examination in an urban, tertiary care ED were surveyed about Pap smear screening. Among the initial cohort, no education was provided prior to survey administration. Subsequently, a pilot study of scripted information provided by physicians alone or both physicians and counselors was conducted. Results: There were 81 patients in the non-intervention cohort and 32 patients in the intervention cohort. Of the 32 intervention patients, 16 received physician-administered intervention, and 16 received reinforced counseling (physician + counselor). Of 113 total patients, 90 (82%) were African American; mean age was 26 years (SD ′ 7.7 years). Of the 81 non-intervention patients, six (7%; 95% CI = 3% to 15%) said they were told that a Pap test was not done, and 60 (74%; 95% CI = 64% to 82%) mistakenly believed they had a Pap test. Sixty-six (81.5%; 95% CI = 72% to 88%) patients stated they knew the purpose of a Pap test; only 17 (26%; 95% CI = 17% to 37%) of these correctly identified the Pap test as a test for cervical cancer. All 32 intervention patients were surveyed after physician counseling. Compared with the non-intervention group, fewer (56%; 95% CI = 39% to 72%) thought they had a Pap test, and more (31%; 95% CI = 18% to 49%) said they were told they did not receive a Pap test. All 16 reinforced intervention patients correctly denied receiving a Pap test after counselor education. Conclusions: Knowledge of Pap testing among women undergoing ED pelvic examination is poor; most mistakenly believe they receive a Pap test during ED evaluation. Educating patients may be feasible and effective in the ED setting.
On the convergence of linear stochastic approximation procedures

Many stochastic approximation procedures result in a stochastic algorithm of the form h/sub k+1/=h/sub k/+1/k(b/sub k/-A/sub k/h/sub k/), for all k=1,2,3,... . Here, {b/sub k/,k=1,2,3...} is a R/sup d/-valued process, {A/sub k/,k=1,2,3,...} is a symmetric, positive semidefinite Re/sup d/spl times/d/-valued process, and {h/sub k/,k=1,2,3,...} is a sequence of stochastic estimates which hopefully converges to h/sup /spl Delta//=[lim/sub N/spl rarr//spl infin//1/N/spl Sigma//sub k=1//sup N/EA/sub k/]/sup -1/ {lim/sub N/spl rarr//spl infin//1/N/spl Sigma//sub k=1//sup N/Eb/sub k/} (assuming everything here is well defined). We give an elementary proof which relates the almost sure convergence of {h/sub k/,k=1,2,3,...} to strong laws of large numbers for {b/sub k/,k=1,2,3,...} and {A/sub k/,k=1,2,3,...}.
Comparative insect developmental genetics: phenotypes without mutants

The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in interest in the extent to which morphological evolution depends on changes in regulatory pathways. Insects provide a fertile ground for study because of their diversity and our high level of understanding of the genetic regulation of development in Drosophila melanogaster. However, comparable genetic approaches are presently possible in only a small number of non-Drosophilid insects. In a recent paper, Hughes and Kaufman(1) have used a new methodology, RNA interference, in the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, to phenocopy the effects of mutations in Hox genes. RNA interference involves the injection of double-stranded RNA of the same sequence as the relevant mRNA resulting in a depletion of that transcript.(2) Hughes and Kaufman focused on the gnathal segments, which elaborate specialized appendages important to feeding. Their results indicate that gnathal adaptations in this bug are correlated with changes in Hox gene functions and interactions. BioEssays 23:379–382, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Phosphorus cycling by mussels (Unionidae: Bivalvia) in Lake St. Clair

The role of mussels in cycling phosphorus in Lake St. Clair during the May-October period was examined by measuring concentrations in the water column and in mussel tissue, and by measuring rates of biodeposition and excretion. Mean rates of biodeposition and excretion for Lampsilis radiata siliquoidea, the most abundant species, were 6.3 μg P (g shell-free dry wt)-1 h-1 and 1.3 μg P (g shell-free dry wt)-1 h-1, respectively; body tissue phosphorus content was 2.7 percent of dry wt. Seasonal changes in excretion rates appeared to be related to the gametogenic cycle of the organism, but seasonal changes in biodeposition rates were not apparent. Phosphorus assimilation efficiency for this species was about 40 percent. Overall, the mussel population in Lake St. Clair filtered about 210 MT of phosphorus, or about 13.5 percent of the total phosphorus load for the May-October study period. Of this amount, about 134 MT was sedimented to the bottom via biodeposition. Mussel biodeposition may be an important source of nutrients to other biotic components in the lake such as macrophytes and invertebrate deposit-feeders.
Segregation and Inequality in Public Goods

Many U.S. cities function without regular problems. They have well-kept roads, sewers that never overflow, and public parks with swing sets and restrooms. Others struggle to maintain balanced budgets, fail to adequately equip or staff their police forces, and offer little assistance to residents of limited means. What explains these differences? I argue that segregation along racial lines contributes to public goods inequalities. Racially segregated cities are also politically polarized cities, making collective investment more challenging and public goods expenditures lower. I provide evidence for this argument using election data from 25 large cities and demographic data matched to city finances in more than 2,600 places. To handle the problem of endogeneity, I instrument for segregation using the number of waterways in a city. I find that segregated municipalities are more politically polarized and spend less on a wide range of public goods.
Potential Formation at Plasma Edge due to Suprathermal Particle Losses

Generation of the edge radial electric field and corresponding plasma rotation is studied for both uniform magnetic field and toroidal confinement systems with separatrix configuration of magnetic surfaces. The equations describing the edge plasma rotation due to suprathermal particle losses are derived. The solution on this equations is found for the simplest case of collisionless plasma flow to the neutralizing wall perpendicular to the magnetic field. It is shown that classical acceleration of plasma by ion orbital losses is enough to explain electric field and plasma rotation observed near walls.
China's Republican Revolution: The Case of Kwangtung, 1895-1913

Imperialism, pernicious as it was in most respects, served as the prime catalyst for social change in China throughout the turbulent period from 1895 to 1913. Starting with this premise, Edward Rhoads traces the social, political, and economic history of the republican revolution. In his view, after the Boxer uprising, the Manchu court, usually called supine and reactionary, instituted a program of reform that was a serious, comprehensive, and often successful attempt at radical social transformation. It failed, but it politicized the Chinese people to an unprecedented degree-and it marks the entrance of China into the modern era. The post-Boxer reforms attracted many revolutionaries and defused a serious revolutionary threat. Contrary to traditional accounts, Sun Yat-sen and his Revolutionary Alliance did not move easily from success to success. On the eve of the 1911 revolution, in fact, the movement was disorganized and demoralized. Its ultimate victory came less from its own efforts than from the failure of the incumbent rulers to win the support of the nonrevolutionary elite.
Practical Solutions of the Lock-In Detection Problem for Lorentz and Dispersion Resonance Signals*

The problem of determining the parameters of a resonance signal from observations of the output of a lock-in detector is considered for the cases in which the resonance has a Lorentz or dispersion line shape. Computer techniques are applied to the more general superimposed line-shape problem accommodating modulation broadening, time-constant distortion, and the effects of multiple overlapping components. Analytical expressions are obtained for several special cases.
Calpain-mediated regulation of NMDA receptor structure and function

Calpains have been previously shown to regulate AMPA receptor properties by producing partial truncation of the C-terminal domains of several receptor subunits. We now report that NMDA receptor subunits, in particular NR2 subunits, are also subjected to calpain-mediated truncation. Treatment of synaptic membranes with calpain I resulted in truncation of both NR1 and NR2 subunits, with the appearance of NR2 species with lower mol.wt. than native subunits, but still recognized by antibodies directed at the C-terminal domain. This treatment did not modify the binding of several ligands of the NMDA receptors, such as glutamate, glycine or TCP. Incubation of thin frozen-thawed brain sections with calcium resulted in calpain-mediated selective degradation of NR2 subunits, as truncation into smaller fragments was totally blocked by calpain inhibitors. Under the same conditions, TCP binding to sections was decreased by about 50%, an effect also blocked by calpain inhibitors. Treatment of hippocampal slices in culture with the excitotoxin, kainic acid, also produced calpain-mediated truncation of the C-terminal domain of NR2 but not NR1 subunits of the NMDA receptors. The results indicate that calpain activation produces several modifications of NMDA receptors, including the truncation of the C-terminal domain of NR2 subunits, and changes in channel binding properties. They suggest that calpain-mediated regulation of NMDA receptors might represent a feed-back regulation of the receptors which could be used to limit receptor activation.
Resource Utilization and Total Cost of Commercially-Available Versus Manually-Compounded Solutions Used for Dialysate in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Purpose: The acquisition cost of commercially-available (CA) dialysis solutions is higher than manually-compounded (MC) solutions but pharmacy preparation time and medication errors are presumed to be lower. The objective of this study was to compare resource utilization and total cost between CA-and MC-dialysis solutions.Methods: A model was constructed using solution acquisition cost, preparation cost, and the cost of a medication error. Solution preparation costs were obtained by prospectively recording preparation times for 1 month before and after the implementation of a CA-solution protocol. Preparation times were converted to costs using the hourly wage of a pharmacist and pharmacy technician. The presumed error rate was 0.5% for MC and 0.1% for CA solutions. A univariate sensitivity analysis was conducted by varying the incidence of a medication error.Results: Preparation time for an MC solution was significantly longer than for a CA solution (8 ± 3 minutes/bag vs 4 ± 1 minutes/bag, P < .001). Tot...
Assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of T2*-weighted MR imaging for identifying hepatocellular carcinoma with liver explant correlation

Abstract Background T2*-weighted MRI may represent a novel method for identifying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The goal of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of T2*-weighted MRI for HCC with liver explant correlation. Materials and methods A retrospective review identified 25 patients who had undergone liver transplantation with pre-operative T2*-weighted MRI. All patients had Child's-Pugh A (9), B (9), or C (7) liver disease with 13 transplanted for liver dysfunction and 12 for HCC. The T2*-weighted images were interpreted by 2 blinded, independent observers and the results compared with the explanted specimens. Sensitivity and specificity of T2*-weighted MRI for the identification of HCC was assessed. Results By pathology, 16 HCC (mean largest diameter 2.1 cm; range 0.9–3.6 cm) were identified in 14 patients. Reader 1 had a sensitivity of 69% (95% confidence interval 41–88%) and a specificity of 100% (68–100%). Reader 2 had a sensitivity of 56% (31–79%) and a specificity of 100% (68–100%). There was a very good inter-observer agreement (kappa = 0.84). Conclusion T2*-weighted MRI had a moderate sensitivity for identifying HCC but had an excellent specificity. A T2*-weighted MR sequence may be a useful component of a liver MRI protocol due to its high specificity for HCC, and may be particularly useful in patients unable to undergo gadolinium enhanced MRI.
Engaging Patients in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction: From Empathy to Erectile Dysfunction

Six of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease involve lifestyle practices, often not discerned in primary care. Differing paradigms for preventive care and modification for risk are thereby addressed. Motivational interviewing is one technique of reflective listening and nonjudgmental concern to engage patients in behavioral change. As an example of the rationale for intervention to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease, the Commonwealth Study of 2000 is highlighted, noting the failure of men to address warning signals of cardiovascular disease risk and the relationship of erectile dysfunction in men as a possible sentinel marker for early detection of coronary artery disease. A recent article in Journal of the American Medical Association addressed the relationship of incident erectile dysfunction and presence of cardiovascular disease over an 11-year period in more than 4000 men. Therefore, the penis may be an appropriate barometer to determine cardiovascular health and risk and allow pa...
A three-tiered parsing approach for operational systems

A three-tiered approach to parsing that takes advantage of as much syntactic and semantic information as needed to create accurate interpretations of input efficiently is described. While syntactic structure is assumed to be the fundamental basis for subsequent semantic interpretation, semantic analysis and insights from sublanguage analysis are utilized during parsing to produce a semantically constrained set of syntactic structures. This three-tiered approach combines theoretical insights with practical techniques to achieve a high rate of success in parsing large corpora of text containing difficult constructions. This is done by using insights from various approaches without bringing in the inadequacies of any one approach. The resulting hybrid system is not only general, flexible, and portable between various domains and applications, but is accurate and efficient in real-world settings. >
Chaperone protein GrpE and the GroEL/GroES complex promote the correct folding of tobacco mosaic virus coat protein for ribonucleocapsid assembly in vivo

Several prokaryotic chaperone proteins were shown to promote the correct folding and in vivo assembly of tobacco mosaic virus coat protein (TMV CP) using a chimaeric RNA packaging system in control or chaperone-deficient mutant strains of Escherichia coli. Mutations in groEL or dnaK reduced the amount of both total and soluble TMV CP, and the yield of assembled TMV-like particles, several-fold. Thus both GroEL and DnaK have significant direct or indirect effects on the overall expression, stability, folding and assembly of TMV CP in vivo. In contrast, while cells carrying a mutation in grpE expressed TMV CP to a higher overall level than control E. coli, the amounts of both soluble CP and assembled TMV-like particles were below control levels, suggesting a negative effect of GrpE on overall CP accumulation, but positive role(s) in CP folding and assembly. Curiously, cells with mutations in groES and, to a lesser extent, dnaJ expressed total, soluble and assembled forms of TMV CP significantly above control values, suggesting some form of negative control by these chaperone proteins. To avoid pleiotropic effects or artefacts in chaperone- null mutants, selected chaperone proteins were also over-expressed in control E. coli cells. Overproduction of GroEL or GroES alone had little effect. However, co-overexpression of GroEL and GroES resulted in a two-fold increase in soluble TMV CP and a four-fold rise in assembled TMV-like (pseudovirus) particles in vivo. Moreover, TMV CP was shown to interact directly with GroEL in vivo. Together, these results suggest that GrpE and the GroEL/GroES chaper- one complex promote the correct folding and assembly of TMV CP into ribonucleocapsids in vivo.
Are therapeutic motivation and having one's own doctor as researcher sources of therapeutic misconception?

Background Desire for improvement in one9s illness and having one9s own doctor functioning as a researcher are thought to promote therapeutic misconception (TM), a phenomenon in which research subjects are said to conflate research with treatment. Purpose To examine whether subjects’ therapeutic motivation and own doctor functioning as researcher are associated with TM. Methods We interviewed 90 persons with advanced Parkinson9s disease (PD) enrolled or intending to enrol in sham surgery controlled neurosurgical trials, using qualitative interviews. Subjects were compared by motivation (primarily therapeutic vs primarily altruistic or dually motivated by altruistic and therapeutic motivation), and by doctor status (own doctor as site investigator vs not) on the following: understanding of purpose of study; understanding of research procedures; perception of chance of direct benefit; and recollection and perceptions concerning the risks. Results 60% had primarily therapeutic motivation and 44% had their own doctor as the site investigator, but neither were generally associated with increased TM responses. Overall level of understanding of purpose and procedures of research were high. Subjects responded with generally high estimates of probability of direct benefit, but their rationales were personal and complex. The therapeutic-motivation group was more sensitive to risks. Five (5.6%) subjects provided incorrect answers to the question about purpose of research, and yet, showed excellent understanding of research procedures. Conclusions In persons with PD involved in sham surgery clinical trials, being primarily motivated by desire for direct benefit to one9s illness or having one9s own doctor as the site investigator were not associated with greater TM responses.
The annual carbon dioxide cycle in a montane soil: Observations, modeling, and implications for weathering

Profiles of CO/sub 2/ concentrations in soil and snow, soil respiration, soil and snow temperatures, and shallow ground water chemistry were monitored from March 1984 to July 1985 in a montane region neat Brighton, Utah. Significant seasonal variations in the concentrations of CO/sub 2/ in soil and snow occurred, and two principal rise-decline cycles were observed. During the first cycle the concentration of soil CO/sub 2/ at 35 cm rose from 4200 ppmv in July to a maximum of 12,400 ppmv in August and then declined to 4300 ppmv by October. This cycle is attributed to the changing production rate of soil CO/sub 2/ during the growing season. During the second cycle the concentration of CO/sub 2/ at 35 cm began to rise in November, reached a maximum of 7200 ppmv in early spring, and quickly declined to 3200 ppmv by late spring shortly after the snow cover had melted. This cycle is attributed to deterioration in the exchange of CO/sub 2/ between the soil and atmosphere due to a deep snowpack. A model based on Fick's second law of diffusion was developed to account for the temporal and spatial distribution of soil CO/sub 2/. The model predicts that soilmore » CO/sub 2/ at 35 cm is increased by as much as 15 times due to the deep snowpack. The elevated concentration of soil CO/sub 2/, abundance of water, and above-freezing soil temperatures imply that significant soil weathering occurs during the winter in montane regions.« less
Time-critical networking - Invited presentation

This paper considers the networking needs of cyber-physical systems, which integrate computation and networking with physical dynamics. It argues that CPS demands networks where time is a semantic property, not just a quality factor.
Century-long Impacts of Increasing Human Water Use on Numbers and Production of the American White Pelican at Pyramid Lake, Nevada

Abstract Anaho Island, Pyramid Lake, Nevada supports the largest colony of the American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) in western North America. Counts of adults, nests and chicks, from 1903 to the present, are positively correlated with flow volumes of the Truckee River in spring near Nixon, Nevada, 15 km from the lake. Upriver diversions of water have markedly reduced flows of the lower Truckee River and have likely depressed pelican production; for example, the Derby Dam, completed in 1906, diverts water from the Truckee River into the Truckee Canal and out of the Truckee River basin. American White Pelican production was negatively correlated with flows in the Truckee Canal. If water had remained in the river instead of being diverted, it is estimated that annual colony production would have averaged 8% higher. A more complete model, accounting for seasonal diversions of water from the river between the gage upriver at Farad and the gage near Nixon, predicted that colony production would ha...
Factors Most Likely to Contribute to Positive Course Evaluations

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which students differentially rated ten factors likely to affect their ratings on overall course evaluations. Students (N = 148) in several sections of an undergraduate educational psychology course indicated their preferences among several designated factors. We found remarkable similarity in the ratings across a variety of subgroups (i.e., high vs. low grades, high vs. low test scores, upper vs. lower classmen, and gender). Good grade emerged as the most highly rated factor for every subgroup, whereas high course standards fell among the less-favored factors.
Efficient, High-Average-Power, Liquid-Nitrogen-Cooled Ti:Al2O3 Laser

A high-average-power, efficient, single-transverse-mode Ti:Al2O3 laser suitable both for mode-locked operation and for long-pulsed, high-power pumping without damage to the laser crystal has been built using a large focal spot and liquid nitrogen cooling. A Ti:Al2O3 laser pumped by a 20-W argon-ion laser demonstrates a seven fold increase in power on cooling from 300 K to 77 K and has been mode-locked. This laser was also pumped by a 0.4-J, 150-μs long pulse in which liquid nitrogen cooling increased output power by a factor of four.
Binomial Approximations of American Call Option Prices with Stochastic Volatilities

This study describes and tests a simple, efficient method of approximating stochastic volatility call option prices that is lattice based, and can easily accommodate the value of early exercise for American options. The proposed model exploits the fact that stochastic volatility call option prices are approximately linear in the degree of correlation between the asset price and the volatility. By calculating binomial prices for perfect and zero correlations, a simple linear function of the binomial prices can be used to accurately estimate call option prices for any other degree of correlation. A distinct advantage of the model is that it can be easily modified to price American puts.
VERY LONG-TERM OUTCOMES AFTER SIMPLE VERSUS COMPLEX STENTING OF CORONARY ARTERY BIFURCATION LESIONS

Coronary bifurcation lesions represent a challenging subset for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Very long-term outcomes (more than 5 years) of bifurcation PCI is unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate very long-term outcomes of simple versus complex stenting. A total of 181
Prolonged Intermittent Renal Replacement Therapy

Prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy (PIRRT) is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. There are significant practice variations in the provision of PIRRT across institutions, with respect to prescription, technology, and delivery of therapy. Clinical trials have generally demonstrated that PIRRT is non-inferior to continuous renal replacement therapy regarding patient outcomes. PIRRT offers cost-effective renal replacement therapy along with other advantages such as early patient mobilization and decreased nursing time. However, due to lack of standardization of the procedure, PIRRT still poses significant challenges, especially pertaining to appropriate drug dosing. Future guidelines and clinical trials should work toward developing consensus definitions for PIRRT and ensure optimal delivery of therapy.
The Cosmic Zoo: The (Near) Inevitability of the Evolution of Complex, Macroscopic Life

Life on Earth provides a unique biological record from single-cell microbes to technologically intelligent life forms. Our evolution is marked by several major steps or innovations along a path of increasing complexity from microbes to space-faring humans. Here we identify various major key innovations, and use an analytical toolset consisting of a set of models to analyse how likely each key innovation is to occur. Our conclusion is that once the origin of life is accomplished, most of the key innovations can occur rather readily. The conclusion for other worlds is that if the origin of life can occur rather easily, we should live in a cosmic zoo, as the innovations necessary to lead to complex life will occur with high probability given sufficient time and habitat. On the other hand, if the origin of life is rare, then we might live in a rather empty universe.
From Gonads to Bone, and Back

The sex steroid hormones are essential for skeletal development and the maintenance of bone health throughout adult life. The biological importance of this regulation is best exemplified by the fact that estrogen and androgen deficiencies are major pathogenic factors in the development of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and elderly men. Bone physiology is traditionally studied with the view that the skeleton is only a recipient for the hormonal input. However, it is clear nowadays that in most of the hormonal regulation there are crosstalks between the different organs. Based on this notion, the skeleton has recently emerged as an endocrine organ of major importance. This is particularly relevant to the interplay between bone and gonads. It was shown that bone, via the osteoblast-derived hormone osteocalcin, promotes testosterone biosynthesis. In addition, several observations also suggest that defects in production of osteocalcin or in its receptor signaling may have ramifications not only for male fertility, but also for susceptibility to prostate cancer. This chapter will review the mutual dependence between gonads and bone, mechanisms of action of osteocalcin, and the implication of this novel regulation in humans.