cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protein structure prediction using sparse dipolar coupling data.

Residual dipolar coupling (RDC) represents one of the most exciting emerging NMR techniques for protein structure studies. However, solving a protein structure using RDC data alone is still a highly challenging problem. We report here a computer program, RDC-PROSPECT, for protein structure prediction based on a structural homolog or analog of the target protein in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), which best aligns with the 15N–1H RDC data of the protein recorded in a single ordering medium. Since RDC-PROSPECT uses only RDC data and predicted secondary structure information, its performance is virtually independent of sequence similarity between a target protein and its structural homolog/analog, making it applicable to protein targets beyond the scope of current protein threading techniques. We have tested RDC-PROSPECT on all 15N–1H RDC data (representing 43 proteins) deposited in the BioMagResBank (BMRB) database. The program correctly identified structural folds for 83.7% of the target proteins, and achieved an average alignment accuracy of 98.1% residues within a four-residue shift.
Pharmacology of a slowly inactivating outward current in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons.

The pharmacology of a slowly inactivating outward current was examined using whole cell patch-clamp recordings in CA3 pyramidal cells of guinea pig hippocampal slices. The current had a low activat...
Resolving Negative Affect and Restoring Meaning Responses to Deflection Produced by Unwanted Sexual Experiences

Unwanted sexual experiences are seldom acknowledged as “rape.” These are identity-threatening events that cause negative affect and cognitive confusion. According to affect control theory, such eve...
Probing intermolecular main chain hydrogen bonding in serine proteinase-protein inhibitor complexes: chemical synthesis of backbone-engineered turkey ovomucoid third domain.

Intermolecular main chain H-bonding networks are frequently encountered at the interface of complexes of protein proteinase inhibitors and their cognate enzymes. Studies of X-ray crystal structures of many protein inhibitors complexed with serine proteinases have revealed that the amide NH group of the P1 residue in the inhibitor donates an H-bond to the carbonyl CO group of Ser214 and Ser195 Oγ in the enzyme (Ser125 and Ser221 in subtilisins, respectively). To probe the energetic contribution of this backbone H-bond in the complexes of OMTKY3 with several serine proteinases, native chemical ligation was used for the total synthesis of a backbone-engineered analog of OMTKY3, in which the amide peptide bond between Thr17 (P2) and Leu18 (P1) was replaced by an ester bond, i.e., −CONH− to −COO−. This chemical “mutation” effectively eliminated the backbone H-bond donated by the NH group of Leu18. By measuring association equilibrium constants for synthetic wild-type OMTKY3 and the backbone-engineered ester an...
Coarse particulate matter concentrations from residential outdoor sites associated with the North Carolina Asthma and Children's Environment Studies (NC-ACES)

Abstract Coarse particulate matter (PM 10 - 2.5 ) concentration data from residential outdoor sites were collected using portable samplers as part of an exposure assessment for the North Carolina Asthma and Children's Environment Studies (NC-ACES). PM 10 - 2.5 values were estimated using the differential between independent PM 10 and PM 2.5 collocated MiniVol measurements. Repeated daily 24-h integrated PM 10 and PM 2.5 residential outdoor monitoring was performed at a total of 26 homes during September 2003–June 2004 in the Research Triangle Park, NC area. This effort resulted in the collection of 73 total daily measurements. This assessment was conducted to provide data needed to investigate the association of exposures to coarse particle PM mass concentrations with observed human health effects. Potential instrument bias between the differential MiniVol methodology and a dichotomous sampler were investigated. Results indicated that minimal bias of PM 10 - 2.5 mass concentration estimates (slope = 0.8, intercept = 0.36 μ g m - 3 ) existed between the dichotomous and differential MiniVol procedures. Residential outdoor PM 10 - 2.5 mass concentrations were observed to be highly variable across measurement days and ranged from 1.1 to 12.6 μ g m - 3 (mean of 5.4 μ g m - 3 ) . An average correlation coefficient of r = 0.75 existed between residential outdoor PM 10 - 2.5 mass concentrations and those obtained from the central ambient monitoring site. Temporal and spatial variability of PM 10 - 2.5 mass concentrations during the study were observed and are described in this report.
Preparation of Bovine, Ovine and Porcine Prolactin1

A simple method is described for the preparation of prolactin from bovine, ovine and porcine pituitary glands, by extraction of the gland residue left from the serial extraction method of Ellis (Endocrinology 64: 554, 1961) with alkaline ethanol and precipitation of the active material at pH 5.5 and 83% ethanol. Products of specific activity 15-25 IU/mg are easily obtained in excellent yields by simple salt fractionation of this precipitate. The preparations are remarkably free of other biological activities. Bovine and ovine prolactin may be still further purified by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. (Endocrinology 77: 150, 1965)
Influence of cholecystokinin, vasoactive intestinal peptide and secretin on plasma concentration of avian pancreatic polypeptide in laying hens☆

Abstract 1. 1. The influence of saline infusion (i.v.) followed by infusion of either cholecystokinin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, or secretin on plasma concentration of avian pancreatic polypeptide (aPP) was studied in sixteen 18–26-week old Single Comb White Leghorn hens. 2. 2. Three concentrations were used for each hormone. Blood was drawn after both saline and hormone infusions and assayed for aPP content. 3. 3. No significant influence of any of the three hormones on plasma aPP level was found in either fed or fasted hens.
Theory of cyclotron resonance in an electron-phonon system.

An expression for the cyclotron-resonance power absorption by electrons interacting with phonons is derived with the help of a projection operator that takes into account the effects of exchange. It is shown that the correct evaluation of this expression requires the summation of an infinite number of terms in order to describe the effects of scattering to second order. These results contradict some recently proposed theories of this phenomenon, which are discussed and criticized.
Antibiotics: the antipyretics of choice?

T he indiscriminate use of antibiotics substantially contributes to the "spiraling empiricism" [1] that characterizes contemporary medica1 therapeutics [2-5]. Many physicians react to fever as though they were helpless to determine its etiology and significance [5]. Broad-spectrum systemic antibiotics often become the specific treatment of fever. Wheni was a student at Yale, the medical residents jokingly taught that cephalothin was the "antipyretic of choice" at a major affiliated hospital. The antibiotic choices are now more varied, but the same philosophy still dominates practice. The apparent and hidden costs of ill-advised antibiotic therapy include drug toxicities, other complications of therapy (including the intravenous access sometimes required solely for parenteral antibiotics), colonization with resistant bacteria and fungi, the confounding of appropriate diagnosis and treatment, and wasted resources [1,6-12]. Despite these potential adverse consequences, there is great pressure on physicians to " t r e a t " fever [5,13,14]. If an infectious process becomes evident in a patient in whom antibiotic therapy has been withheld or discontinued, the responsible physician is generally held accountable for the perceived error, even if the patient experiences no untoward effects. Similar accountability does not exist for unnecessary antibiotic use and its associated problems [14]. Many retrospective studies have documented the misuse of antibiotics [7-11]. These semi-quantitative data have been collected by "distant" observers not directly involved with case management. The purpose of this essay is to report an extensive personal experience [13] with a markedly different approach and share its successes. My criteria for the institution of antibiotic therapy for a febrile patient in most clinical situations require the presence of: (1) profound neutropenia or asplenia; and/or (2) hemodynamic instability unexplained by noninfectious processes; and/or (3) the demonstration of a clinically significant bacteri-
Biopsy findings after breast conservation therapy for early-stage invasive breast cancer.

Purpose To determine the patterns and factors predictive of positive ipsilateral breast biopsy after conservation therapy for early-stage breast cancer. Methods and Materials We performed a retrospective review of Stage I-II breast cancer patients initially treated with lumpectomy and radiotherapy between 1977 and 1996, who later underwent post-treatment ipsilateral breast biopsies. Results A total of 223 biopsies were performed in 193 treated breasts: 171 single and 22 multiple biopsies. Of the 223 biopsies, 56% were positive and 44% were negative for recurrence. The positive biopsy rate (PBR) was 59% for the first and 32% for subsequent biopsies. The median time to the first post-treatment biopsy was 49 months. Of the patients with negative initial biopsy findings, 11% later developed local recurrence. The PBR was 40% among patients with physical examination findings only, 65% with mammographic abnormalities only, and 79% with both findings ( p = 0.001). Analysis of the procedure type revealed a PBR of 86% for core and 58% for excisional biopsies compared with 28% for aspiration cytology alone ( p = 0.025). The PBR varied inversely with age at the original diagnosis: 49% if ≥51 years, 57% if 36–50 years, and 83% if ≤35 years ( p = 0.05). The PBR correlated directly with the interval after radiotherapy: 49% if ≤60 months, 59% if 60.1–120 months, 77% if 120.1–180 months, and 100% if >180 months after completing postlumpectomy radiotherapy ( p = 0.01). The PBR was not linked with recurrence location, initial pathologic T or N stage, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor status, or final pathologic margins (all p ≥ 0.15). Conclusion After definitive radiotherapy for early-stage breast cancer, a greater PBR was associated with the presence of both mammographic and clinical abnormalities, excisional or core biopsies, younger age at the initial diagnosis, and longer intervals after radiotherapy completion.
GEOTOX: A Knowledge-Based System for Hazardous Site Evaluation

Abstract GEOTOX, an expert knowledge-based system, is a new tool for computer-assisted 'expert' consultation in evaluating waste disposal sites and improving prioritization of appropriate remedial measures to cost-effectively reduce further risk. After describing the important characteristics of the problem domain and discussing various site evaluation methods, this paper directs attention to the knowledge representation scheme in GEOTOX with emphasis on a case-study. This paper illustrates how Artificial Intelligence techniques can provide assistance to engineers facing an important problem — the assessment of waste disposal sites.
Culture-Bound Syndromes in Hispanic Primary Care Patients:

Introduction: We sought to document Hispanic primary care patients’ knowledge and experience of five culture-bound syndromes (CBS), as well as the basic socio-cultural correlates of these disorders. Methods: A convenience sample of 100 adult Hispanic patients presenting in an urban South Texas primary care clinic was recruited to complete a brief cross-sectional survey, presented in an oral format. Interviews sought information concerning five culture-bound syndromes—susto, empacho, nervios, mal de ojo, and ataques de nervios. Additional demographic, socio-economic, and acculturation data was collected. Descriptive and bivariate statistics (chi square, Fisher’s) were used to assess relationships among variables and experience with each CBS. A multivariate logistic analysis was conducted to determine the possible contributions of age, gender, acculturation, and education to the personal experience of a culture-bound syndrome. Results: Results indicate that 77% of respondents had knowledge of all five syndromes, with 42% reporting having personally experienced at least one CBS. Nervios was the most commonly suffered disorder, being reported by 30 respondents. This was followed, in declining order of prevalence, by susto, mal de ojo, empacho, and ataques de nervios. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that higher education beyond high school was associated with a slightly decreased likelihood of reporting having suffered from any culture-bound syndrome. While co-occurrence among these disorders occurred, the patterns of predictors suggest that the co-occurrence is not a reflection of mislabeling of
The proton magnetic resonance spectrum of 4-t-butyl-5, 6-dihydro-4H-pyran

The proton magnetic resonance spectrum of 4-t-butyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyran has been analyzed with the aid of the paramagnetic shift reagent Eu(fod)3. All hydrogen-hydrogen spin-spin coupling constants are reported and a conformation is suggested which is consistent with these data.
Polysaccharide degrading enzymes produced by Fusarium roseum "Avenaceum" in culture and during pathogenesis.

Abstract Fusarium roseum “Avenaceum”, causal agent of a dry rot of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers was shown to produce in culture and during pathogenesis the following enzymes: exopolygalacturonase, endopolygalacturonate trans-eliminase, endo-β-1,4 galactanase, endoxylanase, two arabanases and endocellulase (Cx). The enzymes in culture filtrates and those in infected potato tubers were similar based on evidence obtained by chromatography of reaction products, pH optima, gel-filtration patterns in Sephadex G-75 and ion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose and CM cellulose. The pH optima for the cell wall degrading enzymes produced by F. roseum “Avenaceum” were between pH 5·0 and 6·5 except for those of the endopolygalacturonate trans-eliminase and one of the two arabanases which had a pH optimum near pH 9·0. All of the polysaccharide degrading enzymes demonstrated in culture filtrates were obtained from potato tubers infected with F. roseum “Avenaceum”.
Methyl esterification assisted MALDI FTMS characterization of the orcokinin neuropeptide family.

Methyl esterification of a peptide converts carboxylic acids, such as those present on the side chains of aspartic (D) and glutamic acid (E) as well as the free carboxyl terminus, to their corresponding methyl esters. This method has been applied to peptide and protein quantitation, de novo sequencing, and reduction of nonspecific binding in immobilized metal affinity chromatography for enrichment of phosphorylated peptides. In this study, we investigate the application of this derivatization reaction to the identification and characterization of the orcokinin neuropeptide family by screening and localizing the acidic side chains in peptides. The methyl esterification reaction drastically improves the fragmentation efficiency of modified orcokinins due to blockage of the aspartate selective cleavage pathway of the native orcokinin peptides. With the improved sustained off-resonance irradiation-collisional-induced dissociation spectra, the number and the locations of D and E residues are easily deduced. In...
Sediment yield and spurious correlation—toward a better portrayal of the annual suspendend-sediment load of rivers

Abstract Bivariate relations between annual sediment yield (tons per year per unit drainage area) and drainage-basin area are spurious because drainage-basin area is common to both axes. Two alternative methods for portraying the annual suspended-sediment load of a river are suggested. One method consists of plotting suspended-sediment load (tons per year) against distance downstream. Such plots indicate that annual suspended-sediment load does not necessarily have a linear relationship with distance. The second method consists of plotting annual suspended-sediment load against drainage-basin area. Both methods more accurately portray fundamental relations between annual sediment load and drainage-basin characteristics than does the yield-area relation because spurious correlation is avoided. Plots were made of annual suspended-sediment load versus time for several stations along each of eight rivers for the 10–15 years of available data. The plots are in-phase with respect to relative magnitude of annual sediment loads.
Raman and Photoluminescence Studies of Undoped and Magnesium-Doped Gan Films on Sapphire

Room temperature Raman scattering measurements performed on undoped GaN films indicate that high crystalline quality wurtzite material has been deposited on the basal plane of sapphire. Photoluminescence study of these films show that thicker films (t > 4μm) are homogeneous along the growth direction. The PL spectra of Mg-doped films are dominated by an intense emission band around 3.1 eV associated with recombination processes involving donor-acceptor pairs.
SUB-ACUTE TOXICITY STUDIES OF GLANDLESS COTTONSEED KERNELS FED TO RATS

Glandless cottonseed kernels were fed as raw, cooked or roasted ground flours. The glandless cottonseed flour (20%) was added to laboratory chow (80%). The control was lab chow (94%) plus cottonseed oil (6%). Sexually mature rats (F-O) were fed the diets for two weeks prior to being bred, and through lactation. From their offspring (F-1) 50 males and 50 females were selected from each group. The F-1 rats were fed the diets from weaning until 24 weeks of age. At 13 weeks of age, the rats were bred, and their offspring (F-2) were raised to weaning. There were no statistically significant differences due to treatment in the number of litters born, litter size, or weights of the young of the F-O or the F-1 females. Growth and food consumption were similar for F-1 rats in all treatments. There were no detrimental effects due to feeding glandless cottonseed kernels.
Tomographic renal cortical scintigraphy: correlation with intravenous urography, computed tomography, ultrasonography, angiography, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

This study evaluates single-photon renal tomoscintigraphy (SPECT) in the evaluation of renal masses and correlates this modality, where indicated, with computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US), angiography (ANGIO) and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR). Eight patients with renal cortical lesions detected on intravenous urography (IVP) were evaluated by SPECT and planar nuclear imaging using Tc-99m glucoheptonate (GH). Three of these patients were felt particularly likely to have renal tumors and were additionally evaluated with US, CT, ANGIO and NMR. The five patients with nodules on IVP that were not particularly suggestive of malignancy had functioning, benign, renal tissue accounting for their IVP lesions. Four of five were found by planar-GH nuclear imaging, five/five by SPECT-GH. In addition, SPECT-GH allowed better “confidence” in the normal renal tissue diagnosis in three/five cases. Of the three renal lesions that were highly suggestive of malignancy, two were hypernephromas and one was hypertrophied functioning cortical tissue. All three were correctly identified prospectively on SPECT-GH; however, one hypernephroma was missed on planar-GH. NMR, CT, and ANGIO detected only one of two hypernephromas prospectively (US detected both); all four modalities incorrectly diagnosed the hypertrophied tissue suggestive of malignancy.
Delays in the diagnosis of dementia: Perspectives of family caregivers

Obtaining a diagnosis of dementia for a relative can be a protracted and anxious time for family members. This paper reports results from a focus group study and a subsequently mailed survey of family caregivers on factors which delayed obtaining a diagnosis for a dementing illness. The average time between initial symptom recognition and diagnosis was 30 months. Four kinds of factors were identified as delaying diagnosis, including the caregiver's lack of knowledge or reluctance to seek help, and patient, family, and physician-related factors. Of the 57 percent of survey respondents who reported a delay of at least 12 months between initial symptom recognition and diagnosis, 68 percent reported at least one factor related to their interaction with physicians. Qualitative data provide insight into family caregiver perspectives on factors delaying diagnosis.
Massive Venous Air Embolism during Cardiopulmonary Bypass

A massive bolus of oxygen was forced into the right atrium and venous system of a patient during cardiopulmonary bypass using a Bentley BOS-10 oxygenator. The unique design of the oxygenator canister provides an explanation for the event. Methods are outlined to avoid this type of venous embolism.
Drifting electrons over large distances in liquid argon-methane mixtures

Abstract For large liquid image chambers argon was proven to be well suited, as it can be purified such that several meters of drift length are feasible. For several physics motivations free photons would be desirable within the detector liquid. A gridded ionization chamber used before for tests with liquid and solid argon was therefore repeatedly filled with argon-methane mixtures. Mixtures with up to 50 mol % CH4 were used to drift electrons over distances up to 10 cm in drift fields of 0.01 to 0.2 kV/cm. A detailed analysis of the ionization pulse shape was performed, yielding information on the attenuation length due to attachment of drifting electrons to impurities. With a simple purification system the impurity level in the argon-methane mixtures could be reduced to reach attenuation lengths of many meters at a drift field of 1 kV/cm.
Cloning and Expression of the cDNA Encoding the Human Homologue of the DNA Repair Enzyme, Escherichia coli Endonuclease III

We previously purified a bovine pyrimidine hydrate-thymine glycol DNA glycosylase/AP lyase. The amino acid sequence of tryptic bovine peptides was homologous to Escherichia coli endonuclease III, theoretical proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans, and the translated sequences of rat and human 3'-expressed sequence tags (3'-ESTs) (Hilbert, T. P., Boorstein, R. J., Kung, H. C., Bolton, P. H., Xing, D., Cunningham, R. P., Teebor, G. W. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 2505-2511). Now the human 3'-EST was used to isolate the cDNA clone encoding the human enzyme, which, when expressed as a GST-fusion protein, demonstrated thymine glycol-DNA glycosylase activity and, after incubation with NaCNBH3, became irreversibly cross-linked to a thymine glycol-containing oligodeoxynucleotide, a reaction characteristic of DNA glycosylase/AP lyases. Amino acids within the active site, DNA binding domains, and [4Fe-4S] cluster of endonuclease III are conserved in the human enzyme. The gene for the human enzyme was localized to chromosome 16p13.2-.3. Genomic sequences encoding putative endonuclease III homologues are present in bacteria, archeons, and eukaryotes. The ubiquitous distribution of endonuclease III-like proteins suggests that the 5,6-double bond of pyrimidines is subject to oxidation, reduction, and/or hydration in the DNA of organisms of all biologic domains and that the resulting modified pyrimidines are deleterious to the organism.
Prospective longitudinal analysis of quantitative Epstein-Barr virus polymerase chain reaction in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

Background, Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) mismatch associated with more prevalent use of split-liver, reduced size, and living-related transplants has increased the risk of primary EBV infection and subsequent PTLD. Early identification of EBV viremia may reduce the risk of PTLD, because it allows for early adjustment of immunosuppression and antiviral therapy. Methods. EBV viral load was measured monthly by quantitative competitive polymerase chain reactions in three pediatric liver transplant recipients. Results. Onset of EBV viremia was documented in one recipient. Established EBV viremia was followed in the other two recipients (one with chronic rejection and one with PTLD) who were initially tested once monitoring was initiated in our program. Conclusions. EBV quantitative competitive polymerase chain reactions may represent a promising way to follow EBV viral load and potentially prevent the development of PTLD.
Generation of Neural Stem Cells from Discarded Human Fetal Cortical Tissue

Neural stem cells (NSCs) reside along the ventricular zone neuroepithelium during the development of the cortical plate. These early progenitors ultimately give rise to intermediate progenitors and later, the various neuronal and glial cell subtypes that form the cerebral cortex. The capacity to generate and expand human NSCs (so called neurospheres) from discarded normal fetal tissue provides a means with which to directly study the functional aspects of normal human NSC development 1-5. This approach can also be directed toward the generation of NSCs from known neurological disorders, thereby affording the opportunity to identify disease processes that alter progenitor proliferation, migration and differentiation 6-9. We have focused on identifying pathological mechanisms in human Down syndrome NSCs that might contribute to the accelerated Alzheimer's disease phenotype 10,11. Neither in vivo nor in vitro mouse models can replicate the identical repertoire of genes located on human chromosome 21. Here we use a simple and reliable method to isolate Down syndrome NSCs from aborted human fetal cortices and grow them in culture. The methodology provides specific aspects of harvesting the tissue, dissection with limited anatomical landmarks, cell sorting, plating and passaging of human NSCs. We also provide some basic protocols for inducing differentiation of human NSCs into more selective cell subtypes.
Dynamics of dual film formation in boundary lubrication of steels part III. Real time monitoring with ellipsometry

Abstract Effective “breaking-in” of lubricated steel surfaces has been found to be due primarily to the rate of growth of “protective” films of oxides and compounds derived from the lubricant. The protection afforded by the films is strongly dependent on lubricant chemistry, steel composition, original surface roughness and the load/speed sequence or history in the early stages of sliding. Given the great number of variables involved it is not possible to follow more than a few of the chemical changes on surfaces using the electron, ion and X-ray column analytical instruments at the end of experiments. Ellipsometry was therefore used to monitor the formation and loss of dual protective films in real time, and detailed chemical analysis was done at various stages to calibrate the ellipsometer. This work is reported in three interlinking parts: I, functional nature and mechanical properties; II, chemical analyses; III, real-time monitoring with ellipsometry.
Novel destabilization of nucleotide binding by the γ phosphate of ATP in the yeast SR protein kinase Sky1p

SR protein kinases (SRPKs) regulate the temporal and cell-specific selection of alternative splice sites. These enzymes are highly unique members of the protein kinase family. SRPKs contain a large domain insert (approximately 200 residues) within the kinase core, do not require phosphorylation for regulation, have an extended helix insert near the nucleotide pocket, and possess unusual substrate specificity determinants. The yeast SRPK, Sky1p, rapidly phosphorylates its natural substrate Npl3 but binds ATP with a high Km, suggesting that some of these distinctive structural features may be correlated with nucleotide binding [Aubol et al. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 10002−10009]. To address this issue, the nucleotide binding properties of Sky1p were studied using fluorescence spectroscopy. The affinities of several nucleotides (ATP, ADP, AMP, adenosine, and AMPPNP) to Sky1p and the prototype kinase, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, were compared in the absence and presence of the metal activator, Mg2+, using a ...
Depression among the head-injured and non-head-injured: A discriminant analysis

Neuropsychologists often use traditional psychological tests to assess depression following a head injury; but the assumption that depression with a head injury resembles that in an uninjured person is suspect. The current study attempts to examine the cognitive manifestations of depression with and without a coexisting head-injury. Advanced statistical methods are used to assess whether or not the two depressions 'look alike' with respect to the neuropsychological sequelae of the disorders. A total of 1182 people were entered into one of two discriminant function analyses (DFA) for depression. Each person was a member of one of the following groups: (a) depressed, (b) non-depressed, (c) head-injured, or (d) head-injured and depressed. Two functions were performed for depression, one on the population of head-injured people and one on the population of uninjured people. Cross-validations were performed for each population and across populations in order to assess the utility of each population's function ...
Efficacy and tolerability outcomes after punctal occlusion with silicone plugs in dry eye syndrome.

Abstract PURPOSE: Silicone punctal plugs are widely used to conserve moisture in tear-deficient eyes. We studied the efficacy and tolerability of punctal plugs in symptom reduction and improvement of ocular surface disease parameters in dry eye syndrome. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 50 consecutive patients with dry eye syndrome who were symptomatic despite maximally tolerable lubricant therapy and had bilateral lower punctal plug insertion. After plug insertion, all patients (41 women and nine men) had 6 months or more of follow-up. The subjects ranged in age from 22 to 57 years (mean, 30 years). We recorded subjective and objective improvement of ocular surface disease, frequency of lubricant use, need for upper punctal occlusion, and occurrence of complications after plug insertion. We determined plug retention rates using Kaplan–Meier analyses and assessed associated factors using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Six months after initial plug placement, 43 of 50 patients (86%) were symptom free, 28 of them (56%) with plugs alone, and 38 patients (76%) had stopped using lubricants on a daily basis. Spontaneous loss of plugs was common, especially in the initial 3 months of follow-up. Considering all plugs, the estimated probability of plug retention was 63% after 6 months of follow-up. Puncta refitted after initial plug loss were twice as likely to lose the replacement plug ( P = .02). Upper punctal plugs showed a 4.3-fold higher risk of loss compared with plugs inserted in lower puncta ( P CONCLUSIONS: There is both a reduced dependency on artificial lubricants and relief of symptoms of dry eye after punctal plugs. However, spontaneous plug loss occurs in a substantial minority of patients. Patient education and close follow-up, particularly in the first 3 months, is recommended to detect plug loss and ensure adequate control of the disease.
On the Closure of AFL under Reversal

A simple sufficiency condition is given for an abstract family of acceptors (abbreviated AFA) to define an abstract family of languages (abbreviated AFL) which is closed under reversal. This condition is satisfied by all of the well-known AFA which define reversal-closed AFL. A partial converse is given for AFL which are closed under both reversal and intersection with linear context-free languages.
The Microbic Flora of the Dental Plaque in Relation to the Beginning of Caries

The bacterial flora of the oral cavity is one of the most complex to be found in or on the human body. This may be attributed in part, at least, to the variety of environments which may be found in the mouth and to the constant inflow of microorganisms from the air and food. This rich field of investigation has intrigued many workers since the early work of W. D. Miller (1) and a very diverse literature has accumulated. Numerous contributions have dealt with the microorganisms indigenous to the mouth and with changes in the flora related to specific diseased conditions. Most of the reports have been restricted to some part of the flora, usually to a single genus or species. Among those studies having a less specialized viewpoint and making notable contributions to knowledge in this field should be included the work of Kligler on the relationship of bacteria to dental caries (2), of Bloomfield (3) and of Brailovsky-Lounkevitch (4) on the evolution of the oral flora in infants, of Howitt and Fleming on changes in the flora associated with different diets (5) and of Bibby (6) and of Brooke (7) on smears from different areas in the mouth. Little attention has been given by workers in either dental or bacteriological fields to the microbic flora of the dental plaque, in spite of the frequently repeated observation, first made by G. V. Black, that in the earlier stages of the carious process the lesion is always found beneath a plaque composed of bacteria and other microorganisms. These masses are most often found on tooth surfaces which are protected from the normal cleansing mechanisms of the oral cavity and in areas difficult to reach with ordinary dental instruments. The paucity of information in this field of dental research is also partly attributable to the numerous technical difficulties of sampling and cultivation of the small amounts of material available. It seems apparent, however, that a search for the bacterial agent or agents which may be responsible for the earliest stages of the carious process must be made among those microorganisms in and under the plaque. If decay is initiated by local bacterial action the responsible microorganism should be found in plaques covering carious enamel and, conversely, if the relationship is a direct one, should be absent when the surface is found to be caries inactive. Indirect evidence of differences in bacterial flora between caries active and caries free tooth surfaces is found in the work of Stephan (8). He has shown that the pH
The Prior Question: Do Human Primates Have a Theory of Mind?

Given Heyes's construal of “theory of mind,” there is still no convincing evidence of theory of mind in human primates, much less nonhuman. Rather than making unfounded assumptions about what underlies human social competence, one should ask what mechanisms other primates have and then inquire whether more sophisticated elaborations of those might not account for much of human competence.
A generalized equation for rheology of emulsions and suspensions of deformable particles subjected to simple shear at low Reynolds number

We present analyses to provide a generalized rheological equation for suspensions and emulsions of non-Brownian particles. These multiparticle systems are subjected to a steady straining flow at low Reynolds number. We first consider the effect of a single deformable fluid particle on the ambient velocity and stress fields to constrain the rheological behavior of dilute mixtures. In the homogenization process, we introduce a first volume correction by considering a finite domain for the incompressible matrix. We then extend the solution for the rheology of concentrated system using an incremental differential method operating in a fixed and finite volume, where we account for the effective volume of particles through a crowding factor. This approach provides a self-consistent method to approximate hydrodynamic interactions between bubbles, droplets, or solid particles in concentrated systems. The resultant non-linear model predicts the relative viscosity over particle volume fractions ranging from dilute to the the random close packing in the limit of small deformation (capillary or Weissenberg numbers) for any viscosity ratio between the dispersed and continuous phases. The predictions from our model are tested against published datasets and other constitutive equations over different ranges of viscosity ratio, volume fraction, and shear rate. These comparisons show that our model, is in excellent agreement with published datasets. Moreover, comparisons with experimental data show that the model performs very well when extrapolated to high capillary numbers (C a≫1). We also predict the existence of two dimensionless numbers; a critical viscosity ratio and critical capillary numbers that characterize transitions in the macroscopic rheological behavior of emulsions. Finally, we present a regime diagram in terms of the viscosity ratio and capillary number that constrains conditions where emulsions behave like Newtonian or Non-Newtonian fluids.
PriC-mediated DNA replication restart requires PriC complex formation with the single-stranded DNA-binding protein.

Frequent collisions between cellular DNA replication complexes (replisomes) and obstacles such as damaged DNA or frozen protein complexes make DNA replication fork progression surprisingly sporadic. These collisions can lead to the ejection of replisomes prior to completion of replication, which, if left unrepaired, results in bacterial cell death. As such, bacteria have evolved DNA replication restart mechanisms that function to reload replisomes onto abandoned DNA replication forks. Here, we define a direct interaction between PriC, a key Escherichia coli DNA replication restart protein, and the single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB), a protein that is ubiquitously associated with DNA replication forks. PriC/SSB complex formation requires evolutionarily conserved residues from both proteins, including a pair of Arg residues from PriC and the C terminus of SSB. In vitro, disruption of the PriC/SSB interface by sequence changes in either protein blocks the first step of DNA replication restart, reloading of the replicative DnaB helicase onto an abandoned replication fork. Consistent with the critical role of PriC/SSB complex formation in DNA replication restart, PriC variants that cannot bind SSB are non-functional in vivo. Single-molecule experiments demonstrate that PriC binding to SSB alters SSB/DNA complexes, exposing single-stranded DNA and creating a platform for other proteins to bind. These data lead to a model in which PriC interaction with SSB remodels SSB/DNA structures at abandoned DNA replication forks to create a DNA structure that is competent for DnaB loading. Background: PriC can reload the DnaB helicase onto single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB)-coated DNA, which is the first step in DNA replication restart. Results: PriC directly interacts with SSB and alters its mode of DNA binding. Conclusion: PriC/SSB complex formation is essential for PriC-mediated DnaB loading. Significance: Learning how DNA replication restart occurs is critical for understanding bacterial genome maintenance mechanisms.
Sources of error in the graphical analysis of CFD results

Errors inherent to the graphic analysis of CFD solutions are discussed. Consideration is given to contouring, plotting of vector fields, particle tracing, and the computation of flow functions involving integration or differentiation. Many of the problems addressed are the direct result of knowing the function values only at grid points, not in the interior of the grid cells.
NEST‐SITE SELECTION AND COURTSHIP BEHAVIOUR OF THE BLUE TTT PARUS CAERULEUS

SUMMARY (1) A hole-inspection display by male and female precedes nest selection. It serves to maintain the pair bond rather than show the hole to the female. (2) Courtship includes moth flights and the dance. The dance has been modified from the head-forward threat and combines attack, escape, and sex tendencies. (3) The female dominates the male when the nest site is selected. This dominance counterbalances the male's more advanced sex tendency and permits mutual acceptance by the pair. (4) Mutual wing shivering and fluffing of body feathers precedes copulation. Courtship feeding occurs from nest-building through nestling stages. (5) Great Tits dominate Blue Tits during selection of nest sites and may eject them from boxes already occupied. (6) The bright plumage of the Blue Tit presumably evolved as enhancement of the head-forward threat display and is only of secondary epigamic value.
Operating room safety: 10 point plan to safe flinging

Working in a hospital operating room is stressful, and stress can lead to adverse events.1 Several factors contribute to a surgeon’s stress, especially equipment malfunction.2 The traditional way for surgeons to deal with flawed surgical instruments is to fling them across the operating suite. This action is expedient, acts to alleviate …
Some Measurements of High-Latitude Ionospheric Absorption Using Extraterrestrial Radio Waves

This paper describes the manner im which 30-mc extraterrestrial radio waves have been used to study the radio absorption characteristics of the arctic ionosphere. It opens with a brief discussion of the theory of ionospheric absorption, followed by a description of the basic principles involved in the technique. Two different types of equipment which have been used in these absorption measurements are then discussed and typical records presented. The observations have shown that the regions of anomalous high-latitude absorption typically have lateral dimensions in excess of 100 km, and that marked differences can occur during disturbed periods between stations 800 km apart. Almost all the absorption of the extraterrestrial radio waves occurs below the E region. The absorption correlates well with the local geomagnetic K index, and apparently is associated with the bombardment of the upper atmosphere by the corpuscular streams which produce the aurora. The increase of absorption during daylight hours is thought to be due to a decrease in effective height of the absorbing layer, resulting from a photo detachment of electrons at heights of the order of 60-80 km, rather than to an increase in the strength of the corpuscular bombardment.
The impact of the Internet on the investor relations activities of firms

The use of the Internet is becoming more prevalent all the time in the investor relations (IR) activities of firms. This paper explores how the Internet can be used and integrated into the existing IR activities of firms. It argues that the Internet is having a significant impact on IR practices, changing the specific techniques and activities associated with IR. As shown with several examples, the Internet can substantially change how a firm communicates with investment community stakeholders in terms of both its one‐way communication efforts directed at information dissemination and its two‐way communication efforts directed at interactive dialogue.
Mission-planning concepts for interaction of multiple reconnaissance platforms

Reconnaissance mission planning, including: scheduling of flight operations, target selection, archiving of IMINT data, and dissemination of IMINT data, is an increasingly complex function at all levels; all the more so as the next generation of highly agile, multi-role, real- time imaging systems come on line. The near-simultaneous advent of JSTARS, UAVs, and ATARS, each playing separate but overlapping roles in reconnaissance/surveillance operations, adds to the necessity to rethink how we plan to use these systems synergistically to maximum benefit. The goal is always to produce and disseminate Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) data in some optimum fashion as a means to the ultimate end of achieving/maintaining tactical superiority. To meet this goal new concepts for integrating the mission planning of multiple imaging platforms are needed. Some are suggested here.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Penn Treebank: annotating predicate argument structure

The Penn Treebank has recently implemented a new syntactic annotation scheme, designed to highlight aspects of predicate-argument structure. This paper discusses the implementation of crucial aspects of this new annotation scheme. It incorporates a more consistent treatment of a wide range of grammatical phenomena, provides a set of coindexed null elements in what can be thought of as "underlying" position for phenomena such as wh-movement, passive, and the subjects of infinitival constructions, provides some non-context free annotational mechanism to allow the structure of discontinuous constituents to be easily recovered, and allows for a clear, concise tagging system for some semantic roles.
PHYLOGENETIC AND BIOGEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF DEIPHONINE TRILOBITES

Cladistic parsimony analysis of the subfamily Deiphoninae Raymond, 1913 was conducted to produce a hypothesis of relationship for the group. The genera Deiphon Barrande, 1850 and Onycopyge Woodward, 1880 are found to be monophyletic, while the genus Sphaerocoryphe Angelin, 1854, as it was previously defined, is paraphyletic. A modified Brooks Parsimony Analysis using the phylogenetic hypothesis reveals patterns of biogeography, in particular, vicariance and geodispersal, during the Ordovician-Silurian. The analysis yields three major conclusions about deiphonine biogeography: Eastern Laurentia and Baltica were close enough during the late Ordovician to exchange taxa via sea level rise and fall; chance dispersal occurred between Northwestern Laurentia and Australia; and deiphonine trilobites likely originated in Baltica or Eastern Laurentia.
Lung Cancer in Never Smokers: A Call to Action

The causative association between tobacco use and lung cancer is a well-established fact. However, lung cancer also occurs, at surprisingly high rates, in lifelong never smokers. In fact, lung cancer in never smokers is among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. This CCR Focus summarizes recent data, identifies knowledge deficits, and suggests future research directions with regard to this critically important subset of lung cancer patients.
Introduction to the Special Section on Global Women's Reproductive Health

We welcome you to the Journal of Women’s Health 2010 special section on global women’s reproductive health. Access to a full range of reproductive healthcare is fundamental to a woman’s ability to exercise her right to control her body, to self-efficacy, and to maintain her health as well as that of her family. In 2010, no woman should die or suffer the morbidity associated with lack of access to contraception, safe abortion, or delivery with a skilled attendant. This special section addresses these issues related to women’s reproductive health from multiple perspectives.
Prevalence and Patterns of Earned Income: Tax Credit use among Eligible Tax-Filing Families: A Panel Study, 1999-2005:

This study expands our understanding of participation in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program among prime working-age individuals from EITC-eligible families between 1999 and 2005. It identifies gaps in program use over time such that outreach efforts might better target low-income working families to increase EITC take-up rates. Relying on National Longitudinal Survey data, findings indicate that more than one third (37.8%) of the population sample was EITC-eligible at least 1 year (3,034 of 8,033 individuals). Less than 20% of EITC-eligible families filed for the credit, and about half of these filed more than 1 year. Robust correlates of EITC use included lower income; larger families; separated, divorced, or widowed persons; and women versus their respective counterparts. Strategies to increase the EITC take-up rates are discussed.