cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Historical perspectives of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery: Norman E. Shumway, Jr (1923-2006).

Norman E. Shumway, Jr, the 67th president of The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), was born on February 9, 1923, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the only child of Norman and Laura Vander Vliet Shumway (Figure 1). At an early age, he and his family moved to Jackson, Michigan, where they established a dairy and diner. At Jackson High School, Dr Shumway was a member of the state championship debate team and the class valedictorian. Insightfully and prophetically, his yearbook picture was accompanied by the statement ‘‘Norman Shumway, Jr.— a man of few words but great meaning.’’ In 1942, Dr Shumway attended University of Michigan as a prelaw student. One year later, during World War II, he enlisted in the Army reserves with infantry training at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas. Dr Shumway recounted that the end of the Army Medical Aptitude Test was capped with this existential question: ‘‘If you are chosen or pass this test, are you more interested in medicine or dentistry?’’ From what he knew about the infantry, Shumway ‘‘was pretty sure they were going to need more doctors than dentists,’’ so, he chose the former. The dental program eventually closed, and those who had checked the dentistry box were sent back to the infantry. Assigned to Army Specialized Training, Dr Shumway completed 3 quarters of premedical studies at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Because all military slots in medical school were full at the time, he served as a hospital orderly for 6 months before having the opportunity to enroll in Vanderbilt University Medical School, which was not on the original list of schools with military slots. Completion of medical school in 1949 led to surgical residency training at the renowned University of Minnesota under the direction of Dr OwenWangensteen. Dr Shumway completed 2 years of residency before being assigned to the Air Force in 1951 during the Korean conflict, where he fulfilled his military obligation as a flight
IPr sets with polynomial weights and Szemerédi's theorem

In the mid 1980s H. Furstenberg and Y. Katznelson defined IP"r sets in abelian groups as, roughly, sets consisting of all finite sums of r fixed elements. They obtained, via their powerful IP Szemeredi theorem for commuting groups of measure preserving transformations, many IP"r set applications for the density Ramsey theory of abelian groups, including the striking result that, given e>0 and k@?N, there exists some r@?N such that for any IP"r set R@?Z and any E@?Z with upper density >@e, E contains a k-term arithmetic progression having common difference r@?R. Here, polynomial versions of these results are obtained as applications of a recently proved polynomial extension to the Furstenberg-Katznelson IP Szemeredi theorem.
Isolation and molecular characterization of a new Muscovy duck parvovirus from Muscovy ducks in the USA

Between 1997 and 1999 several cases of a new disease in Muscovy ducks were reported in Pennsylvania, USA. The cases were characterized by locomotor dysfunction, weakness, recumbency, 40 to 60% morbidity and 10 to 40% mortality. The most characteristic microscopic lesions were moderate to severe degenerative rhabodomyopathy. In order to characterize the aetiological agent, virus isolation was attempted from the spleen, liver, heart, skeletal muscle and intestine by inoculation of 14-day-old Muscovy duck embryos with tissue homogenates. Deaths occurred on the second egg passage and parvoviruses were isolated by serial passage of allantoic fluid from dead embryos and then in Muscovy duck embryo fibroblast (MDEF) cultures. Parvovirus particles were observed in allantoic fluids and supernatants of MDEF cultures by transmission electron microscopy. Two genomic fragments, comprising 1108 nucleotides of the right open reading frame that codes for the structural viral proteins 1, 2 and 3, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from one of the isolates, Muscovy duck parvovirus (MDPV)/PSU-31010. Comparison of this fragment with available sequences of other MDPV and related goose parvovirus (GPV) isolates showed that it had only 84.5% sequence identity with other MDPV isolates and 84.6% identity with the GPV isolates. This region shares over 99% identity among previously sequenced MDPV isolates and 95% identity among the related GPV isolates. This suggests that MDPV/PSU-31010 is divergent from all other sequenced MDPV and GPV isolates, and may represent a new group of avian parvoviruses.
Proteomic and Sequence Analysis of Chicken Lens Crystallins Reveals Alternate Splicing and Translational Forms of βB2 and βA2 Crystallins

PURPOSE To characterize the adult chicken lens proteome using mass spectrometry and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). METHODS Lens proteins from 10-week old chickens were separated by gel filtration and reversed-phase chromatography, and whole protein masses were measured with electrospray mass spectrometry. Water-soluble lens proteins were separated by 2-DE and identified by tandem mass spectrometry of in-gel digests. RESULTS Whole protein masses were consistent with all major chicken lens crystallin sequences, except for beta B2 and beta B3. Subsequent cDNA sequencing revealed errors in published sequences translating into 2- and 7-amino-acid differences, respectively, for beta B2 and beta B3, which were in better agreement with the measured masses. Previously uncharacterized forms of beta A2 and beta B2 were observed. The novel form of beta A2 had four fewer amino acids, was more abundant, and resulted from translation at a second start codon. The novel form of beta B2 contained 14 additional amino acids in the interdomain linker and resulted from alternate splicing within intron 4 of the transcript. All examined crystallins, except beta A3, for which data could not be obtained, were N-terminally acetylated, and all beta-crystallins lacked an initial methionine, except for the smaller beta A2 form. In-gel digests identified 29 proteins on the 2-DE map and indicated that truncation occurs within N-terminal extensions of beta-crystallins during lens maturation. CONCLUSIONS The complementary techniques 2-DE, mass spectrometry, and DNA sequencing were used to provide the most complete description of the adult chicken lens proteome to date and identified alternate forms of beta A2 and beta B2.
The metabolism of phenylethylamine and O-methylated derivatives by monoamine oxidase.

Nachweis, dass Phenylethylamin und Paramethoxyphenyletheramin wirkungsvolle Substrate fur die Monoaminoxylase im homogenisierten Rattenhirn in vitro sind, wahrend 3,4-Dimethoxyderivat weniger wirkungsvoll als das Monoaminsubstrat ist. Die biologische Wirkung dieser Drogen scheint von der Geschwindigkeit ihrer Inaktivierung der Monoaminoxydase in vivo abhangig zu sein.
Graphical determination of the dissociation constants for two-substrate enzyme systems.

Abstract A simple graphical method for the determination of the dissociation constants for two-substrate enzyme systems has been presented.
Postfamine stature and socioeconomic status in Ireland

Previous research has documented socioeconomic stratification of secular trend in height in historical populations. Using data from 4,900 males and 1,430 females born between 1840 and 1910 collected as part of the Harvard Anthropological Survey of Ireland (1934–1936), this study examined the secular changes in postfamine Ireland using several socioeconomic variables, including: occupation, migration, education, siblings, birthplace, and occupation of father and mother's father. Correlations were also calculated between height and various historical economic indices. Significant differences in the height of Irish males were found by occupation, education, and socioeconomic status of father and maternal grandfather. Males employed in agriculture, or whose fathers or grandfathers were so employed, were significantly taller than other males. For the smaller female sample, only occupation and grandfather's socioeconomic status had a significant impact on height. An inverse correlation was also found between the British Cost of Living Index (BCL) and male heights. Our results suggest that availability of resources plays an important role in the overall nutritional status reflected in terminal adult height. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Model of Structured Separation in Couples Therapy: Making Best Use of a Separation Period

Marital separation is a phenomenon experienced by many during the course of their married lives. Some separations end with reconciliation, and others end with divorce. The following is an intervention model based on the experiences and successes of a marriage and family therapist spanning 26 years. A rationale for such a model is presented, as are steps to take to achieve empowerment and success while taking full advantage of the time spent during a marital separation, regardless of the outcome of the separation.
Laplace's equation in a quarter space as the limit of the wave equation.

Wave equation in quarter space, showing particular solution of Laplace equation with wave velocity increase
Reirradiation of pituitary adenoma

Fifteen patients initially irradiated for pituitary adenoma were subsequently treated with a second course of radiotherapy at the University of California at San Francisco between 1961 and 1989. The re-irradiation followed surgery in all but two cases. The median time to recurrence was 9 years (range 2-17) and median follow-up after the second course of radiotherapy was 10 years (range 1-30). The median initial radiation dose was 4084 cGy; that at recurrence was 4200 cGy. Local control has been maintained in 12 patients. One failed locally with a benign adenoma that was surgically salvaged. Two developed pituitary carcinomas which were poorly controlled. Of the patients who presented with visual abnormalities at the time of recurrence, 50% improved and the remainder stabilized after re-irradiation. There are no long-term visual complications. Hypopituitarism was present in nine patients prior to the second course of radiotherapy and developed in the remaining six patients after re-irradiation. Temporal lobe injury was seen in two patients. Careful analysis of each patient's pituitary and temporal lobe doses, intervals between treatments, treatment volume, neurets, relative decay factors, absolute decay factors, TDF and modified LQF values, and dose-volume relationships, revealed no correlation with complication or likelihood of local control. Repeat radiotherapy for recurrent pituitary adenoma with the doses used in these patients appears to carry acceptable risk with good local control.
A Psychometric Investigation of the Black Racial Identity Attitude Scale-Form B

Abstract This study involved an examination of the psychometric properties of the Black Racial Identity Attitude Scale-Form B through item, subscale, and factor analyses. Factor analytic support was found for the Preencounter, Immersion-Emersion, and Internalization subscales. No support was found for an Encounter subscale. However, the factor analysis accounted for a small amount of variance, which, coupled with a finding of marginal internal consistencies, suggests little common variance among the items for the RIAS. Version A and Version B scoring showed little correspondence for some subscales, suggesting the earlier and later scoring versions cannot be considered interchangeable. The Preencounter and Internalization subscales showed highly skewed distributions for a number of items and for subscale scores. The implications of these results for previous and future research using the scale are discussed.
Kt/V, Nutritional Parameters, Serum Cortisol, and Insulin Growth Factor-1 Levels and Patient Outcome in Hemodialysis

Despite many technical advances in dialysis care, morbidity and mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients in the United States remains high. In this study, we analyzed the effects of Kt/V, nutritional parameters (serum albumin level, triceps skin-fold thickness, mid-arm muscle circumference, and normalized protein catabolic rate), and predialysis serum cortisol and insulin growth factor-1 levels on predicting morbidity and mortality. The cohort studied consisted of 52 patients recruited from a single outpatient dialysis facility. Cox proportional hazards modeling indicated that only Kt/V predicted subsequent mortality (P = 0.02), while both predialysis cortisol levels ( P = 0.03) and Kt/V ( P = 0.03) predicted hospitalization. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the ability of cortisol levels to predict hospitalization was largely confined to the group with values greater than 22 µLg/dL predialysis. High serum cortisol levels were correlated with low serum albumin levels and a trend toward low triceps skin-fold thickness and higher normalized protein catabolic rate, suggesting a catabolic state. Both predialysis serum cortisol and insulin growth factor-1 levels were higher than those in age- and sex-matched normal human controls. These results demonstrate the important role of Kt/V in predicting subsequent hospitalization rates and mortality, and that high predialysis serum cortisol levels correlate with a high hospitalization rate.
Product Lifecycle Management: Closing the Knowledge Loops

Competitive success of manufacturing firms is by and large determined by the success of the products they introduce to the market. This is why companies continuously try to improve the efficacy of their product realization process. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is a business solution which aims to streamline the flow of information about the product and related processes throughout the product’s lifecycle such that the right information in the right context at the right time can be made available. Yet, few organizations are positioned to reap the true benefits of PLM. One major reason for this is a lack of clear understanding of what PLM is, its core features and functions, and its relationship to the myriad of current software tools. This paper aims to do that and also elaborates on the role of PLM as a knowledge management system.
Solution of linear two-point boundary-value problems via polynomial series

A method for solving the linear ordinary differential equations of the two-point boundary-value problem using polynomial series is discussed. The linear ordinary differential equation of the two-point boundary-value problems are reduced to the linear functional differential equation of the initial value problem. It is known that any polynomial series basis vector can be transformed to Taylor polynomials by the use of a suitable transformation and Taylor series have the simplest operational properties. The solution of linear two-point boundary-value problems via Taylor series is first obtained and this solution using other polynomial series is then calculated by transforming the properties of the Taylor series to other polynomial series. The method is simple and convenient for digital computation. Illustrative examples are given.
Effectiveness of Social Work Treatment and Massage Therapy for Nursing Home Clients

Objective: An ABAB single-system design was employed to test the efficacy of a combined social work treatment with massage therapy to improve the physical functioning of nursing home clients. Method: Six clients ages 75 to 90 were randomly selected in three small-scale nursing homes to receive baseline measures and two 7-week treatment programs over a 28-week study period. Activities of Daily Living level and frequency of personal assistance were measured by the caretakers at the nursing homes. Observations were noted by both the massage therapist and the social worker, who worked as a team serving each client. Results: Although the outcome patterns varied from one individual to another, significant improvements were found in three individuals. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the improvement in physical outcomes among the age 75 years or more (75+) population is largely influenced by the individual's current state of physical and mental capabilities.
A new design of light illumination scheme for deep tissue photoacoustic imaging

A new light illumination scheme to increase imaging depth in photoacoustic (PA) imaging was designed and evaluated by in silico simulations and tested by in vitro experiments. A relatively large portion of the light energy shining into the body of a human reflects off the skin surfaces. Collecting the reflected light and redirecting it onto skin surfaces will increase the effective input energy, resulting in an increase of light penetration depth for the same light source. Its performance in PA imaging was evaluated using a finite element (FE)-based numerical simulation model composed of four modules. In the in vitro experiments with the light catcher, PA image of multiple targets at different locations exhibited an enhancement both in uniformity and in depth of the light illumination.
Rate of Exploitation of Wild Eastern Brook Trout and Brown Trout Populations in the Pigeon River, Otsego County, Michigan

Abstract The Pigeon River Trout Research Area contains 4.8 miles of trout stream averaging 40 feet in width. In this area a complete census of fishing is accomplished by means of a compulsory permit system. Estimates of the wild trout population were made in September of 1949 and of 1950 immediately following the close of the trout season. Comparison of the total catch with the population remaining at the close of the season indicates that wild eastern brook trout are much easier to exploit than wild brown trout. Combining data for 1949 and 1950, anglers took 3.0 brook trout for each one remaining at the close of the season. For brown trout, only 0.4 fish was caught for each one remaining.
The Mode Theory of VLF Ionospheric Propagation for Finite Ground Conductivity

The space between the earth and the ionosphere is considered as a waveguide with sharply bounded walls. Employing a representation in terms of spherical wave functions of complex order, the field of a vertical dipole source is calculated for very low frequencies. It is shown that the effect of the finite conductivity of the ground is quite important for propagation to great distances. Good agreement is obtained with the experimental results of J. Heritage.
Planning an open and IHE-compliant architecture for a filmless and paperless hospital

UCLA is in the process of building a new acute-care hospital due to open in 2005 with the intent to operate fully digitally. The strategic planning for this hospital is based on a set of new paradigms: wider and more efficient access to all information sources, enterprise-wide data repository, usage of thin-client technology and wide usage generic information-appliances and wireless devices allowing access to information from anywhere in the hospital. These new paradigms required significant changes from traditional information technology architecture in particular in workflow management of large quantities of imaging data.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
WHAT ABOUT GROUND WATER

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article by Ralph C. Heath which appeared in the January 1973 issue of the North Carolina Engineer is another excellent example of how ground-water geologists and hydrologists should and must speak out in their communities in support of ground-water development.
The Impacts of Alignment with Global Product Standards on Exports of Firms in Developing Countries

Complying with global standards and technical norms can be costly, making them potential impediments to trade, but it can also expand export opportunities. Two policies available to governments are alignment of domestic technical regulations with international standards and entry into mutual recognition agreements (MRAs). We study the effects of such decisions on the volume of exports to developed markets by firms in developing countries, using data from a World Bank firm-level survey of awareness of global product norms. Both standards alignment and MRAs are associated with more exports to developed countries, but only MRAs significantly promote exports. This finding is consistent with theoretical predictions that MRAs should reduce the fixed costs of exporting more than standards alignment, permitting more firms to enter export markets in higher volumes. Governments in developing countries hoping to encourage exports may wish to favour the negotiation of mutual recognition of testing and certification procedures with major trading partners as a more affirmative avenue to expanding international sales.
Modeling and estimation of signal-dependent noise in hyperspectral imagery

The majority of hyperspectral data exploitation algorithms are developed using statistical models for the data that include sensor noise. Hyperspectral data collected using charge-coupled devices or other photon detectors have sensor noise that is directly dependent on the amplitude of the signal collected. However, this signal dependence is often ignored. Additionally, the statistics of the noise can vary spatially and spectrally as a result of camera characteristics and the calibration process applied to the data. Here, we examine the expected noise characteristics of both raw and calibrated visible/near-infrared hyperspectral data and provide a method for estimating the noise statistics using calibration data or directly from the imagery if calibration data is unavailable.
Measurement of the Lamb shifts in singlet levels of atomic helium.

We report laser spectroscopic results that extend the precision of earlier measurements substantially and provide tests of recent calculations on the singlet S, P, and D levels of atomic helium. We have determined the Lamb shift of the He 2${\mathrm{}}^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$, 3 $^{1}$${\mathit{P}}_{1}$ states by unambiguously establishing the 2 $^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$ absolute level position, by Doppler-free, two-photon transitions from 2 $^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$ to ${\mathit{n}}^{1}$${\mathit{D}}_{2}$ (7\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}20). The Lamb shift of 0.093 761(5) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ [2810.88(15) MHz] agrees with a less precise experiment of Sansonetti, Gillaspy, and Cromer [Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 2539 (1990)], but differs from theory by 98.36(15) MHz. In combination with the above-noted experimental result, the Lamb shift of the 3 $^{1}$${\mathit{P}}_{1}$ level is 0.000 522(45) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, in agreement with theory. Our relative spacings of the D levels is in disagreement with published theoretical calculations, but is in agreement with recent unpublished corrections of this work. This D-level agreement also confirms Casimir forces to the 2% level.
Reservoir manipulations and benthic macroinvertebrates in a Prairie River

Samples were taken on the Tongue River, Montana, USA, during 1974 and 1975 to determine the distributions and abundances of the benthic fauna after various reservoir manipulations. The upper cold water section, influenced by hypolimnial discharge from the Tongue River Reservoir, was impoverished in insect fauna and dominated by the molluscs Physa and Sphaerium. The lower warm water sections of the river contained two communities determined primarily by turbidity and periphyton cover. The upper warm water area was dominated by Strophopteryx and hydropsychid caddis larvae. The lower river was dominated by Cheumatopsyche. The summer fauna, in the warm water area, was dominated by short-lived mayfly species. During the summer, 1975, the cold water section was invaded by many insects due to warming of the area when no hypolimnion was formed in the reservoir. Invasion was apparently due to increased thermal fluctuations which caused diapause eggs to hatch and influenced the upstream migration of older nymphs and larvae. Results of drift and distributional samples after closure of the Tongue River Reservoir Dam for repairs showed that massive drift of all invertebrates began at a discharge of 130 c.f.s. (3.68 m3/sec), a drop from 190 c.f.s. (3.38 m3/sec) over a period of three days. Community composition was radically altered by reduced discharge.
An after-the-fact compute forensics investigation with ethical consequences: experience and recommendations

Computer forensics involves determining facts after-the-fact. This paper describes an after-the-fact computer forensics investigation with ethical consequences. In particular, the incident involves two students that were caught cheating on an on-line final exam held during the scheduled time in a computer classroom. Witnesses and computer forensics were used to verify and validate that what the author claimed had happened had actually happened while the student claims were discredited by the evidence. Areas for improvement and weaknesses that became evident are discussed.
Involvement of the adrenal cortex in the appearance of rat slow alpha-2-globulin.

SLOW α2-globulin (SA2G) is a protein which can be demonstrated by vertical starch-gel elertrophoresis to be present in the blood serum of the rat in certain physiological, pathological and experimental situations: during pregnancy1–3 and lactation3, in the foetal1,3,4 and neonatal1–4 states; in rats bearing growing neoplasms1,2,5; in the presence of infections or inflammations6; after partial hepatectomy7,8, splenectomy or unilateral renalectomy9; and following the administration of carbon tetrachloride7, various bacterial lipopolysaccharides (endotoxins)10,11, complete or incomplete Freund's adjuvant11, turpentine12, or certain metallic salts13. It generally cannot be demonstrated by this technique, however, in healthy, non-pregnant adult rats1–4, nor after clean laparotomies7, partial limb amputations9, or heavy doses of ionizing radiation14. Consequently, we define the SA2G effect as being the appearance of demonstrable levels of SA2G in response to a competent stimulus. In view of the broad range of competent stimuli for the SA2G effect, a search for a common factor or controlling agent was undertaken. The present work indicates that the adrenal cortex is intimately involved in the appearance of the SA2G effect provoked by at least one of the competent stimuli and may be a controlling factor.
A single-step purification of rat pancreatic and salivary amylase by affinity chromatography.

Abstract Rat pancreatic and salivary amylase [(1 → 4) α- d -glucan glucanohydrolase] (EC 3.2.1.1) were purified 20- to 50-fold with a yield above 75% by a single-step affinity chromatographic procedure. The affinity ligand was an α-glucohydrolase inhibitor (proprietary name Bay g5421) coupled to ω-aminohexyl-Sepharose 4B. Pancreatic amylase was eluted as a single peak at pH 7.4 with 0.1% glycogen or at pH 5.8 without glycogen. Salivary amylase could be eluted only with 0.1% glycogen containing buffer at pH 7.4. Pancreatic amylase migrated as a single homogeneous band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels, whereas salivary amylase migrated as a doublet.
An endotracheal intubation confirmation system based on carina image detection: a proof of concept

In this paper, a novel system for automatic confirmation of endotracheal intubation is proposed. The system comprises a miniature CMOS sensor and electric wires attached to a rigid stylet. Video signals are continuously acquired and processed by the algorithm implemented on a PC/DSP. The system is based on detection of the carina image as an anatomical landmark of correct tube positioning and it thus utilizes direct visual cues. Detection of the carina is performed based on unsupervised clustering, using a greedy-Gaussian mixture framework. The performance of the proposed system was initially evaluated using a mannequin model. A scientific prototype was assembled and used to perform repeated intubations on the model and collect a database of video signals which were processed off-line. The videos were categoried by a medical professional into carina, upper-trachea, and esophagus. An accuracy of 100% was achieved in discriminating between the carina and other anatomical structures including esophagus and upper-trachea. As an additional validation, the system was tested using a dataset of 231 video images recorded from five human subjects during intubation. The system correctly classified 120 out of 125 non-carina images (i.e. a sensitivity of 96.0%), and 100 out of 106 carina images (i.e. a specificity 94.3%). Using a 10th-order median filter, applied on the frame-based classification results, a 100% accuracy rate was obtained.
Entropy of a Convolution Operator

The concept of the entropy of a doubly stochastic operator was introduced in 1999 by Ghys, Langevin, and Walczak. The idea was developed further by Kaminski and de Sam Lazaro, who also conjectured that the entropy of a convolution operator determined by a probability measure on a compact abelian group is equal to zero. We prove that this is true when the group is connected and the convolution operator is determined by a measure absolutely continuous with respect to the normalized Haar measure. Our result provides also a characterization of the set of doubly stochastic operators with non-zero entropy.
Measurements of variable chlorophyll fluorescence using fast repetition rate techniques: defining methodology and experimental protocols

We present a methodology, called fast repetition rate (FRR) fluorescence, that measures the functional absorption cross-section (sigmaPS II) of Photosystem II (PS II), energy transfer between PS II units (p), photochemical and nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence, and the kinetics of electron transfer on the acceptor side of PS II. The FRR fluorescence technique applies a sequence of subsaturating excitation pulses ('flashlets') at microsecond intervals to induce fluorescence transients. This approach is extremely flexible and allows the generation of both single-turnover (ST) and multiple-turnover (MT) flashes. Using a combination of ST and MT flashes, we investigated the effect of excitation protocols on the measured fluorescence parameters. The maximum fluorescence yield induced by an ST flash applied shortly (10 ms to 5 ms) following an MT flash increased to a level comparable to that of an MT flash, while the functional absorption cross-section decreased by about 40%. We interpret this phenomenon as evidence that an MT flash induces an increase in the fluorescence-rate constant, concomitant with a decrease in the photosynthetic-rate constant in PS II reaction centers. The simultaneous measurements of sigmaPS II, p, and the kinetics of Q-A reoxidation, which can be derived only from a combination of ST and MT flash fluorescence transients, permits robust characterization of the processes of photosynthetic energy-conversion.
Replication stress induces specific enrichment of RECQ1 at common fragile sites FRA3B and FRA16D

Stalled replication forks at common fragile sites are a major cause of genomic instability. RecQ helicases, a highly conserved family of DNA-unwinding enzymes, are believed to ease ‘roadblocks’ that pose challenge to replication fork progression. Among the five known RecQ homologs in humans, functions of RECQ1, the most abundant of all, are poorly understood. We previously determined that RECQ1 helicase preferentially binds and unwinds substrates that mimic DNA replication/repair intermediates, and interacts with proteins involved in DNA replication restart mechanisms. We have utilized chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by quantitative real-time PCR to investigate chromatin interactions of RECQ1 at defined genetic loci in the presence or absence of replication stress. We have also tested the sensitivity of RECQ1-depleted cells to aphidicolin induced replication stress. RECQ1 binds to the origins of replication in unperturbed cells. We now show that conditions of replication stress induce increased accumulation of RECQ1 at the lamin B2 origin in HeLa cells. Consistent with a role in promoting fork recovery or repair, RECQ1 is specifically enriched at two major fragile sites FRA3B and FRA16D where replication forks have stalled following aphidicolin treatment. RECQ1-depletion results in attenuated checkpoint activation in response to replication stress, increased sensitivity to aphidicolin and chromosomal instability. Given a recent biochemical observation that RECQ1 catalyzes strand exchange on stalled replication fork structures in vitro, our results indicate that RECQ1 facilitates repair of stalled or collapsed replication forks and preserves genome integrity. Our findings provide the first evidence of a crucial role for RECQ1 at naturally occurring fork stalling sites and implicate RECQ1 in mechanisms underlying common fragile site instability in cancer.
A PROCEDURE FOR ESTIMATING STERILIZATION OF AND QUALITY FACTOR DEGRADATION IN THERMALLY PROCESSED FOODS

SUMMARY The method of Stumbo (1953, 1965) has been extended to obtain a method to estimate not only sterility but degradation of nutrient and organoleptic factors which degrade exponentially with time of heating at a constant temperature. These factors include, in particular, vitamin and color components of food. In devising the method, a new equation was derived for integrating heat effects throughout the food container during heating and cooling. Though the equation is equally as convenient as Stumbo's original equation, and gives virtually the same results in sterility evaluations. It may be employed with equal ease in evaluation of organoleptic and nutrient factor degradation. To implement the method it was necessary to extend fh/U:g relationship tables for values in the higher range–the new tables cover values (for every other value) from = 8 to = 80. Only three examples of these tables are included in the paper. Results obtained with this simple manual method compare most favorably with results obtained by other more complicated methods for the same purpose, namely those of Ball and Olson (1957), Teixeira et al. (1969) and Hayakawa (1969).
Cache-oblivious streaming B-trees

A streaming B-tree is a dictionary that efficiently implements insertions and range queries. We present two cache-oblivious streaming B-trees, the shuttle tree, and the cache-oblivious lookahead array (COLA).For block-transfer size B and on N elements, the shuttle tree implements searches in optimal O(log B+1N) transfers, range queries of L successive elements in optimal O(log B+1N +L/B) transfers, and insertions in O((log B+1N)/BΘ(1/(log log B)2)+(log2N)/B) transfers, which is an asymptotic speedup over traditional B-trees if B ≥ (log N)1+c log log log2N for any constant c >1.A COLA implements searches in O(log N) transfers, range queries in O(log N + L/B) transfers, and insertions in amortized O((log N)/B) transfers, matching the bounds for a (cache-aware) buffered repository tree. A partially deamortized COLA matches these bounds but reduces the worst-case insertion cost to O(log N) if memory size M = Ω(log N). We also present a cache-aware version of the COLA, the lookahead array, which achieves the same bounds as Brodal and Fagerberg's (cache-aware) Be-tree.We compare our COLA implementation to a traditional B-tree. Our COLA implementation runs 790 times faster for random inser-tions, 3.1 times slower for insertions of sorted data, and 3.5 times slower for searches.
A highly toxic cellular prion protein induces a novel, nonapoptotic form of neuronal death.

Several different deletions within the N-terminal tail of the prion protein (PrP) induce massive neuronal death when expressed in transgenic mice. This toxicity is dose-dependently suppressed by coexpression of full-length PrP, suggesting that it results from subversion of a normal physiological activity of cellular PrP. We performed a combined biochemical and morphological analysis of Tg(ΔCR) mice, which express PrP carrying a 21-aa deletion (residues 105-125) within a highly conserved region of the protein. Death of cerebellar granule neurons in Tg(ΔCR) mice is not accompanied by activation of either caspase-3 or caspase-8 or by increased levels of the autophagy marker, LC3-II. In electron micrographs, degenerating granule neurons displayed a unique morphology characterized by heterogeneous condensation of the nuclear matrix without formation of discrete chromatin masses typical of neuronal apoptosis. Our data demonstrate that perturbations in PrP functional activity induce a novel, nonapoptotic, nonautophagic form of neuronal death whose morphological features are reminiscent of those associated with excitotoxic stress.
Repetitive Myocardial Ischemia Promotes Coronary Growth in the Adult Mammalian Heart

Background Coronary artery disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy represent the leading cause of heart failure and continue to grow at exponential rates. Despite widespread availability of coronary bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention, subsequent ischemic events and progression to heart failure continue to be common occurrences. Previous studies have shown that a subgroup of patients develop collateral blood vessels that serve to connect patent and occluded arteries and restore perfusion to ischemic territories. The presence of coronary collaterals has been correlated with improved clinical outcomes; however, the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain largely unknown. Methods and Results To date, no mouse models of coronary arterial growth have been described. Using a closed-chest model of myocardial ischemia, we have demonstrated that brief episodes of repetitive ischemia are sufficient to promote the growth of both large coronary arteries and the microvasculature. Induction of large coronary artery and microvascular growth resulted in improvements in myocardial perfusion after prolonged ischemia and protected from subsequent myocardial infarction. We further show that repetitive ischemia did not lead to increased expression of classic proangiogenic factors but instead resulted in activation of the innate immune system and recruitment of macrophages to growing blood vessels. Conclusions These studies describe a novel model of coronary angiogenesis and implicate the cardiac macrophage as a potential mediator of ischemia-driven coronary growth.
Local delay in Poisson networks with and without interference

Communication between two neighboring nodes is the most basic operation in wireless networks. Yet very little research has focused on the local delay, defined as the mean time it takes a node to connect to a nearby neighbor. This problem is non-trivial when link distances are random but static, as is the case when the node distribution of a static network is modeled as a stochastic point process. We first consider the interference-free case, where links are independent, to study how fading and power control affect the delay in links of random distance. We find that power control is essential to keep the delay finite, and that randomized power control can drastically reduce the required (mean) power for finite local delay. Secondly, we study the local delay in a Poisson network with ALOHA, including both interference and noise. In this case we present an analytical bound on the local delay.
Electrophysiological effects of ajmaline in isolated cardiac tissue.

The electrophysiological effects of increasing molar concentrations of ajmaline were studied in isolated cardiac tissue, including sino-atrial node and Purkinje fibre. Ajmaline produced significant shortening of the plateau of Purkinje fibre action potential associated with marked depression of dV/dt and directly measured conduction velocity. A negative chronotropic effect was noted both in the sinus node and in spontaneously beating Purkinje fibres. Ajma-line's major electrophysiological effect appears to be depression of Purkinje fibre conduction velocity.
A review of Traffic Visual Tracking technology

Traffic visual tracking technology is currently one of the most active research topics in the domain of visual tracking. Normally, motion object segmentation, object classification, object tracking and behavior understanding are involved in traffic visual tracking technology. This paper firstly reviews the research contents as well as states of the traffic visual tracking technology from the four aspects. Research achievements on motion object segmentation and object tracking is emphatically introduced. Performances of each implementation algorithm are analyzed and the advantages and disadvantages are pointed out. At last the problems of current traffic visual tracking technology that should be urgently solved are discussed and the future developments in this field are provided.
The structure of the thymidine kinase gene promoter: Nuclease hypersensitivity correlates with expression

Abstract Accurate and quantitative transcription of the tk gene requires sequence elements that reside within 110 nucleotides of 5′-flanking DNA. We have determined the boundaries of a hypersensitive region in 5′ DNA flanking the tk gene by analyzing the relative sensitivity of specific restriction sites clustered in this region. Five different restriction enzymes, recognizing over 50 sites in the promoter region of the tk gene, each show a preferential cleavage in nuclei at a restricted number of sites residing between positions −4 and −182. Thus the tk promoter sequences are contained entirely within a hypersensitive region. Analysis of this site in tk + transformants, a tk − mutant and tk + rerevertant indicates that expression of tk RNA is correlated with structural alterations in the tk promoter.
Adaptive recurrent filter for ectopic beat and arrhythmia detection

The electrocardiogram is characterized by a well-defined morphology of signal complexes, e.g. the P-QRS-T sequence that recurs with each heart beat. The adaptive recurrent filter is useful for learning the morphology of the signal complexes and for detecting transient variations. The authors present application of the ARF to 60-Hz power-line cancellation, P-wave detection in conduction blocks, recognition of atrial fibrillation and paced rhythm, and detection of ectopic beats. >
Relationship functioning and home and work demands predict individual differences in diurnal cortisol patterns in women

In 70 middle-class mothers of 2-year-old children, individual differences in mothers' morning cortisol levels, cortisol decreases across the day and average cortisol levels were predicted from demographic and medical control variables, maternal relationship functioning and home and work demands. For two days, salivary cortisol levels were measured in the morning immediately after wakeup, four times in the afternoon, and in the evening immediately prior to bedtime. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) growth curve analyses were used to estimate the intercept (early morning level), slope (steepness of decline in cortisol values across the day), and the average height of each mother's cortisol curve across the waking hours. HLM and multiple regression techniques were then used to predict individual differences in these parameters from the variables of interest. Time of day accounted for 72% of the variation in mothers' observed cortisol values across the day. After controlling for demographic and medical variables, positive relationship functioning was associated with higher morning cortisol levels and a steeper decline in cortisol across the day, while greater hours of maternal employment and a greater number of children in the household were associated with lower morning cortisol values and a less steep decline in cortisol levels across the day. Variables predicting higher morning values also predicted higher average cortisol levels, while variables predicting lower morning cortisol predicted lower average cortisol levels. The full model including selected control, relationship functioning and home and work demand variables accounted for 40% of the variance in mothers' morning cortisol values, 43% of the variance in cortisol slopes and 35% of the variability in mothers' average cortisol levels. This study presents the first evidence of associations between psychological variables and individual differences in the organization of cortisol levels across the waking day in normal adult women.
Experimental Investigation of a Self-Biased Microstrip Circulator

An experimental investigation of an above-ferromagnetic resonant self-biased hexagonal ferrite circulator is detailed in this paper. The concept of the ldquoregion of opportunityrdquo is invoked to establish a relationship between the ferrite's geometry and its MH large-signal data for self-biased operation. This concept is used to design a working three-port nonreciprocal device that will serve as a basis for experimentally ascertaining best case insertion losses (ILs), return losses (RLs), and/or isolations (ISs) for circulator applications. Furthermore, we show that this nonreciprocal device when externally tuned as a circulator exhibits RLs and ISs of better than 15 dB across a narrow band; the ILs are on the order of 1.5 dB within this same band. This IL is correlated to the best case IL. Results confirm the conclusion that a ferrite with Hc = 4.0 kOe, 4piMs = 4.375 kG , and DeltaH = 1.862 kOe is suitable for self-biased circulator applications.
Demographic constraints in three populations of Lobelia boykinii: a rare wetland endemic

Knowledge about the factors restricting reproduction in many rare wetland plant species is limited. One such species is Lobelia boykinii. We conducted a study of L. boykinii to determine which factors most influence its reproductive success. We examined the species' breeding system, population dynamics, degree of pollen limitation, importance of sexual versus asexual reproduction, and the role of fungal and herbivore damage on fruit production in three Carolina bay populations in North Carolina. Pollen manipulations revealed that L. boykinii is an obligate outcrosser and that sexual reproduction is pollen-limited. Population size and density, which influence pollinator attraction, can fluctuate greatly over years in the same population. The three populations differed with respects to population size and density, capsule production, vegetative reproduction, and ramet survival, and differences are partially attributable to variation in the degree and timing of herbivory and fungal damage. Herbivory ranged from < 1% to 55% of flowering shoots. Fungal infection decreased fruit production only when it coincided with the period of floral development. Our results indicate that focusing on one ecological factor to prevent extant populations from going extinct is insufficient. Multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence L. boykinii's reproductive success, and populations differ in which factors most strongly influence reproduction. Given this suite of constraints, management strategies should include maintaining as many of the largest remnant populations as possible.
History of Seawater Carbonate Chemistry, Atmospheric CO 2 , and Ocean Acidification

Humans are continuing to add vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere through fossil fuel burning and other activities. A large fraction of the CO2 is taken up by the oceans in a process that lowers ocean pH and carbonate mineral saturation state. This effect has potentially serious consequences for marine life, which are, however, difficult to predict. One approach to address the issue is to study the geologic record, which may provide clues about what the future holds for ocean chemistry and marine organisms. This article reviews basic controls on ocean carbonate chemistry on different timescales and examines past ocean chemistry changes and ocean acidification events during various geologic eras. The results allow evaluation of the current anthropogenic perturbation in the context of Earth's history. It appears that the ocean acidification event that humans are expected to cause is unprecedented in the geologic past, for which sufficiently well-preserved records are available.
Striving towards Maturity: On the Relationship between Prayer and Sport:

What should be the proper role of prayer in sport? The purpose of this article is to exam - ine prayer and sport and to offer recommendations based on the notion of spiritual maturity. The Christian athlete, I argue, should strive towards maturity with respect to prayer, as evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit in his or her life.