cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Na/K-ATPase and Na/Ca Exchange Function is Altered in Ankyrin B Heterozygous Mice

Ankyrin-B (AnkB) is a multivalent “adaptor” protein that targets select membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton. Loss-of-function mutations in AnkB may cause ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in humans. Direct interaction with AnkB is required for the membrane targeting and stability of Na/Ca exchanger (NCX) and Na/K-ATPase (NKA), key regulators of cardiac contractility and arrhythmogenesis. However, it is currently unknown how AnkB modulates NCX and NKA function. To investigate this, we used AnkB heterozygous mice (AnkB+/-) and their wild-type (WT) littermates. Cardiac myocytes from AnkB+/- mice show reduced expression (by ∼20%) and altered localization of both NCX and NKA. In agreement with the lower protein level, we found slower decay of the caffeine-induced Ca transient (τ=7.4±0.8 sec vs. 5.2±0.6 sec) and reduced maximum rate of NKA-mediated Na extrusion (5.0±0.5 vs. 6.4±0.4 mM/min) in intact myocytes from AnkB+/- mice vs. WT. Thus, NCX and NKA transport function are reduced in AnkB+/-vs. WT mice. We also measured the voltage-dependence of the currents carried by NCX (INCX) and NKA (Ipump) using whole-cell voltage-clamp. INCX and Ipump were recorded during descending voltage ramps, as Cd-sensitive and K-activated currents, respectively. INCX reflected the lower NCX expression in AnkB+/- myocytes, with no difference in the voltage-dependence vs. WT. In contrast, Ipump had a significantly (p<0.001) steeper voltage-dependence in AnkB+/-vs. WT myocytes. Thus, at −80 mV, close to the resting membrane potential, Ipump was reduced by ∼35% in AnkB+/- mice, whereas at +30 mV, close to the peak of the action potential, AnkB+/- Ipump was elevated by ∼18% vs. WT. Thus, in addition to reducing NKA protein expression, AnkB also directly modulates NKA function in cardiac myocytes, by reducing the voltage-dependent Ipump inactivation. This could significantly affect myocyte [Na]i and [Ca]i regulation.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite levels and pediatric allergy and asthma in an inner-city cohort

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has been associated with allergic sensitization and asthma. We hypothesized that increased urinary PAH metabolites are associated with allergy or asthma among children age 5 yrs in an inner-city birth cohort. As part of an ongoing prospective birth cohort under the auspices of the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH), urine was collected from 5-yr-old children (n = 222) of Dominican American and African American mothers in Northern Manhattan and South Bronx of New York City. Twenty-four PAH metabolites were measured in these specimens, and their levels (unadjusted and specific gravity corrected) were evaluated with IgE levels and asthma outcomes. Ten metabolites were detected in urine from all children. Concentrations ranged higher than those in representative samples of US children ages 6-11 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Among CCCEH children, compared with African Americans, the Dominican children had higher 2-hydroxynaphthalene but lower 9-hydroxyfluorene and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene concentrations. Increased 3-hydroxyfluorene and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene levels were associated with higher anti-mouse IgE levels (p < 0.05). These plus 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxyflourene and 1-hydroxyphenanthrene concentrations were associated with higher anti-mouse IgE levels on multivariate analyzes. Increased 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene and 4-hydroxyphenanthrene levels were associated with higher anti-cat IgE levels (p < 0.05) in univariate, but not multivariate, analyzes. Levels of PAH metabolites were not associated with respiratory symptoms. Measures of PAH metabolites suggest considerable exposure in an urban pediatric population, and possible associations with allergic sensitization to mouse.
Dynamics of estrone glucosiduronate metabolism in dogs

Interest in the metabolism of estrogen conjugates has been increased by the recent demonstration that some of these conjugates can be hydrolysed in vivo, and are thus a source of physiologically-active circulating estrogens. In this report the metabolism of the quantitatively important conjugate estrone glucosiduronate has been studied in dogs, following the intravenous infusion of 3H-estrone glucosiduronate. Arterial plasma levels of radioactive estrone glucosiduronate and of the radioactive metabolites estrone, estradiol-17beta-3-glucosiduronate and estradiol-17alpha-3-glucosiduronate were measured. The metabolic clearance rate of estrone glucosiduronate (MCREG) was determined, as well as conversion ratios for estrone glucosiduronate to estrone (CREG.E), estradiol-17beta-3-glucosiduronate (CREG.E2betaG) and estradiol-17alpha-3-glucosiduronate (CREG.E2alphaG). Sequential values for the above mentioned conversion ratios were obtained and the relationship to time was analysed. Transfer constants for estrone glucosiduronate to estrone (rhoEG.E) were measured. The mean MCREG was 329 L/day/m2, SE 35. The values for CREG.E2betaG and CREG.E2alphaG did not become constant until 80 minutes following the start of infusion. The mean values at a steady state were: CREG.E.021, SE .002, CREG.E2betaG .068, SE .005, CREG.E2alphaG .022, SE .002. The mean value for rhoEG.E was .057, SE .006.
Idiopathic spinal cord herniation: a treatable cause of the Brown-Sequard syndrome--case report

Symptomatic herniation of the spinal cord through the dura is an uncommon clinical problem. Since 1989, we have encountered three patients who each presented with an unexplained, longstanding Brown-Sequard syndrome and were found to have idiopathic herniation of the thoracic spinal cord. This report describes the clinical, radiographic, and surgical findings in these three patients and reviews the five previously reported patients with this syndrome. Idiopathic herniation of the spinal cord is a treatable cause of the Brown-Sequard syndrome that may be more common than is currently recognized and should be known to all surgeons managing spinal disorders.
Dopamine levels in the anterior pituitary gland monitored by in vivo electrochemistry.

Abstract The present study was designed to assess the contributions of the long portal vessel and neurointermediate lobe routes of dopamine delivery to the anterior pituitary gland. Dopamine levels were monitored in the anterior pituitary of anesthetized diestrus 1 rats using in vivo differential pulse voltammetry at a carbon paste electrode. Measurements were taken during control periods, following neuro-intermediate lobectomy and hypophysial stalk section or after inhibition of catecholamine synthesis and dopamine infusion. Neurointermediate lobectomy resulted in a slight rise in plasma prolactin and a significant fall in voltammetric current. Subsequent stalk section elevated prolactin significantly and further reduced the voltammetric output. Inhibiting catecholamine synthesis significantly elevated plasma prolactin and reduced the voltammetric current. Stepped infusions of dopamine then suppressed plasma prolactin and elevated the voltammetric output in a dose related manner. The final values of both parameters were not significantly different from pre-inhibition levels. These data provide direct estimates of the relative contributions of various vascular routes to dopamine in the anterior pituitary and support the sufficiency of dopamine as the physiological inhibitor of prolactin secretion.
Energy-efficient, flow-specific medium access using preamble sampling

Current wireless sensor network applications face challenging power constraints that demand low duty cycles. In this paper, we propose an energy-efficient, flow-specific medium access scheme that is capable of achieving low duty cycles while taking advantage of the performance improvements available through a flow-specific medium access approach. The scheme is based on an adaptive sleep and wake cycle that responds to changes in both contention and non-contention traffic loads through the use of preamble sampling. A preamble sampling probability parameter is introduced to manage the trade-off between energy efficiency and network throughput and delay performance. A performance analysis is conducted and verified through simulation.
Role of substrate, temperature, and hydrogen on the flame synthesis of graphene films

Abstract Graphene films are grown in open-atmosphere on metal substrates using a multiple inverse-diffusion flame burner with methane as fuel. Substrate material (i.e. copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, and copper–nickel alloy), along with its temperature and hydrogen treatment, strongly impacts the quality and uniformity of the graphene films. The growth of few-layer graphene (FLG) occurs in the temperature range 750–950 °C for copper and 600–850 °C for nickel and cobalt. For iron, the growth of graphene is not exclusively observed. The variation of graphene quality for different substrates is believed to be due primarily to the difference in carbon solubility between the metals.
X-ray ablation rates in inertial confinement fusion capsule materials

X-ray ablation rates have been measured in beryllium, copper-doped beryllium, germanium-doped plastic (Ge-doped CH), and diamondlike high density carbon (HDC) for radiation temperatures T in the range of 160–260 eV. In beryllium, the measured ablation rates range from 3 to 12 mg/cm2/ns; in Ge-doped CH, the ablation rates range from 2 to 6 mg/cm2/ns; and for HDC, the rates range from 2 to 9 mg/cm2/ns. The ablation rates follow an approximate T3 dependence and, for T below 230 eV, the beryllium ablation rates are significantly higher than HDC and Ge-doped CH. The corresponding implied ablation pressures are in the range of 20–160 Mbar, scaling as T3.5. The results are found to be well predicted by computational simulations using the physics packages and computational techniques employed in the design of indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion capsules. An iterative rocket model has been developed and used to compare the ablation rate data set to spherical indirect-drive capsule implosion experiments and ...
Microwave localization due to defects in the arrays of dielectric cylinders: Multiple scattering approach

Microwaves propagation and scattering by dielectric cylinders in an uniform and defected media are simulated by using multiple scattering method. Formation of localized state due to the presence of a defect is observed in our simulations. Our theoretical results are compared with the previous experimental findings, yielding quantitative agreements in the transmission coefficients for a certain range of frequencies. In addition, our results point out some possible inconsistency in the experimental observations.
Some determinants of perseverance in achievement-related activity

Abstract Sixty preschool children were asked to perform either an objectively easy task which they were told was easy for other children, an objectively easy task which they were told was difficult for others, an objectively difficult task which they were told was easy for others, or an objectively difficult task which they were told was difficult. Their level of success and failure in achievement activity prior to performing this task was manipulated. Results indicated that when the task was either objectively difficult or allegedly difficult for other children, subjects who had failed on a previous task persevered longer than did subjects who had previously succeeded. However, when the task was both objectively easy and apparently easy for others, subjects who had previously been successful persevered longer than subjects who had previously failed. Results were inconsistent with achievement motivation theory ( Atkinson, 1957 ), but were interpretable using an exchange formulation of behavior ( Thibaut and Kelley, 1959 ).
Stimulated Photon-Echo and Transient-Grating Studies of Protein-Matrix Solvation Dynamics and Interexciton-State Radiationless Decay in α Phycocyanin and Allophycocyanin

We have employed two third-order femtosecond spectroscopic methods, stimulated-photon-echo peak-shift (3PEPS) and transient-grating (TG) spectroscopy, to characterize solvation dynamics and interex...
Methods Training in French Political Science

Journals in American political science are dominated by quantitative research, while graduate programs’ curricula are buttressed by the dearth of qualitative course. French Political Science, on the other hand, may suffer from the inverse imbalance. A survey of French political science journals has shown that in terms of methodology, quantitative methods are used in approximately a third of the research published in the two leading journals. Examining the curricula of the Institute d’Etudes Politiques allow us to observe the weight placed on methodological training. A trend in the rise of demands for professional skills is apparent throughout Institutes. Training in statistical methods is available for many students, but it has yet to achieve the status–as in most American PhD programs — of a sine non qua requirement.
Using kernel-based and single-scattering albedo approaches for generalized spectral mixture analysis of hyperspectral imagery

Spectral mixing can occur in a number of different ways, which may be linear or non-linear. Perhaps the pixel size of a sensor is just too large so many pixels contain patches of different materials within them resulting in linear mixing of the materials. However, there are more complex situations, such as scattering that occurs in mixtures of vegetation and soil, or intimate mixing of granular materials like soils. Such multiple scattering and microscopic mixtures within pixels have varying degrees of non-linearity. Often enough, scenes may contain cases of both linear and non-linear mixing on a pixel-by-pixel basis. This study compares two approaches for use as generalized methods for un-mixing pixels in a scene that may be linear or non-linear. The first is a kernel-based fully-constrained method for spectral unmixing, which uses a kernel that seeks to capture the linear behavior of albedo in non-linear mixtures of materials. The second method directly converts reflectance to single-scattering albedo (SSA) according to Hapke theory assuming bidirectional scattering at nadir look angles and uses a constrained linear model on the computed albedo values. Multiple scenes of hyperspectral imagery calibrated to reflectance are used to validate the methods. We test the approaches using a HyMAP scene collected over the Waimanalo Bay region in Oahu, Hawaii, as well as an AVIRIS scene collected over the oil spill region in the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon oil incident.
Summertime stratospheric wind measurements above the South Pole

Abstract Observations of the mean wind flow and wave motions in the stratosphere at the South Pole are presented. The atmospheric motions are determined from the tracking of a high altitude, zero-pressure balloon launched from Amundsen-Scott Station during the austral summer of 1985–1986. The balloon position was precisely monitored by an optical theodolite for a large portion of the flight so that small scale motions could be resolved. The mean flow above the pole was approximately 3ms −1 . Atmospheric motions characteristic of internal gravity waves were observed with an intrinsic period of approximately 4.5 h and vertical and horizontal wavelengths of approximately 2.5km and 125km, respectively. The horizontal perturbation velocity of the observed waves was large compared to the mean horizontal flow velocity. The implication is that wave motions play a dominant role in the transport of stratospheric constituents in regions where the mean winds are light, such as over the South Pole during austral summer.
SmaggIce 2.0: Additional Capabilities for Interactive Grid Generation of Iced Airfoils

The Surface Modeling and Grid Generation for Iced Airfoils (SmaggIce) software toolkit has been extended to allow interactive grid generation for multi-element iced airfoils. The essential phases of an icing effects study include geometry preparation, block creation and grid generation. SmaggIce Version 2.0 now includes these main capabilities for both single and multi-element airfoils, plus an improved flow solver interface and a variety of additional tools to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of icing effects studies. An overview of these features is given, especially the new multi-element blocking strategy using the multiple wakes method. Examples are given which illustrate the capabilities of SmaggIce for conducting an icing effects study for both single and multi-element airfoils.
Extracellular requirements for the endocytosis of carcinogenic crystalline nickel sulfide particles by facultative phagocytes

Abstract Various culture medium components were examined for their effect upon the phagocytosis of carcinogenic crystalline and non-carcinogenic amorphous NiS by cultured fibroblastic cells using both a visual and radioactive assay for phagocytosis. Crystalline NiS was phagocytosed by cells in a simple salts/glucose maintenance medium to an extent similar to that observed in complex culture medium fortified with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), suggesting that serum proteins and other components in complex culture medium exert little influence upon the uptake of these heavy metal particles. Phagocytosis of crystalline NiS was shown to be highly dependent upon Ca2+since omission of Ca2+ from the salts/glucose medium substantially reduced phagocytosis, while readdition of Ca2+ stimulated uptake in a concentration-dependent manner. The uptake of the NiS particles was inhibited by trifluoperazine, a calmodulin antagonist, implicating intracellular Ca2+ in this phagocytosis process. Since the opposite surface charge of crystalline and amorphous NiS has been related to their different phagocytic uptake by cells whose primary function is not phagocytosis (facultative phagocytes), these results show that the culture medium components do not modify the surface charge of these particles in a way that significantly influences their uptake.
PMT and ICCD investigation of light emission from microplasma generated in liquid

Microplasmas in liquid with microsecond and nanosecond duration are generated by the application of fast rise time voltage pulses to a micro-tipped-electrode immersed in the liquid with single and double spark gap switching respectively. The time dependent light emission occurring during the microplasma's generation in the liquid with different energy inputs are investigated in this research. Salt water is used as the liquid for microplama generation with different salt (NaCl) concentrations. The size of the microelectrode tip, applied voltage waveform, and conductivity determines the energy input and energy density to initiate microplasma at the tip. The microplasma light emissions are detected at high time resolution in two ways. First via a microscope based optical system in a dark environment. The microsecond and nanosecond duration of microplasma light emission is captured by a high speed gated ICCD camera. From the photos taken in the dark environment, the light emission is clearly recorded with different delay and exposure times of the ICCD. Using backlighting, variation of densities commensurate with the microplasma formation is detectable. A second method for light detection employs a photomultiplier tube (PMT) with optical fiber and confirms the ICCD camera results with regards to light emission. Though not spatially resolved the PMT results have the advantages of: 1) being from a single discharge rather than multiple discharges with variable gate delay as in the case of the ICCD; and 2) not requiring complicated pre-triggering schema to overcome inherent ICCD triggering delays and measure the earliest phases of plasma initiation. However, significant efforts (including multiple layers of shielding and long fiber optic lengths) had to be employed to decrease electromagnetic interference (EMI) in the PMT signals. The light emission from microplasma experiences a gradually brighter and then gradually dimmer process. Based on the voltage pulse duration and energy inputs, the duration of light emission increases correspondingly. As energy to initiates discharge continued decreasing, the light intensity captured by ICCD and PMT also reduced. A threshold energy is deduced, under which no light emission is detected and no microplasma will be initiated. However, the energy released from such voltage appears to induce density variations, i.e., the microbubble generation. These results indicate that, at least within the range of rise times and conductivities tested, density variations (i.e. microbubble generation) precedes plasma generation.
The primary cognitive deficit among males with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a dysexecutive syndrome

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a premutation trinucleotide repeat expansion in the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene. Symptoms include gait ataxia, action tremor, and cognitive impairment. The objectives of the study were to clarify the nature of the dysexecutive syndrome observed in FXTAS and to assess the contribution of executive impairment to deficits in nonexecutive cognitive functions. Compared to controls, men with FXTAS demonstrated significant executive impairment, which was found to mediate group differences in most other cognitive abilities. Asymptomatic premutation carriers performed similarly to controls on all but two measures of executive functioning. These findings suggest that the impairment of nonexecutive cognitive skills in FXTAS is in large part secondary to executive dysfunction.
Reflectometry-based wavelength scanning interferometry for thickness measurements of very thin wafers

With the development of microelectronics, the demand for silicon wafers is greatly increased for various purposes, especially the use of thin wafers for smart cards, cellular phones and stacked packages. In this paper, we describe an innovative scheme of combining wavelength scanning interferometry (4 nm tuning range centered at 1550 nm) with spectroscopic reflectometry that enables us to measure the thickness profile of thin wafers below 100 μm with high thickness resolution. The performance of this method is compared with that of an existing technique and verified by measuring several thin wafers.
The effects of ß-alanine on body composition and performance measures in collegiate females

Background s-alanine has ergogenic potential based on its relationship with carnosine. Carnosine is rapidly degraded into s-alanine and histidine as soon as it enters the blood. So there is no advantage to using direct carnosine supplementation. Previous studies have demonstrated that taking s-alanine orally is effective at increasing intramuscular carnosine levels. The resistance training athlete may experience a higher training volume. This proposed benefit would increase work capacity and decrease time to fatigue. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate recreationally active collegiate females, following an 8 week strength training program while consuming either s-alanine (BA) or placebo (PL) for body composition and performance changes. Methods
Numb-chin syndrome secondary to a spontaneous hemorrhage into a mandibular cyst: report of case

A case of spontaneous hemorrhage into a mandibular cyst producing paresthesia of the lower lip and chin, is presented. A case of spontaneous hemorrhage into a mandibular cyst, producing paresthesia of the lower lip and chin, is presented. The patient was a hemophiliac (moderate factor VIII deficiency) with an interesting diagnostic and therapeutic problem.
Physiological significance of a proximal coronary artery stenosis on a distal intramyocardial bridge: Coronary flow velocity patterns pre- and post-angioplasty

The angiographic incidence of intramyocardial bridging (MB) is 0.7-4.5% [Angelini et al.: Prog Cardiovasc Dis 25:75-88, 1983]. Morphological and physiological patterns of MB have recently been described, observing coronary flow velocity patterns, intravascular ultrasound, and angiography [Flynn et al.: Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn 32:36-39, 1994; Ge et al.: Circ Res 89:1725-1732, 1994]. We describe a reversal of the normal flow velocity characteristics within a MB, due to a hemodynamically significant stenosis in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). After successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of the proximal LAD stenosis, there was normalization of the flow velocity pattern within the MB and the appearance of a spike and dome pattern distal to the MB.
High efficiency wavelength conversion of 10 Gb/s data in silicon waveguides

Efficient wavelength conversion via four-wave-mixing in silicon-on-isolator p-i-n waveguides has been realized. By reverse biasing the p-i-n diode structure formed along the silicon rib waveguide, the nonlinear absorption due to two photon absorption induced free carrier absorption is significantly reduced, and a wavelength conversion efficiency of -8.5 dB has been achieved in an 8 cm long waveguide at a pump intensity of 40 MW/cm2. A high-speed pseudo-random bit sequence data at 10 Gb/s rate is converted to a new wavelength channel in the C-band with clear open eye diagram and no waveform distortion. Conversion efficiency as functions of pump power, wavelength detuning, and bias voltages, have been investigated. For shorter waveguides of 1.6 cm long, a conversion bandwidth of > 30 nm was achieved.
Membrane stretch activates a high-conductance K+ channel in G292 osteoblastic-like cells

A high-conductance K(+)-selective ion channel was studied in excised membrane patches from human G292 osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells. Channel conductance averaged approximately 170 pS in symmetric solutions of 153 mM KCl, and approximately 135 pS when the pipette was filled with standard saline (150 mM NaCl). The probability of the channel being in an open state (Popen) increased with membrane potential, internal calcium, and applied negative pressure. At pCa7, channel activity was observed at membrane potentials greater than approximately 60 mV, while at pCa3, channel activity was seen at approximately 10 mV. Likewise, in the absence of applied pressure, channel openings were rare (Popen = 0.02), whereas with -3 cm Hg applied pressure, Popen increased to approximately 0.40. In each case, i.e., voltage, calcium concentration, and pressure, the increase in Popen resulted from a decrease in the duration of long-closed (interburst) intervals and an increase in the duration of long-open (burst) intervals. Whole-cell responses were consistent with these findings. Hypotonic shock produced an increase in the amplitude and conductance of the outward macroscopic current and a decrease in its rise time, and both single-channel and whole-cell currents were blocked by barium. It is suggested that the voltage-gated, calcium dependent maxi-K+ channel in G292 osteoblastic cells is sensitive to membrane stretch and may be directly involved in osmoregulation of these cells. Further, stretch sensitivity of the maxi-K+ channel in osteotrophic cells may represent an adaptation to stresses associated with mechanical loading of mineralized tissues.
Chordal Completions of Planar Graphs

We prove that every planar graph on n vertices is contained in a chordal graph with at most cn log n edges for some abolsute constant c and this is best possible to within a constant factor.
Toxicity of oxidatively degraded quantum dots to developing zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Once released into the environment, engineered nanoparticles (eNPs) are subjected to processes that may alter their physical or chemical properties, potentially altering their toxicity vis-a-vis the as-synthesized materials. We examined the toxicity to zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) embryos of CdSecore/ZnSshell quantum dots (QDs) before and after exposure to an in vitro chemical model designed to simulate oxidative weathering in soil environments based on a reductant-driven Fenton's reaction. Exposure to these oxidative conditions resulted in severe degradation of the QDs: the Zn shell eroded, Cd(2+) and selenium were released, and amorphous Se-containing aggregates were formed. Products of QD weathering exhibited higher potency than did as-synthesized QDs. Morphological endpoints of toxicity included pericardial, ocular and yolk sac edema, nondepleted yolk, spinal curvature, tail malformations, and craniofacial malformations. To better understand the selenium-like toxicity observed in QD exposures, we examined the toxicity of selenite, selenate, and amorphous selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Selenite exposures resulted in high mortality to embryos/larvae while selenate and SeNPs were nontoxic. Co-exposures to SeNPs + CdCl2 resulted in dramatic increase in mortality and recapitulated the morphological endpoints of toxicity observed with exposure to products of QD weathering. Cadmium body burden was increased in larvae exposed to weathered QDs or SeNP + CdCl2 suggesting the increased potency of products of QD weathering was due to selenium modulation of cadmium toxicity. Our findings highlight the need to examine the toxicity of eNPs after they have undergone environmental weathering processes.
Electrocardiographic changes resembling myocardial infarction in a young child

Abstract The case report of a previously healthy 5-year-old white girl who, during a febrile illness, exhibited findings consistent with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction has been presented. Serial electrocardiograms over a period of 3 years demonstrate fairly typical evolutionary changes of a myocardial infarction. Roentgenographic and fluoroscopic findings seem to support this diagnosis.
Frequency warping using subglottal resonances: Complementarity with VTLN and robustness to additive noise

Based on our recently-proposed frequency-warping scheme using subglottal resonances (SGRs), this paper addresses two wellknown limitations of conventional vocal-tract length normalization (VTLN): (1) its sub-optimal nature owing to the lack of frequencydependent scaling, and (2) sensitivity to noise. Based on the idea of filter-bank interpolation, a novel approach is proposed to realize the combined effect of VTLN and SGR-based warping (which provides frequency-dependent scaling). Using the Wall Street Journal database and the conventional MFCC front end, SGR warping is shown to be complementary to VTLN in performance. Since SGR warping depends more on the given signal and less on models trained a priori, we argue that SGR warping is less sensitive to noise than VTLN. Through experiments on the AURORA-4 database with power-normalized cepstral coefficients as noise-robust front-end features, we show that SGR warping is better than VTLN, in clean as well as multi-conditional training.
Structure and Function of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Among Latina and Non-Latina White Female College Students

This study examines the structure and function of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a depression assessment tool, among a sample of Latina and non-Latina White female college students (N = 16,754). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to determine the structure of the PHQ-9. Multiple group confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine potential construct bias in the PHQ-9 across race/ethnicity. Results of the analyses revealed that a two-factor structure of the PHQ-9, representing affective and somatic dimensions of depression, was the best fit for the data. The multiple group confirmatory factor analysis showed that the identified structure and function of the PHQ-9 did not differ across race/ethnicity. Therefore, the PHQ-9 can be used as a multidimensional assessment of depression among Latina and non-Latina White female college students without concern of a construct bias. These findings have implications for social work practice in areas such as screening, diagnosis, and...
Optimal balance of aberrations under partially coherent illumination

An optimal balance of spherical aberrations under partially coherent illumination is presented. The visibility of a two-point image as a merit function is used to estimate the image aberrations. Although the optimal balance of aberrations has been evaluated by Marechal [ Rev. Opt.2, 257 ( 1947)] and Wang [ Proc. Phys. Soc. London53, 157 ( 1941)] for incoherent illumination, it has not been treated for partially coherent illumination. In this paper, a general relationship between the optimal balance of aberrations and the degree of mutual coherence under partially coherent illumination is discussed. The result obtained for incoherent illumination turns out to be a special case of that for partially coherent illumination. In other words, the result of optimal balance of aberrations under partially coherent illumination is a general case that includes coherent, incoherent, and partially coherent illumination.
Distributed power and admission control for time-varying wireless networks

This paper presents new distributed power and admission control algorithms for ad-hoc wireless networks in random channel environments. Previous work in this area has focused on distributed control for ad-hoc networks with fixed channels. We show that the algorithms resulting from such formulations do not accurately capture the dynamics of a time-varying channel. Hence, algorithms designed for fixed channels may perform quite poorly in random channels. In order to address these issues, this work proposes new algorithms, based on stochastic approximation, for optimal distributed power and admission control in random channels
Effects of X-irradiated Aqueous Solutions on Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

Infectivity of vesicular stomatitis virus was inactivated by suspending the virus in aqueous salt solutions that had previously been subjected to X-irradiation. This viral inactivation did not appear to be attributable to hydrogen peroxide or to long-lived free radicals generated by X-irradiation of the salt solutions. Indirect evidence suggested that the deleterious effects on the virus were caused by chemical species resulting from interaction of free water molecules with anions in the solution. Inactivation of infectivity was associated with distortion of the outer layer of the virion, as determined by electron microscopy, and with consequent impairment of adsorption to otherwise susceptible cells.
Symmetric configurations of vortices

Abstract Stationary and uniformly translating configurations of point vortices are examined when the vortices are arranged in symmetric rings, lines, and lattices. Algebraic equations for the reduced systems are found, and the solutions counted using algebraic geometry.
Contrast microbubbles improve diagnostic yield in ICU patients with poor echocardiographic windows.

Objective To determine the value of contrast echocardiographic studies in patients admitted to ICUs who have poor echocardiographic windows secondary to COPD, ventilator use, or inability to obtain optimal positioning for the echocardiogram. Design A prospective comparison study of technically difficult patients in the ICU. Outcome measure The total scores for the left ventricle (LV) in the two-chamber and four-chamber views were calculated at baseline and following injection of 1 to 2 mL of a contrast agent. The mean numbers of segments visualized in all patients at baseline and after injection of contrast agent were compared to assess the effect on improved visualization. Results Forty consecutive patients underwent echocardiography in the ICU for evaluation of LV function. Of these, 25 patients (63%) had poor visualization of the endocardium and required IV contrast agent. In these 25 patients, the average baseline segmental score was 4.5, compared to 11.6 in patients who received an IV contrast agent. Nineteen patients had an average baseline segmental score of 3.9 and were deemed to have a nondiagnostic study. After administration of IV contrast, all patients converted to a diagnostic study, with an average score of 11.6 segments visualized. Conclusions Use of echocardiographic contrast agents in selected patients with poor baseline echocardiographic windows in the ICU setting significantly enhances segmental LV visualization and yielded 100% conversion from nondiagnostic to diagnostic studies.
A Stochastic model to estimate the time taken for Protein-Ligand Docking

Quantum mechanics and molecular dynamic simulation provide important insights into structural configurations and molecular interaction data today. To extend this atomic/molecular level capability to system level understanding, we propose an "in silico" stochastic event based simulation technique. This simulation characterizes the time domain events as random variables represented by probabilities. This random variable is called the execution time and is different for different biological functions (e.g. the protein-ligand docking time). The simulation model requires fast computational speed and we need a simple transformation of the energy plane dynamics of the molecular behavior to the information plane. We use a variation of the collision theory model to get this transformation. The velocity distribution and energy threshold are the two parameters that capture the effects of the energy dynamics within the cell in our model. We use this technique to approximately determine the time required for the ligand-protein docking event. The model is parametric and uses the structural configurations of the ligands, proteins and the binding mechanism. The numerical results for the first moment show good correspondence with experimental results and demonstrate the efficacy of our model. The model is fast in computing and is less dependent on experimental data like rate constants.
Mapping of a higher order protein-DNA complex: Two kinds of long-range interactions in λ attL

To map the protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions involved in lambda site-specific recombination, Int cleavage assays with suicide substrates, nuclease protection patterns, gel retardation experiments, and quantitative Western blotting were applied to wild-type attL and attL mutants. The results lead to a model in which one IHF molecule bends the attL DNA and forms a higher order complex with the three bivalent Int molecules required for excisive recombination. It is proposed that each of the Int molecules binds in a unique manner: one bridges two DNA binding sites in cis, one is held via its high affinity amino-terminal DNA binding domain, and the third depends upon protein-protein interactions in addition to its low affinity carboxy-terminal DNA binding domain. This protein-DNA complex contains two unsatisfied DNA binding domains, each with a different sequence specificity, and is well suited to specific interactions with an appropriate recombination partner.
Needs for the Future: Radically Different Types of Mathematical Models

Since parts of future biomathematics which involve further development along directions already predominant can be extrapolated from the other papers in the volume, the purpose of this paper is to investigate less obvious, and therefore more speculative, directions. In particular, I intend to show reason to suspect that the laws of biology are of a different mathematical form than the laws of physics and that, therefore, the mathematical models of the future in biology will be radically different from the models used in physics. I will primarily concentrate on casting doubt on the ultimate usefulness of many differential equations models by examining the extent to which the mathematical assumptions underlying these models reflect biological reality. Since these mathematical assumptions seem to be seriously discordant with important parts of biological reality, this type of mathematical model should ultimately be replaced by essentially different types of mathematical models.
COMBAT EXPOSURE, CIGARETTE CONSUMPTION, AND SUBSTANCE USE

This study estimates the relationship between combat exposure and several risky health behaviors: cigarette consumption, binge drinking, and drug use. We find that the U.S. active duty military personnel deployed to combat zones with enemy firefight are more likely to subsequently smoke cigarettes, consume alcohol, and use illicit drugs than their counterparts deployed to noncombat operations. Our results suggest that the mental health effects of combat can explain up to two-thirds of the estimated association between combat exposure and risky health behaviors. (JEL H56, I12)
Immigration: The Cultural Dimension

The immigration debate has ignored effects on American culture. The United States has become a multicultural society, which is good, but rapid immigration threatens to turn it into a mainly Latin American and Asian country. That would undermine the individualist culture, derived from Europe, that is essential to American world leadership. Damage to the society’s dynamism and civility is already apparent. Immigration must be cut by half and other steps taken to promote assimilation.
Laboratory Studies on the Rearing of Aphidius smithi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Its Parasitism of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Homoptera: Aphididae)

The techniques of rearing Aphidius smithi Sharma and Subba Rao on a small laboratory scale, and the factors affecting some aspects of its biology—behavior, mating, oviposition, preimaginal development, and adult longevity—are discussed. In 4-hr parasitization periods with 40 Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) on Vicia faba leaves, parasitization by Aphidius smithi was highest (82% average) with first-instar hosts, and declined to 0 with postreproductive aphids. Such differences in percent parasitization were not found in mixed groups of various instars. Progeny production by Acyrthosiphon pisum , ceased after the fourth day if they were parasitized on the first clay of parturition. A. pisum parasitized in the third instar did not mature to the reproductive stage.
Sulfur Amino Acid Activity of Glutathione, DL-α-Hydroxy-Methionine, and α-Keto-Methionine in Chicks

SummaryMale crossbred chicks were fed crystalline amino acid diets to evaluate the sulfur amino acid activity of glutathione, DL-α-OH-methionine (dl-α-OH-M), and α-keto-methionine (α-keto-M). Relative to L-cystine at isosulfurous levels, glutathione had a cystine-sparing value of 100%. Chicks fed α-keto-M gained 83% as fast as those fed an equal sulfur contribution from l-methionine, and those fed DL-α-OH-M gained 53% as fast. Addition of 1% gluta-mine to the purified diet failed to enhance the efficacy of dl-α-OH-M, indicating that glutamine is not a limiting dietary factor in the conversion of DL-α-OH-M to L-methio-nine.
Oviposition Site Preference by the Tomato Fruitworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Tomato, with Notes on Plant Phenologyl

Egg counts were made to determine preferred oviposition sites of Heliothis zea (Boddie) on the tomato cultivars ‘VF-J98’ under field cage conditions and ‘VF-198’ and ‘Campbell 82’ under natural conditions. A phenological study of tomato was used to establish an age basis for vegetative and fruiting structures. Moths demonstrated a highly significant preference for oviposition on leaves rather than on blooms, fruit, or stems. No preference was shown for dorsal vs. ventral leaf surfaces. A highly significant relationship existed between proximity of leaves to blooms, with a positive correlation between the number of open flowers and selection of a leaf for oviposition.
Systematic-representative study of spontaneous activity in the rat.

Spontaneous activity in the rat over a continuous 47-hr. period was investigated as a function of age, sex, food-water deprivation, illumination level, starting time, temperature, and experimental environment. A one-half replication (N = 192) of a complete factorial design was used. The results were in essential agreement with earlier work, with activity greatest for young, cool, high-deprivation Ss run in the activity wheel. on the basis of the 6 different recording devices used here, it was suggested that uninterrupted running may be more responsive to the momentary state of the organism than the number of discrete acts evoked by cage-type environments.
Influence of Replacing Heparin Cap at Different Time Intervals on Infection Rate of Indwelling Central Venous Catheter

Objective To compare the incidence of intravascular catheter-related bloodstream infections(CR-BSIs) of replacing the heparin cap at different time intervals.Methods The patients with indwelling central venous catheter were randomly divided into two groups.Heparin caps were changed once a week in group A,while twice in group B.A comparison of the incidences of CR-BSIs at different periods were conducted to determine the best time to replace the heparin cap.Results There is no significant difference between the two groups in the first week.On the 14th and 21th day's survey,the infection rate of group A was lower than that of group B(P0.05).Conclusion To reduce the incidence of CR-BSIs,the heparin cap should be replaced once per week rather than twice.
Mining Temporally-Interesting Learning Behavior Patterns

Identifying sequential patterns in learning activity data can be useful for discovering, understanding, and ultimately scaffolding student learning behaviors in computer-based learning environments. Algorithms for mining sequential patterns generally associate some measure of pattern frequency in the data with the relative importance or ranking of the pattern. However, another important aspect of these patterns is the evolution of their usage over the course of a student’s learning or problem-solving activities. In order to identify and analyze learning behavior patterns of more interest in terms of both their overall frequency and their evolution over time, we present a data mining technique that combines sequence mining with a novel information-theoretic, temporal-interestingness measure and a corresponding heat map visualization. We demonstrate the utility of this technique through application to student activity data from a recent experiment with the Betty’s Brain learning environment and a comparison of our algorithm’s pattern rankings with those of an expert. The results support the effectiveness of our approach and suggest further refinements for identification of important behavior patterns in sequential learning activity data.
NMR studies of beta-oxidation and short-chain fatty acid metabolism during recovery of reperfused hearts.

The effects of beta-oxidation on the contractile recovery and metabolic activity of postischemic (10 min) rabbit hearts were examined during reperfusion with the short-chain fatty acid butyrate. Hearts received either 13C-enriched butyrate or acetate to evaluate metabolic targeting with 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Acetate and butyrate supported similar contractility (rate of pressure development, dP/dt) and 31P-NMR-detected, high-energy phosphate (HEP) levels during normal perfusion. In postischemic hearts, butyrate sustained a greater percentage of preischemic dP/dt (83 +/- 4%) than did acetate reperfusion (44 +/- 6%, P less than 0.05) with no differences in HEP. The efficiency of oxygen consumption per unit of work was greater in hearts reperfused with butyrate (2.8 +/- 0.2 microM.g-1.mmHg-1) vs. acetate (3.4 +/- 0.1). Inhibition of butyrate oxidation with 4-bromocrotonic acid (4-BCA) during normal perfusion severely reduced dP/dt and HEP. Acetate supported normal dP/dt and HEP levels during perfusion with 4-BCA and butyrate, but contractile recovery during reperfusion with acetate, 4-BCA, and butyrate (46 +/- 6%) was similar to that with acetate alone. With acetate and butyrate combined at reperfusion, acetate accounted for 56% of substrate entering oxidative metabolism at acetyl CoA and delayed contractile recovery (57 +/- 5% at midpoint and 80 +/- 6% at end). Thus improved respiratory efficiency of contraction in reperfused hearts was related to the activity of beta-oxidation.