cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association between esophageal dysmotility and gastroesophaeal reflux on barium studies

Abstract Objective To determine whether there is an association between abnormal primary peristalsis in the esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) on barium studies. Methods A computerized search of radiologic reports revealed 151 patients with esophageal dysmotility (characterized by intermittently decreased or absent peristalsis in the esophagus on upper gastrointestinal tract examinations) who fulfilled our study's entry criteria. These 151 patients were stratified into two groups depending on whether this dysmotility was associated with nonperistaltic contractions (NPCs): 92 patients had no NPCs (Dysmotility and No NPCs Group) and 59 had NPCs (Dysmotility and NPCs Group). An age-matched control group of 92 patients with normal motility was also generated from the radiologic reports. The reports were also reviewed for the presence and degree of GER and other complications of GER. The frequency and degree of GER were tabulated for each group, and the data were analyzed using a Pearson chi square test to determine if significant differences were present in the frequency and degree of GER or other findings among the groups. Results The frequency of GER was significantly higher in patients with abnormal peristalsis and no NPCs than in controls ( p = 0.02). When GER was stratified based on the degree of reflux, the frequency of moderate-to-marked GER was significantly higher in patients with abnormal peristalsis and no NPCs than in patients with abnormal peristalsis and NPCs ( p = 0.01) or in controls ( p = 0.0031). The frequency of reflux esophagitis also was significantly higher in patients with abnormal peristalsis and no NPCs than in controls ( p = 0.04). Conclusion Our findings suggest that patients with esophageal dysmotility characterized by intermittently decreased or absent peristalsis without NPCs have a significantly higher frequency and degree of GER than patients with normal motility. The presence of this specific form of esophageal dysmotility on barium studies therefore should suggest underlying reflux disease.
Gateway-to-Gateway Protocol Issues in a Tactical Environment

Communication networks for future tactical deployments are required to be survivable against the expected physical, electronic, and environmental threats. To provide survivability to these systems, new distributed architectures must be developed. Within these new architectures there will be a heterogeneous mix of networks, bridges, gateways, communications media, and other hardware. In this environment protocols will be necessary to communicate information which is pertinent to routing and connectivity between gateways. This paper discusses enhancements to current gateway-to-gateway protocols which could be necessary in future tactical environments.
A Perturbation Analysis for the Metal Oxidation of Cylindrical Geometries

The metal oxidation for two general cylindrical geometries is analyzed using a perturbation method. Unlike previous models, the reaction rate and the oxygen dissolution into metal are taken into account. One-dimensional Landau transformations is applied to transform a moving domain by volumetric expansion or contraction during oxidation into a fixed domain. The oxide film thickness predicted by the perturbation analysis is compared to that by a numerical analysis as well as to that measured experimentally.
Reversible modification of GABAA receptor subunit mRNA expression during tolerance to diazepam-induced cognition dysfunction

Benzodiazepines (BZs) that are endowed with full positive allosteric modulatory (FAM) activity on GABAA receptors cause anterograde amnesia in both animals and humans. In rats subjected to a delayed object recognition test, diazepam, endowed with FAM activity, exerted an amnesic action, whereas BZs endowed with partial allosteric modulatory (PAM) activity on GABAA receptors, such as imidazenil, failed to induce amnesia, even if administered at doses five times higher than those equipotent to a standard anticonvulsant dose of diazepam (17.6 mumol/kg/os). After discontinuation of 14 days' treatment with vehicle, diazepam, or imidazenil (three times daily with increasing doses starting from 17.6 mumol/kg/os for diazepam and 2.5 mumol/kg/os for imidazenil), we compared the persistence of tolerance to the amnesic effect of diazepam with the persistence of the changes in the context of four (alpha 1, alpha 5, gamma 2L, gamma 2S) GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs in the fronto-parietal motor (FrPaM) cortex and the hippocampus. Rats receiving the long-term treatment with diazepam developed a tolerance to the amnesic effect of this drug and showed a decrease (30-50%) in the expression of mRNAs encoding for alpha 1 gamma 2L, gamma 2S GABAA receptor subunits, an increase, by approximately 30%, of the expression of mRNA of the alpha 5 subunit in the FrPaM cortex and a decrease, by approximately 25%, in the expression of mRNA, of the alpha 1 subunit in the hippocampus. These changes of subunit mRNA expression and the tolerance to the amnesic effect of diazepam returned to control values 72 hr after termination of the long-term treatment with diazepam. No tolerance to the amnesic effect of diazepam and no changes in GABAA receptor subunit mRNA expression were found in rats undergoing long-term treatment with imidazenil.
Lognormal vs. Gamma: Extra Variations

Within a Bayesian framework of hierarchical modeling, the inclusion of extra variation effects becomes popular with Poisson and Binomial sampling processes. For the less populated areas, mortality rates are heterogeneous due to environmental effects or other socio-economic status. Thus, the extra variation in the frequency of deaths will usually exceed that expected from sampling distributions. In this paper, we propose a quasi-multiplicative spatio-temporal model (PGC) with gamma extra variation effects. Then we compare the performance of proposed model to loglinear model (PLC) with lognormal extra variation effects in Sun et al. (2000). Gibbs sampling is used to compute the posterior moments and marginal posterior densities. The numerical results based on Missouri male lung cancer data show that PGC and PLC models are almost interchangeable. The extra variation effects are important to predict the mortality rates adequately under both models.
Anna Karenina, Rousseau, and the Gospels

A he richness and ambiguity of Anna Karenina arises from the conflict between its sym pathy with both the adulteress and the family. In his novel Tolstoy at once empathizes with Anna and reaffirms the biblical understanding of adultery as sinful, while including a vi sion of family that could prevent it. Tolstoy's antidote to the decadence he found in the French novel of adultery is made up of the ideals of Rousseau and the eternal authority of the Gospels; he needed both to answer the question that increasingly tormented him as he was writing Anna Karenina?the meaning of life, and how to live. Tolstoy sets this conflict into dialogue against the background of a variety of literary, philosophical, and sacred texts; he builds his response by recasting the most minute details of each work in such a way that the novel both forgives Anna and enshrines the holy ideal of the family. Since Les Liaisons Dangeureuses first appeared, adultery has been a particularly French theme. To portray an adulteress Tolstoy, who followed French prose closely throughout his life, drew from Rousseau as well as from French works published during the twenty years preceding his writing Anna Karenina. Tolstoy's novel of adultery in the European style became a "philosophico-moral" one as he set the relationship among Karenin, Anna, and Vronsky into dialogue with the ideas of a range of French novels.1 Tolstoy's counterexample to the adulterous triangle, the story of the successful marriage of Kitty and Levin, explicitly contradicts the French models and uses the Gospels to suggest the mysteries of the sacra ment of marriage. Leo Tolstoy, 1880s
A plant-based cholera toxin B subunit-insulin fusion protein protects against the development of autoimmune diabetes

Oral administration of disease-specific autoantigens can prevent or delay the onset of autoimmune disease symptoms. We have generated transgenic potato plants that synthesize human insulin, a major insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus autoantigen, at levels up to 0.05% of total soluble protein. To direct delivery of plant-synthesized insulin to the gut-associated lymphoid tissues, insulin was linked to the C-terminus of the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). Transgenic potato tubers produced 0.1% of total soluble protein as the pentameric CTB-insulin fusion, which retained GM1-ganglioside binding affinity and native antigenicity of both CTB and insulin. Nonobese diabetic mice fed transformed potato tuber tissues containing microgram amounts of the CTB-insulin fusion protein showed a substantial reduction in pancreatic islet inflammation (insulitis), and a delay in the progression of clinical diabetes. Feeding transgenic potato tissues producing insulin or CTB protein alone did not provide a significant reduction in insulitis or diabetic symptoms. The experimental results indicate that food plants are feasible production and delivery systems for immunotolerization against this T cell-mediated autoimmune disease.
A Comparison of Semiconductor Models for the Study of Liquid Phase Epitaxy

The phase behavior of silicon is studied using the Modified Embedded Atom Method (MEAM) proposed by Baskes, Nelson and Wright. We find this model to quantitatively reproduce aspects of both the solid and liquid phases with an accuracy comparable to the widely-used Stillinger-Weber (SW) potential, thus providing an opportunity to examine the consistency of results obtained previously using the SW model. Although the models are very different, they both produce solid-liquid interfaces on both silicon (100) and (111) which have very similar morphologies. We find that the MEAM predicts the melting point of silicon to be 1445K, or 14% lower than the experimental value. The model also predicts the heat of melting to be 34.9 kJ/mol, 45% lower than the experimental value of 50.6 kJ/mol, and a liquid density which is 5.4% larger than that of the solid at the melting point, which is the density ratio found by experiment. The liquid density is found to be too low with respect to experiment. We also suggest a correction which might be applied to the MEAM model to improve its description of the liquid phase.
Petrologic evolution of plagioclase-rich cumulates from the Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma: Effects upon magnetic remanence properties

The Glen Mountains layered complex (GMLC) of the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma is a coarse-grained analog to Layer 3 gabbros of the sea floor. The slowly cooled, mafic, layered complex developed in the site of an aulacogen, which is interpreted as a failed, intracontinental rift. The remanent magnetism of rocks of the layered complex is extremely stable due to the presence of magnetic inclusions in the major phases, primarily plagioclase. The early formation of plagioclase facilitated the formation of these magnetically important inclusions. Petrologic processes that promote the formation of magnetically stable mineralogic inclusions in coarsegrained gabbros should be operative in oceanic slow-spreading ridges. Therefore, the contribution of magnetization of Layer 3 gabbros should be greater in slower spreading ridges than in faster spreading ridges because of their differences in petrologic evolution.
Seeking and Processing Information about Zoonotic Disease Risk: A Proposed Framework

As part of zoonotic disease management, wildlife officials strive to communicate health and safety information to promote individual behavior change and facilitate collaborative decision-making. Un...
Oral and pharyngeal cancer and occupation: a case-control study.

We studied the relation between occupation and oral and pharyngeal cancer with a population-based case-control study conducted in four areas of the United States. The study group included 1,114 incident male and female cases and 1,268 frequency-matched controls. After adjustment for age, race, smoki
Membrane cytoskeleton: PIP2 pulls the strings

Abstract A recent application of optical tweezers has shown that plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP 2 ) levels control adhesion of the membrane bilayer to the underlying cytoskeleton, by regulated direct binding of PIP 2 to cytoskeletal proteins and/or indirect effects on cytoskeleton structure.
Domain configuration and switching contributions to the enhanced performance of rainbow actuators

Stress-biased actuators, such as Rainbow and ThunderTM devices, offer enhanced displacement performance compared to unimorph and bimorph actuators. Quantifying the relative contributions of mechanics (layer thickness ratio) versus stress effects on actuator performance has proven difficult. In this paper, the importance of domain switching and altered domain configuration on actuator performance is considered. X-ray diffraction has been used to characterize the initial domain configuration in the surface region of the actuators, as well as the domain switching characteristics of the devices under moderate electric fields. Samples with different reduced layer thicknesses were fabricated to alter device stress state, and consequently, domain configuration and switching characteristics. Compared to poled polycrystalline ceramics of the same composition, Rainbow actuators display a slightly higher a-domain population in the surface region of the devices. Interestingly, despite the presence of comparatively large lateral tensile stresses in this region of the device, x-ray diffraction indicates these devices also display greater 90 degree(s) (a- to c-domain) switching, which contributes to the large displacement responses that are observed. The contribution of stress to the enhanced performance of Rainbow and ThunderTM devices is, thus, more accurately described as arising from a change in the initial domain configuration together with minimal suppression in the switching response under high lateral tensile stresses, rather than simply a stress-enhancement of domain switching. The effects of stress on the initial domain configuration and switching response were quantified to define the specific role of stress on the electromechanical response of the devices.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Malnutrition significantly prolongs the delay in gastric emptying in rats

Abstract Metabolic effects of chronic starvation and malnutrition have been well characterized. Studies on the effects of malnutrition on the gastric emptying process are, however, sparse. To investigate the effect of malnutrition on gastric emptying, young, growing rats were subjected to a 65% energy restriction (fed 35% of ad libitum energy intake) for 4 weeks and their growth rate and gastric emptying time were compared with those of well nourished rats. Gastric emptying was denoted by the half-maximal emptying time (T 1/2 ) of either water or a 3 Kcal meal; water or meal was mixed with Tc99m-Sn-DTPA to determine T 1/2 by gastric scintigraphy method in conscious rats. Malnourished rats exhibited a depressed growth rate (0.6±0.1 g/day) when compared with that of free-feeding rats (4.0±0.3 g/day). The T 1/2 values for either water or 3 Kcal meal were significantly higher in malnourished rats when compared with those obtained with normal rats. This suggests that malnutrition significantly prolongs gastric emptying. The gastric emptying profile in rats switched from energy restriction to free-feeding regimen was similar to that of normal rats. This further emphasizes the role of nutrition in the regulation of gastric emptying.
Ooid fabric and fracture in the Great Salt Lake and the geologic record

ABSTRACT Great Salt Lake ooids consist of a nucleus grain coated by layers of aragonite nannograins and minor impurities. Most nannograins are elongate parallel to their c-axis and individual layers are composed of grains which are tangentially, normally (radially) or randomly oriented with respect to the ooid surface. This orientation may be determined petrographically or with a scanning electron microscope. Evidence from the Great Salt Lake and other ooid-forming environments that relates ooid-forming processes to ooid structure generally falls into three categories: 1) randomly oriented aragonite and organic influences; 2) tangentially oriented aragonite and the role of agitation; and 3) radially oriented aragonite and "normal" crystal growth. Living microorganisms play a destructive, not constructive role in ooid growth and are not present in most Great Salt Lake ooids. Organic matter in both marine and Great Salt Lake ooids may play an important role as an adhesive during cortex accretion. Although the general physical conditions of ooid formation are known, detailed knowledge of the mechanism of ooid growth is lacking. Few hypotheses account for the tangential orientation of nannograins in the ooid cortex and those that do evoke a modification of Sorby's "snowball" hypothesis. Some "snowballing" of Great Salt Lake ooids is indicated by clays in the ooids, which match the detrital clays in the lake. Radial grains in Great Salt Lake ooids range in length from 1 to 100 microns. They display petrographic relationships that are ambiguous relative to their origin, but a magnesium-rich zone around large radial grains suggests these result from an early reorganization of a precursory material. Large radial grains are interpreted as secondary features, albeit syndepositional. These grains are the result of recrystallization only if the postulated earlier precipitate was calcium carbonate. Ooids with large-scale radial fabric, like those of the Great Salt Lake, are characteristic of hypersaline and freshwater environments. The radial fabric renders Great Salt Lake ooids weaker than tangential Bahamian-type ooids of the same size and shape. This produces broken ooids in Great Salt Lake ooid sands. Syndepositionally broken ooids are associated with several evaporitic ancient oolites but are very rare in normal marine oolites. Broken ooids are considered significant indicators of unusual salinity if they comprise more than 1% of the grains in an oolite.
High-speed routers design using data stream distributor unit

As the line rates standards are changing frequently to provide higher bit rates, the routers design has become very challenging due to the need for new wire-speed router's network processor (NP) unit. Typically, designing new NPs could take a long time and is very costly. In this work, we are presenting a new approach in high-speed routers design. Our approach is to use a data stream distributor (or DSD) to split the high bit rate line to few lower rate lines. These low rate lines will be processed by existing NPs that are already in use with today routers that are designed to support such low line rates. Such approach will allow the developing of routers in a short time and at a low cost. Clearly, there are many design challenges associated with this approach of routers design such as load balancing, buffer managing, and traffic distribution. This paper discusses the concept, advantages, and the architecture of the DSD approach. Also, we highlight the implementation of the DSD chip design using a Virtex Xilinx System-On-Chip (SOC) and specifically the Virtex XCV 150 chip. The cycle's accurate simulation has shown that the designed DSD chip is capable of splitting a 2.5 Gb/s line rate to four low bit rate lines of 622 Mb/s. The chip has 118,065 gates and runs at 70MHz.
The US preexposure phenomenon in the conditioned suppression paradigm: A role for conditioned situational stimuli☆

Abstract Four experiments evaluated possible associative and nonassociative accounts of the retardation in the acquisition of conditioned suppression produced by repeated prior exposure to an electric shock US. Associative interference resulting from conditioning of situational stimuli during preexposure to shock was suggested by the findings that signaling the occurrence of high-intensity shock with a discrete nontarget CS during the preexposure phase reduced the magnitude of the retardation effect compared to an unsignaled shock preexposure treatment (Experiments 1 and 4), nonreinforced presentations of putatively conditioned situational stimuli prior to conditioned suppression training reduced the magnitude of the retardation effect (Experiment 2), and the magnitude of the retardation effect was directly related to the intensity of preexposure shock (Experiment 3). Nonassociative interference was suggested by the finding that signaling the occurrence of low-intensity shock with a discrete nontarget CS during the preexposure phase did not reduce the magnitude of the retardation effect compared to an unsignaled shock preexposure treatment (Experiment 4). It was suggested that associative and nonassociative mechanisms govern the US preexposure phenomenon obtained in the conditioned suppression paradigm, and their relative contribution depends upon the intensity of shock.
Renal pathogenesis of familial hyperuricemia: studies in two kindreds.

Summary: The pathogenesis of familial hyperuricemia has been investigated in two kindreds in whom hyperuricemia was present in members of successive generations. Enzymatic and metabolic studies, including the incorporation of isotopically labeled glycine into urinary uric acid and assessment of the total excretion of oxypurines in one family, excluded a metabolic etiology. No secondary cause of hyperuricemia was identified in either family. Fractional excretion of uric acid was less than 6.2% in all hyperuricemic individuals studied, while creatinine clearances were normal. Tubular secretion of uric acid and tubular reabsorption of uric acid were studied in an affected teenager from each family while receiving a purine-free diet. Inhibition of secretion of uric acid with pyrazinamide decreased fractional excretion of uric acid to 0.6% in patient S and to 0.7% in patient B. Tubular secretion of uric acid at maximal response to pyrazinamide in these patients was 0.393 and 0.410 mg/dl glomerular filtration rate (nl response 0.300 to 1.30 mg/min/100 ml inulin clearance). Probenecid, an inhibitor of uric acid reabsorption, increased uric acid excretion by 3.9 rag/min and by 3.2 mg/min (nl response 1.7 ± 03 mg/min) in patients S and B. Tubular reabsorption of uric acid distal to secretory sites was determined by assessing the uricosuric response to probenecid plus pyrazinamide. Uric acid excretion increased by only 0.08 mg/min in patient A and by 0.17 mg/min in patient B (nl response 0.9 mg/min). Ascorbic acid increased fractional excretion of uric acid by 7.2% in patient S but was not uricosuric in patient B or any hyperuricemic member of his family. These data suggest that hyperuricemia in these families is due to diminished renal clearance of uric acid and that the reduced clearance is due to increased tubular reabsorption of uric acid distal to secretory sites. Speculation: The pathogenetic mechanism in individuals with familial hyperuricemia may differ from patients with sporadic gout. In some families, hyperuricemia may be due to increased tubular reabsorption of uric acid distal to secretory sites in the nephron. Such patients might benefit from judicious therapy with agents which inhibit tubular urate reabsorption.
TRIAD II: do living wills have an impact on pre-hospital lifesaving care?

Background: Living wills accompany patients who present for emergent care. To the best of our knowledge, no studies assess pre-hospital provider interpretations of these instructions. Objectives: Determine how a living will is interpreted and assess how interpretation impacts lifesaving care. Design setting: Three-part survey administered at a regional emergency medical system educational symposium to 150 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics. Part I assessed understanding of the living will and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. Part II assessed the living will's impact in clinical situations of patients requiring lifesaving interventions. Part III was similar to part II except a code status designation (full code) was incorporated into the living will. Results: There were 127 surveys completed, yielding an 87% response rate. The majority were male (55%) and EMTs (74%). The average age was 44 years and the average duration of employment was 15 years. Ninety percent (95% confidence interval [CI] 84.6–95.4%) of respondents determined that, after review of the living will, the patient's code status was DNR, and 92% (95% CI 86.5–96.6%) defined their understanding of DNR as comfort care/end-of-life care. When the living will was applied to clinical situations, it resulted in a higher proportion of patients being classified as DNR as opposed to full code (Case A 78% [95% CI 71.2–85.6%] vs. 22% [95% CI 14.4–28.8%], respectively; Case B 67% [95% CI 58.4–74.9%] vs. 33% [95% CI 25.1–1.6%], respectively; Case C 63% [95% CI 55.1–71.9%] vs. 37% [95% CI 28.1–44.9%]), respectively. With the scenarios presented, this DNR classification resulted in a lack of or a delay in lifesaving interventions. Incorporating a code status into the living will produced statistically significant increases in the provision of lifesaving care. In Case A, intubation increased from 15% to 56% (p < 0.0001); Case B, defibrillation increased from 40% to 59% (p < 0.0001); and Case C, defibrillation increased from 36% to 65% (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Significant confusion and concern for patient safety exists in the pre-hospital setting due to the understanding and implementation of living wills and DNR orders. This confusion can be corrected by implementing clearly defined code status into the living will.
ADRENAL GLANDS IN VITAMIN E DEFICIENCY: IN VITRO CORTICOID SYNTHESIS BY QUARTERED ADRENAL GLANDS OF RATS DEPRIVED OF VITAMIN E.

RECENT investigations in this laboratory have indicated an inhibition of corticosterone synthesis in quartered adrenal glands from vitamin E-deficient rats1. It was also found that adrenal homogenates of the deficient rats, when properly diluted, undergo in vitro lipid peroxidation and formation of malonaldehyde, as determined by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test, more readily than any other organ tested1,2. However, when incubated adrenal quarters instead of homogenates were assayed for lipid peroxidation by the TBA method, there was very little net production of malonaldehyde, but significant inhibition in corticoid synthesis occurred in the quartered adrenals of vitamin E-deficient rats. This is in contrast to other enzymatic inhibitions which have been demonstrated in vitamin E-deficient rats and shown to be associated with the process of in vitro lipid peroxidation3,4. The various investigations and aspects of in vitro lipid peroxidation in adrenal homogenates of vitamin E-deficient rats will be reported separately. This communication reports preliminary data obtained on corticoid synthesis by the quartered adrenal glands of vitamin E-deficient and sufficient rats.
Silicone breast implants and autoimmunity: Causation, association, or myth?

In vivo and in vitro studies, case reports and population studies show that: (1) silicone is immunogenic; (2) silicone is biodegradable and transported via the reticuloendothelial system to distant locations; (3) silicone breast implants "leak" and in turn silicone migrates outside the breast tissue; (4) case reports and population studies document an autoimmune reaction and immunological dysfunction in patients with silicone breast implants; (5) these immunological abnormalities and symptoms are reversible upon removal of the breast implants (in 50-70% of cases). The criteria to establish medical causation are defined, and based on those criteria it is concluded that silicone breast implants cause immunological disease.
The contributions of self-efficacy, trait anxiety, and fear of falling to physical activity behavior among residents of continuing care retirement communities

Self-efficacy for exercise has been shown to be an independent predictor of physical activity (PA) in community dwelling older adults. There is relatively little known, however, regarding the strength and independence of the relationship between self-efficacy and objectively measured PA among residents of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). We examined the independent contribution of self-efficacy on PA behavior and assessed whether the explanation of variance in PA behavior was incrementally improved by considering trait anxiety and fear of falling as theoretical impediments to PA. Fifty-two men and women (83.5±5 yrs) residing in one of four CCRCs in metro Milwaukee wore an accelerometer on their ankle for 7 days to measure number of steps per day, the percentage of time spent active and inactive, and moderate and high intensity PA. Self-efficacy for exercise, self-efficacy for overcoming barriers to exercise, trait anxiety, and fear of falling were assessed. Multiple linear regression was utilized to examine the independently explained variance in PA. Exercise self-efficacy significantly and independently explained 13.4% of the variance in number of steps/day (P<0.05). The explanation of variance in moderate intensity activity was incrementally improved when trait anxiety was factored into the model. Overcoming barriers self-efficacy was significantly related to time spent in high intensity activity (r=0.30, P<0.05), but did not significantly and independently explain variance in high intensity PA behavior. Trait anxiety and fear of falling were not identified as significant impediments to PA in CCRC residents. Furthermore, trait anxiety was shown to facilitate, not impede, moderate intensity PA. Self-efficacy for physical activity may serve as a representative target for interventions aimed at increasing physical activity in CCRC residents.
Three‐dimensional spherical models of layered and whole mantle convection

We present numerical calculations of three-dimensional spherical shell thermal convection for constant viscosity and stratified viscosity models of whole-layer and two-layer mantle convection. These four examples are intended to provide theoretical guidance for determining the style of convection that is occurring in Earth's mantle. An impermeable interface between the upper and lower convecting shells in the two-layer solutions is placed at a depth of 670 km to coincide with the mantle seismic discontinuity that divides the upper and lower mantle. The interface results in an internal thermal boundary layer that raises the mean temperature in the lower shell by about 1400 K compared to the whole-layer solutions. The patterns of convection in the upper part of the whole-layer solutions are dominated by narrow arcuate sheetlike downflows in a background of weak upflow. In contrast, the upper shells of the two-layer solutions have complicated networks of convective rolls with the upflows and downflows having very similar structure. The structure of convection in the lower shells is similar to that in the lower part of the whole-layer solutions. Based on the horizontal structure of subduction zones on Earth's surface and on tomographic images of temperature variations in Earth's mantle, we conclude that the style of convection in Earth's mantle is more like that of the whole-mantle models.
Determination of the α-Tocopherol Inhibition Rate Constant for Peroxidation in Low-Density Lipoprotein

This work reports an estimate of the inhibition rate constant (k(inh)) for alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TOH) in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) based on cholesteryl linoleate hydroperoxide products formed during autoxidation of intact lipoproteins. The ratio of cis,trans/trans,trans product hydroperoxides was determined during the consumption of the antioxidant. For a reasonable determination of k(inh) in LDL, the pro-oxidant behavior of alpha-TOH was minimized by oxidizing LDL with an unsymmetrical amphiphilic azo initiator which significantly reduces phase-transfer mediated pro-oxidant effects of alpha-TOH. This initiator delivers a more constant flux of initiator radicals into LDL lipid regions and permits determination of alpha-TOH k(inh) in LDL. Development of a tocopherol-mediated peroxidation (TMP) model and analysis of cholesteryl linoleate hydroperoxide cis,trans/trans,trans product ratios provided an estimated value for the inhibition rate constant of alpha-TOH in a lipoprotein of k(inh) = 5.9 +/- 0.5 x 10(5) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)
Thermochemical Investigations of Hydrogen-Bonded Solutions. Part 13. Prediction of Pyrene Solubilities in Binary Alcohol+Alcohol Solvent Mixtures Using Alcohol-Specific Mobile Order Theory Stability Constants

Abstract Experimental solubilities are reported for pyrene dissolved in six binary mixtures containing 2-methyl-1-pentanol with 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol and 1-octanol at 26°C. Results of these measurements, along with previously published solubility data for pyrene in binary alcohol+alcohol solvent mixtures, are used to test the limitations and applications of expressions derived from Mobile Order theory and the Kretschmer-Wiebe association model. Alcohol-specific Mobile Order theory association constants are calculated from vapor-liquid equilibrium data for binary alkane+alcohol solvent mixtures, and used in the solubility predictions. For the 42 different systems considered, both models provided very accurate predictions of the pyrene solubilities, with an overall average absolute deviation between measured and calculated values being 2.0% and 1.6% for Mobile Order theory and the Kretschmer-Wiebe association model, respectively.
Solid-phase antigen binding by purified immunoproteins from antigen-specific monoclonal T cell hybridomas.

We have developed two distinct solid-phase immunoassays for the detection of antigen binding activity by products of antigen binding T cell hybridomas in the absence of MHC. Two suppressor T cell hybridomas studied (34s-18 and 34s-704) are specific for keyhole limpet hemocyanin, a protein antigen, and the other suppressor T cell hybridoma (51H7D) binds specifically to the arsonate hapten. We have adapted these hybridomas to growth in serum-free medium and have isolated molecules with antigen binding activity both from the cell membranes and from the culture fluid in which the cells had been grown. The antigen binding molecules (ABM) produced by the KLH-specific hybridomas bound best to native hemocyanin; binding was decreased when KLH was denatured by reduction and alkylation and no binding was found to an arthropod (Limulus) hemocyanin. The arsonate binding hybridoma, on the other hand, produced molecules specific for this hapten; they showed no capacity to bind KLH. The antigen binding molecules affinity-purified from all three T hybridomas have intact masses of either 145,000, 67,000 or 48,000 when run in SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions. Following reduction, ABM resolve in SDS-PAGE into a complex of polypeptide chains having apparent masses of 65,000, 56,000 and 49,000, with either a pair of bands at 26,000 and 22,000, or with a single band at 32,000, which is consistent with the size of translation products of mRNA previously isolated from these hybridomas. Two of the hybridomas, 34s-18 and 34s-704, used for isolation of antigen binding products in this study, were previously reported to lack detectable rearranged γ or β genes and therefore to lack expression of the α/β or γ/δ heterodimers. The antigen binding molecules react in solid-phase immunoassay with some antibodies specific for variable (first framework) region and joining (J) region peptide sequences predicted from T cell receptor gene sequence. Furthermore, the affinity-purified antigen binding molecules from mouse T cell hybridomas cross-react in ELISA with goat anti-rabbit IgG and not with protein G, thus allowing the use of these commercially available reagents in standard laboratory assays. Interestingly, ABM anchored in intact cell membranes, which could be shown to specifically bind antigen, did not cross-react with goat anti-rabbit IgG, indicating that the cross-reactive moiety is not detectable when the ABM are in this situation. These immunoproteins can bind antigen directly, and our present evidence indicates that they are distinct from classical immunoglobulins and may not comprise the CD3 associated heterodimers, i.e. proteins of known T cell antigen-MHC receptors.
Visualization using rational morphology and zonal magnitude reduction

Morphological filters are investigated and employed for detecting and visualizing objects within an image. The techniques developed here will be employed on NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) satellite data products for the purpose of anomaly detection. Previous efforts have shown the phase information in the spectral domain to be more significant than the magnitude information in representing the location of objects in an image. The magnitude information does provide some useful information for object location, but it is also sensitive to image illumination, blurring, and magnification variations, all of which influence the performance of object detection algorithms. Magnitude reduction techniques in the spectral domain can dramatically improve subsequent object detection methods by causing them to rely less on the magnitude and more on the phase information of the image. However, magnitude reduction enhances the high-frequency noise within an image, often causing unwanted noise to be interpreted as image objects. We propose three new techniques for improved object detection and noise reduction. Our first method employs varying magnitude reductions within radially concentric zones, using increasingly greater reductions in higher frequency zones. By employing this zonal magnitude- reduction technique, we manage to attenuate the high-frequency noise component while still maintaining the improved visualization performance of the magnitude reduction method. Our second technique operates by utilizing several magnitude reductions of varying scale, performing object detection on each magnitude-reduced image, and combining the results for improved accuracy. This result-averaging method allows us to further reduce our false-alarm rate from high-frequency noise while increasing visualization performance. Our third method is a new technique which is based on the ratios of morphological filters. By combining classical morphological filters in this way, we are able to produce more robust results which can yield useful information as to the location of image objects.
Characterization of mannosyl transferases during the pupal instar of Stomoxys calcitrans (L)

Particulate fractions (10,000g) from pupae of Stomoxys calcitrans transfer [14C]-mannose from GDP-[14C]-mannose to dolichol monophosphate and proteins. Production of the mannosyl lipid was inhibited by Mn2+, UDP, GMP, GDP, and EDTA. The insect growth regulator diflubenzuron had no effect on mannosyl transferase activity. Dolichol monophosphate and Mg2+ stimulated mannosyl transferase activity. The mannosyl lipid product was identified as mannosyl-phosphoryl-dolichol (Man-P-Dol). The apparent Km and Vmax values for the formation of Man-P-Dol using GDP-[14C]-Man while holding dolichol phosphate constant were 2.4 ± 0.9 μM and 9.4 ± 2.3 pmol Man-P-Dol·min−1·mg−1 protein, respectively. The apparent Km and Vmax values using dolichol phosphate while holding GDP-Man constant were 2.2 ± 1.2 μM and 18.5 ± 1.7 pmol Man-P-Dol·min−1·mg−1 protein.
An iterative calculation of eddy-current responses due to three-dimensional defects

An iterative technique utilizing a volume integral formulation and a stationary expression for the eddy-current response is discussed and applied to defects of spherical and cylindrical geometry in a conducting half-space. The computations converge in one to four iterations and give known results for small spherical defects. The technique is computationally stable and will efficiently handle defect dimensions at least up to several skin depths. The air-metal interface is considered by means of image theory.
Compromised Structure and Function of HDAC8 Mutants Identified in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Spectrum Disorders.

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is a multiple congenital anomaly disorder resulting from mutations in genes that encode the core components of the cohesin complex, SMC1A, SMC3, and RAD21, or two of its regulatory proteins, NIPBL and HDAC8. HDAC8 is the human SMC3 lysine deacetylase required for cohesin recycling in the cell cycle. To date, 16 different missense mutations in HDAC8 have recently been identified in children diagnosed with CdLS. To understand the molecular effects of these mutations in causing CdLS and overlapping phenotypes, we have fully characterized the structure and function of five HDAC8 mutants: C153F, A188T, I243N, T311M, and H334R. X-ray crystal structures reveal that each mutation causes local structural changes that compromise catalysis and/or thermostability. For example, the C153F mutation triggers conformational changes that block acetate product release channels, resulting in only 2% residual catalytic activity. In contrast, the H334R mutation causes structural changes in a p...
The roles of membrane estrogen receptor subtypes in modulating dopamine transporters in PC-12 cells

The effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) on dopamine (DA) transport could explain gender and life-stage differences in the incidence of some neurological disorders. We tested the effects of E2 at physiological concentrations on DA efflux in nerve growth factor-differentiated rat pheochromocytoma cells that express estrogen receptors (ER) α, ERβ, and G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPR30), and DA transporter (DAT). DAT efflux was determined as the transporter-specific loss of 3H-DA from pre-loaded cells; a 9–15 min 10−9 M E2 treatment caused maximal DA efflux. Such rapid estrogenic action suggests a non-genomic response, and an E2-dendrimer conjugate (limited to non-nuclear actions) caused DA efflux within 5 min. Efflux dose–responses for E2 were non-monotonic, also characteristic of non-genomic estrogenic actions. ERα siRNA knockdown abolished E2-mediated DA efflux, while ERβ knockdown did not, and GPR30 knockdown increased E2-mediated DA efflux (suggesting GPR30 is inhibitory). Use of ER-selective agonists/antagonists demonstrated that ERα is the predominant mediator of E2-mediated DA efflux, with inhibitory contributions from GPR30 and ERβ. E2 also caused trafficking of ERα to the plasma membrane, trafficking of ERβ away from the plasma membrane, and unchanged membrane GPR30 levels. Therefore, ERα is largely responsible for non-genomic estrogenic effects on DAT activity.
Feasibility of Using Intelligent Video for Machine Safety Applications

Researchers at the national institute for occupational safety and health (NIOSH) are studying methods to prevent workers from being entangled in machinery used at mining operations. An analysis of mining accidents in the United States that resulted in a fatality or permanent disability from 2000 through 2005 showed 438 severe incidents that involved contact with machinery or equipment, an average of 73 per year. Researchers determined that the most common machinery involved in these severe accidents was conveyors. Also, a significant portion of the accidents occurred during machine maintenance and repair. Researchers are focusing on improved methods to prevent unintentional machine startup during maintenance activity and methods to detect workers near moving machine components. One new technology that shows promise for this application is intelligent video. Popular in the surveillance and security industries, these systems use cameras and computerized video analysis techniques to automatically detect the presence of people in preset zones within the camera's field of view. A preliminary study has been initiated to determine if this technology could reliably detect the presence of workers in hazardous locations near machinery. Possible advantages of the use of this technology include improved detection zone demarcation and improved ability to distinguish between hazardous and non-hazardous proximity, compared to conventional proximity sensor techniques. Initial tests to detect a person near a conveyor system in daylight conditions showed promising results. A description of the technology, test procedures and results, implementation challenges, and future research needs are discussed.
Re-engineering option analysis for managing software rejuvenation

Abstract Adoption of any unfamiliar technology entails an increased risk relative to the use of established well-understood technologies. Hence, the use of OOT on a project increases the probability of failure. The paper discusses the Re-engineering Option Analysis when Object-Oriented Technology is the major concern. Our model refines Boehm's Ada-COCOMO based on the study of 23 re-engineered projects.
Producing Descent/Dissent: Clement of Alexandria's Use of Filial Metaphors as Intra-Christian Polemic *

n the second century, Christians vied with each other to produce an authoritative discourse on Christian identity. Some early Christians deployed historicallyand culturally-specific notions of procreation and kinship in their struggles with each other over claims to represent the truth of Christian biblical interpretation, practices, and doctrine.' The extant writings of the late second-century Christian author Clement of Alexandria offer a generous range of contexts for exploring the nuances of this practice. This study comprises one facet of a larger investigation into early Christian use
Teaching wireless networking with limited resources

The rapid growth of wireless communications services and networks has led departments to consider offering elective courses on the topic. Textbooks exist that can help support such a course, but providing students with hands-on wireless networking experience can be difficult and expensive.We present the outline of a wireless networking course that can be offered with minimal resources, and describe our experiences using the approach. The students who took the initial offering of the course gained hands-on experience with wireless networking, did traditional sockets programming, and acquired the theoretical foundations of both traditional and wireless networking.Students implement a simplified IEEE 802.11 Wireless Ethernet MAC layer as a course project. In our case, the implementations took advantage of the Cybiko, a $50 wireless handheld computer targeted at teenagers. Our materials are currently being ported to other platforms, including Bluetooth-enabled Palms and networks of workstations. The latter platform will allow this project to be conducted without any special resources.
Using giant scarlet runner bean embryos to uncover regulatory networks controlling suspensor gene activity

One of the major unsolved issues in plant development is understanding the regulatory networks that control the differential gene activity that is required for the specification and development of the two major embryonic regions, the embryo proper and suspensor. Historically, the giant embryo of scarlet runner bean (SRB), Phaseolus coccineus, has been used as a model system to investigate the physiological events that occur early in embryogenesis – focusing on the question of what role the suspensor region plays. A major feature distinguishing SRB embryos from those of other plants is a highly enlarged suspensor containing at least 200 cells that synthesize growth regulators required for subsequent embryonic development. Recent studies have exploited the giant size of the SRB embryo to micro-dissect the embryo proper and suspensor regions in order to use genomics-based approaches to identify regulatory genes that may be involved in controlling suspensor and embryo proper differentiation, as well as the cellular processes that may be unique to each embryonic region. Here we review the current genomics resources that make SRB embryos a compelling model system for studying the early events required to program embryo development.