cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Best subset selection is robust against design dependence

Best subset selection (BSS) is widely known as the holy grail for high-dimensional variable selection. Nevertheless, the notorious NP-hardness of BSS substantially restricts its practical application and also discourages its theoretical development to some extent, particularly in the current era of big data. In this paper, we investigate the variable selection properties of BSS when its target sparsity is greater than or equal to the true sparsity. Our main message is that BSS is robust against design dependence in terms of achieving model consistency and sure screening, and more importantly, that such robustness can be propagated to the near best subsets that are computationally tangible. Specifically, we introduce an identifiability margin condition that is free of restricted eigenvalues and show that it is sufficient and nearly necessary for BSS to exactly recover the true model. A relaxed version of this condition is also sufficient for BSS to achieve the sure screening property. Moreover, taking optimization error into account, we find that all the established statistical properties for the exact best subset carry over to any near best subset whose residual sum of squares is close enough to that of the best one. In particular, a two-stage fully corrective iterative hard thresholding (IHT) algorithm can provably find a sparse sure screening subset within logarithmic steps; another round of exact BSS within this set can recover the true model. The simulation studies and real data examples show that IHT yields lower false discovery rates and higher true positive rates than the competing approaches including LASSO, SCAD and Sure Independence Screening (SIS), especially under highly correlated design.
Cotranslational and Posttranslational Proteolytic Processing of Preprosomatostatin-I and Preprosomatostatin-II in Intact Islet Tissue

Somatostatin-14 (SS-14) and somatostatin-28 (SS-28) are synthesized as part of a larger precursor, prosomatostatin. This has been demonstrated by results from experiments employing pulse-chase incubations or chemical characterization of products from intact tissue (1–9).
Dynamic Modelling and Optimal Design of the Solid-Phase Reactive Chromatographic Separation System for Biomass Saccharification via Acid Hydrolysis

Abstract A dynamic model of the progressing batch reactor as part of the solid-phase reactive chromatographic separation system is presented. The biomass filling and emptying steps in reactor system for two designs are proposed where each operating step is divided into two sub-steps including the transfer period and production period. The operating parameters for the progressing batch reactor with these sub-steps can be estimated from the countercurrent reactor model. The performance of the progressing batch reactor can be predicted from that of the countercurrent reactor model. A minor difference in the sugar yield was found due to the dynamics which cannot be accounted for in the countercurrent model. The proposed filling and emptying steps with the estimated operating parameters from countercurrent reactor can be used as an approximation to optimize the overall solid-phase reactive chromatographic separation system.
An Expensive Pig in a Poke: Estimating the Costs of the District Court's Proposed Breakup of Microsoft

This paper analyzes some consequences of the district courts proposed remedy. Due to changes in pricing strategies and/or the double marginalization problem, prices for operating systems and applications are likely to rise. I estimate what these extra costs to consumers might be. My best guess (actually quite conservative) is $120 billion worldwide over 3 years, although it could be over $300 billion. I also note that the remedy decreases competition in several important markets, including high end servers and game consoles. The paper also includes an analysis of how the remedy is likely to be interpreted.
Strategies and Activities for Initiating and Maintaining Pressure on Students' Naive Views Concerning the Nature of Science

Many science teachers devote a portion of their course to improving students' understanding of the nature of science. However, despite a one- or two-week effort, students often cling to their misconceptions. This tenacity is not surprising in light of conceptual change theory. How then are teachers to facilitate more contemporary portrayals of the nature of science? The key is to maintain in students a sense of dissatisfaction with their archaic notions of the nature of science. Drawing from my recent six year experience teaching high school biology and chemistry, this paper provides examples of how science teachers might initiate and maintain pressure on students' misconceptions regarding the nature of science, and facilitate student consideration of more contemporary views.
5 RNA Localization and the Cytoskeleton in Drosophila Oocytes

Publisher Summary The cytoskeleton plays an important role in the organization and modeling of a cell's cytoplasm. The importance of subcellular organization is stunningly demonstrated in the oocyte of many animals, where localization of developmental determinants is essential for the earliest events of development. RNA localization is absolutely essential for proper development. An understanding of the interactions required for RNA localization is central to the understanding of the earliest events of development. Thus, a major question in this field is how RNA localization is accomplished. The genetic tractability of Drosophila has made possible the identification of a number of mutations that interfere with the proper localization of specific RNAs. Recent research into the organization of the oocyte cytoskeleton has highlighted the importance of the cytoskeleton in RNA localization events. It is likely that the Drosophila cytoskeleton may participate in the localization of many, if not all, RNAs, and data to support a role for the cytoskeleton in these events are slowly accumulating. Although the evidence complied thus far is circumstantial, it is tantalizing for the glimpse it gives of the potential mechanisms at work. The chapter briefly describes the experiments and results that have led researchers to focus on the role of the cytoskeleton in RNA localization in Drosophila and to propose possible mechanisms for how the cytoskeleton may participate in RNA localization.
Methyl ergonovine (methergine) in the third stage of labor

Abstract Methergine ∗ ∗The Methergine was supplied through the courtesy of Sandoz Pharmaceuticals. (methyl ergonovine) was synthesized from isolysergic acid by Stoll and Hofmann. 1 In 1948 it was made available commercially as Methergine tartrate. Several reports 2–12 attest to the fact that Methergine is a safe drug and valuable in the management of the third stage of labor. Methergine has been used in conjunction with other oxytocic drugs on the Boston Lying-in house service since late in 1952. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of Methergine as an oxytocic in the management of the third stage of labor by comparing a series of cases in which Methergine was used alone to a series of cases in which Pitocin was used in conjunction with Methergine or ergonovine.
Crack initiation and growth during low cycle fatigue of Pb-Sn solder joints

The initiation and growth of fatigue cracks during low-cycle fatigue of Pb-Sn solder joints (60Sn-40Pb and 75Sn-25Pb) in shear at 300 K were followed employing two techniques: (a) surface examination by low-power optical microscopy and (b) liquid N/sub 2/ cracking of fatigued specimens. Cracks 50 to 100 mu m long were first detected by the optical microscopy examination of the specimen surface at the beginning of Stage II of the load drop parameter phi vs. N curve. These cracks then grew as the specimen was cycled further into Stage II. SEM fractographs of fatigued specimens broken after immersion in liquid N/sub 2/ revealed that fatigue cracks initiated mainly at the external surface and at the internal voids and grew by cracking along all three of the common paths: eutectic colony boundaries, grain boundaries, and across the colonies, i.e., a transgranular path. The drop in load which occurred during the fatigue test was established to be proportional to the fatigue cracked area. >
Disparities in Quality of Care among Publicly Insured Adults with Schizophrenia in Four Large U.S. States, 2002–2008

It has been a decade since the Institute of Medicine published its report Unequal Treatment on racial/ethnic disparities in health in the United States (Smedley, Stith, and Nelson 2003). Substantial effort has been devoted to documenting racial/ethnic disparities and understanding their causes. Disparities among people with schizophrenia further burden a severely ill and disabled population whose quality of care is undermined by underuse of evidence-based practices and overuse of low-value or unsupported practices (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2003; Horvitz-Lennon et al. 2009a). Racial/ethnic disparities in schizophrenia care have been documented, but little research exists on Latino-white disparities (Vega et al. 2007). Furthermore, most studies have focused on one or a small number of interventions (Barrio et al. 2003; Kreyenbuhl et al. 2003; Leslie and Rosenheck 2004), and although some evidence exists on longitudinal trends (e.g., Busch et al. 2009) it pertains to earlier time periods. Last, although there is evidence of variations in racial/ethnic disparities in health care across regions (Fisher, Goodman, and Chandra 2008), we are not aware of studies that have investigated geographic variations in disparities in schizophrenia care. These knowledge gaps limit our ability to guide policy and improve clinical practice and outcomes (Zaslavsky and Ayanian 2005). We examined whether a comprehensive measure of quality of mental health care differed for black, Latino, and white Medicaid beneficiaries in four large states that contribute about one-third of all Medicaid beneficiaries. We also examined whether overall quality and disparities in quality changed over time, and whether disparities in quality of care differed among the states. We focused on Medicaid beneficiaries because of the dominant role played by Medicaid as health care payer for people with schizophrenia in the United States (Frank and Glied 2006). We hypothesized that (1) racial/ethnic disparities in quality of care exist in all study states; (2) the size of the disparity varies across the study states; and (3) disparities have not improved meaningfully over time.
INS PstI polymorphism and prostate cancer in African-American men

BACKGROUND Both prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus are common diseases in African-American men. High insulin levels and insulin resistance have been implicated in prostate cancer development, which has prompted a recent investigation of a possible role for germline variation in the insulin gene (INS) and prostate cancer risk. METHODS Four hundred sixty-six African-American men with and without prostate cancer from the Flint Men's Health Study were typed for the INS Pst1 genotype using restriction digest and direct sequencing. An association between the Pst1 genotype and prostate cancer was examined using crude and age-adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS African-American men who were homozygous for the INSPstI CC genotype were 1.59 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer compared to men with the TT or TC genotypes (95% CI = 0.93–2.72). The association appeared stronger among diabetics compared to non-diabetics; however this observation was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our study, taken together with the report of [Ho et al. Br J Cancer 88:263–269, 2003], suggests that the INSPst1 CC genotype is associated with prostate cancer risk in African-American men. Germline variation in the INS gene should be more fully explored in multiethnic studies to elucidate the molecular variant(s) associated with prostate carcinogenesis. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Precocial sexual behaviour in imprinted male turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

Abstract Imprinted male turkeys were isolated from the imprinted surrogate for one week following training. When returned to the surrogate, a significant proportion of the birds exhibited precocial sexual courting only toward the model. This precocial sexual activity occurred in the absence of exogenously administered androgens.
Feasible Bayesian Implementation with State Dependent Feasible Sets

This paper considers feasible Bayesian implementation for an environment with state dependent feasible sets. We assume no externality in individual feasibility constraint sets and no exaggeration on the part of agents, but allow for flexible information structures. Bayesian Incentive Compatibility, Closure, and Bayesian Monotonicity are found to be necessary and sufficient for feasible Bayesian implementation. This result is applied to an exchange economy where agents have fixed preferences but uncertain initial endowments and complete information. A condition called the Endowment Condition, which is weaker than Individual Rationality, is identified as necessary and sufficient for feasible Nash implementation.Journal of Economic LiteratureClassification Numbers: D70; D71; D74; D82.
Prevention of ventricular fibrillation with magnesium sulfate.

Mongrel dogs with healed myocardial infarctions were given a 2 min coronary occlusion during an exercise test. The exercise plus ischemia test induced ventricular fibrillation in nine animals. One week later, the test was repeated after pretreatment with magnesium sulfate (100 mg/kg i.v.). Magnesium prevented ventricular fibrillation in seven of the nine animals without adverse side effects. Thus, magnesium may be useful in the management of ventricular fibrillation during ischemia.
On the stability of scheduling algorithms for network navigation

Wireless navigation networks enable location-awareness in GPS-challenged environments. For such networks, scheduling algorithms are needed to improve the navigation accuracy through measurement pair selections under limited communication resource. In this paper, we develop an analytical framework to determine the location error evolution for different scheduling algorithms and network settings. Under this framework, we provide sufficient conditions for the stability of the location error evolution, and we quantify the time-averaged network location errors (NLEs) for scheduling algorithms with and without exploiting the network states. Furthermore, we show the optimality of the proposed scheduling algorithms in terms of the error scaling with respect to the agent density. These results provide fundamental insights into the effects of scheduling algorithms and network settings on the location error evolution, leading to efficient scheduling algorithms for navigation networks.
Dry Regenerable Metal Oxide Sorbents for SO2 Removal from Flue Gases. 1. Development and Evaluation of Copper Oxide Sorbents

The reactivities of a number of copper-based sorbent prepared by the sol−gel method toward SO2 were determined in a thermogravimetric analyzer as well as a fluid-bed reactor. The copper content of these sorbents ranged from 11.2 to 26.5%. The highest sorbent capacity was achieved with sorbent with copper content of 14.1%. All these sorbents have significantly higher mechanical strength than commercially available copper-based sorbents and commercial fluid catalytic cracking catalysts (i.e., 5−8 times higher), making them suitable for fluidized-bed applications. The reactivity of the sorbent increases with increasing temperature up to 450 °C, and starts to decrease significantly beyond 500 °C, possibly due to sintering of the sorbent. Although these sorbents can be readily and completely regenerated with natural gas, the overall sulfur capacity of the sorbents gradually decreases in the cyclic operation and appears to stabilize after about 20 cycles, making them suitable for regenerative flue gas desulfuri...
Screening for Depression in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease (Data from the Heart and Soul Study)

Major depression is associated with adverse outcomes in patients who have coronary heart disease. How best to identify depression in busy cardiology practices is unknown. We compared the test characteristics of 4 depression screening instruments with an interview diagnosis of depression (Diagnostic Interview Schedule) in 1,024 outpatients who had coronary heart disease. Screening instruments were the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and a simple 2-item instrument that asks (1) “During the past month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?” and (2) “During the past month, have you often been bothered by little interest or pleasure in doing things?” Of the 1,024 participants, 224 (22%) had major depression based on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves were similar for all instruments (range 0.84 to 0.87). In conclusion, a positive response to 1 of the 2 items was 90% sensitive and 69% specific for depression, with a negative likelihood ratio of 0.14. Thus, negative responses to the 2 items effectively ruled out depression. A score ≥10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was 54% sensitive and 90% specific, with a positive likelihood ratio of 5.4. Thus, a cutpoint ≥10 was virtually diagnostic for depression.
Determination of Rate Coefficients for Reactions of Formaldehyde Pyrolysis and Oxidation in the Gas Phase

Seven mixtures of formaldehyde and oxygen diluted in argon were studied behind reflected shock waves at temperatures from 1340 to 2270 K and pressures from 0.7 to 2.5 atm. Mixture compositions covered a range from pure pyrolysis to lean oxidation at a stoichiometric ratio of 0.17. The progress of reaction was monitored by laser absorption of CO molecules. Experimental rates of CO formation were found to be 80% higher, in the case of pyrolysis, and 30% lower, under lean oxidation, than those predicted by the current reaction model, GRI-Mech 1.2. The collected experimental data were subjected to extensive detailed chemical kinetics analysis, including optimization with the solution mapping technique. The analysis identified a strong correlation between two rate constants. Assuming a recent literature expression for one of them produced k-1a = 2.66 × 1024T-2.57e-215/T cm6 mol-2 s-1 for the reaction H + HCO + M → CH2O + M. A new expression was developed for the reaction HO2 + CH2O → HCO + H2O2, k6 = 4.11 × 10...
Noradrenergic modulation of epileptiform activity in the hippocampus

Abstract Norepinephrine has been proposed to have both pro- and anticonvulsant properties. In the CA3 region of rat hippocampal slices, we studied the effects of norepinephrine and selective adrenergic agonists and antagonists on spontaneously occurring epileptiform discharge:; produced by either picrotoxin, a convulsant that impairs GABA A - mediated inhibition, or by elevated extracellular potassium ([K + ] 0 ). Bath application of 5 μM norepinephrine (NE) increased the rate of discharges produced by 7.5 mM [K + ] 0 but not the rate of picrotoxin-induced discharges. At higher concentrations (⩾ 10 μM), NE slowed the rate of spontaneous epileptiform discharges produced by picrotoxin. Spontaneous discharges produced by either picrotoxin or 7.5 mM [K + ] 0 were slowed or stopped by α-adrenergic receptor activation, the α 1 receptor being most responsible for this slowing effect. The α 2 agonist clonidine had minimal effects on the discharge rate; however, the α 2 antagonists yohimbine and idazoxan slowed the rate. In contrast, β receptor or adenylate cyclase activation increased the rate of spontaneous discharges. This acceleration in rate was accompanied by a decrease in the amplitude and duration of the afterhyperpolarization (AHP) that follows the intracellularly recorded paroxysmal depolarizing shift (PDS). These results confirm that β-adrenergic receptor activation increases the rate of epileptiform discharges and suggest that the acceleration is a result of a decrease in the AHP duration and amplitude. Activation of α-adrenergic receptors slowed the rate of epileptiform discharges without an associated change in the AHP. The AHP that follows the PDS helps define the maximal rate of epileptiform discharges in the hippocampal slice and a decrease in the duration of the AHP may contribute to the transition from an interictal to ictal pattern of epileptiform activity.
Astrophysical signals of dark matter annihilation

Abstract Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) may plausibly be the dominant form of matter in the Universe. This form of Dark Matter may lead to a number of distinctive astrophysical signals. WIMP annihilation in the halo of our galaxy may lead to detectable gamma-rays, anti-protons, and/or positrons in the cosmic ray flux. WIMP annihilation may also be catalyzed by capture in the Sun, which could lead to a detectable high energy neutrino flux. I will review the status of these signals, concentrating on gamma-rays and neutrinos. I will also speculate on detector requirements needed to probe a significant fraction of the model builders parameter space.
Chip scale integrated microresonator sensing systems.

Medicine, environmental monitoring, and security are application areas for miniaturized, portable sensing systems. The emerging integration of sensors with other components (electronic, photonic, fluidic) is moving sensing toward higher levels of portability through the realization of self-contained chip scale sensing systems. Planar optical sensors, and in particular, microresonator sensors, are attractive components for chip scale integrated sensing systems because they are small, have high sensitivity, can be surface customized, and can be integrated singly or in arrays in a planar format with other components using conventional semiconductor fabrication technologies. This paper will focus on the progress and prospects for the integration of microresonator sensors at the chip scale with photonic input/output components and with sample preparation microfluidics, toward self-contained, portable sensing systems. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Preservice Competencies for Teachers of Students with Behavior Disorders in a Rural Setting

The purposes of this investigation were to identify and validate competencies for rural teachers of students with behavior disorders. Initial competencies were selected from previous research studies, university special education programs having a rural focus, and verbal feedback from rural teachers of behavior disorders enrolled in graduate courses at a university. A questionnaire composed of the competencies was distributed to 176 teachers who served students with behavior disorders in West Virginia and 6 faculty members who taught courses in behavior disorders. Content validity was determined by comparing judgments regarding the importance of the competencies to the requirements of teaching.
Effect of handling in infancy on responsiveness of adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase in maturity

Female rats that had been handled in infancy or left undisturbed were subjected to electric footshock at 90 days of age and the levels of adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase determined. Animals that had been handled in infancy had lower basal levels of adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase activity but showed greater activity following acute stress. The nonhandled animals had greater enzyme activity prior to stress and also following prolonged stress.
Frequency shift and decay time of radiation in a partially open cavity

Abstract We consider a small Fabry-Perot cavity imbedded in a larger one with perfectly reflecting walls and let the latter approach to infinity to represent the universe. This is a generalization of the Lang-Scully-Lamb model for single-quasimode laser operation in the sense that both mirrors, instead of just one, of the inside cavity are semitransparent. The complete orthonormal set of modes of the universe is obtained. Using these mode functions, we study the leakage of a monochromatic radiation out of the inside cavity and derive the explicit expressions for the frequency shift and the decay time.
The experiences of ataques de nervios: towards an anthropology of emotions in Puerto Rico.

Ataques de nervios are an idiom of distress used by Puerto Ricans and other Latinos to express dislocations in the social world of the family. This paper contributes to the growing study of the “anthropology of the emotions”. Through detailed interviews with 121 people in Puerto Rico, 78 of whom had had anataque de nervios, we are developing a thick description of both the prototypical models forataques de nervios and the varied individual experiences ofataques. The interview used in this study is a version of the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue specifically adapted for use in a community study ofataques de nervios in Puerto Rico. Responses to questions on the experience ofataque de nervios were analyzed using a team of reviewers who represented differing knowledge and experience with Puerto Rican culture and mental health practice. The experience ofataques de nervios involves a loss of control in several important domains of experience: emotional expressions, bodily sensations, action dimensions and alterations in consciousness. That loss of control is closely linked to important social contexts relating to major life problems and the experience of suffering.
Transference of attachment patterns: How important relationships influence feelings toward novel people

This study was designed to examine how working models of attachment are transferred to novel relationships. Two targets were created that resembled either participants’ romantic partner or their parent. A third control target did not share overlapping features with participants’ significant others. Both global and specific working models of attachment influenced how participants perceived new people. The target manipulation also had a main effect on feelings toward the targets: Priming the representation of one’s partner evoked fears of rejection (attachment-related anxiety) and reduced defensiveness (attachment-related avoidance). Furthermore, relative to the control target, participants had a more positive overall attitude toward targets that resembled a partner but did not feel more positively toward targets that resembled a parent.
An ESR study of the active-site conformations of free and immobilized trypsin.

Abstract Trypsin covalently bound to porous glass free trypsin have been spin-labeled with 1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl methylphosphonofluoridate. The active-site conformations are identical whether the enzyme is labeled before or after immobilization. The active-site normality may be determined for immobilized trypsin by the spin-count technique.
Improved moraine age interpretations through explicit matching of geomorphic process models to cosmogenic nuclide measurements from single landforms

The statistical distributions of cosmogenic nuclide measurements from moraine boulders contain previously unused information on moraine ages, and they help determine whether moraine degradation or inheritance is more important on individual moraines. Here, we present a method for extracting this information by fitting geomorphic process models to observed exposure ages from single moraines. We also apply this method to 94 10Be apparent exposure ages from 11 moraines reported in four published studies. Our models represent 10Be accumulation in boulders that are exhumed over time by slope processes (moraine degradation), and the delivery of boulders with preexisting 10Be inventories to moraines (inheritance). For now, we neglect boulder erosion and snow cover, which are likely second-order processes. Given a highly scattered data set, we establish which model yields the better fit to the data, and estimate the age of the moraine from the better model fit. The process represented by the better-fitting model is probably responsible for most of the scatter among the apparent ages. Our methods should help resolve controversies in exposure dating; we reexamine the conclusions from two published studies based on our model fits.
A quiescent magnetosphere for Neptune

It is argued that, if Neptune has a large magnetic moment, a weak supply of plasma for its magnetosphere, and a magnetic moment that is in near alignment with the planetary spin axis, the Neptunian magnetosphere is almost completely quiescent except for a region near the magnetopause. There are two magnetic power sources: the flowing, magnetized solar wind, and the kinetic energy of planetery spin. It is predicted that Neptune has a magnetic moment of at least 1 G-RN to the 3rd, the sum of ionospheric and Triton injections of plasma into Neptune's magnetosphere is less than 1 kg/sec, and Neptune's dipole is aligned with the spin axis and located close to the center of the planet. The criterion for Neptune to be a quiescent magnetosphere is defined by the expenditure of less than 10 to the 9th Watts from all power sources.
Correlation functionals of infinite volume quantum spin systems

The existence and analyticity of the correlation functionals of a quantum lattice in the infinite volume limit is proved. The result is valid at sufficiently high temperatures and for a large class of interactions. Our method estimates the kernelKφ for a set of Kirkwood-Salzburg equations. While a naive estimate would indicate that ∥Kφ∥=∞, we take into account cancellations between different contributions toKφ in order to show that for sufficiently high temperatures ∥Kφ∥ <1, and this estimate is independent of the volume of the system.
The Fate of the Seminal Vesicle Remnant After Proximal Transection or Ligation: An Animal Model

Purpose: Dissection of the seminal vesicles during radical prostatectomy has the potential to damage the pelvic plexus, thus compromising trigonal, bladder neck and cavernous innervation, and contributing to delayed gain of continence and erectile function. The rate of prostate cancer invasion into the seminal vesicles in currently operated patients is low and in most it may be predicted preoperatively. This situation calls for seminal vesicle sparing radical prostatectomy in select patients, leaving a distal remnant of the seminal vesicles in place. We investigated the fate of the seminal vesicle remnant after proximal transection or ligation in an animal model.Materials and Methods: The right seminal vesicle in 36 anesthetized male rats was divided by suture ligation or by transection. The left seminal vesicle served as a control. Six rats per group were sacrificed 1, 2 and 4 weeks after division, respectively. Seminal vesicle morphology was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically.Results: All rat...
Influence of Iron-Removal Procedures on Sequential Electron Transfer in Photosynthetic Bacterial Reaction Centers Studied by Transient EPR Spectroscopy†

Electron spin polarized electron paramagentic resonance (ESP EPR) spectra were obtained with deuterated iron-removed photosynthetic bacterial reaction centers (RCs) to specifically investigate the effect of the rate of primary charge separation, metal-site occupancy, and H-subunit content on the observed P865+QA- charge-separated state. Fe-removed and Zn-substituted RCs from Rb. sphaeroides R-26 were prepared by refined procedures, and specific electron transfer rates (kQ) from the intermediate acceptor H- to the primary acceptor QA of (200 ps)-1 vs (3-6 ns)-1 were observed. Correlation of the transient EPR and optical results shows that the observed slow kQ rate in Fe-removed RCs is H-subunit-independent, and, in some cases, independent of Fe-site occupancy as Zn2+ substitution does not ensure retention of the native kQ. In addition, shifts in the optical spectrum of P865 and differences in the high-field region of the Q-band ESP spectrum for Fe-removed RCs with slow kQ indicate possible structural changes near P865. The experimental X-band and Q-band spin-polarized EPR spectra for deuterated Fe-removed RCs where kQ is at least 15-fold slower at room temperature than the (200 ps)-1 rate observed for native Fe-containing RCs have different relative amplitudes and small g-value shifts compared to the spectra of Zn-RCs which have a kQ unchanged from native RCs. These differences reflect the trends in polarization predicted from the sequential electron transfer polarization (SETP) model [Morris et al. (1995) J. Phys. Chem. 99, 3854-3866; Tang et al. (1996) Chem. Phys. Lett. 253, 293-298]. Thus, SETP modeling of these highly resolved ESP spectra obtained with well-characterized proteins will provide definitive information about any light-induced structural changes of P865, H, and QA that occur upon formation of the P865+QA- charge-separated state.
WE-A-218-05: Do Weight-Based Pediatric CT Abdomen Protocols Provide Similar Size-Specific Dose Estimates for Similar Patient Effective Diameters?

Purpose: The use of weight‐based acquisition techniques for CT examinations of pediatric patients is a common practice in the imaging community. AAPM Report 204 reported on conversion factors for Size Specific Dose Estimates (SSDE) based on patient effective diameter. This study examines the relationship between the use of weight‐based Pediatric CT abdominal acquisitions at one institution and the resultant SSDE. Methods: A total of 36 Pediatric Abdomen and Pelvis CTs acquired on scanners from 2 different manufacturers at 120 kVp and using fixed tube current based on reported patient weight were analyzed. The fixed tube currents at each weight range were chosen to match CTDIvol (32 cm phantom) across scanners. Effective diameter was established by thresholding the mid‐scan range image to determine patient area and was calculated using eXposureTM from Radimetrics. The area is then converted to a circle of equivalent diameter. SSDE was determined using the effective diameter for each study and the recorded CTDIvol. The eXposureTM software utilized AAPM Report 204 look‐up‐tables (LUTs) of conversion factors and interpolation to determine the correct normalization factor for each study which is then used to scale the CTDIvol to the final SSDE value. Results: Weak correlation was observed between effective diameter and SSDE, with SSDE values varying by as much as a factor of 2 for effective diameters within 0.5 cm. A slight decrease in average SSDE was observed at larger effective diameters. Conclusion:The weight‐based acquisition protocols analyzed in this study do not effectively match patient effective diameter and radiation dose. Technique parameters based on patient effective diameter should provide better dose equivalence for patients of equal cross‐sectional area. Assessment of image quality and the evaluation of acquisition protocols based on diameter will be pursued in the future. The Presenting Author is the PI on a Research Grant funded by Siemens Medical Solutions.
Development of a high-performance capillary isoelectric focusing technique with application to studies of microheterogeneity in chicken conalbumin.

A robust, simple, reproducible isoelectric focusing method using capillary electrophoresis that exhibits high stability, migration time reproducibility and pH linearity over a wide pH gradient was developed. Consecutive runs (over 113 runs) of several proteins and one peptide with isoelectric points (pIs) ranging from 9.45 to 2.75 yielded excellent migration time reproducibility (<2% R.S.D.). Experimental parameters including buffer aging and capillary-to-capillary variation were thoroughly examined and optimized to improve the migration time reproducibility. The capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) method was applied to the analysis of chicken conalbium (ovotransferrin), an iron-binding protein in egg white. Conalbium (low iron content) separated into three major components with pIs of 7.2, 6.6 and 6.2. When the protein was saturated with iron (2 Fe/mol), a shift to lower pIs was detected. Chicken serum transferrin subjected to CIEF gave a pattern similar to conalbium with three pIs of 7.1, 6.6 and 6.1, indicating that it was not fully saturated with iron. Thus, CIEF can be used as a potential analytical method to provide information about the metal-binding properties of specific metalloproteins.
Magnetic resonance characterization of tissue engineered cartilage via changes in relaxation times, diffusion coefficient, and shear modulus.

Abstract The primary goal of this paper is to describe a combined MR relaxation (T(2) and T(1ρ)), diffusion (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and elastography (shear stiffness) method of fully characterizing the development of tissue-engineered cartilage in terms of the changes in its composition, structure, and mechanical properties during tissue growth. Then, we may better use MR-based methodologies to noninvasively monitor and optimize the cartilage tissue engineering process without sacrificing the constructs. This process begins by demonstrating the potential capability of T(2), T(1ρ), ADC, and shear stiffness in characterizing a scaffold-free engineered cartilage. The results show that, in addition to the conventional T(2) and ADC, T(1ρ) and MRE can be used as potential biomarkers to assess the specific changes in proteoglycan content and mechanical properties of engineered cartilage during culture. Moreover, to increase the efficiency of MR characterization, two new methodologies for simultaneous acquisition of diffusion and MRE (dMRE), and T(1ρ) and MRE (T(1ρ)-MRE) are introduced that allow the simultaneous characterization of both biochemical and mechanical properties of engineered cartilage tissue. The feasibilities of dMRE and T(1ρ)-MRE approaches are validated on tissue-mimicking phantoms. The results show good correspondence between simultaneous acquisitions and conventional separate acquisition methods.
Novel base pairing in nucleic acids: CH donor group mediated base pairing involving 3-methyluracil

Abstract 3-Methyluracil (3MU) has previously been shown in transcription and ribosome binding studies conducted in vitro to function like one or more of the canonical bases. Due to the presence of the 3-methyl “blocking group”, it was suggested that 3MU could not base pair with the normal bases. It is now shown that base-pairing trends obtained with a recently force-fit computational method are consistent with previously observed transcription and ribosome binding trends. The present work indicates the “blocked” Watson—Crick donor site on 3MU is capable of mediating recognition interactions occurring in the virtual absence of competition from classical hydrogen-bond donors. Thus the experimental trends are rationalized with base pairs containing one classical hydrogen bond and one non-classical hydrogen bond containing a CH donor group.
URETERAL STENTING AFTER URETEROSCOPY FOR DISTAL URETERAL CALCULI: A MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY ASSESSING PAIN, OUTCOMES AND COMPLICATIONS

Purpose: We compare postoperative pain, stone-free rates and complications after ureteroscopic treatment of distal ureteral calculi with or without the use of ureteral stents.Materials and Methods: A total of 113 patients with distal ureteral calculi amenable to ureteroscopic treatment were prospectively randomized into stented (53) and unstented (60) groups. Stones were managed with semirigid ureteroscopes with or without distal ureteral dilation and/or intracorporeal lithotripsy. Preoperative and postoperative pain questionnaires were obtained from each patient. Patients with stents had them removed 3 to 10 days postoperatively. Radiographic followup was performed postoperatively to assess stone-free rates and evidence of obstruction.Results: Six patients randomized to the unstented group were withdrawn from the study after significant intraoperative ureteral trauma was recognized, including 3 ureteral perforations, that required ureteral stent placement, leaving 53 with stents and 54 without for analys...
Focusing on High-Density Lipoprotein for Coronary Heart Disease Risk Reduction

A low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is an acknowledged risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) exerts its primary cardioprotective effect through a reverse cholesterol transport process, and suppression of this process has been the focus of the development of novel therapeutic agents for increasing HDL-C levels. Several strategies can be used to increase HDL-C levels to target cardiovascular risk reduction. This article presents a review of the biologic actions of HDL that can serve as a potential basis for antiatherosclerotic activity and discusses strategies for targeting HDL for CHD risk reduction.
Implementing peridynamics within a molecular dynamics code

Peridynamics (PD) is a continuum theory that employs a nonlocal model to describe material properties. In this context, nonlocal means that continuum points separated by a finite distance may exert force upon each other. A meshless method results when PD is discretized with material behavior approximated as a collection of interacting particles. This paper describes how PD can be implemented within a molecular dynamics (MD) framework, and provides details of an efficient implementation. This adds a computational mechanics capability to an MD code, enabling simulations at mesoscopic or even macroscopic length and time scales.
New Ghost Free Gravity Lagrangians with Propagating Torsion

A new class of ${R}^{2}$ type of actions without ghosts and tachyons is found in which both the vierbein field ${{e}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{a}$ and the spin connection ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{\mathrm{ab}}$ are independent and propagating fields. A complete set of spin-projection operators for ${{e}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{a}$ and ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}}^{\mathrm{ab}}$ is constructed. The particle content of these actions and other ${R}^{2}$ theories in the literature is given. The relation of this work to the interesting work of Neville is discussed.
A Revision of Selected Clades of Neotropical Mite Harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi, Neogoveidae) with the Description of Eight New Species

Abstract Among the least-studied families of mite harvestmen (Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi) is the family Neogoveidae, a group of arachnids that inhabits tropical rain forests on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean around the Equator, and an exquisite example of Gondwanan vicariance. To evaluate the diversity within Neogoveidae we studied the morphology of all currently recognized genera using a recent phylogeny of the group to provide a framework for the family in the Neotropics. That study identifies several clades that correspond to the recognized genera Neogovea, Huitaca, Metagovea, Canga, and the recently resurrected genus Brasilogovea, formerly synonymized with Neogovea. Neogovea is restricted to eastern Amazonia (Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname), Huitaca remains endemic to Colombia, Canga is restricted to its type locality in the Serra de Carajas (Para State, Brazil), Brasilogovea to Central Amazonas and the Tepuis region in Colombia, and Metagovea is the most widespread genus, found along the nor...
THE TERMINAL AIR SACS AND THEIR BLOOD SUPPLY IN A 37-DAY INFANT LUNG.

Wax models of a terminal spray of peripheral air passages from the middle lobe of a 37-day infant lung are presented in three views. Superimposed on drawings of the models are reconstructions of the arteries and veins. The spray begins with a pre-terminal bronchiole and ends in a trifurcation of alveolar ducts, each giving rise to two clusters of saccules. The third duct and its clusters are markedly under-developed. So far there is no evidence that new acini are being formed and the possibility of this seems less and less likely. Terminal arteries do not follow the rigid pattern of Miller (1937), namely, that an artery accompanying an alveolar duct breaks up into as many branches as there are “atria” and each of these into as many branches as there are sacculi. Instead, the six clusters are partially supplied by two rami which branch irregularly and also supply adjacent clusters. Parts of a cluster may be supplied by arteries from distant and alien sources. A long arterial ramus frequently takes a short cut through saccules of other clusters. Conspicuous are numerous small adventitious branches arising from the main artery. Often a peripheral vein is continuous with a pleural vein.
Atomic force microscope studies of lubricant films on solid surfaces

Abstract The tribological properties of Langmuir-Blodgett films of cadmium arachidate deposited on silicon wafers have been studied as a model boundary lubricant. An Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was used to measure the effect of a single molecular layer on the frictional force. Wear experiments on multilayers of cadmium arachidate indicate that the upper layers are easily worn away with the AFM tip, but the layer bonded to the SiO x -Si(111) substrate is not removed under the loads ( x 10 −7 N) used in our experiments.
The relationship between attitudes toward language study and cross-cultural attitudes

Abstract This study investigated the relationship between attitudes toward foreign language study (a general attitude toward language study; attitudes toward specific languages—Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish; and instrumental and integrative attitudes) and cross-cultural attitudes (world-mindedness and social distance). The results of a survey of US college students ( N = 151 ) indicated that: (1) a general attitude toward foreign language study was significantly related to world-mindedness and social distance; (2) attitudes toward Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish were significantly related to both world-mindedness and social distance, whereas an attitude toward French was not significantly related to either world-mindedness or social distance; and (3) an integrative attitude was significantly related to social distance, whereas an instrumental attitude was not significantly related to either world-mindedness or social distance.
Spirometry and Chest Wall Dimensions in Achondroplasia

Standard values for pulmonary function in short-limbed dwarfism are not available. Therefore, chest diameters and expiratory spirograms were measured in 58 female and 44 male subjects between 7 and 60 years of age with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. Standing height in adults was 49.6 ± 3.2 (SD) inches with a sitting/standing height ratio of 0.66 (normal 0.52–0.53). Despite extremely short stature, only AP chest diameters in males were smaller than control subjects of similar age. The following equations were derived for forced vital capacity (FVC): males (under 25 years), FVC(L)= −3.56 + 0.162 × sitting height (in) +0.067 × age (yrs); males (over 25 years), FVC(L)= −0.73 + 0.162 × sitting height (in) −0.047 × age (yrs); females (under 20 years), FVC(L) = − 3.56 + 0.150 × sitting height (in) + 0.067 × age (yrs); females (over 20 years), FVC(L)= −1.92 + 0.150 × sitting height (in) −0.016 × age (years). Similar prediction equations were derived for FEV 1 , and FEF25-75%: FEV 1 /FVC % was 84.2 (±6.5) for females and 88.0 (±6.5) for males. We also compared the observed FVC measurements to values calculated using standing heights derived from the subject's sitting height, assuming a normal body proportion. The observed vital capacity in achondroplasia was only 67.6 (± 19.2) percent of that predicted for normally proportioned females and 72.4 (±13.6) percent for males, suggesting reduced vital capacity in achondroplasia, due to reduced chest wall compliance or abnormal lung growth.
A Heterotopian Analysis of Maritime Refugee Incidents

Given the persistent significance of states in the determination of legal identities of people on the move, a consideration of the construction of people as legal (or illegal) migrants, refugees, or asylum-seekers must also recognize that these determinations take place in conjunction with the simultaneous processes through which spaces such as sovereign states or ships carrying asylum-seekers are constructed. A heterotopian analysis of the Tampa and the SIEVX of 2001 allows for a consideration of the ways in which notions of sovereignty, territory and governmentality work to stabilize ambiguous situations produced by the conflictual discourses of human rights and state power.