cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Femtosecond Time-Resolved Fluorescence Study of P3HT/PCBM Blend Films

In order to understand the dependence of photoinduced initial processes on thermal annealing, the femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence dynamics of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) in (thermally) annealed P3HT/[6,6]-phenyl-C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blend films has been studied by using the fluorescence up-conversion technique. For comparison, a P3HT solution, pristine P3HT, and unannealed P3HT/PCBM blend films have been investigated as well. The fluorescence dynamics of the P3HT solution showed wavelength dependence. Excitation energy transfer between the segments and torsional relaxation possibly occurred in a time scale of several ps in the solution. Observed rise times at longer wavelength emission suggested the formation of these relatively lower emission states (at 650 and 700 nm). Charge transfer (or excitonic quenching) was the dominant process in the fs time scale with emission at 650 nm in the unannealed blend film. In the annealed blend film, the charge transfer (334 fs) an...
Carnitine as an antidote for acute valproate toxicity in children.

Purpose of review Valproic acid is a widely used anticonvulsant that has recently been approved for stabilization of manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. As the use of valproic acid increases, the number of both accidental and intentional exposures increases. This is paralleled by more reports of valproic-acid-induced toxicity. The purpose of this article is to review the pathophysiology and toxicology of valproic acid and determine whether the literature supports the use of carnitine as a treatment for acute valproic-acid-induced toxicity. Recent findings Recent literature documents no cases of allergic reactions or serious side effects associated with the administration of carnitine when given patients with acute ingestions of valproic acid. Other findings suggest that carnitine increases the survival rate of patients who develop valproic-acid-induced hepatotoxicity. Early intervention with intravenous rather than enteral L-carnitine was associated with the greatest hepatic survival. Isolated pediatric case reports show that carnitine administration may reverse toxic metabolic pathways but may not hasten clinical improvement. Summary Based on this recent literature, it seems reasonable to use carnitine for documented severe valproic acid toxicity, particularly in cases where patients present with coma, rising ammonia level, or valproic acid levels greater than 450 mg/l.
Binding and Coulomb-deflection effects in L -shell Coulomb ionization by heavy charged particles. Low particle velocities

Experimental cross sections for $L$ -shell ionization by heavy charged particles, of atomic number small compared to the target atomic number and with velocities low compared to the $L$ -shell orbital velocities, can be smaller by more than an order of magnitude than the quantum-mechanical predictions in the plane-wave Born approximation (PWBA). The contribution of two effects, not contained in the PWBA, is derived. These effects are the binding of the $L$ -shell electrons to the moving particle during collision and the Coulomb deflection of the particle in the field of the target nucleus. As developed here for $L$ shells and previously for $K$ shells, the theory treats the excitation of inner shells from perturbed stationary states (PSS) and incorporates the effect of the Coulomb-distorted wave of the heavy charged projectile semiclassically. It agrees well with experimental $L$ -shell cross sections of 16 different target atoms for protons, and accounts for the isotope effect observed on various targets with protons and deuterosn of equal velocities.
The Fate of Filial Attachment in Juvenile Guinea Pigs Housed Apart from the Mother

Thirty-five-day-old juvenile guinea pigs exhibited higher levels of plasma cortisol following 60 min of exposure to a novel environment when tested alone than when in the presence of the mother. This effect occurred regardless of whether the offspring had been housed continuously with mother and littermates from birth until testing or had been rehoused with just littermates 1 or 2 days prior to testing. Offspring vocalized more when alone then when in the presence of the mother only if they had been housed continuously with her until testing. In addition, juvenile males reunited with the mother after 1 or 2 days directed sexual behavior toward her. The sexual behavior was not accompanied by a significant change in plasma testosterone levels, though there was an overall suppression of levels following isolation in the novel test environment. The results show that guinea pig mothers maintain the capacity to prevent their offspring from exhibiting a plasma cortisol stress response even when the offspring are well beyond weaning and have been housed apart from her for up to 2 days. This suggests the existence of filial attachment in juveniles under these conditions. Further, juvenile males appear capable of simultaneously directing filial attachment and sexual behavior toward the same female.
Dimensions of hunting satisfaction: Multiple‐satisfactions of wild turkey hunting

Abstract Dimensions of hunting satisfaction were studied among a sample of hunters who received permits to hunt wild turkeys in Michigan. Principal components analysis revealed seven dimensions of turkey hunting satisfaction: preparation, search, harvest, nature, out‐group social, companionship, and season. Although some components of turkey hunting satisfaction were similar to those studied previously for deer hunters, components found in this study to be important to turkey hunters’ satisfaction point to the importance of studying hunting groups of diverse species in order to understand more fully the satisfactions people derive from hunting.
An Alternative Phototransduction Model for Human Rod and Cone ERG a-waves: Normal Parameters and Variation with Age

A quantitative description of the activation reactions in the cGMP phototransduction cascade has been recently developed [Lamb & Pugh (1992). Journal of Physiology, 449, 719-758]. When applied to the human electroretinogram a-wave, the widely used simplified form of this model provides a good description of all waveforms except those elicited with very high energy stimuli. The basis for these misfits at high energies is explored in the current study and an alternative model of phototransduction is derived that retains the quantitative aspects but avoids certain simplifying assumptions previously made. The new model describes well both rod- and cone-isolated a-waves over a large range of stimulus energies extending up to those that cause significant bleaching. To facilitate clinical application of this methodology, a short test protocol is developed and normal data for rod and cone transduction parameters are provided over a wide age range. In the sample of normal subjects studied, maximum amplitude of rod and cone a-waves and sensitivity of the cone a-wave do not change with age. An age-related decline in rod a-wave sensitivity is present and it is greater than that expected from pre-retinal absorption alone.
Permeation porometry: Effect of probe diffusion in the condensate

Permeation porometry, aka “permporometry” is used as a tool to investigate the connected pore size distribution of asymmetric meso-porous membranes. The method is based on the selective filling of specific sized pores with a condensable vapor, and the analysis of a permeating non-condensable gaseous probe through the remaining open pores. The technique is frequently proposed as a convenient means of detecting pinholes in supported membranes. However, artifacts are found to arise in the desorption isotherm due to a combination of chemical diffusion of the probe gas through the pore-blocking liquid, cyclohexane, and the desorption of cyclohexane from the support. These artifacts can be misinterpreted as pinholes and/or overwhelm the contributions of real pinholes. γ-Alumina membranes of various thickness, supported on smooth homogeneous α-Al2O3 compacts, are used to demonstrate the occurrence of these artifacts. Non-condensable probe gasses O2 and Ne are used to identify the crucial difference between the Knudsen and chemical diffusion of the probe through either pinholes or a condensate filled membrane. In addition it is shown how analysis of chemical diffusion permeance through the membrane can be used to obtain the membrane's tortuosity for chemical diffusion.
Trends in centralization of cancer surgery.

Background The association between procedure volume and clinical outcomes has led many to advocate centralization of cancer procedures at high-volume centers (HVCs). Regional studies show practice patterns changing with increasing centralization of esophageal and pancreatic procedures at HVCs but little change for colorectal procedures. We hypothesize that similar trends are occurring nationwide.
Ventral bladder hernia following Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure for stress urinary incontinence

Ventral herniation of the bladder occurred in 2 patients following Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedures for stress incontinence. Symptoms included suprapubic pain, urgency, incontinence, and a ventral abdominal hernia. The diagnosis was easily established by cystography in both patients. Possible etiologic factors included postoperative wound infection in 1 patient and possibly suspension of the anterior bladder to the pubis in the other.
Matrix effects on selectivities of poly(ethylene glycol)s for alkali metal ion complexation in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization

The effect of the matrix on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) cationization was investigated using an equimolar mixture of CsCl and LiCl as cationizing agents. It was observed that for both carboxylic acid and non-carboxylic acid matrices used, PEG cationization by a given alkali metal ion depends on the matrix used. For example, cesiated PEG ion intensities were much stronger than those of the corresponding lithiated PEG ions when equimolar concentrations of Cs+ and Li+ were present and IAA (indolacrylic acid) was the matrix. However, an opposite result was obtained when the same experimental conditions were utilized, but with HABA (2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid) in place of IAA as the matrix. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scientific data visualization software: trends and directions

Scientific data visualization has finally come of age as an important and accepted discipline. While scientists have been using computer graphics to visualize experimental data and computational results for at least 30 years, recent improvements in cost/performance of graphics workstations, more readily available software, and a new-found identity based on the report "Visualization in Scientific Computing" (McCormick, DeFanti, and Brown, 1987) have solidified the discipline. The thesis here is that scientists are forced to work too hard to create these visualizations, but that the evolving set of visualization tools can greatly reduce the requisite effort. The architecture of a new class of software can lead to a more widespread availability of interactive visualization tools, which can make the process of creating a visualization as simple as doing interactive chart and graph layout.
Optimal control of type 1 diabetes mellitus in youth receiving intensive treatment.

Objective To investigate the impact of factors that might interfere with optimal glycemic control in youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in the current era of intensive management, including the interplay of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) on HbA1c levels. Study design This study comprised a database review of all patients under age 18 years with T1DM for at least 6 months duration. Sex, age, race/ethnicity, duration of diabetes, mode of insulin administration (pump vs injection), body mass index, SES, and HbA1c level were recorded at each patient's most recent visit between January and September 2003. Results Mean HbA1c level for the 455 patients was 7.6% ± 1.4%; only 31% of patients failed to meet the therapeutic goal of P = .02), older age ( P = .001), longer duration of diabetes ( P P P = .001) as significantly associated with higher HbA1c level. After adjustment for SES, race/ethnicity was not a determinant of HbA1c level. Conclusions Low SES had a greater association with poor metabolic control than did race/ethnicity, which was not associated with differences in HbA1c level after controlling for SES. Most children were able to attain glycemic targets at least as good as the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial recommendations in a large clinical practice.
Optimal scheduling of biocide dosing for seawater-cooled power and desalination plants

Thermal desalination systems are typically integrated with power plants to exploit the excess heat resulting from the power-generation units. Using seawater in cooling the power plant and the desalination system is a common practice in many parts of the world where there is a shortage of freshwater. Biofouling is one of the major problems associated with the usage of seawater in cooling systems. Because of the dynamic variation in the power and water demands as well as the changes in the characteristics of seawater and the process, there is a need to develop an optimal policy for scheduling biocide usage and cleaning maintenance of the heat exchangers. The objective of this article is to introduce a systematic procedure for the optimization of scheduling the dosing of biocide and dechlorination chemicals as well as cleaning maintenance for a power production/thermal desalination plant. A multi-period optimization formulation is developed and solved to determine: the optimal levels of dosing and dechlorination chemicals; the timing of maintenance to clean the heat-exchange surfaces; and the dynamic dependence of the biofilm growth on the applied doses, the seawater-biocide chemistry, the process conditions, and seawater characteristics for each time period. The technical, economic, and environmental considerations of the system are accounted for. A case study is solved to elucidate the applicability of the developed optimization approach.
Thyrotropic activity in separated rostral and caudal halves of the pars distalis of Rana pipiens.

Abstract The rostral half of the pars distalis contains a purple cell (after Crossmonstaining) which is virtually absent from the caudal half. The purple cell is periodic acid Schiff-positive and aldehyde fuchsin-positive. Dawson suggested, on cytologic grounds, that this cell type is thyrotropic. Three definitive thyrotropin assays of the rostral and caudal half-lobes were carried out to test the hypothesis, using the goldfish microhistometric assay method. The first assay involved suspensions of material cut under acetone. A mean thyroid cell height of 12.1 micra (rostral) and 13.1 micra (caudal) was obtained. In the second assay, extracts of material cut under Ringer's fluid gave a mean cell height of 11.4 micra for the rostral half and 7.7 micra for the caudal half. This difference is not statistically significant at the 5% level. In the third assay, which was an attempt to reproduce the results of the second assay, a mean cell height of 11.3 micra was obtained for the rostral half, whereas fish injected with the caudal half showed a mean height of 12.2 micra. The data from these experiments strongly suggests that thyrotropin is not produced by the purple cells but rather that it is produced by a cell type that is fairly uniformly distributed throughout the lobe. It appears likely that the aniline blue cell type 2 is the thyrotropic cell.
Improving sleep hygiene behavior in adults living with HIV/AIDS: a randomized control pilot study of the SystemCHANGETM–HIV intervention

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of a novel, evidence-based intervention SystemCHANGE–HIV on sleep outcomes. Background Insomnia and sleep disturbances affect an estimated 74% of people living with HIV (PLWH) and is a distressing consequence of HIV disease. Methods We conducted a two-group randomized control study with 40 PLWH. Outcomes included change in: sleep duration, sleep fragmentation index, sleep efficiency, and self-reported sleep quality. Results Participants rated the intervention as highly feasible. The intervention group experienced a 10minute/night increase in sleep time, a 2.3%-point increase in sleep efficiency, a 2.0%-point decrease in sleep fragmentation, relative to the control group, based on the model estimates of the treatment effect. Conclusions A behavioral change intervention focusing on sleep is feasible in PLWH. The intervention group had improved sleep compared to the control group. Future work should test the efficacy of a refined SystemCHANGE–HIV on sleep.
Contamination of the Marcy Anorthosite Massif, Adirondack Mountains, NY: petrologic and isotopic evidence

Oxygen isotope analyses of 101 samples from the Marcy Anorthosite Massif (61 from this study, 40 from Taylor 1969), indicate that two major and distinct processes of crustal contamination have affected the massif. Ninety percent of the 93 samples with over 65% plagioclase are enriched in 18O by ∼ 2.6 ‰ relative to “normal” anorthosites or gabbros: the average δ18O for 83 enriched samples is 9.5 ‰ Depletions in 18O occur in 8% of the samples which have values ranging from 3.0 to 5.8 ‰ Only 2 of the samples fall within the normal magmatic range for anorthosites. Low δ18O values of 3.0 to 5.8 ‰ in the anorthosite occur only near contacts, and a gradient in δ18O occurs near the contact within the border zone of the massif. Low δ18O values in both the anorthosite and adjacent wollastonite skarns (with δ18O down to −1.3) were probably caused by isotopic exchange with heated meteoric water when the anorthosite intruded at shallow levels, prior to Grenvilleage (∼ 1.1 by) granulite facies metamorphism. The 18O-enrichment was ascribed to exchange between anorthosite and 18O-rich marble by means of a pervasive, H2O-CO2 fluid during the regional metamorphism by Taylor (1969). However, a number of lines of evidence argue against this hypothesis: 1) the preservation of premetamorphic low δ18O values in anorthosite from the border zone as well as preserved gradients in δ18O from a number of localities, 2) mass balance calculations of the amount of marble necessary to produce the 18O enrichment 3) metamorphic phase equilibria which buffer $$P_{{\text{CO}}_{\text{2}} } $$ and $$P_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}} $$ to low values, and, 4) recent oxygen isotope analyses show homogeneity which indicates that magmatic oxygen isotope compositions have been preserved. We evaluated the importance of magmatic assimilation of country rock at the present level of intrusion as an alternative cause of the 18Oenrichment. Samples from 2 distinct lobes of the massif were analyzed: the NE lobe where xenoliths of metasedimentary country rock are common, and the NW lobe, where xenoliths are scarce and the country rock is dominantly granitic. The mean values of δ18O for these two lobes are 9.6 in the NE and 9.3 in the NW. Thus, magmatic assimilation at the present level of exposure probably had only localized and relatively minor effects on the oxygen isotope composition of the massif. This conclusion is supported by Rb/Sr data: variations in Rb content and (87Sr/ 86Sr)i show that such crustal contamination is localized, generally occurring only in samples near the border zone. All of the available results suggest that the 18O-enrichment is a magmatic feature, acquired prior to intrusion at the present level of exposure.
On V-V compounds in Chinese

In this study of resultative V-V compounds in Chinese, it is shown that only certain theta-grid patterns are allowed. The restrictions on theta assignment are shown to follow automatically from standard Case theory and three other independently motivated assumptions of current Government-Binding Theory: theta-identification (Higginbotham 1985), a structured theta-grid (Grimshaw 1989) and head-feature percolation. Given the assumption that theta roles are assigned hierarchically, these theoretical devices interact so as to allow all well-formed V-V compounds while excluding all impossible compounds.
Structural geology: To fault or not to fault

Most of the oceanic crust has a simple layered structure. The discovery that slow-spreading ridges exhibit a comparatively complex crustal structure and some of the largest extensional faults on Earth is leading to the recognition of a new mode of seafloor spreading.
Manageable Granularity in Mobile Application Code Offloading for Energy Savings

Applications running on mobile devices bring users new and convenient experience. However, energy limitations on mobile platforms will reduce the performance and sustainability. Code offloading mechanisms partition application codes and offload partial workloads to remote servers for energy savings. However, code offloading effect tends to be challenged by network transmissions as desired responsiveness maybe violated. Thus, the decisions on partitioning granularity become pivotal. In this paper, we propose a two-phase partitioning mechanism called MACO which maintains both the application responsiveness and a manageable granularity. We find that transmitting UI information is inefficient in network communication. So application codes are automatically divided into computational and UI-related segments firstly, where the latter ones are preferred to run locally. Secondly, the programmer can fine tune the intermediate partitioning result with a visual tool. We implemented MACO in web browsing applications written in HTML5/JavaScript codes. Evaluations on both real-world and simulated workloads show it reduces the response time (and corresponding energy) by up to 91% while the granularity is easy to manage.
Isolation of the chlorophyll-related pigment isochlorin-e4 from the tropical red alga Dasya pedicellata

Abstract Isochlorin-e4, a blue-green pigment related to the chlorophylls, has been isolated as a major metabolite from the tropical marine red alga Dasya pedicellata. The structure of isochlorin-e4 was assigned on the basis of comprehensive 2D 13C and 1H NMR analyses. Although isochlorin-e4 has been prepared by synthesis, this appears to be the first report of its occurrence in nature.
Turnover of the Brain Specific Protein, S-100

Rats were killed after intraventricular administration of [3H]leucine, and the turnover rates of total soluble proteins and of the brain specific S-100 protein were determined. The half-life of S-100 was estimated to be 16 days. The S-100 protein, thus, has a turnover not unlike that of the average water-soluble protein of brain.
Activation of Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate-Dependent Protein Kinase A Signaling Prevents Liver Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) occurs in multiple clinical settings, including liver transplantation. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway inhibits hepatocellular apoptosis and regulates toll-like receptor 4-triggered inflammation responses in vitro. Here we examined the function and therapeutic potential of cAMP-PKA activation in a murine (C57/BL6) model of liver warm ischemia (90 minutes) followed by reperfusion. Liver IRI triggered cAMP-PKA activation, whereas the administration of its specific inhibitor, H89, exacerbated hepatocellular damage. Conversely, forskolin therapy, which activates PKA by elevating cAMP levels, protected livers from IRI; this was evidenced by diminished serum alanine aminotransferase levels and well-preserved tissue architecture. Liver protection due to cAMP-PKA stimulation was accompanied by diminished neutrophil and macrophage infiltration/activation, reduced hepatocyte necrosis/apoptosis, and increased cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) expression and augmented interleukin-10 (IL-10) expression. The neutralization of IL-10 restored liver damage in otherwise ischemia/reperfusion-resistant, forskolin-treated mice. In vitro, cAMP-PKA activation diminished macrophage tumor necrosis factor α, IL-6, and IL-12 in an IL-10-dependent manner and prevented necrosis/apoptosis in primary mouse hepatocyte cultures. Our novel findings in a mouse model of liver IRI document the importance of cAMP-PKA signaling in hepatic homeostasis and cytoprotection in vivo. The activation of cAMP-PKA signaling differentially regulates local inflammation and prevents hepatocyte death, and this provides a rationale for novel therapeutic approaches to combating liver IRI in transplant recipients.
Magnetic impurities in gallium antimonide

The electronic structure of Fe and Mn impurities and Ga and Sb vacancies in gallium antimonide has been investigated by the spin-polarized LMTO-TB method. Magnetic moments and total energies of doped zinc-blende crystals have been calculated making use of the 128-site supercells. Both anion and cation doping has been considered. For all types of doping Fe and Mn atoms stay magnetic with well localized magnetic moments, which are substantially less than their ionic values. Fe magnetic moment is 2.28μ B when at the cation site and 1.30μ B when at the anion site. Mn magnetic moments are 3.60μ B and 3.12μ B for the cation and anion sites, respectively. The total energies for supercells with and without magnetic impurities were used to determine the most probable sites for doping Fe and Mn atoms. Both magnetic atoms have larger binding energies when entering cation sites of the lattice. The position of magnetic electron levels relative to valence and conduction bands shows that Fe and Mn can provide both hole carriers and localized magnetic moments resulting in interesting combination of semiconducting and magnetic behavior. Possible lattice relaxation effects near impurity atoms are considered. The calculation results are compared with experimental data available for III-V systems.
Laboratory safety procedures for processing II-VI and related compounds for thin film photovoltaics☆

Abstract The Institute of Energy Conversion (IEC) at the University of Delaware has been fabricating and evaluating thin film solar cells from II-VI and related compounds for over a decade. Materials of interest have included CdS, (CdZn)S, CdTe, (CdHg)Te, CuInSe 2 , ZnS, ZnSe and ZnO. In this paper, we describe specific safety-driven procedures which have evolved for material handling, operating and cleaning of equipment, as well as environmental and biological monitoring. The emphasis of the paper is based on our experience with small-scale batch and unit operations-scale depositions of CdS and (CdHg)Te by evaporation in an academic research and development laboratory. The toxicology and techniques for monitoring environmental levels of cadmium and mercury are described.
TICK PARALYSIS IN A GREY FOX

One hundred seventeen Dermacentor variabilis were removed from the head and back of a grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) showing paresis and diminished motor reflexes of the hind limbs. Rapid and total recovery led to a diagnosis of tick paralysis.
Synthesis and characterization of mechanically alloyed Ni-Sn powders

Ni1−xSnx alloys were synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) from pure nickel and tin powders. The reaction products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In the composition range studied (0.2 < x < 0.4), a single-phase amorphous alloy was obtained for Ni75Sn25. At all other compositions, the powders were mixtures of amorphous and microcrystalline phases. Amorphous Ni75Sn25 alloy, heated at 10 K min−1, crystallizes polymorphously into the intermetallic Ni3Sn at 608 K. The crystallization enthalpy and the apparent activation energy of crystallization are 3.4 and 213 kJ mol−1 respectively. A free-energy diagram was calculated as a function of composition for T = 240 K (the ball milling temperature) using a thermodynamic model and our data. Comparison of this diagram with the products from the MA tests indicates that the formation of amorphous Ni1−xSnx. competes with the formation of crystalline Ni3Sn2 and the terminal nickel-rich solid solution. The amorphous Ni75Sn25 powder had a diamond pyramid hardness of 730 kg mm−2. This powder was hot-pressed at 523 K and 0.86 GPa into cylinders 4.8 mm in diameter and 3 mm in length. The amorphous compacts had a density 98% of that of crystalline Ni3Sn and a diamond pyramid microhardness of 750 kg mm−2. Corrosion-resistance measurements showed no weight losses after exposure to HNO3 or H2SO4 for 6 days.
Decline in Fish Consumption Among Pregnant Women After a National Mercury Advisory

Abstract Objective A well-publicized January 2001 federal advisory recommended that pregnant women limit consumption of certain fish because of concerns about mercury contamination. We endeavored to estimate the extent to which pregnant women changed fish consumption habits after dissemination of this national advisory. Methods We performed interrupted time series analysis of data from a cohort of pregnant women (2235 who completed at least one dietary questionnaire) visiting obstetric offices in a multispecialty group practice in eastern Massachusetts, surveyed before the advisory from April 1999 through December 2000 and after the advisory from April 2001 through February 2002. Main outcome measures were consumption of total fish and of four fish types: canned tuna, dark meat fish, shellfish, and white meat fish. Subjects reported fish consumption on semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires administered at each trimester of pregnancy. Results We observed diminished consumption of dark meat fish, canned tuna, and white meat fish after the national mercury advisory. These decreases resulted in a reduction in total fish consumption of approximately 1.4 servings per month (95% confidence interval 0.7, 2.0) from December 2000 to April 2001, with ongoing declines through the end of the study period. There was no change in shellfish intake. Conclusion After dissemination of federal recommendations, pregnant women in this cohort reported reduced consumption of fish, including tuna, dark meat fish, and white meat fish. Because these fish may confer nutritional benefits to mother and infant, public health implications of these changes remain unclear.
Study of the influence of left bundle branch block on the signal-averaged electrocardiogram: a qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Abstract To study the influence of left bundle branch block (LBBB) on the signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG), quantitative and qualitative analyses of SAECG parameters were undertaken in 48 patients with electrocardiographic evidence of intrinsic LBBB and in 39 patients with a "normal" surface QRS duration ( p = 0.04, 0.009, and 0.007, respectively). Noninducible patients with a normal QRS duration demonstrated a 60% decrement in the mean RMS 40 value during pacing-induced LBBB. These changes resulted in a 59% false positive incidence of late potentials during pacing-induced LBBB. This correlated with a similarly low mean RMS 40 value in patients with intrinsic LBBB and no inducible SMVT, hence giving rise to a false positive incidence of late potentials of 63%. Since "standard" RMS 40 and LAS 40 criteria resulted in low specificity and positive predictive value, new parameters were selected and analyzed. The combination of RMS 40 ≤ 17 μV plus LAS 40 ≥ 55 msec yielded the best overall statistical result, with a sensitivity, specificity, and total predictive accuracy of 69%, 81%, and 77%, respectively. in conclusion: (1) A reduction of RMS 40, prolongation of LAS 40, and fragmentation of signals in the terminal portion of the filtered QRS are charateristics of LBBB. (2) New RMS 40 and LAS 40 criteria for late potentials possessed higher total predictive accuracy for inducible sustained monomorphic VT than "standard" criteria in patients with LBBB.
Probing ion-channel pores one proton at a time

Although membrane proteins often rely on ionizable residues for structure and function, their ionization states under physiological conditions largely elude experimental estimation. To gain insight into the effect of the local microenvironment on the proton affinity of ionizable residues, we have engineered individual lysines, histidines and arginines along the α-helical lining of the transmembrane pore of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. We can detect individual proton binding–unbinding reactions electrophysiologically at the level of a single proton on a single side chain as brief blocking–unblocking events of the passing cation current. Kinetic analysis of these fluctuations yields the position-dependent rates of proton transfer, from which the corresponding pKa values and shifts in pKa can be calculated. Here we present a self-consistent, residue-by-residue description of the microenvironment around the pore-lining transmembrane α-helices (M2) in the open-channel conformation, in terms of the excess free energy that is required to keep the engineered basic side chains protonated relative to bulk water. A comparison with closed-channel data leads us to propose that the rotation of M2, which is frequently invoked as a hallmark of the gating mechanism of Cys-loop receptors, is minimal, if any. How the protonation state of ionizable residues in proteins is modulated by the microenvironment is fundamental to many processes at the interface of biology, chemistry and physics. It is has long been recognized as an experimentally elusive, if not intractable, phenomenon. Now a new approach, combining protein engineering and single-channel patch-clamp methods, makes it possible to detect individual proton binding and unbinding events with microsecond time-resolution in muscle nicotinic receptors.
Evaluation of Commercial and Newly-synthesized Amine Accelerators for Dental Composites

The characteristics of newly synthesized tertiary aromatic amines as accelerators for restorative resins have been evaluated. Comparison of the composites prepared with these and presently used accelerators indicate that resins formulated with 4-N,N-dimethylaminophenylacetic acid, its methyl ester or N,N-dimethylaminoglutethimide have properties generally better than comparable resins prepared with commercially used amines.
Phosphohistidine as a stoichiometric intermediate in reactions catalyzed by isoenzymes of wheat germ acid phosphatase

Abstract Burst titration experiments conducted on a highly purified isoenzyme of wheat germ acid phosphatase under conditions where [ S ] o > K m indicate that there is one titratable active site per molecule of enzyme of molecular weight 59,000. The enzyme is labeled to only a small extent with inorganic [ 32 P]phosphate ion. Incubation of wheat germ acid phosphatase with 32 P-labeled substrates such as p -nitrophenyl phosphate or inorganic pyrophosphate followed by quenching in alkali results in the stoichiometric trapping of a base-stable, acid-labile phosphorylated protein. The extent of 32 P incorporation parallels the degree of purity of the enzyme and corresponds to the incorporation of 1 mol of phosphate per mole of enzyme. The incorporation is eliminated by the simultaneous presence of excess unlabeled phosphate ion (a competitive inhibitor) and is not observed when a noncatalytic protein (such as bovine serum albumin) is substituted for the enzyme. Complete alkaline hydrolysis of the labeled protein results in the recovery of an 85% yield of τ-phosphohistidine, identified by ion-exchange chromatography, high-voltage paper electrophoresis, and comparison with a synthetic sample. A 32 P-labeled tryptic tetradecapeptide was isolated following hydrolysis of the labeled, reduced, and carboxymethylated protein with trypsin at pH 8.3, separation of the labeled peptide, and purification by two methods including a novel variant of a diagonal electrophoresis technique. The end groups and composition of the peptide are reported. The data are consistent with the interpretation that a phosphohistidine-enzyme intermediate is formed as an obligatory intermediate in the catalytic reaction involving this enzyme.
Exploring affective communication through variable-friction surface haptics

This paper explores the use of variable friction surface haptics enabled by the TPad Tablet to support affective communication between pairs of users. We introduce three haptic applications for the TPad Tablet (text messaging, image sharing, and virtual touch) and evaluate the applications with 24 users, including intimate couples and strangers. Participants used haptics to communicate literal texture, denote action within a scene, convey emotional information, highlight content, express and engage in physical playfulness, and to provide one's partner with an experience or sensation. We conclude that users readily associate haptics with emotional expression and that the intimacy of touch in the contexts we study is best suited for communications with close social partners.
Differential reinforcement of low rates performance by impulsive and reflective children.

Third-grade boys classified as either cognitively impulsive or reflective were reinforced for key pressing according to a DRL (differential reinforcement of low rates) 6-sec schedule of reinforcement. Half of each group received instructions about the behavioral requirements for obtaining reinforcements. Prior to DRL training, impulsive Ss showed a low probability of key press responding at long interresponse time (IRT) intervals while reflective Ss exhibited an equal probability of terminating either short or long IRTs. During training and in the absence of instructions, impulsives exhibited a less precise temporal discrimination, characterized by a greater predominance of response bursts (0–2 sec IRTs) following reinforcements, than reflective Ss. While impulsive and reflective Ss displayed similar frequencies of collateral behavior between successively reinforced responses, impulsives engaged in the reinforced response more frequently and tended (p < .08) to obtain fewer reinforcements. Instructions served to enhance the DRL performance.
Primary anaplastic large-cell lymphoma associated with breast implants

Primary T-cell anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) of the breast is a rare entity, which has been reported in association with breast implants. In a retrospective analysis of the City of Hope pathology database, we uncovered nine such patients, eight of whom had breast implants proximal to primary ALCL. The diagnosis of ALCL in the implant capsule occurred at a median of 7 years (range 5–30) following implant surgery, and median patient age was 45.5 years (range 32–62). Malignancy was effusion-associated in two cases and tissue-associated in six. Seven patients were negative for anaplastic large-cell kinase (ALK) and one patient was positive. Treatment and follow-up data were available for four patients, all tissue-associated cases: two patients were lost to follow-up after failing to mobilize stem cells and two patients were in remission, 6 years and 7.5 years post-autologous transplant. These cases represent 24% of reported primary ALCL cases associated with breast implants. Our review of these cases ...
Effect of a sulfonium analog of dopamine on the depolarization-induced release of [3H]acetylcholine from mouse striatal slices

P3 have synthesized a chemical analog or dopamine in which the amino group has been replaced by a charged dimethylsulfonium group. The dopaminergic activity of this drug was evaluated by determining its ability to inhibit the depolarization-evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine from mouse striatal slices. The slices were preincubated with [3H]choline (0.1 microM) and then superfused in physiological medium. [3H]Acetylcholine release was induced by exposure of the slices to a high potassium medium (12.5 mM) for 5 min. The sulfonium analog of dopamine, dopamine, and apomorphine inhibited the evoked [3H]acetylcholine release with IC50 values of approximately 10, 2.0, and 0.3 microM respectively. The inhibition by the sulfonium analog was reversed by fluphenazine (1 microM), suggesting that the inhibition of [3H]acetylcholine release was due to the activation of dopaminergic receptors. The sulfonium analog also inhibited the uptake of [3H]dopamine into striatal slices and caused the release of exogenously taken up [3H]dopamine from these slices. The release of [3H]dopamine by the sulfonium analog was inhibited by cocaine (3 microM), suggesting that the drug-induced release of [3H]dopamine was dependent on the carrier-mediated uptake of the sulfonium analog into dopaminergic neurons. The inhibition of the evoked [3H]acetylcholine release by high concentrations (30 and 60 microM) of the sulfonium analog did not appear to be mediated by endogenous dopamine release, since the analog still inhibited [3H]acetylcholine release from slices after reserpine-alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine treatment. However, the inhibitory effect of the sulfonium analog at 10 microM was reduced by reserpine-alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine treatment, suggesting that the inhibition at lower concentrations was mediated through endogenous DA release. These results suggest that a charged compound can act as a substrate for the dopamine carrier and can activate the dopamine receptor regulating acetylcholine release. They also indicate that the nitrogen on the dopamine molecule is not essential for dopamine agonist activity.
An investigation of habituation in the jellyfish Aurelia aurita

Three experiments were conducted to examine the effectiveness of different forms of tactile stimulation, probe and stream, and interstimulus intervals (ISI) in producing habituation in the polypoid sessile stage of the jellyfish Aurelia aurita. Results from Experiment 1 showed that polyps significantly decreased their responsiveness to both forms of tactile stimulation with 30-s ISI across 60 trials. Response to a novel stimulus indicated that the response decrement had not been due to fatigue. When the ISI was lengthened to 6 min in Experiment 2, response to the probe form of tactile stimulation did not significantly decrease across 20 trials. Using an ISI of 1 min in Experiment 3, response to the probe form of tactile stimulation decreased significantly across 40 trials. A significant increase in response to the original stimulus (dishabituation) following presentation of a novel stimulus indicated that response decrement was due to habituation or a habituation-like process rather than simple effector fatigue or sensory adaptation.
On a leader election algorithm: Truncated geometric case study

Abstract Recent work of Kalpathy and Mahmoud (in press) gives very general results for a broad class of fair leader election algorithms. They study the duration of contestants, i.e., the number of rounds a randomly selected contestant stays in the competition and another parameter for the associated tree structure. They present a unifying treatment for leader election algorithms, and they show how perpetuities naturally come about. Their theory, however, produces only trivial asymptotic results for the duration of election for some distributions, such as a truncated geometric distribution. In the case of a truncated geometric distribution, the limiting distribution of the duration of contestants is degenerate, and the method of Kalpathy and Mahmoud (in press) does not yield the precise asymptotics. The goal of this short note is to use an alternative method–namely, the q -series methodology–to make a very precise asymptotic analysis of the rate of decay of the mean and the variance of the duration of the election.
The effect of transient voltages on dielectrics-III

In practise, failures of dielectrics are generally caused by transient voltages. It is, therefore, of great practical importance to determine the various phenomena affecting the strength of dielectrics and means of protecting them when they are subjected to known transient voltages. An impulse generator from which impulse voltages of any given wave front, length of tail, etc., can be obtained is described. Energy is required to rupture gaseous, liquid and solid dielectrics; this introduces a time element. Thus, on account of this time lag, when voltage is applied at a very rapid rate, as by an impulse, spark-over does not occur when the continuously applied breakdown voltage is reached. The voltage ``over-shoots'' or rises above this value during the time rupture is taking place. This excess, or rise, in voltage above the continuously applied breakdown value is greater the greater the rate of application. The time depends upon the nature of the dielectric, the dielectric field, the shape and spacing of the electrodes, initial ionization, etc. The strength of air between spheres and needles for impulses of different front, length of tail, etc., is given, as well as the time in micro-seconds and the voltage required to rupture air between spheres and needles on the front of waves rising at various rates. Transient spark-over and corona voltages for wires, surface spark-over, insulator spark-over, effects of polarity, air density, practical application, etc., are given. Transient spark-over voltage and time are recorded for oil, and various solid dielectrics.
Aluminate Glasses - A Review

A review of the preparation, characterization and properties of aluminate glasses is presented. The review begins with a discussion of the theory of glass formation and its application to aluminate glasses, and continues with a listing of glass-forming aluminate compositions. It concludes with an overview of the optical properties of these glasses, especially infra-red transmission. A few remarks are offered regarding potential research and application of these glasses.
Microbial inactivation of Pseudomonas putida and Pichia pastoris using gene silencing.

Antisense deoxyoligonucleotide (ASO) gene silencing was investigated as a potential disinfection tool for industrial and drinking water treatment application. ASOs bind with their reverse complemen...
Interferon-γ alters expression of endothelial cell-surface glycosphingolipids

Abstract Our previous work on human endothelial cell (EC) glycosphingolipids (GSLs) demonstrated that these cells contain a large diversity of GSLs, predominantly with lacto core structures. In order to evaluate the role of GSLs as EC antigens and receptors, we investigated their cell-surface expression on confluent EC monolayers and ECs activated by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). IFN-γ activation of endothelial cells resulted in a small change in GSL composition, but greatly increased surface expression of gangliosides and decreased surface expression of neutral GSLs. In particular, surface expression of the major neutral GSL, globoside, decreased three- to fourfold as measured both by galactose oxidase labeling and by binding of the anti-globoside monoclonal antibody 9G7. IFN-γ did not significantly alter the total cell content of globoside, as measured by metabolic labeling, but rather altered the ratio of accessible cell surface to intracellular globoside. Two mechanisms appear to contribute to the decreased cell-surface globoside expression. IFN-γ treatment increased the relative proportion of intracellular globoside which is associated with the cell cytoskeleton. IFN-γ treatment also caused more of the cell-surface globoside to be inaccessible to antibody, and both neuraminidase and trypsin treatment of the cells increased globoside accessibility. IL-1 treatment increased total cell GSL content, but did not alter GSL composition or cell-surface binding by six anti-carbohydrate antibodies. The specific modulation of cell-surface GSLs by IFN-γ suggests that GSLs may play a role in the altered adhesive and receptor activities of IFN-γ-activated ECS.